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

[Catalystik]

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I have the exact same problem. I just listed the 3 places that I've shadowed and the MDs and basic basic description of what it was, particularly since one was in homeless clinic and the other in a public hospital in Buenos Aires. I can't fit their emails and I really just don't want to. I'm at 695 characters now. I'm just not going to put contact info for the two other MD's I shadowed. Is that dangerous?

It isn't always possible to get contact info, so if it's missing for a few docs, I think it'll be understood that you tried.

 

[raltima07]

I have a dilemma: for my research entry, I talk about what I did and what the goals of the lab were ect. In the last line, I mention that I published a textbook chapter and presented my research at a presentation. I am going to then cite the presentation and the pub in the most meaningful section. Is that OK?

The other option would be to delete a different activity and lump the presentation and textbook chapter citation in there, with no description. Which one should I do?

 

[Catalystik]

I have a dilemma: for my research entry, I talk about what I did and what the goals of the lab were ect. In the last line, I mention that I published a textbook chapter and presented my research at a presentation. I am going to then cite the presentation and the pub in the most meaningful section. Is that OK?

The other option would be to delete a different activity and lump the presentation and textbook chapter citation in there, with no description. Which one should I do?

I'd move the mention of the presentations and published book chapter with their citations into the "Most Meaningful" section to keep them together. Come up with some good bridging comment that makes these outcomes of your research fit with why the research was particularly significant to you.

 

[raltima07]

Come up with some good bridging comment that makes these outcomes of your research fit with why the research was particularly significant to you.

Could you explain what you mean by this? Like do you mean something like:

The publication and poster were important to me because it allowed me to fulfill my desire for constant learning

something like that?


What are some things adcoms are looking for in research enteries? I don't think they want to know that I can do a western blot right?

 

[raltima07]

Also, would I bridge into the citation at the end or start off with them?


Thank you!!!

 

[Catalystik]

Could you explain what you mean by this? Like do you mean something like:

The publication and poster were important to me because it allowed me to fulfill my desire for constant learning

something like that?


What are some things adcoms are looking for in research enteries? I don't think they want to know that I can do a western blot right?

What I mean is, make it seem like those accomplishments belong in the narrative that describes the impact of the Research on you. You need to come up with your own words. Sorry, I can't help with that.

Some adcomms do want to know that you can do a Western Blot (maybe not many, though).

Also, would I bridge into the citation at the end or start off with them?


Thank you!!!

I'd do the bridging first and then the citations.

 

[cglim89]

Hi, I'm not sure if this has been posted before -
Should we use the extra 1325 char as a continuation of our original 700 char limit for most meaningful, or should they be considered as separate?

Thanks

 

[FRESH 12]

I couldn't find an answer to this. SMDEP is one of my meaningful experiences and it's an AAMC program that entails various activities. What category do I list it under?

Also if it's a residential program, as in I stayed on campus for six weeks, what do I list for number of hours per week? The number of hours spent in the classroom/activities?

 

[ScarlettOHara]

Just wondering if some of you feel inclined to choose shadowing/hospital volunteering/traditional-premed patient involvement as something you have to pick for one of your three "most meaningful". It's all a bit of a mind game. If I don't choose it do they think I'm not that interested in medicine or if I do choose it am I just like every other unoriginal premed? I know, I know just be truthful and choose what's most meaningful but just like with so many other aspects of the application cycle you can't help but wonder, "what's the right answer, what are they looking for, will a medical school accept me?!"

 

[yangxx2]

For my research experience, I spent 2 summers and a semester on the same project, which also included symposiums, presenting at conferences, and a seniors honors thesis.
Should I lump this all into 1 activity, since they all relate back to my independent research?

 

[yangxx2]

Just wondering if some of you feel inclined to choose shadowing/hospital volunteering/traditional-premed patient involvement as something you have to pick for one of your three "most meaningful". It's all a bit of a mind game. If I don't choose it do they think I'm not that interested in medicine or if I do choose it am I just like every other unoriginal premed? I know, I know just be truthful and choose what's most meaningful but just like with so many other aspects of the application cycle you can't help but wonder, "what's the right answer, what are they looking for, will a medical school accept me?!"

I'm sticking to whatever was truly meaningful to me. For me, it was research, an abroad volunteer experience, and a shadowing experience. With all the applications out there, there's bound to be similarities, but it's how you talk about what you learned from the experience that will set you apart.

Just my thoughts.

 

[cglim89]

I'm running out of space! The physician I shadowed has a ridiculously long name, I know that across this board they ahve been referred to by first letter of last name. Is that an acceptable standard in our actual description??

