*~*~*~*Official AMCAS "Work/Activities" Tips Thread 2012-2013*~*~*~*

Started by sector9
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Get help with your application

Use all the free resources available to you from SDN: articles, guides, expert advising, forums discussions, and school research.

Status
Not open for further replies.
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
Is it legal to teach CPR in Guatemala? I am CPR certified, but not certified to teach in the US. I went on a mission trip to Antigua, Guatemala and we spent some time teaching CPR and first aid at schools, but I'm not sure if it is ok to put that on my application. Thanks!
 
Drawing has been my hobby since high school until now. I had one drawing work during high school that ended up in a small public exhibit that was part of a artistic competition among high schoolers. Even though the work was not chosen to continue to the final round, I still got the recognition certificate and my work was still exhibited at that public place for several days. Should I list this activity under Artistic Endeavors or should I simply include it in my drawing hobby ?
If this public sharing of your work occured only during the HS years, I'd suggest you list it under Hobby, but mentioning the competition and award, of course.
 
Should I make a separate "experience" (award) for obtaining a customer service award while working at a grocery store? The grocery store experience will also be a "most meaningful" experience.
 
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
I am CPR certified, but not certified to teach in the US. I went on a mission trip to Antigua, Guatemala and we spent some time teaching CPR and first aid at schools, but I'm not sure if it is ok to put that on my application.
If you were working under the direction of someone who was knowledgeable/experienced in teaching CPR, then you're covered. The responsibility for seeing that the lay education provided was correct in concept was not yours, rather, you functioned as an educational aide. Even if the education wasn't standardized, using the usual books, props, and tests that we'd use in the US, an argument could be made that it was better than no CPR education at all. JMO.
 
Should I make a separate "experience" (award) for obtaining a customer service award while working at a grocery store? The grocery store experience will also be a "most meaningful" experience.
It seems to me that it will have more impact if you mention the award in the same space as the experience, since more context will be provided there.
 
Is it necessary to give a description for some of these awards. I assume things like latin honors and dean's honor list are quite self-explanatory.
If it isn't obvious, explain what it is. Some schools have school-specific awards that are highly prestigious within that institution, but no one else has heard of them. You might also consider giving the criteria for some awards, as this can vary from school to school, like Phi Beta Kappa.
 
I'm having troubling trying to condense my research description into common terms, I feel like I need more characters to try to simplify this stuff, here's another example:

"In my 1st project I measured brain bleeds in subdural hematomas and epidural hematomas on MRI's to assess the incidence of venous thromboembolism and its correlation to brain bleed size in traumatic brain injuries. My 2nd project involved understanding the onset of propofol infusion syndrome (PRIS) through various symptoms presented peri-operatively and post‐operatively as part of a clinical case report. The goal was to add to literature by highlighting biochemical and symptomatic markers to recognize and treat PRIS before the disease reaches lethal stages. A 1st author manuscript has been completed and will be submitted to the journal "World Neurosurgery" after final revisions."

I don't know how to make it shorter
 
I'm having troubling trying to condense my research description into common terms, I feel like I need more characters to try to simplify this stuff, here's another example:

"In my 1st project I measured brain bleeds in subdural hematomas and epidural hematomas on MRI's to assess the incidence of venous thromboembolism and its correlation to brain bleed size in traumatic brain injuries. My 2nd project involved understanding the onset of propofol infusion syndrome (PRIS) through various symptoms presented peri-operatively and post‐operatively as part of a clinical case report. The goal was to add to literature by highlighting biochemical and symptomatic markers to recognize and treat PRIS before the disease reaches lethal stages. A 1st author manuscript has been completed and will be submitted to the journal "World Neurosurgery" after final revisions."

I don't know how to make it shorter


1) measured brain bleeds in subdural hematomas and epidural hematomas on MRI's to assess incidence of venous thromboembolism and its correlation to brain bleed size in traumatic brain injuries
2) understanding the onset of propofol infusion syndrome (PRIS) through various symptoms presented peri/post‐operatively as part of a clinical case report; goal: to add to literature by highlighting biochemical and symptomatic markers to recognize and treat PRIS prior to its lethal stage.1st author manuscript obtained; will be submitted to journal "World Neurosurgery" after final revisions."
 
