*-*-*The Official AMCAS Questions Thread 2011*-*-*

[Catalystik]

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Hi everyone-

What category would you list shadowing under?

Thank you!

"Other."

 

[zetabetazeta]

For the course work section, do I also have to input all the classes that I'm going to take for next academic year? If I do, what am I supposed to put for transcript grade?

 

[JJMrK]

For the course work section, do I also have to input all the classes that I'm going to take for next academic year? If I do, what am I supposed to put for transcript grade?

You can, but whatever you put down is generally not binding. IIRC there is a way to show that the course is in progress or planned.

 

[ball1313]

Can someone explain to me why, in this conversion chart, a D+ in a "5 or more passing grade" system corresponds to a C+ AMCAS grade?

 

[Artimacia]

I already have my final grades for this semester, should I just go ahead and send in my transcripts

 

[Ilovewater]

I already have my final grades for this semester, should I just go ahead and send in my transcripts

Most definitely! Sometimes, it takes a while for it to get into the system.

 

[AmpDoc]

for LOR i clicked "individual letter" and the next screen asks me "is this letter from a school." this letter is from a professor at a school, but its not really from the school is it? im slightly confused. thanks

 

[3up3down]

Any Mac users having login issues?

I'm running firefox 3.0, have enabled cookies and javascript, and I still can't login. Perhaps this is because of Snow Leopard OSX.

Any thoughts on how to correct this problem?

Thanks!

 

[LetsGo352]

Question:

for experience descriptions, do you guys think it is better to make a bullet list or actually write a paragraph?

 

[zetabetazeta]

Question:

for experience descriptions, do you guys think it is better to make a bullet list or actually write a paragraph?

I have the same question as well. And..how long should each experience description be? I've finished all the descriptions but they seem to be too short..like only a few sentences. would that be ok? thanks

 

[rafflecopter]

Any Mac users having login issues?

I'm running firefox 3.0, have enabled cookies and javascript, and I still can't login. Perhaps this is because of Snow Leopard OSX.

Any thoughts on how to correct this problem?

Thanks!

If your having the same problem as me the address bar keeps refreshing with /cookiepass1, /cookiepass2 and never even gets to the part where you're able to input your login name/password. Nothing's seemed to work, and I've done loads of troubleshooting. AAMC, when I called them, said something to the effect of "its not on your end, its on ours and we're trying to fix it" without giving any specifics. I hope it starts working soon because I'd like to get started without having to use some random person's computer.

 

[zetabetazeta]

I have a question about "Letters of Evaluation" section. I'm using Interfolio service. Does it mean I don't have to enter any data for this section since I'm not using AMCAS LOR service? I'm confused 🙁

Update: well, never mind. I found the answers in the instruction book.

 

[emawhat]

If your having the same problem as me the address bar keeps refreshing with /cookiepass1, /cookiepass2 and never even gets to the part where you're able to input your login name/password. Nothing's seemed to work, and I've done loads of troubleshooting. AAMC, when I called them, said something to the effect of "its not on your end, its on ours and we're trying to fix it" without giving any specifics. I hope it starts working soon because I'd like to get started without having to use some random person's computer.

I was experiencing the same problem until I cleared my cookies. Try that out, it may work!

 

[SiR99]

Question for UC students:

Are you guys using your Degree progress reports (DPR) to fill in the class titles/abbreviations and stuff, or did you buy a transcript from your school and are entering everything in as it shows up on the transcript?

For those who dont know what a Degree progress report is, it is like an unofficial transcript to show your progress throughout your undergrad career.

Im just not sure if the official transcript and the DPR have all the classes abbreviated the same, so if someone knows if they are the same or different can you please tell me.

 

[3up3down]

If your having the same problem as me the address bar keeps refreshing with /cookiepass1, /cookiepass2 and never even gets to the part where you're able to input your login name/password. Nothing's seemed to work, and I've done loads of troubleshooting. AAMC, when I called them, said something to the effect of "its not on your end, its on ours and we're trying to fix it" without giving any specifics. I hope it starts working soon because I'd like to get started without having to use some random person's computer.

Thanks!

