** 2008-2009 Secondary Application Thread! **

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davis749 said:
Alright... potentially ridiculous question. So I'm filling out AT-KCOM's secondary, and have reached the portion on clinical/health experience. I have experience shadowing an osteopath (albeit only 5 hours, it is continuing) and experience in an emergency room; these are clearly clinical/health experiences. However, I also have 2 years experience as a Resident Assistant, regularly dealing with alcohol poisoning and psychological health. Do you think it's a stretch to mention it?
Click to expand...

It is a stretch to mention it under clinical stuff. I wasn't an RA and still dealt with those issues quite often but if it doesn't take place in a hospital or physician's office then it isn't really the type of experience they intend...or at least I don't think it is.
 
Yeah that was kind of what I was leaning towards... the only reason I was even thinking about mentioning the position was that it did require extra training on dealing with those issues. Anybody else have input?
 
davis749 said:
Yeah that was kind of what I was leaning towards... the only reason I was even thinking about mentioning the position was that it did require extra training on dealing with those issues. Anybody else have input?
Click to expand...

This is a tough call. Each time I agree with one side, the other side seems ridiculous! Only you know what the position really entailed. Will you be able to sincerely justify it to adcoms if/when they ask? Do you think it will look stupid as written on your app? You could also seek the advice of an admissions office, if you feel like it.
 
I'm just thinking of this from the perspective of reading it. I've had tons of experiences where I've reduced fractures, made sure people didn't choke on vomit and counseled people out from depression (I had it really bad, so I was able to relate). Being an RA is a pretty good thing to put down in general, so don't try to stretch it into other areas. It is tempting to want to exaggerate, but remember that most everyone has trouble with this stuff. The person with 500000 hours experience in the hospital is rare. They just want to see that you showed some initiative and you have some exposure.
 
I suppose you're right, Moss. It is a secondary application, after all. If I'm questioning it by writing it, surely some of the application readers will as well. They'll see it on the primary.
 
Does anyone recommend a certain length for a response for the question "why do you want to become a Osteopathic Physician".
FYI this question is from RVUCOM secondary
 
Ok, for the PDFs that you can't edit how are you filling in the fields? So far VCOM is the only secondary I have in .doc format. Are you just going to attach the fields (personal statements/essays) that require you to write a lot of text. I'm not comfortable with my handwriting to write in my answers for longer items and feel it looks sloppy and unprofessional.
 
Bacchus said:
Ok, for the PDFs that you can't edit how are you filling in the fields? So far VCOM is the only secondary I have in .doc format. Are you just going to attach the fields (personal statements/essays) that require you to write a lot of text. I'm not comfortable with my handwriting to write in my answers for longer items and feel it looks sloppy and unprofessional.
Click to expand...

The PDF I have has fields that you can just type into..maybe thats because I have acrobat pro though...
 
Heads up with Touro-CA application. If you do the online one, you can't save evidently. So, make sure you do it on a computer that can print. I had a near miss and was luckily able to install new drivers to print. I would've been very frustrated to redo another secondary.
 
MossPoh said:
Heads up with Touro-CA application. If you do the online one, you can't save evidently. So, make sure you do it on a computer that can print. I had a near miss and was luckily able to install new drivers to print. I would've been very frustrated to redo another secondary.
Click to expand...

Indeed. If you have to, you can always do screenshots. Or if you're on a Mac, you can easily save as a PDF. PCs can also do this with a small freeware program.
 
ATSU-KCOM
--What particular qualities do you feel you can bring to KCOM? (Please limit your response to 500 words or less)
--What specific experience/exposure have you had with osteopathic medicine? How has this influenced your decision to become an osteopathic physician? (Please limit your response to 500 words or less)

ATSU-SOMA
--What aspects of the Osteopathic Philosophy had the greatest influence in your decision to seek a career in Osteopathic Medicine? (Please limit your response to 500 words or less)
--What is your motivation for participating in the activities you have described in the clinical, volunteer and community service section? How have these experiences changed you? (Please limit your response to 500 words or less)
--How does your character, qualities, and experiences distinguish your ability and resolve to serve in underprivileged communities? (Please limit your response to 500 words or less)

AZCOM
Attach a copy of your resume or curriculum vitae
Why do you believe AZCOM would provide you with the type of osteopathic medical education you are seeking and why should AZCOM accept you into this year's class?

