Just curious as to what the general consensus will be on this. During my time in college, I have been pretty involved in what many consider to be rather "violent" sports. Boxing, and MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) training have been something that I've loved doing, I have enjoyed it thorougly as it has been a ton of fun and an endeavor that I've invested lots of time and worked very hard at (just as any serious athlete would). The thing I'm worried about is how this will be percieved by ADCOMS when they see it on my applications. I don't want them to prejudge and rip apart my character before they get to meet me, you know? I'm really laid-back and I love people. I'm a live, love, laugh kinda guy and my true passion is in medicine and working with people, treating them in a clinical setting. These sports were a great outlet to the intense academics, and I loved the rush of competing in a fight. I just don't know what to think, SDN. What's your opinion on this ordeal?
Adcom perspective on MMA and Boxing as extracurriculars?
- Thread starter ZacharyMD
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i think you are overanalyzing the situation. its a sport...who cares. its sommething you are passionate about and enjoy doing, they will want to hear about it. just b/c you are a boxer doesnt mean you hate people and/or go around punching babies in the face. thats ridiculous. i play rugby, which is also considered a "violent" sport. i too love the game I play and am passionate about it, and even tho its violent..in no way am i worried they will pre judge my character. we are all adults, i'm sure they expect you are able to distinguish between the ring and "real life."
don't worry, its a unique EC that will likel catch peoples attention and definitelly be a conversation starter during interviews. the key will be to able to express everything you just said during an interview....about how/why you love it, about what it allows you to do, etc. those are the types of things that make you unique.
and think on the bright side, if they reject you, you can always threaten to judo chop their necks off...you can do that right? 😉
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Actually boxing is somewhat frowned upon due to the number of brain injuries in the sport.
And yes I heard that from an Adcom when a fellow interviewee said he liked to box. Take it as you will.
MMA would probably be beneficial as it doesn't have such a bad stigma.
Yeah, you can say boxing is a sport like football or rugby, but in actuality its not. In football you don't try to give the opposing teams concussions. When a football player falls, the crowd gasps. In boxing they cheer. etc...
Just giving you a differing viewpoint so you can make your own decision. Good luck. 👍
And yes I heard that from an Adcom when a fellow interviewee said he liked to box. Take it as you will.
MMA would probably be beneficial as it doesn't have such a bad stigma.
Yeah, you can say boxing is a sport like football or rugby, but in actuality its not. In football you don't try to give the opposing teams concussions. When a football player falls, the crowd gasps. In boxing they cheer. etc...
Just giving you a differing viewpoint so you can make your own decision. Good luck. 👍
Mmm, good point. I bet it'd look better on my application if I just talked about my martial arts training instead of trying to showcase the fact that I've competed in fights. With the UFC being so mainstream these days they're likely to grill me on the violence issue and how it doesn't really fit the Hippocratic oath.
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I think this has the same argument of people listing motorcycles as a hobby (that discussion has been done ad nauseum). There are going to be people on both sides either agreeing with you or trying to rouse a response. Be tactful in how you present your hobbies.
What about listing simply my background in Martial Arts training? I trained at a Brazilian JiuJitsu Academy where I earned up to my purple belt. Approx 3 years training. Or would that still be risky?
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i don't really agree with this. I am a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and I included it in app and talked about it in my interviews. Remember, this is a double edged sword. Yes it's "violent," but it is also much more positive in that it helps build great self-discipline (training is tough). I think that the adcoms will make the distinction between competing in a violent sport (against other people who want to compete) and walking into a bar and hitting someone with a beer bottle. Include it.
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I guess for me Im just wondering to what extent were you actually fighting while doing MMA/Boxing? Did you do multiple fights, or was it mostly training behind the concept of fighting eventually???
