Official 2008 Secondary Questions Thread

[anotherpremed]

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I love how Vandy's email address was [email protected]... did that make anyone else get the slightest bit excited? then it was just oh we've received your AMCAS its under review. they also messed up the entering class year and reminded me of the AMCAS submission deadline. How is that relevant to someone who's application has already been received?

Dear anotherpremed,
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 2007 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, 2006. 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.

Note that if you will be taking the August MCAT, you should expect to hear from us 3-4 weeks after scores are reported.

 

[j-weezy]

I love how Vandy's email address was [email protected]... did that make anyone else get the slightest bit excited? then it was just oh we've received your AMCAS its under review. they also messed up the entering class year and reminded me of the AMCAS submission deadline. How is that relevant to someone who's application has already been received?

Yep...worthless

 

[Boogsie]

Has anyone submitted their Georgetown secondary today?

It's still not working for me (it's cutting off the last 1500 characters of my 5000 character essay). Is anyone else having this problem?

 

[FlowLimited]

Has anyone submitted their Georgetown secondary today?

It's still not working for me (it's cutting off the last 1500 characters of my 5000 character essay). Is anyone else having this problem?

They told me yesterday that the technical problems with their application should be fixed by this morning. So hopefully it should be working soon.

 

[VQuick]

cool, thanks doctortobe2012 and viciouz.

I realized have another question. NJMS asks for three letters of rec and I called to ask if you could send more than that. They said yes and I asked how many max. They just said don't overwhelm us. I didn't want to keep pushing for a number. Do you think 6 is too many? Or is 5 better?

I've read that 6 is a de facto limit. Don't feel bad sending in 6 (as long as they're all likely to be good letters); I suppose if you had truly amazing work/volunteer experiences and all your LOR writers raved about you, you could send in more than 6, but that would be exceptional.

 

[viciouz]

I got 2 emails from Vanderbilt University, first was saying my Application is on "Hold pending August MCAT scores," and second was generic emails you all got.

So, I emailed them back saying that I was confused as to why my App is on Hold because I am not takign the August MCAT and I just got my scores back for my May MCAT.

 

[ICanDoThis]

just wanna say that:

1. i just submitted 4 secondaries
2. consequently, am running on 4 hours of sleep
3. am also posting this during work

ahahaha gotta love this. sending some good karma to all

 

[IzzyMarieDMD]

I got 2 emails from Vanderbilt University, first was saying my Application is on "Hold pending August MCAT scores," and second was generic emails you all got.

So, I emailed them back saying that I was confused as to why my App is on Hold because I am not takign the August MCAT and I just got my scores back for my May MCAT.

I got this same email and emailed them back saying that I wasn't taking the august mcat (I took mine May 11th)

 

[viciouz]

I got this same email and emailed them back saying that I wasn't taking the august mcat (I took mine May 11th)

We have the exact same problem... I took my MCAT May 11th also. I didn't do as good as I wanted, but I am going to roll with it. 😎

 

[alman]

Just got University of Washington. They ask for a Biographical essay, a why UW essay, and other personal comments/publications.

 

[GreenMudPhud]

Anyone else still having trouble accessing U of Rochester's secondary? It is supposed to be up today, yet when I login and try to access it, I get an error message.
😡

 

[sillydoc2230]

same here with rochester.. i'm assuming their IT people are just taking too long to put up the secondary and work out the glitches.


and booo to georgetown for still not having theirs fixed. i hate sitting on these apps.

 

[cruz21]

Just got University of Washington. They ask for a Biographical essay, a why UW essay, and other personal comments/publications.

Alman are you a WWAMI resident? I'm not, but applied to UWash anyway, and haven't gotten a secondary...perhaps this is what they call the "pre-secondary rejection"....

 

[AMPed]

Alman are you a WWAMI resident? I'm not, but applied to UWash anyway, and haven't gotten a secondary...perhaps this is what they call the "pre-secondary rejection"....

I got a notification that the MSTP prelim app is available. I'm not a WWAMI res and I think UW does not accept OOS MD only apps.

