Important note about Secondaries

[BaLeavaMD]

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Hi All! An adcom member told me that a lot of people don't get into school the 1st, 2nd, or even 3rd time because they don't take the time to fill out the secondary completely. She said that if people would just explain issues or problems on their transcript in the secondary that a lot more would get in! I explained EVERYTHING I thought they might even remotely question. So, if it comes up in the adcom meeting, they'll have the info right there! FYI...

 

[elephunt]

Thanks for the post. 👍

For secondaries that have only one question (i.e., "Why do you want to go to Bob's School of Medicine?") should you address issues in this question, even though they aren't necessarily pertinent to that question? I'm thinking of Yale's secondary specifically, but I'll bet there are other secondaries like this. Or is it acceptable to send some sort of letter along with the secondary, explaining any possible issues the adcoms might notice? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[BaLeavaMD]

I would personally send a supplement to the supplement in that case..How else will they know about problems or issues?

 

[elephunt]

That's what I was thinking. Thanks for saying something in your original post--I never would have thought to do that otherwise! 🙂 👍

 

[Pinkertinkle]

What kind if issues and problems does this entail?

 

[elephunt]

For me personally, I would like to explain why I'm classified as a grad student but not completing any particular grad degree program. I don't want to get rejected because it looks like I started a grad program and won't finish it before med school--not the case, but that's what it looks like from my transcript.

 

[pathdr2b]

Great thread, some advice I certainily need as I have a LOT to explain about my undergrad grades! 👍

 

[BaLeavaMD]

What kind if issues and problems does this entail?

Things like low GPA, low MCAT, Withdrawals, etc. You may have made a C for a particular reason, but adcoms won't know unless you write it down for them. I had to withdraw from one of my classes because I moved to start my graduate degree. If I had not put that in the secondary, they may have thought I was just being lazy!

 

[Dr.LeoSpaceman]

Things like low GPA, low MCAT, Withdrawals, etc. You may have made a C for a particular reason, but adcoms won't know unless you write it down for them. I had to withdraw from one of my classes because I moved to start my graduate degree. If I had not put that in the secondary, they may have thought I was just being lazy!

I am not so sure I would waste any space explaining only ONE C or ONE withdrawal. If its one instance of a poor grade, or one instance of a withdrawal, I don't necessarily think that an adcom is going to hold it against you. I would save explanations for things like a semester with a 2.5 or a semester where you withdrew from every course. If you have a strong course history of taking a full course load each semester, I doubt that they will think "Oh, she withdrew from one class during that one semester, she must be lazy."

 

[BaLeavaMD]

I am not so sure I would waste any space explaining only ONE C or ONE withdrawal. If its one instance of a poor grade, or one instance of a withdrawal, I don't necessarily think that an adcom is going to hold it against you. I would save explanations for things like a semester with a 2.5 or a semester where you withdrew from every course. If you have a strong course history of taking a full course load each semester, I doubt that they will think "Oh, she withdrew from one class during that one semester, she must be lazy."

I wasn't saying, explain every little grade if you have a strong history, but I dropped a lot of classes in undergrad, so I needed to explain it.

 

[joy77]

Thanks for sharing the advice, rhlmdmph2b.

If the secondary is of the online variety (and doesn't offer room for explaining oddities in your app), would you then recommend mailing the "explanation" separately? If one were to do that, would it draw unwanted attention to the issue (bad grades, for example) being discussed? Maybe not, since the adcom is bound to notice those grades on the transcript anyway?

 

[efex101]

Before I would send in any extra material I would call/e-mail and ask. Many schools do NOT welcome extras. Some schools but not all do have questions or prompts like "explain or discuss anything else that may help the adcoms...blah blah blah like extenuating circumstances" then and only then would I add the extra w/o contacting them first...

 

[KatieOConnor]

Ah, that's interesting. I'm actually enrolled in a post-bac psychology program, even though I'm interested in medical school. So I have some grad classes, although I'm not in "grad school" and I have these random psychology classes.

I guess I'll explain that to the adcoms but only if they ask for "anything extra I'd like to add"

 

[btowngirl]

should I explain why I increased my MCAT score by 7 points from the first time I took it? I was told that interviewers ask students this at interviews.

 

[callendm]

Increased MCAT - I would not address this in your secondary?if it is something like a 26 raised to a 33. Easy explanation, such as you actually studied the second time, can be stated during an interview.

From my experiences, what you may think was a "flaw" in your application may not even be addressed during review of your application. If you address the "flaw" at the front end you may amplify it across the board to every school. Where as some schools may have had no problem with it, you have now indicated it as a weak point and allowed them to focus on it. Personally, I would rather address an issue in person to a school that feels it is a problem. Disregard this statement if you went from a 20 raised to a 27?then you still have some explaining to do 🙂

 

[pateltr1]

I had low MCAT score 12PS 6VR 11BS. I am retaking it August 2004.

Also, English is my second language. I touched on "this language barrier" in my Personal statement, but nothing relating to very low score on MCAT.

Should I address this in secondary?

 

[BaLeavaMD]

I had low MCAT score 12PS 6VR 11BS. I am retaking it August 2004.

Also, English is my second language. I touched on "this language barrier" in my Personal statement, but nothing relating to very low score on MCAT.

Should I address this in secondary?

I would!