2008-2009 AMCAS Questions Thread

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has anyone sent a letter of rec to amcas through interfolio? how long does it take? i included the aamc id and the letter id, should be enough right? thanks!
 
DAKAZA said:
I can't figure out which term system to use. My school calls each "term" a semester (fall, winter, spring, summer). I noticed that second semester on AMCAS is spring. Therefore, I was going to use the quarter system but there's no option for fourth quarter (summer). Any advice? I'd greatly appreciate it. I emailed AMCAS over a week ago and haven't received a reply.
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Does anyone know?
 
Does anybody know if I will be verified without my MCAT in? So will schools send me secondaries, and I just won't be complete until they get my MCAT? Or will AMCAS wait to verify me when my MCAT comes in?
 
Does anyone know when AMCAS forwards our applications to medical school after it has verified them? Is it immediate, or do they wait until late June/ July as it says on some of the school sites online?

Argephontes
 
Does anyone know when AMCAS forwards our applications to medical school after it has verified them? Is it immediate, or do they wait until late June/ July as it says on some of the school sites online?

Argephontes
 
I know it says 5300 characters on the website, but is this 5300 characters with spaces or without spaces, thanks!
 
Chubbychaser (NC): requested: 5/14? and 5/27 Sent: 5/20, 5/28 updated: 6/4, ???(waiting)
disorder (CA): requested-5/15, 5/15, 5/19;sent-5/15, 5/16, 5/21; updated-5/22, 5/27, 6/3
erkle (CA): requested-5/23; sent-5/28; updated-waiting
berken (CA): requested-5/21; sent-5/27; updated-waiting
 
For credit/no credit classes, what did you enter for the grade? If it says, "CR" on the transcript do you enter "CR"?

Thanks.
 
Argephontes said:
Does anyone know when AMCAS forwards our applications to medical school after it has verified them? Is it immediate, or do they wait until late June/ July as it says on some of the school sites online?

Argephontes
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I might be wrong, but I think AMCAS forwards the applications to med schools late in June. So even if your application is verified tomorrow, for example, schools won't get it until later this month.
 
Also, for PE classes, the "Lecture Only", "Lab Only", "Combined" doesn't really make sense. Lab?
 
Guys.... if the LOE section is separate from the rest of the application and doesn't have to be filled out completely/sent with the primary.... then why can't I submit AMCAS until I've filled it out??
 
Is this recommended before the AMCAS app is verified and sent to the med school? I mean, if i send transcripts now, will the med schools still keep them on file??
 
Wow :wow: I'm pretty amazed. I woke up this morning at 6:30am PT to submit my app (first submission opening was at 9:30ET) - so I guess I was at the top of the pile to get verified. I heard it was going to take 4-6 weeks for verification, but I got an email in my inbox at 1:30pm saying that my application had been processed.

It says that my app is now ready for med schools to review...does that mean I will get a secondary soon? What is the earliest date med schools start to look at applications? Any help is appreciated...Thanks!
 
bozz said:
Guys.... if the LOE section is separate from the rest of the application and doesn't have to be filled out completely/sent with the primary.... then why can't I submit AMCAS until I've filled it out??
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You have to at least click on the section - it will ask you if you would like to add any letters of evaluation. Just click "No," and the LOE section should show as being completed.

Deepa100 said:
Is this recommended before the AMCAS app is verified and sent to the med school? I mean, if i send transcripts now, will the med schools still keep them on file??
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There's no reason to send a transcript to a medical school at this point. The schools will review the coursework material that has been entered into AMCAS rather than from the actual transcript. Additionally, you should not be sending LORs or other information to schools at this point. Since they haven't received your primary application yet, they won't even have a file for you made. So if you send something to them, it will have no place to go except the trash can.

dsma0722 said:
Wow :wow: I'm pretty amazed. I woke up this morning at 6:30am PT to submit my app (first submission opening was at 9:30ET) - so I guess I was at the top of the pile to get verified. I heard it was going to take 4-6 weeks for verification, but I got an email in my inbox at 1:30pm saying that my application had been processed.

