2011 Nontrad Applicants' Progress Thread

Started by QofQuimica
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QofQuimica said:
It's that time of year again, folks: AMCAS and AACOMAS are open and running, and here is your thread to discuss all application topics.

Best of luck to all the nontrads applying for the incoming class of 2011. 🙂
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'
Yesterday, AMCAS received the last of my transcripts and now I am waiting to be verified. Does anyone know how long this is likely to take? AMCAS says 4 to 6 weeks, but they are overestimating in order to save themselves complaints. What is a realistic expectation.

Same question on the MCAT. I took it on 5/22. Can we really not expect scores before 6/22?
 
The MCAT scores come in almost like clockwork and the transcripts are sort of a mystery. If you know or can estimate the day AMCAS received them then you can use the status update on the login page of their site to figure out which day's receipts they are processing.

As for me, I'm reapplying this year. Last year I applied late (September) to 3 schools. Right now all of my transcripts are in and all other data is entered. All I need to do is finish my personal statement to submit and be verified. I don't want to reuse the same one from last year. I'm only reapplying to 1 of those 3 schools but that school is my top choice. I don't want them to see a retread personal statement and think that I don't care. It's hard to write a second one, IMO!
 
Simplify said:
The MCAT scores come in almost like clockwork and the transcripts are sort of a mystery. If you know or can estimate the day AMCAS received them then you can use the status update on the login page of their site to figure out which day's receipts they are processing.

As for me, I'm reapplying this year. Last year I applied late (September) to 3 schools. Right now all of my transcripts are in and all other data is entered. All I need to do is finish my personal statement to submit and be verified. I don't want to reuse the same one from last year. I'm only reapplying to 1 of those 3 schools but that school is my top choice. I don't want them to see a retread personal statement and think that I don't care. It's hard to write a second one, IMO!
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Do you have feedback from last year? If so, then I would start by centering that in my mind and do stream of consciousness typing (if you can type fast, otherwise, use a recorder). You should find a theme emerging, if it's an attractive theme, then use it. That's how I arrange the lessons that I teach.

On the AMCAS verification does the "Processing transcripts received on 6/2 mean that they are attaching those transcripts to the application, or verifying the transcripts that are attached.

My status changed to "Ready for review" yesterday and they are currently processing transcripts from 6/2. So, am I looking at a date of next week for the review?
 
Also another anal med-applicant question. On my LOR's, I didn't have my letter writers put my AMCAS ID on the letter itself. But I am gathering them in Interfolio. Do I just have them sent to AMCAS from my interfolio account. When I send a confidential letter from Interfolio, do I have the opportunity to put a title on the letter, so that it has my AMCAS Id on it?
 
EdLongshanks said:
Also another anal med-applicant question. On my LOR's, I didn't have my letter writers put my AMCAS ID on the letter itself. But I am gathering them in Interfolio. Do I just have them sent to AMCAS from my interfolio account. When I send a confidential letter from Interfolio, do I have the opportunity to put a title on the letter, so that it has my AMCAS Id on it?
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You can add your AAMC ID number to your account (as well as other ID numbers like AACOMAS). Go to Account Settings, click on Edit my Info. At the bottom there is an ID Numbers section. Complete that part.

Then when you're sending letters out, there will be a box that you check during Step 3 of the checkout process to include your ID number with the letters.

Hope that helps.
 
MiniMoo said:
You can add your AAMC ID number to your account (as well as other ID numbers like AACOMAS). Go to Account Settings, click on Edit my Info. At the bottom there is an ID Numbers section. Complete that part.

Then when you're sending letters out, there will be a box that you check during Step 3 of the checkout process to include your ID number with the letters.

Hope that helps.
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You all are amazing. That's what I needed. If I had not found this network a year ago I would have made so many mistakes that I avoided. Gush, Gush
 
FYI, Last cycle I found out pretty late that my science LOR's needed to be on a letterhead and non-science/work needed to be signed.
 
I sent off my last cycles PS for review and I am incorporating that right now into my PS. Its helping me change my PS w/o having to rewrite it. There was this one suggestion where I was asked to use my 1st paragraph which starts out as the usual clique/anectode as a supporting point for my 2nd paragraph. Like swap the 1st and the 2nd paragraphs. I really liked this suggestion because I could use so much of what I wrote last cycle(and it made more sense) without having to start from scratch.

Simplify said:
The MCAT scores come in almost like clockwork and the transcripts are sort of a mystery. If you know or can estimate the day AMCAS received them then you can use the status update on the login page of their site to figure out which day's receipts they are processing.

As for me, I'm reapplying this year. Last year I applied late (September) to 3 schools. Right now all of my transcripts are in and all other data is entered. All I need to do is finish my personal statement to submit and be verified. I don't want to reuse the same one from last year. I'm only reapplying to 1 of those 3 schools but that school is my top choice. I don't want them to see a retread personal statement and think that I don't care. It's hard to write a second one, IMO!
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EdLongshanks said:
'
Yesterday, AMCAS received the last of my transcripts and now I am waiting to be verified. Does anyone know how long this is likely to take? AMCAS says 4 to 6 weeks, but they are overestimating in order to save themselves complaints. What is a realistic expectation.

