"Anything else" secondary prompt for home institution

[dhs1998]

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I go to a T20 undergrad with a T20 med school. I have the stats/ECs to be competitive anywhere, but I really want to go to my undergrad institution's med school for personal reasons. I am worried that they might think that due to my stats, I am only applying there as a safety, when really it's my #1 choice! I'm pre-writing this school's secondary right now. One of their questions is like "do you have anything else to tell us" and I am wondering how to articulate to my school's adcom that they're my 1st choice and that I will go there over other schools (even Harvard lol). Is there a way to tell them they are my first choice? They take a lot of people from my undergrad, and I'm worried I'll get waitlisted since they think I'm not really interested in them.

 

[Rachapkis]

Do they have an early admission application?

 

[dhs1998]

Unfortunately they do not

 

[aldol16]

I'm pretty sure that there's no stat profile for which a top 20 med school is a "safety" school.

 

[dhs1998]

I'm pretty sure that there's no stat profile for which a top 20 med school is a "safety" school.

according to our premed advisors its like 20-30 people a year who get in. "Safety" isn't really the word I'm looking for. I'm trying to say that they might think, based on my profile, I'm gunning for a T5 and would go to another school over my own school. So they want to save the spots for other people in my class. Can I say something along the lines of "I hope to continue my education at ______"

 

[aldol16]

according to our premed advisors its like 20-30 people a year who get in. "Safety" isn't really the word I'm looking for. I'm trying to say that they might think, based on my profile, I'm gunning for a T5 and would go to another school over my own school. So they want to save the spots for other people in my class. Can I say something along the lines of "I hope to continue my education at ______"

I mean, I think making that statement at the interview/post-interview stage would be more impactful. Do your advisers think that they won't extend you even an interview because they think you want to go elsewhere? I just find it hard to imagine a scenario where it's a top 20 school and your stats are just so high that they think you'll go someplace "higher." I applied with very good stats and didn't get treated that way by any top 20 schools.

 

[dhs1998]

I mean, I think making that statement at the interview/post-interview stage would be more impactful. Do your advisers think that they won't extend you even an interview because they think you want to go elsewhere? I just find it hard to imagine a scenario where it's a top 20 school and your stats are just so high that they think you'll go someplace "higher." I applied with very good stats and didn't get treated that way by any top 20 schools.

Actually that makes a lot of sense to do it at the interview stage, since my advisors told me I should get an interview. Maybe I can also write a thank you note to my interviewers/adcom after the interview to basically say that it's my top choice?

 

[deleted987519]

People really applying to T20's as safetys now huh

 

[dhs1998]

People really applying to T20's as safetys now huh

I literally only applied to all the T20's plus my state school. I'm quite certain I would get yield protected at many mid-tiers. We shall see in the next few months how it works out lol.

 

[Moko]

Can I say something along the lines of "I hope to continue my education at ______"

That line means nothing since everyone will write or say something to that effect. Instead, show them why they are your #1 by touching on the personal reasons that you mentioned. For example, if this is because of a significant other, proximity to family, etc, then mentioning it in the secondary can be beneficial. The fact that your medical school accepts 20-30 of their own also bodes well for you. Good luck.

 

[aldol16]

Actually that makes a lot of sense to do it at the interview stage, since my advisors told me I should get an interview. Maybe I can also write a thank you note to my interviewers/adcom after the interview to basically say that it's my top choice?

At the interview, really hammer home the fact that it's your very top choice. With all the personal reasons that you have. Then after the interview, if you really would turn any other place down (imagine Harvard offering you a full scholarship), look into writing a letter of intent to the admissions office. They are of debated value but I don't think it can hurt, especially if you have very strong reasons to go there.