Sports as an EC...

[deleted202457]

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I run cross country and track at my college and I was wondering how significant of an EC this is to adcoms?

Will it count as a major activity or will I still need to try and get a lot of other activities as well?

 

[Catalystik]

With an AMCAS application there is a pre-selectable pull-down choice for Sports. Ideally in the narrative portion you would discuss the time commitment for your sport and honors or awards related to it. This would be considered a good EC, as adcomms like evidence of teamwork.

No matter how time consuming your sport may be, you are not excused from acquiring the other expected activities. The essentials are clinical experience and community service. Desirable are research, leadership (team captain counts), and teaching. Shadowing a physician is something you'll need to fit in also, but it needn't be a regular activity. Hobbies are nice to see too.

 

[imer]

With an AMCAS application there is a pre-selectable pull-down choice for Sports. Ideally in the narrative portion you would discuss the time commitment for your sport and honors or awards related to it. This would be considered a good EC, as adcomms like evidence of teamwork.

No matter how time consuming your sport may be, you are not excused from acquiring the other expected activities. The essentials are clinical experience and community service. Desirable are research, leadership (team captain counts), and teaching. Shadowing a physician is something you'll need to fit in also, but it needn't be a regular activity. Hobbies are nice to see too.

.

 

[FlowRate]

So basically you are suggesting that everything is essential and/or desired?? My admittedly limited experience is there isn't a formula of EC's that you check off when completed and plan on catching the twinkle in adcom's eye. And don't believe anyone who says more "stuff" is better. I had a stronger EC with athletics and it supported the rest of my application so it was a frequent discussion in interviews.

BTW athletics is a hell of a lot more than "evidence of teamwork" - ask anyone who trains and competes.

I believe most would agree that there are certain aspects to an application that you "have" to do to be the best applicant you can be. What Catal. outlined is spot on.

 

[Catalystik]

Each med school decides what they consider essential or helpful to have as evidence of traits that make a good physician. The goal of an applicant to to have an application that appeals to a broad range of schools to improve chances of an acceptance somewhere. All of the elements I mentioned are certainly not expected at every school. I agree that more stuff is not better; in-depth involvement in some activities is preferred. Adcomms (as a generalization) like to see dedication and passion about something, and that you can selflessly work toward a goal beyond your own benefit. Sports are an excellent way to demonstrate those traits.

 

[Drexon]

Haha I'm sure as hell counting my time on the baseball team [NCAA div 1 school] as an extra curricular activity. You could go into details if they want about your hours of commitment. I was on the team for 2 years [first 2 years of college] and it really tanked my GPA for med. haha coasting by in college isn't going to get you into medicine... But anyway I digress [my road to medicine is very complicated etc].
About the hours of commitment comment I made: well it really depends. You could talk about the NCAA rules and reg for limited hours allowed for team practice. You could go and talk about your own personal side practices [non team affiliated]. But don't let that be your sole defining thing on the application. YOU ARE A PERSON more than simply just an athlete please reflect that and show that =)
Yeah I realized Cata nailed a lot of the points about scholar athletes but I felt that I had to chip in too!

 

[bnp07]

Why wouldn't you include it? I know between basketball and softball I spent 30+ hours a week in sports related activities, and it's good for showing commitment, discipline, and time management, all attractive qualities for a medical professional. I can only reaffirm what everyone else has said.

 

[ahmcadams]

Definitely include it. Varsity sports participation at the college level is one of the best ECs you can have - it demonstrates talent, effective time management, and a likely decade-plus commitment to something meaningful. It might very well be the one thing you talk most about over the course of your interview travels.

Contrary to popular pre-med belief, nothing short of some sort of clinical experience is a must-have. Things like research, community service, club leadership, etc., are beneficial but by no means required. Adcoms definitely understand that a year-long athletic commitment reduces the amount of time available for local soup kitchen service, etc., and evaluates your accordingly.

 

[JJMrK]

It's probably going to look great. Having said that, you'll still need to be able to answer the question "Why medicine?". You also have to have competitive numbers.