Submitting secondaries for "meh" schools

[amakhosidlo]

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Having medicore stats, I've applied to a bunch of schools that have average numbers close to my own. Some of these schools do absolutely nothing for me, in terms of location, opportunities, school character, and price.

I have dream schools, schools with mission statements I identify with, and then I have....these.

Almost all of them ask the question "Why X" School.

My perfectly honest answer: "I don't -want- to go to X school, as there's nothing about X school that appeals to me. It does offer an M.D degree however, and statistically speaking, I actually stand a small chance of being accepted, which is the reason you're reading this secondary. Enjoy my $150."

Obviously, I can't be perfectly honest, but I'm having a really tough time BSing about a school I've never been to, or heard particularly great things about. It's not that I feel entitled somehow, and I know that I can't exactly be choosy with regards to where I apply, but how am I supposed to answer a question about "why X school" when everything about the school seems entirely non-descript?😕

 

[FuturaDocta]

Having medicore stats, I've applied to a bunch of schools that have average numbers close to my own. Some of these schools do absolutely nothing for me, in terms of location, opportunities, school character, and price.

I have dream schools, schools with mission statements I identify with, and then I have....these.

Almost all of them ask the question "Why X" School.

My perfectly honest answer: "I don't -want- to go to X school, as there's nothing about X school that appeals to me. It does offer an M.D degree however, and statistically speaking, I actually stand a small chance of being accepted, which is the reason you're reading this secondary. Enjoy my $150."

Obviously, I can't be perfectly honest, but I'm having a really tough time BSing about a school I've never seen, or heard particularly great things about. It's not that I feel entitled somehow, and I know that I can't exactly be choosy with regards to where I apply, but how am I supposed to answer a question about "why X school" when everything about the school seems entirely non-descript?😕

Don't apply if you can deny.

It isn't worth the pain if it's just in vain.

Who care's if you don't make it at first,

Could you choose another course?

Why don't you just wait,

Can you anticipate,

It may be worth the time, to put in another dime.


yours truly.....

don't waste your money or time!

 

[xmsr3]

We all do that, apply to many schools that we appear overly competative in to raise our chances of getting in somewhere. Just try to write a strong form letter that you can use for all those schools. It will probably sound exactly like every other essay they read, because most med schools are the same and there is only so much BS you can write about one.

Don't worry about essays so much. I know an adcom and he told me that when you have been through an admin cycle or two you have read everything there is to read and there exists nothing new under the sun. He tells me he has never once seen an essay change the fate of an applicant.

It makes sense, since almost all pre-meds share the same experiences and hear the same advice we will write the same letters. Of course we also have pretty much the same volunteer activity and our LORs are pretty similar as well.

I have this secret suspicion that adcoms decide acceptances with a random combination of Pure stats, and throwing darts at a spinning board.

They spend the entire admin cycle locked in their offices, watching tv and surfing the web, (possibly laughing at the neuroticism and paranoia they inspire on SDN) and collect our secondary fees which they use to fund wild and crazy sex and drug parties.

While we try to parse every single character in the emails they send us, they live it up and have their fun with us by sending us emails like the U of Wisconsin's latest which basically said, "We apologize for a computer error that happened a month ago and had no impact whatsoever on your application." Who else could have sent that email with the subject heading, "We apologize" (which of course scared the hell out of everyone who assumed it was a rejection letter) except a coked up, sex fiend.😀

 

[FuturaDocta]

lol..

 

[long]

At one point while I was writing secondaries last year, I had gotten sick of writing "why X school" essays and wrote one that just said, in essence, "I'm applying here because I think my application can be competitive. And it would be neat to live in [state's name]"


I didn't get in there....

 

[amakhosidlo]

They spend the entire admin cycle locked in their offices, watching tv and surfing the web, (possibly laughing at the neuroticism and paranoia they inspire on SDN) and collect our secondary fees which they use to fund wild and crazy sex and drug parties.

"....except a coked up, sex fiend.😀"

Ha.

I guess, it's just frustrating, as I'm sure there are other coked-up sex fiends with whom $150 and some flowery writing might actually get some (potentially much more interesting) face time. 🙄

 

[Phosphorus Ylide]

I don't really know that I have "meh" schools at this point. I just want to get in somewhere next year. As I am filling out secondaries, I am wondering if there are any distinguishing factors in my essays or if they will just use my app to line their kitty litter boxes. lol.

