*~*~*~*Tips for Entering your "Work and Activities" in AMCAS*~*~*~*

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Hey Guys,

So as far as I can see, there's "Presentations/Posters" and "Publications."

1. should abstracts be listed under "Publications"? what if you did both an abstract and a poster presentation? should the abstract/publication trump the poster presentation?

2. should a distinction be made between presentations/posters that you presented yourself and ones that you were just involved in but didn't present? how should i do this (keep in mind there's only 700 characters this cycle)?

3. can i save characters by putting my name and then "et al" for the rest of the authors when i do the citations? I mean...I feel like that might not tell who the first author, second author, etc. was but I am really having trouble getting this down to 700 characters esp. with multiple publications.

4. are the adcoms really hellbent on quizzing you on all of these publications during interviews? i feel like i was included on some projects that got published but they were all on the side, and not my main research project. i don't want to be quizzed on every little thing about some tangential research project.

5. is it bad to not fill out the entire 700 space limit on some other activities? i have 15 but on some I'm finding it hard to elaborate.

6. when choosing the classification (i.e. "community service medical" versus "teaching/tutoring") - is it best to try to spread out your experiences (i.e. if you have an activity that could qualify as either of those, try to even out the number of activities you have in each category)?


Thanks guys!😍
 
Catalystik said:
There is another thread for LOR questions.
Click to expand...

I was referring to the contact info we must enter on the activity boxes, not LORs from international references!

Originally Posted by Cinematographer
Anyone now how likely are adcoms to call international references? I have volunteered abroad and my references are from the countries I visited. It's been a few years and I'll will double check that the people who I worked with are still conducting said volunteering programs. The problem is that, at least my references in Latin America speak Spanish only and would probably have no clue of what they could be potentially asked over the phone.

It would be so much easier if AMCAS gave you an option to upload certificates of completion instead...
Click to expand...
 
Originally Posted by Cinematographer
Anyone now how likely are adcoms to call international references? I have volunteered abroad and my references are from the countries I visited. It's been a few years and I'll will double check that the people who I worked with are still conducting said volunteering programs. The problem is that, at least my references in Latin America speak Spanish only and would probably have no clue of what they could be potentially asked over the phone.

It would be so much easier if AMCAS gave you an option to upload certificates of completion instead...
Click to expand...
Cinematographer said:
I was referring to the contact info we must enter on the activity boxes, not LORs from international references!
Click to expand...
Most schools rarely confirm your listings by contacting those you designate. A few are more aggresive about confirmations. Put an addendum to your narrative that the folks answering the phone won't speak English. If a contact is made, it would be to confirm dates and hours worked. Getting a reference is not the intent.
 
edge of desire said:
So as far as I can see, there's "Presentations/Posters" and "Publications."

1. should abstracts be listed under "Publications"? what if you did both an abstract and a poster presentation? should the abstract/publication trump the poster presentation?

2. should a distinction be made between presentations/posters that you presented yourself and ones that you were just involved in but didn't present? how should i do this (keep in mind there's only 700 characters this cycle)?

3. can i save characters by putting my name and then "et al" for the rest of the authors when i do the citations? I mean...I feel like that might not tell who the first author, second author, etc. was but I am really having trouble getting this down to 700 characters esp. with multiple publications.

4. are the adcoms really hellbent on quizzing you on all of these publications during interviews? i feel like i was included on some projects that got published but they were all on the side, and not my main research project. i don't want to be quizzed on every little thing about some tangential research project.

5. is it bad to not fill out the entire 700 space limit on some other activities? i have 15 but on some I'm finding it hard to elaborate.

6. when choosing the classification (i.e. "community service medical" versus "teaching/tutoring") - is it best to try to spread out your experiences (i.e. if you have an activity that could qualify as either of those, try to even out the number of activities you have in each category)?
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1) Is the abstract PubMed searchable? Was it peer reviewed before acceptance. Then list it as a Publication, in which case that trumps the Poster presentation (which you could mention later in the same space).

2) If you didn't present it personally, then give credit to the actual presenter. Some will sort posters based on whether they did the presenting or not, grouping the experiences into two Presentations/Posters spaces.

3) It's fine to put et al after the first author and then say what position your name appears in.

4) Some schools pick your interviewer based on their familiarity with your field. In such a case you could expect many picky questions and pointed questions about how you solved various problems.

