president of like... clubs

[deleted802724]

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hey

 

[bananafish94]

No...I would think that's a good thing

 

[kb1900]

It's a good thing but won't make up for other areas

 

[Nave]

All at the same time?

 

[deleted802724]

Hey all, thanks for the replies. Yes all at the same time but only during my last year at this college. I am also aware that this doesnt make up for my mcat or gpa

 

[On_The_Way_Up]

hey all does it look weird if you served as the highest position for like 4-5 clubs at your school? I worked extremely hard in all those clubs and ended up getting those positions. thoughts?

Of course it looks odd. No way you have time for all those positions and could give 100%. You can't give the time needed to to your job. As the Vice President of a club these types of students make me cringe because they don't give the time necessary to effectively do their job. They just pile on a bunch of stuff for their resume. If you are truly passionate about something why would you become the president of 5 clubs? Being the president takes time and lots of planning. The president of my club is also in a sorority, an officer in another club, does research, and another EC. She hardly ever does her job and doesn't even go to most of our service and social events. So she is president in name only. She worked hard and did well in her previous position which is how she became president but now that she is president and in charge she no longer gives her time. There have been a couple of other officers like her who have positions in other clubs. Events overlap so they are only at events a third of the time. So me and the other officers literally do everything. Quality over quantity. There is no way you can explain that in an interview. The only way possible would be if you were president of each club at different times through out college. But even then that isn't good either. ADCOMs like to see longevity. They want to see a passion and commitment to something.

 

[deleted802724]

Of course it looks odd. No way you have time for all those positions and could give 100%. You can't give the time needed to to your job. As the Vice President of a club these types of students make me cringe because they don't give the time necessary to effectively do their job. They just pile on a bunch of stuff for their resume. If you are truly passionate about something why would you become the president of 5 clubs? Being the president takes time and lots of planning. The president of my club is also in a sorority, an officer in another club, does research, and another EC. She hardly ever does her job and doesn't even go to most of our service and social events. So she is president in name only. She worked hard and did well in her previous position which is how she became president but now that she is president and in charge she no longer gives her time. There have been a couple of other officers like her who have positions in other clubs. Events overlap so they are only at events a third of the time. So me and the other officers literally do everything. Quality over quantity. There is no way you can explain that in an interview. The only way possible would be if you were president of each club at different times through out college. But even then that isn't good either. ADCOMs like to see longevity. They want to see a passion and commitment to something.

Well

 

[Nave]

Of course it looks odd. No way you have time for all those positions and could give 100%. You can't give the time needed to to your job. As the Vice President of a club these types of students make me cringe because they don't give the time necessary to effectively do their job. They just pile on a bunch of stuff for their resume. If you are truly passionate about something why would you become the president of 5 clubs? Being the president takes time and lots of planning. The president of my club is also in a sorority, an officer in another club, does research, and another EC. She hardly ever does her job and doesn't even go to most of our service and social events. So she is president in name only. She worked hard and did well in her previous position which is how she became president but now that she is president and in charge she no longer gives her time. There have been a couple of other officers like her who have positions in other clubs. Events overlap so they are only at events a third of the time. So me and the other officers literally do everything. Quality over quantity. There is no way you can explain that in an interview. The only way possible would be if you were president of each club at different times through out college. But even then that isn't good either. ADCOMs like to see longevity. They want to see a passion and commitment to something.

I agree with this. OP, I am currently the Co-President of a large student organization at my university and I put in on average 15-20 hours a week. Even more when we're hosting large events on campus. It's the equivalent to a part time job. I also split the responsiblity with another Co-president. I couldn't imagine having the time to be the President of five different student organizations at once. So, to answer your question, yes it looks weird.

 

[mw18]

No it doesn't look bad. You likely won't be asked about it, at all. You may be asked about a certain thing people find interesting, but it probably won't come up at all. Respectfully, the above posters likely know very little about actual medical school admissions, or the level of student/participant that some people truly are, or are just letting their personal experience cloud their analysis. Most likely, the app reader/interviewer will just assume most of the clubs don't require a large amount of time.

 

[kb1900]

• No it doesn't look bad. You likely won't be asked about it, at all. You may be asked about a certain thing people find interesting, but it probably won't come up at all. Respectfully, the above posters likely know very little about actual medical school admissions, or the level of student/participant that some people truly are, or are just letting their personal experience cloud their analysis. Most likely, the app reader/interviewer will just assume most of the clubs don't require a large amount of time.

And you're not?

 

[mw18]

And you're not?

My personal experience has provided no negative or positive bias towards people acting as presidents of clubs. Both posters who were asserting that it would harm him, or look odd, or be difficult to explain had a personal bias toward presidents they work with or what they feel would be an impossible workload as a president. Obviously everyone has their own experiences, which help guide their beliefs. But I go to a school full of people that did much more at one time than be president of 4 extracurricular clubs. They all received multiple interviews and an acceptance at a great school. Again, my personal experience, but when one goes on interviews (which I assume you have) and then matriculates and finds out what all people have been doing, you are more likely to realize that it's not unrealistic or odd.

