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

[kypreos]

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Why are you waiting for your MCAT to submit? Submit now; it takes long enough to verify!

As for your new grade, just contact AACOMAS and let them know they you're sending them a new transcript then request one from your school to be sent to them. That should be fine.

And if you void your score, they simply won't get it.

I am going to submit ASAP (this upcoming paycheck). I WAS going to wait, but not anymore lol. it takes 2 long to wait, and im not patient. I will def. call aacomas. Thanks for all your help.

 

[ibcdude]

Should I mention in my application some of my HS scholarships...tho small such as Elks scholarship and PSTA?

Also, even tho this is HS, should I mention for awards/achievement that I was Salutatorian of my HS class?....or does that unnecessary because I am mostly talking about undergrad achievements?

 

[Turkelton]

I just finished my biochemistry class, and need to add the grade to my application. Do I send the updated transcript to AACOMAS or to each of the schools I applied to directly?

I submitted in May, was verified 5 days ago, and probably my apps are being released today. What do I do in this situation to get the grades to the schools in the fastest manner?

 

[ilovefishing]

K, fee waiver question here.

I was already awarded a fee waiver for the AACOMAS app this year. Unfortunately finances are so tight right now that I can't even afford the application fee that AACOMAS charges after the first 3 applications. Should I just go ahead and submit the AACOMAS to the 3 free schools and add the other ones on later? Also how likely are schools to waive the secondary fee since I received the AACOMAS waiver and am classified as disadvantaged?

thanks!

Hi, I also received a fee waiver. I looked in the handbook (you can find the link in Chocolate Bear's signature) for schools that apply the fee waiver to their secondaries. The majority of the D.O. schools do, but check the handbook just to make sure. God Luck

 

[cliffhuxtableDO]

No high school.

 

[Semicolon]

Should I mention in my application some of my HS scholarships...tho small such as Elks scholarship and PSTA?

Also, even tho this is HS, should I mention for awards/achievement that I was Salutatorian of my HS class?....or does that unnecessary because I am mostly talking about undergrad achievements?

Only mention things that are pertinent to your undergrad career and further; high school doesn't count, unfortunately.

 

[donblackbelt300]

If you feel as though it is important to you, I don't see the harm in having the high school stuff.

 

[Semicolon]

I just finished my biochemistry class, and need to add the grade to my application. Do I send the updated transcript to AACOMAS or to each of the schools I applied to directly?

I submitted in May, was verified 5 days ago, and probably my apps are being released today. What do I do in this situation to get the grades to the schools in the fastest manner?

Send it to AACOMAS, who will update schools with it.

 

[lentilfarm]

I'm sorry if this has been covered, but I don't have time to sift through all this info while I'm at work.

Which section would I put my CPR Certification under? Is it considered EC? It's not really an award/honor/scholarship, and I got certified at my workplace.

Thanks!

 

[Semicolon]

I'm sorry if this has been covered, but I don't have time to sift through all this info while I'm at work.

Which section would I put my CPR Certification under? Is it considered EC? It's not really an award/honor/scholarship, and I got certified at my workplace.

Thanks!

Yes, you can enter it under ECs.

 

[nanaschool2000]

Okay. I spoke to some admission counselors from DO schools I'm applying to. I realized that I have to edit the list of EC on my primary. Here's a problem. I already submitted my primary application about three weeks ago. It is currently under processing. How can I update the info? It doesn't let me do it on aacomas application site. Do I have to wait until it gets verified? Please help me!!!

 

[Semicolon]

Okay. I spoke to some admission counselors from DO schools I'm applying to. I realized that I have to edit the list of EC on my primary. Here's a problem. I already submitted my primary application about three weeks ago. It is currently under processing. How can I update the info? It doesn't let me do it on aacomas application site. Do I have to wait until it gets verified? Please help me!!!

You need to contact AACOMAS and let them know that you need to make a change to your application. They will "undeliver" it so that you can make the changes and resubmit it. Keep in mind that this will delay your verification, however.

 

[nanaschool2000]

Can I make changes after it gets verified? Isn't that how people who need to add their recent course grades or something update their application? I clicked saved button but I guess it did not go through. I should have checked one more time. I aleady waited three weeks. I don't want to wait another month for it gets verified.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

If you feel as though it is important to you, I don't see the harm in having the high school stuff.

Except that if you ask the adcoms, they'll generally explicitly say not to mention things from HS unless they continued into your undergrad career.

So if you began volunteering with the American Cancer Society in Senior year of HS through Sophomore year of college, be sure to include the start date from HS. That shows long-term commitment and is VERY valuable.

Also, if you were awarded scholarships in HS that got applied to your undergrad tuition, that would also be relevant, since they were applied during your college tenure.

