"Share with us something about yourself..." secondary essays (Dartmouth for example)

[eg77]

I'm interested to know what kind of things people are discussing in the following secondary questions: "Share with us something about yourself that is not addressed elsewhere in your application."

The one in particular that I'm working on is Dartmouth's secondary: "Share with us something about yourself that is not addressed elsewhere in your application and which could be helpful to the admissions committee as we review your file."

Is it frowned upon to just leave this section blank? Is this a good place to explain (not make excuses!!) for low MCAT score in verbal? I would love to hear your opinion on the do's and dont's in this kind of question.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Truman Stanford]

I'm interested to know what kind of things people are discussing in the following secondary questions: "Share with us something about yourself that is not addressed elsewhere in your application."

The one in particular that I'm working on is Dartmouth's secondary: "Share with us something about yourself that is not addressed elsewhere in your application and which could be helpful to the admissions committee as we review your file."

Is it frowned upon to just leave this section blank? Is this a good place to explain (not make excuses!!) for low MCAT score in verbal? I would love to hear your opinion on the do's and dont's in this kind of question.

I wouldn't explain the technical aspects of you app. In my opinion it would sound like you're going out of your way to justify yourself. I wouldn't leave it blank. It also depends on what you'd say about a low score; the reason behind it.

 

[eg77]

I wouldn't explain the technical aspects of you app. In my opinion it would sound like you're going out of your way to justify yourself. I wouldn't leave it blank. It also depends on what you'd say about a low score; the reason behind it.

When you say "technical" are you refering to MCAT scores and GPA? I honestly don't want to even try to explain a low score since I don't want to come across as one that makes excuses. I'd rather leave my numbers the way they are and hope that they would look past my MCAT score and notice my volunteer/work experience.

I'm leaning more towards explaining a medical mission trip and my cross-cultural experience. Eventhough I already briefly discussed that in my personal statement I think I would like them to know my motivation behind it and my experience and how it's contributed to my edsire of practicing in underserved comminities.

 

[Truman Stanford]

When you say "technical" are you refering to MCAT scores and GPA? I honestly don't want to even try to explain a low score since I don't want to come across as one that makes excuses. I'd rather leave my numbers the way they are and hope that they would look past my MCAT score and notice my volunteer/work experience.

I'm leaning more towards explaining a medical mission trip and my cross-cultural experience. Eventhough I already briefly discussed that in my personal statement I think I would like them to know my motivation behind it and my experience and how it's contributed to my edsire of practicing in underserved comminities.

Yeah, that's probably more alongh the lines of what they're looking for. Just asking, out of personal curiosity who did you do your mission trip through, and where did you go?

 

[eg77]

Yeah, that's probably more alongh the lines of what they're looking for. Just asking, out of personal curiosity who did you do your mission trip through, and where did you go?

I did my mission trip through Arab World Ministries and I went to Amman, Jordan where I volunteered with American missionaries in their service to Iraqi refugess. I also went to 5 hospitals in Pakistan through the Christian Hospital Asociation of Pakistan. Fortunatly, I had some connections with these organizations so it was an independent mission trip and not with a group of students...I really enjoyed the whole experience.

It sounds like you went on a trip yourself or are considering going on one. Is either true? Anyways, Would you say this is something that's worth explaining thouroughly in the secondary?

 

[ironey]

I did my mission trip through Arab World Ministries and I went to Amman, Jordan where I volunteered with American missionaries in their service to Iraqi refugess. I also went to 5 hospitals in Pakistan through the Christian Hospital Asociation of Pakistan. Fortunatly, I had some connections with these organizations so it was an independent mission trip and not with a group of students...I really enjoyed the whole experience.

It sounds like you went on a trip yourself or are considering going on one. Is either true? Anyways, Would you say this is something that's worth explaining thouroughly in the secondary?

Definitely write the essay. It's never a good idea to leave something like that blank . . . . . . it's not labeled "optional" is it? One of the profs on the admissions committee once told me that the ad com was looking for applicants with whom they could drive to Boston and back without getting bored.

This is your chance to let them know what a wonderful, caring, mature, and thoughtful person you are. Write about what you learned and what you saw while working in the middle east. It sounds like you've got lots of great stuff to share.

Best of luck

 

[eg77]

Definitely write the essay. It's never a good idea to leave something like that blank . . . . . . it's not labeled "optional" is it? One of the profs on the admissions committee once told me that the ad com was looking for applicants with whom they could drive to Boston and back without getting bored.

This is your chance to let them know what a wonderful, caring, mature, and thoughtful person you are. Write about what you learned and what you saw while working in the middle east. It sounds like you've got lots of great stuff to share.

Best of luck

Thanks for your advice ironey,

I'm gonna start on this application tonight; do you still think it's alright to write about this even if I already discussed it briefly in my personal statement? I defiently plan to go into a lot more detail with specific concrete examples, which I didn't have lots of room to do in the AMCAS essay.

Ironey, since you're in DMS currently, do you know when the MCAT comes into consideration? Would they look at my secondary information even if my scores are below par?

 

[eg77]

Anyone else working on the Dartmouth secondary essay?

 

[thegenius]

Anyone else working on the Dartmouth secondary essay?

Yes I am. I have already basically answered this question. Dartmouth's question is not unusual, there are several other schools that ask this question. So a few weeks back I made a 1 and 1/2 page response to this, and I'll tailor it to each school.

I'm definitely using this opportunity to sell myself. You gotta sell, sell, sell!

 

[Truman Stanford]

I did my mission trip through Arab World Ministries and I went to Amman, Jordan where I volunteered with American missionaries in their service to Iraqi refugess. I also went to 5 hospitals in Pakistan through the Christian Hospital Asociation of Pakistan. Fortunatly, I had some connections with these organizations so it was an independent mission trip and not with a group of students...I really enjoyed the whole experience.

