Best EC's for Med School?

[603pharmacy]

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Hi everyone,

I've been reading a lot of posts lately about EC's and I've noticed that they all seem pretty generic among pre-meds. The shadowing, volunteering, etc. This got me thinking of what some of the best EC's are that would really make you stand out to Adcoms? I'm an Eagle Scout so I do have that going for me, but what else could I be doing that would really make me stand out as an applicant for Med School?

Thanks for your replies!

 

[Muffinho]

I think shadowing/clinical experience is almost a requirement for application. Presumably, the ebst ECs after clinical experience consist of stuff you enjoy and stuff you find meaningful/fulfilling.

 

[mct2762]

I coached our city summer swim team for a few years......One of my interviewers actually asked me to stand up in the middle of the interview and show him proper swimming technique lol. We talked for awhile about swimming!

 

[Ismet]

Eagle Scout is great.

I think the best ECs are the things you are so passionate about that it comes through in your writing (and in interviews). I love reading about someone who seems to truly enjoy playing the piano or participating in some kind of dance or sport. I had an interviewee who almost had ME tear up because she was describing her experience playing the piano weekly at a local nursing home and forming relationships with the residents, several of whom passed away. Anything that shows your creativity or humanity or teamwork is great.

You don't need to go out of your way to find the most unique EC to set you apart from the crowd. It can definitely benefit, as you'll stand out from the hundreds of cookie cutters, but if you find that you don't have anything particularly unique, being passionate about something can make a big difference. Even your shadowing and hospital volunteering entries can be interesting and unique if you include some kind of anecdote about a patient interaction that really affected you.