2008-2009 University of Cincinnati Secondary Application Thread

[medseek1]

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I remember the surgeon who gave powerpoint presentation saying a number in 230s. If you want to make sure, email Dr. Manuel. He seemed very nice and honest.
Couple of other points that may be be of interest. (From the same guy's presentation)
1.) All the students are ranked from 1 to 140 and this probably factors into reco letters
2.) No pass-fail system (They actually have 5 grade levels I believe)
3.) They took my preference for lunch while scheduling for interview, but no lunch for me
So all the AM guys beware there is no lunch
4.) Cincy has several great clinical facilities all in one mile radius
5.) Very affordable city
These issues may not matter to others but they matter to me and I just wanted to bring them to light just in case others missed.

 

[Pedsbro]

I remember the surgeon who gave powerpoint presentation saying a number in 230s. If you want to make sure, email Dr. Manuel. He seemed very nice and honest.
Couple of other points that may be be of interest. (From the same guy's presentation)
1.) All the students are ranked from 1 to 140 and this probably factors into reco letters
2.) No pass-fail system (They actually have 5 grade levels I believe)
3.) They took my preference for lunch while scheduling for interview, but no lunch for me
So all the AM guys beware there is no lunch
4.) Cincy has several great clinical facilities all in one mile radius
5.) Very affordable city
These issues may not matter to others but they matter to me and I just wanted to bring them to light just in case others missed.

-They have Honors, High Pass, Pass, Fail. The rankings comes from your actual percentage in each class.

-I don't remember any Step I score average being mentioned at my interview...maybe yours was different, but from what I understand, a lot of schools don't release that unless it's ridiculously high. Having taken a couple of the 1st year medical courses already as part of a masters degree I got there, I can tell you most, if not all, of their courses and exams are geared specifically toward preparing med students for the boards and the exam questions will often reflect the structure of Step 1 questions.

-No lunch sucks...we had too many lunches at my PM interview haha.

 

[anonymous1987]

I agree, no way is their average Step 1 that high. I'd like to know the source on that one. When I interviewed there they did not mention anything other than "our step 1 score average is higher than the national average," which is what all schools say. If they had said "our average is 234," I would have remembered.

yup i'll give you the source, i was accepted so my status page shows a bunch of extra links. One of them is "other resources" and they give you the breakdown of step 1 step 2 and step 3 statistics for UC.

Last years statistics are as follows:

150 students took the exam, 148 passed, 234 was the mean score.

the average USMLE step 1 at UM is 235, Case Western published theirs as 227. if you want the breakdown for step 2 let me kno

OF COURSE we wouldn't expect this, because UC is ranked so low in the US news. That's why the US news is a RIDICULOUS assessment of a school's education...

also...it seems medseek had an exceptionally bad day...the MMI is setup in a way that the interviewer looks for very specific points, if you don't make the point during your talk, they try to ask you the question again. you probably kept getting asked the question in different ways because you weren't specific enough in your response (but keep in mind the interview is a very small aspect of your application and I doubt that it's specifically the reason you got waitlisted...interview doesn't make or break anyone's candidacy)

 

[WashMe]

.

 

[Pedsbro]

.

Hey, we don't need that kind of language here...tone it down!

 

[WashMe]

lol this is how I keep tabs on threads in which I'm interested. I started this way before subscribing to any threads, hence this is the way I still do it 🙂 I interviewed 12/3/08 in the morning. Been WL'd @ Pitt, deferred at OSU, waiting to hear back after 10/9/08 WashU interview, and no other interviews... really keeping my fingers crossed for Cincinnati or it'll probably mean re-app next for me! Good luck everyone

 

[BTC]

Anyone from previous cycles know if the waitlist moves before they are finished interviewing?

 

[Pedsbro]

Anyone from previous cycles know if the waitlist moves before they are finished interviewing?

