-
The 2026-2027 MD School Specific Threads are now live in the School Specific Discussions forum. The 2025-2026 cycle threads can be found here. -
Scholarship Access: Becoming a Student Doctor course
Free access to comprehensive medical school prep. Eligible students include AAMC FAP recipients and HS graduates from underserved areas. Apply today.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
2011-2012 Penn State Application Thread
Started by Sammich117
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
What is your source for this.
What is your source for this.
No source, just my opinion. They are only asking for 50 words, just write a few sentences that build off one another. You don't want them to think you can't form a coherent small passage and have to resort to bullet points. IMO, bullet points are more appropriate for the brainstorming portion of writing.
<---------- Used bullet points. (also used on primary in some cases) 😛
I felt they were more efficient, considering the 50 word limit. They have the PS and mcat if they want to assess writing skills. With such a low limit, I'm sure they're just looking for clear answers regardless of how they're presented.
I felt they were more efficient, considering the 50 word limit. They have the PS and mcat if they want to assess writing skills. With such a low limit, I'm sure they're just looking for clear answers regardless of how they're presented.
I originally used bullet points also, but when I looked at the 'preview application' function I found that the bullet points did not transfer over.
what if we just used - (dashes) instead of real bullet points?
Also, I don't see the "preview app" function -- maybe that's in the "confirm/finalize" section? I'm paranoid and scared to even press it right now while mine isn't done.
With this 50 word limit, how on earth...was anyone able to write MORE THAN ONE negative apsect of healthcare?
Also, I don't see the "preview app" function -- maybe that's in the "confirm/finalize" section? I'm paranoid and scared to even press it right now while mine isn't done.
With this 50 word limit, how on earth...was anyone able to write MORE THAN ONE negative apsect of healthcare?
Does anyone know how strict Penn is on this?
"Applicants are required to have fulfilled all academic prerequisites by the end of the calendar year prior to matriculation."
I will only be missing one course by the end of December 2011, but will be finished it a few months prior to matriculation. Anyone in a similar situation or know someone who is/was?
Thanks for the help 🙂
"Applicants are required to have fulfilled all academic prerequisites by the end of the calendar year prior to matriculation."
I will only be missing one course by the end of December 2011, but will be finished it a few months prior to matriculation. Anyone in a similar situation or know someone who is/was?
Thanks for the help 🙂
what if we just used - (dashes) instead of real bullet points?
With this 50 word limit, how on earth...was anyone able to write MORE THAN ONE negative apsect of healthcare?
I believe that the question is leaning towards evaluating medicine as a career choice. In other words, negative aspects that you have considered when deciding to become a doctor.
yea i just wrote about the costs of med schools and the problems of taking out loansI believe that the question is leaning towards evaluating medicine as a career choice. In other words, negative aspects that you have considered when deciding to become a doctor.
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
I only focused on one aspect, but I mentioned it as one of many.
Also, finally submitted the secondary today 😀
Also, finally submitted the secondary today 😀
yea i just wrote about the costs of med schools and the problems of taking out loans
I thought it meant negative aspects you think will occur while practicing medicine? as in what you think you will not like as a doctor
I thought it meant negative aspects you think will occur while practicing medicine? as in what you think you will not like as a doctor
...as I doctor..he/she will not like making student loan payments 😛
I think cost of education and the uncertainty of future earnings is a relevant concern.
i think they left it open to ur interpretation....remember these questions have no right or wrong answer its just a way of getting into ur head and ur thought process write whatever u feel the question is asking u and ull be fine i took it to mean wut are some negative aspects in my decision to go to med schoolI thought it meant negative aspects you think will occur while practicing medicine? as in what you think you will not like as a doctor
Last edited:
how much does this secondary cost?
$75
Help! Just finished writing my Penn essays and I can't find my e-mail to the secondary! I know I received it, but maybe accidentally deleted it 
Can someone link me?

Can someone link me?
Help! Just finished writing my Penn essays and I can't find my e-mail to the secondary! I know I received it, but maybe accidentally deleted it
Can someone link me?
https://sa-hes.hmc.psu.edu/secondary/login.cfm
Help! Just finished writing my Penn State essays and I can't find my e-mail to the secondary! I know I received it, but maybe accidentally deleted it
Can someone link me?
FTFY. It's Penn State, not Penn. Hopefully you get it straight before you interview.
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
FTFY. It's Penn State, not Penn. Hopefully you get it straight before you interview.
