Addressing red flags in your application is a must. If there is any part of your application that could be interpreted negatively, it’s best to get in front of it. And the school wants some kind of explanation.
“Red flag” prompts assume different forms, some more direct than others. Whether your response is about a small dip in your GPA or something more serious, identify the issue, share accomplishments that mitigate that issue/actions you took afterward, and the result of your corrective action.
You do not need to max out the word count for a “red flag” essay. Short and sweet is ideal. Avoid appearing too negative or overly critical of others, here, too.
Optional Question #1: "Is there anything else we should know about your candidacy?"
If you have no issues to address and the prompt is open-ended, recycle a secondary essay from another school to highlight an experience that didn't fit into your Work & Activities section. Or, if they didn't already ask you, talk about why you love their program.
But, the secret purpose of this prompt is to give you a chance to take down some red flags. It is the school's nice way of saying: "What not-so-great thing did you do? Explain why we couldn't be concerned about it."
Optional Question #2: "Please explain any inconsistencies in your college or graduate school academic performance and/or MCAT scores."
Don't make excuses if you tanked a class your freshman year or your MCAT score doesn't reflect your ability to thrive in a challenging academic environment. Instead, after you share your misstep, explain how you excelled in later courses or rigorous academic or work environments.
Keep it concise: This is the issue. These are my accomplishments that mitigate that issue.
Optional Question #3: "Test scores aside, is there anything else in your school record that needs to be addressed?"
Did you get a citation for underage drinking at a campus music festival two years ago?
For topics like this, keep your answer very brief. Go to the pain: This is the situation. This is the action I took afterward. This is the result of that action and what I learned.
Check out our blog and/or follow us on Instagram for more application tips!
“Red flag” prompts assume different forms, some more direct than others. Whether your response is about a small dip in your GPA or something more serious, identify the issue, share accomplishments that mitigate that issue/actions you took afterward, and the result of your corrective action.
You do not need to max out the word count for a “red flag” essay. Short and sweet is ideal. Avoid appearing too negative or overly critical of others, here, too.
Optional Question #1: "Is there anything else we should know about your candidacy?"
If you have no issues to address and the prompt is open-ended, recycle a secondary essay from another school to highlight an experience that didn't fit into your Work & Activities section. Or, if they didn't already ask you, talk about why you love their program.
But, the secret purpose of this prompt is to give you a chance to take down some red flags. It is the school's nice way of saying: "What not-so-great thing did you do? Explain why we couldn't be concerned about it."
Optional Question #2: "Please explain any inconsistencies in your college or graduate school academic performance and/or MCAT scores."
Don't make excuses if you tanked a class your freshman year or your MCAT score doesn't reflect your ability to thrive in a challenging academic environment. Instead, after you share your misstep, explain how you excelled in later courses or rigorous academic or work environments.
Keep it concise: This is the issue. These are my accomplishments that mitigate that issue.
Optional Question #3: "Test scores aside, is there anything else in your school record that needs to be addressed?"
Did you get a citation for underage drinking at a campus music festival two years ago?
For topics like this, keep your answer very brief. Go to the pain: This is the situation. This is the action I took afterward. This is the result of that action and what I learned.
Check out our blog and/or follow us on Instagram for more application tips!
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