how do schools check credibility

[woodhorse22]

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I have a question on how do schools really check if an applicant who has listed on his med school apps that he volunteered x number of hours has really volunteered x number of hours? Do schools call the coordinator or they just believe the applicant? I am guessing they just go with believing the applicant since they receive thousands of apps in one time. Also, I shadowed an ER doctor all last summer and now I am shadowing a gen. surgeon and will probably contine the entire summer. I might also shadow a family practitioner. For example, I shadowed the ER doctor at the hospital. Will the schools specifically call the hospital to really check that I did so or will they contact the doctor whom I shadowed. .. . I mean how will this work????? When i fill out on my apps should I write down the phone number of the doctor I shadowed or the number of the facility that I shadowed at? The dotors I shadowed are willing to write a LOR for me too, so will that be enough? THanks.

 

[kevster2001]

I think schools will check if your app starts looking fishy. My premed advisor told me a guy made up some thing he did in India and Duke Med called him on it after he had been accepted. They told him to produce evidence that he did it or "else". He ended up withdrawing his acceptance.

 

[MossPoh]

I was curious about the same kind of stuff. I have a while to apply but I was wondering what kind of information is required when you say you shadowed. I mean as of now I'm avoiding counting some kind of stuff although it is somewhat legit I feel they will look and see it is my dad and kind of wave it as nothing. Which is a shame because god only knows how many hours I've spent in the hospital or by his side watching procedures, being shown xrays, ct's and what not.

 

[8744]

Hi.

They most certainly do check on your extracurricular activities. My medical school has a verificaton office that does nothing but verify everything you list on your AMCAS application. Fortunately they are kind of short-staffed because of budget cuts so if you play your cards right, delay submitting your application to the last minute, and use a little common sense the odds are that they won’t get around to checking your extracurriculars until you are well into first year at which time, possesion being nine-tenths of the law, it will be very difficult to dislodge you.

I listed myself as “Native American” and even described some of the suffering of my people in my personal statement. I’m not really a Native American except in the loosest sense as I was born here so technically I am a native American. One day towards the end of first year I got an irate email from the registrar inviting me to explain to the verification committee how I could possibly make this claim.

As soon as I walked into the registrar’s office I let out a blood-curdling shriek, charged his desk, and touched him with my coup stick…you know…just to establish my tribal cred’.

“We prefer to be called Indians,” I said as I adjusted my loin cloth and sat down, “And I don’t know how those people from Calcutta or Bombay get away with calling themselves Indians either. It’s shameful and I don‘t think they‘re fooling anybody.”

The registrar politely inquired as to when we they would get my tribal certificate from the Bureau of Indian Affairs who had claimed to have never heard of me.

“I don’t need the white man’s worthless paper,” I replied fixing him with what I hoped was a don’t-give-me-your-small-pox-infected-blanket stare, “Or the white man’s laws, the white man’s unnatural technology, or the white man’s corrupt political system.”

“Hey, is that some of the white man’s coffee? Mind if I get a cup?”

Apparently the North Dakota Sioux of which tribe I may or may not have claimed membership had never heard of me either.

“Did you call my Uncle John Raging Pony? He’s the chief, you know.” Actually my uncle John couldn’t chief his way out of a paper bag. We only call him Raging Pony because he drinks a lot of Malt Liquor. But he lives in North Dakota. In a trailer. With no phone which is not really my problem.

“Oh, and my tribal name is Turgid Ferret.”

The registrar insisted that there was no record as far as they could tell of my belonging to any tribe in the United States.

“Well, there’s yer’ problem Great White Father. Our ancestral homeland straddles the border with Canada. We actually spend most of our time in Alberta. More bison, you understand”

Very pained look from the registrar. I could see he didn’t relish negotiating Canada’s incredibly primitive phone system. Plus he doesn’t speak French so talking to the Canadians was going to be a problem. Always pick a third world country for your extracurriculars. It slows the verification process.

