2008-2009 AMCAS Questions Thread

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chad5871 said:
This remains to be seen, but generally schools will not grant access to their secondaries without first having your AAMC ID. It's possible that they open them this early, but personally I doubt they will.
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I e-mailed Columbia to ask, so I'll post when I find out anything...
 
shemarty said:
I e-mailed Columbia to ask, so I'll post when I find out anything...
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Columbia's website says it will be available June 15, Yale's on June 18, Wash U June 16. Those are the only hard dates I've been able to track down. Anybody know when the Hopkins secondary will go up? Maybe this isn't the best place to be asking secondary questions since its an AMCAS thread. Somebody should start a secondary thread. Best of luck everybody!
 
Hey all,

Quick question. I acted in (as myself...still, it took SOME acting), was camerawoman for some shots, and was actively involved in editing a student short film for a community college student here in my town. It took about a month, and I really care about the experience because I love being involved in the arts (also dabble in some photography). Should I include this in the activities section of AMCAS?
 
tertiarex said:
Hey all,

Quick question. I acted in (as myself...still, it took SOME acting), was camerawoman for some shots, and was actively involved in editing a student short film for a community college student here in my town. It took about a month, and I really care about the experience because I love being involved in the arts (also dabble in some photography). Should I include this in the activities section of AMCAS?
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do it.
 
I find it hard to believe that nobody can tell me which term system to use on AMCAS. Like alot of Universities,my school has 4 semesters (fall, winter, spring, summer). If I use the quarter system, there's no fourth quarter for spring. Advice anyone?😕
 
I took a combined lecture and lab course. As advised, I checked the box for "lab and lecture;" unfortunately, I did not append the phrase "and lab" to the course title. What are the consequences? What should I do now?

Thank you
 
DAKAZA said:
I find it hard to believe that nobody can tell me which term system to use on AMCAS. Like alot of Universities,my school has 4 semesters (fall, winter, spring, summer). If I use the quarter system, there's no fourth quarter for spring. Advice anyone?😕
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The way I see it on AMCAS, you have these options for schools on the quarter system:

Summer Quarter
1st Quarter (Fall)
2nd Quarter (Winter)
3rd Quarter (Spring)

So for classes in the Spring quarter, use "3rd Quarter (Spring), even though it's technically the 4th quarter (summer is 1st, fall is 2nd, winter is 3rd).

dryknat said:
I took a combined lecture and lab course. As advised, I checked the box for "lab and lecture;" unfortunately, I did not append the phrase "and lab" to the course title. What are the consequences? What should I do now?

Thank you
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I don't think it's a big deal. They'll probably add it for you or change the course to "Lecture Only." Or they'll just leave it alone. Either way it really doesn't make a bit of difference.
 
Do medical schools check to make sure all of your courses minors are completed by matriculation??
The reason i'm asking is because i'm 3 classes short of a spanish minor;however, i have a really terrible semester coming up and with interviews(hopefully) there isn't much time to take any foreign languages.

I'm just not sure if i could finish by matriculation... but i would be willing to try and complete during M1 year if it worked out that way..
 
I got my EMT-B license and did some extra ride time after the class was over. After speaking with the supervisor, I might go on as PRN in two weeks, but I plan on submitting my application tomorrow. Would it be smart to say that I am in the process of getting a job as an EMT or would it be best to just leave it out in its entirety?
 
hypnix said:
I got my EMT-B license and did some extra ride time after the class was over. After speaking with the supervisor, I might go on as PRN in two weeks, but I plan on submitting my application tomorrow. Would it be smart to say that I am in the process of getting a job as an EMT or would it be best to just leave it out in its entirety?
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It probably wont hurt....Just put..Licensed EMT and then in the description go ahead and let them know your plans.
 
DRBHOOM said:
Do medical schools check to make sure all of your courses minors are completed by matriculation??
The reason i'm asking is because i'm 3 classes short of a spanish minor;however, i have a really terrible semester coming up and with interviews(hopefully) there isn't much time to take any foreign languages.

I'm just not sure if i could finish by matriculation... but i would be willing to try and complete during M1 year if it worked out that way..
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I doubt it would be necessary, even if you marked it on your AMCAS. As long as you have all the pre-requisites completed and you have your bachelor's degree completed before medical school, you should be fine. If you haven't turned in your app yet, just leave it off - otherwise it's pretty misleading to schools.
 
