The importance of Secondaries

[Below_Average_Applicant]

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What is the importance of secondaries?
I feel like schools just automatically send out secondaries without reviewing/ screening applications with the intent to soak up as much money as possible.
I applied last year around mid June with a 3.05 cGPA, 3.1 sGPA, 23 MCAT, Asian (but with great PS, EC, and LOR) just to test the water.

these are the colleges I applied to and got secondaries:
Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine - Nevada, NV(TUCOMNV)
Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine, FL(NSUCOM)
Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine - California, CA(TUCOMCA)
A.T. Still University, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, MO (ATSUKCOM)
A.T. Still University, School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona, AZ (ATSUSOM)
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, ME(UNECOM)
Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University, AZ (AZCOM))
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University, Admissions Office, IL (CCOMMU)
Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, OH(OUHCOM)
Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine, IA (DMUCOM)

These are the schools that rejected me:
University of Pikeville-Kentucky, College of Osteopathic Medicine, KY(UPKCOM)
Western University of Health Sciences/College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific - Pomona, CA(WUHSCOM)

These are the schools that didn't even bother replying to me (basically took my money just ran away with it)
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine -Virginia Campus, VA(EVCOM)
Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine (formerly UMDNJ SOM), NJ(RUSOM)
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Of course, I got rejected by every single one of them. No interview offer.

 

[listener23]

What is the importance of secondaries?
I feel like schools just automatically send out secondaries without reviewing/ screening applications with the intent to soak up as much money as possible.
I applied last year with a 3.05 GPA, 23 MCAT (but with great PS, EC, and LOR) just to test the water.

these are the colleges I applied to and got secondaries:
Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine - Nevada, NV(TUCOMNV)
Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine, FL(NSUCOM)
Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine - California, CA(TUCOMCA)
A.T. Still University, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, MO (ATSUKCOM)
A.T. Still University, School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona, AZ (ATSUSOM)
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, ME(UNECOM)
Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University, AZ (AZCOM))
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University, Admissions Office, IL (CCOMMU)
Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, OH(OUHCOM)
Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine, IA (DMUCOM)

These are the schools that rejected me:
University of Pikeville-Kentucky, College of Osteopathic Medicine, KY(UPKCOM)
Western University of Health Sciences/College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific - Pomona, CA(WUHSCOM)

These are the schools that didn't even bother replying to me (basically took my money just ran away with it)
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine -Virginia Campus, VA(EVCOM)
Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine (formerly UMDNJ SOM), NJ(RUSOM)
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Of course, I got rejected by every single one of them. No interview offer.

Whats your race and science gpa?

 

[AlteredScale]

What is the importance of secondaries?
I feel like schools just automatically send out secondaries without reviewing/ screening applications with the intent to soak up as much money as possible.
I applied last year with a 3.05 GPA, 23 MCAT (but with great PS, EC, and LOR) just to test the water.

these are the colleges I applied to and got secondaries:
Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine - Nevada, NV(TUCOMNV)
Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine, FL(NSUCOM)
Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine - California, CA(TUCOMCA)
A.T. Still University, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, MO (ATSUKCOM)
A.T. Still University, School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona, AZ (ATSUSOM)
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, ME(UNECOM)
Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University, AZ (AZCOM))
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University, Admissions Office, IL (CCOMMU)
Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, OH(OUHCOM)
Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine, IA (DMUCOM)

These are the schools that rejected me:
University of Pikeville-Kentucky, College of Osteopathic Medicine, KY(UPKCOM)
Western University of Health Sciences/College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific - Pomona, CA(WUHSCOM)

These are the schools that didn't even bother replying to me (basically took my money just ran away with it)
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine -Virginia Campus, VA(EVCOM)
Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine (formerly UMDNJ SOM), NJ(RUSOM)
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Of course, I got rejected by every single one of them. No interview offer.

A lot of schools want to give you a shot thorough the secondaries. I wouldn't put it on them to say they are all money mongers. But I agree that it would be nice to have harder and more apparent requirements (like having a schools program say "if you have a below a 24 MCAT, you will not receive a secondary").


Sorry to hear that though :/ are you taking the MCAT again? Doing an SMP or post-bac?

 

[Below_Average_Applicant]

Whats your race and science gpa?

Modified my info above to answer your Q.

 

[chizledfrmstone]

Touro Nevada has a cut off at 25. How the hell did you even get a secondary there?

