"is there anything more you want us to know"

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alerk323

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A lot of schools seem to have this question on their secondaries. For those of you who don't have a really obvious thing to write here (explanation of past problems, a current activity not included in primary) what do you write? I feel pressure to fill this space but don't want to fill it just to fill it. Do a lot of you just comfortably leave this section blank for a lot of schools? I could delve more deeply into really any activity i talked about in my primary (research most specifically) but it seems pretty random to just talk about an activity unless it ties into "why medicine" in some way.

Thoughts?
 
DOCBERT said:
Unless you have action against you or obvious red flags, leave it blank.
Click to expand...

Can you expand on that?

Would this be where one would talk about deficiencies in their app (i.e. low GPA, low MCAT score, limited clinical experience, etc.) ?? Or more just the more serious stuff?
 
alerk323 said:
A lot of schools seem to have this question on their secondaries. For those of you who don't have a really obvious thing to write here (explanation of past problems, a current activity not included in primary) what do you write? I feel pressure to fill this space but don't want to fill it just to fill it. Do a lot of you just comfortably leave this section blank for a lot of schools? I could delve more deeply into really any activity i talked about in my primary (research most specifically) but it seems pretty random to just talk about an activity unless it ties into "why medicine" in some way.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Feel free to leave it blank if you don't have anything that sticks out. If you're actually asked that question during an interview though, I'd take the time to re-emphasize your desire to become a physician and why you want to attend that school. I did that with my number one pick, and that may or may not have contributed to being offered a hefty financial package there.
 
DOCBERT said:
Anything you deem significantly damaging to your chances of admission would warrant a response. This includes, but is not limited to, a "dud" semester, failure of a pre-requisite, institutional action of any kind, etc. I wouldn't try to explain a 3.5 GPA or 29 MCAT.
Click to expand...

Right, gotcha.

Thanks!
 
alerk323 said:
A lot of schools seem to have this question on their secondaries. For those of you who don't have a really obvious thing to write here (explanation of past problems, a current activity not included in primary) what do you write? I feel pressure to fill this space but don't want to fill it just to fill it. Do a lot of you just comfortably leave this section blank for a lot of schools? I could delve more deeply into really any activity i talked about in my primary (research most specifically) but it seems pretty random to just talk about an activity unless it ties into "why medicine" in some way.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

I plan on using this space for the following:

1) Update to AMCAS - I've already started taking a new class/signing up for fall classes, so I'm including that info.
2) "Why this school" if the school hasn't already asked this question.
3) My study abroad experience that I didn't include in my primary because I didn't know where to put it/forgot.

If you don't have anything for 1 or 3, and you don't need to do 2, then leave it blank. Unless you have a very serious red flag (failed a class, institutional action...), don't bring up any weaknesses in your application.
 
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Is there anything else you want them to know?
 
Let's say I have this one semester where I did poorly in two key courses (C+). Should I bring that up?
 
dmf2682 said:
Is it worth withholding something cool from your primary application just for secondaries that ask for stuff you haven't yet listed?
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I would guess that the primary is reviewed more heavily by schools in general than the extra question, open ended question on the secondary, so I would put it on the primary.
 
alerk323 said:
I would guess that the primary is reviewed more heavily by schools in general than the extra question, open ended question on the secondary, so I would put it on the primary.
Click to expand...

Fair enough. I was only going to lump it in with other random college activities. How does drummer in the pep band, newspaper photo editor, and private pilot sound for a 12th slot?
 
mirimonster said:
I plan on using this space for the following:

1) Update to AMCAS - I've already started taking a new class/signing up for fall classes, so I'm including that info.
2) "Why this school" if the school hasn't already asked this question.
3) My study abroad experience that I didn't include in my primary because I didn't know where to put it/forgot.

If you don't have anything for 1 or 3, and you don't need to do 2, then leave it blank. Unless you have a very serious red flag (failed a class, institutional action...), don't bring up any weaknesses in your application.
Click to expand...

So for schools that don't have any other essay prompts, wouldn't that mean everyone should be writing the second prompt? How come so many people are leaving it blank?
 
ACal said:
So for schools that don't have any other essay prompts, wouldn't that mean everyone should be writing the second prompt? How come so many people are leaving it blank?
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:shrug: Seems logical to me. It's like a free space to write a letter of interest that they're much more likely to read since they solicited the information. Showing some genuine interest in the school seems like it can only help you to get that interview invite.
 
ACal said:
So for schools that don't have any other essay prompts, wouldn't that mean everyone should be writing the second prompt? How come so many people are leaving it blank?
Click to expand...

Many people probably leave it blank because "why this school" doesn't occur to them as something to discuss, or they're just lazy/burned out on writing essays. However, I think a discussion of "why this school" is a very advantageous way to utilize this space provided you have no red flags or extenuating circumstances to justify. Come crunch time, I think the applicant who took the time to reaffirm their interest in a school and assert why they'd be a good fit (emphasizing alignment of values, regional ties, etc.) will be given slight preference over an applicant who does not. If you can demonstrate you've done some background research about the school and are not just applying blindly - e.g. talk about specific research programs or unique aspects of the curriculum - that will lend credence to your claims, and will show you've done more homework than the majority of applicants.

So.. I guess I have to politely disagree with those who advise leaving it blank. There's no way you'll be penalized for writing something, and there's a potential benefit to doing so. If they only wanted to know about grades or disciplinary issues, they'd say so. Use that vague phrasing of the question to your advantage.
 
DOCBERT said:
Yes. Provide a good explanation wherein you take responsibility for your shortcomings and address changes in your study plans to prevent future failure.
Click to expand...

I don't know if I can agree with this... First off, 2 C+'s isn't THAT bad, and if your overall GPA is strong, it needlessly draws attention to a couple sub-par grades. I highly doubt most adcoms take the time to read every grade on the transcript unless a low GPA gives them reason to.

IMO the only reason to use this space defensively is if something really disastrous happened that, if left unaddressed, would be sufficient cause for rejection. I don't think getting 2 C+ grades falls into that category.
 
I'd either write about why the school, or talk about challenging times in your life. talk about how you grew up. most of these rely on the "reflection" moreso than just describing it. Describing what happened is asking for pity, discussing what you did afterwards and what you learned is maturity.
 
I filled those prompts with a diversity essay I had already written for another secondary. I never used that space to explain anything negative (W on a transcript, first MCAT score, etc.).
 
Okay guys, so I read this whole thread so no need to rehash whats already been said but I'm also kind of curious as to what to write here. I have no blemished on my application so no need for that so I feel like I'm kinda down to three options, given there has not already been a spot for them, and just want to see what other people think. They are:

1) Leave it blank
2) Write about "why this school"
3) Write a diversity essay

Here are my thoughts on each though:

1) If I leave it blank, the school may either think I'm lazy and just don't care or they may not care and just think I legitimately had nothing else to say.

2) They may not even read this kind of essay because they get 4000 just like it, but they would at least know I tried.

3) They may think I just reused another essay I already had written and just think I'm lazy, but it would definitely show them more about me.

What do you guys think?

And for the record, or so I'm not asked 100 times, the diversity essay I have written is about my experience with cancer, how it will help me relate to future patients in ways others cannot, and how I would like to share my perspective with my future classmates and colleagues.
 
I know for example that in my case, I transferred schools for a semester to take care of my young siblings while my parents were out of the state getting my father's cancer treated. I therefore explained why the transfer occurred and what I learned from the experience.
 
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