*~*~*~*Official AMCAS "Work/Activities" Tips Thread 2015-2016*~*~*~*

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Since 2011 I have worked at a job off and on. It's been either part time or full time for either an entire summer, a week or two at the beginning and then at the end of the summer, a few weeks during winter break, a week during spring break, etc. over the past few years, so there are too many dates to list in the actual dates section. If I just lump it all together to say summer 2011 - spring 2015, estimate the total number of hours, and then make sure to point out in the description that it only occurred during breaks from school, does that make sense?
Your approach is far more efficient. You might use the phrase "seasonal employment" in your title, since it covers more than summers, and then I agree with your suggestion of something like, "During school breaks . . ." being included in the description.
 
Oh, and one more question: since it seems to be preferable to combine similar activities to not take up 14-15 spots, I was considering combining my two hospital volunteering experiences. They included different duties and occurred at different times at different hospitals. Is it okay to list them both together under the heading "Hospital Volunteer" and just specify the further distinctions in the description? Thank you!
If pressed for space, if it happened long ago, and/or if either activity doesn't have enough hours to stand on its own, I'd agree with you. But if it's possible, as the descriptions are different and you'll have more to say than 700 characters can accommodate, give them their own spaces. This is experience you'd want to highlight if you can.

Also, try to come up with a better title, more descriptive of the narrative content. I'm thinking along the lines of "Hospital-Patient Transporter" and "Same-Day-Surgery Family Liaison" or somesuch. Make me want to read the entry. I'll already know it was a volunteer position from the tag you chose.
 
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If we have an art portfolio, where should we put the link? I was going to list painting as a hobby, but I don't know where to stick the link to my online portfolio for AdComs. Any suggestions?
 
Question! I apologize if this has already been asked, but would I consider experiences happening only during the school year as repeated? For example, I'm a student ambassador on campus and have had that position for 3 years, but it's only during the semester, not summers. Can I just list Aug. 2013-May 2016 in the dates, list it as not repeated, and explain that it's only during the school year on the app? Or should I repeat it 3 times? I have this same issue with my other extracurriculars. They're constant ongoing experiences throughout undergrad, but only during the school year. Any advice would be appreciated 🙂
 
Question! I apologize if this has already been asked, but would I consider experiences happening only during the school year as repeated? For example, I'm a student ambassador on campus and have had that position for 3 years, but it's only during the semester, not summers. Can I just list Aug. 2013-May 2016 in the dates, list it as not repeated, and explain that it's only during the school year on the app? Or should I repeat it 3 times? I have this same issue with my other extracurriculars. They're constant ongoing experiences throughout undergrad, but only during the school year. Any advice would be appreciated 🙂
You're fine not Repeating the activity, if the months of involvement are somehow made clear. Perhaps the name of the entry suggests it's during the Academic Year, either explicitly or due to being common knowledge. You can be specific about this in the narrative as well. Or both. Naming examples: "Fall and Spring Term Student Government Roles," "School Year Beta Beta Beta Membership," "Academic Year Student Tour Guide," "Collegiate Ultimate Frisbee Team."
 
Hello I have a couple questions

1) If I place something in my personal statement, such as shadowing experience, in my personal statement, do I have to place it in the activities too? Or will the adcom know. I don't want to put it because it was the summer before I started university.

2) Is it frowned upon to put yourself or a family member as a contact for an activity? I want to list all my scholarships earned under one tab, but I do not know who to put as a contact to verify all these scholarships except for me or a family member.

Thanks.
 
1) If I place something in my personal statement, such as shadowing experience, in my personal statement, do I have to place it in the activities too? Or will the adcom know. I don't want to put it because it was the summer before I started university.

2) Is it frowned upon to put yourself or a family member as a contact for an activity? I want to list all my scholarships earned under one tab, but I do not know who to put as a contact to verify all these scholarships except for me or a family member.
1) If an activity occurred during HS, but did not extend into the college years (defined as after HS graduation), it's most common to not mention it in the Experiences section, but to include it in the PS if it's part of one's journey to medicine. OTOH, something you did after HS graduation is legit to list, even if it started earlier in the HS years, though you are not obliged to do so.

The same person doesn't necessarily "score" your entire application, so don't assume that something in one section is known by everyone.

