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

[nghimai]

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I took an Advanced Placement English course in high school and Physics 1 over a summer at a local Univeristy, both of which were pass/fail.

I am viewing my AACOMAS GPA, and it looks like they counted both courses as "C"' grades when calculating my GPA, which lowered my GPA by .07

Why is the AP English being counted as a C? Is there anything I can do to rectify this?

I am thinking of retaking Physics 1 and an English class this Fall to give my GPA a bump.

Anyone else have any ideas?

So they counted your Physics 1 as a "C"? I remember seeing in the instructions that pass/fail credits will not be included in the GPA calculation. Did you contact them about this too?

 

[prionsRbad]

I'll be starting PCOM's biomedical sciences program in the fall. Do I include those courses on my application?

Yeeeeees! I'm assuming that you're doing this to boost your GPA or overall application, so let them know that you're taking that extra step! Also, send schools your grades when the semester is over to update them on your progress.

Good Luck

 

[prionsRbad]

Hi Everyone, I have 2 questions:

1. Does anyone know how to indicate lab sections if they are not specifically listed on your transcript? For example all of my pre-reqs are 4 credits w/ lab but there I don't see an area on AACOMAS like AMCAS where you can specify that the class had an associated lab. So, do I just add "& lab" to the course description or just enter Bio I, 4 credits, my grade, and let them sort it out?

I entered my classes that were combined class+lab as they were on my transcript. Ex: Biology I, 5 units (even though 2 units of the class was lab). I think this is pretty common, so let them figure it out.

2. There are a few classes, like genetics, where the lab grade was also combined into the lecture grade, but there is a seperate line on my transcript for the associated lab, however the credit hours and grade are blank. Do you enter those labs as seperate entries on AACOMAS although they have no associated grade or credit hour

I would do the same thing for these classes because you really weren’t even given a lab grade since it's factored into the class grade. I would enter them as they are on your transcript.

Good Luck

 

[prionsRbad]

Yes! I put down my job at Starbucks and that was way back in 1999!!!! It shows what you were doing throughout your college career, so you definitely want to enter all paid jobs if you were working through school.

Good Luck

 

[Playmakur42]

So they counted your Physics 1 as a "C"? I remember seeing in the instructions that pass/fail credits will not be included in the GPA calculation. Did you contact them about this too?

Yes, but that was actually the fault of the Univ. I took the class at and not AACOMAS. I'm in the process of getting that rectified.

 

[Moestar]

Should we only include activities/awards etc that are more recent? Would awards from elementary school be irrelevant??

Thanks!! 🙂

 

[nascardoc]

In my app last year, I put, as an example, Biology I + Lab. This eliminates any uncertainty as to whether you had a lab or not since some schools list them seperate and others don't. Refer to the instructions for each section, but if I remember correctly, they tell you to add "+ lab" for any class in which lab was not listed seperately. Add it anyway.

 

[Sundarban1]

I entered my classes that were combined class+lab as they were on my transcript. Ex: Biology I, 5 units (even though 2 units of the class was lab). I think this is pretty common, so let them figure it out.



I would do the same thing for these classes because you really weren’t even given a lab grade since it's factored into the class grade. I would enter them as they are on your transcript.

Good Luck

Thanks, I added "& lab" to the course discription just in case, and I will enter those labs as they appear on my transcript as seperate listings. I have an email into AACOMAS but I have a feeling I won't hear back for weeks. Thanks for your help.

 

[Sundarban1]

In my app last year, I put, as an example, Biology I + Lab. This eliminates any uncertainty as to whether you had a lab or not since some schools list them seperate and others don't. Refer to the instructions for each section, but if I remember correctly, they tell you to add "+ lab" for any class in which lab was not listed seperately. Add it anyway.

thank you👍

 

[prionsRbad]

Should we only include activities/awards etc that are more recent? Would awards from elementary school be irrelevant??

Thanks!! 🙂

You're joking, right?

 

[Moestar]

Thanks for all the helpful tips so far!! 🙂

Just a quick question, does the LORs need to be addressed to each individual school or is a generic letter okay? I'm wondering how many letters to ask from my references. But I guess if its individually addressed they can always use the same letter but just change the name of the school.

Thanks in advance!! 😀

 

[Ilikescience]

Kind of on the same topic. I will be interviewing for a research tech/assistant position at a very well recognized institute working with HIV-1. I haven't been offered the job yet, but am pretty sure I'll get it. Should I add it to my app, instead of waiting a couple of weeks to be offered the job and start? If I wanted to add it to my app later, could I send it to AACOMAS for an update and they send it out to all the schools? Sorry to bug you all with this, but AACOMAS never answers (which I can understand) the phone and an email takes days.

