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I attended a national youth leadership forum on medicine in 11th grade.. is this something I should put on my application or no since it was in high school but pertained to medicine?
 
tele turnin said:
is shadowing something you list on the primary? i didn't, i didn't feel it was really an ec or anything like that. what has everyone else done? i figured i would cover it in secondaries and only briefly mentioned it (a sentence) in my ps. thanks all.
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I listed all mine under AACOMAS ECs.

Organization: Dr. XYZ, D.O./M.D., Family Medicine
Position: Physician Shadow

Then I gave a brief description of the experience, since all of my shadowing was fairly hands-on and took place across many varied specialties.

Don't sell yourself short. Shadowing is a big deal, and they love to see it. 👍
 
I saved my shadowing experience for secondaries. I discussed it in my PS and my DO LOR. Do you think this is a big deal? I didnt really think so, but what about you guys?
 
bcgans said:
I saved my shadowing experience for secondaries. I discussed it in my PS and my DO LOR. Do you think this is a big deal? I didnt really think so, but what about you guys?
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I don't think it's a huge deal to save it for later, but I did put it in the primary, a little bit in my PS, and I'm pretty sure my DO LOR would mention it although I can't be positive.
 
Does Honor's College count in the Honors section of the app? Please advice, & thank you for the previous responses people - greatly appreciated!

 
Im asking this question because I'm not getting an answer after calling them like 10 times. So one class I took at a CC is labeled 'Software applications' which transferred to my undergrad as a computer science class. So would I classify this class as 'other non-science' or 'math'. Other non-science has 'word-processing' and math has 'computer science' in the instruction manual. Please advice, thanks so much!
 
denali87 said:
Does Honor's College count in the Honors section of the app? Please advice, & thank you for the previous responses people - greatly appreciated!

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Yeah, you can put that it was an HONOR when you were admitted to the honor's college and/or when you graduate with honors. That's how everyone I know did it.

denali87 said:
Im asking this question because I'm not getting an answer after calling them like 10 times. So one class I took at a CC is labeled 'Software applications' which transferred to my undergrad as a computer science class. So would I classify this class as 'other non-science' or 'math'. Other non-science has 'word-processing' and math has 'computer science' in the instruction manual. Please advice, thanks so much!
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I'd follow the instructions and go with MATH.
 
Thanks so much CB! Your always so helpful! 🙂
 
I have a few questions before I submit my application

1. I didn't put any of my activities in order, will AACOMAS do this themselves? I know many of you have contacted them about it, so let me know. I really would not want to wait week or so they can fix their problem, I want to send ASAP.

2. Can we view our application after it has been sent, so we can prepare for our interviews and see what we wrote in the descriptions?
 
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doxycycline said:
I would have added it, idk why you wouldnt
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I didnt add my shadowing because I forgot lol. I think im still ok adding it later? Anyone think I should "un-submit" and add the shadowing experience? Again I am adding it to my secondaries and it is in my PS. Thanks guys, this is troubling me.
 
bcgans said:
I didnt add my shadowing because I forgot lol. I think im still ok adding it later? Anyone think I should "un-submit" and add the shadowing experience? Again I am adding it to my secondaries and it is in my PS. Thanks guys, this is troubling me.
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I didn't add mine either. I actually didn't know who I would be shadowing or when until after I submitted...
 
bcgans said:
I didnt add my shadowing because I forgot lol. I think im still ok adding it later? Anyone think I should "un-submit" and add the shadowing experience? Again I am adding it to my secondaries and it is in my PS. Thanks guys, this is troubling me.
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Unsubmitting now wouldn't cost you any time advantage at this point.

That being said, it's not a huge deal, and I wouldn't consider unsubmitting if it were later in the season.

Just my two cents.
 
Hey Everyone, I just wanted to pass along some info I got back from AACOMAS regarding the order of ECs/Volunteer. The support staffer that emailed me said that "In final processing the activities are put in chronological order. But not when you view the in process app." So at least we can breathe a sigh of relief about the whole chronological order thing! 😀
 
^ How do you unsubmit?
 
Are you guys submitting the recommendation letters with the primary application, or waiting for the secondary application and sending them with that?

In order to send them, all we have to do is go to Interfolio and pick what schools we want each letter sent to correct?
 
msd848 said:
Are you guys submitting the recommendation letters with the primary application, or waiting for the secondary application and sending them with that?

In order to send them, all we have to do is go to Interfolio and pick what schools we want each letter sent to correct?
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You should just wait til you get a secondary from a school to submit letters, that way you know they have a file for you made already, so your stuff doesn't get lost. They won't read them until they have all of your materials together anyway. That's what's known as "being complete at a school." Only then are you ready to have your application reviewed by the admissions committee and a decision made.
 
Thanks guys, I think I will just leave it as is, and add my shadowing to my secondaries later, or as a last resort fax the schools a list of my shadowing later in the process.

