Class of 2020 Applicants

[LadyOtheFarm]

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I wrote mine, got 2 people to help me drastically cut it down to 5000. Double checked by Googling VMCAS personal statement (still says 5000 there) because I have no idea how to make it shorter and then saw all your posts that say I have to ditch another 500 characters.

VMCAS stinks.

 

[deleted676737]

I remember it being 5000 in May, and it changed to 4500 sometime in early June. I remember double-checking it in the early days and seeing it was 5000.

I also remember seeing it be 5000 and then checking later and thinking, they took out 500 characters! Ugh!

No I totally remember seeing it being 5000 on the day it opened. It didn't change until later in May

I wrote mine, got 2 people to help me drastically cut it down to 5000. Double checked by Googling VMCAS personal statement (still says 5000 there) because I have no idea how to make it shorter and then saw all your posts that say I have to ditch another 500 characters.

VMCAS stinks.

Oh, wow. So I'm not just completely crazy, then. I could have sworn that on opening day, the personal statement still allowed for 5000 characters. I remember that it was a few days afterwards that it went down to 4500, which ticked me off quite a bit. I thought that maybe I was remembering incorrectly, but it seems that a lot of others recall it being that way, too.

Now I really am wishing that I had taken a screenshot, haha. Hindsight is 20/20...?

 

[battie]

Does anyone have a different address for the VMCAS Transcript department that's not a PO Box?

To avoid the possibility that the geniuses working their mail room lost my last transcript, I'd like to just overnight another copy. However, FedEx says they will not deliver to a PO Box.

Has anyone else had an issue with FedEx overnighting or have any suggestions? Thanks.

I just overnighted mine on Friday so that it will get there Monday morning. The address is "Care of the Liason, VMCAS, 311 Arsenal st., Suit 15, watertown MA, 02472". I would do it immediately.

 

[Cephal0pod]

Oh, wow. So I'm not just completely crazy, then. I could have sworn that on opening day, the personal statement still allowed for 5000 characters. I remember that it was a few days afterwards that it went down to 4500, which ticked me off quite a bit. I thought that maybe I was remembering incorrectly, but it seems that a lot of others recall it being that way, too.

Now I really am wishing that I had taken a screenshot, haha. Hindsight is 20/20...?

I definitely had a wait-a-second-this-used-to-be-5000-characters-what-happened moment as well. Quite sneaky.

 

[TotesMahGoats]

I thought it was 4800 when it first opened, but figured I had misread when it turned out to be 4500. Considering how VCMAS has kep changing things this application cycle (changing it so telephone numbers were required for experiences and then no longer requiring them again, saying jk on making us put experiences in order, moving the explanation statement, etc.) I wouldn't be surprised if they actually had it at 5000 and then changed it quickly after opening.

So wait. I don't have to put them in order? At first I heard we had to, then I saw that VMCAS would re-order it for you... ??

Wtf, VMCAS.

 

[WildZoo]

So wait. I don't have to put them in order? At first I heard we had to, then I saw that VMCAS would re-order it for you... ??

Wtf, VMCAS.

Yeah you don't have to worry about it, they'll fix it

 

[emlady09]

So stressed out with this PTE!!!! They still haven't finished my transcripts!! It would have been nice if they stated 7-10 BUSINESS days! What happens if they don't finish before the 15th?! Does that mean my app is incomplete and I just paid all the fees for the schools for nothing?! 😱🙁Everything else on my app is completed and paid.

 

[WardenN7]

So stressed out with this PTE!!!! They still haven't finished my transcripts!! It would have been nice if they stated 7-10 BUSINESS days! What happens if they don't finish before the 15th?! Does that mean my app is incomplete and I just paid all the fees for the schools for nothing?! 😱🙁Everything else on my app is completed and paid.

You need to contact your schools and find out if they're making deadline exceptions for PTE applicants. LSU is, as of a couple of days ago. If not, you can try what I did, which was basically calling VMCAS and telling them that if I was kept out of the application cycle because of their unclear instructions, I would be pursuing legal action. That worked; they pulled me off PTE, kicked the application back to me as undelivered, and I was able to enter everything myself and submit within the hour. So it is possible.

