2009-2010 AMCAS Questions Thread

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DocDrakeRamoray said:
Believe me great majority of pre-meds have achieved a decent GPA and would be on dean's lists and honor's list etc. I would not list them. ADCOMS would know your GPA anyway.
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Thanks for your help. I figured as much. What if an award came from a non-profit humanitarian organization I was heavily involved in? I'm not sure if awards section is meant for school stuff only.
 
Ok, so let me get this straight...

1) Community college courses taken while in high school get the High School designation (and you must send a transcript from that college)

2) AP tests need to be reported under your first semester/quarter of freshman year

3) It DOES NOT matter what order you list your classes on your app... it doesn't have to be in the order they're listed on your transcript

Am i correct?
 
Why is it that when I try to select the texas medical schools it only shows the combined md/phd option under each school? Do they offer regular MD programs????
 
junkct said:
Ok, so let me get this straight...

1) Community college courses taken while in high school get the High School designation (and you must send a transcript from that college)

2) AP tests need to be reported under your first semester/quarter of freshman year

3) It DOES NOT matter what order you list your classes on your app... it doesn't have to be in the order they're listed on your transcript

Am i correct?
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correct, just make sure your classes are at least right as far as semester goes.
 
Schwann said:
Why is it that when I try to select the texas medical schools it only shows the combined md/phd option under each school? Do they offer regular MD programs????
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Yes they do, but Texas schools do not use AMCAS (except for Baylor, which is a private school). You must use the TMDSAS application service

http://www.utsystem.edu/tmdsas/
 
I've heard that schools expected reference letters from every PI you've worked for if you have significant research experience... so my question is: If I have just recently started working in this lab (May) and will be continuing to work there for the rest of the summer and next school year, am I expected to submit a LOR from this PI? I feel weird asking for a reference letter after just having started to work in his lab.
 
stftk14 said:
So I received AP credit from my undergrad for chem, calc AB, and calc BC, for a total of 12 credits. But all my transcript says is "Advanced placement Credits Accepted: 12" and does not list any of the courses. My online student transcript lists the courses I received credit for but the transcript does not, so I am afraid AMCAS won't accept them?
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You can list each exam individually even if your official transcript only indicates block credit. Just make sure the total amount of AP credit on your application equals the amount on the official transcript.
 
So I'm a re-applicant and I have a question. I was thinking through my work activities section and there a few things that I did not include on last years AMCAS because I didn't think it relevant or important enough. I realize now that listing the activities would answer some time gaps in my application and are perhaps more 'relevant' than I originally had thought and I therefore want to include them this year. Its nothing too major: a summer job; a drawing hobby; a non-academic related daily lecture / group discussion of theological and religious specific issues etc. Do you think this would raise a red flag in the fact that they were not included on last year's AMCAS but are there this year? Would I be suspected of lying?
 
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romba said:
So I'm a re-applicant and I have a question. I was thinking through my work activities section and there a few things that I did not include on last years AMCAS because I didn't think it relevant or important enough. I realize now that listing the activities would answer some time gaps in my application and are perhaps more 'relevant' than I orginally had thougt and I therefore want to include them this year. Its nothing too major: a summer job; a drawing hobby; a non-academic related daily lecture / group discussion of theological and religious specific issues etc. Do you think this would raise a red flag in the fact that they were not included on last year's AMCAS but are there this year? Would I suspected of lying?
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Nope just add them. I doubt you would even be questioned but if you are just say what you said above.
 
interleukin6 said:
I've heard that schools expected reference letters from every PI you've worked for if you have significant research experience... so my question is: If I have just recently started working in this lab (May) and will be continuing to work there for the rest of the summer and next school year, am I expected to submit a LOR from this PI? I feel weird asking for a reference letter after just having started to work in his lab.
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you cant get a letter if you just started now. But maybe later in the cycle if you are waitlisted at a few schools you could get a letter from the PI and update them, always a good way to keep them thinking about you.
 
