Hobbies that don't really further your applications?

Started by CHCOOH
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CHCOOH

CHCOOH

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The college I'm going to some very nice dance teams, as in choreography/hip hop dance. I'm thinking of joining one of them.

I hear that joining a team is very time-consuming, and, I probably won't get any sort of leadership role or recognition from winning a competition or anything like that. Is it worth devoting my time to this hobby if it probably won't further my medical school application?
 
CHCOOH said:
The college I'm going to some very nice dance teams, as in choreography/hip hop dance. I'm thinking of joining one of them.

I hear that joining a team is very time-consuming, and, I probably won't get any sort of leadership role or recognition from winning a competition or anything like that. Is it worth devoting my time to this hobby if it probably won't further my medical school application?
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Yes. There are MANY things I do that wouldn't be helpful to my med school App. A lot of them would probably be detrimental to it if I listed them.
 
If you think it will relieve stress and make you happy, go ahead and do that. As long as you can keep up your studies. No need to structure life around med school apps. <-- Idk if I really mean that.
 
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I was always told to do the activities you enjoy and those unique things will shine through your application.
 
Basically what everyone else said; do whatever you want to if you think you'll enjoy it! "Best 4 years of your life" as they say, don't waste it only doing things you can list to get into medical school.
 
CHCOOH said:
The college I'm going to some very nice dance teams, as in choreography/hip hop dance. I'm thinking of joining one of them.

I hear that joining a team is very time-consuming, and, I probably won't get any sort of leadership role or recognition from winning a competition or anything like that. Is it worth devoting my time to this hobby if it probably won't further my medical school application?
Click to expand...

Actually, this will stand out far more than being president of the Pre-Med Club. I'm not even kidding.

Doing things you like and are passionate about will make your application far stronger than anything you "think" needs to be done. If someone has a genuine love for something it's often impossible to not feel their enthusiasm. Compared to the applicants who only participated in activities that seemed groomed for a med school application it's not even close.

Med schools want smart people who are dedicated to medicine, but they don't want robots. Life balance and being able to have interests outside of medicine matter immensely.

So go out there and do it! It's something that you'll never regret having done.
 
CHCOOH said:
The college I'm going to some very nice dance teams, as in choreography/hip hop dance. I'm thinking of joining one of them.

I hear that joining a team is very time-consuming, and, I probably won't get any sort of leadership role or recognition from winning a competition or anything like that. Is it worth devoting my time to this hobby if it probably won't further my medical school application?
Click to expand...

Interesting ECs are always a huge plus. It will come up in the interviews and make your life a lot easier. For instance, I build furniture and for reisdency/fellowship your hobbies are tucked away at the very end of the application. Despite this, on almost every interview I was asked about it and almost never did my academics come up.

They've read your application. They know your credentials. They want to make sure you are personable and not a douche nozzle. Cool ECs make that much easier.
 
All your hobbies that are unique will make interviewing much easier. At least you will have something passionate you did to talk about. Most cookie cutter pre-meds will talk about research and hospital volunteering (which is completely necessary) but if you have the dance teams and choreography in addition to the regular "pre-med" activities, it will be a huge plus!
 
The only "hobbies" you need as a Pre-med are studying, shadowing, and researching. That's it. Those are your hobbies nor the next four years.

:laugh: Hahaha just kidding! Do what makes you happy! ANY extracurricular activity that sets you apart from the pack is a good thing and can improve your app. Med schools want diverse and well rounded students. As long as you can be on this team and maintain your GPA, go for it.
 
Starting a club would look great, no matter what the subject is for the most part. Show some leadership 👍
 
If you're passionate about it, join dance! Like others have stated previously, you don't need to be a cookie-cutter premed in order to be successful in getting into med school. Plus, even if you don't gain any leadership roles or win any awards, you may be able to speak about your passion for dance in interviews or in your statement.
 
