August MCATs and Application

[timmah2k]

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Hey guys,

I'm taking the August MCATs and I'm worried that my application will not be fully complete without those scores until much later. Would I be at a disadvantage?

I also want to take classes this coming fall semester, which will end in December. Would it be too late to include those grades in my application? Maybe they would have decided already by then.

I want to shadow a doctor, but I'm thinking that I have to shadow 2, one MD and one DO because I'm applying to both schools. Does anyone know if it's ok to shadow a DO and send the LOR to MD schools and vice versa?

For the personal statement on ACCOMAS, should I hold back writing something amazing so I can write it for the secondaries?

Sorry for all the questions. 🙂

Thanks guys.
Steven

 

[mx_599]

Hey guys,

I'm taking the August MCATs and I'm worried that my application will not be fully complete without those scores until much later. Would I be at a disadvantage?

I also want to take classes this coming fall semester, which will end in December. Would it be too late to include those grades in my application? Maybe they would have decided already by then.

I want to shadow a doctor, but I'm thinking that I have to shadow 2, one MD and one DO because I'm applying to both schools. Does anyone know if it's ok to shadow a DO and send the LOR to MD schools and vice versa?

For the personal statement on ACCOMAS, should I hold back writing something amazing so I can write it for the secondaries?

Sorry for all the questions. 🙂

Thanks guys.
Steven

Don't worry about the August MCATS...you won't be at a disadvantage. However, do not push your luck with deadlines or you will be at a major disadvantge. Fill out the AACOMAS early! Get your LORs ironed out early! Get all your college official transcripts sent in to AACOMAS right away!! Get all this done so you'll only need your MCAT scores and things will happen after that.

Don't fall into the trap of "wanting to wait till I get my scores back" mode like many of us students have done. Don't worry about your scores. If you bomb...well, better luck next time. So you might waste a couple hundred dollars on the AACOMAS. You can end the process at that point. However, if you do well and have everything ready to go then you will be way ahead of all of the "wanting to wait till I get my scores back" applicants.

Don't worry about the classes you'll be taking in the Fall and whether or not they make a decision before you finish. Just make it known you are taking them and the rest will come out in interviews and later grade submissions to the institutions of your choosing.

I wouldn't hold back on your personal AACOMAS statement. Write something amazing for it now. Spend a month or two revising it over the summer and getting family and friends to read it. You have plenty of time. Most of the secondary essays are similar. The following is a list of typical questions...maybe it will help you determine what you should write in your AACOMAS essay.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What particular qualities do you feel you can bring to Xcom? (Please limit your response to 500 words or less)

What specific experience/exposure have you had with osteopathic medicine? How has this influenced your decision to become an osteopathic physician? (Please limit your response to 500 words or less)

List any employment in chronological order beginning with your current position:

Write a personal essay describing yourself and the qualities you possess which will make you a successful osteopathic physician.

Explain or describe any clinical and/or health related experiences you have had, include extracurricular school and community activities.

Please discuss your preparation for medical school, both academic and non-academic. Describe both strengths and weaknesses associated with your preparation for medical school. Please use the back of this page or attach a separate sheet of paper if additional space is needed.

Please attach a brief statement indicating why you wish to become an osteopathic physician. Indicate specific reasons why you want to attend Xxxxxxxx College of Osteopathic Medicine.

What healthcare related experiences have you had?

EXPLAIN WHY YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO APPLY TO XXXXXXXX COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE:

WHY SHOULD THE ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE ACCEPT YOU INTO THIS YEAR'S CLASS?

Describe the personal characteristics you possess and the life experiences you have had that would contribute to your becoming an outstanding Osteopathic Physician. Please include information that will enable the Admissions Committee to understand your unique qualities.

What qualities do you feel you bring to Xcom that would enhance the overall climate of our college?

Osteopathic medicine is a distinct practice with parallels to allopathic medicine. Why do you desire to enter the field of osteopathic medicine?

There are many problems facing healthcare in America today. Describe what you feel are the most important and what you, as an osteopathic physician, would do to help find the solutions.

Describe your motivation for training as an osteopathic physician.

Comment specifically on your academic performance and potential for study in Osteopathic Medicine.

Describe the qualities that you possess that will make you a good osteopathic physician.

What criteria did you take into consideration in applying to Xxxxxxxx?

Describe your participation in community service activities in a medically underserved or economically disadvantaged community.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you can write a brief rough draft for most of the essays above, you'll be set for the secondaries!

Finally, about the DO/MD LORs. Ummm, yeeaahhh...I'd say optimally give the allopathic schools a MD one and the osteopathic schools a DO one. I wouldn't worry too much about it though. However, some osteopathic schools require the DO one.

Hope this helps!