5) Adcomms will bless you for your succinctness.

6) Yes, it is ideal to create a balanced application as you describe.
 
Catalystik said:
1) I didn't say it was more acceptable. Rather I said it wasn't explicitly forbidden by AMCAS. I suggested that you might list it if it was extremely significant to you, but this doesn't mean that adcomms will pay attention to it. Anything that happened that long ago is unlikely to have an impact on adcomm decision making. I would definitely not list being HS valadictorian. Personally, I would not list the HS employment unless it fills a hole in your application that nothing else covers, like Teaching, Clinical Experience, nonmedical community service, or remarkable Leadership.

2) Saying you participated in a leadership program is not helpful. Using the concepts you learned while actually demonstrating leadership is a better use of space on the application. Maybe mention the course in the same space as the actual leadership.
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Okay, thanks for clearing that up for me. You're very helpful. A few follow up questions.

1) Correct me if I'm wrong, but a leadership position in a club would best be counted as leadership, not extracurricular first, right? And under that description, then describe the role of the club in general briefly, in addition to my specific leadership role.

2) Here's where the leadership part gets complicated for me. That leadership program has made me complete several courses commonly used courses on leadership. I understand that that may not warrant a spot on it's own. However, as a part of that program, I performed several leadership projects to demonstrate my leadership, such as composing a song (under supervision from project supervisors) and continued a community service project under a local elementary school that I have been doing (not heavily) since high school. How would I include all of the above into my application neatly? Would I list it all under the community service project as leadership, and describe the program and other requirements after I described the elementary school project in the same space? Also, would this go in a separate slot than my other club leadership? Or all grouped under leadership?

3) For my hobbies, they are self motivated. A strong fan of a couple of sports, an avid runner and lifter, computer junkie and long time guitar player, playing in local bands for five years or so. I'm grouping them together, but who should I put as a contact? All I can think of is my guitar teacher - an active musician in the area. I just haven't taken lessons from him in a while (he "taught me all he could"), and I'm not sure how "official" the contact needs to be. In addition, I'm a member of a club, and that should NOT be grouped with the hobbies, right? That should go in its own space... correct?

4) I'm really into learning foreign languages, and I've come pretty far in Spanish and Japanese. All though this is evident in my coursework, I'm wondering if I should list it under hobbies as well. Learning foreign languages really is a passion of mine, and one of them I have not taken courses in, since I'm already fluent in it (I speak 4 all together). I guess if I do put it under hobbies, I could list a professor of one of these languages under the contact instead?

Again, any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
1) how detailed should we make our research descriptions?

2) in the descriptions, should we say "WE did...." vs. "I did..."?
 
What is the average number of hobbies that everyone is posting?
 
vairules said:
1) Correct me if I'm wrong, but a leadership position in a club would best be counted as leadership, not extracurricular first, right? And under that description, then describe the role of the club in general briefly, in addition to my specific leadership role.

2) Here's where the leadership part gets complicated for me. That leadership program has made me complete several courses commonly used courses on leadership. I understand that that may not warrant a spot on it's own. However, as a part of that program, I performed several leadership projects to demonstrate my leadership, such as composing a song (under supervision from project supervisors) and continued a community service project under a local elementary school that I have been doing (not heavily) since high school. How would I include all of the above into my application neatly? Would I list it all under the community service project as leadership, and describe the program and other requirements after I described the elementary school project in the same space? Also, would this go in a separate slot than my other club leadership? Or all grouped under leadership?

3) For my hobbies, they are self motivated. A strong fan of a couple of sports, an avid runner and lifter, computer junkie and long time guitar player, playing in local bands for five years or so. I'm grouping them together, but who should I put as a contact? All I can think of is my guitar teacher - an active musician in the area. I just haven't taken lessons from him in a while (he "taught me all he could"), and I'm not sure how "official" the contact needs to be. In addition, I'm a member of a club, and that should NOT be grouped with the hobbies, right? That should go in its own space... correct?

4) I'm really into learning foreign languages, and I've come pretty far in Spanish and Japanese. All though this is evident in my coursework, I'm wondering if I should list it under hobbies as well. Learning foreign languages really is a passion of mine, and one of them I have not taken courses in, since I'm already fluent in it (I speak 4 all together). I guess if I do put it under hobbies, I could list a professor of one of these languages under the contact instead?
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1) Club leadership can either be listed under leadership, using the date span for your officership, then mentioning previous involvement in the club in the narrative, or list the full range of club involvement under Hobbies, then in the narrative mention that you eventually moved into a leadership position with dates for that listed.

