## 2008-2009 Application Season ## Post AACOMAS questions HERE!!!

[Chocolate Bear]

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How do you do this? Do you just call the school and tell them or enter planned mcat on aacomas? my score was 23 so I'm pretty sure I won't get in, but it is still possible. I didn't want to report my retake because i didn't want to get put on hold. I guess it would be wise to go ahead and tell them though. what do you think?

I'm not sure, but I think you can/should both update AACOMAS and the individual schools as to what your plans are, regarding a retake. You might want to call a few of your top choices and ask to speak with an admissions counselor about your chances and how best to proceed.

 

[aleese]

I'm not sure, but I think you can/should both update AACOMAS and the individual schools as to what your plans are, regarding a retake. You might want to call a few of your top choices and ask to speak with an admissions counselor about your chances and how best to proceed.

Will do, thanks!

 

[Billicus]

Ugh this is absolutely killing me that I'm waiting on my last transcript to be received before they start processing. I sent the request almost two weeks ago and my other two schools had them to AACOMAS in less than a week. I didn't know that transcripts had to be received before processing would start until I submitted my application so I sent out requests the next day. That was Aug 14th that I sent the requests and I'm still waiting on the one. I don't see how it would take them so long to do it compared to the other two schools...

*shoots self in foot* !

 

[BoxtaDoc]

I have a question about class retakes: I took a class at one school, and didn't do so well, and re-took it at another school. Will that count as a re-take on aacomas, replacing my poor grade? The classes have similar titles, but do not match exactly.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

I have a question about class retakes: I took a class at one school, and didn't do so well, and re-took it at another school. Will that count as a re-take on aacomas, replacing my poor grade? The classes have similar titles, but do not match exactly.

Yes it will count as a retake.

 

[OLYWA]

Hey all...I have a quick one for anyone who knows.

Ok, I'm a re-applicant this year (feel free to peruse my previous threads for my story...my mdapps profile is still leftover from last year) and had planned all along to have been accepted to the 2012 class. Well...some things don't work out like we planned...so here we go again.

As a re-applicant I've run into a snafu...that I just realized a little too late in the game. Ok...I took my MCAT in April of 2006. My problem is that many schools (about 5 I was gonna apply to) take 8/2006 as their "LAST MCAT ACCEPTED."

Ok...is this something the schools are absolutely stringent on...or is there some 'wiggle room' for a re-applicant with an MCAT score only 3 months past their deadline. I mean come on...it's not like it's from 1982! I'm a non-trad re-applicant and the thought of re-taking the MCAT makes me want to vomit. Plain and simple...I'll go to Grenada before I re-take it.

Anyone wanna chime in on this one...? Should I apply anyways with the idea/hope that they won't even notice...should I call the adcoms and ask at each school...or should I just start packing for Grenada?

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Hey all...I have a quick one for anyone who knows.

Ok, I'm a re-applicant this year (feel free to peruse my previous threads for my story...my mdapps profile is still leftover from last year) and had planned all along to have been accepted to the 2012 class. Well...some things don't work out like we planned...so here we go again.

As a re-applicant I've run into a snafu...that I just realized a little too late in the game. Ok...I took my MCAT in April of 2006. My problem is that many schools (about 5 I was gonna apply to) take 8/2006 as their "LAST MCAT ACCEPTED."

Ok...is this something the schools are absolutely stringent on...or is there some 'wiggle room' for a re-applicant with an MCAT score only 3 months past their deadline. I mean come on...it's not like it's from 1982! I'm a non-trad re-applicant and the thought of re-taking the MCAT makes me want to vomit. Plain and simple...I'll go to Grenada before I re-take it.

Anyone wanna chime in on this one...? Should I apply anyways with the idea/hope that they won't even notice...should I call the adcoms and ask at each school...or should I just start packing for Grenada?

Any advice is appreciated.

Which schools you talkin bout, Wilis?!

 

[OLYWA]

I would be excluded from applying to:

AZCOM
KCUMB
LECOM-E
LECOM-B
NYCOM
PCOM

This info is taken directly from the Osteopathic Medical College Information Book for 2009 on the AACOMAS site.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

I would be excluded from applying to:

AZCOM
KCUMB
LECOM-E
LECOM-B
NYCOM
PCOM

This info is taken directly from the Osteopathic Medical College Information Book for 2009 on the AACOMAS site.

