6 answers
Isaac
Student
St. Charles, Illinois
2
Questions
Updated
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What are the strong activities outside of extracurriculars (clubs) that someone can do to differentiate themselves as a pre-health student (e.g., mixed martial arts, knitting, video games) ?
I currently train in MMA, wrestling, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and I plan to continue jiu-jitsu in college. Outside of sports, though, I haven’t really developed many other hobbies beyond playing video games.
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6 answers
Devin Stoker
Project Manager
17
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Devin’s Answer
Volunteering is a fantastic way to learn new skills and make your applications stand out. You might even find opportunities that match your career goals.
If you want to start volunteering, check out United Way. They are everywhere in the US and can connect you with local groups that need help.
You could also volunteer with young jiu-jitsu leagues as an organizer or referee.
If you want to start volunteering, check out United Way. They are everywhere in the US and can connect you with local groups that need help.
You could also volunteer with young jiu-jitsu leagues as an organizer or referee.
Eric Brown
Solution Engineer
6
Answers
Fort Collins, Colorado
Updated
Eric’s Answer
What you’re doing already makes you stand out more than you realize.
Pre-health is not about ticking boxes or having perfect hobbies. It's about showing who you are and what you care about. Your involvement in MMA, wrestling, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu shows discipline, resilience, consistency, and the ability to handle pressure—important traits in healthcare.
You don't need random hobbies to seem well-rounded. Consider these two points:
1. Go deeper, not wider
Sticking with something like jiu-jitsu over time, and possibly competing or mentoring, can be more meaningful than listing many unrelated activities.
2. Connect what you enjoy to important skills
Even video games can teach problem-solving, teamwork, and quick decision-making. The key is how you talk about them.
If you want to try something outside of sports, focus on activities that:
Show curiosity (like reading, writing, or learning a new skill)
Involve helping others (such as tutoring or informal volunteering)
Build communication or empathy (like mentoring or community involvement)
Don’t overthink it—the goal is to be genuine, not just impressive.
A strong pre-health applicant isn’t someone who does everything. It’s someone who shows commitment, growth, and knows who they are. You're already on a great path.
Pre-health is not about ticking boxes or having perfect hobbies. It's about showing who you are and what you care about. Your involvement in MMA, wrestling, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu shows discipline, resilience, consistency, and the ability to handle pressure—important traits in healthcare.
You don't need random hobbies to seem well-rounded. Consider these two points:
1. Go deeper, not wider
Sticking with something like jiu-jitsu over time, and possibly competing or mentoring, can be more meaningful than listing many unrelated activities.
2. Connect what you enjoy to important skills
Even video games can teach problem-solving, teamwork, and quick decision-making. The key is how you talk about them.
If you want to try something outside of sports, focus on activities that:
Show curiosity (like reading, writing, or learning a new skill)
Involve helping others (such as tutoring or informal volunteering)
Build communication or empathy (like mentoring or community involvement)
Don’t overthink it—the goal is to be genuine, not just impressive.
A strong pre-health applicant isn’t someone who does everything. It’s someone who shows commitment, growth, and knows who they are. You're already on a great path.
Grace Combellack
Speech & Language Therapist/Pathologist
8
Answers
Nelson, New Zealand
Updated
Grace’s Answer
I agree with someone else’s comment about volunteering. Consider roles that help both develop and showcase skills that the future workforce is being reported to need ; agility, flexibility, adaptability to change, tech, innovation and communication skills. If volunteering isn’t an option financially, check out job boards such as ‘Do Good Jobs’ (sorry that’s New Zealand I don’t know where you’re based) where contribution and helping will also stand you in good stead.
Roderick Sample
IT Support
1
Answer
Rowlett, Texas
Updated
Roderick’s Answer
Hi Isaac. The key is to participate in activities that require teamwork. This will help you sharpen skills in leadership and working effectively with others to reach a goal. You also expose yourself to the ways different people think and go about solving problems. Perhaps you could organize a continual neighborhood clean-up team or something similar. If you excel at any particular subject in school, maybe you can organize buddy-style tutoring events. Check out the website for your city, school, or community specifically for volunteer events. Best of luck!
Nigel Golding
Security Architecture
5
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Nigel’s Answer
Honestly, activities like MMA, wrestling, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu already help you stand out more than you may realize. Those are strong commitments that show discipline, consistency, resilience, and the ability to handle pressure, which all translate well to a pre-health path.
What makes an activity stand out is usually not whether it sounds impressive, but whether it shows something meaningful about you. Medical and pre-health paths are full of students with similar classes and club memberships, so what often helps someone stand out is having real depth in something that reflects character, balance, and personal growth.
That means hobbies like martial arts, gaming, music, art, fitness, coaching, content creation, tutoring, or even something like knitting can all be valuable if you can explain what they taught you. For example, martial arts can show composure, humility, and long-term discipline. Video games can even be framed well if they developed teamwork, strategy, leadership, or problem-solving, though I would not make that your main differentiator unless there is more depth there.
My advice would be to keep leaning into jiu-jitsu, because that already gives you a strong and unique angle, and then try to build one additional interest outside of sports that feels genuine to you. It does not need to be random or perfectly impressive. It just needs to be something you actually care about and can stick with.
Over time, the strongest applicants usually look like real people with clear interests, not people who forced themselves into activities just to look well-rounded. Depth, consistency, and authenticity usually stand out more than trying to collect hobbies.
What makes an activity stand out is usually not whether it sounds impressive, but whether it shows something meaningful about you. Medical and pre-health paths are full of students with similar classes and club memberships, so what often helps someone stand out is having real depth in something that reflects character, balance, and personal growth.
That means hobbies like martial arts, gaming, music, art, fitness, coaching, content creation, tutoring, or even something like knitting can all be valuable if you can explain what they taught you. For example, martial arts can show composure, humility, and long-term discipline. Video games can even be framed well if they developed teamwork, strategy, leadership, or problem-solving, though I would not make that your main differentiator unless there is more depth there.
My advice would be to keep leaning into jiu-jitsu, because that already gives you a strong and unique angle, and then try to build one additional interest outside of sports that feels genuine to you. It does not need to be random or perfectly impressive. It just needs to be something you actually care about and can stick with.
Over time, the strongest applicants usually look like real people with clear interests, not people who forced themselves into activities just to look well-rounded. Depth, consistency, and authenticity usually stand out more than trying to collect hobbies.
Leonardo Hernadez
Intern
3
Answers
Mexico City, Mexico
Updated
Leonardo’s Answer
Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a great and healthy activity to try. I used to be on my school's rugby team, and I highly recommend it. Rugby isn't just about tackles and laws; it teaches you important life skills. You learn how to guide others, give advice, and become a leader. It even offers lessons for living a better life.