2) Yes, and I'd put it in its own space as you have a lot to say.

3) I'd put the music under Artistic Endeavor since you share it with others; the guitar teacher would be excellent as a contact. I'd group the rest of the hobbies together. This could include a club if you don't need to explain much about it. List that first so you have a contact for the blank.

4) Hobbies or Other would work. Using the teacher as a contact is fine.
 
sexycani said:
1) how detailed should we make our research descriptions?

2) in the descriptions, should we say "WE did...." vs. "I did..."?
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1) When one is aiming for research-strong schools, start with a generic description in the opening paragraph for nonscience folks who read it, then get as detailed as there is space for, after that.

2) They are more interested in what you did.
 
I'm confused as to what exactly we can list under hobbies. Is it something we have to have accomplished something, or just something we enjoy doing in our spare time.

For example, say I enjoy working out, bball, and a few other activities which I don't do as part of any formal organization. Would having a separate hobbies category, at that point, be fluff?
 
I am in a predicament. I wasn't planning on disclosing my working as a waiter while in college but I read that it should be included and I am having second thoughts.

I had been working as a waiter throughout my years in college (4 days a week from 5 to 12 in community college and weekends-only after transferring to 4yr school) but during that time I was an international student and immigration law prohibits you from working outside of school. I only received my green card recently and part of the process was to ask if I have ever worked illegally in the U.S.

It was a big part of who I am really. The people I worked with were often illegal immigrants and it really opened my eyes to things and made me appreciative of things that I have. People may have different opinions on this matter of undocumented workers but all I see are people who struggle so hard just to send money back to take care of their wives and children. It also motivated me to become a physician to serve the disadvantaged because other they are the people who really fall through the cracks. If you don't step up to help them who else?

Anyway I don't think I will put it in my app. It is too much of a risk. If any of them knows about immigration law at all they could report me.
 
linusp said:
I'm confused as to what exactly we can list under hobbies. Is it something we have to have accomplished something, or just something we enjoy doing in our spare time.

For example, say I enjoy working out, bball, and a few other activities which I don't do as part of any formal organization. Would having a separate hobbies category, at that point, be fluff?
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Hobbies can "accomplish" relaxation and stress reduction, besides more tangible goals. Listing hobbies also gives adcomms a better sense of who you are. They make you into an individual that stands out beyond the usual and customary ECs that most applicants have in common. While adcomm opinion may vary, I think this category is very important and is definitely not fluff. This is one listing where not having a contact for each activity is understandable, but be sure one of them can be the lead hobby so you can fill in the required blanks in the header.
 
linusp said:
I'm confused as to what exactly we can list under hobbies. Is it something we have to have accomplished something, or just something we enjoy doing in our spare time.

For example, say I enjoy working out, bball, and a few other activities which I don't do as part of any formal organization. Would having a separate hobbies category, at that point, be fluff?
Click to expand...
I don't think that they hobbies section is meant to be something you accomplished. It is just to show that you are well-rounded and don't sit in your room studying all day. It just gives the adcomm a better understanding of who you are. It's not necessarily fluff because you aren't trying to say that you'll be a better doctor than your peers because you play basketball. You're just trying to point out that you're a normal, well-adjusted individual.

I would list that you work out x times per week and play basketball x times per week.
 
Catalystik said:
Hobbies can "accomplish" relaxation and stress reduction, besides more tangible goals. Listing hobbies also gives adcomms a better sense of who you are. They make you into an individual that stands out beyond the usual and customary ECs that most applicants have in common. While adcomm opinion may vary, I think this category is very important and is definitely not fluff. This is one listing where not having a contact for each activity is understandable, but be sure one of them can be the lead hobby so you can fill in the required blanks in the header.
Click to expand...

sector9 said:
I don't think that they hobbies section is meant to be something you accomplished. It is just to show that you are well-rounded and don't sit in your room studying all day. It just gives the adcomm a better understanding of who you are. It's not necessarily fluff because you aren't trying to say that you'll be a better doctor than your peers because you play basketball. You're just trying to point out that you're a normal, well-adjusted individual.

I would list that you work out x times per week and play basketball x times per week.
Click to expand...

