2008-2009 AMCAS Questions Thread

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Should all the PS in the AMCAS be single spaced or should I double space it after a paragraph? Also should I tab the beginning of each paragraph by using the space button? thanks
 
moto_za said:
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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Yes you have to complete it if you are applying to a school that requires it (but it does not have to be completed before you submit), but I just got a letter from my adviser that it will cost $20-$30 per school to send the letter to AMCAS through virtual evals.
 
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CubaLibre said:
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
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Yeah they'll verify (input all your course work and give you a GPA) before your MCAT score is in.
 
moto_za said:
Should all the PS in the AMCAS be single spaced or should I double space it after a paragraph? Also should I tab the beginning of each paragraph by using the space button? thanks
Click to expand...

The text portion should be double spaced. There should be two returns after a paragraph. Check out this site for an example. Even if you try to tab over the first sentence of each paragraph, AMCAS will force it to be flush with the left side.
 
When is the earliest secondaries can come after your application is verified.
 
BDNF said:
When is the earliest secondaries can come after your application is verified.
Click to expand...


I think the earliest secondaries will be available is the beginning of July. Even though your AMCAS may be verified, applications won't be sent to med schools until late in June. So once the schools start receiving applications they'll be sending out secondaries.
 
so in that case should I try to submit my AMCAS before my MCAT scores come back? I have 3 weeks before my scores are reported, so is it optimal to submit by next week then....so I can have everything verified by the time scores are up?
 
Hoya05 said:
so in that case should I try to submit my AMCAS before my MCAT scores come back? I have 3 weeks before my scores are reported, so is it optimal to submit by next week then....so I can have everything verified by the time scores are up?
Click to expand...
For sure! You can always submit to one school (just to get verified) and then add more schools after you see your scores.
BTW, I'm not following you! :laugh: I just jump around between threads.
 
ChemGrad08 said:
Yes you have to complete it if you are applying to a school that requires it (but it does not have to be completed before you submit), but I just got a letter from my adviser that it will cost $20-$30 per school to send the letter to AMCAS through virtual evals.
Click to expand...

Since my school is sending all my letters through virtual evals to all schools i thought that I did not have to bother with the AMCAS pilot thing?
 
chad5871 said:
The text portion should be double spaced. There should be two returns after a paragraph. Check out this site for an example. Even if you try to tab over the first sentence of each paragraph, AMCAS will force it to be flush with the left side.
Click to expand...

Thank you. where can i find an example of this? nothing came up
 
Two quick questions guys....

1.) How long does it usualy take for AMCAS to recieve transcripts....

2.) Once they get em', how long does it take for them to calculate ur AMCAS gpa?

Let me know.... Asante!

jeff
 
In the AMCAS app. you can choose your major as "Honors Program" do you do this if you are in the program or is this some type of major I am not aware of?
 
I'm planning to submit amcas by next week, june 10~12ish.
is that still a safe zone as to 'applying early'??
 
One more question, what does AMCAS look at when verifying our course classification as bio or health sciences? I have a lot of courses that overlap and would like them to count as bio but not sure if AMCAS will accept it? How should I determine for each class? thanks!!
 
How are you guys describing volunteer activities? I remember reading about not saying you stock supplies and helped the nurse, but then I don't know what else to write.
 
no. ap class crap went to your undergrad anyways.
 
moto_za said:
How does AMCAS verify future course work? Or do they?

One more question, what does AMCAS look at when verifying our course classification as bio or health sciences? I have a lot of courses that overlap and would like them to count as bio but not sure if AMCAS will accept it? How should I determine for each class? thanks!!
Click to expand...
AMCAS does not verify courses marked "Current/Future." If you want to classify some classes as Bio, just go for it. The worst that will happen is AMCAS will change it to Health Science. It's really not a big deal, so don't get too stressed over it! 😎
 
I have mine verified but have not gotten any emails except from AMCAS saying its complete.
 
I don't know about this year, but last year AMCAS didn't send primaries to the schools until about June 21st. It should say that somewhere on the AMCAS site, or perhaps in the email from AMCAS letting you know that you've been verified. If they do the same thing this year, you won't get any secondaries until the last week of June.
 
I applied to 23 schools for the 2008 cycle, and there was a very wide range of times that I received secondaries. I thought they all would come at once, but I got several at the end of June and the rest were spread out from July to October (Emory had some issues last year).
 
In the AMCAS app. you can choose your major as "Honors Program" do you do this if you are in the program or is this some type of major I am not aware of?
 
Will parents foreign residency impact my residency? I am not sure how to list my parents residency. They are living overseas (middle east) but also have legal residency in the states. How should I list this and do med schools care if your parents are in the US or not? Sorry if this is a really silly question!
 
1) if i paid 35 dollar membership fees to well respected national honor societies like tau beta pi and did nothing in it because they didnt plan any activities, where would i put this on amcas?

2) If i am part of honors program and am doing an honors thesis for my major, where do i include this?
 
korndoctor said:
1) if i paid 35 dollar membership fees to well respected national honor societies like tau beta pi and did nothing in it because they didnt plan any activities, where would i put this on amcas?

