*~*~*~*Tips for Entering your "Work and Activities" in AMCAS*~*~*~*

[Catalystik]

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I know there is a separate section for publications, but my situation is a little unusual. My school has an honors in research program, and if you complete it (which involved writing a paper and giving oral and poster presentations) you get the honors award and you get your paper put in an online undergraduate journal that my school has. I was going to group the award and the publication together since they are related... should I stick with this or make them separate?

Also... the online journal hasn't been "published" yet, but my paper was accepted. Do I still cite it, or just say accepted along with the journal name?

They are all so closely linked that I think it could work well to list everything together if you can manage it in the provided space. If the paper isn't PubMed searchable, I wouldn't list it as a Publication. I suggest you could choose Research as the designation, mentioning the campus podium and poster presentations, the accepted campus journal article citation (in press), and the resulting Honors. If you want to use two spaces, use Research and Awards/Honors, grouping the other components in one of those.

 

[FattySlug]

Is it considered physician shadowing if I act as the translator throughout the diagnosis of the patients? I don't have a formal shadowing but where I volunteer I sometimes act as the translator so I was there from beginning to end of the process.

 

[justgo]

Is anyone else having the problem that when you enter the description in the box the character count is UNDER 700, but then when you print the application or go into it to edit again the last few characters are cut off (and the character count reads as under 700...). To b exact, it is cutting everything down to 694 characters...

This is weird and highly frustrating....kinda like there being incorrect answers on the MCAT....we are expected to be perfect, but this process is not.

 

[kansaskid]

Is anyone else having the problem that when you enter the description in the box the character count is UNDER 700, but then when you print the application or go into it to edit again the last few characters are cut off (and the character count reads as under 700...). To b exact, it is cutting everything down to 694 characters...

This is weird and highly frustrating....kinda like there being incorrect answers on the MCAT....we are expected to be perfect, but this process is not.

YES actually. I don't know what the deal is. When I go back to check it or edit it, it has the last few characters missing down to 693 actually. I don't get it. Gaaah, this section blows.

 

[Catalystik]

Is it considered physician shadowing if I act as the translator throughout the diagnosis of the patients? I don't have a formal shadowing but where I volunteer I sometimes act as the translator so I was there from beginning to end of the process.

Translating for a physician would be considered to have shadowing embedded in the experience, similar to a medical scribing role. It's important that you make the shadowing component clear (as not all medical translation relates to physician-patient interaction) so that it won't be "missed" or overlooked.

 

[Buttermellow]

Should I list summer undergraduate work (non-medical.... it was a coffee shop) that I did every summer separately from my only "during school" job (biology lab TA)?

 

[CND]

I started volunteering abroad( in the carribean) last fall and my volunteer job turned into a somewhat paid venture after about 3 months. Technically I am a volunteer with a living stipend but I am also doing clinical/medical type work and doctor shadowing. I have been doing the paid venture for the last 6 months.

My question is whether I should list this as a paid experience or a volunteering (medical/clinical)? Should I split up this activity into two activities (my role changed once I obtained a stipend) on AMCAS? What looks more advantageous paid or volunteer(medical/clinical)?

 

[Catalystik]

Should I list summer undergraduate work (non-medical.... it was a coffee shop) that I did every summer separately from my only "during school" job (biology lab TA)?

It would be preferred that they be listed separately.

 

[Catalystik]

I started volunteering abroad( in the carribean) last fall and my volunteer job turned into a somewhat paid venture after about 3 months. Technically I am a volunteer with a living stipend but I am also doing clinical/medical type work and doctor shadowing. I have been doing the paid venture for the last 6 months.

My question is whether I should list this as a paid experience or a volunteering (medical/clinical)? Should I split up this activity into two activities (my role changed once I obtained a stipend) on AMCAS? What looks more advantageous paid or volunteer(medical/clinical)?

