2010-2011 Rush Application Thread

[cho15]

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For this questions, " .have you had any experiences in which you were responsible for the care of others?"
..
Does that mean care as in medical care or can it be something else like watching over children or your younger siblings?

I don't think I have any experiences where I was responsible for the care of others besides my volunteer work at hospitals. Is that something we should mention?
.

 

[turkaglew]

I'm pretty sure rush really likes ppl who have worked in healtchare, unfortunately that is not me... 🙁

 

[shoebusiness85]

nm found it

photocopy of birth cert
passport
resident card

What if I am a US Citizen but cannot find a copy of my birth certificate? I also unfortunately do not have a passport. I submitted the paperwork to get one a couple days ago, but they are telling me that it will take 4-6 weeks.

Do I have to get them this proof BEFORE they will even look at my app? If so, I think I'm screwed....

 

[Avoidthetiger]

What if I am a US Citizen but cannot find a copy of my birth certificate? I also unfortunately do not have a passport. I submitted the paperwork to get one a couple days ago, but they are telling me that it will take 4-6 weeks.

Do I have to get them this proof BEFORE they will even look at my app? If so, I think I'm screwed....

getting a new version of your birth certificate might be easier... but yes, I think you do need to wait for the birth certificate or passport

 

[abmd]

For this questions, " .have you had any experiences in which you were responsible for the care of others?"
..
Does that mean care as in medical care or can it be something else like watching over children or your younger siblings?

I don't think I have any experiences where I was responsible for the care of others besides my volunteer work at hospitals. Is that something we should mention?
.

Just talk about your volunteer work, that counts!

I'm pretty sure rush really likes ppl who have worked in healtchare, unfortunately that is not me... 🙁

Don't worry about it. A lot of people in our class, me included came straight from college so we didn't have any experience either.

 

[shoebusiness85]

2.) The journey to a career in medicine requires special motivation and a high level of commitment. Describe your personal and academic preparation for a career as a physician and reflect upon it from the perspective of an observer. Include any changes in your career path, change of major, time gaps in your education, period of grades below a 3.0 level, serious events/crises that affected your path, either positively or negatively.

I have a question about this. Every year during college I got well above a 3.0, but I just realized on my AMCAS that one year my science GPA was a 2.93 (even though my overall GPA that year was a 3.5). Are they talking about yearly GPAs in this question?

But even if I should mention that science GPA, it definitely did not affect my life or my career path at all. I only took like 2 science courses that year and got a B minus in one of them, which is why it dipped low. Argg...it would really just make my essay so stupid if I included it, plus I have no room with this 1000 character limit.

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

 

[hemostat5]

I have the same question..

What do you think this: "reflect upon it from the perspective of an observer" is asking for exactly?

So e-mailed the office asking what that means exactly and got this response:

"Thank you for your interest in Rush Medical College. We cannot provide
you any further clariifciation as to the meaning of that question. .
Please answer the question as you deem best."

So as its been discussed, I don't think that phrasing means anything in particular. My own take on it is if you are describing the way you feel or something, try to be descriptive enough so that a third person can undestand it. So instead of saying "This experience improved my personality" you can say "This experience highlighted my interaction with others, especially in team problem solving and listening skills" or whatever you see as a fit.

 

[marshmallow]

So e-mailed the office asking what that means exactly and got this response:

"Thank you for your interest in Rush Medical College. We cannot provide
you any further clariifciation as to the meaning of that question. .
Please answer the question as you deem best."

So as its been discussed, I don't think that phrasing means anything in particular. My own take on it is if you are describing the way you feel or something, try to be descriptive enough so that a third person can undestand it. So instead of saying "This experience improved my personality" you can say "This experience highlighted my interaction with others, especially in team problem solving and listening skills" or whatever you see as a fit.

Awesome, thank! 🙂

 

[IrishCalini]

So e-mailed the office asking what that means exactly and got this response:

"Thank you for your interest in Rush Medical College. We cannot provide
you any further clariifciation as to the meaning of that question. .
Please answer the question as you deem best."

So as its been discussed, I don't think that phrasing means anything in particular. My own take on it is if you are describing the way you feel or something, try to be descriptive enough so that a third person can undestand it. So instead of saying "This experience improved my personality" you can say "This experience highlighted my interaction with others, especially in team problem solving and listening skills" or whatever you see as a fit.

