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

[Catalystik]

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I was a leader at my local church, but I also was involved in a lot of other activities such as the Band, welcoming team, multimedia team.

Should I list this as extracurricular? Or can I list this as leadership?

Why not list it as leadership, discussing the leadership roles you took, and also mention any other facets of importance in the same space. If the music is substantive enough, though, you might consider giving it its own space under Artistic Endeavors.

 

[Catalystik]

I led the initiative to recruit subjects for a clinical research study at a particular clinical enrollment site. I did this for 3 months, 30 hrs a week as a volunteer - really 6 months because it turned into a clinical research internship where I got to do more hands on things like phlebotomy, biospecimen processing.

1) I have heard people say that this is a weak leadership activity. What more do they want? I LED the initiative.

Also before my post-bacc pre-med studies, I had a wealth management internship where I was given tasks with a lot of flexibility about how I could complete them.
2)Would you consider it leadership if I led the group of interns in a project to create a new 529 college savings plan model? I am debating whether to list this as leadership or employment.

It just seems people want me to President of a Tree Club or something. I mean leadership comes in many different forms.

1) Could the "weakness" have been that it was of only three months duraton? Make your role sound sufficiently substantive in your description, and it won't matter.

2) Yes, it sounds like Leadership, though you might just as well list it under Other, since it was a special project, or Employment, unless you plan to give that its own space. Was this endeavor of longer duration?

 

[Catalystik]

I've searched for this but no luck..

It seems to me that physician shadowing is one of the best ways to gain direct exposure to the life of a physician and an excellent way of staying informed on the career. I would like to think shadowing played a big role in most premeds decisions to pursue medical school admission. Would it seem too typical or cliche to signify shadowing as one of my most meaningful experiences? I've shadowed 4 doctors from radiology, family med, ortho and transplant surgery in order to gain as wide an understanding as possible. What do you guys think?

The majority do not seem to be listing shadowing as "Most Meaningul" so I think you'd escape the 'too typical' designation. Some shadow to check a box. It seems that you had some enthusiasm for the experience which shows through. That's what adcomms want to see.

 

[ipodtouch]

Hello everyone,
I'd an avid guitar player and even mention my love of music in my PS. I was wondering if I should list this as a Hobby or an Artistic Endeavor?

 

[OomeedoO]

Hey everyone,

I am a Cali resident who is hoping to stay in state. Unfortunately, according to the MSAR, on average 90% of California matriculants have research under there belt. I want to know if I should include my brief experience:

I worked in a lab for ~2 months (mostly training), not to boost my application, but because I loved my upper div. molecular bio courses and wanted to see if a PhD was for me. I quickly realized that being in a dungeon pipetting small amounts of fluid from one test tube to another wasn't something I aspired to do. The lack of human contact didn't help either. Shortly before I started my commitment, my dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer which made me really want to postpone doing research. I didn't want to go against my word so I decided I would stick it out. A little less than 2 months into it, the lab manager I worked under abruptly ditched the lab, leaving me with the option to either retrain under another post-doc or leave the lab. At that point I knew I didn't want to pursue a career in research and didn't care too much about bolstering my application so I decided to leave. My PI may not remember me or just have a bad impression of the situation. According to the MSAR, w/o research experience I have little chance at most Cali schools...I really want to list this and have an extra E.C slot, but I’m not sure if it’s worthy. Maybe I can mention it in my P.S or secondary’s instead? Deciding was between a PhD and an MD was the last fork in the road for me, and it is definitely something I can talk about. Any advice?

 

[postbacpremed87]

1) Could the "weakness" have been that it was of only three months duraton? Make your role sound sufficiently substantive in your description, and it won't matter.

