In Progress Activities and AMCAS

[polyploidy516]

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hey all,

I would really appreciate your insight in regards to an issue. In particular, as I just started a masters and fellowship ( June 2014) and listed the experience on my AMCAS, I would like to know if this would help my application in any way as I am using it to express an interest related to medicine?

I would like to know if an in progress activity can help an applicant when it is submitted with AMCAS. Does the duration of the activity matter ( ex if one starts an Americorps or Masters right before submitting their amcas versus starting it several months to a year before?) or does the fact that that you are doing the activity count for you in a positive light?
Your insight would be appreciated as these activities that I just started would help make my app stand out. However, I would like to know if it would not be as strong as I just started them?

Your opinion/experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[Movado 21]

I am looking forward to hearing some answers on this concern as well. Bring on the expertise, SDN!

I have been told numerous times that longevity trumps, but I cannot see how adding an activity in which you are just beginning or have just begun will reflect negatively in your application in any light.

 

[polyploidy516]

Ive heard the same, movado21. The reason why i am concerned is that these activities that I am now doing ( Americorps and a masters in bioethics) require a full time commitment....a commitment that I was not able to do earlier as I was completing my academics for my application..

will the length of these activities matter in this case even though they were started before the app and are uncommon as most premeds do not do these/they are niche-specific interests?

@Goro , @LizzyM, @Catalystik, @njbmd

 

[Goro]

Words are easy, doing is hard.

Show me some results and then I'll have a positive view on your app.

hey all,

I would really appreciate your insight in regards to an issue. In particular, as I just started a masters and fellowship ( June 2014) and listed the experience on my AMCAS, I would like to know if this would help my application in any way as I am using it to express an interest related to medicine?

I would like to know if an in progress activity can help an applicant when it is submitted with AMCAS. Does the duration of the activity matter ( ex if one starts an Americorps or Masters right before submitting their amcas versus starting it several months to a year before?) or does the fact that that you are doing the activity count for you in a positive light?
Your insight would be appreciated as these activities that I just started would help make my app stand out. However, I would like to know if it would not be as strong as I just started them?

Your opinion/experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[LizzyM]

Insofar as it tells us what you are doing after college graduation, recently begun activities are helpful to me.

 

[Catalystik]

I would really appreciate your insight in regards to an issue. In particular, as I just started a masters and fellowship ( June 2014) and listed the experience on my AMCAS, I would like to know if this would help my application in any way as I am using it to express an interest related to medicine?

I would like to know if an in progress activity can help an applicant when it is submitted with AMCAS. Does the duration of the activity matter ( ex if one starts an Americorps or Masters right before submitting their amcas versus starting it several months to a year before?) or does the fact that that you are doing the activity count for you in a positive light?
Your insight would be appreciated as these activities that I just started would help make my app stand out. However, I would like to know if it would not be as strong as I just started them?

Of course duration matters. But you knew that.

Even though just begun, new experiences are worth including on the application as 1) we like to know your interests, 2) they may reassure us you're trying to fill an unaddressed niche in your activities list, and 3) they can be good fodder for interview questions.

If an activity has been ongoing for some time, there will be a solid benefit to your application and it's nice to know when you think it will be complete. If it's just begun, then it can't add the same weight to your application, because an intent to complete a program isn't the same as having done so. We know that folks drop out for a variety of issues related to health, personality clashes, funding, family emergencies, etc. So how can we give you credit for a listed Experience beyond the application date?

If you want to get more positive impact from these new activities, 1) include them on Secondaries if given the chance, 2) mention ongoing involvement in update letters at institutions that allow them, and 3) bring them up in interviews if asked, "Is there anything else we should be aware of that might have an effect on your application."