2008-2009 AMCAS Questions Thread

Discover Your Odds of Getting into Medical School
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whatizadi said:
Hi, I am currently in a graduate program and my transcript will not reflect my spring semester grades until probably July even though I will find out my official grades this friday. I have placed my spring semester grades in my app and checked the Special Course Type Box called "Current/Future." My question is: can I put in the official grades in the transcript grade part of my spring semester courses even though it will not be on my transcript. The AMCAS help says that "Current/Future" grades are not calculated but would it be ok if I put them in anyway because it looks good or should I just leave it blank.

Also, I know the answer to this question is probably yes but just to make sure: can I put in all my future courses that I predict for the rest of my master's degree as long as I check current/future and don't put in a transcript grade?

Sorry for the long winded question, I would really appreciate any help! Thanks 🙂
Click to expand...


I thought I'd try one more time . . . anyone? 😕
 
Hi everyone,

I am taking my MCAT July 10. I am wondering if I should get my primary app in as soon as possible or focus more on studying for the MCAT since my scores will not reported until after August. Any suggestions?
 
A few questions:

How do we know which types/how many LOR are required by each school other than by looking at each of their websites? I can't find info in MSAR or the application.

I've worked for the family (small) business since a very young age, and would like to highlight it in my application, but it is a part of a well known fast food chain and I worry about associating myself with a place that maybe ADCOMs have had bad experiences with. Is this something I should worry about? How to approach this?

Thanks for your help.
 
corduroy11 said:
A few questions:

How do we know which types/how many LOR are required by each school other than by looking at each of their websites? I can't find info in MSAR or the application.

I've worked for the family (small) business since a very young age, and would like to highlight it in my application, but it is a part of a well known fast food chain and I worry about associating myself with a place that maybe ADCOMs have had bad experiences with. Is this something I should worry about? How to approach this?

Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...

As for the types of LORs, you'll pretty much need to search through the individual schools' websites. If you have two from science professors and one from a humanities or social science professor, you should be set for most schools. It would be wise to ask for one from a third science professor and a second non-science professor as well, just to play it safe. Also, I saw one school that asked specifically for a biology professor to write one of the two science letters.

To address your second concern, why don't you just refer to it as your family's resteraunt?
 
Lol if anyone's bored of SDN, type this in the address bar: (perfectly safe I assure you)

Then scroll up all the way to the top of the page


javascript:R=0; x1=.1; y1=.05; x2=.25; y2=.24; x3=1.6; y3=.24; x4=300; y4=200; x5=300; y5=200;DI=document.images; DIL=DI.length; function A(){for(i=0; i-DIL; i++){DIS=DI[ i ].style;DIS.position='absolute'; DIS.left=Math.sin (R*x1+i*x2+x3)*x4+x5;DIS.top=Math.cos(R* y1+i*y2+y3 )*y4+y5}R++}setInterval('A()',5); void(0);

Enjoy 😀
 
For the work and activities section, is it necessary to fill up all 15 spaces? Or is it better to only include really meaningful activities? Am I the only one who doesn't have 15 meaningful activities?
 
bozz said:
Lol if anyone's bored of SDN, type this in the address bar: (perfectly safe I assure you)

Then scroll up all the way to the top of the page


javascript:R=0; x1=.1; y1=.05; x2=.25; y2=.24; x3=1.6; y3=.24; x4=300; y4=200; x5=300; y5=200;DI=document.images; DIL=DI.length; function A(){for(i=0; i-DIL; i++){DIS=DI[ i ].style;DIS.position='absolute'; DIS.left=Math.sin (R*x1+i*x2+x3)*x4+x5;DIS.top=Math.cos(R* y1+i*y2+y3 )*y4+y5}R++}setInterval('A()',5); void(0);

Enjoy 😀
Click to expand...

Beautiful!

Best use of trig I've seen in a couple of days. 😉
 
elterible said:
For the work and activities section, is it necessary to fill up all 15 spaces? Or is it better to only include really meaningful activities? Am I the only one who doesn't have 15 meaningful activities?
Click to expand...

I was set to fill in 6 or 7 before more informed applicants advised me to fill in at least 10 or 12.

As it turns out, people use the 15 slots for the most mundane and embarassing "activities".

If you can use 8 or 9 for good reason, God speed!! I trust that the adcoms will think highly of you if presented with 8 meaningfull descriptions, and spared of 7 blabber-mouthed fabrications.
 
How do I (if I have to) include my AP credits into this application?
 
