How do I make myself a more interesting candidate?

[plumhill]

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I'm applying either in Summer 2015 or Summer 2016. As I go through some of the school-specific threads, it seems like a lot of people who are getting multiple II's have done something crazily unique or extraordinary. Service trips to Africa, starting a non-profit or a business, former Olympic athlete, etc. As someone who has worked two jobs all through undergrad, who hasn't studied abroad, who is *definitely* not an Olympic athlete, what are some options to make myself a more interesting, stand-out candidate? And if you're one of those applicants who has done something extraordinary, what did you do and how did you get or find that opportunity?

 

[missdr10]

Well, most of those people are probably so interesting because they're passionate about something and they went with it. You can't start a non-profit if you don't care about it. You don't just wake up one day and try to be an award winning athlete.

Look at something you're interested in and try to pursue something with it. If you really are passionate about it, it'll seem less like something you had to do for medical school admission and more like something you're doing for fun.

 

[deleted407021]

The vast majority of successful applicants don't do anything "extraordinary". It seems that for you, time is the limiting factor. Identify something you are very interested in and pursue it. The rewards will come with dedication and building of skills. For me, one of the most important things to is performing music in symphonies. With practice and work I can distinguish myself and build a reputation. Who knows where that might lead. Maybe somewhere where I can be "extraordinary"? Make time (if your grades and living arrangements don't suffer) to work on something you can really excel in outside of academics. Good luck!

 

[Jennyfishy]

It only seems like everyone does something super crazy/unique because you're on SDN 😀. Do what you love whenever possible, try to be as well-rounded as you can, and rock the skills that you've developed from having to work + anything else that you could contribute/makes you a "unique applicant" (assuming you have at least clinical and/or research experience).

 

[Wonton Soup]

Do whatever interests you, and if possible, make a club out of it. It shows initiative and passion.

 

[morphinesulfate]

Well, most of those people are probably so interesting because they're passionate about something and they went with it. You can't start a non-profit if you don't care about it. You don't just wake up one day and try to be an award winning athlete.

Look at something you're interested in and try to pursue something with it. If you really are passionate about it, it'll seem less like something you had to do for medical school admission and more like something you're doing for fun.

Seconded. Presumably, you're passionate about the things you do, so make sure that passion comes through on your PS and the rest of your application components. Be genuine in representing yourself and your interests, and you'll fare well in the process - I'd imagine adcoms would react positively to an individual they perceive to be genuine.

 

[dap]

Well, most of those people are probably so interesting because they're passionate about something and they went with it. You can't start a non-profit if you don't care about it. You don't just wake up one day and try to be an award winning athlete.

Look at something you're interested in and try to pursue something with it. If you really are passionate about it, it'll seem less like something you had to do for medical school admission and more like something you're doing for fun.

Thirded.

 

[plumhill]

It only seems like everyone does something super crazy/unique because you're on SDN 😀. Do what you love whenever possible, try to be as well-rounded as you can, and rock the skills that you've developed from having to work + anything else that you could contribute/makes you a "unique applicant" (assuming you have at least clinical and/or research experience).

That makes sense. I guess I let some of the school-specific threads get to me. Nothing like SDN to make you feel inadequate

 

[LizzyM]

Working two jobs does not make you "unique" but it is out of the ordinary. You can play up what you've learned on those jobs about teamwork, human nature, dealing with difficult people, meeting responsibilities in a time crunch, prioritizing, etc, etc. If you worked with people who were doing jobs similar to yours as a career, then add to the mix what you know about working class folks (they'll be your patients some day and to have walked in their shoes adds to how you might see things from their perspective).

Anything that might have taken you out of your comfort zone and challenged you (not schoolwork or high stakes exams but real life stuff) can also show that you have had experienes that will be valuable in the years ahead.

 

[Jonathan Berry]

I have been working at my local areas Eye Bank for a few months now. It's a job that is definitely out of the ordinary for applicants and looks really great from what my office and professors who have seen many go this route have told me. I go to hospitals, coroners offices, and funerals homes to excise corneas and whole eyes from donor cadavers. The job entails learning aseptic technique, whole body exams, medical record reading, surgical scrubbing, lots of procedure, disease identification, and in situ corneal excision and whole eye enucleation. It's a fantastic and fulfilling job to say the least. I'd say google your area's Eye Bank and send in an application.

It takes a strong gut at times because you see and deal with some very crazy things.. and its worth it every time knowing how well this prepares you for the future.

 

[Mt Kilimanjaro]

I'm applying either in Summer 2015 or Summer 2016. As I go through some of the school-specific threads, it seems like a lot of people who are getting multiple II's have done something crazily unique or extraordinary. Service trips to Africa, starting a non-profit or a business, former Olympic athlete, etc. As someone who has worked two jobs all through undergrad, who hasn't studied abroad, who is *definitely* not an Olympic athlete, what are some options to make myself a more interesting, stand-out candidate? And if you're one of those applicants who has done something extraordinary, what did you do and how did you get or find that opportunity?

I just want to jump into the fray and say that the bolded is neither unique nor extraordinary.

If I had it to do over again, I would graduate college, then do some sort of organized 1-2 year service position like Americorps, Peace Corps, TFA, Fulbright English teaching, internship at a nonprofit (look on idealist.org). Much lower on the list would be research tech, scribing, etc. Any of these gives you a non-college perspective on life, a steady income and time to mature and put together a solid application that goes out on day one of the cycle.

 

[GoPelicans]

If you're just a normal person, the only way you can really distinguish yourself is by having an excellent cookie-cutter app... 3.9+, 37+, well-rounded EC's, etc. In my personal (and admittedly limited) experience, 90% of very successful applicants are just exceptional students who knew what EC's they needed to do.

 

[Captain Sisko]

I just want to jump into the fray and say that the bolded is neither unique nor extraordinary.

If I had it to do over again, I would graduate college, then do some sort of organized 1-2 year service position like Americorps, Peace Corps, TFA, Fulbright English teaching, internship at a nonprofit (look on idealist.org). Much lower on the list would be research tech, scribing, etc. Any of these gives you a non-college perspective on life, a steady income and time to mature and put together a solid application that goes out on day one of the cycle.

To add to the list, if you're interested, join the military. Serve your country with some good benefits when you're done. I didn't do it myself, but the vets that I know are some of the most put together people I've met. I get the feeling you learn a lot in the service.