Odd EC for primarys

[biowiz15]

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Hey guys,

I have an interesting hobby of mine but I'm not sure if I should put it in my EC or not. My family has done quite a bit of traveling around the world (i.e. Spain, France, England, Mexico, South Africa, Brazil, etc.) but most if not all trips were just for vacation or personal enjoyment. I'm wondering if I should add this as an EC. Although I wasn't "contributing to the betterment of humanity," I still learned quite a bit from my travels. Any thoughts on whether this warrants a precious spot on the "Work/Activities" portion. Thanks.

Best of luck!

 

[mac_kin]

Hey guys,

I have an interesting hobby of mine but I'm not sure if I should put it in my EC or not. My family has done quite a bit of traveling around the world (i.e. Spain, France, England, Mexico, South Africa, Brazil, etc.) but most if not all trips were just for vacation or personal enjoyment. I'm wondering if I should add this as an EC. Although I wasn't "contributing to the betterment of humanity," I still learned quite a bit from my travels. Any thoughts on whether this warrants a precious spot on the "Work/Activities" portion. Thanks.

Best of luck!

What kinds of things did you learn on the trips? Did you see anything interesting and even slightly related to medicine?
Maybe you visited a clinic or hospital? If you had to use their health care service maybe you could write about what you experienced...how it's different from here?
Did you visit any impoverished areas?

Even things like different social customs, adapting to cultures, being forced to communicate in your best way if you didn't know the language? You could mention creative ways in which you were able to communicate. To emphasize that you would be able to understand and help patients of many nationalities. Or maybe you learned a language?

Basically if you're short on EC's, this one is pretty good to add. Just make sure you describe it more as a learning experience than "we sat on the beach and played in the ocean".

I'm sure there must have been at least one unique cultural/medical experience or obstacle you overcame during your travels.

 

[AmoryBlaine]

Not an EC.

Use it in the PS?

 

[EndSong]

Eh. This isn't really quite what EC space should be used for, but if you don't really have any others its a good one to include. It's better if you can use it in a personal statement or essay or something.

 

[astrolux]

I would definitely add it since you have traveled extensively. I put it on my application under activities or interests, I can't remember which, and it did come up in some interviews. The interviewers were interested in where I went and why and they never gave me any indication that traveling was something I should have left out of the EC section. On the application I explained that traveling contributed to my awareness of different cultures and ways of life blah, blah, blah. Part of the purpose of the application is to give you an opportunity to express who you are beyond the damn numbers. If traveling is important to you than I say add it. I think mac_kin hit the nail on the head. Cheers

 

[cubbbie]

meh -- I've heard of people doing this, but I personally think that putting traveling experience down as an EC is pretty weak. It seems like your reaching for something to include there because you don't have anything. So many of us have travelled around the world. Big deal. It just makes it apparent like you come from a family with a lot of dough.

 

[thegymbum]

I love to travel as well but wouldn't really even think of putting it as an EC... honestly I don't think it's a good idea.

Even though it's not the case, it could potentially be interpreted as "my family has a lot of money so we can basically travel whenever we want" kind of thing... which probably wouldn't exactly be favorable 😉

 

[astrolux]

I love to travel as well but wouldn't really even think of putting it as an EC... honestly I don't think it's a good idea.

Even though it's not the case, it could potentially be interpreted as "my family has a lot of money so we can basically travel whenever we want" kind of thing... which probably wouldn't exactly be favorable 😉

That is just lame. I could understand this point of view if you put down that you travel to Tahiti or Hawaii every year for the family yacht cruise. Extensive traveling by no means infers that your family has a lot of cash. Now, if that is the case, and you travel just to get a tan, then I agree, don't put it on your application. If it is something that is important to you and has given you experiences that would be interesting to discuss in an interview then put it down. Hell, some schools might think your family IS loaded and that could be a good thing; if you catch my drift

 

[biowiz15]

wow, thanks for the insight guys. I definitly agree that traveling with the intention of learning something new about cultures other than your own is extremely beneficial, as it has been for me. I'm certainly not "reaching" for ECs so this is not the reason why I'm considering it. Traveling for me has broadened my horizons and challenged me to think about my own life here in the US. It's definitely an opportunity that has helped me grow as an individual, so I feel comfortable putting it down, and discussing it with any med school admissions committee member. Thanks again for the help! 😉

 

[BMW M3]

I put travelling as one of my ECs: I've been to every major ski resort in North America.

If you have room for it, put it as it shows that you are more than gung-ho at impressing the Adcoms with your med-related activities.

edit: its also a great interview topic for discussion