Kristen Moon
By Kristen Moon
If you’re a high school student curious about medicine, this quick guide blends two building blocks: Clinical Exposure and Service, and Research and Scholarly Activity. The aim is to help you choose high-impact volunteering, learn how to shadow effectively, and dip your toes into undergraduate research, laying a solid foundation for future BS/MD applications.
High-impact volunteering with measurable impact
Focus on roles you can commit to consistently and that offer clear outcomes. Hospital outreach and patient education programs are great for starting, with roughly 4–6 hours per month and minimal startup costs. You might help with health fairs, distribute educational materials, or assist families in understanding health concepts, keeping a brief activity log to capture your impact. Community clinics or school-based health programs are also valuable, often requiring 2–4 hours per week and little to no upfront cost. Document patient interactions (in a HIPAA-safe way) and note any improvements in access or understanding. If you’re drawn to health equity, consider advocacy or vaccination drives, tracking attendance, or resources connected to care. Youth mentoring in science and health offers a flexible schedule and tangible leadership outcomes, such as participant counts or feedback. Virtual health education and telehealth support provide modern outlets for impact with modest tech needs. Start with one steady commitment, then add another as time allows, and keep a simple log of date, setting, activity, learning, and impact.
Shadowing with purpose
Shadowing should combine observation with thoughtful reflection. Before you begin, set clear goals about what you want to learn— communication, decision-making, teamwork. Bring a reflective notebook or digital log and jot prompts such as what the clinician explained clearly, patient concerns, and how care was coordinated.
During the experience, watch the workflow and note how clinicians explain options with empathy and how teams collaborate. Afterward, write a 150–300 words reflection focusing on a key learning, a lingering question, and how it shapes your view of medicine. A simple S.A.R.R. (Situation, Action, Result, Reflection) format helps organize notes, and noting skills like clinical reasoning or bedside manner will guide your future aims.
Early research and scholarly activity
Even as a high school student, you can begin with ideas that connect to medicine. Seek mentors who can guide you from concept to abstract and look for patient-care relevance in projects. When choosing a project, prioritize potential clinical impact or questions that matter to patient outcomes. If you aim to present at student conferences later, start drafting a brief abstract or poster outline and seek feedback from teachers or mentors with research experience. Balance is key: as you gain research experience, learn how to frame your work alongside your clinical goals so admissions committees see a coherent path.
A simple starter plan
Begin by identifying 1–2 volunteering roles and 1 shadowing goal. Log reflections that connect experiences to your medical interests. Build a compact portfolio that records hours, outcomes, and leadership. When you’re ready for research, pursue opportunities aligned with your interests and your school’s resources, and practice presenting findings clearly. Remember: the journey from curiosity to a future medical career is long, but consistent, meaningful steps build a strong, cohesive story.
Starting early with purposeful volunteering, reflective shadowing, and introductory research can set you apart as you move toward BS/MD programs.
Kristen Moon is the founder of Moon Prep, an education consultancy brand with a focus on U.S. Medical programs. Contact: kristen@moonprep.com.
