Secondaries Help, Tips/Examples

[darkhope]

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Hi guys,
There have been some tips out there for writing secondaries, but I was writing if there were any online examples, even just one, so we can see how exactly we should approach this, eg: should it be very technical if asked to discuss about research? or should we approach it like the same way we wrote our primary personal statement,
Thanks

 

[LizzyM]

Hi guys,
There have been some tips out there for writing secondaries, but I was writing if there were any online examples, even just one, so we can see how exactly we should approach this, eg: should it be very technical if asked to discuss about research? or should we approach it like the same way we wrote our primary personal statement,
Thanks

Not all your readers will be physicians... and some may be 80 year old retired physicians, so keep in simple enough to be understood by an intelligent non-specialist. If there is any clinical application down the road, it is nice to add that (Understanding this pathway could lead down the road to the development of a treatment for xyz.")

 

[kpcrew]

Your wish is granted:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=410273

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=444562

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=832253

 

[Application Doc]

Use Secondaries as an opportunity to highlight things about yourself you did not include elsewhere in your application. One of the most challenging questions is the "ethical dilemma" question many schools ask.

 

[darkhope]

Thanks alot!

 

[dippindots]

Use Secondaries as an opportunity to highlight things about yourself you did not include elsewhere in your application. One of the most challenging questions is the "ethical dilemma" question many schools ask, and I posted some suggestions on my blog: http://appmd.blogspot.com/2011/07/forbidden-fruit.html

Thanks, that was incredibly helpful - especially the link with examples! Bookmarking now...

 

[darkhope]

Hi, sorry one last question, so for secondaries, is it normal to not mention the school's name in your response even if the question asks for why this school? So basically I write about myself but then should I then talk about specific attributes the school has that I'm interested in? It's just like the admission committee would already know what their school attributes are and I'll feel like I'm just spitting back information to them? For example, I mention I have done blah blah, and these were prominent points in the school's main mission, but should I then state: I hope I can continue to build upon blah blah through XYZ medical school because of their focus on blah blah.
Thanks

 

[LizzyM]

Hi, sorry one last question, so for secondaries, is it normal to not mention the school's name in your response even if the question asks for why this school? So basically I write about myself but then should I then talk about specific attributes the school has that I'm interested in? It's just like the admission committee would already know what their school attributes are and I'll feel like I'm just spitting back information to them? For example, I mention I have done blah blah, and these were prominent points in the school's main mission, but should I then state: I hope I can continue to build upon blah blah through XYZ medical school because of their focus on blah blah.
Thanks

I think it was Dale Carnegie, author of How to Win Friends and Influence People, who said that people love to hear their name. The adcom might be looking for a mention of the school name or the name of a program or feature of the school. Just be sure you don't recycle the essay and forget to substitute the other school's name. 😱 (yes, I've seen it happen).

Part of the point of those questions is to see if you have familiarized yourself with the curriculum and if you can whip up at least a bit of enthusiasm for it. If you've heard and truly believe that PBL sucks and is a time sink and a horrible way to learn medicine and you learn that school X uses PBL, do you want to attend anyway? If so, is there anything about the curriculum that makes up for the fact that they'll waste your time with PBL? If so, that's what you need to write about.

 

[darkhope]

Thanks alot!

 

[SaharanPrince]

Hello Guys!

I am a nontrad med. school applicant, I was wondering if a couple of people were willing to look over my personal statement. I am very open to suggestions and please feel free to add any comments you might have on the essay. I think it would be easier for you to email me your address so I can send you to you as an attachment. Many thanks!! S.Prince--

 

[aSagacious]

I am a nontrad med. school applicant, I was wondering if a couple of people were willing to look over my personal statement.

Hi S.Prince, you might try contacting a few volunteer readers on the 'Official Personal Statement Guide and Reader List' to get a few qualified individuals who are both willing and able to help.

 

[kpcrew]

http://mdapplicants.com/profile.php?id=06325

I apologize if this isn't proper but this poster, alwaysangel, wrote a really nice letter of intent to Irvine and shared it in her mdapplicants profile. It can be helpful for giving you an idea of how to word your secondaries.