2016 Nontrad Applicants' Progress Thread

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Just a protip that a former student admissions participant reminded me of -- take the time to whitewash your internet presence, because admissions officers do often google applicants. Lock down, change your username, or consider deleting your facebook, twitter, google+, pinterest, etc. If you have a picture associated with your gmail account, make it professional or delete it. Google search all iterations of your name and make sure nothing unprofessional comes up; if you have the slightest concern about your presence on X site, delete your account.

Probably common sense to a lot of people, but even I had forgotten that I had a silly profile picture on one of my gmail accounts (not even one that I'm using for applications), and he found it by searching me.

Of course, I can't do anything about the young n wild college students with my name posting party pictures of themselves, but hopefully admissions will take the time to note the age difference 😀
 
Hi!

Hey how are folks choosing "top 3 most important" EC's on AMCAS? It seems like a very strategic thing.
I have 2 important ones, volunteer and work experience...but am considering a bit of a curve ball on #3.
Rock band. Seriously, forming and establishing an amateur band that plays shows often has been a life review intensive course for me in terms of PR, networking, and self representation.
Anyone else taking a similar risk here? Or keeping it straight shooter?
 
PopeChaChaStix said:
Hi!

Hey how are folks choosing "top 3 most important" EC's on AMCAS? It seems like a very strategic thing.
I have 2 important ones, volunteer and work experience...but am considering a bit of a curve ball on #3.
Rock band. Seriously, forming and establishing an amateur band that plays shows often has been a life review intensive course for me in terms of PR, networking, and self representation.
Anyone else taking a similar risk here? Or keeping it straight shooter?
Click to expand...

I'm sitting here considering something similar. I have an arts background and was the co founder of a theatre troupe that had a very successful first show against some large odds. Debating whether that would cause a table-wide facepalm.
 
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Eccesignum said:
I'm sitting here considering something similar. I have an arts background and was the co founder of a troupe that had a very successful first show against sound large odds. Debating whether that would cause a table-wide facepalm.
Click to expand...
Haha. Yeah the face palm is scary. However, I can't see a reason not to, which is why I ask. It seems to me that as long as you can justify with support, it's fine.
 
Eccesignum said:
Of course, I can't do anything about the young n wild college students with my name posting party pictures of themselves, but hopefully admissions will take the time to note the age difference 😀
Click to expand...

Unfortunately when I google my name, the cringeworthy stuff that comes up isn't related to me at all.

Like, there's apparently a porn star with my name. I really don't have a porn star worthy name, so I don't get it. But it's there on the first page among some other less than ideal stuff :smack:
 
wholeheartedly said:
Unfortunately when I google my name, the cringeworthy stuff that comes up isn't related to me at all.

Like, there's apparently a porn star with my name. I really don't have a porn star worthy name, so I don't get it. But it's there on the first page among some other less than ideal stuff :smack:
Click to expand...

Heh. I meant that I get party pictures of students who aren't and have never been me. And they show an awful lot of boob.

Kids these days.
 
Another nontrad here 🙂 is anyone else requesting LORs from employers?
I worked in industry research and don't know if it's pointless to get a letter from the CTO? (PhD in OChem).

I feel like if I went back to my undergrad or even my grad school it would be long ago to be relevant (except of course my PI is writing a letter and another member from my thesis committee).

I was just curious who you are asking to write your LORs?

Good luck everyone!
 
Annaleise said:
Another nontrad here 🙂 is anyone else requesting LORs from employers?
I worked in industry research and don't know if it's pointless to get a letter from the CTO? (PhD in OChem).

I feel like if I went back to my undergrad or even my grad school it would be long ago to be relevant (except of course my PI is writing a letter and another member from my thesis committee).

I was just curious who you are asking to write your LORs?

Good luck everyone!
Click to expand...
Yeah I'm in a biotech company, but my boss is Chinese...it's taken me almost 2 years to learn to understand him so I'm not pursuing a letter of rec from work.

I've got letters from: my undergrad PI (from 8 years ago...been in contact yearly though), two friends fathers who are PhD's, a community college bio teacher, and an MD letter from where I volunteered.
 
Thanks! Sounds like you've got quite a spread, good for you!

I'll probably only have 3 (PhD PI, Masters advisor and my boss). I feel like letters from coworkers/labmates would just be weird, even if they were PhDs.
 
Question for those who've done/are doing AACOMAS.

In the pre-requisites section, it quotes minimum credit hours. If -- just for example that can be applied more broadly -- for Biology it said something like: "Courses within the BIO heading. Examples include but not limited to General Biology, Microbiology, Genetics, Anatomy, or Physiology". Did you just put your standard Bio I - Bio II with labs that fulfills the minimum or did you check off your Micro, Genetics, etc as well?

