Strenghtening my app (worthless ECs?)

[TehFrr]

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Hey all, I need some opinions on my ECs. I plan to take the summer MCAT and then immediately start applying to medical schools. If it is relevant, I have studied nuclear engineering for the past 5 years, and will spend my 6th finishing up a couple prerequisites, taking some Spanish & ethics classes, and hopefully interviewing. (Transfer GPA 3.82 current GPA 3.41) My premed advisor says I should have a solid application as long as I get in more ECs/clinical experience in the not too distant future.

Anyways, here is what I have done so far:
Treasurer of student branch of American Nuclear Society ('06-'07)
Financial Chair for 2007 ANS National Student Conference
Habitat restoration team (9/04-6/05)
Member of nonprofit org promoting local musicians (1999-2003)

Then add in a few honor societies:
Tau Beta Pi - engineering honor society
Alpha Nu Sigma - Nuclear engineering honor society
Pi Beta Kappa - 2 year school honor society

I am genuinely worried that this may not be enough. I am planning to do a physician shadow over winter break, as well as attempting to get a volunteer position at the local hospital starting January. Is this too little too late?

I would imagine the demographics of this board lean towards the overachievers, but still, I see so many people get rejected with way more ECs. Especially since many seem to have worked throughout college whereas I have lived off of scholarships and done primarily school (besides a summer internship at a national lab)

Thanks for looking

 

[somemaybedoc]

I personally think that most SDNrs are EC compulsives and a obsessed with them to a point disproportionate with there true value at most schools, but that's just me and I might be wrong.

However, my opinion is that if you can grab 120+ hours of time volunteering at the hospital, you'll be fine, assuming you have a good MCAT.

I am curious, however, how'd you get interested in this field without clinical time?

 

[TehFrr]

somemaybedoc: I have been interested in using radiation to improve people’s lives (and/or industrial process) for many years before I went to college (currently 30 yrs old) so the nuclear engineering undergrad was an excellent fit. After going back to college, spent a couple years talking with my (now ex) girlfriends’ father who is an oncologist on a weekly basis. Its not a decision that randomly came up out of nowhere, I just felt like I never had time to do all the things I needed/wanted to do, and now the end of what I am doing is in sight and I’m starting to stress

 

[somemaybedoc]

somemaybedoc: I have been interested in using radiation to improve people’s lives (and/or industrial process) for many years before I went to college (currently 30 yrs old) so the nuclear engineering undergrad was an excellent fit. After going back to college, spent a couple years talking with my (now ex) girlfriends’ father who is an oncologist on a weekly basis. Its not a decision that randomly came up out of nowhere, I just felt like I never had time to do all the things I needed/wanted to do, and now the end of what I am doing is in sight and I’m starting to stress

Sounds good

 

[brbsb]

I would definitely suggest getting some clinical experience just so you get a better idea of the day-to-day life of a physician.

Also, how'd you manage a 4.41 GPA?

 

[TehFrr]

thanks for the replies, I appreciate it. That should read 3.41, oops =O

 

[MirrorTodd]

I agree that getting clinical exp. would be beneficial. That being said, I think that no EC is worthless as long as you can talk about it coherently and with enthusiasm.

 

[searun]

somemaybedoc: I have been interested in using radiation to improve people’s lives (and/or industrial process) for many years before I went to college (currently 30 yrs old) so the nuclear engineering undergrad was an excellent fit. After going back to college, spent a couple years talking with my (now ex) girlfriends’ father who is an oncologist on a weekly basis. Its not a decision that randomly came up out of nowhere, I just felt like I never had time to do all the things I needed/wanted to do, and now the end of what I am doing is in sight and I’m starting to stress

I think we all could use more radiation. Bring it on! As George would say.

Searun

 

[vtucci]

I would say- definitely get as much clinical experience as you can. Shadowing is good. I recommend becoming an EMT as well. You can become certified as an instructor in CPR pretty quickly through the American Red Cross. That is both useful and a good resume item.

I was a non-trad as well and you will be asked why medicine and why now? You need to have a compelling reason.

 

[dantt]

Hey all, I need some opinions on my ECs. I plan to take the summer MCAT and then immediately start applying to medical schools. If it is relevant, I have studied nuclear engineering for the past 5 years, and will spend my 6th finishing up a couple prerequisites, taking some Spanish & ethics classes, and hopefully interviewing. (Transfer GPA 3.82 current GPA 3.41) My premed advisor says I should have a solid application as long as I get in more ECs/clinical experience in the not too distant future.

