Webdesign as an EC

[Lunasly]

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Hey guys,

I just had a quick question about a club that I am currently enrolled in. The club is a student associated directed towards helping people in the sciences. My job is to make the website and manage it. Basically its going to be about what going in in the club, upcoming events, some of the services we offer (such as tutoring), and I also plan to make it a little more interesting by putting up practice problems for common themes that professors usually want us to know (I would get permission from the faculty to do this).

I have not started the website yet, but do you think its worth starting? Is this an EC which you think medical schools would see an unique? Does this EC show leadership because I am the one taking the initiative to help out students?

Any comments are appreciated, thanks!

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EDIT: Sorry I wanted to ask one more quick question! Regarding shadowing: It is illegal to shadow a physician in Canada if you are not a medical student. What do you guys think is another alternative? I am already volunteering in the ER at my local hospital, but all volunteers are allowed to do is fill up water jugs and stock up blankets. :\

 

[IcemanMD]

I think it is definitely worth starting. Over time, you will gain leadership in the club most likely. If you like web design enough, like I do, then you can do it for a bunch of clubs. It doesn't take too much time. Who knows? You could even start your own business. That's what I am aiming to do eventually.
tl;dr DO IT

 

[LizzyM]

The web master thing sounds good and would be "leadership" in a way. Basically med schools have lots of tasks that are done by student volunteers for students (or to assist the administration) and prior volunteering is considered a good indicator of future willingness to volunteer.

Find some reason to come to the States for a summer... do some research and get a little shadowing on the side. Alternately, see if you can get a volunteer gig or a job in an outpatient clinic or similar facility that employs physicians.

 

[HAV000]

Hey guys,

I just had a quick question about a club that I am currently enrolled in. The club is a student associated directed towards helping people in the sciences. My job is to make the website and manage it. Basically its going to be about what going in in the club, upcoming events, some of the services we offer (such as tutoring), and I also plan to make it a little more interesting by putting up practice problems for common themes that professors usually want us to know (I would get permission from the faculty to do this).

I have not started the website yet, but do you think its worth starting? Is this an EC which you think medical schools would see an unique? Does this EC show leadership because I am the one taking the initiative to help out students?

Any comments are appreciated, thanks!

--------

EDIT: Sorry I wanted to ask one more quick question! Regarding shadowing: It is illegal to shadow a physician in Canada if you are not a medical student. What do you guys think is another alternative? I am already volunteering in the ER at my local hospital, but all volunteers are allowed to do is fill up water jugs and stock up blankets. :\

I think it's definitely a worthwhile endeavor to get involved in, but I'm biased because I also have webmaster experience. IMO you can definitely list it as an EC, outlining what you've said here, the time you've put into it, how it helps so many people, etc. 🙂👍

That said, it doesn't fall into traditional leadership positions in organizations that adcoms are used to hearing, or traditional community service. I guess I'm saying I don't think many adcoms can appreciate the time and effort (except of course LizzyM) it takes to build and maintain a good site that is beneficial and informative to a lot of people.

If you want to do it, do it for yourself.

 

[StudyShy]

It's a good skill to have and your experience would hopefully be viewed as valuable. Go for it! 🙂

 

[Lunasly]

The web master thing sounds good and would be "leadership" in a way. Basically med schools have lots of tasks that are done by student volunteers for students (or to assist the administration) and prior volunteering is considered a good indicator of future willingness to volunteer.

Find some reason to come to the States for a summer... do some research and get a little shadowing on the side. Alternately, see if you can get a volunteer gig or a job in an outpatient clinic or similar facility that employs physicians.

Thank you all for the replies! I will move forward with the website. 🙂

About the shadowing experience: I won't be able to go for an entire summer to the states to do research and shadow because I don't really have the funds to do so. However, I would be able to cross the border every once in awhile. Would it still be recommended to obtain the average of ~50 hours of shadowing or would it be acceptable to obtain less or however many I can get over the next few years?

 

[LizzyM]

Thank you all for the replies! I will move forward with the website. 🙂

About the shadowing experience: I won't be able to go for an entire summer to the states to do research and shadow because I don't really have the funds to do so. However, I would be able to cross the border every once in awhile. Would it still be recommended to obtain the average of ~50 hours of shadowing or would it be acceptable to obtain less or however many I can get over the next few years?

Do what you can. If you shadow a doctor for his entire day, you can rack up 50 hours in about 4 days! Spread that among several physicans and you'll have a good idea of a physician's work.

 

[Lunasly]

Do what you can. If you shadow a doctor for his entire day, you can rack up 50 hours in about 4 days! Spread that among several physicans and you'll have a good idea of a physician's work.

Sounds great! One last thing if you don't mind, LizzyM (or anyone else who can contribute). I have been searching up on some threads about how many EC's to list on my application. I don't know if it would be the same 15 here in Canada, but regardless what is your view on the number of EC's. Do you think there should be a balance between quality and quantity? What do you consider not enough EC's?

 

[LizzyM]

Sounds great! One last thing if you don't mind, LizzyM (or anyone else who can contribute). I have been searching up on some threads about how many EC's to list on my application. I don't know if it would be the same 15 here in Canada, but regardless what is your view on the number of EC's. Do you think there should be a balance between quality and quantity? What do you consider not enough EC's?

Five or fewer looks like too few. More than 12 is excessive unless you are a non-trad or have had an exceptionally rich life. Don't list junk (for example, listing making the Deans list every year if it is obvious from your gpa).

 

[Lunasly]

Perfect. Thank you so much!