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

[combatwombat]

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How does AACOMAS handle grades of absent (or ABS)? I heard it was the same as an incomplete, but is there an official source anyone can point me to?

Follow-up question: What if the course in which I got a grade of "absent" was the first of 3 repeats? How do I flag it in the "classification" drop-down menu: incomplete, none, or repeat 01? Each of these options seems logical; it's just arbitrary as to which choice is the convention.

The support documentation says nothing to clarify this.

 

[felipe23]

I know this is a dumb question to post, which is why i first called both aacom and amcas...but they were just as confused and just gave me an answer with obviously no confidence. So here it is....i took a class called calculus and analytic geometry at a community college senior year high school- 5 credits Grade= C. It was basically just calc 1. I then took a course called Calc 1 at SLU and got a B+ but it was 4 credit hours. They are both calc 1 courses, but since they were taken at diff schools should i still put repeat. And if so how would it be calculated? average the credit hours and the grade? or average the grade and make it 4 credit hours? Or just the higher grade and 4 credit hours?
AACOM answer- "put repeat for both...wait put them as seperate...i'm not sure read the manual"....wtf?!?!?!?! I have called them 4 times and this was the first time i didn't get a confident response...

if anyone is familiar with amcas i also called and asked them and they also gave me a kinda "idk if it matters...put this one down" answer.(i don't want any mistakes in my app cuz i feel like i'm already late in not submitting yet like most sdnrs lol
I know they don't replace...but do they average the grade and then the most recent credit hours....or even if u put repeat its basically like putting them as seperate since they both get counted anyway with the total credit hours?

if any of that is confusing i will gladly rephrase


Thanks for the help!!

 

[engineeredout]

Just put it down as a repeat. If AACOMAS really has a problem with it they'll change it when verifying your app, and then you'll have the ability to call them to straighten it out if it becomes a problem.

And if the grade gets replaced, the older grade will be waved goodbye.

I got a C- in four credit Pure math calc 1. I retook it as applied math Calc 1 which was three credits. The C- went bye bye.

 

[reggie11]

They will not replace your original physiology grade since it is not an equivalent course (and course level can matter depending on the situation, but not so much in this one).

I called in AACOMAS and the rep stated it would be fine to replace the grade with an A but that I had to talk to the supervisor just to make sure. I left a message and should here back soon.

To refresh: I took a 1 semester human physiology class (4 credits)

I then wanted to retake it and took human anatomy and physiology 1 and 2. (4 credits each for a total of 8 credits and received an A in both). Human anatomy and physiology 1 and 2 is BASICALLY 1 semester of human physiology and 1 semester of human anatomy so I don't know why it isn't consider the same class by some. I learned the same in both the 1 semester human physio and over the course of A and P 1 and 2.

Can't I argue this if the supervisor says otherwise?

 

[felipe23]

so on the app...do i put repeat 01 by both courses...or just by the older one??

also...anyone know how amcas works and how it differs? I would put this in pre-allo but i assume most of u guys have some familiarity and it goes with the same topic anway

 

[DOCSDO]

Hi,
I have a quick question. I am planning to retake my mcats for the end of July, have been studying day in and day out since mid May for hours and hours a day but honestly I'm so afraid of that beast that I'm not sure how I will do since my anxiety usually gets the best of me. I already submitted my AACOMAS app and didn't say I was going to retake mcats because I wasn't sure on the date yet. So I was wondering when I get my score back like around Sept. is there anyway that the schools I will hopefully interview at know about this retake (lets say I dont do better than my last exam)? I think if I do worse I'll be doomed Please help!

 

[CycloneDO]

so on the app...do i put repeat 01 by both courses...or just by the older one??

also...anyone know how amcas works and how it differs? I would put this in pre-allo but i assume most of u guys have some familiarity and it goes with the same topic anway

put repeat 01 for the first time you took the class...then put Last Repeat 01 for the class that replaces it.

 

[Semicolon]

I called in AACOMAS and the rep stated it would be fine to replace the grade with an A but that I had to talk to the supervisor just to make sure. I left a message and should here back soon.

To refresh: I took a 1 semester human physiology class (4 credits)

I then wanted to retake it and took human anatomy and physiology 1 and 2. (4 credits each for a total of 8 credits and received an A in both). Human anatomy and physiology 1 and 2 is BASICALLY 1 semester of human physiology and 1 semester of human anatomy so I don't know why it isn't consider the same class by some. I learned the same in both the 1 semester human physio and over the course of A and P 1 and 2.

Can't I argue this if the supervisor says otherwise?

