Many pre-med students worry that their extracurriculars aren’t impressive enough for medical school applications. Maybe you worked as a barista to pay tuition, spent summers as a camp counselor, or had a non-clinical research job that didn’t involve hands-on medicine. Compared to shadowing a neurosurgeon or working in a prestigious research lab, these experiences may seem ordinary—but they don’t have to be.

At AcceptMed, we help students transform everyday experiences into compelling application stories. Admissions committees aren’t just looking for clinical and research experiences—they want to see personal growth, problem-solving, and resilience. With the right storytelling approach, even the most "boring" extracurricular can highlight the qualities that make you a strong future physician.

Why ‘Boring’ Extracurriculars Can Actually Be Powerful

Medical schools value experiences that show personal growth and real-world skills—even if they aren’t directly related to medicine.

What Admissions Committees Care About:

• Resilience: Have you overcome challenges or persisted through difficulties?
• Leadership: Did you take initiative or mentor others in any way?
• Problem-Solving: Did you improve a process, adapt to a tough situation, or handle unexpected obstacles?
• Interpersonal Skills: How did this experience help you develop empathy, teamwork, or communication?

Examples of ‘Ordinary’ Extracurriculars That Can Become Strong Stories:

• Tutoring: Shows patience, communication skills, and the ability to break down complex topics—just like doctors do for patients.
• Retail or Customer Service Jobs: Demonstrates resilience, professionalism, and the ability to handle stressful situations.
• Non-Medical Research: Highlights critical thinking, adaptability, and an appreciation for evidence-based problem-solving.
• Sports or Music: Reflects discipline, perseverance, and dedication—qualities essential in medical school.

Key Takeaway: It’s not what you did—it’s how you frame it.

How to Identify the Deeper Value in Your Experience

To turn a basic extracurricular into a compelling story, ask yourself these reflection questions:

• What challenges did I face in this experience?
• How did I grow as a person?
• What skills did I develop that are relevant to medicine?
• Did I make a meaningful impact on others?

Example Reflection for a “Boring” Experience (Working as a Waiter):

• Challenge: Managing a fast-paced, high-stress environment with impatient customers.
• Growth: Learned how to handle pressure, stay professional, and communicate effectively.
• Relevance to Medicine: Developed strong interpersonal skills, conflict resolution abilities, and time management—all essential for doctors.

Key Takeaway: Even the most ordinary jobs teach skills that directly translate to patient care.

How to Write About Your Experience Without Sounding Generic

Now that you’ve identified the deeper meaning of your experience, it’s time to tell a compelling story.

Strong Structure for a Work & Activities Entry or Secondary Essay:

1. The Hook: Start with a vivid, engaging moment.
2. The Challenge or Problem: What made this experience difficult or meaningful?
3. Your Role: How did you respond, adapt, or contribute?
4. The Impact: What did you learn, and how does it shape your future in medicine?

Example: Weak vs. Strong Work & Activities Entry for a ‘Boring’ Job (Retail Worker):

Weak Entry:
"I worked as a cashier at a grocery store, where I rang up customers and helped with store organization. This experience taught me responsibility and communication skills."

Strong Entry:
"As a cashier at a busy grocery store, I once helped an elderly customer struggling to pay for his groceries. While I waited for him to count his change, the long line behind him grew impatient. I could have rushed him, but instead, I reassured him, helped him find the right amount, and diffused tension with the other customers. This experience showed me how small moments of kindness can make a difference—just as they will when I one day interact with anxious patients in a medical setting."

Why the Strong Entry Works:

• Uses a specific, memorable moment instead of a generic job description.
• Highlights empathy, patience, and communication—qualities crucial for doctors.
• Connects the experience directly to medicine.

Key Takeaway: Make your story personal, specific, and patient-centered.

Examples of ‘Ordinary’ Experiences That Became Powerful Med School Essays

Tutoring:

• Weak Approach: "I helped students with math homework."
• Strong Approach: "Tutoring a struggling student in algebra taught me patience and the importance of adapting my communication style—just as I will need to do when explaining medical conditions to patients."

Sports Captain:

• Weak Approach: "I was the captain of my soccer team."
• Strong Approach: "As captain, I led my team through a losing season, keeping morale high and supporting younger players. This experience strengthened my leadership and taught me the importance of resilience—qualities I will carry into medical school."

Lab Assistant (Non-Medical Research):

• Weak Approach: "I cleaned lab equipment and helped with research projects."
• Strong Approach: "Though my role in the lab was small, I was fascinated by how data informs real-world decisions. I learned to be meticulous, troubleshoot problems, and think critically—skills essential for evidence-based medical practice."

Key Takeaway: Focus on skills gained and personal growth, not just tasks performed.

Final Tips for Making Any Experience Stand Out

Tie It Back to Medicine: Even if your activity isn’t directly related to healthcare, highlight transferable skills like leadership, communication, or resilience.

Show Growth and Learning: Admissions committees want to see that you reflected on your experiences and gained insight.

Use Storytelling, Not Just Listing: Describe real moments, not just a list of responsibilities.

Connect to Patient Care: Find a way to relate your experience to how you’ll interact with patients as a doctor.

Be Honest—Don’t Overhype: Don’t exaggerate your role. Instead, focus on the real impact and lessons learned.

Any Experience Can Be a Great Story

• There’s no such thing as a ‘boring’ extracurricular—it’s all about how you tell the story.
• Admissions committees care about personal growth, problem-solving, and leadership—not just medical experiences.
• Use specific moments, vivid details, and clear connections to medicine to make your entry stand out.
• Reflect deeply on what you learned and how it shaped your perspective as a future physician.