***2007-2008 Application Season*** Post all application questions here! Part I

[Creightonite]

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my problem is that there is no space to list pubs after I talk about an individual research experience. Yes, I presented at thos conferences. I ended up making a separate entree for each, pubs and conferences... I am in grad school..

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

Has AACOMAS mailed out anyone's primary yet or is there a specific date that they will send out the first batch? All of my credentials have been verified by AACOMAS and I am anxiously awaiting the start of the process.😀

 

[nikegrl23]

Ok so... I'm looking at the status module of AACOMAS:

GPA Calculations 6/14
Transcripts 6/11
Official MCAT Scores (blank b/c I haven't taken it yet)
Designations BLANK
Payments 6/13

I made 4 designations and see that there's nothing listed yet under Mailing Date and that the status is NOT MAILED.

Did I forget to do something? About when should I be expecting to see something under that date section...

Thanks for any insight, guys. 🙂

 

[spicedmanna]

Ok so... I'm looking at the status module of AACOMAS:

GPA Calculations 6/14
Transcripts 6/11
Official MCAT Scores (blank b/c I haven't taken it yet)
Designations BLANK
Payments 6/13

I made 4 designations and see that there's nothing listed yet under Mailing Date and that the status is NOT MAILED.

Did I forget to do something? About when should I be expecting to see something under that date section...

Thanks for any insight, guys. 🙂

Patience, young Padawan. It takes time for AACOM to verify your coursework against your official transcripts and to calculate your GPAs. They don't mail your applications out to the medical schools that you designated until after everything is verified and calculated. In general, this can take anywhere between 3-6 weeks (1). My application took approximately 4 weeks to verify and soon after that my application was mailed out to the schools.

 

[imount]

Do hobbies go anywhere on application?

 

[lackoftalent]

Has AACOMAS mailed out anyone's primary yet or is there a specific date that they will send out the first batch? All of my credentials have been verified by AACOMAS and I am anxiously awaiting the start of the process.😀

I'm the same as you. Still waiting for them to send mine.

 

[Beau Geste]

Still waiting for one more transcript and then they can verify mine. I swear my last college uses the old Pony Express rather than regular mail!

 

[mommy2three]

i am applying to a very intriguing master's program for this fall...i may not hear whether or not i have been accepted until august or so.
i woudl like to go ahead and submit all my transcripts to aacomas so that they are there and can start verifying classes etc.
here is my dilemma....i do not know if they will begin verifying my transcripts if i have not hit submit yet...does anyone know the answer to this?

i am asking becuase i would like to have everything ready to go to hit submit if i should not gain acceptance to this program and end up staying where i am in which case the application year is a go (otherwise it would be a no go)...but at the same time do not want to end up having to wait 6 wks for verification of courses after i hit submit if i do not hit submit until aug and be late in the app cycle.

 

[prionsRbad]

i am applying to a very intriguing master's program for this fall...i may not hear whether or not i have been accepted until august or so.
i woudl like to go ahead and submit all my transcripts to aacomas so that they are there and can start verifying classes etc.
here is my dilemma....i do not know if they will begin verifying my transcripts if i have not hit submit yet...does anyone know the answer to this?

i am asking becuase i would like to have everything ready to go to hit submit if i should not gain acceptance to this program and end up staying where i am in which case the application year is a go (otherwise it would be a no go)...but at the same time do not want to end up having to wait 6 wks for verification of courses after i hit submit if i do not hit submit until aug and be late in the app cycle.

They do not begin verifying transcripts until you submit. Although, it might be a good idea to go ahead and send in all your transcripts now just in case you want to apply this cycle.

Good Luck

 

[nikegrl23]

Thank you, master! Well the thing is that it seems like I've already been verified, since my GPA calculations have already been finished. I guess what I'm waiting for then is for a date to show up under designations, which will mean that they sent stuff out. I'm guessing that I'm not going to see a date there until the actual day that the stuff is sent out.
😳

 

[lackoftalent]

Once your application is verified, do you get an email stating so? (Like you do with AMCAS) I guess I am confused as to what verified really means. I have everything complete except for the designations. Does this mean my application has been verified and they are just waiting to send out the application, or does AACOMAS have to re-check everything they have and then send it out. Does this make sense?

Thanks!

 

[spicedmanna]

Once your application is verified, do you get an email stating so? (Like you do with AMCAS) I guess I am confused as to what verified really means. I have everything complete except for the designations. Does this mean my application has been verified and they are just waiting to send out the application, or does AACOMAS have to re-check everything they have and then send it out. Does this make sense?

Thanks!