That's interesting. If they're willing to work it out with you, then great. Your logic is sound in that you took a course that included the material you learned before and then some, and got an A, but fact of the matter is that both courses are not equivalent, even if some material overlaps. But if the supervisor agrees to replace the grade, then more power to you!

Hi,
I have a quick question. I am planning to retake my mcats for the end of July, have been studying day in and day out since mid May for hours and hours a day but honestly I'm so afraid of that beast that I'm not sure how I will do since my anxiety usually gets the best of me. I already submitted my AACOMAS app and didn't say I was going to retake mcats because I wasn't sure on the date yet. So I was wondering when I get my score back like around Sept. is there anyway that the schools I will hopefully interview at know about this retake (lets say I dont do better than my last exam)? I think if I do worse I'll be doomed Please help!

Since you didn't indicate you would retake, they wouldn't be waiting for a new score. And because you need to release scores manually with AACOMAS, they would technically not find out about your new score. However, there can be some ramifications if they find out that you didn't release all of your scores, and generally honesty is the best policy with medical school admissions; you just want to cover your bases so that nothing goes wrong. Of course, it's up to you...

Either way, you shouldn't retake the MCAT if you feel you won't do better (unless this is no more than paranoia).

 

[Semicolon]

As far as I know, AACOMAS doesn't replace a grade unless the retake is worth the same or more credits than the original. Since the retake is 4 credits and the original was 5, shouldn't this not be counted as a retake? Or do they just let things slide?

 

[felipe23]

idk..i guess it worked for engineerdout so hopefully it works for me too

Also, maybe this needs to go into a different thread....but how often do schools take into account the schools u apply to?

Two scenario's...I'm applying to 42 total osteopathic schools and allopathic schools(with a little more interest in osteopathic) because i dont want to take any risks. I'm applying to state schools to be smart about it(Illinois resident). I will say that my stats are kinda high for early osteopathic applications that you would usually see(3.7,3.6, 33) but I really like osteopathic medicine. Will Osteopathic schools think I'm just using their school as a backup since a lot of people do that? My friend also wanted to know because he has a 39 3.7,3.7 and has interest in WV osteopathic school as well as other M.D. schools. I mean how often are kids penalized for applying to both??

 

[AdemTD]

As far as I know, AACOMAS doesn't replace a grade unless the retake is worth the same or more credits than the original. Since the retake is 4 credits and the original was 5, shouldn't this not be counted as a retake? Or do they just let things slide?

I believe this is true, but don't really understand the logic behind it. Each school does things differently and some courses may differ by a credit hour here and there. As long as the course content is the same, they ought to be interchangeable.

 

[Semicolon]

idk..i guess it worked for engineerdout so hopefully it works for me too

Also, maybe this needs to go into a different thread....but how often do schools take into account the schools u apply to?

Two scenario's...I'm applying to 42 total osteopathic schools and allopathic schools(with a little more interest in osteopathic) because i dont want to take any risks. I'm applying to state schools to be smart about it(Illinois resident). I will say that my stats are kinda high for early osteopathic applications that you would usually see(3.7,3.6, 33) but I really like osteopathic medicine. Will Osteopathic schools think I'm just using their school as a backup since a lot of people do that? My friend also wanted to know because he has a 39 3.7,3.7 and has interest in WV osteopathic school as well as other M.D. schools. I mean how often are kids penalized for applying to both??

Most applicants to DO schools are also applying to MD schools; you will not get penalized for applying to both. Just make it known (through your secondaries and interviews) that you are indeed interested in an osteopathic medical education.

That's quite a lot of schools to apply to considering your stats; you're definitely going to get into somewhere; probably both MD and DO, and you're going to have the make the decision between the two...

 

[Apterous]

I noticed some people saying that in the EC section they not only wrote a description of what they did, but also more about what they learned or something like that. Should I elaborate past a basic description of my ECs?

 

[felipe23]

well thats my gpa for AACOMAS(i love how they calculate GPA's), my amcas gpa is 3.48 science and 3.54 overall. Thus...the large amount of schools

 

[CardioPlus]

I noticed some people saying that in the EC section they not only wrote a description of what they did, but also more about what they learned or something like that. Should I elaborate past a basic description of my ECs?

I would just give a description that stays within the tiny word count they give you (that's what I did anyway). What you learned about the experiences is for secondary essays/PS/interviews/etc.

 

[HoboCommander]

I took Biology at my UC university and got an A, but it did not include lab. So I take Biology again at a community college and get a C. Which grade do ACOMAAS count in calculating GPA?

