Medical Including fisherman experience on application

[Question]

I was a fisherman for two years. Do I include that on my med school application? And how would I go upon writing about it?

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[GoSpursGo]

Yes, presumably include that under work history.

Probably don’t talk about it in your personal statement (unless it really contributed to your desire to go into medicine), but I have to imagine there will be some relevant stories for secondary prompts like overcoming adversity and the like.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Employment

 

[MusicDOc124]

I would list it for sure. I'm sure it may be of interest for some too as it's not something they see on an app every day!

 

[gutonc]

Yes, list it under employment. And definitely talk about it if there's a secondary prompt that you can use for it. It's a cool/unusual experience compared to most of the boring/typical stuff med school applicants do.

When I was a resident, there was a surgery resident a year behind me who grew up in the circus and did high-wire unicyclng during summers in high school and college. You can bet your ass that was on her application somewhere. She also unicycled (uked?) to the hospital most days.

 

[AlteredScale]

You could spin experience regarding the work ethic, patience, and ?team work required for such a job and say how that relates to your desire to pursue medicine. But you need the bridge which is the healthcare experience/volunteer/shadowing to tie it all in.

I played in a hardcore/metal band for years and toured and what not, I talked about the experience greatly in my medical school applications.

 

[Goro]

Definitely mention this! This is an extremely novel background.

 

[PerioDont]

Agreed with everyone interesting background experience to bring up!

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

For sure. I would love to talk about this with you at an interview. Never underestimate the power of having a connection with someone through similar hobbies.