*~*~*~* Official AMCAS Questions Thread 2019-2020 *~*~*~*

[gonnif]

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I'm a little confused about AP course entry on AMCAS? Do we just enter all of our AP scores that we took in high school?
Thank you in advance!

Also for a course titled: "Ethics of Geriatric Care" with a GERO course ID would it go under Health Sciences, Behavior/Social or Philosophy?

1. AP classes only count if a college awarded you credit and it appears on a college transcript. You do not put down AP score
2. Health science

 

[gonnif]

Is there a thread for main Work/Activities editing help?

Yes, link should be in my signature list

 

[gonnif]

So you recommend waiting a whole extra year to focus on taking the MCAT and then applying to schools just because I need to take a test that I'm already prepared for? I was scheduled to take the May 23 test but could't due to a family crisis, which has been resolved. I'd take it June 1 or 15, but unfortunately there are no seats left. Hopefully they'll open up, if not I'll just take it on June 28 because I can't do anything else.

Also if my scores come back end of July and schools take 2-3weeks to send them to me, and I get them done in a week how will I not be done by Sept 1?I honestly find your answer very off putting and in general the priorities seem bizzare, but then again, this is your thread and I asked for your advice so I don't want to be disrespectful. Life happens? For a minor bump like this you don't throw away a whole year and hundreds of dollars of prep materials and thousands of hours of hard work. I'm not upset that you said I wouldn't be on time, or that your answer is not to my liking. I'm just shocked that you would respond so callously, as someone who's passion is to help pre-meds, but honestly that's your call. Thanks for your input.

And if you had read my specific response to you under #4/5 you will see I said that you can apply this term and make ontime. However, most applicants woefully underestimate the time and effort it takes to finish a secondary even with prewriting. And you dont get iaccepted because you got your applicant in early, you get accepted because your secondary application is well-written and highly polished. Additionally simply because you have gotten your Primary and MCAT score to a school by last week of july that same may take 1-3 weeks simply to “intake” with thousands of applications ahead of you before even sending secondaries. I am sure there will be at least 1/3 of schools that you will not get secondaries until after labor day

But as as I said complete by end of September is “ontime”

 

[albatrosssoph]

Hi! Does anyone know if AMCAS gives you the option to officially waive your right to see letters of recommendations? It doesn't show up anywhere on my application and I'm a little stressed about it. Obviously I haven't read my letters and won't, but I want to ensure medical schools know this as well. My letter writers uploaded their letters through the AMCAS Letter Writer Application.

 

[gonnif]

Hi! Does anyone know if AMCAS gives you the option to officially waive your right to see letters of recommendations? It doesn't show up anywhere on my application and I'm a little stressed about it. Obviously I haven't read my letters and won't, but I want to ensure medical schools know this as well. My letter writers uploaded their letters through the AMCAS Letter Writer Application.

No it doesnt, that is up to your UG school. However, there is no issue here. Just have professor upload. BTW, even if you waive the right to demand to see it, the professor can give you a copy if they choose without any violation

 

[callmedoc14]

My official transcript has a course withdrawal note that states I withdrew from a course BEFORE the deadline date only under a specific term (Summer term). AMCAS Guide states "A course entry should not be made if the course was dropped within the normal drop/add period and does not appear on your transcript." Because it DOES appear on my transcript, am I required to list this? Honestly I don't even remember what course it was. I called the school and they said this is just a withdrawal note-there's no "W" grade since I dropped the course within 6 days. I just don't want to be delayed in the process because it looks like I'm trying to hide a course withdrawal but honestly don't understand why it's even on my transcript if it was dropped at the appropriate time.... attaching an image to clarify my concerns. Thank you!!

 

[gonnif]

My official transcript has a course withdrawal note that states I withdrew from a course BEFORE the deadline date only under a specific term (Summer term). AMCAS Guide states "A course entry should not be made if the course was dropped within the normal drop/add period and does not appear on your transcript." Because it DOES appear on my transcript, am I required to list this? Honestly I don't even remember what course it was. I called the school and they said this is just a withdrawal note-there's no "W" grade since I dropped the course within 6 days. I just don't want to be delayed in the process because it looks like I'm trying to hide a course withdrawal but honestly don't understand why it's even on my transcript if it was dropped at the appropriate time.... attaching an image to clarify my concerns. Thank you!!

it does not have to me listed on AMCAS

 

[TrueNoise]

You can actually make freshman year as large as you want, especially if you think it will show a more accurate context of your educational background. I would work backwards figuring what you think best show your post military hours for junior/senior year. If your sophomore and freshman credits are large, dont worry about it

I also have a large number of credits due to attending community college for 4 years. So, AAMC might be fine with the first 3 years as Freshman, and the last year as Sophomore vs. having Freshman to Senior year as being all in community college?