2) Your Registrar and probably your Financial Aid Office would have a record of all your scholarships. Use one of them.
 
Question! Since quite a few of my activities I'm listing occurred 2-3 years ago (not medically related...I'm nontrad), what if the people/contacts may not necessarily still be there? I'm listing the people I corresponded with back in the day..but I can't guarantee they are still there or working the same position. Same with a couple of awards and stuff I'd won in the past. I have personal proof of it (even if they may not, because it was awhile ago)...

I don't know if I'm just being paranoid that they will check and my contacts won't remember or don't have a record of it (even if I do and can prove it) and adcoms will immediately assume I'm lying or that "things don't check out" and blackball me without even giving me a shot to prove myself...
 
Hello again!

Regarding activities that were started during a gap year but will continue after medical school applications i.e. in the future, should we have 2 start/end dates? For example, Feb 2015 - May 2015 and May 2015-August 2016. This way adcoms will know how much time you spent on the activity up until application submission?
 
Question! Since quite a few of my activities I'm listing occurred 2-3 years ago (not medically related...I'm nontrad), what if the people/contacts may not necessarily still be there? I'm listing the people I corresponded with back in the day..but I can't guarantee they are still there or working the same position. Same with a couple of awards and stuff I'd won in the past. I have personal proof of it (even if they may not, because it was awhile ago)...

I don't know if I'm just being paranoid that they will check and my contacts won't remember or don't have a record of it (even if I do and can prove it) and adcoms will immediately assume I'm lying or that "things don't check out" and blackball me without even giving me a shot to prove myself...
1) You are allowed to use yourself as a contact when necessary. Or a parent. Or co-worker. Or you can state that a business is now closed or a person deceased. An objective person would be preferred, but sometimes that can't happen. To be sure more recent contacts recall you, why not touch base with them so they won't be completely surprised if they get a call or email.
 
Regarding activities that were started during a gap year but will continue after medical school applications i.e. in the future, should we have 2 start/end dates? For example, Feb 2015 - May 2015 and May 2015-August 2016. This way adcoms will know how much time you spent on the activity up until application submission?
Hi back atcha,

Yes, as I discussed in post #184, that is one option for clarifying which hours of an activity are completed and which are projected into the future.
 
Hi,

I asked something similar to this earliest in this thread, but could use some more clarification: I presented 4 abstracts that I was on (3 podiums and 1 poster) at a conference a few weeks ago, and for one of which I received a high award. I was originally planning to list these all as a 'presentations/posters' activity, but the titles of the 4 abstracts that I presented are already more than 700 characters...any advice on what to do?

Thank you!
 
I asked something similar to this earliest in this thread, but could use some more clarification: I presented 4 abstracts that I was on (3 podiums and 1 poster) at a conference a few weeks ago, and for one of which I received a high award. I was originally planning to list these all as a 'presentations/posters' activity, but the titles of the 4 abstracts that I presented are already more than 700 characters...any advice on what to do?
Rather than give the full official title, you might shorten/summarize the content of each instead.
 
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Rather than give the full official title, you might shorten/summarize the content of each instead.

Ok so sort of say: "I presented 3 podiums, related to brain tumors, kidney disease, and back pain" etc.?

And then in terms of the award, if I was recognized at an international conference at the highest level, where work from other doctors was also being considered, do you think that would merit an isolated work/activity category as "award"? Or just group that in with the "presentations/posters"?

Thanks a ton!
 
1) Ok so sort of say: "I presented 3 podiums, related to brain tumors, kidney disease, and back pain" etc.?

2) And then in terms of the award, if I was recognized at an international conference at the highest level, where work from other doctors was also being considered, do you think that would merit an isolated work/activity category as "award"? Or just group that in with the "presentations/posters"?

Thanks a ton!
1) With 700 characters at your disposal, you might give a bit more detail, but yes, that's what I meant.

2) Are you first author or major contributor, then maybe yes. If you were one of 23 others, think more of leaving it in the same space with the poster overviews. You have to judge the significance and potential impact of this accomplishment as to whether it's space worthy.
 
Another follow-up question,

One of my volunteer activities is something I do at two different places. Should I just list the second place in the description?
 
