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

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Melomare17 said:
if you have leadership positions in a few clubs/organizations, can you group them together and then in the meaningful one just expand on like one of them?
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That sounds fine. I would say you should mention which leadership position you are addressing at the beginning of your "most meaningful" section
 
linusp said:
I'm assuming then that we'd need a full citation, not simply "From the Association's Website" or something like that? I suppose in that case I simply do not have enough characters to do that.

Would that "mini-citation" be appropriate, or should I just scrap that all together and use my own words?
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Either paraphrase, or give the web address of the association.
 
For the most meaningful experiences, you have first describe the activity in 700 characters and then expand upon its impact on you in another 1325 characters?

Is this correct?

Oy. My pre-med advisor told us that for the most meaningful experiences, it is just 1325 characters (not the additional 700 of description). 😡😕

So, in total, the most meaningful ones are really 2025 characters.

Please confirm. Thanks.
 
bman87 said:
For the most meaningful experiences, you have first describe the activity in 700 characters and then expand upon its impact on you in another 1325 characters?

Is this correct?

Oy. My pre-med advisor told us that for the most meaningful experiences, it is just 1325 characters (not the additional 700 of description). 😡😕

So, in total, the most meaningful ones are really 2025 characters.

Please confirm. Thanks.
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Your first sentence is correct.

Your pre-med adviser is wrong, but it's only the first year that they are doing the "most meaningful" thing, so you can cut him/her a little bit of slack
 
Hey Cat,

Since this year the descriptions sections for the work/activities has been cut to 700 characters, if other than explaining what our duties were in the activities there is not much room to explain what we got out of it, would that be okay (I'm grouping some activities together)? Also, I have all 15 activities full (nontraditional student, so more experience than maybe some others) and no leisure activities are listed; however I do refer to one in my PS--is this okay, or should I get rid of one of the 15 and substitute it with a leisure activity?

thanks a lot!
 
If someone is trying to use a bullet point for entering ECs can they make a list with each bullet point on a new line? (Has AMCAS updated their formatting ability, or are “enters” still recognized as a single “space”?

If indeed ECs can only be listed as one long continual paragraph and someone still wants to use bullet point format, is it advisable to use a formatting system such as: 1) first point here (a) first sub point here (b) second sub point here (c) third sub point here 2) Second main point here (a) first sub point here (b) second sub point here 3) third main point here... etc. btw it would look just like this, one long continual paragraph...

Does AMCAS formatting recognize these characters: # ^ < > * and ( )?

VERY IMPORTANT!!
Does AACOM have identical formatting in relation to AMCAS?


Thank you in advance for everyone’s advice!!
 
If under my meaningful experience description about volunteering in the ED, I wrote something like, "I also realized if I were to work in an ED, I would rather be a nurse so I could get more time with the patient," would that get looked down upon? Thanks!
 
miraclemd said:
1) Since this year the descriptions sections for the work/activities has been cut to 700 characters, if other than explaining what our duties were in the activities there is not much room to explain what we got out of it, would that be okay (I'm grouping some activities together)?

2) Also, I have all 15 activities full (nontraditional student, so more experience than maybe some others) and no leisure activities are listed; however I do refer to one in my PS--is this okay, or should I get rid of one of the 15 and substitute it with a leisure activity?
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1) That's fine.

2) It's for you to judge how to best balance your application so that a picture of your personality will come to mind as an adcomm reads your listings. Only you can decide on the Experiences that are most significant to you and eliminate the nonessentials. Secondary essays may (or may not) give you further opportunity to get in all the information you want schools to judge you by. The PS is another legit way to get in important information. I happen to have a bias about wanting to know about leisuretime activities, but don't let that overrule your own best judgement about what to include.
 
juxi said:
If under my meaningful experience description about volunteering in the ED, I wrote something like, "I also realized if I were to work in an ED, I would rather be a nurse so I could get more time with the patient," would that get looked down upon? Thanks!
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(emphasis mine)

Yes.
 
bman87 said:
For the most meaningful experiences, you have first describe the activity in 700 characters and then expand upon its impact on you in another 1325 characters?

Is this correct?

