Official 2008 Secondary Discussion Thread part 2

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meddoc8 said:
Did anyone get a secondary from SIU?
Click to expand...

Some people have started getting interviews already! But I'm in the same boat as you and haven't heard a thing since June.
 
does Rush send an email invite for the secondary?
 
What % of people get the UCSD 2ndary application?

What if you are OOS?

(I just got mine OOS so I was wondering)
 
Juice42 said:
What % of people get the UCSD 2ndary application?

What if you are OOS?

(I just got mine OOS so I was wondering)
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about 30% of applicants last year got it. I believe 90% of the entering class last year was from CA, and IIRC many of the OOS were MSTP, FWIW.
 
How optional is WashU's optional essay? Have people been completing it, or just skipping it? I feel comfortable with skipping BU's, since they clearly state that most applicants don't need to complete the optional essay, but WashU doesn't say anything about theirs.

I know this question has been asked before, but I haven't come across any solid opinions. Thanks in advance!

fyi, here's the question: "(optional) Do you have unique experiences or obstacles that you have overcome that were not covered in your application about which you would like to inform our Admissions Committee?"
 
hi,

how do people know what their secondary app status is with NYU and U Rochester?
NYU said they'd email me with status, but sent them my secondary and fee waiver over a week ago and not a peep.
 
I'm currently in the middle of the Columbia secondary. Their list format is kind of obnoxious, I must admit...

However, my main question is...after their list of essays, they say that you are allowed to upload any single document with additional information that you would like them to have. Seeing as how they have all of my EC's, recs, and essays from primaries and secondaries, I don't exactly think that I have anything more I should necessarily add.

BUT, I don't want to not upload anything and seem lazy. I know some secondaries explicitly state that you should not feel obligated to answer their optional questions. This Columbia optional really gives no guidelines.

What is the consensus on whether or not we should submit something? I could write an essay about an EC or "Why Columbia" but I don't know if its exactly what they want.

Opinions?
 
artaxerxes said:
hi,

how do people know what their secondary app status is with NYU and U Rochester?
NYU said they'd email me with status, but sent them my secondary and fee waiver over a week ago and not a peep.
Click to expand...

I submitted my secondary to NYU on 7/19 and received an email that I was complete on 7/27. Give it a few more days....
 
Whats the word on Northwestern and University of Chicago? Those are my top choices and I am curious about what kinds of people they interview. Are they crazy about numbers or do experiences count too? I recently became complete at both and I am wondering when I can expect an interview, if ever? Will it be soon? If not soon am I doomed or could I still get one in a few months? Thanks for the insight...
 
knight3w said:
Whats the word on Northwestern and University of Chicago? Those are my top choices and I am curious about what kinds of people they interview. Are they crazy about numbers or do experiences count too? I recently became complete at both and I am wondering when I can expect an interview, if ever? Will it be soon? If not soon am I doomed or could I still get one in a few months? Thanks for the insight...
Click to expand...

Not sure. I know that U of C started giving interviews out a week ago, but who knows where they are in the pile of apps? I spoke to a woman in admin at NU, and she said that you need a 30 or above to be competitive at NU. I've also heard that NU is quite partial to non-traditional students with other experiences to add to the student body. I'm guessing U of C is partial to people with good research experience, but that's just my guess. Good luck.
 
phoenix1 said:
Not sure. I know that U of C started giving interviews out a week ago, but who knows where they are in the pile of apps? I spoke to a woman in admin at NU, and she said that you need a 30 or above to be competitive at NU. I've also heard that NU is quite partial to non-traditional students with other experiences to add to the student body. I'm guessing U of C is partial to people with good research experience, but that's just my guess. Good luck.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the response. Great information... What else did they say at NU? Any other tid bits of information? Thanks...
 
knight3w said:
Thanks for the response. Great information... What else did they say at NU? Any other tid bits of information? Thanks...
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I also asked if an 8 in PS put me out of the running, and she said no. At the time, I was trying to figure out if I should retake the MCAT because of that 8. According to her, an 8 is considered average, and wouldn't tank my app (not her exact words). She also said that they don't rely that heavily on LORs - they view them more as "icing on the cake" (her words). She also said that research is good, whether clinical or lab. And she confirmed that they look at nontrads favorably. Also, I've heard from other applicants that NU loves study abroad experience. I guess they do, since they ask about it in one of their optional essays (they give you a choice of three).
 
