Common Mistakes Parents Make When Guiding Their Premed High School Student

Recommended Do's and Don’ts from a College Advisor and Doctor

If you are the parent of a high school student who wants to become a doctor, you probably feel a mix of pride, excitement, and pressure. You want to support their dream—but the path to medical school can be confusing, competitive, and full of misinformation. As a college advisor and doctor with years of experience in college advising, I’ve come up with

what I think may be the most common mistakes parents make—and what you can do to support your student’s journey from high school to medical school.

❌ Mistake #1: Overemphasizing Prestige When helping your premed high school student select a College

“They have to go to an Ivy if they want to get into med school.”This is one of the biggest myths in college admissions. While prestigious schools can offer great resources, they’re not a guaranteed ticket to medical school.

✅ DO: Focus on finding a college where your student will thrive academically and emotionally. Look for schools with strong premed advising, research opportunities, and good medical school acceptance rates. Expert college admissions help can guide families through this nuanced decision-making process.

❌ Mistake #2: Pushing Too Hard, Too Early

Parents often start planning for medical school the moment their high school student mentions an interest in medicine. They sign them up for every science club, AP course, and summer program available. While preparation is important, pushing too hard can lead to burnout and resentment.

✅ DO: Encourage exploration. Let your premed high school student try a variety of subjects and extracurriculars. Students who genuinely choose medicine tend to stay committed and perform better. As a college advisor and doctor, I’ve seen that authentic interest, not forced ambition, leads to long-term success.

❌ Mistake #3: Micromanaging the Process

It’s natural to want to help with applications, essay writing, and college visits. But when parents take over the process, students miss out on valuable learning and growth.

✅ DO: Act as a guide, not a manager. Offer support, but let your premed high school student take the lead. Teach them how to schedule shadowing, ask for letters of recommendation, and manage deadlines. These skills are essential for both college and med school—and they’ll gain confidence along the way.

❌ Mistake #4: Ignoring the Importance of Non-Medical Activities

Some parents think their premed high school student should only participate in medical-related extracurriculars like hospital volunteering or research. But admissions committees look for well-rounded students who are compassionate, curious, and engaged in their communities.

✅ DO: Encourage your high school student to pursue hobbies, creative outlets, and leadership roles outside of medicine. Whether it’s playing an instrument, starting a club, or fostering animals in need, these experiences make them more relatable and well-rounded candidates.

❌ Mistake #5: Not Seeking Expert Guidance Early

Many families wait until junior or senior year to get serious about college planning. By then, key opportunities may have been missed, like summer experiences, early coursework, or competitive research opportunities.

✅ DO: Start early and consult a professional. Working with a college advisor and doctor can provide your family with expert college admissions help and customized premed advising. While I do offer college advising to students of all disciplines (and in fact majority of my clients are not premed at this time), my experiences in the medical field as a doctor equip me with unique insight to help students plan their premed journey.

❌ Mistake #6: Underestimating the Emotional Toll

The path to medical school is long and demanding. Students face intense academic pressure, rejection, and uncertainty along the way. Parents often focus on checking boxes—GPA, MCAT, resume—without acknowledging the emotional weight of it all.

✅ DO: Be emotionally supportive. Celebrate your premed high school student's efforts, not just their achievements. Be someone they can talk to openly. Mental health and resilience are just as important as academic performance on the premed journey.

❌ Mistake #7: Believing There’s Only One Path

Some parents panic if their student's journey deviates from the “traditional” path. They worry if their student takes a gap year, switches majors, or doesn’t go straight to med school after college.

✅ DO: Stay open-minded. Many successful doctors took nontraditional paths—and often those students may be more mature and well-prepared. A gap year can be a great time for research, clinical work, or personal growth.

Final Thoughts

Supporting your premed high school student on the path to becoming a doctor requires patience, flexibility, and the right mindset. Avoiding these common mistakes can make a world of difference in your child’s experience and success.

As a college advisor and doctor, I also specialize in guiding families through the complexities of the premed journey. With expert college admissions help and tailored premed advising, I can help students build strong foundations for medical school—while giving parents peace of mind along the way.

If you're looking for personalized support from a college advisor and doctor, reach out to me through the Live Chat today. Together, we’ll help your student reach their potential—without unnecessary stress or pressure. Consider joining my June 8 Webinar on the SAT and College Advising as well, which will include a Q&A for parents and families to ask questions.

Sincerely,

Dr. Medeeha Khan