If you have the space, list two entries. If not, I'd list it under Employment, but then make the history of the position and basic nature of the stipend clear, as well as the informal shadowing (if you choose not to split it out and list it under Other with your US formal shadowing).

 

[Buttermellow]

It would be preferred that they be listed separately.

Thanks, Catalystik. I feel like we all owe you a cake or something 🙂

 

[Monocles]

If I participated in an activity as volunteering work during the first year and they started paying me the second year, should I list that under employment and make a subnote saying I volunteered during the first year?

 

[400634]

Hey guys,

I have a job that I feel has two important experiences: clinical ("smelling patients") and research (leading to a pub). Would it be considered acceptable to list two experiences from the same job separately? I'm thinking yes but just wanted to confirm. 🙂

 

[Catalystik]

If I participated in an activity as volunteering work during the first year and they started paying me the second year, should I list that under employment and make a subnote saying I volunteered during the first year?

See post #661. If that doesn't cover your specific situation, then give more detail.

 

[Catalystik]

I have a job that I feel has two important experiences: clinical ("smelling patients") and research (leading to a pub). Would it be considered acceptable to list two experiences from the same job separately? I'm thinking yes but just wanted to confirm. 🙂

As long as you don't count the same hours twice, you could do that.

Alternatively, you could list it only under Research and name the activity something like "Clinical Research Assistant for Neurocognitive Function in Seniors" which would make all your roles evident. In the narrative you could detail the exact amount of time you spent interacting with patients, and in what way.

 

[no beans]

This sport has been a huge part of my life since I was six. I played on club teams, and eventually was co-captain of my high school varsity team at a very competitive level in a very competitive state. I did not play on an intercollegiate level, but have been captain of my intramural teams during all my time in college. During high school I volunteered as coach for kids 10-13 for a camp a couple of weeks each summer and did this my first summer of college. I also volunteered as coach, ref and skills instructor for kids during my first college year summer for a couple of weeks, and did this as a paid position for a couple of weeks of an intensive summer camp the same summer. I have been on men's summer leagues while at home for summer, and play every chance I get at pick up games during school, aside from the intramural teams. I have also been captain of a coed intramural team. My question is, this is my biggest hobby, but it has also been a volunteer experience for underprivileged kids and a paid employment for a short period of time. Can I list this as a separate entry in AMCAS and use another entry to lump my other lesser hobbies- other sports activities and music stuff ? Can I include the high school stuff although it was only continued through the first summer of college? I have good contacts I can give for all the activities. Thanks.

 

[tnxvintage]

Probably not. But if you want to make it sound less dumb, consider phrasing it as "XYZ University, Office of the Registrar."

great thank you!!

 

[Catalystik]

This sport has been a huge part of my life since I was six. I played on club teams, and eventually was co-captain of my high school varsity team at a very competitive level in a very competitive state. I did not play on an intercollegiate level, but have been captain of my intramural teams during all my time in college. During high school I volunteered as coach for kids 10-13 for a camp a couple of weeks each summer and did this my first summer of college. I also volunteered as coach, ref and skills instructor for kids during my first college year summer for a couple of weeks, and did this as a paid position for a couple of weeks of an intensive summer camp the same summer. I have been on men's summer leagues while at home for summer, and play every chance I get at pick up games during school, aside from the intramural teams. I have also been captain of a coed intramural team. My question is, this is my biggest hobby, but it has also been a volunteer experience for underprivileged kids and a paid employment for a short period of time.
1) Can I list this as a separate entry in AMCAS and use another entry to lump my other lesser hobbies- other sports activities and music stuff ?
2) Can I include the high school stuff although it was only continued through the first summer of college? I have good contacts I can give for all the activities. Thanks.

1) Absolutely, as it definitely sounds Own-Space Worthy. You could even make it a "Most Meaningful" activity if you need more space.

2) Yes. No problem, especially as it continued into the college years.

