Unique extracurriculars

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SilverBandCry! said:
What would you consider unique extracurriculars for a premed?
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Something they come up with themselves, based on their interests and passions, and certainly not something they heard about on an internet forum.
 
I feel that I have unique ec's...

I was in special operations in the US military, I won a few combat action ribbons, I currently compete in Jiu-jitsu tournaments to include a world championship competition two months ago, and I play the harp and the piano...

Edit: Oh yeah, I've also done 100 mile adventure races...
 
Ok, well I guess mine are kind of humbled by the post above me, but I'll do pretty much anything. I've been in the skydiving club here for a couple years, I love learning languages, and I love scuba diving (I'm hoping I can get somewhere to get my divemasters next summer). I also snowboard and travel whenever I can pull it off.
 
I am hoping to interview with the adcoms and leave an impression of, "Yeah, that guy was nothing like the typical applicants. He didn't blow smoke up my butt, and the conversation wasn't boring as all heck."

I honestly feel that your chances of getting accepted somewhere will be greater if you hold yourself a little differently than everyone else. Not in a bad way of course...

Just a little different and unique...

That being said, I don't have 5 rings in my face, I don't tattoos like Mike Tyson, and I actually tuck my shirt in!!!!

Yeah baby!!!
 
Serious question:

If you were in adult films, could you put that?
 
Polynikes said:
Serious question:

If you were in adult films, could you put that?
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I would not do that. A few might think that was neat, but a lot of people would probably be offended.
 
Polynikes said:
Serious question:

If you were in adult films, could you put that?
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In the EC section of the application to be Gujudoc's boyfriend. If you can't find the section it's right below the picture and above the section outlining how much you can benchpress. Thanks so much.

What? I gotta make sure they're good enough for her.

(You know I 😍 you, guju.)
 
well..... one of the guys at my undergrad school was in a frat that was involved in a porn scandal (filmed at their frat) and he still got into med school... i wonder if maybe he did talk about that at his interview. hehehe


i would say unique activities are just that UNIQUE TO YOU. if you do something interesting with what you love, then it will stand out.

If you're interested in science, get into some awesome research, or do some off the beaten path work.

if you have other non-science interests, nurture those too. Anything that seems really cool to you, will usually seem cool to other's as well (at least to hear about)

In my case... I think what stood out for me as unique was my involvement in the arts. My two unique EC's were winning a grant to write a book of short stories and doing staged readings of them (they were 1st person stories, i had people perform them like monologues) and my competitive ballroom dancing. I had to say that in every one of my interviews I was asked about being the 2003 bronze/silver college level Samba champion of the southwest. 🙂 One of my interviewers even made me prove it was true by doing a few steps!!!!!!!!! hehe. it was fun, though. But i guess my dancing wasn't too good, because i got waitlisted at that school.
 
omgwtfbbq? said:
well..... one of the guys at my undergrad school was in a frat that was involved in a porn scandal (filmed at their frat) and he still got into med school... i wonder if maybe he did talk about that at his interview. hehehe


i would say unique activities are just that UNIQUE TO YOU. if you do something interesting with what you love, then it will stand out.

If you're interested in science, get into some awesome research, or do some off the beaten path work.

if you have other non-science interests, nurture those too. Anything that seems really cool to you, will usually seem cool to other's as well (at least to hear about)

In my case... I think what stood out for me as unique was my involvement in the arts. My two unique EC's were winning a grant to write a book of short stories and doing staged readings of them (they were 1st person stories, i had people perform them like monologues) and my competitive ballroom dancing. I had to say that in every one of my interviews I was asked about being the 2003 bronze/silver college level Samba champion of the southwest. 🙂 One of my interviewers even made me prove it was true by doing a few steps!!!!!!!!! hehe. it was fun, though. But i guess my dancing wasn't too good, because i got waitlisted at that school.
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Haha, I always knew that badger picture had some significance.
 
Does a blackbelt look good, im a blackbelt.
 
I was on the debate team, fencing team, Linux Users Group, Baptist Collegiate Ministries, worked as a CNA, and was a suicide counselor for the local crisis center. I thought that being a suicide counselor would have been my most talked about EC. I mentioned in my personal statement and tried to introduce it into every interview. Much to my surprise, however, was that most interviewers wanted to ask me about my religious background. Many of the questions were negative in nature: "Are you going to be able to work with people with a different faith than yours?" Even the Linux Users' Group got tagged. I think that many people (including doctors) are scared of talking about suicide.