@Catalystik
Regarding activities done in my gap year, I will be employed as a tech in a private practice directly after I graduate college. Due to the drudgery of the quarter system we are not let out until June so I won't start my employment until late June. Do you recommend that I list this activity with zero hours, state my full-time employment and duties. I have worked here prior so I have a good idea of the responsibilities of the techs and I have an offer letter listing them formally. Or do you recommend that I leave it out? I know that many secondaries address this but there are also many that don't. I feel that this would definitely buffer my application.
 
@Catalystik
Regarding activities done in my gap year, I will be employed as a tech in a private practice directly after I graduate college. Due to the drudgery of the quarter system we are not let out until June so I won't start my employment until late June. Do you recommend that I list this activity with zero hours, state my full-time employment and duties. I have worked here prior so I have a good idea of the responsibilities of the techs and I have an offer letter listing them formally. Or do you recommend that I leave it out? I know that many secondaries address this but there are also many that don't. I feel that this would definitely buffer my application.
Since you've worked there before, I suggest making a note at the end of THAT Employment entry that you'll start full-time employment 6/XX/15 with a brief comment about any change in duties. Later, you can elaborate in Secondaries and note ongoing employment in update letters.
 
If you were in a club but switched positions (e.g., went from a VP in junior year to President in senior year), how should you indicate that?

Also, if you have a publication and a poster (unrelated topics), should you really make them separate?

I don't want to have to use up 2 entries for that. Can I list the presentation in the description of my pub?
 
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Hello all,

I've been searching multiple forums and tried to use the thread search, but I can't seem to find an answer to my question. A lot of people have said to use umbrella terms in order to save entries. I'm having trouble understanding how to do this. When I use the category honors/awards/recognitions it only allows me to enter the date of one award. How would I go about circumnavigating this issue when I have 5 or so accolades I want to address? Another issue I'm running into is the contact information. If I place multiple accolades or experiences under one entry, how do I differentiate the contacts for each?

Thank you for your time,

Jake
 
1) If you were in a club but switched positions (e.g., went from a VP in junior year to President in senior year), how should you indicate that?

2) Also, if you have a publication and a poster (unrelated topics), should you really make them separate? I don't want to have to use up 2 entries for that. Can I list the presentation in the description of my pub?
1) How about calling the space something like Officers Positions With the ZZZ Club, then stating the date and name of the position in the narrative, along with your accomplishments that year.

2) Yes, they should be separate, since they're unrelated. Did either take place on campus? If one wasn't for a regional/national publication or event, it would better be included with the affiliated Research listing instead of putting it on its own.
 
1) A lot of people have said to use umbrella terms in order to save entries. I'm having trouble understanding how to do this. When I use the category honors/awards/recognitions it only allows me to enter the date of one award. How would I go about circumnavigating this issue when I have 5 or so accolades I want to address?

2) Another issue I'm running into is the contact information. If I place multiple accolades or experiences under one entry, how do I differentiate the contacts for each?
1) Enter the date of the first award you list in the header of the entry. The date of the other four can be added next to its name. Or if several were received during one academic year, you might have an internal heading to save space, like Awards from Junior Year (without entering a month and year).

2) Your college Registrar is likely to have a record of collegiate awards. If it was given by an Arts-related or local organization, list a person along with the name of the award. To save space: If three of yours are collegiate awards, you might put them first with the Registrar listed in the header covering them all, and then enter other contacts only for the final two on the list.
 
How do people typically quantify hours for a resident assistant job? I was thinking of using the hours associated with meetings, being on duty/call, and training but not sure if there is a typical way to go about it.
 
Is it reasonable to list having been "acknowledged" or thanked in a publication? In other words, I am not an author but am publicly thanked for my comments/input/writing suggestions. If so, under what category would I put it? Research, or publications?
 
Is it reasonable to list having been "acknowledged" or thanked in a publication? In other words, I am not an author but am publicly thanked for my comments/input/writing suggestions. If so, under what category would I put it? Research, or publications?
Don't do it. I see the typist/editor get an acknowledgement like this. You don't want to be put in that category. Let the responsibilities and hours listed in your Research space speak for your contribution.
 
