sort of non-trad, when to apply?

[Fay8]

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Hi all,

I'm thinking about applying in 2011. I apologize if I ask stuff addressed elsewhere on these boards. I have questions about application deadlines: when is the earliest you can apply in 2011---for the c/o 2016?

Some background info:

I graduated in 2008 from a competitive, private school with a BA in Bio.
I decided midway through college (post diagnosis with serious illness) that I was interested in medicine. I then switched my major from humanities to bio.

My overall GPA is not stellar. Around a 3.1, at a school with grade deflation. I plan on retaking some classes, which will bring my sGPA to around 3.4, and my overall to at least 3.2-3.3. I don't have any Fs, a couple of Cs, and lots of Bs, with sprinkles of As, some in really hard classes like orgo and neuroscience. I remember reading poetry during freshman calculus, no wonder I got Cs.. Thankfully, I've grown up since then 🙂

During school, I volunteered at a local hospital, was involved in some interesting non science ECs. Spent a year abroad, etc.

I just recently quit my job in a different field, and will work as a CNA, which should be an interesting experience.

So, I want to apply as early as possible..

When do I start preparing my application for AACOMAS? Do I send transcripts ahead of June 1, 2011?

When should I take the MCAT in 2011, April, May?

Is a committee LOR recommended? My ugrad pre-med office is a little stuffy (ie: they like rockstars) , and so I feel like I'd want LORs from science faculty, but is this stupid?



thanks,

Fay

 

[Petypet]

Its probably easier to recommend you to look at a few of the DO schools websites. A lot of them give "time lines" and recommendations for assembling a competitive application. Probably check those out, and ask specifics.

 

[taylormade2006]

On or around June 1st is the earliest you can submit your AACOMAS. Check their website for the exact date. You should begin working on it far in advance of that. Get your experience descriptions written and ready to hit submit on the first day. Get your personal statement written and revised and looked over by someone.

You can definitely send your transcripts early, I think they begin accepting them the month beforehand. Also - this is important, try your best to get your LOR's in as early as possible. Letter writers always take way longer than you were expecting. If it wasn't too much of an inconvenience, I'd even tell them they need to be sent in by June 1.

 

[Fay8]

Hi, thanks for the quick response.. I'm confused by what AACOMAS says about June date versus primary application deadlines for schools.


This is from AACOMAS application instructions from class entering in 2011. They say "Apply Early! The application opens in May and may be submitted after June 1. Processing begins in June. The colleges make admissions decisions on a rolling basis.."

But the primary application for Touro-Ca, for example, lists this deadline..

"Candidates wishing to apply to the TUCOM-CA Class of 2015 must begin by submitting a primary application using the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS) no later than March 15, 2011."

So, can I apply for everything in June 2011, or do I need to wait a certain amount of time, before sending out primary applications?

This is kind of a dumb question, but I appreciate your help..

 

[FutureDoc1988]

Once AACOMAS opens up which is usually early May, that is when you can start sending your transcripts and inputting your data. Once June 1st comes you can hit submit if you are ready to. You don't need to wait for anything.

I would definitely open an account on AACOMAS the first couple days its open to get your AACOMAS ID and send your transcripts in because I know some people have had issues with them receiving it and has caused some delays.

Once you are verified, AACOMAS will send out your primaries to the schools and then you will start getting secondaries.

 

[taylormade2006]

Fay8, that Touro-CA thing you quoted is for THIS year. It is saying you can apply up until March 15, 2011 for the 2011 class. That is the latest they'll accept applications, but you'd have to assume the class would be full by that time.

 

[Fay8]

Thanks for the responses, all.

Taylormade- Yes, I understand that those dates are for the 2011 entering class. I was just confused by the AACOMAS open date versus the late primary application due date for medical schools. I didn't realize that AACOMAS has to verify application information and that this takes time..

thanks again for answering my silly question!

 

[Slane]

Thanks for the responses, all.

Taylormade- Yes, I understand that those dates are for the 2011 entering class. I was just confused by the AACOMAS open date versus the late primary application due date for medical schools. I didn't realize that AACOMAS has to verify application information and that this takes time.

thanks again for answering my silly question!

I submitted my primary for verification the first possible day, and it only took two weeks to verify. Others from my school that submitted for verification a few weeks later had to wait upwards of six to eight weeks for verification. Apply as early as you can, regardless of the strength of your application.

In response to your MCAT question that wasn't answered, I would advise you to take it earlier, say in January. That way if you aren't satisfied with your score, you can opt to retake it in April and still have the scores to submit with your primary in June.

 

[taylormade2006]

Fay8, the long verification process is because they go through your grades one by one to make sure they match your transcripts and that they're categorized properly. When you put them in, make sure you take your time and get them correct so that they don't have to make a lot of changes.