I spoke to VCOM in particular and they said go ahead and check off everything you think fits. VCOM is the only school in my list I've specifically asked as of yet, so I'm just curious what other people here have done.
 
For LORs, I have been working in IT in my current company for 4 years, though my boss don't know about my plan yet as she might freak out that i am changing career by starting from post bacc and tell everyone. She knows that Im volunteering in hospital and she knows I have volunteered in different org since I started working for her. i am thinking of asking for LOR from the sister whom I have volunteered for as community service for preschool.
For my immediate supervisor, I am thinking of asking her the LOR by first week of Aug when I have already worked in the hospital as volunteer for at least 3 months. I can tell her that after working as a volunteer, it has really convinced me that this is hat I want. I am wondering if it is too late by August but I am an applicant for Spring 2016. Some schools only open the application by Sept. Beside for one school, it requires GRE. Im planning to take his by July. Anybody took GRE for post-bacc?

Transcripts for x schools: I still have to get my international credentials be evaluated by WES and I can request the WEs to prepare 10 evaluation copies that is in sealed envelope. My credentials will be mailed soon in a sealed envelope and one school for example said that they do not accept the international transcripts directly addressed to them as it has to be evaluated and the evaluated transcript will be reviewed instead. I can find about 10 schools that I am interested, that I am arranging the applications but I don't feel I like the other schools. I have a doubt with other schools. I will have to decide within this 2 weeks to request for a total number of evaluations to be done and for what schools. The evaluation organization will take about 2 weeks. Thus, the evaluated transcripts will be by July. I wonder if the evaluation org. can put the TOR sealed so if I need it in the future, they can refer to it or I can resend the sealed TOR. Anyone with international credentials here for post-bacc pre-med?
 
Eccesignum said:
Question for those who've done/are doing AACOMAS.

In the pre-requisites section, it quotes minimum credit hours. If -- just for example that can be applied more broadly -- for Biology it said something like: "Courses within the BIO heading. Examples include but not limited to General Biology, Microbiology, Genetics, Anatomy, or Physiology". Did you just put your standard Bio I - Bio II with labs that fulfills the minimum or did you check off your Micro, Genetics, etc as well?

I spoke to VCOM in particular and they said go ahead and check off everything you think fits. VCOM is the only school in my list I've specifically asked as of yet, so I'm just curious what other people here have done.
Click to expand...

I checked the school's website and chose the courses that fit the listed prerequisites.

For the schools that wanted extra Bio I did my standard Bio 1/2 and then added upper levels to fill the units as needed.
 
Annaleise said:
Another nontrad here 🙂 is anyone else requesting LORs from employers?
I worked in industry research and don't know if it's pointless to get a letter from the CTO? (PhD in OChem).

I feel like if I went back to my undergrad or even my grad school it would be long ago to be relevant (except of course my PI is writing a letter and another member from my thesis committee).
Click to expand...

I think you're completely correct. I got LOR's from two current supervisors and one former supervisor (all MDs) because I had that option. I also included a LOR from my company commander in the National Guard. I hadn't had classes in years, so there were no teachers for me to ask. The admission committee cares more about who you are today than who you were in school years ago. (Yes, I got in and am finishing year 1 now.)
 
smilefromwest said:
For LORs, I have been working in IT in my current company for 4 years, though my boss don't know about my plan yet as she might freak out that i am changing career by starting from post bacc and tell everyone. She knows that Im volunteering in hospital and she knows I have volunteered in different org since I started working for her. i am thinking of asking for LOR from the sister whom I have volunteered for as community service for preschool.
Click to expand...
A LOR from your IT boss would probably be good. I was hesitant to notify my boss too. I thought it would cause problems. I ended up giving her 6 months notice after I was accepted to med school, which gave her plenty of time to find a replacement. She appreciated the consideration and did nothing but help me out during my time left at my job.
 
Eccesignum said:
Just a protip that a former student admissions participant reminded me of -- take the time to whitewash your internet presence, because admissions officers do often google applicants. Lock down, change your username, or consider deleting your facebook, twitter, google+, pinterest, etc. If you have a picture associated with your gmail account, make it professional or delete it. Google search all iterations of your name and make sure nothing unprofessional comes up; if you have the slightest concern about your presence on X site, delete your account.

Probably common sense to a lot of people, but even I had forgotten that I had a silly profile picture on one of my gmail accounts (not even one that I'm using for applications), and he found it by searching me.

Of course, I can't do anything about the young n wild college students with my name posting party pictures of themselves, but hopefully admissions will take the time to note the age difference 😀
Click to expand...

Take this with a grain of salt; this came up in several panels we did, including one with our dean of admissions as well as adcom committee members; they all said don't bother deleting or suspending any social media, and that it's rare that any would would look, much less care. Heard this same thing from adcoms at Geisel (dartmouth) and UT southwestern.
 
mavric1298 said:
Take this with a grain of salt; this came up in several panels we did, including one with our dean of admissions as well as adcom committee members; they all said don't bother deleting or suspending any social media, and that it's rare that any would would look, much less care. Heard this same thing from adcoms at Geisel (dartmouth) and UT southwestern.
Click to expand...

