Lies the adcom WILL NOT see through

[paranoid_eyes]

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But then there's the whole thing about Gandhi telling us that we ought to be the change we want to see in the world. "If you can't beat them, join them" is one of the biggest personality sellouts on this planet.

i don't pay much heed to "icons" and "heroes" because what you hear and read is highly partial and usually one sided.

i wouldn't be so pessimistic about my fellow peer's intentions if they were able to craft their "emotions" in a more subtle way. No one applying for med school HATES people and wishes they all suffer (except may be the gunners). But to say you love others above yourself to the point you would sacrifice your life...that is not even a reasonable human claim to make.

 

[-Goose-]

OK, so I know a lot of you have a strong sense of honor and respect for the process of getting into med school, and you may not like this thread. Personally I don't condone cheating on tests or plagiarizing. However, I have no problem at all lying to adcom's (about certain things).

For example, at one school, the interviewer asked me what my hobbies were. I am a premed, and I don't have that many hobbies (except if you count TV, hanging out with friends and studying). The adcom's love to hear that we are out fly fishing and playing the classical violin. Sorry, I don't see how that will make me a better doctor. So I lied. I made up a hobby. The interviewer smiled and said "OK, what else?" as if I needed something else. So I made up another hobby. And so it went. I made up like five hobbies, completely out of nowhere. When he followed up on them, I had one or two things to say, but nothing that anyone else wouldn't know.

I got into that school

Anyone else have a similar story or experience?

So, you basically lied to make yourself more sound more interesting?

🙁
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[smeagol]

Why didn't you just say what you did for fun? As long as you don't do anything like molest children, there's no need to be ashamed of what you do. It's not like you're so completely boring you don't do anything else but study.

You know what I'm saying? It just seems like completely unnecessary.

 

[Nataliemay24]

Haha well i've been going the opposite route; brutaly honest. At RWJ, when the interviewer asked why i chose to apply there, i admitted "well i don't really know too much about the school, but they give princeton students in-state tuition so i figured why not?" and got in. At another school, i actually cursed (it was part of a story he had asked me to recall, i did it in full detail quoting a patient) repeatedly and not only got in but might get money. I've had so much fun being too honest at interviews, that i think it would be less entertaining to lie.

me too! being shockingly honest often works very well, if it's said with a good attitude.

 

[BigMDT]

....i have told little white lies, and embellishments of my ECs in every single interview i have ever had in my life.

the medical school admissions process is a game. you play the game or you get played. expecting to get into your top choice school, or even specialty after med school WITHOUT selling yourself to the fullest extent is just ignorance.....

this is how the real world works folks....

 

[Nataliemay24]

I personally wouldn't do it and think it's a little sleazy, honestly, but I'm not gonna sit here and criticize.

i agree here too. i've lied before. i'm sure i'll lie again.

in fact, i've lied on almost every job interview i've ever been on, and that's how i got the jobs.

"I have no plans to leave the area in the next few years [oh, except for those med school applications i'm working on...]."

"In five years, I see myself working in chemistry/book publishing/microbiology/social services [if by chemistry/book publishing/microbiology/social services you mean 'medicine']."

 

[Nataliemay24]

good...i'm winning

ha. for some reason i don't dislike you, jad2121. 🙂

in other news, Nataliemay24 needs to learn how to quote multiple people in the same post.

 

[dally1025]

Has anyone read On Bull**** by Harry Frankfurt (http://www.amazon.com/Bull****-Harr...bs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200004369&sr=8-1)? It's a great little essay on how we lie... there's also one called On Truth.

 

[jad2121]

i agree here too. i've lied before. i'm sure i'll lie again.

in fact, i've lied on almost every job interview i've ever been on, and that's how i got the jobs.

"I have no plans to leave the area in the next few years [oh, except for those med school applications i'm working on...]."

"In five years, I see myself working in chemistry/book publishing/microbiology/social services [if by chemistry/book publishing/microbiology/social services you mean 'medicine']."