That really sucks.

I'd talk to an ADMISSIONS COUNSELOR at each school. NOT a secretary. Can't get a hold of one? Call the dean. Shoot, you might want to start with the dean, anyway.

If they say it's a hard and fast rule, then consider your other options. I know the MCAT sucks big time, but I think a few months of studying at your house is better than two years of studying on an island. What kind of score could you pull in 2.5 weeks of studying? Otherwise you'll have to wait til February to get your score.

Either way, you still have other schools that will accept your score, right?

 

[IamAriDO]

I am sure its in this read somewhere but quick question for anyone:

Should I include my DO shadowing under anything in the app? It is talked about in the personal statement but should I also list it under EC's, and if so each DO separately?

Thanks
IamAriDO

 

[BoxtaDoc]

Yes it will count as a retake.

Thanks man...that was really worrying me a bit.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

I am sure its in this read somewhere but quick question for anyone:

Should I include my DO shadowing under anything in the app? It is talked about in the personal statement but should I also list it under EC's, and if so each DO separately?

Thanks
IamAriDO

List everything meaningful in your app, even if talked about in your PS. List both MD and DO shadowing. You can just list it as "shadowing," then give the details for all the different docs in the description box.

 

[BoxtaDoc]

Another question...I don't have a letter of rec from a DO, but I do not plan on applying to any of the schools where it is required. Will not having the letter be a negative aspect to my application at some of the more competitive schools where they say the letter is highly recommended?

 

[niranjan162]

can u update aacomas after youve been verified?

 

[Ebola Virus]

Another question...I don't have a letter of rec from a DO, but I do not plan on applying to any of the schools where it is required. Will not having the letter be a negative aspect to my application at some of the more competitive schools where they say the letter is highly recommended?

It would depend on your exposure to DO practice and your stats. If you've got average stats, then the applicant next to you who have a DO letter with your same stats is more likely to be accepted. Again, all a DO letter boils down to, is how much experience you have in seeing a DO in practice, because during interview you'll definitely be ask about the lack of a letter or shadowing experience. When schools say "highly recommended", I would think that they mean, it's possible to be accepted without a letter, but it would be in your favor to secure a letter.

 

[Spooner13]

So, I'm just about to send my application in, but I had a question for you guys.

At my school, the Biology 1 lab is incorporated into the lecture grade. This means that I only have a grade for Biology lecture 1. I don't have a grade for Biology 1 lab. The same situation occurs for my bio 2 & 3 classes and my general chem classes.

I know that every school will require me to have taken the associated labs, but my transcript might imply that I haven't had these labs.

How should I enter these classes into AACOMAS? Just enter them like they are on my transcript? Will the schools know that I have had the labs?

Thanks

 

[RySerr21]

So, I'm just about to send my application in, but I had a question for you guys.

At my school, the Biology 1 lab is incorporated into the lecture grade. This means that I only have a grade for Biology lecture 1. I don't have a grade for Biology 1 lab. The same situation occurs for my bio 2 & 3 classes and my general chem classes.

I know that every school will require me to have taken the associated labs, but my transcript might imply that I haven't had these labs.

How should I enter these classes into AACOMAS? Just enter them like they are on my transcript? Will the schools know that I have had the labs?

Thanks

I had the same situation. My science courses were all 4 credits with lab included, so my transcripts don't show that I have taken any labs even though they were included for each course. What I did was typed "Organic chemistry + lab" or "Human Anatomy + lab" and there was no problem, so I suggest just doing that.

 

[Spooner13]

I had the same situation. My science courses were all 4 credits with lab included, so my transcripts don't show that I have taken any labs even though they were included for each course. What I did was typed "Organic chemistry + lab" or "Human Anatomy + lab" and there was no problem, so I suggest just doing that.