Interesting! Guess it just goes to show the variety of things you'll hear depending who you talk to. What a whirlwind.
 
I was hoping by posting in a new thread I'd get someone to read it, but since I can't I hope this is a good place to post. I'm a nontrad (as mentioned before).

Would anyone be willing to read through the criminal records explanation? 🤔

Please!! Will PM it if you agree (I have no idea what that attachment was 😵)
 
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dang Cawolf....you on top of it! I decided to hold off. I need more feedback on my writing ... ::le sigh::
 
I pre-wrote everything and have had it reviewed for a few weeks already. I needed to submit so I could stop looking and tweaking it.

I can look at your stuff if you PM it to me, but not until later tonight.
 
Thanks @Cawolf ! I am actually only sending my PS and work/activities to one more person (a school writing counselor). I am also a compulsive tweaker, so I want to avoid more edits. If I need more feedback after him I will for sure take you up on the offer! 😀 However, Could you read over my crim record explanation? I can PM it now.
 
I am waiting for 2 more transcripts to be delivered to AMCAS; is it worth submitting now?
 
No, they won't do anything with it until transcripts are received for all schools, so no reason to.
 
I'm not applying for several years but I wanted to check out this thread to get an idea of what people were going through.
Quick question: Is it possible to put application materials into AMCAS way ahead of time? I won't be applying until maybe 2017, so for now, can I have all my undergrad transcripts and LORs sent to AMCAS and have them sit there for 2 years?

Also, one more question-- I see people on this thread who will be taking classes this summer but are currently applying? Must I have all my post-bacc pre-reqs done prior to applying? Or can I finish them throughout the application cycle? I assume the former.
 
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No, the application only opens at the beginning of may, so no entering things in advance
No, your pre-reqs only need to be done before matriculation, not application - I think there might be an except or two to this - but I don't know of any specifically.
 
Congrats to those who submitted this morning!

I was planning to submit today, but someone who's feedback I greatly value had to reschedule a meeting till tomorrow. So hopefully tomorrow! Everything's entered, short of any corrections I need to implement.

In the mean time anyone willing to critique some experience essays? 🙂
 
Figured I would add my story/progress!

Mom of 2 here. Active duty military (hoping to get some financial love for this)

Submitted AACOMAS on 26 May
Submitted AMCAS 2 June

Pending transcripts for both (curse my many transfers!)

Applying 12 DO, 14 MD. 3.2/3.5, pending MCAT

Good luck fellow non-trads!
 
AACOMAS just submitted (20 DO schools), one transcript pending that I know is in the mail. Phew, my hands are actually shaking right now!

Finishing up AMCAS to submit tomorrow.
 
BLACKMD said:
Figured I would add my story/progress!

Mom of 2 here. Active duty military (hoping to get some financial love for this)

Submitted AACOMAS on 26 May
Submitted AMCAS 2 June

Pending transcripts for both (curse my many transfers!)

Applying 12 DO, 14 MD. 3.2/3.5, pending MCAT

Good luck fellow non-trads!
Click to expand...

I'm new to this and won't be applying for a few years. What exactly does "submitting" mean? You are able to submit your applications to schools without your transcripts being processed and without having taken the MCAT yet?
 
@ThinkReallyFast ditto! I just had to reschedule my appointment to tomorrow. But I have a feeling I will have a follow up with him and his schedule is all full until early next week :'(

I'm still looking for someone to read over my crim. back. explanation...dang traffic citations ::sigh::
 
ThinkReallyFast said:
Congrats to those who submitted this morning!

I was planning to submit today, but someone who's feedback I greatly value had to reschedule a meeting till tomorrow. So hopefully tomorrow! Everything's entered, short of any corrections I need to implement.

In the mean time anyone willing to critique some experience essays? 🙂
Click to expand...

You can shoot them here if you like. Disclaimer: You know I'm an applicant too so I'm not an expert on what they're looking for, but I can read for grammar/flow/that sort of thing if you like.
 
remzremz said:
I'm new to this and won't be applying for a few years. What exactly does "submitting" mean? You are able to submit your applications to schools without your transcripts being processed and without having taken the MCAT yet?
Click to expand...

Submitting means I paid for the application and programs. Both application services are waiting for my transcripts then will begin "verifying". Once I am verified my application is sent to those specific medical schools. I took the MCAT may 22. I am just waiting for my score to be added to my application.
 
charlie517 said:
@ThinkReallyFast ditto! I just had to reschedule my appointment to tomorrow. But I have a feeling I will have a follow up with him and his schedule is all full until early next week :'(

I'm still looking for someone to read over my crim. back. explanation...dang traffic citations ::sigh::
Click to expand...