Oy. My pre-med advisor told us that for the most meaningful experiences, it is just 1325 characters (not the additional 700 of description). 😡😕

So, in total, the most meaningful ones are really 2025 characters.

Please confirm. Thanks.
Click to expand...

You're correct: most meaningful activities are allotted a 700 character "initial explanation" followed by an additional 1325 chars of details.
 
juxi said:
If under my meaningful experience description about volunteering in the ED, I wrote something like, "I also realized if I were to work in an ED, I would rather be a nurse so I could get more time with the patient," would that get looked down upon? Thanks!
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It's probably best to stick to positives in a slightly different way. Rather, say (if appropriate to your other experiences) that during the ED experience you came to prefer the extended time available in the primary care office to delve more deeply into patient history to get a fuller idea of the problem, or somesuch. (Using your own words, of course.)
 
Thanks! That's basically what I was trying to imply but I guess writing it out more explicitly is better 🙂
 
I have a few basic questions (I feel silly asking, but might as well check!):

1. How should Publications be listed in terms of "Experience Name" and contact sections? Should the contact be my PI or the journal editor? How about "Organization," is it my lab, or the journal group?

I am guessing it should be like:
Experience Name: Nature
Contact: PI OR Editor-in-Chief (which one?)
Organization: Nature Publishing Group OR NIH (which one?)

Would that suffice?

And what's usually expected for the "Experience Description" section for publications? Is just citing it enough (ala Endnote), or do I need a blurb explaining the research, even though I explain it in a separate "Research" section?

2. Related to #1 is the listing of Posters. Should it be the same as #1 for the "Experience Name," contact, and "Experience Description?" And how should posters be cited?

Many thanks!
 
Hi guys,
For the 3 most significant experiences, when we reflect should we be kind of listing accomplishments, like say we did blah blah blah and how we gained insight from blah blah or should it be more like

in the described experience above, this is my reflection of it, and talk about our thoughts instead of going through what we accomplished? For example, would it be ok if I reflect on one specific event of this experience and then spend the rest of the characters talking about how I felt about this one event? In other words, I won't have a chance to list other events that occurred in this experience?

Thanks alot guys,
 
brambles said:
1. How should Publications be listed in terms of "Experience Name" and contact sections? Should the contact be my PI or the journal editor? How about "Organization," is it my lab, or the journal group?

I am guessing it should be like:
Experience Name: Nature
Contact: PI OR Editor-in-Chief (which one?)
Organization: Nature Publishing Group OR NIH (which one?)

a) Would that suffice?

b) And what's usually expected for the "Experience Description" section for publications? Is just citing it enough (ala Endnote), or do I need a blurb explaining the research, even though I explain it in a separate "Research" section?

2. Related to #1 is the listing of Posters. Should it be the same as #1 for the "Experience Name," contact, and "Experience Description?" And how should posters be cited?
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1. a) Name: Nature Publication. Contact: Your PI who was a coauthor. Organization: Whichever organization that publishes Nature.
b) The citation and referral back to the related Research listing. Also, if you presented the same data in a Poster/Publication, you might mention it here. It shouldn't be listed separately, as the most prestigious sharing of your data trumps any other.

2) For a poster unrelated to #1: Name: National Stroke Foundation Annual Meeting Poster Presentation, Contact: Your PI or research advisor, Organization: the national or regional conference where you presented. This is just one example. There is no one correct way to do it.

The citation is the title of your poster. Also refer to the related Research entry. If you had multiple posters on the same data, list the most prestigious conference in the header, and those of other presentations/posters in the narrative, giving credit to whomever actually was present at the conference.
 
darkhope said:
Hi guys,
For the 3 most significant experiences, when we reflect should we be kind of listing accomplishments, like say we did blah blah blah and how we gained insight from blah blah or should it be more like

in the described experience above, this is my reflection of it, and talk about our thoughts instead of going through what we accomplished? For example, would it be ok if I reflect on one specific event of this experience and then spend the rest of the characters talking about how I felt about this one event? In other words, I won't have a chance to list other events that occurred in this experience?