I did not list that I'm a hasher. I wonder how that question would have gone: "I see here that you drink beer and then chase people through the woods. How does that work?"
 
competitive eater.
 
What about Halo?
 
wow u guys have wonderful ECs; i'm ashamed

i only have a lot of work in labs, hospital volunteer, nursing home volunteer; in some clubs

but i think my most unique EC is that for 7 years (b4 i quit last yr b/c of personal reasons) i attended a buddish temple (learned vietnamese and buddhism). however, i taught like little kids who don't know vietnamese spelling and pronunciation.
 
I served as a safety scuba diver for the UC Davis scientific diver program. For 3 years I helped develop and design training software for the US Army including those for the combat life saver course. Did technical writing, and testing for the US army as well. Was an 8th grade physics teacher for 3 months. Coached high school water polo and swimming for 2 years, and currently have about 25 publications in journals and textbooks. When I apply in 2-3 years, I'll also have a PhD🙂. Anyway there's other stuff too, but those are my more "unique" ones. I'm sure its not really that unique though, I've seen some awesome stuff out there. 👍
 
happydays said:
competitive eater.
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There were three competitive eaters at my interview day at UCI!
 
-docent at the national zoo, i teach little kids about what different kinds of skulls tell us about evolution (but you have to be careful about the E word b/c people might write an angry letter), teach natural history about the animals, lots of teaching about organismal bio

-UTA for organic chem

-I did have restaurant hostess on last years amcas b/c i used the money to help pay for college and then i watched "waiting" and realized that the popular perception of hostesses is that they are underage dumb sluts...I am probably going to leave that off this time
 
I wasn't in porn, but I was honestly just curious about that. I mean, could some porn star just be like, "Yeah, I was an actor for the last 3 years?"

"An actor huh? You have any movies that I might have seen?"

"Well, ever heard of ummm....Edward Penishands?"

"Excuse me?"
 
ilovehedgehogs said:
-docent at the national zoo, i teach little kids about what different kinds of skulls tell us about evolution (but you have to be careful about the E word b/c people might write an angry letter), teach natural history about the animals, lots of teaching about organismal bio

-UTA for organic chem

-I did have restaurant hostess on last years amcas b/c i used the money to help pay for college and then i watched "waiting" and realized that the popular perception of hostesses is that they are underage dumb sluts...I am probably going to leave that off this time
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Seriously? I am doing evolution (micro - I don't believe in macroevol) research right now and your comment got me a bit concerned. I was rather worried that it may come up but I'm working for a pretty big name so I was hoping it would be a non-issue until I read what you wrote. What does everyone think?

Thanks,
Moj
 
i'm a figure skater! that's kinda unique...not too many figure skating premeds (the only ones i know are musiclink and another friend of mine from school).
 
Dr. Mojo said:
Seriously? I am doing evolution (micro - I don't believe in macroevol) research right now and your comment got me a bit concerned. I was rather worried that it may come up but I'm working for a pretty big name so I was hoping it would be a non-issue until I read what you wrote. What does everyone think?

Thanks,
Moj
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Moj-sounds like you thought i meant the E word makes adcoms angry? I just meant visitors to the zoo that do not want their kids to no about macroevolution-they have that right ofcourse, however in a scientific institution where macroevolution is firmly supported, it makes things a bit messy, and we (docents) have to not use the word if we can avoid it (adaptation is a good alterntive). In terms of your research, actually in terms of micro and macro evolution, i think it is safe to say that adcoms either a) mostly support theories of macro/microevolution-i say this based on the fact that the AAMC puts questions on the MCAT that relate directly to macro and microevolution, or b) they would not let their own personal views interfere with objectively considering the value of your research. In other words, i do not think you have anything to worry about. do others agree?
 
chad5871 said:
How about if you have your own business? Even if it's not like a storefront or anything and it's not that big of a deal - just something I do for a little extra income...
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i think if your business is related to something youd be willing to talk about in interviews and to explain on amcas, id definately put it...like, for example, i wouldnt put "owner of dildo shop" on my app
 
ilovehedgehogs said:
i think if your business is related to something youd be willing to talk about in interviews and to explain on amcas, id definately put it...like, for example, i wouldnt put "owner of dildo shop" on my app
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Haha...

