What is the *WORST* EC one can include?

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Spinach Dip

Spinach Dip

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There has been so much discussion over the years about the BEST extracurriculars--these discussions are generally started by premeds looking to pick up a new activity which will "guarantee" their acceptance to med school.

I'd like to ask the opposite. What are some ECs which med school applicants should NEVER include in their app?

(For clarity, I am not talking about vices such as alcoholism, drug abuse, or pedophilia. I am asking about things which students can (or have previously) included in apps in an effort to impress, but which accomplished the opposite.)



I will start.

Playing video games: Whether professionally or recreationally, this apparently shows immaturity and a propensity for addiction.

Working at an animal rescue: This one comes from my own app... I used to volunteer at a nearby horse rescue because a) i like horses, and b) they needed help. However this led to frequent questions along the lines of "why not vet med?" and "so you prefer animals to people?" After I removed this from my app, these ridiculous questions ended.



Any other ECs which give the wrong impression to adcoms?
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Spinach Dip said:
There has been so much discussion over the years about the BEST extracurriculars--these discussions are generally started by premeds looking to pick up a new activity which will "guarantee" their acceptance to med school.

I'd like to ask the opposite. What are some ECs which med school applicants should NEVER include in their app?

(For clarity, I am not talking about vices such as alcoholism, drug abuse, or pedophilia. I am asking about things which students can (or have previously) included in apps in an effort to impress, but which accomplished the opposite.)



I will start.

Playing video games: Whether professionally or recreationally, this apparently shows immaturity and a propensity for addiction.

Working at an animal rescue: This one comes from my own app... I used to volunteer at a nearby horse rescue because a) i like horses, and b) they needed help. However this led to frequent questions along the lines of "why not vet med?" and "so you prefer animals to people?" After I removed this from my app, these ridiculous questions ended.



Any other ECs which give the wrong impression to adcoms?
Click to expand...

I used to run a couple of big Minecraft servers. While I certainly didn't put the word "Minecraft" on my application, I did include operating game servers and administration etc. I talked about it on the interview trail with a couple of faculty. If anything it was a positive. I wouldn't advertise it as what you are all about, but I don't think that there is as big a stigma around gaming as people think there is. I certainly don't think that it shows immaturity and 'propensity for addiction'. If you have other things on your application, it is just simply part of who you are. If you include it as a single phrase in your 'hobbies' section, it is not going to be a big deal.

As for animal stuff. One of my co-residents volunteers at the zoo every couple of weeks. He works 80 hours/week and does it. Why? Because he enjoys it. If someone asks, you just say, "because I spend my free time doing stuff that I enjoy." Anyone that doesn't understand that you can have hobbies that aren't related to medicine has issues. Again, if everything on your application screams vet med instead of med, then ya, it can be a problem, but if it is a small part, ya it might come up, but it certainly won't hurt you.
 
mimelim said:
I used to run a couple of big Minecraft servers.
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giphy.gif

I would of never thought you have played Minecraft.
 
The Buff OP said:
giphy.gif

I would of never thought you have played Minecraft.
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Why? Ridiculously entertaining 🙂. I got sick of the ****ty administration of servers, so we started a couple. Ended up paying for themselves and making a little bit on top of it. I mean heck, someone that did research with me last summer I met playing Minecraft... Not saying that that is the norm by any stretch, but it isn't all super self destructive behavior. Again, if you have other stuff going on. If you are playing WoW 6-8 hours a day, that is a different story...
 
Spinach Dip said:
There has been so much discussion over the years about the BEST extracurriculars--these discussions are generally started by premeds looking to pick up a new activity which will "guarantee" their acceptance to med school.

I'd like to ask the opposite. What are some ECs which med school applicants should NEVER include in their app?

(For clarity, I am not talking about vices such as alcoholism, drug abuse, or pedophilia. I am asking about things which students can (or have previously) included in apps in an effort to impress, but which accomplished the opposite.)



I will start.

Playing video games: Whether professionally or recreationally, this apparently shows immaturity and a propensity for addiction.

Working at an animal rescue: This one comes from my own app... I used to volunteer at a nearby horse rescue because a) i like horses, and b) they needed help. However this led to frequent questions along the lines of "why not vet med?" and "so you prefer animals to people?" After I removed this from my app, these ridiculous questions ended.



Any other ECs which give the wrong impression to adcoms?
Click to expand...

I don't agree with your second one at all. I have and still do volunteer at animal shelters and it was only brought up in a positive light during interviews.
 
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mimelim said:
Why? Ridiculously entertaining 🙂. I got sick of the ****ty administration of servers, so we started a couple. Ended up paying for themselves and making a little bit on top of it. I mean heck, someone that did research with me last summer I met playing Minecraft... Not saying that that is the norm by any stretch, but it isn't all super self destructive behavior. Again, if you have other stuff going on. If you are playing WoW 6-8 hours a day, that is a different story...
Click to expand...
I'm not saying I have play Minecraft before, but I can build some badass modern houses. 😉
 
Ugh, I also got asked why not vet med because I have animal shelter experience. Sorry I enjoy decompressing with fluffy animals. I kind of think its a little...combative for interviewers to ask, "I see you did X, why not pursue that?" I have a vet in the family, and it is not for me, thanks.

