I miss the rains down in Africa (or secondaries)

[alexwantsanMD]

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Hey all,

I have a family riverboat cruise that will either occur July 8-22nd or July 22nd-Aug 6th during the 2018 application, the trip will be in a rural area, with limited internet access. Don't want to skip the trip, as it'll probably be one of the last with the 'old man,' but i'm afraid I'll miss or not be able to reply to secondary applications in a timely manner. The internet access is supposed to be limited from port to port (dock to dock?).

I'm already planning on writing up as many secondary prompts based on my school selection, so I can just copy and paste as I receive them, but also expecting to have to rewrite and edit based on what's asked. So I'm apprehensive about it being in the middle of prime secondary season and having checkered access to my email.

Which trip should I opt for, the July 8th or July 22nd? Lets assume i'm submitting primaries with everything on June 1st. 4-6 weeks to verify/transmit (=July 1st-14th), with most secondaries appearing immediately at transmission. I would therefore want to opt for the latter trip? (Than again, a woman I know says she currently buried in secondaries). It's really a crap conundrum.

Anyone have advice or a remedy? Such as a mobile internet access provider?

(Family during trip, "Look at the majestic natural beauty of this land!")
(Me intently staring at labtop, looking at wifi bars, "yeah...splendid...")

 

[all things possible]

If you're planning to submit on the first day submission is allowed, then it shouldn't take 4-6 weeks to verify. Maybe a week? You could realistically pre-write all of your secondary prompts and sumbit before July 22nd if you submit by June 1st and make sure all of your materials are in early (transcripts must be received at least before verification can happen).

In this case I would choose July 22nd.

You could also save all of the prompts into a word document and work on them abroad and submit when you come back (July 8-22 option). This way you wouldn't necessarily need access to internet. But be honest with yourself, do you really want to work on secondaries during your vacation? Will you have down time for sure?

I was out of the country last year when I applied and completed a few secondaries abroad. However this was within hotels/air bnb/sometimes long airport transfers, etc. These places had reliable WiFi though.

 

[Toutie]

If you are set on applying and set on going on the vacation here are my suggestions.

You should opt for the earlier date, July 8-22. Submit your application in June and apply only to one throw away school so that it is verified.

Before you leave on your trip, make sure you have many of your secondaries pre-written based on previous prompts. When you return from your trip THEN add all the other schools you wish to apply to. This way you will be back home when your secondaries start arriving and then won't be just sitting in your in-box waiting for you to return. Send in your secondaries as they come in with adjustments as necessary if any of the prompts have changed. This way you really won't be very far behind in the process at all.

 

[CyrilFiggis]

I went on a 9-day camping trip through Gates of the Arctic in late July-early August the year I got in. Only communication was a sat phone. Had all 33 of my secondaries in before that.

 

[alexwantsanMD]

If you are set on applying and set on going on the vacation here are my suggestions.

You should opt for the earlier date, July 8-22. Submit your application in June and apply only to one throw away school so that it is verified.

Before you leave on your trip, make sure you have many of your secondaries pre-written based on previous prompts. When you return from your trip THEN add all the other schools you wish to apply to. This way you will be back home when your secondaries start arriving and then won't be just sitting in your in-box waiting for you to return. Send in your secondaries as they come in with adjustments as necessary if any of the prompts have changed. This way you really won't be very far behind in the process at all.

Would this not put me at a disadvantage? It would mean having my application transmitted to the schools in mid-July. As opposed to a possible transmission on June 30th and therefore receiving the majority of secondaries within 24 hours or 48 hours? (side question; do medical schools send secondaries on the weekends, has anyone received a 'Saturday morning secondary surprise?')

Everyone stresses the fact that you should submit your primary and secondaries as soon as possible as it gives you a selection advantage over the slackers that submitted later.

As well, gonnif had posted previously:
May 2, 2017 -- AMCAS Application Opens for Data Entry
June 1, 2017 -- AMCAS Application Opens for Submission
June 30, 2017 -- AMCAS Begins Application Transmission to schools

Granted we don't have the AMCAS schedule for 2018, so maybe I should wait to consider that factor.
Sorry to so overanalyze the suggestions; I really do appreciate the feedback.

 

[Toutie]

The other option would be to submit to schools ASAP, send in as many secondaries as you receive, and take the later date trip. You still might have to deal with some potential issues. What happens to the secondaries that come in when you are away on your trip...they will sit in your in-box for a couple weeks. What if you get a secondary or 3 the day before you leave? Will you have time to rush through them and sent in before you leave? Or any that may come in while you're gone will sit in your in-box. What happens if you receive an interview invite while you are gone...you won't be there to accept it and agree to a date? It'll just sit in your in-box for a week or so?

There are some potential issues with either date. I truly don't think those issues in either case would be fatal to your application. Applicants seem to take vacations during this time period without severe repercussions. In my opinion the earlier date trip and add the schools when you return would have fewer potential issues than the later date trip.

 

[Toutie]

Oh...and I do expect you to come back with a video of your trip that will rival this one. 😀

I miss the rains down in Africa...

 

[alexwantsanMD]

Oh...and I do expect you to come back with a video of your trip that will rival this one. 😀

I miss the rains down in Africa...

Getting into Harvard Med would be easier.

 

[ChrisTurkletonMD]

Are we all going to ignore the fact that the lyric is, "I bless the rains down in Africa?"

 

[Toutie]

Are we all going to ignore the fact that the lyric is, "I bless the rains down in Africa?"

Oops, you're right.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