2008-2009 UMass Secondary Application Thread

[rowdy411]

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There is absolutely nothing different about this Friday; I was merely being silly. 🙂 Every Friday has been exactly the same, i.e. no news, for the past 7 months, and while I'd love to be able to check my status just in case, I don't imagine this Friday is going to be at all different from the others!

Edit: And it's official! For some reason I can log in now, and they STILL haven't decided what to do with me.

I feel like I'm back in the 6th grade when Brian Haggarty would never ask me to dance at the school dances, but that didn't stop me from waiting in breathless anticipation every time they played Boyz II Men...

I would have asked you to dance hun... stupid Brian Haggarty.

 

[jka]

I love Boyz II men.

Nice MCAT, Rowdy!

 

[iheartsnow]

I'm not sure I would waste my time checking the status page. Three days after I received the waitlist decision via email, my status page still said no decision has been made. UMass just defies logic on every level.

 

[rowdy411]

I love Boyz II men.

Nice MCAT, Rowdy!

Thank you! I'm not as dumb as I look, thankfully!

and yeah, UMass really does defy all logic here folks. I'm beyond insanity over all this nonsense. Last night, in a Guinness induced stupor, I mouth wrestled BOTH of my dogs (totaling 140lbs of dog) with their play rope... and won.

I need help.

 

[rowdy411]

I love Boyz II men.

Nice MCAT, Rowdy!

Thank you! I'm not as dumb as I look, thankfully!

and yeah, UMass really does defy all logic here folks. I'm beyond insanity over all this nonsense. Last night, in a Guinness induced stupor, I mouth wrestled BOTH of my dogs (totaling 140lbs of dog) with their play rope... and won.

I need help.

 

[chessodoc]

Thank you! I'm not as dumb as I look, thankfully!

and yeah, UMass really does defy all logic here folks. I'm beyond insanity over all this nonsense. Last night, in a Guinness induced stupor, I mouth wrestled BOTH of my dogs (totaling 140lbs of dog) with their play rope... and won.

I need help.

As another thoroughly ignored applicant, I must say your MCAT score gives me the much needed hope I desperately crave.

 

[erawka]

As another thoroughly ignored applicant, I must say your MCAT score gives me the much needed hope I desperately crave.

Or a pretty intense reality check. If rowdy's got nothin' with a 37 then who am I kidding?? Even if rowdy does get one of the miracle April acceptances..

 

[J515]

Interviewed, No News yet

virusgirl: GPA - 3.66, MCAT - 33T, interviewed 9/17/08, no decision
kpm986: GPA-3.62, MCAT-32, interviewed 10/15/08, no decision
rajon: GPA-3.65, MCAT-33, interviewed 10/21/08, no decision
dj02339: interviewed 10/28/08, no decision
rara: interviewed 11/19/08, no decision
rowdy: GPA- 3.6, MCAT- 37T, interviewed 11/19/08, no decision
thompa: GPA - 3.63, MCAT - 35, interviewed 12/9/08, no decision
envirodoc: GPA-3.4, MCAT-27, Re-Applicant, interviewed 12/16/08, no decision
erawka: interviewed 12/16/08, no decision
Silentbull: interviewed 1/28/09, no decision
NorthShoreMD: GPA-3.53, MCAT-28, interviewed 2/3/09, no decision
smdh: GPA - 3.4, MCAT - 28, interviewed 2/6/09, no decision
Tiptop: interviewed 2/10/09, no decision
tabrazinski: interviewed 10/21/08, no decision
Suenya: interviewed 11/18/08, no decision


Interviewed, Wait-listed

lestrazz: interviewed 10/08, waitlisted 4/23/09
jka: interviewed 10/8/08, waitllisted 4/13/09; undergrad 3.0, post-grad 3.95, 32Q; reapplicant (I: 3/19/08, waitlisted 4/25/08, Rejected 8/08); and size 8 (on a good day); Scorpio
bassplease: interviewed 10/15/09, waitlisted 4/14/09
scrubs' friend: interviewed 11/6/09-ish, waitlisted 4/13/09
shanoon1113: interviewed 11/16/09?, waitlisted 4/13/09
bgqks: GPA- 3.54 MCAT-33S interviewed 11/19/08, waitlisted 4/23/09
Lolo8507: interviewed 12/08, waitlisted 4/23/09
J515: GPA 3.98, MCAT 29Q, interviewed 12/9/08, waitlisted 4/23/09
eleven eleven: interviewed 12/10/08, waitlisted 4/13/09
hoyastudent09: interviewed 12/19/08, waitlisted 4/13/09
umass_md: interviewed 1/13/09, waitlisted 4/13/09
stayinalive: interviewed late jan, waitlisted 4/13/09
chocolateMD: interviewed 2/1x/09, waitlisted 4/13/09
MadMnkey: interviewed 2/25/09, waitlisted 4/13/09
IceMD: interviewed ?, waitlisted 4/13/09
stayinalive: interviewed ?, waitlisted 4/13/09
philios: interviewed?, waitlisted 4/13/09


