EC's

[HopelessGirl]

---

Members do not see this ad.

How do my EC's look?
I'm a sophomore but am worried that I am not doing enough stuff.

I volunteer when I can in a clinic (most Saturdays).
I volunteer at a hospital once a week (I haven't done this freshman year but all through high school and now).
I will start to shadow a resident in the ER (my brother spoke to the doctor). Since this is closer to home, I'm assuming I'll start in the summer.
I "tutor"/run a course once a week that students take for additional help/worksheets.
My research situation is a little weird right now, but I should start in April (and did last summer).
I also want to take CNA classes and maybe work as a CNA/medical assistant/ER tech/whatever beginning the end of summer all through the rest of college when needed.

Although it seems like a lot, I'm not really doing much now... My grades are suffering though and next quarter will be hell...

 

[slightlygifted]

I would try to round it out with non-clinical volunteering like working in a food kitchen or something. If you look at the MSAR, for most schools 70%+ of their matriculants have had non-clinical volunteering.

 

[HopelessGirl]

Sure! That sounds quite fun. 😀

 

[moisne]

How long have you committed to each? How many hours?

 

[HopelessGirl]

Volunteering not much. Pretty much just began to volunteer 4 or 8 hours a week.
Tutoring - 4 hours a week all year
Research - about 300 or so hours.

 

[HopelessGirl]

Do you think I should start shadowing/CNA classes soon (even though my classes are time-consuming) so I can begin ASAP?

 

[moisne]

I'd spend more time on research. Are you going to publish?

 

[Jennyfishy]

Non-clinical things, clubs/programs on campus, and leadership exp will help round you out and show you have outside interests beyond "pre-med"

Keep doing things you're interested in/enjoy. Research is great but being published is not a pre req to getting admitted if you are not passionate about research, for example 😀

 

[HopelessGirl]

That's the thing, I'm between labs. I've interviewed but I can't find one that doesn't want me to clean dishes or one that wants me to do something I'm not interested in.

It's the middle of the year, what non-medical things can I do?

 

[moisne]

That's the thing, I'm between labs. I've interviewed but I can't find one that doesn't want me to clean dishes or one that wants me to do something I'm not interested in.

It's the middle of the year, what non-medical things can I do?

Non medical - get a job that pays. Volunteer for homeless program. Maybe volunteer or get paid tutoring

If you ask a PI to join in on a grad project, you get to do more.

 

[moisne]

OP - just pick 2-3 things to focus on and do them well. Like I have been told many things. It is better to do a few things well than do many things poorly

 

[HopelessGirl]

Would volunteering in an animal shelter be okay or should I work with people?

 

[justAstudent]

Would volunteering in an animal shelter be okay or should I work with people?

Yes, if that's something you would enjoy.

 

[HopelessGirl]

Is it bad that I'm doing so much in the summers and so little in the year?
How do I approach PI's about being an actual researcher not a volunteer?

 

[Mel Belle]

I was wondering how my ECs look so far as a sophomore:

• Staff writer for the school paper for a year, just hired as assistant editor for my section
• Tutor (I plan to add on more classes as I finish them)
• "PR" Person for Pre-Health Society (I'm guessing this is worthless, I just volunteered because no one else would)
• About ~25 hours of shadowing
• Work at a clothing store (my pre-health advisor said that shows I can be social?)
• Avid participant in philosophy symposium (looking for a position there because I enjoy it!)
• Part of the (insert college name here) sandwich makers for the local hungry (does this count towards volunteering hours?)

Planned ECS:

• More shadowing
• More volunteering
• Research in biochemistry starting next semester (plan for 2 school years + 1 gap year + at least one summer SURP or REU)
• Editor of my section starting next year (the prospects are very good since most of the staff are seniors this year)
• "Workshop Leader" for organic chemistry (Idk if that counts the same as a TA, we don't have TAs at my college)
• Possibly a workshop leader for physics, as well

The reason I'm so down on volunteering and shadowing hours is mostly because I've been having a lot of distraction from an illness, so I've been trying to relax as much as possible and focus on taking care of myself during breaks, since I'm not stable just yet. I'm sure I will be, but not yet. My doctors are very hopeful. It just takes time.

Also, I plan to apply MD/PhD, if that helps.

 

[kk123]

How do my EC's look?
I'm a sophomore but am worried that I am not doing enough stuff.

