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

[Catalystik]

---

Members don't see this ad.

If I'm describing in my activity list what I learned from an activity/how I grew from it, should I give specific examples of instances that led to this? For instance if I say an activity improved my ability to work in a team/collaborate with others, is it ok to just leave it at that? Or are adcoms looking for similar levels of detail as my PS?

This is entirely self-determined. Every adcomm looks for different things. Some like a succinct description, and in certain instances, others prefer you to "wax lyrical." There is a fine line you need to walk so that you aren't perceived to be overly verbose and boring.

 

[Catalystik]

Well, it's something I do by myself independently, so it's not exactly an organization...

Hasn't your "non-organization" impacted others?

If all else fails, list yourself. Or your mom.

 

[Catalystik]

I'm thinking about adding a hobby of mine that I love: cooking; do you guys think that would be a reasonable addition?

Along that line- what should my narrative for this hobby focus on? My PS discusses a particular instance of this hobby, so I was thinking I would discuss cooking and my interests in the culinary arts in a bit broader scope in the activities section

If you love cooking, it should be included. It helps adcomms get a better sense of who you are.

It is for you to decide the level of detail to provide. You could group the cooking with other Hobbies in one space, and just refer to one dish you do well. Or list it on its own and go into much more detail, even calling it a "most meaningful" activity. Or something in between.

Lizzy M told a great story about an essay relating the difficulty in mastering a grandmother's dumpling recipe and how much that made her want to meet that applicant.

 

[chiapet874]

If you love cooking, it should be included. It helps adcomms get a better sense of who you are.

It is for you to decide the level of detail to provide. You could group the cooking with other Hobbies in one space, and just refer to one dish you do well. Or list it on its own and go into much more detail, even calling it a "most meaningful" activity. Or something in between.

Lizzy M told a great story about an essay relating the difficulty in mastering a grandmother's dumpling recipe and how much that made her want to meet that applicant.

Thanks Catalystik! You are the best! 👍

 

[garyinthehouse]

Hi guys!

I'm going to be starting a few activities towards the end of June/beginning of July. These will be things I wanted to do before, but because of work and then SMP I was unable to do. I'll start volunteering at a local hospital, I'll also start volunteering at a homeless shelter and maybe shadow a few doctors...

Of course these activities will be continuous throughout 2011-2012.

Is it okay to add these things in June/July when I will be beginning them and say that I will continue these experiences throughout the year?

Thanks

 

[sector9]

Hi guys!

I'm going to be starting a few activities towards the end of June/beginning of July. These will be things I wanted to do before, but because of work and then SMP I was unable to do. I'll start volunteering at a local hospital, I'll also start volunteering at a homeless shelter and maybe shadow a few doctors...

Of course these activities will be continuous throughout 2011-2012.

Is it okay to add these things in June/July when I will be beginning them and say that I will continue these experiences throughout the year?

Thanks

You have to actually start the activity before you can list it. AMCAS won't let you enter a future date. You can wait until you've started the activities before your submit, or you can submit earlier and you would have to provide schools an update letter (if the school allows this) or talk about the activity in an appropriate secondary application prompt. It's up to you. Personally, I'd rather list it on the primary application, so you might not be able to submit until early July, but that is not considered a late application

 

[Gogogirl]

Hey guys, I have a question regarding work/activites and LOR (since the LOR thread is kinda..umm...I am gonna post it here):
I have done volunteer work at a local hospital for about 400 hours over two years under the supervision of the nurse manager in the unit. I don't think I will get a LOR from her since she is unpredictable. How bad will it reflect on my application if I don't get a LOR from her? Or should I just list the volunteer coordinator lady instead but I don't think that lady knows me because I have not interacted with her since I first started..She can't really vouch for me..What do you guys think?
million thanks in advance..🙂

 

[garyinthehouse]

You have to actually start the activity before you can list it. AMCAS won't let you enter a future date. You can wait until you've started the activities before your submit, or you can submit earlier and you would have to provide schools an update letter (if the school allows this) or talk about the activity in an appropriate secondary application prompt. It's up to you. Personally, I'd rather list it on the primary application, so you might not be able to submit until early July, but that is not considered a late application

Yeah, I know I would have to start the activity before I list them. Thanks!

