2009-2010 AMCAS Questions Thread

[gujuDoc]

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This is like the 3290432047032th time this has been asked.

No, you can submit without letters.

that and the question about how to format ECs i.e. bullet vs. paragraph mini essays. I get that question at least once a day or once every other day.

 

[osumc2014]

that and the question about how to format ECs i.e. bullet vs. paragraph mini essays. I get that question at least once a day or once every other day.

so true lol

 

[romeoprince]

Hi,

With respect to extra-curriculars, what exactly is the difference between Experience Name and Organization Name? I mean in most cases the experience we're puting down is the organization we're working through. Would it be uncreative to put the same thing for both categories?

Also, with respect to the experience description (1325 or fewer characters), are you guys actually using the entire space to describe the activity?

- Thanks

 

[NeuroChaos]

Experience name is more like: Tutor for Biology/ Biophysics Research on Gandalas etc

Organization is more like: Students For AIDS/ No Taxation Without Representation Society etc.

Question 2:No consensus reached; still Up in debate; some people write essay and use all/most of the space; some make it resume style. Its up to you.

 

[JJMrK]

Hi,

With respect to extra-curriculars, what exactly is the difference between Experience Name and Organization Name? I mean in most cases the experience we're puting down is the organization we're working through. Would it be uncreative to put the same thing for both categories?

Also, with respect to the experience description (1325 or fewer characters), are you guys actually using the entire space to describe the activity?

- Thanks

1.
Experience Name: ER Volunteer
Organization Name: Name of Hospital

2.
For some of the entries I used close to all of the space, for others only about 200 characters.

 

[CdnHopeful]

So is it wrong to put down as Experience Name: Summer Research Student in Dr X's laboratory

Or

XYZ Hospital Summer Volunteer

 

[vladmoney]

Two questions that have been asked probably:
1. do I need to get my transcripts sent before I i submit the amcas
2. i know SDN had a personal statement trade thing last year, were students exchange each others essays for grading. Can't seem to find it again. can anyone help. thanks!

 

[ddiaz4]

Hey, i was wondering if i should put the letter grade of a class i didnt do so well in. i see that on the application its otional.

And when AMCAS is calculating your GPA will they go by what you decided was a science course or a math course or will they calculate it using your transcripts. For example, lets say i got a bad grade in a biopsych class that is techniquely a bio class could i put it under psych and not have it count towards my science GPA

 

[romeoprince]

also, is it pertinent to put down activities/societies not directly related to health/medicine? e.g. literary and debate societies?

what about awards? i know they have a category for honors, but the whole thing is under activities/work experience, so i find it somewhat contradictory.

thanks again.

 

[deleted212936]

Hi,

I know we have to send LoRs to AAMC starting this cycle but
I've got all LoRs except the one from the premed committee....
Would it be late to wait for that one?

 

[mvenus929]

Hey, i was wondering if i should put the letter grade of a class i didnt do so well in. i see that on the application its otional.

And when AMCAS is calculating your GPA will they go by what you decided was a science course or a math course or will they calculate it using your transcripts. For example, lets say i got a bad grade in a biopsych class that is techniquely a bio class could i put it under psych and not have it count towards my science GPA

Ha ha ha ha ha.

It's not optional. It's only 'optional' in the sense that you can input classes without putting in grades, but AMCAS will change it if you don't put a grade for a class you did poorly in. Whatever is on your transcript is what will show up on AMCAS when they are done verifying you.

And no, AMCAS does not necessarily go by what you say about your classifications. I listed one class as 'Health', and they changed it to biology. I don't think it fits in biology very well, but it doesn't really matter to me either way because it doesn't change my GPAs at all.

Two questions that have been asked probably:
1. do I need to get my transcripts sent before I i submit the amcas
2. i know SDN had a personal statement trade thing last year, were students exchange each others essays for grading. Can't seem to find it again. can anyone help. thanks!

1. You should, but it's not necessary. However, AMCAS won't put you in line to be verified until all your transcripts have been received.

2. Check the 09-10 sticky at the top of the forum.

 

[LaCasta]

For experience names I put things like:

ED Volunteering

Teaching Assistantship

Biochemical Research

etc.

