## 2008-2009 Application Season ## Post AACOMAS questions HERE!!!

BU Medical Sciences
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Alright maybe someone here can answer my question. I graduated from college 2 years ago and now im finally applying to med school. However, I got a D in Organic I and am now retaking the class over summer. I know that many med school require at least a C or better in organic I and Ive wrote on the online aacomas application that im now retaking the class. So here is my question? will med schools review my application now or will they wait until I finish the class & get a grade before reviewing my file & sending me the acceptence/rejection response? thanks
 
Has anyone been verified yet? I submitted application on May 4th , my transcripts are all in, so just wondering how long does it take to get verified. Thanks .
 
medready said:
Alright maybe someone here can answer my question. I graduated from college 2 years ago and now im finally applying to med school. However, I got a D in Organic I and am now retaking the class over summer. I know that many med school require at least a C or better in organic I and Ive wrote on the online aacomas application that im now retaking the class. So here is my question? will med schools review my application now or will they wait until I finish the class & get a grade before reviewing my file & sending me the acceptence/rejection response? thanks
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Yeah they will. I was put on alternate list at NSUCOM with a D in Orgo 2 and was retaking while I was applying so you'll atleast get a look.
 
Is aacomas slow or something?

AMCAS has received transcripts from my schools and AACOMAS has not. AMCAS is much farther away from my schools than AACOMAS.

Is AACOMAS just slow to update?

Also I released my MCAT scores on May 20th to AACOMAS, and they have not been received yet, anyone have any idea of how long it takes to get scores from AAMC to AACOMAS?
 
kronickm said:
Is aacomas slow or something?

AMCAS has received transcripts from my schools and AACOMAS has not. AMCAS is much farther away from my schools than AACOMAS.

Is AACOMAS just slow to update?

Also I released my MCAT scores on May 20th to AACOMAS, and they have not been received yet, anyone have any idea of how long it takes to get scores from AAMC to AACOMAS?
Click to expand...
Make sure that AACOMAS has your social security number. Until they had that on my application they didn't add my MCAT scores or transcript scores.(two years ago) Normally it should takes 3 weeks to a month. I wouldn't worry so much at this point. Right now you are ahead of the game if you submitted your AACOMAS already. I didn't even send in my primary until October.
 
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Kappy1 said:
Make sure that AACOMAS has your social security number. Until they had that on my application they didn't add my MCAT scores or transcript scores.(two years ago) Normally it should takes 3 weeks to a month. I wouldn't worry so much at this point. Right now you are ahead of the game if you submitted your AAMCAS already. I didn't even send in my primary until October.
Click to expand...

I just scoured the app and there is no where on AACOMAS to enter your social...weird.

You have to hand write it in on the transcript request forms, but there is definitely no field to enter on my application.
 
saylorsdad said:
Does aacomas roll over our information from this cycle? As I applied this year and will be reapplying in the fall.
Click to expand...

Speaking of which, when did they decide to integrate AACOMAS with Interfolio? I don't remember that from last year. Is that why my app from last year is wiped clean? (I just created an interfolio account the other day).
 
Hey guys I know there has been talk on here before about doing bullet style when describing activities and jobs...but I was just wondering, if you use bullets, is it best to use the bullets in a typical bullet format like say on a resume with quick descriptions, or should each bullet be complete sentences. I am just a tiny bit paranoid about the app looking good, but when I think of bullets I think of quick statements...I feel totally dumb asking this by the way 😕
 
meganmarie said:
Hey guys I know there has been talk on here before about doing bullet style when describing activities and jobs...but I was just wondering, if you use bullets, is it best to use the bullets in a typical bullet format like say on a resume with quick descriptions, or should each bullet be complete sentences. I am just a tiny bit paranoid about the app looking good, but when I think of bullets I think of quick statements...I feel totally dumb asking this by the way 😕
Click to expand...

Don't feel dumb. Everyone is worried about making their app look good. I did quick statements for my bullets. Just be sure to keep it consistent, especially regarding using "I" and periods in all or none of the bullet points.
 
Chocolate Bear said:
Don't feel dumb. Everyone is worried about making their app look good. I did quick statements for my bullets. Just be sure to keep it consistent, especially regarding using "I" and periods in all or none of the bullet points.
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thanks chocolate, thats kinda what I figured but just wanted to double check!
 
