Can anyone tell me if these things will help me get into medical school?

[Twiffle]

I'm a recently graduated high school student, entering the science program at SFU in BC this fall. Besides having a high GPA and a good MCAT score, getting into a medical school also involves having done meaningful extracurricular work.

 

Whether I get into UBC Med or any school in Canada, I'd like to know if things like the following would help, hinder, or do nothing for me.

 

IB Diploma - I graduated high school with an IB Diploma. Does what I did in high school matter at all? I also received the French Immersion Certificate for 7 years of FI and was Environment Club President, but by the time I apply to med school, will all this be too far in the past that nobody will care? Or could it add an extra glow to my application/interview?

 

Piano - I'm finishing level 8 now, working towards my ARCT. If I applied to med school with an ARCT Piano Diploma, will this help me out or will it make no difference? Would I be better off not devoting a ton of time to getting my ARCT and focus my efforts elsewhere?

 

Volunteer trips - I'm planning on going on a volunteer trip this summer or perhaps in the winter. However, I wonder if the *particular* volunteer trip matters. I'm interested in going to Costa Rica for the Global Leadership Adventure, although it's mainly environmental/agricultural service, accumulating 20 hours in 10 days. There's another trip that caught my eye over New Years, called Hero Holiday, where we would build a home for the impoverished in a place like Mexico or the Dominican Republic.

Does it matter which I do, or is the fact that I went on a volunteer trip in general good enough? Or do volunteer trips not impress med schools that much and I can save my money and volunteer locally?

 

Pageants - I've been in a couple pageants, and I'm considering participating in the Miss BC-World pageant next July. Many factors considered, I have a good chance of getting *a* title, not necessarily Miss BC but perhaps something like Miss Charity if I fundraise enough money for the pageant's sponsored charity, Cops for Cancer. I wonder, though, if winning a title in a provincial pageant (or past pageants I've done) would help me get into a medical school. Would it help me, especially considering the focus is fundraising and community service in the year of reign? Or would it perhaps hinder my chances because of the stereotypes around pageants? Or would it have no effect?

 

Besides all of this, I of course plan on doing local volunteer work at my university, and at a couple hospitals provided I get accepted to volunteer, and anywhere else where possible in my community. I was just curious about these extra things.

Thanks!

[medguy5367]

 

IB Diploma - I graduated high school with an IB Diploma. Does what I did in high school matter at all? I also received the French Immersion Certificate for 7 years of FI and was Environment Club President, but by the time I apply to med school, will all this be too far in the past that nobody will care? Or could it add an extra glow to my application/interview?

 

High school traditionally doesn't matter very much but feel free to mention these achievements in your application!

 

 

 

Piano - I'm finishing level 8 now, working towards my ARCT. If I applied to med school with an ARCT Piano Diploma, will this help me out or will it make no difference? Would I be better off not devoting a ton of time to getting my ARCT and focus my efforts elsewhere?

I don't think they care about specific diplomas; it's more about how much you achieved with your hobbies and how it helped you develop as a person.

 

Volunteer trips - I'm planning on going on a volunteer trip this summer or perhaps in the winter. However, I wonder if the *particular* volunteer trip matters. I'm interested in going to Costa Rica for the Global Leadership Adventure, although it's mainly environmental/agricultural service, accumulating 20 hours in 10 days. There's another trip that caught my eye over New Years, called Hero Holiday, where we would build a home for the impoverished in a place like Mexico or the Dominican Republic.

Does it matter which I do, or is the fact that I went on a volunteer trip in general good enough? Or do volunteer trips not impress med schools that much and I can save my money and volunteer locally?

Absolutely useless. Med schools know why rich kids go on these trips and they don't fall for it. Don't waste your money.

 

 

Pageants - I've been in a couple pageants, and I'm considering participating in the Miss BC-World pageant next July. Many factors considered, I have a good chance of getting *a* title, not necessarily Miss BC but perhaps something like Miss Charity if I fundraise enough money for the pageant's sponsored charity, Cops for Cancer. I wonder, though, if winning a title in a provincial pageant (or past pageants I've done) would help me get into a medical school. Would it help me, especially considering the focus is fundraising and community service in the year of reign? Or would it perhaps hinder my chances because of the stereotypes around pageants? Or would it have no effect?