This may seem really rediculous...in entering coursework on AMCAS when you enter things for the 2007-2008 year (as in this previous academic year), it shows up as year 2007. Am I entering for the correct year? Also, for summer term, is THIS summer 2007-2008?
sorry this is pretty stupid, i just dont want to make mistakes
 
Hoya05 said:
This may seem really rediculous...in entering coursework on AMCAS when you enter things for the 2007-2008 year (as in this previous academic year), it shows up as year 2007. Am I entering for the correct year? Also, for summer term, is THIS summer 2007-2008?
sorry this is pretty stupid, i just dont want to make mistakes
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That's right - the 2007-2008 school year is just marked "2007" for short. Also, summer courses are counted with the following school year. So this summer (right now) would be considered 2008-2009 summer semester/quarter.
 
1) Since you cannot copy/paste indentations into AMCAS, should I hit "enter" twice to leave a completely blank line in between each paragraph? I could press "enter" once, but it seems clustered to me.

2) Is there any way to italicize? I have a tv show title in my intro. Without it italicized, they will probably be really confused.

Thanks!
 
Should I list research (all non-scientific) in EC section even if I discuss it in my PS?

If so, what should I bump from my full list of ECs to make room for the research description?

FYI: my two main research experiences are non-scientific. One was research on HIV testing needs (part of an internship that is currently on my EC list), the other was on women's healthcare accessibility in rural Nepal (part of my study abroad, mentioned in the opening paragraph of my PS). I'm also a non-traditional student, so I have a fair amount of work experience to list.

My current EC list:

Activities in college (5+ years ago):
1. America Reads Community Literacy liaison and Tutor
2. Co-op Accessibility Coordinator, Board Member, Treasurer
3. 4th Grade Math Tutoring Program Coordinator
4. Biology and Math Teacher at School for Buddhist Nuns (volunteer while studying abroad)
5. AIDS Taskforce Research Internship

Jobs and Volunteer since college:
6. Americorps Volunteer
7. Lactation Counselor and Nursing Assistant at Birth Center
8. Patient Services Representative at Community Health Center
9. Spanish Language Interpreter and Nursing Assistant (volunteer in Mexico)
10. Treatment Support Services Coordinator at AIDS Service Organization
11. Anatomy and Physiology Supplemental Instructor (at Community College)
12. MCAT Organic Chemistry Instructor (Princeton Review)
13. Wellness Center Volunteer

Awards:
14. Excellence in Organic Chemistry Award
15. Gilman International Scholarship (for study abroad in college)

Any suggestions would be appreciated!
 
Premed Mom said:
Should I list research (all non-scientific) in EC section even if I discuss it in my PS?

If so, what should I bump from my full list of ECs to make room for the research description?

FYI: my two main research experiences are non-scientific. One was research on HIV testing needs (part of an internship that is currently on my EC list), the other was on women's healthcare accessibility in rural Nepal (part of my study abroad, mentioned in the opening paragraph of my PS). I'm also a non-traditional student, so I have a fair amount of work experience to list.

My current EC list:

Activities in college (5+ years ago):
1. America Reads Community Literacy liaison and Tutor
2. Co-op Accessibility Coordinator, Board Member, Treasurer
3. 4th Grade Math Tutoring Program Coordinator
4. Biology and Math Teacher at School for Buddhist Nuns (volunteer while studying abroad)
5. AIDS Taskforce Research Internship

Jobs and Volunteer since college:
6. Americorps Volunteer
7. Lactation Counselor and Nursing Assistant at Birth Center
8. Patient Services Representative at Community Health Center
9. Spanish Language Interpreter and Nursing Assistant (volunteer in Mexico)
10. Treatment Support Services Coordinator at AIDS Service Organization
11. Anatomy and Physiology Supplemental Instructor (at Community College)
12. MCAT Organic Chemistry Instructor (Princeton Review)
13. Wellness Center Volunteer

Awards:
14. Excellence in Organic Chemistry Award
15. Gilman International Scholarship (for study abroad in college)

Any suggestions would be appreciated!
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Yes, I think you should list it even though it's in your PS. Instead of bumping an experience from your list, maybe you should group similar experiences. For example, in activities in college you listed 2 tutoring experiences which you might want to lump together. You can name the experience "Tutoring" and then clarify in the description. Under job/volunteer you have some volunteer experiences that can possibly be lumped together as well. You might also want to group your awards together under one listing, and again just describe each in the text box. That way, you have room for the research and you don't have to eliminate anything. Also, I think adcoms prefer that similar experiences are grouped together.