Either way, I guess im the kind of guy who likes to take risks when it comes to these applications. In my opinion, anything that makes you stand out to them is a good thing, whether it is controversial or not. If you have the GPA/MCAT/EC's to back up your hobby, there is no reason to censor yourself to the adcoms...... give them the real ZacharyMD, not the PG version. I feel like you have some good reasonings behind your hobby that you could defend it in an interview if need be......
edit: I guess I should also note.... ya I like to take risks in applications, so take my advice with a grain of salt, haha 😉 I am applying this year for the first time, so who knows if im worth listening to anyway!
Either way, I guess im the kind of guy who likes to take risks when it comes to these applications. In my opinion, anything that makes you stand out to them is a good thing, whether it is controversial or not. If you have the GPA/MCAT/EC's to back up your hobby, there is no reason to censor yourself to the adcoms...... give them the real ZacharyMD, not the PG version. I feel like you have some good reasonings behind your hobby that you could defend it in an interview if need be......
edit: I guess I should also note.... ya I like to take risks in applications, so take my advice with a grain of salt, haha 😉 I am applying this year for the first time, so who knows if im worth listening to anyway!
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This thread should help you out. In my interview, I did not mention anything about MMA or a cage. I did, however, say that I was heavily involved with martial arts and competed on a regular basis.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=513649&highlight=bawer234
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=513649&highlight=bawer234
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Yeah, I put down my involvement in Taekwondo. I was on the competition team, and secretary and eventually president of the on campus club. In fact, I actually featured my martial arts experience in my PS. Didn't seem to hurt my application any, and in fact, I got many compliments on my PS as well as interested comments on my taekwondo training.
I don't know if my being a girl made a difference though. It's kind of a double standard that girls who do martial arts are somehow seen in a more positive light (as being strong, can defend herself, independent) and less likely to be stereotyped as being violent or aggressive because of it.
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I can definitely see that. I really think that more wacky and outrageous one's EC's are the better it looks from a diversity stand point. I think that being involved with martial arts doesn't get the credit it deserves.
On a random tangent, it kinda bothers me about how much attention people who are "musically inclined" or play instruments get. I know a MILLION people who have been in band or can play some kind of instrument. It doesn't impress me at all. NOW, if you are really good at singing/playing then that's another story, but otherwise I just think it's kinda like volunteering in the ER or something (everyone's done it).
I think that is way more interesting to be involved in Taekwondo, Judo, BJJ, MMA, ect. How many applicants do you that have done that...let alone have a black belt in it? That's something special and something that should be looked at as a truely valueable EC experience.
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More people than are able to play an instrument well.
I have met countless blackbelts in Taekwondo from crappy little martial arts factories. If you do anything well, it is considered interesting. If you can hold a formal conversation about it and go into details then it is considered beneficial. Music is just good because it requires a different way of analyzing and approaching things. I know you can say the same thing about fighting stuff (I've done that too) but the bottom line is that that always became instinct for me. Many people put down musical stuff and get their arse handed to them when they get questions about it. I play guitar and drums. I could talk for hours about wood combinations and unique builders for acoustic guitars. I have role models with it. I also actually know how to read music. Yes, nearly everyone has taken piano when they were a little kid but I think you are confusing the people that read tabs and strum a chord versus people that are actually good in it. Its the same with everything. Just pick something you like and become good at it..or at least enjoy it.
I have honestly never heard of a ton of people doing the stuff or continuing it after high school. Must be the groups you run in or something. I never get special attention for it. I don't really flaunt it either though. I will talk music with you all day if you want....or movies.
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I think you can include anything as extracurriculars as long as you're able to talk about it in a mature way. Focus on the dedication and discipline boxing and MMA takes, rather than on the beating people up part.
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I haven't met that many black belts but I believe you, lots of people do martial arts, especially when they are growing up.
I'm not confused, at least I hope not. I said that if they were good at it, then I have a different oppinion.
I agree with you that music require you to view things in a different way and because of that it can help you as an applicant.
I am very bias in my oppinions b/c I love fighting/MA and I just wish it were looked at with the same respect as playing an instrument or other activities. I think it gets an immediate negative stereotyping with many "intelectuals".
A
Alfred E Newman
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