Advocacy Focused BS/MD Programs For High School Activists

Read Time: 4 minutes

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Good morning parents and future doctors,

In the competitive space of BS/MD admissions, it is imperative to prepare unique applications that resonate with specific programs’ unique values and priorities. Many students and parents hold the misunderstanding that all BS/MD programs seek the same type of student, and this often leads to generic applications and struggling to demonstrate student-program fit.

At Outperform BS/MD Coaching, we prioritize these nuances at each stage of the BS/MD application process, from creating a school/program list to describing extracurriculars and writing compelling program-specific essays. In today’s newsletter, we are focusing on Advocacy Heavy BS/MD Programs and sharing key strategies to ensure your student stands out.

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What Advocacy Heavy BS/MD Programs Seek in Applicants

At the highest level, Advocacy Heavy BS/MD programs seek students who have demonstrated a strong commitment to serving underserved communities and advocating for those in need. These programs value applicants who are not just academically excellent, but also dedicated to making a tangible difference through activism and policy advocacy. In many ways, this can be one of the simplest experiences to show – but it is tough to get involved initially to a significant extent.

Schools like Brown University’s Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) and Wayne State University’s Med-Direct program prioritize advocacy in their admissions process.

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Focus on Specific Underserved Populations

To make and demonstrate a meaningful impact, you can encourage your student to identify one or two underserved populations they genuinely care about supporting and serving. This focused approach allows them to develop deep insights and contribute more effectively, especially when depth of involvement is valued over breadth. Populations your student may enjoy serving include:

• Low-income families
• Racial or ethnic minorities
• Immigrant or refugee communities
• Individuals with disabilities
• LGBTQ+ communities
• Intersectional underserved community

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Start Early with Volunteer Work

Beginning in their freshman and sophomore years is the ideal time to start community service. Your student should identify and join volunteer organizations that serve their chosen communities and spend time getting involved in any way possible. By immersing themselves in their service, they will understand the aspects of community service they find fulling, better understand real-world issues, and reflect initiative – especially if they seek out leadership roles in their organization over time. Longitudinal involvement is valued from an admissions standpoint, but more importantly, it allows students to better understand the individuals they serve and support.

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Evolve into Leadership Roles

By sophomore year, your student can start to seek out key leadership roles within these organizations. This isn’t just about holding a title; it’s about actively creating positive change and demonstrating their ability to empower others. One of the most effective ways for a student to enter a leadership role is by identifying issues or challenges within the organization (i.e. ways to improve the service) and presenting this to current leadership with their solutions and initiative to lead the changes. Especially where age prohibits formal positions, this approach can be the most effective and ensure leadership is impact-driven rather than just a position title.

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Launch Your Own Initiatives

After spending significant time with a population your student enjoys serving and supporting, they likely understand some core needs and struggles of these individuals. Now, your student can create their own advocacy projects or initiatives in junior year – which we often call a Keystone Project. This independent effort demonstrates leadership, creativity, initiative, and a deep commitment to making a difference. From an admissions standpoint, it is critical that a project of this nature is measured quantitatively and qualitatively to evaluate the impact and support delivered to others.

To streamline this process for students, our coaches at Outperform BS/MD Coaching specialize in guiding students through designing and executing a standout Keystone Project over 16 weeks.

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Engage in Policy and Political Processes

One of the most impactful ways to pursue advocacy is by engaging with the political process. This is one of the aspects of a strong BS/MD application to Advocacy Heavy programs that few BS/MD candidates pursue, which can give your student a unique differential advantage. You can start by looking into opportunities for:

• Interning with local government officials
• Participating in youth councils
• Organizing lobbying campaigns
• Advocating for policy changes at school or district levels
• Joining existing grassroots groups focusing on activism work

By joining the governing boards or student advisory boards of local and regional organizations, students can demonstrate a tangible commitment to addressing challenges at a systemic level, which is valued significantly by Advocacy Heavy BS/MD programs. It is important that impact is definitive and measurable, beyond just a position title.

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Measure and Reflect on Impact

Throughout their advocacy journey, it’s essential for your student to document and measure their impact. Keeping a detailed record provides concrete evidence of their effectiveness and dedication. While these materials are usually not submitted directly to BS/MD programs, they are essential for strong essays, video portfolios, and personal websites. Across essays, activities descriptions, and interviews, your student should share specific metrics and personal reflections to add depth to their overall narrative.

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Alignment with Program Values

When it’s time to apply, ensure your student adapts their application materials to highlight their advocacy work to demonstrate a clear and definitive fit. This includes:

• Writing compelling essays with specific stories describing times they exhibited characteristics and actions of a strong advocate
• Securing letters of recommendation from mentors in their advocacy work who can speak to their sincere motivations and tangible impact
• Preparing for interviews by reflecting on their experiences to demonstrate maturity when describing advocacy and activism experiences

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Understanding that not all BS/MD programs are the same is the first step toward a successful application. By focusing on advocacy, depth of service, and following these strategies, your student can significantly enhance their candidacy for these unique BS/MD programs.

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​Read our full blog article here.​

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Yours in Success,

Rishi Ray

Outperform BS/MD Coaching

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Our team at Outperform BS/MD Coaching is dedicated to guiding you through the BS/MD application process. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to discuss strategies adapted to your student’s unique narrative and applicant profile.