Hmmm, maybe its just me, but it seemed like they were suggesting that we write an essay in the 3rd person like, "Katie then did this...blah blah" (if my hypothetical name is Katie)

Roar, at least the secondary doesn't open until after Lindsay Lohan gets out of jail 😛

 

[hemostat5]

Hmmm, maybe its just me, but it seemed like they were suggesting that we write an essay in the 3rd person like, "Katie then did this...blah blah" (if my hypothetical name is Katie)

Roar, at least the secondary doesn't open until after Lindsay Lohan gets out of jail 😛

Ba dum CRASH!

I did think of the whole third person thing too. But then I thought...what difference does 1st vs 3rd person make for the committee. 1st person makes a little more sense to me.

 

[jjwoo]

so did this secondary application actually come out yet or are you guys just discussing the sample application?

 

[shch0730]

so was anyone able to create an account and start filling in the application??

 

[sedaniel]

so was anyone able to create an account and start filling in the application??

It's supposed to be up around the end of the month (or early August according to the login page).

 

[giantswing]

Does anyone know if the character limit includes spaces? (Please let it not - short essays are so much harder!)

 

[Avoidthetiger]

Does anyone know if the character limit includes spaces? (Please let it not - short essays are so much harder!)

If you have not already, please go here http://www.rushsupp.com and look at the sample application. It will have all the character requirements and questions... and while most likely it will be the same as the actual secondary, we can't be sure until the actual secondary comes out.

 

[giantswing]

If you have not already, please go here http://www.rushsupp.com and look at the sample application. It will have all the character requirements and questions... and while most likely it will be the same as the actual secondary, we can't be sure until the actual secondary comes out.

Yes, and the example says 1000 characters max - but not with or without spaces.

 

[Avoidthetiger]

Yes, and the example says 1000 characters max - but not with or without spaces.

Sorry - I misunderstood what you wrote. I've been having a lazy brain sunday. I would assume with spaces.

 

[Asyouwereatrio]

Has anyone sent in the signature form and all required materials (Check, Passport copy or whatever citizenship proof you have, photo, and form itself)?

 

[Avoidthetiger]

Has anyone sent in the signature form and all required materials (Check, Passport copy or whatever citizenship proof you have, photo, and form itself)?

Not yet. I have everything ready... I probably will on Thursday/Friday so that it will be received in August (hopefully after I have submitted). Though I don't think the timing matters... but I would prefer to have the secondary done first.

 

[toastedcheese]

From the website: "The Supplemental Application will be available at this location beginning on August 2, 2010, at 8 a.m. Central Time."

 

[dragon529]

From the website: "The Supplemental Application will be available at this location beginning on August 2, 2010, at 8 a.m. Central Time."

Great... now I have 2 days to finish this beast....

 

[DoctaFuture]

lol no worries dragon, i havent even touched it yet. need to get on it too.

 

[DocBell]

lol no worries dragon, i havent even touched it yet. need to get on it too.

I'm gonna start on it today so you aren't alone.

 

[Asyouwereatrio]

Honestly, I wouldn't worry about starting it "now" vs after it's been released...Granted, the earlier the better..but to some extent, receiving it wednesday vs. friday or next monday won't make a huge difference.

 

[MaryLennox]

Honestly, I wouldn't worry about starting it "now" vs after it's been released...Granted, the earlier the better..but to some extent, receiving it wednesday vs. friday or next monday won't make a huge difference.

it wont make a difference as far as admission goes . . . but when i was applying last year, every step of their app seemed to take FOREVER to get processed and it drove me insane. so, for your own sanity, earlier may be better 🙂 same goes for the signature sheet thingy. i only live like 10 miles away and the thing didn't get marked as complete until probably a MONTH after i mailed it.

 

[sedaniel]

Just wanted to rant about how much I hate 1000 character limits on essay questions that clearly should have a higher limit. Especially question 2. Ugh.

 

[ssahjm]

Just wanted to rant about how much I hate 1000 character limits on essay questions that clearly should have a higher limit. Especially question 2. Ugh.

