Including Hobbies

[ccrone]

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So....I'm about to submit my AMCAS, and wanted to see what the consensus is on including a "hobbies" entry in my work/activities section. In particular, I am building a Shelby Cobra knockoff (because I'll never be able to afford one unless I win the lottery or something) and like to skydive. I'm really close to having my solo certification done.

Do I include this in my hobbies, or just bring it up in an interview if someone asks? (assuming I get invited at all 😳)

 

[Myuu]

So....I'm about to submit my AMCAS, and wanted to see what the consensus is on including a "hobbies" entry in my work/activities section. In particular, I am building a Shelby Cobra knockoff (because I'll never be able to afford one unless I win the lottery or something) and like to skydive. I'm really close to having my solo certification done.

Do I include this in my hobbies, or just bring it up in an interview if someone asks? (assuming I get invited at all 😳)

Sweet. I'd put it in.

 

[kpcrew]

sounds interesting
i would include it but maybe put one or two more things as well.

 

[BABSstudent]

There's nothing wrong with sharing a few more details about yourself. It might make it easier to remember you. Plus, it gives them more material to ask about during the interview and may help relax you.

 

[Verum]

I would add it if it is valuable experience and you can talk about it / articulate it well. Don't add it for filler.

 

[Myuu]

There's nothing wrong with sharing a few more details about yourself. It might make it easier to remember you. Plus, it gives them more material to ask about during the interview and may help relax you.

AMCAS activities sections that are all blah, research, blah, academics, blah, shadowing are really, really boring to read for me as a student interviewer.

 

[deep122]

I would include them. Those are really cool hobbies.

 

[syoung]

Not to hijack the thread, but I play badminton as a hobby. Yet I always found that people I've mentioned it to (who wasn't asian) almost always say, oh that's not a sport... What's the likelihood of that similar bias showing up in a reader's/interviewer's mind?

 

[ur2l8]

Not to hijack the thread, but I play badminton as a hobby. Yet I always found that people I've mentioned it to (who wasn't asian) almost always say, oh that's not a sport... What's the likelihood of that similar bias showing up in a reader's/interviewer's mind?

I've never heard that before. Pretty cool IMO. I'd put it down (not as a filler though, only if it was serious). Definitely no negative connotation for me.

 

[TheShaker]

Not to hijack the thread, but I play badminton as a hobby. Yet I always found that people I've mentioned it to (who wasn't asian) almost always say, oh that's not a sport... What's the likelihood of that similar bias showing up in a reader's/interviewer's mind?

I think people just like to say that in jest. It's in the Olympics so it is probably a sport.

 

[mdambitions]

Last year a non-traditional friend of mine was ultimately accepted to medical school, but when I asked him about his interviews he said he was shocked that 3 different adcoms expressed concern over his "risk-taking" hobbies. He enjoys skydiving and fixing/riding/racing motorcycles. He told me he thought it was a "fit" issue, and some of the schools didn't want risk takers. He was even directly advised as such by one of his interviewers "Listen, I really like you for this school, but you might be a hard sell.... they don't like risktakers". He passed along the advice to me, as I am preparing for my application cycle next year. I figured it might be worth a thought here.

 

[Praefectus]

If it helps you stand out from the other 5-10,000 faceless applicants, by all means go for it.

 

[ccrone]

Last year a non-traditional friend of mine was ultimately accepted to medical school, but when I asked him about his interviews he said he was shocked that 3 different adcoms expressed concern over his "risk-taking" hobbies. He enjoys skydiving and fixing/riding/racing motorcycles. He told me he thought it was a "fit" issue, and some of the schools didn't want risk takers. He was even directly advised as such by one of his interviewers "Listen, I really like you for this school, but you might be a hard sell.... they don't like risktakers". He passed along the advice to me, as I am preparing for my application cycle next year. I figured it might be worth a thought here.

You know, this had been nagging in the back of my mind a bit. This is good to know. The fact that I'm a married mother of three probably makes skydiving "extra risky" to people who feel that way. I see it as akin to wearing a dress to an interview: probably not the best place to try to make a profound social statement.

