Great tips for entering your "Work/Activities" for AMCAS

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I know we usually don't put high school activities down, but I had a question about one of mine. I've played soccer my whole life (still continue to play intramurals and coach a youth team) and we won the state championship all 4 years while I was in high school. This is pretty rare (no other soccer teams have ever done this in my state). I plan on incorporating my athletics into my PS, but probably won't say much about the details in it. Should I include this?

I was also a team captain for my senior year and would love to include that (seeing as I'm kinda lacking in the leadership part of my ECs!) but I'm pretty sure that's definitely off-limits for the AMCAS :laugh:.
 
AH3 said:
I know we usually don't put high school activities down, but I had a question about one of mine. I've played soccer my whole life (still continue to play intramurals and coach a youth team) and we won the state championship all 4 years while I was in high school. This is pretty rare (no other soccer teams have ever done this in my state). I plan on incorporating my athletics into my PS, but probably won't say much about the details in it. Should I include this?

I was also a team captain for my senior year and would love to include that (seeing as I'm kinda lacking in the leadership part of my ECs!) but I'm pretty sure that's definitely off-limits for the AMCAS :laugh:.
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technically, according to AMCAS instructions, there is no rule against it. on the other hand, some adcom members and senior admissions office staff have told me it shouldn't be done. it's your choice.
 
hey thanks LizzyM! My only other question in regards to the hobbies is that I've been doing these hobbies for awhile. Some more than 10 years, some just over a couple of years. I obviously would just put the start date as the earliest one right? (same if I was going to make a list for honors?)

And my average hours per week have varied greatly during this time period. Is it necessary to put average hours per week? Or should I leave that blank along with blank field for organization name, contact name, etc.

sorry, i know these are just nit picky questions but i just wanna make sure im doin everything right!
 
LizzyM said:
technically, according to AMCAS instructions, there is no rule against it. on the other hand, some adcom members and senior admissions office staff have told me it shouldn't be done. it's your choice.
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So what would you suggest? I'll ask my premed adviser and other people who are familiar with the process as well. You always seem to offer good advice though.
 
Wow, I came here just now looking to ask a bunch of questions and I read through the last 2 pages and LizzyM answered pretty much all of them!

I just want to make sure I have your opinion on this right. We should use bullet points. We should explain what we got out of the activity as well as what we actually did in the activity. Correct?
 
how do you make bullets on AMCAS?
 
traitorman said:
hey thanks LizzyM! My only other question in regards to the hobbies is that I've been doing these hobbies for awhile. Some more than 10 years, some just over a couple of years. I obviously would just put the start date as the earliest one right? (same if I was going to make a list for honors?)

And my average hours per week have varied greatly during this time period. Is it necessary to put average hours per week? Or should I leave that blank along with blank field for organization name, contact name, etc.

sorry, i know these are just nit picky questions but i just wanna make sure im doin everything right!
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There's no one way to do this. Leave any field blank if you wish.

I like short, to the point free text. Bullet points work well (start each line will a hypen) if you need to enumerate a list. Some adcom members might like long, rambling warm fuzzy paragraphs about how moved you were and how much you learned when you volunteered at the home for wayward girls.I find it a waste of time. Do as you please.
 
I have few questions:

I am a religious person, and I have spent on average 10-12 hours/week meditating and preaching. Should I mention this in other?

I have few certificates such as Scouts, Cadet Corps, and such from High School that reveal volunteerism. These are good certificates. Should I mention?

For a short period, I also managed an online poetry community (deviantart.com). I can prove this but the proof is questionable. Should I mention? Personally, I value this experience.
 
what would be more valuable to list: shadowing or the fact that I had a part-time job/work-study throughout all 4 years of college? i already make it clear that i've shadowed extensively in my PS. i already have 14 other experiences, i'm trying to choose my 15th one.

thanks!
 
