Application Essay Criteria:

Distance education is not always the best method of learning for some students. To be successful in a distance program, the student must have good reading comprehension skills, the ability to follow written instructions and communicate in writing that the student has learned the material. In addition, midwives must be able to communicate effectively in writing in their professional practice. The profession involves a great deal of written communication with clients, other healthcare professionals, and in medical charts.

As part of the acceptance process for enrollment into the ATM Midwifery Training Program, applicants must write an essay on the Midwifery Model of Care components. This essay is due by the end of the application period.

The general criteria on which the essay will be evaluated are: 

• reading comprehension based on content

• reading comprehension based on the ability to follow all instructions

• writing skills (grammar, spelling, "readability," use of APA)

Essay Criteria
The following information includes what we are looking for in the essay content and specific instructions on the presentation of the essay. Suggested resources are given at the end of these instructions. 

The essay will consist of three sections:

1.  Title Page
The title page of the essay will consist of all the following, using a bullet point list, in this order:

• applicant's full name 

• complete address 

• phone number

• email address 

• class start date (class for which the applicant is applying) or the date submitted.

The body of the paper will begin on the next page.

2.  Body of the paper
The body of the essay must be 900 - 1600 words and double-spaced.

The Content
The applicant needs to demonstrate that they understand the components that have come to be known as The Midwives Model of Care. They will do this by identifying a minimum of 7 components, with discussion and examples, as appropriate. Examples may be from resources or personal experience.

Note: While MANA documents are excellent supplemental resources, do not confuse ethics, values, and standards of practice with the components of the midwifery model of care.

The essay sources of information must be properly cited, and a separate reference list included.

Writing Skills
Applicant's writing skills will be evaluated as follows: 

a.  "Readability"

• The ease with which the content of the essay can be read and understood. This includes the organization of thoughts and clarity of writing. There should be an appropriate amount of "on topic" information without extraneous information that detracts from the content. If medical terminology is used, it should be used correctly.

b.  Spelling and Grammar 
c.  Use of APA style for citing sources and reference list.
d.  Following Instructions

• Every essay assessment will include the ability of the applicant to read and follow written instructions. The applicant will be expected to interpret these instructions and criteria without additional input. This means that the applicant is expected to "figure it out" independently without contacting the school for further instructions.  Remember, the primary content is related to The Midwifery Model of Care.

3. Reference page

• The paper must be written using the APA format.

• The essay sources of information must be properly cited, and a separate reference list included.

Recommended Resources: 
The applicant may use sources other than those given below; however, we strongly recommend that the information on the Citizens for Midwifery website form the foundation of the essay.

• Citizens for Midwifery: (https://www.citizensformidwifery.org/mmoc)

• MANA Statement of Values and Ethics ***04/2024 UPDATE: It has come to our attention that the MANA website is permantly down.

• Davis, Elizabeth. (2012) Heart and Hands: A Midwife's Guide to Pregnancy and Birth, 5th edition, Ten Speed Press