should I mention this in my applications?

[icedawg]

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Hey all,

I have a non-traditional background (degree in computer science) but have returned to school to take all the requisite biologies and whatnot. While talking with one of my biology professors, he suggested something in which I was already rather aware given my past: I'll likely be seen by many med schools as a square peg trying to fit in a round hole.

Given the aforementioned, I'm uncertain about whether I want to mention one of my past accomplishments that I'm most pleased with on my applications. I became interested in a topic in a psychology class years ago and started a message board on the Internet that has become the largest on its particular topic so far as I can tell; it's nothing compared to the size of the SDN but it has about 370 000 messages so far. Anyway, I've set up a whole staff (all volunteer of course since we generate no revenue) to run it and I feel I have actually gained quite a bit of leadership experience with all sorts of problems and situations that have occurred there. I also wonder if something such as this could actually be looked upon by a professional school as providing leadership experience. Regardless, I'm just worried about further stigmatizing myself.


Anyway, I'm just looking for some thoughts or advice.

Thanks.

 

[notdeadyet]

I think the "stigma" associated with career changers is over-stated.

Regardless, I think it's a bigger red flag if you were a failure in your previous career. Trumpet your horn and show them that you have talented, medical or not.

 

[Beau Geste]

I think that would be a fantastic extracurricular activity to highlight in your app.

Also, there are many non-trads that have become doctors or are in med school who had previous careers.

 

[Flopotomist]

To answer the specific question you pose - yes... mention this experience.

To make a general rule - mention things that you WANT to talk about in interviews that will exemplify personal traits or characteristics you have that will make you a unique and well-qualified applicant.

For example - building a small business from scratch that now employs 6 full time people is worth mentioning

Building a team of beer pong champions at your local fraternity - not a good thing to mention.

 

[Beau Geste]

Building a team of beer pong champions at your local fraternity - not a good thing to mention.

Now I have to edit my CV. Thanks.

 

[mamadoc]

Is your website devoted to something controversial, like, I don't know, pedophilia? or one of those anorexia websites? I don't get why a forum encouraging such a large degree of participation would be a "stigma" ... I guess if it's controversial, it might be. But in general, I agree with others who said that such a major accomplishment of teamwork and success should be highlighted.

 

[smugtroll]

i was founding member of a Necrophilia support group..... used to be addicted

but i don't think I'll mention that

 

[Captain Fantastic]

While talking with one of my biology professors, he suggested something in which I was already rather aware given my past: I'll likely be seen by many med schools as a square peg trying to fit in a round hole.

With the recent focus on technology in medicine, I find that argument short-sighted. Computers are changing the practice of medicine. Your background could be an asset, but it's all in how you present it.

 

[Think Big]

With the recent focus on technology in medicine, I find that argument short-sighted. Computers are changing the practice of medicine. Your background could be an asset, but it's all in how you present it.

Agreed. With clinics and hospitals converting to electronic medical records and all of the buzz around telemedicine, a computer background can be a definite plus!

 

[wook]

.... While talking with one of my biology professors, he suggested something in which I was already rather aware given my past: I'll likely be seen by many med schools as a square peg trying to fit in a round hole...

...Regardless, I'm just worried about further stigmatizing myself...

Dude/dudette:

For most schools (there are some exceptions) there are people in each class who have had previous experience. The oldest person in my class was 50 when he started. We also had at least 3 folks in their 40s, and at least 10-30 in their 30s. I wouldn't worry too much about a stigma about having previous experience. I started about 15 years after getting my undergradate. No worrys from that perspective. As someone else had posted, just focus on makng your application appear stellar (ie sell yourself).


Wook

 

[cfdavid]

i was in sales for 9 years, and have a finance degree. trust me, i had to spin the hell out of that one. but, it's very possible. you have to look at your experiences as strengths (which they are). so, make your past work to your advantage.

i've discussed the role of physician pursuasion in patient compliance, and the increased focus on "customer"/patient satisfaction in hospitals. i chatted about how communication and presentation skills are important in science and medicine in order to facilitate knowledge sharing etc. all experiences that i'd honed over the years. i made people aware of the importance of customer/patient service and satisfaction in minimizing the risks of litigation (they know this already, actually). i made interviewers aware of the importance of self motivation and accomplishing goals and objectives in terms of succeeding in medical school and beyond. again, all skills and behavior patterns i'd developed over the years. truthfully, the admissions process is one big SALES job...lol really.

so, you need to take whatever experiences you have, and cater them to your new "context", which is medicine. once you start doing that you're confidence will skyrocket, and you'll be prepared to answer any tough interview questions etc.

also, remember that some people are just not very open minded. but, with the right approach, you can shed light on the parallels between your past experiences and how they will be of value (and are relevant) to medicine. just consider your audience.

