EC Advice- something unusual...

[Zorro1019]

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Hi-

I'm looking into EC's and counting up what I have (10k+ hrs work in EMS etc.)

What I realized was that I have very few volunteer EC's, and I was looking for something interesting.

Besides the usual volunteering at a free clinic, ER, research etc I was thinking about volunteering as a docent/ fossil preparer at the local natural history museum. It's something I've wanted to do especially the fossil preparation and I was wondering how it might look to adcoms?

Any input will be greatly appreciated.

 

[alwaysaangel]

Hi-

I'm looking into EC's and counting up what I have (10k+ hrs work in EMS etc.)

What I realized was that I have very few volunteer EC's, and I was looking for something interesting.

Besides the usual volunteering at a free clinic, ER, research etc I was thinking about volunteering as a docent/ fossil preparer at the local natural history museum. It's something I've wanted to do especially the fossil preparation and I was wondering how it might look to adcoms?

Any input will be greatly appreciated.

Do it. Its interesting and different and if you enjoy it then thats even better.

 

[CardiacIntensivist]

Do it because you want to. Not every single EC has to be health related or geared towards impressing the Adcoms. Unless an EC is dealing drugs, organizing prostitutes or world domination, it is likely a good one to pursue if you can speak well of it later.

 

[alwaysaangel]

organizing prostitutes

I had an EC that involved this. Cal-PEP. California Prostitute Education Program. It was interesting.

 

[CardiacIntensivist]

I had an EC that involved this. Cal-PEP. California Prostitute Education Program. It was interesting.

Ah, I was trying to find a delicate way of saying pimping. But your example does sound very interesting actually. Is it like a 2nd chance type of program?

 

[alwaysaangel]

Ah, I was trying to find a delicate way of saying pimping. But your example does sound very interesting actually. Is it like a 2nd chance type of program?

Haha I knew what you meant, I was being silly.

Its a program in the bay area that focuses on infectious disease. They actually work with both prostitutes and IV drug users. Giving condoms, classes and free testing to the prostitutes and bleach kits for needles to the IV drug users. It was interesting.

 

[LizzyM]

Hi-

I'm looking into EC's and counting up what I have (10k+ hrs work in EMS etc.)

What I realized was that I have very few volunteer EC's, and I was looking for something interesting.

Besides the usual volunteering at a free clinic, ER, research etc I was thinking about volunteering as a docent/ fossil preparer at the local natural history museum. It's something I've wanted to do especially the fossil preparation and I was wondering how it might look to adcoms?

Any input will be greatly appreciated.

Well, it isn't service to the community and in particular the poor/sick, etc but if you think it sounds like fun & would do it even if you weren't applying to med school, then go for it. Some schools do like to see that someone has been involved in altruistic activity but it is not a deal breaker, particularly if the person has needed to work many hours per week to earn a living.

 

[Zorro1019]

Unless an EC is dealing drugs, organizing prostitutes or world domination, it is likely a good one to pursue if you can speak well of it later.

I was going to work on the world domination, but I've had such a hard time finding reliable minions... Everybody wants to be paid these days plus benefits, and vacations, not to mention uniform expenses, feeding and housing. Honestly, how is anybody supposed to get a foot in the world domination door these days???

But in all seriousness, I am also looking at doing some volunteering at a free clinic that a friend helps run, healthcare for the homeless etc, so I won't be totally bereft of community service/ altruistic activities. I was also considering some hospice volunteering after someone mentioned it in another thread. The docent thing is just a great way to pass off cleaning, playing with snakes and turtles and spiders, looking at pond water under a microscope, and practicing fine motor skills off as a volunteer activity. And I like teaching kids about this stuff in an informal setting.

ETA: I also just think fossils are awesome... I am a bit of a nerd about them.

2nd Edit: Meant to say it the first 2 times: Thanks for the helpful advice 🙂

 

[Dianyla]

I think it sounds like a great idea! I spent several summers doing taxidermy at the local county museum and had a blast. I didn't list it on my AMCAS because it was during Jr High and HS (and also because it might sound a little... uh... creepy) but I did end up chatting about it during interviews and it was an entertaining icebreaker.

 

[Zorro1019]

I think it sounds like a great idea! I spent several summers doing taxidermy at the local county museum and had a blast. I didn't list it on my AMCAS because it was during Jr High and HS (and also because it might sound a little... uh... creepy) but I did end up chatting about it during interviews and it was an entertaining icebreaker.

That sounds like fun! I knew a guy who was doing something similar for the university's Bio Labs. They are doing a major statewide specimen collection and everything has to be dissected, tissue samples stored, animals mounted etc. He wouldn't hook me up though 🙁

Hopefully some of my eccentric experiences and hobbies will come in handy later on.

Cheers!