Videogames on AMCAS Application/Interview Questions

Discover Your Odds of Getting into Medical School
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
OrganicChemist7

OrganicChemist7

SN2 - Size Does Matter
10+ Year Member
Joined
Mar 1, 2011
Messages
46
Reaction score
0
So I tried searching this and didn't get much lol.

Where does everyone stand on putting that you play videogames as a hobby for AMCAS/Interview Questions.

I obviously wasn't going to write an entire thing, but simply mention in the AMCAS that I play xbox (COD, etc.)

Good or no? My premed advisor seems to think that I should leave it off :laugh:

But I really just love my COD :meanie:

-J
Members don't see this ad.
 
OrganicChemist7 said:
So I tried searching this and didn't get much lol.

Where does everyone stand on putting that you play videogames as a hobby for AMCAS/Interview Questions.

I obviously wasn't going to write an entire thing, but simply mention in the AMCAS that I play xbox (COD, etc.)

Good or no? My premed advisor seems to think that I should leave it off :laugh:

But I really just love my COD :meanie:

-J
Click to expand...

Keep it to yourself. It doesn't really further your application; it's probably pretty unlikely that the people interviewing you have time for them. That being said, I play video games too--I just didn't list them as a hobby.
 
Members don't see this ad :)
Leave it off. Just show them your bitchin' laparoscopic skills a few years down the line. 😉

That said, if an interviewer asked me what I liked to do in my spare time, I did say gaming as one of my hobbies.
 
Last edited:
TBH, I might have included video games. I had one work/activities box for hobbies, and I put several activities - martial arts, puzzles, and I think I did put games. I'd have to check my AMCAS copy.
 
Geekchick921 said:
Leave it off. Just show them your bitchin' laparoscopic skills a few years down the line. 😉

That said, if an interviewer asked me what I liked to do in my spare time, I did say gaming as one of my hobbies.
Click to expand...

It's best to be as specific as possible: "pwning n00bs"
 
Just pray you don't run into some Halo fan boys/girls.
 
I've made a little bit of money off of video game tournaments, but I still don't plan on listing gaming as a hobby. Most people see it as a hobby for lazy individuals that promotes being overweight.
 
Members don't see this ad :)
mauberley said:
It's best to be as specific as possible: "pwning n00bs"
Click to expand...

This. Just tell them that you've prestiged on Black Ops fifteen times and roll with a pink clan tag, just to scare people.

I listed computers as a hobby, but thats because I build them and do a bit of coding in my spare time. I play video games, but I figured the computer building was enough information. I got asked quite a bit about that.
 
double-facepalm.jpg
 
So let's say you win a big MLG tournament for Starcraft 2 or COD or Halo or whatever, and you're a world famous gamer.

THEN do you list video games as an activity? hmmmm...
 
Prateek said:
So let's say you win a big MLG tournament for Starcraft 2 or COD or Halo or whatever, and you're a world famous gamer.

THEN do you list video games as an activity? hmmmm...
Click to expand...

Yes.

Fear the flaming helmet.
 
I listed video games under hobbies for my app. Why not? We can't always be out there being the perfect llittle premed students. Just make sure that it's not your only hobby. Then it will look bad.
 
I rather thought that was the purpose of the hobbies section- just to show that you're well-rounded, not just all science-y, EC-y, pre-med-y.

And if that's a mistake and that's the most glaring part of my app, then 👍👍
 
I listed it.
I had a "Hobbies and Interests" section and this is one of my hobbies/interests, so I saw no point in not listing it. It's not like were talking about listing "clubbing baby seals". :shrug:
 
I don't think it's a good idea. You Have to consider your audience. Some adcomms are full of older white dudes who aren't going to appreciate your hobby (and may be off put by it).
 
Venom5 said:
Me: ..........and I also enjoy playing Call of Duty 4 Online.

Interviewer: Wow really? I play too!! How good are you at it?

Me: I'm pretty good...It's easy! All I do is sit in one spot with my machine gun with a silencer and use my grenade launcher to annoy the other team.

Interviewer: *stares* This interview is over.
Click to expand...

:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:

Gotta love those campers!

Let the discussion continue! 😛
 
Last edited:
alwaysaangel said:
I don't think it's a good idea. You Have to consider your audience. Some adcomms are full of older white dudes who aren't going to appreciate your hobby (and may be off put by it).
Click to expand...

This is the hardest game I have ever played.

51StlHFz0CL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
 
OrganicChemist7 said:
:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:

Gotta love those campers!

But no seriously, I was just going to mention it along with hiking, cooking, weight lifting, and the like. It is a big part of who I am and I feel it should be included. Let the discussion continue! 😛

-J
Click to expand...

You will likely be asked, "So, what do you like to do in your spare time/for fun?" by a student interviewer and/or adcom interviewer. You can mention it then.

Honestly, I considered putting running MMO groups on my app, but I decided against it, even though recently some fields are starting to consider that valid leadership experience. Other people have put winning gaming championships on their app, or organizing LAN parties or whatever, but really, if it's just that you like to play, just bring it up at interview day if you're asked like I mentioned above.
 
