2008-2009 AMCAS Questions Thread

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yojoeshmoe said:
Hey, does anybody know whether AMCAS will accept transcripts if the Transcript Request Form was not included? I just realized that it says on the TRF to include it with the transcripts and both of mine were already sent out without the TRF included.
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It's preferred, but it's not necessary. I didn't include it and mine were recieved just fine.
 
whatizadi said:
Hey does anybody know if I can put in a "transcript grade" for classes that I mark as "current/future" even though they will not be listed on the transcript I sent to AMCAS? (My school didn't put my spring grades up in time . .. 🙁)

Please Help!! 😕
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You should leave that as "IP" in progress. If AMCAS realizes there is a discrepancy in transcripts and your AMCAS, it could cost you several weeks for them to re-verify your AMCAS which could hurt you by delaying your app.
 
whatizadi said:
Hey does anybody know if I can put in a "transcript grade" for classes that I mark as "current/future" even though they will not be listed on the transcript I sent to AMCAS? (My school didn't put my spring grades up in time . .. 🙁)

Please Help!! 😕
Click to expand...


You should leave that as "IP" in progress. If AMCAS realizes there is a discrepancy between ur transcripts and AMCAS, it could cost you several weeks for them to re-verify your AMCAS which could hurt you by delaying your app.
 
Why can't you just have all recommenders send their letters to your university career center and then have the career center send each letter individual to AMCAS for the online schools?
 
Are you supposed to sound really cocky in your personal statement? I keep revising mine but it still sounds that way. It's all versions of 'yes I'm a great leader' and 'yes I think I am qualified', and 'yes I'm the best MOTHER F*#%(ing APPLICANT ALIVE!!" :laugh:

Okay maybe not that last one but get my point? Are we supposed so sound like self centered douche bags that think we are more qualified than everyone else?
 
Lacipart said:
Are you supposed to sound really cocky in your personal statement? I keep revising mine but it still sounds that way. It's all versions of 'yes I'm a great leader' and 'yes I think I am qualified', and 'yes I'm the best MOTHER F*#%(ing APPLICANT ALIVE!!" :laugh:

Okay maybe not that last one but get my point? Are we supposed so sound like self centered douche bags that think we are more qualified than everyone else?
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You need to sound confident, well-qualified, and sure of yourself, but you should not come across as a douchebag. If you aren't already doing this, you should be SHOWING them why you're the greatest applicant ever and not telling them. If you show them through examples, your cockiness level will decrease. Also, have you gotten some people that you know to read it and give feedback? That will help you see if you're coming across like a tool.
 
pjg said:
Why can't you just have all recommenders send their letters to your university career center and then have the career center send each letter individual to AMCAS for the online schools?
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I don't really understand what you're asking, but check out this thread if you haven't already. It should help answer some of your questions regarding the AMCAS LOE service.
 
whatizadi said:
Hey does anybody know if I can put in a "transcript grade" for classes that I mark as "current/future" even though they will not be listed on the transcript I sent to AMCAS? (My school didn't put my spring grades up in time . .. 🙁)

Please Help!! 😕
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure it's an advantage to have your spring grades, and for some schools, if you are a junior, it's required. If you are a junior, maybe you should just wait and send them again.
 
DRBHOOM said:
Bump: anybody got any suggestions for this post? thank you for your help👍
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I think LizzyM said it would be redundant to post study abroad experience in EC since it is shown on transcripts, but most students tend to list it anyways. I'm going to list it.
 
It's been 12 days since my transcripts were sent out

wtf is wrong with AMCAS?
 
hitherefriend said:
I will be matriculating this fall at Georgetown's SMP. I am almost done with my primary, however I am trying to decide if I should wait until after my final quarter's grades are released to submit my application. My last final is June 10th but I am unsure how long it takes for my school to add the official grades to my transcript, likely a 2-3 weeks. Since I am taking 3 science classes this quarter and will likely do well, should I wait for these grades to be released or is it more important to get in the application ASAP? My science GPA is around a 3.2 so doing well in these classes can boost me to like a 3.3. Is it worth it or should I just go ahead and submit? Can I submit the app this week and then send out updated transcripts to all my schools? (I was told the schools won't recalculate my GPA? Is that true). Please give me advice!
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I would definitely wait. If you submit in late June/early July, you'll still be sufficiently early, and the added grades could really help.
 
