application: Discussing weaknesses?

[urd0rkk]

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Hey all,
So I'm still stuck on how to answer this question. Personally for me, academically my verbal score of 8 kinda sticks out in my mind as "an element of my application that may be a bit concerning", but idk if that may be being slightly neurotic? and if my research is not really directly related to medicine but rather the field of public health (predicted toxicity of biofuel)... and that I haven't had as much research exposure to clinical or biomedicine.
Idk, would these be considered concerning elements of my application? I guess I'm trying to gauge this question properly and feel like I'm having a hard time doing so.
Thanks guys!

 

[NYBills987]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uszfCDwvtME

But seriously, you can address the public health thing by talking about how its important to get an all around grasp on how to approach public health problems.. for clinical- talk about situations where you have tutored or whatever and how you have learned a lot from whatever limited experience you have... make sure it is understood you have learned enough to make the decision to go into medicine. The 8 on VR is something I might not mention.. the best you can say is 'I had a bad test day' to which they would wonder why you didnt retake in my opinion

 

[KLycos]

Anything below an 8 has been correlated with poor performance on the USMLE, but I forget the source...prob should have bookmarked it. Anyways, don't focus on the negatives unless they are specifically brought up in interviews, so don't think about how you would adress such topics until that time. There may be secondaries that ask you to discuss weaknesses, so don't bring up any weak points until you have to. Always focus on your strengths in the primary.

 

[NickNaylor]

Hey all,
So I'm still stuck on how to answer this question. Personally for me, academically my verbal score of 8 kinda sticks out in my mind as "an element of my application that may be a bit concerning", but idk if that may be being slightly neurotic? and if my research is not really directly related to medicine but rather the field of public health (predicted toxicity of biofuel)... and that I haven't had as much research exposure to clinical or biomedicine.
Idk, would these be considered concerning elements of my application? I guess I'm trying to gauge this question properly and feel like I'm having a hard time doing so.
Thanks guys!

You shouldn't discuss the 8. Adcoms are going to see it, and I highly doubt you're going to have an explanation for it that's worth bringing attention to.

Research in a non-clinical/basic science field also isn't a "weakness." Don't mention it in an apologetic light.

 

[StoicJosher]

You shouldn't discuss the 8. Adcoms are going to see it, and I highly doubt you're going to have an explanation for it that's worth bringing attention to.

Research in a non-clinical/basic science field also isn't a "weakness." Don't mention it in an apologetic light.

This.

Anything you consider a "weakness", you need to spin it in a positive/non-apologetic light. And if you can't do that, don't mention it.

 

[pkwraith]

When addressing any weaknesses, just keep in mind a few things.

Have a rational explanation of the root/cause of your weakness. But most importantly, address how you set out a plan to ameliorate the weakness. Being able to identify a weakness is only a minor part of the answer--the steps you go to improve is the important part, and ends in your answer on a positive note.

1. Identify weakness
2. Your plan to improve it
3. What progress you have made

 

[urd0rkk]

ah thanks guys, you guys are so helpful. that youtube video was hilarious btw lol.

And this is for my secondary (Davis). They ask for elements that might be concerning to adcom, and I didn't want to leave it blank, and i haven't really figured out what I should write... I guess I'll stick to writing a bit on my limited research exposure to PH?

would I come off a bit arrogant or naive to leave it blank? haha

1. Q: Discuss any elements of your application that you feel might be concerning to the Admissions Committee.

 

[NYBills987]

ah thanks guys, you guys are so helpful. that youtube video was hilarious btw lol.

And this is for my secondary (Davis). They ask for elements that might be concerning to adcom, and I didn't want to leave it blank, and i haven't really figured out what I should write... I guess I'll stick to writing a bit on my limited research exposure to PH?

would I come off a bit arrogant or naive to leave it blank? haha

1. Q: Discuss any elements of your application that you feel might be concerning to the Admissions Committee.

No, you can leave it blank if you feel that you don't have anything to add that will explain/add to your application. Unlike most tests, not everything has to be filled out on this one. Just keep in mind that you have limited contact with admissions people at each of these schools so if you encounter a question like "Would you like to tell us anything more about yourself?", try to use that to your advantage. The weakness question is a total judgment call but you don't have to answer it.