General questions about secondaries

[soxfan247]

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1. What format are most of the secondaries in? Do we send them directly through an online form or do we physically mail something in?

2. Would it be helpful to update grades from spring quarter (I've already sent in my primary and gotten verified) even if they slightly help our GPA? And do we have to send the updated transcripts directly to the schools since AMCAS verification is over?

Thanks!

 

[StanGoodspeed]

1. Most secondary applications are available online. With some schools, you can pay the school-specific application fee by credit card online; with others, you need to send a check in by snail mail. Many schools ask you to repeat basic information (biographical, classes, extracurriculars) on the secondary, presumably so it is in a format that they like. The essays vary across schools, but usually require a few paragraphs per question. The questions are often related to the mission of the school in some way - it seems like another way of finding a "fit" between the school and applicant.

2. Go for it, especially if it improves your GPA!

 

[soxfan247]

Thanks Stan.

So after getting back my verified GPA, I was certainly discouraged because my science GPA was significantly lower than I expected (I didn't know they would take into account community college courses taken during high school, which was 2.93 ouch). So basically that dropped my BCPM GPA to 3.30 and overall GPA to 3.43. Adding classes from this quarter will help the GPA by a little but not by much. Unfortunately I did not expect this and already sent in my primary to all 22 schools I applied to (mostly lower-tier schools). Do I still have any chance, or should I not even waste time and money with secondaries? I'm also applying to 8 DO schools and figure that might be my chance now. Any input would be helpful!

 

[StanGoodspeed]

Thanks Stan.

So after getting back my verified GPA, I was certainly discouraged because my science GPA was significantly lower than I expected (I didn't know they would take into account community college courses taken during high school, which was 2.93 ouch). So basically that dropped my BCPM GPA to 3.30 and overall GPA to 3.43. Adding classes from this quarter will help the GPA by a little but not by much. Unfortunately I did not expect this and already sent in my primary to all 22 schools I applied to (mostly lower-tier schools). Do I still have any chance, or should I not even waste time and money with secondaries? I'm also applying to 8 DO schools and figure that might be my chance now. Any input would be helpful!

Your GPA is on the lower end for allopathic schools but it certainly won't eliminate your chances of an acceptance, especially if you have an MCAT in the 30s, strong ECs, and applied wisely. The adcoms will also be able to see an upward trend in your GPA, which is always good. So you should definitely submit your secondaries! It sounds like you submitted your primary early, which is great, and it's similarly very important to turn your secondaries in within a few weeks of receiving them. I can't comment much on osteopathic schools, but it leaves you with more options. Good luck.

 

[OhioDoc]

Thanks Stan.

So after getting back my verified GPA, I was certainly discouraged because my science GPA was significantly lower than I expected (I didn't know they would take into account community college courses taken during high school, which was 2.93 ouch). So basically that dropped my BCPM GPA to 3.30 and overall GPA to 3.43. Adding classes from this quarter will help the GPA by a little but not by much. Unfortunately I did not expect this and already sent in my primary to all 22 schools I applied to (mostly lower-tier schools). Do I still have any chance, or should I not even waste time and money with secondaries? I'm also applying to 8 DO schools and figure that might be my chance now. Any input would be helpful!

Post this in the what are my chances thread