You could list each in its own space, tweaking for variety as you suggest, or pick one designation for the combined activity (choosing either Employment or Volunteer, depending on what you need more to balance your application, or if one lasted far longer than the other). Then in the narrative explain the actual breakdown, dates-wise, for each component, describing the transition from one to the other..

Thank you for your reply!

I have another question. I've been involved in roller skating as a hobby and competitively. I also ended up starting to teach young kids how to skate. Should these be listed separately?

I am also debating about how "long" my descriptions should be and the tone of the whole thing. Should it not include any pronouns and be kept in a resume-style tone? Just a few sentence description?

Thanks again.
 
I've been working in the same research lab for the past 8 months but recently the PI of the lab gave me $3000 to work the summer. I plan on including this under the same research slot but I wanted to make a distinction in the description that I'm getting paid to do research now as suppose to before where I wasn't. What kind of title should I give myself? RA? How should I describe it?
 
I'm having troubling trying to condense my research description into common terms, I feel like I need more characters to try to simplify this stuff, here's another example:

"In my 1st project I measured brain bleeds in subdural hematomas and epidural hematomas on MRI's to assess the incidence of venous thromboembolism and its correlation to brain bleed size in traumatic brain injuries. My 2nd project involved understanding the onset of propofol infusion syndrome (PRIS) through various symptoms presented peri-operatively and post‐operatively as part of a clinical case report. The goal was to add to literature by highlighting biochemical and symptomatic markers to recognize and treat PRIS before the disease reaches lethal stages. A 1st author manuscript has been completed and will be submitted to the journal "World Neurosurgery" after final revisions."

I don't know how to make it shorter
1) measured brain bleeds in subdural hematomas and epidural hematomas on MRI's to assess incidence of venous thromboembolism and its correlation to brain bleed size in traumatic brain injuries
2) understanding the onset of propofol infusion syndrome (PRIS) through various symptoms presented peri/post‐operatively as part of a clinical case report; goal: to add to literature by highlighting biochemical and symptomatic markers to recognize and treat PRIS prior to its lethal stage.1st author manuscript obtained; will be submitted to journal "World Neurosurgery" after final revisions."
I think you need to simplify the description of project 2.

also can I put lit review instead of literature review in my description?
You can, but you shouldn't.
 
1) I've been involved in roller skating as a hobby and competitively. I also ended up starting to teach young kids how to skate. Should these be listed separately?

2) I am also debating about how "long" my descriptions should be and the tone of the whole thing. Should it not include any pronouns and be kept in a resume-style tone? Just a few sentence description?
1) They could be, but if you've just started to teach skating, it may not be substantive enough to stand on its own. If that is the case, why not mention it at the end of the description of your Hobby/Avocation? Definitely mention it though, as it complements the past activity nicely.

2) You can mix and match styles for each description, depending on what gets the information across efficiently or effectively. There is advice in posts #2 & 4 that you might read through.
 
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
I've been working in the same research lab for the past 8 months but recently the PI of the lab gave me $3000 to work the summer. I plan on including this under the same research slot but I wanted to make a distinction in the description that I'm getting paid to do research now as suppose to before where I wasn't. What kind of title should I give myself? RA? How should I describe it?
Are you SURE it's a salary? A stipend to use toward living expenses isn't the same as a wage. You don't pay taxes on a stipend and you'll receive a different type of IRS form, as I recall. Be sure you are clear on exactly what category the $3000 falls into.

If it's a stipend/grant, you could actually mention this as an Award in the Research space. If it does represent a salary instead, paid once or twice monthly, then you can say you received a salary for the summer work.


***Definitions may vary, but Research Aide=gopher, eg: Cleans cages/glassware, data input. Research Tech=repetitively runs procedures, eg gels, UAs, putting rats through a maze, and may keep equipment in order. Research Assistant=has more important responsibities and some input into the process. Researcher=makes the decisions. In charge with PI oversight. Describe further in the narrative by saying what your responsibilities are.