 

[deleted676737]

So stressed out with this PTE!!!! They still haven't finished my transcripts!! It would have been nice if they stated 7-10 BUSINESS days! What happens if they don't finish before the 15th?! Does that mean my app is incomplete and I just paid all the fees for the schools for nothing?! 😱🙁Everything else on my app is completed and paid.

I would contact the schools you applied to ASAP tomorrow. Some of them are being lenient with the September 15th deadline for applicants using PTE in light of all of the turnaround issues (LSU seems to be one of them).

I really, really hope that you can get this figured out... it'd sure be a massive bummer to be out all that money with nothing to show for it. 🙁

 

[WildZoo]

So stressed out with this PTE!!!! They still haven't finished my transcripts!! It would have been nice if they stated 7-10 BUSINESS days! What happens if they don't finish before the 15th?! Does that mean my app is incomplete and I just paid all the fees for the schools for nothing?! 😱🙁Everything else on my app is completed and paid.

I would contact your schools, explain the situation, and see what they say. We know that at least one school extended their deadline for those who did PTE in case things were arriving late.

 

[WildZoo]

Omg I was double ninja'd.

 

[Jess Monster]

If not, you can try what I did, which was basically calling VMCAS and telling them that if I was kept out of the application cycle because of their unclear instructions, I would be pursuing legal action. That worked; they pulled me off PTE, kicked the application back to me as undelivered, and I was able to enter everything myself and submit within the hour. So it is possible.

How quickly did they respond to your initial threat? Same day?

 

[pp9]

You need to contact your schools and find out if they're making deadline exceptions for PTE applicants. LSU is, as of a couple of days ago. If not, you can try what I did, which was basically calling VMCAS and telling them that if I was kept out of the application cycle because of their unclear instructions, I would be pursuing legal action. That worked; they pulled me off PTE, kicked the application back to me as undelivered, and I was able to enter everything myself and submit within the hour. So it is possible.

Are they refunding you as well?

 

[MOB23]

question... if evaluators submit after you've been verified will VMCAS automatically update your application to all the schools its been sent to or do you have to click the like "update my application" button at the top of the home screen?? jw because I have 2 evaluators submitting tomorrow and want to make sure the schools see them!

 

[emlady09]

You need to contact your schools and find out if they're making deadline exceptions for PTE applicants. LSU is, as of a couple of days ago. If not, you can try what I did, which was basically calling VMCAS and telling them that if I was kept out of the application cycle because of their unclear instructions, I would be pursuing legal action. That worked; they pulled me off PTE, kicked the application back to me as undelivered, and I was able to enter everything myself and submit within the hour. So it is possible.

How long did it take to get your app kicked back? I'm going to call them first thing in the morning! Thank you! I only did it because I have courses from 4 different schools over 7 years (undergrad and masters). Had I known I would have done it myself to begin with!!!

 

[pp9]

question... if evaluators submit after you've been verified will VMCAS automatically update your application to all the schools its been sent to or do you have to click the like "update my application" button at the top of the home screen?? jw because I have 2 evaluators submitting tomorrow and want to make sure the schools see them!

I asked VMCAS this (2 years ago, FYI), and I was told that as long as everything is submitted on time, they will continue to send materials to schools. I'm not sure if that means they wait until they have your complete application or if they send what they have in pieces. It sounds like it'd be more disorganized the latter way

 

[Devastating]

@thecatastrophist and @ketoone , I did read on their site that they would not accept a physics credit that was the first of a 2-part sequence, so I decided not to gamble with it and put Ohio in its stead. Had no idea Missouri's physics credits tend to work like that...I took physics last summer but only Phys I&lab since I figured there were a good amount of schools that only require 1 course and lab. Turns out there are a lot more that require the whole sequence so unless I somehow manage to get accepted on my first attempt I'll have to take part 2 next year to widen my application possibilities.

on the word counts...I FEEL like the PS was originally 5000 characters too (just because that's what's listed everywhere for past years), but I can't say I really paid attention to that count until recently. I only noticed the change in the Personal Info section because I had already saved my very long response (obviously it fit within whatever the allowed count was at the time), and now it says only 500 characters...barely a paragraph worth. Now if I click within the field to edit it gets chopped down size. It's one thing to just list what infraction you were charged with, but how do they expect that to adequately fit the "reflection" too?

