grade replacement

[Gandyy]

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WAIT. OMG I'm SOOOOOO dumb. I was looking at my undergrad science GPA. That didn't budge. My retakes actually did count. My overall science was the one I didn't look at and came out to be exactly what I calculated before I started retaking!

whew! OMG I'm soo happy! My bad guyss!!!

Very good news!


Edit: Hmm, well if thats the case, then maybe they are pushing the release dates for the applications back because of these issues.

 

[FutureDrB]

Just got verified and my retakes didn't count. I retook them at a CC and they had same prefix as my university courses. I was told if they were at the same university, which is 8-hours away, then they would have counted.

It looks like whatever the aacomas rep is saying is false and it really depends on who is verifying your grades.

WAIT. OMG I'm SOOOOOO dumb. I was looking at my undergrad science GPA. That didn't budge. My retakes actually did count. My overall science was the one I didn't look at and came out to be exactly what I calculated before I started retaking!

whew! OMG I'm soo happy! My bad guyss!!!

Okay, so just to clarify, your CC classes DID count as retakes for your old university classes?

This is the same boat I'm in, that's why I want to be sure.

This confusion is getting out of hand. Haha.

 

[Stephanopolous]

WAIT. OMG I'm SOOOOOO dumb. I was looking at my undergrad science GPA. That didn't budge. My retakes actually did count. My overall science was the one I didn't look at and came out to be exactly what I calculated before I started retaking!

whew! OMG I'm soo happy! My bad guyss!!!

That’s okay, glad to hear yours were counted. I made a similar mistake at first and read my non-sci GPA as my cumulative GPA.

 

[IDK22]

Okay, so just to clarify, your CC classes DID count as retakes for your old university classes?

This is the same boat I'm in, that's why I want to be sure.

This confusion is getting out of hand. Haha.

That's great. Same boat, same course titles but with different code numbers. When you say SAME PREFIX what does that mean? Like Chem and Chem or Chem 1A and Chem 1A? Would a Chem 1A, 1B, 1C taken from CC replace Chem 11, 12, 13 from undergrad? (Same units)

@hv92

 

[mathnerd88]

So is it fair to say for most people they're counting classes taken from other institutions?

 

[Stephanopolous]

So is it fair to say for most people they're counting classes taken from other institutions?

I feel it’s too early to tell. So far myself and two others that I know of had re-takes which didn’t count.

 

[Stephanopolous]

That's great. Same boat, same course titles but with different code numbers. When you say SAME PREFIX what does that mean? Like Chem and Chem or Chem 1A and Chem 1A? Would a Chem 1A, 1B, 1C taken from CC replace Chem 11, 12, 13 from undergrad? (Same units)

The prefix has to be exactly the same, so that means the letters and the numbers.

 

[Gandyy]

So is it fair to say for most people they're counting classes taken from other institutions?

who knows there are only around 5 people posting about this in this thread. But I think it would be logical to think that some kind of miscommunication error occurred and they pushed back
application release dates because of this. Whats more is that some people are reporting to get their retakes counted.

Its all speculation until an official announcement is made though. I am so glad I'm not affected by this. I"m wrestling hard enough with this primitive caveman level Letter technology of theirs.

 

[NoTownPreMed]

I feel it’s too early to tell. So far myself and two others that I know of had re-takes which didn’t count.

I stick with my first guess as a clerical error!

 

[Stephanopolous]

I stick with my first guess as a clerical error!

If it’s a clerical error then it’s stemming from the management/director level.

Since they made errors with my gpa AND didn’t count my re-take, I wasn’t going to rest on the issue until I spoke with management. It took me several phone calls and back and forth e-mails before that happened but I was able to talk to a manager on the phone this past Friday.

 

[NoTownPreMed]

If it’s a clerical error then it’s stemming from the management/director level.

Since they made errors with my gpa AND didn’t count my re-take, I wasn’t going to rest on the issue until I spoke with management. It took me several phone calls and back and forth e-mails before that happened but I was able to talk to a manager on the phone this past Friday.

I really hope you get this whole ordeal situated as well as other members here who are going through this mess.

 

[Major]

How I feel ruff now^

 

[FutureDrB]

Here are a few examples from my EXTENSIVE retake list. Almost none have the same course name/number.
Original classes were taken at two different universities. Retakes taken at a CC.

General Chemistry I
CHEM 1307 -- CHEM 1411

Physical Geology
GEOL 1610 -- GEOL 1403

Earth Science
GEOG 1710 -- GEOL 1401

Ethics
PHIL 1401 -- PHIL 2306

So am I screwed??

 

[NoTownPreMed]

Here are a few examples from my EXTENSIVE retake list. Almost none have the same course name/number.
Original classes were taken at two different universities. Retakes taken at a CC.

