Leaving 'Optional' Secondary Essay Blank

[Lake_Front]

I was completing a secondary and while I typically use the optional section to discuss my diversity essay, this was very clearly answered in the school's prompt. I was planning to leave the section blank but was wondering if this would come off in any way as being 'uninterested' in the school. The optional prompt is essentially: "Is there anything you would like us to know about you that would improve your candidacy, you can discuss any material not discussed elsewhere or interests". I mentioned my hobby was doing puzzles in my primary, but I'm wondering if I should talk about cooking for this spot. I'm honestly not AS passionate about it even though I think it has helped me develop skills I can use in medical school, but I'm not sure if leaving the spot blank would hurt me more.

Any opinions would be great!

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[LizzyM]

"Is there anything you would like us to know about you that would improve your candidacy, you can discuss any material not discussed elsewhere or interests".

When they say "interests" I think that they mean, perhaps, your interest in a specific specialty area or population that is "big" at that school, or if you have strong ties to the area that might not be obvious from the application (you spent every summer on your grandparents' farm in that state despite being a resident of a different state). This might also be the place to explain a dip in grades or a bunch of withdrawals in a single term that was due to something not otherwise covered in your application (e.g. you experienced trauma or required emergency surgery).

 

[Lake_Front]

"Is there anything you would like us to know about you that would improve your candidacy, you can discuss any material not discussed elsewhere or interests".

When they say "interests" I think that they mean, perhaps, your interest in a specific specialty area or population that is "big" at that school, or if you have strong ties to the area that might not be obvious from the application (you spent every summer on your grandparents' farm in that state despite being a resident of a different state). This might also be the place to explain a dip in grades or a bunch of withdrawals in a single term that was due to something not otherwise covered in your application (e.g. you experienced trauma or required emergency surgery).

I see, thank you very much. So it would be alright if I simply left the section blank then? Again, I would not want it to come across as being uninterested by leaving the section unanswered, but I am not sure if adding 'fluff' would be any better of a solution.

 

[LizzyM]

The reader's time is valuable. Please spare them the fluff. They'll think better of you for it, not worse.

 

[Goro]

I was completing a secondary and while I typically use the optional section to discuss my diversity essay, this was very clearly answered in the school's prompt. I was planning to leave the section blank but was wondering if this would come off in any way as being 'uninterested' in the school. The optional prompt is essentially: "Is there anything you would like us to know about you that would improve your candidacy, you can discuss any material not discussed elsewhere or interests". I mentioned my hobby was doing puzzles in my primary, but I'm wondering if I should talk about cooking for this spot. I'm honestly not AS passionate about it even though I think it has helped me develop skills I can use in medical school, but I'm not sure if leaving the spot blank would hurt me more.

Any opinions would be great!

The prompt is not a trap. If you don't have anything to add, leave it blank.

If you weren't interested int he school, you wouldn't be applying there. Med schools are not like jealous prom dates.

 

[student479]

The reader's time is valuable. Please spare them the fluff. They'll think better of you for it, not worse.

The prompt is not a trap. If you don't have anything to add, leave it blank.

If you weren't interested int he school, you wouldn't be applying there. Med schools are not like jealous prom dates.

I'd like to offer some supporting evidence to the contrary. There's a podcast episode with Dr. Abbigail Tissot, former Assistant Dean of Admissions at the University of Cincinnati. During the interview, she discusses that if a school gives you the opportunity to tell them something, you should use it. She said that the amount of people that leave the "If there is anything else you want to tell the committee" prompt empty is shocking. It gives you an opportunity to directly communicate with the committee. Even if you are asked and have nothing to add, it's better to write that you appreciate the opportunity to expound on who you are as a candidate but that feel you already have done so, rather than leave it blank or write N/A.

I'm paraphrasing, but that's the gist of her perspective. You can find this portion of the interview at the 50:54 mark.

 

[LizzyM]

Writing, "I appreciate the opportunity to expound on who I am as a candidate but I that feel you already have done so. Thank you." is fine. It is writing 500 words to say nothing that I find a waste of my time.

 

[BeMoConsulting]

Hi there! Keep in mind that programs offer the opportunity to provide an optional essay because they want to get to know you a bit more. It is important to know that the optional essay is not truly optional. Your choice to dismiss this portion of the application may be used against you in the weeding out process. The optional essay is your chance to provide the admissions committee with a deeper understanding of who you are as an applicant and who you are as a person. Many students do not know how to approach this essay, as the prompt is very open-ended and lacks a specific question which the applicants must answer. The beauty and difficulty of the optional essay is that the topic can be anything. This is your time to be creative and impress your admissions committee. Some ideas to consider: Problems Within your Application, Personal Stories, Family Circumstances, Diversity & Cultural Competence (gender, age, educational background, race or ethnicity, immigration status, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, or your work with different populations), Unique Achievements. Hope this helps and best of luck!

 

[gyngyn]

Please don't use the optional essay unless you have something relevant to add that doesn't already appear in the application.
The optional essay gets added to a secondary so that the office staff doesn't have to answer questions about where to put some "vital" piece of information that doesn't fit anywhere else.
In my experience, applicants are more likely to harm their application than help it in optional essays.

 

[LizzyM]

Please don't use the optional essay unless you have something relevant to add that doesn't already appear in the application.
In my experience, applicants are more likely to harm their application than help it in optional essays.

I find it interesting that those of us actually reading these things say one thing and the "advisors" say otherwise.

