guns and adcoms don't mix?

[azerkail]

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i play airsoft. i enjoy guns and target shooting/plinking, though i am a pacifist at heart. i have been in tactical classes (door breaching, cqb, the like) just for fun and self defense...

is this the kind of ec one wouldn't want to mention to an adcom?

 

[azerkail]

and the two of them weren't normally hunting enthusiasts?... yikes. xD

 

[WingedOx]

Target shooting and hunting: perfectly kosher

Airsoft? really? are you trying to look like a *****? I suppose if you get an ophthalmologist for your interviewer he might thank you for the added business.

 

[eli20]

I live in/mostly interviewed in Texas and I wouldn't have brought it up. It really depends on who you get as an interviewer but I think it's more likely to get questionable responses than positive ones.

 

[ShinyDome19]

I am an avid paintball player and I mentioned it at my interviews. I am on a team with a bunch of medical students and nursing staff, at the same school I applied to/attend, so for me it helped me throw out a few names during my interviews and showed I have a way to blow off stress... they didnt seem to mind.

 

[Kaustikos]

Target shooting and hunting: perfectly kosher

Airsoft? really? are you trying to look like a *****? I suppose if you get an ophthalmologist for your interviewer he might thank you for the added business.

wow 🙄

 

[BJJ]

Target shooting and hunting: perfectly kosher

Airsoft? really? are you trying to look like a *****? I suppose if you get an ophthalmologist for your interviewer he might thank you for the added business.

That is why safety glasses were invented.........-_-


Anyways, OP I am in the same boat as you. I recently bought an air rifle for fun and it is pretty good stress relief and tons of fun. I also don't know how it would look to be listed as an EC. I don't shoot animals or anything, just set up targets and see how well I do.

 

[McScoots]

I think you're fine to bring it up as long as you come across competent. If you loved collecting thimbles and waterpainting in the rain then that would sound really dumb to me, but it wouldn't matter as long as you can relate to the interviewers.

Also, an interviewer and I spoke for 5 minutes or so about her hunting ranch in Canada. We both had our hunting dog as the background on our phones. You don't know what you're going to get.

 

[SilverBvllet]

Q: Should you bring up guns/gun-related stuff with adcoms/in your app?

A: No.

 

[da8s0859q]

Q: Should you bring up guns/gun-related stuff with adcoms/in your app?

A: No.

I feel like I should agree with this, but OP, I'd just say that you should be very, very careful with how you phrase it if you include it. The whole gun thing is one of those things where some people have strong opinions, for or against.

I'm very pro-gun. I've also met more than a few people who are of the "why do you need one of THOSE things? Why are you in MEDICAL SCHOOL to HELP people if you LIKE GUNS" or some other equally asinine, completely misunderstanding opinion.

Not to mention that academia in general tends a little towards the left.

 

[WingedOx]

I feel like I should agree with this, but OP, I'd just say that you should be very, very careful with how you phrase it if you include it. The whole gun thing is one of those things where some people have strong opinions, for or against.

I'm very pro-gun. I've also met more than a few people who are of the "why do you need one of THOSE things? Why are you in MEDICAL SCHOOL to HELP people if you LIKE GUNS" or some other equally asinine, completely misunderstanding opinion.

Not to mention that academia in general tends a little towards the left.

yeah, that last line...

 

[da8s0859q]

yeah, that last line...

What about it? Not criticizing, just saying.

 

[WingedOx]

What about it? Not criticizing, just saying.

oh sorry. I meant to say it's true and a good point. I'm as much of a liberal leftie as they come, but it's definately true that the physicians you find in the academic world are going to be a little more liberal than those out in private practice. In my four years of being here I'm pretty sure I can only remember one attending even mention voting republican.

 

[Streicher]

Ha ha!!!

Admissions committee people claim to love diversity, but it's a load of bull****. They don't want ONE person from the gun culture.

Being part of a stupid club (I should just say club, they are pretty much all stupid) or knitting as a "hobby" is a plus.

But learning the basics of gunsmithing from your veteran uncle under no official club banner is a negative.

 

[ceasefire]

Don't put this in your app. If for some reason your interview is running down, maybe you could throw the gun card--but play it safe and on a case-by-case basis.

 

[SilverBvllet]

Don't put this in your app. If for some reason your interview is running down, maybe you could throw the gun card--but play it safe and on a case-by-case basis.

