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

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Chuckwalla said:
What DO schools are decently priced? I have seen some are outrageous and want to avoid those. I have my state one, any other recommendations?
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your state school is cheap if it is a public school. Lecom is in the high 20's, TCOM is probably the cheapest but a separate app, umdnj has been said to be easy to get in state status, but dont know how long that will last. Those are off the top of my head
 
AACOMAS asks if i consider myself economically disdvantaged.. In amcas i answered as yes, b/c in the past my family and i were disadvantaged.. but is AACOMAS asking about now.. or in the past? Thanks!
 
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Any one here got verified? How long will it take? Is there a link for this like the one AMCAS has?
 
Hi there! (first post 🙂)

I was curious, after calculating my GPA in the AACOMAS application, it's an entire GPA point higher than the GPA grade I got from my premed advisor this afternoon. I initally got a D in Orgo 2 🙁 but retook it. Are they not factoring in the D? Is this some mistake they will rectify? I double checked everything else and it seems to be in order...

Much thanks to any who reply!
 
Rainingstairs said:
Hi there! (first post 🙂)

I was curious, after calculating my GPA in the AACOMAS application, it's an entire GPA point higher than the GPA grade I got from my premed advisor this afternoon. I initally got a D in Orgo 2 🙁 but retook it. Are they not factoring in the D? Is this some mistake they will rectify? I double checked everything else and it seems to be in order...

Much thanks to any who reply!
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You are correct. They don't factor in the D. Good for you (and me, and a bunch of other people)!
 
tourniquet1963 said:
AACOMAS asks if i consider myself economically disdvantaged.. In amcas i answered as yes, b/c in the past my family and i were disadvantaged.. but is AACOMAS asking about now.. or in the past? Thanks!
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ANYBODY??????? im ready to submit..Help : (
 
Non-medical LORs?

I have two people to write me LORs. The chair of my engineering major and one of my engineering professors.

For the third LOR, will it be all right if it is my boss at my internship? The internship has nothing to do with medicine whatsoever. I don't really know anyone in the medicial industry who I think knows me enough to write me a LOR.
 
engineeredout said:
Non-medical LORs?

I have two people to write me LORs. The chair of my engineering major and one of my engineering professors.

For the third LOR, will it be all right if it is my boss at my internship? The internship has nothing to do with medicine whatsoever. I don't really know anyone in the medicial industry who I think knows me enough to write me a LOR.
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Lots of schools want an LOR from a boss if you've been outta school for a while. I'd also try really hard to get a letter with the initials DO (or at least MD) at the end. :luck:
 
Has anyone on this thread actually been verified? I emailed AACOM recently and they said they "hope to have an email system" to notify applicants. My coursework page appears much different now (transcripts were received May 19th, a month ago) and I have no idea what this means. Maybe it's just because I can't edit it anymore because it's been submitted. Does "verification" occur without MCAT scores? Is it possible to be "verified" if you marked that you "plan on taking" MCAT? This stuff is so unclear to me. Any help? Thanks so much-
 
MichiganEMTInt said:
Has anyone on this thread actually been verified? I emailed AACOM recently and they said they "hope to have an email system" to notify applicants. My coursework page appears much different now (transcripts were received May 19th, a month ago) and I have no idea what this means. Maybe it's just because I can't edit it anymore because it's been submitted. Does "verification" occur without MCAT scores? Is it possible to be "verified" if you marked that you "plan on taking" MCAT? This stuff is so unclear to me. Any help? Thanks so much-
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If by change in coursework you are referring to the sorting and colorizing, then that just happens when you submit. I don't think anyone has been verified yet. Dunno about your other questions...
 
Chocolate Bear said:
Lots of schools want an LOR from a boss if you've been outta school for a while. I'd also try really hard to get a letter with the initials DO (or at least MD) at the end. :luck:
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Gah yeah more evidence why waiting a year would be that much smarter. Most likely what I'll end up doing.
 
engineeredout said:
Gah yeah more evidence why waiting a year would be that much smarter. Most likely what I'll end up doing.
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Well the internship boss letter seems like a good idea, especially if they got to know you well. The letter from the doc may or may not warrant waiting a year. Can't you get one in the next month or two? Maybe from an ER DO whom you can shadow during the evening or something? If this was me I'd be killing myself to get everything together so as not to have to wait!
 