I believe they don't look at it til May...which is well after they stop interviewing. sorry

 

[WashMe]

When I interviewed on 12/3, we were told that ~30/55 people in my group would get decisions today and the remaining ~25 would get decisions in mid-January (after the break). Has nobody heard anything from my interview day or the previous week?

 

[vbdoc77]

When I interviewed on 12/3, we were told that ~30/55 people in my group would get decisions today and the remaining ~25 would get decisions in mid-January (after the break). Has nobody heard anything from my interview day or the previous week?

i interviewed on the 3rd as well and havent heard anything. maybe theyll update our status in the morning? waiting 3 more weeks would be torture...

 

[causalinference]

i interviewed on the 3rd as well and havent heard anything. maybe theyll update our status in the morning? waiting 3 more weeks would be torture...

I interviewed on 12/3 as well. My application is very similar to yours too. I have not heard back yet. If I don't hear back tomorrow, I won't expect a decision until after the holidays.

 

[Pedsbro]

I interviewed on 12/3 as well. My application is very similar to yours too. I have not heard back yet. If I don't hear back tomorrow, I won't expect a decision until after the holidays.

I interviewed on 11/17 in the afternoon and they told us 2-3 weeks we would hear the decision, on a Wednesday OR, if they got behind, on Thursday morning. I heard Thursday around 10am EST and as I mentioned before, I checked the status page (without having gotten the email we were told we'd get) and the decision was there. The email came about an hour or so after. Good luck!

 

[atl27]

yup i'll give you the source, i was accepted so my status page shows a bunch of extra links. One of them is "other resources" and they give you the breakdown of step 1 step 2 and step 3 statistics for UC.

Last years statistics are as follows:

150 students took the exam, 148 passed, 234 was the mean score.

the average USMLE step 1 at UM is 235, Case Western published theirs as 227. if you want the breakdown for step 2 let me kno

OF COURSE we wouldn't expect this, because UC is ranked so low in the US news. That's why the US news is a RIDICULOUS assessment of a school's education...

Thanks for the source. I looked it up too and you are definitely correct. I really liked UC and am considering it, and that score is certainly very impressive. Is anyone also considering Ohio State. For me I think my choice may come down to these two schools and I am having a hard time deciding between the two. They both seem like pretty good places.

 

[WashMe]

alternate list...

 

[efitzpat]

yup i'll give you the source, i was accepted so my status page shows a bunch of extra links. One of them is "other resources" and they give you the breakdown of step 1 step 2 and step 3 statistics for UC.

I was accepted on the 4th, but my status page only shows 2 extra links - housing and a handbook or something like that. I don't have this "other resources" (or maybe I just don't see it). Did you have all these links from the beginning or did they appear after you sent in your confimration and got your background check? I sent in my confirmation accepting the acceptance, but just got my background check completed this morning

 

[NTF]

I was accepted on the 4th, but my status page only shows 2 extra links - housing and a handbook or something like that. I don't have this "other resources" (or maybe I just don't see it). Did you have all these links from the beginning or did they appear after you sent in your confimration and got your background check? I sent in my confirmation accepting the acceptance, but just got my background check completed this morning

It's not a link. It's one of the tabs at the top. 🙂

 

[efitzpat]

It's not a link. It's one of the tabs at the top. 🙂

That makes sense. Thanks! (I promise I'm smart enough to be a doctor, I'm just blinded by excitement)

 

[dohgrl76]

Yay! I just got my interview invite this morning!

This is my first interview invite so far, I was starting to get really worried. Now nervousness and anxiety are replacing worry, is this MMI thing really horrible? Is there any way to prepare?

 

[FLDoc]

Yay! I just got my interview invite this morning!

This is my first interview invite so far, I was starting to get really worried. Now nervousness and anxiety are replacing worry, is this MMI thing really horrible? Is there any way to prepare?

For Jan. 5?

 

[dohgrl76]

yep, the 5th. you too?

 

[FLDoc]

yep, the 5th. you too?

nah still hoping for one...was wondering if they were still giving out Jan. 5th interviews or if they had moved on to a later date.

