Question about ECS

[dynamicmind01]

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Outside of research or wet lab work, can someone tell me some examples of really amazing ECS for medical school? Maybe from ones you have seen posted here before or ones you have done yourself? Also, I know grades and MCAT scores are big (which they should be), but how much are these ECS actually valued? Or is it really a numbers game?

I hate posting on here because I always feel like my question is probably totally redudant, but I would love a few quick replies!

 

[tennisball80]

Interesting. I would also like to know what kind of ECs people did to get into the top 20 medical schools.

 

[DocMcCoy]

I can tell you from my experience it is not just a numbers game. Unfortunately, I think a lot of the most interesting ECs probably come form non-trad applicants as we have just had more time to do stuff. I'd have to imagine it is pretty hard to hammer out some unique ECs while completing undergrad and gearing up to apply to medical school.

Personally, I think real world experience in healthcare should be high on the list of ECs. How unique you want to get with your experience is only limited to how much time and money you want to put into it.

At my undergrad, we have student groups that aid international missions with physicians every summer. It is expensive, but makes for a pretty interesting EC.

Other talents or hobbies that you are actively involved in qualify as ECs as well. They might add a little character to your application, but I don't know how much weight they would actually pull in the selection process.

 

[Hoody]

I would also like to know what kind of ECs people did to get into the top 20 medical schools.

the same basic (or even less) ECs than everyone else with lower stats.


Seriously though, you could teach underwater basket weaving to children....as long as you're doing something somewhat productive and that's tailored to your interests. I'd worry more about getting a publication if you are looking to stand out.

 

[JJMrK]

Research is huge IMO, especially at schools ranked by US News. You've got to actually do something productive though (posters/talks/publications). Just washing glassware doesn't count.

 

[anonymousername]

is one summer of research acceptable? i was never actually clear on the norm here

 

[bravofleet4]

if you can get a presentation or a publication you'll have a HUGE advantage over other people i think. Research is really one of the only things that theoretically you can take as far as you want. Plus you graduate with a thesis and honors as well. I mean if you get like 10,000 grant (pulling this out of my ass) nobody can question that you're awesome.

how far can you take clinical experience? not much. I mean you just don't have the training to do anything beyond taking vitals usually. If you work in a hospital you'll be bringing people water and blankets. If you can out of state or overseas treating people in developing nations then I would highly recommend it since it will at least give your perspective. Shadowing is also good but you won't be doing that every week. Most people just shadow a physician for a day, so if you can find one it's easy to squeeze it into your workload.

even club activity is iffy. Nobody really knows what your club does or how much of an impact it may make on the school or the community. You can start your own club or be president but i still don't think it's a major deal. I think it looks a lot better though if you take up a position that the school created and needs to be filled by a student like a department tutor, TA, RA, council president, and etc.

second to research would be employment. at least if you said you were a pharm tech or EMS people might have an idea of what you do. Plus keeping a job shows you're able to multitask, you're reliable, good with people, and etc.

third most important is probably non-medical related EC's. These also tell a lot about you and like research you can take these as far as you want. I didn't do it my undergrad and I've already been accepted to one med school but I wish I took my fish hobby further. Now that I'm taking community college to keep my parents health insurance i'm volunteering taking care of the show tanks over there and am planning to start a fish club. i will also be working in stock room and taking a class with my club advisor for a LOR. My craziest dream is to learn some html and programming next semester to start an on-line store and sell some aquatic plants or animals I raise in my house (probably not going to happen in a million years but a guy can dream). For you, though, you can just volunteer at the YMCA or a soup kitchen. That is also really good...

 

[JJMrK]

is one summer of research acceptable? i was never actually clear on the norm here

There's really no amount that's "acceptable," it depends on what you accomplish. If you spend a summer and get a publication, that is obviously going to help you. If you do two three years with nothing to show for it, it's just another activity. On the other hand, if you spend three years on a project, have multiple presentations/publications/etc, that's going to potentially impress a lot of schools, especially if you can talk about your research intelligently during an interview.

 

[dynamicmind01]

Oh wow, that's crazy. I actually have two publications, one second author, one first. By the time I apply, I'll probably have 2-3 more (things are submitted with my name on it). That actually helps for medical school? For some reason, I thought they were less interested in research. I'm worried because I actually haven't shadowed a doctor.

