AACOMAS FAQ 2014-2015 Application Cycle

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shinymk36 said:
I have a question about reapplication.

I know there is an option to roll over your application from the previous cycle (2013-2014). Let's say that I wanted to change the personal statement and the descriptions of the activities that I did in undergrad. Would I be able to do that even if I roll over the application, or do I have to re-do the whole application and submit it as if I haven't applied before?
Click to expand...

You can roll over and change those things.

If you change anything in your course work then it will need to be verified again.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Does it matter how you enter things in the extracurricular section or will it automatically get changed once I submit anyway?
 
I know this has been asked in years past but I could not find an answer to this question. Does anyone know what we're suppose to put if the PREFIX and NUMBER on our transcripts are over the character limit for the AACOMAS box?

For example, I have a class "BIO SCI 194S" but only "BIO SCI 19" fit or another example, "PHYSICS 20B" but only "PHYSICS 20" fit.
 
If you get rid of spaces, it should fit.
 
chizledfrmstone said:
Make an account on AACOMAS right now so can see what I'm talking about.

There is a coursework section you have to have filled and verified BEFORE you can click the submit button.

Just have your transcript in after May 7th.
Click to expand...

Why exactly May 7th? Am I missing something here? :/

I was thinking of submitting them tomorrow.
 
nolimits1 said:
Why exactly May 7th? Am I missing something here? :/

I was thinking of submitting them tomorrow.
Click to expand...

I believe last year there was a thing saying that they would not accept transcripts before May 7. However, I haven't seen that this year, and even after searching through the current AACOMAS application instructions and the transcript page on the actual application, it doesn't say anything about May 7. I have the sneaking suspicion that it will be fine for them to start receiving transcripts starting now, as the application is now open. Might want to email AACOMAS and check.
 
I have a couple of questions that I would appreciate help with:

1. AACOMAS is not letting me continue until I put an education for my legal guardian and I don't have a legal guardian. Is selecting 'No Answer' the right way around this?

2. I received my degree May 2013, however I stopped attending the university December 2012. AACOMAS is not letting me chose 2013 as the year that I received the degree. The only years it lets me choose from is 2011 and 2012. Would it be ok if I put December 2012?

Thank you in advance!

Edit: I also have a question in regards to the work section. Should I make 2 different entries for 2 different positions that I currently hold with the company?

For example, I am currently a scribe and I was promoted to a trainer a while back, however I still function as a scribe whenever I am not scheduled a training shift.
 
Last edited:
Do you have to use their transcript request form? Or can I just go to my school account and sent it to the email they provide?
 
Lost Complex said:
I have a couple of questions that I would appreciate help with:

1. AACOMAS is not letting me continue until I put an education for my legal guardian and I don't have a legal guardian. Is selecting 'No Answer' the right way around this?
Click to expand...

This is the only one I can help with, but yes. Choose No Answer as the way to answer that last question. If you go to page 14 on the 2015 AACOMAS intruction booklet it addresses what to put, here is the direct quote from the page. "this section includes Mother, Father, and Guardian questions. Please note that “Education” is a required field for each section. You may select “No Answer” from the drop-down list in order to leave a section blank"
 
Bea5T said:
Do you have to use their transcript request form? Or can I just go to my school account and sent it to the email they provide?
Click to expand...

View posts #43 and #44 on this thread. (Can't copy/paste on the mobile app.)
 
rch1 said:
I know this has been asked in years past but I could not find an answer to this question. Does anyone know what we're suppose to put if the PREFIX and NUMBER on our transcripts are over the character limit for the AACOMAS box?

For example, I have a class "BIO SCI 194S" but only "BIO SCI 19" fit or another example, "PHYSICS 20B" but only "PHYSICS 20" fit.
Click to expand...
polylux said:
If you get rid of spaces, it should fit.
Click to expand...

I tried this for awhile but then came across something that wouldn't fit even without spaces haha. Am I the only one having this problem?
 
If my current semester doesn't end until mid May and I have my transcript sent in now, will schools not see these grades until a final transcript is due after possible acceptances?
 
