2009-2010 AMCAS Questions Thread

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man, I have like I am really behind. Did everyone already send their transcripts to amcas.
Also, did you personally send them or did you have the college send them> ?
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No, you're not behind. I'm having finals right now, so I have to wait for my spring grades before sending my transcripts. I'm having my college send them.
 
Which category did you guys list shadowing under as an activity? Other?
 
I work for a volunteer ambulance corps as an EMT; however, I got a scholarship through my state, and it's only awarded to volunteer emt's/firefighters who are also students. Should I list that on my AMCAS?
 
why not? I wouldn't suggest listing it as a separate entry, but might as well mention it under your EMT entry.
 
I am taking my MCAT May 22 and was planning on sending in my primary to 3 schools and then wait it out on my MCAT before applying to the rest. Is there any way to do this?
 
Hi everyone,
So I have a questions about the primary AMCAS application for the work/activities section. For the past couple months I have been running an eBay business to raise money for Children's Cancer and Blood Foundation. I have donated about $1000. Who do I put down as a contact for this? I don't really know how I can verify the information in the primary app - I could definitely include tax reciepts in the secondary, but I have no contact info for the primary.

Thoughts?
Thanks!
-Josh
 
glia25 said:
I am taking my MCAT May 22 and was planning on sending in my primary to 3 schools and then wait it out on my MCAT before applying to the rest. Is there any way to do this?
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I think you can 're-do' your AMCAS and just add more schools, but I'm sure there is some sort of time delay involved.

Why on Earth are you doing this? State school situation or something?
 
I had been advised, but I'm open to any other opinions, that with my stats this might be a good technique. I stand at a solid 3.7+ cGPA and sGPA, but my practice MCATs have been less than stellar. I have been studying for about 6 months and have been really cracking down for the past 4 weeks. I have been working so hard that I feel it would be worthwhile to take the exam as I cannot take it later in the summer (full-time job that I must take).

I was planning on only applying to a select group of schools, my in-state schools and some of "lower caliber," expecting that I may not stand a chance at some of the top tier schools with a poor MCAT score. Of course, test day is uncertain. My scores are ranging from 28-32 with the majority in the high 20s.

I didn't want to waste any money, if it could be avoided; but I would prefer to only have to fill out the AMCAS once. Perhaps I should just go for it? Or would it be best to hold off on applying until I receive my MCAT score in late June? The earlier the better, right?
 
glia25 said:
I had been advised, but I'm open to any other opinions, that with my stats this might be a good technique. I stand at a solid 3.7+ cGPA and sGPA, but my practice MCATs have been less than stellar. I have been studying for about 6 months and have been really cracking down for the past 4 weeks. I have been working so hard that I feel it would be worthwhile to take the exam as I cannot take it later in the summer (full-time job that I must take).

I was planning on only applying to a select group of schools, my in-state schools and some of "lower caliber," expecting that I may not stand a chance at some of the top tier schools with a poor MCAT score. Of course, test day is uncertain. My scores are ranging from 28-32 with the majority in the high 20s.

I didn't want to waste any money, if it could be avoided; but I would prefer to only have to fill out the AMCAS once. Perhaps I should just go for it? Or would it be best to hold off on applying until I receive my MCAT score in late June? The earlier the better, right?
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Earlier is DEFINITELY better. Even if your MCAT score turns out poorly, you can always choose not to send out $$ with the secondaries. On the other hand, if you wait, you 'save' money but you also put yourself at a major disadvantage unless you ace the MCAT.
 
glia25 said:
I had been advised, but I'm open to any other opinions, that with my stats this might be a good technique. I stand at a solid 3.7+ cGPA and sGPA, but my practice MCATs have been less than stellar. I have been studying for about 6 months and have been really cracking down for the past 4 weeks. I have been working so hard that I feel it would be worthwhile to take the exam as I cannot take it later in the summer (full-time job that I must take).

I was planning on only applying to a select group of schools, my in-state schools and some of "lower caliber," expecting that I may not stand a chance at some of the top tier schools with a poor MCAT score. Of course, test day is uncertain. My scores are ranging from 28-32 with the majority in the high 20s.

