Great tips for entering your "Work/Activities" for AMCAS

[LizzyM]

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What's the appropriate format for listing, say, that you've played a musical instrument for years (since 4th grade). I was planning on simply stating the year I began, and then checking the "until present" box, but what about "contact name" or "organization name" or "contact title"? I played in my elementary band, middle school band/orchestra, high school concert band/marching band/jazz band/orchestra, and then a short stint in my university's orchestra before stopping due to time constraints. I continued to play recreationally, playing backup for a few artsy friends' dramatic solo performances at my university, and playing in a "band" with three friends, including a few very small gigs during college.

Call it "hobby/advocation" or whatever that category is. The start date is 10-12 years ago so the adcom members can clearly see that you've been doing this for years. Leave the contact info blank. In the explanation put the highlighted section above.

Also, what about something that I began doing as a volunteer, but then later was offered payment for the same service (at the original location as well as at another one)? Do I list it as "paid" work, but mention how I began doing it as a volunteer? Or the other way around? Or what?

Thanks for your help!

Depends on what it is and what you want to highlight.

 

[87138]

Depends on what it is and what you want to highlight.

Well, I was a volunteer announcer for an NCAA sport team, and was later hired (with pay) to be the official announcer of another NCAA team.

 

[LizzyM]

Well, I was a volunteer announcer for an NCAA sport team, and was later hired (with pay) to be the official announcer of another NCAA team.

Being a professional announcer is really cool and it shows that you were good enough to get paid! List it as paid employment and then in the explanation give the back story that you were a volunteer announcer for the other team.... or save that little tidbit for the interviewer who will ask out of curiosity how you got your job.

 

[trustforward]

I wasn't considering entering anything that's not academically or pre-med related in work/activities, but I worked part-time all through college (not med related b/c i wasn;t on this path at the time)... worthy of mention or just filler material?

 

[viciouz]

If you worked all through college, list it.

 

[themule]

So it's been quite some time since I filled out an AMCAS form and I can't quite remember if the work experience was for everything done through college and everything done since graduation. I graduated 10 years ago so I have extensive work experience since graduation but not all of it was relevant to a med school application, i.e. I worked for years in the restaurant industry. So do you include only relevant experience or all work experience like it was a traditional resume? Thanks.

TM

 

[AJVic123]

Should I list intramural tennis as one of my activities if I have been doing it for three years? How about a publication in a literary journal or English award?

 

[drowsy12]

I know people say the contact name is not important, but I'm going to ask this anyway: is it okay if the contact person you put down is a student if he/she is the head of the organization you worked with? Thanks!

 

[drowsy12]

also, is the consensus that doctor shadowing goes under the category 'other? it doesnt really seem to fit anywhere else.

 

[87138]

Another genuine "thanks" to LizzyM for all your help on this thread (and many other threads).

I did an unpaid internship for the fall semester of my senior year as a full-time medical assistant (my major required a semester-long internship for part of the degree), and then upon graduation I was hired there full-time in the same capacity (I was allowed to do quite a bit initially as an intern).

I figure that, just like the previous question of mine, I'll list it is paid employment but mention it was unpaid at first. But what about starting date? Should I list when I began the internship, even though there was a semester of classes that interrupts the period between unpaid and paid? Or should I only list the starting date of the paid position, omitting the 4 months I spent doing it as an internship?

I'm leaning towards the former, I just don't want adcoms to think I'm trying to be dishonest by claiming I did it longer than I really did.

 

[bbg4321]

i played a varsity sport at a big 10 school, but it does not fit well at all into the theme of my personal statement... is it a big mistake to leave this out of my personal statement and only include it in my activities list? and if i only have it in my activities list can i include some prose to demonstrate what a significant part of my life it was..?
thanks

 

[LizzyM]

👎

I wasn't considering entering anything that's not academically or pre-med related in work/activities, but I worked part-time all through college (not med related b/c i wasn;t on this path at the time)... worthy of mention or just filler material?

Unless you had a 4.0 gpa, and even if you did, it shows that you were able to handle academics and work concurrently. List it.