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ball1313 said:
what would be more valuable to list: shadowing or the fact that I had a part-time job/work-study throughout all 4 years of college? i already make it clear that i've shadowed extensively in my PS. i already have 14 other experiences, i'm trying to choose my 15th one.

thanks!
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List the job.
 
unique135 said:
1) I am a religious person, and I have spent on average 10-12 hours/week meditating and preaching. Should I mention this in other?

2) I have few certificates such as Scouts, Cadet Corps, and such from High School that reveal volunteerism. These are good certificates. Should I mention?

3) For a short period, I also managed an online poetry community (deviantart.com). I can prove this but the proof is questionable. Should I mention? Personally, I value this experience.
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1) Concerning meditation: adcomms like to see stress-relieving activities as hobbies. As far as the "preaching" component: could be risky, depending on who interviews you. Or it could help. Depending on who interviews you.

2) As a general rule, High schools activities aren't going to help you if you didn't continue the activity into the college years. If you don't have more recent volunteerism, it could hurt you.

3) There is no obligation to provide documentation. You could give the website address if you wish. Be prepared to discuss what the job entails. If the site embraces socially offensive material, it would hurt you.
 
I had a quick question. Should I just list the similar experiences together and keep the other experiences separate? Something like this:

All shadowing
All clinical volunteering (since I had similar responsibilities at both hospitals)
All honors, etc (2 fellowships + 1 other honor)
CNA job
Administrative job
Non-clinical volunteer activity #1 (these volunteering activities are quite different)
Non-clinical volunteer activity #2
Research #1 (work-study)
Research #2 (independent study)
Tutor
Marching Band
Chem Assistant

Thanks for all your help!

Also: Should we include a contact name and phone number for each activity?
 
metalgirl14 said:
Should I just list the similar experiences together and keep the other experiences separate? Something like this:

All shadowing
All clinical volunteering (since I had similar responsibilities at both hospitals)
All honors, etc (2 fellowships + 1 other honor)
CNA job
Administrative job
Non-clinical volunteer activity #1 (these volunteering activities are quite different)
Non-clinical volunteer activity #2
Research #1 (work-study)
Research #2 (independent study)
Tutor
Marching Band
Chem Assistant

Also: Should we include a contact name and phone number for each activity?
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There is no one correct way to list things. The only thing I would do differently related to the activities you listed, would be to list the two clinical volunteering gigs in two spaces since they occurred at two locations, and they are important. Yes, I'd put contact information wherever possible (name of institution, person, phone or email), and it would be different for your two clinical volunteering activities. As you have some slots left, don't forget hobbies, which can also be grouped together.

You have a nice balanced list, BTW.
 
How should I list volunteering for a political campaign? It doesn't seem to fit at all under "Leadership" or "Community Service," but I don't consider it a "Hobby." I was kind of leaning toward "Other."

At the risk of politicizing myself, I wanted to include it because it inspired my interest in health care policy.
 
easypeaces said:
How should I list volunteering for a political campaign? It doesn't seem to fit at all under "Leadership" or "Community Service," but I don't consider it a "Hobby." I was kind of leaning toward "Other."

At the risk of politicizing myself, I wanted to include it because it inspired my interest in health care policy.
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Other seems reasonable. You will need to accept the risk that you will alienate some reviewers but others may laud you.
 
I can't believe I forgot about this.. I think this is a complete example of 'doing better for others will one day do better for you'

When I was in India, I lived in a fairly poor area and noticed that alot of parents were not able to help their children in doing their homework. So, I decided to help out. I went to a few families and informed them that I'll be available to help/teach their children for an hour a day. I ended up with ten children within a week. I did this for 2 years. I had just started in eleventh grade so, I taught/helped while I was in eleventh and twelfth and then I moved here.

I can definitely use this experience as a leadership? Can't I? I didn't give it a name or anything since I didn't think I will ever use this to put it in an application.

I am so excited right now since I just remembered it when my mother was talking to one of the family over the phone in India. And, I was like, Oh my God! How could I forget about this.

