AMCAS : All Questions Here

[docmemi]

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from what i understand, cerb, you pretty much just estimate an overall average to the best of your abilities. i doubt any adcoms are going to do some kind of hardcore nazi-style audit on your hours spent at the hospital. then again..... 😀

just take a stab at it. i think my average over a five-month period came to like 5-6 hrs/wk.

yea, just do an estimate/avg. last year i called many schools and they all told me the same thing...better to put less than more. that means if youre in doubt, just put less. you would never get into trouble for putting less, but you would for putting more. LESS IS MORE!

 

[docmemi]

This may have been asked but on the "schools attended" section on dates attended to I put my planed graduation date as the "To" part?

yes. im pretty sure thats the general consensus on sdn and thats what i did. you might want to quickly look at the instruction book just to see if its mentioned there. if not, yeah...put expected date.

and in the courses list you may also put down courses that you plan on taking in the next year if you know your schedule already. just obviously make sure you list the correct future semesters.

 

[drumming207]

AMCAS 2005 application season opens

On May 5, the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) 2005
online application was opened to medical school applicants. AMCAS
enables applicants to submit a single application to the AAMC for
processing and dissemination to the 119 participating medical schools.
Three additional schools - Brown University, Columbia University, and
New York University - have been added this year to the list of AMCAS
participants. Florida State University and University of Texas
Southwestern (M.D./Ph.D. program only) joined last year. This
application cycle marks the 35th anniversary of the AAMC's centralized
application service.

Information: Go to http://www.aamc.org/audienceamcas.htm

 

[docmemi]

AMCAS 2005 application season opens

On May 5, the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) 2005
online application was opened to medical school applicants. AMCAS
enables applicants to submit a single application to the AAMC for
processing and dissemination to the 119 participating medical schools.
Three additional schools - Brown University, Columbia University, and
New York University - have been added this year to the list of AMCAS
participants. Florida State University and University of Texas
Southwestern (M.D./Ph.D. program only) joined last year. This
application cycle marks the 35th anniversary of the AAMC's centralized
application service.

Information: Go to http://www.aamc.org/audienceamcas.htm

wow, nyu and columbia have been added. i bet they will get many more applications this way. sounds so much easier now...if you want to apply to those schools.

 

[drumming207]

wow, nyu and columbia have been added

I know--crazy, huh? I guess they realized they can make more money through the AMCAS app (send out more secondaries to "unqualified" applicants just to get the secondary fee 😡 ).

drumming

 

[superdevil]

damn, docmemi, you're one helpful mofo! keep it comin' 👍 👍 👍

thanx
sd

 

[pratik7]

Heres another question

I ended a semester with 29 credits. Does the following semester still count as freshman or soph. (i ended the next semester with 43 or 44 credits)

 

[kmjannie]

just wondering if anybody has experience with engineering classes with an engineering course label that were really just math classes. i have 2 of these that are labeled engineering, but were really calculus classes taught by the engineering department. i'm going to try to enter them as math instead of engineering but i'm wondering if amcas is going to change these to engineering, so i would be better off just classifying them as engineering to start with.
anybody been through something like this?

Check out a thread called Epi Course AMCAS classification in the Re-Apps forum. I acutally emailed AMCAS to ask about BCPM for some of my grad courses that weren't in a bio department, but were basically all biology. Should help with the confusion. G'Luck.

 

[Beth_yu]

So now COlumbia is on a rolling or non-rolling admission?

wow, nyu and columbia have been added. i bet they will get many more applications this way. sounds so much easier now...if you want to apply to those schools.

 

[CoverMe]

simple simon question here... i did my PS on word... was planning on just putting it into text editor to make it look straight and THEN cut and paste it into amcas (even though it looks okay when i cut and paste from word into amcas)... where can i access text editor or whatever it's called on XP?????????????

 

[UseUrHeadFred]

Start --> Programs --> Accessories --> Notepad

 

[hamhamfan]

simple simon question here... i did my PS on word... was planning on just putting it into text editor to make it look straight and THEN cut and paste it into amcas (even though it looks okay when i cut and paste from word into amcas)... where can i access text editor or whatever it's called on XP?????????????

Start button->Programs->Accessories->Notepad

Remember to use text wrap.

Edit: fred beat me to it

 

[superdevil]

if you guys are agonizing over this whole cut-and-paste deal with the personal statement, just do what i did: type it in! it only takes 10-20 minutes (depending on how fast you type), you can add line breaks as you see fit for new paragraphs, and you'll know exactly how the adcoms will receive it. no sweat.

 

[aazaz]

When you are listing course numbers on the AMCAS, they have space for only 8 letters. But for courses with numbers like Physics 125 (more than 8 letters), what should I put?

