Experiences before College

[Archimedes]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Can you add that to your AMCAS - any experiences medically relevant that occurred before college?

I spent like 6 years working at a nursing home as a volunteer,and it just seems pointless to me to work for 1 more year in a nursing home just to make it a college experience, especially when I could do other new things with that time.

 

[Law2Doc]

Can you add that to your AMCAS - any experiences medically relevant that occurred before college?

I spent like 6 years working at a nursing home as a volunteer,and it just seems pointless to me to work for 1 more year in a nursing home just to make it a college experience, especially when I could do other new things with that time.

I don't recall whether the AMCAS "experience" section specifies college and thereafter, but I would think you could certainly work it into your personal statement essay if you wanted.

 

[starfruit]

AMCAS specifies "post-secondary" experiences, meaning those during and after college, but I put a pre-secondary experience in, with a note that I was aware it wasn't post-sec but that it was the origin of my interest in medicine.
No one has commented negatively about it.

 

[Jeffy]

If the experience is significant enough, which yours sounds like it is, I don't think it's much of a problem. The fact that you volunteered there for 6 is a pretty big deal and I am sure that most med schools would agree. They'd be getting pissed if you volunteered for a few weeks after sophomore year of high school.

 

[Siggy]

I've always wondered where to put major HS achievements. By major, I don't mean 1'st place in a spelling bee, I mean something that actually sets you apart like being an Eagle Scout (or Gold Award for Girl Scouts).

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

I was Student Body President of my high school, and I'm curious if I should include that. That would mean that I would have to drop something else - probably Dean's list awards, which may not be worth including on the app anyway (a high GPA shows academic achievement, I think including Dean's list might be redundant).
Any thoughts?

 

[Docta "O"]

I've always wondered where to put major HS achievements. By major, I don't mean 1'st place in a spelling bee, I mean something that actually sets you apart like being an Eagle Scout (or Gold Award for Girl Scouts).

I won the spelling bee twice in elementary school, man I was the mac daddy back then.

 

[Jason110]

I was Student Body President of my high school, and I'm curious if I should include that. That would mean that I would have to drop something else - probably Dean's list awards, which may not be worth including on the app anyway (a high GPA shows academic achievement, I think including Dean's list might be redundant).
Any thoughts?

I wouldn't even think about putting President of Student Body. Dean's List is important, esp. since almost every other applicant is going to mention it. It'll look strange when they see your GPA, but don't see a Dean's List. That might raise questions... Who know what they're thinking.

Jason

 

[ishaninatte]

I took 51st in a Kansas chess competition in the 8th grade...alas, I gave up chess to pursue medicine. Too many "could have beens," I suppose. However, I made a themed application to medical school, entitled "He's Good at Chess, So He Might Be a Good Doctor Too." My PS recounted the ups and downs of that fateful day, while all my recommendations were from the various competitiors 8 years ago. And for the interview, I didn't even let them ask questions, I went right to the meat of who I am: the chess competition.

 

[LauraMac]

I was Student Body President of my high school, and I'm curious if I should include that. That would mean that I would have to drop something else - probably Dean's list awards, which may not be worth including on the app anyway (a high GPA shows academic achievement, I think including Dean's list might be redundant).
Any thoughts?

i certainly wouldn't add that. i did all sorts of activities in high school, but they don't wanna hear about that stuff unless they specifically ask you in the interview... at least that's what i think.

 

[45408]

I wouldn't even think about putting President of Student Body. Dean's List is important, esp. since almost every other applicant is going to mention it. It'll look strange when they see your GPA, but don't see a Dean's List. That might raise questions... Who know what they're thinking.

Jason

Negative. I was told by a director of admissions in pretty plain speech that you're probably wasting space to put "Dean's List" on there - you should've been on there anyways. Your GPA will speak for you.