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

[LovePeds]

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Hey everyone,
I truly apologize in advance if this inquiry has been discussed previously...
In regard to verifying work/volunteer activities, etc... Who is it that verifies this information? Will my boss receive 15 separate calls from different med schools or will the verification be completed by amcas (so only one call)?
Does anyone have info regarding what is discussed during the verification?

 

[alliswell]

I'm glad someone is getting benefit from the previous posts in this thread.

As far as listing a Hobbies entry, you wouldn't say:

Hobbies:
1) Reading
2) Music
3) Watching TV.

Instead, engage your audience in your interests, saying:
1) Reading: especially Science Foction and Fantasy. I'm currently reading the Hunger Games, where I love knowing what the heroine's strategic thing is that allows her to survive.
2) Musical Interests: I love to sing for my own enjoyment ever since I was in a choir in High School. I collect songs by Madonna, Josh Grobin, and JLo. My favorite song is "You Lift me Up."
3) TV: I love to watch Bollywood movies and I collect them. Slum Dog Millionaire opened my eyes to . . . .

This is just fantastic! Thank you so much! I'd apply this format to my other activities as well!!! 😀😀

 

[Catalystik]

In regard to verifying work/volunteer activities, etc... Who is it that verifies this information? Will my boss receive 15 separate calls from different med schools or will the verification be completed by amcas (so only one call)?
Does anyone have info regarding what is discussed during the verification?

AMCAS does not verify your activities. Your boss is highly unlikely to get a call from every school.

If a phone call is made, it is to verify dates and hours/level of involvement. It is not like a call checking references where opinions of the applicant's performance and personal qualities are sought (as that is the purpose of your LORs). For employment, a secretary or human resources office would qualify for what is needed.

 

[LovePeds]

Thank you so much Catystik! One final question, I worked and managed a restaurant for about 7 yrs. My direct supervisor no longer works at the restaurant... Would it be acceptable to provide her cell phone # (or would med schools look down upon not having a landline # given to the establishment itself )? Having said that... Should I just have another mgr at the restaurant (that still works there) be listed as my contact? We do not have any formal HR department.

 

[Catalystik]

Thank you so much Catystik! One final question, I worked and managed a restaurant for about 7 yrs. My direct supervisor no longer works at the restaurant... Would it be acceptable to provide her cell phone # (or would med schools look down upon not having a landline # given to the establishment itself )? Having said that... Should I just have another mgr at the restaurant (that still works there) be listed as my contact? We do not have any formal HR department.

Someone who can attest to your employment who is on site would be preferred (who will answer the phone giving the name of the establishment), but a cell phone number of an ex-employee would be fine to use if necessary.

 

[Whomp]

Question about CNA.

I took a Certified Nurses Assistant course my freshman year, which required 90 hours of in class learning and a two-week clinical rotation at a Nursing Home. The clinical rotation was great experience since we worked 2, 40 hour weeks with direct (and dirty) patient contact.

My problem is that I never used this certification in any real capacity to get a job or work in a nursing home; however, I did use some of the things we learned when on a medical mission trip.

Would it look like I am stretching it to give my "CNA certification" its own entry? I know lots of pre-meds actually work as a CNA so I'm not sure if the fact that I didn't would reflect badly. Should I just leave it out?

Thanks in advance

 

[Catalystik]

Question about CNA.

I took a Certified Nurses Assistant course my freshman year, which required 90 hours of in class learning and a two-week clinical rotation at a Nursing Home. The clinical rotation was great experience since we worked 2, 40 hour weeks with direct (and dirty) patient contact.

My problem is that I never used this certification in any real capacity to get a job or work in a nursing home; however, I did use some of the things we learned when on a medical mission trip.

Would it look like I am stretching it to give my "CNA certification" its own entry? I know lots of pre-meds actually work as a CNA so I'm not sure if the fact that I didn't would reflect badly. Should I just leave it out?

You're right that the CNA certification doesn't help you much since you didn't really use it, but you could still give space to an entry related to your curricular nursing home gig and mention that it was required by a CNA class. I'd use the Other category for this.

You might mention the skills used that you learned in CNA class in the same space as the medical mission trip.

