AMCAS Content Error

[1992MDDO]

I am in need of some advice/relief. Like many other pre-medical students I am applying to MD and DO schools. I completed my AMCAS and AACOMAS side by side. I recently submitted my applications; however, upon a secondary review I noticed an error on a work and activities description. I had copy and pasted an entry from my AACOMAS into my AMCAS citing that one of my experiences caused me to pursue OSTEOPATHIC medicine. Cleary, something I only intended to include in my AACOMAS and not my AMCAS. Believe me I flipped out!!! I am planning on calling AMCAS to see if I can beg for an edit, but I know there is probably no chance for this.

So, any advice on how to move forward and will this really affect my candidacy for allopathic schools when they review my primary application?

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[Catalystik]

I am planning on calling AMCAS to see if I can beg for an edit, but I know there is probably no chance for this.

I agree, there is no chance they will change it.

will this really affect my candidacy for allopathic schools when they review my primary application?

I've never seen this mistake made, so I can't speak as to the perception of adcomms in general. But, just because you decided to pursue osteopathic med at one point in time doesn't exclude that you would eventually gain an interest in allopathic med as well, and that you might have broadened your interest with more time and additional experiences. I think that allo schools are less likely to differentiate between the two compared to, say, osteo schools that require a DO LOR. JMO.

 

[gyngyn]

At least you will pass the veracity test. Let us know what happens.

 

[1992MDDO]

Well AMCAS said I had no options to change my application. The did suggest sending a letter to the schools to explain the error. Do you all think this is a good idea? Or, should I bring attention to the error in a secondary/ answer any questions if they are brought up about the error?

Thank you for posting and your advice!

 

[ApplyPerfectly]

If I were you, I would not send letters to the allopathic medical schools to which you applied letting them know about your little error. Application readers may overlook this error. If they see it, they'll likely know that you made a mistake. I think writing letters to the MD schools would just bring attention to your error that might slide under the radar.

However, I would prepare an explanation for why you made that mistake. You will likely be asked about it in interviews. I would try to spin it into a positive learning experience. You made a mistake and realized you are only human--something your future patients and colleagues will appreciate you knowing. I would also try to bring humor into the situation when you are asked about it. No one is perfect, not even doctors. We all make mistakes. Sometimes we just need to accept our mistakes and laugh about them. I believe that would show your interviewers that you are confident, realize you are human, and have a sense of humor.

Best of luck!

 

[JmsD]

Without knowing the exact wording its hard to say, but is there any way it might be interpreted as just an interest that passed? Things have inspired me to want to pursue many different careers, but they did not hold the same as medicine did. Idk, just a thought. Don't stress about it regardless. That won't help anything.

 

[Catalystik]

Well AMCAS said I had no options to change my application. The did suggest sending a letter to the schools to explain the error. Do you all think this is a good idea? Or, should I bring attention to the error in a secondary/ answer any questions if they are brought up about the error?

I would not call further attention to the unintended wording. If asked, at an interview, then answer the question

and have a sense of humor.

.