2008 - 2009 University of Colorado Secondary Application Thread

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shoes646 - have you completed their secondary?
 
shoEs646 said:
yea CU is definitely starting to sent out invites. I got a call this morning. I was surprised (pleasantly) to learn that they are beginning interviews next week when their secondaries only came out last week.
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Did you go to CU for undergrad or have any other ties to the school??
 
Yeah, I have an int. on monday of next week. Anyone else? Looking forward to it.
 
How are you guys having your LOR's submitted? I go to Oklahoma State and they said that they won't submit them via VirtualEvals or Interfolio. Any advice/comments/ideas?
 
doodlesmcdoodle said:
How are you guys having your LOR's submitted? I go to Oklahoma State and they said that they won't submit them via VirtualEvals or Interfolio. Any advice/comments/ideas?
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You could try to get OK State to submit your letters to interfolio and treat your package like 1 recommendation. Then you could submit them yourself electronically. They shouldn't have a problem with this if you print out the privacy statement from interfolio and the page from CU saying that they only accept interfolio or VE. This would be inexpensive if you use the discount code that CU has available.
 
Yeah. I tried to talk to the prehealth advisor about that but she got a little snippy. I'll just have to approach it from another angle. Thanks!!! I'll get it worked out. 😀

On a different note, if you guys don't mind, would you perhaps be willing to give examples of what you chose to write about for your second essay? I have been trying to come up with something for 3 days and am seriously stuck. Anything would be appreciated! Thanks sooooooo much!!!
 
doodlesmcdoodle said:
Yeah. I tried to talk to the prehealth advisor about that but she got a little snippy. I'll just have to approach it from another angle. Thanks!!! I'll get it worked out. 😀
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I saw this on their secondary status page, which leads me to believe that you probably don't have to stress too much:

** As of June 1, 2007 Letters of Recommendation are only accepted electronically. ** Upon confirmation of an interview, you may check with our office as to which letters have been received.

Good luck on your secondary. I wrote about using creativity to overcome a situation in the military so that may not help you much.
 
I'd read the full secondary and couldn't see a specific reference to when LORs are required, last year they were not even requested until after the interview was confirmed. I just sent in the LORs recently just in case they are needed earlier this year.

Anyone get a clear read on this? thx

by the way - for the poster above regarding essays & having a tough time with this - I spent massive hours on essays last year at a number of schools, only to later learn that MCAT score of X or GPA of Y was required, i.e. my essays weren't even read.

So I now look at this as an exercise to write something legible, straightforward, and fast.
 
From what I've heard, LOR's are not required for an interview invite. Hope that answers your questions
 
nontrdgsbuiucmd said:
I'd read the full secondary and couldn't see a specific reference to when LORs are required, last year they were not even requested until after the interview was confirmed. I just sent in the LORs recently just in case they are needed earlier this year.

Anyone get a clear read on this? thx

by the way - for the poster above regarding essays & having a tough time with this - I spent massive hours on essays last year at a number of schools, only to later learn that MCAT score of X or GPA of Y was required, i.e. my essays weren't even read.

So I now look at this as an exercise to write something legible, straightforward, and fast.
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THANK YOU!!! I've tried to take the majority of them seriously and write something worth a damn, but the best thing I could come up with was using a rubber mallet as a door stop, or making a button out of a penny in a desperate situation (which just happens to be a little less than legal).... anyway, I'm gonna talk about the communication on instead. That ought to be a little easier.

In reference to your question about the LOR, I spoke with the admissions advisor, Shawn Spellman, yesterday. He said that the only way they are receiving LORs is via electronic delivery. The best way to do so is to go to interfolio.com and create an account. You can use CUMedical as a code and get a discounted rate and a free online delivery to CU. It still costs $10 though. From there, you create a request form for your LOR and print it or save it. Then give it to the person writing the LOR. They can either send it electronically or mail it directly to Interfolio. You will be notified when Interfolio has received the letter. You can request they send it to CU from there. Kind of a pain, but ya do what ya gotta do. Hope that helps!!!
 
nontrdgsbuiucmd said:
I'd read the full secondary and couldn't see a specific reference to when LORs are required, last year they were not even requested until after the interview was confirmed. I just sent in the LORs recently just in case they are needed earlier this year.