If you would rather just eliminate something from the group, I would eliminate the experience that was least significant to you.
 
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Quick question: on the LOE section, when it asks "Is this letter from a school?", would I say yes if the letter is from a professor at the school? I'm just not 100% sure how to interpret that. Does that mean that it has to be written by a committee from the school?
 
Hi all,

I am wrapping up my AMCAS. I had a question about entering course names. Should we write in the name given on the transcript (which, for mine, is usually an abbreviation) or give the full course name like as given in the course bulletin?

Thanks!
 
skydancing said:
Hi all,

I am wrapping up my AMCAS. I had a question about entering course names. Should we write in the name given on the transcript (which, for mine, is usually an abbreviation) or give the full course name like as given in the course bulletin?

Thanks!
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I think that as long as the name is discernible you should used the one on your transcript.
 
mulletmandan said:
Quick question: on the LOE section, when it asks "Is this letter from a school?", would I say yes if the letter is from a professor at the school? I'm just not 100% sure how to interpret that. Does that mean that it has to be written by a committee from the school?
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My interpretation (I could be wrong):

AMCAS asks if the letter is from a school AFTER you indicate that the letter is from an individual, so you should indicate that the letter is coming from a school if the individual is a professor/university faculty.

If you are getting a Committee letter, you have to indicate "Committee Letter" rather than "Individual."

Hope this helps... 🙂
 
Does anyone know how can i apply to the regular MD program to the texas med schools. On AMCAS none of them have an option of the regular program, all of them say the combined program or phD. IS this the same? any help will be appreciated
 
njinga413 said:
Does anyone know how can i apply to the regular MD program to the texas med schools. On AMCAS none of them have an option of the regular program, all of them say the combined program or phD. IS this the same? any help will be appreciated
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Isn't it b/c most of the Texas schools don't use AMCAS?
 
When choosing schools to apply to, for those that screen before secondaries, has/do anyone tried calling to see what their cutoffs are to see if it's worth applying? Do/would they tell you? Thanks in advance
 
dwc929 said:
When choosing schools to apply to, for those that screen before secondaries, has/do anyone tried calling to see what their cutoffs are to see if it's worth applying? Do/would they tell you? Thanks in advance
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I think you can often gather this information from websites. Except for places like vandy where they actually look at your application to decide whether to give you a secondary (and interview).
 
njinga413 said:
Does anyone know how can i apply to the regular MD program to the texas med schools. On AMCAS none of them have an option of the regular program, all of them say the combined program or phD. IS this the same? any help will be appreciated
Click to expand...

If you want to apply to the Texas medical schools (except Baylor which uses AMCAS), you'll have to use TMDSAS (the Texas application service). Think long and hard if you're an out-of-stater about doing this. Very few OOS students stand a chance at Texas schools and the application is very archaic and tedious.
 
What do you enter if your parent is retired? Do you enter their occupation before retirement?
 
Lizzy

I did some undergrad research that was primarily used to supplement some of the projects that masters and phD students were working on. As a requirement I had to write papers on what I researched and provide a QandA session for each topic( I did one topic per semester for a total of 3 semesters) my question is: even if those papers did not get published, would it be ok to put that I wrote them and the title. I figured it would be ok since somebody interviewing me might think some of the stuff is neat and then we might end up talking about it.

Gracias!
 
Transcript Question:

My school's official transcript does not list my social security # or Student ID #. Just name and DOB for identification

Does it matter then what ID type I list on the AMCAS transcript request form then?

thanks
 
A couple questions:

1. What's the best way to talk about study abroad experiences (not at all related to science)? Should I talk about what i did, etc.? How can I relate it back to why I'd be a good doctor?

2. Is it worth it to wait for spring quarter grades to contribute to my GPA if it might boost it, or should I just send in primaries asap? It's only 2 classes, but it might help boost it a couple of tenths of a point.