Thanks alot guys,
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In general, what you did should be in the activity description. Its impact and your reflections should be in the extra space. The AMCAS instruction guide made suggestions about how to use the extra space, but it isa guideline, not a rule, so do what feels right, and say what you want to impart.
 
Is it alright if two of my most meaningful experiences are not same two that I discussed at length in my personal statement? I don't want to sound redundant by discussing 3 of the same activities in both the W&A and my essay.

Right now, I have a nonmedical experience listed as one of my most meaningful. I was public relations officer and core member of an entirely student run, independent music and arts venue. The experience really was one my most meaningful, however it is not related to the field of medicine. Also, I discuss how my research experience had a great influence on me in my essay but I'm not sure whether I should list it as most meaningful vs doing reproductive justice activism/volunteering for Planned Parenthood. Would both of these decisions seem weird to ADCOMs/cast my application in a negative light? I'm worried that it may seem like I don't have my "priorities" straight.

Thanks!
 
bonitanolita said:
1) Is it alright if two of my most meaningful experiences are not same two that I discussed at length in my personal statement? I don't want to sound redundant by discussing 3 of the same activities in both the W&A and my essay.

2) Right now, I have a nonmedical experience listed as one of my most meaningful. I was public relations officer and core member of an entirely student run, independent music and arts venue. The experience really was one my most meaningful, however it is not related to the field of medicine.

3) Also, I discuss how my research experience had a great influence on me in my essay but I'm not sure whether I should list it as most meaningful vs doing reproductive justice activism/volunteering for Planned Parenthood. Would both of these decisions seem weird to ADCOMs/cast my application in a negative light?
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1) Yes. Repeating information is to be avoided.

2) Good. You won't seem cookie-cutterish.

3) If you said all you wanted to say in the Research narrative, then make something else "Most Meaningful" so you can expound on it at length. Choosing an activism role for this purpose would be a strong choice that might not resonate well with all adcomms, as some might inappropriately let their personal philosophies interfer with their judgement of your suitability. You have a choice of being the real you and making a statement from the heart, or being politically correct and bland. If you decide to go with the activism, you will make apparent other characterisitcs that would be greatly valued by most adcomms.
 
Dr Zoidberg 510 said:
If someone is trying to use a bullet point for entering ECs can they make a list with each bullet point on a new line? (Has AMCAS updated their formatting ability, or are “enters” still recognized as a single “space”?

If indeed ECs can only be listed as one long continual paragraph and someone still wants to use bullet point format, is it advisable to use a formatting system such as: 1) first point here (a) first sub point here (b) second sub point here (c) third sub point here 2) Second main point here (a) first sub point here (b) second sub point here 3) third main point here... etc. btw it would look just like this, one long continual paragraph...

Does AMCAS formatting recognize these characters: # ^ < > * and ( )?

VERY IMPORTANT!!
Does AACOM have identical formatting in relation to AMCAS?


Thank you in advance for everyone’s advice!!
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???Anyone???
 
mauberley said:
Have you tried it in the application itself and used the preview functionality of the application? That would most likely be faster than seeking advice here.
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The problem is that one can view two different formats when reviewing an AAMCAS application: As a PDF, or as HTML. When viewing ECs in a PDF the "Enter button" produces a blank line and you can make multiple paragraphs. However when viewing HTML the "Enter button" produces a blank space (identical to using the "space bar"). I was led to believe that ADCOMs read applications in the HTML format and therefore see all ECs as one long continual paragraph... 🙁

My question: How do ADCOMs view applications, as PDF or as HTML? Is there any way to for an applicant to see exactly what an ADCOM sees?
 
Dr Zoidberg 510 said:
The problem is that one can view two different formats when reviewing an AAMCAS application: As a PDF, or as HTML. When viewing ECs in a PDF the "Enter button" produces a blank line and you can make multiple paragraphs. However when viewing HTML the "Enter button" produces a blank space (identical to using the "space bar"). I was led to believe that ADCOMs read applications in the HTML format and therefore see all ECs as one long continual paragraph... 🙁

My question: How do ADCOMs view applications, as PDF or as HTML? Is there any way to for an applicant to see exactly what an ADCOM sees?
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Someone called AMCAS and they said use the PDF version
It's here http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=11058679&postcount=836
It's not EXACTLY what the med schools see though. For example, the PDF lists all the schools you're applying to, but the med schools can't see that. However, the formatting should be the same, per AMCAS
 
sector9 said:
Someone called AMCAS and they said use the PDF version
It's here http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=11058679&postcount=836
It's not EXACTLY what the med schools see though. For example, the PDF lists all the schools you're applying to, but the med schools can't see that. However, the formatting should be the same, per AMCAS
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Hmmm interesting, thanks for the info. I'm calling AMCAS right now (four people ahead of me through), I'll update once I hear what they say.