 

[Chocolate Bear]

I took Biology at my UC university and got an A, but it did not include lab. So I take Biology again at a community college and get a C. Which grade do ACOMAAS count in calculating GPA?

Weird situation...

Maybe if you put down that Bio was an "A" (no repeats) and that the CC course was "Bio Lab" or "Bio Lecture + Lab" (or the equivalent), and *don't* mark it as a repeated course, you'd get the "C" just for the lab-included course, without losing the Bio "A."

Not trying to lie here, just trying to find a way to keep you from losing the "A" you got, since it's up to you to identify repeated courses.

Moving to the AACOMAS Questions thread.

 

[notageek]

Question: I am almost done with the application, but everytime I log on, it asks if I want to go to the 2009 Application (but I have been filling out the 2010 application). Umm?
I am applying for 2010 admission... why is it doing that?

 

[herewego]

Kind of a stupid question..but you don't include hobbies in the extracurricular section do you?

I guess I'm still in the AMCAS mode, where there is a specific section for it. My hobbies don't have anything I can fill out for "Name of Organization" or "Position Title"

 

[notageek]

Does getting Suma Cum Lade count for the awards, honors, scholarships section?

 

[spence]

can we add or remove schools once we submit our applicaton w/o significant delay?

You're not supposed to be able to remove schools, definitely not possible once you are verified and your apps have been sent off. You could try emailing them if your app hasn't been processed yet, but I doubt they would do it. They almost certainly wouldn't give you your money back even if they would remove a school, haha.

You can definitely add more schools though.

 

[ODorDO]

For AACOMAS's "Do you consider yourself disadvantaged?" question, I wonder what's definition of Medically and Economically disadvantaged? I can't find anything in 2010-CIB... Lets say if my family doesn't have insurance to see a pcp, and our family income is way lower than the fee waiver qualification

 

[ODorDO]

.

 

[Semicolon]

Question: I am almost done with the application, but everytime I log on, it asks if I want to go to the 2009 Application (but I have been filling out the 2010 application). Umm?
I am applying for 2010 admission... why is it doing that?

Are you sure you've been filling out the 2009 application?

Kind of a stupid question..but you don't include hobbies in the extracurricular section do you?

I guess I'm still in the AMCAS mode, where there is a specific section for it. My hobbies don't have anything I can fill out for "Name of Organization" or "Position Title"

You should include hobbies as an EC, but I'm not sure where. If you must put down names of organizations or titles, you can just put in "none" or "N/A" as default.

Does getting Suma Cum Lade count for the awards, honors, scholarships section?

Definitely. Just remember it's "Summa". 😉

For AACOMAS's "Do you consider yourself disadvantaged?" question, I wonder what's definition of Medically and Economically disadvantaged? I can't find anything in 2010-CIB... Lets say if my family doesn't have insurance to see a pcp, and our family income is way lower than the fee waiver qualification

If I were you, I would say yes to economically disadvantaged. It sounds like you have your reasons.

 

[ltw902]

Question about sending transcripts.

I have sent in my undergrad transcript, but do I have to send in my graduate school transcript (even if I'll be an incoming grad student this upcoming fall)? I have no grades to show for anything from my grad school application.

Thanks for your help!

 

[notageek]

Are you sure you've been filling out the 2009 application?



You should include hobbies as an EC, but I'm not sure where. If you must put down names of organizations or titles, you can just put in "none" or "N/A" as default.



Definitely. Just remember it's "Summa". 😉



If I were you, I would say yes to economically disadvantaged. It sounds like you have your reasons.

I have been filling out the 2010... am I being totally stupid? (probably) which one is for fall 2010 admissions? why are both available now? this is driving me crazy!

Thanks for the tip about "Summa"

 

[RobbinBlue]

Hey guys! I’m currently an undergraduate student applying to medical school this year. I am scheduled to take my MCAT August 6, 2009. The Question is; should I submit my application now or should I wait until I get my MCAT score? Any advice would be extremely helpful.

 

[drRay42]

Would anyone be able to tell me what an average number of DO schools to apply to is? Right now I'm applying to six but I'm not sure if that's too few or now.

 

[ODorDO]

I've already submitted my AACOMAS and i wonder how can I update my transcript?? I requested my first transcript about 3 weeks ago. However, one of my IP grades came out just two days ago, and it significantly raised my gpa on aacomas.

Should I request another transcript ASAP?

 

[Semicolon]

Question about sending transcripts.

I have sent in my undergrad transcript, but do I have to send in my graduate school transcript (even if I'll be an incoming grad student this upcoming fall)? I have no grades to show for anything from my grad school application.

Thanks for your help!

No, because they have nothing to verify.

