Designating three activities as your “most meaningful” is a key part of the Work & Activities section.
- First, think about the activities that will show the reader your commitment to medicine. Then, consider those that will show your abilities in critical thinking and problem solving and/or leadership, as strengths in these areas is ultimately what sets physicians apart from other members of a healthcare team.
- Ensure the activities you select complement one another and show a variety of qualities. For example, you may opt to write about a clinical experience where you demonstrated empathy and the ability to connect with someone unlike yourself, as well as a scientific research project where you showcased critical thinking, a dedication to scientific inquiry, and teamwork.
- Keep in mind that the additional text allowance is not so that you can write a longer activity description. Rather, it is to provide the reader with an understanding of why the experience was meaningful. This includes a deep-dive into the experience and an exploration of how it impacted you: Did this experience change your perspective? What did you learn? How did you grow? Make it clear also why the activity was most meaningful in terms of your journey to becoming a medical student and practitioner.
- Treat these descriptions with as much care as you would your personal statement. After writing each of your descriptions, read them aloud, and edit. Confirm that you are within the allotted number of characters. Such a stringent character limitation emphasizes the importance of clear language and perfect grammar.
