2007 AACOMAS Questions/Concerns

[Dr Trek 1]

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If I took a class that was P/F but my school issues a "S" for satisfactory instead of "P", should I put "S" or "P" under grade?

The directions were a bit nebulous but I thought they implied to put "P". Any input?

 

[HunterGatherer]

If I took a class that was P/F but my school issues a "S" for satisfactory instead of "P", should I put "S" or "P" under grade?

The directions were a bit nebulous but I thought they implied to put "P". Any input?

under GRADE you put the grade your school gives you: S
under AACOMCAS grade you put the AACOMAS equivalent: Pass or P

 

[cee]

Yes, you are able to see when transcripts come in by logging onto AACOMAS. When you log on you will see the box for "Transcripts" on the top left corner. Click on that. It should show status as "pending" and "received"

Don't be afraid to resend transcripts! Don't wait too long to do it. It's only $3-$6.

are you sure about this? i clicked "transcripts" and it just pulls up a blank page. will the status show up after i put in my payment or something?

 

[HemaOncoDoc]

are you sure about this? i clicked "transcripts" and it just pulls up a blank page. will the status show up after i put in my payment or something?

Are you sure your transcripts have already been received by them?

 

[cee]

Are you sure your transcripts have already been received by them?

i havent sent them yet. shouldn't it at least say "pending"

 

[MJB]

I take it AACOMAS does not have a fancy "transcript request form" already there for you to print out and send to everyone you need to request them from?

 

[HemaOncoDoc]

I take it AACOMAS does not have a fancy "transcript request form" already there for you to print out and send to everyone you need to request them from?

Correct.

 

[HemaOncoDoc]

i havent sent them yet. shouldn't it at least say "pending"

Nope. They aren't that fancy. 🙂 Mine is blank also.

 

[Barts]

a withdrawn course is not considered a repeat. you are not going to mark the completed course as "last repeat". repeats are for courses that you actually received a grade. hope that helps.

It helps me cause I had a few "W"'s and I was curious about the same thing. I was actually gonna post and ask but figured I would check some other threads out first--glad I did, and thank you for the help! 🙂

 

[Dr Trek 1]

Edited

 

[HunterGatherer]

are you sure about this? i clicked "transcripts" and it just pulls up a blank page. will the status show up after i put in my payment or something?

That is the correct page. Perhaps it won't start updating until June 1st. Last year I worked on my application all summer and did not submit until the weekend after the August MCAT. I remember getting updates and having to resend one transcript because everything was showing received for 2 weeks but one was still pending.

I did not pay AACOMAS or submit my application until all of my transcripts were showing as "received" for a couple of weeks. My PS held me up.

 

[jellibelli]

That is the correct page. Perhaps it won't start updating until June 1st. Last year I worked on my application all summer and did not submit until the weekend after the August MCAT. I remember getting updates and having to resend one transcript because everything was showing received for 2 weeks but one was still pending.

I did not pay AACOMAS or submit my application until all of my transcripts were showing as "received" for a couple of weeks. My PS held me up.

I paid immediately, and then sent in my transcripts almost right after the Aug MCATs. It took approximately 2-3 weeks to show that they had received my transcripts. Be prepared to wait that long for the to receive it and log it into the system.

 

[BradenDO]

I'm assuming we list shadowing experiences under volunteer activities, etc., but under "organization name" do you just put the name of the doctor or do you put "Such and Such Women's Health Clinic--Dr. Blah" ?

When are you supposed to send in your payment to AACOMAS?

Thanks!!

 

[heyimnick]

By now, all my MD and DO app's are running together, so I'm failing to catch some items.

I get the actual grade; just put down the letter grade given to us in each course. But for 'AACOMAS grade', I noticed that there is a unique AACOMAS grading system to each letter grade.

So if I have an A- in my class as an actual letter grade, our university designates it as a 3.67. The AACOMAS grade for A- shows as 3.7.

I know I'm being nitpicky here, but do I just match whatever letter grade was assigned by my university to the corresponding GPA that AACOMAS has given, even though they may not be the same?


Thanks.

 

[Packamylase]

heyimnick, If your school gave you a letter grade, choose the letter grade at the from AACOMAS grade choices. If you use a +/- system, choose the corresponding grade. If you received A+s in your classes, you'll have to choose 'A' from the AACOMAS grade selections.

