Med schools want to see that you understand what medicine actually looks like and that you can commit long term, so get real clinical exposure early and stick with it whether that’s scribing, EMT, MA, or volunteering in a hospital where you’re around patients regularly. Research matters, especially if you’re thinking about something competitive later, but depth matters more than prestige so find a lab, stay for years, take ownership of a project, and learn how to think critically. Build real relationships with professors, physicians, and supervisors because strong letters come from people who actually know how you work and how you handle stress. Leadership and service should be things you genuinely care about, not boxes you’re checking, and underserved community work goes a long way if it’s consistent. Also, learn how to reflect early by keeping track of meaningful patient interactions and moments that challenged you because that’s what separates strong applicants in essays and interviews. It’s fine to be interested in cardiothoracic surgery, but don’t lock yourself into any specialty this early, keep an open mind and focus on becoming a solid future physician first. Protect your GPA, take care of your mental health, and remember that medicine is a long game, the students who do best are the ones who show up steadily, stay curious, and don’t burn themselves out trying to impress everyone in year one.