Official 2008 Secondary Discussion Thread part 2

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doinmybest5840 said:
Nevermind my previous post. I just called the office and they said "As of today, it was posted that they are no longer considering your application. A letter was sent out in the mail today." 🙁 I wonder if the girl felt bad at all saying that to me. Especially when my tone went from hopeful to completely dejected. I'm really upset about this. I was hoping to at least receive a secondary from Wayne State. I'm an in state applicant. If they don't want me in state, I feel like I don't have much chance anywhere else. This sucks a lot more than the other rejections I received.
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Hey, keep your head up! I know it's hard, but try to look on the bright side: you already have one MD interview (Tulane) and one DO interview (AZ)! Many people don't even have an interview yet. And while we like to think that we've got the best shot at our state schools, sometimes it's just not accurate. Wayne may have had a cut-off that many other schools you applied to don't have, or they may just be unworthy of you.

Most of us will get a ton of rejections (myself included), and we're going to have to learn not to take any of it personally. Of course, I'll also be miserable when I get rejections from my local Chicago schools, so please remind me of my own advice when that happens.

Good luck with your upcoming interviews and other apps! (P.S. - I'm interviewing at Tulane too!)
 
doinmybest5840 said:
Thanks. I called and said I submitted my application a while ago and was just wondering when I could expect an update about my status.
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Ah, sorry about the bad news. You've got two interviews already, though. And it's money saved on another secondary.
 
phoenix1 said:
Hey, keep your head up! I know it's hard, but try to look on the bright side: you already have one MD interview (Tulane) and one DO interview (AZ)! Many people don't even have an interview yet. And while we like to think that we've got the best shot at our state schools, sometimes it's just not accurate. Wayne may have had a cut-off that many other schools you applied to don't have, or they may just be unworthy of you.

Most of us will get a ton of rejections (myself included), and we're going to have to learn not to take any of it personally. Of course, I'll also be miserable when I get rejections from my local Chicago schools, so please remind me of my own advice when that happens.

Good luck with your upcoming interviews and other apps! (P.S. - I'm interviewing at Tulane too!)
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Thanks for the pep talk, phoenix1. I am really excited about my interviews, but it sucks to hear I'm not wanted at a state school. Congrats on your interview as well! What day will you be at Tulane?
 
OCallag said:
Ah, sorry about the bad news. You've got two interviews already, though. And it's money saved on another secondary.
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True! Money's tight now anyway, so I guess I'll just look at it as money saved.
 
I couldn't find this discussion anywhere else... sorry if I overlooked it.

MSUCHM's last secondary prompt "If you could present yourself to the Committee on Admissions, what would you want to make sure they knew about you? (0/1900 characters)" is giving me fits because I can't decide how to attack it. Is it appropriate to describe why I'm switching from nursing to allo-med? Or should I go more generic... I feel that at this point the admissions committee knows most of the stuff about me unless I talk about my philosophical views on living life or something like that.

Any ideas?
 
doinmybest5840 said:
Thanks for the pep talk, phoenix1. I am really excited about my interviews, but it sucks to hear I'm not wanted at a state school. Congrats on your interview as well! What day will you be at Tulane?
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October 1st - just got the invite today! My whole family is going to join me for the trip to NOLA. Should be a fun weekend.
 
swinters369 said:
I couldn't find this discussion anywhere else... sorry if I overlooked it.

MSUCHM's last secondary prompt "If you could present yourself to the Committee on Admissions, what would you want to make sure they knew about you? (0/1900 characters)" is giving me fits because I can't decide how to attack it. Is it appropriate to describe why I'm switching from nursing to allo-med? Or should I go more generic... I feel that at this point the admissions committee knows most of the stuff about me unless I talk about my philosophical views on living life or something like that.

Any ideas?
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I wrote about a flaw in my application and why they should consider me regardless.
 
phoenix1 said:
October 1st - just got the invite today! My whole family is going to join me for the trip to NOLA. Should be a fun weekend.
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That's cool! Congrats on the GW invite as well. 🙂 I'm sure you'll do great.
 
doinmybest5840 said:
Thanks for the pep talk, phoenix1. I am really excited about my interviews, but it sucks to hear I'm not wanted at a state school. Congrats on your interview as well! What day will you be at Tulane?
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Once you get a letter from them you could always attempt to send them a letter of appeal. I heard it works sometimes for in-state people. All it will cost you is $0.41 to do too...
 
drizzt3117 said:
Once you get a letter from them you could always attempt to send them a letter of appeal. I heard it works sometimes for in-state people. All it will cost you is $0.41 to do too...
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I've never heard of letters of appeal before. What do they consist of?
 
