SF CAS application question thread

[saiyagirl]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Starting a thread for everyone who needs answers to a burning question about the SF Match CAS.


My question: During one summer in college I took a summer class at an institution different from my own. Obviously not degree-granting..just one class. Do i have to list this instutition under the "Education" section?

Post your questions and answers. I'm sure we all have many of the same questions!

Thanks 🙂

 

[KSUJedi]

During one summer in college I took a summer class at an institution different from my own. Obviously not degree-granting..just one class. Do i have to list this instutition under the "Education" section?

Not sure if it was required, or the "right" thing to do, but I took a couple of classes (Organic Chem 1 & 2) after finishing my undergraduate degree, since I didn't do well in them the first time around when earning credits towards my degree. These were of course after I already had my degree, really didn't count towards anything, just showing that I wasn't a complete ***** in Organic chem when applying to med school, but I went ahead and listed it. Other than having to go through a little extra hassle and expense of sending another transcript, figured it wouldn't hurt, and at least then there wouldn't be any way of it coming back to bite me in the butt for any reason or anyone asking why I hadn't mentioned it!

 

[brownsdawg]

Since nobody answered my other question in its own thread:

I'm a little confused about the CAS distribution form (where you pick what programs you want to send your application to).

It says you can either print it out and include it in your package, or you can submit it online. Which is better? The online pdf form kinda scares me for some reason. Also, how do you pay? It says to click check or credit card at the bottom, but then what happens? Does it take you to another screen to pay or something?

I just wish the CAS could be as organized as the ERAS is. ERAS makes it so much easier to understand everything...

Also, back to the whole transcript thing...it says you can send in copies, well can I just copy what my med school has on file from all my undergrad stuff? And also do I need to include the transcripts (that my med school has copies of) from the community colleges that I took a few courses at during my summers in college?

 

[bulldoc]

not sure if this answers any questions, but i will be including any courses I took in the summer that count for college credit.

i will also be sending sealed transcripts from each of those colleges in the packet.

i will also likely fill out the online CAS distribution list, but provide a copy of it in my packet.

good luck to you all (my competition!!!)

 

[jj326]

according to the cas instructions they will eventually need an official transcript from the med school. as far as i can tell it can be sent to them later and they will redistribute it. i guess in case yours will be missing your IM rotation grade like mine.
it looks like everything else can be unofficial. except of course for the one from your middle school, that has to be stamped and sealed with a kiss from your significant other from sixth grade.

 

[DOapplicant]

To the OP,

I recently spoke to a SFM rep re: undergrad transcripts. I was told the only one they really need is the one that is from the school which granted your undergraduate degree.

I ended up sending an unofficial transcript from the non-degree granting institution I attended, anyway.

Good luck to my competition, too. Although, let's be optimistic and call ourselves future colleagues👍

 

[kito]

Hi guys I spoke with SFMatch this afternoon and they told me that the wait to get processed and distributed is currently under the estimated 14-21 days as stated on the instructions. This appears to be the benefit of getting your stuff in early.

 

[lizzylu]

Hi all~
Thought I'd check with some other folks to see what info you're including under which heading in the application.

For example:

Past and Present Employment
- Do you consider this only Paid employment?
- Obviously taking time off and working would go under this category, but what about any work during undergrad -- is anyone putting this in?

Public Service and Activities
- Volunteer work, and should this include all of the bazillion organizations we were all involved with in medical school? (seems like the font might get mighty small)

Specialty Electives and related activities
- Yea, so this is where our ophtha electives go, and grand rounds presentations, etc.
- is this where you'd include research activities that aren't published yet (or in progress)? or do you put it under research activities? kinda confusing

Thanks to anyone with some past and present insight into the application!

Good luck everyone -- look forward to meeting ya in the interview trail (hopefully) ;-)

 

[kito]

I treated Employment as paid employment. I didn't really put anything that was unrelated to healthcare here unless I really wanted to be asked about it.

You have Public Service and the Electives right, though I would put anything research related under Research Activities, at least that is what I did.

 

[saiyagirl]

hey guys, more questions!

So, if I got paid (stipend) to do research (on a year out), this goes under RESEARCH and not employment, right? What about both? Is that bad?

For the "Service" and "Outside hobbies and interests" part of the application, did you guys list things or write a paragraph?

Finally, how on earth were you able to change the font and font size? (Or did you just copy and paste from Word?)

Thanks!

 

[Jellie8]

Hi guys

Just had a quick question about the CAS distribution service. Is there main role to scan our documents into PDF files? Do programs receive PDF files of our documents?

 

[DiveMD]

Hi guys

Just had a quick question about the CAS distribution service. Is there main role to scan our documents into PDF files? Do programs receive PDF files of our documents?

Last year the residency programs actually had to download the CAS application and supporting documents (PDF) from a particular space in SF Match site. This created trouble since apparently the applicant’s file was available on-line for a limited period of time. Applications that were not downloaded in timely fashion pretty much disappeared from the site with devastating results for the applicants. Example: not receiving enough interviews because programs could not download your file; or receiving invites from programs you did not applied to because they mistakenly downloaded your file. I hope they fixed this glitch/bull#&$* this year...

GOOD LUCK!

 

[Jellie8]

I'm having trouble selecting the programs into the distribution list. Everytime I click on a program, the previous program disappear on the list. Am I doing something wrong?

Thanks in advance.

 

[saiyagirl]

jellie,

are you holding down the control button while you select programs? this should allow you to select more than one.

on an apple computer, hold down the open apple.

try and see if it works?

 

[Jellie8]

jellie,

are you holding down the control button while you select programs? this should allow you to select more than one.

on an apple computer, hold down the open apple.

try and see if it works?

thanks! it works.

 

[taehong81]

When do you start hearing about interviews? In september? Oct? Thx

 

[SB2020]

Obviously, the earlier you submit your application, the earlier you have a chance to hear back about being invited for an interview. I think the earliest people begin to hear is the second or third week of September.

 

[4424]

i had a couple in sept, most were end of oct through nov

 

[Eyescan]

To the OP,

I recently spoke to a SFM rep re: undergrad transcripts. I was told the only one they really need is the one that is from the school which granted your undergraduate degree.

I ended up sending an unofficial transcript from the non-degree granting institution I attended, anyway.

Good luck to my competition, too. Although, let's be optimistic and call ourselves future colleagues👍

You should read the written instructions carefully. Not including a transcript and not indicating a school on your application could ruin your career for life. If there is ever a lawsuit, your paperwork could be scrutinzed with a fine tooth come.

One possible scenario would be if a patient sued for malpractice and the residency program wanted to burn you (like they tried to do to secret agent Brad Pitt in "Spy Game" 😀 ). They could fire you based on a false application and tell the malpractice lawyer that they fired the resident who took care of the patient. I have read about cases where job applications were reviewed with a fine tooth come afterwards to justify firing a person (not a resident and not in medicine) and I've heard of cases that a resident was fired as a scapegoat for malpractice, but I haven't yet heard of a case with the two scenarios combined.

 

[GuP]

Extra letter

I got a great letter from a radiologist and was wondering if I should send this to all the progs I applied to. The letter is awesome but the guy is a community rads, although he is director of rads in the hospital. What do you guys think?

 

[DOapplicant]

Eyescan,

There is certainly wisdom in what you say. And by no means am I advocating that anybody try to hide any part of their history. In fact I sent in all the transcripts I have ever received.

I was merely relaying a statement that was given to me by a SFMatch representative. Also, I hope I never end up at a program that would use their residents in such a career-ending way.