Be Forewarned, BE READY!

[dtreese]

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I didn't get in this year, and it wasn't my scores or my interview. It was timing. Thought I'd share so you can learn from my disaster.

First of all, AMCAS was a total nightmare. I thought I had submitted in August/September, and suddenly at the end of October, things had reset to a previous version of my application. Poof! The schools never had it. Falling behind already.

Next, I made the stupid mistake of mailing my secondary to a school I work three blocks from. 2-1/2 weeks later I find it rumpled and lying on my doorstep with no reason for its return marked. Blammo -- so far behind now that my interview wasn't until late Feb.

Oh, but it gets better. While I was on vacation in March, the school called and left a message at my office (even though they were told I was on vacation, nobody bothered to call my home number) to let me know that one of my letters of recommendation was still outstanding -- turns out the prof thought he had sent it & thinks his sec accidentally didn't type it. Well, the committee met before I found out about this problem & the class was filled. They used the waiting list to try to fix some class statistics (# of out of state students, etc), so I don't know if they ever even considered me.

Now, I could sit around and cry about things, but that doesn't change the situation. Here's what I've gathered from this experience:

1. Do AMCAS as fast as possible, NO MATTER WHAT IT TAKES.
2. If you have the opportunity to hand deliver an application, DO IT.
3. Make absolutely sure your letters are in.
4. When you check to make sure your materials are in, ask SPECIFICALLY about each portion. Schools say they send out little notification cards, but I know one person who was accepted in November and then got the card in January. I know another person who was accepted in January & never got the card. BUG THE ADMISSIONS PEOPLE, it's their job.
5. Double check each step of the process, and quadruple check any step in which the participation of other people is involved.

 

[Coalboy]

I FedExed or Priority Mailed all my applications. A bit expensive, but that way I knew for sure when they got there.

 

[thundercat77]

I know exactly how you feel.

Here are my two cents:

1.) Make sure all documents sent to medical schools are certified or guaranteed. I used next-day delivery from the US Post Office because it was money-back guaranteed and it was also trackable via internet.

2.) Get a good long-distance phone plan. Call those schools and harass them, THIS IS THEIR JOB. Don't take the answer of, "Call back next week." No, call back the next day and bug them until you get a for-sure answer. And even then, keep calling..

 

[groundhog]

One good thing about the military draft was that those of us who got snagged by it learned all those lessons mentioned by detreese in spades. Oh the horror stories. The worse cases came about when one's financial records would some how fall into a black hole. Guys and their dependents could go for months without getting paid.

 

[PunkRockDoc]

I also had problems with my LORs. One school called me asking why I only submitted letters from "acquaintances" - I had to clearify and prove that these were actually profs that I had for class, and not just profs that I got along with.

Another school notified me of having a complete application. I called them a week before they were to finish interviewing to find out that they had never recieved my LORs.

 

[none]

Apply to many, many schools.

 

[Doctora Foxy]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Coalboy:
•I FedExed or Priority Mailed all my applications. A bit expensive, but that way I knew for sure when they got there.•••••I sent everything priority mail for $3.50 each and it was well worth it.

CALL the schools periodically to check up on them. At UVM, Einstein, and USF my stuff was sitting in the incomplete pile for a long time for no reason. And guess what---nobody told me. If I hadn't called to check up, they wuould still be incomplete <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />

Also, I checked my bank account online everyday to see if schools were cashing my checks. that was a good way to know that they received my secondary. But still call!

And keep a log of when you do everything! I have all my stuff on an excel file and I add when I call next to each school's name. You have to keep on their a$$es. 🙂

Good luck, and be careful. This is a good thread. 😀

 

[j99]

I sent everything priority mail as well, but I also paid the extra dollar or so for "Delivery confirmation"--that way, I didn't have to pay for overnight, but I could still track package delivery online.

 

[Green912]

dtreese,
Do you ever notice a black cloud following you around. I've heard all of those horror stories in the past, but never from one person in one application cycle. Thanks for sharing. I'll be sure to use the tips.

 

[trouta]

I agree with the original poster. BE ONTIME OR EARLY WITH EVERYTHING. Not only will this save you grief, but it might save you money not having to pay tons of money to mail things fast.

I found that Med schools can be pretty understanding about this stuff if you are relatively early in the process.

Completed AMCAS and mailed half my secondaries from Guatemala.

Cant tell you how many pleas and explanations I had to write, but every one was accepted without question. Communication is the key.

 

[praying4MD]

Just wanted to say, sorry you didn't get in. 🙁 You've been on SDN forever and I've been rooting for you this year. There's always next year though. Don't give up! 🙂

 

[dtreese]

Thanks, praying4MD. As far as giving up, that will NEVER happen. NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER. Thanks for the encouragement. In some ways, it feels like I've been told I get another year of freedom. It's kinda fun thinking of all the possibilities for the next year. 🙂

 

[fluffyj]

Dtreese-That is such a positive way of looking at it. I think that life is full of "lessons" and if you can find the good in any situation, then you are miles ahead of others. Good luck for next year. With an attitude like that, any med school should be proud to have you as a student!

 

[SMW]

And read <a href="http://forums.studentdoctor.net/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=010171" target="_blank">Jalbrekt's thread.</a>

 

[Michelys]

Dtreese...this is honestly really nice of you to post your experiences with HellCAS for all the newbies 🙂 . I just wanted to both bump this one up since you're so kind and also to let you know to keep the faith! You have so much determination you're going to be ROCKIN' OUT during this admissions cycle <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> ! The adcomms won't know what hit 'em!!! Good luck, thanks for sharing, and God bless :wink:

And SMW...major sweet points for posting Jalbrekt's thread! Now who says premeds don't have a heart?! <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />