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Job shadowing can be an ideal way to demonstrate your interest in a particular field. This also helps a student to develop realistic expectations for what a potential medical career will be like and whether or not it really is a good fit. Besides job shadowing, students can gain experience serving as a volunteer emergency medical technician, becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant, or even while helping care for family members.

Your GPA isn’t everything, but it is very important. US News noted that 87.8% of applicants to U.S. med schools who had both an MCAT score that exceeded 517 and a GPA that surpassed 3.79 were accepted. There is no such thing as a pre-med major, and while many students that plan on being doctors major in biology, some actually have majored in unexpected fields such as music or engineering.

Metrics such as your GPA and your MCAT score are important—but real world experience can go a long way in showcasing your abilities, commitment, and genuine interest. Additionally, medical schools often prefer students who have demonstrated their interest in research. If you have published a paper, consider sending that in along with your application.

Have you ever noticed that doctors often do volunteer work? Medical schools want students who care about humanity and the greater good. Opportunities abound—everything from trash cleanup and helping at the area food bank, to working with Habitat for Humanity and lending a hand at your local animal shelter.

Medical schools often put an equal emphasis on academic records, real-world experiences, and personal qualities of a candidate. This holistic approach means you should also show that you have outside interests in order to stand out. Additionally, this gives you the chance to get to know people who can write letters of recommendation.

Plan to put in between 300-350 hours and aim for a score over 508, which is the average acceptable score for medical students. Make sure to pre-study using the method that works best for you. Take and retake practice MCAT tests. You may find it helpful to find a supportive study group.

Do not hinge all your hopes on getting into one particular school. Your odds of success grow if you apply to several—making sure to research the application requirements of each school.

Having a professor, a medical professional, or mentor vouch for you can go a long way in helping you to get noticed. It’s especially helpful if your advocate has connections with the school you’re interested in applying to.

Give the school a chance to learn what kind of person you are by telling your own unique story. Go beyond “I want to be a doctor because I want to help people.” Demonstrate your resiliency and your dedication by being specific and describing what it took for you to have made it as far as you have on your journey.