What do you consider "quality" ECs?

[Zuerst]

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Long term volunteer, shadowing, research...etc are obviously "quality," but what else?

Do you consider the following "quality" ECs?

1.) Spending, on average, at least 15 hours a week playing basketball for fun?

2.) Participated in intrmural sports many semester?

3.) Playing the piano for over 10 years?

4.) Part-time job concurrent with classes?

5.) Multiple one-off volunteer events?

6.) Participation in multiple student organizations?

7.) Multiple "most prestigious" scholarships given out by a particular university?

and how about Eagle Scout, even though obtained in high school?

 

[BozoSparky]

3.) Playing the piano for over 10 years?

4.) Part-time job concurrent with classes?


I'd like to ask you about these if i was interviewing ya...

 

[DropkickMurphy]

1.) Spending, on average, at least 15 hours a week playing basketball for fun?
So you're advertising you slack time activities as EC's? I don't get it.....

2.) Participated in intrmural sports many semester?
See above.....

3.) Playing the piano for over 10 years?
Definitely a cool skill, but not uncommon.

4.) Part-time job concurrent with classes?
Seeing as I (along with several other premeds I know) work full time jobs in addition to class....it just doesn't seem that impressive.


5.) Multiple one-off volunteer events?
One-off?

6.) Participation in multiple student organizations?
How involved with each were you?

7.) Multiple "most prestigious" scholarships given out by a particular university?
Ah, but many of us have received such awards.

and how about Eagle Scout, even though obtained in high school?Eagle scout is A very unique one....very hard to obtain....I only know one Eagle Scout.

 

[Zuerst]

3.) Playing the piano for over 10 years?

4.) Part-time job concurrent with classes?


I'd like to ask you about these if i was interviewing ya...

But that doesn't rule out others as "quality?"

 

[DrBowtie]

Long term volunteer, shadowing, research...etc are obviously "quality," but what else?

Do you consider the following "quality" ECs?

1.) Spending, on average, at least 15 hours a week playing basketball for fun?
Meh. Anyone can say that... most likely not going to matter to anyone.
2.) Participated in intrmural sports many semester?
I'd keep it in the hobby section. Maybe lump the bball from above in.
3.) Playing the piano for over 10 years?
Keep it.
4.) Part-time job concurrent with classes?
Depends on what it is
5.) Multiple one-off volunteer events?
Meh. Probably not unless it is a yearly thing
6.) Participation in multiple student organizations?
I'd highlight ones you took an active role in or leadership
7.) Multiple "most prestigious" scholarships given out by a particular university?
Keep it.
and how about Eagle Scout, even though obtained in high school?

Bolded are my thoughts.

 

[Zuerst]

1.) Spending, on average, at least 15 hours a week playing basketball for fun?
So you're advertising you slack time activities as EC's? I don't get it.....

2.) Participated in intrmural sports many semester?
See above.....

3.) Playing the piano for over 10 years?
Definitely a cool skill, but not uncommon.

4.) Part-time job concurrent with classes?
Seeing as I (along with several other premeds I know) work full time jobs in addition to class....it just doesn't seem that impressive.


5.) Multiple one-off volunteer events?
One-off?

6.) Participation in multiple student organizations?
How involved with each were you?

7.) Multiple "most prestigious" scholarships given out by a particular university?
Ah, but many of us have received such awards.

and how about Eagle Scout, even though obtained in high school?Eagle scout is A very unique one....very hard to obtain....I only know one Eagle Scout.

The way I see it, since a significant amount of time was spend playing sports, it can add to my "well-rounded-ness" and that I don't just bury myself in books and study.

Playing the piano 10+ years I think shows commitment and dedication, and preparing for and winning/placing in many solo competitions maybe not quite as common?

I also worked full-time job in addition to classes, research, volunteering...etc, that I think is a given quality ECs (significant at least), part-time... well, seems different to different people.

Eagle Scout I think is quality, but not during college. There is the once an Eagle also an Eagle thing, but, I still got it while in high school.

Well I guess some description for each kinda puts some in a differnt light then? Guess that's what the description fields are for.

 

[mdadmit]

Hello there! I am a former Harvard pre-med advisor and current resident. I thought I could lend some help.

"Quality" extracurricular activities are those that you are passionate about, involve a considerable time commitment, and in which you developed a high degree of skill or leadership role.

It is not about how much you do but how well you do what you do. Quality over quantity is paramount.

Please see below for more detailed reponses.

1.) Spending, on average, at least 15 hours a week playing basketball for fun?
--Not your best bet
2.) Participated in intrmural sports many semester?
--Can work if you played on the same team over many years or assumed a leadership role (ie. IM captain).
3.) Playing the piano for over 10 years?
--Yes, it's not unique. But it shows commitment. If you are still actively playing, I think you should certainly include this.
4.) Part-time job concurrent with classes?
--Depends on what you did and for how long. Part-time work shows that you can juggle multiple tasks. If you did the same job for many years with graded responsibility, that is perfect for an EC.
5.) Multiple one-off volunteer events?
--I assume you mean one-time. Certainly, admissions committees prefer long-term commitments. However, if each of these one-time events involve the same theme (tutoring, building houses, etc) they can be bundled together to show commitment.
6.) Participation in multiple student organizations?
--Depends on what you did in these organizations. All leadership activities should be included.
7.) Multiple "most prestigious" scholarships given out by a particular university?
--You can definitely include these in the awards section of AMCAS
and how about Eagle Scout, even though obtained in high school?[/QUOTE]
--Sure. Especially if you played any role in the Eagle Scouts in college.

Hope that helps🙂

 

[Punkn]

[/QUOTE] --Sure. Especially if you played any role in the Eagle Scouts in college.

Hope that helps🙂[/QUOTE]

I'm not sure this makes any sense. You have to be under 18 and have all the necessary badges/projects/etc done to become an Eagle Scout. I guess you could be an Asst. Scout Master or something.