2015-2016 Tulane University 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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[SweetCaroline7]

Any current students out there willing to answer a specific question by PM?

 

[winterwind_23]

Pre-writing secondary based on last year's prompts:

• Briefly describe the reasons for your interest in Tulane University School of Medicine (150 Words):
• Have you graduated? What have you been pursuing since you graduated? (150 Words)
• Are you participating or have you participated in a study abroad program at your university? Please give a short description (100 Words):
• List any leadership positions, in clubs or organizations, you may have held during college (100 words):
• Please list your hobbies and major non-academic interests (150 words):

I have some questions regarding the two bolded prompts above. I did not do study abroad in college, nor did I hold any leadership positions in clubs or organizations in college. I have a feeling that Tulane is asking these questions because they highly value study abroad and leadership experiences. Since I am going to answer NO to both of those questions, is it worth explaining WHY I did not study abroad, or did not obtain any leadership roles in college? Or can I just put NO to both of those questions and move on?

Thanks!

 

[sazerac]

I don't hold any authority at the admissions department here, but for your first question I would just leave it at No.

For your second question, I think every medical school is going to want to see some demonstration of leadership. Doctors practicing medicine isn't a "following" type of profession. Surely you can come up with something that you led in the last 4 years, if you stretch the word "organization" enough?

Like I said, I am not associated with Tulane admissions, but geez leaving leadership empty kind of sounds like leaving volunteering empty or shadowing empty. I personally would figure out something to put in there.

 

[winterwind_23]

I don't hold any authority at the admissions department here, but for your first question I would just leave it at No.

For your second question, I think every medical school is going to want to see some demonstration of leadership. Doctors practicing medicine isn't a "following" type of profession. Surely you can come up with something that you led in the last 4 years, if you stretch the word "organization" enough?

Like I said, I am not associated with Tulane admissions, but geez leaving leadership empty kind of sounds like leaving volunteering empty or shadowing empty. I personally would figure out something to put in there.

I wasn't involved in many organizations in college, and I certainly not in leadership capacity, unfortunately. Could I say I led my research projects, even if it just involved me and a grad student?

How about writing about leadership-like roles after college? For example, leading an application team at my tech job? I know the question specifically asks about in college, but I'm a non-trad. Maybe I can write about things after college?

 

[sazerac]

I wasn't involved in many organizations in college, and I certainly not in leadership capacity, unfortunately. Could I say I led my research projects, even if it just involved me and a grad student?

How about writing about leadership-like roles after college? For example, leading an application team at my tech job? I know the question specifically asks about in college, but I'm a non-trad. Maybe I can write about things after college?

As a non-trad myself, I would have talked about recent leadership experience and hoped they let that slide.

 

[winterwind_23]

As a non-trad myself, I would have talked about recent leadership experience and hoped they let that slide.

Thanks! It's my only option, really, so I'm going to go for it!

 

[mdparrot]

Applying here this year

 

[Cawolf]

Very excited about this application!

 

[BUterrier7]

Is Tulane completely pass/fail for the first 2 years? On exams do you still get the % you scored? Are grades recorded at all for AOA/residency letters?

 

[allanMED15]

Got into one of their one year Masters' programs but decided to go somewhere else. So looking forward to applying here!

 

[sazerac]

Is Tulane completely pass/fail for the first 2 years? On exams do you still get the % you scored? Are grades recorded at all for AOA/residency letters?

Tulane is pass fail the first two years. On exams the first two years you still get back your %. Your grades the first two years are a small part of your overall evaluation for dean's letter.

 

[moc1025]

Tulane is pass fail the first two years. On exams the first two years you still get back your %. Your grades the first two years are a small part of your overall evaluation for dean's letter.

Hey! If you're grades are not as important, what are the other things that Tulane values?

 

[Syns]

@moc1025 From what I understand, Tulane highly values community service -- specifically experiences that are in direct contact with undeserved populations.

 

[sazerac]

Hey! If you're grades are not as important, what are the other things that Tulane values?

The issue isn't what Tulane values, the issue is what the residency programs value. While there are some slight variations from specialty to specialty, the Step 1 score and the performance / comments on third year rotations are always ranked very high.

But first you have to get into a medical school. Good luck!

 

[BUterrier7]

Tulane is pass fail the first two years. On exams the first two years you still get back your %. Your grades the first two years are a small part of your overall evaluation for dean's letter.

In what form are the grades reported on the Dean's letter? For ex: individual class letter grades, an overall GPA, a percentile?

 

[sazerac]

Lol I have no idea- I just started 4th year. It really isn't something I've been concerned about.

 

[Missorleans]

I believe clerkship grades are reported, and performance in the first two years is summed up in a vague quartile with a descriptor like "excellent," "outstanding," "strong". General consensus is that deans letters don't matter anyway, they usually come out after programs have downloaded all your application and so they are unlikely to ever see them. All the info in a deans letter would be double covered by other parts of the application: grades, extracurriculars, honors, research, time off, disciplinary action, etc.

 

[BUterrier7]

I believe clerkship grades are reported, and performance in the first two years is summed up in a vague quartile with a descriptor like "excellent," "outstanding," "strong". General consensus is that deans letters don't matter anyway, they usually come out after programs have downloaded all your application and so they are unlikely to ever see them. All the info in a deans letter would be double covered by other parts of the application: grades, extracurriculars, honors, research, time off, disciplinary action, etc.

ohh okay, thanks! What form are grades reported on the residency application?

@sazerac I'm asking all these questions more out of curiosity about the system. A lot of schools are proud of being "Pass / Fail for the first 2 years" and say it makes their students more collaborative (which is what I'm hoping for!!!!!) but my impression is the grades end up being reported to residencies anyway... in that case does it really matter whether a P or F, A or C comes up on the medical school's student portal ?

 

[Missorleans]

You have a med school transcript that gets uploaded. Grades on the transcript are P/F for the first two years, H/HP/P/F for core rotations. Some rotations are also just P/F.

 

[chocoholicsoxfan]

So they want three letters... two from science profs. Trying to decide if my third letter should be from my PI or my French professor. What would you all choose if you were me?

 

[Faii]

Hey all, applying here this cycle! Went to undergrad here, would love to stay in nola if I can. Best of luck to everyone!

 

[quicheduty]

So they want three letters... two from science profs. Trying to decide if my third letter should be from my PI or my French professor. What would you all choose if you were me?

Definitely the stronger letter!

 

[chocoholicsoxfan]

Definitely the stronger letter!

Hmm ok I've known my PI for 3 years and my French professor for a semester, so I think I'm gonna go with the PI's! It's so weird for a school to have a max of 3 AND require 2 science letters.

 

[ComebackMD]

I have not actually participated in a study abroad of my own, but my roommate one year was study abroad student so I had a lot of interaction with another culture through him. Could I write about this in the study abroad slot or too big of a stretch?

 

[Cawolf]

I have not actually participated in a study abroad of my own, but my roommate one year was study abroad student so I had a lot of interaction with another culture through him. Could I write about this in the study abroad slot or too big of a stretch?

Stretched well beyond the fracture point in my opinion.

 

[nwts]

I have not actually participated in a study abroad of my own, but my roommate one year was study abroad student so I had a lot of interaction with another culture through him. Could I write about this in the study abroad slot or too big of a stretch?

Do not write about this. The question from last year is worded as: "Are you participating or have you participated in a study abroad program at your university? Please give a short description." The answer for you is no, you have not participated in a study abroad program. There isn't any dispute about whether or not you personally have participated in a study abroad program, so the only reasonable answer is no.

For this question, as well as all others that are optional, I think it is extremely important to answer the question if and only if you have an answer that actually answers the exact question asked. I think it makes applicants come off badly when they respond with anything other than what has been asked for. While it is tempting to try to take advantage of any extra space you have been given to write about additional personal attributes, providing answers that have twisted the question that was asked will likely be viewed negatively.

 

[kab6492]

Just received an invite for the secondary! So excited, Tulane is one of my top choices!

 

[Vivalarevolution]

Just received an invite for the secondary! So excited, Tulane is one of my top choices!

Questions por favor

 

[kab6492]

• Briefly describe the reasons for your interest in Tulane University School of Medicine (150 words):
• Have you graduated? (Y/N)
  • If yes: What have you been pursuing since you graduated? (150 words)
• Are you currently working or have worked for one of the following organizations? (Americorps, Peace Corps, Teach for America) (Y/N)
  • If yes: Please describe your work if you have worked or currently working with one of the organizations (100 words):
• Are you participating or have you participated in a study abroad program at your university? (Y/N)
  • If yes: Please give a short description (100 words):
• Are you currently volunteering abroad or have you volunteered abroad? (Y/N)
  • If yes: Please give a short description (100 words):
• List any leadership positions, in clubs or organizations, you may have held during college (100 words):
  
• Please list your hobbies and major non-academic interests (150 words):

Along with some typical demographic/biographical info.

