Passion Projects
Reminder: These are only examples, so don’t restrict yourself to only these ideas. Just remember to be creative, yourself, show passion and commitment, and have fun!
Pre-Med Passion Projects
Starting a blog/podcast
You can start your blog using platforms like Squarespace, Wix, and WordPress, which provide templates to help you build you site. Consider publishing weekly or monthly blogs on health-related topics. Similarly, you can start a podcast by uploading monthly episodes on platforms like Spotify or Youtube where you interview medical professionals.
Suggestion: Choose a niche topic that you are truly passionate about because you can stand out as you demonstrate interest and commitment to the medical field.
Creating a STEM tutoring program
You can create a virtual STEM tutoring program to help students around the world who have lack of access to academic mentors. On the other hand, you can offer in-person tutoring to students in your own community. Create a team of high school students who are strong in specific subjects (ex. chemistry, biology). This can be seen as a powerful initiative because you are solving educational gaps and helping your own community as you demonstrate leadership and problem-solving skills.
Suggestion: If your school doesn’t already have a STEM tutoring program, propose this idea to your school administrator to build this program.
Care Package Drive/Organization
You can start an organization that organizes donations and creates care packages filled with necessities and donates them to homeless shelters. Additionally, you can create wellness kits for local hospitals and clinics. This can create a positive impact in your community since poverty and healthcare are rising issues. This initiative will show that you’re socially aware and committed to helping your community.
Suggestion: Work with your city council and create fundraisers with local businesses to fund your donations.
Biomedical Engineering Passion Projects
Design/Create your own medical device
First, choose a specific health-related topic that you’re passionate about and start designing prototypes of a medical device that will address or improve that issue. For example, you could design a device or method that would improve early detection of pancreatic cancer. If you’d like to take a further initiative, you can purchase parts online to build your own device and potentially publish a research based on your creation. Don’t worry if you don’t finish it by the time college applications are due because you have shown passion and creativity by taking an initiative.
Suggestion: If you want to build a medical device but aren’t sure where to start, you can build off an existing device by improving its effectiveness.
Create a medical program/simulation
First, choose a specific health-related topic that you’re passionate about—or one that isn’t commonly talked about—and create a medical program or simulation based on it. For example, you can develop a medical app that allows users to record their symptoms and connects them with a doctor for a medical evaluation. You can create a simulation that demonstrates how a body part works under certain circumstances. There are countless ideas, so your idea will always be unique and demonstrate to colleges your passion for the field and your devotion to helping and educating your community.
Suggestion: Search the internet for medical programs and simulations to gain inspiration. Make sure to use them as references to guide you.
Create an educational medical game
Start by choosing a specific health-related topic that you’re passionate about and then brainstorm ideas and features that you want to include your game. For example, create an educational game where users are given medical scenarios and must make the right diagnosis. There are countless ideas—the style, content, characteristics are all up to you. Just make sure your game is fun, engaging, and educational. This project presents your creativity, passion for the field, and skill to make something fun an educational experience.
Suggestion: Draw inspirations from your favorite games. The game doesn’t need to be complicated.