What kind of extra carrecular activities?

[exmissionary]

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What kind of extra curricular activities?


So I imagine it now.... Your going through your interview for med school and then they start asking you about your extra curricular activities, what do you say? umm....


So these are my questions:
What kind of extra curricular activities are you doing? What kind of evidence do you bring? Should you look for extra curricular activities or just do what you have always done? Is continuing giving service at your local church sufficient or should you look for more? Are some things more preferable to something else?

 

[jochi1543]

Showing commitment by continuing to do work for your church is definitely a good thing. However, you also need to ensure that you have some clinical experiences to show, where you've dealt with sick people, volunteered in the hospital or a community clinic. I also think some degree of diversity is good, when you are working with people outside of your regular community - I know if I saw someone whose entire list of ECs centered around his or her church, I'd wonder how successful s/he'd be dealing with people who don't share their faith. Working with people whose backgrounds are different, whether we're talking socioeconomic or cultural backgrounds shows that you can overcome differences and successfully communicate.

Many schools also like to see research, though if you don't like it, it's ok not to do it as long as you are keeping yourself busy with other things and aren't planning on applying to a very research-intensive school. It doesn't necessarily has to be science research, you can show your ability to carry out a project by working in a non-science discipline.



Basically, what you want to show through your list of ECs is commitment, dedication, leadership, understanding of what it's like to work in a clinical environment, diversity of interests, and ability to communicate well and to cooperate with others.

 

[emttim]

This actually brings me to a question regarding ECs....is 7 months of volunteer exp at a hospital, science club at CC and the equivalent at Davis, bowling league for 1 year, and by the time I apply to med school, hopefully several consecutive years of sky diving and several consecutive years of scuba diving good enough you think? (no worries on clinical exp, I plan to have been a paramedic for a couple years by then)

Edited to add: Oh yeah, if I can afford it on top of sky/scuba diving, paintball too.

 

[gujuDoc]

I'm going to direct you guys to the FAQ section developed by Dr. Pardi. you will find plenty enough in there to help guide you in the right direction regarding ECs. Look in the stickied threads up at the top of preallo.

 

[ryandote]

What kind of extra curricular activities?


So I imagine it now.... Your going through your interview for med school and then they start asking you about your extra curricular activities, what do you say? umm....


So these are my questions:
What kind of extra curricular activities are you doing? What kind of evidence do you bring? Should you look for extra curricular activities or just do what you have always done? Is continuing giving service at your local church sufficient or should you look for more? Are some things more preferable to something else?

Depends on what church. If it was a mormon church and you went on a mormon mission, I wouldn't mention it because adcoms frown on that.

 

[patzan]

Depends on what church. If it was a mormon church and you went on a mormon mission, I wouldn't mention it because adcoms frown on that.

That sounds like pretty stupid advice to me. The only adcoms that would frown on that would be the places you don't want to go. Please explain if you have any practical reasoning or insight into why you said this. Anyway, Mormons should mention missionary work because, come on, that was two years of your life and if that huge chunk is missing from your CV, they'll want to know what you were doing. Then when you tell them that you were off in some foreign country, learning a foreign language, eating crappy food, not speaking to your parents for 6 months at a time, not dating or partying, studying all the time and possibly being attacked daily for your religious beliefs, they'll think you are a freak for not putting that on your CV and THEN won't likely admit you.

On the other hand, if you do put it on your application, undoubtedly, the person interviewing you will notice it and will ask you questions and you'll have a great conversation about it and probably interest them, no matter what their previous opinions of Mormons was (not one of those awkward interviews where you sit and stare at each other not knowing what to say, or coming across as fake, etc.). If they are religious bigots like ryandote, perhaps your conversation will help them realize that you're a real person who went on your own will, paid your own way, and worked your butt off for a 10th of your life.

Also, who says church service (any church) is not worthy community service? I think it is quite notable, whatever you're involved in, whether it be teaching lessons, taking food to widows, giving a lady a ride to church, whatever, most church activities are community service.

