*** 2008-2009 MSTP Secondary Application Thread ***

[friendlybear]

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Hi Calf,

You should add one thing for Stanford: "The AMCAS application has required essay responses to MD/PhD program interest. You may use information from these responses in the sections that follow, but you are required to answer every question on the Stanford Supplemental Application, and it is not sufficient to simply refer to the AMCAS essays"

I called today, and basically they want you to NOT just copy and paste from MD/PhD essays onto the Stanford secondary. When I asked what additional information Stanford was looking for, the lady unfortunately couldn't disclose that information.

This was bit of a setback for me, because I thought I'd done a pretty thorough job on my AMCAS essays already. Anybody have ideas on what to accentuate/emphasize on the research experience on the Stanford secondary?

 

[SBR249]

Machomaas:

I think you are meant to give citations for those publications.

On a related note, I find Pitt's MSTP app so poorly designed that I'm seriously having second thoughts about applying to that program. For example:

1. Asking for CV in text format without a counter or even a warning beforehand of the char limit. Additionally, no option of uploading a document. Seriously? Who keeps a copy of their CV in text format?

2. If you even go over the limit by 1 char on any other field, you'll get a random error when submitting. No explanation or char limit posted.

3. Asking for additional references...(egregious but not unheard of)

While this may not be an accurate reflection of the program itself, such a lack of attention to detail not only gives applicants a bad impression but also does a disservice to the people behind the program.

[/rant]

Sorry, just had to get that off my chest.

BTW, if you need to contact them, try the contact form on their website. I used it for a question and got an answer the same day.

 

[muchomaas]

Thanks SBR, I'll give the contact form on their website a shot. I agree that they probably just mean citations, but it seems like a glaring error to have on their app.

I also agree that their app is a little subpar. Isn't it self-important of them to ask for your recs' email addresses so they can send them their own form? Imagine if every school did this? I'd hate for my PI to be bombarded with 10 or 15 separate forms to fill out for me.

 

[muchomaas]

Just got a confirmation email that they only want citations, in case anyone else was wondering.

 

[InNotOf]

I also agree that their app is a little subpar. Isn't it self-important of them to ask for your recs' email addresses so they can send them their own form? Imagine if every school did this? I'd hate for my PI to be bombarded with 10 or 15 separate forms to fill out for me.

I e-mailed the yesterday but received no response -- do we HAVE to complete this section? (same reasoning as you, muchomaas) If they want MSTP-/research-specific recs, can we just have those letters sent to the MSTP office?

 

[InNotOf]

Also, is anyone's Yale app complete? I submitted it two weeks ago and it still says that none of my recs have been received yet.

 

[mcp15]

edit, nvm question answered.

 

[LuvinLife]

Please provide a statement, up to 750 words in length, detailing your interest in the MD-PhD program and how you envision it supporting your long term goals. In this statement, please describe your qualifications and the objectives of your educational program, report on your prior research activities, teaching experience, publications, research presentations, independent studies, and membership in academic, professional, or honorary societies. It is important that you detail your own role in the research activities you list.

question? What is an educational program? Is it what I am pursuing in my education? how i will achieve it? goals????????????????????????

 

[Remuneration]

Describe how you painstakingly developed your educational program in binary to maximize the efficiency of your limited processing capabilities.

Yes, they want you to develop a narrative describing how your academic and extracurricular activities synergize with your overall undergraduate and future goals.

Logically, you could probably order the essay as such.
Intro: Briefly, how my undergraduate program, etc encouraged my interests in medicine/research; how the MD/PhD program can further these interests.
Body: Details of such, emphasizing both a growing interest and competence. Reasons why the dual degree is important to further pursuits.
Conclusion: Yeah...

Basically, you're combining the MD/PhD essay with relevant past activities and future goals. Pretty straightforward.

 

[neuro raqs]

.

 

[neuro raqs]

Also, is anyone's Yale app complete? I submitted it two weeks ago and it still says that none of my recs have been received yet.

It took them like 3-4 weeks to get mine, don't forget the additional cover form

 

[muchomaas]

It took them like 3-4 weeks to get mine, don't forget the additional cover form

Took about 1.5 weeks for mine. Maybe coincidence, maybe not, but when I noticed that my recs were still "not received" I emailed admissions to ask about it, and miraculously they were listed as received later that today. Also I haven't submitted the cover letters, I wonder what the majority of people do . . .

 

[mcp15]

the yale recommender forms are kind of optional - I asked their office. Your file will be complete with or without them.