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[gonnif]

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[MightBeACylon439]

Important distinction***- AACOMAS will now be ABLE to receive and process LOR's. It even goes on to say you can still use interfolio and VirtualEvals.

Any guesses as to how many threads we'll see asking about whether or not interfolio/VirtualEvals can still be used?

 

[AlteredScale]

FROM AACOMAS:

A clarifying note: Applicants may begin to submit their 2016 AACOMAS Application on May 5, 2015 once the AACOMAS application goes live at 1:00pm Eastern Standard Time. They will not need to wait until early June to submit.

The nation’s Osteopathic Medical Schools will begin receiving applications on/about June 15, 2015.

Thank you for this info!

 

[Mavs88]

So the application will be "powered by Interfolio", will there be any issue if you have a prior interfolio account? How should I go about registering an account for AACOMAS? Because I believe it wants you to go to interfolio and log in with your AACOMAS credentials...but I already have an interfolio account for my letters. Surely there will be some way to link it up?

 

[MightBeACylon439]

So the application will be "powered by Interfolio", will there be any issue if you have a prior interfolio account? How should I go about registering an account for AACOMAS? Because I believe it wants you to go to interfolio and log in with your AACOMAS credentials...but I already have an interfolio account for my letters. Surely there will be some way to link it up?

 

[Twilson016]

FROM AACOMAS:

A clarifying note: Applicants may begin to submit their 2016 AACOMAS Application on May 5, 2015 once the AACOMAS application goes live at 1:00pm Eastern Standard Time. They will not need to wait until early June to submit.

The nation’s Osteopathic Medical Schools will begin receiving applications on/about June 15, 2015.

Just for clarification on this clarification, we will theoretically be able to submit that first day the application opens, but that's not really possible considering that's the first day we can start sending in transcripts correct?

Also, it says that schools will start receiving applications around June 15th so when should we plan on trying to get the app submitted to make sure it's in that first wave of applicants? Just ASAP?

 

[Twilson016]

I also sent AACOMAS a question about transcripts today and I just got an email saying to refer to the new application instructions May 5th and if I still have questions to contact them after then. Not too helpful [emoji58]

 

[Mavs88]

Actually, I would think no because the below AACOMAS note to advisers but I will try to confirm from the application director at AACOMAS

"AACOMAS will now be able to receive and process letters of recommendation directly through the AACOMAS Evaluator Portal. As in prior cycles, letters may still be received from VirtualEvals, Interfolio, and USPS mail. Letters submitted through AACOMAS will be bundled with your application. Letters submitted through VirtualEvals, Interfolio, USPS, or other sources as directed in application instructions must be sent directly to the schools applicants have applied to and will NOT be bundled with the application."

Thanks! I thought they would essentially be using interfolio to collect the letters into AACOMAS as well. Perhaps a question for interfolio...

 

[Mavs88]

While you can use interfolio to send letters, the new AACOMAS application is not run via interfolio

From AACOMAS
"The application is not powered any longer by Interfolio….Please refer them to the website for the offical information. We have a brand new vendor"

Ohhh, I guess I was not up to speed.

So, I guess you can send your letters to "AACOMAS" on interfolio now, instead of individual schools?

 

[TheoryOfEverything]

While you can use interfolio to send letters, the new AACOMAS application is not run via interfolio

From AACOMAS
"The application is not powered any longer by Interfolio….Please refer them to the website for the offical information. We have a brand new vendor"

Wouldn't you be able to send the letters you have archived on Interfolio to AACOMAS? Then let AACOMAS take it from there?

 

[InterstellarStudent]

Just a quick question for accepted students this cycle. Do we need to do anything with AACOMAS after we've been accepted and submitted our deposit?

 

[Sai111394]

Since people on the quarter system would need to wait until end of June to have spring quarter grades on our transcripts, would we have to wait all the way until the end of June/July just to submit?

 

[deleted158872]

 AACOMAS will now be able to receive and process letters of recommendation directly through the AACOMAS Evaluator Portal. As in prior cycles, letters may still be received from VirtualEvals, Interfolio, and USPS mail. Letters submitted through AACOMAS will be bundled with your application. Letters submitted through VirtualEvals, Interfolio, USPS, or other sources as directed in application instructions must be sent directly to the schools you’ve applied to and will NOT be bundled with the application.

awesome!!!! now i won't have to waste $ sending LORs to each individual school any more

 

[Sai111394]

Great thanks! So just to clarify I can submit my app with my spring grades not listed it's just that they wouldn't look at my app until they have the spring grades on the transcript?

