AMCAS GPA error in my favor?

[MaxillofacialMN]

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This is where people are disagreeing with you. Believing you deserve an interview doesn't in any way change whether or not your GPA is correct on the app. If your GPA is incorrect and you submit it, you are being dishonest regardless of whether you believe you deserve an interview




Again, maybe you wouldn't have a moral dilemma in that situation. Many people would.
Besides, that's a poor example, as the very fact that you took a candy bar labeled $.75 up to the register with the intent of purchasing it for that price means that the candy bar is worth at least $.75 to you.

Your second quote is from the OP not me?

 

[MaxillofacialMN]

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This is where people are disagreeing with you. Believing you deserve an interview doesn't in any way change whether or not your GPA is correct on the app. If your GPA is incorrect and you submit it, you are being dishonest regardless of whether you believe you deserve an interview




Again, maybe you wouldn't have a moral dilemma in that situation. Many people would.
Besides, that's a poor example, as the very fact that you took a candy bar labeled $.75 up to the register with the intent of purchasing it for that price means that the candy bar is worth at least $.75 to you.

I agree that you are being dishonest - no way around that, however I'm suggesting the dishonesty has no moral implications, other than the dishonesty itself. The outcome of the dishonesty is still something you believe in.

That's like walking into a room alone and saying "I am 10 feet tall." That's dishonest also, but there are no moral implications to you lying in this manner. Although in this situation the OP receives an interview, it is something that he believes he is entitled to, so realistically, he is not creating any new moral implications by his dishonesty.

 

[mehc012]

Oops, sorry if I misquoted.

I agree that you are being dishonest - no way around that, however I'm suggesting the dishonesty has no moral implications, other than the dishonesty itself.

Your earlier phrasings suggested that this somehow made it not dishonest.
I disagree with you in that I believe that dishonesty on an application always has moral implications. Morality is not an internal value; if it were, it would be impossible to say things such as 'he has no morals' or 'she has good moral fiber'. Morality is an external standard.

That's like walking into a room alone and saying "I am 10 feet tall." That's dishonest also, but there are no moral implications to you lying in this manner.

I agree that it's not immoral, but that's because no one will believe his lie, so it has zero effect on others and does not violate their trust.

Although in this situation the OP receives an interview, it is something that he believes he is entitled to, so realistically, he is not creating any new moral implications by his dishonesty.

You're essentially supporting a "the ends justify the means" mentality, while continuing to treat morality like an internal value rather than an external (though oft debated) measure. As I don't support either of these views, as I explained above, I cannot support your conclusions.

That being said, we're now debating morality on the internet over a very trivial aspect of a stranger's AMCAS app!

Sorry for threadjacking. OP, best of luck on your application. I hope it turns out well for you, no matter how you proceed. I believe fixing it offers the best chance of success, but then again, I'm no expert.

 

[MaxillofacialMN]

Oops, sorry if I misquoted.

Your earlier phrasings suggested that this somehow made it not dishonest.
I disagree with you in that I believe that dishonesty on an application always has moral implications. Morality is not an internal value; if it were, it would be impossible to say things such as 'he has no morals' or 'she has good moral fiber'. Morality is an external standard.


I agree that it's not immoral, but that's because no one will believe his lie, so it has zero effect on others and does not violate their trust.


You're essentially supporting a "the ends justify the means" mentality, while continuing to treat morality like an internal value rather than an external (though oft debated) measure. As I don't support either of these views, as I explained above, I cannot support your conclusions.

That being said, we're now debating morality on the internet over a very trivial aspect of a stranger's AMCAS app!

Sorry for threadjacking. OP, best of luck on your application. I hope it turns out well for you, no matter how you proceed. I believe fixing it offers the best chance of success, but then again, I'm no expert.

Haha yeah, realistically you should fix your GPA on AMCAS. However....if you truly think you are entitled to the interview....... that's another story. 😀

 

[Galatasaray]

i wouldn't notify them. you clearly labeled it as foreign language, so no one can blame you for this. you could have not noticed it as well.
also, who's to say that an adcom will read the whole transcript with all the course classifications and grades. i'm not even sure if they would notice.

 

[hmoactktey]

I agree that you are being dishonest - no way around that, however I'm suggesting the dishonesty has no moral implications, other than the dishonesty itself. The outcome of the dishonesty is still something you believe in.

