2021-2022 Pittsburgh

[deleted555445]

You're right, but you can say that for absolutely anything at all that anyone would write!

The simple fact is, every school doesn't feel the need to put every conceivable prompt in their secondary, and the free form "Anything Else?" prompt is meant to be whatever you want it to be, so that you later cannot complain that they didn't give you a chance to place something you feel is important in front of them.

Eh, I feel like if the school isn't explicitly asking, "why us?", then they don't want to hear it. There are only a few template questions, about challenges, diversity, "why us?", etc. If they're not including a template question, my guess is its not important to them, and they recognize that they're a top tier medical school that excels in basically every clinical field, and so me mentioning some niche program they have to show I read their website doesn't mean much.

But mostly I was just interested in what other people are doing. Are you writing a "why us?" response there?

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[NormalUsername42]

Eh, I feel like if the school isn't explicitly asking, "why us?", then they don't want to hear it. There are only a few template questions, about challenges, diversity, "why us?", etc. If they're not including a template question, my guess is its not important to them, and they recognize that they're a top tier medical school that excels in basically every clinical field, and so me mentioning some niche program they have to show I read their website doesn't mean much.

But mostly I was just interested in what other people are doing. Are you writing a "why us?" response there?

I feel that if there's a really good reason, such as strong ties to the school, state, region, etc. then it wouldn't be a bad idea to expand on that in the form of a "why us?" essay if you aren't given the chance anywhere else. If I didn't throw together a "why us?" essay for Pitt and put it in that section, I wouldn't have been able to tell them about my super strong ties to the region and reasons for wanting to go there anywhere else as an OOS non-Pitt undergrad.

 

[deleted555445]

I feel that if there's a really good reason, such as strong ties to the school, state, region, etc. then I wouldn't be a bad idea to expand on that in the form of a "why us?" essay if you aren't given the chance anywhere else. If I didn't throw together a "why us?" essay for Pitt and put it in that section, I wouldn't have been able to tell them about my super strong ties to the region and reasons for wanting to go there anywhere else as an OOS non-Pitt undergrad.

Yes actually I agree, I was thinking more from the perspective of someone who has no ties to Pitt and mostly wants to go there cause its an awesome school... but I think that's a great use for the addition info section if you have those connections and there's nowhere else to put them.

 

[KnightDoc]

Eh, I feel like if the school isn't explicitly asking, "why us?", then they don't want to hear it. There are only a few template questions, about challenges, diversity, "why us?", etc. If they're not including a template question, my guess is its not important to them, and they recognize that they're a top tier medical school that excels in basically every clinical field, and so me mentioning some niche program they have to show I read their website doesn't mean much.

But mostly I was just interested in what other people are doing. Are you writing a "why us?" response there?

I'm torn. You make good points but, OTOH, if I have nothing else to say, is it really going to hurt to show that I'm paying attention and read the website?

TBH, I REALLY don't think these essays mean nearly as much as we think they do. 20 years ago, I might have paid a consultant for help with everything but nowadays, with all of the information available here and on the rest of the internet, I didn't feel the need. That doesn't mean plenty of people with more money and less confidence don't make a different choice.

The end result is that a lot of people end up with highly polished essays that all look similar, and have little to no original content from the applicants themselves. Adcoms see thousands of them every year. Does anyone who is paying attention really think they are clueless, and that they allow admission decisions to be swayed by essays that they have no assurance are actually written by the applicants themselves?

As a result, I honestly think it all comes down to stats, ECs and interviews. Essays are an exercise we all go through. They give adcoms things to talk to us about on interviews. But I honestly don't think our stories matter that much, nor whether or what we write in the free form field. I have left some blank and written "Why Us" essays in others, depending on the school.

I'm just a first time applicant, and my opinion is based on nothing other than my observations over the past few years. I might be very naive and very wrong, but I refuse to believe that someone who spent $10K for a professionally polished package of essays is going to have a stronger application than someone with objectively more impressive ECs and better stats in more challenging classes, even with half-assed "Why Us" essays in the "Anything Else?" box.