 

[Nave]

No it doesn't look bad. You likely won't be asked about it, at all. You may be asked about a certain thing people find interesting, but it probably won't come up at all. Respectfully, the above posters likely know very little about actual medical school admissions, or the level of student/participant that some people truly are, or are just letting their personal experience cloud their analysis. Most likely, the app reader/interviewer will just assume most of the clubs don't require a large amount of time.

Okay, fair enough. Not everyone who is President of a student organization puts in 15-20 hours a week. This number was based on my personal experience and the Presidents of student organizations and fraternities that I have talked to. So, if I was an ADCOM and I did the basic arithmetic in my head that would mean that OP was spending 75 hours a week ALONE running meetings, planning events, responding to emails, etc. This completely excludes academics, other extracurricular actives, etc. So, again, I don't know if it will necessary look bad, but it is weird.

 

[mw18]

Okay, fair enough. Not everyone who is President of a student organization puts in 15-20 hours a week. This number was based on my personal experience and the Presidents of student organizations and fraternities that I have talked to. So, if I was an ADCOM and I did the basic arithmetic in my head that would mean that OP was spending 75 hours a week ALONE running meetings, planning events, responding to emails, etc. This completely excludes academics, other extracurricular actives, etc. So, again, I don't know if it will necessary look bad, but it is weird.

That is a lot of time to be dedicating to a club each week. In med school there are people who run 4 things and obviously have a much greater workload, because they're not giving each club that amount of time. They're very busy but it's completely possible. I doubt OP is putting in 100-120 hours a week on clubs and school. As an adcom I would just assume they weren't all that big of time investments (obviously the hours attributed would have to reflect that), and I would say something like "I see you that you were a member of several clubs and organizations, which did you enjoy the most and why? Which did you learn the most from and why?" Then I'd just move on. If there was a 20 hr/week breakdown for each club, obviously that would merit discussion/investigation. I just wouldn't discount people's experiences because it seems like too much. For instance, I had a part-time job (16-20 hours/week), played a sport in college and served as captain, ran a small business I created, and took 24 semester hours in school in the same semester. I had other commitments at the same time, too, and while I did feel busy at times I still had time to relax and have fun.

 

[Nave]

That is a lot of time to be dedicating to a club each week. In med school there are people who run 4 things and obviously have a much greater workload, because they're not giving each club that amount of time. They're very busy but it's completely possible. I doubt OP is putting in 100-120 hours a week on clubs and school. As an adcom I would just assume they weren't all that big of time investments (obviously the hours attributed would have to reflect that), and I would say something like "I see you that you were a member of several clubs and organizations, which did you enjoy the most and why? Which did you learn the most from and why?" Then I'd just move on. If there was a 20 hr/week breakdown for each club, obviously that would merit discussion/investigation. I just wouldn't discount people's experiences because it seems like too much. For instance, I had a part-time job (16-20 hours/week), played a sport in college and served as captain, ran a small business I created, and took 24 semester hours in school in the same semester. I had other commitments at the same time, too, and while I did feel busy at times I still had time to relax and have fun.

Fair enough. I don't disagree with you anything you said. My two post above were based on my own experience and the experience of others. OPs experience was probably similar to what you described. And if that's the case, he/she will be fine.

 

[On_The_Way_Up]

Well, so what if there was no overlap for my clubs' events and that was done purposefully to make sure that I can be present at all meetings? I guess this answer is my concern that even though I run around a lot and make sure I do all my job as a president, or one of the highest positions within the club, adcom might see it in this way; would just like to change it to 4 - I just counted again because it felt like 5 due to how much work I have been doing for those clubs

I doubt there is never any overlap. And if your condensing down the number of events so you can be president of 4 clubs that isn't fair to everyone else who wants an active club. My club has multiple events each month plus meetings. It's not fair to the other officers or the members. And certainly not fair to the members that didn't get elected for an officer position. That position can go to someone who actually has time for the club and is passionate about it. If you are passionate and dedicated to something you wouldn't have an officer position in 4 clubs. Two is pushing it and more often than not can't be done. But 4? No way. Like I said quality over quantity. If you're signed up for a bunch of stuff but can't give your best then what did you even get out of it?

 

[Pagan FutureDoc]

The number of clubs is largely irrelevant, your involvement in those club and how you can speak about the activities will matter more.
Many campus clubs are little more than social gatherings and the presidents job amounts to little more than handing out assignments for snack rotations.

 

[On_The_Way_Up]

No it doesn't look bad. You likely won't be asked about it, at all. You may be asked about a certain thing people find interesting, but it probably won't come up at all. Respectfully, the above posters likely know very little about actual medical school admissions, or the level of student/participant that some people truly are, or are just letting their personal experience cloud their analysis. Most likely, the app reader/interviewer will just assume most of the clubs don't require a large amount of time.

