AMCAS Application Screenshots + Tips + Frequently Requested Links

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-What are my EXACT chances to get into an MD school based on stats alone...

-Official AMCAS Instruction Manual 2012 Application

-What courses count towards my science GPA (BCPM GPA)?https://www.aamc.org/students/download/181694/data/amcas_course_classification_guide.pdf

-Official AMCAS ?'s Thread with excerpt by Cougs/Sector9/Maubs.

Helpful Links:
Official LOR Questions Thread

Official Personal Statement Reader Thread

Last Year's AMCAS Verification Thread (Helps you see how long it takes to get verified at various times of the year)

Last Year's Applicant Sticky


AMCAS FAQ

General Submission/Big Picture Questions
1. When does AMCAS open? How soon can I submit?
The AMCAS application opens around May 5th. You can submit on or around June 1st.

2. When can I start uploading my transcripts to AMCAS?
As soon as the application opens, on May 5th.

3. How should I organize my information in the Work and Activities Section?
The Pre-Allo staff is working on a new thread for that compiles some of the best bits of information and contains a FAQ. That thread can be found here. Please post questions regarding this section into this thread. The old thread for that lives here.

4. What about Letters of Rec?
Funny you should ask. There is a thread for that too.

5. What should I include in my personal statement?
Wouldn't you know....there is a thread for that too😉 Check out the Official Personal Statement Reader Thread for some great advice.

6. How is AMCAS different this year?
See these threads for more information : http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=804620 and http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=807218

7. What is all of this about being a reapplicant?
Once you have submitted an AMCAS application and are verified, you will be considered a re-applicant the following year. Even though you may not be a re-applicant at a particular school, the AMCAS application will reflect that you have "previously applied to medical school" in that you have had a verified application from a previous year. Every school you apply to will be able to see this, regardless of whether you applied to that particular school before or not.

8. What parts of the AMCAS application can I change after submitting? If I change these things, will I have to wait longer?
You can add and assign LORs (Letters of Recommendation)
You can change your name, current address, and alternate names
You can add a future MCAT test date

Several other things that can be found here on the AMCAS official site.
No, you will not have to wait longer once you re-submit.

9. How long does it take to get verified after submitting?
It varies. Generally, the later you submit, the longer it takes. You can look at last year's verification times here.

10. When do secondaries come out?
This varies from school to school. If you are interested in a particular school, your best bet is to check out that school's specific thread in the "School Specific Discussions" forum.

11. What are some important dates that I should know?

May 5
2012 AMCAS application opens
June 1
Applications may be submitted
June 17
Data transferred to medical schools
August 1
EDP Deadline (app & transcripts)


Transcript/Coursework Questions
12. What about transcripts in general? Tell me everything!
Once the AMCAS application opens in May, you will be given an AMCAS ID number. You are also then able to add schools (and the dates you attended those schools) into AMCAS. When you do this, you will be able to print a transcript sheet that contains your AMCAS ID number on it for each school. When you go to order your transcripts, have your school include this sheet with the transcripts to be sent.
12a. I know this was asked in question 3 above....but do I really really really have to include every transcript?
Yes, you MUST include transcripts from all colleges you have ever attended. You cannot send the transcripts yourself (as in, getting a copy into your hands, and then sending it to AMCAS); they have to come from the school directly to be considered official.
12b. Do I have to include the AMCAS sheet when sending in my transcripts? What happens if I don't?
You should really include this sheet; giving AMCAS any chance to lose your transcripts is a bad idea. However, I can tell you from personal experience that one of the 8 transcripts I had to send was done online, and I was unable to include the sheet. I gave instructions for them to write my AMCAS ID on the envelope, and it got there fine. But again....making more work for AMCAS employees or giving them an excuse to lose your stuff is never a good idea.

13. What about in-progress courses, or courses I know I am going to take over the summer? What about Pre-reqs I am taking over the summer?
There is a chance for you to list all future courses on the AMCAS application. No, you can not update these grades later in AMCAS, but you CAN update individual schools later with these grades. This is actually a perfect opportunity for you to send an Update Letter to schools telling them again how much you love them, and telling them what you've been up to.

14. I took a class at a community college while I was in high school. Do I still need to report that transcript?
Yes. If you don't, you are risking being found out and having a school revoke an acceptance.

15. My spring grades don't come out until May/June/July/Whatever. Should I wait until I get them to submit my application?
If you decide you want to apply as early as possible, your spring grades would not be on your transcript. This is a judgement call. If your spring grades matter a LOT (they contain 3 prereqs, all As, and this is the first time you've taken a full load), wait until they come in before you send your transcripts in.

If not (they result in a minimal impact to your GPA, have only 1 prereq, and don't show anything special), go ahead and submit and plan to send updates to schools. Sending them some good grades is a good reason to contact them later if you've had a lot of silence from them. You are at a greater advantage being early than having more grades that will barely impact your GPA.
I would also suggest "rushing" transcripts whenever possible. The peace of mind is worth the extra money.
Also, keep in mind; you can submit without transcripts. The problem is that you will not be verified without them.