Finally, someone on SDN whose not self-richeous.

Of course we lie. The reason we do this is that we know that the system is not 100% fair.

I know a girl who would make a great doctor. She is a (famous) concert violinist, brilliant and ambitious. However, while she was in music school 10 years ago (she went to college when she was 16) she didn't do well in any non-performance classes, she got a GPA below 2.0. She decided to do a postbacc, and in the process did another bachelors, and got a 3.8 at an ivy league university. Her science GPA is a 3.4. She did not get interviews at any M.D. programs (she applied broadly) even though she applied early.

The system is not fair to everyone.

 

[dd128]

In all honesty, now that I've been through this process, I've seen there are quite a few things you can lie about that would probably never be seen. Unless is blatant in some regard (winning nobel prizes and such) the admissions people are too busy to do much checking up on you. No proof is asked for regarding volunteer work, shadowing, etc. This actually makes me wonder if people put some whoppers on their applications. If you're charismatic enough and actually make sure you at least know a little about what you're talking about for an interview it would not be difficult to get away with it. Not that I condone any such behavior, it's just the truth.

 

[Begaster]

good...i'm winning

That was great. 👍

 

[NewmansOwn]

Finally, someone on SDN whose not self-richeous.

Of course we lie. The reason we do this is that we know that the system is not 100% fair.

I know a girl who would make a great doctor. She is a (famous) concert violinist, brilliant and ambitious. However, while she was in music school 10 years ago (she went to college when she was 16) she didn't do well in any non-performance classes, she got a GPA below 2.0. She decided to do a postbacc, and in the process did another bachelors, and got a 3.8 at an ivy league university. Her science GPA is a 3.4. She did not get interviews at any M.D. programs (she applied broadly) even though she applied early.

The system is not fair to everyone.

What does 'self-richeous' mean?

 

[Old Grunt]

OK, so I know a lot of you have a strong sense of honor and respect for the process of getting into med school, and you may not like this thread. Personally I don't condone cheating on tests or plagiarizing. However, I have no problem at all lying to adcom's (about certain things).

For example, at one school, the interviewer asked me what my hobbies were. I am a premed, and I don't have that many hobbies (except if you count TV, hanging out with friends and studying). The adcom's love to hear that we are out fly fishing and playing the classical violin. Sorry, I don't see how that will make me a better doctor. So I lied. I made up a hobby. The interviewer smiled and said "OK, what else?" as if I needed something else. So I made up another hobby. And so it went. I made up like five hobbies, completely out of nowhere. When he followed up on them, I had one or two things to say, but nothing that anyone else wouldn't know.

I got into that school

Anyone else have a similar story or experience?

"Romance at short notice was her speciality."

From "The Open Window" by Saki.

 

[Doublecortin]

OK, so I know a lot of you have a strong sense of honor and respect for the process of getting into med school, and you may not like this thread. Personally I don't condone cheating on tests or plagiarizing. However, I have no problem at all lying to adcom's (about certain things).

For example, at one school, the interviewer asked me what my hobbies were. I am a premed, and I don't have that many hobbies (except if you count TV, hanging out with friends and studying). The adcom's love to hear that we are out fly fishing and playing the classical violin. Sorry, I don't see how that will make me a better doctor. So I lied. I made up a hobby. The interviewer smiled and said "OK, what else?" as if I needed something else. So I made up another hobby. And so it went. I made up like five hobbies, completely out of nowhere. When he followed up on them, I had one or two things to say, but nothing that anyone else wouldn't know.

I got into that school

Anyone else have a similar story or experience?

 

[Doublecortin]

On the bright side, this thread hasn't been filled with the voices of a thousand overly idealistic premeds crying about how bad and terrible and kills-kittens-every-time it is to lie at interviews.

