How bad is it to take three weeks for your secondaries?

[p53apoptosis]

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My primary was verified in mid-July, but two days later I had to leave the country for ~12 days and did not have internet. Now that I'm back, I've submitted or will submit my applications within three weeks from when they were sent to me. I've heard conflicting reports on how bad this will. I've heard anywhere from it's an app killer to insignificant, so I wanted to get a clearer picture on how much this sets back my application.

 

[theseeker4]

My primary was verified in mid-July, but two days later I had to leave the country for ~12 days and did not have internet. Now that I'm back, I've submitted or will submit my applications within three weeks from when they were sent to me. I've heard conflicting reports on how bad this will. I've heard anywhere from it's an app killer to insignificant, so I wanted to get a clearer picture on how much this sets back my application.

You hear that range because, #1, only adcoms know for sure how much it will matter, and #2, it varies from school to school. Since you can't do anything to go back and do them earlier, just get them done and in as soon as you can, and don't worry too much about how much it might or might now affect you.

 

[meix]

I'm in a similar situation, though it wasn't so much an out-of-country trip as it was work trying to kick my butt. There's nothing we can do about it now.

That's what I'm trying to tell myself, at least.

 

[Heplayer92]

Just be sure to read the "Secondary Invite" e-mail that schools send you. Some schools such as Western Michigan University "highly recommend" you send it back within 10 days. Wake Forest has a <3 week deadline. In those cases, it probably won't help your application if you submit them past their soft deadline.

 

[Dr. Doctor]

I took about three weeks to fill out a secondary for VCU and I got an interview. But I would have to say that it definitely depends on the school.

 

[NYCdude]

What about if you're not even verified yet and you get a secondary but don't submit a few weeks later? I'm guessing not as bad, correct?

 

[DoTheTrick]

It might depend on the schools and on the type of secondary. If it's an easy secondary, I think it'll hurt you if it takes you three weeks to return it. If it's a secondary with various essays, it might not so much. I believe that quality trumps all. If it's necessary for you to take three weeks to produce quality essays, then take those three weeks, unless the school specifically asks you to take less than that, of course.

 

[FFH]

What about if you're not even verified yet and you get a secondary but don't submit a few weeks later? I'm guessing not as bad, correct?

Hopkins sent out secondary before primary verification, but then they said in another email that they recommend that you wait after verification to submit secondary. So I think you are good.

 

[Ismet]

You're fine, unless the school explicitly stated that they want it back in a certain time frame. WVU is another school that required a quick turnaround.