In a lot of clubs, but no leadership positions.

[Double Trouble]

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I have always been a very shy person. To put is short, I hate mass social events with people I do not know. I like hanging out with my friends in a group, but its a different story with people I dont know. The clubs that I am in at school are 300+ people. As a result, I don't see myself ever attaining any leadership positions. The thing is, I don't want any leadership positions. I would rather stay in a lab by myself and conduct research instead of going to a club social or event.

This is no way affects my ability to clearly and effectively communicate information to other people in a pleasant and engaging manner. I like talking to people on an individual basis. I obviously can't put this explanation on a medical school application, so what can I do?

So I guess my question is, how important are club leadership positions in comparison to other ECs like shadowing, research, and volunteering? Are they vital? Should I just suck it and start talking to other people (even though its not my nature)?

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

Same here. I'm part of 6 clubs, I've been nominated for 4 Leadership positions but I've always turned it down because it's actually a lot of work. I'd rather overload on classes, do research, and volunteer in other places and just attend meetings. Don't get me wrong, I still do a good amount for the clubs, I just don't want that pressure to keeping setting up and calling orgs to do such and such.

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

To be completely honest, these "leadership" positions in these clubs don't really account for much. Having a leadership position in a recognized society (regional or city) or organizer of volunteering is much better.

 

[235788]

I have always been a very shy person. To put is short, I hate mass social events with people I do not know. I like hanging out with my friends in a group, but its a different story with people I dont know. The clubs that I am in at school are 300+ people. As a result, I don't see myself ever attaining any leadership positions. The thing is, I don't want any leadership positions. I would rather stay in a lab by myself and conduct research instead of going to a club social or event.

This is no way affects my ability to clearly and effectively communicate information to other people in a pleasant and engaging manner. I like talking to people on an individual basis. I obviously can't put this explanation on a medical school application, so what can I do?

So I guess my question is, how important are club leadership positions in comparison to other ECs like shadowing, research, and volunteering? Are they vital? Should I just suck it and start talking to other people (even though its not my nature)?

can you tutor or mentor?

2 things I did that were looked on positively.

 

[Double Trouble]

can you tutor or mentor?

2 things I did that were looked on positively.

Yep I currently tutor people for $$$

 

[235788]

Yep I currently tutor people for $$$

Thats a leadership position. Try to find a couple more things and you're good.


I think a non-medical volunteering position would be much more beneficial than being treasurer or something for a crappy pre-med psuedo-frat (or other organization) for 2 years or so. You'd have a lot more real experiences that you can talk about.

 

[Double Trouble]

Thats a leadership position. Try to find a couple more things and you're good.


I think a non-medical volunteering position would be much more beneficial than being treasurer or something for a crappy pre-med psuedo-frat (or other organization) for 2 years or so. You'd have a lot more real experiences that you can talk about.

Yeah plus the "future cardiothoracic surgeon" kiddies in the premed and similar clubs are so unbearably annoying

 

[dougfunnie]

Thats a leadership position. Try to find a couple more things and you're good.


I think a non-medical volunteering position would be much more beneficial than being treasurer or something for a crappy pre-med psuedo-frat (or other organization) for 2 years or so. You'd have a lot more real experiences that you can talk about.

Totally agree. Have you thought about volunteer tutoring/mentoring? That would strengthen your tutoring experience as leadership because it sounds more like mentoring that way.

Also, some people overlook leadership at what I call "silly" jobs (because you're only there to make $$). If you work part-time in a restaurant, retail store, etc, for a couple years and are promoted to an assistant manager position, that's way bigger than being club secretary.

Another good one, since you mentioned being introverted and involved with research, would be a undergrad research mentor. At my school, we have juniors and seniors who serve on panels for underclassmen interested in research and answer their questions. They even give pointers on SURF applications. If you don't have something like this at your school, find the university branch that's in charge of research, ask for the undergrad liaison, and talk to them about starting something like this. Or just do it at the department level.

 

[sector9]

I have always been a very shy person. To put is short, I hate mass social events with people I do not know. I like hanging out with my friends in a group, but its a different story with people I dont know. The clubs that I am in at school are 300+ people. As a result, I don't see myself ever attaining any leadership positions. The thing is, I don't want any leadership positions. I would rather stay in a lab by myself and conduct research instead of going to a club social or event.

This is no way affects my ability to clearly and effectively communicate information to other people in a pleasant and engaging manner. I like talking to people on an individual basis. I obviously can't put this explanation on a medical school application, so what can I do?

So I guess my question is, how important are club leadership positions in comparison to other ECs like shadowing, research, and volunteering? Are they vital? Should I just suck it and start talking to other people (even though its not my nature)?

Having a leadership position is considered "vital" when applying to top schools because those schools pride themselves on "training the future leaders in medicine", whatever that means. Having a leadership position when applying to med schools in general is not considered vital, although it is definitely nice to have something