advice for 1st years

[catskrch]

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In a talk by the dean to the UNECOM class, it came out that our school ranks us according to our extracurricular activites. So you get points based on the number of clubs you're a member of, what your position is (treasurer etc.), the volunteer activities you're a part of (soup kitchen etc). At the end of the year the school then totals up your points and creates a histogram comparing you to the other students in the class, and sends out this histogram in the dean's letter to the residency sites we apply to. So it's definitely in people's best interest to join as many clubs as possible when they start, whether or not you're interested in them. Nobody wants to be in the bottom half of the histogram and like it or not half of you will be. The bottom line is: there's no such thing as altruism if nobody knows about it, so start signing your name early. It does count.

 

[timmah2k]

In a talk by the dean to the UNECOM class, it came out that our school ranks us according to our extracurricular activites. So you get points based on the number of clubs you're a member of, what your position is (treasurer etc.), the volunteer activities you're a part of (soup kitchen etc). At the end of the year the school then totals up your points and creates a histogram comparing you to the other students in the class, and sends out this histogram in the dean's letter to the residency sites we apply to. So it's definitely in people's best interest to join as many clubs as possible when they start, whether or not you're interested in them. Nobody wants to be in the bottom half of the histogram and like it or not half of you will be. The bottom line is: there's no such thing as altruism if nobody knows about it, so start signing your name early. It does count.

This is good to know. I'm one of those lower GPA applicants and did various community service and clubs.

Do clubs where I was just a member count? Like Korean Student Association. I practically did nothing, just went to the events. I feel as if it's not worth putting down.

 

[DrBowtie]

This is good to know. I'm one of those lower GPA applicants and did various community service and clubs.

Do clubs where I was just a member count? Like Korean Student Association. I practically did nothing, just went to the events. I feel as if it's not worth putting down.

The OP was talking about clubs in med school like interest groups etc.

 

[Gotcha!]

The OP was talking about clubs in med school like interest groups etc.

Because of people misconstruing the OP we're now going to have an influx of new clubs and positions in undergrads across the nation..

 

[timmah2k]

Because of people misconstruing the OP we're now going to have an influx of new clubs and positions in undergrads across the nation..

Haha, ok DELETE DELETE DELETE...

 

[HunterGatherer]

I would prefer rankings just based on grades. I have 3 clubs in mind that I plan to join but I'm not sure if I have time to hold a position. I'm pretty sure NYCOM only does rankings by percentiles, but I'll definitely look into this once school starts. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[DOctorJay]

you guys will definitely have enough time for the clubs, plus it's a good thing to take your mind off all the academic things while still focusing on an area of medicine that interests you and may provide a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel through all the crap of the first 2 years. how's that for a run on sentence!

J
(I was personally involved in 3 clubs as an eboard member)

 

[HemaOncoDoc]

In a talk by the dean to the UNECOM class, it came out that our school ranks us according to our extracurricular activites. So you get points based on the number of clubs you're a member of, what your position is (treasurer etc.), the volunteer activities you're a part of (soup kitchen etc). At the end of the year the school then totals up your points and creates a histogram comparing you to the other students in the class, and sends out this histogram in the dean's letter to the residency sites we apply to. So it's definitely in people's best interest to join as many clubs as possible when they start, whether or not you're interested in them. Nobody wants to be in the bottom half of the histogram and like it or not half of you will be. The bottom line is: there's no such thing as altruism if nobody knows about it, so start signing your name early. It does count.

That's why I wanted to add "extracurricular activities" to huntergather's list of "considerations when deciding on a med school" It rounds out your education and shows a vested interest.

 

[Oculus Sinistra]

In a talk by the dean to the UNECOM class, it came out that our school ranks us according to our extracurricular activites. So you get points based on the number of clubs you're a member of, what your position is (treasurer etc.), the volunteer activities you're a part of (soup kitchen etc). At the end of the year the school then totals up your points and creates a histogram comparing you to the other students in the class, and sends out this histogram in the dean's letter to the residency sites we apply to. So it's definitely in people's best interest to join as many clubs as possible when they start, whether or not you're interested in them. Nobody wants to be in the bottom half of the histogram and like it or not half of you will be. The bottom line is: there's no such thing as altruism if nobody knows about it, so start signing your name early. It does count.

Even though I'm involved with a lot of clubs and events in undergrad, I still think this is kind of ridiculous... especially since they tell you NOT to do this in undergrad.

 

[Krazykritter]

Our Dean, who happens to be the advisor for the club I am most interested in told us the exact opposite of the OP. He told us to pick ONE, maybe two, clubs that we are interested in and put our effort & time into that club.