 

[mauberley]

Hey guys, I have a question regarding work/activites and LOR (since the LOR thread is kinda..umm...I am gonna post it here):
I have done volunteer work at a local hospital for about 400 hours over two years under the supervision of the nurse manager in the unit. I don't think I will get a LOR from her since she is unpredictable. How bad will it reflect on my application if I don't get a LOR from her? Or should I just list the volunteer coordinator lady instead but I don't think that lady knows me because I have not interacted with her since I first started..She can't really vouch for me..What do you guys think?
million thanks in advance..🙂

"Unpredictable" how? If you're not confident that she can write you a strong letter, I wouldn't bother. Have you talked with her about having her write you a letter yet?

 

[Catalystik]

Hey guys, I have a question regarding work/activites and LOR (since the LOR thread is kinda..umm...I am gonna post it here):
I have done volunteer work at a local hospital for about 400 hours over two years under the supervision of the nurse manager in the unit. I don't think I will get a LOR from her since she is unpredictable. How bad will it reflect on my application if I don't get a LOR from her? Or should I just list the volunteer coordinator lady instead but I don't think that lady knows me because I have not interacted with her since I first started..She can't really vouch for me..What do you guys think?
million thanks in advance..🙂

The Volunteer Coordinator would be fine to use as a contact to confirm the activity. You are not giving contact info for a recommendation or for personal information, rather to confirm start and end dates and hours worked, which she should be able to do regardless of how well she knows you from the records that are kept in the office.

Getting a LOR from such a person would be iffy. What's the point if she doesn't have personal insights into your work and personality characteristics. Is there another nurse you've gotten to know that you could use instead?

 

[c0oligan]

/

 

[MayoorBust]

Hobbies vs Awards... Which would you list?

 

[pfaction]

I tutored Organic Chem between me and a few friends a few years ago. I think, 2008. But I have no proof of this. Everyone I tutored remembers, but there were no sign in sheets, no records, just me teaching a bunch of friends in the library.

If I put this down, how would I prove it? I know this is about honesty and I know I tutored at least 30 hours, especially with this one girl. I've already contacted my friends and they will vouch for me. I'm trying to see if a teacher will also vouch for me because he knows I did tutor.

How would I/ Would I be able to put this down?

 

[windsor4216]

I'm having a hard time deciding which 3 activities I should select as most meaningful--because I have had a lot. At this point I could write about 5 or 6 of them equally well. So I guess since my personal statement focused a lot on the volunteering I did abroad and shadowing, would it be okay to select 2 research activities as most meaningful? I don't want to come across as too research focused.

Also is it okay to select a non-medically related volunteering activity as my third most meaningful? I'm debating between my nursing home volunteer work or my role as philanthropy chair for an honors society--working with illiterate kids.

 

[FCBarca1990]

Hi guys,

I apologize if this question has been asked already, but I was just wondering how you all were going about filling out their Work/Activities section....paragraphs or bullets? I know in the past, it's been determined that you should pick the one that best fits your style. However, with the new character limit, it's harder to explain not only what you did for each activity but also what you learned.

How is everyone doing this? Are you all going into depth about the meaningfulness of your experiences for the activities which aren't deemed "most meaningful"?

Thanks!

 

[windsor4216]

Hi guys,

I apologize if this question has been asked already, but I was just wondering how you all were going about filling out their Work/Activities section....paragraphs or bullets? I know in the past, it's been determined that you should pick the one that best fits your style. However, with the new character limit, it's harder to explain not only what you did for each activity but also what you learned.

How is everyone doing this? Are you all going into depth about the meaningfulness of your experiences for the activities which aren't deemed "most meaningful"?

Thanks!

Wondering about this too. Anybody?

 

[chiapet874]

Hi guys,

I apologize if this question has been asked already, but I was just wondering how you all were going about filling out their Work/Activities section....paragraphs or bullets? I know in the past, it's been determined that you should pick the one that best fits your style. However, with the new character limit, it's harder to explain not only what you did for each activity but also what you learned.

How is everyone doing this? Are you all going into depth about the meaningfulness of your experiences for the activities which aren't deemed "most meaningful"?

Thanks!

