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

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Uh oh. I guess the LDS applicants who went on 2-year missions are screwed? It's kinda hard to not put down your mission, especially when so many of us were greatly influenced by them. Not to mention the unexplainable 2-year gap in our education. I didn't hide my religious affiliation, but it would have been pointless since I go to the church school (BYU) and everything... It makes me sad to hear that my mission might hurt my application
No, they aren't screwed. It's my understanding that the two-year missions involve a great deal more than knocking on doors, especially if they are abroad, and are a tremendous resource for acquiring mature insights and gaining independence. Am I wrong? And even the door-to-door activity could be spun as engaging the public/gaining people skills/etc, no? It's all in how you present it. What did you focus your comments on?
 
1. I worked as an Editor for the school literary journal, and this was an unpaid position. What do I categorize this as? Community Service/Volunteer or Leadership? Or Other?

2. For experience name of research experiences, do I just write something generic like "Organic Chem research" or the name of the research project?

3. For awards/ recognitions, can I write down professional certifications I have achieved like Master Writing Consultant or Advanced Tutor?

Thanks to whoever responds.
1) I'd call it Leadership, making the volunteer nature of it evident in the description.

2) The name can give evidence of the level of your involvement. For example, Research Tech or Assistant, vs Researcher. You can add the nature of the research (Organic Chem) or location, "in the Smith Lab," or the purpose, "Exploring the Fruit Fly genome" as you wish.

3) Instead, mention those things under the related activty for which you used them.
 
No, they aren't screwed. It's my understanding that the two-year missions involve a great deal more than knocking on doors, especially if they are abroad, and are a tremendous resource for acquiring mature insights and gaining independence. Am I wrong? And even the door-to-door activity could be spun as engaging the public/gaining people skills/etc, no? It's all in how you present it. What did you focus your comments on?

Well, I said that I spent the majority of my time proselytizing (which is true and is the point of a mission, after all), but that was just one phrase in my description. Most of my entry was talking about the true community service projects I was involved in and the leadership positions I held. Then in the most meaningful box, I talked about the maturity I gained, the exposure to people with different backgrounds and with hardships, the dedication to a cause, teaching skills, etc.

I avoided saying "I converted x number of people to my church" because I thought that would be frowned upon.

One small note is that I was in the U.S. We don't get to pick where we go on our missions. It was still a very meaningful activity for me.

I have a follow-up question: Should I avoid talking about the mission on secondaries? I feel like my mission provided lots of fodder for prompts like this "Describe briefly any experiences and/or skills that have made you more sensitive or appreciative of other cultures or the human condition" but I'm not sure if it would be a bad idea to keep talking about the mission.
 
1) I avoided saying "I converted x number of people to my church" because I thought that would be frowned upon.

2) I have a follow-up question: Should I avoid talking about the mission on secondaries? I feel like my mission provided lots of fodder for prompts like this "Describe briefly any experiences and/or skills that have made you more sensitive or appreciative of other cultures or the human condition" but I'm not sure if it would be a bad idea to keep talking about the mission.
1) Good instincts, as usual.

2) There's no problem bringing it up again, as long as it's a) new material, and b) enhances your application by showcasing a desirable trait for a future physician. It could be relevant to the prompt stated above if your mission wasn't down the street from home (or similar).
 
Hey everyone, I was wondering what some of you may do in the situation I will describe below. Just to give you some context, my activities section is pretty complete ( I'm not trying to squeeze in this last one just for the sake of having a longer list, or anything). Seeing that many of you are mature and experienced, I hope to see what you all would do.

Last summer I had the opportunity of being called to jury duty. Normally, I'd have tried to get out of it or something, somehow. This case was interesting. I was selected to serve as part of the jury on a (pretty well-broadcasted) medical malpractice case. The trials took about 2-3 weeks (several hours/day). I learned a lot about the "other side" of medicine. The side many of us will eventually learn a lot about and come to fear. In addition to learning about the medical terminology involved, I got a good handle on good medical practice, etc.

Would you include such an experience in your application? (why? why not?) How would you frame it? Are there any things you'd stay away from? Things to be careful about?

Again, it was a great experience and I'd love to talk about it in an interview. The activities section of the application seems to be the only place I can mention it.
 
Hey everyone, I was wondering what some of you may do in the situation I will describe below. Just to give you some context, my activities section is pretty complete ( I'm not trying to squeeze in this last one just for the sake of having a longer list, or anything). Seeing that many of you are mature and experienced, I hope to see what you all would do.

