Reckless behavior?

[ParacrineAgent]

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I thought I would throw this one out there just for fun...

Being a premed and applying to schools, there are some things that I have done/do that I don't go out of my way to point out to adcoms because they may appear as reckless. For example, I greatly enjoy riding motorcycles, I intend to give skydiving a shot before I start school, etc. I also recently tried my luck with bull riding (real bulls, not mechanical) and wound up with a broken leg. This seemed to work in my favor when interviewing in Tennessee, though.

Anyway, to the point. Has anyone else done anything crazy/embarrassing (but legal, of course), that maybe you wouldn't want advertised to medical schools? 😕

 

[DrWily]

I thought I would throw this one out there just for fun...

Being a premed and applying to schools, there are some things that I have done/do that I don't go out of my way to point out to adcoms because they may appear as reckless. For example, I greatly enjoy riding motorcycles, I intend to give skydiving a shot before I start school, etc. I also recently tried my luck with bull riding (real bulls, not mechanical) and wound up with a broken leg. This seemed to work in my favor when interviewing in Tennessee, though.

Anyway, to the point. Has anyone else done anything crazy/embarrassing (but legal, of course), that maybe you wouldn't want advertised to medical schools? 😕

I greatly enjoy riding motorcycles as well. It was my major theme in my personal statement and when asked about it at an interview, I spoke in depth about how much I enjoyed it. I also threw some stuff in there like, responsibility, freedom, safety, and therapeutic effects (lots of thinking time).

Only things the interviewers asked about it are: do you wear a helmet? (helmet law in CA so I said of course, but also said that I'd wear one even if there was no law, and then I went into describing my safety equipment (jacket/boots/gloves etc)... and one of them asked if I cross the double-yellow on canyon roads and I said ohhh helll noooooooo, I stick by the white. 👍

 

[Iliketoytles]

I've been skydiving twice. I hope you manage to do it; it was amazing. I went bungee jumping a year ago too. Bungee jumping was even more of a rush than skydiving, believe it or not.

Did I mention I have a fear of heights? Yeah... I can barely climb to the top of a ladder without my feet shaking. So if I can do it, anyone can.

This is odd, but I really want to learn to ride a horse before school starts... they're amazing animals and I've always envied people who can just get up and go horseback riding on a nice day for fun. Not sure if I'll accomplish this though... we'll see. 😳

 

[Wolverines83]

I thought I would throw this one out there just for fun...

Being a premed and applying to schools, there are some things that I have done/do that I don't go out of my way to point out to adcoms because they may appear as reckless. For example, I greatly enjoy riding motorcycles, I intend to give skydiving a shot before I start school, etc. I also recently tried my luck with bull riding (real bulls, not mechanical) and wound up with a broken leg. This seemed to work in my favor when interviewing in Tennessee, though.

Anyway, to the point. Has anyone else done anything crazy/embarrassing (but legal, of course), that maybe you wouldn't want advertised to medical schools? 😕

Those are the things that make you "you." They set you apart and even give you some personality in an all too often stiff pool of applicants. But like one poster said, maybe mention that you have ways to mitigate the risk.

When asked what my extracurriculars are I stated mountaineering, rock and ice climbing and my motorcycle. They didn't scoff at me, they perked up and asked about it. If I were you I'd definitely tell them about it. It's not like you routinely go 100 on the bike w/out a helmet (I mean, who does? right? 😉 )

You don't want to be the kid the interviewers can't remember, do you?

 

[DrWily]

100% agree. In my mind (IN MY MIND) the typical med school applicant is a play it safe, always by the books, don't know how to have fun beta personality.

Show your Alpha dominance and the fact that you enjoy life!

 

[FrkyBgStok]

I drive a semi and can confidently say that motorcycles are tools to "thin out the herd." But,to each their own.

And I have kids. The most reckless thing I do is talking on the phone when i drive with my hands free headset.

 

[DrWily]

I drive a semi and can confidently say that motorcycles are tools to "thin out the herd." But,to each their own.

And I have kids. The most reckless thing I do is talking on the phone when i drive with my hands free headset.

I prefer "Organ Donors" thank you very much! Also, I'd say that 80% of motorcycle riders are pretty reckless... All about that DD brohams. Defensive. Driving.

 

[aSagacious]

I listed martial arts (BJJ, Judo, folkstyle/freestyle wrestling, no-gi grappling, etc) as an extra-curricular on my application. It was brought up at both of my interviews and I was accepted to both schools. (Though I don't know if these technically qualify as 'reckless' as per your definition)

 

[LifeTake2]

I thought I would throw this one out there just for fun...

Being a premed and applying to schools, there are some things that I have done/do that I don't go out of my way to point out to adcoms because they may appear as reckless. For example, I greatly enjoy riding motorcycles, I intend to give skydiving a shot before I start school, etc. I also recently tried my luck with bull riding (real bulls, not mechanical) and wound up with a broken leg. This seemed to work in my favor when interviewing in Tennessee, though.