 

[amakhosidlo]

I don't really know that I have "meh" schools at this point. I just want to get in somewhere next year. As I am filling out secondaries, I am wondering if there are any distinguishing factors in my essays or if they will just use my app to line their kitty litter boxes. lol.

Well obviously, I think we all do. But can you honestly say that you have a unique and compelling reason to give to each school, that's specific to that school? When the school has a huge research grant in an area that interests you, or stellar training faculty in a field you've spent time in, awesome. But what about when you can't find anything about the school that matches up with you interests or experience?

"I want to go to X school because you might let me in"
Not quite convincing. 🙁

 

[Phosphorus Ylide]

Can you honestly say that you have a unique and compelling reason to give to each school, that's specific to that school?

Lol... I must agree that some require more creativity than others, but actually surprised myself with one that I finished today. I know what you mean though. I was hoping that more of my secondaries would have similar prompts, as seemed to be the case with many people on this forum, but so far it's proved to be the opposite. I suppose I'm just going to pray and send some schools a letter requesting a barter: Admission in exchange for my right kidney. Whoever bites first, gets it. 🙂

 

[rockaction]

I'd say just power through those essays. Put down something reasonable, and present yourself well to every school you apply to. Give your all even to the "meh" schools. Because in all honesty, unless you visited the school, you really don't have much to go by. Wait till the interview before you consider a school "meh".

Unfortunately, this is the consequence of applying broadly. But don't lose hope, a lot of people are in your situation too and will give up, leading you to better chances 👍

 

[BlueElmo]

I just copy and paste for these essay types, obviously changing the school and hospital names.😀

 

[jkurtz02]

Go to the school's website and find something they brag about and write about that. That is what I did last year, if I couldn't find something like that I just wrote something rather generic. Something to the extent of I am excited by X class because it will give me hands on patient experience and teach me the art of medicine early on not just the science of being a doctor. All schools now have "doctoring" classes starting day 1 and its an easy thing to BS.

 

[xmsr3]

I just copy and paste for these essay types, obviously changing the school and hospital names.😀

My brotha from another motha😀 Here's hoping that our strategy works out for both of us, by the way what's your #1 school choice?

 

[Brent8927]

Don't apply if you can deny.

It isn't worth the pain if it's just in vain.

Who care's if you don't make it at first,

Could you choose another course?

Why don't you just wait,

Can you anticipate,

It may be worth the time, to put in another dime.


yours truly.....

don't waste your money or time!

I agree---why apply somewhere you don't want to go?

I applied only to my dream school the first time. I didn't get in, but when I applied again this year, I did. Not everyone has a strong preference like I do, but still, I think it's definitely worth it to take an extra year or two if it means getting into a school where you'll be really happy for four years.

But that's just me and based on my personal philosophy! 🙂

If you do decide you still want to apply to a "meh school" anyway, consider writing about what inspires you about medical school in general, and how it will prepare you to become a physician (learn excellent bedside manners and technical competence, etc.)

And feel free to write something "I want to go to X school because I love the hot dogs in Chicago" 😀. I actually think admissions committee members appreciate a bit of humor--it adds a bit of personality to one of the 50-100 applications they go through in one day.

 

[BlueElmo]

My brotha from another motha😀 Here's hoping that our strategy works out for both of us, by the way what's your #1 school choice?

A school that accepts me.👍

 

[nogolfinsnow]

Having medicore stats, I've applied to a bunch of schools that have average numbers close to my own. Some of these schools do absolutely nothing for me, in terms of location, opportunities, school character, and price.

I have dream schools, schools with mission statements I identify with, and then I have....these.

Almost all of them ask the question "Why X" School.

My perfectly honest answer: "I don't -want- to go to X school, as there's nothing about X school that appeals to me. It does offer an M.D degree however, and statistically speaking, I actually stand a small chance of being accepted, which is the reason you're reading this secondary. Enjoy my $150."