2) Yes, it sounds like Leadership, though you might just as well list it under Other, since it was a special project, or Employment, unless you plan to give that its own space. Was this endeavor of longer duration?[/QUOTE]

Well it was an internship so it wasn't going to last forever, but 9 months 30 hours/week. I am only 24 so a 9 month internship is still relatively significant. So employment, leadership, or other? I have plenty of clinical experience, nonclinical, shadowing, artistic abilities, academic honors and I was going to use the other as leadership since I "led" the initiative (I will have to make it sound more substantive).

 

[Catalystik]

Hello everyone,
I'd an avid guitar player and even mention my love of music in my PS. I was wondering if I should list this as a Hobby or an Artistic Endeavor?

It depends on the level at which you manifest this interest. If you perform for others in a public venue, I'd say it's an Artistic Endeavor.

 

[Catalystik]

Hey everyone,

I am a Cali resident who is hoping to stay in state. Unfortunately, according to the MSAR, on average 90% of California matriculants have research under there belt. I want to know if I should include my brief experience:

I worked in a lab for ~2 months (mostly training), not to boost my application, but because I loved my upper div. molecular bio courses and wanted to see if a PhD was for me. I quickly realized that being in a dungeon pipetting small amounts of fluid from one test tube to another wasn't something I aspired to do. The lack of human contact didn't help either. Shortly before I started my commitment, my dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer which made me really want to postpone doing research. I didn't want to go against my word so I decided I would stick it out. A little less than 2 months into it, the lab manager I worked under abruptly ditched the lab, leaving me with the option to either retrain under another post-doc or leave the lab. At that point I knew I didn't want to pursue a career in research and didn't care too much about bolstering my application so I decided to leave. My PI may not remember me or just have a bad impression of the situation. According to the MSAR, w/o research experience I have little chance at most Cali schools...I really want to list this and have an extra E.C slot, but I’m not sure if it’s worthy. Maybe I can mention it in my P.S or secondary’s instead? Deciding was between a PhD and an MD was the last fork in the road for me, and it is definitely something I can talk about. Any advice?

List it, mentioning the reason you left the lab, but avoid the negative (though amusing) commentary. I wouldn't worry about not having an LOR for a two-month experience.

 

[Catalystik]

1) Could the "weakness" have been that it was of only three months duraton? Make your role sound sufficiently substantive in your description, and it won't matter.

2) Yes, it sounds like Leadership, though you might just as well list it under Other, since it was a special project, or Employment, unless you plan to give that its own space. Was this endeavor of longer duration?

Well it was an internship so it wasn't going to last forever, but 9 months 30 hours/week. I am only 24 so a 9 month internship is still relatively significant. So employment, leadership, or other? I have plenty of clinical experience, nonclinical, shadowing, artistic abilities, academic honors and I was going to use the other as leadership since I "led" the initiative (I will have to make it sound more substantive).

Then use Employment, but when you name the activity, include the word "Leadership" to help highlight that component.

 

[projectpat]

The majority do not seem to be listing shadowing as "Most Meaningul" so I think you'd escape the 'too typical' designation. Some shadow to check a box. It seems that you had some enthusiasm for the experience which shows through. That's what adcomms want to see.

Thanks Catalystik! Your help goes unparalleled as always!

 

[grandpajames]

Hey everyone,

Quick question, I wasn't sure if this was mentioned before but two of the activities I'm currently involved in (research assistant and EMT) I have listed as "Paid Work" and "Volunteer" respectively. At the same time, I do a substantial amount of shadowing for both, and it seems redundant to list the activities again under "Shadowing." If I mention that I observe doctors, interact with patients, so on, will the adcoms realize that I have had the shadowing experience?

 

[Catalystik]

two of the activities I'm currently involved in (research assistant and EMT) I have listed as "Paid Work" and "Volunteer" respectively. At the same time, I do a substantial amount of shadowing for both, and it seems redundant to list the activities again under "Shadowing." If I mention that I observe doctors, interact with patients, so on, will the adcoms realize that I have had the shadowing experience?

You could legitimately list the research assistantship under Research/Lab or Employment, BTW.