 

[obgyny]

I tried searching for these answers in both AMCAS instructions and sdn, but couldn't find a clear answer:

1. When entering course titles, I know AMCAS says to write them as they appear on transcript, but do you literally type "Intr Coll Chem" or should you write the entire name "Introductory College Chemistry?" (just so it is clear to adcoms what class it is).

2. For classes you withdrew and get a "W," AMCAS asks what was the transcript grade, then there is a checkbox for "Withdrawal" under course types. Since I check the "Withdrawal" box, is it necessary to type "W" in the transcript grade, or do I leave it blank?

I know these are nit-picky questions, but I just want to make sure the grades are entered in correctly so there's no delay in verifying my grades.

 

[obgyny]

Also:

3. Would Zoology be considered "Biology" or "Natural/Physical Sciences?" (I would think it's Biology, but I saw that Natural/Physical Sciences has "Animal and Avian Sciences" listed in it)

4. My school considers Biochem to be biology (BIO SCI 98 is the course number), yet AMCAS classifies Biochem as Chemistry. Should I categorize it as Chemistry?

 

[Artimacia]

In my junior year in high school, I took AP Psychology. I passed the AP Exam, and it is on my transcript for the 2005-2006 year (HS). How do I fill out the course form for this? It requires me to select the year, but won't let me select advanced placement if I choose my year as "high school". Also, if I have to list it as freshman would this be considered "other term"?

Also, I took physics 2 at a state college during the summer, which was lab + lecture for 6 credits, then I finalized the transient form and it's now on my home university transcript as college physics 2 w/lab for 4 credits and a gen. education physics elective for 2 credits. I added both of the schools, and will send in transcripts from both schools. Should I just add this class under the state college and not worry about adding it under my home university?

Also, what do I put as the grade for a class with the grading style of Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory?

And another question (sorry for so many! I'm nervous!) at the end of my freshman year I had 28 credits. After I was done with the summer classes, I had 35. So, for my summer classes, would I go ahead and label myself as a sophmore anyway?

 

[NickNaylor]

Let the games begin. I wish everyone the best of luck in this inevitably soul-testing process.

 

[FollowTheMoney]

I have a 3.70 Overall GPA and around a 3.5 Science GPA, so to say I am in a precarious situation would be an understatement. However, I just realized that we have to re-input our transcript into AMCAS. Then, I realized because UF just switched over to the minus system and B+ are now 3.33 instead of 3.5, all of the B+'s I got before the switch (about 5 classes: 11 credits total, 5 credits science) are going to get the hammer dropped on them 😱. Am I ultimately in trouble now?

 

[JeetKuneDo]

I have a 3.70 Overall GPA and around a 3.5 Science GPA, so to say I am in a precarious situation would be an understatement. However, I just realized that we have to re-input our transcript into AMCAS. Then, I realized because UF just switched over to the minus system and B+ are now 3.33 instead of 3.5, all of the B+'s I got before the switch (about 5 classes: 11 credits total, 5 credits science) are going to get the hammer dropped on them 😱. Am I ultimately in trouble now?

Are you saying your B+ were originally considered as 3.5? I think even if it were the old system, your gpa would still get standardized, so B+'s would still be considered 3.3.

 

[FollowTheMoney]

Yeah, before our grading system was 4.0 A, 3.5 B+, 3.0 B, 2.5 C+, etc.

 

[anfleisch]

Your schools grading system really doesn't matter except for the fact that you are getting a boost since your A- grades are considered As. So you actually lucked out, and the UF system helped you out. You could actually have gotten all A- grades and have been considered a 4.0 GPA, which at another school would have been a 3.66.

 

[missbones]

I have a 3.70 Overall GPA and around a 3.5 Science GPA, so to say I am in a precarious situation would be an understatement. However, I just realized that we have to re-input our transcript into AMCAS. Then, I realized because UF just switched over to the minus system and B+ are now 3.33 instead of 3.5, all of the B+'s I got before the switch (about 5 classes: 11 credits total, 5 credits science) are going to get the hammer dropped on them 😱. Am I ultimately in trouble now?

Not sure I really understand what you are saying. Regardless of what your school does, AMCAS will consider a B+ a 3.33. Have you calculated your correct GPA via the AMCAS system? That is ultimately how you will know how much trouble you are in.