Interviewed, Accepted

linguini: I: 9/16, A: 10/17
Zpiff - I: 9/16; A: 11/21
floffles - I: 9/16 A: 1/23
dtmandell - I: 9/17; A:10/17
AL12S - I: 9/29; A: 11/21
snowflake2 - I: 9/29; A: 11/21
scrubslover: I: 10/21 A: 1/23
ashley51087 - I: 10/22; A: 11/21
SteelCity126 I: 10/28; A: 11/21
dma111 - I:10/?; A: 2/17
bluetango - I:10/?; A: 2/17
Steve16 I:11/18 A:1/23
Lacheln: I:12/? A:3/06
MADocMaybe - GPA: 3.3, MCAT: 32Q, I: 1/14; A: 3/06
majestic red - I: 1/28; A:2/17
skyline42 - I: 3/4 A: 3/13
eelxiv - GPA 3.5, MCAT 32R I: 1/7 A: 2/17

 

[lestrazz]

virusgirl: GPA - 3.66, MCAT - 33T, interviewed 9/17/08, no decision
kpm986: GPA-3.62, MCAT-32, interviewed 10/15/08, no decision
rajon: GPA-3.65, MCAT-33, interviewed 10/21/08, no decision
dj02339: interviewed 10/28/08, no decision
rara: interviewed 11/19/08, no decision
rowdy: GPA- 3.6, MCAT- 37T, interviewed 11/19/08, no decision
thompa: GPA - 3.63, MCAT - 35, interviewed 12/9/08, no decision
envirodoc: GPA-3.4, MCAT-27, Re-Applicant, interviewed 12/16/08, no decision
erawka: interviewed 12/16/08, no decision
Silentbull: interviewed 1/28/09, no decision
NorthShoreMD: GPA-3.53, MCAT-28, interviewed 2/3/09, no decision
smdh: GPA - 3.4, MCAT - 28, interviewed 2/6/09, no decision
Tiptop: interviewed 2/10/09, no decision
tabrazinski: interviewed 10/21/08, no decision
Suenya: interviewed 11/18/08, no decision


Interviewed, Wait-listed

lestrazz: interviewed 10/08, waitlisted 4/23/09 GPA 3.7 MCAT 31Q
jka: interviewed 10/8/08, waitllisted 4/13/09; undergrad 3.0, post-grad 3.95, 32Q; reapplicant (I: 3/19/08, waitlisted 4/25/08, Rejected 8/08); and size 8 (on a good day); Scorpio
bassplease: interviewed 10/15/09, waitlisted 4/14/09
scrubs' friend: interviewed 11/6/09-ish, waitlisted 4/13/09
shanoon1113: interviewed 11/16/09?, waitlisted 4/13/09
bgqks: GPA- 3.54 MCAT-33S interviewed 11/19/08, waitlisted 4/23/09
Lolo8507: interviewed 12/08, waitlisted 4/23/09
J515: GPA 3.98, MCAT 29Q, interviewed 12/9/08, waitlisted 4/23/09
eleven eleven: interviewed 12/10/08, waitlisted 4/13/09
hoyastudent09: interviewed 12/19/08, waitlisted 4/13/09
umass_md: interviewed 1/13/09, waitlisted 4/13/09
stayinalive: interviewed late jan, waitlisted 4/13/09
chocolateMD: interviewed 2/1x/09, waitlisted 4/13/09
MadMnkey: interviewed 2/25/09, waitlisted 4/13/09
IceMD: interviewed ?, waitlisted 4/13/09
stayinalive: interviewed ?, waitlisted 4/13/09
philios: interviewed?, waitlisted 4/13/09


Interviewed, Accepted

linguini: I: 9/16, A: 10/17
Zpiff - I: 9/16; A: 11/21
floffles - I: 9/16 A: 1/23
dtmandell - I: 9/17; A:10/17
AL12S - I: 9/29; A: 11/21
snowflake2 - I: 9/29; A: 11/21
scrubslover: I: 10/21 A: 1/23
ashley51087 - I: 10/22; A: 11/21
SteelCity126 I: 10/28; A: 11/21
dma111 - I:10/?; A: 2/17
bluetango - I:10/?; A: 2/17
Steve16 I:11/18 A:1/23
Lacheln: I:12/? A:3/06
MADocMaybe - GPA: 3.3, MCAT: 32Q, I: 1/14; A: 3/06
majestic red - I: 1/28; A:2/17
skyline42 - I: 3/4 A: 3/13
eelxiv - GPA 3.5, MCAT 32R I: 1/7 A: 2/17[/quote]


also, jka I was in the morning too and I do remember you coming in late. Terrible traffic right? I felt so bad because that morning was stressful enough...

 

[rowdy411]

Or a pretty intense reality check. If rowdy's got nothin' with a 37 then who am I kidding?? Even if rowdy does get one of the miracle April acceptances..

Yeah it sucks... completely impossible to tell with UMass.

 

[virusgirl]

Does anyone who is not yet accepted/not attending preview weekend have any questions about UMass that they would like to have answered at second look?

I know a couple of accepted SDNers will be there tomorrow (and are likely there today as well), and I will also be going tomorrow as a guest. So if anyone has any burning questions, I will try to get them answered.

 

[umass_md]

Does anyone who is not yet accepted/not attending preview weekend have any questions about UMass that they would like to have answered at second look?