 

[LizzyM]

So it's been quite some time since I filled out an AMCAS form and I can't quite remember if the work experience was for everything done through college and everything done since graduation. I graduated 10 years ago so I have extensive work experience since graduation but not all of it was relevant to a med school application, i.e. I worked for years in the restaurant industry. So do you include only relevant experience or all work experience like it was a traditional resume? Thanks.

TM

You want to avoid gaps (times when it doesn't look like you were working or in college or doing anything else). So, if for a few years you were working in food service, list it.

 

[LizzyM]

Should I list intramural tennis as one of my activities if I have been doing it for three years?

The only reason not to would be lack of space.

How about a publication in a literary journal or English award?

This might look like padding if the journal is an campus publication circulated just on campus. If it is widely circulated (e.g. Tin House, American Short Fiction, The Georgia Review) then you should certainly list it. A department English award may be listed but isn't likely to impress anone.🙁

 

[LizzyM]

I know people say the contact name is not important, but I'm going to ask this anyway: is it okay if the contact person you put down is a student if he/she is the head of the organization you worked with? Thanks!

Yes, use thename of the head of the organization. That will be fine even if the head is a student.

 

[LizzyM]

also, is the consensus that doctor shadowing goes under the category 'other? it doesnt really seem to fit anywhere else.

Yes, other would be acceptable but it is your choice.

 

[LizzyM]

Another genuine "thanks" to LizzyM for all your help on this thread (and many other threads).

I did an unpaid internship for the fall semester of my senior year as a full-time medical assistant (my major required a semester-long internship for part of the degree), and then upon graduation I was hired there full-time in the same capacity (I was allowed to do quite a bit initially as an intern).

I figure that, just like the previous question of mine, I'll list it is paid employment but mention it was unpaid at first. But what about starting date? Should I list when I began the internship, even though there was a semester of classes that interrupts the period between unpaid and paid? Or should I only list the starting date of the paid position, omitting the 4 months I spent doing it as an internship?

I'm leaning towards the former, I just don't want adcoms to think I'm trying to be dishonest by claiming I did it longer than I really did.

Good call. You can always add in the explanation that you received course credit for volunteer work at the same site during the period from x to y.

 

[kateycat]

That is cool and would be interesting to talk about at interview (those of us who interview 40-50 applicants each season try to find something other than the "same old/same old" to discuss -- I can't imagine the associate deans who interivew 200+ each season).

I'd put your running under athletics & then add into the description that you have this little side-line connected to your activity as a runner.

this is in response to the product tester EC question...

i sort of already have running as an activity as part of another EC, because i ran a marathon to raise money for cancer. should i still list running/shoe testing as another ec? or tie it into this?

on a related note, how would you classify that (running marathon for charity above) and Relay for Life (a 24-hr team walk to raise money for cancer)? i wasn't sure if money-raising events would be considered "community service (nonmedical)" or an "extracurricular" or simply just "other."

also, i did an unpaid internship for class credit. would this deserve an EC slot to explain what i did? it is listed on my transcript, but only as "internship in exercise science".

lastly, how important would it be to list a leadership conference i went to my freshman year? i've got more than 15 activities and i'm trying to figure out which things to choose. This obviously wasn't a huge time commitment (one full day) but i didn't know how admissions committees view these types of things.

thanks!

 

[Dushuodai]

should we bunch research, publication in journal, and presentation of different abstract/poster at national conference, all under one activity or give it three separate listings to emphasize each accomplishment

specifically for my case, i have no more important items to enter, right now im at 13 total, if i bunch it into one it will be 10, with one really long description

 

[LizzyM]

this is in response to the product tester EC question...

i sort of already have running as an activity as part of another EC, because i ran a marathon to raise money for cancer. should i still list running/shoe testing as another ec? or tie it into this?

on a related note, how would you classify that (running marathon for charity above) and Relay for Life (a 24-hr team walk to raise money for cancer)? i wasn't sure if money-raising events would be considered "community service (nonmedical)" or an "extracurricular" or simply just "other."