2) If i am part of honors program and am doing an honors thesis for my major, where do i include this?
Click to expand...

1. You can put it on activities, but qualify it saying that you didn't do anything. You may actually be better of not adding it at all.

2. Have you done it yet, or are starting now? If not, don't add it. Just bring it up during interviews. I have a Capstone I'll be doing, but I didn't write anything about it outside of a brief mention about the research I've done.
 
so only 15 activities...theres no other areas to include honors/scholarships/honor societies ( activities that had no involvement)? but i still want med schools to know of them since they are pretty big but i cannot fit them in the 15 activities

if i had two different research experiences, do i include it as 1 activity or do i have to use two separate slots?

for LOR's, my premed committee will send all the letters and composite letter to amcas and then amcas will submit to the individual med schools...is this correct? so i do not have to resubmit LOR's when i fill out secondaries...this is correect?
 
korndoctor said:
for LOR's, my premed committee will send all the letters and composite letter to amcas and then amcas will submit to the individual med schools...is this correct? so i do not have to resubmit LOR's when i fill out secondaries...this is correect?
Click to expand...


yup, thats correct but only for schools involved in the AMCAS letters program. Other schools you will have to submit directly to the school with your secondary. I'm using interfolio...


How much is everybody writing for their descriptions of their activities? Are you using the majority of the character limit?
 
one more thing:

How to handle doctor shadowing? I have shadowed ~5 specialties at different times throughout college. Some have lasted longer than others. I have enjoyed each, but I don't necessarily feel as though I have to single any of them out. If I put them all under 1 entry, what to do about the date(s) and contact persons?

thx
 
most schools participate in the amcas letters program right? how do i find out ... is there a list somewhere?
 
How important is it to mention the country where the research activity was done? Is it ok to decline to answer?
 
korndoctor said:
most schools participate in the amcas letters program right? how do i find out ... is there a list somewhere?
Click to expand...

The following schools are participating in the AMCAS Letters of Evaluation/Recommendation service:
  • Baylor College of Medicine
  • Harvard Medical School
  • University of Virginia School of Medicine
  • Meharry Medical College
  • Boston University School of Medicine
  • Weill Medical College of Cornell University
  • Creighton University School of Medicine
  • Georgetown University School of Medicine
  • University of Illinois at Chicago-College of Medic
  • University of Michigan Medical School
  • University of Mississippi School of Medicine
  • Temple University School of Medicine
  • University of Washington School of Medicine
  • The University of Arizona College of Medicine
  • Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine
  • University of South Florida College of Medicine
  • Texas A&M Uni. System HSC Col. of Medicine
  • East TN State U., James H. Quillen Coll. of Med.
  • Mercer University School of Medicine
  • University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine
  • Florida International University COM
so yeah, most schools aren't. I'd use interfolio if that doesn't encompass the majority of your list.. just my .02
 
nontrdgsbuiucmd said:
I'm fuzzy on the importance of "economically disadvantaged" among selection criterion for schools in general..one component of this section (the "economically disadvantaged" section on the Amcas primary) asks for "paid employment under age 18". This section also requests % of college costs paid by student; for both of those I'd like my efforts to be considered by the admissions committees, and plan to include specifics. Anyone have firsthand feedback regarding schools' consideration of this aspect? Or which aspect schools may be looking to see from this section? (perserverance through challenging situation maybe? emotional strength?) thank you.
Click to expand...
Because of Affirmative Action policies, being economically disadvantaged may be of great benefit (if it is true, don't lie!).. There is a HUGE effort to push underrepresented minorities and disadvantaged groups into medicine...

The fact of the matter is.. if you are economically disadvantaged.. you faced more hardships growing up and in college.. this group of people is less likely to produce students who graduate from college.. let alone go to medical school, and that's why it would be to your advantage to explain all of that..

the disparities in representation is quite enormous in medicine.. women have managed to overcome the gap in the past few decades.. and for those of you who don't know.. what i mean is:

13% of population is black ==> 13% of doctors should be black (not accomplished)
50% of population is women ==> 50% of docs should be women (this has been accomplished)
25% of people live below the poverty line ==> 25% of those people should be in medical school.. (not accomplished)
and so on...

Hope that helps you all understand who is seen as more favorable. Also, if you don't get in to medical school, work in public health policy and help make these numbers come true...

**Numbers may not be accurate.. these are ones I remember from 3-4 years ago.. feel free to look them up on your own.
 
moto_za said:
How important is it to mention the country where the research activity was done? Is it ok to decline to answer?
Click to expand...


I'm sure it's not THAT big of a deal... but why not just put it? haha, it seems pretty straight forward....
 
i just make an account in interfolio and have my premed committee foward all the letters to that company?
 
Quick question: I have taken the MCAt on May 27th so will get scores on June 27th. I have filled out my 'Course work completed' section and requested a transcript to be sent - will AMCAS start verifying my courses before my mcat comes in? I assume that I will not be able to officially submit the application until my mcat scores come in, but can I get verified at least?

thanks
 
Archdelux said:
Quick question: I have taken the MCAt on May 27th so will get scores on June 27th. I have filled out my 'Course work completed' section and requested a transcript to be sent - will AMCAS start verifying my courses before my mcat comes in? I assume that I will not be able to officially submit the application until my mcat scores come in, but can I get verified at least?

thanks
Click to expand...

you can submit your application without the mcat score if you choose to do so. From what I've gathered, they will start verifying your course grades without your mcat score. But you need to hit that submit button first.
 
