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Just wanted to know what you guys, advisors, interviewers, etc. considered unique or uncommon EC's. What types of EC's did people do that really stood out on their application?
Unique EC's
- Thread starter Dr. Will
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~I volunteered in a free clinic for migrant farmworkers, all of whom had to be more than 150% below the poverty line to be admitted to see a doctor. It is 99% Spanish speaking and I had a lot of patient contact--I served as a translator, took medical histories, preformed urine and pregnancy tests, assisted several doctors in procedures, volunteered in the afterschool program for migrant children, etc.
~I shadowed a dermatopathologist at Mount Sinai in NY and wrote a report about a unique case that had never before been reported.
-Taught English as a second language to cafeteria employees at my undergrad
I think these 3 activities stood out the most and I was asked about them at interviews (as well as my non-science majors, but that doesn't go as an EC)
~I shadowed a dermatopathologist at Mount Sinai in NY and wrote a report about a unique case that had never before been reported.
-Taught English as a second language to cafeteria employees at my undergrad
I think these 3 activities stood out the most and I was asked about them at interviews (as well as my non-science majors, but that doesn't go as an EC)
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I'm the captain of my school's crew team. I had ton's to talk about like appreciation of physical well being, mental focus, determination, and leadership qualities. They were also impressed that I get up at 4 am every day. Whoops, it's 12:10 now, gotta get to bed!
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Eeeehh...I don't know why I'm typing now! MY CONTACTS!!! SALINE!!!
I don't know if they were unique, but I thought my summer stint at Vanderbilt's Breast Cancer Clinic was a wonderful learning experience. I got to see alot of the faces behind breast cancer and deal with the patients first hand--biopsies, exams, masectomies, chemo patients, etc. Also I felt my four-year volunteering at the Miami Rescue Mission was different. I really enjoyed being with those kids and I think that came through in my application. Also, I volunteered at the local Health Center for the Homeless as an intake secretary. But the biggie was the public health research and publication on HIV/AIDS in South African adolescents living in impoverished townships. That experience was a completely out of this world thing and three months doing something so hands on that would educate teenagers in the middle of the sub-Saharan AIDS epidemic was completely mindblowing for me. It's honestly impacted my whole life.
I don't know if they were unique, but I thought my summer stint at Vanderbilt's Breast Cancer Clinic was a wonderful learning experience. I got to see alot of the faces behind breast cancer and deal with the patients first hand--biopsies, exams, masectomies, chemo patients, etc. Also I felt my four-year volunteering at the Miami Rescue Mission was different. I really enjoyed being with those kids and I think that came through in my application. Also, I volunteered at the local Health Center for the Homeless as an intake secretary. But the biggie was the public health research and publication on HIV/AIDS in South African adolescents living in impoverished townships. That experience was a completely out of this world thing and three months doing something so hands on that would educate teenagers in the middle of the sub-Saharan AIDS epidemic was completely mindblowing for me. It's honestly impacted my whole life.
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Dra Foxy, Wow.
Why do you think you had some troubles of getting in? Your ECs are far more better than mine.
Why do you think you had some troubles of getting in? Your ECs are far more better than mine.
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•••quote:•••Originally posted by RNA Ladder 2003:
•Dra Foxy, Wow.
Why do you think you had some troubles of getting in? Your ECs are far more better than mine.•••••I sent in amcas in early October, and sent in secondaries in Oct/Nov/Dec--that late application coupled with sub-30 mcats was not a good mix. I LOVE amcas for screwing up this year, b/c if I pulled this procrastination crap on another year I don't think I would be so lucky! 🙂
Then again, w/o a late application, these ECs would never have shown up. I did the migrant clinic EC last May/June/July, and I started the ESL thing in September. I also rewrote my personal statement after volunteering in the clinic, so if I had applied early, my application would have been dull.
and damn, Michelys, THOSE are awesome ECs!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />
•Dra Foxy, Wow.
Why do you think you had some troubles of getting in? Your ECs are far more better than mine.•••••I sent in amcas in early October, and sent in secondaries in Oct/Nov/Dec--that late application coupled with sub-30 mcats was not a good mix. I LOVE amcas for screwing up this year, b/c if I pulled this procrastination crap on another year I don't think I would be so lucky! 🙂
Then again, w/o a late application, these ECs would never have shown up. I did the migrant clinic EC last May/June/July, and I started the ESL thing in September. I also rewrote my personal statement after volunteering in the clinic, so if I had applied early, my application would have been dull.
and damn, Michelys, THOSE are awesome ECs!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />
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Dra. Foxy, Thanks a lot. It have given me a few ideas of what I may be doing. 
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Volunteer at Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and shadowing Mount Sinai physician ( oncologyst).