"*ahem* Actually sir, I own a dildo shop."

"Pardon me?"

"I own a dildo shop, but we're really cutting edge as far as our product. We are very in tune with female anatomy, and we make our dildos to mesh nicely with the female anatomy. As you can see, I've taken Anatomy and Physiology I and II, so I'm pretty learned up on that stuff."

"Just.....get-"

"Did I mention that I want to be a gyno?"
 
SilverBandCry! said:
What would you consider unique extracurriculars for a premed?
Click to expand...
Our school has this program (Supplemental Instruction) where you work as a student-teacher in certain pre-med courses. We have TAs, etc, but this is different. Pre meds work with the professors & have several class meetings on their own each week, teaching students. This ends up being a great relationship-builder for rec-letters with our premed faculty, while at the same time demonstrating interest in the sciences, interest in academia/teaching, and is an excellent leadership EC. You can also spin it as interest in helping others, since you work to help out other students who are struggling in these classes. Teaching also is the best way to learn material, so this program ends up paying students to study (and teach) the material that will be on the MCAT.
All in all, it was my favorite EC, and I think that it is the best option for any serious pre-med. Where else do you get paid to study and build your resume while sweetening your rec-letters?
 
odrade1 said:
Our school has this program (Supplemental Instruction) where you work as a student-teacher in certain pre-med courses. We have TAs, etc, but this is different. Pre meds work with the professors & have several class meetings on their own each week, teaching students. This ends up being a great relationship-builder for rec-letters with our premed faculty, while at the same time demonstrating interest in the sciences, interest in academia/teaching, and is an excellent leadership EC. You can also spin it as interest in helping others, since you work to help out other students who are struggling in these classes. Teaching also is the best way to learn material, so this program ends up paying students to study (and teach) the material that will be on the MCAT.
All in all, it was my favorite EC, and I think that it is the best option for any serious pre-med. Where else do you get paid to study and build your resume while sweetening your rec-letters?
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UGH does anyone else catch the whiff that this program reeks of a pre-med pack+ship factory? There are definitely other more honorable, unique and interesting routes to get paid (even while studying), build your resume and establish strong rapport with letter writers besides selling-out and taking the easy route by contributing to such a contrived, disingenuous scheme.
 
boomuntilnoon said:
UGH does anyone else catch the whiff that this program reeks of a pre-med pack+ship factory? There are definitely other more honorable, unique and interesting routes to get paid (even while studying), build your resume and establish strong rapport with letter writers besides selling-out and taking the easy route by contributing to such a contrived, disingenuous scheme.
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I stopped reading it half-way through because thats exactly what I got out of it. There's a student org. here that tries to run very much along those lines (fortunately, they're not very good at what they do and the entire program gets drowned in beaurocracy). I'd hope that adcoms have gotten fairly adept at picking out these programs and separating out the students that are involved in these vs. students that are actually outgoing and do things a little more off the beaten track.
 
boomuntilnoon said:
UGH does anyone else catch the whiff that this program reeks of a pre-med pack+ship factory? There are definitely other more honorable, unique and interesting routes to get paid (even while studying), build your resume and establish strong rapport with letter writers besides selling-out and taking the easy route by contributing to such a contrived, disingenuous scheme.
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Maybe you should learn more about the program before criticizing it in such harsh terms?
The program originated in non-premed courses, and we still serve non-premed courses. The goal is to improve DFW rates in sophomore and freshman students. The nature of the program is such that it is ideally suited to meet the needs of the professor, student, and student-teacher, simultaneously. It is not a pre-med "pack & ship factory."

What is not honorable about being a student teacher? The program is unique (insofar as few people each year are SI instructors). In another sense, though, it is common, since many schools have SI programs.

The scheme is not contrived or disingenous. It is an honest attempt to assist students. In fact, SI programs are found nationwide, and in Australia & Sweeden. They work well and have been shown (through 25 years of experience and research) to improve learning and grades in SI supported courses. SI leaders improve student learning, and build genuine relationships with their supervisors and faculty mentors. There is nothg disingenuine about that.

