*~*~*~*Official AMCAS Work/Activities Tips Thread 2017-2018*~*~*~*

[Chromium Surfer]

Yes.

Thank you very much!

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[Suture_Self]

Im applying next cycle, but I didnt see a more appropriate thread. I was wondering how to categorize my collegiate EMS volunteering, especially since I took a class offered and run by the school to get certified in the first place. Ill list out the rough timeline of things below

Sophomore year: took the EMS course during the school year. 500 hours total, with 110 clinical hours spent as a 3rd rider or working in the ER for checkoffs.

Junior year: volunteered on the corps as an AEMT for 450ish hours. Also volunteered to help mentor the new EMS class students for about 150-200 hours.

Senior year: Will probably end with another 100-200 hours on the corps, as well as another 100-150 hours of mentoring.

Any ideas on how to categorize and write an entry for this? Im thinking of keeping the mentoring separate, but Im not sure how to list being in the class for sophomore year. Any help here would be appreciated!

 

[Catalystik]

Im applying next cycle, but I didnt see a more appropriate thread. I was wondering how to categorize my collegiate EMS volunteering, especially since I took a class offered and run by the school to get certified in the first place. Ill list out the rough timeline of things below

Sophomore year: took the EMS course during the school year. 500 hours total, with 110 clinical hours spent as a 3rd rider or working in the ER for checkoffs.

Junior year: volunteered on the corps as an AEMT for 450ish hours. Also volunteered to help mentor the new EMS class students for about 150-200 hours.

Senior year: Will probably end with another 100-200 hours on the corps, as well as another 100-150 hours of mentoring.

Any ideas on how to categorize and write an entry for this? Im thinking of keeping the mentoring separate, but Im not sure how to list being in the class for sophomore year. Any help here would be appreciated!

You're in the right place:

I agree with splitting out the mentoring and listing it separately under a Teaching tag, with its own hours that are not double-counted.

During the sophomore year when you did ride-alongs, were you observing, or was there also an element of assisting the EMT? What percent of the time did you assist? Also, explain what you mean by "Checkoffs in the ER.

During the junior year what percent of the 450 hours were you a) sitting around, but on duty, b) driving, or c) assisting, transporting, observing, or doing paperwork for a patient?

For the senior year (if that's not now) projected hours, it's fine to include them so long as they are differentiated from completed hours.

 

[Suture_Self]

You're in the right place:

I agree with splitting out the mentoring and listing it separately under a Teaching tag, with its own hours that are not double-counted.

During the sophomore year when you did ride-alongs, were you observing, or was there also an element of assisting the EMT? What percent of the time did you assist? Also, explain what you mean by "Checkoffs in the ER.

During the junior year what percent of the 450 hours were you a) sitting around, but on duty, b) driving, or c) assisting, transporting, observing, or doing paperwork for a patient?

For the senior year (if that's not now) projected hours, it's fine to include them so long as they are differentiated from completed hours.

Sorry for being a little unclear! The third rides included me actually performing clinical care within the EMT scope of practice. Id estimate that 90% of the time we saw patients, I was actually performing care and not just observing. The checkoffs were performing clinical skills on actual patients, such as obtaining IV access, managing an airway with interventions or more routine things like obtaining a patient's medical history.

As for the 450 hours, I would estimate that I spent about 100 hours actually working on scene with patients, and another 150 doing paperwork for completed calls. We dont actually transport the patients ourselves, so my time spent with patients is likely less than most other agencies.

Thanks for any help!

 

[Catalystik]

The third rides included me actually performing clinical care within the EMT scope of practice. Id estimate that 90% of the time we saw patients, I was actually performing care and not just observing. The checkoffs were performing clinical skills on actual patients, such as obtaining IV access, managing an airway with interventions or more routine things like obtaining a patient's medical history.

As for the 450 hours, I would estimate that I spent about 100 hours actually working on scene with patients, and another 150 doing paperwork for completed calls. We dont actually transport the patients ourselves, so my time spent with patients is likely less than most other agencies.