Also, some course names are listed in really obscure abbreviations on my university transcript. For instance, "General Physics: Mechanics and Sound" is listed as "Gen Phys Mech Snd". In the course name field, should I put the abbreviation exactly how it appears on my transcript, or should I make a different, more understandable abbreviation of my own?

 

[hamhamfan]

When you are listing course numbers on the AMCAS, they have space for only 8 letters. But for courses with numbers like Physics 125 (more than 8 letters), what should I put?

Also, some course names are listed in really obscure abbreviations on my university transcript. For instance, "General Physics: Mechanics and Sound" is listed as "Gen Phys Mech Snd". In the course name field, should I put the abbreviation exactly how it appears on my transcript, or should I make a different, more understandable abbreviation of my own?

Yeah I was wondering about this too. They say "course number" ... wouldn't that mean the number only and not the department? Like wouldn't I write down "156" instead of "Bio 156?"

 

[jp2004]

need help...i feel that im getting confused.
Im entering my coursework on the amcas 2005 application...1st question: course number...my transcript states for eg. Biol-111 should i put this or just put 111 as the course number???
2nd Question: I have taken class such as microbiology for 3 credits this involves lecture and lab. but my transcript just state microbiology...so should i add "and lab" to micrbiology or just leave it as "microbiolgy" and just check off lecture and lab???

thanks for any help 😕

 

[docmemi]

need help...i feel that im getting confused.
Im entering my coursework on the amcas 2005 application...1st question: course number...my transcript states for eg. Biol-111 should i put this or just put 111 as the course number???
2nd Question: I have taken class such as microbiology for 3 credits this involves lecture and lab. but my transcript just state microbiology...so should i add "and lab" to micrbiology or just leave it as "microbiolgy" and just check off lecture and lab???

thanks for any help 😕

first, put 111 not the section number you used to register.
second, if i remember, the directions say to put "and lab" if your course included lab and lecture together (cause some schools have a separate lab course). then you also check the lec and lab box.

 

[docmemi]

Yeah I was wondering about this too. They say "course number" ... wouldn't that mean the number only and not the department? Like wouldn't I write down "156" instead of "Bio 156?"

JR BIOL Molecular Biology 311 4 A 4 A

okay, up there is an example of my application.

so, if i remember, for the department, i chose the closest one from the pull down list. then i put the title of the course. then i put the course number/level (not the registration section number).

so for bio 156....choose biology from the list, type the name of the course, and then just type 156 for the number.

 

[docmemi]

When you are listing course numbers on the AMCAS, they have space for only 8 letters. But for courses with numbers like Physics 125 (more than 8 letters), what should I put?

Also, some course names are listed in really obscure abbreviations on my university transcript. For instance, "General Physics: Mechanics and Sound" is listed as "Gen Phys Mech Snd". In the course name field, should I put the abbreviation exactly how it appears on my transcript, or should I make a different, more understandable abbreviation of my own?

for number, just put 125...only the number. you may make your own abbreviation, but it would be best if it matched your transcript so they can easily verify it.

 

[docmemi]

if you guys are agonizing over this whole cut-and-paste deal with the personal statement, just do what i did: type it in! it only takes 10-20 minutes (depending on how fast you type), you can add line breaks as you see fit for new paragraphs, and you'll know exactly how the adcoms will receive it. no sweat.

EVERYONE ATTENTION: you must put your PS in microsoft NOTEPADand format it. then paste it. that way it will keep its format.

you CANNOT transfer from microsoft word cause it may lose the formating (spaces, paragraph breaks, indents, etc).

 

[jp2004]

JR BIOL Molecular Biology 311 4 A 4 A

okay, up there is an example of my application.

so, if i remember, for the department, i chose the closest one from the pull down list. then i put the title of the course. then i put the course number/level (not the registration section number).

so for bio 156....choose biology from the list, type the name of the course, and then just type 156 for the number.

thanks soooo much...i thought i was the only one who is soooo confused about this course number...

 

[docmemi]

So now COlumbia is on a rolling or non-rolling admission?

ummm, not sure. all i know is they are amcas. before you had to fill out an online application that they created themselves. this way you save lots of time.

 

[docjolly]

docmemi is the best!!!!
you're really awesome!
thank you for answering my questions!!!
(I think, though, that I've only just begun 😉 )

 

[docmemi]

youre all welcome. i just want to give back cause i got lots of help from people over the last year. 😀

 

[jp2004]

Hello all.
I do have another question. I have taken college credit courses while in high shcool. My undergraduate school accepted them and also accepted my AP courses. So, before even starting my fall semester freshmen year, I already have 15 credits. So my transcript states that after the 1st semester of freshmen i have 30 credits which means that the spring semester, i am classified as sophomore already. But then the confusing part is that under the amcas,the college credits (6 credits) are listed not under freshmen but under HS (high school)...thats means 30-6=24 credits after my 1st semester of freshmen year. so am i still sophomore on my spring semester or would i put it as freshmen. 😕
does anybody else have college credit courses taken in high shcool...how did u manage with the status section of the application??? 😕

 

[CoverMe]

I had a similar situation... i had 11 units when i entered college. Here's the way i look at it... it doesn't say ANYWHERE on my transcripts where i was a freshman or a sophmore, so as long as you're in the viscinity, who knows??