Of course it will come up. ADCOMs want to see you are actually committed to your ECs. Not just stacking a bunch of stuff so it can look good on a resume. This is pretty straight forward stuff which is why OP even asked the question in the first place. OP knows it will look odd. Being an officer in a club for 2 years and being in charge of organizing of lot of the events I know the amount of participation it takes. And unfortunately part of my experience has been some officers not giving their time because they're in so many other ECs. You can only do so much with school, work, and ECs. You won't have time for 4 clubs and being the president of all of them no less. And if they're not active clubs that's because OP doesn't have the time to make them more active.

 

[On_The_Way_Up]

The number of clubs is largely irrelevant, your involvement in those club and how you can speak about the activities will matter more.
Many campus clubs are little more than social gatherings and the presidents job amounts to little more than handing out assignments for snack rotations.

Which is why this is a problem. You can't be involved like you should be if you're president in 4 clubs. You can't say a whole lot if you're never really doing that much at each one. Have you ever even been in a club before and had a leadership position? I've seen it in my club. Officers won't do their job or show up to stuff because they have a position in another club or are a part of a frat or sorority. And they're really only in it for the boost it will give to their resume. Or they think it will give them. ADCOMs will see right through this.

 

[mw18]

Of course it will come up. ADCOMs want to see you are actually committed to your ECs. Not just stacking a bunch of stuff so it can look good on a resume. This is pretty straight forward stuff which is why OP even asked the question in the first place. OP knows it will look odd. Being an officer in a club for 2 years and being in charge of organizing of lot of the events I know the amount of participation it takes. And unfortunately part of my experience has been some officers not giving their time because they're in so many other ECs. You can only do so much with school, work, and ECs. You won't have time for 4 clubs and being the president of all of them no less. And if they're not active clubs that's because OP doesn't have the time to make them more active.

If OP goes on 6 interviews, I'd say it could come up at one, maybe two of them. I was never asked about my participation in many different areas at one time. I wasn't literally listed as "the president" of such and such 4 times, but it is pretty clear that I was involved with many different things at the same time. OPs ECs will come up, because he and his interviewers have to have something to talk about (unless he has an interesting life story in which case they may not come up at all). But specifically, that he was heavily involved in many things simultaneously? Just probably won't. There are people publishing research, starting non-profits, while being student body president at the same time. The issue with his ECs could be that they're not all that interesting (President of pre-med club, Frat president, etc). But most app reviewers look at ECs to make sure the person wasn't solely invested in academics and did nothing else with their time, and then they look for something that could make the applicant interesting for their conversation and to the whole committee. Having people who juggle multiple things is par for the course.

Edit: For non-volunteering ECs, because volunteering ECs are sought out specifically.

 

[Lost In Transcription]

You need to be able to have meaning for your ECs. Interviewers will be able to sniff out if you are just grabbing names and positions for your resume or not.

So just make sure you are dedicating yourself fully to one thing at a time- a few if you really can handle it.

 

[candbgirl]

Hey all, thanks for the replies. Yes all at the same time but only during my last year at this college. I am also aware that this doesnt make up for my mcat or gpa

Or other ECs like shadowing, research, clinical involvement, non clinical volunteering etc.. How could you have had enough time for classes and other activities?


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

 

[mcatjelly]

No it doesn't look bad. You likely won't be asked about it, at all. You may be asked about a certain thing people find interesting, but it probably won't come up at all. Respectfully, the above posters likely know very little about actual medical school admissions, or the level of student/participant that some people truly are, or are just letting their personal experience cloud their analysis. Most likely, the app reader/interviewer will just assume most of the clubs don't require a large amount of time.

At one of my interviews, the very first question I was asked was about my two years of leadership in a student org. We then spent over half the interview discussing my involvement. Now that I'm in medical school, I interview applicants myself- you bet we ask about this stuff.

So, speak for yourself.

 

[mw18]

At one of my interviews, the very first question I was asked was about my two years of leadership in a student org. We then spent over half the interview discussing my involvement. Now that I'm in medical school, I interview applicants myself- you bet we ask about this stuff.

So, speak for yourself.

What? I said ECs will be discussed, just not dissecting how it was possible to participate in many activities at once with a level of scrutiny to worry about it appearing odd. So I assume before you interview someone you look at how many things they're in simultaneously, disregard the hour assignments, assume it's spread too thin to be meaningful, and question about it specifically? Seems odd, but hey, it's your interview.

 

[On_The_Way_Up]

At one of my interviews, the very first question I was asked was about my two years of leadership in a student org. We then spent over half the interview discussing my involvement. Now that I'm in medical school, I interview applicants myself- you bet we ask about this stuff.

So, speak for yourself.

This guy is completely ignorant of the application process and ECs.

 

[mw18]

This guy is completely ignorant of the application process and ECs.

Lol I certainly must not have the experience that you boast.