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Doctor Bob said:
You can dance if you want to... you can leave your friends behind... cause your friends don't dance, and if they don't dance then they're no friends of mine.


(I can't be the only one singing this while reading this thread)
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:laugh:👍
 
Doctor Bob said:
You can dance if you want to... you can leave your friends behind... cause your friends don't dance, and if they don't dance then they're no friends of mine.


(I can't be the only one singing this while reading this thread)
Click to expand...

:annoyed: Thanks. I have had that song in my head for two days, just got it out...and now it's back. 😀
 
does playing a high school sport help? or is it not worth it if practices/games are every day after school for atleast 2 hours (and maybe 3-4 on game days due to travel..)

also, for medical, does it help to join (and try to get a leadership) in clubs like chess, robotics, model un, etc..?

or should you only be doing math/science stuff? does debate help?
 
aspiringdoc123 said:
does playing a high school sport help? or is it not worth it if practices/games are every day after school for atleast 2 hours (and maybe 3-4 on game days due to travel..)

also, for medical, does it help to join (and try to get a leadership) in clubs like chess, robotics, model un, etc..?

or should you only be doing math/science stuff? does debate help?
Click to expand...

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BigRedBeta said:
Doing things you like and are passionate about will make your application far stronger than anything you "think" needs to be done. If someone has a genuine love for something it's often impossible to not feel their enthusiasm. Compared to the applicants who only participated in activities that seemed groomed for a med school application it's not even close.

Med schools want smart people who are dedicated to medicine, but they don't want robots. Life balance and being able to have interests outside of medicine matter immensely.

So go out there and do it! It's something that you'll never regret having done.
Click to expand...

Jpatel2018 said:
All your hobbies that are unique will make interviewing much easier. At least you will have something passionate you did to talk about. Most cookie cutter pre-meds will talk about research and hospital volunteering (which is completely necessary) but if you have the dance teams and choreography in addition to the regular "pre-med" activities, it will be a huge plus!
Click to expand...

BioBeaver said:
Do what makes you happy! ANY extracurricular activity that sets you apart from the pack is a good thing and can improve your app. Med schools want diverse and well rounded students. As long as you can be on this team and maintain your GPA, go for it.
Click to expand...

In short, do what you want.
 
oh.. I have a few indian friends, who are guys, and who dance. (I'm assuming jpatel is of indian origin).. It's called like bongra or something.
 
Pursue hobbies because you're genuinely interested in them. They won't necessarily give your resume a significant boost, but it tells others more about you. I'd say join it. If anything else you'll experience something new.
 
Thanks guys. I realized I'm just stressing too much about college and pre-med things. There's just so much I want to try and do in college, and right now it seems like I can't fit in the volunteering and research I'll need.

Related note: DOES LEAGUE OF LEGENDS COUNT AS A HOBBY??
 
I recently attended a presentation given by an MD who was previously an adcom at a major med school. He mentioned one application that he received which really impressed him. The applicant listed that he had hiked across the Appalachian mountains with some type of club/organization. The presenter stated that this demonstrated commitment. So basically, include hobbies that demonstrate positive character traits.

That being said, I would not list video games as a hobby on an application. It does not exude any desirable qualities.

Best wishes.
 
football and basketball? too much of a commitment and I'm exhausted when I get home.. I'm quitting mid-season. Video games? Red ring, so I can't even play anymore.
 
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CHCOOH said:
The college I'm going to some very nice dance teams, as in choreography/hip hop dance. I'm thinking of joining one of them.

I hear that joining a team is very time-consuming, and, I probably won't get any sort of leadership role or recognition from winning a competition or anything like that. Is it worth devoting my time to this hobby if it probably won't further my medical school application?
Click to expand...

Do whatever makes you happy. Enjoy college. That is what college is for. Don't be one of those pre-meds who doesn't go out and doesn't have fun.

Do stuff that isn't pre med related and wont "improve your app." If all you live for is medicine, you are going to be incredibly disillusioned when you finally get there.
 
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