2008-2009 AMCAS Questions Thread

[PAGuyana]

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How do I make bullets on AMCAS work activities section?

 

[shemarty]

How do I make bullets on AMCAS work activities section?

Just use a minus sign
- like
- this

 

[chad5871]

Unfortunately, there is no way to add interesting characters in AMCAS, like җ or ΰ or ₪ or ☻ or ♂ or ♫ or ● or ▬. 😉

Shemarty's suggestion is the best - just use dashes.

 

[MilkmanAl]

You can't make the male symbol in AMCAS?! What is this world coming to?

 

[nikkiMD19]

You can't make the male symbol in AMCAS?! What is this world coming to?

 

[Pink3045]

Hello fellow applicants!

I was just wondering what you would recommend I do for any lengthy text typed into the AMCAS- mainly the personal statement....did you type it up in Notepad and save it as a text only file and copy and paste...or do you think its better if I just type it into the box?

And...the way we see how our app looks when we hit the print app button is that exactly how the schools will see it?

Thanksssssss 🙂

 

[Calf]

Is it ok to put acronyms in the Experience Name for your work/activities, as long as it is spelled out in the description? I want to say things like "Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Best Poster Award" and "Howard Hughes Medical Institute Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship", but I don't want super long names in the title. Thoughts?

 

[chad5871]

Hello fellow applicants!

I was just wondering what you would recommend I do for any lengthy text typed into the AMCAS- mainly the personal statement....did you type it up in Notepad and save it as a text only file and copy and paste...or do you think its better if I just type it into the box?

And...the way we see how our app looks when we hit the print app button is that exactly how the schools will see it?

Thanksssssss 🙂

Copying and pasting from Notepad is considered safe, but it's always safest to type it directly into the box. That could introduce typographical errors, however. I'm not sure if our printed application matches what is sent to the schools - I would assume it is.

Is it ok to put acronyms in the Experience Name for your work/activities, as long as it is spelled out in the description? I want to say things like "Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Best Poster Award" and "Howard Hughes Medical Institute Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship", but I don't want super long names in the title. Thoughts?

You really don't even need the organization names in the titles. I would call those "Best Poster Award" and "Undergraduate Research Fellowship," and state the organization in either the description or the "Organization Name" field.

 

[Heston]

Ok, this is probably really stupid, but I made the mistake of not entering in the course work class number (you know, the class number like 341 for Modern Physics). It didn't have a star next to it and I meant to go back and fill them in, but i got anxious and submitted. I know they "process" the application, and I did double check all the information before submission.

So...anyone think I'll be ok?

 

[chad5871]

Ok, this is probably really stupid, but I made the mistake of not entering in the course work class number (you know, the class number like 341 for Modern Physics). It didn't have a star next to it and I meant to go back and fill them in, but i got anxious and submitted. I know they "process" the application, and I did double check all the information before submission.

So...anyone think I'll be ok?

It's too late to change it now. They'll either just add them in for you or put your application "on hold" and make you put it in and resubmit. Either way, it won't cost you a lot of time and is not worth stressing over.

 

[Heston]

It's too late to change it now. They'll either just add them in for you or put your application "on hold" and make you put it in and resubmit. Either way, it won't cost you a lot of time and is not worth stressing over.

Thank god. Phew. Totally stressed out about that, actually. I'm glad you're around.

 

[Heston]

Is anyone fully submitted with transcripts and all finalized?? Just checking...

 

[chad5871]

Is anyone fully submitted with transcripts and all finalized?? Just checking...

Quite a few actually. Check out the latest posts on the official AMCAS Verification Thread.

 

[Heston]

Quite a few actually. Check out the latest posts on the official AMCAS Verification Thread.

Thanks Chad. Doesn't look like I'm too far off. I don't think being a week behind is going to make that much of a difference.

 

[jmrthekid]

I took the MCAT once already and now Im taking it again on Friday. I don't know if I should submit my AMCAS now or after I take the test in case for some crazy reason I void it. Will it matter either way? I know they wait for my second scores anyway so if I don't void it, then it doesn't matter if I'm early because they still have to wait for the second ones. Is having your application in early, even though incomplete, an advantage? Is three days an advantage?

 

[chad5871]

I took the MCAT once already and now Im taking it again on Friday. I don't know if I should submit my AMCAS now or after I take the test in case for some crazy reason I void it. Will it matter either way? I know they wait for my second scores anyway so if I don't void it, then it doesn't matter if I'm early because they still have to wait for the second ones. Is having your application in early, even though incomplete, an advantage? Is three days an advantage?