Personally, I really *hate* those "running a marathon to raise money" things. Particularly when you are getting a slot in a marathon that you wouldn't otherwise get into and/or months of coaching in exchange for the fund-raising. Say you run and that you've run a marathon but don't expect me to give you a cookie because you did what you were likely to do anyway plus used it as a means of getting people to donate money to charity (and what proportion of the funds actually goes to the charity -- often it is an embarassing low percentage?). Ok, now you know my bias... other adcoms may have a different take on this subject.

also, i did an unpaid internship for class credit. would this deserve an EC slot to explain what i did? it is listed on my transcript, but only as "internship in exercise science".

If it is on your transcript, it is redundant to put it in the experience section. You can work it into the secondary essays or the interview, if it fits with what you are asked.

lastly, how important would it be to list a leadership conference i went to my freshman year? i've got more than 15 activities and i'm trying to figure out which things to choose. This obviously wasn't a huge time commitment (one full day) but i didn't know how admissions committees view these types of things.

Spendind a day at a conference is not impressive (if you presented at the conference, that's another story). The proof of the pudding is in the eating... did you become a leader or a better leader thanks to what you learned at the conference. List the leadership roles you held and that will demonstrate to the adcoms that you are leadership material.

 

[slcdoc]

First of all, I love all the info on these threads. Anyways, I am a little confused with something. I am applying SOON and would love some insight.

I was a TA for a physiology class in the spring and am going to return in the fall (after I apply).

For the time I stopped being a TA, should I put until present? Or should I put the last day of spring semester as my end date and explain in the box that I am taking the summer off and will return in the fall?

Also, if I volunteered somewhere for 2 years and took a 3 month leave of absence during those two years, do I have to mention that in the box where I explain the activity. I just don't want to be too wordy.

 

[LizzyM]

First of all, I love all the info on these threads. Anyways, I am a little confused with something. I am applying SOON and would love some insight.

I was a TA for a physiology class in the spring and am going to return in the fall (after I apply).

For the time I stopped being a TA, should I put until present? Or should I put the last day of spring semester as my end date and explain in the box that I am taking the summer off and will return in the fall?

Also, if I volunteered somewhere for 2 years and took a 3 month leave of absence during those two years, do I have to mention that in the box where I explain the activity. I just don't want to be too wordy.

List the 2 year time frame and use the explanation section to state briefly that you took 3 mos off. This avoids any confusion if you spent those 3 mos elsewhere or if it is otherwise obvious that you couldn't have been there for 2 solid years.

In regard to the other, just show what you have done & in the explanation section you can say that you expect to go back in Sept.

 

[kateycat]

Personally, I really *hate* those "running a marathon to raise money" things. Particularly when you are getting a slot in a marathon that you wouldn't otherwise get into and/or months of coaching in exchange for the fund-raising. Say you run and that you've run a marathon but don't expect me to give you a cookie because you did what you were likely to do anyway plus used it as a means of getting people to donate money to charity (and what proportion of the funds actually goes to the charity -- often it is an embarassing low percentage?). Ok, now you know my bias... other adcoms may have a different take on this subject.

😱 yikes. i don't know how to approach this now. i mean yes, i run, but more along the lines of 3-4 miles a day, not 26. being an ex sci major i was my own coach basically because i wanted see if i could apply my knowledge and train myself. also 75% of the money went to the charity, is this high enough to mention? what should i say to make this sound more favorable? and should i go with the "other" category for classification? or would it be better to include it as a detail of my running hobby instead?

 

[zephyrgale]

Hi. I was reading about making sure you don't have gaps in your ECs and was wondering if I should include this: I spent the last two summers helping out in my sister's chiropractic office because she just started out and needed help. The thing is, the doctor is my sister. So will that be alright as an item? Thanks!

 

[87138]

Good call. You can always add in the explanation that you received course credit for volunteer work at the same site during the period from x to y.

Just to clarify, are you recommending that I list the starting date as the date I was hired with pay, and then just mention in the description that I worked as an intern in the same capacity for 4 months roughly a year before that?