You have a lot of clinical interaction time with patients. You have the choices of
1) listing the curricular portion under Other and the EMT volunteering under Volunteering/Community Service-Medical Clinical, each with their separate dates and hours (minus mentoring time), vs
2) listing it all under Volunteering/Community Service - Medical Clinical, but only including the actual dates and hours of the volunteering in the header, and referring to the class involvement and the added hours in the narrative, vs
3) listing it all under Other, with all the hours and dates in the header, using the name you give the activity to indicate that the space includes both class and volunteering time, and making clear in the description the dates and hours belonging to each category.

 

[Suture_Self]

You have a lot of clinical interaction time with patients. You have the choices of
1) listing the curricular portion under Other and the EMT volunteering under Volunteering/Community Service-Medical Clinical, each with their separate dates and hours (minus mentoring time), vs
2) listing it all under Volunteering/Community Service - Medical Clinical, but only including the actual dates and hours of the volunteering in the header, and referring to the class involvement and the added hours in the narrative, vs
3) listing it all under Other, with all the hours and dates in the header, using the name you give the activity to indicate that the space includes both class and volunteering time, and making clear in the description the dates and hours belonging to each category.

Thank you so much for the help! I think I will end up doing the first option, since it would enable me to talk more about the scope of each of the activities. I dont anticipate hitting the 15 limit, and since this will end up being a focal point of the application, I think dividing it up probably helps me the most. Thank you again!

 

[drsus94]

Hi! I read on the first page that you shouldn't repeat the organization name in the title you give the activity. Like if you say that you're "Treasurer of Alpha Epsilon Delta," don't put "Alpha Epsilon Delta" as the organization. I also read that if adcoms can't immediately understand what your organization is about, that you should rename it. For example, you could say your title is "Treasurer of Pre-Med Society" and for the Organization Name, you can put "Alpha Delta Epsilon."

Is this true? I am not really sure what's wrong with putting your organization name in your activity title, especially if you briefly explain in your description what your organization is about. Thank you!

What about putting AED under experiences? should it be put under extracurricluars or as health care experience since we volunteer a lot at a nursing home?

 

[Catalystik]

What about putting AED under experiences? should it be put under extracurricluars or as health care experience since we volunteer a lot at a nursing home?

I'd suggest listing the hours at the nursing home on their own under Volunteer - Medical/Clinical. The experience of general membership in AED can go under Extracurricular, if you wish to include it on its own with the hours related to meetings. Or, alternatively, you can mention it in the nursing home narrative description as the sponsoring organization and leave the general meeting hours out (since that time isn't community service).

 

[DBC03]

@Catalystik - profile pic is definitely on point. Love it!


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[Catalystik]

@Catalystik - profile pic is definitely on point. Love it!

Thank you.

 

[Ryan30]

Hello,
I'm a non-traditional applicant and I'm wondering how to list my work experience. I've been a registered dietitian since I completed my board exam in 2016. My clients are all on weight-management and/or sports nutrition related programs. While I'm finishing my last prerequisites this academic year (and last year), I'm working part-time 15 to 20 hours per week (the majority of which is on my own time) privately on a cash basis and for a few of my clients I've also prepared strength/conditioning programs (I'm also a certified strength and conditioning specialist).

How do you suggest I list these work experiences? Also, who do you suggest I use as a contact? I'm not sure if I feel comfortable or if it's ethical using a client as a contact source (or if they would feel comfortable doing so) but I don't know if there are too many other options considering the entrepreneurial nature of my business.

 

[Catalystik]

1) I'm a non-traditional applicant and I'm wondering how to list my work experience. I've been a registered dietitian since I completed my board exam in 2016. My clients are all on weight-management and/or sports nutrition related programs. While I'm finishing my last prerequisites this academic year (and last year), I'm working part-time 15 to 20 hours per week (the majority of which is on my own time) privately on a cash basis and for a few of my clients I've also prepared strength/conditioning programs (I'm also a certified strength and conditioning specialist).