I volunteer when I can in a clinic (most Saturdays).
I volunteer at a hospital once a week (I haven't done this freshman year but all through high school and now).
I will start to shadow a resident in the ER (my brother spoke to the doctor). Since this is closer to home, I'm assuming I'll start in the summer.
I "tutor"/run a course once a week that students take for additional help/worksheets.
My research situation is a little weird right now, but I should start in April (and did last summer).
I also want to take CNA classes and maybe work as a CNA/medical assistant/ER tech/whatever beginning the end of summer all through the rest of college when needed.

Although it seems like a lot, I'm not really doing much now... My grades are suffering though and next quarter will be hell...

You mentioned that your grades are suffering. IMO you should be more concerned with your grades than your ECs right now. MCAT and grades carry the most weight in the admissions process. Having a lot of good ECs won't do a lot of good if you have a low GPA. Find a good balance between school and ECs so that your grades don't suffer.

 

[Mel Belle]

You mentioned that your grades are suffering. IMO you should be more concerned with your grades than your ECs right now. MCAT and grades carry the most weight in the admissions process. Having a lot of good ECs won't do a lot of good if you have a low GPA. Find a good balance between school and ECs so that your grades don't suffer.

Excuse me, but where did I say that my grades are suffering? I have mostly As and A-s, and one B+. In fact, I would have a couple A+s, but my school doesn't give out A+s. My GPA is 3.8 at the moment.

 

[kk123]

Excuse me, but where did I say that my grades are suffering? I have mostly As and A-s, and one B+.

I was quoting "HopelessGirl" who stated that her grades were suffering in original post.

 

[HopelessGirl]

Excuse me, but where did I say that my grades are suffering? I have mostly As and A-s, and one B+. In fact, I would have a couple A+s, but my school doesn't give out A+s. My GPA is 3.8 at the moment.

He thinks you're me.

 

[crimsonkid85]

Volunteering not much. Pretty much just began to volunteer 4 or 8 hours a week.
Tutoring - 4 hours a week all year
Research - about 300 or so hours.

if only research was about how many hours you worked, instead of what kind of results you got.....

 

[Mel Belle]

Sorry if I read that too fast, then. My apologies.

 

[Spitphire]

Instead of making another thread im going to semi-hijack yours for a sec.

How do you guys get long term shadowing gigs? Is it connections with the hospital? I'm having trouble just to get into contact with a physician. Every time I call, the secretary will tell me they're not there or they're sick. Hell, the neurosurgeon receptionist wouldn't even pick up.

Someone give me some guidance please. (End hijack)

 

[crimsonkid85]

Instead of making another thread im going to semi-hijack yours for a sec.

How do you guys get long term shadowing gigs? Is it connections with the hospital? I'm having trouble just to get into contact with a physician. Every time I call, the secretary will tell me they're not there or they're sick. Hell, the neurosurgeon receptionist wouldn't even pick up.

Someone give me some guidance please. (End hijack)

a personal connection always does the trick. as does an impressive as hell CV.

 

[HopelessGirl]

Instead of making another thread im going to semi-hijack yours for a sec.

How do you guys get long term shadowing gigs? Is it connections with the hospital? I'm having trouble just to get into contact with a physician. Every time I call, the secretary will tell me they're not there or they're sick. Hell, the neurosurgeon receptionist wouldn't even pick up.

Someone give me some guidance please. (End hijack)

Do you know anyone who works at a hospital at all?

 

[HopelessGirl]

if only research was about how many hours you worked, instead of what kind of results you got.....

I know, but I'm between labs. I went from one that taught me what to do to one that wants me to clean (no, thank y0u).

 

[moisne]

if only research was about how many hours you worked, instead of what kind of results you got.....

Could not agree more!!

My prof always said for research it wasn't the number of hours I worked. Research is all about working smart - not just working hard.

 

[moisne]

I know, but I'm between labs. I went from one that taught me what to do to one that wants me to clean (no, thank y0u).

Also - how long have you been a lab maid? What skills have you obtained? Some PI won't take you if you can't do things on your own. How do you feel about reading papers that hardly make sense? How well do you gather data and analyze it? Not asking how well you THINK you can do it, I am asking how well would your PI rate you in those abilities?

I talked to some schools, they kind of just nod at research. The real points come when you publish (preferably as first author)

 

[HopelessGirl]

Also - how long have you been a lab maid? What skills have you obtained? Some PI won't take you if you can't do things on your own. How do you feel about reading papers that hardly make sense? How well do you gather data and analyze it? Not asking how well you THINK you can do it, I am asking how well would your PI rate you in those abilities?