I would have said UPenn for the other. I thought it was clear which school I was referring to based on the thread I was posting on...

what if we just used - (dashes) instead of real bullet points?
Also, I don't see the "preview app" function -- maybe that's in the "confirm/finalize" section? I'm paranoid and scared to even press it right now while mine isn't done.
With this 50 word limit, how on earth...was anyone able to write MORE THAN ONE negative apsect of healthcare?
They're called commas.
I guess it's a trade off between actually discussing one pivotal "aspect" vs tossing out several different ones. I have no idea which way admissions would rather see ya go with it. Wish admissions reps would post on here! 😉
penn state has been awfully quiet once again with their complete emails...
I'm having problem answering question 13 guys. The website doesn't say anything unique about Penn State COM. All I know is they have great children's hospital. Where could I find out more to write this? Any help is much appreciated.
I'm having problem answering question 13 guys. The website doesn't say anything unique about Penn State COM. All I know is they have great children's hospital. Where could I find out more to write this? Any help is much appreciated.
You can look at the detailed curriculum and write about something that interests you.
Here's the link: http://www.pennstatehershey.org/web/md/curriculum
just got a complete email
just got a complete email
+1
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
just got a complete email
Any idea when they start calling for interviews?
when did you guys submit for the people who got a complete letter
when did you guys submit for the people who got a complete letter
Submitted: July 29
Complete: Aug. 4
I'm still waiting on a complete email. Submitted on 7/29 as well.
I'm still waiting on a complete email. Submitted on 7/29 as well.
I submitted my secondary on 8/09 and received a complete email on 8/17, the day after my MCAT score was released.
I submitted my secondary on 8/09 and received a complete email on 8/17, the day after my MCAT score was released.
I'll probably call them Monday to see what's going on. Thanks for the info.
im in the same boat as u...i think im going to send an e-mail to them asking wuts upI'm still waiting on a complete email. Submitted on 7/29 as well.
im in the same boat as u...i think im going to send an e-mail to them asking wuts up
Great- let me know how that goes!
Interview invite today!!!! Yay! My first one!
OOS, 37Q, 3.4
Verified 6/2, secondary submitted the day it was released. Complete shortly thereafter.
congrats. were you complete before 08/04?
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
congrats. were you complete before 08/04?
Thanks, I received the complete email on the 8/04.
same with myself and steve i e-mailed them but havent gotten a response...if I don't hear anything by monday morning (since I am on Pacific time) I will call them upi submitted my secondary like 2 days after i got it and I haven't been complete...weird
Application complete email received 8/4
Invited for interview 8/19
In state/33Q/3.86
Invited for interview 8/19
In state/33Q/3.86
I wonder how it works -- I submitted 7/16 and got "complete" email 8/8I'm still waiting on a complete email. Submitted on 7/29 as well.
any updates on how they're marking people complete? last i saw, people were emailing and calling them. I submitted on 8/12 so I know it's only been over a week for me but my letters have been on amcas since july....so odd that some people are getting complete within a week and others are not complete over 2 weeks.
i e-mailed them friday and still haven't gotten a response...I couldn't call today (it sucks being West Coast so we have less hours to call) but I will definitely call first thing tomorrow morning if an answer isn't sitting in my inbox it def is weird as my letters were also sent LONG time ago and i submitted my app the day after I got it mid-julyany updates on how they're marking people complete? last i saw, people were emailing and calling them. I submitted on 8/12 so I know it's only been over a week for me but my letters have been on amcas since july....so odd that some people are getting complete within a week and others are not complete over 2 weeks.
I got in contact with them, and the way she explained it was that it takes 4-6 weeks before they can validate completion. Obviously this is not true with everyone as we have seen in this thread, but I guess all we can do is wait. I will wait another two weeks or so before I call/email them again. Good luck everyone.
I submitted around 7/29 and still not complete yet:
"Our records indicate that your Secondary Application has been received, but it has not been determined whether your application is complete or not at this time. Once that determination has been made, you will be notified via email."
Not sure if I should call as well, but it doesn't seem like there is an error so perhaps I will just wait a bit longer.
"Our records indicate that your Secondary Application has been received, but it has not been determined whether your application is complete or not at this time. Once that determination has been made, you will be notified via email."
Not sure if I should call as well, but it doesn't seem like there is an error so perhaps I will just wait a bit longer.
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
- Status
- Not open for further replies.