*~*~*~*Official AMCAS Questions Thread 2012-2013*~*~*~*

SDN Members don't see this ad. (About Ads)

I have a question. I took two graduate level courses at Harvard Extension. How do I list these courses on the AMCAS application?

It seems like I would chose "graduate degree?" but I didnt receive a degree... not sure what to put down here.

Thanks,
C

I don't foresee there being a huge problem here. Call up your university and/or AMCAS and go from there. Regardless, I would think that anyone reviewing it would see that it was the same course with the same grade at the same time.

Originally Posted by catzzz88

I have a question. I took two graduate level courses at Harvard Extension. How do I list these courses on the AMCAS application?

It seems like I would chose "graduate degree?" but I didnt receive a degree... not sure what to put down here.

Thanks,
C

Because you didn't receive a degree from Harvard, choose the "No degree expected" option when entering in all of your schools in the "Schools Attended" section of the application.

For actually classifying the courses (FR, SO, JR, SR, GR, etc.), it depends on whether the classes applied to your undergraduate degree. If you applied it to your undergraduate degree, assign it as either FR, SO, JR, or SR. If it wasn't applied to your undergraduate degree and you took it after you received your degree, you'd classify it as PB and not GR.

See page 38 in the manual for more information.

Originally Posted by psychgirrrl

Hi, I was wondering if this

"Do you wish to be considered a disadvantaged applicant by any of your designated medical schools that may consider such factors (social, economic or educational)?"

Is where you indicate that you are an underrepresented minority in medicine. I indicated my ethnicity in Self Identification but was confused on whether this is asking you if you are URM or not.

No. They know you are URM just from indicating it in the self-identification. The disadvantaged thing is specifically for economic, educational, or medically underserved.

You can discuss stuff related to being a URM in your PS if you want to, like a brief autobiography.

Hi,

I filled out the AMCAS last year but ended up not submitting it. I already sent all my transcripts last time, do I need to resubmit them this time around?

Thank you in advance!

Originally Posted by iluv3

Hi,

I filled out the AMCAS last year but ended up not submitting it. I already sent all my transcripts last time, do I need to resubmit them this time around?

Thank you in advance!

yes.

hi i have some questions about coursework:

1) the AP coursework tutorial suggested we write "AP Credit: _____" under course name. even though my school might've named some of them differently do i still follow the format it suggested? (for example AP U.S. Gov & Politics became POL SCI UNITED STATES in my transcript, but i could just put "AP Credit: U.S. Government & Politics" right?)

2) I go to UCLA and took two classes at UCI over the summer, which transferred over with the letter grade & unit credit. do i still have to send in a separate transcript from UCI? sorry if this question's been answered before! >.<

Originally Posted by The Master

So in high school I took a dual enrollment course with the local community college and got credit for it transferred at the University I went to after graduating from high school. I know I have to submit the transcript from both my university and community college. But the thing is when I took this course the community college was called Seminole Community College. Since then the college has been renamed Seminole State college. The transcript from my University would mention the original name but the transcript from the community college would state the new name. Is that going to be a problem for AMCAS? If so how do you guys think I should go about trying to fix this?

I have the same problem :/ hopefully nothing happens. Go Florida wooo

Your transcript from the Community College should haves some sort of note about the name change. My undergrad changed its name in the 80s and again in the 90s and both old names were listed on the back of the official transcript.

i love post haste on devo

Originally Posted by Wolverine Fan

It's definitely more than the average applicant. Some might consider it too much, especially in regards to a) application expenses and b) time to complete secondaries.

You'd only be paying about $900 for the primary application, and I think most schools waive secondary application fees, so it won't be too expensive.

If you have the time to complete all those secondaries, go for it.

I applied to 30 schools and got into 2. If you have my stats, 30 is actually a pretty good number. If your stats are above mine, you can probably err on the side of fewer schools as long as they're all in your money zone. If lower . . . Well, I'm not sure what I would do in that situation.

And you can also take a look at my mdapps if you want an idea of what schools are good to apply to.

Originally Posted by crazypilovee

hi i have some questions about coursework:

1) the AP coursework tutorial suggested we write "AP Credit: _____" under course name. even though my school might've named some of them differently do i still follow the format it suggested? (for example AP U.S. Gov & Politics became POL SCI UNITED STATES in my transcript, but i could just put "AP Credit: U.S. Government & Politics" right?)

