Hey everyone! I had a question about whether or not I should include a specific "artistic endeavor." I have almost completed a book, but don't have a publisher or any rapport as an author at all. I do creative writing in my free-time (poems, short stories, anything I could write out during downtime). This is the only long-term project I've worked on. Is it even worth mentioning or including on my AMCAS if I technically have nothing to show for it? I know the more common artistic endeavors are usually something you have shown to a wider audience (performing ballet in front of others, choreographing or directing something, or actually even being a published author). So I'm not really sure if medical schools will write it off since it isn't really a finished product. What do you think?
Artistic Endeavor/Hobby question for the AMCAS
- Thread starter AAMM
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Asking because I would love for it to be a talking point during potential interviews. It's something I feel sincerely passionate about, but the only problem is that it takes forever and a half to build any reputation for publishing companies to take you seriously. Hence my lack of publications even though I've been writing for a while.
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You should include your writing as a Hobby on AMCAS. You do not need a "finished project" to show for this, nor should you apologize for something that no one even expects (i.e having a published book).
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Go for it. Did you know that JAMA publishes poetry? Check it out. Here's one citation:
Rosenthal RJ. Hands-on. JAMA. 2018;320(9):939. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.5075
There are numerous physician authors in fiction and poetry. Some were published before and while in medical school and later as MDs (e.g. Perri Klass) while others began as attending physicians (e.g. the late Richard Selzer, a surgeon).
Rosenthal RJ. Hands-on. JAMA. 2018;320(9):939. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.5075
There are numerous physician authors in fiction and poetry. Some were published before and while in medical school and later as MDs (e.g. Perri Klass) while others began as attending physicians (e.g. the late Richard Selzer, a surgeon).
