Official 2008 Secondary Discussion Thread part 2

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rogerwilco said:
For these "Why our school?" essays that have no word limit, roughly how long are most people's? I just want to get a feel for the average length of these are. I know the popular answer is to write until you've answered the question, but are people concocting magnum opuses singing the praises of the school in superior detail? Or just quickly touching on a few key elements (maybe specific programs, the structure of the curriculum, location of the school) that are attractive?
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I talk about a couple of aspects and then mention qualities/experiences from my life to back it up. it usually takes about 250-300 words to do that.

sometimes i talk about goals and how that particular school will help me achieve them.
 
viciouz said:
For those who have gotten VCU's Secondary, are you all instate? Becuase I've recieved their email about a month ago and I still haven't heard anything on my status yet? Also, I am OOS.

Another quiet morning for my inbox. >=[
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i got it and i'm oos and have no ties to virginia.
 
Only 1000 Characters per essay, short and sweet I guess.

Are you guys going to login and submit the Rush application or wait to receive an "official" invite?
 
Ok, so I forgot the word "of" in the phrase University of Michigan on the UMich secondary essay. How bad is this? Freaking out here!!
 
OncDoc19 said:
Ok, so I forgot the word "of" in the phrase University of Michigan on the UMich secondary essay. How bad is this? Freaking out here!!
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What's done is done. If there isn't anything you can do about.... which there isn't there is no use worrying about it as hard as that may be.
 
phoenix1 said:
Wow, it is a beast. Looks almost identical to the one they posted last year (from what I saw on last year's secondary thread).
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this kind of really makes me want to not apply there anymore. considering i didn't particularly want to go there in the first place, i think my efforts will stop at $30.
 
Jolie South said:
I talk about a couple of aspects and then mention qualities/experiences from my life to back it up. it usually takes about 250-300 words to do that.

sometimes i talk about goals and how that particular school will help me achieve them.
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Gotcha. I feel like I can answer the question well in about the same amount of space (maybe a little more space, since I get a tad wordy sometimes), but at the same time I wouldn't want the ADCOMs to take a look at my essay and think I couldn't be bothered to write much more than two paragraphs about their school.
 
For those of you who submitted Rosalind Franklin's secondary, how long was your "Life in Discovery" essay? It seems like it could be quite long if you wanted it to be.
 
Its a pretty unique prompt. I took it as a way of living life, etc.
 
Surf Rx said:
For those of you who submitted Rosalind Franklin's secondary, how long was your "Life in Discovery" essay? It seems like it could be quite long if you wanted it to be.
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I think I posted my character/word total for the RFU essay a day or so ago in this thread. My recollection is that mine was about 460 words. They do give you a single page pdf that you need to fit it on, so there is a limit.
 
WannaBaDoc said:
Only 1000 Characters per essay, short and sweet I guess.

Are you guys going to login and submit the Rush application or wait to receive an "official" invite?
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I'm going to submit it whenever I finish it. Tulane posted theirs online and didn't require an invite to fill it out, and I looked through the Rush instructions and didn't see any requirement to wait for an invite either. It seems that all you really need is your AMCAS ID to log on and complete it. However, it does state that once you log on you have a 30 day deadline from that date to submit it (it's an online submission).
 
phoenix1 said:
I think I posted my character/word total for the RFU essay a day or so ago in this thread. My recollection is that mine was about 460 words. They do give you a single page pdf that you need to fit it on, so there is a limit.
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Oh yeah, I just read your post. Thanks Phoenix.
 
cruz21 said:
this kind of really makes me want to not apply there anymore. considering i didn't particularly want to go there in the first place, i think my efforts will stop at $30.
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I'm guessing that's what Rush was aiming for. Their lengthy essay (and did you notice their high tuition?) are probably meant to give those pause who are not completely jazzed about applying to Rush to begin with.
 