For the Guardian information Im a little confused and the handbook doesn't expound. My father would be my guardian so should I just repeat that info?
 
celica0015 said:
If my current semester doesn't end until mid May and I have my transcript sent in now, will schools not see these grades until a final transcript is due after possible acceptances?
Click to expand...

Yes, that's correct. If your current semester's grades are good, you can also update AACOMAS with the final transcript at any point in the application process. Then, AACOMAS will automatically send your updated GPAs and transcript to the schools to which you've applied.
 
Also, I just read on the AMCAS thread:
Will medical schools notice that a class included a lab?
In addition to selecting the "Combined Lecture and Lab" radio button, it is recommended that you add "and Lab" to the end of the course name.

should we do this for AACOMAS also? minus the "radio button" that doesn't exist?
 
Lost Complex said:
Edit: I also have a question in regards to the work section. Should I make 2 different entries for 2 different positions that I currently hold with the company?

For example, I am currently a scribe and I was promoted to a trainer a while back, however I still function as a scribe whenever I am not scheduled a training shift.
Click to expand...

Same here thing. I put "Clinical Trainer and Medical Scribe" as my position title.
 
If I'm currently enrolled in a course for the summer session, will I be verified before I receive a grade for the course? If not, should I drop the course, send in my transcripts for verification and then pick up the course again? Thanks!
 
capnamerica said:
If I'm currently enrolled in a course for the summer session, will I be verified before I receive a grade for the course? If not, should I drop the course, send in my transcripts for verification and then pick up the course again? Thanks!
Click to expand...
You can send the transcript now and in the coursework tab, indicate the pending course. When you get the grade for the summer course, send another transcript to update them.
 
rch1 said:
I tried this for awhile but then came across something that wouldn't fit even without spaces haha. Am I the only one having this problem?
Click to expand...

I have the same problem. It's actually impossible to fit any of my course codes for the way my university does it, with or without spaces. I just created a shortform that will be obvious to whoever is matching my actual transcript with what I have written down. e.g. BIOCHEM XXXX to BIOCM XXXX
 
rkearl27 said:
For the Guardian information Im a little confused and the handbook doesn't expound. My father would be my guardian so should I just repeat that info?
Click to expand...

nolimits1 said:
That's exactly what I did.
Click to expand...

The handbook actually says to just put "no answer" for your guardians education if you dont have a guardian other than your parents, nothing else.
 
Filling in and am having trouble... if I have a laboratory course that went with a lecture course but the grade was included in the lecture course, do I still input it into AACOMAS? because I cant see to input it with no grade....
 
Do you guys know how easily it is to transfer your last year's aacomas to this years? Do we need to resubmit transcripts?
 
serenade said:
Do you guys know how easily it is to transfer your last year's aacomas to this years? Do we need to resubmit transcripts?
Click to expand...

If you have previously applied in the cycle immediately
prior (cycle 2014) and are reapplying to any of the
colleges, follow the instructions on the login page
for creating a new application using data from your
prior application and pay the proper processing fee.
Your browser must allow “pop-ups” to use the prior
application to create a 2015 application. If you enter any
information into the application prior to using the copy
function, you will lose the ability to copy the information.
If you are reapplying and have used the “roll-over”
function to carry your prior year application (cycle
2014) forward, and you have neither attempted nor
completed additional coursework, you may be able to
roll-over the transcripts you have already submitted to
AACOMAS. However, if you applied while enrolled and
completed the Term, or have attempted or completed
additional courses, you must add any additional courses
to your record and submit new transcripts showing that
coursework.

source: http://www.aacom.org/Documents/AACOMASInstructions.pdf
 
so yea... at another school I have the opposite problem as my previous post. They dont say that I took any labs at all, should I just write in "with lab" on the ones that had a lab and have an extra credit attached with it?
 
DoctorCupcake said:
Nope, no need to include contact information.
Click to expand...
ballin... do you happen to know the answer to either of my other two posts? I have uploaded my classes to the best of my ability, but I am still curious about this whole lab issue and how two of my schools present labs on my transcript.
School A has the labs as a separate course (with a separate course number) but has no sort of grade or anything... so I would not be able to put the lab course on my AACOMAS (since I have to put a grade/withdraw/P/F etc).
School B has no labs written anywhere on my transcript. I took Biochem I with a lab and all it says is Biochem I 4 credits. Then I took Biochem II with no lab and all it says is Biochem II 3 credits...