It will not hurt you by any means. It will probably help you.

 

Besides all of this, I of course plan on doing local volunteer work at my university, and at a couple hospitals provided I get accepted to volunteer, and anywhere else where possible in my community. I was just curious about these extra things.

Thanks!

 

 

Hope that helped.

[HBP]

All of it should go on your application, and it will all help you.

[Twiffle]

Thank you!

[Renin]

I mentioned my ARCT in an interview as an example of time management (because I did mine in high school).

 

I dont' think it hurt -- it's kinda unusual for people to finish their ARCT when they are 17. lol. I didn't put it on my EC's though. I probably should have!

[TheBoss]

Absolutely useless. Med schools know why rich kids go on these trips and they don't fall for it. Don't waste your money.

 

Can anyone else vouch for this? I would have considered international volunteering if med schools liked it, but I would have plenty of productive things to do locally.

[medguy5367]

Can anyone else vouch for this? I would have considered international volunteering if med schools liked it, but I would have plenty of productive things to do locally.

 

I got that from someone on the Med admissions committee at the U of Calgary.

 

Don't get me wrong though, doing international volunteering is better than doing NOTHING in that time.

 

 

But med schools look at it with a lot of skepticism. 10 days? 15 days? I mean, you built a shelter or taught children English, that's nice... but it doesn't even begin to compare to a solid, long-term commitment.

[rmorelan]

I got that from someone on the Med admissions committee at the U of Calgary.

 

Don't get me wrong though, doing international volunteering is better than doing NOTHING in that time.

 

 

But med schools look at it with a lot of skepticism. 10 days? 15 days? I mean, you built a shelter or taught children English, that's nice... but it doesn't even begin to compare to a solid, long-term commitment.

 

exactly - the the admis are looking for a story that makes sense - if you are really wanting to be a doctor for reason X you will already be doing X to the limites available to you. Since are smart those limits will probably be pushed as well.

[shannn]

Pageants - I've been in a couple pageants, and I'm considering participating in the Miss BC-World pageant next July. Many factors considered, I have a good chance of getting *a* title, not necessarily Miss BC but perhaps something like Miss Charity if I fundraise enough money for the pageant's sponsored charity, Cops for Cancer. I wonder, though, if winning a title in a provincial pageant (or past pageants I've done) would help me get into a medical school. Would it help me, especially considering the focus is fundraising and community service in the year of reign? Or would it perhaps hinder my chances because of the stereotypes around pageants? Or would it have no effect?

 

TTIUWP's!!

[future_doc]

Can anyone else vouch for this? I would have considered international volunteering if med schools liked it, but I would have plenty of productive things to do locally.

 

I tend to agree in the sense that local volunteering is just as valuable and, indeed, it has the capacity to be longer lasting. It is all about your growth and development from your experiences that shows during theinterview. Spending money to go elsewhere does not give you any advantage as such.

[Genemo]

The international trip one, I'll suggest to use your time for local volunteering. I guess as a BC residence you will have the best chance at UBC and UBC cares loooong term experience. It's obviously hard to keep anything international long enough to show commitment. And I remember some people from the admission office at UBC had a speech about international volunteering-only affluent can afford the money to do it and that is why they consider international experience equally to local. If you are going for a medical trip that actually diagnose patients, Ive heard many schools ask tough questions on this because they think you do not qualify to do that and the only reason you go there is because you can't do it in Canada. If this happens, thats gonna hurt your interview.

[m30wc0w]

Med schools will be very shrewd and interrogative of your trip; they'll ask you questions so THEY know if you did it just to put it on your application.

Also: pictures, you sound hot.

[DOC_Ma]

I got that from someone on the Med admissions committee at the U of Calgary.

 

Don't get me wrong though, doing international volunteering is better than doing NOTHING in that time.

 

 

But med schools look at it with a lot of skepticism. 10 days? 15 days? I mean, you built a shelter or taught children English, that's nice... but it doesn't even begin to compare to a solid, long-term commitment.