Obviously, I can't be perfectly honest, but I'm having a really tough time BSing about a school I've never been to, or heard particularly great things about. It's not that I feel entitled somehow, and I know that I can't exactly be choosy with regards to where I apply, but how am I supposed to answer a question about "why X school" when everything about the school seems entirely non-descript?😕

I would be careful before characterizing any schools as "meh" schools. It is very hard as a pre-med, and even as a med student 1st year to really get a good feel for what your school has to offer. Unless you've found a resource that in-depth describes the clinical experiences and advantages and disadvantages of each school, I think it's almost impossible to differentiate unless you've actually gone to the school. Often on SDN we see the schools "tiered" with people automatically assuming a big name school is better than a lesser name school. I worry that people who do this run the risk of not applying to schools where they have a legitimate chance to be accepted and thus delaying the beginning of their career because of some notion about particular schools that is not grounded in facts.

If you really, really want to be an MD (or DO), you need to get into a school. Sure, everyone wants to get into their dream school, but most don't. I certainly didn't, and moved across the country to a school that most would probably refer to as a "meh" school. But while here I got to work with an up and coming cancer researcher before he was wooed away by a much bigger med center (where there is probably a much bigger buffer between him and the med students), got a very good step 1 score (so the curriculum is definitely ok), and I've made life-long friends. As I get into third year I already know I'll have an entire month to work with 1 attending in a field I'm strongly considering as a career. And these experiences aren't unique to me. Many of my friends came here b/c it's the only school we go into, but overall we've had a good first 2 years. Would I rather be in my home state? Probably, but I'm much happier that 24 months from now I'll be done with school rather than done with just 3rd or 2nd year b/c I picked a school over a career.

So I caution you to really think about what it is that is keeping you from considering certain schools. Every year you don't get in is one more year you've added to your training. Medical school is in large part what you make of it, and I think most people could find the positives at almost any school and have a good experience.

 

[Disinence2]

Don't fill out the secondary if you don't want to go there.

As an aside I would say that in reality there are no "meh" US medical schools. Each school is strong in some programs and week in others.

Maybe re-evaluate what your looking for in a school.

 

[pOrtEnt]

nogolfinsnow




👍👍👍👍👍

 

[pharaoh88]

I just copy and paste for these essay types, obviously changing the school and hospital names.😀

Haha. I love that technique as well, Blue

 

[amakhosidlo]

I would be careful before characterizing any schools as "meh" schools. It is very hard as a pre-med, and even as a med student 1st year to really get a good feel for what your school has to offer. Unless you've found a resource that in-depth describes the clinical experiences and advantages and disadvantages of each school, I think it's almost impossible to differentiate unless you've actually gone to the school. Often on SDN we see the schools "tiered" with people automatically assuming a big name school is better than a lesser name school. I worry that people who do this run the risk of not applying to schools where they have a legitimate chance to be accepted and thus delaying the beginning of their career because of some notion about particular schools that is not grounded in facts.

If you really, really want to be an MD (or DO), you need to get into a school. Sure, everyone wants to get into their dream school, but most don't. I certainly didn't, and moved across the country to a school that most would probably refer to as a "meh" school. But while here I got to work with an up and coming cancer researcher before he was wooed away by a much bigger med center (where there is probably a much bigger buffer between him and the med students), got a very good step 1 score (so the curriculum is definitely ok), and I've made life-long friends. As I get into third year I already know I'll have an entire month to work with 1 attending in a field I'm strongly considering as a career. And these experiences aren't unique to me. Many of my friends came here b/c it's the only school we go into, but overall we've had a good first 2 years. Would I rather be in my home state? Probably, but I'm much happier that 24 months from now I'll be done with school rather than done with just 3rd or 2nd year b/c I picked a school over a career.

So I caution you to really think about what it is that is keeping you from considering certain schools. Every year you don't get in is one more year you've added to your training. Medical school is in large part what you make of it, and I think most people could find the positives at almost any school and have a good experience.

I agree with you that it's impossible to judge a med school without ever having been there/attended, but that situation also makes it next to impossible to write intelligibly and accurately about the specific merits of that school.

You can go on about some tidbit you picked up on the website, but honestly, how many other people do the exact same thing? The more I think about it, the less I think the answers to these questions actually matter.

Think I'm going with a combination of the form letter and the 'hot dog' response. C'mon file screener with a sense of humor

 

[amakhosidlo]

Double post, sry