tmdsas "optional" essays

[sw3b]

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I've heard anything from, "don't write the optional essays unless you have some truly unique life experiences" to "both essays are required." Can anyone comment on this issue?

 

[cornpops21]

I've heard anything from, "don't write the optional essays unless you have some truly unique life experiences" to "both essays are required." Can anyone comment on this issue?

They are totally and completely optional, but strongly recommended. If you don't do them, they won't adversely affect you. But if you write good essays, it could help distinguish you from other applicants.

 

[longhorn09]

They are really optional. It's better to leave it blank than BS on it if you son't really have things to say. I've left one of the two optional assays blank.

 

[clifftacopter]

I wrote one of them. I attempted to write the second, but I couldn't really come up with anything too meaningful, so I ended up leaving it blank.

 

[codswallop]

Did anyone else leave both of them blank?

 

[longhorn09]

Did anyone else leave both of them blank?

Just do what you like to do.

 

[codswallop]

Just do what you like to do.

I already turned the app in without the two optional essays. I was just curious to see if anyone else did the same, because it seems like everyone here did at least one of them.

 

[longhorn09]

I already turned the app in without the two optional essays. I was just curious to see if anyone else did the same, because it seems like everyone here did at least one of them.

I guess if you are Texan, they will at least invite you to their interviews no matter what, right? And the whole point of the essays is to get yourselves the interview spot, so I think you should be okay.👍

 

[STXGregor]

I guess if you are Texan, they will at least invite you to their interviews no matter what, right? And the whole point of the essays is to get yourselves the interview spot, so I think you should be okay.👍

(If you meant that first part in jest, please ignore this)

No, being a Texan in no way insures you an interview spot to Texas schools. I was interviewed/accepted to 3 Texas schools out of 8, so I got no love from 5 schools. Granted there are others with a much higher GPA than I, but same thing, you're definitely not guaranteed an interview to the Texas schools.

Anyway, about the essays, they are completely optional, and if you felt like you had nothing meaningful and worth the time to write, then you made the right choice in not writing anything. These admins read more essays than I ever hope to see, so I think they're probably somewhat greatful that you didn't bs a couple of essays just for the sake of filling up space. Bottom line, don't worry about it.

 

[DamienPro]

(If you meant that first part in jest, please ignore this)

No, being a Texan in no way insures you an interview spot to Texas schools. I was interviewed/accepted to 3 Texas schools out of 8, so I got no love from 5 schools. Granted there are others with a much higher GPA than I, but same thing, you're definitely not guaranteed an interview to the Texas schools.

Anyway, about the essays, they are completely optional, and if you felt like you had nothing meaningful and worth the time to write, then you made the right choice in not writing anything. These admins read more essays than I ever hope to see, so I think they're probably somewhat greatful that you didn't bs a couple of essays just for the sake of filling up space. Bottom line, don't worry about it.

Wow, with such a low population ratio to the number of medical schools in Texas, it's certainly worth to be a Texan to boost the chance of getting at least a spot there.