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What is the Congress of Future Medical Leaders? Is it Legitimate?
What’s Covered:
- What is the Congress of Future Medical Leaders?
- Who Gets Invited?
- Is The Congress of Future Medical Leaders Legitimate?
- How Will This Impact Your College Application?
If you’re a high-achieving student with an interest in medicine, the Congress of Future Medical Leaders may sound like the ideal extracurricular activity for you — one that is sure to impress adcoms and help you learn something at the same time.
But before you send an enthusiastic “yes!” in response to your invitation to attend, may sure you dive a little deeper into what the Congress is all about.
What is the Congress of Future Medical Leaders?
Established by the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists, the Congress of Future Medical Leaders aims to instill confidence and awareness in talented high school students who want to pursue a career in medicine. Attendees will hear from Nobel laureates, medical school deans, Ivy League leaders, top professionals in the medical field, award-winning inventors and scientists, patients, and others.
Students will mingle and develop connections with like-minded peers — fellow Delegates — in a virtual setting during the pandemic. After successfully completing the Congress by attending all sessions, taking notes, and submitting a Reflection essay, Delegates will receive the Congress of Future Medical Leaders Award of Excellence. They also have the opportunity to earn one college credit from Bottega University.
In 2022, sessions will be held virtually on the following dates:
- March 26 and 27, 2022
- June 24 and 25, 2022
- November 5 and 6, 2022
Delegates may attend a second or third session at no additional cost.
Who Gets Invited?
Students receive invitations to attend the Congress based on identification by teachers, counselors, and principals. Nominations should be based on their dedication to entering the medical field, leadership potential, and academic excellence.
Students may also be identified through additional means, including academic events, youth organizations, honor societies, medical institutions, medical societies, program alumni, surveys, participation in College Board’s Student Search Service, and recommendations.
Participants must have at least a minimum 3.5 GPA to attend.
Is the Congress of Future Medical Leaders legitimate?
In short, yes — the Congress of Future Medical Leaders is a legitimate organization that does provide the services it advertises. However, joining the Congress doesn’t automatically or necessarily offer meaningful benefits.
Of course, this organization is intended for students with an interest in science and medicine. But while it purports to accept only “high-achieving” students, the threshold for admission is not extraordinarily steep. It depends on securing a recommendation and having an A-/B+ GPA.
That’s not to say students can’t benefit. Those who are looking to flesh out their extracurricular profiles with more activities that complement their interest in medicine might find value in it. Plus, it can help you make connections with peers and industry leaders, which can serve you well in your future. You can gain mentorship, too.
Generally speaking, if you’re concerned that an organization could be a scam (again, the Congress is NOT a scam), it’s important to do research. Look for testimonials and reviews outside of the organization’s website and social media accounts — does it seem to have a presence, and do the outside reviews appear genuine? What’s the price to attend? If it seems exorbitant, that should raise some red flags. Talk it over with your guidance counselor, teacher, or another trusted mentor who understands the college process, too.
How Will This Impact Your College Application?
According to the four tiers of extracurricular activities, with Tier 1 indicating the most specialized and rare and Tier 4 representing the most common and least impressive, Congress of Future Medical Leaders is probably a Tier 3 activity.
Generally speaking, programs that are free or low-cost, as well as highly selective, are more impressive, falling in Tiers 1-2.
Try, for example, activities like:
- An internship with a nationally known or recognized company
- A prestigious, competitive summer program, such as Telluride Association Summer Seminars
- Starting your own business
- Entering (and placing in) a nationally recognized academic competition
- Serving in a leadership position in a nationally recognized society or organization chapter
Check out more ideas for medical internships and programs and other ideas for extracurricular activities.
How will activities like the Congress affect your extracurricular profile and chances of admission? Try CollegeVine’s free chancing engine to find out. This tool will help you estimate your real odds of admission to hundreds of colleges and universities across the country, taking into account grades, test scores, extracurriculars, and more, and give you tips on how to improve your profile.