I'm just using bullet points to talk about what I did- there isn't enough room to discuss how the activity was meaningful! (unless it is one of the three designated as most meaningful- than you get extra space)

 

[ijongoo]

Hi guys,

I apologize if this question has been asked already, but I was just wondering how you all were going about filling out their Work/Activities section....paragraphs or bullets? I know in the past, it's been determined that you should pick the one that best fits your style. However, with the new character limit, it's harder to explain not only what you did for each activity but also what you learned.

How is everyone doing this? Are you all going into depth about the meaningfulness of your experiences for the activities which aren't deemed "most meaningful"?

Thanks!

I did a mix of both, but paragraphs for most of the activites. I used bullets for things that I just did to pass the time or things I can group together.. like employment history, list of hobbies, and list of sports.

 

[JSU]

I just finished my final Chemistry class where we had to come up with a research proposal and then present and defend it in front of all of the Chemistry faculty. Though this experience is a class, could I list it as a proposal or put it somewhere in my app?

 

[yftyt2006]

I tried searching for this information but cannot seem to locate it. When filling out work/activities, one has to enter contact information. If I voluntarily tutored various age groups of my own accord (no association), how would I list contact information on the form? Same basic question for hobbies? Would you just list yourself as contact for things like that? Please help.

 

[wsc2879]

I have some questions about the work and activity section:
1. From what I understand, I can group several activities together under the same category. For example, I have volunteered at two different hospitals, so I can write them down in one entry. Fill in one of the hospital's contact info and then write down the other in the description section.
2. The contact section just bewilders me. I have a hobby of writing and won some minor rewards for that, and I also work out regularly, but what I should write down as the contact? Also what I should write down as contact for my honors and award? ( like the dean's list and some research grants)
3. I shadowed my former family physician. I said she was my former physician because she just changed her job and moved to another hospital. I just have her previous office contact, so how I can list her? Also the same goes for another activity. I had been a campus tour guide, but the advisor has been changed, and I don't have the contact with the club president. I can ask the new advisor if they keep the record of my participation though.
4. I put the research grants that I received under the honors and award section. Is that Ok?

 

[chocofudges]

Hey Guys! I did summer volunteering in a hospital for two years (two different summers) but I don't know how to write that on the application. They say to list the same activities together, but there is no way to say that the activity was done during two different time periods...How do i get around this? Thanks!

 

[mauberley]

Hey Guys! I did summer volunteering in a hospital for two years (two different summers) but I don't know how to write that on the application. They say to list the same activities together, but there is no way to say that the activity was done during two different time periods...How do i get around this? Thanks!

List the overall start and end dates, then in the description clarify that the actual times were over the summers. Example: if you worked the summers of '09 and '10, then the start/end dates might be June '09-August '10.

 

[OrganicChemist7]

I have some questions about the work and activity section:
1. From what I understand, I can group several activities together under the same category. For example, I have volunteered at two different hospitals, so I can write them down in one entry. Fill in one of the hospital’s contact info and then write down the other in the description section.
2. The contact section just bewilders me. I have a hobby of writing and won some minor rewards for that, and I also work out regularly, but what I should write down as the contact? Also what I should write down as contact for my honors and award? ( like the dean’s list and some research grants)
3. I shadowed my former family physician. I said she was my former physician because she just changed her job and moved to another hospital. I just have her previous office contact, so how I can list her? Also the same goes for another activity. I had been a campus tour guide, but the advisor has been changed, and I don’t have the contact with the club president. I can ask the new advisor if they keep the record of my participation though.
4. I put the research grants that I received under the honors and award section. Is that Ok?

I also would like to find out the answers to these.

Additionally, how do I go about inputting a date range if it was 3 summers?

 

[vairules]

Just starting this section out, and I have a couple of questions...

Cat mentioned something about high school activities being more acceptable to list this year... This has me confused. I was thinking about listing an "Awards" section. Could I then, include that I was valedictorian of my HS class under here? Or does that not really matter? And I only have work experience from high school... Should that go on this app now that it has expanded? I'm confused about that.

Also, can I list something under two spaces, or just pick one? For example, my full ride scholarship puts me through a program that teaches principles of leadership... Should this go under leadership or awards? Or if I have a leadership position in a club?

Thanks.

 

[karmayogi]

I was planning on listing my participation in toastmasters, but am not sure whether I should put it under Hobbies or Leadership?

