2015 Nontrad Applicants' Progress Thread

Discover Your Odds of Getting into Medical School
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MedicalMomma81 said:
After waiting 10 months (!) I finally got a call from the place I wanted to volunteer, a food pantry. Woooo, I start on Friday!

Figures it's like 3 days before the application can be submitted.

Should I still put it on my application, since I have nil other volunteer work?
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Yeah I would put it as long as you've started.
 
MedicalMomma81 said:
After waiting 10 months (!) I finally got a call from the place I wanted to volunteer, a food pantry. Woooo, I start on Friday!

Figures it's like 3 days before the application can be submitted.

Should I still put it on my application, since I have nil other volunteer work?
Click to expand...
I would definitely put it on, with the start being May and the end being whenever you plan on stopping volunteering there. You can extrapolate out the hours but I wouldn't go too overboard on that part. I added in hours for this month and the next two (through July) but not after that in case I have an early interview somewhere and they ask, I want it to be accurate or low, not looking like I was lying.
 
Leslie_Knope said:
OK I am having a really hard time with the most meaningful designations. I understand most people do not select shadowing as most meaningful, but I feel that I need to in order to fit in what I want to say about it. I have some volunteer experiences that I talked about in my PS, so I didn't want to also mark them as most meaningful. So I'm sort of at a loss now.
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I have shadowing marked as one of my most meaningful experiences... especially as a non-trad, and making the switch from a different career. I also talk about this experience in my PS, so for me it makes sense. My vision is that we need a good story of why physician and not X. Even though I have been successful at X, I must be a physician and my experiences shadowing, volunteering, etc have only compounded that need.. blah blah, etc etc.
 
I'm slightly surprised by the fact that the app service didn't communicate the address change more blatantly! Now we wait- not sure if our transcripts are there and just waiting to be fed into the computer or if they are in limbo....
 
investmentdoc said:
I'm slightly surprised by the fact that the app service didn't communicate the address change more blatantly! Now we wait- not sure if our transcripts are there and just waiting to be fed into the computer or if they are in limbo....
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The transcript address stayed the same I believe (if not I just paid $30 to send to the wrong address), I think the issue was that they might have misplaced the transcripts while moving offices
 
Th
Inygma said:
The transcript address stayed the same I believe (if not I just paid $30 to send to the wrong address), I think the issue was that they might have misplaced the transcripts while moving offices
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The twitter page says that if you mailed within the last 5-7 days, we should use a new address.... does that mean the old transcript request forms that we're supposed to attach are null?

Can anyone clarify? Not like sending transcripts are getting any cheaper...

-EDIT- going to post this in the AMCAS thread as well to see if anyone has any feedback
 
investmentdoc said:
Th


The twitter page says that if you mailed within the last 5-7 days, we should use a new address.... does that mean the old transcript request forms that we're supposed to attach are null?

Can anyone clarify? Not like sending transcripts are getting any cheaper...

-EDIT- going to post this in the AMCAS thread as well to see if anyone has any feedback
Click to expand...

Two of my transcripts are still not marked received either.

I'm sorry that you have to pay for your transcripts, too. All of mine were free. I didn't even know that schools could charge you for them. 🙁
 
Yeah I had to pay for 5 of my 9. I'm missing 6 transcripts still. I guess I better have them resent...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Glycereine said:
Ugh, Only 3/9 on transcripts still even though several schools told me they sent them electronically a week ago...
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Do they use the AMCAS-approved secure upload? I had a few schools try to convince me they could send them electronically just fine, but only one used the correct service. That one I heard from AMACS that it was received the same day.
 
Inygma said:
I was looking at your MD Apps... great scores and very nice interviews... what did you change this cycle? Any tips?
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I'm changing my PS completely. While my committee liked it I was told at interviews that it didn't have enough of a story to it. I've done a lot more research, but that was probably one of my strong suits going in. I wanted to get a lot more shadowing variety but due to some issues that sprang up was only able to make time for a little bit.

