official secondary prompts thread
Started by LadyBulldog
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exactly!
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I've been told that last year's secondary for UT-Memphis did not ask any questions, only prior arrests, etc... Not sure if you would like to include info like this.
Adam
Adam
QofQuimica
Seriously, dude, I think you're overreacting....
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Any non-trads have experience with answering that question about what you have done to improve your app since the last time you applied? It's been ten years since I applied....how much do they really wanna know??? 
There is always the possibility that these will change from last year. The school I'm in will drop one of its questions and substitute another. Stay tuned.
And for the sake of those of us who read both the AMCAS and the secondary, please don't recycle your AMCAS PS into the secondary. It is boring and annoying.
And for the sake of those of us who read both the AMCAS and the secondary, please don't recycle your AMCAS PS into the secondary. It is boring and annoying.
Turns out that Utah's is described in detail on their website. Do they win the prize for most annoying secondary??
Personal statement:
In addition to the personal comments provided on the AMCAS application, we require an additional personal statement as part of the secondary materials. The personal comments from your AMCAS application will not be accepted as part of your secondary materials. Do not repeat information that is available elsewhere in your application.
The personal statement should be no longer than two (2) double-spaced pages (12 point font). Applicants are encouraged to pay close attention to punctuation, spelling and grammar.
Topics for the personal statement may include activities or individuals that have influenced the applicant's life and shaped his or her decision to study medicine. The personal statement should be specific, succinct, straightforward and sincere. It should also tell the committee what motivates the applicant and what the experiences described have taught him or her. The committee is interested in his or her goals in life and in medicine.
Current course list:
The applicant lists the course(s) he or she intends to take during the upcoming year, including those listed on the AMCAS application. Acceptance to medical school is contingent upon successful completion of course work as outlined in the application materials.
Premedical course list:
The applicant lists the courses he or she has taken or intends to take to satisfy our premedical course work prior to matriculation. Acceptance to medical school is contingent upon successful completion of course work and prerequisites as outlined in the application materials. Changes to the Current course list and the Premedical course list must be submitted to the Admissions Office in writing and approved by the Admissions Committee.
Activities form:
The applicant briefly describes his or her participation in each of these areas: extracurricular activities, volunteer service, leadership, research experience, physician shadowing and patient exposure.
Background information form
This form is designed to provide biographical and demographic statistics to assess past and present socioeconomic circumstances. All information requested is kept confidential. These data are for research purposes only and have no bearing on the evaluation of candidates for medical school.
Right of access waiver form
Letters of recommendation or evaluations are considered confidential unless the applicant specifically states he or she does not waive the right of access to such statements. It is the applicant's responsibility to inform the letter writers whether the University of Utah, School of Medicine may receive and maintain the letters or statements in confidence.
Note: Changes to the secondary application must be submitted to the Admissions Office in writing and approved by the Admissions Committee.
State certification:
This is required for all Idaho legal state residents applying to the School of Medicine. Information may be obtained by visiting the following website at
http://www.isu.edu/departments/enroll/rinfo.shtml or calling Idaho State University at (208) 282-2375.
Letters of recommendation:
Letters of recommendation are a very important part of the application. Applicants should request letters from professors and supervisors who know them well and can accurately comment on their qualifications for medical school. It is important that those who write letters clearly indicate if they taught or supervised the applicant and the length of time they have known him or her. Premedical Committee letters do not satisfy any of the letter requirements. It is not in the applicant's best interest to submit letters from relatives or family members. The University of Utah School of Medicine requires six (6) letters that fulfill the following requirements. The letters of recommendation must be mailed directly from the letter writer to the Admissions Office.
Applicants to the M.D./Ph.D. program are not required to submit letters of recommendation from supervisors. However, these letters will be required if an applicant is not accepted to the M.D./Ph.D. program and wishes to petition to apply to the M.D. program only.
Note: If a petition to the M.D. program is approved, applicants will be required to submit the three supervisor letters. It is recommended that applicants include these letters with their initial application.
* Three (3) academic letters: At least one (1) letter must be from a science professor. The other two (2) can be from professors in any course who taught the applicant in a classroom setting and assigned the applicant a grade for credit in the course. Letters from independent study or correspondence courses do not meet this requirement.
* Three (3) supervisor letters:
Letters written in support of the current application carry more influence with the committee than do letters written in previous years or for prior applications.
Personal statement:
In addition to the personal comments provided on the AMCAS application, we require an additional personal statement as part of the secondary materials. The personal comments from your AMCAS application will not be accepted as part of your secondary materials. Do not repeat information that is available elsewhere in your application.
The personal statement should be no longer than two (2) double-spaced pages (12 point font). Applicants are encouraged to pay close attention to punctuation, spelling and grammar.
Topics for the personal statement may include activities or individuals that have influenced the applicant's life and shaped his or her decision to study medicine. The personal statement should be specific, succinct, straightforward and sincere. It should also tell the committee what motivates the applicant and what the experiences described have taught him or her. The committee is interested in his or her goals in life and in medicine.
