Video Games as EC?

[Astaodus]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Not sure if this has been asked before but, whats everyone's take on listing Video Games as an EC?

Complete no-no or so long as you can defend it?


It would seem perfect for an EC - requires dedication, teamwork, coordination, foresight etc. Plus there was an article a while back ago that said video gamers performed better on video surgery?

Only problem seems to be the societal image that gaming (and compulsive gamers) have...

 

[ChubbyChaser]

You, honestly, cant come up with anything better to put??? I guess if you ran out of other stuff you can put it, but idk how the ADCOMS will view it. THey might think it humorous that someone is actually so blunt. So i say if you have nothing else, put it

 

[SketchLazy]

Not sure if this has been asked before but, whats everyone's take on listing Video Games as an EC?

Complete no-no or so long as you can defend it?


It would seem perfect for an EC - requires dedication, teamwork, coordination, foresight etc. Plus there was an article a while back ago that said video gamers performed better on video surgery?

Only problem seems to be the societal image that gaming (and compulsive gamers) have...

It's been asked before. I think the conclusion was no. Video games don't show professionalism or maturity. They are hobbies, but definitely not ECs by themselves.

 

[greg1184]

Definitely not AMCAS worthy, but if your secondary asks you for your hobbies, you can always include it as part of a group.

 

[TheRealMD]

You knew the answer to this question before you ever pressed the "New Thread" button.

 

[nick_carraway]

Y'know, it's fine in a casual conversation like if an interviewer asks what you do in your free time. You can say that you like to play computer games with friends when you have the chance or you like to catch up on TV shows that you've missed but in a more formal document like a secondary, I'd try to sound more professional.

 

[mints of b]

Anyone remember Leisure Suit Larry?

 

[MaybeADoc]

Not sure if this has been asked before but, whats everyone's take on listing Video Games as an EC?

Complete no-no or so long as you can defend it?


It would seem perfect for an EC - requires dedication, teamwork, coordination, foresight etc. Plus there was an article a while back ago that said video gamers performed better on video surgery?

Only problem seems to be the societal image that gaming (and compulsive gamers) have...

I put it, but I also won several tournaments. So, it was a bit more than just casual gaming. I put the dedication, teamwork stuff and cited that very article. I got into medical school.

 

[bluesTank]

The Dean of Admissions of UTMB straight up told us to our face when we visited...

Do NOT put video games as an EC, unless you participate in some kind of tournaments that takes dedication and organization and shows some kind of good quality about you.

So her word probably means something

 

[Disinence2]

Save it to talk about at interview. If you have a gamer for a student interviewer then your set

 

[UCDavisdude]

on that note, should i add dancing as an EC. i love it and practice often. i probably think about it half the time im not dancing in the studio or at the gym.im afraid that the fact that im a dude, dance and from cali...may make some conservative adcoms think im gay or something. not that there is anything wrong with homosexuals, there just seem to be alot of people, especially in the south and midwest that discriminate against it.

 

[HumidBeing]

Do you really want to put things on there that you'll have to defend? EC's and hobbies/entertainment are different things.

Like others have said, if it's important to you, mention it elsewhere. It wouldn't stand out in a good way if listed as an EC. Some interviewers might be very interested in talking about it. Others would just be turned off.

 

[UCDavisdude]

yeah, video games is a big no no. i play and all, but theres just no reason to list it. its a hobby that requires no hard work, social skill, ......any other skill at all or streangth at all.

 

[LikeClockWork]

Keep in mind that members of an ADCOM may have no real notion of what Halo 3 really is or how advanced team play games can be these days. When you put "video games" down, their first thought might be Pong or Tetris, neither of which seem to say much about you. At best, someone might think it was a little odd but understand, at worst you sound like a 10 year old.

 

[brsboarder]

tell them you play that medical simulator game on the wii

 

[ladynice]

tell them your hiscore in tetris 😀

 

[Blade28]

Uh, no, don't list this.

 

[TheRealMD]

Talk about it if a student interviewer brings it up. Other than that, it's a no-no. Next question?

 

[Revenant]

Nope. Adcoms don't like honesty. Remember if it doesn't involve a leadership position or self-sacrifice it didn't happen. Didn't exist.

They want the stereotype. You better damn well give them it.

 

[mikedc813]

Not sure if this has been asked before but, whats everyone's take on listing Video Games as an EC?

Complete no-no or so long as you can defend it?


It would seem perfect for an EC - requires dedication, teamwork, coordination, foresight etc. Plus there was an article a while back ago that said video gamers performed better on video surgery?

Only problem seems to be the societal image that gaming (and compulsive gamers) have...

It's my opinion as someone VERY familiar with the admissions process that you should not include video games. Some ADCOMs might not care, but how does it help you???? It doesn't. Leave it off.

 

[Law2Doc]

Save it to talk about at interview. If you have a gamer for a student interviewer then your set

Disagree. The student interviewer might be a gamer but still feel it was foolish of you to bring up video games at a professional interview. Just like most med students enjoy having a few at a bar after exams but wouldn't think much of an interviewee who decided drinking was a good topic for his/her interview.
As said above, unless your involvement in video games related to employment (game development, marketing), or involved prizes won for tournament play, etc, leave it out.

