KCOM and 500 word limit

[Megalofyia]

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I seem to lose all ability to be verbose when it comes to filling out these essay questions.

KCOM has a 500 word limit on their essays. I can't seem to be able to write something that is more than 170 words with out it begining to sound like I am
just making up filler.


Here's my question: Will adcoms welcome a shorter essay to read or will they think that I don't have much to offer if I can't even break half their limit?

I know this seems anal but after filling out secondary after secondary it's begining to get to me.

 

[Shinken]

Well...we can't read adcoms minds (yet), but if I was a member of an adcom, I probably would prefer shorter essays that went straight to the point. You figure each school has to sort through a couple thousand applications, so the more to read, the more tedious the process would be. I guess it depends. If you can say what you need to say in 170 words, that's better than a 450 word essay with mostly filler just for the sake of having a longer essay.

For my KCOM secondary, my first essay was a single paragraph. My second essay was almost 500 words.

My opinion when it comes to secondary essays is: substance wins over length. You're probably fine. Don't worry.

I also agree that filling out all these secondaries can become a chore, especially when so many of them ask for the same information that's already in AACOMAS.

 

[andrea]

Here's my advice on how to set up your essay. This should get you to the 500 word limit, or at least looking thorough...

Paragraph 1: ideas on what you think medicine is about; what is important to you, your values, etc.

P 2: Specific examples of how you embodied those values in the past. Put volunteer work or personal stories here.

P 3: What you hope to do in the future. Where you see yourself in 10 years. Specific examples.

P 4: General ideas about the future of medicine and how you hope to contribute.

Best wishes!

 

[ItsGavinC]

There is nothing wrong with falling short of the maximum word number. In fact, I think that visually it is quite pleasing to the eye.

If KCOM gives you a space to put the essay, then try to leave 1 inch of white space at the bottom of your essay. Visually that tells the adcoms that you completed the essay in full, but were succinct and knew what you were talking about.