Thanks

 

[Yui]

1) I worked for a lab for 1.5 years (it was a work study job and I found it on my own, not through any programs or offices), but then the PI of the lab received a million dollar grant and moved the entire lab to Singapore, so it's no longer here 🙁 I was wondering who I should put down for the contact information. When I worked in the lab, I mainly worked with the lab manager and lab technicians, but I've never actually worked with the PI.

2) I've been doing research in another lab for 2 years now, and I have 1 paper published and 1 paper accepted for publication. For my published paper, it's published in a new scientific online journal (open-access and peer reviewed), but because it's new, it's not listed on pubmed yet. Can I put this paper under "publications"? The paper is on something that actually has nothing to do with my current research project, so it would be really random to stick at the end of my research entry. My accepted paper is on a similar topic as my published paper, which also has nothing to do with my current research. I was thinking I could list it together with my published paper under publications. Would that be ok? I spent a huge amount of time writing these papers and I want to put them in the proper place.

Thanks!!

 

[Catalystik]

Hi, I'm not sure if this has been posted before -
Should we use the extra 1325 char as a continuation of our original 700 char limit for most meaningful, or should they be considered as separate?

Thanks

The AMCAS instruction manual gives guidelines for how to use the space. Since this is the first year the "Most Meaningful" designation is available, we don't yet know what other creative uses it will be put to.

But as a suggestion, rather thqan continuing the same train of thought in the second section, I'd make sure that it can stand on its own as a separate essay.

 

[Catalystik]

I couldn't find an answer to this. SMDEP is one of my meaningful experiences and it's an AAMC program that entails various activities. What category do I list it under?

Also if it's a residential program, as in I stayed on campus for six weeks, what do I list for number of hours per week? The number of hours spent in the classroom/activities?

List it under the "Other" designation.

Only list the hours spent in actual program activities.

 

[Catalystik]

For my research experience, I spent 2 summers and a semester on the same project, which also included symposiums, presenting at conferences, and a seniors honors thesis.
Should I lump this all into 1 activity, since they all relate back to my independent research?

If the Posters/Presentations took place at campus events, thern include them in the Research listing. If they took place at regional or national conferences, then list them together under the most prestigious way in which you shared your data (assuming they were all related). If you did not publish, but did write up a detailed thesis, then you might also add a listing under "Other" to discuss the honors thesis if you wish, and if you have more to say than can comfortably be added at the end of the Research listing.

 

[Catalystik]

I'm running out of space! The physician I shadowed has a ridiculously long name, I know that across this board they ahve been referred to by first letter of last name. Is that an acceptable standard in our actual description??

Thanks

If the full name is somewhere in the listing, then abbreviating further uses of it is fine.

 

[Catalystik]

1) I worked for a lab for 1.5 years (it was a work study job and I found it on my own, not through any programs or offices), but then the PI of the lab received a million dollar grant and moved the entire lab to Singapore, so it's no longer here 🙁 I was wondering who I should put down for the contact information. When I worked in the lab, I mainly worked with the lab manager and lab technicians, but I've never actually worked with the PI.

2) I've been doing research in another lab for 2 years now, and I have 1 paper published and 1 paper accepted for publication. For my published paper, it's published in a new scientific online journal (open-access and peer reviewed), but because it's new, it's not listed on pubmed yet. Can I put this paper under "publications"? The paper is on something that actually has nothing to do with my current research project, so it would be really random to stick at the end of my research entry. My accepted paper is on a similar topic as my published paper, which also has nothing to do with my current research. I was thinking I could list it together with my published paper under publications. Would that be ok? I spent a huge amount of time writing these papers and I want to put them in the proper place.

Thanks!!

1) If you can get an email address for the lab manager or one of the techs than can vouch for your involvement, that is fine. Alternatively, you might use the person who issued your paycheck.

2) Listing them together would be fine. Hopefully, you have space to fit the on-line web location so it can be viewed.

 

[grt398]

Do we need to include hours/week for our publications? I work full time as a research assistant and frankly I've never really tracked how much time I spend collecting data vs. recruiting patients vs. drafting/reviewing parts of manuscripts. Is it acceptable to leave it blank or would it be better to just guess?

 

[Catalystik]

Do we need to include hours/week for our publications? I work full time as a research assistant and frankly I've never really tracked how much time I spend collecting data vs. recruiting patients vs. drafting/reviewing parts of manuscripts. Is it acceptable to leave it blank or would it be better to just guess?

No need to include hours/week for Pubs, as that would be embedded in the Research hours already.