Update: ADCOMs do see applications in PDF format. (so say the AMCAS people)
 
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In my PS, I mentioned 2 of my work/activities and how it impacted my answer to "why medicine"

I listed 1 of those work/activities as most significant but not the other because I have a different activity I did not mention in my PS. Do you think I should change it so it does include both my activities or leave it as it is.

To be more specific:
1. I mentioned my sports club in my PS, which gave me significant team work development and athletic competition (atm, omitted for most significant)
I felt like I stated why it was very significant for me in the PS.
2. At the moment, I added my 2nd research lab as most significant because I have learned many skills that can be translated to medicine as well as having very insightful meetings my PI.

Any advice will be helpful.
 
kautionwirez said:
In my PS, I mentioned 2 of my work/activities and how it impacted my answer to "why medicine"

I listed 1 of those work/activities as most significant but not the other because I have a different activity I did not mention in my PS. Do you think I should change it so it does include both my activities or leave it as it is.

To be more specific:
1. I mentioned my sports club in my PS, which gave me significant team work development and athletic competition (atm, omitted for most significant)
I felt like I stated why it was very significant for me in the PS.
2. At the moment, I added my 2nd research lab as most significant because I have learned many skills that can be translated to medicine as well as having very insightful meetings my PI.

Any advice will be helpful.
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You don't want to be repetitive. If you've said what needs to be said, use "Most Meaningful" to express your thoughts on another activity of significance.
 
sorry if this question has been answered already.

For the descriptions for the 15 activities, should we still also explain what we learned from each experience or just describe your responsibilities and only explain what you learned for only the three most significant activity?
 
r
madamebovary said:
For the descriptions for the 15 activities, should we still also explain what we learned from each experience or just describe your responsibilities and only explain what you learned for only the three most significant activity?
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Each experience can be handled differently depending on your feelings about it. What you actually did is most important. Every activity isn't an impetus for having "learned" something, and if it did have an impact on you, you don't always need 1325 characters to explain it. A brief blurb can be fine, too.
 
Sorry if this question has already been addressed, I just can't seem to find the answer :scared:

I've grouped many of my activities together and listed the contact info and organization name for the most significant one. However, I don't know what I should put under "average hr/wk" and "duration...from when to when". Should I only put the hrs and dates for the most significant activity in the designated box and list separate hrs and dates for other activities in description OR add up the hours and dates for all the activities and specify their hours and dates individually in description? Sorry for the wordiness...here's an example of what I mean.

Average hr/week: 10hr/wk OR 30hr/wk
Duration: April 2006 - June 2011 OR June 2005 - June 2011

Activity #1 (most significant): 10hr/wk, April 2006 - June 2011
Activity #2: 20hr/wk, June 2005- August 2008
 
Pianogirl591 said:
I've grouped many of my activities together and listed the contact info and organization name for the most significant one. However, I don't know what I should put under "average hr/wk" and "duration...from when to when". Should I only put the hrs and dates for the most significant activity in the designated box and list separate hrs and dates for other activities in description OR add up the hours and dates for all the activities and specify their hours and dates individually in description? Sorry for the wordiness...here's an example of what I mean.

Average hr/week: 10hr/wk OR 30hr/wk
Duration: April 2006 - June 2011 OR June 2005 - June 2011

Activity #1 (most significant): 10hr/wk, April 2006 - June 2011
Activity #2: 20hr/wk, June 2005- August 2008
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The bolded choice is the correct one. Also, note that you don't have to fill in the hours per week in the header and can include it in the narrative or just give total hours if it was an intermittent activity.
 
