What are considered "spectacular" EC's vs. "normal" EC's?

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pk2016

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I see these terms being thrown out a lot on the forums and would like some clarification as to what dictates an EC being spectacular or normal. I have a certain idea of what normal EC's would be e.g. shadowing, research, volunteer, but not a clue as to what spectacular would be; only thing that comes to mind is being publish?
 
I wouldn't take one's own characterization of an extracurricular as spectacular at face value. In the words of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart, "I know it when I see it."
 
lilgirl-in.gif
 
bananafish94 said:
I wouldn't take one's own characterization of an extracurricular as spectacular at face value. In the words of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart, "I know it when I see it."
Click to expand...
I mean if you had to quantify spectacular EC's, what would the criteria be?
 
pk2016 said:
I mean if you had to quantify spectacular EC's, what would the criteria be?
Click to expand...
In my opinion, "spectacular" implies something that truly sets you apart. Everybody will have volunteering, research, clinical experience, maybe some teaching. So what is spectacular? Getting a first author publication in a major journal is pretty spectacular. Winning a purple heart is pretty spectacular. Starting an organization and building it from the ground up I would consider spectacular. But it's going to be subjective and will depend a lot on who is evaluating it.
 
I might be wrong but I feel like adcoms has seen so many excellent applicants with really good ECs that whatever an average college student might think "spectacular" might not cut it. I am sure average student think being a TA or getting a cum laude or getting prestigious school scholarships might be spectacular but might not be so for med schools. These activities might be pretty common.


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Again, this is just my personal opinion but I would think that spectacular is prob the level that bananafish94 just mentioned.


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bananafish94 said:
In my opinion, "spectacular" implies something that truly sets you apart. Everybody will have volunteering, research, clinical experience, maybe some teaching. So what is spectacular? Getting a first author publication in a major journal is pretty spectacular. Winning a purple heart is pretty spectacular. Starting an organization and building it from the ground up I would consider spectacular. But it's going to be subjective and will depend a lot on who is evaluating it.
Click to expand...

Ah yes, the Enemy Marksmanship Award for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I would replace that example with an award for valor (silver star, or anything with a V device).

To avoid anyone berating me, I have one, so I feel qualified to make this distinction.
 
pk2016 said:
I mean if you had to quantify spectacular EC's, what would the criteria be?
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Anything that "WOWs" you just like that GIF above.

If even your haters would secretly be mirin', then you have something spectacular.
 
Maybe I have a lower threshold of "spectacular".

Military service in a war zone.
Fulbright or other funded, highly competitive research funding for a year or more (not the Fulbright English teacher thing)
Peace Corps
A year or more of service on Capitol Hill (working for a Congressman, Senator or a Committee on the hill, not back in the district)
Professional athlete
Amateur athlete participating at the national/Olympic level


For the most part, it requires having done something after college graduation.
 
Peace Corps
Military service
Having hundreds, if not thousands of hours with the most vulnerable of patient populations: mentally ill; mentally or physcially disabled, dying, or elderly in nursing homes
TFA

My wily old Admission dean has a fondness for Olympic or pro athletes

pk2016 said:
I see these terms being thrown out a lot on the forums and would like some clarification as to what dictates an EC being spectacular or normal. I have a certain idea of what normal EC's would be e.g. shadowing, research, volunteer, but not a clue as to what spectacular would be; only thing that comes to mind is being publish?
Click to expand...
 
Goro said:
Having hundreds, if not thousands of hours with the most vulnerable of patient populations: mentally ill; mentally or physcially disabled, dying, or elderly in nursing homes TFA
Click to expand...

I will find this cat and apply to its program. Those activities are almost explicitly where my interests lie. Id much rather deal with these types than the majority of the adult population even if it means I'm among the lowest paid physicians.
 
Last edited:
EODguy said:
Ah yes, the Enemy Marksmanship Award for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I would replace that example with an award for valor (silver star, or anything with a V device).

To avoid anyone berating me, I have one, so I feel qualified to make this distinction.
Click to expand...

You beat me to it... One might "win" (earn) an EIB, but a Purple Heart most definitely is never won.


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pk2016 said:
I see these terms being thrown out a lot on the forums and would like some clarification as to what dictates an EC being spectacular or normal. I have a certain idea of what normal EC's would be e.g. shadowing, research, volunteer, but not a clue as to what spectacular would be; only thing that comes to mind is being publish?
Click to expand...

There's winning the Nobel Prize and everything else.
 
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