Lack of job history

[LOLERs]

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How much of a red flag is a lack of a real job history? I know I probably should've had a job at one point in my undergrad career, but I used my summers to focus on summer classes and extracurriculars (shadowing, research, etc) over getting a job instead. Now as I work on secondary essays, I'm confused as to how I'm supposed to answer questions about employment history. Do I leave it blank? I don't want to say I did other things instead because that just feels like an excuse. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Dox4lyfe]

How much of a red flag is a lack of a real job history? I know I probably should've had a job at one point in my undergrad career, but I used my summers to focus on summer classes and extracurriculars (shadowing, research, etc) over getting a job instead. Now as I work on secondary essays, I'm confused as to how I'm supposed to answer questions about employment history. Do I leave it blank? I don't want to say I did other things instead because that just feels like an excuse. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Tons of applicants spend their summers doing research, volunteering or taking summer classes. You don't need to have worked a job at all. If the question is optional then you can leave it blank. If the question does not apply to you, such as gap year questions, you can say N/A.

 

[Catalystik]

How much of a red flag is a lack of a real job history? I know I probably should've had a job at one point in my undergrad career, but I used my summers to focus on summer classes and extracurriculars (shadowing, research, etc) over getting a job instead. Now as I work on secondary essays, I'm confused as to how I'm supposed to answer questions about employment history. Do I leave it blank? I don't want to say I did other things instead because that just feels like an excuse. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

It's not a red flag to have no employment history.

 

[Goro]

I have met many premeds and medical grads who first paying job in their lives was being a medical resident

This.

It's a trend that's actually not that good, from what I hear from PDs.

 

[efle]

Neither of my premed room mates worked at all, they did summer research and traveled instead, both had great cycles.

 

[Dox4lyfe]

Neither of my premed room mates worked at all, they did summer research and traveled instead, both had great cycles.

Oh man, multiple pre med roommates!? How'd that go?

 

[efle]

Oh man, multiple pre med roommates!? How'd that go?

It was great actually, many weekends holed up together with a whiteboard going over Ochem exams, much better than spending days alone in a library. And each of us very happy with where we're heading for med school!

 

[Dox4lyfe]

It was great actually, many weekends holed up together with a whiteboard going over Ochem exams, much better than spending days alone in a library. And each of us very happy with where we're heading for med school!

That's dope! The premed culture is lowkey competitive at my campus so it's difficult to know who to trust.

 

[aaronrodgers]

It was great actually, many weekends holed up together with a whiteboard going over Ochem exams, much better than spending days alone in a library. And each of us very happy with where we're heading for med school!

my pre-med roommate and I were very open with our GPAs and MCAT score. Right now we are helping each other through the app process. I appreciate having some people to talk to without it being awkward.

 

[Toutie]

my pre-med roommate and I were very open with our GPAs and MCAT score. Right now we are helping each other through the app process. I appreciate having some people to talk to without it being awkward.

I thought you and your gay room mate broke up a few years ago? 😉

 

[Noctámbulo]

Do paid research internships/ fellowships count as jobs?