Having a major, non-medicine related EC

[DendWrite]

Hi all,

Just curious if this would be looked upon unfavorably. Currently, I'm an editor for our school's paper. It sounds small, but it's a pretty involved job (about 30 hrs. per week), involves managing writers, sometimes writing stories myself, etc.

Here's my problem: I'm reasonably sure that I want to go into medicine, probably research. But as it stands, I'm only spending about 8 hrs. per week at the lab. Are med schools going to be like, hey, if he works at the paper so much, why does he even want to do medicine?

I enjoy doing the paper, but I'm not an aspiring journalist, it's just a hobby I enjoy. I'd like to continue being involved, but, next semester, should I taper off a bit (just be a writer, not an editor) and focus more on what I'm, well, actually interested in doing when I graduate?

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[kac714]

1. do what you love, not what you think will impress adcoms. it seems as though you have a leadership position- adcoms love that.
2. as long as you have medically related ECs so that you can demonstrate that you know what you're getting into, thats fine.
good luck!

 

[nogolfinsnow]

Hi all,

Just curious if this would be looked upon unfavorably. Currently, I'm an editor for our school's paper. It sounds small, but it's a pretty involved job (about 30 hrs. per week), involves managing writers, sometimes writing stories myself, etc.

Here's my problem: I'm reasonably sure that I want to go into medicine, probably research. But as it stands, I'm only spending about 8 hrs. per week at the lab. Are med schools going to be like, hey, if he works at the paper so much, why does he even want to do medicine?

I enjoy doing the paper, but I'm not an aspiring journalist, it's just a hobby I enjoy. I'd like to continue being involved, but, next semester, should I taper off a bit (just be a writer, not an editor) and focus more on what I'm, well, actually interested in doing when I graduate?

Having major, non-medicine-related ECs is great. Every application has medically related ECs, so yours stands out. But don't be lulled into thinking that you don't also need medicine-related ECs. ADCOMs will want to see that you have taken the time to explore the profession of medicine through shadowing and interacting through patients (most often in a volunteer setting, although paid clinical experience is great).

 

[DrJosephKim]

As a physician, you can always write as a hobby or even a profession (medical writing). Combine your passions and pursue your dream job.

 

[DendWrite]

I do have some medicine related ECs. I do research in the summer, and during the year I volunteer at a hospital and am an assistant in a lab. I also plan to do some shadowing.

My main concern was simply that MD/PhD programs might question my devotion to becoming a scientist if the majority of my extracurricular time is spent on a non-science activity. Thanks for the advice so far.

 

[nogolfinsnow]

I do have some medicine related ECs. I do research in the summer, and during the year I volunteer at a hospital and am an assistant in a lab. I also plan to do some shadowing.

My main concern was simply that MD/PhD programs might question my devotion to becoming a scientist if the majority of my extracurricular time is spent on a non-science activity. Thanks for the advice so far.

I still think it's a positive. Showing dedication to anything gives some insight into your ability to be dedicated to medicine/science. As an example, schools like to see ECs like music, sports, etc. They like "well-rounded" people. And you're going to spend the rest of your life in science and medicine, so don't give up on what you enjoy doing now.