What are some jobs/extracurricular activities to improve my chances of getting into medical school?

I have researched multiple schools and their requirements. A lot of the schools suggest or emphasize the importance getting a job working in the medical industry before you apply to their school.

So, that got me wondering. What kind of job could a sophomore in college get in say, a hospital or nursing home that exposes him/her to medicine and its practice? (Without any formal training or education in medicine.) The admission requirements stress that they want people who have experienced the medical industry for a number of reasons.

I also want to get a first hand account of what I would be working for in medical school. (Before I actually take the dive.) so, does anyone have any examples/ideas/suggestions as to what kind of job i could get at a hospital with no training as a nurse or anything like that? (I am more than willing to get trained i some way like, I want to start working now and train while i am working.)

This is what I have heard a lot of people have done. They would take courses for 3 weeks to become a nurses aide and get a job at a nursing home. Then they would attend medical school. I know a lot of people I went to college with also worked at a nursing home as a nurses aide and then attend medical school after college.

Apply for an internship at a place like the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

I'm not sure if you could get a job in a hospital that would impress the board as you are a sophmore in college. I thin you could volunteer and just study hard. Thats all you can do.

Following are some suggestions for volunteer service:

Volunteer at a hospital
Volunteer at a free clinic
Volunteer at a community-based medical clinic in a poor/underserved area
Volunteer at a nursing home
Volunteer to help in a physician's office (ask for on-the-job training)

It is not so important as to whether your experience is paid or unpaid but that you have some experience. This experience shows that you are serious about working in the medical field, and it also shows that you care about the health and well being of people.

You could also learn to take blood pressures, temperatures, and other vital signs. You could then volunteer to help at community health fairs where free check-ups are offered.

I hope this helps some.