Thanks for the help

 

[Bacchus]

I feel rather stupid asking this, but oh well. I was placed on hold at DMU pending my new MCAT score. I released that score to AACOMAS on the 22nd. I just logged in and the new score wasn't there, it still said planned for July 08. I just submitted the new score (filled it in) and then submitted and "payed" my application. I didn't pay anything because I didn't add schools. Did DMU get my scores or will they get them now, since I just entered to new score. Help me out, I'm a bit confused.

 

[Drc17]

Hi everyone. I really need some advice. My GPA is a 3.00 and science gpa is a 2.5. I have great letters of recommendation, employment in healthcare, and DO shadowing. I take my MCAT in January and I plan to graduate with my BS in April 2009. My number one school is NOVA! Since my gpa is not high and I have not taken the MCAT should I wait to apply for the next cycle, or go ahead and try for this one. Ideally I would not want to wait and be a year without school (working arg) but I do not want to get rejected and have to apply as a reapplicant. Any suggestions!!! VERY WORRIED 🙁 If you could please reply to me in private if possible just because I do not check the site very often.

 

[RySerr21]

I feel rather stupid asking this, but oh well. I was placed on hold at DMU pending my new MCAT score. I released that score to AACOMAS on the 22nd. I just logged in and the new score wasn't there, it still said planned for July 08. I just submitted the new score (filled it in) and then submitted and "payed" my application. I didn't pay anything because I didn't add schools. Did DMU get my scores or will they get them now, since I just entered to new score. Help me out, I'm a bit confused.

the easiest way to solve this mystery is to call DMU and ask them. If they dont have your new scores, then you can call AACOMAS and see if they have them and just haven't updated their website yet.

 

[peanutb123]

Hello Guys I REALLY NEED YOUR HELP IN DECIDING...

Well here are my stats. My GPA 3.73... CS/IT @ a good Univeristy Science GPA 3.5, MCAT 17(Bio:6 Phy: 7 Verbal: 4)
I was a leader for couple of clubs
good recommendations
shadowed a dr. for entire year.

So what are my chances i know with a 17 its impossible. but just out of curiosity. And if you guys think that i can apply to medical school could you please tell me the name of the schools too. I do not wish to go out of country.

Thank You very much for you time.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Hello Guys I REALLY NEED YOUR HELP IN DECIDING...

Well here are my stats. My GPA 3.73... CS/IT @ a good Univeristy Science GPA 3.5, MCAT 17(Bio:6 Phy: 7 Verbal: 4)
I was a leader for couple of clubs
good recommendations
shadowed a dr. for entire year.

So what are my chances i know with a 17 its impossible. but just out of curiosity. And if you guys think that i can apply to medical school could you please tell me the name of the schools too. I do not wish to go out of country.

Thank You very much for you time.

Triplicate post, answered elsewhere.

 

[IamAriDO]

So..

What happens if AACOMAS finds a problem with your application, say a course in the wrong semester (just found it when looking over my app after I submitted it). Do they ask you to change it and then it takes another 4-6 weeks or do they pick up where they left off on the verification?

I already asked their support team if I can change it (one of my transcripts still hasnt arrived so nothing has been "delivered" yet)

Thoughts?

 

[Chocolate Bear]

So..

What happens if AACOMAS finds a problem with your application, say a course in the wrong semester (just found it when looking over my app after I submitted it). Do they ask you to change it and then it takes another 4-6 weeks or do they pick up where they left off on the verification?

I already asked their support team if I can change it (one of my transcripts still hasnt arrived so nothing has been "delivered" yet)

Thoughts?

If the problem is found during verification, I think it will just hold things up 2 minutes, while they correct it. That's why they verify. If you don't have all of your materials delivered yet, thus you're not in line to be verified, you should be able to contact them, they open the app, and you make corrections. That's assuming you can get a hold of them. They can be elusive...

 

[biorocks]

Hello everyone,

Does anyone know how long it's taking AACOMAS to verify apps?

Thanks 🙂

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Hello everyone,

Does anyone know how long it's taking AACOMAS to verify apps?

Thanks 🙂

6 weeksish. Check the Verification Thread for more info.

 

[rou08]

I was just verified yesterday and received secondaries from both LECOM. They are asking for LORs from a DO and from a pre-professional committee. I have a letter from a DO, an MD, a couple science professors and from my supervisor at my research laboratory who has a PhD.
I know i can send the LOR from the science professors, but i was wondering what was a pre-professional committee.

