Secondaries

[Kirsteen]

Hi there,

Did anyone else just receive the e-mail from USC-Keck with their secondary? It does not look like a fun one. :x The library of essays needs enlargement!

Cheers,
Kirsteen

[thesaug]

Hey everyone,

Did anyone get the Rush Medical secondary? I just got it yesterday, and was wondering if there was a way to fill it out on the computer rather than by hand.

Good luck to all of you!

thesaug

[Kirsteen]

Hey again,

Nope on the Rush, thesaug. I didn't apply there, though. :) Maybe you should give them a shout and see if they have an electronic copy of the document that you are supposed to complete by hand?

Cheers,
Kirsteen

[thesaug]

Hi Kirsteen,

Thanks for the suggestion!

How are the secondaries going for you? Now that the verification is over, on some days, they seem to come in a bunch!!!..:eek

Take care!

thesaug

[Kirsteen]

Hey thesaug,

The secondaries are moving along at a speedier clip now; thankfully there is lots of repetition in the essay questions for the most part, so that's hastening things. I managed to finally get my act together and submit Hopkins today and I just turned around Weill-Cornell's, which arrived by e-mail this afternoon. The latter had to be one of the simpler secondaries I've encountered, aside from that of Michigan State, which was essentially a request for a cheque! :b

Now I'm at the point of having 13 submitted, and am awaiting the arrival of 7 unscreened applications as well as (hopefully) 7 screened applications. How about you? How many down and how many to go? Have you received any secondaries from universities that screen as yet? Hopefully so!

Cheers,
Kirsteen

[thesaug]

Hi Kirsteen,

I am 9 down, and hopefully by the end of today, 11 down. Yeah the essays are becoming a bit repetitive, which is good and I love the personal info secondaries...although it makes you wonder the use of the extra money they request...:b

I just got NJMD and SUNY upstate yesterday, but I have not recieved any screened applications (to my knowledge). Hopefully those will come through. So at this point, I have around a good 14-16 secondaries still left to be recieved (i am not sure how many of those are screened and unscreened...at least 3 i think, but probably much more).

On a side note, did you fill out the Saint Louis and Albert Einstein secondary without get the email? I am wondering if I should do the same.

Good luck...soon enough we'll see that light at the end..

thesaug

[Kirsteen]

Hey again thesaug,

Good going on getting the total up to 11 by the end of today. It's a nice feeling once they're sent off, eh? :)

On Albert Einstein, it's one of those schools where they expect you to visit their site and make a go of the secondary without their prompting. I've received an e-mail from them since submitting the secondary, acknowledging its receipt. As to Saint Louis, same deal. So yep, I'd aim for submitting four secondaries today!

On their essay questions, I don't know if you've had a peek at them yet, but Albert Einstein's is okay. Saint Louis had one question that essentially begged for a reiteration of the AMCAS statement. I obliged, but didn't find it too easy to do.

Hey, on some other notes, there are at least three schools, i.e., Harvard, UCSF, UCLA that require the applicant to log into their admissions system for updates or to complete the application online. For each of these schools, however, I can't seem to log in (Harvard) or they chronically have not received my AMCAS info (the other two), even after it was supposedly transmitted eons ago. Are you having similar problems at all, i.e., should I be concerned? :rolleyes

Bonne chance!
Kirsteen

[thesaug]

Hi Kirsteen,

Thanks for the info regarding SLU and Albert Einstein. Now I will be aiming for 4!!! (shuttering just thinking about that...but u gotta do it).

Regarding your online applications, I did not apply to those three schools, but I did experience that problem with the University of Michigan for about an hour or so. They had sent me the request to log on, but it did not work. Those three schools that you mentioned, did they request you to log on to their system already? If not, maybe that is the issue. If they have, than I would call them as they will be able to help you out. Sorry I couldnt be of much more help.

Thanks a lot and good luck!

thesaug

[Kirsteen]

Hey again thesaug,

It's a bit odd as I have been invited (via e-mail) by the three schools to check their websites. Zippo! :( I've sent a note to Harvard since there's is the most time-sensitive at this point, given that their application is waiting to be completed. No response yet, though.

On a Canadian note, to which schools will you be applying this year? Have you begun any of those essays and applications?

