are these considered good, well-rounded, ECs?

[aspiring20]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I'll be applying very soon, and below is my list of ECs (generalized, of course)

4 years of hospital volunteer across several departments (300-400 hrs total)
3 years of community service across several organizations (400-500 hrs total)
2 weeks international service (non medical, 200+ hrs)
2 years of research (no publications)
2 years of tutoring
1 year of honors thesis (40 hrs/wk, lead to graduation with honors)
1 year of shadowing (a single doctor, around 100 hrs)

some additional unique factors in addition to the above.

i would think that if i do not get in, then it wouldn't be because of my ECs.

 

[ChartaBona]

i would think that if i do not get in, then it wouldn't be because of my ECs.

Your thinking would be correct. What's your GPA/MCAT?

 

[Morzh]

I'll be applying very soon, and below is my list of ECs (generalized, of course)

4 years of hospital volunteer across several departments (300-400 hrs total)
3 years of community service across several organizations (400-500 hrs total)
2 weeks international service (non medical, 200+ hrs)
2 years of research (no publications)
2 years of tutoring
1 year of honors thesis (40 hrs/wk, lead to graduation with honors)
1 year of shadowing (a single doctor, around 100 hrs)

some additional unique factors in addition to the above.

i would think that if i do not get in, then it wouldn't be because of my ECs.

If ECs were merely a checklist, then yeah you'd be in good shape. It's all about how you sell it, though. If your essays/interviews give the impression that those activities were meaningless to-do's and not things you were passionate about, then nobody will be impressed.

That said, I bet they were meaningful and that you'll will knock your application out of the park.

(well pending your MCAT scores, that is)

 

[aspiring20]

If ECs were merely a checklist, then yeah you'd be in good shape. It's all about how you sell it, though. If your essays/interviews give the impression that those activities were meaningless to-do's and not things you were passionate about, then nobody will be impressed.

That said, I bet they were meaningful and that you'll will knock your application out of the park.

(well pending your MCAT scores, that is)

there's still some time before i apply, and the plan is to simply continue community service/hospital volunteer

should i try to add "different categories" of ECs?

a lot of premeds at my school did club things/founded premed organizations/etc...i feel that my app is lacking in those areas

 

[BABSstudent]

I'll be applying very soon, and below is my list of ECs (generalized, of course)

4 years of hospital volunteer across several departments (300-400 hrs total)
3 years of community service across several organizations (400-500 hrs total)
2 weeks international service (non medical, 200+ hrs)
2 years of research (no publications)
2 years of tutoring
1 year of honors thesis (40 hrs/wk, lead to graduation with honors)
1 year of shadowing (a single doctor, around 100 hrs)

some additional unique factors in addition to the above.

i would think that if i do not get in, then it wouldn't be because of my ECs.

ECs don't seem weak. That being said, they are not anything amazing. I would say it is in the slightly above average category for applicants.

It would all depend on your GPA and MCAT score, as well as which schools you apply to.

 

[LizzyM]

What did you really love about one or more of those activities?

What do you do for fun or enjoy talking about outside of school/work?

Can you describe your research to a non-expert and have it make sense?

The list is fine but it is flat... your personality will need to shine through in the application and in the interviews.

 

[circulus vitios]

ECs don't seem weak. That being said, they are not anything amazing. I would say it is in the slightly above average category for applicants.

It would all depend on your GPA and MCAT score, as well as which schools you apply to.

Slightly above average on SDN means well above average in real life.

 

[Planes2Doc]

Yeah definitely this, though I'd say it's definitely above SDN average. I think you're good to go. Just do what LizzyM said, and try to think about what you do outside of work. This all seems targeted directly toward medical school admissions, and not what most "regular" people would be doing.

 

[aspiring20]

Yeah definitely this, though I'd say it's definitely above SDN average. I think you're good to go. Just do what LizzyM said, and try to think about what you do outside of work. This all seems targeted directly toward medical school admissions, and not what most "regular" people would be doing.

i agree. that's why i have significant "non-medical" activities as well, including some i am pursuing during gap years. my goal is to have a balance of traditional ECs that schools expect to see and significant unique ECs that reflect my passions, and illustrate how some of these non-medical endeavors will help me to become a better doctor, etc.

and my honors thesis was in a non-science/humanities field, so it is a bit different from the typical biology research honors thesis. my research experience was done in the basic science/medicine area, so i figured it's neat to have "research" in different areas

 

[aspiring20]

What did you really love about one or more of those activities?

What do you do for fun or enjoy talking about outside of school/work?

Can you describe your research to a non-expert and have it make sense?

The list is fine but it is flat... your personality will need to shine through in the application and in the interviews.

i think my numerous artistic projects (both academically and outside of school) should be able to address this.

