Not including hobbies on AMCAS?

[pillowsnice]

Is it ok if I don't list any hobbies on my AMCAS? I do things during my spare time, like playing piano or watching sports, but I'm not sure if it is worthwhile to list as an activity. Those activities don't really have any hours or organization to them as I just do it whenever I am bored.

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[Ismet]

List them. I always liked to see hobbies, especially creative things like music or art. Most people just make one entry for Hobbies and list things.

 

[pillowsnice]

But I'm not like some master pianist. I just play random songs if I can. I am not that good, but I can still play. How can I even describe that in the description? Also, does watching sports count as a hobby?

 

[Ismet]

But I'm not like some master pianist. I just play random songs if I can. I am not that good, but I can still play. How can I even describe that in the description? Also, does watching sports count as a hobby?

You don't have to be a master pianist. I'd list the piano playing if you feel comfortable with it.

Not the watching sports. Sorry, I misread your OP and thought you said playing sports.

 

[AnonPanda1]

List them. I always liked to see hobbies, especially creative things like music or art. Most people just make one entry for Hobbies and list things.

I enjoy collecting fountain pens and inks for them and I also enjoy repairing antique fountain pens. Would this be something interesting that I should consider putting on my AMCAS?

 

[Ismet]

I enjoy collecting fountain pens and inks for them and I also enjoy repairing antique fountain pens. Would this be something interesting that I should consider putting on my AMCAS?

I think that's cool, I'd list it.

Put it this way, listing your hobbies is extremely unlikely to hurt you in any way (unless you have a controversial/unprofessional hobby, then you may want to seek multiple opinions about including it), most likely to have zero bearing, but does have a chance to "boost" your app by sticking out in an adcom's mind or by spurring some discussion in an interview. Several of my hobbies came up as positive talking points in most of my interviews for med school.

 

[LizzyM]

Listing hobbies helps the reader get to know you in a way that shows that you have interested outside of the list of things you need to do to get into medical school. It makes your application more distinctive. It doesn't matter if you like to play Chopin or Gershwin or church hymns, it is what you do to unwind. Knowing how to relax and unwind in a healthy manner is very important.

 

[wholeheartedly]

Agree to list them. They show you have some balance and could also be potential topics of interest for interviews.

speaking of which, @LizzyM have you ever had anyone list blacksmithing as a hobby? I'm curious how that one is going to go over.

 

[pillowsnice]

Just wondering...if I list it, how would I list the start/end dates and total hours? I never really counted before.

 

[bisonbison]

I am also wondering how to do hours. I really enjoy singing and playing board games with friends and family. Not sure if that would be weird to put on there. I have a massive board game collection (30+) and find any chance I can get to play with people haha. Would that be weird to put?

 

[Green Grass]

The hours are pointless, who cares? Say whatever you want. It's the substance of the hobby that counts. They want a connection with you - and believe it or not, you're all very similar going by numbers and LOR. Make yourself stand out!

 

[gyngyn]

The adcom faculty I worked for as an undergrad loved his Montblac ink pen and probably would have accepted you on the spot!

I only have one response. Namiki.

 

[LoveBeingHuman:)]

Would training for and completing marathons count?

 

[LizzyM]

Agree to post them. They show you have some balance and could also be potential topics of interest for interviews.

speaking of which, @LizzyM have you ever had anyone list blacksmithing as a hobby? I'm curious how that one is going to go over.

I did have someone who did large metal sculptures outdoors but not blacksmithing. I'd think that is cool and something I'd enjoy learning more about.

 

[bisonbison]

I now imagine a bison playing Monopoly.

The hooves get in the way a bit but I manage 😉

 

[wholeheartedly]

I did have someone who did large metal sculptures outdoors but not blacksmithing. I'd think that is cool and something I'd enjoy learning more about.

Unfortunately, I think your school sounds like it's way out of my league so I don't think we'll be chatting about it. But it is a really fun hobby. I'm in the process of trying to make an iron violin piece right now.

 

[avgn]

Unfortunately, I think your school sounds like it's way out of my league so I don't think we'll be chatting about it.

Plot twist: @LizzyM is at SGU

 

[binko]

I'm not sure about two hobbies I want to list: one is languages. I've spent some time learning a bunch of languages and for some I took classes for a while but for some of them I've only done Duolingo. Would it be silly to put my Duolingo level for a bunch of languages under hobbies?

The other one I'm not sure how to list is cycling. I'm not a competitive cyclist, but I really like bikes, I know a bunch about different types of cargo bikes, I bike regularly and I do basic maintenance work on my own bikes. It feels like an important part of who I am and it's my fitness and stress relief. But that seems kind of intangible to list.

 

[LizzyM]

I'm not sure about two hobbies I want to list: one is languages. I've spent some time learning a bunch of languages and for some I took classes for a while but for some of them I've only done Duolingo. Would it be silly to put my Duolingo level for a bunch of languages under hobbies?

The other one I'm not sure how to list is cycling. I'm not a competitive cyclist, but I really like bikes, I know a bunch about different types of cargo bikes, I bike regularly and I do basic maintenance work on my own bikes. It feels like an important part of who I am and it's my fitness and stress relief. But that seems kind of intangible to list.

There is a separate section for languages and you can list your proficiency as basic, etc... you no longer need to be fluent to list a language.

Cycling is an excellent hobby to list. You just list it as hobby and obviously you can list it has having been since 1999 or whenever you first started. You can say "I am an aid cyclist and I enjoy riding [how often] in [location] and in [location] as well whenever I get the chance. I also do maintenance on my own bikes. It keeps me fit and helps me decompress from stress."

Adcoms love this sort of thing. It adds something to the story of you beyond the pre-med activities.