AACOMAS FAQ 2014-2015 Application Cycle

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Cascade22 said:
I have an additional question, I receive a grade for the work in my research lab every quarter. Would it be fair to put that underneath the Biology subject when entering coursework? (The work in my research lab deals with developmental neurobiology) It seems like it would fit under an elective category or something.

edit: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/research-grade-and-aacomas.948081/ just found a thread regarding this, if anyone is interested. So it does seem that it goes towards your sGPA and is not counted as a single class.
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I counted this as bio credits last cycle and AACOMAS didn't seem to disagree.
 
Does anyone know if DO schools are regionally biased? I'm a Texas resident trying to narrow down my list.

Do you know if Edward Via is biased?
Any of the Touro schools?
And both PCOMs?

Thanks!
 
ponies2015 said:
Does anyone know if DO schools are regionally biased? I'm a Texas resident trying to narrow down my list.

Do you know if Edward Via is biased?
Any of the Touro schools?
And both PCOMs?

Thanks!
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PCOM PA is 50% PA residents. So some regional bias, but not too bad. I imagine the GA campus is probs about the same.

I don't believe the Touros are region biased.

Not sure about the others.
 
Hey guys,

If I add another EC activity to my app before I am verified (aka. while status says "processing"), does anyone know if that will bump me to the end of the queue?
 
iowaiowacity said:
Hey guys,

If I add another EC activity to my app before I am verified (aka. while status says "processing"), does anyone know if that will bump me to the end of the queue?
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I wouldn't risk it. You have to write down all of your EC's again during your secondaries, anyway. You're going to get a secondary as long as you meet the minimum requirements for the GPA and MCAT, so I wouldn't even worry about it.
 
Hey guys, would being a standardized patient count as employment if you were paid (I know it sounds stupid) and so far I think it does. I just want to make sure though.
 
ponies2015 said:
Does anyone know if DO schools are regionally biased? I'm a Texas resident trying to narrow down my list.

Do you know if Edward Via is biased?
Any of the Touro schools?
And both PCOMs?

Thanks!
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------------------

Hey!
To answer your questions more:

I know for sure:
Marian
Ohio
PCOM/Georgia
 
I can't find my verified GPA. On the home page, I have the three green checkmarks (one for application, one for payment, one for transcript).

So in theory, I should be verified and schools should have received my application. Where will I see my GPA?
 
orangeman25 said:
I can't find my verified GPA. On the home page, I have the three green checkmarks (one for application, one for payment, one for transcript).

So in theory, I should be verified and schools should have received my application. Where will I see my GPA?
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Hit "view" next to one of the schools you have applied to-- you'll see a PDF of your verified application, including your GPA.
 
orangeman25 said:
I just have a "receipt" option next to the schools...
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Has it been released to the schools yet? You may not be able to see that until then. I can see my application including GPA from last year's application with a "view" button, but I don't think that was immediately available when I paid, I had to wait for it to be sent out. If I remember correctly, applications are released every Tuesday.
 
ortnakas said:
Has it been released to the schools yet? You may not be able to see that until then. I can see my application including GPA from last year's application with a "view" button, but I don't think that was immediately available when I paid, I had to wait for it to be sent out. If I remember correctly, applications are released every Tuesday.
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Ah drats, I guess it hasn't been released. I just want schools to see my application already! Thank you for the help though
 
I'm really struggling trying to decide where to apply for DO. I've been lurking on last years pages and I've been seeing people with really good stats get rejected. I'm a texas resident with a 3.45/3.25 gpa and I'm taking my MCAT next week...probably gonna get somewhere between the 27-30 range.

I'm definitely applying to TCOM, PCOM, the LECOMs, the Touros, and NOVA....but idk where else to apply with stats like mine. Any help?
 
ponies2015 said:
I'm really struggling trying to decide where to apply for DO. I've been lurking on last years pages and I've been seeing people with really good stats get rejected. I'm a texas resident with a 3.45/3.25 gpa and I'm taking my MCAT next week...probably gonna get somewhere between the 27-30 range.

I'm definitely applying to TCOM, PCOM, the LECOMs, the Touros, and NOVA....but idk where else to apply with stats like mine. Any help?
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If you're just going by stats then a 3.45/3.25 w/ 27-30 is good for anywhere (minus schools w/ IS bias).

Original 5: PCOM, KCOM, KCUMB, DMU, CCOM.

Do you like sun? AZCOM, Western U...
 
ponies2015 said:
I'm really struggling trying to decide where to apply for DO. I've been lurking on last years pages and I've been seeing people with really good stats get rejected. I'm a texas resident with a 3.45/3.25 gpa and I'm taking my MCAT next week...probably gonna get somewhere between the 27-30 range.

I'm definitely applying to TCOM, PCOM, the LECOMs, the Touros, and NOVA....but idk where else to apply with stats like mine. Any help?
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I found the whole process to be a crap shoot as some school's stats were all over the place. I would just apply to where you are truly interested in going, keeping it around 8-12 schools.
 