***These are in no way all-inclusive formal, standard definitions, but provided in brief for illustrative purposes to give examples of words that might be chosen when naming an activity.
 
Last edited:
Catalystik, if I was a volunteer at a free clinic for experience name should I put clinic volunteer if I took vital signs, greeted patients, etc? What if I volunteered at another free clinic where I did the same and also helped bandage things for physicians, take off bandages, retrieve medications for them, etc. For experience name can I put clinic volunteer and assistant to physician? Thanks.
 
1) if I was a volunteer at a free clinic for experience name should I put clinic volunteer if I took vital signs, greeted patients, etc?
2) What if I volunteered at another free clinic where I did the same and also helped bandage things for physicians, take off bandages, retrieve medications for them, etc. For experience name can I put clinic volunteer and assistant to physician? Thanks.
1) Using Clinic Volunteer would be fine.

2) Maybe say, Clinic Volunteer and Aide to Physician instead.
 
Definitions may vary, but Research Aide=gopher, eg: Cleans cages/glassware, data input. Research Assistant=has more important responsibities and some input into the process. Researcher=makes the decisions. In charge with PI oversight. Describe it by saying what your responsibilities are.

Sorry, another question! I had my own research project but at every decision point or place where I didn't know what to do next, I would go to the lab supervisor under the PI for advice and direction/guidance. Is this a research assistant or researcher? I made very few decisions on my own really. Thanks!
 
Sorry, another question! I had my own research project but at every decision point or place where I didn't know what to do next, I would go to the lab supervisor under the PI for advice and direction/guidance. Is this a research assistant or researcher? I made very few decisions on my own really. Thanks!
Did you have creative control? Did you have ideas for problem-solving that you brought to the table for a final decision? Using teamwork skills to do a good job doesn't necessarily mean you put no thought into the process on your own. But sometimes it does. You decide.
 
I didn't really have creative control. I did make some troubleshooting decisions on my own, but I don't think that's enough. Thanks. I think I'll use RA and explain in the description.

I thank you for being such an invaluable resource for all of us. It is so appreciated!
 
And another question and I should be pretty much done. I've held about 6 different jobs throughout college and summer breaks, starting in 2004 up to today. I feel that since I worked all throughout college, that can be significant. At some points I would be holding two jobs at the same time even during school. Should these jobs be clumped together to conserve slots or be put in their own slots if I have enough space for everything else I want to put in?
 
So for the hobbies section I want to put down my passion for exercise, like I exercise every 6-7 days per week 1hr+ a day and its my stress reliever for college thus far for me and my question is do I just put myself as the contact because its not like I've had a friend who comes with me every time I work out that could vouch for me.

Also does anyone know if for the most meaningful experiences do we have 1300 characters spread across all 3 or just 1300 characters for one of them? Or 1300 characters for each? thanks guys!
 
And another question and I should be pretty much done. I've held about 6 different jobs throughout college and summer breaks, starting in 2004 up to today. I feel that since I worked all throughout college, that can be significant. At some points I would be holding two jobs at the same time even during school. Should these jobs be clumped together to conserve slots or be put in their own slots if I have enough space for everything else I want to put in?
I agree that working heavy hours throughout college is important to convey, and I think you could clump them, especially those from long ago. If any were special, or you have a lot to say, it could be given its own space.
 
1) So for the hobbies section I want to put down my passion for exercise, like I exercise every 6-7 days per week 1hr+ a day and its my stress reliever for college thus far for me and my question is do I just put myself as the contact because its not like I've had a friend who comes with me every time I work out that could vouch for me.

2) Also does anyone know if for the most meaningful experiences do we have 1300 characters spread across all 3 or just 1300 characters for one of them? Or 1300 characters for each? thanks guys!
1) Yes.

2) You get 1325 extra characters for each of the "Most meaningful".
 
Can we list a class project in the ECs section? It was a group project, but we got to choose the topic, so I choose a medical issue. We researched and presented on the topic, and it was a semester long project.
 
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
Are you SURE it's a salary? A stipend to use toward living expenses isn't the same as a wage. You don't pay taxes on a stipend and you'll receive a different type of IRS form, as I recall. Be sure you are clear on exactly what category the $3000 falls into.

