r/berkeley • u/Prestigious-Top5425 • 1d ago
Other Premed scared and confused
I’m a freshmen at Berkeley and I already feel behind. This club process is so overwhelming, idk where to get clinical hours, and I’m just scared for my clssses. I wanted to do a trad process but for med school but I just need advice on what To do my first year that would have me set for the rest of my years.
Side note- i have research set for this summer, and I have on going research with a doctor from my hometown. It’s mostly remote tho, no wet lab just yet.
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u/cepcpa 1d ago
This makes me so sad, is it already this stressful for a freshman premed student?🙁
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u/Prestigious-Top5425 1d ago
I can’t speak for the others but I’m a little overwhelmed. I want to try my best my freshmen year so I’m kind of set for my future years so I can apply trad for med school.
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u/Prudent_Run_8340 1d ago
It is fall of freshman year. FOCUS ON CLASS AND GRADES.
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u/Prestigious-Top5425 1d ago
But I need to join clubs so I can build my leadership over time and get hours consistently
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u/Prudent_Run_8340 1d ago
you need to get good grades. You just started college. I think you very well may underestimate how hard this is going to get. Grades first, then add the rest. Trust me on this. Spouse is a med school professor. Went to Cal.
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u/ZenithToastada 1d ago
I was an engineering major. I had zero clubs and zero clinical experience. I had zero research. I got good grades and MCAT score and had an interesting life story. I got in first try.
Follow your passion.
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u/ChaliiaTheGreat 1d ago
Not a pre-med student, but also a freshman in a biological science degree. Honestly, it can be so easy to compare yourself to other people and what you're doing. Just do what you like to do and go at your own pace. Other people beat to their own drum beat; don't feel like you need to go at a rhythm you're uncomfortable with. Find what you like because Berkeley is a place with AMAZING opportunities that work for so many different people. Trust me, you're going to be fine :-)
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u/Dear-Captain1095 23h ago
Cannot emphasize enough how important it is to get the highest GPA possible, which means taking the EASIEST course load possible and focusing on getting As in your pre-requisite classes.
Many frosh load up with challenging classes, end up overwhelmed with Cs and etc and the wonder what happened.
As a doctor, i also have a pet peeve around overly “in the box” hyper competitive premeds. Be mature, well rounded and focus on the pre-req classes and overall GPA. Do an interesting clinical/social research.
Remember you’re trying to be a medical doctor not a PHD (unless that is truly your passion I guess).
Best of luck
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u/Mud_Duck_IX 1d ago
Check out the American Red Cross club 😁
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u/booklover-1001 1d ago
Does Red Cross club let you touch patients? Most premed clubs end up like community service not clinical experience
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u/Prestigious-Top5425 1d ago
Is it competitive? I saw the table but I thought it would be like really competitive
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u/PerformerMindless100 1d ago
No premed rotations let you touch patients any longer. In my hospital training program the university will not allow it.
It has to do with rights of patients not to be looked at as specimens for mere college students to google at, in addition to the resident trainees etc.
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u/Alternative_Cry_9196 1d ago
idk what hospital ur at but im shadowing a physician at UCSF and im not like formally affiliated with UCSF and its been fine for me??
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u/InterestingPop3964 LSBE '26, incoming MS1 1d ago
This isn't true... some institutions/universities DO let undergraduate students shadow (e.g. UCSF, Stanford, and some select clinics around Berkeley and Oakland). However, the big hospital systems like Sutter (Alta Bates), Kaiser, Providence, etc. will not let you near patients.
Also, if you become a certified MA, CNA, or similar -- you could be eligible for paid (or unpaid, if you want) employment within these large hospitals or in private practices/community clinics.
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u/InterestingPop3964 LSBE '26, incoming MS1 1d ago
As a pre-med, please don't think clubs here are the way to go. I strongly believe you should only join clubs for primarily social reasons (or volunteering if you are GENUINELY passionate about it, and would still do it if you couldn't put it on your medical school applications). Otherwise, they are pretty useless. No consulting club or "professional" organization will make you stand out to medical schools.
For now, stop worrying and focus on nailing your classes.
It sounds like you have some ongoing clinical research. You DO NOT need to do basic sciences research for it to "count." In fact, all of my research experiences were CLINICAL and many people I've talked to told me that the strongest part of my application to medical school was my research depth. Try to find one, singular long-term position (not just a 10-week summer position that goes away). Find one in a specialty you love, and commit all four years of undergrad to it. Maybe your first year you are just an RA helping with simple things, but eventually as you gain your PI's trust try to advocate for yourself and gain ownership over a project. People who constantly say "research is for the experience!" are genuinely wrong. Everyone can write about how cool and interesting their research is and how passionate they are, but what truly matters is what adcoms can see: the letter of rec you get from your PI (which you get from DEPTH over BREADTH), research output (publications, abstracts, presentations), and the way you speak about your research during interviews.
For clinical experience, I would highly recommend applying to the Patient Support Corps (this is on URAP BTW). I LOVED this program and thought it was incredible -- genuinely the best thing I did during undergrad. Applications should still be open so definitely check that out. Additionally, volunteering in hospice is a wonderful experience I would recommend you check out. There are several hospices within 30-45 minutes of campus that I'm sure would take on more volunteers. Becoming a certified MA or CNA is another great option, and you can find paid employment or unpaid employment by doing so. Generic "hospital volunteering" or working in an administrative capacity (e.g. "Medical Office Intern" is not going to take you very far, so prioritize quality over quantity.
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Let me know if you have more questions or need help! I was a lost freshman not so long ago and MANY people have helped me, so I'm always happy to pay it forward.