 

[Quix]

Type of experience: Volunteer, non-clinical

Description:

Attained "Boss" level in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.
Found 100 Hidden Packages, unlocking the Apache Helicopter (Completed "Brown Thunder" mission).

This experience taught me a lot about medicine, because I completed Level 12 in the Ambulance mission, so I know about the importance of time-management when dealing with bleeding, pixelated patients.

 

[XerxesMD]

Type of experience: Volunteer, non-clinical

Description:

Attained "Boss" level in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.
Found 100 Hidden Packages, unlocking the Apache Helicopter (Completed "Brown Thunder" mission).

This experience taught me a lot about medicine, because I completed Level 12 in the Ambulance mission, so I know about the importance of time-management when dealing with bleeding, pixelated patients.

 

[xylem29]

Not sure if this has been asked before but, whats everyone's take on listing Video Games as an EC?

Complete no-no or so long as you can defend it?


It would seem perfect for an EC - requires dedication, teamwork, coordination, foresight etc. Plus there was an article a while back ago that said video gamers performed better on video surgery?

Only problem seems to be the societal image that gaming (and compulsive gamers) have...

I don't know if any interviewers or adcom members have an expansive enough mind or knowledgeable enough to take you seriously. Especially if your interviewer is in their 60s, although that's qutie narrow minded on my part.

 

[Hurricane95]

No.

 

[AKPsiMD84]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtjOXU8yMi0

 

[doomknight]

what if I play a healer in a mmorpg? It teaches me to triage, to heal the person that needs the most help, and it teaches me resource (mana/energy/bluebar) management, which is crucial as a physician, it teaches me communication, teamwork, and reflex etc.

Grinding to level up my character requires alot of dedication. Split second decisions require critical thinking.










/joke.

 

[LizzyM]

On the other hand, when I was having a needle biopsy under ultrasound guidance, I asked the the physician during a lull in the action (we were waiting for the pathologist to do his thing -- and I'm 100% A-OK, btw) if he played video games back when. He laughed & said that he did. It does help develop eye-hand coordination and thinking about 3-D while viewing 2-D.

That said, it doesn't fit well on the AMCAS unless you won prizes or organized big events related to gaming-- and that's more leadership than games, anyway.

 

[closer23]

The stereotype of a gamer in the US is still negative. Maybe once our generation is in the administrative positions that'll change, but for now an adult who spends a lot of time playing video games is going to be thought of as a bum, a loser, and/or a nerd with no social life.

 

[doomknight]

On the other hand, when I was having a needle biopsy under ultrasound guidance, I asked the the physician during a lull in the action (we were waiting for the pathologist to do his thing -- and I'm 100% A-OK, btw) if he played video games back when. He laughed & said that he did. It does help develop eye-hand coordination and thinking about 3-D while viewing 2-D.

That said, it doesn't fit well on the AMCAS unless you won prizes or organized big events related to gaming-- and that's more leadership than games, anyway.

Agreed. This is why I regret not doing the journalism part of gaming, then I would be able to put it into my app... But even though I was very good, I never actually, say, went to Europe to participate in tournaments. I have teammates who went to Germany to participate in a tournament held in conjunction with an electronic EXPO, but I couldn't go due to visa problems so the alternate teammember took my place 🙁

Then I started actually studying and started sucking at games 🙂 A good thing.

Lizzy do you think I could spin the hand eye coordination thing further? My dream is to become a surgeon, and with the innovation of robotics, I think my experiences would help, but I don't wanna risk having adcoms laugh at me and get rejected.

 

[Depakote]

Lizzy do you think I could spin the hand eye coordination thing further? My dream is to become a surgeon, and with the innovation of robotics, I think my experiences would help, but I don't wanna risk having adcoms laugh at me and get rejected.

*is not LizzyM*
I wouldn't try to use it as a tool to get you into school. Sure it might help you with your dexterity, but that isn't exactly the sort of quality schools are looking for at this point. As stated above, there are plenty of negative connotations to gaming and admissions committee members are not always young. If you list videogames as an EC and a 70+ year old physician is reviewing your app, it will probably only serve to alienate you from said committee member. You need to appeal to every member of the admissions committee, not just the ones that are the most like you.

 

[doomknight]

damn, there goes my over 3000 hours of EC

 

[Lawliet2008]

Not sure if this has been asked before but, whats everyone's take on listing Video Games as an EC?

Complete no-no or so long as you can defend it?


It would seem perfect for an EC - requires dedication, teamwork, coordination, foresight etc. Plus there was an article a while back ago that said video gamers performed better on video surgery?

Only problem seems to be the societal image that gaming (and compulsive gamers) have...

Yes, if you're applying to any of the schools I am.

 

[doomknight]

Yes, if you're applying to any of the schools I am.

btw the op is prolly accepted by now, fyi

 

[Begaster]

My sketch:

1. Videogames
2. Alcohol
3. Sluts
4. Weed


You should do the same.

 

[GoldShadow]

"Dear admissions committee:

In lieu of an MCAT score, I have provided my top 10 Tetris scores. Please marvel at my greatness."

 

[doomknight]

"Dear admissions committee:

In lieu of an MCAT score, I have provided my top 10 Tetris scores. Please marvel at my greatness."

i remember doing that in calc class in high school. Our whole class played tetris and were competing for the top score.