Anyway, to the point. Has anyone else done anything crazy/embarrassing (but legal, of course), that maybe you wouldn't want advertised to medical schools? 😕

As a bit older applicant I have to clarify if you mean legal here or legal in the country where it occurred 😕

 

[Iliketoytles]

As a bit older applicant I have to clarify if you mean legal here or legal in the country where it occurred 😕

LOL

Either way, you must post now. I'm interested. 😎

 

[SRC1987]

I wouldn't really brag about your hobbies as 'reckless'. The first thing that comes to mind when I read your statement is:
"When this person becomes a physician are they going to continue with a 'reckless' attitude and put patients at risk?"

I'd be sure to make the clarification you enjoy doing activities that are thrilling but that you also know the safety required when caring for other people.

 

[DrWily]

As a bit older applicant I have to clarify if you mean legal here or legal in the country where it occurred 😕

Smokin a little herb in Amsterdam perhaps?

 

[LifeTake2]

LOL

Either way, you must post now. I'm interested. 😎

Let's just say that just about every modern country on the planet has less hang-ups than the US.

The goal is to get through life with as few regrets or guilt as possible, but probably not going to bring up in an interview 😀

 

[willen101383]

Ive been skydiving X2.
I have 30 hours of flight time in a Katana DA20 (no license yet)
I am a MAJOR gun enthusiast and own 15 firearms....shoot at least once a week (with multiple classmates of mine) lol
I am a pretty big mountain biker and have been out west a few times to ride and do crazy stuff.
I am a really big ski nut.

The list goes on and on...I am definitely an adrenaline junkie. But yeah..I wouldnt really advertise most of this to a school....particularly the firearms stuff.

 

[Iliketoytles]

The list goes on and on...I am definitely an adrenaline junkie. But yeah..I wouldnt really advertise most of this to a school....particularly the firearms stuff.

"Let me in, or imma kee-ya"

 

[willen101383]

"Let me in, or imma kee-ya"

haha I wasnt even that into shooting back then I only had 2 when i started med school I think. My damn friends and I feed off each other.

 

[willen101383]

"Let me in, or imma kee-ya"

haha I wasnt even that into shooting back then I only had 2 when i started med school I think. My damn friends and I feed off each other.

 

[bryana2]

Sure, most of us westerners have hobbies that others would find reckless. I back-country ski and hike, shoot (I'm from Idaho, we all shoot), mountain bike, high altitude cold water scuba dive (in lakes and rivers), and occasionally I'll go climbing. Some people call it reckless, we call it living. 🙂

 

[Fay8]

I don't take too many risks, but I recently fell in love with motorcycles. I bought a Ninja and I've had so much fun. Would I bring this up in an interview? Sure. Dumping my bike and injuring my ACL? Not likely. (Lesson learned. Sigh). In any case, I can't wait to get past our 6 months of New England winter so that I can ride again!

 

[willen101383]

Sure, most of us westerners have hobbies that others would find reckless. I back-country ski and hike, shoot (I'm from Idaho, we all shoot), mountain bike, high altitude cold water scuba dive (in lakes and rivers), and occasionally I'll go climbing. Some people call it reckless, we call it living. 🙂

I forgot the diving! I am a drysuiter too....havent been in too terribly cold water in a few years though. Nothing like smashing a hole in the ice first haha.

Good to see some people with similar interests!

 

[rafman]

I don't take too many risks, but I recently fell in love with motorcycles. I bought a Ninja and I've had so much fun. Would I bring this up in an interview? Sure. Dumping my bike and injuring my ACL? Not likely. (Lesson learned. Sigh). In any case, I can't wait to get past our 6 months of New England winter so that I can ride again!

I just got a Ninja 250cc last week! I'm still waiting for my first inevitable crash

 

[UpwardTrend]

One of my only hobbies is homebrewing beer. I put alot of time into it. I was wondering if this would be looked down upon. There is even some science behind it.

 

[I4GOTMYWATCHINU]

I just got a Ninja 250cc last week! I'm still waiting for my first inevitable crash

Don't worry it will happen eventually. I've crashed twice, hit a deer the first time and some dude hit me the second time. (Still waiting for insurance to set everything straight. 👎)

 

[ParacrineAgent]

One of my only hobbies is homebrewing beer. I put alot of time into it. I was wondering if this would be looked down upon. There is even some science behind it.

I would think that if you can reasonably describe the science involved, and you are of legal drinking age, you're probably fine mentioning it. I wouldn't show up at 20 years old and say you brew your own beer.


For all of the "new" motorcycle riders. You will hear this a million times, but it is true. When you are on a motorcycle, people don't see you. I have been nearly killed more times than I care to count because some soccer mom is on the phone and just abruptly changes lanes without looking or signaling. My friend bought a brand new motorcycle on a Saturday, and Monday morning someone made a left hand turn into him on a 2 lane road.

Other than that, motorcycles are absolutely amazing and enjoyable.

 

[I4GOTMYWATCHINU]

.
Other than that, motorcycles are absolutely amazing and enjoyable.

Yes indeed they are

Me at the Gap

 

[Fay8]

I just got a Ninja 250cc last week! I'm still waiting for my first inevitable crash

That's what I got a few months ago. A 2006. They are excellent bikes. My recent tumble into the pavement makes me glad I bought a used one. I can't imagine being involved in a REAL crash. I just started riding and so I'm sticking to local/rural roads until I get better at it. Plus, I go with my husband who's been riding for a while. The med school I'm interested in is located in a beautiful spot. I'm just fantasizing about riding along the coast of Maine.