AAMC background check? Just got an email - is it a scam?

[Strategy99]

I just got an email from [email protected], titled:
AAMC Background Check Consent Request‏

Did anyone else get this email recently? My hotmail said it might be a scam email so I am a bit weary of it and just want to confirm.

Here is an excerpt from the email:

You have received this email because you have been waitlisted or conditionally accepted by one or more of the medical schools participating in the AAMC-facilitated program for performing criminal background checks on conditionally accepted applicants and waiting list applicants. Please note that the requesting medical school will be notified if consent is not provided, and that failure to provide consent may result in failing to meet the requesting medical school's admissions requirements

To provide consent, please follow the instructions below:
1. Paste the link below into your browser: http://www.applicationstation.com

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[nemo123]

It's not. I just got it too.

 

[sunnysmiles2]

Is anyone having trouble with the permissions and disclosures step? I get to that section, type in my name, click the accept button and sign my name on the silverlight thing. When I click next it comes up saying that section is still incomplete. Am I missing something?

 

[rfvbnmju]

Did you guys got accepted very early on?

 

[sunnysmiles2]

Did you guys got accepted very early on?

October 15. but I just got this email today

 

[Strategy99]

I have to list ALL my previous addresses? Including sketchy ones when I was living in a third world country ? (I don't even have those addresses)

 

[V5RED]

I have to list ALL my previous addresses? Including sketchy ones when I was living in a third world country ? (I don't even have those addresses)

Call and ask, don't rely on forum advice for something this important.

 

[blc]

I have to list ALL my previous addresses? Including sketchy ones when I was living in a third world country ? (I don't even have those addresses)

I was wondering this too. Would be interested in hearing what we're supposed to do.

 

[chillaxbro]

So no e-mail = no acceptances/waitlists ;_; okay

 

[BurberryDoc]

So no e-mail = no acceptances/waitlists ;_; okay

Not necessarily true. Not all medical schools do the background check (namely, the Ivies, and a handful of other top schools)

 

[rfvbnmju]

Not necessarily true. Not all medical schools do the background check (namely, the Ivies, and a handful of other top schools)

Really..you learn something new everyday.

Anyone now how fast they go through these checks if you're accepted in December? (as in when do I expect an email)

 

[Jlcat]

Is anyone having trouble with the permissions and disclosures step? I get to that section, type in my name, click the accept button and sign my name on the silverlight thing. When I click next it comes up saying that section is still incomplete. Am I missing something?

When you enter the date, are you mistakenly using 2013? That was my problem.

 

[13132]

Oh no...I think I inadvertently deleted that email when I cleared out my spam box after a cursory glance.

 

[MedWonk]

So no e-mail = no acceptances/waitlists ;_; okay

Not necessarily. I have an acceptance but didn't get an email yet. Different schools may do background checks at different times/use different services. Or maybe they just roll out the background checks in batches.

 

[nemo123]

Oh no...I think I inadvertently deleted that email when I cleared out my spam box after a cursory glance.

Call certiphi and ask them to resend the email.

 

[13132]

Call certiphi and ask them to resend the email.

In the process. If any of you end up doing the same thing they are very receptive to helping fix the problem.

 

[jeffs office]

I have to list ALL my previous addresses? Including sketchy ones when I was living in a third world country ? (I don't even have those addresses)

I didn't list developing country addresses. Did you still have a permanent address in the US while you were living overseas?

 

[DrCharlemagne]

I have to list ALL my previous addresses? Including sketchy ones when I was living in a third world country ? (I don't even have those addresses)

My rule of thumb was whether I'd received important mail there; not necessarily care packages from home but credit card statements, loan documents, etc.

 

[TheShaker]

Strange...I didn't get that email... Do they send it to everyone at once?

 

[AquiVoy13]

Strange...I didn't get that email... Do they send it to everyone at once?

I haven't received the email either. Like someone above said, it's possible they're sending it in batches.

 

[nemo123]

My rule of thumb was whether I'd received important mail there; not necessarily care packages from home but credit card statements, loan documents, etc.

I've read that basically Certiphi does international background checks if you've ever lived in a foreign country, so I think they want those too. Don't quote me on this though.

 

[xffan624]

I've read that basically Certiphi does international background checks if you've ever lived in a foreign country, so I think they want those too. Don't quote me on this though.

When I was deployed to southern Iraq, I put my my APO address on the Certiphi check, IIRC. APO is a military address without specific locations so family can could send you stuff. It's a bit harder if you don't have something like that. I think you could probably get away with the country, city name, and neighborhood (if you know it). Not every place has a specific numbered address, and Certiphi does tons of background checks so I'm sure they've experienced it.

If ever you do a government background check you will have to give physical addresses of every place you've lived for more than a couple months in the past 10 years, even out of the country.

 

[Lexipi]

My background check is now complete. It states that it will be automatically released on the 16th but it has a button to release it now.

Is there an advantage/disadvantage of releasing now? Or should I just wait for it to be released automatically?

 

[Lexipi]

Is anyone having trouble with the permissions and disclosures step? I get to that section, type in my name, click the accept button and sign my name on the silverlight thing. When I click next it comes up saying that section is still incomplete. Am I missing something?

This happened to me when I forgot to check off one of the boxes that asked if I was in the military or not

 

[wuzman]

I got a reminder email this morning without receiving the first one... might be something wrong with the Certiphi email server?

 

[nemo123]

My background check is now complete. It states that it will be automatically released on the 16th but it has a button to release it now.

Is there an advantage/disadvantage of releasing now? Or should I just wait for it to be released automatically?

I just released mine. I guess it doesn't really matter.

I got a reminder email this morning without receiving the first one... might be something wrong with the Certiphi email server?

Can you login? Or is there no code in the reminder email?

 

[Palappalam]

I got a reminder email this morning without receiving the first one... might be something wrong with the Certiphi email server?

I also got the reminder email without receiving a first email.

 

[PreMedMaverick]

When you enter the date, are you mistakenly using 2013? That was my problem.

Ditto on this... except I spent 30 minutes trying to figure out what I was doing wrong.

I guess accepted to medical school does not necessarily equal smart in my case. lol

 

[Whomdat11]

Question, I got the email from Certiphi today- except I haven't been accepted into any medical schools yet, as I'm waiting for a response from LSU Shreveport (they send their letters through snail mail). It said that I received the email because I have been either waitlisted or conditionally accepted. That would be the only school because I just interviewed at LSUNO today.
Ever heard of someone getting this before an acceptance? Good news would be nice but not getting my hopes up...

 

[chenzt]

Question, I got the email from Certiphi today- except I haven't been accepted into any medical schools yet, as I'm waiting for a response from LSU Shreveport (they send their letters through snail mail). It said that I received the email because I have been either waitlisted or conditionally accepted. That would be the only school because I just interviewed at LSUNO today.
Ever heard of someone getting this before an acceptance? Good news would be nice but not getting my hopes up...

Like the email said, you been either wait listed or accepted (someone at the admissions office changed your status in their computer). You just have to wait for them to print and mail the letter to find out.