I know a couple of accepted SDNers will be there tomorrow (and are likely there today as well), and I will also be going tomorrow as a guest. So if anyone has any burning questions, I will try to get them answered.

is it today and tomorrow?

i know it's a lot to ask, but if we could get an idea of the size of the waitlist, that would be great.

 

[Silentbull]

Yeah, figuring out what they haven't done yet, maybe why... and maybe you could wheedle more such data out of them...

Oh! I know! Put a camera on a helmet, then post the video online so we can all feel like we were there.

 

[chocolateMD]

I guess it would be good to learn about the things that make UMASS unique. What the students and the professors think about the school. Why should we all wish to be part of UMASS? (in their eyes)🙂

 

[raraxavis]

I guess it would be good to learn about the things that make UMASS unique. What the students and the professors think about the school. Why should we all wish to be part of UMASS? (in their eyes)🙂

Haha, you're right - it's hard to remember that there's more to UMass than how much they want us as applicants😛

 

[jka]

Yeah, figuring out what they haven't done yet, maybe why... and maybe you could wheedle more such data out of them...

Oh! I know! Put a camera on a helmet, then post the video online so we can all feel like we were there.

HaHa!! Thank you virusgirl, you are the best. And I am so impressed you are going!!!!

 

[Silentbull]

Updated with my grades and score, put it in bold to prove I did something hehe

virusgirl: GPA - 3.66, MCAT - 33T, interviewed 9/17/08, no decision
kpm986: GPA-3.62, MCAT-32, interviewed 10/15/08, no decision
rajon: GPA-3.65, MCAT-33, interviewed 10/21/08, no decision
dj02339: interviewed 10/28/08, no decision
rara: interviewed 11/19/08, no decision
rowdy: GPA- 3.6, MCAT- 37T, interviewed 11/19/08, no decision
thompa: GPA - 3.63, MCAT - 35, interviewed 12/9/08, no decision
envirodoc: GPA-3.4, MCAT-27, Re-Applicant, interviewed 12/16/08, no decision
erawka: interviewed 12/16/08, no decision
Silentbull: interviewed 1/28/09, 3.9 GPA, 29T, no decision
NorthShoreMD: GPA-3.53, MCAT-28, interviewed 2/3/09, no decision
smdh: GPA - 3.4, MCAT - 28, interviewed 2/6/09, no decision
Tiptop: interviewed 2/10/09, no decision
tabrazinski: interviewed 10/21/08, no decision
Suenya: interviewed 11/18/08, no decision


Interviewed, Wait-listed

lestrazz: interviewed 10/08, waitlisted 4/23/09 GPA 3.7 MCAT 31Q
jka: interviewed 10/8/08, waitllisted 4/13/09; undergrad 3.0, post-grad 3.95, 32Q; reapplicant (I: 3/19/08, waitlisted 4/25/08, Rejected 8/08); and size 8 (on a good day); Scorpio
bassplease: interviewed 10/15/09, waitlisted 4/14/09
scrubs' friend: interviewed 11/6/09-ish, waitlisted 4/13/09
shanoon1113: interviewed 11/16/09?, waitlisted 4/13/09
bgqks: GPA- 3.54 MCAT-33S interviewed 11/19/08, waitlisted 4/23/09
Lolo8507: interviewed 12/08, waitlisted 4/23/09
J515: GPA 3.98, MCAT 29Q, interviewed 12/9/08, waitlisted 4/23/09
eleven eleven: interviewed 12/10/08, waitlisted 4/13/09
hoyastudent09: interviewed 12/19/08, waitlisted 4/13/09
umass_md: interviewed 1/13/09, waitlisted 4/13/09
stayinalive: interviewed late jan, waitlisted 4/13/09
chocolateMD: interviewed 2/1x/09, waitlisted 4/13/09
MadMnkey: interviewed 2/25/09, waitlisted 4/13/09
IceMD: interviewed ?, waitlisted 4/13/09
stayinalive: interviewed ?, waitlisted 4/13/09
philios: interviewed?, waitlisted 4/13/09


Interviewed, Accepted

linguini: I: 9/16, A: 10/17
Zpiff - I: 9/16; A: 11/21
floffles - I: 9/16 A: 1/23
dtmandell - I: 9/17; A:10/17
AL12S - I: 9/29; A: 11/21
snowflake2 - I: 9/29; A: 11/21
scrubslover: I: 10/21 A: 1/23
ashley51087 - I: 10/22; A: 11/21
SteelCity126 I: 10/28; A: 11/21
dma111 - I:10/?; A: 2/17
bluetango - I:10/?; A: 2/17
Steve16 I:11/18 A:1/23
Lacheln: I:12/? A:3/06
MADocMaybe - GPA: 3.3, MCAT: 32Q, I: 1/14; A: 3/06
majestic red - I: 1/28; A:2/17
skyline42 - I: 3/4 A: 3/13
eelxiv - GPA 3.5, MCAT 32R I: 1/7 A: 2/17[/quote]

 

[Lolo8507]

updating...