16. Does AMCAS begin verifying my coursework once they receive my transcripts?
No. AMCAS only verifies coursework once you submit your application. AMCAS will send you an email notifying you of the date they receive your transcript and the school that sent it, but that doesn't mean that your coursework is being verified.

17. Do I need to send in my transcript again, even if I sent it in last year?
Yes. See here https://www.aamc.org/students/applyi..._faqs-6.3.html

18. 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. The 2012 AMCAS instruction manual says this:


19. I really think that this class I took should be considered BCPM, but I think AMCAS will change my classification because of the department it was taught in. What should I do?
You can feel free to classify it to the best of your ability. Keep in mind that AMCAS says "Each course must be assigned a course classification based strictly on the primary content of the course." AMCAS may or may not reclassify the course. Once your application is verified by AMCAS, you can look at your coursework and easily tell which classes they altered by using this guide https://www.aamc.org/students/applyi...hared_3.2.html
If you disagree with a change that AMCAS made, then submit an "Academic Change Request" form found on the Main Menu of your AMCAS application, but be prepared to back up your claim.

20. Help! What do I do with my AP classes?
Read through the AMCAS instruction manual, particularly page 41. For additional information on specific schools that accept AP credit, see this thread.

21. How do repeat courses average into the AMCAS application?
Both classes will need to be listed when you enter your information into AMCAS, and they will both be used when calculating your final GPA. If you want, you can this of this as "averaging" the grade, with the full amount of credit being equal to both classes together. Example: 3 units of C, class is retaken for 3 units of A. The final calculation would be 6 units of B.

This FAQ is a work in progress. Please feel free to make suggestions in this thread for its contents; both questions and answers.

This thread is brought to you by the volunteer Pre-Allopathic moderation staff.

Special Thanks to the following for their contributions to the FAQ:
mauberley
sector9

-What is my cGPA/sGPA? How do I calculate it?
cGPA is all of your coursework, and sGPA is the BCPM GPA.
Glad you asked... the GPA calculator spreadsheet is found below.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=590424

-What is the LizzyM score and who is LizzyM?
LizzyM Score is your cGPA x 10 + your MCAT total score.

Example (3.8 x 10 + 34 MCAT = LizzyM score of 72)

LizzyM is our resident advisor and adcom member. Her exact location is undisclosed, but it is in Gotham City.

-SDN Matriculant Data Spreadsheet (The BIG Kahuna Scoreboard) This is where you can enter your stats and your LizzyM score can be calculated and compared to the schools averages.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...Ex2MjlBTDE0bXFXNGFZczZqYTZKb2c&hl=en_US#gid=0

-What are my chances? (WAMC threads)
If you're having trouble deciding whether to apply, or what schools your list should include. Make a thread in the WAMC section of the forum. Catalystik and other experienced members will provide feedback and advice on your ECs, GPA and progress and suggest potential school lists.

Click here for What Are My Chances for Pre-Allo and Pre-Osteo

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Screenshots of AMCAS are currently being uploaded and modified for this thread. Please stay tuned.

AMCAS Homepage
Click 2012 Application to begin.

If you HAVE an AAMC ID, do not make a new one. If you have ever applied before, or sat for the MCAT exam after 1991... use that AAMC ID. If you have forgotten it. Follow the steps to retrieve it.

To create a new AAMC ID... You need a valid SSN or SIN if you are a Canadian Applicant. If you are from a culture that does not believe in Social Security, please contact the AAMC for a temporary SSN that will facilitate your application.

Required Reading when you create a NEW AMCAS Application. Please read this carefully.

This is what the application looks like without anything complete.

PERSONAL Statement box and instructions.

 

[hiyaman]

Just kidding

 

[CodeBlu]

AMCAS Application Screenshots Continued...

When you submit your application, this is what it will look like once it has been VERIFIED and you have paid your fees.

KEEP IN MIND THAT YOU CANNOT WITHDRAW YOUR APPLICATION ONCE IT HAS BEEN VERIFIED. ONCE VERIFIED, IT WILL BE TRANSMITTED TO THE DESIGNATED SCHOOLS IN YOUR APPLICATION.

Notice how the WITHDRAW button is lighter? This means that I cannot withdraw my application now. I have to manually contact the schools to withdraw my application through e-mail or phone using my AAMC ID or if you are pre-secondary, do not fill out the secondary for that school.

Finally... this is what the application will look like when you click your Status on the home page.

If you need to add more schools to your application or update contact information. You will have to re-submit and re-certify your application and pay the fees.

Post Submission Changes

I wish everyone the best of luck in this cycle and future cycles!!!

 

[sector9]

I'm glad you added the link to the AMCAS instruction manual.

Three useful tips:

There is an official AMCAS FAQ too, most of which is not in the instruction manual
https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/amcas/faqs/

There are video tutorials for some common subjects listed under "AMCAS Tutorials" on this page (PDF transcripts of the tutorials are available too)
https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/amcas/amcasresources/

There is a "Help" button on all pages of the AMCAS application! So if you are too lazy to look at the official Instruction Manual, at least click on the "Help" button! A popup will appear with the relevant section from the manual.

 

[jdok]

.

 

[CodeBlu]

Hmm, how come this thread got closed earlier?

I was closing it and opening it so that I could edit it without someone like Hiyaman coming along and messing with the flow.