Running as an EC?

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wheres waldo

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Hi.
So I am an avid runner and have done MANY 5k's throughout college, 2 half marathons and am training for a full marathon. Can I put this on my AMCAS, or would that be incredible desperate and stupid?
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wheres waldo said:
Hi.
So I am an avid runner and have done MANY 5k's throughout college, 2 half marathons and am training for a full marathon. Can I put this on my AMCAS, or would that be incredible desperate and stupid?
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That's an excellent thing to put on AMCAS. A lot of people don't seem to realize that you should also indicate in some way that you are a living, breathing human being and not a medicine-obsessed killer robot.👍
 
i put it on mine 🙂 which marathon are you doing? i was going to do chicago this fall but i don't think i'll be here for med school.
 
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Agree with everyone above. I even wrote in my personal statement about the work that I put into training for marathons and triathlons. Schools seemed to like seeing that aspect of my application.
 
Wow, i am so happy that i can put it down. It definitely takes up a chunk of my time.

I'm doing the Grandma's marathon in Duluth on July 18. SO excited, and yet, SO much work to do still.
 
I'm guessing athletics goes under "Other"?
 
Put it on there for sure.

I put bodybuilding competitions on there.


Does it sound cocky to say I won first place in several shows on AMCAS? And should I emphasize that it was a drug tested show and that I'm steroid free? (since most people assume bodybuilders roid)
 
Alaska21 said:
Put it on there for sure.

I put bodybuilding competitions on there.


Does it sound cocky to say I won first place in several shows on AMCAS? And should I emphasize that it was a drug tested show and that I'm steroid free? (since most people assume bodybuilders roid)
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The general rule is that if you do a sport competitively or on a team, you can list it, but if you do it recreationally, it looks like filler and you shouldn't. So running or weight training per se isn't something I'd list, but being in a competition or marathon or on the varsity team, I would.
 
gujuDoc said:
There is a tab specifically for athletics. There is also a tab specifically for artistic endeavors. So no not necessarily. It is funny that they have a tab for these things but not one for shadowing. haha

It is actually called Intercollegiate athletics, the athletic category. So you can choose either other, intercollegiate athletics, or hobbies/ECs category. Pick the one that best fits your needs.
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I'm glad someone brought this up. I was thinking about this tonight. I know for sports and athletics you should only put things down if you participated on a team or marathons and things like that but what have ya'll put down for just general "hobbies"? I mean obviously I know the definition of a hobby but I'm having a hard time distinguishing between what should be put down and what would be considered "filler".
 
gujuDoc said:
How come you are not separating different athletic endeavors and lump summing them?
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Basically, because I agree with this:
The general rule is that if you do a sport competitively or on a team, you can list it, but if you do it recreationally, it looks like filler and you shouldn't. So running or weight training per se isn't something I'd list, but being in a competition or marathon or on the varsity team, I would.
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I think one entry is enough. I also don't feel like I have to use all 15 slots just because they're there. I'm probably only going to use 8 or 9.
 
What about poker dealer for the WSOP?
 
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gujuDoc said:
I would assume gambling is not an accomplishment anymore then smoking contests or drinking ones.
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How is being a CARD DEALER (not the player) for an ESPN event being a gambler?

Controlling and Being responsible for hundreds of thousands of dollars and upholding the integrity of a something, i believe, would translate well.

Since, as doctors, we will be in responsible for people and million dollar equipment and also upholding the integrity of our profession.
 
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Let's meet up on campus and I'll explain everything...:laugh:
 
First, let me say that the section is titled "Experiences" not "Accomplishments". I can recall an applicant a few years ago who listed winning money in poker tournaments on his AMCAS. Several of the men on the adcom were very impressed. Ditto the applicant who was Miss [insert country of birth here].


Using 1 of your 15 spots for hobbies is hardly "filler". It will serve to distinguish you from the 12 other applicants whose files I'll read that day.

Running marathons, paraticipating in intramural sports, or even informal pick-up games or any other "experiences" are appropriate on the AMCAS.
 
LizzyM said:
First, let me say that the section is titled "Experiences" not "Accomplishments". I can recall an applicant a few years ago who listed winning money in poker tournaments on his AMCAS. Several of the men on the adcom were very impressed. Ditto the applicant who was Miss [insert country of birth here].


