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I know right?! I killed this viper yesterday to make a sleeve and the cops pulled up to give me a ticket and said that specific species of viper is endangered and protected.. I'm like EFFF ME!! Everything's protected except pre-meds.

:laugh:🤣:laugh:🤣:laugh:🤣:laugh:

Still currently laughing
 
Why did I take such a crazy route to getting my degree, this transcript requesting thing is costing my money that I don't want to spend.

Seriously. I have transcripts from 6 schools. This past week has been fun 👍 STUPID TRANSCRIPTS.
 
For all of you that are still waiting to take your MCAT...are you just adding one school to AMCAS to get verified? Or are you adding ones that you know you will apply to regardless, and add more later?
 
Seriously. I have transcripts from 6 schools. This past week has been fun 👍 STUPID TRANSCRIPTS.

6 schools 😱 I thought my 4 was bad. Are you non-trad as well?

.
 
6 schools 😱 I thought my 4 was bad. Are you non-trad as well?

No, I'm just an idiot who could never decide whether or not to be pre-med. Because I changed my course plan like, 5 times, I ended up taking a LOT of summer school at various places. Bad call haha.🙄
 
Back in sunny Florida requesting transcripts and whatnot. Don't you guys love bureaucratic crap? "No, you can't do that directly from here, you need to write a letter requesting it, fax it across town, wait for verification, then jump through three flaming rings of fire into a pit of vipers. Only then can you return and submit a formal transcript request with that cover sheet attached"

Rutgers opened up a campus in Florida? 🙄 I guess New Jersey doesn't have a monopoly on that kind of bureaucracy
 
Don't forget that they also want you to make a full wardrobe out of viper skin for every member of the registrar office. :bang:

I know right?! I killed this viper yesterday to make a sleeve and the cops pulled up to give me a ticket and said that specific species of viper is endangered and protected.. I'm like EFFF ME!! Everything's protected except pre-meds.

pffft, you only had to make a viper skin wardrobe? My registrar wants sheets made from the silk of South American orb weaver spiders. I wish I had to deal with the vipers, I'm not afraid of snakes.
 
Question: Is it mandatory to send in transcripts with the AMCAS Request Form? Or does it just make matching transcripts/students easier for AMCAS?
 
Question: Is it mandatory to send in transcripts with the AMCAS Request Form? Or does it just make matching transcripts/students easier for AMCAS?

If you plan on going to the schools to request the transcripts in person then yes it is required. Since, I'm doing most of my transcript requesting online, I'm just making sure they put my AMCAS ID on the transcript when they send it in. At least thats what I gathered from the AMCAS question thread.
 
Question: Is it mandatory to send in transcripts with the AMCAS Request Form? Or does it just make matching transcripts/students easier for AMCAS?

I don't know for sure but I think the answer is it is not necessary. I would recommend your transcript office write a note with your AMCAS ID number on it to send with the transcript. Anyone who knows better please complement my response
 
If you plan on going to the schools to request the transcripts in person then yes it is required. Since, I'm doing most of my transcript requesting online, I'm just making sure they put my AMCAS ID on the transcript when they send it in. At least thats what I gathered from the AMCAS question thread.


At UW Madison you can do the request/payment online and then scan+email the AMCAS attachment to the registrar's office.

I would double-check with each school how they do transcripts.
 
If you plan on going to the schools to request the transcripts in person then yes it is required. Since, I'm doing most of my transcript requesting online, I'm just making sure they put my AMCAS ID on the transcript when they send it in. At least thats what I gathered from the AMCAS question thread.

I don't know for sure but I think the answer is it is not necessary. I would recommend your transcript office write a note with your AMCAS ID number on it to send with the transcript. Anyone who knows better please complement my response

Thanks guys! I need to order transcripts from 6 places 🙂mad🙂 and for 4 of them I can get the form attached, but the other 2 are online only, so I wanted to know how other got around this. Thanks for the tip.
 
At UW Madison you can do the request/payment online and then scan+email the AMCAS attachment to the registrar's office.

I would double-check with each school how they do transcripts.

Good point. Will look into this as well. Thanks.
 
Hey,
I am looking for anyone's quick advice/thoughts, and I wasn't sure where to post this.

