Playing in a band, would you consider work experience?

[reely989]

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Hey guys, I was just curious about whether or not you guys would include playing in a band in the work experience portion of the AADSAS application. I never really kept a job during college, and during high school, I played in a band for extra money. So, I got paid, and I think it's an interesting thing that may get brought up in interviews (I played bluegrass, which is a rather odd type of band to participate in to most people). Just wasn't sure if I should list as extracurricular or job. It isn't really extracurricular because I got paid, but it isn't a typical job either.

I realize it probably isn't a huge issue, but I was just curious how you guys would list it.

 

[jeffity]

If it's worded correctly, it can pass for either....or even both. Go with your gut and what you feel honest about. You'll get opinions on here on every little detail of the application. If you treated it like a job, put it as a job. If it was extracurricular for you (a hobby that got you away from the books and life), put it there. If it made you awesome with your hands (hand-mind coordination is just as awesome as hand-eye coordination), put it in dexterity too. It's not the time to stretch stuff for more than it is, but it's also your time to shine. You don't just stumble into bluegrass. It's unique and if you honestly feel like it fits those categories, use it.

 

[reely989]

If it's worded correctly, it can pass for either....or even both. Go with your gut and what you feel honest about. You'll get opinions on here on every little detail of the application. If you treated it like a job, put it as a job. If it was extracurricular for you (a hobby that got you away from the books and life), put it there. If it made you awesome with your hands (hand-mind coordination is just as awesome as hand-eye coordination), put it in dexterity too. It's not the time to stretch stuff for more than it is, but it's also your time to shine. You don't just stumble into bluegrass. It's unique and if you honestly feel like it fits those categories, use it.

I absolutely put it in dexterity. I'll probably split it up. There was one band I was in that very much felt like a job, but another that was just a good hobby. I appreciate the insight, and I'm definitely not trying to stretch anything.

 

[StarStunning]

I don't know about Dental School, but my friend is in a synthpop duo and he listed it on his college apps and talked about it in his interviews. He managed to get into Brown AND Williams College and is attending Brown in the fall. I'm sure they like to see people doing what they like along with dentistry, so don't be stupid not to list it. Maintaining a band is hard work.

 

[reely989]

I don't know about Dental School, but my friend is in a synthpop duo and he listed it on his college apps and talked about it in his interviews. He managed to get into Brown AND Williams College and is attending Brown in the fall. I'm sure they like to see people doing what they like along with dentistry, so don't be stupid not to list it. Maintaining a band is hard work.

Oh, most definitely. I was going to list it, I just didn't really want dental schools to get the impression that I was stretching my application or anything. I feel like it's a fun topic that could be brought up in interviews. I'd love for them to ask about it.

 

[vicsin]

Getting $$$ = work experience. 👍

 

[StarStunning]

Oh, most definitely. I was going to list it, I just didn't really want dental schools to get the impression that I was stretching my application or anything. I feel like it's a fun topic that could be brought up in interviews. I'd love for them to ask about it.

Yeah, I'm 100% sure theyll be interested in it. Don't fill your extracurricular's list with too many nonsense things 'cause then it would look like youre just putting in literally every minor thing you do and that's really what adcoms hate. Just put whatever you're most involved in.

 

[SeattleRDH]

Don't devalue the career of a musician. If you got paid, it was a job. Period.