2014-2015 Pennsylvania State University Application Thread

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kjj17 said:
oof #4 is new, and I see they took out the gap year question
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The gap year question is still there. It is not on the essay page of the application, however. Still 75 words.
 
There is also a 75-word prompt if you are re-applicant (how you have strengthened your application).
 
PreciousHamburgers said:
There is also a 75-word prompt if you are re-applicant (how you have strengthened your application).
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If you're not a reapplicant to this specific school but have applied elsewhere in the past do they know this? From what I understand each school can only see when you apply to their school
 
IL Pre Med said:
If you're not a reapplicant to this specific school but have applied elsewhere in the past do they know this? From what I understand each school can only see when you apply to their school
Click to expand...

Actually they have a prompt asking if you are a re-applicant to Penn State, AND a separate prompt asking if you are a re-applicant in general.
 
robertrobinross said:
anybody have any idea what they mean by "navigate a complex system." I was thinking they are talking about figuring out how to use complex technology but that may be way way off of what they mean lol
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Penn State COM got a 1 million dollar grant for implementing a "patient navigation" system where med students will be helping patients navigate the convoluted healthcare system. More about it here:
http://www.transforminghealth.org/s...lege-of-medicine-receives-1-million-grant.php

So by asking this question they basically want to know if you have ever navigated a complex system (ex healthcare and others)
 
What are they referring to with the "unique" question?
 
Secondary received going to be submitting this weekend
 
'Navigate a complex system' was such a terrible phrase to use; it's way too interpretative for me to know what they are looking for. I saw the post about the healthcare system but I'm still not confident in what it is they want.
 
For the complex system essay question I wrote about how I solved a complicated problem...Not sure if that's what they want.
 
IL Pre Med said:
If you're not a reapplicant to this specific school but have applied elsewhere in the past do they know this? From what I understand each school can only see when you apply to their school
Click to expand...
Your AMCAS id number is unique to the year that you created it in. If you applied last year, your ID number is significantly different than if you applied this year (as I understand it, at least.)
 
NervousWreck6 said:
For the complex system essay question I wrote about how I solved a complicated problem...Not sure if that's what they want.
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I wrote about trying to start a program and having to jump through hoops to get it OK-ed.
 
I think the point of the question is to show that you're capable of learning quickly in an unfamiliar situation or with a unique concept.

Basically like a challenge essay but more specific in that the challenge is something you have to learn.
 
For this question:

Is there a unique aspect of your application that should be considered by the admissions committee? (Maximum 75 words)

Are you guys talking about a personal characteristic or a concrete experience, like a specific EC or work position?
 
Awared said:
Your AMCAS id number is unique to the year that you created it in. If you applied last year, your ID number is significantly different than if you applied this year (as I understand it, at least.)
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But I could have started my application and signed up for AMCAS but never submitted my primary, making me a new applicant now even though I registered for an application last year.
 
sundancing said:
For this question:

Is there a unique aspect of your application that should be considered by the admissions committee? (Maximum 75 words)

Are you guys talking about a personal characteristic or a concrete experience, like a specific EC or work position?
Click to expand...
Personally, I am using an experience and quickly tying in a personal characteristic as well 🙂
 
Tried to pay and it malfunctioned but charged me =/ here we go. ugh
 
For the unique aspect of my application question, am I wrong to take it as an opportunity to talk about a flaw in your app? Like a lower than average MCAT or such? Or is it more for like 1 thing you want them to really take into account?
 
Chaloobz said:
For the unique aspect of my application question, am I wrong to take it as an opportunity to talk about a flaw in your app? Like a lower than average MCAT or such? Or is it more for like 1 thing you want them to really take into account?
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If your MCAT is lower than average, I would imagine this is a place to show them how you can add to the diversity of the school in such a way that mitigates the score, rather than shine a light on the number.
 
Can anyone confirm that the post with the prompts on the first page was accurate:

  1. Is there a unique aspect of your application that should be considered by the admissions committee? (Maximum 75 words)
  2. Explain why you decided to apply to Penn State College of Medicine. (Maximum 75 words)
  3. Please write a short paragraph describing a significant experience you have had working in a team setting. (Maximum 250 words)
  4. Briefly describe an experience where you had to navigate a complex system (e.g. personal experience, group activity, or development of a project) to achieve an end. Reflect on the qualities and attributes required by you to achieve success in this experience. (Maximum 250 words)

Thanks!
 
How are you guys treating the team setting essay? More of a singular situation or a prolonged experience in a team setting?
 
confusedhokie said:
How are you guys treating the team setting essay? More of a singular situation or a prolonged experience in a team setting?
Click to expand...
I played a team sport all through college so I'm going to be talking about that prolonged experience but focusing on one particular instance.
 
Hey guys, I am trying to answer the "Why Penn State?" question but I can't find anything on their website that makes them really unique.
 
I just checked my credit card and I got charged 3 times when submitting the application. I clicked the link to pay twice because the first time it malfunctioned (as others have experienced) but I don't understand how I got charged 3 times!! Is there anything I can do about this? Should I just call the school tomorrow?
 
Don't you fret Penn State secondary, only two more secondaries for me to write and then I'll have time for you!
 
Do we have to give both SAT and ACT scores? I took both tests and did a lot better on my ACT, so I'd like to only give that one 😛
 
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