Last summer I had the opportunity of being called to jury duty. Normally, I'd have tried to get out of it or something, somehow. This case was interesting. I was selected to serve as part of the jury on a (pretty well-broadcasted) medical malpractice case. The trials took about 2-3 weeks (several hours/day). I learned a lot about the "other side" of medicine. The side many of us will eventually learn a lot about and come to fear. In addition to learning about the medical terminology involved, I got a good handle on good medical practice, etc.

Would you include such an experience in your application? (why? why not?) How would you frame it? Are there any things you'd stay away from? Things to be careful about?

Again, it was a great experience and I'd love to talk about it in an interview. The activities section of the application seems to be the only place I can mention it.
You might include such an activity (designated as "Other"), . Alternatively, you might find a Secondary essay where this learning experience could fit in. A reason to include it is that few premeds have a grasp of this reality of medical practice and adcommms like to build a class with a vast array of experiences they could potentially share with classmates. It's up to you to decide how to frame it. I'd stay away from negative commentary (dirtball lawyer, incompetent physician, moneygrubber complainant all come to mind), trying to keep your description fair and balanced. Probably sticking more to what you got out of it is a good idea, rather than retelling specifics of the case, especially if the story might be high profile enough to be identified.
 
I received a scholarship for my freshman year, but it was given based on my experiences prior to my undergrad years. Is it best to leave it out or include it? (it was a leadership scholarship).

Much thanks for all of the help!
 
I would like to include a hobby, but I am unsure what would be “interesting” or appropriate. I enjoy reading and have read several theoretical physics books, I have seen almost the entire continental united states by way of motor home and have hiked the grand canyon, I workout every day. Are any of these worth noting? I feel like everyone reads, works out, and has traveled (probably to more places than I have).

Thank you in advance
 
Would it be better to list a poster presentation at a departmental research symposium or a minor leadership role? I already have an okay amount of leadership and research on my app, so it's not I'm necessarily lacking either.

I was going to put the poster presentation in my description for my research activities, but I was wondering if it was worth its own slot on AMCAS? I am unsure about the benefits of including what was essentially a minor presentation.
 
You might include such an activity (designated as "Other"), . Alternatively, you might find a Secondary essay where this learning experience could fit in. A reason to include it is that few premeds have a grasp of this reality of medical practice and adcommms like to build a class with a vast array of experiences they could potentially share with classmates. It's up to you to decide how to frame it. I'd stay away from negative commentary (dirtball lawyer, incompetent physician, moneygrubber complainant all come to mind), trying to keep your description fair and balanced. Probably sticking more to what you got out of it is a good idea, rather than retelling specifics of the case, especially if the story might be high profile enough to be identified.

That helps a lot, thanks for your help!
 
I received a scholarship for my freshman year, but it was given based on my experiences prior to my undergrad years. Is it best to leave it out or include it? (it was a leadership scholarship).
Leave it out unless you continued the same activities into the college years and it was a huge amount of money.
 
I would like to include a hobby, but I am unsure what would be “interesting” or appropriate. I enjoy reading and have read several theoretical physics books, I have seen almost the entire continental united states by way of motor home and have hiked the grand canyon, I workout every day. Are any of these worth noting? I feel like everyone reads, works out, and has traveled (probably to more places than I have).

Thank you in advance
I'd include them all (in the same space if you wish), as these activities give adcomms a clearer idea of your personality. Since so many other ECs for premeds are similar, this is your opportunity to create a different "flavor" for your application. Also, adcomms like to see that you have stress-relieving leisuretime activities.
 
Would it be better to list a poster presentation at a departmental research symposium or a minor leadership role? I already have an okay amount of leadership and research on my app, so it's not I'm necessarily lacking either.

I was going to put the poster presentation in my description for my research activities, but I was wondering if it was worth its own slot on AMCAS? I am unsure about the benefits of including what was essentially a minor presentation.
Generally, unless a Poster/Presentation occurred at a regional or national meeting, it is better to mention it in the Research space it derived from. So your plan for your campus presentation was appropriate. Use the space for Leadership instead.
 
Generally, unless a Poster/Presentation occurred at a regional or national meeting, it is better to mention it in the Research space it derived from. So your plan for your campus presentation was appropriate. Use the space for Leadership instead.