Anyone get a clear read on this? thx

by the way - for the poster above regarding essays & having a tough time with this - I spent massive hours on essays last year at a number of schools, only to later learn that MCAT score of X or GPA of Y was required, i.e. my essays weren't even read.

So I now look at this as an exercise to write something legible, straightforward, and fast.
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CU definitely puts a lot of store in the essays that you submit. Just FYI.
 
can't disagree as I'm not in a position to do so.

In the feedback session, the primary emphases seemed to be on 1) numbers (gpa/mcat) and 2) interviews. I was surprised by the level to which the interviews seemed to be based on a very deep understanding of the healthcare system and our role in it as MDs. Sounds like an exciting challenge. I love to debate & feel comfortable doing so in this are.
 
I actually got a phone call last week to invite me to interview at CU, and I hadn't submitted my secondaries at that point! It does sound like for this first round they're inviting a lot of CU undergrad people and that it's based on numbers - my GPA isn't great, but my MCAT's pretty high.

In terms of the essays, I talked about my research and applying creativity to research and a school project. I think it's a pretty strong essay. Even if they didn't look at my essay to select me for the interview, I'm sure they'll review it when the admissions committee reviews my application.

Also, any feedback from anyone that interviewed at CU this week? My interview is on Friday, and I'd love a clue as to what I'm in for.
 
does the status page tell you when youre complete? or are you complete if they've received your secondary and payment.
 
neiborino said:
I actually got a phone call last week to invite me to interview at CU, and I hadn't submitted my secondaries at that point! It does sound like for this first round they're inviting a lot of CU undergrad people and that it's based on numbers - my GPA isn't great, but my MCAT's pretty high.

In terms of the essays, I talked about my research and applying creativity to research and a school project. I think it's a pretty strong essay. Even if they didn't look at my essay to select me for the interview, I'm sure they'll review it when the admissions committee reviews my application.

Also, any feedback from anyone that interviewed at CU this week? My interview is on Friday, and I'd love a clue as to what I'm in for.
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I interviewed Monday. I was in the same boat as you, they hadn't read my secondary essays when they invited me, but both of my interviewers had read my essays.
Everything happened very smoothly. There was a really great group of people interviewing with me, which I really appreciated. The only thing that was weird was that the interviews were conducted in study rooms with paper thin walls, and you could hear the interviews going on around you. Don't freak out about that tho, I found that it was easy to block out if I had good stuff to talk about.
:luck: to you
 
Dulcina said:
does the status page tell you when youre complete? or are you complete if they've received your secondary and payment.
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I think if it says they've received your essays, your payment, and your letters, your application is complete. It actually seems sort of low tech compared to the other school I applied to...but hey, it works.

Also, thanks for the good thoughts! 😀
 
hmm my LORs arent marked as being received, but theyve gotten my secondary and payment. are the LORs not tracked until after you get an interview invite, or did they just not get my LORs?
 
Does anyone know whether the University of Colorado School of Medicine likes or dislikes thank you letters after interviews. I've heard that some schools think it is inappropriate and others may add them to your file. Does anyone have any inside information?
 
I am not a CO resident, but I was born in Boulder and both of my parents attended University of Colorado - Boulder. Would sending them a letter telling them this help me at all, or will they notice it on my AMCAS? Will it even make a difference?
 
cetona said:
I am not a CO resident, but I was born in Boulder and both of my parents attended University of Colorado - Boulder. Would sending them a letter telling them this help me at all, or will they notice it on my AMCAS? Will it even make a difference?
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i don't think that it will really help. CU is a state school so they give preferential treatment to CO residents. I believe that the fact that your parents attended CU Boulder does not give you an advantage over other non-residents but it may be something that you can bring up if they ask you why you want to attend their school.
 
CUistheone said:
Does anyone know whether the University of Colorado School of Medicine likes or dislikes thank you letters after interviews. I've heard that some schools think it is inappropriate and others may add them to your file. Does anyone have any inside information?
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I found an archived post from a previous year, SDN writer said that, per Sean, any info submitted to the school post-interview went into the file & was not considered prior to the school making decisions.