So I've been accepted as a residential advisor (for the upcoming school year) in March, I've started training briefly but haven't worked with students yet, am I allowed to put that down as an activity? I'm guessing if they ask me about it during interviews I will have more than enough experience actually working with residents by then.
 
Catalystik said:
I wouldn't give details due to space limitations and the fact that including it won't make your application stronger. Also, there's a potential 'boredom factor' as many of these addresses are very similar (faculty input tends to assure this), or even a "not politically correct" factor, etc. Feel free to convince me if what you'd want to say falls outside these concerns.
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great insight! I'm convinced, this point of view it really helps. thanks again!
 
Catalystik said:
The bolded choice is the correct one. Also, note that you don't have to fill in the hours per week in the header and can include it in the narrative or just give total hours if it was an intermittent activity.
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building off of the posting above... Should you / Need you post the average hours for all your activities?
 
Monocles said:
So I've been accepted as a residential advisor (for the upcoming school year) in March, I've started training briefly but haven't worked with students yet, am I allowed to put that down as an activity? I'm guessing if they ask me about it during interviews I will have more than enough experience actually working with residents by then.
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I have a similar situation...

I will be volunteering at a Hospice which doesn't start until July, should I list the duties I will be doing and say that I plan to give update letters or just give an update letter?

And is it enough to have 10-12 activities or should I list as many as possible (15)? (I tried searching for this question and had no luck)
 
I have research experience as a Master's student and some experience during undergrad. What is the best way to list these experiences? Is it a good idea to name the experience 'Research Experience' and explain both experiences in the description?

Also, what kind of information would you include in the description? techniques, thesis. etc?
 
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Monocles said:
So I've been accepted as a residential advisor (for the upcoming school year) in March, I've started training briefly but haven't worked with students yet, am I allowed to put that down as an activity? I'm guessing if they ask me about it during interviews I will have more than enough experience actually working with residents by then.
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You haven't started the activity. You can't report any hours/week. It hasn't given you any insights. I don't see that this will be a plus for your application. I'd suggest saving it for update letters.
 
HopefulDoc2be said:
Need you post the average hours for all your activities?
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No. But you need to give some idea of the degree of involvement for many of them. Listing an activity without putting in the time commitment seems pretty worthless, except for the Awards/Honors, Presentations/Posters, Publications designation, and occasionally, Other.
 
kautionwirez said:
1) I will be volunteering at a Hospice which doesn't start until July, should I list the duties I will be doing and say that I plan to give update letters or just give an update letter?

2) And is it enough to have 10-12 activities or should I list as many as possible (15)? (I tried searching for this question and had no luck)
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1) I would not list it. Save it for update letters.

2) You didn't use the Search term "Fluff." Listing 9-10 activities is about the average. Don't start adding fluff just to fill up the spaces. http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=11063127&highlight=Fluff#post11063127
 
adam17 said:
I have research experience as a Master's student and some experience during undergrad. What is the best way to list these experiences? Is it a good idea to name the experience 'Research Experience' and explain both experiences in the description?

Also, what kind of information would you include in the description? techniques, thesis. etc?
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Since the experiences are unrelated and have different locations and contact person, it is best to list each separately. I'd name them something like, "Research Assistant for Goldfish Golgi Body Studies", or "Researcher in Smith Lab." (Note the implied difference in responsibility with the two titles.)

In the description give a not-too-technical opening paragraph for a nonscience reader that gives an overview of the purpose. Say what you actually did (follow someone else's protocol or designed your own), lab techniques used. Insert a more technical explanation if you wish, especially if you're aiming for a top research school. Add any other thoughts you care to include. If the data has been submitted to a journal, you can mention that here. If it has been presented, posterized, or accepted for publication, you put that separately in another appropriately designated space.
 
Couple of questions:

1) I have a publication in the Journal "Fremontia" published by the California Native Society. It is somewhere in the grey area between campus pub and a real publication (it is not pubmed searchable). Should I list under publication or put citation at the end of the research narrative?

Citation: Davis, S., Helms, A., Heffner, M., Shaver, A., Deroulet, A., Stasiak, N., Vaughan.,Leake, C., Lee, H., Sayegh, E. (2007) Chaparral Zonation in the Santa Monica Mountains: The Influence of Freezing Temperatures. Fremontia, 35:12-15.

