what does it take to have life experience and not be like any other applicant?

[Dr Tony T. Chopper]

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OP is pretty condescending for someone who cant apply basic reasoning at what it means to be good at a task.

If you like art, the logical next step would be to attain some level of achievement with your art. I had a friend whose art was featured in the museum of modern art a year or so ago. You dont have to be at that level but some sort of achievement.

I had a friend who merchanted her acrylic paintings in Telori, Haiti to scrape a few pesos for a local non-profit primary school. I don't think you necessarily have to attain national recognition for a hobby to be worthwhile to mankind as a whole.

 

[ashxxch]

OP is pretty condescending for someone who cant apply basic reasoning at what it means to be good at a task.

If you like art, the logical next step would be to attain some level of achievement with your art. I had a friend whose art was featured in the museum of modern art a year or so ago. You dont have to be at that level but some sort of achievement.

I didn't know you had to be recognized for a task to be considered good at that task. That's news to me. Considering everyone else on this thread has just been telling me to do it for myself and to do it because it's a passion, it isn't a very basic reasoning now is it?

But in terms of the answer, that is what I was looking for. Ideas on achievements and what I could do with my passions. But since most people are suggesting I should do what I love, I am going to do just that.

 

[MiamiMedMan]

just have passion in what you do

 

[7331poas]

I didn't know you had to be recognized for a task to be considered good at that task. That's news to me.

Unless your plan is to start painting in front of the adcom then yes, you are going to need to be recognized for anyone to think you are good at something. Even if its just a LOR.

I don't think you necessarily have to attain national recognition for a hobby to be worthwhile to mankind as a whole.

Yep, that was the last comment of my statement.

 

[bumblebee611]

I guess it's because I believe the death penalty should be abolished, but I cannot admire anyone who participates in it.

I'm deeply opposed to the death penalty, too, but Gawande does an amazing job of giving voice to why these physicians would take on this role--it's not as simple as being pro- or anti-death penalty.

 

[Dr Tony T. Chopper]

I'm deeply opposed to the death penalty, too, but Gawande does an amazing job of giving voice to why these physicians would take on this role--it's not as simple as being pro- or anti-death penalty.

Gawande is an amazing writer!

 

[Wolf3D]

I just think it's dumb that proving your commitment to medicine is less valuable than being interested in a bunch of other things.

It isn't, being committed to medicine is by far the most important thing that adcoms must see in your UG career...Having other passions simply make you a more dynamic applicant, but by no means overshadows the former.

It's not less valuable. I feel like you're setting up a false dichotomy, as if you think you can either only be passionate about medicine or be passionate about other things, but that's not it at all. If you can't prove your commitment to medicine, then you're out. But looking at the group of applicants left after that cut, the ones who have proved their commitment to medicine and are also interesting people with diverse interests and passions are more attractive, memorable candidates.

Because there are literally tens of thousands of candidates who are at the academic level clones of each other. The median acceptee has a GPA of 3.7 and an MCAT of 31. They're ALL passionate about Medicine.

"Becoming a doctor" is just a means to end, with the end goal being employed. At the end of the day medicine is a career, it's not who you are. That, in my opinion, is why admissions look for more substance in an applicant.

Too few premeds understand that at the end of all the schooling and training, medicine is really just a job. A time- and resource-intensive one, yes, unique in many ways, yes, not for everyone, yes, but it really is just a job. You go to work, do the best you can, learn from others, then you go home and live your life with people you like. I worry when an applicant tells me their "goal in life" is to become a doctor (or any other professional for that matter). Your life goals should extend far beyond your career. When we see a premed who has no interests beyond racing to the finish to become a physician, we worry about his future well-being and happiness in a career where having something to do outside of medicine is integral to one's long-term mental health. We want you to commit to the long training path and know what you're getting into, but for the love of everything human, live your life or you'll regret it when you're a hot shot attending out of a hot shot fellowship at 32 with few friends, family, hobbies. Those guys are miserable when they go home

 

[Wolf3D]

Gawande is an amazing marketer!

