2008-2009 UMass Secondary Application Thread

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Congrats to the new acceptances!

 

[jka]

Wow, crazy, what a curveball. Congrats!

 

[jka]

Has anyone actually been rejected from UMass yet? I thought they didn't do that until they formed the waitlist, but, my interview was all the way back in Sept, so my memories may be a little murky.

Hey, virus girl, if it is private that's fine. But where do you work at MIT. I worked in the cancer center (now called something different, I believe for 4 years.) MIT is a fun place to work, at least the biology department was.

 

[virusgirl]

jka, I work at the Broad Institute (right across the street from the currently-under-construction NEW cancer center, incidentally). I always tell my family that I do "cancer research" because it is technically true, and because the prospect of explaining how an Orbitrap mass spectrometer works daunts me. 🙂 MIT is a SWEET place to work! Are you still in the neighborhood?

 

[J515]

It's Friday - Anyone else hoping for some news?!

 

[rowdy411]

It's Friday - Anyone else hoping for some news?!

I am... kinda losing my mind at this point.

 

[umass_md]

I am... kinda losing my mind at this point.

i second that. i think i'm developing an ulcer.

 

[jka]

jka, I work at the Broad Institute (right across the street from the currently-under-construction NEW cancer center, incidentally). I always tell my family that I do "cancer research" because it is technically true, and because the prospect of explaining how an Orbitrap mass spectrometer works daunts me. 🙂 MIT is a SWEET place to work! Are you still in the neighborhood?

I think the Broad was just opening up when I left MIT. I used to live in East Cambridge (10 minute walk from work,) but now I live out in the burbs. I work for a biotech in Waltham, which has been great.

We should start a support group for people in the area still waiting to hear from umass.

 

[jka]

I have been exposed to disappointment so many times, I think I have finally become immune. It feels good. Bring on the friday blues!

 

[hoyastudent09]

I would second a support group!

I hope everyone hears some good news today! Think positive everyone!

 

[linguini]

I have been exposed to disappointment so many times, I think I have finally become immune. It feels good. Bring on the friday blues!

Good luck guys! I hope you all hear good news soon, especially you, jka! I k now you've been wanting this for a while

 

[scrubslover]

I have been exposed to disappointment so many times, I think I have finally become immune. It feels good. Bring on the friday blues!

Good luck JKA!

Edit: Seems Linguini beat me to it! But good luck to all of you guys waiting.

 

[rowdy411]

Good luck JKA!

Edit: Seems Linguini beat me to it! But good luck to all of you guys waiting.

we can start a support group out of my house... I have a fridge full of great lager

 

[bluetango]

Hey Everyone,

I interviewed way back in October and I was accepted on Tuesday this week. 🙂 I LOVE UMASS! anyone checking out housing for next year yet? I need to find roommates. Check out this niiiice (and cheap) apartment near campus: http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/abo/1032920167.html

Too bad it probably won't last. Also, does anyone know if there is a facebook group for us?

 

[scrubslover]

Hey Everyone,

I interviewed way back in October and I was accepted on Tuesday this week. 🙂 I LOVE UMASS! anyone checking out housing for next year yet? I need to find roommates. Check out this niiiice (and cheap) apartment near campus: http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/abo/1032920167.html

Too bad it probably won't last. Also, does anyone know if there is a facebook group for us?

$1000 for 3BR?! Wow, that is insanely awesome. Congrats on the acceptance!!!! Will you be coming to second look in April?

 

[virusgirl]

$1000 for 3BR?! Wow, that is insanely awesome. Congrats on the acceptance!!!! Will you be coming to second look in April?

Well, it is Worcester 😀. Roxbury wins the prize for "Buttcrack of Massachusetts" award, but I think Worcester is a close second (although the area around UMass isn't too bad).

 

[jka]

we can start a support group out of my house... I have a fridge full of great lager

i'm there. I'll bring the boxed wine.

 

[scrubslover]

Well, it is Worcester 😀. Roxbury wins the prize for "Buttcrack of Massachusetts" award, but I think Worcester is a close second (although the area around UMass isn't too bad).

Touche...

 

[jka]

Thanks for the good luck, guys.

I don't think there will be any acceptances today. I think they were meant to happen last Friday for this month, but someone took an extra long weekend...

Am I the only one who loves Worcester? I always feel like a stain on a fancy rug whenever I'm in a super-upscale city...

 

[envirodoc]

jka, I work at the Broad Institute (right across the street from the currently-under-construction NEW cancer center, incidentally). I always tell my family that I do "cancer research" because it is technically true, and because the prospect of explaining how an Orbitrap mass spectrometer works daunts me. 🙂 MIT is a SWEET place to work! Are you still in the neighborhood?

