Receiving a screened secondary (UC)

[isthisuniqueenough]

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If one receives a screen secondary from a UC, then does that mean that you have a good shot of getting an interview?

For example, does that mean that your GPA/MCAT has qualified you, and that it is up to your secondary, EC's, and (perhaps) LOR that gets one an interview?

Note: I searched this question, but the answers were limited and did not address this question adequately...

 

[SpineResearcher]

For your first question, if you get through the screen it just means your probability of getting an interview went from 0 to above 0, not necessarily from 0 to a "good shot," if that makes sense.

And yes, it does mean that your GPA/MCAT has qualified you and/or it could mean your personal statement/work and activities have qualified you and they want to learn more.

Essentially it just seems that they are more so screening people OUT rather than screening people IN. While UCSD will basically not send a secondary to students who they absolutely believe will not be considered for interview, other schools will refrain from screening people out until after the secondaries.

 

[efle]

I believe less than half of people getting a secondary from UCSF/UCLA/UCSD get an interview.

 

[DameJulie]

The UC screens is kind of mysterious...but the consensus here is the GPA/MCAT cutoff. However, I believe they still read your AMCAS to determine the cut if you're borderline.

Congratulations on getting the secondary early in the cycle!

 

[isthisuniqueenough]

Oh I see! These responses were mildly encouraging. 🙂

Even if they screen and only send secondaries to 25% of applicants, still long odds
View attachment 223037

Whoa! This is a great chart. Thanks so much, gonnif (totally honored that my thread has been touched by a legend...) Yes, the odds of getting into even ONE medical school is small, but I gotta try!

The UC screens is kind of mysterious...but the consensus here is the GPA/MCAT cutoff. However, I believe they still read your AMCAS to determine the cut if you're borderline.

Congratulations on getting the secondary early in the cycle!

Thanks DameJulie!

 

[aaronrodgers]

Isnt so much touched as slapped upside your head

OP is still honored 😀

 

[isthisuniqueenough]

Isnt so much touched as slapped upside your head

Edit: I think I read your message incorrectly. I now see the comedic irony between "touched" and "slapped". I am sorry!

 

[CloverBale]

My own UC alma mater didn't send me a secondary. I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO HURT IN MY LIFE.

 

[isthisuniqueenough]

My own UC alma mater didn't send me a secondary. I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO HURT IN MY LIFE.

I am sorry to hear. I hope you get one later, though.

 

[CyrilFiggis]

When I applied in 2014, I received a secondary from UCSF the day after my primary was verified. A post-bacc classmate of mine with better grades, never received one. We were both IS.

The next year when I reapplied, I got a secondary from UCLA and UCSD, neither sent one the previous year and there was no marked increase to my GPA or stats. UCSF also sent a secondary, but instead of getting it in July, I got it after Thanksgiving. Never got an interview at any.

Moral of the story - accept each response at face value and don't think too much into it.

 

[DameJulie]

My own UC alma mater didn't send me a secondary. I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO HURT IN MY LIFE.

Been there @CloverBale. I feel you. It was emotionally devastating for me that day.

 

[DameJulie]

Moral of the story - accept each response at face value and don't think too much into it.

Agree. None of the UCs had such secondary screening rule explicitly stated on their website, so it gives me a reason to believe that GPA/MCAT isn't ALL factors they consider when passing out secondaries (this is why some people can still get secondaries in January even when they submitted during summer).