 

[FeartheDogMonky]

Haha wow, VMCAS was at work for 6 minutes (9:06EST) before turning on the, "Due to the high call volume..." message aka we're never going to turn our phones back on so stop calling.

 

[wheelin2vetmed]

Haha wow, VMCAS was at work for 6 minutes (9:06EST) before turning on the, "Due to the high call volume..." message aka we're never going to turn our phones back on so stop calling.

"You are second in line."

Waits 47 minutes longer for representative.

 

[FeartheDogMonky]

"You are second in line."

Waits 47 minutes longer for representative.

No joke. Only it was shorter today... 38 minutes! Record time! <-- How I felt while talking with the rep.

 

[thecatastrophist]

@thecatastrophist and @ketoone , I did read on their site that they would not accept a physics credit that was the first of a 2-part sequence, so I decided not to gamble with it and put Ohio in its stead. Had no idea Missouri's physics credits tend to work like that...I took physics last summer but only Phys I&lab since I figured there were a good amount of schools that only require 1 course and lab. Turns out there are a lot more that require the whole sequence so unless I somehow manage to get accepted on my first attempt I'll have to take part 2 next year to widen my application possibilities.

on the word counts...I FEEL like the PS was originally 5000 characters too (just because that's what's listed everywhere for past years), but I can't say I really paid attention to that count until recently. I only noticed the change in the Personal Info section because I had already saved my very long response (obviously it fit within whatever the allowed count was at the time), and now it says only 500 characters...barely a paragraph worth. Now if I click within the field to edit it gets chopped down size. It's one thing to just list what infraction you were charged with, but how do they expect that to adequately fit the "reflection" too?

Ah, yeah. Most of the schools I know of require a year-long sequence.

On that note, though, is there a possibility that you can take it in the spring? You don't necessarily have to be done with every single pre-req now, as long as you complete them either next spring or before matriculation (when they want it by depends on the school).

 

[dyachei]

Not trying to laugh at you guys (or VMCAS' inability to do the simplest of things on time) but every time someone says PTE I think someone is having a pulmonary thromboembolism from the stress of application...

 

[battie]

Not trying to laugh at you guys (or VMCAS' inability to do the simplest of things on time) but every time someone says PTE I think someone is having a pulmonary thromboembolism from the stress of application...

Day made! Also googled it to see pictures and ended up with a picture of feline heartworm.

Just checked my fedex tracking and they delivered my transcripts to VMCAS's secondary address for overnights. I have a signature and everything. I'm just waiting for them to post it to my VMCAS. I unfortunately won't be able to call them until 1 or so, though, to double check. Every time I get an e-mail from SDN, I freak thinking its actually important.

 

[pp9]

This is such a circus. I'm excited for you guys to finally be done with all of this!

 

[battie]

Just 36 hours left!

 

[pp9]

Just 36 hours left!

 

[battie]

I've got a few supplementals to still finish and I have to actually submit as well. I will be pushing the deadline once again. lol.

 

[heyyimhayley]

I saw someone on APVMA say they submitted on the 26th and were verified today... that means another full week for me. 🙁

 

[WardenN7]

Re: the PTE debacle - no, I was not refunded, though I honestly don't care at this point. They pretty much immediately sent the application back after I said my piece; I think I had my application open within twenty minutes.

Just be nice. If you get snappy with them, they get snappy back and it isn't helpful. I just told the lady, look, I know this isn't your fault, and you don't make these policies, but I need you to talk to a supervisor and tell them that I will be contacting a lawyer if this doesn't work out. She got quiet for a minute and then said she needed to put me on hold. She came back fifteen minutes later and said that she was going to take me off PTE and undeliver my application back to me so I could enter my own coursework. And don't buy it if they tell you there's nothing they can do, because that's untrue.

 

[deleted676737]

Not trying to laugh at you guys (or VMCAS' inability to do the simplest of things on time) but every time someone says PTE I think someone is having a pulmonary thromboembolism from the stress of application...

Thanks for making me burst out laughing during immunology. 😛

 

[Minnerbelle]

Not trying to laugh at you guys (or VMCAS' inability to do the simplest of things on time) but every time someone says PTE I think someone is having a pulmonary thromboembolism from the stress of application...