 

[seracus]

-

 

[MusicJunkie]

So I've chosen two of my most meaningful experiences already (one leadership, the other personal). I'd like to include my clinical experience as one, but I already discussed it in my personal statement. Do you think I should go ahead and elaborate more on my clinical experience (possibly discuss specific stories and what I learned from my time working in the hospital) or just not select this as one of my most meaningful (since it was already covered in my PS)?

 

[Catalystik]

Two organizations I held leadership roles in earned organizational-level awards. Should I include these awards in the descriptions for the clubs or in my catch-all Awards and Honors box?

If you have the space, I think it helps to keep it with the associated activity so the context of the award is better understood without your explaining twice.

 

[Catalystik]

So I've chosen two of my most meaningful experiences already (one leadership, the other personal). I'd like to include my clinical experience as one, but I already discussed it in my personal statement.
1) Do you think I should go ahead and elaborate more on my clinical experience (possibly discuss specific stories and what I learned from my time working in the hospital)
2) or just not select this as one of my most meaningful (since it was already covered in my PS)?

1) Ideally, you would minimize repeated information. If you have more to say about it than the PS covered, this could work fine (and some adcomms love anecdotes). OTOH, you don't have to fill the space provided for a "Most Meaningful" activity completely. You may so designate it just to have adcomms aware of your honest sentiments, and not to be strategic.

2) One is not obliged to pick more than one "Most Meaningful" so if you decide not to use this acitivity, you don't necessarily have to replace it with something else.

 

[HSUReddie]

One last question...

A med student friend of mine were talking last night about the most meaningful's. I had designated an internship at a children's hospital, my undergraduate research, and my undergraduate teaching assistant. He seems to think I should trade all of my physician shadowing for undergraduate teaching assistant as these have more strongly affected my desire to becoming a doctor. However, I think the undergraduate teaching assistant position is probably more impressive. Any opinions of which way to go?

 

[Catalystik]

A med student friend of mine were talking last night about the most meaningful's. I had designated an internship at a children's hospital, my undergraduate research, and my undergraduate teaching assistant. He seems to think I should trade all of my physician shadowing for undergraduate teaching assistant as these have more strongly affected my desire to becoming a doctor. However, I think the undergraduate teaching assistant position is probably more impressive. Any opinions of which way to go?

It's called "Most Meaningful," not "My Guess About What Will Make an Adcomm Happy." By trying to read adcomm minds when you make your selection, you are doomed to being wrong half the time. I'd rather see you pick the activity you cared about the most and that maybe led to personal growth, as you'd be more likely to inject some passion into your description and personal impact discussion.

 

[seracus]

-

 

[Catalystik]

I wrote my senior thesis on the same research which was later published. I'd rather not talk about the same research twice. Would it be confusing to combine one activity slot to include both the thesis and the publication?

I think that would be the most efficient way to do it and would work fine.

 

[Whomp]

I have an additional question about the "Most Meaningful" descriptions. I completed a project in South America that requires a ton of background/explaining to do in order for it to be relevant and as meaningful as it can be for the adcoms that read it. Is it okay to spend those 1325 characters explaining the purpose/significance of the project and only a sentence or two for what I "gained" or transformation from it personally?

Thanks again.

 

[MohamedGamal]

I have a list of organizations that i am part of, so i just grouped them together and made a list. I don't have a single contact as they are organizations for various places. What should i do?

Thank you in advance.

 

[seracus]

-

 

[not my name]

Is it necessary to list all the hours involved in activities? I want to make a hobbies section that lists things like playing piano and crocheting. However, I don't really do these things everyday, or even every week. Can I just describe them without listing hours?

 

[HSUReddie]

Anyone have any problems with the character count being under 700 and when you save and go back to take a look at things, it's snipped off the last bit of your description?

I'm starting to get very aggravated. 😡

 

[seracus]

Anyone have any problems with the character count being under 700 and when you save and go back to take a look at things, it's snipped off the last bit of your description?

I'm starting to get very aggravated. 😡

Are you using Chrome? Some people reported the same problem. They said use Internet Explorer (or the Chrome app that lets you open a window in IE).

 

[HSUReddie]

Are you using Chrome? Some people reported the same problem. They said use Internet Explorer (or the Chrome app that lets you open a window in IE).

Safari actually, but wouldn't surprise me if it's the same problem. Thanks for the tip.

 

[seracus]

For publications, must we list all the authors? Et al would save me a lot of space (but it would also remove my name from the citation as I am not first author).

