*~*~*~*Official AMCAS "Work/Activities" Tips Thread 2013-2014*~*~*~*

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I got school credit for an independant study.. but i also want to put it in my activities section- is that okay?
 
I got school credit for an independant study.. but i also want to put it in my activities section- is that okay?

I wouldn't unless you got a major presentation and/or publication for it since it is already listed in your transcript. It might be okay though.
 
I am listing Yale SMDEP as one of my activities. I have the number, e-mail, and title of who to contact but NO name... I have called them and e-mailed them multiple times. What should I do? Any thoughts/advice?






Also what do you all think of my listings for publications and presentations:

Title: Posters/Presentations 2006 Onwards

I have contributed towards seven unpublished presentations on topics ranging from health care disparities, genetics and pharmacology. Below are a few selected citations:

2013 American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics annual meeting
Vatsslys, V., Schgiddt, V. Y., & Ragchfndani, V. A*. Influence of Steady-State and Biphasic Exposure Profiles on the Pharmacodynamics of Acute Intravenous (IV) Alcohol in Young Adults.

2007 TriBeta District Convention
Sasfdidt Terón, V. Y*. A comparison of the dopaminergic effects of methylphenidate (Ritalin) and cocaine in order to investigate the similarities and differences in their mechanisms of action.

*-indicates presenter

and

Title: Published Scientific Writing

I have contributed work to four published abstracts presented at conferences. Below are three:

Schmidt, V., et al. (2013). Characterization of Hangover Following Intravenous (IV) Alcohol in Social Drinkers: Effects of Family History, Drinking History and Sex. Clin Trans Sci, 6(2): 136, 2

Vatsalya, V., Schmidt, V. Y., et al. (2013). Subjective and motor responses to acute intravenous (IV) alcohol: Comparison of clamp and oral-mimic infusion paradigms. Inves Med, 61(3): 663

Schmidt, V. et al. (2012). Influence of Serotonin (5-HT) Receptor Polymorphism on the Subjective Response to Alcohol in Non-Dependent Drinkers: Preliminary Findings. Alc Clin Exp Res, 36(6): 175A
 
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i had a major presentation.. i did my thesis there etc.. and i also worked all summer there and did not get credit for that. I definitely want to put it in the activities but i dont know how to calculate the hours! Can I include hours I also got credit for?

Maybe you can just identify that in the description that the project was started with coursework... or I am not sure how to indicate it right now

When are you planning to submit Meredith?
 
Forgive me if someone already posted this, but I'm entering in my awards/honors right now and they're making me input the total number of hours for these awards. How on earth are you supposed to quantify how many hours go into an award? For some awards, I did spend time writing an application, but for others, I just received the award. And yet, this is a mandatory field. How did you guys go about filling that part out?
 
Ugh. This section is rivaling the personal statement for pain in the ass. Sorry, just wanted to complain ya'll.
 
Forgive me if someone already posted this, but I'm entering in my awards/honors right now and they're making me input the total number of hours for these awards. How on earth are you supposed to quantify how many hours go into an award? For some awards, I did spend time writing an application, but for others, I just received the award. And yet, this is a mandatory field. How did you guys go about filling that part out?

You can put 0.
 
so in groups such as shadowing where I list several experiences under one entry, should I put the number of hours shadowing the first doctor I list in the total hours box and then put each physician's hours underneath their entries? or combine all of them and put them in total hours? thanks!
 
so in groups such as shadowing where I list several experiences under one entry, should I put the number of hours shadowing the first doctor I list in the total hours box and then put each physician's hours underneath their entries? or combine all of them and put them in total hours? thanks!

It's up to you, it all gets clarified in the description and it should be clear to whoever reads it. I didn't have the "total hours" field when I applied, but if I was applying now I would put the total hours spent shadowing all the doctors in that "total hours" field and then do a list format in the description:

1) Dr. X (specialty) - x hours
2) Dr. Y (specialty) - x hours
3) Dr. Z (specialty) - x hours
etc.
 
i was planning to submit today but i dont wanna rush it. my new goal is saturday.
 
I can't seem to find the answer for this. . . if I am continuing an activity with no apparent end date, how do I state that?
 
I can't seem to find the answer for this. . . if I am continuing an activity with no apparent end date, how do I state that?

I'm not completely familiar with the new way they're doing work/activities, but it should be fine if you just write today's date as the "end date" and then just clarify in the description. A simple sentence saying that you are currently continuing this activity into the future.
 
i was planning to submit today but i dont wanna rush it. my new goal is saturday.

