Secondaries

[bluemamba7]

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Do all MD programs require secondaries or are they some that just look at the primary?

 

[seren1051]

Vast majority requires secondaries. I can't think of one that doesnt need secondary, aside from NYMC...but they require Casper

 

[PhilzCoffeeAddict]

^ What above said. 98-99% require secondaries essays (all of them require a fee). Some require CASPER test. If you know you're going to apply for those schools, get that done quickly.

 

[PeteM14]

Some don't require any additional essays (Rochester, SUNY Buffalo), but still charge a fee.

 

[bluemamba7]

Sorry, let me clarify, do all MD programs require secondary ESSAYS.

 

[Asacrusader]

Some of the TX schools don't require secondaries. From the top of my head I remember UT Houston (McGovern), UTMB, and UT San Antonio (Long SOM) not having secondaries. Good luck w/ the upcoming application cycle!

 

[PhilzCoffeeAddict]

Sorry, let me clarify, do all MD programs require secondary ESSAYS.

For the most part, yes. They require MULTIPLE essays.

 

[seren1051]

For the most part, yes. They require MULTIPLE essays.

Like lotsa lotsa essays. Duke is the boss. On the other hand, I don't think Upstate required 'essay', so there's one.

 

[PhilzCoffeeAddict]

Writing for dayzzzzz. Some you can reuse but you have to tailor them to each individual school. I don't know how some people applied to 30+ schools. It took me a month to write secondaries for 23 schools.

 

[curbsideconsult]

Sorry, let me clarify, do all MD programs require secondary ESSAYS.

What is your real worry? Are you worried about the cost? Your writing abilities? The quick turn around time? All of the above? I don't mean to sound snarky, I'm just really curious about your question because it's more or less common knowledge that most med schools (including DOs) have secondaries. It's a way for them to make extra money without having to put in any more effort (no, I'm not cynical in the least).

 

[seren1051]

Writing for dayzzzzz. Some you can reuse but you have to tailor them to each individual school. I don't know how some people applied to 30+ schools. It took me a month to write secondaries for 23 schools.

I was dumb enough to not prewrite and wrote everything from late July to mid August. I'm still amazed that my boss didnt fire me for low productivity.

OP, get a draft on the diversity, the adversity, and the year plan (or gap year history). That'd be half the load off. Can't cut any corners with 'why us' though..

 

[PhilzCoffeeAddict]

Can't cut any corners with 'why us' though..

This, imo, is how you land the interviews.

 

[bluemamba7]

What is your real worry? Are you worried about the cost? Your writing abilities? The quick turn around time? All of the above? I don't mean to sound snarky, I'm just really curious about your question because it's more or less common knowledge that most med schools (including DOs) have secondaries. It's a way for them to make extra money without having to put in any more effort (no, I'm not cynical in the least).

Worried about school, taking the mcat, primary, summer school, life, etc. Just trying to find some schools that I’ll apply to even with a low OOS acceptance.

 

[Saifa]

Some don't require any additional essays (Rochester, SUNY Buffalo), but still charge a fee.

Rochester is silly. They give you essays following II.

 

[bluemamba7]

Rochester is silly. They give you essays following II.

That’s not a bad model, saves time for students

 

[Saifa]

That’s not a bad model, saves time for students

I thought it was neat too, though there was a bit of lighthearted frustration opening up a portal to write secondaries yet again in the middle of winter.

 

[curbsideconsult]

Worried about school, taking the mcat, primary, summer school, life, etc. Just trying to find some schools that I’ll apply to even with a low OOS acceptance.

Like @seren1051 said, do some prework. When I was applying, I tried to find all the secondaries to the schools I was interested in and at least started thinking about what I wanted to write. I also used this method to knock schools off my list.

 

[bluemamba7]

One of the biggest mistakes that I see premeds make over and over is grossly underestimating the time and effort that is needed for the actual application process. With AMCAS primary and 10-25 secondaries, all of which require a high degree of polishing and fast turn around times. Applying to medical school should be considered a fulltime job from early May thru at least August if not September. This is one of the reasons why the majority of successful applicants take one gap year or more. With the OP’s stated worries, consideration of skipping the cycle and taking a gap year would be in order

We will see. A little bit of stress is good after all

 

[MCATISEZ]

I was dumb enough to not prewrite and wrote everything from late July to mid August. I'm still amazed that my boss didnt fire me for low productivity.

OP, get a draft on the diversity, the adversity, and the year plan (or gap year history). That'd be half the load off. Can't cut any corners with 'why us' though..

Even the “why us”... you start to use bits and pieces of other essays I feel like. World class research opportunities? Student run free clinics? Etc. Many schools have that.


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