Thanks!
Monica Tse
 
I know you can submit your AMCAS before taking the MCAT. But can you be verified before taking the MCAT? I really need the answer to this question ASAP. Thanks a bunch guys.
 
CubaLibre said:
I know you can submit your AMCAS before taking the MCAT. But can you be verified before taking the MCAT? I really need the answer to this question ASAP. Thanks a bunch guys.
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Yeah I got processed yesterday without having an MCAT score.
 
When entering coursework into AMCAS, did you enter the complete name of the course as it is listed in the schools course catalog or did you enter it exactly as it appears on your transcript?

On my transcript, many of the course names are abbreviated so significantly that words are left out of the course title so I am not sure how to enter the titles. Thanks.
 
4Health said:
When entering coursework into AMCAS, did you enter the complete name of the course as it is listed in the schools course catalog or did you enter it exactly as it appears on your transcript?

On my transcript, many of the course names are abbreviated so significantly that words are left out of the course title so I am not sure how to enter the titles. Thanks.
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I listed them as they are on my transcript. I had a history course on Weimar Republic but on transcript it shows as studies in contemporary history or something.

Plus, what if you took a thermodynamics engineering course that only shows up as advanced engineering...if you try to list it as chemistry (for BCMP) and list it as thermodynamics engineering instead of proper transcript name, AAMC ppl might not be able to match it up.
 
Hi I was wondering what kinds of EC activities I should include. I have a lot of science and clinical related experiences, but not sure whether I should put things such as equitation and piano playing.

i've done horseback riding for 4 yrs in college but never competed, and i haven't played piano in public although i've been taking lessons for over ten years and still practice on my own.

would it add to my application, making me a more well-rounded applicant or would it be too fluffy?
 
Does anyone know what is defined as state residence? Can you have multiple residences?
 
GYL said:
Hi I was wondering what kinds of EC activities I should include. I have a lot of science and clinical related experiences, but not sure whether I should put things such as equitation and piano playing.

i've done horseback riding for 4 yrs in college but never competed, and i haven't played piano in public although i've been taking lessons for over ten years and still practice on my own.

would it add to my application, making me a more well-rounded applicant or would it be too fluffy?
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I think you should definitely add that. Those are the sorts of things you would put in the hobbies/interests/avocation
 
CubaLibre said:
Processed as in verified? Thanks
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Having it verified is just verifying that your listed coursework matches with your official transcripts. So yes, you can have your AMCAS verified without an MCAT score. I THINK~ AMCAS will still send over your primary to the schools but schools won't send you a secondary until they recieve your mcat score since your file isn't complete yet.
 
wannabedocta said:
Having it verified is just verifying that your listed coursework matches with your official transcripts. So yes, you can have your AMCAS verified without an MCAT score. I THINK~ AMCAS will still send over your primary to the schools but schools won't send you a secondary until they recieve your mcat score since your file isn't complete yet.
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I understand. I'm just asking if the AMCAS people will start verifying your application before an MCAT is taken. I know no medical schools will look at you before the MCAT score, but my question is specifically about the timeline. If one submits AMCAS in July with Transcripts and then takes August MCAT, will AMCAS people wait until September when the MCAT score gets back to begin verifying, which would likely delay the verification completion until october which would be suicide. The other scenario is that AMCAS verifies your coursework and forwards your application to the schools and then when the MCAT score comes in it's the final piece to the puzzle, and there is no more waiting whatsoever. THanks a bunch
 
Is there any way I can check to see if my transcript has been uploaded to my AMCAS? Is there an email?
 
Hello everyone,

I just saw that in the GPA section where AMCAS calculates our GPA there's a spot for high school GPA....is that a transcript I am suppose to have sent to AMCAS as well????

Thank you in advance for your responses!
 
You do not need to send in high school transcripts if you are applying to medical school.
 
thank you for your replies. why do they have that there then? im just curious as to why its there/what its used for.... 🙂
 
The spot for High School GPA is for college courses taken while still in high school.

Any college level courses are counted, and some people take community college classes while still in HS. Those are the ones that matter.
 
Hi,

If I am using virtual evals through my school do I need to complete the letter information material in the AMCAS application or can I just click no? thanks
 
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