Submitting Secondary Question

[bumbel10]

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Someone told me that some schools monitor how long it takes for secondaries to be returned once they are sent out...is this true? I am taking the MCAT on the 26th and planned to just do all my secondaries during the week following my test. I guess my logic was that b/c schools would ultimately be waiting on my mcat that there was no point in rushing to get my secondaries in (not to mention taking up time from studying). Anyone have any ideas/opinions on this?

 

[angldrps]

Someone told me that some schools monitor how long it takes for secondaries to be returned once they are sent out...is this true? I am taking the MCAT on the 26th and planned to just do all my secondaries during the week following my test. I guess my logic was that b/c schools would ultimately be waiting on my mcat that there was no point in rushing to get my secondaries in (not to mention taking up time from studying). Anyone have any ideas/opinions on this?

I highly doubt that they "monitor" this as in keep a record of when every single one of the secondary app. was sent out and when it was returned considering they get thousands of applications. However, you will be benefiting a great deal by submitting early because only then you have a shot at interviewing early in the cycle. I believe ONLY Western makes a point to tell applicants to submit secondary back in 10 days.

 

[bumbel10]

I highly doubt that they "monitor" this as in keep a record of when every single one of the secondary app. was sent out and when it was returned considering they get thousands of applications. However, you will be benefiting a great deal by submitting early because only then you have a shot at interviewing early in the cycle. I believe ONLY Western makes a point to tell applicants to submit secondary back in 10 days.

So am I ok in waiting until after my mcat and completing/sending them in 3 weeks prior to my scores are available?

 

[angldrps]

So am I ok in waiting until after my mcat and completing/sending them in 3 weeks prior to my scores are available?

Do you get invitations to fill out secondary apps. without an MCAT score in your file? I thought MCAT score was one of the criterias schools use to figure out if you meet their minimum requirements. if you are invited to fill out secondary apps then fill them out asap and submit it even if you dont have your score yet. It takes a while for schools to update your file after you submit your secondary apps. If you already have it submitted, then all they would need to do is update your score, which i believe is electronic which doesnt take as long.

 

[bumbel10]

Do you get invitations to fill out secondary apps. without an MCAT score in your file? I thought MCAT score was one of the criterias schools use to figure out if you meet their minimum requirements. if you are invited to fill out secondary apps then fill them out asap and submit it even if you dont have your score yet. It takes a while for schools to update your file after you submit your secondary apps. If you already have it submitted, then all they would need to do is update your score, which i believe is electronic which doesnt take as long.

I would do this, but my only dilemma is I still have some reviewing and studying to do before my test. I kind of just want to take advantage of the couple weeks I have left to nail down some lose ends you know? Starting july 27th (day after my test), I will get working on all the secondaries. I have taken a look at some of the essays and have an idea about what I am going to say.

 

[MedPR]

Work on secondaries during your study breaks.

 

[bumbel10]

Work on secondaries during your study breaks.

That doesn't seem like much of a break haha But no thats a good idea.

 

[angldrps]

That doesn't seem like much of a break haha But no thats a good idea.

Hmm...honestly speaking, getting a good score on MCAT beats filling out secondaries early. So if I were you, I would evaluate just how much more studying you need to do. If the reality is you need to study and take the breaks to let your mind rest, then study. I understand how you feel. When i was preparing for the MCAT, i couldn't focus on any things else- I stopped doing all my ECs, hardly socialized- and just wanted to study, study, study while still taking breaks so I didn't crash and burn.hope this helps.🙂

 

[HalfListic]

Work on secondaries during your study breaks.

I don't always agree with MedPR, but when I do, its to say that you should be able to fill out some secondaries as you study for the MCAT. Just do a little at a time if you need to. Yes, the MCAT is priority, but you aren't studying 12 hours a day for it and you don't want to loose sight of why you are taking it. I think filling out some secondaries, or prewriting some of them , will help on several levels

 

[MedPR]

That doesn't seem like much of a break haha But no thats a good idea.

You can have an entire summer (at least) off before you matriculate. Save your "breaks" for then 🙂