I didn't want to waste any money, if it could be avoided; but I would prefer to only have to fill out the AMCAS once. Perhaps I should just go for it? Or would it be best to hold off on applying until I receive my MCAT score in late June? The earlier the better, right?
Click to expand...

waiting until late june is not LATE, dont listen to those who tell you it is. If you are worried you can wait it wont affect you too much. Though honestly if you score in your practice test range even a 28 wont preclude you from med school, especially if your in a state like say kentucky that basically ONLY takes in state residents and have low stats. So personally if you feel confident you wont score lower then your average mcat you could apply.
 
Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how you look at it), I am from NJ, where only some emphasis is placed on being an in-state applicant. I will certainly be applying broadly and hoping for the best!
 
im confused about entering grades...

1. you DO have to enter them in EXACT order? for example...i have technically attended 3 colleges. i took a couple courses at a comm college in AZ before i moved to boston for the school i go to now...and i have taken summer classes at a local state school. the app automatically arranges them in order by date, but each class within the date has to be the SAME order it appears on the transcripts?

2. this may be so dumb, but im getting confused on how to enter the "course number."

let's say my class according to my school transcripts is CMM220.

so that is classified as COMM.

would the course number just be 220? or CMM220? or COMM220?

thanks!
 
another thing...

in my personal statement, there is one sentence towards the beginning that i start with "but." now i know this is normally a grammar faux pas, but in most circles, using "but" is just fine, just a little informal. i have had 2 reliable sources (one of my friends is an english professor, another one was someone from my school's writing center) who said it is totally fine to use it in this case because it is my personal statement, and it reads differently. still, im a little uncomfortable with it, because i don't want adcoms to think my grammar isn't perfect, it is just the tone of that part of the essay. WWYD? 😕
 
JRock310 said:
im confused about entering grades...

1. you DO have to enter them in EXACT order? for example...i have technically attended 3 colleges. i took a couple courses at a comm college in AZ before i moved to boston for the school i go to now...and i have taken summer classes at a local state school. the app automatically arranges them in order by date, but each class within the date has to be the SAME order it appears on the transcripts?

2. this may be so dumb, but im getting confused on how to enter the "course number."

let's say my class according to my school transcripts is CMM220.

so that is classified as COMM.

would the course number just be 220? or CMM220? or COMM220?

thanks!
in my personal statement, there is one sentence towards the beginning that i start with "but." now i know this is normally a grammar faux pas, but in most circles, using "but" is just fine, just a little informal. i have had 2 reliable sources (one of my friends is an english professor, another one was someone from my school's writing center) who said it is totally fine to use it in this case because it is my personal statement, and it reads differently. still, im a little uncomfortable with it, because i don't want adcoms to think my grammar isn't perfect, it is just the tone of that part of the essay. WWYD? 😕
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1. It should be in order on your transcripts, dont worry about that whole date thing its not a big deal. The more closely it is to your transcripts the less possible delays that can come about.

2. course # is w/e your school says it is on the transcripts. For example my biochemistry class has the number "biosci 98" so thats what i entered.


3. Starting with but is gramatically o.k its like one of those rules they teach in elementary school dont start a sentance with but. Its fine if you do, I would keep it you think thats how it flows best.
 
For Awards listing, what did you guys put for number of hours/week? Blank?
 
BlueElmo said:
For Awards listing, what did you guys put for number of hours/week? Blank?
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when i clicked on honors awards there wasnt even a box on amcas for listing hours, so that shouldnt be a problem.
 
Do you think it would be better to combine all shadow experiences.
I have shadowed in 2 diff. hosptials. To save an entry, would it be okey to list them together and just indicate Dr. Joe was at hospital X and Dr. Mary at Hosp Y?
 
I would say that's definitely okay, especially if they were not super intensive experiences. I groups two of mine, and I recall others saying it was totally acceptable. If they are short shadowing exp's then it might even look weird to have them separate
 
NeuroChaos said:
Do you think it would be better to combine all shadow experiences.
I have shadowed in 2 diff. hosptials. To save an entry, would it be okey to list them together and just indicate Dr. Joe was at hospital X and Dr. Mary at Hosp Y?
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combine them unless they are both intensive and long term shadowing. If they were just for like a month or something short theres no need to seperate them.
 
How does AMCAS verify that all of your Awards/Honors/Experiences are legitimate?
 
Alaska21 said:
How does AMCAS verify that all of your Awards/Honors/Experiences are legitimate?
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AMCAS doesn't verify these, they just foward your app. to schools. It also seems schools do not have time to verify the Activities. They will take your word for it, so you should be honest.
 
