2009-2010 University of Alabama Application Thread

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MCAT: 31
GPA: 3.05
Legacy of UASoM
In-State
On track to graduate with honors Mechanical Engineering with minors in biomed and pre-medicine in 4 years...

No interview as yet. Secondary was completed on 10-28-09...somewhat disappointing. Somewhat lacking in extra-curriculars but really expected an interview.
 
Hobodog said:
MCAT: 31
GPA: 3.05
Legacy of UASoM
In-State
On track to graduate with honors Mechanical Engineering with minors in biomed and pre-medicine in 4 years...

No interview as yet. Secondary was completed on 10-28-09...somewhat disappointing. Somewhat lacking in extra-curriculars but really expected an interview.
Click to expand...

I am right there with you on the disappointment. But i have to ask why you thought you were going to get an interview with such a low GPA and average MCAT?

To anyone else: To give some of us still waiting on an interview invite some hope. Anyone have an educated guess as to how many more interview invites will be sent out and usually when during the week they are sent out?
 
BK611 said:
I am right there with you on the disappointment. But i have to ask why you thought you were going to get an interview with such a low GPA and average MCAT?

To anyone else: To give some of us still waiting on an interview invite some hope. Anyone have an educated guess as to how many more interview invites will be sent out and usually when during the week they are sent out?
Click to expand...

I would like to think some consideration would be given to taking a hard major at a prestigious school not known for grade inflation. Not to mention graduating in 4 years with 160+ hours...

The MCAT is my fault...I'll study for more than the week before next time. I screwed up the biology portion and just did poorly on the verbal. (I aced the SAT verbal (790) and thought that meant I could ignore MCAT verbal in my prep)

Also it was a 31T...not that the writing section matters from what I am told.

I've already got a spot lined up for medical physics grad school though so backups locked and loaded and don't have to hit this terrible job market.
 
Hobodog said:
I would like to think some consideration would be given to taking a hard major at a prestigious school not known for grade inflation. Not to mention graduating in 4 years with 160+ hours...

The MCAT is my fault...I'll study for more than the week before next time. I screwed up the biology portion and just did poorly on the verbal. (I aced the SAT verbal (790) and thought that meant I could ignore MCAT verbal in my prep)

Also it was a 31T...not that the writing section matters from what I am told.

I've already got a spot lined up for medical physics grad school though so backups locked and loaded and don't have to hit this terrible job market.
Click to expand...

My stats are very similar to yours. I also have the same problem of a lower GPA because I went to a harder institution. Though, from what I hear the adcom doesn't really care what school you go to. I hope that isn't true.

edit: I also haven't been offered an interview yet.
 
johnnybgood1234 said:
My stats are very similar to yours. I also have the same problem of a lower GPA because I went to a harder institution. Though, from what I hear the adcom doesn't really care what school you go to. I hope that isn't true.

edit: I also haven't been offered an interview yet.
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Ya, I've heard that too. Sometimes, I think that they don't put enough emphasis on the level of difficulty of the school, and more on the actual GPA.
 
I've heard from a couple of sources that if you are IS and have an MCAT of 30+, you are guaranteed an interview. Does anyone know if this is true?
 
The ADCOM does not blindly offer interviews...

Also, your GPA is a completely OBJECTIVE part of your application for UASOM.. therefore, having a 3.1 at a hard institution sits no better than a 3.1 at an easy undergrad. Is that fair? Maybe not but there is very little that is fair in the world of medical school admissions.
 
docwise said:
No, but a little birdie told me that I should hear something this week.
Click to expand...

Well a few more acceptances for the SDN UASOM crew would be just fine by me! If there are no acceptances this week, that bird needs to be shot.
 
I spoke with the Admissions office a few days ago and was told that the ADCOM had been on a pretty substantial break during the holiday and were just now getting back to work.
As a late applicant (Sept.), she said I probably wouldn't hear from them till Feb. and not to be overly concerned at this point.
On the subject of GPA's, I've got a question...
I'm a non-trad student with a double major degree from UA in Int'l Business/Spanish and a Master's Degree in Market Analysis.
undergrad GPA: 3.2, grad GPA: 3.4
I started pre-med classes last Jan(2009), took all requirements except for Bio2, and GenChem2 last year and made an A+ in each of them. I took MCAT last August and made a 29R (which I wasn't overly ashamed of since I had only 1/2 the pre-requisites at that point).
Do you think the ADCOM will place more emphasis on my 4.0 science GPA, or will they automatically penalize me for my poor undergrad performance?
 
wood055 said:
I spoke with the Admissions office a few days ago and was told that the ADCOM had been on a pretty substantial break during the holiday and were just now getting back to work.
As a late applicant (Sept.), she said I probably wouldn't hear from them till Feb. and not to be overly concerned at this point.
On the subject of GPA's, I've got a question...
I'm a non-trad student with a double major degree from UA in Int'l Business/Spanish and a Master's Degree in Market Analysis.
undergrad GPA: 3.2, grad GPA: 3.4
I started pre-med classes last Jan(2009), took all requirements except for Bio2, and GenChem2 last year and made an A+ in each of them. I took MCAT last August and made a 29R (which I wasn't overly ashamed of since I had only 1/2 the pre-requisites at that point).
Do you think the ADCOM will place more emphasis on my 4.0 science GPA, or will they automatically penalize me for my poor undergrad performance?
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I think that your recent work will reflect well upon you but the lower UG GPA won't just go away... And it isn't a penalization for your UGGPA. I think the thing you really have to do, if you get an interview, is to sell them on why you chose to change careers and enter medicine. If you can convince 3 people of that in about 2 hours then you will be sitting well.
 