Awesome! I'm actually excited to include some of my hobbies here, should be some interesting talking points if they come up.

Since the ones I'm including are not part of any organization, I'm not sure what to do about the contact information. I do have friends who have been work out buddies of mine who I could list, but they're college students too so I didn't feel that would fly. Alternatively, I was thinking of talking to the manager of the Gym that I've been going to for many years and having him as a contact. I figure he would be more official. Would this be possible? Sorry if this sounds ridiculous.
 
Should the title of the activity also include the organization name?

ie - "______ County Soup Kitchen Volunteer" instead of "Soup Kitchen Voluneer"

or

"_______ County Hospital ER Volunteer" instead of "ER Volunteer"
 
FattySlug said:
I am in a predicament. I wasn't planning on disclosing my working as a waiter while in college but I read that it should be included and I am having second thoughts.

I had been working as a waiter throughout my years in college (4 days a week from 5 to 12 in community college and weekends-only after transferring to 4yr school) but during that time I was an international student and immigration law prohibits you from working outside of school. I only received my green card recently and part of the process was to ask if I have ever worked illegally in the U.S.

It was a big part of who I am really. The people I worked with were often illegal immigrants and it really opened my eyes to things and made me appreciative of things that I have. People may have different opinions on this matter of undocumented workers but all I see are people who struggle so hard just to send money back to take care of their wives and children. It also motivated me to become a physician to serve the disadvantaged because other they are the people who really fall through the cracks. If you don't step up to help them who else?

Anyway I don't think I will put it in my app. It is too much of a risk. If any of them knows about immigration law at all they could report me.
Click to expand...
While adcomms aren't in the business of microanalyzing activities for legality, you never know who else might see your paperwork, so I don't blame you for not taking the risk. Possibly you could work it into your PS where details/dates/contacts/business name can be referred to vaguely as occurring at an unspecified time in the past.
 
flatearth22 said:
Should the title of the activity also include the organization name?

ie - "______ County Soup Kitchen Volunteer" instead of "Soup Kitchen Voluneer"

or

"_______ County Hospital ER Volunteer" instead of "ER Volunteer"
Click to expand...
It could, but it need not if it will be mentioned elsewhere for location.
 
I am just curious, for my "research" activities, should I mention the actual topic that I researched? Or should I merely focus on the actual labor that I did and leave the actual research topic for something else (such as the secondaries or interview).

In addition; I named my two research experiences "Research In Cognitive Neuroscience" and "Research In Behavioral Neuroscience". Is that specific enough? Or should I be more descriptive in my activity name?
 
Would entering my various shadowing and doctors office experiences under "Volunteer -Medical/Clinical" be seen as an issue? In general, people on SDN are really picky about where to put shadowing vs. clinical experiences but do you think the Adcoms are really that picky?

My experiences "Shadowing" physicians involve me walking around with a stethoscope, listening to patients' lungs and being shown how to do physicals (e.g. checking the lymph nodes). Others involve me going into a room first interview and assess CC, HPI and past medical history. Though, I have a lot of experience watching a radiologist at work and having the pathology, types of studies etc. explained to me. Can I lump all of these guys together as "Volunteer -Medical/Clinical" and make it my most meaningful experience?
 
JSU said:
Would entering my various shadowing and doctors office experiences under "Volunteer -Medical/Clinical" be seen as an issue? In general, people on SDN are really picky about where to put shadowing vs. clinical experiences but do you think the Adcoms are really that picky?

My experiences "Shadowing" physicians involve me walking around with a stethoscope, listening to patients' lungs and being shown how to do physicals (e.g. checking the lymph nodes). Others involve me going into a room first interview and assess CC, HPI and past medical history. Though, I have a lot of experience watching a radiologist at work and having the pathology, types of studies etc. explained to me. Can I lump all of these guys together as "Volunteer -Medical/Clinical" and make it my most meaningful experience?
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you're not volunteering. you're being allowed to do simple tasks by the doctors you're learning from. it's still shadowing, and it's other, not community service.
 
capn jazz said:
you're not volunteering. you're being allowed to do simple tasks by the doctors you're learning from. it's still shadowing, and it's other, not community service.
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Doesn't volunteering mean that you are doing something for free? Also, interviewing patients first does make the doctors job easier so why isn't that community service as well as volunteering?
 
