Weak ECs, looking for suggestions on how to improve

[alhs525]

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I'm a junior, considering MD/PhD but possibly "just" MD.

I don't really have any ECs and am looking for ways to get involved. My issue is time... my course-load is fairly heavy, and I spend a huge huge chunk of time on research (including weekends) and I really want to keep my grades up.

Besides classes/homework, I work in my research lab for about 20 hours a week. So that really tires me out, leaving me with little room to do much else. I also volunteer at the hospital 2.5 hours a week and am in the process of setting up shadowing medical providers. I choreograph dances in my free time (I am a trained dancer, but am not part of any dance orgs on campus) but that's more like a hobby and not an official activity.

During the summer, when I'm back home, I tutor younger children... but that's only over the summer. In addition to all that I am a member of a Christian fellowship and am involved with my church, but I don't know if this stuff counts.

Thoughts on some activities I could get involved in that wouldn't be too much of a time commitment? Do you think it's necessary to do more ECs? What I do now are all things I care about and enjoy, and no, I don't want to do more stuff just to fill in the blanks on the application. At the same time, I know that ECs are becoming more and more important, so I'm just wondering how "weak" my app would be if this is all I do, and if you have any suggestions on how I can improve this aspect of my application.

 

[C.glabrata123]

I'm a junior, considering MD/PhD but possibly "just" MD.

I don't really have any ECs and am looking for ways to get involved. My issue is time... my course-load is fairly heavy, and I spend a huge huge chunk of time on research (including weekends) and I really want to keep my grades up.

Besides classes/homework, I work in my research lab for about 20 hours a week. So that really tires me out, leaving me with little room to do much else. I also volunteer at the hospital 2.5 hours a week and am in the process of setting up shadowing medical providers. I choreograph dances in my free time (I am a trained dancer, but am not part of any dance orgs on campus) but that's more like a hobby and not an official activity.

During the summer, when I'm back home, I tutor younger children... but that's only over the summer. In addition to all that I am a member of a Christian fellowship and am involved with my church, but I don't know if this stuff counts.

Thoughts on some activities I could get involved in that wouldn't be too much of a time commitment? Do you think it's necessary to do more ECs? What I do now are all things I care about and enjoy, and no, I don't want to do more stuff just to fill in the blanks on the application. At the same time, I know that ECs are becoming more and more important, so I'm just wondering how "weak" my app would be if this is all I do, and if you have any suggestions on how I can improve this aspect of my application.

As long as you can keep your grades up and steady while doing all of those ECs that sounds good. If you're applying next cycle for matriculation after you graduate, I would suggest some extra volunteer hours at a hospital/clinic during the summer (unless you're taking the MCAT then). Keep volunteering/shadowing during the application cycle.

Research is great! If you want MD/PhD be absolutely sure you want it - it's a huge commitment and they aim to train research PIs (primary investigators). If you're considering it and not sure, you could take a year or two off and do research while you apply. You will probably find out whether it is or isn't what you want to do fairly quickly.

Don't forget to do what you like!!!! Hospital volunteering/shadowing is absolutely necessary. Tutoring/teaching is great. Commitment to your faith/religion is great. But make sure that not all you do is just to pad a resume. Pursue activities you genuinely enjoy and can express your interest in when applying/interviewing. Your dance choreography/previous training is certainly something you can put in your AMCAS application as a hobby/passion.

Keep your grades up, do well on that MCAT, and you'll be fine.

 

[PreMedMaverick]

I'm a junior, considering MD/PhD but possibly "just" MD.

I don't really have any ECs and am looking for ways to get involved. My issue is time... my course-load is fairly heavy, and I spend a huge huge chunk of time on research (including weekends) and I really want to keep my grades up.

Besides classes/homework, I work in my research lab for about 20 hours a week. So that really tires me out, leaving me with little room to do much else. I also volunteer at the hospital 2.5 hours a week and am in the process of setting up shadowing medical providers. I choreograph dances in my free time (I am a trained dancer, but am not part of any dance orgs on campus) but that's more like a hobby and not an official activity.

During the summer, when I'm back home, I tutor younger children... but that's only over the summer. In addition to all that I am a member of a Christian fellowship and am involved with my church, but I don't know if this stuff counts.

Thoughts on some activities I could get involved in that wouldn't be too much of a time commitment? Do you think it's necessary to do more ECs? What I do now are all things I care about and enjoy, and no, I don't want to do more stuff just to fill in the blanks on the application. At the same time, I know that ECs are becoming more and more important, so I'm just wondering how "weak" my app would be if this is all I do, and if you have any suggestions on how I can improve this aspect of my application.

