grade replacement

[Stephanopolous]

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@MajorUnderDog I have literally spent the past 5.5hours either on the phone or e-mailing them. I am currently on hold again to find out information for disputing the non-counted repeated biology course.

Please let me know if you have a similar issue with them rejecting your repeated course.
You will know if they didn't accept it by looking at "colleges attended and coursework" part of your app, and then if they didn't accept it they would have changed the credit hours from 0.00 to the actual amount.

 

[Major]

Well, you're having better luck than me. I have been waiting on the phone for 30 minutes to get connected to a human

 

[Major]

^. That's exactly what they did on mine. They changed the 0 credits I entered to 3 credits

 

[Stephanopolous]

^. That's exactly what they did on mine. They changed the 0 credits I entered to 3 credits

I'm sorry this is happening to you as well. It may help us both if you ask to speak with Cassandra and her manager. She is my designated person for these issues so at least she'll have an idea of what your issue is. I am fifth in line on the phone right now.

She (Cassandra) did make a vague statement on the phone earlier saying something like, "well if this is affecting multiple people then we may have to delay the June 15th date for when schools can view the application". She indicated that my application was very early so it was too hard to tell if this was going to affect everyone or not.

 

[Stephanopolous]

^. That's exactly what they did on mine. They changed the 0 credits I entered to 3 credits

Was your course from the same institution? Did the prefix change at all? Just seeing how similar your situation is to mine.

 

[Bones 2020]

What the hell is the point of schools changing the course code anyway? It just causes so many headaches for the students

 

[Major]

Was your course from the same institution? Did the prefix change at all? Just seeing how similar your situation is to mine.

Exact same situation as yours.

For example. I took Genetics listed as ZOO3333. Retook it with the same professor and same school, but they changed the listing to BIO3333. And AACOMAS did Not count it as a retake

So as I see it right now:

ZOO333 Genetics 3 credits F Retake

BIO333 Genetics 3 credits A Retake

So, really there should be a 0 on the credits part of the ZOO3333 instead of the 3. They are putting in 3 credits of F into my cgpa and sgpa

 

[asdf123g]

Well, you're having better luck than me. I have been waiting on the phone for 30 minutes to get connected to a human

its funny because you're a dog! lol

 

[Stephanopolous]

Exact same situation as yours.

there should be a 0 on the credits part of the ZOO3333 instead of the 3. They are putting in 3 credits of F into my cgpa and sgpa

Yeah I really don't know what to do at this point. I got through to someone, he said Cassandra is "unavailable" and now I'm on hold to speak with the manager.

 

[Abraxas65]

Update- I just received an e-mail from AACOMAS stating the following:

Afternoon Stephanie

I have confirmed again with my manager we CAN NOT verify this as repeated. At
the SAME school it MUST have the same prefix and number when it has the same
prefix and number we can verify it as repeated. Here's the instructions to help
clarify: While AACOMAS allows applicants to classify similar coursework from
separate schools as repeated, the verification staff is not responsible for
determining whether the content, course level, and credit hours are equivalent.
AACOMAS staff can only correct incorrectly classified repeated coursework from
the same school. In order for repeated coursework across institutions to be
verified as repeated, the applicant must enter the initial attempts as 0.00
credits and mark each attempt repeated during Transcript Review.

This is a joke. I will be submitting soon and I expect to run into this problem because several of my courses were done during a study abroad program but the courses show up on my home institutions transcript. So the courses numbers are not going to line up. At least I have the fact that they did allow the replacements last year in my favor.

 

[Stephanopolous]

@MajorUnderDog Did you happen to print your application after submitting but before being verified? They made me send in proof that I had entered the courses correctly. They still ended up telling me they wont count it as a re-take but just a heads up they may ask you for the same.

 

[Major]

^. Nope. I didn't even think about it. So I might pay the price for that mistake

 

[Stephanopolous]

Most recent e-mail response:

Afternoon Stephanie

Unfortunately I spoke with our AACOMAS manager Nicole and she is stating how it
can not be changed. If you would like you can try and talk to her directly
either via email or calling us you can but she will tell you the same
information. You can always provide this information to the schools you are
apply to directly to see if they would consider this repeated.

 

[Major]

Here's my thing though. People on SDN have posted for years now, taking classes at different college, retaking classes at community college for classes they originally took at a 4 year university, etc and not having any issues.

It makes me wonder how much of this new system is playing apart of this

 

[Stephanopolous]

I am reviewing all of their instructions and I have yet to find an area, in regards to repeats, where it indicates that the prefix has to match if the course is repeated at the same institution.