 

[OncoCaP]

Hey all,

...
Given the aforementioned, I'm uncertain about whether I want to mention one of my past accomplishments that I'm most pleased with on my applications. I became interested in a topic in a psychology class years ago and started a message board on the Internet that has become the largest on its particular topic so far as I can tell; it's nothing compared to the size of the SDN but it has about 370 000 messages so far. Anyway, I've set up a whole staff (all volunteer of course since we generate no revenue) to run it and I feel I have actually gained quite a bit of leadership experience with all sorts of problems and situations that have occurred there. I also wonder if something such as this could actually be looked upon by a professional school as providing leadership experience. Regardless, I'm just worried about further stigmatizing myself.
...

I would absolutely put it on there.👍 However, make sure you feature your clinical experience, volunteering, and research above this, if possible. Your non-trad leadership accomplishments do count for a lot. Med schools want applicants who will be future leaders and professionals ... people who will further the field. Your accomplishments with the message board demonstrate some of the key qualities most med schools look for.

 

[QofQuimica]

Hey all,

I have a non-traditional background (degree in computer science) but have returned to school to take all the requisite biologies and whatnot. While talking with one of my biology professors, he suggested something in which I was already rather aware given my past: I'll likely be seen by many med schools as a square peg trying to fit in a round hole.

Given the aforementioned, I'm uncertain about whether I want to mention one of my past accomplishments that I'm most pleased with on my applications. I became interested in a topic in a psychology class years ago and started a message board on the Internet that has become the largest on its particular topic so far as I can tell; it's nothing compared to the size of the SDN but it has about 370 000 messages so far. Anyway, I've set up a whole staff (all volunteer of course since we generate no revenue) to run it and I feel I have actually gained quite a bit of leadership experience with all sorts of problems and situations that have occurred there. I also wonder if something such as this could actually be looked upon by a professional school as providing leadership experience. Regardless, I'm just worried about further stigmatizing myself.


Anyway, I'm just looking for some thoughts or advice.

Thanks.

Definitely put it down; that's a really neat EC. I am sure your bio prof means well, but he's wrong, plain and simple. I'm assuming, of course, that you also have some medical type ECs (shadowing, volunteering, whatever).

BTW, if you're looking to go into medical informatics, not only should you discuss this experience, but you should also write about how doing it made you better prepared for your future career in your AMCAS essay.

 

[Shpamme]

I agree with the other advice given to highlight your clinical etc as well, and to do a good sales job with each activity--show how it would be relevant to medicine. That said, by all means, put it on!! It sounds really cool and it shows med schools that you are creative, as well as the kind of student who tries to help others.

 

[icedawg]

Thanks everyone for the advice and encouragement. I see what some of you are saying and I agree my biology prof's comments perhaps weren't completely definitive. I suppose I could even argue that given the predominance of health backgrounds in my family I do in fact fit very well, and had just tried to find an independent path for myself that unfortunately turned out to be a mistake.

To answer some questions, the topic of the site is actually on lucid dreaming, which is something I was interested in years ago but had to give up since I hadn't the time. There's some negative stereotypes associated with the topic--which is understandable since unfortunately some use it as a vehicle to displace reality, i.e. escapism--so I don't think I'd want to explicitly mention the topic on an application. I'd still like to mention the overall accomplishment though, as suggested, providing I can come up with a way to present it in just the right light. That does open the door to the topic being discussed during an interview though, which troubles me a little again given some people's impressions about it.

And yes, I've been striving to attain relevant medical EC's. I work part time in a pharmacy, I have an ER doctor who mentors me during the summer, and I volunteer in physiotherapy at a hospital. I also have my sights set on volunteering in hospice during this coming summer since I have to believe that's the kind of experience med schools would like to see. I volunteer in a professor's lab and have applied for a research award for this summer, but I'm not counting on that; my marks are all A's and A+'s now, but the computer science years weren't quite that hot...I'm sure some of you can relate to having to shoulder past burdens such as that.

Anyway, I really appreciate all the comments and encouragement...thanks all.