Extracurricular Activity Ideas
Extracurricular activities supplement a strong academic record. Admissions committees like to see:
- an orientation toward service,
- the ability to work with all kinds of people,
- leadership and teamwork stills,
- and an understanding of your chosen profession.
However, activities will not substitute for poor grades, so don’t sacrifice study time.
You are not limited to activities on these lists. This is simply a sample of opportunities at the UofU and in our local community. Follow your interests and passions, but also find ways to stretch yourself beyond your comfort zone.
PreLaw
Community Service
Bennion Community Service Center
Community service opportunities and Bennion Scholars program
Internships
Hinckley Institute
Internships, Journal, Student Groups
U Career Success
Internships or job experience
Leadership
Associated Students of the University of Utah (ASUU)
Campus Connect
Over 600 student organizations at the U
Student Advisory Committee (SAC) in your major department. Contact your departmental advisor.
Research
Office of Undergraduate Research
Talk to your departmental advisor or faculty about research opportunities in your major.
PreHealth
Community Service
Because you are preparing for a humanitarian profession, it is important to have volunteer learning experiences which demonstrate a commitment to service and experience working with a variety of people who are different from yourself. This should be ongoing throughout your college years prior to application for admission.
On-Campus
Bennion Community Service Center
Nationally recognized center for community engagement on campus. Bennion Scholar designation can also be earned.
Animals
Best Friends Utah
Community Animal Welfare Society
Friends in Need
Hogle Zoo
Humane Society of Utah
Nuzzles & Co.
Salt Lake County Animal Services
Tracy Aviary
Child & Family Support
Camp Kostopulos
The Family Support Center
A local child abuse prevention organization with numerous programs focused on strengthening families and communication.
Salt Lake County Aging Service
Assisting seniors with transportation, shopping, activities, etc.
Health
American Lung Association
Public education programs, Children's Asthma Camp.
American Cancer Society
Public education, service and rehabilitation help for cancer patients.
Planned Parenthood
UAF Legacy Health
UAF Legacy Health is dedicated to improving and transforming healthcare for the LGBTQ+ community in Utah. They provide comprehensive, equitable, and high-quality health services that address the needs of the community in a safe and inclusive environment.
Public Interest & Social Justice
Junior League of Salt Lake
Student PIRG Internship
Rape Recovery Center
Apply for training program (36-40 hours required). Must commit 20 hours per month as volunteer.
The Road Home
Support shelter for overcoming homelessness
Volunteers of America
Special Olympics
Leadership & Student Organizations
As a healthcare provider, you will be a leader and team member in many ways – with your patients, your staff, your colleagues, and your community. Examples include:
- offices held in organizations
- committee work
- leadership in church activities
- coordinating a project
- managing, training, supervising at work or in other activities
- teaching experience of any kind
- peer counseling or mentoring
PreMedical
Alpha Epsilon Delta (AED)
Opportunities and experiences to become a more dynamic medical school applicant. AEDUtah@gmail.com
American Medical Women's Association(AMWA)
Empower, educate, and support women to advance within medicine. amwa.premed.uofu@gmail.com
Pre Student Osteopathic Medical Association (Pre-SOMA)
Health Opportunities for Everyone (HOPE)
International Health Scholars
PreDental
PreDental Society (PDS)
Establishes social networks and helps students get into dental school. Opportunities for community service. uofupredentalsociety@yahoo.com
Future Women Dentists (FWD)
Encourages dentistry as a career among women and provides a support network. ppa@advising.utah.edu
Operation Smile
Organizes service projects and raises funds for all countries to receive oral surgeries. uoperationsmile@gmail.com
Students for Smiles
Provides dental treatment to people in the Salt Lake Valley who aren't able to afford treatment. students4smiles@gmail.com
Other PreHealth
PrePhysician Assistant Student Organization (PrePASO)
PreVeterinary Student Club
Future Health Professionals (HOSA)
For any medical profession: doctors, nurses, veterinarians, forensic pathologists, psychiatry, etc. hosaattheu@gmail.com
General On-Campus
Associated Students of the University of Utah (ASUU)
Campus Connect
Student organizations at the U
Departmental Student Advisory Committee (SAC)
Contact your departmental advisor to get involved.