“Well, if that’s all I’ll be on way,” I said prying my tomahawk from his desk, “I go now to commune with the spirits of my ancestors over the traditional frothy coffee drink of my people.”

The medical school admission process is tough. You have to be smart and you have to keep your options open.

Glad I could help

 

[baylormed]

What about stuff that doesn't really have anyone for them to contact....

for example, I was a Spanish tutor (independently) and had several students, so the only contact info I can give them is for them to call ME.

Also, I did ESL tutoring in my college, but it was more of "if you would like to help, show up and make yourself useful" kind of thing, and I showed up regularly. There was never anyone there to take attendance, number of hours, etc. Can I put myself in the contact info?

I also showed up for a campus-wide volunteering event every semester, which is also "show up if you want to" kind of thing, so no attendance is ever taken, and there are no records to show the names/hrs of all participants. Again, am I and I alone the contact info?

How do we deal with those things?

 

[MossPoh]

Panda... a bit bored were we? 😛

 

[phospho]

Hi.

They most certainly do check on your extracurricular activities. My medical school has a verificaton office that does nothing but verify everything you list on your AMCAS application. Fortunately they are kind of short-staffed because of budget cuts so if you play your cards right, delay submitting your application to the last minute, and use a little common sense the odds are that they won’t get around to checking your extracurriculars until you are well into first year at which time, possesion being nine-tenths of the law, it will be very difficult to dislodge you.

I listed myself as “Native American” and even described some of the suffering of my people in my personal statement. I’m not really a Native American except in the loosest sense as I was born here so technically I am a native American. One day towards the end of first year I got an irate email from the registrar inviting me to explain to the verification committee how I could possibly make this claim.

As soon as I walked into the registrar’s office I let out a blood-curdling shriek, charged his desk, and touched him with my coup stick…you know…just to establish my tribal cred’.

“We prefer to be called Indians,” I said as I adjusted my loin cloth and sat down, “And I don’t know how those people from Calcutta or Bombay get away with calling themselves Indians either. It’s shameful and I don‘t think they‘re fooling anybody.”

The registrar politely inquired as to when we they would get my tribal certificate from the Bureau of Indian Affairs who had claimed to have never heard of me.

“I don’t need the white man’s worthless paper,” I replied fixing him with what I hoped was a don’t-give-me-your-small-pox-infected-blanket stare, “Or the white man’s laws, the white man’s unnatural technology, or the white man’s corrupt political system.”

“Hey, is that some of the white man’s coffee? Mind if I get a cup?”

Apparently the North Dakota Sioux of which tribe I may or may not have claimed membership had never heard of me either.

“Did you call my Uncle John Raging Pony? He’s the chief, you know.” Actually my uncle John couldn’t chief his way out of a paper bag. We only call him Raging Pony because he drinks a lot of Malt Liquor. But he lives in North Dakota. In a trailer. With no phone which is not really my problem.

“Oh, and my tribal name is Turgid Ferret.”

The registrar insisted that there was no record as far as they could tell of my belonging to any tribe in the United States.

“Well, there’s yer’ problem Great White Father. Our ancestral homeland straddles the border with Canada. We acutally send most of our time in Alberta. More bison, you understand”

Very pained look from the registrar. I could see he didn’t relish negotiating Canada’s incredibly primitive phone system. Plus he doesn’t speak French so talking to the Canadians was going to be a problem. Always pick a third world country for your extracurriculars. It slows the verification process.

“Well, if that’s all I’ll be on way,” I said prying my tomahawk from his desk, “I go now to commune with the spirits of my ancestors over the traditional frothy coffee drink of my people.”

The medical school admission process is tough. You have to be smart and you have to keep your options open.

Glad I could help

haha, ****ing hilarious!

 

[8744]

Panda... a bit bored were we? 😛

Oh, not at all. I am moving to Michigan in a few days, my Family Medicine Program just folded like a cheap suit, one of my dogs is very sick and wont survive the trip, and we have been packing our large household for the last two weeks.