I need help as to how to put it in AMCAS since I didn't have a name for it and wouldn't have any way of giving out the name of supervisor, contact, etc. since I was the one doing everything.
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Somebody from the other thread mentioned that I can't put it in my application if I didn't continue it after high school. So, even though, I am physically not able to do anything since I am here but I assigned each of the student to different tutoring centers before coming here and kept in touch with their progress as they are now in 10th grade or so. I still help them financially, and advising.
 
I can't believe I forgot about this.. I think this is a complete example of 'doing better for others will one day do better for you'

When I was in India, I lived in a fairly poor area and noticed that alot of parents were not able to help their children in doing their homework. So, I decided to help out. I went to a few families and informed them that I'll be available to help/teach their children for an hour a day. I ended up with ten children within a week. I did this for 2 years. I had just started in eleventh grade so, I taught/helped while I was in eleventh and twelfth and then I moved here.

I can definitely use this experience as a leadership? Can't I? I didn't give it a name or anything since I didn't think I will ever use this to put it in an application.

I am so excited right now since I just remembered it when my mother was talking to one of the family over the phone in India. And, I was like, Oh my God! How could I forget about this.

I need help as to how to put it in AMCAS since I didn't have a name for it and wouldn't have any way of giving out the name of supervisor, contact, etc. since I was the one doing everything.
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Experience type - Community Service Volunteer-non clinical
Experience name- Tutoring children impoverished area in India
Experience Description - While spending some time in India, assisted and tutored school children with their homework..
 
Unforgettable said:
I taught/helped while I was in eleventh and twelfth and then I moved here.

I can definitely use this experience as a leadership? Can't I?
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This is not "leadership" but it is tutoring (a category on the AMCAS) or volunteer, non-clinical. Your call.

Leadership usually means being the leader of a group of your peers. The patrol leader of a group of boy scouts is a leader. The student coordinator of a group of students who work during alumni weekendn is a leader. The principal or a school or the chairman of a department is a leader to a group of teachers.
 
Few questions, likely answered earlier but I can't read through 50 pages of stuff to try to find lol

Jobs including shadowing - list as two separate experiences or just one and put it in the description. I do not have shadowing experience outside of my two jobs, one in a hospital and one in dr's office because I have been working 50-60hrs/wk between the two.

Intramural sports/Club Sports - someone suggested I add these since they show that you are well rounded. I played football, soccer, softball, dodgeball, basketball, etc. I put them all in one experience. I also helped found the school's powerlifting team, should this be a separate experience?

Conferences attended - I attend monthly case conferences at the hospital that I work in the field I work in, not required by job or paid. I also have a couple of conferences that are separate that I attended as an undergrad. Should I list all of them as one experience?
 
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how elaborate were you guys when describing your shadowing experience?

feels kind of incomplete to just state "shadowed Dr. N, specialty, from start date to end date. I observed X, Y, and Z."
 
^^^^

Experience type - Other

Experience name - Shadowed anesthesiologist

Experience description - Followed anesthesiologist during patient evaluations and assessments. Became familiar with venipuncture techniques, intubation and with the functioning of a ventilator during multiple operative procedures performed under general anesthesia.

( I dont think there is any need to say more... You can always elaborate if you get asked during an interview )
 
I asked this question in another thread, but this seems more appropriate.

Where do you actually list the contact information in the work/activities section? I see spaces for names and titles, but not for phone numbers/emails etc. Also, there is only space for one contact, which is problematic if you want to compress some things. For example, I volunteered at a few hospitals which I want to include under one category, but the contact's aren't the same, so how would I go about doing that? Same issue applies to research etc. Would I write multiple names in one space or what?
 
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I have been a biology teaching assistant for multiple quarters at my school and I listed them all under one heading as teaching/tutoring. However, this past quarter I was chosen as the Head TA so my duties were different. Should I list this quarter under a new 'leadership' section?

Thanks
 
So I know there are plenty to posts, but Im having trouble figuring out the details, so I thought someone could help me out.

