How to answer "Any additional information you would like to provide" questions?

[mq123]

Is it ok to leave these blank?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[mvenus929]

If it's the only essay, and it's option, you could consider doing a 'diversity' essay. If it's not the only essay, and you've dealt with the 'diversity' question elsewhere, and don't have anything fabulous to say about the school, then sure, leave it blank.

 

[Koch]

Do not leave it blank. It's seriously bad news.

 

[fireflygirl]

I think this is the perfect opportunity to address weakenesses in your application (in a tactful way of course!!) or to expand on your passion and committment to medicine. I think no question or chance to enhance your application or your persona as a candidate should be overlooked for such a competitive process.

 

[Jolie South]

I wrote about personal characteristics that would make me a good physician. This isn't addressed anywhere else in the application and couldn't be fully addressed in the PS.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Jpc984]

I wrote about personal characteristics that would make me a good physician. This isn't addressed anywhere else in the application and couldn't be fully addressed in the PS.

Just my 2 cents.

Or explain how you have ties to that state (if you are out of state)

 

[doctortobe2012]

always fill it! there has to be about a billion things about you that the adcoms don't know. it doesn't always have to be medically related. maybe some interesting hobby? what makes you stand out from your peers? really anything will do, IMO.

 

[gujuDoc]

My advice:

Use this space any of the following:

1. To talk about weaknesses that weren't addressed in the primary and what you did to correct them

2. To talk about why you think you'd fit in with the mission statements of the school and what you like about the school that draws you to applying there, how that fits in with your own goals, and so forth.

3. To talk about activities you didn't mention in AMCAS if you had a resume that was longer then the allowed 15 slots or to expand on an activitiy that you may have wanted to expand on but never got an opportunity to in the primary.

To expand on 3, you could do as an above poster suggested and talk about your hobbies and more of who you are, what your family traits are, what you like to do for fun and diversions.

 

[mvenus929]

always fill it! there has to be about a billion things about you that the adcoms don't know. it doesn't always have to be medically related. maybe some interesting hobby? what makes you stand out from your peers? really anything will do, IMO.

Well, some schools have like 7 essays before you even get to that (at least, that's how many additional questions were on Minnesota's secondary last year). While I'm sure some people could come up with something else to say, what else can you talk about when you've already talked about: your childhood, difficult life experiences, how you're unique, ties to the state, what you're currently doing, gaps in work/school experience, and alternative career choices. Assuming you've covered why you want to become a physician in your primary, and you don't have any glaring issues with your application....

 

[gujuDoc]

Well, some schools have like 7 essays before you even get to that (at least, that's how many additional questions were on Minnesota's secondary last year). While I'm sure some people could come up with something else to say, what else can you talk about when you've already talked about: your childhood, difficult life experiences, how you're unique, ties to the state, what you're currently doing, gaps in work/school experience, and alternative career choices. Assuming you've covered why you want to become a physician in your primary, and you don't have any glaring issues with your application....

True true!!! I guess it would depend on whether it is the only essay like with some schools or one on top of every other question possibly thought up.

 

[Catdoctor]

So for example, on Columbia's secondary, would you upload an additional document writing one of these essays?

 

[deleted77919]

I never did any optional essays (for example, it was the only one for WashU) and do not believe it hurt me in the least.

Optional really means optional. If you have something useful to say, then say it, if you don't then they don't want to read another BS essay.

 

[gujuDoc]

I never did any optional essays (for example, it was the only one for WashU) and do not believe it hurt me in the least.

Optional really means optional. If you have something useful to say, then say it, if you don't then they don't want to read another BS essay.

You do make a point. It is better to leave it blank then add fluff.

 

[foreverLaur]

If it's the only essay, and it's option, you could consider doing a 'diversity' essay. If it's not the only essay, and you've dealt with the 'diversity' question elsewhere, and don't have anything fabulous to say about the school, then sure, leave it blank.

what if you aren't diverse? 🙁 i've always drawn a blank when they ask me to come up with how i am unique, diverse, different, etc.

 

[mvenus929]

what if you aren't diverse? 🙁 i've always drawn a blank when they ask me to come up with how i am unique, diverse, different, etc.

Well, you should figure out an answer, because a lot of schools have it as an essay requirement, and I'm sure those that don't will be tempted to ask at the interview.

I'm talking about my childhood... I'm an army brat.

Did you do study abroad? Have a large family? Work with an unusual group of people (maybe alzheimer's patients, cancer patients, infants, etc)? Maybe you've had a job that gave you a new perspective on life... I'm sure if you cover your life, you can think up something to talk about...

 

[foreverLaur]

Well, you should figure out an answer, because a lot of schools have it as an essay requirement, and I'm sure those that don't will be tempted to ask at the interview.

I'm talking about my childhood... I'm an army brat.