As to the Shadowing and patient interaction: besides specifying in the narrative that this is a part of the activities, you might also consider adding "Shadowing" to whatever name you give the activities to help assure it's not overlooked.

 

[timonski]

For the title of activities, is it disrespectful if I write only the last name of the PI in the description of my title (e.g., "[Last name] Lab Research Assistant"), even if I describe the lab with the full PI name in the description box itself?

I'm more familiar with hearing (last name) lab research assistant, etc. than having the full name spelled out, but I'll put aside my notions of what sounds good and bad aside if it is indeed disrespectful.

 

[Catalystik]

For the title of activities, is it disrespectful if I write only the last name of the PI in the description of my title (e.g., "[Last name] Lab Research Assistant"), even if I describe the lab with the full PI name in the description box itself?

I'm more familiar with hearing (last name) lab research assistant, etc. than having the full name spelled out, but I'll put aside my notions of what sounds good and bad aside if it is indeed disrespectful.

Applicants commonly use the (eg) "Smith Lab" approach. It is not disrespectful.

 

[tellmemore2020]

I worked 7/8 semesters in college and all of the jobs were work-study. Some of them, however, could be listed under teaching, and for one of them I was a research assistant at a medical center. However, I really want to communicate that I needed them for $ first, and the "experience" was a cherry on top of the cake. I have some other teaching activities, although that one was most substantial. I do have a couple of other research activities (all very interesting to me, but nothing ground-breaking). Thoughts on categorizing the work-study positions?

 

[603222]

I am at 15...and now that i look it over most are medically related except for a couple extra curricular and jobs...i haven't listed my shadowing experience b.c. i ran out of slots....should i combine my dean's list and general honors award (even though they are rewarded by two separate people) so i can add my shadowing....or will i have some place later in secondaries or some place to show it? also do we submit a resume at some point...or are these 15 it!??

 

[sector9]

I am at 15...and now that i look it over most are medically related except for a couple extra curricular and jobs...i haven't listed my shadowing experience b.c. i ran out of slots....should i combine my dean's list and general honors award (even though they are rewarded by two separate people) so i can add my shadowing....or will i have some place later in secondaries or some place to show it? also do we submit a resume at some point...or are these 15 it!??

Yes, definitely group all of your awards together. If you need different contacts for different awards, use the description space to list them. You should put down shadowing under the "Other" category.

You don't upload a resume. The 15 slots are sufficient for most applicants. Some non-traditional applicants may fill all 15 and a few traditional applicants do, but the average for a traditional applicant is 9-10 slots filled.

 

[sector9]

I worked 7/8 semesters in college and all of the jobs were work-study. Some of them, however, could be listed under teaching, and for one of them I was a research assistant at a medical center. However, I really want to communicate that I needed them for $ first, and the "experience" was a cherry on top of the cake. I have some other teaching activities, although that one was most substantial. I do have a couple of other research activities (all very interesting to me, but nothing ground-breaking). Thoughts on categorizing the work-study positions?

The teaching work-study could be listed under employment-not military or teaching/tutoring. It is usually suggested that if you have the option, you should use the category that you didn't already use. So if you already have a long-term tutoring activity, then you can use employment, and vice versa. Can't you state in the description that you were working to support yourself?

The research assistant at a medical center can be either research or employment-not military. Same advice as above--pick the one you haven't used yet to balance out your application. If you pick research, just state in the description that it was paid

 

[Catalystik]

I worked 7/8 semesters in college and all of the jobs were work-study.

I really want to communicate that I needed them for $ first

Can't you state in the description that you were working to support yourself?

Maybe you could name the grouped Employment activities "College Work-Study Program" to help make it clearer.

 

[timonski]

I'm having trouble tracking down the complete contact information (i.e., email AND phone number) for one of my shadowing persons. I vaguely remember his email, which I jotted in for my contact information of him in the meantime.

Would it be bad if I only had an email, if it is one of the experiences where the contact information is listed in the description box instead of the main contact boxes above?

