What does Admissions look for when viewing Extracurriculars Activities? How does one set themselves apart?

[swim97]

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With the sheer amount of applications, it really seems that unique students like the "Triathlete trombonist" or the "Salsa-Dancer with a PhD" have a greater chance of getting in, and applicants are encouraged to do things that set them apart- so you see people on here working at prisons, serving at suicide hotlines, and doing all of this really neat stuff I didn't know you could do. However, I am afraid of coming across as "basic" as I volunteer at a middle school, soup kitchen. nursing home and at the hospital every week which it seems like most premeds already do. These people really do need help though, and I very much like working with them so I don't want to quit. Will this affect me negatively?

Also how much do hobbies count for applications? Do they care how good you are at them? like if I had picked up a hobby 2 years ago, do they care that it was a recent thing?

 

[Goro]

Just do what you love and love what you do. Show off your altruism. You don't have to cure cancer or open orphanages.

Hobbies show that you're human and have a life.

 

[Angus Avagadro]

Hobbies help us understand what defines you as a person. ECs show us your humanity, are you willing to reach our and help less fortunate people, have you shown leadership capabilities. As a physicisn, you are the leader of the healthcare team, no matter what the 20 something with a BA in English and is the practice manager may think.

 

[cheese puff]

This happened coincidentally, but it was helpful that many of my ECs had the same “theme” (i.e. volunteering/student org involvement related to serving specific population). It made it easier to have a cohesive narrative and mission statement, and it gave me plenty to talk about in essays/interviews. I think if you commit yourself to 1-2 things that you’re really passionate about rather than several unconnected volunteering activities/student orgs/honor societies/etc, you’ll automatically stand out

 

[Mr.Smile12]

1) Commitment, compassion, and consistency: hours + meaningfulness will tease that out
2) Hobbies: that you're not just a book-worm/test-taker, that you're an interesting person to have as a colleague, that you have a way to connect with people especially those not like yourself but who are equally passionate

 

[ducks_are _the best]

What are other ways to show that you have hobbies besides the work and activities section on AMCAS? I have the W/A section all filled with internships/awards/volunteer/clinical work/research, that one does not really see any hobbies -- but I am an avid shell collector and cumbia dancer --- where else can you show this on your app

 

[JSD2]

Do what you love, barring a few exceptions it is incredibly obvious when someone is passionate about an EC vs just did it to check all the applicant boxes. Show that you have interest outside of the sciences/medicine. Doctors need to be humans, not robots, both for the sake of their patients and for their own well being.

 

[graden]

ECs shine when they tie into your personal story of how you've chosen to pursue a career in medicine. They are the foundation for your PS/secondary essays/interview answers. Being genuine with your interests will definitely help with expressing yourself during essays and interviews.

 

[deleted480308]

Bow fighting skills, computer hacking skills...

 

[Aleaz]

It is true that medical schools look for the best of the best--that said...your academic prowess is the first tier eliminations, so do well. Second tier is the typical '4 eyed nerd' eliminations...as over the years, med school requirements ended up with the more brainy nerds getting into med school and not doing well once in clinical as their people skills were lacking. So, today, medical schools look for both. Trying to volunteer yourself to death will make you look desperate. Choose something you enjoy, something you can contribute to--and do that. Be innovative in your volunteering positions. I taught a swim class to seniors as PT in a warm pool at a nursing home with 2 others. The residents LOVED it and felt better. I worked with the Attending there and we came up with 'blackberry brandy time'..where the ladies having trouble sleeping had a little pre-bed 'tea' with fancy demitasse glasses and brandy as a 'nightcap'--it substituted for sleeping meds and they had a wonderful social hour...ended up a mixed social hour and was looked forward to all day...and slept well. That Attending wrote me a great letter of rec. So, do something innovative with something ORDINARY--that will make you stand out.