What do I need to do to supercharge myself for med school app?

[YeOldeMan]

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OK, I have the great numbers and the great research (blah blah blah the usual, honors etc.). I'm doing a very hard major and I'm plowing through it like a steam train. I've even taken grad classes. But I don't have much else.

My work experience is lifeguarding for three years (starting in high school) and I really can't count on anybody there saying anything good about me. In fact, I'd be surprised if they didn't totally trash talk me. I did a quick gig as a programmer, but I quit that really quickly after I saw their...uhhh...controversial (sick) content. After that I started to make more money playing online poker, but people don't consider that a job. I've got a summer fellowship this summer, but I stick that under research -- even though it pays pretty nicely. Something I am lining up is this cool internship with a small hedge fund (I'm actually going to be a little trader!). I might've had the opportunity to intern with the NSA (they actively recruit on my campus)...but after listening to the rep, I just got a bad feeling about it.

For other ECs, I'm in math club, and train boxing (but no actual fighting because getting hit in your face over and over makes you stupid).

I have shadowed a few docs and can get great recommendations from them.

I have just about no volunteering and no "leadership" experience (except for Pool Manager which I do not want people to start investigating because the staff there will badmouth me -- and everybody knows that "managers" at pools are hardly leaders). Hospital always had me cleaning and pushing stuff (like food and drinks) around and treated me like I was lucky to be volunteering with them. I could do without the narcissim, and they already have an oversupply of local highschoolers. Where can I get some more serious volunteerin?g I was thinking of heading off to a rural hospital, where they have some real problems (shortages and issues), but I'd have to drive 30min-1 hour. And I have no idea how to get my "patient story."

So how can I turbocharge myself to get some of that upper tier lovin? I've got about half a year to a year to get some volunteering and leadership. Even after reading a bit, I have no idea how I'm going to get "leadership experince," and it kind of sounds like bs to me. Adcoms knows no undergrad is going to be a "leader" just as they know that no undergrad is curing cancer with their "research." Nonetheless they're going to want me to put something on my app, and be able to make it sound serious to them while keeping a straight face. I tried to start a Quantiative Economics group, but all of these "Economics" and "Finance" majors lose their BSDs whenver they have to do more than take a simple derivative, so I got zero interest.

What else should I do? I think my only really serious lacks are volunteering and leadership.

Thanks,
-YOM

 

[dr seuss]

You could try volunteering at a free clinic.

 

[ksmi117]

Moving to the What Are My Chances? forum.

 

[YeOldeMan]

Moving to the What Are My Chances? forum.

Hey looks like you really specialized in what I ignored (and conversely didn't care too much about research 🙁 ).

Any hints on how I become the Eisenhower and Gandhi around campus?

 

[ksmi117]

Hey looks like you really specialized in what I ignored (and conversely didn't care too much about research 🙁 ).

Any hints on how I become the Eisenhower and Gandhi around campus?

Yes, student leadership is my thing. But saying I don't care about research is not exactly right either. There's only so much a girl can do with 18 hours of class work and 4 student orgs to run. I had to decide how I'd divide my time, and research got plenty of time, just not as much as some people would give it.

Hmm...not sure what year you are, but really my best advice is to find a well-established student service organization and just go with it. Do try and start organizations just to do it. It's not only a waste of your time, but a lot of other people's too. Becoming a "leader" 🙂rolleyes: Most student org leadership positions are far from real leadership as you said, though your statement that no undergrad can be a leader is false) in student orgs takes time just like everything else. If student orgs aren't your thing, just volunteer elsewhere. A leader does not mean being an officer in something, it's just leading. Find something you like doing and do it. Take on responsibility and work your hardest.

And now I'm gonna go on my leadership rant, which is why I avoid this topics. I've seen too many people take on leader roles just because they wanted to put it on a resume. If you aren't gonna do the work, don't sign up for the job. It's hell for your peers because they have to pick up your slack. Leadership is about teamwork, not about looking good and flashy to an adcom member. Getting into med school should not be the reason you do any of this. You'll be annoyed and unhappy if you aren't passionate about it, and you'll let down the people that are counting on you. /rant

 

[YeOldeMan]

Yes, student leadership is my thing. But saying I don't care about research is not exactly right either. There's only so much a girl can do with 18 hours of class work and 4 student orgs to run. I had to decide how I'd divide my time, and research got plenty of time, just not as much as some people would give it.

Hmm...not sure what year you are, but really my best advice is to find a well-established student service organization and just go with it. Do try and start organizations just to do it. It's not only a waste of your time, but a lot of other people's too. Becoming a "leader" 🙂rolleyes: Most student org leadership positions are far from real leadership as you said, though your statement that no undergrad can be a leader is false) in student orgs takes time just like everything else. If student orgs aren't your thing, just volunteer elsewhere. A leader does not mean being an officer in something, it's just leading. Find something you like doing and do it. Take on responsibility and work your hardest.

