The Additional Information Section on Secondaries

[anotherpremed]

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So on a few of my secondaries it has a place for "additional information" without any guidlines other than character length. People who applied last year- did you answer these? What in the world did you write about?

 

[LifetimeDoc]

This was asked yesterday. I didn't write anything. If you have something to add, like reasons why you got that F in Organic one year due to illness or that you forgot to add something, you can add it there. It's totally optional.

 

[anotherpremed]

That's kinda what I thought. But then I've been told that there are NO optional essays...

 

[TheRealMD]

That's kinda what I thought. But then I've been told that there are NO optional essays...

The only essay that's really not optional (even if it says it IS) is the "how will you add diversity to our medical school"-type essay. You NEED to write that one. I don't care if you're black, white, latino, indian, asian, rich, poor, middle-class, disadvantanged or whatever, it needs to be written. Since a personal statement is often chock-full of "why i want to be a doctor" anecdotes, the "diversity" essay really shows them "why i am different from everyone else". Don't rob yourself of that opportunity. It's a worthwhile essay to write.

On the other hand, all other secondaries can %*# #*%@ %(#*.

 

[just a girl]

That's why I don't get Baylor's -- what does it want from us?!

Indicate any special experiences, unusual factors or other information you feel would be helpful in evaluating you,
including, but not limited to, education, employment, extracurricular activities, prevailing over adversity.
You may expand upon but not repeat AMCAS application information.
2000 character limit.

 

[anotherpremed]

I've heard (from an advisor) that all texas schools REALLY want them. and 2000 characters seems like you should-

i still dont know if it says 200 words that i should or not

 

[DoctaJay]

So on a few of my secondaries it has a place for "additional information" without any guidlines other than character length. People who applied last year- did you answer these? What in the world did you write about?

If I answered all of their questions, and if they supposedly read my AMCAS app, I never gave them anything extra. It would be sophisticated BS anyway. There was no use in wasting my energy.

 

[TheRealMD]

That's why I don't get Baylor's -- what does it want from us?!

Indicate any special experiences, unusual factors or other information you feel would be helpful in evaluating you,
including, but not limited to, education, employment, extracurricular activities, prevailing over adversity.
You may expand upon but not repeat AMCAS application information.
2000 character limit.

Lol, only you can answer that question.

 

[deleted77919]

I didn't do any of the optional "if there's something else you want us to know, please tell us essays." In my opinion unless you have something vital to add, they don't really want to have to read another essay.

This definitely did not hurt me in the application process.

 

[anotherpremed]

any other advice?

 

[Bluesmurf314]

So, even if it's the only essay in the application, and it's the optional "Is there anything more you have to tell us about overcoming adversity" question, it's OK to not write it if you really don't have something to say?

 

[deleted77919]

So, even if it's the only essay in the application, and it's the optional "Is there anything more you have to tell us about overcoming adversity" question, it's OK to not write it if you really don't have something to say?

I think so. I think WashU had something like that. I didn't write anything and interviewed there (got waitlisted and withdrew). I had a friend not write anything and get in. But if you actually have something to say, by all means say it. But nothing is better than utter BS in my opinion.