Professional school centralized applications provide space to list information on activities that applicants had completed in preparation for health professional school (jobs, research, clinical experience, volunteer service, etc.). Our office recommends using some method for tracking basic details about each experience. Tracking information such as contact information, duties, start and end dates, etc., regularly will streamline the process when the time comes to complete a professional school application. Our office provides an activity tracking template, which may be downloaded and completed.
Additionally, engaging in reflective thought can help provide clarity on professional goals, character growth, and the personal meaning of experiences. Documented thoughts (such as written journal entries) can be revisited to reflect on change over time, and it can support the development of personal narratives that can be used in activity descriptions in applications or help inform responses to professional school interview questions. A reflection question is featured in each issue of the PreMedical & PreDental Advising Office’s newsletter, Vital Signs, which may be accessed on the myUMBC Group page.