Hello SDNers,

I'm sure some of these questions have been asked before but I can't find a previous thread that addresses them specifically. Help would be appreciated for sure. I DID read that whole 120-page manual before you ask.

(1) Are AP exams considered high school or college? What do I put for a 4? A 5? My friend who submitted his AMCAS last year submitted as undergraduate, but we took the exams in high school (obviously)...I got credit for it in college, I suppose.

(2) My school grades: A normal course (e.g. Gen Chem) is 1 credit and the grade is out of 12 (12/12 is A, 11/12 is A-, etc.).

For credit hours do I put 4 credit hours? 1 credit hour? Any ideas?

(3) Should I enter the whole course number (e.g. MUS080SC or just MUS080 or just 080)?

😕😕😕
 
martin41 said:
Hi, I have a quick question about listing a withdrawn course.

The summer after high school, I signed up to take Intro to Soc as a non degree student at a local college. About a week into the class (after the summer add/drop deadline), I withdrew from the class. Since, this was before the deadline for withdrawing while passing/withdrawing while failing, the class does not show up on my transcript...the transcript just says "Summer 2003: Withdrew from all courses."

So, do I have list this course, since it is not listed on my transcript?

Thanks.
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Hey, haven't seen any replies to this, so I thought I'd give it a bump.
 
wannabedocta said:
You should leave that as "IP" in progress. If AMCAS realizes there is a discrepancy between ur transcripts and AMCAS, it could cost you several weeks for them to re-verify your AMCAS which could hurt you by delaying your app.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply I really appreciate it! 🙂 One quick question though, so I should put IP in the transcript grade section for the spring classes, but what about classes that I will take this upcoming year do I just leave those blank? 😕

Thanks again
 
whatizadi said:
Thanks for the reply I really appreciate it! 🙂 One quick question though, so I should put IP in the transcript grade section for the spring classes, but what about classes that I will take this upcoming year do I just leave those blank? 😕

Thanks again
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Put "IP" in the grade section, and checkmark "Current/Future"
 
If I have a class listed on my transcript like:

Physical Education Activity Dance: Social, Beg

The title doesn't fit into the space given.

Can I change it to: Beginning Social Dance

(which actually reflects the real name/real content of the course)
 
pianola said:
Hello SDNers,

I'm sure some of these questions have been asked before but I can't find a previous thread that addresses them specifically. Help would be appreciated for sure. I DID read that whole 120-page manual before you ask.

(1) Are AP exams considered high school or college? What do I put for a 4? A 5? My friend who submitted his AMCAS last year submitted as undergraduate, but we took the exams in high school (obviously)...I got credit for it in college, I suppose.

(2) My school grades: A normal course (e.g. Gen Chem) is 1 credit and the grade is out of 12 (12/12 is A, 11/12 is A-, etc.).

For credit hours do I put 4 credit hours? 1 credit hour? Any ideas?

(3) Should I enter the whole course number (e.g. MUS080SC or just MUS080 or just 080)?

😕😕😕
Click to expand...

Not sure about 1 because I didn't do AP. For 2 and 3, just copy everything exactly as it is on your transcript. AMCAS will do all the conversions for you. If normal courses count as 1 credit on your transcript, then put 1 credit in AMCAS. And yes, you should enter the whole course number (i.e. MUS080SC).
 
pianola said:
If I have a class listed on my transcript like:

Physical Education Activity Dance: Social, Beg

The title doesn't fit into the space given.

Can I change it to: Beginning Social Dance

(which actually reflects the real name/real content of the course)
Click to expand...

