Secondaries vs Primaries

[osumc2014]

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How much weight is carried with secondary essays with respect to primary app?

 

[ksmi117]

I'm sure it's different at different schools. However, I have heard that some adcoms care more about secondaries for a few reasons:

1. They are what the school actually wants to know
2. They aren't as polished as the PS. People spend months on a PS, making it perfect. If you're only allowed 2 weeks or something for a prompt or two, it's not gonna be as good, but it will give them a better sense of who you are.

 

[osumc2014]

I'm sure it's different at different schools. However, I have heard that some adcoms care more about secondaries for a few reasons:

1. They are what the school actually wants to know
2. They aren't as polished as the PS. People spend months on a PS, making it perfect. If you're only allowed 2 weeks or something for a prompt or two, it's not gonna be as good, but it will give them a better sense of who you are.

Wait we only get 2 weeks for a secondary? I thought most schools were like due Dec 1st, of course I know that is super late, I didn't know there's a assumed time limit

 

[BlueElmo]

Wait we only get 2 weeks for a secondary? I thought most schools were like due Dec 1st, of course I know that is super late, I didn't know there's a assumed time limit

But most people try to turn it around as soon as possible, right?

 

[ksmi117]

Wait we only get 2 weeks for a secondary? I thought most schools were like due Dec 1st, of course I know that is super late, I didn't know there's a assumed time limit

Haha, sorry. I think there are a few schools that give you 2 weeks. Most don't give a week specification. But people usually turn them in quickly so that they can get their app all complete at the school.

 

[alibai3ah]

And I am not 100% sure, but even within the secondary I think the "why this school?" question seems to be the most important....b/c they know you are applying to a lot of schools and want to see some initiative on your part to research on their school and what types of opportunities would you take advantage off.

 

[Food]

Wait we only get 2 weeks for a secondary? I thought most schools were like due Dec 1st, of course I know that is super late, I didn't know there's a assumed time limit

Many schools (Last year, for me it was Loyola, Northwestern, some others) actually specify a date you must have the secondary submitted by, and it's much earlier than the dead-line. I'd estimate they expect it returned within 2-3 weeks.