Official 2008 Secondary Discussion Thread part 2

Discover Your Odds of Getting into Medical School
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calbears86 said:
Hello,

Here are the questions from UCLA. DAMN, so many...

"The committee would like to know about your interests, experiences, and personal characteristics which are relevant to a career in medicine. Please only provide information you believe is important. It is not necessary or required to supply information in all sections.Each response is limited to 800 characters. A character counter for each response has been included to assist you with this limitation.
Click to expand...

what does that mean exactly? do we just blatantly leave blank the questions we don't want to answer? and how many unanswered questions is too much? or is this one of those "optional" ploys--they actually DO want us to answer all of the questions (which would suck a lot, considering there are so many). sigh, I am so confused.🙁
 
cruz21 said:
what does that mean exactly? do we just blatantly leave blank the questions we don't want to answer? and how many unanswered questions is too much? or is this one of those "optional" ploys--they actually DO want us to answer all of the questions (which would suck a lot, considering there are so many). sigh, I am so confused.🙁
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Yeah I'm not sure. The first three questions confuse me too. Non-academic. Volunteer. Those seem like basically the same thing to me, I don't know if I could honestly fill both those questions with quality answers.

I have a stupid question: is teaching "non-academic"?
 
In the Educational Background section of Hopkins secondary where they ask for science GPA, does this mean strictly just the sciences? or BCPM?
 
i don't know if this has been addressed elsewhere...sure it has...but
How long does it usually take to get secondaries after you've been verified? I just got verified today and am already freaking out. paranoid, i know, but this process has a way of doing that to ya...
 
Some schools will send secondaries even before you're verified. However, it should take most schools a couple days after you're verified to start sending them out. Don't get paranoid, they'll come.
 
When you pay by credit card on the NYU application, why does it not indicate which credit card you're paying by? It seems weird.... although I did get through to the 'Thank you for your application' confirmation page.
 
alisa said:
When you pay by credit card on the NYU application, why does it not indicate which credit card you're paying by? It seems weird.... although I did get through to the 'Thank you for your application' confirmation page.
Click to expand...

The 1st 4 digits of a credit card number indicate the type of card and issuer. Saying what type of card it is is actually superfluous - probably a little extra security.
 
Anyone hear anything from Vanderbilt lately?
 
viciouz said:
Anyone hear anything from Vanderbilt lately?
Click to expand...

Nopes. I havent even gotten their email that they received my AMCAS yet. As for secondaries, I'm pretty sure that theyre taking their time because a secondary = an interview.
 
Are people still waiting on the Harvard secondary?
 
viciouz said:
Anyone hear anything from Vanderbilt lately?
Click to expand...

I got an email from them the day my MCAT score came out (7/18), saying that they have taken my application off pre-secondary hold and that it has been released into the screening process. I would guess that my 30 MCAT isn't high enough to warrant a secondary from them, but I'll post back if I hear from them.
 
for ucla, what constitutes at NON-ACADEMIC??

...is research academic?...is teaching academic?
 
I didn't know that if you got a secondary from vaderbilt meant that they would interview you as well.
 
For the Tulane secondary, do I need to wait for some sort of notification/invite before I submit it? Or can I submit it now, since my AMCAS is in, even though not verified yet?
 
jochi1543 said:
For the Tulane secondary, do I need to wait for some sort of notification/invite before I submit it? Or can I submit it now, since my AMCAS is in, even though not verified yet?
Click to expand...

You can just send it in - they don't screen. I actually had already sent mine in when I did, in fact, get an email from them with the link to the secondary. I was verified on 6/6, the primary was sent out by AMCAS on 6/21, and Tulane emailed me the link to the secondary on 6/29. But again, I believe that you can just fill it out and send it off without waiting for that email.
 
to those of you who got a letter from ucla for the secondary (and anyone else who knows)...

do you know what LOR do they want, and when they want them? I know they have to be sent snail mail, but that's about all I know. (tried searching sdn and couldn't find anything)

thanks in advance!
 
whateva07 said:
ok to anyone whos working on EVMS application. They say...

Briefly describe your exposure to medicine.

I'm thinking it means give a brief summary of what youve done. So I basically I just listed whatever activities I considered to be medically related. Or should I be going more in depth?
Click to expand...

Students generally list anything medically relevant - Family members who are in the field, Volunteer/Work/Shadowing experience in the field, etc.