In case A I left out the separate lab course and just said on the lecture course "Intro biology I with lab" 4 credits.
In case B I did the same thing

So I did the best I could, but I am still concerned how anyone else in the past has gotten around this?
 
Awesome Sauceome said:
ballin... do you happen to know the answer to either of my other two posts? I have uploaded my classes to the best of my ability, but I am still curious about this whole lab issue and how two of my schools present labs on my transcript.
School A has the labs as a separate course (with a separate course number) but has no sort of grade or anything... so I would not be able to put the lab course on my AACOMAS (since I have to put a grade/withdraw/P/F etc).
School B has no labs written anywhere on my transcript. I took Biochem I with a lab and all it says is Biochem I 4 credits. Then I took Biochem II with no lab and all it says is Biochem II 3 credits...

In case A I left out the separate lab course and just said on the lecture course "Intro biology I with lab" 4 credits.
In case B I did the same thing

So I did the best I could, but I am still concerned how anyone else in the past has gotten around this?
Click to expand...

I saw your post about the 'lab work vs. no lab work listed' issue, and I'm sorry, but I have no idea how it should ideally be approached. The way you wrote it does seem like it would alleviate the issue. Have you tried contacting AACOMAS?
 
DoctorCupcake said:
I saw your post about the 'lab work vs. no lab work listed' issue, and I'm sorry, but I have no idea how it should ideally be approached. The way you wrote it does seem like it would alleviate the issue. Have you tried contacting AACOMAS?
Click to expand...
ok no problem, thanks for responding. Nah I havent yet, I suppose I could, they are usually very helpful.
 
Glad to see the thread is working! I will work on copying relevant tips/info to the first post
 
Awesome Sauceome said:
ballin... do you happen to know the answer to either of my other two posts? I have uploaded my classes to the best of my ability, but I am still curious about this whole lab issue and how two of my schools present labs on my transcript.
School A has the labs as a separate course (with a separate course number) but has no sort of grade or anything... so I would not be able to put the lab course on my AACOMAS (since I have to put a grade/withdraw/P/F etc).
School B has no labs written anywhere on my transcript. I took Biochem I with a lab and all it says is Biochem I 4 credits. Then I took Biochem II with no lab and all it says is Biochem II 3 credits...

In case A I left out the separate lab course and just said on the lecture course "Intro biology I with lab" 4 credits.
In case B I did the same thing

So I did the best I could, but I am still concerned how anyone else in the past has gotten around this?
Click to expand...
I know this answer! You can and should still contact AACOMAS because things always change, but AACOMAS goes off of the number of credits. They will count your Biochem I as a lecture with a lab.

I had the same issue.
 
Awesome Sauceome said:
ok no problem, thanks for responding. Nah I havent yet, I suppose I could, they are usually very helpful.
Click to expand...

I'm really glad you brought it up because I just realized that my transcript doesn't include lab work for the science classes I repeated. O_O

I'm going to call/email them right now and I'll let you know as soon as I do.
 
Awesome Sauceome said:
ok no problem, thanks for responding. Nah I havent yet, I suppose I could, they are usually very helpful.
Click to expand...
medickdb said:
I know this answer! You can and should still contact AACOMAS because things always change, but AACOMAS goes off of the number of credits. They will count your Biochem I as a lecture with a lab.

I had the same issue.
Click to expand...

@medickdb is right! Just spoke with AACOMAS, and the lady said to write the course as it's written in the transcript. She said that when they verify the course, they check back to confirm whether or not the course included lab. Also, if your first repeat includes the lecture and lab as two separate grades, AACOMAS will break up the last repeat into lecture and lab. For example, a 4-unit biochem course will be broken into 3-unit biochem lecture and a 1-unit biochem lab.

Hope this helps!
 
I just contacted them as well, so we will have a double confirmation of this soon hopefully haha, thanks a bunch!

My bigger issue is how to write in a course (lab) that has no credits or grade associated with it... since it wont let me process a course without any type of grade (or P/F, W, AU) with it...

