Does anyone here train combat sports/martial arts? How do medical schools view them?

[Anthony77005]

Mods, let me know if this sort of thread is frowned upon. Just wanted to have a change of pace from all the seriousness that the application cycle brings.
__________________________________________

A little off topic/off beat.

I was wondering how combat sports are viewed by medical schools and if there are any premeds or medical students here that do a marital art.

I've put a modest emphasis on Muay Thai in my applications, since I've been training since I was 7 (17 yrs of training!). It's important to me culturally and personally as part of my family is from Thailand and contains many practitioners of Muay Thai.

I've unfortunately encountered some stigma that people have towards martial arts when I tell them that I love train. And I hope I don't encounter this in the future or in interviews but it seems to be fading fortunately.

Do any medical students or fellow premeds here train? How hard is it for you guys to balance everything with training and conditioning? To be proficient requires quite a time commitment from what I've encountered!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[h23]

I'm actually interested in this thread too cause I recently started trying to learn Muay Thai and so far I love it. I do hope that there isn't a negative stigma associated with it cause I can see myself liking it for a long time

 

[TheIllusionist]

Viewed neutral to positive. Most med students and medicine people are endurnace type atheltes or non atheltes. Strength and combat sport ones definitely exist but are a minority.

In the end though, it just viewed as an extracurricular. It is something cool that is non academic to talk about on interview day. Unless you are some elite UFC fighter, the bonus from it would be like most other ECs with a slight bonus, given it isn't the most common among the medicine crowd.

 

[deleted1064759]

I don't think I heard anyone mention anything about MMA during any interview fun facts, so it's probably at least unique. I would include it for sure with your cultural significance.

 

[Angus Avagadro]

I would consider it on par with piano lessons. It requires, commitment, dedication, and practice.

 

[Orims]

I did karate all throughout my graduate education and it was an important part of my medical school application. Martial arts were one of my most meaningful activities and I wrote several secondary essays based on my experience. During interviews I got frequently asked about my experience in karate and got very positive feedback.

 

[Goro]

Mods, let me know if this sort of thread is frowned upon. Just wanted to have a change of pace from all the seriousness that the application cycle brings.
__________________________________________

A little off topic/off beat.

I was wondering how combat sports are viewed by medical schools and if there are any premeds or medical students here that do a marital art.

I've put a modest emphasis on Muay Thai in my applications, since I've been training since I was 7 (17 yrs of training!). It's important to me culturally and personally as part of my family is from Thailand and contains many practitioners of Muay Thai.

I've unfortunately encountered some stigma that people have towards martial arts when I tell them that I love train. And I hope I don't encounter this in the future or in interviews but it seems to be fading fortunately.

Do any medical students or fellow premeds here train? How hard is it for you guys to balance everything with training and conditioning? To be proficient requires quite a time commitment from what I've encountered!

It's novel, and fine. Will be good skills in EM with drunks, for sure.