2) How do you suggest I list these work experiences? Also, who do you suggest I use as a contact? I'm not sure if I feel comfortable or if it's ethical using a client as a contact source (or if they would feel comfortable doing so) but I don't know if there are too many other options considering the entrepreneurial nature of my business.

1) What percent of your clients were referred by physicians? Do you have clinical experience, through work or volunteering, with acutely ill or injured patients?

2) Do you have an accountant who helps you file taxes on work-related income, or someone who acts in that capacity? Is there a person or entity who refers clients to you? If you can't think of any objective individual, you always have the option of listing yourself as the contact/business owner.

 

[Waldcayut]

I have been working as a hospice aide (CNA) (recently got my CHPNA) for about a year now, it'll be a year and about 6 months by the time I apply this coming cycle (guestimate would be like a little over 2000 hours). I work at a stand-alone inpatient facility for symptom control on GIP hospice patients. Its very rewarding work and I adore it and hope to have some hand in hospice as a physician someday.

I also am a member of two committees within my hospice organization: Honoring Veterans Committee (meets every couple months, pretty much exactly what it sounds like lol) and the Quality & Patient Safety committee (reviews quality of care provided to patients and identifies areas for improvement).

Should I list these separately within AMCAS? I'm trying to organize my app way ahead of time so things go smoothly come May/June. These committees I am on are voluntary.

 

[Catalystik]

I have been working as a hospice aide (CNA) (recently got my CHPNA) for about a year now, it'll be a year and about 6 months by the time I apply this coming cycle (guestimate would be like a little over 2000 hours). I work at a stand-alone inpatient facility for symptom control on GIP hospice patients. Its very rewarding work and I adore it and hope to have some hand in hospice as a physician someday.

I also am a member of two committees within my hospice organization: Honoring Veterans Committee (meets every couple months, pretty much exactly what it sounds like lol) and the Quality & Patient Safety committee (reviews quality of care provided to patients and identifies areas for improvement).

Should I list these separately within AMCAS? I'm trying to organize my app way ahead of time so things go smoothly come May/June. These committees I am on are voluntary.

If meetings occur while you're being paid, unless you personally take on a leadership role during those committee meetings, rather than primarily being a member of the team and making contributions as such, I'd suggest mentioning the committees as part of the clinical employment. If you designate the activity as Most Meaningful (considering the impact its had on you), you'd have an additional 1325 characters besides the original 700 to describe all these activities and the insights you've gained from them.

If you are a committee chair or similar, responsible for delegating tasks and providing oversight to be sure outcomes are as desired, then a Leadership space could be used for that role, whether the activity is paid or volunteer.

If the meetings take place outside of work hours and are not compensated, then you can reasonably list them in their own space as Volunteer - Not Medical/Clinical.

 

[Ryan30]

1) What percent of your clients were referred by physicians? Do you have clinical experience, through work or volunteering, with acutely ill or injured patients?

2) Do you have an accountant who helps you file taxes on work-related income, or someone who acts in that capacity? Is there a person or entity who refers clients to you? If you can't think of any objective individual, you always have the option of listing yourself as the contact/business owner.

None of my clients were referred by physicians--they were all received by a few promotions or word of mouth. I don't have an accountant but an individual helped me promote my business at a few yoga studios and gyms and helped me organize client scheduling (in a rather small capacity) during the first couple weeks of starting up the business. Considering the short length of her involvement (and since she's a friend of mine) do you believe she'd be a better contact than myself or a client?

