MD/PhD Secondary: University of Washington

[Argle Bargle]

Thanks to Summerlands:

*******IMPORTANT****** Read application instructions here. In order to obtain a secondary application, you need (1) submit your primary application, and (2) log in to the UW MSTP website and submit a "preliminary application."

Preliminary application questions here:

Indicate the area(s) of research in which you are interested.

Please use this space to supplement your AMCAS Personal Comments. (MSTP will consider information provided here as well as your AMCAS Personal Comments)

How did you find out about the University of Washington's Medical Scientist Training Program?

Also, you have a work/activities style section where you list Publications, Research Experiences, and Clinical Experiences.

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[Bovary]

Ok.

 

[carpediem22]

What are we supposed to say to supplement our personal statement...?

 

[Argle Bargle]

What are we supposed to say to supplement our personal statement...?

I don't think I have an objectively good answer, but my thoughts are that it's a good place for (a) further thoughts about your development that specifically relate to your interest/aptitude for medicine (what else you might have put into your personal statement if it were longer), or (b) something like the "additional information" options that a lot of secondaries have--maybe it just ties into characterizing who you are, not necessarily related to medicine.

 

[carpediem22]

So for the secondary, do we think that the autobiographical statement is truly optional? I already used the essay I would have put here for the "supplement your personal statement" essay on the preliminary app.

(By the way, @Argle Bargle -- the true secondary asks you to list your premed course requirements, write one essay about what you are doing if you aren't currently enrolled/won't be during the app process, and write one essay for "Use this opportunity to provide any autobiographical information which you feel would be helpful for the MSTP office.")

 

[Summerlands]

So for the secondary, do we think that the autobiographical statement is truly optional? I already used the essay I would have put here for the "supplement your personal statement" essay on the preliminary app.

(By the way, @Argle Bargle -- the true secondary asks you to list your premed course requirements, write one essay about what you are doing if you aren't currently enrolled/won't be during the app process, and write one essay for "Use this opportunity to provide any autobiographical information which you feel would be helpful for the MSTP office.")

For any optional questions, I think it's always best to respond if you can, but don't force it. Nothing > poorly written answer or an answer that doesn't address the prompt. I did submit a brief essay for the autobio statement, but I don't think I would have submitted anything if I had already addressed that topic in the "supplement your personal statement" essay (there, I provided an update on my gap year activities + included a brief 'why UW' paragraph, if anyone else is still struggling with that prelim app question). Good luck!

 

[carpediem22]

For any optional questions, I think it's always best to respond if you can, but don't force it. Nothing > poorly written answer or an answer that doesn't address the prompt. I did submit a brief essay for the autobio statement, but I don't think I would have submitted anything if I had already addressed that topic in the "supplement your personal statement" essay (there, I provided an update on my gap year activities + included a brief 'why UW' paragraph, if anyone else is still struggling with that prelim app question). Good luck!

Yes, I did end up answering it. For the supplement essay I ended up writing a bit of a diversity/"what would I contribute" statement. Added "why UW" sentences to the end of my autobiographical.

Do we know how selective they are with preliminary screening? Is it just MCAT/GPA?

 

[zestypinoy]

Does anyone know if there are character limits to the preliminary application questions? I'm having trouble accessing the app for the current cycle