2) I go to UCLA and took two classes at UCI over the summer, which transferred over with the letter grade & unit credit. do i still have to send in a separate transcript from UCI? sorry if this question's been answered before! >.<

1. Yes.

2. It would be safest to send both transcripts. You should send a transcript from every school you attended.

Originally Posted by crazypilovee

hi i have some questions about coursework:

1) the AP coursework tutorial suggested we write "AP Credit: _____" under course name. even though my school might've named some of them differently do i still follow the format it suggested? (for example AP U.S. Gov & Politics became POL SCI UNITED STATES in my transcript, but i could just put "AP Credit: U.S. Government & Politics" right?)

Originally Posted by tantacles

1. Yes.

I'm not sure this is right... The impression I got was to only do this if a course name wasn't given by the undergraduate institution conferring credit. Here's an excerpt from the AMCAS Instruction Manual:

"If the transcript from the college awarding AP credit does not list actual course names, enter the subject area for which credit has been earned (e.g., AP Credit: English) as the Course Name."

Originally Posted by TheKDizzle

I'm not sure this is right... The impression I got was to only do this if a course name wasn't given by the undergraduate institution conferring credit. Here's an excerpt from the AMCAS Instruction Manual:

"If the transcript from the college awarding AP credit does not list actual course names, enter the subject area for which credit has been earned (e.g., AP Credit: English) as the Course Name."

Moral of the story: AMCAS sucks.

Originally Posted by tantacles

Moral of the story: AMCAS sucks.

How am I to cite research projects in progress? I have two projects in progress (Primary on one, third author on the other) and one project being written up at the moment. Also, I have two abstracts accepted to present posters at major conferences.... how do I work those in?

Originally Posted by encinitaslocal

How am I to cite research projects in progress? I have two projects in progress (Primary on one, third author on the other) and one project being written up at the moment. Also, I have two abstracts accepted to present posters at major conferences.... how do I work those in?

If they're not published, you can't list them as publications, but you can certainly write about your research as one of your activities.

For the abstracts, you can have one activity section labeled "publications" and list them there as "accepted abstracts" or, if you present the poster before your application goes in "Poster presentation" with the full citation of the work included in the text.

Originally Posted by The Master

So in high school I took a dual enrollment course with the local community college and got credit for it transferred at the University I went to after graduating from high school. I know I have to submit the transcript from both my university and community college. But the thing is when I took this course the community college was called Seminole Community College. Since then the college has been renamed Seminole State college. The transcript from my University would mention the original name but the transcript from the community college would state the new name. Is that going to be a problem for AMCAS? If so how do you guys think I should go about trying to fix this?

I was in the exact same situation last year. Honestly, I never even thought about it being a problem to fix. I just assumed that AMCAS would be able to tell that, at some point, there was a name change. Thankfully that was true. It didn't delay my verification or cause me any problems during interviews.

Originally Posted by The Master

So in high school I took a dual enrollment course with the local community college and got credit for it transferred at the University I went to after graduating from high school. I know I have to submit the transcript from both my university and community college. But the thing is when I took this course the community college was called Seminole Community College. Since then the college has been renamed Seminole State college. The transcript from my University would mention the original name but the transcript from the community college would state the new name. Is that going to be a problem for AMCAS? If so how do you guys think I should go about trying to fix this?

Originally Posted by NeuroLAX

I don't foresee there being a huge problem here. Call up your university and/or AMCAS and go from there. Regardless, I would think that anyone reviewing it would see that it was the same course with the same grade at the same time.

Originally Posted by Yonko Shanks

I have the same problem :/ hopefully nothing happens. Go Florida wooo

Originally Posted by PostHaste

Your transcript from the Community College should haves some sort of note about the name change. My undergrad changed its name in the 80s and again in the 90s and both old names were listed on the back of the official transcript.

Originally Posted by ReptarBar

i love post haste on devo

Originally Posted by Ebola4Breakfast

I was in the exact same situation last year. Honestly, I never even thought about it being a problem to fix. I just assumed that AMCAS would be able to tell that, at some point, there was a name change. Thankfully that was true. It didn't delay my verification or cause me any problems during interviews.