I might never know for sure, since I don't even think my ECs are that strong. I'm doing my best, but I'm not stressing about every character in every essay. I honestly believe the "Anything Else?" box is just a place for us to say whatever we want so that we don't come back later whining because they didn't give us a chance to put something we thought was important in front of them. I just don't think it will tip the scale one way or the other for anyone because, as you said, they already ask for all the things they really care about.

 

[deleted555445]

I'm torn. You make good points but, OTOH, if I have nothing else to say, is it really going to hurt to show that I'm paying attention and read the website?

TBH, I REALLY don't think these essays mean nearly as much as we think they do. 20 years ago, I might have paid a consultant for help with everything but nowadays, with all of the information available here and on the rest of the internet, I didn't feel the need. That doesn't mean plenty of people with more money and less confidence don't make a different choice.

The end result is that a lot of people end up with highly polished essays that all look similar, and have little to no original content from the applicants themselves. Adcoms see thousands of them every year. Does anyone who is paying attention really think they are clueless, and that they allow admission decisions to be swayed by essays that they have no assurance are actually written by the applicants themselves?

As a result, I honestly think it all comes down to stats, ECs and interviews. Essays are an exercise we all go through. They give adcoms things to talk to us about on interviews. But I honestly don't think our stories matter that much, nor whether or what we write in the free form field. I have left some blank and written "Why Us" essays in others, depending on the school.

I'm just a first time applicant, and my opinion is based on nothing other than my observations over the past few years. I might be very naive and very wrong, but I refuse to believe that someone who spent $10K for a professionally polished package of essays is going to have a stronger application than someone with objectively more impressive ECs and better stats in more challenging classes, even with half-assed "Why Us" essays in the "Anything Else?" box.

I might never know for sure, since I don't even think my ECs are that strong. I'm doing my best, but I'm not stressing about every character in every essay. I honestly believe the "Anything Else?" box is just a place for us to say whatever we want so that we don't come back later whining because they didn't give us a chance to put something we thought was important in front of them. I just don't think it will tip the scale one way or the other for anyone because, as you said, they already ask for all the things they really care about.

I agree with you, I think secondaries are another thing in this process where 5% might get a large boost for being outstanding, 10% might get a large detraction for being terrible, and the rest just pass through. Similar to LOR's, and similar to personal statements. They give readers a slightly better picture about your goals and experiences, but for the most part 95% of you can be boiled down to whats in your primary, and the rest can usually be figured out in interviews. That's why I'm not super stressing about secondaries, and why I think that adding extra fluff is unnecessary. And, depending on who's reading it, may actually be detrimental.

 

[Sartino404]

I'm torn. You make good points but, OTOH, if I have nothing else to say, is it really going to hurt to show that I'm paying attention and read the website?

TBH, I REALLY don't think these essays mean nearly as much as we think they do. 20 years ago, I might have paid a consultant for help with everything but nowadays, with all of the information available here and on the rest of the internet, I didn't feel the need. That doesn't mean plenty of people with more money and less confidence don't make a different choice.

The end result is that a lot of people end up with highly polished essays that all look similar, and have little to no original content from the applicants themselves. Adcoms see thousands of them every year. Does anyone who is paying attention really think they are clueless, and that they allow admission decisions to be swayed by essays that they have no assurance are actually written by the applicants themselves?

As a result, I honestly think it all comes down to stats, ECs and interviews. Essays are an exercise we all go through. They give adcoms things to talk to us about on interviews. But I honestly don't think our stories matter that much, nor whether or what we write in the free form field. I have left some blank and written "Why Us" essays in others, depending on the school.

I'm just a first time applicant, and my opinion is based on nothing other than my observations over the past few years. I might be very naive and very wrong, but I refuse to believe that someone who spent $10K for a professionally polished package of essays is going to have a stronger application than someone with objectively more impressive ECs and better stats in more challenging classes, even with half-assed "Why Us" essays in the "Anything Else?" box.

I might never know for sure, since I don't even think my ECs are that strong. I'm doing my best, but I'm not stressing about every character in every essay. I honestly believe the "Anything Else?" box is just a place for us to say whatever we want so that we don't come back later whining because they didn't give us a chance to put something we thought was important in front of them. I just don't think it will tip the scale one way or the other for anyone because, as you said, they already ask for all the things they really care about.

