"Abnormal" ECs and Interests??

[BEETLEVH]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hello everyone and thank you in advance for reading my post. I've only posted a handful of times before and recieved some very sound advice, so I figured I'd pick your collective brains once again. I am VERY disheartened over what I'm about to tell you so please don't flame if you think I'm overreacting.
My question concerns ECs and interests which you would relay to med school admissions. The concensus by far is that "uniqueness" plays an insturmental role in making yourself "stand out". Although I agree, I'm beginning to wonder if there are facets of uniqueness (particularly about me) that are irrelevant to med schools.
For my whole life I've been interested in virtually EVERYTHING. No joke. I built a computer from spare parts at the age of about 13 (it didn't really work well...😕 ), rebuilt my first engine at about the same age (timing was a bit off...), and copyrighted software that I developed after teaching myself a couple different programming languages a couple years later. I've since entirely rebuilt 3 vehicles, designed and co-constructed additions on a house, assembled and repaired numerous computers, and even gone on to a 2 year stint as manager of a high income retail outfit at the age of 18. (retail flashback... shudder). These are just examples of my past.
By now you have to be wondering why I even want to become a doctor and not a mechanic or something. The truth is that as many things I've done, I've NEVER had as voracious an appetite for any as I have for medicine. EVER... and believe me, I love my 73 convertible. 🙂
I was always relatively proud of things I'd done, until recently. The problem is that in the context of admissions, they have very little "resume presentability". Granted, not everything has to be resume building but what am I supposed to do, send the admissions board before and after pictures of engine surgery? Or better yet the blueprint of a dining room? I'm just frustrated that I was never into pre-med societies, or frats, or things that are more organized in that sense and hold credibility. Sure, I volunteer as an EMT on the weekends but thats IT folks, thats all the volunteering I've been doing. I attend any and all seminars relating to medicine in an attempt to become the best EMT and I'm ALWAYS left disappointed that the material taught does not go beyond the pervue of EMT-B level information. I'm a 22 year old sophomore and even though my freshman grades bit the bullet, I'm on my way back up. I just need some honest advice about my accomplishments and how I can show med schools that I LOVE that stuff and am proud of it, but I also LOVE medicine even though I didn't care for societies or research.
Wow, sorry this turned out to be so long.... for those of you that respond, I would greatly appreciate your thoughts and I thank you.

 

[oldtown]

First of all, volunteer EMT on weekends is pretty significant volunteer experience, i'd say. A lot of applicants have only volunteered at a hospital for a summer, where their responsibilities have consisted of stocking drawers and running samples to the lab. you've actually been delivering some real medical care, so don't underestimate that. I agree w/ you in that it would probably not be appropriate to list your various "hobbies" (as the schools will see them) in the activities section of your AMCAS app. That doesn't mean they can't be mentioned on your app though, i'd say incorporate them in your personal statement somehow. write something like what you wrote in your post, about nothing igniting your passion like medicine, and you love your 73. If you do it right, it will make your essay more interesting, and could serve as a good icebreaker to lead off with. In the meantime, try to do another organized activity soon (maybe volunteer at a soup kitchen, homeless shelter, whatever) to boost your activities a bit more.

 

[CTIL]

You're golden, dude. Get your grades up and do well on the MCAT and you'll be sitting pretty (minor details). I have a hunch that adcoms don't give a crap about membership in things like the "premed club." I have no proof of this, but I would bet the farm that half of the stuff applicants include on their AMCAS is a waste of ink. Being an overachieving, extracurricular maniac isn't going to get you into med school. What is, however, is evidence that you are a creative, critically thinking, infinitely curious individual. You're history seems to suggest exactly that. Word up.

 

[Flack Pinku]

Don't worry about organized activities. I've never been into bureaucracies much either. I'm somewhat like you, having interests in wide variety of things but not having any organized things.

If you don't do something that you enjoy, you'll be really just doing it for the application. And really, I'd hate to see someone with no real interest in something, but doing it for the sake of putting it on the application.

It doesn't add anything at the interview, and certainly not to yourself.