So school (B) got figured out by you contacting them, but hopefully they can figure out school (A) stuff for me.
 
Awesome Sauceome said:
I just contacted them as well, so we will have a double confirmation of this soon hopefully haha, thanks a bunch!

My bigger issue is how to write in a course (lab) that has no credits or grade associated with it... since it wont let me process a course without any type of grade (or P/F, W, AU) with it...

So school (B) got figured out by you contacting them, but hopefully they can figure out school (A) stuff for me.
Click to expand...
The grade got factored in with the lecture grade, correct? I think they'll just have you put in the lecture.
 
yea the grade is factored into the lecture grade, however, the lab is a separate course with a separate course number on my official transcript, so I am definitely checking with them.
 
Awesome Sauceome said:
yea the grade is factored into the lecture grade, however, the lab is a separate course with a separate course number on my official transcript, so I am definitely checking with them.
Click to expand...

I am in a similar position as well. The general chemistry class gives one grade (lecture + lab combined), but there are two separate entries on the official transcript!

Something like this:
CHEM 101L General Chemistry (grade - lecture +lab - appears here)
CHEM 101 L9 General Chemistry Lab (no grade after this line)
 
Sean Lee said:
I am in a similar position as well. The general chemistry class gives one grade (lecture + lab combined), but there are two separate entries on the official transcript!

Something like this:
CHEM 101L General Chemistry (grade - lecture +lab - appears here)
CHEM 101 L9 General Chemistry Lab (no grade after this line)
Click to expand...
That is exactly how it appears on one of my transcripts. I am emailing back and forth with a guy from AACOMAS currently. I will let you know when I find out.
 
Ok, I have cleared everything up...
I will post the transcript of our conversation:

Me
"Good afternoon, I had a question about filling in the course information with regards to courses with labs. Here is my problem:School (A) has labs as a separate course (with a separate course number) on my transcript, but it has no grade or credit hours associated with the course. So for instance I would have:Bio 1111 - Introduction to Biology I, 4 credits, ABio 1101- introduction to biology I lab (and no credits or grade on my official transcript)So how should I label these on my application? Should I just lump the courses together? Like for instance, I could say Introduction to biology I with lab, 4 credits, A... Would that be acceptable? Or should I definitely write in my lab course (since it is on my transcript) but put in some special designation saying that no credits or grade was earned? Or should I leave it out? (since I a having trouble because it will not let me upload a course without a grade or P/F or something attached to it). School (B) has the opposite problem. They have no mentioning of whether a course as a lab or not. On the transcript it would just say "Bio 339, cell biology, 4 credits, A." But this course had a lab associated with it. So should I write in "cell biology with lab?" or should i just write it exactly how it is written on the transcript? Again is there any sort of special designation saying the course has a lab attached to it? Or does it not matter/ AACOM will figure it out. Thank you so much for your time."

AACOMAS
"Please list your coursework exactly as they are listed on your official transcripts.
Thank you."

Me
"How do I enter a course (lab that goes with a lecture course) that appears on my transcript but has no credit hours or grade associated with it (the grade and credit hours are written in the lecture course). The application program will not allow me to upload a course with no credit hours or grade."

AACOMAS
"If your official transcript states that the course is "With Lab" you must list it exactly that way, if your transcript does not mention Lab or "with lab", you must not list it as "with lab".
If your official transcript has a course listed but without credit hours, enter 0.0 in the credit hour column.
Thank you."

Me
"My course on my official transcript has a course listed but without credit hours. When I type in 0.0, it still does not let me proceed, because it needs a grade. What should I put as the grade? Pass? The grade that I got for the lecture associated with the lab?Thank you for your continual help."

AACOMAS
"You may select "Pass" for the grade.
You would be wrong to enter the grade for the combined course because that would be duplication.
Thank you."


So take what you can out of that conversation. There are answers to a few different questions in there. Hopefully that clears up some stuff for people.
 
