Guide 6 · Secondaries
The second round: secondary applications
After your primary application, most schools send their own set of questions, called a secondary application. Fees average about $100 per school, ranging from roughly $30 to $250.1 Most schools waive these fees for students approved for the AAMC Fee Assistance Program.2
1What most schools ask
Prompts vary by school, but most fall into a few familiar types:1
| Prompt type | What they're really asking |
|---|---|
| Why our school? | Do you know our mission, programs and community, and do you fit them? |
| Diversity | What perspective or experience would you bring to the class? Being first-gen counts. |
| Challenge or adversity | How did you handle a hard situation, and what did you learn? |
| Your interests | What do you care about in medicine, and where might you want to practice? |
| Meaningful non-medical activity | Who are you outside of pre-med? |
| Time since college | If you've graduated, what have you been doing? |
2Cost and timing
Most schools review applications on a rolling basis, so a fast, complete response helps.1 Some schools set a firm window, such as two weeks from when you receive the secondary.1 Many advisors recommend returning every secondary within about two weeks, even when the school doesn't require it.
Budget ahead. Applying to 20 schools with an average $100 secondary fee adds up to about $2,000 on top of primary application fees. If you qualify for the Fee Assistance Program, apply for it first.
3Pre-writing
- In June, before secondaries arrive, draft one strong essay for each common prompt type above.
- Keep a document with the word or character limits for each school's past prompts.
- For "Why our school?", list three specific things per school: a program, a clinic, a mission statement or a student group.
- Reuse drafts carefully. Always double-check that you've used the right school's name.
4Headshots
Some schools ask for a photo with the secondary, often to recognize you on interview day. You don't need to spend a lot on one. This is practical advice, not a data-backed rule:
- Check if your campus career center offers free professional headshots.
- A clear phone photo works too: face a window for soft light, use a plain background and wear interview clothes.
- If you use an AI headshot app, choose a result that looks exactly like you. The photo is how the school will recognize you.
References
- Kaplan. Medical school admissions: secondary applications. kaptest.com
- Association of American Medical Colleges. Fee Assistance Program benefits. students-residents.aamc.org