And now I'm gonna go on my leadership rant, which is why I avoid this topics. I've seen too many people take on leader roles just because they wanted to put it on a resume. If you aren't gonna do the work, don't sign up for the job. It's hell for your peers because they have to pick up your slack. Leadership is about teamwork, not about looking good and flashy to an adcom member. Getting into med school should not be the reason you do any of this. You'll be annoyed and unhappy if you aren't passionate about it, and you'll let down the people that are counting on you. /rant

=(, I really wanted to kick off the Quantitative Economics group. I secured a faculty member, but the only people I could get interest from were two Chinese computer science and engineering students, and I had to twist their arms to do it. Two more people and it could've flown, but like I said, zero interest.

Thanks for the reply.
I'm not really sure what year I am myself (it gets confused in the HS credits), but I've got about 3/4 of a year left to pad myself.

Yes, you're right, there may be an (outlier) undergrad here and there who is a good leader, and generally those ROTC types eventually become fairly good at "leadership" and "teamwork," but most of those who claim to be in "leadership" position are laughably far from being leaders (you should hang out with old-school engineers, those guys are funny and poke fun at everyone, but one group they really liked to rag on was those undergrads who viewed themselves as "leaders").

I would prefer just to skip the "leading" right now, but it is very important for applications. There are just too many phonies out there with "leadership" experience, and if you don't have it you're SOL; my hand is just forced. I'm still not sure at all what is considered "just leading." Why is volunteering somewhere leadership? For me, trying to get it at a student or is just not really possible in the time left.

Thanks!
-YOM

 

[ksmi117]

I'm not questioning your intentions for wanting to start a club, but all too often, I've seen pre-meds do leadership stuff and let a lot of people down. But follow this thread: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=632902. It's about finding different leadership besides clubs. In volunteering, I was more referencing if you had more time. A lot of volunteer places ask the more experienced volunteer to train the new kids, but if you are pressed for time that obviously wouldn't work.

 

[canebob]

OK, I have the great numbers and the great research (blah blah blah the usual, honors etc.). I'm doing a very hard major and I'm plowing through it like a steam train. I've even taken grad classes. But I don't have much else.

My work experience is lifeguarding for three years (starting in high school) and I really can't count on anybody there saying anything good about me. In fact, I'd be surprised if they didn't totally trash talk me. I did a quick gig as a programmer, but I quit that really quickly after I saw their...uhhh...controversial (sick) content. After that I started to make more money playing online poker, but people don't consider that a job. I've got a summer fellowship this summer, but I stick that under research -- even though it pays pretty nicely. Something I am lining up is this cool internship with a small hedge fund (I'm actually going to be a little trader!). I might've had the opportunity to intern with the NSA (they actively recruit on my campus)...but after listening to the rep, I just got a bad feeling about it.

For other ECs, I'm in math club, and train boxing (but no actual fighting because getting hit in your face over and over makes you stupid).

I have shadowed a few docs and can get great recommendations from them.

I have just about no volunteering and no "leadership" experience (except for Pool Manager which I do not want people to start investigating because the staff there will badmouth me -- and everybody knows that "managers" at pools are hardly leaders). Hospital always had me cleaning and pushing stuff (like food and drinks) around and treated me like I was lucky to be volunteering with them. I could do without the narcissim, and they already have an oversupply of local highschoolers. Where can I get some more serious volunteerin?g I was thinking of heading off to a rural hospital, where they have some real problems (shortages and issues), but I'd have to drive 30min-1 hour. And I have no idea how to get my "patient story."

So how can I turbocharge myself to get some of that upper tier lovin? I've got about half a year to a year to get some volunteering and leadership. Even after reading a bit, I have no idea how I'm going to get "leadership experince," and it kind of sounds like bs to me. Adcoms knows no undergrad is going to be a "leader" just as they know that no undergrad is curing cancer with their "research." Nonetheless they're going to want me to put something on my app, and be able to make it sound serious to them while keeping a straight face. I tried to start a Quantiative Economics group, but all of these "Economics" and "Finance" majors lose their BSDs whenver they have to do more than take a simple derivative, so I got zero interest.

What else should I do? I think my only really serious lacks are volunteering and leadership.

Thanks,
-YOM

Wow, I could not agree with you more about the leadership and research thing, this whole application process is about playing the admission committee's stupid little games in order to get them to like you. Even though I hate research more than anything else, I have to do it because all committee's want to see at least a little bit of it.

