* * 2009-2010 Application Season * * Post AACOMAS Questions HERE!!!

[slamindesi]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey GuitarFreak,

For the RA position, you might want to just place down the hours for when you were on-call, setting up events at your respective residential hall, things like that. You can probably just clarify the fact that you are usually working around the clock in your description of an RA.

As for being a musician..

You could probably just "guess-timate" your hours and you could just mention "Musician" as your organization. I believe that, and correct me if I am wrong, you mainly get secondaries from schools based on GPA and MCAT cut-offs, where as your extracurricular activities are additional pieces of information that you can clarify in your secondaries and during interviews.

I hope that helps 🙂

 

[BassCaster]

Just had a few questions regarding entering awards and honors...

1.For instance phi betta kappa... what would you list as organization when the award/honor/etc is already called phi beta kappa?

2.Also, how could I enter all my deans lists for every semester w/out making like 8 to 10 entries?

3.Should I enter that i was in honors college? How about graduating magma kum laude? are those to be entered in this section?

Thanks in advance. I'm just a confused applicant 🙂

 

[scurred09]

I took GEOL 100 in 2003 at a University. I wanted to know if It's ok to retake this class at a CC and so I emailed AACOMAS and below is the response that I got from them:

"It should, but you do need to be aware that community college course replacing four year courses may be a flag for an admissions committee that you are trying to take an easier version of the same class. You really should talk with the admissions officers of the colleges you are applying to."

1. Is it the adcom or AACOMAS that is in charge of replacing the grade and recalculating your gpa?
2. Considering GEOL 100 is a lower divsion class not to mention it is not a pre-reqs course either, is it necessary to retake it at a 4 year level and pay $$$$ in tuition? By the way, I'm a nontrad., graduated with a B.S in 03 and started to take my Med. pre-reqs beginning Fall 08.

Any thoughts?

 

[PunkmedGirl]

I took GEOL 100 in 2003 at a University. I wanted to know if It's ok to retake this class at a CC and so I emailed AACOMAS and below is the response that I got from them:

"It should, but you do need to be aware that community college course replacing four year courses may be a flag for an admissions committee that you are trying to take an easier version of the same class. You really should talk with the admissions officers of the colleges you are applying to."

1. Is it the adcom or AACOMAS that is in charge of replacing the grade and recalculating your gpa?
2. Considering GEOL 100 is a lower divsion class not to mention it is not a pre-reqs course either, is it necessary to retake it at a 4 year level and pay $$$$ in tuition? By the way, I'm a nontrad., graduated with a B.S in 03 and started to take my Med. pre-reqs beginning Fall 08.

Any thoughts?

AACOM replaces the grade not Adcom. You have a valid reason for taking courses at CC versus going to a four year college of wanting to save money. I wouldn't worry so much about it. There are plenty of people who have taken classes at CC and were still able to gain an acceptance. But if you want to be on the safe side then you can always contact the schools that you are interested in applying at to confirm.


I myself will have about 7 courses (three of which are prereqs) coming from a CC.

 

[211519]

Geology?

It doesn't matter where you took that class. It isn't a pre-req; it's just an additional science.

 

[GuitarFreak]

Hey GuitarFreak,

For the RA position, you might want to just place down the hours for when you were on-call, setting up events at your respective residential hall, things like that. You can probably just clarify the fact that you are usually working around the clock in your description of an RA.

As for being a musician..

You could probably just "guess-timate" your hours and you could just mention "Musician" as your organization. I believe that, and correct me if I am wrong, you mainly get secondaries from schools based on GPA and MCAT cut-offs, where as your extracurricular activities are additional pieces of information that you can clarify in your secondaries and during interviews.

I hope that helps 🙂

I was thinkin of doin that ...thanks man !!

 

[Semicolon]

So i just realized that i took a medical terminology course my senior yr in high school through my local community college. it counts towards credit for my state university, and it appears on my community college transcript, where i took 3 classes in the summer a couple years later in college. I have no idea how to enter this into aacomas though. do i put my attendance dates starting from when the class appears on my transcript, even though i didnt actually attend the college? Example- it says my Med Term class is 1.00 credit hour from fall 2002. My other class i took were from summer 05 and summer 06. So do i put attendance from fall 02-summer 06? I feel like that would confuse adcoms into thinking i went there the whole time? And how can i specify that its a high school course that i got college credit for or do i even need to? (its not an AP course). Thanks so much! 🙂

Can you make multiple entries? If so, you can list an entry for every individual attendance date. If you can't do that, then just enter it fall '02-summer '06; they'll see your transcript so they won't get confused.