Just registered to ask a few questions.

First off for rec's I started working in a lab in february, but had to compile my rec's for my schools composite rec by march so I couldn't ask my PI. So im assuming a good idea to get the rec from my PI and send that in addition to the composite rec?

Also to bring up the AP deal some more, I transfered from a state school to a private school after my freshman year, so as a result I got varying amounts of credit from both schools so any one have any ideas on how to tackle that? Also i only read part of the thread so was there any consensus on what to put in the grade field for AP classes.

One other question (for now that is) I took a linguistics class (LING 101) called "History of the American Lanuages" should I consider that History,English or Other. TIA
 
Hey guys I was planning on submitting my AMCAS on june 2nd. My spring grades will be available by the end of the first week of june. If I submit my AMCAS on june 2nd and i send my updated transcript while my app is undergoing verification will it be included in my app when it is verified? from what i remember the app takes 4-6 weeks to be verified.
 
vette2k10 said:
Hey guys I was planning on submitting my AMCAS on june 2nd. My spring grades will be available by the end of the first week of june. If I submit my AMCAS on june 2nd and i send my updated transcript while my app is undergoing verification will it be included in my app when it is verified? from what i remember the app takes 4-6 weeks to be verified.
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An app takes up to 4-6 weeks to be verified.

If all your transcripts are in on June 2nd and you submit it on June 2nd, your application will likely be verified in less than a week. It only starts taking that long once theres a decent backlog. ( see: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=527396&page=21 There should be a graph around somewhere, but heck if I remember where).

Those who submitted with all transcripts already at AMCAS on 6/4 (first day last year) were verified on 6/5. Those who submitted 7/1 took about three weeks to be verified.

Note: If you apply early decision, you jump to the front of the line, so ignore the people who were verified within a day. Also, all your transcripts must be in to be verified.

Now, as for specific advice for you:

How are you going to submit AMCAS with your spring grades on June 2nd if they aren't out yet? I would wait to submit until YOU know what your grades are, have the transcript sent in immediately, and AMCAS should get/process it within a week or two. It will only set you back a little, and do remember that the schools themselves dont even get a single completed application until the third week in June or so.
 
this may have already been addressed earlier but i haven't seen it thus far...

now that i'm done with school, I would like to do a lot more volunteering... I'm just starting to apply for all these cool positions. I'll probably start volunteering before I turn in my AMCAS application in June...I would like to put them in my work/activities section, but I wouldn't have much to write about it yet.

Do you guys know how I could include these in there? I want them to know that I'm still volunteering now that I'm out of school BUT I don't have anything meaningful to write about it because I'm just starting. Should I just make a category of volunteer activities that I'm just starting or are there better/more effective ways? Any suggestions?? (does this make sense?) THANKS!!
 
parhumn said:
this may have already been addressed earlier but i haven't seen it thus far...

now that i'm done with school, I would like to do a lot more volunteering... I'm just starting to apply for all these cool positions. I'll probably start volunteering before I turn in my AMCAS application in June...I would like to put them in my work/activities section, but I wouldn't have much to write about it yet.

Do you guys know how I could include these in there? I want them to know that I'm still volunteering now that I'm out of school BUT I don't have anything meaningful to write about it because I'm just starting. Should I just make a category of volunteer activities that I'm just starting or are there better/more effective ways? Any suggestions?? (does this make sense?) THANKS!!
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you can update schools a bit later in the cycle or even when you get secondaries about your activities. Many (if not all ive seen) secondaries ask questions about your plans that you have if you are off of school, or they have a question like "is there anything you want to tell us." In this question you could explain your activities.
 
sorry, second question...

I just want to confirm this:

If you indicate on your AMCAS application that you'll be taking a class in the future but then decide not to take it, you will not be penalized. Is that correct? There is no need to send each school an update letter with your "change in plans," right? THANKS!!!
 
