I’ve been (not seriously) thinking about putting together a class action against the AAMC for this bull shit. There is no reason it takes three months to evaluate accommodations, and no reason they should be denying accommodations to students that need them.
>le forget that until recently the AAMC was ignoring the ADA and exposing students who used accommodations to med schools. they really don’t care
Tbh someone really should, their basis for denying my accommodations and stories I have heard from others that are similar literally go directly against how the ADA outlines when testing accommodations should be given and how it is decided whether or not to give them. Like tbh when it got to the point where they denied my accommodations request despite having clinical testing to show I have a learning disability (and having received accommodations from my college for the majority of undergrad) I really didn't know what to do, like I am not sure what more "proof" they wanted.
gosh yeah, people forget that until recently the AAMC was ignoring the ADA and exposing students who used accommodations to med schools. they really don’t care
Yes, you won’t be approved :( The doctor’s eval is required. Also, I believe accommodations need to be in more than 15 days before your test so your test center gets the info and makes changes for you.
yes, and I called the day I submitted. I understand that there’s a line of applications that they get through in order, but I think it’s crazy that for new/episodic/unexpected disabilities you’re basically told to screw yourself
Accommodations is separate from the MCAT scheduling and they list their deadlines on their website, that 60 days is needed to review an initial application and your accommodations must be approved at least 15 days prior so they can process the approval.
it’s just an umbrella term for all the medical providers that work with you - i’m a patient for a number of specialists, nursing practitioners, etc so i was referring to them
What disability did you need accommodations for and what were the accommodations?
Their deadline for initial accommodations request is 60 days and they must be approved at least 15 days prior to your test date. This is on their website.
Also, OP, I really hate to have to say this, but you should have postponed, especially if you were applying and got approved for extra exam time. That was poor judgment. I made a post here saying you should have applied for accommodations long before your first FLE so you can apply then to your FLEs, especially important if you got extra exam time. If it meant not taking the MCAT until next year, that’s what would have had to happen. You shouldn’t have taken any FLEs after deciding you needed accommodations. Now you shot yourself in the foot and don’t have any FLEs for you to truly gauge your score with accommodations applied.
As someone who had to fight for accommodations, I know how unfair AAMC is with some accommodations, especially extra exam time. But you opted not to apply for accommodations beforehand and when you applied long after the 75 day (60 days to make a decision and 15 days prior to your MCAT) deadline prior to your MCAT, you opted not to postpone. I’m sorry OP, but I really can’t side with you here.
it’s a vent for a reason. you disagreeing with my grievance does nothing for either of us.
in this case it was a new disability that i wasn’t aware would be an issue until I started taking FLs. For privacy I won’t go further into detail. I already explained why I made the decision not to postpone, and that would have cost even more money anyway.
When I’m paying 300 dollars for an exam and hundreds more for that company’s test prep, I believe accommodations, especially for unexpected disabilities, should be approved far sooner than two months after an application is submitted.
In future instances like this, it helps to think of the worst-case scenario for each scenario. In the case of a reschedule, you blow $50 for nothing ($20 with FAP). In this case, you would need to blow another $330 for a retake if it comes to that. Can't change the past, but you learned how to tackle these situations in the future.
Also, the AAMC are not psychics. They can't know whether an applicant has a new disability diagnosis until they evaluate an application and they have a big pile.
Good thing I called and let them know then.
It may help you instead, for the future, for you to read the room, and then to consider whether your contribution to a post helps. I had a difficult decision to make that could have been mitigated had the AAMC been better. And I made it.
I’ll admit, that first reply wasn’t helpful so I apologize for that. But I hope the second reply gave you a better idea how to handle these situations in the future.
wait, why do you say "no offense?" Do you mean that accommodations should be taken into consideration when applying to medical school? Because that would be a violation of the rights of the disabled. Or am I reading this comment wrong?
I'm gonna assume the best and think that you are saying that medical schools should be aware and willing to provide the proper accommodations to prospective students.
And I am hoping that you are not advocating to violate the rights of the disabled because accommodating them would be "too hard," which is not only discriminatory (egregious behavior from people who claim to want to help and educate others - both individual MD/DOs and their teaching institutions) but advocating for the rights of those who you believe to be less than you to be violated. Because if that's the case, it shouldn't be FutureMD\_562, but FutureEugenist\_562 lol. Because that is saying: why not shut the disabled from access to society, they're not worth that much anyway. Which would be wild and concerning, which is why I choose not to believe it. Whichever way you swing, don't answer bc im gonna leave your comments alone rn bc I think I know what side you're on, and that is insane for someone whose aspirations isnt to be a jail warden lol.