It says that my app is now ready for med schools to review...does that mean I will get a secondary soon? What is the earliest date med schools start to look at applications? Any help is appreciated...Thanks!
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Congrats on getting the AMCAS in so quickly! It must be nice to know that it's in! Actually, verification times at the beginning of the process are relatively fast (1 day to 1 week during June). But if you had waited until July or August, then it could take anywhere from 2-6 weeks. That's why applying early is best. The first batch of applications (which will include yours) will be transmitted to medical schools on June 24th. This means that schools will not actually receive your application until that date. Even then, most schools do not begin reviewing applications until the middle of July. Expect the majority of your secondaries to come in the end of July or beginning of August.
 
chad5871 said:
I have received confirmation that the first batch of applications will be sent on June 24th.
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chad, i noticed your post saying this and also an earlier one about mid-july...where did you get this info??

thanks!
 
justpremed said:
chad, i noticed your post saying this and also an earlier one about mid-july...where did you get this info??

thanks!
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I should have clarified the previous post about June 24th. That is the very first day that AMCAS will send the primary applications to medical schools. I have heard from a couple of people (one who spoke directly to AMCAS and the other who is on an admissions committee for a school) that this will occur on that date. It has also been said that the AMCAS application release will occur concurrent with an MCAT score release date, and one happens to be on June 24th. Following the release, schools still have to review the applications before sending out secondaries. Most schools do not begin this process until mid-July, so around that time is usually the earliest secondaries will be sent out.

I hope this was a little clearer - I tend to be too vague at times! 😳
 
Chad, on behalf of all posters, i wanted to say....

thank you =) your time and effort are much appreciated😀👍👍👍
 
You are all very welcome! I wish you all the best of luck this application cycle. Here's to making the Class of 2013 the best class ever!
eatdrink004.gif
 
Is there anywhere to enter that my degree was "with high distinction," or is that just a fluff thing that my school added on? And also, does anyone actually enter scores for "other tests?" Really all that I would have to add would be the SAT/ACT, but I did well on those, so would it help, since my MCAT is undetermined as of now?

I've tried searching for these, but no luck, so thanks for any help you can dish out!
 
ImNotBritish said:
Is there anywhere to enter that my degree was "with high distinction," or is that just a fluff thing that my school added on? And also, does anyone actually enter scores for "other tests?" Really all that I would have to add would be the SAT/ACT, but I did well on those, so would it help, since my MCAT is undetermined as of now?

I've tried searching for these, but no luck, so thanks for any help you can dish out!
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The "high distinction" honor is not something that can be listed with in the "Schools Attended" section (where you list your degree), so it would have to be put into the Work/Activities section. You can put it there under "Honors" if you'd really like, but it doesn't seem worth it unless you can lump some other stuff in there as well. I have one listing that I called "Honors and Awards" in my application, and I listed honors like Dean's List and latin honors in addition to some other awards I've received. Honestly it's up to you, but probably 80% of people applying to medical school will have qualified for a similar honor and it's not really something unique.
 
ImNotBritish said:
Is there anywhere to enter that my degree was "with high distinction," or is that just a fluff thing that my school added on? And also, does anyone actually enter scores for "other tests?" Really all that I would have to add would be the SAT/ACT, but I did well on those, so would it help, since my MCAT is undetermined as of now?

I've tried searching for these, but no luck, so thanks for any help you can dish out!
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High distinction should show up on your transcript. So even if you don't have room to add it to the EC section, they will see it.

As for the SAT/ACT, it's pointless to put them down.
 
Did any of you guys receive the FAP?? If so, did you fill out the disadvantaged deal? I felt as though it would be understood since I already go the FAP... any ideas?
thanks
 
Several questions!

(1) Future courses - I still have to fulfill the English course req and second biology course req. But I'm not entirely sure that the bio/eng classes I have signed up right now IS what I am going to take. Should I put those specific courses on my course list still? Just to show them that I will take it?

(2) Future courses again - I have some honor courses I'll take next year because I got admitted to the honor program for my music major. I'd like to list this somewhere on my app! Could I put some of those courses as part of "future" courses? I know they're not med school pre-reqs, but I'm certain that I'll be taking those classes in both fall and spring semesters.

(3) Transcript - I know this may differ from school to school, but do the courses you've signed up for the fall semester of 2008 show up on your transcripts so far? (i.e. the "future" courses) (my unofficial transcript shows this...) I heard tips like "enter on AMCAS exactly what your transcript says" But... if I already know that I'm going to digress from what's entered in my transcript, should I still follow what's on my transcript regarding courses for fall 2008?

(4) Sending to schools - Are applications sent in "batches"? That is, first "batch" will be sent out 6/24, second "batch" will be sent out x/xx, etc. and None will be sent out in between?