Your school has to be listed in interfolio for you to be able to use it...correct?
 
Chocolate Bear said:
You'll be the first one, probably! I submitted on 5/13--not verified yet.
Click to expand...

I submitted on 5/15. How do we even know when we've been verified? Do we get an email? Also, when do they send their first batch of applications out to schools?
 
Revilla said:
I submitted on 5/15. How do we even know when we've been verified? Do we get an email? Also, when do they send their first batch of applications out to schools?
Click to expand...

On the top right it says "Application Status:", which we speculate will change from Submitted to Verified. I'm guessing no email, but you can keep an eye on the status from within AACOMAS.
 
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Chocolate Bear said:
On the top right it says "Application Status:", which we speculate will change from Submitted to Verified. I'm guessing no email, but you can keep an eye on the status from within AACOMAS. They probably send out apps shortly after verifying.
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So they send them out individually? I heard AMCAS sends out an entire batch in late-June, then another batch some time in July, then another in August.

One more question -- when do schools begin scanning applications for the next class?
 
Revilla said:
So they send them out individually? I heard AMCAS sends out an entire batch in late-June, then another batch some time in July, then another in August.

One more question -- when do schools begin scanning applications for the next class?
Click to expand...

Sorry, I meant that you would be eligible to be sent to schools shortly after being verified. I don't know when the apps will reach the schools.

Someone previously mentioned July-Augustish for when secondaries come out/schools starting to look at apps.
 
I am filling out the AACOMAS now and I am up to the work experience. They give us 750 characters to write for description, are we expected to fill up most of it? I'm assuming just 100 characters would look insufficient.
thanks
 
when I did my application I filled out most of the required space for only some of the jobs/ volunteer work. I tried my best to fill out as much as I could.
 
I find myself using the word "I" a lot for that section. Did you do that same?
 
Chocolate Bear said:
Sorry, I meant that you would be eligible to be sent to schools shortly after being verified. I don't know when the apps will reach the schools.

Someone previously mentioned July-Augustish for when secondaries come out/schools starting to look at apps.
Click to expand...

Great, thanks!
 
I was wondering if it's okay to submit my primary apps without having done any shadowing as of yet? I have volunteered 50 hours in ER thus far, and in the process of finding a doctor to shadow. I'm taking MCAT July 10th, and as of now trying to get shadowing set up for right after the MCAT.

Do I...

A) Submit my primaries this week, with only the ER volunteer work on there.

or

B) Wait until July to submit primaries with shadowing experience and ER volunteer work complete. Also on secondaries is there space to fill in shadowing/volunteer work?

Any advice is appreciated.
 
Yes. Shadowing is not mandatory.

I was offered acceptances without shadowing. It will help your app, but don't let it stop you from applying early.
 
I think you're on the right track. As Slim said, go ahead and apply but keep it up with your attempts to shadow and get those LOR lined up. 👍
 
The way I understand it, the med schools listed on Interfolio are the ones who accept electronic LORs from Interfolio. If the med school you want isn't listed, you can still use Interfolio. It's just that Interfolio will snail mail them a copy of the LORs instead of sending them electronically.
 
nobleheart said:
Your school has to be listed in interfolio for you to be able to use it...correct?
Click to expand...

From the Interfolio site:

---Interfolio is recognized and trusted by AACOMAS, AMCAS, and all medical schools.

---Instant electronic delivery to over 70 medical schools; mail delivery to all others

I saw no list of schools, and it seems like there is no need for one. All schools seem compatible with Interfolio.
 
Revilla said:
The way I understand it, the med schools listed on Interfolio are the ones who accept electronic LORs from Interfolio. If the med school you want isn't listed, you can still use Interfolio. It's just that Interfolio will snail mail them a copy of the LORs instead of sending them electronically.
Click to expand...

Yes, this is correct.

The only schools that don't accept Interfolio are schools like MSU, which require their own forms to be filled out by the reference (it's more of a questionnaire about the applicant and includes a small essay). They want you to use their forms, so you can't send the LOR's via Interfolio. MSU was the only one with this requirement that I applied to out of 13 schools.

Revilla said:
So they send them out individually? I heard AMCAS sends out an entire batch in late-June, then another batch some time in July, then another in August.