 

[brommanders]

What have you been pursuing since you graduated?

I'm a non-trad and just completed a post-bacc. Should I write what I have been doing since graduating from undergrad (4 yrs ago) or just since I completed my post-bacc?

 

[HybridEarth]

Edit: someone already posted questions

 

[DrRambo33]

Did anyone actually receive this year's secondary yet? I know one person said they have, but I figured many more people would have been saying that had Tulane actually sent it out.

 

[azzeh123]

.

 

[Favour517]

Sad, I didnt volunteer abroad/study abroad/have no leadership positions. Im screwed.

 

[HybridEarth]

Sad, I didnt volunteer abroad/study abroad/have no leadership positions. Im screwed.

Doing anything abroad requires a big financial commitment.. Don't be so hard on yourself.

 

[doctor-mommy]

Sad, I didnt volunteer abroad/study abroad/have no leadership positions. Im screwed.

Neither did I and I'll be matriculating here this fall.

 

[MarcyTweets]

Sad, I didnt volunteer abroad/study abroad/have no leadership positions. Im screwed.

I'm in the same boat as you! It's easy to pick apart all of the things we don't have...try and remember all of the great things we do have! Positive vibes

 

[Cawolf]

No secondary yet - maybe Monday.

 

[kped23]

My aunt went to Tulane for medical school, worth it to have her write a letter as an alum? Not in lieu of my academic and clinical letters but as an addition. Opinions???

 

[Favour517]

Neither did I and I'll be matriculating here this fall.

Doing anything abroad requires a big financial commitment.. Don't be so hard on yourself.

I'm in the same boat as you! It's easy to pick apart all of the things we don't have...try and remember all of the great things we do have! Positive vibes

Thank you so much guys, I feel much better.

 

[KKT1992]

So I wasn't really thinking and I submitted one of my "science" profs LOR & he's a psychology prof. Do you think that will still be fine I already submitted 3

 

[kped23]

So I wasn't really thinking and I submitted one of my "science" profs LOR & he's a psychology prof. Do you think that will still be fine I already submitted 3

In my experience, "science" is considering biology, chemistry, physics, or math. However, compared to certain schools I have seen, Tulane isn't as strict with portraying that. So you could email someone on admissions and ask, I think that would be your best bet!

 

[reviliver]

Doing anything abroad requires a big financial commitment.. Don't be so hard on yourself.

This is actually not altogether true. I'm a third year at Tulane, and I lived abroad for a year after graduation since I didn't have the time/money to do it while in school. I had a job that paid me enough to break even at the end of the year (lived in the international student dorms and traveled a LOT on my vacation days). Going abroad isn't just for the 1%, but you have to put some effort into finding a way to make it work.

Finally, I did write about this under the question about study abroad when I applied. I specifically said I did NOT study abroad, but I lived abroad on my own, and described my experience and why I thought it was relevant to my application. A friend/roommate abroad or a short mission trip would not have counted, but obviously they weren't turned off by my answer, just fyi.

 

[Favour517]

This is actually not altogether true. I'm a third year at Tulane, and I lived abroad for a year after graduation since I didn't have the time/money to do it while in school. I had a job that paid me enough to break even at the end of the year (lived in the international student dorms and traveled a LOT on my vacation days). Going abroad isn't just for the 1%, but you have to put some effort into finding a way to make it work.

Finally, I did write about this under the question about study abroad when I applied. I specifically said I did NOT study abroad, but I lived abroad on my own, and described my experience and why I thought it was relevant to my application. A friend/roommate abroad or a short mission trip would not have counted, but obviously they weren't turned off by my answer, just fyi.

how do you like your school. can you please tell me why you specifically chose Tulane.

 

[sb_gauchos_rule]

For the study abroad question: I didn't do an actual program but I spent 3 months in Europe while studying for the MCAT. Do you guys think it would be okay to write about that?

Edit: nvm just saw what reviliver said above I guess I will write about it!

 

[simplesloth]

Just got secondary invite

 

[deleted703353]

Does tutoring and teaching positions count as leadership positions of a club/organization? I definitely consider it to be leadership, but not necessarily of a club.....

 

[nwts]

Does tutoring and teaching positions count as leadership positions of a club/organization? I definitely consider it to be leadership, but not necessarily of a club.....

The question says clubs or organizations, so I wouldn't list it.

 

[Cawolf]

Submitted! My letters are not showing as received yet though.