 

[sector9]

I'm having trouble tracking down the complete contact information (i.e., email AND phone number) for one of my shadowing persons. I vaguely remember his email, which I jotted in for my contact information of him in the meantime.

Would it be bad if I only had an email, if it is one of the experiences where the contact information is listed in the description box instead of the main contact boxes above?

Only one form of contact information is required (technically, no contact info is required for additional activities grouped together in the description, but it is nice to include). Just the email is fine

 

[AugustMCAT]

If I did not receive money compensation for a job, but was instead compensated via other means (products/help/etc), is that paid employment?

 

[Catalystik]

If I did not receive money compensation for a job, but was instead compensated via other means (products/help/etc), is that paid employment?

Yes.

 

[SexyDoctor]

For some reason I can't tell the difference between Extracurricular / hobbies / avocations and artistic endeavors? what counts as artistic endeavors?

 

[sector9]

For some reason I can't tell the difference between Extracurricular / hobbies / avocations and artistic endeavors? what counts as artistic endeavors?

Usually, artistic endeavors means that you presented your work to others. As an example, if you just like taking pictures for fun, then it's probably a hobby. If you've entered into competitions, then count it as an artistic endeavor. That's the way I understand it anyway.

 

[AugustMCAT]

Yes.

Thanks mate!

So how are people going about the "most meaningful" activities? I used up all 15 slots, but I only have 2 that are worthy of the "most meaningful" designation due to personal backstories. Or can I use the most meaningful section to expand on my role as well? I don't wanna waste the adcoms time by not making a personal connection.

I.e. I was a tutor for many years. I could say how the role taught me to be patient with young children, but I already said that in the 700 char description.

In other words, is it taboo not to use all 3 most meaningful slots?

 

[Catalystik]

For some reason I can't tell the difference between Extracurricular / hobbies / avocations and artistic endeavors? what counts as artistic endeavors?

When you share an Arts accomplishment publically, it's an artistic endeavor. For example, play an instrument in a band, sing in a choir, enter photos/paintings in a contest or sell them, publish a novel.

Edit: Oops, I didn't see that sector9 had already answered.

 

[Catalystik]

Thanks mate!

So how are people going about the "most meaningful" activities? I used up all 15 slots, but I only have 2 that are worthy of the "most meaningful" designation due to personal backstories. Or can I use the most meaningful section to expand on my role as well? I don't wanna waste the adcoms time by not making a personal connection.

I.e. I was a tutor for many years. I could say how the role taught me to be patient with young children, but I already said that in the 700 char description.

In other words, is it taboo not to use all 3 most meaningful slots?

You are only obliged to designate one activity as most meaningful. When you do designate an activty that way, you are not obliged to use all the space made available for additional narrative.

As this additional space has never been made available before, we don't yet know what creative uses it may be put to. The AMCAS instructions give suggestions, but it's only a guideline.

 

[AugustMCAT]

You are only obliged to designate one activity as most meaningful. When you do designate an activty that way, you are not obliged to use all the space made available for additional narrative.

As this additional space has never been made available before, we don't yet know what creative uses it may be put to. The AMCAS instructions give suggestions, but it's only a guideline.

Thanks once again. I guess I'll stick with 2 then. Do you mind if I PM you what I wrote for one of the "most meaningful" slots? Not looking for corrections or anything, I just want to know if the tone and style of writing is what they're looking for in that section.

 

[Habawaba]

What do I do if I don't know the exact volunteer hours? For instance, I volunteered at the food bank for a couple days, but I don't remember the exact hours. It isn't much on its own but if I add that with other things I did here and there it adds up. How would I go about entering this?

 

[Ismet]

So for hobbies/interests, I'm not sure where to draw the line. I have yoga, photography, cooking, traveling, and playing piano (haven't taken lessons or performed since high school). I'm completely obsessed with the BBC show Doctor Who (if you can't tell 🙂) and I'm wondering if that's an interest worth mentioning? I've also participated in a labrador rescue organization, but that's only when I'm home from school for ~1 month/year, so I'm considering listing it in hobbies/interests since it doesn't really go anywhere else and I don't have room for a separate listing.

