What Does A Secondary Application From Med School Mean?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

What are secondary applications? Unlike your AMCAS application—which is standard across all the medical schools you're applying to—secondary applications

are directly sent to you by each school on an individual basis

. As such, they are focused on the interests of that particular school.

What is a secondary med school application?

Secondary applications, a.k.a. supplemental applications, are

school-specific applications sent to an applicant after the primary application has been submitted

. Secondary application questions are intended to elicit additional information about applicants and their fit for the school.

Do secondary applications mean anything?

Some schools send secondary applications to

every student who submits a primary application

– in other words, receiving a secondary application does not indicate any increase in your chance of receiving an interview. … This typically means that the student fulfills the school's criteria for MCAT score and GPA.

Do medical schools send secondary applications to everyone?


Some schools send all of their applicants a secondary

. Others go through an initial cut that is usually based entirely on GPA and MCAT scores. … Most med schools will reject any application that arrives after the deadline. Secondaries typically include a variety of essays on assigned topics.

Why do medical schools send out secondary applications?

Each school has a unique secondary application, unlike the single primary application that was sent to several schools through the aforementioned services. The secondary is

a chance for each school to get more information from the applicant

.

How long does it take to get secondary medical school applications?

So if you're planning on pushing back your MCAT into the summer, you need to factor in all of these other pieces to the puzzle. I highly recommend that you follow the general rule of thumb that you should turn around your secondary applications

within about two weeks

.

Does Pcom have a secondary?

Beginning in the 2021 application cycle,

PCOM does not have a secondary or supplemental application

.

What are the easiest medical schools to get into?

  • University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences. …
  • University of Massachusetts Medical School. …
  • University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine. …
  • University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine. …
  • LSU Health Sciences Center Shreveport.

How do you stand out in a secondary?

  1. Answer the Question. …
  2. Show That You Care. …
  3. View the Application Holistically. …
  4. Don't Skimp on the “Easy” Ones. …
  5. Demonstrate Your Unique Fit with the Program. …
  6. Stay Organized. …
  7. Identify Shared Goals. …
  8. Follow Consultant Suzi Schweikert's Three-Pronged Approach to Secondaries.

How do you write a good secondary?

  1. Have set answers for the most common questions. …
  2. Research each school. …
  3. Answer the questions on separate document. …
  4. Work on multiple applications at the same time. …
  5. Do not rush. …
  6. Do not go too slow. …
  7. Be specific. …
  8. Proofread heavily.

Do medical schools send rejection letters?

Most medical schools hold the majority of students until later in the cycle to decide to waitlist or reject them. But all medical schools vary, and

there is no general rule

.

How long after medical school interview do you hear back?

You can hear back from medical schools

as soon as four weeks after your interview or as long as several months

. For schools with rolling , the wait time is particularly variable. Some schools have set notification dates for all students who interview. Those notification dates are usually in March.

How long are secondary essays medical school?

Most essays are

between 250-500 words

. We generally recommend that students write out at least a brief outline for each of the types of questions (see below) before they have received the secondary application. It will save you a lot of time, and get you in the right mindset.

Are secondary medical school essays important?

Secondary essays come after you submit your primary application. It is a way for schools to learn more about you. It

helps the medical schools determine your fit to their mission

and it helps you do some research to see if you truly want to go there.

What looks good on medical school applications?

Schools also look for evidence that an

applicant has demonstrated good judgment, compassion, and selflessness

— qualities every physician should embody. Applicants can show evidence through their involvement in extracurricular activities, letters of evaluation, and their personal statement.

Are there secondary applications for residency?


No secondary

, just ERAS.

Carlos Perez
Author
Carlos Perez
Carlos Perez is an education expert and teacher with over 20 years of experience working with youth. He holds a degree in education and has taught in both public and private schools, as well as in community-based organizations. Carlos is passionate about empowering young people and helping them reach their full potential through education and mentorship.