JSU said:
Doesn't volunteering mean that you are doing something for free? Also, interviewing patients first does make the doctors job easier so why isn't that community service as well as volunteering?
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being an intern is something you do for free too; it's not community service.
i really don't think you want to tell an admissions committee that by letting you interview a patient (as part of a shadowing experience), the dr. was indebted to your and your help.

community service is things like cleaning up beaches, or showing up and helping out at nursing homes or hospitals with things, or tutoring for free. things that benefit others and not yourself.
 
chiapet874 said:
1) I am just curious, for my "research" activities, should I mention the actual topic that I researched? Or should I merely focus on the actual labor that I did and leave the actual research topic for something else (such as the secondaries or interview).

2) In addition; I named my two research experiences "Research In Cognitive Neuroscience" and "Research In Behavioral Neuroscience". Is that specific enough? Or should I be more descriptive in my activity name?
Click to expand...
1) I think the topic should be included as well as your actual contribution to the project.

2) Those names are fine.
 
capn jazz said:
being an intern is something you do for free too; it's not community service.
i really don't think you want to tell an admissions committee that by letting you interview a patient (as part of a shadowing experience), the dr. was indebted to your and your help.

community service is things like cleaning up beaches, or showing up and helping out at nursing homes or hospitals with things, or tutoring for free. things that benefit others and not yourself.
Click to expand...

I can see that. Though it should still be volunteering (and clinical). My main reason for wanting to enter it under this category is that Adcoms probably check for "volunteer - clinical" experiences before looking at the "other" section (which they may not even read).
 
I kind of want to list musical theater as one of my three most meaningful activities. I've done it consistently for basically my entire life, and think it has taught me a lot about teamwork and communication. However, I have plenty of research and medical experiences that I could deem most meaningful instead. Any thoughts?
 
I have a few questions about combining experiences, since I'm pressed for slots.

1.) Due to space issues, I'm combining Awards, Publications and Presentations. I do some freelance journalism on campus-- I was wondering if I could just list the journals and newspapers that I've been published in? Also, would it be excessive to list all this stuff together?

2.) I worked in a lab during the summer of my freshman year. The next summer, I joined the formal internship program for the institution this lab was affiliated with. While I worked at a different lab during the internship, the work was related. I am marking this as one of my most significant experiences-- can I combine these summer research positions to save space, or should I split them up as they were separate labs?
 
I have organized piano recitals (30min-1hr) in several retirement homes (as a sort of music therapy session) and was hoping to include them in my list of activities. While the actual performances were no longer than an hour, the time I took to prepare for them was well above 10hours/week for 5-6 weeks. Should I include the preparation time in the "hours/week" box? Thanks in advance 🙂
 
Quick Question to Cat:

I have an abstract that was published in a supplemental issue in Brain Injury. Do I list this under pub or poster?

I also have a poster basically saying the same thing that was presented at World Congress.
 
emily19 said:
I kind of want to list musical theater as one of my three most meaningful activities. I've done it consistently for basically my entire life, and think it has taught me a lot about teamwork and communication. However, I have plenty of research and medical experiences that I could deem most meaningful instead. Any thoughts?
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There is no reason not to list a nonscience-related EC as most meaningful if it was important to you.
 
JMoonlight said:
I have a few questions about combining experiences, since I'm pressed for slots.

1.) Due to space issues, I'm combining Awards, Publications and Presentations.

I do some freelance journalism on campus--
a) I was wondering if I could just list the journals and newspapers that I've been published in?
b) Also, would it be excessive to list all this stuff together?

2.) I worked in a lab during the summer of my freshman year. The next summer, I joined the formal internship program for the institution this lab was affiliated with. While I worked at a different lab during the internship, the work was related. I am marking this as one of my most significant experiences-- can I combine these summer research positions to save space, or should I split them up as they were separate labs?
Click to expand...
1) I'm not sure I completely understand, but from my interpretation of the information provided:
a) I think it would be fine to mention the journals and newspapers in the same space as a description of the journalistic activity.
b) Yes, unless they are closely related. I assume this question relates to grouping three categories together.

2) You can do either.
 
Pianogirl591 said:
I have organized piano recitals (30min-1hr) in several retirement homes (as a sort of music therapy session) and was hoping to include them in my list of activities. While the actual performances were no longer than an hour, the time I took to prepare for them was well above 10hours/week for 5-6 weeks. Should I include the preparation time in the "hours/week" box? Thanks in advance 🙂
Click to expand...
Yes, but explain in the narrative as you have here.
 
bkprodigy said:
I have an abstract that was published in a supplemental issue in Brain Injury. Do I list this under pub or poster?

