Questionable Extracurricular Activity?

[oceanman]

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I am not sure if I should include this EC in my med school app or resume because I do not know how I would answer questions about its legitimacy? Questions like, "Did you have a license or permit to be selling these items?" Obviously, I didn't. But, at the same time I am not sure if a license or permit (of some type) is needed.

So here is my story ( going to avoid going into too much detail):

In high school, I realized that I wanted to be a millionaire. Doesn't everyone wanted to be rich, especially in those years? lol Well, not only did I want to, I did something about it. I started my own business on eBay. Started by selling things in my garage until there was nothing left to sell. Soon I got my hands on surgical and dental instruments and holloware. You name it, I've sold it (well the basic things, nothing too fancy). This was a valuable experience and I made well over 2k in profit. As a high schooler, I was stoked! Now, I am not sure if I needed some license or something to do this because it was surgical and dental instruments. Even though I was a high schooler, I conducted myself as a professional businessman, I even got an order for a 1000 items once. Unfortunately, I was not even close to matching that demand. Point is, this was a great experience in my life, but I do not know how to share it, in fear of it making me look bad. Help me out.

 

[cliquesh]

Lolz

 

[oceanman]

Lolz

What do you think?

 

[AlteredScale]

Who were you selling surgical and dental instruments to? Did you know your buyers?

Just say you sold stuff, I would omit the fact that you sold those particular things on there. I'm hoping you weren't going to include selling surgical and dental instruments as a part of your personal statement.

 

[oceanman]

Who were you selling surgical and dental instruments to? Did you know your buyers?

Just say you sold stuff, I would omit the fact that you sold those particular things on there. I'm hoping you weren't going to include selling surgical and dental instruments as a part of your personal statement.

I didn't know the buyers. Sold to people on eBay. I would include if I didn't have this issue. Just sucks, because it was a huge part of my life and this experience transitioned into why I wanted to be a physician. Also, when I say I got my hands on these items, it was by no means illegal. I received my stock from legitimate manufacturers.

 

[AlteredScale]

I didn't know the buyers. Sold to people on eBay. I would include if I didn't have this issue. Just sucks, because it was a huge part of my life and this experience transitioned into why I wanted to be a physician. Also, when I say I got my hands on these items, it was by no means illegal. I received my stock from legitimate manufacturers.

Now that you've clarified: I wouldn't think it's that big of a deal especially if you got them from actual manufacturers.

Can you elaborate as to how selling these items were a huge part of your life in terms of finding a career as a physician? I am curious.

 

[asdf123g]

I dont think its a big deal (but what do i know)...esp if you are selling it on eBay lol

 

[ahawke100]

I too must the story of how this brought you to medicine.

 

[samac]

I wouldn't want to include that on my app. It's in high school, so far in your past adcoms probably won't care much that you did it. They want to see what you've done as an adult.

 

[jqueb29]

I've never got an order for a 1000 items :/

 

[oceanman]

Now that you've clarified: I wouldn't think it's that big of a deal especially if you got them from actual manufacturers.

Can you elaborate as to how selling these items were a huge part of your life in terms of finding a career as a physician? I am curious.

Sure. Basically, the manufacturers were my uncles (who are in a different country) and when my grandfather came to the US, he brought lots of samples with him. When I eventually decided to sell them, I got hooked. At first, I didn't really know what the instruments were or what they were used for. Slowly, I started looking them up so I could describe them more professional and that lead to me watching surgeries on YouTube. It just amazed me to know that the little metal things I was selling were being used to save peoples lives. I even went as far as looking up vendors and companies that would possibly buy my stuff. I made a business contract and team with my grandpa (who knows absolutely no English) and I was just a highschooler. My dad would drop us offat these companies and my grandpa and I would go pitch our business. Did it work? Nope. But, I learned a lot. At a particular company, we met a manager who spoke our native language. My grandpa spoke with him and told him how I was passionate for the medical field and he gave me a contact of one of his close friends, a doctor. Well as time went by, my grandpa became really sick and was diagnosed with a multiple illnesses. By that time, my grandma was here in the states was well. Both my grandparents were victims to many illnesses: diabetes, hypertension, congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease, glaucoma etc.. By that time, I had my drivers license..finally. So it became my responsibility to take my grandparents to all of their doctor appointments. I would be very engaged during all of their appointments because I had to translate what the doctors are saying and then go home and explain to my parents. I started researching all of their illnesses like crazy and doctors would even commend me as they noticed that I did my research. Long story short, when my grandpa had surgery for his glaucoma condition, I found out that his doctor was the same doctor whose contact I got from the manager. I mentioned it to him and he said he remembered his friend telling him about me. After the surgery he asked me if we were still selling lol I ended up shadowing him and I want to pursue this profession, I know it may sound like a confusing story because there so many things that are happening individually. But, if I never sold those instruments, I would have never met this doctor. Sure, my grandparents would still get sick and I would have still taken them to their appointments. But, my business kind of tied it all together. If it still doesn't make sense, I understand. I'm not even sure myself how to really relate my business to me wanting to be a doctor. it isn't direct. But, idk lol

 

[oceanman]

I've never got an order for a 1000 items :/

Sorry, we ran out of supplies and sold our company lol.

 

[oceanman]

I wouldn't want to include that on my app. It's in high school, so far in your past adcoms probably won't care much that you did it. They want to see what you've done as an adult.

It's not so much about what I did. Rather, it is more about how it caused other things to unfold and lead me to where I am now.

 

[ahawke100]

If you spin it correctly, I'd definitely say it would be good for your personal statement. I don't see it hurting or helping as an EC.

 

[Stlblues17]

I'm sure it's ok. I would advise against putting down that you were an Amateur Pharmacist (if you were one of those kids)

 

[Goro]

It's perfectly fine. I know several hobbyists who use dental tools. One even purchased a used dental drill.

I am not sure if I should include this EC in my med school app or resume because I do not know how I would answer questions about its legitimacy? Questions like, "Did you have a license or permit to be selling these items?" Obviously, I didn't. But, at the same time I am not sure if a license or permit (of some type) is needed.

So here is my story ( going to avoid going into too much detail):

In high school, I realized that I wanted to be a millionaire. Doesn't everyone wanted to be rich, especially in those years? lol Well, not only did I want to, I did something about it. I started my own business on eBay. Started by selling things in my garage until there was nothing left to sell. Soon I got my hands on surgical and dental instruments and holloware. You name it, I've sold it (well the basic things, nothing too fancy). This was a valuable experience and I made well over 2k in profit. As a high schooler, I was stoked! Now, I am not sure if I needed some license or something to do this because it was surgical and dental instruments. Even though I was a high schooler, I conducted myself as a professional businessman, I even got an order for a 1000 items once. Unfortunately, I was not even close to matching that demand. Point is, this was a great experience in my life, but I do not know how to share it, in fear of it making me look bad. Help me out.

 

[IncuriousGeorge]

I personally would drop it or at least tweak it a bit since it's illegal technically. You can't take merchandises from one country to another with the purpose of selling and/or without paying taxes (if tax wasn't paid).