I've heard it's okay to list yourself as the contact person, but that it's a final resort. I do all of these activities on my own, and the only thing that would potentially have a contact person would be the piano playing, but I haven't spoken to my former teacher for 8 years. The people who run the lab rescue come and go so frequently that I'm apprehensive of writing one person's name down. I'm assuming I should use my final resort?

Thanks for reading and for all your help on this thread!

 

[guppy3]

I have a few questions that I couldn't really find the answers for:

1) I won awards for three separate poster sessions, in addition to presenting and attending several conferences. I was going to list each award separately and then clump the rest of the conferences I only attended/presented at into one activity slot (4 total activities). Does this work, or should I put all the poster competitions into one slot?

2) Did people include scholarship programs like MARC U*STAR as a separate activities slot? I was going to put that one, and the scholarship program for the sciences at my school that takes 50-60 ppl a year as two separate ones, and then list the rest of my awards in one slot (deans list, president's list, etc.) (3 total activities)

3) I have a few one-day volunteering activities that I completed in my first year, should I even bother to include them?

4) One of the clubs I was a leader of is completely student-run. We only had an adult advisor when the club was founded around 10 years ago, and she only signed the paper, no involvement, I don't even know her name. Any ideas for the contact person? Maybe the previous president or my co-president?

I'd appreciate any advice! Thank you!

 

[Catalystik]

I just want to know if the tone and style of writing is what they're looking for in that section.

Perhaps someone in the Personal Statement volunteer readers thread will help you with that.

 

[Catalystik]

What do I do if I don't know the exact volunteer hours? For instance, I volunteered at the food bank for a couple days, but I don't remember the exact hours. It isn't much on its own but if I add that with other things I did here and there it adds up. How would I go about entering this?

Give it your best true estimate. Or be vague in providing your description. Or be honest and say you don't recall.

 

[Catalystik]

So for hobbies/interests, I'm not sure where to draw the line. I have yoga, photography, cooking, traveling, and playing piano (haven't taken lessons or performed since high school). I'm completely obsessed with the BBC show Doctor Who (if you can't tell 🙂) and I'm wondering if that's an interest worth mentioning? I've also participated in a labrador rescue organization, but that's only when I'm home from school for ~1 month/year, so I'm considering listing it in hobbies/interests since it doesn't really go anywhere else and I don't have room for a separate listing.

I've heard it's okay to list yourself as the contact person, but that it's a final resort. I do all of these activities on my own, and the only thing that would potentially have a contact person would be the piano playing, but I haven't spoken to my former teacher for 8 years. The people who run the lab rescue come and go so frequently that I'm apprehensive of writing one person's name down. I'm assuming I should use my final resort?

Thanks for reading and for all your help on this thread!

Use yourself or a parent. Or perhaps you have a yoga teacher you could use, if it's more recent, to list in the header information. One could then just not list a contact for others on the list.

 

[Catalystik]

1) I won awards for three separate poster sessions, in addition to presenting and attending several conferences. I was going to list each award separately and then clump the rest of the conferences I only attended/presented at into one activity slot (4 total activities). Does this work, or should I put all the poster competitions into one slot?

2) Did people include scholarship programs like MARC U*STAR as a separate activities slot? I was going to put that one, and the scholarship program for the sciences at my school that takes 50-60 ppl a year as two separate ones, and then list the rest of my awards in one slot (deans list, president's list, etc.) (3 total activities)

3) I have a few one-day volunteering activities that I completed in my first year, should I even bother to include them?

4) One of the clubs I was a leader of is completely student-run. We only had an adult advisor when the club was founded around 10 years ago, and she only signed the paper, no involvement, I don't even know her name. Any ideas for the contact person? Maybe the previous president or my co-president?

