Everyone seems to need some guidance regarding the experiences section of
the AMCAS application. The thread below is from a highly regarded medical
school admissions dean and so I would follow her advice! Hope this helps.
Mrs. Wood-Hill
"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.
> Description #1 (as written by student)
>> > >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.
The Revision of the above (as written by medical school dean):
>#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.
Description #2(as written by the student)
>> > >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.
> The Revision of the above(as written by medical school dean):
>#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.
>
Office Hours for Summer 2009
M-Th 10-12:30, M and Th 2-4:30 and Wed 2-4--I am out of the office every
Friday in the summer.
Please see our website
http://ww5.hunter.cuny.edu/studentservices/prehealth/postba for further
information. We would be happy to answer other questions via email if you
cannot find the information you need as I am unable to see students who are
not enrolled at Hunter.
L.Wood-Hill
Director, Prehealth Professions Advising Programs
Hunter College of CUNY
695 Park Ave, E812
NY, NY 10065
212-772-5121
FAX: 212-772-5138
http://studentservices.hunter.cuny.edu/prehealth.htm
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