What is the most impressive EC or non-school related activity

[Samiamm]

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you guys have ever done or heard of?


I was reading about some kid who raised 2 mill for a local clinic, just random stuff like this, not the regular boring research, volunteering, etc.

 

[PreMedOrDead]

Military service is usually a killer EC. That or some incredible service experience, preferably as a leader. Starting a successful non-profit (like you mentioned) is also excellent.

 

[FalconSlice]

Delivering babies in Zaire. Jk but i bet some gunnerz have done something along those lines.

 

[Samiamm]

Military service is usually a killer EC. That or some incredible service experience, preferably as a leader. Starting a successful non-profit (like you mentioned) is also excellent.

What about air force pilots applying for that pilot/physician program




I'd love to meet the kid who overdoes that

 

[Nymphicus]

Pick any one you like.

This one maybe...

ABDULRAHMAN EL-SAYED was born in Michigan to parents who had come to this country from Egypt. As a freshman at the University of Michigan, his academic performance was outstanding, he was a key defenseman on the university's varsity lacrosse team, and he had a clear path to medical school. In the wake of 9/11, however, he felt conflicted by his American, Muslim and Egyptian identities and undirected in his pursuits. A summer in Egypt helped him see identity issues as opportunities and medical education as a basis from which he could begin to rectify health inequalities. He went on to become the top student in his class and the senior speaker at his graduation. Bill Clinton said of Abdul's speech: "I wish every person in the world who believes that we're fated to have a clash of civilizations and cannot reach across the religious divide could have heard you speak today." Entering Columbia University's medical school, Abdul worked on epidemiology at the lab of Sandro Galea. His work has resulted in 24 publications. He won a Rhodes scholarship following his second year of medical school and earned a doctoral degree in public health at Oxford. He is now completing his MD and a Ph.D. in social medicine at Columbia.




http://www.pdsoros.org/current_fellows/

 

[Frazier]

Pick any one you like.

This one maybe...

ABDULRAHMAN EL-SAYED was born in Michigan to parents who had come to this country from Egypt. As a freshman at the University of Michigan, his academic performance was outstanding, he was a key defenseman on the university’s varsity lacrosse team, and he had a clear path to medical school. In the wake of 9/11, however, he felt conflicted by his American, Muslim and Egyptian identities and undirected in his pursuits. A summer in Egypt helped him see identity issues as opportunities and medical education as a basis from which he could begin to rectify health inequalities. He went on to become the top student in his class and the senior speaker at his graduation. Bill Clinton said of Abdul’s speech: “I wish every person in the world who believes that we’re fated to have a clash of civilizations and cannot reach across the religious divide could have heard you speak today.” Entering Columbia University’s medical school, Abdul worked on epidemiology at the lab of Sandro Galea. His work has resulted in 24 publications. He won a Rhodes scholarship following his second year of medical school and earned a doctoral degree in public health at Oxford. He is now completing his MD and a Ph.D. in social medicine at Columbia.


http://www.pdsoros.org/current_fellows/

24 pubs... GENIUS!

 

[Samiamm]

Pick any one you like.

This one maybe...

ABDULRAHMAN EL-SAYED was born in Michigan to parents who had come to this country from Egypt. As a freshman at the University of Michigan, his academic performance was outstanding, he was a key defenseman on the university’s varsity lacrosse team, and he had a clear path to medical school. In the wake of 9/11, however, he felt conflicted by his American, Muslim and Egyptian identities and undirected in his pursuits. A summer in Egypt helped him see identity issues as opportunities and medical education as a basis from which he could begin to rectify health inequalities. He went on to become the top student in his class and the senior speaker at his graduation. Bill Clinton said of Abdul’s speech: “I wish every person in the world who believes that we’re fated to have a clash of civilizations and cannot reach across the religious divide could have heard you speak today.” Entering Columbia University’s medical school, Abdul worked on epidemiology at the lab of Sandro Galea. His work has resulted in 24 publications. He won a Rhodes scholarship following his second year of medical school and earned a doctoral degree in public health at Oxford. He is now completing his MD and a Ph.D. in social medicine at Columbia.




http://www.pdsoros.org/current_fellows/

Why was Bill Clinton listening to his grad speech??

 

[Planes2Doc]

If people knew, they would all be doing it. Then they would ruin it for everyone else. I think starting a non-profit organization is going to go down the same path as medical mission trips in the near future.