 

[grt398]

Thank you very much for the quick response!

 

[ScarlettOHara]

I'm kind of confused who to list for a lot of these contact spaces. I'm a non-trad applicant so some of my activities go back a few years and the people who I worked/did an activity under are no longer there. Do I still put the original contact as the contact since that's who I knew or do I put a new contact? My problem with putting a new contact is that if they ever did call to ask about me the person would have no clue who I am, they are simply the newest person with the same title as the person I worked with. (examples: tutoring coordinator, grad student who hired me to work in a lab for a year and is now long gone--since it was a job with rote tasks my involvement with the PI or anyone else was non-existent). Part of me thinks this doesn't really matter, that they're not going to contact anyone but make you put a contact just to discourage kids from making up experiences.

 

[FRESH 12]

Catalystic, you're A LIFESAVER right now!😍

QUESTION. How far can I group things?

Can i group together leadership positions i had in 3 different school organizations under "leadership". None of them are super extensive/medical related for me to separate them out.

Also, I was part of Premed Society, attended 4 semester of a non-credit Premed seminar and was part of another premed club that helped me learn about the career/application process? Can I put that together? Just give it one name? Premedical organizations?

losing my mind here.

Thank you!!

Also, do 15 vs 13-14 activities look much better?

Alrighty, THANKS AHEAD OF TIME.

 

[yangxx2]

If the Posters/Presentations took place at campus events, thern include them in the Research listing. If they took place at regional or national conferences, then list them together under the most prestigious way in which you shared your data (assuming they were all related). If you did not publish, but did write up a detailed thesis, then you might also add a listing under "Other" to discuss the honors thesis if you wish, and if you have more to say than can comfortably be added at the end of the Research listing.

I'm going to be using all 15 of the slots...do you think I'd be at a disadvantage if I just put conferences/honors thesis/research into activity?

 

[deezy175]

I have searched and failed to find any help on my situation. I received multiple awards during my military service. They are different grades of awards for different events. I plan on listing them individually but my concern is the description as well. The awards have long descriptions written by someone else. Should I take out key descriptions in order to describe what the reward is for? Should the statements be kept in 3rd person in order to not sound pretentious? Should I put quotes on the statements to try to convey that they were written on the award itself? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Catalystik]

I'm kind of confused who to list for a lot of these contact spaces. I'm a non-trad applicant so some of my activities go back a few years and the people who I worked/did an activity under are no longer there. Do I still put the original contact as the contact since that's who I knew or do I put a new contact? My problem with putting a new contact is that if they ever did call to ask about me the person would have no clue who I am, they are simply the newest person with the same title as the person I worked with. (examples: tutoring coordinator, grad student who hired me to work in a lab for a year and is now long gone--since it was a job with rote tasks my involvement with the PI or anyone else was non-existent). Part of me thinks this doesn't really matter, that they're not going to contact anyone but make you put a contact just to discourage kids from making up experiences.

The current Tutoring Coordinator has old records and can still vouch for you. Call the office and get a current name. Recall, this is not for someone to give a reference, only to vouch for dates and hours of involvement. If all else fails, use the old name.

The payroll office, lab secretary, or student employment office are other contacts that might vouch for the lab tech job. Or track down the now-graduated ex-grad student and get a current email from their current job.

 

[Catalystik]

Catalystic, you're A LIFESAVER right now!😍

QUESTION. How far can I group things?

1) Can i group together leadership positions i had in 3 different school organizations under "leadership". None of them are super extensive/medical related for me to separate them out.

2) Also, I was part of Premed Society, attended 4 semester of a non-credit Premed seminar and was part of another premed club that helped me learn about the career/application process? Can I put that together? Just give it one name? Premedical organizations?

losing my mind here.

Thank you!!

3) Also, do 15 vs 13-14 activities look much better?

Alrighty, THANKS AHEAD OF TIME.

1) Yes, if you can fit in contact info, dates, description for all of them (using the header for the most substantive entry).

2) That would be fine.

3) Average entries is 9-10. Some have 4-5. Don't add fliuff to fill in all the spaces. That detracts from the application.

 

[Catalystik]

I'm going to be using all 15 of the slots...do you think I'd be at a disadvantage if I just put conferences/honors thesis/research into activity?

Assuming you meant to say "into one activity space," if you are applying to research-giant type schools, you may be doing yourself a disservice squeezing this into one space. For other schools, you'd likely be fine.

