Extracurriculars for MSTP Admissions

[DendWrite]

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I'm a sophomore this year planning on applying to MSTP programs after graduation. What sort of extracurriculars are MSTP programs interested in? Is it a bit less "stringent" than MD only programs? I know that obviously significant and involved research experience (for as long a duration and as much time as possible) is a given, but what about the hospital volunteering / general ECs...are these as important? As long as you have SOME clinincal exposure (but say, aren't a member of a bunch of school clubs and stuff) + the research experience, good grades and MCAT, is this enough to get into top MSTP programs? Or do they still want you to have an MD-looking app. + the research?

 

[Katatonic]

From what I have gathered, the heaviest EC they want is research (2-3 years), followed by at least some shadowing to show you've seen a doctor in action, and maybe some volunteering. I doubt they're as stringent towards all the other "fluff" as regular MD/DO admissions because of the extreme research pre-req.

 

[calvinNhobbes]

Honestly, I would HIGHLY recommend arranging as many shadowing experiences as possible. Not because you need them as EC (I got in without a single clinical EC), but to make sure you really want to be a doctor. Go to clinical with an FP, round in the hospital with an IM team, watch in the OR, hang out with a radiologist or pathologist.

I've had MD/PhD friends at the end realize they don't really like being a doctors. No need to waste 4 years if you don't have to.

 

[bd4727]

It's not important for admissions. CalvinNHobbs brings up a good point, though.

 

[Neuronix]

I doubt they're as stringent towards all the other "fluff" as regular MD/DO admissions because of the extreme research pre-req.

Even the MD adcoms know that most of those clubs, honor societies, and other nonsense is fluff. They're looking for significant experience, not something you attended once a semester. In that sense, a few ECs you spend a lot of time at (i.e. research and shadowing/volunteering) is far better than a lot of ECs you've been involved with superficially but makes your AMCAS look longer.