 

[greg1184]

http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/careerservices/gradprof/healthprof/amcasfaq.html
This site mentions you can list Dean's list since requirements are different for each school.


http://www.brown.edu/Administration/Dean_of_the_College/hco/applicants/process.php#activities%20list
This site also has a guideline in writing the work/activities list. It shows an example entry with a description in paragraph form. It also mentions that you can add personal experience if you want to.

Goes to show, it depends on who you are talking to. Since you can only submit one AMCAS and there is all of this conflicting advice, I would write in a way you feel most comfortable with.

 

[FurmanJon]

LizzyM,

I participated in a group of peer health educators during my undergrad that (among other things) facilitated classes and information sessions related to health/medical topics. Is this Medical/Clinical?

Thanks!

 

[2008orbust]

http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/careerservices/gradprof/healthprof/amcasfaq.html
This site mentions you can list Dean's list since requirements are different for each school.


http://www.brown.edu/Administration/Dean_of_the_College/hco/applicants/process.php#activities list
This site also has a guideline in writing the work/activities list. It shows an example entry with a description in paragraph form. It also mentions that you can add personal experience if you want to.

Goes to show, it depends on who you are talking to. Since you can only submit one AMCAS and there is all of this conflicting advice, I would write in a way you feel most comfortable with.

THANKS! I liked the links. I had spoken to an ADCOM and the former dean of admissions at my number one choice school and they said "USE ALL THE SPACE YOU HAVE, if a little kid really moved you during shadowing, then talk about it in the description, use the space but DO NOT REPEAT stories that are in your PS".

I was so glad to hear this from the school I am really banking on since advice on this topic is so varied. It seems like the different committees have very different personalities.

 

[korpifp2831]

should you ever add anything that you did in high school, I went to a big conference in Chicago, NYLF for medicine it was a big deal but i don't know if they care since its been so long ago, i was also valedvictorian but i don't know if I should put those two things, thanks

 

[LizzyM]

http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/careerservices/gradprof/healthprof/amcasfaq.html
This site mentions you can list Dean's list since requirements are different for each school.


http://www.brown.edu/Administration/Dean_of_the_College/hco/applicants/process.php#activities list
This site also has a guideline in writing the work/activities list. It shows an example entry with a description in paragraph form. It also mentions that you can add personal experience if you want to.

Goes to show, it depends on who you are talking to. Since you can only submit one AMCAS and there is all of this conflicting advice, I would write in a way you feel most comfortable with.

That advice is from pre-med offices, not from an adcom. I'm telling you what adcom members tell me, what I see impresses them (I read assessments made by a team of 10 and make my own assessments) and what they beef about when we get together for adcom meetings. Too wordy was a major complaint last season (when AMCAS increased the number of characters permitted in the EC section). No one seems to be impressed by Dean's List. You can include it but it won't impress us and we do see your list of courses & grades -- what do we care if a 3.77 is or isn't "Dean's List"?

 

[LizzyM]

should you ever add anything that you did in high school, I went to a big conference in Chicago, NYLF for medicine it was a big deal but i don't know if they care since its been so long ago, i was also valedvictorian but i don't know if I should put those two things, thanks

NYLF is not a big deal. It is summer camp for h.s. kids who are interested in medicine (or whose parents are interested in it ). Neither that nor valedictorian of your HS class belongs on the list of experiences since H.S.

 

[LizzyM]

LizzyM,

I participated in a group of peer health educators during my undergrad that (among other things) facilitated classes and information sessions related to health/medical topics. Is this Medical/Clinical?

Thanks!

I would consider the provision of health education to individuals or small groups to be "clinical". If you can tie it in to knowing how to motivate people to change behaviors/continue with good behaviors and how this may relate to providing preventive care as a physician or communicating clearly with patients in the future, then all the better.

 

[LizzyM]

Just to clarify, are you recommending that I list the starting date as the date I was hired with pay, and then just mention in the description that I worked as an intern in the same capacity for 4 months roughly a year before that?

Yes, you could also tie it back to the listing on your transcript.