 

[cruz21]

I got a notification that the MSTP prelim app is available. I'm not a WWAMI res and I think UW does not accept OOS MD only apps.

oh really? 🙁 hmm. i thought the msar said something about 'qualified out of state applicants who have been disadvantaged or have shown a committment to serving the underserved' or something to that effect are encouraged to apply? sigh. oh well i guess.

 

[Funky]

I'm getting an error message also for U of Roc 😡

 

[Jaded03]

I'm getting an error message also for U of Roc 😡

I'm sure when they meant it will be available July 6, 2007, they meant that they would start working on it today. I'd expect it to be fixed by the end of their business hours OR we're all going to get a nice apology e-mail Monday. Don't sweat it.

 

[Vandemaas]

Boy, UIC's secondary sure tested my patience. Repeating the list of coursework (just like most others), repeating my list of extracurricular activities... two required essays... All this for a measly state school.

Welp, at least you get to do the secondary. I thought I had checked, re-checked and triple checked their class requirements but somehow I completely missed the 2 Psych classes requirement. So even though I was a Molecular Biology & Economics double major, I think I'm SOL for UIC and just wasted money without those precious 2 psych classes. Arrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

 

[Tropicana100]

I'm getting an error message also for U of Roc 😡

They're having to some technical difficulties. They said the secondary won't be up until around Tues.

 

[Dr.D-man]

I finally got an email allowing me to pay MSU-CHM's secondary application fee.

 

[TrynaBeADoc]

Has anyone gotten anything from Drexel, Temple, or UNC??? and stupid university of rochester needs to fix their secondary website!!

 

[anotherpremed]

Has anyone gotten anything from Drexel, Temple, or UNC??? and stupid university of rochester needs to fix their secondary website!!

UNC screens and are known for being a little slow. No word from Drexel or Temple here yet.

 

[GreenMudPhud]

Has anyone gotten anything from Drexel, Temple, or UNC??? and stupid university of rochester needs to fix their secondary website!!

Got an email from UNC that I was going to be getting a secondary for MSTP soon. Other than that nothing. And I agree with U of Roc. although it'll probably be early next week before they fix it.

 

[Bahadur]

Welp, at least you get to do the secondary. I thought I had checked, re-checked and triple checked their class requirements but somehow I completely missed the 2 Psych classes requirement. So even though I was a Molecular Biology & Economics double major, I think I'm SOL for UIC and just wasted money without those precious 2 psych classes. Arrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Same here... I'm heartbroken. Damn those psych classes, haha.

Can't we just substitute some random Anthro or Sociology class in? Sheesh.

 

[viciouz]

Same here... I'm heartbroken. Damn those psych classes, haha.

Can't we just substitute some random Anthro or Sociology class in? Sheesh.

I just put "future" for course grade so that way, I am still looking to complete it by the time I finish college.

 

[TrynaBeADoc]

Got an email from UNC that I was going to be getting a secondary for MSTP soon. Other than that nothing. And I agree with U of Roc. although it'll probably be early next week before they fix it.

im pretty n00b on this site, but whats do u mean by getting a secondary for MSTP soon? whats mstp? Also are u an NC resident? If i haven't gotten an email yet could I have been screened out? I got my amcas verified on 6/22.

 

[seraph524]

I love how Vandy's email address was [email protected]... did that make anyone else get the slightest bit excited? then it was just oh we've received your AMCAS its under review. they also messed up the entering class year and reminded me of the AMCAS submission deadline. How is that relevant to someone who's application has already been received?

Dear anotherpremed,
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 2007 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, 2006. 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.

Note that if you will be taking the August MCAT, you should expect to hear from us 3-4 weeks after scores are reported.

Umm...why are the dates messed up? Is that last year's thing?

 

[emquiksilver]

whats do u mean by getting a secondary for MSTP soon? whats mstp?

MSTP --> MD/PhD program

 

[GreenMudPhud]

im pretty n00b on this site, but whats do u mean by getting a secondary for MSTP soon? whats mstp? Also are u an NC resident? If i haven't gotten an email yet could I have been screened out? I got my amcas verified on 6/22.

MSTP = M.D./Ph.D. Program.

I'm an IL resident.

