How does this look to schools?

[snitchseeker88]

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Last year, I ended up applying very late in the cycle because I learned more about osteopathic medicine last year, and decided I did not want to wait another year before applying, so I thought I'd just give it a shot. I submitted primaries to about 4 or 5 schools whose deadlines hadn't yet passed. However, by the time my primary was verified and I got secondaries, it was even later in the cycle and I saw that many of those schools classes/interviews were already filled or that I was so late that I would simply not have a chance, and I didn't think it would be worth it to fill out and spend money on a secondary. Plus the first secondary I submitted, by the time I was complete, they said they couldn't consider me because their interview cycle was over. So I didn't end up sending secondaries to the other schools, and thought I should just wait until this cycle. So this year, if the issue of my being a reapplicant comes up, do I simply explain that I was late last cycle and therefore "withdrew" my application, or will they hold the fact that I got a secondary and didn't submit against me? The only reason I didn't submit the secondaries was the issue of time. How will this look to the schools I apply too? My stats are above average. Thanks!

 

[Styria]

I've been there (late, try again, etc.). If you didn't submit a secondary, they're not going to view you as a reapplicant. Don't worry about it, and apply now, early!

 

[OrangeRoost]

Last year, I ended up applying very late in the cycle because I learned more about osteopathic medicine last year, and decided I did not want to wait another year before applying, so I thought I'd just give it a shot. I submitted primaries to about 4 or 5 schools whose deadlines hadn't yet passed. However, by the time my primary was verified and I got secondaries, it was even later in the cycle and I saw that many of those schools classes/interviews were already filled or that I was so late that I would simply not have a chance, and I didn't think it would be worth it to fill out and spend money on a secondary. Plus the first secondary I submitted, by the time I was complete, they said they couldn't consider me because their interview cycle was over. So I didn't end up sending secondaries to the other schools, and thought I should just wait until this cycle. So this year, if the issue of my being a reapplicant comes up, do I simply explain that I was late last cycle and therefore "withdrew" my application, or will they hold the fact that I got a secondary and didn't submit against me? The only reason I didn't submit the secondaries was the issue of time. How will this look to the schools I apply too? My stats are above average. Thanks!

I don't think they would look badly upon you if you didn't want to waste a lot of money for appearances. Being a doctor is about making good decisions, so just apply early this time.

 

[crazynate]

Whew! I'm basically in the same boat (applied primary but didn't have a physician recommendation so just stopped) and was worried about the problem as well. A question though...did you withdraw your application from the schools or just let the application "slip through the cracks" Because I only withdrew my app from 1 school and never followed up with any of the others.

 

[snitchseeker88]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the advice!

Crazynate, I officially withdrew one acceptance, but didn't do the others. From what I had heard, not turning in a secondary is equivalent to withdrawing from some schools, but it depends on the particular school. Hopefully its not a problem.

 

[kopitar]

Last year, I ended up applying very late in the cycle because I learned more about osteopathic medicine last year, and decided I did not want to wait another year before applying, so I thought I'd just give it a shot. I submitted primaries to about 4 or 5 schools whose deadlines hadn't yet passed. However, by the time my primary was verified and I got secondaries, it was even later in the cycle and I saw that many of those schools classes/interviews were already filled or that I was so late that I would simply not have a chance, and I didn't think it would be worth it to fill out and spend money on a secondary. Plus the first secondary I submitted, by the time I was complete, they said they couldn't consider me because their interview cycle was over. So I didn't end up sending secondaries to the other schools, and thought I should just wait until this cycle. So this year, if the issue of my being a reapplicant comes up, do I simply explain that I was late last cycle and therefore "withdrew" my application, or will they hold the fact that I got a secondary and didn't submit against me? The only reason I didn't submit the secondaries was the issue of time. How will this look to the schools I apply too? My stats are above average. Thanks!

Ignoring a secondary = no big deal. Ignoring an interview or even and acceptance = say goodbye to those schools