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When combining multiple activities into one, would it be better to include 1 shared description to save space, or should there be a separate description for each activity? Should a separate contact be listed for each activity?
1) It depends on how related they are. One description is fine if it covers what you want to say.When combining multiple activities into one, would it be better to 1) include 1 shared description to save space, or should there be a separate description for each activity? 2) Should a separate contact be listed for each activity?
This is the AMCAS Activities Tips thread. You would do better to ask your question elsewhere (WAMC, where the desirable format is stickied at the top, or the Main Forum) giving full details about your application in order to get the best possible answer to your question.
Adcomms like to know how you stayed busy. That you were employable tells us something about you, that you can deal with the public, endure physical labor, manage young'uns, are trusted with money or keys, work well in a fast-paced environment, or whatever. Group your Collegiate Short-Term Employment if you need to save space, with abbreviated contact info for job #2 in the narrative.Is it worth it to include a summer job on the application even if it has nothing to do with medicine? Same for a semester job during my freshman year? If so, should I just lump them together in a paid work category or something?
AMCAS has a category for Artistic Endeavors-Hello! Quick questions on honors/awards and hobbies section
I have been singing since elementary school and have won/ranked in regional and national competitions throughout high school and college. I was wondering if I should have a separate section for singing as a hobby and the awards in their own section, or somehow combine the two? Thanks!
I think that combining them in one Artistic Endeavors space would provide the context for the awards you decide to mention.Hello! Quick questions on honors/awards and hobbies section
I have been singing since elementary school and have won/ranked in regional and national competitions throughout high school and college. I was wondering if I should have a separate section for singing as a hobby and the awards in their own section, or somehow combine the two? Thanks!
I think it's worthwhile to mention as evidence of scientific curiosity.How should I write about data projects at work which very clearly require the same skills and thought process as research (in particular as clinical research) but are used for internal documentation such as methods and procedures? We publish things internally with methods and analysis etc. but because I do not work in our ‘research’ division, it is all process improvement stuff not actually product/basic science research.
As an example, I have taken all of our data on “invalid assays” for quality controls for the last several years, looked at the root cause of every invalid, classified them, identified the worst assays, the worst offenders, assessed trends etc. and produced suggestions which have eventually been implemented.
This is not my primary function in employment, so I have it currently as a one off line in an MME as “I have taken on internal data analytics projects that enhance the delivery of a quality product for our patients.” However, I feel that doesn’t really convey the gravity of the effort put in or the skills needed, particularly in that it has resulted in internal publications. But I can’t really cite “SOP-1262 of big Pharma Corp” as a publication.
Having conducted substantial research, I can attest that this requires the same skills and produces the same sort of information....but is it worthwhile talking about? It isn’t my biggest piece of research and likely won’t make it into secondaries, but it will have basically been the only demonstration of ‘critical thought’ in my application for the last 18 months or so.
No. Don't do it. We are required to avoid clicking on strange links.Would it be worthwhile to link in media stories done on me in the activities section? Like a shortened bit.ly link.
Have you personally seen this and did you bother reading it?
OKNo. Don't do it. We are required to avoid clicking on strange links.
You may include a link in the AMCAS activities section. Some might listen; some won't have time; some won't care; classicists might be turned off. But it's acceptable to provide the opportunity.
More so in this last year at my school, since we are reviewing applications at home, where we may not have the same robust virus protection software that they do on school premises.I just went through SDN archives and saw the following from you:
May 25, 2016
Has clicking on links been discouraged since 2016?
I think it would be fair and desirable to designate some of the hours from the activity and call it Shadowing. Be sure to subtract those hours from what you report for Volunteering so you don't double count them.I'm applying to MSTP programs in this upcoming cycle, and while I do not have "formal" shadowing, at one of the places I volunteer I fill out forms for patients and forms for labs/follow ups, and am in the room with the doctor and patient the whole time. I was wondering if it would better to describe this in my clinical volunteering section of this activity, or siphon off some of the hours and formally label them as shadowing? I also do other things at this place like take patient vitals.
I don’t know that I have the room to create an additional activity, but I will definitely look at adding it into the MME description (the main body of this activity is shared between 2 non-clinical employments of 2000 hours and 4500 hours with the 2,000 being the MME and this project being maybe 150-200 hours).I think it's worthwhile to mention as evidence of scientific curiosity.
If you want to use more space to expand on this component of your work, call it a Project, and list it under Other. Mention the internal publications in your description. But do you have a Contact who is able to attest to this activity? In my workplace, we are barred from making public any Performance Improvement Projects.