 

[Grf0505]

hey guys, how long was your file under "processing"? Mine has been for a month...seems like a long time. should I call?

 

[premedmind]

How much time do I have to find a DO letter....my app isn't yet verified.

 

[ltw902]

hey, quick question.

i'm about to go to an SMP. so, the problem is is that i won't have a transcript to show aacomas. do i still have to send them one right now? i've been in the "processing" stage since 6/22 with all three of "checkboxes checked," but i only have 1 of 2 transcripts sent in...

 

[willdoc]

I have a specific question about releasing MCAT scores to AACOMAS. I took the MCAT before and released that score to AACOMAS already. I submitted my application. But, I took the MCAT again thinking I would do a lot better and I didnt. I just got my score and clueless what to do now. I scored several points lower. Do I have to release this score to AACOMAS. Is it mandatory to show all your scores?

Does AACOMAS get the score without me requesting it again since I have already requested them to receive my previous MCAT? 🙁

Thanks in advance!

 

[Semicolon]

hey guys, how long was your file under "processing"? Mine has been for a month...seems like a long time. should I call?

Sounds normal to me. Verification takes 4-6 weeks. Calling would probably be pointless, honestly.

How much time do I have to find a DO letter....my app isn't yet verified.

Not much time. Ideally, you want to send in your LORs along with secondaries, which by the sounds of it should start coming in the next several weeks. It's quite possible to find a DO, spend several days with him/her, and get an LOR in that time, however. That is, if you'll be very diligent. 😉

hey, quick question.

i'm about to go to an SMP. so, the problem is is that i won't have a transcript to show aacomas. do i still have to send them one right now? i've been in the "processing" stage since 6/22 with all three of "checkboxes checked," but i only have 1 of 2 transcripts sent in...

You only really need to send them a transcript if you listed the classes on your AACOMAS. If you didn't list the classes, you probably don't need the transcript. But if you did, they may give you a tough time if you don't; in that case, it's better to contact them and explain.

I have a specific question about releasing MCAT scores to AACOMAS. I took the MCAT before and released that score to AACOMAS already. I submitted my application. But, I took the MCAT again thinking I would do a lot better and I didnt. I just got my score and clueless what to do now. I scored several points lower. Do I have to release this score to AACOMAS. Is it mandatory to show all your scores?

Does AACOMAS get the score without me requesting it again since I have already requested them to receive my previous MCAT? 🙁

Thanks in advance!

Unfortunately, it is mandatory to release ALL scores to AACOMAS. They do not receive it automatically like AMCAS does, but you must release your score to them either way. Sorry to hear you did worse; hope it works out for you. 🙂

 

[forrealz]

I sacrificed two characters

and did this

for paragraph breaks.

I did that to separate my paragraphs. When I submitted my application (being verified right now) and went back to check how my personal statement looked, the paragraphs came out messed up. I wanted to have 5 separate paragraphs but it was only separated into two paragraphs. I don't know if I should contact AACOMAS, I hope the schools don't receive my personal statement that way. 😕

 

[jkmph]

I did that to separate my paragraphs. When I submitted my application (being verified right now) and went back to check how my personal statement looked, the paragraphs came out messed up. I wanted to have 5 separate paragraphs but it was only separated into two paragraphs. I don't know if I should contact AACOMAS, I hope the schools don't receive my personal statement that way. 😕

I'm sure the formatting is screwed up for most people, I know mine is. I'm not going to lose sleep over it and you probably shouldn't worry too much about it.

On a different note - does anyone know how long an acceptance offer is good for from a school? In other words, if school X accepts you, how long is that on the table for before they give away your slot?

 

[CycloneDO]

anybody have any answer on what to do if taking further courses not listed in aacomas this fall and application is already verified?

 

[Semicolon]

I'm sure the formatting is screwed up for most people, I know mine is. I'm not going to lose sleep over it and you probably shouldn't worry too much about it.

On a different note - does anyone know how long an acceptance offer is good for from a school? In other words, if school X accepts you, how long is that on the table for before they give away your slot?

The acceptance offer is good until the deadline for the seat deposit. I believe for most schools this deadline is December 15th (or was it November?) if accepted before then and 30 days if accepted after. Anyone correct me if I'm wrong. 🙂

 

[katarina90]

Hey, sorry if this has been asked before (I did search, I swear!) but I had a question.

I've been verified and added some schools post-verification. How long does it generally take to be released to those schools? (its been about 6 days so far since I've been verified/added schools).

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Hey, sorry if this has been asked before (I did search, I swear!) but I had a question.

