what is the most important EC?

[K015h1k]

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hey guys so i'm doing a DIY post-bacc. i started the post-bacc this past spring semester. during the semester i focused strictly on school and did not partake in any ECs. i have this summer semester, this upcoming autumn semester, and then spring semester to really get involved. i'm planning on applying sping 2015.

thing is, i'm stressing over what i need to do to really stand out. so far i plan on becoming a founding father of a fraternity (hopefully), join a suicide prevention organization, volunteer at a physician's free clinic, shadow 1 or more DOs for around 20-30 hours each, and shadow 1 or more MD's for around 20-30 hours each. i kind of want to get involved in research (just because it seems like everyone else is doing it), but i'm having a heck of a hard time getting involved (plus i kind of don't even want to get involved b/c i such at labs). again, i've only got this year so i want to make the most out of it.

- could you guys please list out things that medical schools love the most in decreasing order? for example: clinical hours at a hospital < volunteer at so&so < research < etc.
- is research really thaaaaat important? or can i get away with not doing it? especially since i only have a year left. i've never been good at doing labs and i know there will be a steep learning curve for me. i just feel like i could do better with whatever time i have left.

 

[Leslie_Knope]

My understanding is research is not necessary for schools that don't focus on it. I also believe clinical experience is where you want to put the bulk of your time and effort.

 

[familyaerospace]

Everything is dependent on the school.

Some might like the research more. Some might like the volunteering more. There is no list that anyone can put in order, although I would gather that if someone was able to put together a list, the fraternity would be the least impressive. Medical volunteering will be high though, research and shadowing too.

If you don't want to do research, don't. If you don't want to do volunteering, don't. No one is holding a gun to your head. However let it be known that much of your competition will have some type of research even when you apply to schools that are not normally research oriented schools. Most will have shadowing or medical volunteering or both. Also it is best if you do things over an extended period of time, as many adcoms what you to show a commitment to something over a period of time, not rush to do it to check off boxes.

By the way, there is nothing stating that research has to be lab research. I did 10+ years of research, none was in a lab and nearly all of it was science.

 

[QofQuimica]

Clinical experience is by far the most important EC. The rest is just gravy.

Agree that if you're going to pick something that is low yield, it would be the fraternity. You can put earrings on a pig and call it whatever you want, but fraternities and sororities are basically just an excuse for people to socialize. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but socializing is not a substantial EC.

Research is a nice EC to have if you're interested in academics, but not necessary at most schools unless you're applying to MD/PhD or MD/MS programs.

Finally, I'd caution you to not try to do too much too soon. Keeping your grades up is paramount. If your time was at such a premium this semester that you couldn't do any ECs whatsoever, how feasible is it going to be for you to all of a sudden go from zero ECs to half a dozen of them the following semester? I suggest picking one or two things tops to get involved with. Probably one shadowing gig and one clinical volunteering gig would give you the biggest bang for your buck.

 

[jt66250]

I spoke with two heads of AdComs and one thing they both stressed is consistency of your volunteer efforts over time. Instead of just banging out 100 or 200 hours right before you apply, have you done it over a period of time, and been consistent with it, is more impressive to them. Clinical is also more impressive than non clinical.

 

[Goro]

100% concur with my learned colleague. The clinical ECs are keenly important because you need to show AdComs that you know what you're getting into, and show off your altruistic, humanism side. We need to know that you're going to like being around sick or injured people for the next 40 years.

Here's another way of looking at it: would you buy a new car without test driving it? Buy a new suit or dress without trying it on??

Not all volunteering needs to be in a hospital. Think hospice, nursing homes, rehab facilities, camps for sick children, or clinics. Check out your local houses of worship for other volunteer opportunities.

Clinical experience is by far the most important EC. The rest is just gravy.

Agree that if you're going to pick something that is low yield, it would be the fraternity. You can put earrings on a pig and call it whatever you want, but fraternities and sororities are basically just an excuse for people to socialize. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but socializing is not a substantial EC.

Research is a nice EC to have if you're interested in academics, but not necessary at most schools unless you're applying to MD/PhD or MD/MS programs.

Finally, I'd caution you to not try to do too much too soon. Keeping your grades up is paramount. If your time was at such a premium this semester that you couldn't do any ECs whatsoever, how feasible is it going to be for you to all of a sudden go from zero ECs to half a dozen of them the following semester? I suggest picking one or two things tops to get involved with. Probably one shadowing gig and one clinical volunteering gig would give you the biggest bang for your buck.

 

[K015h1k]

Everything is dependent on the school.

Some might like the research more. Some might like the volunteering more.

dumb question, but how do you know what a particular school likes more? do you just email admissions? how would you go about finding out about something like this?


btw, random question to anyone out there... does anyone know what ohio university and ohio state university prefer? research or volunteering? as in, are either of these huge research oriented schools?

 

[Jewels86]

I think for the type of EC that schools prefer, to me, it's the one that allows the applicant to actually "see" exactly what a patient is. For instance, I am an ER nurse. I assess my own patients, ask them their medical history, chief complaint, listen to their heart, lungs, tummy, give a general overview of the pt and then do my orders (IV starts, lab draws, meds given, tele monitoring, etc). This is a very, very brief overview of one patient that's not too critical (aka, trauma).

My hope would be for you to work in an ER as a tech (it's an easy job) so you can really see what patient's are like. That would be the best EC.

Patient's are very interesting indeed. I know you mentioned that you shadow...that's a great EC. Try to become an ER Tech. That's definitely give you an honest glimpse into the patient/doctor/nurse/ancillary staff world. Then you may want to become an ER doc or bag the whole thing and become a cat groomer 🙂

 

[familyaerospace]

dumb question, but how do you know what a particular school likes more? do you just email admissions? how would you go about finding out about something like this?

The preference will be medical volunteering unless the school is research heavy. You should also be able to tell by the MSAR.

 

[Darth Doc]

dumb question, but how do you know what a particular school likes more? do you just email admissions? how would you go about finding out about something like this?

A lot of the schools will say what they like to see online in their application information whether they are research focused or not. If they are, then you know they want to see that you've done some research.

 

[MedPhys2MD]

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I think founding a fraternity might be a really nice way to show leadership (not saying it's more important than any other experiences). Simply being a member probably won't be high yield, but founding can potentially be valuable experience

 

[galactoside]

My hope would be for you to work in an ER as a tech (it's an easy job) so you can really see what patient's are like. That would be the best EC.

Patient's are very interesting indeed. I know you mentioned that you shadow...that's a great EC. Try to become an ER Tech. That's definitely give you an honest glimpse into the patient/doctor/nurse/ancillary staff world. Then you may want to become an ER doc or bag the whole thing and become a cat groomer 🙂

I started volunteering in an ER several years ago while getting my EMT cert. At that point I was working towards PA school. I ended up getting a job as a Tech and have really enjoyed it. As an ER Tech you will be able to interact with a variety of patients. ER Techs get to do minor procedures and see a lot of interesting stuff. This will also put you in touch with doctors both in the ER and in other specialties.

 

[familyaerospace]

dumb question, but how do you know what a particular school likes more? do you just email admissions? how would you go about finding out about something like this?

Ok, apparently all of us were wrong. I had a meeting with the dean of Mercer yesterday and she said that if you can only put energy into one EC, it's community service in general. One of the other people in the group had a somewhat similar question to you and that was the advice. Go figure.