 

[stoleyerscrubz]

would it be ok to send a DO and an MD letter to the ostepathic school if I think that my MD letter will be just as good or better than my DO LOR because the MD writer knows me well?

 

[mx_599]

would it be ok to send a DO and an MD letter to the ostepathic school if I think that my MD letter will be just as good or better than my DO LOR because the MD writer knows me well?

In that case I would send the MD one. Only a handful require a DO letter and many prefer a DO letter.

 

[MJB]

I hope to be in this situation NEXT August..applying for admission in '07, and my advisor seems to be totally ok with the fact that I will still have the August MCAT to take as well as Physics II and Org. II during the '06-07 school year...I guess I'll listen, but I figured he knows what he's talking about, and is much more familiar with KCOM and KCUMB's adcom's than I am.

 

[Buckeye(OH)]

I sent an MD letter to the MD schools and both an MD and a DO letter to DO schools.


In regards to holding back something for the secondaries; Never hold back.

 

[mshheaddoc]

I hope to be in this situation NEXT August..applying for admission in '07, and my advisor seems to be totally ok with the fact that I will still have the August MCAT to take as well as Physics II and Org. II during the '06-07 school year...I guess I'll listen, but I figured he knows what he's talking about, and is much more familiar with KCOM and KCUMB's adcom's than I am.

Yeah I am taking the '06 MCAT as well and debating if August would be better. I think I'm going to stick with April and see how I do then register for aug if needed. I'm hoping that wouldn't be the case. I'm going ot start studying for MCAT in Dec

 

[MJB]

I just made a discovery......my Phys. I class in college was a 4 hour course, and the Phys. II course I planned to take is a 3 hour course...no lab..and it appears you are required to have 8 hours...Wonder how this would affect me.

 

[mx_599]

I just made a discovery......my Phys. I class in college was a 4 hour course, and the Phys. II course I planned to take is a 3 hour course...no lab..and it appears you are required to have 8 hours...Wonder how this would affect me.

probably negatively. Maybe you can find somewhere to take a 1 credit lab. Or, maybe the admissions will be okay with it

 

[stoleyerscrubz]

right. i belive that bio,physics,ochem, and gen chem are all supposed to have a lab component to fulfill the requirement or you have to take a seperate lab.

probably negatively. Maybe you can find somewhere to take a 1 credit lab. Or, maybe the admissions will be okay with it

 

[mshheaddoc]

I just made a discovery......my Phys. I class in college was a 4 hour course, and the Phys. II course I planned to take is a 3 hour course...no lab..and it appears you are required to have 8 hours...Wonder how this would affect me.

Call a few schools and ask admissions counselors, some have taken 7 credits if your school doesn't offer a lab. I don't see it as a problem as I have heard of others getting in on 6-8 credits 😉

 

[timmah2k]

So does ACCOMAS sent out my application to schools before they get my MCATs? I'd like to work on my secondaries soon. If I have to wait for the secondaries until after my MCATs then it would seem im at a disadvantage.

Steve

 

[stoleyerscrubz]

once they get all of your transcripts and verify your grades they send your application to your chosen schools. You would possibly get secondaries then. when you get your MCAT scores the application is updated and your chosen schools are notified.

So it is advantageous to submit.

So does ACCOMAS sent out my application to schools before they get my MCATs? I'd like to work on my secondaries soon. If I have to wait for the secondaries until after my MCATs then it would seem im at a disadvantage.

Steve

 

[blessed1]

once they get all of your transcripts and verify your grades they send your application to your chosen schools. You would possibly get secondaries then. when you get your MCAT scores the application is updated and your chosen schools are notified.

So it is advantageous to submit.

Hi Stoleyerscrubz.

I think that you have answered a question I had as well. I am also taking some classes this coming Fall 05 and was wondering how that would work with my transcripts. So, if I understand you correctly, my AACOMAS app won't go out to the designated schools until all of my transcripts are in (Fall '05 included)?

Thanks for your help.

 

[stoleyerscrubz]

they will only verify grades that you submitted. So anything you marked as "yet to be taken"(or whatever the option is) will not be verified. If you marked Fall 2005 classes as "yet to be taken" and submit your application now AACOMAS is only going to verify all of the grades you have posted. Once that has been done and all transcripts are in they will submit to your chosen schools.

hope that helps. I called AACOMAS about this stuff last week and I was not put on hold and had my questions answered throughly.

Now if only I can get a NYCOM admissions counselor to answer the phone.
🙄

Hi Stoleyerscrubz.

I think that you have answered a question I had as well. I am also taking some classes this coming Fall 05 and was wondering how that would work with my transcripts. So, if I understand you correctly, my AACOMAS app won't go out to the designated schools until all of my transcripts are in (Fall '05 included)?

Thanks for your help.