phoenix1 said:
I'm guessing that's what Rush was aiming for. Their lengthy essay (and did you notice their high tuition?) are probably meant to give those pause who are not completely jazzed about applying to Rush to begin with.
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They're really not lengthy, just a lot of them 😀
 
tulane's secondary asks for an unmounted photograph. does that mean you shouldn't glue/tape it onto the secondary? if so, why is there a space for it? 😕 most people are gluing/taping their pictures to their secondaries right?
 
luckycharms08 said:
tulane's secondary asks for an unmounted photograph. does that mean you shouldn't glue/tape it onto the secondary? if so, why is there a space for it? 😕 most people are gluing/taping their pictures to their secondaries right?
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I believe that mounting usually refers to a border around the photo of some sort. So, don't alter the photo in any way before affixing it to the app.
 
Oops. I just paper clipped my photo to my app and wrote my name and amcas id number on the back of it. I figured if they wanted to affix it then they could just whip out a staple and clip that sucker to my app. Don't think it'll be a big deal really.
 
Surf Rx said:
Oops. I just paper clipped my photo to my app and wrote my name and amcas id number on the back of it. I figured if they wanted to affix it then they could just whip out a staple and clip that sucker to my app. Don't think it'll be a big deal really.
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No, I doubt it'll be an issue. Plus, with your name and ID on the back, they'll know who it belongs to even if it gets separated from your application.
 
whoops...I TOTALLY forgot to put my name and AMCAS ID on the back....do you think I need to call the schools? I guess it was just AECOM and GW that I sent it to...
 
Regarding Rush, I really feel like I already answered questions 1, 2 and 4 in my personal statement. And I definitely EXPLICITLY answered question 4 already in my PS. Anyone think we can say "please see my personal statement" instead of trying to write a 1000 word summary of our personal statement? Here are the questions for your easy reference:

1. Describe two examples of working with people, one of which highlights your leadership skills and one which highlights your problem solving abilities. (1000 characters)

2. Please describe 1-2 experiences you have had working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and what you have gained from these experiences. (1000 characters)

4. Describe the path you took to prepare, both academically and personally, for a career in medicine. (1000 characters)

Sure, I can deal with 1 and 2 pretty easily despite already talking about this in my PS, but cutting my PS up to answer question 4 is not going to be pretty. Thoughts? Anyone?
 
chickenlittle84 said:
whoops...I TOTALLY forgot to put my name and AMCAS ID on the back....do you think I need to call the schools? I guess it was just AECOM and GW that I sent it to...
Click to expand...

Most likely, if you glued them on well, there shouldn't be any problem. I wouldn't call, mostly because if you've attached them then they can't add your name to the back anyway. Hopefully they aren't too rough with the papers.
 
phoenix1 said:
Regarding Rush, I really feel like I already answered questions 1, 2 and 4 in my personal statement. And I definitely EXPLICITLY answered question 4 already in my PS. Anyone think we can say "please see my personal statement" instead of trying to write a 1000 word summary of our personal statement? Here are the questions for your easy reference:

1. Describe two examples of working with people, one of which highlights your leadership skills and one which highlights your problem solving abilities. (1000 characters)

2. Please describe 1-2 experiences you have had working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and what you have gained from these experiences. (1000 characters)

4. Describe the path you took to prepare, both academically and personally, for a career in medicine. (1000 characters)

Sure, I can deal with 1 and 2 pretty easily despite already talking about this in my PS, but cutting my PS up to answer question 4 is not going to be pretty. Thoughts? Anyone?
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I was wondering this as well
 
Anyone else finding it ridiculous to try to say something significant about TWO experiences within 1000 characters for the Rush essays? Sheesh. I'm learning that a 1000 character limit is actually much worse than 2000. I'll stop ranting about the Rush secondary soon. I promise.

But I might actually have to call them to ask about referencing my personal statement for question 4 though. Anyone out there apply last year and do so? Did you get burned for it?
 
Surf Rx said:
Oops. I just paper clipped my photo to my app and wrote my name and amcas id number on the back of it. I figured if they wanted to affix it then they could just whip out a staple and clip that sucker to my app. Don't think it'll be a big deal really.
Click to expand...