I am an active participant on my way towards the competent leader/competent communicator awards, but haven't yet completed them.

 

[ICUatUCI]

1. i have a question on most significant activies. i want to list 3: in home-supportive service, hospice and summer bridge program (it was a program to help high school students get ready for college, i was in that program for 5 weeks in 2007. even though it was only 5 weeks, i gained so much from it). My question is since those are my significant activities, would it be bad to not get LOR from them. I already have three from my sciences, and nonscience. i also have one from research. i have 2 more spots left. I want to get the last 2 from red cross and hospice. I know LOR doesn't have to be from significant activies but would it look better or the same?

2. If i get a LOR from summer bridge program, would adcom look at it as outdated since i was in that program in 2007?

3. I am doing volunteer research, but it is not my own project. I just help out my supervisor run gel, do PCR, make gels. I don't even analyze the data. Should i list this as research?

Thank you so much. really appreciated

 

[tbone1234]

Hi guys,

I'm a reapplicant, but I didn't apply thru AMCAS my first cycle (only TMDSAS). Therefore, would I be considered a reapplicant in AMCAS' eyes? I'm pretty sure yes, just want to make sure.

Also... when listing activities, you guys are talking about bullet points. How do you get these bullet points in the description box? Do you copy and paste them in?

Lastly... I've done a ton of tutoring at my school. I'm wondering how I should list it in the description box. I'm thinking about this:

TUTORING:

Cellular/Molecular Biology-3 semesters, 1hr/week;
Introduction to Chemistry-6 semesters, 2 hrs/week;
General Chemistry II-2 semesters, 2 hrs/week;
Organic II-1 semester, 1 hr/week;
Human Anatomy/Physiology I -- 1 semester, 1 hr/week

Is this good? And should I give the contact information for each one of these classes? (there are about 4 more I need to add to the list). Or can I give the contact info for the one I did most of them with? Also, with TMDSAS it clumps everything into one paragraph. If I leave spaces in AMCAS to separate things (like the list above), will those spaces be kept?

LAST QUESTION... I've done some hospital volunteering at a local hospital. However, I never really met the person who keeps track of my hours (assuming they do keep track of it). Can I look online and put that person's email in my contact box?

 

[StoicJosher]

Ok. So I have been looking through this thread and I haven't come across this question anywhere before.

I will graduate with a bachelor of science in Biology in December 2011. I started my undergrad in the Fall of 2009 and took only two years to complete my degree (Fall 2009 - Fall 2011). This was partly because I had a large number of CLEP credits (~40) that helped me get over the pre reqs and many 100 and 200 level classes.

I really want the adcom's to realize the fact that Im only 19 (turn 20 in October 2011) and have done this. Helps tie up some of the things I have written in my personal statement.

Well, my question is this. Should I just add a section in the work/activities section under other and mention that I will graduate with a BS in two years along with the whole 40 CLEP credit story? I haven't made it a part of my personal statement because I wrote my personal statement more as an indirect life story mixed with anecdotes etc and not as a list of my accomplishments. Plus, my PS is still 200 characters above the limit and I'm struggling to cut it down.

Any help??

 

[linusp]

I had a main question and one that's sort of a discussion question.

1. I am listing Social Fraternity involvement, but mostly to mention my comm service and philanthropy directing position and nothign else. I was wondering how I should list it: "leadership - not listed elsewhere", or "extracurricular/hobbies/avocations", or "comm serv - non medical".

I temporarily have it as extracurricular, but I'm leading toward "leadership - not listed elsewhere". My leadership role is not nearly as long as my entire involvement with the fraternity, but I did participate in service events each semester, from pledging until now.

The only reason I'm considering "comm serv - non medical" is because, unfortunately, this is my only direct source of it. I've done teaching/mentoring to other undergraduates through other activities, though, unpaid.

2. Since the Significant experience section is new, I'm curious how people plan on tackling it. I'm using resume style short fragments for my main description, but planning on using narrative style for the significant experience essay.

For example, for my main research gig in the 700 chars I give a quick overview of type of research, length, and project (all resume style). In the significant experience, I'm planning on describing the project in detail, almost like an abstract.

How are you guys approaching this?

Thanks all and good luck!