 

[LizzyM]

Hi. I was reading about making sure you don't have gaps in your ECs and was wondering if I should include this: I spent the last two summers helping out in my sister's chiropractic office because she just started out and needed help. The thing is, the doctor is my sister. So will that be alright as an item? Thanks!

Sure. Many people help in a parent's office.

 

[LizzyM]

😱 yikes. i don't know how to approach this now. i mean yes, i run, but more along the lines of 3-4 miles a day, not 26. being an ex sci major i was my own coach basically because i wanted see if i could apply my knowledge and train myself. also 75% of the money went to the charity, is this high enough to mention? what should i say to make this sound more favorable? and should i go with the "other" category for classification? or would it be better to include it as a detail of my running hobby instead?

Why isn't listing running as a hobby enough? List it and say you ran a marathon in [location] on [date]and completed in [hours/minutes].

I would add that writing grant proposals is a different kettle of fish ... if you managed to obtain a grant from a foundation for a not-for-profit organization (a homeless shelter or after school program or free clinc) that's different than asking people for charitable donations in conjunction with an athletic/social event.

 

[medking]

How about listing eagle scout as an award? I completed and received the honor in August after graduating high school in June.

 

[LizzyM]

How about listing eagle scout as an award? I completed and received the honor in August after graduating high school in June.

This has been discussed in the past. I know of a few adcom members who gets a lot of applications with "Eagle Scout" listed (listing it seems to be a regional thing) and they aren't impressed (and even comment negatively).

If you did your service activity after HS graduation, then you could list that as "leadership" and mention in the remarks section that you were awarded the Eagle Scout honor for your efforts. If the service project was done while you were in HS then it doesn't belong on the application regardless of when the Court of Honor was held.

What you learned/achieved as a Boy Scout should extend on to what you do as an adult. Those are the things that go on the application for medical school.

 

[greg1184]

That advice is from pre-med offices, not from an adcom. I'm telling you what adcom members tell me, what I see impresses them (I read assessments made by a team of 10 and make my own assessments) and what they beef about when we get together for adcom meetings. Too wordy was a major complaint last season (when AMCAS increased the number of characters permitted in the EC section). No one seems to be impressed by Dean's List. You can include it but it won't impress us and we do see your list of courses & grades -- what do we care if a 3.77 is or isn't "Dean's List"?

Don't get me wrong, LizzyM. My post wasn't really targeted at you. I really appreciate you spending time on these boards giving outstanding information regarding the admissions process. You give amazing insight. I am just noting how there might be differences in opinion on this issue. I do agree that one should keep it simple and avoid hyperbole on these entries.

 

[LAGrl]

LizzyM,

I only have 5 items listed for work/acitivites section, but they are commitments I have dedicated a lot of time into. Do you think this will hurt me in the end?

Also, I worked at my university's library for only a quarter (3 months), do you think I should add this? I kinda wanted admissions to see that I've worked all throughout my years in college. Although I worked at the library for only 3 months, I wanted to add it to make the point that there wasn't a time when I wasn't working. (I have to make money because I'm an international student with no financial aid) Let me know what you think! THANKS SO MUCH!!! I really appreciate the time and effort.

 

[LizzyM]

LizzyM,

I only have 5 items listed for work/acitivites section, but they are commitments I have dedicated a lot of time into. Do you think this will hurt me in the end?

Also, I worked at my university's library for only a quarter (3 months), do you think I should add this? I kinda wanted admissions to see that I've worked all throughout my years in college. Although I worked at the library for only 3 months, I wanted to add it to make the point that there wasn't a time when I wasn't working. (I have to make money because I'm an international student with no financial aid) Let me know what you think! THANKS SO MUCH!!! I really appreciate the time and effort.

Five long-term activities are fine. If adding the library job makes it 6 - that's fine. It makes a good point, too.

 

[bbg4321]

how should you list lab work?

like this:

1.) Dr. John Doe's Lab

or

2.) Oncology Research Lab (and put the pi's name in the contact and description?)