It might not be a good idea to change the name so much. What if you abbreviated it to: Phys. Ed. Activity Dance: Social, Beg? It would probably be more easily identifiable to match up with your transcript.
 
hmmm...thanks for your help and advice, guys 🙂

AMCAS doesn't send you angry letters if they don't like what you've submitted, do they? I mean, they'll just change the submission, right?
 
pianola said:
hmmm...thanks for your help and advice, guys 🙂

AMCAS doesn't send you angry letters if they don't like what you've submitted, do they? I mean, they'll just change the submission, right?
Click to expand...
correct
 
Two questions:
1.) If you had multiple scholarships should you list them all separately or just have them all under one overarching scholarship heading?
2.) Would you also list how much money was received in financial aid? My school labels it "scholarship"...
 
Bretzel said:
Two questions:
1.) If you had multiple scholarships should you list them all separately or just have them all under one overarching scholarship heading?
2.) Would you also list how much money was received in financial aid? My school labels it "scholarship"...
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I would say YEs and Yes
 
My first question was not what I'd call a Yes or No question.... 🙂
 
His first YES applies to both parts of the first question, lol.

I'm in a similar situation to in that I want to lump scholarships/President's list and recognitions/rewards together. What is the best way to do so, and what kind of dates am I supposed to put on a lump since I've received things periodically during my time at college?
 
Chemist0157 said:
His first YES applies to both parts of the first question, lol.

I'm in a similar situation to in that I want to lump scholarships/President's list and recognitions/rewards together. What is the best way to do so, and what kind of dates am I supposed to put on a lump since I've received things periodically during my time at college?
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dont put a date or hours....just explain it in the comments section.
 
Hi everyone,

I am just wondering that defines disadvantaged status in AMCAS. Is that a section alot of people fill out? What if you were disadvantaged for most of ur life and now u r doing fine? do you still put yourself as disadvantaged? (I am speaking economically)
 
c3c4cam said:
Hi everyone,

I am just wondering that defines disadvantaged status in AMCAS. Is that a section alot of people fill out? What if you were disadvantaged for most of ur life and now u r doing fine? do you still put yourself as disadvantaged? (I am speaking economically)
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If you feel it has had a significant bearing on your academic acheivement, then I would fill it out.
 
i have a question,

say you apply to school X in the 08 cycle and you need to apply again in the 09 cycle. Do the adcoms compare your 08 versus your 09 application (primary)? I am considering taking out an activity that I entered in the 08 cycle but do not wish to enter in the 09 cycle.

Thanks.
 
I took 5 years to finish my undergraduate degree (spent a year studying abroad). I finished up last May but one of my grades took until mid August (paperwork processing) to post to my transcript putting my graduation date in August. It's been a real hassle trying to get it changed. Do you think leaving it in August will reflect badly on my application?

Thanks!
 
monkeygirl09 said:
I took 5 years to finish my undergraduate degree (spent a year studying abroad). I finished up last May but one of my grades took until mid August (paperwork processing) to post to my transcript putting my graduation date in August. It's been a real hassle trying to get it changed. Do you think leaving it in August will reflect badly on my application?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I don't think that would hurt you at all. I can't think why an adcom would care which month you graduate in, as long as you get all your coursework completed.
 
monkeygirl09 said:
I took 5 years to finish my undergraduate degree (spent a year studying abroad). I finished up last May but one of my grades took until mid August (paperwork processing) to post to my transcript putting my graduation date in August. It's been a real hassle trying to get it changed. Do you think leaving it in August will reflect badly on my application?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I honestly don't think it makes a bit of difference. Just list your graduation date as August in AMCAS and move on.
 
wannabedocta said:
If you feel it has had a significant bearing on your academic acheivement, then I would fill it out.
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Does the disadvantaged status have to cause you some kind of academic disadvantage? It seems to include being in a community that has a lack of doctors, hospitals, etc. If that's the case, would being "medically underserved" count even if it didn't mean your grades suffered because of it?
 
I have an EC question:

I worked in 3 labs of the same type (studying the same topic) between 2003 and now. I have 2 large gaps where I did not work in a lab because I was studying abroad or because I was changing schools and was required to take a research class before I could start researching again.

So... 2003- lab 1...[1.5 year break].. 2005-2006 in lab 2... [1 year break]... 2007-2008 lab 3

Is it okay to list the start date at 2003 and end date as 2008 and then specify the dates in the description?
 
