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Please use this space to write an essay in which you discuss your interest in Yale School of Medicine. Please limit your response to 500 words.

This section is optional. It should be used to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee any important information (personal, academic, or professional) not discussed in other sections of your Yale Secondary Application.
Please limit your response to 500 words.

Good luck to everyone applying!
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Last edited by a moderator:
Results will be released March 6th. Book it.
 
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Incoming MS1 here. Feel free to ask me anything and I will *try* to answer
 
Iwannaknow said:
Incoming MS1 here. Feel free to ask me anything and I will *try* to answer
Click to expand...

Me too. Come to Yale!

ImageUploadedBySDN1496201180.933643.jpg



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Also an incoming MS1 here. Happy to try to answer any questions!
 
Iwannaknow said:
Incoming MS1 here. Feel free to ask me anything and I will *try* to answer
Click to expand...

Cigar said:
Me too. Come to Yale!

View attachment 219728


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TaroMilkT said:
Also an incoming MS1 here. Happy to try to answer any questions!
Click to expand...
Iwannaknow said:
Incoming MS1 here. Feel free to ask me anything and I will *try* to answer
Click to expand...
What kind of applicant does Yale tend to look for? Lots of global health involvement like Penn? Or research focussed? Or non-traditional?
My MCAT is in the 25th percentile for Yale, so before I decide on applying I'd like to gauge how well my work and activities match with Yale's general preference.
 
joschar said:
What kind of applicant does Yale tend to look for? Lots of global health involvement like Penn? Or research focussed? Or non-traditional?
My MCAT is in the 25th percentile for Yale, so before I decide on applying I'd like to gauge how well my work and activities match with Yale's general preference.
Click to expand...

I don't think any school particularly looks only for those things that you described; they generally want students with a variety of experiences and interests. I don't have any global health experience and also interviewed at Penn.

I imagine Yale will be looking for a healthy amount of research experience, considering that a research thesis is required for graduation at Yale. They also like independence and self-motivation, as the Yale system is going to be one of the most open-ended curricula you'll find out there. Some of the older students here can likely give you a more thorough and accurate answer than any of us incoming M1s can, though.


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Cigar said:
I don't think any school particularly looks only for those things that you described; they generally want students with a variety of experiences and interests. I don't have any global health experience and also interviewed at Penn.

I imagine Yale will be looking for a healthy amount of research experience, considering that a research thesis is required for graduation at Yale. They also like independence and self-motivation, as the Yale system is going to be one of the most open-ended curricula you'll find out there. Some of the older students here can likely give you a more thorough and accurate answer than any of us incoming M1s can, though.


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Click to expand...
Right, I didn't ever say that any school takes only one of those things. I said "tend to" and "general preference", which I think every school has a focus. UPenn even asks about global health experience on their secondary, so I assume they generally want to see that type of experience. Same thing with other schools but with different focusses. Thanks for the response!
 
joschar said:
What kind of applicant does Yale tend to look for? Lots of global health involvement like Penn? Or research focussed? Or non-traditional?
My MCAT is in the 25th percentile for Yale, so before I decide on applying I'd like to gauge how well my work and activities match with Yale's general preference.
Click to expand...
Based on second look, I really want to say research experiences. A lot of people were talking about their really awesome research projects. I think this is also backed up by the fact that our MD/PhD class is one of the biggest in the country. But again, like Cigar said, the independence thing was paramount to my app, and I feel like it was also emphasized in other people's apps as well. But maybe we'll be able to answer the question better in a few months.
 
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Iz_FtB said:
The "Why Yale" essay is a big deal. Probably why I got an interview in the first place. Treat that essay as though your acceptance depends on it.
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I agree 100%. But it's also super hard to pull off, in my opinion, because Yale is so unique. Everyone says "lack of competition" and "ability to do what I want." So really give it thought.
 
Just commenting to get in on this thread. Good Luck everyone!
 
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Iz_FtB said:
The "Why Yale" essay is a big deal. Probably why I got an interview in the first place. Treat that essay as though your acceptance depends on it.
Click to expand...
Iwannaknow said:
I agree 100%. But it's also super hard to pull off, in my opinion, because Yale is so unique. Everyone says "lack of competition" and "ability to do what I want." So really give it thought.
Click to expand...

Hey, so I'm a huge fan of the Yale system and have been learning about student life at Yale for the past few days in order to figure out a good way to spin my secondary. However, I feel like I'm stuck on the theme of independence.

So my question is for your secondaries, were the themes of independence/cooperative environment the driving message of your statements?

I'm thinking of spinning it so it reflects a bit on how I've grown from independence previously, and go into specifics of how the independence and resources at Yale will allow me to grow the most as an individual. The driving message would then be about growth, and explaining how Yale fits me, not how I fit Yale. I'm just scared it'll fall into a "generic" category in the mind of the readers.
 