Elijah05 said:
you can update schools a bit later in the cycle or even when you get secondaries about your activities. Many (if not all ive seen) secondaries ask questions about your plans that you have if you are off of school, or they have a question like "is there anything you want to tell us." In this question you could explain your activities.
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thanks elijah!! but i've looked at some school's secondaries...and not all of them give you that opportunity cuz they ask specific questions not related to your plans. what should i do then?
 
I use up literally every single space provided on the application: (i.e all essay range 1300-1325, PS, MD/Ph.D statement, and the 10 k essay for reserach use up 95% of the character). My emphasis is not on facts, but I do a lot of analysis. Will I annoy adcoms?
 
how long does it take for AMCAS to receive our transcript and LOR and verify it after we send it (transcript from school of course)
 
NeuroChaos said:
I use up literally every single space provided on the application: (i.e all essay range 1300-1325, PS, MD/Ph.D statement, and the 10 k essay for reserach use up 95% of the character). My emphasis is not on facts, but I do a lot of analysis. Will I annoy adcoms?
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If you were legitimately using those spaces for necessary details that were neither redundant nor irrelevant, then not necessarily. As long as you have enough material left to expand upon in secondaries, you'll be fine.
 
parhumn said:
sorry, second question...

I just want to confirm this:

If you indicate on your AMCAS application that you'll be taking a class in the future but then decide not to take it, you will not be penalized. Is that correct? There is no need to send each school an update letter with your "change in plans," right? THANKS!!!
Click to expand...

you wont be penalized. As for your other question. Like I said you can always send schools an update of what you are doing in a letter. Some schools like this, other schools like creighton basically demand it. If you are super paranoid then list these activities on your amcas (as long as you are already accepted into doing the program), dont list them if you are just planning on doing them and havnt even started. In your description you could explain what your general duties are as you understand them with limited experience and then further explain that you plan to continue these programs through the application cycle all the way until you have to start medeical school/move somewhere to start med school. then during your interviews its likely they will ask about your new activities and you could go into more detail there or on 2ndarys like i said. Hope that helps.


If you start these activities after you submit your application then your only option is to send schools an update letter later in the season explaining what you are doing with yourself. Honestly though damn near every 2ndary (go read the 08 ones on SDN) basically ask what are your plans/gives space to write random things you want them to know...I think you are just over worrying here like every pre med does.
 
When entering in class names should I use the exact condensed name as listed on my transcripts or the actual name of the class? For example biology is (LS) Bas Lif Mch on my transcript but the full name would be basic life mechanisms. What should I put? I went with the exact transcript version...:idea:
 
Prodromo said:
When entering in class names should I use the exact condensed name as listed on my transcripts or the actual name of the class? For example biology is (LS) Bas Lif Mch on my transcript but the full name would be basic life mechanisms. What should I put? I went with the exact transcript version...:idea:
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I put the expanded versions down for all of my classes last year and it wasn't a problem. It probably made it easier for anyone reading my transcript as well.
 
Elijah05 said:
you wont be penalized. As for your other question. Like I said you can always send schools an update of what you are doing in a letter. Some schools like this, other schools like creighton basically demand it. If you are super paranoid then list these activities on your amcas (as long as you are already accepted into doing the program), dont list them if you are just planning on doing them and havnt even started. In your description you could explain what your general duties are as you understand them with limited experience and then further explain that you plan to continue these programs through the application cycle all the way until you have to start medeical school/move somewhere to start med school. then during your interviews its likely they will ask about your new activities and you could go into more detail there or on 2ndarys like i said. Hope that helps.


If you start these activities after you submit your application then your only option is to send schools an update letter later in the season explaining what you are doing with yourself. Honestly though damn near every 2ndary (go read the 08 ones on SDN) basically ask what are your plans/gives space to write random things you want them to know...I think you are just over worrying here like every pre med does.
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thanks elijah! i probably am just overworrying
 
I attended a rally about single payer health insurance and even gave a video interview for an organization (which they may or may not use, so it could be on youtube or something later). Could I list this as an activity?
I understand just attending an event doesn't mean a whole lot. But since I did an interview and if I say in the description that I am interested in health insurance legislation, is this significant enough to be put down?
 
