Work/Activities section already looked at the big forum

[Dede77]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I know there are other forums about this but I really need help and I don't know anyone who is applying this cycle, or is at the same place I'm at and I need to submit my application asap. But I don't want to just yet because I don't know if the things I put in my work/activities are smart to put... do you just plainly list what you do or paragraph? I've heard from both sides.
also for ongoing activities do you just put 2016 may (graduation year or...?)
and for the most meaningful I have a couple of ideas, but I'm not sure I'd want to because it might be good to put in my PS.. I'm at my wits end here
Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[ngc 2170]

Applied last year. What I did:

• Paragraph format. But it's personal preference. My paragraphs were basically sentence versions of bullet points covering my activities/duties/achievements.

• For ongoing activities, if you're a student, end date is graduation. Or whatever date the activity will end. The last month you can enter on the AMCAS would be August of the cycle year (for you, August 2016).

 

[Dede77]

Applied last year. What I did:

• Paragraph format. But it's personal preference. My paragraphs were basically sentence versions of bullet points covering my activities/duties/achievements.

• For ongoing activities, if you're a student, end date is graduation. Or whatever date the activity will end. The last month you can enter on the AMCAS would be August of the cycle year (for you, August 2016).

Okay thank you! I'm doing paragraphs, but they sound so curt and sometimes doesn't flow the best. Does it matter if you say do not vs don't? Because you know all throughout school we are taught to not do that in papers..

 

[Catalystik]

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Start with the FAQ in posts #2&3 and read from there, or use the Search feature: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/thr...ork-activities-tips-thread-2015-2016.1130356/

 

[Dede77]

Start with the FAQ in posts #2&3 and read from there, or use the Search feature: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/thr...ork-activities-tips-thread-2015-2016.1130356/

Thank you! quick question... would you consider working at a medical billing office (which I have been for the past 4 years) medical employment or non medical?

 

[Catalystik]

Thank you! quick question... would you consider working at a medical billing office (which I have been for the past 4 years) medical employment or non medical?

Can you describe your role, such as whether you are you having face to face interaction with current patients in a medical setting?

 

[ChrisMack390]

Applied last year. What I did:

• Paragraph format. But it's personal preference. My paragraphs were basically sentence versions of bullet points covering my activities/duties/achievements.

• For ongoing activities, if you're a student, end date is graduation. Or whatever date the activity will end. The last month you can enter on the AMCAS would be August of the cycle year (for you, August 2016).

Does this mean when you enter the # of hours, you can account for hours that have not occurred yet? For example, let's say I do something for 2 hours every Sunday. If I am filling in my application in June, can I put the end date is August of the following year and account for an additional 12-14 months worth of activities? In this example that would be an additional >200 hours...

 

[emraldragon]

I was specifically told not to put down things/times you haven't done yet. You never know when something will change? This might be different for an activity that you have a commitment to that you can't get out of? Like signing a work contract and promising to work until X date? I'm not sure, I am having difficulties coming up with possible scenarios.

 

[ChrisMack390]

There is a difference between "I am going to do X in the fall" and "I have been doing this every week for a year and will continue to do so."

 

[emraldragon]

There is a difference between "I am going to do X in the fall" and "I have been doing this every week for a year and will continue to do so."

I agree, there is a big difference between those two and the latter does sound more like something that you could continue on your work/activities. I personally would still approach this with caution, but I can see the argument for it.

 

[ChrisMack390]

@Catalystik you are kind of the expert here, thoughts?

 

[Catalystik]

Does this mean when you enter the # of hours, you can account for hours that have not occurred yet? For example, let's say I do something for 2 hours every Sunday. If I am filling in my application in June, can I put the end date is August of the following year and account for an additional 12-14 months worth of activities? In this example that would be an additional >200 hours...

@Catalystik you are kind of the expert here, thoughts?

Though planned future hours are unlikely to be included in an adcomms considerations, as they all too often fall through, many include them on their application. If you do so, I highly recommend making it clear which hours are completed and which are yet to come. This is a good use of the Repeated feature. Alternatively, one can state in the narrative that they plan to continue the activity through xx/xx/xx for an additional possible yy hours (but not include them in Total Hours). Or one can be more vague and just say the activity is ongoing for z hours per week.

A strategy that is pointless fluff IMO is when someone just started an activity, "plans" to continue for the next year or so, and claims hundreds of hours without differentiating the few hours already completed, hoping adcomms won't notice how little has been done.

 

[ChrisMack390]

I that case I think I will be safe and just fill in what I have already done and include a comment in the description that it is ongoing for x hours / week. I wouldn't want to come off as disingenuous.