I personally wouldn't do it and think it's a little sleazy, honestly, but I'm not gonna sit here and criticize.

agreed 👍

 

[Thewrongstuff]

I think lying is pathetic in these types of scenarios and I dont think you are a wise person if you really did so. 👎 Thats my 2 cents. But then again your college might suck. So eh...who knows? 😛

 

[Nataliemay24]

On my next interview, I may list "not self-richeous" as one of my strengths.

 

[jad2121]

I think lying is pathetic in these types of scenarios and I dont think you are a wise person if you really did so. 👎 Thats my 2 cents. But then again your college might suck. So eh...who knows? 😛

i went to an ivy league school...and how do you think i got in there

 

[87138]

i went to an ivy league school...and how do you think i got in there

If you had to make up HS EC's to gain entrance into an undergraduate institution, I feel quite bad for you. Nothing personal.

 

[Thewrongstuff]

i went to an ivy league school...and how do you think i got in there

If you are implying "by cheating" you are simply furthering my point

 

[ChubbyChaser]

mama always said "cheaters never prosper"

 

[Corker]

OK, so I know a lot of you have a strong sense of honor and respect for the process of getting into med school, and you may not like this thread. Personally I don't condone cheating on tests or plagiarizing. However, I have no problem at all lying to adcom's (about certain things).

For example, at one school, the interviewer asked me what my hobbies were. I am a premed, and I don't have that many hobbies (except if you count TV, hanging out with friends and studying). The adcom's love to hear that we are out fly fishing and playing the classical violin. Sorry, I don't see how that will make me a better doctor. So I lied. I made up a hobby. The interviewer smiled and said "OK, what else?" as if I needed something else. So I made up another hobby. And so it went. I made up like five hobbies, completely out of nowhere. When he followed up on them, I had one or two things to say, but nothing that anyone else wouldn't know.

I got into that school

Anyone else have a similar story or experience?

I remember you from an earlier debate about a graduate student who reported a girl who was openly cheating in class. You condemned him for acting honorably. Hence, this new thread does not shock me at all.

I see you have now deleted your MDapps profile. Probably a good idea. I hope you do not plan to attend my future school, and I hope I never run into you out in the workforce. Your lack of integrity is repulsive.

 

[jad2121]

I remember you from an earlier debate about a graduate student who reported a girl who was openly cheating in class. You condemned him for acting honorably. Hence, this new thread does not shock me at all.

I see you have now deleted your MDapps profile. Probably a good idea. I hope you do not plan to attend my future school, and I hope I never run into you out in the workforce. Your lack of integrity is repulsive.

actually, if you remember correctly, the person DID NOT report the student. I condemned the ridiculous premeds who yelled at him for not ruining some kids life for no reason.

 

[jad2121]

If you had to make up HS EC's to gain entrance into an undergraduate institution, I feel quite bad for you. Nothing personal.

Who said anything about faking EC's? I lied about hobbies. That would be hobbies, hobbies get it right please.

 

[Thewrongstuff]

actually, if you remember correctly, the person DID NOT report the student. I condemned the ridiculous premeds who yelled at him for not ruining some kids life for no reason.

Yeah its all good. Until the cheater that got away all the time ends up giving the wrong dosage of some sort and something goes awry.

Extracurricular activities are activities performed by students that fall outside the realm of the normal curriculum of school or university education. Extracurricular activities exist at all levels of education, from 4th-6th, junior high/middle school, high school, college and university education. Such activities are generally voluntary as opposed to mandatory, non-paying, tend to be Athletics, social, and philanthropic as opposed to scholastic, and involve others of the same age.

Hobby: an activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation and not as a main occupation

Pretty similar stuff, no?

 

[Corker]

actually, if you remember correctly, the person DID NOT report the student. I condemned the ridiculous premeds who yelled at him for not ruining some kids life for no reason.

You are right in your clarification...he actually spoke directly to her in class out loud in front of the professor, as I recall.

I reiterate the second part of my post, though.