It sounds like you went on a trip yourself or are considering going on one. Is either true? Anyways, Would you say this is something that's worth explaining thouroughly in the secondary?

Sorry I didn't reply right away...your trip sounded very interesting and fulfilling. That's very brave to do that as well with the unrest in that part of the world. Did I go on a mission? No, not yet. I was supposed to go down with this doctor and 9 others to Mexico this last summer and deliver health care to the underserved population, but it never got off the ground. I'm planning on going on one very soon though. Definately describe it in your apps though. Especially since yours was quite lucrative in locale and patient population.

 

[eg77]

Another question regarding secondary questions such as the one we're discussing: is it a bad idea to use some of the same sentences I used in my AMCAS essay in my secondary essay? Of course I would elaborate on the idea and not just let it sit on its own. Has anyone here done that?

 

[thegenius]

Another question regarding secondary questions such as the one we're discussing: is it a bad idea to use some of the same sentences I used in my AMCAS essay in my secondary essay? Of course I would elaborate on the idea and not just let it sit on its own. Has anyone here done that?

I would certainly elaborate on thoughts I put in my personal statement, however I'm not sure I would word them the same way. It it looks like a copy/paste sentence, then it probably is.

In this case I would try to reword the sentence but have it say the same thing. I think that should be acceptable.

 

[Andrew_Doan]

I wouldn't explain the technical aspects of you app. In my opinion it would sound like you're going out of your way to justify yourself. I wouldn't leave it blank. It also depends on what you'd say about a low score; the reason behind it.

I agree. Do not explain the technical aspects of your application. Instead, find a phrase that will stick with your readers. Use short phrases/sentences that tells a story about you and your goals that your readers will remember.

For instance, "I am a student of science, an entrepreneur, and team player." Then provide anecdotes to back up the statement. Use one sentence for one or two points stated.

 

[gujuDoc]

I agree. Do not explain the technical aspects of your application. Instead, find a phrase that will stick with your readers. Use short phrases/sentences that tells a story about you and your goals that your readers will remember.

For instance, "I am a student of science, an entrepreneur, and team player." Then provide anecdotes to back up the statement. Use one sentence for one or two points stated.

Andrew Doan,

Totally off topic, but I must say that I admire people like you and Lee Burnett who are no longer even in residency, and still helping out younger students like this. that is very admirable of you and him. So thank you!!!! 😀

 

[Andrew_Doan]

Andrew Doan,

Totally off topic, but I must say that I admire people like you and Lee Burnett who are no longer even in residency, and still helping out younger students like this. that is very admirable of you and him. So thank you!!!! 😀

Thanks for the note. I've met with Lee and he is an awesome guy! We have big plans to offer more services and value to you all. I know how hard it is to traverse the path of becoming a physician. I admire all who decide to undertake this journey. One of you may be my doctor one day, so I have great interest in helping future contributors and leaders in medicine.

Good luck to you!

 

[eg77]

Thanks you guys for your responses. Would you then recommend writing a quick memorable story about my experience during the medical mission trip. Eventhough I already briefly discussed that I went to Jordan and Pakistan in my personal statement I think I would like them to know my motivation behind it and give specific stories that would catch their attention; Is it alright to make it almost like a narrative or is that getting a bit too creative that it would be counter-productive?

 

[Andrew_Doan]

Thanks you guys for your responses. Would you then recommend writing a quick memorable story about my experience during the medical mission trip. Eventhough I already briefly discussed that I went to Jordan and Pakistan in my personal statement I think I would like them to know my motivation behind it and give specific stories that would catch their attention; Is it alright to make it almost like a narrative or is that getting a bit too creative that it would be counter-productive?

Good idea. This is what I did when I applied, and the topics I wrote about were asked during my interviews.

 

[ironey]

Thanks for your advice ironey,

I'm gonna start on this application tonight; do you still think it's alright to write about this even if I already discussed it briefly in my personal statement? I defiently plan to go into a lot more detail with specific concrete examples, which I didn't have lots of room to do in the AMCAS essay.

Ironey, since you're in DMS currently, do you know when the MCAT comes into consideration? Would they look at my secondary information even if my scores are below par?

Sorry for the late reply . . . . . I'm in the middle of my medicine rotation. I don't know when MCAT scores come into consideration. I hope, as a future DMS alumn, that they take the whole picture into consideration before chucking out apps due to MCAT scores alone.

Okay, there are students on the ad com - voting members - and this is what they've told me of the process at DMS.
1) the admissions director/office go through all of the apps and make decisions on who get secondaries (I don't know the criteria, but I assume there is a score component).
2) After secondaries, the apps are reviewed and certain files are given to a "team of two" on the adcom who then go over the apps and decide who they want to interview. I don't know the criteria here, either.
3) Interviews are sent, the 2 ad com members who read the app interview you.
4) The interviewers make recommendations to the rest of the committee and they all vote.

I'm not sure that this is very informative, but it's all I have to share.

Good luck with everyone, and (if I may), send your secondaries back quickly! You'll be glad you did.

 

[willow18]

1) the admissions director/office go through all of the apps and make decisions on who get secondaries (I don't know the criteria, but I assume there is a score component).

I don't think there's a score component regarding who gets secondaries. I took the August MCAT and got a DMS secondary a few days ago.

 

[DocKat]

To answer these types of questions, would it be appropriate for me to write something that is not medicine-related? For instance, would it be a good idea to write about a personal adversity that I have faced and how I dealt with it? Thanks!