 

[Samiamm]

If people knew, they would all be doing it. Then they would ruin it for everyone else. I think starting a non-profit organization is going to go down the same path as medical mission trips in the near future.

nahh

It takes alot of work, not something every one can/is willing to do

 

[Planes2Doc]

nahh

It takes alot of work, not something every one can/is willing to do

Well actually... It's pretty simple to incorporate a business. It just takes some money and paperwork. Then you have someone build the website, unless you can do it yourself. And there you have it! A non-profit organization started by you, whether you want to actually do anything meaningful or not!

 

[CuttingCorneas]

Pick any one you like.

This one maybe...

ABDULRAHMAN EL-SAYED was born in Michigan to parents who had come to this country from Egypt. As a freshman at the University of Michigan, his academic performance was outstanding, he was a key defenseman on the university’s varsity lacrosse team, and he had a clear path to medical school. In the wake of 9/11, however, he felt conflicted by his American, Muslim and Egyptian identities and undirected in his pursuits. A summer in Egypt helped him see identity issues as opportunities and medical education as a basis from which he could begin to rectify health inequalities. He went on to become the top student in his class and the senior speaker at his graduation. Bill Clinton said of Abdul’s speech: “I wish every person in the world who believes that we’re fated to have a clash of civilizations and cannot reach across the religious divide could have heard you speak today.” Entering Columbia University’s medical school, Abdul worked on epidemiology at the lab of Sandro Galea. His work has resulted in 24 publications. He won a Rhodes scholarship following his second year of medical school and earned a doctoral degree in public health at Oxford. He is now completing his MD and a Ph.D. in social medicine at Columbia.

This is the reason people apply Caribbean.

 

[Lucky Louie]

Pick any one you like.

This one maybe...

ABDULRAHMAN EL-SAYED was born in Michigan to parents who had come to this country from Egypt. As a freshman at the University of Michigan, his academic performance was outstanding, he was a key defenseman on the university's varsity lacrosse team, and he had a clear path to medical school … He went on to become the top student in his class and the senior speaker at his graduation.
http://www.pdsoros.org/current_fellows/

Sounds like his ECs were lacrosse and studying, plus a summer of travel to Egypt. His 24 publications were written while in med school.

 

[PreMedOrDead]

Well actually... It's pretty simple to incorporate a business. It just takes some money and paperwork. Then you have someone build the website, unless you can do it yourself. And there you have it! A non-profit organization started by you, whether you want to actually do anything meaningful or not!

Sshhh, don't tell anyone!

Also, joining research teams right when they're about to publish. 👍

 

[YShi]

.

 

[ljpm8224]

Back when I worked in ibanking, we would always have wanna be jr associates who would get busted "starting" their own fake-non profits. They would basically code up a website, plagiarizing the entire thing and sub-ing in their own bio under "founders."

Seriously I remember at least 3 people who got busted doing this. Oh and also "self publishing" plagiarized books.

Oh and then there was this awesomeness:
[youtube]-_aM_UiHeFM[/youtube]

^^ video resume!!

from wiki:

" Vayner's job application includes:

• Cover letter
• Resume: One and a half pages
• Writing Sample: Eight pages
• A glamour shot of Vayner
• Seven-minute video that features the following feats by Vayner (in order):
  • Interview: gives advice for achieving life goals
  • Bench press: 495 pounds (225 kilograms)
  • Downhill skiing: with jumps
  • Tennis serve: 140 miles per hour (255 km/h or 63 m/s)
  • Ballroom dancing: with female dancer
  • Karate chop: seven bricks broken"
  • Other publications investigating learned that Vayner has variously claimed the following[1]
• He won two games against tennis great Pete Sampras, and taught Jerry Seinfeld and Harrison Ford to play
• He is an expert in Chinese orthopedic massage
• The Dalai Lama wrote his college recommendation letter
• He was an action stuntman and professional skier
• He is a professional model and has appeared in promotional ads for multiple clothing stores including Ann Taylor and Saks Fifth Avenue.
• He worked for the Central Intelligence Agency
• He is a master in the art of Tibetan bone-setting
• He forged passports for the Russian Mafia
• He participated in Tibetan gladiatorial contests
• He is one of four people in the state of Connecticut certified to handle nuclear waste
• He was the original developer of Napster
• His Niece, Anastasia Vayner, is a Maxim and Playboy model, and was featured in GQ's Top Ten Hottest Women article at #1.

