Frustrated in Oregon

Started by OrnotMajestic
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OrnotMajestic

OrnotMajestic

Ugly on the inside, too
15+ Year Member
Ok, so OHSU is my #1 choice for a million reasons. I've had this secondary sitting in front of me for a week, and I'm stumped. I mean, I have tons to say, but apparently my creative juices were wasted months ago on my AMCAS personal statement, and everything I write sounds either cliche or stupid. I'm a decent writer, I'm just empty headed at the moment. THIS SHOULDN'T BE THIS HARD....I guess I just really want to do well on this one, so I've scared myself motionless on this secondary.

"What values and personal attributes gained from your life experiences have best prepared you to enter the profession of medicine?"

Is anyone else drawing blanks on writing semi-specific personal statements for their secondaries?
 
Dude, I hear ya... I've been sitting on these thought-requiring secondaries for two weeks. I stopped working on essays for two days to give my mind a break, and it REALLY helped. I feel like I FINALLY have some creative ideas now and can pump out these essays now. Perhaps you should try working on another applciation... it might give you ideas for the OHSU one.
 
Well, I've been working on the Loyola and the Eastern Tenn secondary, and it has given me a few ideas...but I can't seem to flesh them out. My problem is, when I just sit in front of my computer, nothing happens. Most of my other essay ideas just "came to me" while doing other things...maybe I just need to stop focusing on it and let it "flow"....problem is deadlines. Loyola and Eastern Tenn need to be mailed off this week (both have only one question each to answer, so I'm not worried)...but I want to get the OHSU one in ASAP, seeing as how my premedical committee mails off my packet this week, so the I want my damn app to be processed sooner than later (I can't apply next year to OHSU, due to a change in requirements that will exclude me unless I go back to school, which won't happen).

So yeah, this thread is all about frustration at mind-cramps over personal statements.
 
*down with medical school secondaries* 👎

On a more serious note, do you have a friend or a family member you can bounce ideas off of? Even though my mom comes up with *******ed* ideas, it triggers another thought, which triggers another one, until i actually have a decent idea.

I also got some really good ideas after reading tons of old threads from previous application cycles. You can see what others are writing about and *avoid* those topics, as well as learn what current OHSU students think about thier school.

And since this thread is all about frustrations, can I just say that I spent my birthday working on the stupid duke & upitt apps. UGH. :meanie: Can't wait till all of this is OVER.
 
tinkerbelle UGH. :meanie: Can't wait till all of this is OVER.[/QUOTE said:
👍

Seriously, I sometimes feel as though I over-applied to schools....I just got SWAMPED with secondaries, and none of the questions overlapped. It's one of those things where I feel like i'm "hurrying up and waiting". What's lame, is my premedical committee doesn't send out your letter till mid-august/early-september, UNLESS you are applying ED. So no matter how early you apply and send off the secondary apps, the schools won't get my letters till September! I just hope my frustration doesn't show in my essays, and they don't overtly suck. Oh, and I usually bounce ideas off my mom....I'll call her several times a day while writing just to get ideas (she was an English teacher, so she usually has good ideas).

Ok, back to writing (or staring blankly at the computer screen).
Click to expand...
 
OP: "(I can't apply next year to OHSU, due to a change in requirements that will exclude me unless I go back to school, which won't happen)."

Are you talking about the new genetics and biochem requirements? I was under the impression that those requirements DID apply to this cycle of applications, at least according to MSAR. Might want to check it out.
 
Nope, I emailed them, and they said they aren't required till those that matriculate in 2006, and were just considered "strongly encouraged" for this year.
 
I think your thread opened the door on a bunch of funny titles :laugh:
 
I was just wondering how we check our status for OHSU? Is it best just to call them and ask them if they've received everything or do they send you something via snail mail/email letting you know that you're complete?

Thanks!
 
Majestic,
I love the fact that you have softball listed as an EC on mdapps.com. I love it.

Anyway, I'll assume you have no problem with the second OHSU essay prompt thing. The first one, hmm. Well, I wrote about what I learned from my parents that gave me the drive to even apply to medical school and I also wrote about what I learned from a camp for disabled kids I worked at. I see that you volunteered at a medical clinic. There must be something in that. Somehow that changed your view of the world. That is just a quickie idea.

Dude, you are going to get an interview at OHSU regardless of what you write. Just find something at least semi-meaningful to write about and you will have yourself an interview.
 
ImmunoRocks said:
I was just wondering how we check our status for OHSU? Is it best just to call them and ask them if they've received everything or do they send you something via snail mail/email letting you know that you're complete?

Thanks!
Click to expand...



They send you a postcard when you're complete and ready for review. 👍
 
indo said:
Majestic,
I love the fact that you have softball listed as an EC on mdapps.com. I love it.

Anyway, I'll assume you have no problem with the second OHSU essay prompt thing. The first one, hmm. Well, I wrote about what I learned from my parents that gave me the drive to even apply to medical school and I also wrote about what I learned from a camp for disabled kids I worked at. I see that you volunteered at a medical clinic. There must be something in that. Somehow that changed your view of the world. That is just a quickie idea.

Dude, you are going to get an interview at OHSU regardless of what you write. Just find something at least semi-meaningful to write about and you will have yourself an interview.
Click to expand...

Well, I wanted to show everyone that I'm not a total glutton for EC punishment. A little community softball is a great way to take out your frustrations on a little round object with a metal rod. *Thwack* :-D

Well, I wrote my secondary essay about a month ago. I mainly used stuff from my where i grew up and my overseas experiences. One page just isn't enough. Then again, I'm long winded. 😛 I'm a decent writer, so I'm sure I'll get an interview...but it's hard to shake those little, nagging doubts....

Well, I hope I get an interview at OHSU, seeing as they are my #1 school!! I know I'm in-state so that helps....but still, OHSU is kinda weird. They've had a few budget issues, so they tend to take more out-of-staters now. *Shrugs* We shall see. Are you a fellow Oregonian?
 
Davina3000 said:
They send you a postcard when you're complete and ready for review. 👍
Click to expand...

I've been complete there for almost a month, and have yet to get my postcard. I called them two weeks ago and they confirmed that I was indeed complete, and was currently under review. Where the hell is my postcard then?

Speaking of which, Loyola still hasn't told me if I'm complete yet. I should call them, but they are only open on Thursdays, and I always forget. Silly med schools.....
 
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