Dean's Letter/student groups

[vesalius2008]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Just wondering how important membership is in student interest groups when it comes to the Dean's Letter. Do you have to participate in student group-related community activities, or can you do your own volunteering (outside of student groups) in order for it to be mentioned in the letter?

Or is any of this really important?

Thanks

 

[Law2Doc]

Just wondering how important membership is in student interest groups when it comes to the Dean's Letter. Do you have to participate in student group-related community activities, or can you do your own volunteering (outside of student groups) in order for it to be mentioned in the letter?

Or is any of this really important?

Thanks

Doesn't really matter. If you are active in stuff, the Deans letter may reflect this -- they are likely going to get some input from you as to what to say aside from the academics. But few residencies care that much about student group stuff. Other than research, ECs are not going to make much impact. Those were much more important in getting into med school than residency.

 

[HurricaneKatt]

Doesn't really matter. If you are active in stuff, the Deans letter may reflect this -- they are likely going to get some input from you as to what to say aside from the academics. But few residencies care that much about student group stuff. Other than research, ECs are not going to make much impact. Those were much more important in getting into med school than residency.

😱 Seriously? I HATE research!!!! 😕

 

[Law2Doc]

😱 Seriously? I HATE research!!!! 😕

If you want a competitive residency, it might pay to learn to love it. A lot of the top programs consider this important. It's even not unheard of for folks to take an extra year to do research if they are shooting for something like derm.

 

[HurricaneKatt]

If you want a competitive residency, it might pay to learn to love it. A lot of the top programs consider this important. It's even not unheard of for folks to take an extra year to do research if they are shooting for something like derm.

I can't stand research and don't like labs. However, I have an aunt who is a physician who has offered to help me with a research project one summer to help me get into Med school...but...I don't even have the slightest idea of What to research! 😕 Is it Really That important?

 

[Law2Doc]

I can't stand research and don't like labs. However, I have an aunt who is a physician who has offered to help me with a research project one summer to help me get into Med school...but...I don't even have the slightest idea of What to research! 😕 Is it Really That important?

If you are still premed, then relax -- there is time enough for that in med school if you choose to go into something where it is helpful. And nobody is going to care that you don't have the slightest idea of what to research -- you will find someone doing interesting stuff and see if he can help you brainstorm or see if you can jump in and one of the many "wouldn't it be nice if someone looked into this" kind of projects. But yeah, if you are shooting for a competitive residency, a lot of them like research. And if you have any interest in working at an academic facility longterm, then yeah, it's going to play a role in your life. If you choose something like FM, then no, it probably won't be critical to your career. And bear in mind that in med school, most research doesn't involve labs. You do clinical research studies on patients and charts more often in this field.

 

[HurricaneKatt]

Ah okay well that's not too bad then lol

 

[bcat85]

Doesn't really matter. If you are active in stuff, the Deans letter may reflect this -- they are likely going to get some input from you as to what to say aside from the academics. But few residencies care that much about student group stuff. Other than research, ECs are not going to make much impact. Those were much more important in getting into med school than residency.

Thank God. I was so tired of doing stupid community service projects and lots of other meaningless BS to boost my application. Thankfully, I love doing research.

 

[Doublecortin]

Thank God. I was so tired of doing stupid community service projects and lots of other meaningless BS to boost my application. Thankfully, I love doing research.

I second that. I would want to volunteer my time and give back when I am a fully trained physician, when I actually know something and can do something for the sick. But doing stuff where you can't even touch the patient is just completely meaningless and a waste of time.