Fixed that for you

 

[baratheonfire]

Too few premeds understand that at the end of all the schooling and training, medicine is really just a job. A time- and resource-intensive one, yes, unique in many ways, yes, not for everyone, yes, but it really is just a job. You go to work, do the best you can, learn from others, then you go home and live your life with people you like. I worry when an applicant tells me their "goal in life" is to become a doctor (or any other professional for that matter). Your life goals should extend far beyond your career. When we see a premed who has no interests beyond racing to the finish to become a physician, we worry about his future well-being and happiness in a career where having something to do outside of medicine is integral to one's long-term mental health. We want you to commit to the long training path and know what you're getting into, but for the love of everything human, live your life or you'll regret it when you're a hot shot attending out of a hot shot fellowship at 32 with few friends, family, hobbies. Those guys are miserable when they go home

I have fun. I have hobbies. However, I doubt that med schools really want to hear about my interests in comic books, video games, or gardening. Somehow I can't buy that "having a lot of fun" is a criteria for admission.

 

[Wolf3D]

I have fun. I have hobbies. However, I doubt that med schools really want to hear about my interests in comic books, video games, or gardening. Somehow I can't buy that "having a lot of fun" is a criteria for admission.

Oh trust me, it is. Not anywhere close to the top of the priority list, but you haven't met enough drones if you don't think we consider it. If you've done something with those hobbies though, that is always extra points because people who have a track record of accomplishing things tend to accomplish more things in the future

 

[Cotterpin]

I have fun. I have hobbies. However, I doubt that med schools really want to hear about my interests in comic books, video games, or gardening. Somehow I can't buy that "having a lot of fun" is a criteria for admission.

Can you speak passionately about any of your interests? I would think gardening at least would be something cool you could talk about.

 

[Dr Tony T. Chopper]

I wonder what attendings do for fun

 

[oOKawaiiOo]

At an interview, one of the other applicants was a professional pianist. The entire room (admissions dean included) listened with rapt attention as he talked about playing. But here's the catch: it was so interesting BECAUSE he felt real passion for what he was talking about.

+1

Just do some awesome stuff. Im asian and I love anime and cosplaying. I've been making props like swords, armor and shields out of foam and fiberglass for years.....

Oh you're one of those Asians. *****Cringe****** ......Weirdos.....

 

[Dr Tony T. Chopper]

+1



Oh you're one of those Asians. *****Cringe****** ......Weirdos.....

I think you might have mistakenly visualized me with some sort of preconceived notion of what a fan of anime ought to look like.

 

[gonnif]

Oh trust me, I am 100% confident I am unique. I was too unique I would suspect.

You are unique, just like everyone else

 

[Lawpy]

You are unique, just like everyone else

Would be awesome if "everyone else" is experienced with astronomy and aerospace engineering

 

[oOKawaiiOo]

I think you might have mistakenly visualized me with some sort of preconceived notion of what a fan of anime ought to look like.

I'm playing yo. I admire the talent and enthusiasm you guys have......

 

[familyaerospace]

You are unique, just like everyone else

You know that many gay transsexual Orthodox Jew premeds with a disability who literally had to ran away from home to go to college. Were homeless three times during college/grad school, worked full time during UG, and during graduate school did research in an area that only 10 people in the world did at the time (aerospace psychology for long duration space missions) while raising 4 kids and dealing with start-ups?

If so, would love to meet him/her as life has been hell on me and I would love to have someone else to talk to who knows what I went through!

 

[familyaerospace]

I wonder what attendings do for fun

Well my mentor plays two instruments and loves to travel abroad. And flirt with his boyfriend.

 

[Wolf3D]

You know that many gay transsexual Orthodox Jew premeds with a disability who literally had to ran away from home to go to college. Were homeless three times during college/grad school, worked full time during UG, and during graduate school did research in an area that only 10 people in the world did at the time (aerospace psychology for long duration space missions) while raising 4 kids and dealing with start-ups?

If so, would love to meet him/her as life has been hell on me and I would love to have someone else to talk to who knows what I went through!

Which sex is one attracted to as a "gay transsexual"? Your new sex or your natural sex? (serious question)

 

[gonnif]

You are unique, just like everyone else

Would be awesome if "everyone else" is experienced with astronomy and aerospace engineering

You know that many gay transsexual Orthodox Jew premeds with a disability who literally had to ran away from home to go to college. Were homeless three times during college/grad school, worked full time during UG, and during graduate school did research in an area that only 10 people in the world did at the time (aerospace psychology for long duration space missions) while raising 4 kids and dealing with start-ups?