UNC does screen. They probably screen MSTP and M.D. only sepereatly. So no sweat.

 

[gujuDoc]

MSTP --> MD/PhD program

We should also clarify what specifically MSTP is.

Though many schools, have MD/PhD joint programs, MSTP Programs are a subset of specific MD/PhD programs across the country that are fully funded by the NIH.

MSTP = Medical Scientist Training Program. NIH = National Institute of Health; though I'm sure you knew what NIH was. 😉

CSTP = Clinical Scientist Training Program. They have one at Upitt.

 

[mvenus929]

im pretty n00b on this site, but whats do u mean by getting a secondary for MSTP soon? whats mstp? Also are u an NC resident? If i haven't gotten an email yet could I have been screened out? I got my amcas verified on 6/22.

Also, relax. It's been like 2 weeks. If you haven't gotten anything by the end of August, you have reason to worry. Until then, just breathe and wait.

 

[UberCaffeinated]

Phoenix,
You're looking at the web secondary for BU? I'm looking at it right now, Calculus is marked with a "2" (key below reflects 2 = recommended). I'm in the same boat as you... it looks like we're safe. Where did you see it marked as required?

Melissa

ARGH. For Boston University, neither their website nor the current MSAR says that they require calculus. On BU's own website it says the required courses are:

- English Composition or Literature (1 year)
- Humanities (1 year)
- General Chemistry (1 year) with Lab
- Organic Chemistry (1 year) with Lab
- Physics (1 year)
- Biology (1 year) with Lab

However, in the secondary, it lists calculus as a REQUIRED course and you need to fill in how many semesters of it you have taken. It lists as RECOMMENDED a bunch of others like genetics, biochem, etc.

I'm just annoyed because I would have preferred to have not thrown $30 away for no good reason. I did my research, and trusted that the MSAR and BU's own website would set forth if calculus was required. It's too late to talk to the office now, so I guess I'll just have to wait until Monday to clear this up. I'm guessing that they changed calculus to a required course, but forgot to update MSAR and their web site. Anyone else think that's not quite fair of them?

 

[emquiksilver]

We should also clarify what specifically MSTP is.

Though many schools, have MD/PhD joint programs, MSTP Programs are a subset of specific MD/PhD programs across the country that are fully funded by the NIH.

MSTP = Medical Scientist Training Program. NIH = National Institute of Health; though I'm sure you knew what NIH was. 😉

CSTP = Clinical Scientist Training Program. They have one at Upitt.

Cool. I thought they were totally synonymous. What's the difference between MSTP and CSTP?

 

[mongrel]

Cool. I thought they were totally synonymous. What's the difference between MSTP and CSTP?

CSTP- 5 yr MD and MA degrees with one year of research in there
MSTP- 7 yr MD and PhD degrees

At least that's how they're defined at WashU. I'm not sure about the difference in practice and research once you've graduated though.

 

[M.Furfur]

Just received an email from UCONN, it seems they forgot to attach the secondary!!!

 

[AMPed]

CSTP- 5 yr MD and MA degrees with one year of research in there
MSTP- 7 yr MD and PhD degrees

At least that's how they're defined at WashU. I'm not sure about the difference in practice and research once you've graduated though.

CSTPs prep you for clinical research/patient oriented research, while MSTPs are focused on basic and translational research preparation.

 

[Phoenix.]

Phoenix,
You're looking at the web secondary for BU? I'm looking at it right now, Calculus is marked with a "2" (key below reflects 2 = recommended). I'm in the same boat as you... it looks like we're safe. Where did you see it marked as required?

Melissa

HAH! They changed it!!! I SWEAR it said "1" before. Either that, or I'm truly going crazy. Cause it's CLEARLY a "2" now.

And it looks real classy that I mentioned on the app below the prereq grid that I assumed that calculus was only recommended and not required, and thus thought I satisfied all of BU's requirements. Nothing to do about it now though. Maybe they changed it after I called to cross-examine them about it?

 

[M.Furfur]

*oops*

 

[fiji]

Anyone uploading additional documents to the BU Secondary app? It gives you the option to upload either a CV, unofficial transcript, etc. Anyone uploading their CV? just curious

 

[sillydoc2230]

got a letter from dartmouth and an email from yale today, but i had submitted both already...