If you proceed, whatever hours you'd ascribe to this activity, be sure to subtract from the Paid Employment entry hours you claim.
Considering your other Research entries, I think you have scientific curiosity covered, but if you can squeeze it in, something slightly expanded, like:I don’t know that I have the room to create an additional activity, but I will definitely look at adding it into the MME description (the main body of this activity is shared between 2 non-clinical employments of 2000 hours and 4500 hours with the 2,000 being the MME and this project being maybe 150-200 hours).
With that in mind, and that I have ~1,000 -1,200 hours of research from my undergrad, how would you recommend wording it as more than what I have in my current description? The rest of the description is of teamwork, leadership, interest in the field of the product, that sort of thing.
Yes, it's a worthwhile addition. What hours would your Contact agree with? Just give a good faith estimate that is believable.Would work as a Peer Reviewer of an academic journal (IF: 3) be a worthwhile addition? If it is, how would I mark the hours for it, since the time it takes isn't well recorded?
I'd tag the football involvement Intercollegiate Sports and mention the HS leadership roles very briefly as part of the backstory. Rugby might be best tagged Extracurricular, and again, you can include the backstory from HS. I agree with excluding the HS awards. If you start the coaching before you submit, it would go under Teaching (not Leadership), but really, you'd have barely begun and will have little to say. So maybe best to tack the invitation onto the end of the rugby entry.Regarding sports activities and leadership roles: I was a D3 football player in college and held no significant leadership roles on the college team. In high school, I was elected captain of the football team both my junior and senior seasons (large high school, very competitive team). I played club rugby in college (rugby is only a club sport) and held no significant leadership roles. In high school, I was elected captain for both my junior and senior years, leading (with all other teammates) to a division 1 state championship. I did receive personal regional recognition for performance (all-conference football; most valuable forward rugby etc., and I wouldn't mention those). I have been invited back to help coach my high school rugby team (practices will soon be held in person). I didn't intend to mention these leadership roles, but high school activities when related to "lifelong" engagement were mentioned in the outline. Suggestions?
I'd tag the football involvement Intercollegiate Sports and mention the HS leadership roles very briefly as part of the backstory. Rugby might be best tagged Extracurricular, and again, you can include the backstory from HS. I agree with excluding the HS awards. If you start the coaching before you submit, it would go under Teaching (not Leadership), but really, you'd have barely begun and will have little to say. So maybe best to tack the invitation onto the end of the rugby entry.
I hope you weren't planning to put both sports into one grouped space. You wouldn't have much space for describing both.
No, but Ideally, the candidate would list other expressions of his leadership capacity, not necessary in sports.Out of curiosity, would Adcoms potentially wonder why he wasn't a captain for either sports in college?
Thank you for your thoughtful responses. I indeed will do as you recommend.No, but Ideally, the candidate would list other expressions of his leadership capacity, not necessary in sports.
You're not so unique, as I did the same refocusing of career goals.I am in the fairly unique position of having switched from pre-vet --> pre-med. Prior to my switch, I volunteered at an animal hospital, which I plan on listing in my activities section. Since this activity was pretty pivotal for my switch, I was wondering if I should touch upon why medicine and not vet med in my description, or if I should just leave it be? I very briefly touched upon that in my PS but didn't expand upon it very much, and 700 characters in the activity description doesn't leave a lot of room to talk about it either lol.
Yes, you can include this presentation on your AMCAS Presentations/Posters list, since you are an author, but give credit to the author that did the actual presentation.Should oral conference presentations of which I am one of the primary contributors and am credited on, but did not present myself (colleague presented), be included under Presentations? Should it have any mention in any category? Thank you.
Shoulds oral conference presentations of which I am one of the primary contributors and am credited on, but did not present myself (colleague presented), be included under Presentations? Should it have any mention in any category? Thank you.
Write it like this:Yes, you can include this presentation on your AMCAS Presentations/Posters list, since you are an author, but give credit to the author that did the actual presentation.
If you enter future start months into the AMCAS Activities space, it will not save them. I suggest you complete at least 40 hours before submitting, as future intentions are not much regarded by adcomms. This is one activity where longevity isn't necessary, so you should be able to get this done in a week if you have to. And surely you'll have reflections from the experience that might influence how you write your Personal Statement.Hey guys I have an Ed and a pcp doctor letting me shadow them in the summer. Should I put this as projected hours or wait until after I shadow them and submit an update?
