Is it "N/A" or "Please see my AMCAS application"

[Sam32]

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What is most appropriate/polite way to say that some of the questions on the Secondaries are not applicable or that the answers can be found in one's AMCAS application?

 

[dw2158]

well those seem like two different situations so i would not use them interchangeably. N/A is a perfectly acceptable answer if something doesn't apply to you. as far as "see amcas," well... chances are you're better off just reiterating what was on your amcas. annoying, sure. but this process is full of hoops. you've gotta jump, and at least pretend to be happy about it.

 

[flip26]

N/A is not applicable, so use it accordingly.

Do not refer them to your AMCAS. Some interviewers may not have access to the "open file" but will have the secondary...

 

[Sam32]

your answers make perfect sense. 👍

 

[Sam32]

.

 

[NeuroChaos]

well those seem like two different situations so i would not use them interchangeably. N/A is a perfectly acceptable answer if something doesn't apply to you. as far as "see amcas," well... chances are you're better off just reiterating what was on your amcas. annoying, sure. but this process is full of hoops. you've gotta jump, and at least pretend to be happy about it.

dw, you should make the bolded your signature. I have read this statement two different times in two different contexts and it is finally sinking in that it is true.

 

[Sam32]

Guys, what if I'm asked to write something about gaps in my education that are not previously described in my application?

I described gaps in my PS, should I just say " Please see my PS." ?

 

[NeuroChaos]

Guys, what if I'm asked to write something about gaps in my education that are not previously described in my application?

I described gaps in my PS, should I just say " Please see my PS." ?

as dw said, reiterate it. In PS you wrote it in a different context; I assume, you were describing how it influenced your decisions or why you are unique. When they ask for gaps in secondaries they want you to be primarily factual (I did such and such etc, with a couple of lines in there as to why this is important or how you developed as a result of this)

 

[dw2158]

dw, you should make the bolded your signature. I have read this statement two different times in two different contexts and it is finally sinking in that it is true.

haha, thanks for noticing. perhaps a signature update is in order. although i feel strange quoting myself 😎

 

[phospho]

Guys, what if I'm asked to write something about gaps in my education that are not previously described in my application?

I described gaps in my PS, should I just say " Please see my PS." ?

Never put "see my AMCAS" or "see my PS". Not only would that paint the picture of someone who's lazy, but it gives the impression that you're not willing to put in the extra effort it takes. You should always assume that they can't see your primary app. There will be interviews where all they have is your secondary.

 

[FML]

Never put "see my AMCAS" or "see my PS". Not only would that paint the picture of someone who's lazy, but it gives the impression that you're not willing to put in the extra effort it takes. You should always assume that they can't see your primary app. There will be interviews where all they have is your secondary.

What about UW secondary where they ask for a biography or something similar and they say that if you want your PS to count for this, dont' write anything here?

Do you really think they will hold it against you if you don't write something??

 

[flip26]

What about UW secondary where they ask for a biography or something similar and they say that if you want your PS to count for this, dont' write anything here?

Do you really think they will hold it against you if you don't write something??

I think it is a trick question because your PS is not supposed to be a biography...

 

[LizzyM]

Never put "see my AMCAS" or "see my PS". Not only would that paint the picture of someone who's lazy, but it gives the impression that you're not willing to put in the extra effort it takes. You should always assume that they can't see your primary app. There will be interviews where all they have is your secondary.

But write the secondary assuming that they can see both. Don't cut & paste from the AMCAS to the secondary. It looks like laziness. Write something fresh.

 

[phospho]

What about UW secondary where they ask for a biography or something similar and they say that if you want your PS to count for this, dont' write anything here?

Do you really think they will hold it against you if you don't write something??

I don't think they'll hold it against you, but honestly, if I were you, I would write something fresh and different from my PS. As Lizzy mentioned, you never want to copy and paste from your PS.

You need to take advantage of every chance you get to sell yourself. Don't forget that this is what you're doing in this process - you are essentially trying to sell yourself.

 

[NoMoreAMCAS]

Getting into medical school is ******ed. The amount of tedious nonsense is unbelievable.

I would write some new crap to go with all your other crap. Same stuff, just different wording.