*~*~* Official AACOMAS Questions Thread 2018-2019 *~*~*

[chizledfrmstone]

This thread will open at the opening of the 2018-2019 application cycle.

Please use this thread to ask any questions specific to the AACOMAS application.

Ask away and good luck!

Last years AACOMAS question page is right here.

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[xkb89]

This is regarding AACOMAS Course Subjects when you select your prerequisite courses for each program.

I have taken multiple of English courses, with some grades higher than others. Am I supposed to select all of them or can I selectively choose the ones with the higher grades?

 

[futurezzmed]

How will I know if my MCAT or LOR have been sent to the individual schools? on AACOMAS, it says they have been completed and received for mcat and LOR respectively. However, I am still getting e-mails about my MCAT not being sent yet? What should I do?

 

[physiciandreams]

I am retaking my MCAT at the end of July and am waiting to receive that score before submitting my applications. However, I did submit my application to a throwaway school to get verified and they sent me a secondary. Do I wait until August when I get my score back to submit the secondary or should I submit it now?

 

[indiRanger]

Do you need all of your LORs to be in for AACOMAS to verify?

 

[physiciandreams]

Do you need all of your LORs to be in for AACOMAS to verify?

I don't believe you do, you just indicate a deadline for the LORs to be submitted.

 

[Rapha]

For "Prior Career" it has a drop-down list and asks: "Which choice best describes your prior career/experience?"

I graduated from college but have worked as a lab tech and then as a tutor during my gap year; should I put student since that was relatively recent/I did for a longer time or put down Other (non-health related) since I was most recently a tutor?

(P.S. I searched for this in SDN, but wasn't able to find answers...)

 

[Rae26]

So I paid for the professional transcript entry and I messed up and didn't read the directions about entering the planned courses prior to paying for the PTE. They told me that I can add them after my application if verified, will I still be able to get verified without a few of my prerequisites in?

 

[lilsebastian18]

So my university collects all of my letters from professors/physicians that I have requested and combines it with a committee letter to make a packet. When I submitted AACOMAS, I only included an evaluation request for my committee letter and not the other 4 letters I also have. Even though the entire packet was uploaded together, did I need to add individual evaluations request?

 

[Starbuxian]

So my university collects all of my letters from professors/physicians that I have requested and combines it with a committee letter to make a packet. When I submitted AACOMAS, I only included an evaluation request for my committee letter and not the other 4 letters I also have. Even though the entire packet was uploaded together, did I need to add individual evaluations request?

Mu UG institution does the same and sent out specific instructions NOT to include additional letters (that were part of the committee packet) and add them as individual letters. In your case, all 4 letters and the committee letter are the "packet" and will be sent, so no need for extra duplication.

 

[bballchick89]

I was awarded an international fellowship which was cancelled last-minute due to political conflict. Should I include this as an award in my achievements section even though I didn't actually get to do it?

(It also explains a couple months when I wasn't employed while I tried to figure out something new.)

 

[esob]

My application status shows "complete" on the AACOMAS website for the schools that I have submitted to thus far, but I haven't received an email from any of them yet confirming receipt of the application. Is this normal? All the TMDSAS schools sent emails when they rec'd my application.

 

[lilsebastian18]

My application status shows "complete" on the AACOMAS website for the schools that I have submitted to thus far, but I haven't received an email from any of them yet confirming receipt of the application. Is this normal? All the TMDSAS schools sent emails when they rec'd my application.

It may take a few days for them from the time you’re complete to when they email. I heard they usually download apps from AACOMAS about once a week. The receipt emails come in the form of a secondary invite.

 

[Dhooy7]

Anyone willing to lookover my secondaries?

 

[Starbuxian]

Anyone willing to lookover my secondaries?

Sure, shoot them my way. But please expect transparency and honest criticism!

 

[XOXO123]

Stupid question, on the family section of AACOMAS when it asks how many people were in your primary household other than your parents, does that include yourself?

