Application Essays

[wes431]

I was doing the online application. For Essay B, the one about future of healthcare delivery, mine is 270 words. It says "approximately 250 words." Is that okay? And did anyone just leave the optional essay blank?

[argazul]

270 words is ok. Don't worry, i didn't even count how many words mine was.

[wes431]

It also says list all employment or volunteer in past four years. I have 400 hours volunteer at a hospital in 2003 and also other volunteer work at a mission center. So I have to leave that out?

[scamp]

No put that in.


Also i would not leave the optional essay blank if i were u.

[wes431]

No put that in.


Also i would not leave the optional essay blank if i were u.

What is the optional essay for then?

[Kongakut]

I would not put the volunteer hx from 2003 and instead just write about it in the optional section. You don't want the ad com to think you don't read directions or don't know when the limit of four years is. You never know if someone is on the committee who really had a pet peeve about someone who doesn't follow directions.

[scamp]

Oh my bad.. IS it optional..as in they dont give you a topic and Just tell you to write bout nething. Then yeh you could skip it if you want.

I thought it was something where they gave you a topic and then said it was optional. MAybe to test who all students can go above and beyond whats required?? LOL.

I would try to get the 400 hours in.. SOMehow. MAYBE put something LIKe I know that 2003 doesnt fall under the past 4 years but I still want to let the admission committe know bout what I did in 2003 because I believe it made a significant impact on me as a person. I mean 400 hours are HUGEEEEE I wouldnt let it go.

[wes431]

I would not put the volunteer hx from 2003 and instead just write about it in the optional section. You don't want the ad com to think you don't read directions or don't know when the limit of four years is. You never know if someone is on the committee who really had a pet peeve about someone who doesn't follow directions.

That's a good idea. There's an additional information section which I can put it under. So even it it says "approximately 250 words," 270 words is okay?

[Kongakut]

I definitely think you should expand on your volunteer stuff - now is your chance. It is probably a great asset to your application.

Since it says approximately, then you are probably fine.

[taggart]

Going over the set limit is not a big deal as long as you have the content to support it, and arent just going over the same point over and over again.

My personal statement was about 1800 words (after significant editing) while the limit was stated as 1500. I called and asked and was told it was not a problem. My 250 word essays were around 400 words each. I mean - it is really difficult to write a detailed essay in 250 words unless you can be really really concise.

Tagg

[multigrain23]

For your 250 word essay on health care, did you guys use citations (if you included any statistics)? I did use a statistic, but I wasn't sure if I should write the reference at the bottom of the paragraph.... and if that counts towards the 250 words or not.

I mean, is it enough to say "According to the XXXXX,....." or should you have a reference on the bottom of the paragraph (e.g. Author, Date, Title of Publication, Pages, etc) of where you pulled that stat from? Considering that it is only 250 words, there is not much space to write much anyways.

[argazul]

hmm...i used guessed number, so i didn't have to use any citations. But i don't think you need to mention it. they are more interested to know your thoughts instead of where you got your numbers.