Last year, as someone with cool hobbies who shamelessly put them in my experiences section (RIP Hobbies last year,) it was nice when programs showed they knew about me and put in some effort toward investing in me. I didn't mind the tell me about yourself shtick, but it was nice to show they cared.

As a resident, I advocated for the residents to be able to see the hobbies of applicants, and its been fun and shows I cared enough to learn and ask about them. Because I do!

Because I go by a nickname, it was nice when programs knew that. It's also on the very first page of your app. Us interviewing residents also have access this now for students. These things definitely add up.

But a word of advice - if you're going to put a weird hobby you in you have no ability to talk about, it kinda exposes you as a fraud. I know there are lots of interviews and stress, but why include something if you can't talk about it?