Oddball1221 said:
Hey, so I'm a huge fan of the Yale system and have been learning about student life at Yale for the past few days in order to figure out a good way to spin my secondary. However, I feel like I'm stuck on the theme of independence.

So my question is for your secondaries, were the themes of independence/cooperative environment the driving message of your statements?

I'm thinking of spinning it so it reflects a bit on how I've grown from independence previously, and go into specifics of how the independence and resources at Yale will allow me to grow the most as an individual. The driving message would then be about growth, and explaining how Yale fits me, not how I fit Yale. I'm just scared it'll fall into a "generic" category in the mind of the readers.
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My thoughts are that just because it might be a common topic doesn't make it an average essay. Just like a less used topic wouldn't make it an amazing essay. I think as long as you can show how Yale matches you, and really drive it home, you'll be good. I also want to say that this isn't a thing that's only described in this secondary essay. My whole application screamed "Yale System Please." It definitely hurt me at some schools, but it helped me at Yale obviously. So as long as you are genuine in your essay, and your application backs it up, don't give the commonness of the topic much thought.
 
Oddball1221 said:
Hey, so I'm a huge fan of the Yale system and have been learning about student life at Yale for the past few days in order to figure out a good way to spin my secondary. However, I feel like I'm stuck on the theme of independence.

So my question is for your secondaries, were the themes of independence/cooperative environment the driving message of your statements?

I'm thinking of spinning it so it reflects a bit on how I've grown from independence previously, and go into specifics of how the independence and resources at Yale will allow me to grow the most as an individual. The driving message would then be about growth, and explaining how Yale fits me, not how I fit Yale. I'm just scared it'll fall into a "generic" category in the mind of the readers.
Click to expand...
I didn't mention Yale or the Yale system until half way through my essay. I opened by describing my experiences up to the point of application that made me a good fit for Yale.

As with most of the writing for med school apps, it is often less about what you say but how you say it. Honest, clear, and convincing language will take you far, even if the experiences you are describing aren't super unique.
 
Hey all!

I have written my "Why Yale?" essay and was wondering if anyone would like to exchange essays with me. Getting some reciprocal feedback would probably help us stay sane 🙂 Send me a PM if interested!
 
Did the Yale secondary last year have an additional optional essay?
 
JohnQ666 said:
Did the Yale secondary last year also have an optional essay? If so, do you remember the character limit?
Click to expand...

Hi JohnQ666! The secondary last year did also have an optional essay. Both prompts (the "why Yale?" and the optional essay) have a limit of 500 words. The response lengths are not limited in terms of character count.
 
TaroMilkT said:
Hi JohnQ666! The secondary last year did also have an optional essay. Both prompts (the "why Yale?" and the optional essay) have a limit of 500 words. The response lengths are not limited in terms of character count.
Click to expand...

Thanks so much!!!
 
TaroMilkT said:
Hi JohnQ666! The secondary last year did also have an optional essay. Both prompts (the "why Yale?" and the optional essay) have a limit of 500 words. The response lengths are not limited in terms of character count.
Click to expand...
Hey there, what did the optional essay entail?
 
JeneralG said:
Hey there, what did the optional essay entail?
Click to expand...

I have pasted optional essay prompt here:

This section is optional. It should be used to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee any important information (personal, academic, or professional) not discussed in other sections of your Yale Secondary Application.

Please limit your response to 500 words.
 
Iwannaknow said:
Incoming MS1 here. Feel free to ask me anything and I will *try* to answer
Click to expand...

What would you say is the lowest possible stats that a URM should apply with? Given that EC's are great and research is decent. Thanks!
 
axel345 said:
What would you say is the lowest possible stats that a URM should apply with? Given that EC's are great and research is decent. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Grab MSAR and check for 10th percentile scores. Wouldn't want to be much lower than that.
 
Cigar said:
10th percentile is 512


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Click to expand...
Related to scores -- do you think a place like Yale would frown upon a high MCAT/low GPA combo? My GPA is below the 10th percentile of admitted students but my MCAT score is above the 90th percentile of admitted students. I have a good amount of research experience and am a non-trad so, while my MCAT score is from 3/31, I graduated from undergrad in 2014 so my GPA is olddddd.
 
cuttlefish_deluxe91 said:
Related to scores -- do you think a place like Yale would frown upon a high MCAT/low GPA combo? My GPA is below the 10th percentile of admitted students but my MCAT score is above the 90th percentile of admitted students. I have a good amount of research experience and am a non-trad so, while my MCAT score is from 3/31, I graduated from undergrad in 2014 so my GPA is olddddd.
Click to expand...

I have no idea what Yale will do with those stats, but I imagine that with such a high MCAT they would look into what you wrote to examine if there are good reasons for the low GPA, or if there is an upward trend from an earlier low point. I literally failed a math class as a freshman because I was an dingus, and they didn't seem to care. A good story can turn around strange numbers, in my experience.


