Med school application questions

[SuperSlim]

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I recently got accepted to a summer pre-med/research internship for the summer at a major hospital. I start first week of June. I know this experience will probably be the most beneficial in terms of health care experience and research. But since It starts this summer and im applying this summer is it ok to include this experience on my app even though I wouldn't have completed the program.. is it also ok to denote this activity as most important?

This program also includes tons of shadowing experience, its pretty much a 40 hour week for 10 weeks how do Include this on my app, when I have only barely started.

Also when does the application open so I can start filling it in, planning to have it sent before mcat june 20.

 

[AlteredScale]

You can put it down...there is not "most important" activities on the AACOMAS application.

I wouldn't talk about it much though since you just started it.

Is this your only experience in clinical/shadowing/research? If so, I would HIGHLY suggest waiting a year to build your app even more.

The AACOMAS application is open for completion (but not submission) beginning May.

Good luck!

 

[SuperSlim]

You can put it down...there is not "most important" activities on the AACOMAS application.

I wouldn't talk about it much though since you just started it.

Is this your only experience in clinical/shadowing/research? If so, I would HIGHLY suggest waiting a year to build your app even more.

The AACOMAS application is open for completion (but not submission) beginning May.

Good luck!

good to know! so its not like the amcas app in that regard. you sure I shouldnt emphasize the importance of it.. its really going to be valuable experience.

and no lol ill have around 300 + hours of clinical volunteering by app time.

 

[AlteredScale]

good to know! so its not like the amcas app in that regard. you sure I shouldnt emphasize the importance of it.. its really going to be valuable experience.

and no lol ill have around 300 + hours of clinical volunteering by app time.

I myself don't think so...but I'm one opinion. Your application is your story of what led you into medicine, not a rehash of your resume to impress adcoms because nothing impresses them haha. @Awesome Sauceome , @ChiTownBHawks , @ananasmed , @mamit1001 , @Stagg737 , and @chizledfrmstone always have good advice when it comes down to application stuff.

Okay good that you have the hours already!

 

[lexierae494]

I had a similar situation with my research experience, so I would include it and emphasize the work and research you are doing, but don't emphasize it more than any of your other clinical experiences. Explain your job responsibilities and what your research is on.

 

[ananasmed]

I would absolutely include it, but don't presume anything. I know you think it's going to be a valuable experience, and you're likely to be right if you're going in with a positive attitude. However, you really can't know what exactly you'll take away from it in the end. I'd advise similarly to lexierae, just explain what your job duties will be. You can always talk about it more extensively during an interview!

 

[justpedsthings]

I pretty much agree with what's been said. Even on your AMCAS application, highlighting it as "most important" before it's begun is really assuming a lot. When I was applying (both AMCAS and AACOMAS), I had just received my CNA license and thought that's what I would be doing this year as my full time job (wrong lol) but instead of marking it as most important or going into great detail, I explained that I had just finished certification and looked forward to having responsibility when it came to patient care, etc. etc. Then when I went to interviews a few months later, I had schools ask how that was going or what I learned from it (which is what I would assume would happen to you with this summer program as well).

Summary: write about it, mention it, but don't assume it's going to be the greatest thing ever. You should already have a strong application ready if you're going to apply this summer. Good luck!

 

[DO2015CA]

Basically what others have said. You don't know it'll be the most important thing. I believe What's most important to the Adcoms is what drove you into medicine. That experience definitely wasn't that since you already have applied before even starting

 

[SuperSlim]

Appreciate it, it's just that this program is pretty competitive 200 applicants for like 14 positions. I had connections lol.. But pretty sure everyone who got in did as well.
My connection a friend was in the program last year and told me all about it. He said it was pretty great.

 

[justpedsthings]

Appreciate it, it's just that this program is pretty competitive 200 applicants for like 14 positions. I had connections lol.. But pretty sure everyone who got in did as well.
My connection a friend was in the program last year and told me all about it. He said it was pretty great.

I hope you don't say that to an adcom ever. It sounds like you're just bragging at this point and one persons experience is most certainly not yours. It's great to look forward to something and congrats on getting into the program. But try to focus on telling your story up until this point with a hint of excitement at what's to come. Medical school with have similar or worse odds of getting in and though connections help, those are not reasons to become a physician. You need to show them you're passionate about medicine, not about the prestige of getting into a selective program, but that's just my two cents.

 

[SuperSlim]

I hope you don't say that to an adcom ever. It sounds like you're just bragging at this point and one persons experience is most certainly not yours. It's great to look forward to something and congrats on getting into the program. But try to focus on telling your story up until this point with a hint of excitement at what's to come. Medical school with have similar or worse odds of getting in and though connections help, those are not reasons to become a physician. You need to show them you're passionate about medicine, not about the prestige of getting into a selective program, but that's just my two cents.

That hurt lol, I actually said I had the connection to counter act the fact I said it was a competitive program. I don't think I would have gotten in without one.

I honestly really do appreciate you help!

Do you mind reading my p.s you seem like you know a handful

 

[radkat101]

I hope you don't say that to an adcom ever. It sounds like you're just bragging at this point and one persons experience is most certainly not yours. It's great to look forward to something and congrats on getting into the program. But try to focus on telling your story up until this point with a hint of excitement at what's to come. Medical school with have similar or worse odds of getting in and though connections help, those are not reasons to become a physician. You need to show them you're passionate about medicine, not about the prestige of getting into a selective program, but that's just my two cents.

Actually, medical schools are probably not very concerned about students being passionate about prestige. It makes their match lists look good.

Also, connections are huge in medicine. Do you think it's a coincidence that so many MGH residents are Harvard grads?

 

[justpedsthings]

That hurt lol, I actually said I had the connection to counter act the fact I said it was a competitive program. I don't think I would have gotten in without one.

I honestly really do appreciate you help!

Do you mind reading my p.s you seem like you know a handful

I didn't mean it to be hurtful, I apologize. It just came off as instead of taking everyone's advice on here you turned around and went right back to defending the program's importance. Which it will be. But not for your app.

Sure, you can send me your PS. I'm not sure I'm the best to edit/provide feedback but I can try haha.

 

[justpedsthings]

Actually, medical schools are probably not very concerned about students being passionate about prestige. It makes their match lists look good.

Also, connections are huge in medicine. Do you think it's a coincidence that so many MGH residents are Harvard grads?

1) at this point in the game, medical schools are focused on making sure the students they take in are passionate about becoming physicians - so much so, that they'll be motivated to then go on and gain a good residency spot.

2) I never said connections aren't important. It's just not what needs to be focused on in the application and since that's what this thread is about, I'm just providing my personal opinion.