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** 2008-2009 Secondary Application Thread! **

Started by ShyRem
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still havent received ANY secondaries yet.
PCOM
LECOM
UNECOM
UMDNJ
NYCOM
they received my transcript the beginning of june. and it's been a month since i submitted. i'll prob start doing the ones i can find online.
did i just submit it extra early or is there something wrong...? dont think my letter of recs got sent out yet, but i dont think that matters. right?
 
ACGator09 said:
still havent received ANY secondaries yet.
PCOM
LECOM
UNECOM
UMDNJ
NYCOM
they received my transcript the beginning of june. and it's been a month since i submitted. i'll prob start doing the ones i can find online.
did i just submit it extra early or is there something wrong...? dont think my letter of recs got sent out yet, but i dont think that matters. right?
Click to expand...

Right, it doesn't matter about your letters.

Your app is probably about to be sent out. Give it another week or two to be concerned, or you can just email AACOMAS right now. Many people submitted before you.
 
Chocolate Bear said:
Right, it doesn't matter about your letters.

Your app is probably about to be sent out. Give it another week or two to be concerned, or you can just email AACOMAS right now. Many people submitted before you.
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chocolate bear do you live on SDN or what?
 
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Revilla said:
He's pretty cool, huh? He's always around to give advice and help out where he can. Plus, he's a bottomless well of information.
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Wow, thanks Revilla. As a third timer, I know it can all be pretty neurosis-inducing, so I try to help when I can.

Plus I have the luxury/burden of having to be on my computer for most of the day, so it's easy to respond quickly.
 
I continued my major streak of MD over DO, but yesterday I got the LECOM secondary. I also got my first denial pre-secondary from an MD school. Kind of stings a little, even though I expected it.
 
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Chocolate Bear said:
Ouch! At least you didn't have to waste the 70 bucks...
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Yea. It wasn't a school I was horribly interested in. I'm surprised they didn't wait for my new MCAT though. I must've given off a really bad vibe!

I think my favorite secondary is between MCW and NYMC so far. NYMC essentially asks if you are related to faculty, staff, or a graduate, whether you are a criminal, and who wrote your recommendations..pay us 100 dollars. My dad went there and donates cash. I am hoping that counts for something!
 
i called LECOM and was told to do the essay WITHIN THE APP. let me know if anyone hears otherwise. thanks!
 
MossPoh said:
Yea. It wasn't a school I was horribly interested in. I'm surprised they didn't wait for my new MCAT though. I must've given off a really bad vibe!

I think my favorite secondary is between MCW and NYMC so far. NYMC essentially asks if you are related to faculty, staff, or a graduate, whether you are a criminal, and who wrote your recommendations..pay us 100 dollars. My dad went there and donates cash. I am hoping that counts for something!
Click to expand...
what was your first MCAT score that you were rejected without them waiting? I'm in the same boat so i basically applied to schools that screened so i didn't waste any more money.
 
For the LECOM secondaries, there are no character/word limits given. How long should they be?
 
VCU was the school. I had a 25, which was disgraceful in comparison to my practice test scores. I freaked out during the real thing. Hopefully next week I do better. I got a 37 on a practice test the other day. I have to make up for my gpa some how!
 
my LECOM essays are about 3/4 page. HOWEVER, i am getting an error when i try to submit. anyone else in the same boat?? i tried calling and got sent to the tech dept, where i had to leave a message. also sent admissions an email. i don't know what i'm doing wrong.
 
diggintheDOs said:
my LECOM essays are about 3/4 page. HOWEVER, i am getting an error when i try to submit. anyone else in the same boat?? i tried calling and got sent to the tech dept, where i had to leave a message. also sent admissions an email. i don't know what i'm doing wrong.
Click to expand...

