Secondary Applications

From Student Doctor Network Wiki

Previously asked Questions for the Secondary Application

• Describe your most memorable travel experience (375 character limit)
• For both mother and father, give the following: a) Where they were raised, b) 4-5 traits that would describe him/her to a stranger, c)Traits you get from him/her, d) Your rapport with him/her, e) His/her hobbies or interests
• Outside of the classroom, (i.e., encounters with academic dishonesty, etc.) describe a difficult moral or ethical situation that you have encountered and how you dealt with it. What personal strengths, values, and beliefs helped you deal with or meet this challenge? (1000 character limit)
• The scientific and popular news media have heralded several “life-extending” and “life-altering” technologies—among which are embryonic stem-cell research, cloning, genetic intervention, and organ transplantation. While such technologies represent remarkable developments and applications of our emerging scientific understanding, these technologies raise critical issues with respect to the ethics, morality and economics of these technologies. Identify some of the critical issues evoked by such technologies and address what potential moral, theological, and ethical questions might arise from the decisions made regarding developing and using these technologies in the care of patients. (1000 character limit)
• Autobiography: Write a brief autobiography. As completely and precisely as possible, give a picture of yourself, your family, and events you consider important to you. In doing so, identify the values that are of greatest importance to you. If you have completed your undergraduate education, please comment on what you have done or have been doing since graduation. (2000 word limit)
• Hand-write an essay on any topic.

Tips on Picture-taking for the Secondary Application

• Avoid trying to come off cute or medical-looking (i.e., no scrubs and no Glamour Shots’ feather boas).
• If you want to get a hair cut, do so at least one week before taking your pictures so that you can settle into your new hair style.
• Choose a white background with good lighting—a wall in your house will work, as will a foam poster board.
• Make sure that any lights are positioned in front or nearly in front of you. Backlight, caused by standing with your back to a lamp or the sun, will cause a lens flare.
• Use a camera with a zoom lens. Have your photographer stand 5–10 feet and zoom in to take your picture. In doing so, you will minimize the size of your nose.
• Edit the results in your favorite picture editing software and crop the photograph to the required size.
• Print your picture on high quality glossy paper and mail it off.