<p>^ Thanks for posting “this school is one of the ones without a secondary, which explains the quick invite.” This could help relieve some pressure for others who are a little behind in their application.</p>
<p>Also, it is better not to know what could happen to somebody on the magic day like Oct. 15, and for most Texas schools: Nov. 15. Sometimes, ignorance is a blessing. I believe DS did not know the significance of the first magic day last year (but he got a pleasant surprise not exactly on Oct. 15, but a couple of days after Oct. 15. That relieved a lot of pressure for him. Sometimes I think I know more about many details of the application process than him just because of CC and SDN.)</p>
<p>mcat2,
We will never forget Oct.15. However, I believe that it was actually after midnight, so it was Oct. 16. 2 acceptances with 2 hours after midnight, one Dean of admission call, another email. D. flipped when Dean himself called after midnight. She is going to one of them in exactly 1 week. Not fully moved yet, but almost there.</p>
<p>Got an interview invite today for a state school in which I am OOS (went to undergrad in the state)! The interview came with a short secondary. They must screen applicants for the secondary quite rigorously, however, or else they would be sending out a ton of interview invites!</p>
<p>As I recall DD had not heard from any of those schools, other than secondaries, when she was admitted to her #1 in November.</p>
<p>With her 29 she did garner interviews at Drexel, GWU, a couple in VA, there were others that I no longer recall :eek: So, Drexel could be a good choice for a 28.</p>
<p>Okay-so I’m kind of confused. S will submit his app this week, but his school hasn’t sent out the committee letter yet. How does the secondary/interview stuff work? Are these sent only when the app is verified as complete or is this something separate?</p>
<p>It was actually exciting, not so torturing. But it depends on attitude. Some schools did not respond, but D. kept saying, “Who cares?”. The only torture for me was her driving in a winter to very snowy places few with added adventures. However, D. has learned. Withdrew from one school, did not care for city, waitied in a car late at night in complete darkness for her host who did not even reponded for her calls, dealt with AAA and was impressed by their service, escaped from major snowstorm litterally by few hours and with us being on vacation in Mexico waiting calls on international cell. There are some major worries and hopefully they will end up OK and learn about real life on a way. So, save your worries until something actually happens…or maybe it will not and they will be lucky with non-adventurous trips. I have been impressed with my D’s driving to very unfamiliar places and as a result trust her more. I myself is not as good.</p>
<p>Once the admission office at the med school has received his verified application from AMCAS, he’ll receive a secondary. He’ll then have a short period of time (usually 10-14 days) to complete that and return it. </p>
<p>Once your son’s admissions file is complete (primary and secondary application received, committee letter received, application fee paid), the admissions committee at the school will review his application and take one of 3 actions: reject; offer an interview; or no action.</p>
<p>The no action means that the school has applicants it’s more interested in and are holding him ‘in reserve’ for review again later. He may get an interview later on. Or he may get rejected. Some schools hold onto completed files for a long time before taking any final action (interview or reject).</p>
<p>Might add to WOWMom’s post that the “10-14 days to finish secondary” thing is a great guideline to follow but as far as I could tell, not a hard-and-fast deadline. I’d definitely recommend finishing secondaries within two weeks of receiving them, but I also know that life can’t be completely on hold for medical school applications and sometimes you can’t finish them in less than two weeks. The bottom line is, get those secondaries in ASAP!</p>
<p>Thanks WOWmom and Kirsten. I’ll tell him to be prepared to turn any secondaries around ASAP. S is applying md/phd but I guess the initial process is the same.</p>
<p>My daughter is still not verified, but is working on the 5 secondaries she has already received. Hopefully when the bulk of them come in she will have enough to “recycle.” She’s doing great but I’m a bit stressed. I need Botox, my squint lines are starting to show!</p>
<p>"anyone know good websites to look for plane and hotel deals? "</p>
<p>-Suggestions, if applicable, my D. has stayed with medical students hosts at all her interviews. She said it was invaluable experience to see what kind of people go to specific Med. School (which was important for her and mignt not be so to you). So, we did not pay for hotels even for Second Look events. She also drove everywhere, so I cannot help you with website, sorry.</p>
<p>use betterbidding.com to identify hotels and current and previous price guidelines…ask questions the owner will help, extremely helpful…great group and tons of info</p>
<p>also use orbitz and expedia for rate ranges…and southwest…</p>
<p>Also use hosting program if possible at med school. My son used his alumni network and stayed with current med school students (or other grad programs…ie Harvard med school interview stayed with Harvard law students who were undergrad alum…same with Columbia/Dartmouth/Michigan) that were alum from his undergrad. Made a HUGE difference for info gathering. Helped him eliminate schools after he received acceptances.</p>
<p>Hope this helps. Ask away for any other questions!!</p>