I also have a poster basically saying the same thing that was presented at World Congress.
Click to expand...
If it is PubMed searchable, you can list it as a Publication, with mention of the related poster in the same box.

If it is not searchable, I'd list the experience under Posters/Presentations and mention in the narrative that the abstract appeared in a journal and give the citation. There are some that might say listing this as a pub is acceptable, but it is felt you need to be careful not to "up sell" your experiences when the implied substance is not behind them. It's better to understate.
 
I have listed the following 13 work experiences/activities on my app. I
haven't decided which activities I am going to list for my last 2 (I am
still debating a few).

I was wondering if it would be foolish to list "summa cum laude" as one
of the most meaningful. The only reason I would list it is because 11
years ago I received very bad grades for one year, then many years later
I felt very accomplished to re-visit school and graduate with straight
A's at a new university.

Should I change any of my most meaningful? Also, are there any
insignificant activities I might consider removing? I may list
volunteer work later and possibly another leadership activity. Here are
my current activities with the most meaningful listed first.

1. Hospital Corpsman - 4 years (Navy Medics, recover patients in PACU,
etc. etc) Most Meaningful

2. Advanced Cardiac Life Support Instructor - 3 years (ACLS instructor)
Most Meaningful

3. B.S. in lifescience, Summa Cum Laude - Most Meaningful

4. Monitor Technician (telemetry tech) / Patient Care Assistant (before
the Navy) - 4 years

5. Basic Life Support Instructor - 3 years (BLS instuctor or CPR)

6. Basic EKG analysis Instructor

7. 2008 Bluejacket Sailor of the Year (out of 400 medical Hospital
Corpsman)

8. 2008 Bluejacket Sailor of the Quarter (4th quarter)

9. Graduated Hospital Corpsman School with Honors & Distinction (95%
GPA and second in class)

10. Top Academic Honors for NMCSD's Hospital Corpsman Internship (99%
GPA and first in class)

11. Mock Code Competition - 1st Place (Hospital wide mock code blue
competition)

12. Patient Visitation Study in the PACU (assesed feasibility of
allowing patient's to have visitors in the PACU, whether the effect had
a reduction on pain meds, etc.)

13. Assitant Command Fitness Leader (in charge of maintaining fitness
standards for my department in the Navy)
 
Catalystik said:
1) I'm not sure I completely understand, but from my interpretation of the information provided:
a) I think it would be fine to mention the journals and newspapers in the same space as a description of the journalistic activity.
b) Yes, unless they are closely related. I assume this question relates to grouping three categories together.

2) You can do either.
Click to expand...


Thank you for your help! Perhaps to clarify:

My only publications are in campus journals and newspapers. Instead of citing all my articles (unreasonable), I wanted to make sure that it was ok just to list the names of the places my articles appeared in. My national poster presentation came as a result of my science journalism, so I would naturally list it with that.

I chose to list these publications/presentation with awards/honors-- and as you have suggested, this might not be the best idea.

If I do split them up, I need extra slots. I am considering taking out one entry referring to about 30 hours of shadowing I have with two doctors. I am hoping adcoms will realize my 2.5 years as a medical recorder provided me with extensive shadowing experience. I realize this is ultimately my decision based on how meaningful the shadowing was, but I was hoping to hear your advice on removing my only "formal" shadowing experience from my application.
 
bump

corpsman33 said:
I have listed the following 13 work experiences/activities on my app. I
haven't decided which activities I am going to list for my last 2 (I am
still debating a few).

I was wondering if it would be foolish to list "summa cum laude" as one
of the most meaningful. The only reason I would list it is because 11
years ago I received very bad grades for one year, then many years later
I felt very accomplished to re-visit school and graduate with straight
A's at a new university.

Should I change any of my most meaningful? Also, are there any
insignificant activities I might consider removing? I may list
volunteer work later and possibly another leadership activity. Here are
my current activities with the most meaningful listed first.

