When website not consistent with MSAR?

[TheBiologist]

Take a look at UCLA's newly updated prerequisite page on their website

Prerequisites - David Geffen School of Medicine - Los Angeles, CA

One thing right off the bat is that is says they accept AP credit which they have never done before and the MSAR 2018 still says they don't. Also, I think the letter of recommendation requirement changed from a "maximum of 3 letters" to 3-5 letters

so what's up?

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[gyngyn]

Website is maintained directly by the school; it is primary
MSAR is maintained by AAMC with info from schools; it essentially secondhand info

I have found the reverse to be true! To update the website takes an act of God, whereas the text in the MSAR is entirely in our control (not the stats, of course!). I would go with the MSAR and contact the school to give them heck regarding the ambiguity (anonymously, of course!). There is no reason for the MSAR to lag. It is entirely in the hands of the admissions officer and can be changed instantly.

 

[Lawpy]

Website is maintained directly by the school; it is primary
MSAR is maintained by AAMC with info from schools; it essentially secondhand info

I have found the reverse to be true! To update the website takes an act of God, whereas the text in the MSAR is entirely in our control (not the stats, of course!). I would go with the MSAR and contact the school to give them heck.

So the MSAR is more reliable than the school website and it's better to contact the school to resolve any differences?

 

[DameJulie]

I would double check with the school to get a firm answer if you are a current applicant.

But for general info's sake, I go with the MSAR because they are updated every year. Also, for your specific case, I used MSAR as one central source to save myself from lots of searching when assigning LORs.

School's individual website can be outdated sometimes. The most updated info can be presented as "For the 2018 entering class:" or with the updated webpage date on top/bottom.

 

[gyngyn]

But in this specific case, it states changes for 2018 (emphasis in original )


Beginning in 2018: Competency-based Admissions Considerations for DGSOM at UCLA
Beginning in the 2018 admissions cycle, DGSOM at UCLA will be moving towards competency-based entrance requirements. Successful applicants will have obtained a Bachelor’s degree from a US or Canadian college, or the equivalent, by completing at minimum 3 years of undergraduate or graduate level college coursework. We adhere to the principle that college years not only prepare students for professional schools but also provide opportunities for creative intellectual engagement and experiences that promote enthusiasm for lifelong learning and engender psychosocial maturity. We recommend applicants demonstrate the following competencies through the successful completion of the suggested college-level course work. The fundamental knowledge gained via this coursework lays the foundation that helps support success in medical school. Please note AP credit is acceptable.

The MSAR can be corrected in real time by an admissions officer today.
The website can be changed (eventually) though non-medical school intermediaries.
If there is a discrepancy, applicants need to give them heck. I put money on the MSAR being up to date. The AAMC bugs us until we do...

 

[Toutie]

UCLA (Geffen SOM) is obviously in the process of changing their requirements to competency based rather than specific course based beginning in 2018. I know what the old pre-req page looked like and this is definitely a newly updated page. I think they are making changes to further fit their plan to view applicants in a more holistic way.

UCLA (undergrad) is also in the process of changing both their Life Science series and Physics series required/recommended for med school. I don't think all of these changes are unrelated.

As for them updating their info to MSAR...this is UCLA we are talking about. They seem to take their sweet old time doing a lot of things that could/should be done in a much more timely fashion. 😉

 

[aldol16]

In this instance, since they are specifically changing the requirements for 2018 and say so explicitly, I would take the website's word for it. There are many reasons why they might not have updated MSAR. Maybe the guy responsible for it hasn't gotten around to it. Maybe the MSAR system hasn't updated with the new information. It's obvious in this case what the school wants for the 2018 application cycle.

 

[gyngyn]

In this instance, since they are specifically changing the requirements for 2018 and say so explicitly, I would take the website's word for it. There are many reasons why they might not have updated MSAR. Maybe the guy responsible for it hasn't gotten around to it. Maybe the MSAR system hasn't updated with the new information. It's obvious in this case what the school wants for the 2018 application cycle.

The MSAR can be updated instantaneously. It already reflects the changes described in the website.

 

[aldol16]

The MSAR can be updated instantaneously. It already reflects the changes described in the website.

So... there's no purpose for this thread to begin with?

 

[gyngyn]

So... there's no purpose for this thread to begin with?

It is good for schools to understand how perceived differences in uniformity of message cause the applicants angst.

 

[Lawpy]

The MSAR can be updated instantaneously. It already reflects the changes described in the website.

So... there's no purpose for this thread to begin with?

It is good for schools to understand how perceived differences in uniformity of message cause the applicants angst.

I just checked the MSAR. It is not updated yet. I'll report back tomorrow.

 

[gyngyn]

I just checked the MSAR. It is not updated yet. I'll report back tomorrow.

I can't wait!

 

[Toutie]

I just checked the MSAR. It is not updated yet. I'll report back tomorrow.

Someone needs to call UCLA and rip them a new one. Like I said earlier, they tend take their sweet old time doing a lot of things that could/should be done in a much more timely fashion.

 

[Lawpy]

I can't wait!

Someone needs to call UCLA and rip them a new one. Like I said earlier, they tend take their sweet old time doing a lot of things that could/should be done in a much more timely fashion.

MSAR is still not updated. I'll check next week.

 

[Lawpy]

Update: MSAR is still not updated to reflect the changes. According to the footnotes:

"The requirements listed above are provided by the medical school, and may be updated by the medical school at any time. The AAMC does not verify, and is not responsible for ensuring, the currency or accuracy of the requirements listed above by the medical school, or the accuracy of the coursework that you provide, and is not liable for any decision made in reliance upon the results of this tool. Applicants are encouraged to verify the requirements directly with the school. Please note that credit hours may vary depending upon the policies of undergraduate institutions."

@gyngyn @gonnif does it mean applicants should contact UCLA directly regarding its AP policy and follow what the website says specifically? I have no idea why UCLA is taking so long to update changes on MSAR.

 

[gyngyn]

@gyngyn @gonnif does it mean applicants should contact UCLA directly regarding its AP policy and follow what the website says specifically? I have no idea why UCLA is taking so long to update changes on MSAR.

You bet. This is silly.

 

[Toutie]

Update: MSAR is still not updated to reflect the changes. According to the footnotes:

"The requirements listed above are provided by the medical school, and may be updated by the medical school at any time. The AAMC does not verify, and is not responsible for ensuring, the currency or accuracy of the requirements listed above by the medical school, or the accuracy of the coursework that you provide, and is not liable for any decision made in reliance upon the results of this tool. Applicants are encouraged to verify the requirements directly with the school. Please note that credit hours may vary depending upon the policies of undergraduate institutions."

@gyngyn @gonnif does it mean applicants should contact UCLA directly regarding its AP policy and follow what the website says specifically? I have no idea why UCLA is taking so long to update changes on MSAR.

As much as I dearly love my alma mater, there is some serious deadwood employed at UCLA....just riding it out to get their pension $$$. I suspect there are people still working there that were there when I went to school (a million years ago!). Now I am referring specifically to my knowledge of and experiences with the undergrad, alumni assoc., and the athletic dept)...but I don't image the med school would be terribly different.

I'm sure UCLA will update it sooner or later...but I wouldn't hold my breath. It'll probably be updated in mid-October or so.