Wow this is TERRIBLE advice man.

Keep it out of your app....AND OUT OF EVERYTHING ELSE.

Seriously if you're running out stuff to talk about, talk about the goddamn weather, your imaginary pets, or sports...do NOT talk about your weapons...it will not end well.

You will be labeled WEIRD/REDNECK/DANGEROUS by the so-called open-minded "progressives" that will most likely be interviewing you. Just keep it to yourself and do NOT mention this. Wow I am surprised by the bad advice some of your fellow pre-meds are giving you man.

 

[loveoforganic]

I'll diverge a little and say it depends where you're looking to go. Applying to a school in the deep south or a couple states in the midwest, I'd probably list it. UC's? Hell to the no.

 

[SilverBvllet]

I'll diverge a little and say it depends where you're looking to go. Applying to a school in the deep south or a couple states in the midwest, I'd probably list it. UC's? Hell to the no.

BAD ADVICE AGAIN.

Wow...deep south midwest herpity derpity

NO. Stop overanalyzing this, just leave it out completely. Keep it simple, stop trying to play "guess which med school's adcom is progun" and play it safe.

 

[maniacmath13]

Don't include airsoft as an EC.

A rule of thumb is you want to avoid controversial topics like religion and politics. Playing with toys that simulate guns falls into that category.

 

[oanjiwks]

The only thing I could see you keeping in your app is target shooting (mostly if you are involved with an official club/team). It's probably not the best idea to mention you shoot at living targets/in an unsupervised manner. The reason I bring up target shooting is that I was on a varsity rifle team throughout undergrad and put it in my application. I realize there are differences between our experiences, but still a few similarities. It actually became a positive point of conversation in my interviews and usually began with a skeptical "So...you shoot guns?" Once I explained about the personal competition and that going to the range was a great way to get my mind off exams they were all very interested. Once again, however, I'm not advocating you mention anything other than target shooting, just thought I'd mention a positive outcome when it comes to talking about guns.

 

[SFGuy2011]

I own a few guns, and I didn't mention anything about it on my application. First, I don't really think it's relevant, and second - you really have no idea who's reading your application. Plus, the issue of guns and gun ownership is a little too touchy of a subject.

Where I work it's often said that you should know your operational environment, and I think that applies to this situation. If I were in your shoes, I just wouldn't mention it because I don't think the risk is worth it, and more often than not I think it would harm your application.

 

[oanjiwks]

The only thing I could see you keeping in your app is target shooting (mostly if you are involved with an official club/team). It's probably not the best idea to mention you shoot at living targets/in an unsupervised manner. The reason I bring up target shooting is that I was on a varsity rifle team throughout undergrad and put it in my application. I realize there are differences between our experiences, but still a few similarities. It actually became a positive point of conversation in my interviews and usually began with a skeptical "So...you shoot guns?" Once I explained about the personal competition and that going to the range was a great way to get my mind off exams they were all very interested. Once again, however, I'm not advocating you mention anything other than target shooting, just thought I'd mention a positive outcome when it comes to talking about guns.

 

[armybound]

I brought up my gun hobbies in interviews and had no problems with it at all. Ended up speaking at length about it in an interview with the dean of admissions at the school I now attend.

If it's something you enjoy and do so responsibly, what could they possibly see wrong with it?

 

[SFGuy2011]

I brought up my gun hobbies in interviews and had no problems with it at all. Ended up speaking at length about it in an interview with the dean of admissions at the school I now attend.

If it's something you enjoy and do so responsibly, what could they possibly see wrong with it?

It's not that it's wrong to share it. There are just some things that not everyone agrees with, and to me it's a risk vs reward type of thing. I see that a lot of people could be against gun ownership, and I don't want that person/persons to be sifting through my application.

Also, already being in the military, I didn't want to create an image in someone's head of Gary Busey's crazy veteran character from Black Sheep. 😀

 

[armybound]

It's not that it's wrong to share it. There are just some things that not everyone agrees with, and to me it's a risk vs reward type of thing. I see that a lot of people could be against gun ownership, and I don't want that person/persons to be sifting through my application.

Also, already being in the military, I didn't want to create an image in someone's head of Gary Busey's crazy veteran character from Black Sheep. 😀

The good thing is that people can respect your interests and hobbies, even if they don't agree with them. It makes you different and diversifies the class, whether or not the interviewer personally likes what you do.

