2009-2010 Dartmouth Application Thread

[Eurekaa]

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What's with the prereq being full year, 8 semester hours? Is that a lecture component + lab component? For some reason, my intro bio/chem/physics are only listed as 6 semester hours on my verified primary, even though they were 3 lecture hours + 3 lab hours every week...

 

[inthebay]

Do you guys think an overcoming adversity essay would be okay here? Or, should I go for more of a what makes me special type thing?

I have a good overcoming adversity essay that I would like to use, but I don't know if it tells them enough about me since it also focuses a bit on the obstacle

 

[trueBelief]

sure why not, as long as it tells them something useful about you. I think anything from unique educational experiences, background to adversity would be fitting for this one.

 

[booklovingpuppy]

What's with the prereq being full year, 8 semester hours? Is that a lecture component + lab component? For some reason, my intro bio/chem/physics are only listed as 6 semester hours on my verified primary, even though they were 3 lecture hours + 3 lab hours every week...

My intro bio/physics classes were also 3 lecture hours + 3 lab hours each week. However, I specifically wrote on my AMCAS that the class was "Physic X and Lab," and so on. You are supposed to add the "and Lab" part to all the lecture & lab combined classes.

 

[booklovingpuppy]

Do you guys think an overcoming adversity essay would be okay here? Or, should I go for more of a what makes me special type thing?

I have a good overcoming adversity essay that I would like to use, but I don't know if it tells them enough about me since it also focuses a bit on the obstacle

I used an "overcoming challenge in life" essay b/c I didn't want to write a new one. 🙄

 

[booklovingpuppy]

So when I read the .pdf version of my submitted secondary, I found that certain punctuation marks - specifically the dash and apostrophe - are somehow missing/didn't get transmitted. Should I be a crazy pre-med and e-mail/call the admin committee about it? I don't want them thinking that I don't know how to punctuate properly, but I don't want them to think that I'm obsessive compulsive either...😕

 

[Appless]

So when I read the .pdf version of my submitted secondary, I found that certain punctuation marks - specifically the dash and apostrophe - are somehow missing/didn't get transmitted. Should I be a crazy pre-med and e-mail/call the admin committee about it? I don't want them thinking that I don't know how to punctuate properly, but I don't want them to think that I'm obsessive compulsive either...😕

someone did that for you already a month ago in the thread, they said dont worry as they are aware of the issue,

 

[flip26]

My intro bio/physics classes were also 3 lecture hours + 3 lab hours each week. However, I specifically wrote on my AMCAS that the class was "Physic X and Lab," and so on. You are supposed to add the "and Lab" part to all the lecture & lab combined classes.

This is correct - if you did not do this, you may want to update your AMCAS to reflect it.

 

[LAman10]

This is correct - if you did not do this, you may want to update your AMCAS to reflect it.

On AMCAS didn't they have that checkbox to say whether or not it was a Lab/Lecture or just a lecture?

 

[vette2k10]

So when I read the .pdf version of my submitted secondary, I found that certain punctuation marks - specifically the dash and apostrophe - are somehow missing/didn't get transmitted. Should I be a crazy pre-med and e-mail/call the admin committee about it? I don't want them thinking that I don't know how to punctuate properly, but I don't want them to think that I'm obsessive compulsive either...😕

how bout this, i just figured out that I stated a word twice as in ......the the.... it sucks I can't do anything about it but whatevs.

 

[flip26]

On AMCAS didn't they have that checkbox to say whether or not it was a Lab/Lecture or just a lecture?

Yes, but you were also instructed to add "and lab" to the title of the course for a combo lecture lab...I think AMCAS completely sucks, but those were the instructions.

 

[Quicky]

Still no secondary and I've been verified since early June. I've called Dartmouth and they say they get applications in batches twice a month and that AMCAS hasn't sent it if they don't have it... I haven't had any problems with any other school, could this really be an AMCAS screwup?

On a side note, do I have any chance here with only a couple months of research experience?

 

[physicsnerd42]

On a side note, do I have any chance here with only a couple months of research experience?

Sure. Unless you're applying MD/PhD, significant research isn't required. Dartmouth wants a well-rounded class so not everyone has to excel at the same things (like research).

 

[robrobbberts]

I'm a little lost with this question. I tried to be very thorough in my primary application, so I feel like there really isn't anything else for me to address.