You know some schools give out secondaries without screening right? MSUCOM openly admits this.

You were testing the water at NSU, DMU, CCOM and AZCOM? Should have just given me the money and I could have given you the answer.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[Below_Average_Applicant]

Touro Nevada has a cut off at 25. How the hell did you even get a secondary there?

You know some schools give out secondaries without screening right? MSUCOM openly admits this.

You were testing the water at NSU, DMU, CCOM and AZCOM? Should have just given me the money and I could have given you the answer.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Money wasn't an issue for me. Just wanted to try it out.
Regarding the Touro NV secondaries inquiry: I have no idea.
What's the minimum stat required for MSUCOM?
Also, any other colleges have strict cut off for either gpa or mcat?

 

[danny89]

What is the importance of secondaries?
I feel like schools just automatically send out secondaries without reviewing/ screening applications with the intent to soak up as much money as possible.
I applied last year with a 3.05 cGPA, 3.1 sGPA, 23 MCAT, Asian (but with great PS, EC, and LOR) just to test the water.

these are the colleges I applied to and got secondaries:
Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine - Nevada, NV(TUCOMNV)
Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine, FL(NSUCOM)
Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine - California, CA(TUCOMCA)
A.T. Still University, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, MO (ATSUKCOM)
A.T. Still University, School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona, AZ (ATSUSOM)
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, ME(UNECOM)
Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University, AZ (AZCOM))
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University, Admissions Office, IL (CCOMMU)
Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, OH(OUHCOM)
Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine, IA (DMUCOM)

These are the schools that rejected me:
University of Pikeville-Kentucky, College of Osteopathic Medicine, KY(UPKCOM)
Western University of Health Sciences/College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific - Pomona, CA(WUHSCOM)

These are the schools that didn't even bother replying to me (basically took my money just ran away with it)
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine -Virginia Campus, VA(EVCOM)
Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine (formerly UMDNJ SOM), NJ(RUSOM)
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Of course, I got rejected by every single one of them. No interview offer.

As long as you meet minimum standards for a school, you'll get a secondary.
When did you apply last year?

 

[Below_Average_Applicant]

As long as you meet minimum standards for a school, you'll get a secondary.
When did you apply last year?

Modified my info above to answer your Q.

 

[doreegon]

Secondaries give applicants a chance to explain positive and negative aspects of their application. If you meet the minimum req's then you'll get a chance to explain why your grades were so poor or why your EC's were so good. Did you call the schools that ninja rejected you on a regular basis and ask the status of your application review?

 

[el_duderino]

You keep saying you applied "just to try it out." Not sure what that means. Do you want to go to medical school? Being a reapplicant apparently lowers your chances. Also, it's well known that many medical schools send out secondaries to people they know they would never accept.

 

[chizledfrmstone]

You keep saying you applied "just to try it out." Not sure what that means. Do you want to go to medical school? Being a reapplicant apparently lowers your chances. Also, it's well known that many medical schools send out secondaries to people they know they would never accept.

Not sure if that's true in the DO application cycle.

 

[TOKOY90]

Not sure if that's true in the DO application cycle.

Should not it show persistence and dedication?

 

[chizledfrmstone]

Should not it show persistence and dedication?

I... I don't know if these are words of wisdom from Yoda or if you're asking me?

As long as you show improvement in your application I can't see how it would lower your chances. Just make sure the improvement isn't working the double shift at chuckie cheese.

I know for the MD guys a re-application at top tier schools is bad. They want perfection in the first go.

 

[FutureDrB]

Should not it show persistence and dedication?

I... I don't know if these are words of wisdom from Yoda or if you're asking me?

🤣

 

[polylux]

I think it's funny that OP obviously knew he had bad stats and still applied just to "test the water" even when he clearly expected to be rejected everywhere...

 

[DocWinter]

RVU offered me a 2nd and basically auto-rejected me as I received a rejection email within a matter of hours after forking over the $50...

KCUMB was great, rejected me straight up without a 2nd. Respected their method.

UNCECOM, Rowan, PCOM, Touro-NY, WesternU and Edward Via (1&2) all took the $ and heard nothing for months, NYCOM never actually even sent me an official no-thank you.

 

[darklordzzz]

RVU offered me a 2nd and basically auto-rejected me as I received a rejection email within a matter of hours after forking over the $50...

KCUMB was great, rejected me straight up without a 2nd. Respected their method.

