World class twerker? Put it on your AMCAS! (Dbeast's #1 tip for success)

[dbeast]

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All I'm saying is that when it comes to setting yourself apart from the crowd of cookie cutter applicants, an activity that is relatively uncommon will set you apart more easily than an activity that is very common. It is very common to see Asian applicants who have studied piano or violin for 16+ years. That is a snore. It is very rare to see applicants of any race who play banjo, ukulele, harmonica or accordion. That is going to be memorable, in a good way, although not in a way that will make up for deficits in any other realm (grades & scores, clinical experience, leadership, research, altruism, etc).

Are piano players and violinists going to be admitted to medical school? Absolutely. But it is always interesting to see someone who is doing something a little different.

Also, to add to this, often times these activities are initiated and enforced by an applicant's parents at a very early age (not that it's a problem, it's just how it is... My parents did it with me and piano too), which really doesn't prove much about the applicant's own internal motivation. Work ethic? Sure. Passion? Meh. Of course there's a chance that you (rather than your parents) were the one who took the initiative in playing piano/violin and are coincidentally Asian, but there's no real way to prove this to the people reading your application.

So I agree with LizzyM. Not all hobbies are created equal, even if it is due to generalizations. I also agree with everyone else who says this process is insane.

 

[BlueLabel]

This whole process is ridiculous and it gets crazier every year. I can't wait to see what the process is like in 20 years.

I'm wary of plotting any trendline out to infinity, especially this one. Incidentally your avatar is hilarious.

 

[LuciusVorenus]

Not if you learned to play both left and right-handed, like me. Or does that make me a double douchebag?

Oh no. I've made a huge mistake.

Left handed on a right handed guitar? Are you Paul McCartney?!

I'm wary of plotting any trendline out to infinity, especially this one. Incidentally your avatar is hilarious.

Cats and hot dogs are my two favorite things in life.

 

[BlueLabel]

Cats and hot dogs are my two favorite things in life.

I mean I'm all for experimenting with unorthodox cuisine but I just can't bring myself to eat a cat. Mad respect bro

 

[alpinism]

Solid advice.

I was basically in the same boat when applying…average stats with a couple of great hooks.

FWIW we also have former olympians, college athletes, peace corps vets, and professional musicians in our class.

 

[slowthai]

All I'm saying is that when it comes to setting yourself apart from the crowd of cookie cutter applicants, an activity that is relatively uncommon will set you apart more easily than an activity that is very common. It is very common to see Asian applicants who have studied piano or violin for 16+ years. That is a snore. It is very rare to see applicants of any race who play banjo, ukulele, harmonica or accordion. That is going to be memorable, in a good way, although not in a way that will make up for deficits in any other realm (grades & scores, clinical experience, leadership, research, altruism, etc).

Are piano players and violinists going to be admitted to medical school? Absolutely. But it is always interesting to see someone who is doing something a little different.

@LizzyM, I'm starting a Christian hip hop interest club. I plan to spread awareness about the high quality music Christian hip hop artists are putting out, because the majority of people have never even heard of Christian hip hop. Honestly, most people don't think Christian and hip hop go in the same sentence. The point is, secular hip hop has a very destructive influence on the youth of today, while Christian hip hop is the exact opposite. That would definitely set me apart, right? I'm also not doing it to even be set apart. I truly love and have a passion for both Christian hip hop AND sharing it with people.

 

[Escape_Goat]

secular hip hop has a very destructive influence on the youth of today, while Christian hip hop is the exact opposite.

Please explain both points.

 

[StilgarMD]

@LizzyM, I'm starting a Christian hip hop interest club. I plan to spread awareness about the high quality music Christian hip hop artists are putting out, because the majority of people have never even heard of Christian hip hop. Honestly, most people don't think Christian and hip hop go in the same sentence. The point is, secular hip hop has a very destructive influence on the youth of today, while Christian hip hop is the exact opposite. That would definitely set me apart, right? I'm also not doing it to even be set apart. I truly love and have a passion for both Christian hip hop AND sharing it with people.

