What percentage of applications have poor secondaries?

[deleted1141182]

There is obviously no way to calculate this, but I was wondering how many applications have poorly written secondaries? I often see here that for PSs its a split of 90% meh 7% amazing 3% garbage, but can a bad secondary tank your application? What even makes for a "good" secondary.

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[LindaAccepted]

A very high percentage of rejected applicants.

 

[LindaAccepted]

In terms of what makes a good secondary, here are a few qualities of good secondary essays:

1) They complement and do not duplicate the primary application or the other secondary essays.
2) They answer the questions posed -- not the question from the secondary essays on the previous application you did.
3) They demonstrate fit with the school's program and mission.
4) They are well-written and coherent.

 

[Hahn-IngoldFOLD]

A very high percentage of rejected applicants.

HA!

 

[Goro]

There is obviously no way to calculate this, but I was wondering how many applications have poorly written secondaries?

In my experience, about 5% are bad.

I often see here that for PSs its a split of 90% meh 7% amazing 3% garbage, but can a bad secondary tank your application?

Yes. We note poor English, rambling thoughts, failure to answer prompts correctly, and multiple typos

What even makes for a "good" secondary.

See Linda's post above

 

[LizzyM]

And don't forget the small proportion of applicants who recycle an essay and forget to change the name of the school... or misspell the name. (oy!)