Someone mentioned putting studying as a hobby. That would be...unwise.
 
Spinach Dip said:
There has been so much discussion over the years about the BEST extracurriculars--these discussions are generally started by premeds looking to pick up a new activity which will "guarantee" their acceptance to med school.

I'd like to ask the opposite. What are some ECs which med school applicants should NEVER include in their app?

(For clarity, I am not talking about vices such as alcoholism, drug abuse, or pedophilia. I am asking about things which students can (or have previously) included in apps in an effort to impress, but which accomplished the opposite.)



I will start.

Playing video games: Whether professionally or recreationally, this apparently shows immaturity and a propensity for addiction.

Working at an animal rescue: This one comes from my own app... I used to volunteer at a nearby horse rescue because a) i like horses, and b) they needed help. However this led to frequent questions along the lines of "why not vet med?" and "so you prefer animals to people?" After I removed this from my app, these ridiculous questions ended.



Any other ECs which give the wrong impression to adcoms?
Click to expand...

I would absolutely put working at an animal rescue or with animals in general. I transport rescue dogs to foster homes and adoption homes with my mom when I'm home on breaks, and I absolutely put that in AMCAS. If an interviewer asks you why you didn't do vet based on the fact that you like animals, then they're not a good interviewer or their entire life is medicine or they just want to see what you say. Just expand on why you enjoy doing that and it'll be fine.
 
the most common one I hear of is going on a medical mission trip abroad, and doing things that one would never be allowed to do in the states.

an example would be traveling to Africa to help in a clinic, and doing things like suturing or helping beyond an acceptable scope for an unlicensed volunteer. this is extremely unethical and seen as a big red flag, meanwhile applicants include it thinking it sounds "impressive".
 
mimelim said:
Why? Ridiculously entertaining 🙂. I got sick of the ****ty administration of servers, so we started a couple. Ended up paying for themselves and making a little bit on top of it. I mean heck, someone that did research with me last summer I met playing Minecraft... Not saying that that is the norm by any stretch, but it isn't all super self destructive behavior. Again, if you have other stuff going on. If you are playing WoW 6-8 hours a day, that is a different story...
Click to expand...

This is awesome, @mimelim you are the man. Let me know the next time you're in the Midwest so we can chill over a couple of brews lol
 
Spinach Dip said:
There has been so much discussion over the years about the BEST extracurriculars--these discussions are generally started by premeds looking to pick up a new activity which will "guarantee" their acceptance to med school.

I'd like to ask the opposite. What are some ECs which med school applicants should NEVER include in their app?

(For clarity, I am not talking about vices such as alcoholism, drug abuse, or pedophilia. I am asking about things which students can (or have previously) included in apps in an effort to impress, but which accomplished the opposite.)



I will start.

Playing video games: Whether professionally or recreationally, this apparently shows immaturity and a propensity for addiction.

Working at an animal rescue: This one comes from my own app... I used to volunteer at a nearby horse rescue because a) i like horses, and b) they needed help. However this led to frequent questions along the lines of "why not vet med?" and "so you prefer animals to people?" After I removed this from my app, these ridiculous questions ended.



Any other ECs which give the wrong impression to adcoms?
Click to expand...


Putting that you like video games on your extracurricular isn't a bad thing...as long as you can somehow tie it back to your passion for the medical field. I recently talked to an admissions representative of UMich and she told me that there was a student that applied and was accepted even though he centered his personal statement around video games. How did he do it? He organized a gaming marathon and the fees that people paid to participate in this marathon all went towards the Children's Hospital. If I learned anything from my meeting with the admissions representative, it would be to incorporate what you love to do personally into what you would love to do professionally.
 
thdo8598 said:
Putting that you like video games on your extracurricular isn't a bad thing...as long as you can somehow tie it back to your passion for the medical field. I recently talked to an admissions representative of UMich and she told me that there was a student that applied and was accepted even though he centered his personal statement around video games. How did he do it? He organized a gaming marathon and the fees that people paid to participate in this marathon all went towards the Children's Hospital. If I learned anything from my meeting with the admissions representative, it would be to incorporate what you love to do personally into what you would love to do professionally.
Click to expand...
For crying out loud, you can just have activities you enjoy for their own sake too. That's what a hobby is.

If you can tie back everything you do to your passion for the medical field, you are either BSing or have an extremely unbalanced life. Now don't put binge drinking with your friends on the weekend as an AMCAS activity, but if you are passionate about something like chess and devote a significant amount of time to that hobby (maybe club membership, or competitions) then that could be a great thing for your AMCAS just by itself. And you don't have to justify it with something like "I play chess to help train my brain for the rigors of medical school"..
 
cs24 said:
For crying out loud, you can just have activities you enjoy for their own sake too. That's what a hobby is.

If you can tie back everything you do to your passion for the medical field, you are either BSing or have an extremely unbalanced life.
Click to expand...



