2009-2010 University of Pittsburgh Application Thread

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Status
Not open for further replies.
Members don't see this ad.
xcrunner01 said:
Hey everyone! I am drafting the ethical essay, and I have two possible scenarios to write about:

1. My old roommate had pretty serious hypochondria, but didn't want to go to counseling or tell her family about it although it was affecting her pretty badly. My other roommate (the non-hypochondriac) and I tried our best to help her out, but she clearly needed more than what we could do. We kept urging her to get help, and finally we ended up calling her mom to talk about the issue...as a result, our roommate did end up opening up to her family about her situation and started seeing a counselor.

2. Another TA situation...I was a TA, and one student was really struggling, and I saw how hard she worked- she always emailed me with questions, came to class prepared, came to office hours, etc, but still was not doing well at all in the class. She ended up asking for extra help, which I wasn't allowed to give to students one-on-one, although I really wanted to help her out.

What do you guys think? #1 is a little personal, and I feel sort of funny talking about my roommate's personal issues on my application, even if I use a different name, etc, etc. However, I feel like scenario #2 is pretty common- a lot of people seem to write about TA ethical issues.

Thoughts as to which one is better?

Also, are you guys including first names in the essays (possibly changed, though)?
Click to expand...

Do a lot of people write ethical issues about being a TA? I feel like that is not terribly common.

Based on what you have said, you don't seem to really like the TA one very much.
 
The ethical one is a tough question.

I was planning on writing about a friend of mine who became pregnant (unplanned) during sophomore year. Many of her friends (parents not part of her life) were just offering congratulations and advice for naming the kid, but I noticed that no one was really addressing issues such as how expensive/time consuming a kid can be and how it can be difficult to finish college etc. I was planning on talking about how I decided to raise these issues with her, in as nonbiased a way as I could, just making facts presentable without trying to advocate anything. I think this works, but I am slighty afraid it comes of as advocating abortion. This was not my intent ( I didn't bring up abortion in the conversation). I just felt she was maybe missing key facts that would be important in making such a big decision.
 
Just submitted. I didn't delve too deeply into the dilemma question. Just something that seemed reasonable but not too shallow.
 
MCP1 said:
The ethical one is a tough question.

I was planning on writing about a friend of mine who became pregnant (unplanned) during sophomore year. Many of her friends (parents not part of her life) were just offering congratulations and advice for naming the kid, but I noticed that no one was really addressing issues such as how expensive/time consuming a kid can be and how it can be difficult to finish college etc. I was planning on talking about how I decided to raise these issues with her, in as nonbiased a way as I could, just making facts presentable without trying to advocate anything. I think this works, but I am slighty afraid it comes of as advocating abortion. This was not my intent ( I didn't bring up abortion in the conversation). I just felt she was maybe missing key facts that would be important in making such a big decision.
Click to expand...

I think you're ok, as long as you don't mention abortion in the essay. The way you said it sounds fine. 🙂

Man, this ethical essay is rough. Good thing it's only a paragraph.... 🙂 I ended up writing about the TA situation I had since I felt writing about my roommate.

Since just writing a paragraph on an ethical dilemma is tough now, I wonder what interviews will be like...
 
xcrunner01 said:
I think you're ok, as long as you don't mention abortion in the essay. The way you said it sounds fine. 🙂

Man, this ethical essay is rough. Good thing it's only a paragraph.... 🙂 I ended up writing about the TA situation I had since I felt writing about my roommate.

Since just writing a paragraph on an ethical dilemma is tough now, I wonder what interviews will be like...
Click to expand...

Thanks!

I think talking about an ethical dilemma might be easier. That way you can verbally go through both sides of the argument and the pros and cons of each before arriving on some decision. At least that way, someone can see your thought process. Its hard to try and put all that in a 250 essay!

Is there a way to print the complete application? I find it easier to proofread than when its on a computer screen
 
Last edited:
just submitted 🙂 i thought the moral dilemna question was hard until i just sat back and remembered the last time i had to honestly say "i don't know what to do...". then it became very clear what i wanted to write about.

now i just have to wait for the premed committee to get it's stuff together...
 
I'm thinking about writing about a TA issue too. you guys don't think that falls under "academic cheating," right?
 
LAman10 said:
I'm thinking about writing about a TA issue too. you guys don't think that falls under "academic cheating," right?
Click to expand...

Sounds like there are going to be tons on TA experience for this question. I would try to be more unique. I feel my response was really unique, but it wasn't too deep of a moral dilemma. It was just an interesting dilemma that I resolved.
 
It's so unfortunate UPitt requires 1 year of general chem lab..
I only have 1/2 year of gen chem lab.. 🙁
 
LAman10 said:
I'm thinking about writing about a TA issue too. you guys don't think that falls under "academic cheating," right?
Click to expand...

