I’m just curious, how does a medical research publication really stand out compared to say, people who are able to volunteer in the middle east, found a tutoring or non-profit organization, and etc? I’m not trying to “brag” but I’ve been published in the Cureus Journal of Medical science - no, I wasn’t the test tube man, but I actually researched this small case myself with a lot of support and guidance on how to perform this research from my mentor; nonetheless, I was published as the first author. I also research brains…and I’m quite addicted to it - I’m a zombie rawr.
All jokes aside, I understand this isn’t “typical”, but I really think this is the only “wow” I have going in my application. I tutor the life sciences and high school level mathematics at my Church after I asked my pastor if this is something possible in a church context, and I also volunteer at the hospital (which I have been wanting to do since I was pretty young and registered as soon as I was of age). But again, nothing else “wow”. Kids at my school are going off to Science Olympiad finals at MIT and out-of-state tournaments and as much as I’d to do that stuff financially it’s impossible for me.
Other kids have had trips to South Africa and done charity work and educated kids there - awesome, and I would love to do that too, except financial I can’t. My apps are in and it’s all over, but I’m just trying to be real here: it’s hard not to think about how my EC’s compare to these other kids.