* * 2010 - 2011 * * Secondary Applications Thread

[calvinhobbes]

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Yeah, I know what you mean. It's an odd process. I thought it was really strange as well. I'm thinking that as soon as you pay, the schools can see that you're in the pipeline, but that's just a guess.

All I know is that if they are sending out secondaries on a whim like that, then at least some schools would be happy to take your money even if you don't have an MCAT yet.

Good luck on your MCAT!

Thanks! 🙂

 

[calvinhobbes]

Could you guys help me out?

So my AACOMAS has been submitted for about a week now, and on the main screen is says, Status --> Current: Processing.
But my Colleges and Coursework section has been modified by their office (by mistake, I entered a course with a wrong designation (other science vs. non-science) so they have obviously been "processing/modifying" my application. Do you guys know how long before it takes for an application to be submitted/verified to schools after the initial submission date? And how will I know, will it say on the main page, "Submitted to Schools" or "Verified?"

Thanks everyone, it's nice to have you guys as a support network during this lovely application process

🙂

 

[judasreznor]

Could you guys help me out?

So my AACOMAS has been submitted for about a week now, and on the main screen is says, Status --> Current: Processing.
But my Colleges and Coursework section has been modified by their office (by mistake, I entered a course with a wrong designation (other science vs. non-science) so they have obviously been "processing/modifying" my application. Do you guys know how long before it takes for an application to be submitted/verified to schools after the initial submission date? And how will I know, will it say on the main page, "Submitted to Schools" or "Verified?"

Thanks everyone, it's nice to have you guys as a support network during this lovely application process

🙂

It may take about a month or a month and a half to be fully verified. These types of questions would be better answered in the AACOMAS questions thread.

 

[MightyMoose]

So..... Funny story...

🙂 Remember all of those posts I made complaining about LMU-DCOM not sending me an invite... Hehe. Well... I was checking my very very old email address from my undergraduate university, and apparently they sent it there! I didn't even give them that email!!! I listed that email back in 2008 when I applied but gave them my new work email this year! Funny right? They sent it to me two weeks ago! Ooopps! Wow, I spent a lot of energry being angry about that... Well, I have the app and check ready so I'm sending it off today!

If you click on the PDF file next to the school name in your application, what address do they have?

I hope to God it's not your current one, because that would mean they got the address from some other method and I don't have access to my old email address anymore... So, if they sent it there, it's MIA for good!

 

[Atom bum]

For anyone waiting for LECOM Erie interview. I was invited for an interview on the 16th but that conflicted with some prior obligations. I asked about an interview at a later date and was offered one on the 13th of August.
Maybe they are waiting for August to complete the next round of interviews, or maybe all of the spots till August are filled with you guys and they just need to send invites.

 

[FutureDoc1988]

For anyone waiting for LECOM Erie interview. I was invited for an interview on the 16th but that conflicted with some prior obligations. I asked about an interview at a later date and was offered one on the 13th of August.
Maybe they are waiting for August to complete the next round of interviews, or maybe all of the spots till August are filled with you guys and they just need to send invites.

I think thats the next interview date because that was the date they offered me in my interview invite. i havent seen anyone else getting an interview between 7/16 and 8/13

 

[zetabetazeta]

I think thats the next interview date because that was the date they offered me in my interview invite. i havent seen anyone else getting an interview between 7/16 and 8/13

Haha, your post makes me feel soooooo much better!!! My app hasn't been verified yet..🙁 and I really want to go to the interviews before my school starts (the end of september) 😛

 

[futuredoc4432]

Are we supposed to wait for schools to request LOR's or just send them in anyways?

 

[noshie]

Are we supposed to wait for schools to request LOR's or just send them in anyways?

Just send them! Don't want to delay things...

 

[aidama]

Touro-Ca only deals in snail mail. Its a HUGE pain in the ass.

Arghhh.... really? I had everything sent to my parent's address... how frustrating! 😡

 

[ciruelo]

For VCOM's secondary (and other DO schools too), say you indicate that you are getting your DO letter from a certain doctor, but you change your mind and get a better letter after you submit your secondary. Are schools generally okay about swapping the old letter out for a new one?

VCOM says "Changes in the individuals listed below must be reported to the Office of Admissions by resubmitting this page [the secondary form]" so it seems like it's okay...any thoughts?

 

[noshie]

For VCOM's secondary (and other DO schools too), say you indicate that you are getting your DO letter from a certain doctor, but you change your mind and get a better letter after you submit your secondary. Are schools generally okay about swapping the old letter out for a new one?

