I am in a similar situation in which I will not be able to get my shadowing and letter of rec from a DO until probably mid July. However, in terms of turning in your secondary soon after, isn't the reason just so that there is less lag time? In theory, if you were to apply on the 1st, and receive secondaries before you were to get your letter, but then were able to finish your secondaries and get your letter say a couple of weeks after and turn in your secondaries, let's say July 15 (while holding your secondaries for a couple of weeks) wouldn't you be in a better situation than if you were to apply a month later, and receive your secondaries July 17 and turn them in on the 18th? Does holding onto your secondaries look that bad? I thought it was just the earlier you get things in (in general) the better your chances. Or do the schools look at how long you took to send them in despite the overall early timing vs. someone who turns it in a day after they receive it but at a later date...?