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

[SupraDOc]

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Tried to search the thread for this question but couldn't find it.

How many extracurricular/volunteer/comm services can you post and how many awards/honors/scholarships? Thanks!

 

[203712]

Tried to search the thread for this question but couldn't find it.

How many extracurricular/volunteer/comm services can you post and how many awards/honors/scholarships? Thanks!

keep posting until they make you stop?🙂

but quality>quantity

 

[203712]

i didnt look through the thread to see if this question was posted...

where on the aacomas application does "honors college" go? its not necessarily an "award" per say but it is a merit based "status". awards/honors/scholarships? ec/volunteering? let me know what you all did for this..thanks so much

I took some honors classes at my junior college because I was in an "honors" program. They are significant because they are harder! Bio 1A honors was a whole lot harder then bio 1A. When you fill out your course schedule, you can put down it was an honors course. I am not sure about honors college but thats what you do with honors courses.

 

[t-funk]

I was in honors programs at both the college I went to in Colorado and at my state college. I put the honors programs in the EC section and then wrote the word honors beside each honors course I took. Most of the course numbers had an H beside them or were in an honors department but I still wrote 'honors' beside the course name for clarity.

 

[203712]

I was in honors programs at both the college I went to in Colorado and at my state college. I put the honors programs in the EC section and then wrote the word honors beside each honors course I took. Most of the course numbers had an H beside them or were in an honors department but I still wrote 'honors' beside the course name for clarity.

yea I did the same. Its not too much of a stretch, it seems logical.

 

[diggintheDOs]

how do you determine if you are considered "economically disadvantaged?" my parents were laid off several years ago, and we lived off of their social security benefits. and, their average combined income has remained under $50,000 most of my life. i've been paying for school through loans, scholarships, grants, and just a little help from them. and i also have another sibling in college. do you think that qualifies? i don't want to lie on the application, and i realize that people are in MUCH WORSE situations. i'm just not sure how this is determined. please help? thanks.

 

[Chicago Person]

AMCAS gives you enough room for 15 activities. That includes any awards/scholarships you may have received, research, volunteering, work experience, student organizations, hang gliding excursions, etc.

AACOMAS, on the other hand, separates your work experiences, extra-curricular activities, and your awards/honors.

Does anyone know if there is a limit on the amount of entries you can put for each section in AACOMAS? I realize that DO schools would want more information so that they can review each candidate more holistically, but they have to draw the line somewhere right?

If there's no limit, I'm going to think really hard and try to remember every single extra-curricular activity I've ever participated in and trivial award I have ever received to list on the application 🙂

 

[Chocolate Bear]

AMCAS gives you enough room for 15 activities. That includes any awards/scholarships you may have received, research, volunteering, work experience, student organizations, hang gliding excursions, etc.

AACOMAS, on the other hand, separates your work experiences, extra-curricular activities, and your awards/honors.

Does anyone know if there is a limit on the amount of entries you can put for each section in AACOMAS? I realize that DO schools would want more information so that they can review each candidate more holistically, but they have to draw the line somewhere right?

If there's no limit, I'm going to think really hard and try to remember every single extra-curricular activity I've ever participated in and trivial award I have ever received to list on the application 🙂

I had 17 ECs, 13 Awards (mostly upcoming publications), and 9 jobs. I drew the line starting from college and included anything that took up significant time or had an impact on my personality/background/life experiences, that I wouldn't be embarrassed for them to see, of course.

 

[Fp02c]

how did you guys put in shadowing. What did you put under organization if you and position. I was going to lump all my shadowing together but with this unlimited number of EC's is it recommended to put them in seperatly?

 

[Chocolate Bear]

how did you guys put in shadowing. What did you put under organization if you and position. I was going to lump all my shadowing together but with this unlimited number of EC's is it recommended to put them in seperatly?

I listed my 4 different shadowing experiences separately. I listed them as follows: Organization--Dr. Smith, D.O., Neurology; Position Title--Physician Shadow. I don't know how anyone else did it...

 

[prionsRbad]

how did you guys put in shadowing. What did you put under organization if you and position. I was going to lump all my shadowing together but with this unlimited number of EC's is it recommended to put them in seperatly?

I listed them all together like this:

Position title: Physician Shadowing
Name of organization: Dr. Bricca, Dr. Smith and Dr. Holmes
Description: Dr. Bricca, DO. Neurology. Shadowed doctor Bricca for 15 Hours.
Dr. Smith, MD. Emergence Medicine. Shadowed doctor Smith for 24 Hours

Etc.

 

[kassy]

Which school is it that requires five years of practice in the state after graduation?