I'd appreciate any advice! Thank you!

1) I'd list each poster separately, provided they were not at a campus event, and provided they did not present the same data, and then mention the award in the same slot. Attending a conference without presenting doesn't help you much. I'd group those if you are short on space.

2) You'd have to explain the significance of this. How much was the value of the scholarship, and did come from merit or from need? Usually all awards, honors, and scholarships are put in one space unless one was really special.

3) No.

4) Vice president or co-president, or another officer would be good contacts.

 

[Habawaba]

Thanks Catalystik.

 

[estradiol9]

I have so many questions!

If you do volunteering activities as well as other things within a club/organization, do you list these under that club or under volunteering?

1. For example, I am a member of the biology society at my school & also the treasurer. As a member, we have some volunteering activities such as a beach sweep and spending a few days each semester at the local soup kitchen. I'm not sure if I should just list biology society as one of the activities and write in the description that we did volunteer work, or if I should put biology society as one activity and then make another activity for volunteer work?

2. I have one other volunteering activity at a first aid squad. I volunteer as an EMT, on the hall committee (help with rental of our hall), and in the fundraising auxilary so I was going to list all of this under one activity of the first aid squad. But since the hall committee and fundraising auxilary are nonclinical volunteering and volunteering as an EMT is clinical, does it matter which I choose? Because you're allowed to pick between clinical and nonclinical volunteering correct?

3. If you shadowed 5 different physicians, which do you list under contact info? They were all for equal amounts of time for the most part and they don't know each other so one physician would not be able to vouch for my shadowing with the other physicians.

4. In what order do you list your activities? Chronologically? Most to least meaningful?

 

[drshoes]

Can study abroad programs be considered an experience? I haven't seen anyone mention those

 

[Catalystik]

I have so many questions!

If you do volunteering activities as well as other things within a club/organization, do you list these under that club or under volunteering?

1. For example, I am a member of the biology society at my school & also the treasurer. As a member, we have some volunteering activities such as a beach sweep and spending a few days each semester at the local soup kitchen. I'm not sure if I should just list biology society as one of the activities and write in the description that we did volunteer work, or if I should put biology society as one activity and then make another activity for volunteer work?

2. I have one other volunteering activity at a first aid squad. I volunteer as an EMT, on the hall committee (help with rental of our hall), and in the fundraising auxilary so I was going to list all of this under one activity of the first aid squad. But since the hall committee and fundraising auxilary are nonclinical volunteering and volunteering as an EMT is clinical, does it matter which I choose? Because you're allowed to pick between clinical and nonclinical volunteering correct?

3. If you shadowed 5 different physicians, which do you list under contact info? They were all for equal amounts of time for the most part and they don't know each other so one physician would not be able to vouch for my shadowing with the other physicians.

4. In what order do you list your activities? Chronologically? Most to least meaningful?

1) It's probably best to put it under the umbrella of Biology Club Activities/Community service and use one of the other officers as a contact to vouch for you.

If you have a lot to say and plenty of space, you could list is separately from Biology Club Member and Leadership, but it doesn't sound like it amounts to a substantial number of hours so as to be worthwhile doing it that way. Correct me if I'm wrong.

2) You could choose to list it under either, but then give it a name that makes the other role clear. Or if you have the space, split it into two spots, listing the components separately (and also dividing the amount of time involved, without counting it twice).

3) List them with the most recent in the header. Ideally you would list a contact for each in the narrative (except for the first), maybe just an email address or phone number. Since you don't need description, other than the doc's name and specialty/total hours, hopefully this will fit.

4) It doesn't matter what order you enter in the activities, as they will be printed out chronologically, unless a school chooses to have them sorted on another basis. You have no control over this, so don't worry about it.

 

[Catalystik]

Can study abroad programs be considered an experience? I haven't seen anyone mention those

Yes, you might list it under Other, just as you could Travel as a hobby, but since it's on your transcript, I'd probably dwell more on nonacademic components of the experience in the narrative.