 

[2019App]

I took AP Calc I/II in HS and 6 credits transferred over to my University and they appear on my transcript (3 credits each for Calc I and Calc II).

However, based on the way AP credits are awarded, my transcript shows "Test Credits" for Algebra and Precalc 3 times (each with 0 credits earned), and one duplicate entry for Calc I (with 0 credits). Do I need to enter the Algebra and Precalc courses, and the duplicate Calc I course, on my app? If so, do I add 3 entries for the Algebra and Precalc classes and a duplicate entry for the Calc I course?

 

[gonnif]

I also have a large number of credits due to attending community college for 4 years. So, AAMC might be fine with the first 3 years as Freshman, and the last year as Sophomore vs. having Freshman to Senior year as being all in community college?

You can also split them up evenly across 2 years

 

[gonnif]

I took AP Calc I/II in HS and 6 credits transferred over to my University and they appear on my transcript (3 credits each for Calc I and Calc II).

However, based on the way AP credits are awarded, my transcript shows "Test Credits" for Algebra and Precalc 3 times (each with 0 credits earned), and one duplicate entry for Calc I (with 0 credits). Do I need to enter the Algebra and Precalc courses, and the duplicate Calc I course, on my app? If so, do I add 3 entries for the Algebra and Precalc classes and a duplicate entry for the Calc I course?

Just put what actually shows up as the AP calc awarded credits

 

[IsleyOfTheNorth]

Question on essay:

I'm strongly considering rural/underserved primary care and applying for the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program. Is that something I should talk about in my "Why I want to go to med school" essay? Or no? Or should it go elsewhere?

Thanks,
-IotN

 

[gonnif]

Question on essay:

I'm strongly considering rural/underserved primary care and applying for the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program. Is that something I should talk about in my "Why I want to go to med school" essay? Or no? Or should it go elsewhere?

Thanks,
-IotN

Neither. Either you intending to go into rural/underserved primary or you are not. And unless you have significance evidence supporting that you are dont put it. Additionally, do not apply for a primary care specific track unless you are certain that is what you want to do. I have had several students feeling trapped by that a few years in

 

[gonnif]

Where is the best place to indicate my name will be included in a research paper yet to be published?
My PI confirmed two days ago he is making the final edits to our lab paper but I am not sure where I should reflect this milestone in my amcas app. I have listed my lab research experience in the application under Work / Activity section. I saw no place to list publications

thank you

Has the paper been accepted for publication? If so, then you can have one of your activities as a publication. See AMCAS work and activties thread linked in my signature

 

[oxcoll18]

For a "Multiple Degree or Consortium Program with no separate transcript available", under which college I actually put the courses? The college campus where I took the courses (but no transcript is available) or the university where all the credits transferred (where the actual transcript comes from)? I tried calling AMCAS support twice, but they gave me contradictory answers.

Thank You!

 

[gonnif]

For a "Multiple Degree or Consortium Program with no separate transcript available", under which college I actually put the courses? The college campus where I took the courses (but no transcript is available) or the university where all the credits transferred (where the actual transcript comes from)? I tried calling AMCAS support twice, but they gave me contradictory answers.

Thank You!

Under the college where you took the courss

 

[deleted688779]

1.)If I attended a community college during two separate summers (summer-only courses), but not anytime in between, would I need to enter that college in twice with corresponding dates attended?

2.) To clarify, can I submit the AMCAS designating only one school, having no letters at all, and then adding schools + letters after verification?

 

[gonnif]

1.)If I attended a community college during two separate summers (summer-only courses), but not anytime in between, would I need to enter that college in twice with corresponding dates attended?

2.) To clarify, can I submit the AMCAS designating only one school, having no letters at all, and then adding schools + letters after verification?

1) list college once even though summers
2) you can submit, be verified, and transmit w/o letters and add them later

 

[ballerina15]

If i'm planning to take a sociology course in the fall or winter should I currently include it on my application or tell them after I have taken the course?

 

[naaz98]

At my CC, I was not granted credits for the AP courses I had taken. For example, I had taken AP Chem, and to transfer to the University I am at now, I had to take both Gen Chem 1 and 2 at my CC. Would these still count as repeats?