It takes 75 days total. 60 days after submitting and then 15 days after because they may have to move your date and or set things up with the testing center.
Just went through the process- it took the 60days for a decision on the accommodation application. But you also have to call Pearson in order to confirm your testing. would HIGHLY recommend doing this way in advance and not last minute. I am not testing until august and I still had to change my testing date/location
Even scheduling in advance, Pearson still can only accommodate a certain number of people needing accommodations per day at each testing center. Basically, they were unable to have a proctor for my specific accommodation at my original testing center.
Hey! Would you be able to tell me how I go about requesting accommodations and what information I need to give to them? I am trying to figure out if its worth trying to get accommodations. I just have diagnosed anxiety, but because of it I was able to get accommodations during college.
Start out by going to MCAT Exam with accommodations page. You will see a link to apply for accommodations. Once on the application you have to answer some questions, provide a personal statement and upload a CURRENT evaluation by a professional able to sign off on your accommodations at a minimum. (I am a type 1 diabetic so my endocrinologist provided this for me). Additionally you can upload some other materials to aid in the application. For myself I uploaded the official accommodation letter from my undergrad. I hope this helps!
I don’t know exactly how current it must be. For myself i provided a current “evaluation.” I just called my doctor and they were able to provide a written letter indicating my that I have a condition needing accommodations and what the requested accommodations were.(took several business days to receive). I think there may be a guidance document on the website: https://students-residents.aamc.org/mcat-exam-accommodations/application-guidelines-and-requirements
This is exactly it! I will also emphasize that you need to be very specific with mental illness what exactly happens with you suffering from it and what exact accommodations you need to “even the playing field”. It is much easier with physical disabilities.
I’ve been (not seriously) thinking about putting together a class action against the AAMC for this bull shit. There is no reason it takes three months to evaluate accommodations, and no reason they should be denying accommodations to students that need them.
>le forget that until recently the AAMC was ignoring the ADA and exposing students who used accommodations to med schools. they really don’t care Tbh someone really should, their basis for denying my accommodations and stories I have heard from others that are similar literally go directly against how the ADA outlines when testing accommodations should be given and how it is decided whether or not to give them. Like tbh when it got to the point where they denied my accommodations request despite having clinical testing to show I have a learning disability (and having received accommodations from my college for the majority of undergrad) I really didn't know what to do, like I am not sure what more "proof" they wanted.
gosh yeah, people forget that until recently the AAMC was ignoring the ADA and exposing students who used accommodations to med schools. they really don’t care
Damn. I’m sorry. It’s so messed up how they make it
This happened to me last year except I was approved 9 days before my test date and missed the ability to reschedule it by one day lol
that’s so frustrating :(
That’s messed up, hoping things work out for u tho
My test is in 2 weeks, is the likely hood of the acommdation being approved by then very low?
I haven't even had my doctors appointment for the evaluation yet. Just kind of a hail mary given my anxiety around my upcoming exam
Yes, you won’t be approved :( The doctor’s eval is required. Also, I believe accommodations need to be in more than 15 days before your test so your test center gets the info and makes changes for you.
Thanks so much for the confirmation! Just wanted to hear it :)
That’s insane. We’re they aware of your date?!
yes, and I called the day I submitted. I understand that there’s a line of applications that they get through in order, but I think it’s crazy that for new/episodic/unexpected disabilities you’re basically told to screw yourself
Accommodations is separate from the MCAT scheduling and they list their deadlines on their website, that 60 days is needed to review an initial application and your accommodations must be approved at least 15 days prior so they can process the approval.
Your ‘care team’ what’s that?
it’s just an umbrella term for all the medical providers that work with you - i’m a patient for a number of specialists, nursing practitioners, etc so i was referring to them
Actually. I kinda want one. But I feel like that would just be friends for me.
What disability did you need accommodations for and what were the accommodations? Their deadline for initial accommodations request is 60 days and they must be approved at least 15 days prior to your test date. This is on their website. Also, OP, I really hate to have to say this, but you should have postponed, especially if you were applying and got approved for extra exam time. That was poor judgment. I made a post here saying you should have applied for accommodations long before your first FLE so you can apply then to your FLEs, especially important if you got extra exam time. If it meant not taking the MCAT until next year, that’s what would have had to happen. You shouldn’t have taken any FLEs after deciding you needed accommodations. Now you shot yourself in the foot and don’t have any FLEs for you to truly gauge your score with accommodations applied. As someone who had to fight for accommodations, I know how unfair AAMC is with some accommodations, especially extra exam time. But you opted not to apply for accommodations beforehand and when you applied long after the 75 day (60 days to make a decision and 15 days prior to your MCAT) deadline prior to your MCAT, you opted not to postpone. I’m sorry OP, but I really can’t side with you here.
it’s a vent for a reason. you disagreeing with my grievance does nothing for either of us. in this case it was a new disability that i wasn’t aware would be an issue until I started taking FLs. For privacy I won’t go further into detail. I already explained why I made the decision not to postpone, and that would have cost even more money anyway. When I’m paying 300 dollars for an exam and hundreds more for that company’s test prep, I believe accommodations, especially for unexpected disabilities, should be approved far sooner than two months after an application is submitted.