 

[gyngyn]

I find it interesting that those of us actually reading these things say one thing and the "advisors" say otherwise.

I had to come back to tell you that I just read one in which the applicant used the name of another medical school to explain his great "fit."
I'll have to agree with him on this one.

 

[KnightDoc]

I find it interesting that those of us actually reading these things say one thing and the "advisors" say otherwise.

OTOH, how much can one really charge to advise candidates to leave an optional prompt blank if they have nothing to add, versus helping candidates craft the perfect response, since we all surely always have something to say? Bills still gotta get paid! 😎

 

[Moko]

It is important to know that the optional essay is not truly optional. Your choice to dismiss this portion of the application may be used against you in the weeding out process.

I strongly disagree on this point as this is not universally (or likely even generally) true. The optional essay is there for those who have something meaningful to share beyond what's already included in their primary or secondary application.

At my school, the optional essay(s) is/are truly optional. I have yet to see any applicant be penalized at my school for not responding to the optional essay(s). I have, however, seen applicants called out and dinged for irrelevant and inconsequential information. Those who have nothing more to say are better served by simply acknowledging this fact rather than forcibly concocting some filler response. Showing confidence and respect for others' time is admirable and appreciated. Being a waste of time... not so much.

"I believe that my application fully represents who I am..." followed by a brief one line sentence expressing gratitude, promise, or whatever else to the admissions committee is all that's needed. Just my thoughts.

 

[dankmemes1]

WashU St. Louis has an option essay with a 3000-character limit. My transcript shows an academic withdrawal and then a retake of a financial accounting class. However, outside of a recommendation letter from my business professor and a minor in entrepreneurship, I have not explained this anywhere else. Do you think I should use the optional essay to explain my reason for minoring in entrepreneurship and this withdrawal?

 

[GoSpursGo]

WashU St. Louis has an option essay with a 3000-character limit. My transcript shows an academic withdrawal and then a retake of a financial accounting class. However, outside of a recommendation letter from my business professor and a minor in entrepreneurship, I have not explained this anywhere else. Do you think I should use the optional essay to explain my reason for minoring in entrepreneurship and this withdrawal?

No

 

[Mr.Smile12]

WashU St. Louis has an option essay with a 3000-character limit. My transcript shows an academic withdrawal and then a retake of a financial accounting class. However, outside of a recommendation letter from my business professor and a minor in entrepreneurship, I have not explained this anywhere else. Do you think I should use the optional essay to explain my reason for minoring in entrepreneurship and this withdrawal?

You can give a 3000-character answer/explanation? I agree I'm not sure this will help you without more information.

 

[wysdoc]

Hi there! Keep in mind that programs offer the opportunity to provide an optional essay because they want to get to know you a bit more. It is important to know that the optional essay is not truly optional. Your choice to dismiss this portion of the application may be used against you in the weeding out process. The optional essay is your chance to provide the admissions committee with a deeper understanding of who you are as an applicant and who you are as a person. Many students do not know how to approach this essay, as the prompt is very open-ended and lacks a specific question which the applicants must answer. The beauty and difficulty of the optional essay is that the topic can be anything. This is your time to be creative and impress your admissions committee. Some ideas to consider: Problems Within your Application, Personal Stories, Family Circumstances, Diversity & Cultural Competence (gender, age, educational background, race or ethnicity, immigration status, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, or your work with different populations), Unique Achievements. Hope this helps and best of luck!

yo, BeMo,
some of the schools clearly state "This essay is truly optional and most students don't write it"
or "this essay is truly optional and not writing it will have no impact on your application"

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Noting to everyone, this thread was resurrected from 2021.

 

[dankmemes1]

You can give a 3000-character answer/explanation? I agree I'm not sure this will help you without more information.

Can I message you my secondary privately to get your take? Also, I want to preface that WashU only has 3 secondary questions, one optional, so I feel like I should use the optional question for something. Their other question is the standard failure question.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

First which prompt?

2024-2025 Washington University in St. Louis

2024-2025 Washington University in St. Louis Secondary Essay Prompts: 1. Describe a time or situation where you have been unsuccessful or failed. (3000 characters) 2. Is there anything else you would like to share with the Committee on Admissions? (optional) Some applicants use this space to...

forums.studentdoctor.net

 

[dankmemes1]

This one:

2. Is there anything else you would like to share with the Committee on Admissions? (optional)
Some applicants use this space to describe unique experiences, obstacles, and/or challenges they faced in their journey to medical school. (3000 Characters)

 

[Mr.Smile12]

This one:
Is there anything else you would like to share with the Committee on Admissions? (optional)
Some applicants use this space to describe unique experiences, obstacles, and/or challenges they faced in their journey to medical school. (3000 Characters)

I am also leaning that it's not really necessary nor helpful if you write about your minor and your withdrawal from your accounting class.

 

[dankmemes1]

I am also leaning that it's not really necessary nor helpful if you write about your minor and your withdrawal from your accounting class.

Ok understood do you think it’s a good space to write a “why us” type essay or shall I just leave it blank?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Ok understood do you think it’s a good space to write a “why us” type essay or shall I just leave it blank?

I don't know if you will have the chance with your recorded video interview. What did you write for OIE?

 

[chilly_md]

This is an old thread. Please refrain from posting in them if they have been inactive in over a year.

It appears the questions being asked are more specific and may be followed up on through PM, so I will close this thread.