You're fine the way it is... don't worry about filling the AMCAS extracurricular thing. Your personal statement would be fine (copy and paste what you said).

 

[moviefreak]

why not try research? you seem inquisitive, talented and have a knack for problem-solving, trouble-shooting and the likes. find a research project that appeals to you, it doesn't necessarily have to be in the life sciences.

 

[dreaminOfMD>.<]

First of all...wow! You have accomplished so much. It may not be medically related, but I must say that it's impressive. It's never too late to start building your application. Are you still in school? When will you apply? I'm sure that if your in school still and you plan on applying this year, you definitely still have time. I'm applying this summer and I'm doing alot right now to make my application stronger.

Even still, with what you have under your belt says alot about you. Medical schools will know that you have a life and that your only focus in life is not to please adcoms...although it's important at this point. From what you have said, it shows that you will contribute to the diversity of the applicant pool and I'm sure it's a good thing when adcoms see that you have other interests and talents. Just let them know through your application that medicine is what you TRULY want to do.

With that being said...good luck and hope all goes well.😉

 

[VienneseWaltz]

I second moviefreak--you would excel at research. Many of your activities might not fit well into a resume, but you have a hell of theme for your personal statement: You love to figure out how things work. Good luck!

 

[dreaminOfMD>.<]

woops...silly me. i guess you are still in school...sorry.

definitely get involved with activities that can build your apps...especially research like vienesewaltz and moviefreak suggested.

good luck!

 

[Enkindu]

How about this:
I'm a 34 year old who has worked as a radio announcer, musician, high-rise window washer, and boat builder.. oh yeah, and as a retail manager. Rebuilt and lived aboard a sailboat (engine, rigging, hull, electrical), and climbed mountains and dived coral reefs all over the world. Worked as an EMT too. Adcoms will love your life story..they'll be so busy asking you "tell me about ______" questions in your interviews that you might not even get to the standard questions (this happened to me). Keep your GPA solid and jam on the MCAT... somehow I think this won't be a problem for you. Drop me a line if you ever have questions. 🙂

 

[md_student10021]

what exactly is your question?

as far as your unique interests, that might be the topic for your essay when you apply

 

[Enkindu]

Originally posted by md_student10021
what exactly is your question?

as far as your unique interests, that might be the topic for your essay when you apply

This could be a good MCAT VR practice question for you: What was the writers main question?

A) Will my flashbacks from retail management impair my medical education?

B)Should I pursue a career rebuilding cars and computers instead of applying to med school?

C) Will my non-standard extra-curriculars and interests have a negative impact on my med school application?

D) Is my 73 convertible an appropriate metaphor for American post-modernism with regard to the stresses placed on med students by rising malpractice insurance costs?

Good luck!

 

[Neuronix]

BEETLEVH, I just want you to be clear that your experiences make you a unique and interesting applicant. They are definately something to talk about on your personal statement and in your interviews. Everyone has interests, background, and ideas outside of medicine, and that's what "diversity" in medical school is!

I'm a tinkerer too. I went MD/PhD so I could tinker some more. 🙂

 

[BEETLEVH]

Thank you very much for the responses guys. I really do appreciate it. To answer a couple of the posts, the reason that I've never been much for research is that I tend to be very much a "soloist" when it comes to doing a lot of things. Obviously this is both a positive and a bit of a negative personality trait of mine. I just like doing it myself for the most part. Anyway, I am still going to take your suggestions and look into research ideas. After all, I've given just about everything else a fair chance, why not research? 🙂 Oh and Enkindu, I am VERY glad to hear that you have had some awesome but medically irrelevent experiences as well. It gives me some inspiration, thank you for the reply.
If anyone has any other suggestions on how I could "use" what I've done as med school ammo, please let me know. This sure is the place to go when you're freaking about med school. 😀

 

[Neuronix]

Research is much more individual than clinical medicine. In medicine you will often find yourself working in team and constant interactions with people are a must. In research on the other hand, you get your own project and you work on it. You may collaborate if you want to and you may talk to your boss about your project about once per week (or less), but that's about it. If you're "soloist", I think you'd be much happier in research.