I applied to med school 2 years ago with a 29 mcat (PS-9, VR-10, BS-10), and did not get accepted anywhere. I retook the MCAT in april and just received my score today and I got a 36. The only problem is that I got a 9 on the verbal reasoning section, so I actually went down from my previous test two years ago. So even though my overall score is much better, is that decline in VR going to be a big problem for me?
 
Hey,
I am looking for anyone's quick advice/thoughts, and I wasn't sure where to post this.

I applied to med school 2 years ago with a 29 mcat (PS-9, VR-10, BS-10), and did not get accepted anywhere. I retook the MCAT in april and just received my score today and I got a 36. The only problem is that I got a 9 on the verbal reasoning section, so I actually went down from my previous test two years ago. So even though my overall score is much better, is that decline in VR going to be a big problem for me?

Look on the bright side: you got a 14 and a 13 (or a 12 and 15) on the PS and BS!

But seriously, what's the alternative? You going to retake a 36? Didn't think so.

Nice Sharma avatar, btw.
 
Hey,
I am looking for anyone's quick advice/thoughts, and I wasn't sure where to post this.

I applied to med school 2 years ago with a 29 mcat (PS-9, VR-10, BS-10), and did not get accepted anywhere. I retook the MCAT in april and just received my score today and I got a 36. The only problem is that I got a 9 on the verbal reasoning section, so I actually went down from my previous test two years ago. So even though my overall score is much better, is that decline in VR going to be a big problem for me?

I really dont think it will be. And to be honest, a 9 in verbal really isnt that bad. If you had gotten a 6, that would be a different story. What were you scoring on practice tests?
 
Hey,
I am looking for anyone's quick advice/thoughts, and I wasn't sure where to post this.

I applied to med school 2 years ago with a 29 mcat (PS-9, VR-10, BS-10), and did not get accepted anywhere. I retook the MCAT in april and just received my score today and I got a 36. The only problem is that I got a 9 on the verbal reasoning section, so I actually went down from my previous test two years ago. So even though my overall score is much better, is that decline in VR going to be a big problem for me?
As ph said, a 9 is far from a bad score. Congratulations on the 7 point increase. That's almost unheard of!
 
I really dont think it will be. And to be honest, a 9 in verbal really isnt that bad. If you had gotten a 6, that would be a different story. What were you scoring on practice tests?


I wasn't scoring anything substantially higher on my practice tests... some 10's, mostly 11's, high was a 12.
 
I wasn't scoring anything substantially higher on my practice tests... some 10's, mostly 11's, high was a 12.

Ah I see....well if your average was an 11, a 9 isn't too bad....I was also scoring 11's and got a 7 somehow🙁

I say stick with it, and be proud you got a 36! It's an amazing score. Good luck with this app cycle, I hope it goes better for you!
 
Hey,
I am looking for anyone's quick advice/thoughts, and I wasn't sure where to post this.

I applied to med school 2 years ago with a 29 mcat (PS-9, VR-10, BS-10), and did not get accepted anywhere. I retook the MCAT in april and just received my score today and I got a 36. The only problem is that I got a 9 on the verbal reasoning section, so I actually went down from my previous test two years ago. So even though my overall score is much better, is that decline in VR going to be a big problem for me?

9 is OK, might count you out at big name places....but if your GPA is fine then you should be golden...36 is a sick score 👍
 
does anyone have california schools on their med school list? i wanna apply and im out of state but looking at stats on the MSAR, i feel like im wasting my money knowing they accept like less than 10 ppl from non-residents.

are cali schools really that bad?
 
does anyone have california schools on their med school list? i wanna apply and im out of state but looking at stats on the MSAR, i feel like im wasting my money knowing they accept like less than 10 ppl from non-residents.

are cali schools really that bad?
Don't waste your time with Davis or Irvine (no OOS students accepted there). Out-of-stater's do stand a chance at UCSF and UCLA. I believe that UCSD is between the two extremes, with 92% of students being in-state.

Stanford is excellent for out of state applicants, but the bigger hurdle is being competitive for Stanford :laugh:

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Good luck! 🙂
 
i just researched what you said and yeah that's about right. i actually found an aamc document that tells you 2010 applicants and matriculants IS and OOS for all of the medical schools. quite depressing what i found.

guess my medical school list is gonna be altered once more.
 