Merging

I partook in Sea Semester (www.sea.edu) through BU and while my LAC only accepted credits from this program, BU has a transcript for me so I know I need to submit it to AMCAS. My question is should I mark the "study abroad program" box or not? Sea Semester advertises itself as study abroad but in reality, I was in Woods Hole, MA for 6 weeks, and then sailing for 6 weeks (only stepping foot on another country for 4 days or so). I'm wondering if this should be considered to be an extension program (don't really know what that means) or study abroad. Thanks!

I graduated from paramedic school last year. The program is simply a program, it did not grant any college credit. All I graduated with was a diploma, the program was through a local hospital. I did receive a transcript though. Where should I include it on my application? Further complicating things, I was given 8 credits by my home institution as independent study in order to keep my scholarships.
Thanks

Originally Posted by AlmostJesus

I graduated from paramedic school last year. The program is simply a program, it did not grant any college credit. All I graduated with was a diploma, the program was through a local hospital. I did receive a transcript though. Where should I include it on my application?
Thanks

Similar situation here, except mines was a Comptia A+ computer certificate. Not sure how to add that? Any suggestions on what we should do?

Originally Posted by crazypilovee

2) I go to UCLA and took two classes at UCI over the summer, which transferred over with the letter grade & unit credit. do i still have to send in a separate transcript from UCI? sorry if this question's been answered before! >.<

I have this exact same question. Went to ucla, and took UCI summer classes as well.

I saw that this was answered with a "to be sure, yes", but was wondering if anyone had a more definitive answer.

I ask because the classes I took at UCI show up on my UCLA transcript already. My only worry about sending them both is that they are listed under different course names on the UCI transcript and UCLA transcript, and there could be a chance that AMCAS credits me with these classes twice on accident.

Hey guys I dont know why but Im a bit confused about sending transcripts to AMCAS. Basically once you put down your colleges you have to print out a request form for each college that you attended/took classes in. After that you bring your request form to the college and from there they send it to AMCAS based on directions written on the form? Is that correct?

Also whats the best time to send transcripts? As soon as possible? Is it okay to send transcripts before AMCAS is submitted on June 5th?

Originally Posted by PingPongPro

I have this exact same question. Went to ucla, and took UCI summer classes as well.

I saw that this was answered with a "to be sure, yes", but was wondering if anyone had a more definitive answer.

I ask because the classes I took at UCI show up on my UCLA transcript already. My only worry about sending them both is that they are listed under different course names on the UCI transcript and UCLA transcript, and there could be a chance that AMCAS credits me with these classes twice on accident.

You can submit an appeal to change classes if they were, in fact, the same. However, you need the original transcript from the institution you took the course at to prove more definitively that that school actually gave you the grade on your transcript.

Originally Posted by DOCTAfoHIRE

Hey guys I dont know why but Im a bit confused about sending transcripts to AMCAS. Basically once you put down your colleges you have to print out a request form for each college that you attended/took classes in. After that you bring your request form to the college and from there they send it to AMCAS based on directions written on the form? Is that correct?

Also whats the best time to send transcripts? As soon as possible? Is it okay to send transcripts before AMCAS is submitted on June 5th?

Everything you said is correct. Send them in now.

.

If we have spring grades coming in, are you supposed to tell the registrar to submit transcripts only after grades are out? I'm working on finishing a masters right now. Do I have to wait to submit my AMCAS after I get the grades so I can list them?

Originally Posted by crazedpiggy

If we have spring grades coming in, are you supposed to tell the registrar to submit transcripts only after grades are out? I'm working on finishing a masters right now. Do I have to wait to submit my AMCAS after I get the grades so I can list them?

You don't have to wait to submit, but your application can't be verified until AMCAS receives your transcript(s). I would wait to send in the transcript until after your grades came in.

So do you mean you can submit without the grade filled in on AMCAS and submit, and after AMCAS gets the transcript, they will add in the grade for you once you get verified?

How do you relay the request form if you're abroad?!?!

I don't understand how to enter military course work/AARTS transcript information. What do I select as the college or whatever for this coursework? It is stuff that was not at an institution per say, but stuff like basic training etc. that is on the transcript.