I do not recall receiving an email about it. The completion of the process of verification means that your entered coursework has been verified against your official transcripts and that your GPAs have been calculated. You should check your status on-line, which should indicate when all of this is complete. However, AACOM appears to send out your application to the schools that you designated soon after your application is verified. I don't remember the exact timeframe after verification that this occurred, but it would seem reasonable to contact them for clarification, if your application has not been mailed after one week of verification.

 

[spicedmanna]

I guess what I'm waiting for then is for a date to show up under designations, which will mean that they sent stuff out. I'm guessing that I'm not going to see a date there until the actual day that the stuff is sent out.
😳

Yes, that sounds true. 🙂 I wish I could tell you the exact timeframe that this occurs after verification, but I don't recall. If it takes too long, you can contact AACOM and ask them what happened. My guess is that they are probably pretty busy right now, given the influx of applications that they are receiving and processing at this time.

 

[imount]

I was also wondering how you would know when AACOMAS recieved your offical transcripts😕 Thanks

 

[imount]

Do I have to wait for offical transcipts to be received by AACOMAS before I can enter my coursework? As of now when I click on view course list it just takes me back to the begining where I can click on Add New Term. Maybe I'm doing something wrong?

 

[twolfbear]

Do I have to wait for offical transcipts to be received by AACOMAS before I can enter my coursework? As of now when I click on view course list it just takes me back to the begining where I can click on Add New Term. Maybe I'm doing something wrong?

That's how AACOMAS works, at least I kept being sent back. Also, you can enter coursework before you get your transcripts sent. Submit it as well, so that when your trancripts arrive it will be verified.

 

[twolfbear]

Do hobbies go anywhere on application?

Put it in the EC section, but only if you think it will help. Some schools don't like to many EC's because they will have to waste time to decipher through them and see which are the most useful.

As far as transcripts, look at status page on the right. Click on transcripts and it will show you the date they recieved them, if they have recieved them.

 

[imount]

So best way to go is to put w/ Lab in the course title?

 

[bonny5]

Hi guys,

I am ready to submit my application today, but I just realized that I have a quick question. I worked in Macy's during my junior and senior years of High School, but did not continue while in college. I was working there for 2 years and I think that it shows that I am a responsible and commited person. Is it good to mention it or anything that was in High School and not continued in college should not be included?
Thank you!!!

 

[Frank l]

Hi guys,

I am ready to submit my application today, but I just realized that I have a quick question. I worked in Macy's during my junior and senior years of High School, but did not continue while in college. I was working there for 2 years and I think that it shows that I am a responsible and commited person. Is it good to mention it or anything that was in High School and not continued in college should not be included?
Thank you!!!

It wouldn't hurt anything, and if the experience was significant in your development as a person in any way you should include it. I included a lot of stuff I did during high school.

 

[bigdog8829]

Hi guys,

I am ready to submit my application today, but I just realized that I have a quick question. I worked in Macy's during my junior and senior years of High School, but did not continue while in college. I was working there for 2 years and I think that it shows that I am a responsible and commited person. Is it good to mention it or anything that was in High School and not continued in college should not be included?
Thank you!!!

not one of my job experiences came up in any of my 6 interviews. i'd write it down. can't hurt.

 

[Sundarban1]

So best way to go is to put w/ Lab in the course title?

Yes, sorry I didn't reply sooner but AACOMAS never responded to my email. However, I did add "w/ lab" to my course titles and my application was verified and GPA calculated without a problem. Make sure to list labs that do appear on your transcript as a seperate entries even though they don't have a grade or credit hour associated with them.

 

[sistahnik]

Hello everyone! It's that time: APPS! I was putting in a request for my transcripts to be sent out and I was wandering if there were any special forms to send in. Does AACOMAS require a request form from their website to be sent in with the transcripts? I didn't see anything so I assumed not, but you can never be too sure. Also, I wasn't sure if the registrars office is supposed to include the app ID# on the envelope or something. I read the email they sent me and all it stated was that the ID # should be included with anything used to communicate with customer service and your selected schools. Thanks, I appreciate any help.

 

[MedStudentWanna]

Yes, sorry I didn't reply sooner but AACOMAS never responded to my email. However, I did add "w/ lab" to my course titles and my application was verified and GPA calculated without a problem. Make sure to list labs that do appear on your transcript as a seperate entries even though they don't have a grade or credit hour associated with them.

I'm confused. At my school classes and labs are separate and you get a different grade in each. So I got an A in Chem II lecture but a B in Chem II lab. If they're separate entries and the lab has no credit hour or grade associated with it, how do I report that?