 

I had long term stuff (typical premed stuff like nursing home research blah blah), however the highlight of my interviews revolved around my 2 week - trip to costa rica so I think it matters since I got in by discussing alot about that experience.

[future_doc]

That's the point - you showed how you grew and developed from that experience. You marketed yourself and that experience well.If you had not hasd such experience, you would have then woven your answer/discussion to use another volunteer experience as your centre piece. I think it says more about you than any particular experience. You obviously have what it takes in terms of adaptability/flexibility and you showeed excellent communication skills.

[UTPEOPLE]

Med schools will be very shrewd and interrogative of your trip; they'll ask you questions so THEY know if you did it just to put it on your application.

Also: pictures, you sound hot.

 

silly... all you would have to do is look up the BC pageant next year and cross ref with posts if you are still curious then

[UTPEOPLE]

I'm a recently graduated high school student, entering the science program at SFU in BC this fall. Besides having a high GPA and a good MCAT score, getting into a medical school also involves having done meaningful extracurricular work.

 

Whether I get into UBC Med or any school in Canada, I'd like to know if things like the following would help, hinder, or do nothing for me.

 

IB Diploma - I graduated high school with an IB Diploma. Does what I did in high school matter at all? I also received the French Immersion Certificate for 7 years of FI and was Environment Club President, but by the time I apply to med school, will all this be too far in the past that nobody will care? Or could it add an extra glow to my application/interview?

 

Piano - I'm finishing level 8 now, working towards my ARCT. If I applied to med school with an ARCT Piano Diploma, will this help me out or will it make no difference? Would I be better off not devoting a ton of time to getting my ARCT and focus my efforts elsewhere?

 

Volunteer trips - I'm planning on going on a volunteer trip this summer or perhaps in the winter. However, I wonder if the *particular* volunteer trip matters. I'm interested in going to Costa Rica for the Global Leadership Adventure, although it's mainly environmental/agricultural service, accumulating 20 hours in 10 days. There's another trip that caught my eye over New Years, called Hero Holiday, where we would build a home for the impoverished in a place like Mexico or the Dominican Republic.

Does it matter which I do, or is the fact that I went on a volunteer trip in general good enough? Or do volunteer trips not impress med schools that much and I can save my money and volunteer locally?

 

Pageants - I've been in a couple pageants, and I'm considering participating in the Miss BC-World pageant next July. Many factors considered, I have a good chance of getting *a* title, not necessarily Miss BC but perhaps something like Miss Charity if I fundraise enough money for the pageant's sponsored charity, Cops for Cancer. I wonder, though, if winning a title in a provincial pageant (or past pageants I've done) would help me get into a medical school. Would it help me, especially considering the focus is fundraising and community service in the year of reign? Or would it perhaps hinder my chances because of the stereotypes around pageants? Or would it have no effect?

 

Besides all of this, I of course plan on doing local volunteer work at my university, and at a couple hospitals provided I get accepted to volunteer, and anywhere else where possible in my community. I was just curious about these extra things.

Thanks!

 

In all seriousness... I would think that by the time you are applying, high school thing dont matter as much as university stuff... unless there are some super stellar things. Environmental club would probably be useless (unless you continued in uni), but all those time consuming pageants could be very useful for demonstrating time management skills. And being ranked in something is always fun... I had two friends who got that top 20 under 20 award... which will add a great glow to their app... ever consider applying to that?

[NLengr]

The value of short term interntational trips is debatable at best. A large portion of how it's looked at by medical schools depends on the people on the committee.

 

Personally I've never heard anyone say that it's going to be the key or leg up needed to get in. I have heard several physicians say that all these trips tell them is that it's some suburban rich kid who doesn't need to work in the summer because they have family money anyway. One even said he'd respect the kid who has to slave all summer to pay for university more than the international kid. Even if this isn't true for everyone, it's a common generalization.

 

On top of that, people I know who worked overseas for big organizations involved in long term projects don't speak very highly of short term resume padding people. They're looked at as more of a hinderance than a help.

 

Personally, I'd keep your money, make some good local volunteer connections.

[UTPEOPLE]

The value of short term interntational trips is debatable at best. A large portion of how it's looked at by medical schools depends on the people on the committee.