 

[jad2121]

Yeah its all good. Until the cheater that got away all the time ends up giving the wrong dosage of some sort and something goes awry.

ahhh yes i forgot, cheating as a freshman in college means that you are going to kill patients with the dosages. Damn I wish you could teach me your moral guidelines so I could live the good life like you.

 

[jad2121]

You are right in your clarification...he actually spoke directly to her in class out loud in front of the professor, as I recall.

I reiterate the second part of my post, though.

he in fact did not say anything in front of the professor. And if you recall I praised him for doing so. Hey I have a question. Does it get lonely on your pedestal? I'm sure some other people here could keep you company

 

[Corker]

ahhh yes i forgot, cheating as a freshman in college means that you are going to kill patients with the dosages. Damn I wish you could teach me your moral guidelines so I could live the good life like you.

Don't be so hostile. You started the thread. What did you expect? Did you think people who have worked hard to build reputations of integrity would respond kindly to your lying in your adcom interviews?

I'm guessing you're a real "firestarter," and this is why I would like to avoid you in my schooling and career. No good can come from interaction with someone with your views.

 

[Thewrongstuff]

ahhh yes i forgot, cheating as a freshman in college means that you are going to kill patients with the dosages. Damn I wish you could teach me your moral guidelines so I could live the good life like you.

A graduate student was mentioned? Not one in undergrad college? And whats to prevent them from trying to cheat in another academic setting? C'mon.

 

[LaMusicienne]

he in fact did not say anything in front of the professor. And if you recall I praised him for doing so. Hey I have a question. Does it get lonely on your pedestal? I'm sure some other people here could keep you company

Between self-righteous and dishonest, I think I'll go with self-righteous. I'm gonna keep Corker company.

 

[jad2121]

Between self-righteous and dishonest, I think I'll go with self-righteous. I'm gonna keep Corker company.

We'll see how far you get with that.

 

[Corker]

We'll see how far you get with that.

Thanks for the support, LaMusicienne. For jad, none of us are perfect. We all make mistakes, and if you knew me, you would know that I am extremely compassionate and understanding --- definitely NOT self-righteous. But I look for sincerity in my friends and colleagues, and I would rather associate with people who TRY to do what is right and value qualities such as honesty and integrity.

I am not condemning you as a person...I just find your actions and blantant disregard for honest dealings to be distasteful. You will likely do very well in life as far as the world measures "success." I just don't think I would like to work with you.

As for LaMusicienne's pursuit of honesty, I would venture that honesty will serve him (or her) equally as well as your underhandedness will serve you, jad, and I would go so far as to suggest that LaMusicienne's honesty will bring much greater happiness and self-respect in the long run.

 

[LaMusicienne]

We'll see how far you get with that.

Well, jad2121, one reason some may have a self-righteous attitude is that claiming you're involved in certain hobbies really undermines the effort of people who actually pursued them. Regardless of their relevance to medicine, these hobbies may have been pursued with blood, sweat, and tears, and for someone who've never touched a tennis racket or heard an opera to casually say, "yes, I do these things in my spare time"... well... that's kind of insulting.

Also, there's a lot of trust involved in medicine, esp when it comes to the patient. Your response to the interviewer did not at all show your trustworthiness.

Anyway, please don't be rude to me. I'm just trying to explain reasonably. But what do I know? I'm just a stupid idealist typing to an anonymous person on a message board. 🙄

 

[jad2121]

Well, jad2121, one reason some may have a self-righteous attitude is that claiming you're involved in certain hobbies really undermines the effort of people who actually pursued them. Regardless of their relevance to medicine, these hobbies may have been pursued with blood, sweat, and tears, and for someone who've never touched a tennis racket or heard an opera to casually say, "yes, I do these things in my spare time"... well... that's kind of insulting.

Also, there's a lot of trust involved in medicine, esp when it comes to the patient. Your response to the interviewer did not at all show your trustworthiness.

