*~*~* Official AACOMAS Questions Thread 2013-2014 *~*~*

[ToldYouSo]

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For AMCAS, if a class (gen chem for example) has the lab built into the course you write "General Chemistry I with Lab" even if the course name is just "General Chemistry I." Is it the same with AACOMAS?

 

[Snackish]

I did a search for my question, which someone also asked below last year, but found no answer:

"Application Review Question
Does anyone know why, when I go to the AACOMAS Application Review (to print, save as PDF, etc.), the extracurricular/employment descriptions don't come up? Like the 750 character little paragraphs. Schools will still get these correct?"

 

[rmsfricket]

A few random questions:
1) Does a class in bioinformatics count as part of the science GPA? How about nutrition and food science classes?

2) In the grades section of AACOMAS, it asks for semester hours. My school uses quarters though, so do I divide the quarter hours by 1.5?

Thank you!

 

[BB8730]

After reading through, still not sure how to list the dean's list in the awards/honors section. Instructions say "For example, an applicant who makes the Dean's List each term should enter this only once, and note in the explanation that this occurred multiple times". Except there isn't an description form here like in the EC section, only the 4 fields:

Name of Award, Honor or Scholarship *
Organization
Month Received or Awarded
Year Received or Awarded

So
Name of Award: Dean's List
Organization: Should we list our university here? and the semesters?
Month Received: The first month we made the list?
Year Received: The first year we made the list?

Looks good to me. There isn't one correct way to do it, so just do it in a way that makes sense and you'll be fine. I did basically the same thing but I listed the number of semesters in the name of award.

I volunteer for an organization that runs free health clinics. What should I use as the title? "Health Clinics Volunteer"? Is there a better term for this?

"Health Clinics Volunteer" or just "Volunteer" would work fine IMO.

The AACOMAS application instructions state that for a class to be listed as "in progress" or "planned", it must show up on one's transcript.

Also, it says that "AACOMAS does not review "Planned/in Progress" courses and cannot provide approval or a decision based on incomplete courses. You must seek guidance from your pre-health advisor or the school/s to which you wish to apply."

I will most likely end up applying to medical school before taking Organic Chemistry 2 or Biochemistry (probably end up taking them the last semester before graduation, just how the schedule worked out). Will this be a problem for my AACOMAS? Since "planned/inprog" courses are not reviewed...will I be disqualified for having no Organic Chemistry II course?

No, you will not be disqualified. Many applicants are missing a prereq or two because they will be taking them in the Spring before they graduate. As long as you have the prereqs completed before you matriculate, the schools are happy.

For AMCAS, if a class (gen chem for example) has the lab built into the course you write "General Chemistry I with Lab" even if the course name is just "General Chemistry I." Is it the same with AACOMAS?

This has been asked several times already - search this thread.

I did a search for my question, which someone also asked below last year, but found no answer:

"Application Review Question
Does anyone know why, when I go to the AACOMAS Application Review (to print, save as PDF, etc.), the extracurricular/employment descriptions don't come up? Like the 750 character little paragraphs. Schools will still get these correct?"

I just looked at my applications from last year and mine were there. I would ask AACOMAS about it, because as far as I know, the schools see exactly what you see when you download your applicant profile.

 

[TwinsFan]

I did a search for my question, which someone also asked below last year, but found no answer:

"Application Review Question
Does anyone know why, when I go to the AACOMAS Application Review (to print, save as PDF, etc.), the extracurricular/employment descriptions don't come up? Like the 750 character little paragraphs. Schools will still get these correct?"

Same here, report back what AACOMAS says...

 

[applicant42]

I have two research publications in inorganic chemistry (I am the first author in one). Do you guys know, in general, how much DO schools care about research pubs?

I hope this is the right place to ask this question.

 

[heybigspender]

If I'm re-taking a class at a different institution (technically), would I still list it down as a re-take?

i.e.
I took Organic Chemistry at UCLA, and now re-taking it at UCLA Extension to improve my science gpa.

When listing classes, would it be considered a re-take?

 

[emryal]

Do we need to enter 0 credit Pass/Fail classes? Every freshman during their Fall semester at my school is required to take three 'classes' (a seminar for their major, an 8 hour community service requirement, and an online test that tests their language proficiency). These three classes are listed on my transcript, graded as pass/fail, and are 0 credits. Should I enter them on as course work in the AACOMAS Application?

