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HUGE mistake on my essay....advice please!


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So I made a HUGE mistake and did not read all of the FAQS on the 2 whole pages that CASPA has up on the directions pages on the website and I wrote my essay and submitted my application to one school in particular for the 9/1 deadline but I PERSONALIZED it and, in my LAST sentence of my essay, I put the school's name. JUST in the last sentence and it was JUST something like "...and I really hope I can complete my goals of becoming a physician assistant here at ____(University).". So I realized AFTER I submitted it and CASPA has already responded to my e-mails and will not un-submit my application, so I am just wondering if anyone on this site has ANY advice on what I should do now??? I was planning on applying to ~5 other programs, but would it even be worth it to try and explain my essay in a separate mailing to the school (which is CASPAS suggestions on their directions)? Do you think anyone would even take me seriously if I do this, or should I just have the one school I applied to, see if I get in and if not take the loss and work on next year's cycle? I am so mad at myself, but it was such a little mistake and it happens, I just don't want to apply to all the other programs unless there is some hope that they will be able to overlook that personalization of my essay.

 

Thanks so much in advance!

 

 

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It is no surprise to many schools that you apply to more than one. Rather than wait a year, I'd keep applying.

 

I don't believe schools work with a paper copy of the application, but rather download and look at it as a PDF during the review process. That's what the program I work on does.

 

I would still see if you can replace your old essay with a newer version. If you do this before a given school starts reviewing your application, it would probably solve the problem.

 

Good luck!

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If you can afford a few extra app fees, I'd say give it a shot.  Honestly, I would be more worried about other schools thinking I can't follow directions instead of worrying that they think I'm not truly interested in them.  I doubt there is a school out there that thinks that any applicant only applies to one program (yes, some students do this, but the majority apply to several).  Personalizing your essay just shows that you maybe didn't take the time to prepare for the application process by reading or understanding the directions (not that that is the case, just how it could be perceived).

 

Like I said though, if you can afford it, apply to more programs.  The first one is the most expensive on CASPA anyway.  And hey, bright side, maybe that ONE school will think you did ONLY apply to them and it could work in your favor.  Silver lining, maybe.

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If I was in your shoes I would apply to the other programs as planned. Programs receive hundreds of CASPA applications every cycle, and I'm willing to bet that every admissions panel does not read *every* single word of the narrative essays. Give it a shot! Worst case scenario you have to reapply next years, and the fact that you're a reapplicant proves your dedication to the profession and that program. Some programs even have seperate essay questions directed at reapplicants, which means they give them extra consideration (in my opinion). Good luck!

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I would not stress about this. in my experience, your statements often only get read after a decision has been made to interview/not interview based on hce/gpa/gre cutoffs. If I saw this as an interviewer the morning of an interview I would assume a caspa mess-up honestly.

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