I am really glad DMU doesn't run the rankings like UNECOM b/c what is the point of being in clubs that you don't really have an interest in??

 

[n0chi]

Our Dean, who happens to be the advisor for the club I am most interested in told us the exact opposite of the OP. He told us to pick ONE, maybe two, clubs that we are interested in and put our effort & time into that club.

I am really glad DMU doesn't run the rankings like UNECOM b/c what is the point of being in clubs that you don't really have an interest in??

i think the op meant to get into clubs early and get involved with them so that you get to hold positions later... 😎

 

[DOctorJay]

yes I agree with the above statement. get in and get going early. remember 3rd and 4th year students aren't around so the clubs are pretty much 1st and 2nd years. make sure you get involved right away if you want to hold a position later on.

 

[DOctorJay]

buy a book called "Iserson's Guide to Getting into a Residency" and read it BEFORE you come to school. There are lots of little tips in this book that will help you plan out your career even if you have no idea what specialty to go into.

J

 

[Dr.BBasket]

buy a book called "Iserson's Guide to Getting into a Residency" and read it BEFORE you come to school. There are lots of little tips in this book that will help you plan out your career even if you have no idea what specialty to go into.

J

Thanks for the tip! 🙂

 

[drfeelgood]

Join clubs if you have an interest. Most residencies have a cut off for your comlex/usmle. (not for your class rank/histogram) Trust me.... I've sat in applicant review meetings and interviewed applicants for my residency program. Please prepare to take the USMLE if you want to open up all your options. (and of course do well 👍 ) Our cut off for the COMLEX was much higher than the USMLE cut off.

Khanh Pham, D.O. (WesternU/COMP 2002)
Tufts-New England Medical Center (Anesthesia 2006)
Boston, MA

 

[Amy B]

buy a book called "Iserson's Guide to Getting into a Residency" and read it BEFORE you come to school. There are lots of little tips in this book that will help you plan out your career even if you have no idea what specialty to go into.

J

This is an excellent book. I read it before starting med school and have read through numerous things in the past 2 years of med school. I would reccomend it to any med student.

 

[DOctorJay]

bump before it's lost... sticky here or perhaps in Osteo thread?

 

[Oculus Sinistra]

Join clubs if you have an interest. Most residencies have a cut off for your comlex/usmle. (not for your class rank/histogram) Trust me.... I've sat in applicant review meetings and interviewed applicants for my residency program. Please prepare to take the USMLE if you want to open up all your options. (and of course do well 👍 ) Our cut off for the COMLEX was much higher than the USMLE cut off.

Khanh Pham, D.O. (WesternU/COMP 2002)
Tufts-New England Medical Center (Anesthesia 2006)
Boston, MA

DrFeelgood -- I have a question for you. I'm interested in Anesthesiology and I'm wondering if it really matters whether I go DO or MD... I'd actually prefer the DO route, but I'm worried it might hurt me four years down the line when I'm applying for an anesthesiology residency, especially if I want to do one at a place like Dartmouth. Any thoughts?

 

[DOctorJay]

anesthesia has been a pretty friendly field to DOs in the past. It does seem to be gaining in popularity though meaning increased competition. Check out the anesthesia forum as well, there are lots of helpful docs over there.

J

 

[DireWolf]

That is possibly the most ******ed system I have ever heard of.

I would have been dead last. what a joke.

 

[drfeelgood]

DrFeelgood -- I have a question for you. I'm interested in Anesthesiology and I'm wondering if it really matters whether I go DO or MD... I'd actually prefer the DO route, but I'm worried it might hurt me four years down the line when I'm applying for an anesthesiology residency, especially if I want to do one at a place like Dartmouth. Any thoughts?

Oculus...
I would go MD.... all things being equal. You might change your mind and like Radiology by the end of your third year. The U.S. MD will give you more options.
Best of Luck....Khanh

 

[Oculus Sinistra]

Oculus...
I would go MD.... all things being equal. You might change your mind and like Radiology by the end of your third year. The U.S. MD will give you more options.
Best of Luck....Khanh

Thank you! I was thinking M.D. would make it easier.

 

[Oculus Sinistra]

anesthesia has been a pretty friendly field to DOs in the past. It does seem to be gaining in popularity though meaning increased competition. Check out the anesthesia forum as well, there are lots of helpful docs over there.

J

Thank you. I've been to the Anesthesia forum a couple times... checked out the FAQ, etc.

I tried a couple searches... word to the wise... "DO" will be filtered out of your search keywords because it is a common word...