VCOM says "Changes in the individuals listed below must be reported to the Office of Admissions by resubmitting this page [the secondary form]" so it seems like it's okay...any thoughts?

I don't think it will hurt you in any way. Just make sure to call and tell them of this change. If it's just one little change in the letter writer, it sounds like no big deal.

 

[traitorman]

hope everyone had a happy 4th of july!

for anyone still waiting on Touro-CA's secondary, its probably in the process of getting out. I emailed them and they said they were mailing mine out.

o and another question: for the schools that say they only want certain number of letters, what happens if im having my health professions office send it out as a packet of letters?

 

[joeDO2]

hope everyone had a happy 4th of july!

for anyone still waiting on Touro-CA's secondary, its probably in the process of getting out. I emailed them and they said they were mailing mine out.

o and another question: for the schools that say they only want certain number of letters, what happens if im having my health professions office send it out as a packet of letters?

my understanding is that the schools will just take the letters they need and ignore the other ones...many of the schools ask you to specify which letters you want them to consider on the secondary app.

 

[traitorman]

my understanding is that the schools will just take the letters they need and ignore the other ones...many of the schools ask you to specify which letters you want them to consider on the secondary app.

ah i see. how about in regards to schools that ask for letters from professors of the hard sciences (physics, bio, chem)? I have two science professor LORs but are from genetics and neurobiology.

 

[DrDre2001]

I have a question:

Some of the schools tell you that they want your MCAT scores. Do they want us to go to the mcat thx site and somehow have them send an official score report to them?

For instance, ATSU - SOMA sends you this message after you complete their secondary application:


"We will contact you when processing of your secondary application is complete and let you know if letters of evaluation and MCAT scores have been received. In addition, we encourage you to contact us with questions at..."

 

[taylormade2006]

I have a question:

Some of the schools tell you that they want your MCAT scores. Do they want us to go to the mcat thx site and somehow have them send an official score report to them?

For instance, ATSU - SOMA sends you this message after you complete their secondary application:


"We will contact you when processing of your secondary application is complete and let you know if letters of evaluation and MCAT scores have been received. In addition, we encourage you to contact us with questions at..."

I have emailed a few places and they said they just get them off of the AACOMAS primary and that you don't need to send them in. I didn't apply to SOMA, though, so you may want to call to find out.

 

[megathunder]

I'm thinking this weeks is going to be a big one for secondaries. Haven't heard from about 9 of the big names so far and I applied early ..

 

[noshie]

I'm thinking this weeks is going to be a big one for secondaries. Haven't heard from about 9 of the big names so far and I applied early ..

I hope you're right! I've been caught up since Friday and I want to just finish these before my interviews start... That is, if I get at least one more interview. Hehe.

 

[azrk]

What a waste of my money 👎

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) has received your primary application. Thank you for your interest, we are pleased you have selected PNWU - College of Osteopathic Medicine as one of your choices for pursuing your health professions training. Please visit our website to view the catalog and other program information.



Priority processing is being given to applicants from the Pacific Northwest until December 1st. You will receive instructions to complete a PNWU-COM supplemental application on or after December 1st.

 

[noshie]

What a waste of my money 👎

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) has received your primary application. Thank you for your interest, we are pleased you have selected PNWU - College of Osteopathic Medicine as one of your choices for pursuing your health professions training. Please visit our website to view the catalog and other program information.



Priority processing is being given to applicants from the Pacific Northwest until December 1st. You will receive instructions to complete a PNWU-COM supplemental application on or after December 1st.

Thats why I didn't apply there. Public so they can do whatever they want...

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

I guess I don't understand why everyone is suprised that PNWU would send something like that. There is a website that has touted what their mission is since day one.

I have applied to OSU and if they sent me a similar email I wouldn't be suprised or dissapointed as I've done my research and know that just by being OOS the odds start stacked up against me.

 

[IamaBanana]

I guess I don't understand why everyone is suprised that PNWU would send something like that. There is a website that has touted what their mission is since day one.

I have applied to OSU and if they sent me a similar email I wouldn't be suprised or dissapointed as I've done my research and know that just by being OOS the odds start stacked up against me.

Got to agree. Every school outlines their mission on their website and in the CIB. It's pretty clear that there are some that let in very few OOS/out of region applicants. Sorry you guys lost money on it 🙁

 

[DrDre2001]

Got to agree. Every school outlines their mission on their website and in the CIB. It's pretty clear that there are some that let in very few OOS/out of region applicants. Sorry you guys lost money on it 🙁

No. it isn't. From the CIB, we can see that there are very few OOS acceptances. No where in there can someone see that they accept very few "out of region" applicants.

