Use same secondary essay for multiple schools?

[SN2ed]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Several of the schools I'm applying to ask the same basic question: "How will you contribute to the diversity of your medical school class and the University X?" It seems like you could use a basic essay with maybe small tweaks. What's the general opinion on using the same secondary essay for multiple applications?

 

[ChubbyChaser]

I have used some of the same essays multiple times. If it answers the question and makes your job easier, why not?

 

[NoMoreAMCAS]

Hell yes. I know someone that used the same essays about 20 times, and she had no problem being accepted at a few schools.

I'll be doing the same this year. I'm way too lazy to write all new essays for each school.

 

[Mobius1985]

Be sure that if you mention a school by name, that you've changed the name for each essay. Last year someone posted that he had failed to remove the name of another school in their essay. The school didn't take it well. Don't be that guy. But do save time by using the same modifiable essays, if apropos.

 

[Kaydubz]

Be sure that if you mention a school by name, that you've changed the name for each essay. Last year someone posted that he had failed to remove the name of another school in their essay. The school didn't take it well. Don't be that guy. But do save time by using the same modifiable essays, if apropos.

Epic fail

 

[LizzyM]

Be sure that if you mention a school by name, that you've changed the name for each essay. Last year someone posted that he had failed to remove the name of another school in their essay. The school didn't take it well. Don't be that guy. But do save time by using the same modifiable essays, if apropos.

I got one of those last year. It was an easy out. (I'm watching baseball).

 

[itsover26]

I got one of those last year. It was an easy out. (I'm watching baseball).

you rejected him/her because of that? come on, give them a break! they are obviously applying to more than just your school!

 

[skijumpbump]

Be sure that if you mention a school by name, that you've changed the name for each essay. Last year someone posted that he had failed to remove the name of another school in their essay. The school didn't take it well. Don't be that guy. But do save time by using the same modifiable essays, if apropos.

Yeah that is like saying another girls name in bed.

 

[LizzyM]

Yeah that is like saying another girls name in bed.

Using another school's name in a secondary shows that the applicant is
1) applying to other schools (well of course)
2) cutting corners
3) poor eye for details
4) poor proof-reader


I can only recommend 1 in 4 applicants as suitable for interview. Do I really want one who cuts corners & doesn't check his/her work when I can have one who is more capable? It is cold, cruel world out there.

 

[mbe36]

I remember my high school using a program that downloaded our essays to check for plagerism. Do the med school's use a similar system to see what you told other schools?

I wonder because a couple paragraphs in one of my secondary essays is similar to that of another secondary I wrote. I am not copy-pasting. It is just that these 2 schools offer similar coursework and I have a specific reason for liking this approach.

Wow....I sound paranoid, but just want to make sure.

 

[chad5871]

I remember my high school using a program that downloaded our essays to check for plagerism. Do the med school's use a similar system to see what you told other schools?

I wonder because a couple paragraphs in one of my secondary essays is similar to that of another secondary I wrote. I am not copy-pasting. It is just that these 2 schools offer similar coursework and I have a specific reason for liking this approach.

Wow....I sound paranoid, but just want to make sure.

I highly doubt it. And I really hope not since I basically copy-pasted my entire "diversity" essay for about 10 schools.

 

[Vania]

Does anyone else hate the diversity essay? I mean, really, can't the med schools see I'm diverse from my ugrad major, AMCAS experiences, and AMCAS personal statement? It just seems like a really redundant question when I could be telling them something else more valuable. Just curious, but did you guys mention a variety of experiences and facets of your background for that question, or did you just focus on one that truly distinguishes you?