Timing of ECs

[RdBruce]

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I didn't decide on medicine until late my Junior year. I've begun doing medicine-related ECs this past year. I'm graduating this year and will be working for a year or two at a biotech while building up ECs on the side.

As long as I have the ECs, will I still be a competitive candidate? Does the timing of my ECs matter?

 

[jesse120]

Here are some things to consider that'll tell you whether you're a strong candidate:

1. What ECs were you involved in before deciding on medicine? Adcoms love non-medical ECs. If you were doing stuff during this time (fresh-junior years), it won't be a problem that you're getting your medical ECs in now.

2. What made you sure you wanted to do medicine before having done the medical ECs? Did ECs help you decide on medicine or are you just doing them because you've decided on medicine?

3. Lots of people decide on medicine later in life. And they've gotten in. I don't know how much of an effect late ECs will have on your app, but they shouldn't hold you back.

4. Quality/duration of med ECs are important. Shadowing for 5 hours and volunteering for a month isn't gonna cut it. You need to show some kind of commitment to these activities. On your AMCAS, you'll need to explain how they've helped you grow, strengthen your desire to practice medicine, etc.

5. MCAT/GPA are essential to determine if you're a strong candidate. This process isn't all about the numbers, but they're pretty darn important. Have you taken the MCAT yet? If not, study hard.

 

[sliceofbread136]

You're fine. Most people don't devote their life to ECs like SDN....

 

[kexy]

I didn't decide on medicine until late my Junior year. I've begun doing medicine-related ECs this past year. I'm graduating this year and will be working for a year or two at a biotech while building up ECs on the side.

As long as I have the ECs, will I still be a competitive candidate? Does the timing of my ECs matter?

You'll be fine. I think the average is 1.5 years for clinical experience, so if you've been doing your EC's for 2-3 years by the time you apply, you'll be good.
I'm a senior in college now and really only started most of my EC's junior year (by the way, I wouldn't recommend that ANYONE do this). I only had 2-3 (non-medical) EC's from freshman-sophomore year, and I've still gotten in a couple places (though I'm sure my lack of EC's hurt me at some schools).

 

[RdBruce]

Thanks for your replies.

Moar input please!!!