2024-2025 Albany

[chilly_md]

Thank you @jasonbourne125 for sharing this year’s prompts.

2024-2025 Albany Secondary Essay Questions:

-Describe yourself (1000 characters)

-Please explain any inconsistencies in your university, graduate, or professional school academic performance and/or MCAT scores. If the question does not apply to you, please put N/A in the box provided.

-Has your college or university, graduate or professional school attendance been interrupted for any reason? If yes, please explain. Also, please explain any extended gaps in activity/employment in your post-graduate history. If the question does not apply to you, please put N/A in the box provided.

-Describe a significant challenge that has prepared you for the MD career path (1000 characters)

-Please describe your personal experiences with the structural and social determinants of health in your life and community, how they shaped your engagement with medicine and your future ideas for doctoring (1000 characters)

-Tell us about a community with which you identify and how you are involved with it (1000 characters).

-Is there anything else you would like the admissions committee to know when reviewing your application? If so, please use the space provided (1000 characters).

-Describe what aspect of that experience best equips you to make an impact in the medical profession (1000 characters, applicant will choose one of their AMCAS activities from the list)

Good luck to all applying!

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[jasonbourne125]

OOS secondary received.

 

[sensorimotorstage]

OOS secondary received.

Do they send in waves if you know? I got verified 5/28 and haven’t received one yet.

 

[jasonbourne125]

Do they send in waves if you know? I got verified 5/28 and haven’t received one yet.

My processing was complete on 5/29 at 8am. I am not sure since this is my first application cycle.

 

[sensorimotorstage]

My processing was complete on 5/29 at 8am. I am not sure since this is my first application cycle.

Ah okay thank you!

 

[laila192]

OOS secondary received +1

Primary submitted 5/28 13:00
Verified 6/5 9:17

 

[XflamingeskimoX]

My processing was complete on 5/29 at 8am. I am not sure since this is my first application cycle.

Please post the essays, thank you .

 

[jasonbourne125]

Secondary Essay Questions:

-Describe yourself (1000 characters)

-Please explain any inconsistencies in your university, graduate, or professional school academic performance and/or MCAT scores. If the question does not apply to you, please put N/A in the box provided.

-Has your college or university, graduate or professional school attendance been interrupted for any reason? If yes, please explain. Also, please explain any extended gaps in activity/employment in your post-graduate history. If the question does not apply to you, please put N/A in the box provided.

-Describe a significant challenge that has prepared you for the MD career path (1000 characters)

-Please describe your personal experiences with the structural and social determinants of health in your life and community, how they shaped your engagement with medicine and your future ideas for doctoring (1000 characters)

-Tell us about a community with which you identify and how you are involved with it (1000 characters).

-Is there anything else you would like the admissions committee to know when reviewing your application? If so, please use the space provided (1000 characters).

-Describe what aspect of that experience best equips you to make an impact in the medical profession (1000 characters).

 

[Angel G]

OOS secondary received

 

[dolephant]

I haven't received the secondary invite yet, but for the second question about an extended gap in activity/employment, would a 1 month break to visit family in another country be something I should explain? When I was pre-writing, I totally thought that question was not relevant to me so i skipped over it

 

[ClashRoyaleKing]

I haven't received the secondary invite yet, but for the second question about an extended gap in activity/employment, would a 1 month break to visit family in another country be something I should explain? When I was pre-writing, I totally thought that question was not relevant to me so i skipped over it

Was the month during an academic semester? Did it cause your grades to decrease? What impact did it have?

 

[dolephant]

Was the month during an academic semester? Did it cause your grades to decrease? What impact did it have?

No, it was the summer after I graduated.

 

[madwi01]

The question is getting at gap years. If you’re applying straight from undergrad and not taking time to do research/work/extra course work I would say it’s not an extended gap.

I'm not sure it's getting at gap years, tbh. I think it may be getting at unexpected/unanticipated attendance gaps due to personal reasons, like medical leave. The "gaps in activity/employment" part may be getting at points in time in which the applicant did not work/volunteer/do anything for more time than usual. Like it's talking about actual gaps hahaha

 

[dolephant]

The question is getting at gap years. If you’re applying straight from undergrad and not taking time to do research/work/extra course work I would say it’s not an extended gap.