 

[Abraxas65]

I am reviewing all of their instructions and I have yet to find an area, in regards to repeats, where it indicates that the prefix has to match if the course is repeated at the same institution.

Thats because it doesn't exist I have already looked. In fact no where to they clearly lay out their forgiveness policy. This years application is going to be a cluster f*ck

 

[Major]

^ I agree. I can't find that anywhere also

 

[Stephanopolous]

I am now on the phone with manager, Vicky, who is very nice but reported that this year is "brand new with new rules and new policies". When I asked her where it listed that the prefix had to be the same she admitted that it doesn't say this, but rather it says the course LEVEL and DESCRIPTION must be the same.

She is now trying to find their director, Nicole, to see if she would be willing to consider the letter from my school which states that the classes are the same, only the prefixes had changed.

 

[Stephanopolous]

I feel like this is an unfair policy for them to list certain requirements for repeated courses and then have other, hidden, policies about repeated courses that are not made evident to the applicant. I thought I was doing the best thing possible by re-taking the course at the University level instead of taking it at a community college.

 

[Abraxas65]

Also it seems weird that if they follow this rule you couldn't replace say

Intro to Biochem 300

with

Biochem 400

Something they allowed just last year.

 

[Major]

This isn't right to do to us

 

[Gordon Gekko]

This isn't right to do to us

Yeah, I appealed my issues with AACOMAS and AACOM. They said they can change the rules at will with no grandfathering allowed.

 

[Stephanopolous]

Update: They will take the course, IF my school agrees to CHANGE the most recent re-take on my transcript to the prior course prefix number.

In the 45 minutes I spent on this last phone call, I missed the registrars hours (they closed at 4pm) so now I have to wait until Monday to make this request. I may just go there in person first thing Monday morning because I feel like this is a BIG request to make.

Vicky was very nice and overall agreed with me that this was ridiculous, but offered the following reasoning "the schools and AACOM require that we only accept repeat courses with the same PREFIX, COURSE LEVEL, and DESCRIPTION. She wasn't able to offer any supporting documentation to prove this and admitted that it wasn't on the instructions we are provided with.

Both Vicky and Nicole reviewed the course descriptions, agreed that they do match, but apparently they are bound by the rules on what they can and cannot accept.

She also told me that they found out TODAY, that the schools will not be receiving the applications until the END OF JUNE, not JUNE 15th as previously thought. There is no specific date yet, just "the end of June".

She offered that if my school will not change the transcript for me, that I could just contact each school individually (24 in my case) and request that they accept the course as a repeat and subsequently calculate a new GPA.

Stressed does not even begin to describe how I am feeling right now. I can only hope that my University will be willing to grant this request for me.

 

[Chubaka31]

So I'm currently retaking Gen Chem at a different school than the one I graduated from..the course code is slightly different, and the credits is 4 as opposed to the 5 of when I originally took it in undergrad...I spoke to people regarding this and they said that AACOMAS has an honor policy that will let the retake count, even though code is slightly different and credit is 1 off.

Is the problem you are running into, due to you retaking a class at the same school, and having a different class code? Because how I had it explained, it's ok if it's from different institutions. Why wouldn't it be ok if it's from same?

 

[Stephanopolous]

My guess is as good as yours. I also spoke with a representative (have the date, time, and her name- but that doesn't matter in the end), who told me the course would count and helped me to enter it correctly.

I can't speak to a course that was re-taken at a different institution because that's not the issue I'm running into.

At the end of the day I have a feeling that many reps aren't aware of the new rules and so people were probably told some incorrect info over the past several months.

My info came from a Manager and Director so I'm trusting it's the most accurate.

 

[Major]

at least you are able to talk to a live person on the phone. I am still listening to music!

 

[Abraxas65]

So I'm currently retaking Gen Chem at a different school than the one I graduated from..the course code is slightly different, and the credits is 4 as opposed to the 5 of when I originally took it in undergrad...I spoke to people regarding this and they said that AACOMAS has an honor policy that will let the retake count, even though code is slightly different and credit is 1 off.

Is the problem you are running into, due to you retaking a class at the same school, and having a different class code? Because how I had it explained, it's ok if it's from different institutions. Why wouldn't it be ok if it's from same?

From what I know your class doesn't qualify as a retake. Your retake has to be worth the same or more units. I would double check this.

 

[Chubaka31]

From what I know your class doesn't qualify as a retake. Your retake has to be worth the same or more units. I would double check this.

I originally thought that as well, but there is some sort of "honor policy" that allows it to be so, according to multiple reps I spoke toc

 

[Abraxas65]

I originally thought that as well, but there is some sort of "honor policy" that allows it to be so, according to multiple reps I spoke toc

Well good luck! I haven't even submitted yet and I hate this new program.