Hey everyone 🙂

I was just wondering if it is standard practice to indent 5 spaces for indenting paragraphs on the personal statement section of the AMCAS app?

And are there any other things I should keep in mind when typing this into the box?

Thanks so much!!!
 
Pink3045 said:
Hey everyone 🙂

I was just wondering if it is standard practice to indent 5 spaces for indenting paragraphs on the personal statement section of the AMCAS app?

And are there any other things I should keep in mind when typing this into the box?

Thanks so much!!!
Click to expand...

If you're not running out of characters, I guess you could indent 5 spaces. I was right up against the character limit so I chose to just hit "enter" twice. It leaves a blank row between paragraphs and I kind of like it because it makes it less of... a wall of text.
 
Are course classifications based on course number or course name?
 
what is interfolio? How does all the reccommendation ish work? Do we have to send our recs with a secondary, or when we submit our amcas?
 
Hey everyone, I have a question.
If you are a double major and state that on the AMCAS but for some reason you don't finish your double major, what happens if you are granted admission to medical school? Thanks!
 
lammoush09 said:
the disparities in representation is quite enormous in medicine.. women have managed to overcome the gap in the past few decades.. and for those of you who don't know.. what i mean is:

13% of population is black ==> 13% of doctors should be black (not accomplished)
50% of population is women ==> 50% of docs should be women (this has been accomplished)
25% of people live below the poverty line ==> 25% of those people should be in medical school.. (not accomplished)
and so on...

Hope that helps you all understand who is seen as more favorable. Also, if you don't get in to medical school, work in public health policy and help make these numbers come true...

**Numbers may not be accurate.. these are ones I remember from 3-4 years ago.. feel free to look them up on your own.
Click to expand...

Non sequitur.

3% of population has mental ******ation ==> 3% of doctors should?
1% of population is in prison ==> 1% of doctors should be prisoners?
26% of the population is less than 18 years ==> 26% of doctors should be?
2.2% of the population IQ more than 2 stand. dev. below mean ==> 2.2% doctors...
2% of the population have green eyes ...
 
lammoush09 said:
Because of Affirmative Action policies, being economically disadvantaged may be of great benefit (if it is true, don't lie!).. There is a HUGE effort to push underrepresented minorities and disadvantaged groups into medicine...

The fact of the matter is.. if you are economically disadvantaged.. you faced more hardships growing up and in college.. this group of people is less likely to produce students who graduate from college.. let alone go to medical school, and that's why it would be to your advantage to explain all of that..

the disparities in representation is quite enormous in medicine.. women have managed to overcome the gap in the past few decades.. and for those of you who don't know.. what i mean is:

13% of population is black ==> 13% of doctors should be black (not accomplished)
50% of population is women ==> 50% of docs should be women (this has been accomplished)
25% of people live below the poverty line ==> 25% of those people should be in medical school.. (not accomplished)
and so on...

Hope that helps you all understand who is seen as more favorable. Also, if you don't get in to medical school, work in public health policy and help make these numbers come true...

**Numbers may not be accurate.. these are ones I remember from 3-4 years ago.. feel free to look them up on your own.
Click to expand...

Everyone always forgets the most underserved population. HISPANIC. Yes it is true there are lots of hispanic doctors but how many of them are actually represent Mexican Americans who undoubtably make the majority? Very very very few. Most new docs are puerto rican, cuban, or south american. If you dont think there is a difference you have never talked to one group about the others. 😱

20% of the population is hispanic and ~ 15% mexican does that mean we should see more hispanic doctors than black doctors?
 
Moving back to the point of this thread, and away from the cluster**** that is an online forum debate on affirmative action:

1) When entering my courses, should Psych be under Health Sciences or Behavioral/Social Sciences?

2) If I have fall and winter courses (like, Sept --> January, Feb --> May), that's the semester system, right?

3) If I took an essay-writing half-year literature course, and an essay-writing half-year political science course, would that meet my full-year of English requirements? Should I contact specific schools and ask?
 
Begaster said:
Moving back to the point of this thread, and away from the cluster**** that is an online forum debate on affirmative action:

1) When entering my courses, should Psych be under Health Sciences or Behavioral/Social Sciences?

2) If I have fall and winter courses (like, Sept --> January, Feb --> May), that's the semester system, right?

3) If I took an essay-writing half-year literature course, and an essay-writing half-year political science course, would that meet my full-year of English requirements? Should I contact specific schools and ask?
Click to expand...

1.BESS
2.Yeah, Normally what you are calling winter is called Spring
3. Depends on the school your literature course will def count but a lot of places won't count polisci
 
Thank you!

Last question (for now 😛):

If I took my first-year freshman courses, then took courses in the summer right after, does that count as the first part of my junior year or the last part of my freshman year? When does the new academic year start, in the fall or in the summer?
 
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