Extracurricular activities

Started by RockMcat520
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RockMcat520

RockMcat520

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7+ Year Member
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I volunteered as a medical interpreter in a hospital for 50+ hours, I was hired last year as a part time job. I was wondering if medical interpreter is considered a unique clinical EC? Or Job?
I could not find a thread on that!

Thanks
 
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RockMcat520 said:
I volunteered as a medical interpreter in a hospital for 50+ hours, I was hired last year as a part time job. I was wondering if medical interpreter is considered a unique clinical EC? Or Job?
I could not find a thread on that!

Thanks
Click to expand...

Unique, not really. Is it far less common than other things? Yes. Good to see on an application, yes. Is it of particular note? Not really.

It is an EC until you start getting paid. Then it is a job.
 
It's a good EC, but it's not like it will propel your application to the top. Although along with shadowing it can definitely satisfy the clinical experience requirement.
 
mimelim said:
Unique, not really. Is it far less common than other things? Yes. Good to see on an application, yes. Is it of particular note? Not really.
Click to expand...

Language skills that are sharp enough to get you hired as an interpreter are a big plus.

It is an EC until you start getting paid. Then it is a job.
Click to expand...

Experiences on the AMCAS application include volunteerism and employment. You could fill two slots with this activity which might be the best way to play it so that the volunteerism isn't lost in the description of the employment.
 
LizzyM said:
Language skills that are sharp enough to get you hired as an interpreter are a big plus.



Experiences on the AMCAS application include volunteerism and employment. You could fill two slots with this activity which might be the best way to play it so that the volunteerism isn't lost in the description of the employment.
Click to expand...

My point was that it wasn't unique (ie. one of a kind). Not that language skills aren't incredibly valuable (because they are). By the same token, I was very surprised to see how little most of my colleagues cared about fluency in another language. Saw a fair number of Spanish, Chinese and Arabic fluent applications and it didn't seem to get anyone particularly jazzed the way I was about it. Now, in residency, at least where I am, broken Spanish is practically a requirement and fluent Spanish is a serious asset.
 
mimelim said:
My point was that it wasn't unique (ie. one of a kind). Not that language skills aren't incredibly valuable (because they are). By the same token, I was very surprised to see how little most of my colleagues cared about fluency in another language. Saw a fair number of Spanish, Chinese and Arabic fluent applications and it didn't seem to get anyone particularly jazzed the way I was about it. Now, in residency, at least where I am, broken Spanish is practically a requirement and fluent Spanish is a serious asset.
Click to expand...

I hear you. I've had similar experience and would add Korean to the list of languages that get me excited to meet native speakers on the interview trail.
 
Thanks guys! I do have a CP language Institute certificate (medical interpreter certificate) and other ECs. I was thinking of posting a thread on "What are my chances?" after I get my MCAT score!
 
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