1. Hospital Corpsman - 4 years (Navy Medics, recover patients in PACU,
etc. etc) Most Meaningful

2. Advanced Cardiac Life Support Instructor - 3 years (ACLS instructor)
Most Meaningful

3. B.S. in lifescience, Summa Cum Laude - Most Meaningful

4. Monitor Technician (telemetry tech) / Patient Care Assistant (before
the Navy) - 4 years

5. Basic Life Support Instructor - 3 years (BLS instuctor or CPR)

6. Basic EKG analysis Instructor

7. 2008 Bluejacket Sailor of the Year (out of 400 medical Hospital
Corpsman)

8. 2008 Bluejacket Sailor of the Quarter (4th quarter)

9. Graduated Hospital Corpsman School with Honors & Distinction (95%
GPA and second in class)

10. Top Academic Honors for NMCSD's Hospital Corpsman Internship (99%
GPA and first in class)

11. Mock Code Competition - 1st Place (Hospital wide mock code blue
competition)

12. Patient Visitation Study in the PACU (assesed feasibility of
allowing patient's to have visitors in the PACU, whether the effect had
a reduction on pain meds, etc.)

13. Assitant Command Fitness Leader (in charge of maintaining fitness
standards for my department in the Navy)
Click to expand...
 
I have a question. For awards and things like dean's list, who do we put for a contact? I mean I found the registrar's office number so I put that in but do I just put under contact name "Registrar's office"? It sounds dumb but I don't really know who else would be a contact.
 
tnxvintage said:
I have a question. For awards and things like dean's list, who do we put for a contact? I mean I found the registrar's office number so I put that in but do I just put under contact name "Registrar's office"? It sounds dumb but I don't really know who else would be a contact.
Click to expand...

Can you not locate the name of someone who works in the registrar's office?
 
unfortunately not, well online anyways. should I just go in there in person and ask for someone's name as reference. would they really be bothered if i don't put a name there?
 
corpsman33 said:
I have listed the following 13 work experiences/activities on my app. I
haven't decided which activities I am going to list for my last 2 (I am
still debating a few).

I was wondering if it would be foolish to list "summa cum laude" as one
of the most meaningful. The only reason I would list it is because 11
years ago I received very bad grades for one year, then many years later
I felt very accomplished to re-visit school and graduate with straight
A's at a new university.

Should I change any of my most meaningful? Also, are there any
insignificant activities I might consider removing? I may list
volunteer work later and possibly another leadership activity. Here are
my current activities with the most meaningful listed first.

1. Hospital Corpsman - 4 years (Navy Medics, recover patients in PACU,
etc. etc) Most Meaningful

2. Advanced Cardiac Life Support Instructor - 3 years (ACLS instructor)
Most Meaningful

3. B.S. in lifescience, Summa Cum Laude - Most Meaningful

4. Monitor Technician (telemetry tech) / Patient Care Assistant (before
the Navy) - 4 years

5. Basic Life Support Instructor - 3 years (BLS instuctor or CPR)

6. Basic EKG analysis Instructor

7. 2008 Bluejacket Sailor of the Year (out of 400 medical Hospital
Corpsman)

8. 2008 Bluejacket Sailor of the Quarter (4th quarter)

9. Graduated Hospital Corpsman School with Honors & Distinction (95%
GPA and second in class)

10. Top Academic Honors for NMCSD's Hospital Corpsman Internship (99%
GPA and first in class)

11. Mock Code Competition - 1st Place (Hospital wide mock code blue
competition)

12. Patient Visitation Study in the PACU (assesed feasibility of
allowing patient's to have visitors in the PACU, whether the effect had
a reduction on pain meds, etc.)

13. Assitant Command Fitness Leader (in charge of maintaining fitness
standards for my department in the Navy)
Click to expand...
You need not feel compelled to fill every space. Many would group Honors and Awards.

Whatever you pick as most meaningful is your choice. I don't think your reason for listing Summa Cum Laude is foolish (unless you are unable to explain well why it was impactful). But even if someone else did (probably inevitable) why should that keep you from designating it as such? Use your best judgement and don't remove any of them because someone disagrees with you.
 
tnxvintage said:
unfortunately not, well online anyways. should I just go in there in person and ask for someone's name as reference. would they really be bothered if i don't put a name there?
Click to expand...

Probably not. But if you want to make it sound less dumb, consider phrasing it as "XYZ University, Office of the Registrar."
 
JMoonlight said:
1) My only publications are in campus journals and newspapers. Instead of citing all my articles (unreasonable), I wanted to make sure that it was ok just to list the names of the places my articles appeared in. My national poster presentation came as a result of my science journalism, so I would naturally list it with that.

