How important are high school ECs?

[SolipsismGT]

Hello everyone. This September I will be entering Brock University. I know extra-curricular activities are vital to be considered for med school. Do they* look at high school ECs, or just University?

*Canadian medical schools.

Thanks!

[thehumanmacbook]

You are allowed to input activities you have done since the age of 16.

[future_doc]

prioritizing academics
no distractions
highly motivated
excellent time & stress management skills
stay on top of all assignments
do not cram, review material during semester
maintain high motivation
self-sacrifice required
stay on even keel when things happen
have enjoyable athletic or other outlets
take interesting program and choose courses with care
study smart for you

1. No matter how well or poorly you are doing in high school, it gives absolutely no indication of your success in undergrad. The most important carry over from h.s. to UG is a strong work ethic, if it now exists. This will be of tremendous help. I did not have one.

2. Choose a course of study that interests you as you will do much better.

3. Do not go for an Honours program, much tougher.

4. Have a Plan B as even the best don’t make it, luck is involved too.

5. The transition to UG is brutal. Therefore, do not take on any ECs/volunteering the first semester until you cracked the code of your inner self during the transition and do well in your finals.


6. No distractions either, they will tear you down. If a significant other is unstable, too demanding, not supportive and understanding - get rid of s/he quickly.

7. You may not like all your required courses, so what, this is no excuse to do poorly. You need to focus, have discipline, prioritize, curtail social life and treat your studies professionally, i.e., don't just cram, and stay up-to-date for studies/assignments.

8. Pursue a course of study about which you are interested/passionate as I did. This will motivate you to work hard and do well. You will need to learn self-sacrifice to accomplish your goals.

9. There will be reversals on the journey, just learn form them and move forward.

10. Take easy electives to balance the hard courses.

11. Focus, discipline, responsible choices, self-sacrifice are all required as is stress and time management skills.

12. Once you do well, then spread out in ECs/volunteering - only do what you enjoy. There is no cookie cutter recipe. Even unorganized activities are fine, like helping an elderly/sick/disabled neighbour in small ways is excellent. Volunteer in what you enjoy. Same for ECs.

13. Anything you can do to increase communication skills is great as needed for interview and as doctor.

14. Be helpful and friendly to the friendless, it will go a long way and build character and compassion

15. Your future is in your hands and you take full responsibility. Each decision needs to be strategic and tactical.

16. Know yourself well, what works for you in terms of studying etc, experiment and learn.

17. Always be responsible as a way of life.

18. You will screw up somewhere, not to worry, this will be a learning experience for you. U/T and U/O have their weighted GPA, others take last 2 years or best 2 years, so it is not over, just lick your wounds and carry on.

19. MCAT is best to take at end of 3rd yr b/c you are more mature, greater science knowledge and writing skills....I did not do well, studied like crazy, everybody has their achilles heel.

I am not the brightest light bulb, had to work exceedingly hard always for my grades, knew which classes to skip, which to attend, was always a loner, lost my partying friends b/c I had my priorities and stuck to them. What I lack in intelligence, I have made up for in serious work ethic, prioritizing and keeping my eye on the ball. GPA stays with you forever.

[Illuminant]

In ontario, only Queens will look at them.
In other canadian md schools, I don't know.

[wcoast11]

I think high school ECs are helpful for 3 indirect reasons (i.e. not just putting them on your med application):

1) They help you understand your own work / study style from an earlier stage before you reach UG (when grades start to matter more). High school ECs help you decide whether you can multitask and what you need to do to set yourself up for success. If you know your own recipe for success earlier on by front-loading the amount of work you do in high school, the transition to UG will be less brutal. Some people get stressed out with many other things going on; others find that occupying their time with a variety of things makes them more productive and efficient with studying / homework. You won't know what is best for you until you do it. I already knew I was the latter type before I got to university, so I got involved from day 1 of undergrad and was fine.

2) High school ECs get you involved from an early stage, so you have time to explore where your passions lie. If you decide you love theatre, or curling, or competitive hot chili eating, then you have more time in UG to get more seriously involved in those areas and get good at them. Many of the people I know with "high-quality" ECs started their involvement earlier than UG, whether it was volunteering somewhere, a sport they play competitively, you name it... the passion comes through.

3) High school ECs can be beneficial for self-serving reasons. Many scholarships for graduating high school students look for well-rounded individuals, so if you're involved in many activities, you could snag some scholarship money that goes far to fund your undergrad, leaving you better off financially. If you're less worried about finances during undergrad, you can devote more time to things you're passionate about, and rather than picking up 6 shifts at Starbucks per week, maybe you only need to pick up 3. Your UG grades and ECs will benefit.

[inspiring-curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by future_doc

I am not the brightest light bulb, had to work exceedingly hard always for my grades, knew which classes to skip, which to attend, was always a loner, lost my partying friends b/c I had my priorities and stuck to them. What I lack in intelligence, I have made up for in serious work ethic, prioritizing and keeping my eye on the ball. GPA stays with you forever.

Your life just sounds sad (not in a mean way). Friends, experiences, and a girl/boyfriend is what adds flavour to life. They make you grow, learn, and reflect on life, and help you appreciate what you have. I don't understand how someone could be so focused on medical school that they are willing to give those up.

To the OP, high school extracurrics don't matter much unless they are very long term or you can explain how they helped you become the person you are today. University activities are certainly more important. Some schools don't even care about what you do, so don't do more at the cost of academics.

[future_doc]

I appreciate the concern you expressed and assure you my life is entirely on an even keel and I am fulfilled and happy. My colleagues at school, in ECs and volunteering are wonderful and I engage in athletic pursuits. All my so-called past friends have fallen by the wayside as they are party animals and have different priorities and goals.

[future_doc]

Originally Posted by thehumanmacbook

You are allowed to input activities you have done since the age of 16.

I included activities that I started way before 16 and continue to this day. Also, one of my most meaningful volunteer activities occurred during ages 12-14 and this was included.

[thatonekid]

Originally Posted by Illuminant

In ontario, only Queens will look at them.
In other canadian md schools, I don't know.

And UofT if you include them in your essay.

[Birdy]

Originally Posted by future_doc

I included activities that I started way before 16 and continue to this day. Also, one of my most meaningful volunteer activities occurred during ages 12-14 and this was included.

That is extremely good to hear. I was a personal care assistant for a disabled adult in high school, and was worried it wouldn't count.