Experience descriptions in ERAS?

[TalaDuShrrg]

I'm struggling with what is expected as far as experience descriptions in ERAS. Right now I have 1-3 bullet points basically describing what the experience was and what I did, but didn't go into too much detail - do people generally write more than that? And, probably a stupid nitpick but, am I supposed to be avoiding "I" statements like in a resume or something?

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[ciestar]

I was told to treat it exactly like a CV entry.

 

[Dr. Doctor MD]

I'm struggling with what is expected as far as experience descriptions in ERAS. Right now I have 1-3 bullet points basically describing what the experience was and what I did, but didn't go into too much detail - do people generally write more than that? And, probably a stupid nitpick but, am I supposed to be avoiding "I" statements like in a resume or something?

Less is more. Put just the right amount of information in so that they know what the position was and what you did. 1-3 sentences or bullets should suffice for most things.

 

[crunchywhit]

Good question, thanks for the post. Related... Not my situation but asking for a friend... if you worked in a research lab on 1) your project, that you generated a thesis on, and 2) another large project that took up a lot of your time but ultimately didn't include in thesis and you don't have a pub for or anything. Can you list these as two research experiences, so that you can say a few things about your thesis in one, and then in the other, you can describe your contributions and skill sets learned etc. It's hard to get a few years of research experience condensed to 1-3 sentences so I was thinking that could be one strategy. Or would it just be viewed as padding.

 

[NickNaylor]

The goal of these descriptions is to clearly describe what you did with these experiences, state directly or indirectly why they were important to you, and provide enough context so that those reviewing your application get the gist of it. Unless the activity is something that is well-known or you happen to have someone review your application that is familiar with the activity, assume those reviewing your application know nothing about the experience, what you did while participating, and why you decided to include it on your application.

 

[Horners]

The goal of these descriptions is to clearly describe what you did with these experiences, state directly or indirectly why they were important to you, and provide enough context so that those reviewing your application get the gist of it. Unless the activity is something that is well-known or you happen to have someone review your application that is familiar with the activity, assume those reviewing your application know nothing about the experience, what you did while participating, and why you decided to include it on your application.

So it should have a personal element to it?

Lets say I was a food shelter volunteer, do I write:

- Distributed food to people coming in
- Responsible for stocking supply room
- Directly interacted with management to ensure supply
- Collected food donations

Or

During my time at the food shelter, I was involved in collecting, distributing and managing food items for the population in X (town). I was able to work directly with management and the population being served at this organization. This experience meant a lot to me because it was my opportunity to give back to this community and getting an understanding of how food shortages affect families and lives gave me deeper understanding into how this can and does effect my patient’s health.

 

[takeurmeds02]

So it should have a personal element to it?

Lets say I was a food shelter volunteer, do I write:

- Distributed food to people coming in
- Responsible for stocking supply room
- Directly interacted with management to ensure supply
- Collected food donations

Or

During my time at the food shelter, I was involved in collecting, distributing and managing food items for the population in X (town). I was able to work directly with management and the population being served at this organization. This experience meant a lot to me because it was my opportunity to give back to this community and getting an understanding of how food shortages affect families and lives gave me deeper understanding into how this can and does effect my patient’s health.

Bump - Questions that need answers! haha

 

[vernhart]

@aProgDirector

 

[CavsFan2016]

Bringing this back because I still don't have a clear answer to this question

 

[DameJulie]

So it should have a personal element to it?

Lets say I was a food shelter volunteer, do I write:

- Distributed food to people coming in
- Responsible for stocking supply room
- Directly interacted with management to ensure supply
- Collected food donations

Or

During my time at the food shelter, I was involved in collecting, distributing and managing food items for the population in X (town). I was able to work directly with management and the population being served at this organization. This experience meant a lot to me because it was my opportunity to give back to this community and getting an understanding of how food shortages affect families and lives gave me deeper understanding into how this can and does effect my patient’s health.

If I were an application reader, I would want to read the first one much much more.

 

[PatchA]

So it should have a personal element to it?

Lets say I was a food shelter volunteer, do I write:

- Distributed food to people coming in
- Responsible for stocking supply room
- Directly interacted with management to ensure supply
- Collected food donations

Or

During my time at the food shelter, I was involved in collecting, distributing and managing food items for the population in X (town). I was able to work directly with management and the population being served at this organization. This experience meant a lot to me because it was my opportunity to give back to this community and getting an understanding of how food shortages affect families and lives gave me deeper understanding into how this can and does effect my patient’s health.

Assuming Residnecy app review is in any way similar to med school app review, the 1st one will get read, the 2nd won’t.

 

[NonTrad16]

So it should have a personal element to it?

Lets say I was a food shelter volunteer, do I write:

- Distributed food to people coming in
- Responsible for stocking supply room
- Directly interacted with management to ensure supply
- Collected food donations

Or

During my time at the food shelter, I was involved in collecting, distributing and managing food items for the population in X (town). I was able to work directly with management and the population being served at this organization. This experience meant a lot to me because it was my opportunity to give back to this community and getting an understanding of how food shortages affect families and lives gave me deeper understanding into how this can and does effect my patient’s health.

Assuming Residnecy app review is in any way similar to med school app review, the 1st one will get read, the 2nd won’t.

But you can also spice up the first so you comment on its impact. I’m doing the format of 1, but trying to demonstrate the value/importance of it (which you seem to be doing in 2).