What really is considered good/extraordinary EC's?

[kkosp2451]

Just curious. I don't think mine fit the good/extraordinary EC experience, but I'm just wondering what can be considered that.

My EC's:
- EMT for 4 years while in UG (2 years as basic, 2 years as critical care) with 2 years of leadership
- Working as an ER tech for one year at level 1 trauma center
- Spent 1 week on a trip to panama building a sanitation system
- Americorps vista for 3 years
- In my school's soccer club for a year and a half
- Shadowed 2 MD's (unfortunately no DO's)
- Worked several jobs as an EMT

I don't have any research/publications, so I'm just wondering where I stand as far as EC's go.

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[yanks26dmb]

Just curious. I don't think mine fit the good/extraordinary EC experience, but I'm just wondering what can be considered that.

My EC's:
- EMT for 4 years while in UG (2 years as basic, 2 years as critical care) with 2 years of leadership
- Working as an ER tech for one year at level 1 trauma center
- Spent 1 week on a trip to panama building a sanitation system
- Americorps vista for 3 years
- In my school's soccer club for a year and a half
- Shadowed 2 MD's (unfortunately no DO's)
- Worked several jobs as an EMT

I don't have any research/publications, so I'm just wondering where I stand as far as EC's go.

To be honest, none of those really stand out to me. they're exactly what most people do (or some variation of).

Certainly, I've got a few of those mixed in, but I consider a large majority of mine to be excellent EC's. Of course, it helps I've been out of college and in the real world since 07, so I do have a leg up on you more traditional students in this regard..

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

You are fine, DO does not care as much about research. You have fantastic clinical exposure (which is what they want). Also your volunteer work shows altruism (Americorps is no joke). If you can shadow a DO, get some awesome experiences to discuss, and maybe get a DO letter, you are golden. Even without the DO stuff, so long as your gpa and MCAT is solid, you are still in very good shape.

But as the person above suggested, nothing massively stands out, but they are still very solid experiences. It is challenging to get something that really blows people's socks off. But the hardest thing that a lot of applicants lack is clinical exposure, which is probably more important than just being unique (in my opinion).

 

[kkosp2451]

To be honest, none of those really stand out to me. they're exactly what most people do (or some variation of).

Certainly, I've got a few of those mixed in, but I consider a large majority of mine to be excellent EC's. Of course, it helps I've been out of college and in the real world since 07, so I do have a leg up on you more traditional students in this regard..

Yeah, that's my biggest concern. Which is why I don't think my EC's are "great" - I just feel like it's things every body else does. What else can I do that would make me a better candidate, EC wise?

 

[yanks26dmb]

Yeah, that's my biggest concern. Which is why I don't think my EC's are "great" - I just feel like it's things every body else does. What else can I do that would make me a better candidate, EC wise?

I think it depends when you want to apply. It's probably a little late to do something really meaningful before secondaries are in this cycle...that said, if your grades/mcat are good for DO, nothing you mentioned is going to hold you back.

If you have more time and want to really add an X factor, why not start a non-profit organization? I've got several entrepreneurial items listed on my app; 1 for profit, 1 non-profit. I realize it's not as easy as saying, hey, I want to start a non-profit...but if you have a year plus, a little business know how, and the drive to help people...I think being the founder of a successful non-profit that targets an under served population is about as good as it gets...

Benefits towards your application aside...its an extremely heart-warming experience, knowing you are personally responsible for helping other people....and it also provides great leadership experience. Get a few local university interns working for you and you're well on your way to growing this thing out.

 

[Goro]

Your ECs are nice.

My favorites are:
Habitat for Humanity
Peace Corps
military service
TFA
Being a Big Brother/Sister
tutoring poor children
volunteering at hospice or nursing homes.

Just curious. I don't think mine fit the good/extraordinary EC experience, but I'm just wondering what can be considered that.

My EC's:
- EMT for 4 years while in UG (2 years as basic, 2 years as critical care) with 2 years of leadership
- Working as an ER tech for one year at level 1 trauma center
- Spent 1 week on a trip to panama building a sanitation system
- Americorps vista for 3 years
- In my school's soccer club for a year and a half
- Shadowed 2 MD's (unfortunately no DO's)
- Worked several jobs as an EMT

I don't have any research/publications, so I'm just wondering where I stand as far as EC's go.