Interviewed, No News

virusgirl: GPA - 3.66, MCAT - 33T, interviewed 9/17/08, no decision
kpm986: GPA-3.62, MCAT-32, interviewed 10/15/08, no decision
rajon: GPA-3.65, MCAT-33, interviewed 10/21/08, no decision
dj02339: interviewed 10/28/08, no decision
rara: interviewed 11/19/08, no decision
rowdy: interviewed 11/19/08, no decision
J515: interviewed 12/9/08, no decision
thompa: GPA - 3.63, MCAT - 35, interviewed 12/9/08, no decision
envirodoc: GPA-3.4, MCAT-27, Re-Applicant, interviewed 12/16/08, no decision
erawka: interviewed 12/16/08, no decision
Silentbull: interviewed 1/28/09, no decision
NorthShoreMD: GPA-3.53, MCAT-28, interviewed 2/3/09, no decision
smdh: interviewed 2/6/09, no decision
Tiptop: interviewed 2/10/09, no decision
tabrazinski: interviewed 10/21/08, no decision
Suenya: interviewed 11/18/08, no decision


Interviewed, Wait-listed

jka: interviewed 10/8/08, waitllisted 4/13/09; undergrad 3.0, post-grad 3.95, 32Q; reapplicant (I: 3/19/08, waitlisted 4/25/08, Rejected 8/08); and size 8 (on a good day); Scorpio
bassplease: interviewed 10/15/09, waitlisted 4/14/09
scrubs' friend: interviewed 11/6/09-ish, waitlisted 4/13/09
shanoon1113: interviewed 11/16/09?, waitlisted 4/13/09
bgqks: GPA- 3.54 MCAT-33S interviewed 11/19/08, waitlisted 4/23/09
eleven eleven: interviewed 12/10/08, waitlisted 4/13/09
umass_md: interviewed 1/13/09, waitlisted 4/13/09
stayinalive: interviewed late jan, waitlisted 4/13/09
chocolateMD: interviewed 2/1x/09, waitlisted 4/13/09
MadMnkey: interviewed 2/25/09, waitlisted 4/13/09
IceMD: interviewed ?, waitlisted 4/13/09
stayinalive: interviewed ?, waitlisted 4/13/09
hoyastudent09: interviewed 12/19/08, waitlisted 4/13/09
philios: interviewed?, waitlisted 4/13/09
Lolo8507:GPA 3.5 MCAT 33Q interviewed 12/10, waitlisted 4/23

Interviewed, Accepted

linguini: I: 9/16, A: 10/17
Zpiff - I: 9/16; A: 11/21
floffles - I: 9/16 A: 1/23
dtmandell - I: 9/17; A:10/17
AL12S - I: 9/29; A: 11/21
snowflake2 - I: 9/29; A: 11/21
scrubslover: I: 10/21 A: 1/23
ashley51087 - I: 10/22; A: 11/21
SteelCity126 I: 10/28; A: 11/21
dma111 - I:10/?; A: 2/17
bluetango - I:10/?; A: 2/17
Steve16 I:11/18 A:1/23
Lacheln: I:12/? A:3/06
MADocMaybe - GPA: 3.3, MCAT: 32Q, I: 1/14; A: 3/06
majestic red - I: 1/28; A:2/17
skyline42 - I: 3/4 A: 3/13
eelxiv - GPA 3.5, MCAT 32R I: 1/7 A: 2/17

 

[virusgirl]

For anyone who is interested in what went on at the UMass second look this weekend, I took some notes that I hope will be helpful/informative to people. They are organized according to the topic of the panel.

General/Introduction
- UMass has a very strong regional reputation with residency programs
- 2 year preceptorship program for shadowing
- Lots of standardized patient interactions; also SIM patient experiences
- Patients are actually brought into the classrooms, so you begin learning history-taking and physical exam skills fairly early
- Anatomy labs are undergoing renovation, and should be awesome and operational in time for class of 2013
- Building another academic building
- Some significant changes to the curriculum:
- More integration of basic and clinical sciences
- First and second years will be somewhat compressed, enabling students to have more choices and flexibility during years 3 and 4
- More research opportunities
- In addition to traditional lecture, there will be more PBL, independent learning, technology developments and technological integration, as well as "learning communities." Now, I have no idea what these are -- my notes have "what the f*ck?!?!" written next to it with a couple of underlines -- but apparently there are five of them, and they are named after regions of Worcester. They are comprised of both junior and senior students.

Student Life
- Very supportive faculty; one student said that she wanted to be very involved in research starting first year, and she was able to work things out with the administration such that she was able to do that.
- Lots of students said that while you do work a lot, it is definitely possible to make time for family and relationships
- Since all students are Massachusetts residents, most people have family sort of nearby, which is nice
- Another example of supportive faculty: a student had a serious medical issue and missed a test, and the professor gave him/her an oral exam to substitute
- Free counseling services
- Students are not competitive and email each other helpful websites, study guides, old exams, etc.
- Class time is approximately 8-4 3xweek, 8-1 2xweek. Students study around 3-4 hours per day on weekdays.
- Classes are videotaped and posted online
- Block schedule, with exams approximately every 4-6 weeks
- Students get days off before exams!
- Exams are usually in class multiple-choice with a few short answer questions. Also some online quizzes and practicals.
- LOTS of international opportunities, and you can get FUNDING, especially through the pathways program
- Lots of people do international work/language study in the summer, don't need to be in the Pathways program

Clinical Correlations
- The classroom is pretty nice
- Technology is integrated into didactic coursework; students actively participate in class using laptops
- Lectures include recordings of heart sounds, displays of X-rays and EKGs, etc.