Can any of you Vets out there help me out?

Thanks!

Asked this question in the TMDSAS thread, but it looks pretty dead in there....so I'll ask it here.

I have a doctor of pharmacy degree. Under salutation, should I put "Dr."? Even though this is my official title, I do not want any adcoms to think that I call myself a "doctor" in a professional setting. I do not say "This is Dr. blah blah", I just say my first name.

Originally Posted by Got Em

Asked this question in the TMDSAS thread, but it looks pretty dead in there....so I'll ask it here.

I have a doctor of pharmacy degree. Under salutation, should I put "Dr."? Even though this is my official title, I do not want any adcoms to think that I call myself a "doctor" in a professional setting. I do not say "This is Dr. blah blah", I just say my first name.

It is primarily for addressing mail.

Use what you have your mail say... Mr., Mrs., Ms., Dr.

Question about course abbreviations:

If a course is listed "Physics-Flu,Wav,Thrmdyn,Optic" on my transcript, am I supposed to enter that, or enter the full, logical name "Physics - Fluids, Waves, Thermodynamics, Optics"?

The AMCAS manual says "Enter the exact course name in English" but it's not clear whether that means to include the exact abbreviations on my transcript or not.

Is the request form a requirement? I can request the official transcript to be sent to the amcas address online through my school. Is this not allowed? Its a huge state school so its not practical for everyone to come in person.

Originally Posted by tac123

Question about course abbreviations:

If a course is listed "Physics-Flu,Wav,Thrmdyn,Optic" on my transcript, am I supposed to enter that, or enter the full, logical name "Physics - Fluids, Waves, Thermodynamics, Optics"?

The AMCAS manual says "Enter the exact course name in English" but it's not clear whether that means to include the exact abbreviations on my transcript or not.

Exactly as it says on your transcript.

Only use a logical abbreviation if the exact course name as it appears on your transcript won't fit into the AMCAS box.

Under Letters of evaluation, it says "Is this letter from a school"? What exactly does this mean?

1) If it is from a pharmacy professor with a letterhead from the pharmacy school, but I'm sending this through interfolio, do I answer yes or no?

2) If it is from a pharmacy professor with a letterhead from a hospital, but affliated with the school of pharmacy, AND I'm sending this from interfolio, do I answer yes or no?

Originally Posted by Got Em

Under Letters of evaluation, it says "Is this letter from a school"? What exactly does this mean?

1) If it is from a pharmacy professor with a letterhead from the pharmacy school, but I'm sending this through interfolio, do I answer yes or no?

2) If it is from a pharmacy professor with a letterhead from a hospital, but affliated with the school of pharmacy, AND I'm sending this from interfolio, do I answer yes or no?

1) Yes

2) I'm not 100% sure, but I would say no

Ah, a fellow pharmacist applying this cycle, good for you! Hopefully it's not to the same schools as me...:|


I know AMCAS says to enter courses the exact way they are. But:

CORE:STAT APP-PHAR/ALLIED HLTH
CORE:CALC APPL-PHARM&ALLIED
CLIN APPL OF PHA KINETIC&DYNAM
D&D:GI & URINARY TRACT

I don't know if anyone will know what this means, so I changed the headings of them to:
Core: Statistics
Core: Calculus
Clinical Appl of Pharm Kinetics & Dynam
Drugs & Diseases

Is this OK or should I revert everything?

Originally Posted by pfaction

Ah, a fellow pharmacist applying this cycle, good for you! Hopefully it's not to the same schools as me...:|


I know AMCAS says to enter courses the exact way they are. But:

CORE:STAT APP-PHAR/ALLIED HLTH
CORE:CALC APPL-PHARM&ALLIED
CLIN APPL OF PHA KINETIC&DYNAM
D&D:GI & URINARY TRACT

I don't know if anyone will know what this means, so I changed the headings of them to:
Core: Statistics
Core: Calculus
Clinical Appl of Pharm Kinetics & Dynam
Drugs & Diseases

Is this OK or should I revert everything?

I'd revert it all. The course names aren't too hard to figure out.

The AMCAS manual states, "Enter the exact course name in English and the exact course number as they appear on the official transcript in the designated fields. If the exact course name does not fit, enter a logical abbreviation."

