Applicants fret over secondary essay responses

“Just a quick question. I answered the prompt designated with the title "Scholarship Essay," but saw another long leadership essay prompt box higher up. Do I need both? One or the other? I'm confused. Answered: "Scholarship Essay\ * The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? Not Answered: Tips to consider wh”

“Im going to start writing my essays soon, and I wanted to know if, given the prompt isn't "why this college" I should still include a small answer to that question, or if I should just answer the prompt and move on. submitted by /u/StaleChikenWings [link] [comments]”

“The second Georgetown prompt is: All Applicants: Briefly discuss the significance to you of the school or summer activity in which you have been most involved (250). I have other options, but my main EC is year round and outside of school, and is a community program that I run. Since it isn't a school thing and also isn't super high commitment during the summer, its 8 hr per week (4 during the year) as opposed to a 30 hr per week summer job/internship, and I was wondering if people thoug”

“I am a low GPA (3.3) applicant, and in my secondaries some schools required me to explain it, some didn’t — but even if they didn’t, I would always add that essay in the “anything else you want us to know?” section. I just realized that I forgot to add it to one of the schools I applied to that didn’t require it, but somehow I still got an interview invite. Has this happened to anyone else? Should I email it to the school’s admissions commitee so they can add it to my file? I know they’re going”

“I know that a lot of people advise you to write about something that hasn't been explain anywhere else in your application for your essay. I am wondering whether this advice follows through for the supplemental essays. I do know that when it comes down to it, it really doesn't matter what you write about so long as you hit all the important points. However, all advice is appreciated! Thank you guys submitted by /u/Green-Scientist1901 [link] [comments]”

“so my mentor told me to "describe my MCAT score on all the secondaries when applicable." however, i dont have an extenuating reason for my score, so idk if its actually good to use my essay. he has read it, so its not like he thinks i have a good reason for having a low score. but i guess im confused because online sources say to not draw any attention to a low score, but my mentor seems pretty adamant on using the essay whenever i can. for example, for a school like Western michigan M”

“Straightforward question: is this essay supposed to be more professional or narrative in tone? My reason is the lack of research alignment at my current school. I'm struggling to find examples geared towards transfer students online. Any resources would be helpful. submitted by /u/SquashTemporary802 [link] [comments]”

“Would mentioning needing joint replacements be okay in essays? Would it negatively impact how they view me? Will they think it will get in way of my performance? submitted by /u/Regular_Turnip4767 [link] [comments]”

“Would anyone be able to provide some tips on how to stay motivated to finish secondaries? Every time I sit down to write, I feel like I have to start over and that what I have written down isn't enough to make me seem like a competitive candidate. I end up procrastinating long after the recommended two week submission period is up. submitted by /u/Thuban55 [link] [comments]”

“Hi, i wrote my 350 word why major essay reflecting in detail about just 1 experience/extracurricular i’ve done. is this okay? or do colleges typically like to see more? Like it’s literally only about 1 experience i’ve had in 1 extracurricular and it’s not one of my TOP extracurricular on my list too. How many extracurriculars should you typically talk about in ur why major essay? submitted by /u/ConversationShot4626 [link] [comments]”

“I know your personal essay is supposed to be more personal and casual than formal but does that also apply for the supplementals? Stuff like why continue your education at [college] a successful college experience, something thats important to you etc submitted by /u/Apprehensive-Bag1403 [link] [comments]”

“How much am I supposed to talk about WashU in supplemental "What do you want to study at college and why?" --- since its language kinda just sounds like a why major essay. submitted by /u/Square-Research-6195 [link] [comments]”

“Ugh, I'm having some trouble deciding which essay I want to use for this one. I'm deciding between my academic struggles essay and my ethical dilemma essay Essay 1 revolves around my academic struggles in undergrad due to an ongoining family medical crisis, how I overcame that, and how it has shaped my approach to academics + life. Essay 2 revolves around an issue at my previous job in which the company was trying to run a program for development of a biosensor that had some really shady”

“One of the supplemental questions is “describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?” For context, if I am being honest my most difficult challenge was how I was raised by parents who divorced much later than they should have and because they were both suffering by staying together I took a major blow; I was abused for about three years on and off, which permanently affecte”