I'm applying during my second gap year (I graduated from undergrad in 2023). So if I took a 1 month vacation, would I explain that here?

 

[dolephant]

I'm not sure it's getting at gap years, tbh. I think it may be getting at unexpected/unanticipated attendance gaps due to personal reasons, like medical leave. The "gaps in activity/employment" part may be getting at points in time in which the applicant did not work/volunteer/do anything for more time than usual. Like it's talking about actual gaps hahaha

Gotcha, so a 1 month vacation after grad doesn't count in the "points in time in which the applicant did not work/volunteer/do anything" category?

 

[sensorimotorstage]

Gotcha, so a 1 month vacation after grad doesn't count in the "points in time in which the applicant did not work/volunteer/do anything" category?

You’re probably okay just to say it. After I graduated I took a month off to travel before I started an expedited EMT course. After completing that course that month, I waited another month for my license and exams to be cleared for me to work as an EMT, so I plan to just write it like that

 

[dolephant]

You’re probably okay just to say it. After I graduated I took a month off to travel before I started an expedited EMT course. After completing that course that month, I waited another month for my license and exams to be cleared for me to work as an EMT, so I plan to just write it like that

Thanks! I emailed admissions and will update the thread on a response in the case that someone else has a similar question.

 

[supercoolkid2000]

i dont understand why i havent received the secondary when I was verified 5/29 at 3:50PM. Does anyone know if they send them in waves?

 

[dolephant]

i dont understand why i havent received the secondary when I was verified 5/29 at 3:50PM. Does anyone know if they send them in waves?

I haven't received one either and I was verified on 06/21. They probably send in waves so they don't overwhelm the server

 

[ooompalooompa]

For Q2, my application is average for Albany, but my CARS score is not great; I don't want to bring attention to that aspect. Should I respond N/A?

 

[Jacob Ritterman]

Im a NYS resident verified 5/30 why dont i have my secondary when people w/ June verifies do

 

[letmein528]

Im a NYS resident verified 5/30 why dont i have my secondary when people w/ June verifies do

relax and breathe. you will get a secondary.

-signed a June verifier waiting for a secondary

 

[sensorimotorstage]

OOS (strong ties to school) secondary received today

 

[Jacob Ritterman]

OOS (strong ties to school) secondary received today

when did you receive? what are your ties?

 

[Jacob Ritterman]

If im a reapplicant should i just try to submit on the old email i got… many im bugging 😂😂

 

[sensorimotorstage]

when did you receive? what are your ties?

9:16 PM EST. Check your DM's

 

[ironicbonds]

Secondary Essay Questions:

-Describe yourself (1000 characters)

-Please explain any inconsistencies in your university, graduate, or professional school academic performance and/or MCAT scores. If the question does not apply to you, please put N/A in the box provided.

-Has your college or university, graduate or professional school attendance been interrupted for any reason? If yes, please explain. Also, please explain any extended gaps in activity/employment in your post-graduate history. If the question does not apply to you, please put N/A in the box provided.

-Describe a significant challenge that has prepared you for the MD career path (1000 characters)

-Please describe your personal experiences with the structural and social determinants of health in your life and community, how they shaped your engagement with medicine and your future ideas for doctoring (1000 characters)

-Tell us about a community with which you identify and how you are involved with it (1000 characters).

-Is there anything else you would like the admissions committee to know when reviewing your application? If so, please use the space provided (1000 characters).

-Describe what aspect of that experience best equips you to make an impact in the medical profession (1000 characters).

Is that last question complete or is it missing part?

 

[jasonbourne125]

Is that last question complete or is it missing part?

In the secondary application, they have a section showing all the experiences you submitted in your primary application. That question is associated with that page and is the last question before the application payment.

 

[jrlybob1]

OOS Secondary received. 0 ties, submitted first day

 

[futuresportsmed]

+1 OOS Secondary
Submitted 5/31
Received 6/29

 

[E. Leaf]

+1 OOS Secondary
Submitted 6/1

 

[ecobio]

+ OOS secondary, at like midnight hahahah

 

[rainepremed]

OOS Secondary received last night. No ties. Submitted 5/29, verified 6/13.