I talked to some schools, they kind of just nod at research. The real points come when you publish (preferably as first author)

Someone I talked to is happy enough with my skills to have my own project and my own thing. But, he stopped answering my emails. Seriously, I am the unluckiest person ever.

 

[moisne]

This is the thing about undergrads - they think they are important. They stopped replying for two reasons:

1. Most likely they got busy and forgot about you. This is not uncommon. You need to drop by their office and talk to them.
2. They don't think you are qualified, thus a silent rejection.

 

[HopelessGirl]

This is the thing about undergrads - they think they are important. They stopped replying for two reasons:

1. Most likely they got busy and forgot about you. This is not uncommon. You need to drop by their office and talk to them.
2. They don't think you are qualified, thus a silent rejection.

I already met with him face to face. He told me it was up to me.... I decided yes, he didn't reply. Now it's been 3 weeks. Should I attempt again?

 

[moisne]

I already met with him face to face. He told me it was up to me.... I decided yes, he didn't reply. Now it's been 3 weeks. Should I attempt again?

Like I said - you slipped his mind. They are busy all the time. If it was "up to you", you should drop by his office (or set an appointment) and say "I can start this week, what do you have in mind? What papers would you like me to read ahead of time?"

You seriously need to be proactive. If experiments don't work out, ask a higher classmate (upperclassman or a grad student or a post doc) in the research group. If no one can answer it, as the Pi. I'm serious, no one is going to "set things up" for you. This is coming from someone who researched both at college and at national labs since second semester of freshman year. I felt so incompetent all the time but it was a good learning curve.

I truly don't think I had much that stood out except my publications. (Typical 3.8 GPA/31 MCAT, 200 volunteer hours, and presidents of a few clubs - nothing out of the ordinary).

 

[HopelessGirl]

Like I said - you slipped his mind. They are busy all the time. If it was "up to you", you should drop by his office (or set an appointment) and say "I can start this week, what do you have in mind? What papers would you like me to read ahead of time?"

You seriously need to be proactive. If experiments don't work out, ask a higher classmate (upperclassman or a grad student or a post doc) in the research group. If no one can answer it, as the Pi. I'm serious, no one is going to "set things up" for you. This is coming from someone who researched both at college and at national labs since second semester of freshman year. I felt so incompetent all the time but it was a good learning curve.

I truly don't think I had much that stood out except my publications. (Typical 3.8 GPA/31 MCAT, 200 volunteer hours, and presidents of a few clubs - nothing out of the ordinary).

Thanks, I'll do it ASAP. Is it possible for me to even get published?

 

[moisne]

Thanks, I'll do it ASAP. Is it possible for me to even get published?

Yes. I allowed an undergrad to tag her name onto my paper. She was the last person. I even tagged a few other undergrad if the journal allows for "thank you" spot or a spot to provide some credits. My two younger brothers were "published" at age of 16. Haha. They helped me stitch movies/slides together using a long tedious process.

PS - if you are looking to publish - please be prepared to be humbled. I have been critiqued in every way possible (from "go rethink that" to "are you stupid? oh sorry I didn't mean to say that") that I no longer take anything personally.

 

[HopelessGirl]

Yes. I allowed an undergrad to tag her name onto my paper. She was the last person. I even tagged a few other undergrad if the journal allows for "thank you" spot or a spot to provide some credits. My two younger brothers were "published" at age of 16. Haha. They helped me stitch movies/slides together using a long tedious process.

PS - if you are looking to publish - please be prepared to be humbled. I have been critiqued in every way possible (from "go rethink that" to "are you stupid? oh sorry I didn't mean to say that") that I no longer take anything personally.

That's amazing. So should I not be in contact with the PI that wants me to be on my own?

 

[moisne]

That's amazing. So should I not be in contact with the PI that wants me to be on my own?

You should never ask the higher ups as a first resource. If you ask him for a simple question that can be found in textbook, friends, classmmates, and labmates, you will appear incompetent. I only ask my PI when I have no where else to look.

Your contact with your PI (to maintain the best impression) should be best limited to progress (good news) and casual talk (if you click with him). Never bug him for an answer you can find on your own. It will come across as laziness. Good questions or new ideas should be run through him. New procedures should be pre-approved. Have fun researching, if you publish, let me read!

 

[SolarMed]

echo kitty's comments.