If it's a stipend/grant, you could actually mention this as an Award in the Research space. If it does represent a salary instead, paid once or twice monthly, then you can say you received a salary for the summer work.

Definitions may vary, but Research Aide=gopher, eg: Cleans cages/glassware, data input. Research Assistant=has more important responsibities and some input into the process. Researcher=makes the decisions. In charge with PI oversight. Describe it by saying what your responsibilities are.

Thinking about it now I'm not sure if I pay taxes on it but I can find out easily.

By your definitions it's more close to RA than anything else as I align the instrument, run the experiment, and collect and analyze the data. So if it is a salary then I would describe it by saying that I recently became an RA w/ salary? Otherwise if it's a stipend then I would have to describe at such but also mentioning that I'm an RA for the summer?
 
Under what experience type do you put membership/very minor leadership role (pales in comparison to others in application) in a cultural organization?

I guess the main question is: cultural organization (something like a Filipino Student Organization for any ethnic group) = what experience type?

The dilemma stems because I'd rather not list it as leadership -- it would seem as if I'm listing it without thought.

Edit, question 2: If I earned a black belt in a martial art before college, how can I list it in the application? Can I list it with my hobbies? It was a major part of my life when I was younger and it influenced my attitude and determination/self-discipline starting at a young age. I did not continue with the martial art in college.
 
Last edited:
By your definitions it's more close to RA than anything else as I align the instrument, run the experiment, and collect and analyze the data. So if it is a salary then I would describe it by saying that I recently became an RA w/ salary? Otherwise if it's a stipend then I would have to describe at such but also mentioning that I'm an RA for the summer?
You are a Research Associate whether summer or academic year, it seems to me, so it's OK to use that term for your title since it applies to the entire experience.

If the money is a stipend, I'd add that you were awarded a stipend for the summer term, of $3000 and worked 40 hours per week during that time (give inclusive dates), or whatever (I'm presuming it will be greater than usual), but otherwise worked as a volunteer/received class credit.

If it is a salary, say I was salaried during the summer term when I worked 40 hours per week (don't give an amount), but was otherwise a volunteer/received class credit (as appropriate).

These are just examples, of course. Adjust the words to suit your own style and so it flows with the rest of your narrative.
 
1) Under what experience type do you put membership/very minor leadership role (pales in comparison to others in application) in a cultural organization?

I guess the main question is: cultural organization (something like a Filipino Student Organization for any ethnic group) = what experience type?

The dilemma stems because I'd rather not list it as leadership -- it would seem as if I'm listing it without thought.

2) Edit, question 2: If I earned a black belt in a martial art before college, how can I list it in the application? Can I list it with my hobbies? It was a major part of my life when I was younger and it influenced my attitude and determination/self-discipline starting at a young age. I did not continue with the martial art in college.
1) "Other" is appropriate.

2) There is no rule against listing it, but my first reflex is to say, "Don't bother giving it its own space." If you feel it helped develop some of the habits that will make you successful as a physician, maybe you could work it into your PS. Alternatively, if the activity evolved into participation in something requiring similar discipline (dance, other exercize or stylized activity, etc.), you could piggy-back it into the description (as background info) where you discuss the more recent activity, but not including the old dates other than maybe "the HS years."
 
I have both shadowing/clinical volunteering experience and employment (secretary) experience at the same doctor's office. Could I list these as 2 separate activities as long as I make clear the dates are different?
 
I have 200 hours of clinical experience from my rotations when I was nursing student.

Should I be putting that under "Community Service/Volunteer - Medical/Clinical"? Or under "Other"?

Edit: Also, do I have to separate according to hospital? It asks for a location, and my hours were around 50/hospital.
 
I have both shadowing/clinical volunteering experience and employment (secretary) experience at the same doctor's office. Could I list these as 2 separate activities as long as I make clear the dates are different?
You can even split it into 3 experiences, as long as you don't double count the hours. Shadowing is usually put under Other, since it helps no one but the shadower and is not considered to be a volunteer activity. An exception would be when the volunteer experience entails helping patients when in the presence of the physician (eg, assisting the doc through translating, scribing, assisting with a procedure). Then one might estimate the % time related to pt interaction+shadowing vs patient interaction without a physician. And it would be important to put the word "Shadowing" in the name of the experience in this latter case.
 