You're fine not Repeating the activity, if the months of involvement are somehow made clear. Perhaps the name of the entry suggests it's during the Academic Year, either explicitly or due to being common knowledge. You can be specific about this in the narrative as well. Or both. Naming examples: "Fall and Spring Term Student Government Roles," "School Year Beta Beta Beta Membership," "Academic Year Student Tour Guide," "Collegiate Ultimate Frisbee Team."

Thank you so much for your response and advice! I definitely want to make sure my commitments are clear and nothing is questionable, so your response is much appreciated 🙂
 
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Apologies-I have searched and can't find the answer though I know it must be obvious- if I am using the university registrar as a contact for an award, what do I do for a first and last name?
 
Apologies-I have searched and can't find the answer though I know it must be obvious- if I am using the university registrar as a contact for an award, what do I do for a first and last name?
First name: Registrars
Last name: Office
Title: name of your school
On the application it will print off as Contact Name & Title: Registrars Office, your school's name
 
I have a few non-scientific publications in my school's ethics and photography journals. How would I go about classifying them on AMCAS, especially since I don't really have an hour total for them or a contact, since they were just published by a school journal. thanks!
 
I have a few non-scientific publications in my school's ethics and photography journals. How would I go about classifying them on AMCAS, especially since I don't really have an hour total for them or a contact, since they were just published by a school journal. thanks!
Consider using Artistic Endeavors or Teaching. You can use yourself or the editor of the publication for a Contact.
 
1) Enter the date of the first award you list in the header of the entry. The date of the other four can be added next to its name. Or if several were received during one academic year, you might have an internal heading to save space, like Awards from Junior Year (without entering a month and year).

2) Your college Registrar is likely to have a record of collegiate awards. If it was given by an Arts-related or local organization, list a person along with the name of the award. To save space: If three of yours are collegiate awards, you might put them first with the Registrar listed in the header covering them all, and then enter other contacts only for the final two on the list.
Ok. That clears it up for me. Thank you.
 
Hey guys,

I have a quick question. If I am currently involved as a clinical research assistant and I plan on continuing my position for at least another year, how do you put the start and finish date because I don't have a finish date and how would I then calculate how many hours I have done? Do I only calculate up the present time or take into consideration the future hours that I will be doing?

Thanks for the help!
 
I have been president of an organization (non medical community service / fundraising for medical cause) that I helped start at my university. I'm wondering how to categorize it, especially since It is my most significant leadership experience. Do I put it under non med community service with a title indicating my leadership role (president of xxxx). Put it directly under leadership. Or make a double entry in both non med community service + leadership not listed anywhere else? Thanks again
 
If I am currently involved as a clinical research assistant and I plan on continuing my position for at least another year, how do you put the start and finish date because I don't have a finish date and how would I then calculate how many hours I have done? Do I only calculate up the present time or take into consideration the future hours that I will be doing?
If you want to include the hours of a future activity that you are already engaged in, but keeping in mind that you won't be judged by future plans that could fall through, you can consider these options:

1) Use the Repeated feature to separate the Completed vs Future hours. This works if May 2015 is both your End Date for the Completed Hours and your Start Date for the future hours (you won't be permitted to enter and save a future start date that hasn't happened yet). Put the appropriate total in each Total Hours box. If you are graduating May 2016, that is a reasonable end date to enter if you are sure you will stay involved with the activity for another year. Include a conservative, in-good-faith guess on future hours for the second Total Hours box.

2) Or, only list the Completed Hours in the Total Hours box using the appropriate Start and End Dates, then in the narrative box state that you plan to continue this activity from June 2015-May 2016 with a probable additional 400 (or whatever) hours.

3) Or, do the same as in #2, but don't state anticipated Future hours, especially if there is any possibility they might not be completed. Just make a statement that you intend to continue with the activity for another year.
 
I have a question about lumping activities together. I have a few miscellaneous non-medical community service activities that I did as the philanthropy coordinator of my fraternity, a few volunteering hours at my elementary school, and other short-term events I participated in around my community. I am listing all under "Miscellaneous Community Service" since I don't have enough hours to make one whole entry for all of them. I selected one of them and put the other info (organization name, contact, hours, etc.) for that activity. In the description box I added the hours and contact for the other events. However, when I select to preview my entry everything is lumped together in the description box and there are no spaces between my activities. Is this how adcoms will view it and is this ok?
You are looking in the wrong place. For the "Official View" go to the Main Menu, select Print, and pick the Print PDF option. That is how we will see it.
 