Same here... I was planning to submit Friday... but now I just got a whole new idea for my personal statement... :-/ I am not sure what to do.... :-/

Processing can take up to 6 weeks from the time that your application and all required official transcripts are received. :-/ AHHHH!!!! :-(
 
Is being a teaching assistant a Leadership classification or just the teaching classification? I have multiple teaching assistant positions that I'm listing, but if I put them all into the teaching/tutoring category I do not have any leadership looking activities. Should I arbitrarily call one leadership? For one of them, I listed it as most meaningful and wrote in my extra box about leadership... So should I call it leadership to check that box?
 
Same here... I was planning to submit Friday... but now I just got a whole new idea for my personal statement... :-/ I am not sure what to do.... :-/

Processing can take up to 6 weeks from the time that your application and all required official transcripts are received. :-/ AHHHH!!!! :-(


I wouldn't worry too much! Anytime in the next week or so is definitely still considered early! My transcripts were received a while ago which is a bit helpful!! Have u submitted your transcripts??
 
Hi all,

I've tried using the search feature, but couldn't find my answer. Quick question:

1) I have 2 publications and am planning on listing them in separate slots. For the description, should I just have the full citation or would it be good to include a short description about the findings of the paper and possibly my contributions to the projects? Also, do people generally put the title of the paper in the title line and then the name of the journal goes in the organization?
 
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If any of you all were selected to participate in a summer research program (SURF, SURP, etc.), did you give it its own entry? Or did you group it under another entry like "research" or "awards"?


----------- Edit: nevermind -------------

I saw the answer on the first page of this thread.
 
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Hi,
I was wondering if it is necessary to use the extra space for a meaningful experience.

For instance, I right now have 2 meaningful experiences that I am going to have to use the extra space, but for my third (potentially meaningful) experience, think i have enough that i dont need to use the extra space.

So overall i am trying to decide to make this experience meaningful or not (but it actually is meaningful to me.) I am afraid that not using the extra space will make it sound that it wasn't meaningful.

Thanks!
 
Hi,
I was wondering if it is necessary to use the extra space for a meaningful experience.

For instance, I right now have 2 meaningful experiences that I am going to have to use the extra space, but for my third (potentially meaningful) experience, think i have enough that i dont need to use the extra space.

So overall i am trying to decide to make this experience meaningful or not (but it actually is meaningful to me.) I am afraid that not using the extra space will make it sound that it wasn't meaningful.

Thanks!

You don't need 3 meaningful experiences. It's fine to have 2. And if you don't need the extra space, then don't mark that 3rd one as meaningful, because it won't look good to leave that extra space blank.
 
Does it make sense to estimate total hours for things like awards, publications, and hobbies? Or can we just put 0? I mean, how do you assign an hour-value to something like deans list or Phi Beta Kappa?
 
Does it make sense to estimate total hours for things like awards, publications, and hobbies? Or can we just put 0? I mean, how do you assign an hour-value to something like deans list or Phi Beta Kappa?

it's fine to put 0 for activities where there is obviously no logical way to compute the hours.
 
i was planning to submit today but i dont wanna rush it. my new goal is saturday.

Same here... I was planning to submit Friday... but now I just got a whole new idea for my personal statement... :-/ I am not sure what to do.... :-/

Processing can take up to 6 weeks from the time that your application and all required official transcripts are received. :-/ AHHHH!!!! :-(

Just got my last transcript marked as "Received" only took 3.5 weeks, 5.5 weeks from the first try..... 😛

Do they work on weekends? Ie, is there a difference between Saturday and Monday?

I'm planning Monday, which is why I'm asking.
 
Just got my last transcript marked as "Received" only took 3.5 weeks, 5.5 weeks from the first try..... 😛

Do they work on weekends? Ie, is there a difference between Saturday and Monday?

I'm planning Monday, which is why I'm asking.

No they do not work on weekends, but there is a difference between submitting on Saturday vs. Monday. All the people that submit Saturday and Sunday will be ahead of you in the queue if you submit Monday.

But submit when you're ready, no need to rush.
 
I know this is mentioned in the sticky FAQ, but I thought I'd just seek a community consensus. This is my publications section, including a publication pending acceptance:

Estimated total hours refer to manuscript preparation.

Published:

(4th author) ME AND OTHER AUTHORS. (2013). Neurological Soft Signs in Individuals with Pathological Gambling. PLoS ONE, 8(4).