I'm sure med schools get just as many crazy claims and wack applicants. Although I'd bet the MCAT weeds out some of the bigger weirdos first.


Oh, and as for an ACTUAL impressive EC, I'd say pro, semi-pro or Olympic athlete. I also am partial to commodities traders who put themselves through school while trading, but then again I'm biased!

 

[mimelim]

Just to put things into perspective, there was a resident who when he entered VS residency already had 70+ publications, non-PhD student. Guy was a machine the 2 years he spent doing pretty much pure clinical research. One of my senior residents put out ~20 papers last year alone while on their research year. Clinical research is... different... You have to be really cautious about the numbers. It isn't hard to simply publish, there are a lot of clinical journals out there.

I know nothing about that guy or his publications, but just an fyi to people getting hung up on the number 😛.


I listed in the other thread the most impressive ECs that I came across: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=13251533&postcount=12

 

[cortana431]

Olympic Medalist? I remember one of the U.S medal winners is a pre med student at Duke. Wonder how her application record will turn out.

 

[Planes2Doc]

If I were an influential ADCOM member, you know what activity would impress me the most?

If the applicant specifically stated that they did absolutely NOTHING and wrote an extensive personal statement detailing why they chose not to do activities. That's completely outside the cookie-cutter mold! No matter what activities you do, you'll end up fitting just about the same mold that a majority of pre-meds fit into. I want to see someone with COURAGE who is willing to stand up against the system, and speak the truth, rather than prancing around the political correctness line.

 

[Samiamm]

Well actually... It's pretty simple to incorporate a business. It just takes some money and paperwork. Then you have someone build the website, unless you can do it yourself. And there you have it! A non-profit organization started by you, whether you want to actually do anything meaningful or not!

Im sorry, but, you make this sound a lot easier then it is 😕

 

[Planes2Doc]

Im sorry, but, you make this sound a lot easier then it is 😕

Well the technical parts, yes... That legal document that says you're incorporated means you are officially a business. A website that looks at least somewhat professional sets up a store front so it looks legitimate.

Now the rest is definitely not easy at all, and this is where the honest people can work their asses off for something they believe in, or the dishonest people to play the game through a massive and expensive facade.

 

[alamo4]

Well actually... It's pretty simple to incorporate a business. It just takes some money and paperwork. Then you have someone build the website, unless you can do it yourself. And there you have it! A non-profit organization started by you, whether you want to actually do anything meaningful or not!

It's not uncommon now for competitive parents have their kids set up a non-profit, and then basically fund it, or at least arrange fund raisers that can actually make decent money, and the kid gets credited with starting a foundation that built a clinic in Pakistan for women's health issues and midwives or whatever.

Not uncommon at all. This is not to demean the young people out there struggling to raise money for pro-social causes.

 

[alamo4]

you guys have ever done or heard of?


I was reading about some kid who raised 2 mill for a local clinic, just random stuff like this, not the regular boring research, volunteering, etc.

I have see people who have done lots of cool things before medical school:

Olympic competitor

Having played a couple seasons of professional football.

Biked across America fundraising and doing Habitat for Humanity (this is after being accepted)

Starting a multimillion $ company doing high tech b2b sales, then selling it to start med school

Writing music that was performed by a pop star and made into the top 40 list and made into a popular movie. (I know of him now as an orthopedic surgeon)

Being a professional concert violinist who has played in over 35 different counties and performed for heads of state

Creating basically a system like in the movie Moneyball for the NBA, such that ESPN has given it a lot of coverage and teams are trying to acquire it.

Lots of cool things to try before medical school. 🙂

 

[alpinism]

Peace Corps and Teach for America are 2 of the most common high-impact non-medical ECs (well respected and looks great on a CV)

Other impressive ECs we see:

-World class athlete or musician (professional, olympics, etc...)
-Publishing as 1st or 2nd author in a highly respected journal (NEJM, JAMA, Nature etc...) after long-term dedicated research (2-3yrs usually)
*Good rule of thumb: quality over quantity for research*
-Leadership and excelling in a prior profession (climbing the ranks fast, becoming the youngest to do this or the 1st to do that...)
-Intern for high ranking official at major UN org or federal govt org (CDC, NIH, DHHS)
-Leadership position at a major well-respected nonprofit or charity org
-Teaching medical students or residents w/o a MD or PhD
-Writing a best selling novel or textbook

Just be aware that MCAT/GPA is king and none of the above matter if you don't have the stats to pass the school's screening cutoff.