I've been verified and added some schools post-verification. How long does it generally take to be released to those schools? (its been about 6 days so far since I've been verified/added schools).

Last year I think AACOMAS sent weekly batches of apps to the schools, so it could take 2 weeks for your new schools to get your app, plus any processing time by the school itself.

 

[RAS11]

I will be retaking Physics I at a state university. I originally took it as a 3 credit lecture and 1 credit lab at a private university where I received my degree from.


The retake class is 5 credits and combines the lecture and the lab together.

How do I submit this on AACOMAS? I am very confused

 

[cubicw86]

If your applying for 2009/2010, will they look at your 2009 fall semester grades after you finish them and received grades.
If they do, will they use those grades to determine your eligibilities??

 

[Semicolon]

If your applying for 2009/2010, will they look at your 2009 fall semester grades after you finish them and received grades.
If they do, will they use those grades to determine your eligibilities??

If you update them with your new grades, then they'll look at them. As for whether or not it'll help you, that really just depends on how well you did.

 

[goingoinggone]

I was looking through my AACOMAS and it does not have us put any Majors/Minors into the process. If they only look at numbers, i.e. GPA, than I would've been a psych major when I entered college. Instead, I took engineering route and busted my chops for the past 4 years. How would admissions take into account the varying levels of difficulty in majors and people who have numerous majors//minors? I just find this unfair, since they do not see your transcripts (only aacomas verification does), meaning, they will not know what your major is.

 

[Grey Wind]

Ok, I'm verified. But, where do I look to see my official AACOMAS GPA?

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Ok, I'm verified. But, where do I look to see my official AACOMAS GPA?

You should see a link on the main page next to each school in about two weeks. That's how it worked last year, anyway. Each link brought you to the exact PDF that was sent to that particular school. Of course, the only difference in each PDF was the title of the school, therein.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

I was looking through my AACOMAS and it does not have us put any Majors/Minors into the process. If they only look at numbers, i.e. GPA, than I would've been a psych major when I entered college. Instead, I took engineering route and busted my chops for the past 4 years. How would admissions take into account the varying levels of difficulty in majors and people who have numerous majors//minors? I just find this unfair, since they do not see your transcripts (only aacomas verification does), meaning, they will not know what your major is.

Look under your "Institution" listings. That's where it was last year. You put the dates of attendance, major, 2nd major, and date degree was earned for each school you attended.

 

[Grey Wind]

You should see a link on the main page next to each school in about two weeks. That's how it worked last year, anyway. Each link brought you to the exact PDF that was sent to that particular school. Of course, the only difference in each PDF was the title of the school, therein.

Great, thank you!

(although, waiting 2 more weeks seems cruel)

 

[suprafliptie]

Hello everyone!
(Sorry if this has already been asked..)

If I have already submitted my application but my transcripts haven't all been sent in yet, will AACOMAS start verifying my application? Or do they have to wait before everything is submitted to start the verification process?

I've been having a lot of problems with my study abroad transcript and the application service I'm having it sent to. My AACOMAS application has already been submitted but I'm afraid this transcript waiting will delay my application. 😴

Relieve me of my transcript worries please! 🙁

 

[Rcon]

Hello everyone!
(Sorry if this has already been asked..)

If I have already submitted my application but my transcripts haven't all been sent in yet, will AACOMAS start verifying my application? Or do they have to wait before everything is submitted to start the verification process?

The verfication process doesn't start until they get your transcripts in, (they verify your grades). Good Luck...

 

[RAS11]

bump pleeease

 

[sshashid87]

Uhhh...I know this is getting late, but I plan to submit my primary next week...If it helps, I think my PS is really strong but I'm sure all other apps are strong too...

I know I'm not early, but if I can finish most of my secondaries in the next month while waiting to get verified, will I still be safely in the middle of the pack? (3.7 GPA, 3.5 sGPA, 29 (10-10-9-S) MCAT)

Also, I had two courses (Foundation of Public Health Immunology, Survey of Human Diseases, which have HSC headings...even though the content of these courses is science based...) Should I list these as science courses or "Other"...I don't want verification to take any longer than necessary...

Thanks for any advice!

 

[scaredoflife]

Hey quick question, I am currently applying to DO schools. Question is about personal statement, I applied last year but pulled the applications early didn't fill out any secondaries. I retook the mcat, and applying again so do I need to rewrite my PS it is pretty good to me as it is, and can't think of a way to change it?

So overall should I rewrite or would it be okay if I sent in the PS with bits of small modifications?

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Hey quick question, I am currently applying to DO schools. Question is about personal statement, I applied last year but pulled the applications early didn't fill out any secondaries. I retook the mcat, and applying again so do I need to rewrite my PS it is pretty good to me as it is, and can't think of a way to change it?