Good luck today,
Kirsteen

[thesaug]

Hi Kirsteen,

That is odd. Hopefully they will get back to you soon.

I will be applying to all the Canadian schools, except the French medical schools (due to my lack of fluency in French). I have basically completed the Toronto Essay and McMaster questions. UBC's essay and Calgary's essay still needs work. I have to start my UofA application still. Its a bit confusing though...it says that I will only have 15 minutes to complete it...i have to read there website more. What about you?

thesaug

[Kirsteen]

Hellooo again!

(By the way, don't you find this site offers some good brain-breathing activity during this essay writing?! :p )

Wow--ALL of the Canadian schools? Even those out on the East coast? That's quite a feat--good for you! On the essays, in case you haven't yet looked at the UBC essay, its requirements and size dovetail nicely with those for UofT. I'm with you on Calgary--that one's a toughie.

On UofA, you have a limited amount of time to fill out the initial general admissions application, but soon after submission you can go on to begin the medical application. I was just on that site this morning, and there doesn't appear to be any time limit for completing the application in one session.

On this end for Canadian schools: UT, Queen's, Ottawa, Alberta, Calgary and UBC. I'll be applying to the MD/PhD programs at UBC and UT, though.

Cheers,
Kirsteen

[thesaug]

Hi Kirsteen,

About the Albert Einstien, I didnt see any essay question on it. Were you referring to the MD/PhD application?

thesaug

[Kirsteen]

Hi thesaug,

Nope, not the MD/PhD application. If you tick off any of those boxes then you have to send in a short response explaining the situation behind the tick. :)

Cheers,
Kirsteen

[Kirsteen]

Hi again thesaug (or anyone else living the US application process/full-time job this year),

Did you happen to receive Georgetown's secondary in the mail today? (You might be able to tell that I did. ;) ) In case you've applied but haven't seen/opened it yet, it's fairly painless; however, I'll have to make another trip to the photobooth if any more schools require any more passport-sized photos. (I figured that four would be plenty-wrongo.)

Cheers,
Kirsteen

[Kirsteen]

Hi,

For anyone applying to Harvard, UCSF, and potentially UCLA, there appears to be a snag for us Canadian applicants who only hold a Social Insurance Number and no Social Security Number. I'd been trying to access the Harvard secondary all week this week. Thinking that they had simply sent out their secondary materials prior to uploading some applicant information, I gave it a few days without action. Finally, I called the Harvard Admissions Office and AMCAS yesterday and learned something new.

Apparently there are a few secondary applications that will be problematic for us Canadians with SINs. Harvard is one, but it looks like UCSF and UCLA are the same. To circumvent this we need to send an e-mail to AMCAS with some details (name, date of birth, AMCAS ID) to receive a temporary SSN. This will allow us to successfully log in to web pages such as Harvard's. If you have applied to any of these schools, send the e-mail to AMCAS now, as they are not the quickest in responding to e-mails these days. :x

Cheers,
Kirsteen

[thesaug]

Hi Kirsteen,

Sorry, no Georgetown. But I have now 8 secondaries waiting to be completed!!!!:eek

I got MCO and Robert Wood on Friday, Rush before along with Syracuse. Also, on Friday, to my delight (but also groan) I was invited to fill out the Uof Illinois at Chicago application. I am pretty sure that the school screens (from their website), but I could be wrong. Either way, a lot of writing!!!...

How's it going for your applications?

[Kirsteen]

Thesaug!

Well done on receiving a potential screened! :D Eight to do eh? Woo. Good thing it's the weekend!

On this end, I'm all caught up for now; well, until AMCAS finally gets off its bum and sends me a temporary SSN so that I can begin the Harvard application--tch!

Cheers,
Kirsteen

[moo]

Wow I am very surprised at all these state schools you guys are applying to. Rush didn't accept Canadians, neither did UIC when I applied two years ago... Haha, anyway, if you guys are in Chicago and need a place to crash or a fellow Canadian to show you around, just hit me up.

