What could pass and be beneficial as an EC/Activity for the AMCAS

[Schrdngrs Ct]

*I am aware some threads (last post in 08') on this topic exist but I'm looking for more of an up-to-date response.

So I do know all the typical things such as research, comm service, shadowing are all good EC/Activity to include in the AMCAS but what about personal hobbies/activities that take up signficant time, such as: Bikram yoga 7.5-hrs/wk and swimming 9-hrs/wk (club/masters).

Obviously, these are prioritized last to working 64-72-hrs/wk and total volunteering/shadowing of 13-hrs/wk. My reason for even considering to add something obscure like yoga/swim is to show a balance and not look like I'm some crazed anti-social pre-med applicant.

Any feedback is appreciated-

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[exptherainbow]

I would talk about Yoga in your interview if it comes up, but I wouldn't mention it on AMCAS unless you teach yoga to impoverished inner city children or something... saying you go to yoga class is kind of like saying you go for a jog every morning. Exercise is something that is recommended for all humans. As for swimming - if you swim competitively or have a leadership position on the team I would mention that.

 

[jellybean13]

Don't do anything you do not actually truly enjoy, it will be pretty obvious in your essays/interviews. I have a couple eccentric ECs (racing homing pigeons and writing for a tech magazine) but I absolutely love them both.

Just focus on whatever you have fun doing (or need to do, like working)!

 

[slatermd]

*I am aware some threads (last post in 08') on this topic exist but I'm looking for more of an up-to-date response.

So I do know all the typical things such as research, comm service, shadowing are all good EC/Activity to include in the AMCAS but what about personal hobbies/activities that take up signficant time, such as: Bikram yoga 7.5-hrs/wk and swimming 9-hrs/wk (club/masters).

Obviously, these are prioritized last to working 64-72-hrs/wk and total volunteering/shadowing of 13-hrs/wk. My reason for even considering to add something obscure like yoga/swim is to show a balance and not look like I'm some crazed anti-social pre-med applicant.

Any feedback is appreciated-

You read M.D.O.D.?

If you get an interview, they will ask you what you do for fun, or with your spare time. IMO this is a better time to talk about exercise.

Now, I am not an adcom and don't know what the hell I am talking about, but I seriously doubt that including/excluding yoga and swimming will be the deciding factor in whether or not you get an interview.

Also, if you put something like Swimming: 9 hours/week you might come across as more neurotic, not less. If you want to list it as an activity, I would just state that you participate in a master's swimming program.

 

[Schrdngrs Ct]

Nice! thanks for the rapid replies!

@jellybean13 I do definitely enjoy these activities and was why I spend a good amount of time/wk. 🙂

@exptherainbow But I do see what you guys are getting at with it may be better as a discussion in an interview. The masters swim I kind of felt like would be like a college intramural ordeal since its part of the University of Washington club sports, but the yoga is just private and I just really enjoy starting my day off with it.

@medzealot good point, I didn't think of the negatives of having one too many things lol.

Thanks ppl!

 

[Malice]

Endurance masturbater - 20 hours a week (~10 hrs/week offseason).
Personal Record: 4.27 hours w/o supplements

 

[Good Solonius]

Only few attain the title of champion. Those that do should not shy away from listing such on application.

-Good Solonius

 

[movax]

Endurance masturbater - 20 hours a week (~10 hrs/week offseason).
Personal Record: 4.27 hours w/o supplements

Nice.

@OP: I think what you put on your ECs should come "naturally". I occupy my spare time with a lot of various (and seemingly random) things, but I am passionate about them and they're good material for ECs. (example one: I'm the chief engineer for a laser light opera, and build multi-watt lasers for musical accompaniment of various bands/acts. It's goofy and kind of weird, but it's an honest-to-goodness extra activity of mine that I really love. I think it fits 'Art' pretty well on AMCAS EC).

 

[Schrdngrs Ct]

@malice lol what others think of your post is why I'm asking this question. Would the adcom feel like I'm just listing like things like "professional air breather 24-hrs/day"

Nice.

@OP: I think what you put on your ECs should come "naturally". I occupy my spare time with a lot of various (and seemingly random) things, but I am passionate about them and they're good material for ECs. (example one: I'm the chief engineer for a laser light opera, and build multi-watt lasers for musical accompaniment of various bands/acts. It's goofy and kind of weird, but it's an honest-to-goodness extra activity of mine that I really love. I think it fits 'Art' pretty well on AMCAS EC).

Lol buddy, this EC e.g. of yours is like >>>>>>>> over my swimming. But I do get where you're coming from. I plan on including one sports EC since I am passionate about managing good health and it does blend with the rest of my app. Thanks! 👍

 

[movax]

@malice lol what others think of your post is why I'm asking this question. Would the adcom feel like I'm just listing like things like "professional air breather 24-hrs/day"

They'll feel this way if you have to stretch to find 15 activities. If you are anything resembling a driven, passionate, college-aged person, this should pose no problem to you. At least a few of the ECs are the same for 95% of applicants - employment, clinical experiences, shadowing, etc.

Lol buddy, this EC e.g. of yours is like >>>>>>>> over my swimming. But I do get where you're coming from. I plan on including one sports EC since I am passionate about managing good health and it does blend with the rest of my app. Thanks! 👍

Thanks! Don't feel bad about your sports EC though; it's a very, very minor thing in the grand scheme of things, but it helps show that you don't just live and breath for the grades and school, and that you care about maintaining physical discipline and health.