During my dietetic internship I completed >1700 hours in multiple settings (inpatient, outpatient, public health, and food service). The inpatient and outpatient rotations totaled to around 630 hours which is the only experience I have with acutely ill or injured patients to which the director of the program can attest to and will be writing a reference letter. During undergrad I have additional non-clinical volunteer experiences, however these experiences were limited in time (maybe a few hundred hours) due to playing D-1 basketball at the time.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Catalystik]

1) None of my clients were referred by physicians--they were all received by a few promotions or word of mouth. I don't have an accountant but an individual helped me promote my business at a few yoga studios and gyms and helped me organize client scheduling (in a rather small capacity) during the first couple weeks of starting up the business. Considering the short length of her involvement (and since she's a friend of mine) do you believe she'd be a better contact than myself or a client?

2) During my dietetic internship I completed >1700 hours in multiple settings (inpatient, outpatient, public health, and food service). The inpatient and outpatient rotations totaled to around 630 hours which is the only experience I have with acutely ill or injured patients to which the director of the program can attest to and will be writing a reference letter. During undergrad I have additional non-clinical volunteer experiences, however these experiences were limited in time (maybe a few hundred hours) due to playing D-1 basketball at the time.

1) It sounds like you'd be best off using yourself as the Contact.

2) -You would do best to categorize your health-promoting business as "Employment-Not Medical/Clinical".
-As your experiences with acutely ill or injured patients referred for counseling by physicians was not volunteer or paid, but rather curricular, you'd use the tag "Other" for your dietetic internship, but name the activity Inpatient and Outpatient Clinical Dietetic Internship, or somesuch, then give the details of how that breaks down with each service in the description.

 

[OwMyAcetabulum]

I'm applying with 13 years EMS experience and want to get an idea on how much to write about my employment under activities.
Is the consensus to use up all my space write about the specific medical skills (IV therapy, medication administration, intubation, etc) I performed in the position, or use brevity and speak to the team leader, educator, communication experience I have.

Same quandary as an instructor - mention what I taught (paramedic pharmacology, airway management, endocrinology is hardly impressive to a physician) or rather the general organization, case-study presentation, problem-solving skills involved?

Many thanks in advance.

 

[Catalystik]

I'm applying with 13 years EMS experience and want to get an idea on how much to write about my employment under activities.
Is the consensus to use up all my space write about the specific medical skills (IV therapy, medication administration, intubation, etc) I performed in the position, or use brevity and speak to the team leader, educator, communication experience I have.

Same quandary as an instructor - mention what I taught (paramedic pharmacology, airway management, endocrinology is hardly impressive to a physician) or rather the general organization, case-study presentation, problem-solving skills involved?

Many thanks in advance.

If you haven't used all your spaces, consider breaking this experience into three spots: Employment-Clinical, Leadership, and Teaching, each with it's own dates and hours, to have more room for description, role, skills (or some of them, as you can assume we'd know a lot of the basic expectations for the job), lessons learned, etc. You can even use Most Meaningful designation to add another 1325 characters to the original 700 for additional description of impact for up to three spaces.

 

[DokM3m3]

Being vague to stay anonymous: I've been teaching at a temple (once a week) since high school, but I changed locations and continued this activity after moving away for college. Can I list my high school hours/years? I'm not sure about 1.) whether I should list hs portion and 2.) how to go about listing them with different contact information.

Both experiences were mostly similar, but since they're in different locations, I made slightly different impacts and worked with slightly different populations (affluent suburban vs refugees, minority urban).

 

[freedoctor17]

Wow this thread popped up at the top right as I was thinking of posting a question about this.

When filling in this section and putting something for leadership that you also volunteered for should I list the two as separate? (ex: I'm president of service club for this year but also did service with them since freshman year until now)

 

[Catalystik]

Being vague to stay anonymous: I've been teaching at a temple (once a week) since high school, but I changed locations and continued this activity after moving away for college. Can I list my high school hours/years? I'm not sure about 1.) whether I should list hs portion and 2.) how to go about listing them with different contact information.

Both experiences were mostly similar, but since they're in different locations, I made slightly different impacts and worked with slightly different populations (affluent suburban vs refugees, minority urban).

