Do not simply list your activities like you would on a resume. Use complete sentences and punctuation, elaborate on your experiences, and make clear to the reader how each activity might be relevant to your success in medical school. Do not leave out pertinent information regarding each of your experiences for the sake of brevity. Be concise, but also highlight your responsibilities and what you got out of each experience.
While you should not try to use every character space that AMCAS allots you to describe each experience, do not miss the opportunity to describe and “sell” each experience. For example, if you have research experience, describe your research and your role or responsibilities. If perhaps you suggested a new approach that was implemented or were given more responsibility, mention this! Perhaps you volunteered in the emergency room, where your primary role was to interview and transport patients, but on occasion were given the opportunity to go on rounds or observe an interesting procedure or case. Mention this!
Download the AMCAS Essays for Acceptance free webinar to learn about the purpose of the medical school essays and about the specific steps you should take to create effective and compelling AMCAS essays.
This post is excerpted from 101 Tips on Getting Into Medical School by Jennifer C. Welch, who has served as the Director of Admissions at SUNY Upstate Medical School since 2001.
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