 

[63768]

That sounds like pretty stupid advice to me.

looks like someone left their sense of humor and sarcasm-radar in their other pants.

and OP, ECs are up to you. whatever you enjoy doing, do it. in the interview setting, go with the flow and talk about what you and your interviewer seem to be hovering around. if he/she asks a lot about your church activities, talk about that. if he/she asks you about your medical experience, talk about that instead. don't start rambling off your resume. go into depth on key experiences you've had (but not to the point of boredom).

 

[testace]

My school's premed groups don't do much of anything so I've looked to some organizations like science publications, red cross, and other groups that aren't directly related to medicine. Does it even matter if you're in a med related group or will any do?

 

[63768]

My school's premed groups don't do much of anything so I've looked to some organizations like science publications, red cross, and other groups that aren't directly related to medicine. Does it even matter if you're in a med related group or will any do?

no. the only requirements for a good application are:

*good GPA
*good MCAT
*shadowing/medically related activity
*hobbies to show you aren't a total tool and that you can be a well-rounded person
*good LORs

nope. no med related group necessary. of course, if your med related group does cool stuff and you like it, do it.

 

[ryandote]

... something about religious bigotry

Sorry, dude, I was going to watch this thread really closely and respond before anything got out of hand. Then I got busy writing some emails. I was being a little facetious because I mention being Mormon and serving a mission every chance I get (Philly, PA Aug '01 - Aug '03)

Anyway, as far as the mission goes, definitely mention it! Likely it was a large part of your formative social development at a very critical time in your life. Not to mention the dedication and skills it exhibits. Spirituality is another bonus entirely. Here's the thing about applying as LDS. There are A LOT of us applying, and adcoms know the jig about church callings. Definitely admirable, but it really isn't showing a TON of initiative. Don't quit teaching Sunday School, by any means, and certainly mention it.....but I would look for some ways to stretch yourself a little more.

To the OP: Doing what you've always done is a good start, but it might be smart to look for things that are a little more directed at what adcoms want to see. Leadership, volunteering, working with underserved, research, and especially clinical experience. I mean, if you have 15 hobbies like fishing and hiking and biking and pimping your ride and you are WAY into these things: that is great. However, you would fare much better if you found some things to participate in that might give you an idea of what a healthcare career might be like.

.02$

 

[patzan]

Sorry, dude, I was going to watch this thread really closely and respond before anything got out of hand. Then I got busy writing some emails. I was being a little facetious because I mention being Mormon and serving a mission every chance I get (Philly, PA Aug '01 - Aug '03)

Anyway, as far as the mission goes, definitely mention it! Likely it was a large part of your formative social development at a very critical time in your life. Not to mention the dedication and skills it exhibits. Spirituality is another bonus entirely. Here's the thing about applying as LDS. There are A LOT of us applying, and adcoms know the jig about church callings. Definitely admirable, but it really isn't showing a TON of initiative. Don't quit teaching Sunday School, by any means, and certainly mention it.....but I would look for some ways to stretch yourself a little more.

To the OP: Doing what you've always done is a good start, but it might be smart to look for things that are a little more directed at what adcoms want to see. Leadership, volunteering, working with underserved, research, and especially clinical experience. I mean, if you have 15 hobbies like fishing and hiking and biking and pimping your ride and you are WAY into these things: that is great. However, you would fare much better if you found some things to participate in that might give you an idea of what a healthcare career might be like.

.02$

Sorry for snapping, I have been reading the NY Times too much lately. As stated, my sarcasm radar was lost in my other pants.

 

[ryandote]

Sorry for snapping, I have been reading the NY Times too much lately. As stated, my sarcasm radar was lost in my other pants.

My fault. I've been on a real sarcastic streak lately and forget that it doesn't translate well in print! Are you LDS, by chance? I rarely get such a strong defense from even very tolerant people.

 

[patzan]

My fault. I've been on a real sarcastic streak lately and forget that it doesn't translate well in print! Are you LDS, by chance? I rarely get such a strong defense from even very tolerant people.

Yup, but also a very tolerant person, I hope (except for perceived bigotry - sorry about that...). Russia 1999-2001.