That's like walking into a room alone and saying "I am 10 feet tall." That's dishonest also, but there are no moral implications to you lying in this manner. Although in this situation the OP receives an interview, it is something that he believes he is entitled to, so realistically, he is not creating any new moral implications by his dishonesty.

Maybe I am just confused. Here is what I am getting from this argument: If I believe in my head that I should be "entitled" to a family inheritance, then I can kill members of my family for this reason and all of the sudden this action is moral. How does this make sense?

 

[lobo.solo]

You have to report the mistake because you would if it wasn't in your favor. I know one can be tempted but common...!

 

[MaxillofacialMN]

Maybe I am just confused. Here is what I am getting from this argument: If I believe in my head that I should be "entitled" to a family inheritance, then I can kill members of my family for this reason and all of the sudden this action is moral. How does this make sense?

You need to read all my posts, or at least the important ones. Your actions can't infringe upon anyone else. Killing, in your example infringes upon someone's right to live.

 

[Mjolner]

You folks are all idiots. If you really want you app to stand out and you're willing to be a dirtball and lie and cheat... Go for a 5.7GPA and a 67ZZ MCAT. You want to stand out right?

 

[BecksTriad]

AMCAS says ur responsible for making sure they didn't make any errors during verification so just let them kno they made a mistake. it's that simple. idk why y'all love arguing about everything.

 

[hmoactktey]

You need to read all my posts, or at least the important ones. Your actions can't infringe upon anyone else. Killing, in your example infringes upon someone's right to live.

If he lies and gets an interview, would that not affect someone else getting an interview? If he lies and gets an interview and then becomes a doctor because of this, does he not affect the patients that he treats? Every action that you take is going involve other people, its unavoidable.

In this case, AMCAS messing up and posting a more favorable GPA isn't that big of a deal. It wasn't OP's fault, probably won't make much of a difference, and will likely go unnoticed. I took pchem as well, and half the time it seemed like we were speaking a foreign language, so maybe AMCAS even had it right! However, none of this supports the argument that it is a moral act to submit false information.

 

[MaxillofacialMN]

If he lies and gets an interview, would that not affect someone else getting an interview? If he lies and gets an interview and then becomes a doctor because of this, does he not affect the patients that he treats? Every action that you take is going involve other people, its unavoidable.

In this case, AMCAS messing up and posting a more favorable GPA isn't that big of a deal. It wasn't OP's fault, probably won't make much of a difference, and will likely go unnoticed. I took pchem as well, and half the time it seemed like we were speaking a foreign language, so maybe AMCAS even had it right! However, none of this supports the argument that it is a moral act to submit false information.

 

[eefen]

To the above argument (which was rather convoluted and nonsensical, and I admit that I skimmed it after the first page or so)......the ethics of the situation are not based on what I feel or believe.

To the OP: Contact AMCAS. Let them know. Maybe they'll change it, maybe they won't. Either way, in the very unlikely circumstance that this comes up later, you'll have a rock solid defense. Even if it doesn't, you'll sleep better at night. 👍

 

[moneytree]

What are the consequences if I don't notify AMCAS? Black balled? Kicked out of med school? Stern warning? Spanking? Disappointed head shaking?

Even if I am required to report the error, I don't think a school would punish me for something that was the fault of AMCAS. So my moral dilemma is, if nothing bad is going to happen, why say anything? If I was being 100% ethical, I would email them, but that seems self-defeating because there don't seem to be any consequences for no action.

Hmmm. I'll need to sleep on this one. 😴

 

[NickNaylor]

What are the consequences if I don't notify AMCAS? Black balled? Kicked out of med school? Stern warning? Spanking? Disappointed head shaking?

Even if I am required to report the error, I don't think a school would punish me for something that was the fault of AMCAS. So my moral dilemma is, if nothing bad is going to happen, why say anything? If I was being 100% ethical, I would email them, but that seems self-defeating because there don't seem to be any consequences for no action.

Hmmm. I'll need to sleep on this one. 😴

You were told that it is your responsibility to report errors. So no, you didn't make the error, but it IS your fault for not reporting the error. You can't feign ignorance.