Thanks again, Cat 🙂
 
Hi, I decided to lump my Research activities into 1 and I listed it as one of my most meaningful (2 summers, 3 campus symposiums, and a senior thesis). However, I got 3 awards for my work and there really isn't enough room to fit them even with the extra character space.

I decided to list them separate from Research, but under another category. 2 of them were on-campus (1 was a poster presentation award, the other was for my work), and 1 was for a district conference/poster presentation that was at another school. Should I put it as a Conference, or as Awards?
 
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Should I include that I was an active caregiver for my mother (she is disabled, homebound, and has paranoid schizophrenia) for two years, until her condition/situation became more stable? Pretty significant part of my life but I'm not sure whether it's appropriate to mention. Save it for secondaries?
 
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I'm sorry if this has been answered already, but should we regard the description and most meaningful boxes as continuous entities? If I'm writing more of a narrative style description, can I just flow into the meaningful box? Thanks in advance.
 
Hi, I decided to lump my Research activities into 1 and I listed it as one of my most meaningful (2 summers, 3 campus symposiums, and a senior thesis). However, I got 3 awards for my work and there really isn't enough room to fit them even with the extra character space.

I decided to list them separate from Research, but under another category. 2 of them were on-campus (1 was a poster presentation award, the other was for my work), and 1 was for a district conference/poster presentation that was at another school. Should I put it as a Conference, or as Awards?
I'd put it under Awards/Honors, and name it somethng like, Research-Related Recognitions.
 
Should I include that I was an active caregiver for my mother (she is disabled, homebound, and has paranoid schizophrenia) for two years, until her condition/situation became more stable? Pretty significant part of my life but I'm not sure whether it's appropriate to mention. Save it for secondaries?
No, it's fine to give this space, but put it under "Other" and not under Volunteer-Medical/Clinical (which is considered to be inappropriate when it's a family member). Highlight what you did as a caregiver. Don't insert negative information. You may be vague about the diagnosis if you would feel more comfortable about that.
 
I'm sorry if this has been answered already, but should we regard the description and most meaningful boxes as continuous entities? If I'm writing more of a narrative style description, can I just flow into the meaningful box? Thanks in advance.
We don't know yet how this will appear/be presented to adcomms/if it will be contiguous. I think it's fine for info to flow smoothly from one to the next, but be sure you've completed a topic within the framework of the first space, and start a second aspect of what you want to convey with the extra space.
 
A question about this.fir example,I am a recreational
Activity volunteer at a hospital.under the description I wrote:helped porter residents to activity. Helped residents throughout the activity. Helped with other daily chores. Would this be redundant ?
That was why I lead the FAQ off with a disclaimer. Even the SDN article about this issue has conflicting opinions. Just like all adcom members don't like the same type of pie, you are not going to get them all to agree on every single point of the application process.

I think that the key is not to do one of the things they seem to universally HATE. Like waste time/space extensively describing the duties of being a scribe, or going to the full character limit for EVERY activity no matter what.

For what it is worth...I've heard of people getting praised or reamed for how they listed their activities. I did mine bullet style, and no one said anything. In a weird way, every time someone doesn't acknowledge something in this process, you get the feeling you probably did the right thing...
 
A question about this.fir example,I am a recreational
Activity volunteer at a hospital.under the description I wrote:helped porter residents to activity. Helped residents throughout the activity. Helped with other daily chores. Would this be redundant ?
Please edit your question so that it reflects standard English usage. I am not clear on what you want to know. Are you sure "redundant" is the correct word for what you mean to convey? Are you asking if you are giving too much description?
 
Hi,

Sorry if this has been answered already, but if we are listing hobbies what should we put for the organization name?

Also, for awards like Dean's list or Phi Beta Kappa, what do we put for the hours/week?
 
Yeah..i don't know what I was thinking...i meant if I am giving a way too detailed description? is it better to just summarize them into one sentence?


Please edit your question so that it reflects standard English usage. I am not clear on what you want to know. Are you sure "redundant" is the correct word for what you mean to convey? Are you asking if you are giving too much description?
 
Hi,

Sorry if this has been answered already, but if we are listing hobbies what should we put for the organization name?

Also, for awards like Dean's list or Phi Beta Kappa, what do we put for the hours/week?

Neither of those fields are required. Don't fill in organization name for hobbies and don't put hours/week for awards
 
Would it be better to break up a large block of clinical activities (continuous volunteering over 2 years - 6 months at one hospital followed by 18 months at another) into separate activities, or would it be better to lump the two together if it allows you to include a minor teaching/leadership activity?