They wouldn't think negatively for being a martial artist because you hit people for fun, nor would they care if you're in to guns if you can defend your hobby as being responsible and productive.

I mean I wouldn't write my PS about airsoft, but if it's something that takes up a significant amount of your time or is a major interest to you, it's fair to mention it. Just be able to respectfully defend it.

 

[SFGuy2011]

The good thing is that people can respect your interests and hobbies, even if they don't agree with them. It makes you different and diversifies the class, whether or not the interviewer personally likes what you do.

They wouldn't think negatively for being a martial artist because you hit people for fun, nor would they care if you're in to guns if you can defend your hobby as being responsible and productive.

I mean I wouldn't write my PS about airsoft, but if it's something that takes up a significant amount of your time or is a major interest to you, it's fair to mention it. Just be able to respectfully defend it.

Right again, but I'm not disagreeing with you that people can respect another person's interests and hobbies. But let's also be realistic here - martial arts isn't an area that tends to garner anywhere near the controversy that gun ownership does. There aren't a lot of anti-martial arts protests popping up around the U.S. right now. However, gun ownership is a very controversial matter, and there are just too many people against it for me to include it in an application. And as much as I'd like to believe that people don't act according to their personal political beliefs when evaluating applicants, I know that it happens and I'd rather not give them the option. My job entails quite a bit of firearms handling, and it's something that I enjoy in my spare time. Like I said, it's a risk vs reward thing.

 

[MossPoh]

It is a thing you'll have to gauge during interviews. Personally, I think it is acceptable. I might avoid using terminology that makes it appear overly aggressive/hostile.

There is a difference between saying something along the lines of "Participate in IPSC competitions" and "Practicing breaching and clearing rooms". Treat it as a skill with a goal of precision, marksmanship, perfection, competition, etc. rather than a skill practiced to clear a room of hostiles.

One can judge a multitude of hobbies poorly if they wish. If a person's passion was gay and lesbian health activism and it was something they dedicated a large amount of time to, I'd say put it even though it may cause problems. Same with religious or political things if you are heavily active in them. Most schools aim for "diversity" which entails more than different degrees of skin pigmentation, but also differing viewpoints and interests.

For what it's worth, I am a gun owner...but I do also identify myself as more on the liberal side. That may cause an aneurysm or two.

 

[armybound]

Then again, an airsoft gun is not a real gun. So there's no real argument about the safety or constitutional right to owning a gun.

It's a hobby. If it's a significant hobby, feel free to mention it, with the awareness that it could rub people the wrong way. either way, you're not going to get rejected for owning a toy gun. If they reject you for exercising your second amendment right to own a gun, that's really dumb and I wouldn't want to go to such an ignorant school anyway.

Bottom line, nobody should be afraid to express their interests or hobbies because they think they'll get rejected for it, as long as they can show that they're reasonable in their defense of the hobby and tolerant of those who disagree. You might be pro-life but have to respect a patient who has had or is having an abortion. I don't know why we'd expect admissions committees to be intolerant of applicants with "controversial" hobbies -- and I don't think toy guns, or even real guns are really "controversial."

 

[SFGuy2011]

If they reject you for exercising your second amendment right to own a gun, that's really dumb and I wouldn't want to go to such an ignorant school anyway.

Bottom line, nobody should be afraid to express their interests or hobbies because they think they'll get rejected for it, as long as they can show that they're reasonable in their defense of the hobby and tolerant of those who disagree. You might be pro-life but have to respect a patient who has had or is having an abortion. I don't know why we'd expect admissions committees to be intolerant of applicants with "controversial" hobbies -- and I don't think toy guns, or even real guns are really "controversial."

He said he plays airsoft, and he enjoys "guns". You don't think "real" guns are a controversial subject? Seriously? Yes, and neither is abortion.

We're not talking about what is right or wrong here, and true, people shouldn't be afraid to say what they believe - in most cases. I think we all know that it would be wrong to discriminate against people for what they do or what they believe - as long as it's within the limits of the law, but the reality of the whole application process is that it's very subjective. We're talking about the human factor here, and whether you want it to believe it or not, people discriminate. Many people, who don't know you, will be looking at your application and deciding if you're going to interview at their school.

It really has nothing to do about right or wrong, and saying that it's dumb doesn't negate the fact that it very well could happen. Why provide them the fuel in the first place?

Anyway, all I'm saying is why risk it?