If you are not--in fact--an ass, then you are acting like an ass. Try thinking before you post an ignorant and inflammatory comment. Or at least explain why you think something is dishonest.
 
odrade1 said:
Maybe you should learn more about the program before criticizing it in such harsh terms?
The program originated in non-premed courses, and we still serve non-premed courses. The goal is to improve DFW rates in sophomore and freshman students. The nature of the program is such that it is ideally suited to meet the needs of the professor, student, and student-teacher, simultaneously. It is not a pre-med "pack & ship factory."

What is not honorable about being a student teacher? The program is unique (insofar as few people each year are SI instructors). In another sense, though, it is common, since many schools have SI programs.

The scheme is not contrived or disingenous. It is an honest attempt to assist students. In fact, SI programs are found nationwide, and in Australia & Sweeden. They work well and have been shown (through 25 years of experience and research) to improve learning and grades in SI supported courses. SI leaders improve student learning, and build genuine relationships with their supervisors and faculty mentors. There is nothg disingenuine about that.

If you are not--in fact--an ass, then you are acting like an ass. Try thinking before you post an ignorant and inflammatory comment. Or at least explain why you think something is dishonest.
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My appologies. At first it came off as one of those programs where the faculty just stick their first and second year pre-med students in there and tell them it will look good. I've seen organizations like this, and they just come off as being very stuffy and start fostering the mentality that they're pre-med students, and therefore smarter and otherwise better than most other students. The people I've previously met involved in these types of programs have had a two-face, disingenuous feel to them. I personally have more respect for people that go out on their own to find EC's, and especially those that do unique and helpful things on their own time. If you're actually in the program because you want to help, and especially if you helped set it up, then you have my respect.
 
Not to sound like a butthead or anything, but screw those programs! Talk about mundane, boring, run of the mill, and generic...

If you like it, good for you...

But that's not for me. I don't find a good time as sitting there in a classroom teaching material that I'm not qualified to teach, simply because it will look good to an adcom...

I mean, we had a term in the military called "belt-fed."

Someone who is belt fed is someone that is simply a bullet on a machine gun string. This means that it's someone who is rank and file, part of the basic group, uniform, the same as everyone, and who has no way of doing something other than what he or she thinks they are supposed to do...

No outside of the box thinking, nothing unique, and damn what a bore...

I want my conversation to go like this:

"So, I see that you were in special operations in the US military. What did you do?"

"Well sir, I went to 18 different countries, earned two combat action ribbons, and went to these schools (insert long list of schools)."

"You compete in martial arts? Says you are part of a team that competes regularly? This is through the school?"

"Well, I've competed at the world level and state level, and done very well. It's not through the school, but it's a hometown team. Pretty much like a club team in soccer. We compete in jiu-jitsu, and most of us are doing this while supporting a family, going to school, and balancing life outside of our long practices. We train all the time, and it's a huge part of my life. If I wasn't so committed to getting into med school, I'd consider doing this the rest of my life as a full time job."

"You are a competitive runner as well?"

"Yes sir, I've done 100+ mile adventure races, countless triathlons and marathons too. I've won a few, and I've even competed against professionals and held my own."

Finally, I'll say this:

"Sir, I'm not just a run of the mill college student who pursues certain things because that is what I think that you guys want to see. I could have spent the majority of my time tutoring, being part of school clubs, or even getting on the student government, but I just didn't want to sir. There are things that I want in life, and right now these things are medical school, and pursuing my hobbies to my upmost potential. My hobbies aren't just academic, but they cover a wide range of areas."

Or something like that...

I firmly believe that all these people who come into those interviews are pretty transparent to the adcoms when it comes to bullcrap ec's that every other person has. It's like...so many people do things they don't want to do, but they do them because that's what they think adcoms want to see...

Whatever dude...

I will NOT let getting into med school prevent me from doing the things that I want to do...
 
rajastallion said:
one of my unique ecs is being an Eagle Scout.
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Ya know I'm one of these too, but I completed my Eagle Scout project as a senior in high school. It was my impression that everything in highschool was irrelevant. Would be cool to be able to put this in though, definately a leadership thing 🙂
 
austinap said:
My appologies. At first it came off as one of those programs where the faculty just stick their first and second year pre-med students in there and tell them it will look good. I've seen organizations like this, and they just come off as being very stuffy and start fostering the mentality that they're pre-med students, and therefore smarter and otherwise better than most other students. The people I've previously met involved in these types of programs have had a two-face, disingenuous feel to them. I personally have more respect for people that go out on their own to find EC's, and especially those that do unique and helpful things on their own time. If you're actually in the program because you want to help, and especially if you helped set it up, then you have my respect.
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I'm with you man...

