Overthinking Secondaries?

[nontrad78]

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I've completed 7/16 secondaries so far. I'm not quite halfway through, but the rest aren't so bad really. I'm spending at least 4-5 hours on the secondaries with more than 1 question, and not much less on those with 1 question. This does not include time spent leading up to now with researching each school and thinking about what each has to offer for my specific needs, and how that aligns with their mission. I'm not worried about putting the time in, but when it comes to the execution, I'm a little less than confident with what I produce.
I have a somewhat unique story, and my career goals in medicine tie into my specific experiences with severely underserved pops. My essays speak to this, but I can't help but thinking adcoms are still just going to scoff at my secondary essays. Some of this is undoubtedly the same self-conciousness. My stats are not outstanding, and I'd say I'm probably borderline at best, so I know that much of my moving on to the interview stage hinges on my secondary essays.
Are admission committees fairly well jaded when it comes to these essays, necessitating a fantastic essay?
Or, is it more a matter of just telling a fairly compelling/interesting story about yourself and your goals in med?

 

[AlteredScale]

I've completed 7/16 secondaries so far. I'm not quite halfway through, but the rest aren't so bad really. I'm spending at least 4-5 hours on the secondaries with more than 1 question, and not much less on those with 1 question. This does not include time spent leading up to now with researching each school and thinking about what each has to offer for my specific needs, and how that aligns with their mission. I'm not worried about putting the time in, but when it comes to the execution, I'm a little less than confident with what I produce.
I have a somewhat unique story, and my career goals in medicine tie into my specific experiences with severely underserved pops. My essays speak to this, but I can't help but thinking adcoms are still just going to scoff at my secondary essays. Some of this is undoubtedly the same self-conciousness. My stats are not outstanding, and I'd say I'm probably borderline at best, so I know that much of my moving on to the interview stage hinges on my secondary essays.
Are admission committees fairly well jaded when it comes to these essays, necessitating a fantastic essay?
Or, is it more a matter of just telling a fairly compelling/interesting story about yourself and your goals in med?

I definitely think its the latter, if you have a story that is compelling and really fits the institution then they will chance you at the interview. I think most AdCom have the experience of knowing when one is stretching (not lying per se) their goals and values to fit their mold. So if you have had experience to prove that you are committed to those who are under served then your experiences will back your claim and the AdComs will take heed to that 🙂

Trust me, am in the same boat when it comes to finding the motivation to write these essays!

 

[nontrad78]

I definitely think its the latter, if you have a story that is compelling and really fits the institution then they will chance you at the interview. I think most AdCom have the experience of knowing when one is stretching (not lying per se) their goals and values to fit their mold. So if you have had experience to prove that you are committed to those who are under served then your experiences will back your claim and the AdComs will take heed to that 🙂

Trust me, am in the same boat when it comes to finding the motivation to write these essays!

'Preciate ya.
I was hitting them hard for a few days straight, and then hit a (short) wall.

In my case, I was a bad student over 10 years ago, eventually started working in homeless shelter, saw how bad they had it, with clinic in the shelter even, decided to go at it again. great grades after return, want to work in homeless healthcare. This is the theme of my PS, and has been essentially the theme of my essays. Helps that its the truth, but still feel like someone could look at it and roll their eyes...

How many more do you have to go?

 

[nontrad78]

What makes it feel a bit exhausting is that I feel like they pretty much need to be perfect. I have nothing really to compare it to, and don't know what a 'good' PS or secondary essay really looks like. The only feedback I've ever really gotten was from an adviser that really got me turned around trying to make my essay fit into a particular style.

 

[AlteredScale]

'Preciate ya.
I was hitting them hard for a few days straight, and then hit a (short) wall.

In my case, I was a bad student over 10 years ago, eventually started working in homeless shelter, saw how bad they had it, with clinic in the shelter even, decided to go at it again. great grades after return, want to work in homeless healthcare. This is the theme of my PS, and has been essentially the theme of my essays. Helps that its the truth, but still feel like someone could look at it and roll their eyes...

How many more do you have to go?

What makes it feel a bit exhausting is that I feel like they pretty much need to be perfect. I have nothing really to compare it to, and don't know what a 'good' PS or secondary essay really looks like. The only feedback I've ever really gotten was from an adviser that really got me turned around trying to make my essay fit into a particular style.

Wow, well that's a really good story. And honestly I think truth in your PS and secondary is better than trying to say the "right" things. Take your story and say how that has created value that the specific school is looking for. W/o a doubt you have a real story. If schools don't like it or an AdCom decides to roll their eyes at your story then TBH that school is missing out over making preconceived judgments.

I have 5 turned in. About 20 more that I need to do D: I'm slowly doing them! Planning on two to three a day to get them out within the next two weeks.

 

[Goro]

Have a little more faith in yourself. And the more eyeballs on the writing, the better.

I've completed 7/16 secondaries so far. I'm not quite halfway through, but the rest aren't so bad really. I'm spending at least 4-5 hours on the secondaries with more than 1 question, and not much less on those with 1 question. This does not include time spent leading up to now with researching each school and thinking about what each has to offer for my specific needs, and how that aligns with their mission. I'm not worried about putting the time in, but when it comes to the execution, I'm a little less than confident with what I produce.
I have a somewhat unique story, and my career goals in medicine tie into my specific experiences with severely underserved pops. My essays speak to this, but I can't help but thinking adcoms are still just going to scoff at my secondary essays. Some of this is undoubtedly the same self-conciousness. My stats are not outstanding, and I'd say I'm probably borderline at best, so I know that much of my moving on to the interview stage hinges on my secondary essays.
Are admission committees fairly well jaded when it comes to these essays, necessitating a fantastic essay?
Or, is it more a matter of just telling a fairly compelling/interesting story about yourself and your goals in med?

 

[Stagg737]

Know that there is no one right or wrong style. The point of secondaries is to give the adcoms a deeper insight into you as a person. As long as there are no grammatical errors, and the organization of your essay is good, I do not think that a specific writing style will make or break your application for the vast majority of schools. If your previous experiences support your goals and what you are saying in your essays then I do not think this should be a major area of concern. Just make sure you have a clear and focused message for each of your essays and let your own personality come through.

 

[nontrad78]

yeah, i've still got a bit myself. i said that the rest aren't too bad, but i've still got:
DMU: hard just because I feel like I'm under their stats by a bit, and I'd love to be there
PCOM: hard because can't tell at all what it takes to get in there (PCOM stats aren't super high, what gives?!?), and essay is only 250 words
ACOM: only two essays, but limit is less than a page. that could be a lot.
COMP-NW: same as DMU
LMU-DCOM: don't feel as worried about theirs, but can't find a word/character limit
ATSU-SOMA: feel better about theirs, as they seem more mission based
KCOM: no idea. essays are short, but not sure how much I match up with their mission
RVU: really not even sure if I want to fill theirs out. most essays of anyone, and they are probably my least favorite school on my list

Have a little more faith in yourself. And the more eyeballs on the writing, the better.

I'm with you. The uncertainty of what each school is looking for is tough though. I decided at the beginning of the cycle that I would just put it all out there, so that's what I'm doing. Thanks for the encouragement.

Know that there is no one right or wrong style. The point of secondaries is to give the adcoms a deeper insight into you as a person. As long as there are no grammatical errors, and the organization of your essay is good, I do not think that a specific writing style will make or break your application for the vast majority of schools. If your previous experiences support your goals and what you are saying in your essays then I do not think this should be a major area of concern. Just make sure you have a clear and focused message for each of your essays and let your own personality come through.

That's reassuring and what I've been doing so far.
I have to remember that I'm not competing with the mythical super applicant...