 

[LizzyM]

how should you list lab work?

like this:

1.) Dr. John Doe's Lab

or

2.) Oncology Research Lab (and put the pi's name in the contact and description?)

#2.

 

[SBBunny]

So, let's see if I have this right: the activities section is supposed to tell medical schools what you've done outside of class. The description should account for any variations in the hours that you spent, to give a sense of what your time commitment was. If they want to know why you did it, how it has impacted your life, or how it is relevant to medicine, they'll ask in an interview. So, this seems to be almost exactly the same as the information that a resume provides... basic duties, time commitment, and a contact person.

So, here's one example. Am I doing this right? Should I be more specific? (e.g. "I observed central line placement, dialysis, management of trauma, an emergency colonoscopy,..." and "I transported biological samples, weighed patients, filed paperwork,..."). My longest description so far is about 700 characters (working at a peer counseling hotline - I spent about 8 hrs / week, did a lot of things in the group, and went through a really intensive training process).
----
Hospital Volunteering
Description:
mm/yy - mm/yy: Pediatric Emergency Room, x hours / week
mm/yy - mm/yy: Pediatric Emergency Room, x hours / week; Adult Emergency Room, x hours / week; Intensive Care Unit, x hours / week
mm/yy - mm/yy: Intensive Care Unit, x hours / week

As a volunteer, I observed a variety of medical procedures and conditions, comforted patients, shadowed doctors, and assisted with some basic clinical and administrative tasks.
----

 

[LizzyM]

So, let's see if I have this right: the activities section is supposed to tell medical schools what you've done outside of class. The description should account for any variations in the hours that you spent, to give a sense of what your time commitment was. If they want to know why you did it, how it has impacted your life, or how it is relevant to medicine, they'll ask in an interview. So, this seems to be almost exactly the same as the information that a resume provides... basic duties, time commitment, and a contact person.

So, here's one example. Am I doing this right? ----

...

Very nice... I think you've got it!

 

[chickenlittle84]

For activities, such as honors thesis, that we got credit for, do we need to list hours/week?

(I know there is some disagreement about whether to include this or not, but not everyone at my univ. gets to write one, I was invited to apply and then selected to write one and my pre-med advisor has encouraged me to keep it on).

What about listing hours/week for a publication that resulted from my work in a class?

Thanks!

 

[LAGrl]

I volunteered at a hospital in high school, I never got the chance to go back and continue it because I ended up going to college out of state. But, I did valuable work there, do you think I should add this in, even though it was only done in high school (3 years ago)? Thanks!!! 🙂

 

[LizzyM]

For activities, such as honors thesis, that we got credit for, do we need to list hours/week?

(I know there is some disagreement about whether to include this or not, but not everyone at my univ. gets to write one, I was invited to apply and then selected to write one and my pre-med advisor has encouraged me to keep it on).

What about listing hours/week for a publication that resulted from my work in a class?

Thanks!

No hours per week needed for a publication. For a thesis, I'd leave hours per week blank - its already been counted in the credit hours you were registered for.

 

[LizzyM]

I volunteered at a hospital in high school, I never got the chance to go back and continue it because I ended up going to college out of state. But, I did valuable work there, do you think I should add this in, even though it was only done in high school (3 years ago)? Thanks!!! 🙂

Padding. What have you done lately?... as an adult?

 

[Ggnome]

This was just answered for me on another thread. In case anyone here has the same question, Lizzy suggested to put in a hobby to make things interesting and to pull out a club.

Original Qustion:

If my EC section on my AMCAS is filled with research, volunteering, clinical stuff, jobs, clubs, etc., is it bad to not have any "personal" activities on there, such as hobbies?

I have a hobby in particular that I'd like to put in, as it's really unique and I've spent a lot of time doing it, but I'd have to delete something to fit it in. Should I just save that to write about in secondaries? Thanks.

 

[kateycat]

LizzyM,

sorry if this has been asked already, but i was planning on combining all of my honor societies, awards & scholarships etc into one category. amcas requires an award date; should i list the earliest date and then in the description provide dates for the rest?

thanks! you've been really helpful 🙂