The stress of applying to medical school has always been significant. A Kaplan survey of 400 pre-med students, taken in early 2020, found that 37 percent “seriously considered” changing their plans for a medical career due to stress. Just over a quarter (26 percent) said that they experience stress “pretty much always,” and another 45 percent said “frequently.” Over half (57 percent) said that self-medicating with alcohol or drugs is common for them as they work to grapple with the demands.
And experts say that the pandemic is only increasing these stressors. “I don’t think we can underestimate how COVID-19 is impacting the mental health of the entire population, never mind students who are preparing to apply to medical school,” said Carol A. Terregino, MD, and the Senior Associate Dean for Education and Academic Affairs at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. “There are fewer opportunities to engage in the humanistic activities, to shadow and volunteer to demonstrate one’s passion for medicine because of the pandemic and more time to focus on metrics and study for the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test). And that isn’t necessarily a good thing.”
This sentiment was echoed in a Yale News interview with pre-medical students. Students spoke of their experiences with the closures and re-openings of “wet labs,” with seniors claiming to be overlooked in favor of younger students who could commit to multiple years of research. Students also reported difficulties finding opportunities to shadow doctors, or volunteer at local hospitals. “If you’re trying to volunteer at the New Haven Hospital or the HAVEN Free Clinic, it’s hard to do so because of COVID restrictions,” Courtney Li, pre-med class of 2024, explained. “There was definitely a time period where they weren’t accepting volunteers.”
In response, Dr. Terregino provides a calming perspective to applicants. “Medicine is stressful. Getting ready for medical school is stressful. But I’d offer that one can temper their stress knowing it’s more than just grades and MCAT scores that admissions committees are looking for, and there is a full understanding of the limitations on experiences placed by the pandemic. Personal development also counts.”
So, what should pre-medical students do?
As limitations exist, so do opportunities. Showcase your adaptability by making the best of challenging times. We recommend considering the following experiences if you are not able to find in-person shadowing or clinical roles.
Contact current or retired physicians in your network, or access your university’s alumni network, to interview them and learn more about their specialties, experience, and advice for aspiring physicians.
Leverage your university network, including current and retired professors and alumni, to look for in-person or virtual research opportunities.
Pursue virtual shadowing opportunities.
Engage in volunteer work to demonstrate your commitment to serving others and working with diverse populations.
Consider study abroad and summer programs that provide shadowing or clinical experiences.
Continuing to pursue learning and development opportunities, even in less-than-ideal circumstances, will still prompt meaningful evolutions in your perspective and will help convince the admission committee of your commitment to the study of medicine.