I was wondering how the "freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior" classifications should be assigned to my courses. Is it based on credits or on the year in college (ie., if I am in my junior year in college, but have 120 credits already and will be graduating early, should I go ahead and label the classes I took this last year as "senior" classes?)
 
mvenus929 said:
Most schools will accept AP credit (which most colleges don't give actual grades for) for pre-reqs.
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You're right, I never knew this. Be careful though, as I just looked at a bunch of schools' websites and they seem to be cool with physics and chem AP, but not so much bio.
 
ap888 said:
I was wondering how the "freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior" classifications should be assigned to my courses. Is it based on credits or on the year in college (ie., if I am in my junior year in college, but have 120 credits already and will be graduating early, should I go ahead and label the classes I took this last year as "senior" classes?)
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Read. The. Thread.

The short answer is that it doesn't matter and AMCAS will change it how they want it.
 
JRock310 said:
another thing...

in my personal statement, there is one sentence towards the beginning that i start with "but." now i know this is normally a grammar faux pas, but in most circles, using "but" is just fine, just a little informal. i have had 2 reliable sources (one of my friends is an english professor, another one was someone from my school's writing center) who said it is totally fine to use it in this case because it is my personal statement, and it reads differently. still, im a little uncomfortable with it, because i don't want adcoms to think my grammar isn't perfect, it is just the tone of that part of the essay. WWYD? 😕
Click to expand...

Grammar rules like that were invented by some old high school english teacher just so she would have something to teach. Write in the style that works best for you.
 
Hey all, I'm going to jump in the mix here

1) Somebody asked this before but I did not see anybody respond with an answer. Is it ok to have a "miscellaneous" activity for volunteer work? Like, i have a significant amount of activities that are 1 time events that I would just like to condense

2) I took a year off between high school and college. During this time I did significant volunteering and worked. Should I include both of these activities? It might help fill in my time line since high school
 
joshg said:
Hi everyone,
So I have a questions about the primary AMCAS application for the work/activities section. For the past couple months I have been running an eBay business to raise money for Children's Cancer and Blood Foundation. I have donated about $1000. Who do I put down as a contact for this? I don't really know how I can verify the information in the primary app - I could definitely include tax reciepts in the secondary, but I have no contact info for the primary.

Thoughts?
Thanks!
-Josh
Click to expand...

Merging with the 2009-2010 AMCAS Questions thread 🙂

I'm pretty sure that contacts are optional; if you don't have a contact, don't sweat it. If they care enough to make you "prove" that you did it, they'll ask about it in the interview; as long as you don't sound like you're making stuff up, it's unlikely that they'll look too hard into it.
 
Confused2626 said:
Hey all, I'm going to jump in the mix here

1) Somebody asked this before but I did not see anybody respond with an answer. Is it ok to have a "miscellaneous" activity for volunteer work? Like, i have a significant amount of activities that are 1 time events that I would just like to condense

Good question. I'm in this situation also. I'm leaning toward not doing it because it might seem like it's just filler.

2) I took a year off between high school and college. During this time I did significant volunteering and worked. Should I include both of these activities? It might help fill in my time line since high school

I would. Any break in your education should probably be accounted for.
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.
 
pookiez88 said:
I work for a volunteer ambulance corps as an EMT; however, I got a scholarship through my state, and it's only awarded to volunteer emt's/firefighters who are also students. Should I list that on my AMCAS?
Click to expand...

I'd either list it with other awards/honors or with your EMT entry.
 
Hi all,

How do I go about listing promotions in the EC section of my app?

I worked the same job freshman year -> senior year and was promoted twice, each time with drastically changing responsibilities and time commitments.

If I list them all under one EC, I feel like I won't have enough space to cover everything I did there.

On the other hand if I list them as 3 separate jobs, I fear the app committee will look down on that for wasting space and so on.

But I do *need* to list all of them somehow because the job played a very large role in what I did as an undergrad, how much time I had for other EC's and so on.

Any suggestions? Thanks!
 
I would list it as one extracurricular, being as succinct as possible. Maybe a bullet format would work better for you than a narrative.
 
List it as one EC unless you were promoted to a totally different position with significantly different responsibilitys. In other words, if it was a lateral promotion, I would list it under one EC. List the most senior position at the top, and the earlier ones later. The admissions people sometimes only choose to read the first few lines of each EC, so place the most important things on top of your summary.
 
