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

[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?

 

[bananafish94]

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."

 

[ProspectiveKidd]

 

[bananafish94]

View attachment 204106

You're in.

 

[ProspectiveKidd]

You're in.

Excellent application of this famous quote which I will use more frequently for ECs from now on

We spectacular now brahs. Strong application of Potter Stewart quote, 10/10 usage.

 

[bananafish94]

Excellent application of this famous quote which I will use more frequently for ECs from now on

We now know what extracurriculars and obscenity have in common.

 

[eteshoe]

View attachment 204106

Now that's some spectacular ****

 

[ProspectiveKidd]

Now that's some spectacular ****

When I think of spectacular I think of a lot of things, mostly not pertaining to my ECs.

 

[pk2016]

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."

I mean if you had to quantify spectacular EC's, what would the criteria be?

 

[ojy77511]

Spectacular: Nobel Prize
Normal: 1st author publication in Nature


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[bananafish94]

I mean if you had to quantify spectacular EC's, what would the criteria be?

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.

 

[ojy77511]

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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[ojy77511]

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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[aldol16]

You realize that even "normal" on here is inflated, right?

 

[ojy77511]

You realize that even "normal" on here is inflated, right?

Seriously....


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[BombsAway]

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.

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.

 

[MaxPlancker]

I mean if you had to quantify spectacular EC's, what would the criteria be?

Anything that "WOWs" you just like that GIF above.

If even your haters would secretly be mirin', then you have something spectacular.

 

[Gurby]

Ah yes, the Enemy Marksmanship Award

 

[LizzyM]

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.

 

[Goro]

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

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?

 

[ProspectiveKidd]

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

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.

 

[Goro]

Somewhere west of St Louis, I am!

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.

 

[Hopeful_vet]

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.

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


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[caffeinemia]

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?

There's winning the Nobel Prize and everything else.