Nervous About ECs

[MustyElbow]

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I am currently finishing up my freshman year in UG, and I'm getting a little nervous about extracurriculars/if they are enough/what I should be doing. Last summer, I shadowed about 50 hours in the ED, which was extremely beneficial to me, as I made great relationships with some great mentors and got some great opportunities. Currently, I am a University Ambassador at my university, which is 3 volunteer hours a week, and this will continue until graduation. I am a part of something called the Green Scholars Program, which is essentially a leadership experience for a few first year students at my university that leads to Graduation with Leadership Distinction. This is currently all I have on my plate right now, and I'm concerned it's nowhere near enough as I have some friends that are constantly doing things, much more than myself. I do have a 4.0 at the moment. I plan to get involved with some sort of research in the future and next year I am going to Costa Rica for a medical mission trip. I am involved with intramural and club sports, and I volunteer on a presidential campaign as well. I do also plan on heading back into the ED this summer so that I'm not "taking a summer off." Am I too paranoid? Anything else you guys would suggest? Thanks in advance!

 

[Spinach Dip]

 

[Astra]

I am currently finishing up my freshman year in UG, and I'm getting a little nervous about extracurriculars/if they are enough/what I should be doing. Last summer, I shadowed about 50 hours in the ED, which was extremely beneficial to me, as I made great relationships with some great mentors and got some great opportunities. Currently, I am a University Ambassador at my university, which is 3 volunteer hours a week, and this will continue until graduation. I am a part of something called the Green Scholars Program, which is essentially a leadership experience for a few first year students at my university that leads to Graduation with Leadership Distinction. This is currently all I have on my plate right now, and I'm concerned it's nowhere near enough as I have some friends that are constantly doing things, much more than myself. I do have a 4.0 at the moment. I plan to get involved with some sort of research in the future and next year I am going to Costa Rica for a medical mission trip. I am involved with intramural and club sports, and I volunteer on a presidential campaign as well. I do also plan on heading back into the ED this summer so that I'm not "taking a summer off." Am I too paranoid? Anything else you guys would suggest? Thanks in advance!

Start with washing your elbows lol

But seriously, you are stressing for no reason, You are a freshman. Add things on gradually and do things you like consistently. Maintain that GPA and rock the MCAT. Then you are set

 

[Doudline]

Hello!

Your schedule is appropriate for a freshman. Remember, it's not about how much you do - it's about how much you learn and grow.
And your classes always come first.

You want, in the best of worlds: clinical volunteering; non-clinical volunteering; shadowing; research; leadership; past times (arts, sports, whatever).
I'm sure you can identify which you need to work on.

Don't get too hung-up on mission trips by the way, they don't have the best reputation (seen as a "let me save the world on daddy's paycheck" adulescent moment).

Lastly: one of the first reasons premeds fail is hubris. Don't take too much on your plate, and remember that medical school is not the end goal - living a happy and fulfilling life is.

Good luck!

 

[AlfonsTheGuru]

If I could downvote replies, I'd downvote yours.

I am currently finishing up my freshman year in UG, and I'm getting a little nervous about extracurriculars/if they are enough/what I should be doing. Last summer, I shadowed about 50 hours in the ED, which was extremely beneficial to me, as I made great relationships with some great mentors and got some great opportunities. Currently, I am a University Ambassador at my university, which is 3 volunteer hours a week, and this will continue until graduation. I am a part of something called the Green Scholars Program, which is essentially a leadership experience for a few first year students at my university that leads to Graduation with Leadership Distinction. This is currently all I have on my plate right now, and I'm concerned it's nowhere near enough as I have some friends that are constantly doing things, much more than myself. I do have a 4.0 at the moment. I plan to get involved with some sort of research in the future and next year I am going to Costa Rica for a medical mission trip. I am involved with intramural and club sports, and I volunteer on a presidential campaign as well. I do also plan on heading back into the ED this summer so that I'm not "taking a summer off." Am I too paranoid? Anything else you guys would suggest? Thanks in advance!

I won't recommend against the medical mission. ADCOMs have a tendency to look down upon this activity.

 

[ditritium monoxide]

Whose presidential campaign?

 

[GCS-15]

You could get started thinking about clinical volunteering. But yea, like others have said, don't worry about "trying to have the right number of ECs". You don't want to take too much at one. Find out what your genuine interests are, then turn those interests into activities. Like sports? Play some IM, help out kids in the inner city and provide youth mentorship through sports, be president for your club team - whatever you like to do. Also, try not to bounce around with activities. Pick a couple that you like, and have long term involvement/get leadership position. Quality >>>>>> quantity. It is good that you're starting to think about these kinds of things now.