I have 5 posters, presented/to be presented at 4 different poster sessions/conferences. I dont want to make 5 separate entries, so Im looking for suggestions for how to group stuff together.

Outreach Poster: Author, Oct 09' (didnt attend conf)
Outreach Poster: Author, Nov 10' (will attend conf)
Outreach Poster: First Author, Presenter, May 10' and Nov 10' (will attend conf)

Research Poster: Author, Nov 10' (will attend conf)
Research Poster: First Author, May 10' (attended 2 poster sessions)

all the Nov 10 posters are the same conference, which is my only international conference, so I dunno how to group or categorize these. Any help would be much appreciated!

Thanks
 
If I've played guitar since I was 12 and played in numerous bands throughout college and now what should I put?
 
I want to group together my two lab research things together.

I did research summer after my freshman year, 40 hours a week
I did research fall semester of my junior year, 8 hours a week

Both in different labs... how do I do this?
 
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Dr Gerrard said:
I want to group together my two lab research things together.

I did research summer after my freshman year, 40 hours a week
I did research fall semester of my junior year, 8 hours a week

Both in different labs... how do I do this?
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Don't fill in the blanks for location (unless it's the same), contact person, start and end date, as much as can be avoided. Put the same information in the narrative, titling each part Research experience #1 and Research Experience #2.
 
tpham1030 said:
I have been a biology teaching assistant for multiple quarters at my school and I listed them all under one heading as teaching/tutoring. However, this past quarter I was chosen as the Head TA so my duties were different. Should I list this quarter under a new 'leadership' section?
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Remember that there's no one correct way to do this. Some activities cover two categories and are "double dippers." I'd name the activity something like Leadership/Teaching Bio TA. In the narrative describe the activity and how you then became head TA. If you have other Leadership, empasize the Teaching (pick that categoty for the Experince title). If other Teaching, highlight the Leadership. You want the overall application to have balance to it in the labels you choose. I would not list them separately.
 
fatalerror said:
Where do you actually list the contact information in the work/activities section? I see spaces for names and titles, but not for phone numbers/emails etc. Also, there is only space for one contact, which is problematic if you want to compress some things. For example, I volunteered at a few hospitals which I want to include under one category, but the contact's aren't the same, so how would I go about doing that? Same issue applies to research etc. Would I write multiple names in one space or what?
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It's fine to put this information in the body of the narrative and leave the header blank.
 
jyoudan said:
I have 5 posters, presented/to be presented at 4 different poster sessions/conferences. I dont want to make 5 separate entries, so Im looking for suggestions for how to group stuff together.

Outreach Poster: Author, Oct 09' (didnt attend conf)
Outreach Poster: Author, Nov 10' (will attend conf)
Outreach Poster: First Author, Presenter, May 10' and Nov 10' (will attend conf)

Research Poster: Author, Nov 10' (will attend conf)
Research Poster: First Author, May 10' (attended 2 poster sessions)

all the Nov 10 posters are the same conference, which is my only international conference, so I dunno how to group or categorize these.
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Any conference or poster presentation that did not occur by the time you submit, should not be listed in the Conferences Attended or Presentations categories. Really, you should not mention future plans, other than classwork, on the Primary application. You could instead mention at the end of the Research (or whatever activity) section where you describe the activity on which the posters are based, that your posters were accepted for presentation at the conference XXXXX on this date. (If they are submitted, but not yet accepted, I would say nothing.) Then list the posters.

The May 10 posters that you've already presented may be listed under Presentations as they're already occurred. Put the Oct '09 authored poster that someone else presented there, too (making that fact clear).

This should simplify the issue. Then, after you've done the future-planned presentations, you can include that interesting tidbit in an update letter to schools.
 
DbDan said:
1) Jobs including shadowing - list as two separate experiences or just one and put it in the description. I do not have shadowing experience outside of my two jobs, one in a hospital and one in dr's office because I have been working 50-60hrs/wk between the two.

