mention this in secondary?

[Captain Sisko]

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So I'm pre-writing secondaries for certain schools that say I can't repeat anything from my primary. Unfortunately, the same neuroticism that caused me to pre-write my secondaries also caused me to fill out all 15 spaces for my activities, so I'm pretty much out. Don't get me wrong, I don't think there's fluff on my primary, I'm just worried that I might have to fluff on this secondary. Which brings to the forefront my SDN consult.

A few years back I decided that I would design and build a trebuchet. This is a piece of siege artillery from the middle ages. Pictures of similar items here: https://www.google.com/search?q=tre...2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FTrebuchet;350;276 I thought it'd be fun and it was. Mine wasn't full size, maybe 12 foot scale model in my back yard. Neighbors hated it, their kids loved it. I launched all sorts of things out of it.

The secondaries in question mostly involve "what do you add to our class" and that kind of thing, so I'd bring up how I've interests in history and engineering, and this experience sets me apart. But I don't want to seem weird. Because I'm pretty sure designing and building medieval weaponry might strike people as odd. I guess I'm asking, can this be perceived as a negative at all?

What do you all think?

 

[Mt Kilimanjaro]

So I'm pre-writing secondaries for certain schools that

What do you all think?

Don't include. People like you dress up in period costumes and sword fight in public parks. It's weird and, in my opinion, doesn't "add diversity" to the class in the same way that a previous career or experiences overseas might. Others might disagree.

 

[HealthHare]

I would have to disagree. I think it would be a great thing to talk about OP. It's a very unique experience that speaks volumes about your passion and creativity. As long as you are socially competent in your interviews, I don't think any adcom would deem you weird.

 

[Elewynne]

I personally think it's awesome. Definitely a unique and interesting thing to mention, and great fodder for interviews.

 

[Pacna]

I don't think it belongs in a secondary. I actually have the same experience (weird) and I'm saving it for the "what's the craziest thing you've ever done" question in the interview.

 

[GandalfTheWhite]

I would leave it out sisko.

While it is unique, it doesnt add to your desire to go into medicine, doesn't translate to how this activity helped you mature or develop your personal characteristic, and it takes up space that you could use to talk about something unique that the school offers that you like!

 

[pyrrion89]

Don't include. People like you dress up in period costumes and sword fight in public parks. It's weird and, in my opinion, doesn't "add diversity" to the class in the same way that a previous career or experiences overseas might. Others might disagree.

Unfortunately nerdy hobbies seem looked down upon by a lot of people. It's a risk that an adcomm might harbor the same prejudices. Sure, your hobbies might show imagination, leadership, planning, and panache, but others might just see "freak." I feel like a lot of med and pre-med kids come from a more jock background of being on the crew team and love doing half-marathons in their spare time. Of course I am dealing in stereotypes when I shouldn't be.

I love doing cosplay, building elaborate lego sets, and RPGs, but I plan on leaving all of that out. Of course this might be a problem if someone asks me what I like to do for fun.

Also DS9 rocks! Go Sisko! (Although I think Quark, Dukat, and Elim are all way cooler characters)

 

[Captain Sisko]

Unfortunately nerdy hobbies seem looked down upon by a lot of people. It's a risk that an adcomm might harbor the same prejudices. Sure, your hobbies might show imagination, leadership, planning, and panache, but others might just see "freak." I feel like a lot of med and pre-med kids come from a more jock background of being on the crew team and love doing half-marathons in their spare time. Of course I am dealing in stereotypes when I shouldn't be.

I love doing cosplay, building elaborate lego sets, and RPGs, but I plan on leaving all of that out. Of course this might be a problem if someone asks me what I like to do for fun.

Also DS9 rocks! Go Sisko! (Although I think Quark, Dukat, and Elim are all way cooler characters)

Thanks for the feedback. I guess the consensus is that I shouldn't mention it in the secondary, but possibly in the interview when I can better gauge the interviewer as a person. As opposed to the secondary where you don't know who's going to be reading my essays. That's fair- my lady had the same thought.

For the record, I actually do half marathons in my spare time and did have a previous career. But again I'm stuck in the predicament that I've already mentioned both of those on my primary. If you did something once or twice, like flying sailplanes (gliders) or skydiving, I don't suppose you could write about that? I was thinking no... Oh well, back to square one...