 

[Catalystik]

I have searched and failed to find any help on my situation. I received multiple awards during my military service. They are different grades of awards for different events. I plan on listing them individually but my concern is the description as well. The awards have long descriptions written by someone else. Should I take out key descriptions in order to describe what the reward is for? Should the statements be kept in 3rd person in order to not sound pretentious? Should I put quotes on the statements to try to convey that they were written on the award itself? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

If you put quotes, you'd be obliged to list the source. You'd use less space if you describe the reason for the award in your own words (after giving the name of the award). I think that using third person is suitable for the description, but you may have to tell what you did for some, and then bullet points might work better if you prefer not to use first person narrative. Try using a combination of the above and see if you can convey what is needed while still sounding modest.

 

[Gust]

One of the activities I'm inputting in my application is, "writing poems for over 8 yrs." then it asks to provide AMCAS with contact information. Who should i use as a contact? Should i use myself?

 

[bobsty]

phi delta epsilon...international medical frat
how do i include that in my activities portion? and whats my position?
i was an active member but not an officer

 

[NickNaylor]

phi delta epsilon...international medical frat
how do i include that in my activities portion? and whats my position?
i was an active member but not an officer

Just put "active member."

 

[Catalystik]

One of the activities I'm inputting in my application is, "writing poems for over 8 yrs." then it asks to provide AMCAS with contact information. Who should i use as a contact? Should i use myself?

Have you ever published your work publically, won a contest, been included in a collection of poetry? If so, that might give another contact for you to use. Otherwise, use yourself or a family member as a contact. If you have an on-line site where you have collected your work, you might link to it in the activity space for any interested adcomm to peruse.

 

[Catalystik]

phi delta epsilon...international medical frat
how do i include that in my activities portion? and whats my position?
i was an active member but not an officer

Just put "active member."

And designate it as belonging to the "Other" category.

 

[bobsty]

if i'm captain of a dance team. who do i put as the contact name..myself? haha that seems silly

 

[Catalystik]

if i'm captain of a dance team. who do i put as the contact name..myself? haha that seems silly

Don't you have a coach or faculty advisor you can use. If not, use another officer or a teammate.

 

[Cinematographer]

Can I get some input on whether this organization of activities seems fine?

1. Retail Sales Associate/Assistant Manager
2. Research Experience 1 - International/High school (Most Meaningful 1)
3. Research Experience 2 - College
4. Research Experience 3 - College
5. Research Internship at top 20 Med school
6. Clinical Volunteering Abroad
7. Clinical Volunteering in the US (Most Meaningful 2)
8. Mission Trip/Community Service in X Latin American Country
9. Mission Trip/Community Service in Y Middle Eastern Country
10. Shadowing Experience
11. Honors/Awards
12. Biology TA/Chemistry Tutor
13. Fitness Training/Running/Martial Arts (Most Meaningful 3)

My main concern is that four of my activities are research. Does this make me look too unidimensional?

 

[golgiapparatus88]

I'm starting to have second thoughts on my work/activity descriptions. How do you guys feel about mentioning both the positives and negatives of your activities? For instance, I loved performing research but I really didn't like working with a limited population of individuals, performing redundant methods blah blah, BUT it all helped me decide why I'm better fit for a career in medicine. Similarly, working in an ER has shown be both the positives and negatives of emergency medicine. Is it okay to mention what I DISLIKE about this speciality? (i can word it in ways in which I don't come off like I am bashing anything).

I ask this because I'm trying not to be redundant. They are going to read my PS and most of my really important activities are mentioned in my PS and work/activity section!

 

[Catalystik]

Can I get some input on whether this organization of activities seems fine?

1. Retail Sales Associate/Assistant Manager
2. Research Experience 1 - International/High school (Most Meaningful 1)
3. Research Experience 2 - College
4. Research Experience 3 - College
5. Research Internship at top 20 Med school
6. Clinical Volunteering Abroad
7. Clinical Volunteering in the US (Most Meaningful 2)
8. Mission Trip/Community Service in X Latin American Country
9. Mission Trip/Community Service in Y Middle Eastern Country
10. Shadowing Experience
11. Honors/Awards
12. Biology TA/Chemistry Tutor
13. Fitness Training/Running/Martial Arts (Most Meaningful 3)

My main concern is that four of my activities are research. Does this make me look too unidimensional?

Considering you plan to apply to some strong research schools, I don't think that 4 spaces is too many.

I'm sorry to see that you didn't include your interests in cinematography and photography. I thought it made you more interesting.