Anyways, here is what I have done so far:
Treasurer of student branch of American Nuclear Society ('06-'07)
Financial Chair for 2007 ANS National Student Conference
Habitat restoration team (9/04-6/05)
Member of nonprofit org promoting local musicians (1999-2003)

Then add in a few honor societies:
Tau Beta Pi - engineering honor society
Alpha Nu Sigma - Nuclear engineering honor society
Pi Beta Kappa - 2 year school honor society

I am genuinely worried that this may not be enough. I am planning to do a physician shadow over winter break, as well as attempting to get a volunteer position at the local hospital starting January. Is this too little too late?

I would imagine the demographics of this board lean towards the overachievers, but still, I see so many people get rejected with way more ECs. Especially since many seem to have worked throughout college whereas I have lived off of scholarships and done primarily school (besides a summer internship at a national lab)

Thanks for looking

Dear T. You have excellent extracurriculars and many experiences most premeds will not have. I would only recommend you get some "clinical" experience. I think if you can show the admissions committee you know what medicine is and why you want to be a doctor, I think you'll be fine.

 

[8744]

Hey all, I need some opinions on my ECs. I plan to take the summer MCAT and then immediately start applying to medical schools. If it is relevant, I have studied nuclear engineering for the past 5 years, and will spend my 6th finishing up a couple prerequisites, taking some Spanish & ethics classes, and hopefully interviewing. (Transfer GPA 3.82 current GPA 3.41) My premed advisor says I should have a solid application as long as I get in more ECs/clinical experience in the not too distant future.

Anyways, here is what I have done so far:
Treasurer of student branch of American Nuclear Society ('06-'07)
Financial Chair for 2007 ANS National Student Conference
Habitat restoration team (9/04-6/05)
Member of nonprofit org promoting local musicians (1999-2003)

Then add in a few honor societies:
Tau Beta Pi - engineering honor society
Alpha Nu Sigma - Nuclear engineering honor society
Pi Beta Kappa - 2 year school honor society

I am genuinely worried that this may not be enough. I am planning to do a physician shadow over winter break, as well as attempting to get a volunteer position at the local hospital starting January. Is this too little too late?

I would imagine the demographics of this board lean towards the overachievers, but still, I see so many people get rejected with way more ECs. Especially since many seem to have worked throughout college whereas I have lived off of scholarships and done primarily school (besides a summer internship at a national lab)

Thanks for looking

Sorry. All of your ECs are worthless. And you need to learn a different language. Who speaks Spanish, anyways?

Now, if you coached a little league team, that would be something.

 

[hp540]

Hey all, I need some opinions on my ECs. I plan to take the summer MCAT and then immediately start applying to medical schools. If it is relevant, I have studied nuclear engineering for the past 5 years, and will spend my 6th finishing up a couple prerequisites, taking some Spanish & ethics classes, and hopefully interviewing. (Transfer GPA 3.82 current GPA 3.41) My premed advisor says I should have a solid application as long as I get in more ECs/clinical experience in the not too distant future.

Anyways, here is what I have done so far:
Treasurer of student branch of American Nuclear Society ('06-'07)
Financial Chair for 2007 ANS National Student Conference
Habitat restoration team (9/04-6/05)
Member of nonprofit org promoting local musicians (1999-2003)

Then add in a few honor societies:
Tau Beta Pi - engineering honor society
Alpha Nu Sigma - Nuclear engineering honor society
Pi Beta Kappa - 2 year school honor society

I am genuinely worried that this may not be enough. I am planning to do a physician shadow over winter break, as well as attempting to get a volunteer position at the local hospital starting January. Is this too little too late?

I would imagine the demographics of this board lean towards the overachievers, but still, I see so many people get rejected with way more ECs. Especially since many seem to have worked throughout college whereas I have lived off of scholarships and done primarily school (besides a summer internship at a national lab)

Thanks for looking

how come you haven't cured AIDs yet? Or rescued babies from burning buildings? That's a popular EC I hear.

 

[8744]

how come you haven't cured AIDs yet? Or rescued babies from burning buildings? That's a popular EC I hear.

No, you just have to hold dying babies while making some vow to return as a doctor and prevent this kind of tragedy. The "Africa Gambit" is getting kind of stale so that's out. Nepal, I hear, is so hot right now. Then you can hold the babies and get in touch with Buddha. Very spiritual but naturally you won't have to inconvenience yourself in the slightest by believing anything in particular or changing your beliefs in any way. That's the beauty of Eastern religions. You get a lot of mileage for being spiritual but you can pretty much make it up as you go along.