 

[Kappy1]

Hello everyone! It's that time: APPS! I was putting in a request for my transcripts to be sent out and I was wandering if there were any special forms to send in. Does AACOMAS require a request form from their website to be sent in with the transcripts? I didn't see anything so I assumed not, but you can never be too sure. Also, I wasn't sure if the registrars office is supposed to include the app ID# on the envelope or something. I read the email they sent me and all it stated was that the ID # should be included with anything used to communicate with customer service and your selected schools. Thanks, I appreciate any help.

I don't know if there is a form like AMCAS, but last year I don't remember using it. I had my transcripts sent to the AACOM address where the website said to send transcripts. Yes I would put your ID # on anything being sent to AACOM as well as AMCAS.

 

[Beau Geste]

They do have a general transcript request form, but they also say it's not necessary but could delay processing of your transcript.

 

[t-funk]

If I am not mistaken, I believe that we are discussing courses which have a lab included. I have taken several 3 or 4 hours classes that included a lab but there is absolutely no way that you can tell. If there is a separate lab for the course, just enter the courses as they appear on your transcript. For me, I just put (w/lab) for the other courses although I do not know if this is the proper way to do it.

 

[nikegrl23]

Hi all, I don't know if this'll help anyone else, but my designation section just updated, with the mailing date now entered as today and the status as "Proceessed."

Seems like things are happening really quickly with AACOMAS... I can't say the same for my college and it's ability to send out transcripts to AAMC in the past two weeks.

 

[bds03]

Sudarban, did you figure out how to answer your second question?

I have a few classes like that too (where the lab grade was combined into the lecture grade but the lab section shows up on the transcript as 0 credits with no grade).

Did you just enter it exactly the same way onto AACOMAS? That's what I did for AMCAS, and I was planning on doing the same for AACOMAS, unless there were any better suggestions...

 

[sistahnik]

If there is a form, where is it located on the site??

 

[spicedmanna]

Hi all, I don't know if this'll help anyone else, but my designation section just updated, with the mailing date now entered as today and the status as "Proceessed."

Seems like things are happening really quickly with AACOMAS... I can't say the same for my college and it's ability to send out transcripts to AAMC in the past two weeks.

Thanks, nikegrl23, for letting us know. As a point of reference, for those who still have further questions, here is the official AACOM word about the subject of application processing timeline and checking application status, from its FAQ:

Q: How long will it take for my application to be processed and be sent to my designated schools?

A: Although the time frame varies, AACOMAS normally processes applications in three to six weeks. Missing transcripts and/or receipt of large volumes of materials in the AACOMAS Office can affect this time frame. If you do not see transcripts posted to your account two weeks after they were sent, please contact AACOMAS to make sure that your materials have been received. You should allow four weeks after submitting your application for processing before contacting AACOMAS regarding the status of your application. Also, once your application status reflects that your materials have been processed and mailed to your designated schools, please allow at least 10 working days for your materials to reach and be processed by your designated schools.

Q: How can I find out the status of my application?

A: The best way is our online application status check. You can log in to your account and click any of five linke under Status to determine how AACOMAS has calculated your GPA, the status of Transcripts, receipt of official MCAT scores, your College Designations, and your Payments.

AACOMAS normally processes applications in three to six weeks from the time your application is complete. An application is complete when AACOMAS has received all required transcripts and your application. Once your application has been verified you will be able to view your calculated GPA through the status check link available after logging on to the application service. Your application will be mailed shortly thereafter. Once your new application has been mailed it will be indicated with a date listed in the mailing section and your mailing status for that designation will be listed as either New or Revised.

 

[spicedmanna]

If there is a form, where is it located on the site??

Here is what the AACOMAS FAQ say:

Where should I have transcripts sent and are there forms that must accompany the transcripts?

A: The Colleges Attended section of the AACOMAS application allows you to print a Transcript Matching Form for each college you've attended. AACOMAS strongly recommends that you print and advise your registrar’s office to attach a Transcript Matching Form to each official transcript. This form helps AACOMAS properly match your official transcripts to your AACOMAS application. If your current name is different from the name listed on your transcript, you MUST include both your current and former name on the Transcript Matching Form.

Please have the registrar's office mail an official transcript to (transcripts sent by applicants are not acceptable):

AACOMAS
5550 Friendship Blvd., Suite 310
Chevy Chase, MD 20815

See the General Instructions for more about transcripts.

 

[DiverDoc]

wow, that was pretty fast. Although my app hasnt updated the designations part. I filled it out the 4th of June, so should I be expecting an update as well within the next week?

 

[DrVanNostran]

So what is the wait time looking like for AACOMAS verification? I finally had the courage to click submit.

