You Are Not Going To Believe This

[saffron]

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I thought that SCAMCAS could not get any worse...today I found out something that stunned me. So I called a couple of medical schools, just to see if they had all of my materials. Well, both schools I called told me that they had everything except my MCAT scores, so they cannot even begin to look at my application.

I was like, "huh, that's weird, I had my scores released 4 months ago." So I called AMCAS and asked what was up. Not only has my application not been verified (I submitted at the beginning of July), but in the UNVERIFIED APPLICATION that they sent to all the schools, those bastards deleted my MCAT score!!! So, none of the medical schools have my mcat score, and are not even looking at my application.

But it gets worse. So I asked the person why my score was not sent, even though I released them a long time ago. It turns out that there is a glitch in the computer system and hundreds of students scores (if you first had them held and then sent in the release form in June after we got scores back) cannot be transmitted along with the rest of the application.

But it gets worse. So I asked, "ok, so i'm already really far behind, but at least when my application gets verified, then the schools will get my scores right?" And the guy I talked to, a supervisor, said "No, I'm afraid the glitch is even in the verified applications, so your score cannot be transmitted period. We will try to (snail) mail the score to all your schools."

Are you ready- it gets worse. Turns out that most schools are not looking at whatever AMCAS sends in the mail- they are only considering what is transmitted electronically as "verified," so all of my schools still show a blank MCAT score for me...when I told the guy this, he didn't have an answer. He just said that mailing my MCAT score was the best they can do, and that I cannot hope that it will be transmitted along with my verified application, because that will not happen for some applications due to their computer system.

I am stunned, angry, and was basically on the verge of tears. I paid these guys a thousand bucks and busted my ass to get my application in early, and now the schools are basically not even going to get my MCAT score (the most basic of all information, mind you), even when my application is verified.

He said this was happening to many students, and they are not watching for it, so something will only be done (they can manually mail your scores) only if you call and ask them to do it. They are only handling it on a case per case basis, or some bull**** like that. If I had not called the schools, I would not have even known about this latest amcas **** up...

I'm so frustrated and angry...thanks for letting me vent here...

 

[DJ W.R.]

Saff: If I were you I would notify the schools that you applied to...maybe they will let you submit a photocopy of your score report. I would also keep a record of all of your dealings with AMCAS (dates, times, what was discussed, names, etc.). This may help you if there is a future legal battle!

 

[SMW]

That is truly astounding/depressing. 😡 🙁

Have you written a letter to the President of AAMC, Jorden Cohen? There was a thread with a joint letter a while back that some of us were sending in. In addition, I would recommend getting a lawyer to write you a letter detailing the story you just posted.
Also, I would write a similar letter to all the school's you're applying to as a cover letter for a copy of your MCAT score report that you send them. I really do think it's getting to the point that some sort of class action lawsuit may be necessary. I'm not in the same boat as far as released AMCAS scores, but if I were, I'd definitely be looking into it, after what you were told.

 

[Jalopycat]

I wish they'd lose my scores, except for the better score that I hopefully got this August. 😉

 

[saffron]

hey, thanks for the support

smw: do you know jordan cohen's address? im sure he's gotten so many letters that he's not going to care about my struggle. somehow i get the feeling that no one at AMCAS/AAMC really gives a rat's ass about my application...but i'll try writing a letter anyway...how do i contact him?

unfortunately, i don't have the time or money right now to carry out a legal battle... 🙁 i dont know what else to do...

 

[serpiente]

Argh! I took the April MCAT, withheld my scores, and released them in June...and I wondered why my application hasn't been verified, and why some schools don't have my scores. Saffron, you are not alone!Hope that makes you feel a teeny better. Anyway there must be something you can do. Call everyday and talk to a supervisor...hell talk to the supervisor's supervisor. This is so unfair! This cannot happen! I'm with ya..

 

[Bruno316]

saffron..i had the same problem, and i have it kind of resolved. just a week ago, i received a copy of the memorandum that amcas sent all my schools concerning mcat scores. it's basically says to use the scores on the memo as an offical report until further electronic transmission. so that's what is going to happned you soon. but i have no clue what to do about schools that would accept anything but offical. i didn't know schools would even consider doing that. the odd thing is that i have gotten interviews at amcas-participating schools, so something's happening. in fact, rochester said that they had a complete file prior to the memo. i don't know, just trying to give you some hope. good luck.

