1. New SDN Article! AAMC Fee Assistance Program: What’s New in 2019
    Dismiss Notice

Northwestern: "Distinguishable Characteristics"

Discussion in 'Pre-Medical - MD' started by Looque, Jul 28, 2006.

Previous Thread Next Thread
Loading...
  1. Looque

    Looque Bob Loblaw
    5+ Year Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2006
    Messages:
    726
    Likes Received:
    1
    Status:
    Medical Student
    Northwestern's secondary application poses three essay questions, one of which asks for the applicant to describe the distinguishable characteristics (non-academic) they possess and how they will be of benefit in a career in medicine. Overall, it's a decently fun prompt.

    Among a couple other personal traits, I'm strongly moved to briefly discuss my sleep/wake pattern in that I frankly don't have one. I require very little sleep and sleep sporadically. In my four years of college, I'm sure I've had about 200 instances where I didn't sleep in a given 24 hour period, not to mention regular all-nighters (and a couple semesters when I operated on a straight nocturnal schedule). Neither my body nor mind show any signs of suffering from the utter lack of a schedule (otherwise I would obviously change my habits). As far as I'm concerned, this is one of the most beneficial traits a person can have for getting through medical school and residency, and later, as an on-call physician. However, I'm concerned that it would come off to the committee as strange and irresponsible, especially if I described it in this detail.

    Any thoughts?

    Edit: Ha...I actually said "unresponsible." Wow.
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
    #1 Looque, Jul 28, 2006
  2. CavalierMD

    CavalierMD Secondary Stalker 4-Lyf!
    2+ Year Member

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2006
    Messages:
    323
    Likes Received:
    1
    Status:
    Pre-Medical
    I'd say this completely depends on your writing ability. If you can convey this with a little humor behind it while still keeping with the formal nature of med school essays in general, I think it could be a really brilliant essay. As far as seeming irresponsible... I don't really think it is... I mean, adcoms know we're college kids and do college kid things... and if your GPA is solid and you're healthy, who cares? To cover all your bases... you could even spin it an aknowledge that you realize your habits may have to change as you get older... just to show that you're not just another silly college kid... Good Luck, man.
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
    #2 CavalierMD, Jul 28, 2006
  3. Depakote

    Depakote Pediatric Anesthesiologist
    Physician Rocket Scientist Moderator Emeritus Lifetime Donor Verified Account 10+ Year Member

    Joined:
    Nov 2, 2004
    Messages:
    20,811
    Likes Received:
    102
    Status:
    Attending Physician
    My morbid obesity is overshadowed only by my distinct body odor which has been described, in print, as "a cross between rotten chicken and the kind of urine you have after drinking Mountain Dew". This will serve me well in emergency medicine. My patients will not feel self conscious irregardless of how poor their hygiene is. I will be able to draw their attention away from their own problems... they will focus solely on me and my repugnant stench. That will allow me to build a rapport and address their problems.
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
    #3 Depakote, Jul 28, 2006
  4. Bubblehead-to-MD

    Bubblehead-to-MD Emergency Blow!
    5+ Year Member

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2006
    Messages:
    2,034
    Likes Received:
    0
    Status:
    Medical Student
    I about lost it when I read this! :laugh:
     
    #4 Bubblehead-to-MD, Jul 28, 2006
  5. ADeadLois

    ADeadLois Senior Member
    10+ Year Member

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2005
    Messages:
    3,158
    Likes Received:
    5
    Status:
    Medical Student
    That's a good idea if you use the right tone.

    Also, can you share what the LOR requirements? Like, what sort of info do we have to fill out about the writers, and what is the deadline? Thanks.
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
    #5 ADeadLois, Jul 28, 2006
  6. OP
    OP
    Looque

    Looque Bob Loblaw
    5+ Year Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2006
    Messages:
    726
    Likes Received:
    1
    Status:
    Medical Student
    From the time Northwestern contacts you and grants you access to the secondary application, you have two weeks to finish and submit the application, and three weeks for them to receive your letters of recommendation.

    Instructions to give to the individuals writing your letters are here, though a committee letter would pretty much take care of it. However, on the application, there is no area where you need to enter information about those writing the letters on your behalf.
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
    #6 Looque, Jul 28, 2006
  7. ADeadLois

    ADeadLois Senior Member
    10+ Year Member

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2005
    Messages:
    3,158
    Likes Received:
    5
    Status:
    Medical Student
    Thanks! Just one last question, did NU send you your secondary when you were verified, or only after they saw an application was being processed? In other words, does the 2-3 week deadline start post-verificaton or before?
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
    #7 ADeadLois, Jul 28, 2006
Previous Thread Next Thread
Loading...
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)

Share This Page