Keep feeling like I'm not doing enough

[panbimbo]

First, thanks to everyone who has been so helpful so far. People always complain about how bad SDN is, but I'm loving it so far.

I feel alright in terms of GPA and MCAT. Despite the fact that I'm doing pretty much most of what is expected when applying at the end of this year, I have a feeling that I am not doing enough. I feel generally unchallenged in courses and also in my EC's. Here's what I have so far:

-volunteering at hospital ED, ~250 hours for application
-volunteering with the homeless in a social work, service role, ~100-150 hours for application
-plenty of research
-setting up some primary care shadowing right now.
-starting up a performing arts club on campus
-lots of working during school as well

What could I do to enhance my application? Or should I just keep up the work I have now and just stay the course?

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[Catalystik]

I feel alright in terms of GPA and MCAT. Despite the fact that I'm doing pretty much most of what is expected when applying at the end of this year, I have a feeling that I am not doing enough. I feel generally unchallenged in courses and also in my EC's. Here's what I have so far:

-volunteering at hospital ED, ~250 hours for application
-volunteering with the homeless in a social work, service role, ~100-150 hours for application
-plenty of research
-setting up some primary care shadowing right now.
-starting up a performing arts club on campus
-lots of working during school as well

What could I do to enhance my application? Or should I just keep up the work I have now and just stay the course?

Do you have anything that would cover the Teaching category (mentoring, coaching, TA, tutor)?

 

[panbimbo]

Do you have anything that would cover the Teaching category (mentoring, coaching, TA, tutor)?

I train volunteers at the hospital but that is all and it isn't really all that much... I guess I could do mentoring? I will look into these! Hadn't thought of that, thanks.

 

[Frogger27]

First, thanks to everyone who has been so helpful so far. People always complain about how bad SDN is, but I'm loving it so far.

I feel alright in terms of GPA and MCAT. Despite the fact that I'm doing pretty much most of what is expected when applying at the end of this year, I have a feeling that I am not doing enough. I feel generally unchallenged in courses and also in my EC's. Here's what I have so far:

-volunteering at hospital ED, ~250 hours for application
-volunteering with the homeless in a social work, service role, ~100-150 hours for application
-plenty of research
-setting up some primary care shadowing right now.
-starting up a performing arts club on campus
-lots of working during school as well

What could I do to enhance my application? Or should I just keep up the work I have now and just stay the course?

If you have everything else covered, do something interesting. Idk if you have any cool hobbies, but start partaking in those. I know it feels like you always need to be doing "more", but once you get your bases covered (i.e Grades, MCAT, volunteering, research) the thing that will stand out most is something unique or just showing that you are a normal person and not a pre-med robot.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

If you have everything else covered, do something interesting. Idk if you have any cool hobbies, but start partaking in those. I know it feels like you always need to be doing "more", but once you get your bases covered (i.e Grades, MCAT, volunteering, research) the thing that will stand out most is something unique or just showing that you are a normal person and not a pre-med robot.

I listed a couple unique hobbies and was asked about them extensively at both my interviews. It definitely provides a talking point.

 

[panbimbo]

I listed a couple unique hobbies and was asked about them extensively at both my interviews. It definitely provides a talking point.

I do have an interesting/rare hobby which I have incorporated into several extracurriculars (music related) so that will most definitely be my x factor as music is a big part of my identity. I'm trying to figure out how to do more with it but maybe I should just be content and strive to do well in my current pursuits.

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[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I do have an interesting/rare hobby which I have incorporated into several extracurriculars (music related) so that will most definitely be my x factor as music is a big part of my identity. I'm trying to figure out how to do more with it but maybe I should just be content and strive to do well in my current pursuits.

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One of my hobbies was music related. I got asked about it a lot. 🙂

 

[panbimbo]

One of my hobbies was music related. I got asked about it a lot. 🙂

Nice! I just need to develop it into something more serious than "I play music when I have free time to relax. " Was thinking of doing some recordings for 'evidence' adcoms could see/listen to if they wanted

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[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Nice! I just need to develop it into something more serious than "I play music when I have free time to relax. " Was thinking of doing some recordings for 'evidence' adcoms could see/listen to if they wanted

Sent from my Moto E (4) using SDN mobile

You won’t need them. I’ve recorded two albums as a session musician and wasn’t asked for “evidence” or anything. They just asked what I played, the types of instruments I have, etc.

 

[Catalystik]

I train volunteers at the hospital but that is all and it isn't really all that much... I guess I could do mentoring? I will look into these! Hadn't thought of that, thanks.

Training other volunteers could also be looked at as a form of leadership, if you prefer to emphasize that aspect of your application more (along with founding the performing arts club). If it doesn't have enough hours to stand alone in it's own slot, it's fine to leave it with the hospital volunteer entry and add both roles to the name you give the space.

 

[Catalystik]

Nice! I just need to develop it into something more serious than "I play music when I have free time to relax. " Was thinking of doing some recordings for 'evidence' adcoms could see/listen to if they wanted

You might volunteer to play at a local nursing home or at the hospital with which you're affiliated (if the music is appropriate for those venues). Why just record it when you could give pleasure to many others who listen to it?

 

[panbimbo]

You might volunteer to play at a local nursing home or at the hospital with which you're affiliated (if the music is appropriate for those venues). Why just record it when you could give pleasure to many others who listen to it?

You may or may not be hinting at what this club that I'm forming does 😏

 

[Catalystik]

You may or may not be hinting at what this club that I'm forming does 😏

Or, maybe you just did?

 

[panbimbo]

Or, maybe you just did?

Touche!