“Im not referring to the academic statement when you talk about your research, but rather when schools give you an extra short essay to talk about basically whatever you want. Like, you can seemingly use it as an addendum, as a personality essay, as a "time I failed/disagreed with someone/other common prompt" essay, etc. Is there something specifically that programs are looking for with this? Also, does anyone have any examples of this they could link to? submitted by /u/sym”

“There are some schools where the secondary asks you to talk about interacting with someone different than you. Like, I have a few conflict essays, but different is a strong word. For questions like this where they don't say different perspective and just say different, is it okay to talk about someone with a different perspective than you or like a debate with a family member or something? Also, for prompts with a different perspective, is it fine to talk a debate where the other person conc”

“just submitted my sk jefferson secondary and used/adapted 250 word (~1500 character) essays bc there was no character count and i thought that was normal just for me to submit and all of a sudden the box now says 4000 characters max😭😭should’ve researched online about last years character counts welp submitted by /u/Professional-Cap7140 [link] [comments]”

“one of my secondary apps has the question: "Describe an ethically challenging situation you have been in, and how you responded." how should i approach this? I have two situations i think i could mention but i dont want to come off as a snitch or sound like i knew better than the person i was working with (both scenarios are about my "preceptor" while i was an MA, he was a certified MA) 1st one is a lack of sterile proceedures. I know the sterile protocols for preparing and a”

Title. submitted by /u/Human-Soil-3648 [link] [comments]

“has anyone felt really bad about the secondary they submitted for a school and still gotten an interview? i feel this way for one school and it's driving me nuts i know i need to move on and the cycle is long and i cant do anything now im just looking for reassurance submitted by /u/Miserable-Shop-1628 [link] [comments]”

“I am on my last few secondaries and I have (somehow) managed to avoid all prompts that ask for a non-specific time you overcame a personal challenge. Now I finally have to write one. I'm not sure what to write. I've been lucky to not have faced major challenges in my life so far. Here are some possibilities: Chronic Migraines (functionally "cured" now): For 8 years I got migraines with aura that got progressively worse and more frequent over time, to the point where I would spe”

“I'm working on Brown's secondaries and the prompt " Reflect on a non-academic situation when you had to change course, and how you did so " kinda matches an earlier essay I wrote, but I'm not sure if it's considered an academic setting: I received feedback on my office hours saying that some students felt that I was rude and unwelcoming on busy days, so I had to adapt my approach to really busy times to help everyone feel understood and welcome. I have a potential alter”

“okay so oregon secondaries jus came out and i need some opinions on what to write... is it bad to write about leaving a relationship for the selfish question? and for the one about an ordinary place that something extraordinary happened, what could I even write for that? do they want stuff about personal life or medical life? these prompts are sooooo broad. submitted by /u/DesperateRange9633 [link] [comments]”

“I'm applying to FIU HWCOM and a question is "Describe a time you put another person's needs before your own. What did you do, and what motivated your actions?" I don't want to talk about clinical stuff because 1. I'm getting paid to do that, so it doesn't feel like it fits and 2. I already brought it up in every one of the other questions. I wanted to talk about ICE and a friend who needed support when their family member was taken and how I went despite having a bi”

“Does anyone have any advice how I should go about this. I don't want to try and find another crisis that overshadows/undermines the one from my personal statement but I also don't want to simply restate a part of my personal statement for this response. Any advice helps! Edit: Should I briefly acknowledge that I wrote about it in my personal statement and then use a different one submitted by /u/FrequentAd5646 [link] [comments]”

“Particularly, for schools that do not explicitly ask, meaning you would have to weave it into your essays somehow. And related side-question: Which schools highly prioritize state or school ties? submitted by /u/Equal-Magician1855 [link] [comments]”

“Do you think it would be a good idea/okay to write about how I applied to the school through an Early Assurance Program through my university previously and I'm reapplying, demonstrating my continued interest? The next question talks is a why us and ties to the area which I have? submitted by /u/Professional_Heat_85 [link] [comments]”

