Talk about legacy in "Why this school" essay?

[alison92]

So I have immediate (parental) legacy status for a particular med school. This school also happens to have a "Why do you want to come here?" question on the secondary app. Is it acceptable to briefly discuss that one of my reasons for wanting to go there is that I had a parent attend there for both graduate and medical school? One of my earliest memories is actually me roaming around the campus haha. I don't plan on spending a lot of time on this, since I have other legitimate reasons for wanting to attend, but I just want to make sure that the school won't frown upon me mentioning this.

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[ndafife]

I have always been told to start those types of essays off with an anecdote like that (Legacy, geography - family in the area, girlfriend moved there - etc...) that made you want to look at a school, then follow it up with something about the purpose or mission of the school (rural health, research, community service, etc...) or about a specific program or opportunity available on that campus that is relatively unique (courses that focus on preventative care, student organizations, or a specific topic of research that occurs there) that you can tie to your own plans/experiences (tie it to something you say in your PS or an activity you listed)

 

[NickNaylor]

IMO it would be better to focus on other, more substantive reasons for wanting to attend the school. That being said, I suppose it wouldn't be harmful.

 

[phunky]

I have always been told to start those types of essays off with an anecdote like that (Legacy, geography - family in the area, girlfriend moved there - etc...) that made you want to look at a school, then follow it up with something about the purpose or mission of the school (rural health, research, community service, etc...) or about a specific program or opportunity available on that campus that is relatively unique (courses that focus on preventative care, student organizations, or a specific topic of research that occurs there) that you can tie to your own plans/experiences (tie it to something you say in your PS or an activity you listed)

There is absolutely no way to fit all that into 200 words.

 

[ndafife]

There is absolutely no way to fit all that into 200 words.

I chose to look up "School X" because my parents went to school there. Upon doing more research I found I was drawn to aspect "X" of the school and this made me sure I wanted to apply. This aspect stood out to me because I "what you did/what you want."

That's 51 words (including the placeholders). You should absolutely be able to fill in some details in less than 150 words.

 

[LizzyM]

Did/does your parent receive an alumni magazine or newsletter from the school? That could be a way of introducing how you developed an interest in the school and what it has to offer today's students.

 

[claduva94]

I chose to look up "School X" because my parents went to school there. Upon doing more research I found I was drawn to aspect "X" of the school and this made me sure I wanted to apply. This aspect stood out to me because I "what you did/what you want."

That's 51 words (including the placeholders). You should absolutely be able to fill in some details in less than 150 words.

I'd could be wrong but I find "I chose to look up 'School X'" to be a bit too straightforward. They know you looked them up already. You could replace those words with something more substantial.

 

[greenlion]

That's good. I mentioned legacy for the only school I got an admit from.
Just mention something else as well i.e. (because dad went here) -> "gave me a chance to experience firsthand" -> (whatever the school has to offer).

P.S.- Does anyone else think these questions are f-tarded though? As if most of us wouldn't take any allopath school we could get. And even if we have choices it's mostly based on geography and cost. It's like courting a lady in the olden times and having to poetically describe how one of a kind she is.

 

[AspiringERMD]

I chose to look up "School X" because my parents went to school there. Upon doing more research I found I was drawn to aspect "X" of the school and this made me sure I wanted to apply. This aspect stood out to me because I "what you did/what you want."

That's 51 words (including the placeholders). You should absolutely be able to fill in some details in less than 150 words.

I did something very similar to this for the school my uncle went to. But the character limit was very large, so I had plenty of room to expand.

 

[LizzyM]

That's good. I mentioned legacy for the only school I got an admit from.
Just mention something else as well i.e. (because dad went here) -> "gave me a chance to experience firsthand" -> (whatever the school has to offer).

P.S.- Does anyone else think these questions are f-tarded though? As if most of us wouldn't take any allopath school we could get. And even if we have choices it's mostly based on geography and cost. It's like courting a lady in the olden times and having to poetically describe how one of a kind she is.

You think you'd attend any school that accepted you but some folks attend interview day and discover that the school is not what they are looking for because of things they could have learned before they even applied. Some even go so far as to wonder if they should decline the offer of admission and reapply in the next cycle. The med schools also want to attract students who have more than one offer but who would be most inclined to attend that school because of x, y, z. The school doesn't have to be unique (one of a kind) in offering a specific curriculum, attendance policies, grading policies, resources, rotations, extracurriculars, research opportunities, etc but you need to say "I know that you offer x, y, z and that makes your school attractive to me based on my experience/interest with __." For example, PBL is a love it or hate it thing. Many schools offer it; some don't. Figure out if its for you and apply accordingly.

 

[ndafife]

I'd could be wrong but I find "I chose to look up 'School X'" to be a bit too straightforward. They know you looked them up already. You could replace those words with something more substantial.

Obviously, I jotted something down quickly in a forum on my cell phone. But for everyone, this is probably better: My interest in "School X" stems from the fact that my parents attended the school.

 

[alison92]

Thank you everyone! Really helpful responses.