Should secondaries be tied to medicine if the question does not specifically ask to do so?

[deleted1106140]

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Hello. I realized that the only time I truly talk about "why medicine" is in my personal statement and the 1 clinical + 1 shadowing activity in my work and activities section. My app is heavily focused on teaching/computer science research because that is my background as a career changer, and so a lot of my secondary stories come from there as well. While I do talk about my interest in academic medicine in my PS and related secondary questions (i.e. what is your goal in medicine), I'm worried adcoms will have the dreaded, "why not pursue other XXX career" while reading my secondaries. Should secondaries be tied to medicine if the question does not specifically mention medicine? Thank you.

 

[Blueprint Med School]

I always suggest that you find a good balance between showcasing your medicine and non-medicine skills and talents and stories and dreams. It can become dreary a read if everything is by the book related to your pre-med application and as you know if it's barely mentioned they may wonder why you're applying to this school and not to a different program or degree.

Long story short, you don't have to force it but it's not a bad idea to see if there's a natural landing point from something in your life that may relate like teaching which is a perfect segue.

David D MD - USMLE and MCAT Tutor
Med School Tutors

 

[deleted1106140]

Thanks!