Charity knitting?

[Abby_Normal]

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I'm thinking of trying knitting for charity (specifically, for an organization that donates blankets to animal shelters) and I'm wondering if this is something worth mentioning in the "what are you doing this year?" section of my secondaries. It is volunteer work of a sort and it will take up a reasonable amount of my time, but it doesn't really involve going anywhere or have a specific timeline and I'm mainly doing it because I have a lot of mismatched yarn I'm trying to get rid of (knitting/crocheting has been a hobby of mine since I was about ten...stuff accumulates).

Will it just sound like filler, or should I mention it because at the very least it will demonstrate that I have a productive hobby?

 

[Dannyw]

It sounds like you're going to do it just to have an activity to list on your secondaries.

 

[Abby_Normal]

It sounds like you're going to do it just to have an activity to list on your secondaries.

Do you mean that's what you think or that's what medical schools will think? If the latter, should I be careful about mentioning any new activity I take up over the next year?

 

[Dannyw]

Do you mean that's what you think or that's what medical schools will think? If the latter, should I be careful about mentioning any new activity I take up over the next year?

Are you asking for future reference or are you filling out secondaries right now? If you are filling them out right now then it sounds fishy and seems like you're doing it just to have a "hobby" to list. If it's the former, don't worry about it.

 

[Emikosma]

I'm thinking of trying knitting for charity (specifically, for an organization that donates blankets to animal shelters) and I'm wondering if this is something worth mentioning in the "what are you doing this year?" section of my secondaries. It is volunteer work of a sort and it will take up a reasonable amount of my time, but it doesn't really involve going anywhere or have a specific timeline and I'm mainly doing it because I have a lot of mismatched yarn I'm trying to get rid of (knitting/crocheting has been a hobby of mine since I was about ten...stuff accumulates).

Will it just sound like filler, or should I mention it because at the very least it will demonstrate that I have a productive hobby?

NICUs always need little hats for the babies too!

I think anything you do, you should do it because you enjoy it, not because it will 'look good' on an app. It sounds like this has been an enjoyable hobby for you, and would be a good way for you to get a unique EC on your app though.

 

[sedaniel]

I'm thinking of trying knitting for charity (specifically, for an organization that donates blankets to animal shelters) and I'm wondering if this is something worth mentioning in the "what are you doing this year?" section of my secondaries. It is volunteer work of a sort and it will take up a reasonable amount of my time, but it doesn't really involve going anywhere or have a specific timeline and I'm mainly doing it because I have a lot of mismatched yarn I'm trying to get rid of (knitting/crocheting has been a hobby of mine since I was about ten...stuff accumulates).

Will it just sound like filler, or should I mention it because at the very least it will demonstrate that I have a productive hobby?

Do it! I love knitting, I did Knit Wits (a charity knitting group near my college) through my sorority and made baby hats! 🙂 (It is definitely a great way to get rid of scrap yarn too lol)

 

[apreludem]

sorry this has nothing to do with your post, but EMIKOSMA, is that a happy uterus? o.o

 

[Emikosma]

sorry this has nothing to do with your post, but EMIKOSMA, is that a happy uterus? o.o

Heck yeah it is! http://iheartguts.com/shop/

 

[LizzyM]

I'm done some knitting for charity but I can see some of the adcom members I hang with rolling their eyes if this showed up on a "what are you doing during a gap year" unless you have something significant (research, employment, serious time commitment to face-to-face community service) to list as well. It might be well received as part of a longer list of activities if you put it in the context of having enjoyed knit & crochet from the age of 10 and have begun putting your skills to work providing blankets for animal shelters.

Dr. Perri Klass at NYU is a pretty well known pediatrician and knitter and writer.

 

[Omni]

Knitting is for men. 100% testosterone in knitting a new beanie to wear in the winter.

Anyways, if it is something you are doing and will be putting in a lot of time into, then I'd say that it something worth mentioning.

 

[Abby_Normal]

I'm done some knitting for charity but I can see some of the adcom members I hang with rolling their eyes if this showed up on a "what are you doing during a gap year" unless you have something significant (research, employment, serious time commitment to face-to-face community service) to list as well. It might be well received as part of a longer list of activities if you put it in the context of having enjoyed knit & crochet from the age of 10 and have begun putting your skills to work providing blankets for animal shelters.

Dr. Perri Klass at NYU is a pretty well known pediatrician and knitter and writer.

Thanks. This isn't a gap year thing. I'm thinking of activities for this summer (between junior and senior years) and next summer. It will be mentioned along with job shadowing (this summer), music (summer, academic year), my school-based ECs (summer via email, academic year), my senior thesis, etc. I just worry because this summer is pretty activity-lite (I just moved to a rural area and have found my options quite limited) so it might look weird, like I'm desperate to mention something (which, to be honest, I am, though my interest in charity knitting is independent of this).

 

[LizzyM]

Thanks. This isn't a gap year thing. I'm thinking of activities for this summer (between junior and senior years) and next summer. It will be mentioned along with job shadowing (this summer), music (summer, academic year), my school-based ECs (summer via email, academic year), my senior thesis, etc. I just worry because this summer is pretty activity-lite (I just moved to a rural area and have found my options quite limited) so it might look weird, like I'm desperate to mention something (which, to be honest, I am, though my interest in charity knitting is independent of this).

Well, mention that you are living in a rural area and taking the opportunity to relax and "recreate" and recharge your batteries for the next academic year. Some of the relaxing things that you are doing during your time away from school include music and your charity project for wayward dogs.