As far as tips go I'd say pre-write all your secondaries and get them in within a day or two. It may be coincidence but my 3 interviews came at the 3 schools I got the secondaries back almost immediately. Other than that, I don't know what the heck was going on, my "safety" schools rejected me preinterview and I interviewed at some of my reaches.
 
juliuspepperwood said:
I'm changing my PS completely. While my committee liked it I was told at interviews that it didn't have enough of a story to it. I've done a lot more research, but that was probably one of my strong suits going in. I wanted to get a lot more shadowing variety but due to some issues that sprang up was only able to make time for a little bit.

As far as tips go I'd say pre-write all your secondaries and get them in within a day or two. It may be coincidence but my 3 interviews came at the 3 schools I got the secondaries back almost immediately. Other than that, I don't know what the heck was going on, my "safety" schools rejected me preinterview and I interviewed at some of my reaches.
Click to expand...
I'm sure you'll rock this cycle..

THanks for the tips!
 
investmentdoc said:
Th


The twitter page says that if you mailed within the last 5-7 days, we should use a new address.... does that mean the old transcript request forms that we're supposed to attach are null?

Can anyone clarify? Not like sending transcripts are getting any cheaper...

-EDIT- going to post this in the AMCAS thread as well to see if anyone has any feedback
Click to expand...
Why would they move at this time of year? 🙁

So mine was mailed on the 19th and they should have it then right?
 
juliuspepperwood said:
Do they use the AMCAS-approved secure upload? I had a few schools try to convince me they could send them electronically just fine, but only one used the correct service. That one I heard from AMACS that it was received the same day.
Click to expand...
Probably not but they claim they did...

3 of the ones I'm waiting for I know were mailed however.
 
Leslie_Knope said:
Why would they move at this time of year? 🙁

So mine was mailed on the 19th and they should have it then right?
Click to expand...


Same situation- posted mine on the 19th. According to the twitter feed, if we posted about 5-7 business days ago (we're definitely in that category considering Memorial Day), we may "consider" resending. Consider resending. What does that even mean?!

Needless to say- will be speaking to some usually helpful representatives tomorrow about this! Keep us posted if you hear anything from your end..
 
investmentdoc said:
Same situation- posted mine on the 19th. According to the twitter feed, if we posted about 5-7 business days ago (we're definitely in that category considering Memorial Day), we may "consider" resending. Consider resending. What does that even mean?!

Needless to say- will be speaking to some usually helpful representatives tomorrow about this! Keep us posted if you hear anything from your end..
Click to expand...
Thanks. Let us know what you hear. Not looking forward to another 20 minute hold time so hoping you get us some answers. 🙂
 
Also its been said before and saying it again:
double edged sword wish: all secondaries are invite only. Thus not wasting money and instead spending it on life + impending medical school loans + chipotle.
 
investmentdoc said:
Also its been said before and saying it again:
double edged sword wish: all secondaries are invite only. Thus not wasting money and instead spending it on life + impending medical school loans + chipotle.
Click to expand...
Yum. I had Chipotle for dinner. What is your school list?
 
Leslie_Knope said:
Yum. I had Chipotle for dinner. What is your school list?
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Same transcript send date AND chipotle? Great minds think alike. Apparently great minds also get delayed transcripts alike.

School list is...somewhat pending haha. Hope to finalize by this weekend. Will share after...just can't seem to get the right combination of private vs. public. And trying to cap the list to a decent number, so you know, I'm not living on the street come September.

You?
 
investmentdoc said:
Same transcript send date AND chipotle? Great minds think alike. Apparently great minds also get delayed transcripts alike.

School list is...somewhat pending haha. Hope to finalize by this weekend. Will share after...just can't seem to get the right combination of private vs. public. And trying to cap the list to a decent number, so you know, I'm not living on the street come September.

You?
Click to expand...
I'm not doing any real work on The list until I submit. I figure I can pick one school (probably Jefferson) and set to verification. While that's happening I can finalize my list. Money is definitely my limiting reagent. 🙁
 
investmentdoc said:
Same transcript send date AND chipotle? Great minds think alike. Apparently great minds also get delayed transcripts alike.

