Does it look bad to have "Gardening" as a "Most Meaningful Activity" on my AMCAS?

[Skydive Fox]

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Any thoughts on having gardening as a most meaningful activity? Will it look odd or like I'm pulling at straws? An acquaintance gave me very negative feedback which has me worried...

I've been gardening since I was a toddler and have volunteered my skills at two churches since I was in middle school. Without boring anyone with too many details, the reason I want to select this as a most meaningful activity is because of how many important life lessons I learned at such a young age. The following kinda sum up my reasons: As a youngling, I developed a deep level of patience while waiting months/years for the fruits of my labor to come to life, it brought me closer to my mother since she got me into it, I've honed my attention to detail and aesthetics, I learned the importance of consistency & schedule-making after taking on watering duties in 2nd grade, and I learned very early on to appreciate the delicacy of life and nature.

If it matters, my other two most meaningful activities are mentoring an underprivileged child and a strong campus leadership/volunteer position.

 

[starspells]

Not at all. Go ahead and list it as a most meaningful activity.

 

[Astra]

Based on what your wrote, seems like a great essay. I would suggest not saying you were gardening since a toddler and say " I began gardening as a child ..."

IDK if its possible to garden as a toddler but someone might call BS ( even if you aren't)

 

[Catalystik]

Any thoughts on having gardening as a most meaningful activity?

I'd want to read it. Sounds like you've gained some interesting insights from the activity.

 

[sharpstickie]

Any thoughts on having gardening as a most meaningful activity? Will it look odd or like I'm pulling at straws? An acquaintance gave me very negative feedback which has me worried...

I've been gardening since I was a toddler and have volunteered my skills at two churches since I was in middle school. Without boring anyone with too many details, the reason I want to select this as a most meaningful activity is because of how many important life lessons I learned at such a young age. The following kinda sum up my reasons: As a youngling, I developed a deep level of patience while waiting months/years for the fruits of my labor to come to life, it brought me closer to my mother since she got me into it, I've honed my attention to detail and aesthetics, I learned the importance of consistency & schedule-making after taking on watering duties in 2nd grade, and I learned very early on to appreciate the delicacy of life and nature.

If it matters, my other two most meaningful activities are mentoring an underprivileged child and a strong campus leadership/volunteer position.

I would say that is significant. It seems like gardening has taught you some great life lessons you could apply to medicine.

 

[Nontradunderdog]

Depends were you growing GMO or Non-GMO crops?? lol It does sound like it played a very significant role in your life so I would definitely include it.

 

[Goro]

Not at all! In fact, I have several Adcom colleagues who are avid gardeners, and who would love you for it!

Any thoughts on having gardening as a most meaningful activity? Will it look odd or like I'm pulling at straws? An acquaintance gave me very negative feedback which has me worried...

I've been gardening since I was a toddler and have volunteered my skills at two churches since I was in middle school. Without boring anyone with too many details, the reason I want to select this as a most meaningful activity is because of how many important life lessons I learned at such a young age. The following kinda sum up my reasons: As a youngling, I developed a deep level of patience while waiting months/years for the fruits of my labor to come to life, it brought me closer to my mother since she got me into it, I've honed my attention to detail and aesthetics, I learned the importance of consistency & schedule-making after taking on watering duties in 2nd grade, and I learned very early on to appreciate the delicacy of life and nature.

If it matters, my other two most meaningful activities are mentoring an underprivileged child and a strong campus leadership/volunteer position.

 

[aldol16]

“Cela est bien, repondit Candide, mais il faut cultiver notre jardin.”

 

[sharpstickie]

“Cela est bien, repondit Candide, mais il faut cultiver notre jardin.”

To save everyone a google translate
"This is fine, replied Candide , but we must cultivate our garden."

 

[Skydive Fox]

Ahhhhh, thank you all so much!!!

It means a lot to have a community like SDN that I can always count on for solid, cold-hard-truth advice. I appreciate y'all more than you could ever realize, truly.

Also @Catalystik maybe I'm just super paranoid about anonymity, but I steer away from sharing any quotes, let alone essays, off my AMCAS. Sorry :x the details in original post are just elaborated, rewritten, and organized more fluidly in my AMCAS though.

 

[Catalystik]

Also @Catalystik maybe I'm just super paranoid about anonymity, but I steer away from sharing any quotes, let alone essays, off my AMCAS. Sorry :x the details in original post are just elaborated, rewritten, and organized more fluidly in my AMCAS though.

Your approach of not sharing publically is wise. I meant that if I saw your essay in the context of my admissions committee work, that I would enjoy reading it, not that I'd want to read it on SDN.

 

[MaxPlancker]

Definitely put it. It sounds really interesting and meaningful to you. You have the 'Plank's approval 😛

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

If you are a good writer I could see adcoms absolutely loving this, it is different and unique.

 

[Crayola227]

might give a new meaning to "planking"

then you could use it as your most meaningful experience, after you've reinvented the term