I talked to a lady at LECOM today and she said that there is an error in the system, and that it would not be up until at least Monday.
diggintheDOs: Did you get an email from LECOM-Bradenton?? That is who I called, and I asked about the secondary. I received the email from LECOM with the link to the portal, yet she said to NOT submit until I had received word from LECOM-Bradenton...I was just curious if you had heard anything!
 
iowafarmstud said:
I talked to a lady at LECOM today and she said that there is an error in the system, and that it would not be up until at least Monday.
diggintheDOs: Did you get an email from LECOM-Bradenton?? That is who I called, and I asked about the secondary. I received the email from LECOM with the link to the portal, yet she said to NOT submit until I had received word from LECOM-Bradenton...I was just curious if you had heard anything!
Click to expand...

whoa, good thing you posted. i kind of went into the lecom-b portal and started filling things out, haha. guess i need to be a little more patient. i sent emails to both schools at the address given with the error message... so they'll know i tried anyway. thanks for the feedback about the system though, really makes life less stressful. i will post when i hear specifically from lecom-b.
 
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I received NSU COM's secondary today.

Just to recap...requirements for NSU COM secondary:
1. $50
2. 2 science professor LORs
3. 1 Liberal arts professor LOR
4. 1 DO LOR
 
Seems like we all have a busy weekend ahead of us. I have to work on LECOM, VCOM, KCOM, UCF, and Miami this weekend. bah. Too many essays that I have to manipulate slightly
 
diggintheDOs said:
whoa, good thing you posted. i kind of went into the lecom-b portal and started filling things out, haha. guess i need to be a little more patient. i sent emails to both schools at the address given with the error message... so they'll know i tried anyway. thanks for the feedback about the system though, really makes life less stressful. i will post when i hear specifically from lecom-b.
Click to expand...

Hey, no problem...yeah, I had the LECOM-B all filled out right away, but I didn't want to "assume" it was my invite and be too presumptuous...I have to keep telling myself that I am early and another week won't kill me! I'll keep you posted as well on if I hear form LECOM-B or not.
 
MichiganEMTInt said:
I received NSU COM's secondary today.

Just to recap...requirements for NSU COM secondary:
1. $50
2. 2 science professor LORs
3. 1 Liberal arts professor LOR
4. 1 DO LOR
Click to expand...


I have a question about this. What if I have a health sciences committee letter? I'll still need to get two recommendations from teachers that comprise that committee to begin with?
 
hey you guys i have some questions. Im currently awaiting to be verified by AAMC & AACOMAS (I sent them in 3 weeks ago) but I have already received a secondary application from NYMC. Is is routine to get a secondary application before being verified? Also how long does it take to get verified and I should wait to be verified before completing the secondary application? Thanks in advance
 
medready said:
hey you guys i have some questions. Im currently awaiting to be verified by AAMC & AACOMAS (I sent them in 3 weeks ago) but I have already received a secondary application from NYMC. Is is routine to get a secondary application before being verified? Also how long does it take to get verified and I should wait to be verified before completing the secondary application? Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

MD schools often send secondaries before verification, but DO schools seem to be more likely to wait for the primary app to be verified. It takes up to 6 weeks to be verified by AMCAS and AACOMAS. The safe bet is to hold off until you're verified, but if you're anxious to fill stuff out, you can always email the school to be sure.
 
diggintheDOs said:
my LECOM essays are about 3/4 page. HOWEVER, i am getting an error when i try to submit. anyone else in the same boat?? i tried calling and got sent to the tech dept, where i had to leave a message. also sent admissions an email. i don't know what i'm doing wrong.
Click to expand...


Dang my essay is about a page and 3/4. I tried submitting today and got an error message as well. Wasn't sure if it was due to the length of the essay. Glad to know I'm not the only one having issues. I'm sure LECOM will be getting a few calls/emails on monday about this but hopefully its not a big deal.
 
axylotl said:
Dang my essay is about a page and 3/4. I tried submitting today and got an error message as well. Wasn't sure if it was due to the length of the essay. Glad to know I'm not the only one having issues. I'm sure LECOM will be getting a few calls/emails on monday about this but hopefully its not a big deal.
Click to expand...

