This past week I attended a high school program that included mock admissions case studies for college. Sample, fabricated applications were presented and then discussed in small groups led by a college admissions officer.
Of note, one of the individuals who led the program mentioned something that translates to medical school and residency applications: If the reader doesn’t understand, the candidate will not get full credit. It’s important to explain awards, for example, and not just name them. The illustration the admissions officer gave was “The Titan Award,” a hypothetical prize, but one that the admissions officer noted is not interpretable unless an explanation is given.
I echo the sentiment that if candidates don’t clearly define their accomplishments, those applicants may be overlooked. Make sure you detail anything that would not be readily recognizable to a reader who is not familiar with your geography, institution, or focus of study. You deserve full credit for your very hard work.