 

[Gordon Gekko]

From what I know your class doesn't qualify as a retake. Your retake has to be worth the same or more units. I would double check this.

That was the previous company's rule.

 

[Major]

I'm for a loss for words right now...


2 years of solid retakes not being allowed to go through because of a simple difference in PREFIX!!!!!!

 

[Stephanopolous]

I'm for a loss for words right now...


2 years of solid retakes not being allowed to go through because of a simple difference in PREFIX!!!!!!

I'm with you- I feel sick to my stomach at this point. I'm going to try and just push it out of my head because there's nothing I can do until Monday. Are you going to try and ask your university to change your transcript?

 

[Major]

I'm with you- I feel sick to my stomach at this point. I'm going to try and just push it out of my head because there's nothing I can do until Monday. Are you going to try and ask your university to change your transcript?

I honestly have no idea what to do at this point. I completely empathize with you right now. I feel sick


I don't know what to do besides appeal appeal appeal.

Most of my retakes have been done at my current university, and most of my Fs were from a previous university.

 

[Chubaka31]

That was the previous company's rule.

Gordon, have you submitted your app this cycle already? Have you found the new policy to be true? Where they'll accept a lower credit same retake?

What is confusing, is that according to them retakes from different schools are ok, even if off by 1 credit, but at same school a thing like a prefix is stopping classes from going through?

 

[Major]

I refuse to let it come down to this

 

[swollcat]

So to recap what appears to be going on.

-If you did retakes at the same school and nothing has changed between when you first and last took the course you are good to go.
-If you retook at the same school and for some ungodly reason the school decided to change the course code yet you took it anyway you are out of luck UNLESS the school is willing to explicitly state in an addendum that the courses are in fact THE SAME.

@Stephanopolous, @MajorUnderDog

How are your retakes for other schools? Did they replace the bad grades with your most recent take for classes taken at different schools with different codes? Thanks guys

 

[Stephanopolous]

I honestly have no idea what to do at this point. I completely empathize with you right now. I feel sick


I don't know what to do besides appeal appeal appeal.

Most of my retakes have been done at my current university, and most of my Fs were from a previous university.

Ok so that's confirmation that this isn't only affecting re-takes at the same school, but also different schools. I would see about the transcript change if I were you. That's the only option she gave me other than contacting the schools individually.

 

[Stephanopolous]

Gordon, have you submitted your app this cycle already? Have you found the new policy to be true? Where they'll accept a lower credit same retake?

What is confusing, is that according to them retakes from different schools are ok, even if off by 1 credit, but at same school a thing like a prefix is stopping classes from going through?

I think it will help you if you just scrap any previous ideas/rules you knew about re-takes because according to the manager and director there it's a new system with new rules and policies and, the PREFIX, COURSE DESCRIPTION, AND COURSE LEVEL MUST match in order for them to accept it as a repeat.

 

[swollcat]

So I'm currently retaking Gen Chem at a different school than the one I graduated from..the course code is slightly different, and the credits is 4 as opposed to the 5 of when I originally took it in undergrad...I spoke to people regarding this and they said that AACOMAS has an honor policy that will let the retake count, even though code is slightly different and credit is 1 off.

Is the problem you are running into, due to you retaking a class at the same school, and having a different class code? Because how I had it explained, it's ok if it's from different institutions. Why wouldn't it be ok if it's from same?

The retake should not be allowed. Its one thing to have different course titles and descriptions between different schools (this is obviously expected), but trying to replace to use a class with a lesser time commitment and less work in general to replace another shouldnt be expected to replace.

 

[IDK22]

I think it will help you if you just scrap any previous ideas/rules you knew about re-takes because according to the manager and director there it's a new system with new rules and policies and, the PREFIX, COURSE DESCRIPTION, AND COURSE LEVEL MUST match in order for them to accept it as a repeat.

Really? What happened to the whole honor policy? I'm retaking a bunch of my pre-reqs at CC (Same units) They won't replace now..?

 

[Stephanopolous]

So to recap what appears to be going on.

-If you did retakes at the same school and nothing has changed between when you first and last took the course you are good to go.
-If you retook at the same school and for some ungodly reason the school decided to change the course code yet you took it anyway you are out of luck UNLESS the school is willing to explicitly state in an addendum that the courses are in fact THE SAME.