 

[mx_599]

So does ACCOMAS sent out my application to schools before they get my MCATs? I'd like to work on my secondaries soon. If I have to wait for the secondaries until after my MCATs then it would seem im at a disadvantage.

Steve

steve,
if you answer all the questions I wrote above, your secondaries will be cake walk...and quick.

 

[stoleyerscrubz]

that is a big help in finishing up my PS.

if you answer all the questions I wrote above, your secondaries will be cake walk...and quick.

 

[USCtrainer]

Don't worry about the August MCATS...you won't be at a disadvantage. However, do not push your luck with deadlines or you will be at a major disadvantge. Fill out the AACOMAS early! Get your LORs ironed out early! Get all your college official transcripts sent in to AACOMAS right away!! Get all this done so you'll only need your MCAT scores and things will happen after that.

Don't fall into the trap of "wanting to wait till I get my scores back" mode like many of us students have done. Don't worry about your scores. If you bomb...well, better luck next time. So you might waste a couple hundred dollars on the AACOMAS. You can end the process at that point. However, if you do well and have everything ready to go then you will be way ahead of all of the "wanting to wait till I get my scores back" applicants.

Don't worry about the classes you'll be taking in the Fall and whether or not they make a decision before you finish. Just make it known you are taking them and the rest will come out in interviews and later grade submissions to the institutions of your choosing.

I wouldn't hold back on your personal AACOMAS statement. Write something amazing for it now. Spend a month or two revising it over the summer and getting family and friends to read it. You have plenty of time. Most of the secondary essays are similar. The following is a list of typical questions...maybe it will help you determine what you should write in your AACOMAS essay.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What particular qualities do you feel you can bring to Xcom? (Please limit your response to 500 words or less)

What specific experience/exposure have you had with osteopathic medicine? How has this influenced your decision to become an osteopathic physician? (Please limit your response to 500 words or less)

List any employment in chronological order beginning with your current position:

Write a personal essay describing yourself and the qualities you possess which will make you a successful osteopathic physician.

Explain or describe any clinical and/or health related experiences you have had, include extracurricular school and community activities.

Please discuss your preparation for medical school, both academic and non-academic. Describe both strengths and weaknesses associated with your preparation for medical school. Please use the back of this page or attach a separate sheet of paper if additional space is needed.

Please attach a brief statement indicating why you wish to become an osteopathic physician. Indicate specific reasons why you want to attend Xxxxxxxx College of Osteopathic Medicine.

What healthcare related experiences have you had?

EXPLAIN WHY YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO APPLY TO XXXXXXXX COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE:

WHY SHOULD THE ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE ACCEPT YOU INTO THIS YEAR'S CLASS?

Describe the personal characteristics you possess and the life experiences you have had that would contribute to your becoming an outstanding Osteopathic Physician. Please include information that will enable the Admissions Committee to understand your unique qualities.

What qualities do you feel you bring to Xcom that would enhance the overall climate of our college?

Osteopathic medicine is a distinct practice with parallels to allopathic medicine. Why do you desire to enter the field of osteopathic medicine?

There are many problems facing healthcare in America today. Describe what you feel are the most important and what you, as an osteopathic physician, would do to help find the solutions.

Describe your motivation for training as an osteopathic physician.

Comment specifically on your academic performance and potential for study in Osteopathic Medicine.

Describe the qualities that you possess that will make you a good osteopathic physician.

What criteria did you take into consideration in applying to Xxxxxxxx?

Describe your participation in community service activities in a medically underserved or economically disadvantaged community.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you can write a brief rough draft for most of the essays above, you'll be set for the secondaries!

Finally, about the DO/MD LORs. Ummm, yeeaahhh...I'd say optimally give the allopathic schools a MD one and the osteopathic schools a DO one. I wouldn't worry too much about it though. However, some osteopathic schools require the DO one.

Hope this helps!

Mx 599, great post!! 😀 Thanks a lot man, that helps me out too! Actually, I was about to just wait to start on the app process, everyone keeps telling me, "they won't even look at it until you get your MCAT scores anyways, so don't bother." But I'll get started once classes are over.


Thanks again!!!

 

[mx_599]

that is a big help in finishing up my PS.

Just remember...my idea was that you avoid some of those questions I listed in your personal statement so you can answer them in the secondaries. I hope that is what you meant. 🙂

 

[mx_599]

Mx 599, great post!! 😀 Thanks a lot man, that helps me out too! Actually, I was about to just wait to start on the app process, everyone keeps telling me, "they won't even look at it until you get your MCAT scores anyways, so don't bother." But I'll get started once classes are over.
Thanks again!!!

You're quite welcome. Please don't wait. It will hurt you. I feel very lucky that KCOM did things quickly. I did not even get interviews at a few schools and I am pretty sure it was because my apps were late in the season.

