Writing controversial material on secondaries?

[yws22]

Hi everyone. I'm currently finishing my secondaries and wanted to get advice on my strategies for writing. Just to give a brief explanation of my stats, I am ORM, and my stats are all in the 10~25th percentile for the schools that I am applying to.

I wrote two versions for most questions. The first version is what a typical pre-med student would write on his/her application. The other would be somewhat challenging and controversial. For example, for the question "what would you least like being a doctor?", the first version would be "work/life balance, patients not complying to the treatment regimen etc." The other version would be talking about the current Healthcare system, or private equities taking over smaller practices etc. It's definitely controversial topics to talk of.

I have two people reviewing my secondaries (one physician and one pharmacist) and they all recommend being more audacious and going with the second versions (controversial, gusty) because my stats are low and I need to take risks to catch the eyes of the admissions committee. I was wondering of SDN's opinion on this!

@Goro @Faha @LizzyM

Your outputs are appreciated!

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[Princeton Medical Student]

As long as you aren’t on the side of Northwell-Ascension-NewYork-Presbyterian-Trinity-RWJBarnabas Health Services the topic doesn’t seem all too controversial to me.

 

[gyngyn]

We don't call it patient "compliance" anymore.

 

[Goro]

Hi everyone. I'm currently finishing my secondaries and wanted to get advice on my strategies for writing. Just to give a brief explanation of my stats, I am ORM, and my stats are all in the 10~25th percentile for the schools that I am applying to.

I wrote two versions for most questions. The first version is what a typical pre-med student would write on his/her application. The other would be somewhat challenging and controversial. For example, for the question "what would you least like being a doctor?", the first version would be "work/life balance, patients not complying to the treatment regimen etc." The other version would be talking about the current Healthcare system, or private equities taking over smaller practices etc. It's definitely controversial topics to talk of.

I have two people reviewing my secondaries (one physician and one pharmacist) and they all recommend being more audacious and going with the second versions (controversial, gusty) because my stats are low and I need to take risks to catch the eyes of the admissions committee. I was wondering of SDN's opinion on this!

@Goro @Faha @LizzyM

Your outputs are appreciated!

What you've posted isn't controversial because it's true.

 

[yws22]

As long as you aren’t on the side of Northwell-Ascension-NewYork-Presbyterian-Trinity-RWJBarnabas Health Services the topic doesn’t seem all too controversial to me.

Oh wow. I searched up on those topics and hmm interesting for sure

 

[yws22]

We don't call it patient "compliance" anymore.

Oh does the medical field use a different term nowadays? Would you mind telling me what word or concept is being used instead?

 

[yws22]

What you've posted isn't controversial because it's true.

Oh, I thought maybe adcoms might have a different point of view on these issues, and thus might be controversial to write about. But I guess in your opinion, talking of health systems and ongoing health-related issues are okay to write about and not controversial?

 

[Goro]

Oh, I thought maybe adcoms might have a different point of view on these issues, and thus might be controversial to write about. But I guess in your opinion, talking of health systems and ongoing health-related issues are okay to write about and not controversial?

I think that it's OK

 

[xffan624]

Oh does the medical field use a different term nowadays? Would you mind telling me what word or concept is being used instead?

Adherence is the one I've heard, but also a strong emphasis on understanding/addressing the reasons rather than just assuming it's because they don't feel like it.

 

[Goro]

We don't call it patient "compliance" anymore.

What is it called now???

 

[gyngyn]

Oh does the medical field use a different term nowadays? Would you mind telling me what word or concept is being used instead?

What is it called now???

Patient success or patient success with treatment/recommendations.

 

[Current-big-pharma-shill]

Patient success or patient success with treatment/recommendations.

~~~Wouldn’t “patient success” make a statement on the efficacy of treatment rather than the adherence to said treatment?~~~

Was my initial response all typed out before looking it up to have a more informed opinion on the matter. This terminology is new to me but I guess it makes sense given the context.

For anyone else initially hesitant to take the term seriously, this gives a good overview of the obsolescence of “compliance” and “adherence”.

Redirect Notice

www.google.com

 

[gyngyn]

~~~Wouldn’t “patient success” make a statement on the efficacy of treatment rather than the adherence to said treatment?~~~

It will depend on the context.
Almost anything is better than compliance.

 

[LizzyM]

Be audacious. It makes life more interesting and shows us that you are willing to think creatively and have gone beyond the usual platitudes.

 

[Blueprint Med School]

They're not controversial issues if you write them correctly. Talk about how problems with the healthcare system harm patients and how might it be improved, but:

1) absolutely avoid pointing fingers. This is not the time to name and shame, we all know insurance companies do some shady ish, nows not the time to get up on the soapbox.