Hey - I work in Kendall too! I'm over at CDM on 50 Hampshire.

I love working in the city, but I really can't stand Kendall... seems like a suburban office park transplanted into the middle of an otherwise walkable/livable city...

Maybe I'm just sick of the food options here... Emma's, Sebastian's, Beantown...rinse and repeat... ummm Kendall food court? no thanks!

 

[raraxavis]

Thanks for the good luck, guys.

I don't think there will be any acceptances today. I think they were meant to happen last Friday for this month, but someone took an extra long weekend...

Am I the only one who loves Worcester? I always feel like a stain on a fancy rug whenever I'm in a super-upscale city...

I was thinking the same thing, jka. Also, you're not alone. I too have a fondness for Worcester, due to many, many not-so-innocent teenage hours at the Palladium.

 

[jka]

I was thinking the same thing, jka. Also, you're not alone. I too have a fondness for Worcester, due to many, many not-so-innocent teenage hours at the Palladium.

ohh sounds fun! What's the Palladium, is it any fun for adults?

 

[jka]

hey everyone,

i interviewed way back in october and i was accepted on tuesday this week. 🙂 i love umass! Anyone checking out housing for next year yet? I need to find roommates. Check out this niiiice (and cheap) apartment near campus: http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/abo/1032920167.html

too bad it probably won't last. Also, does anyone know if there is a facebook group for us?

congrats!

 

[rowdy411]

Well, it is Worcester 😀. Roxbury wins the prize for "Buttcrack of Massachusetts" award, but I think Worcester is a close second (although the area around UMass isn't too bad).

Dartmouth is by far the butthole of the state! Worcester is a close second, but who cares! The Pallidium is a blast. I, too, have seen way too many shows there and can only remember about half of them 🙂😉

 

[raraxavis]

ohh sounds fun! What's the Palladium, is it any fun for adults?

Haha, you just inspired me to go look up upcoming shows and see if it WOULD be any fun for "adults"...

The answer is currently: no. But I'm sure they'll have someone half decent there at some point!

http://www.thepalladium.net/events.html

Once I saw GWAR there for a laugh, and got punched in the mouth. It was awesome!

 

[rowdy411]

Haha, you just inspired me to go look up upcoming shows and see if it WOULD be any fun for "adults"...

The answer is currently: no. But I'm sure they'll have someone half decent there at some point!

http://www.thepalladium.net/events.html

Once I saw GWAR there for a laugh, and got punched in the mouth. It was awesome!

I was at the GWAR show... I didn't punch anyone though so I'm not the culprit, but that was an awesome time! Those guys are nuts!

 

[hoyastudent09]

Dartmouth is by far the butthole of the state! Worcester is a close second, but who cares! The Pallidium is a blast. I, too, have seen way too many shows there and can only remember about half of them 🙂😉

woah there killer, don't slam dartmouth, as someone from there, i have my dartmouth pride.

wareham anyone? now thats definitely not a happening place, granted they do have a red robbin in wareham, that's quality fun.

 

[bluetango]

I didn't know that there was a second look in April. Where did you get this information? Was it in the envelope in the snail mail? I'd love to go to UMASS and meet some people who might be going to UMASS.

 

[raraxavis]

I didn't know that there was a second look in April. Where did you get this information? Was it in the envelope in the snail mail? I'd love to go to UMASS and meet some people who might be going to UMASS.

Check out Father Oblivion and Hangin' in there's comments on page 8 of this thread.

 

[raraxavis]

I was at the GWAR show... I didn't punch anyone though so I'm not the culprit, but that was an awesome time! Those guys are nuts!

That's so crazy that you were there too! What a ridiculous show.

PS: I still haven't completely ruled you out as the culprit.

 

[rowdy411]

That's so crazy that you were there too! What a ridiculous show.

PS: I still haven't completely ruled you out as the culprit.

good call, I do like to punch total strangers...

 

[rowdy411]

soooooooooooooooo, anyone heard anything recently?😕

 

[AL12s]

Haha, as it turns out I too have seen Gwar at the Palladium...no mouth punching/being punched though. Based on the snail mail info, there is something on June 6th for accepted students, but that is all that I am sure about.

Woo!

 

[thompa]

jka, I work at the Broad Institute (right across the street from the currently-under-construction NEW cancer center, incidentally). I always tell my family that I do "cancer research" because it is technically true, and because the prospect of explaining how an Orbitrap mass spectrometer works daunts me. 🙂 MIT is a SWEET place to work! Are you still in the neighborhood?

