Stacked EC's?

[CUNYguy]

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Hey SDN,

I was just wondering what everyone thinks about stacking EC's in one semester.

The reason why I'm asking is because I'm currently volunteering in the ED in a hospital, I'm doing social science research, and I was thinking about doing volunteer work for a community volunteer ambulance corps, and on top of all that, I'm working 25+ hours a week, and a full-time student.

So my question is, does this demonstrate ability to maintain your schedule, and time management skills? Or does it seem like it's just a check off of your list? Or that you can't make up your mind and you're just scattering wherever you can get an opportunity? I am showing that I am altruistic and committed since everything either has a mandated 10 mo+ commitment, or I've already done it for more than 10 mo.

At the moment, I'm polarized towards EM/Cardio, so everything that I'm doing (other than the research; this is actually just a check off my list) shows that I do want to go into that field. Been stressing about what I should/shouldn't do for the past few months.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Dr. Hopeful]

Absolutely demonstrates time management skills. Don't over think things like these, I had a hellish final semester this past winter semester and it was one of the "selling points" of my application, as I was doing ~7 ECs, working, and finishing my degree. It came up in all 4 interviews I attended and was a great answer to many secondary questions, such as "what challenge have you overcome?" or "how have you displayed you have time management? How do you know you are ready for medical school?" But make sure you are able to handle the entire workload, you don't want your grades to suffer for it. Strong grades through this tough semester will mean that much more.

 

[PlaqueBuster]

It can go both ways honestly. Like the poster said above it shows time management skills but you have to show that you can make it work. Do not take these things lightly because it will start to have an impact on your coursework, studytime, and other aspects of your life. Be realistic to your ability as you committ to things. The last thing you want to do is withdraw from classes or have lower grades.

If you are already volunteering at hospital and doing research and working, then why add the ambulance corps to the list? I think you should make time for it in a different semester or summer when you don't have classes. Or quit the hospital volunteer position. I mean you have probably been doing it for some time now and have learned a good deal. You can learn something new by switch volunteering to something else. Shadowing might be good also, I think its better than volunteering. Just make sure you can handle the activities

 

[baxt1412]

don't pack too much in. even if it doesn't directly impact your grades, it will indirectly because there are only so many hours in a day.

you have to balance ECs, social life (yes this is important), alone time, class time, study time, eating, exercising (hopefully), etc.

 

[CUNYguy]

Well, as for the research, I'm doing it because I feel like it would (a) give me a different view on how to do things, and (b) it might be a tiny 2% boost to my application, when application time comes.

For the hospital, I've been volunteering there for ~6 months now @ ~150 hrs (4 hrs/wk), but it's the most accessible way to get upclose and personal to the doctors; you have to accumulate x-amount of hours, and they'll permit you to shadow for 4 hours (either pt floors, minimally invasive surgeries like electrophysiology studies, and cardiac cath's, and the such). And by far, I've only racked up about 8 hours of shadowing, this is no way near as much as I would like it to be.

The ambulance corps would help me because I have an EMT-B license, and it's just sitting around collecting dust. I want to be able to use those skills and get EM experience in the prehospital setting, because it's one of those "use it or lose it" conditions, in terms of money/time invested, and skills learned.

Lastly, being that I'm from NYC, there are rare occasions where you can just do it seasonally, since there are thousands of students who are fighting for these volunteer positions, since they're pre-med, or in high school (since they mandate x-amount of hours in order to graduate).

Thanks again!