2) Can I condense two unrelated student organizations into 1 "other" category (see below)? Neither of which were particularly meaningful but are significant enough to include on AMCAS? Also, how is this for bullet point formatting?

P*A*C:
- Organization is comprised of twenty undergraduate students elected by active members to serve for one year period.
- Members acted with the student council as representatives for the student body at major school functions (board meetings, fundraising events, commemorative dinners, etcs)
- Minimum 1 hour weekly time commitment (not including attended events)

Inter-Club Council (ICC)
- The ICC helps approved Pepperdine clubs gain access to funding and event planning information.
- The ICC is responsible for the allocation of $40,000 in student-led initiatives each semester.
- I was ICC representative for Waves for Change in 2006 and 2007.
- 1 hour weekly time commitment


Thank you!
 
MalibuPreMD said:
1) I have a publication in the Journal "Fremontia" published by the California Native Society. It is somewhere in the grey area between campus pub and a real publication (it is not pubmed searchable). Should I list under publication or put citation at the end of the research narrative?

Citation: Davis, S., Helms, A., Heffner, M., Shaver, A., Deroulet, A., Stasiak, N., Vaughan.,Leake, C., Lee, H., Sayegh, E. (2007) Chaparral Zonation in the Santa Monica Mountains: The Influence of Freezing Temperatures. Fremontia, 35:12-15.

2) Can I condense two unrelated student organizations into 1 "other" category (see below)? Neither of which were particularly meaningful but are significant enough to include on AMCAS?

3) Also, how is this for bullet point formatting?

P*A*C:
- Organization is comprised of twenty undergraduate students elected by active members to serve for one year period.
- Members acted with the student council as representatives for the student body at major school functions (board meetings, fundraising events, commemorative dinners, etcs)
- Minimum 1 hour weekly time commitment (not including attended events)

Inter-Club Council (ICC)
- The ICC helps approved Pepperdine clubs gain access to funding and event planning information.
- The ICC is responsible for the allocation of $40,000 in student-led initiatives each semester.
- I was ICC representative for Waves for Change in 2006 and 2007.
- 1 hour weekly time commitment
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1) How wide is the distribution of the journal? If it can be found throughout a region of California in libraries, I would cite it under Publications (and maybe explain the distribution area in the explanation). If it is not distributed much further than your campus, then I'd mention it in the related Research entry.

2) Yes. Be sure to name the space something that covers both, like "Campus Organization Memberships" or if you feel appropriate, you might list it under Leadership (if both qualify) or put Leadership in the Name.

3) The formating you illustrate is fine. However, I would include more precise timeframes of involvement with MM/YY to MM/YY, explain "Waves of Change," and give a better sense of what the parent body for P*A*C is (?Political Action Committee?), and exactly what you did if you want to claim Leaadership.
 
Catalystik said:
1) How wide is the distribution of the journal? If it can be found throughout a region of California in libraries, I would cite it under Publications (and maybe explain the distribution area in the explanation). If it is not distributed much further than your campus, then I'd mention it in the related Research entry.

2) Yes. Be sure to name the space something that covers both, like "Campus Organization Memberships" or if you feel appropriate, you might list it under Leadership (if both qualify) or put Leadership in the Name.

3) The formating you illustrate is fine. However, I would include more precise timeframes of involvement with MM/YY to MM/YY, explain "Waves of Change," and give a better sense of what the parent body for P*A*C is (?Political Action Committee?), and exactly what you did if you want to claim Leaadership.
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Thank you Catalystik. Waves for Change is explained in another category (should I put parenthetically "see most meaningful experience"?).

I placed the stars to disguise the organization's name. I will write out the full name on AMCAS.

I will not be claiming leadership. I saw earlier that you wrote that student organizations are not necessarily important to include (don't benefit application). Should I scrap these two since I'm not claiming leadership or are they significant enough to include (the first would be significant because it was considered "prestigious" to be a part of the group & the second because it dealt with responsible resource allocation to student groups on campus. Both of these are included in the bullet points).