What makes UMass great?: the epic movie
- Cheap
- CHEAP
- Funding for various opportunities
- Can take an extra year for research or independent project
- Worcester is effin' poor, and you will see lots of underserved patients
- Couple of free clinics you can get involved in
- Community health clerkship starts 1st year -- have the option of going into the prison system
- Lots of diverse electives

Diversity
- "I'm an out gay executive from IBM!" -- I thought that was pretty cool
- Not a ton of latinos, but a fair number of black and Asian students
- LGBT friendly
- Worcester has a large refugee community
- Minorities sometimes tend to go to other schools because of the "name"
- Worcester is not just diverse, but racially integrated (some disagreement about this, and I would fall on the side of "no," but that's just me)
- Cultural "immersion" for students so that they can serve multicultural populations
- Electives, medical Spanish, ASL, LPP experiences

Life (Lies) in Worcester (edited by scrubslover)
- Okay, during the little slide show, they had a picture of The Sole Proprietor. Other cities have art museums, parks, Worcester has... The Sole Proprietor. Anyway...
- Some people live at home with parents
- Proximity to family is a good thing
- Some places to consider living: Plantation Ridge, Plantation Towers, Shrewsbury Commons, various houses on/around Plantation St
- CHEAP housing: $400-$1500 for a very swanky 2 BR
- Some people live just outside Worcester, such as Shrewsbury
- Landlords will often give discounts to med students because you will study too much to be a drunken destructive @zzhole
- People find roommates at the housing fair and class list-serve
- VERY easy to find housing (no need to do it months in advance)
- Car is highly recommended/required for 3rd and 4th year
- Many apt complexes have a free gym, and there's also a World Gym nearby (not very expensive)
- Apparently the school gym "grows on you"
- Nice nearby trails, Mt Wachusetts for hiking and skiing
- Some things that are crappy: revolving doors, cold classroom, New England weather
- 2nd year buddies for 1st year students

umass_md, I'm sorry but I chickened out about asking your question about the size of the wait-list. I had sort of a weird encounter with one of the admissions people and wasn't too eager to "out" myself. I will venture my $0.02 cents though (which you should take with about a tablespoon of salt) -- while I don't know the size of the wait-list, I suspect it won't move much. This is just my hunch, and I could be totally off, but most of the people who I talked to seemed like they really wanted to go to UMass and were prepared to turn down some pretty top-notch schools to do it. That being said, there were several people who were going to turn down BU, so if anyone is on that wait-list, I think THAT one might see some decent movement come mid-May.

Linguini, it was nice meeting you! Although I don't think either of us realized at the time that we were meeting each other 🙂

Anyway, those are my thoughts and impressions. I'm sure all of the legitimately accepted people who were there would also be willing to share their perspectives.

 

[virusgirl]

Also, the cookies was amazing. UMass knows how to cater. Probably a good thing that I am not accepted, or I would quickly become a very fat virion 🙂

 

[umass_md]

Also, the cookies was amazing. UMass knows how to cater. Probably a good thing that I am not accepted, or I would quickly become a very fat virion 🙂

thanks, virusgirl! ~how many accepted students showed up?

 

[MADocMaybe]

thanks, virusgirl! ~how many accepted students showed up?

Hey all - just wanted to add my random, jumbled thoughts/impressions of the 2nd look weekend to virusgirl's amazing recap. While I think it hit all of the highlights... I have to say that seeing all that data cut and dry kind of takes away from the awesomeness that was UMass 2nd look weekend. I absolutely loved it, and had an amazing time... and I think a majority of prospective 1st years felt the same way (unfortunately... I hope people who didn't come turn it down so you all get in!!)

First off - the entire shindig was organized by current MS1s, who clearly put a lot of time and effort into considering what they would have liked to know and experience the year before... apparently this is a relatively new thing for UMass to do (I met a 3rd year who was on the inaugural Second Look committee). Now - while I think there were 5 or 6 key committee members who took charge, the incredibly high participation of current MS1s in the festivities on Friday (mostly) and Saturday convinced me that I was getting a true glimpse into the atmosphere and real opinions of current med students... rather than a practiced shpeal (sp?) from a few do-gooder students who want to make nice with the school administration. Before I get off on too big of a tangent - to answer umass_md's Q - I heard that about 60 prospective students RSVPd. I'm not sure quite as many came, but definitely around 50 or so people were there. Every single one was matched up with an MS1 buddy, who they had the option of spending the night with (as I did). So to start with, ~1/2 the current class volunteered to put up an applicant.

Friday was a day spent with the current MS1s, going to classes, lunch, Friday "Fun Day", then a pot-luck (of food made for us by MS1s!), then to a local bar - so this day I got to see the students in their natural habitat, and see their true colors. Saturday was a bit more official, with intros from the chancellor etc, and student panels on diversity and living in Worcester, and while very fun and informative, a bit more focused towards Q/A sessions and tours for families etc. Since Virusgirl did a great wrap up of Saturday stuff, I'll spread some light on Friday activities and my over all impressions of the school.

