AACOMAS FAQ 2014-2015 Application Cycle

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On AACOMAS you can download a summary of your application. Does anyone know what the format of the submitted application is when it is sent out to schools? I would like to get a picture of how the overall primary application looks like once it is sent out to all the school, and not the pdf summary that aacomas generates.
 
Yea last year when I was applying my app was a mess. While I was working on my app I was taking the MCAT, then two weeks later graduated, then two weeks later got married, then two weeks later moved roughly 900 miles away from home, then two weeks later started a new job. Needless to say, my application never got finished and I just ended up calling it haha.

Now that I have had a year to work on it, my app was done like a month ago heh... It is a glorious feeling... I am like halfway done my secondaries too. I really just have CCOM's left.
 
How long does it typically take for AACOMAS to verify transcripts once received? I have no grade replacements or anything of the like.
 
@bigtex22 : depends when you submit. Later you submit, longer verification takes. Could be a week, could be 6 weeks.

I heard for the more significant EC's you are given more space to write about it. This true? doesnt seem like it :/
 
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Ok thanks @csx, they were received about a week ago so hopefully before 6/1!
 
What is it with all the rush? You still have a week and a half, since you cannot submit the application until June 3 anyway?
 
bigtex22 said:
Ok thanks @csx, they were received about a week ago so hopefully before 6/1!
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The verification begins after you have submitted the entire application. This cycle, submissions begin in June 3rd instead of 1st.
 
Why is working out (unless you've won awards or done something amazing) even in your application? It's almost like adding showering or brushing your teeth...
 
shim0shim said:
The verification begins after you have submitted the entire application. This cycle, submissions begin in June 3rd instead of 1st.
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I thought it was Monday, June 3rd last year, and Monday, June 2nd this year.
 
@DoctorCupcake : does that not fall under the catagory of EC? I was under the impression you list some of your interests and hobby's as well.
 
So has anyone's transcript not been received yet, despite sending it in earlier this month?
 
csx said:
@DoctorCupcake : does that not fall under the catagory of EC? I was under the impression you list some of your interests and hobby's as well.
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Your impression is correct, but simply "working out" doesn't say much at all. In fact, it's so vague and unimportant that I feel it would speak negatively on your application. Everybody works out, but some people define working out as wearing ugg boots, with globs of makeup, sipping a latte, and chatting on the phone while walking on a treadmill. However, if by "working out" you mean running marathons/tough mudders/Spartan races, winning some award, or something substantially unique (Salsa, krav maga, etc.), include it. Otherwise, nope.
 
Quick question(s)- do my letters of recommendation need to be in before I can be verified? Second, can I (or AACOMAS) submit to my indicated schools before my letters are in? Will schools send secondaries without letters of recommendation?

Lastly, can I be verified before my MCAT is submitted? I take MCAT june 21st, but would love to get verified as soon as possible...thanks!
 
yanks26dmb said:
Quick question(s)- do my letters of recommendation need to be in before I can be verified? Second, can I (or AACOMAS) submit to my indicated schools before my letters are in? Will schools send secondaries without letters of recommendation?

Lastly, can I be verified before my MCAT is submitted? I take MCAT june 21st, but would love to get verified as soon as possible...thanks!
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Letters of rec are part of the secondary application, so no you dont need your LORs to be verified. Instead, once you get a secondary from the school, THEN you submit LORs individually to each school.

Yes, you can be verified. Just indicate an expected MCAT date on your app, and add your MCAT score whenever you get it back.
 
yanks26dmb said:
Quick question(s)- do my letters of recommendation need to be in before I can be verified? Second, can I (or AACOMAS) submit to my indicated schools before my letters are in? Will schools send secondaries without letters of recommendation?

Lastly, can I be verified before my MCAT is submitted? I take MCAT june 21st, but would love to get verified as soon as possible...thanks!
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No
Yes
Schools will send their secondaries. You will then send the secondary back and will then send letters.
Yes I am pretty sure, you would just report on your app the date that you are planning on taking it. You may or may not receive secondaries without your MCAT. Some ask for your MCAT before secondaries, while some will send you secondaries regardless but will not interview you without an MCAT.
 
yanks26dmb said:
Mine was mailed from one of my schools over a week ago, still not received.
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This was my timeline from requested to received. Hope it helps!

I requested a transcript from my undergrad on April 30th and AACOMAS had it logged and received on May 7th. My other transcript had to be requested from Clearinghouse. I also requested it April 30th and it was logged on May 12th and received May 13th.
 
Bea5T said:
So has anyone's transcript not been received yet, despite sending it in earlier this month?
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I sent 4 request, all by mail, to 4 different schools on May 3rd. Three of them have been received, while one is still missing. I am giving it until tomorrow and then I will likely call the school just to double check that there was no mix up. Things happen...
 
