When is it to late to turn in a secondary

[Dr.Forssmann]

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I got verified in august. I have been working on my secondaries for the past month trying to send them asap. I was just wondering. If there is a time period that it would be too late to submit. Like the cost of the application outweighs your chances of getting in at the time you turn it in. When is it not worth sending in your secondary?

 

[gyngyn]

I got verified in august. I have been working on my secondaries for the past month trying to send them asap. I was just wondering. If there is a time period that it would be too late to submit. Like the cost of the application outweighs your chances of getting in at the time you turn it in. When is it not worth sending in your secondary?

Depends on you, your state and the strength of the application.

 

[kewlboy88]

Depends on you, your state and the strength of the application.

Would you mind elaborating? I'm done with more than half of my secondaries (complete in August) but the last few are hard to get through because I'm so burned out.

 

[johnnytest]

Depends on many factors imo. The money, which schools do you have left, your stats relative to the medians of the schools, etc.
For example, applying to harvard with a 30 MCAT and 3.5 GPA at this time will not be pretty. But, you never know.

 

[gyngyn]

Would you mind elaborating? I'm done with more than half of my secondaries (complete in August) but the last few are hard to get through because I'm so burned out.

I'm seeing evidence of burn out in the secondaries I've read today. Short, simple answers, usually adding little to the application. It's important to realize that many schools read the secondary first since it pertains exclusively to them. If you need to take a break, do so. We're only mid-cycle. Don't turn in shoddy secondaries. It's $ wasted.

 

[kthxbai]

I'm seeing evidence of burn out in the secondaries I've read today. Short, simple answers, usually adding little to the application. It's important to realize that many schools read the secondary first since it pertains exclusively to them. If you need to take a break, do so. We're only mid-cycle. Don't turn in shoddy secondaries. It's $ wasted.

You folks get through apps rain or shine, weekends, holidays, and on the eve of the apocalypse? Is there a time to take a break, or are you just trudging along until the cycle is done?

 

[gyngyn]

You folks get through apps rain or shine, weekends, holidays, and on the eve of the apocalypse? Is there a time to take a break, or are you just trudging along until the cycle is done?

The poor (dear) applicants are turning in secondaries. It only seems fair to do the best we can to sort them...

 

[kewlboy88]

I'm seeing evidence of burn out in the secondaries I've read today. Short, simple answers, usually adding little to the application. It's important to realize that many schools read the secondary first since it pertains exclusively to them. If you need to take a break, do so. We're only mid-cycle. Don't turn in shoddy secondaries. It's $ wasted.

Thank you for this invaluable advice. I think it's odd that schools have complete deadlines in December and January, yet it's considered "late" to many if we submit our apps in August.

For the schools that don't have rolling admissions (i.e. Columbia), does it matter if I'm complete in early September like it does for some schools that send out acceptances starting mid-October?

Not to say that I won't try to rush to get the rest done because most schools have rolling admissions. I'm just not sure whether I'm freaking out for no reason…. am I that late in the ball game (at least for the last 6 secondaries) that I won't even be considered a contender?

 

[Dr.Forssmann]

I guess what i mean is. How do i balance the number of days that pass after getting a secondary and the quality of my application? Should i be more concerned with quality or timing?

 

[kewlboy88]

I think what gyngyn was trying to get at is quality > timing ..for the most part. Obviously, don't submit the day before the deadline. But he's saying that secondaries are looked at first - so if the quality sucks, the adcom will have a terrible first impression of you….

 

[gyngyn]

Thank you for this invaluable advice. I think it's odd that schools have complete deadlines in December and January, yet it's considered "late" to many if we submit our apps in August.

For the schools that don't have rolling admissions (i.e. Columbia), does it matter if I'm complete in early September like it does for some schools that send out acceptances starting mid-October?

Not to say that I won't try to rush to get the rest done because most schools have rolling admissions. I'm just not sure whether I'm freaking out for no reason…. am I that late in the ball game (at least for the last 6 secondaries) that I won't even be considered a contender?

There is actually little difference in the importance of an early application between rolling and non-rolling schools. An early application is preferable in both. The main difference between the two is the notification of the candidate regarding the outcome of the interview and admissions committee decision. Rolling schools notify the candidates on an ongoing basis.

To your specific question, early September is still ok for a strong candidate.