Current course list:
The applicant lists the course(s) he or she intends to take during the upcoming year, including those listed on the AMCAS application. Acceptance to medical school is contingent upon successful completion of course work as outlined in the application materials.
Premedical course list:
The applicant lists the courses he or she has taken or intends to take to satisfy our premedical course work prior to matriculation. Acceptance to medical school is contingent upon successful completion of course work and prerequisites as outlined in the application materials. Changes to the Current course list and the Premedical course list must be submitted to the Admissions Office in writing and approved by the Admissions Committee.
Activities form:
The applicant briefly describes his or her participation in each of these areas: extracurricular activities, volunteer service, leadership, research experience, physician shadowing and patient exposure.
Background information form
This form is designed to provide biographical and demographic statistics to assess past and present socioeconomic circumstances. All information requested is kept confidential. These data are for research purposes only and have no bearing on the evaluation of candidates for medical school.
Right of access waiver form
Letters of recommendation or evaluations are considered confidential unless the applicant specifically states he or she does not waive the right of access to such statements. It is the applicant's responsibility to inform the letter writers whether the University of Utah, School of Medicine may receive and maintain the letters or statements in confidence.
Note: Changes to the secondary application must be submitted to the Admissions Office in writing and approved by the Admissions Committee.
State certification:
This is required for all Idaho legal state residents applying to the School of Medicine. Information may be obtained by visiting the following website at
http://www.isu.edu/departments/enroll/rinfo.shtml or calling Idaho State University at (208) 282-2375.
Letters of recommendation:
Letters of recommendation are a very important part of the application. Applicants should request letters from professors and supervisors who know them well and can accurately comment on their qualifications for medical school. It is important that those who write letters clearly indicate if they taught or supervised the applicant and the length of time they have known him or her. Premedical Committee letters do not satisfy any of the letter requirements. It is not in the applicant's best interest to submit letters from relatives or family members. The University of Utah School of Medicine requires six (6) letters that fulfill the following requirements. The letters of recommendation must be mailed directly from the letter writer to the Admissions Office.
Applicants to the M.D./Ph.D. program are not required to submit letters of recommendation from supervisors. However, these letters will be required if an applicant is not accepted to the M.D./Ph.D. program and wishes to petition to apply to the M.D. program only.
Note: If a petition to the M.D. program is approved, applicants will be required to submit the three supervisor letters. It is recommended that applicants include these letters with their initial application.
* Three (3) academic letters: At least one (1) letter must be from a science professor. The other two (2) can be from professors in any course who taught the applicant in a classroom setting and assigned the applicant a grade for credit in the course. Letters from independent study or correspondence courses do not meet this requirement.
* Three (3) supervisor letters:
1. Community and volunteer service: The letter must clearly state what the student's role was in providing service and should describe the performance and duration of his or her volunteer service. (See "Community/Volunteer Service" under "Selection Criteria" for more information.)
2. Clinical experience: The letter must clearly state what the student's role was in patient exposure and/or physician shadowing and should describe the performance and duration of his or her experience. (See "Physician Shadowing" and "Patient Exposure" under "Selection Criteria" for more information)
3. Research experience: The letter must clearly state what the student's role was in the research experience and should describe the performance and duration of his or her research. (See "Research" under "Selection Criteria" for more information)
2. Clinical experience: The letter must clearly state what the student's role was in patient exposure and/or physician shadowing and should describe the performance and duration of his or her experience. (See "Physician Shadowing" and "Patient Exposure" under "Selection Criteria" for more information)
3. Research experience: The letter must clearly state what the student's role was in the research experience and should describe the performance and duration of his or her research. (See "Research" under "Selection Criteria" for more information)
Letters written in support of the current application carry more influence with the committee than do letters written in previous years or for prior applications.
This one sucks:humuhumu said:
1. new personal statement with 4500 character limit. MAKE SURE IT'S NOT THE ONE THAT YOU SUBMITTED TO AMCAS!
2. Current course list
3. Premedical course list
4. Activities form: yes...just like on AMCAS (hours/wk, descrition, dates). these are seperated into the 6 categories that are required for admissions to the U
5. Right of Access Waiver Form
6. Background Information Form
7. Letter of Rec Form
Have fun!!! 😱
Loma Linda
Basically a list of questions, there is generally enough room for one large paragraph or two small ones.
1. What do you know about Loma Linda?
2. What is attractive about Loma Linda?
3. What traits make you a desirable candidate for admission to Loma Linda?
4. This school is a Seventh-day Adventist institution. The curriculum integrates ethical and relational issues from a Christian perspective into the practice of medicine. Weekly chapel services are part of this program. Please respond to the above as it relates to your personal educational and career goals. (750 characters, Max)
You also have to write something about what you think about their no drinking policy.
UC Davis
1. Describe a difficult situation you have had to overcome in your life or during your college academic experience. How do you feel this will prepare you for a career in medicine? Limit your response to 1500 characters.
2. If the practice of medicine ceased to exist - there were no physicians, what would you do instead, and why? Limit your response to 1500 characters.