 

[praying4MD]

saffron: I am in the EXACT same position as you! I thought I was the only one. I ordered my MCAT scores to be sent over 4 months ago TWICE just to make sure! I just checked on my 2nd choice schools today to see what my status was and no one has received them! Many of them will not take faxes or copies either and will ONLY take verified MCATs from AAMCAS, which will probably be sent by the time I retire!
I submitted my app in early July and it is still untouched. 😡

Bruno: when did you get that memo? I want one!

What's the solution? anyone have any advice? this is SO frustrating! 😡

 

[sz]

Hey Saffron!

I know you must be totally devastated right now..I was, because the exact same thing happendto me!! You may as well be telling my story! I found this out in August, and so did my friend. We had not released our scores until the end of June. Even though we did it right away, and we told that everything was fine (several thousand times!!), I just happened to ask a school if they had my April scores and they did not! They had my old scores..which luckily were enough to get me screened secondaries. Still..AMCAS is out of control.

This is what you should do (I did!):

Make hard copies of your scores and send it to all of your schools. I have been told that schools need to keep any letters, etc you send them. All that becomes part of your file and when your file is reviewed, ADComs have that file..not what shows in the screens of people doing status checks for us when we call. So send them out NOW.. and you will be sure to get some response. Also write a letter to AMCAS and send it priority (you get a tracking number) and address to Don Scott..he seems to be a reasonable person. He will be able to help you out. The person responsible for releasing scores is someone called Sharon, and she sends it as a memo to all schools (like someone mentioned above). Have them send you a copy too. For the schools not going by AMCAS's verified apps, this will be fine.. Hopefully they will take care of it eventually! I am also following up on my situation and plus I am not verified either (June 28th submission!). Just stay with it and don't let them get you down. They have pretty much made all the mistakes they can with my file..but I am not giving up yet!

Ps: there is hope..I have an interview at GW in October..so some schools are not completely dependent on AMCRAP!

Good Luck and keep us posted 🙂

 

[punkin2]

Do you have to be verified for schools to receive your MCAT scores? I never witheld my scores, but my application is unverified. I know that Yale is holding my application for my official MCAT scores (I wonder then why they asked for a copy). I assumed that they would get these when I am verified. Is this correct or are they supposed to be on the summary sheet thing?

 

[Bruno316]

much like sz, i was all over amcas. i called the mcat section of the aamc and worked with joy. she forwarded the info to sharon who sent the memo out in damon thompson's name. it took awhile (roughly two weeks), but i feel most of the time was a result of the horrors of 9-11, as many workers of amcas took the next day or two off. my memo is dated 9-10, but sent 9-17. hope this helps. it looks like amcas can handle this in an okay fashion. the only other idea i had was to pay mcat to forward my scores directly to the school like i did for my non-amcas.

my question is how do we deal with schools that use only info via electronic transmissions. any ideas with that?

 

[C U in MD school]

just to add, i too am part of this stupid AMCAS f**CK up! I have been writing each of my schools and getting them my mcat scores. all have been very understanding, and laugh at AMCAS. so, write them and dont wait for AMCAS cause f@@ck the specialist or should i say AMCAS. 😡

 

[serpiente]

Question--Are MCAT scores normally included in unverified applications? I'm trying to figure out if schools don't have my scores because my app is unverified or if it is because of the score release screw up thing discussed in this thread.

 

[cm7b5]

Poor saffron......this is ludicrous........In the spirit of capitalism I think they should start another centralized (even though I guess it wouldn't be centralized) application service.........damn AMCAS monopoly...I mean AMCAS isn't even being PUNISHED for their screw ups.....If AMCAS did not have a monopoly they would have bee SEVERELy punished...punished into filing a chapter you know what.......

 

[The Fly]

Although its quite an expense if you're applying to many schools, I said F*** it, I am just going to send my scores to every school with the "additional score report form." This ran me more than $150, but when I did it back in July, at least I didn't have to worry about MCAT scores being screwed up as well.

Its funny, because they called me and said, "you know AMCAS does this for you," and I restrained myself but said, "like they verified my application, right?" Needless to say, I am still glad I spent the $$.

 

[The Fly]

Although its quite an expense if you're applying to many schools, I said F*** it, I am just going to send my scores to every school with the "additional score report form." This ran me more than $150, but when I did it back in July, at least I didn't have to worry about MCAT scores being screwed up as well.

Its funny, because they called me and said, "you know AMCAS does this for you," and I restrained myself but said, "like they verified my application, right?" Needless to say, I am still glad I spent the $$.

 

[none]

To all of you who have had these problems, do your MCAT scores show up when you print your AMCAS application?

 

[C U in MD school]

GG16: that is a great idea. i wish i had done that.

none: my scores don't show up when i print.

