How important is the Primary application w/ Personal Comments vs 2ndy apps

[meetfockers88]

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My friend has a jump on me and his secondaries are rolling in. The funny thing is, he is explaining to me all the freaking essay's they are asking him to write. They are like additional personal statements. I mean can't the school get 90% of the information needed from the AMCAS primary application. I understand that they might want another essay per se but that really should be it. And I understand that is when they want the LOR's to come in, ok that is fine too. But, writing 2 -- 4 additional essay's seems, well dumb.

 

[whatintheworld?]

If you want to get into med school, you have to jump through all of the hoops. As for the importance of the primary vs the secondary.... I would think it depends on the school, but if they see your primary and don't like it, there is a chance they won't even look at the secondary. Or if either one is bad, no interview invitation.

 

[inyofacesucka]

I think what the OP was saying is that why do the schools make you do that?

 

[trichomoniasis]

I think what the OP was saying is that why do the schools make you do that?

can't we just say "because they can" and let all 36 of these practically identical threads just die?

 

[greeniz]

My friend has a jump on me and his secondaries are rolling in. The funny thing is, he is explaining to me all the freaking essay's they are asking him to write. They are like additional personal statements. I mean can't the school get 90% of the information needed from the AMCAS primary application. I understand that they might want another essay per se but that really should be it. And I understand that is when they want the LOR's to come in, ok that is fine too. But, writing 2 -- 4 additional essay's seems, well dumb.

I think one reason is to possibly cut down the applicant pool especially since some schools are getting more than 10,000 applications.

 

[Law2Doc]

I think one reason is to possibly cut down the applicant pool especially since some schools are getting more than 10,000 applications.

Exactly. EVERYTHING in the application is important. It is silly to concern yourself with what is "more important". Consider everything in your application, whether it be grades, MCAT, essays, LORs, ECs, interview to be the absolute most important thing, because any one of those things can give adcoms a reason to drop you like a hot potato.

 

[inyofacesucka]

LOL, I understand what you are all saying but I kinda have the same question. I get the fact everything is imporant that is a very true statement. However, I am filling out these secondaries and I am thinking in my head, geez how many times does one want to read this crap. LOL. It just seems overly redundant.

 

[Law2Doc]

LOL, I understand what you are all saying but I kinda have the same question. I get the fact everything is imporant that is a very true statement. However, I am filling out these secondaries and I am thinking in my head, geez how many times does one want to read this crap. LOL. It just seems overly redundant.

If it seems overly redundant you need to mix it up a bit. Do not cut and paste the same essay over and over again. Try and emphasize different aspects of your candidacy in each wherever possible.

 

[kypdurron5]

I must admit I'm a little irritated with Case Western. I promised myself I would complete all my secondaries within 2-3 days this year, but Case is asking me write a completely different PS. They don't even bother disguising it as something different, they're calling it a "personal essay." I'm ok with all these secondary questions that ask about something specific and then make you limit your response to a paragraph...but to completely request that you write a second page-long PS with a vague theme in mind....I think it's too much. They also ask for a second (third) essay about research. I'm really tempted to just write "This question has been addressed through my AMCAS personal statement." Obviously I won't, but if there were no secondary fee involved I'm almost certain I wouldn't put up with this. I've said all I need to say, and will say more during interviews; if that isn't enough, then I'm ok with a rejection.