If so, would love to meet him/her as life has been hell on me and I would love to have someone else to talk to who knows what I went through!

WHOOSH! I love how you both missed the point/joke. Everyone applicant presents a unique portrait of themselves to a committee. Some have a much more atypical story that maybe quite memorable in its singularity, but everyone has a story of nonetheless.

 

[Ad2b]

... I think you missed the whole point and don't understand my problem at all.

oh, trust me. WE get YOUR problem...😉

I think you might have mistakenly visualized me with some sort of preconceived notion of what a fan of anime ought to look like.

It's sad that people who like anime, or video games are stereotyped despite that millions play them. I play WoW at the end game level (high end raider, top 10 guild in US, druid healer to be specific, though at times, I do like my shammy better and that is very, highly unlikely, won't happen to appear on my app).

 

[gonnif]

oh, trust me. WE get YOUR problem...😉

You get my problem? But there are so many to choose from

 

[Ad2b]

You get my problem? But there are so many to choose from

Oh, @gonnif - NOT you! The OP... I copied my post wrong apparently. OP said we don't understand her problem ... I laughed for realz out loud at that.

 

[IlDestriero]

It's better to be great at 2 things than "involved" in a dozen. Follow your interests and passions wherever they lead. Your genuine interest will be clear in your essays and interviews.
It's a shame that pounding beers and picking up girls would likely be looked down upon as I probably spent more time pursuing those interests back in the day than any other. So maybe find 4 things to be involved with. 😉
Good luck. And remember, as noted above, most applicants are near academic clones and just wanting to be a physician isn't enough. That's the reality, unless you're an an academic superstar. If you're an average applicant, you really do need something to move you from the interview pile to the accept pile.

 

[New_Slang]

Heres my story, which definitely helped me get accepted. All about my unique experience:

So my senior year of college I joined this team and I learned this new skill. I went to Vegas 17 times to use it. I made hundreds of thousands of dollars counting cards. And then I had it all stolen from me, twice...

How's that for life experience? Did I dazzle you? Did I jump off the page?

 

[Psai]

That's not what I'm talking about. I get that's a meme. I was responding to what Lawper said earlier about how the default thing to say is "he." I think that's a bunch of b.s. and people should stop doing it because you have a roughly 50% chance of being wrong.

He's right you guys

 

[ashxxch]

Oh, @gonnif - NOT you! The OP... I copied my post wrong apparently. OP said we don't understand her problem ... I laughed for realz out loud at that.

that statement wasn't directed to anyone else but the person I replied to. most people did help and I really appreciate it.

 

[Ad2b]

He's right you guys GALS

Better 😛

 

[Mad Jack]

It's not just about what you've done, it's about how you come across in regard to those activities. Genuine passion and interest can go a long way toward making someone stand out in their interview and PS, but all too often people come across as cliche or uninteresting because they lack the ability to express themselves.

 

[Dr Tony T. Chopper]

I, too, know how to count cards. Almost went to Touro Nevada since it was 10mins from vegas...yeah baby Good bye student loans hello indoor pool.

Heres my story, which definitely helped me get accepted. All about my unique experience:

So my senior year of college I joined this team and I learned this new skill. I went to Vegas 17 times to use it. I made hundreds of thousands of dollars counting cards. And then I had it all stolen from me, twice...

How's that for life experience? Did I dazzle you? Did I jump off the page?

 

[familyaerospace]

Which sex is one attracted to as a "gay transsexual"? Your new sex or your natural sex? (serious question)

It goes by identified gender of the brain. AKA a female-to-male transsexual who likes men is considered gay.

 

[baratheonfire]

It goes by identified gender of the brain. AKA a female-to-male transsexual who likes men is considered gay.

is there no limit to what people will stoop to

 

[familyaerospace]

is there no limit to what people will stoop to

I really hope you are joking because if you not, I feel bad for you and your future patients. Transsexualism is now being considered a form of being intersexed.