The initial process is that the 2 interviewers, after completing their independant evaluations of the candidate, "present" the candidate to the admissions committee that morning (of the interview). Each interviewer has already scored the interviewee before this stage. Most interviewees are not notified of their acceptance until mid-March. Top 1/3 of waitlist traditionally is 100% accepted by Colorado, bottom 1/3 is not, middle 1/3 could go either way. This info I can confirm is correct.

I'd read on a previous year SDN post that the next step is that the candidates are re-reviewed within a few weeks, and a small number of acceptances are handed out, a handful per month. note Per MSAR, no acceptances are handed out until Oct 16. Not sure when exactly the committee meets, or if Sept interviewees are "decided upon" in late Sept and the letters are not sent until Oct 16th, or if ALL interviewees prior to early Oct are put into one group & then "decided upon" together for the small group of lucky accepted candidates? Quantitative "rank" is important in this process; interview score, mcat, gpa, instate versus OOS fit in here.
 
invite! pretty quick turnaround time!
 
Just got an interview invite to CU!!! It's my first interview invite and I am super excited. 😀
 
Grats YEP. There are a couple new entries on the interview feedback page that you may be interested in. 😉
 
Anybody know when the first round of acceptances might be going out at CU or if they have already had an adcom meeting to decide acceptances this month?
 
dhiggs said:
Anybody know when the first round of acceptances might be going out at CU or if they have already had an adcom meeting to decide acceptances this month?
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What they told us is they meet right after the interviews to discuss the applicants. There is a post in this thread from a little while ago that describes the process well.
I do know that they are going through a change in leadership, and have a pretty small admissions department (3 people), so it might take a while.
I am anxiously awaiting a decision, it is tough to be patient. Anyone who gets a decision should definitely post about it here.
 
They also mentioned that notification would come via email.
 
BuffGold said:
What they told us is they meet right after the interviews to discuss the applicants.
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That is what I was told too. However, Sean also said that once a month they would meet to decide who to give acceptances to from all the interviewed applicants. And they said that would be happening "around the 15th of October" for all the applicants that had already interviewed in Sept/Oct.
 
Hopefully soon then!
The bummer is that if there is no acceptance during the first round, it seems just as likely to hear at the end of March as during the next meeting. 5~6 Months! F-Bomb!
 
I'm in!!!!!
Got an email at 1:43 from Sean Spellman.
OMG
 
Congrats! Do you mind telling us when you interviewed?
 
Does this school still take highest sub section score from multiple MCATs? Does any one know? I will make my decision to submit the secondary based on that.
Thanks!
 
Nope, they consider the most recent score the most highly. Not a lot of schools take the highest section scores from recent MCAT exams; I'm thinking George Washington, MCW (Wisconsin), a couple others that I can't recall now.

Any other acceptees so far or do all need to wait for the 11/15 (or so) admissions committee decisions? I foresee a really long winter/spring waiting on the decisions.. good luck, all!
 
could people who have already interviewed/been accepted please post on the interview feedback page?? it would be very helpful.

also, if anyone has any suggestions about how to get any meaningful information about the school from the website and/or other places, i would love to know. or if you could post some unique qualities/features/etc about the school here. i'm having a really hard time finding out about the school from the website

thanks! and good luck to everyone!
 
jhl36 said:
could people who have already interviewed/been accepted please post on the interview feedback page?? it would be very helpful.

also, if anyone has any suggestions about how to get any meaningful information about the school from the website and/or other places, i would love to know. or if you could post some unique qualities/features/etc about the school here. i'm having a really hard time finding out about the school from the website

thanks! and good luck to everyone!
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yeah, their website is a bummer, for sure. You are being a little vague tho, is there something specific you are wondering?
Do you have an MSAR? That is a pretty solid reference.
 
BuffGold,

Congratulations on your UCHSC acceptance! I am taking the MCAT next April, and I was wondering if I can get some advice from you. I really want to get in UCHSC, and any tips about improving my app will be greatly appreciated. I am a senior with a 4.0 from a four year college in Colorado. By the time I apply, I will have 1+year volunteer experience in the ER, one semester research - no publications, own a small business, standard academic awards, honor societies memberships, etc.
My primary concern is that the school seems to be research oriented, and I only have minor experience with it, so this may be a problem. Also, do you have any tips about MCAT prep, interview, personal statement, and just anything would help. Thanks, and again congrads 👍
 
can't speak with the same qualifications as an accepted person (yet, hopefully) but one suggestion would be to call Sean Spellman (admissions office) to ask when the "informational" session is, I believe there's one per year conducted by the admissions director. Definitely go to this. I'd reference it when applying, also.

