Freaking out about EC's

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sonia1177

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Hi Everyone,

I am new to SDN so I am sorry if I am violating any of the rules. I am sophomore at a solid research university. Here is what I have for my EC's so far:

volunteering

~120 hours of volunteer service

Shadowing: none as of right now
Worked in a Doctor's office summer after freshman year

Research: Just got a position in a professor's lab this semester! 🙂 Will be continuing research this summer with the same Professor in his laboratory. I will also be applying for 2 other research positions.

Teaching: Currently tutoring underprivileged students + Youth Counselor for students for disadvantaged backgrounds

-UGTA in an intro biology lab

This past summer I also became CNA certified.

Am I doing enough for a typical sophomore? Sorry but I am just scared that I do not have enough.
 
Hi Everyone,

I am new to SDN so I am sorry if I am violating any of the rules. I am sophomore at a solid research university. Here is what I have for my EC's so far:

volunteering

~120 hours of volunteer service

Shadowing: none as of right now
Worked in a Doctor's office summer after freshman year

Research: Just got a position in a professor's lab this semester! 🙂 Will be continuing research this summer with the same Professor in his laboratory. I will also be applying for 2 other research positions.

Teaching: Currently tutoring underprivileged students + Youth Counselor for students for disadvantaged backgrounds

-UGTA in an intro biology lab

This past summer I also became CNA certified.

Am I doing enough for a typical sophomore? Sorry but I am just scared that I do not have enough.

You're fine do some leadership things and shadow. You need to demonstrate your ability to lead. Are you the head of any clubs? Have you started activities on campus? If not demonstrate this capacity in some other way.
 
Let's assume someone had a average application with a 3.7gpa, 30mcat, 2 years of research, lots of clinical and non-clinical research, and some tutoring/mentoring position. How much of a disadvantage would it be to not have any leadership, like in a direct way through holding a exec position? Just curious about this.
 
Let's assume someone had a average application with a 3.7gpa, 30mcat, 2 years of research, lots of clinical and non-clinical research, and some tutoring/mentoring position. How much of a disadvantage would it be to not have any leadership, like in a direct way through holding a exec position? Just curious about this.

Considering that leadership is a distinguishing trait, a moderate one. Most top tier med schools would want it as well as many in the mid and lower tiers. It helps to set you apart from the rest of the crowd.
 
Let's assume someone had a average application with a 3.7gpa, 30mcat, 2 years of research, lots of clinical and non-clinical research, and some tutoring/mentoring position. How much of a disadvantage would it be to not have any leadership, like in a direct way through holding a exec position? Just curious about this.

Seconded. I couldn`t lead a thirsty hamster to a swimming pool. Any thoughts?
 
thanks everyone. this really helps keep me calm. its just that on these forums i look at everyone's threads, and i see like 1000 + hours of service, 2 years of research. but i guess i forget that i am a sophomore so I still have just a little bit of time left. one thing i have learned is that there are always going to be people that are better and and there are always going to be people that are worse. so i am my own competition, it is useless to compare myself with others. yes, I was thinking of starting a student organization at my school but it was just an idea. maybe I will go ahead and pursue that idea now that you all have suggested it. thank you so much! This semester i just have the research, volunteering, and mentoring going. nothing else. but i am also thinking of picking up shadowing. so you guys think i am doing enough right now?
 
Hate to hijack this thread but I don't want to start ANOTHER thread on leadership/EC's

I know tutoring generally isn't considered leadership... but is a tutoring position where you tutor a group of 5-8 students for a quarter on one class any different? It would be kinda like a class TA but just for the small group... leading discussion sections, answering questions outside of these via e-mail, etc.

Also... is tutoring underprivileged students leadership?

Thanks

Anytime that you are leading a group of people, this would be considered leadership. I think one-on-one tutoring would not be considered leadership though.
 
LizzyM has said that tutoring is not leadership. You have to lead your peers.

To the OP, you have great stuff and are ahead of the game. Make sure you shadow and get up close and personal with sick people. They want to know you can stand to be around sick people and still want to be a doctor.

Even better than shadowing, IMHO, is a job where you get hands on clinical experience of some kind.

Overall, you are in great shape.
 
Hi. I dont mean to hijack this thread either, I just have one simple question. I am going to be hired as a Resident Assistant for the next fall semester. I was wondering if this would count as a leadership position. Thank you very much in advance! 😀
 
Didn't even read the thread.

Stop freaking out.

That is all.
 
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