I have been filling out the 2010... am I being totally stupid? (probably) which one is for fall 2010 admissions? why are both available now? this is driving me crazy!

Thanks for the tip about "Summa"

If you were filling out 2010, you'd know. It will say SOMEWHERE on top that it's the 2010 application. The 2009 application was still available before May 1st, so if you began the application back then you may have made the mistake...but it doesn't like you did.

Hey guys! I’m currently an undergraduate student applying to medical school this year. I am scheduled to take my MCAT August 6, 2009. The Question is; should I submit my application now or should I wait until I get my MCAT score? Any advice would be extremely helpful.

Don't wait for the score; submit ASAP so that you can get the verification process started. You'll get your MCAT score meanwhile, which you can update them with.

Would anyone be able to tell me what an average number of DO schools to apply to is? Right now I'm applying to six but I'm not sure if that's too few or now.

The average is probably a little higher than six. It really depends on how competitive you think you are and how far you're willing to go. If you have doubts, you should consider applying to more.

I've already submitted my AACOMAS and i wonder how can I update my transcript?? I requested my first transcript about 3 weeks ago. However, one of my IP grades came out just two days ago, and it significantly raised my gpa on aacomas.

Should I request another transcript ASAP?

Request another transcript and, just to be safe, let AACOMAS know that you're updating them with a new one.

 

[ltw902]

No, because they have nothing to verify.


So, what happens if the website says that my transcript from my graduate school is required but I submit my application anyways? Will it be verified without the graduate school transcript, or do I take out the graduate school courses?

Thanks.

 

[chocolaterie]

Hello everyone, my status finally changed to "Released 6/12" after showing up as "Submitted to AACOMAS" all week. Yesterday, I called AACOMAS and was told that they release the verified application to all your designated schools once a week. So, according to the AACOMAS staff member, the first batch was sent out today (6/12).
But my g.p.a. still isn't showing up.

I don't know if you've already found out. But if you click on the view link a pdf will show up. Your gpa will show up under "tot". Originally, I wasn't able to access it either.

 

[chocolaterie]

No, because they have nothing to verify.


So, what happens if the website says that my transcript from my graduate school is required but I submit my application anyways? Will it be verified without the graduate school transcript, or do I take out the graduate school courses?

Thanks.

Hmm.. I would probably speak to an aacomas rep about it. I'm taking a course at a college that will begin July 7, and I requested the transcript anyway (even though I've never taken a course from this one particular school in the past). Maybe they can make exceptions for graduate classes?

I wanted to add that I was verified.

 

[Semicolon]

No, because they have nothing to verify.


So, what happens if the website says that my transcript from my graduate school is required but I submit my application anyways? Will it be verified without the graduate school transcript, or do I take out the graduate school courses?

Thanks.

If they still require the transcript even if the courses are "planned", then it may be best to request it just to be safe.

 

[thethethe]

Did anybody notice on their application (after verification), quality points? Under the gpa for each year there is something called quality points, one for science and one for others.
Does nobody know where that number is derived from, or what it even means?

 

[DrDre2001]

I havent been verified, but as far as I know, quality points are a value used to calculate your gpa. It's the amount of total points you obtain before dividing by the amount of credit hours you have taken. It is somewhat hard to explain in words so just follow this example:

If you get an B in a 3 credit course, you get 9 quality points because a B is a 3.0 on the grading scale. So 3 credits x 3.0 scaled points = 9 quality points

 

[Chocolate Bear]

I havent been verified, but as far as I know, quality points are a value used to calculate your gpa. It's the amount of total points you obtain before dividing by the amount of credit hours you have taken. It is somewhat hard to explain in words so just follow this example:

If you get an B in a 3 credit course, you get 9 quality points because a B is a 3.0 on the grading scale. So 3 credits x 3.0 scaled points = 9 quality points

Yeah, this is a good explanation. 👍

 

[ODorDO]

Request another transcript and, just to be safe, let AACOMAS know that you're updating them with a new one.

How can i let AACOMAS know that i'm updating them with a new transcript? i really dont think calling them is a good idea... e-mailing them?

 

[kbrinsky1]

So I took a Lit class that also doubled as a History class and on my transcript it say HIS61, but I want to use it as one of my English classes (it was Greek Mythology so there was a ton of reading and writing). I am in the process of being verified, but from what I hear if it doesn't have "writing or English" in AACOMAS won't count it as English. Any advice?

 

[jisu23]

So I took a Lit class that also doubled as a History class and on my transcript it say HIS61, but I want to use it as one of my English classes (it was Greek Mythology so there was a ton of reading and writing). I am in the process of being verified, but from what I hear if it doesn't have "writing or English" in AACOMAS won't count it as English. Any advice?