No. You can submit earlier but until transcripts are received and verified, the application wont be transmitted to the schools. Since DO schools typically have longer cycles, I really wouldnt be concerned

 

[Sai111394]

Also, I visited the aacomas website today and they don't give an option to create a new account like AMCAS does. How do you create and actual account?

 

[Dr. Death]

Important distinction***- AACOMAS will now be ABLE to receive and process LOR's. It even goes on to say you can still use interfolio and VirtualEvals.

Any guesses as to how many threads we'll see asking about whether or not interfolio/VirtualEvals can still be used?

Well since we are already at one I am going to say upwards of 15.

 

[Gordon Gekko]

Also, I visited the aacomas website today and they don't give an option to create a new account like AMCAS does. How do you create and actual account?

You wont be able to until May 5th.

 

[Bammy]

The school deadlines they posted in the new 2016 guide confused me. Some schools have 2014 deadlines? Like University of North Texas.

 

[GypsyHummus]

Can a deliver my LOR via raven?

 

[Stephanopolous]

I would speculate (I said speculate) yes. Interfolio feeds AACOMAS. Of course that doesnt speak to the fact that I would advise students who had older letters to seek new ones, even if from same writers.

How old is "old"? I was going to apply last cycle but held off because I had to take the MCAT again. My letters are from last year, is that too old?

 

[Stephanopolous]

Also, thank you for posting this! Very helpful.

 

[Stephanopolous]

@gonnif Okay thanks for the quick response!

 

[Stephanopolous]

Do you know if the new application will have specific transcript request forms? I am ready to mail my transcript requests out but I don't have a specific form right now. Could I just use my previous AACOMAS applicant ID # from when I started the application last cycle?

Thanks!

 

[Abraxas65]

Everyone should go sit on your hands and be patient

Directions unclear, hand stuck in toaster. Please send help!

 

[deleted158872]

can you still add LOR to your app. after you submit your app. ?

 

[cuwhenucme]

can you still add LOR to your app. after you submit your app. ?

I also wonder this question. Can someone help? @gonnif?

 

[Stephanopolous]

ABSOLUTELY NO!

It will be a new system and old IDs are unlikely to work. You have to wait until May 5th at least to register, Trying to do anything early, especially with a new system presents a high risk of transcripts not being received, reviewed, or verified and never having your application processed,

Everyone should go sit on your hands and be patient

Hahha ok let me calm down. I can't help it I'm so excited!!!! I've been waiting for this for years! [emoji3][emoji3][emoji3]

 

[swolebrah]

I see some confusion in regards to the interfolio situation. If the applicant has all letters stored on interfolio, we cannot send those letters to AACOMAS? I was under the impression we could just send them to AACOMAS directly and they would bundle them with our application, however on the announcements page it states interfolio letters must be sent separately and only letters directly mailed to AACOMAS will be packaged with the application.

Is my reasoning correct, because if it is...it seems like I'm going to have to end up spending a lot more $$$ sending letters individually to all the schools instead of just sending them to AACOMAS to be bundled.

 

[swolebrah]

We are trying to confirm as the applicant info letter wasnt clear on this.

Thanks for checking this out. I emailed AACOMAS and have not received a message back, but if I do I will post it here.

 

[cuwhenucme]

I think you are asking once you submit your app to AACOMAS but before it is transmitted to schools can you add an LOR. I would think yes, but please read below

As the AACOMAS announcement states LORs received via AACOMAS will be bundled with application when transmitted to schools. Since there are no published instructions for the 2016 yet, there is likely a step in the process when you click in AACOMAS (after submission) that you agree with all the course classification and such and that your app is complete. At that point it is ready for transmission and you would not be able to add letters. However as the AACOMAS announcement states (see below) you can use interfolio to send letters to schools directly


AACOMAS will now be able to receive and process letters of recommendation directly through the AACOMAS Evaluator Portal. As in prior cycles, letters may still be received from VirtualEvals, Interfolio, and USPS mail. Letters submitted through AACOMAS will be bundled with your application. Letters submitted through VirtualEvals, Interfolio, USPS, or other sources as directed in application instructions must be sent directly to the schools you’ve applied to and will NOT be bundled with the application.

Thanks @gonnif I am actually wondering if AACOMAS forward my LOR after I submit my primary application to schools (also, AFTER it is transmitted to schools)
I think it won't take too long for AACOMAS to transmit application to school after we submit the primary application. I guess everything will be delivered electronically so the time of submission and the time of transmission won't be too much different from my understanding.