Submit after the test. The three days won't make a difference, and schools won't even be able to get the primary app until June 24th.

 

[jmrthekid]

Submit after the test. The three days won't make a difference, and schools won't even be able to get the primary app until June 24th.

Thanks for getting back so quick. I'll do that.

 

[DrJD]

So, I have entered my essay, etc... So here is my question... When I "print" my application to a pdf, the first paragraph of my essay is on one page and the rest is on the next page.. Does anybody know what adcoms see? Do they see exactly what we see? What does everyone else's look like? I'm afraid that an adcom will skip my first paragraph on accident, lol

 

[chad5871]

So, I have entered my essay, etc... So here is my question... When I "print" my application to a pdf, the first paragraph of my essay is on one page and the rest is on the next page.. Does anybody know what adcoms see? Do they see exactly what we see? What does everyone else's look like? I'm afraid that an adcom will skip my first paragraph on accident, lol

We're not sure if adcoms see it exactly as we see it, but I wouldn't be surprised if they do. Because the spacing on AMCAS is so variable (depending on how much you've written for your Work/Activities and personal statement, and how many courses you've taken), I imagine that the personal statement will almost always be split onto two pages. Mine looks that way. Adcoms are used to seeing thousands of applications, so I'm pretty sure they're not going to skip over it by accident.

I wouldn't worry about it - worry more about the content of the PS. 👍 One dean of admissions told me not to sweat the small stuff on AMCAS.

 

[DL611954]

Hey guys, some Qs for the best of you premeds to answer:

1) The experiences/extra-curric space. It seems they give a lot of space to describe the activities.... How much is the standard to write for each one? I did it so far, and for most I have only 1-2 sentences. Is this too little? I don't reeally go into detail on 'what I learned' from the experiences...I mainlyjust describe what they were, and some of them are self-explanatory anyway from the title.

2) Current/future course work. Should I list courses I'm taking this summer and this coming fall, even if I have no grades for them yet?

Thanks!

 

[chad5871]

Hey guys, some Qs for the best of you premeds to answer:

1) The experiences/extra-curric space. It seems they give a lot of space to describe the activities.... How much is the standard to write for each one? I did it so far, and for most I have only 1-2 sentences. Is this too little? I don't reeally go into detail on 'what I learned' from the experiences...I mainlyjust describe what they were, and some of them are self-explanatory anyway from the title.

2) Current/future course work. Should I list courses I'm taking this summer and this coming fall, even if I have no grades for them yet?

Thanks!

1. You'll get some different opinions on this issue, but I think that being concise it's definitely a good thing. Committee members will be reading up to 50 applications a day, and if they have to wade through a lot of dense, fluffy descriptions, they won't be happy with your app. Just make sure you adequately describe the experiences and what your duties were. You don't have to talk about what they mean to you - that's what the personal statement, secondaries, and interviews are for.

2. Yes, list the courses. For current classes, type "IP" for "In Progress" in the grade section. For future classes, leave the grade space blank. Make sure you check the "Current/Future" designation for these entries.

 

[DL611954]

Thanks !

 

[AMCAS]

Course classification is based on the primary content of the course. That being said, AMCAS reserves the right to make a change to the course classification if it best fits another catagory. If AMCAS makes a change during verification and based on the course description it should fit in another catagory you can submit an Academic Change Request online within the AMCAS application on the right hand side to have the course reviewed again.

If AMCAS makes a category change, does it in anyway delay the application?[/quote]

No, if AMCAS makes a catagory change it doesn't delay your application in anyway.

 

[bpman14]

Hey Everybody,

1.) Some of the schools I am applying to require 1 year of both math and english. I have completed one semester of both of these and will back taking one semester of both this upcoming year as a senior. I have listed these courses (exact courses I will be taking) and check the future course box. I know admissions commission state they prefer that the minimum requirenments are done before application. Will this hurt me at these schools? I have a 3.919 cGPA and a 3.88 science GPA with a 35 MCAT.

2.) How do we know when our transcript from our school has been recieved by amcas? I send the official request form and I know my school sent mine early this month (the cashed the check for the offical transcript).

Thanks!

 

[BDNF]

If AMCAS makes a category change, does it in anyway delay the application?

No, if AMCAS makes a catagory change it doesn't delay your application in anyway.[/QUOTE]

when my school "rushes" transcripts they send it through priority mail. Does AMCAS have to sign for it? thus causing a delay?

