Why (insert med school name here)?

[D and D]

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Hi all-

In the secondary essays - Why do you want to attend our medical school?

is it ok to name-drop? I'm not talking about famous people or anything, but if we've been to conferences and met professors from the med school, is it ok the mention their names, or should we just say Professor X? These are professors that really represent the school and their program well and honestly do make you want to apply, not just random MDs or PhDs. Thanks in advance!

 

[NeuroChaos]

Name dropping, one adcom told me, does work! I was very surprised to hear that too! If you want to bring in a specific person make sure that you do not make that person the center of your essay. You should be able to name at least one rational reason why that person got you interseted in this school. Do not do:: Dr. Jim Crow's compassion and humility purusaded me that HMS is the only place that will train me to be like him.

 

[student1799]

Personally, I prefer this all-purpose fill-in-the-blanks secondary, which was posted on SDN last year:

Use this template for writing your secondary essay. Simply print it out and circle the parts that apply to you.

I want to go to (Columbia/Stanford/Emory/Vanderbilt) because of the amazing (teaching ability/research opportunities/student culture) fits so well with my life’s goals. I first became interested in this university when I saw it (clone a dog on national news/create a cure for restless leg syndrome/win the 1992 lacrosse national championship). Ever since then, I’ve been eagerly awaiting the day that I could go to medical school here. After looking through the faculty profiles, I’m interested in working with (Dr. Wu/Dr. Han/Dr. Lee/Coach Zeke) in the field of (particulate biochemistry/cardiovascular physiology/bioethics/building homes for the uninsured). I understand that this school has a strong (psychiatry department/trauma surgery program/women’s basketball team) that I was hoping I can get involved with early in my first semester. While I don’t know which specialty I want to go into, I am sure that (insert same name as above) could prepare me for whatever lies ahead.

Also, I must confess that I have family in (California/Arkansas/Wyoming/Washington, DC) and wish to be with my (aunt/uncle/second cousin) who is suffering from (Parkinson’s disease/irritable bowel syndrome/peanut allergies). He/she has had a great influence on my life and has taught me that I can do anything so long as I put my mind to it. For example, when I was growing up we used to go (fishing/knitting/clogging/building model rockets). Now, I wish to be by his/her bedside during his/her time of need.

Do not think that my decision to apply to this school is based on a whim. I diligently read every issue of (Nature/the New York Times/Wired magazine) looking for the next great article published by (insert name of school) faculty. I know that you can train me to be the doctor I’ve always wanted to be.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Hi all-

In the secondary essays - Why do you want to attend our medical school?

is it ok to name-drop? I'm not talking about famous people or anything, but if we've been to conferences and met professors from the med school, is it ok the mention their names, or should we just say Professor X? These are professors that really represent the school and their program well and honestly do make you want to apply, not just random MDs or PhDs. Thanks in advance!

I agree, name dropping should be considered. However, only do so if you are prepared for them to ask the professor that you met if they remember you and what they thought about you. Meaning, if you spilt you drink all over their favorite tie, call them professor x 😀

 

[witness23]

hahaha @ coach zeke

 

[LSU Gladiator]

What about dropping the names of people who have written articles that you consider interesting or motivational?

What about researchers whose work you find interesting for regular research projects or dual degree research?

 

[hewmanoid]

D and D,

I believe, in your case, name dropping can be used to your advantage. But, make sure to clearly state on your secondary essay that your encounter with Professor X from Y Med School is not a primary motivation for applying to that particular school. The majority of "Why Do I want to go here?" esssay should focus on concrete facts like specific/unique aspects of the school curriculum, location...or things that matter to you a lot when it comes to med education. You just have to maintain the right balance.

 

[nick_carraway]

I was always skeptical that it worked but did it anyway. This past year, my friend got accepted to Stanford law but was rejected from everywhere else. The only school he name dropped at was Stanford and got a LOR from the guy too.

Now I'm finding a way to jam a name into my secondary even in spite of character limits.

As for that template from deuist, it's so ridiculously similar to my secondary responses. I think I should start toning it down a bit 🙂