Will joining clubs help your application?

[kglmp83]

Joining a pre-med group like pre-AMSA will probably help your application.
But what about a biology club? Will it help my application? There is a first meeting this week and I am thinking about joining.

Their site has not been updated in a few years but some of the activities included a Spring trip, Habitat for Humanity, picnic, and going to an elementary school for a science enrichment program.

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[sportsdude00]

Joining a pre-med group like pre-AMSA will probably help your application.
But what about a biology club? Will it help my application? There is a first meeting this week and I am thinking about joining.

Their site has not been updated in a few years but some of the activities included a Spring trip, Habitat for Humanity, picnic, and going to an elementary school for a science enrichment program.

everything helps!

 

[JMU07]

It definitely won't hurt, that's for sure. I wasn't really in any clubs in undergrad (but really involved in my church). They're looking more for quality rather than quantity so keep that in mind!

 

[JeffChou]

Joining a pre-med group like pre-AMSA will probably help your application.
But what about a biology club? Will it help my application? There is a first meeting this week and I am thinking about joining.

Their site has not been updated in a few years but some of the activities included a Spring trip, Habitat for Humanity, picnic, and going to an elementary school for a science enrichment program.

What is most important for your application is showing your involvement in these activities, particularly any leadership roles. Choose a club that parallels your interests and get involved in that community. Being a member of biology club or pre-med club won't do much for you on its own. Optometry schools seem to like students who were involved in their communities. A majority of my incoming class this year had some leadership role in undergrad, and I don't think it was by coincidence.

My answer pretty much sums up to this: participate in organizations that you are interested in and take an active role in it.

 

[kglmp83]

What is most important for your application is showing your involvement in these activities, particularly any leadership roles. Choose a club that parallels your interests and get involved in that community. Being a member of biology club or pre-med club won't do much for you on its own. Optometry schools seem to like students who were involved in their communities. A majority of my incoming class this year had some leadership role in undergrad, and I don't think it was by coincidence.

My answer pretty much sums up to this: participate in organizations that you are interested in and take an active role in it.

If the club does volunteering, does that count? Or will I have to try to become a president, vice-president, secretary of the club?

 

[JeffChou]

If the club does volunteering, does that count? Or will I have to try to become a president, vice-president, secretary of the club?

Well, volunteer experience is always helpful and may show your care and compassion. Leadership is a separate characteristic. Either way, they will help your application, but in my opinion leadership shows a specific quality they are also looking for. I don't think it matters what your position is as long as you actually did something.

 

[victoria11]

the short answer in my opinion is NO. for the most part they just look at gpa/oat to extend an interview slot. However it is a great idea to very involved (leadership position or awards) this way you can talk about them during your interview.

 

[pienfoo]

if you have a borderline gpa/oat then having leadership/work experience will definitely help. in my opinion, you'd have to hold office to show that you were commited to your organization.

 

[Framecontrol]

Optometry clubs help a MASSIVE amount