One more question -- when do schools begin scanning applications for the next class?
Click to expand...

Last year, they sent applications out once a week. Once you have been verified, they will list the "processed and mailed" date under your application status. Last year they sent applications via snail mail (not electronically like AMCAS) so expect the schools to receive your app in ~1 week. Some schools send out automatic secondaries to every applicant and in that case you will receive the secondary (most are by email) very soon after they receive your primary application.
:luck::luck:
 
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slim78 said:
Yes. Shadowing is not mandatory.

I was offered acceptances without shadowing. It will help your app, but don't let it stop you from applying early.
Click to expand...
Ditto
 
Lots of maintain our dignity and never shadow.

(that's a yes, it's ok to submit your app now)
 
I agree it's fine to submit now. I never did any shadowing but I did have a DO LOR.
 
Don't worry Mr. Chocolate Bear! Even if you did waste a couple hundred hours shadowing, once you get that acceptance in hand you won't be regretting it. :laugh:
 
I tried doing a search but didnt see anything specific,

Are you guys putting shadowing experience under the extracurricular section,

if so what would you put for position and organization?

Thanks
 
i'm sure someone has asked this but where did everyone list their DO shadowing on the application?
 
I put both my shadowing and my volunteering under extracurriculars. For organization, I put the name of the doctor's practice for shadowing and the hospital name for the volunteering.
 
This might be a dumb question but can you apply to TCOM using TMDSAS, or is it only for MD schools in Texas?
 
Hey everyone, I have a few queestions about LORs. If a school, for instance, only asks for a Pre-Health committee LOR can we send in additional LORs to build our application? Or would that be seen as just really annoying?

Also,

I am still in the works of getting one last letter (a letter from a physician). Some schools don't require, but strongly recommend a letter. Should I wait to fill out the secondary until I have that letter, or should I just send in the others to become complete and hope that they don't reject me for not having the letter?
 
saylorsdad said:
Does aacomas roll over our information from this cycle? As I applied this year and will be reapplying in the fall.
Click to expand...

Up to this year, AACOMAS has not had the ability to roll over an application. Beginning with this year, apps can be rolled over (to next year) -- if you aren't successful for the 2009 cycle, you will be able to select data to roll over to 2010.
 
prionsRbad said:
Yes, this is correct.

Last year, they sent applications out once a week. Once you have been verified, they will list the "processed and mailed" date under your application status. Last year they sent applications via snail mail (not electronically like AMCAS) so expect the schools to receive your app in ~1 week. Some schools send out automatic secondaries to every applicant and in that case you will receive the secondary (most are by email) very soon after they receive your primary application.
:luck::luck:
Click to expand...

AACOMAS sends applications out to the colleges weekly, and the first batch for 2009 will go out in mid-June. Applications are (and have been for 4 or 5 years) delivered to the colleges electronically and by shipping large boxes of paper. Some colleges use the electronically delivered data -- some do not.
 
Will applications go out to schools if there's no MCAT score (with an update once there is a score) or do you wait until you get the MCAT score before sending out the application? I ask because some have said it's possible to get secondaries before you get your MCAT score back.
 
LowScorer123 said:
My AACOMAS application is filled out, however my transcripts have yet to arrive. Should I go ahead and apply or wait until they are verified?

Can anyone foresee any problems with AACOMAS if I go ahead and apply now?

My committee letter won't be done until July 1.
Click to expand...

It's fine to submit now.
 
MDorbust said:
Hey everyone, I have a few queestions about LORs. If a school, for instance, only asks for a Pre-Health committee LOR can we send in additional LORs to build our application? Or would that be seen as just really annoying?

Also,

I am still in the works of getting one last letter (a letter from a physician). Some schools don't require, but strongly recommend a letter. Should I wait to fill out the secondary until I have that letter, or should I just send in the others to become complete and hope that they don't reject me for not having the letter?
Click to expand...

Several advisors from different schools have said that 5 letters or less is reasonable. Apparently more than that gets irritating, quickly. Often the committee letter does not paint the comprehensive picture that several letters from various perspectives can.

You can always send an additional letter to a school after you submit the secondary (unless they rejected you, I guess). I'd try to coordinate the secondary and ALL of your letters together, but would probably submit the secondary if the last letter would hold me up for more than a couple of weeks.
 
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