 

[misswho]

Paragraphs or bullets? I know this has been discussed and LizzyM, an adcom, say bullets are better. BUT...

I have a personal admissions advisor who used to sit on the adcom for Harvard and she said no way on the bullets and had me write out small, concise paragraphs. But many on here are saying bullets?! Are DO adcoms going to roll their eyes @ my paragraphs or do you think I'll be okay? 😕 I am willing to change all my descriptions to bullets if that is truly better.

 

[dr. dreigh]

this is just a picky question about filling out aacomas. i filled out my coursework section similar to what i did with amcas. there is a box that indicates "prefix and number." if my course was CHEM 5, would i just list "5" as the number or is the prefix also considered the department abbreviation (in this case, "CHEM")?

so far, i have just listed the numbers for my courses. before i go back and add the department abbreviation/prefix, i just wanted to verify what a course "prefix" actually was. thanks!

 

[Chocolate Bear]

I was just verified yesterday and received secondaries from both LECOM. They are asking for LORs from a DO and from a pre-professional committee. I have a letter from a DO, an MD, a couple science professors and from my supervisor at my research laboratory who has a PhD.
I know i can send the LOR from the science professors, but i was wondering what was a pre-professional committee.

If you don't know what it is, then you probably don't have access to one. It's usually when several professors interview and evaluate you, then someone in the pre health office writes a letter based on this info and your individual LORs. There's variation between schools, though.

No biggie for LECOMs. But if you're applying to PCOMs, you'll have to get a letter from your premed advisor or the dean of your college/department.

 

[rou08]

If you don't know what it is, then you probably don't have access to one. It's usually when several professors interview and evaluate you, then someone in the pre health office writes a letter based on this info and your individual LORs. There's variation between schools, though.

No biggie for LECOMs. But if you're applying to PCOMs, you'll have to get a letter from your premed advisor or the dean of your college/department.

Thank u chocolate bear! You always take the time to answer my questions and i really appreciate it! 😀

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Paragraphs or bullets? I know this has been discussed and LizzyM, an adcom, say bullets are better. BUT...

I have a personal admissions advisor who used to sit on the adcom for Harvard and she said no way on the bullets and had me write out small, concise paragraphs. But many on here are saying bullets?! Are DO adcoms going to roll their eyes @ my paragraphs or do you think I'll be okay? 😕 I am willing to change all my descriptions to bullets if that is truly better.

Bullets have been successful for me. You'll have to get a bunch of others to chime in to get a feel for things, though. Personally, I'd think bullets are better because you can convey the same info in FAR fewer characters. Also, it's much easier to organize and you're less likely to make grammar mistakes and need to have each of them proofread.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

this is just a picky question about filling out aacomas. i filled out my coursework section similar to what i did with amcas. there is a box that indicates "prefix and number." if my course was CHEM 5, would i just list "5" as the number or is the prefix also considered the department abbreviation (in this case, "CHEM")?

so far, i have just listed the numbers for my courses. before i go back and add the department abbreviation/prefix, i just wanted to verify what a course "prefix" actually was. thanks!

The prefix is CHEM and the number is 5. Mine look like "CHEM-5." If you don't give the prefix, they won't know the department it was taught in or the general subject nature of the course.

 

[ILikeFood]

Is the Transcript Request Form necessary?

I requested two of my transcripts online and had them sent to:

AACOMAS
5550 Friendship Blvd, Suite 310
Chevy Chase, MD 20815


Please tell me "NO," unless the answer's "YES"

 

[ILikeFood]

Oh, and is Cognitive Science considered a Behavioral Science? Thanks.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Oh, and is Cognitive Science considered a Behavioral Science? Thanks.

Pretty sure it is. I don't know how else to classify it.

Is the Transcript Request Form necessary?

I requested two of my transcripts online and had them sent to:

AACOMAS
5550 Friendship Blvd, Suite 310
Chevy Chase, MD 20815


Please tell me "NO," unless the answer's "YES"

No.

 

[ILikeFood]

Thanks.