No...it was not due to the length of your essay. I talked to admissions on Friday and they said the server had some errors and would be down until at least Monday...hope that helps!


NOW...I do have a question. I was filling out the KCOM secondary and I was listing my clinical health experiences. I was wondering when you all are giving your descriptions are you doing them in bullet format?? I wasn't sure which to do, since bullet looks nicer and is easier to read. Any advice would be appreciated!!👍
 
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iowafarmstud said:
No...it was not due to the length of your essay. I talked to admissions on Friday and they said the server had some errors and would be down until at least Monday...hope that helps!


NOW...I do have a question. I was filling out the KCOM secondary and I was listing my clinical health experiences. I was wondering when you all are giving your descriptions are you doing them in bullet format?? I wasn't sure which to do, since bullet looks nicer and is easier to read. Any advice would be appreciated!!👍
Click to expand...

i did mine in sentences, but i have heard from some ppl that adcoms prefer bullets (i think LizzyM posted this somewhere). for me, it's just hard to trust that my writing in fragments/phrases sounds professional, so i usually stick with a few sentences for descriptions.
 
diggintheDOs said:
i did mine in sentences, but i have heard from some ppl that adcoms prefer bullets (i think lizzym posted this somewhere). for me, it's just hard to trust that my writing in fragments/phrases sounds professional, so i usually stick with a few sentences for descriptions.
Click to expand...

Haha, yeah...I feel the same way about my own bullet writing! I sound more fluid writing out my thoughts!😀
 
Bullets tend to be more professional. I have worked with a number of major companies (IBM, Accenture, Apple, etc.) and they ALL liked people to use bullets and short sentences more. Be concise and use the active voice. It is tempting to fill up the box, but resist. They read too many of these things.
 
Hey Guys i applied to 15 DO schools on June 3rd and I've received about 7 secondaries so far that I would like to finish completing in the next 1-2 wks. But I noticed that they say to list your MCAT score in the forms, is that needed? I just took the MCAT on july 8th and won't even get my score for a month, and i know i did HORRIBLE on it anyway so I know i'll have to retake it. But I want to get my supp's out of the way so I can study in peace. So here are my questions:

1. Can I send in my supplementary's without the mcat score so that they can just process my entire application, and then wait for my scores when they come in later to see if they want to call me for an interview? I'm just asking because everyone always says complete your app's asap so I wanted to do the best thing.

2. Also do I have to send all my MCAT scores in? Trust me I think I did reallyy bad the first time and I dont want to send it in if i dont have to, but I just might have to right?

3. I have a 3.3 overall gpa and 3.0 science gpa and a bunch of really big EC's, are these schools sending me supp's because I fit their criteria or are they sending them because they are actually interested in me?

If anyone can answer these questions i'd appreciate it, thanks so much!!!
 
docusa123 said:
Hey Guys i applied to 15 DO schools on June 3rd and I've received about 7 secondaries so far that I would like to finish completing in the next 1-2 wks. But I noticed that they say to list your MCAT score in the forms, is that needed? I just took the MCAT on july 8th and won't even get my score for a month, and i know i did HORRIBLE on it anyway so I know i'll have to retake it. But I want to get my supp's out of the way so I can study in peace. So here are my questions:

1. Can I send in my supplementary's without the mcat score so that they can just process my entire application, and then wait for my scores when they come in later to see if they want to call me for an interview? I'm just asking because everyone always says complete your app's asap so I wanted to do the best thing.

2. Also do I have to send all my MCAT scores in? Trust me I think I did reallyy bad the first time and I dont want to send it in if i dont have to, but I just might have to right?

3. I have a 3.3 overall gpa and 3.0 science gpa and a bunch of really big EC's, are these schools sending me supp's because I fit their criteria or are they sending them because they are actually interested in me?

