Is it uncommon to get rejected pre-secondaries?

[von Matterhorn]

My app just got verified the other day and now I'm starting to get a bunch of invites for secondaries. I applied to a lot of 'safe' schools, as safe as a school can be anyway, but I have veryyyy sketch stats.

I'm just curious if any schools actually outright reject someone before allowing for secondaries, or do all schools pretty much allow everyone to submit them before rejecting to earn a little $$.

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[MedPR]

My app just got verified the other day and now I'm starting to get a bunch of invites for secondaries. I applied to a lot of 'safe' schools, as safe as a school can be anyway, but I have veryyyy sketch stats.

I'm just curious if any schools actually outright reject someone before allowing for secondaries, or do all schools pretty much allow everyone to submit them before rejecting to earn a little $$.

Very few schools screen pre-secondary. The ones that do have a very easy to pass screen. KCUMB, for example, requires a 3.25 GPA and a 26 MCAT (I think).

 

[NYCMS2]

Only a handful of schools screen for secondaries - UCSF, Vanderbilt, and Mayo come to mind. Less likely for non top tiers to do this, but if you are really concerned, you could look it up on the websites of the schools you applied to...I was aware of the schools that did this when I applied, and it seems odd to me that not everyone else knows this about the schools they applied to.

 

[DAPI]

Only a handful of schools screen for secondaries - UCSF, Vanderbilt, and Mayo come to mind. Less likely for non top tiers to do this, but if you are really concerned, you could look it up on the websites of the schools you applied to...I was aware of the schools that did this when I applied, and it seems odd to me that not everyone else knows this about the schools they applied to.

Mayo does not screen in the traditional sense. They take your money and then screen for their "secondary." Schools like University of Washington will reject you outright though if you are OOS.

So it really depends on the school how they screen. Best to look through the school specific threads and see if any of the current med students have posted how they screen or maybe you can ask them and they will know.

 

[von Matterhorn]

I figured that was the case. I got really excited when I saw a bunch of emails for secondary requests, and then it dawned on me... they just want my money 🙁

 

[Cinclus]

Yes, because most schools send their secondaries to all applicants. I know that Wake Forest screens pre-secondary, and UNC does (at least for OOS applicants).

 

[HurricaneKatt]

South Dakota sent us a pre-secondary rejection last cycle for having "insufficient ties to the state."

 

[LizzyM]

Some schools used to screen and stopped. The problem is that some people who turn out to be excellent (AOA honor society, etc) don't make the cut. Having a complete application to review helps put those numbers in perspective.

 

[virtuoso735]

I was rejected presecondary from EVMS, so it's not only the top schools that screen. I think I would prefer more rigorous screenings so that we don't waste time writing secondaries for schools we have no chance at.

 

[mohad]

I figured that was the case. I got really excited when I saw a bunch of emails for secondary requests, and then it dawned on me... they just want my money 🙁

i know that feel

 

[Nymphicus]

All the UC's screen, sending out secondaries to only about half of the applicants.

 

[Colonel Sanders]

If I remember correctly, Wake Forest and Vandy both screened me out pre-secondary last cycle. Ohh and I think that Missouri screens OOS applicants pre-secondary as well so if you don't have some connection or reason to be in missouri don't bother applying

 

[TheWeeIceMan]

If I remember correctly, Wake Forest and Vandy both screened me out pre-secondary last cycle. Ohh and I think that Missouri screens OOS applicants pre-secondary as well so if you don't have some connection or reason to be in missouri don't bother applying

Was just going to post this. They've been known to screen out some pretty high stat apps, from what I've seen. Also, Indiana screens a ton, with those getting a secondary also getting an interview.

 

[sinombre]

All the UC's screen, sending out secondaries to only about half of the applicants.

Yeah, I'm waiting to be screened out of UCSF and UCLA right now.

 

[Colonel Sanders]

Yeah, I'm waiting to be screened out of UCSF and UCLA right now.

Hahaha That's the spirit.

 

[rodlops]

I've been told that most schools just do a basic screen on numbers. As long as you make whatever the cut is, you get secondaries.