Many applicants to medical school wonder about the process of receiving secondary applications. Do medical schools send them in groups or all at once? The answer is that it varies from school to school.
How the Process Works
When you apply to medical school, you will typically submit a primary application through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). The primary application includes information about your academic history, extracurricular activities, and personal statement.
Once you have submitted your primary application, you will be able to track its status through the AMCAS portal. You will also be able to see which medical schools have received your application and whether they have sent you a secondary application.
Secondary Applications
Secondary applications are additional essays that medical schools require you to submit. They typically ask you to provide more information about your interests, experiences, and motivations for pursuing a career in medicine.
Some medical schools send secondary applications to all applicants who meet their minimum requirements. AAMC data from 2019-2020 indicates that 85% of schools send secondaries to all applicants. Other schools only send secondary applications to a select group of applicants who they believe are a good fit for their program.
Timing of Secondary Applications
The timing of secondary applications varies from school to school. Some schools send them out as early as June, while others wait until August or September.
It is important to check the websites of the medical schools you are applying to for specific information about their secondary application process.
Responding to Secondary Applications
Once you have received a secondary application, it is important to respond to it promptly. Most schools have a deadline for submitting secondary applications, and you will not be considered for admission if you do not meet the deadline.
When you are responding to a secondary application, be sure to:
- Answer all of the questions thoroughly.
- Proofread your essays carefully.
- Submit your application on time.
Conclusion
The process of receiving secondary applications can vary from school to school. However, it is important to be aware of the general process so that you can be prepared when you apply to medical school.
Table 1: Timing of Secondary Applications
| Medical School | Secondary Application Deadline |
|---|---|
| Harvard Medical School | August 1 |
| Stanford University School of Medicine | August 15 |
| Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine | September 1 |
| University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine | September 15 |
Table 2: Schools that Send Secondary Applications to All Applicants
| Medical School | Percentage of Applicants Who Receive Secondary Applications |
|---|---|
| Boston University School of Medicine | 100% |
| University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine | 100% |
| University of Michigan Medical School | 100% |
| Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine | 100% |
What to Do if You Don’t Receive a Secondary Application
If you do not receive a secondary application from a medical school that you are interested in, you can always contact the admissions office and ask if they have any additional materials that they would like you to submit. You can also try to reach out to the school’s faculty or students to get more information about the admissions process.
