*~*~*~*Official AMCAS "Work/Activities" Tips Thread 2014-2015*~*~*~*

[Gladiator89]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Yes.

Thanks!

 

[phunky]

I am struggling to fit all the information about my research assistant job into the specified space, even after marking it as "most meaningful."

I have worked extensively on 4 different projects, and there is barely even enough space to describe them, yet alone talk about why the experience has been most meaningful.

I talk about one of my projects briefly in my personal statement, but I don't feel like I should leave it out entirely from my work description

Another project, a clinical study, has not started, but I've put a ton of work into getting it off the ground, and I will soon take over coordinating the project (only real leadership experience).

Another project is a clinical trial, in which I get lots of patient interaction, which I will also take over coordinating (only real leadership experience).

The final project is the one I will probably publish the soonest as second author (hopefully by this fall).

Any advice on how to approach this issue? All of these projects have been very meaningful for me.

 

[gyngyn]

I am struggling to fit all the information about my research assistant job into the specified space, even after marking it as "most meaningful."

I have worked extensively on 4 different projects, and there is barely even enough space to describe them, yet alone talk about why the experience has been most meaningful.

I talk about one of my projects briefly in my personal statement, but I don't feel like I should leave it out entirely from my work description

Another project, a clinical study, has not started, but I've put a ton of work into getting it off the ground, and I will soon take over coordinating the project (only real leadership experience).

Another project is a clinical trial, in which I get lots of patient interaction, which I will also take over coordinating (only real leadership experience).

The final project is the one I will probably publish the soonest as second author (hopefully by this fall).

Any advice on how to approach this issue? All of these projects have been very meaningful for me.

Even the most meaningful of activities can be described succinctly, yet expressively.
Perhaps you could start with an outline, add what you believe to be the flesh on the bones of that outline and, if you have gone over the limit, ask for help from those who routinely edit the work of others.

 

[docalot12]

I have a parent that is a doctor and I have done a significant amount of shadowing/work at their private practice. My question is, do I list my dad as the contact person? What do I do in this situation?

 

[HappyFeet14]

I have a rather odd question. Will having shadowed a podiatrist (exclusively surgery) be looked upon as odd/detrimental in my shadowing activities section as it a different branch of medicine/schooling? I have about 40 hours of shadowing with various specialties (emergency medicine with both MD and DO, ophthalmology, anesthesiology, general surgery) and then about 6 hours of DPM . I am hesitant as to whether or not I should list the DPM shadowing, though I found it very interesting as it was all surgery (no office work at all). The DPM was a friend of my family and offered to me to shadow him for a couple surgeries, so I couldn't pass it up. However, I have no interest in pursuing podiatry and do not want to be judged for having shadowed a DPM; it was just a great experience in which I gained a better understanding of the flow of the OR and surgery.

 

[gonnif]

Even the most meaningful of activities can be described succinctly, yet expressively.
Perhaps you could start with an outline, add what you believe to be the flesh on the bones of that outline and, if you have gone over the limit, ask for help from those who routinely edit the work of others.

It should be concise, coherent, and compelling

 

[gonnif]

I have a rather odd question. Will having shadowed a podiatrist (exclusively surgery) be looked upon as odd/detrimental in my shadowing activities section as it a different branch of medicine/schooling? I have about 40 hours of shadowing with various specialties (emergency medicine with both MD and DO, ophthalmology, anesthesiology, general surgery) and then about 6 hours of DPM . I am hesitant as to whether or not I should list the DPM shadowing, though I found it very interesting as it was all surgery (no office work at all). The DPM was a friend of my family and offered to me to shadow him for a couple surgeries, so I couldn't pass it up. However, I have no interest in pursuing podiatry and do not want to be judged for having shadowed a DPM; it was just a great experience in which I gained a better understanding of the flow of the OR and surgery.

Dont disparage DPM, they are the medical specialist foot. Having a variety of specialties that you shadowed is an excellent point to make as it shows you are open and want to understand the profession you hope to enter

 

[Optimus-Prime]

Yes, there is a 700 space limit, but if you have a lot to say, you can get another 1325 spaces for up to three activities by designating the experience as "Most Meaningful."

Just curious, do you think it would be unfavorable to do less than 3 most memorable experiences?

 

[HappyFeet14]

Dont disparage DPM, they are the medical specialist foot. Having a variety of specialties that you shadowed is an excellent point to make as it shows you are open and want to understand the profession you hope to enter

My intention was certainly not to disparage DPM and I admire them equally to MD and DO physicians. I was just curious if such shadowing for MD/DO programs would be looked upon as odd. Thank you for the advice.

 

[gonnif]

Just curious, do you think it would be unfavorable to do less than 3 most memorable experiences?

