Which is EC should I choose?

[freshbagels]

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For the second semester of my SMP, I want to tack on an EC, as I will have finished with the MCAT in January and the courseload is slightly less intense.

I can either do research (in one of several areas, including clinical/public health and basic sciences), a structured volunteer program (i.e. tutoring or mentoring at an underserved high-school), or some sort of clinical activity (volunteer EMS, or get my CNA).

My other ECs are as follows: 6 year rower (including 4 years + 4 summers as an undergrad, with my peak as reaching the under-23 national team trials), with commensurate leadership positions and social outreach through the team, 6 months of research (basic science, no publication), cookie-cutter ER volunteering (50 hours), and a variety of other outreach programs (Habitat for Humanity and other single-day events). During my gap year, I plan to do Americorps while I am applying and interviewing.

Which EC should I choose for spring semester? If it's a wash, I will choose the one I am most interested in, but none of them are unacceptable or would be a pain to do.

 

[Catalystik]

For the second semester of my SMP, I want to tack on an EC, as I will have finished with the MCAT in January and the courseload is slightly less intense.

I can either do research (in one of several areas, including clinical/public health and basic sciences), a structured volunteer program (i.e. tutoring or mentoring at an underserved high-school), or some sort of clinical activity (volunteer EMS, or get my CNA).

My other ECs are as follows: 6 year rower (including 4 years + 4 summers as an undergrad, with my peak as reaching the under-23 national team trials), with commensurate leadership positions and social outreach through the team, 6 months of research (basic science, no publication), cookie-cutter ER volunteering (50 hours), and a variety of other outreach programs (Habitat for Humanity and other single-day events). During my gap year, I plan to do Americorps while I am applying and interviewing.

Which EC should I choose for spring semester? If it's a wash, I will choose the one I am most interested in, but none of them are unacceptable or would be a pain to do.

I'd suggest that your clinical experience needs beefing up as the first priority if you plan to apply summer 2013. You didn't mention physician shadowing. Be sure that's in the plan before June as well.

 

[freshbagels]

I'd suggest that your clinical experience needs beefing up as the first priority if you plan to apply summer 2013. You didn't mention physician shadowing. Be sure that's in the plan before June as well.

Yes, I have some (although not a lot) of shadowing - my father is a physician and I'm taking classes at the med school, so I have a decent bit of exposure to the medicine as a career. I know clinical experience is a serious unofficial checkbox for adcoms, does something in the social-work vein fit the bill? There are groups that, e.g., provide psychological support for post-Katrina victims while at the same time collecting data for a study on the psychological effects disaster has. Or should I choose something with more direct, medical patient contact?

 

[Catalystik]

Yes, I have some (although not a lot) of shadowing - my father is a physician and I'm taking classes at the med school, so I have a decent bit of exposure to the medicine as a career. I know clinical experience is a serious unofficial checkbox for adcoms, does something in the social-work vein fit the bill? There are groups that, e.g., provide psychological support for post-Katrina victims while at the same time collecting data for a study on the psychological effects disaster has. Or should I choose something with more direct, medical patient contact?

If you interact directly with people having post-disaster psychological problems, even if it's to collect data for a study instead of for therapeutic purposes, I think that many adcomms will look at that as clinical experience (and research , as well). You already have experience with medically ill folks. This type of activity would broaden your experience.

It's fine to shadow a physician relative. Maybe you could get in some additional formal time over school breaks. If he's not in a primary care specialty, a day following such a one would be well spent, besides.

 

[ClemsonFirst]

Add in some clinical shadowing experience. If you can volunteer for an hour or two a week on top of that, you will be set for ECs for that semester. If you plan on psychiatry, then go ahead with the psychological support, and even if not, then it will be a good experience. However, try to find some more normal experience like shadowing an emergency physician or a surgeon during clinic and surgery, so you are exposed to more normal working conditions.

 

[freshbagels]

thanks for the help, guys!