How to explain this hobby on app?

[boogiecousins94]

I made a new account to preserve anonymity, but I had a few questions about unique hobbies, specifically in terms of how to explain them.

The first is film photography- yes I literally use 35mm film and wind it up, develop it etc. I don't use digital cameras besides an iPhone. I have 4 35mm SLR cameras (some dont even use electricity!). I have taken film shots in various national parks, unique places such as the Yukon, etc. Can this be listed as an artistic endeavor? Or since I dont publicly present these images to people is it just a hobby? What if I have them all on a website, if I put the link would an adcom click on it and look? I can attach some cool landscape pics if anyone is interested, film has a different vibe than digital and makes everything look older which I like. I just feel like this is unique as its not "normal" photography.

Second one is shoe collecting. I am very passionate about this. I'm not sure how many people are familiar with it but I'm talking in terms of Jordans, various Nikes like air force ones, prestos, air maxes, adidas etc. I feel like this is a unique hobby but I dont want it to come off of as "this kid just wastes a ton of money on shoes." Theres a culture surrounding sneaker collecting with conventions and stuff you can go to. I have 50+ pairs of shoes with a net worth of over $7000. I also resell sneakers, I have waited in line outside of stores and sold shoes I purchased for $250 for $650+ , and it was a good way to make extra money in college. I dont do this as much now since I have a full time job, but I'm very fluent in the shoe reselling market. The reason "reselling" exists is that shoe companies such as Nike only make a certain amount of a specific pair of shoes, which increases the demand. Most sell out instantly and people are willing to pay over retail to get them. I'm passionate about this because shoes are unique, and I feel like they tell a lot about a person and I like being different from others and expressing myself via shoes.

How do I explain this without sounding crazy? It's pretty common to collect sneakers I just dont know how much adcoms would know about it as I dont want them to interpret it as "blowing money."

Thanks for the help

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[oopsaloo]

I made a new account to preserve anonymity, but I had a few questions about unique hobbies, specifically in terms of how to explain them.

The first is film photography- yes I literally use 35mm film and wind it up, develop it etc. I don't use digital cameras besides an iPhone. I have 4 35mm SLR cameras (some dont even use electricity!). I have taken film shots in various national parks, unique places such as the Yukon, etc. Can this be listed as an artistic endeavor? Or since I dont publicly present these images to people is it just a hobby? What if I have them all on a website, if I put the link would an adcom click on it and look? I can attach some cool landscape pics if anyone is interested, film has a different vibe than digital and makes everything look older which I like. I just feel like this is unique as its not "normal" photography.

Second one is shoe collecting. I am very passionate about this. I'm not sure how many people are familiar with it but I'm talking in terms of Jordans, various Nikes like air force ones, prestos, air maxes, adidas etc. I feel like this is a unique hobby but I dont want it to come off of as "this kid just wastes a ton of money on shoes." Theres a culture surrounding sneaker collecting with conventions and stuff you can go to. I have 50+ pairs of shoes with a net worth of over $7000. I also resell sneakers, I have waited in line outside of stores and sold shoes I purchased for $250 for $650+ , and it was a good way to make extra money in college. I dont do this as much now since I have a full time job, but I'm very fluent in the shoe reselling market. The reason "reselling" exists is that shoe companies such as Nike only make a certain amount of a specific pair of shoes, which increases the demand. Most sell out instantly and people are willing to pay over retail to get them. I'm passionate about this because shoes are unique, and I feel like they tell a lot about a person and I like being different from others and expressing myself via shoes.

How do I explain this without sounding crazy? It's pretty common to collect sneakers I just dont know how much adcoms would know about it as I dont want them to interpret it as "blowing money."

Thanks for the help

OP, interesting hobbies. At first glance, the second hobby you list sounds like it's a hobby for the privileged (e.g. I imagine rich people spending tons of money on shoes), and if I were you, I'd leave it off my app since it might rub some people the wrong way. Maybe if it makes sense in context, it might be worth bringing up in an interview but you'd have to phrase it in a way that doesn't make it sound like you're privileged.

The first hobby sounds really cool though. I'd list it as a hobby, since it sounds like you don't publicly present your photographs.

 

[boogiecousins94]

OP, interesting hobbies. At first glance, the second hobby you list sounds like it's a hobby for the privileged (e.g. I imagine rich people spending tons of money on shoes), and if I were you, I'd leave it off my app since it might rub some people the wrong way. Maybe if it makes sense in context, it might be worth bringing up in an interview but you'd have to phrase it in a way that doesn't make it sound like you're privileged.

The first hobby sounds really cool though. I'd list it as a hobby, since it sounds like you don't publicly present your photographs.