But I am not sure if my LOR writer will finish their letter and upload to the system before my submission. I hope they will do it, but I guess for some of them, it may take a long time. Therefore I am worried if they will upload the letter after my submission in June. My questions is: if they upload later (for example, in July or August), once AACOMAS receive the letter, will AACOMAS forward to letter to school as an updates, or I should just ask LOR writer to send to individual school by themselves (assuming AACOMAS won't forward to letter after my submission)?

Sorry if my question sounds a little bit complicated. Thanks for your kind help!

 

[Mavs88]

So, on AACOMAS for the LOR, you can enter the evaluator's name and email address. There's an option that interfolio gives you to put a made up email there for every letter you have. Does AACOMAS send that person an email for the letter? if so, this could be a way to get letters from interfolio to aacomas directly.

 

[IAmNotaRobot]

The new AACOMAS is really nice. I really like it. I made a new account just to check it out.

 

[jpmiz]

I tried using the interfolio email on AACOMAS to upload the letters but the save button is staying gray and won't let me click it. I'm not really sure what the issue is. I tried it with a non-interfolio email and the same thing is happening. Is anyone else having this problem?

 

[Mavs88]

I tried using the interfolio email on AACOMAS to upload the letters but the save button is staying gray and won't let me click it. I'm not really sure what the issue is. I tried it with a non-interfolio email and the same thing is happening. Is anyone else having this problem?

Hmm, I put in the interfolio email and it seemed to work! Said it has been requested.

 

[exmoderpina]

The new AACOMAS is really nice. I really like it. I made a new account just to check it out.

Came here to say the same thing. It's very modern and lovely. 😍

 

[Gordon Gekko]

Wow, unless I am missing a choice in the drop-down lists, it looks like Professional coursework is now included in the Graduate GPA, Total GPA, and subject GPA calculations. I'll wait until I hear confirmation from AACOMAS before I walk into oncoming traffic. I potentially would go from a 3.16 cGPA/3.13 sGPA to 2.87 cGPA/2.65 sGPA. Man, what a difference a year makes.

 

[Gordon Gekko]

Thats always how it works, total is total. There is total undergraduate GPA and graduate GPA as well. Its the undergraduate that carries the weight. In fact there can be up to 13 (I think) subtotals of some kind

Previous cycles did not include Professional coursework like optometry and dental school in the GPA, graduate or total. My apps from last cycle only list them as 0.0 credits. Now it's looking more like AMCAS.

 

[EDK]

Is it just me or do we have to make a new account for the website? My old login info is not working for me and when I choose the forgot password link, my email is not registered. Thanks in advance.

 

[Gordon Gekko]

Is it just me or do we have to make a new account for the website? My old login info is not working for me and when I choose the forgot password link, my email is not registered. Thanks in advance.

All new unless you used CAS for Pod or PA, etc. apps before.

 

[Gordon Gekko]

Thats always how it works, total is total. There is total undergraduate GPA and graduate GPA as well. Its the undergraduate that carries the weight. In fact there can be up to 13 (I think) subtotals of some kind

Here's last year's instructions:

Course level -- Professional Courses
Professional courses include those taken at a professional school leading toward a certificate or license, or if you have taken course work at an institution which is not regionally accredited. Course work from a regionally accredited institution leading toward an associate, bachelor, master or Ph.D. degree should NOT be listed as professional. If you were enrolled in a professional degree program and were granted an accredited bachelor's degree after part of the program was completed, list courses taken directly toward the bachelor's degree as undergraduate. For example, if you were enrolled in a D.C. program and were granted an accredited bachelor's degree after the second academic year, separate the course work. Courses taken directly toward the bachelor's degree should be listed as undergraduate and will be included in your GPA calculations; the remaining courses taken toward the D.C. degree should be listed as professional and will not be included in your GPA.

Exception: If you earned a doctorate degree in Pharmacy but not a baccalaureate degree, do not list this course work taken toward your Pharmacy degree as professional. If you earned/will earn both a baccalaureate and doctoral degree in Pharmacy, list the baccalaureate courses as undergraduate and list doctoral courses as professional.

Professional school course work listed will be verified against official transcripts, but this course work is not included on the Applicant Profile, and will not be included in your GPA calculations.

 

[TheoryOfEverything]

How do we contact AACOMAS reps? On the old application there was a support tab where you could send messages directly to reps. Does that exist for the new application, or do we email [email protected] now?

