Medical Extracurriculars and Matching as an OMS - what should I do?

[Mr.Smile12]

I'm a 2nd year Osteopathic Medical Student. I'm pretty middle of the road in all my classes. I'm satisfied with the result given the work I put in, as I'm trying to pace myself with board preparation. I've been pretty content the last year, suffice to say. I am aiming toward FM, specialty wise, but I am not entirety settled. Being able to match into the NE US is most important for me.

I have 2 big concerns moving forward:

1) I don't have any ECs in medical school. I joined the student interest groups but there really isn't much to do unless you're elected to something. Even volunteer opportunities come down to 'sit at a canned food drive table for a day. sell sweatshirts for a medical fraternity'. It seems even more like box-checking than anything I've done as a premed. Should I be doing more of this? Do I need to to match? I'm very worried about starting something new with board preparation approaching, but feel like I need to start before 3rd year. I do have publications and work experience from before med school.

2) Given this, do I take USMLE or not? I am a bit worried the stress of another test might hurt my COMLEX, but think my application might need a little garnish somewhere given the above.

I appreciate the time!

Have you met with your dean of students who is supposed to guide you through the match process and/or write your standardized evaluation letter? Usually it helps to start early. I don't fully believe you when you say you have no EC's in medical school; what do you do to ground yourself whenever you're not studying for exams? It might be a bit more box-checking but if you are interested in FM, have you gone to any affinity clubs in FM? Done extra clerkships? Found sponsors or mentors?

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[Goro]

I recommend taking USMLE

 

[Goro]

At this stage we have an academic adviser who mostly deals with study strategies and board preparation. When I brought forth my concern I got a kind of, "it would be nice to get involved in something..." reply without anything more specific, and I didn't want to really press the issue.

I appreciate your reply. I've joined and paid dues to interest groups in Psychiatry and FM. Outside of one group inviting someone to give a talk, or selling fleeces, I cannot say either is especially active. I suppose its something to show up on my CV - I just don't know what I'd say about it if asked during a residency interview.

I certainly have personal hobbies and a 5 year work history as a lab manager with publications and stuff. I don't think my CV will be blank I just don't really know what an average applicant is expected to be up to besides studying. I was thinking of maybe trying to volunteer at a student-run clinic, but slots are coveted there.

I was never really given the option of clerkships at this stage, other than the two that are assigned to second years, nor was I told to seek them out.



Just for the sake of options later? Or have students without been severely hamstrung at your school?

Thank you both.

It allows for more options