EDIT: nm. It's Ohio State. 🙂

 

[Cp22kjer]

I took one CC course and the school does not have an * next to its name. It reads 0.00 for the GPA. Once they get my transcript will the 3 credit hrs out "A" be factored in?? Thanks.

Anyone?

Also I am curious about applying to the Touro's. I've heard the cutoff is 24 though I've seen 23 on 2 of the websites. If I'm below the cutoff but retaking the MCAT, should I just wait to apply to the Touro's?

I know this sounds stupid, but I can apply to schools at different times through AACOMAS right?

 

[Cp22kjer]

Which school is it that requires five years of practice in the state after graduation?

EDIT: nm. It's Ohio State. 🙂

Ohio University 😉

 

[prionsRbad]

I took one CC course and the school does not have an * next to its name. It reads 0.00 for the GPA. Once they get my transcript will the 3 credit hrs out "A" be factored in?? Thanks.

I can't answer this question. You need to call AACOMAS about this.

Anyone?

Also I am curious about applying to the Touro's. I've heard the cutoff is 24 though I've seen 23 on 2 of the websites. If I'm below the cutoff but retaking the MCAT, should I just wait to apply to the Touro's?

I know this sounds stupid, but I can apply to schools at different times through AACOMAS right?

Yes, you can apply to more schools through AACOMAS later on in the cycle, but it's more expensive than applying to all of them at once.

My first MCAT score was not above Touro's cutoff and they preliminarily rejected me even though my second score was on the way (and the retake was even listed on my application). They said I could call them when my score came in and if it was a 24 or higher they would send me a secondary. I would wait on the Touro's, IMO.

 

[w1ll]

When adding grades and courses, is it better to list the Course names exactly as how it is listed on your transcript or what it is equivalent to:

For example my transcript has General Chemistry listed as "Intro Chemistry Principles", and Astronomy as "Sun, stars, and galaxies".

 

[Dr. Josh]

Most schools say "2 semesters of intro bio with labs"

I am not a science major and therefore took 1 semester of intro bio with lab (it covered work of 2 semesters); then i took genetics with lab, cell bio and microbiology with lab. Will these count?

 

[EEL08]

I think your best bet is to ask the schools you will be applying to. However, I really don't think those other classes will take the place of Bio 2.

 

[Cp22kjer]

Thanks Prions, I'm a point below 🙁.

 

[aliDO]

What schools say that (specify intro)? Most of the ones I saw said eight hours of any biology/zoology/botany. Of course I have a bio degree so I never paid much attention.

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

I think your best bet is to ask the schools you will be applying to. However, I really don't think those other classes will take the place of Bio 2.

This is something I've been wondering about...I have seen so few schools say General Biology (ie Bio 1 and 2) and most say x hours of biological sciences. I will have a full year of A&P and a full year of Pathophys, I can't figure out if the "Generals" is something that is required.

 

[engineeredout]

At my school I know there is a general biology course that people can take, but it doesn't satisfy the general premed requirements that are set in. Its an introduction to biology, but its not "molecular and cellular biology" or "cellular and organ physiology", which are the normal premed bio classes.

Who knows, med schools might accept what you've taken, it just might not prepare you for the mcat.

 

[EEL08]

This is something I've been wondering about...I have seen so few schools say General Biology (ie Bio 1 and 2) and most say x hours of biological sciences. I will have a full year of A&P and a full year of Pathophys, I can't figure out if the "Generals" is something that is required.

Hmmm interesting. I guess for some reason I always assumed or thought it was bio 1 and 2. In that case it's definitely important to check with each school.

Okay here is what the LECOM site says: "Biology: A minimum of eight semester hours, including two semester hours of laboratory work. These eight hours may consist of general biology or zoology, or a combination of biology, zoology and botany."

DMU says that 8 hours of bio/zoology is required with Cell Biology, Microbiology, Immunology, Physiology, and Anatomy being recommended classes.

NSU states 8 credit hours in general bio required.

These are just a few examples and then other schools like AZCOM don't specify as far as I can tell.

 

[wanttogohome]

I just wrote a very short, sweet, and concise description of what I did and what it taught me. I saved my heavy descriptions for my personal statement. It seemed to work well.

I've been advised to treat both AAMCAS and AACOMAS more or less as resume entries and NOT "lessons learned."

Anyone know for sure? This whole thing seems so interpretive which scares me.

 

[MossPoh]

Part of the problem is that "general biology" is really vague, and there is not really a standardized curriculum. In fact, most of the stuff covered in the general biology class I took was not even mcat material. Genetics and physiology covered FAR more than the general bio class did. You should call and ask. I am in the same situation, but I have bio 1 scheduled for fall just in case.

