Just became a minister, should I mention?

[aegistitan]

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Okay, so I asked this question in the religion thread and in the what are my chances forum so I don't start a riot, but I got no responses so I suppose I will post here.

Okay here's where I get somewhat confused. I recently became an ordained minister at a non-denominational church. But I am debating expanding my church activity because I do not want it to affect my medical school application. Would it be unwise to mention this activity on my medical school application?

My duties at the moment are basically while volunteering at a hospice I read religious texts to patients that cannot read themselves and attend vigil services. If it is okay to mention I am a minister, I was debating expanding upon my duties and become more involved in the church to include some leadership activities. I was thinking about providing premarital and marital counseling, or to counsel members who are battling problems such as depression or substance abuse - and also visiting the sick and ministering the homeless. Would it be wise to do this?

I was just wondering whether or not mentioning religious activities is unwise. I realize there are Christian schools, but what about for other more research orientated schools? Is it possible that some adcoms may judge me because I am a minister... I don't want them to get the notion that I am shoving religion down people's throats because I absolutely do not do that, but for some reason it seems that that is the preconceived notion of what a minister does. I also do not want them to think I base all of my thinking around religion, which I do not do whatsoever.

 

[goft20]

Why not? Guaranteed acceptance if you bless the interviewer and fondle him/her.

 

[darkjedi]

If it's something that's important to you, why would you hide it from them?

 

[aegistitan]

If it's something that's important to you, why would you hide it from them?

Well it's posts like these that make me want to hide it:

Why not? Guaranteed acceptance if you bless the interviewer and fondle him/her.

This post makes it seem as though it is such a bad idea to the point where the poster can joke about it

 

[goft20]

Well it's posts like these that make me want to hide it:



This post makes it seem as though it is such a bad idea to the point where the poster can joke about it

Well, I am full of sarcasm and cynicism. But you misunderstood my sarcasm as me mocking your decision to reveal that you are a minister. This is not true, in fact I was sardonically mocking your decision to hide your passion and beliefs from medical schools in hopes of being accepted into some type of cult.


Just be yourself. Take care mister minister.

 

[hoihaie]

how can you be a minister if you put your chances of going to medical school before trusting God?

 

[aegistitan]

how can you be a minister if you put your chances of going to medical school before trusting God?

Sometimes choices need to be made. It's not too hard to become a minister nowadays anyway, the title itself means little to nothing. You could become a minister quite easily if you wanted through online courses

 

[hoihaie]

that's not my point.

You should know to trust God in his plans for you in the future and not be fearful in mentioning your faith.

 

[tantacles]

how can you be a minister if you put your chances of going to medical school before trusting God?

Ah, but perhaps there is greater chance to minister as both physician and minister than as physician alone! Putting one's faith into God does not always mean following only one path.

 

[aegistitan]

Ah, but perhaps there is greater chance to minister as both physician and minister than as physician alone! Putting one's faith into God does not always mean following only one path.

Very good point, however this is straying into a moral/religious discussion. Could anybody else offer any advice as to the positives and negatives of mentioning this and dedicating the next two years of my life to this, even just in passing as an activity on the amcas?

 

[tantacles]

Very good point, however this is straying into a moral/religious discussion. Could anybody else offer any advice as to the positives and negatives of mentioning this and dedicating the next two years of my life to this, even just in passing as an activity on the amcas?

It may be positive to some, and it may be negative to others. For the vast majority, however, it will be just another activity. Worthy of putting on your application, certainly.

 

[amar314]

There's always a chance that we may have an activity that brings stereotypes or judgments, that does not mean we should exclude it. For example, someone in a fraternity may be afraid to mention his involvement because of the connotations, but in the end it describes us and each experience is unique even if thousands have done it, only you have your stories, your memories and your passion. In these admissions it's usually HOW you describe an activity and not so much what it is. You being a minister is showing your involvement and desire to a cause that is special and important to you, just like someone may become an EMT or become President of such and such club. The fact that religion is involved truly has no importance in the manner, you should not be judged for something that you believe in because someone would not be judged were it anything else.

On a side note, I do agree with the other poster...you should consider why you chose to even become a minister if are so doubtful as to whether or not share your belief in God with the world. "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." No matter what you may lose, don't ever deny, hide or exclude God because He's gotten you to this point in your life.

No one will deny you acceptance if you know how to show your confidence in what you love, either don't mention it or be openly honest and explain how helping all these needy people THROUGH ministry has shown you that the only profession you'd love is medicine. You never really know the amazing things you'll learn taking this path and the many you'll help, so don't stop.

Best of luck! 🙂

 

[persumas]

I mentioned my extensive church leadership/children's ministry work this cycle. I think as long as you can analyze what you have gained from the experience objectively without "pushing" your beliefs, it can add to your application. I wrote a lot about working with diverse families, and the leadership aspect.

I completely understand your hesitation, I didn't add it to my application last year, but this year I changed my mind and felt it would actually add to my application not detract.

 

[LizzyM]

I interview one or two ordained rabbis each year for admission. I wouldn't expect a minister to be any different ... and you are actually working as a chaplain which is good. I was expecting that you became a non-denominational minister just to perform a friend's wedding ceremony or something like that. Go for it; it provides an under-represented viewpoint in a med school class... I doubt that many schools have a minister in the class.

 

[baxt1412]

if it is important to you (which it should be if you did it) then you should state it.

 

[DokterMom]

Sometimes choices need to be made. It's not too hard to become a minister nowadays anyway, the title itself means little to nothing. You could become a minister quite easily if you wanted through online courses

So why did you choose to become a minister? And why did you choose non-denominational. Those are relevant questions, and explaining them well will make all the difference.

 

[Goro]

Definitely OK to mention...working at hospice alone give you kudos in my eyes; providing pastoral care is a second. I'll bet even the Touros and Einstein would want you!

Okay, so I asked this question in the religion thread and in the what are my chances forum so I don't start a riot, but I got no responses so I suppose I will post here.

Okay here's where I get somewhat confused. I recently became an ordained minister at a non-denominational church. But I am debating expanding my church activity because I do not want it to affect my medical school application. Would it be unwise to mention this activity on my medical school application?

My duties at the moment are basically while volunteering at a hospice I read religious texts to patients that cannot read themselves and attend vigil services. If it is okay to mention I am a minister, I was debating expanding upon my duties and become more involved in the church to include some leadership activities. I was thinking about providing premarital and marital counseling, or to counsel members who are battling problems such as depression or substance abuse - and also visiting the sick and ministering the homeless. Would it be wise to do this?

I was just wondering whether or not mentioning religious activities is unwise. I realize there are Christian schools, but what about for other more research orientated schools? Is it possible that some adcoms may judge me because I am a minister... I don't want them to get the notion that I am shoving religion down people's throats because I absolutely do not do that, but for some reason it seems that that is the preconceived notion of what a minister does. I also do not want them to think I base all of my thinking around religion, which I do not do whatsoever.