There are nearly as many reasons for wanting to go to professional school in the health field as there are applicants hopeful to fill the ranks. For some, it is a lifelong goal. For others, it is a newly realized calling. Whatever their history and whatever their reasons, all successful professional school applicants have several things in common: they distinguish themselves as applicants with excellent academic qualities as evidenced by high grades and standardized test scores; they possess strong interpersonal skills; have a clear motivation for medicine; and a demonstrated compassion and concern for others.

Regardless of your personal circumstances, you should approach the entire preparation and ultimate application process as a marathon rather than a sprint. You will need to study hard and your course of study will be rigorous. Outside the classroom, you should pursue anything that interests you. Professional schools are interested in students who have actively contributed to campus life and who have had a breadth of interests, which have ideally included leadership positions. Care should be taken, however, to do a few meaningful things well rather than dabble in a wide variety of activities. You should also make sure that at least some of your pursuits allow you to observe the practice of medicine first-hand. You may do this through volunteer work, summer jobs, and/or taking advantage of Messiah's practicum and/or shadowing programs either during the academic year or during vacation periods. Volunteer work in hospitals or clinics that involves direct observation, and perhaps even some hands-on experiences, not only demonstrates your concern and compassion for others to the world, but also clarifies your desire to serve God through the practice of health care to the person to whom it matters most: yourself.