Also, if I submit for verification will I be able to add a new letter entry later? My letter will come through interfolio so I can't create the letter request until it's in interfolio so that I have the interfolio-created email address. I've heard conflicting things about this

 

[MotherofDragonflies]

Who do you list as a supervisor? I don't want them contacting my job. Can I list myself?

 

[esob]

** EDIT *** Just looked at their FAQ's and I guess this is right, but I'm still a bit bewildered because if there was any one thing I was sure of from my time browsing on SDN is was that only BCPM courses counted toward your sGPA. I guess you learn something new every day.

So AACOMAS counted my "allied health profession" (I think that is the term for nursing, emt, etc courses) into my science GPA. Is that correct? For years I have been reading on SDN that on BCPM were included in your science GPA and that health sciences classes were considered other classes. So, for example, I had a course for lab tech school that was a "clinical lab rotation" for a semester, which was counted into my science GPA. TMDSAS did not count these classes this way, so is this something AACOMAS does differently than the other services or is this a mistake and I need to ask them to look at it?

FWIW, I paid for the professional transcript entry because I had some repeat courses and I didn't feel like having my application held up because I entered something incorrectly.

 

[XOXO123]

** EDIT *** Just looked at their FAQ's and I guess this is right, but I'm still a bit bewildered because if there was any one thing I was sure of from my time browsing on SDN is was that only BCPM courses counted toward your sGPA. I guess you learn something new every day.

So AACOMAS counted my "allied health profession" (I think that is the term for nursing, emt, etc courses) into my science GPA. Is that correct? For years I have been reading on SDN that on BCPM were included in your science GPA and that health sciences classes were considered other classes. So, for example, I had a course for lab tech school that was a "clinical lab rotation" for a semester, which was counted into my science GPA. TMDSAS did not count these classes this way, so is this something AACOMAS does differently than the other services or is this a mistake and I need to ask them to look at it?

FWIW, I paid for the professional transcript entry because I had some repeat courses and I didn't feel like having my application held up because I entered something incorrectly.

AACOMAS does things differently than AMCAS (and apparently TMDSAS, though I don't know anything about that). I have a lot of public health classes that AACOMAS will count for sGPA but AMCAS will not.

 

[esob]

AACOMAS does things differently than AMCAS (and apparently TMDSAS, though I don't know anything about that). I have a lot of public health classes that AACOMAS will count for sGPA but AMCAS will not.

Yeah, super bummed about that b/c it totally messes up my plan, but I guess it gives me a good reason to apply to a bunch more MD schools and remove some of the DO schools from my list instead.

 

[Benjitheguineapig]

If I submit my application at the end of July is that too late?

 

[Rae26]

So my application has been verified. Will a get a notice whenever it is received by the college as well or should I call the college to be sure that they received it?

Also about how long after submitting and getting verified should you get your secondary?

 

[lilsebastian18]

So my application has been verified. Will a get a notice whenever it is received by the college as well or should I call the college to be sure that they received it?

Also about how long after submitting and getting verified should you get your secondary?

Some schools will screen, so you may not hear immediately, but from what I’ve been told, schools usually download apps from AACOMAS at least once a week. I was verified way back in May, but I selected a new school last weekend and after the screen I got a secondary this morning.

 

[Rae26]

Some schools will screen, so you may not hear immediately, but from what I’ve been told, schools usually download apps from AACOMAS at least once a week. I was verified way back in May, but I selected a new school last weekend and after the screen I got a secondary this morning.

I just submitted about 2 weeks ago.
It took about a week to get verified. I paid for the professional transcript entry so I think that's why it look longer because once I submitted they still had to add all of my courses. But I got verified on Monday/Tuesdayish. Should I call the school if I don't hear anything soon?

 

[Starbuxian]

Patience, young grasshopper!

If schools are downloading apps from AACOMAS once a week, I'd wait at least 10-15 days before calling. In the meantime, start to pre-write those secondaries!

 

[Rae26]

Patience, young grasshopper!

If schools are downloading apps from AACOMAS once a week, I'd wait at least 10-15 days before calling. In the meantime, start to pre-write those secondaries!