 

[Catalystik]

I have an additional question about the "Most Meaningful" descriptions. I completed a project in South America that requires a ton of background/explaining to do in order for it to be relevant and as meaningful as it can be for the adcoms that read it. Is it okay to spend those 1325 characters explaining the purpose/significance of the project and only a sentence or two for what I "gained" or transformation from it personally?

Thanks again.

Using the space in a way that mostly excludes its intended purpose seems likely to annoy some adcomms.

 

[Catalystik]

I have a list of organizations that i am part of, so i just grouped them together and made a list. I don't have a single contact as they are organizations for various places. What should i do?

Thank you in advance.

If your advisor is aware of most of your involvement, you might use that person. Otherwise add contact info in the narrative.

 

[umichpremed05]

I apologize if this question has been answered elsewhere, but I couldn't find it.

Is it appropriate to describe the publications or should they just be listed. I was planning on putting something like this for each one:

Ray, J.J., Petrovic-Djergovic, D., Bouis, D., Hyman M.C., Quinn, T.P., Anyanwu, A.C., Dolgacheva, N.N., & Pinsky D.J. Ecto-5’-nucleotidase suppression of t cell trafficking to the ischemic brain [abstract]. Circulation. 2011 (124) A16273.

Is that what most applicants do?

Also, from reading above, it seems like when people list their shadowing, they list each doctor in the the commentary section with their contacts and the number of hours shadowed. It is also said above that it is not necessary to describe shadowing. I was planning on using this as a meaningful experience and describe how the experience, for a large variety of reason, affirmed my love and medicine and my pursuit of a medical career. Should this not be described and simply leave my shadowing activity as a list of contacts and hours?

Again, I am sorry if these questions have been addressed elsewhere.

 

[Catalystik]

Right now I have filled all 15 slots (which I did not expect to do). In the end, it actually felt like I had around 20-22 experiences, and I had to efficiently bundle many of them (work study jobs, research pubs/posters/thesis, etc.). Will this section come off as cluttered or should I not worry about it?

Yes,it will seem cluttered, but if every entry adds to your appeal as an applicant, don't worry about it.

 

[Catalystik]

Is it necessary to list all the hours involved in activities? I want to make a hobbies section that lists things like playing piano and crocheting. However, I don't really do these things everyday, or even every week. Can I just describe them without listing hours?

For hobbies, I wouldn't worry about exact hours, but try to give a feel for level of involvement even if it is vague.

 

[Catalystik]

For publications, must we list all the authors? Et al would save me a lot of space (but it would also remove my name from the citation as I am not first author).

You can list first author,et al, then give your place on the list.

 

[Catalystik]

I apologize if this question has been answered elsewhere, but I couldn't find it.

Is it appropriate to describe the publications or should they just be listed. I was planning on putting something like this for each one:

Ray, J.J., Petrovic-Djergovic, D., Bouis, D., Hyman M.C., Quinn, T.P., Anyanwu, A.C., Dolgacheva, N.N., & Pinsky D.J. Ecto-5’-nucleotidase suppression of t cell trafficking to the ischemic brain [abstract]. Circulation. 2011 (124) A16273.

Is that what most applicants do?

Also, from reading above, it seems like when people list their shadowing, they list each doctor in the the commentary section with their contacts and the number of hours shadowed. It is also said above that it is not necessary to describe shadowing. I was planning on using this as a meaningful experience and describe how the experience, for a large variety of reason, affirmed my love and medicine and my pursuit of a medical career. Should this not be described and simply leave my shadowing activity as a list of contacts and hours?

Again, I am sorry if these questions have been addressed elsewhere.

just the citation is all that is needed.

If your shadowing is Most Meaningful then greater depth of description and some reflection would be expected. You might even include anecdotes.

 

[aggronor]

Several years ago, I worked at a retail store that has since closed (part of a national chain that went bankrupt), and after some thorough searching, I can find absolutely no way of getting the contact info for any of my managers there. What should I do?

