Meaning of Secondaries

[ChrisM07]

I did a few searches but didn't quite find the answer.

Is there any meaning to secondaries? What I mean is, is this something that schools decide to send to certain individuals who meet X amount of requirements, or is it just an automatic thing that everyone that applies receives? I know that it's just a chance for some to explain a little more about themselves, while others just want a check.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[PointEstimate]

This is an unsatiafactory answer, but it depends on the school.

 

[MedDevil]

I did a few searches but didn't quite find the answer.

Is there any meaning to secondaries? What I mean is, is this something that schools decide to send to certain individuals who meet X amount of requirements, or is it just an automatic thing that everyone that applies receives? I know that it's just a chance for some to explain a little more about themselves, while others just want a check.

Some schools will screen their applicants (either by numbers or holistically) before sending out a secondary (which is then used to learn more about the applicant, gauge their interest in the school, and make interview decisions).

Other schools will send a secondary to all applicants and treat it as part of the overall application before the review process.

 

[ChrisM07]

Thanks! I guess I just don't know whether or not to take these secondaries as positive or not haha.

 

[JAWSSS]

Thanks! I guess I just don't know whether or not to take these secondaries as positive or not haha.

Don't get excited... They mean nothing in terms of "having a better chance" for the most part.

There are some schools that send out secondaries ONLY when you are offered an interview (Iowa, USC, etc.).

UCLA and some other schools have an extensive secondary. So, it makes you feel like they really use it to make decisions; however, most schools have a secondary that really just asks you to repeat the info on your main app... and, of course, send them $$$.

The main purpose for secondaries is to get your money.

The sad thing is, you send them money so your app will be PROPERLY processed. You are literally paying them for the time to FULLY process you app.... and then you get schools that screen you and throw you in a pile and will eventually send out a rejection letter - no holistic review whatsoever. Those schools are not doing what you pay them to do.

 

[Glimmer1991]

From what I gather, a lot of schools (but not all!) just send them out to everyone who applies.

UNC and ECU both had extensive secondaries, and neither of them were just a regurgitation of AADSAS stuff. However, I think they were sent out to everyone. It was a lot of work, but I really appreciated the opportunity to be able to further express myself. My major challenge was just keeping my answers concise. A lot of the topics were broad and I could have written pages for each question (and UNC had 14, if I recall!).

For UNC's supplement, mine still ended up being pretty long. I edited it down from my orgainal 10 pages to 6 pages before submitting. However, I think my answers (even for the long version) were all interesting. After my Mom read my 10-page version, I told her I was worried about it being too long. Her response was just, "What, 3 or 4 pages? That doesn't seem too long to me." I had to tell her that she had just read TEN pages, not four! So, I figured that they must have been pretty good because it clearly didn't seem to her like I was droning on. 🙂

At some schools, especially those who really stress holistic reviews and getting to "know" about their applicants as people (like UNC and ECU), I think they can make a big difference. I don't understand why some other schools send them out when they literally don't ask for anything more than what's on the AADSAS app (and I've heard about a few of those). Oh well! Let's hope they help us. 🙂

 

[ChrisM07]

Thanks for the replies guys! Yeah I wasn't getting "excited" per se, I was just wondering if it meant that schools had already taken a look at your application and wanted to hear more. From the sound of it though, it's just a money thing at some places which is what I sort of figured too. It's tough to get all of these in while studying for the DAT especially if they want an essay or something. G'luck to you!

 

[JAWSSS]

e

From what I gather, a lot of schools (but not all!) just send them out to everyone who applies.

UNC and ECU both had extensive secondaries, and neither of them were just a regurgitation of AADSAS stuff. However, I think they were sent out to everyone. It was a lot of work, but I really appreciated the opportunity to be able to further express myself. My major challenge was just keeping my answers concise. A lot of the topics were broad and I could have written pages for each question (and UNC had 14, if I recall!).

For UNC's supplement, mine still ended up being pretty long. I edited it down from my orgainal 10 pages to 6 pages before submitting. However, I think my answers (even for the long version) were all interesting. After my Mom read my 10-page version, I told her I was worried about it being too long. Her response was just, "What, 3 or 4 pages? That doesn't seem too long to me." I had to tell her that she had just read TEN pages, not four! So, I figured that they must have been pretty good because it clearly didn't seem to her like I was droning on. 🙂

At some schools, especially those who really stress holistic reviews and getting to "know" about their applicants as people (like UNC and ECU), I think they can make a big difference. I don't understand why some other schools send them out when they literally don't ask for anything more than what's on the AADSAS app (and I've heard about a few of those). Oh well! Let's hope they help us. 🙂

Remember, moms can read about their kids for days and not get board... 10 pages will feel like 10 pages to someone that has already ready 9 secondaries that morning.

I'm sure you're fine though!! gl Glimmer

 

[Glimmer1991]

Oh trust me... My Mom is brutally honest, especially with me. We're all super blunt. Sadly, I'm not one of those lucky kids whose parents think they walk on water. 🙂. If they sucked, she'd have said they sucked... It's happened before!!! 😀

True though, I'm sure they all start to seem annoying to adcoms who have to read tons of these things. I hope that schools like ECU who only get 300 applications or so can give them more attention. (The one I did for them was particularly good IMO, but I am highly biased).

I know it's hard to do these on top of everything else. Good luck to everyone!