ME (2010). Neural Plasticity and the Progress of Phantom Pain Research. Mind Matters: The Wesleyan Journal of Psychology, 5, 13-26.

Anticipated:

(6th author) ME AND OTHER AUTHORS. (2013) Cortical and Cerebellar Modulation of Autonomic Responses to Salient Sounds. Psychophysiology, resubmitted with minor revisions, pending acceptance.**

**Not yet accepted.


Is this okay to include? I tried to be as forthcoming as possible with the fact that it is not yet accepted...
 
I know this is mentioned in the sticky FAQ, but I thought I'd just seek a community consensus. This is my publications section, including a publication pending acceptance:

Estimated total hours refer to manuscript preparation.

Published:

(4th author) ME AND OTHER AUTHORS. (2013). Neurological Soft Signs in Individuals with Pathological Gambling. PLoS ONE, 8(4).

ME (2010). Neural Plasticity and the Progress of Phantom Pain Research. Mind Matters: The Wesleyan Journal of Psychology, 5, 13-26.

Anticipated:

(6th author) ME AND OTHER AUTHORS. (2013) Cortical and Cerebellar Modulation of Autonomic Responses to Salient Sounds. Psychophysiology, resubmitted with minor revisions, pending acceptance.**

**Not yet accepted.


Is this okay to include? I tried to be as forthcoming as possible with the fact that it is not yet accepted...

Actually, I managed to move things around and find space for it in the entry for my research assistant position. So scratch that...
 
I somehow forgot to include a contact for a hobby I added (traveled to Asia. It was just a personal trip not associated with any organization). I am not sure how I was allowed to submit without the contact information filled out, but I am really nervous that this could be a big problem and am not sure what I should do. Help please!!
 
I somehow forgot to include a contact for a hobby I added (traveled to Asia. It was just a personal trip not associated with any organization). I am not sure how I was allowed to submit without the contact information filled out, but I am really nervous that this could be a big problem and am not sure what I should do. Help please!!

Contact AMCAS... maybe they can fill it in for you or give you access to your application... it seems like a small thing... I wouldn't worry too much about it... but try and contact AMCAS
 
Contact AMCAS... maybe they can fill it in for you or give you access to your application... it seems like a small thing... I wouldn't worry too much about it... but try and contact AMCAS

Thank you. Yes, I definitely will call them to see if there is anything that can be done. I should probably add that it was indicated as one of my most meaningful experiences so the mistake may draw more attention...
 
what's the difference between getting verified on 6/28 and like 7/01. will there be a lag time between getting verified on 7/01 and getting secondaries, or are people just worried about being 3 days behind the 6/28 crew after secondaries, because they presume that those people have already pre-written their secondaries and will submit immediately? I can't imagine we're talking many more than a few hundred applications at most schools by then, and I feel like it doesn't really put anybody at a disadvantage. Is there something I'm missing or are people just being extra neurotic?
 
what's the difference between getting verified on 6/28 and like 7/01. will there be a lag time between getting verified on 7/01 and getting secondaries, or are people just worried about being 3 days behind the 6/28 crew after secondaries, because they presume that those people have already pre-written their secondaries and will submit immediately? I can't imagine we're talking many more than a few hundred applications at most schools by then, and I feel like it doesn't really put anybody at a disadvantage. Is there something I'm missing or are people just being extra neurotic?

People are just being extra neurotic. A lot of schools will send out their secondaries automatically after you're verified, or at least within a couple days of being verified, so no, there's no difference.
 
I am kind of worried about the timeline of my application. I am not taking my MCAT until 7/26. I am applying to Florida schools, and some of them send out secondaries without MCAT scores being in yet. I was wondering if it is a good idea to get verified now, and then return secondaries in July, more than a month before my MCAT score gets relayed to them?

Would I be better off waiting to submit my application until sometime in July? I would prefer not to complete secondaries while studying for my MCAT and working. But would there be any benefit for me to have given them everything early, even though my MCAT scores won't be there for another month?
 
If an activity is only during the school year, should I split it into the school years? Or is it assumed that the summers are excluded and I just leave it as one.
 
People are just being extra neurotic. A lot of schools will send out their secondaries automatically after you're verified, or at least within a couple days of being verified, so no, there's no difference.

AMCAS says that it can take up to 6 weeks to process the applications. Does this mean it could take 6 weeks to verify my application?
 