[Kirsteen]

Hey thesaug,

Especially after the tainting due to a horrendous dream last night re: not getting into meds, I looked at today's e-mail inbox in horror as I saw an e-mail from Duke (who supposedly screen the AMCAS application). I received my first screened secondary! Woooo! :rollin How about you? Did you manage to get your four secondaries out the other day, and in the interim, how many more have you received?

Cheers,
Kirsteen

[thesaug]

Hi Kirsteen!

Congrats on the Duke secondary!!! I am hoping to get that school as well...for some reason though, my app has yet to be submitted to them...

I was able to finish 3 apps on the weekend, bringing it down to 5. But then I got 1 more today, Albany, so now I have 6 more to do.

My overall count is 14 (or maybe 15...im having trouble counting) complete...with 6 more to do!...

Congratulations again!!!...Let me know how it goes...and your status as well.

As a side note, have you sent your transcripts to any of the schools you have sent secondaries too??? Also, was there a delay in AMCAS sending your app to DUKE???

Take care and good luck!

thesaug

[Kirsteen]

Hey thesaug,

Feh--I spoke too soon! I just got off the phone with Duke and although they mention the opposite on their website, this year they are not screening the initial AMCAS applications. :\ Och well, I'm still happy to get another one going.

As to the application itself, it's probably a good thing that you haven't received word yet as I've been trying to add my essay responses to their site but they appear to be having major technical difficulties. Thus far, they've sorted one out, but a few wrinkles remain. :x

That's a bit odd that your application hasn't yet been submitted, especially given that your verification preceeded mine. Wacky. Mine didn't seem to undergo any sort of delay in being transmitted to Duke. The only school to which my AMCAS application has not been sent at this point is Albert Einstein, but apparently that's not uncommon.

Right on re: the completion of those supplementaries. I really don't know what most of those essay questions look like, so hopefully there's a good bit of duplication among them. Not so for Duke, unfortunately. :( It's a bit of a gnarly secondary with ~6 short essay questions (500 characters not including spaces) and two longer essay questions (1000 characters), the latter of which asks us to address ethical and moral issues surrounding medical technologies.

On transcripts, I have only sent those from my summer courses at Hopkins and McGill, the marks within which were unavailable at the time of my AMCAS submission. Aside from that, I have not encountered any schools that have asked for the transcripts that were reflected in the AMCAS application--have you? In that regard, I was under the impression that AMCAS did the same job as OMSAS--collects and verifies the transcripts so that the individual schools don't have to.

Good luck with those remaining supplementaries!

Cheers,
Kirsteen

[thesaug]

Hi Kirsteen,

thanks for the input. Yeah i called Duke and they told me that I should be getting something soon. Yeah my app hasnt been submitted to Albert Einstein either...its ok though...have enough on my plate already!

Regarding transcripts, I checked with Albany, and they said if you want to you can...the admissions officer was not sure why it was listed as required on their website.

Good luck on the rest! Keep me posted on how you are doing!

thesaug

[mt1]

hey guys! i just got SUNY upstate's secondary and Jefferson's... for SUNY upstate, they ask us to check U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or international student...What do Canadian citizens do? should we write instead that we're Cdn citizens??? For Jefferson...reference letter from physics, chemistry, bio, and humanities??? i'd feel silly, asking for a letter from my professor from 5 years ago, who never even knew me! any way around this? has anyone submitted, say 3 biologies and 1 humanities? or substitute a volunteer supervisor?

[mt1]

about the SSN...we can just type in our SIN instead, for most schools, right? so long as they don't give us a snag in continuing the application, it's ok? thanks!

[Kirsteen]

Hi mt1,

I can't help you on the letters of reference too much except to say, I'd contact the medical schools and ask.

As to the SSN/SIN dilemma, most schools will allow you to enter a SIN; Harvard won't.

Cheers,
Kirsteen

[thesaug]

Hi Kirsteen,

How is Vancouver? Hope you are having/had a great time out there.

I had a question regarding Saint Louis. Did you re-write your reasons to become a physician, or just send in your AMCAS personal statement again? If you did re-write, how much did you write? What I have done is expaned a bit more on some areas from the AMCAS statement, but I can bareley make it a page single spaced. I guess it depends on how much one wants to write...just wanted to get a feel though of what the general consensus was.

