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.

>