JRock310 said:
another thing...

in my personal statement, there is one sentence towards the beginning that i start with "but." now i know this is normally a grammar faux pas, but in most circles, using "but" is just fine, just a little informal. i have had 2 reliable sources (one of my friends is an english professor, another one was someone from my school's writing center) who said it is totally fine to use it in this case because it is my personal statement, and it reads differently. still, im a little uncomfortable with it, because i don't want adcoms to think my grammar isn't perfect, it is just the tone of that part of the essay. WWYD? 😕
Click to expand...

That particular faux pas is more of a guideline given to those who are less adept with the language in an effort to keep them from writing poor sentences.
 
Last edited:
I had to take a medical leave following an emergency surgery and rehabilitation in the spring semester of my sophomore year.

On my transcript, there are all 5 of the courses I was registered for (and taking) until I withdrew for the semester on a medical leave of absence.

Do I need to enter this entire semester in the AMCAS with "W" designation, or just leave it off?

What about a course where I received a WE (withdrawal, administrative error) for a course I tried to dropped before the semester began, but there was an error in the system.
 
Yes, you need to enter all withdrawals. AMCAS sucks in that every single academic black mark that you've ever had at the college level will come back to haunt you. I was not a happy camper when I learned that the anatomy class I took as a high school student needed to be disclosed (I did not, shall we say, cover myself with scholastic glory).

That being said, most secondary applications have a section where you can explain any extenuating circumstances, and since your withdrawals were related to a medical emergency, I truly don't anticipate them hurting you very much. I mean, you needed surgery -- were you supposed to wait for it until finals were done? You can also mention it in your PS, or have a talk with your premed committee and see if they can't mention something about it in your composite letter.

As to your withdrawal due to administrative error, yes, that needs to be reported as well. AMCAS wants EVERYTHING. But it really isn't a kiss of death. I withdrew from two courses (not for medical reasons, either) and I still got accepted.

You're fine. Assuming your grades in classes you completed are good, a semester of medically-related W's really should not be an issue (in my admittedly non-expert opinion).
 
I did a search and didn't see this answered:

I TA'd 4 classes throughout my UG career - 2 chem, 1 bio and 1 programming - so they are all very different in terms of what and how much I had to do.

Do I put the 4 separately so I can highlight my individual activities there, or just make one "Teaching Assistant" category.

I'm just worried because they were all very time consuming, and I want the schools to know how much time I spent on teaching.

Suggestions? I'm inclined to leave them separated as 4 EC's...Or maybe lump the 2 chem ones together and leave the others alone?
 
revolver4ever said:
I did a search and didn't see this answered:

I TA'd 4 classes throughout my UG career - 2 chem, 1 bio and 1 programming - so they are all very different in terms of what and how much I had to do.

Do I put the 4 separately so I can highlight my individual activities there, or just make one "Teaching Assistant" category.

I'm just worried because they were all very time consuming, and I want the schools to know how much time I spent on teaching.

Suggestions? I'm inclined to leave them separated as 4 EC's...Or maybe lump the 2 chem ones together and leave the others alone?
Click to expand...

Depends on how important those activities were to you, what other activities you have, and what strengths and qualities you want your EC section to emphasize.
 
revolver4ever said:
I did a search and didn't see this answered:

I TA'd 4 classes throughout my UG career - 2 chem, 1 bio and 1 programming - so they are all very different in terms of what and how much I had to do.

Do I put the 4 separately so I can highlight my individual activities there, or just make one "Teaching Assistant" category.

I'm just worried because they were all very time consuming, and I want the schools to know how much time I spent on teaching.

Suggestions? I'm inclined to leave them separated as 4 EC's...Or maybe lump the 2 chem ones together and leave the others alone?
Click to expand...

yea I TAd 2 chem and 3 math and tutor the MCAT now. So I grouped them all together. Its up to you. I had segregated research experiences that I wanted to highlight more.
 
I think I know the answer to this question, but I just wanted to be sure.

I'm reapplying and when they ask if I had previously applied to each school, do I mark "yes" if I added a school to my AMCAS last year but I did not complete the secondary for that school?

Sorry if that's a dumb question or if has already been asked but thanks to anyone who answers.
 
Back in High school, I took two summer classes at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks (Trig and Pre-calc) in order to take Calculus my senior year

I received an A in both (which is not difficult to do)
I was wondering, do these go on my premed app??

or do they belong in oblivion??
 
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