 

[SMW]

Originally posted by saffron:
•
smw: do you know jordan cohen's address? im sure he's gotten so many letters that he's not going to care about my struggle. somehow i get the feeling that no one at AMCAS/AAMC really gives a rat's ass about my application...but i'll try writing a letter anyway...how do i contact him?

unfortunately, i don't have the time or money right now to carry out a legal battle... 🙁 i dont know what else to do...•

Jordan J. Cohen, M.D.
President
Association of American Medical Colleges
2450 N Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20037-1126

I'm not suggesting you really get into a legal battle, but sometimes, just one letter from a lawyer works wonders. I think someone on this board had some success getting verified that way. Good luck.

 

[saffron]

thanks smw, i'll write cohen a letter...i also called this guy michael newman yesterday and asked him to send my mcat scores with a memo to all the schools telling them the situation (he said they would "work on it") whatever that means.

i also wrote a couple of threatening emails, with no repsonse (as usual). i'l try sending anothe email. and in a couple days, i'll try calling newman again to make sure they sent my scores with the memo. i'm also writing emails to all the schools letting them know about this screw-up...hopefully they can maunally enter my mcat scores into their computer, so it will show up as my file being complete, and then will be forwarded to the committee, b/c right now, my physical file isn't even being reviewed, since their computer shows me as incomplete...sigh 🙁

i'll keep you guys posted...oh by the way, someone asked if my mcat scores are showing up on the printout- yes, they were, but now they are gone...i don't know, i gave up asking a long time ago

peace

 

[Amy B]

Hi,
Sorry to hear you are having problems. I am actually the one that had my lawyer send AMCAS a letter demanding they process my application or they would be sued for breach of contract and discrimination (age) due to holding back my application for no reason whatsever and processing lots of applications that were submitted after mine.

I was contacted by phone 3days after my letter was sent, and was processed in 5 days after my letter was recieved by them. I had reached my limit and refused to take thier crap any longer. Good luck.

submitted 6/27
Processed 9/21

 

[Ex-InfantryMedic]

If everyone in the SDN forum documents the delays and damages (to include a rejection status) done by the AMCAS, it would easily become a class-action suit and demonstrate the seriosness of the situation to Mr. Cohen.

 

[lamyers]

Yesterday, our dean said that they had received an email from Cohen on Tuesday. Of course there was the usual apologetic crap, but then went on to say that they were under "new" management. I think some heads started to roll. I hope that helps someone feel somewhat better!

 

[andi11]

Hi guys,

When I print my AMCAS application, my MCAT scores don't show up either. So I called a "specialist" yesterday and she "ASSured" me that the scores are sent separately. I was a little nervous b/c I took the test in April 2001 and did not release them until I saw them which was in June. She told me that they were released, though. However, I am also not verified yet (submitted 8/11). 🙁 ASS

 

[cali79]

I took the August 2000 MCAT and had my scores released in May, but apparently my scores aren't getting to the schools either. I got a letter in the mail from University of Washington that says,

"As indicated in the American Association of Medical Colleges' publication and our admissions brochure, it is a requrement of the Univ. of Washington School of Medicine that the MCAT be taken prior to admission consideration...Since our records show that you have not taken this examination, we will be unable to consider your application at this time...."

AMCAS has not only lost my transcript, but they aren't sending my MCAT scores either.

 

[praying4MD]

{Excessive venting to follow:}

This has gone far enough! I released my scores *repeatedly* over 4 freakin' months ago and barely any of the schools I'm applying to have received them.

I got a letter from one of the schools saying that since they have no record of my MCAT scores that I am no longer eligible for admission this cycle at their school! I have no problem with a rejection if it is based on my credentials. I have a HUGE problem with a rejection because of yet another AAMCAS $#%@ up. AAH! 😡 {End Vent}

I have contacted the school and they won't reopen my file until they get Official scores, so the fax/mail a copy is not an option. I have released my scores YET AGAIN, but we all know how promptly AAMCAS deals with situations like these. I'll be lucky if the scores get their by the time I retire. 🙁 😡

 

[SMW]

praying4MD, I think a letter from your lawyer might be in order at this point. I am so sorry that you, and others, are having this problem. It is really getting past the point of annoyance and inconvenience and starting to impact peoples' lives. Have you tried calling AAMC and talking to Nancy Tillinghast (sp?). If not, I would and tell her that she'll be hearing from your lawyer if AMCAS doesn't FedEx those scores out tomorrow.

 

[LilMissDrDoolittle]

Are they still having this problem with August MCAT test takers who held their scores and released later