 

[Oasis]

Hey Ive got a really simple question for you guys,
when your listing coursework, for the "course name" do you put the exact name of the course i.e. general biology or the abbreviation you see on your transcript i.e. gen BIO. Then for the "course number" do you put just the # i.e. 101 or the department abbreviatin as well i.e. BIO101. thanks

 

[BradenDO]

Hey Ive got a really simple question for you guys,
when your listing coursework, for the "course name" do you put the exact name of the course i.e. general biology or the abbreviation you see on your transcript i.e. gen BIO. Then for the "course number" do you put just the # i.e. 101 or the department abbreviatin as well i.e. BIO101. thanks

I believe you would put "BIO 101" and General Biology for the course name

 

[clement]

Re: MCAT section
The instructions say to ONLY include those tests for which you have a score, and not tests that have not yet been taken. HOWEVER, when you go to put your score in, there is an option, "planned or taken?" So WTH? How do you indicate to AACOMAS if you plan on taking the August test? Or do you?

Re: Course info section
Same for class grades, can AACOMAS still be processed even if you are planning on taking a class this coming fall and know what class it is, but obviously have no grade to enter? Or is it better to just tell your schools in writing and not bother with AACOMAS?

THANKS!!!

 

[mastamark]

If I missed this earlier I apologize. Doeas anyone know if AACOMAS uses the +/- system in calculating GPAs? For example, do I get more grade points for a B+ than a regular B?

 

[exigente chica]

I am having the hardest time putting my classes in..

they won't let me select type of class ..it's just goes back to add entry..

advice? 😡

 

[BengaliDocIsl]

If I missed this earlier I apologize. Doeas anyone know if AACOMAS uses the +/- system in calculating GPAs? For example, do I get more grade points for a B+ than a regular B?

Yes, AACOMAS does use the +/- system in calculating GPAs. for a B you get 3.0 grade points for a B+ you get 3.3 grade points. B- = 2.7, A- = 3.7, C+ = 2.3, C = 2.0, C- = 1.7 D = 1.0, D- = 0.7, D+ = 1.3, E or F = 0.

 

[HunterGatherer]

Re: MCAT section
The instructions say to ONLY include those tests for which you have a score, and not tests that have not yet been taken. HOWEVER, when you go to put your score in, there is an option, "planned or taken?" So WTH? How do you indicate to AACOMAS if you plan on taking the August test? Or do you?

Re: Course info section
Same for class grades, can AACOMAS still be processed even if you are planning on taking a class this coming fall and know what class it is, but obviously have no grade to enter? Or is it better to just tell your schools in writing and not bother with AACOMAS?

THANKS!!!

MCAT Information:
Add New Entry
check "Planned"
Month: enter when you will take it
Year: enter when you will take it
Verbal: leave blank
PS: leave blank
W: leave blank
B: leave blank
SUBMIT

look at MCAT overview screen. it should show the date you plan to take the MCAT and "n/a" will be printed in all the fields for scores

 

[toothless rufus]

deleted!

 

[donks06]

anybody putting the "and Lab" addition on their course titles just like the AMCAS app?

 

[fitnessexpert]

I emailed AACOM with a technical difficulty with an entry field for county. They were great and got back to me immediately and fixed the problem, but they do need your username and password.

Good Luck

 

[fitnessexpert]

anybody putting the "and Lab" addition on their course titles just like the AMCAS app?

If on your transcript it states the laboratory as an extra class then you must put your them separately. Otherwise, you have to type in the exact name of the class off the transcipt, trust me I learned that the hard way.

Ex: Biol 201 Principles of Biology A++++
Biol 201L Lab in Prin of Biology A+++++

 

[HunterGatherer]

For people wondering about when AACOMAS will show progress of transcripts, this is from the FAQ on AACOMAS:

Q: When can transcripts be sent to AACOMAS and where should they be sent?

A: Transcripts can be sent prior to completing and submitting your application to AACOMAS. They will be kept on file until your application is submitted. Once you have submitted your application, you will be able to check on the status of transcripts online. Transcripts MUST be sent directly from the registrar's office of each institution that you have attended and sent to the following address:

AACOMAS
5550 Friendship Blvd., Ste. 310
Chevy Chase, MD 20815-7231

 

[HemaOncoDoc]

If on your transcript it states the laboratory as an extra class then you must put your them separately. Otherwise, you have to type in the exact name of the class off the transcipt, trust me I learned that the hard way.

