What is the amount that is considered "too much extracurriculars"

[jtran001]

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I am interested and concerned about this subject, because I do not know what is the amount of extracurriculars (volunteer, research, etc) that is considered to be a laundry list. I will be having leadership in all of my extracurriculars and am allocating all of my effort and time equally to all of my activities. But I have like 10+ activities and I am a leader in 7 of those activities.

NOTE: I am NOT trolling, so please do not report me. The last time I posted something of utmost importance, I was labeled as a troll. I am completely serious. I am scared that medical school will think of me as a "laundry list" type applicant, and I do not want that to happen. However, I can not and will not drop my extracurriculars, and I am currently maintaining a 4.0 (my school is a tier #1 school) . I have not taken the MCAT yet so I do not know the turn out

Thank you in advance for your time, effort, and sensible comments.

 

[nestea]

I think the limit of "too much" is when it seems as if you do nothing outside of medical related things.

 

[JustMeditate]

You are only allowed to list 15 activities on your AMCAS application, so plan your time out wisely. Half of those activities should NOT be student orgs. You want a wide variety of extracurriculars, including clinical volunteer work, nonclinical volunteer work, shadowing, research, teaching/tutoring, leadership, and some unique hobbies/activities.

 

[sector9]

"Too much" is when your GPA starts suffering or if you don't give yourself enough time to study for the MCAT

 

[TriagePreMed]

So you're worried you might be doing too much, and if you are doing too much, you won't quit doing it? What's the point of the thread then? You've chosen your destiny.

 

[V5RED]

"Too much" is when your GPA starts suffering or if you don't give yourself enough time to study for the MCAT

You beat me to it.

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

Too much is you getting overwhelmed with EC's more than you do your classes.

 

[Nymphicus]

"Too much" is when your GPA starts suffering or if you don't give yourself enough time to study for the MCAT

Too much is you getting overwhelmed with EC's more than you do your classes.

As one of my faculty interviewers succinctly put it, what's the point of doing all these great things if you can't pass your classes?

 

[varsityblue]

You are only allowed to list 15 activities on your AMCAS application, so plan your time out wisely. Half of those activities should NOT be student orgs. You want a wide variety of extracurriculars, including clinical volunteer work, nonclinical volunteer work, shadowing, research, teaching/tutoring, leadership, and some unique hobbies/activities.

+1. I'd say that you should be spending 40% of your time on academics, 50% of your time on extracurriculars, and 10% of your time on social obligations. If you are unable to maintain that kind of balance, I recommend you pick up a copy of Cal Newport's How to Win at College.

 

[V5RED]

+1. I'd say that you should be spending 40% of your time on academics, 50% of your time on extracurriculars, and 10% of your time on social obligations. If you are unable to maintain that kind of balance, I recommend you pick up a copy of Cal Newport's How to Win at College.

0% for sleeping and eating?

 

[varsityblue]

0% for sleeping and eating?

Hahahaha, yup! Ideally you should just cut out sleeping and eating to make room for more important pursuits: playing chess and thinking. 😛 Kidding, of course.

During the intervals when you aren't performing basic body functions, you should be doing one of the following: studying, attending classes, working out, socializing with friends, and doing your ECs at a really high level. 😉