Do schools read the secondary essays?

[JDAD]

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Is it worth my time to spend hours filling out some of the secondary essays? Some schools don't even include an essay in their secondary.

What I am trying to figure out is: What are the secondaries used for? Would writing boring and average secondary essays keep me from getting an interveiw? Or are they primarily used to help those who are on the bubble?

 

[kahoo99]

god i hope they read the friken things
I hate them at this point

 

[IndyZX]

Is it worth my time to spend hours filling out some of the secondary essays? Some schools don't even include an essay in their secondary.

What I am trying to figure out is: What are the secondaries used for? Would writing boring and average secondary essays keep me from getting an interveiw? Or are they primarily used to help those who are on the bubble?

can you afford to assume that you are not on the bubble? even if you can, you gotta just hunker down and write. its part of it, man, and it sucks.

 

[JDAD]

Indy, I wasn't trying to say that. In no way do i think I am "above" the bubble. I am probably below it. I was just trying to find out the purpose of these devils.

How much weight do you think medschools place on these things?

But yes, I know I will have to put up with it. I havne't even gotten five of them, and I heard Duke's was a bitch.

 

[IndyZX]

oh no, i wasnt trying to challenge your assertion... i know nothing about you. its just that you should delete all thoughts of half-assing your secondaries now. it is something that they will read; it may not be the most important thing in the world, but you studied your butt off for that ochem course (for example) even though it was just a small part of your med school application, didnt you?

i would think that you just want to make sure you maximize every single thing that is within your control, you know?

 

[JDAD]

Thanks man. I needed a kick in the ass.

Good Luck

 

[CanIMakeIt]

I have been told time and again that they do read these darn essays...... I have finished so many of them that I can't even think anymore for the UNC essay 🙁

so man sit down and finish them.....

 

[Super Rob]

After several interviews, I was convinced that admissions committees put more time into reading your secondary essays than they spend on your AMCAS. Your essays do not need to win any awards, but if you catch their attention with something, they may make it the focus of your interview.

Good Luck!

 

[Arb]

Secondaries are taking a long time. Is there a point in finishing them as fast as possible at this point? Many people already seem to have rejections/interviews.