No, as long as you didn't have to deal with one of your students cheating. Although, I think what they mean is that they don't want essays along the lines of "I saw so-and-so cheating and had to decide whether to report my friend". Just a thought...
 
xcrunner01 said:
Hey everyone! I am drafting the ethical essay, and I have two possible scenarios to write about:

1. My old roommate had pretty serious hypochondria, but didn't want to go to counseling or tell her family about it although it was affecting her pretty badly. My other roommate (the non-hypochondriac) and I tried our best to help her out, but she clearly needed more than what we could do. We kept urging her to get help, and finally we ended up calling her mom to talk about the issue...as a result, our roommate did end up opening up to her family about her situation and started seeing a counselor.

2. Another TA situation...I was a TA, and one student was really struggling, and I saw how hard she worked- she always emailed me with questions, came to class prepared, came to office hours, etc, but still was not doing well at all in the class. She ended up asking for extra help, which I wasn't allowed to give to students one-on-one, although I really wanted to help her out.
Click to expand...
I like #2 since any person would want to help if they were allowed to.

FWIW, I read the bolded part of #1 as "our roomate died" and I was like wha??
 
Would this work: Few students who were gunners in ochem lab cheated with their product weight, I was faced with either doing that or take a lower grade on lab report because the grade is determined by how high the class yield is.
 
osumc2014 said:
Would this work: Few students who were gunners in ochem lab cheated with their product weight, I was faced with either doing that or take a lower grade on lab report because the grade is determined by how high the class yield is.
Click to expand...

seems like the case of cheating in an academic setting. I would avoid it.
 
Homoochan: It's so unfortunate UPitt requires 1 year of general chem lab..I only have 1/2 year of gen chem lab..
Click to expand...

secondary: General or Inorganic Chemistry - (with one full year of lab or a single two credit lab) - I believe that 2 credits of lab will get you by based on this information. Telling you this was a personal delimma... 😉
 
InquisitiveOne said:
secondary: General or Inorganic Chemistry - (with one full year of lab or a single two credit lab) - I believe that 2 credits of lab will get you by based on this information. Telling you this was a personal delimma... 😉
Click to expand...

yeah.. I don't have a 2 credit lab course.. just 4 credit gen chem course with lab.. sigh.. I contacted the admissions office and they said they don't know what to do in this situation and recommended me to write them an e-mail. I still havn't heard from them yet lol I guess I have to withdraw.
 
Probably not the right place for it but since you are talking about it...I have a similar issue with my gen chem lab. I took a full year of gen chem, but only had one semester of lab associated with it. Do most schools require the full year of lab, or just 8 credits total?

Who knew my freshman coursework before I developed my interest in medicine would come back and bit me in the ass. Ridiculous part is I took O Chem and nailed it along with the mcat. If all the schools tell me I have to go take another class I am going to be quite angry, not to mention my morale may take a hit. Especially since all I need is one more semester of a lab.
 
Homoochan said:
Whoa! How did you apply with only 10 weeks of lab?? Did the adcom let you? (Or maybe you didn't apply here at at all)
Click to expand...

Well, for the UCLA Pre-Med Track (Chem 14 series), there is only 1 general chem lab class avaliable.

QUESTION:::: Are you guys including Biochemistry in the course work section? If so, under general or organic??
 
I just got my secondary today -- my first one. Huzzah.
 
I just submitted (and paid)!

Does anybody show their LORs as received by Pitt? I know mine are all loaded on AMCAS and designated to all of my schools, so I don't know why Pitt wouldn't have my letters yet.
 
DNAbaby said:
It sounds like a remarkable story. I would definitely write on it. You are not a doctor yet, so the mandate does not apply to you. However, this would be an interesting twist if you would have made a different decision as an MD. Good luck.
Click to expand...

Yea.. after debating on other stories, I think this is the one that I feel really represents an active role I took. And i've definitely acknowledged at the end that I do know that doctors have a legal obligation, and that I have every intention in complying. I'mma take the risk.. Wish me luck! I'll keep you posted! :xf:
 
So I'm looking at the page 3 and its asking for what departments you prefer, and that they'll try to match you with a faculty from the department you are in. Does this mean this is an additional interviewer to the general 2 (so 3 total), or will 1 of the interviewers be one from your preferred department?
 
yummieyimmie said:
Yea.. after debating on other stories, I think this is the one that I feel really represents an active role I took. And i've definitely acknowledged at the end that I do know that doctors have a legal obligation, and that I have every intention in complying. I'mma take the risk.. Wish me luck! I'll keep you posted! :xf:
Click to expand...

Yummie,

A strong narrative can be enormously beneficial during your interviews. Nothing demonstrates maturity and depth better than a thoughtful, well-written essay. Academic dishonesty is neither particularly interesting or enlightening choice of a topic for such an essay. Duke (which has a similar moral dilemma essay) specifically asks students NOT to write about that. I wish you all the best in the process.
 
Hey, does anyone know how strict they are on their word count? I'm 30 words over on the diversity question.
 
thank god I already have the answer ready for the ethical question. Turns out, one of my old internship applications had the EXACT question AND 250 word limit. 😀

Just brushing it up right now...