Using 1 of your 15 spots for hobbies is hardly "filler". It will serve to distinguish you from the 12 other applicants whose files I'll read that day.

Running marathons, paraticipating in intramural sports, or even informal pick-up games or any other "experiences" are appropriate on the AMCAS.
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Hey LizzyM, on one of your other posts, you've said that sometimes you've seen people put "poetry, etc." on their hobbies, etc. I am an amateur poet myself, and hopeing to get some published (going to send out samples and get the ball rolling once apps/interviews are done). Should I include this?

/sorry if I hijacked this, but I couldn't find LizzyM's original post about the subject.
 
johncalvin said:
Hey LizzyM, on one of your other posts, you've said that sometimes you've seen people put "poetry, etc." on their hobbies, etc. I am an amateur poet myself, and hopeing to get some published (going to send out samples and get the ball rolling once apps/interviews are done). Should I include this?

/sorry if I hijacked this, but I couldn't find LizzyM's original post about the subject.
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I put down comic book writing. If it's a significant part of your life, I don't see why you shouldn't list it.👍
 
Hey I added a Hobbies Sections. I'm a runner too (yay running!) and I've done 2 U.S. Marathons (broke 4 hours the second time) and a bunch of 5 and 10ks. I also play classical piano and have performed for some small chamber groups while in college.

You think it's alright to lump them together like that even if they're not exactly related.
 
I'm also a marathon runner and listed it on AMCAS. The subject came up in quite a few of my interviews - several of my interviewers were also runners, so it was something to bond about. Good luck! :luck:
 
schizosquirrel said:
Hey I added a Hobbies Sections. I'm a runner too (yay running!) and I've done 2 U.S. Marathons (broke 4 hours the second time) and a bunch of 5 and 10ks. I also play classical piano and have performed for some small chamber groups while in college.

You think it's alright to lump them together like that even if they're not exactly related.
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Unless you have 14 other items that are very important, I wouldn't lump marathons and classical piano. Physical activity and artistic endeavors deserve separate spots. (if you have just one spot left, then lump but otherwise, I'd recommend splitting).

To the poets: yes, writing poetry is a fine "hobby" to list.
 
schizosquirrel said:
Hey I added a Hobbies Sections. I'm a runner too (yay running!) and I've done 2 U.S. Marathons (broke 4 hours the second time) and a bunch of 5 and 10ks. I also play classical piano and have performed for some small chamber groups while in college.

You think it's alright to lump them together like that even if they're not exactly related.
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Hey, I did this last year when I applied. The stuff I listed was pretty much just stuff I do for enjoyment too.

The purpose of the application is to separate you from other individuals; why waste it? If you have a few hobbies that are a big part of your life, make a separate "hobbies" section and list them. I don't think saying, "I enjoy brewing beer, knitting, working out, playing guitar, going on walks with my dog, etc, etc," will make any adcom look down.

Personally, for you I would list them separately, unless you are out of room. I think a hobbies section is good for listing things that aren't considered "professional" activities.
 
gujuDoc said:
Huh what does ESPN do with it? I read poker and assumed you meant like being a card dealer in a casino. for some reason I don't know how that would look cuz the stigma associated with gambling and casinos. If I'm missing something please tell me. I don't know what WSOP is either so if that has to do with ESPN.

And for the record anyone could say for any job there is a certain responsibility associated with things but some things carry stigmas like frats/sororities to a degree and things like gambling places like casinos. that's why i said what I was sayin..

I'm not sure what WSOP is and what ESPN has to do with it so further explanation would help.
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This is WSOP. It is broadcast on ESPN. I would list it...how many other applicants have that experience?
 
LizzyM said:
Unless you have 14 other items that are very important, I wouldn't lump marathons and classical piano. Physical activity and artistic endeavors deserve separate spots. (if you have just one spot left, then lump but otherwise, I'd recommend splitting).

To the poets: yes, writing poetry is a fine "hobby" to list.
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Yeah, the problem is that the other 14 spots are filled and I'd rather keep the other 14 separate, which were all more significant activities than running and piano (at least from an admissions standpoint). I just labeled the 15th spot as Hobbies (Running, Piano). Think that's alright?
 
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