Blood-donation certificates...should I mentioned about it in OMSAS application?

[kevinkwon84]

Despite fear of needles, for 6 years I have been donating my "special" and "rare" type AB (Rh -) blood (got tired of eating free pizza and juice they provide you...ugh..). To prove that, I have several certificates received from various organizations. I'm not sure, though, if I should mention this on my application and elaborate on how much I care about health welfare. Do you think this could be useful on my application?

[Microbiodude]

maybe on your autobiographical essay or something, but I wouldn't put it down as one of my activities. If it ties into some other things that you do or you're arguing about one your beliefs then go for it, otherwise it might come off as a little vain. Just my opinion.

[Jochi1543]

Sure, why not. While you're at it, maybe you should mention sperm donations, as well.

[kevinkwon84]

i would put it down. only 3 percent of canadians donate and your one of them.

 

Only 3 percent?? Where do hospitals get all the blood supply they need?

[MSmith19]

I don't think it's appropriate for an application. Anyone can donate blood in a blink of the eye (doesn't mean they do though)..so it's not exactly special. It'd be like saying you donate $100 to the AIDs foundation every year- it's irrelevent.

[ploughboy]

Oddly enough, this isn't the first time somebody has asked about putting this on a medschool application.

 

http://premed101.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30194

 

My personal opinion - good for you for donating blood.

[waterluv]

wow I wouldn't complain about pizza... all I ever got was a packet of cookies+pop. If you ar short of stuffs to put down, why not.

[Jochi1543]

I helped a grandma cross the street once. Can I put that on my application? I'm short of real activities.

[NewfieMike]

someone once told me about a time someone put "regular blood donor" as a list of EC's...

 

 

and then we laughed our asses off.

[THX]

Add it, it will allow the admissions committee to gauge your common sense.

[1234]

i included the fact that I can do a 20 second keg stand. I've also been doing it for 5 years, so its one of my long term extracurriculars.

[Version 2]

Add it, but only if you've donated triple the amount you should. Normal amounts are merely altruistic, but surviving generosity-induced anemia is med school material.

 

And while AB- is rare, it's also one of the least useful types

[Jochi1543]

i included the fact that I can do a 20 second keg stand. I've also been doing it for 5 years, so its one of my long term extracurriculars.

 

That's what I like to see...COMMITMENT.

[Mourning Cloak]

Most people in Canada "think it's a good idea" to donate blood. Yet only a fraction (approximately 1.5% or 1 in 60) actually will do it.

 

As AB neg, you are quite rare: only around 0.6% of Canadians are AB neg.

 

But you are the universal donor for plasma and platelets. You are incredibly important as a platelet donor for infants (who may not be able to receive their own blood group because of an incompatilibty with their mothers).

 

Congratutions and thank you for getting off your ass and doing what most people don't do (although everybody agrees it's a good idea). We need AB neg platelets in the hospital BADLY and we never have enough. (AB patients get out of group platelets because we can't get enough AB platelets collected for them).

 

So yes, you should definitely put blood donor on your application. Physicians - particularly anesthesia, peds, internal med, path and all surgeons) will appreciate your contribution (even if your competition on this website doesn't). This is particularly influential if you happen to be applying in an area with a lower-than-average donation rate e.g. Vancouver and Toronto.

 

And thanks again!

[bj89]

why are you all bashing the OP? if you've recieved certificates for it, i'd say put it on, especially if you've been committed to doing it regularly

[Jochi1543]

++ exactly, thats what i was thinking. its funny how everyone puts him/her down and makes it seem like its helping someone cross the street. lol

 

It's because it requires absolutely zero effort (full disclosure, I'm also a blood donor and NO, I did not list it on my app). I find it vile, the extent to which some premeds will go to pad their applications. Donating bodily fluids? SERIOUSLY? This is an achievement worth putting on a medical school application in your book?

[bj89]

It's because it requires absolutely zero effort (full disclosure, I'm also a blood donor and NO, I did not list it on my app). I find it vile, the extent to which some premeds will go to pad their applications. Donating bodily fluids? SERIOUSLY? This is an achievement worth putting on a medical school application in your book?

 

how about you stop criticizing what other people do and worry about yourself because you're not in any position to judge

[Jochi1543]

how about you stop criticizing what other people do and worry about yourself because you're not in any position to judge

 

I am in a position to judge by virtue of the fact that this person wanted other people's opinions. The simple fact that they felt the need to ask suggests that this is probably not the best thing to put on your app. If in doubt, don't.