Awesome Sauceome said:
Ok, I have cleared everything up...
I will post the transcript of our conversation:

Me
"Good afternoon, I had a question about filling in the course information with regards to courses with labs. Here is my problem:School (A) has labs as a separate course (with a separate course number) on my transcript, but it has no grade or credit hours associated with the course. So for instance I would have:Bio 1111 - Introduction to Biology I, 4 credits, ABio 1101- introduction to biology I lab (and no credits or grade on my official transcript)So how should I label these on my application? Should I just lump the courses together? Like for instance, I could say Introduction to biology I with lab, 4 credits, A... Would that be acceptable? Or should I definitely write in my lab course (since it is on my transcript) but put in some special designation saying that no credits or grade was earned? Or should I leave it out? (since I a having trouble because it will not let me upload a course without a grade or P/F or something attached to it). School (B) has the opposite problem. They have no mentioning of whether a course as a lab or not. On the transcript it would just say "Bio 339, cell biology, 4 credits, A." But this course had a lab associated with it. So should I write in "cell biology with lab?" or should i just write it exactly how it is written on the transcript? Again is there any sort of special designation saying the course has a lab attached to it? Or does it not matter/ AACOM will figure it out. Thank you so much for your time."

AACOMAS
"Please list your coursework exactly as they are listed on your official transcripts.
Thank you."

Me
"How do I enter a course (lab that goes with a lecture course) that appears on my transcript but has no credit hours or grade associated with it (the grade and credit hours are written in the lecture course). The application program will not allow me to upload a course with no credit hours or grade."

AACOMAS
"If your official transcript states that the course is "With Lab" you must list it exactly that way, if your transcript does not mention Lab or "with lab", you must not list it as "with lab".
If your official transcript has a course listed but without credit hours, enter 0.0 in the credit hour column.
Thank you."

Me
"My course on my official transcript has a course listed but without credit hours. When I type in 0.0, it still does not let me proceed, because it needs a grade. What should I put as the grade? Pass? The grade that I got for the lecture associated with the lab?Thank you for your continual help."

AACOMAS
"You may select "Pass" for the grade.
You would be wrong to enter the grade for the combined course because that would be duplication.
Thank you."


So take what you can out of that conversation. There are answers to a few different questions in there. Hopefully that clears up some stuff for people.
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot!

So I guess Pass it is!
 
But I have a concern about entering a P in the lab component. Wouldn't it cause possible confusion that we failed the lab component of the course and must take a P for a grade? If medical schools see the following:

CHEM 101L: General Chemistry (grade: A)
CHEM 101L9: General Chemistry Lab (grade: P)

I am afraid that medical schools will assume that the lab component is taken on a P/F system, which is unacceptable for prerequisite courses.
 
If I'm retaking my mcat, should I apply and then just update my score on aacomas?
 
Sean Lee said:
I haven't started my AACOMAS app yet, so I guess you should contact him back!

Thanks!
Click to expand...
I can contact him then. But in the end I bet it doesnt matter, because they do all of the conversion stuff. Like they will have it reported that it is with a lab and stuff (as someone suggested above). I think it is important to just have it written like it is in the transcript.
 
serenade said:
If I'm retaking my mcat, should I apply and then just update my score on aacomas?
Click to expand...
I bet you that would be the best way to go about it. There is the section to report that you are retaking the MCAT and stuff, I think it would be good to get the ball rolling and have everything verified (such as your transcripts and such) and then just update the MCAT scores later. Thats what I would do at least...
 
Awesome Sauceome said:
I bet you that would be the best way to go about it. There is the section to report that you are retaking the MCAT and stuff, I think it would be good to get the ball rolling and have everything verified (such as your transcripts and such) and then just update the MCAT scores later. Thats what I would do at least...
Click to expand...

I think that'll be my plan as well hah. I imagine AACOMAS sends updates to schools anyway.
 
I read above but both my parents are my guardians. Should I repeat info for one of them because it doesn't let you proceed without the education level
 
Awesome Sauceome said:
I can contact him then. But in the end I bet it doesnt matter, because they do all of the conversion stuff. Like they will have it reported that it is with a lab and stuff (as someone suggested above). I think it is important to just have it written like it is in the transcript.
Click to expand...

I see. I just don't want medical schools to see a P grade when that is absolutely not the case. Again, with so many applicants, can we really expect them to give each application sufficient time?
 
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