 

[SFGuy2011]

To know to hold a gun does'nt mean that you are a perfectionist in shooting. Even if you own one you should know how to position it, take the perfect angle. Else one to go for shooting classes if at all they so interested in shooting.

And then there's this argument. I mean.....this argument? Good first post. 👍

 

[nlax30]

Tend to agree with oanjlwks earlier.... If this is/was a sigonificant hobby or involved on an organized level (college shooting team for example), then by all means put it. I agree that guns are a controversial subject and you may just want to steer clear, but their use in organized target shooting competition and even hunting is much more engrained in the public and less controversial..... it is an Olympic sport after all. 🙂

If this is just a hobby where you like to play around with airsoft battles or hit up the range then I'm not sure I'd put it.

 

[Jnorman1218]

Anyway, all I'm saying is why risk it?

I have to agree! I grew up in a rural area where guns were part of the culture. I learned to shoot at a young age as well as to respect guns. I have my CCW, own multiple guns and enjoy going to the range. But, I don't think I will include any of this on my app. In no way am I trying to hide this from anybody. If for some crazy reason it comes up in an interview I will discuss it with them. On the other hand though, I agree with the idea that including it in your app or bringing it up in an interview likely will either impact you negatively or make no difference at all. I would think it would be very unlikely that it would actually increase your chances of acceptance. Everybody has pre-conceived notions about certain things and I think this comes into play in the selection process, even if it is not intentional. Besides, I don't think most med schools are looking at your app thinking "man the one thing this person is missing is being a gun enthusiast".

Just my 2 cents.

 

[SFGuy2011]

I have to agree! I grew up in a rural area where guns were part of the culture. I learned to shoot at a young age as well as to respect guns. I have my CCW, own multiple guns and enjoy going to the range. But, I don't think I will include any of this on my app. In no way am I trying to hide this from anybody. If for some crazy reason it comes up in an interview I will discuss it with them. On the other hand though, I agree with the idea that including it in your app or bringing it up in an interview likely will either impact you negatively or make no difference at all. I would think it would be very unlikely that it would actually increase your chances of acceptance. Everybody has pre-conceived notions about certain things and I think this comes into play in the selection process, even if it is not intentional. Besides, I don't think most med schools are looking at your app thinking "man the one thing this person is missing is being a gun enthusiast".

Just my 2 cents.

You made me lose my drink with that last line. I LOL'd a lot.

I just think during interviews and applications, of just about any kind, you should keep it as conservative as possible. Politics, religion, abortion, gun ownership, etc., aren't really topics of discussion that I'd recommend bringing up - unless you already know the views of the person interviewing you. Even then, it's still risky, and those are areas that I don't want to voluntarily delve into with my applications or interviews. I'm sure people have negotiated these waters successfully in the past, but all I'm saying is why even tempt the fates with it? Play the game, so to speak.

In addition, historically, the academic community as a whole isn't the most supportive of gun enthusiasts. I'm about as apolitical as they come, so I won't go into the whole democrat/republican thing.

Now, I will concede that rifle competition teams are an Olympic sport. However, it's considered more of a "gentlemen's game", and I don't think it has quite as much of a negative connotation as the "gun enthusiast" moniker.

Anyway, debate is good for the mind, and as I'm currently in limbo with regards to my place in the world - I have a lot of time for debate.

 

[PTPoeny]

You say that you enjoy airsoft and guns. Exactly how are you thinking about including this in your application? Are you going to list your tactical classes as extracurricular activities? Or have you done something like taught gun safety to a boy scout troop?

I had guns all over my medical school application but I went to college on a scholarship for rifle shooting and was team captian for two years and was the secretary of our student athlete advisory board and did gun safety education for several boy scout troops. In other words, I mentioned guns in the context of describing activities where I had learned about or demonstrated qualities like leadership or mentoring or other stuff.

I didn't say anything about the fact that I like to go swimming for relaxation. Unless there is more to your enjoyment of shooting than you have currently mentioned, it sounds like shooting is purely recreational for you and therefore probably not worthwhile to put on your application no matter what the politics of the people interviewing you are.

 

[loveoforganic]

Assuming you have the activity space, a hobby that takes up a lot of time seems like a perfectly reasonable thing to include to me.

 

[ShinyDome19]

You made me lose my drink with that last line. I LOL'd a lot.