Does it really take 6 weeks to verify the primary application after transcripts arrive?

 

[AMCAS]

I took the MCAT once already and now Im taking it again on Friday. I don't know if I should submit my AMCAS now or after I take the test in case for some crazy reason I void it. Will it matter either way? I know they wait for my second scores anyway so if I don't void it, then it doesn't matter if I'm early because they still have to wait for the second ones. Is having your application in early, even though incomplete, an advantage? Is three days an advantage?

AMCAS does not wait until your MCAT scores are in to process your application.

 

[AMCAS]

Hey Everybody,

1.) Some of the schools I am applying to require 1 year of both math and english. I have completed one semester of both of these and will back taking one semester of both this upcoming year as a senior. I have listed these courses (exact courses I will be taking) and check the future course box. I know admissions commission state they prefer that the minimum requirenments are done before application. Will this hurt me at these schools? I have a 3.919 cGPA and a 3.88 science GPA with a 35 MCAT.

2.) How do we know when our transcript from our school has been recieved by amcas? I send the official request form and I know my school sent mine early this month (the cashed the check for the offical transcript).

Thanks!

2.) AMCAS will send an email to your email address on file when we receive your transcripts. You can also check the status online within your AMCAS application.

 

[AMCAS]

No, if AMCAS makes a catagory change it doesn't delay your application in anyway.

when my school "rushes" transcripts they send it through priority mail. Does AMCAS have to sign for it? thus causing a delay?

This will not cause a delay but it can still take up 7-10 business days for AMCAS to mark a transcript received regardless of the delivery method.

Does it really take 6 weeks to verify the primary application after transcripts arrive?[/quote]

It can take up to 4-6 weeks during peak processing time.

 

[mheart]

So I've searched for this answer but haven't really been able to find one.

What is the latest that we can submit our app & still be in the first batch? I have my MCAT scores & transcript has been received.


Thanks!!

 

[BDNF]

So I've searched for this answer but haven't really been able to find one.

What is the latest that we can submit our app & still be in the first batch? I have my MCAT scores & transcript has been received.


Thanks!!

I've heard late june/ early july. But, of course thats unofficial.

 

[Sonnet43]

I can't find the answer to this in the MCAT section or in earlier posts (there's so many to read that I may have missed it).

I took the 5/10/08 testing and my score was released today. I did borderline well (31), but I scored 35's on my diagnostics and I knew it was first time performance anxiety that killed me. Now I'm planning to retake. If I send off my AAMCAS with the first score and indicate that I'll have future MCAT scores, does that mean the schools will wait for my second MCAT score to start looking at my application? I'm submitting in 3 days, but will they hold the processing of my app until that second MCAT score comes in? I want to make sure that the my application is in the first "batch."

(I know that AAMCAS starts the processing even w/o MCAT scores, but I'm asking about schools)

 

[chad5871]

Hey Everybody,

1.) Some of the schools I am applying to require 1 year of both math and english. I have completed one semester of both of these and will back taking one semester of both this upcoming year as a senior. I have listed these courses (exact courses I will be taking) and check the future course box. I know admissions commission state they prefer that the minimum requirenments are done before application. Will this hurt me at these schools? I have a 3.919 cGPA and a 3.88 science GPA with a 35 MCAT.

2.) How do we know when our transcript from our school has been recieved by amcas? I send the official request form and I know my school sent mine early this month (the cashed the check for the offical transcript).

Thanks!

1. No, this will not hurt you. As long as your pre-requisites are completed by the time you start medical school, you'll be fine.

2. You will receive an email stating they were received. Also, you can check within AMCAS by logging in and looking to the left side of the screen. Below your current status there is a link called "Details." Click on it and it will tell you if your transcripts and/or LOEs have been received.

No, if AMCAS makes a catagory change it doesn't delay your application in anyway.

when my school "rushes" transcripts they send it through priority mail. Does AMCAS have to sign for it? thus causing a delay?

Does it really take 6 weeks to verify the primary application after transcripts arrive?

Unless specifically requested by the sender, Priority Mail usually does not require a signature. I do not think that this would delay your transcripts.

Yes, it can take UP TO 6 weeks during peak processing time (as AMCAS said). However, processing can take as little as 1 day if it's submitted before the rush. Submit anytime in June or in the first week in July and your app should be verified within a week.

So I've searched for this answer but haven't really been able to find one.