Does this sound awkward to any of you? Please help, I want to submit right now but this paragraph just sounds weird to me. Am I being SDNeurotic?:

Volunteering at ______ brought my attention to the disparate health outcomes in underserved populations. The experience highlighted the capacity for those in health professions to impart social justice by intervening in this issue. For the first time, I was aware of the greater role that a physician can play in the community beyond normal inpatient health services.
 
I've been swapping between bulleted lists for longer entries and normal sentences for shorter entries. I also use normal sentences when I explain things that aren't as obvious, like WTF NaNoWriMo is, while bulleted lists are used for things like volunteering in the ED. Will this go over poorly?

Can I double-dip and list a presentation as both a presentation AND a publication because the conference published its abstracts?

Remember that it's often better to describe what you did and what you learned from the experience rather than just a bullet-point list of what you did. Just listing your responsibilities while volunteering in the ED doesn't really say much if you don't talk about what you got out of that experience.

And no, don't double dip. Talk about it in the description - say that the conference publishes the abstract and give the citation.

Also, in response to your signature, you have plenty of time for extracurriculars in med school. 😛


Does this sound awkward to any of you? Please help, I want to submit right now but this paragraph just sounds weird to me. Am I being SDNeurotic?:

Volunteering at ______ brought my attention to the disparate health outcomes in underserved populations. The experience highlighted the capacity for those in health professions to impart social justice by intervening in this issue. For the first time, I was aware of the greater role that a physician can play in the community beyond normal inpatient health services.

It does sound a little awkward...I had to read the second sentence a couple times and I feel like it doesn't really say anything. Can you talk about something more specific, maybe talk about something specific you noticed or learned, rather than just a general, passive statement that doesn't add anything to the description?
 
It does sound a little awkward...I had to read the second sentence a couple times and I feel like it doesn't really say anything. Can you talk about something more specific, maybe talk about something specific you noticed or learned, rather than just a general, passive statement that doesn't add anything to the description?

This is the full thing. It is a 'most meaningful' description. I listed my responsibilities in the main description box. Should I still change that second sentence? I'm not really a great writer -_- :
 
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Just about ready to submit! Big thank you to everyone for all the help, especially Ismet and anguisette. I think a lot of us would be lost without you two!

I have ten work/activities with two most meaningful (one work experience and one volunteer).

Last question: is there any way to change the order in which the activities appear on the application? I would prefer to separate my most meaningful work experience from my personal statement if possible.

Thanks again!

-Bill R.
 
This is the full thing. It is a 'most meaningful' description. I listed my responsibilities in the main description box. Should I still change that second sentence? I'm not really a great writer -_- :

Volunteering at _____ brought my attention to the disparate health outcomes in underserved populations. The experience highlighted the capacity for those in health professions to impart social justice by intervening in this issue. For the first time, I was aware of the greater role that a physician can play in the community beyond normal inpatient health services.

Doing my part to treat these patients as a volunteer introduced me to the interpersonal challenges in the work of a physician. To coax each patient's trust and obtain a thorough medical history, I had to emulate effective bedside manners. This meant behaving with sensitivity, maturity, and showing sincere interest for each case. Most of these patients treated me in return with a sense of respect and gratitude that was immensely fulfilling.

This experience also helped me realize my preference to eventually work amongst an urban patient population. Patients from lower-income backgrounds - largely concentrated in urban settings - face serious inequities in their health. With the immense privilege of receiving a medical education also comes a responsibility to give back to the community at large. As a future health care provider, I will strive to utilize my training by giving back to struggling communities like the one where I was raised.

I'm concerned with your usage of "emulate," which means to imitate. Maybe use "demonstrate"? And in your third paragraph, the "inequities" would be in the patients' healthcare, not their health.

I may be wrong, but it doesn't sound like you're writing with your own voice. This isn't a paper for a class, you don't have to have brilliant style or word usage. I think the vast majority of the description is good, but there are a few phrases that don't really seem to fit: the parts that I highlighted above, and the 2nd sentence in the first paragraph, specifically "impart social justice by intervening in this issue."

I know you're eager to submit asap, but often when I'm hitting a wall with how to phrase something, I start from scratch (did that with my entire PS once!). Just take 10 minutes and quickly rewrite this description. Maybe you'll find a new way to say things that works better.
 
Just about ready to submit! Big thank you to everyone for all the help, especially Ismet and anguisette. I think a lot of us would be lost without you two!