Anyway, please don't be rude to me. I'm just trying to explain reasonably. But what do I know? I'm just a stupid idealist typing to an anonymous person on a message board. 🙄

If you show me a person who has pursued an interest in watching tennis matches as a hobby with "blood sweat and tears" and still wants to be a doctor, I will apologize to that person. Otherwise I am completely unapologetic

 

[Corker]

Well, jad2121, one reason some may have a self-righteous attitude is that claiming you're involved in certain hobbies really undermines the effort of people who actually pursued them. Regardless of their relevance to medicine, these hobbies may have been pursued with blood, sweat, and tears, and for someone who've never touched a tennis racket or heard an opera to casually say, "yes, I do these things in my spare time"... well... that's kind of insulting.

Also, there's a lot of trust involved in medicine, esp when it comes to the patient. Your response to the interviewer did not at all show your trustworthiness.

Anyway, please don't be rude to me. I'm just trying to explain reasonably. But what do I know? I'm just a stupid idealist typing to an anonymous person on a message board. 🙄

I think you've hit the nail on the head...trustworthiness is at the heart of this issue and is VERY important in medicine...and in life, in general.

 

[smeagol]

I've been dishonest before in the past in sort of a similar way to you. I lacked confidence and self esteem. That's why I didn't come off earlier as overly critical. I didn't think it was so bad at the time but today, I feel absolutely terrible.

It's really hard to describe what this feels like. Many random memories from my past come to me when I'm doing casual things such as walking to class. Do you know that scene in Gladiator where Russell Crowe imagines himself in that field? I sometimes feel detached from the world when a painful memory or something silly I did in the past spontaneously presents itself in my head.

You stop walking, you replay the event in your head, and you really just wish that you had another chance to do something else.

Of course you're not going to be terrible at diagnosing people or performing surgical techniques just because you lied about your hobbies in an interview. What I'm trying to convey is that you don't want to stay this course, age a few years and then finally mature enough to understand fully what you had done.

Lying doesn't always result in someone being hurt. What concerns me the most is that you're almost encouraging lies. Someone in your footsteps might make little, insignificant, white lies now. But imagine this becoming a habit that worsen. If they become dishonest to their spouses, thinking that they can get away with it, that's when it gets more serious. You know what I mean?

 

[LaMusicienne]

If you show me a person who has pursued an interest in watching tennis matches as a hobby with "blood sweat and tears" and still wants to be a doctor, I will apologize to that person. Otherwise I am completely unapologetic

Oh, I thought you meant actually doing the sport, or singing opera, or whatever your hobbies were. In any case, I'm still not condoning blatant dishonesty 🙁

BTW, someone (maybe you?) said earlier that these are just "white lies." I must respectfully disagree. Aren't white lies what you say to someone to avoid hurting their feelings? Like, "Do these pants make me look fat?" "Oh, heck no!"

 

[metalgearHMN]

Dude, don't worry about it. All these moral compasses moaning about what you did are blowing it out of proportion. Wow, you said "I like jazz," big deal. I doubt that's the only reason you got admitted, you had to have the numbers aswell.

Why are people so cut-throat on these forums, don't hate because someone was accepted. If he had his Dr. dad take his MCAT that's a whole different story, but saying he likes reading, and if he majored in English he must have dont plenty of it, is no big deal.

 

[Vihsadas]

Do you know what's really nice? Having an interesting enough life outside of school so that you'll never have to lie about your hobbies. 😉 (Vihsadas points to himself).

If you lie about violin or something, what are you going to do if the medical department has a string ensemble (McGill's does) and the prof just happens to play on it? What if he brought his violin?
I'm walking into my interviews (crosses fingers 😳 ) totally ready to play piano, show someone how to correctly dice an onion or Souvie a lamb shank, or do an inverted triangle choke to armbar combo on an interviewer.😆

 

[HiFi09]

The language of your first post in this thread belies your true opinion of those that are "one-dimensional" -- it is pretty clearly a negative evaluation of the relative fitness of these people for the practice of medicine in at least one way.