Hey I was just down at the Broad today for a job interview! It was astounding. Compared to the little garage of a lab that I've been working in for the last year and a half, that place was almost overwhelming.

Apologies for my hiatus from the boards for a while, I was out in California visiting a very sick grandfather (he's better for now, but was a close call for a while). All that being said, I think at this point I'm not expecting to hear anything until April. I've stopped checking my UMass status page, and my blood pressure has definitely improved 🙄. This is most likely counteracted (and then some) by the fact that I now have a blackberry, and thus my heart races a little every single time my phone vibrates becuase I think it might be an email from UMass saying I'm in. Stupid wonderful technology.

In other news, I had the sobering realization that I might not get in anywhere this year and would have to reapply. So I registered to retake the MCATs yesterday. I guess a 35 may not have been good enough. Maybe some good news will come before I actually have to sit down and take that foolish test again.

 

[umass_md]

Apologies for my hiatus from the boards for a while, I was out in California visiting a very sick grandfather (he's better for now, but was a close call for a while).

i'm very happy to read your grandfather is doing better. i send my best to you and yours. 🙂

 

[raraxavis]

In other news, I had the sobering realization that I might not get in anywhere this year and would have to reapply. So I registered to retake the MCATs yesterday. I guess a 35 may not have been good enough. Maybe some good news will come before I actually have to sit down and take that foolish test again.

I'm sorry to hear about your grandfather, but glad he's doing better.

And, I'm no expert, but with a 35 I'd say you're above 95% of school averages, and I would guess that such an awesome score is not what's holding you back. Did you get any straight-up rejections, or has it mostly been silence and waitlists? If you did get some nasty Rs, you might benefit from calling their admissions people and asking what it was that they were looking for that you didn't have. I guess it's vaguely possible that your ten in PS could be better? But seriously, I would kill for your scores. Hopefully good news is on its way!!! Good luck.

 

[thompa]

I'm sorry to hear about your grandfather, but glad he's doing better.

And, I'm no expert, but with a 35 I'd say you're above 95% of school averages, and I would guess that such an awesome score is not what's holding you back. Did you get any straight-up rejections, or has it mostly been silence and waitlists? If you did get some nasty Rs, you might benefit from calling their admissions people and asking what it was that they were looking for that you didn't have. I guess it's vaguely possible that your ten in PS could be better? But seriously, I would kill for your scores. Hopefully good news is on its way!!! Good luck.

Thank you for your kind words about my grandfather. As for the schools, it's been mostly outright rejections and/or silence. Just the solitary interview from UMass. I'm still waiting to hear from about 6 more schools, but at this point in the season it seems unlikely that they'll interview me. They've had my application since September, if they wanted to talk to me, I'm guessing they would've done so already. I could've done better in the physical sciences, I didn't study that hard for that section. I mean, I can't improve my grades at this point, so I have to improve something if I end up reapplying. I'm already volunteering, I'm already published, so what else is there to do? My thought was maybe I could make a statement with my MCAT and get a 37 or 38. My premed advisor was shocked that I haven't gotten any more interviews...which is nice to hear, but doesn't mean much in terms of getting into school. So there you go, this whole thing really is a crap shoot. I will freely admit though that I probably didn't apply to enough schools, and to too many top tier schools. Partly that was my advisor who told me to go ahead and apply to these schools, but the other thing I'll do if I have to do it again is apply to more schools with smaller percentage of reaches.

 

[thailandluv]

Thank you for your kind words about my grandfather. As for the schools, it's been mostly outright rejections and/or silence. Just the solitary interview from UMass. I'm still waiting to hear from about 6 more schools, but at this point in the season it seems unlikely that they'll interview me. They've had my application since September, if they wanted to talk to me, I'm guessing they would've done so already. I could've done better in the physical sciences, I didn't study that hard for that section. I mean, I can't improve my grades at this point, so I have to improve something if I end up reapplying. I'm already volunteering, I'm already published, so what else is there to do? My thought was maybe I could make a statement with my MCAT and get a 37 or 38. My premed advisor was shocked that I haven't gotten any more interviews...which is nice to hear, but doesn't mean much in terms of getting into school. So there you go, this whole thing really is a crap shoot. I will freely admit though that I probably didn't apply to enough schools, and to too many top tier schools. Partly that was my advisor who told me to go ahead and apply to these schools, but the other thing I'll do if I have to do it again is apply to more schools with smaller percentage of reaches.

Hey Thompa!