What is the latest that we can submit our app & still be in the first batch? I have my MCAT scores & transcript has been received.

Thanks!!

The first date that apps are available to schools is June 24th. In order for your app to be available to schools on that date, your application must be submitted and verified by June 24th. I would say give up to a week for the app to be verified. To be safe, submit your app (if you can) by June 17th and it should be verified by the 24th.

I can't find the answer to this in the MCAT section or in earlier posts (there's so many to read that I may have missed it).

I took the 5/10/08 testing and my score was released today. I did borderline well (31), but I scored 35's on my diagnostics and I knew it was first time performance anxiety that killed me. Now I'm planning to retake. If I send off my AAMCAS with the first score and indicate that I'll have future MCAT scores, does that mean the schools will wait for my second MCAT score to start looking at my application? I'm submitting in 3 days, but will they hold the processing of my app until that second MCAT score comes in? I want to make sure that the my application is in the first "batch."

(I know that AAMCAS starts the processing even w/o MCAT scores, but I'm asking about schools)

AMCAS will process your application without MCAT scores. Some schools that send automatic secondaries may go ahead and send a secondary without the MCAT score. Other schools (and schools that screen) will wait until your MCAT scores are received. You will not be considered "complete" (in other words, ready to review for a possible interview) until your MCAT scores are in.

 

[amph119]

I have 2 semesters of graded independent study. Both semesters show up on my transcript as the same course. Should I designate the second of the two semesters as a "repeat"? Or should I just list CHEM 499 in both of the semesters?

 

[chad5871]

I have 2 semesters of graded independent study. Both semesters show up on my transcript as the same course. Should I designate the second of the two semesters as a "repeat"? Or should I just list CHEM 499 in both of the semesters?

No. List them as separate courses (i.e. don't mark "repeat"). From AMCAS' help section: "Do NOT select Repeat for courses designed to be repeated (e.g., Independent Study, Thesis, Chorus, etc)."

 

[amph119]

No. List them as separate courses (i.e. don't mark "repeat"). From AMCAS' help section: "Do NOT select Repeat for courses designed to be repeated (e.g., Independent Study, Thesis, Chorus, etc)."

I saw that JUST as I posted that, lol.

Thanks :]

 

[Sonnet43]

AMCAS will process your application without MCAT scores. Some schools that send automatic secondaries may go ahead and send a secondary without the MCAT score. Other schools (and schools that screen) will wait until your MCAT scores are received. You will not be considered "complete" (in other words, ready to review for a possible interview) until your MCAT scores are in.

Does that mean I will be considered incomplete even if I include my first MCAT score and indicate that there's a second MCAT score coming along?

 

[chad5871]

Does that mean I will be considered incomplete even if I include my first MCAT score and indicate that there's a second MCAT score coming along?

Yes. Schools will wait until your second MCAT comes in before reviewing your app. I had a friend who made the mistake of saying he was going to take retake the MCAT but didn't follow through. He didn't know that the schools would hold his app until the second score came in. Needless to say, he wasn't "complete" at schools until VERY late in the cycle, had a couple of interviews, and is on one waitlist.

 

[ChemGrad08]

We're not sure if adcoms see it exactly as we see it, but I wouldn't be surprised if they do.

According to LizzyM on the "Good tips for inputting work/Activities thread" they do see it the same way that we see it when it's printed, but they don't see the list of schools.

 

[chad5871]

According to LizzyM on the "Good tips for inputting work/Activities thread" they do see it the same way that we see it when it's printed, but they don't see the list of schools.

Thanks for the confirmation - I must have missed this tidbit somehow. Good to know!

 

[nikkiMD19]

Quote:
Originally Posted by blondeshell15
Sorry if this has been addressed - couldn't find it - AMCAS info book was dicey👎

If you retook a class, do you mark ONLY the second attempt with REPEAT? or do you mark both the first attempt and the second attempt as REPEAT? 😕

Response:
Only the second.

CLARIFICATION:
AMCAS recently verified my application and they marked BOTH the 1st and 2nd attempts as REPEAT.

 

[calvinhobbes]

Hey everyone, could someone please help answer this question? I'm not sure whether to include something on the AMCAS:
For course listings, during my freshman year I took a Standard Writing Practice "class" - it was essentially a one-on-one session with a composition professor that met like once a week for an hour.

