Not enough activities?

[eggyolk4826]

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Hi all,

I’m currently in my first gap year and I am expecting to apply next year, but I’m a little worried I may not have enough experiences. I’m not sure if I’m being too neurotic about this, but I was talking to my friend about her med school app experience today, and when the topic of activities came up, she made it seem like my number of activities was low. Can anyone give me any input on if I should maybe try to pick up an extra activity for the upcoming cycle? I really didn’t think I needed to do so. I have been wanting to get involved in a volunteer experience for mental health, but it’s been hard to find locations that will respond/can be doable with my work schedule. I’ve also thought about picking up an extra clinical job, but that’s mostly for my own interest and also financial reasons… this would also be hard with my current job

This is everything I was planning on putting down (these will be hours by time of application)
1. PCT job (1300 hrs)
2. CRA job (2400+ hrs)
3. Food bank volunteer (200 hrs)
4. Red Cross blood donor ambassador (100 hrs)
5. Leadership from premed club (150 hrs)
6. Undergrad research in neuroscience lab (200 hrs)
7. Shadowing
8. Server job that I started in hs then worked during college as well (1250 hrs)
9. Research Conferences/Posters
10. awards
11. Hobby — cooking/blogging

I will also hopefully have a pub or two by the time I apply. I also had a volunteer position in a surgical department, but it was only for about 40 hours until I had to quit due to being on crutches/in a boot for the rest of the semester. I’m not sure if it’s really worth it to add it since it might just look like fluff.

 

[wysdoc]

Hi all,

I’m currently in my first gap year and I am expecting to apply next year, but I’m a little worried I may not have enough experiences. I’m not sure if I’m being too neurotic about this, but I was talking to my friend about her med school app experience today, and when the topic of activities came up, she made it seem like my number of activities was low. Can anyone give me any input on if I should maybe try to pick up an extra activity for the upcoming cycle? I really didn’t think I needed to do so. I have been wanting to get involved in a volunteer experience for mental health, but it’s been hard to find locations that will respond/can be doable with my work schedule. I’ve also thought about picking up an extra clinical job, but that’s mostly for my own interest and also financial reasons… this would also be hard with my current job

This is everything I was planning on putting down (these will be hours by time of application)
1. PCT job (1300 hrs)
2. CRA job (2400+ hrs)
3. Food bank volunteer (200 hrs)
4. Red Cross blood donor ambassador (100 hrs)
5. Leadership from premed club (150 hrs)
6. Undergrad research in neuroscience lab (200 hrs)
7. Shadowing
8. Server job that I started in hs then worked during college as well (1250 hrs)
9. Research Conferences/Posters
10. awards
11. Hobby — cooking/blogging

I will also hopefully have a pub or two by the time I apply. I also had a volunteer position in a surgical department, but it was only for about 40 hours until I had to quit due to being on crutches/in a boot for the rest of the semester. I’m not sure if it’s really worth it to add it since it might just look like fluff.

You have enough hours in all the important categories
Even though there are 15 slots available on AMCAS most applicants don’t fill them all.
I’m sorry your friend’s comments caused you to worry for nothing.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I'm curious... did your friend suggest any activities you could add? Or was it just that you didn't "fill your purse" (ie., your 15 spots)? Did your med school friend get accepted?

I disregard any activities under 50 hours, unless it's shadowing.

I will suggest that you clearly state the relevance and impact of these activities to your purpose as a physician. What value does your PCT/CRA position have for your future patients and interprofessional peers?