2) I chose to list these publications/presentation with awards/honors-- and as you have suggested, this might not be the best idea.

3) If I do split them up, I need extra slots. I am considering taking out one entry referring to about 30 hours of shadowing I have with two doctors. I am hoping adcoms will realize my 2.5 years as a medical recorder provided me with extensive shadowing experience. I realize this is ultimately my decision based on how meaningful the shadowing was, but I was hoping to hear your advice on removing my only "formal" shadowing experience from my application.
Click to expand...
1) Could you maybe just cite a representative few articles?

2) Unless the Awards and Honors are related to your journalism.

3) I've heard of shadowing "missed" on an application with unfortunate consequences when it was obscurely included, so I won't be the one to blithely say, "No problem. Take it off." If you decide to take the risk and remove it, then be sure to name the medical recorder activity (scribing?) with something that includes Physician Shadowing in it. And maybe add the formal shadowing at the end of that narrative space.

Keep in mind that some schools state a shadowing requirement, most expect it, and all applications aren't scored by someone who understands what your job entails.
 
Catalystik said:
1) Could you maybe just cite a representative few articles?

2) Unless the Awards and Honors are related to your journalism.

3) I've heard of shadowing "missed" on an application with unfortunate consequences when it was obscurely included, so I won't be the one to blithely say, "No problem. Take it off." If you decide to take the risk and remove it, then be sure to name the medical recorder activity (scribing?) with something that includes Physician Shadowing in it. And maybe add the formal shadowing at the end of that narrative space.

Keep in mind that some schools state a shadowing requirement, most expect it, and all applications aren't scored by someone who understands what your job entails.
Click to expand...


Catalystik, I am so immensely grateful for your advice.

I've decided to list the shadowing separately. In addition to my formal experiences, at the clinic where I am a medical recorder, I've actually had the chance to shadow specialists for short periods of time (outside of my responsibilities scribing for primary care). However, these three hour experiences happened over the course of the past few years. While I know the doctors' names and specialties, I can't recall the dates any longer. The clinic does not have formal records of my shadowing and I doubt the physicians themselves will recall the exact dates (since these are intermittent volunteer commitments for them). What should I do? Can I give ranges such as "Fall 2010"?
 
JMoonlight said:
I've actually had the chance to shadow specialists for short periods of time (outside of my responsibilities scribing for primary care). However, these three hour experiences happened over the course of the past few years. While I know the doctors' names and specialties, I can't recall the dates any longer. The clinic does not have formal records of my shadowing and I doubt the physicians themselves will recall the exact dates (since these are intermittent volunteer commitments for them). What should I do? Can I give ranges such as "Fall 2010"?
Click to expand...
I wouldn't worry about being vague on dates, as obviously your shadowing experience is superb compared to most. Your job already proves you were 'on-site' and it's logical that you would have the opportunity for occasional informal shadowing in such a place. I'd bet that the nurses or ER doc could be the one to vouch that such opportunities have happened. More precision that that isn't necessary in your case (IMO).
 
What should I do if I cannot get a contact for an activity?
In fact, there is no record of my volunteer work done there anymore(files lost!).
There is absolutely nobody who could vouch for me...
Yeah crappy situation I am in(part of it is my fault), should I just scrap this activity?
I included the activity in my personal statement...
 
I know there is a separate section for publications, but my situation is a little unusual. My school has an honors in research program, and if you complete it (which involved writing a paper and giving oral and poster presentations) you get the honors award and you get your paper put in an online undergraduate journal that my school has. I was going to group the award and the publication together since they are related... should I stick with this or make them separate?

Also... the online journal hasn't been "published" yet, but my paper was accepted. Do I still cite it, or just say accepted along with the journal name?
 
Last edited:
unleash500 said:
What should I do if I cannot get a contact for an activity?
In fact, there is no record of my volunteer work done there anymore(files lost!).
There is absolutely nobody who could vouch for me...
Yeah crappy situation I am in(part of it is my fault), should I just scrap this activity?
I included the activity in my personal statement...
Click to expand...
a) List it anyway, and let them tell the caller (if any) that they lost the files (no fault of yours).
b) List another covolunteer or an employee you recall when there.
c) An exroomate who recalls that you went there.
d) There's always your mom.
 
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