Not in particular need of any "category" of activity, just wondering if it would worthwhile to separate the clinical activities at the expense of an additional non-clinical activity.
 
I am a recreational
Activity volunteer at a hospital.under the description I wrote:helped porter residents to activity. Helped residents throughout the activity. Helped with other daily chores.

Yeah..i don't know what I was thinking...i meant if I am giving a way too detailed description? is it better to just summarize them into one sentence?
I was thinking you had not given sufficient description. I'm not sure what your job entailed. What activities were you involved in? How did you help patients? Whose daily chores?
 
Would it be better to break up a large block of clinical activities (continuous volunteering over 2 years - 6 months at one hospital followed by 18 months at another) into separate activities, or would it be better to lump the two together if it allows you to include a minor teaching/leadership activity?

Not in particular need of any "category" of activity, just wondering if it would worthwhile to separate the clinical activities at the expense of an additional non-clinical activity.
If you have the space, do it. With more data in the header information for the 2nd gig, you'll have more space to use for description.
 
I have a lot of space to spare as of now because most of my time in college was spent doing 2-3 activities. Should I include that I received CPR certification or would that be regarded as trying to fill up space?
 
I have a lot of space to spare as of now because most of my time in college was spent doing 2-3 activities. Should I include that I received CPR certification or would that be regarded as trying to fill up space?
Don't include it in its own space. Mention it if in the same space with an activity for which it was useful or required.

You filled in your hobbies and artistic endeavors, right?
 
Thanks for all the ideas and for letting me know what exactly this section is about. I have a few questions that I either missed, or need more clarifying on:

1) when listing hobbies, what do you put for the main contact on the form? the contact information for the first one?

2) if I put that I was an instructor in an activity that I also put in a lot of time practicing for, could I also put that as a hobby, since it is both a job and a hobby, or should I leave it as just a job?

3) If I have very few shadowing hours (2 full days with 2 different physicians) during college. Is that worth a spot? I fully realize how dumb I am, after reading all the advice about shadowing now lol.

4) If I have an experience being a hostess at a restaurant, how much should I describe it if most people already know what that entails? I seem to recall reading that for no-brainers, you shouldn't put a description, since it would be fluff.

5) In a club that I started, we ran into some bureaucratic and legal difficulties with funding, because we were a new club and not very well understood (it was quidditch and the agencies that would fund us had no idea that you needed brooms to be official). It was very formative, but I'm worried that if I put that I was involved in working the club through that, it might not look too well, since I was a founder. Should I figure out a way to spin that positively, or should I leave it out for maybe a secondary or interview?

6) If one of my hobbies is watching anime and Asian dramas, should I put that? It doesn't seem like anything that would make me a better doctor, but maybe it might make me more well rounded? What are your thoughts?
 
1) when listing hobbies, what do you put for the main contact on the form? the contact information for the first one?

2) if I put that I was an instructor in an activity that I also put in a lot of time practicing for, could I also put that as a hobby, since it is both a job and a hobby, or should I leave it as just a job?

3) If I have very few shadowing hours (2 full days with 2 different physicians) during college. Is that worth a spot? I fully realize how dumb I am, after reading all the advice about shadowing now lol.

4) If I have an experience being a hostess at a restaurant, how much should I describe it if most people already know what that entails? I seem to recall reading that for no-brainers, you shouldn't put a description, since it would be fluff.

5) In a club that I started, we ran into some bureaucratic and legal difficulties with funding, because we were a new club and not very well understood (it was quidditch and the agencies that would fund us had no idea that you needed brooms to be official). It was very formative, but I'm worried that if I put that I was involved in working the club through that, it might not look too well, since I was a founder. Should I figure out a way to spin that positively, or should I leave it out for maybe a secondary or interview?

6) If one of my hobbies is watching anime and Asian dramas, should I put that? It doesn't seem like anything that would make me a better doctor, but maybe it might make me more well rounded? What are your thoughts?
1) Yes, and the first is usually the most substantive.

2) If you have space, list the two components separately. Otherwise, leave it as a job and mention the practicing.

3) List it anyway; at least they'll know you have something. Then do more and tell schools about it via update letters.

4) You don't need to describe what a hostess does.

5) It's a Leadership activity. I would include it. Be vague about anything that you think might not go over well, but try to frame things positively. Include the problem solving somehow. Jeesh, I thought everyone knew you needed a broom for quidditch. Someone doesn't get out much.

