To be a competitive BS/MD applicant, you should start preparing by the summer before ninth grade. From this date, your school year and summer activities are divided. This is a suggested timeline in order for you to get all the experience you need to have a strong application, prepare yourself for the interview, and more importantly medical school. Don't worry if you haven't done the below in this exact order - this is not a guaranteed formula, only strong suggestions. The closer you follow this timeline, the more competitive you'll be.
Summer before 9th grade begins: Volunteer at a local hospital. Plan to take 1 AP/IB course.
9th grade school year: Volunteer, enroll for AP/IB courses, begin looking for summer research opportunities or school research programs. Participate in different clubs/sports and be active in them.
Summer before 10th grade: Volunteer & begin research. Take an SATII if you have taken a relevant AP/IB course.
10th grade school year: Volunteer, enroll for AP/IB courses; take an AP/IB exam and relevant SATII exam. Look for shadowing opportunities. Continue to be active in clubs/sports and seek out leadership opportunities within them. Build relationships with teachers for future recommendation letters.
Summer before 11th grade: Volunteer & Shadow. Begin or continue research. Study for SAT (1st sitting should be sometime in Junior Year). Take SATII for any relevant AP/IB courses.
11th grade school year: Continue volunteering & shadowing. Enroll in AP/IB courses and take AP/IB exams along with relevant SATII exams. 1st SAT sitting should be between the middle and end of Junior year. Strive to get a couple leadership positions under your belt by this year. Look for and apply to summer research programs. Build relationships with teachers.
Summer before 12th grade: Keep accumulating volunteer & shadowing hours, as well as research experiences. College application process begins: Start researching BS/MD colleges and compile a list of potential schools based on your specific SAT/GPA criteria. Study for and take SAT exam again if necessary.
12th grade school year: Take SAT exam if needed. Continue volunteering/shadowing on weekends. Continue involvement with clubs/sports. Finish application process and begin/complete interview process. Study for AP/IB exams for the end of the year (many colleges take AP/IB credit - so scoring well will help you in the long run - don't let 'Senioritis' hit too hard!). Apply for scholarships and submit your acceptance to the college program of your dreams.
Summer before college: Explore the world! Enjoy & Have fun!
Make sure to catalogue and frequently update your Résumé with all the activities you are involved in. Check out the Résumé section for how to write your college résumé.