Crafting a compelling Work and Activities Section is an important priority for any medical school applicant. It will allow you to provide depth on your most meaningful experiences and communicate how a particular research position, teaching opportunity, or clinical exposure inspired your interest in the study of medicine. It will also give you the chance to show through anecdotes such characteristics as intellectual curiosity, adaptability, empathy, as well as your aptitude in critical and creative thinking, or your ability to thrive in a collaborative environment.
The AMCAS application allows for a total of 15 entries, with three designated as “most meaningful.” While all of the entries allow for a 700-character (including spaces) description of the activity, the three most meaningful entries include additional characters (1,325 including spaces) where you can provide further context on the perspective you gained and lessons you learned.
Key tips to consider before you begin drafting:
The AMCAS application allows for a total of 15 entries, with three designated as “most meaningful.” While all of the entries allow for a 700-character (including spaces) description of the activity, the three most meaningful entries include additional characters (1,325 including spaces) where you can provide further context on the perspective you gained and lessons you learned.
Key tips to consider before you begin drafting:
- Take advantage of all 15 entries, considering the various experiences you’ve had that influenced your decision to apply to medical school. To start, brainstorm and write them all down in chronological order, limiting yourself to college or postgraduate experiences. This section is purposely broad and can include activities from a multitude of categories. If you find that you do not have 15, carefully consider even one-day community service events that had a particular impact on you. Keep in mind that while not all experiences will be equally meaningful, several experiences are probably still worth sharing if they influenced your path in some way.
- After brainstorming all the potential activities, make note of the 15 most relevant, making sure to span a diverse array of interests. Pay particular attention, however, to clinical activities, research, and community service.
- When selecting your three most meaningful experiences, highlight first those that demonstrate a commitment to medicine and service to others. After that, think about work/activities that are unique and, therefore, will help differentiate you to the admissions committee.
- When you describe your work/activities, be sure to clearly articulate not just what you did, but also what you learned and how the experience influenced you.