 

[albatrosssoph]

@gonnif Okay thank you! I don't think my UG school has a policy in place to let me waive my rights (we don't have a pre-health committee or anything). So if my professors didn't bring it up when I asked them, should I be concerned about this?? I just don't want medical schools to think I didn't waive my rights!

 

[gonnif]

@gonnif Okay thank you! I don't think my UG school has a policy in place to let me waive my rights (we don't have a pre-health committee or anything). So if my professors didn't bring it up when I asked them, should I be concerned about this?? I just don't want medical schools to think I didn't waive my rights!

It wont matter

 

[gonnif]

If i'm planning to take a sociology course in the fall or winter should I currently include it on my application or tell them after I have taken the course?

Either way. Prereqs are not typically checked until after you have taken up an offer of acceptance

 

[gonnif]

At my CC, I was not granted credits for the AP courses I had taken. For example, I had taken AP Chem, and to transfer to the University I am at now, I had to take both Gen Chem 1 and 2 at my CC. Would these still count as repeats?

No, since you did not get awarded AP credits, these do not appear on your transcript and should not be mentioned om AMCAS.

 

[blueaqua]

Hi would you please advise on how to best report these classes?

1)
-French I at a community College. I received an A for this one semester course
-I repeated French I at a 4 year which I transferred to.This was a year long class and the content from the CC would not have sufficed for me to jump to the second semester (I consulted the professors at the 4 year college) which is why I repeated the class
Do I need to mark the second course as a repeat although I received an A in the CC course?

2)
The year long French class is titled EFY Elementary French for both of the semesters I was enrolled in. Do I need to report the courses as "repeat" because the titles and course numbers are exactly the same? Or should I not because the classes, content and my final grades were different? I think I'm just worried AAMC might delay it if they see it wasnt repeated but I dont want my classes to look questionable with all of these "repeats"

Thank you so much

 

[gonnif]

1) CC and first term french at Uni are both marked repeats
2) first and second term are not marked repeats

 

[achooachooachoo]

Hi! So i'm about to reapply for medical school. I'm also still interviewing for masters and/or postbacc classes for the 2018-2019 year. I'm still not sure where I'll be in the fall, but once I decide, can I update the schools attended on my AMCAS application after it has been submitted?

 

[gonnif]

Hi! So i'm about to reapply for medical school. I'm also still interviewing for masters and/or postbacc classes for the 2018-2019 year. I'm still not sure where I'll be in the fall, but once I decide, can I update the schools attended on my AMCAS application after it has been submitted?

No

 

[ahhahha]

Many schools indicate that they want you to have taken English/Writing courses. My university's 3-quarter writing sequence is categorized as a history course. Since I must enter the courses as history courses, I fear that medical schools may perceive this as not meeting the requirements for English/Writing courses, even though my university's writing requirement was met through these. Is there some way for me to indicate this on my application?

 

[Grovometer]

I am applying this cycle, but also attending a one year masters program starting in August. I do not have a course schedule yet though, so what is the best way to indicate this on my application or would I just mention is later in secondaries that ask for an update?

 

[Buckeye2]

Can I submit my application on June 1st if I have a presentation on June 5th that is included in my work/activities section?

 

[ahhahha]

I am applying this cycle, but also attending a one year masters program starting in August. I do not have a course schedule yet though, so what is the best way to indicate this on my application or would I just mention is later in secondaries that ask for an update?

I’m in the same boat! Also looking for advice on this

 

[lkasper]

Any benefit to submitting app right at 9:30am when it opens tomorrow? Or does it not matter as long as it is submitted with time for it to be reviewed before being sent to schools? (ie. before mid June)

 

[gonnif]

Many schools indicate that they want you to have taken English/Writing courses. My university's 3-quarter writing sequence is categorized as a history course. Since I must enter the courses as history courses, I fear that medical schools may perceive this as not meeting the requirements for English/Writing courses, even though my university's writing requirement was met through these. Is there some way for me to indicate this on my application?

1) AMCAS is not, repeat, not used for checking prereq fulfillment
2) Typically, prereqs are not checked until after you have taken up an offer of acceptance, where you will have to have official transcript sent directly the medical school for that purpose during pre-matriculation.
3) Some medical school specifically require a year of English. You need to check both the MSAR and each school's website for specifics on this. A year of writing intensive classes in history would not fulfill that

 

[gonnif]

Any benefit to submitting app right at 9:30am when it opens tomorrow? Or does it not matter as long as it is submitted with time for it to be reviewed before being sent to schools? (ie. before mid June)

I advised applicants not to apply on Day 1 as AMCAS historically always has had first day technical issues

 

[gonnif]

I am applying this cycle, but also attending a one year masters program starting in August. I do not have a course schedule yet though, so what is the best way to indicate this on my application or would I just mention is later in secondaries that ask for an update?

