-
The 2026-2027 DO School Specific Threads are now available in the School Specific Discussions forum. The 2025-2026 discussions are now available in the prior year discussions forum.
hobbies amcoas?
Started by Aposteriori
Use your best judgment...
The only place you can put it is in experiences- extracurricular activities. I doubt adcoms really care about hobbies, unless they're somehow healthcare related and/or community service.
The only place you can put it is in experiences- extracurricular activities. I doubt adcoms really care about hobbies, unless they're somehow healthcare related and/or community service.
Actually I would say it is advantageous to list any hobbies that are important to you and it doesn't have to be healthcare related. Play an instrument/band? Serious rock climber? Painter? Carpenter? Dog trainer? Etc.
Another example, I mentioned that I brewed beer as a hobby on my application and mentioned it in my PS. At most of my interviews I was asked to talk about it; great way to mention interest in science and problem solving, also relaxed the interview when they started talking about the micro-brew scene in the area. After sending out thank you letters I would receive responses from the interviewers mentioning something about my beer brewing; must have been something that made me memorable and stand out.
Yes hobbies don't really bring the meat of your application like your MCAT/GPA/ECs/LORs, etc, but post interview when adcoms can be picky, hobbies provide them with personality traits/characteristics that show how unique you are and help paint a better picture of YOU.
List your hobbies in the experiences/ECs section. If possible relate that hobby to a certain characteristic that you will need as a physician in the explanation.
Another example, I mentioned that I brewed beer as a hobby on my application and mentioned it in my PS. At most of my interviews I was asked to talk about it; great way to mention interest in science and problem solving, also relaxed the interview when they started talking about the micro-brew scene in the area. After sending out thank you letters I would receive responses from the interviewers mentioning something about my beer brewing; must have been something that made me memorable and stand out.
Yes hobbies don't really bring the meat of your application like your MCAT/GPA/ECs/LORs, etc, but post interview when adcoms can be picky, hobbies provide them with personality traits/characteristics that show how unique you are and help paint a better picture of YOU.
List your hobbies in the experiences/ECs section. If possible relate that hobby to a certain characteristic that you will need as a physician in the explanation.
*cough*AACOMAS*cough*
The if it's something that you have won awards in, done professionally, or have a serious, many year long dedication to, put it under ECs. If it is an occasional thing you infrequently enjoy, however passionate, I would be careful about aging it as it can scream of filler.
The if it's something that you have won awards in, done professionally, or have a serious, many year long dedication to, put it under ECs. If it is an occasional thing you infrequently enjoy, however passionate, I would be careful about aging it as it can scream of filler.
@JeBrAs, I read a post that Goro made somewhere saying to save hobbies for the secondaries. Do you recall if many of the secondaries you filled out asked about hobbies? I thought they were usually just essays on a specific topic so didn't think there would be a space to list hobbies on any secondaries.
I recall 1-2 secondary essays topics asked me about any hobbies I had.
@JeBrAs how exactly did you put brewing on your app?
I brew beer as well, and also make home made hot sauces and pickles pretty frequently. I was considering listing this, but since it's not really an organization and is something I tend to do myself or with 1 friend, I wasn't sure how exactly to make it fit in the application properly.
I brew beer as well, and also make home made hot sauces and pickles pretty frequently. I was considering listing this, but since it's not really an organization and is something I tend to do myself or with 1 friend, I wasn't sure how exactly to make it fit in the application properly.
lolz
Last edited:
I mentioned my enjoyment of Microbiology and laboratory skills (from undergrad) helped to foster my interest of my hobby of beer brewing. Then explained a little about how I enjoyed using science and problem solving to create a product that can be shared and enjoyed by family and friends. Do you not use science and observe symptoms of your beer and then come up with solutions/treatments when things do not go as they should? I had also mentioned a little about it in my PS so it fit nicely to have a small explanation in my primary application.