 

[infinitejest]

Same here... I'm heartbroken. Damn those psych classes, haha.

Can't we just substitute some random Anthro or Sociology class in? Sheesh.

Gentlemen (and ladies), I called UIC because I had the same question about their psych pre-reqs. The lady I spoke with said the requirements aren't necessary for an application review, but the classes simply must be finished by the time of matriculation. That is, if you're accepted, you'll just have to take these classes at your local college or online (yes, she said online classes count). Hope this helps.

 

[whateva07]

posting the list because it is falling behind. I think this is the most updated one. If I'm wrong someone please correct me. Thanks

AECOM - invitation
Baylor - online
Boston - e-mail invite
Case Western - e-mail invite
Cincinnati - e-mail invite
Columbia - email invite
Cornell - email invitation
Dartmouth - online
GW - email invitation
Eastern Virginia Medical School - email invitation
FSU - email invitation
Georgetown - e-mail invite
Jefferson - e-mail invite
Johns Hopkins - online
Kentucky - email invitation
MCW - e-mail invite
Meharry - online
MUSC - E-mail invite
Ohio state - email invitation
Pitt-email invite
SUNY Downstate - E-mail invite
SUNY Upstate - Email Invite
Tulane - online
UAB - email
U at Buffalo - no essays
UChicago - e-mail invite
UConn - online
UF- email
UIC - e-mail invite
U of Kentucky
UMDNJ-RWJMS - email invitation, no essays
UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School -- email invite
UMiami - e-mail invite
UMich - Email Invite
UMC - email
UT Memphis- e-mail, no secondary?
Rochester - snail mail invite
UOk - e-mail invite
UVermont - Email Invite
UWisc - E-mail Invite
WashU - email invite
Yale - online

 

[viciouz]

When we complete these schools secondaries (LORs, Fee, Supp. App) do we get a confirmation letter from them or something?

I just want to make sure everything got there alright and there are no problems.

 

[dr2be111]

has anyone submitted the secondary for boston university yet?

i just clicked 'finalize application' which i assumed was the same thing as submit. but i see at the top of the page, it says this:

"Electronic supplmental application finalized. Awaiting printed copy."

anyone know if we have to print this out and then mail them an additional copy? thanks in advance.https://www.bumc.bu.edu/busm/myApplication2008/Main/ApplicationChecklist.aspx

 

[dr2be111]

never mind, i'm an idiot. the text isn't showing up well on my browser, i just saw it says we don't have to send in an additional printed copy.

 

[olemissbabydoc]

And my first secondary is flying through cyberspace 👍

 

[Phoenix.]

has anyone submitted the secondary for boston university yet?

i just clicked 'finalize application' which i assumed was the same thing as submit. but i see at the top of the page, it says this:

"Electronic supplmental application finalized. Awaiting printed copy."

anyone know if we have to print this out and then mail them an additional copy? thanks in advance.

I've been wondering the same thing. I have NO idea. It still says that on my BU status page, and I submitted mine about 5 days ago. Where did you see that it says we don't have to send a printed copy?

 

[jorditafrita]

For Boston U's secondary, is the question that asks "Please provide a narrative or timeline to describe any features of your educational history that you think may be part of particular interest to us: (2000 character limit, approximately 400 words)" optional, or required? if it's req'd I have no idea what to put in it since I covered those features in the previous two questions, any suggestions

 

[jorditafrita]

sorry, another question
for schools that I have not yet recieved any communication from, should I wait until I do to send out my letters of rec, or is it okay to do so now since they have definitely recieved my primary already?

 

[dr2be111]

I've been wondering the same thing. I have NO idea. It still says that on my BU status page, and I submitted mine about 5 days ago. Where did you see that it says we don't have to send a printed copy?

it said it on the 'finalize application' page. it was in the text above the little box where you check that all the information you entered is certified as accurate. i couldn't see the text until i accidentally highlighted a part of the webpage (maybe browser problem?).

but it said that you don't have to send them a hard copy, and only have to print it if you want a copy for your own records.