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 Join the premedinfo-L listserv! http://hunter.listserv.cuny.edu <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If you wish to unsubscribe from the PREMEDINFO-L List, please send an E-mail to:"[log in to unmask]". Within the body of the text, only write the following:"SIGNOFF PREMEDINFO-L".