I'll also be starting intern year all over again on July first so no, I am not bored. It would be nice to be bored for change. I have not been bored since I came to Duke last year. I've been tired and occasionally disgusted, certainly demoralized now and then, but never bored.

 

[riceman04]

yeah I did ESL too!

What about stuff that doesn't really have anyone for them to contact....

for example, I was a Spanish tutor (independently) and had several students, so the only contact info I can give them is for them to call ME.

Also, I did ESL tutoring in my college, but it was more of "if you would like to help, show up and make yourself useful" kind of thing, and I showed up regularly. There was never anyone there to take attendance, number of hours, etc. Can I put myself in the contact info?

I also showed up for a campus-wide volunteering event every semester, which is also "show up if you want to" kind of thing, so no attendance is ever taken, and there are no records to show the names/hrs of all participants. Again, am I and I alone the contact info?

How do we deal with those things?

 

[Anastasis]

I also showed up for a campus-wide volunteering event every semester, which is also "show up if you want to" kind of thing, so no attendance is ever taken, and there are no records to show the names/hrs of all participants. Again, am I and I alone the contact info?

How do we deal with those things?

Hey I did Replant at A&M and I just left the contact stuff blank for the same reasons. I don't think it's a big deal if a simple search of Baylor's website will come up with a hit explaining the event.

 

[8744]

Hi.

I also claimed to speak a foreign language. The problem with this is, obviously, that someone who interviews you might actually speak the language and want to bust out with you, his homie, in his native language.

So Spanish is definitely out. Although the possibility is remote, I have heard that some members of admission committees (and even some doctors if you can believe it) speak a little Spanish.

I picked "Walloon" as my language and, wouldn't you know it, one of my interviewers was from the Low Countries and started jabbering at me the minute I walked into his office.

That's when I played my trump card and had a full-blown Grand Mal seizure. They took me to the Emergency Department and I was post-ictal until the end of that particular interview slot. But it's cool. I had devoted some of my personal statement to how I had fought and overcome epilepsy to achieve my goal of Medical School so I had them in check.

Like I said. You have to think quick and be prepared.

Glad I could help.

 

[Mister Pie]

Hi.

I also claimed to speak a foreign language. The problem with this is, obviously, that someone who interviews you might actually speak the language and want to bust out with you, his homie, in his native language.

So Spanish is definitely out. Although the possibility is remote, I have heard that some members of admission committees (and even some doctors if you can believe it) speak a little Spanish.

I picked "Walloon" as my language and, wouldn't you know it, one of my interviewers was from the Low Countries and started jabbering at me the minute I walked into his office.

That's when I played my trump card and had a full-blown Grand Mal seizure. They took me to the Emergency Department and I was post-ictal until the end of that particular interview slot. But it's cool. I had devoted some of my personal statement to how I had fought and overcome epilepsy to achieve my goal of Medical School so I had them in check.

Like I said. You have to think quick and be prepared.

Glad I could help.

Hahaha... your storytelling abilities are unparalleled!

 

[DrBowtie]

Everyone just gave me a weird look for laughing out loud at this.

Well done Panda.

 

[UMP]

wow.... just wow...

 

[tictaq]

I'm sure adcoms look to your LOR's in your secondary apps to verify if you have done those activities

 

[politik]

Panda Bear--you are the Best!!!!!!!

 

[kia ora]

Oh, not at all. I am moving to Michigan in a few days, my Family Medicine Program just folded like a cheap suit, one of my dogs is very sick and wont survive the trip, and we have been packing our large household for the last two weeks.

I'll also be starting intern year all over again on July first so no, I am not bored. It would be nice to be bored for change. I have not been bored since I came to Duke last year. I've been tired and occasionally disgusted, certainly demoralized now and then, but never bored.

I wouldn't call him bored, just creative and damn funny! I thank you, Panda Bear, for giving me my first laugh of the day (and it's only 8:15am)

I've never actually heard of anyone moving *to* Michigan (I grew up there and couldn't wait to get away) but good luck to you. and I'm sorry about your pup.

 

[greytmedic]

Hi.