Good Luck!

 

[dohgrl76]

thanks!

do you know if they are interviewing a lot more people this year because of the new MMI format? I feel like I know a decent number of people who already interviewed and they are only on the beginning of January still.

 

[WashMe]

Yay! I just got my interview invite this morning!

This is my first interview invite so far, I was starting to get really worried. Now nervousness and anxiety are replacing worry, is this MMI thing really horrible? Is there any way to prepare?

There are practice MMI questions on various websites and they are worth checking out. Good Luck! 🙂 I didn't think the MMI was horrible, but evidently it was for me because I was alternate-listed 🙁

 

[efitzpat]

Yay! I just got my interview invite this morning!

This is my first interview invite so far, I was starting to get really worried. Now nervousness and anxiety are replacing worry, is this MMI thing really horrible? Is there any way to prepare?

Congrats!
Re: MMI
Its not really horrible at all. I thought it was kinda fun once you got two or three stations under your belt. Look at the practice questions on the website to get an idea of the format, but you have a lot of time to think about the questions before answering, so just stay calm, breathe deep, and think out your answer. All of my people (except one jerk) really tried to help me through the time by asking lots of questions.
Good luck!

 

[FLDoc]

thanks!

do you know if they are interviewing a lot more people this year because of the new MMI format? I feel like I know a decent number of people who already interviewed and they are only on the beginning of January still.

I believe UC will interview ~600 ppl this year

 

[drmonti]

I'm interviewing on the 5th too. Does anyone know how full their class is by now? Is it super hard to get a seat now that its into 2009?

 

[Pedsbro]

I'm interviewing on the 5th too. Does anyone know how full their class is by now? Is it super hard to get a seat now that its into 2009?

They interview between 500-600 people a year, and accept well over 200 initially (class size is 160). My guess...somewhat estimated...is they are at least halfway there, probably more. If your interview is on the 5th of January, you're still in the fight for a spot. I would say if you were getting your interview at the end of Feb or early March, you might be looking at a "interviewing for the waitlist" scenario, but there's no way for anyone to know for sure. You can always try emailing the admissions office and see what kind of response you get...they're very friendly and helpful.

MMI wasn't as bad as I thought...I see its advantages. I didn't feel good coming out of a few of them...wished I could've answered differently on a few follow-up questions that they asked, but I'm sure I was harder on myself than they were. The follow ups are the tough part. You have plenty of time to ponder the initial question before answering, but they ask you follow up questions, sometimes based on your own answers, that can really make you think quick on your feet. Read the links and the articles regarding MMI. One link is on the UC interview invite page, but just Google MMI and you'll find them. These will help you know what to expect and what kinds of scenarios you might have to talk about, but other than that, there's not much you can do to "prepare." That's kind of the point..to make you think quick on your feet and test your instincts, maturity, and communication skills. Honestly, just relax and try to enjoy it...they want to hear what YOU think about the topic/scenario, and everyone loves expressing their own opinions (otherwise, we wouldn't be on SDN)😀

 

[jamesq]

waitlisted PSTP, hoping for an MD acceptance 🙁

 

[Pedsbro]

When you all get your acceptances (and for those that already have one), I started a Class of 2013 thread for us in the Allopathic Class Threads forum.

 

[l7anxtl7lvln2n]

I'm interviewing on the 5th too. Does anyone know how full their class is by now? Is it super hard to get a seat now that its into 2009?

Go get 'em girl! BTW I like you avatar. 😍

 

[dwc929]

What time is the interview day over? I read somewhere in this thread that someone was done at 1p but I've also heard 5p from somewhere else?

 

[WashMe]

What time is the interview day over? I read somewhere in this thread that someone was done at 1p but I've also heard 5p from somewhere else?

there is a morning group and an afternoon group. if your invite says to show up by 8am, you'll be done at lunch time. when I left at ~1pm, there was another group coming in that hadn't started the day yet.

somebody add to this or correct me if I'm wrong, but I think I'm right.