I guess my feeling is that (i hope) no schools will reject me pre-secondary (assuming I pass screens) for not listing shadowing. Now I can stop worrying about my primary and go study for the MCAT. W00t for summer...
 
For those of you who have submitted your application already, is it possible to print a summary of everything entered at the end for your own reference?
 
flaquitabonita said:
For those of you who have submitted your application already, is it possible to print a summary of everything entered at the end for your own reference?
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Last year that wasn't available until about 2 weeks after being verified (so 8 wks after submitting), if I remember correctly. It'll be a PDF link that'll be next to each school to which you submitted on your main summary page.
 
flaquitabonita said:
For those of you who have submitted your application already, is it possible to print a summary of everything entered at the end for your own reference?
Click to expand...


There's a "view application" link in the upper-right hand corner. I submitted mine last week and was able to print the summary today for my records.
 
Exalya said:
There's a "view application" link in the upper-right hand corner. I submitted mine last week and was able to print the summary today for my records.
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Does it link to a PDF that has GPAs calculated?

The one I was talking about automatically downloaded with the following title: LastnameSchoolnameCOM.pdf

It was the verified version that got sent to each school.

The one I think you're talking about was also available immediately last year, too.
 
CardioPlus said:
Hey Everyone, I just wanted to pass along some info I got back from AACOMAS regarding the order of ECs/Volunteer. The support staffer that emailed me said that "In final processing the activities are put in chronological order. But not when you view the in process app." So at least we can breathe a sigh of relief about the whole chronological order thing! 😀
Click to expand...

I got the same email, so I to breathed a sigh of relief today.
 
Chocolate Bear said:
Does it link to a PDF that has GPAs calculated?

The one I was talking about automatically downloaded with the following title: LastnameSchoolnameCOM.pdf

It was the verified version that got sent to each school.

The one I think you're talking about was also available immediately last year, too.
Click to expand...


It was a PDF, but it did not list GPA. All of the courses that you entered were listed, though.
 
I apologize if this has been asked already:

Is there a limit to the number of work experiences, extracurricular/volunteer experiences, and awards/honors/scholarships? It seems like we can just keep adding them one after another.
 
Also, how would you guys categorize the following experience:

Undergraduate research for graded credit every quarter for nearly five-six quarters. Findings were presented in a poster symposium, a presentation in front of faculty, and published in the undergraduate journal.

It wasn't for pay, but it "felt" like work. Could it be classified under "work experience" or would it be more fitting under "extracurricular, volunteer, and community service?" Help is appreciated!
 
Ibn Rushd said:
Also, how would you guys categorize the following experience:

Undergraduate research for graded credit every quarter for nearly five-six quarters. Findings were presented in a poster symposium, a presentation in front of faculty, and published in the undergraduate journal.

It wasn't for pay, but it "felt" like work. Could it be classified under "work experience" or would it be more fitting under "extracurricular, volunteer, and community service?" Help is appreciated!
Click to expand...

I put my for-credit research descriptions under ECs. I feel like things get weighted a little more if they come from that section, since there is usually no pay involved, plus the description parameters seemed to fit a little better. It's also where I put my shadowing and other volunteer clinical experience, so it just felt like everything that prepared me for medicine could be found in the ECs. Plus I didn't get physically *paid* for it.
 
^ Thanks CB! I think I'll do that too. Do you know if there's a limit to the number of experiences we can enter?
 
I was just wondering how long it generally takes before they finish verifying primaries and you start receiving secondaries?..I know it may be a little early to talk about it, but just curious...
 
Thanks again CB! I doubt I'll have 20 experiences to put down, so that's good to know.

I've got another question about ECs! 😀

Say I wanted to mention hobbies/past times, what would I put down under "name of organization?" I've been doing photography and graphic design for several years and I really want to include it.
 
beckhunter116 said:
I got the same email, so I to breathed a sigh of relief today.
Click to expand...

They just told me that it was being forwarded to the IT dept. Nothing about it being fixed later, but I am sure it is. Thanks for the update everyone!!!
 
I have been looking at some secondaries and was wondering about the part of waiving your rights of access to confidential references. It talks about the Family Education Privacy Right Act. Should I waive my rights to references to show that I have confidence that my references can willing write as they please knowing that I will never see them? Or should I not waive my rights in case I needed to see them for some odd reason in the future? Some of my references I have sort of already seen as they wrote letters for scholarships in the past and were just going to slightly modify them for medical school. Thanks for any thoughts!!🙂
 
Ibn Rushd said:
Thanks again CB! I doubt I'll have 20 experiences to put down, so that's good to know.

I've got another question about ECs! 😀

Say I wanted to mention hobbies/past times, what would I put down under "name of organization?" I've been doing photography and graphic design for several years and I really want to include it.
Click to expand...