Just had a few questions regarding entering awards and honors...

1.For instance phi betta kappa... what would you list as organization when the award/honor/etc is already called phi beta kappa?

2.Also, how could I enter all my deans lists for every semester w/out making like 8 to 10 entries?

3.Should I enter that i was in honors college? How about graduating magma kum laude? are those to be entered in this section?

Thanks in advance. I'm just a confused applicant 🙂

1. Phi Beta Kappa IS the organization. The award/honor is membership. 😉

2. You can make 8-10 entries just fine if you choose to. I'm not really sure how you would do it otherwise really, but CB managed to. 😀

3. Enter in anything you can think of that you feel will be positive to your application. I would enter those if I were you; it wouldn't hurt.

 

[beckhunter116]

So my info is still out of order, even though I entered it chronologically. Has anyone else had this fixed yet or did you all just submit it out of order?

 

[tele turnin]

I'm a reapplicant this year. I applied really late, end of January and took the Jan MCAT for the 08-09 cycle. I ended up with being waitlisted at one school and accepted at another out of the 3 I applied too. I didn't feel right going to the school that accepted me, it wasn't a good fit. Will the adcoms know that I was accepted last year and look down on me for that. Nothing special about my app. 3.45GPA (only a 3.08sGPA), 29S MCAT, and about the norm as far as the other stuff goes. I'm just wondering if they will see I rejected an acceptance and look down on me because of that.

 

[BassCaster]

How did you guys put your personal statement on the aacomas application? Copy and pasting from wordpad, word, and notepad doesn't give you indentations/paragraph. I would just use the space bar to indent, but then i'll be WAY over the maximum limit. Any suggestions would definitely help.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Bacchus]

I sacrificed two characters

and did this

for paragraph breaks.

 

[Semicolon]

I'm a reapplicant this year. I applied really late, end of January and took the Jan MCAT for the 08-09 cycle. I ended up with being waitlisted at one school and accepted at another out of the 3 I applied too. I didn't feel right going to the school that accepted me, it wasn't a good fit. Will the adcoms know that I was accepted last year and look down on me for that. Nothing special about my app. 3.45GPA (only a 3.08sGPA), 29S MCAT, and about the norm as far as the other stuff goes. I'm just wondering if they will see I rejected an acceptance and look down on me because of that.

Unfortunately, when you apply again for this cycle you will be asked if you have ever gotten an acceptance to a medical school, and you will be required to answer truthfully. You will need to think of a good reason why you did not attend.

In terms of it looking bad, it's hard to say. It may definitely raise some questions, but it would mainly significantly hurt your chances at the school you rejected (obviously), but since you don't wish to go there anyway it doesn't really make a difference.

 

[quynhhuong]

I took the MCAT last year and didn't do so well. I'm applying to DO this year and will take the MCAT again in August.
Should I submit the application in Mid. June with the low MCAT score + planned MCAT status, then take the MCAT in August and won't have the score 'til September? Would that delay my application?
I only have 1 science teacher LOR, 1 research supervisor/professor, 1 DO and 1 MD LORs. Are they enough? or do I still need to ask for 1 more science LOR?

 

[Black Adder]

I took the MCAT last year and didn't do so well. I'm applying to DO this year and will take the MCAT again in August.
Should I submit the application in Mid. June with the low MCAT score + planned MCAT status, then take the MCAT in August and won't have the score 'til September? Would that delay my application?
I only have 1 science teacher LOR, 1 research supervisor/professor, 1 DO and 1 MD LORs. Are they enough? or do I still need to ask for 1 more science LOR?

The LORs that you have should be sufficient for most schools.... at least the ones I've looked at. Most seem to only require 2 letters, 1 from a proff and another preferably from a physician.

 

[Semicolon]

I took the MCAT last year and didn't do so well. I'm applying to DO this year and will take the MCAT again in August.
Should I submit the application in Mid. June with the low MCAT score + planned MCAT status, then take the MCAT in August and won't have the score 'til September? Would that delay my application?
I only have 1 science teacher LOR, 1 research supervisor/professor, 1 DO and 1 MD LORs. Are they enough? or do I still need to ask for 1 more science LOR?

