Would Bodybuilding help you get in at all?

[229141]

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So a big part of my life the past few years has been bodybuilding. I am thinking about writing about it in my statement since I've competed in 4 drug tested shows and I don't think too many other pre meds do it competitively (in fact a lot of the pre meds here are out of shape etc)

I am going to mainly say how it takes a lot of dedication and work ethic; also discussing how theres a huge amount of science and nutrition involved (I even got into research because of BB'ing). I am hoping they will see it as a positive thing...especially since I've been able to maintain a 4.0 so far while competing.

 

[JeetKuneDo]

So a big part of my life the past few years has been bodybuilding. I am thinking about writing about it in my statement since I've competed in 4 drug tested shows and I don't think too many other pre meds do it competitively (in fact a lot of the pre meds here are out of shape etc)

I am going to mainly say how it takes a lot of dedication and work ethic; also discussing how theres a huge amount of science and nutrition involved (I even got into research because of BB'ing). I am hoping they will see it as a positive thing...especially since I've been able to maintain a 4.0 so far while competing.

If you put a lot of time into it, it'd be a great EC to tell them about. If you have the typical research and volunteering/shadowing, then anything activity after shows that you're a very well rounded applicant.

As far as a lot of pre meds are out of shape... it's true, I'm one of them 🙁

 

[GoSpursGo]

I'm not sure that I'd write about it as your personal statement, but definitely include it as a major EC. I've had my big hobbies (taekwondo and singing) brought up in a lot of my interviews.

Of course, I'm not you, so if you can make bodybuilding work as your PS, it'll definitely make you stick out. Good luck either way.

 

[229141]

If you put a lot of time into it, it'd be a great EC to tell them about. If you have the typical research and volunteering/shadowing, then anything activity after shows that you're a very well rounded applicant.

As far as a lot of pre meds are out of shape... it's true, I'm one of them 🙁

Yeah definitely- I have the research/clinical/gpa, and hopefully MCAT after this year. My mentality is that unique EC's like that can really help you stand out and maybe show that you can balance your time. Thanks for the input!

 

[229141]

I'm not sure that I'd write about it as your personal statement, but definitely include it as a major EC. I've had my big hobbies (taekwondo and singing) brought up in a lot of my interviews.

Of course, I'm not you, so if you can make bodybuilding work as your PS, it'll definitely make you stick out. Good luck either way.

Yeah- I am kind of scared to put it in the PS but I'd be very happy if they asked about it during an interview. I might put it in as part of my PS but not the central theme of it.

Good to know they brought up your cool hobbies at interviews! Did they just ask general stuff about them? I think doing stuff like that helps them know you still have a life/time management.

 

[AZFutureDoc]

As long as it doesn't bring up any preconceptions of body builders to the committee. Just be careful you come across right! Wouldn't want them thinking you're a meat head who puts the gym before studies.

Just make sure your GPA and MCAT clear up any potential stereotyping and I think it would be an excellent theme to put into your app, even personal statement if you can spin it well. Good luck.

 

[229141]

As long as it doesn't bring up any preconceptions of body builders to the committee. Just be careful you come across right! Wouldn't want them thinking you're a meat head who puts the gym before studies.

Just make sure your GPA and MCAT clear up any potential stereotyping and I think it would be an excellent theme to put into your app, even personal statement if you can spin it well. Good luck.

Exactly- I'm scared they might not be the working out type and peg me as a roider/meathead (which is why I'm making it clear I did drug test competitions). Some might like it a lot, others may see it as nothing.

 

[Mandarin142]

Hi Alaska21,

I'm an NPC Figure competitor. I know exactly what kind of sacrifice it takes to be a bodybuilder, get the grades, do research and maintain the diet and training ethic necessary to be successful in all three. I would argue that it's probably one of the most challenging competitive sports for a pre-med because its not (as you know) all about the gym, the commitment is 24/7. I'm apply next summer and will definitely be integrating bodybuilding into my primary application.

 

[chessknt]

The PS is about why you want to be a doctor. If bodybuilding is somehow part of that, then include it in your PS. Otherwise, leave it out, list it on activities, and be sure to write about it in secondaries that ask you about diversity etc. Imo this should not be part of the PS unless it is brought up in the context of why you want to be a doctor.

 

[229141]

Hi Alaska21,

I'm an NPC Figure competitor. I know exactly what kind of sacrifice it takes to be a bodybuilder, get the grades, do research and maintain the diet and training ethic necessary to be successful in all three. I would argue that it's probably one of the most challenging competitive sports for a pre-med because its not (as you know) all about the gym, the commitment is 24/7. I'm apply next summer and will definitely be integrating bodybuilding into my primary application.

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Yeah- unless people compete like we do they probably don't understand how much work goes into it. Waking up at 4:30 every morning of my 20 week contest prep to cook my meals and do cardio all while acing exams and researching was extremely hard, but it taught me discipline and dedication unlike anything I've ever experienced in my life. I definitely acquired the work ethic and drive I have from bodybuilding it. I'm sure you can agree that bb'ing helps you stay on track and helps you be even more determined to do good in school. Awesome that you compete too!