RockDoc86 said:
Does the disadvantaged status have to cause you some kind of academic disadvantage? It seems to include being in a community that has a lack of doctors, hospitals, etc. If that's the case, would being "medically underserved" count even if it didn't mean your grades suffered because of it?
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I would suppose then if "medically underserved" is listed also. Just be aware you might have to explain yourself during the interviews or discuss your situation further during the secondary applications.
 
So it appears that that is one vote for listing financial aid along with scholarships and one vote against it.....any other opinions?
 
wannabedocta said:
I would suppose then if "medically underserved" is listed also. Just be aware you might have to explain yourself during the interviews or discuss your situation further during the secondary applications.
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Yeah, I'm just not sure if I should even include this on my application. I've been trying to decide...
 
pinkblue said:
I have an EC question:

I worked in 3 labs of the same type (studying the same topic) between 2003 and now. I have 2 large gaps where I did not work in a lab because I was studying abroad or because I was changing schools and was required to take a research class before I could start researching again.

So... 2003- lab 1...[1.5 year break].. 2005-2006 in lab 2... [1 year break]... 2007-2008 lab 3

Is it okay to list the start date at 2003 and end date as 2008 and then specify the dates in the description?
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Yes - just leave the hours per week area blank and state hours per week for each activity in the description.
 
Ok, this is a question about whether or not I should include an activity.

It is a little stupid, and it's totally ok if you laugh and think to yourself "wtf is that" but I have one more space I could fill, so I have room for it, but I'm just wondering if it's too superfluous to include.

Activity: Spring Sing (basically an intra-dorm musical competition). It's several hours a week for the month leading up to it, and I've participated the past three years. I also handled collecting the money from each participant for one of those years.

I know, I laugh at myself even as I type it.

Should I include it?
 
Transcript problem 🙁

I haven't yet sent in my transcript for grad school because I'm in the process of changing a course name (long story, just trust me it needed to happen).

The course name change might take as long as another 2 weeks...or it might only take about 1 week or less.

Should I send in the transcript that I can get now or wait?

The new name will help my case slightly re: med school admissions, I think.
 
i have a question,

say you want to take out a major activity that you put down during the 08 cycle, do schools compare your 09 primary app versus your 08 primary app to find any discrepancies. I am asking b/c there's a chance I want to take out an activity since I believe my LOR for that activity is mediocre but I have been there for a long time. Thanks!
 
is anyone here sick of the app? I've worked on mine so much that I'm just ready to submit and get it over with. Though I read most people recommend bullet points for the work/activities section, I wrote paragraphs. A good friend of mine did the same last year and she got into five top ten schools with average stats so I figured I shouldn't rock the boat. Good luck everyone!!! This tread was helpful while I was filling out the app so I appreciate all the questions/answer.
 
waterlilly said:
is anyone here sick of the app? I've worked on mine so much that I'm just ready to submit and get it over with. Though I read most people recommend bullet points for the work/activities section, I wrote paragraphs. A good friend of mine did the same last year and she got into five top ten schools with average stats so I figured I shouldn't rock the boat. Good luck everyone!!! This tread was helpful while I was filling out the app so I appreciate all the questions/answer.
Click to expand...

better question: is anyone NOT sick of the app yet???:laugh:
 
Hey there,
I got a few questions about AMCAS

1. I went to loyola and took classes from Aug 2004 to Aug 2007 but got my degree in May of 2007 but i have to spend the last summer of 07 taking classes to finish up. For attendance date, do I put from Aug 2004 to Aug 2007 (the end date of last class) or from Aug 2004 to May 2007 (the date of degree conferal)?

2. Also after I got my BA from Loyola, I took a few classes at a community college. My question is the program type for the college is junior college or post bac undergrad?

3. I graduated from Loyola in three year and according to the instruction booklet, I would designate the three years as freshman, sophomore, senior. BUT i went to summer school after third year which is basically designated as senior. So do I designate the three years as freshman, sophomore, junior, and last summer as senior? or just freshman, sophomore, senior, last summer as senior?


thank you
 
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