I'm happy to review it -- I think I read your PS too? If you liked my feedback on the PS send it my way. 😛😉
 
BLACKMD said:
Submitting means I paid for the application and programs. Both application services are waiting for my transcripts then will begin "verifying". Once I am verified my application is sent to those specific medical schools. I took the MCAT may 22. I am just waiting for my score to be added to my application.
Click to expand...

Thanks, that makes sense. I'll be doing this one day so I wanted to find out how it works now. So once AMCAS opens (May or June?), everyone requests for transcripts to be sent to AMCAS. Once AMCAS receives everything after you submit, it marks you as "verified" and sends off your applications to the programs? Just trying to understand it all. Thanks for your help.
 
Hi everyone! Another non-trad here. I will be submitting my AMCAS tomorrow. I have 24 MD programs selected, which feels excessive but we'll see what happens. I am a CA resident so I was advised to apply broadly. I finished up my MCAT in April and my letters of recommendation & transcripts are on AMCAS. Time to wait for some secondaries...

Good luck as you all get your applications together. We'll get through this cycle!
 
charlie517 said:
@ThinkReallyFast ditto! I just had to reschedule my appointment to tomorrow. But I have a feeling I will have a follow up with him and his schedule is all full until early next week :'(

I'm still looking for someone to read over my crim. back. explanation...dang traffic citations ::sigh::
Click to expand...
I don't know where you are with this/if anyone took care of it already, but I can do it. Just PM me.
 
remzremz said:
Thanks, that makes sense. I'll be doing this one day so I wanted to find out how it works now. So once AMCAS opens (May or June?), everyone requests for transcripts to be sent to AMCAS. Once AMCAS receives everything after you submit, it marks you as "verified" and sends off your applications to the programs? Just trying to understand it all. Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...

You got it!
 
Hello fellow non-trads.

I know a few of you from last year's thread. I'm a second year non-trad applicant. However last year I only applied to one school because of military service considerations. This year I'm applying to USUHS again but also other schools.

Just submitted my application, waiting for AMCAS to process my last transcript (9 total, yay for 14 years of undergrad and graduate credits!) which should have arrived there today.

Best of luck to us all!


edit:
I'm still hoping to get off the waitlist for this year's matriculation, but not holding my breath. I'd rather be over prepared and pleasantly surprised than scrambling at the last minute in reapplying.
 
charlie517 said:
@ThinkReallyFast ditto! I just had to reschedule my appointment to tomorrow. But I have a feeling I will have a follow up with him and his schedule is all full until early next week :'(

I'm still looking for someone to read over my crim. back. explanation...dang traffic citations ::sigh::
Click to expand...

civil citations/offenses are different than criminal misdemeanors - so make sure you know which you have.
 
AMCAS Processing is Complete
repeatDOTS.gif
06-04-2015
repeatDOTS.gif
Application has been made available to the designated medical schools.
Just got the email and this is what my status now says in the application itself. Also now has a calculated AMCAS GPA.
I think I read in some forum that AMCAS doesn't actually forward applications to med schools until July 1 but the above message seems to contradict that. Thoughts?
 
Re-applicant from last cycle.

I only applied to USUHS previously but am applying to more schools this time around.

Still hoping to hear something and get pulled from the waitlist but not holding my breath.

Submitted my app 6/2, waiting on the last of my 9 transcripts to be processed. Have 1 LOR in already and all the requests sent out for the rest.
 
jddoc2015 said:
AMCAS Processing is Complete
repeatDOTS.gif
06-04-2015
repeatDOTS.gif
Application has been made available to the designated medical schools.
Just got the email and this is what my status now says in the application itself. Also now has a calculated AMCAS GPA.
I think I read in some forum that AMCAS doesn't actually forward applications to med schools until July 1 but the above message seems to contradict that. Thoughts?
Click to expand...

AMCAS will not be sending applications to med schools until early July this year. This is due to the new MCAT and the fact that the April and May 2015 exams will take longer for them to score. They do not want April and May test takers to be at any disadvantage.

this is verified at the bottom of the page here - https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/register/417812/2015scorereleasedates.html
"April and May scores will take longer than the typical 30-35 days to release scores. This is because extra time is needed to conduct the necessary analyses to set the score scale. Examinees who test in April or May will receive their scores before AMCAS begins sending applications to medical schools for the first time in early July."
 
mavric1298 said:
civil citations/offenses are different than criminal misdemeanors - so make sure you know which you have.
Click to expand...
I called AMCAS because I didn't want to put it on my app....SOO apparently in freaking FL....my case is considered a TRAFFIC CRIMINAL offense :eyebrow:
Since they decided to put the word criminal....sigh
 
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