A semester with no extracurriculars?

[appmed2011]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I am trying to figure out just how much volunteering and extracurricular activities I need. Last year I did lots of both. I was vice president of student government, volunteered over 100 hours at the hospital emergency room, and organized a charity event that raised over $5,000. However, this year I haven't really done anything at all because I have been working on raising my GPA. Will this look bad that I spent a whole semester doing nothing?

 

[NickNaylor]

I think it depends on how you approach it when you're asked about it at interviews. You'll undoubtedly be asked since dropping all of your ECs will raise a red flag. I'd recommend keeping SOMETHING, just so that it looks like you didn't fall off the face of the earth.

 

[Catalystik]

Your GPA is your priority and I'm glad you recognized that. Still, surely you could find time for 2 hours per week of community service or hospital volunteering. Or 4 hours every other week. Now that you're on break, why not make up some lost time and do some more intensive hours with something?

If not, well you can always get your ECs done after graduation and apply at a nontraditional time. GPA comes first.

 

[TexasPhysician]

You probably don't "need" much else. Just keep up with what you find to be fun and rewarding when you have time.

 

[sully677]

I am trying to figure out just how much volunteering and extracurricular activities I need. Last year I did lots of both. I was vice president of student government, volunteered over 100 hours at the hospital emergency room, and organized a charity event that raised over $5,000. However, this year I haven't really done anything at all because I have been working on raising my GPA. Will this look bad that I spent a whole semester doing nothing?

I would get involved with something. Raising a GPA during one semester does not require you to sacrifice all of your time. If it does, then adjust your study habits.