High School Students

1. Academics & Coursework

• Take challenging classes in math and science (biology, chemistry, physics).

• Focus on building strong study habits. You’ll need these for the rigorous courses ahead.

• Develop strong reading and writing skills. Clear communication is important in every professional field.
  
  

2. Exploration & Experiences

• Look for opportunities to shadow, volunteer, or explore healthcare and law-related environments (ex: dentist’s office, local clinic, courthouse).

• Participate in community service, leadership roles, and extracurricular activities. These build skills and habits that will help you later stand out.

• Read about your field of interest (e.g., American Medical Association, American Dental Association, American Bar Association) to learn more about the profession.
  
  

3. Personal Development

• Strengthen time management, organization, and teamwork skills.

• Reflect on your interests and motivations. What excites you about this path?

• Explore activities you genuinely enjoy. Professional schools value well-rounded applicants, not just academics.

Once you are in college, admissions committees will evaluate your application through three main lenses. We call this the M.E.S. Framework:

• Metrics (Laying the Academic Foundation): 

Reflects your academic preparedness and ability to succeed in rigorous professional programs. 

What this looks like: GPA, science coursework, and standardized tests.

• Experiences (Building a Holistic Profile): 

Provides admissions committees with a deeper understanding of your competencies, character, and commitment. These activities demonstrate your ability to apply knowledge and skills in real-world settings. It's EXTREMELY important to be a well-rounded applicant for professional school. No minimum hours required (unless stated by schools). The goal is to gain quality experiences over quantity. 

What this looks like: Shadowing, volunteering, leadership, and service.

• Supplemental Pieces (Telling Your Story) 

Supplemental pieces provide the opportunity to connect your metrics and experiences into a cohesive narrative. These components allow admissions committees to understand your motivations, values, and vision for your career. 

What this looks like: Personal statement, letters of recommendation, resume, and interviews.

While you can’t officially build these components in high school, you can start thinking ahead:

• Practice good study skills now → stronger Metrics later.

• Try volunteering or shadowing → early exposure to Experiences.

• Reflect on your interests and goals → insights that will help with Supplemental Pieces in the future.