We are looking at how much of a sense of realism you have about the field of medicine.

And yes, brief means legible font and it must fit in that little 2-3 inch space please. I hate picking up an app that's filled to the max with words because my first thought is, "Great, I get to sift through the BS to get to the good stuff." 😴

Hope that helps. Good luck! :hardy:
 
viciouz said:
I didn't know that if you got a secondary from vaderbilt meant that they would interview you as well.
Click to expand...

helloo-- here's the email I received on Friday from Vanderbilt - they are currently screening my amcas. Does anyone know if they screen based on numbers?




Vanderbilt University School of Medicine has received your AMCAS application via electronic transmission. We are so excited that you are an applicant to Vanderbilt's 2008 First Year Class! Invitation to complete our secondary application and interview at VUMS will be mailed as soon as the screening of your application is completed. If an interview is granted, the submission of the Vanderbilt online secondary application is required before scheduling your interview. We ask only those who have been invited to interview to complete the Vanderbilt online secondary application. You can expect to hear from us regarding your application four-six weeks from the date of transmission of your verified AMCAS application to Vanderbilt. Final decisions about admissions are made on a rolling basis.

Applying to medical school takes longer than any of us wish. Remember that the AMCAS application deadline is November 15, 2007. Send recommendations to the Office of Medical School Admissions only if you receive an invitation to complete our secondary application and interview. If you need to contact our office, remember always to include your AMCAS ID number.

If you indicated that you will be taking a future MCAT, your application will be put on Hold until we receive your scores. Therefore, if you decide to change your future MCAT dates, you must notify us of this change at [email protected].

Patricia Sagen, Ph.D.
Director of Admissions
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
215B Light Light Hall
Phone 615-322-2145
Fax 343-8397
[email protected]
 
Does anyone know if Loyola Stritch or Creighton Uni. allow Reseach LORS count as one of the science LOR requirements.
 
sandyblonde11 said:
to those of you who got a letter from ucla for the secondary (and anyone else who knows)...

do you know what LOR do they want, and when they want them? I know they have to be sent snail mail, but that's about all I know. (tried searching sdn and couldn't find anything)

thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

this is what the email said: "A minimum of three letters of recommendation (maximum of five), including two letters from your instructors. If your undergraduate school has a premedical committee or its equivalent, a COMMITTEE LETTER IS REQUIRED."
 
yellowumbrella said:
this is what the email said: "A minimum of three letters of recommendation (maximum of five), including two letters from your instructors. If your undergraduate school has a premedical committee or its equivalent, a COMMITTEE LETTER IS REQUIRED."
Click to expand...

I didn't get an email invite for a secondary at UCLA, but when I logged into my status page on their website it said "Secondary Requested" and you could click the button that takes you to the secondary. Should I be expecting an email soon? However, the row that said "Letters of Recommendation" did not have a "Requested" button by it. I don't know what this means. They want my secondary but not my LORs??
 
On VCU's secondary, they ask:

6. Please briefly explain any lapses in your undergraduate education


Would you define "lapse" in this situation as any weakness (such as a bad semester/year/etc), or simply an interval, however brief, in which you took time off of school? I'm thinking the former, but don't want to go and draw attention to any negative things about me if they're just expecting the latter.
 
rogerwilco said:
On VCU's secondary, they ask:

6. Please briefly explain any lapses in your undergraduate education


Would you define "lapse" in this situation as any weakness (such as a bad semester/year/etc), or simply an interval, however brief, in which you took time off of school? I'm thinking the former, but don't want to go and draw attention to any negative things about me if they're just expecting the latter.
Click to expand...

I thought it meant any significant time away from school. At least that's how I answered it.
 
saqrfaraj said:
Yep, AMPed is correct. They want to know about any time away from school.
Click to expand...


Ok, cool. I was originally thinking (just in passing) that it meant any weaknesses.....and then when I began thinking about it more, the stopping/starting thing hit me. Then just to be sure (and to confuse the matter more), I checked on dictionary.com for an exact definition of the word:


lapse (lāps) Pronunciation Key
v. lapsed, laps·ing, laps·es

v. intr.

