OP, I didn’t think @JustOneDad was being rude at all, very realistic. To answer your question, one doesn’t create a hook. Just do things or join clubs that you find interesting. Don’t do something now because you think you may want to be a neonatologist in the future. My 3rd year med school daughter never considered things in HS other than “things” high schoolers do. UG admissions officers see right through those who all of a sudden “do” something to pad their application.
The number of Youtube followers isn’t really relevant for a college review. And as OP said, it’s fashion.
This sort of thing you ask about, some med-related experience, isn’t a hook. What it could be is evidence you can get out there and make a contribution and gain experience toward your future goal.
NIH and COSMOS, etc, are great ideas, some other states have similar- you want a selective and rigorous program, not the sort where you just tour, watch and listen. But, nothing beats hands-on work directly with those in need, their health and well-being. This isn’t just about classroom, research, the magnitude of the project or some prestige, it’s not just about putting yourself in the environment (as you’re seeing at the nurses station.) It can also be about your basic compassion and willingness to put yourself where you are needed. Some churches participate in nutrition programs, sometimes you can vol with a youth-in-crisis program as a teen mentor, etc. What sorts of local programs support those in your immigrant group?
What about getting your CNA certification over the summer through your local technical/community college?
I agree with the poster upstream who says you really don’t “create hooks”. One issue you may have with some of these health related volunteer things…And internships…is that you are not yet 18 years old. Around here, HS kids used to be able to volunteer at the local hospital. That no longer is possible.
I think you should concentrate on getting tippy top grades, and on getting tippy top SAT or ACT scores. To be honest, those are going to help you get into a selective college far more than a “hook”. A hook might be a tie breaker, but it is not going to get you accepted to a college where you are otherwise not a qualified applicant.
If you are low income and URM, you should look into applying for the Gates Millenium scholarship. You must be Pell Grant eligible, and a URM. If selected, this would be better than any hook as it would pay your costs.
Thanks everyone for all the helpful replies!
Look into becoming an EMT! A lot of my friends have, and they love it. It’s a big time commitment though.
@marshmallowpop But I’m only 16?
My friends all started at 16 lol. try googling “(your town)_ ems” or “(your town)_ first aid squad”
hopefully that’ll give you some results
As @thumper1 said, you have a hook. What you need are very strong grades and test scores to go with it. It would do you a lot more good than any EC you could focus on. A URM with strong grades & test scores will have a lot of great choices. And if you want to do well enough in college to go to med school, having a really strong academic foundation is going to be key to that. I would put my focus there if I were you.
Actually, I never said the OP HAD a hook. What I said was that a hook isn’t going to be the thing that is going to get one accepted in college if otherwise not qualified. And you don’t “create” hooks.
When I say hook, I’m talking about something that make me STAND OUT. I want to be memorable, not just like every other average well qualified applicant.
Do well in your classes, and do well on your SAT or ACT. Write really excellent essays. Letters of reference should detail anything extraordinary you have done. Those things will make you stand out. And they are what the vast majority of colleges use to detemine acceptance or not.
^ I have to agree. That’s the first hurdle. When you are there, have the challenging classes and can manage, that’s when you see what larger things you want to add and have time for.
At most hs, community service is part of the experience- make it meaningful, not just a matter of a few hours doing whatever (or member of some club that makes random efforts.) If you want to be a doc, try to help people in some consistent way. You don’t need a fancy summer program or hours spent training to be an EMT or some fundraiser where you raise a few dollars. I’d bet you’re doing things now, through your school, immigrant community or religious org- and don’t even now how to weigh them. If you want to list what you do, maybe we can comment.
@lookingforward
EC so far:
-Student Council
-Model UN
-Global Volunteers
-Health Awareness Club
-Health Careers Exploration camp (last summer)
-Local hospital teen volunteer (past 2 summers-50 hrs so far)
-YouTube Channel
I’m eligible to be inducted into NHS, so I’ll see how that goes. I was also thinking about joining French club…or is that too much? I really enjoy French
When you apply to a selective college, after your academic challenges and successes, they look for a balance of “joining” versus making some efforts that can matter to others, for others. Is “Health Awareness” a campaign to bring info to other local kids and help them make healthy choices, maybe mentor them? Or just time and talk in hs? In my experience, it’s usually the latter. Do what you enjoy- but remember xiggi’s advice not to just fill your time with idle things just because they’re there (and certainly not just because they offer some title.) Is Global Volunteers about a little fundraising for some distant organizations? Because local involvement matters, too. Is it balanced by what you do for your local community on a regular basis?
@lookingforward In the health awareness club we put on active events so that the students can be active while having fun, and we find different ways to promote healthy eating/body image. In global volunteers we put on events having to do with culture (international lunch, international dance, etc) and the profits go to local orginizations
The starting point to STANDING OUT is spectacular grades and test scores. That with being a URM and having solid ECs, your chances are very good. You haven’t said what your grades and test scores are, I don’t think. It could be that the very best way you could spend your time for the next few months is by hitting the books and test prep. Without that info, it isn’t clear that anyone should be recommending additional EC activities to you.
@intparent I currently have a 3.80, but it will be a 3.9 after junior yr (I hope). I think I have a very good chance of getting 2100+ on the sat
Okay… telling you now, spend your time on SAT prep. And try the ACT and prep for it. That would be a MUCH better expenditure of your time to get a very strong standardized test score. 2100 is good, but not great shakes for top schools. You will have more choices with higher tests scores. Also, have you take subject tests? Do any of your possible schools require them? Spend your spare time studying for those, too. Students tend to take the tests in the subjects they are strongest in, and the curves are tough, so you need to be sharp and well prepared for those as well. You don’t want to be messing around with testing next fall if you can help it, trying to bring your test scores up.