 

[deleted1151110]

+ OOS secondary, at like midnight hahahah

Sent me a secondary on Friday right before midnight, the school staff is committed! (or they had an autosend set up from before lol)

 

[cartoonnetworkkid]

That last question actually did not change from last year. It still has the "In the "Work and Activities" section on your AMCAS application, you provided the following list of experiences. Please select the experience that you feel has been the most meaningful in influencing your desire to pursue a career in medicine, explain why, and also describe what aspect of that experience best equips you to make an impact in the medical profession." part? So we are discussing one of the three most meaningful activities?

 

[ClashRoyaleKing]

That last question actually did not change from last year. It still has the "In the "Work and Activities" section on your AMCAS application, you provided the following list of experiences. Please select the experience that you feel has been the most meaningful in influencing your desire to pursue a career in medicine, explain why, and also describe what aspect of that experience best equips you to make an impact in the medical profession." part? So we are discussing one of the three most meaningful activities?

Basically. You are discussing an experience that has most influenced your desire to pursue medicine, which is most likely going to fall within your 3 MME.

 

[cupcake24]

Please describe your personal experiences with the structural and social determinants of health in your life and community, how they shaped your engagement with medicine and your future ideas for doctoring (1000 characters)

can anyone clarify what this question means/how we should be answering?

 

[ecobio]

can anyone clarify what this question means/how we should be answering?

They are looking for your understanding of various barriers to health care. Some examples of social determinants of health could be SES, education status, etc. Social Determinants of Health - Healthy People 2030 | health.gov

This can be something you've experienced yourself, or something that you've seen in your work with underserved populations. Make sure to include what you've learned and what you hope to take from this understanding into your future doctor-ing 🙂

 

[redtrain21]

They are looking for your understanding of various barriers to health care. Some examples of social determinants of health could be SES, education status, etc. Social Determinants of Health - Healthy People 2030 | health.gov

This can be something you've experienced yourself, or something that you've seen in your work with underserved populations. Make sure to include what you've learned and what you hope to take from this understanding into your future doctor-ing 🙂

would the experiences have to be related to health?

 

[DoneDone3451]

$130 for this secondary

 

[ecobio]

would the experiences have to be related to health?

I dont think the experience itself has to be clinical. But, make sure you are addressing "structural and social determinants of health" and how it shapes your approach to the medical field.

Ultimately, trust your gut and put your best foot forward 🙂

 

[XflamingeskimoX]

Anyone see where to upload a picture to the secondary portal?

 

[Agape_ornis]

Anyone see where to upload a picture to the secondary portal?

I did not see a place to upload a picture.

 

[ClashRoyaleKing]

It's possible they do not require a photo. Not all schools do. In fact, from last year, I only remember 1/3 of schools requiring it.

 

[soldier boy]

+ OOS

 

[BiomedEGR777]

+1 OOS from Friday. Tough that they got rid of the reapplicant essay though

 

[ichigo334]

+1 OOS from Friday. Tough that they got rid of the reapplicant essay though

Could probably use that in that Any additional things to add prompt they have if you feel like you have something that you genuinely want to share that you feel is important to your story as an applicant

 

[pptf327]

They are looking for your understanding of various barriers to health care. Some examples of social determinants of health could be SES, education status, etc. Social Determinants of Health - Healthy People 2030 | health.gov

This can be something you've experienced yourself, or something that you've seen in your work with underserved populations. Make sure to include what you've learned and what you hope to take from this understanding into your future doctor-ing 🙂

i was so thrown off by “personal experiences” and if that meant what i have witnessed personally, or what has personally affected me. i went with a clinical underserved anecdote but got so worried i misinterpreted it. thank you sm for explaining!!

 

[BiomedEGR777]

Could probably use that in that Any additional things to add prompt they have if you feel like you have something that you genuinely want to share that you feel is important to your story as an applicant

used that as a why albany essay IIRC

 

[radar6]

Thanks! I emailed admissions and will update the thread on a response in the case that someone else has a similar question.

Did you manage to get a response yet?