Welcome to the game!
 
Spinach Dip said:
Welcome to the game!
Click to expand...
Huh?

If by game, you mean applying to medical school, I've been there, done that, and now interview from the other side. The point of my post is that I think people try too hard to game the system when just being themselves and being open and honest with their interviewers and applications would get them a lot farther.
 
mimelim said:
Why? Ridiculously entertaining 🙂. I got sick of the ****ty administration of servers, so we started a couple. Ended up paying for themselves and making a little bit on top of it. I mean heck, someone that did research with me last summer I met playing Minecraft... Not saying that that is the norm by any stretch, but it isn't all super self destructive behavior. Again, if you have other stuff going on. If you are playing WoW 6-8 hours a day, that is a different story...
Click to expand...
Do you think minecraft has made you a better surgeon?
 
"Selected as captain of the prison softball team for 10 consecutive years prior to parole"



But seriously, as someone mentioned above, trying to forcefully relate every EC to medicine somehow can really come across as strange. "I enjoy rock climbing because like with my schooling I am always striving to reach higher and higher points. There is the risk of falling just like with failure in school, but the rewards are so profound... reaching the summit, and being a doctor."

I'd rather hear something like "I enjoy rock climbing because once in a while I just like to go outside and climb up some rocks."
 
Doctor Bob said:
"Selected as captain of the prison softball team for 10 consecutive years prior to parole"



But seriously, as someone mentioned above, trying to forcefully relate every EC to medicine somehow can really come across as strange. "I enjoy rock climbing because like with my schooling I am always striving to reach higher and higher points. There is the risk of falling just like with failure in school, but the rewards are so profound... reaching the summit, and being a doctor."
Click to expand...

It's always so amusing to come across an app like that. Lots of eye rolling.
 
cs24 said:
What do you have against the sweet science?

and if you say CTE, you should probably add football, rugby, hockey, etc..
Click to expand...

It's not me- I box and do other martial arts. Boxing doesn't have the franchising power to brainwash Americans to look past things like CTE. =P I'd also imagine that admissions-age people were adults in the Tyson-era, which reflects poorly on the sport as a whole. Team sports are also viewed more favorably.
 
Personally, I'm OK with the animal rescue, but not if it's the only EC, or all the other rECs are one of a pre-vet student.

I strongly suggest that mission trips not be mentioned.

Ditto shadowing only specialists.

Having too few ECs.

Tons of research and no clinical or volunteer experience.




Spinach Dip said:
There has been so much discussion over the years about the BEST extracurriculars--these discussions are generally started by premeds looking to pick up a new activity which will "guarantee" their acceptance to med school.

I'd like to ask the opposite. What are some ECs which med school applicants should NEVER include in their app?

(For clarity, I am not talking about vices such as alcoholism, drug abuse, or pedophilia. I am asking about things which students can (or have previously) included in apps in an effort to impress, but which accomplished the opposite.)



I will start.

Playing video games: Whether professionally or recreationally, this apparently shows immaturity and a propensity for addiction.

Working at an animal rescue: This one comes from my own app... I used to volunteer at a nearby horse rescue because a) i like horses, and b) they needed help. However this led to frequent questions along the lines of "why not vet med?" and "so you prefer animals to people?" After I removed this from my app, these ridiculous questions ended.



Any other ECs which give the wrong impression to adcoms?
Click to expand...
 
anybody ever put NORML involvement or other anti-prohibition groups? don't know how that would be looked at

other things i wouldn't put: involvement in an anarchist collective. i wonder if food not bombs would even be to risque
 
Goro said:
Personally, I'm OK with the animal rescue, but not if it's the only EC, or all the other rECs are one of a pre-vet student.

I strongly suggest that mission trips not be mentioned.

Ditto shadowing only specialists.

Having too few ECs.

Tons of research and no clinical or volunteer experience.
Click to expand...
How would you characterize that?
 
The Helpful Aye Aye said:
It's not me- I box and do other martial arts. Boxing doesn't have the franchising power to brainwash Americans to look past things like CTE. =P I'd also imagine that admissions-age people were adults in the Tyson-era, which reflects poorly on the sport as a whole. Team sports are also viewed more favorably.
Click to expand...
Haha maybe true, but still far from the worst EC. Also, sports like boxing, wrestling, etc are technically individual, but you need to have teammates/training partners and you can spin it that way on an application regarding things like teamwork, leadership. It's not like running, where you can literally do it completely alone.
 
Doctor Bob said:
"Selected as captain of the prison softball team for 10 consecutive years prior to parole"



But seriously, as someone mentioned above, trying to forcefully relate every EC to medicine somehow can really come across as strange. "I enjoy rock climbing because like with my schooling I am always striving to reach higher and higher points. There is the risk of falling just like with failure in school, but the rewards are so profound... reaching the summit, and being a doctor."

I'd rather hear something like "I enjoy rock climbing because once in a while I just like to go outside and climb up some rocks."
Click to expand...

In that vein, one of my hobbies is women: "Because sometimes I don't want to be married to my job, like you suckas." (That would be me at the interview).
 
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