CCOM
1. List any relative who is an osteopathic physician
(list name, relationship, osteo college attended, year of graduation)

2. Why do you believe CCOM would provide you with the type of osteopathic medical education you are seeking? (1,500 characters)

3. Why should CCOM accept you into this year's class? (1,500 characters)

4. Upload a copy of your resume or curriculum vitae, which will include, but not be limited to the following information:

* Educational History (colleges attended and degrees earned)
* Employment History
* Medically related work and volunteer experiences
* College extracurricular activities, honors, and leadership responsibilities
* Community activities, honors, and leadership responsibilities
* Hobbies and nonacademic interests


Application fee: $50[/COLOR]

LECOM (both)
--Write a personal essay describing yourself and the qualities you possess that will make you a successful osteopathic physician
--Why are you interested in attending the LECOM College of Medicine to earn the degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine?

MSUCOM
Describe a personal experience or ethical challenge you have faced that has influenced the development of your character. How has this experience helped you to develop specific skills and/or abilities that are essential to practicing osteopathic medicine?

NSU-COM
Just general questions:
past employment, health-care related activities (list), school and other activities, which DO and MD schools you're applying to, and if you've ever matriculated into an MD or DO program.

PCOM
http://www.pcom.edu/Admissions/PA_Supp_App.pdf

PCOM-GA
http://www.pcom.edu/Admissions/GA_Supp_App.pdf

RVUCOM
--D.O. letter required
--No character limits stated
--If you have already graduated, please describe your work experience and community service activities since you were last enrolled in school. Feel free to attach resume.
--Were you employed during the regular school year (excluding summers) while in undergraduate school? If yes, list employment.
--Why do you want to become an Osteopathic Physician?
--Why do you wish to attend Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine?
--What unique characteristics, abilities or skills will you bring to the College and to the Osteopathic Profession?

TUCOM (CA)
http://www.tu.edu/user_files/25/TUCAsupapp.htm

TUNCOM (NV)
http://www.tu.edu/user_files/55/Osteopathic_Medicine_Supplemental_Application.pdf

UMDNJ
http://som.umdnj.edu/education/admissions/documents/secondaryappl2008-09.pdf

Western U/COMP
http://www.westernu.edu/bin/admissi.../DOSUPP2010.pdf
Describe your motivation for training as an osteopathic physician. Comment specifically on your academic performance and potential for study in Osteopathic Medicine.
Describe the qualities that you possess that will make you a good osteopathic physician.
What criteria did you take into consideration in applying to WesternU/COMP?
Describe your participation in community service activities in a medically underserved or economically disadvantaged community.
 
The MSUCOM personal essay is the same as last year so feel free to change that one to confirmed.
 
Didn't see them on the list:
Touro-NY
On a separate sheet of paper, type an essay discussing your aims in seeking admission to the College of Osteopathic Medicine. Include such items as your personal and academic background, your career goals, experiences which nurtured your interest in the health field and in the Osteopathic profession specifically, your "shadowing" experience, and any other factors which you feel are relevant to admission. (no more than 2 pages)

Pikeville
Attach a separate sheet stating why you should be selected for training as a primary care, rural osteopathic physician.
 