I have ten work/activities with two most meaningful (one work experience and one volunteer).

Last question: is there any way to change the order in which the activities appear on the application? I would prefer to separate my most meaningful work experience from my personal statement if possible.

Thanks again!

-Bill R.

I'm fairly certain AMCAS lists them chronologically by start date by default (unless that has changed since 2011), but adcoms can sort them by a number of factors, so there's no telling what order they might see your activities in. Unfortunately you cannot change the order manually.

Best of luck with your application!
 
I know you're eager to submit asap, but often when I'm hitting a wall with how to phrase something, I start from scratch (did that with my entire PS once!). Just take 10 minutes and quickly rewrite this description. Maybe you'll find a new way to say things that works better.

Yup, I've been doing this a lot and I think I will do it again for this description. TY
 
Help important question!

So apparently I noticed there is an error on my transcript.
My teacher forgot to register a credit of research for me.
I did 3 semesters of research (summer, fall, spring) but I only got 2 credits.

My teacher also knows of this error now. The probelm is that i think it is gonna take too long to fix the error, and i dont want to get late for my applications.

I cant submit my apps until after the 18th becuase I get my mcat scores that day, so there is a little room.

So i got 2 questions:
1. I already submitted my transcript with the error and it will probably be recieved by monday or tuesday. If i do get my error corrected and thuis do get a new transcript ... can i still be able to send a corrected transcript? Also how long would it take?

2. My other question is that say it would take too long to get the error corected, i was wondering if there is any or a big diffrence with 2 vs 3 research credits. I mean i still wrote and gave the hours, etc on my app of all 3 semesters.
Do you think it matters 2 or 3.... is it a big deal....or should i still submit my app regardless of the error?

THANKS !!!
 
what's the difference between getting verified on 6/28 and like 7/01. will there be a lag time between getting verified on 7/01 and getting secondaries, or are people just worried about being 3 days behind the 6/28 crew after secondaries, because they presume that those people have already pre-written their secondaries and will submit immediately? I can't imagine we're talking many more than a few hundred applications at most schools by then, and I feel like it doesn't really put anybody at a disadvantage. Is there something I'm missing or are people just being extra neurotic?

I believe that even if people pre-wrote all their secondaries and submitted them a minute after getting them on 6/28, it still wouldn't make any difference in terms of your chances since most schools start screening in August. So as long as your secondaries are in by August it doesn't really matter when you submitted them.

Or maybe I've got the wrong perception about this. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.
 
I believe that even if people pre-wrote all their secondaries and submitted them a minute after getting them on 6/28, it still wouldn't make any difference in terms of your chances since most schools start screening in August. So as long as your secondaries are in by August it doesn't really matter when you submitted them.

Or maybe I've got the wrong perception about this. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

One of the schools I applied to required that secondaries be returned within two weeks. This was a DO school, however. Not sure if any MD schools have the same policy.

-Bill R.
 
For repeated activities, should the 'main' date range be the most recent one? Or should that go in last?

As a nontrad with years of work experience at multiple jobs, this 999 hour limit is driving me crazy. As though calculating hours and figuring out contact people for jobs I last worked 6+ years ago wasn't bad enough....
 
I believe that even if people pre-wrote all their secondaries and submitted them a minute after getting them on 6/28, it still wouldn't make any difference in terms of your chances since most schools start screening in August. So as long as your secondaries are in by August it doesn't really matter when you submitted them.

Or maybe I've got the wrong perception about this. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

I am concerned that AMCAS says it could take up to 6 weeks to process the applications... I haven't submitted mine yet... my goal is early this week... I decided to try to rewrite my personal statement and some of my essays... :-/
 
Is it alright to mention independent study, like taking courses from edX and Coursera, in this section? I understand that it might be just like reading books during free time, but just wondering.

Thanks.
 
Is it alright to mention independent study, like taking courses from edX and Coursera, in this section? I understand that it might be just like reading books during free time, but just wondering.

Thanks.

I did coursera courses as well but I didn't include them. It may seem like you're just padding the section mainly because those don't count for grades and I do know that it is possible to do the bare minimum and still pass the course. All you get at the end is a certificate of completion as well.
 
I did coursera courses as well but I didn't include them. It may seem like you're just padding the section mainly because those don't count for grades and I do know that it is possible to do the bare minimum and still pass the course. All you get at the end is a certificate of completion as well.

I think it shows commitment to learning... if you did a bunch of them I would group them together
 
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