Patience is not my strong suit hahahah.
Are the secondaries typically standard?

 

[Starbuxian]

Patience is not my strong suit hahahah.
Are the secondaries typically standard?

Typically they are.. however there's no guarantee. Best to check in the secondaries thread for the next app cycle. That said, the themes won't vary much from the adversity, diversity, personal challenge.

 

[YourFutureMD]

Stupid question, on the family section of AACOMAS when it asks how many people were in your primary household other than your parents, does that include yourself?

Also, if I submit for verification will I be able to add a new letter entry later? My letter will come through interfolio so I can't create the letter request until it's in interfolio so that I have the interfolio-created email address. I've heard conflicting things about this

Yep! You should be able to add a new letter. Mine has been verified, and I just added a new letter entry. Also, I always wanted to know how to add an interfolio-created email address to add letters into AACOMAS?

 

[YourFutureMD]

If I submit my application at the end of July is that too late?

Nope. Anything before thanksgiving is considered early/on time for DO schools, since apparently the cycle is longer than that of MD schools. But earlier is always better.

 

[XOXO123]

Yep! You should be able to add a new letter. Mine has been verified, and I just added a new letter entry. Also, I always wanted to know how to add an interfolio-created email address to add letters into AACOMAS?

It's really easy actually, you just go into Interfolio and create a new delivery and select the option about delivering to an application service, select your letter, and then select that the service uses email addresses for requests, and then Interfolio will create its own email address that you can copy and paste into AACOMAS when you make the letter entry. Then when AACOMAS sends the request to that email, Interfolio uploads the letter for you!

 

[YourFutureMD]

It's really easy actually, you just go into Interfolio and create a new delivery and select the option about delivering to an application service, select your letter, and then select that the service uses email addresses for requests, and then Interfolio will create its own email address that you can copy and paste into AACOMAS when you make the letter entry. Then when AACOMAS sends the request to that email, Interfolio uploads the letter for you!

Wow! Thanks so much!

 

[NicoleBryant]

Thank you!

 

[nyani]

Hi, I have a bit of a complicated issue. I have an in-progress summer class that ends August 16. I am a re-applicant so I copied my application from two cycles ago, and AACOMAS has all my transcripts from before. For the school I am taking the summer class in, I am an extended education student, so they cannot list a class as 'in-progress' on my transcript and can only send the updated transcript on August 28.
I submitted my app for this cycle on July 1, and I still have not been verified. I am not sure if they are waiting for the transcript with the summer class on it- but if they are, would it be too late by end of August? I called AACOMAS and they told me to wait the whole four weeks... Is there a way to get around this issue (in the case it still is not verified by next week)?

 

[CrazyHorseLady]

I really want to get into a particular school, I just submitted my secondary and the school called to confirm that my app is ready for review, and if I have any other questions to call, would it be too pushy to ask if I can schedule a tour of the campus to show my interest? I also genuinely want a tour lol.

 

[Starbuxian]

When AACOMAS verifies the application, do they immediately send to the schools you've selected?

 

[CharlieChan93]

What's up everyone - when matching pre-req's I was placing biochem in the organic chem section. I only took orgo 1, taking orgo 2 in the fall. I thought we had to enter the minimum amount of credits it stated on the top of the screen so I was just using biochem to fulfill it lol. Anyway, does this even matter or do I need to call/email schools to clarify it. Waiting to be verified btw.

 

[YourFutureMD]

When AACOMAS verifies the application, do they immediately send to the schools you've selected?

I believe so! When mine got verified, I started getting secondaries the next business day. I hope I was able to help a little

 

[Starbuxian]

I believe so! When mine got verified, I started getting secondaries the next business day. I hope I was able to help a little

Yes, thanks.
I noticed an error on my verified application (although I entered the item correctly). AACOMAS is looking into it but if this has already gone to the schools, I'm worried I might get screened out due to the error!

 

[YourFutureMD]

Yes, thanks.
I noticed an error on my verified application (although I entered the item correctly). AACOMAS is looking into it but if this has already gone to the schools, I'm worried I might get screened out due to the error!