 

[8744]

Hey all, I need some opinions on my ECs. I plan to take the summer MCAT and then immediately start applying to medical schools. If it is relevant, I have studied nuclear engineering for the past 5 years, and will spend my 6th finishing up a couple prerequisites, taking some Spanish & ethics classes, and hopefully interviewing. (Transfer GPA 3.82 current GPA 3.41) My premed advisor says I should have a solid application as long as I get in more ECs/clinical experience in the not too distant future.

Anyways, here is what I have done so far:
Treasurer of student branch of American Nuclear Society ('06-'07)
Financial Chair for 2007 ANS National Student Conference
Habitat restoration team (9/04-6/05)
Member of nonprofit org promoting local musicians (1999-2003)

Then add in a few honor societies:
Tau Beta Pi - engineering honor society
Alpha Nu Sigma - Nuclear engineering honor society
Pi Beta Kappa - 2 year school honor society

I am genuinely worried that this may not be enough. I am planning to do a physician shadow over winter break, as well as attempting to get a volunteer position at the local hospital starting January. Is this too little too late?

I would imagine the demographics of this board lean towards the overachievers, but still, I see so many people get rejected with way more ECs. Especially since many seem to have worked throughout college whereas I have lived off of scholarships and done primarily school (besides a summer internship at a national lab)

Thanks for looking

What? No military experience? What's that all about? If I were on the admissions committee I'd automatically subtract points for that deficiency. You are definitely an underachiever in that respect. Now, if you could put something like US Army Ranger or Navy Surface Warfare Officer you'd have something.

The rest of your ECs are meaningless except to show that you're fairly intelligent which makes you no different than most of the 40,000 people applying to medical school.

 

[Delicate Genius]

If you're still on good terms with the oncologist, you should consider shadowing him (if you haven't already).

 

[riceman04]

Hey all, I need some opinions on my ECs. I plan to take the summer MCAT and then immediately start applying to medical schools. If it is relevant, I have studied nuclear engineering for the past 5 years, and will spend my 6th finishing up a couple prerequisites, taking some Spanish & ethics classes, and hopefully interviewing. (Transfer GPA 3.82 current GPA 3.41) My premed advisor says I should have a solid application as long as I get in more ECs/clinical experience in the not too distant future.

Anyways, here is what I have done so far:
Treasurer of student branch of American Nuclear Society ('06-'07)
Financial Chair for 2007 ANS National Student Conference
Habitat restoration team (9/04-6/05)
Member of nonprofit org promoting local musicians (1999-2003)

Then add in a few honor societies:
Tau Beta Pi - engineering honor society
Alpha Nu Sigma - Nuclear engineering honor society
Pi Beta Kappa - 2 year school honor society

I am genuinely worried that this may not be enough. I am planning to do a physician shadow over winter break, as well as attempting to get a volunteer position at the local hospital starting January. Is this too little too late?

I would imagine the demographics of this board lean towards the overachievers, but still, I see so many people get rejected with way more ECs. Especially since many seem to have worked throughout college whereas I have lived off of scholarships and done primarily school (besides a summer internship at a national lab)

Thanks for looking

I'm no expert, but I think you will be fine. So I'm just wondering why the big diff in GPA's

Good luck

 

[GoSprout24]

As a current med student that works with her admissions committee -- I recommend shadowing over EMT training. Unless -- UNLESS -- you turn around and work AS an EMT. Then it might be a toss up. (Few people do -- a lot of people just take the course and get certified, but then never work). EMT training 1) doesn't give you much exposure to doctors, and 2) doesn't really show you when a doctor does. If you were applying to EMT school, it would be fabulous (I'm joking). But since you're applying to med school, it's best to have exposure to doctors. Makes sense, no?

 

[TehFrr]

thanks, I appreciate being able to read other people's perspectives.

To the couple folks with the smartass comments - I see what you are saying. Perhaps it sound silly to you. The thing is my only in-state school (OHSU) is *very* much into clinical experience. My ECs do not have anything to do with clinical experence. Its a legitamate concern I have. Not that I care too much about getting flamed, I have thick skin, just figured I would give some insight as to where I am coming from.

riceman04: the GPA difference is because I took all my liberal arts, bac core, lower division math at a 2 year school. The lower GPA is from the 4 year university where I took all my physics, Ochem, engineering and upper division math.

Anyways, thanks again everybody, I have recieved some very helpful replies.