First - additional anecdote to support the whole "UMass is a supportive environment" idea (which I think is truly the case): One of the current MS1's father passed away in the 1st semester, and he talked about how supportive everyone was, from faculty to staff etc during that time period, and how a professor came in on a weekend to administer a test for him when he was ready for it. A professor - on a weekend!! Craziness.

I arrived in time to attend 3 of the 4 classes that morning (classes are always done by 1 PM on Fridays - nice!). While it was a bit much and a little over my head, I loved the atmosphere. Large auditorium style room, but great interactions with professors, no inhibition about asking Qs (following a convoluted explanation of something, a prof said "everybody OK with that?" before moving on, and one student spoke up and just said "ah... no"... everyone laughed, including the prof, and he reviewed his point in more detail). Also - a few years ago they decided that it was critical that students get at least 15 min between lectures, rather than having 4 hour blocks on full days, and the students really use these to run down and grab a bagel, hit the ping pong tables etc, before coming back and focusing up. The atmosphere really was one of a kind of family... the kind where you might not always get along with your bro/sis all the time, but at the end of the day you'd ask for help or give it, and could always have lunch with a classmate, etc. My buddy told me that she would challenge someone to find a med school class without at least 1 or 2 "gunners", but that at UMass those few people stick to themselves, and are more ignored if that attitude comes to the forefront than feared. So - lots of class (M:8-4, T:8-1, W:1-4:30, Th:8-4, F:8-1, with occasional Wed AM things), but this includes labs and discussion groups etc... but also lots of fun. OK - moving on.

Friday Fun Day - it was beautiful out. Gorgeous. This is an afternoon event (during fall and spring) where MS1s (and usually MS2s, but they had an exam this week) get together at a local park and play frisbee, speedball, soccer, or just sit and have fun in the sun. So simple, and yet so relaxing and fun. Again - there were probably about 100 ish people at the park yesterday, with a lot of current MS1 involvement. 2 hours of activity (at whatever level you choose) in the beautiful sun? Doesn't get much better. What surprised me was that this was an actual activity which takes place regularly, and was not just an event for our second look weekend shindig. Love it (but that might be just me ).

Then it was off to shower at my buddies apt (also got a lot info about housing in worc etc) and get ready for the night. We headed back to the student lounge on campus with our pasta salad, where there was food, drinks, music, the Red Sox-Yankees game on the TV, pool, and lots and lots of talking. Was supposed to end at 8, but ~8:20 they started flashing the lights and trying to kick us out... just too much socializing going on. From there it was on to McFadden’s (never been there) - which, for me, was the perfect mix of smallish sports bar that wasn't too hopping except for us, with music and (again) the game on (and what a game that was!!). This went on till the wee hours... my buddy and I booked it at 1 AM ish, so beat, but the party was still going on. People complain about the worc night life... but for me it is perfect. I am not exactly a clubber, and I doubt one could keep such a life style during med school anyway... so having a few regular places to catch the game and dance a little if I want to is all I need.

Again - people continuously introduced themselves, asked how I was liking it so far, asked if they could answer any Qs for me, etc. In fact - I was having such a good time with my buddy and her classmates that I had to consciously pull myself away and mingle with all of my fellow prospective students. And boy am I glad I did... cause they fairly-universally rocked the casbah. Some really cool, mellow, fun people are in the future class - which makes UMass even more attractive to me.

I don't mean to wax poetic about the weekend for you all, I know you all want to be joining us and we want you all as well!! But - I wanted to let you know that your love for UMass is not misplaced, and shed a little light on the Friday activities - flesh out the cut and dry info a bit more for you all. I did meet a few people who are considering other schools still and are still 50/50... so I really couldn't get a solid fix on the number of people who were definitely committed, and then there are the 75 ish people who DIDN'T attend... who may be seriously considering other schools. I honestly think there will be waitlist movement, and will keep my fingers crossed for everyone here!! PM me if you have any Qs about specifics... although I think I must have covered everything above!

 

[raraxavis]

Virusgirl, MADoc, Thank you!!!

These recaps are amazing.

 

[Lacheln]

Virusgirl, thank you so, so much for taking those notes, mine are useless! Also, I agree with MADocMaybe in that meeting the people was a very reassuring experience. There is a genuine feel to both the upperclassmen and the prospective 2013ers, and there is no doubt in my mind that the majority of people truly are very happy to be there. Many of us said that it seemed like the admissions office had picked happy, well-rounded people.

Although I wasn't surprised that I liked the people, what I had forgotten is that this may be a state school, but it's a state school rising rapidly, both in terms of $$ and prestige. NIH funding is going up, they are building new facilities (like Virusgirl said, new anatomy lab, new research building), PD ratings are only rising. Basically, I left feeling like the only "concession" I'd be making by choosing UMass would be in location.

Speaking of which, I looked at a few apartments while there - we may be going to be stuck in Worcester, but we'll be living in palaces compared to places in Cambridge, so that'll be nice.

I'm still going to go to other 2nd looks, just to make sure that I have no regrets, but I'm pretty much committed to UMass at this point and will likely withdraw from everywhere else in a week or two. I would say that ~50 people were at the 2nd look, and of those that I talked to, ~80% said they were definitely going. My gut feeling is that there will be less waitlist movement than in the past, but not zero.

