amcas extracurriculars

[LingoLaine]

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Okay, I've searched some of the posts on this but I really want to hear specifically from other non-trad folks.

Here's my situation: I'm a 38-year-old mother of two, currently completing pre-med requirements part time and hoping to apply next year to enter med school in 2011. I graduated college in 1993 and haven't been officially employed since 2003 (stay at home mom since 2004 and part-time student since 2006).

I'm trying to figure out what to put down on the AMCAs for extracurriculars. I'll definitely include details on my former career, shadowing experiences, current volunteering, hobby, etc. But what about activities/experiences in college? I'm assuming I should leave those out, even if they were meaningful, simply because it's been SO long? And is at all appropriate to include any kind of "parenting" activities?

I'd love to hear SPECIFICS on what you all are planning to include.

Thanks in advance!

 

[LingoLaine]

Wow, 70 views but no replies. Is it because I'm new?

 

[siliso]

I don't know if I would include parenting as part of the "experiences," but maybe mention it in your personal statement? That's what I did, anyway. I did include some things I did 5-7 years ago but focused more on what I had done recently or for long periods of time. I think the oldest thing I included was at least 10 years ago (an internship after my first year of college).

 

[2010houston]

I think that the parenting can go either way. There are some people reading your app who appreciate it, and some who do not - and you could be hurting your application with those people. I encountered both in interviews. The safest thing to do would be to leave it off, but on the other hand, it could end up being something really cool to talk about and a good interest point on your app. Hard call!

As for 7+ year old stuff, I would personally leave it off unless its especially compelling.

Best of luck!

 

[kia ora]

I graduated from college in '91 and used one of the 15 (?) amcas spaces to describe my college activities (I did a lot in college). in the other 14 spots I described what I've been doing since college (also a lot!). I think that if you were involved in things in college, it is important to include them, even though it was back in the dark ages...😉

 

[Nasrudin]

I agree with kia ora.

And then there's is also the upside of the down being that you have a encyclopedic list of things to work with. Now. Your approach could vary.

I would suggest. And I'm not sure why given my own pittance of success. That you use a thematic approach to selecting what to cull from all of it.

My approach was similar to kia's in that I wanted to say hey man...I've done a lot of different ****. Check it out. or something like that.

But I am a strong proponent of building around a theme or concept. Like albums in the 70's. For whatever that's worth.

 

[Nasrudin]

Up late sdn ocd'n. So here's a thought.

How about thinking about each EC entry in AMCAS as a character in a short story. Space is limited. Ask yourself. What will each one contribute to the narrative? Keep it focused. On what your main punch for admission is. It should either set it up or make the point directly.

Nasrudin needs to go beddy bye. Hasta manana.

 

[LingoLaine]

Thanks for the ideas. I think I will include a few "old" items by grouping them by theme. For example, in college I taught Norwegian at a summer camp in California for two summers, and English at a summer camp in Japan for one. After graduation I taught English in Norway for a few months. I suppose these can all be lumped into a "teaching experience" category.