 

[grt398]

So I went to law school directly out of college, got an offer for an amazing job in the field I originally wanted to join, left law school after 1 semester and worked in that field for 3 years before doing my post bac. I'm wondering two things:

1. Should I list law school as an experience at all? - it's not addressed much in my personal essay b/c I needed to discuss why I decided to pursue medicine in the first place...but I feel like this could be a good place to better explain my reasoning. As an FYI I did complete the first semester and the med schools will be getting my grades from the law school.

2. Should I list it as a "most important" experience?

Right now my most important experiences are taken up by my former career in finance, my current career as a clinical researcher, and describing the research/publications I've been fortunate enough to do over the past few years. I felt like these were the most important issues but I'm concerned adcoms will wonder why I didn't list it with a higher priority.

 

[no beans]

1) Absolutely, as it definitely sounds Own-Space Worthy. You could even make it a "Most Meaningful" activity if you need more space.

2) Yes. No problem, especially as it continued into the college years.

Thanks Catalystik! Unfortunately, I don't know how I would include the hours as hours per week. Should I just include the total hours volunteered and employed for the camps while I was in college after the description of each activity in the narrative? I don't think I could include the hours while in high school- maybe just a mention that I also volunteered in this capacity during summers in high school? Do I include an hours per week of intramural play? Not sure how to coordinate it all in one slot, but definitely don't want to use more than one. Thanks again for your help and any further suggestions.

 

[Catalystik]

So I went to law school directly out of college, got an offer for an amazing job in the field I originally wanted to join, left law school after 1 semester and worked in that field for 3 years before doing my post bac. I'm wondering two things:

1. Should I list law school as an experience at all? - it's not addressed much in my personal essay b/c I needed to discuss why I decided to pursue medicine in the first place...but I feel like this could be a good place to better explain my reasoning. As an FYI I did complete the first semester and the med schools will be getting my grades from the law school.

2. Should I list it as a "most important" experience?

Right now my most important experiences are taken up by my former career in finance, my current career as a clinical researcher, and describing the research/publications I've been fortunate enough to do over the past few years. I felt like these were the most important issues but I'm concerned adcoms will wonder why I didn't list it with a higher priority.

1) There is no need to list law schools as an Experience as it will be evident from your transcript. Referring to it in your PS would be fine as a part of the story about your journey toward medicine.

2) It doesn't sound like law school was a "Most meaningful" experience, so, no.

 

[Catalystik]

1) I don't know how I would include the hours as hours per week. Should I just include the total hours volunteered and employed for the camps while I was in college after the description of each activity in the narrative? 2) I don't think I could include the hours while in high school- maybe just a mention that I also volunteered in this capacity during summers in high school? 3) Do I include an hours per week of intramural play? Not sure how to coordinate it all in one slot, but definitely don't want to use more than one.

1) and 3) Don't fill in the hours per week in the header. In the narrative, for each subcomponent activity maybe list the hours/week seasonally (eg, summer 2009 + 2010 for Xhr/week, or fall and spring semester 2008-2011 for 3 hr/wk, +/- total hours if it feels right to include it.

2) That sounds fine.

 

[grt398]

Thank you very much for the advice!

1) There is no need to list law schools as an Experience as it will be evident from your transcript. Referring to it in your PS would be fine as a part of the story about your journey toward medicine.

2) It doesn't sound like law school was a "Most meaningful" experience, so, no.

 

[no beans]

Thanks, Catalystik, that sounds perfect.

 

[SilentSoldier]

Quick question, so while being a resident advisor I attended a conference in which all RAs from schools attend and we share ideas on programming and how to better serve our respective housing communities. As a part of this conference, I presented one of my programs to the group and was actually awarded for being one of the top 10 programs of the conference. Now its not a scientific presentation by any means and the whole experience wasn't something that brought me to the path of wanting to be a physician but the whole experience and why I did it is a big part of who I am. How would I be able to put this incident in AMCAS without it being duplicated in the actual leadership role of being an RA? There was a lot I did in this position so I don't know exactly how I should put it down on AMCAS.