I’m in the same boat! Also looking for advice on this

You can't, save it for secondary

 

[gonnif]

Can I submit my application on June 1st if I have a presentation on June 5th that is included in my work/activities section?

Its fine

 

[premedpower8484848]

@gonnif When filling out courses which have a lecture and lab but the lab is not in the name should you include the words "and lab" after the course name? Or should you just write it as is on the transcript?

 

[gonnif]

@gonnif When filling out courses which have a lecture and lab but the lab is not in the name should you include the words "and lab" after the course name? Or should you just write it as is on the transcript?

page 28 applicant guide (emphasis in original)
Course Number and Course Name
In the designated fields, enter the course name in English and the course number exactly as it appears on the official transcript.

 

[premedpower8484848]

page 28 applicant guide (emphasis in original)
Course Number and Course Name
In the designated fields, enter the course name in English and the course number exactly as it appears on the official transcript.

Thanks for the quick reply. I only asked because in one of the videos by AAMC they said that if a class is a lab and doesn't have lab explicitly in the name to write "and lab" after the course name.

 

[little_giant]

My official transcript does not list any course name (just has the course number) for my AP courses as well as my study abroad courses. Since AMCAS requires me to write down a course name, I put down the official class name even though it doesn't show up on the transcript. Is this an issue/will there be any problem with verification?

For example, my transcript shows:
Study Abroad:
SOCI001 3.0 CU
^ no course name associated with this :'(

 

[gonnif]

Thanks for the quick reply. I only asked because in one of the videos by AAMC they said that if a class is a lab and doesn't have lab explicitly in the name to write "and lab" after the course name.

The first step is verification, where they compare official transcript to what you enter on AMCAS. I suggest that all applicants be conservative and write EXACTLY what is on Transcript to prevent verification delay

 

[gonnif]

My official transcript does not list any course name (just has the course number) for my AP courses as well as my study abroad courses. Since AMCAS requires me to write down a course name, I put down the official class name even though it doesn't show up on the transcript. Is this an issue/will there be any problem with verification?

For example, my transcript shows:
Study Abroad:
SOCI001 3.0 CU
^ no course name associated with this :'(

As long at it is clear to understand

 

[ballerina15]

I took a course at a cc that looks like the first pic in gray on my unofficial transcript but like the next two pics on the course catalog website. For the course number on AMCAS, I entered it as "PSYC F001" . Would that be okay since I have similar issue with my other cc class where i don't know how to title it for Course Number? If it's incorrect, for both would that affect my verification?

 

[ballerina15]

I know AMCAS wants our courses in order for verification but my AP courses are showing up after my 2nd semester freshman year classes because I forgot to enter them until later - is that okay?

 

[gonnif]

I took a course at a cc that looks like the first pic in gray on my unofficial transcript but like the next two pics on the course catalog website. For the course number on AMCAS, I entered it as "PSYC F001" . Would that be okay since I have similar issue with my other cc class where i don't know how to title it for Course Number? If it's incorrect, for both would that affect my verification?
View attachment 265012View attachment 265014View attachment 265021

How does it look on your OFFICIAL transcript?

 

[gonnif]

I know AMCAS wants our courses in order for verification but my AP courses are showing up after my 2nd semester freshman year classes because I forgot to enter them until later - is that okay?

Where do they show up on your official transcript?

 

[ahhahha]

You can't, save it for secondary

If my Master’s program is a research based contiguous BS/MS program, can I mention it in my description of research in my most meaningful activities. I would explain that I have submitted a Master’s thesis proposal on my undergraduate research for the one year graduate program as of now

 

[ahhahha]

If my Master’s program is a research based contiguous BS/MS program, can I mention it in my description of research in my most meaningful activities. I would explain that I have submitted a Master’s thesis proposal on my undergraduate research for the one year graduate program as of now

If my Master’s program is a research based contiguous BS/MS program, can I mention it in my description of research in my most meaningful activities. I would explain that I have submitted a Master’s thesis proposal on my undergraduate research for the one year graduate program as of now

Can I? ******

 

[gonnif]

If my Master’s program is a research based contiguous BS/MS program, can I mention it in my description of research in my most meaningful activities. I would explain that I have submitted a Master’s thesis proposal on my undergraduate research for the one year graduate program as of now

Yes