List of programs with "extra" requirements

[username456789]

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Just wondering if we could get a running list of programs that have extra requirements beyond "submit ERAS and wait."

For example:

Penn: extra online form to submit
Ohio State: buy a book about "Strengths" and write about how it relates to your professional goals
UMass: write a short blurb about why that program specifically

Or, in a somewhat different vein:
Cleveland Clinic: must take Step 2 before Nov 1.

 

[vicinihil]

BALLS really? Step 2 before Nov. 1st? There goes my $$ for cleveland clinic.

On the website, it says:

Please be advised that this year's candidates should have completed and received their Step 1 USMLE scores and have sat or will be sitting for their Step 2 USMLE test prior to the close of our deadline for applications on November 1, 2010.

Does the ¨will be sitting¨suggest that as long as I have the test scheduled for a date by Nov 1st, I´ll be ok?

 

[Dral]

I think you'll be ok, but I'm not sure how they'll know if you haven't taken it yet. I would send the program coordinator a quick email sating that you'll be taking it before Nov. 1.

I can't believe how nutso this application stuff is getting.

 

[eddie13231]

BALLS really? Step 2 before Nov. 1st? There goes my $$ for cleveland clinic.

On the website, it says:

Please be advised that this year’s candidates should have completed and received their Step 1 USMLE scores and have sat or will be sitting for their Step 2 USMLE test prior to the close of our deadline for applications on November 1, 2010.

Does the ¨will be sitting¨suggest that as long as I have the test scheduled for a date by Nov 1st, I´ll be ok?

This sucks. I went through every program's website and missed this.

Mayo (Rochester) requires 4 questions to be e-mailed to them from their website.

 

[SierraPoppa]

Just wondering if we could get a running list of programs that have extra requirements beyond "submit ERAS and wait."

For example:

Penn: extra online form to submit
Ohio State: buy a book about "Strengths" and write about how it relates to your professional goals
UMass: write a short blurb about why that program specifically

Or, in a somewhat different vein:
Cleveland Clinic: must take Step 2 before Nov 1.

One of the programs in Texas (UTSW?) required a "why this program" email. I believe it was after ERAS went out. Also, one of the ones in Chicago (UIC, I think, but don't remember for sure) required a similar "why this program" submission. Sorry I don't remember which programs specifically.

 

[DreamingofDerm]

One of the programs in Texas (UTSW?) required a "why this program" email. I believe it was after ERAS went out. Also, one of the ones in Chicago (UIC, I think, but don't remember for sure) required a similar "why this program" submission. Sorry I don't remember which programs specifically.

UTSW actually asked you to answer a series of questions (listed on their website) instead of submitting a personal statement. So I did that through ERAS and never got an email about it. I'm not sure what Chicago program you're referring to though - anyone else know?

 

[jmw38]

Mayo (Rochester) requires 4 questions to be e-mailed to them from their website.

Man this one is tricky! One little link "additional application requirements" all the way at the bottom of the page to a PDF of questions! I totally missed that! Thanks

 

[jmw38]

UTSW actually asked you to answer a series of questions (listed on their website) instead of submitting a personal statement. So I did that through ERAS and never got an email about it. I'm not sure what Chicago program you're referring to though - anyone else know?

Yes, I also submitted this "alternate" personal statement and received no email asking for more info. Would also like to know which Chicago program this is - I can't find it!

 

[turkeyjerky]

Man, you guys have my sympathies--this $hit is f*cking nuts.

 

[SierraPoppa]

Yes, I also submitted this "alternate" personal statement and received no email asking for more info. Would also like to know which Chicago program this is - I can't find it!

Ok, sorry... I looked way back through my emails and it looks like Indiana University in Indianapolis was the one that required that extra questions be answered, not any of the programs in Chicago. The Texas program I had to write an extra blurb for was UTSW-Austin, which is the new UTSW extension program.

 

[jmw38]

Ok, sorry... I looked way back through my emails and it looks like Indiana University in Indianapolis was the one that required that extra questions be answered, not any of the programs in Chicago.

Sierra, was this a response to an email or something you have to send in on your own (i.e. on their website)? I can't seem to find anything on their website.

Has anyone found this or gotten an email from this program?

Thanks!

 

[SierraPoppa]

Sierra, was this a response to an email or something you have to send in on your own (i.e. on their website)? I can't seem to find anything on their website.

