Travel vs Photography: which is the better EC?

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

mmmedical

New Member
Joined
Nov 18, 2024
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Currently debating on which *I'm a person outside of work/research/school* activity to include on my application. My options are:
  • Travel
    • I studied abroad for 6 weeks and backpacked for another 6 one summer. It was definitely formative and I learned a lot about other cultures and myself
    • I know traveling can come off the wrong way
    • I definitely have more travel experience and interesting stories that would be great topics of conversation for interviews (not all of it is glamorous)
    • Cool experiences to reference (learning to surf, getting lost hiking in a foreign country, etc)

  • Photography
    • more niche??
    • Have less experience and is much more of a hobby
    • I do have a photography social media account and plan on taking a class at my community college during my gap year
    • I feel like I'd have less to talk about if it was brought up in an interview

Anyone on admissions have any strong opinions on this?
 
Reading this I am reminded of Dr. Perri Klass who is a pediatrician and author. She backpacked through Europe as a very young woman and wrote about it at some point. She is a graduate of Harvard Med and now professor of Pediatrics and Journalism at NYU. While I don't know if it was the topic of her admissions application, if done well it can be memorable in a good way.
 
Top