 

[Desperad0oo7]

I have a problem with the work part of this section. During college I used online poker to make money and pay for my expenses. After college I played online poker on the side as a part-time job to cover the expenses which my research position couldn't cover. The game requires an immense amount of studying, determination and analytical skills for one to be successful at. It really is challenging in many ways but there is the stigma associated with it as many consider it a gambling game when it really is very skill-heavy. over the past year I am ranked in the top 99.97% percentile of all online poker players and have made a strong reputation as a strategy poster and a tutor online. To me poker is by far my most significant experience as it taught me adaptability, how to manage finances, be committed despite the inevitable periods of bad-luck, maintain continuous focus for extremely long periods of time and helped support me financially.

Is this something I should consider putting in my application or just forget about it? the problem is that I feel leaving it out leaves a big hole in my application as to how I supported myself throughout college and apart from that I have one tutoring experience and a research experience which I really didn't do for the money. Poker is also what is going to pay for my application expenses.

any thoughts appreciated.

 

[perigirl]

Hi all,

i had a chance to go through about 1/2 the pages - sorry if a question like this was already answered.

I have two significant experiences from high school that were really meaningful to me and that I contributed almost all four years into and inspired me to pursue two initiatives at the university level. The style of activity is similar between the high school and university level but they are completely different activities (not continuations into university). Both high school activities were part of me getting scholarships I am mentioning in Awards.

activity 1: founded and led a music tutoring program that later became a small part of the curriculum for the time I was there and led me to get the Music award at my school. Inspired me to found an overall university mentorship program for high school students deciding to attend university

activity 2: led an AIDE committee focused on interrelationship between children in poverty, children in conflict and AIDS (might mention in PS) and inspired me to pursue the HIV/AIDS issue through a committee in university focused on the Millennium Development goals specific to women's health and HIV.

1) should i list the really meaningful activities at all?
2) If list them, are they important enough that i should list them as separate slots even though they are in high school or as part of my university activities descriptions?

 

[Jwalker]

hiii all - quick question

What should I put for the "Contact" information if I wanted to list say wakeboarding or scuba diving for hobbies? Also, same question except for awards and deans list. Thanks in Advance👍

 

[Catalystik]

I have a problem with the work part of this section. During college I used online poker to make money and pay for my expenses. After college I played online poker on the side as a part-time job to cover the expenses which my research position couldn't cover. The game requires an immense amount of studying, determination and analytical skills for one to be successful at. It really is challenging in many ways but there is the stigma associated with it as many consider it a gambling game when it really is very skill-heavy. over the past year I am ranked in the top 99.97% percentile of all online poker players and have made a strong reputation as a strategy poster and a tutor online. To me poker is by far my most significant experience as it taught me adaptability, how to manage finances, be committed despite the inevitable periods of bad-luck, maintain continuous focus for extremely long periods of time and helped support me financially.

Is this something I should consider putting in my application or just forget about it? the problem is that I feel leaving it out leaves a big hole in my application as to how I supported myself throughout college and apart from that I have one tutoring experience and a research experience which I really didn't do for the money. Poker is also what is going to pay for my application expenses.

any thoughts appreciated.

Perhaps you could spin the poker playing in a positive light as you have here, but many adcomms will be of a conservative frame of mind and view you as a risk taker and not someone whom they'd want to train as a practicing physician. It's up to you to decide if you want to play the odds and see if they work in your favor. My analytical skills tell me it wouldn't be worth listing it.

This question has come up repeatedly. You might Search the forum (not this thread) and see how others handled it, even PMing them to ask how things turned out in the end.

 

[Desperad0oo7]

Perhaps you could spin the poker playing in a positive light as you have here, but many adcomms will be of a conservative frame of mind and view you as a risk taker and not someone whom they'd want to train as a practicing physician. It's up to you to decide if you want to play the odds and see if they work in your favor. My analytical skills tell me it wouldn't be worth listing it.