:/ What should I do? Expand on some of the things I already mentioned?

 

[LAman10]

I'm a little lost with this question. I tried to be very thorough in my primary application, so I feel like there really isn't anything else for me to address.

:/ What should I do? Expand on some of the things I already mentioned?

your ENTIRE life is depicted in your AMCAS? what a crappy life.

 

[robrobbberts]

your ENTIRE life is depicted in your AMCAS? what a crappy life.

Gee, thanks for the complement! Especially without knowing any details. My entire relevant life sure is. Everything I thought was relevant to my Medical School application, I listed. Why would I leave something out that I thought they should know?

 

[LAman10]

Gee, thanks for the complement! Especially without knowing any details. My entire relevant life sure is. Everything I thought was relevant to my Medical School application, I listed. Why would I leave something out that I thought they should know?

haha I'm just messing with you man. honestly, you can talk about anything though... maybe find an essay that you wrote for another school and just copy/paste it?

 

[Toadsworth]

So is there no longer a 3rd green light for letters of rec?

 

[FuSoYa]

So is there no longer a 3rd green light for letters of rec?

This is my understanding based on previous posts. People who had 3 green lights now have 2, plus the whole AMCAS info for letters.

 

[BlueElmo]

So is there no longer a 3rd green light for letters of rec?

Only 2 for me as well.

 

[ek1099]

i actually e-mailed them about it and there will be no third green light for the LORs.

in fact...

"You will not receive a confirmation e-mail once your file is complete. You will only receive e-mails indicating that your secondary application was sent and that we received
your payment."

 

[Appless]

they probably took the LOR thign down so insane pre meds dont flood them with 129387109832 calls paranoid that after 1 day their LORs werent received....like they are in other threads ahha.

 

[estelyk]

Hi
I was wondering, does dartmouth still require 2 individual letters?
I only have one individual letter. Does that mean I cannot apply until I have one more?
thanks!!

 

[CdnHopeful]

Do you guys know how long after you were verified that you got Dartmouths secondary?

It's been 2 weeks =(

 

[housefish26]

Do you guys know how long after you were verified that you got Dartmouths secondary?

It's been 2 weeks =(

Dude, I got Dartmouth's secondary 10 days after SUBMITTING my primary, so before I got verified. It's time to give them a call...

 

[redrower]

im driving over to the admissions office later today to ask about letters, completeness, invites, basically give them some hell...keep you guys posted on what they say (or if they throw out my file, in which case i would recommend not pestering them 😛)

 

[BlueElmo]

im driving over to the admissions office later today to ask about letters, completeness, invites, basically give them some hell...keep you guys posted on what they say (or if they throw out my file, in which case i would recommend not pestering them 😛)

I will be rooting for you.

 

[redsquareblack]

im driving over to the admissions office later today to ask about letters, completeness, invites, basically give them some hell...keep you guys posted on what they say (or if they throw out my file, in which case i would recommend not pestering them 😛)

I would not do this. Making a name for yourself thus in the admissions office this early in the cycle is probably not a good thing.

 

[oze]

anyone else having trouble logging in right now? I had already logged in once, and now I can't.

 

[ek1099]

anyone else having trouble logging in right now? I had already logged in once, and now I can't.

i was just able to log-in

 

[oze]

i was just able to log-in

oh the perks of still being in Hanover; I'll march down there tomorrow morning. this is weird.

 

[physicsnerd42]

Just a general observation: The people in the admissions department (especially Brenda, the admin at the front desk) are all VERY nice. I'm not entirely sure that the best tactic, though, is to go and ask (read: "annoy") them about your application in person. There is such a thing as being overeager.

If you want to go check out the school, feel free to go check out the Hanover campus and DHMC (although, this is what interviews are for). If you want to check on your application, a phone call or email is probably the best bet.

 

[oze]

Just a general observation: The people in the admissions department (especially Brenda, the admin at the front desk) are all VERY nice. I'm not entirely sure that the best tactic, though, is to go and ask (read: "annoy") them about your application in person. There is such a thing as being overeager.

If you want to go check out the school, feel free to go check out the Hanover campus and DHMC (although, this is what interviews are for). If you want to check on your application, a phone call or email is probably the best bet.