ATSU-KCOM
--What particular qualities do you feel you can bring to KCOM? (Please limit your response to 500 words or less)
--What specific experience/exposure have you had with osteopathic medicine? How has this influenced your decision to become an osteopathic physician? (Please limit your response to 500 words or less)

ATSU-SOMA
--What aspects of the Osteopathic Philosophy had the greatest influence in your decision to seek a career in Osteopathic Medicine? (Please limit your response to 500 words or less)
--What is your motivation for participating in the activities you have described in the clinical, volunteer and community service section? How have these experiences changed you? (Please limit your response to 500 words or less)
--How does your character, qualities, and experiences distinguish your ability and resolve to serve in underprivileged communities? (Please limit your response to 500 words or less)

AZCOM
1. List any relative who is an osteopathic physician
(list name, relationship, osteo college attended, year of graduation)

2. Why do you believe AZCOM would provide you with the type of osteopathic medical education you are seeking? (1,500 characters)

3. Why should AZCOM accept you into this year's class? (1,500 characters)

4. Upload a copy of your resume or curriculum vitae, which will include, but not be limited to the following information:

* Educational History (colleges attended and degrees earned)
* Employment History
* Medically related work and volunteer experiences
* College extracurricular activities, honors, and leadership responsibilities
* Community activities, honors, and leadership responsibilities
* Hobbies and nonacademic interests


Application fee: $50

CCOM
1. List any relative who is an osteopathic physician
(list name, relationship, osteo college attended, year of graduation)

2. Why do you believe CCOM would provide you with the type of osteopathic medical education you are seeking? (1,500 characters)

3. Why should CCOM accept you into this year's class? (1,500 characters)

4. Upload a copy of your resume or curriculum vitae, which will include, but not be limited to the following information:

* Educational History (colleges attended and degrees earned)
* Employment History
* Medically related work and volunteer experiences
* College extracurricular activities, honors, and leadership responsibilities
* Community activities, honors, and leadership responsibilities
* Hobbies and nonacademic interests


Application fee: $50[/COLOR]

LECOM (both)
--Write a personal essay describing yourself and the qualities you possess that will make you a successful osteopathic physician
--Why are you interested in attending the LECOM College of Medicine to earn the degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine?

MSUCOM
Describe a personal experience or ethical challenge you have faced that has influenced the development of your character. How has this experience helped you to develop specific skills and/or abilities that are essential to practicing osteopathic medicine?[/COLOR]

NSU-COM
Just general questions:
past employment, health-care related activities (list), school and other activities, which DO and MD schools you're applying to, and if you've ever matriculated into an MD or DO program.

PCOM
http://www.pcom.edu/Admissions/PA_Supp_App.pdf

PCOM-GA
http://www.pcom.edu/Admissions/GA_Supp_App.pdf

PCSOM (Pikeville)
Attach a separate sheet stating why you should be selected for training as a primary care, rural osteopathic physician.

RVUCOM
--D.O. letter required
--No character limits stated
--If you have already graduated, please describe your work experience and community service activities since you were last enrolled in school. Feel free to attach resume.
--Were you employed during the regular school year (excluding summers) while in undergraduate school? If yes, list employment.
--Why do you want to become an Osteopathic Physician?
--Why do you wish to attend Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine?
--What unique characteristics, abilities or skills will you bring to the College and to the Osteopathic Profession?

TOUROCOM-NY
On a separate sheet of paper, type an essay discussing your aims in seeking admission to the College of Osteopathic Medicine. Include such items as your personal and academic background, your career goals, experiences which nurtured your interest in the health field and in the Osteopathic profession specifically, your "shadowing" experience, and any other factors which you feel are relevant to admission. (no more than 2 pages)

TUCOM (CA)
http://www.tu.edu/user_files/25/TUCAsupapp.htm

TUNCOM (NV)
http://www.tu.edu/user_files/55/Osteopathic_Medicine_Supplemental_Application.pdf

UMDNJ
http://som.umdnj.edu/education/admissions/documents/secondaryappl2008-09.pdf

Western U/COMP
http://www.westernu.edu/bin/admissi.../DOSUPP2010.pdf
Describe your motivation for training as an osteopathic physician. Comment specifically on your academic performance and potential for study in Osteopathic Medicine.
Describe the qualities that you possess that will make you a good osteopathic physician.
What criteria did you take into consideration in applying to WesternU/COMP?
Describe your participation in community service activities in a medically underserved or economically disadvantaged community.
 
