Applying to Medical School - Page 13

lengthy delays in executing applications. This was especially frustrating for all con-

cerned, since the Web-based application was designed to make the process smoother

and quicker. Apparently AMCAS servers were unable to adequately cope with the high

volume of incoming applications. Later, to relieve the congestion, computer servers

were reconfigured.

The extraordinarily slow electronic application procedure induced an additional level

of stress to an already tension-filled admission process. This situation forced some schools

to revise their admission timetable, while others provided their own paper applications. As

a result, a more reliable system will soon be available for applicants.

While completing your AMCAS application, consider the following suggestions:

1. Answer all questions carefully, accurately, and fully.

2. Use available space for comments judiciously.

3. Outline your motivation for applying to medical school (see page 3 and

Appendix C, page 629).

4. Where clarification is required, such as a transfer to another school or a poor

grade due to an illness, explain the circumstances appropriately.

5. Arrange to send your transcript(s) to AMCAS.

6. Request that letters of recommendation be directly mailed to all schools that

receive your AMCAS application.

7. Make sure that letters of recommendation to AMCAS are identified by your

personal AMCAS ID.

8. Use the AMCAS Transcript Request Form for submission of transcripts.

9. When applying to non-AMCAS schools (see Appendix B, page 621), submit

individual school applications directly to their admissions offices.

10. For non-AMCAS schools, make sure that your transcript(s) and recommenda-

tions are sent to the admissions offices.

11. If browser-related problems occur while preparing your electronic AMCAS

application, try to change from Internet Explorer to Netscape or vice versa.

12. You cannot simultaneously apply through AMCAS for both standard (MD) and

combined medical/graduate (MD/PhD) degree programs at the same medical

school; however, you can do so to different institutions.

13. After applying, if you wish to designate additional medical schools to receive

your AMCAS application, it is necessary to resubmit your application.

14. Make sure to enter all official transcript grades in the application.

15. Determine if there is a grading system conversion applicable to your situation.

16. Enter an estimated end date for postsecondary experiences you are involved in

at the time the application is being completed.

17. Repeated postsecondary experiences should be entered only once.

18. Check drop-down menu before making the choice of "other" to identify your

race.

19. Make sure that your e-mail notifications are not blocked by filters used by some

e-mail providers. Do this by turning the filter off or having a junk mail file.

20. It is essential that you keep a printed copy of your application for future refer-

ence in order to insure against loss due to an unforeseen computer crash.

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