I was actually a sophmore... but then transferred colleges and "lost" units, actually making me go BACKWARDS for a semester... but i'm trying not to cloud the issue and i'm just sticking with their unit breaks for fr/soph/jr/sr and going with them.

furthermore, i graduated, then took more classes for prereq's... which according to UNLV left me still a senior, even though i was kind of a freshman in the second major but a senior overalll.... i just kept clicking senior.

I may have to go back and change all my "course numbers" because i put "BIO 191" or whatever, instead of just the number. I thought it would make it more clear for whoever audits my grades, because I put it as it appears on the transcripts.

 

[jlee9531]

columbia should still continue to be what they were before...

i think columbia was non-rolling before so they should still continue to be non-rolling.

 

[jlee9531]

Hello all.
I do have another question. I have taken college credit courses while in high shcool. My undergraduate school accepted them and also accepted my AP courses. So, before even starting my fall semester freshmen year, I already have 15 credits. So my transcript states that after the 1st semester of freshmen i have 30 credits which means that the spring semester, i am classified as sophomore already. But then the confusing part is that under the amcas,the college credits (6 credits) are listed not under freshmen but under HS (high school)...thats means 30-6=24 credits after my 1st semester of freshmen year. so am i still sophomore on my spring semester or would i put it as freshmen. 😕
does anybody else have college credit courses taken in high shcool...how did u manage with the status section of the application??? 😕

even though you have advanced standing...you should input it into amcas as you would if you didnt have the advanced standing.

so classes you took your first year = freshman
2nd year = sophomore etc...

 

[CoverMe]

I'm just full of questions!!!

When we print our apps out... will they look just like what the schools will have?? (meaning, will this tell us for absolutely sure that our PS's don't look *****ic?).

I've done an audit, and other than the transcript requests (which havent been done) i also get three "warnings"

16 WARNING Biographic Information Other Languages blank
92 WARNING GPA MCAT / Other Test information blank
56 WARNING Standardized Tests Number of MCATS entered does not match number of results AAMC has on record.

I've left the 2nd language "blank"... well yeah, because i don't have one, and there isn't a selection for "really bad spanish"... am i missing something here?

The MCATS are automatically entered by amcas... and i never saw a section for "GPA"... that's calc'd by amcas too... WTF????

 

[UseUrHeadFred]

If you took the April MCAT, it won't show up yet.

You're good to go.

 

[jlee9531]

I'm just full of questions!!!

When we print our apps out... will they look just like what the schools will have?? (meaning, will this tell us for absolutely sure that our PS's don't look *****ic?).

I've done an audit, and other than the transcript requests (which havent been done) i also get three "warnings"

16 WARNING Biographic Information Other Languages blank
92 WARNING GPA MCAT / Other Test information blank
56 WARNING Standardized Tests Number of MCATS entered does not match number of results AAMC has on record.

I've left the 2nd language "blank"... well yeah, because i don't have one, and there isn't a selection for "really bad spanish"... am i missing something here?

The MCATS are automatically entered by amcas... and i never saw a section for "GPA"... that's calc'd by amcas too... WTF????

yes the amcas calculates their own gpas to take into account for every class you took...cause some schools allow you to get rid of a bad grade by retaking it. amcas doesnt allow for this graciousness.

if you dont have a 2nd language then dont worry about it.

 

[docmemi]

If you took the April MCAT, it won't show up yet.

You're good to go.

thats right. just hang on and that warning will go away once your scores are ready. now here is a warning....amcas may be submitted sometime after june 1st, but your mcat scores dont come till around june 24th. so you can wait for your scores before submitting or you can just submit and hope you did well.

 

[docmemi]

yes the amcas calculates their own gpas to take into account for every class you took...cause some schools allow you to get rid of a bad grade by retaking it. amcas doesnt allow for this graciousness.

if you dont have a 2nd language then dont worry about it.

jlee, how the heck do you have 4000+ posts? wow, youre awesome man.

 

[CoverMe]

All these answers are AWESOME... but every time i get an answer, that makes me think of a new one... last one for the night though, i promise!!

So, AMCAS calculates the grades... when do WE see everything... do they mail us when we're certified? Is the record changed online, but locked so we can't change it from this end???

 

[JDAD]

Do we get secondaries even if our MCAT scores aren't in yet? I mean, If I take the MCAT in August, but submit by July, will I get secondaries before my MCAT?