Has anyone found this or gotten an email from this program?

Thanks!

I think both programs sent me an email asking me to reply with the answer to these questions. This was after eras went out.

 

[Nellyakgo]

Knowing that folks who want derm will likely apply to any derm program within reason, to be able to do derm - then how do you folks answer the "why this program" question? "Because I want to do derm and I like this city"? - umm, I don't think so. "Because I want to do derm and the pics of your staff online look hot"? - I don't think so either.

"You have a particular interest in the "research interest" of one of the faculty" - yeah, OK, more legitimate, but hard to back up, if you can't show your own similar line of work. And I'm sure faculty at other programs do research in similar topics too.

So, yeah, my question - how does one answer the "why this program" question, when honestly, most of us would go to almost any derm program?

 

[sawtella]

Knowing that folks who want derm will likely apply to any derm program within reason, to be able to do derm - then how do you folks answer the "why this program" question? "Because I want to do derm and I like this city"? - umm, I don't think so. "Because I want to do derm and the pics of your staff online look hot"? - I don't think so either.

"You have a particular interest in the "research interest" of one of the faculty" - yeah, OK, more legitimate, but hard to back up, if you can't show your own similar line of work. And I'm sure faculty at other programs do research in similar topics too.

So, yeah, my question - how does one answer the "why this program" question, when honestly, most of us would go to almost any derm program?

I struggled with that too but after spending hours trying to come up with an original, thoughtful response, I just gave up and resorted to very generic answers. But for places where they are the only program in the area, perhaps you could play the location card. If a certain family member lives that particular area, you can maybe talk about how you want to be in close proximity to them..

 

[Nellyakgo]

Is that what they're looking for?

And also, "they know" what I stated in my Q too. So what kind of answer do they expect?

OK, I will re-frame the question : What makes one derm program different to another (other than the obvious such as size, community hospital vs. university hospital) ?

 

[dermathalon]

Is that what they're looking for?

And also, "they know" what I stated in my Q too. So what kind of answer do they expect?

OK, I will re-frame the question : What makes one derm program different to another (other than the obvious such as size, community hospital vs. university hospital) ?

Actually, there are a ton of things that can make each program individual. The research faculty is one part of it and you can focus on this (as alluded to in an earlier post). But then comes the other opportunities.

What kind of alternative clinic experiences do they have?

What kind of elective do they allow?

How much surgery/dermpath/elective do you get?

Are there resident run clinics or all they all attending run?

Where do their residents end up? Do they all go to community practice? Do they have young faculty that start with Assistant Prof titles or do they start off as Instructors?

What is the patient population like?

I'm sure there's other reasons that I'm not thinking about.

 

[Nellyakgo]

Thanks! This helps.

What do you mean by "alternative clinic" experience?

 

[dermathalon]

Thanks! This helps.

What do you mean by "alternative clinic" experience?

Some places have specific clinics that are unique like student run free clinics, HIV clinics, infectious disease clinics, etc....

 

[jmw38]

Mayo (Rochester) requires 4 questions to be e-mailed to them from their website.

They have a 300 word limit... does anyone know whether this is per question or total?

 

[dermhopefull11]

oops. To bad I didn't read this post thoroughly until now. I guess I can cross UTSW and UTSW Austin off my list. Seems like Mayo didn't care about the questions, got an interview without doing them. Maybe UTSW and UT Austin will be forgiving as well.............................

 

[jmw38]

but, did anyone get this extra why UTSW Austin email? I haven't.

 

[HamburgerHelper]

but, did anyone get this extra why UTSW Austin email? I haven't.

I didn't. I think it's just listed on their website? I did get the Indiana University "why" email. Did anyone else?

 

[jmw38]

yes i got that. i searched the UTSW Austin website from top to bottom and didn't find anything. the UTSW Dallas website, yes, and i did that one. anyone with help about where the Austin info is?

 

[jmw38]

oh i see this, "Because we have a limited number of interview slots, please include a brief statement about why you are interested in the Austin program with your application"

but i guess i didn't understand where to put it. personal statement i guess? they also say "All positions are offered through the NRMP Match; all applications must be submitted through ERAS. Supplemental materials not accepted." so i'm guessing sending an email about "why Austin" now would be inappropriate?