 

[robin911]

is there no limit to what people will stoop to

 

[baratheonfire]

I really hope you are joking because if you not, I feel bad for you and your future patients. Transsexualism is now being considered a form of being intersexed.

Well I was kind of joking but I also thought you were joking

 

[familyaerospace]

Well I was kind of joking but I also thought you were joking

Given that I am incredibly well known on this forum for being transsexual and am in fact "professionally" transsexual having given lectures in the past to medical students about my experiences, I can assure you I am not joking. Goro in fact wants me to write a book.

No one in their right mind would joke about what I went through... losing my family, most of my friends, being threatened almost every day of my life, being kicked out of multiple places and living on the streets from time to time, being denied jobs at every opportunity once I transitioned, losing custody of my baby because I was trans, and not to mentioning having so many friends die due to medical mistreatment.

That is why I got into medicine.

I watched friends die because they were also transsexual. Insult me, nearly kill me, that is one thing and trust me the doctors nearly did. But do it to my friends and that you get to see a side of familyaerospace that you never want to see. My anger was so livid that I overcame a medical phobia where I could not even say the word hospital (that bad), to getting 350+ medical volunteering and 400+ hours shadowing, do all pre-requisites (I had already graduated), 3 MCAT runs, and 4 application cycles to get accepted.

So no, not joking in the least.

 

[Squamous Eddie]

Somehow, I doubt anyone would think my passion for competitive Super Smash Brothers is worth writing about... Lol. I'm a pretty big gamer; if I wasn't busy TA'ing, shadowing, in lab, or studying, I play video games or watch Netflix with my girlfriend or whatever. Or hang out with friends... while playing video games. But I left all traces of that out of my applications.

For all people say to "be ourselves", there's a lot of stuff you need to trim to make yourself presentable. Gaming in general I feel gets a bad rep as being for introverted shut-ins. Woe on you if your hobbies aren't artistic endeavors or whatever. 🙄

I think it's getting a little ridiculous, tbh. College is hard. Life as a pre-med is hard. Some of us just didn't have time for pursuing our passions when we're swamped with studying, while having to shadow, volunteer, do community service, research, and sometimes jobs. But then you get dinged as being one-dimensional. You can't win!

 

[Lucca]

Somehow, I doubt anyone would think my passion for competitive Super Smash Brothers is worth writing about... Lol. I'm a pretty big gamer; if I wasn't busy TA'ing, shadowing, in lab, or studying, I play video games or watch Netflix with my girlfriend or whatever. Or hang out with friends... while playing video games. But I left all traces of that out of my applications.

For all people say to "be ourselves", there's a lot of stuff you need to trim to make yourself presentable. Gaming in general I feel gets a bad rep as being for introverted shut-ins. Woe on you if your hobbies aren't artistic endeavors or whatever. 🙄

I think it's getting a little ridiculous, tbh. College is hard. Life as a pre-med is hard. Some of us just didn't have time for pursuing our passions when we're swamped with studying, while having to shadow, volunteer, do community service, research, and sometimes jobs. But then you get dinged as being one-dimensional. You can't win!

College is hard and stuff but it is not *that* hard. Unless you have a 40 hr/wk job, you probably do have enough time. I spend 10-20 hrs/wk in the lab, volunteer weekly, am very involved in an organization and I still have time at the end of the day to do other stuff including playing video games and watching anime and reading, all of which I enjoy very much. You might be doing too much if you are actually pulling 100hr weeks.

 

[familyaerospace]

For all people say to "be ourselves", there's a lot of stuff you need to trim to make yourself presentable. Gaming in general I feel gets a bad rep as being for introverted shut-ins. Woe on you if your hobbies aren't artistic endeavors or whatever. 🙄

I was asked a lot about video games in some of my interviews despite the fact it was not on my application and I didn't play any. By the time my forth cycle rolled around, I said I enjoyed playing Star Trek Online in my interviews. I think I just look like a gamer! And I used to be... back when I was in high school and before I was epileptic. 🙂

 

[Lysinee]

My PS was unique when I applied.

I become interested in medicine as a college freshman after reading all these wonderful threads on SDN. This sparked my interest in taking premed courses. SDN, you the real MVP.