Last edited:
OU-COM:
In the space provided below indicate: why you wish to become an osteopathic physician; why you wish to
attend the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine; and any additional information you feel the
college should know about you.
 
sithr said:
OU-COM:
In the space provided below indicate: why you wish to become an osteopathic physician; why you wish to
attend the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine; and any additional information you feel the
college should know about you.
Click to expand...

Is that 3 separate prompts?

Limits?
 
Chocolate Bear said:
Is that 3 separate prompts?

Limits?
Click to expand...

Single prompt. Space alloted on the pdf is about 80% of the page. There are no other essays/questions and The statement is prefaced by:
The College of Osteopathic Medicine at Ohio University is interested in finding out more about you
as an applicant. To enable us to gain a better understanding of your activities, working experience, and
personal philosophy and their relationship to osteopathic medicine, you are asked to complete this secondary
application form. Please be open, candid and honest in your responses. Feel free to draw on your school
experiences, extra-curricular activities, or working experience as a basis for your answers.
We prefer you limit yourself to the space provided. If additional space is absolutely necessary, please use
a sheet of 8 1/2" X 11" plain paper, and put your name in the upper right corner.
 
sithr said:
Didn't see them on the list:
Touro-NY
On a separate sheet of paper, type an essay discussing your aims in seeking admission to the College of Osteopathic Medicine. Include such items as your personal and academic background, your career goals, experiences which nurtured your interest in the health field and in the Osteopathic profession specifically, your “shadowing” experience, and any other factors which you feel are relevant to admission. (no more than 2 pages)\
Click to expand...

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this the PERSONAL STATEMENT? I couldn't come up with a thing to write about for this that I didn't already say in my PS.
 
engineeredout said:
Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this the PERSONAL STATEMENT? I couldn't come up with a thing to write about for this that I didn't already say in my PS.
Click to expand...

I'm in the same boat. It's the only secondary sitting in my inbox that I haven't sent out.
 
davis749 said:
Alright... potentially ridiculous question. So I'm filling out AT-KCOM's secondary, and have reached the portion on clinical/health experience. I have experience shadowing an osteopath (albeit only 5 hours, it is continuing) and experience in an emergency room; these are clearly clinical/health experiences. However, I also have 2 years experience as a Resident Assistant, regularly dealing with alcohol poisoning and psychological health. Do you think it's a stretch to mention it?
Click to expand...

Hey man, I'm an RA as well, I'd avoid listing this as clinical experience. It's a pretty big stretch. Think about it this way..it would be MUCH more beneficial listing this (or "talking about it") as a leadership role. clinical experience as an RA is a stretch because even though responding to emergencies, some of which may involve medical emergencies is part of the job description, its not the main role you play. you should talk about stuff like helping residents with academic / personal issues, programs, etc.
 
So I have been working on essays for five different secondaries so far. As most of you know, many of the schools have very similar essays - i.e. "why do you want to attend ----?" Is it reasonable to use almost the same essays for multiple secondaries? For example, I list one of the reasons I applied to DO programs is that I am planning on going into primary care, and many of these schools have a focus on primary care. Of course I will tailor each essay to the specific school, location, etc.

Another question that fits this scenario is 'why DO' or the 'personal statement.' Is there any problem using these same essays responses for multiple schools?
 
terrordome47 said:
So I have been working on essays for five different secondaries so far. As most of you know, many of the schools have very similar essays - i.e. "why do you want to attend ----?" Is it reasonable to use almost the same essays for multiple secondaries? For example, I list one of the reasons I applied to DO programs is that I am planning on going into primary care, and many of these schools have a focus on primary care. Of course I will tailor each essay to the specific school, location, etc.

Another question that fits this scenario is 'why DO' or the 'personal statement.' Is there any problem using these same essays responses for multiple schools?
Click to expand...

Same prompt --> Same essay + replace school name 👍
 
Chocolate Bear said:
Same prompt --> Same essay + replace school name 👍
Click to expand...