 

[capn jazz]

Some quick Qs:

1. If my only award is Dean's List for all 4 years, should I just not list it? I'm not hurting for space (I have 10-11 entries without it).

2. If one of my experiences is abroad and has no English-speaking contacts, could I list a friend I did it with?

3. On top of those 10-11 entries, I also worked one summer as a hostess at a restaurant (because I was doing an unpaid internship and needed money). It was 6 years ago. Should I bother listing it? It adds nothing to my application as I mentioned in the unpaid internship description that I was working nights/weekends to save up for tuition.

4. I set up volunteer visits at a group home for mentally and physically disabled children. It's hard to tell what exactly it is - some of the kids live there permanently and have no families, some of them have families but live there most of the time... we just hang out with the kids and play with them. Would this be non-clinical volunteering? They're not *patients* but they are anywhere from mildly to SEVERELY disabled, and are in and out of the hospital.

 

[iloa10]

My PS focuses on two of my activities. These would obviously be my most meaningful activities. Should I mark other activities as most meaningful (since I already explained the two in depth in my PS and don't want to duplicate info)? Or would it be strange not to include those two as most important? Thanks!

 

[Cinematographer]

Anyone now how likely are adcoms to call international references? I have volunteered abroad and my references are from the countries I visited. It's been a few years and I'll will double check that the people who I worked with are still conducting said volunteering programs. The problem is that, at least my references in Latin America speak Spanish only and would probably have no clue of what they could be potentially asked over the phone.

It would be so much easier if AMCAS gave you an option to upload certificates of completion instead...

 

[citrusguy2010]

can i list poster presentations at undergraduate conferences (i.e. school specific) and undergraduate science journal publications as poster presentations and publications respectively?

 

[NeuralNetwork]

I just finished my final Chemistry class where we had to come up with a research proposal and then present and defend it in front of all of the Chemistry faculty. Though this experience is a class, could I list it as a proposal or put it somewhere in my app?

No, this is just a classroom experience and they will wonder why you put it up.

 

[justgo]

I am shamelessly clumping activities together on my application because I really am an extracurricular overachiever (always have been....I actually LIKE all this stuff, it keeps me sane).

A. When listing the organization I have been attempting to list all the Organizations on the form if they fit in the space, but if not, can I just put "Various, please see description below"?

Also, for the contact I have been listing the information for the most long-term/significant activity supervisor in the boxes and plan to put additional contact info in the "Description" when it is available. Is this the consensus on best practices?

Also, will adcoms actually be contacting all these folks? All my contacts are real and I think I have found current contact info for everyone but I'd like to give them a heads up (ie email "Hi! AMCAS may contact you about X that I did between X and X dates! Thanks) if they really will be contacting everyone because to be frank some of the professors I have worked with are pretty gruff and will not enjoy these kinds of "disturbances" and may not reply if it is someone they do not know contacting them and another of my references has no professional phone number except a main phlebotomy lab line and I think it is better to give them his email addy (which he checks not so frequently) because he tends to not work office hours.

Thanks very much! All people who respond to these threads have my sincere thanks. Will return the favor next year I hope!

 

[justgo]

can i list poster presentations at undergraduate conferences (i.e. school specific) and undergraduate science journal publications as poster presentations and publications respectively?

Of Course! Just be sure that you indicate that they are what they are. Also, I would suggest that if posters were part of some sort of summer training program that you did, those might be better listed under the research training program. Double listing things will look a little fishy. Good luck.

 

[citrusguy2010]

Of Course! Just be sure that you indicate that they are what they are. Also, I would suggest that if posters were part of some sort of summer training program that you did, those might be better listed under the research training program. Double listing things will look a little fishy. Good luck.

what if it's a poster about the publication?

 

[MilitaryMed]

Just to be clear...

Shadowing/Observing a doctor/specialist should be listed under "Other"?

Thanks!

 

[Buttermellow]

Who should I list as a contact for awards/honors such as the Dean's List? I'm not even sure which office of the school would be responsible for this.

 

[SteveJMarist]

So, I helped coach my little brother's baseball team when he was in high school. However, that was 4 years ago, and we have zero contact with other people involved at that time. Would it be OK to use my brother as the contact on AMCAS? Thanks!

 

[SteveJMarist]

who should i list as a contact for awards/honors such as the dean's list? I'm not even sure which office of the school would be responsible for this.

