** 2008-2009 Secondary Application Thread! **

Discover Your Odds of Getting into Medical School
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Chocolate Bear said:
LECOM wasn't emailing until they had actually received your application. At least that was the case a week or two ago. Send AACOMAS an email through the SUPPORT link in the application and ask if you're verified, if you're curious. Then report back to everyone so they know if the LECOM email is still a useful milestone.
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I'm verified (and have a few secondaries), but haven't heard from LECOM yet. I don't have an MCAT score yet though so that could be why. I applied to LECOM-B only.
 
Chocolate Bear said:
Looks like you submitted 6/1. Did you have all of your transcripts in at that time? I would wait 6 weeks after being complete and submitted before worrying. Hang in there. The only D.O. secondaries I have in hand are TCOM, ATSU-SOMA, ATSU-KCOM, and UMDNJ. I don't think you'll end up behind those who submitted earlier, since most schools don't seem to be prepared for secondaries yet. 👍
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I submitted on the 1st but my last transcript was received on the 13th of June. I am not freaking out or anything, I am just curious if I am verified or not. Good luck on the secondaries that you do have, my MD ones are keeping me plenty busy for now anyhow.
 
I submitted way back in may and other than the lecom email, have heard nothing. I'm pretty sure they are waiting for my second mcat score since I said I am taking it in July.
 
redrumi said:
I submitted on the 1st but my last transcript was received on the 13th of June. I am not freaking out or anything, I am just curious if I am verified or not. Good luck on the secondaries that you do have, my MD ones are keeping me plenty busy for now anyhow.
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Gotcha. Sounds like you should be verified in a month. Yeah secondaries are a freakin pain. Is it time for interviews yet??? 😀
 
I submitted 6/3 and not verified yet but I got the secondary from UNECOM so somehow they got my application. Anyone else got secondaries before verified? Should I submit it before I am verified on AACOMAS?
 
umean2tellme said:
I submitted 6/3 and not verified yet but I got the secondary from UNECOM so somehow they got my application. Anyone else got secondaries before verified? Should I submit it before I am verified on AACOMAS?
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Email AACOMAS because you may in fact have been verified. I did not receive an email when they verified my transcripts. You have most likely been verified if you are receiving supplemental applications.

If it turns out you haven't been verified, for some strange reason, I'd just wait until you get confirmation from AACOMAS that your transcripts have been verified to send out UNECOM.
 
umean2tellme said:
I submitted 6/3 and not verified yet but I got the secondary from UNECOM so somehow they got my application. Anyone else got secondaries before verified? Should I submit it before I am verified on AACOMAS?
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They invited you to fill it out. Why is everyone so scared to submit secondaries when PERSONALLY invited to do so? Sorry, I'm not picking on you, umean2tellme. I just hate to see people twiddling their thumbs when they could be becoming complete and ready for interviews! 👍
 
Chocolate Bear said:
Could be...you apply to UMDNJ and the ATSUs?
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Yes, excluding the arizona one. I didn't think that was a proper fit for me, even though one of the CHCs is only about an hour and a half from my house. I applied to pretty much every school except for Touro-NV, and New York, NYCOM, KCUMB, TCOM, OSUCOM, RVU. ATSU-Soma, COMP, and the pacific one. I am probably forgetting 1 but I literally applied to around 16 DO schools. I'm a dirty ho like that
 
MossPoh said:
Yes, excluding the arizona one. I didn't think that was a proper fit for me, even though one of the CHCs is only about an hour and a half from my house. I applied to pretty much every school except for Touro-NV, and New York, NYCOM, KCUMB, TCOM, OSUCOM, RVU. ATSU-Soma, COMP, and the pacific one. I am probably forgetting 1 but I literally applied to around 16 DO schools. I'm a dirty ho like that
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Ah crap, guess I'm a dirty ho, too, then! 16 D.O. schools for me, also. I'm also not sure if SOMA is right for me, but I'm going all out this 3rd time, and I'm willing to give them a shot. I'll figure it out after an interview, if that's what it comes to.
 
Chocolate Bear said:
Ah crap, guess I'm a dirty ho, too, then! 16 D.O. schools for me, also. I'm also not sure if SOMA is right for me, but I'm going all out this 3rd time, and I'm willing to give them a shot. I'll figure it out after an interview, if that's what it comes to.
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Yea. How many MD did you apply to? I made my nerdy spreadsheet and I am up to 34 schools. I really don't want to have to reapply. Rather just put down the cash and get accepted first time around. It does sting though.
 
Chocolate Bear said:
They invited you to fill it out. Why is everyone so scared to submit secondaries when PERSONALLY invited to do so? Sorry, I'm not picking on you, umean2tellme. I just hate to see people twiddling their thumbs when they could be becoming complete and ready for interviews! 👍
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Yeah I feel ya, I'll submit as soon as I'm done. I guess worse case scenario they send it back and i send it after verificiation, just don't want to have to pay for it again lol
 
umean2tellme said:
Yeah I feel ya, I'll submit as soon as I'm done. I guess worse case scenario they send it back and i send it after verificiation, just don't want to have to pay for it again lol
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Gotcha. There's no way they could make you pay that again after telling you to submit their secondary, though.
 
submitted but not verified yet...what's going on with the secondaries?


