Long Term Commitments Vs Diversity? & How To Balance It?

[New Yorker]

While most students on this forum agree that LTC's are vital to a med application,

I saw same posts saying that showing diversity in your experiences is crucial too.

The answer may be that it is important to show both attributes.

 

But how do you decide on what commitments should be developed as LTC's and others given less priority, but rather to fatten your application? 

Also, how do you balance these commitments?

I just finished first-year, and I've started to volunteer for a lab that I intend to continue until graduation.

 

Thanks!

[OwnerOfTheTARDIS]

In terms of picking a long term commitment, think of something you love to do and completely ignore what you think a pre-med should do. You want to think of an activity you will be happy doing for 2, 3, 4, or more years without burning out. I volunteered at an animal shelter and with community theatre. A friend volunteered coaching soccer for low-income kids. Then if there are other activities you are interested in trying out either as a learning experience or to further build your application, you can work those in on a basis that works with your availability and life-work balance. You may also surprise yourself and love something so much you want to keep doing it long term. 

 

My one caution would be to never (or very rarely) join an activity you absolutely hate just for the sake of an application. There are so many different ways to gain experiences, you should be able to find one that you enjoy even a little bit. 

 

Sometimes diversity can be worked into an activity as well! If you are a hospital volunteer you could have multiple roles, working one-on-one with patients playing games to help pass the time and also as a member of the fundraising committee for example. This builds a variety of experiences into one longterm activity.  

[shankarpro]

In terms of picking a long term commitment, think of something you love to do and completely ignore what you think a pre-med should do. You want to think of an activity you will be happy doing for 2, 3, 4, or more years without burning out. I volunteered at an animal shelter and with community theatre. A friend volunteered coaching soccer for low-income kids. Then if there are other activities you are interested in trying out either as a learning experience or to further build your application, you can work those in on a basis that works with your availability and life-work balance. You may also surprise yourself and love something so much you want to keep doing it long term. 

 

My one caution would be to never (or very rarely) join an activity you absolutely hate just for the sake of an application. There are so many different ways to gain experiences, you should be able to find one that you enjoy even a little bit. 

 

Sometimes diversity can be worked into an activity as well! If you are a hospital volunteer you could have multiple roles, working one-on-one with patients playing games to help pass the time and also as a member of the fundraising committee for example. This builds a variety of experiences into one longterm activity.  

I offer a gentle push back. Do not completely ignore what you think a pre-med should do, but do not do something that reeks of desperation to adcoms. You need to demonstrate an appreciation for medicine, a capacity for other people, ability to learn, self-manage, initiative, and commitment. 

 

Try to meet those objectives in a manner that resonates with you. For me, it was being a bike mechanic. I've been fixing bikes for 6 years and I volunteer at bike co-ops where I teach shopgoers on performing their own bike repairs. Being a mechanic has helped me appreciate the medical profession: the puzzle-like nature of diagnosing a problem, the variety in managing a condition (you tailor the repair solution depending on the needs of the shopgoer), the gratification of fixing a problem that will ultimately uplift another's lifestyle, and meeting many different people and learning about why they go cycle. 

 

Also, when you write your apps- make sure that it highlights achievements and personal characteristics. it's not enough to demonstrate extra curricular involvement, you got to sell it!

[Guest]

I offer a gentle push back. Do not completely ignore what you think a pre-med should do, but do not do something that reeks of desperation to adcoms. You need to demonstrate an appreciation for medicine, a capacity for other people, ability to learn, self-manage, initiative, and commitment. 

 

Try to meet those objectives in a manner that resonates with you. For me, it was being a bike mechanic. I've been fixing bikes for 6 years and I volunteer at bike co-ops where I teach shopgoers on performing their own bike repairs. Being a mechanic has helped me appreciate the medical profession: the puzzle-like nature of diagnosing a problem, the variety in managing a condition (you tailor the repair solution depending on the needs of the shopgoer), the gratification of fixing a problem that will ultimately uplift another's lifestyle, and meeting many different people and learning about why they go cycle. 

 

Also, when you write your apps- make sure that it highlights achievements and personal characteristics. it's not enough to demonstrate extra curricular involvement, you got to sell it!

Haha that is such a stretch, but you got a point.