Introductory Chemistry (this course now has a different title (Preparatory Chemistry) at the original school, but still the same course #)
CHEM 1301 -- CHEM 1405

General Chemistry I
CHEM 1307 -- CHEM 1411

Physical Geology
GEOL 1610 -- GEOL 1403

Earth Science
GEOG 1710 -- GEOL 1401

Ethics
PHIL 1401 -- PHIL 2306

So am I screwed??

I wouldn't necessarily say you're screwed, crazy things have been happening here. My best advice would be to clarify those retakes in your applications and cross your fingers in hopes that it will be counted as a retake.

 

[mathnerd88]

who knows there are only around 5 people posting about this in this thread. But I think it would be logical to think that some kind of miscommunication error occurred and they pushed back
application release dates because of this. Whats more is that some people are reporting to get their retakes counted.

Its all speculation until an official announcement is made though. I am so glad I'm not affected by this. I"m wrestling hard enough with this primitive caveman level Letter technology of theirs.

Lol, my health committee doesn't even bother with AACOMAS. They send the letters directly to the school via VirtualEval.

 

[Major]

So even though I didn't apply last cycle, I did see how the old system looked and some friends showed me their applications.

I know in the old system that there was a box that allows you to properly identify and match your retake class with the original

Like, "Microbiology 3 credits F R1

"Microbiology 3 credits A L1"

Even if it was at a different university you could match the retakes.

This new system has nothing like that offered. All there is, is just place a 0 for the credits, the grade earned, and then the "Retake".

There isn't any option given to match anything.

 

[Gandyy]

Lol, my health committee doesn't even bother with AACOMAS. They send the letters directly to the school via VirtualEval.

Ah I'm not using a committee. I'm a nontrad applicant (graduated from college in 2012) Just 4 individual letters. One of those letters is just going to be unnecessary for the vast majority of DO schools.

Thats the one I only want to send where its required. Its a non science faculty member letter.

 

[NoTownPreMed]

So even though I didn't apply last cycle, I did see how the old system looked and some friends showed me their applications.

I know in the old system that there was a box that allows you to properly identify and match your retake class with the original

Like, "Microbiology 3 credits F R1

"Microbiology 3 credits A L1"

Even if it was at a different university you could match the retakes.

This new system has nothing like that offered. All there is, is just place a 0 for the credits, the grade earned, and then the "Retake".

There isn't any option given to match anything.

Certainly there's a flaw in this new system.

 

[xBODOMx]

.

 

[NoTownPreMed]

Something for you guys to read.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/potential-do-applicants.1141670/

Post made by "gonnif"

Rule 1: Take A Breath

To all: stop the panic

The rumors, confusion, and myths flying about previously in this thread are incorrect. I interface directly AACOMAS application services management and there have been NO, repeat, NO major changes in retake/replacement policies. Repeated course must be substantially equivalent in content , credit value, etc. They do not have to be from the same school. This is true for all courses, science and non-science. Courses that are "split" such as a combined lecture/lab and then repeated combined may be acceptable on a case by case basis.

Confusion at AACOMAS is primarily due to a new system, new process and new people.

Now lay your souls to rest guys 🙂.

 

[Stephanopolous]

Cross referencing this from another thread:

So is it fair to say for most people they're counting classes taken from other institutions?

Rule 1: Take A Breath

To all: stop the panic

The rumors, confusion, and myths flying about previously in this thread are incorrect. I interface directly AACOMAS application services management and there have been NO, repeat, NO major changes in retake/replacement policies. Repeated course must be substantially equivalent in content , credit value, etc. They do not have to be from the same school. This is true for all courses, science and non-science. Courses that are "split" such as a combined lecture/lab and then repeated combined may be acceptable on a case by case basis.

Confusion at AACOMAS is primarily due to a new system, new process and new people.

 

[Major]

Certainly there's a flaw in this new system.

I can only hope so. Perhaps it is totally dependent upon the person that is verifying your app that day and their understanding of how to properly match the retakes.

Even though Steph got word from some managers, I really really hope this is just coming down to just a inability to properly match the retakes...

I guy can hope anyways

 

[FutureDrB]

I know in the old system that there was a box that allows you to properly identify and match your retake class with the original

Like, "Microbiology 3 credits F R1

"Microbiology 3 credits A L1"

Even if it was at a different university you could match the retakes.

This new system has nothing like that offered. All there is, is just place a 0 for the credits, the grade earned, and then the "Retake".

There isn't any option given to match anything.

This leads me to believe that this is where the confusion is taking place, both with students and with reps. who are giving out different info.

I just can't believe they would change the policy so drastically "overnight". Something of this magnitude, which if true would eliminate a large majority of applicants, we're taking 60+% im sure who have retakes...would be something spelled out years in advance, as in "Notice: in 2020 retakes will no longer count if..."