I think we interviewed on the same day! I don’t think you need to retake mcat unless you are 100% sure that you will do better. A 35 is a great score! And your GPA is pretty good too. When this cycle is over, definitely call the admissions office and find out ways to improve your application. It might be as simple as rewriting your personal statement, or getting more clinical experience. In my opinion, I would figure out what the problem is before even thinking about MCATs. Taking it once was enough for me.

best of luck!

 

[reluctant2join]

Thank you for your kind words about my grandfather. As for the schools, it's been mostly outright rejections and/or silence. Just the solitary interview from UMass. I'm still waiting to hear from about 6 more schools, but at this point in the season it seems unlikely that they'll interview me. They've had my application since September, if they wanted to talk to me, I'm guessing they would've done so already. I could've done better in the physical sciences, I didn't study that hard for that section. I mean, I can't improve my grades at this point, so I have to improve something if I end up reapplying. I'm already volunteering, I'm already published, so what else is there to do? My thought was maybe I could make a statement with my MCAT and get a 37 or 38. My premed advisor was shocked that I haven't gotten any more interviews...which is nice to hear, but doesn't mean much in terms of getting into school. So there you go, this whole thing really is a crap shoot. I will freely admit though that I probably didn't apply to enough schools, and to too many top tier schools. Partly that was my advisor who told me to go ahead and apply to these schools, but the other thing I'll do if I have to do it again is apply to more schools with smaller percentage of reaches.

thompa, i would definitely advise you against retaking the MCAT; that can't be the problem. your stats are very good, so it must be something more subjective. i would focus your energy on overhauling your personal statement and supplemental essays, and maybe talking to your advisor about your committee letter. i wouldn't discount the importance of the personality you exude through these essays and letters. good luck!

 

[envirodoc]

Hey I was just down at the Broad today for a job interview! It was astounding. Compared to the little garage of a lab that I've been working in for the last year and a half, that place was almost overwhelming.

Apologies for my hiatus from the boards for a while, I was out in California visiting a very sick grandfather (he's better for now, but was a close call for a while). All that being said, I think at this point I'm not expecting to hear anything until April. I've stopped checking my UMass status page, and my blood pressure has definitely improved 🙄. This is most likely counteracted (and then some) by the fact that I now have a blackberry, and thus my heart races a little every single time my phone vibrates becuase I think it might be an email from UMass saying I'm in. Stupid wonderful technology.

In other news, I had the sobering realization that I might not get in anywhere this year and would have to reapply. So I registered to retake the MCATs yesterday. I guess a 35 may not have been good enough. Maybe some good news will come before I actually have to sit down and take that foolish test again.

Taking the MCAT again is a waste of time. You went to a good private school (med schools likey) and have a decent GPA for this endevour. You got the research end down and probably volunteering etc. I bet you look fine on paper.

Your problem is you applied to too many stretch schools - there wasn't enough variety and you didn't really apply to many safety schools. I did the same thing my first year applying (7 schools, mainly stretch, all rejections and only 1 interview @ umass).

Apply far and wide if you don't get in this year. Go for 18-20 schools and you will most likely get in somewhere with your stats and background.

People try to remember - it does NOT matter where you go - it only matters what you do with it!

 

[scrubslover]

I just got the e-mail about second look! Exciting! 🙂

 

[jka]

Hello-

I'd like to contribute my 2 cents. I don't think retaking the MCAT is a waste of time as long as you are as sure as you can be that you will get a 35 again or above. Even if you just get a 35 again, having that score twice confirms that it wasn't a fluke the first time, which is a positive. Just take as many AMCAS practice tests as you can to be reasonably sure you will not score lower. If you think a 35 (although awesome) actually under-represents what you could have gotten, then getting that 37 or 38 could really make a statement like you said. I am retaking the MCAT in May (I got a 32) since I am fairly confident I can do better (I am hoping for that 35 or 36.) Even if I get a 32 again, it shouldn't hurt me, and if I can't seem to raise my score based on the practice tests, I am going to pull out. But I agree with you, raising your MCAT score can make a nice statement in a short amount of time.

I have a lower GPA cause I didn't do well in college a long time ago. So, like you, if I take more classes, it doesn't raise my GPA that much. But I wouldn't discount the subjective benefit of taking more classes, since it shows you are still trying to better yourself, improve your app, etc. Actually, at my umass interview, the guy seemed mildly concerned that I had stopped taking my classes once my prereqs were done a year ago. Mostly cause it shows I am in a holding pattern, which is not good.

You may want to revamp your essays too. I am thinking about this also. I really like my essays, but I am afraid I was too forthcoming in them about my past obstacles and shortcomings...

But also, it is still early! You may likely hear from umass this Spring.