I think VG and MDM covered things pretty well, but if you have any specific questions, feel free to ask.

 

[PreMD86]

"learning communities." Now, I have no idea what these are -- my notes have "what the f*ck?!?!" written next to it with a couple of underlines -- but apparently there are five of them, and they are named after regions of Worcester. They are comprised of both junior and senior students.

Haha, I'm not convinced many of us don't really know what these are because they're so new. To help clarify, the learning communities are a way to bridge between pre-clinical and clinical students, and is actually a concept that was entirely driven and implemented by students. Basically, everybody is assigned to one of five 'houses', which meet together every couple of months. 3rd and 4th years are excused from their rotations during these meetings, so many come. It's just a chance to get tips and advice from those whose shoes we'll be in in a couple of years.

- Students are not competitive and email each other helpful websites, study guides, old exams, etc.

Did they mention the tons of youtube videos we send around before exams?

Life (Lies) in Worcester (edited by scrubslover)
- Okay, during the little slide show, they had a picture of The Sole Proprietor. Other cities have art museums, parks, Worcester has... The Sole Proprietor. Anyway...

Actually, worcester boasts the first public park in the country-elm park. It's no central park, but it gets the job done. Also, did you know the rickshaw was invented in worcester? More the reason to come to Umass!

 

[zpiff]

Withdrew today : /

Good luck to waitlisters!

 

[rowdy411]

Said that we would all hear before May 15 as to whether or not we're accepted, wait-listed, or rejected.

 

[chessodoc]

Said that we would all hear before May 15 as to whether or not we're accepted, wait-listed, or rejected.

Did she say whether a no-news at this point is a pending rejection?

 

[rowdy411]

Did she say whether a no-news at this point is a pending rejection?

haha, of course not! Call and ask!

 

[Suenya]

haha, of course not! Call and ask!

The really disturbing part is, I imagine that people with no news (such as myself) include a very, very small number of people likely to be accepted after withdrawals, a bunch of people going to be rejected, and some amount that will be eventually waitlisted.

It's so annoying.

 

[virusgirl]

Said that we would all hear before May 15 as to whether or not we're accepted, wait-listed, or rejected.

Watch us all get wait-listed on May 14th.

"Thanks for meeting every deadline we've set for you, virusgirl, but after 8 months, we are still unable to give you a definitive answer. Please throw a couple of wrenches into your plans for moving to New Orleans in a timely and cost-effective manner, because we'd like to piss all over your ego for another couple of months."

Zpiff -- if you still read this thread -- are you going to Harvard then?

 

[ashah05]

Thought you said that 80% said they would be going to Umass...that means there are still ~75 ppl who didnt even go to second look, and Im sure a bunch of ppl are also waiting for May 15 to hear from other schools, so as of now they are saying, "yeah im going to umass." I wouldnt assume that this year is any different than previous years, in terms of how many ppl get off the waitilist....though the economy sucks, that most likely won't affect where people will go to school, because they would have incurred that debt whether there was a recession or not. (plus we are going to make the same money as residents either way)

 

[chocolateMD]

Thanks so much to virusgirl and MADocMaybe for those write-ups!! The were incredibly helpful!!🙂

 

[Suenya]

Thanks so much to virusgirl and MADocMaybe for those write-ups!! The were incredibly helpful!!🙂

I forgot to thank you both as well. I already know I want to go to UMass, but the info is still wonderful to have!

 

[zpiff]

Watch us all get wait-listed on May 14th.

"Thanks for meeting every deadline we've set for you, virusgirl, but after 8 months, we are still unable to give you a definitive answer. Please throw a couple of wrenches into your plans for moving to New Orleans in a timely and cost-effective manner, because we'd like to piss all over your ego for another couple of months."

Zpiff -- if you still read this thread -- are you going to Harvard then?

Yeah, I withdrew from everywhere else today. It sucks that both UMass and Harvard revisits were at the same time. Good luck in May!

 

[Lacheln]

Thought you said that 80% said they would be going to Umass...that means there are still ~75 ppl who didnt even go to second look, and Im sure a bunch of ppl are also waiting for May 15 to hear from other schools, so as of now they are saying, "yeah im going to umass." I wouldnt assume that this year is any different than previous years, in terms of how many ppl get off the waitilist....though the economy sucks, that most likely won't affect where people will go to school, because they would have incurred that debt whether there was a recession or not. (plus we are going to make the same money as residents either way)

Actually, I disagree that the economy won't have any impact. Families who might otherwise have made up the difference btw Umass and a private school may no longer be able/willing to. Private loans are also tighter.

I also wasn't including anyone who said they were staying on waitlists in that 80%. In any case, there will still be plenty of people who get off the waitlist. It's all conjecture of course, just sharing my impression post-2nd look, not trying to be a downer! 🙂

 

[Suenya]

In some ways, I could consider private schools more reasonable during a recession. In the past, there has often been a higher rate of inflation afterwards. So, I think the real debt from loans is likely to decrease compared to in good times.

But of course, that's only over the long term. If it's harder to get loans for school in the short term (I don't know if it is for medical school, or if the governments role keeps that particular loan market fluid), then cheaper schools look better.