Chocolate Bear said:
Well the internship boss letter seems like a good idea, especially if they got to know you well. The letter from the doc may or may not warrant waiting a year. Can't you get one in the next month or two? Maybe from an ER DO whom you can shadow during the evening or something? If this was me I'd be killing myself to get everything together so as not to have to wait!
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If I were to apply this year, I'd have to find a DO letter by some miracle, rush into the mcat, I wouldn't have the gpa I'll have by the end of next year, wouldn't have the clinical experience, not go through my premed committee.

I want to apply this year badly but everything tells me that waiting the year is the smart thing to do.
 
engineeredout said:
If I were to apply this year, I'd have to find a DO letter by some miracle, rush into the mcat, I wouldn't have the gpa I'll have by the end of next year, wouldn't have the clinical experience, not go through my premed committee.

I want to apply this year badly but everything tells me that waiting the year is the smart thing to do.
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Sounds like you answered your own question, are doing the right thing, and will be successful in a year! Don't feel bad about waiting. An unsuccessful season sucks (I should know).
 
engineeredout said:
If I were to apply this year, I'd have to find a DO letter by some miracle, rush into the mcat, I wouldn't have the gpa I'll have by the end of next year, wouldn't have the clinical experience, not go through my premed committee.

I want to apply this year badly but everything tells me that waiting the year is the smart thing to do.
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Do not rush it. You will be putting alot of time and money into this, and you need to be prepared. This cycle has already begun, and getting your application in early is a crucial part of getting an acceptance (unless your scores are stellar)
 
MichiganEMTInt said:
Has anyone on this thread actually been verified? I emailed AACOM recently and they said they "hope to have an email system" to notify applicants. My coursework page appears much different now (transcripts were received May 19th, a month ago) and I have no idea what this means. Maybe it's just because I can't edit it anymore because it's been submitted. Does "verification" occur without MCAT scores? Is it possible to be "verified" if you marked that you "plan on taking" MCAT? This stuff is so unclear to me. Any help? Thanks so much-
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theres an entire thread dedicated to AACOAMS verification. it has a list of when you submitted and when you were verified. so far, no one has been verified.

the verification process begins as soon as you submit. you do not need MCAT scores to become verified, thats why you always here people ask "should i submit for verification now or wait til i get my MCAT scores" and most always the response is "submit now so you can be verified, then you update AACOMAS when your scores come in"
 
I was wondering how much schools would be interested in artistic endeavors...for example, I won 4th place in a photography competition last month...does stuff like that even matter? 😕
 
Rainingstairs said:
I was wondering how much schools would be interested in artistic endeavors...for example, I won 4th place in a photography competition last month...does stuff like that even matter? 😕
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Hell yeah! Put that under Awards--they love well rounded people who can do well in the sciences!
 
Chuckwalla said:
What DO schools are decently priced? I have seen some are outrageous and want to avoid those. I have my state one, any other recommendations?
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This should help. All numbers are from the 2009 CIB. 👍
 

Attachments

can someone post the format of how you would describe your work experience or anything like that. I dont want to make any mistakes so it would be helpful if i had some kind of sample to work with,
thanks
 
Jamal:
When describing your work experience, IMO the most important things are to keep it objective and concise. Don't feel like you have to use all the characters you are allowed. I think it was 750 but I don't remember.

Don't go into gory emotional detail over a job in this section. If you must, do that in your personal statement. In this area, the work section, state your role at your job and exactly what you did. Don't be too wordy. And don't make up stuff either. If you were a CNA don't say you were "performing emergency thoracotomies". Although that might be within the CNA's scope of practice someday, if we don't do anything about the shortage of physicians.

Type the description in paragraph form also. I would not type a "list". Remember that this is the medical school's first impression of you. Be formal, objective, and concise. And double check everything.
 
I have submitted my MCAT scores several times to AACOMAS. The last time was on June 11, and they are still not there!! I am freaking out! Does anyone have a phone number that connects me to a person at AACOMAS to find out what the problem is.
 
MichiganEMTInt said:
Jamal:
When describing your work experience, IMO the most important things are to keep it objective and concise. Don't feel like you have to use all the characters you are allowed. I think it was 750 but I don't remember.

Don't go into gory emotional detail over a job in this section. If you must, do that in your personal statement. In this area, the work section, state your role at your job and exactly what you did. Don't be too wordy. And don't make up stuff either. If you were a CNA don't say you were "performing emergency thoracotomies". Although that might be within the CNA's scope of practice someday, if we don't do anything about the shortage of physicians.