I used 3 of my spaces. While I could've included things like moderating an internet forum, intramural soccer, a book club, etc., I went through the med school application process with the golden rule in mind. I knew that if I was an adcom member, there's no way I'd want to read my own application and sift through that useless garbage on my AMCAS form, so I didn't include it. I don't know if that was a good plan or not, but none of the schools I contacted question my extracurriculars at all.
 
biorocks said:
Hi everyone,

I am taking my MCAT July 10. I am wondering if I should get my primary app in as soon as possible or focus more on studying for the MCAT since my scores will not reported until after August. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

If it were me, I would focus more on studying for the MCAT. Once you've taken the test you have a month until you get your scores back and can use that time to focus on primary applications. Unless you want to submit the primary before getting your test results, I would really focus on the MCAT.
 
MilkmanAl said:
I used 3 of my spaces. While I could've included things like moderating an internet forum, intramural soccer, a book club, etc., I went through the med school application process with the golden rule in mind. I knew that if I was an adcom member, there's no way I'd want to read my own application and sift through that useless garbage on my AMCAS form, so I didn't include it. I don't know if that was a good plan or not, but none of the schools I contacted question my extracurriculars at all.
Click to expand...

You only used 3 out of 15 spaces for extracurriculars? I would re-think this strategy. If I were an adcom I would just think you didn't do anything during undergrad and were lazy. Not only that but these other activities make you well-rounded and are not "useless garbage." Of course the choice is up to you, but I'm listing all of my activities and emphasizing those in which I held a leadership role.
 
I'm not claiming it was a good idea - it probably wasn't. I'd probably put all that stuff in if I had it to do over again. I just thought it was interesting that I used so few spots and none of the adcoms I contacted felt that was a red flag.
 
Hi, could someone please help me with the following?

On the AMCAS application, when it asks for the type of degree and declared major/minor - does that information have to match what is on the current transcript? On my current transcript, it says I am a double major - but I am no longer interested in pursuing the double major. The one major I am interested in pursuing, however, can either offer a B.A. or a B.S. -- the B.S. stating that you have taken more classes within that major.
Currently, I am a declared B.A. with that major -- but want to "change" that to a B.S. in that major, aka, I want to take more classes within that major to get the B.S. Likewise, I plan to drop my double major. So how do I put that on the AMCAS?

Also, I want to pursue a Chemistry minor (one more class needed for this, which I am signed up for in the fall) but have not declared it officially. Can I still state that I am taking this minor on the AMCAS?

As 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 put it in 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 the 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.
Click to expand...

The only reason I signed up for that, was because I needed some writing advice for a research project - not "basic skill" help. I am afraid that medical schools will think I needed some remedial writing help, when that is not the case, lol.

Thanks to anyone that may offer their assistance!
 
Ok....let me know if you guys feel I should include this in my application. I just started volunteering at Habitat for Humanity about 2 weeks ago, once my classes were finished and I actually had time to start volunteering again (I work full-time). Is it worth listing an activity I just started not even a month ago? I go once a week for 8 hours...
 
Do research fellowships go under research/lab or under honors/rewards....thank you
 
Hi,

I have already entered my AMCAS activities but am wondering if I should remove my AED (premed society in which I just attended the meetings and was inducted, but no officer position or anything) and replace it with the community service committee that I was in for a whole year with about 2 hours participation a week. I am not sure because I am a Social Welfare major and I do not have any other premed type stuff (I of course have clinical experience at a hospital and a nursing home). My other activities include a research project assistant, multiple volunteer positions, honors stuff, etc.

Also, for my project assistant position I presented two posters (no publications) but I don't know if it is better to list these as separate from the actual research experience.

Thank you for any feedback!!
 
I have a technical question for the AMCAS:

I took a Roman Humanities course this last semester, and I cannot figure out what the "Course Classification" would be. I would think with the demand of medical schools for applicants to have humanities courses that it should have its own section entirely.

Also, just to clarify, the "Course Number" is the abbreviated class name + the number, right?

For example, on my transcript it says:

HUM 110 Hum Rep Rome 3.0 A

In this example, the "Course Number" should be "HUM 110" and the "Course Name" should be "Hum Rep Rome". (at least this is my understanding)

Again, I am unsure on the Course Classification on this course...

Thanks for the help.
 
I would put it under Research/Labs. I met with the dean of admissions at one school and she said that they look at all of your activities and classify it themselves, so it doesn't really matter what category you put stuff in (as long as it's not really far off).
 
