AADSAS Extra Curriculars

[Contach]

How many people have been able to fill up the 10 spots given on the AADSAS application for extra curricular/volunteer/community service?

I am struggling to find 10 meaningful activities. I have 8, and I consider myself quite involved. However, I am only 20... What are others experiencing?
5 Research activities are even harder...

Also, should we / can we put things that we are only now starting to do? Like an activity/position that begins in September or October of this year?
I'm thinking yes because by the time the interviews roll around, we would have been doing these things for atleast a month and will have something to say about them...

Anyone want to chime in?
thanks

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[creative8401]

That section is to reflect who you are and what YOU have done. It is neither a competition, that yes you should have 10. Be honest. Admissions people go through so many applications and so many interviews that they will spot a lying student.

Be honest, I don't think with your DAT scores, you should have a problem.

 

[Contach]

I understand this... And no my intentions were never to lie about my application. I am wondering whether I should start listing the smaller, less meaningful things that I did to fill up the 10 spots... Like if it was a 1-day event that involved minimal preparation.... or will it devalue the things that I spent 10 hours a week on for over 20 weeks?

 

[creative8401]

My view: state the most important things, something being a long duration does not necessarily mean its important. The opposite of this is also true; you may have realized something very important about you or about dentistry when doing something for a short amount of time.
No one can judge entirely what you should put. Those things are to reflect you, and if you feel the 5 hour preparation was important, put it, describe it, when the time comes, be prepared to talk about it.

Have a good one.

 

[oxsleeperxo]

for extra curricular activities, are any of yall listing the clubs that you was a member of in college?

 

[DrDDSman]

for extra curricular activities, are any of yall listing the clubs that you was a member of in college?

That's the point of this section. I don't think anyone cares about what you did in high school.

 

[Contach]

for extra curricular activities, are any of yall listing the clubs that you was a member of in college?

That's the point of this section. I don't think anyone cares about what you did in high school.

I wouldn't list clubs that I was a 'general member' of unless I was really involved in it. For example, I'm a member of my school's Doctors without Borders chapter, but there's no real involvement besides attending the discussions and going to the socials every once in a while.. And I won't put the pre-dental or pre-health clubs I'm a member of. So no I won't put college clubs. But I will put the clubs I was involved in at an executive level or the clubs that gave me some sick opportunities... like being a buddy to a person with a mental disability. That was a good experience.

 

[Bruinlove]

I have 3.

 

[Contach]

I have 3.

really? what are they?

 

[Bruinlove]

really? what are they?

2 volunteer service, 1 club.

And for research, I have 1.

 

[dent88]

As long as it was meaningful to you and you can give examples of how this affected you i think its okay. I have all 10 filled 3 clubs, one of those clubs I held a chair position. The point of this I think it to see you are well rounded and have a life and give back to the community. 😉

 

[Retimo]

2 volunteer service, 1 club.

And for research, I have 1.

fyi, SDN doesn't count as either a volunteer service or a club 🙂


Damn though, I only put my two most important EC's. I must've planned to come back to that section later. That's probably for the best, cause I left out the more BS stuff like 'playing music' and 'drinking.' Oh well.

 

[Contach]

'playing music' is BS? I wish I played an instrument... and if I did it would definitely be up there on my list.

SDN should count as an EC. Well.... it depends on what your role is on these forums. For example, someone who constantly answers DAT questions of ailing students, or compiles massive statistics (toothpaste) should be able to write this down on his/her list. Too bad this generation of ADCOMs probably won't appreciate our efforts for what they are worth. But really, someone could be a pretty proficient teacher on these forums. And you can learn a lot about teaching. It's also satisfying to contribute. Not to mention, if you were a moderator, you would be dealing with ethical matters, working apart of a team, due process, and adjudicating on decisions and/or sanctioning.. It would be a great experience in my books...

 

[Contach]

SDN should count as an EC. Well.... it depends on what your role is on these forums. For example, someone who constantly answers DAT questions of ailing students, or compiles massive statistics (toothpaste) should be able to write this down on his/her list. Too bad this generation of ADCOMs probably won't appreciate our efforts for what they are worth. But really, someone could be a pretty proficient teacher on these forums. And you can learn a lot about teaching. It's also satisfying to contribute. Not to mention, if you were a moderator, you would be dealing with ethical matters, working apart of a team, due process, and adjudicating on decisions and/or sanctioning.. It would be a great experience in my books...

I'm surprised no1 commented on this? We are the internet generation. And this signifies a monumental cultural shift to appreciate the work of previously 'anonymous' work.

 

[supraman]

I only have 1 Extra Curricular, tutoring, I did not want to add that club stuff, I did jack **** in them to want to state that, but tons of IMO more important stuff like dent experience and research experience. Also, are you just applying now?