Type the description in paragraph form also. I would not type a "list". Remember that this is the medical school's first impression of you. Be formal, objective, and concise. And double check everything.
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I think it should be done with bullets, not in paragraph form. If the job was important to you or helped shape your character or career aspirations in some way, it's perfectly acceptable to go into detail, as much as you can given the character count limit.
 
FutureIHSDoc said:
I have submitted my MCAT scores several times to AACOMAS. The last time was on June 11, and they are still not there!! I am freaking out! Does anyone have a phone number that connects me to a person at AACOMAS to find out what the problem is.
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There's an AACOM thread somewhere around here. I'd post there for a generic answer over the weekend if they're around. If not, call the contact number on the application website first thing Monday morning.
 
Revilla said:
There's an AACOM thread somewhere around here. I'd post there for a generic answer over the weekend if they're around. If not, call the contact number on the application website first thing Monday morning.
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Thank you
 
I have a question about one of the questions on the application, about "if you consider yourself economically, medically, (or both) disadvantaged. I know that if you are econ. disadvantaged that does help you get into school. What do you guys think about medically disadvantaged. I know medical schools have the right to discriminate against students with medical disabilities, after all it would be pretty hard to complete residency if your confined to a wheel chair or if your blind. Technically I can list myself as being medical disadvantaged, though my condition in no way prevents me from being a physician; a good analogy would be say a person who has sever migraines, which prevented a person from studying as much or not being able to complete exams. However, the questions is a simple yes or no (on the application) and doesn’t ask you to elaborate. Do you guys think it would work against me if I put that down
 
MDwonnaBe said:
...though my condition in no way prevents me from being a physician; a good analogy would be say a person who has sever migraines, which prevented a person from studying as much or not being able to complete exams...
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First, yes you need to disclose such a medical condition, or you're likely committing fraud. This is about much more than explaining bad grades.

Second, you'd better have a great story for how you have your condition under control, permanently, that holds up under the scrutiny of the physicians who are between you and admission. If you don't have it under control, you'll want to reconsider your view that your condition "in no way" prevents you from being a physician. If you can't predict when you'll be disabled, and if you require the privilege of taking exams etc. when you're able, instead of on a schedule, that's exactly the type of medical condition that isn't protected by the ADA. You might be able to make it through preclinical years, but what happens when a hospital starts relying on you to be available and functional?

Hopefully I'm off base. Best of luck to you.
 
So, I requested transcripts from my three schools back in late May. AACOMAS received one of them on 06/04, but still nothing from the other two. I called my schools, and they say they have sent transcripts to AACOMAS. The application still is not reflecting this. Has anyone else noticed a significant lag between the the time the transcript was sent and the time it took for the AACOMAS to acknowledge it?
 
DH78 said:
So, I requested transcripts from my three schools back in late May. AACOMAS received one of them on 06/04, but still nothing from the other two. I called my schools, and they say they have sent transcripts to AACOMAS. The application still is not reflecting this. Has anyone else noticed a significant lag between the the time the transcript was sent and the time it took for the AACOMAS to acknowledge it?
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i have also sent out my transcript on 6/10 and just yesterday 06/24 did my AACOMAS application show that they receieved me transcript as of 06/16.

a significant lag time, most likely due to the overwhelming amount of applicants.
 
Thanks for the response. I can buy that, but I'm a little surprised it just hasn't happened sooner. Oh well.

This can at least go as a comfort to anyone else who might be freaking out.
 
Does any one knows up to what date of the submitted applications have been verified? It's so slow!
 
Depending on your medical condition if it does not affect your day to day functions then I would mark no on the app. If it is migrains that occur once in awhile I personally would not put that on the app. that is the same as maybe someone getting sick and missing a day of school. ( I get bad migranes and I did not mark it as a disadvantage). It just depends on your situation and how bad it affects you.
 
Im finishing up re-applying this month and Im using my MCAT from last August. I am scheduled to re-take the MCAT on 8/15 after a Kaplan course but Im not sure how to designate to my schools that I am doing so (PS perhaps). I have been told to reapply as soon as I can with my previous MCAT and just send in my new one when it comes in.

If anyone has done the same or has any advise please share your experience. Thanks so much.
 