 

[Sundarban1]

I'm confused. At my school classes and labs are separate and you get a different grade in each. So I got an A in Chem II lecture but a B in Chem II lab. If they're separate entries and the lab has no credit hour or grade associated with it, how do I report that?

If on your transcript you have separate lab and assocated grade you enter them as is on your transcript. If you have a lecture and lab on your transcript, but the lab has no credit hours or grade, you simply list it as it appears on your transcript as a separate entry and there are selections in AACOMAS to show that the lab grade was "n/a" and the credit hours were 0.0.

 

[Sundarban1]

Sudarban, did you figure out how to answer your second question?

I have a few classes like that too (where the lab grade was combined into the lecture grade but the lab section shows up on the transcript as 0 credits with no grade).

Did you just enter it exactly the same way onto AACOMAS? That's what I did for AMCAS, and I was planning on doing the same for AACOMAS, unless there were any better suggestions...

Right, so if you have a class on your transcript where lecture and lab are separate listings, but there is no associated grade or credit hour for the lab, list it on AACOMAS just as it appears on your transcript, as a separate entry. You will be able to select "n/a" for the grade and "0.0" for credit hours. That's what I did and had no problems with verification. The only case in which you would add "w/lab" to the course description is if the lecture and lab were one grade, however no lab section is indicated on your transcript.

 

[boodthedog]

I just checked mine. After calculating the gpa on 6-15, my application was mailed to schools yesterday. The designation hasn't updated on the initial log in screen like the other sections however. I only saw mailed when I actually clicked on it.

 

[Sundarban1]

I just checked mine. After calculating the gpa on 6-15, my application was mailed to schools yesterday. The designation hasn't updated on the initial log in screen like the other sections however. I only saw mailed when I actually clicked on it.

Ditto, says designated 6/11 and sent 6/18 but only after you look at the section itself.

 

[HemaOncoDoc]

So what is the wait time looking like for AACOMAS verification? I finally had the courage to click submit.

So, the waiting process starts.

 

[bds03]

Right, so if you have a class on your transcript where lecture and lab are separate listings, but there is no associated grade or credit hour for the lab, list it on AACOMAS just as it appears on your transcript, as a separate entry. You will be able to select "n/a" for the grade and "0.0" for credit hours. That's what I did and had no problems with verification. The only case in which you would add "w/lab" to the course description is if the lecture and lab were one grade, however no lab section is indicated on your transcript.

thanks!!

 

[GoSouthernGo]

One more transcript to go for my AACOMAS. Hopefully today since it was mailed 2 weeks ago.

 

[Tanner82]

got my app mailed to schools on june 18th... anybody else?

 

[Orthodoc40]

So what is the wait time looking like for AACOMAS verification? I finally had the courage to click submit.

👍 All RIGHT Dr VN, I can't wait to see those interview invites coming your way!! What's your final list? I'll be waiting for good news posts soon. Good luck!

 

[dr.kicia]

got my app mailed to schools on june 18th... anybody else?

yep same here...all done..now just waiting.
It was extremly smooth and fast...i was surprised it took them only 13 days from the moment i submitted it to the mailing it out.
Maybe a lot of ppl are still not ready to apply and they just don't have a huge traffic yet...i am glad i am done though.
Now just waiting for my MCAT score and starting to write the secondary essays 🙂

 

[dr.kicia]

guys once you have your GPA calculated i sugest emailing AACOMAS...i emailed them just to double check that they know i want my apps to be out before my MCAT scores come in...They thank me for the email and processed my apps that day.
So always double check.

 

[Kappy1]

Good Luck to all those applying during the '08 cycle. I hope you are all accepted to the school of your choice. The waiting is annoying, but it is worth it once you get the acceptance.

 

[Ilikescience]

Mine got mailed the 18th too. Now just writing the essays and trying to get a few more LORs. I'm just glad I'm finished with primaries. Good luck to all!

 

[mastamark]

I know it seems I am burning this page up with new threads about aacomas, but I really want to get it right.

I was awarded th same scholarship three years in a row. Should I list it once or 3 times?

Thanks all.

 

[Orthodoc40]

I know it seems I am burning this page up with new threads about aacomas, but I really want to get it right.

I was awarded th same scholarship three years in a row. Should I list it once or 3 times?

Thanks all.

1 time. List the dates. That will explain it all.

 

[mastamark]

1 time. List the dates. That will explain it all.

That's what I was thinking. On AMCAS I was able to do that. On AACOMAS however, the awards, scholarships, achievement tab doesn't have a space for explanations. 😕