I suggest you list the more recent experience with its dates and hours, but in the narrative description refer back to the HS experience that inspired it, listing those dates and hours in the narrative, with location and population served.

 

[Catalystik]

When filling in this section and putting something for leadership that you also volunteered for should I list the two as separate? (ex: I'm president of service club for this year but also did service with them since freshman year until now)

If you have the space, you may list them separately, each with their own dates and hours (not double counting any hours), if they each have enough hours to stand on their own, and especially if you have no stronger leadership activity.

 

[freedoctor17]

If you have the space, you may list them separately, each with their own dates and hours (not double counting any hours), if they each have enough hours to stand on their own, and especially if you have no stronger leadership activity.

Great thanks! They can definitely stand alone, especially the volunteer portion. I've been doing it for the past 2 and a half years as opposed to the leadership position which just started in the summer/this semester.

 

[DokM3m3]

After listing all the doctors I shadowed with their contact information, I'm left with room for a one sentence description/reflection. What should I do?

 

[freedoctor17]

After listing all the doctors I shadowed with their contact information, I'm left with room for a one sentence description/reflection. What should I do?

Do you mean you have enough characters for just one sentence? I wouldn't put anything since everyone knows what shadowing is. If you had a super meaningful experience then choose it as one of your most meaningful and explain why in the extra space they give you. Or if there were more minor things you wanna mention then maybe split shadowing into two separate ones and give short descriptions. No need to tell what you did though if it was just general shadowing because that's something they will know without needing an explanation.

This is what I understood from reading other responses when I was figuring this out myself.

 

[Catalystik]

After listing all the doctors I shadowed with their contact information, I'm left with room for a one sentence description/reflection. What should I do?

Besides freedoctor17's ideas you could consider this: After the most important three, you might summarize those that are less important with, eg, "In the same timeframe I also shadowed an orthopedist, neurosurgeon, and radiologist for an additional 35 hours." Or somesuch. Then you'd have additional characters to describe impact.

 

[DokM3m3]

For research description, should I be describing the research or what I did and my role? I've been describing the actual research for I'd say 80% of the description so that adcoms can understand what it's about. And then wrote a sentence or two about what I do. Is that fine or am I doing it wrong?

 

[Catalystik]

For research description, should I be describing the research or what I did and my role? I've been describing the actual research for I'd say 80% of the description so that adcoms can understand what it's about. And then wrote a sentence or two about what I do. Is that fine or am I doing it wrong?

I think you'd do better to describe the research more briefly, then discuss your role, and have characters left for possibly techniques learned and impact. But there's no one correct way to fill the space, so you get to decide.

 

[freedoctor17]

For research description, should I be describing the research or what I did and my role? I've been describing the actual research for I'd say 80% of the description so that adcoms can understand what it's about. And then wrote a sentence or two about what I do. Is that fine or am I doing it wrong?

I did the opposite. Like Catalystik mentioned, I gave a brief one sentence explanation of what the research is about and then the rest about what I personally did in the lab and the many lab skills I learned along the way. I'm still conflicted on whether to put it as one of my most meaningful experiences but if I do I'll be describing more of the research and why it's important to me in that part. I dedicated a lot of time to research but never had my own project so still debating it vs some other stuff.

 

[freedoctor17]

When listing shadowing if a doctor gave us their cell number should we list that versus the office number found on their hospital site? I put their emails already and cell numbers seem too personal to give without permission. Should I ask them if i can put it down or just use office numbers?

 

[Catalystik]

When listing shadowing if a doctor gave us their cell number should we list that versus the office number found on their hospital site? I put their emails already and cell numbers seem too personal to give without permission. Should I ask them if i can put it down or just use office numbers?

Email alone is fine. Or office number. Not both. I agree a cellphone number shouldn't be provided without permission.

 

[freedoctor17]

Email alone is fine. Or office number. Not both. I agree a cellphone number shouldn't be provided without permission.

Ok thanks! I'll just keep the emails then. Seems like a more direct route of contact then to go through an office.

