Devan had spent a significant amount of time caring for his two younger siblings as his parents balanced their demanding careers and conflicting schedules. Many BS/MD and pre-med applicants worry whether their extracurriculars are “enough” for admissions committees. Reflection is critical to creating a stellar application, but seeing your own strengths can be challenging—we knew Devan needed a fresh perspective.
We assured Devan that extracurriculars come in many forms and that the skills he honed caring for his siblings would translate to core competencies that pre-med students must develop, including empathy, ethical responsibility, and dependability. We helped Devan focus on the impact of his other extracurriculars in his Common App activities list, showcasing the measurable results of his experiences.
Devan was accepted to 18 colleges and direct medical programs, and decided to attend Harvard University!