[Mourning Cloak]

I do believe that donating blood is laudable. Most of the stuff that pre-meds do doesn't really have any direct impact on the welfare of patients. This invariably does.

 

It's people like the OP that keep Canada's blood system functioning. The alternative is pretty grim.

 

http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/qasItBmKcvgbzKCibSqIBVooiL?format=standard

 

In the span of 18 months, 316 children younger than 14 were infected with HIV through blood transfusions.

[a41]

It's because it requires absolutely zero effort (full disclosure, I'm also a blood donor and NO, I did not list it on my app). I find it vile, the extent to which some premeds will go to pad their applications. Donating bodily fluids? SERIOUSLY? This is an achievement worth putting on a medical school application in your book?

 

While I might not be so outspoken with my opinion, I'm going to have to agree with Jochi here.

 

why are you all bashing the OP?

 

Everyone knows that getting into med school turns you into a cynic.

[1234]

It's because it requires absolutely zero effort (full disclosure, I'm also a blood donor and NO, I did not list it on my app). I find it vile, the extent to which some premeds will go to pad their applications. Donating bodily fluids? SERIOUSLY? This is an achievement worth putting on a medical school application in your book?

 

Well said.

 

Also:

 

Imagine what you would say if, during an interview:

 

Interviewers asked "Tell me more about the fact that you donate blood."

 

Interviewee: "Well, I donate my rare AB (Rh-) blood on a very consistent basis. And by very consistent, I mean VERRRY."

 

Interviewer: "Anything else?"

 

Interviewee: "Ummm. *Yada yada about donating blood and its important*"

 

Interviewer: "Wow..."

 

So meaningful, isn't it. Do you honestly think the interviewer would be impressed by that? It is more likely to work against you than for you.

[kevinkwon84]

It's because it requires absolutely zero effort (full disclosure, I'm also a blood donor and NO, I did not list it on my app). I find it vile, the extent to which some premeds will go to pad their applications. Donating bodily fluids? SERIOUSLY? This is an achievement worth putting on a medical school application in your book?

 

Zero effort, huh? Well, I guess you could say that, since all you have to do is go to the hospital, stick a needle up your blood vessel, and wait until certain amount of blood has been drawn out from your body. But I've been doing this for several years now, at least once in 4 months. Sure, my small, "effortless" contribution may not stand out at all on my application(especially in autobiographical sketch section). But it DOES reflect what kind of person I am. I like giving and helping other people - frequent blood donation is only one of examples which reflects myself. Yes, achievements are very important on med school application. But so are the contributions regardless they are small or big.

 

So Jochi, thanx for you "opinion" but you got my intention all wrong

[kevinkwon84]

Well said.

 

Also:

 

Imagine what you would say if, during an interview:

 

Interviewers asked "Tell me more about the fact that you donate blood."

 

Interviewee: "Well, I donate my rare AB (Rh-) blood on a very consistent basis. And by very consistent, I mean VERRRY."

 

Interviewer: "Anything else?"

 

Interviewee: "Ummm. *Yada yada about donating blood and its important*"

 

Interviewer: "Wow..."

 

So meaningful, isn't it. Do you honestly think the interviewer would be impressed by that? It is more likely to work against you than for you.

 

 

Everyone here knows the conversation won't be going like that during the interview lol I'm not stupid. I only wanted to mention about my blood donation contribution as one of many examples to show them who I am (maybe when I write autobiographical letter??).

 

PS: Read the original post before you reply. Saying your opinion without fully understanding first what they asked from you is always unwelcomed.

[Wut?]

I don't see anything wrong with putting it on your app if you can defend it on paper and in person.

 

In my opinion, donating blood is extremely laudable, and especially if you are committed to it, then I don't see why it doesn't qualify as some sort of activity that can be mentioned.

 

Although I won't start a flame war by quoting some oft used but often questionable activities put on applications, I would say that given you feel comfortable with putting that on your application, then go for it. There are far more passive and lower impact activities that people put on applications that others consider to be 'legitimate'.

 

To the OP, take everyone's comments for the two cents that they offer. Don't be discouraged by the naysayers but also don't have your head up in the skies when you read opinions that support your own.

 

Good luck!

 

P.S. Version 2, ever heard of blood fractionation? AB- is the universal plasma donor .

[MSmith19]

I think it's irrelevent of what everyone's slowly generated opinions on it are. The fact is that the interviewer will have much less time and energy to analyze whether it's padding your application and if it's really a credible EC. Sure, it helps people. But do you put down how much money you've donated to the Salvation Army? It takes me 2 hrs to make 20$ that I donated to the Salvation Army every month. Appropriate for an application? no.