2015-2016 Oakland University (Beaumont) Application Thread

[Ismet]

Space reserved for prompt.

Please PM the essays or lack thereof to me when the secondary is available and I will update this.

Good luck to everyone applying!

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[Rainbow Zebra]

Added to my long list.

 

[winterwind_23]

Since the secondary questions have been the same for the last 3 years, I'm willing to bet it's going to be the same again:

Essay #1: What have you done to make your community a better place? (400 Words)

Essay #2: (Optional): Is there anything you want the admissions committee to know about your qualifications for medical school that is not already represented in your application materials? Note: This space is provided for new information only, not to promote qualifications already highlighted in your other materials. (400 Words)

Essay #3: (Optional): Please explain any gaps in your education, if applicable. (400 Words)

Oakland is one of my top choices and where I think I might be competitive, so it is the first secondary that I will pre-write. Any tips on how to approach Essay #1? I'm thinking of going in depth on two activities that I'm involved in. Do they want us to write about medically related activities, or can it be about anything?

 

[SallySue1202]

Since the secondary questions has been the same for the last 3 years, I'm willing to bet it's going to be the same again:

Essay #1: What have you done to make your community a better place? (400 Words)

Essay #2: (Optional): Is there anything you want the admissions committee to know about your qualifications for medical school that is not already represented in your application materials? Note: This space is provided for new information only, not to promote qualifications already highlighted in your other materials. (400 Words)

Essay #3: (Optional): Please explain any gaps in your education, if applicable. (400 Words)

Oakland is one of my top choices and where I think I might be competitive, so it is the first secondary that I will pre-write. Any tips on how to approach Essay #1? I'm thinking of going in depth on two activities that I'm involved in. Do they want us to write about medically related activities, or can it be about anything?

OUWB seems to be BIG educating physicians to serve their communities above all else, so I would make sure the activities you chose to talk about are altruistic at their core (but they could for sure be about anything you wanted).

 

[winterwind_23]

OUWB seems to be BIG educating physicians to serve their communities above all else, so I would make sure the activities you chose to talk about are altruistic at their core (but they could for sure be about anything you wanted).

Yes, poking around SDN, I've read that OUWB is big on community service. I guess this should be indicated by the fact that their only required secondary essay specifically focuses on service!

EDIT: Now that I've thought about my essay some more, I realized that the two activities that I believe are "truly altruistic" that I have been involved in and was planning to write about I wrote about at length in my personal statement and in one of my Most Meaningful Experiences essays. Would it be OK to write about these experiences again, but perhaps from a different angle? I could write my medical volunteer activities, but I feel it's a bit disingenuous, as most premeds will have these similar clinical volunteer experiences.

 

[SallySue1202]

Yes, poking around SDN, I've read that OUWB is big on community service. I guess this should be indicated by the fact that their only required secondary essay specifically focuses on service!

EDIT: Now that I've thought about my essay some more, I realized that the two activities that I believe are "truly altruistic" that I have been involved in and was planning to write about I wrote about at length in my personal statement and in one of my Most Meaningful Experiences essays. Would it be OK to write about these experiences again, but perhaps from a different angle? I could write my medical volunteer activities, but I feel it's a bit disingenuous, as most premeds will have these similar clinical volunteer experiences.

I'd think that as long as you talk about the activities in a different way, it should be more than fine. I actually think that writing about medical volunteering isn't necessarily the best type of activity to write about. Most of us volunteered in a clinic or in a hospital not so that we can make our community better, but instead so that we can learned about what it is like to work in a medical setting and talk to patients. At least, that's why I did it! And I think those are more selfish reasons for doing something. I know I could not effectively argue that showing up at a hospital for a couple hundred hours really improved my community even though I got a lot out of the experience. But that's just my opinion! And I am only an applicant too.

 

[ChillDawg]

Are there any 'issues' with attending a newer med school?
Rotations, residences, etc...?

 

[SallySue1202]

Are there any 'issues' with attending a newer med school?
Rotations, residences, etc...?

Beaumont Health System is pretty spectacular, especially its graduate medical education! From its website (http://www.beaumont.edu/medical-education/residencies/):

• 40 accredited programs (19 residencies and 21 fellowships)
• 16 additional fellowships for which ACGME accreditation is not available
• Listed in eight specialties in U.S. News and World Report's "Americas Best Hospitals"

Matching also seemed to go great this year, https://www.oakland.edu/?id=32941&sid=340.

 

[winterwind_23]

For this secondary prompt:

• Essay #3: (Optional): Please explain any gaps in your education, if applicable. (400 Words)

Should I use it to describe what I've done since graduation, even though it is well-documented in my AMCAS primary? Is the time since my graduation a "gap" in my education? I graduated in 2011 and have been working, volunteering, and doing a postbacc the last year.

 

[NovMSScr]

For this secondary prompt:

• Essay #3: (Optional): Please explain any gaps in your education, if applicable. (400 Words)

Should I use it to describe what I've done since graduation, even though it is well-documented in my AMCAS primary? Is the time since my graduation a "gap" in my education? I graduated in 2011 and have been working, volunteering, and doing a postbacc the last year.