 

[mathnerd88]

Ah I'm not using a committee. I'm a nontrad applicant (graduated from college in 2012) Just 4 individual letters. One of those letters is just going to be unnecessary for the vast majority of DO schools.

Thats the one I only want to send where its required. Its a non science faculty member letter.

I graduated from college in 2010, and I'm still using my committee...Lol what I like about my committee is that they choose the best letters to send with your application and they will write you a committee letter too. I must've given them 7 letters.

 

[FutureDrB]

+1 to what @Stephanopolous put above. As I assumed, new system = confusion, incorrect info, and panic... me included. Haha.

 

[Stephanopolous]

Well, reading that post form Gonnif makes me feel a little better but even more confused than before. I’m happy to be heading to work to get my mind off of this.

 

[NoTownPreMed]

My question is, if the system was working well in the first place, why try to fix it?

 

[mathnerd88]

My question is, if the system was working well in the first place, why try to fix it?

When it comes down to it...it is always money. You send your transcripts in to Watertown, MA, right near where I live.

I'm sure they were competing with others who would offer the cheapest application and verification service. Healthcare is a business.

 

[Major]

My question is, if the system was working well in the first place, why try to fix it?

My thoughts also. I know the old system was antiquated looking and such But atleast it allowed you to properly match and identify retakes

 

[Major]

And also in the old system, your colleges could electronically send it transcripts to AACOMAS. This was faster and more secure than snail mail in some ways.

Now in the new system all transcripts from all colleges have to be sent by snail mail only

 

[mathnerd88]

AMCAS also required you to send transcripts by snail mail. It wasn't that bad, because it only took less than a week for AACOMAS to receive my transcripts. That's accounting for when I requested transcripts to be mailed from my institutions.

 

[Stephanopolous]

AMCAS also required you to send transcripts by snail mail. It wasn't that bad, because it only took less than a week for AACOMAS to receive my transcripts. That's accounting for when I requested transcripts to be mailed from my institutions.

Not true, I esubmitted one of my transcripts to AMCAS this year and last.

 

[Gandyy]

I graduated from college in 2010, and I'm still using my committee...Lol what I like about my committee is that they choose the best letters to send with your application and they will write you a committee letter too. I must've given them 7 letters.

Interesting indeed. I bet my school does that as well then. Alas I've already inputted individual letters through the system and rather not go through that hassle now. Well actually I cant delete letters now. I submitted my application for AACOMAS in May.

 

[mathnerd88]

Not true, I esubmitted one of my transcripts to AMCAS this year and last.

Well then, I apologize. Both my transcripts were mailed in to AMCAS.

 

[Stephanopolous]

No worries just making sure the right info is out there.

 

[Gandyy]

I need to stop procrastinating and pre-write this thing they call a secondary.

Sigh............ They are asking the same stuff over and over and over.

 

[Stephanopolous]

1. If you retook a class at the same university it has to be a 1:1 match. Not just in description, but in course code, level, basically an IDENTICAL CLONE. This makes sense since why should anything change at SAME INSTITUTION? Then again schools make revisions to their catalogs every now and then, so be careful. If you're in this boat, you should call your school and have them write AACOMAS a letter stating that class A and class B were once the same course, but policy had class B changed for X reason.

Just so that others are aware- my university is providing me with a letter and I have appealed by showing identical course descriptions, however, AACOMAS still rejected the course.

AACOMAS management advised they only way they will accept it is if my undergraduate university will change the prefix on my transcript so that it matches the first time I took the class.

 

[Major]

I mean, I seriously think a lot of this mix up could be fixed if AACOMAS just added a feature into the program to allow us to match up the retakes with another

 

[NoTownPreMed]

For the love of all that is good, please read the posts within this thread and accurately sight your sources before making your claims. This is a very hectic time for those of us trying to utilize grade replacement and chiming in and stating opinion as fact is going to rattle a lot of cages.

Whoever stated that courses at different college's are typically the same in some states is completely and utterly WRONG. Dude, how many schools run in tandem with another and employ the same course code, let alone the same description? Even in California where they use ASSIST to help community college students transfer to CSU's and UC's, Gen Chem 1 at college A will always differ in some regard from Gen Chem 2 at college B. If the schools you went to match to the BUTTON then that is the EXCEPTION, NOT THE RULE.

AACOMAS not accepting retakes at different schools has been deemed an isolated incident. Many are reporting that their retakes from DIFFERENT INSTITUTIONS HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED. Unfortunately for two of our users, that was not the case. Please petition. I'm sure once you get different eyes on your application these retakes will go through as they have for many others on this board.