1 week till mcat scores back...i'm starting to get really nervous now...
 
man AACOMAS feels like a black hole. I submitted on 6/13 and I have no idea whether I'm verified or what. Haven't heard peep out OUCOM or PCOM
 
This is a strange question, but I am slightly confused. Do I wait until the specific school SENDS me a secondary or do some schools just want you to go ahead and do it without them contacting you first?
 
chromosomeone said:
This is a strange question, but I am slightly confused. Do I wait until the specific school SENDS me a secondary or do some schools just want you to go ahead and do it without them contacting you first?
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I don't know if any of them would not eventually contact you. However, some you might be able to submit early without causing a problem. I'd email if there's a specific school that you are ready to submit the secondary for and are particularly anxious to do so, but haven't been given the go-ahead.
 
you probably want to wait until they contact you as an unsolicited secondary might not get processed....doesnt mean you cant start early on the essays though@

chromosomeone said:
This is a strange question, but I am slightly confused. Do I wait until the specific school SENDS me a secondary or do some schools just want you to go ahead and do it without them contacting you first?
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Okay so I should wait until I hear from them.. thanks. And do you guys know exactly what are the typical essay questions I will be asked? I assume I can use similar essays for each school..?
 
chromosomeone said:
Okay so I should wait until I hear from them.. thanks. And do you guys know exactly what are the typical essay questions I will be asked? I assume I can use similar essays for each school..?
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There are links floating around here somewhere for last year's prompts. Some links have also been posted for this year's. You can use the same essay as often as it fits the prompt. You'll see slight variations and character limit differences, but many "Why osteopathic medicine?" and "Why this school?"
 
I recently got my secondary app from UNECOM, I am kind of wondering about this question, are they trying to ask how my ECs will prepare me for medicine? Anyone have any input?

Question:
Reflect on your involvement in healthcare, research, clubs and organizations, leadership positions and community organizations. In light of all these experiences, how would you evaluate the strengths and weaknesses in your preparation to study and practice osteopathic medicine?
 
JohnnyRockets said:
I recently got my secondary app from UNECOM, I am kind of wondering about this question, are they trying to ask how my ECs will prepare me for medicine? Anyone have any input?

Question:
Reflect on your involvement in healthcare, research, clubs and organizations, leadership positions and community organizations. In light of all these experiences, how would you evaluate the strengths and weaknesses in your preparation to study and practice osteopathic medicine?
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Basically, yes. Keep in mind that they are specifically asking about your preparedness to study and practice osteopathic medicine. That said to me that they are looking for you to make some references to osteopathic philosophy...at least that's how I took it when I completed mine
 
My essay's are about a half page. Is this too long?

I don't want to over or under do them.
 
Cp22kjer said:
My essay's are about a half page. Is this too long?

I don't want to over or under do them.
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If you're not given a character limit, half a page sounds fine. You should just make sure it conveys everything you want it to, without becoming boring. This can be a fine line, and you should have a proofreader help determine if you've crossed it.
 
The second question is a bit tricky:
2. Describe any contact you have had with UNECOM students, alumni, faculty members or clinicians, admissions/student affairs staff members, etc. How did these interactions influence your decision to apply?



I do not know anyone who goes to UNECOM, went there, or teaches there?



How am I going to explain myself here? I think this question seems a bit

loaded. I have had exposure to DOs during volunteer experiences, but it

why would they want you to know people who are affiliated with UNECOM?
 
JohnnyRockets said:
The second question is a bit tricky:
2. Describe any contact you have had with UNECOM students, alumni, faculty members or clinicians, admissions/student affairs staff members, etc. How did these interactions influence your decision to apply?



I do not know anyone who goes to UNECOM, went there, or teaches there?



How am I going to explain myself here? I think this question seems a bit

loaded. I have had exposure to DOs during volunteer experiences, but it

why would they want you to know people who are affiliated with UNECOM?
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It's reasonable for them to give preference to those more intimately familiar with the school. That being said, I only have experience from one person at each of two different schools. I'd be irritated to see that question, too.

Two suggestions:

1. Read up on UNECOM on their site and on SDN (current student threads). Maybe PM a few and discuss some issues. Also you can email their admissions/recruitment department or something. This way you could cite these interactions, and who knows, you might actually learn something!

2. If #1 doesn't pan out (or even if it does!), you could turn this into a "Why do you want to attend UNECOM?" prompt. This couldn't hurt, and would certainly look better than a blank page or the response: I don't know anyone affiliated with your school.
 
I really think that DO schools don't like me. Got another MD secondary. Still "under consideration" by two DO schools out of the 17 or so I applied to.
 