I have the same question, any ideas??

 

[ChrisMack390]

It's only 400 words, so I would just give a quick mention of the activities that have been ongoing since graduating. Then they can go to the app for more detail.

 

[nwts]

What are everyone's thoughts on Essay #2? I often hear that you shouldn't leave any "Tell us about yourself," type questions blank, but their note about this being for new information only seems to suggest that they'd be wary of answers to this question that are clearly an effort to find something to say. I'm leaning toward leaving it blank since I don't have any meaningful general information to add to what I put in the primary, but does this seem like a bad idea?

 

[BradyC]

Left it blank and got an interview. Absolutely is not a requirement.

 

[nwts]

Left it blank and got an interview. Absolutely is not a requirement.

Great, thank you!

 

[Dr. Janitor]

Good luck guys, OOS App Submitted

 

[Vaccinator]

For this secondary prompt:

• Essay #3: (Optional): Please explain any gaps in your education, if applicable. (400 Words)

Should I use it to describe what I've done since graduation, even though it is well-documented in my AMCAS primary? Is the time since my graduation a "gap" in my education? I graduated in 2011 and have been working, volunteering, and doing a postbacc the last year.

Yes..You need to describe what you did since graduation. Hope this helps.

 

[awildfandango]

Is it safe to assume that secondaries to most schools won't be sent out until early July? Has anyone recieved a secondary already from any school?

 

[SallySue1202]

Is it safe to assume that secondaries to most schools won't be sent out until early July? Has anyone recieved a secondary already from any school?

Yes. Some schools will begin sending secondaries out in early July. Others won't come out until the end of July and early August. Last year, OUWB's secondary came out very early and the first II was sent out a couple weeks later.

 

[vantheman]

"Essay #3: (Optional): Please explain any gaps in your education, if applicable. (400 Words)"

Does that mean after graduating? I graduated 1 year ago and my primary app has everything I have done since then explained in detailed. Any clue if they are expecting me to describe what I have done since graduating?

 

[nwts]

"Essay #3: (Optional): Please explain any gaps in your education, if applicable. (400 Words)"

Does that mean after graduating? I graduated 1 year ago and my primary app has everything I have done since then explained in detailed. Any clue if they are expecting me to describe what I have done since graduating?

I could be wrong, so someone please correct me if I am, but I interpret this as a question about why you took time off during your education, if applicable. I don't think they are concerned with applicants who have already graduated, I think it is more like, if there was a semester, a year, etc. that you weren't taking classes during the time in which you were working on your undergraduate degree, please explain why you took that time off.

 

[butternutsquash]

What are everyone's thoughts on Essay #2? I often hear that you shouldn't leave any "Tell us about yourself," type questions blank, but their note about this being for new information only seems to suggest that they'd be wary of answers to this question that are clearly an effort to find something to say. I'm leaning toward leaving it blank since I don't have any meaningful general information to add to what I put in the primary, but does this seem like a bad idea?

I only did the first essay and was accepted.

 

[RealCanadian]

I know that the median Mcat score is a 30 and a minimum is a 24 and i have a 28 but i would be able to get in with a 6 in a verbal? i know its terrible and will most likely have to write the new one (which then i would take a fifth year and apply next year). but is there any chance of getting in with 11 PS 6 VR 11 BS with around 3.6 GPA?
PS. I am a resident of michigan

 

[nwts]

It's hard for anyone to say exactly what your chances are, but that doesn't look very good. It might be best to wait to apply until you retake the MCAT.

 

[neuro91]

Since the secondary questions have been the same for the last 3 years, I'm willing to bet it's going to be the same again:

Essay #1: What have you done to make your community a better place? (400 Words)

Essay #2: (Optional): Is there anything you want the admissions committee to know about your qualifications for medical school that is not already represented in your application materials? Note: This space is provided for new information only, not to promote qualifications already highlighted in your other materials. (400 Words)

Essay #3: (Optional): Please explain any gaps in your education, if applicable. (400 Words)

Oakland is one of my top choices and where I think I might be competitive, so it is the first secondary that I will pre-write. Any tips on how to approach Essay #1? I'm thinking of going in depth on two activities that I'm involved in. Do they want us to write about medically related activities, or can it be about anything?

OOS Received secondary today.
The questions on the secondary have changed ever so slightly.

Essay #1: How have your experiences serving others contributed to your personal growth? (400 words)

Same as last year Essay #2: (Optional) Is there anything you want the admissions committee to know about your qualifications for medical school that is not already represented in your application materials? Note: This space is provided for new information only, not to promote qualifications already highlighted in your other materials. (400 words)

Essay #3: If you have already graduated, briefly summarize your activities since graduation. (400 words)

 

[Hoenhoff]

OOS Received secondary today.
The questions on the secondary have changed ever so slightly.

Essay #1: How have your experiences serving others contributed to your personal growth? (400 words)

Same as last year Essay #2: (Optional) Is there anything you want the admissions committee to know about your qualifications for medical school that is not already represented in your application materials? Note: This space is provided for new information only, not to promote qualifications already highlighted in your other materials. (400 words)

Essay #3: If you have already graduated, briefly summarize your activities since graduation. (400 words)

Same as above. So excited! Good luck everyone.