 

[umass_md]

In some ways, I could consider private schools more reasonable during a recession. In the past, there has often been a higher rate of inflation afterwards. So, I think the real debt from loans is likely to decrease compared to in good times.

But of course, that's only over the long term. If it's harder to get loans for school in the short term (I don't know if it is for medical school, or if the governments role keeps that particular loan market fluid), then cheaper schools look better.

interesting interview to add to the debate:
http://www.wbur.org/2009/04/15/private-college

my view is that private schools will not allow the quality of their student body to suffer during a recession. this is not in their best interest. they'll offer more financial aid to off-set tough economic times.

 

[MadMnkey]

Actually, I disagree that the economy won't have any impact. Families who might otherwise have made up the difference btw Umass and a private school may no longer be able/willing to. Private loans are also tighter.

I also wasn't including anyone who said they were staying on waitlists in that 80%. In any case, there will still be plenty of people who get off the waitlist. It's all conjecture of course, just sharing my impression post-2nd look, not trying to be a downer! 🙂

In an attempt to keep optimistic, I think that there will still be a lot of wait list movement, regardless of economic outlook. Like many have said, schools are not willing to jeopardize the quality of their applicants and also, I think a lot of government intervention will prevent the economy from taking as big a toll on financial aid as many would think. I think the only difference is that people's mindsets might be different now, so maybe they will focus a lot more on cost.

In terms of the number of people at second look, I'm guessing that the other half of the people who did not attend either, a.) had conflicting second looks with other schools they were more interested in, b.) aren't going to go to UMass anyways and just decided it wasn't worth it to come, or c.) weren't able to make it for some reason, but I think for people who really are dead set on attending, they would've made every effort to go to this weekend unless there was an emergency, more important family function, or your boss is just mean. So hopefully! many of those who did not go will be withdrawing 😀.

 

[Silentbull]

Thanks for the great investigative reporting! Now for Tom with the weather, Tom?

 

[Lacheln]

Sorry guys, I shouldn't have said anything. I know as well as anyone that if you're going to engage in fuzzy speculation, you might as well keep it as positive as possible.😳

 

[rowdy411]

Thanks for the great investigative reporting! Now for Tom with the weather, Tom?

Thanks Tom! Ken here with the weather. But before I bring you the weather this afternoon I'm going to go rob and kill some prostitutes and then take a quick trip to Foxwoods to see if I can capitalize on my acquisitions. Then I'm going to attend my MS2 classes at BUSM.

 

[Silentbull]

Oh BU, nobody knows the troubles you've found, nobody knows your sorrows...

 

[MadMnkey]

Sorry guys, I shouldn't have said anything. I know as well as anyone that if you're going to engage in fuzzy speculation, you might as well keep it as positive as possible.😳

😛 It's no one's fault. Insanity is just spreading faster than swine flu here. I'm only on here and making wild speculations cuz my PCR isn't working and it's making me freak out more that I can't find the mutation in these patients. Sorry for my running of the mouth. I'm gonna slink back to my bench, sacrifice a goat to a PCR god, and avoid the forums until the misery is done🙄.

 

[BassPlease]

Guys, this thread almost got onto the next page!!

Hope everyone has a chance to enjoy the sunshine at some point today...

-BP 🙂

 

[Suenya]

Guys, this thread almost got onto the next page!!

Hope everyone has a chance to enjoy the sunshine at some point today...

-BP 🙂

At least in Boston it's going to be too hot for me, personally. Yesterday was great though.

 

[virusgirl]

Guys, this thread almost got onto the next page!!

Hope everyone has a chance to enjoy the sunshine at some point today...

-BP 🙂

No enjoyment of sunshine here. I am stuck in lab all day learning how to tune and calibrate an Orbitrap with a Thermo technician who keeps patting my shoulder. I have a bit of a touch phobia with strangers, and it is taking all of my patience not to cringe...

AND I got my Tulane financial aid package today -- $71,000 in loans! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait to be an underpaid pediatrician!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[chessodoc]

No enjoyment of sunshine here. I am stuck in lab all day learning how to tune and calibrate an Orbitrap with a Thermo technician who keeps patting my shoulder. I have a bit of a touch phobia with strangers, and it is taking all of my patience not to cringe...

AND I got my Tulane financial aid package today -- $71,000 in loans! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait to be an underpaid pediatrician!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Expecting the same from Univ. of Illinois 😀

 

[iheartsnow]

No enjoyment of sunshine here. I am stuck in lab all day learning how to tune and calibrate an Orbitrap with a Thermo technician who keeps patting my shoulder. I have a bit of a touch phobia with strangers, and it is taking all of my patience not to cringe...

AND I got my Tulane financial aid package today -- $71,000 in loans! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait to be an underpaid pediatrician!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So ~$70,000 in loans seems to be "normal"? I was just going to post something about this because I recently got my financial "aid" offer. I really don't understand how the FAFSA people decided that I can, personally, contribute almost $10,000 this year. I'm a lab tech... living in Manhattan... who just applied to med school. Mmmm ramen noodles.

 

[rowdy411]

Yeah I got spanked with loans too... and NOT in the good way either!