 

[WaterPog]

Male single parent of 2? Small business owner? Engineering job w/o engineering degree?

 

[deleted127837]

I was born in the log cabin I built alone with my bare hands.

 

[mimelim]

I was born in the log cabin I built alone with my bare hands.

Impressive because you must have time travel capabilities, which would be quite useful.

 

[RomanTaylor]

Military 😛

Get some, oorah. Lol

 

[Planes2Doc]

And this is the problem with the medical school admissions game. Can you really gauge anything about applicants if the majority are doing activities that they NEVER would have done in the first place to look good for medical school? All it shows is who is willing to play the game, which means that people who couldn't care less about serving the underserved will end up looking like saints.

If ADCOMs were to ask applicants why they pursued these activities or asked for a history of EC involvement BEFORE matriculating to undergrad, then they would probably have a very different perspective (except for high schoolers that know they want to go to medical school, who would have a leg-up in the game).

 

[Samiamm]

And this is the problem with the medical school admissions game. Can you really gauge anything about applicants if the majority are doing activities that they NEVER would have done in the first place to look good for medical school? All it shows is who is willing to play the game, which means that people who couldn't care less about serving the underserved will end up looking like saints.

If ADCOMs were to ask applicants why they pursued these activities or asked for a history of EC involvement BEFORE matriculating to undergrad, then they would probably have a very different perspective (except for high schoolers that know they want to go to medical school, who would have a leg-up in the game).

But it shows how much you are willing to do/put up with to get to medical school, which therein shows that you're definitely (most likely) not going to

A) Flunk out
B) Perform poorly (MCAT and GPA would reflect this more, however)

and

C) be able to juggle many things

 

[Planes2Doc]

But it shows how much you are willing to do/put up with to get to medical school, which therein shows that you're definitely (most likely) not going to

A) Flunk out
B) Perform poorly (MCAT and GPA would reflect this more, however)

and

C) be able to juggle many things

These things can be probably demonstrate the student's ability to juggle things even more than doing ECs. What happens if someone who volunteers at the hospital spends their entire shift just sitting in a corner studying? They are still using the time to do school work. In most cases, schools will never know whether a hospital volunteer was a valuable asset to the department, or if the volunteer just spent their time doing their own things.

Schools are looking for altruism too. But this is probably a very ineffective way of measuring pre-meds' actual altruism, since most are probably putting on a song and dance for the ADCOMs. Some just get luckier with "better looking" ECs (hence most are on the quest to find the "most impressive" ECs). There's nothing wrong with it, it's just the way it is.

 

[Samiamm]

These things can be probably demonstrate the student's ability to juggle things even more than doing ECs. What happens if someone who volunteers at the hospital spends their entire shift just sitting in a corner studying? They are still using the time to do school work. In most cases, schools will never know whether a hospital volunteer was a valuable asset to the department, or if the volunteer just spent their time doing their own things.

Schools are looking for altruism too. But this is probably a very ineffective way of measuring pre-meds' actual altruism, since most are probably putting on a song and dance for the ADCOMs. Some just get luckier with "better looking" ECs (hence most are on the quest to find the "most impressive" ECs). There's nothing wrong with it, it's just the way it is.

You and I dis-agree on so many things,

But, I'm a 1st year undergrad and you're an X year med student, so,

 

[PreMedOrDead]

There's nothing wrong with it, it's just the way it is.

I'd say there's plenty wrong with it, just no one can fix it.

 

[cortana431]

Member of Seal Team Six o.0

 

[Marika11]

I know someone who has 11 adopted siblings with medical conditions, and has spent a lot of time helping them through all types of surgeries, therapies, etc.

 

[deleted127837]

I'd say there's plenty wrong with it, just no one can fix it.

Look on the bright side, they could have used the Match system for med school pairing. May 15th, you get an e-mail that's like "Report to Joe Blow's Auto Repair and Medical School on August 19th for Orientation. You received no scholarship. Congratulations."

 

[Essene]

Join the Peace Corps or, a better alternative, Ameicorp if you're planning on staying in the states.

 

[Planes2Doc]

I'd say there's plenty wrong with it, just no one can fix it.

