amcas, q&a webinars, transcripts, letters, secondaries, school list, etc.
by Morimoto, Emiko Taira Adachi
Dear 2020 Applicants,
Congratulations to those of you who are graduating next week!
We are writing to share information about AMCAS submission, transcripts, Harvard Committee letters, secondary applications, selecting schools, and spam filters.
1. AMCAS submission. AMCAS can be submitted starting May 30. We recommend that all applicants submit between May 30 and June 15. This should be the case even if you are taking the MCAT at a later date. You can submit the application with as few as one school selected and can add schools later if your MCAT score will inform your school list. Even though we recommend submitting as early as possible, it will always be better to make sure that your application is error free rather than rushing to submit on a given day, so if you need a few days to proof it and let others proof it, give yourself those days.
1. Q&A webinars. As a reminder, we have a few more webinars left. Wednesdays at varying times, 5/22<https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3495914108418764033> 4-5pm, 5/29<https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1466866554427923969> 10-11am, 6/5<https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7445543493832024321> 4-5pm, and 6/12<https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4065034521095195137> 12-1pm. This is a good way to ask quick questions about AMCAS! You have to register before joining the webinar, but are able to register even after the webinar has begun. If you have already RSVPd in Crimson Careers, please be sure to also register through the goto links above.
1. Transcripts. Transcripts (from Harvard and every college or university where you have ever taken classes) need to be sent to AMCAS as soon as possible.
1. Timing of Harvard letters. As long as you have gotten your information to your House by their deadlines, then your Harvard Committee letter with your letters of recommendations will be uploaded and sent to your medical schools by August 15. Medical schools know this is when Harvard letters are submitted and our letters are submitted sooner than many of the letters from our peer institutions. Many medical schools will begin reviewing your application before this date or will put it in a queue once they receive your secondary, so you still need to get your materials in as soon as you can.
1. Secondary applications. Secondary application policies can be found on MSAR on each individual school page. Most schools do not screen applicants before sending secondary applications, but some do. Most schools send you an email invitation to complete their secondaries, but some schools expect you to go onto their websites/application portals and download them. Check your schools on MSAR to know what to expect. Most schools send secondaries after they have received the AMCAS application, which occurs June 28th at the earliest.
1. School selection. If you have any questions about whether your school list is appropriate for you and your application, please be sure you have discussed this with your tutors or with one of us at OCS. An inappropriate school list is one of the common reasons applicants have difficulty getting interview invitations or acceptances. One great thing (activities, GPA, MCAT, etc.) does not usually compensate for deficits in other areas. The applicant's profile is viewed as a whole.
1. Spam folders. Please be sure to keep checking your spam folders and to change settings as needed to ensure that interview invitations and secondary invitations are not ignored accidentally.
1. Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell virtual info session (see attachment). Wednesday, June 19, 4pm (EDT). This 90-minute webinar will include a presentation on the curriculum and admissions process by Rona Woldenberg, MD, Associate Dean for Admissions, Professor of Radiology. A student panel will also be available to answer questions. This can be a useful way to decide if you want to include Hofstra on your school list.
Good luck getting your AMCAS submitted. Please be in touch if we can be of help.
Best,
Emiko & Oona
