Top 7 Mistakes Pre-Meds Make (and How to Avoid Them)
Do you think you’re acing the pre-med game?
Plot twist: even star students slip. From MCAT mayhem to mentor ghosting, these 7 rookie moves can trip you up fast. Let’s fix the fumbles before your app flatlines.
1. Skipping Research or Clinical Experiences
❌ Why it's a mistake: Med schools want to see commitment to healthcare.
✅ How to avoid it: Start small — shadow, volunteer, or join a lab early on.
📌 Tip: Look for summer research programs, local hospital volunteer gigs, and check out the newsletter below ;)
2. Not Forming Strong Mentor Relationships
❌ Why it matters: You’ll need guidance and quality letters of rec.
✅ How to avoid it: Be intentional—go to office hours, follow up after shadowing, and join faculty-run programs.
📌 Tip: Keep a mentor map—track who you’re building relationships with and why.
3. Overloading on Difficult Classes Too Early
❌ What happens: Burnout, lower grades, and a bruised ego.
✅ How to avoid it: Spread out your science prereqs and mix with classes you enjoy (not that I’m assuming you don’t enjoy orgo lol).
📌 Tip: Use your four-year plan like a strategy game, not a sprint. If you haven’t made a 4-year plan yet, check out this post!
4. Focusing Too Much on GPA, Neglecting Experiences
❌ The trap: Straight-A robot ≠ future doctor material.
✅ Balance it out: Quality experiences + solid GPA = strong app.
📌 Tip: Set academic goals and experience goals each semester.
5. Underestimating the Importance of MCAT Planning
❌ Common error: “I’ll just study over spring break.”
✅ How to avoid it: Make a 3–6 month study plan and choose the test date strategically.
📌 Tip: Treat the MCAT like a part-time job with a syllabus.
If you need help overcoming the emotional hurdles of the MCAT, find some tips here:
6. Not Keeping a Journal of Experiences for the AMCAS Application
❌ Why it bites later: You forget what you actually did or felt.
✅ How to avoid it: Weekly or monthly reflections—what you did, what you learned, patient stories.
📌 Tip: Use Google Docs, Notion, or a voice note app—whatever keeps you consistent.
7. Being Reactive, Not Proactive, with Advising
❌ Mistake: Only seeing your advisor after things go wrong.
✅ How to avoid it: Schedule regular check-ins, even when things are going well.
📌 Tip: Come with questions and goals, not just problems.
✅ Final Takeaway
Pre-med isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being strategic and self-aware.
You don’t need to avoid every mistake, but learning from others' missteps gives you a serious edge.
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🕰️ Have an extra minute to procrastinate? Check out some more pre-health scaries’ posts!