golf as extracurr activity/residency app?

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chef

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golf is my passion, it has given me so much enjoyment for as long as i can remember and also taught me invaluable lessons I can apply to my life. I'm a 2 handicap and have won numerous club championships, etc.

but i do realize many people still consider golf as bourgeois sport and not academically related at all.. so I wonder whether I should even mention about golf in my residency app or during interviews? is this something that can backfire?
 
Chef:

I would include it -

Starting the application process myself, I am putting in my hobbies, which are mainly air-sports. I'm a private pilot and also fly a Gin paraglider (The picture to the left is me and my paraglider!) - I was in an airborne unit while in the army for 4 years, too... I think it will add something interesting to talk about during the interviews, if the topic of outside interests come up - which I am sure will...

Heck, with a handicap of 2 - You could offer to give the attendings free lessons! And you'd be the ringer for the yearly golf tournament!

Best of luck,

Airborne
 
bourgeois sport? Who do you think these old attending who interview us are if not bourgeois?? You're likely to hit it off with these guys very well if you talk about golf.

I found that talking about who you are, not your academic record, is much more useful in letting them get to know you well, and remember you among the sea of interviewees.
 
the very first question after the greeting from a director in one of my interview last January was "do you play golf" ......


I should have had playing more golf rather than studying for the steps...
 
I don't think it matters if your extracurricular activity is basket weaving. As long as it's something you enjoy, having an extracurricular shows you're not a geek who eats, lives and breathes medicine. That is why the extracurriculars are important...to show you have some balance in life and an outlet for stress.
 
I would most definately put it. If its "part of you," it gives the interviewers something to talk about.

I put "Keanu Reeves movies" in my hobbies/interests, because The Matrix is one of my favorite movies. Needless to say, it got brought up several times during some of my EM interviews (EM attendings are generally very laid back and casual), and talked about our favorite action movies, surround sound systems, and Sony WEGAs. Needless to say, most of those residencies gave me very positive post-interview feedback.

Q
 
Just don't be like MikeCWRU and put "watching porn" as an extracurricular activity!😀
 
Originally posted by edinOH
Just don't be like MikeCWRU and put "watching porn" as an extracurricular activity!😀

Watching porn isn't an extracurricular, but a higher plane of existence.

Besides, that's all they do down there in Bah-ton Roooooooouge, so it will leave you with plenty to talk about.

mike
 
I'm going to put Halo as my extracurricular activity.
 
Originally posted by chef
golf is my passion, it has given me so much enjoyment for as long as i can remember and also taught me invaluable lessons I can apply to my life. I'm a 2 handicap and have won numerous club championships, etc.

but i do realize many people still consider golf as bourgeois sport and not academically related at all.. so I wonder whether I should even mention about golf in my residency app or during interviews? is this something that can backfire?

IF you are a hardcore golfer- put it into your application. If you have spent free time trying to get on the course and it is a love use it. Do not try and lie about what you and do not think too much about people's opinions about your activities. BE YOURSELF. It will not hurt you, but it might not help you much either. For me I put down that I lift weights and run daily, and play guitar as much as I can (three non academic things that I do). I let them think whatever they want. I seriously do not think it hurt me at all.
 
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