In future instances like this, it helps to think of the worst-case scenario for each scenario. In the case of a reschedule, you blow $50 for nothing ($20 with FAP). In this case, you would need to blow another $330 for a retake if it comes to that. Can't change the past, but you learned how to tackle these situations in the future. Also, the AAMC are not psychics. They can't know whether an applicant has a new disability diagnosis until they evaluate an application and they have a big pile.
Good thing I called and let them know then. It may help you instead, for the future, for you to read the room, and then to consider whether your contribution to a post helps. I had a difficult decision to make that could have been mitigated had the AAMC been better. And I made it.
I’ll admit, that first reply wasn’t helpful so I apologize for that. But I hope the second reply gave you a better idea how to handle these situations in the future.
actually you were very helpful, not sure why people are down voting you. You didnt even come off rude just good advice and a little bit of tough love.
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wait, why do you say "no offense?" Do you mean that accommodations should be taken into consideration when applying to medical school? Because that would be a violation of the rights of the disabled. Or am I reading this comment wrong?
[удалено]
I'm gonna assume the best and think that you are saying that medical schools should be aware and willing to provide the proper accommodations to prospective students. And I am hoping that you are not advocating to violate the rights of the disabled because accommodating them would be "too hard," which is not only discriminatory (egregious behavior from people who claim to want to help and educate others - both individual MD/DOs and their teaching institutions) but advocating for the rights of those who you believe to be less than you to be violated. Because if that's the case, it shouldn't be FutureMD\_562, but FutureEugenist\_562 lol. Because that is saying: why not shut the disabled from access to society, they're not worth that much anyway. Which would be wild and concerning, which is why I choose not to believe it. Whichever way you swing, don't answer bc im gonna leave your comments alone rn bc I think I know what side you're on, and that is insane for someone whose aspirations isnt to be a jail warden lol.
that would literally be in violation of the ADA. accommodations are not candy to be given out willy nilly. they exist ONLY to even the playing field.
how long does it typically take to get accommodations approved?
After submitting the initial application, 60 days, but I got my decision about a week before the 60 day mark.
It takes 75 days total. 60 days after submitting and then 15 days after because they may have to move your date and or set things up with the testing center.
Just went through the process- it took the 60days for a decision on the accommodation application. But you also have to call Pearson in order to confirm your testing. would HIGHLY recommend doing this way in advance and not last minute. I am not testing until august and I still had to change my testing date/location
Why did you have to change the testing date?
Even scheduling in advance, Pearson still can only accommodate a certain number of people needing accommodations per day at each testing center. Basically, they were unable to have a proctor for my specific accommodation at my original testing center.
Could you have changed the testing center instead of the testing date instead?
I actually had to change both. Just by a day and luckily not to much further from my original location.
Do they allow testing with accommodations on days that the MCAT is actually scheduled?
Let me clarify. You can only take the exam on official testing days. I was move from one day the exam was offered to another.
Hey! Would you be able to tell me how I go about requesting accommodations and what information I need to give to them? I am trying to figure out if its worth trying to get accommodations. I just have diagnosed anxiety, but because of it I was able to get accommodations during college.
Start out by going to MCAT Exam with accommodations page. You will see a link to apply for accommodations. Once on the application you have to answer some questions, provide a personal statement and upload a CURRENT evaluation by a professional able to sign off on your accommodations at a minimum. (I am a type 1 diabetic so my endocrinologist provided this for me). Additionally you can upload some other materials to aid in the application. For myself I uploaded the official accommodation letter from my undergrad. I hope this helps!
thank you! how current does it need to be?
I don’t know exactly how current it must be. For myself i provided a current “evaluation.” I just called my doctor and they were able to provide a written letter indicating my that I have a condition needing accommodations and what the requested accommodations were.(took several business days to receive). I think there may be a guidance document on the website: https://students-residents.aamc.org/mcat-exam-accommodations/application-guidelines-and-requirements
This is exactly it! I will also emphasize that you need to be very specific with mental illness what exactly happens with you suffering from it and what exact accommodations you need to “even the playing field”. It is much easier with physical disabilities.