 

[da Vincis World]

Just curious. I don't think mine fit the good/extraordinary EC experience, but I'm just wondering what can be considered that.

My EC's:
- EMT for 4 years while in UG (2 years as basic, 2 years as critical care) with 2 years of leadership
- Working as an ER tech for one year at level 1 trauma center
- Spent 1 week on a trip to panama building a sanitation system
- Americorps vista for 3 years
- In my school's soccer club for a year and a half
- Shadowed 2 MD's (unfortunately no DO's)
- Worked several jobs as an EMT

I don't have any research/publications, so I'm just wondering where I stand as far as EC's go.

You have great ECs...... Certainly extraordinary compared to mine. You only need extraordinary ECs if your grades or MCAT are lacking. If you have above average grades/MCAT no one gives a **** how you saved the world as an undergrad.

 

[radian313]

While we are on this topic, and didnt want to make another thread, could a kind soul comment on my ECs/work experience, or if I need to do anymore?

Hospital Volunteer
EMT-B Fire and Rescue
Fire station volunteer helping with Bingo nights and other community events such as Santa Claus runs during Xmas
International Student Union VP
International Week 2009 Chairman
Secretary/Founding member- worked on coordinating logistics with Free Clinic
Research Assistant for PhD candidate
Student Justice for Honor Committee
Intramural Sports Team Captain 2009
Intramural Sports Team Member 2008
Emergency Medicine Club Member
Public Health Student Organization
Public Health Dept Website Blogger
Published Story School Magazine (non science)
Worked as an intern in the Dept of Family Medicine, making Public Health brochures for non profit organization/out reach program for at risk population of Baltimore, MD for preventable disease (this was part of my MPH program)

Work experience

Best Buy (Computers/Mobile)
Holiday Inn Front Desk
Bank Teller
Pharmacy Technician (CVS)
Pharmacy Technician (Walgreens)
Medical Assistant/Medical Scribe For Ophthalmologist
Medical Intern for DO (Urologist)
Medical Scribe for Level 1 Trauma Center/ED

 

[shim0shim]

While we are on this topic, and didnt want to make another thread, could a kind soul comment on my ECs/work experience, or if I need to do anymore?

Hospital Volunteer
EMT-B Fire and Rescue
Fire station volunteer helping with Bingo nights and other community events such as Santa Claus runs during Xmas
International Student Union VP
International Week 2009 Chairman
Secretary/Founding member- worked on coordinating logistics with Free Clinic
Research Assistant for PhD candidate
Student Justice for Honor Committee
Intramural Sports Team Captain 2009
Intramural Sports Team Member 2008
Emergency Medicine Club Member
Public Health Student Organization
Public Health Dept Website Blogger
Published Story School Magazine (non science)
Worked as an intern in the Dept of Family Medicine, making Public Health brochures for non profit organization/out reach program for at risk population of Baltimore, MD for preventable disease (this was part of my MPH program)

Work experience

Best Buy (Computers/Mobile)
Holiday Inn Front Desk
Bank Teller
Pharmacy Technician (CVS)
Pharmacy Technician (Walgreens)
Medical Assistant/Medical Scribe For Ophthalmologist
Medical Intern for DO (Urologist)
Medical Scribe for Level 1 Trauma Center/ED

You got nothing to worry about

 

[da Vincis World]

While we are on this topic, and didnt want to make another thread, could a kind soul comment on my ECs/work experience, or if I need to do anymore?

Hospital Volunteer
EMT-B Fire and Rescue
Fire station volunteer helping with Bingo nights and other community events such as Santa Claus runs during Xmas
International Student Union VP
International Week 2009 Chairman
Secretary/Founding member- worked on coordinating logistics with Free Clinic
Research Assistant for PhD candidate
Student Justice for Honor Committee
Intramural Sports Team Captain 2009
Intramural Sports Team Member 2008
Emergency Medicine Club Member
Public Health Student Organization
Public Health Dept Website Blogger
Published Story School Magazine (non science)
Worked as an intern in the Dept of Family Medicine, making Public Health brochures for non profit organization/out reach program for at risk population of Baltimore, MD for preventable disease (this was part of my MPH program)

Work experience

Best Buy (Computers/Mobile)
Holiday Inn Front Desk
Bank Teller
Pharmacy Technician (CVS)
Pharmacy Technician (Walgreens)
Medical Assistant/Medical Scribe For Ophthalmologist
Medical Intern for DO (Urologist)
Medical Scribe for Level 1 Trauma Center/ED

Again these EC's are great. Be sure to put your most meaningful EC's at the top of the list because no one is going to read all of this stuff. Don't make the EC section so long that the people reading your app are rolling their eyes. If you happen to have questionable grades/MCAT and your EC list looks like this they are likely to wonder if you have trouble with priorities. In the end grades, MCAT scores and who you know matter way more than EC's.

