Weight loss as extracurricular?

[ThizzleWash]

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This is a two part question. First, would it benefit my application to list drastic weight loss as an extracurricular activity? To give you some background on my situation, I was overweight for pretty much my entire life. About three years ago, early into my junior year of college, I decided to do something about it. I completely changed my lifestyle and the way I ate; it was a huge commitment. I ended up losing about 65 pounds and went from a BMI of 32 to a BMI of 23, and I’ve kept it off over a year now. I did it with discipline, proper diet and exercise. Would it be worthwhile to mention this in my app?

Second, if it is worth mentioning, would I be able to add it even though I already submitted my AMCAS (going through the verification process now)? I made no mention of it in my PS (it was hard enough staying under 5300 characters).

 

[amph119]

You cannot edit your AMCAS, so determining whether or not to put it as an EC is a moot point. However, this is GREAT GREAT secondary essay material. You can use it from the angle of answering an essay about a great accomplishment you have done, one that asks you about your best qualities (you can mention discipline and mental toughness I guess), or many other essays.

 

[BlueElmo]

Yeah, I think it would be great to include that on questions like "Explain any non-academic challenge that you overcame" or couple other similar questions in the secondaries.

 

[alibai3ah]

Agree with the post above, it makes much more sense for secondary, it's a good thing u didn't put it in the primary EC section. This is a perfect answer to "greatest challenge" or "biggest accomplishment"....so on.

 

[Blesbok]

Like others have said, this is good stuff for secondaries.

I do good at hard stuff....I lose weight

Dress it up a little and you have a one page essay right there.

 

[Mattabet]

This is a two part question. First, would it benefit my application to list drastic weight loss as an extracurricular activity?

No. A thousand times no. Congratulations to you; it's great that you lost the weight, but maintaining one's health is not an extracurricular.

👍 +1 to Elmo though, this is good fodder for a 'challenge' secondary essay, as I'm sure it was a challenge to completely change your diet/exercise habits around.

 

[Zoom-Zoom]

Yeah I was tempted to use my "quit smoking" as an ec but these types of things are a double-edged sword: showing that you overcame it demands that you confess you had a problem to begin with. I'd agree that it's noteworthy for secondary purposes though, as it might answer some of those "have you ever been challenged" or "what's one thing you are particularly proud of" etc. I wouldn't nail home the fact that it shows you care about health as this will be implied.

 

[turkeyjerky]

Wow, I have to laugh at the utter ridiculousness of listing weight loss as an EC on an application. Lol. Man o man, you kids are something else these days.


What's next? When asked about any special talents, someone says that they're really good at swatting flies with their hands?

 

[CoolWhipp]

Wow, I have to laugh at the utter ridiculousness of listing weight loss as an EC on an application. Lol. Man o man, you kids are something else these days.


What's next? When asked about any special talents, someone says that they're really good at swatting flies with their hands?

I agree. Maintaining one's health shouldn't be an extracurricular, it should be a part of everyone's lifestyle. Not to belittle your accomplishment, I personally know how hard it is to do what you have done 👍.

 

[riceman04]

This is a two part question. First, would it benefit my application to list drastic weight loss as an extracurricular activity? To give you some background on my situation, I was overweight for pretty much my entire life. About three years ago, early into my junior year of college, I decided to do something about it. I completely changed my lifestyle and the way I ate; it was a huge commitment. I ended up losing about 65 pounds and went from a BMI of 32 to a BMI of 23, and I’ve kept it off over a year now. I did it with discipline, proper diet and exercise. Would it be worthwhile to mention this in my app?

Second, if it is worth mentioning, would I be able to add it even though I already submitted my AMCAS (going through the verification process now)? I made no mention of it in my PS (it was hard enough staying under 5300 characters).

Definitely save for secondary essays. I wrote about the same thing...for a challenge I overcame (115 pounds and counting...w/o any outside intervention). Some interviewers said they were inspired by my ability to have such dedication and went as far as to say they would definitely work their hardest to see that I was accepted to their school because of it.


Congrats...that is really really awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 👍👍

😀

 

[mdeast]

Yeah, save it for the secondaries. I wrote about this exact same thing, just as long as you can back it up with real achievements. The average weight of my entire extended family is probably something over 200 lbs...which is a lot considering we're all relatively short. I weigh 130 and have completed 3 marathons.

 

[DrMattOglesby]

congratulations on losing your weight AND keeping it off!
that does take hard work and discipline. i understand why you'd feel proud enough to want to list it as an EC 🙂

 

[FuturaDocta]

That would be an amazing secondary essay, if anything! It would be nice if they brought it up at the interviews. 🙂

 

[runx]

I agree with general consensus - don't list as EC, but bring up in other form. Let them regard it as an EC if they want. As everyone here probably knows, obesity is a huge problem in the US and it couldn't hurt to demonstrate that you have first hand experience with how to properly deal with it.

Taking on a "I am mortal" approach to application could work towards your advantage. With so much competition, I would even say that its key for many applicants. I had some blemishes on my app but it was my sense that I almost gained an edge with my interviewers by showing that I know how to recognize and deal with problems when they inevitably arise.

GL 👍

 

[Blahblahologist]

I'll concur. Not suitable for EC's, but fine for secondaries if it fits the topic.

 

[witness23]

do you run, play sports, compete, lift weights, intramural?

if yes, you may characterize a hobby and add your accomplishment as a description

 

[amph119]

The OP already submitted their AMCAS, so regardless of the (in)appropriateness of making it an EC, he or she cannot add it anyway.

Definitely, definitely secondary essay material, though.

 

[ThizzleWash]

Thanks for the input/advise/kind words everyone. 🙂 Congratulations to those of you who mentioned you also changed your lives for the better. 👍

I guess I know what I'll be writing about in my secondaries!

 

[teenmachinery1]

This is a two part question.

first part = no.
second part = no.

😴