Why aren't you a mod yet?

 

[dr. dreigh]

thanks, chocolate bear. i agree, you have been so helpful to everyone!

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Any time, kids. 😎 😛

 

[Jug]

I was wondering if anyone could tell me how long after being verified does it take for the AACOM to submit to schools? I have been verified for over a week, but when I view my application, next to each school it still says "submitted to AACOMAS". I'm just curious, kind of getting restless waiting.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

I was wondering if anyone could tell me how long after being verified does it take for the AACOM to submit to schools? I have been verified for over a week, but when I view my application, next to each school it still says "submitted to AACOMAS". I'm just curious, kind of getting restless waiting.

Another week or so. Don't worry, secondaries will come soon enough. Work on the essays via the link in my sig. 👍

 

[Jug]

Thanks for the info Chocolate Bear. that will give me a head start on some of my secondaries. Still waiting for my MCAT score though.

 

[mabish71DO]

anyone else interview at DMU yet?...I did on the 4th and felt like it went ok. It was kind of hard to tell how I did. I felt confident though....I guess I will find out soon.

 

[whateva07]

what is this "release dates" that's suppose to appear next the schools and how long til I actually start getting secondaries? andI just got verified today by the way! So thinking what are the next steps in this process.

 

[Ebola Virus]

what is this "release dates" that's suppose to appear next the schools and how long til I actually start getting secondaries? andI just got verified today by the way! So thinking what are the next steps in this process.

If it says "Released 9/8/08 VIEW" that means that your verified app is sent to the school today. If it doesn't say "Release + Date" then your verified app hasn't been sent yet. AACOMAS only send it out once a week or so to school.
You'll receive secondaries about a week within being released, depending on the schools. Most comes in within a week to two weeks after being verified and released.

 

[whateva07]

If it says "Released 9/8/08 VIEW" that means that your verified app is sent to the school today. If it doesn't say "Release + Date" then your verified app hasn't been sent yet. AACOMAS only send it out once a week or so to school.
You'll receive secondaries about a week within being released, depending on the schools. Most comes in within a week to two weeks after being verified and released.

1) Thank you for answering
2)"Released 9/8/08 View" should that be written next to each school when it is released?
3)What do you mean aacomas only sends it out once a week or so to school? They only send it to one school at a time (I really hope not)...or all the schools??

 

[Ebola Virus]

1) Thank you for answering
2)"Released 9/8/08 View" should that be written next to each school when it is released?
3)What do you mean aacomas only sends it out once a week or so to school? They only send it to one school at a time (I really hope not)...or all the schools??

1. You're welcome
2. "Released 9/8/08 View" This is an example. When a date is listed, you know that the school has a verified copy of your aacomas. When that date is listed, you'll see a "VIEW" next to it along with your calculated gpa. That's the form that the school will see.
3. Per aacomas, they send out it out 1 batch or two a week, not only your application, but others as well who were verified about the same time as yours. So, if you're verified before they send out the batch, then when the time comes (could be today or tomorrow), they'll release it to all the school you've applied to. It's to all of the school, not one by one.

4. Relax, work on the secondaries from the prompts that C-Bear has listed. You're not terribly late, there's still others who haven't even submitted their application yet!

 

[prionsRbad]

Any time, kids. 😎 😛

Man, you're not a mod yet? 😉

 

[whateva07]

1. You're welcome
2. "Released 9/8/08 View" This is an example. When a date is listed, you know that the school has a verified copy of your aacomas. When that date is listed, you'll see a "VIEW" next to it along with your calculated gpa. That's the form that the school will see.
3. Per aacomas, they send out it out 1 batch or two a week, not only your application, but others as well who were verified about the same time as yours. So, if you're verified before they send out the batch, then when the time comes (could be today or tomorrow), they'll release it to all the school you've applied to. It's to all of the school, not one by one.

4. Relax, work on the secondaries from the prompts that C-Bear has listed. You're not terribly late, there's still others who haven't even submitted their application yet!

So I got an email from CCOM that they received aacomas and I can complete their secondary, but yet on the application nowhere do I see "Released 'date' VIEW"....so now I'm just confused again....oh well I guess I will just work on the secondary