Generic Secondary Prompt..What response do you guys use?

[Leif_Erikson]

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So in many secondaries I've had already, the question that many schools are asking is "Why do you want to go to _____ Medical School?"

It's hard for me to really come up with all-encompassing reasons as to why I really want to go to that school. Mostly, I've picked schools based on geography and if they offer the research I'm interested in. It's hard for me to elaborate on too many things outside of that. I mean, I can go on their website and reiterate facts about how revolutionary their curriculum is blah blah blah. But it's forced, and I really don't know where to go with it.

What angle are you guys/gals taking on this question?

 

[Kaydubz]

The grit-your-teeth and just wade through all the BS angle

 

[chad5871]

I approach these essays by figuring out what's unique about me and trying to correlate it with what's unique about the school. This way, you not only show how much you want to attend a school, you're also demonstrating that you'd be a good fit there. I've actually found this to be a pretty good exercise in preliminarily discovering which schools I prefer. Granted, some schools have VERY little information available, but with most schools you can find a good deal of material online.

 

[Aidan]

If I were you, I'd do as much research on the school as possible. Find key points in the schools "mission statement" that pertain to your philosophy on medicine or academics. Bring up something that you feel strongly about and then explain how that correlates with something the medical school has said in one of their statements about themselves.

Sometimes it's hard to do this, other times it's not. You might have to BS a little bit, but be careful - adcoms are usually pretty smart people..good luck!

 

[DoctorSteinman]

I always go the 'tell them how I want to bang the hot chicks at your school' angle.

 

[Retsage]

^
A risky strategy. They might refer you to their nursing school.

 

[DoctorSteinman]

^
A risky strategy. They might refer you to their nursing school.

Hot.

 

[redbull928]

Like other people said, do a research on the school. I was in the same boat until I started reading about the schools and realized that based on the missions statement and curriculum I'd rather go to certain schools. I ended up withdrawing from certain schools but felt stronger about the schools I'm sticking with.

 

[Jolie South]

I approach these essays by figuring out what's unique about me and trying to correlate it with what's unique about the school. This way, you not only show how much you want to attend a school, you're also demonstrating that you'd be a good fit there. I've actually found this to be a pretty good exercise in preliminarily discovering which schools I prefer. Granted, some schools have VERY little information available, but with most schools you can find a good deal of material online.

this was my strategy because you're telling them what's great about you while at the same time flattering the school.

i would stay away from mentioning geography unless it's for access to certain patient populations, research centers, or other academic type reasons.

 

[iA-MD2013]

this was my strategy because you're telling them what's great about you while at the same time flattering the school.

good. that's been my strategy too! 😀

i would stay away from mentioning geography unless it's for access to certain patient populations, research centers, or other academic type reasons

even if you say i've lived there for 10+ years or my family lives there? should those kinds of things be mentioned?

 

[Jolie South]

good. that's been my strategy too! 😀


even if you say i've lived there for 10+ years or my family lives there? should those kinds of things be mentioned?

it's also good for showing state ties for admission to state schools.

 

[Jolie South]

i'm no expert or adcom, but if i saw an applicant that talked about loving beaches and proximity to downtown nightlife vs other characteristics i personally would question whether they give a crap about my school.

that can be your deciding factor, but i'd stay away from flat out saying it in an essay.