What type of extracurriculars?

[unlucky87]

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Hi everyone, so I am a 3rd year medical student. My grades have been mostly A and B's in the first 2 years. Passed my step 1 (comlex 520, usmle 197). But I am worried that I don't have any extracurricular activities in med school - no volunteering, clubs, or jobs? I am interested in IM (and possible doing fellowship in cardio or GI) and will be applying during 4th year. How much does this affect my chances? Do I still have time to do something - if yes, what can I do? I don't want to volunteer just for the sake to put it on application.

I am sorry if I am posting this under wrong forum or anything. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks 🙂

 

[DrVanNostran]

Hi everyone, so I am a 3rd year medical student. My grades have been mostly A and B's in the first 2 years. Passed my step 1 (comlex 520, usmle 197). But I am worried that I don't have any extracurricular activities in med school - no volunteering, clubs, or jobs? I am interested in IM (and possible doing fellowship in cardio or GI) and will be applying during 4th year. How much does this affect my chances? Do I still have time to do something - if yes, what can I do? I don't want to volunteer just for the sake to put it on application.

I am sorry if I am posting this under wrong forum or anything. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks 🙂

1. How is your research experience? The stronger your program the better the odds for GI/Cards.

2. I bet most ECs are overrated and unless pretty bad*****, it doesnt really matter. Maybe start going to a community clinic or medical mission.

 

[Phyozo]

Hi everyone, so I am a 3rd year medical student. My grades have been mostly A and B's in the first 2 years. Passed my step 1 (comlex 520, usmle 197). But I am worried that I don't have any extracurricular activities in med school - no volunteering, clubs, or jobs? I am interested in IM (and possible doing fellowship in cardio or GI) and will be applying during 4th year. How much does this affect my chances? Do I still have time to do something - if yes, what can I do? I don't want to volunteer just for the sake to put it on application.

I am sorry if I am posting this under wrong forum or anything. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks 🙂

In my opinion, you're concerned about the wrong thing. Just from the brief information you offered, the rate limiting step on your ability to match is going to be the step 1 score which is around one standard deviation below the national mean. Even tho internal medicine is not the most competitive specialty, you'll be screened out of a lot of programs with that score alone before they even consider the rest of your application. Having said that, if I were you, I'd stop worrying about getting more extracurriculars and focus on doing stellar during the remainder of 3rd year...try to snag some honors (especially medicine), and plan to take/kill step 2 early (late june, early july) so that your results come back before the majority of interviews are given out once next November rolls around. This approach will be higher yield than snagging some more extracurriculars.

 

[Instatewaiter]

In my opinion, you're concerned about the wrong thing. Just from the brief information you offered, the rate limiting step on your ability to match is going to be the step 1 score which is around one standard deviation below the national mean. Even tho internal medicine is not the most competitive specialty, you'll be screened out of a lot of programs with that score alone before they even consider the rest of your application. Having said that, if I were you, I'd stop worrying about getting more extracurriculars and focus on doing stellar during the remainder of 3rd year...try to snag some honors (especially medicine), and plan to take/kill step 2 early (late june, early july) so that your results come back before the majority of interviews are given out once next November rolls around. This approach will be higher yield than snagging some more extracurriculars.

Agree

 

[gutonc]

The most important ECs for you at this point are joining the "Honors in all Clinical Rotations Club" and the "250+ on Step 2 in early July Club."

 

[unlucky87]

Thanks everyone for your response:
I have a year of research experience from undergrad - nothing great, just basic lab work.
My first rotation was internal medicine and so I did okay on the shelf exam. I didn't know what to expect for the test and since shelf exam counts as the majority of our grade, it's not very good.
I have taken only 2 shelf exams (IM and surgery) but it seems they are pretty hard and I haven't figured out what I am doing wrong. I don't know how others are doing so well because I try to study and do questions.

 

[DrVanNostran]

Thanks everyone for your response:
I have a year of research experience from undergrad - nothing great, just basic lab work.
My first rotation was internal medicine and so I did okay on the shelf exam. I didn't know what to expect for the test and since shelf exam counts as the majority of our grade, it's not very good.
I have taken only 2 shelf exams (IM and surgery) but it seems they are pretty hard and I haven't figured out what I am doing wrong. I don't know how others are doing so well because I try to study and do questions.

Shelf exams require you to be pretty quick in your thinking. World is amazing to prepare you, but the questions are definitely harder. I suggest keeping it simple. 1 study book and 1 question source. IM is the hardest shelf IMO, Surgery the easiest. The rest aren't to bad, just know your sources. Look in the clinical rotations forum for great advice.