 

[FSUchic]

Why wouldn't you put down clubs that you are just a member of? Don't think that your credentials are "too good" or "impressive" to just be a club member. Participation is participation, you don't have to be club president to make a difference. Not to be rude, but why do so many pre-dental/pre-med students think they are so great that they can't admit to not doing something that's not 100% the best? Most of these people lack the compassion and desire to really HELP people as a doctor.

 

[prydA]

i didnt put sdn down on aadsas, but i did mention it in a lot of secondaries under "extra pre-dental experiences." i got interviews from some of those schools, so it certainly works. also, almost all interviewers ive talked to have heard of sdn

 

[supraman]

Why wouldn't you put down clubs that you are just a member of? Don't think that your credentials are "too good" or "impressive" to just be a club member. Participation is participation, you don't have to be club president to make a difference. Not to be rude, but why do so many pre-dental/pre-med students think they are so great that they can't admit to not doing something that's not 100% the best? Most of these people lack the compassion and desire to really HELP people as a doctor.

Just based off of what I wrote you are stating that I lack the desire to help people? Maybe the club situation was different for you, but for me if it were to come up in an interview, hell, I'd have to think of something quick regarding the nothing that went down with those clubs. Its hard to start a club with 5 Predents at my state school. Now come to think of it, maybe I should of put it down

 

[supraman]

i didnt put sdn down on aadsas, but i did mention it in a lot of secondaries under "extra pre-dental experiences." i got interviews from some of those schools, so it certainly works. also, almost all interviewers ive talked to have heard of sdn

A 26 AA wouldn't hurt either

 

[FSUchic]

Just based off of what I wrote you are stating that I lack the desire to help people? Maybe the club situation was different for you, but for me if it were to come up in an interview, hell, I'd have to think of something quick regarding the nothing that went down with those clubs. Its hard to start a club with 5 Predents at my state school. Now come to think of it, maybe I should of put it down

I was not referring to your post. But the one before that. I'm not trying to call any one person out, I just get tired of people on sdn being so full of themselves. I really didn't mean any harm!

 

[supraman]

I was not referring to your post. But the one before that. I'm not trying to call any one person out, I just get tired of people on sdn being so full of themselves. I really didn't mean any harm!

Oh gotcha, sorry, but members on this site can get really defensive quick lol. I see what your saying though, but being a member for a while, I read that your ECs unless spectacular, will really not help or hurt you. But like I said I wish I put them, it'll show more commitment and at the time of AADSAS application I didn't think of it that way!

 

[FSUchic]

Oh gotcha, sorry, but members on this site can get really defensive quick lol. I see what your saying though, but being a member for a while, I read that your ECs unless spectacular, will really not help or hurt you. But like I said I wish I put them, it'll show more commitment and at the time of AADSAS application I didn't think of it that way!

It's best to just be yourself and be an individual when applying to professional schools. So often people try too hard to have the credentials (they think) schools want, but get lost in the hundreds of other applicants that are just like them. I'm sure you are unique in many other ways, and will therefore stand out among the rest. Best of luck to you!

 

[Contach]

Why wouldn't you put down clubs that you are just a member of? Don't think that your credentials are "too good" or "impressive" to just be a club member. Participation is participation, you don't have to be club president to make a difference. Not to be rude, but why do so many pre-dental/pre-med students think they are so great that they can't admit to not doing something that's not 100% the best? Most of these people lack the compassion and desire to really HELP people as a doctor.

hmm.. this has got me thinking...
There are a few reasons why I wouldn't put clubs that I was only a member of:
1) I would be afraid that if the ADCOMs wanted to pick something to talk about, they may pick one of those clubs I was less involved in at the expense of a club that I put a lot of work in and actually have some meaningful experiences to draw on.
2) If I could put down everything I was 'a member of' or 'participated in' I would be like my friends who are currently doing their Canadian Med School apps and have 45-50 items. 4 years is a long time after all....
3) I want to stand out and I want to impress. Furthermore, I've worked hard to get where I am now, and hope that this work ethic will take me where I want to go in the future. I don't want this to be put to waste, so I will try hard to think of quality activities that I have reflected on.

 

[Contach]

It's best to just be yourself and be an individual when applying to professional schools. So often people try too hard to have the credentials (they think) schools want, but get lost in the hundreds of other applicants that are just like them. I'm sure you are unique in many other ways, and will therefore stand out among the rest. Best of luck to you!

It's a good point. But still, I would still have to try very hard to be my ownself. Maybe I would try too hard to be myself... and that couldn't be good either.

And don't say you don't have to try to be yourself.. because you do. It is a daily challenge to stay consistent with your values.

 

[hookem224]

I had a lot more than 10, but only put the 10 that I felt were meaningful to the field or to leadership or just meaningful to me. I am kind of a strange case when it comes to extra curriculars, so I'd say it really doesn't matter the number. It's more who you are and what you did with those activities. any joe schmoe could sign up for the email list of 10 orgs and say they're members. I'm sure you're fine! don't sweat it.