 

[shootingstr]

This is a really general question so it may be answered already, but I can't find it.
For undergrad research, I'm really stuck on what to write in the description. Other than one line on the topic of my research and one line describing average number of hours I worked, I don't know what else to write mainly because:
1. I have done a project for a scholars program through the university that lasted one year.
2. I wrote a paper to submit to the undergraduate journal of the university based on this research. However, the journal has not released which projects will be published yet. I listed the scholars program under honors and awards and mentioned that I submitted a paper.
3. I also did a poster presentation for the scholars program, which I listed separately under posters/presentations along with another poster presentation I did on the same data.
4. I am doing a thesis on this research too but not through a program.

The problem is, since I mentioned everything I got from the research experience already, I don't know what do write in the research description box. Should I have put all of this in one entry? Any help would be appreciated! Thank you!

 

[shootingstr]

Another question:
Should tuition grants be listed? Such as bright futures, or another grant that i got that only students with a certain GPA or above get, etc? And if yes, can these be listed along with dean's list, and other academic recognitions?

 

[Catalystik]

Several years ago, I worked at a retail store that has since closed (part of a national chain that went bankrupt), and after some thorough searching, I can find absolutely no way of getting the contact info for any of my managers there. What should I do?

List a co-worker, an advisor, your mom, or yourself. Or list the person at the store as Closed Business, with the old phone number.

 

[Catalystik]

This is a really general question so it may be answered already, but I can't find it.
For undergrad research, I'm really stuck on what to write in the description. Other than one line on the topic of my research and one line describing average number of hours I worked, I don't know what else to write mainly because:
1. I have done a project for a scholars program through the university that lasted one year.
2. I wrote a paper to submit to the undergraduate journal of the university based on this research. However, the journal has not released which projects will be published yet. I listed the scholars program under honors and awards and mentioned that I submitted a paper.
3. I also did a poster presentation for the scholars program, which I listed separately under posters/presentations along with another poster presentation I did on the same data.
4. I am doing a thesis on this research too but not through a program.

The problem is, since I mentioned everything I got from the research experience already, I don't know what do write in the research description box. Should I have put all of this in one entry?

Your Research entry should include a list of your duties in the lab as are relevant to the research (not stuff like you had to lock up at night). If you have any space left after reading what is below, you can expand on the purpose of the research, study design, etc.

An unaccepted paper doesn't get you any points and many feel its not worth mentioning. A campus poster/presentation is generally listed in the same space as the Research. If you presented a poster off campus, then the on-campus event can be mentioned in that same space. The submission of the manuscript could alternatively be mentioned in this same listing if you are short on space, since they all deal with the same data. Personally, I would not mention the submission in the Awards listing. Instead talk about criteria for acceptance, how competitive, and requirements for continuing with the program.

The experience of preparing a thesis can be listed on its own under Other if you've already made a good start and have enough to say about it. Alternatively, if this is more of a plan at this time, you could mention it in the Research listing also.

 

[Catalystik]

Should tuition grants be listed? Such as bright futures, or another grant that i got that only students with a certain GPA or above get, etc? And if yes, can these be listed along with dean's list, and other academic recognitions?

If the grant is needs-based, there is no need to mention it as there is another place on the application where you can discuss this.

Scholarships/grants can be listed under Awards/Honors, with your other recognitions, with an amount specified only if it is substantial. If it was small, keep them guessing. Include the criteria and an idea of how selective it is (like 5 out of 150 applicants receive it).

 

[Medgen]

Sorry if this has been answered already. If I was the first author on a poster, should I designate it as such in the narrative of a research description even if I don't cite the poster? I don't have space to cite the poster and since it was at my school's research symposium, I am just going to say that "I was first author on three posters for my school's research symposium."

Sorry if this came off as stupid, but I am not even sure that you use the terminology "first author" for posters... I know abstracts and manuscripts obviously do. Any advice on how to simply say I made three posters would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!!

 

[bobodylan41]

what contact do I put for dean's list?

 

[Catalystik]

1) If I was the first author on a poster, should I designate it as such in the narrative of a research description even if I don't cite the poster? I don't have space to cite the poster and since it was at my school's research symposium, I am just going to say that "I was first author on three posters for my school's research symposium."

2) I am not even sure that you use the terminology "first author" for posters... I know abstracts and manuscripts obviously do. Any advice on how to simply say I made three posters would be greatly appreciated.

1) It is appropriate to mention your place in the authorship list and the summary statement you've provided would be fine.

2) That is the correct terminology for posters as well as publications.

 

[Catalystik]

what contact do I put for dean's list?

