Joining Student Organizations Necessary as a MS1?

[ball372]

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Does anyone know if it's a good idea (or doesn't matter either way) to pay membership fees to join organizations such as AMSA or AMA, etc as a first-year?

 

[ericdamiansean]

If you like politics, or if you want the free books they give you upon membership..that's about it

 

[Jaded Soul]

Mostly just for the freebies.

 

[Tiki]

The second years at orientation told us to join AMSA because the membership is less than what it costs to get the free copy of Netter's they give you when you join. And AMA gives a free Stedman's medical dictionary. So I'll be joining both of them. 🙂

 

[automaton]

you probably won't need a stedman's dictionary. there are online medical dictionaries if you need it. i used the one that was at my school's student lounge probably less than 10 times during the year.

i think joining clubs for the most part is a rip off. but that may just be due to how the clubs at my particular school handles things... we don't have many "members-only" type of things.

i love your signature though. 😎

 

[velo]

yeah I think AMA's worth it for the freebies...we get a big discount on rohen's and scrubs, a free medical dictionary, 4 year subscription to JAMA, etc...for joining the AMA

 

[bnichols0330]

I joined everything as a MS1. I am glad that I joined the AMA receiving JAMA and Stedman's were my primary reasons b/c like you said the second years said that it was a good idea. Now that I have seen what kind of actions AMSA stands for I really wish that I had just paid my money for a copy of Netter's and not joined AMSA. That is just my personal opinion, but I do not agree with a lot of what AMSA does and stands for.

 

[patzan]

Does membership in these organizations (I don't plan on being a leader in any) count for anything in later applications (i.e. residency)?

ps-I already have a Netters and am not into politics much.

 

[VienneseWaltz]

Just a story: One of my small-group leaders (who is staunchly against the 80-hour work week) freely admits that she refused to rank an applicant to the Hopkins OB/GYN program because he was the president of his school's AMSA chapter. (AMSA was instrumental in getting the new work rules passed.) Granted, this is more a warning to avoid this particular attending rather than avoid AMSA, but I just thought I'd share.

The difference between Netter's at the book store and the AMSA membership is about $4. Some people prefer a different atlas anyway. DON'T JOIN AMSA FOR THE FREE STUFF.

Medical dictionaries are great, and so is JAMA, but both resources are available online. DON'T JOIN THE AMA FOR THE FREE STUFF.

Join organizations that interest you.

 

[ball372]

Hmmm. thanks for the info. Your replies were helpful. 😀

 

[carrigallen]

I agree with Viennese's information. Join the groups that interest you.

Some students don't like AMSA for being a bit too far left, and some students don't like AMA for being a bit far on the right. Many students don't even know the difference.

I don't think AMA is especially helpful for residency (some exceptions I'm sure) even if you are high in the AMA governing body, BUT your *state* medical society can be more helpful in making connections with physicians. In general, physicians who are politically active in AMA like the students who are politically active in AMA. It has more value for networking than resume value.

 

[fourthyearmed]

Join everything. You'll be glad for something to put on your ERAS application when the time comes.

 

[Jaded Soul]

Does membership in these organizations (I don't plan on being a leader in any) count for anything in later applications (i.e. residency)?

ps-I already have a Netters and am not into politics much.

Doesn't mean a thing. No one will care that you were a member if you don't take any leadership roles.

 

[8744]

Join everything. You'll be glad for something to put on your ERAS application when the time comes.

I don't know, man, I think people can see through that sort of thing.

 

[fourthyearmed]

I don't know, man, I think people can see through that sort of thing.

Sorry, let me elaborate - at my school joining everything is AMA and AMSA. That's all we have (well, actually there is also the group for minority females but I agree, I would easily be seen through if I joined that). So it's not like you're joining a ton of stuff. I think not joining AMA is like not joining AED, they're going to wonder why.

And also I believe it is important for all med students to join AMA and remain a member as a practicing physician because from what I have heard, AMA doesn't have enough power anymore because most doctors only join their subspecialty group. I think it is important for there to be a voice in politics to represent us as a group.

 

[4 Ever]

Yes but in the secondaries, they asked a description of what you did in say AED - most members hardly did anything in my school. I think most people know that just being a member doesn't mean anything unless you do something significant in the organization. I myself and still debating if i want to join these organizations.... Definitely not AMSA but im looking into AMA

 

[VienneseWaltz]

I think not joining AMA is like not joining AED, they're going to wonder why.

Never heard of AED, didn't join it, no one cared. I agree with the other posters: just being a "joiner" (i.e., no leadership roles) doesn't count for much.

 

[4 Ever]

I was in the leadership role in AED for 2yrs and i still think it didnt count for much

 

[Wrigleyville]

Don't join any organizations unless you enjoy doing whatever it is that they do. No one will care what clubs you joined in med school unless you really put effort into them and have something to show for it.

 

[Howard Roark]

good luck