doinmybest5840 said:
I've never heard of letters of appeal before. What do they consist of?
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This is a post from LizzyM from awhile ago explaining one instance. I imagine you should just point out strong points in your application and urge them to reconsider... quickly browsing through your mdapps you may want to mention something about your strong upward trend, clinical experience and strong volunteering experience, etc.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=4122839&postcount=24
 
irisheyes48 said:
i apologize in advance... i have a ******* question about the nymc status page. am i complete if it says:

"Secondary Application
Your verified AMCAS application was received.
A unique Login ID and Password to complete your secondary application were sent to you via e-mail on 07/26/2007.
Your application fee of $100.00 was received on 07/26/2007.
Letters of Evaluation Received
In order to view your received evaluations your secondary application must first be processed by the Admissions Office."

or do they mean that my LORs haven't arrived yet? 😕
thanks guys
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It means that your LORs haven't arrived yet (or they haven't been processed). When they do arrive (and are processed), they will be listed on your status page. I sent in my LORs on the 26th of July (electronically from Interfolio), and they were only processed and posted under my status on August 6th.
 
For Drexel's secondary, they ask for "self reported cumulative GPA." Should I put my GPA from AMCAS, or my updated GPA since I took classes after I submitted my AMCAS application? Thanks.
 
doinmybest5840 said:
For Drexel's secondary, they ask for "self reported cumulative GPA." Should I put my GPA from AMCAS, or my updated GPA since I took classes after I submitted my AMCAS application? Thanks.
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If your overall GPA increased, that would be another thing to put in a letter of appeal.
 
¿Qué pasa cuanto a su aplicación secundaria?
 
i got a secondary from NYMC on aug 6th, but my amcas status is still "ready for review" on august 8th. i thought nymc only sends out secondary after they recieve primary from amcas. anyone know what mite be going on? does amcas send a list of everyone who chose that school to apply before they are done processing?
 
Has anyone who is using VE been marked complete at Northwestern?
 
phoenix1 said:
Submitted 8/01, and still waiting for them to log in my VE LORs. I'd be curious to see how long it takes for someone with VE who's already been marked as complete. Oh, wait, that sounded dirty.
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My application was marked as being received on 7/30 and am still not complete.
 
On my status page, I have four yesses for different materials, but it doesn't say complete next to application status. Does anyone's status page say complete or did you call to double check?
 
homelesssimpson said:
On my status page, I have four yesses for different materials, but it doesn't say complete next to application status. Does anyone's status page say complete or did you call to double check?
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Q. How will I know when my application is complete?

A. When all items on the status report have a date received or a yes indicated. Once all required items are in, your application is complete and will move to the Admissions Committee for review.
 
drizzt3117 said:
Q. How will I know when my application is complete?

A. When all items on the status report have a date received or a yes indicated. Once all required items are in, your application is complete and will move to the Admissions Committee for review.
Click to expand...

Thanks!
 
doinmybest5840 said:
For Drexel's secondary, they ask for "self reported cumulative GPA." Should I put my GPA from AMCAS, or my updated GPA since I took classes after I submitted my AMCAS application? Thanks.
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Since they specifically ask for a self-reported GPA, I'd say they aren't looking for the one calculated by AMCAS. Drexel wants you to list your GPAs by school, and since AMCAS lumps any and all courses together regardless of institution, your AMCAS GPA may not be the same as your primary undergraduate institutions GPA.

All in all, I'd list the GPA given to you by your undergrad and not the one listed on AMCAS.
 
From Drexel's:


2. Has your education to date been continuous other than vacations?
Yes No

If No, use the space below or attach a separate sheet to this application to describe what you have done while out of school.





Do you answer "no" if your education was continuous, but you graduated in May of 2006 and have been working since then?
 
I had a question for the Northwestern secondary - specifically the last question:

If, by the time you enter medical school, you have not been (or, will not have been) enrolled as a full-time student in a formal education program for more than 6 months at any time, please list the dates below and describe what you did (or, will be doing) during your time away from formal education.

Do they want us to answer in paragraph format? Or is a standard list with activities, dates, and descriptions sufficient?
 
Dayne said:
I had a question for the Northwestern secondary - specifically the last question:

If, by the time you enter medical school, you have not been (or, will not have been) enrolled as a full-time student in a formal education program for more than 6 months at any time, please list the dates below and describe what you did (or, will be doing) during your time away from formal education.

Do they want us to answer in paragraph format? Or is a standard list with activities, dates, and descriptions sufficient?
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I wrote an essay, including dates of each activity.
 
How long are the essays supposed to be? Mine are pretty short...200 words.
 
The secondary says the canceled check is your receipt, but has anyone called to confirm if they are complete?
 
Also, Albany asks for your three most meaningful EC's...