 

[suizyme09]

thanks!

do you know if they are interviewing a lot more people this year because of the new MMI format? I feel like I know a decent number of people who already interviewed and they are only on the beginning of January still.

HEY!! I know you! We had class together (Remember Bio adventures with Andy? English Class? it was all awesome!) good luck with your UC interview mine went great! (And I got accepted!!!) I absolutely loved the school and the whole interview process. I am still deciding between there and OSU b/c of family/friend proximity issues but as for right now I'm UC ALL THE WAY BABY!

 

[Pedsbro]

there is a morning group and an afternoon group. if your invite says to show up by 8am, you'll be done at lunch time. when I left at ~1pm, there was another group coming in that hadn't started the day yet.

somebody add to this or correct me if I'm wrong, but I think I'm right.

Yeah, that's right. My check-in was at 11:30am, but we didnt' start til after 12 and I got out around 5pm. The other group came in at 8 and left about 1. We had the tour first, then the speeches and presentations, and then the MMI was last.

 

[dohgrl76]

HEY!! I know you! We had class together (Remember Bio adventures with Andy? English Class? it was all awesome!) good luck with your UC interview mine went great! (And I got accepted!!!) I absolutely loved the school and the whole interview process. I am still deciding between there and OSU b/c of family/friend proximity issues but as for right now I'm UC ALL THE WAY BABY!

OMG! congrats on the acceptances, that's awesome! I would love to go to UC, although I am living in Chicago now and love it and would like to stay here. Was the UC interview terrible? I'm so nervous b/c i haven't even heard from any other schools so I'm hoping for some good luck in Cinci! When was your interview and how long did it take to hear back?

And how moral do you actually have to be? b/c i'm sure you remember from class, morals and ethics aren't my specialty 😉😉😉

 

[WashMe]

I sent an email to UC asking about advice regarding weaknesses in my application after I was placed on the alternate list. Here's what they sent back to me:

"The Admissions Committee cited no "red flags" or any specific areas that were a concern. I know that this might not be the answer you wanted, but the Committee did feel that you had a solid application. With the comments from the committee meeting I think that you would have a strong chance of being offered a seat off of the alternate list (as I mentioned in our meeting I have know idea how many seats will be offered from the alternate list)."

Unless that statement is complete BS, I find it hard to believe that both OSU and Cinci accept nearly 70% of in-state applicants and I can't get in. I feel like it's a freaking conspiracy.

Perhaps this is just a rant, but I feel like this whole process (applying to medical school) is ridiculous.

Edit: nearly 70% of in-state interviewees are accepted, I wasn't trying to sound confusing

 

[causalinference]

I sent an email to UC asking about advice regarding weaknesses in my application after I was placed on the alternate list. Here's what they sent back to me:

"The Admissions Committee cited no "red flags" or any specific areas that were a concern. I know that this might not be the answer you wanted, but the Committee did feel that you had a solid application. With the comments from the committee meeting I think that you would have a strong chance of being offered a seat off of the alternate list (as I mentioned in our meeting I have know idea how many seats will be offered from the alternate list)."

Unless that statement is complete BS, I find it hard to believe that both OSU and Cinci accept nearly 70% of in-state applicants and I can't get in. I feel like it's a freaking conspiracy.

Perhaps this is just a rant, but I feel like this whole process (applying to medical school) is ridiculous.

Perhaps your MCAT and GPA are too high. UC might figure that you will take an acceptance at another institution, so they don't want to give you an acceptance spot right off the bat. But I'm just guessing.

 

[WashMe]

I'm not sure, but I've thought a thousand times that I wish I scored 4-6 points lower on my MCAT. Or 3-4 points higher lol 🙂 For whatever reason, upper-tier schools are ignoring me. Many people tell me that middle-tier schools "don't think I want to matriculate there" which I hope is not true b/c I didn't apply anywhere I didn't really want to go.