When someone is listing their courses in AMCAS, how come there is only a trimester option that has (winter) and no semester for winter
 
I can't find an answer to this--well, at least not a clear one

I have had my transcrits sent to AMCAS, and I have enter all of my courses, but I have yet to submit my application--will AMCAS verify my grades when they receive my transcript?

thanks
 
Hey, I have another quick question

Will schools you've listed be notified when you submit to AMCAS, or are they not notified until AMCAS has verified your application?
 
HansSpemann said:
Hey, I have another quick question

Will schools you've listed be notified when you submit to AMCAS, or are they not notified until AMCAS has verified your application?
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AMCAS sends out your information to schools periodically after you are verified starting mid-June, I believez
 
Hey guys - are the current/future courses pretty much optional? It's only all coursework attempted/completed that need to be listed right?

Here's my situation:

I already have my prerequisties done.

1. I am currently taking a summer course that will finish in August - so should I list this course on AMCAS? I'm taking it at another school for transfer credit, so if I do list it, I'd have to send AMCAS a 2nd transcript (one from my home institution and one from the current one - in June) but since there won't be any grade indicated, it won't be verified to begin with...seems pointless to me.

So I'm thinking I shouldn't include it?

2. Also - for courses not included on the AMCAS application in June, like summer schoool and next year, we just send in updated transcripts directly to the individual schools when they ask for them right?
 
Do I send the LOR or does my professor send it directly to AMCAS?
 
okay, so I know future courses are non-binding, so I listed a course that I will be taking this summer.

But it will be a hard course, and I may not end up doing well on it. When interview season rolls around, will schools look at my primary and request that I send in an updated transcript with that summer grade on it?

Should I just not list that summer course at all?
 
Hi...I have a question about entering courses into AMCAS

So what needs to go into the "course number" section and what needs to go in the "course title" section? For instance if I have a class on my transcript that says:

DNA to Organisms Bio Sci 93 4.0 A-

Does "Bio Sci 93" go under the course number and "DNA to Organisms" go under the course title, or is the course number only "93?" Thanks!
 
jd1031 said:
Hi...I have a question about entering courses into AMCAS

So what needs to go into the "course number" section and what needs to go in the "course title" section? For instance if I have a class on my transcript that says:

DNA to Organisms Bio Sci 93 4.0 A-

Does "Bio Sci 93" go under the course number and "DNA to Organisms" go under the course title, or is the course number only "93?" Thanks!
Click to expand...

Did you read the thread?

The bolded portion is correct.
 
Is there any harm in listing personal beliefs? For example, one of my ECs was an internship in which I co-directed a documentary on an interfaith/unity program. The program involved muslim and jewish students/islam and judaism, and focused on issues within north american muslim and jewish communities, relationship between muslim and jews, etc (I'm not Jewish or Muslim-my family is one of them, but I have not said that on AMCAS). Is this okay?

Also, I'm involved in a program that helps women who were/are victims of domestic violence. My mom was a victim of domestic violence-is that alright to mention? Sorry if I'm sounding weird/paranoid, I'm just a newbie 😀
 
Ok let me make sure I have this correct...

It is okay to submit the primary application without LORs right?

If this is true, then once I have submitted my app does AMCAS automatically resend my app to schools I've checked with my added LORs? Or do the letter writers submit them directly to the school's I applied to? This option seems more tedious.
 
PlatinumPenny said:
Ok let me make sure I have this correct...

It is okay to submit the primary application without LORs right?