 

[Janieve]

The only pre-med I've had more than one class with and still loved ended up getting into med school on her first round of applications. These were just a few of her ECs:

• Volunteered at an animal shelter
• Student adviser for incoming/potential students in her major (seriously, she set up meetings and let them ask her anything they wanted to. The students who talked to her got a more accurate idea what they were getting into and generally stuck with the program more than others)
• Private language tutor
• Edited a 'freelance' journal/newspaper
• TA
• Research work on preventative medicine
• Blog. Yes, blog. Explaining advances in medicine and potential further advances in other areas.

That girl is going places. This isn't even half the list. How she made time for it, I don't know, but I love her to death for it and wish I could be like her. 😍

 

[Omar Gooding]

Here are my ECs and accomplishments that I actually put on my AMCAS if it helps any..

Eagle Scout
Cortina Program (a community, service, faith, and justice initiative at my UG)
Pre-Med Society Treasurer
Hurricane Katrina Service Trip
NEXT Research Program (did clinical research in one a stroke clinic, which was mostly database related)
Organic Chemistry Research
Shadowing, app. 105 hours
Gen Chem I, Org. Chem I & II TA
Athletic Learning Center Tutor
Med Center Volunteer
Nursing Home Volunteer
Stroke Activity and Education Camp Volunteer
Dean's List
National Society of Collegiate Scholars
Service/Leadership Scholarship

 

[slowbutsteady]

Here are my ECs and accomplishments that I actually put on my AMCAS if it helps any..

Eagle Scout
Cortina Program (a community, service, faith, and justice initiative at my UG)
Pre-Med Society Treasurer
Hurricane Katrina Service Trip
NEXT Research Program (did clinical research in one a stroke clinic, which was mostly database related)
Organic Chemistry Research
Shadowing, app. 105 hours
Gen Chem I, Org. Chem I & II TA
Athletic Learning Center Tutor
Med Center Volunteer
Nursing Home Volunteer
Stroke Activity and Education Camp Volunteer
Dean's List
National Society of Collegiate Scholars
Service/Leadership Scholarship

I would bet this is fairly ordinary list, no offense. Did you get accepted anywhere?

Except that "Pre-med Society Treasurer." That's AWESOME!!!

 

[Omar Gooding]

Yes I have been accepted. And I've gotten 8 interviews so far.

 

[bravofleet4]

I don't know if I would've listed dean's list only b/c you automatically get that through grades and doesn't require any extra work on your part.

 

[skyblue2000]

I don't know if I would've listed dean's list only b/c you automatically get that through grades and doesn't require any extra work on your part.

really? I've seen many people put the Dean's list on their ECs? The instruction guide on AMCAS even explains how you should put Dean's list on your ECs and for repeated semesters.

 

[JJMrK]

Oh wow, that's crazy. I actually have two publications, one second author, one first. By the time I apply, I'll probably have 2-3 more (things are submitted with my name on it). That actually helps for medical school? For some reason, I thought they were less interested in research. I'm worried because I actually haven't shadowed a doctor.

Yes, that will look extremely good, especially if you can talk intelligently about your research for 15-20 minutes in an interview.

really? I've seen many people put the Dean's list on their ECs? The instruction guide on AMCAS even explains how you should put Dean's list on your ECs and for repeated semesters.

Dean's list is one of those things that can/should be grouped into a catch-all awards category (unless it's the only thing in that category, in that case just leave it off).

 

[medat101]

I had average mcats and gpa, so my ECs really set me over the top and landed me interviews at a few top 20s. I don't know if we can really provide you a "list" of good ECs because it really depends on the person and how it fits in with you life story. Ex: you had a sibling with downs syndrome, so you volunteered with the special olympics.

It should all translate and relates back to your life story, so I suggest you do some soul searching and figure out what ECs would be most meaningful to you. Most med schools can see through the typical "resume builder" premeds, so find an issue or vulnerable population you are especially passionate about and start there.
Good Luck!

 

[ahmcadams]

When I review an app, what I find most impressive are things like varsity sports participation, fluency in multiple languages, and legitimate research publications. These are things that involve a lot more dedication and skill than simply showing up to pre-med club meetings or helping to organize day-long community outreach events. The latter have their place, but they're extremely common and not often the make-or-break items in a file.