 

[shezadeh]

No, you will not be disqualified. Many applicants are missing a prereq or two because they will be taking them in the Spring before they graduate. As long as you have the prereqs completed before you matriculate, the schools are happy.

From my understanding of the AACOMAS rules, only the classes on my transcript can be put on the AACOMAS application. So even though some of the classes may not even show up (if I apply in June/July, I can only show Fall, not Spring classes) on the AACOMAS, but I take them before matriculation, I should be fine?

Thanks

 

[BB8730]

I have two research publications in inorganic chemistry (I am the first author in one). Do you guys know, in general, how much DO schools care about research pubs?

I hope this is the right place to ask this question.

From my limited experience with research, I feel like research isn't emphasized as much for DO schools as it is for MD schools. But research (especially pubs) always looks good.

If I'm re-taking a class at a different institution (technically), would I still list it down as a re-take?

i.e.
I took Organic Chemistry at UCLA, and now re-taking it at UCLA Extension to improve my science gpa.

When listing classes, would it be considered a re-take?

Yes, as long as the latest class is an equal or higher number of credits.

Do we need to enter 0 credit Pass/Fail classes? Every freshman during their Fall semester at my school is required to take three 'classes' (a seminar for their major, an 8 hour community service requirement, and an online test that tests their language proficiency). These three classes are listed on my transcript, graded as pass/fail, and are 0 credits. Should I enter them on as course work in the AACOMAS Application?

Yep - put them on there. AACOMAS lets you list 0 credit classes.

From my understanding of the AACOMAS rules, only the classes on my transcript can be put on the AACOMAS application. So even though some of the classes may not even show up (if I apply in June/July, I can only show Fall, not Spring classes) on the AACOMAS, but I take them before matriculation, I should be fine?

Thanks

Correct.

 

[MedGrl@2022]

First, you're missing one "A" in "AACOMAS" 🙂

Have you tried sending AACOMAS a quick message through the portal system? They are usually pretty fast to respond, and maybe they'd have an accurate answer?

What is this "portal system"?

 

[Snackish]

Same here, report back what AACOMAS says...

Aacomas responded. "This only happens in the application summary, because it is a summary and only self reported information." FYI. They responded within hours on Tuesday after Memorial Day

My original question I posed before:

I did a search for my question, which someone also asked below last year, but found no answer:

"Application Review Question
Does anyone know why, when I go to the AACOMAS Application Review (to print, save as PDF, etc.), the extracurricular/employment descriptions don't come up? Like the 750 character little paragraphs. Schools will still get these correct?"

 

[ToKingdomCome]

I've heard conflicting reports. Is June 3rd or June 1st the first day you can submit?

 

[MD013]

June 3rd because its Monday a business day. June 1st is a Saturday. There won't be anyone there to verify your app.

 

[ChineseKid]

What's everyone's opinion of names in personal statement?
Yay or nay?
One of my reviewers says having them make it seem lack professionalism

Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Pose]

I am entering all of my coursework into AACOMAS, and I need to list Organic Chemistry II as a planned course for next year. But when I click "Add a term," the year only goes up to 2012. What am I supposed to put? I haven't even registered for the course yet, but I'll need to take it before matriculation, and so presumably it'll be next Spring.

Another question. I didn't graduate high school, but got the GED instead. Should I just put "GED" under School Name, and "N/A" under High School City?

 

[SD3321]

So a group that I was on e-board was given a award at my university, they are usually given to a individual but our whole organization got it. Should I list this under my award section or no?

 

[gobigorgohome22]

I am entering all of my coursework into AACOMAS, and I need to list Organic Chemistry II as a planned course for next year. But when I click "Add a term," the year only goes up to 2012. What am I supposed to put? I haven't even registered for the course yet, but I'll need to take it before matriculation, and so presumably it'll be next Spring.

Another question. I didn't graduate high school, but got the GED instead. Should I just put "GED" under School Name, and "N/A" under High School City?

I dont know about the GED question but if you go to the school in concern and change the years you where there from x-2013, the 2013 semesters should show up for entering courses.

 

[MD2BHA]

I'm having a hard time classifying some of my extra curricular activities. I was selected to do a paid summer internship at a grad school for research in which I developed my own research topic that I presented at the end of the program. Does that count as a work experience? Or an extra curricular experience? I was paid thru a stipend by the university. What do you guys think??