2) Intramural sports/Club Sports - someone suggested I add these since they show that you are well rounded. I played football, soccer, softball, dodgeball, basketball, etc. I put them all in one experience. I also helped found the school's powerlifting team, should this be a separate experience?

3) Conferences attended - I attend monthly case conferences at the hospital that I work in the field I work in, not required by job or paid. I also have a couple of conferences that are separate that I attended as an undergrad. Should I list all of them as one experience?
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1) It's important to make abundantly clear that shadowing occurred, as some schools highly value this experience. You could either carve out the time spent shadowing during the two jobs and list it separately, or you can name the Employment "Shadowing/Scribe or Shadowing/Medical Assistant or Shadowing/Medical Translator, for example, going on to describe the job situation and how closely you worked with a physician.

2) Put your sports involvement under Hobbies. if you have no other leadership to list, then put starting a new lifting group under Leadership. If you're already strong in that area, then include it under hobbies and make clear in the description that you had a higher-level role.

3) I wouldn't list case conferences at all. If they were inspirational in some way and caused you to be sold on a medical career, mention it in the PS (briefly).
 
Catalystik said:
It's fine to put this information in the body of the narrative and leave the header blank.
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Do the schools even want the actual contact information or is the name/title the only thing that interests them? I don't need to add it if it's something they have no real interest in.
 
fatalerror said:
Do the schools even want the actual contact information or is the name/title the only thing that interests them? I don't need to add it if it's something they have no real interest in.
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You should put it in unless the contact is no longer there. Might look fishy if there is no contact
 
Dr Gerrard said:
I want to group together my two lab research things together.

I did research summer after my freshman year, 40 hours a week
I did research fall semester of my junior year, 8 hours a week

Both in different labs... how do I do this?
Click to expand...

If you have space you can list them as two separate Research/lab experiences.

otherwise if not group them together and then give the relevant info in the description area.
 
fatalerror said:
Do the schools even want the actual contact information or is the name/title the only thing that interests them? I don't need to add it if it's something they have no real interest in.
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IMO providing the contact information legitimizes the information. But no, you are not required to provide a phone # or email address.
 
Do I list a ticket I got 5 years ago (over 18) for "failure to control my vehicle" (got in an accident...with myself. ugh.) on AMCAS?
 
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I'm a master's student who has worked in two different research labs as part of my master's one from october-december 2009 one from jan-march 2010.

Should I list this as research experience under my EC section and explain each separate experience?
 
I am currently studying abroad so I am obviously not able to participate in the activities that I am involved with on my home campus. For the things that I did before I left and will pick right back up next semester, can I check "until present" or do I need to list the end date as December 2009 and then indicate that I will continue with the activity during the next school year? thanks!
 
boleyn123 said:
I am currently studying abroad so I am obviously not able to participate in the activities that I am involved with on my home campus. For the things that I did before I left and will pick right back up next semester, can I check "until present" or do I need to list the end date as December 2009 and then indicate that I will continue with the activity during the next school year? thanks!
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I'd put the end date as 12/09 with a note at the end of the narrative that studying abroad caused a hiatus and you plan to resume the activity on returning to the US.
 
guitarguy23 said:
I'm a master's student who has worked in two different research labs as part of my master's one from october-december 2009 one from jan-march 2010.

Should I list this as research experience under my EC section and explain each separate experience?
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If you have plenty of empty slots, list them separately. If you need to conserve space, put them together. Either is fine.
 
BlameItOnTheOH said:
Do I list a ticket I got 5 years ago (over 18) for "failure to control my vehicle" (got in an accident...with myself. ugh.) on AMCAS?
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Were you charged with a felony or misdemeanor? Was it a DUI? Did you have a license and insurance? Did you substantially damage property?

