ECs HELP

[yungdoc]

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Hey everyone, thank you in advance for your input.

Here is a little background: I am a California CC student who recently got accepted into a top 20 university that is known for major grade deflation.

I have SOME ECs to date:
- 300 hours volunteered in an ER (literally could not be closer to the action unless I was the physician)
- 100 hours volunteered in a children's hospital
- 1 year as a Physical Therapy Aide at one of the top clinics in the nation (hands on)
- 1 poster presentation for the Western Psychological Association
- 1 year as the co- president of the chess club at my CC

After I transfer I plan to:
- 100 hours in an animal shelter
- Shadow
- Research!!!

I don't mean to sound like I want to slack off with my ECs BUT I would like to spend as much time as possible studying after I transfer and not spread myself too thin with too many ECs. My question is: Should I add anything else to the list of things I plan to do when I transfer?

Thank you all so much!

 

[MaxPlancker]

Well ideally your ECs should not be check-box format. You want to continue with all (as many as possible) aspects of your application that is meaningful to you. Don't just volunteer one month full time or research one semester etc and stop…Longevity/consistency and productivity are key. You have the basics for about every typical part of a premed experience.

 

[Jersanta]

It seems like you're strong in clinical hours. If I were you, I would focus more on shadowing, research, and some non-clinical volunteering. You will especially want to give yourself time for studying for the MCAT.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using SDN mobile

 

[rlewx]

I also need some advice on ECs. I just decided on med school so I'm a little behind. With my low GPA I want to make up for it by this. I currently cheer at my university, in a fraternity as a secretary and leader of homecoming stuff for the past two years. I'm a journalism major so I sometimes write for online publications and on campus magazines. I haven't done any shadowing or volunteering yet but I'm working on it. It's really hard to find anything here. I'm not a part of many clubs because cheerleading takes up a lot of time and my courseload will be hectic now that I'm starting prereqs for med school.

 

[MaxPlancker]

If you can write articles for big name places like NY Times, USA Today, etc that could certainly be an interesting part of your app. USA Today has a college correspondents program and the White House has internships related to journalism, media, etc. Just keep looking for opportunities and don't give up if you don't get selected.