What do adcoms use to decide on secondaries?

[CCEMTP2DOC]

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I was just wondering what adcoms use to decide on who gets seconsaries?
I am still 2 years away from applying, but would like to know. Do they use just GPA's,science and overall, and MCAT. When do they take shadowing, previous medical experience, and LOR's into consideration? I will have some W's on my transcripts, but they will be at least 5-6 years ago. Last 3 years have and will be stellar. Your future colleague in osteopathic medicine.

 

[Nate]

Most of the DO schools (and MD schools for that matter) send a secondary to all whom apply indiscriminately. The only exceptions that I know of are NYCOM, who only sends a secondary if they decide to interview you, and VCOM, who will only send you one if they feel you are competitive. After most schools have your secondary is when they will review your application and decide whether to interview you or not. Factors that go into that decision are MCAT score, GPA and science GPA, undergraduate institution, personal statement and secondary essays (ability to communicate), letters of recommendation, and life experience. I would assume that all schools have different systems and weigh components differently. Good luck and don’t worry about those Ws, especially if you have years of great class work after-the-fact to show.