But all I can suggest is getting more volunteering and shadowing experience. If the hospital near you isn't working out then try a nursing home or some kind of other hospice thing. Most of my volunteering was working with mentally challenged kids in their house, so maybe look for something like that. But make sure you get some shadowing in too.

 

[scarletgirl777]

What's wrong with trying to be a leader, seriously? Maybe it's just the people you know, because I've met plenty of undergrads who were great leaders and even got older people, "real adults" to do creative, interesting, or otherwise great things.

 

[ksmi117]

What's wrong with trying to be a leader, seriously? Maybe it's just the people you know, because I've met plenty of undergrads who were great leaders and even got older people, "real adults" to do creative, interesting, or otherwise great things.

There's nothing wrong with being a leader. I know a lot of people who are amazing leaders. But it's not something that I think should be done just for an application. It's one of the many things wrong with the "checklist" to get into med school. If people can find something that they are passionate about (which everyone should be able to do) and go with that, I think it's awesome. But signing up for stuff just because you think should to get into med school isn't how it should be.

 

[ksmi117]

I apologize if I came of a little harsh in my first reply. I understand that "leadership" is one of those things that we all think we need to get into med school, and I think it's a major issue with the application process. The OP has awesome research and other experiences, and I personally don't think he should have to do anything else to get into school, if he isn't passionate about it. It's not helpful for anyone. I don't think that we should all have to spread ourselves so thin. But I can't change that, so OP, just be happy doing whatever you decide to do. I got the impression that you don't exactly want to do anything else, and would be unhappy doing the whole "leadership" thing. If that's not the case, sorry.

 

[scarletgirl777]

I apologize if I came of a little harsh in my first reply. I understand that "leadership" is one of those things that we all think we need to get into med school, and I think it's a major issue with the application process. The OP has awesome research and other experiences, and I personally don't think he should have to do anything else to get into school, if he isn't passionate about it. It's not helpful for anyone. I don't think that we should all have to spread ourselves so thin. But I can't change that, so OP, just be happy doing whatever you decide to do. I got the impression that you don't exactly want to do anything else, and would be unhappy doing the whole "leadership" thing. If that's not the case, sorry.

No problem. 🙂

Still, I don't think anyone NEEDS leadership to get into a medical school and become a doctor. I think that it is a very common attribute in many people who are accepted to certain medical schools...but then the question becomes, why would one even care about going to these schools if that's not what one is interested in?

 

[YeOldeMan]

I apologize if I came of a little harsh in my first reply. I understand that "leadership" is one of those things that we all think we need to get into med school, and I think it's a major issue with the application process. The OP has awesome research and other experiences, and I personally don't think he should have to do anything else to get into school, if he isn't passionate about it. It's not helpful for anyone. I don't think that we should all have to spread ourselves so thin. But I can't change that, so OP, just be happy doing whatever you decide to do. I got the impression that you don't exactly want to do anything else, and would be unhappy doing the whole "leadership" thing. If that's not the case, sorry.

You didn't come across too harsh at all. And you're right, I don't really want to go chase leadership...I always was kind of a loner. If I could kick off that Quantitative Economics group, I would be happy to put in the time and effort to hustle speakers, promote our group, facilitate readings and research, and I even have some "contacts" in our local financial industry that I could try to use and expand. I think the university could greatly benefit from this kind of group, especially since half out engineers realize that there are only so many spots at Fermilab and Lockheed and end up working at financial groups anyways. Anyhow, enough of my rant. We do have to spread ourselves thin, but that just economics. Everybody else has everything, and adcoms seem to cross off anyone lacking. I wouldn't mind volunteering if I could get a more serious role...not just being the janitor.

And of course there is nothing wrong with being a leader. I don't want to bash leaders, I just have met very few real leaders in undergrad...most of them just being pompous officers of whatever group or club. Plus it probably doesn't help hanging around alcoholic engineers who look for fights with anyone they deem to be a "prick," which are most of the time "presidents" of this fraternity, or of that accounting club. But, from what everyone else says, I guess they're out there.

I just recalled something. Could TAing be leadership? Or facilitating research projects for freshman entering the lab? Watching over them, directing them, training them and helping them with their MATLAB issues? It's just kind of hard to see on my app as it gets mixed in with lab experience, not like putting "President of the Biology Club" or something along those lines.

 

[ksmi117]

You didn't come across too harsh at all. And you're right, I don't really want to go chase leadership...I always was kind of a loner. If I could kick off that Quantitative Economics group, I would be happy to put in the time and effort to hustle speakers, promote our group, facilitate readings and research, and I even have some "contacts" in our local financial industry that I could try to use and expand. I think the university could greatly benefit from this kind of group, especially since half out engineers realize that there are only so many spots at Fermilab and Lockheed and end up working at financial groups anyways. Anyhow, enough of my rant. We do have to spread ourselves thin, but that just economics. Everybody else has everything, and adcoms seem to cross off anyone lacking. I wouldn't mind volunteering if I could get a more serious role...not just being the janitor.