I hear you. It says to describe your "journey to a career in medicine"... but in 1000 characters, I feel like all I have room for is part of the way and maybe a rest stop.

 

[baileybrown]

has anyone logged on yet? i can't start working on this app for a little bit because i have 3 other apps i am currently working on.. just wondering if someone could post the questions and/or if the questions are the same as on the sample app.. thanks so much in advance!

 

[sedaniel]

I hear you. It says to describe your "journey to a career in medicine"... but in 1000 characters, I feel like all I have room for is part of the way and maybe a rest stop.

Haha 😀

has anyone logged on yet? i can't start working on this app for a little bit because i have 3 other apps i am currently working on.. just wondering if someone could post the questions and/or if the questions are the same as on the sample app.. thanks so much in advance!

Yep, they are the same as the sample app. Rush is one of my top choices so I was on at like 8:59 EST just waiting. Haha.... I have no life

 

[IrishCalini]

Haha 😀



Yep, they are the same as the sample app. Rush is one of my top choices so I was on at like 8:59 EST just waiting. Haha.... I have no life

So maybe this is no big deal, but when I went to log in, they didn't recognize my AMCAS #. I just went ahead and filled out the app, but did anyone else get this? I got the conformation email and everything too, so this is mystifying...

 

[sedaniel]

So maybe this is no big deal, but when I went to log in, they didn't recognize my AMCAS #. I just went ahead and filled out the app, but did anyone else get this? I got the conformation email and everything too, so this is mystifying...

They invite everyone to complete a supplemental, so no big deal.

 

[baileybrown]

Haha 😀



Yep, they are the same as the sample app. Rush is one of my top choices so I was on at like 8:59 EST just waiting. Haha.... I have no life

thanks, sedaniel!

 

[dragon529]

submitted! the joy of having no more secondary to do (for now) 😀

 

[icywrist]

Can someone please post the actual secondary app questions that came out recently? Much appreciated, thanks!

 

[taylormade2006]

Icywrist, it is word for word identical to the sample they posted on the supplemental website.

 

[obgyny]

Just wanted to rant about how much I hate 1000 character limits on essay questions that clearly should have a higher limit. Especially question 2. Ugh.

I hear ya!! I just submitted the UC Davis secondary which has essay questions with only 500 character limits (comes out to ~4sentences)!! It was really tough cutting down my essays.

1000 characters still doesn't seem like enough for the Rush questions!! Especially for this one: . Describe your personal and academic preparation for a career as a physician and reflect upon it from the perspective of an observer. Include any changes in your career path, change of major, time gaps in your education, period of grades below a 3.0 level, serious events/crises in your life that affected your path, either positively or negatively.

All of that in only 1000 characters?? How did you guys approach this question? I feel like this is exactly my personal statement. And when they say "time gaps in your education," does this include if I'm taking time off between college and med school?

 

[Asyouwereatrio]

I hear ya!! I just submitted the UC Davis secondary which has essay questions with only 500 character limits (comes out to ~4sentences)!! It was really tough cutting down my essays.

1000 characters still doesn't seem like enough for the Rush questions!! Especially for this one: . Describe your personal and academic preparation for a career as a physician and reflect upon it from the perspective of an observer. Include any changes in your career path, change of major, time gaps in your education, period of grades below a 3.0 level, serious events/crises in your life that affected your path, either positively or negatively.

All of that in only 1000 characters?? How did you guys approach this question? I feel like this is exactly my personal statement. And when they say "time gaps in your education," does this include if I'm taking time off between college and med school?

I took a snippet of my personal motivation (about a sentence or two) and a few sentences about my education and my activities (volunteering and research). It is a very abrupt sounding paragraph)

 

[sedaniel]

Ughhh it won't accept paragraph breaks. How incredibly annoying.

 

[obgyny]

I took a snippet of my personal motivation (about a sentence or two) and a few sentences about my education and my activities (volunteering and research). It is a very abrupt sounding paragraph)

Yeah, that's what I was thinking of doing... it's just so much to stuff. And I wasn't sure if it was okay to re-hash your primary, since it's basically asking the same thing.

So for the time gaps, do I need to explain my time off between college and med school?

 

[sedaniel]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking of doing... it's just so much to stuff. And I wasn't sure if it was okay to re-hash your primary, since it's basically asking the same thing.