Also work two jobs..have to pay for my University..as you can see nothing so unique, but something... 🙂
Also work two jobs..have to pay for my University..as you can see nothing so unique, but something... 🙂
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Wow, some people here have done amazing things!
I'm doing something similar to michelys, which is teaching preventative healthcare in a developing country. The country has just been declared an AIDS epidemic region so I'm really looking foward to making a difference.
I'm also looking foward to being the head of this organization next year. we currently have projects in Belize, Guyana, and in rural native american regions within the province. I'm also a tutor, I volunteer at a local hospital with terminally ill patients, and I'm a hardcore bass player.
HOpefully this will shine through in my application. Ofcourse, you shouldn't pursue your ECs just because sos and so has done this and you think it'll look good on your app. You have to be sincere with your intentions or else you'll hate what you do and won't do a good job of promoting yourself at the interview. good luck everyone! 🙂
I'm doing something similar to michelys, which is teaching preventative healthcare in a developing country. The country has just been declared an AIDS epidemic region so I'm really looking foward to making a difference.
I'm also looking foward to being the head of this organization next year. we currently have projects in Belize, Guyana, and in rural native american regions within the province. I'm also a tutor, I volunteer at a local hospital with terminally ill patients, and I'm a hardcore bass player.
HOpefully this will shine through in my application. Ofcourse, you shouldn't pursue your ECs just because sos and so has done this and you think it'll look good on your app. You have to be sincere with your intentions or else you'll hate what you do and won't do a good job of promoting yourself at the interview. good luck everyone! 🙂
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Thanks for the replies everyone. Just wanted to see what others consider unique because I was afraid mine weren't. Here are some of EC's I've done over the years.
I marched a Drum and Bugle Corp based in Canada and we toured the East Coast competing with other corps from around the world (I was a percussionist)
Attended a National Catholic Youth convention
PADI certified Open-water diver
Helped coach a youth soccer team
Volunteered at UC Davis ER and currently in the OR (Lots of fun 'cuz I get to observe all types of surgeries from beginning to end while having it explained to me)
And a bunch of other basic activities and awards, which I believe are common place among pre-meds.
I marched a Drum and Bugle Corp based in Canada and we toured the East Coast competing with other corps from around the world (I was a percussionist)
Attended a National Catholic Youth convention
PADI certified Open-water diver
Helped coach a youth soccer team
Volunteered at UC Davis ER and currently in the OR (Lots of fun 'cuz I get to observe all types of surgeries from beginning to end while having it explained to me)
And a bunch of other basic activities and awards, which I believe are common place among pre-meds.
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I didn't think my ECs were impressive either but the adcoms seemed impressed by it.
-Formerly an Army Cadet and currently a civilian instructor at a Royal Canadian Air Cadet squadron. Level 1 training officer in charge of planning and executing the Level 1 training program (totally unrelated to medicine). Squadron Air Rifle coach. Squadron First Aid Officer.
The Adcoms loved this one.
-member of varsity wrestling team.
-volunteer at a hospital.
That's it. But I think what helped me the most was my life experiences.
-Formerly an Army Cadet and currently a civilian instructor at a Royal Canadian Air Cadet squadron. Level 1 training officer in charge of planning and executing the Level 1 training program (totally unrelated to medicine). Squadron Air Rifle coach. Squadron First Aid Officer.
The Adcoms loved this one.
-member of varsity wrestling team.
-volunteer at a hospital.
That's it. But I think what helped me the most was my life experiences.
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Wow! You guys all have really awesome EC's! I think it goes to show how diverse we are right. Anyways, Dra. Foxy...I was like 'who the heck is I am Elle Woods?!' <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> ROFL...then I had like some kind of "ah ha!" moment after reading...lol...but thanks...I think your migrant worker stuff is pretty cool too...were you teaching mostly men or women or a combo of both? I think they need to start up a similar program here at UMiami...we have all these Unnico cleaning people and they could benefit from such nice people like you 🙂 !
Oh, and bad_hombre what exactly are you going to be doing with your HIV/AIDS research? I'm interested in knowing (geek me!)!!! It sounds really neat~! I hope it goes well for you! 😀
Oh, and bad_hombre what exactly are you going to be doing with your HIV/AIDS research? I'm interested in knowing (geek me!)!!! It sounds really neat~! I hope it goes well for you! 😀
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Michelys,
we teach men and women, but I have the same student every week, a woman from Guatemala. I like to meet with the same one b/c it's awesome to see her improve.
The program is called ESL Initiative and it is run solely by students. We tutor the employees during their lunch break. So I bet anyone could start this up anywhere by talking to the managers to see if it's ok. We use donated books that teach ESL and carbon paper to record everything for the tutee and to keep in their folder (to see progress). Maybe I could start this program up at med school too...You just gave me the idea! 🙂
we teach men and women, but I have the same student every week, a woman from Guatemala. I like to meet with the same one b/c it's awesome to see her improve.