Did you do study abroad? Have a large family? Work with an unusual group of people (maybe alzheimer's patients, cancer patients, infants, etc)? Maybe you've had a job that gave you a new perspective on life... I'm sure if you cover your life, you can think up something to talk about...

never left the US. normal family. i'm as white and american as they come. i'm female. i was a gymnast until i tore my rotator cuff... just a typical athletic kid. nothing super special. my mom is a nurse at an allergy office and my dad is an engineer. i haven't worked with anyone special.. i was a hostess then a waitress and now i work for Ernst & Young. no one in my family has died. no illnesses. no smokers/alcoholics. i'm middle/upper class. i'm a computer nerd (anyone in need of a laptop?). i really haven't done or seen anything cool or special 😕 i didn't apply for the honors program at my university even though i knew i was qualified because i had absolutely nothing good to write for the diversity essay. i really need to figure this out... heeeelp.

 

[TheRealMD]

never left the US. normal family. i'm as white and american as they come. i'm female. i was a gymnast until i tore my rotator cuff... just a typical athletic kid. nothing super special. my mom is a nurse at an allergy office and my dad is an engineer. i haven't worked with anyone special.. i was a hostess then a waitress and now i work for Ernst & Young. no one in my family has died. no illnesses. no smokers/alcoholics. i'm middle/upper class. i'm a computer nerd (anyone in need of a laptop?). i really haven't done or seen anything cool or special 😕 i didn't apply for the honors program at my university even though i knew i was qualified because i had absolutely nothing good to write for the diversity essay. i really need to figure this out... heeeelp.

Not everyone is/was a gymnast.

 

[mvenus929]

never left the US. normal family. i'm as white and american as they come. i'm female. i was a gymnast until i tore my rotator cuff... just a typical athletic kid. nothing super special. my mom is a nurse at an allergy office and my dad is an engineer. i haven't worked with anyone special.. i was a hostess then a waitress and now i work for Ernst & Young. no one in my family has died. no illnesses. no smokers/alcoholics. i'm middle/upper class. i'm a computer nerd (anyone in need of a laptop?). i really haven't done or seen anything cool or special 😕 i didn't apply for the honors program at my university even though i knew i was qualified because i had absolutely nothing good to write for the diversity essay. i really need to figure this out... heeeelp.

Your mom's a nurse... so you've had exposure to medicine in the family. That's something to talk about.

If you consider being 'athletic' typical, then I worry. I did marching band in high school, and that was the extent of my physical activity.

How are you a computer nerd? Do you rebuild? Do you fix? Do you just play on them all day?

 

[foreverLaur]

Not everyone is/was a gymnast.

but how do i formulate an entire med school essay on the fact that flipping and twisting was my sport of choice? i gave it up hardcore in middle school to pursue volleyball (2 yrs) and track (6 yrs). i did some high school but only on moderation cuz of the shoulder. i didn't win state or go to nationals or anything. it never seemed that unique to me. we had a lot of girls in my area who did it. we had 20 girls on our high school team and every high school around me had a decent sized team. how do i turn this into a diversity essay? 😕

 

[foreverLaur]

Your mom's a nurse... so you've had exposure to medicine in the family. That's something to talk about.

If you consider being 'athletic' typical, then I worry. I did marching band in high school, and that was the extent of my physical activity.

How are you a computer nerd? Do you rebuild? Do you fix? Do you just play on them all day?

i hang out at my mom's office quite often. i went to a very athletic high school and grew up in a very athletic area. it was just assumed you'd do some type of sport. but you don't have to do sports to be athletic. you just have to be healthy and take good care of yourself in my mind. all you have to do is go jogging.

i build computers. i fix computers. i play around on computers. i prefer computers over clothes yet i am also girly.

these are things that are me and may not be 'common' but i don't see them as making me unique or adding diversity.

 

[mvenus929]

i hang out at my mom's office quite often. i went to a very athletic high school and grew up in a very athletic area. it was just assumed you'd do some type of sport. but you don't have to do sports to be athletic. you just have to be healthy and take good care of yourself in my mind. all you have to do is go jogging.

i build computers. i fix computers. i play around on computers. i prefer computers over clothes yet i am also girly.

these are things that are me and may not be 'common' but i don't see them as making me unique or adding diversity.

Ok, go with the computer thing. That's not something usual, and will definitely be beneficial. If nothing else, it'll help you understand how to work computers better when you do get into the thick of things. Did you learn formally, or teach yourself? If you taught yourself, that's another thing that will 'add to the diversity'.

 

[inaminute]

I think you should pretend to have been a pole dancer. *helpful*

 

[foreverLaur]

I think you should pretend to have been a pole dancer. *helpful*

haha i bet i could pull off a pretty good pole dance...

... i guess the gymnastics could prove to be "unique". i didn't have much of a life until i hit middle school.

i went to school 9-3. went to the gym 330-830. did homework. went to bed. mon-fri. saturday i was there from 9-4. sundays i had privates or i coached. it taught me a lot about self discipline and hard work and dedication at a very young age.

i think that might be why my first two years of college sucked, in terms of GPA. i finally had freedom 🙂.

2.51 to a 3.95 and a 3.8 science GPA. woo hoo for upward trends haha.