@Stephanopolous, @MajorUnderDog

How are your retakes for other schools? Did they replace the bad grades with your most recent take for classes taken at different schools with different codes? Thanks guys

-If you retook at the same school and for some ungodly reason the school decided to change the course code yet you took it anyway you are out of luck UNLESS the school is willing to explicitly state in an addendum that the courses are in fact THE SAME.
No, the only saving grace at this point is if I can get my university to AMMEND my transcript so that the current retake PREFIX matches the prefix from the first time I took the course.

 

[Stephanopolous]

Really? What happened to the whole honor policy?

Apparently it doesn't exist anymore.

 

[swollcat]

I originally thought that as well, but there is some sort of "honor policy" that allows it to be so, according to multiple reps I spoke toc

What the reps say doesn't mean anything if its not physically printed in the AACOMAS FAQ. you absolutely cannot rely on this unwritten honor policy obtained via word of mouth when signing up for classes.

 

[Gordon Gekko]

Gordon, have you submitted your app this cycle already? Have you found the new policy to be true? Where they'll accept a lower credit same retake?

What is confusing, is that according to them retakes from different schools are ok, even if off by 1 credit, but at same school a thing like a prefix is stopping classes from going through?

Yes, they received all 10 transcripts from completed courses/schools, but it is still marked as awaiting materials. I emailed them if they can begin verifying if the 1 missing transcript is for courses I haven't begun yet. No response yet.
I have a 5 credit physics retake being replaced with a 3 credit physics with lab. Fingers crossed. The rest are 5 cr replacing 4 cr or same for same.

 

[swollcat]

-If you retook at the same school and for some ungodly reason the school decided to change the course code yet you took it anyway you are out of luck UNLESS the school is willing to explicitly state in an addendum that the courses are in fact THE SAME.
No, the only saving grace at this point is if I can get my university to AMMEND my transcript so that the current retake PREFIX matches the prefix from the first time I took the course.

Oh man. Quit calling AACOMAS and start getting on your school! With a situation of this magnitude, im sure the dean of sciences can do something for you! Praying for you dude

 

[Stephanopolous]

What the reps say doesn't mean anything if its not physically printed in the AACOMAS FAQ. you absolutely cannot rely on this unwritten honor policy obtained via word of mouth when signing up for classes.

Well I would say you can't rely on the AACOMAS FAQ either, since nowhere within that does it say the prefix has to match but this is an actual policy that they are following strictly.

 

[Stephanopolous]

Oh man. Quit calling AACOMAS and start getting on your school! With a situation of this magnitude, im sure the dean of sciences can do something for you! Praying for you dude

Thanks, I'm going to go there in person first thing Monday morning and plead my case.

 

[IDK22]

Well I would say you can't rely on the AACOMAS FAQ either, since nowhere within that does it say the prefix has to match but this is an actual policy that they are following strictly.

So example: Retaking Chem 11 from undergrad (5 units) replacing with Chem 1A at CC (5 units) is no good because of the "11 and 1A" part? Even though this is CLEARLY a pre-req with same descriptions?

 

[Major]

So to recap what appears to be going on.

-If you did retakes at the same school and nothing has changed between when you first and last took the course you are good to go.
-If you retook at the same school and for some ungodly reason the school decided to change the course code yet you took it anyway you are out of luck UNLESS the school is willing to explicitly state in an addendum that the courses are in fact THE SAME.

@Stephanopolous, @MajorUnderDog

How are your retakes for other schools? Did they replace the bad grades with your most recent take for classes taken at different schools with different codes? Thanks guys

So far that seems correct. For example at my current university, it used to be called the "Zoology Department". Then last year they changed the name of the whole department to "Biology".

So this genetics course went from being called ZOO333 to BIO333. Same professor and everything, only thing that changed was the prefix. So AACOMAS is NOT giving it credit as a retake. Instead they are just throwing in the original grade along with the second attempt instead of the newest attempt replacing the old attempt.

Part 2:

Now I retook most of my poor grades at my current unversity and I made sure that I signed up for courses that are the same level, credits, and descption

So AACOMAS is not replacing this:

University 1: BIO303 Microbiology 3 Credits F

Unversity 2: MBIO383 Microbiology 3 Credits A



So they are still giving the old F grade 3 credits instead of the zero. So different university, different prefix, BUT Same amount of Credits and Course Level and AACOMAS is NOT counting it as a retake.

Sorry if this confusing everyone. I am very stressed right now, to say the least

 

[Stephanopolous]

So example: Retaking Chem 11 from undergrad (5 units) replacing with Chem 1A at CC (5 units) is no good because of the "11 and 1A" part? Even though this is CLEARLY a pre-req with same descriptions?

Again, I can't speak for re-takes at different institutions, in my case it was a BIO II course which I re-took at the same university, but that university changed the prefix between my first and second attempt.