(sent from my phone)

 

[kami333]

What are the consequences if I don't notify AMCAS? Black balled? Kicked out of med school? Stern warning? Spanking? Disappointed head shaking?

Even if I am required to report the error, I don't think a school would punish me for something that was the fault of AMCAS. So my moral dilemma is, if nothing bad is going to happen, why say anything? If I was being 100% ethical, I would email them, but that seems self-defeating because there don't seem to be any consequences for no action.

Hmmm. I'll need to sleep on this one. 😴

Would make for a great ethical dilemma essay😀

At this point you should report it, you've already admitted you knew there was an error.

 

[eefen]

What are the consequences if I don't notify AMCAS? Black balled? Kicked out of med school? Stern warning? Spanking? Disappointed head shaking?

Even if I am required to report the error, I don't think a school would punish me for something that was the fault of AMCAS. So my moral dilemma is, if nothing bad is going to happen, why say anything? If I was being 100% ethical, I would email them, but that seems self-defeating because there don't seem to be any consequences for no action.

Hmmm. I'll need to sleep on this one. 😴

Situation 1: You report the error, they may not correct it. GPA in your favor. Ethics appeased.
Hypothetical possibility: some super-observant adcom notices and it is brought up during your interview....but you have a rock solid defense and the email correspondence to prove it. +2 integrity points for you, and +2 adcom points.

Situation 2: You report the error, they do correct it. Everything is as it should be, like no error had been made in the first place, and you have the GPA you deserved, for better or worse. +4 integrity points.

Situation 3: You don't report the error. No one notices. -2 integrity points.
Hypothetical possibility: some super-observant adcom notices and it is brought up during your interview. Interviewer asks if you were aware of this slip up.
You say no: You lie and look stupid for not having followed instructions (AMCAS verifies, yes, but you need to double check.) -4 integrity points.
You say yes: Interviewer looks at you oddly, scribbles something on a piece of paper. You forever wonder if that's why you didn't get in.


You get the idea.

 

[moneytree]

I get what everyone is saying. I should report it. Of course I should.

I need to know what the consequences would be if I don't.


To be clear, this is how I feel:

Let's say I went to 7-11 and bought 5 packs of gum. I give it to the cashier. Because of incompetence, stupidity, or whatever, I'm only charged for 4 packs of gum. I leave 7-11 and drive home. I get home and look at the receipt and find out I got a pack for free.

I should go back to 7-11 and pay for that one pack, but will I? No. Will 99% of people? No.

Why won't you or I go back? There are no consequences. The FBI won't come break down my door, the cashier doesn't know and probably doesn't even care, and 7-11 won't notice 50 cents missing from their millions of dollars in profits each year.


tl;dr
No one is saying what the consequences would be. Other than abusing karma, I feel like there are virtually none...

 

[eefen]

I think what some people are trying to say is it's not just about the consequences. It's about being faithful in the little things, regardless if any one knows or anything happens. In other words, integrity.

It's not that hard to send an email.

 

[kpcrew]

I get what everyone is saying. I should report it. Of course I should.

I need to know what the consequences would be if I don't.


To be clear, this is how I feel:

Let's say I went to 7-11 and bought 5 packs of gum. I give it to the cashier. Because of incompetence, stupidity, or whatever, I'm only charged for 4 packs of gum. I leave 7-11 and drive home. I get home and look at the receipt and find out I got a pack for free.

I should go back to 7-11 and pay for that one pack, but will I? No. Will 99% of people? No.

Why won't you or I go back? There are no consequences. The FBI won't come break down my door, the cashier doesn't know and probably doesn't even care, and 7-11 won't notice 50 cents missing from their millions of dollars in profits each year.


tl;dr
No one is saying what the consequences would be. Other than abusing karma, I feel like there are virtually none...

This is exactly the kind of mindset I look for in my peers.

 

[TipToad]

So you would sacrifice integrity if there were no direct/obvious consequences?

Remind me to never become a patient of yours.

 

[Ask]

Dude just take the .1 in your favor. Anyone who says otherwise is jealous, I am.
The chances of a school even discovering that is very low and if asked play naive.

 

[DHURT]

Multiple posters questioning the OP's integrity make me wonder where one draws the line. I'm sure some of you with this view have benefited from generous course classifications. Has anyone been compelled to contact AMCAS in this instance?

