Timing of Medical School Secondaries

Hello, future med student here! Can someone tell me when secondaries typically come out for med schools? I want to make sure I'm prepared for the entire application process.

Hello! It's great to see that you're planning ahead for your medical school application journey. Secondaries, or secondary applications, usually start to roll out in early July, soon after the primary application submission period begins in early June. Med schools send out secondaries after reviewing completed primary applications and determining whether they require further information from the applicant.

The timeline for receiving secondaries will vary depending on the schools you apply to and when you submit your primary application. It's essential to submit your primary application as early as possible, since most med schools have a rolling admissions process. So, the longer you wait, the more spots will have been filled.

Once you receive secondary applications, it's crucial to complete and return them as soon as you can without compromising on quality – typically within two weeks of receiving them. Med schools may interpret a delayed response as a lack of interest, so being prompt is essential.

Secondary applications often consist of school-specific essays or short response questions designed to gauge your interest in and fit for the particular medical program. To stay organized and manage your time effectively, I suggest preparing answers for standard secondary essay prompts in advance. You can adapt and tailor them to each school's requirements as soon as you receive the secondary applications, which will allow you to use your time more efficiently than if you were starting from scratch.

Remember, the medical school application process can be both time-consuming and demanding, so staying on top of deadlines and being well-prepared for each step will significantly improve your chances of success. Good luck!