2013-2014 University of Michigan Application Thread

Discover Your Odds of Getting into Medical School
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1. Tell us something you are passionate about and why. Do not exceed 1500 characters (about 250 words).

MSTP applicants: Instead of the above, briefly describe why you decided to apply to the University of Michigan MSTP. If you are interested in a specific department, program, or area of research for your Ph.D., please provide a brief explanation (we recognize that your interests may change).

2. At the University of Michigan Medical School, we are committed to building a superb educational community with students of diverse talents, experiences, opinions, and backgrounds. What would you as an individual bring to our medical school community? Do not exceed 1500 characters (about 250 words)

3. Other Interests: We know you have many interests and passions beyond your pursuit of medical training. At Michigan we encourage you to continue to develop these talents. Please list three areas of interest (e.g., symphony orchestra, drawing/painting/ceramics, research in a specific area, joint degrees, athletic interests/running/softball, ballroom dance, Spanish language study, international travel/work/study, etc.) you would like to pursue while at Michigan. This will allow us to provide resources for you around these interests.

*3 blanks given*

4. Fun fact - We would like to know one fun fact about you. This may be shared with other applicants. Please answer the following question with up to four words:

*one blank given to enter 4 words*

Good luck to everyone applying! :luck:
 
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Good luck to all applying.

Happy to answer any questions I can about this awesome school. There are also some rising MS2's around here who may chime in.
 
Question to bide the time until apps go out:

Have heard a lot of awesome things about Michigan, and have a few friends heading there next year. For those of you who are already there, what made you choose it?

Also, what's the balance like between research and clinical work? Is Michigan as research focused as some of the other "brand name" schools, or is there a focus on producing clinical leaders (say to work with the underserved) as well?

Thanks, and good luck to everyone!
 
Evidence Based said:
Question to bide the time until apps go out:

Have heard a lot of awesome things about Michigan, and have a few friends heading there next year. For those of you who are already there, what made you choose it?

Also, what's the balance like between research and clinical work? Is Michigan as research focused as some of the other "brand name" schools, or is there a focus on producing clinical leaders (say to work with the underserved) as well?

Thanks, and good luck to everyone!
Click to expand...

You'll have to take my answers with a grain of salt since I won't be there until August, but I'll answer what I can. My info is coming from 1)interview day, 2)second look weekend, and 3)conversations with current students and alumni.

I almost didn't apply to Michigan since I'm from out West and didn't really know anything about it, but did after being encouraged by a few friends/mentors. They were my first interview and they blew me away. The facilities are pretty awesome (and getting sweeter as they're breaking ground on/beginning an extensive remodelling of the library/medical student study space this summer) and Ann Arbor is an amazing town. The students here were the happiest and most enthusiastic I met on the interview trail, as were the staff and faculty. I like the systems-based approach to preclinical years, and unranked P/F for preclinicals is a huge plus IMO. Michigan also has very strong clinical years, and they begin 4th year before most schools which gives students time to get in multiple sub-i's or away rotations before they have to start applying for residency. While you can't necessarily extract really high resolution info from match lists, Michigan's is sick, which was important to me since I will likely want to do residency in a big city on the West coast.

Not sure quite what you mean in terms of balance as far as clinical work...? Michigan has a ton of research opportunities and makes it very easy to get involved in research (there is a funded 10wk research program between M1/M2 that most students do, a funded year out master's in clinical research, and they seem to be very supportive of time out for research and/or dual degrees in general), but it's not a requirement like some other research focused med schools (Stanford and Duke come to mind, IIRC). They didn't mention this in our interview day like other schools (Penn), but I know they're also working with their business school to integrate leadership training into the curriculum. For those students interested in helping the underserved, they have numerous extracurricular opportunities to help out in the Ann Arbor region, as well as a cocurricular program called the Global Health and Disparities Path of Excellence (http://globalreach.med.umich.edu/education/students/ghd) that helps to provide additional opportunities and mentorship to students interested in those areas.

Hope that helps at least a little. I'll be happy to add to this thread if time allows when we actually start classes and I know a little more about the nitty gritty of being a student at UMMS. Can't wait!
 
I would love to at least get an interview from here. 😍

I followed the applicant tracker from this year's cycle ... Oh man, the OOS stats are absurd absurd tho. :scared:
 
Awesome thanks mcloaf! Apologies for the poorly worded question, but you got right at what I was angling for. We'll see how the cycle goes!
 