School list is...somewhat pending haha. Hope to finalize by this weekend. Will share after...just can't seem to get the right combination of private vs. public. And trying to cap the list to a decent number, so you know, I'm not living on the street come September.

You?
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Tips - I have none. My stats kinda suck so I am applying to as many private as will give my science GPA some love. 3.4
 
Leslie_Knope said:
Tips - I have none. My stats kinda suck so I am applying to as many private as will give my science GPA some love. 3.4
Click to expand...

Oh its not that bad! I've definitely heard and seen many acceptances with that GPA. And I've been following the game for a few years now. Don't lose faith- that's the most important thing. Also, make sure you get a good mix of schools in there...esp your state schools. Don't worry about the work secondaries will require- just another slice of the pie ahead of us 😎 Happy to help with list/suggestions in any way I can! Feel free to PM.
 
Leslie_Knope said:
Thanks. Let us know what you hear. Not looking forward to another 20 minute hold time so hoping you get us some answers. 🙂
Click to expand...

Also eagerly waiting to see if you find any answers. I'm overseas and the two times I've tried to call AMCAS during business hours it was over half an hour wait and I had to give up to go to meetings or bed.
 
This was on AMCAS Twitter:
AMCAS @amcasinfo · 13h
@uh_bay Mail paper official transcript(s) to the new mailing address for AAMC which is, 655 K Street NW, Suite 100 Washington, DC 20001.

This really makes me angry. Why didn't the representative on the phone say we need to send to the new address instead of "it might have been misplaced, please resend."

Just paid for them to expedite the transcripts for the second time today! Also have paid for this school to send 3 times now sighhhh
 
The old transcript location was a PO box. Do you think they really discontinued it immediately upon moving?

Seems like an odd thing to do which is why I think they really might have "lost" things when moving. That said I'm sure they don't want anything new mailed to the old address...

Trying to figure out what to do, as some of my transcripts very well could have still made it there and just not been processed yet...

I had one marked as recieved today that was requested a week ago. Either the school was extremely slow in sending a pdf, or AMCAS still got it through the old address. Will call the school during business hours tomorrow to see which way it was sent.
 
Inygma said:
This was on AMCAS Twitter:
AMCAS @amcasinfo · 13h
@uh_bay Mail paper official transcript(s) to the new mailing address for AAMC which is, 655 K Street NW, Suite 100 Washington, DC 20001.

This really makes me angry. Why didn't the representative on the phone say we need to send to the new address instead of "it might have been misplaced, please resend."

Just paid for them to expedite the transcripts for the second time today! Also have paid for this school to send 3 times now sighhhh
Click to expand...

Ok I just went back on my application and reprinted transcript requests for the schools I dont have transcripts from. Well guess what? The address didn't change on the forms. I even added a new fake school and printed a form and it's still the old address (I deleted it afterwards).

I don't know what this means but I sent an email to AMCAS asking.
 
investmentdoc said:
Also its been said before and saying it again:
double edged sword wish: all secondaries are invite only. Thus not wasting money and instead spending it on life + impending medical school loans + chipotle.
Click to expand...
Are you sure about this? The MSAR has a PDF of a lot of data including secondary cost and who gets a secondary. Many of the schools I'm looking at say 'all applicants'.
 
ConsultantMD said:
Are you sure about this? The MSAR has a PDF of a lot of data including secondary cost and who gets a secondary. Many of the schools I'm looking at say 'all applicants'.
Click to expand...


Sorry- might have been confusing on how I stated that. I meant that I wish all schools just sent out invite only secondaries, rather than "all applicants," saving us some moolah that we can instead put towards misplaced/ ghost transcript requests....
 
investmentdoc said:
Sorry- might have been confusing on how I stated that. I meant that I wish all schools just sent out invite only secondaries, rather than "all applicants," saving us some moolah that we can instead put towards misplaced/ ghost transcript requests....
Click to expand...
So clearly my close reading skills have evaporated i did not see the wish there.

I think of it like gambling, which I enjoy, but just way less fun and you still lose haha.
 
ConsultantMD said:
So clearly my close reading skills have evaporated i did not see the wish there.