 

[pamolive]

What kinds of things count as an honor or award?

 

[Moestar]

uhh... yesss... suree i was... 😛

So i guess that's a no! Well I thought I'd ask anyways...although it was a stupid question. I thought that maybe if you included them it can help show the admissions ppl that they have been the person that you say you are in their PS from an early age! But i guess the PS applies more so to recent adult decisions.

Thanks for the fast reply tho! 🙂

 

[lala83]

yes definitely do! all of my interviewers asked me how my specific post bacc classes were going.

 

[prionsRbad]

uhh... yesss... suree i was... 😛

So i guess that's a no! Well I thought I'd ask anyways...although it was a stupid question. I thought that maybe if you included them it can help show the admissions ppl that they have been the person that you say you are in their PS from an early age! But i guess the PS applies more so to recent adult decisions.

Thanks for the fast reply tho! 🙂

Sorry for laughing at you. I would just stick to College level achievements 🙂

Good Luck

 

[t-funk]

I have e-mailed AACOMAS several times over the last week and it took about a half a day to get responses from them. They have been great to work with.

I have tons of geology courses with labs and I never even thought about writing with lab and AACOMAS probably would not be too familiar with these courses. Would you please let us know AACOMAS reply. Thanks much.

 

[Moestar]

It's all good!! 🙂

Thanks a lot for the advice! SDN's so helpful!!

 

[Jpc984]

I do not see the +Lab instructions in the application Anyone else find it? It says... Enter grades as in transcripts... so that is what I am going to do...

 

[154175]

I looked in the FAQ, but this wasn't answered exactly.

I took the first semester of Physics at three different colleges. I failed at the first two and got an A the third time round. Does anyone know if I should list the second and third as repeat and last repeat respectively, or, since they were at different institutions, if they're not allowed to be repeats?

I also (inexplicably) took the first semester of Chem again as it had been a few years after passing it at my first college - and failed. Seriously have no idea how that happened since I had already passed it, and I should have audited the class instead of taking it for credit. Regardless, should I put that as last repeat?

Also, if we're supposed to list everything exactly as on transcript, how can we then put in zero credit for all but the last repeat like it says in the FAQ? Or does AACOMAS do that? Same question with withdrawn failing: I withdrew from my first college in the middle of a semester, and all those classes were counted as withdrawn failing on the transcript.

Inputing classes into AMCAS was easier with its "list everything and we count it all" policy, though AACOMAS is prettier and easier to fill out.

 

[spicedmanna]

I looked in the FAQ, but this wasn't answered exactly.

Good for you for checking the FAQ. 👍

I took the first semester of Physics at three different colleges. I failed at the first two and got an A the third time round. Does anyone know if I should list the second and third as repeat and last repeat respectively, or, since they were at different institutions, if they're not allowed to be repeats?

If you retake a given class across multiple institutions, the retakes count as a repeat if the classes are equivalent to one another. If you have any doubts or questions related to that, contact AACOM for a definitive answer.

I also (inexplicably) took the first semester of Chem again as it had been a few years after passing it at my first college - and failed. Seriously have no idea how that happened since I had already passed it, and I should have audited the class instead of taking it for credit. Regardless, should I put that as last repeat?

Unfortunately, yes, if it was your last repeat. You must list all of your coursework and indicate it's correct repeat status. This may not bode well for you, since my understanding of the AACOMAS is that your lastest grade of a given class is used in calculating the GPA. Contact AACOM to verify this. If it is so, then you may wish to take the appropriate steps to rectify your issue, if any.

Also, if we're supposed to list everything exactly as on transcript, how can we then put in zero credit for all but the last repeat like it says in the FAQ? Or does AACOMAS do that? Same question with withdrawn failing: I withdrew from my first college in the middle of a semester, and all those classes were counted as withdrawn failing on the transcript.

My understanding is that you must list everything, essentially as it appears on your official transcripts. There is a specific policy regarding WF's. I think it is contingent upon how your schools views them. I'm not completely sure what you need to do, since I hadn't personally encountered this issue. Again, I would call AACOM for clarification on that.

 

[DrVanNostran]

Another question...

Do we have to list our activities chronologically? Or does AACOMAS update it automatically?

 

[Sundarban1]

Would you please let us know AACOMAS reply. Thanks much.

I certainly will do that. I could not wait for the official reply to my email (I'm trying to study for the July MCAT and I can't let this bother me anymore!) so what I did was add (& lab) to the course descriptions for my pre-reqs since the lab sections are not specified and where the labs were listed, but no grade or credit hour were listed, I simply listed it as it was on my transcript. Although you are right, there are no instructions that address this specific issue.