First transcript was received by AMCAS 👍

One more to go...
 
First transcript was received by AMCAS 👍

One more to go...

How do you know if they've received it? Hopefully my school sent mine...grades were due on Saturday so I asked them to wait
 
Picked my 18 schools today! Oh, and do you guys think I should ask one of the docs I shadowed for a LOR?
 
I don't really agree with the pointlessness of a doctor's LOR. If you've been with that doctor for a while and have developed a relationship, wouldn't it be within the realm of possibilities that they could write a good LOR based on your personality and qualities outside of the classroom?
 
I don't really agree with the pointlessness of a doctor's LOR. If you've been with that doctor for a while and have developed a relationship, wouldn't it be within the realm of possibilities that they could write a good LOR based on your personality and qualities outside of the classroom?

I see you're argument, but I'm split on this decision. It could be worthwhile depending on the nature of your shadowing. Most students that I've seen shadowing just do passive observation-they really have no interaction with the physician. However, the physician I've shadowed mostly is my Research PI as well, so I know her personally. She actually asks me about diagnoses, what observations I made, and what concerns and questions I have. If this is something you've done with the doctor that you've shadowed, then go ahead and get the letter. However, if the only way you know them is just by shadowing them a few times and not really interacting, then its not worth it.
 
The qualifier of "most" is important to observe from the original post.
Perhaps you have a long-lasting, meaningful relationship with your doc and perhaps s/he can comment on you more than just "X is punctual, intelligent, sharply dressed and inquisitive. X will be an excellent doctor. The end."

This would make you an outlier [and not change the fact that most are pointless].


I don't know. I mean, with the thousands of applicants and their thousands of experiences, is it really hard to believe that a prolonged exposure to a doctor that could write them a strong LOR wouldn't be included in there? I don't know but I wouldn't want to think that for something as important as a Medschool app, people would go to professionals that wouldn't write them a good LOR, right?

I don't want to get into an argument (especially over things like most/all/none etc.) I have enough problems with seeing those words on MCAT questions. I just don't want to have such a narrow view on the subject.
 
I don't know. I mean, with the thousands of applicants and their thousands of experiences, is it really hard to believe that a prolonged exposure to a doctor that could write them a strong LOR wouldn't be included in there? I don't know but I wouldn't want to think that for something as important as a Medschool app, people would go to professionals that wouldn't write them a good LOR, right?

I don't want to get into an argument (especially over things like most/all/none etc.) I have enough problems with seeing those words on MCAT questions. I just don't want to have such a narrow view on the subject.

depends, the docs that will write my LORs are "high impact" people so I feel like their letters will help me
 
Picked my 18 schools today! Oh, and do you guys think I should ask one of the docs I shadowed for a LOR?

my advising here tells me that if shadowing a doctor is one of your top 3 meaningful experiences on the app, you should probably have a letter from them because then they'll wonder why you didn't get one from that doctor. the physician i shadowed was too hard to contact while i was trying to shadow her so i gave up on trying to contact her for a LOR.

i say if you're lacking a character letter, go ahead so long as you know that doctor has good things to say about you and knows you personally well
 
Oh my gosh I'm freaking out. I can't decide whether to apply to just one school and get verified, then add the rest in early August when I get my MCAT score back, or to apply to all of them now so I won't be that late. But then, what if my score doesn't come out well!?! :scared:

The desire to delay a year is slowly creeping up again....I know there's a ton more ECs that I could do if I delayed a year, but I already have a good amount. It would give me more MCAT time, but I think I'm just thinking that way because I'm scared and don't want to do it again

Any thoughts?
 
Oh my gosh I'm freaking out. I can't decide whether to apply to just one school and get verified, then add the rest in early August when I get my MCAT score back, or to apply to all of them now so I won't be that late. But then, what if my score doesn't come out well!?! :scared:

The desire to delay a year is slowly creeping up again....I know there's a ton more ECs that I could do if I delayed a year, but I already have a good amount. It would give me more MCAT time, but I think I'm just thinking that way because I'm scared and don't want to do it again

Any thoughts?
I waited a year, and I wish I didn't.