 

[MaxillofacialMN]

I get what everyone is saying. I should report it. Of course I should.

I need to know what the consequences would be if I don't.


To be clear, this is how I feel:

Let's say I went to 7-11 and bought 5 packs of gum. I give it to the cashier. Because of incompetence, stupidity, or whatever, I'm only charged for 4 packs of gum. I leave 7-11 and drive home. I get home and look at the receipt and find out I got a pack for free.

I should go back to 7-11 and pay for that one pack, but will I? No. Will 99% of people? No.

Why won't you or I go back? There are no consequences. The FBI won't come break down my door, the cashier doesn't know and probably doesn't even care, and 7-11 won't notice 50 cents missing from their millions of dollars in profits each year.


tl;dr
No one is saying what the consequences would be. Other than abusing karma, I feel like there are virtually none...

I got your back OP!

 

[mehc012]

I honestly don't think it matters whether you fix it or not. I do think that at this point we've overthought it and no matter which you choose, you'll probably think you'd have been better off the other way.

It's a minor detail which happens to have a larger impact than it should. You'll be able to play it off either way. If it makes you feel uncomfortable, report it. If you think it will go unnoticed, or you'll get off with a slap on the wrist, and you're OK with that, then don't.

Just remember, if it's a noticeably poor grade, it's going to be attracting attention, which will then highlight the error. It might be prudent to report it in this instance because
a) It's more likely to be noticed
b) The fact that it improves your sGPA so much makes it more suspicious, so they may actually care if they notice it.

 

[Mommy Doc 85]

What are the consequences if I don't notify AMCAS? Black balled? Kicked out of med school? Stern warning? Spanking? Disappointed head shaking?

Even if I am required to report the error, I don't think a school would punish me for something that was the fault of AMCAS. So my moral dilemma is, if nothing bad is going to happen, why say anything? If I was being 100% ethical, I would email them, but that seems self-defeating because there don't seem to be any consequences for no action.

Hmmm. I'll need to sleep on this one. 😴

It's your responsibility to make sure the information is accurate. Bottom line. But hey, ignore it, look like a grasping idiot at interviews, leave adcoms shaking their heads, and keep a seat open for someone a little more honest. If you want to shoot yourself in the foot, it's your foot.

 

[Richard Dawkins]

well, moneytree, when the adcoms do notice the error, and cross-reference SDN and connect your username to this problem and see that you were aware of the issue and chose not to be ethical, you are going to be blacklisted

 

[Mommy Doc 85]

Let's say I went to 7-11 and bought 5 packs of gum. I give it to the cashier. Because of incompetence, stupidity, or whatever, I'm only charged for 4 packs of gum. I leave 7-11 and drive home. I get home and look at the receipt and find out I got a pack for free.

I should go back to 7-11 and pay for that one pack, but will I? No. Will 99% of people? No.

Why won't you or I go back? There are no consequences. The FBI won't come break down my door, the cashier doesn't know and probably doesn't even care, and 7-11 won't notice 50 cents missing from their millions of dollars in profits...

Actually, what you are refering to is called shrinkage and it greatly affects pricing. It is even more noticable in smaller businesses like convenience stores. An inividual audits the store and gives that information to management. When management compares the numbers to sales versus inventory, they pinpoint the loss based on the department. In this case, candy would be short. 50 cents is no big deal, but if you and several others in the course of a 3-4 month period walk out not paying, it shows sizable shrinkage. Management then adjusts the prices of candy to account for losses. Gum goes up, candy bars go up, etc. So yes, your ****ty values affect people including yourself. And encouraging the behavior affects everyone.

In the case of your gpa. You only affect you. If you feign ignorance, you look like you aren't thurough. If you admit knowing, you look dishonest. You DO risk getting noticed. I believe LizzyM mentioned looking over transcripts top to bottom and specifically lookibg at poor grades. You think they are going to miss a bad grade? Not likely! You think they are going to miss that your bad grade was miscategorized?

 

[ShenanigansMD]

Am I missing something here? Do we really need an ethical/philosophical debate about an AMCAS error? Just call them and have it fixed.

 

[serendipity007]

Situation 1: You report the error, they may not correct it. GPA in your favor. Ethics appeased.
Hypothetical possibility: some super-observant adcom notices and it is brought up during your interview....but you have a rock solid defense and the email correspondence to prove it. +2 integrity points for you, and +2 adcom points.