So this is my usual thought on the "anything else" essay... but for Pitt specifically, it seems that the extra essay is marked as mandatory, no? Doesn't that change the dynamic?

 

[INeedHelp1234]

I agree with you, I think secondaries are another thing in this process where 5% might get a large boost for being outstanding, 10% might get a large detraction for being terrible, and the rest just pass through. Similar to LOR's, and similar to personal statements. They give readers a slightly better picture about your goals and experiences, but for the most part 95% of you can be boiled down to whats in your primary, and the rest can usually be figured out in interviews. That's why I'm not super stressing about secondaries, and why I think that adding extra fluff is unnecessary. And, depending on who's reading it, may actually be detrimental.

Yeah, same I think so too. Unless you have a story or activity that really resonates with one of their questions. Even then, I feel like if you had something that good you probably would have talked about it in your primaries, maybe you just add to it a little spin to it on your secondaries. I do think the primary essays are important though because answering why medicine is important and explaining your activities well is important, especially if they're not obviously spectacular like a first author publication. But I think secondaries won't swing your essay one or another unless it's bad or you have an activity/story that's just perfect for their prompt.

 

[deleted1106140]

For courses that are both lectures and labs, do we put it once under lecture or do we put it twice, under lecture and lab?

 

[KnightDoc]

So this is my usual thought on the "anything else" essay... but for Pitt specifically, it seems that the extra essay is marked as mandatory, no? Doesn't that change the dynamic?

I agree with you. I didn't do it yet, so I hadn't noticed that. Yes, the way it is worded, I think it would be awkward to write "N/A." OTOH, I stand by what I posted earlier that I really don't think it matters what you say. It can literally be "Why Pitt?" or ANYTHING else!!! (Please write about anything else you would like to add to your application, or anything you would like to emphasize to the Admissions Committee.)

 

[KnightDoc]

For courses that are both lectures and labs, do we put it once under lecture or do we put it twice, under lecture and lab?

"Under Course Name/Number, designate with an LB if laboratory was included in course."

 

[deleted1100717]

It seems like a lot of people put "Why Us?" essays in additional information sections, but I'm wondering if this is actually smart? If the schools wanted one of these, they can ask it, like a lot of them do. Is anyone doing that for Pitt?

edit: typo

Yeah, I agree. Using additional space as a why us essay when the prompt is clearly not for that is a bod look IMO. Hard to judge how adcoms see it, but I'm guessing it's annoying for them since they have to filter through a bunch of random essays they didn't ask for. Seems like there are varying opinions about it though.

Personally, I used the space to write a very short (a couple of sentences) description of some family ties I have to the area.

 

[cs_doc]

It seems like a lot of people put "Why Us?" essays in additional information sections, but I'm wondering if this is actually smart? If the schools wanted one of these, they can ask it, like a lot of them do. Is anyone doing that for Pitt?

edit: typo

From people I've spoken to, the consensus is only write an "anything else" essay if you think that "anything else" essay provides more insight into who you are as an applicant. Generally, unless you have strong ties to the school, this wouldn't apply to a "why us" essay

 

[deleted555445]

From people I've spoken to, the consensus is only write an "anything else" essay if you think that "anything else" essay provides more insight into who you are as an applicant. Generally, unless you have strong ties to the school, this wouldn't apply to a "why us" essay

Definitely agree. This one was weird because it was not optional, so I ended up writing about my career goals and some things outside of clinical medicine I am interested in.

 

[Ali23]

Incoming M1 here! Lifelong Pittsburgher (minus undergrad), i’m happy to answer questions about the application process, school, or city!

Can you give me what you love about the city? What drew you into this school?

 

[BubzHoo]

Can you give me what you love about the city? What drew you into this school?

I’m from Pittsburgh originally. Pittsburgh is one of the most unique city in the country culturally and it was home for me. Pittsburgh is a good sized city that has everything you could want. Sports, nightlife, art, culture, parks, the rivers are so much fun in the summer. The city is amazing and you really have to visit to get a feel for it. UPMC and the School of Medicine are POWERHOUSES. Some of the best physicians in the world call UPMC home. Some prime examples of innovations made in Pittsburgh are the polio vaccine, transplant surgery, and countless surgical procedures. The research opportunities here are endless. The School of Medicine and UPMC are spending millions on building new facilities for the Med School and research facilities for UPMC. Pitt is a T-20 school for a reason and the education here is first class.