If this is true, then once I have submitted my app does AMCAS automatically resend my app to schools I've checked with my added LORs? Or do the letter writers submit them directly to the school's I applied to? This option seems more tedious.
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With the schools using their system, AMCAS will update your app with the schools whenever you add letters. With schools not using AMCAS's system, you wont need to worry about letters in regards to the primary at all.

Don't need to do it before verification either way...
 
The round bullets that I use in my activities section turn into " marks after I save them, has anyone else noticed this? Is this normal?
 
Raryn said:
With the schools using their system, AMCAS will update your app with the schools whenever you add letters. With schools not using AMCAS's system, you wont need to worry about letters in regards to the primary at all.

Don't need to do it before verification either way...
Click to expand...


Wow, really? That's awesome. I was worrying about a LOR that hasn't been sent out yet. Now I can turn in my application a lot earlier than I thought.
 
just wondering.. do most applicants fill up all 15 slots on the works/activities section? I only have 8 and it feels so skimpy compared to others on the forum.

sorry if this was asked, but i was also wondering on the course work section, do they use what you put as the course classification to determine your sGPA? thanks
 
xylem29 said:
Hey guys - are the current/future courses pretty much optional? It's only all coursework attempted/completed that need to be listed right?

Here's my situation:

I already have my prerequisties done.

1. I am currently taking a summer course that will finish in August - so should I list this course on AMCAS? I'm taking it at another school for transfer credit, so if I do list it, I'd have to send AMCAS a 2nd transcript (one from my home institution and one from the current one - in June) but since there won't be any grade indicated, it won't be verified to begin with...seems pointless to me.

So I'm thinking I shouldn't include it?

2. Also - for courses not included on the AMCAS application in June, like summer schoool and next year, we just send in updated transcripts directly to the individual schools when they ask for them right?
Click to expand...

Just called AMCAS - this may be of use to others!

1. Yes, it is optional, you don't have to list current courses.
2. Yes
 
I have another question:

If we are sending in our LORs to AMCAS via Interfolio - how do we go about doing this?

The instruction booklet says we need to have our letter writers send the letters into AMCAS themselves from their Interfolio account but I've read here that the student can do it.

Also, if we CAN just send in the LORs ourselves from Interfolio, is there a sheet we need to include with it or that Letter ID, and can this be done electronically - I'm really confuse, lol.
 
estoril said:
just wondering.. do most applicants fill up all 15 slots on the works/activities section? I only have 8 and it feels so skimpy compared to others on the forum.

sorry if this was asked, but i was also wondering on the course work section, do they use what you put as the course classification to determine your sGPA? thanks
Click to expand...

AMCAS determines sGPA by their rules not by your classification. I dont want to list it but on their 2010 app insturctions they specifically say what classes are bio, chem, math, and physics (you can go find it on amcas if u wanted). As for the activities the average applicant has 6 activities, also remember this is quality not quantity. A lot of people fill up **** they did for like 1 month or so, deans list, or maybe an alternative spring break. Not saying those arent good just saying that if your 8 activities are meaningful and long term that can be just as good. Point is your fine with 8 dont worry. If it makes you feel better i only have 7 lol. Not to mention do not think SDN/MDapps is your average applicant, if it was anyone with less then a 35 mcat and 3.9 wouldnt get into med school:laugh::laugh:
 
xylem29 said:
I have another question:

If we are sending in our LORs to AMCAS via Interfolio - how do we go about doing this?

The instruction booklet says we need to have our letter writers send the letters into AMCAS themselves from their Interfolio account but I've read here that the student can do it.

Also, if we CAN just send in the LORs ourselves from Interfolio, is there a sheet we need to include with it or that Letter ID, and can this be done electronically - I'm really confuse, lol.
Click to expand...

You send them to amcas yourself from interfolio. You will need both your amcas ID and letter ID when sending them through interfolio. Its explained well on interfolio on how to do it.
 
I want post 1000.

edit: and I got it!

Anyone else notice that Mayo doesn't want any LOE's until they e-mail you?
 
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