For a medical school application, no it would not be odd. I would rather read one well written memorable experience than directly relates to the applicants motivation, desire, etc towards medicine than 3 so-so done simply to fill space. I also like to read a truly memorable experience that says something about the applicant as a person, indepth, etc, that may have nothing to do with medicine but gives me insight as to who he or she is.

 

[csj10]

I have a quick question regarding work experience:

I worked at one company for several years and held three different positions. Would it be best to split this up into three individual activities or combine as one and use bullets/paragraphs to note the different positions I held?

 

[kjw1024]

Thank you so much for your help catalystik!

I apologize, but I came across a few more questions. As a follow up to c) what would you constitute as an abbreviated format? Also, is the format that you usually use to cite posters/presentations: presentation title, conference title, location, date? Finally, I'm only using 1 of my 3 research projects as a meaningful experience. For the other two, it's extremely difficult to fit in information about the project itself and my contributions, while including posters/presentations in 700 characters. Do you suggest using bullets or formal writing? I currently have it written out. I know you said in a few earlier posts that we can switch format between bullets and paragraphs throughout, but not sure what's more acceptable or favored for research.

Thank you again, you're really awesome!!

Sorry to repost this, but wasn't sure if it was skipped accidentally! Thank you so much 😍!

 

[Omppu27]

Hey guys,

I had a position in a clinical research lab while i was in my undergrad. I didn't really do any data analysis/interpretation, but i was involved with scheduling and conducting patient interviews (would actually go into the patient's room and do the interviews) as well as other clerical work around the office (file charts, update participant personal information via phone calls, etc.).

That said, should this be research/lab or should this be volunteer medical/clinical?

Thanks!

 

[gyngyn]

I have a quick question regarding work experience:

I worked at one company for several years and held three different positions. Would it be best to split this up into three individual activities or combine as one and use bullets/paragraphs to note the different positions I held?

One activity: use short paragraphs or bullet points to describe the evolution of your success at the company (it's easier for us to follow that way).

 

[gyngyn]

[

How accurate should the hours be? I'm having to estimate a great deal of them especially for clubs

Close enough that the contact person would readily verify them as accurate.

 

[gyngyn]

Hey guys,

I had a position in a clinical research lab while i was in my undergrad. I didn't really do any data analysis/interpretation, but i was involved with scheduling and conducting patient interviews (would actually go into the patient's room and do the interviews) as well as other clerical work around the office (file charts, update participant personal information via phone calls, etc.).

That said, should this be research/lab or should this be volunteer medical/clinical?

Thanks!

Looks more like volunteer: medical/clinical to me.

 

[mafmi]

Hi everyone, I'm wondering how to enter hours for hobbies. For one I spent maybe 6/8 hours a week since starting college, so it's be a crazy number of hours, the other I've probably spend a couple hundred over the course of my school breaks and in high school. Should I just enter 1/0 in and then explain in the description the hours per week, or try to estimate the number of I've spent total?

 

[gonnif]

[

Close enough that the contact person would readily verify them as accurate.

On that note, I would recommend that anyone you use as a contact (or reference) here you should let them know that you are. It is just good professional courtesy similar to applying to a job and having a reference.

 

[gyngyn]

I have a parent that is a doctor and I have done a significant amount of shadowing/work at their private practice. My question is, do I list my dad as the contact person? What do I do in this situation?

Yes, one does have to put a parent as the contact in this case.

Although it is perfectly reasonable to shadow a relative, it sometimes is viewed a bit darkly by members of the committee when a substantial amount of the applicant's experience is comprised of activities with said relatives.

I usually recommend that children of physicians shadow colleagues of the relatives in order to avoid this.

 

[gyngyn]

Thank you so much for your help catalystik!

I apologize, but I came across a few more questions. As a follow up to c) what would you constitute as an abbreviated format? Also, is the format that you usually use to cite posters/presentations: presentation title, conference title, location, date? Finally, I'm only using 1 of my 3 research projects as a meaningful experience. For the other two, it's extremely difficult to fit in information about the project itself and my contributions, while including posters/presentations in 700 characters. Do you suggest using bullets or formal writing? I currently have it written out. I know you said in a few earlier posts that we can switch format between bullets and paragraphs throughout, but not sure what's more acceptable or favored for research.

You may use any format that would allow the reader to access the information (like what you see at the bottom of PowerPoint presentations).
For posters/presentations: title, conference and date are enough if you are pressed for space.
Research descriptions may be either bullet points or prose. There is no preference.

 

[gyngyn]

Hi everyone, I'm wondering how to enter hours for hobbies. For one I spent maybe 6/8 hours a week since starting college, so it's be a crazy number of hours, the other I've probably spend a couple hundred over the course of my school breaks and in high school. Should I just enter 1/0 in and then explain in the description the hours per week, or try to estimate the number of I've spent total?

Estimate the total hours/time period.

