How to Create a Strong Pre-Med Internship Application

Applying for a pre-med internship is one of the smartest steps you can take toward a future in medicine. These programs provide firsthand exposure to clinical environments, mentorship from healthcare professionals, and insights that will shape your journey into medical school.

But competition is fierce. To stand out from the thousands of students applying each year, your application needs to reflect not just your academic achievements but also your goals, motivation, and relevant experience.

Here’s how to develop a compelling pre-med internship application that captures attention—and helps you take the next step in your medical journey.

Start by Clarifying Your Career Goals

Before writing your application, ask yourself what you hope to achieve from a pre-med internship. What medical specialty excites you? Are you interested in global health, primary care, surgery, pediatrics, or research?

Answering these questions will help guide your internship search and allow you to tailor your application to programs that align with your interests.

Explore Different Pre-Med Internship Roles

Here are a few examples of internship roles available to pre-med students:

Clinical Intern
Medical Scribe
Research Assistant
Laboratory Intern
Global Health Intern (e.g., through Go Elective programs in Kenya and Tanzania)

By narrowing your focus, you can seek out programs that provide meaningful, hands-on experiences in the areas that interest you most.

Write a Purposeful Cover Letter

A cover letter gives your application a personal voice. Use it to explain why you're applying, what you bring to the role, and how the internship fits into your long-term plans.

What to Include in Your Cover Letter

A brief introduction (name, school, academic focus)
Why you're applying to this specific internship or organization
Relevant experiences or transferable skills
Connection to the organization’s values or mission
A short summary of how you hope to contribute and what you hope to gain

Research the Organization Before You Apply

Tailoring your cover letter shows initiative. If the program is affiliated with a hospital, research lab, university, or global health organization like Go Elective, mention your interest in their mission, recent work, or clinical specialties.

Customizing your letter can make a significant difference in getting noticed.

Showcase Relevant Experience and Transferable Skills

Your resume or CV should give more detail than your cover letter. Even if you don’t have clinical experience yet, many programs accept a broad range of health-related and service-based experience.

Examples of Valuable Pre-Med Experiences

Shadowing physicians or healthcare professionals
Volunteering at hospitals or community clinics
Working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or EMT
Assisting at vaccination drives, blood donation centers, or health outreach programs
Participating in global health internships (such as Go Elective’s clinical placements abroad)

Also, include leadership roles, research projects, tutoring, or mentorship experiences that show communication, teamwork, and critical thinking—skills essential in medicine.

Highlight Community Service and Altruism

Healthcare is a service profession. Recruiters often look for students who are empathetic and community-oriented.

Volunteer experiences—whether in healthcare or not—demonstrate that you understand the importance of serving others. Community clean-ups, mentoring programs, charity events, or working with underserved populations all reflect your commitment to the human side of medicine.

Ensure Your CV Is Polished and Updated

Double-check that your resume or CV:

Follows a clear, professional format
Lists your most recent experience first
Highlights accomplishments with concise bullet points
Includes your GPA, relevant coursework, and certifications
Matches the role you're applying for

Attach your CV with your application and include it when reaching out to internship coordinators, recruiters, or physicians.

Strengthen Your Application with These Extra Tips

Start Your Search Early

Some pre-med internships have deadlines as early as January for summer programs. Begin researching and preparing materials several months ahead.

Build Your Network

Speak with advisors, professors, peers, and physicians. They may know of internship openings or offer a referral.

Tailor Each Application

Customize your cover letter and resume for each program. Use keywords from the internship description and align your goals with the organization’s mission.

Prepare for Interviews

Mock interviews can help you practice your responses and gain confidence. Ask a mentor, advisor, or trusted peer to conduct a practice interview with you.

Consider Global Pre-Med Internships

For an immersive experience that combines cultural exposure with clinical mentorship, consider a global health internship. At Go Elective, our pre-med programs in Kenya and Tanzania allow students to shadow physicians, observe real-world cases, and participate in community health outreach—all in a resource-limited healthcare setting.

Global health internships add depth to your application and offer meaningful stories for your personal statement, interviews, and essays.

Explore Go Elective’s pre-med programs to learn how international exposure can give you a unique edge.

Final Thoughts: Let Your Passion Speak

Getting into a competitive pre-med internship isn’t just about checking boxes—it’s about clearly showing who you are, what drives you, and how you’ll contribute to the team. Whether you're applying locally or abroad, make sure your application communicates your enthusiasm and purpose.

Need help crafting your application or finding the right internship fit? Go Elective is here to support you on your path to becoming a healthcare professional.

Good luck!