The Pressure of Pre-Med

"Medical school admissions in the US are highly competitive, and to make matters more challenging, schools have added requirements on top of outstanding grades and high MCAT scores. According to the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges), medical school requirements may include many hours of extracurricular activities such as volunteering, shadowing, working, and doing research in a health-related field."

"I've seen many pre-med students in my office overwhelmed by the pressure to 'do it all' in four years. But it's extremely challenging to complete those pre-med requirements. The cost of trying to do it all in college with limited time and resources has led many students to pursue gap years."

Medical school admissions in the United States are highly competitive, requiring students to maintain outstanding grades, achieve high MCAT scores, and complete numerous extracurricular requirements including volunteering, shadowing, research, and work experience. Pre-med students face intense pressure to accomplish all requirements within four years of college, leading many to take gap years instead. This pressure can negatively impact mental and physical health. Parents play a crucial role in helping students develop healthy habits around sleep, exercise, and social connection. These foundational wellness practices are essential for managing the inherent pressures of a medical career and preventing burnout before students even begin their medical training.

Read at Psychology Today