>
This is part of a discussion about what should go into the
community/volunteer activities section of your AMCAS application.  Since you
are limited to 15 such experiences you want to convey what you have gotten
from the experience more than what you might actually have done.  Being
concise is KEY!  As you will read below, a Dean has modified a student's
experiences so that it is shorter in length yet gives a good sense of what
was accomplished.  Thought these examples might help those of you going
through the application process this summer.  

L. Wood-Hill


"When AMCAS first produced its online application and presented it to
>>the NAAHP, it seemed that their recommendation was to remain concise and
>>provide only the "necessary" explanation of experiences.  Hugo and
>>others suggest that this section has evolved to allow another use.  

This is a very difficult question and everyone who has chimed in has 
>basically said something that is true.
>The section started as an expanded version of the "old" AMCAS 
>application (pre-2002), so that medical schools could gauge the 
>depth and extent of applicants' involvement in extra-curriculars, 
>community service, research, etc, with space to "clarify" that involvement.
>You will find that medical schools differ in their opinions of what 
>they want to see there. Some will want conciseness (myself included) 
>and some will want that "personal" touch. However, I don't believe 
>it was ever intended to be a mini-essay (which, by the way is 
>dangerous because those mini-essays normally are not at the high 
>standard of the highly edited personal statement).
> From my experience, I can tell you that when you have to read 
> thousands of applications, the more concise the information 
> provided, the better for me. It doesn't mean it has to be just 
> factual -- but it should be to the point and without unnecessary 
> embellishments.
>If I may, I will rewrite the two paragraphs to possibly clarify my 
>points (and I know many people will disagree with my take on this). 
>Give only the information that is not available anywhere else and 
>touch, in a few words, on the importance of the activity."



>MODIFIED DESCRIPTION AS PROVIDED BY MEDICAL SCHOOL DEAN
>Description #1 
Being a member of the Track & Field team was an unforgettable experience.
>This commitment entailed 3-hour daily practices, 10 hours/week spent 
>at the library, and away games nearly every weekend.
>Though I participated only two semesters because of an injury, I 
>learned a lot about teamwork, leadership, time management, 
>self-discipline, and self-realization. 

ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
Description #1
>> > >Being a member of the Track & Field team was an experience I will
>> > >never forget. This commitment entailed daily 3-hour practices, trips
>> > >nearly every weekend to compete at different universities, and 10
>> > >hours a week spent at the library. At the close of my freshman year,
>> > >I was awarded the All Academic Big East award by competing in the Big
>>
>> > >East Tournament while sustaining a grade point average that earned me
>>
>> > >a spot on the Dean's List. As a freshman, being a member of the team
>> > >seemed to simply involve running in circles. However, what I did not
>> > >realize is that I was gaining a collection of characteristics in
>> > >which I could not gain from any other experience:
>> > >teamwork, leadership, time management, self-discipline, and
>> > >self-realization. I competed for two semesters until I sustained an
>> > >injury, which would lead me down a road away from athletics and
>> > >toward academics. I look forward to experiences in medical school
>> > >where I will gain similar characteristics I experienced in
>> > >athletics: teamwork, leadership, time management, self-discipline,
>> > >and self-realization.
>
>MODIFIED DESCRIPTION #2 
This scholarship allows me to continue the research I have been 
>conducting the past two semesters. My project involves the 
>coordination of inorganic metal material with organic frameworks in 
>the formation of micro porous materials.
>The research project will continue until graduation. It's results 
>might play a role in goals set by the DOE regarding hydrogen storage
systems.

> ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION #2
>> > >The National Science Foundation a Research Experience for
>> > >Undergraduates (REU) program awarded me a scholarship to research
>> > >inorganic chemistry at Syracuse University. This opportunity is
>> > >allowing me to continue the research I have been conducting the past
>> > >two semesters. This program selectively chooses 5 undergraduates to
>> > >represent SU, while the remaining REU students are selected from
>> > >around the world. My project, entitled "The Synthesis and
>> > >Characterization of Novel Hybrid Microporous Organic/Inorganic
>> > >Materials" involves the coordination of inorganic metal material with
>>
>> > >organic frameworks in the formation of microporous materials.
>> > >These advancing microporous materials may provide the structure
>> > >necessary to power future hydrogen-powered vehicles. The U.S.
>> > >Department of Energy has set goals for hydrogen storage systems,
>> > >which are in high demand due to important, environmental and energy
>> > >repercussions and coordination compounds of this type may provide the
>>
>> > >frameworks essential for this Hydrogen storage system.  I will
>> > >continue this research until I graduate with the aspirations of
>> > >contributing to the synthesis and characterization of the novel
>> > >hydrogen storage system. I look forward to contributing to the
>> > >medical field with the same ambition and determination I have found
>> > >in chemical research.
>My two cents.
>
>

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