Using the additional Info prompt as a "why us" essay?

[www1223]

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I saw some comments advising against this, but wondering if anyone has also done this. Specifically curious about schools that do not have a designated "why us" secondary, should we use the additional info to answer why us?

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Mr. Macrophage]

I saw some comments advising against this, but wondering if anyone has also done this. Specifically curious about schools that do not have a designated "why us" secondary, should we use the additional info to answer why us?

Any advice is appreciated.

Edit: see LizzyM’s response below, she knows what she’s talking about!

 

[LizzyM]

Why wouldn’t you?

As long as you’re mentioning specifics of the program that you’re interested in, I don’t see how it could hurt you.

If you are going to waste the reader's time with a "why I love you" message that is all about why the school is so great, rather than something about the applicant that is not otherwise described in the application, I'd be pissed at the applicant for wasting my time reading their love letter to my school.

 

[Mr. Macrophage]

If you are going to waste the reader's time with a "why I love you" message that is all about why the school is so great, rather than something about the applicant that is not otherwise described in the application, I'd be pissed at the applicant for wasting my time reading their love letter to my school.

So "Why Us" essays are not useful in prompts like "2. Is there anything else you would like to share with the Committee on Admissions? (optional)"?

Obviously a "You're amazing!" essay is not worthwhile, but I imagined an essay describing the specific programs you'd take advantage of, etc. would have been worth writing about.

I didn't realize it was just annoying for the readers.

 

[LizzyM]

Personally, I think that it is better to share things about yourself that don't otherwise appear in the application and that might be of interest to the adcom. I could go out on a limb and say, perhaps, that although I didn't have an opportunity to go abroad during my undergrad career, I am looking forward to such an opportunity in medical school and was pleased to learn of XYZ School of Medicine's global health program with opportunities to study and serve in [country #1] and [country #2}. I had a college roommate from country #1 and visited country #2 as a high school student and these countries, in particular interest me for those personal reasons.

That is really telling the reader about the applicant and is better than, "I'm impressed with XYZ School of Medicine's global health program and the opportunity for medical students to [cut an paste here from med school website}. " I see this far too often.

 

[Mr. Macrophage]

Personally, I think that it is better to share things about yourself that don't otherwise appear in the application and that might be of interest to the adcom. I could go out on a limb and say, perhaps, that although I didn't have an opportunity to go abroad during my undergrad career, I am looking forward to such an opportunity in medical school and was pleased to learn of XYZ School of Medicine's global health program with opportunities to study and serve in [country #1] and [country #2}. I had a college roommate from country #1 and visited country #2 as a high school student and these countries, in particular interest me for those personal reasons.

That is really telling the reader about the applicant and is better than, "I'm impressed with XYZ School of Medicine's global health program and the opportunity for medical students to [cut an paste here from med school website}. " I see this far too often.

Thank you for the example!

It’s so hard to know what schools want from the outside, so I really appreciate your advice as an insider.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

As @Goro likes to point out, "What's cool about you?" That's the simplest answer.

I agree with @LizzyM that such essays tend to oversell themselves to the school. Now that you have more opportunities with OIE to discuss anything else you want our school to know about you, think carefully about what you want THIS program to know.

I have seen such essays be used to emphasize your ties, mission fit, or geographic connections. If you are geographically constrained due to family interests, this would be an appropriate space (since you probably couldn't broadcast to "all" the schools). If you didn't already mention it, you could say how you participated in a middle/high school pipeline program at that school, benefitted from summer enrichment programs, met some faculty at your science fair competition, etc. You have already been part of their community, and you look forward to more opportunities as a student. Again, make sure you haven't already pushed this in other parts of your application, and don't sound desperate. Just my opinion on this.

Again, networking before applying is important to gain confidence if you want to answer this prompt (or be more confident to keep it blank).