If you are referring to the comments they make about pledging to serve the NorthWest region. Well, UNE-COM, for example, makes the same mission statements on their website. Yet, they allow "out of region" applicants to at least apply at the same time as the in-region applicants.

It was uncalled for, and they need to make it clear that they won't accept out of region (and they also need to define out of region) applications until December 1. There is no excuse.

 

[azrk]

Thats why I didn't apply there. Public so they can do whatever they want...

Well it says private nonprofit so I went ahead and applied. It says preference would be given to students in their region but I dont think it says anything about not being able to apply at the same time.

At least the supplemental app fee for PNWU will cover the app fees for 3 other schools

 

[IamaBanana]

No. it isn't. From the CIB, we can see that there are very few OOS acceptances. No where in there can someone see that they accept very few "out of region" applicants.

If you are referring to the comments they make about pledging to serve the NorthWest region. Well, UNE-COM, for example, makes the same mission statements on their website. Yet, they allow "out of region" applicants to at least apply at the same time as the in-region applicants.

It was uncalled for, and they need to make it clear that they won't accept out of region (and they also need to define out of region) applications until December 1. There is no excuse.

Not processing your app until Dec 1 is a pain, I'll agree, but at least you didn't get a flat-out "no." If you look at their website the last year for which they publish class demographics says that only 12 students from outside the pacific northwest were admitted and they received 2300 primaries that year. They also specifically define that region as WA, OR, ID, MT and AK. I think those numbers pretty much speak for themselves. UNECOM is a different story, as they only take 60% from New England and another 20% from PA, NY and NJ. With a class size of ~125 and those three other states, that gives them a reason to take into account all applications.

I didn't mean to come off as sarcastic in my previous post because I am sorry that you may have lost money on it. I'd be pissed too. I just don't see the logic of getting angry at them over it.

 

[DrDre2001]

Not processing your app until Dec 1 is a pain, I'll agree, but at least you didn't get a flat-out "no." If you look at their website the last year for which they publish class demographics says that only 12 students from outside the pacific northwest were admitted and they received 2300 primaries that year. They also specifically define that region as WA, OR, ID, MT and AK. I think those numbers pretty much speak for themselves. UNECOM is a different story, as they only take 60% from New England and another 20% from PA, NY and NJ. With a class size of ~125 and those three other states, that gives them a reason to take into account all applications.

I didn't mean to come off as sarcastic in my previous post because I am sorry that you may have lost money on it. I'd be pissed too. I just don't see the logic of getting angry at them over it.

It's cool.

I guess we were all just venting in the same way we do about random things in real life. Nothing really changes about whatever we are mad about, but sometimes it is good to just let our anger out...especially with people in the same position as ourselves.

And those are interesting stats about UNE-COM, thanks for those.

 

[ciruelo]

So, there's always lots of talk on the MD forum about the "two week rule" for secondaries, as in getting them returned within two weeks of receiving them, to show that you are enthusiastic about the school. Haven't really heard much from the DO side...I assume it's the same general principle? Also, there are a few MD schools that have a deadline of "two weeks" or "one month" after receiving the secondary to return it... any DO schools have a similar deadline?

Guess I'm just wondering since I prolly won't get to UMDNJ's secondary until a little bit after 2 weeks of receiving it...anyone have any ideas about how much they would care, if any? These things just start piling up...guess that's the drawback of 30+ applications!!!

 

[MightyMoose]

So, there's always lots of talk on the MD forum about the "two week rule" for secondaries, as in getting them returned within two weeks of receiving them, to show that you are enthusiastic about the school. Haven't really heard much from the DO side...I assume it's the same general principle? Also, there are a few MD schools that have a deadline of "two weeks" or "one month" after receiving the secondary to return it... any DO schools have a similar deadline?

Guess I'm just wondering since I prolly won't get to UMDNJ's secondary until a little bit after 2 weeks of receiving it...anyone have any ideas about how much they would care, if any? These things just start piling up...guess that's the drawback of 30+ applications!!!

Yeah, a few have a 30 day deadline to be considered. I think one was Western or CCOM, but don't quote me on that. Anyway, a good rule of thumb is to get them out quickly. There is no reason why you shouldn't be able to get most of them out within a couple weeks.

 

[ciruelo]

Cool...30 days won't be a problem for any of them, but two weeks might cause some issues for a couple, especially if they have to be mailed and you have to factor the time for shipping to reach the school, mostly cuz I'm at a really hard stretch at work for the next few days. Ooooor maybe there really isn't any practical difference at all between 13 and 16 days after receiving the secondary, and I'm stressing over nothing 🙂

 

[megathunder]

Just got the "LECOM has processed your supplemental app" email and I'm now listed as under review on the portal. Any idea how long it takes now to get word on the interview?

