Important new feature to VMCAS 2015: Information Rollover

[Lab Vet]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey all:

Just figured I'd let those of you re-applying for the 2015 application cycle know the following: VCMAS has instituted an exciting, new feature that will make your life a thousand times easier- information rollover! The data you entered for your application this (2014) year will be saved and 'rolled-over' into your 2015 application. You will not need to re-enter data from the 2014 application.

I am 'friends' with VMCAS on Facebook, and found this out from a recent VMCAS post. I'm uncertain how extensive the rollover will be (i.e. all data, only certain sections). Regardless, even some rollover will be nice.

Great new feature! Way to be, VMCAS 🙂 I wish the very best of success to all those reapplying!!

 

[allygator13]

Awesome! I was really dreading having to reenter everything if I end up having to apply again. Yay VMCAS!

 

[Trilt]

I've grumbled about this before, but I'm a bit skeptical because they've said that before...

 

[ZiskaShepherds]

I'm also 'friends' on Facebook. I'm concerned with about this because not even a day before, VMCAS had posted the final date for the 2014 application to be available for printing and such before they purge the system because it was not going to roll over. When I went to find that post later that day it was already gone. Then the rollover notice popped up on FB. So, getting mixed signals about the whole deal (in a very short amount of time), but I will be very excited to not have to restart should it fulfill the anticipated rollover.

 

[LetItSnow]

I've grumbled about this before, but I'm a bit skeptical because they've said that before...

Yeah. They've talked about it for a long time, but apparently maintaining your already existing database info from year to year is astonishingly difficult.

My take on it: They have no incentive to do it. They have a complete monopoly on the system, so why should they invest development dollars in improving it? It's just a great example of why monopolies suck.

 

[vkajko]

I hope they do this! But it sounds like this is another one of their " Yes we will, but in reality we won't" deals.

 

[VMCASSTAFF]

Always love hearing from you guys! 🙂 THANKS. SO yes, we here at AAVMC / VMCAS have often let the cat out of the bag earlier than we should have on some enhancements. I can assure you, this year the re-app is actually going live. Here's some info:

1. You can use the re-app feature whether you submitted your VMCAS 2014 application or not.
2. The data *YOU* entered will be accessible for roll-over. NOT any third-party data (eLORs, for instance).
3. Coursework WILL roll over, BUT you'll have to update it with anything missing (Fall / Spring coursework).

On another note, it's true. Our customer service reps DID post a message about the final date for printing VMCAS 2014 application before purge. This WAS taken down when I informed them that we've finalized the Re-App development, the same day. It was just Murphy's Law on that one 🙂 Sorry for the confusion.

Finally, let me address the matter of incentives. Believe it or not, all of us are working hard to ensure you are able to apply to veterinary school. You are our incentives. 🙂

 

[DVMDream]

I've grumbled about this before, but I'm a bit skeptical because they've said that before...

Yeah, it has been said a few times. Was supposed to happen back when I was applying too.

Looks like they might be serious this time given their post. It will be a nice feature that is for sure. 🙂

 

[WildZoo]

Good to know that it will work even if you didn't submit the app - I filled out a lot of it just to see how much work it was going to be, so I'm glad I won't have to do that over again!

 

[pp9]

Bump...for something slightly off topic.

@VMCASSTAFF, can we get something in black and white (literally) that tells us whether or not in-class experiences (research, animal hours, etc) are to be listed in the designated experience sections? I am thinking that I may have done myself disservice by listening to the VMCAS hotline and not listing them on my app, as they were done for school credit. Several posters got several different answers when they called and listed their experiences different ways, adding to the confusion. Might I be as bold to suggest that you discuss this with the vet schools and get a final answer before the next cycle opens up?

The info rollover is great, but I think there are a lot more aspects of the application service that should also be tweaked to make it less stressful on us! Thanks for listening!

 

[LetItSnow]

Yeah, it has been said a few times. Was supposed to happen back when I was applying too.

Looks like they might be serious this time given their post. It will be a nice feature that is for sure. 🙂

I know... it took a mysteriously long time to implement.

That said, it's very cool that they implemented it in such a way that you don't need to have actually submitted an app to have the info held over to the next year. That's some smart thinking.

 

[VMCASSTAFF]

Bump...for something slightly off topic.

@VMCASSTAFF, can we get something in black and white (literally) that tells us whether or not in-class experiences (research, animal hours, etc) are to be listed in the designated experience sections? I am thinking that I may have done myself disservice by listening to the VMCAS hotline and not listing them on my app, as they were done for school credit. Several posters got several different answers when they called and listed their experiences different ways, adding to the confusion. Might I be as bold to suggest that you discuss this with the vet schools and get a final answer before the next cycle opens up?

The info rollover is great, but I think there are a lot more aspects of the application service that should also be tweaked to make it less stressful on us! Thanks for listening!

This is about as black and white as I can give you. If you received a grade for an 'experience', then it's consider coursework, not experience.

This year, VMCAS 2015, things are a little easier to figure you:
Veterinary Experience: Experiences WITH A VET, not a "health professional". If the supervisor was NOT A VET, the experience is ANIMAL experience.
Animal Experience: Experiences involving animals where a veterinarian was NOT directly involved.
Research Experience: Because of the variety of ways veterinary schools view experience, applicants should be very specific about the work/involvement and then the veterinary schools will weigh the applicant's level of involvement according to the college's standards.

We're doing our best to help you guys out! 🙂

TW