Extracirricular activities

[NRAI2001]

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How much weight do med schools put on your extraciricular (EC) activities? I ve heard different' things from different people.

Some say that they knew people had almost zero EC activities and got into many med schools. Others say they knew people with high gpa, high mcat and no acceptances bc of no EC's.

 

[2112_rush]

I think it really varies from school to school. It may be the quality of your extracurriculars that matters more than how many you have. And don't forget clinical experience.

 

[tinkerbelle]

I think EC's are important, although many things can make up for a lack of ECs. For example, if you have tons of research experience, then it might explain why you have little time for other stuff. For people who don't have any ECs, I think the reason they don't have any is extremely important. Is it b/c the applicant is lazy and unsocial? Or is it b/c the applicant is working a full time job to put him or herself through college? Or becase he/she is working to support his family while also going to college?

Oh, and don't forget, that this process is extremely random. And med schools all value different things. One may want applicants with tons of ECs while others may not care.