I agree with @Catalystik 's advice here.If you enter future start months into the AMCAS Activities space, it will not save them. I suggest you complete at least 40 hours before submitting, as future intentions are not much regarded by adcomms. This is one activity where longevity isn't necessary, so you should be able to get this done in a week if you have to. And surely you'll have reflections from the experience that might influence how you write your Personal Statement.
Thanks what's the latest I can submit my application before it starts to affect my chances? The pcp said I can start in JuneIf you enter future start months into the AMCAS Activities space, it will not save them. I suggest you complete at least 40 hours before submitting, as future intentions are not much regarded by adcomms. This is one activity where longevity isn't necessary, so you should be able to get this done in a week if you have to. And surely you'll have reflections from the experience that might influence how you write your Personal Statement.
When in June would you start? How fast can you get the hours? Have you asked?Thanks what's the latest I can submit my application before it starts to affect my chances? The pcp said I can start in June
They didn't specify but I asked the ed doctor via email if I can start in May I'm waiting for a response. The pcp knows I want to do 8 hour days so I will get time in quick for himWhen in June would you start? How fast can you get the hours? Have you asked?
How many hours were involved? Did this happen during the college years? Do you have another entry describing your musical involvement? What other volunteer hours can you list?Hey @Catalystik I have a question about a certain activity I did back in 2016. Me and a friend are both musicians that helped my brother and his friends (4 kids) practice the trumpet for their band class. It was something we did for free to spend the time but we weren’t directly involved with the school so I don’t have an official contact aside from my friend and the kids’ parents. Do I list this under the non-clinical volunteering or hobbies section?
It seems that there will be good potential for you to be done and able to submit completed hours by July 1, then. Your chances will not be negatively impacted.They didn't specify but I asked the ed doctor via email if I can start in May I'm waiting for a response. The pcp knows I want to do 8 hour days so I will get time in quick for him
It was 3 hours a week for the entire 2016-2017 school year. I would estimate ~120 hours. This was done will I was a sophomore in college. I also play in a band with friends as a trumpet player recreationally. Aside from that, I have ~50 hours between cleaning up beaches, making sandwiches for the homeless, relay for life for an honor society I was a part of in college.How many hours were involved? Did this happen during the college years? Do you have another entry describing your musical involvement? What other volunteer hours can you list?
It's worth giving it a space on the application. There's nothing wrong with using a parent as a Contact, if you kept that information. Your friend, the co-musician, is another reasonable option. Or maybe the band director. If none is possible, use yourself (though a more impartial observer would be preferred).It was 3 hours a week for the entire 2016-2017 school year. I would estimate ~120 hours. This was done will I was a sophomore in college. I also play in a band with friends as a trumpet player recreationally. Aside from that, I have ~50 hours between cleaning up beaches, making sandwiches for the homeless, relay for life for an honor society I was a part of in college.
So do I classify it as non-clinical volunteering?It's worth giving it a space on the application. There's nothing wrong with using a parent as a Contact, if you kept that information. Your friend, the co-musician, is another reasonable option. Or maybe the band director. If none is possible, use yourself (though a more impartial observer would be preferred).
Yes.So do I classify it as non-clinical volunteering?
thank you for the reply!Yes.
Thanks so as long as I apply by July I should be good then. I hope I can get in this cycle I wish I used this site last year when I applied.It seems that there will be good potential for you to be done and able to submit completed hours by July 1, then. Your chances will not be negatively impacted.
You can continue to shadow for additional hours for the sake of Secondary essays, update letters, and interview questions.
I am even though I'm going to get shadowing hours too. Alot of the ones I did virtually were on the admissions committee's at several us schoolsIs anyone listing virtual shadowing hours? I am not sure if including it would be viewed unfavorably
Showing (briefly), but not telling is fine. I am not familiar with this person's "method," however I will tell you that reading entries that primarily tell a long story gives the impression that the applicant has little more to say, and didn't do much more, since it is at the expense of providing a global view of full role, contributions, lessons learned, future direction, and/or impact. One such 700-character entry might be fine, as is adding anecdotes to a MM entry, but an entire Activities section filled with them does not put the applicant in a good light, in my opinion. And thanks for giving me the opportunity to express this.I was wondering what the admissions experts here thought about Dr. Gray's method on YouTube that suggests using the activity description box as a chance to tell a story (to show not tell what the activity did), and give ADCOMS a better sense of who you are as a person.