Think about it this way... AMCAS will have a reason to make changes if the names don't match up exactly. If they do exactly match, there won't be a need to make changes.

Originally Posted by pfaction

Ah, a fellow pharmacist applying this cycle, good for you! Hopefully it's not to the same schools as me...:|


I know AMCAS says to enter courses the exact way they are. But:

CORE:STAT APP-PHAR/ALLIED HLTH
CORE:CALC APPL-PHARM&ALLIED
CLIN APPL OF PHA KINETIC&DYNAM
D&D:GI & URINARY TRACT

I don't know if anyone will know what this means, so I changed the headings of them to:
Core: Statistics
Core: Calculus
Clinical Appl of Pharm Kinetics & Dynam
Drugs & Diseases

Is this OK or should I revert everything?

Originally Posted by Wolverine Fan

I'd revert it all. The course names aren't too hard to figure out.

The AMCAS manual states, "Enter the exact course name in English and the exact course number as they appear on the official transcript in the designated fields. If the exact course name does not fit, enter a logical abbreviation."

Think about it this way... AMCAS will have a reason to make changes if the names don't match up exactly. If they do exactly match, there won't be a need to make changes.

Agreed. AMCAS does a line to line check and if you're using a different name it's just going to make it harder for them to match your respective courses. You should revert it and do it by-the-books.

Oh god... All these pharmacists are going to dilute the awesomeness of my own PharmD degree

thanks!

Originally Posted by hexagon

This post might be TMI, but I'm not sure how to represent some aspects of my family background on AMCAS in the biographic information section. I'm tempted to just leave everything blank since a lot of fields are not specifically required, but also don't want to give the appearance of not being forthcoming about my background. I attended a presentation recently where it was emphasized that the Adcom at a school I'm interested in prefers for students to complete these sections and has doubts about applicants who leave fields blank.

a couple questions...
in the section for "parents or guardians," is it required to list both biological parents? I was raised by my mother and my father was not involved in my life in any capacity to the extent that I've only incidentally met him on one occasion, which was over 10 years ago. I know his name and, because Google led me to his LinkedIn profile, am aware that he is alive and what his educational background is. since I have this information, am I required to list him as a "parent" on my amcas and complete the pertinent fields? I don't want to list him at all but am worried that it might come across strangely if I don't acknowledge the existence of my other parent in any way and don't want to look like I'm hiding something, but also don't want to misrepresent my background either.

also, I'm concerned that some aspects of my household family income might appear strange on paper. my household growing up consisted of me and my mother, and her income was very modest/middle-class. but she also was related to a wealthy couple who sort of took me under their wing as a protege/heir and they paid for me to attend a very expensive private high school and also, through a series of random events, ended up paying for my entire college education aside from merit-based aid. so, I'm not quite sure how to answer some of the financial questions without the real answers looking contradictory or fake on paper.

basically, I'm REALLY over-thinking a relatively unimportant aspect of the application due to being a neurotic pre-med.

Check the "Do Not Know" option when the application asks if he's living or not. Unless you've seen him breathing in the last month, I don't think I'd use a LinkedIn profile to say that he is alive. I'd also use the "Don't Know" option for his other details on your application. Anyone can make a LinkedIn profile and enter in fake details.

As for the financial details... I'm not sure. You can always classify the remaining percentage of it as a family contribution. The wealthy couple is part of your family, considering that one of them is related to your mother.

I am currently a senior in my last semester. My grades for the spring semester won't be out until late may. If i am sending the transcript without my spring grades, how will medical schools see my spring semester grades?

Thanks guys and good luck to all!

Okay, thanks!

Originally Posted by Trisphorin

I am currently a senior in my last semester. My grades for the spring semester won't be out until late may. If i am sending the transcript without my spring grades, how will medical schools see my spring semester grades?

Thanks guys and good luck to all!

They'll see the spring grades after they've accepted you and ask for your updated transcript.

If the grades are great, I'd probably wait until they were official and then send the transcript. A week isn't going to affect your application.

Years attended community college:

I took summer school classes at the local community college in 2008 and 2010. When I go to enter in this academic institution, do I list 2008-2010 for the years attended for two separate summer schools sessions?

Gotlactose: yep that's exactly what I did.