 

[Doctoblast]

No secondary yet for me 🙁 I'm in-state. Maybe they're sending them to oos applicants first?

 

[NovMSScr]

No secondary yet for me 🙁 I'm in-state. Maybe they're sending them to oos applicants first?

Haven't gotten one either, don't feel bad

 

[nwts]

My portal says that they don't have my letters yet, as do my portals for a few other schools. Is this probably just because they haven't pulled the letters from the AMCAS yet and updated their system, or is there an issue with my letters?

 

[aesthetical]

They haven't pulled the letters yet

My portal says that they don't have my letters yet, as do my portals for a few other schools. Is this probably just because they haven't pulled the letters from the AMCAS yet and updated their system, or is there an issue with my letters?

 

[NovMSScr]

IS Secondary just received this morning!

 

[pb34]

OOS secondary received this morning as well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Doctoblast]

IS Secondary just received this morning!

Same here!

 

[theguardsman]

"Essay #3: (Optional): Please explain any gaps in your education, if applicable. (400 Words)"

Does that mean after graduating? I graduated 1 year ago and my primary app has everything I have done since then explained in detailed. Any clue if they are expecting me to describe what I have done since graduating?

I think the precise interpretation of that question varies school to school. I'm in the same position as you buy may include both gap year and application year activities.

Also how are you guys interpreting the middle question? If it's strictly more "qualifications" meaning activities I don't have more to add. But you could argue personality elements could also be qualifications.. I've seen people last year got interviews without answering it but I'm not sure if I should try.. Especially since it's truly optional and I have so many other essays to write

 

[Wolfpack93]

Secondary received yesterday, just thought I'd join! Good luck everyone

 

[cherubb3]

Really? They want us to enter all of our prerequisite coursework on their secondary? Why can't they just look at our primary application? That is incredibly annoying.

 

[whitemagic]

Received secondary this morning and just submitted! Good luck everyone!! Maybe we'll see each other on a plane somewhere 😉

 

[mk2015]

Submitted this afternoon

 

[overanxiety93]

Anyone know if we can put any Biology labs for the Pre-req section of the Secondary?

I know its a silly question, but Chemistry is listed as general chem, but biology is listed as only biology.

Thoughts??

 

[Doctoblast]

For the pre-req part, are you guys putting in your courses with the best grades or just in order? Like how it shows 2 semesters of biology required, but I've taken way more than that. Should I go in order of when I took them or put in my best grades?

 

[nwts]

I'm putting the intro courses. I figure, they can see all of my grades on my primary, so there's not point trying to push in an A over an A- when they'll see both anyway. And it would just seem weird to me to list, say, analytical chemistry and physical chemistry for my chemistry requirements rather than general chemistry 1 and 2.

 

[RealCanadian]

is it true that for GPA in the states, marks 80+ are 4.0 and 70's are 3.0?

 

[ngc 2170]

is it true that for GPA in the states, marks 80+ are 4.0 and 70's are 3.0?

It varies from class to class. At my undergrad, most classes had ~85-90 = A = 4.0.

 

[Dr. Janitor]

is it true that for GPA in the states, marks 80+ are 4.0 and 70's are 3.0?

Not at any of the schools I attended. My current school, albeit it is a grad program, uses the plus minus system.

92+ = A = 4.0
90-91 = A- = 3.67
88-89 = B+ = 3.33
83-87 = B = 3.0
80-82 = B- = 2.67

 

[nRomaleos]

For this secondary prompt:

• Essay #3: (Optional): Please explain any gaps in your education, if applicable. (400 Words)

Should I use it to describe what I've done since graduation, even though it is well-documented in my AMCAS primary? Is the time since my graduation a "gap" in my education? I graduated in 2011 and have been working, volunteering, and doing a postbacc the last year.

Since most of these activities are summarized in my Work & Activities section, how much are you going to elaborate on this'?

 

[nwts]

Since most of these activities are summarized in my Work & Activities section, how much are you going to elaborate on this'?

I think the idea of this one is to explain why you took time off, if you took time off. I don't think it's necessarily just for listing what you did (though you can do that too), I think you're also supposed to say why you took time off.

 

[orangetea]

when you submit and realize there is a spelling mistake...

 

[Rainbow Zebra]

when you submit and realize there is a spelling mistake...

My brother had not 1, but 2 typos in his number 1 choice secondary.
Result, no one brought it up, and he is an M2 there now. Not optimal, not fatal in his case!!
Move on, nothing you can do, just be a bit more careful. Good luck to you.

 

[SallySue1202]

.

 

[Hokiehi]

I added this school to my AMCAS today....

And got a secondary less than an hour and a half later lol. Talk about turnaround!

 

[winterwind_23]

Why is my status for Letters of Recommendations still red? I have them submitted to AMCAS and they are marked as received in AMCAS! Does anyone else have this problem? Should I contact Oakland and let them know about this? 🙁