Musical activities - even if for fun?

[yale MD]

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Hey, I have a quick question about musical activities.

I've been playing cello since grade 1, and I did play for the orchestra in high school. Now, I play it as a hobby and I don't play in an organized club. However, I do play the cello to mentally handicapped kids/nursing home sparingly.

Is this worth putting on AMCAS? I have 15 spots filled, but I think it will be nice to have a variety on the application (I have research/sports/volunteering/clinical/leadership/teaching/4-year scholarships and not sure if I need to put a "hobby") Thanks so much!

 

[Geekchick921]

I think it's DEFINITELY something worth putting on your application. Is there anything you're willing to cut from your 15 activities, or could you possibly condense two of them together in some way?

 

[NickNaylor]

You're right about the variety. I would try and combine two things so that you can include it.

 

[yale MD]

Thanks guys

So I guess my orchestra experience in high school counts? I played in a local orchestra and in 2 different school musicals in high school.

I am also a french horn player (learned in high school) and played in the school band as well in high school.

Should I combine these 2 experiences? Do high school activities count for med school?

Also how good will this experience look? Perhaps the fact that I played cello at a home for disabled kids help? Thanks!

 

[ThaliaNox]

Thanks guys

So I guess my orchestra experience in high school counts? I played in a local orchestra and in 2 different school musicals in high school.

I am also a french horn player (learned in high school) and played in the school band as well in high school.

Should I combine these 2 experiences? Do high school activities count for med school?

Also how good will this experience look? Perhaps the fact that I played cello at a home for disabled kids help? Thanks!

Generally, things from high school are not listed. However, if the activity or hobby continued into undergrad, it can be listed. Musical hobbies usually fall into the latter of the two categories. I would list this under artistic endeavors, and explain your long time musical experience and volunteering at the home for disabled children.

I would make room for this in your application. I am sure that two of your other categories can be merged together. Remember that if you did something like be leader of a group that volunteered as well, it is redundant to list them separately. Just explain both in one heading. The only things that really deserve a separate heading are publications, because you want them to stand out.

 

[metallica81788]

Definitely put it on there. I play guitar in a metal/hard rock band and it was constantly brought up in interviews. They love that kind of stuff. One of the people I interviewed with at one school actually graduated from Berklee.

 

[rockaction]

Thanks guys

So I guess my orchestra experience in high school counts? I played in a local orchestra and in 2 different school musicals in high school.

I am also a french horn player (learned in high school) and played in the school band as well in high school.

Should I combine these 2 experiences? Do high school activities count for med school?

Also how good will this experience look? Perhaps the fact that I played cello at a home for disabled kids help? Thanks!

Put it. I'd predict in interviews people will talk about that more than most of your other activities. I was in a garage band since 2005 (we recorded tons of original music, played shows) and put it on my AMCAS and it was brought up positively in every interview I had.

In fact, I credit my acceptance to Ohio State with that EC because my interviewer was a jazz musician and it resonated (heh) well with him. He told me they look for people who can balance stress with activities they love to do outside of science and medicine. So put it on there!