This "class" was not for a grade. The final grade that appears for the class is "REP." Attempted, Earned, GPA Hours, and Quality Point all say "0.00"

Even though this is listed on my transcript, do I have to put it on the AMCAS? I did read the help guide on AMCAS regarding courses and repeated courses, but this was not a "class" I took for credit, nor was it an actual "class" - it's just listed on my transcript.

According to my college, however, this course is:

Individualized Writing Instruction/Preparation - Register for this zero-credit writing mini-course if help is needed with basic skills for a Writing Exam, long-term assistance with a research project, or general writing processes help.

So even if it appears on my transcript, should I still put it on the AMCAS, if the "grade" I received was "REP" and Attempted, Earned, GPA Hours, and Quality Point all say "0.00"

Thanks to anyone that may help with this!

 

[Doctor D]

AMCAS received my transcript today but they said my app. is now on hold because the transcript was not official! ahhhhhhhhhhhhh. Anyone have similar experiences? 😱

 

[nikkiMD19]

Has anybody taken a medical terminology class? What would I classify this as... health sciences or other? Or..... biology 🙂??

Hey, just to update my previous post, AMCAS has verified my application and listing medical terminology as health sciences was OK by them... they made no changes to it on the application. 👍

 

[BDNF]

AMCAS received my transcript today but they said my app. is now on hold because the transcript was not official! ahhhhhhhhhhhhh. Anyone have similar experiences? 😱

what exactly did they tell you. You got an email saying that they received your transcript, then they sent you another email at a later time telling you that it was unofficial? or was it all at the same time.

 

[LostLost]

Hey how do you guys describe your hobby on AMCAS? I have like one sentence like this

In summer, I do long distance bike rides along Chicago’s lake path. In winter, I read non-fiction books with friends at coffee shops. In spring and fall, I do both.



Too short? just about right?

 

[Caesar]

Hey how do you guys describe your hobby on AMCAS? I have like one sentence like this

In summer, I do long distance bike rides along Chicago’s lake path. In winter, I read non-fiction books with friends at coffee shops. In spring and fall, I do both.



Too short? just about right?

This will probably get moved here: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=418763&page=25

You will find that the general consensus is to write enough to get the point across and not be boring.

 

[LostLost]

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

Bump

 

[ar2388]

hi i just have a few questions.. thanks everyone!
1) should AP classes be entered into the courses section in amcas?
2) what should i classify ballet classes as? other? or fine arts?
3) for pass/fail classes which are always graded pass fail, do i check off the box or is that box for classes you choose to take pass/fail?
4)you need to check off lecture or lab.. what would ballet be classified as?
5)would an anthropology class be classified as social science?
6)i dance and teach ballet so should i put it as extracurric or teaching?
7) for lab classes, there is usually a lecture once a week for about 1 hr, should i still mark off only lab? or lecture and lab?

thank you!!

 

[chad5871]

hi i just have a few questions.. thanks everyone!
1) should AP classes be entered into the courses section in amcas?
2) what should i classify ballet classes as? other? or fine arts?
3) for pass/fail classes which are always graded pass fail, do i check off the box or is that box for classes you choose to take pass/fail?
4)you need to check off lecture or lab.. what would ballet be classified as?
5)would an anthropology class be classified as social science?
6)i dance and teach ballet so should i put it as extracurric or teaching?
7) for lab classes, there is usually a lecture once a week for about 1 hr, should i still mark off only lab? or lecture and lab?

thank you!!

1. Yes, but only if the classes appear on your transcript.
2. Fine Arts.
3. Yes.
4. Either Lecture/Lab or Lab only - your choice.
5. Yes - Behavior & Social Sciences.
6. If you get paid, it's Employment, Non-Military. If it's volunteer it can be Volunteer, Non-Clinical or Teaching/Tutoring.
7. If the lecture is held separately from the lab, its Lecture/Lab. If the lecture is during the lab period, it's Lab Only.

 

[ar2388]

1. Yes, but only if the classes appear on your transcript.
2. Fine Arts.
3. Yes.
4. Either Lecture/Lab or Lab only - your choice.
5. Yes - Behavior & Social Sciences.
6. If you get paid, it's Employment, Non-Military. If it's volunteer it can be Volunteer, Non-Clinical or Teaching/Tutoring.
7. If the lecture is held separately from the lab, its Lecture/Lab. If the lecture is during the lab period, it's Lab Only.

thank you! one more question.. what do i enter for academic year and semester and whatnot when i enter AP classes? also, should i enter the grade i got on the exam even though the grade isnt listed on my transcript?