<p>I want to do MD/PhD but it seems to me that most ppl who are accepted into this program are biochem majors. I am a bio major. Would I be at a disadvantage? I still intend to take biochem before I graduate, but I don't want to take p-chem. As a bio major I will probably ahve more time to do research-- so that is my reason for being a bio major. Is that bad? Are my chances diminished?</p>
<p>your major has far less impact on your odds than your research experience, especially if you are seeking a funded MSTP slot.</p>
<p>From your post it sounds like you are a freshman. Chill out and do well in courses, find a good lab to work in.</p>
<p>Yes you are correct about that. In terms of research, I already have a lab and will probably pull off a few publications by the end of the year. That is the reason why I am asking because I want to work in my lab as long as possible without taking breaks during semesters. I would like to pull off more publications and hopefully be a PI.</p>
<p>What other ECs would you recommend?</p>
<p>BY300, if you really want an MD/PhD, then you are on the right track and should not sweat it.</p>
<p>The process you are entering is nothing like building/preparing an undergraduate college admissions resume. There is no magic checklist of best ECs for example, as frankly, ECs are irrelevant. </p>
<p>Instead, you will be judged on your promise as a biomed researcher. Period. </p>
<p>What you should think about is your backup option, because here things diverge. If your backup option is the research, i.e. PhD track, then it parallels your current track. If your backup option is MD only, then you need to think about all the things MD applicants do to prepare their resumes. Others may want to chime in here. </p>
<p>The key, IMHO, right now, is to focus on your course work and research. You may discover that lab work is not in your future, for example, or be thrown for a loop by o-chem.</p>
<p>Irrelevant is too strong of word…“easily ignored” is probably better. </p>
<p>But newmassdad is right, if your back up is MD-only, then other EC’s are important but there’s no magic checklist. Any EC can be a strength if you can sell the interviewer on its importance. Get involved in something other than research. I routinely tell students that getting involved for the sake of being pre-med isn’t good but getting involved for the sake of getting involved is different (though still not the best idea). Ideally, you’re getting involved because whatever activities you’re choosing are things that are important to you or things you enjoy doing.</p>
<p>I completely understand what both of you are saying. Truth is research is my passion. I have already been doing it close to 2.5 yrs and I love it. I mean it’s hard work, but I’m a hard worker-- so it parallels. But medicine is important also in the extent that one needs to understand the disease not only from a research perspective but from a medical one as well to possibly devise an effective method of discovering a mode of relief.</p>
<p>In terms of ECs, I know what both of you guys mean, but I can’t just have 4 ECs or something and like a few scientific publications on the side along with TA work. I mean didn’t one of you guys say that the med school app has spots for 15 ECs, awards, etc. So I need to fill in a majority of those spots so that med schools don’t think of me as a slacker. Am I not correct?</p>
<p>Oh dear. </p>
<p>You need to find your pre-med advisor ASAP and get a grip on what is really going on here. </p>
<p>I will repeat for the last time: This is not like a HS resume. Depth (of science) and quality (of everything) triumphs over anything else.</p>
<p>If you focus and excel in your research, the list will fill up without you lifting a finger. </p>
<p>What you really want to focus on is things like winning a Goldwater scholarship. That’s what will enhance your application.</p>
<p>But enough of this. You should log off the boards and get back to the lab. :)</p>
<p>Yes there are 15 spots, but that list is to include not only EC’s but also any publications, awards, scholarships, or honors that you may achieve. So if you’ve won a scholarship, that goes on there. If you’ve had a job (or jobs), that can certainly go on there. Your research position, that will go on there. If you switch labs, or even work on different projects in the same lab, I don’t see a problem listing those separately. Your volunteering, that will need to go on there. Any shadowing you’ve done, can also go on the list. </p>
<p>For example: My list included 2 jobs, 1 TA position, 2 Honorary society memberships, 4 on-campus organizations that I was heavily involved in (2 had extensive leadership experience, and the other two were highly selective and unique), 1 scholarship, 1 leadership conference I attended, my social fraternity membership, and 2 volunteering activities for a total of 14 items. If I’d had any research or publications, I would have had to taken things off.</p>
<p>And it’s okay not to fill it. In fact, filling it is supposedly a bad sign.</p>
<p>But on avg how many spots should be filled on the form with major ECs- say 12? Also, should they be ranked from like most to least important or in any random order? Do you include dates and positions held next to each one?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>As I understand it, the general consensus is that you should put in all your relevant activities, accomplishments, and awards as long as you have less than 15. If you hit 15, then you might want to reconsider what you consider “relevant.” This is a bit contradictory, and you’ll just have to decide how you want to deal with it. I believe NCG filled out all 15 spots, and he’s gotten into at least one medical school, so it’s definitely not the end of the world if you fill out all 15.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I believe AMCAS tells you to put them in the order of most to least important, but I can’t remember anymore. AMCAS’ instructions will tell you something about this.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Yes.</p>
<p>When you register for AMCAS, all this will be clear to you. Why are you even bothering to ask about this now? Seems like a waste of time to me.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>The OP seems to think this is some kind of game to be won once you figure out the “rules”. Of course it is not, which is why this has become a waste of time. </p>
<p>Let us only hope the OP can put as much work into building a good package that is about his or herself, not about trying to sniff out some ideal package that does not even exist. </p>
<p>Let us not even get into the subject that each school uses its own standards that may be quite different from others!</p>