2008-2009 Dartmouth Medical Secondary Application Thread

[Dr2Dr]

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serikk85: Submitted: 7/12, Letters: 7/11, Complete: 7/15
Isis24: Submitted: 7/14, Letters: 7/14, Complete: 7/18
Scean: Submitted 7/12, Letters: 7/14, Complete: 7/18
Dr2Dr: Submitted 7/10, Letters: 7/15, Complete: 7/15

 

[tncekm]

So, I just filled out the secondary, pressed submit, and there is no notification that my application was submitted. It just returns me to the page that says "DMS Secondary Application". Is this normal? Also, the application implies that there is an electronic payment option, but I don't see it anywhere.

Any and all help is appreciated!

 

[Podie]

So, I just filled out the secondary, pressed submit, and there is no notification that my application was submitted. It just returns me to the page that says "DMS Secondary Application". Is this normal? Also, the application implies that there is an electronic payment option, but I don't see it anywhere.

Any and all help is appreciated!

I believe that happened to me with the Dartmouth application because I had the page open pretty much for days and it timed out. If it lets you log back in again and you can see the blank secondary application, you didn't submit. Fill out the form again and resubmit but don't let the page sit open for a long time (a long time is relative I know...I just logged in, filled it out and submitted within a few minutes). I'm pretty sure the electronic payment comes up after that...and make sure you continue through until you can't anymore..then it is done. I got a confirmation e-mail that I had received my secondary and another that they had received my money.

The confirmation e-mail gives you a link to go back and check the status of your application, payment and LORs.

 

[tncekm]

I believe that happened to me with the Dartmouth application because I had the page open pretty much for days and it timed out. If it lets you log back in again and you can see the blank secondary application, you didn't submit. Fill out the form again and resubmit but don't let the page sit open for a long time (a long time is relative I know...I just logged in, filled it out and submitted within a few minutes). I'm pretty sure the electronic payment comes up after that...and make sure you continue through until you can't anymore..then it is done. I got a confirmation e-mail that I had received my secondary and another that they had received my money.

The confirmation e-mail gives you a link to go back and check the status of your application, payment and LORs.

Hmm...thanks. I'll have to use IE to do the app b/c I had my essays prewritten so it didn't take too long to submit. Maybe the webpage doens't like Firefox 3.0?

Thanks again!

 

[ChubbyChaser]

serikk85: Submitted: 7/12, Letters: 7/11, Complete: 7/15
Isis24: Submitted: 7/14, Letters: 7/14, Complete: 7/18
Scean: Submitted 7/12, Letters: 7/14, Complete: 7/18
Dr2Dr: Submitted 7/10, Letters: 7/15, Complete: 7/15
Chubbychaser: Submittied: 7/10, Letters: 7/10, Complete: 7/15ish

 

[oneandonlylo]

So for the question regarding 2008-2009 plans they ask about the nature of your job. Problem is I'm in the process of relocating and applying to jobs for the coming year, so I don't know what my job will be or what its nature will be. So the question is, do I write something explaining that I'm moving and describing the type of jobs I'm applying for, or do I delay sending in my secondary for a month or more until I know where I will be working? I don't really want to delay this long, but it might be that long until I can secure work.

 

[fuzzywuz]

For that second question, should we talk about a poor academic semester? Or should we keep it as positive as possible?

 

[fuzzywuz]

So for the question regarding 2008-2009 plans they ask about the nature of your job. Problem is I'm in the process of relocating and applying to jobs for the coming year, so I don't know what my job will be or what its nature will be. So the question is, do I write something explaining that I'm moving and describing the type of jobs I'm applying for, or do I delay sending in my secondary for a month or more until I know where I will be working? I don't really want to delay this long, but it might be that long until I can secure work.

My approach is just tell you what you "PLAN" to do. They know nothing is set in stone at this point in time. Especially because its the summer. People just graduated and are possibly relocating. Given the circumstances, I'd say be careful with your choice of words for that question. Avoid saying things like: I will be blahblahblah. Instead try: I plan to blahblahblah.

Later in the year, when plans have finalized and you have settled down, send an update letter.

 

[Poiu86]

serikk85: Submitted: 7/12, Letters: 7/11, Complete: 7/15
Isis24: Submitted: 7/14, Letters: 7/14, Complete: 7/18
Scean: Submitted 7/12, Letters: 7/14, Complete: 7/18
Dr2Dr: Submitted 7/10, Letters: 7/15, Complete: 7/15
Chubbychaser: Submittied: 7/10, Letters: 7/10, Complete: 7/15ish
Poiu86: Submitted: 7/21

 

[enjoydrywax]

How do I turn my quarter units (went to a school on the quarter system) into the semester hours required by the secondary application?

Also, about how long are you making that "include any other BS you'd like us to know" question?

Thanks for the info.

 

[tianac2]

Did anyone else have to mail in a hard copy? If so, how long did it take to get notification that it was received?

Their instructions say to allow UP TO two weeks, and today makes EXACTLY two weeks. Should I email them, or is it early enough that that would just be a PITA move?

 

[lis909]

Do you guys know the word/character limits for Dartmouth secondaries? They're not specified on the website...

