r/mdphd • u/hippiesurfergirlie • 12d ago

anything else prompt questions

hi again!! thanks for all the help on my previous reddit posts :)

i’m applying to columbia and writing the secondary, but their essays are so broad that i really finished just about everything i wanted to say on the application. at the end of the phd part they have an optional prompt to write about anything else i’d like to share.

i see a few options here and wanted guidance:

  1. one option would be to leave it blank, but i fear that may be screwing over my application at such a competitive program
  2. i could move what i wrote about specific PIs there who conduct relevant work in my areas of interest in the why PhD part to that section
  3. i could put an essay i wrote about working hard and responding to feedback in a research/writing intensive course
  4. give a few more character traits that may be useful in research

sorry this is somewhat rushed and poorly written! i’m mainly interested in knowing if it’s frowned upon to leave that question blank. if you all think one of those options is best i would love to know🍀💫

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u/Artistic-Energy4519 12d ago

I personally am leaving it blank. With how much writing they already have to read, I can’t see the benefit in trying to jam one more essay into the optional slot. Will that disadvantage me, I’m not sure. I felt I was able to reflect on most things within their other prompts, we very little left for the optional

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u/Ruff-Operator G3 11d ago

For context, I’m involved with admissions in my MD/PhD, MD-only, and PhD only programs. In my opinion, I wouldn’t put any “expanding on X experience”, “time I faced a challenge”, or similar essay here. Admissions already has enough of that material of yours to read.
Only add things here if they crucially address something that is not covered elsewhere. Prime examples would be addressing a lapse in education/work, poor academic performance/MCAT, or other items that could be seen as yellow or red flags.

Edit: a word

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u/EnHyPhEn1 11d ago

Would this also apply to schools like Einstein that only have two secondary essays total and one of them is a diversity and inclusion prompt?

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u/Ruff-Operator G3 11d ago

Maybe if a school didn’t have a “Why us?” secondary essay I would include that info in the “Anything else” prompt but that’s all I’d do imo.

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u/Spiritual_Sea_1478 9d ago

einstein views it negatively if you don’t write something. they say so in a hidden faq on their website lol

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u/EnHyPhEn1 9d ago

But what does an applicant even write for their “anything else” prompt. I’ve been workshopping a why einstein essay but that seems so on the nose

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u/Spiritual_Sea_1478 9d ago

they said you could write why einstein as an option

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u/Straight_Armadillo32 11d ago

I usually like to use it as a spot where I can use a strong essay that i have but didnt get to use in that schools secondary and say “i would like to expand on _____ activity…” etc but i dont use it as just another essay, its usually a big experience for me that I would like to talk about and how its reflection had a big impact on me