How to name activities?

[kurite]

Do I need to make the names for my activities/work very formal? An example is that I worked in a lab as a lab assistant so should I put lab assistant or undergraduate work experience?

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[Catalystik]

Do I need to make the names for my activities/work very formal? An example is that I worked in a lab as a lab assistant so should I put lab assistant or undergraduate work experience?

From the Official AMCAS Work/Activities Tips thread, post #3:
If your position comes with a title, you can use that if it reflects what you do adequately, eg, Vice President of a Student Rockclimbing Association (especially if the name of the organization is Hawkeye Mountain Goats, which doesn't tell us enough). Or, Research Affiliate, vs Research Associate, vs Research Tech, vs Researcher on Infant Cognition Project.

-If you are a general member of an organization and will hold a higher office in the future, since it can't be listed under Leadership on its own before you start the position, you can sneak it into the application with the title you pick, eg: General Member and President-Elect of Campus Recycling Initiative.

-If the activity covers two categories, since you can only designate one, in some instances you might choose a name that conveys the other designation. For example, Research/Lab can be paid, volunteer, or via class credit. Unless you are washing glassware, you might decide to select Research/Lab so it won't be overlooked, but could title the activity Animal Handler for Smith Lab through Work/Study Program. Exception: If your research activity earns class credit, the transcript will speak to this so it isn't necessary to repeat the information.

-If you are grouping multiple similar activities together to save space, be sure the title you pick encompases all of them, eg, Summer Camp Volunteerism, or College Seasonal Employment, or E-Publications of Graphic Novels, or Searchable Published Abstracts, or Leisuretime Activities, or Undergraduate Recognitions, or Fraternity Involvement.

-If the activity does not come with a title, try to convey its essence so a skimmer is more likely to read the entire entry. Instead of Runner, perhaps title the Hobby activity Marathoner, 235th Place. Instead of Band Member, perhaps First Chair Clarinetist in XXXCity Orchestra. Instead of Telephone Operator, perhaps Communication Facilitator and Emergency Response Expert. Instead of Tutor, perhaps Chemistry Tutor through Office of Minority Affairs.

-Try not to repeat the Organization name in the title you give the activity.
Instead of: Experience name: President of Pre-Medical Society; Organization: Pre-Med Society

For Organization name , you could use AED spelled out, Office of Collegiate Affairs (or whatever dept oversees all student organizations), or your school name.

 

[Mad Jack]

Do I need to make the names for my activities/work very formal? An example is that I worked in a lab as a lab assistant so should I put lab assistant or undergraduate work experience?

Lab assistant. Treat the AMCAS like a resume.