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I have been president of an organization (non medical community service / fundraising for medical cause) that I helped start at my university. I'm wondering how to categorize it, especially since It is my most significant leadership experience. Do I
1) put it under non med community service with a title indicating my leadership role (president of xxxx).
2) Put it directly under leadership.
3) Or make a double entry in both non med community service + leadership not listed anywhere else?
There is no one correct way to do it and any of your choices works. Some issues:
1) If you weren't President the entire time but you want the full date range to suggest continuous leadership, then maybe pick a title like Founder and Current President of XXXX. If you have no other nonmedical community service, this is a good choice.
2) If you weren't a leader the entire time, then only list the dates that you were in a leadership position. In the narrative you can add that you were a general member during another date range.
3) Splitting out the two components is also a good option as two important qualities are highlighted, but only if the hours for each are strong enough to stand on their own. Don't double count the hours.
 
Catalystik, thank you so much for your help. Follow up question regarding this, I've been president the entire time and am a little light on the non medical comm service right now. I thought it would be good to just list it as president in the non med service. I'm assuming ADCOM members will see it as a significant leadership role even though it is not in the leadership category.

I also have a separate question if thats alright. I'm having a tough time with my research description (most meaningful). I have worked on two individual projects during my 2 years in the lab. Is it advisable to give a basic description of the lab, projects, and my independent responsibilities in the 700 character descriptions. And then talk only about how the lab experience has generally impacted me in the MM description? Or should I go into more detail about my specific responsibilities in the MM space?

Sorry for all of the questions. I cannot thank you enough for your help

There is no one correct way to do it and any of your choices works. Some issues:
1) If you weren't President the entire time but you want the full date range to suggest continuous leadership, then maybe pick a title like Founder and Current President of XXXX. If you have no other nonmedical community service, this is a good choice.
2) If you weren't a leader the entire time, then only list the dates that you were in a leadership position. In the narrative you can add that you were a general member during another date range.
3) Splitting out the two components is also a good option as two important qualities are highlighted, but only if the hours for each are strong enough to stand on their own. Don't double count the hours.
 
Catalystik, thank you so much for your help.

1) Follow up question regarding this, I've been president the entire time and am a little light on the non medical comm service right now. I thought it would be good to just list it as president in the non med service. I'm assuming ADCOM members will see it as a significant leadership role even though it is not in the leadership category.

2) I also have a separate question if thats alright. I'm having a tough time with my research description (most meaningful). I have worked on two individual projects during my 2 years in the lab. Is it advisable to give a basic description of the lab, projects, and my independent responsibilities in the 700 character descriptions. And then talk only about how the lab experience has generally impacted me in the MM description? Or should I go into more detail about my specific responsibilities in the MM space?
1) Yes, they will, as many applicants describe their leadership roles as arising from another activity. And I think it's good to keep in that context to save some description. Note: You could still use the word Founder in your title.

2) I'm happy to answer more questions. The MM space is not separate or divided off by a line. Instead there is a Notation to the side, in the margin that says Most Meaningful Experience Remarks. You will want to have a paragraph somewhere around there and then have your narrative flow into what else you have to say in the next 1325 characters. If you are having trouble saying all you've described in just 700 characters, some of it could be incorporated into the MM space, as well as impact, insights, and possibly anecdotes would go well there, too. Have I answered what I think was your unwritten question?
 
I have another question about listing shadowing hours. I have most shadowing at a health center (and its branch sites) over a period of 2.5 years. Do I have to list every provider's contact or is it sufficient to put down the health center's supervisor to verify my experience?
In this situation, just listing the supervisor is fine. In the narrative, if you have the space, you might add contact info for any non-health-center docs you include.
 
@Catalystik, I'm trying to figure out how to classify this experience. I held the position of a clinical research intern a few summers ago with a lot of patient contact but I received a small stipend which really only covered travel and maybe a few other things getting me probably $4/hr when I calculate it. How do I list this? I'm wary of putting it was Other and they will just breeze by it and not notice the clinical experience.
 
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