I've been thinking, "wow that's a pretty advanced topic for prevets to be talking about"

 

[LyraGardenia]

I finally submitted my VMCAS! I'm still waiting on two of my evaluators to submit, but they've provided letters for me the past two years, so I'm fairly confident they'll get it done. All that's left for me to do is the SGU supplemental, which isn't due until November 2nd.

 

[bigreddog]

In case any one has been religiously checking the status of their submitted application for it to get verified like I have, just wanted to let you know that I submitted my application the night of 8/28 and it has just been verified.

 

[rockatiel]

I'm done! I'm submitted! This is really happening, guys!! LSU, Miss, and Ross for fall 2016

 

[deleted676737]

I finally submitted my VMCAS! I'm still waiting on two of my evaluators to submit, but they've provided letters for me the past two years, so I'm fairly confident they'll get it done. All that's left for me to do is the SGU supplemental, which isn't due until November 2nd.

In case any one has been religiously checking the status of their submitted application for it to get verified like I have, just wanted to let you know that I submitted my application the night of 8/28 and it has just been verified.

I'm done! I'm submitted! This is really happening, guys!! LSU, Miss, and Ross for fall 2016

Yay! Congrats, guys! Now the hard part begins... the dreaded waiting game. Ho hum.

 

[Jess Monster]

Called VMCAS and OSU today. Both seem to say that even if PTE isn't back/reviewed/done by the deadline it's okay as long as all other materials are submitted.

Now I need to go finish my shopping and just hope that when I get home there is a message for me from VMCAS or coursework ready to be reviewed.

 

[battie]

On hold with VMCAS about my transcripts. They got there this morning, signed for and everything. But they have not been posted as received.

 

[missdarjeeling]

No joke. Only it was shorter today... 38 minutes! Record time! <-- How I felt while talking with the rep.

I lucked out with only 35 minutes on hold once I finally got through. 😛 Definitely share your sentiment about talking to the rep. She was nice but she misunderstood my question, just as I expected, so I had to rephrase it and explain my situation all over until she pulled up my transcript and realized what I meant. At least she tried, though!

I'm triple-checking every last thing and finishing up a quick extra question in program materials, but it's almost over. Also trying to figure out how to phrase a gentle reminder to my last outstanding letter writer without sounding like a nag.

 

[pp9]

I lucked out with only 35 minutes on hold once I finally got through. 😛 Definitely share your sentiment about talking to the rep. She was nice but she misunderstood my question, just as I expected, so I had to rephrase it and explain my situation all over until she pulled up my transcript and realized what I meant. At least she tried, though!

I'm triple-checking every last thing and finishing up a quick extra question in program materials, but it's almost over. Also trying to figure out how to phrase a gentle reminder to my last outstanding letter writer without sounding like a nag.

"Hi, you have ___ hours left."

 

[battie]

"Hi, you have _30:34__ hours left."

Fixed that for you.

 

[FeartheDogMonky]

I need a quiet place with padded walls so that I may express how I feel at this very moment regarding the competence level of the VMCAS staff. And SDN doesn't even have a emoji that helps describe the pleasantries that are going through my mind.


Their job is so simple.... AND THEY JUST CAN'T EVEN...!!!!!!!! "Oh just call us back tomorrow and we'll figure it out." Yes, another 39 minutes on hold after trying to get through the *happy thoughts* answering service over the last hour. "Oh well worst case scenario we don't get your stuff and you can contact each school individually and explain that we lost your stuff somehow." Awesome solution lady. And now I get to study for a biochem exam when all I want to do is choke my pillow because violence solves nothing. Except pillow violence. And paper target violence. And watermelon violence. That solves a little....

Oh, hi, you're still here? I thought this room was soundproof. Oops.

 

[missdarjeeling]

"Hi, you have ___ hours left."

I was a lot nicer than that. 😛 Feeling rather zen about it all. I have my minimum of 3 already, and I let him know that so if he really couldn't do it, he'd know he wasn't completely ruining my chances of applying.

He responded less than 10 minutes later and said he had already done it. Freaking VMCAS. It had definitely not gone through, since it wasn't showing up on my app as completed. He was able to resubmit it, and it actually worked this time. Yay!

"Oh well worst case scenario we don't get your stuff and you can contact each school individually and explain that we lost your stuff somehow." Awesome solution lady. And now I get to study for a biochem exam when all I want to do is choke my pillow because violence solves nothing. Except pillow violence. And paper target violence. And watermelon violence. That solves a little....