 

[LongTimeLurk]

While we are on this topic, and didnt want to make another thread, could a kind soul comment on my ECs/work experience, or if I need to do anymore?

Hospital Volunteer
EMT-B Fire and Rescue
Fire station volunteer helping with Bingo nights and other community events such as Santa Claus runs during Xmas
International Student Union VP
International Week 2009 Chairman
Secretary/Founding member- worked on coordinating logistics with Free Clinic
Research Assistant for PhD candidate
Student Justice for Honor Committee
Intramural Sports Team Captain 2009
Intramural Sports Team Member 2008
Emergency Medicine Club Member
Public Health Student Organization
Public Health Dept Website Blogger
Published Story School Magazine (non science)
Worked as an intern in the Dept of Family Medicine, making Public Health brochures for non profit organization/out reach program for at risk population of Baltimore, MD for preventable disease (this was part of my MPH program)

Work experience

Best Buy (Computers/Mobile)
Holiday Inn Front Desk
Bank Teller
Pharmacy Technician (CVS)
Pharmacy Technician (Walgreens)
Medical Assistant/Medical Scribe For Ophthalmologist
Medical Intern for DO (Urologist)
Medical Scribe for Level 1 Trauma Center/ED

not enough. you need to rid world of AIDS to even have a remote chance.

 

[shim0shim]

Again these EC's are great. Be sure to put your most meaningful EC's at the top of the list because no one is going to read all of this stuff.

It is not upto you in what order you place the EC's. AACOMAS sorts the automatically according to the month and year you specify.

 

[radian313]

You got nothing to worry about

Well Im not in until I get that "letter" , but thanks 🙂

Again these EC's are great. Be sure to put your most meaningful EC's at the top of the list because no one is going to read all of this stuff. Don't make the EC section so long that the people reading your app are rolling their eyes. If you happen to have questionable grades/MCAT and your EC list looks like this they are likely to wonder if you have trouble with priorities. In the end grades, MCAT scores and who you know matter way more than EC's.

You are very right, for this, I should have mentioned these ECs span from 2006-2013.....as part of UG, GS, and I was also in Medical school (had to come back due to health reasons), thats a very good point, I will put the meaningful ones on the top (EMT/Scribe/Public Health Internship)

not enough. you need to rid world of AIDS to even have a remote chance.

You know for a second, I thought you were serious lol.....

 

[shim0shim]

Well Im not in until I get that "letter" , but thanks 🙂



You are very right, for this, I should have mentioned these ECs span from 2006-2013.....as part of UG, GS, and I was also in Medical school (had to come back due to health reasons), thats a very good point, I will put the meaningful ones on the top (EMT/Scribe/Public Health Internship)



You know for a second, I thought you were serious lol.....

Well, I meant in terms of EC's and not the entire application.

And again, the order to which you put the EC's is not based on "importance" its based on the month and year you started and ended.

 

[radian313]

Well, I meant in terms of EC's and not the entire application.

And again, the order to which you put the EC's is not based on "importance" its based on the month and year you started and ended.

Got it. Thanks a lot for your input. FYI so far all this with my MPH gives me a cGPA of 3.4 and grad GPA of 3.9 (MPH), missing an MCAT, so lets see what I get....fingers crossed...

 

[shim0shim]

But, quality >> quantity

 

[radian313]

But, quality >> quantity

I agree most def.
Thanks a lot. Good luck to you, if you are applying this cycle.