 

[star-lily]

When you enter coursework in the secondary portal, do you only enter the courses that fit the exact requirement amounts they indicate? Or do you enter anything beyond that?

 

[TheGranolaKing]

When you enter coursework in the secondary portal, do you only enter the courses that fit the exact requirement amounts they indicate? Or do you enter anything beyond that?

I just entered what met their requirements

 

[Avalongreatest9]

Just the credit hours of the class

do we have to convert from quarter hours to semester hours?

 

[frosty42]

For the question about overcoming a "challenging problem," do you think it would be an appropriate place to talk about losing a loved one and coping with that?

Based on the wording, I feel like they mean more like a challenge encountered at work or in a volunteer position or something, but in most of my overcoming a challenge essays I've used the example about losing a loved one.

 

[fingerscrossed1085]

For the question about overcoming a "challenging problem," do you think it would be an appropriate place to talk about losing a loved one and coping with that?

Based on the wording, I feel like they mean more like a challenge encountered at work or in a volunteer position or something, but in most of my overcoming a challenge essays I've used the example about losing a loved one.

I did something similar. I feel like anything difficult in your life can work for it if they don't specifically say "in work, volunteer, etc."

 

[MD-PhD-NonTrad]

Hey guys, I got a complete e-mail from basically every other secondary I submitted but no complete email from Pitt. Should I be worried?

 

[BubzHoo]

Hey guys, I got a complete e-mail from basically every other secondary I submitted but no complete email from Pitt. Should I be worried?

Pitt didn’t send complete emails last year afaik. I didn’t get one and I’m going here so I think you’re fine!

 

[futuretrashwoman]

For question #2: ...and would like to hear your thoughts on opposing specifically: systemic racism, anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination, and misogyny. How will you contribute? Are we expected to address all three?

 

[L242]

For question #2: ...and would like to hear your thoughts on opposing specifically: systemic racism, anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination, and misogyny. How will you contribute? Are we expected to address all three?

I'm addressing all three because it says "and" and not "and/or." I may be over thinking it though tbh

 

[star-lily]

I used a strong advocacy anecdote + reflection to show the fundamental approach I want to take, hopefully it's okay...

 

[Morningnight]

Hey guys, I got a complete e-mail from basically every other secondary I submitted but no complete email from Pitt. Should I be worried?

Portal lists your application status if you haven't taken a look yet!

 

[MD-PhD-NonTrad]

I used a strong advocacy anecdote + reflection to show the fundamental approach I want to take, hopefully it's okay...

I did the exact same thing. Advocated against misogyny, used that anecdote as a ‘I this is what I would do for...’ type thing.

 

[futuretrashwoman]

I did the exact same thing. Advocated against misogyny, used that anecdote as a ‘I this is what I would do for...’ type thing.

Thanks friends. this is what i am planning on doing. H2P <3

 

[idkwhatimdoing72]

Just to clarify, no one else got a complete email, right?

 

[loosecriminal]

Just to clarify, no one else got a complete email, right?

only an invoice for the secondary app fee

 

[MrPankow]

only an invoice for the secondary app fee

+1, also only got an invoice. The portal says everything is submitted and complete though.

 

[Kmani6]

Does anyone have any advice on what I should do if I do not have one of the prereqs? I'm a Biomedical Engineering major and I took 4 semesters of calculus instead of statistics. Should I just state that in the comments box and make it clear that I will take the class if needed?

 

[star-lily]

I also haven't gotten a complete email. No invoice email either, presumably because of FAP ---> no charge.

 

[Lord_Have_MRSA]

Has anyone not received Pitt's secondary? (in-state)

 

[aloofjelly]

For the course requirements designation, did you guys include the full name of the course or exactly how it appeared on your transcript?
(e.g. "General Chemistry: Macroscopic Investigations and Reaction Principles" or "G Chem&R Princ")

 

[star-lily]

For the course requirements designation, did you guys include the full name of the course or exactly how it appeared on your transcript?
(e.g. "General Chemistry: Macroscopic Investigations and Reaction Principles" or "G Chem&R Princ")

For every school that makes you do this, I've been entering it exactly the way it looks on AMCAS (which is exactly the way it looks on my transcript)

For other schools that have it in a large textbox format, I've been doing:

COURSENAME1 (COURSENUMBER1);
COURSENAME2 (COURSENUMBER2);
etc., using the semicolons in case the format messes up after I submit and mushes everything together.