My opinion is that you should submit sooner and just indicate that you're planning to retake.

Having only one science LOR (assuming you don't have or aren't using a pre-med committee letter) may hinder you at some schools. Since I used a pre-med committee letter, I can't really tell you which, but I have seen schools that want 2-3 science prof letters. You will want to check with the schools you're interested in.

 

[quynhhuong]

Originally Posted by Semicolon
I have seen schools that want 2-3 science prof letters.

The thing is, my research supervisor is also my research professor 'cause I had 1 honor research credit class with him. I asked him to write me a letter of recommendation last year (June 2008). However, he told me that he mostly mentioned about my work ethic and research experience and didn't mention much about me being his research student 🙁. Would that still work though? 😕 'cause he did mention in 1 sentence saying that I was doing research as credit with him.

 

[Semicolon]

The thing is, my research supervisor is also my research professor 'cause I had 1 honor research credit class with him. I asked him to write me a letter of recommendation last year (June 2008). However, he told me that he mostly mentioned about my work ethic and research experience and didn't mention much about me being his research student 🙁. Would that still work though? 😕 'cause he did mention in 1 sentence saying that I was doing research as credit with him.

A science letter is defined as a letter coming from a professor that has taught a science course you were in. I don't truly know if a research professor would count as a science LOR. Ask some of the schools and see what they say.

 

[chudat]

a quick question:

do we get a official MCAT score in the mail? I was thinking of sending that in with the secondary.

 

[thethethe]

a quick question:

do we get a official MCAT score in the mail? I was thinking of sending that in with the secondary.

nope, its all done online

 

[francais7979]

Two questions:

1) When entering Job description, how do you enter the data? Do you write it in paragraph form, or do you write it in bullet form. I'm asking because my job was consulting and I worked on different projects so i listed the projects description in bulleted form.

2) It sounds like the personal statement in the primary application should be why u want to be a DO doctor. However I was looking at the secondary thread and it seems most of the questions for the secondary application is also why you want to be a DO doctor. So wouldnt the secondary essay be similar to the primary? Or in the primary essay do we just discuss why we want to be a doctor in general, and save the "why DO" for the secondary?

 

[francais7979]

I have another question:

I took a class computer class that is crosslisted (offered by both the engineering dept. and computer science dept.). I took the class under the engineering depart. but it would have been the same class if I registered under the comp science department. this was like 7 years ago.

When I enter my courses in the application do I designate this course as science or non-science? I'm asking because if i registered under the comp science name then its clearly non-science because computer sci is counted as math. The problem is that i registered under engineering name, and I know engineering is counted as science.

Any advice? Thanks!

 

[Exalya]

I'm going to be taking English II this summer, towards the end. Do I need to list the college I will be taking it from (a CC)? And if I do, will my application not be ready until that transcript is in? Since it's just a planned class, it would be into August before I could get the transcript in, considering I have never taken a class from that college otherwise...

 

[thethethe]

Two questions:

1) When entering Job description, how do you enter the data? Do you write it in paragraph form, or do you write it in bullet form. I'm asking because my job was consulting and I worked on different projects so i listed the projects description in bulleted form.

2) It sounds like the personal statement in the primary application should be why u want to be a DO doctor. However I was looking at the secondary thread and it seems most of the questions for the secondary application is also why you want to be a DO doctor. So wouldnt the secondary essay be similar to the primary? Or in the primary essay do we just discuss why we want to be a doctor in general, and save the "why DO" for the secondary?

that's what im doing and what a lot of ppl on sdn do.

 

[Semicolon]

Two questions:

1) When entering Job description, how do you enter the data? Do you write it in paragraph form, or do you write it in bullet form. I'm asking because my job was consulting and I worked on different projects so i listed the projects description in bulleted form.

2) It sounds like the personal statement in the primary application should be why u want to be a DO doctor. However I was looking at the secondary thread and it seems most of the questions for the secondary application is also why you want to be a DO doctor. So wouldnt the secondary essay be similar to the primary? Or in the primary essay do we just discuss why we want to be a doctor in general, and save the "why DO" for the secondary?