I can literally see the admissions building from my office though, and I'm actually kinda curious how their offices look after walking past it every day for 4 years

 

[physicsnerd42]

I can literally see the admissions building from my office though, and I'm actually kinda curious how their offices look after walking past it every day for 4 years

Working in Moore? 🙂

Like I said, they're very nice. It's not like stopping by and politely asking if your application is complete (although I'd only suggest it if this is something you can't find online) is going to sink your app, or anything. It is also true that Dartmouth, like everywhere else, likes you to show interest in the school.

I just worry about a deluge of people stopping in to check on their apps. I also know that is possible to come off too strong.

 

[redrower]

The lady I talked to (I think it was Brenda...) was really very nice!! she explained that the reason why they took the green light off the site was, as mentioned earlier in this thread, was to keep applicants from calling constantly. however, apparently it backfired and now more kids are calling about the lack of a green light! 😛

it didnt seem like she minded talking to me. then again i went over at like 2 in the afternoon. she was probably bored out of her mind just sitting there.

 

[CdnHopeful]

Is Dartmouth rolling??? or semi?

 

[pitt1166]

Anyone know when people started hearing about interviews/rejections from Dartmouth last year?

 

[Snurping]

Anyone know when people started hearing about interviews/rejections from Dartmouth last year?

Looks like first post regarding getting an interview was 8/25 last year.

 

[LeavingThisLab]

Has anyone's secondary been processed yet? I submitted my secondary on 7/7 and it says submitted, and "in process". What have ya'll seen?

 

[physicsnerd42]

Is Dartmouth rolling???

Yes.

 

[FuSoYa]

Has anyone's secondary been processed yet? I submitted my secondary on 7/7 and it says submitted, and "in process". What have ya'll seen?

Not yet. Where does it say "in process" for you? On the green lights page?

 

[trueBelief]

Not yet. Where does it say "in process" for you? On the green lights page?

Nope the first page that you see one you log in. I don't think it means much, its just what their default is once they receive your verified primary and secondary.

 

[jiggahova]

For the list your 2009-10 activities question I am thinking of saying that I am searching for a part time job and hope to have one by the time the semester begins. Is that a bad idea? So far all I have is the courses I am taking and that I am playing intramural sports, I feel that will not be enough.

 

[trueBelief]

For the list your 2009-10 activities question I am thinking of saying that I am searching for a part time job and hope to have one by the time the semester begins. Is that a bad idea? So far all I have is the courses I am taking and that I am playing intramural sports, I feel that will not be enough.

I would STRONGLY recommend you to not do this. I heard that med school adcoms don't like it when people talk about stuff that is not yet happened except for things like future work in something you are already pursuing. Anything new that you haven't begun should not make it to your application. I think LizzyM, an adcom on SDN also advised against doing such things.

 

[DNAbaby]

For the list your 2009-10 activities question I am thinking of saying that I am searching for a part time job and hope to have one by the time the semester begins. Is that a bad idea? So far all I have is the courses I am taking and that I am playing intramural sports, I feel that will not be enough.

I agree with True. You cannot discuss activities you hope to do, only those that you are/were actually involved in. Remember that it is always possible to send in updates to your application as you advance in the process.

 

[Bryson17]

I agree with True. You cannot discuss activities you hope to do, only those that you are/were actually involved in. Remember that it is always possible to send in updates to your application as you advance in the process.

I disagree. I'm graduating this month or next. Other than volunteering, nothing I wrote about in my plans essay is set in stone. I just told them what I hoped to be doing, and my options in case that fails.

 

[Appless]

I disagree. I'm graduating this month or next. Other than volunteering, nothing I wrote about in my plans essay is set in stone. I just told them what I hoped to be doing, and my options in case that fails.

same...im graduating in december so i have no idea what i will be doing necesarily as i will be working full time and what not, but i cant tell them what job i will be working at when its 6 months away...not to mention after graduation i do not even know where i will be living or what city it will be.

 

[adele87]

The question is asking about your plans, right? It's not the same as the AMCAS activities where they're only looking for things that have actually happened. Plans are by nature tentative so I think it would be all right to describe, as accurately as possible of course, what you think you'll be doing next year. I would expect whatever you write to come up in an interview and to be prepared to justify any changes from what you wrote.

 

[CdnHopeful]

As a Canadian, I don't have a SSN number..however a SIN number doesnt fit..so what do I do?

 

[FML]

As a Canadian, I don't have a SSN number..however a SIN number doesnt fit..so what do I do?

Call 'em. You def would not want to mess something like that up.