Dropping names in secondaries

[Doctor Strange]

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So, I know there's a thread out there about dropping names in the personal statement, but my question is about dropping names in secondaries.

Specifically, I'm answering the notorious "why do you want to go to our school?" question, and a component of my answer is that I'm currently working with a doctor that graduated from that school. He's really a great guy and an exceptional doctor, and I'm attributing those qualities in part to his education at the particular institution.

Is it appropriate to name-drop here? He's not world-renowned or anything, and I doubt anyone will recognize his name, but I don't want it to seem like I'm making up some anonymous mystery doctor to answer the question.

I guess it's also worth mentioning that I'm not submitting a LOR from him to this school.

Thoughts?

 

[235788]

In this case I would. But I wouldn't normally.

 

[Doctor Strange]

In this case I would. But I wouldn't normally.

Thanks for the reply. I wouldn't normally mention names either, but I felt this was an exception.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

If he is a significant part of why you want to go to school there, I think it's appropriate if written properly.

 

[NewYorker9]

I wouldn't make random contributions by the institution to his characteristics, but ask him what specifically he took away from the school and include that. Don't make it your focus/only point and IMO you're fine.

 

[tima]

I would use Dr. last name. If you talk about your experience and other details (location, time period, his/her specialty, etc), then I see why not to identify the doctor. I think it's better than using pronouns or initials.

 

[BHaus9]

If you could possibly obtain an LOR from this doctor, that should do the talking for you. You could then vaguely refer to a "Dr. M, a graduate of X University," in your essay. That way, you're not put into the position of having to name-drop (which otherwise *might* be seen as a cheap ploy), but the identity of that doctor should be revealed in the letter.

 

[LizzyM]

I think that it is safer to say "I've worked with a pediatrician/rheumatologist/ neurologist who is a graduate of --- Medical College and I admire ..[describe some of the doc's great characteristics. I've heard great things about [curriculum, affiliated hospital, facilities] and this piqued my interest in --- Medical College."

Don't mention the doc's name... everyone has someone who thinks that they are a jerk -- there is too much risk (and no real reward) in naming some random alumnus.

 

[Xiao]

I think that it is safer to say "I've worked with a pediatrician/rheumatologist/ neurologist who is a graduate of --- Medical College and I admire ..[describe some of the doc's great characteristics. I've heard great things about [curriculum, affiliated hospital, facilities] and this piqued my interest in --- Medical College."

Don't mention the doc's name... everyone has someone who thinks that they are a jerk -- there is too much risk (and no real reward) in naming some random alumnus.

I agree that this is the most solid approach. No real upside in mentioning a random name.

What you do want to convey is that you have a sincere and grounded interest in their school, which you can accomplish by saying that you work with and admire one of their graduates.

 

[Doctor Strange]

I agree that this is the most solid approach. No real upside in mentioning a random name.

What you do want to convey is that you have a sincere and grounded interest in their school, which you can accomplish by saying that you work with and admire one of their graduates.

Well, my main concern was this answer coming off as legitimate to an admissions committee. I feel like anyone can lie and mention a mystery doctor and say that he/she was a graduate of the university. I guess my train of thought was that giving a name would make it verifiable, so they know that I'm being 100% honest about this claim.

 

[typicalindian]

Well, my main concern was this answer coming off as legitimate to an admissions committee. I feel like anyone can lie and mention a mystery doctor and say that he/she was a graduate of the university. I guess my train of thought was that giving a name would make it verifiable, so they know that I'm being 100% honest about this claim.

Maybe it'll make them so curious that the only way they'll get an answer is to give you an interview invite and ask you?

 

[MedPR]

I mentioned the name of an MD/PhD I did research with, but only at his home school.

 

[Doctor Strange]

Maybe it'll make them so curious that the only way they'll get an answer is to give you an interview invite and ask you?

Ah! Good point! 👍

 

[SpecterGT260]

everyone has someone who thinks that they are a jerk -- .

Disagree 😉

 

[PreMedOrDead]

...and this piqued my interest in...

LizzyM, I've never seen 'piqued' written out before and thought I had written 'peaked' in my Personal Statement in place of it.

I nearly shiat myself.

Just checked though, I didn't.

Write 'peaked,' that is.
But I also didn't shiat myself. I suppose that's a plus, too.

 

[MedPR]

I think that it is safer to say "I've worked with a pediatrician/rheumatologist/ neurologist who is a graduate of --- Medical College and I admire ..[describe some of the doc's great characteristics. I've heard great things about [curriculum, affiliated hospital, facilities] and this piqued my interest in --- Medical College."

Don't mention the doc's name... everyone has someone who thinks that they are a jerk -- there is too much risk (and no real reward) in naming some random alumnus.

What if the person I named (already submitted.. should've done more research on this topic) is a current faculty member/ADCOM?

 

[MedPR]

LizzyM, I've never seen 'piqued' written out before and thought I had written 'peaked' in my Personal Statement in place of it.

I nearly shiat myself.

Just checked though, I didn't.

Write 'peaked,' that is.
But I also didn't shiat myself. I suppose that's a plus, too.

Shat?

 

[PreMedOrDead]

Shat?

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=shiat

Shat is often (should be) censored if **** is, since it's simply the past tense form of a censored word.

Censorship, how does it work?

 

[JaBoomDay]

Shat?

🤣

HAHAHAHAHA Man I'm dying over here! That was funny! "Shat" is such a fun word!

 

[MedPR]

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=shiat

Shat is often (should be) censored if **** is, since it's simply the past tense form of a censored word.

Censorship, how does it work?

You realize you're quoting urbandictionary, which isn't a real dictionary, correct? Oh well. I think we all got the point.

 

[jram2323]

LizzyM, if you

 

[1cor1311]

What about abbreviating the schools name in our response?
A hypothetical example is, what makes you a good candidate for LLUSOM?


can we use that abbreviation in our response? Im assuming its ok.

 

[LizzyM]

LizzyM, if you could give me your input on this it's be appreciated: a member of admissions at a school let me visit and showed me around.would it be appropriate to mention this persons name in regards to the visit, if I was impressed?

I suppose it shows what kind of person you are that you made a note of and remembered the name of a person in the office who showed you around. Some will say you were "well raised" and that's a compliment.

 

[LizzyM]

What about abbreviating the schools name in our response?
A hypothetical example is, what makes you a good candidate for LLUSOM?


can we use that abbreviation in our response? Im assuming its ok.

Sure... just don't make a mistake and use LLUSOM when you are applying to USCDSOM or you will be SOL.

 

[Lys Ile Glu Leu]

sure... Just don't make a mistake and use llusom when you are applying to uscdsom or you will be sol.