Oh no! If AACOMAS is looking into it, that's good! If they could correct it from their end, you should be good!

 

[dehji]

Hey guys just a quick question. Some secondaries I've received has a section to submit LOR for their LOR requirements. I have already sent my LOR from Interfolio to AACOMAS, so do I need to go to Interfolio and then send my LOR to each school separately?

 

[MajesticPanthera]

Is it just me, or does AACOMAS not have a space to put siblings? It says my family size is only me+ my parents.

 

[SiakTiDoc]

How did you guys list your subjects in your course work?
I'm a microbio major and all my micro classes fall under micobiology in my transcript, but there are more specific subjects that fit my courses.
ex. Immunology

So, do I list Immunology as Microbiology (as it appears on my transcript) or Immunology under subject?

 

[tabakhi_1]

Hey guys, I'm new here and i need help deciding what to do. I'm graduating in the fall and my science GPA will most likely be below a 3.0 with an overall of a 3.2, I'm going to study very hard in order to have a high mcat score, however I know my chances of getting into a DO are very slim. My ec's are great however my only problem is my GPA, any suggestions on what to do? I was thinking of doing a one year masters at Rosalind Franklin University because I know they give interviews for all their students. Any suggestions???

 

[Starbuxian]

Hey guys, I'm new here and i need help deciding what to do. I'm graduating in the fall and my science GPA will most likely be below a 3.0 with an overall of a 3.2, I'm going to study very hard in order to have a high mcat score, however I know my chances of getting into a DO are very slim. My ec's are great however my only problem is my GPA, any suggestions on what to do? I was thinking of doing a one year masters at Rosalind Franklin University because I know they give interviews for all their students. Any suggestions???

I agree with your assessment that you need GPA reinforcement. There may well be other DO schools that also give interviews to their SMP students (LECOM does if I'm not mistaken).

Do not take the MCAT at the same time as your SMP. Do not take the MCAT until you consistently score in your range on practice tests (i.e. AAMC FLs). Good luck!

 

[iwasthisclose]

1. I submitted my application with only my first MCAT (have not gotten verified)
2. I just added my second MCAT
3. I went ahead and released my MCAT scores because I also forgot to do that
All in that order.
Will schools see my second MCAT?

 

[southwestpremed06]

Quick question. I just got my mcat score anf added schools on my verified aacomas. I got the same email confirmation telling me my app was gonna be put in que for verification, which makes no sense since I was already verified? Anyone know if this is just a standard email they send everytime you update or am I actually getting verified again. Confused

 

[JOESHMOE123]

I have a question with regards to the Experiences section.
I scribed from 2014-2016 (outpatient neuro) and 2017-Present (inpatient psychiatry).

Should I have 2 separate entries and title them both Medical Scribe? Or, should I cluster the 2 experiences into 1 entry.
If I do cluster, how can I properly report the total hours of scribing?

Thanks so much

 

[Starbuxian]

I have a question with regards to the Experiences section.
I scribed from 2014-2016 (outpatient neuro) and 2017-Present (inpatient psychiatry).

Should I have 2 separate entries and title them both Medical Scribe? Or, should I cluster the 2 experiences into 1 entry.
If I do cluster, how can I properly report the total hours of scribing?

Thanks so much

If both these are similar experiences, I would put them under 1 entry. Enter the total hours for both in the main field and in the details, break out hours for each. For example:
Scribe, 2014-2016, Outpatient Neuro - X hours
Scribe, 2017-present, Inpatient Psychiatry - Y hours

 

[mcgrady366]

If I add a new experience to my already verified/completed (already sent to school with secondaries) application, will my application be moved to the end of the review pile?

 

[JOESHMOE123]

If both these are similar experiences, I would put them under 1 entry. Enter the total hours for both in the main field and in the details, break out hours for each. For example:
Scribe, 2014-2016, Outpatient Neuro - X hours
Scribe, 2017-present, Inpatient Psychiatry - Y hours

Thanks so much !