guju are you getting tired of answering the same questions yet?
I've learned that people on SDN do not understand the concept of the search function. But what can you do???
The biggest problem with this thread is that there are standard questions that are asked but no stickies like an FAQ that would help stop such mindless posts as well as the lack of mods to help moderate that the way other threads in SDN are moderated like the PS writers thread, secondary threads, and so forth. Even the waitlist thread is more organized then this thread.
These are the biggest questions that need a FAQ link stickied for before people proceed to ask their questions.
FAQs:
1. Do we need to use bullet points/resume style or do we need to use essay format? Or can we use a combo of both in descriptions?
Do which ever you want. Write as much as you feel you need to say what's important. Use common sense here. We are adults and have resumes for work regardless of what field. What would you find appopriate if you were applying for a job. Do such. If you feel it important to say more then just what you did do so. If you feel its something you can explain in an interview, then do that and just say what you did. Do what you feel is important.
2. Do we need to fill in the description section to the maximum limit of 1325 characters? How many characters do we need to use?
Again, use as many characters as is important to get your point across. Previously the limit was 500 characters in as late as 2004. Now its changed to 1325 not because you are required to use all the characters but to give people who couldn't fit all they needed space to say a chance to tell more if they need to. Use what is necessary. If 250 characters is all you need then use that. Just don't leave it completely blank.
3. What do we do if we have done things at different intervals? i.e. worked for a given job only in summers? How do we list the dates?
Use the start date of the start of the first interval and end of the last interval and then explain the dates properly in the description section.
4. What is appropriate to list in the EC section as far as hobbies go?
Don't list geeky things like gaming that med schools are not impressed with. Don't list things like I go shopping every month, go to get my hair done every month as a hobby or just shoot some hoops for fun every now and then. List things you've done competitively or that would seem interesting like being able to paint or play chess well. being involved in a sport, performing arts activity, student organizations, etc. seem appropriate.
Being someone who has helped in graphic design, webdesign, designed your own computer programs; that is also stuff that is good.
5. should I list all shadowing separately?
No! Group shadowing. Put the dates in the same way I described in question 3. State the real dates, type of doc, and location if possible in the description section. Don't need to go into too much depth esp. if no room to do so.
6. should I group certain activities?
Outside of shadowing start grouping when you have no space and no choice but to group activities.
7. Research. Tell me how to list this activity.
There are several categories for research. Publication for accepted publications, research lab work for the actual description of the research, poster/presentations to describe posters or presentations. Conferences attended as well. Decide which your stuff fits into.
8. Are publications outside of scientific research peer reviewed journals acceptable? yes being someone to write a book, write a chapter in a book, etc. are included as publications also. Being published is not always about being published in a peer reviewed journal. Also IF factor is not important in putting down publications. Having one is itself a huge deal for a premed with no real research training at the graduate level.
Feel free to add more to my FAQ.