I guess my situation is: I'd like to have only 1-2 schools when I submit to AMCAS (within the next wk) because I'm totally unsure of my MCAT score. MCAT score is supposed to come out June 24th... So if my MCAT score ends up being great 🙂luck🙂, I'm definitely adding like 10-20 more schools, and will do that as soon as my score comes out. Am I destined to be stuck with the "second batch" if I add more schools on 6/24, assuming that scores come out that day?
 
justapremed said:
Several questions!

(1) Future courses - I still have to fulfill the English course req and second biology course req. But I'm not entirely sure that the bio/eng classes I have signed up right now IS what I am going to take. Should I put those specific courses on my course list still? Just to show them that I will take it?

(2) Future courses again - I have some honor courses I'll take next year because I got admitted to the honor program for my music major. I'd like to list this somewhere on my app! Could I put some of those courses as part of "future" courses? I know they're not med school pre-reqs, but I'm certain that I'll be taking those classes in both fall and spring semesters.

(3) Transcript - I know this may differ from school to school, but do the courses you've signed up for the fall semester of 2008 show up on your transcripts so far? (i.e. the "future" courses) (my unofficial transcript shows this...) I heard tips like "enter on AMCAS exactly what your transcript says" But... if I already know that I'm going to digress from what's entered in my transcript, should I still follow what's on my transcript regarding courses for fall 2008?

(4) Sending to schools - Are applications sent in "batches"? That is, first "batch" will be sent out 6/24, second "batch" will be sent out x/xx, etc. and None will be sent out in between?

I guess my situation is: I'd like to have only 1-2 schools when I submit to AMCAS (within the next wk) because I'm totally unsure of my MCAT score. MCAT score is supposed to come out June 24th... So if my MCAT score ends up being great 🙂luck🙂, I'm definitely adding like 10-20 more schools, and will do that as soon as my score comes out. Am I destined to be stuck with the "second batch" if I add more schools on 6/24, assuming that scores come out that day?
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1. Future courses are not binding. Just go ahead and list them so that the schools know you will have the pre-requisites completed before matriculating.

2. You can add these courses as well. If you know what your schedule will be like for the next two semesters, just go ahead and add all of the courses whether they are pre-requisites or not.

3. I don't think that your official transcript will have information on your future coursework, but I could be wrong (and it could vary by school). It really doesn't matter because future coursework is not verified by AMCAS.

4. I'm not entirely sure if they are sent in "batches" or if they are sent continually. I do know that all applications verified before 6/24 will be held until that date, at which point they will be transmitted to the schools. Don't worry about adding schools later - I'm pretty sure the primary applications will be transmitted on a daily or weekly basis after 6/24. It's also entirely possible that it's up to the medical schools to download the applications that they have not received, and so it might vary for every school. Does anyone know for sure about this question?
 
Thanks for your replies-- I thought of yet another question. On my transcript, one of my courses is titled "Special Topic: Cell." It's listed as a BIOL. This course was actually Cancer Immunobiology. There are several "Cell" classes that each have their own subtopic, and our class didn't really cover the cell much at all. Should I try to make the distinction? Thanks again.
 
ImNotBritish said:
Thanks for your replies-- I thought of yet another question. On my transcript, one of my courses is titled "Special Topic: Cell." It's listed as a BIOL. This course was actually Cancer Immunobiology. There are several "Cell" classes that each have their own subtopic, and our class didn't really cover the cell much at all. Should I try to make the distinction? Thanks again.
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You can reasonably un-abbreviate titles (like Biol->Biology or Intro->Introduction), but adding in words that do not appear on your transcript is risky. It's very likely AMCAS will just delete the distinction and change it to reflect your transcript. Honestly I don't think that the distinction is going to make much of a difference. If you really enjoyed the class and gained a lot from it, you can always talk about it in interviews (many interviewers ask what your favorite undergraduate class was).
 
So I got a 1270 on my GRE (690 math, 580 verbal). Should I mention it in the standardized tests section? It's a sort of mid range score, so I really can't figure out if it would make any difference to put it or not.
Thanks!!
 
mheart said:
So I got a 1270 on my GRE (690 math, 580 verbal). Should I mention it in the standardized tests section? It's a sort of mid range score, so I really can't figure out if it would make any difference to put it or not.
Thanks!!
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You can if you want. Most schools wouldn't care one way or the other. I put my SAT (1330) on my AMCAS because I know that VCU requests it on the secondary. It can't hurt, but it probably doesn't help either.
 
If AMCAS will eventually change things to their exact liking, if there is even question about whether or not a class is BCPM, shouldn't you take the chance and just list it as such?
 