Technically speaking you could call anything a hobby, so you're right it's goofy for anyone to say that they have no hobbies. I think what we're really talking about here are activities that adcoms like to hear about. Adcoms ask about hobbies, and you start to think about things that you do other than drink beer and watch football, even though this is a fine use of free time. Everyone does things with their free time -- even if they're just staring at a wall, they're still doing something. The point is: you can't judge any use of free time unbecoming of a future physician unless its illegal (and that's still debatable) or immoral.

Now, patients will like doctors for various reasons, not only because they can identify with them. In fact I would say it's more reasonable to assume that doctors will be liked for their friendliness and their physical appearance, rather than for shared interests. So again, not having any "hobbies" is immaterial in reality but unfortunately that's not how you play the game of med school admissions.

I think I pretty much agree, word for word, with every post you have ever made.

 

[emttim]

Honestly guys, it's pretty naive to assume that the majority of your colleagues in medicine will be different than the OP as far as integrity goes. The entire process encourages lying, cheating, backbiting and basically any other form of dishonor and shady behavior that you can think of. What do you expect?

I sure as hell don't condone lying, cheating or any of that crap, and if I caught someone doing it in med school I would say something to the professor (because they can go straight to hell if they want a free ride while the rest of us have to bust our asses), but, well....this is commonplace. Get over it.

 

[Corker]

Dude, don't worry about it. All these moral compasses moaning about what you did are blowing it out of proportion. Wow, you said "I like jazz," big deal. I doubt that's the only reason you got admitted, you had to have the numbers aswell.

Why are people so cut-throat on these forums, don't hate because someone was accepted. If he had his Dr. dad take his MCAT that's a whole different story, but saying he likes reading, and if he majored in English he must have dont plenty of it, is no big deal.

Yeah...let's shame the moral compasses...certainly don't shame the liar! No one is shaming him anyway, and I don't consider myself cutthroat or naive! I simply said I don't like his attitude or behaviors. Am I not allowed this opinion? I'm bored with this... on to a more productive thread.

 

[skyeblue0610]

I can't control my laughter

You mean you really have zero hobbies?😱 I'll admit that's I'm an "all work no play" person to some extent and TV is my usual downtime but I do try and fit in other things. That's what the weekend is for.

How can you lie and say reading is a hobby? Most people regularly read something other than work/school related stuff.

I have things that I might no do all the time, maybe once every blue moon like painting but when I do it gives me great joy and meditation. So I consider it a hobby when I only REALLY do it for like 3 months on and off in the summer

 

[Asp]

You know this thread reminded me of a Woody Allen film, Crimes and Misdemeanors. Here's a blurb off Google:

"Allen's point with his own subplot was that good intentions mean nothing. In order to earn the gratitude of others, what actually matters in life is success and acomplishment, as represented by Alan Alda's character. The second point, as illustrated with Landau's storyline, is that there is no God, and morality is purely up to the individual."

I feel the above statements are pretty much true. Don't flame me. The point is, at the end of the movie, we get a shot of Judah staring off into space, successful and triumphant over his enemies, but also disturbed and uncomfortable.

So the lesson is, yes you can lie and help yourself get what you want in life as a consequence, but can you sleep comfortably at night? For me the answer is no. You have to sustain the illusion of sacred morality -- suspend disbelief -- or you risk falling into the abyss.

 

[VoiceofReason]

I think I pretty much agree, word for word, with every post you have ever made.

Thanks buddy -- Just tryin' to be as honest and fair as possible.

You people saying that a few white lies about hobbies will put you on a slippery slope to covering up criminal or unethical negligence in medicine need to slow down and think a moment.

 

[jad2121]

I can't control my laughter

You mean you really have zero hobbies?😱 I'll admit that's I'm an "all work no play" person to some extent and TV is my usual downtime but I do try and fit in other things. That's what the weekend is for.

How can you lie and say reading is a hobby? Most people regularly read something other than work/school related stuff.

