2009-2010 AMCAS Questions Thread

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How detailed should we be when writing descriptions for our research experiences? Just a very brief overview or is it ok to go into some level of detail to describe the research being done?
 
Will my application be delayed if I don't forward the LORs to AMCAS immediately upon submission?
 
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I entered in my AP Credit for coursework the way it is listed on SDN. However, I had to take calculus (the whole year) over again in college and just received credit for AP Exam. Now when I entered it, it just looks funny with Calculus listed at my undergrad institution AND Calculus AB for Fall of 2004? Will this confuse them or can they figure it out.

Listed where on SDN? is there a guide or something?
 
Sorry one more question. For EC's, should I list everything paid and just assume they would know it was research as well.... or put it as research and list that I was paid to do it in the summary section?
 
I'm trying to decide if I should submit my app June 2nd or spend some extra time on my activities and such. If I wait to submit, say a week, will my application likely still be verified before apps go out to schools on Jun 24?
 
Is there some kind of a guide on filling out the AMCAS?
 
Is there some kind of a guide on filling out the AMCAS?

There is the 100 page instruction manual, but it leaves out some stuff....so we have sdn for that
 
There is the 100 page instruction manual, but it leaves out some stuff....so we have sdn for that

Is it the "The Not So Short Introduction To Getting Into Medical School" by Ryan Ayock?
 
Is it the "The Not So Short Introduction To Getting Into Medical School" by Ryan Ayock?

No its called the 2010 AMCAS instructions which you can download off the website directly. It answers probably 99.99999999% of all the questions in this entire thread. Apparently people do not like to read though 😉
 
No its called the 2010 AMCAS instructions which you can download off the website directly. It answers probably 99.99999999% of all the questions in this entire thread. Apparently people do not like to read though 😉

Truth spoken with regards to the bolded. I think a lot of people at USF used to be this way. It was me always doing the informing because a lot of premeds are helpless. Its all good though. i was happy to help, but I just found it funny how many didn't even know how to get hold of an admissions director unless someone told them. The ones who usually did do their research were low key.
 
I also have one question:

I entered so AP courses without grade and some future/current courses without the grades. I am getting teh mesage as given below:

"You have entered one or more courses without grades and/or credit hours. Although these fields are not marked with red asterisks, you may be required to enter this information. Please review the application help and your course work to determine if additional data entry is required. Failure to include required grades and credit hours may result in missed deadlines and lost application fees. Please contact an AMCAS Applicant Relations specialist if you have any questions: (202) 828-0600, [email protected]."


Any suggestions?
It's just warning you to make sure you didn't forget to include a grade for a graded course. That's all.
 
Hi everyone!

I'm a bit confused about how to enter a world language waiver on my application.

It shows up on my transcript as WL: World Language Waiver 0.00

According to the AMCAS help guide on the app, it definitely says to notate the AP box even though it's not technically an AP. However, I was wondering, what am I supposed to do about the grade since I don't have one?

Do I just write "Tested Out" or P or what?

I also have one question:

I entered so AP courses without grade and some future/current courses without the grades. I am getting teh mesage as given below:

"You have entered one or more courses without grades and/or credit hours. Although these fields are not marked with red asterisks, you may be required to enter this information. Please review the application help and your course work to determine if additional data entry is required. Failure to include required grades and credit hours may result in missed deadlines and lost application fees. Please contact an AMCAS Applicant Relations specialist if you have any questions: (202) 828-0600, [email protected]."


Any suggestions?

Merging with the Official AMCAS Questions Thread
 
What does AMCAS need before you are able to submit your primary. Like do they have to have your transcripts in and verified before you are allowed to submit?

Thanks!
 
Can anyone please help me?

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Your primary application will not be delayed in getting to the schools. LORs are part of your secondary applications and you can add them after you've submitted your primary application. This should all be in the AMCAS help section.
 
What does AMCAS need before you are able to submit your primary. Like do they have to have your transcripts in and verified before you are allowed to submit?

Thanks!