I just think during interviews and applications, of just about any kind, you should keep it as conservative as possible. Politics, religion, abortion, gun ownership, etc., aren't really topics of discussion that I'd recommend bringing up - unless you already know the views of the person interviewing you. Even then, it's still risky, and those are areas that I don't want to voluntarily delve into with my applications or interviews. I'm sure people have negotiated these waters successfully in the past, but all I'm saying is why even tempt the fates with it? Play the game, so to speak.

In addition, historically, the academic community as a whole isn't the most supportive of gun enthusiasts. I'm about as apolitical as they come, so I won't go into the whole democrat/republican thing.

Now, I will concede that rifle competition teams are an Olympic sport. However, it's considered more of a "gentlemen's game", and I don't think it has quite as much of a negative connotation as the "gun enthusiast" moniker.

Anyway, debate is good for the mind, and as I'm currently in limbo with regards to my place in the world - I have a lot of time for debate.

So, define play the game...
I am not sure if you have interviewed anywhere yet, but all the places I interviewed at, MD and DO all tried to throw some type of political or moral question where you have to pick a side and defend it, and you really dont know where the interviewer stands on the subject. I say, dangle a controversial topic right in front of their face, that you know a lot about and can defend in a civil and polite manner..If they bite, you take control of the interview.

In the end, if the interviewer wants to be a dick, they will be. Thats why you interview at a lot of places. You'll find a place where your ideals are accepted and you'll probably be a much happier student (as much as a medical student can be at least)

 

[SFGuy2011]

So, define play the game...
I am not sure if you have interviewed anywhere yet, but all the places I interviewed at, MD and DO all tried to throw some type of political or moral question where you have to pick a side and defend it, and you really dont know where the interviewer stands on the subject. I say, dangle a controversial topic right in front of their face, that you know a lot about and can defend in a civil and polite manner..If they bite, you take control of the interview.

In the end, if the interviewer wants to be a dick, they will be. Thats why you interview at a lot of places. You'll find a place where your ideals are accepted and you'll probably be a much happier student (as much as a medical student can be at least)

I have interviewed and been accepted. You're missing my point. I said you shouldn't volunteer that type of information in an interview, but if it's brought up - by all means have the cajones to take a stand.

Play the game means, do what you need to do to get where you need to be. That means play the part, act the part, etc, and get through it, and after that you can do whatever you want.

So in your interview, you're going to voluntarily go into that arena? Dr. Smith, why don't we talk about gun control for a bit? After that, we'll talk about abortion, religion, and why I don't like the current president.. Of course, that's extreme, but some topics I'd just rather not bring up in an interview or application. Feel free to do so yourself though.

 

[ILikeDrugs]

Target shooting and hunting: perfectly kosher

Airsoft? really? are you trying to look like a *****? I suppose if you get an ophthalmologist for your interviewer he might thank you for the added business.

Are you serious? I present to you exhibit A.

 

[clinicallabguy]

You say that you enjoy airsoft and guns. Exactly how are you thinking about including this in your application? Are you going to list your tactical classes as extracurricular activities? Or have you done something like taught gun safety to a boy scout troop?

I had guns all over my medical school application but I went to college on a scholarship for rifle shooting and was team captian for two years and was the secretary of our student athlete advisory board and did gun safety education for several boy scout troops. In other words, I mentioned guns in the context of describing activities where I had learned about or demonstrated qualities like leadership or mentoring or other stuff.

I didn't say anything about the fact that I like to go swimming for relaxation. Unless there is more to your enjoyment of shooting than you have currently mentioned, it sounds like shooting is purely recreational for you and therefore probably not worthwhile to put on your application no matter what the politics of the people interviewing you are.

I agree with the above. If there is something more to your hobby than just something fun to do, then you can put it on AMCAS. However, people will often ask in interviews what you like to do for fun that is not related to medicine. In that case, I think you could say that you enjoy airsoft. I don't think it's really THAT loaded.

My opinion about much of this stuff is that pre-med students worry so much about representing themselves as the ideal applicant that they lose all of their individuality and personality in applications and interviews. The most important first step to a successful application is to believe that you actually will be a valuable addition to a school and then come up with truthful and logical reasons why. I'm a proponent of talking about who you REALLY are and what you REALLY like to do. That said, you have the sense to avoid really radical comments that show a lack of understanding for other peoples points of view; those are the really poisonous statements, more so than just having an opinion about something.