Why Your Hobbies Are Just as Important as Pre-Med Extracurriculars

Proof that playing guitar or knitting might just get you into medical school.
  • Reviewed By: Liz Flagge
  • Between preparing for the MCAT, maintaining a strong GPA, gaining clinical and research experience, and participating in other pre-med extracurriculars, it’s easy to fall into the trap of living a premed-focused life. However, engaging in hobbies is far from a luxury. It is a crucial aspect of growth and success in the medical school application process.

    In this post, we will explore the many reasons why hobbies are essential for medical school applicants, from improving mental well-being to serving as an asset in interviews.

    The Importance of Hobbies for Medical School Applicants

    1. Avoiding Burnout

    Medical school applicants are no strangers to long study hours, rigorous schedules, and high-pressure environments. While dedication is important, there is a very fine line between hard work and burning out. Engaging in hobbies offers a much-needed break from academics and pre-med extracurriculars and helps restore balance

    Whether it’s painting, playing an instrument, running, or gardening, hobbies provide a mental reset that allows you to return to your studies with renewed focus and energy. The concept of “filling your own cup” is especially important in medicine. You can’t effectively care for others if you do not take care of yourself first. By dedicating time to hobbies, you can recharge and maintain your enthusiasm for long-term goals.

    The concept of “filling your own cup” is especially important in medicine.

    2. Personal Fulfillment

    While academic achievements, clinical experiences, and other pre-med extracurriculars are essential parts of a medical school application, they do not fully capture who you are as a person. Hobbies help applicants cultivate a sense of identity beyond academics and medicine. They allow you to explore interests, develop new skills, and find joy in activities that are meaningful to you.

    Medical schools are not only looking for applicants with high GPAs and great MCAT scores. They want well-rounded individuals who can bring diverse perspectives to the field. Hobbies demonstrate that applicants are multifaceted, passionate, and capable of finding fulfillment outside of their professional lives. This balance is key later on to becoming a compassionate and well-rounded physician.

    3. Enhancing Interpersonal Skills

    Many hobbies for college students, especially team sports, group activities, or clubs, involve social interaction. These activities help medical school applicants develop important interpersonal skills such as teamwork, communication, and leadership. Likewise, these qualities are highly valued in the medical profession, where collaboration is important for patient care.

    For example, participating in a community theater group might improve an applicant’s public speaking skills. Playing in a sports league could demonstrate teamwork and resilience. These experiences not only make applicants more personable, but also provide concrete examples of their soft skills to use during interviews.

    4. Building Unique Talking Points for Interviews

    Medical school interviews can be scary, especially when multiple candidates have similar academic achievements and clinical experiences. Let’s face it, all medical school applicants are incredibly talented! Your hobbies can help you stand out in a large sea of similarly qualified candidates.

    Imagine coming into your interview sharing your experience of completing a marathon, learning to bake intricate pastries, or volunteering as a dance instructor. Personal stories like these not only humanize applicants, but also demonstrate sought-after qualities such as perseverance, creativity, and a willingness to step outside of your comfort zone. 


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    5. Stress Management

    Medical school and the path leading to it are inherently stressful. Learning to manage stress effectively is a skill that will serve you well throughout your medical career. Hobbies provide a constructive outlet for stress and anxiety.

    Activities such as yoga, meditation, and journaling are particularly effective for reducing stress and improving mental clarity. Physically active hobbies like hiking or swimming release endorphins, which naturally boost mood and energy levels. Developing healthy coping mechanisms early on prepares you for the stresses you will inevitably face during medical school and beyond.

    6. Demonstrating Time Management Skills

    Balancing academics, pre-med extracurriculars, and hobbies requires excellent time management—a crucial skill for success in medical school. Applicants who can maintain hobbies while excelling academically show admissions committees that they can manage their time effectively and prioritize their responsibilities.

    Final Thoughts

    Pursuing hobbies is not just beneficial—it’s essential for well-being and personal growth. From avoiding burnout and promoting personal fulfillment, to enhancing interpersonal skills and providing interview talking points, hobbies play a critical role in shaping well-rounded, resilient, and compassionate future physicians.

    So, whether it’s painting landscapes, playing soccer, or writing poetry, remember that the time you spend on your hobbies is not wasted. It is an investment in your personal growth and well-being—one that will serve you well throughout your medical career.


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    Further Reading

    How to Make Your Experiences As a Premed Count for Your Medical School Application: Find out how to successfully leverage your pre-med extracurricular experiences from college freshman to M1!

    How Many Hours of Clinical Experience Do You Need for Med School?: Completing clinical hours before medical school is crucial for your application, but how many hours do you really need?