Long-term goal setting

For big, long-term goals, the process is a bit more involved, but follows the same pattern. Start with a statement of the big goal, then break that goal down into smaller bits. Depending on your big goal, you may set five-year, one-year, or semester goals.

Let’s see how this works by creating a big goal and developing a supporting plan to attain that goal. You may find that it’s more helpful to create a table or spreadsheet to display your plan.

GOAL: To become a physician
PLAN:
To be an ideal candidate for medical school I need to:

take the right classes in college so I can get into medical school
earn a competitive GPA
score highly on the MCAT
get good letters of support
demonstrate that I am committed to service
demonstrate that I am ethical, responsible, compassionate

Steps to Med School	How & When?
Take the right classes	see major advisor - every semester, before enrolling pre-prof website - every semester, before enrolling med school websites - every semester, before enrolling
Get the best grades	office hours - weekly tutoring, help rooms - weekly attendance!! - daily study groups - weekly study!! - daily (during the day)
Do well on MCAT	get study guides - year before MCAT pre-prof website - before signing up for MCAT date take MCAT review course - semester before MCAT
Letters of support	get to know professors - throughout college years shadow physicians - throughout college years volunteer whenever possible - throughout college years find a research opportunity - throughout college years
Committed to service	MSU service learning center - throughout college years Alternative Spring Break - throughout college years Join service organization - throughout college years
Good character	active in jobs, clubs - latter part of college noted in letters of support - work on this throughout college

SELF-EVALUATION: How to I know I’m on track?
Steps	Benchmarks
Take the right classes	List of recommended/required classes and check them off when complete
Get the best grades	Competitive cumulative GPA = 3.6 (my goal, 3.8)
Do well on MCAT	Competitive score = 500 (my goal, anything over 500!)
Letters of support	2 science profs, 1 non-science, 1 physician, 1 or 2 others (get Interfolio acct!)
Service	Update extracurriculars spreadsheet each semester
Character	Get elected to exec. board of at least one club