How are the secondaries going for you? I got Boston and GW on Thursday, and sent them out, as Boston was just asking for money and a photo :p , and GW was very simple, just personal info, and 5 lines about why you want to go to their school.

Take care!

thesaug

[Kirsteen]

Hey there thesaug,

Vancouver has been as fab as I expected (I'm actually typing from the logjammed (most travelers seem to be trying to return to TO) Vancouver airport now). :)

On Saint Louis, I ended up creating a new essay that expanded upon some of the experiences in the AMCAS essay and added a few more. (Probably not the answer you wanted to hear. ;) ) I figured that, as much of a pain in the neck as it is to create an essay de novo, it was a good opportunity to display some additional attributes. Also, it seemed a good place to try to differentiate oneself as an applicant. I figured that there may be a fair number of folk out there who may have already covered the "why doctor?" topic in the AMCAS essay and might not wish to reiterate it again. As to length, my second essay measured about the same as the original AMCAS essay.

Good show on Boston and GW! Sounds like you're become quite the secondaries machine. :p I didn't apply to the former, but did get the latter out a couple of weeks ago. (The past weeks are starting to meld together a bit.) How many more secondaries are you slated to receive, including the screened ones? On this end, I think I have two or three non-screeneds and five or six screeneds. Aside from Saint Louis, do you have any other secondaries currently in the pipe? When I arrive home I know that there are at least two that require attention.

On a bit of a different note, how are things going for you with respect to file completion? Have you received any notifications from any of the universities yet that your file is complete and undergoing review? Now THAT'S a bit of a scary e-mail! Eight of my applications are at that point at the moment--eeep!

Last bit, did you end up using ReferenceNow? So far, I've only been impressed by their service--totally cracking. :D

Cheers, and continued strength with those secondaries!
Kirsteen

[mt1]

hi kirsteen! i'm thinking of using one of those commercial letter collection services. i do have a letter on official letterhead from one professor. does the service personalize the letters for each school? (i'm assuming no). i'm a little anxious about using this service, but i also might not want to bother my professor for twenty letters and signatures.

thanks!

[thesaug]

Hi Kirsteen,

Thanks for the insight into the SLU application...yeah I think it is the better way to go.

I am certain that there are 3-4 schools left that have to send me apps who dont screen, and the rest (about 6) screened. Its hard to keep track at this point...so I just look at the mail everyday. Thats really good that you got GW out early as well. I was under the impression they screen, but I am not sure. Do they? Oh well, it was one of my top choices to attend.

Besides St. Louis, I have the University of Maryland going right now. There are four essays on that one, and I guess it makes sense as they screen. I have noticed that the schools that screen have very extensive secondaries, but I am basing that on the two (i think) I have gotten. How is Duke coming along?

With respect to file completion, I have 5 or 6 complete. Not all the universities send notifications. Some are online, where I have seen my status. I am hoping the rest will become complete soon!

I did not end up using a letter sending service. I gave my referees 30 envelopes each, and they returned them to me, sealed.

Hope everything else is going well! Enjoy the rest of your vacation!

thesaug

[Kirsteen]

Howdy,

First, mt1, no ReferenceNow/Interfolio does not personalize your letters for each school. Howevever you can sort of do this yourself by creating a personal cover letter for each school then uploading it into your portfolio. You can then include it in your package to the school when you request a delivery.

Hey thesaug: did you apply to Emory perchance? If so, it looks like the link to the secondary was e-mailed out today. :(

On GW, sorry, I was mistaken--I didn't have my applications spreadsheet handy in Vancouver!--it was Georgetown that I sent out zippily. I don't believe GW does screen, even though I haven't yet received a heads-up to complete the application. As for Duke, I turned that one around within twenty-four hours; those essay questions, or rather, their tiny wee word limits, were tough.

Well done on the Maryland application! That's too bad that there are lots of essays to complete, but hopefully you can use some of your earlier non-fiction creations towards those. :)

Back to it...

Cheers,
Kirsteen

[mt1]

hi guys! i'm sorry...question about jefferson...i sent the online secondary application, and wrote a little extra in that 2000 character area...when i printed it out, part of it got cut off...should i be worried? for the online application, there was no LOR stuff to check, right? I noticed that the paper version has it, but i don't remember that in the online version.