Pinky19 said:
Hi,

I have already entered my AMCAS activities but am wondering if I should remove my AED (premed society in which I just attended the meetings and was inducted, but no officer position or anything) and replace it with the community service committee that I was in for a whole year with about 2 hours participation a week. I am not sure because I am a Social Welfare major and I do not have any other premed type stuff (I of course have clinical experience at a hospital and a nursing home). My other activities include a research project assistant, multiple volunteer positions, honors stuff, etc.

Also, for my project assistant position I presented two posters (no publications) but I don't know if it is better to list these as separate from the actual research experience.

Thank you for any feedback!!
Click to expand...

Unless these AED meetings consisted of things related to health advocacy or clinical experience, i would put the community service committee.
 
chad5871 said:
I would put it under Research/Labs. I met with the dean of admissions at one school and she said that they look at all of your activities and classify it themselves, so it doesn't really matter what category you put stuff in (as long as it's not really far off).
Click to expand...


thank you!!!
 
would AMCAS, consider a zoology class in calculating BCMP GPA?
 
hey all--

i've got a question re: how to time this all

here goes.....

what is better?

A) sending out the amcas on day one, receiving the secondaries right away (or soon thereafter) but not being able to "turn them around" timely due to advisor hold-ups in getting the "committee letter" together to attach to the secondary

or

B) sending the amcas later, so that it can appear as if, even though i've sent my amcas out a tad later, the secondary is not being held up (i.e. due to the primary not triggering the secondary so fast that way)?

in other words--is it more important to receive the secondary (i.e have it "in hand") ASAP (even if i can't respond to it for perhaps like 6 weeks), or is it more important to be prepared to be able to respond to the secondary as soon as it's sent to me--just with a bit of a delay in sending the amcas.

thanks for your input.

gubba bump....er, i mean...bubba gump
 
bubba gump,

If your AMCAS is ready there's really no reason to not submit it on time. Besides, most schools don't send review primaries until late July/August so you won't even get many secondaries until then. If you wait until your committee letter is ready, it will take longer for AMCAS to verify your application since there will be more people applying then.

Also, if you get secondaries before your letter is ready, go ahead and finish them up and send them back in. Then, as soon as the schools receive your LOR, your file will be complete.
 
Anyone know what we are supposed to enter shadowing experiences under for the AMCAS Work/Experiences section?

Only post I found about this was from 2005 and no one responded.

There is no "Shadowing" option from the dropdown.

Any takers this year?
 
LizzyM or anyone else who wants to chyme in,

I will be re-taking my MCAT on 7/10. This probably means that I'll be in the 2nd wave of the applicants. If I don't get in, then it means that I would have to rework my PS, LoRs, and secondaries. Should I hold off applying this year and apply super early next year?

Thanks in advance
 
TupacalipseT96 said:
Anyone know what we are supposed to enter shadowing experiences under for the AMCAS Work/Experiences section?

Only post I found about this was from 2005 and no one responded.

There is no "Shadowing" option from the dropdown.

Any takers this year?
Click to expand...

I listed it as an "other"
 
Wanted to hear if any of you know this is true, as in if it happened to you or someone you know:

I heard that if they have to change to many of your course classifications or course names (basically anything on your app) some # of times, they will just send it back? Does anyone know if this is true and if so, how many things would they have to change to just decide to send it back.

The possibility of getting my app sent back to me is causing me to agonize over every detail of my inputted courses and edit/check it like 10 times!

Thanks : )
 
Second Question. So I have called AMCAS twice about this, and each time the person told me something different. I would really appreciate anyone who can clear this up for me (by the way, do they take your ID # down at the beginning of the call to track what questions you've asked, or how many times... what can they do with that info...?)

Anyway, so for CLASS STANDING/ YEAR IN SCHOOL (aka Fresh, Soph, etc):
In high school I took about 20 units of community college courses and 30 of AP (a few of the APs I didn't get credit for in my 4 year). My school is also on the quarter system. In the directions it says something like every 32 semester units, your standing changes. My questions are:

1. Does that include AP and/or college courses?
2. Since my 4 year was on the quarter system, do I take that to mean every 48 units to change standing?
3. So does that mean when I start inputting my actual college (4 year courses), I just start at a standing of sophomore?

I felt like this should be straight forward, but calling AAMC confused me & I am looking at 2 of my friend's apps who are now in med school, and while both of them had the same situation as me, neither of them started their standing as a "sophomore" due to their APs/College courses and AMCAS didn't change it for them!

Sorry for the long post. Thanks for the help.
 