Same question on the MCAT. I took it on 5/22. Can we really not expect scores before 6/22?
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I didn't see that anyone had answered your questions, so I thought I would. Last year, I applied EDP. My AMCAS was processed and verified within 48 hours. No joke. I think that the people who were regular decision were waiting around 2-3 weeks this time of year.

I protested a few things that I thought SHOULD be math/science/chem that they didn't list. That was turned around - in my favor - in about 24 hours.

The MCAT was released around noon on the day they said. That was a loooooooooong wait.

:luck:
 
Engineer2MD said:
The MCAT was released around noon on the day they said. That was a loooooooooong wait.

:luck:
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You bastard. My scores didn't post until like 9pm Pacific time. I didn't get anything done all afternoon, and wore my left index finger down to a bloody nub from hitting F5. :laugh:
 
Engineer2MD said:
I didn't see that anyone had answered your questions, so I thought I would. Last year, I applied EDP. My AMCAS was processed and verified within 48 hours. No joke. I think that the people who were regular decision were waiting around 2-3 weeks this time of year.

I protested a few things that I thought SHOULD be math/science/chem that they didn't list. That was turned around - in my favor - in about 24 hours.

The MCAT was released around noon on the day they said. That was a loooooooooong wait.

:luck:
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Thanks. I see that they are verifying transcripts received on 6/4. Mine were received on 6/3 and I'm still not verified, but we will see what happens tonight or tomorrow.
 
Just an FYI about transcript verification. AMCAS verification times seem to increase exponentially with each additional institution you have transcripts from (which for many non-trads is more than the traditional "1"). Be patient and don't freak out when you hear others are getting theirs verified faster.

I recall the nail biting I did this time of year when I applied. Just remember despite what is said on Student Doctor Neurotics, if your application is complete (primaries, MCAT, LORs, secondaries) by mid-August you're generally still in the running (for the vast majority of schools) for the FIRST WAVE of interviews. Be expedient, but also be thorough. You have time.

Again, best of luck to all.
 
nontradfogie said:
Just an FYI about transcript verification. AMCAS verification times seem to increase exponentially with each additional institution you have transcripts from (which for many non-trads is more than the traditional "1"). Be patient and don't freak out when you hear others are getting theirs verified faster.

I recall the nail biting I did this time of year when I applied. Just remember despite what is said on Student Doctor Neurotics, if your application is complete (primaries, MCAT, LORs, secondaries) by mid-August you're generally still in the running (for the vast majority of schools) for the FIRST WAVE of interviews. Be expedient, but also be thorough. You have time.

Again, best of luck to all.
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Thanks. I'm definitely guilty of the "Neurotic" part. But we can't help ourselves, this whole process takes years and then after years of effort, there is suddenly nothing you can do to make sure that you get in the first round.
 
EdLongshanks said:
Thanks. I'm definitely guilty of the "Neurotic" part. But we can't help ourselves, this whole process takes years and then after years of effort, there is suddenly nothing you can do to make sure that you get in the first round.
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Ok, my neuroticism is getting to me again. My application changed from "Waiting for Review" to "Under Review" three days ago. I hope that they haven't sent some question off to one of my colleges and are waiting in vain for some incompetent college bureaucrat to get back to them.
 
Submitted today! But thanks to being a non-trad I've got 4 undergrad transcripts for them to verify....verification may take a while. 😛
 
ChicagoSL said:
Submitted today! But thanks to being a non-trad I've got 4 undergrad transcripts for them to verify....verification may take a while. 😛
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Mine got to the review stage, but then someone had failed to scan a transcript in well, so that sent me to the back of the line.
 
I have 5 transcripts. I don't think it changes the verification time significantly, though. Last year during the peak time it took right around 6 weeks (normal length of time at that point). I submitted on the 8th and going by the verification thread I should be complete sometime next week.
 
I have 4 transcripts, all received already, but I plan to submit on 6/18. It looks like I shall plan on being verified as late as August. Do you know is the time proportional to the number of transcripts, or the number of courses you have taken? And, if it gets held up, does AMCAS show which college is the culprit?

I have a funny mix of 4 schools: a top univ, an ivy league, a community college, and a really no-name night school. The community college brought me most trouble during delivery: I first tried mail request, got no response after 2 weeks, then tried online request and got it, but that mail request still went nowhere even though they cashed in the $5 check for it. This college perhaps will drag me during verification as well.
 
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nontradfogie said:
Just an FYI about transcript verification. AMCAS verification times seem to increase exponentially with each additional institution you have transcripts from (which for many non-trads is more than the traditional "1"). Be patient and don't freak out when you hear others are getting theirs verified faster.