 

[Catalystik]

I'm starting to have second thoughts on my work/activity descriptions. How do you guys feel about mentioning both the positives and negatives of your activities? For instance, I loved performing research but I really didn't like working with a limited population of individuals, performing redundant methods blah blah, BUT it all helped me decide why I'm better fit for a career in medicine. Similarly, working in an ER has shown be both the positives and negatives of emergency medicine. Is it okay to mention what I DISLIKE about this speciality? (i can word it in ways in which I don't come off like I am bashing anything).

I ask this because I'm trying not to be redundant. They are going to read my PS and most of my really important activities are mentioned in my PS and work/activity section!

It's best to stick to positives. For example: Rather than dissing ER med due to brief, superficial contacts, reliance on technology, and never knowing the end of the story, say you really liked Internal Med because you appreciate having time for a detailed history, the opportunity for longitudinal followup, and the opportunity to get to know patients well.

 

[Cinematographer]

Considering you plan to apply to some strong research schools, I don't think that 4 spaces is too many.

I'm sorry to see that you didn't include your interests in cinematography and photography. I thought it made you more interesting.

Thanks for the always prompt and helpful responses.

About the cinematography/photography activity: should I include it even though I have not participated in any expos or competitions? I believe I read a post on here telling someone not to list "poem writing" as an artistic endeavor since he/she had not had anything published, etc.

 

[sector9]

Thanks for the always prompt and helpful responses.

About the cinematography/photography activity: should I include it even though I have not participated in any expos or competitions? I believe I read a post on here telling someone not to list "poem writing" as an artistic endeavor since he/she had not had anything published, etc.

Just list it as a hobby. Problem solved.

 

[sector9]

I am listing cum laude (from an ivy) as a work/activity but I have nothing to write for the description. Can I leave it blank, or ideas?? Thanks

This should be grouped with all other awards. So put "Awards and Scholarships" as the title and list all of them together

 

[sector9]

There are separate dates and contacts for each award though. How does this work? #clueless

Put the most prestigious one first and use it for the date info. Your contact should be your university' registrar, which covers a lot of things like dean's list, school scholarships, etc. You can put individual dates for each award in the description box. If you have off-campus awards or scholarships, then you can put the contact info in the description box too.

 

[sector9]

Thank you!! Also would you include something like an Intel Talent search finalist within the catagory of school awards? Or two separate awards

Isn't Intel Talent search a high school thing? In general high school stuff shouldn't go on AMCAS. However, if you got far enough, you might mention it. Group it with your other awards. Or, if you continued research into college and your Intel stuff was related, then you could mention the award in your research spot. Here's another post and a quote from LizzyM
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=11105175

 

[medclass2012]

I was wondering how you would list your hobby on AMCAS.. such as photography. I saw a comment above and was wondering as well. Who would you list for the contact's first name, title, etc if it was just a hobby?

 

[sector9]

I was wondering how you would list your hobby on AMCAS.. such as photography. I saw a comment above and was wondering as well. Who would you list for the contact's first name, title, etc if it was just a hobby?

For photography, it can count as an "artistic endeavor" if you presented your work to others at a competition, gallery, or in a book. That's the distinction that we were discussing above.

If you didn't do that, then list it as a hobby. For the contact, just list someone who knows about it. Did you take it as a class? List the teacher. If not, then list a roommate, friend, or your mom. Listing yourself would be the last option.

As an example, I listed 3 hobbies together, included working out. I listed my roommate as the contact, since he knows about all of them and he was my workout partner.

 

[Catalystik]

Thanks for the always prompt and helpful responses.

About the cinematography/photography activity: should I include it even though I have not participated in any expos or competitions? I believe I read a post on here telling someone not to list "poem writing" as an artistic endeavor since he/she had not had anything published, etc.

Just list it as a hobby. Problem solved.

Agree with sector9.

 

[LizzyM]

On another note, I also participated in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (~1,500 participants) about a week before high school graduation and won a couple awards. I know the general opinion is to leave out high school activities if we did not carry them on, but what about something like this? Is it worthy of mention?

I have a new opinion -- I see people still citing my 2007 opinion on the subject.

If you win a monetary prize, call it a college scholarship and list it under "scholarship". I think that is legitimate particularly if you win a prize of $10,000 or more.

If you got a certificate or a trophy, I'd put in on the shelf & not mention it.

 

[golgiapparatus88]

It's best to stick to positives. For example: Rather than dissing ER med due to brief, superficial contacts, reliance on technology, and never knowing the end of the story, say you really liked Internal Med because you appreciate having time for a detailed history, the opportunity for longitudinal followup, and the opportunity to get to know patients well.

Is it okay to say I like some aspects of internal med even though I've only worked in an ER? I guess what you mentioned are obvious enough where I don't have to any experiences to know that it's true.