Cultural activity as most meaningful?

[blackcadillacs]

I was in a cultural group during undergrad that was definitely one of my most meaningful, but has absolutely no relevance to medicine and made 0 impact on my decision to go to med school.

But shouldn't your entire application be geared towards why you want to be a doctor? This activity doesn't reaffirm that in any way.

opinions?

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[NonTraditional3]

I was in a cultural group during undergrad that was definitely one of my most meaningful, but has absolutely no relevance to medicine and made 0 impact on my decision to go to med school.

But shouldn't your entire application be geared towards why you want to be a doctor? This activity doesn't reaffirm that in any way.

opinions?

Guess again. Disease is blind, and you will work with patients of all cultures.

 

[blackcadillacs]

Guess again. Disease is blind, and you will work with patients of all cultures.

Okay, but then wouldn't I have to make the link to medicine?

The meaning I derived from the activity is purely cultural and unrelated to medicine - sure this might help in working with diverse populations, but I don't expect adcoms to interpret that from my description; I'd have to offer that connection myself.

 

[NonTraditional3]

Okay, but then wouldn't I have to make the link to medicine?

The meaning I derived from the activity is purely cultural and unrelated to medicine - sure this might help in working with diverse populations, but I don't expect adcoms to interpret that from my description; I'd have to offer that connection myself.

So offer it. Dig deep. Reflect on your experiences. Look inward.

 

[thlaxer]

Your "most meaningful" activities don't need to be related to medicine. I listed my hobbies (cooking, etc.) and teaching (non-science) as most meaningful. No direct relevance. Some interviewers seemed to prefer that.

 

[ccfman1991]

Your "most meaningful" activities don't need to be related to medicine. I listed my hobbies (cooking, etc.) and teaching (non-science) as most meaningful. No direct relevance. Some interviewers seemed to prefer that.

i selected a sports related activity as most meaningful. i don't think they have to be medically related.

 

[pietachok]

Are you asking if the topic should be the focus of your PS? Or are you asking if it should be discussed elsewhere in your AMCAS or secondary applications?

You are very very wrong if you think everything needs to scream "Medicine!"
Schools place tremendous value on things that reveal your character. Your ability to enjoy cultural activities not only suggests there is a patient population you might be more equipped to serve than your colleagues, but also that you will engage with patients when they start sharing about themselves...they'll perceive you as receptive & be more open & you'll be able to provide better care.

 

[NewYorker9]

You should decide what is most meaningful to you, not an ADCOM or a thread on SDN. If you're a strong applicant then having one of your most meaningful activities be something not medically related will most likely strengthen you app because it will make you more well rounded and give med schools more insight to who you are as a person, not just who you are as an applicant. My $0.02.

 

[pfaction]

You can spin anything and everything into something medically related.

You like cooking? You can now relate to patients who have HTN/DM and potentially offer tasty alternatives that follow DASH/low sugar standards.

You like to teach? You'll be decently good at communicating key facts to maintaining the patient's health before they come back for their next appointment.

You like to play the drums? I like to play the guitar! Maybe we'll be more knowledgeable in arthritic management or how to help day laborers or something when they come in with hurt hands in our clinic.

You did something deeply cultural? Maybe you'll ask about this point in a patient's life while trying to determine how to incorporate therapy into their life. Being more receptive and understanding a person's social traditions is never a bad thing.

You like pornography? Uh....well, I guess there's the "positions" talk...or strain...or something.

Spin it, people. You can ALWAYS spin it.

 

[Catalystik]

Your "most meaningful" activities don't need to be related to medicine.

i don't think they have to be medically related.

You are very very wrong if you think everything needs to scream "Medicine!"

You should decide what is most meaningful to you, not an ADCOM or a thread on SDN. If you're a strong applicant then having one of your most meaningful activities be something not medically related will most likely strengthen you app because it will make you more well rounded and give med schools more insight to who you are as a person, not just who you are as an applicant.

I think these folks have the right of it.