20 hours of research per week is the opposite of poor extra-curricular activities. AMCAS only asks for 15 activities, and most people agree that you look like an eager beaver if you fill out too many. It sounds like you have at least 6 activities already.

I would just focus on the research. Publish, present, receive funding for your work, receive research and presentation awards. I did about 20 hours of research for 3 years before applying and filled up 7 AMCAS activities spaces with work related to research (pubs, grants, presentations, awards).

I can't guarantee this will work for me (current applicant, no acceptances yet), but my labmate who applied MD/PhD last year with the same strategy got into the most selective MD/PhD program in the country last year filling his EC space with research related ECs.

 

[alhs525]

Yeah, I'm definitely the type of person who can only put in time for things I sincerely enjoy doing. I don't want to overfill my time with activities since I get burned out pretty easily 🙁 I wish I could be more like those people who are able to do 100 things at once, but i just can't. I really like working with kids and teaching, so do y'all think I should find a way to incorporate that into my schedule during the school year, or is leaving that for the summer fine?
For reference, I'm 100% taking a gap year, so I have more time to work on building my application then as well.

 

[Lollygag]

I think you're OK. You seem to have the basics checked off- you show altruism through volunteering and your church, you have clinical experience through the hospital, you'll be shadowing doctors and you have a distinctive passion and strong interest that is relevant to medicine and ties your app together which is the research. AND you're taking a gap year so you have more time, I think you'll be fine.

 

[C.glabrata123]

Yeah, I'm definitely the type of person who can only put in time for things I sincerely enjoy doing. I don't want to overfill my time with activities since I get burned out pretty easily 🙁 I wish I could be more like those people who are able to do 100 things at once, but i just can't. I really like working with kids and teaching, so do y'all think I should find a way to incorporate that into my schedule during the school year, or is leaving that for the summer fine?
For reference, I'm 100% taking a gap year, so I have more time to work on building my application then as well.

It's not possible to do 100 things at once, and to do them well.

For the gap year, you could get involved with working with kids/teaching. Continue volunteering in a hospital and shadowing. Try some new volunteer activities that interest you. Dance. Figure out if MD/PhD is for you.

I would also take some time to travel even if its just for a weekend. Try new things, do a little self-exploring. You'll have less time to do this in the future.

Don't stress, you have plenty of time. If you feel that you are already doing a lot and might burn out if you add something else, don't do it now. Hang out with your friends, sleep, take care of yourself. Don't jeopardize your grades/research/health/happiness.

 

[deleted536669]

I'm a junior, considering MD/PhD but possibly "just" MD.

I don't really have any ECs and am looking for ways to get involved. My issue is time... my course-load is fairly heavy, and I spend a huge huge chunk of time on research (including weekends) and I really want to keep my grades up.

Besides classes/homework, I work in my research lab for about 20 hours a week. So that really tires me out, leaving me with little room to do much else. I also volunteer at the hospital 2.5 hours a week and am in the process of setting up shadowing medical providers. I choreograph dances in my free time (I am a trained dancer, but am not part of any dance orgs on campus) but that's more like a hobby and not an official activity.

During the summer, when I'm back home, I tutor younger children... but that's only over the summer. In addition to all that I am a member of a Christian fellowship and am involved with my church, but I don't know if this stuff counts.

Thoughts on some activities I could get involved in that wouldn't be too much of a time commitment? Do you think it's necessary to do more ECs? What I do now are all things I care about and enjoy, and no, I don't want to do more stuff just to fill in the blanks on the application. At the same time, I know that ECs are becoming more and more important, so I'm just wondering how "weak" my app would be if this is all I do, and if you have any suggestions on how I can improve this aspect of my application.

Hey there! it sounds like you're on the right path! I thought I would comment because I just got accepted in medical school (MD) program in Mississippi (yes we do have higher education and indoor plumbing haha).

To comment it took me two tries and what I realized that what most school wants to see is not a hundred different activites but invested time in certain activities that shows a care for others. Any chance to be involved in a "free care clinic" or volunteer research/community service is huge. But of course you can't leave out the important high GPA (3.7-4.0) and high MCAT (this varies with school to school). And last but not least the INTERVIEW! This is what hurt me the first time I was so nervous I choked on the "why medicine question". Anyway it sounds like you really have it all together so just make sure your investing in QUALITY opportuinites not quantity.👍👍

 

[alhs525]

Another question- does anyone know how adcoms view religious activities?