While a strong academic showing will certainly play a large role in the clinical and residency application process, it’s your extracurricular experiences that will really set you apart from the pack.
SJSM encourages every student to volunteer throughout the community and participate in events that will enrich your skill set. But you might be surprised to learn that not all of the activities have to be healthcare-oriented.
Certainly, volunteering for the Red Cross and at local health fairs will sharpen your medical skills and give you a chance to work on patient interaction skills. It also gives you valuable experience working with underserved and rural communities like those on the islands.
Recent graduate and pre-match recipient Joyce Chen MD knows the benefits of these opportunities firsthand. “I really appreciated how involved Saint James is with the island community,” shared Chen. “In fact, my long-term career goal is to open my own internal medicine practice that serves underserved communities with preventative medicine.”
But being a successful medical professional isn’t just about what you know and how you put your knowledge into practice, it’s about adaptability, demonstrating a willingness to think outside the box and how you work with a variety of people.
You may think playing an intramural sport is just a “fun” activity, but it also demonstrates a willingness to be a team player. Participating in student government shows leadership potential. Look for research opportunities to showcase your critical thinking skills.
Saint James offers a wide range of opportunities to broaden your horizons and strengthen your skill set including:
- Health Fairs
- The Arijah Children’s Foundation
- Red Cross
- Buddy Program
- AMSA
- TMS TropMed
- Cover2Cover
- Phi-Chi Alpha Tau
- Doctors of Tomorrow
- Anguilla Animal Rescue Foundation
- G.I.V.E. – Get Involved and Value Everyone
- Lions Club
- Wellness Wednesdays
- Student Government
- Reflection Room
- Mini-Med School Lecture Series Clinical Preceptorship with local hospitals and clinics
- Teach Me Tuesdays
- SJSM Intramural sports
- Lady Ligers Rugby
- Tutoring center
- USMLE prep club