 

[278181]

I am trying to decide whether to classify my freelance journalism under "Publications," "Posters/Presentations" or "Extracurricular." While I have been published in newspapers and magazines, I feel like this might not be the sort of publication intended by the category. In addition, I got to present my work at a huge national conference in poster form, which I would like to highlight. Anybody have suggestions, or a similar activity they are classifying?


Also, is anyone else combining research experiences into one slot? If so, how are you going about titling the activity?

-M

 

[Catalystik]

Quick question, so while being a resident advisor I attended a conference in which all RAs from schools attend and we share ideas on programming and how to better serve our respective housing communities. As a part of this conference, I presented one of my programs to the group and was actually awarded for being one of the top 10 programs of the conference. Now its not a scientific presentation by any means and the whole experience wasn't something that brought me to the path of wanting to be a physician but the whole experience and why I did it is a big part of who I am. How would I be able to put this incident in AMCAS without it being duplicated in the actual leadership role of being an RA? There was a lot I did in this position so I don't know exactly how I should put it down on AMCAS.

You might mention it under either Presentations, or, my preference, Honors/Awards (in its own space), with a discussion similar to what you presented here.

 

[Catalystik]

1) I am trying to decide whether to classify my freelance journalism under "Publications," "Posters/Presentations" or "Extracurricular." While I have been published in newspapers and magazines, I feel like this might not be the sort of publication intended by the category. In addition, I got to present my work at a huge national conference in poster form, which I would like to highlight. Anybody have suggestions, or a similar activity they are classifying?


2) Also, is anyone else combining research experiences into one slot? If so, how are you going about titling the activity?

1) What about using Other, naming it "Journalistic Endeavors"?

2) Previous posters to this thread are doing so. You might name it by the lab you worked in, the topic covered, undergrad vs graduate research, paid vs volunteer, department (eg, Biochem, Bio, Psych, Ag) sponsoring the research, the University that funded it, whether you were a Researcher, Research Tech, or Research Assistant. A name can be multidimensional and include multiple aspects that you want communicated.

 

[bkprodigy]

To Catalystic again:

I have a fairly big manuscript that was submitted to j. Of neurotrauma for publication that has yet to been accepted but would love to include.
Do I list this under pub and just say submitted for publication?

Also, how would you recommend that I condense about 20 poster presentations?

Lastly, do you think its wise to include certificate of appreciation/recognition/participation for presentations in award section?

 

[Catalystik]

1) I have a fairly big manuscript that was submitted to j. Of neurotrauma for publication that has yet to been accepted but would love to include.
Do I list this under pub and just say submitted for publication?

2) Also, how would you recommend that I condense about 20 poster presentations?

3) Lastly, do you think its wise to include certificate of appreciation/recognition/participation for presentations in award section?

1) No, you would mention it at the end of the Research listing and then notify schools via update letter when it's accepted.

2) With a tesseract? No? then really you may be forced to pick and choose which are the most important, or else have several spaces to list them all. If you weren't the presenter, you could include those with the Research info.

3) It's better to mention it after the poster citation so it doesn't get too confusing.

 

[golgiapparatus88]

During my undergrad, I was in the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Undergrad Research Program. I was payed each semester. Should I put that under research or paid experience? I'm thinking research.

 

[Catalystik]

During my undergrad, I was in the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Undergrad Research Program. I was payed each semester. Should I put that under research or paid experience? I'm thinking research.

Research.

 

[golgiapparatus88]

Research.

Thanks. One more simple question. For the important experiences that we can write extra for... (this is going to sound dumb)...how should we differentiate between the two sections. For example, for my research, should I use the first section to say WHAT i did and use the second area to use introspection? i.e. "I learned x,y,z about myself."