Ex: Biol 201 Principles of Biology A++++
Biol 201L Lab in Prin of Biology A+++++

I actually put "and lab" on my transcript because the lab was part of the course. I didn't have a problem. It took two weeks to process my AMCAS (unless that's long). Otherwise, how would the med school know that it had an accompanied lab unless they research the courses for the school.

 

[exigente chica]

When you add your courses in ..I put them as they appear on my transcripts, but are finding that ACCOMAS..changes the order in the view screen?

Is this ok?

 

[HemaOncoDoc]

When you add your courses in ..I put them as they appear on my transcripts, but are finding that ACCOMAS..changes the order in the view screen?

Is this ok?

Yes. Pay attention to the year. Read the instructions. There is instructions on which year you should choose. I emailed them because i was having a problem because my school used the quarter system and they put the spring quarter before the fall and winter quarter. They emailed back notifying that I had done it correctly and when adcoms print it out, it would be in the correct order.

 

[jigglyboo]

do we only include experiences, extracurricular, work and etc that was during the time of college? Nothing from high school unless you continued it in college, rite? I was told to do just that for MD schools b/ not sure for DO schools.

 

[HemaOncoDoc]

do we only include experiences, extracurricular, work and etc that was during the time of college? Nothing from high school unless you continued it in college, rite? I was told to do just that for MD schools b/ not sure for DO schools.

Usually yes. Its better to go for quality versus quantity. Some applicants put in activities/awards that they received in high school because they don't have "enough."

 

[clement]

MCAT Information:
Add New Entry
check "Planned"
Month: enter when you will take it
Year: enter when you will take it
Verbal: leave blank
PS: leave blank
W: leave blank
B: leave blank
SUBMIT

look at MCAT overview screen. it should show the date you plan to take the MCAT and "n/a" will be printed in all the fields for scores

THANKS! But what about the courses in progress? If I plan on taking a course next fall, should I tell AACOMAS and will they still process my primary NOW? Or is it better just to update the schools with my own updated GPA calculation?

 

[HemaOncoDoc]

THANKS! But what about the courses in progress? If I plan on taking a course next fall, should I tell AACOMAS and will they still process my primary NOW? Or is it better just to update the schools with my own updated GPA calculation?

The best answer would be yes and yes. On the AACOMAS, there is a section for anticipated classes. Also, you should update the schools with new transcripts.

 

[rgerwin]

When describing activities and work experience, do you use 1st person or 3rd person?

 

[Packamylase]

When describing activities and work experience, do you use 1st person or 3rd person?

I use 1st person.

 

[joueaupluie]

MCAT Information:
Add New Entry
check "Planned"
Month: enter when you will take it
Year: enter when you will take it
Verbal: leave blank
PS: leave blank
W: leave blank
B: leave blank
SUBMIT

look at MCAT overview screen. it should show the date you plan to take the MCAT and "n/a" will be printed in all the fields for scores

Is this also true for April MCAT since the scores aren't out yet?

 

[drtoor]

hi...i have a question on the academic status...i went to community college for two year and they used quarter system....so i'm converting all the quarter classes to semester credit hrs....so for aacomas do i enter the academic status under which i was classified at the time i took the course or do i go by their semester credit hr to indicate my academic status....here is the conversion from aacomas' instruction page

Status Approximate Number of Status Semester Hours
Freshman 0 - 32 credit hours
Sophomore 31 - 64 credit hours
Junior 61 - 96 credit hours
Senior 91 - to completion

 

[BengaliDocIsl]

for those of you who are putting repeat classes. for the first time you took a class (assuming you took it twice), did u list the credit hours for the class as the number of credits the class was (i.e. 3 or 4 or 2 or whatever) or did u list the credit hours for the first time you took the class as 0 credits hours.