It looked like the typical "I'm a premed so I'm special and smarter than everyone else" type program...

If that's not the case, well I'm glad you found something you like. Just make sure that you let your interviewer know that you honestly like it, and you did it because you really wanted to do it...
 
relentless11 said:
Ya know I'm one of these too, but I completed my Eagle Scout project as a senior in high school. It was my impression that everything in highschool was irrelevant. Would be cool to be able to put this in though, definately a leadership thing 🙂
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You better still list that as an accomplishment. High School or not, it will only help you...

If you've been out of high school for 10 years, forget about it though...
 
one alumni from my school was an exmarine who was a secret service agent and got LOR from 2 presidents. thats sick! 🙂
 
hmm... said:
one alumni from my school was an exmarine who was a secret service agent and got LOR from 2 presidents. thats sick! 🙂
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Did he get in?
 
ilovehedgehogs said:
i think if your business is related to something youd be willing to talk about in interviews and to explain on amcas, id definately put it...like, for example, i wouldnt put "owner of dildo shop" on my app
Click to expand...

:laugh: It's nothing like that. I actually just run a small little operation out of my room - I get stuff from friends/family and then sell it online for them (eBay/half.com/amazon/etc.) for a commission. Last summer I actually made about $2000 and it only took me ~1 hour a day to work on. I have been doing that for ~6 years, but only recently registered my business. When I put this on AMCAS, should I put the length of time I have had the REGISTERED business, or the length of time I have been DOING business? 😕
 
hmm... said:
one alumni from my school was an exmarine who was a secret service agent and got LOR from 2 presidents. thats sick! 🙂
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Ha...

That's pretty damn funny!

I guess I would consider those to be strong LOR's...

As long as neither of them were from Clinton!!!

Kidding...

Don't want to get political...

Just kidding... :laugh: :laugh:
 
relentless11 said:
I served as a safety scuba diver for the UC Davis scientific diver program. For 3 years I helped develop and design training software for the US Army including those for the combat life saver course. Did technical writing, and testing for the US army as well. Was an 8th grade physics teacher for 3 months. Coached high school water polo and swimming for 2 years, and currently have about 25 publications in journals and textbooks. When I apply in 2-3 years, I'll also have a PhD🙂. Anyway there's other stuff too, but those are my more "unique" ones. I'm sure its not really that unique though, I've seen some awesome stuff out there. 👍
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I was a combat life savers instructor for 13 months man....So u designed the training software?? Preety kool
 
A Citation from the Surgeon General and my mayor be considered an EC or acheivement??
 
chad5871 said:
:laugh: It's nothing like that. I actually just run a small little operation out of my room - I get stuff from friends/family and then sell it online for them (eBay/half.com/amazon/etc.) for a commission. Last summer I actually made about $2000 and it only took me ~1 hour a day to work on. I have been doing that for ~6 years, but only recently registered my business. When I put this on AMCAS, should I put the length of time I have had the REGISTERED business, or the length of time I have been DOING business? 😕
Click to expand...

put that you have been doing it for 6 years and that you were registered recently.

and describe it like your a savvy, innovative entrepeneur, (w/o lying or soundy cheesy obviously)
 
ilovehedgehogs said:
-docent at the national zoo, i teach little kids about what different kinds of skulls tell us about evolution (but you have to be careful about the E word b/c people might write an angry letter), teach natural history about the animals, lots of teaching about organismal bio
Click to expand...

With the people concerned about the E-word, you probably want to be careful with "organismal," too 😉
 
combatmedic said:
A Citation from the Surgeon General and my mayor be considered an EC or acheivement??
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Award.
 
austinap said:
I stopped reading it half-way through because thats exactly what I got out of it. There's a student org. here that tries to run very much along those lines (fortunately, they're not very good at what they do and the entire program gets drowned in beaurocracy). I'd hope that adcoms have gotten fairly adept at picking out these programs and separating out the students that are involved in these vs. students that are actually outgoing and do things a little more off the beaten track.
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I hope you guys realize that med schools like for a fairly common type of student - not everyone's unique, sorry. Your extra-special EC has been done before. I got my EMT-B before anyone else I knew had, and then I found SDN. Somebody might think I was being a copycat, but nobody ever suggested it to me.
 
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