Things that make you stand out?

[GR114228]

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In your opinion, what kind of things do you think makes you stand out on your applications? Just out of curiousity.

 

[Phile98]

If you have a good MCAT/GPA, these things help:
- Long-time volunteering positions
- Research positions that have been fruitful - peer-reviewed publications (higher author the better), presentations, abstracts.
- Leadership positions (especially starting something new)
- A really strong passion; something that envelops all your activities. A mission statement of your own if you will.

Of course, these are plenty of other activities/accolades.

 

[Tim_Hortons_Cafe]

This can be a number of things. I think anyone who has had to overcome adversity in their life stands out. It's one thing to get through college with good grades, but it's another to get through college with good grades + overcoming some type of hardship.

I think anyone who's shown dedication and sustained genuine interest in medicine would stand out, too. The best way to show that is by being involved in medicine for years (ECs-clinical experience, volunteering, shadowing, research, one person I talked to while shadowing developed medical apps). Leadership involvement is good, because doctors have to lead everyday. Some type of teaching/tutoring is also good, because it shows a commitment to lifelong learning and education. Personally, I LOVE teaching. I just enjoy it in every way. There are so many things you can do and get involved in. I will say it never hurts to think outside the box. But the important thing is that you enjoy what you're doing and have a passion for it.

 

[jd989898]

My best advice is to focus more on what you like and less on what medical schools want to see. Go after your passions during college and let them show in your ECs. They don't have to fit the traditional EC mold. I know someone who was particularly into making balloon animals. She raised tens of thousands of dollars for charity hosting a balloon animal event.

 

[bvan95]

This can be a number of things. I think anyone who has had to overcome adversity in their life stands out. It's one thing to get through college with good grades, but it's another to get through college with good grades + overcoming some type of hardship.

I think anyone who's shown dedication and sustained genuine interest in medicine would stand out, too. The best way to show that is by being involved in medicine for years (ECs-clinical experience, volunteering, shadowing, research, one person I talked to while shadowing developed medical apps). Leadership involvement is good, because doctors have to lead everyday. Some type of teaching/tutoring is also good, because it shows a commitment to lifelong learning and education. Personally, I LOVE teaching. I just enjoy it in every way. There are so many things you can do and get involved in. I will say it never hurts to think outside the box. But the important thing is that you enjoy what you're doing and have a passion for it.

On that note, is working for 2 years as an ESL teacher a good activity?

 

[amj2323]

Personally, I had a unique major (plant pathology) that I got asked about at every interview I attended. It had a good story to go along with it - something I was interested in, small major, good opportunity for cross-sector partnership, etc - which definitely helps. I personally think that if you can come up with specific stories from something you did, it makes the experience more memorable for you and your interviewer

 

[MissGamerMD]

I also have a very different background (research-based Master's degree in something largely unrelated to medicine), and this was touched on a lot. I have no way to confirm this from an admissions standpoint, but I've been told by the doctors I've shadowed that they like to see you are diverse. For me, I used it to help show I had explored my other skills during my Master's, and published a few times while I was at it, but that ultimately it just helped me solidify that I wanted to pursue medicine.

 

[Tim_Hortons_Cafe]

On that note, is working for 2 years as an ESL teacher a good activity?

For sure!

 

[Catalystik]

In your opinion, what kind of things do you think makes you stand out on your applications? Just out of curiousity.

A quirky or unique hobby.