Secondaries...type or handwrite?

[PV1]

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Hey guys...

Some of these secondary forms are impossible to type up so I've decided to write in some info. As for the essays those are typed. But I'm wondering what everyone else is up to and how they are handling the sections that want descriptions of activities, classes, etc. Thanks for any advice...

 

[Socceroo4ever]

Typing is a pain in the ass sometimes... just try to line up the form properly in your computer printer! Despite that, type it, type it, type it. Get someone to do it for you, whatever: just type it. It looks neat, looks professional, is easy to read, and shows that you took the time to get it looking that great.

Best of luck!

 

[GeoLeoX]

Even though I handwrote some of mine and typed others in retrospect I wish that I had typed them all. If you are not into typing you could photocopy the secondary and try to line up the spaces with your word processor. It's not as straightforward but works better for essays. For one school (Loyola, I think) that had a number of essays I printed them out, taped them onto the form, photocopied the form and sent that to them. Some schools have their secondaries on nice colored paper and my approach is not feasible for them.

Type 'em,

Geo

 

[Zero Cool]

I handwrote most of mine. Only one school said that it must be typed. I really do not think that the deciding factor will be if I typed my secondary or not.

 

[imtiaz]

But doesn't your interest in the school reflected by how much time you spend to make your file look good? I mean, consider this: two students X and Y. X doesn't really care whether or not s/he gets into "The Med School" so s/he handwrites her secondary and sends it in without spending the extra time it takes to get the spacing just right, or those late night trips to Kinkos to get all the copies done, etc. Student Y REALLY wants to go to "The Med School," and consequently, s/he sends back a flawless secondary, visually and aesthetically pleasing. Who do you think the adcoms will consider? It's a no brainer man! Unless you have really high stats or something, I would try to make the secondary look a.g.a.p. (as good as possible).

-imtiaz

 

[PV1]

Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately, I already submitted my Pitt Med and Temple supplementals a week ago

so I guess I'll see what happens. I wrote in black ink, and am most worried about the Pitt app cuz it required a description of activities. But the margins and spacing woulda been almost impossible to type using a computer and MS Word. I could have scanned em in and then experimented but I wanted to get the app out as soon as possible. Hopefully turning it in early will account for the handwriting. I really hope Pitt doesn't toss out my app just cuz of that. Well thanks again for the help...

 

[Zero Cool]

Handwriting a secondary is not as bad as eveyone here is making it out to be. Just because someone types it doesn't mean they are more interested in the school. You can type till your blue in the face but it will never make up for what you say. Plus people who type make mistakes too, so the secondaries come out looking like crap anyway. As long as you have good handwriting I do not think it really matters. Do not sweat it. Type where you can, but remember it is ok to handwrite. I've had a few schools request that I handwrite the essay. Go figure.

[This message has been edited by Zero Cool (edited 08-24-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Zero Cool (edited 08-24-2000).]

 

[Socceroo4ever]

While we're on this subject, just what is recommended as the best way to type an application? I've always used the old typewriter approach but am intrigued by the possibility of scanning the thing and then filling in fields that way. Has anyone tried this, and how well does it work?