UNCECOM, Rowan, PCOM, Touro-NY, WesternU and Edward Via (1&2) all took the $ and heard nothing for months, NYCOM never actually even sent me an official no-thank you.

if you dont mind sharing, where did you get into? what is ur stats? why you think you get in the school u got in?

 

[ortnakas]

Lots of schools send secondaries without screening. Which is unfortunate, because it costs applicants unnecessarily, but the onus is on you to decide where to apply.

 

[LabDoc33]

@Below_Average_Applicant I'm pretty sure VCOM pre-screens before sending secondaries, I have a buddy going there next fall. I'm not sure the criteria (could just be above 3.0 GPA). But in short yes many school will gladly accept your donation without a pre screen

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Secondaries are pretty important, if you present a compelling story for why you and not the other person should get a spot then you get an interview.

But generally without reasonable entrance numbers, we're talking reasonably a 3.3/25+ most schools will see you as an effective liability.

 

[Volack881]

wth.. this is by far one of the most disappointed posts ive seen on sdn... feel somewhat hopeless/disappointed with similar stats (its on underdog 2014 fwiw) esp. as an orm...

 

[medickdb]

wth.. this is by far one of the most disappointed posts ive seen on sdn... feel somewhat hopeless/disappointed with similar stats (its on underdog 2014 fwiw) esp. as an orm...

In my opinion, he or she didn't apply to the right schools. There should be at least a couple of the newer schools on the list. It also doesn't say in the post when the poster submitted his or her application either. Apply early, apply broadly.

 

[JacobLMDorDO]

Sounds like you wasted a whole lot of your or, most likely, your parent's money just to "test the waters." It's almost silly to throw your application in when you know you're not going to be a strong candidate. Applying to medical school isn't something you do on a whim, it's something you do because you've decided to dedicate your life to a selfless career.

 

[chizledfrmstone]

My stats are above average and even this list would have been risky for me.

CCOM, DMU, and Western U get some insane applicants. I have heard of a few people who got accepted to MD schools but chose WU just so they could stay in SoCal. We're talking 3.8/32.

What do you think they are going to do with a 3.05 cGPA, 3.1 sGPA, 23 MCAT? It's munch food for their pet shredder.

I think OP sent out the application hoping for the best but when nothing happened s/he threw it off as a joke.

Problem is everyone thinks they have great ECs/LORs. This is even stronger in people w/ low GPA and MCAT scores because they believe the ADCOMS will see their way and cut them some slack.

My volunteering goes back 8+ years and I had letters written by a CEO, department head, and professors I got to know well. I still considered my whole application average.

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In my opinion, he or she didn't apply to the right schools. There should be at least a couple of the newer schools on the list. It also doesn't say in the post when the poster submitted his or her application either. Apply early, apply broadly.

OP applied mid June.

 

[adriano710]

What is the importance of secondaries?
I feel like schools just automatically send out secondaries without reviewing/ screening applications with the intent to soak up as much money as possible.
I applied last year around mid June with a 3.05 cGPA, 3.1 sGPA, 23 MCAT, Asian (but with great PS, EC, and LOR) just to test the water.

these are the colleges I applied to and got secondaries:
Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine - Nevada, NV(TUCOMNV)
Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine, FL(NSUCOM)
Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine - California, CA(TUCOMCA)
A.T. Still University, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, MO (ATSUKCOM)
A.T. Still University, School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona, AZ (ATSUSOM)
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, ME(UNECOM)
Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University, AZ (AZCOM))
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University, Admissions Office, IL (CCOMMU)
Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, OH(OUHCOM)
Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine, IA (DMUCOM)

These are the schools that rejected me:
University of Pikeville-Kentucky, College of Osteopathic Medicine, KY(UPKCOM)
Western University of Health Sciences/College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific - Pomona, CA(WUHSCOM)

These are the schools that didn't even bother replying to me (basically took my money just ran away with it)
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine -Virginia Campus, VA(EVCOM)
Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine (formerly UMDNJ SOM), NJ(RUSOM)
---
Of course, I got rejected by every single one of them. No interview offer.

Secondaries really aren't that important aka most schools give them out. Think about it… you pay for your primary app and you also pay for your secondary app, so them sending out secondaries to their primary app people just gets them more money. Education is a business in this country. So you are right - it's a money scam. With that GPA and MCAT you should never have applied. Need 3.2+ GPA and 26+ MCAT.