Are there any current students who were undergrads at U of M? What is it like being a returning student in Ann Arbor? I would love to hear your perspective.
 
This is just one opinion, and I'm applying to schools next month so I'm not actually a returning student, but I attended U of M as an undergrad and just returned to AA last week to visit some friends, and the town felt small, small, small. And so expensive. But there are fun bars/restaurants, as I'm sure you remember, though they get old & familiar fast. Going back to visit though definitely made me not really want to live there for another few years. I'm sure it all depends on your undergrad experience and experiences since graduating. You should go back and visit and see how it feels.
 
What sort of qualities is U Mich looking for in personal statements and interviews?
 
joonage said:
I would love to at least get an interview from here. 😍

I followed the applicant tracker from this year's cycle ... Oh man, the OOS stats are absurd absurd tho. :scared:
Click to expand...

Absurd how? What kind of oos mcat are we talking?
 
My reach school, hopefully they look at my versatility/originality and not focus on my numbers.
 
Should apply here. My kids can go to Chinese school.

A^2 😍
 
Applying from OOS (CA)

I'm a re-applicant but first time submitting AMCAS for U Michigan. I've heard great things but I've never been in the area. Would very much like the chance to interview!! I'm guessing the secondary prompts won't change from last year?

Good luck everybody :luck:
 
Also applying, 🙂. It's certainly a reach for me but it's in-state and definitely an amazing school. Plus, AA is only ~30 minutes away which is perfect. I'm easily overwhelmed with too big areas so the size is enjoyable to me, but I totally see what what someone above was saying about it seeming small.
 
Also an OOS applicant, though I'm from Iowa, so that could be polarizing :meanie:

I've only been to Ann Arbor once, but I loved the city! Best of luck to all of us!!
 
jeghaber said:
Also an OOS applicant, though I'm from Iowa, so that could be polarizing :meanie:

I've only been to Ann Arbor once, but I loved the city! Best of luck to all of us!!
Click to expand...

yeah, no. try being oos from OHIO and an OSU alum at that. At least it was for grad school 🙂
 
Captain Sisko said:
yeah, no. try being oos from OHIO and an OSU alum at that. At least it was for grad school 🙂
Click to expand...

LOL.

(Look, I even held back on the thumbs down icon and everything.)

It's funny too how many students UMich and OSU take from the opposite schools each year just thinking like... The rivalry game has got to be fun.
 
Captain Sisko said:
yeah, no. try being oos from OHIO and an OSU alum at that. At least it was for grad school 🙂
Click to expand...

This is true; at least I'm not from Ohio 😀 Maybe they'll overcompensate for having a negative gut reaction to Ohio and give you an advantage instead! 😛
 
I'm an OOS, with a 3.9 GPA and a 32 MCAT? With an MCAT a little low like that, should I not apply? I was on the fence about it just stat wise.
 
dancer150 said:
I'm an OOS, with a 3.9 GPA and a 32 MCAT? With an MCAT a little low like that, should I not apply? I was on the fence about it just stat wise.
Click to expand...

Looking at the app tracker from last cycle an out of state applicant with a 2.85 GPA got an interview. Another applicant (OOS) with a 27 MCAT got an interview. A 3.07 GPA applicant (OOS) was accepted and a 27 MCAT applicant (OOS) was accepted as well. Your MCAT certainly won't help you but I don't think it's so low that they won't consider you.
 
bazinga14 said:
Hey everyone - excited to be applying to my number one dream school! Hoping for some in-state, early applicant love 🙂 good luck to everyone else applying!
Click to expand...

Good luck! Michigan is an amazing school!
 
bazinga14 said:
Secondary is now available if you log in and check your status page! 🙂
Click to expand...

Thanks for the FYI. Does everybody have the chance to do the secondary? Their webpage says they'd send an email -- didn't get one but can access the secondary.
 
bazinga14 said:
Yeah, I'm pretty sure all verified applicants whose data has been sent to UMich can access the secondary. I think they do typically send an email as well..maybe it's just a little delayed due to the confusion with AMCAS?
Click to expand...

Yeah, just looked at their Twitter and the last tweet about AMCAS was still in line with the delay so that makes sense.
 
