One of the most popular secondary questions asked by medical schools is “why our program?” Saying why you’re attracted to a particular school can be a hard thing to explain, especially when you’ve looked at so many programs that they’ve all begun to blur. I think that’s why I so often see the same answer:…
Why are Secondaries So Important?
Now that you’ve (hopefully) finished up your primary med school application, what’s next? Ideally, not stressing yourself out by reading the forums on SDN for the next six months… That way madness lies! Instead, how about conquering your anxiety by slicing through all the noise and misinformation about med school admissions – and getting a…
Prepare for Secondaries and Interviews
This post is the last in our series on applying to med school in the most efficient and timely manner. You’ve got six months to make this happen. Make sure you do it right by following the tips in Med School Action Plan: 6 Steps for the 6 Months Before You Apply. It can be…
How to Create Sizzling Secondary Applications
You’ve taken the MCAT, completed all the pre-reqs, and maybe shadowed a physician, done some research, and volunteered. Now it’s time to make sure you’re all in for the last legs of this long journey. In this series, we’ll discuss how you can continue to navigate your way to a med school acceptance by analyzing…
The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences Secondary Application Tips and Deadlines
UT College of Medicine and Life Sciences offers an education that emphasizes the importance of treating patients as individuals and incorporating the latest research available in their training. After the first year, students have the opportunity to participate in paid summer research positions. Students complete clerkships during their third and fourth years with the option…
University of Washington SOM Secondary Application Tips and Deadlines
Given UWSOM’s top ranking in primary care, they will be looking for applicants with a strong interest in patient education and community health. This secondary application will require that you provide an autobiographical essay and answer three to four short essay questions. In constructing your responses, focus on highlighting those life experiences that will demonstrate…
What You Need to Know About Writing Spectacular Secondary Essays!
Our recent webinar, Secondary Application Strategies for Essays That Score Interviews, was a huge success! If you missed it (or want to see it again), it’s available for viewing and download here. If you have any questions about your secondary applications, or would like to speak with one of our med school admissions experts, please…
Applying to Med School: How to Juggle Secondaries
First and foremost, congratulations on having pummeled through the past few years as a premed, beasting the MCAT, shadowing in hospitals, doing research, volunteering about a bagillion hours, and successfully submitting your primary application through AMCAS. You’ve come a long way, and I imagine you are anxiously awaiting that ominous “secondary application.” “Wait, I already applied to medical school and told…
What NOT to Write in Your Medical School Secondary Application Essays
Since the number of secondary applications that you receive can be overwhelming, you may be tempted to take a few shortcuts. Some shortcuts are warranted while others are just too risky to consider using. To ensure that you are one of the “lucky” few who receive a medical school interview, avoid the following egregious errors:…
The OPTIONAL Essay in Medical School Secondary Applications
Many medical schools include an “optional” essay in their secondary applications. Obviously, this “optional” essay is not required. The essay prompt sometimes emphasizes this point. Often, it will include the stipulation that you cannot include anything that was already mentioned in your primary application or other essays. Some schools even state that most applicants don’t…
How to Write Succinct Secondary Essays
As you start to work on your secondaries, one of the things that will become clearer and clearer is that you’re working within some VERY tight character limits! How can you build on the character-count-wizardry you got going during your primary app? We have some tips for you: 1. Identify what the question is asking,…
Harvard Medical School 2016 Secondary Application Essay Tips
HMS is looking for students who will help find new ways to approach patient care through diversity, research, and a dedication to service. In this secondary application, it will be important to include relevant leadership roles that you have held in which you were able to improve methods or outcomes. Highlight your experience working with…
Write Secondary Essays That Get You Accepted!
Our recent webinar on Writing Secondary Essays that Get You Accepted was a huge success! If you missed it (or want to see it again), it’s available for viewing and download here. If you have any questions about your secondary applications, browse the profiles our med school admissions experts and then drop us a note!
University Of Chicago Pritzker School Of Medicine 2016 Secondary Application Essay Tips
This medical school is looking for student leaders from diverse backgrounds who demonstrate a strong scientific foundation, thrive in team settings, and find solutions to complex issues. In this secondary application, I recommend focusing on what makes you a unique applicant – your love of science or learning and how you’ve pursued that interest, your…
UCSF Medical School 2016 Secondary Application Essay Tips
It is important to focus on your leadership roles and the diversity of your experiences and activities in this secondary application. UCSF accepts students with highly competitive GPA’s and MCAT scores so it would be to your advantage to explain any decreases or irregularities in your academic records or test scores, if you have not…
Boston University Medical School 2016 Secondary Application Essay Tips
BUSM’s MD Program offers students the opportunity to work with patients beginning in their first year of medical school. Students will receive their clinical training at the prestigious Boston Medical Center, which has the largest trauma center in the Northeast. Students also have the option of pursuing a Master’s Degree in Public Health. The secondary…
Successful Medical School Secondary Application Strategies
To stay on top of your secondary applications, use the following strategies to get organized and to help you write better essays. Taking the time to think about how you will approach your secondaries can give you the “big picture” perspective you need to do your best work. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, trying a new…
New Guide: School Specific Tips for Your Secondary Application Questions
Filling out your secondary apps for med school? I have one piece of advice here – MAKE SURE YOU ANSWER THE QUESTION. Oftentimes when applicants are writing their secondary essays, they’ll write what they really want to share with the adcom, even at the expense of not answering the question. This is a mistake! It…
What NOT to Write in Your Medical School Secondary Application Essays
Since the number of secondary applications that you receive can be overwhelming, you may be tempted to take a few shortcuts. Some shortcuts are warranted while others are just too risky to consider using. To ensure that you are one of the “lucky” few who receive a medical school interview, avoid the following egregious errors:…
3 Tips for Writing Successful Secondary Essays
If you sent your AMCAS application off promptly in June, you’re now working your way through secondary application essays. Here are some suggestions to help you with a task that looks harder than it is. First, recycle. You will find considerable repetition among the questions posed by your schools, so feel free to reuse essays in…