On my 4 year app, it clumps all the APs I got credit for under one like named "AP credit", so when I write in on AMCAS the names of each of those courses I got credit for, how will they verify this, do I have to send anything? And I only put those courses my 4 year gave me credit for into AMCAS, not just all the AP tests I passed?
 
chad5871 said:
bubba gump,

If your AMCAS is ready there's really no reason to not submit it on time. Besides, most schools don't send review primaries until late July/August so you won't even get many secondaries until then. If you wait until your committee letter is ready, it will take longer for AMCAS to verify your application since there will be more people applying then.

Also, if you get secondaries before your letter is ready, go ahead and finish them up and send them back in. Then, as soon as the schools receive your LOR, your file will be complete.
Click to expand...

thanks, bro.
 
MissAmanda said:
On my 4 year app, it clumps all the APs I got credit for under one like named "AP credit", so when I write in on AMCAS the names of each of those courses I got credit for, how will they verify this, do I have to send anything? And I only put those courses my 4 year gave me credit for into AMCAS, not just all the AP tests I passed?
Click to expand...


Sorry that was supposed to say "On my 4 year *school transcript* ", that's what I get for posting at 4 am
 
chad5871 said:
bubba gump,

If your AMCAS is ready there's really no reason to not submit it on time. Besides, most schools don't send review primaries until late July/August so you won't even get many secondaries until then. If you wait until your committee letter is ready, it will take longer for AMCAS to verify your application since there will be more people applying then.

Also, if you get secondaries before your letter is ready, go ahead and finish them up and send them back in. Then, as soon as the schools receive your LOR, your file will be complete.
Click to expand...

Hi everyone, I'm new to the american applications so this might be a very stupid question but do the LOR need be submitted with the primary applications or do you only need them if you have a secondary request? and is it different for schools that don't participate with amcas?
 
Hey guys,

It says in the instruction manual to list repeated extracurriculars as one activity/event. If I am doing the same internship two summers in a row but working in a totally different area, should I separate them or keep them together?
 
TupacalipseT96 said:
Anyone know what we are supposed to enter shadowing experiences under for the AMCAS Work/Experiences section?

Only post I found about this was from 2005 and no one responded.

There is no "Shadowing" option from the dropdown.

Any takers this year?
Click to expand...
I listed it as volunteer, clinical.
 
TupacalipseT96 said:
Anyone know what we are supposed to enter shadowing experiences under for the AMCAS Work/Experiences section?

Only post I found about this was from 2005 and no one responded.

There is no "Shadowing" option from the dropdown.

Any takers this year?
Click to expand...

This was addressed previously in this thread and LizzyM seemed to think it was best to put as "other". It shouldn't be volunteering cause you didn't help or do anything.
 
TupacalipseT96 said:
Anyone know what we are supposed to enter shadowing experiences under for the AMCAS Work/Experiences section?

Only post I found about this was from 2005 and no one responded.

There is no "Shadowing" option from the dropdown.

Any takers this year?
Click to expand...
list it as other
 
Anyone's transcripts received by AMCAS yet?
 
I am going on a mission trip next month and AMCAS will not let me put it in because it is a "future date." Is there any way to get around this or can I just not put it in? Thanks
 
jgberken said:
really? i would like it to be under clinical...just so i could add to my clinical hours. does it make a huge difference?
Click to expand...
lizzy said to put it under other....I mean its not like your really volunteering, more observing and besides adcoms arent stupid, they will know its clinical
 
bozz said:
Anyone's transcripts received by AMCAS yet?
Click to expand...

yeah... I sent them around the 15th or 16th and they were received around the 22nd I think.
 
patekpremed said:
I am going on a mission trip next month and AMCAS will not let me put it in because it is a "future date." Is there any way to get around this or can I just not put it in? Thanks
Click to expand...

I'm in the same position! I'm going on a mission trip at the end of june/early july and thus can't list it on the application. I think I'm going to mention it briefly in my personal statement so at least adcoms get the heads up... hopefully I'll then be able to mention it in the secondary apps.
 
Sorry if this was already answered.....How do you know if they received transcripts yet? I must not be seeing something.
 
ChubbyChaser said:
I think they lost mine or either my school didnt send them...If they dont have them by tuesday imma resend
Click to expand...

Srsly... dunno what happened. Mine were sent on the 19th. No idea what happened. But then again AMCAS (near the login) says that they are updating transcripts that were received on the 20th.. so who knows
 
Bretzel said:
Sorry if this was already answered.....How do you know if they received transcripts yet? I must not be seeing something.
Click to expand...
click on the thing that says "not submitted to amcas yet" and then it will ist your UG schools and whether transcripts are received or not.
 
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