My AMCAS is not verified yet and I cannot access the secondary. (In case anyone was wondering)
 
For anyone with access to the secondary and with FAP: Is there a check mark for you next to Fee Paid/Waived. I Don't have one 🙁
 
Another IS here. 34 and 3.8 so a bit of an underdog. So just to be clear, if our app is verified we can start?
 
Does anyone know if Michigan gives some love to applicants who did TFA or Peace Corps?
 
Rocktapus said:
Does anyone know if Michigan gives some love to applicants who did TFA or Peace Corps?
Click to expand...

I think so! That's actually one of the yes/no questions on their secondary, so I assume it has some weight if they're asking about it directly.
 
jeghaber said:
Gah the "Most people don't know that I can..." question might be the hardest one if them all, hahah.
Click to expand...

That's one? It's not on the essays from last year .. unless it's more of a fill in the blank question?

Sorry - unverified and trying to keep up!
 
Soulstice said:
That's one? It's not on the essays from last year .. unless it's more of a fill in the blank question?

Sorry - unverified and trying to keep up!
Click to expand...

Short fill in the blank. No need to stress too much! ...unless you can't think of anything to include, hahah. I'm currently choosing between "wiggle my ears" and "speak fluent Ubbi Dubbi" :laugh:
 
Most people don't know that I can...
I've realized how uninteresting I really am.
 
1. Tell us something you are passionate about and why. Do not exceed 1500 characters (about 250 words).

MSTP applicants: Instead of the above, briefly describe why you decided to apply to the University of Michigan MSTP. If you are interested in a specific department, program, or area of research for your Ph.D., please provide a brief explanation (we recognize that your interests may change).

2. At the University of Michigan Medical School, we are committed to building a superb educational community with students of diverse talents, experiences, opinions, and backgrounds. What would you as an individual bring to our medical school community? Do not exceed 1500 characters (about 250 words)

3. Other Interests: We know you have many interests and passions beyond your pursuit of medical training. At Michigan we encourage you to continue to develop these talents. Please list three areas of interest (e.g., symphony orchestra, drawing/painting/ceramics, research in a specific area, joint degrees, athletic interests/running/softball, ballroom dance, Spanish language study, international travel/work/study, etc.) you would like to pursue while at Michigan. This will allow us to provide resources for you around these interests.

*3 blanks given*

4. Fun fact - We would like to know one fun fact about you. This may be shared with other applicants. Please answer the following question with up to four words:

*one blank given to enter 4 words*
 
Thanks for that SuperDhoop, I have been pre-writing this one 🙂 Not too bad, actually...
 
Official secondary email received.
 
Where is this app tracker you guys are referring to?

I am from MI, but got transplanted due to the military, so I'm OOS now. I have a 3.92/33... It's my reach school, but my dream school too. My whole family lives there and I miss them, and the school's whole setup, curriculum, size, mission sounds like a perfect fit for me!

I'm so nervous about this "passion" essay... I wrote about my big medically related passion in my PS... do I throw caution to the wind and write about my non-medical hobby? It seems like such a gamble!

I'm glad other people are as stumped as I am about the "Most people don't know that I can..." promt...

Good luck to everyone!
 
TechToDoc said:
Where is this app tracker you guys are referring to?

I am from MI, but got transplanted due to the military, so I'm OOS now. I have a 3.92/33... It's my reach school, but my dream school too. My whole family lives there and I miss them, and the school's whole setup, curriculum, size, mission sounds like a perfect fit for me!

I'm so nervous about this "passion" essay... I wrote about my big medically related passion in my PS... do I throw caution to the wind and write about my non-medical hobby? It seems like such a gamble!

I'm glad other people are as stumped as I am about the "Most people don't know that I can..." promt...

Good luck to everyone!
Click to expand...


It's on one of the sidebars. At the moment it's still showing data from the previous cycle, but it should be updated soon:
http://www.med.umich.edu/medschool/admissions/

For what it's worth, I wrote about teaching as a passion. I personally think it's good to show that you have diverse interests outside of just medicine.
 
In case you haven't seen yet, as per the UMichigan twitter feed:

"Interviews will begin on September 13 and conclude March 14. We plan to interview 600 candidates. 1st offer will be made next week!"
 
well, they have my secondary and money. let's see what they do with it.
 
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