Situation 2: You report the error, they do correct it. Everything is as it should be, like no error had been made in the first place, and you have the GPA you deserved, for better or worse. +4 integrity points.

Situation 3: You don't report the error. No one notices. -2 integrity points.
Hypothetical possibility: some super-observant adcom notices and it is brought up during your interview. Interviewer asks if you were aware of this slip up.
You say no: You lie and look stupid for not having followed instructions (AMCAS verifies, yes, but you need to double check.) -4 integrity points.
You say yes: Interviewer looks at you oddly, scribbles something on a piece of paper. You forever wonder if that's why you didn't get in.


You get the idea.

I like this 🙂

I get what everyone is saying. I should report it. Of course I should.

I need to know what the consequences would be if I don't.


To be clear, this is how I feel:

Let's say I went to 7-11 and bought 5 packs of gum. I give it to the cashier. Because of incompetence, stupidity, or whatever, I'm only charged for 4 packs of gum. I leave 7-11 and drive home. I get home and look at the receipt and find out I got a pack for free.

I should go back to 7-11 and pay for that one pack, but will I? No. Will 99% of people? No.

Why won't you or I go back? There are no consequences. The FBI won't come break down my door, the cashier doesn't know and probably doesn't even care, and 7-11 won't notice 50 cents missing from their millions of dollars in profits each year.


tl;dr
No one is saying what the consequences would be. Other than abusing karma, I feel like there are virtually none...

OP, you are trying too hard. Just fix the mistake and run. Is a mere 0.1 GPA bump worth more than your moral conscience?

 

[deleted103644]

Needless to say, but adcoms check this forum. If you had wanted to plead ignorance, you shouldn't have posted here.

Tell AMCAS and suck it up. It's the right thing to do.

 

[TipToad]

The OP FAILED the course. No sensible adcom would overlook an "F". And no sensible adcom would not notice that the Physical Chemistry course is labeled as a Foreign Language.

He could probably get away with it if the grade wasn't so blatantly noticeable. Some of you are so busy trying to justify loopholes that it's clouding your common sense.

 

[serendipity007]

The OP FAILED the course. No sensible adcom would overlook an "F". And no sensible adcom would not notice that the Physical Chemistry course is labeled as a Foreign Language.

He could probably get away with it if the grade wasn't so blatantly noticeable. Some of you are so busy trying to justify loopholes that it's clouding your common sense.

👍 I totally agree with you. I really don't know why there is even a question about it. Integrity should always reign in these cases.

 

[orangeblossom]

lol

 

[orangeblossom]

quote for posterity

The AMCAS verifier changed the course type for a failed chem class to a foreign language?! 👍

This gives me a 0.1(!) sGPA bump, but am I responsible for telling AMCAS about their mistake? 😕

What if it gets noticed during an interview? Play dumb?

Actually, this is in notification email you get after the app is processed.

What are the consequences if I don't notify AMCAS? Black balled? Kicked out of med school? Stern warning? Spanking? Disappointed head shaking?

Even if I am required to report the error, I don't think a school would punish me for something that was the fault of AMCAS. So my moral dilemma is, if nothing bad is going to happen, why say anything? If I was being 100% ethical, I would email them, but that seems self-defeating because there don't seem to be any consequences for no action.

Hmmm. I'll need to sleep on this one. 😴

I get what everyone is saying. I should report it. Of course I should.

I need to know what the consequences would be if I don't.


To be clear, this is how I feel:

Let's say I went to 7-11 and bought 5 packs of gum. I give it to the cashier. Because of incompetence, stupidity, or whatever, I'm only charged for 4 packs of gum. I leave 7-11 and drive home. I get home and look at the receipt and find out I got a pack for free.

I should go back to 7-11 and pay for that one pack, but will I? No. Will 99% of people? No.

Why won't you or I go back? There are no consequences. The FBI won't come break down my door, the cashier doesn't know and probably doesn't even care, and 7-11 won't notice 50 cents missing from their millions of dollars in profits each year.


tl;dr
No one is saying what the consequences would be. Other than abusing karma, I feel like there are virtually none...

 

[Haislip]

Just get it fixed. Apply honestly