Use the Registrar of your college, who has a record of all awards and scholarships.

 

[Medgen]

If you have held multiple executive board positions for a club, should you list one in the experience name and then the dates for when you have been on the executive board?

I don't want to misleadingly suggest that I was president for four years.

I was thinking of putting "executive board of ____" in the experience and then listing the positions in the narrative. Alternatively, I could put president and program coordinator (my two positions in the experience type.

 

[Catalystik]

If you have held multiple executive board positions for a club, should you list one in the experience name and then the dates for when you have been on the executive board?

I don't want to misleadingly suggest that I was president for four years.

I was thinking of putting "executive board of ____" in the experience and then listing the positions in the narrative. Alternatively, I could put president and program coordinator (my two positions in the experience type.

Pick a title that covers all the roles listed in the entry. Maybe, "Leadership Roles in XXXX Club," or "XXXX Club Executive Board President and Program Coordinator." Then in the header you can list the full date span that you engaged in leadership for this organization, with dates for each role in the narrative.

 

[grapepopsicle]

What about research in a social science department? If the research primarily involved interviewing people and reading through journals/books (in addition to a significant amount of writing), should it be listed under another category? Is the 'research' designation meant for science/clinical research?

 

[Catalystik]

What about research in a social science department? If the research primarily involved interviewing people and reading through journals/books (in addition to a significant amount of writing), should it be listed under another category? Is the 'research' designation meant for science/clinical research?

"Research" for AMCAS purposes need not be in the hard sciences, but it should be hypothesis-driven, with a study design, collection of data, analysis, and drawing of a conclusion that adds to human knowledge. Book and article review for background information or to gather what is already known about a topic, eg, before writing a term paper, does not fall into this category. Interviewing recruited study participants from a set questionnaire probably does.

 

[grapepopsicle]

"Research" for AMCAS purposes need not be in the hard sciences, but it should be hypothesis-driven, with a study design, collection of data, analysis, and drawing of a conclusion that adds to human knowledge. Book and article review for background information or to gather what is already known about a topic, eg, before writing a term paper, does not fall into this category. Interviewing recruited study participants from a set questionnaire probably does.

Thanks! 👍

 

[grapepopsicle]

Another question: How specific can I be in the description when talking about a physician I shadowed? If something a doctor did left a substantial impression on me, can I specifically describe what the doctor did, using their name? What about if the adcom members at one of the schools I'm applying to is very likely to know this physician?

Thanks!

 

[zzzcor]

I have only 6 hours of shadowing from private practice.. and rest of it is from observing doctors from hospitals. Since it was not formal, I don't really know their name or they know my name..
Also hours are very approximate but it's about 30 hours total, including couple all night shadowing for couple of doctors. How can I designate this? I am thinking about writing this separately from my own hospital volunteering..

 

[theseeker4]

Another question: How specific can I be in the description when talking about a physician I shadowed? If something a doctor did left a substantial impression on me, can I specifically describe what the doctor did, using their name? What about if the adcom members at one of the schools I'm applying to is very likely to know this physician?

Thanks!

You definitely don't want to identify any patients or patient information, but identifying a doctor isn't as problematic. You can and should name the doctor you shadowed when you list the activity, so using his or her name shouldn't be an issue at all. If you have any reason to think he or she might mind, simply ask the doctor for their permission.

 

[refrigerator]

Hi,

I was part of a lab for 2 years and I contributed to 2 papers, which are both submitted and not yet accepted. I realize these count for future activities, but I did attend a conference for one of the papers last fall (I'm listed on the program etc).

Should I just add the conference title and date and the title of the paper we presented? Or leave it out? Or what?

Thanks!
A

 

[Catalystik]

Another question: How specific can I be in the description when talking about a physician I shadowed? If something a doctor did left a substantial impression on me, can I specifically describe what the doctor did, using their name? What about if the adcom members at one of the schools I'm applying to is very likely to know this physician?

You definitely don't want to identify any patients or patient information, but identifying a doctor isn't as problematic. You can and should name the doctor you shadowed when you list the activity, so using his or her name shouldn't be an issue at all. If you have any reason to think he or she might mind, simply ask the doctor for their permission.

. . . .Unless the impression left in your mind was a negative one, in which case I would hesitate to give a negative report when the doc is identifiable.