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Cigar said:
I have no idea what Yale will do with those stats, but I imagine that with such a high MCAT they would look into what you wrote to examine if there are good reasons for the low GPA, or if there is an upward trend from an earlier low point. I literally failed a math class as a freshman because I was an dingus, and they didn't seem to care. A good story can turn around strange numbers, in my experience.


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Click to expand...
Yeah it's definitely interesting. It was one ****ty school year - depression but I was told not to say that on my primary or secondary app due to an alleged stigma against mental health issues in medicine. So while there is an "iiupward trend" my one really ****ty school year definitely stands out. I think my cumulative gpa was like 2.5. I'm hoping a perfect MCAT score will make adcoms look the other way about that. I just really don't know because I've gotten conflicting advice. My premed advisor told me I was probably not competitive. Others have told me to go for it. I dunno! Definitely applying just trying to place my expectations
 
cuttlefish_deluxe91 said:
Yeah it's definitely interesting. It was one ****ty school year - depression but I was told not to say that on my primary or secondary app due to an alleged stigma against mental health issues in medicine. So while there is an "iiupward trend" my one really ****ty school year definitely stands out. I think my cumulative gpa was like 2.5. I'm hoping a perfect MCAT score will make adcoms look the other way about that. I just really don't know because I've gotten conflicting advice. My premed advisor told me I was probably not competitive. Others have told me to go for it. I dunno! Definitely applying just trying to place my expectations
Click to expand...

Without knowing your current GPA, I don't think any of us can offer much advice. There's no harm in applying. I would personally advise against discussing your psychiatric history in an application or interview. It's okay to have a bad year, but you need to show growth and consistency afterward to have a good shot.


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Cigar said:
Without knowing your current GPA, I don't think any of us can offer much advice. There's no harm in applying. I would personally advise against discussing your psychiatric history in an application or interview. It's okay to have a bad year, but you need to show growth and consistency afterward to have a good shot.


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Click to expand...
Yeah that makes sense. My gpa is 3.56
 
cuttlefish_deluxe91 said:
I made an earlier WAMC post which details my app a bit more:
MD - WAMC cGPA 3.56/sGPA3.57, MCAT 528

Just for a full picture
Click to expand...
Sorry, friendo, them 528 scorers are a dime a dozen. You're just one of the pack, so there better be some Elon Musk level space travel on your app lest you be forced to spend half your loan money on industrial tubs of suntan lotion.

#probablygonnabejustfine
 
Iz_FtB said:
Sorry, friendo, them 528 scorers are a dime a dozen. You're just one of the pack, so there better be some Elon Musk level space travel on your app lest you be forced to spend half your loan money on industrial tubs of suntan lotion.

#probablygonnabejustfine
Click to expand...
This got me thinking, which is a challenging activity and what I've written most of my adversity essays on...
Anyways, the phrase "a dime a dozen" means common. Is that because 10 out of every 12 is common, or does it have origins elsewhere?

#Icouldprobablygooglethat

Edit: As someone reasonable might imagine, common items were sold at the price of 1 dozen items per 10 cents.

#Igoogledthat
 
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Has anyone gotten a secondary from Yale yet? Do we know the prompts? Thanks for any help!
 
dfa1513 said:
Has anyone gotten a secondary from Yale yet? Do we know the prompts? Thanks for any help!
Click to expand...
I saw on Yale's website "All applicants will be invited by email to submit a Yale Secondary Application after submitting the AMCAS application. This email invitation should arrive within one week of submitting the AMCAS application to Yale. If you do not receive this email (in your inbox) within this time frame, see the box on the left for troubleshooting tips."

What exactly is "one week of submitting the AMCAS to Yale?" This can't be the original date we submitted the AMCAS right? I haven't received a secondary yet- has anyone?
 
ergo432 said:
I saw on Yale's website "All applicants will be invited by email to submit a Yale Secondary Application after submitting the AMCAS application. This email invitation should arrive within one week of submitting the AMCAS application to Yale. If you do not receive this email (in your inbox) within this time frame, see the box on the left for troubleshooting tips."

What exactly is "one week of submitting the AMCAS to Yale?" This can't be the original date we submitted the AMCAS right? I haven't received a secondary yet- has anyone?
Click to expand...

I imagine this means one week from your verified AMCAS being transmitted to the school.


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ergo432 said:
I saw on Yale's website "All applicants will be invited by email to submit a Yale Secondary Application after submitting the AMCAS application. This email invitation should arrive within one week of submitting the AMCAS application to Yale. If you do not receive this email (in your inbox) within this time frame, see the box on the left for troubleshooting tips."

What exactly is "one week of submitting the AMCAS to Yale?" This can't be the original date we submitted the AMCAS right? I haven't received a secondary yet- has anyone?
Click to expand...

No secondary yet either
 
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