 

[noshie]

Just got the "LECOM has processed your supplemental app" email and I'm now listed as under review on the portal. Any idea how long it takes now to get word on the interview?

Probably after next Tuesday if what I have heard about their weekly adcom meetings is true...

On a side note... I have not received any secondary applications this week. I have been waiting for the PCOM apps in the snail mail, but nothing yet. Anyone heard from:

KCUMB
NSUCOM
PCOM
PCOM-GA
PCSOM
Touro-NV
NYCOM
WCUCOM

 

[PeachyPhd]

Probably after next Tuesday if what I have heard about their weekly adcom meetings is true...

On a side note... I have not received any secondary applications this week. I have been waiting for the PCOM apps in the snail mail, but nothing yet. Anyone heard from:

KCUMB
NSUCOM
PCOM
PCOM-GA
PCSOM
Touro-NV
NYCOM
WCUCOM

I applied to the bolded so can only speak toward those, but I haven't heard a word. You can go ahead and fill out NSUCOM online. Check out the nsu-2011 thread for details, or pm me.

 

[cliffhuxtableDO]

Probably after next Tuesday if what I have heard about their weekly adcom meetings is true...

On a side note... I have not received any secondary applications this week. I have been waiting for the PCOM apps in the snail mail, but nothing yet. Anyone heard from:

KCUMB
NSUCOM
PCOM
PCOM-GA
PCSOM
Touro-NV
NYCOM
WCUCOM

I'm still waiting on the bolded, as well as Touro-NY.

 

[traitorman]

for the Touro-CA secondary, did u guys write a completely different response to the personal statement question than your actual AACOMAS personal statement?

its definitely similar to other secondary questions but because of the length and actually calling it a personal statement, im wondering if I need to write it like how the aacomas one was written: meaning using a catchy opening line, etc....

 

[noshie]

I applied to the bolded so can only speak toward those, but I haven't heard a word. You can go ahead and fill out NSUCOM online. Check out the nsu-2011 thread for details, or pm me.

Haha, you know I already filled it out! 🙂 I’m so antsy... I have 2 of the schools filled out already (NSUCOM and NYCOM), just waiting for something from them.

Well, I guess we are all waiting then. 🙁 Misery loves company.

 

[cho15]

Received UNE-COM today! Looks pretty time consuming. For those of you waiting i'll post my dates as well.

)

I have a question about the first prompt:

"Describe your particular interest in attending the UNE-COM and any contact you have had with UNE-COM students, alumni, faculty or clinicians, admissions/student affairs staff members, etc. How did these interactions influence your decision to apply?"

I have absolutely no connections with any UNE-COM people, so would be I be writing solely about what about UNE-COM makes me want to go there? if so, do I need to mention that I have no contact with any UNE-COM people in my response?

Thanks in advance!

 

[noshie]

I have a question about the first prompt:

"Describe your particular interest in attending the UNE-COM and any contact you have had with UNE-COM students, alumni, faculty or clinicians, admissions/student affairs staff members, etc. How did these interactions influence your decision to apply?"

I have absolutely no connections with any UNE-COM people, so would be I be writing solely about what about UNE-COM makes me want to go there? if so, do I need to mention that I have no contact with any UNE-COM people in my response?

Thanks in advance!

I mentioned that despite having no connections with the school, I know it will be a good fit for me because I strongly want to become an osteopathic physician and going there will allow me to reach my future goals. Then I wrote in general why I wanted to go to UNE-COM in particular. Not sure if my arguement on this question was very strong... But it was all I have.

 

[melissaliss]

Probably after next Tuesday if what I have heard about their weekly adcom meetings is true...

On a side note... I have not received any secondary applications this week. I have been waiting for the PCOM apps in the snail mail, but nothing yet. Anyone heard from:

KCUMB
NSUCOM
PCOM
PCOM-GA
PCSOM
Touro-NV
NYCOM
WCUCOM

Touro-NV doesn't begin reviewing applicants until August, so I don't believe you'll get one from them until then. Also, if I remember correctly, there were not any essays on that one. But you do have to send them your transcripts separately, which is a pain.

 

[gatorfann14]

i just got a LECOM-E interview
but they say that I need to have my letters of rec in before I get there. But my last professor has been dragging his feet for months and is out of the country until next week. What do you think I should do if I absolutely can't get him to send it in on time. I mean he was my last hope for a second science prof anyway.