I heard for the more significant EC's you are given more space to write about it. This true? doesnt seem like it :/
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Only true for AMCAS
 
yanks26dmb said:
Mine was mailed from one of my schools over a week ago, still not received.
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Yes I sent mine over a week ago as well, and they still havent received it. Hopefully in another week or so
 
I have a question regarding grade entry. My organic chemistry lab included a separate recitation section that awarded 0.0 credits and no grade. Similarly, my gen physics laboratory is a separate class that awards no grade and has 0.0 credits on transcript. The recitation/lab grades and hours are part of the lecture grades. What do I input into AACOMAS?
 
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Are you guys including conferences that you have attended or participated in as part of your EC's?
 
Theseus said:
I have a question regarding grade entry. My organic chemistry lab included a separate recitation section that awarded 0.0 credits and no grade. Similarly, my gen physics laboratory is a separate class that awards no grade and has 0.0 credits on transcript. The recitation/lab grades and hours are part of the lecture grades. What do I input into AACOMAS?
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Your input them exactly as it states in your transcript. If your transcript says Physics lab 0 units, then you put it exactly as that. All courses are put into aacomas exactly how it appears on your transcript.
 
Do you guys know whether you have to have your transcript stapled to your request form? Like can't I just request one online instead of coming in and having them staple it onto it?
 
serenade said:
Do you guys know whether you have to have your transcript stapled to your request form? Like can't I just request one online instead of coming in and having them staple it onto it?
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On the request form, it specifically says not to staple it to the transcript. Also, a request form doesn't necessarily need to be included with the transcript.
 
shim0shim said:
Your input them exactly as it states in your transcript. If your transcript says Physics lab 0 units, then you put it exactly as that. All courses are put into aacomas exactly how it appears on your transcript.
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Except that there is no selection for "No grade received" or "Part of Lecture course" option for AACOMAS grade. There is no grade at all, and I can't just leave the field blank because it won't let me leave it blank (gives error).
 
serenade said:
Wonderful, I didn't feel like driving to my college for that lol.
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The reason they want the transcript request form included in the transcript is that it decreases the time for processing it. Instead of putting in your information, they simply scan the barcode.
 
Theseus said:
Except that there is no selection for "No grade received" or "Part of Lecture course" option for AACOMAS grade. There is no grade at all, and I can't just leave the field blank because it won't let me leave it blank (gives error).
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Hmm I see what you mean. In that case, I would wait till AACOMAS receives your transcripts, then send them a quick message/call and ask them about it. They will look at your transcript and advise on what you can do.
 
shim0shim said:
The reason they want the transcript request form included in the transcript is that it decreases the time for processing it. Instead of putting in your information, they simply scan the barcode.
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It only decreases processing time by a few minutes. Spoke about this issue with AACOMAS and the lady stressed that having it or not having it is really not a big deal.
 
amanda1029 said:
This was my timeline from requested to received. Hope it helps!

I requested a transcript from my undergrad on April 30th and AACOMAS had it logged and received on May 7th. My other transcript had to be requested from Clearinghouse. I also requested it April 30th and it was logged on May 12th and received May 13th.
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What is the difference when they say "logged" or "received" for transcript status?
 
shim0shim said:
What is the difference when they say "logged" or "received" for transcript status?
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Logged means that they've gotten it at their facility. And received means they've matched it up with your account.
 
DoctorCupcake said:
Logged means that they've gotten it at their facility. And received means they've matched it up with your account.
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Oh I just saw it right under the transcripts page. I must've been blind. Thanks!
 
Theseus said:
I have a question regarding grade entry. My organic chemistry lab included a separate recitation section that awarded 0.0 credits and no grade. Similarly, my gen physics laboratory is a separate class that awards no grade and has 0.0 credits on transcript. The recitation/lab grades and hours are part of the lecture grades. What do I input into AACOMAS?
Click to expand...
I had this exact same thing. I emailed AACOMAS and they first told me (as you would expect) to put everything down exactly as it is in your unofficial transcript. I then pressured further because what grade would you put then, if it is worth zero credits? They said to put down 0.0 credits and call it a "pass" for the grade and put it under pass/fail category. When they go to verify your application, they will know what the course is and that it is attached to the lecture, they deal with tens of thousands of applications a year.
 
I'm pretty sure it's highly variable, but how long does it usually take for a school to screen you and send you their secondary? (assuming you've been verified)
 
Awesome Sauceome said:
As Einstein said... the answer is in the question.
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Hahahaa. On a serious note though, I'd at least like to know of a time range from some one who has applied before -- as short as a day? 1 week? never more than a week? The schools that screen via GPA/MCAT thresholds should technically be automated and therefore fast, no?
 
nolimits1 said:
Hahahaa. On a serious note though, I'd at least like to know of a time range from some one who has applied before -- as short as a day? 1 week? never more than a week? The schools that screen via GPA/MCAT thresholds should technically be automated and therefore fast, no?
Click to expand...
haha, sorry, I just had to
From what I have heard, if you have your app in in the beginning of June, you can start hearing back from some schools early July. But more mid-late July is realistic. So I guess technically thats like roughly 2-4 weeks after you have been verified? But things start changing if you apply later in the season; it can take a while at that point.
 
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