What goes into an II

[salemstein]

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Hey guys, I was wondering if any of you knew what materials on your application do med schools first look at to determine if a candidate gets an interview or not. Do they look at secondary essays to determine if someone gets an II? How about your LoRs?

 

[bcemslayer]

I would say that schools put a lot of weight on reading your secondary essays.

 

[doctorleospaceman]

They look at everything. There's a reason all of that is included in your application.

 

[themanthemyththelegend]

I think they look at the headshot you send in with your primary application

 

[The Knife & Gun Club]

It depends on how they evaluate candidates, but I think almost every med school will have had someone read your secondary essays before your granted an II. Most med schools will be evaluating you on multiple factors before granting an II as well, there's not one universal rate limiting attribute.

 

[saveourpens]

At my school, it seemed to be about getting a high MCAT score and then sprinkling some nice ECs on top of it.

 

[partypantss]

There is no one right answer to this question.. It will vary dramatically school to school. Some put a lot of weight on secondary essays, others don't even have secondary essays.. Some might be more concerned with stats at the beginning and then try to get a feel for your "character" more so after the interview based on how it went and the things you wrote throughout the app. Others might try and get people who fit their mission and have the right "character" initially, and then later use stats to cut through the pack. It's too variable to answer, the med schools are all different.

 

[Hospitalized]

Well, since you asked...

1.) They read the 5th line of your 3rd AMCAS activity only. If there's a typo, you get screened out;
2.) They read the first sentence of the last paragraph of your PS. If the word "medicine" is not there, you go in the trash. Obviously your statement was way too off topic;
3.) They read only the letterheads of your LORs. If there is anyone without the title of Dr., you're gone. Content doesn't matter, it's all about titles;
4.) They read ONLY the response to their second secondary essay. Make this one the best, half ass all the others since they get glossed over;
5.) If a member of the admission committee physically raises their eyebrows at your MCAT/GPA combination, you go in the trash. Numbers don't matter, it's all about first impressions. Anything extreme in this category is detrimental;
6.) If you have an IA, automatic II. Medical schools love, love, LOVE baddies;
7.) If you were in a fraternity/sorority and mention the word "hazing" as a way you learned teamwork and sacrifice, automatic II;
8.) Finally, if you mention blue broccoli, a lady in a suit pondering the meaning of life (your life) at a desk, or a suspicious black cat, you can expect a II.

Sure up all of these things and you'll be good.

 

[gyngyn]

Well, since you asked...

1.) They read the 5th line of your 3rd AMCAS activity only. If there's a typo, you get screened out;
2.) They read the first sentence of the last paragraph of your PS. If the word "medicine" is not there, you go in the trash. Obviously your statement was way too off topic;
3.) They read only the letterheads of your LORs. If there is anyone without the title of Dr., you're gone. Content doesn't matter, it's all about titles;
4.) They read ONLY the response to their second secondary essay. Make this one the best, half ass all the others since they get glossed over;
5.) If a member of the admission committee physically raises their eyebrows at your MCAT/GPA combination, you go in the trash. Numbers don't matter, it's all about first impressions. Anything extreme in this category is detrimental;
6.) If you have an IA, automatic II. Medical schools love, love, LOVE baddies;
7.) If you were in a fraternity/sorority and mention the word "hazing" as a way you learned teamwork and sacrifice, automatic II;
8.) Finally, if you mention blue broccoli, a lady in a suit pondering the meaning of life (your life) at a desk, or a suspicious black cat, you can expect a II.

Sure up all of these things and you'll be good.

It's blue cauliflower, Mister.

 

[Lawpy]

8.) Finally, if you mention blue broccoli, a lady in a suit pondering the meaning of life (your life) at a desk, or a suspicious black cat, you can expect a II.

It's blue cauliflower, Mister.

Regardless, just serve this before or after the interview

but probably not this

😛 😛

 

[Avicenna]

It's blue cauliflower, Mister.

I always wondered what thatwas

 

[Hospitalized]

I always wondered what thatwas

Careful, guess wrong and it's an auto-reject. 😉