Yea thats the thing I was worried about for the shoe one, like I bought them all with my money from working, but I do realize I am lucky enough that I don't have to pay student loans etc. so in a sense I am privileged in that I don't have typical other expenses I guess. Maybe Ill put like "sneaker enthusiast" but won't go into too much detail and if I was ever asked I can explain.

I def wanted to focus on the film photography since its definitely unique!

 

[DrHart]

first one was interesting. second one made you sound like a justin bieber ****boy

 

[Mad Jack]

OP, interesting hobbies. At first glance, the second hobby you list sounds like it's a hobby for the privileged (e.g. I imagine rich people spending tons of money on shoes), and if I were you, I'd leave it off my app since it might rub some people the wrong way. Maybe if it makes sense in context, it might be worth bringing up in an interview but you'd have to phrase it in a way that doesn't make it sound like you're privileged.

The first hobby sounds really cool though. I'd list it as a hobby, since it sounds like you don't publicly present your photographs.

Shoe collecting isn't necessarily a rich person's hobby. It's a pretty huge thing in Japan, which has created a fairly large shoe collecting market for all income levels.

 

[mistafab]

You have to make the decision. Do you want every school you apply to to see that you are a photographer? What about a shoe collector? Because if it is on the app, it will get seen.

 

[LizzyM]

List 1 but not 2. Call 1 "hobby". Describe it as you have described it here. No doubt many of us know people who do this for fun and profit. If you were adding value such as the applicant who was buying broken mechanical and electrical items, fixing them and selling them on eBay, I'd say add it but just being a broker is not as impressive and might rub people the wrong way.

 

[Goro]

I made a new account to preserve anonymity, but I had a few questions about unique hobbies, specifically in terms of how to explain them.

The first is film photography- yes I literally use 35mm film and wind it up, develop it etc. I don't use digital cameras besides an iPhone. I have 4 35mm SLR cameras (some dont even use electricity!). I have taken film shots in various national parks, unique places such as the Yukon, etc. Can this be listed as an artistic endeavor? Or since I dont publicly present these images to people is it just a hobby? What if I have them all on a website, if I put the link would an adcom click on it and look? I can attach some cool landscape pics if anyone is interested, film has a different vibe than digital and makes everything look older which I like. I just feel like this is unique as its not "normal" photography.

Second one is shoe collecting. I am very passionate about this. I'm not sure how many people are familiar with it but I'm talking in terms of Jordans, various Nikes like air force ones, prestos, air maxes, adidas etc. I feel like this is a unique hobby but I dont want it to come off of as "this kid just wastes a ton of money on shoes." Theres a culture surrounding sneaker collecting with conventions and stuff you can go to. I have 50+ pairs of shoes with a net worth of over $7000. I also resell sneakers, I have waited in line outside of stores and sold shoes I purchased for $250 for $650+ , and it was a good way to make extra money in college. I dont do this as much now since I have a full time job, but I'm very fluent in the shoe reselling market. The reason "reselling" exists is that shoe companies such as Nike only make a certain amount of a specific pair of shoes, which increases the demand. Most sell out instantly and people are willing to pay over retail to get them. I'm passionate about this because shoes are unique, and I feel like they tell a lot about a person and I like being different from others and expressing myself via shoes.

How do I explain this without sounding crazy? It's pretty common to collect sneakers I just dont know how much adcoms would know about it as I dont want them to interpret it as "blowing money."

Thanks for the help

Just say 35 mm film photography. Us old farts will know.

Show collecting is unique...But then again, look up Imelda Marcos.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Agree with the above. Film photography is super cool. Shoe collecting is weird and makes you seem super privileged even if you aren't. I'd call the photography a hobby since you don't show or get paid.

 

[boogiecousins94]

Thanks for the replies everyone, yea I'll leave the shoe thing off

Since the whole science behind film is based on light hitting the film to make an image, I thought I'd share a cool pic of the space needle in Seattle that got "messed up" with light leaks in my camera, but I think it makes it a lot more cool looking

 

[boogiecousins94]

Sorry to bring this thread up again, but I've been strongly considering listing this film photography hobby as one of my "most meaningful."

The reason being is that doing this has taught me a lot and I can attest to this very easily in the extra space for MM. I can also discuss this very well if ever asked in interviews and I feel like its unique but I just don't know if listing a hobby as most meaningful would be looked down upon.

 

[BombsAway]

Another photog here. I've had images published in magazines, newspapers, and online. Make money and do volunteer gigs. I'm not listing it as MM.

I figure adcoms just wanna see that you have things in your life you can cut back on, becasue med school will probably require that. Just talk about how it's cathartic and you use it to unwind (there's a pun there, i'm sure). If you have other things that are more future physician evoking, i'd go that route for MM.