Questions/Rants about AMCAS

[Mage]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I submitted my application on the 1st of Oct., so I'm not entirely miffed they haven't verified mine yet, since a lot of you guys who've submitted yours in June/July/Aug still haven't been verified.

I know some schools require verification for secondaries. Other than that, is verification important to the schools that don't immediately require it?

I read an article http://www.ama-assn.org/sci-pubs/amnews/pick_01/prsf1008.htm , it said they only have -20- people working on over 38,000 applications. That's insane. Why don't they hire more people with all the money they gouged out of us, or even take a hit in finances this year so they can get it straight?

I don't think I'm late by any means, I'm probably semi-early, but at this rate, it seems as though I'm incredibly late and behind schedule.

I have no idea why they decided to put the application online, except that the management was probably impressed by buzzwords like "internet" and "website." It would have made -far- more sense simply to code a windows program, test and debug it like crazy, and have people download that instead; in fact, that's what they used last year and it worked fine, apparently. They didn't test their online system whatsoever and the fact that it has so many bugs in it makes it all useless, they're doing everything manually, according to the article.

Dr. Cohen said it was "unconscionable" this was going on, but then he doesn't even talk about any solutions for -us-. He just talks about how it's important to convince med schools to join AMCAS.

Anyhow, I've heard enough people recommending threatening legal action that I'm wondering if we have a case for a class action suit. That would really get them on the ball.

 

[brandonite]

I'm in the same boat as you - I submitted mine in the beginning of October (so, a lot later than most of you!!), and thus I'm not as upset as some of you are (and rightfully should be!). But, I do want to make sure that I have a chance!

Does anybody here know what is going on with secondaries from schools? I've checked out a few schools who want secondaries without verification, but a few of them (Harvard, for example) say nothing! Their website still says secondaries are due back there by November 15th, and I doubt my application will be verified before December at this rate!

I just wish that somewhere, someone could clairify this whole situation... AMCAS says they are sending preliminary information out to schools after submission, but will schools send out secondaries to us late peoples based on that?

So conusing...

 

[rhwave]

AMCAS class action

Not verified...and seeking legal action

letter to the president of AMCAS

Class action law suit against AMCAS?

sorry, fixed the first link 🙂

 

[none]

Most people on this board are gunners and that's why it sounds a bit like EVERYONE submits in June. They don't. I submitted in the middle of September and am still waiting on a date processed. They do get to things eventually. Most schools don't care whether they have a primary or not, they want the secondary right away and will mail it to you or ask you to fill it out online. As for whether they grant interviews/rejections without the primary, that I'm not far along enough to know. And if you want my guess...legal action isn't going to take place. People who submitted in June eventually will get verified, accepted, and forget all of this. The rest of us won't have much to complain about (read: show actual damage) either.

 

[SMW]

Originally posted by brandonite:
•

Does anybody here know what is going on with secondaries from schools? I've checked out a few schools who want secondaries without verification, but a few of them (Harvard, for example) say nothing! Their website still says secondaries are due back there by November 15th, and I doubt my application will be verified before December at this rate!

I just wish that somewhere, someone could clairify this whole situation... AMCAS says they are sending preliminary information out to schools after submission, but will schools send out secondaries to us late peoples based on that?

So conusing...•

Many schools have instituted alternate procedures in light of the AMCAS fiasco. Go to Drako's site for lists of schools accepting paper copies of unverified AMCAS apps and those with on-line secondaries. So you can start work on some of those secondaries while you wait for verification. Other schools that aren't on the list will either mail you their secondaries or e-mail access to their on-line secondaries once they get the preliminary info from AMCAS. This is probably the best year to be a little late with your application. I have to disagree with none that most people here are gunners. I think you'll find us a pretty fun and helpful group (which is the exact antithesis of a gunner as I understand the term). Wishing both of you the best of luck with your applications.
And welcome to SDN!! 😀