 

[wanttogohome]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=418763

Sorta just answered my own question....post #28, although from an AAMCAS thread, is written by an adcom member/school administrator that says no lessons learned and stick with CV format.

good luck to all.

 

[Tony1029]

I was kind of wondering about this too. I have credit for a lower level biology course from a community college, called Bio 102 here. Then I plan on taking the two quarters (yeah my school's on quarters) of upper level science major biology that is offered. But those two are only 10 hours total. On some requirement pages I've seen that 8 semester hours translates to 12 quarter hours. So then what do I do? Would a biochem or anatomy class fall under that category?

That bio 102 class was basically a human anatomy and physiology course, but it was pretty easy and didnt' have any labs. Not going to help me at all if I'm going to medical school.

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

I was kind of wondering about this too. I have credit for a lower level biology course from a community college, called Bio 102 here. Then I plan on taking the two quarters (yeah my school's on quarters) of upper level science major biology that is offered. But those two are only 10 hours total. On some requirement pages I've seen that 8 semester hours translates to 12 quarter hours. So then what do I do? Would a biochem or anatomy class fall under that category?

That bio 102 class was basically a human anatomy and physiology course, but it was pretty easy and didnt' have any labs. Not going to help me at all if I'm going to medical school.

I can't contest to if anatomy works in the "biological science" department, it seems very vague to me and I'm in the same boat as you. I do know as far as BioChem goes if a school is willing to substitute it they put it under the Organic Chem category and not Biology.

 

[that1guyfromFL]

Lecom-B told me any A&P or other related physiology course would count towards a year of bio, didn't ask about any others.

Seems like the classes that count towards your biology in BCP GPA (phys, human bio, etc) should count towards your pre-reqs, although I don't know if they would in every case.

YMMV call the schools

 

[LauraDO]

I took one semester of human biology, one quarter of principals of bio w/lab, one quarter of cell bio and then was going to take one quarter of micro w/lab, but for some reason my school counted an oceanography course

I think the guidelines for what is considered 'ok' for biology are pretty loose. I took cell bio instead of the rest of principals because I knew it would be more helpful for me once I started school

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

I took one semester of human biology, one quarter of principals of bio w/lab, one quarter of cell bio and then was going to take one quarter of micro w/lab, but for some reason my school counted an oceanography course

I think the guidelines for what is considered 'ok' for biology are pretty loose. I took cell bio instead of the rest of principals because I knew it would be more helpful for me once I started school

So you didn't take any "General Bio" Laura? Did any of the schools you interview at mention this? I always thought the reqs on Bio were loose with some schools stating "biological sciences" or "not all courses can be in botany", but after a thread in the nontrad forum and this thread I was starting to worry and beginning to brace myself for another year of Bio.

 

[LauraDO]

So you didn't take any "General Bio" Laura? Did any of the schools you interview at mention this? I always thought the reqs on Bio were loose with some schools stating "biological sciences" or "not all courses can be in botany", but after a thread in the nontrad forum and this thread I was starting to worry and beginning to brace myself for another year of Bio.

well, the one quarter or Principals of bio is what would be considered general bio, but other than that, no.

 

[atallcosts]

I have a CPR certification, and also have am an STNA (State Tested Nursing Assistant) however I have a hospital job that does not require the cert.
where in the do app should I list these things extracircular, or work, or awards ect..
any thoughts are appreciated

 

[ShyRem]

I had ACLS, PALS, AMLS, PHTLS, and BLS and listed none of them except in my description for my job as a paramedic. Come to think of it, I didn't even list my paramedic certification (I figured they'd get that from my job).

Anyone else have thoughts on this?

 

[Dr. Josh]

What schools say that (specify intro)? Most of the ones I saw said eight hours of any biology/zoology/botany. Of course I have a bio degree so I never paid much attention.

right, I've seen it phrased that way too, but do my classes count as bio/zoology/botany?

 

[Dr. Josh]

At my school I know there is a general biology course that people can take, but it doesn't satisfy the general premed requirements that are set in. Its an introduction to biology, but its not "molecular and cellular biology" or "cellular and organ physiology", which are the normal premed bio classes.

Who knows, med schools might accept what you've taken, it just might not prepare you for the mcat.

well we shall see; I just took the MCAT a week ago

 

[aliDO]

right, I've seen it phrased that way too, but do my classes count as bio/zoology/botany?

yep, there all bio classes.