 

[Geebeejay]

I'll be applying very soon, and below is my list of ECs (generalized, of course)

4 years of hospital volunteer across several departments (300-400 hrs total)
3 years of community service across several organizations (400-500 hrs total)
2 weeks international service (non medical, 200+ hrs)
2 years of research (no publications)
2 years of tutoring
1 year of honors thesis (40 hrs/wk, lead to graduation with honors)
1 year of shadowing (a single doctor, around 100 hrs)

some additional unique factors in addition to the above.

i would think that if i do not get in, then it wouldn't be because of my ECs.

Definitely strong ECs...If I were you I'd give myself a pat on the back. As for "well-rounded?" Pick up some hobbies outside of medicine!

 

[sector9]

Thread moved to "What are my chances"

 

[aspiring20]

Definitely strong ECs...If I were you I'd give myself a pat on the back. As for "well-rounded?" Pick up some hobbies outside of medicine!

i do have significant artistic endeavors, both related to my academic work, and to my gap year activities.

i wouldn't consider them as hobbies but rather integral parts of who i am. i even think that i am spending way too much time on art and not enough on medicine/clinical ECs, even though i think i do have fairly significant "traditional" ECs.

for instance, my primary gap year activity is not a paying job or medically-related endeavor, and some have voiced concern that med schools might not look upon that favorably.

 

[LizzyM]

i do have significant artistic endeavors, both related to my academic work, and to my gap year activities.

i wouldn't consider them as hobbies but rather integral parts of who i am. i even think that i am spending way too much time on art and not enough on medicine/clinical ECs, even though i think i do have fairly significant "traditional" ECs.

for instance, my primary gap year activity is not a paying job or medically-related endeavor, and some have voiced concern that med schools might not look upon that favorably.

And that's the problem, not your previous activities but why you are choosing your current activities over something that would be involving either scientific research and/or people in need (sick or otherwise).

 

[aspiring20]

And that's the problem, not your previous activities but why you are choosing your current activities over something that would be involving either scientific research and/or people in need (sick or otherwise).

well, apparently many schools like to see "passions" outside of medicine, so i can come at this from two perspectives.

1) from a "playing the game" perspective: med schools implicitly want to see "unique factors" and "personality traits" and because I've already have a substantial amount of traditional ECs (clinical, research, etc), it would make sense from an application standpoint to build on these other areas, especially considering that i have substantial skills in field outside of medicine/clinical ECs.

2) the real reason perspective: i think many schools like to admit genuine people who have diverse interests. as long as applicants demonstrate sufficient "exposure to medicine" and willingness to serve others, the other unique, non-medical factors can be beneficial. simply put, i am choosing these activities because i enjoy doing them

and i am continuing clinical/community service activities during the gap period in addition to my independent project.

i guess my primary question is why would medical schools look down on significant non-medical activities during gap years when the applicant has already demonstrated significant, sustained, and continuing activities dedicated to medicine? do medical schools expect applicants to spend the significant majority of their time dedicated to particular activities at all times prior to application?

 

[pre med 2014]

It looks good, make a story connecting the experiences and have it peer reviewed. Like others have said, these are slightly above average EC

 

[aspiring20]

It looks good, make a story connecting the experiences and have it peer reviewed. Like others have said, these are slightly above average EC

what's your take on my question posted in response to LizzyM's comments? its in the post right above yours

 

[occams_razor]

I would say you have strong, above average ECs

 

[aspiring20]

I would say you have strong, above average ECs

i guess my primary question is why would medical schools look down on significant non-medical activities during gap years when the applicant has already demonstrated significant, sustained, and continuing activities dedicated to medicine? do medical schools expect applicants to spend the significant majority of their time dedicated to particular activities at all times prior to application?

what's your take on this question?

some adcom feel that taking significant time off to pursue a non-medical artistic project (in addition to other things) will raise negative eye brows.

 

[BABSstudent]

Slightly above average on SDN means well above average in real life.

Yeah definitely this, though I'd say it's definitely above SDN average. I think you're good to go. Just do what LizzyM said, and try to think about what you do outside of work. This all seems targeted directly toward medical school admissions, and not what most "regular" people would be doing.

The only reason why I said slightly above average is because everything seems like the OP did it just to get into medical school. Of course the OP did not give us a story, so this could be not true. But the fact that the numbers are so high and the OP did the "cookie cutter"' things makes me believe that he/she did not really care about doing the things other than to appease the admissions committee.

If this is true, I feel sorry for the OP. College should be fun and racking up hours of research, volunteer activities and doing an honors thesis does not sound fun. Try to include some other "fun" things to your application. Put a hobby or something nonacademic on it. I included a small business I started, a person I taught English to and aquascaping to my application to give it that something else. It isn't like it made a difference (that I know of) other than having more stuff to talk to about during the interview.

