should I send an update to DMU?

[fldoctorgirl]

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In previous years, DMU always had a secondary. This year, they decided to throw in a generic "why osteopathic medicine/connect to DMU mission" question in the primary instead of having a secondary. Most of us early applicants were not aware of this at the time, and were expecting a normal secondary as usual.

DMU is one of my top choices; however, I did not expand too much on the "why DMU" prompt as I was expecting this question to appear in the secondary (like last year). I was planning on expanding on why DMU there, and didn't want to write too much for the primary question at the risk of sounding like I was pushing it. I am worried that I was not able to adequately explain my enthusiasm for their program, and am nervous that this could potentially cost me an interview.

My question is: should I send DMU admissions an email, explaining my misunderstanding that there was not going to be a secondary this year, and expand on why DMU is a top choice for me? Or does this seem desperate? Not sure what the protocol is here..just kind of disappointed that I didn't get to write all that I had planned on writing for this school.

(Yes, I realize this question may appear neurotic to some seasoned-SDNers. It's worth a post to me, though)

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Don't be desperate. If you explain to them the way you did above and I were the adcom I would probably reject you and wonder why you expected something that's you had no reason to (that their secondary would be the same advice last year). The best thing you can do during this cycle is curb the neuroticism, it will only stress you out even more if you worry about every little thing.

 

[fldoctorgirl]

Don't be desperate. If you explain to them the way you did above and I were the adcom I would probably reject you and wonder why you expected something that's you had no reason to (that their secondary would be the same advice last year). The best thing you can do during this cycle is curb the neuroticism, it will only stress you out even more if you worry about every little thing.

Well, it's not really something weird to expect...almost all schools have secondaries, and they gave no indication that they would be any different, so none of us really expected not to get one.

However, I see where you're coming from, and think it's probably best to leave it alone.

 

[Ho0v-man]

What's done is done. This whole process is random and no matter how hard you try, you can't control it. You'll end up where you end up.

 

[wdoc]

In previous years, DMU always had a secondary. This year, they decided to throw in a generic "why osteopathic medicine/connect to DMU mission" question in the primary instead of having a secondary. Most of us early applicants were not aware of this at the time, and were expecting a normal secondary as usual.

DMU is one of my top choices; however, I did not expand too much on the "why DMU" prompt as I was expecting this question to appear in the secondary (like last year). I was planning on expanding on why DMU there, and didn't want to write too much for the primary question at the risk of sounding like I was pushing it. I am worried that I was not able to adequately explain my enthusiasm for their program, and am nervous that this could potentially cost me an interview.

My question is: should I send DMU admissions an email, explaining my misunderstanding that there was not going to be a secondary this year, and expand on why DMU is a top choice for me? Or does this seem desperate? Not sure what the protocol is here..just kind of disappointed that I didn't get to write all that I had planned on writing for this school.

(Yes, I realize this question may appear neurotic to some seasoned-SDNers. It's worth a post to me, though)

When did you submit your primary application? I would wait and see if you get an interview invite in the next couple weeks and then consider sending a followup email to admissions. I don't see why this would hurt you, it is just showing that you're passionate and dedicated to getting into the school you'd like to attend. Just don't be over the top annoying and you'll be fine.

 

[fldoctorgirl]

When did you submit your primary application? I would wait and see if you get an interview invite in the next couple weeks and then consider sending a followup email to admissions. I don't see why this would hurt you, it is just showing that you're passionate and dedicated to getting into the school you'd like to attend. Just don't be over the top annoying and you'll be fine.

Thanks for this advice! I submitted my primary several weeks ago and signed up for their portal (which was basically their version of the secondary) last week. I am still waiting on my committee letter to be submitted, so I probably won't be considered officially complete for another 2-3 weeks.

I think this is solid advice. I'll give it about 3 weeks from my complete date to see if I hear anything...if not, I'll consider sending them an email expressing my interest.

 

[brachialplexus]

In previous years, DMU always had a secondary. This year, they decided to throw in a generic "why osteopathic medicine/connect to DMU mission" question in the primary instead of having a secondary. Most of us early applicants were not aware of this at the time, and were expecting a normal secondary as usual.