If anyone can answer these questions i'd appreciate it, thanks so much!!!
Click to expand...

This is my first time giving any advice, so take it worth a grain of salt.

1. I would say to get your secondaries out asap, because doing them is something YOU can control. I'm assuming on aacomas it would be saying scores pending or something, so they know you can't give them the scores.

2. Yeah, you have to give the scores. In fact, aamc is probably just sending them right away. Sorry, friend.

3. For the most part, I think you get secondarys if you meet the minimum requirements. Period. It's an easy way for the schools to make a quick 50, 100, 200 bucks. Doesn't it suck lots?

Anyway, good luck!
 
aacomas is really starting to frustrate me. I submitted on june 2nd. Was verified the first week of july. I have yet to recieve any secondary. So.. I called the schools and they say that they havent got my primary. I call AACOMAS and best answer they can give me is to send an email with my question. I send an email. I week later there is no response. I call again but they never pick up. I really want to work on some of these secondaries and submit them. !@#!13@!... ok.. done venting.

On another note, Does anybody have the seconday prompts for VCOM, DMU, KCOM, and PCOM. I have found the stuff for the rest of the schools.

Also for people who did postbacs.... My gpa calculations do NOT show my postbac stuff in my overall gpa. It has it under Cum GPA but not overall. Wierd.. hopefully this wont pose any problems.
 
Hi. If you applied last year and interviewed should you change your personal statement. I really like it the way it is and do not want to change it- plus I do not have much to update. Will schools remember the statement and not offer another interview if you already interviewed there??

My second question is do you have to submit all of your MCAT scores or just the one you want to submit. I know for MD schools they get all, but I thought D.O. was different - not sure. Thanks.
 
Fp02c said:
aacomas is really starting to frustrate me. I submitted on june 2nd. Was verified the first week of july. I have yet to recieve any secondary. So.. I called the schools and they say that they havent got my primary. I call AACOMAS and best answer they can give me is to send an email with my question. I send an email. I week later there is no response. I call again but they never pick up. I really want to work on some of these secondaries and submit them. !@#!13@!... ok.. done venting.

On another note, Does anybody have the seconday prompts for VCOM, DMU, KCOM, and PCOM. I have found the stuff for the rest of the schools.

Also for people who did postbacs.... My gpa calculations do NOT show my postbac stuff in my overall gpa. It has it under Cum GPA but not overall. Wierd.. hopefully this wont pose any problems.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure I understand your post. First, if you haven't received any secondaries, how do you know you're verified? Second, CUM GPA is overall GPA. They're the same thing. Could you be thinking of "all other" instead of "overall"? All other means all the courses that aren't science. Anyway, how are you seeing your GPA? Once you submit your AACOMAS application, you lose your GPA information.
 
Fp02c said:
aacomas is really starting to frustrate me. I submitted on june 2nd. Was verified the first week of july. I have yet to recieve any secondary. So.. I called the schools and they say that they havent got my primary. I call AACOMAS and best answer they can give me is to send an email with my question. I send an email. I week later there is no response. I call again but they never pick up. I really want to work on some of these secondaries and submit them. !@#!13@!... ok.. done venting.

On another note, Does anybody have the seconday prompts for VCOM, DMU, KCOM, and PCOM. I have found the stuff for the rest of the schools.

Also for people who did postbacs.... My gpa calculations do NOT show my postbac stuff in my overall gpa. It has it under Cum GPA but not overall. Wierd.. hopefully this wont pose any problems.
Click to expand...

Isn't your cumulative gpa your overall gpa? It sounds like the same thing. The cumulative gpa is for all classes ever taken. What do you mean for your overall?
 
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I called them and they told me I was verified july 1st. I asked what my gpa was and they sent me a pdf with all my grades and how they were broken down ( bio, chem.. etc). They have Undergrad GPA, Postbacc, Cumulative, Graduate, and overall. I dont know why they distinguish between overall and cumulative but overall does not have the postbac factored in. I have called and called but nobody picks up. I left a message and email last week and nobody returns a call or emails me back.
 
