Mixed Martial Arts

[psharma02]

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Currently, I take 10 hours of Mixed Martial Arts (Cage Fighting) training per week and it gets pretty exhausting on top of all my studies. It doesn't affect my grades in any way but I was wondering if it would look good to a Medical School that I am a black belt in a Martial Art and an accomplished fighter? I'm thinking it shows dedication to a particular activity? If it has no effect, then I am going to quit.

[FOID]

yeah, it would look good, but it'll be lumped as an extracurricular activity. most schools will look at GPA and MCAT first.

[stateofequilibrium]

It would be a good topic to bring up, or something interesting to make you stand out. But it is no substitute for a good GPA and MCAT.

[psharma02]

Originally Posted by stateofequilibrium

It would be a good topic to bring up, or something interesting to make you stand out. But it is no substitute for a good GPA and MCAT.

Yes, I know that but I am hoping to find something that might make me stand out more... Something that sets me aside from the pack..

[jameslynton]

Originally Posted by psharma02

... I am hoping to find something that might make me stand out more... Something that sets me aside from the pack..

Best ways to stand out from the pack:
1. Science journal publications and research during your junior and senior year does not matter the subject. J
2. Outstanding volunteer work - Peace Corp or summer in a medical mission where you are supervised by medical personal.
3. Very good LOR's from upper level profs in junior and senior courses
4. Teacher Assistant in Chem labs or Biology labs.
5. Engineering courses
6. Summer internship with drug company not in sales

Black belts are pretty cheap to buy/earn now. I would not suggest doing any sports where you can suffer head and neck injuries from kicks and punches. I have seen too many karate/boxing students spend months in Shepard Spinal clinic recovering. Nerve damage is not a pretty sight. There are easier and more effective ways to train your body than that. You will see a surprising lack of football and basketball players in medicine. However, I know many long distance runners who are MD's.

[WannaBdoc25]

can you tell me more about peace corps or a summer medical mission.

[Aviv Imanuel]

That will be extracurricular activities. To be all honest, I have been in the Karate world since 1979 and am yet to see how it influences the admission into a medical school or law school. Besides, if anyone in an admissions committee takes a close look at any given cage fight match, it will be no different from viewing a street fight, but with shorts, padded gloves and some rules thrown into it, not impressive at all as a medical school admissions factor. keep training though, you never know when you will actually need it in real life.

Originally Posted by psharma02

Currently, I take 10 hours of Mixed Martial Arts (Cage Fighting) training per week and it gets pretty exhausting on top of all my studies. It doesn't affect my grades in any way but I was wondering if it would look good to a Medical School that I am a black belt in a Martial Art and an accomplished fighter? I'm thinking it shows dedication to a particular activity? If it has no effect, then I am going to quit.

[jameslynton]

Originally Posted by WannaBdoc25

can you tell me more about peace corps or a summer medical mission.

Try How Do I Become a Volunteer? | About the Peace Corps | Peace Corps Summer medical missions - many Christian churches/medical schools/hospitals doctors without borders sponsor these. Expect to pay your own way and hours of hard work in bad conditions with little food. Most likely will be in a place where you do not know the language.