 

[REM12]

Pre med courses are: (intro courses don't count as they are just that, intro courses)

Gen Bio 1 and 2 with lab (for majors)
Gen Chem 1 and 2 with lab
Orgo 1 and 2 (with chem 1 and 2 prereqs) with lab
Physics 1 and 2 (trig based for most programs, and I think all DO programs) with lab

That's whats on the MCAT, and these are USUALLY the courses pre meds need to take. Exceptions? Probably. But these WILL cover all schools- except a few require Biochem or Stats or other such silly things in addition.

 

[atallcosts]

i heard in an email from my school saying people are already submitting apps to aacomas is this true???? I know the app is avalable and I have been working on it, but can you really submit it already!!! or is this a mistake?????

 

[TexasTriathlete]

I think that's right. AACOMAS is up and rolling, baby! No time to lose!

 

[wanttogohome]

Consensus seems to be that yes, you can submit when ready. If you are looking for reassurance, MHO is that whether you apply tomorrow or in a month makes no tangible difference. You would still be "early." In general, people on SDN need to chill...all will be ok. Good luck!

 

[Dr. Josh]

Pre med courses are: (intro courses don't count as they are just that, intro courses)

Gen Bio 1 and 2 with lab (for majors)
Gen Chem 1 and 2 with lab
Orgo 1 and 2 (with chem 1 and 2 prereqs) with lab
Physics 1 and 2 (trig based for most programs, and I think all DO programs) with lab

That's whats on the MCAT, and these are USUALLY the courses pre meds need to take. Exceptions? Probably. But these WILL cover all schools- except a few require Biochem or Stats or other such silly things in addition.

I have all the chem, orgo, and physics as you stated but I only have 1 general bio course, with lab; I then have the others as I mentioned in my first post. My question is do I need to take another general bio course or will one of my other bio with lab suffice?

 

[LauraDO]

I have all the chem, orgo, and physics as you stated but I only have 1 general bio course, with lab; I then have the others as I mentioned in my first post. My question is do I need to take another general bio course or will one of my other bio with lab suffice?

As many have said, call the schools to ask, It was fine with all of the schools I applied to, but better to call and be safe

 

[prionsRbad]

When adding grades and courses, is it better to list the Course names exactly as how it is listed on your transcript or what it is equivalent to:

For example my transcript has General Chemistry listed as "Intro Chemistry Principles", and Astronomy as "Sun, stars, and galaxies".

List courses exactly as they are on your transcript. Otherwise, AACOMAS will have a hard time verifying your application if you rename everything.

 

[prionsRbad]

Thanks Prions, I'm a point below 🙁.

I'm sorry, that sucks. 🙁 See how you do on your retake though. Remember, there are other schools out there that will give you a secondary with a score below 24, so there's still hope! 😉

Good Luck!

 

[Dr. Josh]

As many have said, call the schools to ask, It was fine with all of the schools I applied to, but better to call and be safe

But I haven't applied yet; I don't even know wher eI'm applying yet. I guess i better decide soon if my app is going out next month.

 

[starl3tte]

I'm in a similar situation. I did take general bio courses a few years ago, but not with lab. Now, I'm trying to see if I have to retake the general bio courses, but this time with lab, OR perhaps the anatomy and physio labs I took are enough to meet the requirements.

When I emailed Touro-CA some time back, this was the response I received:

"I am aware that each course should be done with a lab, but it has been my experience that the Committee will make an exception if at least one course in each rubric is done with a lab. In short then, you need to do at least 8 semester units of chemistry and that needs to include at least one lab. The same principle applies to biology."

 

[FourMoreYears]

Does anyone know of any schools that will not take pre-req courses that are more than 5-10 years old?

Or is this more of a depends on the applicant type of thing?

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Does anyone know of any schools that will not take pre-req courses that are more than 5-10 years old?

Or is this more of a depends on the applicant type of thing?

I don't know of any specific examples of this, but that doesn't mean they don't exist. Have you been completely out of school for 5-10 years or do you have upper level (non pre-req) bio/science classes that you have taken more recently (within 1-2 years)? If it's the latter, I think you're OK. The former scenario would warrant some transcript refreshment.

 

[FourMoreYears]

I don't know of any specific examples of this, but that doesn't mean they don't exist. Have you been completely out of school for 5-10 years or do you have upper level (non pre-req) bio/science classes that you have taken more recently (within 1-2 years)? If it's the latter, I think you're OK. The former scenario would warrant some transcript refreshment.

I've been out of PA school for 6 years (have a MS from it)..took orgo a few years ago. Otherwise the rest of the classes are over 15 years old (I know). I was hoping that being a PA graduate would offest some of this. Any thoughts????

I will be taking 2nd semester physics in the fall. I never took it in the past.