[Kirsteen]

Hi there mt1,

I think thesaug's the expert on Jefferson here--I didn't apply there. I'd call their admissions office though, and ask those questions that you posed above. They are important questions that could impact your application, and normally the US admissions offices are only too happy to oblige.

Cheers,
Kirsteen

[thesaug]

Hi mt1,

First, did you print it off of the application webpage itself, or from the screen which shows you how your application looks before sending? If whatever you wrote appeared in the screen before you sent it (the confirmation screen), then you should be good to go. As Kirsteen said, I would call the admissions office, and ask them if they got the entire portion of what you wrote.

As for the LOR, I didnt see any section where you had to write the names. But, I remember there being a portion where it indicated, or where you had to mark the source of the letters (that is, if you are using a pre-med committee, or individual, and if your letters are from the profs they requested). In the space they provided, I let the admissions committee know that I was substituting certain professors for their requirments. Sorry if this is a whole lot to take in here...but I hope this helped you out.

thesaug

[mt1]

thanks a lot! from what i saw on the screen, they combined all my paragraphs into one large blob, but all the words were there. then i printed that screen, but it didn't all fit on the printed page. did this happen to you too, thesaug?

[thesaug]

Hi mt1 and Kirsteen,

mt1, I never printed the application out, so I am not sure, but all my words did appear on the confirmation screen. If you saw everything on the screen, then you are set to go. To be on the safe side, just email the admissions office.

Kirsteen, I had a question regarding Duke. There are two sections, employment and then research. All my employment since entering University as been research. Do you think I should place the same stuff in both categories? I have done research for my thesis project which is not paid, so would I put that under the research section, and put my work at UofT (which I have been paid for) in the employment section?

How is it coming along by the way? I finished Saint Louis, and just got Loyola and Michigan State yesterday. I finished Loyola today, but Michigan State is gonna take some time. They want everyone to address how they will fulfill their oath, along with two other questions...looks like more essays will have to be written!!!

Take care!

thesaug

[mt1]

hey...i'm sort of embarassed by this question...but other people are talking about logging onto AMCAS and seeing if their file has been transmitted to the schools. does this mean that for most secondaries, you have to wait for verification, then transmission? and the secondaries that i've received are more the exception to the rule?

[Kirsteen]

Hey thesaug,

First, on Duke, your strategy sounds good. Duke doesn't allocate too much space for either category, so I'm sure you can easily fill in both blanks with those two experiences. :) If you find you have some extra room in either category then I'd think of expanding on the experience.

As to more secondaries, well done re: Michigan State!! They're a screener! The essays don't sound like a piece of cake though--eeep, and good luck with them. Yesterday I successfully tackled and couriered Mount Sinai, Georgie Wash and Emory. Only two more unscreeneds to arrive and I'm done (well, except for the Harvard MD/PhD nightmare application, which is ongoing)--woo, the end is nigh!.

Look out, by the way, for some response from Chicago-Pritzker. It looks like they're super-quick in reviewing files and getting back to applicants with the big notifications re: interviews.

Cheers,
Kirsteen

[Kirsteen]

Hi mt1,

Yes, it is the case that, with some schools, they won't send you their secondary until they've received a verified AMCAS application. However, even before the AMCAS application is verified, the schools still receive your basic demographic information, so some will send the secondary details to you prior to receiving a verified AMCAS application. Schools that screen via the AMCAS application will wait until they receive a verified application before they send out the secondary. It is the norm though that most schools will not begin to review your file for interview assessment purposes until they receive your verified application from AMCAS.

Cheers,
Kirsteen

[thesaug]

Hi everyone,

Did anyone get the secondaries too the following schools yet:

Wayne State
UofPittsburgh
Case Western
Drexel (MCP)

Just wondering...it seems they are taking a while...anyways good luck to all of you!

thesaug

[Kirsteen]

Hey thesaug,

I didn't apply to any of those schools, so noop, no secondary here. :) How about Howard or Chicago-Finch? Have you heard word from them re: secondaries? Neither screens and I've sent an e-mail to both with no reply.