The program is called ESL Initiative and it is run solely by students. We tutor the employees during their lunch break. So I bet anyone could start this up anywhere by talking to the managers to see if it's ok. We use donated books that teach ESL and carbon paper to record everything for the tutee and to keep in their folder (to see progress). Maybe I could start this program up at med school too...You just gave me the idea! 🙂
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Well, I might as well throw some more wood on the fire. I love doing EC's more than actual schoolwork and I do have one fairly unique EC:
I'm the co-president of our campus's Sketch and Improvisational Comedy Troupe 🙂
If you ever need a quality Ricky Martin impression to cheer ya up, let me know hehe
I'm the co-president of our campus's Sketch and Improvisational Comedy Troupe 🙂
If you ever need a quality Ricky Martin impression to cheer ya up, let me know hehe
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-two summers on Appalachia Service project building and repairing houses for impoverished families in Appalachia
-original research in Nuclear Medicine at Mayo Clinic leading to five publications
-summer working in Medical Oncology at Mayo Clinic
-summer as reader/research assistant to blind MD/PhD student at University of Wisconsin in Biochemistry and Bacteriology rotations
-four years working at campus disability resource center
-PADI certified open water scuba diver
-lead guitarist in a blues band
-original research in Nuclear Medicine at Mayo Clinic leading to five publications
-summer working in Medical Oncology at Mayo Clinic
-summer as reader/research assistant to blind MD/PhD student at University of Wisconsin in Biochemistry and Bacteriology rotations
-four years working at campus disability resource center
-PADI certified open water scuba diver
-lead guitarist in a blues band
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I'll list one..I was a volunteer clinical research assistant at the Preventive Medicine Research Institute. It was chill. Dean Ornish is pretty cutting edge as a cardiologist. There were men diagnosed with CVD who were changing their diets, practicing yoga and meditation, undergoing group therapy, exercising, and reversing their heart disease. It was really cool to work with these men as they underwent the study (randomized treatment/control study). Met a lot of wonderful people and learned quite a bit about what clinical trials of that magnitude entail.
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- science docent to inner-city 3rd graders
- volunteered at local children's hospital
- scholarship chair for my sorority
- member of my university boxing team (I'm a girl)
- research during college, and full-time after
- recipient of 2 Howard Hughes research fellowships
-design and sew my own clothes
-backpacker
I think that most of this EC stuff is the stuff that everyone does. I mean, everyone has their interests, and what may seem like just a job to one person may seem like an excellent premed EC to another. I guess we truly are all "unique" 🙂
The one thing I can't stand is people who have a long, impressive list of ECs that they really didn't enjoy, but that they just did to get into med school. There were plenty of these people at the hospital I volunteered at. They weren't really interested in seeing the patients; instead of playing with the kids, they just sat and played with the hospital's Nintendo 64 amongst themselves.
- volunteered at local children's hospital
- scholarship chair for my sorority
- member of my university boxing team (I'm a girl)
- research during college, and full-time after
- recipient of 2 Howard Hughes research fellowships
-design and sew my own clothes
-backpacker
I think that most of this EC stuff is the stuff that everyone does. I mean, everyone has their interests, and what may seem like just a job to one person may seem like an excellent premed EC to another. I guess we truly are all "unique" 🙂
The one thing I can't stand is people who have a long, impressive list of ECs that they really didn't enjoy, but that they just did to get into med school. There were plenty of these people at the hospital I volunteered at. They weren't really interested in seeing the patients; instead of playing with the kids, they just sat and played with the hospital's Nintendo 64 amongst themselves.
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•••quote:•••
The one thing I can't stand is people who have a long, impressive list of ECs that they really didn't enjoy, but that they just did to get into med school. There were plenty of these people at the hospital I volunteered at. They weren't really interested in seeing the patients; instead of playing with the kids, they just sat and played with the hospital's Nintendo 64 amongst themselves.[/QB]••••Nintendo 64? Cool! haha 😛
I completely agree with you though. There are a some kids I know of at my undergrad school who spend all of their time studying instead of doing ECs and when it comes to their junior/senior year they pick up activities just to put them on their resumes. But I think they play Playstation 2 though so it's different.
The one thing I can't stand is people who have a long, impressive list of ECs that they really didn't enjoy, but that they just did to get into med school. There were plenty of these people at the hospital I volunteered at. They weren't really interested in seeing the patients; instead of playing with the kids, they just sat and played with the hospital's Nintendo 64 amongst themselves.[/QB]••••Nintendo 64? Cool! haha 😛
I completely agree with you though. There are a some kids I know of at my undergrad school who spend all of their time studying instead of doing ECs and when it comes to their junior/senior year they pick up activities just to put them on their resumes. But I think they play Playstation 2 though so it's different.
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