You don't get verified until AFTER you submit. You can't get verified until they receive your transcripts, but you can submit. The only bad thing about that is that you can't edit your application at all once you submit, so if you're waiting for your transcripts to arrive and you find a typo after you submit...
 
Thanks Transmogrifier.

QUESTION: will AMCAS wait for my new MCAT score, or will verify my information without the score?
 
verification does not require your MCAT score. MCAT score is automatically uploaded and information is sent to medical schools
 
verification does not require your MCAT score. MCAT score is automatically uploaded and information is sent to medical schools

which is why it is beneficial to send it in sooner rather then later.
 
1. I don't know. I'd either call them or just put exactly what it says on the transcript.

2. In the middle of a semester or between semesters(between fall and spring)? I think the former is not cool but the latter is fine. Your class standing can't change during the semester, but you can change between fall and spring.

3. If you got an A you might try to make it a math class to boost your BCPM GPA.

4. You don't need to list it at all, or you can list what you're thinking of taking and change your mind later. Doesn't matter.


Will anything happen or will it look bad if I make my stats for psychology count as a math and they say no?
 
What if you withdrew from a class and then took it a year later? Should I still include the time I withdrew?

Yes because both times will appear on your transcript. You'd enter the semester you took it and withdrew. it just won't count in your GPA calculation but adcoms want to see how many times a person has withdrawn from a class or what the circumstances are. So you are to list it as it is on your transcript anyways. you then list in the later semester's courses where you retook it that you took it. Not sure if you have to hit the repeat box since its retaken after being withdrawn. that is something worth asking the amcas people by calling them or seeing if the AMCAS representative on here that posts under the user name AMCAS has the answer.
 
Will anything happen or will it look bad if I make my stats for psychology count as a math and they say no?

If it is a statistics class it is a math class. It won't do anything but slightly affect the GPA calculation if the verifier changes the category. I highly doubt they'd not consider a stats course as a math course.
 
What does AMCAS need before you are able to submit your primary. Like do they have to have your transcripts in and verified before you are allowed to submit?

Thanks!

No you can send transcripts after you submit but they won't be able to verify it til you have sent them in and they've received them. That said you need to have everything and I mean everything filled out but the letters section because modifications to essays and activities or to enter new courses will not be able to happen after its been sent in for submission. So double and triple check it before you send it. You won't be able to fix typos and things.
 
I'm sure this has already been answered, but as for the dates in the "course work" section, if I entered college in the Fall of 2005, does this count as the 2006-2007 school year or can I put semester 1, 2005-2006?
 
I'm sure this has already been answered, but as for the dates in the "course work" section, if I entered college in the Fall of 2005, does this count as the 2006-2007 school year or can I put semester 1, 2005-2006?

You'd say semester 1 2005-2006 if you started in fall 2005 and are on a semester system.
 
Quick opinion question: is it worth it to include National Merit Finalist recognition from high school? Or is this a waste of their time?
 
so I know everyone has already said that Letters of Recommendations can be submitted after the primary application is sent. But if we add letters after the submission, is AMCAS going to re-certify? It says on that instruction pdf on page 87-88:

"Make certain that you have thoroughly reviewed your application prior to submitting,
noting that after the initial submission of your application, you can only make
changes to the following sections:
• Required and Alternate IDs
• Name, including Full Legal Name, Preferred Name and Alternate Names.
• Contact Information including Permanent and Preferred Mailing Addresses
• Alternate Contact Information.
• Date of Birth and Sex.
• Letters of Evaluation (only additions of up to 10 letters - and notifying AMCAS
of a letter no longer being sent)
• Next MCAT
You must re-certify and re-submit your application each time you make a change
after initial submission
."
 
so I know everyone has already said that Letters of Recommendations can be submitted after the primary application is sent. But if we add letters after the submission, is AMCAS going to re-certify? It says on that instruction pdf on page 87-88:

"Make certain that you have thoroughly reviewed your application prior to submitting,
noting that after the initial submission of your application, you can only make
changes to the following sections:
• Required and Alternate IDs
• Name, including Full Legal Name, Preferred Name and Alternate Names.
• Contact Information including Permanent and Preferred Mailing Addresses
• Alternate Contact Information.
• Date of Birth and Sex.
• Letters of Evaluation (only additions of up to 10 letters - and notifying AMCAS
of a letter no longer being sent)
• Next MCAT
You must re-certify and re-submit your application each time you make a change
after initial submission
."
Certification (promise I didn't lie) is different from verification (AMCAS compares with transcript).
 
