Question about hobbies/non-academic interests questions

[sedaniel]

I have been reviewing some of last year's secondary application questions in the hopes that some schools keep the same questions (or similar questions). I noticed that some schools ask about your hobbies or non-academic interests. How personal would you guys and gals recommend being with these types of questions? For example, I am really into knitting, skiing, and scrapbooking, I do all of these on a regular basis. But I feel a little silly writing that on a medical school application. Is this appropriate or not? Opinions?

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[bonsaitree1]

I have been reviewing some of last year's secondary application questions in the hopes that some schools keep the same questions (or similar questions). I noticed that some schools ask about your hobbies or non-academic interests. How personal would you guys and gals recommend being with these types of questions? For example, I am really into knitting, skiing, and scrapbooking, I do all of these on a regular basis. But I feel a little silly writing that on a medical school application. Is this appropriate or not? Opinions?

I think it's totally relevant. Skiing is a sport and sports are generally unique. Knitting/scrapbooking, sure why not? It's still just talking about a hobbie, you can always relate to how it relieves stress, how it takes you away from the hectic work place etc.

 

[zeinz]

any hobby or activity you do on a regular basis should be put down even if you think its silly. If its important to you and a part of who you are, why not put it down??

 

[seelee]

I was just wondering what would be considered a "serious" hobby. Isn't the point of a hobby to be relaxing and not something you get stressed about?

 

[sedaniel]

I was just wondering what would be considered a "serious" hobby. Isn't the point of a hobby to be relaxing and not something you get stressed about?

Haha I guess you're right, I mean, skiing is okay but I guess I just felt like knitting and scrapbooking are not things that normal 23-year-olds do, lol, but it is definitely what I do to de-stress

 

[LizzyM]

If there aren't many 23 year olds who engage in the activity that you are passionate about, you are more unusual (not cookie cutter) for liking it. I knit. Another member long-time member of the adcom knits, I introduced the dean of students to the craft.... you'd be surprised how something like this (or fly fishing, or motorcycle maintenance, etc) will provide an enjoyable interlude of conversation on a mutual interest at interview.

 

[ThaliaNox]

It's nice to know that our applicants are human. Things like hobbies help you guys become more than Applicant 24563 in our minds. Every applicant has research, volunteering and clinical experience. Not every applicant knits, or loves photography, or old cars, or comic books, or any other number of hobbies.

It's like when people ask me if they should put part time jobs... Of course you should. It lets us know that you had other commitments in school, that you're not as entitled as someone who lived entirely on dad's money in school. Med schools want humans. Semi-angelic humans, I'll admit, but humans.

 

[dusk2don]

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[NotAsking4Much]

What about playing on my PS3 as a hobby? I don't think I have the nerve to put that down, however. =/

That, no. Sorry but I play computer games too and I couldn't ever talk about that...