writing assignment at interview

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gracietiger

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I know this is premature, but I am wondering about the writing assignments some schools do during the interviews (namely, UCSF).
Let's say a person has really great stats, but is a terrible writer. And not in the way that this person is just hard on himself, but actually is just a horrible writer.
How much will that writing assignment kill this person, assuming an interview?
Also, how much does this person let others edit his Personal Statement, with it possibly ending up sounding differently than how he would ordinarily have written it? This person's concern is that without much editing and input from other people, he would be rejected after the admissions committee read the first sentence. But he is also concerned that they would realize how heavily edited it has been upon reading the writing assignment during an interview.
Sorry this is vague, I am writing on behalf of a friend. He truly will be very competitive with his stats and experiences, but the writing, not good. I believe he even has a writing disability, but it is that bad. Could this one factor be worthy of a rejection?

Thoughts?
 
Not much writing ability is required when dealing with dogs/cats, but the writing requirement is a way of testing whether the ps was indeed personal or it had a list of contributors.
 
doc toothache said:
Not much writing ability is required when dealing with dogs/cats, but the writing requirement is a way of testing whether the ps was indeed personal or it had a list of contributors.
Click to expand...
Why do you have to put in these jabs? Veterinary medicine is a great profession (just like dentistry). Oh wait, none of us are (or going to be) "real" doctors anyway....

Seriously, can you just be positive to people on here for once? Say what you want to say without the sarcasm please! It's not constructive.
 
SeattleRDH said:
Why do you have to put in these jabs? Veterinary medicine is a great profession (just like dentistry). Oh wait, none of us are (or going to be) "real" doctors anyway....
Seriously, can you just be positive to people on here for once? Say what you want to say without the sarcasm please! It's not constructive.
Click to expand...

"Real" doctors happen to be a figment of one's imagination. And "seriously", it would seem like the "friend" whose writing ability is in the challenged category may not be able to write a scholarly essay but should be able to at least compose a post without assistance.
 
doc toothache said:
"Real" doctors happen to be a figment of one's imagination. And "seriously", it would seem like the "friend" whose writing ability is in the challenged category may not be able to write a scholarly essay but should be able to at least compose a post without assistance.
Click to expand...


Man you've gotten increasingly salty towards posters in the last 6 months!
 
Jabs are fine. I can understand that it may seem strange that I am posting for a friend, but posting about oneself on a public forum isn't for everyone. This is a totally legit question, and a very reasonable one I believe. If anyone could offer any insight regarding this concern, it would be hugely appreciated.
 
doc toothache said:
Consider it a contribution to the daily sodium chloride requirement of ~2000mg.
Click to expand...

Well I'm trying to cut back because of high blood pressure, sooo maybe bring your saltiness down to a more respectable level of ~1600mg/day. Just an idea to kick around...
 
sfrice80 said:
Well I'm trying to cut back because of high blood pressure, sooo maybe bring your saltiness down to a more respectable level of ~1600mg/day. Just an idea to kick around...
Click to expand...

Actually a more "respectable" level would be 250-500. The 1600 or the 2000 would be ok for those using the more adulterated product.
 
doc toothache said:
Actually a more "respectable" level would be 250-500. The 1600 or the 2000 would be ok for those using the more adulterated product.
Click to expand...


hahaha......well hey even better, So we should see a huge reduction in your saltiness level on the forum, right? I'll be watching!
 
sfrice80 said:
hahaha......well hey even better, So we should see a huge reduction in your saltiness level on the forum, right? I'll be watching!
Click to expand...

You seem to be confusing what you perceive as "saltiness on the forum" with the recommended intake of sodium chloride.
 
doc toothache said:
You seem to be confusing what you perceive as "saltiness on the forum" with the recommended intake of sodium chloride.
Click to expand...

You must be missing my analogy of your saltiness on the forum to your response about sodium chloride intake.
 
where is this thread going hahaha? seriously tho, about the writing portion during interviews, which schools do that and what kind of questions do they ask? no jabs plz haha
 
minoh87 said:
where is this thread going hahaha? seriously tho, about the writing portion during interviews, which schools do that and what kind of questions do they ask? no jabs plz haha
Click to expand...

USC has a writing portion at their interview, its a random question to each person and you're expected to write a paragraph or two response. Mine was explain a job that you have had in the past.
 
gracietiger said:
I know this is premature, but I am wondering about the writing assignments some schools do during the interviews (namely, UCSF).
Let's say a person has really great stats, but is a terrible writer. And not in the way that this person is just hard on himself, but actually is just a horrible writer.
How much will that writing assignment kill this person, assuming an interview?
Also, how much does this person let others edit his Personal Statement, with it possibly ending up sounding differently than how he would ordinarily have written it? This person's concern is that without much editing and input from other people, he would be rejected after the admissions committee read the first sentence. But he is also concerned that they would realize how heavily edited it has been upon reading the writing assignment during an interview.
Sorry this is vague, I am writing on behalf of a friend. He truly will be very competitive with his stats and experiences, but the writing, not good. I believe he even has a writing disability, but it is that bad. Could this one factor be worthy of a rejection?

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Any professional vocation has standards, and for most health professions, this includes the ability to communicate effectively to your patients, colleagues, staff, and other associates. Written language is an important aspect of one's ability to communicate, so writing at a professional level is certainly a concern of many schools. I recently had to sign a technical standards form in which I had to affirm "sufficient facility with English" in oral and written modes.

I'm sure schools that have a separate live writing assignment are acutely aware of the fact that one's personal statement does not necessarily exemplify one's true writing ability. Your friend could take some professional writing course to help with his writing skills. Is he dyslexic? Claim to disability might help his cause.
 
minoh87 said:
So, are these mini essays timed?
Click to expand...

I think technically you are at USC, I think you are given 15 minutes to write it but most people get done within 10 minutes or so and if you go over I'm sure it's not a big deal. It's pretty informal.
 
gracietiger said:
Jabs are fine. I can understand that it may seem strange that I am posting for a friend, but posting about oneself on a public forum isn't for everyone. This is a totally legit question, and a very reasonable one I believe. If anyone could offer any insight regarding this concern, it would be hugely appreciated.
Click to expand...

So posting anonymously in this forum is not for him/her. Then your friend should really think about doing dentistry at all. As a dentist you have to be very communicative with your patients, staffs, etc., sometimes while you are working.

Personal statement is not fun and easy. IT IS SUPER HARD. I have 14 drafts some with a,b,c versions. Took me good 2 months and lots of visits to writing center and friend's harassment! At the end it is all my OWN work and words, they just helped me develop my ideas, cut the craps, etc...So maybe your friend is abusing you to want you to write the whole thing for hem/her.
 
Thanks, UCB. Fortunately, my friend's oral communication is a vast difference from his written communication.
I am just wondering if anyone has any idea of how much weight is placed on the written portion of the interview?
My friend attended one of the top ranked universities and is scoring 23-25's on his practice DATs (which he hasn't officially taken yet). He has very interesting life, travel and work experiences and should be very competitive.
It is interesting you mention disability. I wonder if you were being sarcastic? I believe my friend has a writing-specific learning disability (which do actually exist before people start on that statement). Is it suggested to bring something like that up during an interview? Or is that a nail in the coffin?
 
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