Chocolate Bear said:
If you're not given a character limit, half a page sounds fine. You should just make sure it conveys everything you want it to, without becoming boring. This can be a fine line, and you should have a proofreader help determine if you've crossed it.
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Thanks CB!
 
Got VCOM app. today. Finally. I'm unusually excited about this one. Virginia Tech was the first university I really fell in love with when touring colleges, so the chance to end up in blacksburg makes me kind of giddy. I know a secondary doesn't mean jack, but I grew up and live in a rural community...so that has to help somehow.
 
CB,
How many days would you turn a supp app around in 1 wk 3-5 days or 2wks or longer I recently have been hammered with supp apps and I am trying to turn them all around in a timely fashion.... what are your thoughts???? all others are welcome to comment as well
thanks in advance for any input
 
CB,
How many days would you turn a supp app around in 1 wk 3-5 days or 2wks or longer I recently have been hammered with supp apps and I am trying to turn them all around in a timely fashion.... what are your thoughts???? all others are welcome to comment as well
thanks in advance for any input
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ASAP, but remember, they're not counting the days from when they send it to you to when they receive it completed. Although I know where you're coming from. I've had my #1's secondary for 8 days and I'm getting fidgety...its 99% done though.
 
atallcosts said:
CB,
How many days would you turn a supp app around in 1 wk 3-5 days or 2wks or longer I recently have been hammered with supp apps and I am trying to turn them all around in a timely fashion.... what are your thoughts???? all others are welcome to comment as well
thanks in advance for any input
Click to expand...

Yeah I'd say as soon as possible, too. As soon as you get them, look at them before piling them in the "to do" stack. Some only require a credit card number and you're basically done. Do those and the ones that require an essay you've already written, first. Personally I've set a 2 week cap on each secondary, to keep things rolling. If you have a bunch, set a goal of one each day or every two days. That way you won't feel overwhelmed, but you won't get behind, either. 👍
 
Transcripts were in on 6/12, submitted on 6/13. Applied to OUCOOM and P-COM, haven't heard a peep. Should I be worried?😕
 
Yea. I think it is too easy to let these things pile up. If you can churn through huge chunks of it early then it makes life easy later on. Don't spend too much time on the essays. They really aren't looking for masterpieces, just insight into the applicant. Heck, I think one I did bullet points for an MD school. They asked about unique things my advisors and professors didn't know about me. Its hard to do a nice cohesive essay under 1000 characters with 5 or 6 different things.
 
nontradfogie said:
Transcripts were in on 6/12, submitted on 6/13. Applied to OUCOOM and P-COM, haven't heard a peep. Should I be worried?😕
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You should expect to be verified by 8/1. AACOMinfo says 4-6 weeks to verify. I know MD schools often send out secondaries before verification, but I can't attest to DO schools. I'd say to not expect them until verification. You can get the essays done for those schools before officially receiving the prompt. This way you'll be ready to submit when you hear back from them.
 
Got both LECOM secondaries today! You better believe they'll be submitted tonight! Here we goooooooo.. good luck!🙂
 
Cp22kjer said:
I think this would be the place to post this.

I am just curious if anyone could enlighten me on retaking the MCAT procedure. My April scores (6/8/9) are being sent and then I will have 6/13 scores sent also.

Will all schools hold until seeing my second round of scores? Should I anticipate being "complete" early or will schools wait to send secondaries until they receive my June recent score?

I searched on MD and here and found mixed results from old threads so I figured it was worth a current update if possible. Thanks!
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I have the same question, I am retaking the MCAT, but does that hold up my AACOMAS application???
 
Anyone else notice that LECOM's essay #2 differs between the email and the site??? Uncool. Anyone contact them about this? They closed 30 minutes ago, so I guess I'll be waiting until tomorrow to write the second essay. 👎
 
Chocolate Bear said:
Anyone else notice that LECOM's essay #2 differs between the email and the site??? Uncool. Anyone contact them about this? They closed 30 minutes ago, so I guess I'll be waiting until tomorrow to write the second essay. 👎
Click to expand...

I just noticed that as well!
 
Chocolate Bear said:
Anyone else notice that LECOM's essay #2 differs between the email and the site??? Uncool. Anyone contact them about this? They closed 30 minutes ago, so I guess I'll be waiting until tomorrow to write the second essay. 👎
Click to expand...

GAHHHHH, just noticed this! right before i was planning to submit too. i guess it's a good thing. hmmm, i'll try to call tomorrow!
 
MossPoh said:
Got VCOM app. today. Finally. I'm unusually excited about this one. Virginia Tech was the first university I really fell in love with when touring colleges, so the chance to end up in blacksburg makes me kind of giddy. I know a secondary doesn't mean jack, but I grew up and live in a rural community...so that has to help somehow.
Click to expand...
I went to VT for a conference. I'm uber excited about VCOM. Real college town, something I have wanted the past 3-4 years!
 
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