I think of it like gambling, which I enjoy, but just way less fun and you still lose haha.
Click to expand...

Trying to figure out a BCG matrix for med schools. Except with exponentially larger numbers of columns- thought you'd appreciate that!
 
Glycereine said:
The old transcript location was a PO box. Do you think they really discontinued it immediately upon moving?

Seems like an odd thing to do which is why I think they really might have "lost" things when moving. That said I'm sure they don't want anything new mailed to the old address...

Trying to figure out what to do, as some of my transcripts very well could have still made it there and just not been processed yet...

I had one marked as recieved today that was requested a week ago. Either the school was extremely slow in sending a pdf, or AMCAS still got it through the old address. Will call the school during business hours tomorrow to see which way it was sent.
Click to expand...


Just got a conformation that they received a transcript also sent a week ago. So not sure what address is right anymore + if we should be resending... still waiting on 2.

@Leslie_Knope as well
 
investmentdoc said:
Trying to figure out a BCG matrix for med schools. Except with exponentially larger numbers of columns- thought you'd appreciate that!
Click to expand...
Seriously. My spreadsheet skills should be listed as a hobby. Thank you consulting job for making me love Excel.

My spreadsheet is pretty simple, I care about a couple of things like global health experience and research $$. It's amazing how different these numbers can be across schools.
 
investmentdoc said:
Just got a conformation that they received a transcript also sent a week ago. So not sure what address is right anymore + if we should be resending... still waiting on 2.

@Leslie_Knope as well
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So the one mailed on 5/19 from CA was marked "Received, on 05/27/2014"

Thank goodness! June 3rd submission here I come. Just got finish those work/activities.
 
Leslie_Knope said:
So the one mailed on 5/19 from CA was marked "Received, on 05/27/2014"

Thank goodness! June 3rd submission here I come. Just got finish those work/activities.
Click to expand...

Weird epiphany/worry- if we are taking a class right now and we've marked it as a school under "colleges attended" this is going to show up as transcript not received, since I would obviously wait for the classes to be done (this is the only class Im taking at this school). Are they going to just see that I'm missing a transcript and blanket consider my file incomplete, aka no verification till I finish the classes??
 
investmentdoc said:
Weird epiphany/worry- if we are taking a class right now and we've marked it as a school under "colleges attended" this is going to show up as transcript not received, since I would obviously wait for the classes to be done (this is the only class Im taking at this school). Are they going to just see that I'm missing a transcript and blanket consider my file incomplete, aka no verification till I finish the classes??
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Most likely yes. Why don't you send them a transcript with the course in progress? It's not like a single course is going to change your GPA significantly.
 
Got this reply back from AMCAS. "Dear Nicholas,

Thank you for contacting AMCAS.

Registrars should forward official transcripts to:

AMCAS, attn: transcripts
AAMC Medical School Application Services
P O BOX 57326
Washington, DC 20037"

Looks like the old address is fine.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I had another transcript marked received just now also. That makes 5/9. Still waiting on 4 lol


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Ahahaha, well it turns out the class I thought I dropped in 2006, I actually withdrew from. It was the only class I ever enrolled in at this particular school. So glad I called them today to double-check, instead of going by memory. So sad I now have to put in another transcript request and wait for it to be mailed from CA. 🙁 Goodbye June 3. Hello slow time.
 
That's so frustrating. I have a class from 2005 that I took while in high school, I totally should've dropped it! It's crazy how that still is applicable here. There should be a if it is older than like 8 years it doesn't count.. haha
 
ConsultantMD said:
That's so frustrating. I have a class from 2005 that I took while in high school, I totally should've dropped it! It's crazy how that still is applicable here. There should be a if it is older than like 8 years it doesn't count.. haha
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I'm in on an 8 year cut off, if that was the case then my GPA would shoot up.
 
ConsultantMD said:
That's so frustrating. I have a class from 2005 that I took while in high school, I totally should've dropped it! It's crazy how that still is applicable here. There should be a if it is older than like 8 years it doesn't count.. haha
Click to expand...
I'd have a much higher gpa but I wouldn't have a bachelors degree lol.


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