I feel like I'm caught in this weird limbo place of being paradoxically "too good" and "nowhere near good enough" simultaneously. I'm thinking I won't get in anywhere...

 

[causalinference]

I think you will get accepted from at least 1 waitlist.

 

[WashMe]

I think you will get accepted from at least 1 waitlist.

thanks 🙂

 

[suizyme09]

OMG! congrats on the acceptances, that's awesome! I would love to go to UC, although I am living in Chicago now and love it and would like to stay here. Was the UC interview terrible? I'm so nervous b/c i haven't even heard from any other schools so I'm hoping for some good luck in Cinci! When was your interview and how long did it take to hear back?

And how moral do you actually have to be? b/c i'm sure you remember from class, morals and ethics aren't my specialty 😉😉😉

Haha yeah I remember you being quite the bad girl...You don't have to be moral, just sure of your opinions and honest. I interviewed on 11/21 and heard back I think the first week of Dec or so. The interview was realllllly easy and the school is great you will do fine because you have a lot of charisma! Just be yourself and enjoy the process!! Maybe I will see you there in the fall!

 

[Tally]

Hi guys! I have a quick question for ppl who have already interviewed here or know the system...At the Cincinnati MMI interview, are any of the stations "standard interview questions" such as "Why medicine," "What are your strengths/weaknesses," "Why do you want to go here?" or are all of them the scenarios?

 

[WashMe]

Hi guys! I have a quick question for ppl who have already interviewed here or know the system...At the Cincinnati MMI interview, are any of the stations "standard interview questions" such as "Why medicine," "What are your strengths/weaknesses," "Why do you want to go here?" or are all of them the scenarios?

cheater cheater pumpkin eater, wait and see 🙂

either way, you've probably answered such questions before and should be fine.

 

[Tally]

Hahahahaha! I don't want to know what any specific questions are!! Just wondering if I should prepare for the standard questions as well! You don't have to tell me...

 

[WashMe]

Hahahahaha! I don't want to know what any specific questions are!! Just wondering if I should prepare for the standard questions as well! You don't have to tell me...

You should be prepared for every question you could imagine being asked, as usual. The thing to keep in mind is that AdComs don't mind ripping people apart and nothing is really off limits. Any question is fair game for any interview. Believe me, I've gotten some whoppers.

That said, the MMI was interesting and 5 of my 8 interviewers were nice. The other 3 comprised a jerk, a devil's advocate, and a med student who was disinterested and yawning the whole time.

Good luck.

 

[rowerontheriver]

Just got home from my interview at Cincinnati (1/5 in the PM) and am dying to discuss it with someone who had the same MMI questions...

shoot me an email at [email protected]

 

[batman1983]

I sent an email to UC asking about advice regarding weaknesses in my application after I was placed on the alternate list. Here's what they sent back to me:

"The Admissions Committee cited no “red flags” or any specific areas that were a concern. I know that this might not be the answer you wanted, but the Committee did feel that you had a solid application. With the comments from the committee meeting I think that you would have a strong chance of being offered a seat off of the alternate list (as I mentioned in our meeting I have know idea how many seats will be offered from the alternate list)."

Unless that statement is complete BS, I find it hard to believe that both OSU and Cinci accept nearly 70% of in-state applicants and I can't get in. I feel like it's a freaking conspiracy.

Perhaps this is just a rant, but I feel like this whole process (applying to medical school) is ridiculous.

Edit: nearly 70% of in-state interviewees are accepted, I wasn't trying to sound confusing

Honestly, the medical school admissions process is just a bunch of subjective BS. Having had to go through this process multiple times and seeing many strong applicants like yourself get passed over, while many unqualified ppl that I wouldnt never even let touch me get in because they are better at self-glorification or knew how to play the game, has made me very cynical about the medical school admissions process and the future of medicine in America. I will at least give UCinci credit for being transparent about their admissions process and for trying to address this subjective aspect of medical school admissions.