So for the time gaps, do I need to explain my time off between college and med school?

I would if you can fit it in.

For the question that says "Are you currently or have you been employed in a health care-related field?" would research in a psychiatric ED count? I was compensated for it and interacted daily with incoming patients, but it was only for a summer (20 hrs/wk). What do you guys think?

 

[obgyny]

I would if you can fit it in.

For the question that says "Are you currently or have you been employed in a health care-related field?" would research in a psychiatric ED count? I was compensated for it and interacted daily with incoming patients, but it was only for a summer (20 hrs/wk). What do you guys think?

I would think so!! I would put that if you didn't have anything better to put (since it only asks for one experience) and just emphasize the patient interaction part. Are you using this same experience for the research question?

 

[taylormade2006]

Ughhh it won't accept paragraph breaks. How incredibly annoying.

Don't worry about that. The top of the form says that it won't accept formatting and that the committee is aware of that.

 

[Tippyboat]

I don't understand that "other careers" question. Is there a right and wrong answer...?

 

[Avoidthetiger]

I don't understand that "other careers" question. Is there a right and wrong answer...?

I KNOW!
Can I do non-medical or medical?
If I couldn't be a physician, I think I would be: 1. Politician 2. Vet 3. Pilot (before I became a nurse, PT, OT, ect). But then again, being a PT or PA would be pretty sweet. Actually, I'm pretty sure that list is my imaginary list of other employments... but I would love to put it down. haha.

 

[sedaniel]

I put veterinary medicine (not bc it is a "med school" substitute, just because I love animals 🙂 ), physics (my radiation oncology research doc keeps telling me to be a physicist instead of a doctor bc it pays better or something lol), and healthcare administration

 

[Tippyboat]

I KNOW!
Can I do non-medical or medical?
If I couldn't be a physician, I think I would be: 1. Politician 2. Vet 3. Pilot (before I became a nurse, PT, OT, ect). But then again, being a PT or PA would be pretty sweet. Actually, I'm pretty sure that list is my imaginary list of other employments... but I would love to put it down. haha.

I put veterinary medicine (not bc it is a "med school" substitute, just because I love animals 🙂 ), physics (my radiation oncology research doc keeps telling me to be a physicist instead of a doctor bc it pays better or something lol), and healthcare administration

Yeah! I seriously don't think i could be a nurse or PA, because it would just remind me of how I couldn't become a doctor!

Veterinary medicine sounds cool, but I couldn't honestly say that because I don't like bugs and certain lizards haha. I'm thinking of putting really wacky things, because I really don't think I would stay in the healthcare field if I couldn't be a doctor. How are they supposed to judge us on this anyway?!?! I might put plumber and food critic.

 

[sedaniel]

Yeah! I seriously don't think i could be a nurse or PA, because it would just remind me of how I couldn't become a doctor!

Veterinary medicine sounds cool, but I couldn't honestly say that because I don't like bugs and certain lizards haha. I'm thinking of putting really wacky things, because I really don't think I would stay in the healthcare field if I couldn't be a doctor. How are they supposed to judge us on this anyway?!?! I might put plumber and food critic.

Omg, food critic is a great choice, lol, I would totally do that! Anthony Bourdain style too. 😀

 

[DocBell]

Omg, food critic is a great choice, lol, I would totally do that! Anthony Bourdain style too. 😀

I was wondering about that. Does it look bad if we chose non medical stuff. Cause if I am going to be completely honest one of the three would probably be a college lit. professor.

 

[ssahjm]

Omg, food critic is a great choice, lol, I would totally do that! Anthony Bourdain style too. 😀

👍 👍 Love Tony Bourdain!

I don't want to be too revealing, so I'll try to keep this general. I talked to an admissions person about this once, and the person said your choices often indicate the area of medicine where you might be a good fit. (The person's example: a job with lots of problem-solving and puzzles might indicate you would be a good fit for neurology.) Of course, things vary from school to school, but I thought that was an interesting perspective.

 

[Tippyboat]

Ssahjm, that makes sense!
I still want to be a food critic though...🙂



Oh, does anybody know where is the residency status form? Do we not get that if we're not Illinois residents?