1. You can enter your description any way you feel comfortable with; both bullets and paragraph-form is just fine.

2. You're generally right. The PS should primarily address why you feel medicine is your particular calling, while the secondaries and interviews will give you plenty of opportunity to voice your reasons for osteopathic medicine specifically.

I have another question:

I took a class computer class that is crosslisted (offered by both the engineering dept. and computer science dept.). I took the class under the engineering depart. but it would have been the same class if I registered under the comp science department. this was like 7 years ago.

When I enter my courses in the application do I designate this course as science or non-science? I'm asking because if i registered under the comp science name then its clearly non-science because computer sci is counted as math. The problem is that i registered under engineering name, and I know engineering is counted as science.

Any advice? Thanks!

You should list it as the dept you took it under. In other words, "other science". 👍

I'm going to be taking English II this summer, towards the end. Do I need to list the college I will be taking it from (a CC)? And if I do, will my application not be ready until that transcript is in? Since it's just a planned class, it would be into August before I could get the transcript in, considering I have never taken a class from that college otherwise...

You need to list which college the course is being offered, but your application will be verified regardless because you are listing it as a "planned" class. They will only wait for transcripts concerning courses you've already taken. You can update them with new transcripts once they become available.

 

[BassCaster]

"AACOMAS will contact you about problems using the message system within the application; applicants are responsible for logging in to the application and checking for messages."

After signing into aacomas, how do I access the message system? 😕

 

[jmanpatsfan]

In the section where we enter the coursework, it lists on the detailed instruction page the amount of credits for academic status. For example, it states, "Freshman - Approximately 0 - 32 semester hours completed." If I didnt have 32 credits completed by my second (sophomore) year of college, do I have to list my academic status for the courses I took in my second year as "freshman" or can I just say sophomore. The word "approximately" is throwing me off a bit.

 

[MSUSpartan642]

When entering EC's onto AACOMAS is it important to put both average hours per week and total hours? For some things like groups that I was in (AED) or hobbies (running and bass guitar) I'm not quite sure the total hours of course or the average hours in a week I put into them?

 

[beckhunter116]

Wait a minute, we can list hobbies? Really? I mean I know some have listed things like dance/musician b/c they were a part of an organization or a band, but other things?

 

[Semicolon]

"AACOMAS will contact you about problems using the message system within the application; applicants are responsible for logging in to the application and checking for messages."

After signing into aacomas, how do I access the message system? 😕

After logging in, click "Support" on top.

In the section where we enter the coursework, it lists on the detailed instruction page the amount of credits for academic status. For example, it states, "Freshman - Approximately 0 - 32 semester hours completed." If I didnt have 32 credits completed by my second (sophomore) year of college, do I have to list my academic status for the courses I took in my second year as "freshman" or can I just say sophomore. The word "approximately" is throwing me off a bit.

Don't worry about how many credits you had; this info is more geared towards college students who didn't stay in school for the traditional four years. If you took it in your sophomore year, then list it as sophomore. 🙂

When entering EC's onto AACOMAS is it important to put both average hours per week and total hours? For some things like groups that I was in (AED) or hobbies (running and bass guitar) I'm not quite sure the total hours of course or the average hours in a week I put into them?

Estimate the hours the best you can; no one's counting. Just don't exaggerate! 😉

Wait a minute, we can list hobbies? Really? I mean I know some have listed things like dance/musician b/c they were a part of an organization or a band, but other things?

You can list hobbies, but be tactful. It should actually mean something. So don't list "video games". 😀

 

[LALAKERS24]

I need help entering my MS degree into the app. Here is the deal...

I started my BS in Fall of 03. My school offers a unique masters program which allows me to get my masters along with my bachelors. So basically my undergrad course work can count toward my MS degree.

However it seems my school has listed a 10 hour research credit as undergrad instead of grad course work (which i had signed up for originally). I tried to contact my school but they say it is undergrad work which makes no sense since i have research hours of the same type (course number) also listed as Graduate hours!! So should I just leave those 10 bio hours as Undergrad hours since its on my transcript like that.....

And finally, I will be graduating with my BS and MS together in Dec 09. How do I list in the app that I will receive my BS AND MS?

Thank you very much for your help!!

