August MCATers & Secondary Progress

[UCLA Paratrooper]

Hi!

How are you guys doing with secondary applications? I've completed about five secondaries so far. I'm trying to get them all done about a week before the scores come out so they'll arrive at the medical schools at about the same time as the MCAT scores.

What do you guys think? Should I get them done sooner?



Thanks!!!

UCLA Paratrooper

 

[kumar28]

bump

 

[SMW]

The sooner the better. I would not try to time things that closely. They are going to be inundated at about that time, so it's probably better if the only thing they have to do then, is get the scores into your file (you'll be amazed at how long it takes some schools to do just that).

 

[lola]

I have turned in 2, have 1 ready to be mailed and am editing 3 or 4 more this weekend. I'm hoping to have them all mailed in by the middle of September -- a bit ambitious, but I think I can do it if I work really hard since many have similar essay questions.

 

[lola]

I have turned in 2, have 1 ready to be mailed and am editing 3 or 4 more this weekend. I'm hoping to have them all mailed in by the middle of September -- a bit ambitious, but I think I can do it if I work really hard since many have similar essay questions.

 

[DrBravesgirl]

of 21..
-17 are done
-2 have not been sent to me (on hold till august scores come in)
-1 has not been sent because of supposed letterhead problems (drexel)
-1 is still here waiting for the essay to magically be written by my computer (pitt..stupid ethical dilemma..grr) but i plan to get this one done in the next week or so.

 

[blackbird03]

Number of Secondaries sent = 0



I think I have been burnt out by MCATs, work and summer school.


Anybody Who's experiencing the same thing please post I need some encouragement

 

[tBw]

Originally posted by blackbird03
Number of Secondaries sent = 0



I think I have been burnt out by MCATs, work and summer school.


Anybody Who's experiencing the same thing please post I need some encouragement

blackbird, it is tough no doubt - I work full time, also did summer school (organic 1 and 2 plus lab and an english course in 'the short novel', and prepared for and sat the August MCAT). I can certainly relate to not wanting to get on with the secondaries. However, now is not the time to throw all this hard work away - which is exactly what will happen for this application round if you don't get on with those secondaries!!

If it's any comfort I had zero complete yesterday. Today I have 6 complete - all done since finishing my days work today. So pull them out, make a list, and set yourself some deadlines. You'll be surprised how soon you start getting through them (though I'm STILL stuck on the Pitt ethical dilemma!!!!)

 

[blackbird03]

Thank you.


I am hoping to do "some secondaries" tomorrow.



It is way TOO hot in california right now, it doesn't help when writing secondaries.

 

[athena21]

Dude,
I've been stuck on the pitt ethical dilemma forever. as for secondaries in general, i have most of them done--about 4 left, but one of those is Rush with sooooo many essays! Do they have a word limit? i sure hope so...

 

[conure]

Have any August MCATers who have not taken the MCAT before received secondaries from schools that screen?

Specifically I'm thinking of Duke, U of Michigan, Stanford, etc. is it possible to get them before your august scores come in?

For the record I have 15 of 23 secondaries to fill out and none sent yet. I expect to have half of them out beggining of next week.

 

[Kermie]

I also took the August MCAT (retake), but I was wondering if Pitt screens? It seems that some August MCATers got the Pitt secondary.

For the record, I have only sent out 3 secondaries.

 

[I to A]

August MCAT-got a secondary from Duke.

 

[Kermie]

Do you guys think it is bad to fill out and send in secondaries before getting an invitation from the schools to fill them out? There are many secondaries online for schools that do not screen. I was thinking of sending in the Tulane secondary, but Tulane has not contacted me yet.

 

[I to A]

Tulane sent me a package with instructions for their secondary.

Since they do not screen they probably missed you. If your AMCAS says that your application has been transmitted to them, then most probably they have your information. I don't thing they are trying to tell you something by not sending you a sec. package.

Also, Tulane's secondary is pretty expensive ($95).

 

[conure]

I think it is okay if you send the Tulane's secondary to them even if they haven't requested you to do so. I read else where on the board that others were doing this. Plus Tulane wants a paper copy of AMCAS from you.

The letter I got from them says " It is not neccessary that you receive confirmation of receipt of your application by AMCAS before proceeding with the following...." and it goes on to say send paper AMCAS and complete online secondary.

If you are serious about them then I would do it.

 

[Kermie]

Thanks you guys! I'll send my Tulane secondary this weekend.

 

[lola]

SO...how's it going guys? i hope everyone is making good progress! i had a surge of motivation yesterday. only about 5 to go (unless i hear back from schools that screen after the mcat).

 

[Kermie]

I am hoping to have a "surge of motivation" this weekend. My goal is to get 5 out by monday.

 

[SMW]

Originally posted by Kermie
Do you guys think it is bad to fill out and send in secondaries before getting an invitation from the schools to fill them out? There are many secondaries online for schools that do not screen. I was thinking of sending in the Tulane secondary, but Tulane has not contacted me yet.

It's definitely fine to send in the on-line secondaries from schools that don't screen without an invitation. Hop to it, everyone!

 

[Nefertari]

I'm such a slow poke!!! Only 5 done so far!! I'm starting to feel the pressure. Been agonizing over the last essay for UCLA. I've tried doing all the CA ones before east coast schools to hopefully cut down on having to fly back & forth for interviews, but they've been the most painful!!

After making a list of the 2ndaries I need to finish by the end of Sept though, I feel much better--only 6! Then 2 "way out of my league" schools to be done 1st week in Oct, & 4 others waiting to be screened after mcat scores. Oh, if only I could control the sdn habit!!! Any company for this misery?

 

[batman123]

After a poor showing in last year's medical school application process, I tried to get AMCAS done ASAP; finsihed AMCAS June 30th. Finished first bunch of secondaries 7/14; finished second bunch of secondaries 8/28; sent out my last secondary this past Monday; All the while took Princeton Review and studied for MCAT;


20+ secondaries finished
1 secondary not received (Penn State)
2 interviews