 

[mkatsmh]

I'll be giving an oral presentation at a medical conference in September 2014. AMCAS doesn't want future activities, but would this still be appropriate to list under "Presentations/Posters" since my abstract has already been accepted? I'm thinking this might be similar to the future publications that are accepted but not yet published situation.

 

[gyngyn]

I'll be giving an oral presentation at a medical conference in September 2014. AMCAS doesn't want future activities, but would this still be appropriate to list under "Presentations/Posters" since my abstract has already been accepted? I'm thinking this might be similar to the future publications that are accepted but not yet published situation.

In the same activity where you describe the abstract you can indicate that you have been invited to give a presentation on the same research.

 

[DocJW]

Hi gyngyn,

My parents own a restaurant and I grew up working there - worked there more on a consistent basis from high school up until sophomore year of college. From then now, it has been more variable on when I work (i.e. when they need my help) -- Do you think this should be listed as an activity even though I do not work there consistently? It definitely has taught me valuable lessons of hard-work and communication with customers.

Thank You

 

[BioMedic]

How often do applicants put "0" in the total hours field for activities that are difficult to quantify? How is this viewed by schools? One of my most meaningful experiences I have spent countless hours on, but I cannot figure out how to accurately quantify it.

 

[kjw1024]

You may use any format that would allow the reader to access the information (like what you see at the bottom of PowerPoint presentations).
For posters/presentations: title, conference and date are enough if you are pressed for space.
Research descriptions may be either bullet points or prose. There is no preference.

Thank you very much for your response gyngyn!!

 

[Omppu27]

Looks more like volunteer: medical/clinical to me.

Any advice on how i should go about naming this experience? Technically i was an "undergraduate research assistant."

 

[Omppu27]

I was a co-founder of a student org at my UG and participated as a general member for about 1.5 years. During that 1.5 years i was a committee chair for a semester. How exactly should i name this experience? only mention the important stuff? ie. "Co-Founder and Committee Chair of Student Organization"

 

[DoTheTrick]

Hi!
This thread has been so helpful! I have a question regarding the content of the activities descriptions. I wonder if it would be appropriate to include in my description my reason for leaving an activity and a discussion of how that activity helped me decide that the PhD route was not for me. Is this something I should leave for the interview/ secondary stage? I feel compelled to include this, because I did leave the activity after only six months and I want to include my explanation for why I did that. I'm conflicted.

Thanks in advance!

 

[gyngyn]

Any advice on how i should go about naming this experience? Technically i was an "undergraduate research assistant."

Include the department, division or project name in the title.

 

[gyngyn]

I was a co-founder of a student org at my UG and participated as a general member for about 1.5 years. During that 1.5 years i was a committee chair for a semester. How exactly should i name this experience? only mention the important stuff? ie. "Co-Founder and Committee Chair of Student Organization"

One activity box: show your progression in leadership over time.
It tells a clearer story that way.

 

[gyngyn]

Hi!
This thread has been so helpful! I have a question regarding the content of the activities descriptions. I wonder if it would be appropriate to include in my description my reason for leaving an activity and a discussion of how that activity helped me decide that the PhD route was not for me. Is this something I should leave for the interview/ secondary stage? I feel compelled to include this, because I did leave the activity after only six months and I want to include my explanation for why I did that. I'm conflicted.

Thanks in advance!

That would be ok. Just do it succinctly or it has to become "most meaningful!"

 

[gyngyn]

Hi gyngyn,

My parents own a restaurant and I grew up working there - worked there more on a consistent basis from high school up until sophomore year of college. From then now, it has been more variable on when I work (i.e. when they need my help) -- Do you think this should be listed as an activity even though I do not work there consistently? It definitely has taught me valuable lessons of hard-work and communication with customers.

Thank You

This is definitely an activity. Estimate your time as best you can.

 

[kyamh]

How often do applicants put "0" in the total hours field for activities that are difficult to quantify? How is this viewed by schools? One of my most meaningful experiences I have spent countless hours on, but I cannot figure out how to accurately quantify it.

I'm not an adcom, but I had no issues doing the following last year: for very high numbers of hours I put 999 to indicate "lots" and then described in the space provided. For things that didn't have hours, like abstracts, publications, and awards, I put the number of entries in as the "hours".

 

[gyngyn]

I'm not an adcom, but I had no issues doing the following last year: for very high numbers of hours I put 999 to indicate "lots" and then described in the space provided. For things that didn't have hours, like abstracts, publications, and awards, I put the number of entries in as the "hours".

Now they can go higher than 999!

 

[dudewheresmymd]

14. How should I list publications? What if some of them are "submitted" but not actually accepted yet?
For organization, you can use the name of the organization that publishes the journal.

What if we are listing more than one publication. What should we put for organization then? Leave it blank?