6) This is a good entry for Artistic Endeavor and makes you interesting.
 
Some questions as I finally finish up this EC mess.

1. For lumping similar activities together ( in my case my retail work experience of 4 years) How would I put the contact info if it was between two different companies and 3 different locations. For example, I started off selling sports equipment at Big 5 Sporting Goods before I went on to sell appliances at one Sears in my home city while in Community College before transferring to another Sears when I transferred to my 4 year university. Should I list contact info for each place (including bosses, phone #s, etc) or just one for Big 5 and one for Sears?

2. What if you've forgotten the contact info for one of your ECs. Like I can't remember the name of my supervisor for when I was a tour guide at my 1st university. I remember the department I was under and what I did, but I don't have any names to put down. What should I do? The same thing is for my retail experience at Big 5, I forgot my supervisors full name but still remember everything else about it.

3. For an artistic endeavor, I'm putting down my love of comic books. I love reading them, collecting them, and talking about them online. I even themed my hall after comic books when I was a resident advisor. Would that be good to place on my app and should I also mention how it had some influence on my leadership role as an RA while still putting the RA job as a separate leadership entry?
 
Don't include it in its own space. Mention it if in the same space with an activity for which it was useful or required.

You filled in your hobbies and artistic endeavors, right?

I just got certified because I thought I should know how to give CPR in case of an emergency. It wasn't required for anything and I never needed to use it. :\

I have a ton of hobbies and a couple, I think, would qualify as artistic endeavors so yes those two are accounted for.
 
1. I have been with a doctor for about 6 months at 5hr/week but it's not just shadowing (in my mind). I also have assisted in suturing, practiced sterile technique in providing equipment, participated in diagnosing patients and had extensive patient interaction. This is my only MAJOR medical experience in my whole application and I would like to list it as "Clinical Medical Volunteer" as "Observing and Assisting a Physician" since I do/did a lot more than just stand back and watch him.

2. I also shadowed, in the truest sense of the word, a Pediatrician for one day (5 hours) and if I include it in my application, it would be under "Other" titled "Shadowing a Physician" in which case I have two different entries.

Will the application make it appear like I'm trying to turn the first experience into too big a deal beyond conventional shadowing?

3. Also, as a disadvantaged applicant, I talk about how I've always had to work. I have one entry as "Jobs to Pay for Education" and I want to include a "Jobs for Current Living" as a separate entry b/c I've had to keep working after I graduated (like you do) while exploring and preparing for medicine. Does that come across as fluff?

Thank you to all readers and responders!!
 
Some questions as I finally finish up this EC mess.

1. For lumping similar activities together ( in my case my retail work experience of 4 years) How would I put the contact info if it was between two different companies and 3 different locations. For example, I started off selling sports equipment at Big 5 Sporting Goods before I went on to sell appliances at one Sears in my home city while in Community College before transferring to another Sears when I transferred to my 4 year university. Should I list contact info for each place (including bosses, phone #s, etc) or just one for Big 5 and one for Sears?

2. What if you've forgotten the contact info for one of your ECs. Like I can't remember the name of my supervisor for when I was a tour guide at my 1st university. I remember the department I was under and what I did, but I don't have any names to put down. What should I do? The same thing is for my retail experience at Big 5, I forgot my supervisors full name but still remember everything else about it.

3. For an artistic endeavor, I'm putting down my love of comic books. I love reading them, collecting them, and talking about them online. I even themed my hall after comic books when I was a resident advisor. Would that be good to place on my app and should I also mention how it had some influence on my leadership role as an RA while still putting the RA job as a separate leadership entry?
1) If using two or three spaces isn't possible, I'd list the Sears info in the header, maybe using a regional office instead of the local Sears store, and the employment office for a contact. They should have employment records for all the stores or be able to give contact info to someone calling. Recall, this isn't for a reference, but to vouch for dates worked. For the other job, just add it in the narrative with its own dates and hours/week.

2) Use the student employment office as a contact. They have the records for when you got paid. For Big 5, use the employment office or HR person as a contact.

3) I love the idea.
 
1. I have been with a doctor for about 6 months at 5hr/week but it's not just shadowing (in my mind). I also have assisted in suturing, practiced sterile technique in providing equipment, participated in diagnosing patients and had extensive patient interaction. This is my only MAJOR medical experience in my whole application and I would like to list it as "Clinical Medical Volunteer" as "Observing and Assisting a Physician" since I do/did a lot more than just stand back and watch him.

