A bunch of hours in a unique EC

[About28]

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So this application cycle went poorly for me because I applied really late. I'm applying this coming cycle with new LORs, new EC hours and a slightly higher GPA, but I do see something that could raise questions. Last application cycle I had a sketch comedy group (we write and film funny videos, like key and peele but not as well funded) listed under my ECs. I had about 2 hours a week. This year, after my application was complete (in October) I took a leadership role in the group, and my hours have jumped to like 15-20 hours a week. I love the group and writing/acting in comedy videos, as well as my new leadership stuff like producing and organizing. My question is, will adcoms think that I'm spending too much time on what is basically a hobby? How should I even list this under AMCAS? Leadership?

 

[Boolean]

That's almost 11% of your week… decent chunk of time for a hobby. If you're leading it, placing it under leadership would make sense.

 

[Great White Buffalo]

I was an active leader in Boy Scouts, taking kids on ski trips, kayaking adventures, back country backpacking, running wilderness first aid exercises. It was great fun, and loads of leadership opportunity, team work and team building exercises, etc. Definitely use your experience to make yourself stand out!! You are getting great communication skills, team building, and leadership experience, and it is a unique experience. PLAY IT UP!! Good luck.

 

[Catalystik]

Leadership?

Or Artistic Endeavors, depending on which will balance your application better.

 

[About28]

Or Artistic Endeavors, depending on which will balance your application better.

I think my past cycle it belonged in artistic endeavors but the more I think about it, the more I realize that this year has been 100% leadership. Do you think adcoms will question the large amount of time I've put into this?

You are getting great communication skills, team building, and leadership experience, and it is a unique experience. PLAY IT UP!! Good luck.

This is a great way to look at it, thanks for your help!

 

[Catalystik]

I think my past cycle it belonged in artistic endeavors but the more I think about it, the more I realize that this year has been 100% leadership. Do you think adcoms will question the large amount of time I've put into this?

Not so long as you keep your GPA high and other obligations don't suffer.

 

[About28]

Not so long as you keep your GPA high and other obligations don't suffer.

Well my GPA is going from a 3.65 to a 3.67 so I have that going for me. My main clinical EC ended in January and I'll be resuming my job in the summer, I hope that's enough.

 

[Catalystik]

And the US based shadowing is good?

 

[About28]

And the US based shadowing is good?

I have over 80 hours combined shadowing an internist and an orthopedic surgeon. Both were hospital based, my only concern is that these hours occurred between 2009 and 2012. Is it bad that it's not really recent? I had to stop doing that to work full time over the summer, it was really hard to balance the two.

 

[Catalystik]

I have over 80 hours combined shadowing an internist and an orthopedic surgeon. Both were hospital based, my only concern is that these hours occurred between 2009 and 2012. Is it bad that it's not really recent? I had to stop doing that to work full time over the summer, it was really hard to balance the two.

I think it's recent enough. You're good to go.