For those curious, I'm writing about how I was interviewing someone for an Anthropology ethnography and turns out the guys was illegally living here. I didn't rat him out, but was conflicted considering that it's not fair he's stealing business away from legal residents.
 
ilovechoco said:
Hey, does anyone know how strict they are on their word count? I'm 30 words over on the diversity question.
Click to expand...

Probably a good idea to follow directions here. I'm sure you can cut that down...use some of that PS word count cutting strategy lol
 
osumc2014 said:
Probably a good idea to follow directions here. I'm sure you can cut that down...use some of that PS word count cutting strategy lol
Click to expand...

I strongly recommend sticking to the guidelines for word count.
 
I'm wondering how much of a sense of humor the committee reviewers have... for the diversity contribution I'm tempted to include "everything... what happens in Vegas comes with me" in some part of the body of my essay.... 😉
 
megafoofie said:
I'm wondering how much of a sense of humor the committee reviewers have... for the diversity contribution I'm tempted to include "everything... what happens in Vegas comes with me" in some part of the body of my essay.... 😉
Click to expand...

i personally love that, but it seems to me that it's crucial to err on the side of caution...you never know who will be reading your app and they might not like it. no sense in creating more obstacles for yourself. (but i do really like it!)
 
Help! I'm a white, middle class male! How many more doctors like me does this country really need. I hate questions like this. I'm thinking about talking about how being a finance major will offer diverity... not too many business school grads in med school...
 
ragudude said:
Help! I'm a white, middle class male! How many more doctors like me does this country really need. I hate questions like this. I'm thinking about talking about how being a finance major will offer diverity... not too many business school grads in med school...
Click to expand...

You just have to dig deep. Diversity isn't all about race or gender. Do you think it would be easier for a female or minority to write the diversity section? They still have to think. They can't just say, "I'm a woman," and leave it at that. Draw upon your life experiences.
 
ragudude said:
Help! I'm a white, middle class male! How many more doctors like me does this country really need. I hate questions like this. I'm thinking about talking about how being a finance major will offer diverity... not too many business school grads in med school...
Click to expand...

Yea, talk about your experiences, not the color of your skin or your gender or your sexual orientation or whatever.
 
yea, not a troll, just dont post much. i think it was an auto-invite.... email sent 1 hr ago
 
themoomoo said:
yea, not a troll, just dont post much. i think it was an auto-invite.... email sent 1 hr ago
Click to expand...

Auto-invite? What are your stats like, if you don't mind my asking?
 
I also got an email invite. I sent out my supplemental late last night. It says the committee reviewed my app so I don't think it was an auto email.

My stats are 3.8+ Cumulative, 3.7+ Science, 36 MCAT. I put a lot of work into my diversity and moral dilemma essays as well. Its an awesome school and I would love to go there, so I'm thrilled at this quick turn around.
 
Last edited:
I think if you check previous threads, it says that there is like some GPA/MCAT combo that gets you an auto-invite for interview

I think.....
 
On the Application Status page, it says they have my LORs, but it is still showing it as "not completed." Is this the same for others out there?
 
lrkoehle said:
On the Application Status page, it says they have my LORs, but it is still showing it as "not completed." Is this the same for others out there?
Click to expand...

They list my LORs and yet the status says LORS not complete.😕
 
for anyone who got an interview, were your LORs in? application complete?
 
mine has my LORS listed in the box below the words "letters of recommendation" but to the right it says not completed.... arent they just downloaded thru the amcas letter service though?
 
for the second prompt, are we supposed to talk about something in our background that makes us diverse (e.g. culture, ethnicity, parents' occupations, etc.)? Or are we supposed to discuss like an EC or special experience that makes us unique?
 
On a completely unrelated note, did anyone get the letter from Cynthia Bonetti urging you to fill out the secondary application. I think her signature at the bottom is for real and not some digital copy. Hmm, do they pay her to sign 5,000 of these letters?
 
themoomoo said:
mine has my LORS listed in the box below the words "letters of recommendation" but to the right it says not completed.... arent they just downloaded thru the amcas letter service though?
Click to expand...

same here.
 
themoomoo said:
mine has my LORS listed in the box below the words "letters of recommendation" but to the right it says not completed.... arent they just downloaded thru the amcas letter service though?
Click to expand...

They gave you an interview, and it still says your letters of recommendation are not complete? I guess that is a good thing for the rest of us to know.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

wysdoc
2024-2025 Pittsburgh
25 26 27 28 29
Replies
1K
Views
305K
pinklover01
P
wysdoc
2024-2025 University of Washington
10 11 12 13 14
Replies
680
Views
143K
stew_md
S
wysdoc
2024-2025 University of Chicago (Pritzker)
12 13 14 15 16
Replies
778
Views
202K
X0001234
X0001234
wysdoc
2024-2025 Medical University of South Carolina
3 4 5 6 7
Replies
302
Views
57K
hbic2025
H
wysdoc
2024-2025 University of Central Florida (UCF)
3 4 5 6 7
Replies
318
Views
72K
LaurelePoole
L
Top