So my hobbies are pretty boring, in that I watch TV in the spare time that I get. But I have a feeling this would not be the best hobby to put down on an application. Since college started, I haven't had much time to continue hobbies I had in high school. Does anyone else feel this way?
What hobbies should I list?
- Thread starter frodo25
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Always be yourself. If you think of yourself as a boring person then improve yourself.
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You sound fun
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Sports? You have to have done something other than just watch tv lol. But I feel ya
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Mind if I ask a question in this thread? My hobby is powerlifting, does this carry any negative connotations with the type of people who will be reviewing my app?
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Not at all. If it's meaningful to you, go ahead and list it. I listed a musical activity that I pursued in my own time of my own accord for no one else's benefit but my own and apparently it impressed the dean of admissions for a very good medical school enough for them to mention it to me at my interview. As long as you can talk about how it contributes to "you", you're golden.
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There are so many ways you could make powerlifting and working out in general a positive and transformative thing on an application, especially if you have a way with words.
As for OP, I'm sure there's something you do other than watching TV. Even the most insignificant thing. I included my being a writer in my spare time on my application and it was something I was asked about my whole interview through - I think it actually might have influenced my acceptance.
I actually talked about lifting and such during one of my interviews. I forgot exactly what I said, but something along the lines of "fitness is a lifelong journey like medicine". There's a couple powerlifters and a bodybuilding pro in my class too lol so it's not a bad hobby.
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I would not put watching TV as a hobby on your application.
The bolded may come across as an excuse and will not be taken lightly in medical school admission if you apply with the typical cookie cutter application.
Perhaps music, sports, travel, learn to cook? It doesn't need to be a huge time drain, just do it once a week or something.
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I had a similar problem, no exciting hobbies or special skills. I put things like traveling, hiking, cooking... I guess try to put something there, even if you're not passionate about it? Like, if you go for a jog once every three months, you could put "running"?
Definitely don't mention the lack of time for hobbies, it will seem like you don't have a good work-life balance.
Definitely don't mention the lack of time for hobbies, it will seem like you don't have a good work-life balance.
D
deleted407021
What qualifies a hobby, anyway? I practice a marital art but it's through a club at my uni even though I spend some time researching it.
I know that my musicianship will definitely qualify as I spend time doing it on my own, but I wonder if a hobby has to be independent.
I know that my musicianship will definitely qualify as I spend time doing it on my own, but I wonder if a hobby has to be independent.
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Hmm, I actually thought the opposite,"does it count if I do it from time to time on my own, and not as part of something official like a club?". Participating in a photography club somewhat legitimizes the hobby whereas doing photography on your own could mean anything, like taking pictures of your dog with your smartphone (my case).
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RTC19
I was wondering about this too.
In the same vain, if I play violin in my school's orchestra, and also play it on my own, is it redundant to list orchestra as an extracurricular and then go on to list violin as a hobby?
R
RTC19
I would think it would count towards the Awards & Honors section.
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deleted407021
Same concern here. When my app season rolls around I'll have to straighten all that stuff out, but I know I'll definitely have a few things to list as hobbies.
Lol basically Ansel AdamsHobbies should not be passive things. E.g. watching TV, movies, playing videogames etc. These are more acceptable if you make them somehow active, e.g. writing a blog. I think being a big sports fan is a bit more acceptable because there's some positive connotations (you watch with others, possibly play sports, etc...).
What do you do when you have a week off? How do you spend time with friends and family?
What do you do when you have a week off? How do you spend time with friends and family?
Nope. I put something similar, and it worked. Some people may assume it means competitively so be ready to mention that it's more of a hobby. Only put it if you're a fairly big guy or gal.
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So is it better to not list things like "watching [NFL/NBA/MLB/etc]" even if that really is a big "hobby" of yours?
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I didn't list any hobbies in my work & activities section. It's not a required entry or anything like that. Several interviewers asked me what I did for fun, so it's definitely good to have an answer prepared for that, but it doesn't need to be explicitly mentioned in your application.
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No, don't include that on your application. Sure, bring it up if someone asks, but that's really not the kind of thing you want to put on your app.