phoenix1 said:
I also asked if an 8 in PS put me out of the running, and she said no. At the time, I was trying to figure out if I should retake the MCAT because of that 8. According to her, an 8 is considered average, and wouldn't tank my app (not her exact words). She also said that they don't rely that heavily on LORs - they view them more as "icing on the cake" (her words). She also said that research is good, whether clinical or lab. And she confirmed that they look at nontrads favorably. Also, I've heard from other applicants that NU loves study abroad experience. I guess they do, since they ask about it in one of their optional essays (they give you a choice of three).
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Awesome... Great post. Coincidentally I am a non-trad, I have done basic science research for the past year, and I studied abroad in college... Northwestern is also my first choice. I have a 32 and 3.5 (which I believe is low for NU). Lets hope for the best...
 
artaxerxes said:
hi,

how do people know what their secondary app status is with NYU and U Rochester?
NYU said they'd email me with status, but sent them my secondary and fee waiver over a week ago and not a peep.
Click to expand...

I sent in my NYU secondary on 7/17, I believe, and was complete on 7/23. When did you send off your LORs?
 
knight3w said:
Awesome... Great post. Coincidentally I am a non-trad, I have done basic science research for the past year, and I studied abroad in college... Northwestern is also my first choice. I have a 32 and 3.5 (which I believe is low for NU). Lets hope for the best...
Click to expand...

My gpa is fine (3.78), but I think I'm more of a long shot than you are with my 30 MCAT. If I'd scored two points higher I think I would have a much more realistic shot at consideration there. Ah well. I can dream. Luck to both of us!
 
I was wondering if anyone who had their AMCAS verified in mid-July has received secondaries from Loyola and Rosalind Franklin.

I know Loyola sends invites out via snail mail, so I'm a little uneasy as to whether it got lost in the shuffle. Thanks in advance.
 
TheBigBP said:
I was wondering if anyone who had their AMCAS verified in mid-July has received secondaries from Loyola and Rosalind Franklin.

I know Loyola sends invites out via snail mail, so I'm a little uneasy as to whether it got lost in the shuffle. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...


I was verified at the end of June and I haven't gotten one yet. I called the admissions office and they send they sent me one awhile back, so I am guessing it got lost or delayed in the move (seems likely since I moved recently). The woman I spoke to was nice about it and offered to resend it last week...

If you were verified mid-July, I would wait another week or so and give them a call....
 
So UCDavis acknowledged the receipt of my AMCAS, but the secapp link in the email doesn't work lol anyone have the same issue?
 
thanks it does work... btw, does everyone see the same thing?

Like where the first box is checked for Primary App. Then there are like 4 boxes after it for Fee, secondary app, LORs, and Interview.
 
Yeah that works, I was able to update my address.
 
I'm sure it differs by school, but do admissions offices with paper secondaries usually notify you when they receive your secondary? Or is it usually only after your file is completed (i.e., recommendations come in)?

I sent out secondaries via snail mail to Albert Einstein, SUNY Downstate, and GWU early last week, and haven't heard anything. It's a given that it's anal to even worry about; I'm just wondering if I should be anal enough to call and confirm that they received it. 😉
 
GWU will email you. I don't think anyone has heard from AECOM yet, and I don't know about SUNY.
 
TheBigBP said:
I'm sure it differs by school, but do admissions offices with paper secondaries usually notify you when they receive your secondary? Or is it usually only after your file is completed (i.e., recommendations come in)?

I sent out secondaries via snail mail to Albert Einstein, SUNY Downstate, and GWU early last week, and haven't heard anything. It's a given that it's anal to even worry about; I'm just wondering if I should be anal enough to call and confirm that they received it. 😉
Click to expand...

Sometimes it is worth it to call or email the schools. For example, I sent out my secondary fee and signature page to SUNY Upstate on July 9th (and electronically submitted my LORs via Interfolio that same day) but had not heard a peep until I emailed them last Friday. I received an email back saying that I had been complete since July 23rd.