I was just looking for verification and I see that at least one responder did the exact same thing last year and didn't have a problem with AACOMAS.

Good luck

 

[HemaOncoDoc]

I'll be starting PCOM's biomedical sciences program in the fall. Do I include those courses on my application?

I agree with the previous posts. Also, your anticipated courses are not binding. Just don't switch your major in the meanwhile or switch advanced immunology with basketweaving 101.

 

[HemaOncoDoc]

Hi guys, I am familiar with what AMCAS sends out regarding your college coursework and how it is broken down and presented to AdComs, however, I am unfamiliar with how this is done by AACOMAS. I have my 08' app submitted and my GPA has been calculated by them. Is the information that is presented on my app in that format sent to and used by AdComs? Just curious, thanks ladies and gents

Also, AMCAS has science listed as BCPM, for AACOMAS, it is BCP. Math is excluded.

 

[154175]

I e-mailed AACOMAS and will post their reply if/when I receive one just in case it'll help someone else.

 

[Medic2Doctor08]

Hello everyone, just a curiosity; has anyone in the 2008 cycle had their primary AACOMAS app sent out to their designated schools yet? Any idea of the timeline of that, and the time between when primaries are sent and the availability of secondaries? Thanks guys!

 

[153606]

Anyone out there know if AACOMAS lets you take over classes which you got a 'C'? I know they do grade replacement, but does that only apply to courses in which you got Ds or Fs?

Thanks in advance!😀

 

[spicedmanna]

Anyone out there know if AACOMAS lets you take over classes which you got a 'C'? I know they do grade replacement, but does that only apply to courses in which you got Ds or Fs?

Thanks in advance!😀

My understanding of the policy is that the grade of the last retake of a given class is the grade that is used in the calculation of the GPA. I think this policy applies regardless of what grade in the A through F range you originally received. So, yes, if you originally received a grade of C, whatever grade you receive in your retake will be used in the GPA calculation, not the original grade of C.

 

[fightingirish]

My understanding of the policy is that the grade of the last retake of a given class is the grade that is used in the calculation of the GPA. I think this policy applies regardless of what grade in the A through F range you originally received. So, yes, if you originally received a grade of C, whatever grade you receive in your retake will be used in the GPA calculation, not the original grade of C.

I'm in agreement. I've never heard anything that says there is a retake grade cutoff. It doesnt make much sense to me.

 

[fightingirish]

I sent mine in mid July, started getting secondaries back about a month later in mid to late August last year. Hopefully you'll start getting secondaries back mid to early July. Good job on getting it in early.

 

[Medic2Doctor08]

Thanks, I've got my fingers crossed for some early secondaries.

 

[153606]

Thx for the info! 🙂 It cleared up a lot of confusion.

 

[kassy]

Hi. I'll be studying abroad in Japan this coming academic year. When I get back, my grades won't get onto my home university transcript until late fall. I plan applying in June. Will my application be able to be completed without those grades on my transcript, or will I need to wait until the grades get onto my transcript before I send them?
(There isn't a Japan transcript that I can get either.)
Can I just omit the Japan courses when I'm filling out the application?

Thanks in advance for any help on this issue.

 

[IknowWonderful]

I have a quick question about how (if) to put a shadowing experience on the EC section of the AACOMAS. I shadowed and osteopath for a total of 15 hours and had a great time doing it. Should I somehow incorporate this into my primary application? Or should I wait until secondaries to mention this experience? Thanks!

 

[spicedmanna]

Hi. I'll be studying abroad in Japan this coming academic year. When I get back, my grades won't get onto my home university transcript until late fall. I plan applying in June. Will my application be able to be completed without those grades on my transcript, or will I need to wait until the grades get onto my transcript before I send them?
(There isn't a Japan transcript that I can get either.)
Can I just omit the Japan courses when I'm filling out the application?

Thanks in advance for any help on this issue.

I'm not quite sure how to answer this question. However, this is how I am interpreting your situation:

1) You are studying abroad right now
2) You plan on applying this cycle (2007)
3) The classes that you are currently taking won't be on your xscript until late fall
4) Should you apply now, or wait until later?

From the above, I would assume you can apply now as long as you list all of your previous coursework and grades and you send those corresponding transcripts to AACOMAS. You have the ability, if I remember correctly, in AACOMAS to list courses that you are currently taking, or planning on taking (or something of that sort). List the classes you are currently taking in the manner suggested by AACOMAS. After you get your grades from Japan in and corresponding transcripts in order, update your AACOMAS according to their instructions. Voila.

