Making the Most of Med or Law School: Building Experiences That Shape Your Future Career

You've been admitted to your dream law school or med school — congratulations! Getting in to medical or law school is a huge achievement. But here’s the truth few people say out loud: being admitted isn’t the finish line. It's the start of the most formative few years of your professional life.

Now that you’re here, the question becomes: how do you make the most of your time in med or law school: academically, personally, and professionally?

At GradMissions, we’ve guided hundreds of students through not only the application process but the transition into the intense, fast-paced world of law and med school itself. Whether you’re stepping into your first 1L lecture or your first anatomy lab, these next few years are about more than grades,  they’re about becoming the professional you set out to be.

1. Get Grounded Before You Get Involved

Orientation week can feel like a whirlwind of opportunities: student orgs, clinics, research projects, specialty societies. The instinct is to sign up for everything. Don’t. :)

In your first semester, your top priority should be finding your academic rhythm.

• Law students: your fall grades are your foundation. They determine class rank, scholarship renewals, and often your first-summer job opportunities.

• Med students: your early courses shape your study habits for everything that follows. Use the first block or semester to learnhowyou learn best.

Treat school like a full-time job, a 9 to 5 (or more!), and attend office hours regularly. You’ll thank yourself later when your professors and attendings know your name.

2. Choose Experiences That Build Skills, Not Stress

Once you’ve found your footing, then it’s time to get involved. The key is choosing experiences that align with your values and long-term goals.

For law students:

• Join a few organizations that genuinely interest you. Think about what excites you, whether that’s environmental law, intellectual property, or public interest. It's also ok not to know, and take the time to learn and explore!

• As you move into 2L year, seek leadership roles and ask about hands-on opportunities through clinics, externships, and research assistantships.

• Prioritize taking Evidence early if you’re aiming for the MPRE early (for 2L or 3L practice) or a litigation track.

For medical students:

• Start with interest groups that align with potential specialties, but don’t overcommit.

• Attend skill-building workshops, volunteer in free clinics, or shadow in different departments before narrowing your focus.

• Apply for scholarships and national association memberships early — these often open doors to conferences, research, and leadership programs.

3. Reverse Engineer Your Résumé

Whether your next step is the residency match or OCI (on-campus interviews), think strategically about your activities.

Ask yourself:

• What qualities do program directors or employers look for?

• How can I show those through my experiences?

Law students can review prior hiring trends or clerkship bios to understand what top firms value, often academic excellence, leadership, and writing experience.

Med students should get familiar with the ERAS application worksheet, which outlines the experience categories residency programs review. Plan activities that reflect your genuine interests while showcasing diversity like patient care, research, leadership, and community engagement.

4. Build Your Network with Intention

Your peers and professors are your first professional network. Treat those relationships with care!

• Introduce yourself to faculty early, not just when you need a letter of recommendation.

• Find mentors who share your interests, and stay connected through regular check-ins or updates.

• Join national or local professional organizations. These can connect you with mentors, scholarships, and even postgrad opportunities.

Most importantly, surround yourself with serious, supportive, like-minded people. The right community makes an intense experience not only manageable but meaningful.

5. Keep Your Values Front and Center

Law and medicine are both high-pressure environments, and it’s easy to lose sight of why you started. Know your values, protect your mental health, and avoid the imposter syndrome trap by remembering: you belong here.

As one of our GradMissions Mamas likes to say,“You don’t have to do it all — just do what matters most, and do it well.”

Final Thought

Your time in med or law school isn’t about collecting titles or padding your résumé. It’s about learning who you are as a professional: how you think, what you value, and where you can make the most impact.

Whether you’re aiming for the match or the bar, stay focused, build intentionally, and remember that every step you take now shapes the career you’ve dreamed of.

As always, we'd love to answer your specific questions! Book a FREE 20-minute strategy call with us today!