 

[LongTimeLurk]

Well Im not in until I get that "letter" , but thanks 🙂



You are very right, for this, I should have mentioned these ECs span from 2006-2013.....as part of UG, GS, and I was also in Medical school (had to come back due to health reasons), thats a very good point, I will put the meaningful ones on the top (EMT/Scribe/Public Health Internship)



You know for a second, I thought you were serious lol.....

nah. your ECs are fine. w/good MCAT, LOR etc you should have no problem

 

[da Vincis World]

It is not upto you in what order you place the EC's. AACOMAS sorts the automatically according to the month and year you specify.

In that case pick your favorites. Under no circumstances would I enter a list that long.

 

[Indianarn]

Just curious. I don't think mine fit the good/extraordinary EC experience, but I'm just wondering what can be considered that.

My EC's:
- EMT for 4 years while in UG (2 years as basic, 2 years as critical care) with 2 years of leadership
- Working as an ER tech for one year at level 1 trauma center
- Spent 1 week on a trip to panama building a sanitation system
- Americorps vista for 3 years
- In my school's soccer club for a year and a half
- Shadowed 2 MD's (unfortunately no DO's)
- Worked several jobs as an EMT

I don't have any research/publications, so I'm just wondering where I stand as far as EC's go.

I think on the whole the list is good. I would try in shadow a DO for 20-30 hours and try and get a strong letter from him/her.

 

[anonalt]

.

 

[shim0shim]

I got in with 3 years EMT experience (all critical care), about 60 total hours of volunteering, and 40 hours shadowing a DO. You should be okay assuming your GPA and MCAT are acceptable.

Can I ask how your stats were?

 

[Buckeye1992]

ECs are great and all but I think sometimes people put too much time into them. If you are focusing on them so much that it affects your studies/grades it is obviously not worth it. Also I want to stress the Quality over Quanity. You don't have to do ten different things. Pick a few that you like and make sure they mean something to you and that you get something out of them. A few long term commitments are better than a lot of short ones. My suggestions 1.try to get involved with your pre soma and try to get a leadership position in it. If your school doesn't have a pre-soma, look into starting a branch. -my pre-soma was a good resource as we were able to bring in some adcoms, found doctors to come to campus and speak as well as a few to shadow, and do group community service and other projects etc. 2. Make sure you get meaningful shadowing experience especially with a DO. If you are getting a letter from a DO, you should shadow at least 3 or 4 times with them so they can write you a good letter. 3. Find a hospital/nursing home/er/etc that you can volunteer at where you can get patient contact (or find a job where you can do the same). 4. Find one or two community service projects and stick with them starting early on in ug. Any of GOROs suggestions would work well.

 

[anonalt]

.

 

[shim0shim]

Your ECs are nice.

My favorites are:
Habitat for Humanity
Peace Corps
military service
TFA
Being a Big Brother/Sister
tutoring poor children
volunteering at hospice or nursing homes.

How about volunteering at a women's center where you offer food and hygiene supplies to homeless women and children? Also, what about volunteering for local food banks? Would you say these are good community service?

 

[Goro]

Yup!

Also working at a teen crisis or rape counseling center.

How about volunteering at a women's center where you offer food and hygiene supplies to homeless women and children? Also, what about volunteering for local food banks? Would you say these are good community service?

 

[malamed]

This is random, but I sing in a rock and roll band that plays professional gigs around my city..Should I put this under my EC's, mention in in my PS, or just leave it out all together?? I know its not medically related, I have plenty of those, but its unique, I love it and people are always including sports teams..
I also tried out for American Idol before college..should I include that anywhere?

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

This is random, but I sing in a rock and roll band that plays professional gigs around my city..Should I put this under my EC's, mention in in my PS, or just leave it out all together?? I know its not medically related, I have plenty of those, but its unique, I love it and people are always including sports teams..
I also tried out for American Idol before college..should I include that anywhere?

definitely
An ENT I know does the same type of stuff... you could have him as an interviewer 😉

But seriously, its unique and so long as you have other stuff that is solid, what could it hurt?

 

[da Vincis World]

This is random, but I sing in a rock and roll band that plays professional gigs around my city..Should I put this under my EC's, mention in in my PS, or just leave it out all together?? I know its not medically related, I have plenty of those, but its unique, I love it and people are always including sports teams..
I also tried out for American Idol before college..should I include that anywhere?

This is way better than than the endless lists of save the world stuff that everyone else has.

 

[lmcdavidkim]

those are some amazing experiences