3. Every applicant reflects a variety of backgrounds and strengths. The Admissions Committee assesses the applicant's contributions to their class, the medical school and the potential of an applicant to contribute to society. Please describe to the Admissions Committee what you have to offer in this regard. Limit your response to 1500 characters.
4. Pick one item you selected above and describe in the space below what you did and how it will make you a better physician. (1500 char)
--This is for a number of different sections, so you will need one for work experience, one for medical related experience, one for volunteer experience, one for research experience, one for leadership experience, and there is one other section that I didn't fill out, I can't remember why.
UC Irvine
Answer the following using only the space provided (1,800 characters, with spaces). Use a font size of 11, Times New Roman.
1. In evaluating applicants with a variety of backgrounds and strengths the Admissions Committee assesses each applicant for what they can contribute to their class and also the potential of an applicant to contribute to society. Please describe to the Admissions Committee what you have to offer in this regard.
2. Please describe to the Admissions Committee a challenge you have overcome and what you learned about yourself from that experience.
Basically a list of questions, there is generally enough room for one large paragraph or two small ones.
1. What do you know about Loma Linda?
2. What is attractive about Loma Linda?
3. What traits make you a desirable candidate for admission to Loma Linda?
4. This school is a Seventh-day Adventist institution. The curriculum integrates ethical and relational issues from a Christian perspective into the practice of medicine. Weekly chapel services are part of this program. Please respond to the above as it relates to your personal educational and career goals. (750 characters, Max)
You also have to write something about what you think about their no drinking policy.
UC Davis
1. Describe a difficult situation you have had to overcome in your life or during your college academic experience. How do you feel this will prepare you for a career in medicine? Limit your response to 1500 characters.
2. If the practice of medicine ceased to exist - there were no physicians, what would you do instead, and why? Limit your response to 1500 characters.
3. Every applicant reflects a variety of backgrounds and strengths. The Admissions Committee assesses the applicant's contributions to their class, the medical school and the potential of an applicant to contribute to society. Please describe to the Admissions Committee what you have to offer in this regard. Limit your response to 1500 characters.
4. Pick one item you selected above and describe in the space below what you did and how it will make you a better physician. (1500 char)
--This is for a number of different sections, so you will need one for work experience, one for medical related experience, one for volunteer experience, one for research experience, one for leadership experience, and there is one other section that I didn't fill out, I can't remember why.
UC Irvine
Answer the following using only the space provided (1,800 characters, with spaces). Use a font size of 11, Times New Roman.
1. In evaluating applicants with a variety of backgrounds and strengths the Admissions Committee assesses each applicant for what they can contribute to their class and also the potential of an applicant to contribute to society. Please describe to the Admissions Committee what you have to offer in this regard.
2. Please describe to the Admissions Committee a challenge you have overcome and what you learned about yourself from that experience.
Damn, what's up with Utah?
Six LORs? I don't even have six friends. Glad I don't live anywhere near there.
Six LORs? I don't even have six friends. Glad I don't live anywhere near there.
it. said:
Secondaries are for each school to get info on you that it wants specifically, in addition to the general info everybody gets from AMCAS. They are used to gauge your interest in the school, how well you might fit in, etc. I'm also convinced that some schools have long secondaries to discourage people who aren't really interested from applying.
Now, what I can't understand is why so many secondaries make you repeat the same info that's on AMCAS. This really pisses me off, because after spending so much time doing AMCAS I just don't want to have to list it all again! I mean, they have AMCAS right there, so why do they feel the need to make us repeat it???
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i'm replying to keep this post on page 1 because i hate using the search thing
Okay guys, give me some time tonight and I'm going to try to add the schools people have posted recently to the main list of secondaries on the first page of this thread. I might not have space, though. Should I try reposting them in a new thread if that's the case, or just leave it as is?
humuhumu said:
OOORRRRRRR i could just keep doing this!!! hahahhaha ok i'll stop
maybe.
anyone know about temple?
If you started this thread, as an Angel you have the ability to close it. I think.nockamura said:
hey, thanks for this stuff
how long do most schools want your responses to their questions to be? Is there an average or anything?
how long do most schools want your responses to their questions to be? Is there an average or anything?
tigress said:
Those are some interesting questions. Does anyone know if there was a minimum OR maximum length requirement for Rush?
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Awesome thread! Wondering if anyone can't point me towards a post/thread where schools that send everyone secondaries are distinguished from those that screen AMCAS first before sending secondaries. Thanks. Oh, and among those that don't screen, can we start filling them out? Yay, I like trying to describe myself in so many characters and in so many different ways! Not.
bumpy bumpy ride these secondary are!!!
I PM'd you back 🙂tigress said:
ladybulldog and tigress, you rock my whole world. Thanks so much for doing this- i was wondering about it and this is so helpful.
I thought I was going to have to write a million different essays. It now looks more like I'm going to have to write a million different cheques.
I thought I was going to have to write a million different essays. It now looks more like I'm going to have to write a million different cheques.
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