 

[beckhunter116]

You can list hobbies, but be tactful. It should actually mean something. So don't list "video games". 😀

Ok, I love cooking and it does mean something to me as a part of my family (memories, ect.), a stress release, and a creative outlet. Should I include it? I've been cooking for years so how could I determine a number to go with it?

Anyone else put down hobbies?

 

[thethethe]

f

 

[Semicolon]

Okay, I seriously doubt mentioning hobbies (or the lack thereof) will affect your chances in the least. Don't worry about these trivial matters. If anything, you may get the chance to talk about hobbies in secondaries/interviews. I know that during at least one interview I was talking about using my telescope and playing guitar to relieve stress.

 

[thethethe]

Okay, I seriously doubt mentioning hobbies (or the lack thereof) will affect your chances in the least. Don't worry about these trivial matters. If anything, you may get the chance to talk about hobbies in secondaries/interviews. I know that during at least one interview I was talking about using my telescope and playing guitar to relieve stress.

i know =D

how long does it take for our application to be verified? do we get an email when it is done?

 

[Brocimus]

i know =D

how long does it take for our application to be verified? do we get an email when it is done?

I'm still waiting and I submitted a few days after the app opened. Has anyone been verified yet? I toured RVU last Friday and my guide said that they had received over 300 applications already. I assume these are verified applications, but maybe not. I'm not sure if you get an email, but your status will switch to "verified" and you will probably get emails from schools very soon after that happens.

 

[thethethe]

wow, does that mean a lot of people applied as soon as the application opened up?

 

[Semicolon]

i know =D

how long does it take for our application to be verified? do we get an email when it is done?

It will take about 4-6 weeks. Probably closer to 6. 😉

I don't remember if you get an email, but if I know applicants well enough, they will check their AACOMAS about every 5 minutes and at the strangest times of the day. You'll find out one way or another once you start getting secondaries.

 

[BassCaster]

1. Ok... So I submitted my primary apps on Monday the 25th of May. Now what? LOL! Do I have to go on a school's website to start the secondaries or will most/all schools mail them to me? Or email me a link to get the secondaries?

2. I'm assuming this will all take place in about 6 weeks from now? Do most schools already have secondary apps on their websites? If so, I haven't seen them. Also, Letters of Recs are mailed WITH the secondary apps? Secondary apps are not submitted online like primary apps are they?

3. Lastly, I saw on the CIB that some schools require a Technical standards certificate form. and Statement of.
.Past or Pending Professional Disciplinary... What are these?
.

..
Thanks in advance!

 

[thethethe]

2. I'm assuming this will all take place in about 6 weeks from now? Do most schools already have secondary apps on their websites? If so, I haven't seen them. Also, Letters of Recs are mailed WITH the secondary apps? Secondary apps are not submitted online like primary apps are they?

I have the same question. My school offers a mailing service where they will send in my committee packet. So that means the schools will receive my secondary essay and letters separately. i guess that is okay?

 

[Semicolon]

1. Ok... So I submitted my primary apps on Monday the 25th of May. Now what? LOL! Do I have to go on a school's website to start the secondaries or will most/all schools mail them to me? Or email me a link to get the secondaries?

2. I'm assuming this will all take place in about 6 weeks from now? Do most schools already have secondary apps on their websites? If so, I haven't seen them. Also, Letters of Recs are mailed WITH the secondary apps? Secondary apps are not submitted online like primary apps are they?

3. Lastly, I saw on the CIB that some schools require a Technical standards certificate form. and Statement of.
.Past or Pending Professional Disciplinary... What are these?
.


Thanks in advance!

1. All of the schools you applied to will let you know in one way or another that you can fill out their secondary. Some will send you an email with a link to do it online while others will mail them straight to you. Some places, like UMDNJ, will allow anyone to go onto their site and fill out the secondary, but you should do that after your primary is in.

2. You should begin receiving secondaries around the time that you are verified and your app is sent out to the schools. LORs are usually sent in along with secondaries, whether as a part of it or separately. And as mentioned above, some schools will have you complete the secondary as an online form (such as with LECOM for instance).

3. Those forms are given to you by the school. The technical standards are essentially what they expect from you and what you should be able to comply with if you were to attend. The disciplinary form asks you if you've ever received any academic disciplinary action (such as probation) for a given offense.