I think you're making wide sweeping generalizations about things you don't know. It would be like me saying all Christian people don't believe in evolution. Lots of main stream hip hop advocates a particular life style that may not be optimal for certain ends, but a lot of it actually delineates itself by showing the dark side of certain cultures (Kendrick Lamar, Good kid, mAAd city; Kid Cudi's Adventures of Mr. Rager). Ultimately music is a form of expression that taps multiple parts of our experiences , both conscious and otherwise, and brings people together. You calling out secular rap, just because you don't like what someone raised in a tough place has to say, is like me calling out a Christian person singing endless praise to a person he has never met and has no conclusive proof has ever done a thing for him - Both are tasteless. You do you, they'll do them.

Note: I'm actually a fan of TobyMac, but most of my songs are from "secular" artists.

 

[slowthai]

I think you're making wide sweeping generalizations about things you don't know. It would be like me saying all Christian people don't believe in evolution. Lots of main stream hip hop advocates a particular life style that may not be optimal for certain ends, but a lot of it actually delineates itself by showing the dark side of certain cultures (Kendrick Lamar, Good kid, mAAd city; Kid Cudi's Adventures of Mr. Rager). Ultimately music is a form of expression that taps multiple parts of our experiences , both conscious and otherwise, and brings people together. You calling out secular rap, just because you don't like what someone raised in a tough place has to say, is like me calling out a Christian person singing endless praise to a person he has never met and has no conclusive proof has ever done a thing for him - Both are tasteless. You do you, they'll do them.

Note: I'm actually a fan of TobyMac, but most of my songs are from "secular" artists.

Okay, but I'm talking about radio music. And I'm calling out the content, not being raised in a tough place. You can be raised in a tough place or a cushy place, and still rap the same girls, money, cars content that everyone does.

 

[slowthai]

Note: I'm actually a fan of TobyMac, but most of my songs are from "secular" artists.

And I'm not talking about people like TobyMac. I'm talking about people like this:

https://soundcloud.com/jeremiahgivens/sets/el-v-envy-1

Sorry, you gave me the opportunity, I just had to share, lol.

 

[StilgarMD]

Okay, but I'm talking about radio music. And I'm calling out the content, not being raised in a tough place. You can be raised in a tough place or a cushy place, and still rap the same girls, money, cars content that everyone does.

"secular" is a much larger label than "radio". the radio puts on what people tune into. McDonald's would sell broccoli if we would buy it. All I wanted to point out is you shouldn't generalize so readily.

Edit: I would say what you linked is more interesting lol. Ultimately you should do what you are passionate about, and med school adcoms will see your dedication.

 

[BlueLabel]

Please explain both points.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlujizeNNQM

 

[slowthai]

"secular" is a much larger label than "radio". the radio puts on what people tune into. McDonald's would sell broccoli if we would buy it. All I wanted to point out is you shouldn't generalize so readily.

Edit: I would say what you linked is more interesting lol. Ultimately you should do what you are passionate about, and med school adcoms will see your dedication.

I see your point. I should have chosen my words more wisely. And let me know if you're interested in more Christian hip hop. I'm telling you, I have several projects that I'm just ready to share, just so people can hear the quality of the music and the creativity of the artists. Forget that they are Christians. As artists in general, I can say that they have brought the quality of their music to be equal to and even surpass secular artists'. You like Kendrick Lamar, right? Listen to this dude's remake of one of his songs: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=22mIucLSJt0&desktop_uri=/watch?v=22mIucLSJt0

 

[Escape_Goat]

Left handed on a right handed guitar? Are you Paul McCartney?!

If Paul McCartney played power metal, then yes.

 

[LuciusVorenus]

Are we talking about rap now?

I don't like Eminem's new music video :|

There, I said it.

 

[BlueLabel]

Are we talking about rap now?

I don't like Eminem's new music video :|

There, I said it.

Probably better than that bizarre interview with Brent Musberger during the Michigan game last week

 

[Etyan]

How could this even be pulled off? You apply to twenty schools and you have an independent probabilistic "die roll" for each school to see if you get accepted?

This is truth!

When I spoke with UCI's director of admissions, this is exactly what she called my application. A "roll of the dice." 😳

 

[Developer]

What programming language would you say is the best to learn? I already know Python, but I feel like I don't really have the time to REALLY learn C or C++ so I was thinking Java.

Also, does anyone know of any free language learning tools? I know about Duolingo but yeah...

