Horseback Riding as an EC

[Clairea11]

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Hi,

I am planning on participating in the Equestrian Team at my college. Will the admissions officers consider this activity "elitist" and hold it against me? I love horseback riding, but I don't want to ruin my chances at medical school.

 

[Mattabet]

Will the admissions officers consider this activity "elitist"

Maybe.

and hold it against me?

No.

For crying out loud, people - it's an application, not a cookie cutter. Some individuality is a good thing. Reading about Equestrian Team, your Iron Man Triathlon, or College Republicans might be the only thing keeping some poor Adcom somewhere sane.

 

[Appless]

I know if i was an adcom i would think only rich elitist children ride horses which by my logic means you would make a bad doctor as you couldnt relate to the poor and would probably never practice in diverse areas that need help😉

 

[bunnity]

There are a lot of things that would ruin chances at medical school.
Riding horses - not one of them.
Being obsessive and contorting your entire life around one thing - maybe.

 

[Clairea11]

Haha thanks for the reality check. I realize that I worry too much, but I think this is a legitimate concern. Undergraduate admissions officers have been known to hold horseback riding against applicants, and I want to know if it will be the same for med school.

 

[EulerianCircuit]

The stereotype that comes to my mind when I hear "equestrian" is a pampered rich girl. I don't know if adcoms will hold it against you or not. If I was an adcom I wouldn't look at anything except grades, research, and MCAT scores, but that's just me.

 

[honker]

Being a competitive equestrian is an excellent way to differentiate yourself from the usual "premed syndrome". It will only enhance your application. My dtr was a nationally ranked dressage rider in HS, and horses still play a big role in her out of school life. She is applying to med school this fall, and I told her to talk about it during the application process, since it is an important part of her life. If something is important to you, it should be part of your application.

 

[Sangria]

I don't think adcoms will look at it negatively, if anything it's something pretty unique. If you're that worried about it, just don't list in on your application, but don't pass up the opportunity to be on the team. It sounds really fun!

 

[dmblue]

On your interviews you will probably be asked about your experiences with the Equestrian Team, because it's a little bit out of the ordinary.

It shows that you have a life, and it makes you a little different from everyone else and interesting. If you like it, do it.

 

[halfpass]

Definitely list it. I ride, as you can probably tell from my username. And I work extremely hard for my horses and to be able to compete. I spend 30-40 hours a week during the school year at the barn, and work part-time. In the summers I am at the barn 7 days a week from 7am to about 1pm, then I go to work from 3pm to 11pm.

So, yes, I sacrifice a lot for riding and I definitely would not leave it out.

 

[yaah]

some of the threads you guys come up with are priceless.

I occasionally get to see residency applications. Some of the listed ECs I have seen are

1) Fantasy Football with commissioner experience
2) Anime enthusiast
3) Watching and participating in MMA
4) Watching sports on TV
5) Drinking beer

 

[BlueElmo]

some of the threads you guys come up with are priceless.

I occasionally get to see residency applications. Some of the listed ECs I have seen are

1) Fantasy Football with commissioner experience
2) Anime enthusiast
3) Watching and participating in MMA
4) Watching sports on TV
5) Drinking beer

😆. This is truly classic. Thanks yaah.

 

[slowbutsteady]

They may react: "Oh good, she won't need financial aid. ACCEPT!!!"

 

[tiedyeddog]

some of the threads you guys come up with are priceless.

I occasionally get to see residency applications. Some of the listed ECs I have seen are

1) Fantasy Football with commissioner experience
2) Anime enthusiast
3) Watching and participating in MMA
4) Watching sports on TV
5) Drinking beer

What is wrong with number 3? I would get it if they only watched but they participated... I assume that means they have fought before, which is pretty brutal...

 

[dmblue]

A friend of mine has counter strike source team manager on his resume under experience.

 

[erskine]

What is wrong with number 3? I would get it if they only watched but they participated... I assume that means they have fought before, which is pretty brutal...

i agree. If its some backyard-boxing match i can understand, but if its a legitimate match within an organization (be it amateur or professional-level) why would this not count as a proper EC? MMA by itself is comprised of practicing a variety of different sports- wrestling, submission wrestling most notably Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and a striking art like muay thai or western boxing- each of ~5-6 hours a week often in individual time slots.