Still no secondary invites from either western campus, dmu, Nycom, or Tucom-ca for me. Has anyone gotten these? I know these can be very competitive, and I'm hoping I haven't been weeded out.

So far I've gotten secondaries for michigan state, ohio heritage, ccom, kcom, azcom, LECOM (pa and fl), and ATSU-soma.

3.4cgpa/3.1sgpa, 30 MCAT (8 ps 11 VR 11 bs), for what it's worth.
 
EReid1 said:
Still no secondary invites from either western campus, dmu, Nycom, or Tucom-ca for me. Has anyone gotten these? I know these can be very competitive, and I'm hoping I haven't been weeded out.

So far I've gotten secondaries for michigan state, ohio heritage, ccom, kcom, azcom, LECOM (pa and fl), and ATSU-soma.

3.4cgpa/3.1sgpa, 30 MCAT (8 ps 11 VR 11 bs), for what it's worth.
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I wouldn't worry. As long as you meet your min requirements you'll get a secondary! Don't fret
 
EReid1 said:
Still no secondary invites from either western campus, dmu, Nycom, or Tucom-ca for me. Has anyone gotten these? I know these can be very competitive, and I'm hoping I haven't been weeded out.

So far I've gotten secondaries for michigan state, ohio heritage, ccom, kcom, azcom, LECOM (pa and fl), and ATSU-soma.

3.4cgpa/3.1sgpa, 30 MCAT (8 ps 11 VR 11 bs), for what it's worth.
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Plenty of schools just haven't sent them out yet, and won't til Later in July... Don't worry, just concentrate on the secondaries you have now.
 
Besides working for two summers part-time at a family friend's chiropractor's office, I haven't really had any "real" work experience. Most of the other activities I did during summer were volunteering/community service/etc. I feel like my work experience section is going to be super barren. This will probably hurt me in the application won't it?
 
Cascade22 said:
Besides working for two summers part-time at a family friend's chiropractor's office, I haven't really had any "real" work experience. Most of the other activities I did during summer were volunteering/community service/etc. I feel like my work experience section is going to be super barren. This will probably hurt me in the application won't it?
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There are students that apply who have zero work experience. Some people just don't work while in college. I'm not sure if it will hurt necessarily.
 
Aside from the required letters, how many additional letters of recommendation are acceptable to send? How many is too many?
 
I just have a general question about the DO application.

Is it true that DO schools are less "obsessed" with numbers and more concerned about what you have done outside of the classroom? I know that for MD schools, whether we believe it or not, at the end of the day it becomes a numbers game.

I think it's very important to look at applicants outside of the metrics and I am wondering if DO schools place more importance on those things?
 
orangeman25 said:
I just have a general question about the DO application.

Is it true that DO schools are less "obsessed" with numbers and more concerned about what you have done outside of the classroom? I know that for MD schools, whether we believe it or not, at the end of the day it becomes a numbers game.

I think it's very important to look at applicants outside of the metrics and I am wondering if DO schools place more importance on those things?
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Numbers do play an important role but it's true that DO schools tend to be more forgiving.
 
orangeman25 said:
I just have a general question about the DO application.

Is it true that DO schools are less "obsessed" with numbers and more concerned about what you have done outside of the classroom? I know that for MD schools, whether we believe it or not, at the end of the day it becomes a numbers game.

I think it's very important to look at applicants outside of the metrics and I am wondering if DO schools place more importance on those things?
Click to expand...

For a majority of the schools I noticed they only cared if my stats were near the average. If you go into the NSU specific thread you will notice they turned down some HEAVY numbers.

Once you're past the stats stage the only thing you need to prove is that you have interest in the school and osteopathic philosophy. The acceptance is yours to lose.

I think I remember your stats. As long as you shake hands, smile and act like a human being the only worry you will have this time next year is which school you want to matriculate into.

Edit: The biggest crapshoot is the interview.

I only had 1 post-interview rejection and it was from a "mid-tier". The interview felt like an interrogation.

OTOH I walked out of my KCUMB interview thinking I had totally ruined it. I wasn't even anxious for the response since I had thought it would be an outright rejection. They turned out to be my first acceptance.

You will have some good interviews and bad ones.
 
Last edited:
If my application is not completed yet, how late am I? Also is anyone willing to read over a PS?
 
keels99 said:
You're not late at all
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Seriously? I guess that this is different than what AMCAS people state? I just going over personal statement. It only took me about a week to finish up everything but I worry about submitting because it seems that other people work on the application for about a month. Its not that tough when you have a solid CV you have used to apply to previous jobs. Maybe I am rushing. :S
 
I applied in February last cycle. It is still the first month and it is still definitely considered early. As long as you get stuff in before September you're fine
 
Also, I took a week on my app as well. When it's finished, it's finished. There's no reason to take an entire month if you don't need it
 
ggmills said:
Seriously? I guess that this is different than what AMCAS people state? I just going over personal statement. It only took me about a week to finish up everything but I worry about submitting because it seems that other people work on the application for about a month. Its not that tough when you have a solid CV you have used to apply to previous jobs. Maybe I am rushing. :S
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DO application cycle is much longer than MD.
 