 

[randombetch]

Your schools grading system really doesn't matter except for the fact that you are getting a boost since your A- grades are considered As. So you actually lucked out, and the UF system helped you out. You could actually have gotten all A- grades and have been considered a 4.0 GPA, which at another school would have been a 3.66.

There were no A-'s in his old grading system...

And A-'s are typically 3.7's.

 

[FollowTheMoney]

Not sure I really understand what you are saying. Regardless of what your school does, AMCAS will consider a B+ a 3.33. Have you calculated your correct GPA via the AMCAS system? That is ultimately how you will know how much trouble you are in.

Just re-calculated it and I have a 3.679 Overall and a 3.432 Science 😡. I just got completely owned.

 

[randombetch]

Not sure I really understand what you are saying. Regardless of what your school does, AMCAS will consider a B+ a 3.33. Have you calculated your correct GPA via the AMCAS system? That is ultimately how you will know how much trouble you are in.

No, a B+ is a 3.3 according to AMCAS, not a 3.33.

Also, your school might be using "halfstep" grades, which are preserved through AMCAS.

See:
http://www.aamc.org/students/amcas/2009conversionguide.pdf

(page 3)

 

[FollowTheMoney]

No, a B+ is a 3.3 according to AMCAS, not a 3.33.

Also, your school might be using "halfstep" grades, which are preserved through AMCAS.

See:
http://www.aamc.org/students/amcas/2009conversionguide.pdf

(page 3)

UF is b.s. man, it's so much harder than like 80% of the schools out there. If I was at any other school I would have like a 3.9. I guess there is a reason why the majority of students in the florida medical schools are UF undergrads. 😀

 

[Dr McSexy]

I tried searching for these answers in both AMCAS instructions and sdn, but couldn't find a clear answer:

1. When entering course titles, I know AMCAS says to write them as they appear on transcript, but do you literally type "Intr Coll Chem" or should you write the entire name "Introductory College Chemistry?" (just so it is clear to adcoms what class it is).

If you don't think it's clear, go ahead and write out the full name.

2. For classes you withdrew and get a "W," AMCAS asks what was the transcript grade, then there is a checkbox for "Withdrawal" under course types. Since I check the "Withdrawal" box, is it necessary to type "W" in the transcript grade, or do I leave it blank?

I know these are nit-picky questions, but I just want to make sure the grades are entered in correctly so there's no delay in verifying my grades.

I would go ahead and put the W in the blank, if that's how it is on your transcript.

Also:

3. Would Zoology be considered "Biology" or "Natural/Physical Sciences?" (I would think it's Biology, but I saw that Natural/Physical Sciences has "Animal and Avian Sciences" listed in it)

Just list it as biology. If they have a problem with it, they'll change it.

4. My school considers Biochem to be biology (BIO SCI 98 is the course number), yet AMCAS classifies Biochem as Chemistry. Should I categorize it as Chemistry?

My biochem course was the same way. I listed mine as a Biology class and not a chemistry class and it wasn't changed.

 

[Artimacia]

1. When entering course titles, I know AMCAS says to write them as they appear on transcript, but do you literally type "Intr Coll Chem" or should you write the entire name "Introductory College Chemistry?" (just so it is clear to adcoms what class it is).

Yea, I just typed out the full names of all of the classes

 

[obgyny]

If you don't think it's clear, go ahead and write out the full name.




I would go ahead and put the W in the blank, if that's how it is on your transcript.



Just list it as biology. If they have a problem with it, they'll change it.



My biochem course was the same way. I listed mine as a Biology class and not a chemistry class and it wasn't changed.

Thanks!!!

 

[bl123]

I'm about to finish my MPH program, but we're on a quarter system so my final grades and degree don't come out until late June. I'd like to submit my AMCAS app ASAP though in early June...should I wait until my degree and grades are out? or should I just send a transcript now and update schools later?

pros and cons both ways. what do you think? 😕

Thanks! 😀

 

[JJMrK]

Merging related threads.

 

[ungu]

I am wondering what I should classify linguistics courses as (I'm thinking maybe FLAN?) and also communications courses (just regular public speaking). I think the comm. courses should be COMM, but I am not sure as the example courses were all media-related. Thanks!