 

[HopefulDoc2be]

Hi,

I have strange situation which I hope someone can help clarify:

I have a job that has led me to become a clinical investigator on a large study. Part of my role as an investigator was helping to obtain grants, (which I was fortunate enough to do). Another major part was managing this study. In recognition for my work, I received an institutional distinction for my role as an investigator...

Should I list all these as separate work/activities in AMCAS?
1) Investigator in a large study
2) Grants
3) Investigator Award

Or jumble them all into one?

 

[LizzyM]

Hi,

I have strange situation which I hope someone can help clarify:

I have a job that has led me to become a clinical investigator on a large study. Part of my role as an investigator was helping to obtain grants, (which I was fortunate enough to do). Another major part was managing this study. In recognition for my work, I received an institutional distinction for my role as an investigator...

Should I list all these as separate work/activities in AMCAS?
1) Investigator in a large study
2) Grants
3) Investigator Award

Or jumble them all into one?

This could be classified as either Research or Employment. If you list it as research you should have a letter from the PI or your chairman. If you have the space for "honor and awards" you could include the "institutional distinction" award.

 

[Catalystik]

Thanks. One more simple question. For the important experiences that we can write extra for... (this is going to sound dumb)...how should we differentiate between the two sections. For example, for my research, should I use the first section to say WHAT i did and use the second area to use introspection? i.e. "I learned x,y,z about myself."

You get to decide how to use the two sections. AMCAS makes this suggestion:

When you designate an activity as being Most Meaningful, you will be given an additional 1325 characters to explain why. When writing your response, you might want to consider the transformative nature of the experience, the impact you made while engaging in the activity, and the personal growth you experienced as a result of your participation.

But this is a guideline. Since this will be the first season that this section is available, I can't yet give an overview of how *cough*creative*cough* applicants will get.

 

[Beaker 11]

I taught a course for 4 semesters at my undergrad but received credit and a grade for each semester as opposed to being paid for my work. My "teaching" is therefore listed on my transcript. Would I still be able to place this under Work and Activities if it technically appears to be coursework?

 

[Catalystik]

I taught a course for 4 semesters at my undergrad but received credit and a grade for each semester as opposed to being paid for my work. My “teaching” is therefore listed on my transcript. Would I still be able to place this under Work and Activities if it technically appears to be coursework?

Yes, and the same would be true if you got credit for a research class or engaged in clinical activities as a class requirement. Of course, this presupposes that you have something interesting to say about the experience.

 

[HopefulDoc2be]

This could be classified as either Research or Employment. If you list it as research you should have a letter from the PI or your chairman. If you have the space for "honor and awards" you could include the "institutional distinction" award.

Thank You!!!

 

[AggieDDS]

Two questions:

1) did ~90 hours of community service through my frat. If i include this in my frat's description, what category should this fall under? (other/EC/non medical volunteering?)

2) what should I list my pharmacy and dental experience as? are they considered clinical/medical volunteering?

thanks

 

[bman87]

Question -- help appreciated:

I just graduated this past week and was awarded several awards at a pre-graduation ceremony.

1) Should I list these additional awards with other awards (like full-academic scholarship, honors program, Dean's list), or separately?

2) Do I just list the awards or should I also describe why they are meaningful / how these awards demonstrate my abilities, etc?

Thanks!

 

[RookTookIt]

Without a doubt my 3 most significant activities are research-related, however I'm scared that that wouldn't look very good to adcoms. Would it make more sense to instead choose 3 totally separate things?:
- one research experience
- one clinical experience
- one community volunteer experience

 

[Catalystik]

1) did ~90 hours of community service through my frat. If i include this in my frat's description, what category should this fall under? (other/EC/non medical volunteering?)

2) what should I list my pharmacy and dental experience as? are they considered clinical/medical volunteering?

1) If the entry is primarily about the frat, and you want to include a variety of other experiences gained through the frat, then "Other" might be a good category to pick.

If you have the space, you might split out the nonmedical community service and list it separately, unless you have plenty of additional nonmedical volunteerism.