So overall should I rewrite or would it be okay if I sent in the PS with bits of small modifications?

If your PS is good, don't worry about forcing changes. Most likely nobody read it anyway. Even if they did, if all of it is still applicable, there's no need for changes.

 

[Semicolon]

Uhhh...I know this is getting late, but I plan to submit my primary next week...If it helps, I think my PS is really strong but I'm sure all other apps are strong too...

I know I'm not early, but if I can finish most of my secondaries in the next month while waiting to get verified, will I still be safely in the middle of the pack? (3.7 GPA, 3.5 sGPA, 29 (10-10-9-S) MCAT)

Also, I had two courses (Foundation of Public Health Immunology, Survey of Human Diseases, which have HSC headings...even though the content of these courses is science based...) Should I list these as science courses or "Other"...I don't want verification to take any longer than necessary...

Thanks for any advice!

If you're submitting next week, expect to be verified in the middle to end of September. Which means you should begin getting secondaries at the end of September to beginning of October. Is this late? Not really. With your stats, you should do fine. 👍

As for your courses, if you feel that they were truly science-based, then you can claim them as "other science". There's no real way to tell if AACOMAS will have an issue with it, but I doubt they will.

 

[sshashid87]

Thanks semicolon! Yeah, I've heard aacomas takes a really long time but my committee lor wont be ready til mid-sept anyway, just had interview today with them...i'm going to work on secondaries for the next couple of months, hopefully get them out as soon as i get invited (providing i do get invited)...i still have to shadow a DO, so that'll give me a chance to provide updates at least, possibly a DO lor too...

as for the courses, amcas gave me a straight answer and said unless i blatantly lied and put history as science, they dont really even check...i just couldnt get in touch with aacomas...ah well...

thanks for the advice/stress reliever! much appreciated!

 

[gorgi]

I submitted my AACOMAS app at the end of June (still processing). It says that no MCAT scores have been received but I have sent my scores twice, once in early June and then again a couple weeks ago. I know the verification process takes forever but would something like MCAT scores take that long too?

 

[Apterous]

I submitted my AACOMAS app at the end of June (still processing). It says that no MCAT scores have been received but I have sent my scores twice, once in early June and then again a couple weeks ago. I know the verification process takes forever but would something like MCAT scores take that long too?

I wouldn't put it past them to take that long. I think they must only have a 2 day work work there.

 

[Torongo]

I had a shoplifting (misdemeanor) incidence when I was 19 and I had a take a class to get it erased from my record. I remember the lawyer told me that It will be erased from your record after 6 months. Now, should I report it on my aacomas/amcas or not? and if i have to then how much will it hurt my application?

I will really appreciate anyone's opinion who actually have knowledge of my situation.

 

[123165]

I had a shoplifting (misdemeanor) incidence when I was 19 and I had a take a class to get it erased from my record. I remember the lawyer told me that It will be erased from your record after 6 months. Now, should I report it on my aacomas/amcas or not? and if i have to then how much will it hurt my application?

I will really appreciate anyone's opinion who actually have knowledge of my situation.

If needed, do a background check on yourself and see if it is there. If it is, tell them about it. If you were young and have learned your lesson, tell them that. It should not be a big deal. Do not hide it though, the consequences of that could be severe.
*no actual knowledge*

 

[Phosphorus Ylide]

Hello all,
I just got verified today and cannot find my official gpa on my app. Did you guys manually calculate it with their input grades or does it say somewhere? Am I just extremely sleep deprived? 😕

-PY

 

[Laiba]

okk so I took the first chem (general) course at a university...and then transferred to this other university. My current university never transferred my gen chem from my first university. like the credits got transfered...but it didnt count it as GEN CHEM. It just says CHM 1XXX CHEM level 1000 in my transcript at my current school. I did horrible in gen chem (at first university) and I was hoping that in calculating my gpa thru AACOMAS my grade would be replaced? but how does it work if my university hasnt replaced the class. I had to repeat it...
so wud aacomas replace my grade?

 

[Grey Wind]

i had the same question. i was told that once your app is released to schools there will be a link next to each school that you can click on to see the pdf that was sent. in this pdf is your official gpa. i was verified last week and my app has still not released (just to give you an idea of a timetable).

 

[Chocolate Bear]

So, are you saying that you *did* repeat Gen Chem I for credit at the second school?

 

[Laiba]

well yes according to ME i did repeat it. since i took GEN CHEM 1 at one school....went to a second school and took GEN CHEM 1 there. but on my transcript for the second school...those two are marked as two DIFFERENT courses. As in...the first got transferred..but as chem level 1XXX not as gen chem.