Should I explain why this med school by referencing mission statement?

[fastfingers]

So I've been getting a lot of secondary prompts where its basically, why this med school and I feel like the easiest way to approach it is by referencing their mission statement and saying why I'm a good fit. However, I'm beginning to see that most mission statements are actually very similar in terms of topics they hit on.

I guess the question is, is it a good idea to talk about mission statement or should I find more curriculum focused answers.

The other question is, what if in my interview they asked me if our mission statement fits you, what school's mission statement did not align with you?

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[fortitude]

I think mission statements are boring, and like you said all very similar. You could, but in my opinion, shouldn't write an essay about the merits of attending XYZ School of Medicnie because of their goal to churn out students who care for patients and have integrity.

I'm sure there is something more interesting about each school that you want to attend e.g. the University of Arkansas School of Medicine has a rural program designed for Arkansas residents who intend to remain in Arkansas; UC Irvine gives first year students iPads in a movement towards technological integration, etc.

You can look up some more about this topic here http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=832253&highlight=mission+statement

They all suggest mission statement+more

Just make your essays interesting, and be honest. I'm sure you will have found something that inspires you at most of the schools, certainly the ones you really care about.

 

[HumbleMD]

Not all mission statements are created equal. You could reference it, but also reference other specific programs or unique aspects of the school's curriculum you feel meet your specific needs and the mission statement's.

 

[NickNaylor]

Not all mission statements are created equal. You could reference it, but also reference other specific programs or unique aspects of the school's curriculum you feel meet your specific needs and the mission statement's.

Exactly. While generally mission statements are very similar, they AREN'T identical. Pay attention to subtleties.

I think it would be perfectly appropriate to refer to a mission statement in a response to a "why us?" question.

 

[Application Doc]

The goal is to highlight you as an applicant, not to highlight the school or their mission statement. I would try to find one aspect of the school you're excited about, whether it be curricular, research opportunities, or facilities, and focus on how you will use your own skill set and interests to dive into that particular aspect of the school. Ultimately, Admissions Committees are trying to decide whether to interview you, and your answer will have little to no affect on whether you're accepted.

 

[NickNaylor]

The goal is to highlight you as an applicant, not to highlight the school or their mission statement. I would try to find one aspect of the school you're excited about, whether it be curricular, research opportunities, or facilities, and focus on how you will use your own skill set and interests to dive into that particular aspect of the school. Ultimately, Admissions Committees are trying to decide whether to interview you, and your answer will have little to no affect on whether you're accepted.

I strongly disagree with the bolded. How is a response highlighting your reasons for applying to/wanting to attend a certain school going to have no impact on your final admissions decision? Many admissions directors at schools that ask this question state that this is one of the most important aspects of your application. Obviously it's going to vary from school to school, but saying that it's meaningless with no qualification makes no sense.

 

[Application Doc]

I can only speak of my own experiences as an Admissions Committee member at my medical school. In my experience, much of the written component of an application helps to get a candidate "in the door," ie to an interview. When it comes time for the Committee to making a final decision, the interview is a much larger factor coupled with the perceived ability of an applicant to be a strong contributor the medical school community and ultimately, the field of medicine. Essays in general, particularly the one about why the applicant chose to apply or is a good fit, are rarely discussed at Committee meetings.

 

[robbieflick]

The goal is to highlight you as an applicant, not to highlight the school or their mission statement. I would try to find one aspect of the school you're excited about, whether it be curricular, research opportunities, or facilities, and focus on how you will use your own skill set and interests to dive into that particular aspect of the school. Ultimately, Admissions Committees are trying to decide whether to interview you, and your answer will have little to no affect on whether you're accepted.

+1

For example - I have an interest in global health that is demonstrated throughout my application in a number of (hopefully) convincing ways. A big part of my decision to apply to some schools is an ability to be engaged in global health through electives, tracks, curricula, etc. My essays for this question have been referencing very specific programs ('I envision myself volunteering at [name of student clinic], an opportunity that will...') that I would be engaged with and contribute to the community with.