There should be a place to do that on your application where you put the date of your last MCAT.
 
i might not have been clear enough. Im wondering how do I explain to schools that I am retaking the MCAT later this summer after I apply and receive secondaries. Will they make a decision on my app right away with my old MCAT score or will they wait to view my new score
 
rmsgolfer said:
i might not have been clear enough. Im wondering how do I explain to schools that I am retaking the MCAT later this summer after I apply and receive secondaries. Will they make a decision on my app right away with my old MCAT score or will they wait to view my new score
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Sometimes if your original MCAT score is good enough, they will extend the interview and potentially an acceptance before you even take the retest. This happened to me when I indicated a retake in January and was accepted in November. If maybe they would like to see some stronger scores they will hold your application and make a decision after seeing an improvement.

How do you explain to them you are retaking it later this summer? Indicating that in your personal statement would be fine. Another option would be calling the admissions staff at the school and telling them to keep this in mind and to add it to your file. After speaking to some of the admissions people at the various schools I applied to they always told me send us updated test scores or notify us of volunteer experience, etc. etc. Anything you can tell the school to update/strengthen your application is largely to your benefit and it can be as simple as calling them up and telling them to make a note of it in your file.

They are always checking the files of people awaiting interviews or on alternate lists whether they say they are or not. Good luck!
 
There will be a place on your AACOMAS app in the MCAT section where you can show that you are taking the mcat again in August.
(Pretty sure this is what EEL08 said)
 
rmsgolfer said:
i might not have been clear enough. Im wondering how do I explain to schools that I am retaking the MCAT later this summer after I apply and receive secondaries. Will they make a decision on my app right away with my old MCAT score or will they wait to view my new score
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i'm in the same boat as you. i'm retaking in august as well... as the previous poster said, the MCAT section of the aacomas asks you to input dates of past and future MCATs. so, the way my application is set up, it says Jan 2008 and it has my score listed and underneath that it says August 2008 with (obviously) no scores currently listed. it's up to the schools after that point. most schools will wait until september when our new scores are out; but i am told some schools may invite you for an interview if they feel you are a strong enough applicant without the retake. also, you should stay on top of secondaries and LOR, so that when the MCAT score is released, everything else is already set. hope that helps.
 
The schools will see that you plan on retaking it by looking at your app. It's up to you to contact each school depending on whether or not you want your app to be put on hold pending your new MCAT score. I applied with a 22and chose not to even include in my app that I was retaking because I did not want my app put on hold. You risk getting rejected early on depending on what your MCAT is if you don't ask to have your app put on hold. On the other hand if you do that then you could miss out on early interviews and acceptances. I strongly suggest you do not include this in your personal statement. You don't have much room and I just don't think it fits. Some apps have places to add something extra you want them to know or like I said you could call each school to discuss this.
 
so i just got my MCAT scores back today.....28R!! whoop whoop.

so here is my question. i have already submitted AACOMAS. do i send my MCAT to AACOMAS or do i send it to the schools I applied to since i already submitted for verification? either this is done through the THx system thing right?
 
ryserr21 said:
so i just got my MCAT scores back today.....28R!! whoop whoop.

so here is my question. i have already submitted AACOMAS. do i send my MCAT to AACOMAS or do i send it to the schools I applied to since i already submitted for verification? either this is done through the THx system thing right?
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Nice work! I don't know how you go about it from here, though. Sorry! 😀
 
ryserr21 said:
so i just got my MCAT scores back today.....28R!! whoop whoop.

so here is my question. i have already submitted AACOMAS. do i send my MCAT to AACOMAS or do i send it to the schools I applied to since i already submitted for verification? either this is done through the THx system thing right?
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send it to aacomas, they will send to the schools you applied to. Good luck
 
I sent for my transcripts over two weeks ago, and AACOMAS still has no record of it. So I called my school and they said it was sent out on Monday. Meanwhile AMCAS said they received it. Is it always like this?😱
 
anon y mous said:
I sent for my transcripts over two weeks ago, and AACOMAS still has no record of it. So I called my school and they said it was sent out on Monday. Meanwhile AMCAS said they received it. Is it always like this?😱
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Monday? Ha! They were slow when they opened 2 months ago. Now they're REALLY slow with transcripts! Sit back and relax for the next 2-4 weeks, while you wait for them to show up on your app.
 
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