AMCAS class action

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

jmcnyc

Junior Member
7+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
20+ Year Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2001
Messages
21
Reaction score
0
I have had an awful time using the AMCAS application service (I'm sure all can agree). I spoke with a lawyer about what can be done to protect the students' rights (after all, we all paid about $600 dollars for this service not to mention that I was charged an additional $2400 due to their error). The lawyer suggested a class action lawsuit. Is this an over reaction?

Members don't see this ad.
 
It would cost someone well over $2400 to get it started, are you willing to do that?
 
I am frustrated with AMCAS as well... i sent in my app in june and they told me to resend because for some reason they didnt recieve it. so i sent again on 7/11.. it got verfiied on 9/20.. but guess what? i just called Upenn and some other schools that still show my status as "incomplete".. they said AMCAS is telling people that they verified our apps even though they havent.. why? to get us off their backs?? this just pisses me off.. i dont know if that is true.. if it is . arghhhhhhhhh
 
Members don't see this ad :)
It would cost someone well over $2400 to get it started, are you willing to do that?

Not necessarily. If you can get a lawyer to take the case on a contingency basis, then fees are only charged if you win the case. The lawyer(s) will take a certain percentage of any money won. Worth looking into.
 
would other students be willing to support this effort?
 
I would.

why dont we start a AMCAS sue fund. each person donates their name, phone number, $5.00 and your problems with amcas to get this started. if i lose 5 i dont care.

i think that if we get organized, we can do this.
 
HELL YEAH!!!
 
aisha,

I have a post circulating somewhere on SDN about AMCAS and transcipts, specifically my UPenn transcript. AMCAS is saying that there is a signature missing and the transcript is unofficial. Penn says that they are sending the same "Official" transcript that they always send and that AMCAS is playing for time. Did you have a similar problem with your Penn Transcript?
 
I"ll chip in $10


Dr.Perez
 
hey ussdfiant!

what do u mean by penn transcript? when i talked to upenn in the morning they told me that if we have their secondary and letters in, they will go ahead with the adcom review.. they will not wait for amcas to verify app. rather use the unverified copy of amcas... i dont think i had any problem of a signature on transcript!!!.. sorry if i am not clear... please let me know what u mean by penn transcript??


thanks
 
Sorry for the confusion. I assumed that you were an undergrad at Penn, but I see that you are applying to Penn Med. My problems are with my undergrad transcript. Sorry.
 
Sorry for the confusion. I assumed that you were an undergrad at Penn, but I see that you are applying to Penn Med. My problems are with my undergrad transcript. Sorry.
 
Members don't see this ad :)
I'm willing to chip in. AMCAS has kicked us around FOR TOO LONG! I can't take it anymore!
 
i am all for it.. please go ahead..
 
GO FOR IT! I'll chip in too!
I keep having difficulty with my password and accessing the application.
I hope to finally have it in for good this week! Now I'm worried because it's so late........
L3 :mad:
 
If a lawyer were to take this case, it would definitely be on a contingent fee basis. None of us would have to chip in a cent. Still it's unlikely that we'll find anyone good (you can always find someone, but you don't necessarily want them) to take the case. My father does this kind of law, and he doesn't think our monetary damages are large enough, especially if AMCAS does eventually get the system to work -- our frustration and anguish really aren't worth all that much. This idea was kicked around before at the beginning of the AMCAS debacle only to be dropped due to lack of knowledgeable legal enthusiasm. Of course, if AMCAS never does deliver on any of the services they've promised, then it might be a different story.
 
i agree with SMW.. my sources tell me that this isnt gonna help us much...
 
class action will take the effort of many students...i hope the support is genuine.
 
Ok, so I see that we are divided on this issue.

I stand on doing it. We go and get them. this is not about their system working at the end, it's about honesty, integrity and respect. By all means, I think AMCAS has the highest and best intentions, BUT it's the people who work there who have done this to us. Let me give you an example, let's say I make a company and my mission statement is to help people in this world by providing some kind of service for a small fee. Now, let's say over time people become very dependent on that service and my employees start ****ing up in providing the service and lie to cover their ass. Don't you think those ppl deserve to sue my ass? I don't care how good the company is or how good the intentions is there is a line that should not be crossed.

I have one question for those who are still against it... if we start this, will you take part in it? That's what I thought.

now, im happy that so many ppl have decided to chip in with money. but we need an address. anyone has a po box. also, I think that the person who has the money should be the same person who is getting the lawyer.

Just my thought, let's do this people. if we get the ball rolling im sure that everyone will follow. Just remember a thousand people cannot change one mans mind with words, but one man can change thousands ppls mind with just one action (or something like that).
 
Originally posted by C U in MD school:

I have one question for those who are still against it... if we start this, will you take part in it? That?s what I thought.•

You're right. I wouldn't take part in it. Good luck with your lawsuit everyone. I hope it brings you the peace you desire.

Andrew
 
A few of us on this site put together a letter that we sent out to the president of AMCAS (Dr. Cohen). The letter stated all the problems we faced with the application process this year and requested a refund. For those of you who are unhappy with the services provided by AMCAS, please send out the letter. It's subject is "letter to the president of AMCAS."
 
Originally posted by jmcnyc:
•class action will take the effort of many students...i hope the support is genuine.•

That's actually not true. One person's lawyer could file the suit on behalf of the whole class. Later on (much later) all the members of the class would be asked if they want to take part in the recovery. Some people would, of course, have to get involved and give their stories of what happened to them.
 
I just interviewed at Pitt and the dean of admissions said that a lawyer has now been placed in charge of AMCAS operations (although I must admit I haven't heard this anywhere else.) It might suggest that either AMCAS is worried about some sort of legal response, or at least knows they need to straighten things out to make sure that doesn't happen.

Also, if anyone is serious about this, I suggest taping a phone call with an AMCAS specialist. As long as you state you are doing so, I believe it's legal and admissable in court (although not sure about this.) I think it'd be funny to either hear their reaction to a question about processing apps out of order (which is usually "I have no idea when you will be processed and we have no idea what we're doing here") and perhaps to document that they make up different stories every time you call. Would definitely make AMCAS look incompetent in court.
 
Eclipse: is the school putting a lawyer or AMCAS is getting one?
either way, it's good to know. I had my lawyer sent them a letter last week. I got a reply the next day via fedral express mail.
 
Originally posted by C U in MD school:
•Eclipse: is the school putting a lawyer or AMCAS is getting one?
either way, it's good to know. I had my lawyer sent them a letter last week. I got a reply the next day via fedral express mail.•

Sorry, I guess I wasn't clear. He said AMCAS itself is putting a lawyer in charge of their operations. That'd be pretty funny if UPitt actually was seeking legal counsel.

And, good to hear you got a response from ACMAS over your lawyer's letter. Appears they're all just cowards over there. I'm going to try the same thing this week.
 
I'm curious to mind what AMCAS' response was to your lawyer's letter (if you don't mind)
 
Nikki: they first called me. I refused to take the call. I said that my lawyer has advised against me speaking with you and please only communicate with me only via written correspondences. The lady was taken back after. She thanked me for my time and hung up. Then the next day I got a letter saying that they apologize and they will make all effort to correct this mistake. My lawyer said that they even called him, but he was out of office
 
Top