Secondaries only after verification?

[njtrimed]

I keep searching SDN and Google and getting conflicting answers, so I figured I'd just ask here: do secondaries only go out after you're verified? I applied to a dozen each MD and DO schools. My AMCAS and AACOMAS are both finally complete; I had some transcripts that were apparently lost in the mail and had to have them re-sent, and my May MCAT scores uploaded last week. Neither app is verified and I haven't received any secondaries.

I did receive an email from one of my top choice schools letting me know that they received my primary and they will send secondaries on a rolling basis. I'm just trying to figure out if not receiving a secondary means I was screened out, or that they'll wait until I'm verified to actually review my primary and determine whether to send a secondary. Any insight would be appreciated!

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[sunshine02]

No, you can receive secondaries without being verified. I understand getting conflicting answers. My premed advisor also said you get secondaries after verification but that's not true (at least not true with all schools).

 

[njtrimed]

No, you can receive secondaries without being verified. I understand getting conflicting answers. My premed advisor also said you get secondaries after verification but that's not true (at least not true with all schools).

Is that true for both allopathic and osteopathic schools? Now I'm getting nervous, since I've been complete for over a week and heard nothing so far!

Allopathic schools are a bit of a reach with a cGPA of 3.2, but with a strong upward trend (3.7+ over the last 140 credits/4 years) and MCAT 510+. I'm fairly competitive for DO- cGPA over 3.6, sGPA over 3.7. Great ECs (research, volunteering, teaching) and over a decade as a healthcare professional.

 

[ndafife]

Schools are able to see that you are applying before you are fully verified. I don't believe that they see anything like essays or grades/MCAT, but they know that you are applying because you've submitted and checked the box next to their name.

Some schools have a computer system that automatically sends a secondary to everyone who applies, other schools take their time and wait until they have all the information on the candidate (even if they don't screen)

 

[ndafife]

Is that true for both allopathic and osteopathic schools? Now I'm getting nervous, since I've been complete for over a week and heard nothing so far!

I wouldn't worry right now. Schools want you to pay secondary fees.

A lot are still working on finalizing the 2015 classes and getting everyone on campus and are waiting that out to jump in to the 2016 cycle

 

[njtrimed]

Here is the accurate answer as from AMCAS communications

Some medical schools opt to receive contact information for applicants who have designated their school in their AMCAS application before those applications have been verified. The schools that elect to receive this information can get applicant contact information before the rest of the application data is verified and sent out. This is why some applicants receive secondary applications before their AMCAS application has been verified or sent to medical schools.

This was clarified further in a subsequent email that only contact information is past on prior to verification and transmission. And no, I do not have a list of schools that do this. Additionally, schools are now clogged with applications and sending out secondaries to applicants can be anywhere from 2 days to 4 weeks.

Thank you! That's very helpful!

 

[sunshine02]

Is that true for both allopathic and osteopathic schools? Now I'm getting nervous, since I've been complete for over a week and heard nothing so far!

Allopathic schools are a bit of a reach with a cGPA of 3.2, but with a strong upward trend (3.7+ over the last 140 credits/4 years) and MCAT 510+. I'm fairly competitive for DO- cGPA over 3.6, sGPA over 3.7. Great ECs (research, volunteering, teaching) and over a decade as a healthcare professional.

Hi Njtrimed,

I wouldn't stress. I can't say for DO but I know it's definitely true for MD schools. Did you apply to MD schools? Then you most likely get secondaries soon. They send them in waves apparently. I know it's hard to not stress about it but once they come rushing in in batches, we may both nostalgically long for the days when we weren't assaulted by these secondary emails haha. I think you are definitely competitive for DO and you should be fine for MD as well especially if you have some research.