 

[phospho]

Just got home from my interview at Cincinnati (1/5 in the PM) and am dying to discuss it with someone who had the same MMI questions...

shoot me an email at [email protected]

did they say anything about how long it will take them to give you a decision?

 

[Advicer]

I sent an email to UC asking about advice regarding weaknesses in my application after I was placed on the alternate list. Here's what they sent back to me:

"The Admissions Committee cited no “red flags” or any specific areas that were a concern. I know that this might not be the answer you wanted, but the Committee did feel that you had a solid application. With the comments from the committee meeting I think that you would have a strong chance of being offered a seat off of the alternate list (as I mentioned in our meeting I have know idea how many seats will be offered from the alternate list)."

Unless that statement is complete BS, I find it hard to believe that both OSU and Cinci accept nearly 70% of in-state applicants and I can't get in. I feel like it's a freaking conspiracy.

Perhaps this is just a rant, but I feel like this whole process (applying to medical school) is ridiculous.

Edit: nearly 70% of in-state interviewees are accepted, I wasn't trying to sound confusing

Seems like they believe you will be heading elsewhere.

As someone in the field with a son who is a year 2 student, I believe Cincinnati has an agenda which has caused a bit of a shift in their acceptance patterns.

I believe Cinci is pushing hard to raise their average MCAT scores and even altering their admission patterns to achieve this goal. If you look at the data for the most recent class, OOS students comprised 38% of the 2008 class, compared to 25% and 27% in the two previous years. The average age of accepted students is also going up compared to the previous two years.

Due to the applicant pool where most applicants have high GPA's, my guess is that they will sacrifice GPA for MCAT scores. I know from having asked the question that the 2008 class has an average MCAT of 32.3, compared to 31.8 for the 2007 class. This trend has gone on for several years.

Combine this trend with last year's average Part I scores (234) and you have a program on the rise.

With the new CARE/Crawley building, the school can compete favorably in terms of physical plant with most med schools in the US. They are a big research institution with the goal of significantly increasing research dollars as they now have additional laboratory space.

My son's experience has been extremely good, with a very supportive faculty and staff who very much care about the medical students, as they should. While you would expect this attitude to be pervasive, it is not always the case. My son also had very high MCAT's, but a lesser GPA. Cincy snatched him up in a hurry and he was impressed enough with the program to attend. He is very happy he made the decision.

 

[WashMe]

Seems like they believe you will be heading elsewhere.

As someone in the field with a son who is a year 2 student, I believe Cincinnati has an agenda which has caused a bit of a shift in their acceptance patterns.

I believe Cinci is pushing hard to raise their average MCAT scores and even altering their admission patterns to achieve this goal. If you look at the data for the most recent class, OOS students comprised 38% of the 2008 class, compared to 25% and 27% in the two previous years. The average age of accepted students is also going up compared to the previous two years.

Due to the applicant pool where most applicants have high GPA's, my guess is that they will sacrifice GPA for MCAT scores. I know from having asked the question that the 2008 class has an average MCAT of 32.3, compared to 31.8 for the 2007 class. This trend has gone on for several years.

Combine this trend with last year's average Part I scores (234) and you have a program on the rise.

With the new CARE/Crawley building, the school can compete favorably in terms of physical plant with most med schools in the US. They are a big research institution with the goal of significantly increasing research dollars as they now have additional laboratory space.

My son's experience has been extremely good, with a very supportive faculty and staff who very much care about the medical students, as they should. While you would expect this attitude to be pervasive, it is not always the case. My son also had very high MCAT's, but a lesser GPA. Cincy snatched him up in a hurry and he was impressed enough with the program to attend. He is very happy he made the decision.

They didn't take me to boost their MCAT scores so I don't know about that. I'm in state with a good GPA. I'm a little bummed by the whole thing. They never asked my "why Cincinnati?" in the MMI. I think a school should want to know why we want to attend. I had some good reasons but I never got to talk about them.