What should an extracurricular list for a BS/MD candidate look like? originally appeared on Quora, the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world.

When applying to colleges and programs, it’s not how many activities are on your resume but how significant those activities are that sets candidates apart. Students in high school spend an average of 9.6 hours Monday to Friday on activities outside of the classroom. If you are a high school student applying to a BS/MD program, you have already spent months, if not years, creating a resume that is competitive enough to stand out from the thousands of other applicants. Acceptance rates into BS/MD are extremely tough; some programs have acceptance rates of 1% or less. All competitive BS/MD candidates have excellent grades and test scores, so how they spend their free time sets them apart and secures them that highly coveted spot.

Competitive BS/MD candidates have excellent grades and test scores, so how they spend their free time sets them apart and secures them that highly coveted spot.

Physician Shadowing

Physician shadowing is an excellent way to show your dedication to the medical field. Start right in your hometown and ask your pediatrician or family doctor if you may shadow them for a few weeks. This is a good jumping point because you already have a relationship with them, which may lead to future opportunities. Your family physician may be able to refer you to a specialist they work with, such as an allergist or dermatologist. Shadowing a physician can show you are serious about medicine and can help you decide if this is the right career for you.

If you already know you are interested in a certain specialty, such as orthopedic or plastic surgery, this might be a difficult specialty to shadow. Research medical conferences in your area that focus on this specialty and reach out to the organizer to ask for more information. Often, they are so impressed by your initiative and drive that they might allow you to attend for free. At the conferences, you have the opportunity to learn more about the field while making valuable connections with doctors who might allow you to shadow them in the future.

Due to the pandemic, you might struggle to find in-person shadowing opportunities. However, virtual shadowing opportunities can be a good substitute and allow students to explore multiple specialties. BS/MD programs will not discriminate against you if you can only get virtual shadowing due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Scientific Research

A top priority for aspiring BS/MD candidates should be adding research experiences to their resumes. Research positions are competitive and often difficult to secure but are valuable to pursue since many BS/MD candidates will have both clinical and research-based medical experience to showcase. You can select an official medical research program or a general science research program. Both options are valuable because they provide an intellectual challenge while giving you hands-on experience.

An official research assistant program or mentorship is typically offered through a college or laboratory. You must apply and be chosen based on your academics and extracurricular activities. Summer is a great time to explore scientific research opportunities and learn hands-on. Students can often take their research to the next level by partaking h in school and state science fairs.

Volunteer Work

Competitive BS/MD candidates should have a focus on science that is displayed outside the lab and school as well. It is essential to show your interest in helping others and impacting your local community. You should be able to showcase a significant commitment to volunteering for a year or more.

To gain volunteer experience, you can often apply to your local hospital. However, these positions are often competitive and have an official application process before you can start. While volunteering, you might assist at the information desk, serve as a clerical assistant or help make the patient’s stay as comfortable as possible. You will be there to perform simple tasks, but they will help you fully understand how a hospital works.

Even if you cannot find an official program that allows you to volunteer in a hospital, finding a volunteer opportunity related to medicine or science is a good stepping stone. Many nursing homes and hospices accept high school volunteers. Nursing homes and the local hospice can offer the opportunity to get hands-on experience with geriatric patients. Many times, the volunteers will visit with patients, helping to brighten their day.

However, don’t volunteer just to volunteer. You should focus on a subject that you are passionate about and one that will highlight your enthusiasm and dedication to the admissions office. Your enthusiasm and commitment to giving back needs to be transparent.

BS/MD candidates can also volunteer at their local free clinics for underserved populations or low-income areas. This volunteer opportunity can demonstrate compassion and an interest in serving others.

If, due to the pandemic, you are struggling to find in-person opportunities, virtual volunteering opportunities can be a great way for you to give back to your community. Ultimately, BS/MD programs want students who identify a need in their community and find a way to solve it, regardless of whether they do it virtually or in-person.

Competitive Summer Programs

Spending your summer in a competitive summer program can be one of the best ways to get dedicated time working with a research mentor.

Programs like the Research Science Institute (RSI), hosted by faculty at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, are known for their selectivity. This cost-free and highly competitive program allows each student to conduct individual research with support from experienced mentors. Similarly, the Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University and Rising Researchers through the University of Massachusetts-Amherst provide students with valuable research experience. The Clark Scholars Program is interdisciplinary, offering research opportunities in science and the humanities, but students interested in a BS/MD program could choose the areas that interest them the most. The program is free and even offers a stipend for students, but it is also intensely competitive, with just 12 applicants out of more than 500 accepted each year.

Unique aspects to Rising Researchers is that it is a virtual research program that offers two college credits and is open to students as young as rising ninth graders. The virtual aspect allows for more flexibility, while still conducting research under the guidance of a UMass scientist. By the end of the program, students will present a poster on their research and publish a paper in a high school scientific journal.

Start Your Own Club

If you find that your hometown or high school has limited clubs or activities that can help you develop the skills needed for a BS/MD program, then start your own. This drive at a young age is an essential asset to cultivate and is a quality that the admissions officer looks for.

HOSA — Future Health Professionals is one option for a club to start in your school. HOSA allows its members to develop leadership skills and attend competitive events, national leadership conferences, and state conferences. You could also found a Red Cross Club to help you develop real-life skills to help your community.

To start a HOSA chapter or Red Cross club in your school, you will need teachers to sponsor your chapter, which can help forge a deeper relationship with them. By networking with like-minded students, you can provide an opportunity for many to pursue their love for science and healthcare. Founding your own chapter of HOSA or the Red Cross demonstrates your commitment to the medical career and excellent leadership skills.

To be a competitive BS/MD candidate, you will need to be a top student in your class, have strong test scores and spend hours outside of school developing your interest in science. Building your resume with medically-focused extracurricular activities will take more than just one summer. Take a look at your application profile, identify and fill any gaps that may exist, and grow as a student and a person. You will learn to network, gain leadership skills and focus on your love of science. Candidates who display a sense of maturity and passion are the ones who often can beat the low admission odds.

This question originally appeared on Quora.

Photo Credit: Javier Trueba/Unsplash