Activities showing proficiency in manual dexterity?

[dental555]

I'm not really sure what to put for this question on the application. I play a little bit of guitar but nothing really crazy. I also got a 5/5 on my AP Graphic Design portfolio which has a little bit of drawing in it, but no pure drawing. Since I did get a 5 on the AP exam, I was thinking about trying to use this to my advantage but I'm not really sure if thats a stretch. In high school I also used to make and sell bracelets but this also seems kind of lame/maybe a stretch.

Do you think mostly focusing on the graphic design would be smart due to the AP score kind of validating it I guess? I actually considered going to art school for graphic design but like I said it's less manual dexterity than say, painting. I'd just be worried about an interviewer asking me to draw something, and that's not really what I'm good at.

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[jeffity]

Guitar and drawing are legit. A generic rule of thumb I've heard here and elsewhere is to not put stuff that you aren't comfortable discussing or well-versed enough to talk about. If you take up knitting 2 months before applying just to have something to put, you'll look like a clown if you get an interviewer who's an avid knitter and asks you about your favorite brand of needles.

Go with your gut. In the next few weeks this topic is going to pop up on here. "Can I put video games?" "How about chopsticks?" Etc. And some will think it doesn't "count" and some will suggest it's fine. There's not really a wrong answer (we all have enough sense to not put something crude or
ridiculous). And there's a huge chance it's not something that's going to make or break your app. Ultimately, use your own judgement and don't be swayed too much by opinion. This applies to all the ECs.

 

[iamjackbauer]

musical instruments and shooting guns are always good ones.

 

[scsc7211]

Any further input on firearms and archery? I have been hunting (bow and shotgun/rifle) and shooting sporting clays for most of my life, but wasn't sure if it necessarily counted as manual dexterity. I would love to include it on my app, but am on the fence about it.

 

[iamjackbauer]

Any further input on firearms and archery? I have been hunting (bow and shotgun/rifle) and shooting sporting clays for most of my life, but wasn't sure if it necessarily counted as manual dexterity. I would love to include it on my app, but am on the fence about it.

I would definitely include it. It was a major talking point at one of my interviews.

 

[paymaant]

someone told me billiards show manual dexterity because it demonstrates hand-eye coordination. Is this legit?

 

[Illini0909]

I play Rugby at my school. Would that count too?

 

[golfinpanda]

What about golf?

 

[Bren1313]

i played rugby in high school too! i didn't even think about that counting, but you do have to be able to catch and throw i guess! it can't hurt to put it!

 

[MOUTHLOVER]

Rugby is the best sport!

 

[jeffity]

i played rugby in high school too! i didn't even think about that counting, but you do have to be able to catch and throw i guess! it can't hurt to put it!

That's the spirit! There is very little that would hurt. If you think it required or improved your skills in that department - include it.

 

[Illini0909]

haha yeah i play for University of Illinois. Probably something to talk about in the interviews.

 

[paymaant]

does billiards count? hand-eye coordination?

 

[xtra333]

How long should the input for this question be? Because I have played violin for 10 years, so I could put that. Also, I have played tennis for one year. Should all 600 characters be used?

 

[CedarZ4]

This might be silly, but what about maintenance of a car? 😳

Serious question, by the way. I love playing with little things like changing lights (have an obsession with lights, don't ask), changing my own brake pad, oil + oil filters, and even hammering my own car back into shape after I was T-Boned + rear-ended 😀

Edit: Any "professional" way to put "hammering your car back into shape because you don't want to pay a garage to rip you off 😀"?

In regards to length... If you have a lot to put, just list it. If you don't have a lot, just list, and put a little description (like in your EC section) just to not make it look like 2 sentences total.

 

[ballyhoo]

I think I read somewhere that car maintenance counts? 🙂

 

[xtra333]

thanks for answering my question cedar. any other comments?

 

[dantemac]

I think both guitar and graphic design are good examples of manual dexterity.

 

[iamjackbauer]

I personally wouldn't put rugby down as an activity that demonstrates manual dexterity since it is more of a "gross muscle" activity than a "fine muscle" activity. I would definitely try to bring it up in my personal statement or somewhere else on the application since it would be a good talking point at interviews.

 

[Kobebucsfan]

Basketball

 

[Davermz450]

Car mechanic for sure! I am a motorcycle/rhino machanic, for me it's not a hobby but my job. I run a small motorcycle shop out of my garage and then I work for a company that makes parts for rhinos/ RZRs.