2) Was it employment, shadowing, or what? Were you unpaid? How much face time did you have with sick people during the experiences, and what did you persoanlly do for them?

 

[Catalystik]

I just graduated this past week and was awarded several awards at a pre-graduation ceremony.

1) Should I list these additional awards with other awards (like full-academic scholarship, honors program, Dean's list), or separately?

2) Do I just list the awards or should I also describe why they are meaningful / how these awards demonstrate my abilities, etc?

1) Grouping them with other awards is fine unless one of them was so special and extraordinary that it will have a huge impact on how adcomms view you. Alternatively, if a few of the wards were based on a similar premise, then you might list a group of them on their own.

2) If they aren't self-explanatory or widely understood by all, you will have to explain the basis on which you were given the recognition.

 

[Catalystik]

Without a doubt my 3 most significant activities are research-related, however I'm scared that that wouldn't look very good to adcoms. Would it make more sense to instead choose 3 totally separate things?:
- one research experience
- one clinical experience
- one community volunteer experience

You have the choice of going with the 'heart' and being honest, or being strategic. You get to decide the impression you want such choices to have on adcomms. If you are aiming at top research schools, or MD/PhD, then making three research-related choices is more understandable. If not, then give serious thought to whether you want to do that.

 

[dc433]

I apologize if this is already addressed elsewhere.

Would it be a "mistake" / strange not to list a clinical experience (like shadowing - which I have over 100 hours of) as most meaningful on the AMCAS app?

Honestly, my most meaningful experiences have been:
1) English and writing tutor for English-as-second-language students
2) Research assistant at a molecular biology lab
3) Teaching assistant for a biochemistry course

While these experiences involve interpersonal/social and hard science skills - and I spoke about them in my personal statement -they are not in a clinical setting, and I wonder if that's potentially problematic.

 

[a532]

I was wondering what you all thought about grouping national level fellowships/scholarships.

Just taking some hypothetical examples:

Goldwater Scholarship
Tylenol Scholarship
Josephine de Karman Fellowship
Robert Byrd Scholarship

Individually they are all fairly significant, but it would take up way too many slots. I feel it would be more space-efficient to put them into one group instead of three. Your thoughts?

 

[Catalystik]

I apologize if this is already addressed elsewhere.

Would it be a "mistake" / strange not to list a clinical experience (like shadowing - which I have over 100 hours of) as most meaningful on the AMCAS app?

Honestly, my most meaningful experiences have been:
1) English and writing tutor for English-as-second-language students
2) Research assistant at a molecular biology lab
3) Teaching assistant for a biochemistry course

While these experiences involve interpersonal/social and hard science skills - and I spoke about them in my personal statement -they are not in a clinical setting, and I wonder if that's potentially problematic.

See the post response directly above yours. In all the pages of this thread, not a single person has suggested that they would list their shadowing as "Most Meaningful" BTW.

 

[Catalystik]

I was wondering what you all thought about grouping national level fellowships/scholarships.

Just taking some hypothetical examples:

Goldwater Scholarship
Tylenol Scholarship
Josephine de Karman Fellowship
Robert Byrd Scholarship

Individually they are all fairly significant, but it would take up way too many slots. I feel it would be more space-efficient to put them into one group instead of three. Your thoughts?

I think that grouping them would be fine if the alternative is not to include them at all or to remove other Experiences that balance your application.

 

[Competition]

Hi, I traveled to two countries abroad (one in Africa and other in Asia) prior to starting freshman year. This experience was with my parents and I only got to volunteer in the Asian country. However, the experience was meaningful in that I learned a lot about other cultures and has taught me a lot about undeserved populations.

Do you think I can/should include this as an experience on AMCAS? And if so, would it have the same merit as a study abroad program? Finally, would this be listed under "Other"?

Thanks again.

 

[a532]

I think that grouping them would be fine if the alternative is not to include them at all or to remove other Experiences that balance your application.

Thank you for your advice Catalystik!