In response to my previous post, I did not make any claims that ALL college courses taken at a community college level will automatically replace or fulfill requirements taken at a CSU/UC level. However, there are flowcharts listed under the assist.org where it helps students who have completed courses out of the 112 community colleges in the state of California matriculate to the CSU and UC system. Take me for example, I've completed about 95 units at my local community college, about 60 of those units were transferrable to the "CSU" college in my area. Many of the math and science classes I have taken at my local community college were deemed "equivalent" to the CSU system, hell I was able to take "Intro to Chemistry 3b" at my CSU college after completing "Intro to Chemistry 3a" at my local community college.

 

[NoTownPreMed]

Yes, but why bring it up when it has NOTHING to do with what were talking about here, which is honoring grade replacement based on course code, description, etc. You bringing up completely irrelevant information like that makes it seem as if non-trads who had their retakes rejected should have known better than to take a course with a "different code" because systems like the one you have exist.

The uniformity between community colleges, the CSU's, and UC's exist to make it easier for one to transfer from a 2 year to a 4 year college since that is the goal of most students at a community college. That has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with Medical School.

I'm just listing a system that "WE" (Those who fall under the California College System) use that helps translate course codes, that is all. And for those who fall under this college system are IN FACT affected by this if they wish to pursue Medical School. There are medical students who I know who have failed courses in their CSU/UC institution and have decided to retake it at their local community college because it is a much "cheaper" route. Is it recommended? Probably not, but it worked. I'm not speaking on behalf all of those who fall under category, but in cases such as mine,(CSU CSCI40 = cc CSCI40) are an exception just as you mentioned. Should AACOMAS employ a rule that requires courses to have the exact same prefixes is quite annoying.

 

[DetectiveAlonzo]

I'm just listing a system that "WE" (Those who fall under the California College System) use that helps translate course codes, that is all. And for those who fall under this college system are IN FACT affected by this if they wish to pursue Medical School. There are medical students who I know who have failed courses in their CSU/UC institution and have decided to retake it at their local community college because it is a much "cheaper" route. Is it recommended? Probably not, but it worked. I'm not speaking on behalf all of those who fall under category, but in cases such as mine,(CSU CSCI40 = cc CSCI40) are an exception just as you mentioned. Should AACOMAS employ a rule that requires courses to have the exact same prefixes is quite annoying.

Have a couple relatives in No-town. CSU-Fresno offers open university. That would probably be the best bet for folks. IF the prefixes and all that are the same.

 

[NoTownPreMed]

Have a couple relatives in No-town. CSU-Fresno offers open university. That would probably be the best bet for folks. IF the prefixes and all that are the same.

That is true. CSU-Fresno allows previous students who have been academically disenrolled or those not attending the institution take open courses that can be counted towards your grades. I have acquaintances who already have a Bachelor's degree taken advantage of this to fulfill their upper division science courses for their (medicine, pharmacy, dentistry) prerequisite.

 

[leslieknope2015]

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[leslieknope2015]

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[67552931811]

Good God, I have no idea what's going on this year for you all but I wish every single one of you nothing but the best. This all sounds unnecessarily confusing...

 

[Major]

i retook a class at my school, at first it was zoo 100 and then i retook and it became bio 100. it was the same exact class. is this not gonna count?

This is exactly what happened to me.

AACOMAS did not count it. The class was even taught by the same professor when I retook it!

 

[leslieknope2015]

so did you call them? or did you call your school to send them a letter? I don't know what my course of action should be.

 

[leslieknope2015]

well update:

I just called the representative, she said as long as I put everything in correctly, including the o credits and then marked as repeat, it does not matter. The course description (in my case introductory biology) is the exact same. She said it will be counted as a repeat.

hope that helps someone.

 

[Stephanopolous]

Update:
I spoke with Vicky again this morning. I provided an official letter from my University stating that the repeated class was exactly the same as the original, only the prefix had changed. She advised that she hadn't heard anything new, but, that Nicole was working out of the office today. She is going to call Nicole and then call me back.

I e-mailed the following people at AACOM in regards to my situation:
Stephen Shannon- President
John Roane- COO of applications and operations
Dionna Knox- Office coordinator, operations and applications

I spoke with my university in regards to changing the prefix on the class I repeated, the gentleman said he doubted they could, but that I can submit a letter requesting it. I am going to hold on doing this until I get a response from AACOM.

 

[Stephanopolous]

well update:

I just called the representative, she said as long as I put everything in correctly, including the o credits and then marked as repeat, it does not matter. The course description (in my case introductory biology) is the exact same. She said it will be counted as a repeat.

hope that helps someone.

Please only respond back with results after verification. We have already established that the representatives at AACOMAS are giving out conflicting information. I realize you are trying to help but I want to try and keep this thread as linear as possible so that it can help others that may need it.