 

[229141]

The PS is about why you want to be a doctor. If bodybuilding is somehow part of that, then include it in your PS. Otherwise, leave it out, list it on activities, and be sure to write about it in secondaries that ask you about diversity etc. Imo this should not be part of the PS unless it is brought up in the context of why you want to be a doctor.

Actually a lot of medical students here say that the whole "I want to be a doctor because..." PS statement can be seen as boring and too typical. Based on people I've talked to, I'm not sure if there is one right way to do a personal statement. I feel like if you make it too traditional they'll look at your application and be like..."ok lets see 4.0 gpa, good mcat, research, clinical, leadership...but what makes him stand out from the 100's of identical applicants?"

 

[lrkoehle]

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Yeah- unless people compete like we do they probably don't understand how much work goes into it. Waking up at 4:30 every morning of my 20 week contest prep to cook my meals and do cardio all while acing exams and researching was extremely hard, but it taught me discipline and dedication unlike anything I've ever experienced in my life. I definitely acquired the work ethic and drive I have from bodybuilding it. I'm sure you can agree that bb'ing helps you stay on track and helps you be even more determined to do good in school. Awesome that you compete too!

Bodybuilding is definitely a time consuming commitment, and to do it competitively while taking classes is very impressive. Instead of cooking meals each morning I have found it better to just cook like 3 pounds of basmati rice (the good stuff) in a huge batch, so in the morning I just load up some tuperware and I am good to go. I do the same thing with chicken, and that way instead of spending say an hour a day making food I only spend an hour every few days.

I also agree that it helps keep you on track with school, and is great for relieving stress. If premeds took the same approach to exercising that they take to studying they would all be as fit as bodybuilders, instead of just a few of us.

As for your application, I would think keep it in the extracurricular portion, because as was previously stated the PS is for why you want to become a doctor. If they consider it a unique EC they will ask, but if they don't care about it at least you didn't really turn them off by putting it in your PS.

 

[chessknt]

Actually a lot of medical students here say that the whole "I want to be a doctor because..." PS statement can be seen as boring and too typical. Based on people I've talked to, I'm not sure if there is one right way to do a personal statement. I feel like if you make it too traditional they'll look at your application and be like..."ok lets see 4.0 gpa, good mcat, research, clinical, leadership...but what makes him stand out from the 100's of identical applicants?"

The point of the personal statement is to explain this to them. If you fail to do that I think you will have a hard time getting in. I never sued "I want to be a doctor because" in mine, but I conveyed, very clearly, the reasons why and what experiences led me to those reasons. It takes a significant amount of time and writing prowess to craft a personal statement that avoids the mundane but conveys why you want to be a doctor in a genuine way. Like I said, if bodybuilding somehow factors into this, then by all means include it. Just dont include it to brag about yourself without linking it directly to why you want to be a doctor.

 

[Mobius1985]

Hi Alaska21,

I'm apply next summer and will definitely be integrating bodybuilding into my primary application.

I proofread a friends PS last year that did this in an entertaining and compelling way, making connections between the characteristics needed for the sport and to be a successful doctor. I think it's definitely doable.

 

[229141]

The point of the personal statement is to explain this to them. If you fail to do that I think you will have a hard time getting in. I never sued "I want to be a doctor because" in mine, but I conveyed, very clearly, the reasons why and what experiences led me to those reasons. It takes a significant amount of time and writing prowess to craft a personal statement that avoids the mundane but conveys why you want to be a doctor in a genuine way. Like I said, if bodybuilding somehow factors into this, then by all means include it. Just dont include it to brag about yourself without linking it directly to why you want to be a doctor.

Thats a really good point- they could see it as arrogant if I go about it wrong. Man...good thing I have a while to write this statement!

 

[chessknt]

Just from looking at your posts (which i know were not highly edited or anything) I can easily see your approach as arrogant (ie so many other premeds out of shape, takes a lot of dedication most people cant muster etc). Focus on how it improves you and link that to how it will improve you as a physician, but make sure you explain why you want to by a physician too.

And absolutely start working on your PS early--it is ahrd to write but a critical aspect of your application.

 

[229141]

Just from looking at your posts (which i know were not highly edited or anything) I can easily see your approach as arrogant (ie so many other premeds out of shape, takes a lot of dedication most people cant muster etc). Focus on how it improves you and link that to how it will improve you as a physician, but make sure you explain why you want to by a physician too.

And absolutely start working on your PS early--it is ahrd to write but a critical aspect of your application.

Yeah haha I wouldn't dare write about how other pre meds are out of shape and say things like that in the actual statement. That'd definitely come off as arrogant and would hurt my app.

I know a lot of people who saved the PS til the end...which is a huge mistake. Its not the kind of thing you want to put together last minute

 

[Textuality]

I wrote about martial arts in my PS (including competing in it), it was in fact almost a third of my essay. And I've had a lot of compliments on it, so it can work 🙂 You just have to make it relevant to how it's helped you in your pursuit of medicine. I didn't concentrate so much on the winning of competition as I did how it instilled really strong dedication,teamwork skills, and patience etc in me.