Felony:
You need NOT disclose any instance where you:
  • were arrested but not charged;
  • were arrested and charged, but the charges were dropped;
  • were arrested and charged, but found not guilty by a judge or jury;
  • were arrested and found guilty by a judge or jury, but the conviction was overturned on appeal; or
  • received an executive pardon
Misdemeanor:
You need NOT disclose any instance where you:
  • were arrested, but not charged;
  • were arrested and charged, but the charges were dropped;
  • were arrested and charged, but found not guilty by a judge or jury;
  • were arrested and found guilty by a judge or jury, but the conviction was overturned on appeal; or
  • received an executive pardon.
Minor variations based on state of residence are mentioned in the AMCAS handbook.

Some Secondary applications may ask for info about other legal entangements, like traffic tickets of varying degrees.
 
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If you win an award through an organization, should I list them both separately or just talk about the award in the description for my organization?

Also, is this how we are supposed to describe grouped together activities?

My professor during the 08-09 school year would recommend students to me and they would contact me directly. This came out to be about 1 hour a week. During Fall 09, I was an official tutor in the library, for 4 hours a week. When filling this out, I put it out to be 2 hours per week from August 08-December 09. I left organization and all of that blank.

"From Fall 2008-Spring 2009, I was a recommended tutor by my organic chemistry professor and would help any student that contacted me. This was about 1 hour per week.

During Fall 2009, I was a tutor for biology and general chemistry in the library for 4 hours a week.

Studied abroad Spring 2010 but will continue tutoring for the library in the Fall."
 
Dr Gerrard said:
If you win an award through an organization, should I list them both separately or just talk about the award in the description for my organization?
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I think it highlights the achievement better in this situation if you mention it after describing the activity for which it was awarded.


Also, is this how we are supposed to describe grouped together activities?

My professor during the 08-09 school year would recommend students to me and they would contact me directly. This came out to be about 1 hour a week. During Fall 09, I was an official tutor in the library, for 4 hours a week. When filling this out, I put it out to be 2 hours per week from August 08-December 09. I left organization and all of that blank.

"From Fall 2008-Spring 2009, I was a recommended tutor by my organic chemistry professor and would help any student that contacted me. This was about 1 hour per week.

During Fall 2009, I was a tutor for biology and general chemistry in the library for 4 hours a week.

Studied abroad Spring 2010 but will continue tutoring for the library in the Fall."
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I'd use the Teaching category. I'd name it Science Tutor. The organization can be blank or name of your college. I'd do bullets.

***9/08-5/09 1 hour/week OChem Tutor. 15 students referred by my OChem professor at [email protected]. Volunteer. Total=40 hours.

***9/09-12/09 4 hours per week. Bio and Gen Chem Tutor. 9 students served. Employment by library at U of X. Contact person and info. Total=50 hours. (Will resume after completing Study Abroad in 9/2010.)


***Total=90 hours .

(Something like that format. Couldn't figure out how to make my own bullet.)
 
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Complicated Work/Activities Question:

So I have a degree in theatre and a bunch of related activities, but I'm not sure how to combine them for the AMCAS...

Acting Company Member - Colorado Shakespeare Fest 2 seasons
Professional Actor (Different theatres/shows at different times?)
Collegiate Actor - Numerous productions, tons of roles
Director - various small shows, but could be leadership?
Founding Company Member - small theater company still working, but I'm no longer a member
Lead Singer - Cover band (should I even mention this?)
Opera singer - tour of Italy with 2 shows

I'm soooo lost! I've got so many different roles and productions!

I was thinking that I could separate out Professional Acting from college shows? Is that a start?

Thanks for any advice!
 
If I have a poster publication that shows up on Google Scholar and PubMed, should I put that down with my paper publication or put it in poster presentations?
 
sully677 said:
If I have a poster publication that shows up on Google Scholar and PubMed, should I put that down with my paper publication or put it in poster presentations?
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If it is a poster how does it show up on pubmed? Is it also separately published as an abstract or something? if that is the case you could list them separately as poster presentation and publication possibly to show that you did both a presentation on it and got published for it. I'm confused.
 
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