Thoughts on my EC's

[at217]

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Hi everyone!

I was wondering if someone could tell me how I’m doing on my EC’s. I am in the middle of my sophomore year, and I was just wondering what I am missing at this point or where I am weak since I still have time to fill in any gaps. My GPA is good and I am not taking the MCAT until end of junior year, so I am really focusing on my EC’s right now.

Clinical Volunteering:
120 hours so far in various hospital departments, including the ER.

Non-clinical volunteering:
30 hours so far tutoring underprivileged elementary school kids

Shadowing:
50 hours between an interventional cardiologist and pediatric ER dr (will pick up more hours in other specialties this summer)

Leadership:
Co-President of volunteer tutoring group
Member of the Ethics Conduct Review Board at my University
80 hrs as an Orientation Leader (will do again junior year)

Research:
I am starting a research position after break with a cell bio professor that may eventually lead into an honors thesis but not pubs

Work:
Lab TA for Gen Chem and Organic Chem

I feel that my EC’s are pretty generic, but they are things that I enjoy doing. I am thinking about adding some other non-clinical volunteering but I would probably focus on that during the summer.

Thanks in advance for any help or advice, I really appreciate it!

 

[Omppu27]

It looks like you're on track to have all the "boxes checked." Just remember to do things you actually enjoy. Not only will you be having fun, but it'll make talking about your experiences in your personal statement, primary/secondary apps, and interviews much easier and more genuine.

Just a couple other thoughts/advice:

Try to shadow a primary care doc or a surgeon. If you can see both of those sides of medicine as well, you will have really seen a nice range before even getting into medical school.

Also, look into continuing your clinical experiences. This is one area where I think many people are lacking (at least in my opinion). I can not understand how someone with only a couple hundred hours can confidently say that they want to spend $200k for 4 years of medical school and 3-10 more years of slavery as a resident/fellow so that they can become a physician... But that's just me. Have you thought about maybe becoming an EMT, nurses aide, PT assistant, or something like that? This will give you truly valuable clinical experience while making money. Also, if you get bored of being in the hospital/ER volunteering, look at some free clinics if you have any near by. These places ALWAYS need an extra set of hands. You'll also learn a lot about the healthcare (or lack there of) that many impoverished populations receive. Working with these types of patients really had an impact on my life.

Good luck!

 

[baxt1412]

what about something for fun?

keep everything regular, even if it's just a few hours each week or month.

 

[mimelim]

What is your largest non-academic achievement to date?

 

[at217]

@mimelim you're right, I see the point of your question, I feel like my main accomplishments thus far center around academics. My biggest non-academic achievement would be my involvement with performing arts since I was 8. I received some lead roles in plays, participated in many show choirs, and was selected to sing the national anthem at my high school's sporting events. I have put that on the back burner though for the last 18 months to focus on grades, volunteering etc. I've realized how much I have missed this aspect of my life, however, and am thinking that I want to join that again either at my University or in the community. I didn't mention this because I felt like it wouldn't be something that medical schools would be interested in. Thoughts?

Thank you to everyone who has shared thoughts and advice, I really appreciate it!

 

[TexasSurgeon]

Hi everyone!

I was wondering if someone could tell me how I’m doing on my EC’s. I am in the middle of my sophomore year, and I was just wondering what I am missing at this point or where I am weak since I still have time to fill in any gaps. My GPA is good and I am not taking the MCAT until end of junior year, so I am really focusing on my EC’s right now.

Clinical Volunteering:
120 hours so far in various hospital departments, including the ER.

Non-clinical volunteering:
30 hours so far tutoring underprivileged elementary school kids

Shadowing:
50 hours between an interventional cardiologist and pediatric ER dr (will pick up more hours in other specialties this summer)

Leadership:
Co-President of volunteer tutoring group
Member of the Ethics Conduct Review Board at my University
80 hrs as an Orientation Leader (will do again junior year)

Research:
I am starting a research position after break with a cell bio professor that may eventually lead into an honors thesis but not pubs

Work:
Lab TA for Gen Chem and Organic Chem

I feel that my EC’s are pretty generic, but they are things that I enjoy doing. I am thinking about adding some other non-clinical volunteering but I would probably focus on that during the summer.

Thanks in advance for any help or advice, I really appreciate it!

You've got a lot of good ones, but please don't think that doing all makes you always a better applicant. I thought that for a long time until I heard a lot of my friends getting into top schools with less than half the ECs I had.

That being said, it doesn't hurt you either

 

[Glandzburg]

I think that after you build an orphanage you should have all the boxes checked.

Do something for fun!!!!!

 

[Goro]

So far, so good!

Hi everyone!

I was wondering if someone could tell me how I’m doing on my EC’s. I am in the middle of my sophomore year, and I was just wondering what I am missing at this point or where I am weak since I still have time to fill in any gaps. My GPA is good and I am not taking the MCAT until end of junior year, so I am really focusing on my EC’s right now.

Clinical Volunteering:
120 hours so far in various hospital departments, including the ER.

Non-clinical volunteering:
30 hours so far tutoring underprivileged elementary school kids

Shadowing:
50 hours between an interventional cardiologist and pediatric ER dr (will pick up more hours in other specialties this summer)

Leadership:
Co-President of volunteer tutoring group
Member of the Ethics Conduct Review Board at my University
80 hrs as an Orientation Leader (will do again junior year)

Research:
I am starting a research position after break with a cell bio professor that may eventually lead into an honors thesis but not pubs

Work:
Lab TA for Gen Chem and Organic Chem

I feel that my EC’s are pretty generic, but they are things that I enjoy doing. I am thinking about adding some other non-clinical volunteering but I would probably focus on that during the summer.

Thanks in advance for any help or advice, I really appreciate it!