2. I also shadowed, in the truest sense of the word, a Pediatrician for one day (5 hours) and if I include it in my application, it would be under "Other" titled "Shadowing a Physician" in which case I have two different entries.

Will the application make it appear like I'm trying to turn the first experience into too big a deal beyond conventional shadowing?

3. Also, as a disadvantaged applicant, I talk about how I've always had to work. I have one entry as "Jobs to Pay for Education" and I want to include a "Jobs for Current Living" as a separate entry b/c I've had to keep working after I graduated (like you do) while exploring and preparing for medicine. Does that come across as fluff?
1) I would add the word "Shadowing" to the name you give the activity in addition to what you planned. Maybe try to estimate the percent time you did the helping vs the shadowing and include that.

2) It will look more like you're turning the second experience into a big deal when it's only 5 hours, by giving it its own space. Can't you quickly get in some more somewhere before submitting?

3) That sounds fine to me. Not fluff.
 
1) I just got certified because I thought I should know how to give CPR in case of an emergency. It wasn't required for anything and I never needed to use it. :\

2) I have a ton of hobbies and a couple, I think, would qualify as artistic endeavors so yes those two are accounted for.
1) I wouldn't mention it then.

2) Terrific.
 
For the description, I have the description. Underneath, I have one memorable example from the activity.

1. should I take out the specific example?
2. I have been looking through the threads and people say it is good to keep it short. Most of my descriptions are like 600-700 characters because of those specific examples. is it better to have it short?

thank you
 
For the description, I have the description. Underneath, I have one memorable example from the activity.

1. should I take out the specific example?
2. I have been looking through the threads and people say it is good to keep it short. Most of my descriptions are like 600-700 characters because of those specific examples. is it better to have it short?
If the specific example is interesting, then you can include it. As an example, say you are mentioning shadowing. After the OBGYN information, you might say, "I got to see a baby delivered" (which happens to be one of the more impactful experiences I've had that never decreases with repetition, and which most would agree is pretty interesting).
 
thank you Catalystik. i have one more question.

I have a grandma with Alzheimer's. I look after her on daily basis. You have mentioned above that put it under "other"
1. Would this consider clinical experience? I know LizzyM saying "if you can smell patient, is clinical." but the thing is she is my grandma.


Thank you
 
thank you Catalystik. i have one more question.

I have a grandma with Alzheimer's. I look after her on daily basis. You have mentioned above that put it under "other"
1. Would this consider clinical experience? I know LizzyM saying "if you can smell patient, is clinical." but the thing is she is my grandma.


Thank you

Well, it's kind of a clinical experience (although you aren't really around people who can write prescriptions) but it isn't a volunteer activity. Therefore, the community service/volunteer-medical/clinical category doesn't apply
 
For phone number reference, can I just put the department (eg outpatient therapy) phone number instead of the volunteer coordinator phone number?
 
thank you Catalystik. i have one more question.

I have a grandma with Alzheimer's. I look after her on daily basis. You have mentioned above that put it under "other"
1. Would this consider clinical experience? I know LizzyM saying "if you can smell patient, is clinical." but the thing is she is my grandma.


Thank you

I've looked after newborns but it wasn't a clinical experience in that they were in their own home and I was their mommy.

"the thing is she is my grandma" is exactly the thing.... it is "other" because you provided the care that one provides to a loved one. That is different than providing care to a stranger who is ill or injured.

It is completely legit to list is as "other" and describe the activity and the hours per week. Adcoms will take it into consideration even if it isn't tagged as "volunteer, clinical"
 
For phone number reference, can I just put the department (eg outpatient therapy) phone number instead of the volunteer coordinator phone number?
Yes, if they can attest to the date span you have helped out there and your hours per week. (Recall, this is not to provide a reference for you).
 
Writing about my meaningful experience has been the most stressful aspect of my apps. I feel I am talking about the same experience three times; in my PS, description of activities and reflection of meaningful experience. I am highlighting different points, expanding etc but I really envy people who have many stories to tell...
 
Writing about my meaningful experience has been the most stressful aspect of my apps. I feel I am talking about the same experience three times; in my PS, description of activities and reflection of meaningful experience. I am highlighting different points, expanding etc but I really envy people who have many stories to tell...

Definitely don't force yourseld to use all the characters for every description if it means you'll get repetitive and less to the point.

The meaningful experience thing is new so you'll have some leeway with it.
 
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