I think I would add a single school, then add the rest when you get your score. You can prewrite the secondaries so you can get them out really quick. Early August doesn't seem bad at all. Tough decision, though! :luck:
 
I waited a year, and I wish I didn't.

I think I would add a single school, then add the rest when you get your score. You can prewrite the secondaries so you can get them out really quick. Early August doesn't seem bad at all. Tough decision, though! :luck:
nadaba,

Your profile shows off with really incredible MCAT scores and 3.97 GPA, man!.. 👍

It seems like you applied last year. Did you get any acceptance(s), yet? I'm confused...
 
So, for any other Cali applicants with a game plan like mine (every private school in the country except HBCU's and Harvard, Wash U, Hopkins, plus every remotely OOS friendly public school, >15% OOS)... that's 76 schools and $2,635.00. Might be time for a new plan.
 
So, for any other Cali applicants with a game plan like mine (every private school in the country except HBCU's and Harvard, Wash U, Hopkins, plus every remotely OOS friendly public school, >15% OOS)... that's 76 schools and $2,635.00. Might be time for a new plan.
Hey fella trojan,
It's not about the money you put in, but I wonder how you'll be able to make it to fill in those secondaries for 76 schools?😱 (these days, most schools send secondaries to all applicants because... it's money...)
 
It seems like you applied last year. Did you get any acceptance(s), yet? I'm confused...
Hi! I haven't applied yet. I took the MCAT last year (worked best with my schedule).

I didn't feel quite ready last year, but I'm kicking myself now. I should have just done it!
 
Is anybody else having fun inventing titles for the "Hobbies" section contact title? I've got some pretty awesome titles for myself.
 
So many decisions 🙁 I'm just gonna study my ass off for MCAT, and apply to one state school. No harm in adding more once I get my score back in August since I'll already be verified. PS is almost done, and I have 4/6 letters (one I won't get until August anyway). Just gonna go ahead and apply. I can list the ECs for this coming year under future activities, and send them in update letters if needed.
 
How many do you have on file already?

Only DO schools seem to give a crap about physician LOR's (which I don't see why, as most of these shadowing letters are pointless).

I have one from committee.. a big packet.. and a letter from a place I volunteered at.

She'd offered to write me one back in late 2009 when I was shadowing her, but I politely refused saying that its going to be a long time before I apply. So, I've been in touch with her.. enough at least so that she remembers me.
 
wow, transcripts mailed. 3/4 letter writers have been forwarned.... now to ask the 4th, and then supply them all with materials to write letters....


are we able to submit amcas on june 1 if our letters have not arrived yet?
 
are we able to submit amcas on june 1 if our letters have not arrived yet?

Yes, I believe so. You can always add and then AMCAS will send them to the schools. You just can't delete any or edit any. I think you still have to put who's writing your letters, so you want to make sure that you either have those letters or have a strong confirmation that they are being written.

Can someone confirm?
 
I probably won't be able to submit AMCAS until mid-late august, I'm going to wait for MCAT scores to come back in....yikes..
 
wow, transcripts mailed. 3/4 letter writers have been forwarned.... now to ask the 4th, and then supply them all with materials to write letters....


are we able to submit amcas on june 1 if our letters have not arrived yet?

yes, letters of rec are used to indicate completion of the secondary application, not the primary. Which is great because it gives me a bit of time to get my PS statement in order to give to my letter writers.

6 weeks and counting til my MCAT, freaking out :scared: and I totally sworn off drinking until then too, so its probably alcohol withdrawal too 😀
 
Yes, I believe so. You can always add and then AMCAS will send them to the schools. You just can't delete any or edit any. I think you still have to put who's writing your letters, so you want to make sure that you either have those letters or have a strong confirmation that they are being written.

Can someone confirm?

From what I've read, you don't have to have your LORs in before you submit your primary app but it's a good idea to already have the names of your recommenders on there with their letter IDs so they're good to go on uploading the letters once they're done. Basically, letters are not due until secondaries and you can submit them whenever you want, but you can't delete them once submitted. You can still, however, add more even after you've submitted and if this is so, I think you just have to let the school know that there's more letters coming their way.

Pls. feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. This is my understanding from looking at forums because I had the same paranoia of not having my letters in before June 1st.
 
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