To include in AMCAS Activities?

[205127]

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Hi,

I know people have talked about this before but I don't know whether I should include "Dean's List" as one of my activities. Apparently, it isn't impressive. My other spots are filled (with worthwhile things) and the only thing I would replace this with is being an AED member. I wasn't an officer or anything and because many people must be part of it, I don't know if it's worth mentioning, although it did teach me a little bit about the profession and the medical school process my freshman year.

Thank you for your advice!

 

[hal9000]

Hi,

I know people have talked about this before but I don't know whether I should include "Dean's List" as one of my activities. Apparently, it isn't impressive. My other spots are filled (with worthwhile things) and the only thing I would replace this with is being an AED member. I wasn't an officer or anything and because many people must be part of it, I don't know if it's worth mentioning, although it did teach me a little bit about the profession and the medical school process my freshman year.

Thank you for your advice!

This is what I do when I decide on whether or not to include activities: I ask myself as if I was an interviewer "Tell me a little about this _____ you did/achieved..." And then I go on to think of how well I can answer that question. If the question itself seems "trivial" or just out of place in an interview, then why include it? As much as "Dean's List" is a nice achievement, few interviewers will ask about it, and because of your transcript, they will know it anyway. The "AED membership" on the other hand seems like something nice YOU find you could talk about. Just make sure YOU don't find it trivial. Btw, perhaps you could tell me what exactly "AED" stands for? Because all I can think of is defibrillators... and a google-search is telling me the same thing. 😀

 

[Dendrite]

This is what I do when I decide on whether or not to include activities: I ask myself as if I was an interviewer "Tell me a little about this _____ you did/achieved..." And then I go on to think of how well I can answer that question. If the question itself seems "trivial" or just out of place in an interview, then why include it? As much as "Dean's List" is a nice achievement, few interviewers will ask about it, and because of your transcript, they will know it anyway. The "AED membership" on the other hand seems like something nice YOU find you could talk about. Just make sure YOU don't find it trivial. Btw, perhaps you could tell me what exactly "AED" stands for? Because all I can think of is defibrillators... and a google-search is telling me the same thing. 😀

This is good advice.

AED is a premed group, like the Pre-med AMSA group every premed joins. The organization is at a lot of different undergrad schools. It's a Greek acronym.

 

[nevercold]

Hi,

I know people have talked about this before but I don't know whether I should include "Dean's List" as one of my activities. Apparently, it isn't impressive. My other spots are filled (with worthwhile things) and the only thing I would replace this with is being an AED member. I wasn't an officer or anything and because many people must be part of it, I don't know if it's worth mentioning, although it did teach me a little bit about the profession and the medical school process my freshman year.

Thank you for your advice!

Hmm, it sounds like AED wasn't a very formative experience for you. If you can spin it well, then go for it. What is the GPA requirement to make the Dean's List? Most schools will look at something like a 3.9 and say, "He probably made Dean's List many times." They get to see all your grades, afterall.

 

[pinkblue]

Did you receive any other awards or scholarships? I listed my deans list and other awards all in one EC entry.

 

[chad5871]

Did you receive any other awards or scholarships? I listed my deans list and other awards all in one EC entry.

Ditto. If you have other notable achievements such as a leadership or service award or a scholarship, you can just lump it in with that and call the category "Honors and Awards" or something to that effect.