I have things that I might no do all the time, maybe once every blue moon like painting but when I do it gives me great joy and meditation. So I consider it a hobby when I only REALLY do it for like 3 months on and off in the summer

I have interests, but I wouldn't really call them hobbies. Lets see, I LOVE television. True love really. I collect rare books (which I mentioned as a hobby), I read comic books (which is definitely a hobby but i wouldn't say it in an adcom meeting). Its not like I do nothing, and that wasn't the point.

As to how I sleep at night. I sleep great with no regrets at all. I cannot get over this insane idealism, I feel like i'm in a very special episode of Blossom, and the moral is that lying is wrong. Lying is so not wrong when you, for example, are applying for a job. I would like to speak to one person who did not embellish in a job interview. And this is not even a job interview, this is an interview to maybe someday have a job interview.

 

[jad2121]

Do you know what's really nice? Having an interesting enough life outside of school so that you'll never have to lie about your hobbies. 😉 (Vihsadas points to himself).

If you lie about violin or something, what are you going to do if the medical department has a string ensemble (McGill's does) and the prof just happens to play on it? What if he brought his violin?
I'm walking into my interviews (crosses fingers 😳 ) totally ready to play piano, show someone how to correctly dice an onion or Souvie a lamb shank, or do an inverted triangle choke to armbar combo on an interviewer.😆

hahahaha have any of your interviewers really asked you to play piano during the interview? or dice an onion?

Also, you didn't see my post. I never said I was a violinist. I said that I played inter mural sports (if i'm asked about it, i can tell you how to play the sports), and was interested in reading and the opera (which, sadly, I have seen many of). And just because you jam pack your day with inane activities doesn't mean you're interesting. Some of the least interesting people in know can ride a unicycle while spinning a plate in there nose. They learned to do that while the rest of us were hanging out with friends and hooking up with girls on Friday night.

 

[Thewrongstuff]

Thanks buddy -- Just tryin' to be as honest and fair as possible.

You people saying that a few white lies about hobbies will put you on a slippery slope to covering up criminal or unethical negligence in medicine need to slow down and think a moment.

Yeah you have a point. It's just utterly repulsive, the though of lying in one of the most important settings in your life because of a lack of hobbies that you wont admit to. I dunno man, call me crazy but if I was in that position i'd just talk about hanging around friends all day, socializing and stuff like that. But thats just me. I'm a lazy SOB out of school but god be damned I still have hobbies that I can talk about. You know...something to kill the time out of work so you don't go crazy or something.

 

[TouchOfGrey]

This thread, indicative of SDN, is sorely lacking in maturity. Everybody needs to relax and make some room for alternative viewpoints from their own. Stop being so competitive in every aspect of your lives, just for a second. It's a major turnoff, and makes me think I won't make many good friends in med school.
I feel like we're missing something here.

Why adcoms want to see hobbies, extracurricular BS, etc., is because doctoring is hard effing work. If you don't have a release valve, a way to express yourself, a way to HAVE FUN, you are going to burn out hard and fast. That means that the long years of training will have been wasted, and there's a good chance you could hurt someone in the process of your flaming out.

So it makes sense. BUT, the whole race for most/best/most diverse hobbies or extracurriculars is ridiculous and defeats the purpose. It applies to high school students these days so much too: many kids out there do so much soccer/band/model congress/etc/etc/etc have no time to just chill, which is pretty impt. too. I'm just saying, if it becomes a race to see how many and who's got the best it's missing the point.

Lying a little bit, I think, is not gonna kill anyone. Just be aware of the above stated reasons for having a hobby. If chilling with your friends, tube, and weed will do it for you, that's cool with me. But, something to consider: as you get older, those things become less satisfying (experience speaking here). So, it's good to have something that will grow with you (ie, music, art, etc).

Oh yeah, and if you don't think schools lie to you about how great it is to go there, and all the stuff they have that others don't, you are a Sucker.