EC Hobby

[voirlesetoiles]

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I have been taking vocal lessons since a young age... should I go ahead and list 1992 - present as the activity dates?

And then there's a fuzzy area about estimating my hours per week ... I could probably come up with something based on lesson time, practice, concerts, etc.

But yeah... is it common to list activities so far back?

 

[whatintheworld?]

The general rule is that you can use anything you have done since high school graduation. But, since you are still doing this currently, I would list it with the dates going back to 1992-- it shows long-term committment, which is good. You can make a general estimate of weekly hours spent on the activity, and then you can clarify more in the comments/details section.

 

[voirlesetoiles]

good advice, thanks!

 

[Chargers]

Since we're on the subject, I would like to add my question. Is it ok to list activities that I enjoy doing for fun in my free time but have no record of doing it? For example, playing soccer on the weekend, playing chess and poker in my free time with friends.

 

[voirlesetoiles]

In another thread, someone suggested grouping those activities together under a heading like "Hobbies & Interests".

My premed advisor strongly encouraged that I put down the music experience instead of adding another typical premed EC...

I think you should include whatever distinguishing features you can to your application. I recommend trying to make it as objective as possible... how long have you been playing chess? poker? soccer? When did you discover these interests, etc. etc.

 

[whatintheworld?]

Since we're on the subject, I would like to add my question. Is it ok to list activities that I enjoy doing for fun in my free time but have no record of doing it? For example, playing soccer on the weekend, playing chess and poker in my free time with friends.

Yeah, you can list those things. I listed teaching myself the violin. It makes you seem human-- that you are not just a machine that only does stuff to pad you app.

 

[Tropicana100]

I have been taking vocal lessons since a young age... should I go ahead and list 1992 - present as the activity dates?

And then there's a fuzzy area about estimating my hours per week ... I could probably come up with something based on lesson time, practice, concerts, etc.

But yeah... is it common to list activities so far back?

I would definitely include this. I had piano lessons until high school. I included this in AMCAS b/c it helped to explain my other musical EC's in college, even though I no longer took lessons. Since you're still doing vocal lessons, I would definitely put 1992 as the start date. I'm a singer too! Rock on. 😍

 

[TightPussyRocks]

Nice voice isn't better than nice face

 

[jazzman84]

I have been taking vocal lessons since a young age... should I go ahead and list 1992 - present as the activity dates?

And then there's a fuzzy area about estimating my hours per week ... I could probably come up with something based on lesson time, practice, concerts, etc.

But yeah... is it common to list activities so far back?

I listed my music experience/activities as beginning in 5th grade. I wanted to show them that I could make long-term commitments and I used these experiences to demonstrate my "leadership abilities".

 

[voirlesetoiles]

Great, thanks for all the comments! 😀 I have decided to list the activity as 1992-present and will address specifics in my description.

 

[coralfangs]

I would definitely include this. I had piano lessons until high school. I included this in AMCAS b/c it helped to explain my other musical EC's in college, even though I no longer took lessons. Since you're still doing vocal lessons, I would definitely put 1992 as the start date. I'm a singer too! Rock on. 😍

are you sure that this is necessary though?
I have a similar situation. I had piano lessons until university (got up to gr9 or something, not sure about the system in the States, I took RCM exams) because I decided to stop going through those damn exams (gr10 requires a crapload of extra exams including history, rudi, etc), but I continued to do other musical EC like you did. eg. I played keyboard for church programs sometimes and I also tried forming my own electro bands, right now on my 3rd one (yes I suck....). I briefly mentioned about my involvement in church musical programs in my "community volunteer - non-medical". Can I assume that the adcom would think that I took lessons for quite a few years?

 

[whatintheworld?]

I wouldn't assume the adcom knows anything. Play it safe and mention exactly what you want them to know. Piano lessons probably won't make or break your app, but clarity in whatever you are talking about is key. Who knows what the reader of your app is familiar with.