 

[MedGrl@2022]

"Enter each significant award, honor, and scholarship that you have received. Repeated experiences should be entered only once. For example, an applicant who makes the Dean's List each term should enter this only once, and note in the explanation that this occurred multiple times"

Where can I leave this note? I don't see a box for it in AACOMAS. Also isn't it strange that they don't ask for contact information for each activity like in AMCAS.

Thanks! 🙂

 

[bvo21]

I got an email saying I listed my credit hours in quarters. Are we supposed to convert them to semesters?

Ok Just read the instructions. Yes, we are supposed to convert to semester hours.

 

[BB8730]

What is this "portal system"?

See the first post of this thread under "AACOMAS Contact Info"

What's everyone's opinion of names in personal statement?
Yay or nay?
One of my reviewers says having them make it seem lack professionalism

Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2

I have read many PS's and seen it both ways. IMO it doesn't make a difference.

So a group that I was on e-board was given a award at my university, they are usually given to a individual but our whole organization got it. Should I list this under my award section or no?

I would list it.

I'm having a hard time classifying some of my extra curricular activities. I was selected to do a paid summer internship at a grad school for research in which I developed my own research topic that I presented at the end of the program. Does that count as a work experience? Or an extra curricular experience? I was paid thru a stipend by the university. What do you guys think??

Sounds like an EC to me. Just mention that it was a paid internship in the description.

"Enter each significant award, honor, and scholarship that you have received. Repeated experiences should be entered only once. For example, an applicant who makes the Dean's List each term should enter this only once, and note in the explanation that this occurred multiple times"

Where can I leave this note? I don't see a box for it in AACOMAS. Also isn't it strange that they don't ask for contact information for each activity like in AMCAS.

Thanks! 🙂

There isn't a box - not sure why AACOMAS still has that in the directions. If you need a lot of space to describe it, put it in the EC section. Otherwise try to describe it in the title of the award, e.g. "Dean's List for 3 semesters" or something like that.

Some schools ask for contact info for ECs in the secondary, otherwise yeah, no contact info required for AACOMAS.

 

[go1]

Should I send my transcripts to AACOMAS after I submit on june 3rd? Or can I do that now?

 

[BB8730]

Should I send my transcripts to AACOMAS after I submit on june 3rd? Or can I do that now?

You can and should do that now.

 

[Pose]

Is there a consensus on listing informal tutoring as an EC? I tutored for years in undergrad, but not with a company or program, just as requested by students and professors. Unpaid. But I don't want it to seem like a pad.

Sent from my LG-VM696 using SDN Mobile

 

[DeFused]

Is this an okay format for consolidating my shadowing experiences?

Dr. Joe Smith, D.O.
Family Medicine
Total time: 20 hours

Dr. John Doe, M.D.
Family Practice
Total time: 20 hours.

Do I have to include the name of the clinic? I just thought that would look weird because they're both named after themselves. Also, should I put a small sentence for each shadowing experience?

 

[Dark Ace]

Hi all,

There were a couple of things I wasn't sure of while entering my coursework and I was interested in some input from you guys.

I took an inter-disciplinary course titled "Research experience." It was not offered through a specific department. So I was wondering if you had any idea whether this would qualify as 'Other Science?' The course was kind of like a seminar in which we presented and discussed any research we were doing in a lab.

Also, there was a course offered under the Biology department, but without any biology. It was more professional development. I am assuming this would qualify as 'Other Non-science.' Would you agree?

Thanks everyone!

 

[wjs010]

has anyone found out whether it is june 1 or june 3?

 

[G2M]

Yeah I'm wondering the same thing too. I found it odd that the submission was on a non-business day. Does anyone know?

 

[MD013]

Hi. For those who are putting shadowing all in one record, I just want to make sure I am doing it correctly.

Dr. A
Hospital A
Total Hours: A
Dates: Jan 2010-June 2010

Dr. B
Hospital B
Total Hours: B
Dates: Aug 2010- Dec 2010

Dr. C
Hospital C
Total Hours: C
Dates: Jan 2012-July 2012

So for the Month of Start Date and the Month of End Date do I just put Jan 2010 and July 2012? Thank you!

 

[geh926]

Is there a consensus on listing informal tutoring as an EC? I tutored for years in undergrad, but not with a company or program, just as requested by students and professors. Unpaid. But I don't want it to seem like a pad.

Sent from my LG-VM696 using SDN Mobile

Same question!