 

[docmemi]

All these answers are AWESOME... but every time i get an answer, that makes me think of a new one... last one for the night though, i promise!!

So, AMCAS calculates the grades... when do WE see everything... do they mail us when we're certified? Is the record changed online, but locked so we can't change it from this end???

once you press the submit button its over...not in your hands anymore. all you can do is update your contact info, add more schools and print your application.

i forgot, but im guessing youll get an email telling you that you were verified, which takes a few weeks at least.

and if you put in everything correctly, then you can look at your gpa right away. just click on the gpa option on the left toolbar. if you entered everything correct then once you are verified, it should be the same. 😀

 

[JDAD]

How many rec letters are approptiate? I am thinking three or four?

 

[JDAD]

If I am taking the August MCAT, when should I have everything submitted to AMCAS?

 

[indo]

All these answers are AWESOME... but every time i get an answer, that makes me think of a new one... last one for the night though, i promise!!

So, AMCAS calculates the grades... when do WE see everything... do they mail us when we're certified? Is the record changed online, but locked so we can't change it from this end???

When your official transcripts arrive at the amcas office and one of the people there varyfies that all the info you entered regarding coursework is accurate they will calculate and post your BCPM and overall gpa by year.

 

[docmemi]

Do we get secondaries even if our MCAT scores aren't in yet? I mean, If I take the MCAT in August, but submit by July, will I get secondaries before my MCAT?

okay. so some schools screen for secondaries and some dont. im 100% sure that the schools that do screen will not give you a secondary, obviously. and im also pretty sure that the schools that dont screen wont give you secondaries either...cause your app is not complete. i think they put you in a separate pile with all the other august mcaters.

OKAY I MADE A MISTAKE. You WILL get 2ndaries from schools that DONT screen BEFORE your mcat is out.

ps. your score comes sometime in october if i remember from my friends that took it in august.

 

[docmemi]

How many rec letters are approptiate? I am thinking three or four?

depends on the school. i think in general the req is 2 scie and 1 non. but i think four or five is more appropriate. and a committee letter if your school has that service.

 

[docmemi]

If I am taking the August MCAT, when should I have everything submitted to AMCAS?

still asap....you want to get this out of the way so you can study for your mcat this august. but in reality you wont get your score till october and the deadline to submit for most schools is nov 1st. but you still want to get your stuff verified and all before october rolls in.

so, i think in theory, asap! but in reality, if you did it immediately after you took the mcat in aug, youll still be fine. but if it were me, i would do it now.

 

[docmemi]

When your official transcripts arrive at the amcas office and one of the people there varyfies that all the info you entered regarding coursework is accurate they will calculate and post your BCPM and overall gpa by year.

true. but cant you just look at it now once you enter your courses. just click the "Grade Point Average" box on the left column and then you can choose like overall or each year, etc...

 

[indo]

true. but cant you just look at it now once you enter your courses. just click the "Grade Point Average" box on the left column and then you can choose like overall or each year, etc...

Nah, I tried that and it said something like "your gpa will be calculated when we recieve your transcripts". But my mcat score was there right away.

 

[docmemi]

Nah, I tried that and it said something like "your gpa will be calculated when we recieve your transcripts". But my mcat score was there right away.

really! sounds like something new. that totally sucks. but to be honest, it shouldnt be pretty much the same as your transcript. but it was nice cause you could see by each year, etc. like how they would see it. 🙁

 

[indo]

Nah, I tried that and it said something like "your gpa will be calculated when we recieve your transcripts". But my mcat score was there right away.

ya know, I might be wrong. All I did was click "print application" and scrolled down to see if my GPA was listed. Is there another place to check the gpa?

 

[jp2004]

i called amcas this morning. I do have questions regarding course number...its seems that a number of us applicants are quite confused about it...my transcript says course number: bio-111 and there were questions as to we just put 111 or "bio-111"
I have spoken to a specialist and she has told me to put the course number as it says on our TRANSCRIPT so if it says Bio-111 then we put that and not just 111

I would appreciate if someone could verfiy this by giving amcas a call too...i just want to be sure this time...thanks amcas (202) 828-0600

 

[PublicEnemy]

yeah, why is the app different this year? the gpa section isn't there anymore. is that something they'll add in when it gets closer to submission time? or did they just decide to get rid of it. i miss it. bring it back. i don't whats up with the audit thing either, i keep getting:

92 WARNING GPA MCAT / Other Test information blank

even though i've entered all my coursework and everything, and my MCAT scores are all released to AAMC already.

 

[Amy B]

Any school that doesn't screen, WILL send you their secondaries even before they get your August MCAT score. THEN they will put it on hold if your GPA is above their cut off. They will wait for you MCAT score snd then look at your overall application.

 

[Apparition]

Is music classified as fine arts or other? Also, how is economics classified? Thanks.