On a bit of a different note, did you apply to Michigan State? I received a note back from them yesterday stating that they've placed my application aside for a later look--yay, no outright rejection--I remain alive! :D

Hopefully not too many secondaries in not too many hours of the upcoming weekend for you guys.

Cheers,
Kirsteen

[thesaug]

Hi Kirsteen,

Yes I did apply there...it is the application where I have to write the three new essays...one regarding their oath...its taking a while for me!

Yes, I also applied to Finch, and have yet to get anything from them. But I was looking on their website and they said they will take some time due to the volume of applicants.

Take care!

thesaug

[Kirsteen]

Well done thesaug on the MSU secondary! :D Best of luck with those essays (hopefully you managed to head outside for some of this weekend's sun :) ).

Cheers,
Kirsteen

[thesaug]

Hey Kirsteen!

So how have the secondaries been going??? I just got UofPitts, Wayne State and Drexel this week. I finished UofMaryland and Michigan State yesterday, and trying to finish Duke!!! That application is a bit difficult as 500 characters is not a lot of space to address all the points they list in one question! Did you find the same thing when you filled out yours??? Anyways, I am trying to finish it soon as they have recommended a maximum of two weeks from the receipt of the email.

Take care!

thesaug

[Kirsteen]

Hey thesaug,

Well done on all those secondaries--it sounds like you're knee-deep! Yep, Duke is a bit challenging due to its tiny character limit, but I smushed the info in somehow. I'm awaiting four non-screened secondaries now; ~4 or 5 screeneds; in the process of having my completed file reviewed at 11 schools. Thankfully, I have no more secondaries in the pipe, screaming at me to complete them--small yay! :D

Good luck with all that writing--I guess you'll be needing that Labour Day! :)

Cheers,
Kirsteen

P.S. Did you spot my p.m. note to you?

[thesaug]

Hi Kirsteen!

What is a p.m. note???...I did see the note regarding the UConn in the UConn thread if that is what you are referring too.

I had a question regarding the Duke app. For question 8 regarding the Life Sustaining technologies, did you address the issues of only those therapies listed or did you address the overall implications? I am just wondering if Duke is looking to address only those technologies listed or assess life extending technologies all together.

Thanks for your help and enjoy the time off!

thesaug

[Kirsteen]

Hi again thesaug,

For the Duke essay, I used an example of a technology (intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection) that I had experience with in the lab that I worked within last year. I used the ICSI example as a backbone for the implication, impact, ethics, etc., points that I raised in my answer. I hope that helps. :)

Cheers,
Kirsteen

P.S. P.m.=private message! :) (You can view these in your "inbox"; the button is located on the top right of the screen on the main page.)

[Kirsteen]

Hi there,

Did anyone else apply to UNC-Chapel Hill? I'm not sure how the admissions process works for MD/PhD applicants in relation to MD applicants, but I just received the invitation to complete their MD/PhD application--very thrilled! :D I can potentially fulfill the dream of being the basketball player that I've always aspired to be. ;)

Cheers,
Kirsteen

[peachy]

Congrats Kirsteen. Sounds like things are going really well for you in the process this year!

[Kirsteen]

Cheers for that, peachy. :) Fingers crossed. Hopefully things are going great for you this week, too!

Cheers,
Kirsteen

[thesaug]

That is great Kirsteen! Congratulations!

thesaug

[Kirsteen]

Cheers for that, although it means this weekend is going to be a bit like yours, thesaug--supplementary-filled! (I was joking re: the basketball quip--didn't Michael Jordan attend UNC-Chapel Hill? ;) )

Cheers,
Kirsteen

[thesaug]

Hi Kirsteen,

So finished Duke, but I am having problems submitting the application. Since their online payment system is not setup yet, they say that you have to pay by check. After I say "ok", then I go to a screen where it says to click on this link to print a form, and mail the check with the form. This link does not work...did you encounter the same problems???

thesaug

P.S. Hope the rest of your secondaries are coming along well!

[Kirsteen]

Hi thesaug,

The website worked with barely a hitch when I submitted my application--once Duke got it up and running, that is. I submitted my application on the day that the webmaster was fiddling with the submission page and adding its final touches. :rolleyes A day later though, the page and the buttons were operational. The only bit that I found odd was that there did not seem to be any definite confirmation that the application had been submitted. It sort of leaves you hanging. In any case, I hope it works out for you shortly. If not by Tuesday, then give the Duke Admissions Office a shout. They've been super friendly on the couple of occasions that I gave them a shout.