The school particularly values (per the admissions office in an in-person group feedback session) large amounts of clinical volunteer experience -- think HUNDREDS of hours. Their ideal candidate would have worked in a clinical role for an extended period -- possibly a few years. An MS1 during the interview "campus tour" said he felt that it was crucial to offer something unusual - in his case an interesting medical history - that set him apart as a candidate. best of luck!
 
docbrill said:
BuffGold,

Congratulations on your UCHSC acceptance! I am taking the MCAT next April, and I was wondering if I can get some advice from you. I really want to get in UCHSC, and any tips about improving my app will be greatly appreciated. I am a senior with a 4.0 from a four year college in Colorado. By the time I apply, I will have 1+year volunteer experience in the ER, one semester research - no publications, own a small business, standard academic awards, honor societies memberships, etc.
My primary concern is that the school seems to be research oriented, and I only have minor experience with it, so this may be a problem. Also, do you have any tips about MCAT prep, interview, personal statement, and just anything would help. Thanks, and again congrads 👍
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First, thanks for the 'grats, I appreciate it.
Secondly:
I am by no means an authority on admissions because I was fortunate enough to earn an acceptance. It seems like you have been doing the right things, but are you going to get in? I have no idea, and it depends on a lot of things.
I will offer one piece of advice that I feel was instrumental to my success: be sincere. It is overwhelmingly apparent that there are many different routes to becoming a doctor. My app highlighted my research and academic success, and it worked for me. A close friend of mine is an MSI with less research experience, but had a lot of time volunteering with community development organizations abroad. What we both have in common is how we approached the activities that make us stand out: with the attitude that what we are doing will make us better physicians in the future.
These type of questions -- the "what should I do to get in to medical school" type questions -- drive me crazy because they miss the point. You should never pursue an activity for the purpose of getting in to medical school. Instead, pursue it because it excites you, and you believe that it will prepare you to become a capable and caring physician. If you approach your endeavors with this frame of mind, it will be clear to admissions committees, and it won't matter if you don't have years worth of research under your belt.
Best of luck for the class of 2014
 
i sent in my secondary weeks ago... but when i go to check my status, it won't let me log in. it says my amcas id is unknown to the server. help!? 😕
 
Just logged in a minute ago w/o problems, are you using the password sent by Sean Spellman, mine was sent w/e-mail titled : Request for Supplemental Application? Tricky password - I believe it's first three letters of first name (caps on first letter only) then last 5 digits of AMCAS ID.
 
Any word on when these might come out? Or anybody know how many acceptances have already been handed out? It is frustrating that there isn't much about Colorado on these boards and the school admissions seems to be a big void of communication.
 
Kona07 said:
Any word on when these might come out? Or anybody know how many acceptances have already been handed out? It is frustrating that there isn't much about Colorado on these boards and the school admissions seems to be a big void of communication.
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From CU website:

Does University of Colorado Denver, School of Medicine have rolling admissions?
Yes. Normally 25 offers are made initially after October 15th, and a comparable number in November, December and January. Our process is completed early March, and by the end of March all candidates who have been interviewed will receive notification as to whether they are accepted, on the alternate list (1, 2 or 3) or not accepted.

I have not heard of any November acceptances but in talking to Sean, he said about 20 acceptances went out in October and a comparable number will go out in mid-November. Hope this helps
 
Kona07 said:
Any word on when these might come out? Or anybody know how many acceptances have already been handed out? It is frustrating that there isn't much about Colorado on these boards and the school admissions seems to be a big void of communication.
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Agreed. Someone needs to tell Anne Bekoff about SDN! Or maybe she knows and is just worried about job security.

Hopefully they come through soon, I have been checking the acceptance thread with the sole purpose of seeing new CU acceptances.

Luck and patience to all waiting for a decision!
 
Kona07 said:
Any word on when these might come out? Or anybody know how many acceptances have already been handed out? It is frustrating that there isn't much about Colorado on these boards and the school admissions seems to be a big void of communication.
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When I interviewed at the end of October, Sean said that November acceptances will be sent out around Thanksgiving.
 
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