 

[BiochemGuy]

Are future courses supposed to be listed in the same place as past courses, just with a different semester / year and without grades?

 

[ungu]

In my junior year in high school, I took AP Psychology. I passed the AP Exam, and it is on my transcript for the 2005-2006 year (HS). How do I fill out the course form for this?
It requires me to select the year, but won't let me select advanced placement if I choose my year as "high school". Also, if I have to list it as freshman would this be considered "other term"?
Also, I took physics 2 at a state college during the summer, which was lab + lecture for 6 credits, then I finalized the transient form and it's now on my home university transcript as college physics 2 w/lab for 4 credits and a gen. education physics elective for 2 credits. I added both of the schools, and will send in transcripts from both schools. Should I just add this class under the state college and not worry about adding it under my home university?
Also, what do I put as the grade for a class with the grading style of Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory?
And another question (sorry for so many! I'm nervous!) at the end of my freshman year I had 28 credits. After I was done with the summer classes, I had 35. So, for my summer classes, would I go ahead and label myself as a sophmore anyway?

1. If your college accepted the AP credit, then count it as credit received during the fall semester of college. Be sure to mark the "AP" box. If your university gives you AP credit but just puts it all together on your transcript without giving it a title, you may list the courses individually as long as they add up to the number of credits your college gave you. (I called AMCAS about this). I would entitle the course "AP Psychology" and not give it a course number, unless your transcript says otherwise.
2. I don't think you need to check the "other term" box.
3. Yup, just list it once, under the original state school
4. Check the P/F box. P/F qualifies for any two or three-grade tier system, I believe.
5. Summer always counts for the following year. You would write the academic year as a sophomore (probably 2008-2009 for you?) and label yourself as a sophomore.

 

[BiochemGuy]

Are future courses supposed to be listed in the same place as past courses, just with a different semester / year and without grades?

Found my answer:

Current/Future
Use this Course Type designation for any courses you are currently taking or expect to
take before entering medical school. Listing these courses is especially important if you
have not yet completed medical school prerequisites. No AMCAS grade will be
assigned.
These entries are not binding or required, but are intended to give the medical schools an
indication of what courses you expect to complete before matriculation. Current/future
courses do not have to appear on a transcript to be entered in course work listing.
AMCAS will not add, remove, or modify current/future courses after the application is
submitted. If this information changes, please contact your medical schools directly.
If current/future grades are entered, but not listed on the official transcript at the time of
verification, they will not be included in the AMCAS GPA. Likewise if grades are not
entered by the applicant and at the time of verification appear on the official transcript on
file at AMCAS, they will be included in the AMCAS GPA.

 

[eablackwell]

UF is b.s. man, it's so much harder than like 80% of the schools out there. If I was at any other school I would have like a 3.9.

I took 7 classes with dean override at UF during my final semester, plus wrote my honors thesis.

I was driving from Jacksonville 5 days a week for class and working a part time job in the evenings back in Jacksonville. I managed to pull a 3.8 that semester and graduate summa cum laude. UF is not that bad 😉 Try Duke. Now that school was a beast!

 

[Dr Gerrard]

Hmm more question about APs

On my transcript, under course title, they are all listed as "College Board Advance Placement" and then the course number is CH 101 etc.

So when I fill out AMCAS, for the course title should I put introductory to chemistry or exactly what is on my transcript?

Also, do I only check AP or do I also have to check P/F or something.
Finally, do I check high school or freshman year?


Side question: my high school was academically well known in my state, and as a result, if we got A's or B's in certain courses at my high school, the two big state schools would accept them as credit. For example, i took AP chemistry, made a B in it, didn't take the AP exam, but got exempt in college.

On my transcript, this is listed as

"High School Name
SEMESTER HOURS PRESENTED 0.00
SEMESTER HOURS ACCEPTED 8 "

Where High school name is where the course title would normally be. On my transcript, it does not even indicate that this is for Chemistry 101/102. What should I do?

 

[BiochemGuy]

I had a "publication" in my undergraduate university's yearly journal (for undergraduate research)... obviously not a peer reviewed journal. Should I still list this under "publications" for ECs?