English Requirement: If you fulfilled your undergraduate institution's English requirement with a course(s) outside of the English Department, list the appropriate course(s), up to six semester hours, as English. Make a notation that this course(s) was approved as fulfilling your English requirement by your institution at the end of the Personal Statement. Contact the AACOMAS office with any questions or irregularities.

 

[kbrinsky1]

I already submitted my app. The course did satisfy an English GE, which should say on my transcript. I am hoping the schools that receive my app will recognize that. I think I will still call AACOMAS though.

Thanks for your response. I wish I would've known this would be an issue before I had submitted so I could attach a statement about it.

 

[gocatgo]

I don't know if you've already found out. But if you click on the view link a pdf will show up. Your gpa will show up under "tot". Originally, I wasn't able to access it either.

👍 Thanks! I just read your post this afternoon and yep, my gpa is finally showing up.

 

[Semicolon]

How can i let AACOMAS know that i'm updating them with a new transcript? i really dont think calling them is a good idea... e-mailing them?

Email is probably the best way.

I already submitted my app. The course did satisfy an English GE, which should say on my transcript. I am hoping the schools that receive my app will recognize that. I think I will still call AACOMAS though.

Thanks for your response. I wish I would've known this would be an issue before I had submitted so I could attach a statement about it.

If they see "History" on your application, then the schools will count it as history, not as English, even if it fulfilled the requirement for your school. If the application is still not verified, you can do as was posted by jisu23. Otherwise, you can either attempt to contact each school, or simply take an English course meanwhile so that the requirement is definitely met.

 

[yezzur]

hey everyone,

sorry, if this question was already answered...

so Im doing my grades right now. So I took a G-chem class at a UC where I graduated and then took the same class at a City college

So i entered Repeat 1 for the g-chem class i took at a UC and then Last repeat for the g-chem class i took at a city college

However, I did not see a change in my GPA calculations ? why is that?

Also, those anyone know which section 'Linguistics belongs to?

 

[JaggerPlate]

Does anyone know why the 'description' (750 characters) we wrote for all the ECs, volunteer, etc doesn't come up in the application summary?? Making me a little nervous because it seems like everything else pops right up.

 

[robrobbberts]

How should I fill out my Shadowing experience?

I shadowed multiple doctors, so I just want to list them under one experience.

What exactly should I write for 'Name of Organization,' and 'Position Title?'


Currently i have Shadowing for Name of Organization and just put N/A for Position Title.. is that okay?

 

[premedmind]

1. Is it OK to not be completely, 100% accurate on the amount of hours you volunteered or what month/year you volunteered? Is a rough estimate OK?

2. What should we put under "Position Title" for the EC's if we did research? I just put the title of my research...is that OK?

 

[Rtrn2sndr]

1. Is it OK to not be completely, 100% accurate on the amount of hours you volunteered or what month/year you volunteered? Is a rough estimate OK?

2. What should we put under "Position Title" for the EC's if we did research? I just put the title of my research...is that OK?

Your best estimate is fine. Normally though, most places you volunteer keep a record of how many hours you've served...if you're overly concerned about it.

For my title I just put 'research' then in the description section I gave the title and a description of the project. I don't think it matters which way you do it as long as you have all of the information about the research in there somewhere.

 

[Semicolon]

How should I fill out my Shadowing experience?

I shadowed multiple doctors, so I just want to list them under one experience.

What exactly should I write for 'Name of Organization,' and 'Position Title?'


Currently i have Shadowing for Name of Organization and just put N/A for Position Title.. is that okay?

It would be more structured, in my opinion, if you listed each shadowing experience separately. For name of organization, you can either put down the name of the hospital/clinic or "Office of Dr. ___" if it was a private office. For position title, you could put down something along the lines of "Volunteer".

1. Is it OK to not be completely, 100% accurate on the amount of hours you volunteered or what month/year you volunteered? Is a rough estimate OK?

2. What should we put under "Position Title" for the EC's if we did research? I just put the title of my research...is that OK?

1. A rough estimate is fine, as long as it's not way off. 😉

2. "Research Assistant"?

 

[angeladav]

Your best estimate is fine. Normally though, most places you volunteer keep a record of how many hours you've served...if you're overly concerned about it.

For my title I just put 'research' then in the description section I gave the title and a description of the project. I don't think it matt

ers which way you do it as long as you have all of the information about the research in there somewhere.

Most places do, but some expect you to have a record. Probably not much of a concern either way.