Listing Unique Hobbies in Work/Activities Section

[MedHead345]

Hi guys,

I've heard mixed opinions about what to include for hobbies in the work/activities section. Some of my hobbies are kind of unique--for example I'm an advanced scuba diver, I skydive, I run Tough Mudders and marathons.....stuff like that.

What kinds of noteworthy personal hobbies have you guys included in your apps?

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[baylafan]

One of the hobbies I'm writing about is an arcade game. My proofreaders were ok with it, but it is a little bit difficult to write about.

 

[Campana]

Yep - I included one "activity" that was for my hobbies. I included backpacking, marathons, trail running, summits, etc - it's another way to show who you are outside of preparation specifically geared towards med school and more towards being an individual with your own interests, setting the stage for work-life balance.

 

[907914]

Yep - I included one "activity" that was for my hobbies. I included backpacking, marathons, trail running, summits, etc - it's another way to show who you are outside of preparation specifically geared towards med school and more towards being an individual with your own interests, setting the stage for work-life balance.

Add those. You would be a fool not to. They show another side of you, even if you do things like jump out of perfectly good airplanes

Is it better to list as many of your hobbies as you can under one activity or list a couple with a description? Like, I currently have hiking and aquaponic gardening. Should I also include NPR sustaining member, Jeep overlanding, fathering?

 

[Catalystik]

Should I also include NPR sustaining member, Jeep overlanding, fathering?

Including NPR sustaining member is like saying you put money in the basket at your place of worship or you support a third-world orphan at $X per month. Don't do it.

 

[907914]

Including NPR sustaining member is like saying you put money in the basket at your place of worship or you support a third-world orphan at $X per month. Don't do it.

Lol Point taken. I support my local radio and listen to NPR, that is all. Although “Listens to NPR” would be a lame activity.

Righteous, so less is more.

 

[Catalystik]

Lol Point taken. I support my local radio and listen to NPR, that is all. Although “Listens to NPR” would be a lame activity.

Righteous, so less is more.

I see no problem with listing NPR aficionado.

 

[907914]

I see no problem with listing NPR aficionado.

Which would be better,

Hiking - couple sentence description
Aquaponic gardening - couple sentence description

OR

Hiking/mountaineering - one sentence description
Avid NPR aficionado
Aquaponic gardening - one sentence description.
Overlanding - One sentence description
Arguments with my toddler - one sentence description
SDN Personal Statement reader

 

[deleted972488]

Which would be better,

Hiking - couple sentence description
Aquaponic gardening - couple sentence description

OR

Hiking/mountaineering - one sentence description
Avid NPR aficionado
Aquaponic gardening - one sentence description.
Overlanding - One sentence description
Arguments with my toddler - one sentence description
SDN Personal Statement reader

Definitely the first. Lol

 

[Catalystik]

Which would be better,

Hiking - couple sentence description
Aquaponic gardening - couple sentence description

OR

Hiking/mountaineering - one sentence description
Avid NPR aficionado
Aquaponic gardening - one sentence description.
Overlanding - One sentence description
Arguments with my toddler - one sentence description
SDN Personal Statement reader

-Put aquaponic gardening first.
-Instead of SDN Personal Statement Reader, refer to your Writing Center activities (unless they're described elsewhere, in which case omit).
-Some will say remove the toddler arguments, but I'm OK with it as it adds a humorous element.

 

[907914]

Definitely the first. Lol

-Put aquaponic gardening first.
-Instead of SDN Personal Statement Reader, refer to your Writing Center activities (unless they're described elsewhere, in which case omit).
-Some will say remove the toddler arguments, but I'm OK with it as it adds a humorous element.

Interesting - do I play it safe or be a little witty? Other than this, not a whole lot of my personality would come through the application (as it is very formal/professional/highlights the positives). So would it be risky to let a little humor in there? Or is it better to show some of your personality through the hobbies section?

 

[Catalystik]

Interesting - do I play it safe or be a little witty? Other than this, not a whole lot of my personality would come through the application (as it is very formal/professional/highlights the positives). So would it be risky to let a little humor in there? I guess this and the whole cat thing.

Totally your call.

There's cats in there?

 

[deleted972488]

I guess you could say I’m taking a few risks by listing some of my hobbies, but they are real hobbies and not attempts to be funny. I’m not an adcom, but your second option would make me roll my eyes. I don’t think it would be make or break either way though.

 

[907914]

I guess you could say I’m taking a few risks by listing some of my hobbies, but they are real hobbies and not attempts to be funny. I’m not an adcom, but your second option would make me roll my eyes. I don’t think it would be make or break either way though.

Yah, the toddler would be the only attempt at personality/humor in the whole application. But can you imagine reading through a fantastic personal statement, 14 other activities that are all like military, tutoring, research, Venezuelan refugee crisis, mental health counselor blah blah blah all formal, professional, convincing, and then end on the high note of “I grow banana trees with fish poop and my toddler thinks kangaroos are dinosaurs.” Lol Obviously not that blunt/unprofessional, but spice it up?

 

[907914]

Totally your call.

There's cats in there?

When you say totally your call, as an ADCOM would you not care either way?