1.
1. To fall from a previous level or standard, as of accomplishment, quality, or conduct: lapse into bad habits; a team that lapsed into mediocrity halfway through the season.
2. To deviate from a prescribed or accepted way: lapse into heresy.
3. To pass gradually or smoothly; slip: lapse into reverie.
4. To come to an end, especially gradually or temporarily: He realized that his attention had lapsed and he hadn't heard the assignment.
5. To be no longer valid or active; expire: She allowed her membership to lapse after the first year.
2.
1. To come to an end, especially gradually or temporarily: He realized that his attention had lapsed and he hadn't heard the assignment.
2. To be no longer valid or active; expire: She allowed her membership to lapse after the first year.
3. Law To pass to another through neglect or omission. Used of a right or privilege, a benefice, or an estate.
4. To go by; elapse: Years had lapsed since we last met.





As you can see, those definitions leave it open to both interpretations.
 
rogerwilco said:
Ok, cool. I was originally thinking (just in passing) that it meant any weaknesses.....and then when I began thinking about it more, the stopping/starting thing hit me. Then just to be sure (and to confuse the matter more), I checked on dictionary.com for an exact definition of the word:


lapse (l?ps) Pronunciation Key
v. lapsed, laps·ing, laps·es

v. intr.

1.
1. To fall from a previous level or standard, as of accomplishment, quality, or conduct: lapse into bad habits; a team that lapsed into mediocrity halfway through the season.
2. To deviate from a prescribed or accepted way: lapse into heresy.
3. To pass gradually or smoothly; slip: lapse into reverie.
4. To come to an end, especially gradually or temporarily: He realized that his attention had lapsed and he hadn't heard the assignment.
5. To be no longer valid or active; expire: She allowed her membership to lapse after the first year.
2.
1. To come to an end, especially gradually or temporarily: He realized that his attention had lapsed and he hadn't heard the assignment.
2. To be no longer valid or active; expire: She allowed her membership to lapse after the first year.
3. Law To pass to another through neglect or omission. Used of a right or privilege, a benefice, or an estate.
4. To go by; elapse: Years had lapsed since we last met.





As you can see, those definitions leave it open to both interpretations.
Click to expand...

Well if you're concerned that they may want to know about any lapses in grades, then you can go ahead and list those too. They aren't going to penalize you for writing a little more than required.
 
saqrfaraj said:
Well if you're concerned that they may want to know about any lapses in grades, then you can go ahead and list those too. They aren't going to penalize you for writing a little more than required.
Click to expand...



I gotcha. I just didn't want to go ahead and start drawing attention to weaknesses.
 
cruz21 said:
I didn't get an email invite for a secondary at UCLA, but when I logged into my status page on their website it said "Secondary Requested" and you could click the button that takes you to the secondary. Should I be expecting an email soon? However, the row that said "Letters of Recommendation" did not have a "Requested" button by it. I don't know what this means. They want my secondary but not my LORs??
Click to expand...

i'm pretty sure that means you got a secondary...there isn't a button next to LOR. did you check your junk mail? if you're really not sure, you can always call them.
 
genesius said:
helloo-- here's the email I received on Friday from Vanderbilt - they are currently screening my amcas. Does anyone know if they screen based on numbers?
Click to expand...

i think they say that they screen the entire application, but i'm almost positive they put a lot of weight on your numbers. i've been told they don't like anything less than a 10 and want AT LEAST 11+ in the sciences. of course this is not true in every single case, but i'm pretty sure this is how vandy does it (unless of course you're a legacy)
 
From VCU's secondary:

3. Please share with us your thoughts on specialties and how you plan to choose yours (limit of 250 words).


Do you think they want you to mention specialties you're considering, or just the basic generic process by which you'll choose one?

I just don't see how many peoples' answers can differ if it's the latter. No one's gonna write "I plan to pick the easiest lifestyle" even if that's true.
 
rogerwilco said:
From VCU's secondary:

3. Please share with us your thoughts on specialties and how you plan to choose yours (limit of 250 words).


Do you think they want you to mention specialties you're considering, or just the basic generic process by which you'll choose one?

I just don't see how many peoples' answers can differ if it's the latter. No one's gonna write "I plan to pick the easiest lifestyle" even if that's true.
Click to expand...

I talked about how I'm open to whatever but that I'd like a specialty with a lot of patient contact.

Then, I mentioned the specialty that I was the most interested in right now.

I guess it worked! 🙂
 
rogerwilco said:
From VCU's secondary:

3. Please share with us your thoughts on specialties and how you plan to choose yours (limit of 250 words).


Do you think they want you to mention specialties you're considering, or just the basic generic process by which you'll choose one?