Then the organization name would be like the name of the hospital of the ED, the university name etc.

 

[G1SG2]

What if its an honor society (which is also an EC)? Should I write member of the (name) honor society, or just write the honor society in the name and experience title section? 😕

 

[GoSpursGo]

Hi,

With respect to extra-curriculars, what exactly is the difference between Experience Name and Organization Name? I mean in most cases the experience we're puting down is the organization we're working through. Would it be uncreative to put the same thing for both categories?

Also, with respect to the experience description (1325 or fewer characters), are you guys actually using the entire space to describe the activity?

- Thanks

So is it wrong to put down as Experience Name: Summer Research Student in Dr X's laboratory

Or

XYZ Hospital Summer Volunteer

also, is it pertinent to put down activities/societies not directly related to health/medicine? e.g. literary and debate societies?

what about awards? i know they have a category for honors, but the whole thing is under activities/work experience, so i find it somewhat contradictory.

thanks again.

What if its an honor society (which is also an EC)? Should I write member of the (name) honor society, or just write the honor society in the name and experience title section? 😕

Merging with 2009-2010 AMCAS Questions Thread.

 

[gujuDoc]

For experience names I put things like:

ED Volunteering

Teaching Assistantship

Biochemical Research

etc.

Then the organization name would be like the name of the hospital of the ED, the university name etc.

yes you're right

 

[gujuDoc]

Hi,

With respect to extra-curriculars, what exactly is the difference between Experience Name and Organization Name? I mean in most cases the experience we're puting down is the organization we're working through. Would it be uncreative to put the same thing for both categories?

Also, with respect to the experience description (1325 or fewer characters), are you guys actually using the entire space to describe the activity?
- Thanks

To the bolded. It does not matter what others are doing. It matters what you are doing for your descriptions. If you need to use all the space to get your point across do it. If you can do it in 500 characters or less like the old AMCAS character limit then that is up to you. You should be able to know how much you need to say to get your point across and whether you are more comfortable using bullet points/resume style, mini essays of what you learned or gained, or a combo of both.

 

[WW2010]

Quick question:

I just filed in my AMCAS yesterday and am waiting their verification. There are certain parts that need to be updated, especially the personal statement and work activities. Can I do that before AMCAS formally verifies it..? They won't send out my application until verified? Thanks!

 

[Daedalus]

Nope - once submitted, your application is locked and can't be changed except by the AMCAS verifier (who will only change incorrect course info).

 

[PabloPicaso]

On the activities section should I put multiple exec. board positions for one group as separate activities or just combine it all in one?

 

[witness23]

i'd just combine them

 

[mvenus929]

Quick question:

I just filed in my AMCAS yesterday and am waiting their verification. There are certain parts that need to be updated, especially the personal statement and work activities. Can I do that before AMCAS formally verifies it..? They won't send out my application until verified? Thanks!

Why did you submit yesterday without updating your information? What could have changed between yesterday and today?

 

[GoSpursGo]

Quick question:

I just filed in my AMCAS yesterday and am waiting their verification. There are certain parts that need to be updated, especially the personal statement and work activities. Can I do that before AMCAS formally verifies it..? They won't send out my application until verified? Thanks!

Nope, once it's submitted, it's submitted.

Merging with the AMCAS Questions thread.

 

[Atlantis07]

.

 

[emrygrad]

I was thinking about applying to some of the MD/MPH programs but I am still not necessarily a 100% decided, should I just go ahead and mark it on the AMCAS, even though I might not necessarily go through with it. Basically I am asking how binding is it if I mark that I want to do the MD/MPH on the AMCAS. Also a few of my important EC's are MPH related so I thought maybe that would be helpful to apply for the MD/MPH even if I don't end up doing it, any thoughts?

 

[CdnHopeful]

When writing in future courses (like English, to show that I will take the prereq), do I just put the course name and number and NOT fill in the credit hours/grade?

If I do this..a warning comes up in red saying that I haven't filled in credit hours or grade...can I just ignore it?

 

[osumc2014]

When writing in future courses (like English, to show that I will take the prereq), do I just put the course name and number and NOT fill in the credit hours/grade?