 

[HockeyDr09]

i just got a LECOM-E interview
but they say that I need to have my letters of rec in before I get there. But my last professor has been dragging his feet for months and is out of the country until next week. What do you think I should do if I absolutely can't get him to send it in on time. I mean he was my last hope for a second science prof anyway.

When is your interview? If it's in August you should have a least a month, plenty of time for him to write it. Not sure what you could do if you can't get him though, maybe just find a prof's class you did well in and just talk to him about med school and maybe he will help you out.

 

[megathunder]

I still haven't heard from:

PCOM
PCOM-GA
Touro-NV
SOMA
NYCOM
COMP
KCUMB
NSUCOM

 

[gatorfann14]

When is your interview? If it's in August you should have a least a month, plenty of time for him to write it. Not sure what you could do if you can't get him though, maybe just find a prof's class you did well in and just talk to him about med school and maybe he will help you out.

Ya it's on the 13th. Im hoping he gets it done in time. I just need a letter. I have 3 great ones from a science prof, non science and a DO. He is the only one that agreed to give me the second science letter, but he's very involved with the LHC and goes over there all the time. AHHH

 

[hopefulCC]

I was filling out 4 secondaries last night: KCOM, AZCOM, TOURO-CA, SOMA.

I was writing KCOM's essays and I remember I wrote something for AZCOM that I thought was applicable for an essay from KCOM... so I copied and pasted the sentence. HOWEVER, I totally forgot to change the AZCOM to KCOM!!
I don't know how I missed it because I double and triple checked my essays before I submitted it. UGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

I guess if I've learned anything from this, it's.... don't write 4 secondaries in one night.
🙁🙁🙁🙁🙁🙁🙁🙁🙁🙁

 

[traitorman]

Just got the "LECOM has processed your supplemental app" email and I'm now listed as under review on the portal. Any idea how long it takes now to get word on the interview?

i got the same email yesterday for Bradenton and got an interview invite today! so probably real soon.

its intersting cuz on the LECOM web portal, for a couple days it just said that my application was sent but it didnt say "your application is under review."

it looks like a lot of invites are being sent out. wonder what the chances of gettin accepted are

 

[traitorman]

for the Touro-CA secondary, did u guys write a completely different response to the personal statement question than your actual AACOMAS personal statement?

its definitely similar to other secondary questions but because of the length and actually calling it a personal statement, im wondering if I need to write it like how the aacomas one was written: meaning using a catchy opening line, etc....

anyone know?

 

[PeachyPhd]

Congrats on the Invites!!!

My app is still 'under review.'

 

[megathunder]

I was filling out 4 secondaries last night: KCOM, AZCOM, TOURO-CA, SOMA.

I was writing KCOM's essays and I remember I wrote something for AZCOM that I thought was applicable for an essay from KCOM... so I copied and pasted the sentence. HOWEVER, I totally forgot to change the AZCOM to KCOM!!
I don't know how I missed it because I double and triple checked my essays before I submitted it. UGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

I guess if I've learned anything from this, it's.... don't write 4 secondaries in one night.
🙁🙁🙁🙁🙁🙁🙁🙁🙁🙁

Oh god, so sorry to hear about that. I was super worried about doing that same thing so I triple and quadruple checked and ctrl+F'd the school names and cities to make sure. I would call em up ASAP and ask if you can resubmit the essay because you sent the wrong one.

anyone know?

I wouldn't make it so formal. Planning on just fusing my secondaries together and making it flow. Just providing extra info basically, nothing too fancy.

i got the same email yesterday for Bradenton and got an interview invite today! so probably real soon.

its intersting cuz on the LECOM web portal, for a couple days it just said that my application was sent but it didnt say "your application is under review."

it looks like a lot of invites are being sent out. wonder what the chances of gettin accepted are

Awesome, thanks. But I gotta say I wouldn't judge the amount of secondaries theyre sending out based on what you hear on here. If there's anything I've learned from SDN is you can't make judgments based on what you hear on here (in terms of interviews, acceptances, etc.).

 

[aidama]

Has anyone gotten Nova's secondary yet?

 

[Maica]

NYCOM just sent the okay to complete the supplemental. Still waiting for Pikeville, Touro-NY, and PCOM. If I am correct:

-WVSOM will only send you a secondary if you get an interview
-VCOM won't let me do the secondary until they receive my MCAT scores and see if the rest of my application is ok

Gosh. Everything is riding on my MCAT score, I am terrified. I hope schools won't screen me out if I completely bomb it. If I do, do you guys think if I plan to retake would they still look at my app or should I try again next cycle?