Question regarding secondaries/ late application?

[chilldude22]

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Hello SDN!

This is my first post but I've been reading the articles and forum posts here for about threhe years. Please forgive me if there is another thread exactly like this (I know there are very similar ones), b/c this is regarding secondaries.

I submitted my primary application on July 15th and after 2-3 days I got secondary requests from NYMC, GW, and Giesel. (I submitted it on a friday and I think starting sunday night I started getting these). However, my AAMC account says that my primary application still has to be verified. Do these schools have my primary application yet? Or are they just known to send out requests for secondaries before they even get the primary?

Also.... do medical schools not look over applicants until only after they get the primary, secondary, and LORs? B/c if so, I am a little worried that I have submitted my primary too late b/c it says it takes about 6 weeks for AMCAS to process the primary application. I'm very confused b/c I was told that applying mid-July would be fine but now I'm worried I might be screwed.

One more thing... when should I aim to have my secondaries out? Should I be going crazy right now trying to hash out some written responses to common questions?

Thanks in advance

 

[chillaxbro]

Cool name bro 😎

Most schools don't look at your secondaries until everything is in (LORs, verified, essays submitted). Even after submitting your secondaries, it may take 2 weeks for them to get to your file to mark you as complete. Even after getting marked as complete, it could take a long time for them to extend you an interview invite.

Rule of thumb is to send out secondaries within 14 days of receiving it (unless otherwise stated)

 

[chilldude22]

Cool name bro 😎

Most schools don't look at your secondaries until everything is in (LORs, verified, essays submitted). Even after submitting your secondaries, it may take 2 weeks for them to get to your file to mark you as complete. Even after getting marked as complete, it could take a long time for them to extend you an interview invite.

Rule of thumb is to send out secondaries within 14 days of receiving it (unless otherwise stated)

Thanks man, I got it from a "Jake and Amir" video.

So am I too late? I have a reasonable MCAT and GPA but I didn't realize it would take 6 weeks to process. Also, two of my LOR's are taking forever.

 

[chilldude22]

Also, does anyone have a ballpark of when my AMCAS will be verified? How long did it take you guys? And should I go ahead and submit my secondary apps to the schools I got them from? Even though I'm not AMCAS verified?

 

[NCKSD]

Doesnt matter if you submit. Youll probably be verified in ~5 weeks. You're not too late, its just that most people who browse SDN tend to be on the early side.

 

[chilldude22]

Doesnt matter if you submit. Youll probably be verified in ~5 weeks. You're not too late, its just that most people who browse SDN tend to be on the early side.

And the schools won't look at my application until they get the primary, secondary, and LORs, right?

 

[NCKSD]

correct (well, and your fee)

 

[chilldude22]

Also.... how long do the secondaries take the get verified/processed? Do the secondaries take a couple weeks too? Cause if thats the case, I will probably go ahead and at least submit the few secondaries I have within the next few days.

 

[deleted526486]

Also.... how long do the secondaries take the get verified/processed? Do the secondaries take a couple weeks too? Cause if thats the case, I will probably go ahead and at least submit the few secondaries I have within the next few days.

Secondaries usually only take a few days to get "processed." However it's still best to submit secondaries to show interest and just in case it takes a bit longer than expected.

ALSO, I just wanted to add that once you finish this batch of secondaries, you can/should go to the Allopathic 2013-2014 School-Specific Discussions subforum and look up the secondaries for school that you applied to but haven't gotten yet. If you have some time in the next few weeks I would DEFINITELY suggest that you start writing these in advance.

 

[chilldude22]

Do you think it will cause an overall "slowdown" of the reviewing of my entire application If I submit these secondaries in spite of my AMCAS not being submitted?

I feel like I read somewhere on SDN about how when ppl submittted their secondaries to GW before their AMCAS was verified, it gave an error message

 

[deleted526486]

Do you think it will cause an overall "slowdown" of the reviewing of my entire application If I submit these secondaries in spite of my AMCAS not being submitted?

I feel like I read somewhere on SDN about how when ppl submittted their secondaries to GW before their AMCAS was verified, it gave an error message

I can't see how it would slow your application down if you submit secondaries earlier. Most schools send out the secondaries before AMCAS is verified so that your secondary can be done at or around the time that you are verified. I would definitely try to finish these secondaries soon and then begin working on the essays from other schools you applied to, even if you haven't gotten the prompts yet. That way, when you get those prompts you can submit almost immediately and not delay your completion.

 

[chilldude22]

I can't see how it would slow your application down if you submit secondaries earlier. Most schools send out the secondaries before AMCAS is verified so that your secondary can be done at or around the time that you are verified. I would definitely try to finish these secondaries soon and then begin working on the essays from other schools you applied to, even if you haven't gotten the prompts yet. That way, when you get those prompts you can submit almost immediately and not delay your completion.

Alright cool. Thank you for the advice.