 

[itsalwayssunny96]

@Catalystik I have a specific question on a unique situation regarding my work/activities section and I know you don't accept PMs. May I ask you the question on here and then edit my question so it's much more vague? I don't want to reveal my identity and it involves a pretty personal situation.

 

[Catalystik]

@Catalystik I have a specific question on a unique situation regarding my work/activities section and I know you don't accept PMs. May I ask you the question on here and then edit my question so it's much more vague? I don't want to reveal my identity and it involves a pretty personal situation.

Yes, you can ask the question here and I will respond, and I will either anonymize your question or later edit my quote of your question to reflect your later-edited version.

 

[itsalwayssunny96]

Yes, you can ask the question here and I will respond, and I will either anonymize your question or later edit my quote of your question to reflect your later-edited version.

Thank you. So here is my situation:
This past summer, I was supposed to study abroad, but I had to cancel my entire program. I was awarded a prestigious scholarship at my school specifically for students who study abroad, and am unsure whether I can mention this on my application (under the honors/awards/recognitions section) since I didn't end up going on my study abroad program due to unforeseen circumstances. Do you recommend I mention the scholarship anyway, but explain the situation in the description briefly or not to mention it at all?

 

[Catalystik]

So here is my situation:
This past summer, I was supposed to study abroad, but I had to cancel my entire program. I was awarded a prestigious scholarship at my school specifically for students who study abroad, and am unsure whether I can mention this on my application (under the honors/awards/recognitions section) since I didn't end up going on my study abroad program due to unforeseen circumstances. Do you recommend I mention the scholarship anyway, but explain the situation in the description briefly or not to mention it at all?

I'd suggest you not mention it, but if you choose to describe it under Honors/Awards, I doubt it would hurt you. If you do so, be specific about the criteria for selection and degree of selectivity.

 

[Catalystik]

Do you recommend I mention the scholarship anyway,

A belated thought: If you were to list it, I'd have a concern about how you'd validate it. The usual Contact provided is a college Registrar. If you never claimed the scholarship, that office would likely have no record of it.

 

[itsalwayssunny96]

A belated thought: If you were to list it, I'd have a concern about how you'd validate it. The usual Contact provided is a college Registrar. If you never claimed the scholarship, that office would likely have no record of it.

I decided that you're right and I'm not going to list it. I don't have room in the description so I had to delete Dean's List too. Thank you for your input.

 

[898027]

Curious about how to handle this for next app cycle?

I volunteer at a hospital. First 6 months is at the front desk (nonclinical). Then I will switch to the ER (clinical) which will last longer than a year. Should I use two different slots for this to emphasize my different assignments? I most likely will not use all 15.

If I do, then for the first position should I indicate transitioned to ER? I don't want it to seem like I just quit after 6 months.

 

[Catalystik]

Curious about how to handle this for next app cycle?

I volunteer at a hospital. First 6 months is at the front desk (nonclinical). Then I will switch to the ER (clinical) which will last longer than a year. Should I use two different slots for this to emphasize my different assignments? I most likely will not use all 15.

If I do, then for the first position should I indicate transitioned to ER? I don't want it to seem like I just quit after 6 months.

As a Front Desk volunteer, what was your role?

 

[898027]

As a Front Desk volunteer, what was your role?

Mainly directing people where to go and looking up where patients were for families/delivery persons. Also I make calls if someone is asking about xyz department and did some paperwork. I would probably say only a handful of the people I greet were actual patients.

 

[freedoctor17]

Mainly directing people where to go and looking up where patients were for families/delivery persons. Also I make calls if someone is asking about xyz department and did some paperwork. I would probably say only a handful of the people I greet were actual patients.

That's non clinical

Edit: don't worry about it looking like you're quitting... I'm pretty sure the fact they're in the same hospital will make that clear... And even if you were quitting so what? I doing they'd care. You're moving on to a more relevant position with patient interaction.