I recall the nail biting I did this time of year when I applied. Just remember despite what is said on Student Doctor Neurotics, if your application is complete (primaries, MCAT, LORs, secondaries) by mid-August you're generally still in the running (for the vast majority of schools) for the FIRST WAVE of interviews. Be expedient, but also be thorough. You have time.

Again, best of luck to all.
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Ah, thanks, that's comforting! I guess I will write secondaries anyway before being able to fill them in August.
 
Hello Everyone,

1.) Do I list any of the work or activities I participated in the years off I took from high school to college (less than 10 years)?

2.) Also, how do I list a poster under the activities. I helped on some of it but did not present it at a conference.

Here is an modified example of it for reference:

Severity of Alcohol Use Behaviors Among Adult Patients at Low-Income Primary Care Clinics in Anonymous County
Authors in order of appearance on poster: Bob Smith (undergraduate), Dr. Optimistic (undergraduate), 3 other undergraduates, the MD in charge of the research, her assistant with a masters degree
Thanks for your help!
👍
 
Dr Optimistic said:
Hello Everyone,

1.) Do I list any of the work or activities I participated in the years off I took from high school to college (less than 10 years)?

2.) Also, how do I list a poster under the activities. I helped on some of it but did not present it at a conference.

Here is an modified example of it for reference:

Severity of Alcohol Use Behaviors Among Adult Patients at Low-Income Primary Care Clinics in Anonymous County
Authors in order of appearance on poster: Bob Smith (undergraduate), Dr. Optimistic (undergraduate), 3 other undergraduates, the MD in charge of the research, her assistant with a masters degree
Thanks for your help!
👍
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I think you can list your poster under "Presentations/Posters". You did not present it but you helped the poster. Just list ALL author names, the title of the poster and when/where it is presented. Be prepared to be asked about it during interview.
 
Dr Optimistic said:
Hello Everyone,

1.) Do I list any of the work or activities I participated in the years off I took from high school to college (less than 10 years)?

2.) Also, how do I list a poster under the activities. I helped on some of it but did not present it at a conference.

Here is an modified example of it for reference:

Severity of Alcohol Use Behaviors Among Adult Patients at Low-Income Primary Care Clinics in Anonymous County
Authors in order of appearance on poster: Bob Smith (undergraduate), Dr. Optimistic (undergraduate), 3 other undergraduates, the MD in charge of the research, her assistant with a masters degree
Thanks for your help!
👍
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Anybody else?
 
I don't think it really extends the time much to have multiple transcripts. I submitted 6/8 and I was verified on the 16th. You will most likely wait longer because the queue is growing larger by the day.
 
Simplify said:
I don't think it really extends the time much to have multiple transcripts. I submitted 6/8 and I was verified on the 16th. You will most likely wait longer because the queue is growing larger by the day.
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My transcripts arrived on 6/2 and they reviewed my transcripts a week later. As you say, the queue is getting longer by the day, but I think it is still at a week and half or so.

We are 1 week away from the first applications being sent to the schools.
 
I forgot to note that I had 5 transcripts to be verified. So, I don't think it really increases the length of time by any considerable amount. GL everyone waiting for verification!
 
Simplify said:
I forgot to note that I had 5 transcripts to be verified. So, I don't think it really increases the length of time by any considerable amount. GL everyone waiting for verification!
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It doesn't seem to matter as long as the transcripts get scanned in well. If one of the transcripts get scanned badly then it starts all over. This happened to me, it took an extra 5 days.

The chances of a badly scanned transcript rises as the number of transcripts rises.
 
Okay, so I sound like a 23 year old premed, but I am nervously waiting for my secondaries they haven't come yet and I've been verified for over a week. I think I'm being to impatient. This process is going to be difficult. I can't wait.
 
ChemMed said:
Okay, so I sound like a 23 year old premed, but I am nervously waiting for my secondaries they haven't come yet and I've been verified for over a week. I think I'm being to impatient. This process is going to be difficult. I can't wait.
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You're in good company. We are all neurotics here.
 
ChemMed said:
Okay, so I sound like a 23 year old premed, but I am nervously waiting for my secondaries they haven't come yet and I've been verified for over a week. I think I'm being to impatient. This process is going to be difficult. I can't wait.
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The first batch of apps doesn't get "sent" from AMCAS until the 25th. Nothing is late, everything is fine.


It is going to be ok. This is a marathon, not a race🙂
 
ArkansasRanger said:
Well, I'll have my package complete in May 2011 so for 2012.
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I hope that you find some way to enjoy the next two and a half years. I know that there is an element of dues-paying involved in gaining the desirable goal of being an attending physician, but it worries me when someone complains a lot about the path.
 
EdLongshanks said:
I hope that you find some way to enjoy the next two and a half years. I know that there is an element of dues-paying involved in gaining the desirable goal of being an attending physician, but it worries me when someone complains a lot about the path.
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Why is that? I have no innate interest in chemistry or physics. The life and earth sciences, however, are quite fun. If not a requirement, I (like many) wouldn't be taking these courses. 🙂
 
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