I suggest contacting AACOM to get a definitive answer on how to proceed, but I think it should go as I outlined above. Again, I'm not completely sure, so it would be a good idea to check.

 

[Punchap]

I have a quick question about how (if) to put a shadowing experience on the EC section of the AACOMAS. I shadowed and osteopath for a total of 15 hours and had a great time doing it. Should I somehow incorporate this into my primary application? Or should I wait until secondaries to mention this experience? Thanks!

I included my shadowing experience in the EC section. I think a lot of applicants do. Good luck.

 

[nascardoc]

I have a quick question about how (if) to put a shadowing experience on the EC section of the AACOMAS. I shadowed and osteopath for a total of 15 hours and had a great time doing it. Should I somehow incorporate this into my primary application? Or should I wait until secondaries to mention this experience? Thanks!

Put it under the EC section of your AACOMAS app

 

[baby methuselah]

but how do we enter this on the aacomas app? what do we put under "AACOMAS Grade" for the grade that is replaced? "deferred"? "retake not complete"?

 

[spicedmanna]

but how do we enter this on the aacomas app? what do we put under "AACOMAS Grade" for the grade that is replaced? "deferred"? "retake not complete"?

You enter the classes as you normally would, but you also choose the "repeat" option under "classification" to denote that it is a repeat. Then on your last retake, you choose the "last repeat" option under "classification." The "repeat" and "last repeat" options are numbered; make sure, for the same class, the number is the same. I'll give you an example:

Let's say that you took General Chemistry I three times:

1st time: Gen. Chem. I, D, "Repeat 01"
2nd time: Gen. Chem. I, B, "Repeat 01"
3rd time: Gen. Chem. I, A, "Last Repeat 01"

Make sense?

 

[baby methuselah]

you are the man! it is appreciated!

 

[dnetko]

Which section would unpaid internships go under: the extracurricular/volunteer/community or work experience? Throughout my master's program we had several counseling internships that were unpaid but essentially work experience. Any thoughts would be helpful!!!

Thanks!

 

[154175]

I am utterly confused by the whole repeat thing. I think the instructions say to do it one way, but it doesn't really make sense. Thus:

As an example, let's say I repeated general Chem four times and Intro to Lit thrice. Do I enter them like this?

Chem1: blank
Chem2: Repeat01
Chem3: Repeat02
Chem4: LastRepeat

Lit1: blank
Lit2: Repeat01
Lit3: LastRepeat

Or like this?

Chem1: Repeat01
Chem2: Repeat01
Chem3: Repeat01
Chem4: LastRepeat01

Lit1: Repeat02
Lit2: Repeat02
Lit3: LastRepeat02

 

[prionsRbad]

like this

Chem101: Repeat01 (1st time)
Chem101: Repeat01 (2nd time)
Chem101: Repeat01 (3rd time)
Chem101: LastRepeat01 (4th time)

Lit101: Repeat02 (1st time)
Lit101: Repeat02 (2nd tiome)
Lit101: LastRepeat02 (3rd time)

 

[154175]

Thanks! This application gets more and more complicated every time I think I actually have it done.

 

[almo88]

Which section would unpaid internships go under: the extracurricular/volunteer/community or work experience? Throughout my master's program we had several counseling internships that were unpaid but essentially work experience. Any thoughts would be helpful!!!

Thanks!

I would think that work means that you get paid. Otherwise it is volunteering or EC.

 

[Creightonite]

I entered my research experience but there is very little space to put the complete references from pubmed. So if I put publications, do I put them under Work Experience or what? How does eveyone else put their publications in? Where should I put all the conferences I attended?

Also, where to enter one of my other EC's (i.e. travelling, sports, others?)

 

[Beau Geste]

I put my pubs under my work experience as a research assistant.

 

[146233]

I entered my research experience but there is very little space to put the complete references from pubmed. So if I put publications, do I put them under Work Experience or what? How does eveyone else put their publications in? Where should I put all the conferences I attended?

Also, where to enter one of my other EC's (i.e. travelling, sports, others?)

I'd recommend leaving out miscellaneous conferences unless you were a presenter or the conference had a significant impact on your decision to pursue a medical degree.

 

[Boner]

I put a little blurb about publication in my research listing under work experience. Something to the effect of, "investigated blah blah blah. Findings published in whichever nationally peer-reviewed journal and/or presented at whichever national conference." If an adcom wants to know more about your research they'll ask during an interview. Brevity is the key with these little experiences sections, I have found. Leaving a little to be wanted is OK because that gives the adcoms something to discuss during your interview. I'm not saying a two line response is merited for these parts, but there's no need to tell your life story either. Good luck!