 

[surftheiop]

Quick Question about entering pass fail classes, just want to be sure I'm understanding the instructions right. I'm pretty sure Im doing it right, but all the AMCAS disclaimers about how its not their fault if your delayed has made me nervous.

1) I have some classes that are graded "Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Exclusively" meaning that you can only take it U/S. For these classes my transcript lists "SX" as my grade.

So for these ones I just check the "pass/fail" box and type "SX" in as my grade right?

2) I also choose to take a class S/U voluntarily, but it was a class that letter grades where also offered in. My transcript lists a "S".

So in this case I also still click the "Pass/Fail" box and just type "S" in as the grade?

 

[Geekchick921]

I believe that would be 2 transcripts total: 1 from your degree-granting institution, 1 from the other school.

Edit: Nevermind, I misread your response. Thanks, JJ, that's what I was thinking.

 

[lmarina1]

.

 

[BiochemGuy]

Another question: for course number, just put the number?

Ex) 101
...not PSCI 101?

Edit: Again, found in answer book.. You should put all letters and numbers

 

[BlueElmo]

I had a "publication" in my undergraduate university's yearly journal (for undergraduate research)... obviously not a peer reviewed journal. Should I still list this under "publications" for ECs?

You should. But note that it was in undergrad journal.

 

[addo]

Last summer I applied for a summer undergraduate research program (SURF) under one of my professors. I drafted the research proposal and applied, but for some reason i did not get it. Before getting rejected, I was spending about 5-6 hours/week in the lab, learning about the ongoing research, future experiments, and I helped out in general during the month that I did it.
I would have kept on doing it, even after getting rejected, but due to some money constraints I had to get a job, and work for the summer, full time. Actually I was putting in about 70 hours a week, so needless to say I had no time for research, even if I made the effort
Should I still list the month that I was active in the lab anyways?

 

[Wiingy]

I've got a few questions about the activities section - some of my activities get a bit complicated so input is appreciated.

1. Shadowing - I shadowed three different physicians (to make things more complicated, three different specialties in three different states across three years), should I list these all under one activity (which I would prefer to do) and explain the other two in the description section, or do I need a separate activity for each one?

2. Fulbright - I was awarded a Fulbright grant to perform research in Germany, does this count as "research experience" or "honors and awards" (I'm leaning towards the former)?

3. Scuba diving - I worked as an instructor through college and started/led a club at my undergrad, should I count these as two separate activities (one employment, one leadership) or merge them into one? In both cases my main responsibilities were teaching/making sure divers didn't kill themselves underwater.

4. Dean's List - my GPA is not such where you would expect that I'd have earned these awards; should I list them or is it better to leave them off?

5. Publications/Presentations - should I list each one separately or merge them into one activity? If possible, should I keep them organized my lab (i.e. mention them in the activity section that corresponds to the research activity) or should they get their own category? One lab led to one presentation, and the second lab led to two papers and five posters, one of which I presented - how do you recommend I list this?

6. Photography - Should I include this or will no-one care? No awards or anything significant.

And if that wasn't complicated enough... I'm working on my MPH right now and had a few questions about how to categorize some courses. Would epidemiology courses count as "health sciences"? I've done some work with modeling, would these count as "math" or "health sciences"? The courses were very math heavy (focus on ordinary differential equations and programming) but the content was more natural science (population dynamics and disease characteristics).

To complicate the course work further, I independently enrolled at German university for a year and did not transfer any credit back to the US. Should I list the courses as they appear on that transcript (in German) or translate them? The Germans use an odd grading system, should I keep that (grades range from 1.0 to 6.0) or "convert" them?

Thanks for your help!

 

[addo]

4. Dean's List - my GPA is not such where you would expect that I'd have earned these awards; should I list them or is it better to leave them off?

I wont even try helping you on your other questions for your own good.
I want to comment on your fourth question though. If your overall GPA isnt exactly of dean's list caliber, you should still list that because they award this by semester, not by overall GPA....at least in my school.

 

[ungu]

Does the order you enter your courses into AMCAS matter a lot? I think I read that they prefer it to appear in the same order as the transcript, but I don't want to have to delete them all and start over. Does anybody know if my application would not be verified because of the order within the semester? Thanks!

 

[blackcoffee]

when can we start sending in transcripts to aamc? and how do we know they've received it?