Michigan secondary question

[Lux Aeterna]

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In the University of Michigan secondary, it states the following: List up to six of your most valued recent non-academic activities (such as research, clinical experiences, community service, employment). Include information about hours per week and duration of involvement for each.

So...my question for other people working on the secondary is- does this exclude then, non-academic extracurricular activities, i.e. sports, performance arts based stuff? When I think of non-academic, I think of hobbies and stuff. But the next question goes on to ask how one of the activities in our list impacted our decision to go into medicine or something like that.

Thanks in advance for your help 🙂

 

[Street Philosopher]

Hi. Last year I put extracurricular activities, like research, volunteering, etc. I might have put some hobbies and stuff, but I'm not really sure and I don't have access to my original application. Sorry I can't be of more help... maybe some other people can be of more assistance.

 

[Lux Aeterna]

Thanks SP for your feedback! 🙂 Anyone else currently working on the secondary have any thoughts?

 

[Jonkst]

On a sort of related note, when did you get your Michigan secondary, and when did you transmit? I'm a little concerned.... Michigan is my first choice, and I figured the secondary would have come by now (I'm in state).

Thanks

 

[Street Philosopher]

I really don't remember too much, but I don't think I got my secondary super early. I also interviewed sort of late (late December). I think it's best to not be anxious about things you can't control and to speculate about things. I really don't know why some secondary requests come earlier or anything. My advice, if you will take it, is to just do your best and let things work itself out. If you don't hear from them for a long time, then maybe it would be good to be more proactive about your application, but for now just chill. 🙂

 

[efex101]

I also applied to U of MIchigan and have not heard anything yet. My amcas was transmitted like on the 15th or so, I called and they say at U of M that they do not have my amcas yet? something is going on with the transmission dates not really being transmission dates. I will try calling again because this has happened with at least three schools so far. You may want to check with individual schools specially if they do not screen....

 

[Lux Aeterna]

I submitted the first day, it transmitted 7/15.

 

[efex101]

I called and they say that they are waiting for paper copy of amcas....that could take some time.

 

[zinjanthropus]

For those of you working on the UM secondary -

How much space do they give, or what is the character count, for the list 6 activities essay?


Are there any other questions on the secondary?


Thanks.

 

[SarahXXOO]

I listed lots of non-academic things when I filled out the secondary last year (seems like yesterday). I'm an amateur violinist, so I listed one of the orchestras I played in, plus the violin school I taught part-time at...I'd encourage doing that to add a little spice to your application (not just bland academic-type stuff).

 

[Munchkin57]

zin-

You are allowed a one line space to list the 6 activities along with how many hours per week and how many months you spent doing the activity. Then there is one essay in which you pick one of the 6 activities and write how it influenced your decision to go into medicine (400 words max). There are no other essay questions--they do ask about some coursework to make sure you fulfill their requirements. Hope this helps.

 

[Munchkin57]

For the six activities, should we try to list 6 activities that have not been included in the 15 activities on AMCAS, or is it better to just list the best 6, even if they are then repeated?

 

[SunnyS81]

Best 6 activities. I think they'll look primarily at the secondary rather than sifting through the AMCAS to learn about your extra-curriculars.....the AMCAS print-out isn't exactly designed well to obtain information quickly.

 

[Munchkin57]

Thanks Sunny

 

[SarahXXOO]

I agree with Sunny...when I interviewed there, I could tell they'd mostly reviewed my secondary...there is, after all, a lot of information for them to sort through. Put your top six on your list (besides, if you list fifteen for AMCAS, how many do they expect you to have?! 21 valid EC's? That's nuts!!).

Sunny...11 days 'till orientation... 😀

 

[bolton]

hey all...how did they contact you about the secondary? my amcas was transmitted on the 15th and I still haven't heard anything from them 🙁 and i'm starting to worry..ok good luck everybody

 

[zinjanthropus]

thanks munchkin...i can at least get started on it now so i'm not just waiting around

 

[Sonya]

i got my U of M secondary yesterday or day before. It's really pretty simple, only one essay q:

describe how one of your extractivities influenced your descision to go into medicine (something along those lines, this isn't exact words). the rest of it is just form stuff.. l ist what classes full fill which reqs,etc.

they don't look at it till rec letters are in. They ask to list 6 most important non academic activities (this includes research).

sonya

 

[SarahXXOO]

They contacted me about my secondary via email (they do most of their correspondence this way). Don't worry about your AMCAS transmission being a little slow...if you completed the application and your credit card was charged, it'll get to your schools. Give it a little time. Start writing your secondary essay ahead of time, if necessary...then you can get it back quickly once you receive it.

I didn't send in my application until October, and I got accepted. 🙂 Don't worry so much.

 

[SunnyS81]

My secondary was hand delivered by Dean Lichter, who was escorted by the Delta Force. 🙂

J/K. Michigan is the fastest school in getting back to people that i delt with, with Vanderbilt as a close second.

Enjoy the ride, and I'll see you on the other side.

 

[Munchkin57]

Did anyone who received the secondary through email get an additional email asking them to also send their letters of recommendation and picture to them? I got one of this, but no one else that I have talked to has. And in the FAQ part of the secondary, it says not to send in the letters until you are asked for an interview, so I am confused.

 

[Gleevec]

Originally posted by Munchkin57
Did anyone who received the secondary through email get an additional email asking them to also send their letters of recommendation and picture to them? I got one of this, but no one else that I have talked to has. And in the FAQ part of the secondary, it says not to send in the letters until you are asked for an interview, so I am confused.

I got the same email, and I requested recommendations to be sent. It was a seperate email from the rest.

 

[Munchkin57]

Thanks Gleevec

I gave 2 of my recommenders the address, but wanted to make sure I should send them before doing so.

Thanks again.

 

[SarahXXOO]

I think if you get asked for letters of rec, you're either being considered for an interview (i.e. they need letters to help them make up their minds) or you're going to get offered an interview. Of course I could be wrong, but I think things look good for you if letters / photo have been requested! 🙂