Extracurricular Activities
Medical schools want to see that a student can not only manage a rigorous academic curriculum, but that they have outside interests, are able to work with and show empathy toward others, have gained experience in the medical field already, and generally possess reserve capacity to meet future challenges. As such, Pre-Medical students are strongly recommended to participate in extracurricular activities, such as clinical (i.e., health professions) experience, research, and non-clinical volunteer activities.
Clinical Experience
Direct experience in the health professions is one of the best ways to gain a deeper understanding of the field and determine whether medicine is an appropriate career choice. Additionally, clinical experience can help demonstrate to medical schools that you are aware of some of the realities of practicing medicine and have perhaps picked up a few techniques along the way.
Georgetown offers a wide range of clinical opportunities ranging from working with the Georgetown Emergency Response Medical Service (GERMS), volunteering at the Georgetown University Hospital or Lombardi Cancer Center, shadowing local physicians, or working through the Center for Social Justice in DC-area clinics.
Research Activities
Research activity for Pre-Med students can help demonstrate synthetic thinking and analytical skills as well as a deeper understanding of the discipline under study. While biomedical research is particularly appropriate, all forms of research are useful in conveying a sense of independent scholarship and advanced achievement.
Students from all disciplines should consider the Georgetown University Research Opportunities Program (GUROP), a program that funds students to pursue research projects in collaboration with Georgetown University faculty. For majors in the Biology Department, the Howard Hughes Undergraduate Research Scholars Program is one of the premier programs for undergraduate biomedical research. Many departments provide research opportunities through a senior thesis or honors programs.
Students wishing to pursue research projects should consult with faculty in their department or at the GU Medical Center.
Volunteer Activities
Volunteer work is essential in demonstrating empathy toward others and a desire to see that needs of others are attended to. There are several opportunities to volunteer through Georgetown programs.
• The Center for Social Justice maintains a lengthy list of volunteer opportunities for Georgetown students.
• The Hoya Outreach Programs & Education (HOPE) is an organization of Georgetown students dedicated to community involvement and service. Programs include the HOPE Dental Program, Mobile Soup Kitchen, and more.
Hands on DC is an all volunteer project that creates better schools and brighter futures for students in the District of Columbia.
Greater DC Cares connects volunteers with opportunities across the greater DC area.
The American Red Cross of the National Capital Area provides humanitarian services to the people of Washington, D.C., northern Virginia, and western Maryland.