I have had 12 jobs since I was 15. I understand that it is not necessary to list the jobs I had in high school... that leaves me with 10 jobs. Should I really list all of these on the application? It would show that I worked multiple jobs while attending school and may account for my less than perfect grades. However, only a few were relevant to the medical field.
 
aespa said:
I have had 12 jobs since I was 15. I understand that it is not necessary to list the jobs I had in high school... that leaves me with 10 jobs. Should I really list all of these on the application? It would show that I worked multiple jobs while attending school and may account for my less than perfect grades. However, only a few were relevant to the medical field.
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Yes! Definitely.
 
aespa said:
I have had 12 jobs since I was 15. I understand that it is not necessary to list the jobs I had in high school... that leaves me with 10 jobs. Should I really list all of these on the application? It would show that I worked multiple jobs while attending school and may account for my less than perfect grades. However, only a few were relevant to the medical field.
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I worked 6 different jobs while in college, many times more than one at once. In the end, I only ended up including two of them (the ones I worked at the longest and weren't summer jobs.) I think this is a personal judgement thing. I feel like if you include ten jobs, especially if you were only there for short amounts of time for each one, it may end up looking like you're flighty. However, if you were spending substantial time at each job, then it could benefit you. Just use your best judgement.
 
Anyone have problems with spacing of their personal statements?

Does it show up as 1 block of text when you leave a line between paragraphs? or does it accept that as a space?
 
WesternRedCedar said:
Anyone have problems with spacing of their personal statements?

Does it show up as 1 block of text when you leave a line between paragraphs? or does it accept that as a space?
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Couldn't you just backspace the line to see if it made a difference in the word count?
 
Hi everyone, I've done some reading, but I can not find an answer to this question. How should I add AP credit to my application. I took AP U.S. History, AP English Language and Composition, AP Calculus AB and AP United States Government and Politics. The grades are listed as P4, P3, P4 and P4 respectively. I am uncertain how this translates into GPA terms. Additionally, since they were applied to my general education at The University at Buffalo, should they be listed for this school in my first term?

Freshman, 2009, AP...

This makes most sense to me, but I would like to be sure!
 
Are we not allowed to submit secondaries until we have been verified first?
 
symphx said:
Are we not allowed to submit secondaries until we have been verified first?
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Yes you will not receive secondary invitations until you are verified, which means you cannot submit secondaries until verified and released.
 
keels99 said:
I applied in February last cycle. It is still the first month and it is still definitely considered early. As long as you get stuff in before September you're fine
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And how successful were you? Can I ask your stats, and what schools you got accepted to when applying in February?
 
Well I applied to four schools. 26 MCAT 3.48 GPA. Obviously I got accepted hence the sig below. I applied to KYCOM, Lincoln Memorial, Rocky Vista, and ATSU
 
keels99 said:
Well I applied to four schools. 26 MCAT 3.48 GPA. Obviously I got accepted hence the sig below. I applied to KYCOM, Lincoln Memorial, Rocky Vista, and ATSU
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Which one did you get accepted to?
 
keels99 said:
I applied in February last cycle. It is still the first month and it is still definitely considered early. As long as you get stuff in before September you're fine
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February is never considered early.
 
serenade said:
February is never considered early.
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I'm aware of that... I was stating the person I was replying to was applying early.. I am fully aware that I applied exceptionally late last cycle. Not that it mattered.
 
So my app has been in the processing stage for 2 weeks. Is this a normal amount of time? It's possible they found a mistake when I input my transcript or something...
 
theusual said:
So my app has been in the processing stage for 2 weeks. Is this a normal amount of time? It's possible they found a mistake when I input my transcript or something...
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It's the norm. It averages around 3 weeks from submission to get verified in June and will take longer for July, etc.
 
How are 2 retail/food service jobs done during the summers of sophomore and junior year looked upon? Should I keep them or delete them since I don't remember the manager's contact info?
 
Very very odd question here so stick with me

Took a class, maybe six years ago, and earned a C-. Went to retake the course this past semester and due to a medical emergency, withdrew from the course. So now I have a transcript that has a C- for my first time through and a W for the second time through. Do I count the W as the repeat and does the initial C- go away?
 
danny89 said:
How are 2 retail/food service jobs done during the summers of sophomore and junior year looked upon? Should I keep them or delete them since I don't remember the manager's contact info?
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To my knowledge, AACOMAS doesn't require contact info.

And in my opinion, all jobs are meaningful.
 
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