If you only mailed them out last week though, I wouldn't worry. For example, I mailed out to GWU also on July 9th, and didn't receive email confirmation that I was complete until the 23rd. They have a lot of applications to go through (and match up with LORs, etc.), so as hard as it is, the best thing to do is probably sit tight and be patient, at least for a couple of weeks.
 
Excellent! Thanks for the quick and helpful responses.
 
AECOM said they would send emails within 1-2 weeks letting you know if you are complete. Loyola says you can call on Thursdays to check your status, but they received my info and I am complete after sending out my stuff to them last week or so.
 
Has anyone found out if they are complete at HMS? Do they send you an email or do you have to call them?
 
UCSF is out. I don't know if this is the first batch or not, but they sent some out today.
 
I should only include my summer employment in the second Columbia essay below right?

4. About how many hours per week, if any, did you spend in work for which you were recompensed during the college year?*
LIMIT WRITING TO 200 CHARACTERS. Do not use return or enter.

5. What sort of work did you do (include summer employment)?*
Enter your response in list format using commas. LIMIT WRITING TO 1100 CHARACTERS. Do not use return or enter.
 
AMedStud said:
I should only include my summer employment in the second Columbia essay below right?

4. About how many hours per week, if any, did you spend in work for which you were recompensed during the college year?*
LIMIT WRITING TO 200 CHARACTERS. Do not use return or enter.

5. What sort of work did you do (include summer employment)?*
Enter your response in list format using commas. LIMIT WRITING TO 1100 CHARACTERS. Do not use return or enter.
Click to expand...

No, the question asks what kind of work you did during the school year and during summer employment.
 
drizzt3117 said:
No, the question asks what kind of work you did during the school year and during summer employment.
Click to expand...

So include it in essays 4. and 5.? Also, do I need to include which months I worked?
 
AMedStud said:
So include it in essays 4. and 5.? Also, do I need to include which months I worked?
Click to expand...

Essay 4: how many hours did you work (i.e. were paid) during the school year?

Essay 5: List the jobs you worked, in the summer or otherwise (for which you were paid).

Not that difficult...
 
geez, it's taking a while for my undergrad LORs to get sent. I applied early for no reason because it's taking forever to get completion dates 🙁
 
Just got Colorado's secondary.

(woo, got to post that first).
 
Sorry if this has been asked before, but does BU screen for secondaries? I submitted my primary to them (a late addition) for the MD/PhD program over a week ago and have heard nary a peep from them.
 
Today
Dear Kecs:
Congratulations! You have been invited to fill out a secondary application and interview for a position in the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine entering class of 2008. In order to schedule an interview you will have to fill out our electronic secondary application first which will be available on line by Friday August 10. Our first interview date is Thursday, August 16, 2007. You will be receiving a hard copy of a letter in the mail later this week with the web link and password information. I wanted to let you get started on completing the three short essay questions.
Sincerely,
John A. Zic, M.D.
Associate Dean of Admissions
Office of Medical School Admissions
215 Light Hall
Nashville, TN 37232-0685
Dear Kecs
We are very pleased to let you know that based on a preliminary review of your
AMCAS application, you have been selected to submit a secondary application to
UCSF. Please remember to carefully follow the instructions included in the
Secondary Application located at
https://www.medschool.ucsf.edu/somaapplicant/login.aspx
 
Received/submitted NYMC's today. Can't decide whether to be glad that there were no essays or data entry questions or to be furious that they are charging me $100 and won't even have to read anything.
 
jochi1543 said:
Received/submitted NYMC's today. Can't decide whether to be glad that there were no essays or data entry questions or to be furious that they are charging me $100 and won't even have to read anything.
Click to expand...

Hmmm...I've been verified since 7/17 and haven't heard a thing from them.
 
Anyone got any suggestions for what aspects to hit on for Georgetown's essay? I've looked around and I can't really find too much to write about in terms of why I want to go to school there. My reasoning has kinda been that they have a large class size and I am competitive there, but I don't think that's what they want to hear. I'm looking for strengths of the school and appealing aspects. The MSAR and the website don't offer to much information on either of these, and the school is unranked by US News so I can't use that as a source. Plus all the threads regarding Georgetown on these forums seem to be dogging the school for issues they've had in the past.

Either way I've gotten about 2500 of the 5000 character limit, but i'd like to write a little bit more before submitting.
 
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