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Yah, the toddler would be the only attempt at personality/humor in the whole application. But can you imagine reading through a fantastic personal statement, 14 other activities that are all like military, tutoring, research, Venezuelan refugee crisis, mental health counselor blah blah blah all formal, professional, convincing, and then end on the high note of “I grow banana trees with fish poop and my toddler thinks kangaroos are dinosaurs.” Lol Obviously not that blunt/unprofessional, but spice it up?

I say go for it. In my experience, a bit of well-placed humor goes a long way.

As for unique hobbies, I listed woodworking, and in the description I mentioned that I only got into it because my wife wanted a new dining room table but didn’t want to pay $1200 for it lol.

 

[907914]

There's cats in there?

Also, tried to PM you so as not to divert off topic, but you must’ve missed my entire thread about my ‘institutional action.’ So yes, there is a cat in there lol

Is this an Institutional Action and if so how does it look?

So, I live in University housing and had to pay a $200 fine because my wife brought home a cat....Is that an IA because there was a fine associated with breaking university housing rules on pets? If so, how will this be viewed?

forums.studentdoctor.net

 

[907914]

I say go for it. In my experience, a bit of well-placed humor goes a long way.

As for unique hobbies, I listed woodworking, and in the description I mentioned that I only got into it because my wife wanted a new dining room table but didn’t want to pay $1200 for it lol.

There yuh go, OP. Be honest with your activities!

 

[Catalystik]

When you say totally your call, as an ADCOM would you not care either way?

What I meant by "totally your call" is, whether you want to keep it professional or add a bit of humor.

As an adcomm, I appreciate a wee bit of underplayed, injected humor (among a sea of very serious applications). There are a surprising number of nonparent grumps out there, who won't care for it.

 

[Catalystik]

Also, tried to PM you so as not to divert off topic, but you must’ve missed my entire thread about my ‘institutional action.’ So yes, there is a cat in there lol

Is this an Institutional Action and if so how does it look?

So, I live in University housing and had to pay a $200 fine because my wife brought home a cat....Is that an IA because there was a fine associated with breaking university housing rules on pets? If so, how will this be viewed?

forums.studentdoctor.net

OK, I recall that discussion.

 

[907914]

What I meant by "totally your call" is, whether you want to keep it professional or add a bit of humor.

As an adcomm, I appreciate a wee bit of underplayed, injected humor (among a sea of very serious applications). There are a surprising number of nonparent grumps out there, who won't care for it.

“Arguing with my toddler October 2015 to Present, 50 hours - whenever she is wrong about something, I make my toddler watch a documentary about the topic to prove my point.”

 

[Catalystik]

“Arguing with my toddler October 2015 to Present, 50 hours - whenever she is wrong about something, I make my toddler watch a documentary about the topic to prove my point.”

That much screen time isn't recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

 

[907914]

That much screen time isn't recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Maybe it would be worthwhile instead of trying to be funny “Supporting my daughter as a First Nations dancer in local Pow Wows” Throw in the family aspect but introduce a unique piece of information?

 

[deleted972488]

I just realized I put something that make some eyes roll in my awards section, amongst some more impressive but less unique achievements.

 

[907914]

I just realized I put something that make some eyes roll in my awards section, amongst some more impressive but less unique achievements.

I threw my MLT certification and Wilderness medicine first responder. Rolling eyes or not, meh.

 

[deleted972488]

I threw my MLT certification and Wilderness medicine first responder. Rolling eyes or not, meh.

Those things sound legit. I just won a few contests.

 

[deleted972488]

Both. Lol. But the first thing is also under hobbies.

 

[deleted972488]

Sorry, I deleted it because I didn’t know if it was offensive or not as my LGBT nomenclature is weak. It was about drag shows. But kill it, queen. But yah, I would do hobbies not awards.

Wasn’t offensive, but I don’t imagine there are many other applicants with that hobby plus a PhD, etc., so I appreciate deleting it either way!

 

[Medic741]

Hi guys,

I've heard mixed opinions about what to include for hobbies in the work/activities section. Some of my hobbies are kind of unique--for example I'm an advanced scuba diver, I skydive, I run Tough Mudders and marathons.....stuff like that.

What kinds of noteworthy personal hobbies have you guys included in your apps?

I listed rock climbing and quantified my experiences so they'd be relatable to someone who doesn't necessarily know what "5.12 redpoint" means or really cares about the stuff you did in a previous life in South America. Described it as # thousand feet of technical roped climbing as team leader in # # # conditions with no accidents or injuries. I used it to talk about how these experiences taught me to become competent in risk management, team dynamic awareness and being respectful of personal limitations & competency. You learn quick when the price of arrogance is pretty steep. Would imagine it's the same way in skydiving (lol).

Came up in every interview and my academic adviser says even a few years later that it really stood out. Go for it, if you've lived more than a boring pre-med life I'd definitely put that in an app.

 

[Medic741]

Maybe it would be worthwhile instead of trying to be funny “Supporting my daughter as a First Nations dancer in local Pow Wows” Throw in the family aspect but introduce a unique piece of information?

That is pure diversity gold right there. I'd want to interview you just to hear more about that, so there's one vote for yes!

 

[907914]

That is pure diversity gold right there. I'd want to interview you just to hear more about that, so there's one vote for yes!

Lol piggyback on my daughter’s heritage 😆 Now that’s a strategy. Didn’t even think of it that way.