I did the same thing for the EVMS application. I paperclipped two photos to the top left corner with my name on the back.
 
On VCU's app, they say:

Please share with us your thoughts on specialties and how you plan to choose yours (limit of 250 words).


I'm sure they want you to explain at least in part what you're interested in at the moment . . . but would "primary care" (or family medicine, etc) be considered a "specialty"? Or would it be stupid to say that, even though up to this point that is what I'm most interested in?
 
rogerwilco said:
On VCU's app, they say:

Please share with us your thoughts on specialties and how you plan to choose yours (limit of 250 words).


I'm sure they want you to explain at least in part what you're interested in at the moment . . . but would "primary care" (or family medicine, etc) be considered a "specialty"? Or would it be stupid to say that, even though up to this point that is what I'm most interested in?
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I wouldn't say "primary care" just because that could mean internal medicine/family medicine/pediatrics...etc.
You would have to choose from those I think. You could mention multiple ones if you're not sure yet.
 
phoenix1 said:
Anyone else finding it ridiculous to try to say something significant about TWO experiences within 1000 characters for the Rush essays? Sheesh. I'm learning that a 1000 character limit is actually much worse than 2000. I'll stop ranting about the Rush secondary soon. I promise.

But I might actually have to call them to ask about referencing my personal statement for question 4 though. Anyone out there apply last year and do so? Did you get burned for it?
Click to expand...


i heard you never should say "see personal statement"...but it's worth a try to call and ask.
 
So I got an email from Mayo requesting $85... they said that they will review applications within four weeks of fee receipt. Some poster said that Mayo is doing a paper secondary this year, and their admissions page seemed to allude to it. The poster said 500 secondaries would be sent out, so we'll see if that holds up. What was the number of people that Mayo interviewed last year at Rochester, 250 or so?
 
Do CW and CCLCM have different admissions committees etc, and are your applications processed separately?
 
yellowumbrella said:
i heard you never should say "see personal statement"...but it's worth a try to call and ask.
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I only thought of it because I just completed Loyola's secondary yesterday, and they explicitly stated that you could write "see my personal statement" if your personal statement answers the question already. But you're right, since Rush's instructions don't state that, I wouldn't assume that it's ok. I was going to call them to ask, but I just finished doing my "summaries," so I guess it's a moot point. For me at least.

FYI: Rush's application goes down from 1am-7am CST every night, so just be sure that you're not editing an essay on their application site when it gets close to 1am. That actually happened to me tonight, but luckily I had saved the essay in another window before hitting "save" on their site and getting that error message.
 
drizzt3117 said:
So I got an email from Mayo requesting $85... they said that they will review applications within four weeks of fee receipt. Some poster said that Mayo is doing a paper secondary this year, and their admissions page seemed to allude to it. The poster said 500 secondaries would be sent out, so we'll see if that holds up. What was the number of people that Mayo interviewed last year at Rochester, 250 or so?
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Anyone else having problems with the link Mayo sent out in the e-mail?
 
FYI: While Rush's application is submitted online, there is a signature page you need to print out, and it includes a requirement of proof of citizenship. As proof, you need to attach a photocopy of your birth certificate, passport, or both sides of a green card. They also require that you mail in the secondary fee and a passport photo.
 
for loyola's secondary, question 4 asks what self-education, research...have you accomplished and what have you learned from this experience?

does research I am doing this summer for my university count, if not, what exactly are they asking for, like whats "self-education" mean.

Thanks
 
dav86 said:
whats "self-education" mean.
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What does it sound like? They want you to describe ways you have enhanced your own education outside the classroom. Research would be one way, but if it's possible, I'd try to find something completely extracurricular to write about.
 
viciouz said:
For those who have gotten VCU's Secondary, are you all instate? Becuase I've recieved their email about a month ago and I still haven't heard anything on my status yet? Also, I am OOS.

Another quiet morning for my inbox. >=[
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I'm in-state and have yet to get VCU's secondary (or EVMS, for that matter). I'm quite annoyed because two of the three state schools are still sitting on them, and I would like to get them in asap! How long should it take, really?