The funniest part? When I read your post, I marveled at the thought of RACING motorcycles. Dear heavens, motorcycles are so dangerous even *I* won't touch the things. 😱



No, srsly. I won't ride a motorcycle.

I thought about including my extensive rose garden (50+ bushes and growing constantly), but that just seemed awfully..."girly"...and like an old lady sort of thing to do.

 

[thlaxer]

I would include your gardening as an EC as well to reduce this 'riskiness' associated with your application. It seems like something that can be pretty interesting and it also shows some good qualities about yourself imo.

 

[ccrone]

I would include your gardening as an EC as well to reduce this 'riskiness' associated with your application. It seems like something that can be pretty interesting and it also shows some good qualities about yourself imo.

You know, this must be the great unsung benefit of being a non-traditional applicant. It's much easier to cultivate interesting hobbies when you have a home of your own and a stable family life. I have to admit, I have a slight obsession with nurturing things that grow. There's the roses, and the hydrangea bushes, and the saltwater coral tank...

In an earlier life I was an accomplished classical flutist. I also really like cheese. Does Pinterest count as a hobby?

I suppose I can include the Cobra because I don't actually race. I don't even drive over the speed limit (note: Bonneville Salt Flats = no speed limit). 🙄

ETA: Is anyone else really into people watching? It's another one of my favorite things to do when I need to decompress. I was in Washington, DC last weekend for the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouting, and had a blast sitting on park benches in my sunglasses, pretending to read.

 

[NightGod]

ETA: Is anyone else really into people watching? It's another one of my favorite things to do when I need to decompress. I was in Washington, DC last weekend for the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouting, and had a blast sitting on park benches in my sunglasses, pretending to read.

I'd prolly avoid mentioning sitting about on park benches in dark sunglasses watching Girl Scouts. Just a suggestion...

 

[charmedj7]

Anyone have any thoughts on who to put as the contact person for independent hobbies? I wanted to group a few together (rock climbing, backpacking, trapeze) to not have too many bullet points, but then a "vouch" person becomes sort of odd since hobbies are by nature kind of independent. Who are you all using?

 

[ccrone]

Anyone have any thoughts on who to put as the contact person for independent hobbies? I wanted to group a few together (rock climbing, backpacking, trapeze) to not have too many bullet points, but then a "vouch" person becomes sort of odd since hobbies are by nature kind of independent. Who are you all using?

For those, I put myself. Let's be real here: if somebody wants to lie about that sort of thing, having an "independent" contact person isn't going to make much of a difference.

 

[Ismet]

Anyone have any thoughts on who to put as the contact person for independent hobbies? I wanted to group a few together (rock climbing, backpacking, trapeze) to not have too many bullet points, but then a "vouch" person becomes sort of odd since hobbies are by nature kind of independent. Who are you all using?

Put yourself.

 

[Oxygen206]

Last year a non-traditional friend of mine was ultimately accepted to medical school, but when I asked him about his interviews he said he was shocked that 3 different adcoms expressed concern over his "risk-taking" hobbies. He enjoys skydiving and fixing/riding/racing motorcycles. He told me he thought it was a "fit" issue, and some of the schools didn't want risk takers. He was even directly advised as such by one of his interviewers "Listen, I really like you for this school, but you might be a hard sell.... they don't like risktakers". He passed along the advice to me, as I am preparing for my application cycle next year. I figured it might be worth a thought here.

Interesting...I race my sport bike (on the track of course) and put this on my application. It was a point of great discussion/ice breaker at each interview. No one said anything about being a risk taker. I just explained that i only race in a controlled environment with full protective gear and know that its still a risk but it's one of my most cherished experiences. I was interviewed at one school by a neurosurgeon and he joked that it was people like me who kept him in business. Definitely made for a good laugh all around and set a light hearted mood for the rest of the interview (and I will be attending in the fall).

Long story short, include your unique hobbies! I was hesitant to, but ultimately I am so glad that i did.

(not saying to disregard the advice quoted...just providing my personal experience)