Edit:
I also need my registrar to send an email to AACOMAS regarding some of my coursework. The address used to be [email protected], should I still have it sent to that email address, or should it be sent to the one mentioned above?

 

[Aresus]

How do we contact AACOMAS reps? On the old application there was a support tab where you could send messages directly to reps. Does that exist for the new application, or do we email [email protected] now?

Edit:
I also need my registrar to send an email to AACOMAS regarding some of my coursework. The address used to be [email protected], should I still have it sent to that email address, or should it be sent to the one mentioned above?

This was included in the confirmation email:

• Please use our new HelpDesk contact information for all support needs.
  • Phone number: (617) 612-2889 and
  • Email address: [email protected]

 

[Twilson016]

I just finished entering in all my coursework and I don't see where the AACOMAS calculated GPA is listed. Is it right in front of my face somewhere and I'm just not seeing it? I haven't finalized my transcripts yet because I'm still waiting on this semesters grades, is that why I'm not seeing it anywhere?

 

[Gordon Gekko]

The instructions have a screenshot of it. I believe it shows up after they verify it, but before you pay the app fee.

 

[IslandStyle808]

Looks like if you want to update your grades you have to wait for one of the three update periods to do this. It will be tough for those who do summer courses to choose whether to submit sooner or later.

 

[GypsyHummus]

Is it still a good idea to just apply to one school until your MCAT score gets back?

 

[Gordon Gekko]

Here's last year's instructions:

Course level -- Professional Courses
Professional courses include those taken at a professional school leading toward a certificate or license, or if you have taken course work at an institution which is not regionally accredited. Course work from a regionally accredited institution leading toward an associate, bachelor, master or Ph.D. degree should NOT be listed as professional. If you were enrolled in a professional degree program and were granted an accredited bachelor's degree after part of the program was completed, list courses taken directly toward the bachelor's degree as undergraduate. For example, if you were enrolled in a D.C. program and were granted an accredited bachelor's degree after the second academic year, separate the course work. Courses taken directly toward the bachelor's degree should be listed as undergraduate and will be included in your GPA calculations; the remaining courses taken toward the D.C. degree should be listed as professional and will not be included in your GPA.

Exception: If you earned a doctorate degree in Pharmacy but not a baccalaureate degree, do not list this course work taken toward your Pharmacy degree as professional. If you earned/will earn both a baccalaureate and doctoral degree in Pharmacy, list the baccalaureate courses as undergraduate and list doctoral courses as professional.

Professional school course work listed will be verified against official transcripts, but this course work is not included on the Applicant Profile, and will not be included in your GPA calculations.

So I got an email response saying Professional GPA is not counted just like last year. So I called in to verify and she said that person was incorrect and now all Professional grades are now included in Graduate GPA. So if you went to the Caribbean med schools, Optometry, Law school, PharmD with no BS, etc, it is now just Graduate. She said it won't be grandfathered in. This change was never pre-announced, so I'm going to contact some others at AACOM.

 

[Mavs88]

Great success! I was able to use the fake emails that interfolio gives you to request my LOR in AACOMAS application. Contacted interfolio about it, but everything went through smoothly. Got the confirmation from AACOMAS that all letters were received.

 

[swolebrah]

Great success! I was able to use the fake emails that interfolio gives you to request my LOR in AACOMAS application. Contacted interfolio about it, but everything went through smoothly. Got the confirmation from AACOMAS that all letters were received.

Just wondering what you mean by fake emails , I haven't gotten to the LOR section yet but it says on the application FAQ that all interfolio letters have to be sent to the respective schools.You had all your letters stored on interfolio ?

Thanks

 

[Mavs88]

Just wondering what you mean by fake emails , I haven't gotten to the LOR section yet but it says on the application FAQ that all interfolio letters have to be sent to the respective schools.You had all your letters stored on interfolio ?

Thanks

So, once you store a letter on interfolio, if you go into your documents section...hover over the name of the person. It will have this email that reads something like "[email protected]". It's an email generated by them that is specific to that letter.

So, in AACOMAS I put in the person's name and everything, but where it said to put their email, I put the interfolio email specific to the letter that person wrote me. Interfolio will create a delivery in your account for this and then notify you by email, should cost $4 a letter.

I'm really glad it worked, because there was no way to go straight into interfolio and say "send letters to AACOMAS" like you can with AMCAS/TMDSAS.