Definitely include them! Just say something like "freelance" or put down the city and state where you do most of it or something like that. Just be logical and don't stress over it too much. 🙂
 
All right, heres my situation:

I'm trying to turn in my AACOMAS as soon as possible and my Spring 2009 semester grades just came out couple of days ago. However, on my transcript shows that I have a few "In Progress" research units from the previous semester. And as everyone has been sayin, sending transcripts in usually take a LONG TIME!! Should I wait and ask my prof to give me those few units of potential A's (unfortunately i won't get to talk to her til later on next week 😡) or should i just request my transcript now?

I'm doing research in a biochem research lab, so these units would raise my sGPA by about 0.03...... so do you guys think its worth to delay a week?
 
Chocolate Bear said:
It's SDN...that means it's *never* too early! 😉 😀

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=8228850&#post8228850

It takes right around 6 weeks to be verified by AACOMAS.
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Haha...good point 😉..Thank for the heads up CB.

I was looking at that secondary question that was posted by wishintobedoc and was wondering where you could find secondaries already? I know PCOM's secondary you can find on their site, but can you find all of them on their respective websites?
 
slamindesi said:
Haha...good point 😉..Thank for the heads up CB.

I was looking at that secondary question that was posted by wishintobedoc and was wondering where you could find secondaries already? I know PCOM's secondary you can find on their site, but can you find all of them on their respective websites?
Click to expand...

No, most secondaries will not be available to you until you get a login ID or they send it to you in the mail/email. Even the ones you *can* find available right now, *DO NOT FILL TRY TO TURN THEM IN UNTIL THEY TELL YOU TO*.
 
Does AACOMAS strictly require the official transcript request form? My school sends transcripts electronically and it would be a pain in the ass to send that thing as well.
 
ODorDO said:
All right, heres my situation:

I'm trying to turn in my AACOMAS as soon as possible and my Spring 2009 semester grades just came out couple of days ago. However, on my transcript shows that I have a few "In Progress" research units from the previous semester. And as everyone has been sayin, sending transcripts in usually take a LONG TIME!! Should I wait and ask my prof to give me those few units of potential A's (unfortunately i won't get to talk to her til later on next week 😡) or should i just request my transcript now?

I'm doing research in a biochem research lab, so these units would raise my sGPA by about 0.03...... so do you guys think its worth to delay a week?
Click to expand...

Well since your sGPA is on the low side (based on your MD Apps), if I were in your shoes, I would wait and get those As recorded before requesting transcripts. Because even if you have to wait a few weeks, june, july, and and even august is considered early and anything to help boost the GPA will help. Just my 2 cents.
 
CardioPlus said:
Well since your sGPA is on the low side (based on your MD Apps), if I were in your shoes, I would wait and get those As recorded before requesting transcripts. Because even if you have to wait a few weeks, june, july, and and even august is considered early and anything to help boost the GPA will help. Just my 2 cents.
Click to expand...

Also, my fee wavier expires on June 24th, does that mean my transcripts need to be received by aacomas before that date?
 
How accurate does the information under ECs/work experience need to be?

For example for hours/week, can you just provide a rough estimate? Are they going to hold it against you if it is not completely accurate?


Oh, and I can I include a pre-medical internship that I am doing this July in the application?
 
I just submitted my app the other day and on the right hand side "AACOMAS STATUS" it says NO for transcripts received, however, in the transcripts section it says Yes, recieved on xx/xx (date). So my question is did they receive it or not. Also, ''the verification process will begin when all checklist boxes are marked.'' So obvi the check mark for the transcripts is not marked. Should I call or is this normal? Please help and thanks so much!!
 
premedmind said:
How accurate does the information under ECs/work experience need to be?

For example for hours/week, can you just provide a rough estimate? Are they going to hold it against you if it is not completely accurate?


Oh, and I can I include a pre-medical internship that I am doing this July in the application?
Click to expand...

Just estimate to the best of your ability. They won't be calling anyone to check every fact, like the application police or anything.

Yes, and this is important for everyone:

Anything important that you are *PLANNING* to do between now and the time you enter medical school can be included in your application. Be careful and honest, though, because it will look foolish if you don't end up doing something you put down here, as you're likely to be asked about it during an interview.
 
bcgans said:
It's weird: When I copy and paste it in the application, it actually looks fine. Spacing is good. But, when I go to the "view summary" - which I'm assuming is what ad coms see - its all one paragraph. The only way I've found to remedy this is to put a full line of space between each paragraph when I enter it originally. However, this uses up more space and brings your total count up (I'm hovering around 4500 now).

Hmmmm.. I dunno what I'll do.
Click to expand...

I had the same problem, except I already submitted my application...when I put my PS in I made sure the formatting looked good (even tweaked it a bit), but then I looked at it under the summary and it looks like one big paragraph...

I emailed aacomas and I might have to unsubmit and then resubmit. Has anyone had to unsubmit? Are there any fees or penalties, other than having to wait longer to be verified?
 
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