 

[Donald Kimball]

I have an engineering job, and I started out as a lowly drafter, but now I am a senior designer and project leader.

Currently, I have these titles split into two entries "Engineering: CAD Specialist" and "Engineering: Senior Electrical Designer, etc." both as paid employment. Would it be wiser to merge these, into just Senior Electrical Designer, etc. and detail my promotion and new role?

 

[gyngyn]

Currently, I have these titles split into two entries "Engineering: CAD Specialist" and "Engineering: Senior Electrical Designer, etc." both as paid employment. Would it be wiser to merge these, into just Senior Electrical Designer, etc. and detail my promotion and new role?[/QUOTE]

I like merging because it makes it easy to see your growth in responsibility.

 

[gyngyn]

What if we are listing more than one publication. What should we put for organization then? Leave it blank?

If you are listing more than one publication in a single activity, separate the journals with commas in the organization header (do you really have so many publications!)

 

[dudewheresmymd]

If you are listing more than one publication in a single activity, separate the journals with commas in the organization header (do you really have so many publications!)

What if you can't fit all of the journals with commas as their titles take up too many characters, just fit as many as I can? And yes I know some people who did a research postbacc and acquired several publications over the course of two-three years. Thank you 🙂

 

[kyamh]

What if you can't fit all of the journals with commas as their titles take up too many characters, just fit as many as I can? And yes I know some people who did a research postbacc and acquired several publications over the course of two-three years. Thank you 🙂

For organization I wrote "Peer-reviewed journals" and then listed all the publications as they would appear in a reference section. Careful, according to the directions (at least last year) you are allowed to put "in press" publications, but they have to have gone through the review process at least once and be accepted or accepted pending minor (not major) revisions.

 

[gyngyn]

What if you can't fit all of the journals with commas as their titles take up too many characters, just fit as many as I can? And yes I know some people who did a research postbacc and acquired several publications over the course of two-three years. Thank you 🙂

You can use accepted abbreviations: AJOG (American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology).

 

[BioMedic]

How often do applicants put "0" in the total hours field for activities that are difficult to quantify? How is this viewed by schools? One of my most meaningful experiences I have spent countless hours on, but I cannot figure out how to accurately quantify it.

@gyngyn any advice on this?

 

[gyngyn]

@gyngyn any advice on this?

Mostly for Honors, Awards and Recognition.

 

[605536]

Can I abbreviate an organization name in the "Organization" box and then use the abbreviation in my description? For example, "National Hockey League (NHL)" in the "Organization" box and then in my description, "I played in the NHL..."

 

[gyngyn]

Can I abbreviate an organization name in the "Organization" box and then use the abbreviation in my description? For example, "National Hockey League (NHL)" in the "Organization" box and then in my description, "I played in the NHL..."

If you have the space it is better to spell it out unless it is a generally well known abbreviation (Ob-Gyn). I for one, would have had to interpret NHL in context! You can abbreviate after spelling it out once, though.

 

[mcgarvels]

Hello,

I'm having a hard time with listing an experience and also a question about how to list a pending patent for the clinical product being used in our Phase III Clinical Trial.

A little background: I am currently working on an FDA approved Phase III Clinical Trial for metastatic melanoma using a cell-based therapeutic/translational medicine where I generate autologous cancer stem cells isolated from patient metastatic tumors for use as a dendritic cell "vaccine" therapy. For this work, I have been put as a co-author for the rapid isolation of these cancer stem cells from a method that I co-developed with the senior scientist.

Would I list the work on the Phase III Clinical Trial as Paid Work- Medical/Clinical? I will be working very closely with the physicians who are on the study.

Also, would it be okay to just list the patent under "other" for the category since it is not a publication in a peer-reviewed journal?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[sashka1]

quick question:
i volunteer at a local ED that takes care of a large number of russian-speaking patients. when i started there, I let the staff there know that I speak Russian and numerous times I have been asked to translate for a doctor. If I weren't available, they would usually use the phone to call the interpreter. would it be ok to write that i translate for russian patients in my explanation of the activity? or would this be frowned upon or perhaps unethical, etc?
thanks

 

[gyngyn]

Would I list the work on the Phase III Clinical Trial as Paid Work- Medical/Clinical?
Also, would it be okay to just list the patent under "other" for the category since it is not a publication in a peer-reviewed journal?.

Yes, if you are dealing with patients.
And yes.

 

[gyngyn]

quick question:
i volunteer at a local ED that takes care of a large number of russian-speaking patients. when i started there, I let the staff there know that I speak Russian and numerous times I have been asked to translate for a doctor. If I weren't available, they would usually use the phone to call the interpreter. would it be ok to write that i translate for russian patients in my explanation of the activity? or would this be frowned upon or perhaps unethical, etc?
thanks

Are you a native Russian speaker? If so, you are serving as an interpreter (not a translator!)