I have a few experiences that are kind of "unique" (not the common cookie cutter premed stuff) but I'm sure there are some other applicants have done them before. I'm passionate about these experiences but there are thousands of premeds who are passionate about their experiences. How do I make myself "stand out" if ADCOMs have seen it all before?
If ADCOMs have seen it all before...how do we stand out?
- Thread starter kk123
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Make your story fit within the goals of the institution and the kind of applicants they're looking for. Be insightful and be able to articulate your reasons for going into medicine as well as the experiences you've had that you think demonstrate those reasons well.
You're right that experiences are a dime a dozen and something that is truly unique/novel is a rarity. What is rare, though, is the applicant that is able to speak intelligently, genuinely, and concisely about why they want to be a doctor, what led them to believe that, and what they want to do once they get there.
You're right that experiences are a dime a dozen and something that is truly unique/novel is a rarity. What is rare, though, is the applicant that is able to speak intelligently, genuinely, and concisely about why they want to be a doctor, what led them to believe that, and what they want to do once they get there.
It is true they have seen everything - from Olympic athletes to people who have worked for NASA and other top companies. They at least want to see you are pushed towards the field of medicine so make sure you have that.
What makes you really stand out is how you respond and act towards the field of medicine. Everybody's story is different, and that is what you have to emphasize and show to the ADCOMs out there. Everyone goes through the same phase of "I want to be a doctor", but at the same time everybody responds to that in a different manner. Show them how your response is unique and different - that is what they are looking for.
What makes you really stand out is how you respond and act towards the field of medicine. Everybody's story is different, and that is what you have to emphasize and show to the ADCOMs out there. Everyone goes through the same phase of "I want to be a doctor", but at the same time everybody responds to that in a different manner. Show them how your response is unique and different - that is what they are looking for.
echoing what is above.
it's all about once in a lifetime opportunities. i think LORs can play a big role. if you can get a really solid LOR from an MD/DO, professor, research advisor, then an EC contact and they are all really solid with years and years for them to talk about, then I think as long as everything else is solid you stand a really good chance.
everyone volunteers in a clinic somewhere... but not everyone volunteers in a memory unit at a nursing home that ultimately led them to want to pursue geriatric medicine and/or a scientific medicine career w/ alzheimers research.
it's all about how everything comes together as a whole. think of everyone's apps as a jigsaw puzzle. everyone usually has almost all of the same pieces, but when they all come together it can either be a mona lisa puzzle or a pile of garbage puzzle.
it's all about once in a lifetime opportunities. i think LORs can play a big role. if you can get a really solid LOR from an MD/DO, professor, research advisor, then an EC contact and they are all really solid with years and years for them to talk about, then I think as long as everything else is solid you stand a really good chance.
everyone volunteers in a clinic somewhere... but not everyone volunteers in a memory unit at a nursing home that ultimately led them to want to pursue geriatric medicine and/or a scientific medicine career w/ alzheimers research.
it's all about how everything comes together as a whole. think of everyone's apps as a jigsaw puzzle. everyone usually has almost all of the same pieces, but when they all come together it can either be a mona lisa puzzle or a pile of garbage puzzle.
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You're right, adcoms see a wide spectrum of applicants, but it's important to realize that everyone is in the same boat. If the EC/hobby is something adcoms don't see everyday on an application, consider that a big plus. If it's something you're passionate about, then even better.
What kinds of experiences are you referring to?
What kinds of experiences are you referring to?
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Almost nothing is unique anymore. You don't have to be unique, you just have to be sincere, and be able to articulate yourself sincerely and intelligently.
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Unfortunately (or more like fortunately), I encountered quite a few good looking women at interviews.
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I second being yourself.
And trust me there is such a thing as being too unique.
And trust me there is such a thing as being too unique.
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It's better to accept it early on that you likely won't be "unique," and instead make smart strategic choices. The most important things above ECs are your grades and MCAT. If your stats are terrible, ECs won't help you. As for ECs, make sure thatyour volunteering has longevity. Thus, you want to make sure you start early in your college career, so that you have at least 200+ hours when you apply.
The best ECs are the ones that will rack up a lot of hours, yet still offer maximum flexibility for study time and free time, thus allowing you to get the best possible stats. If you want to try and score more uniqueness points, I would recommend piggy-backing a sporadic non-clinical volunteer experience on top of a weekly clinical volunteer experience. The clinical volunteering will get your foot in the door, while the non-clinical will provide interesting talking points for your PS and interviews. Remember, ADCOMs have seen just about anything and everything. Unless you're an astronaut, Fortune 500 CEO, a famous athlete, or something similar, then you won't be very unique. If you start a successful non-profit, you might be considred unique.
Oh, and make sure you mention hobbies too.
At the end of the day, very few applicants would have actually done these things had it not been for medical school admissions. I don't see why people on SDN try to make others feel guilty for box-checking. The end goal is medical school. That's the only thing that matters, not the journey. At the end of the day, you'll be sitting in the same seat as your fellow classmate. Whether you did six volunteer experiences or two, it's all the same. If you spent too much time trying to be "unique" and let your grades and MCAT slide to the point where you couldn't be admitted, well then sorry to say, but um... You failed! In that case, the whole "journey" everyone seems to care so much about may not only become meaningless, but can also ruin your life. I knew a few people whom this happened to, but I'm saving that for a future post. It's always better to be smart (by making good strategic choices) than unique.
The best ECs are the ones that will rack up a lot of hours, yet still offer maximum flexibility for study time and free time, thus allowing you to get the best possible stats. If you want to try and score more uniqueness points, I would recommend piggy-backing a sporadic non-clinical volunteer experience on top of a weekly clinical volunteer experience. The clinical volunteering will get your foot in the door, while the non-clinical will provide interesting talking points for your PS and interviews. Remember, ADCOMs have seen just about anything and everything. Unless you're an astronaut, Fortune 500 CEO, a famous athlete, or something similar, then you won't be very unique. If you start a successful non-profit, you might be considred unique.
Oh, and make sure you mention hobbies too.
At the end of the day, very few applicants would have actually done these things had it not been for medical school admissions. I don't see why people on SDN try to make others feel guilty for box-checking. The end goal is medical school. That's the only thing that matters, not the journey. At the end of the day, you'll be sitting in the same seat as your fellow classmate. Whether you did six volunteer experiences or two, it's all the same. If you spent too much time trying to be "unique" and let your grades and MCAT slide to the point where you couldn't be admitted, well then sorry to say, but um... You failed! In that case, the whole "journey" everyone seems to care so much about may not only become meaningless, but can also ruin your life. I knew a few people whom this happened to, but I'm saving that for a future post. It's always better to be smart (by making good strategic choices) than unique.