If I do this..a warning comes up in red saying that I haven't filled in credit hours or grade...can I just ignore it?

Yes you can ignore it, keep in mind entering future courses is not necessary

 

[banister]

So this may have been answered, but I looked at the past 10 pages and am not quite sure...

Anyways, I graduated last week and received my final grades then. However, I sent in my transcript in a month before graduation without this quarter's grades. Should I update my grades on AMCAS and send another official transcript to them? If so, will this delay the whole process?

 

[vladmoney]

Some more Qs for you guys, since you are so helpful:
1. I worked at a bookstore for half a semester about 10 hours a week. I lost my boss's name and #. What should I do? Should I even list this?
2. Still confused about AP. I took AP in high school, but I never got any actual credit from them at my current school, should I still list as classes I took. I did get one course as a credit at my school, but it has no grade on it. then what?
3. Should I be putting down things I learned while lets say doing my clinical research (like i learned to work in a hospital settings or something like that). Or should I just put down what I did, who I did it with, what we worked on, what got accomplished.
4. I went abroad, and the University I went to I had all credits transferred back to my university (so I am not sending in my abroad university transcript). Should I put down the course code from my abroad university, or the coarse code my school uses. BTW i am putting down my abroad university as a separate university of the schools I attended, and filling in all my classes I took abroad under this abroad university.

 

[bonoz]

Question: If one of my classes had a recitation as part of that class, do I make mention of that in the course title? "Analytic Geometry and Calculus with recitation"?

Also, if I tested out of a class and got credit for it, how do I report it? the transcript doesn't give it any date or involve it with any particular semester. It just states it on the top. What do I do?

 

[cc5409]

how do i specify that i am biracial in my app.. i am half mexican and half chinesse.. do i just click mexican in the ethnicity and then in race put asian and click chinesse and should i also put the other box and put chinesse and mexican..or is that unnecessary.. HELP

 

[Appless]

just click both boxes, its pretty simple to do....doesnt really matter either way.

 

[CdnHopeful]

If I group multiple activities and describe them in my description, should I list hrs/week and contact person for each of the grouped activities?????

 

[dbltree88]

hey guys,

i have a quick question. right now, i'm declared as a physiology major but i've been working on switching to an international studies major. the committee has to meet to officially declare it, which is happening on july 2nd. so as of now, my transcript says i'm a physiology major, but will be changed around the 5th of july. i've listed my major as international studies on amcas, and much of what i've done revolves around international studies so it's important to me that the adcoms see that as my major on my transcript. should i wait until then to submit my transcript so that it appears?

also, i'm sure this has been asked before, but can the amcas be submitted without all letters of recommendation being in? do those go in with secondaries?

 

[banister]

Can you please advise me on this situation:

I graduated a few weeks ago and received all A's in my classes (will boost GPA by .02) for my last quarter. However, I sent in my transcript earlier on in the quarter without this last quarter's grades.

The dilemma is that I am ready to submit my application now. Should I go and send my final transcript now and wait a few weeks before submitting, or is there a way to update my final grades after submission?

Thanks.

 

[cc5409]

do i also have to click the other box and put biracial.. or is this unecessary.. wil they just know i am half asian and half mexian if i just click those boxes... do you guys think i need to also click t he other and specify i am biracial.. THANKs guys... please respond!!!!!

 

[Appless]

dude calm down serious, click everything if you want it wont matter. If you want to click bi-racial do so (i dont even remember that button). Click mexican and azn and be done with it. This is by far one of the LEAST important parts of the app dont worr.y

 

[chemolupusMD]

dude, slow donw with the coffee. like elija said click both dont worry about, they wont care that much about it

 

[LAman10]

Hey, has the AMCAS app been sent out to all the med schools already?? Mine just got verified this morning, but when I click on the status, it says that the application has been made available to the following schools: and then it lists my schools. is this just what it says after you've been verified? or does it mean that your app has been sent out? I only ask because right after i saw this, i got a secondary from Dartmouth....