 

[tianac2]

Do you guys know the word/character limits for Dartmouth secondaries? They're not specified on the website...

They don't have limits. They want you to be able to "express yourself fully without worrying about editing for size." Or something to that effect...

 

[lis909]

Thanks!!
For those of you who submitted them already, how long did they turn out to be?

 

[Decicco]

They don't have limits. They want you to be able to "express yourself fully without worrying about editing for size." Or something to that effect...

It would be interesting to see what their longest essay is for the year. I would get maybe 10,000 characters. Mine was 2,500 characters.

 

[tianac2]

Thanks!!
For those of you who submitted them already, how long did they turn out to be?

My 'what are you doing this year' was 1049, and my 'something about yourself' was 3872.

 

[Isis24]

My "something about yourself" was 2323 characters (with spaces). The other essay was shorter.

 

[copperfrog09]

serikk85: Submitted: 7/12, Letters: 7/11, Complete: 7/15
Isis24: Submitted: 7/14, Letters: 7/14, Complete: 7/18
Scean: Submitted 7/12, Letters: 7/14, Complete: 7/18
Dr2Dr: Submitted 7/10, Letters: 7/15, Complete: 7/15
Chubbychaser: Submittied: 7/10, Letters: 7/10, Complete: 7/15ish
Poiu86: Submitted: 7/21
copperfrog09: Submitted 7/21, Letters 7/21, Complete 7/25

 

[smgfan]

serikk85: Submitted: 7/12, Letters: 7/11, Complete: 7/15
Isis24: Submitted: 7/14, Letters: 7/14, Complete: 7/18
Scean: Submitted 7/12, Letters: 7/14, Complete: 7/18
Dr2Dr: Submitted 7/10, Letters: 7/15, Complete: 7/15
Chubbychaser: Submitted: 7/10, Letters: 7/10, Complete: 7/15ish
smgfan: Submitted: 7/17, Letters: 7/17, Complete 7/23
Poiu86: Submitted: 7/21
copperfrog09: Submitted 7/21, Letters 7/21, Complete 7/25


Chubbs, I fixed yours, you misspelled Submitted ;-) get back on that perfection-pedestal.

 

[ChubbyChaser]

serikk85: Submitted: 7/12, Letters: 7/11, Complete: 7/15
Isis24: Submitted: 7/14, Letters: 7/14, Complete: 7/18
Scean: Submitted 7/12, Letters: 7/14, Complete: 7/18
Dr2Dr: Submitted 7/10, Letters: 7/15, Complete: 7/15
Chubbychaser: Submitted: 7/10, Letters: 7/10, Complete: 7/15ish
smgfan: Submitted: 7/17, Letters: 7/17, Complete 7/23
Poiu86: Submitted: 7/21
copperfrog09: Submitted 7/21, Letters 7/21, Complete 7/25


Chubbs, I fixed yours, you misspelled Submitted ;-) get back on that perfection-pedestal.

I did it on purpose, just to see if anyone would catch it. You win the prize, congrats.

 

[tianac2]

When you click the secondary app link in the email after you've completed it, what does the page say, or what does it look like? I had to mail in a hard copy of mine, so I have to wait for someone to manually go in and note my secondary as received. Its been 3 weeks already but when I emailed them they said to just keep checking the secondary page. Problem is, I don't know what I'm supposed to be looking for...

 

[p30doc]

I submitted my app on 7/13 and my letters via interfolio snail mail the same day. My letters are still not marked as received. Did anyone else submit letters via interfolio?

 

[cheasus]

Has anyone else had to wait a long time for their letters of recommendation to be received? Mine were shipped out from interfolio on 07/22 and my application status still says that they have not received any letters of recommendations from me.

 

[tianac2]

If all of the incoming mail gets thrown in the same pile, expect to wait at least a few weeks. I had to snail mail my app and its been 3 weeks and I still haven't even been marked as submitted.

 

[tianac2]

Bump

 

[schismal]

I might just drop Case's diversity essay into that second prompt. I love it when things are easy.

 

[schismal]

I still can't log in. All my information is correct though... I just go the email this afternoon.. Could that be the reason?

EDIT: Problem fixed.

How did you fix this? I just got the email today, and it won't let me login.

 

[fuzzywuz]

try different combos to your name. If you have a middle name, try logging in without it. if that doesn't work, try it WITH it. until you can get it to work.

u just gotta hit the right combo!

 

[schismal]

Horribly frustrating. It still isn't working for me. Combine this with the security certificate error, and Dartmouth wins the "worst med school website" award.

Guess I'll shoot them an email and hear back Monday... 😡

 

[copperfrog09]

Schismal - try making sure your name isn't capitalized. I had to uncapitalize my last name in order for it to work.

 

[Kaydubz]

Horribly frustrating. It still isn't working for me. Combine this with the security certificate error, and Dartmouth wins the "worst med school website" award.

Guess I'll shoot them an email and hear back Monday... 😡

Did you download a copy of your amcas and match your name and birth town letter for letter?

 

[Begaster]

Lol, they just sent me a secondary email with a broken link.

 

[schismal]

Did you download a copy of your amcas and match your name and birth town letter for letter?