They most certainly do check on your extracurricular activities. My medical school has a verificaton office that does nothing but verify everything you list on your AMCAS application. Fortunately they are kind of short-staffed because of budget cuts so if you play your cards right, delay submitting your application to the last minute, and use a little common sense the odds are that they won’t get around to checking your extracurriculars until you are well into first year at which time, possesion being nine-tenths of the law, it will be very difficult to dislodge you.

I listed myself as “Native American” and even described some of the suffering of my people in my personal statement. I’m not really a Native American except in the loosest sense as I was born here so technically I am a native American. One day towards the end of first year I got an irate email from the registrar inviting me to explain to the verification committee how I could possibly make this claim.

As soon as I walked into the registrar’s office I let out a blood-curdling shriek, charged his desk, and touched him with my coup stick…you know…just to establish my tribal cred’.

“We prefer to be called Indians,” I said as I adjusted my loin cloth and sat down, “And I don’t know how those people from Calcutta or Bombay get away with calling themselves Indians either. It’s shameful and I don‘t think they‘re fooling anybody.”

The registrar politely inquired as to when we they would get my tribal certificate from the Bureau of Indian Affairs who had claimed to have never heard of me.

“I don’t need the white man’s worthless paper,” I replied fixing him with what I hoped was a don’t-give-me-your-small-pox-infected-blanket stare, “Or the white man’s laws, the white man’s unnatural technology, or the white man’s corrupt political system.”

“Hey, is that some of the white man’s coffee? Mind if I get a cup?”

Apparently the North Dakota Sioux of which tribe I may or may not have claimed membership had never heard of me either.

“Did you call my Uncle John Raging Pony? He’s the chief, you know.” Actually my uncle John couldn’t chief his way out of a paper bag. We only call him Raging Pony because he drinks a lot of Malt Liquor. But he lives in North Dakota. In a trailer. With no phone which is not really my problem.

“Oh, and my tribal name is Turgid Ferret.”

The registrar insisted that there was no record as far as they could tell of my belonging to any tribe in the United States.

“Well, there’s yer’ problem Great White Father. Our ancestral homeland straddles the border with Canada. We actually spend most of our time in Alberta. More bison, you understand”

Very pained look from the registrar. I could see he didn’t relish negotiating Canada’s incredibly primitive phone system. Plus he doesn’t speak French so talking to the Canadians was going to be a problem. Always pick a third world country for your extracurriculars. It slows the verification process.

“Well, if that’s all I’ll be on way,” I said prying my tomahawk from his desk, “I go now to commune with the spirits of my ancestors over the traditional frothy coffee drink of my people.”

The medical school admission process is tough. You have to be smart and you have to keep your options open.

Glad I could help

Good advice, Panda (AKA Turgid Ferret), I will definately use it in the future. Oh by the way, it's "Black Medicine Water" not coffee.

 

[ND2005]

I'm hesitant to bring this thread back to seriousness, but anyways...

The main method of verification that schools have is the interview. There definitely are people who've had the interviewer come at them with Spanish or French if they noted that they were fluent. Pretty much all my interviews wanted to know about my ECs, and I'm sure if I'd just been BS-ing they would have pressed me on it some more.

 

[AggieJohn]

I do think Panda's posts are funny. But, I also think its sad that (s)he has enough free time to look for posts to derail and then do so in essay format.

 

[8744]

I do think Panda's posts are funny. But, I also think its sad that (s)he has enough free time to look for posts to derail and then do so in essay format.

Oh no. It doesn't require a lot of free time at all. I'm not exactly writing the great American novel here. Sarcasm flows from me as easily as sweat from a fat chick.

Not to mention that I actually do have lot of free time as I am done at Duke on Friday, am not really doing anything except swatting ineffectually at the bureacracy, and I don't start in Michigan until July 1st.

Plus I'm sort of leading an underground revolt against the sappiness of the admisson process. People who use phrases like "top tier medical school" will definitely be the first ones agianst the wall when the revolution comes.


"Black medicine water." Now that's funny.