I wanted advice on the role and importance of extracurriculars in the admissions process.
Everyone knows that MCAT/GPA are the most important factors, but can extracurricular activities compensate for defeciencies in MCAT and/or GPA? I am mostly asking because my GPA is low for most schools.
My stats can be check out from my mdapps profile.
Can the following ECs help offset them or are they just mediocre/average?
My Activities:
Community Service
Director of Urban Economic Development Center (3 years/6 hours per week)
1. Coordinated the MERIT program for the Mayor's office of the city. The MERIT program was a jobs placement program for recently released inmates. The center, under my guidance, identified employers that would be willing to hire the released inmates. In total, 10 ex-offenders were placed in jobs throughout the city.
2. Collaborated with the Community Action Agency (a local non-profit) to inform citizens of newly institute Earned Income Tax Credits implemented by the state. Provided information on the free tax services to local citizens.
3. Worked with a local Community Bank to develop financing schemes to assist local citizens in starting businesses in the city. Conducted assessments of public incentives and capital requirements that were applicable for individuals starting franchises in the city.
Note: Got a Letter of Recommendation from the lady I worked with to carry out the prison jobs placement program.
Clinical Experience
Clinic Administrator for Pediatric Endocrinology and Medical Genetics Clinic (2 years/ 6 hours per week)
1. Obtained insurance approval for medical procedurs for the patients (CT Scans, MRIs, etc)
2. Organized and maintained patients medical records and sent information to the patients PCPs
3. Recorded Patients blood glucose levels, height, weight and other vitals during evening clinics
Medical Professions Outreach Program (70 hours total, spread out over two years) –I think this is the weakest part of my app
1. Shadowed multiple physicians in different practice settings: Neurosurgery, Internal Medicine, ICU, Geriatrics, Ophthalmology, and Bariatric Surgery.
2. I am planning on getting g more clinical experience before applying (perhaps by working full time as an ER Scribe) –this would add about 200 hours to my app by the time I interview
Research
Tumor Metabolism Research (2 years/ 12 hours per week)
1. Conducted research on the intracellular metabolites that regulate the conversion of the PK-M2 kinase oligomeric states
2. Participated in Summer Technology and Research Scholars symposium on research (just school based, not a big deal)---Should I even mention this?
3. No publications because I basically spent 2 years optimizing a protocol.
Leadership and Miscellaneous
College Political Union (4 years/3 hours per week)
1. Served as Chairman of the Progressive Party, on the Executive Board of the organization, and as the Party's Chief whip (which is the officer responsible for recruiting new members)
2. Oversaw party debates and planned the resolutions for the union to debate
College Dormitory Governing Board, Study Break Coordinator and Peer Advisor (3 years/3 hours per week)
1. Organized study breaks for dorm including: Starting the annual Halloween Candy Study Break (my dorm gives me $300 bucks and I buy a ton of candy),Taco Bell Study breaks during finals, and Pizza Study breaks
2. Coordinated a class trip for the senior class to see the Phantom of the Opera on Broadway
3. Serve as a career peer advisor for pre-medical students in my dorm and serve as the "liason" between my dorm and the Undergraduate Career Services office
Journal of Public Health (Contributing Writer, 3 years/2 hours per week)—very sparse
1. Wrote articles on legislation relating to public health, analyzing their impact from a political and economic perspective
Summer Activities:
Novartis Public Health Policy Internship in Brussels, Belgium (10 weeks, 40 hours per week)
1. Conducted statistical assessments of the impact of pending legislation in the European Parliament on healthcare delivery and pharmaceutical availability in Central and Eastern Europe
2. Analyzed the impact of tobacco regulations outlined in the Tobacco Products Directive Bill (a pending bill in the European Parliament) on malignancy incidence and cardiovascular disease in Eastern Europe
3. Drafted a position paper for the company advocating for Tobacco Cessation laws to be passed by the European Parliament
Houston Department of Health and Human Services Internship (10 weeks, 40 hours per week)
1. Led a team of 5 to create a plan to dispense medication to Houston's 37,934 impoverished elderly citizens using the Meals on Wheels delivery system in the event of a natural disaster
Note: The plan is currently the emergency medication delivery protocol for the city
2. Worked on an STD testing program called "Hip Hop for HIV" that provided concert tickets in exchange for participants getting tested for HIV. Over 200 people were tested for HIV, Chlamydia, and gonorrhea.