Well let's take a look at your username, "Pre-Med Or Dead." That's how it is for a lot of people in college, especially when they invest (almost) EVERYTHING they have so they can get into medical school (I'm guessing people skip out on summer internships after junior year which helps land jobs in business if it comes to that). So they do everything they can to get into medical school. Can you blame them? It really sucks when the mentality is that if you don't do it, then other people will.

In this case: Don't blame the players, blame the game.

 

[PreMedOrDead]

Well let's take a look at your username, "Pre-Med Or Dead." That's how it is for a lot of people in college, especially when they invest (almost) EVERYTHING they have so they can get into medical school (I'm guessing people skip out on summer internships after junior year which helps land jobs in business if it comes to that). So they do everything they can to get into medical school. Can you blame them? It really sucks when the mentality is that if you don't do it, then other people will.

In this case: Don't blame the players, blame the game.

I think you're the first one to properly interpret the username.

 

[MT Headed]

What is the most impressive EC or non-school related activity you guys have ever done or heard of?

I think it is a matter of whom you are trying to impress... the adcom or fellow SDNers? I applied with a variety ECs but the one that impressed the adcoms the most was my Americorps service. It neatly and verifiably combines volunteerism, leadership, and putting up with government BS. All three will be expected of you as doctors.

 

[Josh7]

Looks like I'll be joining the military in my gap years! Thanks for the tips

 

[deleted393595]

Oh and then there was this awesomeness:
[YOUTUBE]-_aM_UiHeFM[/YOUTUBE]

^^ video resume!!

"I can bench 495lbs!"

*Manages to move the bar down an inch before pushing it back up* -.-

 

[Spinach Dip]

*Sword Swallower
*Fluent in 3 Languages
*MCAT Class Instructor (for Kaplan or whoever)
*TA in Some Complicated Course--Like OChem
*Both Parents are Doctors
*Built an Orphanage in Tanzania
*Work at No-Kill animal Shelter
*Family is Worth Millions

 

[aspiring20]

just out of curiosity, will self publishing a novel (working full time for 2 years) be viewed as an impressive asset? especially when there are professors vouching for the quality of the work?

 

[Textbookversion]

just out of curiosity, will self publishing a novel (working full time for 2 years) be viewed as an impressive asset? especially when there are professors vouching for the quality of the work?

um no I can self-publish 50 novels this week while studying for finals if I want. there's no barrier to entry rofl.

Getting it published for real by a big kid publisher or winning an award? Heck ya that's impressive.

 

[BillBillington]

um no I can self-publish 50 novels this week while studying for finals if I want. there's no barrier to entry rofl.

Getting it published for real by a big kid publisher or winning an award? Heck ya that's impressive.

I self published a novel. Good to know it counts as squat though

But I also have 8 years experience in the military. Hope that at least counts as much as a hobby.

 

[Textbookversion]

I self published a novel. Good to know it counts as squat though

But I also have 8 years experience in the military. Hope that at least counts as much as a hobby.

Oh yeah absolutely milk that. 8 years means you were at least an NCO; you can talk about leadership, service, teamwork etc they'll eat it up.

 

[cheechootrain]

What is the most impressive EC or non-school related activity

- Billionaire
- Philanthropist
- Witnessed parents murder
- Fights crime

 

[Sophocles]

Why was Bill Clinton listening to his grad speech??

I actually know this kid. Super humble dude. I met him while doing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at Columbia. Great guy👍

 

[Mjolner]

- billionaire
- philanthropist
- witnessed parents murder
- fights crime

+1

 

[Mjolner]

And this is the problem with the medical school admissions game. Can you really gauge anything about applicants if the majority are doing activities that they NEVER would have done in the first place to look good for medical school? All it shows is who is willing to play the game, which means that people who couldn't care less about serving the underserved will end up looking like saints.

If ADCOMs were to ask applicants why they pursued these activities or asked for a history of EC involvement BEFORE matriculating to undergrad, then they would probably have a very different perspective (except for high schoolers that know they want to go to medical school, who would have a leg-up in the game).

I THINK this is why TRUE non trads have such a leg up. We're doing things with our lives based off of our true interests and values well before med school ever entered the horizon. I think for this to work though, you need to be a true non trad (in your thirties, career changer, etc) I think the adcoms are good at seeing through the, "my grades weren't gonna get me in when I was 22 so I worked at a lab and volunteered a lot and now I'm 25 and trying" non trads.
That route may work, but I would assume that other adults on the adcoms would see the difference.
But I'm not a med student or adcom, so this is just an uniformed opinion.