 

[drtoor]

for those of you who are putting repeat classes. for the first time you took a class (assuming you took it twice), did u list the credit hours for the class as the number of credits the class was (i.e. 3 or 4 or 2 or whatever) or did u list the credit hours for the first time you took the class as 0 credits hours.[/QUOTE

for instance, 3 credit hr class, i listed 3 for the first time (repeat 01) and 3 again when i repeated (last repeat 01). ....i hope i'm doing it right....correct me if i'm wrong

 

[Barts]

for those of you who are putting repeat classes. for the first time you took a class (assuming you took it twice), did u list the credit hours for the class as the number of credits the class was (i.e. 3 or 4 or 2 or whatever) or did u list the credit hours for the first time you took the class as 0 credits hours.[/QUOTE

for instance, 3 credit hr class, i listed 3 for the first time (repeat 01) and 3 again when i repeated (last repeat 01). ....i hope i'm doing it right....correct me if i'm wrong

As far as I know that is exactly how it is supposed to be done. I could of course be wrong but that was my understanding when I called them.

 

[drtoor]

Yes. Pay attention to the year. Read the instructions. There is instructions on which year you should choose. I emailed them because i was having a problem because my school used the quarter system and they put the spring quarter before the fall and winter quarter. They emailed back notifying that I had done it correctly and when adcoms print it out, it would be in the correct order.

had a quick question...i also went to CC with quarter system ...so class taken in fall 01(aug-dec 01)...should be under fall 01, class taken in winter quarter(jan-april 02)..should be under winter 01 not 02...right?...and class taken in spring quarter(april-june 02)..should be under spring 01 not 02 ..right?.....i finally figured out the semester academic year....so do i do the same thing with the quarter system....

thanks

 

[HemaOncoDoc]

had a quick question...i also went to CC with quarter system ...so class taken in fall 01(aug-dec 01)...should be under fall 01, class taken in winter quarter(jan-april 02)..should be under winter 01 not 02...right?...and class taken in spring quarter(april-june 02)..should be under spring 01 not 02 ..right?...

Correct. AACOMAS will put the spring quarter above the fall and winter quarter so it will look peculiar. However, based on an email inquiry, AACOMAS said that I had done it correctly. When adcoms print it out, it will be in the correct order. 👍

 

[drtoor]

Correct. AACOMAS will put the spring quarter above the fall and winter quarter so it will look peculiar. However, based on an email inquiry, AACOMAS said that I had done it correctly. When adcoms print it out, it will be in the correct order. 👍

THANKS 🙂

 

[HemaOncoDoc]

THANKS 🙂

Not a problem. The whole process is confusing enough.

 

[joueaupluie]

Are you guys putting this in ec, volunteer, comm service section?

What do we put for "position?" Shadow??

 

[CuttinEmUp]

for those of you who are putting repeat classes. for the first time you took a class (assuming you took it twice), did u list the credit hours for the class as the number of credits the class was (i.e. 3 or 4 or 2 or whatever) or did u list the credit hours for the first time you took the class as 0 credits hours.[/QUOTE

for instance, 3 credit hr class, i listed 3 for the first time (repeat 01) and 3 again when i repeated (last repeat 01). ....i hope i'm doing it right....correct me if i'm wrong

Incorrect. for your first class you should list it as 0.00 credit hours and label it "repeat 01". Then list the second time you took it as 3.00 credit hours and put in the grade, and dont forget to label this as the "last repeat 01".

 

[cee]

Incorrect. for your first class you should list it as 0.00 credit hours and label it "repeat 01". Then list the second time you took it as 3.00 credit hours and put in the grade, and dont forget to label this as the "last repeat 01".

that makes more sense, but are you sure? i dont want to do it and then find out my app is pending because of an error in credit hours.

 

[CuttinEmUp]

that makes more sense, but are you sure? i dont want to do it and then find out my app is pending because of an error in credit hours.

Yes I am sure for myself; however, at the risk of sounding like a jerk, I would suggest you go and read the instructions for yourself or try calling them and asking a specialist personally over the phone and have them confirm (like I did) so that YOU are sure. I certainly would not rely on what I read from other posters for something so critically important to my future as my EC2007 medical school application!!

 

[toothless rufus]

Yes I am sure for myself; however, at the risk of sounding like a jerk, I would suggest you go and read the instructions for yourself or try calling them and asking a specialist personally over the phone and have them confirm (like I did) so that YOU are sure. I certainly would not rely on what I read from other posters for something so critically important to my future as my EC2007 medical school application!!

I didn't find anything in the instructions about putting zero credit hours for all repeats until last repeat. It just said how to do the repeat thing.

Do you remember which section you saw that under?