I just don't see how many peoples' answers can differ if it's the latter. No one's gonna write "I plan to pick the easiest lifestyle" even if that's true.
Click to expand...

If you can talk about both, you should. Just try to make it as personalized as possible.
 
Anyone worked on UVa yet? I'm having serious issues with the question about what will be your greatest personal challenge as a physician. I just don't know where to start. I stared at this thing for like 2 hours at Starbucks today and couldn't come up with anything good.

I though about all these issues, but couldn't come up with effective strategies for dealing with any of them.

i.e. balancing work and personal life

strategy: pawn work off on colleagues, tell spouse to kiss off

see what i mean?
 
Jolie South said:
I talked about how I'm open to whatever but that I'd like a specialty with a lot of patient contact.

Then, I mentioned the specialty that I was the most interested in right now.

I guess it worked! 🙂
Click to expand...




Damn, congrats on the early interview invite. I sure wish my school sent its committee LOR out sooner so I could actually be complete at several of the schools I've applied to.

Oh well, such is life....
 
Has someone put this up yet? Anyway:

Please indicate your activities for the 2007-2008 year. If you are in school, please list your courses. If you are working, please describe your
job, including duties and responsibilities.

What is your best attribute? Describe how this attribute will enhance the student body at The Warren Alpert Medical School.
 
viciouz said:
Can anyone answer my question?
Click to expand...

Just called and found out that Loyola wont accept Research Letters as Science Letters. They specifically say it must be someone who you received a grade from, which I did in my research, but they still said "NO."

However, Creighton Uni. will as long as it is on your AMCAS App.

Anyone want to double check on Loyola for me, I am itching to send my Secondary already.
 
Hey Everybody,

I think this is probably the best forum in which to post this question. Have you found that some of the secondary applications (Weill and Mt. Sinai in particular) remove your paragraph breaks when you are reviewing your application? Does anyone know if this is what the admissions committees see? One of my Mt. Sinai essays, for instance, is about four paragraphs long and it's been combined into one huge paragraph when I review my application. How have you been handling this? Is the document viewed by the admissions committee jumbled together like it is during the "review" function? Thanks!
 
svantastic said:
Hey Everybody,

I think this is probably the best forum in which to post this question. Have you found that some of the secondary applications (Weill and Mt. Sinai in particular) remove your paragraph breaks when you are reviewing your application? Does anyone know if this is what the admissions committees see? One of my Mt. Sinai essays, for instance, is about four paragraphs long and it's been combined into one huge paragraph when I review my application. How have you been handling this? Is the document viewed by the admissions committee jumbled together like it is during the "review" function? Thanks!
Click to expand...

The vast majority of my secondaries have also lumped everything into a giant paragraph. I wouldn't worry about it. If the school really cared about paragraph breaks, they'd make it so they remained. They can't hold it against you if their application jumbles everything together.
 
Does anybody know when people got secondaries from Drexel, NYMC, Rush, UMaryland, UToledo, and Wayne State last year? I haven't heard anybody getting these yet this year (maybe Toledo, but I can't remember now), so I'm just curious about how much longer it'll be. Thanks. 🙂
 
Hey guys has UIC received your LORs. Mine were sent on 7/10/07 by electronic delivery from interfolio and they are still showing up as not received? I saw 'doinmybest5840' that they have received yours? Should I be concerned?
 
UnderdogMD said:
Hey guys has UIC received your LORs. Mine were sent on 7/10/07 by electronic delivery from interfolio and they are still showing up as not received? I saw 'doinmybest5840' that they have received yours? Should I be concerned?
Click to expand...

Yes they have mine. I sent mine out not too long ago, but I sent them by mail. They may only check the online ones periodically. Maybe call? Or wait a little longer? I'm not sure.
 
submitted my first secondary to cincinnati(yay)...still waiting to get my primary processed, though

I fear looking at my CC statement for this month...ouch
 
UnderdogMD said:
Hey guys has UIC received your LORs. Mine were sent on 7/10/07 by electronic delivery from interfolio and they are still showing up as not received? I saw 'doinmybest5840' that they have received yours? Should I be concerned?
Click to expand...

I submitted UIC on 7/20, and my status page showed my secondary and LORs as received. My LORs were uploaded onto VirtualEvals for download in early July. So, perhaps they downloaded my LORs when they logged in my secondary.
 
Damn its quiet today... no new secondaries or emails in my inbox.

Hopefully no news is good news.
 
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