Application won't be "pointy"....

[aristrutz523]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey all! Just wondering your opinion on this. I've noticed a lot of people saying "find something you're passionate about and run with it", and people with application ECs who start in free womens clinics, then join student orgs related to this, do research in this and go international in related areas as well-> which will show they want to work with women's health.(just an example)
My mom has always called me a jack of all trades, a master of some and I've lived up to it. I want to work with underserved populations and children and have worked in a free clinic, volunteered with kids, shadowed doctors related to this and am doing research in these fields as well. However, I'm also a part of Mock Trial, fundraising clubs, the homecoming planning committee, been a campus rep for companies, and taught classes. I'm also planning on applying for a gap year w/ Americorps. My fear is that my wide variety of ECs will hurt my application since its not focused in the field that I'll be talking about in my personal statement.

Is this just me overreacting to SDN or should I spend my gap year focused on working more on my "main interests" to make my application "pointier"?

Thank you in advance for all of your constructive thoughts!

 

[El-Rami]

There's nothing wrong with a wide variety of experiences. When people suggest focusing on a few things, they do so because of convenience. It also shows commitment to your activities and is evidence of enthusiasm (i.e. you are not just starting one thing and then immediately quitting it for something else).

As for your situation, you're fine. Just be sure to be able to discuss your activities with enthusiasm and try to tie it into your motivations for becoming a physician. Also, one word of advice: try not to take things you read on SDN too seriously. You'll drive yourself crazy because someone will always have some criticism to say.

 

[LizzyM]

@El-Rami Don't feel you have to tie everything to medicine... it is okay to have experiences and activities that are a break from your chosen profession and just for fun or civic duty.

@aristrutz523 The only essential is that your personal statement be about medicine. You have worked in a free clinic, shadowed and done research. That's all good and suggests that you've had the exposure necessary to know that you are interested in medicine (maybe pediatrics?). That you have contributed to your campus community by being on the homecoming committee, engaged with other students as part of a team in fundraising and mock trial, and had experience teaching others indicates that you have good time management skills, work well with others, and have school spirit. Those are valued attributes when looking at applicants to be medical students for the next four years.

 

[Psai]

It's fine

 

[Goro]

Yes, you're overreacting.

And kudos to you for wanting to work with Americorps!

Hey all! Just wondering your opinion on this. I've noticed a lot of people saying "find something you're passionate about and run with it", and people with application ECs who start in free womens clinics, then join student orgs related to this, do research in this and go international in related areas as well-> which will show they want to work with women's health.(just an example)
My mom has always called me a jack of all trades, a master of some and I've lived up to it. I want to work with underserved populations and children and have worked in a free clinic, volunteered with kids, shadowed doctors related to this and am doing research in these fields as well. However, I'm also a part of Mock Trial, fundraising clubs, the homecoming planning committee, been a campus rep for companies, and taught classes. I'm also planning on applying for a gap year w/ Americorps. My fear is that my wide variety of ECs will hurt my application since its not focused in the field that I'll be talking about in my personal statement.

Is this just me overreacting to SDN or should I spend my gap year focused on working more on my "main interests" to make my application "pointier"?

Thank you in advance for all of your constructive thoughts!

 

[honeydude]

If you want to work with underserved populations, I can't think of a better way to demonstrate that during your gap year than working for AmeriCorps. There are lots of positions available that are healthcare-related as well. I've loved my experience working for AmeriCorps so far, and it's given me a ton of cool experiences to talk about in interviews.

And a wide variety of ECs is good! Almost all of my interviewers have asked me about my interests outside of medicine.