“For supplementals, do we write in a fancy style with a lot of showing instead of telling and trying to be unique or can we just say the answer straight. Like if they ask why did you choose the major, can you be like "I choose this major because blah blah" instead of "it was the third week of my sophomore year when I found my love for engineering or something idk" Please help because I have so much to write and idk cuz im the type of person to spend sooo long on one essay just”

“I have read that it’s important to incorporate a school’s mission into your essays. For prompts that don’t explicitly ask about a school’s mission, are we supposed to directly mention the school’s mission or are we just supposed to include anecdotes that point to the mission? submitted by /u/Latter-Sorbet-5269 [link] [comments]”

“I am working on my secondaries and briefly mentioned some details of a story in my W/A description (Not MME). What are yalls thoughts on expanding upon this story, talking about more specific details related to the story itself and how I addressed the situation. I would just pick another one, but this specific story I think is particularly strong submitted by /u/Equal-Magician1855 [link] [comments]”

“Should I address my low MCAT score in the optional secondary essay that asks about MCAT performance? I had significant caregiving responsibilities while preparing because I was helping care for my aunt during her breast cancer treatment. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! submitted by /u/Remarkable_Bit_4574 [link] [comments]”

“"Every future physician has a story. What’s yours? Share the experience, insight, or connection that first made you see yourself in medicine—and how it continues to shape your path. (300 words)." Anybody have advice on how to answer this prompt? Like, obviously I don't want to restate my personal statement but the personal statement has my true answer to this. Should I use the same story with a different anecdote or mention another separate story? Alternatively I could answer &quot”

“Need some quick advice because my 2-week turnaround deadline is tonight at midnight. One of my secondaries has this prompt: “Is there anything you want the admissions committee to know about your qualifications for medical school that are not already represented in your application materials? For example, if you have already graduated, briefly summarize your activities since graduation. (Note: This space is provided for new information only, not to promote qualifications already highlighted in y”

“For example, I am struggling with this question from Oakland: Describe a significant sacrifice you had to make for someone else. How did you respond, what help-seeking behaviors did you utilize, and how did the experience shape your resilience, self-awareness, or personal growth? I've been racking my brain, and I cannot come up with a good example where I made a significant sacrifice. Wtf do I do in this situation? Not submitting the secondary? edit: Thank you guys, I was able to come up wit”

“Particularly, Stanford’s „Reflect on your experiences and personal development since your last application. „ Yes I get that they want me to - reflect on exp & personal dev. Should the tone be more formal/mature, etc. I’ve seen a lot of tips for other essays but can’t find one for Re-apps. Context, I served in a foreign military so I had a „gap“ since completing my highschool studies. Applied last year and got rejected, trying again. Could anyone share their reapp essays? Any help is greatly”

“hi everyone, thinking about what to write for my adversity secondary and am stuck. I'm avoiding talking about school but here are academic situations: I transferred universities and my old university was a lot smaller with small group learning and a really nice compact schedule where I could stack classes tuesday and thursday and have mon/wed/fri free to study. My new university was bigger and I had a one hour commute (2 hours daily) + classes scattered every day + a more individual environm”

“1) Describe a significant sacrifice you had to make for someone else. How did you respond, what help-seeking behaviors did you utilize, and how did the experience shape your resilience, self-awareness, or personal growth? (Max 400 words) - Genuinely have no idea what to say here. Like the word significant is kinda throwing me off. maybe something like I was supposed to go to study with someone, but I also had an intramural soccer game scheduled. I was tempted to go play soccer but I went to lab”

“Or... are they okay with more of a general explanation of the mistakes you made and any study habits that improved? I've submitted several schools' secondaries with the latter already and just realized they might have been asking for specific explanations for specific courses. :/ My reasoning is the same for all of the courses, though. Do I really need to say "My grade in [Course] was because.... etc.? submitted by /u/itsgonnabemed [link] [comments]”

“Some secondary prompts I just don't know how to answer. I don't know what to do to get unstuck. What do you guys do when there is a prompt you don't have an idea for right away? I am really struggling with UCSF's pride essay. I just don't know how to approach it or how to start it. I have stories that fit the values, but idk how to use them or tie everything together to make a cohesive essay. Please help. I am going insane. submitted by /u/Responsible-Mix4804 [lin”