 

[aspiring20]

The only reason why I said slightly above average is because everything seems like the OP did it just to get into medical school. Of course the OP did not give us a story, so this could be not true. But the fact that the numbers are so high and the OP did the "cookie cutter"' things makes me believe that he/she did not really care about doing the things other than to appease the admissions committee.

If this is true, I feel sorry for the OP. College should be fun and racking up hours of research, volunteer activities and doing an honors thesis does not sound fun. Try to include some other "fun" things to your application. Put a hobby or something nonacademic on it. I included a small business I started, a person I taught English to and aquascaping to my application to give it that something else. It isn't like it made a difference (that I know of) other than having more stuff to talk to about during the interview.

this is my point exactly! one of my most meaningful activities is a substantial artistic endeavor that has nothing to do with medicine, and i am pursuing this during gap years. however, LizzyM pointed out that spending so much time on a non-medical activity during gap years will be viewed as a negative.

it's like both ways i am screwed. if i only do medical/typical ECs, then there's criticisms of that approach. but if i continue what i am doing now and dedicate significant time to artistic endeavors (i majored in the field, btw) during my gap years because that's one of my passions, then some adcoms will view that as a negative.

so i am stuck between a rock and a hard place.

lastly, i thoroughly enjoyed my honors thesis; it was in the artistic/humanities field

 

[LizzyM]

this is my point exactly! one of my most meaningful activities is a substantial artistic endeavor that has nothing to do with medicine, and i am pursuing this during gap years. however, LizzyM pointed out that spending so much time on a non-medical activity during gap years will be viewed as a negative.

it's like both ways i am screwed. if i only do medical/typical ECs, then there's criticisms of that approach. but if i continue what i am doing now and dedicate significant time to artistic endeavors (i majored in the field, btw) during my gap years because that's one of my passions, then some adcoms will view that as a negative.

so i am stuck between a rock and a hard place.

lastly, i thoroughly enjoyed my honors thesis; it was in the artistic/humanities field

An unusual hobby is fine. If you choose this hobby as your full-time occupation after college graduation, it is fair to say that your desire for a career in science/helping people is suspect because otherwise you would, if at all possible, make that the focus of your gap year employment.

 

[aspiring20]

An unusual hobby is fine. If you choose this hobby as your full-time occupation after college graduation, it is fair to say that your desire for a career in science/helping people is suspect because otherwise you would, if at all possible, make that the focus of your gap year employment.

fair enough.

but I AM continuing community service/clinical volunteering even after gaining significant experience in those fields during undergrad.

but by your logic, doesn't it means that the only appropriate full time engagements during gap years are

1) research position
2) clinical job
3) americorps/similar activities?

i mean i am demonstrating significant time commitment to both continued clinical exposure and community service. just because i spend more hours in this "hobby" (which i respectfully disagree with your choice of word in this instance) doesn't mean i dont have the passion/commitment for medicine.

lastly, doesn't this bolded sentiment go against the conventional wisdom that it doesn't matter what you do during gap years as long as you are being productive? I've always thought that taking time off to explore other meaningful interests is a positive, not a negative.

 

[Lollygag]

I feel like you've mentioned this "artistic endeavor" so many times in threads that LizzyM commented in that if you apply to her school she's gonna know exactly who you are lol

Keep that in mind when applying to the top 20's 😛

 

[aspiring20]

I feel like you've mentioned this "artistic endeavor" so many times in threads that LizzyM commented in that if you apply to her school she's gonna know exactly who you are lol

Keep that in mind when applying to the top 20's 😛

haha i know.

but the chance of me focusing on the top 20s is slim to none. and i believe lizzym is in a top 10 private. the chance of me going there is the same as me hitting the super lotto next week.

while i respect lizzym's views, i also understand that adcoms at other schools will probably have different perspectives.

 

[Anathema]

Slightly conflicted by the opinions in this thread. The OP has great ECs and I'm sure with everything on his application he'll be great when he does apply.

I thought that a gap year was free to the person? I can see where LizzyM is coming from where the applicant should connect their lives to medicine somehow, but if the OP is doing their artistic endeavor while volunteering does that suffice? Seems paradoxical to have to do ECs and find an EC that makes you unique and human while at the same time forgoing that EC/hobby to do the regular ECs.

 

[aspiring20]

Slightly conflicted by the opinions in this thread. The OP has great ECs and I'm sure with everything on his application he'll be great when he does apply.