Everyone knows that MCAT/GPA are the most important factors, but can extracurricular activities compensate for defeciencies in MCAT and/or GPA? I am mostly asking because my GPA is low for most schools.
My stats can be check out from my mdapps profile.
Can the following ECs help offset them or are they just mediocre/average?
My Activities:
Community Service
Director of Urban Economic Development Center (3 years/6 hours per week)
1. Coordinated the MERIT program for the Mayor's office of the city. The MERIT program was a jobs placement program for recently released inmates. The center, under my guidance, identified employers that would be willing to hire the released inmates. In total, 10 ex-offenders were placed in jobs throughout the city.
2. Collaborated with the Community Action Agency (a local non-profit) to inform citizens of newly institute Earned Income Tax Credits implemented by the state. Provided information on the free tax services to local citizens.
3. Worked with a local Community Bank to develop financing schemes to assist local citizens in starting businesses in the city. Conducted assessments of public incentives and capital requirements that were applicable for individuals starting franchises in the city.
Note: Got a Letter of Recommendation from the lady I worked with to carry out the prison jobs placement program.
Clinical Experience
Clinic Administrator for Pediatric Endocrinology and Medical Genetics Clinic (2 years/ 6 hours per week)
1. Obtained insurance approval for medical procedurs for the patients (CT Scans, MRIs, etc)
2. Organized and maintained patients medical records and sent information to the patients PCPs
3. Recorded Patients blood glucose levels, height, weight and other vitals during evening clinics
Medical Professions Outreach Program (70 hours total, spread out over two years) –I think this is the weakest part of my app
1. Shadowed multiple physicians in different practice settings: Neurosurgery, Internal Medicine, ICU, Geriatrics, Ophthalmology, and Bariatric Surgery.
2. I am planning on getting g more clinical experience before applying (perhaps by working full time as an ER Scribe) –this would add about 200 hours to my app by the time I interview
Research
Tumor Metabolism Research (2 years/ 12 hours per week)
1. Conducted research on the intracellular metabolites that regulate the conversion of the PK-M2 kinase oligomeric states
2. Participated in Summer Technology and Research Scholars symposium on research (just school based, not a big deal)---Should I even mention this?
3. No publications because I basically spent 2 years optimizing a protocol.
Leadership and Miscellaneous
College Political Union (4 years/3 hours per week)
1. Served as Chairman of the Progressive Party, on the Executive Board of the organization, and as the Party's Chief whip (which is the officer responsible for recruiting new members)
2. Oversaw party debates and planned the resolutions for the union to debate
College Dormitory Governing Board, Study Break Coordinator and Peer Advisor (3 years/3 hours per week)
1. Organized study breaks for dorm including: Starting the annual Halloween Candy Study Break (my dorm gives me $300 bucks and I buy a ton of candy),Taco Bell Study breaks during finals, and Pizza Study breaks
2. Coordinated a class trip for the senior class to see the Phantom of the Opera on Broadway
3. Serve as a career peer advisor for pre-medical students in my dorm and serve as the "liason" between my dorm and the Undergraduate Career Services office
Journal of Public Health (Contributing Writer, 3 years/2 hours per week)—very sparse
1. Wrote articles on legislation relating to public health, analyzing their impact from a political and economic perspective
Summer Activities:
Novartis Public Health Policy Internship in Brussels, Belgium (10 weeks, 40 hours per week)
1. Conducted statistical assessments of the impact of pending legislation in the European Parliament on healthcare delivery and pharmaceutical availability in Central and Eastern Europe
2. Analyzed the impact of tobacco regulations outlined in the Tobacco Products Directive Bill (a pending bill in the European Parliament) on malignancy incidence and cardiovascular disease in Eastern Europe
3. Drafted a position paper for the company advocating for Tobacco Cessation laws to be passed by the European Parliament
Houston Department of Health and Human Services Internship (10 weeks, 40 hours per week)
1. Led a team of 5 to create a plan to dispense medication to Houston's 37,934 impoverished elderly citizens using the Meals on Wheels delivery system in the event of a natural disaster
Note: The plan is currently the emergency medication delivery protocol for the city
2. Worked on an STD testing program called "Hip Hop for HIV" that provided concert tickets in exchange for participants getting tested for HIV. Over 200 people were tested for HIV, Chlamydia, and gonorrhea.
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