So on the website it states that schools will get the application around June 24th. I was wondering how long AMCAS takes to process and verify everything. In other words, what date can I submit by so that schools still get my application by Jun 24th? Thanks.
 
I've been convicted of a misdameanor (I do not want to disclose here what it was) and after marking yes there is a box to explain it in 1300 characters. Besides what, where, when, the sentence I received ( this will take only about two sentences) should I include any more information. I don't want to sound like I'm making excuses.

Maybe explain how you've changed or if it was due to some stupid mistake in your immature youth. if there were special circumstances then explain such.
 
Done! Sweet...now on to other stuff (i.e. secs)!!! 😀
 
If you've already been verified and you add another letter the recertification and submission is instant. AMCAS doesn't take weeks to go over it again.
 
how long does it take interfolio to submit your LORs electronically to AMCAS??? i did this yesterday afternoon and am just wondering what a good average time frame is. thanks!
 
How long did it take AMCAS to list your letters as received after you had interfolio or your school letter service mail them to AMCAS?
 
For my application, I see my various GPA's with BCPM and Total. But what is AO?
 
how long does it take interfolio to submit your LORs electronically to AMCAS??? i did this yesterday afternoon and am just wondering what a good average time frame is. thanks!

About 2 weeks ago, my letters were sent to AMCAS the same day I submitted them from interfolio. It then took 1 week for the letters to be matched to my app and marked as received.
 
All Other

Awesome! Thank you.

So I finished with my application and AMCAS sent me a letter stating:

Your AMCAS 2010 application has completed processing. Please log on and review your application using the Print Application option located on the right side of the Main Menu.

Important Information:
You are required to review your verified course work and GPA. If you find discrepancies, or you disagree with changes made during the verification process, you are responsible for submitting an Academic Change Request within ten days from the date AMCAS processing is complete. The Academic Change Request option is available on the right side of the Main Menu. Please read the online help text for more information about the Academic Change Request process.

Thank you for using AMCAS.


I finished reviewing their changes and I don't want to submit an Academic Change Request. So...am I done? Nothing more to do for my primaries, right?
 
Lectures with lab included...I am confused...

On my transcript, it lists the lecture class (say 4 hours) with the grade, but right after that there is another "class" entry showing the lab, with 0 hours credit, and no grade...

So, per AMCAS instructions, I assume I bubble in the "lecture and lab combined" and add "and lab" to the lecture title, but my question is do I also add the lab entry, with no credit hours and no grade?

Help!!!
 
1. What course area would a classics course count under?

Here's the list, I couldn't find classics anywhere:
https://services.aamc.org/AMCAS2_2010/WebApp/Help/WebHelp/StudentWebApp.htm#Course_Work_Overview.htm
(Course Work Details --> Course Work Course Classification)
I wouldn't say it's a social science but it doesn't fit anything else..
for example some classes I've taken are classical literature/mythology, ancient medicine, roman history, etc.. does it just go under other?



2. Under activities can I add stuff I'm doing in the fall? I feel it would really add a lot since I'm starting both TA and tutoring jobs.

3. My school only lets you declare 2 areas of concentration and I already have 2 majors, however I'm fulfilling the requirements for a minor as well in another area, can I put that down or is it not allowed since it's not officially on my transcript? If the latter, where else on the application can I mention it?
 
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On the AMCAS main page there is a note that says, Medical schools will begin receiving applications on June 24, 2009.

Does this mean that even if I am verified earlier, the med schools will not receive my applications?
 
Why does AMCAS list your activities in a random order? I kind of wanted to put research, shadowing etc., each in order
 
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