And of course there is nothing wrong with being a leader. I don't want to bash leaders, I just have met very few real leaders in undergrad...most of them just being pompous officers of whatever group or club. Plus it probably doesn't help hanging around alcoholic engineers who look for fights with anyone they deem to be a "prick," which are most of the time "presidents" of this fraternity, or of that accounting club. But, from what everyone else says, I guess they're out there.

I just recalled something. Could TAing be leadership? Or facilitating research projects for freshman entering the lab? Watching over them, directing them, training them and helping them with their MATLAB issues? It's just kind of hard to see on my app as it gets mixed in with lab experience, not like putting "President of the Biology Club" or something along those lines.

I don't think you need to label something as "Leadership" on your application for adcoms to realize that it is leadership. If you put that stuff on your app, they still see it and I'm sure point out that it's leadership, even if it isn't in it's our category. And for the record, I think that what you've just said is just as much leadership as President of the Bio Club.

 

[19nbj58]

No problem. 🙂

Still, I don't think anyone NEEDS leadership to get into a medical school and become a doctor. I think that it is a very common attribute in many people who are accepted to certain medical schools...but then the question becomes, why would one even care about going to these schools if that's not what one is interested in?

Yup. Leadership is important for top schools. Sure, all med schools like to see it, but the top-tiers seem to put a premium on it. This is b/c of their desire to train physicians who will become future leaders in their respective fields (not necessarily in academic med either). I know a resident who previously served on the adcom of an Ivy...he said that when deciding on applicants post-interview, they chose those who they deemed as having the most potential for future leadership roles in medicine.

 

[YeOldeMan]

I don't think you need to label something as "Leadership" on your application for adcoms to realize that it is leadership. If you put that stuff on your app, they still see it and I'm sure point out that it's leadership, even if it isn't in it's our category. And for the record, I think that what you've just said is just as much leadership as President of the Bio Club.

Hey, thats great to know. Thank you! /salute ;D
Good luck with your application.

 

[YeOldeMan]

Yup. Leadership is important for top schools. Sure, all med schools like to see it, but the top-tiers seem to put a premium on it. This is b/c of their desire to train physicians who will become future leaders in their respective fields (not necessarily in academic med either). I know a resident who previously served on the adcom of an Ivy...he said that when deciding on applicants post-interview, they chose those who they deemed as having the most potential for future leadership roles in medicine.

Did he mention what all these "leaders" had on their apps? I'd be interested to know (not to imitate it, but to see what the ivys considers leadership).

 

[19nbj58]

Did he mention what all these "leaders" had on their apps? I'd be interested to know (not to imitate it, but to see what the ivys considers leadership).

Na he didnt specify.

 

[YeOldeMan]

No problem. 🙂

Still, I don't think anyone NEEDS leadership to get into a medical school and become a doctor. I think that it is a very common attribute in many people who are accepted to certain medical schools...but then the question becomes, why would one even care about going to these schools if that's not what one is interested in?

Just re-read over this thread to gain some more insight, and saw this for the first time.

I do want to be a leader. What I don't want is to waste my time pretending to be a leader. Who doesn't want to be a leader? But you don't become a leader just because you're the VP of the Leadership Club. Eventually, after I learn more and have more exposure, I definitely will strive to be a leader in my field. Besides, there's more reason to go to Hahhhhvahhhhhd than just to be a leader. Don't get me wrong...leadership is awesome...but if we want to talk about "common attributes" of leadership, undergrad is not one of them 😛. They're usually experience (the most important), character, intelligence, drive, etc.

Anyhow, cry me a river. I'm sure people have bigger problems than mine (like Einstein's problems with mathematics).

 

[howabout]

I don't think you have to be in a leadership role to prove that you are a leader. I do agree that some people do run for certain positions so that they can say that they held a leadership role, i'm sure there are plenty others who are very well qualified and perform outstandingly to lead their organization. I hope I'm right in saying that adcoms look beyond the title and look more into what you've done for the organization or for others...

 

[19nbj58]

I don't think you have to be in a leadership role to prove that you are a leader. I do agree that some people do run for certain positions so that they can say that they held a leadership role, i'm sure there are plenty others who are very well qualified and perform outstandingly to lead their organization. I hope I'm right in saying that adcoms look beyond the title and look more into what you've done for the organization or for others...

I agree. This is where LORs come into play.