Should I Include Declined Research Award?

[throwaway122312252]

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I had received a research award that I ended up declining in favor for a more in-depth research opportunity. Looking around online it seemed like there was a mixed opinion on including it or leaving it out so I figured I would ask here. Thanks!

Edit: Sorry I should have been more clear with the original post. I was thinking of including it with the AMCAS Work/Activities section since I had some extra space left over for 1/2 more activities. This was for a summer studentship award where I would be funded for the summer and was a competitive application against MD students at my local school based on GPA and viability of the proposed research project. The position that I ended up accepting instead was for a full-time position that would span a full year.

 

[OfMiceAndWomen]

You will have to give more info. Was it like an acceptance to a research program?

I believe I was in a similar position where I received an award that would have funded an internship at a non-profit, but I turned down the award for a paid employment opportunity. I chose not to list the award, because it was supposed to be for an experience that never happened. Even if it seemed valid to list it, I wouldn't have anything to say about it.

On the other hand, if your award is for recognition for something you've already done, I would definitely list it.

 

[Detective SnowBucket]

I had received a research award that I ended up declining

If you already declined then what's the question

 

[HouseJC]

Personally, I don't think it will add much value that you declined an award in favor of a more in-depth research opportunity. On the AMCAS application, whether it'd be the work/activities descriptions, MMEs, personal statement or secondaries, word and character limits are a limiting factor. I think it will serve you better if you use those characters and words to better describe how you benefited from the research opportunity.

 

[throwaway122312252]

If you already declined then what's the question

You will have to give more info. Was it like an acceptance to a research program?

I believe I was in a similar position where I received an award that would have funded an internship at a non-profit, but I turned down the award for a paid employment opportunity. I chose not to list the award, because it was supposed to be for an experience that never happened. Even if it seemed valid to list it, I wouldn't have anything to say about it.

On the other hand, if your award is for recognition for something you've already done, I would definitely list it.

Sorry I should have been more clear with the original post. I was thinking of including it with the AMCAS Work/Activities section since I had some extra space left over for 1/2 more activities. This was for a summer studentship award where I would be funded for the summer and was a competitive application against MD students at my local school based on GPA and viability of the proposed research project. The position that I ended up accepting instead was for a full-time position that would span a full year.

 

[HouseJC]

Fair, but people normally group ALL their awards/honors in one section and leave the other spaces for other activities. If you use 1+ spots for something that can be grouped as one, it could be viewed as an effort to artificially enhance your app. Remember, its quality > quantity. More is not always better.

 

[throwaway122312252]

Fair, but people normally group ALL their awards/honors in one section and leave the other spaces for other activities. If you use 1+ spots for something that can be grouped as one, it could be viewed as an effort to artificially enhance your app. Remember, its quality > quantity. More is not always better.

So would you think I should include the declined award in an awards category alongside awards that I did accept or still just leave it off?

 

[931kra]

include the declined award in an awards category alongside awards that I did accept

That's the method I went for when I included a research award that I ended up declining!

 

[Goro]

I had received a research award that I ended up declining in favor for a more in-depth research opportunity. Looking around online it seemed like there was a mixed opinion on including it or leaving it out so I figured I would ask here. Thanks!

Edit: Sorry I should have been more clear with the original post. I was thinking of including it with the AMCAS Work/Activities section since I had some extra space left over for 1/2 more activities. This was for a summer studentship award where I would be funded for the summer and was a competitive application against MD students at my local school based on GPA and viability of the proposed research project. The position that I ended up accepting instead was for a full-time position that would span a full year.

What are you hoping to prove and why do you think that this will impress a screener or Adcom member?

 

[HouseJC]

So would you think I should include the declined award in an awards category alongside awards that I did accept or still just leave it off?

I would just leave it off, as I assume you have other awards to discuss.

If you don't have other awards (and I don't mean to be disrespectful here by probing this), it would still be better to leave it off. Like @Goro said, if you include it, it can raise some eyebrows from the screener and Adcom member and shine a negative light on you. While there are success stories, such as the case for @NatGeoLover (congrats on your 7A's by the way!), I think it will be safer to not mention it.

 

[throwaway122312252]

What are you hoping to prove and why do you think that this will impress a screener or Adcom member?

I would just leave it off, as I assume you have other awards to discuss.

If you don't have other awards (and I don't mean to be disrespectful here by probing this), it would still be better to leave it off. Like @Goro said, if you include it, it can raise some eyebrows from the screener and Adcom member and shine a negative light on you. While there are success stories, such as the case for @NatGeoLover (congrats on your 7A's by the way!), I think it will be safer to not mention it.

I was thinking that having something fill in those blank spaces would have been better than nothing at all but I guess you guys are right. Probably wouldn't add anything to my application that isn't already stated elsewhere. Thanks!