The questions I wrote above are directly from 10+ schools. Many of them are similar. If you answer the first 5 or 6 you will basically have the answers to the rest and probably any other school you might apply to. Maybe just "doctor" them up here or there.

If you have everything inline and you figure scores will be released early to mid October then you could probably get interviews right around the holidays time frame. This would be a perfect time!

 

[blessed1]

You're quite welcome. Please don't wait. It will hurt you. I feel very lucky that KCOM did things quickly. I did not even get interviews at a few schools and I am pretty sure it was because my apps were late in the season.

The questions I wrote above are directly from 10+ schools. Many of them are similar. If you answer the first 5 or 6 you will basically have the answers to the rest and probably any other school you might apply to. Maybe just "doctor" them up here or there.

If you have everything inline and you figure scores will be released early to mid October then you could probably get interviews right around the holidays time frame. This would be a perfect time!

mx_599,

when you say that your apps were late in the season, what are you considering late? I guess a better question is when did you apply?

Thanks!

 

[mx_599]

mx_599,

when you say that your apps were late in the season, what are you considering late? I guess a better question is when did you apply?

Thanks!

AACOMAS was certified around Xmas time. I started to get secondaries at the beginning of January. I didn't really have the secondaries done until the end of January. I interviewed early February at KCOM and was accepted mid-February. I really liked the college so I cancelled/withdrew all the other ones. However, there were many places I didn't even get an interview at. I am not one to try and "rank" any schools, but some of the places that didn't invite me I definitely do not think were any better than KCOM!! That is why I am sure it had to do with being so late in the season...which was stupid of me. I cannot change that...and I am going to KCOM which I am very excited about...so whatever. I highly recommend to others NOT to do that. 🙂

 

[blessed1]

AACOMAS was certified around Xmas time. I started to get secondaries at the beginning of January. I didn't really have the secondaries done until the end of January. I interviewed early February at KCOM and was accepted mid-February. I really liked the college so I cancelled/withdrew all the other ones. However, there were many places I didn't even get an interview at. I am not one to try and "rank" any schools, but some of the places that didn't invite me I definitely do not think were any better than KCOM!! That is why I am sure it had to do with being so late in the season...which was stupid of me. I cannot change that...and I am going to KCOM which I am very excited about...so whatever. I highly recommend to others NOT to do that. 🙂

I think that I am going to be in that boat because I need to show my Fall 2005 grades with the initial submission of AACOMAS app but I am not going to worry about it. If it turns out to be late and I don't get any offers anywhere, then I'll just try again next cycle. 😳

I am happy for you that you were able to get into KCOM, which is a great school from what I can tell. Getting into one school is all you need! 😀

Again, congrats!

 

[mx_599]

I think that I am going to be in that boat because I need to show my Fall 2005 grades with the initial submission of AACOMAS app but I am not going to worry about it. If it turns out to be late and I don't get any offers anywhere, then I'll just try again next cycle. 😳

I am happy for you that you were able to get into KCOM, which is a great school from what I can tell. Getting into one school is all you need! 😀

Again, congrats!

why can't you apply early in the Fall or even late this summer? you don't have to have your classes finished. this way, by the time you interview you would probably have your grades but without jeopardizing your chances of getting in due to late material.

 

[MJB]

My adviser is suggesting that it won't matter that I'll have Phys. II and Org. II left to take since Phys. II is the only pre-req required by KCUMB that I'll have left and it's only 4-5 hours...they don't REQUIRE Org. II, just Biochem...

Seems I'll be limited in where I can apply for '07, but if I get in, I won't be worrying about it...

 

[blessed1]

why can't you apply early in the Fall or even late this summer? you don't have to have your classes finished. this way, by the time you interview you would probably have your grades but without jeopardizing your chances of getting in due to late material.

Oh, I was not aware that I could do it this way. How would I update my AACOMAS app? For example, I have begun working on my app and for my classes this coming Fall Semester, I listed them as the Not Yet Complete code. When will I be able to let the schools know that I completed them and the grades? Thanks for your help!

 

[mx_599]

Oh, I was not aware that I could do it this way. How would I update my AACOMAS app? For example, I have begun working on my app and for my classes this coming Fall Semester, I listed them as the Not Yet Complete code. When will I be able to let the schools know that I completed them and the grades? Thanks for your help!

it could be as simple as you being accepted somewhere or on hold after an interview and a school might ask that you submit your grades when you get them...like early jan, around the new year.

or if you haven't heard back from a place yet you can probably send them your grades and simply ask them to stick it with your file...which they will have started if you submited a secondary. all the schools maintain a file as they get secondaries in.

i never actually had to do any of this...so maybe someone can jump in on this. but don't sweat it...applicants do it all the time