Java. You can write Android apps with a basic knowledge of Java and XML. I love writing mobile apps and I'm glad I picked up Java. I have a [small] monthly income from sitting and doing no work at all while my mobile apps generate revenue through ads 🙂

 

[LuciusVorenus]

Probably better than that bizarre interview with Brent Musberger during the Michigan game last week

I like to think he was joking around, but you never really know.

Java. You can write Android apps with a basic knowledge of Java and XML. I love writing mobile apps and I'm glad I picked up Java. I have a [small] monthly income from sitting and doing no work at all while my mobile apps generate revenue through ads 🙂

Ty! Java it is.

 

[Narmerguy]

While I'm sure it happens, I don't think it happens soon enough in the process. I'm not really willing to get in the particulars of at what exact point should a lotto be used, or how it would exactly work, since this isn't a serious discussion, I'm just saying that I think a lotto would be a better system than nitpicking applicants.

It's just not really practical. Pretty much every selective "achievement" suffers from this bias. They want people who can be good writers, who can craft an interesting narrative, that stand out from the crowd, etc etc. It's not really that surprising or frustrating imo because there are many ways to stand out, but we often choose not to pursue them. That's fine, no one forces us, but it's not as if we're all "entitled" to some medical school seats and therefore should become upset when people who did pursue these diverse activities are given preference.

With the exception of URM, gender, and sexual orientation, we choose the activities in our application we engage in. I concede that it is unfair that some of these activities may be constrained by our social class and material resources...but that's capitalism, my friend. Blame your parents, I guess.

 

[circulus vitios]

You know the applications process is deeply flawed when the tie-breaker between two applicants is literally their ability to do something 'unique' like play ukelele, run an triathalon, or jump through flaming hoops in the Premed Circus. What a pathetic joke.

 

[LizzyM]

@LizzyM, I'm starting a Christian hip hop interest club. I plan to spread awareness about the high quality music Christian hip hop artists are putting out, because the majority of people have never even heard of Christian hip hop. Honestly, most people don't think Christian and hip hop go in the same sentence. The point is, secular hip hop has a very destructive influence on the youth of today, while Christian hip hop is the exact opposite. That would definitely set me apart, right? I'm also not doing it to even be set apart. I truly love and have a passion for both Christian hip hop AND sharing it with people.

How about Christian twerking... those are two words most people don't thing go in the same sentence.

Whatever it is, do something you love, keep learning and growing and don't be afraid to try new things... your enthusiasm for whatever it is will shine through and that is really what adcoms are looking for: sparkle and enthusiasm and people who others want to be with.

 

[slowthai]

How about Christian twerking... those are two words most people don't thing go in the same sentence.

Whatever it is, do something you love, keep learning and growing and don't be afraid to try new things... your enthusiasm for whatever it is will shine through and that is really what adcoms are looking for: sparkle and enthusiasm and people who others want to be with.

Thanks, @LizzyM!

 

[The Bunk]

You know the applications process is deeply flawed when the tie-breaker between two applicants is literally their ability to do something 'unique' like play ukelele, run an triathalon, or jump through flaming hoops in the Premed Circus. What a pathetic joke.

It is not "literally" a tie-breaker between two unique hobbies! You are misunderstanding. This right here is what it is about:

Whatever it is, do something you love, keep learning and growing and don't be afraid to try new things... your enthusiasm for whatever it is will shine through and that is really what adcoms are looking for: sparkle and enthusiasm and people who others want to be with.

This whiny "the application process is a pathetic joke" attitude is exactly the kind of thing that adcoms won't want to see. Have some positivity about something!

 

[Dylasa]

I wrote about being a novice knitter in a secondary, and they brought it up at the interview. Turns out the school has a knitting club! Who knew?

 

[Koalafied]

You know the applications process is deeply flawed when the tie-breaker between two applicants is literally their ability to do something 'unique' like play ukelele, run an triathalon, or jump through flaming hoops in the Premed Circus. What a pathetic joke.

Hoops, jump through, circus, viteos, custom user title.... Hmm.....
[YOUTUBE]5GPuQ01FpQM[/YOUTUBE]

 

[darknight]

Hoops, jump through, circus, viteos, custom user title.... Hmm.....
[YOUTUBE]5GPuQ01FpQM[/YOUTUBE]