Union Programming Council
On-campus events and resources organzation that aims to connect the student body.
U Career Success
STEM
Advancement of Chicano and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)
Organization of Women in Science
Opportunities for networking, volunteering, guest lectures, and science based activities. ows@gmail.com
Society of Women Engineers
Stimulate women to achieve full potential in careers as engineers and leaders. uofuswe@gmail.com
Patient Exposure
Interacting well with patients is a key indicator of a successful future healthcare provider, so exposure to your intended health profession is crucial to your preparation and decision to pursue this career. Experience should include observing health professionals and patient contact. It can be either paid or unpaid, and may or may not require certification depending on the program.
Job Opportunities
Career Services
Intermountain Healthcare Job Search
University Hospital Job Search
Limited part-time clinical jobs available. Most jobs require previous training.
Clinics & Hospitals
Intermountain Programs
Donated Dental Clinic
Maliheh Free Clinic
Hospital Volunteer
Other Patient Care
InnBetween
Hospice for the homeless population
EMT Training
H EDU 5950 (certification) or H EDU 5960 (non-certification) 9 credit hours
Summer Camps
Camp Hobé
Summer Camp for kids with cancer and their siblings.
Muscular Dystrophy Association Summer Camp
Contact Health Care Service Coordinator: 801-278-6200
International
International experiences, while valuable, will not substitute for experience with the US healthcare system and patients.
International Service Learning
Travel abroad to serve in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Belize, Dominican Republic, Haiti, or Peru.
Humanitarian Aid Relief Team
Volunteer opportunities include raising funds, gathering/organizing medical supplies, education, and research.
Skill Building
Below is a changing collection of guides and trainings for working with a variety of patient populations to help you develop your skills, compassion, and empathy.
Sexual Orientation, Sex, and Gender: Healthcare Essentials for PreHealth Students
Research
Research is the foundation of medical knowledge, and you will learn from and participate in research during professional school. Medical schools generally require, and most professional schools highly recommend, participation in independent, hypothesis-based research using the scientific method. The U's School of Medicine, and School of Dentistry, both require it.
Your research experience can be from many different areas – it does not have to be medically related or in a lab.
General Research Opportunities
Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)
University Human Resources Office
Part-time job listings for lower campus and med center.
Honors College
Research Project and Thesis in major required for Honors degree.
Research in Specialty Areas
Pediatrics Academic Associates
A clinical research-based class sequence which trains students in research. Can lead to a minor in Pediatric Clinical Research.
Bioscience Undergraduate Research Program
For biology majors, contact Theresa Nydam.
UC Davis Veterinary School Summer Enrichment Program
For underrepresented students
Shadowing
Observing a healthcare provider in action will help you gather the information you need to fully commit to the profession you have chosen and to learn about a variety of specialties within that profession.
How to Find Shadowing Opportunities
There are very few formal programs for shadowing. Most students find their opportunities through networking, both with healthcare professionals where they volunteer or work, or through other preprofessional students and student groups.
- Make an list of all the medical professionals you know
- Consider talking to your own primary care doctor, or any specialists you see for your own care: your dentist, your vet, your optometrist, etc.
- These contacts may not be willing to allow you to shadow them, due to privacy or other concerns, but often they know another doctor who you can contact who will not have the same issues.
- Cold call doctor's offices
- While not the most enjoyable method, it's the way most people find shadowing opportunities, particularly in the specialties.
- FIND A DO doctor: Check out Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine to look for a DO in an area or specialty that interests you.
- Volunteer or work a hospital setting (e.g., PEDS 5900 clinical shifts)
- An excellent way to meet and get to know doctors.
- Doctors in one department know colleagues in a variety of specialties and can be a good resource to find others to shadow.
Before Shadowing
HIPAA Training
Some medical facilities ask you to be HIPAA certified before you shadow any doctors or PAs.
Read “Avoid 4 Physician Shadowing Mistakes”
Formal Programs
Primary Children's Medical Center Shadowing Program
Must be actively applying to medical school within the next 12 months to qualify.
University Health Shadowing Program
Experiences in Primary and Urgent Care.