 

Personally I've never heard anyone say that it's going to be the key or leg up needed to get in. I have heard several physicians say that all these trips tell them is that it's some suburban rich kid who doesn't need to work in the summer because they have family money anyway. One even said he'd respect the kid who has to slave all summer to pay for university more than the international kid. Even if this isn't true for everyone, it's a common generalization.

 

On top of that, people I know who worked overseas for big organizations involved in long term projects don't speak very highly of short term resume padding people. They're looked at as more of a hinderance than a help.

 

Personally, I'd keep your money, make some good local volunteer connections.

 

hahaha... hurray for 60-70 hour summer workweeks!

[Madz25]

Can anyone else vouch for this? I would have considered international volunteering if med schools liked it, but I would have plenty of productive things to do locally.

 

exactly the point. you would do it FOR getting into med school, not because you have a genuine interest. med schools see right through that as the only applicants that can afford to go abroad (generally) are those that have the financial means. you can do valuable work locally, as you have already identified. and those that cant afford to go abroad shouldn't be penalized or looked upon less favourably simply because the financial support is not there.

 

a lot of people go abroad because they think it will help with getting into med school. be original.

[TheBoss]

Thanks for the comments everyone. I was bit concerned about the idea that applicants with international volunteering would have an advantage over me, just because they had something international and I didn't.

 

In case it matters to anyone, I do work in the summer.

[rmorelan]

exactly the point. you would do it FOR getting into med school, not because you have a genuine interest. med schools see right through that as the only applicants that can afford to go abroad (generally) are those that have the financial means. you can do valuable work locally, as you have already identified. and those that cant afford to go abroad shouldn't be penalized or looked upon less favourably simply because the financial support is not there.

 

a lot of people go abroad because they think it will help with getting into med school. be original.

 

exactly You should have a story for the main things you did in your life - some sort of common thread. If you volunteered raising money locally for aids relief for a long time in a variety of ways and then went over to help set one of them up that would be consistent. Otherwise they would have to wonder what you are up to and why.

[Dr Crusher]

Thanks for the comments everyone. I was bit concerned about the idea that applicants with international volunteering would have an advantage over me, just because they had something international and I didn't.

 

In case it matters to anyone, I do work in the summer.

 

Overall, I do agree with the comments others have made about adcoms seeing through international volunteering to realize it's something premeds do to get ahead. But I don't think you should discount it if you're interested. What it boils down is that volunteering is volunteering no matter where you do it, and overall doctors tend not to be anti-travel or anti-affluence, so I strongly doubt they'd judge you harshly for choosing volunteer-cation as a way to spend your spare time and money if you so choose.

 

Something to consider that hasn't been mentioned... You may also get some perspective that could help you talk about things such as cultural competency and language/communication issues that may come up in interviews.

 

For the record I never did that kind of trip, and I thought my application was perfectly fine without it, but I kinda wish I had just for the experience.

[kylamonkey]

Interesting little discussion about international volunteering- I have wondered if my travel experiences (extensive, but self-funded) have flagged me as "privileged". I'll be changing the wording in my app next year a little because of that.

 

I'm kind of wondering if the same can be said about the pageant thing. There's a lot of money that goes into it, as near as I can tell, and most high school girls doing it need their family's financial backing. I think that's what might be seen as the only negative with that activity. Correct me if I am wrong about this!

 

With some applications, if you had some sort of combo of pageants, international volunteering, limited work history, you might want to be wary of seeming too privileged.

 

(apologies in advance if this comes across as mean- I'm in pain today and I don't write nicely when I am in pain!)

[lostintime]

You know it really depends on where the adcoms are coming from. If they also came from priviledged families and had similar experiences and luxuries when they were in high school, they might like the sound of it. But for people who haven't...yea....

[rmorelan]

it isn't so much the cost of the international travel I think that is often the problem it is its short duration and lack of connection with everything else usually the person is doing. Forget that it is international for a second - what if you read someones ECs and found the did two weeks or so at an activity that is really unrelated to anything else. Something like volunteering in a lab for 2 weeks, doing a random sport for a month, volunteering at the hospital for a few weeks (even full time). How would you rate that activity? How much value would you attach to the candidate as a result?