Also, the Journal distribution is pretty small (I can call them to ask, but I can't imagine based on their website that it's any greater than 5000) but it is non-affiliated with my University. That is why I claimed it as grey area.

Thank you VERY much for your input/advice. It is pretty time consuming to read through 20 pages (I'm working backwards, only reading your posts, and am only half-way through after an hour) but this is an absolutely invaluable thread.
 
I have participated in an activity for my entire life which did include moving away from home to live on my own at the age of 14 to further my training at an elite level. I've even represented the US in international competition prior to starting college and did continue the activity at a high level in college. I tried to lump all of my accomplishments in the field into one heading as it is one of my most meaningful activities but it doesn't all fit no matter how much I've tried to edit my descriptions. I was wondering if it would be frowned upon to list my accomplishments before college in one heading and then while I was in college in another so it would take up two headings?
 
I submitted my AMCAS June 2nd. In one of my "Most Meaningful" boxes, I talked about a meaningful experience I'd had and also mentioned briefly (1 sentence) a related future activity that I was expecting to complete this summer. However, it turns out that my funding for that activity has been delayed a few weeks, which basically makes it impossible for me to participate. What do you think are the implications of this on my application? Considering my description of the future activity was very brief and added almost as an afterthought, would it be necessary for me to contact the individual schools and let them know? Or is it really no big deal?

Thank you in advance for your help!
 
MalibuPreMD said:
1) Waves for Change is explained in another category (should I put parenthetically "see most meaningful experience"?).

2) I will not be claiming leadership. I saw earlier that you wrote that student organizations are not necessarily important to include (don't benefit application). Should I scrap these two since I'm not claiming leadership or are they significant enough to include (the first would be significant because it was considered "prestigious" to be a part of the group & the second because it dealt with responsible resource allocation to student groups on campus. Both of these are included in the bullet points).

3) Thank you VERY much for your input/advice. It is pretty time consuming to read through 20 pages (I'm working backwards, only reading your posts, and am only half-way through after an hour) but this is an absolutely invaluable thread.
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1) good idea.

2) I thought they seemed mildly leadership-y. If they convey some aspect of your personality or a special interest that you feel it would be helpful to illustrate to adcomms, then include them: eg, takes responsibility. They don't seem like fluff, but there should be a reason for their inclusion. "Prestigious" isn't such a great reason, but "enhancing resource allocation/good at number crunching", yes.

3) I'm glad that someone is getting value from the backposts.
 
L1BS said:
I have participated in an activity for my entire life which did include moving away from home to live on my own at the age of 14 to further my training at an elite level. I’ve even represented the US in international competition prior to starting college and did continue the activity at a high level in college. I tried to lump all of my accomplishments in the field into one heading as it is one of my most meaningful activities but it doesn’t all fit no matter how much I’ve tried to edit my descriptions. I was wondering if it would be frowned upon to list my accomplishments before college in one heading and then while I was in college in another so it would take up two headings?
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That sounds fine, but link the two together by the title name being similar, since they won't necessarily be printed out together. Eg, US O****** Team Involvement in XXXX Sport," (which can include the back story) and "College Involvement (or Intercollegiate if it was) in XXXX Sport," or somesuch.
 
candav said:
I submitted my AMCAS June 2nd. In one of my "Most Meaningful" boxes, I talked about a meaningful experience I'd had and also mentioned briefly (1 sentence) a related future activity that I was expecting to complete this summer. However, it turns out that my funding for that activity has been delayed a few weeks, which basically makes it impossible for me to participate. What do you think are the implications of this on my application? Considering my description of the future activity was very brief and added almost as an afterthought, would it be necessary for me to contact the individual schools and let them know? Or is it really no big deal?
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This is why mention of future planned activities is a bad idea. At least you didn't put it in its own space. It would help if you could share what the activity is, but I understand if you prefer to maintain anonymity. What I'd do, since I can't judge the relative impact of the activity's noncompletion, is mention the cancelation in a future update letter (no rush at this point). Ideally (and especially if the activity was important to fill a gap in your EC lineup), you will have found something to substitute for it that would have the same impact and mention in the letter that you have begun XXXX activity instead.
 
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