All decent EC's within a year proximity of applying?

[LoveBeingHuman:)]

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Earlier this afternoon I made a thread where I was told that, whilst my GPA is good, my EC's are on the very weak side. I am completely fine on waiting for a year and developing those EC's, but the problem with that is:

-None of the activities would be more than 1.5 years
-They would all be in close proximity to the time that I apply and I do not want it to seem as if I am doing those just to get into medical school

Are these problems significant?

 

[candbgirl]

But that is what you are doing. Do you think it's better to apply without those activities? Which would look worse to an ADCOM member? To have the ECs or to not have them?


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[LoveBeingHuman:)]

That is not my only intention though. It would look better to have them. But what's the point if it will come off as that?

 

[candbgirl]

Well what is your intention? If you want to apply this June without everything you need go ahead. No one is stopping you. But remember - you really only want to apply one time with the very best package possible. You really don't want to be a reapplicant. But it is up to you of course. But remember you are walking into this with full knowledge that your application is lacking.


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[Moko]

That is not my only intention though. It would look better to have them. But what's the point if it will come off as that?

How you talk about your activities and your motivations for pursuing them will give others insight into your intentions. Even if you come off as checking boxes, you will still be in a better position with some ECs rather than "very weak" ECs.

Make sure that the activities you pick up are actually meaningful to you and will help you tell your story vs. just picking up a bit of everything because it may "look nice".

 

[LoveBeingHuman:)]

My main question is this: how bad is it that everything decent is within 1.5 years of applying?

 

[candbgirl]

In my opinion it's better to have them than not to have them.


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[LoveBeingHuman:)]

In my opinion it's better to have them than not to have them.


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You've been repeating the same thing over and over and I'm trying to tell you that it isn't one or the other.

 

[candbgirl]

I'm sorry. But I really have no idea what you mean. Either you apply without them or you wait and work on your ECs and apply next cycle. Those are your choices. There are lots of people that don't decide they want to go to med school until later in the game. They do lots of ECs after the decision. Not a big deal . Like I said before -it's better to have ECs than to not have them. Is the underlying problem that you don't want to wait to apply and you want someone to tell you that you'll be fine?


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[LoveBeingHuman:)]

I'm sorry. But I really have no idea what you mean. Either you apply without them or you wait and work on your ECs and apply next cycle. Those are your choices. There are lots of people that don't decide they want to go to med school until later in the game. They do lots of ECs after the decision. Not a big deal . Like I said before -it's better to have ECs than to not have them. Is the underlying problem that you don't want to wait to apply and you want someone to tell you that you'll be fine?


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I am for sure waiting a year. But I just want to know how bad it is that all my EC's will be within a year and a half? After all, that is my only option. And so many people do it. For many re-applicant's/gap year students, most decent things came within 1-2 year proximity of applying.

 

[candbgirl]

You answered your own question. It should be fine. Lots of people do it. Stop worrying and start finding some great spots to work.


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[neekzg]

I am for sure waiting a year. But I just want to know how bad it is that all my EC's will be within a year and a half? After all, that is my only option. And so many people do it. For many re-applicant's/gap year students, most decent things came within 1-2 year proximity of applying.

You've answered your own question. Don't waste any more time worrying about this, esp considering you cannot do anything about it anyway if your plan is to apply next year.

 

[eteshoe]

My main question is this: how bad is it that everything decent is within 1.5 years of applying?

Since I was a non-trad applicant, I did all my clinical ECs around 1.5 yrs before applying. I didn't run into any issues. You just gotta to jump through the appropriate hoops.

 

[ProspectiveKidd]

I didn't start volunteering until I started thinking about going to medical school either.

I found that I love doing it not just because I am getting clinical experience, but because I am making a difference in my community and I feel great about it. Ultimately this led to me volunteering at some medically unrelated places because I enjoyed giving back so much. Will it look good on your app? Yes...but do it because you want to do it or find something else you enjoy and do that.

I have also noticed positive changes in myself as a result of volunteering. Giving back will put you in a better mood and change your mindset. That will resonate and stay with you in other aspects of life. You also learn not to be so judgemental others in need. There is a social/group aspect to many volunteer roles which has shown to have many positive effects as well.

At the very least you NEED clinical exposure in one way or another. Might as well do some volunteering to get it if you don't have any already.



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[Rainbow Zebra]

My main question is this: how bad is it that everything decent is within 1.5 years of applying?

I think you might be missing something. Didn't you do some research during undergrad or participate in anything else besides going to class?? I started research in my Jr Year, and finished 2 years of research in a gap year. Started working after graduation as a ED scribe. Did some volunteer work after graduation, but had some TA lab supervisor and other service work during undergrad. Most of my stuff was in my Jr/Sr year, and that is why I took a couple of gap years, to get clinical exposure.

 

[Nietzschelover]

I am for sure waiting a year. But I just want to know how bad it is that all my EC's will be within a year and a half? After all, that is my only option. And so many people do it. For many re-applicant's/gap year students, most decent things came within 1-2 year proximity of applying.

Not bad at all. That is what 95% of applicants do. What other time would you get clinical experience and volunteer or do some more research? And once you've thrown yourself into it you may actually be inspired by some of it, and the concern about being phony or fake will fade away. Once you get going I would bet your fears will dissipate.