 

[aloofjelly]

For every school that makes you do this, I've been entering it exactly the way it looks on AMCAS (which is exactly the way it looks on my transcript)

For other schools that have it in a large textbox format, I've been doing:

COURSENAME1 (COURSENUMBER1);
COURSENAME2 (COURSENUMBER2);
etc., using the semicolons in case the format messes up after I submit and mushes everything together.

Thank u for the advice! This is the first school I've had to designate classes for but I will apply ur textbox strategy if I encounter it in future secondaries. Thx again!

 

[ahhhsomanyquestions]

Has anyone else noticed that it says "you have been invited for an interview" on the status page? It says to go to the interview management tab to schedule the interview, but when I click on confirm interview, it has a message that I was not invited to an interview. I'm assuming the interview invite status was a glitch?

 

[TheGranolaKing]

Has anyone else noticed that it says "you have been invited for an interview" on the status page? It says to go to the interview management tab to schedule the interview, but when I click on confirm interview, it has a message that I was not invited to an interview. I'm assuming the interview invite status was a glitch?

mine does not say that lol so maybe you actually snagged an II! who knows

 

[Gwynbleidd]

Has anyone else noticed that it says "you have been invited for an interview" on the status page? It says to go to the interview management tab to schedule the interview, but when I click on confirm interview, it has a message that I was not invited to an interview. I'm assuming the interview invite status was a glitch?

I still have under review on mine. Maybe your II is on the way and the email has just been delayed!

 

[star-lily]

I also ~do not~ see that haha, still "under review"

 

[Dr.Tryingtogetaccepted]

Has anyone else noticed that it says "you have been invited for an interview" on the status page? It says to go to the interview management tab to schedule the interview, but when I click on confirm interview, it has a message that I was not invited to an interview. I'm assuming the interview invite status was a glitch?

Mine does not say you have been invited to an interview, just that my application is submitted and complete

 

[MD-PhD-NonTrad]

Has anyone else noticed that it says "you have been invited for an interview" on the status page? It says to go to the interview management tab to schedule the interview, but when I click on confirm interview, it has a message that I was not invited to an interview. I'm assuming the interview invite status was a glitch?

Nah man, you have been reviewed and assigned an interview pretty sure.

 

[cofactorcoenzyme]

Has anyone else noticed that it says "you have been invited for an interview" on the status page? It says to go to the interview management tab to schedule the interview, but when I click on confirm interview, it has a message that I was not invited to an interview. I'm assuming the interview invite status was a glitch?

Congrats, I think this is definitely a good sign! Can I ask you (if you're comfortable sharing) what your stats are and when you were complete?

 

[deleted555445]

I also ~do not~ see that haha, still "under review"

Mine only says complete, not under review. Hmm

 

[wysdoc]

Has anyone else noticed that it says "you have been invited for an interview" on the status page? It says to go to the interview management tab to schedule the interview, but when I click on confirm interview, it has a message that I was not invited to an interview. I'm assuming the interview invite status was a glitch?

I suggest just wait at least overnight for their portal/system to update. You'll probably get an email as well.

 

[sandeedee99]

+1 II around 11 am EST
OOS, strong ties to Pittsburgh (city, not school)

 

[loosecriminal]

+1 II around 11 am EST
ORM, OOS, strong ties to Pittsburgh (city, not school)

congrats!!! when were you complete?

 

[TheGranolaKing]

+1 II around 11 am EST
OOS, strong ties to Pittsburgh (city, not school)

congrats! mind sharing stats?

 

[Fano]

Has anyone else noticed that it says "you have been invited for an interview" on the status page? It says to go to the interview management tab to schedule the interview, but when I click on confirm interview, it has a message that I was not invited to an interview. I'm assuming the interview invite status was a glitch?

I'm starting to think these schools' IT depts like messing with applicants' heads, especially when they log in frequently.