Importance of Extracurriculars for Residency apps

[pillowsnice]

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I'm an ms1 and most of my class seems to still be in the pre med mentality, I.e, trying to do as much activities as possible. I've heard this isn't necessary for residency apps, but I can't help to feel like I'm not doing much compared to my classmates. Additionally, would it be beneficial to TA for anatomy? I won't be paid as it is on a volunteer basis.

 

[NickNaylor]

The activities themselves are fairly irrelevant - no one cares. Do activities that you’re interested and enjoy, and don’t expect much else from the time beyond that.

Sometimes involvement in extracurriculars can lead to more meaningful and valuable “tangibles” which do have relevance on your application, but that’s not a guarantee. At best, involvement in extracurriculars is a small talking point, not something that is going to meaningfully affect your ranking unless the activity is truly extraordinary or somehow related to an academic pursuit.

 

[Osteoth]

Doesn't matter unless you're exemplary (state, region, national level).

 

[Redpancreas]

Ugh this is another one of those eternal questions that show up on here. I personally think SDN overplays the “only-scores/grades-matter” talking point. Yes the grades/scores are the most important by far but there is something tangible about the other stuff like leadership positions in committees, free clinics, some unique activities that you can’t really just choose to do, but are just part of who you are. Those play a role too in interviews and I refuse to believe that they’re worth nothing. Therefore, you should definitely get involved but only commit to one thing.

Of course research is usually a must for competitive specialities.

 

[doc05]

Not relevant.

Except research and involvement in your specialty of interest

 

[Keladry]

I'd say you don't have to be at the highest level, but demonstrating a continued interest in something over time is something that will stand out on residency applications. Like I had a number of experiences in teaching & medical education, which were repeatedly mentioned as a strength on my application, because I had proved that I was truly interested in teaching by doing it multiple times over the past 4 years. I'd say that having something consistent like that is more important than having one or two random experiences here or there.

 

[operaman]

Lots of threads on this topic. Some divergence of views, but a prevailing consensus that it's nothing like pre-med.

My take tends to be this:
1) Research is the most important EC, and by research I mean publications. One of the few things from medical school that still goes on your CV later. Publications are academic currency ($), so start earning some as soon as you can.
2) Beyond that, do things you actually care about. No since EC or even group of ECs are going to be make or break things for you; nobody is counting EC hours or leadership hours or whatever.

HOWEVER(!!!), you don't want your CV to be the only one that's 2 pages long! Have something to show for your time. Anything. Do things you care about since there's no bonus points for sheer numbers, but find ways to serve and involve yourself according to your own interests. I was involved in arts and music because that's my jam. I was on a couple committees for things I really cared about, was part of and helped lead a couple student groups, again for things I cared about. Had some involvement and work outside of school as well.

So nothing like pre med, but do more with your free time than Netflix.

Now back to Ozark....

 

[ortnakas]

Less important than your classmates think, more important than SDN thinks.

Do things that legitimately interest you or that give you enjoyment or fulfillment.

Boards are more important for your application, but it’s nice to have a little more to put on your ERAS and talk about at interviews. And, if it floats your boat, to have fun and keep you sane.

Edited: to add the last sentence

 

[Reveler]

Quality over quantity. Demonstrating interest in an extracurricular for several years looks a lot better than a bunch of ECs jammed into 1st year that you eventually forget about and don't continue. For instance, volunteering at a 5k race for breast cancer one weekend doesn't look as good as being a weekly volunteer for an organization for a year or more. I held leadership roles in a few national med student organizations and was asked about it on interviews. I don't think it was a make-it-or-break-it moment, but it was helpful for the situation I was in.

 

[Chillbo Baggins]

Don't discredit it. One of my buddies has a ridiculous CV in terms of volunteer, service, and leadership stuff, plus some extra degrees, and he wiped the floor with us in terms of interview invites, despite a lower step 1 than a lot of us.

 

[kindoflostandsad]

I think my leadership and other experiences outside of research grades mattered zero. I have a TON of significant "extra activities" and I kind of wish I didn't do them and just chilled or tried to push more research through instead. People in my class with zero activities and same grades as me got the same interviews.

 

[sliceofbread136]

If you can demonstrate actual tangible accomplishments in different extracurricular areas it will give your app a boost for certain specialties (mostly non-surgical from what I’ve seen). Research is of course the highest yield activity you can do

 

[siliso]

Not heavily weighted at all. However being a miserable grind with nothing to talk about except exam prep will not probably prepare you for a good interview (brief demonstration of being a pleasant person to work with), and good interviews are important. So I recommend a non instrumental approach: do things you like and want to do so you can be a pleasant satisfied person and leave “what I’m gonna get out of it” to the side.

 

[CherryRedDracul]

Become a mean cook/baker. I don't know about other residency programs, but we look favorably on applicants who can bring tasty goodies to the reading room.