Also, random question for peeps: I keep getting emails from schools inviting me to fill out a secondary multiple times. Georgetown, Maryland, and some others have emailed several times with the login info and stuff. Is that a problem that they seem to have me in their system multiple times?
 
ssquared said:
I'm in-state and have yet to get VCU's secondary (or EVMS, for that matter). I'm quite annoyed because two of the three state schools are still sitting on them, and I would like to get them in asap! How long should it take, really?
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Have you tried calling them to see what's up? It seems strange that you're IS and haven't gotten anything from VCU or EVMS. Is VCU still doing their "preliminary review" on your file or have you gotten absolutely no emails from them??

When was your primary verified?
 
saqrfaraj said:
Have you tried calling them to see what's up? It seems strange that you're IS and haven't gotten anything from VCU or EVMS. Is VCU still doing their "preliminary review" on your file or have you gotten absolutely no emails from them??

When was your primary verified?
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My status page for VCU says that they're doing "preliminary review" still. I was verified about two weeks ago. I haven't heard jack from EVMS...minus the random tuition bill they sent me. No, I don't go to school there....but they wanted to charge me $15,000 anyways (they told me to disregard it).

Maybe I'll call VCU...I've got their ADCOM chair's email, so maybe I'll shoot him an email next week if I still don't have the secondary.
 
ssquared said:
My status page for VCU says that they're doing "preliminary review" still. I was verified about two weeks ago. I haven't heard jack from EVMS...minus the random tuition bill they sent me. No, I don't go to school there....but they wanted to charge me $15,000 anyways (they told me to disregard it).

Maybe I'll call VCU...I've got their ADCOM chair's email, so maybe I'll shoot him an email next week if I still don't have the secondary.
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Yeah, you should definitely call and see what's going on. Since you're IS you should be getting both secondaries.
 
ssquared said:
My status page for VCU says that they're doing "preliminary review" still. I was verified about two weeks ago. I haven't heard jack from EVMS...minus the random tuition bill they sent me. No, I don't go to school there....but they wanted to charge me $15,000 anyways (they told me to disregard it).

Maybe I'll call VCU...I've got their ADCOM chair's email, so maybe I'll shoot him an email next week if I still don't have the secondary.
Click to expand...

i waited about two weeks after vcu's email confirming my primary until calling about not receiving a secondary. i'm fairly certain they send them out just on saturdays, so if i were you i would call to see what's up and then hope for an secondary saturday afternoon.

just a note: it seems like everyone and their mother apply to vcu and evms (especially on sdn), so i think they try really hard to stagger the secondaries. not receiving one quickly doesn't mean anything except that you weren't one of the first ones to submit amcas.
 
Pitt just processed my LORs today (i sent my secondary in on 7/3 and sent the letters on 7/11). i know a bunch of people are waiting to be complete, so it looks like they are processing them.
 
DrBowtie said:
Do they send an email notification?
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They didn't sent me an e-mail notification. I just checked my status on the secondary application page.
 
Re: Columbia secondary.....they ask: "2. In what collegiate extracurricular activities did you engage?*"


Now, do they only want ECs I did on campus (e.g. membership in campus clubs), or does that include off-campus ECs such as volunteer jobs I secured myself?
 
wutwinb said:
Pitt just processed my LORs today (i sent my secondary in on 7/3 and sent the letters on 7/11). i know a bunch of people are waiting to be complete, so it looks like they are processing them.
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Thanks for letting us know, I was getting a little worried that there was something wrong because I sent mine on 7/19 and it still says they weren't received on my page.
 
jochi1543 said:
Re: Columbia secondary.....they ask: "2. In what collegiate extracurricular activities did you engage?*"


Now, do they only want ECs I did on campus (e.g. membership in campus clubs), or does that include off-campus ECs such as volunteer jobs I secured myself?
Click to expand...

I just listed college ECs, but mostly b/c I talked about my other ECs in the other responses.
 
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