I have credits (and grades) from my university for courses based on SAT II scores, how should I denote this on AMCAS? Is it Advanced Placement (AP) credit, or does that only apply to credit from College Board AP exams? If it's not AP, what is it? AMCAS has a narrow definition of CLEP, so I don't think it's CLEP.
 
Redd66 said:
I have credits (and grades) from my university for courses based on SAT II scores, how should I denote this on AMCAS? Is it Advanced Placement (AP) credit, or does that only apply to credit from College Board AP exams? If it's not AP, what is it? AMCAS has a narrow definition of CLEP, so I don't think it's CLEP.
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i'd try giving them a call. thats a pretty unique situation
 
So I just got this response on my application....


* AMCAS Processing is Complete Application has been made available to the designated medical schools.


THis still means that they wont release it until June 24th?

Thanks!
 
dwc929 said:
If AMCAS will eventually change things to their exact liking, if there is even question about whether or not a class is BCPM, shouldn't you take the chance and just list it as such?
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Yeah, i just guessed on a bunch of my classes and they were all changed accordingly when I got the print-out.
 
iduwanna said:
Also, for PE classes, the "Lecture Only", "Lab Only", "Combined" doesn't really make sense. Lab?
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I put combined because there was some instruction in my PE courses, but I don't think it matters at all or that anyone will care.
 
Dulcina said:
I got a dog in December 2006, and it's been a fairly important "activity" to me---- include it, or no?
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I'd have to go with no. Unless you want to be a vet. But that's just my opinion.
 
SBK said:
So I just got this response on my application....


* AMCAS Processing is Complete Application has been made available to the designated medical schools.


THis still means that they wont release it until June 24th?

Thanks!
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Should be. Chad said so, and I read that somewhere on the website also.
 
Dulcina said:
any opinions/advice?
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I'd say not to include it. One of my interviewers this year told me about how many people included things that were at most "tangentially" related to medicine...it's best to stick to those relevant things in my opinion!
 
dwc929 said:
If AMCAS will eventually change things to their exact liking, if there is even question about whether or not a class is BCPM, shouldn't you take the chance and just list it as such?
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Yep. List your A's that could be considered BCPM and hope that they don't change it. 😀

SBK said:
So I just got this response on my application....


* AMCAS Processing is Complete Application has been made available to the designated medical schools.


THis still means that they wont release it until June 24th?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I have a feeling this is a standard response sent once the application is verified. Although it is technically "available" to schools, they aren't going to be sent out until the 24th. In all honesty, whether it's sent now or the 24th doesn't make a bit of difference. Nearly every school won't start reviewing apps until early July or later.

MILK07 said:
I'd have to go with no. Unless you want to be a vet. But that's just my opinion.
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Agreed. Although it may have greatly affected you personally, this is not really something you put on an application to professional school. Additionally, I bet over half of those applying to medical school have a pet, so it's not really something unique. Sorry.
 
I noticed that the first paragraph of the essay does not show the indentation. Is there a way to fix this, or is this how it's supposed to be?

Thanks
 
There are schools that have an automatic secondary that you fill out on a website, for example Yale and Columbia. Their offices told me that the secondary will be available on June 15th.

However, apparently AMCAS doesn't release the primaries to the schools until June 24th.

So, any idea whether we can start working on the secondaries on June 15th, or do we have to wait for AMCAS to send the primaries to the school, first?

Thanks!
 
hsperson said:
I noticed that the first paragraph of the essay does not show the indentation. Is there a way to fix this, or is this how it's supposed to be?

Thanks
Click to expand...
There's no way to change this. After a hard return, AMCAS forces a flush left alignment (i.e. it will delete any spaces that come after a hard return). I'd suggest just putting a hard return after a paragraph (resulting in one blank line after each paragraph).

shemarty said:
There are schools that have an automatic secondary that you fill out on a website, for example Yale and Columbia. Their offices told me that the secondary will be available on June 15th.

However, apparently AMCAS doesn't release the primaries to the schools until June 24th.

So, any idea whether we can start working on the secondaries on June 15th, or do we have to wait for AMCAS to send the primaries to the school, first?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

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.
 
I took two study abroad summer classes from a different university than my own. I already turned in my transcript from the school sponsoring the program. But these courses are also listed on my university transcript. Do I enter these two courses in the coursework under both the sponsoring school as well as under my university coursework, or just under the coursework for the sponsoring school?
 
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