Fp02c said:
I called them and they told me I was verified july 1st. I asked what my gpa was and they sent me a pdf with all my grades and how they were broken down ( bio, chem.. etc). They have Undergrad GPA, Postbacc, Cumulative, Graduate, and overall. I dont know why they distinguish between overall and cumulative but overall does not have the postbac factored in. I have called and called but nobody picks up. I left a message and email last week and nobody returns a call or emails me back.
Click to expand...

I have 2 un-answered emails from 2 weeks ago and cannot get a hold of anyone via phone either.

It kinda sucks because we pay a crazy price to have this all done and then to be met the poor organization and service is frustrating.
 
Fp02c said:
I called them and they told me I was verified july 1st. I asked what my gpa was and they sent me a pdf with all my grades and how they were broken down ( bio, chem.. etc). They have Undergrad GPA, Postbacc, Cumulative, Graduate, and overall. I dont know why they distinguish between overall and cumulative but overall does not have the postbac factored in. I have called and called but nobody picks up. I left a message and email last week and nobody returns a call or emails me back.
Click to expand...

Are you positive it says overall and doesn't say "AO" as in "all other"? That's how it's generally done.
 
Anyone get Touro-CA's secondary yet? It looks like it comes paper-only (archaic), but that copy went to my permanent address, so I don't have it in hand. I need to know where to send my hundred bucks...
 
Chocolate Bear said:
Anyone get Touro-CA's secondary yet? It looks like it comes paper-only (archaic), but that copy went to my permanent address, so I don't have it in hand. I need to know where to send my hundred bucks...
Click to expand...

Nevermind, I found it. FYI, it's

Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUCOM)
Office of Admissions
1310 Johnson Lane
Vallejo, CA 94592
 
iowafarmstud said:
Hey, no problem...yeah, I had the LECOM-B all filled out right away, but I didn't want to "assume" it was my invite and be too presumptuous...I have to keep telling myself that I am early and another week won't kill me! I'll keep you posted as well on if I hear form LECOM-B or not.
Click to expand...
What does LECOM-B ask for in the secondary? What are the essays?
 
Fp02c said:
I called them and they told me I was verified july 1st. I asked what my gpa was and they sent me a pdf with all my grades and how they were broken down ( bio, chem.. etc). They have Undergrad GPA, Postbacc, Cumulative, Graduate, and overall. I dont know why they distinguish between overall and cumulative but overall does not have the postbac factored in. I have called and called but nobody picks up. I left a message and email last week and nobody returns a call or emails me back.
Click to expand...
Do you have to call to find out if/when you were verified? Is that the only way to find out? When did you submit?
 
anon y mous said:
Do you have to call to find out if/when you were verified? Is that the only way to find out? When did you submit?
Click to expand...

I submitted on june 2nd. And I called early july to find out if everything was in order since some people were already getting secondaries.
 
iowafarmstud said:
Hey, no problem...yeah, I had the LECOM-B all filled out right away, but I didn't want to "assume" it was my invite and be too presumptuous...I have to keep telling myself that I am early and another week won't kill me! I'll keep you posted as well on if I hear form LECOM-B or not.
Click to expand...

FINALLY got LECOM to work! still no word from lecom-b though, sooooo tempted to just submit their app, since i have access to it through the portal.
 
When you say "Finally got LECOM to work" does that mean your essays went through? If you don't mind me asking, how long were your essays? Thanks!


PS: Anyone receive secondaries from any of the following?
1. CCOM
2. LMU
3. NYCOM
4. PCOM
5. TOUROCOM-NY
6. TUCOM-Ca
7. WVSOM
8. Western Univeristy of Health Sciences

Just want to know if I should be getting worried.. 🙂
 
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