If I have a volunteer activity that required extensive pre-training (>50 hrs), can I count that in my volunteer hours? Or, should I just make a note in the description?
 
I have 200 hours of clinical experience from my rotations when I was nursing student.

Should I be putting that under "Community Service/Volunteer - Medical/Clinical"? Or under "Other"?

Edit: Also, do I have to separate according to hospital? It asks for a location, and my hours were around 50/hospital.
Since you got academic credit during that time, it was not a volunteer experience. So use the Other category and name the experience something like, "Patient Experience in Student Nursing Rotations".

For location in the header, you could list the most recent or the more common hospital site, then in the narrative, mention any others. Alternatively, to save space, just list the location of the nursing school, and someone there who can vouch for all the locations (maybe the Registrar?).
 
You can even split it into 3 experiences, as long as you don't double count the hours. Shadowing is usually put under Other, since it helps no one but the shadower and is not considered to be a volunteer activity. An exception would be when the volunteer experience entails helping patients when in the presence of the physician (eg, assisting the doc through translating, scribing, assisting with a procedure). Then one might estimate the % time related to pt interaction+shadowing vs patient interaction without a physician. And it would be important to put the word "Shadowing" in the name of the experience in this latter case.

Question about classifying shadowing: I guess I technically shadow a attending in the ED, but I help the doctors and nurses out a lot. Many times, I help the med students and new interns (in July/August) find equipment, go get supplies out of clean holding, hold/position patients during procedures, get water/gatorade etc for patients, clean beds if we get backed up, etc, etc. Is it appropriate to call this Shadowing/Volunteering? Since I actually am doing stuff to help the patients and staff
 
Question about classifying shadowing: I guess I technically shadow a attending in the ED, but I help the doctors and nurses out a lot. Many times, I help the med students and new interns (in July/August) find equipment, go get supplies out of clean holding, hold/position patients during procedures, get water/gatorade etc for patients, clean beds if we get backed up, etc, etc. Is it appropriate to call this Shadowing/Volunteering? Since I actually am doing stuff to help the patients and staff
Yes. You'll need to decide what percent of the time you engage in pure shadowing vs volunteering, vs a combo of the two and try to communicate that accurately, to the best of your ability.
 
Is it legal to do a accu-chek in Vietnam? I have no qualifications (CNA, etc) but there was always a RN in the room with me?
 
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
Where specifically can I put three years of Teaching/Lab Assistant for 2 different teachers, as well as a clinical exploration program, and the fact that I am a registered Eagle Scout?
 
I love the tips on this thread about reporting hours, thanks everyone for sharing your ideas and advice! Catalystik you are the bomb dot com.

I was wondering, would it be appropriate for me to enter the start month I joined an organization, enter '3' in the average hrs/week box, and then clarify in the description box that I spent an average of 3 hrs during an 'active week', and that I was 'active' for say 40 hours/week for the time I have been involved with the organization? Or, would it be best to leave the hrs/week box blank and just explain the whole thing in the description box?

I swear these things always sound so important in my head and so trivial typed out like this, but thanks for any advice 😳
 
Where specifically can I put
1) three years of Teaching/Lab Assistant for 2 different teachers, as well as
2) a clinical exploration program, and the fact that
3) I am a registered Eagle Scout?
1) Teaching
2) depends on if it was a) curricular (for a class), then Other; or if b) volunteer, then Community Service/Volunteer-Medical/Clinical (if you helped patients) or Other, (if you were shadowing various health professionals and just observing) with any other shadowing in the same space.
3) Honors and Awards
 
I was wondering, would it be
a) appropriate for me to enter the start month I joined an organization, enter '3' in the average hrs/week box, and then clarify in the description box that I spent an average of 3 hrs during an 'active week', and that I was 'active' for say 40 hours/week for the time I have been involved with the organization?
b) Or, would it be best to leave the hrs/week box blank and just explain the whole thing in the description box?
b) of the above would be preferred.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.