 

[Appless]

Hey, has the AMCAS app been sent out to all the med schools already?? Mine just got verified this morning, but when I click on the status, it says that the application has been made available to the following schools: and then it lists my schools. is this just what it says after you've been verified? or does it mean that your app has been sent out? I only ask because right after i saw this, i got a secondary from Dartmouth....

people who arent even verified got the dartmouth application. Obviously somehow schools can find out whos applying before the 24th...i think most just dont worry about it. Id assume apps arent sent out until when amcas says.

 

[FireTop]

hey guys

i jus finished my masters and i will be applying for 09-2010. i was wondering where exactly on my primary AMCAS do i put that i jus graduated from Grad school with my Masters??

Is it under course work? but isnt that just for my undergrad?? please helpppp. thanks guys !

 

[bravofleet4]

Hi, i'm a little confused about listing AP credit on AMCAS. It says to list it as a freshman but freshman what? quarter or semester? fall, winter, or quarter?

Also I assume when it says you list AP courses for which you recieve credit from the university, they mean AP credit which substituted for actual courses I would otherwise take? For example, do I have to list AP U.S. History which was really just a pre-requisite for getting into college VERSUS AP Statistics which got me out of taking Math 7 and is a required course for biology majors? I'm guessing they don't care about the former but want the latter?

 

[Bunny Fru Fru]

good question, but I'm applying next year and understand the dilemma, I will want to know too. Thanks for asking.

 

[dr seuss]

I listed them as fall semester because on my transcript they are listed as "fall advanced standing."

 

[ArkansasHogMD]

I listed them as fall semester because on my transcript they are listed as "fall advanced standing."

As my school the were posted on the transcript under the Spring semester. Whatever your trascript posts it under do that. Besides, AMCAS will fix it if it's wrong.

 

[ArkansasHogMD]

Hi, i'm a little confused about listing AP credit on AMCAS. It says to list it as a freshman but freshman what? quarter or semester? fall, winter, or quarter?

Also I assume when it says you list AP courses for which you recieve credit from the university, they mean AP credit which substituted for actual courses I would otherwise take? For example, do I have to list AP U.S. History which was really just a pre-requisite for getting into college VERSUS AP Statistics which got me out of taking Math 7 and is a required course for biology majors? I'm guessing they don't care about the former but want the latter?

You have to list ALL courses taken. Even if you wouldn't have taken it, if it's posted on your trascript enter it in AMCAS.

 

[GoSpursGo]

Hi, i'm a little confused about listing AP credit on AMCAS. It says to list it as a freshman but freshman what? quarter or semester? fall, winter, or quarter?

Also I assume when it says you list AP courses for which you recieve credit from the university, they mean AP credit which substituted for actual courses I would otherwise take? For example, do I have to list AP U.S. History which was really just a pre-requisite for getting into college VERSUS AP Statistics which got me out of taking Math 7 and is a required course for biology majors? I'm guessing they don't care about the former but want the latter?

Merging with the 2009-2010 AMCAS Questions Thread.

 

[Zoom-Zoom]

Yeah I'd copy your transcript exactly.

In my case I listed them as first semester of my freshman year. It will look like you took a million classes as a frosh, but you won't enter grades for these and will also put "AP: Enter class title here" for each class.

 

[mvenus929]

Hey, has the AMCAS app been sent out to all the med schools already?? Mine just got verified this morning, but when I click on the status, it says that the application has been made available to the following schools: and then it lists my schools. is this just what it says after you've been verified? or does it mean that your app has been sent out? I only ask because right after i saw this, i got a secondary from Dartmouth....

Looks like it's been sent out to the schools; my status hasn't changed, but the schools I applied to are now listed.

 

[jenandhansun]

SO..... I'm officially pretty confused.

Do I only submit a secondary to schools that send me an e-mail telling me to??

 

[LAman10]

SO..... I'm officially pretty confused.

Do I only submit a secondary to schools that send me an e-mail telling me to??

that's the safest way to do it. some schools have their secondaries available online (since they don't screen). On June 24, chances are they'll send out invitations to you to fill out their secondaries, which basically means they'll give you the link to their website. But alas! we are premeds, and SDN premeds at that, so many have already accessed the secondaries for such schools BEFORE their primaries have been sent to those schools.