The "What else should we know..." essay

[nyct]

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I'm not sure how to go about attacking these. Should they be like a second personal statement that discusses additional activities not in the AMCAS statement? or is it acceptable to talk about deficencies in the application that you think might need explaining?

 

[LifetimeDoc]

Many of these types of essays are optional, and even the schools say this is so. Unless you have something really important to say, just leave it blank. IMHO

 

[nyct]

Many of these types of essays are optional, and even the schools say this is so. Unless you have something really important to say, just leave it blank. IMHO

yeah, out of the apps I'm looking over now, one is optional, and one doesn't seem to be (Dartmouth)

I've read in some of the interviews with adcoms that they would like explanations for grade deficiencies, etc... I'm wondering if it would be in my best interest to fill them out anyways if that is the case, b/c I do have some spots in my app that could turn off schools and I feel that I could explain them if given the opportunity.

 

[TheRealMD]

yeah, out of the apps I'm looking over now, one is optional, and one doesn't seem to be (Dartmouth)

I've read in some of the interviews with adcoms that they would like explanations for grade deficiencies, etc... I'm wondering if it would be in my best interest to fill them out anyways if that is the case, b/c I do have some spots in my app that could turn off schools and I feel that I could explain them if given the opportunity.

Be sure to recognize what counts as a legitimate grade deficiency. One semester isn't really that bad when you remember that they group by year (so a 3.3 with a 4.0 looks like a 3.65 and isn't really that bad).

Only mention it if you have a good reason for it. No point in doing their job for you and weeding yourself out! 😀

 

[Kfire326]

If its BUs application your asking about, they told me last year that most people leave it blank... If you're uncomfortable with that, you could always write that you're actually willing to pay $42,000 per year for tuition alone to attend their school 🙂 Oh, and a photocopy of your last bank statement, of course...

 

[shantster]

I used it as a way to update the schools on any new activities, awards, etc., that happened after I submitted the AMCAS.