number of ECs to fill on work/activities section

[gearsofwar3]

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hey everyone, I've decided to wait a year and apply NEXT cycle, and I am wondering about the number of EC boxes to fill on the AMCAS application. As i understand, the application gives you 15 spaces, and I've been hearing many different views on how many boxes I should fill. Of course, I know that quality > quantity anytime, anywhere, but there are significantly different views on how many items adcoms want to see.

some said that 7-8 items are more than sufficient, while others claim that we should try our best and fill up all 15. I've just read in one of the SDN threads that the average applicant invited to interview at northwestern only have 6 spaces filled. SIX! I really can't believe that. I believe I'll have close to 13/14 spaces filled out (I have a lot of music-related activities, awards, etc), so I find it quite surprising that many people are having successful cycles with significantly less activities.

the reason i am asking this is that I am wondering whether having a great number of spots filled (aka 13 or more quality and diverse experiences) will be a particularly strong asset that can partly overcome other relative deficiencies. I dont want to do another WAMC thread (already did those), but I do have two potential red marks on my app: a 3.43 science GPA and an institutional action (reprimand, to be exact). If these two things are going to create problems, I hope that my stronger than average ECs section (and 41 MCAT) will compensate to an extent.

 

[UnclePhil]

I only listed 5-6 but wrote a ton for each. More ECs doesn't mean stronger ECs.

 

[NickNaylor]

The number that allows you to talk meaningfully about your activities OR makes sense in an organizational way. If that means each activity gets its own slot, then do that. If that means you have to group several together, do that. There is no science to this. Screwing up either way by trying to meet some arbitrary amount will hurt you more than simply going with your gut and doing what you think is best. I provided my verbatim activity descriptions on my MDApps if you want an example of filling in the description (just search for my username).

 

[tarheel1408]

I only used 5 slots, but I didn't separate each of the activities into 2-3 slots just to fill up the 15 required boxes. Each of my five represents multi year commitments and very meaningful experiences. I also didn't bother to include random awards because I see it as just fluff and that's how I'll explain it in interviews.

 

[JustMeditate]

Fill out as many as you can with meaningful experiences. Don't add fluff just to meet the 15 activity max, because you won't be fooling anyone, and it will make you look bad. Don't add any activities you can't discuss, in depth and during an interview. That will also make you look bad. But if you have 15 substantial EC's, add them all. It can only help round you out to adcoms. I filled all 15.

 

[pasiley]

Unless you are a non-trad. 15 seems unrealistic.

 

[carnelian]

Unless you are a non-trad. 15 seems unrealistic.

I disagree. I'm sure a lot of trads have 15 meaningful experiences. They don't all have to be long term. Some semester-long programs deserve their own slot as well, and even intense 8-hr/day week-long programs. On the other hand, experiences can also include hobbies that you've picked up since middle/elementary school, continued through college, and have something to show for it (eg. instrument and concert performances, art and artworks/designed things in college, sports and in sports club in college, etc.). What matters is that these activities were meaningful to you, and that you were able to learn something from them. I'd much rather put a month-long program that really affected me than a 3-year volunteer experience I merely did to meet the "volunteer requirement."

 

[FTFY]

Don't worry about the numbers in this case. I know that sounds weird because most of us are the type to worry about everything. It really doesn't matter how many.

What actually matters is the content. What have you done? What have you learned from it? Why would you want the admissions committee to know about it?

If you answer these questions about your experience and it still sounds good, then by all means put it down. Just make sure your writing comes across to the reader and if possible have someone with experience help you edit the entries.

Good luck, and don't sweat those details.

 

[PreMedOrDead]

I am a traditional and filled in all 15, and the majority of them had several activities. Most of them were long term.

It really just depends how involved you were. Don't exaggerate, say what you gotta say, and elaborate if and only if needed. Your number is your number.

 

[ShenanigansMD]

I had 15, I think if you have 3 - 6 long term/strong ones then write however many you want.

 

[Planes2Doc]

Unless you are a non-trad. 15 seems unrealistic.

A lot of non-trads that I met had families to support, and many of them got by with "below average" ECs according to SDN standards. Some worked full-time, so I think they got somewhat of a pass on that.

 

[Narmerguy]

The number that allows you to talk meaningfully about your activities OR makes sense in an organizational way. If that means each activity gets its own slot, then do that. If that means you have to group several together, do that. There is no science to this. Screwing up either way by trying to meet some arbitrary amount will hurt you more than simply going with your gut and doing what you think is best. I provided my verbatim activity descriptions on my MDApps if you want an example of filling in the description (just search for my username).

I think this is good advice. Focus less on how many you end up with, and instead focusing on organizing it in the way that best lets you emphasize who you are and what you're about.

I think people hear us when we say quality over quantity, but then don't listen as they go back to stressing how many boxes they should try to fill. Stop worrying about the number, just explain what you did as clearly and practically as possible. Lots of people have great success (scholarships, dream schools, etc) with very few slots filled or all 15 filled. Just don't irritate the person reading it.

FWIW I don't have 15 slot-worthy activities from undergrad.