handwritten vs. typewritten secondaries

[biosailgirl]

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I'm filling out my secondaries right now and I don't really see the problem with handwriting secondaries and envelopes, if you have very neat handwriting. Will this look bad on me? The last time I touched or have seen a typewriter was six years ago, and my parents bought it for me. I figure that the Admissions Office takes the envelope and discards it and puts the rest into a file. Do you think that someone with the same stats/ecs/lors etc. who has a typewritten app will get chosen over a person with a handwritten app? Doesn't nice penmanship count for anything?

Anyone been accepted with handwritten apps?

 

[JunkintheTrunk]

I'm filling out my secondaries right now and I don't really see the problem with handwriting secondaries and envelopes, if you have very neat handwriting. Will this look bad on me? The last time I touched or have seen a typewriter was six years ago, and my parents bought it for me. I figure that the Admissions Office takes the envelope and discards it and puts the rest into a file. Do you think that someone with the same stats/ecs/lors etc. who has a typewritten app will get chosen over a person with a handwritten app? Doesn't nice penmanship count for anything?

Anyone been accepted with handwritten apps?

i think you should definitely type it out: in undergrad professors didn't even want to SEE a handwritten ANYTHING. i would type it out just as a courtesy to the adcoms, and you'll also have it on a floppy or whatever if you need to reference it again. and screw the typewriter, try a computer 😀 they're great machines, and obviously you know how to type and have access to a computer: you just typed this 👍

 

[docbill]

Presentation is everything.

If you have to answer more then one line... then place the question and answer on a word document and print it out. Or if you like retype the whole application in word and print it out.

I just put (see attached form) for the long answers... like I said anything longer then 1 sentence. I put my name and address by handwriting. I have messy writing so I took care to make it legible.

Can they refuse someone based on that? I don't know.. but it can mean the difference between Jack, you, and I.

 

[Nate]

I purchased a typewriter at Staples for this and typed everything. In my opinion if you busted your ass to get the grades, take the MCAT, secure letters of recommendation, read and investigate schools and philosophies in medicine to be the best applicant you can be, you should not sell yourself short in the end. Also, in my opinion, typewritten is more professional then hand written just as a suit is more professional then jeans and a t-shirt. Others have the opposite opinion in which it doesn't matter and you shouldn't worry so do whatever makes you comfortable.

 

[dr.z]

I typed all the essays and forms using a type writer/computer whenenver appropriate. As far as the envelopes go, I hand wrote those.

 

[lattimer13]

i agree, type it.

 

[group_theory]

I just want to give a differing opinion here (just so the OP knows that there are differing opinions out there)

People like to use the argument "with all things being equal" when it comes to typing. The problem is - not ALL things will be equal. Everyone is unique (just like you learned in kindergarden). Everyone will have different background - different childhood, experiences, ECs, grades (GPA might be the same but grades in courses might differ). Personalities are different and it shows come interview time. How a person handles high-pressure and stress also differs. So don't worry about the "with all things being equal" aspect (unless you have an identical twin, have the same sets of friends, dated the same people, went to the same school and got the exact same grades in every classes and identical score on MCAT and joined the same club and did the same EC and got the same experiences out of them ,etc - do you see how ridiculous the argument is?)

Now back to the original topic

Type or handwrite? My response: That depends. If the secondary is a form in which you have to fill out, then handwriting is acceptable (as long as it is legible to EVERYONE). Would it look better if you typed it? Probably. Will it have a huge impact? NO (unless of course it is evident that you just didn't show much care for the secondary). In my mind, a neat handwriting also shows professionalism (probably because it is so rare to find neat handwriting nowadays). Just don't do it in rage red, cute pink, neon green, or other "unprofessional" colors (black is preferred over blue because it is easier to photocopy - that's why all hospital records are in black ink)

Now if you were submitting an attached essay (or short responses), typing it on computer and printing it would be advised.

Buying/renting a typewriter for just this purpose seems a bit excessive to me (but if that's what you want to do - go right ahead)

I understand what you guys are going through. You're nervous about making costly and grave mistakes, looking for every advantage, trying to decide the course of your future. But also be aware that admission people are also reasonable and understanding people (for the most part 😉 ). They will look at all aspect of you (qualitative and quantitative). They will make their judgement based on YOU, and not whether you typed or handwrite your quick responses on the secondary, or if you used regular envelops or the 9x12 envelops, or whether you deliver it via USPS, UPS, FedEx, or hand-deliver it accompanied by honor guards and brass band.

For the record - I did handwrite my quick responses and typed/computer-print my essays. None of the schools raised an issue.

P.S. However, if your handwriting is sloppy or looks like you wrote it quickly and without much thought - it will give a bad first impression.

 

[OSUdoc08]

Doesn't nice penmanship count for anything?

No.

Penmanship isn't a quality they are looking for in physicians.

Anything but typed is deemed unprofessional.

 

[Nate]

Just stumbled upon this at the KCOM website:

Mistake Six
Not typing the application. If at all possible, typewritten applications are preferred.

under admissions>admissions information>advisor and student resources> and then top 10 mistakes

 

[Yosh]

I would agree with Nate...the medical field is a professional institution....I wouldn't advise anything other than typing. It is difficult enough to get into medical school...why stack anything else against your application?

Handwriting a personal letter is fine..for professional correspondence....typing is appropriate

Best of luck....and I feel your pain..when I applied 5 years ago...I had NEVER typed before..but all those apps gave me all the incentive in the world...

 

[meister]

I can tell you for a fact that penmanship doesn't count for anything in medical school. In my daily interaction with physician handwriting reading prescriptions, the only ones that are written "nicely" are no doubt written by NPs or PAs.

 

[Robz]

I hand wrote all my secondaries that were haded to me on a preformated sheet. You know the ones with the simple questions and adress info on them.

Now, for any essays and/or longer questions I usually made a supplemental typed form up. I also had a premade extra CV that I would throw in there cause most had an experience section on the secondary and I usually would write please see attached there.

As for envelopes I did mine on my computer cause I was too damn lazy to write them out by hand.

So, for handwritting my applications I didn't do so bad....I got into more then a few schools and no one even cared. Just make sure your essays are well typed and proof read.

 

[uclabruin2003]

VCU ONLY accepts a 200 word handwritten essay just to let you all know.

I also handwrote some of my applications in which it asked for my name, my courses, my ECs...its not my fault that drexel has this really weird and long sheet.