Awesome, much easier. I feel like even though I have about 13 essays in total (so far), there are really only 3 or 4 different topics. Its nice that there is a lot of overlap.
 
does anyone know if the PCOM-GA app should be sent to the PA or the GA campus? i would assume the GA campus, but on the bottom of the application i received, it says to mail it to the PA location. can anyone who has/is doing/has submitted PCOM's secondary chime in here? thanks.
 
diggintheDOs said:
does anyone know if the PCOM-GA app should be sent to the PA or the GA campus? i would assume the GA campus, but on the bottom of the application i received, it says to mail it to the PA location. can anyone who has/is doing/has submitted PCOM's secondary chime in here? thanks.
Click to expand...

It goes to the PA location, as stated. I know it seems weird, but they do all of their processing centrally, which is why the check gets made to PCOM, not PCOM-GA.
 
This question has already been asked but just to clarify. . .

In touro-nv secondary, the last page asks for a personal statement...did you guys write a completley different statement than THE personal statemsnt submitted to Acomas? Or did you cut and paste, which I'm not sure why they would ask for a replica. . .
Wtf?
 
MJ2008 said:
This question has already been asked but just to clarify. . .

In touro-nv secondary, the last page asks for a personal statement...did you guys write a completley different statement than THE personal statemsnt submitted to Acomas? Or did you cut and paste, which I'm not sure why they would ask for a replica. . .
Wtf?
Click to expand...

I wrote something fresh and significantly shorter. It was less than the space given, single-spaced. I just expanded on a few points I wanted to highlight and gave some perspective not presented in the PS.
 
Thanks CB. I think I'll follow your lead.
 
beachblonde said:
Is there a reason their secondary is absurdly expensive? As in, more expensive than any other school I've applied to?
Click to expand...

Supposedly you have a much greater chance of getting an interview and they don't want people just applying there as a safety.


I just mailed off 6 applications today. Then as soon as I was driving off, I realized I forgot to provide proof that I was taking Organic II and lab for VCOM. Go me. 6+ bucks in postage and I have to mail one more damn thing.

All that was wiped clean today when I got two more secondaries (NSU and LMU) and my first interview invite from an MD school. WOOOOOO
 
I also got NSU and LMU today!

Congrats on your Interview invite!!😀 Where's it at?! (If you don't mind me asking)
 
F.I.U.

Its their first year, but I don't care too much. The 40 person class size is pretty cool and they have an awesome way of organizing the curriculum. They seem really big on getting active in the community, and Miami/South Florida has a lot to offer in that regard.

I just finished the LMU supplemental. It crashed 3 times on me. Never had that happen before. I worked on Nova for a bit, but the stupid listing of schools bothers me and I didn't have time.
 
hey guys I haven't gotten any secondaries yet, but they should hopefully be coming in next week sometime. I was wondering how most of the secondaries are sent to you guys? Do they come as PDF's, and if so, is there a special program or updated version of adobe that lets you type on a PDF thats given to you?
 
meganmarie said:
hey guys I haven't gotten any secondaries yet, but they should hopefully be coming in next week sometime. I was wondering how most of the secondaries are sent to you guys? Do they come as PDF's, and if so, is there a special program or updated version of adobe that lets you type on a PDF thats given to you?
Click to expand...

You don't need a special version adobe to do that, whatever current version of the free reader is fine. THe person making the pdf has to make it so that you can type on it, yes. I had to fill out about 50 pages of it for my premed committee. Rather annoying actually.
 
engineeredout said:
You don't need a special version adobe to do that, whatever current version of the free reader is fine. THe person making the pdf has to make it so that you can type on it, yes. I had to fill out about 50 pages of it for my premed committee. Rather annoying actually.
Click to expand...


okay cool, just wanted to be prepared so I can get my secondaries out quickly when they arrive! Thanks for the answer!🙂
 
Are the majority of DO secondaries pdfs that you need to snail mail back to them? Most of my MD ones have been online applets, I much prefer the point and click approach to the lick and stamp approach. =P
 
redrumi said:
Are the majority of DO secondaries pdfs that you need to snail mail back to them? Most of my MD ones have been online applets, I much prefer the point and click approach to the lick and stamp approach. =P
Click to expand...

Hope you didn't go for the cheap envelopes. Some of the old glues can be deadly.
 
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