I thought that a gap year was free to the person? I can see where LizzyM is coming from where the applicant should connect their lives to medicine somehow, but if the OP is doing their artistic endeavor while volunteering does that suffice? Seems paradoxical to have to do ECs and find an EC that makes you unique and human while at the same time forgoing that EC/hobby to do the regular ECs.

this is exactly what i am feeling. but recently someone else on SDN (i believe a resident/adcom) told me that adcom members are extremely diverse and that they'll have different believes on just about everything. what LizzyM feels is the perspective of one adcom member from one med school (and a top tier one, at that), and while i respect her views and value her contributions to this forum, i dont think her views are representative of the whole. heck, i'll even go as far to say that her view on gap years doesn't represent the majority (from what others have told me/what i've found). though i could be wrong.

and btw, blake dexter is an awful awful man 😀

 

[Anathema]

and btw, blake dexter is an awful awful man 😀

Can't tell you how many times I've restarted checkpoints just to get silent assassin.

 

[aspiring20]

can somebody tell me the average amount of clinical experience that successful applicants have?

i've heard on SDN that it is around 1.5 years (150 hrs) of hospital volunteering. granted, most of these matriculants are traditional students who really only had three years of college time to prepare. as a slightly nontrad, i understand that we'll be expected to have a bit more exposure, which i do

 

[SixStringPsych]

Honestly I think that LizzyM's views in this thread clinches it. If you are applying to Top 10 or Top 20 schools, you have to be pretty perfect. Do research in your gap year, volunteer clinically, etc. And if you can't get a paying research gig (which isn't as easy as many people believe because a lot of them require a 2 year commitment), then I guess kiss making money before med school bye bye.

I'm not looking to get into top schools. Anecdotally, I've observed people applying to low/mid-tier schools have no problem with doing some volunteering and then doing whatever else they like with their free time before med school.

 

[aspiring20]

Honestly I think that LizzyM's views in this thread clinches it. If you are applying to Top 10 or Top 20 schools, you have to be pretty perfect. Do research in your gap year, volunteer clinically, etc. And if you can't get a paying research gig (which isn't as easy as many people believe because a lot of them require a 2 year commitment), then I guess kiss making money before med school bye bye.

I'm not looking to get into top schools. Anecdotally, I've observed people applying to low/mid-tier schools have no problem with doing some volunteering and then doing whatever else they like with their free time before med school.

i see. i am not looking to apply to top schools. but I AM doing a lot of medically/service-related activities during my time off. along with MCAT and informal postbacc. the rest of the time i want to do something else. it's not like i am doing art for two straight years and nothing else.

 

[SixStringPsych]

i see. i am not looking to apply to top schools. but I AM doing a lot of medically/service-related activities during my time off. along with MCAT and informal postbacc. the rest of the time i want to do something else. it's not like i am doing art for two straight years and nothing else.

That sounds great and I honestly see nothing wrong with that. From my experience I see that there are plenty of ad comms out there that enjoy that diversity, so I'm going to go with my first hand experience rather than SDN on this one.

 

[aspiring20]

here's an updated version of my ECs

my GPA will be lower than usual, though my MCAT is still an unknown. i am relying on my EC as a decidedly above-average factor in applications. will these ECs be considered strong at mid-tier schools not emphasizing research?

-4 years of hospital volunteer across several departments (300-400 hrs total)
-3 years of community service across several organizations (400-500 hrs total)
-2 weeks international service (non medical, 200+ hrs)
-2 years of research (no publications)
-2 years of tutoring
-1 year of honors thesis (40 hrs/wk, lead to graduation with honors)
-1 year of shadowing (a single doctor, around 100 hrs)
-1 year of club involvement (no formal leadership, but very involved)
-1 campus wide award given by faculty committee (aka a minor award)
-over 5000 hrs of artistic endeavors involving a publication, paid commission work, organizing art shows, and teaching/mentoring kids, peers, and individuals way older.

 

[yellowfish]

here's an updated version of my ECs

my GPA will be lower than usual, though my MCAT is still an unknown. i am relying on my EC as a decidedly above-average factor in applications. will these ECs be considered strong at mid-tier schools not emphasizing research?

-4 years of hospital volunteer across several departments (300-400 hrs total)
-3 years of community service across several organizations (400-500 hrs total)
-2 weeks international service (non medical, 200+ hrs)
-2 years of research (no publications)
-2 years of tutoring
-1 year of honors thesis (40 hrs/wk, lead to graduation with honors)
-1 year of shadowing (a single doctor, around 100 hrs)
-1 year of club involvement (no formal leadership, but very involved)
-1 campus wide award given by faculty committee (aka a minor award)
-over 5000 hrs of artistic endeavors involving a publication, paid commission work, organizing art shows, and teaching/mentoring kids, peers, and individuals way older.

Definitely strong, although one perceived lack may be your involvement in leadership activities.

 

[aspiring20]

Definitely strong, although one perceived lack may be your involvement in leadership activities.

definitely

many of my community service and artistic endeavors have elements of leadership, but i dont have any formal positions such as student government senator, executive chair of clubs, etc.

and man, your application is the stuff of legends! super congrats on all those acceptances.