LMU DeBusk Secondary Tips

Lincoln Memorial Debusk Secondary Pre-Writing Guidance: Osteopathic schools have later final deadlines and they are also lax with deadlines. Therefore, we typically advise our students to not prioritize osteopathic schools’ secondary applications unless it is one of their top choice medical schools. Note that one trend Dr. Mediratta and Dr. Rizal have seen each cycle: the earlier you submit osteopathic secondary applications, the earlier you will typically get interviews. This could be great preparation for your allopathic interviews! This timing of essay submission is not true for MD schools. Contact us if you have any questions!

• Download our Cracking Med Secondary Essay Workbook and Examples to get all our tips about secondary essays!

LMU DCOM Secondary Application Tip #1: It is extremely important to explain why you want an osteopathic medical education. To get more history about osteopathic medicine and its values, read the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) website. First, it is important to note that osteopathic medicine values primary care.

According to the AACOM website, the osteopathic medicine philosophy is the following:

“DOs are trained to look at the whole person from their first days of medical school, which means they see each person as more than just a collection of organ systems and body parts that may become injured or diseased. This holistic approach to patient care means that osteopathic medical students learn how to integrate the patient into the health care process as a partner. They are trained to communicate with people from diverse backgrounds, and they get the opportunity to practice these skills in their classrooms and learning laboratories, frequently with standardized and simulated patients.”

LMU DCOM Secondary Application Tip #2: In the DeBusk College of Medicine secondary application essay question, “Medical school requires a huge commitment in time and energy. How have you prepared for this commitment?” you can highlight the following:

• What are your study skills that you developed throughout your premed career? Are there specific techniques that you employ when you study for your science classes?
• How have you studied for challenging classes?
• Some of the students we help discuss how they studied for the MCAT. 

LMU DCOM Secondary Application Tip #3: For the DeBusk College of Medicine secondary application essay question, “If you are a re-applicant please tell us what you have done to strengthen your application” consider the following: 

• It is extremely important to discuss how your application has changed from the first time you applied to this current time you are applying. First, identify weaknesses in your previous application. Make sure to discuss how you have improved on those weaknesses. Then, if you have other significant extra-curricular activities or new work experiences, you should mention them. You should list everything you have done – from clinical experiences to retaking the MCAT to jobs held to volunteer activities – in the time since you applied to medical school. 

LMU DCOM Secondary Application Tip #4: Answer the optional question. We know you are burned out from writing dozens of secondaries. BUT, to stand out, it is important to answer all the optional questions!

 Our Cracking Med School Admissions team strongly believes that submitting a strong LMU DCOM secondary application means that you spent the time to answer the optional question. You can discuss “why osteopathic medicine,” a time in which you shadowed an osteopathic physician and why that inspired you to be a similar physician, “Why LMU DCOM,” and any other extra-curricular activities. Additionally, some individuals discuss challenges in their lives, including disruptions to their academics or low grades. Again, our Cracking Med School Admissions team strongly encourages students to answer the optional question. But, do not re-iterate anything on your AACOMAS. 

• Read our helpful blog post: Medical School Diversity Essay Examples and Tips

LMU DCOM Secondary Application Tip #5: Get our help to edit your LMU DCOM secondary application essays. We can help you tailor all your osteopathic and allopathic essays through our secondary essay editing packages. Have questions about how you can stand out? Contact us below.

[Read more secondary essay tips: Lincoln Memorial – DeBusk , University of Alabama, Lake Erie College of Medicine (LECOM), Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM), East Tennessee (Quillen) ]