 

[Catalystik]

Mainly directing people where to go and looking up where patients were for families/delivery persons. Also I make calls if someone is asking about xyz department and did some paperwork. I would probably say only a handful of the people I greet were actual patients.

You were still dealing in-person with scared/ worried/anxious relatives and some patients. I would include both departments in a single listing, describing the date of transition, subtotals of hours, and change in roles.

 

[freedoctor17]

I have a question about a scholarship I received. I was going to include it with all these other rewards and things under one activities section. I'm hesitant because the scholarship is from the state for stem majors and meant to encourage people to stay in state after undergrad. Not sure if that would look bad to out of state schools I apply to though I feel like it may help a little with in state schools?

As of now I think I should just leave it out completely and it may not be a big deal at all but just thought I'd make sure.

 

[Catalystik]

I have a question about a scholarship I received. I was going to include it with all these other rewards and things under one activities section. I'm hesitant because the scholarship is from the state for stem majors and meant to encourage people to stay in state after undergrad. Not sure if that would look bad to out of state schools I apply to though I feel like it may help a little with in state schools?

As of now I think I should just leave it out completely and it may not be a big deal at all but just thought I'd make sure.

Was it a merit scholarship? Was it competitive in any other sense? How would OOS schools know its intent?

 

[freedoctor17]

Was it a merit scholarship? Was it competitive in any other sense? How would OOS schools know its intent?

There was an application with some standard essay questions and stuff but honestly I think they just gave it to any stem major who applied that was instate. And they'd probably know based off the name (it's a very obvious name lol). Probably best to leave it out? Main Reason I thought it might be helpful is because an aspect of it was presenting at a poster conference with other schools that participate each year. Other than that though I don't think it was very competitive.

 

[Catalystik]

There was an application with some standard essay questions and stuff but honestly I think they just gave it to any stem major who applied that was instate. And they'd probably know based off the name (it's a very obvious name lol). Probably best to leave it out? Main Reason I thought it might be helpful is because an aspect of it was presenting at a poster conference with other schools that participate each year. Other than that though I don't think it was very competitive.

I agree with leaving it out.

 

[freedoctor17]

While we're at it I have one last thing to ask about. I have over 500 hours as a volunteer tutoring/activites director (religious studies and then outdoor activities like basketball and soccer etc) with kids ranging from ages 10-17. (Edited for anonymity). It was over 2 summers worth (half the summer after highschool and entire summer after freshman year) as well as during other breaks like winter break. I'd like to believe most adcoms/interviewers are great and I wouldn't have to worry about this but some people have been worrying me about including things like this. Thoughts?

 

[Catalystik]

I have over 500 hours as a volunteer tutoring/activites director (religious studies and then outdoor activities like basketball and soccer etc) with kids ranging from ages 10-17. It was over 2 summers worth (half the summer after highschool and entire summer after freshman year) as well as during other breaks like winter break. I'd like to believe most adcoms/interviewers are great and I wouldn't have to worry about this but some people have been worrying me about including things like this. Thoughts?

I wish I could reassure you that all adcomms are tolerant, but unfortunately I've heard too many stories that demonstrate it isn't so. I gather that the name of the organization isn't vague enough that you can generalize the specifics of the area of religious studies. If you are worried about it, you might consider including just the hours from b-ball, etc, and not mentioning aspects you deem potentially stigmatizing.

 

[freedoctor17]

I wish I could reassure you that all adcomms are tolerant, but unfortunately I've heard too many stories that demonstrate it isn't so. I gather that the name of the organization isn't vague enough that you can generalize the specifics of the area of religious studies. If you are worried about it, you might consider including just the hours from b-ball, etc, and not mentioning aspects you deem potentially stigmatizing.

Thank you. I've heard this from others in person but I felt the need to confirm. I could probably generalize it but I would feel pretty conflicted doing it. I think I'll have to either accept that some people might look at it negatively or not include it at all.