Secondary applications might feel straightforward if you’ve been writing essays for years. But if writing isn’t your strength, they can take longer. Most prompts fall between 250 and 500 words; many schools will give you multiple prompts. That can add up fast.
You should plan to write and submit all your secondaries within two weeks of submitting your AMCAS. Some schools screen applicants before sending secondaries, but many do not, so be ready to start writing immediately.
Here’s what helps:
Start early. The best time to begin is as soon as you submit AMCAS.
Write multiple essays at once. You can work on essays from different schools at the same time.
Keep a content library. If similar prompts come up, you can repurpose ideas—just be sure to tailor each essay to the school and the question.
Most applicants write anywhere from 20 to 40 secondary essays. If you pace yourself and don’t aim for perfection in the first draft, you can stay on track.
Read more: Medical School Secondary Essay Prompts