 

[Chillywilly]

So I applied last year, but I withdrew my application a week after I submitted it. I just felt that I wasn't ready. Anyway, for this year I am submitting on 6/3 and I chose to "rollover" my app from 2013. Does this mean schools can see my old application (2013) in addition to my new 2014?

Also, I withdrew my application last year before any deadlines. So if I reapply to the same schools this year, I won't be considered a reapplicant right? Thanks for any help.

Btw, does anyone else find it shady that AACOMAS doesn't require location, names or contact info for the work/EC section?

 

[BB8730]

Is there a consensus on listing informal tutoring as an EC? I tutored for years in undergrad, but not with a company or program, just as requested by students and professors. Unpaid. But I don't want it to seem like a pad.

Sent from my LG-VM696 using SDN Mobile

If your application is full of other stuff, I'd leave it out. If you're short on ECs, it probably wouldn't hurt to list it. Just be sure to describe exactly what it was. If you're honest, it shouldn't look like a pad.

Is this an okay format for consolidating my shadowing experiences?

Dr. Joe Smith, D.O.
Family Medicine
Total time: 20 hours

Dr. John Doe, M.D.
Family Practice
Total time: 20 hours.

Do I have to include the name of the clinic? I just thought that would look weird because they're both named after themselves. Also, should I put a small sentence for each shadowing experience?

You might want to add dates, otherwise it looks good to me. You can leave out clinic names if you want. If you just did run-of-the-mill shadowing you don't really need to describe it, but if there's anything meaningful that you want to add, you can describe it.

Hi all,

There were a couple of things I wasn't sure of while entering my coursework and I was interested in some input from you guys.

I took an inter-disciplinary course titled "Research experience." It was not offered through a specific department. So I was wondering if you had any idea whether this would qualify as 'Other Science?' The course was kind of like a seminar in which we presented and discussed any research we were doing in a lab.

Also, there was a course offered under the Biology department, but without any biology. It was more professional development. I am assuming this would qualify as 'Other Non-science.' Would you agree?

Thanks everyone!

"Research experience" would probably count as an Other Science as long as the course prefix doesn't fall under a non-science category. The biology course would also count as science if it has a biology prefix.

has anyone found out whether it is june 1 or june 3?

June 3rd - it's in the instructions.

Hi. For those who are putting shadowing all in one record, I just want to make sure I am doing it correctly.

Dr. A
Hospital A
Total Hours: A
Dates: Jan 2010-June 2010

Dr. B
Hospital B
Total Hours: B
Dates: Aug 2010- Dec 2010

Dr. C
Hospital C
Total Hours: C
Dates: Jan 2012-July 2012

So for the Month of Start Date and the Month of End Date do I just put Jan 2010 and July 2012? Thank you!

Looks good to me.

So I applied last year, but I withdrew my application a week after I submitted it. I just felt that I wasn't ready. Anyway, for this year I am submitting on 6/3 and I chose to "rollover" my app from 2013. Does this mean schools can see my old application (2013) in addition to my new 2014?

Also, I withdrew my application last year before any deadlines. So if I reapply to the same schools this year, I won't be considered a reapplicant right? Thanks for any help.

Btw, does anyone else find it shady that AACOMAS doesn't require location, names or contact info for the work/EC section?

If your application was released to any schools - which it sounds like it was - you will probably be considered a reapplicant at those schools. The rollover doesn't matter and deadlines don't matter. If a school saw your primary application last year, they may cross-reference it when you apply this year and consider you a reapplicant. I would plan on calling yourself a reapplicant anywhere you applied to last year.

 

[Chillywilly]

I just called some schools. NYCOM said that because I withdrew my application before their deadline, they will NOT consider me as a reapplicant....so I am applying this cycle as if it was my first time they said. Definitely call schools though, each one can vary.


But suppose I applied to Touro-NV and this year I am applying to Touro-NY. Am I a reapplicant? It's the same school but different location, so I am wondering if both sites get all the applicants or whatever? Thanks for any help.

 

[Capitalmed]

I didn't see this posted anywhere above, but is there any way to indicate that I will be attending a formal post-bacc program in the Fall? I don't have a transcript for this university yet since I haven't started classes, but I sorta wanted to include it on my application. Is the only thing I can do is apply now and then send in my transcript from the post-bacc in December? Thanks for any help!

 

[Dark Ace]

"Research experience" would probably count as an Other Science as long as the course prefix doesn't fall under a non-science category. The biology course would also count as science if it has a biology prefix.