Jesus christ, that's absurd. Have you had a chance to contact your schools at all to let them know? I'm sorry they're giving you such a hard time. 🙁

 

[Felixor90]

Wow, wtf happened from last cycle to this one? I just caught up a bit on this thread and I got second-hand stress. I hope you all get everything resolved and it doesn't affect your application this cycle.

 

[FeartheDogMonky]

Wow, wtf happened from last cycle to this one? I just caught up a bit on this thread and I got second-hand stress. I hope you all get everything resolved and it doesn't affect your application this cycle.

The Good Idea Fairy at VMCAS happened.

She's a nasty little fairy that always leaves chaos in her wake and makes the simplest of things painfully difficult. She is especially effective in the presence of the simple-minded folk. *insert ominous music here*

 

[battie]

The Good Idea Fairy at VMCAS happened.

She's a nasty little fairy that always leaves chaos in her wake and makes the simplest of things painfully difficult. She is especially effective in the presence of the simple-minded folk. *insert ominous music here*

Are you having transcript problems as well?

 

[missdarjeeling]

I'm all done and submitted, but I have a minor question about verification. I'm planning on taking biochem in the spring at a school I've never attended before, so I don't have a transcript for it. VMCAS explicitly says in multiple spots that they don't even look at in-progress/planned courses, and even the automated email we got today says, "VMCAS does NOT require transcripts from an institution that ONLY has planned and/or in-progress coursework. Those transcripts will be sent to the schools directly." But in my program status, it says "awaiting materials," and the only thing that's missing is the transcript from the school I'll be attending. Should I bother calling them tomorrow morning to make sure I'm in line for verification? Anyone else in a similar boat? I'd rather not waste another 35+ minutes waiting on hold, but I'm also wary of trusting that this will work how it's theoretically supposed to...

(Also the PDFs of what the schools got show that all my additional languages got cut off. I'm a former linguist so I had a whole bunch of them, and all it lists is my native language and just English under additional. 😡 )

 

[deleted676737]

(Also the PDFs of what the schools got show that all my additional languages got cut off. I'm a former linguist so I had a whole bunch of them, and all it lists is my native language and just English under additional. 😡 )

I can't answer your first question, unfortunately, but this happened to me, as well. I've formally studied Spanish for about 7 years and Japanese for 3; I listed both on VMCAS, but only Japanese and English (under native) showed up. I am starting to learn Latin as a hobby, too, but I didn't put it down... kinda regretting not having done that. Though I don't think it would've shown up, anyway. 🙄

This application is just all sorts of broken, innit?

 

[FeartheDogMonky]

Are you having transcript problems as well?

Unfortunately. I thought a month in advance would be plenty of time. Alas, I was proven wrong.

For those that have seen Office Space, I suggest we have a copy machine party in the back 40 with this VMCAS application. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, I strongly suggest you experience some culture and watch it. Immediately. Like yesterday.

 

[battie]

Unfortunately. I thought a month in advance would be plenty of time. Alas, I was proven wrong.

For those that have seen Office Space, I suggest we have a copy machine party in the back 40 with this VMCAS application. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, I strongly suggest you experience some culture and watch it. Immediately. Like yesterday.

You would think a month would be more than enough time. I might fax mine tomorrow just to be sure.

 

[Caiter92]

I'm all done and submitted, but I have a minor question about verification. I'm planning on taking biochem in the spring at a school I've never attended before, so I don't have a transcript for it. VMCAS explicitly says in multiple spots that they don't even look at in-progress/planned courses, and even the automated email we got today says, "VMCAS does NOT require transcripts from an institution that ONLY has planned and/or in-progress coursework. Those transcripts will be sent to the schools directly." But in my program status, it says "awaiting materials," and the only thing that's missing is the transcript from the school I'll be attending. Should I bother calling them tomorrow morning to make sure I'm in line for verification? Anyone else in a similar boat? I'd rather not waste another 35+ minutes waiting on hold, but I'm also wary of trusting that this will work how it's theoretically supposed to...

I was in a similar position. It took about a day for my app to go from "awaiting materials" to "verifying", but everything was fine. As long as that class is marked as in progress/a future term, you should be fine.