2) avoid buzzwords. Generally, using buzzwords meant for the general audience shows you have a superficial knowledge of the topic, when you should be showing that you are thoughtful and knowledgeable. Buzzwords also tend to be highly polarized. E.g. Use the Affordable Care Act, not Obamacare in your writings.


David D MD - USMLE and MCAT Tutor
Med School Tutors

Hi everyone. I'm currently finishing my secondaries and wanted to get advice on my strategies for writing. Just to give a brief explanation of my stats, I am ORM, and my stats are all in the 10~25th percentile for the schools that I am applying to.

I wrote two versions for most questions. The first version is what a typical pre-med student would write on his/her application. The other would be somewhat challenging and controversial. For example, for the question "what would you least like being a doctor?", the first version would be "work/life balance, patients not complying to the treatment regimen etc." The other version would be talking about the current Healthcare system, or private equities taking over smaller practices etc. It's definitely controversial topics to talk of.

I have two people reviewing my secondaries (one physician and one pharmacist) and they all recommend being more audacious and going with the second versions (controversial, gusty) because my stats are low and I need to take risks to catch the eyes of the admissions committee. I was wondering of SDN's opinion on this!

@Goro @Faha @LizzyM

Your outputs are appreciated!

 

[samsun]

As long as you aren’t on the side of Northwell-Ascension-NewYork-Presbyterian-Trinity-RWJBarnabas Health Services the topic doesn’t seem all too controversial to me.

Princeton doesn’t have a medical school

 

[LizzyM]

Princeton doesn’t have a medical school

That whooshing sound you hear is a joke going over your head. 😳

 

[deleted555445]

I wrote about something likely more controversial for my challenge essay. I'm still nervous because I haven't heard anything back from schools yet, but I think @LizzyM's point about audacity is real. There's always a chance you might get a reviewer who doesn't like you for some random reason, might as well find a way to pop off the page for the rest of them.

 

[LadyDustyBlue]

~~~Wouldn’t “patient success” make a statement on the efficacy of treatment rather than the adherence to said treatment?~~~

Was my initial response all typed out before looking it up to have a more informed opinion on the matter. This terminology is new to me but I guess it makes sense given the context.

For anyone else initially hesitant to take the term seriously, this gives a good overview of the obsolescence of “compliance” and “adherence”.

Redirect Notice

www.google.com

Definitely feels like it had to be changed for liability’s sake & it sounds friendlier than “patient compliance”.

“Compliance” reminds one of the legal consequences on both sides, whereas “success” sounds like both healthcare team (including the physician) share responsibility of how well a patient gets w/ the willing cooperation of so-and-so patient.

I can accept that term. Good to know!

Back to OP, just know that addressing real issues in the field (even what seems extreme) that worry you & being true to yourself is important. Practice that readily now, because you might also have to speak up for someone who can’t speak for themselves due to issues you might address.

So much doesn’t get done because people don’t speak up about what they take issue with. While it’s not a time to get on a soapbox (not the purpose of your application), it doesn’t hurt to be real. If anything, the COVID pandemic exposed plenty of broken things w/ healthcare, so it’s more than relevant & not as inappropriate as you may think.

 

[LadyDustyBlue]

Princeton doesn’t have a medical school

Awkward. Betting they meant they went to Princeton but currently is a medical student. *shrugs*

Could be wrong but I don’t think I am b/c I joined @Princeton Medical Student ’s pre-med discord at one point when it was their signature (idk if it still is, I’m on my phone when I’m on SDN) … and there were a bunch of folks in that community who talk about ivies, university stuff in general, & trying to do their best on the MCATs & med school apps. 😂

Just thought I’d say something.

 

[Current-big-pharma-shill]

idk if it still is, I’m on my phone when I’m on SDN

Tangential - go to landscape mode on your phone to see signatures

 

[Princeton Medical Student]

Awkward. Betting they meant they went to Princeton but currently is a medical student. *shrugs*

Could be wrong but I don’t think I am b/c I joined @Princeton Medical Student ’s pre-med discord at one point when it was their signature (idk if it still is, I’m on my phone when I’m on SDN) … and there were a bunch of folks in that community who talk about ivies, university stuff in general, & trying to do their best on the MCATs & med school apps. 😂

Just thought I’d say something.

Not a medical student yet! Nor did I go to PTon. I did get a hate PM about it once for "embarrassing" the school, which was pretty funny.

 

[LadyDustyBlue]

Oh geez, my mistake! But hey, I’ll keep that in mind.

And such is the internet, that’s weird you got a hate PM. 😅🤣