+1

 

[StoicJosher]

There is a lot of good questions here (besides mine) that I would love the answer to.. Whoever is going to be answering these questions: thanks a lot in advance..

 

[fizzgig]

yes, shadowing is "other".

for honors etc just list the registrar or something. at least thats what i did.

capnjazz
1. dont know that it will hurt - people put academic honoraries and graduation honors (magna cum whatev) i think. i would feel its fine if you'd like to throw something up under honors.
2. if there's really no one official you can find/no one that speaks english i think this is ok. the best you can do really.
3. it's paid work experience, and calls out specifically that you held a job which requires lots of professional qualities and whatnot, i might list it even though its one summer. if you have tons of other work experience that covers this ground i guess you could ditch it.
4. i think this is nonclinical. even though the people need consistent aid and are patients of someone, they're not in a clinical setting right then.

 

[acromonkey]

Is it silly to list babysitting as a job?

Also, is it stupid to list some jobs separately (more science field based such as PT aide and research) and then have another section of all other "odd jobs" that I have worked? Or if I'm lumping jobs together, do they all have to be listed?

Also, I was a resident assistant in college, where would I list this job? Is wasn't necessarily paid as in money in my pocket, but I received tuition remission for this job so it paid for school. But it wasn't academic scholarship, it was work???

Where would you list being a TA?

And I would assume you would put honor societies under "honors/awards" but what if you were the president or founder of one? It would also be considered a leadership position. So could I make a section of "honors and awards" just list it as an honor and then also have a section of Leadership and add it here as the "president role" then go into detail about how it was leadership?

And if you group things together, how do you go about giving a contact?? If these jobs are not all related, how can you give just one contact?

 

[tbone1234]

And if you group things together, how do you go about giving a contact?? If these jobs are not all related, how can you give just one contact?

Good question!! I'd like to know this as well.

For TA-ing, I put it under tutoring/teaching.

If you got paid for babysitting, then it would be employment, and if you spent a lot of time doing it then it's justified putting it in. For Resident Assistant, I'd put it under employment as well. Although, perhaps someone else can put their opinion on this one.

I'm having a simlar problem with the President of honor society thing. I'm thinking about mentioning all my honors society induction dates under Academic Recognition, and then listing my presidential role in another section.

 

[Pari4]

Hi guys,

So my last year of college I worked in a new york city glaucoma clinic. I put in about 300 hours and my title was Ophthalmology Clinical Research Assistant but I want to make sure that this is counted as clinical experience because its the core of my clinical experience on my application. The position included heavy patient interaction as I was the head assistant on the study, responsible for analyzing all the clinic charts and discussing the study will all patients and many times (b/c this was a nyc clinic) i had to coordinate with translators and such to have patients consent for the study. And because the diagnostic testing for the study was in a different part of the hospital, I was responsible for coordinating times when i can bring the patient up to the testing rooms where I worked directly with the principal physician on the study and a medical student. I observed all the diagnostic testing done on the patients and actually had the opportunity to perform several eye diagnostic tests myself while being observed. I mean I was basically shadowing the principal physician indirectly because I was there through every patient-physician interaction. I'm not sure how to exactly separate this or if I should. I mean the physician and medical student working on the study were all about me understanding what the results of the tests mean and I learned how to analyze them and our team wrote an abstract that was presented at a national ophthalmology conference.

Anyways, sorry for the long post. I'm just unsure on how to exactly word this. I just don't want to make the mistake of having my description sound to "researchy".

 

[sexycani]

so im an MA at a clinic and i often shadow the physician i work with (even though its not my job to shadow him).....should i list this as as separate shadowing activity? (i have other shadowing experiences so i would just group it with those in the same activity)

 

[Catalystik]

So i had a question on participating religious activities:
I searched and LizzyM said to avoid listing attending church, but what if i participated in fellowships and small groups and that was how i spent a good portion of my time out of the classroom?

Should I mention it at least? Or completely avoid it?

If it was significant to you, you can list it. Maybe put it under "Other" and name it 'Religious Fellowship' or somesuch.

 

[Catalystik]

Hobbies vs Awards... Which would you list?

If you had only one space left, list Hobbies. Really important Awards you can maybe squeeze into another related activity spot.