Venom5 said:
Me: ..........and I also enjoy playing Call of Duty 4 Online.

Interviewer: Wow really? I play too!! How good are you at it?

Me: I'm pretty good...It's easy! All I do is sit in one spot with my machine gun with a silencer and use my grenade launcher to annoy the other team.

Interviewer: *stares* This interview is over.
Click to expand...

Rookie mistake... never admit to trolling.
 
craps said:
One day, when there's an infestation of parasitic flaming heart spiders, you will be ready.
Click to expand...

Only if I can stand really far away from the screen so my movements are smoother.
 
Don't forget to add sleeping and eating as activities!
 
Well you could mention how your hand-eye coordination and dexterity have greatly increased from video games :laugh:. If asked, one unique thing about me was that I was offered a sponsorship to play halo 2 when i was 16. lol.
 
I can't imagine listing video games as a hobbie.... unless some of you have the most AWESOME minecraft landscapes or something. Seems pretty pointless, and tells ADCOMs that you are good at wasting your time.

NOW, if you love video games and are actually involved with video game developing (or have done it in the past)... as well as maybe having other nerdy hobbies (I would imagine), like building computers, tinkering with electronics, ect. That's what I call a hobbie worth mentioning. Video games alone = blah.
 
This is silly. Make sure to list TV shows you watch, video games you play, message boards, and facebook time. Or hanging out with friends. Going out to bars.

If you developed video games, yes, list it. If you get payed for playing video games, list it. If you're playing video games for fun like 99% of people, then no...
 
Are you f'king serious? This has to be a troll post, right?
 
In every thread someone is called a troll. Troll witch hunt. Save your post and add something to the thread or just press "Back"
 
rossbossss said:
In every thread someone is called a troll. Troll witch hunt. Save your post and add something to the thread or just press "Back"
Click to expand...

I suspect most people are just bored while waiting for secondaries.
 
if they require a picture, make sure you send your best ComiCon shot, or perhaps one from a Magic the Gathering competition
 
iirc, there is a famous dota player currently at Duke's med school. Must be an m2 or m3 by now.

I have no idea whether he put video games on his primary app or not. Regardless, his situation was far more interesting and more worthy of being mentioned on a primary app since he was sponsored, won several tournaments, and his sponsor flew him to european countries several times for LAN events.

Since it was just a hobby for me, I was terrified of my likely middle-aged app screener thinking that I was just like their own kid, whom they probably wish would waste a lot less time on video games. I never seriously considered including video games on my app even though I spent more hours on them than volunteering or research :laugh:
 
Suncrusher said:
iirc, there is a famous dota player currently at Duke's med school. Must be an m2 or m3 by now.

I have no idea whether he put video games on his primary app or not. Regardless, his situation was far more interesting and more worthy of being mentioned on a primary app since he was sponsored, won several tournaments, and his sponsor flew him to european countries several times for LAN events.

Since it was just a hobby for me, I was terrified of my likely middle-aged app screener thinking that I was just like their own kid, whom they probably wish would waste a lot less time on video games. I never seriously considered including video games on my app even though I spent more hours on them than volunteering or research :laugh:
Click to expand...

There are... sponsors for this sort of thing? 😕
 
NickNaylor said:
There are... sponsors for this sort of thing? 😕
Click to expand...

The best players can actually bring home quite a bit of money.

Suncrusher said:
Since it was just a hobby for me, I was terrified of my likely middle-aged app screener thinking that I was just like their own kid, whom they probably wish would waste a lot less time on video games. I never seriously considered including video games on my app even though I spent more hours on them than volunteering or research :laugh:
Click to expand...

You speak the truth.
 
Geekchick921 said:
Leave it off. Just show them your bitchin' laparoscopic skills a few years down the line. 😉

That said, if an interviewer asked me what I liked to do in my spare time, I did say gaming as one of my hobbies.
Click to expand...
For the last year I thought you had listed it, Geekchick. I am disappointed to hear otherwise:
Geekchick921 said:
About two years ago, LizzyM told me that my leadership experience in the MMORPG I have played for the last 5 years is legit. Cool!

I have found other things online that support that notion, too!

http://www-935.ibm.com/services/us/gbs/bus/pdf/g510-6611-00-leadership.pdf
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.04/learn.html
http://www.nickyee.com/daedalus/archives/000338.php
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

L
Leaving Anticipated Event on AMCAS Application
Replies
0
Views
448
laptopcelsius
L
chilly_md
  • Sticky
*~*~*~* Official AMCAS Questions Thread 2025-2026 *~*~*~*
Replies
34
Views
989
beepbeepboopbop02
B
E
Putting relationship on application?
Replies
4
Views
376
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
M
AMCAS FAP Question/What do you miss out on when you don’t apply traditionally through AMCAS?
Replies
3
Views
209
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
2025-2026 AMCAS Applicant Guide
Replies
1
Views
654
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
Top