<p>Hey guys, I've got a couple questions about essays for BS/MDs.</p>
<p>1) For a lot of the programs, the essays hav a 500 word limit or so. Would going over ruin your chances?</p>
<p>2) Because these programs are looking for those who truly want to become doctors for the right reasons, does the essay have more weight than in regular undergraduate admissions?</p>
<p>3) Would anyone accepted into a program mind letting me read their essays for BS/MDs? If this is a violation of College Confidential policies or if anyone objects, I apologize in advance.</p>
<p>I think you are right when you say that essays have more weight for combined medical programs than for regular admissions. But at the same time with everyone applying writing essays about why they would make a great doctor. It would be a better idea to actually show it through a unique personal experience only you could have had.</p>
<p>i agree with bharath2007. you have to make the essays unique, otherwise they're just going to sound like every other "i've wanted to be a doctor since I was 4" and "I want to help people" essays.
to answer your questions:
1) just like any regular college essay, it wouldn't hurt to go a few words over, but taking it too far could hurt you. if you make your essay intriguing and interesting to the reader obviously he's not going to stop at the 500th word, and so length won't matter too much. However, if your essay is very dry and long at the same time, it would most likely not help you.</p>
<p>2) like bharath said, im sure essays have more weight, but not more/less than undergrad admissions, because in each circumstance your personality comes through your essay. i think for med programs the interview is weighted much more, but you have to have a good essay to get you that far.</p>
<p>3) you can try searching online for essays, but i don't think they will help too much, because after all, each is based on a personal experience that you might not be able to relate to. so just go with whatever experience you have had (volunteering, lab, etc) and expand upon that.</p>
<p>Yeah, my reason to be a doctor actually stems from a personal injury. I just wanted to read some sample essays just to see different perspectives on being a doctor.</p>