DMU is one of my top choices; however, I did not expand too much on the "why DMU" prompt as I was expecting this question to appear in the secondary (like last year). I was planning on expanding on why DMU there, and didn't want to write too much for the primary question at the risk of sounding like I was pushing it. I am worried that I was not able to adequately explain my enthusiasm for their program, and am nervous that this could potentially cost me an interview.

My question is: should I send DMU admissions an email, explaining my misunderstanding that there was not going to be a secondary this year, and expand on why DMU is a top choice for me? Or does this seem desperate? Not sure what the protocol is here..just kind of disappointed that I didn't get to write all that I had planned on writing for this school.

(Yes, I realize this question may appear neurotic to some seasoned-SDNers. It's worth a post to me, though)

Don't take this in a wrong way, but why didn't you try on the school-specific primary essay? The prompt was pretty clear to me and even mentioned "in regards to Des Moines University's mission" or something. Sending an email anytime soon would probably be underwhelming for an adcom considering you didn't "try as hard" on a required essay, so I would definitely wait a while.

 

[Goro]

In previous years, DMU always had a secondary. This year, they decided to throw in a generic "why osteopathic medicine/connect to DMU mission" question in the primary instead of having a secondary. Most of us early applicants were not aware of this at the time, and were expecting a normal secondary as usual.

DMU is one of my top choices; however, I did not expand too much on the "why DMU" prompt as I was expecting this question to appear in the secondary (like last year). I was planning on expanding on why DMU there, and didn't want to write too much for the primary question at the risk of sounding like I was pushing it. I am worried that I was not able to adequately explain my enthusiasm for their program, and am nervous that this could potentially cost me an interview.

My question is: should I send DMU admissions an email, explaining my misunderstanding that there was not going to be a secondary this year, and expand on why DMU is a top choice for me? Or does this seem desperate? Not sure what the protocol is here..just kind of disappointed that I didn't get to write all that I had planned on writing for this school.

(Yes, I realize this question may appear neurotic to some seasoned-SDNers. It's worth a post to me, though)

A good way to get rejected. This would demonstrate that you have trouble following simple directions, and expect do-overs when you screw up.

The prompt in the primary seems straightforward to me.

 

[fldoctorgirl]

Don't take this in a wrong way, but why didn't you try on the school-specific primary essay? The prompt was pretty clear to me and even mentioned "in regards to Des Moines University's mission" or something. Sending an email anytime soon would probably be underwhelming for an adcom considering you didn't "try as hard" on a required essay, so I would definitely wait a while.

It's not that I didn't try. Like I said, I'm generally satisfied with my answer, but I just would have wrote a little bit more if I had known it was the only prompt. I just didn't want to say everything in response to that question and then end up repeating the same thing later on.

I was simply wondering if it would be okay to send an update, kind of like when people send letters of intent, to express how interested I really am. Like I said, what I wrote in the primary was fine, and I am satisfied with it. Maybe I misworded my question in a way that made it seem like I had completely ignored the question.

A good way to get rejected. This would demonstrate that you have trouble following simple directions, and expect do-overs when you screw up.

The prompt in the primary seems straightforward to me.

Thanks, Goro. As always, your advice is appreciated.

 

[Goro]

LOI are worthless. You sent them your app, they know you're interested.

So let it go already.

 

[fldoctorgirl]

LOI are worthless. You sent them your app, they know you're interested.

So let it go already.

I have! I already decided not to do anything unless significant time passes after my complete date without hearing anything back, positive or negative.

I would delete this thread if I knew how to do that

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Honestly just be patient, if you put effort into the first prompt they won't be any the wiser. I remember how neurotic this process made me and I can say (as someone who was a bad example of this) to just not worry about stuff like this because it is trivial and most likely won't affect your outcome either way.

 

[fldoctorgirl]

Honestly just be patient, if you put effort into the first prompt they won't be any the wiser. I remember how neurotic this process made me and I can say (as someone who was a bad example of this) to just not worry about stuff like this because it is trivial and most likely won't affect your outcome either way.

Thank you 🙂 I agree, I will do my best to re-think before overanalyzing things.

 

[harkas]

Once you get an interview, you can tell them all about how much you love their school and all the things you planned on saying in your secondary. 👍