Autobiography as part of letters packet- is this useful?

[Starburst217]

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I am using my university's letter packet service for my AMCAS application. As part of the packet, my university allows us to provide an optional 3 page autobiography (detailing our lives leading up to college, pretty much) that will be uploaded along with our letters. Is this worth it? I can't imagine an adcom sitting down to read all of it on top of my activities and personal statement... but I don't want to give the opportunity up if it could help my chances. All thoughts are welcome and tyia 🙂

 

[Goro]

Do not do this.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Of all the years where I have read institutional letters, it usually falls on the committee letter writer to present the personal background, not the applicant. I don't know if this is the way this committee wants to save time writing the packet or they feel more comfortable taking a perspective on just the academic performance of the candidate. Yes, when I have written committee letters, I have asked for a biography as well, and sometimes there are statements I would quote that I felt I could not capture adequately. But I gave everyone one page at the most. Three pages single-spaced in smaller than 12 point font are turnoffs (wall of text).

I'll differ with @Goro here until more information is provided, but like the essays for institutional actions/criminal history, you need to get that autobiography vetted very carefully. It also provides a trap to rehash information that you could discuss in a more focused fashion elsewhere in the application (such as the disadvantaged statement). What is the prompt for your autobiographical statement, and what suggestions are made on what you may include?

 

[KnightDoc]

Of all the years where I have read institutional letters, it usually falls on the committee letter writer to present the personal background, not the applicant. I don't know if this is the way this committee wants to save time writing the packet or they feel more comfortable taking a perspective on just the academic performance of the candidate. Yes, when I have written committee letters, I have asked for a biography as well, and sometimes there are statements I would quote that I felt I could not capture adequately. But I gave everyone one page at the most. Three pages single-spaced in smaller than 12 point font are turnoffs (wall of text).

I'll differ with @Goro here until more information is provided, but like the essays for institutional actions/criminal history, you need to get that autobiography vetted very carefully. It also provides a trap to rehash information that you could discuss in a more focused fashion elsewhere in the application (such as the disadvantaged statement). What is the prompt for your autobiographical statement, and what suggestions are made on what you may include?

You are misunderstanding. It's a letter packet, NOT a committee letter, and it's not uncommon. If the UG recommends it, there is absolutely no harm in including it.

Any adcom that doesn't find it worthwhile can easily skip over it, but it is there for anyone who has any interest. If the school is offering it, I would do it, since the OP will not be receiving a committee letter, so, it's this or nothing.

Of course, it needs to be done well, like anything else in the packet. But the risk that an applicant might screw something up is NOT a valid reason to avoid including something that can help.

 

[Moko]

Of all the years where I have read institutional letters, it usually falls on the committee letter writer to present the personal background, not the applicant. I don't know if this is the way this committee wants to save time writing the packet...

Some letter committees will ask applicants to provide their personal background in 3rd person as to a) save the committee's time and b) ensure there are no errors on their part when recounting an applicant's journey to college.

Since the primary application typically deals with only events that happened during or after college, a standalone autobiography may be helpful for certain applicants to detail uncommon childhood experiences that may not be discussed elsewhere on the application. However, even if an applicant had something meaningful to share, I agree that anything over one page is overkill. Just my thoughts.

 

[voxveritatisetlucis]

This is for writers

 

[Mr.Smile12]

You are misunderstanding. It's a letter packet, NOT a committee letter, and it's not uncommon. If the UG recommends it, there is absolutely no harm in including it.

Any adcom that doesn't find it worthwhile can easily skip over it, but it is there for anyone who has any interest. If the school is offering it, I would do it, since the OP will not be receiving a committee letter, so, it's this or nothing.

Of course, it needs to be done well, like anything else in the packet. But the risk that an applicant might screw something up is NOT a valid reason to avoid including something that can help.

It's usually a technical difference in letter packets vs. committee letters that attach/append letters (significantly the absence of a letter about the institution and its support for prehealth students overall), but I would expect the packet to consist solely of FERPA-confidential letters and not have any additional attachments that are not (which a submitted autobiography would not be subject to FERPA so one can highlight grade trends or anything else that would otherwise prevent faculty from describing [illnesses or disabilities]). Again, while it could be done well, it is a chance to totally undermine the application WITHOUT GUIDANCE.

I'd also hope the autobiography doesn't present any items that could be directly contradicted by the confidential letters. Otherwise, I also don't really see a problem with it, but keep in under one page and double-spaced. At least size 12. Use paragraphs. Heck, use bullet points (no more than three). Get it vetted as thoroughly as your PS, especially with your references that also will have submitted letters.

 

[Pathdocmd]

I wouldn't do it, but if you do, keep it to no more than a page.

 

[PhD_to_DO]

I am using my university's letter packet service for my AMCAS application. As part of the packet, my university allows us to provide an optional 3 page autobiography (detailing our lives leading up to college, pretty much) that will be uploaded along with our letters. Is this worth it? I can't imagine an adcom sitting down to read all of it on top of my activities and personal statement... but I don't want to give the opportunity up if it could help my chances. All thoughts are welcome and tyia 🙂

Not sure that all adcoms will find value in this or take the time to read it given all the work on their plates; if you choose to go this route, I believe that brevity will be your ally.