secondary question: why this school?

[coralfangs]

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is it bad to mention specific specialty that the school is known for?
for example, I am really interested at the aging centre at Cornell

should I say that?
or is it bad to pick a specialty so early?

 

[armybound]

in my opinion they just want to see something specific to their school that interests you, not just "I want to go to medical school and you're a medical school so I thought I'd give it a shot"

if the aging centre is what attracted you to the school, mention it.

 

[CardiacIntensivist]

sounds like a good reason. Just don't do what I did and give a very generic reason. Out of the 4 I wrote 3 rejected me outright and 1 gave me a very late interview. I really think it was the secondary.

 

[Tropicana100]

is it bad to mention specific specialty that the school is known for?
for example, I am really interested at the aging centre at Cornell

should I say that?
or is it bad to pick a specialty so early?

good question. i was wondering about this too. I am thinking about mentioning a department in Mt. Sinai, but I have second thoughts because med students don't really have much interaction with residency programs. any one have any experience mentioning departments in essays? i feel it only makes sense if you want to match with a residency of the medical school in the future.

 

[Abilene85]

is it bad to mention specific specialty that the school is known for?
for example, I am really interested at the aging centre at Cornell

should I say that?
or is it bad to pick a specialty so early?

Talking about the aging center is exactly what they want to see. Schools want to know you have done your homework and read up on what makes them unique. Talk about why they are great (boost the ego) and how your interests overlap with special things they offer. Also, find out about the area and maybe mention why you would like to live there. Schools will hope that many of their students will consider sticking around for residency and practice.

The only negative thing about choosing a specialty so early is that some people put on blinders and don't see anything but the chosen path ahead of them. Not that you would be this way, but some people are. Most schools want to see their students have an open mind. Don't be "I eat, sleep, and breathe cardiac surgery. I have a library of cardiac surgery books at home. I have a cardiac surgery T-shirt I wear to bed every night to remind myself of my goals. What the he11 is rheumatology? Oh well, nothing matters but cardiac surgery."

 

[freedom88]

its always a good idea to be honest about your interests and passions. i think mentioning a specific dept/program (1) demonstrates your level of interest in the school, and (2) shows that you have difinitive focus and direction (regaurdless of whether or not it could change).