And I agree with envirodoc, that it doesn't matter where you go, it is what you do with it.....

Hope this pep talk helped...I think it helped me!😳

 

[smdh]

Is anyone else excited and hopeful since its Friday?

 

[thailandluv]

Is anyone else excited and hopeful since its Friday?

i dont think the friday rule applies anymore. last wave of acceptances went out last tuesday or something.

 

[jka]

Is anyone else excited and hopeful since its Friday?

not really, Fridays suck big time

 

[envirodoc]

Yeah, I've given up hope of hearing until mid-April.

Anyway, on the MCAT re-take...

JKA brings up some good points, but I still think retaking the MCAT again with a 35 is a waste of time. Here's why:

Examine your dilemma from a limited resources perspective. You spent 100 hours studying for the MCAT the first time and will likely spend the same +/- 20 hours this time. So 100 hours = 2.5 wks full time work OR 3 months of 8hrs/wk volunteering OR 6 months of 4 hrs/week volunteering/doing something else et etc

Now, think about this - what benefits are derived from taking the MCAT again for both you and society? (if you care about society that is, or if you think adcoms give a damn😛)

Same or better MCAT = good for you. Good for AMCAS or Kaplan, Prometric and whoever else profits from your studying and test taking.

Worse MCAT or studying for 80 hours then deciding not to take it again = good for whoever you paid (if anyone) for study guides and bad for you since it is waste of time. Also bad for whoever had to reschedule their test based on you taking up a spot (but good for the sly one that find your spot when it opens).

100 hours volunteering = good for you and good for society, good for whoever it is that you spend your time volunteering with. You also have the chance to network with a new group and meet new people who may be of value to your career in the future. You also demonstrate that you care about something... though how valuable this is to adcoms depends on the experience - go for something very clinical if you don't have that already or it is a little weak.

100 hours research = potential another paper etc you do the math. Decent networking benefit, +/- benefit to society when compared to volunteering (Depending on where you do research or volunteer). Depending on school and your motivations (you want to go into research?) this could help or not depends on the adcoms too...

TO summarize though, I think you could take this opportunity to do something which you may not have time to do for many years once you are in med school... maybe volunteer-travel (habitat for humanity) or something else that is fun and beneficial with a bit of patient contact would probably be best...

 

[rowdy411]

Listen, to the person who got the 35 MCAT, do NOT retake it! The general rule is that if you get above a 30, then med schools know that you can do the work and handle the sciences, so retaking with a 35 is futile. If you don't get accepted with a 35 then it's not your MCAT that's holding you back. The MCAT is designed so that there are no flukes or mistakes when grading it, so committees don't need to see you match the score or do better to believe that you can do it. They already do!

UMass is tough because they accept the majority of their students later in the season, which sucks for us but we'll have to live with it. Don't get discouraged- hang in there!

 

[virusgirl]

A question for you all to ponder... it's pretty clear that UMass accepts the rock stars early, and we average folk wait to be accepted later in the season as the aforementioned rock stars accept seats at other schools. Given the state of the economy right now, do you think that very competitive applicants will be more inclined to attend their state school, or do you think they'll still go to Harvard and Hopkins?

I know that regardless of the economy, UMass will almost always be the better deal, but I'm wondering if poor financial prospects will have any impact upon people's decisions.

Thoughts? Hypotheses? Inklings? Linguini, you come to mind as someone who has done spectacularly well in terms of getting some fantastic acceptances -- I'm especially curious as to your opinion!

 

[virusgirl]

And for the love of pete DO NOT TOUCH that 35 MCAT! You could do better, and you could just as likely do worse. That is a Harvard-worthy score.

 

[rowdy411]

A question for you all to ponder... it's pretty clear that UMass accepts the rock stars early, and we average folk wait to be accepted later in the season as the aforementioned rock stars accept seats at other schools. Given the state of the economy right now, do you think that very competitive applicants will be more inclined to attend their state school, or do you think they'll still go to Harvard and Hopkins?

I know that regardless of the economy, UMass will almost always be the better deal, but I'm wondering if poor financial prospects will have any impact upon people's decisions.

Thoughts? Hypotheses? Inklings? Linguini, you come to mind as someone who has done spectacularly well in terms of getting some fantastic acceptances -- I'm especially curious as to your opinion!

Virusgirl, that's a good thought. I have acceptances from 2 private schools, but UMass remains my top choice for a few reasons, the last of which is the price. I think that people will continue to go to places they think will further their careers regardless of price. They'll figure out a way to pay for it and all will be well. In this economy, one of the few things that remains stable is school loans- thankfully!!!