Yea, but the problem is that the 'Research experience' course is not offered specifically under a science department but rather under "Interdisciplinary." So how do I figure out whether it is Other science or Other non-science?

Also, regarding the biology course, would it still count as science even if the course name was something like "teaching?" Cause in the AACOMAS instructions, teaching science falls under 'Other Non-Science.' But I am confused because the department/prefix is actually Biology.

Any ideas???

Thank you so much👍

 

[saxofoonie]

If I am waitlisted at one school, does it make a difference if I submit my aacomas now or during august?

 

[wanamaker]

What is the best way to list publications and abstracts? Under the description of an activity?

Also, does anyone know the maximum number of activities that can be entered?

 

[Dr Turkelton]

Question about the retake policy. I attended a Canadian school that doesn't use credit hours. I took a yearlong Physiology course that WES (required transcript evaluation company) listed as 6 credit hours. After I took the course my school changed the course from a year long to a 2 semester progression. I retook half the course and they list this retake as 3 credit hours and am looking to take the other half at another school. I have heard that you must retake courses with the same or more credit hour but I can't seem to find any schools offering 6 credit hour physiology courses. Am I out of look in terms of being able to use the retake policy on this course?

 

[maybemed2013]

I know for shadowing my position would be student but what would be the name of the organization.

Also do you guys know how any PS gurus.

 

[maybemed2013]

Would I be able to submit tomorrow and then change my PS?

 

[Postictal Raiden]

Quick question.

In the Colleges and Coursework page, under each institution I attended written in red "Coursework Not Complete". Does that mean that the grades haven't been verified yet? I finished entering all of the courses and AACOMAS has so far received two of three transcripts. Yet, the statement in red is still showing for all three institutions.

Please advise

 

[MD013]

Quick question.

In the Colleges and Coursework page, under each institution I attended written in red "Coursework Not Complete". Does that mean that the grades haven't been verified yet? I finished entering all of the courses and AACOMAS has so far received two of three transcripts. Yet, the statement in red is still showing for all three institutions.

Please advise

Did you check mark the box already that said I have finished entering all my courses for this institution?

 

[Postictal Raiden]

Did you check mark the box already that said I have finished entering all my courses for this institution?

Duh. Thanks!

 

[TopTomato]

OK I know that some people are saying that the June 3rd is when we can submit, but I'd like to know where they are getting that info from cause the AACOMAS packet says June 1st. Just a little confused.

 

[NuttyEngDude]

I think people are saying that because june 1st is a saturday and June 3rd is a monday. I dont know which is right and i dont know if one is inherently better than another.

 

[TopTomato]

I think people are saying that because june 1st is a saturday and June 3rd is a monday. I dont know which is right and i dont know if one is inherently better than another.

That's what i'm thinking. I guess were allowed to submit tonight, however nothing would get done until monday morning at the earliest. But I'm guessing they process applications on a first come first serve basis, so I guess it's best to submit tonight.

 

[NuttyEngDude]

Yeah I imagine they process them, put them in a batch then send the whole batch all at once to schools. Then schools work on them in a similar fashion, splitting the workload among several adcom members.

The assumption is that the order is preserved the whole way and that a difference of 3 days will matter. For example, does this mean it's possible to be in a "second batch" where you're waiting for enough to be sent or does it all just continually get sent in a trickle of data. No one knows! (i think). I might just send it all at once on the 5th, aacomas and amcas. Maybe it will hurt maybe not. At some point you figure the quality of the app will overrule the little bit of hurt you get from a couple days. Then again... AAAaAHHH! 😛

 

[Postictal Raiden]

Another question.

Would you list paid tutoring/SI leader under work experiences or under EC's? and if you tutored for different courses, but your work was exactly the same, would you type the same thing in the description box?

 

[TopTomato]

Yeah I imagine they process them, put them in a batch then send the whole batch all at once to schools. Then schools work on them in a similar fashion, splitting the workload among several adcom members.

The assumption is that the order is preserved the whole way and that a difference of 3 days will matter. For example, does this mean it's possible to be in a "second batch" where you're waiting for enough to be sent or does it all just continually get sent in a trickle of data. No one knows! (i think). I might just send it all at once on the 5th, aacomas and amcas. Maybe it will hurt maybe not. At some point you figure the quality of the app will overrule the little bit of hurt you get from a couple days. Then again... AAAaAHHH! 😛

Lol I think the worst thing about applying to medical school is that every step of the way there's a bunch of "unknowns" about everything