This question has come up repeatedly. You might Search the forum (not this thread) and see how others handled it, even PMing them to ask how things turned out in the end.

Thank you for the advice. I think I'll be risk-averse this time and not list it. It's unfortunate since I feel my willingness to take calculated risks is what allowed me to achieve most of what I have in life.

 

[Catalystik]

Hi all,

i had a chance to go through about 1/2 the pages - sorry if a question like this was already answered.

I have two significant experiences from high school that were really meaningful to me and that I contributed almost all four years into and inspired me to pursue two initiatives at the university level. The style of activity is similar between the high school and university level but they are completely different activities (not continuations into university). Both high school activities were part of me getting scholarships I am mentioning in Awards.

activity 1: founded and led a music tutoring program that later became a small part of the curriculum for the time I was there and led me to get the Music award at my school. Inspired me to found an overall university mentorship program for high school students deciding to attend university

activity 2: led an AIDE committee focused on interrelationship between children in poverty, children in conflict and AIDS (might mention in PS) and inspired me to pursue the HIV/AIDS issue through a committee in university focused on the Millennium Development goals specific to women's health and HIV.

1) should i list the really meaningful activities at all?
2) If list them, are they important enough that i should list them as separate slots even though they are in high school or as part of my university activities descriptions?

The AMCAS instructions do not forbid the listing of HS activities. College activities begin the day you graduate from HS. It is widely felt that any HS activity continuing into the college years is fine to include. If you decide to list them on their own, and don't link them to a college activity, adcomms may not pay attention to them. Another way to fit them in is to work them into the Personal Statement or Secondary essay.

Considering the leadership roles you took on all those years ago, it's hard to imagine you haven't had similar activities in the years since then, which will carry far more weight in adcomms eyes.

The music tutoring could be worked into your music involvement in general (which surely continues to this time), maybe naming the activity Music-Related Activities.

The HIV-Related Activites could similarly be worked into a single space.

Consider that both might be more effective if the preceeding activity that inspired the college experience were part of the story.

The university mentorship program (which I'm assuming is a college activity) could stand on its own.

 

[Catalystik]

1) What should I put for the "Contact" information if I wanted to list say wakeboarding or scuba diving for hobbies? 2) Also, same question except for awards and deans list. Thanks in Advance👍

1) You could use your diving instructor, a friend with whom you engaged in those activities, or yourself.

2) The registrar of your school can vouch for all awards, honors, and scholarships.

 

[Beekachu]

Hello and a pre-thank you for helping me with this! I'm hoping to submit my application soon, but I could use some advice on what's appropriate and how some things might be perceived:

1. I have a slot dedicated to hobbies, and one of the more important is painting (I've done it for many years, very regularly, and have sold some of my paintings more recently 🙂). I wanted to maybe have one slot for hobbies in general and one dedicated to painting alone, but I wasn't sure if this would be too much space focused on just hobbies.

2. For choosing the 3 most meaningful experiences, would it look strange not to have one of my clinical activities chosen? I've thoroughly enjoyed them, but I've just been more extensively involved in other activities that have had more impact on my growth as a person and a leader.

3. I was one of a few students chosen to be featured in my schools yearly fundraising/donor publication, and was wondering if that might be cool to list with my other awards/recognitions. I don't want to sound like I'm tooting my own horn but I felt honored to be picked.

4. I've been involved in an animal advocacy group for a few years with a lot of leadership/coordinating roles, but I'm wondering if that might raise eyebrows. I don't want to be assumed to be a PETA nut-job, so I wish I had more space to explain my philosophy (ever so briefly) and still list all of the responsibilities I've held...so that makes me want to pick it as most meaningful for the extra space but having it as my most meaningful thing might make me seem more fanatical. (or maybe I'm just paranoid)

That's all. Thanks to anyone who takes the time to help me 🙂

 

[perigirl]

Thank you for the advice Catalystik - was really helpful, this freed up two slots on my application now!