Extracurricular Activities (during college and post-college), including sports, hobbies and special interests


But at the top it says:

To the best of your ability, estimate the total number of hours you spent participating in each activity over the duration of your lifetime involvement.


What if it's something you've been doing since you were young, and have continued through college (such as a musical instrument)? Do you count hours spent all those years, or only while in college?
 
rogerwilco said:
From Drexel's:


2. Has your education to date been continuous other than vacations?
Yes No

If No, use the space below or attach a separate sheet to this application to describe what you have done while out of school.





Do you answer "no" if your education was continuous, but you graduated in May of 2006 and have been working since then?
Click to expand...

I'm confused about this also. I'm going to be working for a year too and my education prior to this was continuous. Did anyone in the same situation choose no?
 
lilya said:
I'm confused about this also. I'm going to be working for a year too and my education prior to this was continuous. Did anyone in the same situation choose no?
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i am taking a year off as well. i put "no" and explained what i am doing in my year off.

if taking a year off doesn't fall under what they are asking, i don't see how explaining what you are doing could hurt.
 
rogerwilco said:
From Drexel's:


2. Has your education to date been continuous other than vacations?
Yes No

If No, use the space below or attach a separate sheet to this application to describe what you have done while out of school.





Do you answer "no" if your education was continuous, but you graduated in May of 2006 and have been working since then?
Click to expand...

I said yes. But I didn't think about it. Too late to change it now.
 
phoenix1 said:
Received by them on 8/02, and still waiting for them to log in my VE LORs. I'd be curious to see how long it takes for someone with VE who's already been marked as complete. Oh, wait, that sounded dirty.
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My LORs were sent to Northwestern via VirtualEvals on 8/03 and they received them today 8/08. It just showed up on my status page.
 
wutwinb said:
i am taking a year off as well. i put "no" and explained what i am doing in my year off.

if taking a year off doesn't fall under what they are asking, i don't see how explaining what you are doing could hurt.
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i did the exact same thing; even if they weren't looking for this information, as long as you are not sitting at home watching daytime television i didn't see how it could hurt
 
homelesssimpson said:
On my status page, I have four yesses for different materials, but it doesn't say complete next to application status. Does anyone's status page say complete or did you call to double check?
Click to expand...

Yes mine is the same way. I haven't double checked, but I'm assuming it means complete even if it's not explicitly written.
 
Secondary for UToledo/MUO was just sent out by e-mail.
 
Do we need to send a copy of our transcript to Stony Brook?
 
Northwestern:

So I called NU to ask about this. They said they had some technical difficulties with VE, and that they were getting all the letters uploaded in batches. They also said those in the second and third batch of applications may take longer (I was in the second round of NU secondaries)
 
phoenix1 said:
Argh. Yes. Submitted 8/01, and logged in 8/02. Must be a sign, eh? And technically, my VE was made available to them in early July.
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Do you really its a sign? Do you think they look through the pile and find the ones they want to review first and make those complete before getting on to the rest? I am not complete and I am on the same time frame as you, phoenix1...
 
drizzt3117 said:
Northwestern:

So I called NU to ask about this. They said they had some technical difficulties with VE, and that they were getting all the letters uploaded in batches. They also said those in the second and third batch of applications may take longer (I was in the second round of NU secondaries)
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Rats! I was in the third batch. I really just want to be complete soon so they can put me out of my misery quickly if I don't get lucky. Does anyone know if they give rejections on a rolling basis, or if they wait to send them all out in March (like some schools)?
 
phoenix1 said:
Rats! I was in the third batch. I really just want to be complete soon so they can put me out of my misery quickly if I don't get lucky. Does anyone know if they give rejections on a rolling basis, or if they wait to send them all out in March (like some schools)?
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How come you didn't apply to UW, phoenix? I heard they're friendly towards FIBs 🙂

Anyone hear if they're complete from HMS (either HST or NP) yet?
 
drizzt3117 said:
How come you didn't apply to UW, phoenix? I heard they're friendly towards FIBs 🙂

Anyone hear if they're complete from HMS (either HST or NP) yet?
Click to expand...

University of Washington? Not following you.... What's an FIB? The only thing I can come up with is Former Investment Bankers, and I'm not one of them. Or wait, maybe Formerly In Business? Guess an attorney might work for that category.... Where did you hear they like such applicants?

Anyway, as for UW, I considered it, but thought that they take very very few OOS, and those they do take show a dedication to rural/underserved areas. While continuing to volunteer at a free clinic is vital to "where I see myself in 10 years," I also want to pay off loans and will likely end up somewhere I can do that AND volunteer. Didn't think that's what UW was looking for in an OOSer. Or did I get the question completely wrong?
 
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