Yep, copy/pasted from the PDF. No dice.

I also tried mixing up the capitalization, and haven't found a combination that works yet. Tried every browser except Opera, too. But I appreciate the suggestions, guys.

Begaster: it might not be a broken link, rather a security warning that can look like a page error. Mine showed up as a full screen message. You should be able to add a security exception and get to the next stage of this Dartmouth online crucible. Good luck!

 

[Kaydubz]

Mwahaha my letters were received and I'm complete...even though I sent them out via Interfolio on the 29th. DHL 2 day delivery does wonders I tell ya 😀

 

[Begaster]

Begaster: it might not be a broken link, rather a security warning that can look like a page error. Mine showed up as a full screen message. You should be able to add a security exception and get to the next stage of this Dartmouth online crucible. Good luck!

Whoa, good call!

 

[schismal]

Whoa, good call!

I might cry if you're able to log in on the first try.

 

[Begaster]

...Err. Um.

Well, see.

Um.

Nope, couldn't get in! Honest.

 

[schismal]

I hope you're not just trying to make me feel better. Otherwise, you are more than welcome to join my sad little party over here! 👍

 

[voitokas]

I got the e-mail and tried logging in with Firefox, Netscape, Safari, and Opera, using every permutation of name and birth town I could come up with. Maybe I'll try a public computer (gack) at school and see if it works from there...

-Jeremy

 

[Begaster]

They are asking me to input my prerequisite courses. Now, my school never had the 8.0 system during first year. A full-year course with a lab was 6.0 all the same as a full-year course without. Should I input that my courses were 8.0 credits (since they did have the lab component), or should I put 6.0 and shoot off an email?

A little confused. I thought AMCAS would take care of this nonsense.

 

[Lacheln]

I thought I'd share the info I just got from the admin office via phone:

First of all, they're really super nice. She said you can call any time with questions, but unfortunately they won't give interview or admissions status info out over the phone for confidentiality reasons. You can tell if you are complete through the status page online - if your materials are all received then you are complete.

All communication about interview or admissions status will be either through email or snail. She said invitations would be via email, implying that rejections will be via snail.

They aren't very far along in the process, so invites are not imminent.

To summarize: Blahblahblahsitdownandwaitblahblahblah.

 

[copperfrog09]

But did anyone else get that nice packet of information from Dartmouth in the mail last week? It was pretty nifty... and for half a second it felt like undergrad, where the schools court YOU instead of the other way around! 😀

 

[fuzzywuz]

I got it today. It's pretty nice

 

[iheartsnow]

I'm trying to decide what to write for the second essay. I have a draft of an essay about how being the first woman in my family to go to college, live on my own, etc. has affected me and has driven me throughout my life. I'm not sure if that really answers the question or if it's something they would even care about. My other option would be writing about why I want to attend Dartmouth. I'd appreciate any thoughts. Thanks in advance!

 

[Kaydubz]

I'm trying to decide what to write for the second essay. I have a draft of an essay about how being the first woman in my family to go to college, live on my own, etc. has affected me and has driven me throughout my life. I'm not sure if that really answers the question or if it's something they would even care about. My other option would be writing about why I want to attend Dartmouth. I'd appreciate any thoughts. Thanks in advance!

Unless you have unique reasons for wanting to attend Dartmouth, I'm sure the admissions committee would appreciate reading about the unique aspects of your life over the 500th version of why their curriculum / school makes you a perfect fit.

 

[SirGecko]

But did anyone else get that nice packet of information from Dartmouth in the mail last week? It was pretty nifty... and for half a second it felt like undergrad, where the schools court YOU instead of the other way around! 😀

I just recieved that bad boy yesterday. Very nice, though I kinda wish they wouldn't at the same time. I think it is giving my mom false hope. (mothers being mothers she is way more optomistic about my application than I am)

 

[Lacheln]

But did anyone else get that nice packet of information from Dartmouth in the mail last week? It was pretty nifty... and for half a second it felt like undergrad, where the schools court YOU instead of the other way around! 😀

I didn't get it, maybe it's a sign?!

 

[tianac2]

I didn't get it, maybe it's a sign?!

Don't stress about it, they seem to be going out over time. I got mine over a week ago, so they probably send a few out every day. Maybe they base it on alphabetical by last name. I'm 'F' anyone else want to chime in?

 

[ButImLETired]

Don't stress about it, they seem to be going out over time. I got mine over a week ago, so they probably send a few out every day. Maybe they base it on alphabetical by last name. I'm 'F' anyone else want to chime in?

Nope, I got it like 2 weeks ago and I'm "T" (and in California, so its not a distance thing either).

It's probably just one of those random things, like who gets secondaries when. I highly highly doubt I'm a better candidate than you, Breeak, so you'll be fine!

 

[tianac2]

Nope, I got it like 2 weeks ago and I'm "T" (and in California, so its not a distance thing either).

It's probably just one of those random things, like who gets secondaries when. I highly highly doubt I'm a better candidate than you, Breeak, so you'll be fine!

Then its probably a first-come-first-served thing correlated to when your AMCAS was verified. And that sort of info is easily found in the verification thread!