Tips for School-Specific Questions on Secondaries

sexycani · Jun 20, 2011

Anyone have any tips on what to write about when a school asks why we've chosen to apply to them? these essays are really brief, so i wonder what we should cover?

i've tried to contextualize some of my experiences/talents with the programs/curriculum/opportunities these schools offer....does this sound right? or is it better to pick one thing from our App and show how that fits best with the school?

aSagacious · Jun 20, 2011

Answer the question honestly. What made you apply to the school? (aside from them being in your stats range)

sexycani · Jun 20, 2011

aSagacious said:
Answer the question honestly. What made you apply to the school? (aside from them being in your stats range)

real helpful, bud

flatearth22 · Jun 20, 2011

sexycani said:
real helpful, bud

Talk about any ties you have with the school/area.

Talk about the school's commitment to medical research/helping the underserved/international medicine/etc.

Talk about the school's amazing resources and inspiring faculty.

Basically this is your chance to kiss the school's butt...pucker up baby.

BUMED2015 · Jun 20, 2011

sexycani said:
real helpful, bud

very ungrateful, bud.

Snuke · Jun 20, 2011

If I don't have an immediate answer (like, a particular program, or a tie to the school) then I search through the school website, look at the mission statement, then say how I will fit into their philosophy.

therunner12 · Jun 20, 2011

sexycani said:
real helpful, bud

What did you want? Someone to tell you exactly what to write? Are we in Elementary school now or are we trying to be doctors?

Hafez · Jun 20, 2011

therunner12 said:
What did you want? Someone to tell you exactly what to write? Are we in Elementary school now or are we trying to be doctors?

+1

OP you are ridiculous, if you don't know why you applied to a school that's on you...stop being lazy and do a little research or withdraw your application and save yourself some money

RogueUnicorn · Jun 20, 2011

i'm with everyone else. it wasn't rocket science; as long as you aren't throwing money around and shotgunning a ton of apps you should have a good reason to be applying to the school that you are. and generally, many of your schools will be similar to each other, so you can just reuse with the minor details changed.

sexycani · Jun 20, 2011

sexycani said:
Anyone have any tips on what to write about when a school asks why we've chosen to apply to them? these essays are really brief, so i wonder what we should cover?

i've tried to contextualize some of my experiences/talents with the programs/curriculum/opportunities these schools offer....does this sound right? or is it better to pick one thing from our App and show how that fits best with the school?

this is what i wanted to run by you guys...

RogueUnicorn · Jun 20, 2011

sexycani said:
this is what i wanted to run by you guys...

yes that seems like a fine strategy... we all know it's a ****ty time for applicants, but in the future, perhaps don't bite the hand that feeds quite so quickly.

therunner12 · Jun 20, 2011

sexycani said:
this is what i wanted to run by you guys...

The first reply to this thread answered your question.

How did you get through your personal statement without SDN telling you wha to write?

aSagacious · Jun 20, 2011

sexycani said:
this is what i wanted to run by you guys...

Unless it's something solid (family ties, you worked in a lab that collaborated with them, did your undergrad there, etc) I'd keep it relatively vague. Sure it couldn't hurt to throw out a couple buzz lines about a particular program or institution that catches your eye. IMO it would be hard to make claims such as curriculum preference when you haven't experienced any of the choices before.

Tips for School-Specific Questions on Secondaries

sexycani

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aSagacious

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sexycani

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flatearth22

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BUMED2015

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Snuke

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therunner12

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Hafez

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RogueUnicorn

rawr.

sexycani

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RogueUnicorn

rawr.

therunner12

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aSagacious

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