Cheers,
Kirsteen

[McCarey007]

Hello,

I was just wondering what you guys thought about secondaries where they ask for the names and information about your relatives that have studied at their med schools/residencies (ie. NY Medical and Tulane...) Nobody in my immediate or distant family is in medicine. And being Canadian, will I just be throwing money away by applying? I just don't know how much weight they put on this whole family thing.

Thanks much!

[Kirsteen]

Hi there,

Many, many US schools seem to ask for this information. It seemed odd the first time I read the request for it as it nudged at a certain kind of collegiate nepotism. :rolleyes As to the weight of such information, if it does count for any part of the selection process, its weight probably varies from school to school. Actually, as a bit of a side-note, an MBA colleague of mine had a friend who applied to Harvard School of Business, who was also on oddly close terms with the US president at that time--George HW Bush (Dubya Sr.). For his Harvard application, he included a personal, signed letter of reference from George HW. He didn't get in. (Incidentally, George HW attended Yale.) :)

Cheers and good luck with your applications,
Kirsteen

[thesaug]

Hi!

Regarding the immediate family business, I was talking to some friends of mine in the States, and they told me that only if you have a legacy at the school (your father, his father...so on), then it might make a difference, otherwise, its more of a statistical thing...but thats what i have heard. In either case, do not worry about those things..what matters is your credentials, your experiences and your motivation to be a physician...cuz really, that is what will get you into medschool...so go ahead and apply!
Good luck!

thesaug

[McCarey007]

Whew...you guys know everything! 8o

When I first saw the immediate family section, which usually took up a page or two, I was actually reconsidering whether I want to apply to a school that selects students like that.

Even if I did have a family member who attended their school , I want to get in on my own terms...not by riding on the backs of someone else.

[McCarey007]

Hey, I'm just curious to see which schools have the longest, the most essays to write. For me so far, it's is U. of Connecticut. I really liked theirs because it gave you free range to write as long as it was under 3 pages. Any other similar ones out there?

John Hopkins was longer than average but very doable in a night or two.

Mccarey

[Kirsteen]

Hi there,

U. Chicago-Pritzker has a pretty interesting application, as does Duke.

Cheers,
Kirsteen

[thesaug]

Hi there...

Yeah Duke is something else...drives you crazy...but once u finish that one...it feels good...Good luck!

thesaug

[jeffbeene]

Hi,

Just out of curiousity, is the U Conn 2ndary app just a single open ended essay? I'm thinking about applying there but I fear I'm submitting too late :(

Thanks,
JB

[thesaug]

Hi jeffbeene,

UConn's secondary app asks you to address six questions, which range from your motivation to be a physician, to research to your extra curricular activies. You can devote as much space as you want to each quesiton (one page to question 1, 1 paragraph to question 2) or give each question an equal discussion. You are limited to 3 pages for the entire application, but I am pretty sure you have to answer each question. It is not a three page essay, but you can verify this with the admissions committee. With my application, I answered each question, giving about half a page to each one.

Hope this helps you out!

thesaug

[jeffbeene]

thesaug,

Thanks for the info! My main concern right now is that I've covered most of the 2ndary question already in my primary application. Did you find that you were repeating some information?

Thanks, and congrats on your interview!

JB

[thesaug]

Hi jeffbeene,

Thank you!

Yeah, I did repeat, but the secondary gave me a chance to expand on areas which I had to really summarize in the AMCAS app. You will find that in the secondaries you get, u will be repeating many things...such as your research and your extra curric. Just try to expand a little bit more.

Hope this helps you out, and good luck with the application!

thesaug

[Climbing]

Hi there,

Has anyone had difficulty printing of the PDF file of the application. Everytime I try, it says the site is unavailable or busy. Any suggestions?

cheers
climbing

[Kirsteen]

Hi Climbing,

I have not had any of these printing problems, but perhaps, to remedy yours, try printing your completed application during times of the day where the AMCAS traffic may not be so high.

Cheers,
Kirsteen