I have the same question. My school offers a mailing service where they will send in my committee packet. So that means the schools will receive my secondary essay and letters separately. i guess that is okay?

Yes, it's fine that your school will send its packet separately.

 

[Ben25]

Does AAMCOS get official MCAT scores automatically? How does that work...

 

[AdemTD]

Does AAMCOS get official MCAT scores automatically? How does that work...

Not automatically. You have to release your scores to them via the MCAT THx system.

 

[Diopstepp]

I submitted my primary a few days ago and I had put down a course I was planning on taking this summer. I have now decided to delay that course until the Fall. When I logged onto AACOMAS to update this in the College Courses section, I could not find any way to make the change from Summer 09 to Fall 09 for this class. How do I go about informing AACOMAS/schools that I will not be taking the class in the summer? Thanks.

 

[baylorbear333]

Ok really quick question. I am literally ready to press submit on my application.....but my transcripts haven't been recieved yet. So, Do I have to wait until they receive my transcripts to submit my application?? or is it ok if they come in later???

 

[gocatgo]

Ok really quick question. I am literally ready to press submit on my application.....but my transcripts haven't been recieved yet. So, Do I have to wait until they receive my transcripts to submit my application?? or is it ok if they come in later???

No, you don't have to wait for your transcripts to be received by Aacomas in order to submit. Aacomas will begin verification when they have received all your transcripts. So, if you want to submit today, Aacomas will accept your app along with your $$ and wait for your transcripts to arrive.

 

[Longshanks]

Hey guys and gals! Update on my AP Class situation problem, in case anyone else faces similar issues with their school:

Problem has been resolved! Spoke with my advisor and apparently it is a recurrent issue that my school's registrar has in not properly listing AP Classes (listing the total credits correctly but not listing the courses or what equivalents they replaced). The secretary for our pre-health advisor sent out a letter to AACOMAS explaining what AP's I took, what equivalent at my undergrad they replaced, and credits earned and now everything is fine with my transcripts on AACOMAS.

Thanks for the help before Semicolon.

 

[Semicolon]

I submitted my primary a few days ago and I had put down a course I was planning on taking this summer. I have now decided to delay that course until the Fall. When I logged onto AACOMAS to update this in the College Courses section, I could not find any way to make the change from Summer 09 to Fall 09 for this class. How do I go about informing AACOMAS/schools that I will not be taking the class in the summer? Thanks.

You will need to notify them that you need to change something on your application and they will "undeliver" your application so that you can make the change then resubmit. You can do this by clicking "Support" on top, but note that this will delay your application.

Hey guys and gals! Update on my AP Class situation problem, in case anyone else faces similar issues with their school:

Problem has been resolved! Spoke with my advisor and apparently it is a recurrent issue that my school's registrar has in not properly listing AP Classes (listing the total credits correctly but not listing the courses or what equivalents they replaced). The secretary for our pre-health advisor sent out a letter to AACOMAS explaining what AP's I took, what equivalent at my undergrad they replaced, and credits earned and now everything is fine with my transcripts on AACOMAS.

Thanks for the help before Semicolon.

No problem. 🙂 Glad it worked out.

 

[cmfandjrb]

How do you check a message in AACOMAS? When I logged on, it says I have one new message, and I clicked on support, but nothing is there.

 

[bcgans]

My AACOMAS application is complete and submitted, they have received my transcripts, and I over-nighted a money order to them 2 days ago.

Has anyone else sent a money order? How long did it take to be processed? Thanks!

 

[denali87]

Ok I have a few questions, if anyone could help that would be great!!

1. So I have a class on my transcript that is like a writing class and it says WVR (waiver) and I know that I am supposed to state that the class is "exempted" (as per instructions). But it keeps giving me an error saying I need a grade and credits. For which I DO NOT HAVE on my transcript. HOw do I go about this?

2. When shadowing doctors should I list the doctors separately on my EC/Volunteering section? Or should I group? I mean there are a couple for the same speciality which I was thinking I should group together but the others separately.

3. When you've only done an activity one time (say just 2 days or 1 day), what do you put for the 'average weekly hours"?

4. I took two classes at a CC, however I ONLY received credit through my primary institution. Do these still go into my calculated GPA? I really am confused about this one!

Thanks so much!!