Can you include "old" EC's, awards, etc on your application?

[esob]

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I mean, how old is "too old" to include? I'm 40 so is it even worth mentioning that I was in NHS, Boy's State, etc in high school? I held a political office from 1997-98 and earned several medals in the military during that time frame. Is there a basic cutoff, ie, nothing over 10 years should be included? Or is the mentality that you should include everything and let the adcoms sort out what they consider valuable and what they do not?

 

[Ad2b]

I wouldn't include anything from high school and would not make anything older than 10 years (if not still actively involved) a major point ...

On the app itself, you can list things under the category in chrono order:

** 2002 - present: ARC Disaster Services volunteer
** 1997 - 2007: intercity computer literacy teacher
** 1989 - present: Ronald McDonald volunteer (serving dinner, meeting with families, playing games with children)
** 1982 - 1993: student teacher for Div 1 athletes in English composition

 

[familyaerospace]

Nothing earlier than high school unless you started college before you finished high school. My earliest thing started in like 1984 and ran 20 years. Most of my things were from the past 10 years. There is no hard and fast rule though.

I could see including the military and putting the awards in that section just because adcomms seem to like it. The political office is unusual and I am sure they would not mind hearing the story. However just remember you have 15 spots and most should help tell a story of you and help show that you know what you are getting into.

 

[futuremdforme]

I put stuff starting in college and collapsed similar things. (E.g. one section for all undergrad scholarships.)

 

[Eccesignum]

I included something from as far back as 2002 and 2004 that were meaningful to my overall "this is what led me here" path, and have gotten favorable comments from interviewers. I think the sheer age of something isn't as important as whether or not it adds relevant detail to the story of you.

Edit: Heh, didn't read the rest of the thread before I posted. What @familyaerospace said.

 

[esob]

OK cool. I probably will include my military stuff at least since I do believe they would carry some weight.

 

[atomi]

In general there is a stigma towards adults who boast about high school achievements or even really spend much time reminiscing about those years. We all know people who peaked in high school and never really moved on with their lives -- you don't people to think you're one of those guys. Your adult life doesn't start until after high school. Anything after that is fair game, but the farther back it is the more brief it needs to be. You need to show what you've done lately. At some point listing awards in high school isn't much better than listing that you won the gold ribbon in the three legged race on field day in 3rd grade.

 

[coppernickel]

I have a similar question, I'm hoping someone will answer: I am 27, but back in high school, I was awarded a seat at Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Sciences. I don't know if it may mean anything to the med schools in PA. It is a state award, was competitive (doesn't exist anymore sadly).

Also, I was a recipient of a scholarship to go to a private high school.

Would it be dumb/sad to include this in my Academic Recognition list? Don't worry, the list is not that long 😉

 

[Brawndo2016]

I mean, how old is "too old" to include? I'm 40 so is it even worth mentioning that I was in NHS, Boy's State, etc in high school? I held a political office from 1997-98 and earned several medals in the military during that time frame. Is there a basic cutoff, ie, nothing over 10 years should be included? Or is the mentality that you should include everything and let the adcoms sort out what they consider valuable and what they do not?

I used volunteering from 25 years ago and had a successful cycle. For that matter, some of my pre-reqs were that old as well. Make your app complete everywhere and jump in!