What kind of hobbies would be suitable for AMCAS?

[premeddestiny]

Would it be something you’re passionate about?

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[catmullclark]

Yeah. If you're passionate, write about it. Someone on this forum wrote about fantasy football, a friend of mine about gaming, and I wrote about creative hobbies. We all have interviews, so it seems like none of these topics were 'red flags'. As long as you explain why they're meaningful to you, you'll be fine.

 

[Med Ed]

Would it be something you’re passionate about?

No, just a few things you dabbled in and dropped.

 

[Chromium Surfer]

No, just a few things you dabbled in and dropped.

sarcasm? lol

 

[infectiousdisease101]

Anything that you are really interested in, talk about it. Just be sure to tweak it in a way to show the hobby added to your capabilities of being a doctor.

For example:
Cooking --> Independent from parents
Video games --> attentive to detail.

As a matter of fact, there is a study that shows those who play video games are more detail orientated than those who are not.

I created a rule I call "The 3 Rule", meaning no more than 3 things because you only have 15. So no more than 3 clinical experience, shadowing, research-related (poster presentations, published papers), etc. If you still have not filled up the 15 experiences, then you can break the "3 rule". Again, this is my personal rule.

 

[BombsAway]

I used one block to list a bunch (7 or 9) of hobbies. Basically just to say: I do these fun things to avoid burnout (also i'm not a robot). Bonus points if one of your hobbies aligns with a reviewer or interviewer's interests. There's a burnout question at every interview. There's usually a "what are you passionate about outside of school/medicine" question as well.

It may come across as immature if you write at length about how cooking your own meals has provided the independent living skills to serve as a physician... But you do you.

 

[pewpew95]

I wrote about how I picked up weight lifting and how it helped me in my productivity and time management

 

[Med Ed]

sarcasm? lol

I just appreciate the honesty.

“Guitar. 2 hours. I took a lesson, tried practicing for awhile, found it really difficult and frustrating, so I quit.”

 

[LizzyM]

Would it be something you’re passionate about?

Yes, unless your passion is pole dancing.... then again, that might get you a "highly recommend for interview" from some reviewers. 😉

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I used one block to list a bunch (7 or 9) of hobbies. Basically just to say: I do these fun things to avoid burnout (also i'm not a robot). Bonus points if one of your hobbies aligns with a reviewer or interviewer's interests. There's a burnout question at every interview. There's usually a "what are you passionate about outside of school/medicine" question as well.

It may come across as immature if you write at length about how cooking your own meals has provided the independent living skills to serve as a physician... But you do you.

You can write at length about a hobby/artistic endeavor that actually does mean something to you. Not everything on your primary has to be directly related to what an amazing physician you'll be. The point of listing hobbies and artistic endeavors is to let the adcoms know that you've got interests outside of academics that make you a person they'd like to meet.

 

[Gilakend]

I just appreciate the honesty.

“Guitar. 2 hours. I took a lesson, tried practicing for awhile, found it really difficult and frustrating, so I quit.”

SGU would understand that he simply could not focus on it because it wasn't related to being a physician and admit on the spot.

 

[TelemarketingEnigma]

Please don't do this. It is okay - even desirable - to have hobbies outside of medicine that are not directly related to your desire to be a doctor.

So you mean I shouldn't have written about how my circus-related hobbies will help me in medicine because all doctors are clowns and so I'll fit right in?

Whoops.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

So you mean I shouldn't have written about how my circus-related hobbies will help me in medicine because all doctors are clowns and so I'll fit right in?

Whoops.

You should have written about how your circus-related hobbies helped you prepare for that physics passage on the MCAT about clowns being fired out of cannons. Rookie mistake.

 

[BombsAway]

You can write at length about a hobby/artistic endeavor that actually does mean something to you. Not everything on your primary has to be directly related to what an amazing physician you'll be.

Yes, i'm aware. I've (successfully) applied to medical school. I'm saying you can list rock climbing, skiing, paragliding, photography, and guitar all under one "hobbies" block and accomplish the desired outcome. Of course, if you want to write a most-meaningful essay about how your wood-shop brings all the boys to the yard... go for it. You'll accomplish the same result.

The point of listing hobbies and artistic endeavors is to let the adcoms know that you've got interests outside of academics that make you a person they'd like to meet.

I agree. See: "i'm not a robot".

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Yes, i'm aware. I've (successfully) applied to medical school. I'm saying you can list rock climbing, skiing, paragliding, photography, and guitar all under one "hobbies" block and accomplish the desired outcome. Of course, if you want to write a most-meaningful essay about how your wood-shop brings all the boys to the yard... go for it. You'll accomplish the same result.

My wood shop actually does bring the boys to the yard. Congrats on your success!

I agree. See: "i'm not a robot".

Come to think of it, I've never seen you eat. Take a bite of this apple.

 

[Goro]

Would it be something you’re passionate about?

Yes