Lacking in ECs

[hope_est]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hello everyone,

I was wondering if I could receive some advice on how I could improve my ECs. I am currently taking my gap year, and will be applying in 2018. I work as a research assistant full-time, and currently do clinical volunteering 4 hrs/week with 1.5 hours of community service every other week. However, after assessing my current ECs, I have been thinking if I should add more hours for volunteering by asking for a part-time shift from work.

My clinical exposure now is as follows: ~40 hours of shadowing, ~40 hours of clinical volunteering. For non-clinical volunteering, I have done: ~120 hours for underserved population (two activities combined). I have a lot of research experience. Also, I am not sure if it helps, but for hobbies, I have been bodybuilding for about four years. I plan to compete some time next year.

By the time I apply in June 2018, I will have about 160 hours of clinical volunteering and 150 hours for non-clinical volunteering (may lack the longevity aspect). Because my stats are average (3.7 GPA, MCAT to be taken in March/April), I was hoping to improve my application through volunteering, but I also wanted to work to help my parents, as I moved back home after graduation. It could be just my overreaction, but will my current gap year situation work out by the time I apply? Thanks in advance for your advice!

 

[Catalystik]

I was wondering if I could receive some advice on how I could improve my ECs. I am currently taking my gap year, and will be applying in 2018. I work as a research assistant full-time, and currently do clinical volunteering 4 hrs/week with 1.5 hours of community service every other week. However, after assessing my current ECs, I have been thinking if I should add more hours for volunteering by asking for a part-time shift from work.

My clinical exposure now is as follows: ~40 hours of shadowing, ~40 hours of clinical volunteering. For non-clinical volunteering, I have done: ~120 hours for underserved population (two activities combined). I have a lot of research experience. Also, I am not sure if it helps, but for hobbies, I have been bodybuilding for about four years. I plan to compete some time next year.

By the time I apply in June 2018, I will have about 160 hours of clinical volunteering and 150 hours for non-clinical volunteering (may lack the longevity aspect). Because my stats are average (3.7 GPA, MCAT to be taken in March/April), I was hoping to improve my application through volunteering, but I also wanted to work to help my parents, as I moved back home after graduation. It could be just my overreaction, but will my current gap year situation work out by the time I apply?

-Consider adding another ten hours of shadowing and be sure that a primary care doc is on the list.

-Consider adding a leadership experience, possibly through one of your volunteer activities. If you were to train others in the lab, that would qualify also.

-Your total hours of clinical and nonclinical volunteering will be fine as projected, by the time you apply.

-What are your roles with underserved populations?

 

[hope_est]

-Consider adding another ten hours of shadowing and be sure that a primary care doc is on the list.

-Consider adding a leadership experience, possibly through one of your volunteer activities. If you were to train others in the lab, that would qualify also.

-Your total hours of clinical and nonclinical volunteering will be fine as projected, by the time you apply.

-What are your roles with underserved populations?

Thank you for your response! I will make sure I add Primary Care physician for shadowing.

As for leadership, I am afraid I do not have any particular experience. However, as you mentioned, I could potentially train someone as my lab may hire more people next year.

For the volunteering for the underserved, I did outreach for local community (food drive for the local homeless, and helping veterans). It's two activities combined, though.

It makes me feel a lot better to hear from an adviser like you that my current gap year is going alright. I guess I'll pour my energy into MCAT. Just out of curiosity, how much do "hobbies" factor into consideration? I have been planning to compete in bodybuilding, but it is quite stressful in terms of diet and training (not too time-consuming, fortunately). Should I just focus on the MCAT? Thank you for your advice in advance.

 

[Catalystik]

It makes me feel a lot better to hear from an adviser like you that my current gap year is going alright. I guess I'll pour my energy into MCAT. Just out of curiosity, how much do "hobbies" factor into consideration? I have been planning to compete in bodybuilding, but it is quite stressful in terms of diet and training (not too time-consuming, fortunately). Should I just focus on the MCAT?

IMO, It's important to have a Hobbies listing. Adcomms want to know that you have stress-relieving activities that will help you cope with the rigors of med school. Additionally, hobbies can help you stand out in a sea of otherwise look-alike activities. Bodybuilding is a good listing. Competing is even better (win, or not). You can group multiple activities into a single space, as many don't need much explanation. They can be mundane or rare; whether they help you depends on what you have to say about them.

For the volunteering for the underserved, I did outreach for local community (food drive for the local homeless, and helping veterans). It's two activities combined, though.

That's fine. There might be some opportunity for leadership here, too. Perhaps you could organize a winter clothing or personal items-type drive (as opposed to participating under some else's leadership), where you delegate tasks to others in order to help those in need.