Primary and Secondary Applications

Jump to a topic:

• Difference between a primary and a secondary application
• Submitting primary and secondary applications
• Resources
• Important notes

Difference between a primary and a secondary application

Primary applications are centralized applications that allow an applicant to apply to multiple medical schools. 

• MD programs' primary application - The American Medical Colleges Application Service (AMCAS)
• DO programs' primary application - The Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS)
• Texas MD, DO and Dental programs use one application - The Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS) .
• Texas residents should talk with UAAC; TMDSAS deadlines differ slightly.

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.

Submitting primary and secondary applications

• Aim to submit your primary applications ideally between the beginning of June to mid-July.
• Aim to submit your secondary applications within one to two weeks after you receive them. Student who submit their primary application in June-July are completing their secondaries in July and August. Typically, the request for your letters of recommendation is part of a secondary application.

Resources

• AMCAS Overview and Q&A information session are in the spring quarter.
• The American Medical Colleges Application Service (AMCAS)
• The Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS)
• The Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS)

Important notes

Primary applications:

• Don't use the conversion chart on the AMCAS web site for the AMCAS application. Enter your courses into your AMCAS application as they appear on your transcript.
• The AAMC Fee Assistance Program (FAP) assists MCAT® examinees and AMCAS applicants who, without financial assistance, would be unable to take the MCAT or apply to medical schools that use the AMCAS application.

Secondary applications:

• Not all schools have secondary applications. The majority of schools that have secondary applications usually send them to applicants without screening the primary applications. A small number of schools will screen the primary application first.
• Some secondary application will ask you to convert your NU hours to semester hours (1 NU course unit = 2.7 semester hours)
• Make sure you tailor your answers for each secondary application to that particular school