wood055 said:
I spoke with the Admissions office a few days ago and was told that the ADCOM had been on a pretty substantial break during the holiday and were just now getting back to work.
As a late applicant (Sept.), she said I probably wouldn't hear from them till Feb. and not to be overly concerned at this point.
On the subject of GPA's, I've got a question...
I'm a non-trad student with a double major degree from UA in Int'l Business/Spanish and a Master's Degree in Market Analysis.
undergrad GPA: 3.2, grad GPA: 3.4
I started pre-med classes last Jan(2009), took all requirements except for Bio2, and GenChem2 last year and made an A+ in each of them. I took MCAT last August and made a 29R (which I wasn't overly ashamed of since I had only 1/2 the pre-requisites at that point).
Do you think the ADCOM will place more emphasis on my 4.0 science GPA, or will they automatically penalize me for my poor undergrad performance?
Click to expand...

I am almost IDENTICAL to you in your stats, but I applied in July and got an interview...so I would feel good about your interview chances.
 
It's been so long since I heard from this school. I almost forgot about it.
Wonder if my application was just thrown out the window.
 
2324tigers said:
I am almost IDENTICAL to you in your stats, but I applied in July and got an interview...so I would feel good about your interview chances.
Click to expand...

what are your stats and when did you interview? are you in-state or OOS?
thanks for the encouragement!
 
I saw some new interviewers yesterday so there is a good chance that admissions met after the interviews and some letters may be going out today.
 
DOCnAbox said:
I saw some new interviewers yesterday so there is a good chance that admissions met after the interviews and some letters may be going out today.
Click to expand...

Likely true. After having assumed for several weeks that I had received the dreaded silent rejection from UAB, they offered me an interview this morning. Apparently they are back from break.
 
r0ckaction said:
Likely true. After having assumed for several weeks that I had received the dreaded silent rejection from UAB, they offered me an interview this morning. Apparently they are back from break.
Click to expand...

Congrats on your interview!
 
r0ckaction said:
Likely true. After having assumed for several weeks that I had received the dreaded silent rejection from UAB, they offered me an interview this morning. Apparently they are back from break.
Click to expand...

When did you finish your secondary, if you don't mind?
 
johnnybgood1234 said:
When did you finish your secondary, if you don't mind?
Click to expand...

Thanks YH5

johnnybgood:
here are the dates.
Date Fee was Received: 08/20/2009 Date Picture was Received: 08/20/2009 Committee Evaluation Letter: 07/07/2009

I'm an out of stater. We'll see if they extend me some love.
 
They just love to keep people waiting don't they... Oh well, another Friday approaches, which means another opportunity.

This weekend will mark 3 months to the day since my interview...
 
tidefan said:
They just love to keep people waiting don't they... Oh well, another Friday approaches, which means another opportunity.

This weekend will mark 3 months to the day since my interview...
Click to expand...

Ha me too!. Can't believe it has been 3 months. The waiting wouldn't be so bad if I had an acceptance somewhere else or at least an interview.
 
DOCnAbox said:
Ha me too!. Can't believe it has been 3 months. The waiting wouldn't be so bad if I had an acceptance somewhere else or at least an interview.
Click to expand...

Me three. Actually, I'm beyond three months now.

😴
 
Does anybody know if they have even sent out acceptances this month? I haven't heard of anybody getting in this month.
 
Ugh I think they'll make us wait until March to find out! This is so agonizing.
 
will they have interviews every week next month (i.e. is there a chance i could get an invite today)?
 
rhino rirus said:
Me too man...I think I'd rather go to the Caribbean than take the stupid mcat again

+pity+
Click to expand...

Ha I like how even though we work our ass off in college, the bio majors like my self will have to settle way below our capabilities if we are unsuccessful in getting in schools.

Medical School ---- sub par mcat, not enough EC---> DO school ----------------------- no lor from another DO----> Caribbean school ------- not rich------------------> research ---- don't like lab work ----> biology teacher ----------------------don't like teaching----> Janitor
👍
 
DOCnAbox said:
Ha I like how even though we work our ass off in college, the bio majors like my self will have to settle way below our capabilities if we are unsuccessful in getting in schools.

Medical School ---- sub par mcat, not enough EC---> DO school ----------------------- no lor from another DO----> Caribbean school ------- not rich------------------> research ---- don't like lab work ----> biology teacher ----------------------don't like teaching----> Janitor
👍
Click to expand...


I hear Janitors at UAB get some great benefits!!!
 
BK611 said:
I hear Janitors at UAB get some great benefits!!!
Click to expand...

Probably true, and they just sit around eating and drinking coffee... I still love them all though they brighten up my mornings!
 
DOCnAbox said:
Ha I like how even though we work our ass off in college, the bio majors like my self will have to settle way below our capabilities if we are unsuccessful in getting in schools.

Medical School ---- sub par mcat, not enough EC---> DO school ----------------------- no lor from another DO----> Caribbean school ------- not rich------------------> research ---- don't like lab work ----> biology teacher ----------------------don't like teaching----> Janitor
👍
Click to expand...

There's always nursing school...I think they have more slots than med school so it is a bit less competitive. :xf:
 
DOCnAbox said:
Ha, Im prob the only one who knows that u are joking!
Click to expand...

Well, nursing school isn't exactly easy to get into either, but yeah I'm sort of kidding.

But you are right about the biology degree...talk about worthless. If I don't get in this year I'm going to have to go to grad school or something.
 
rhino rirus said:
Well, nursing school isn't exactly easy to get into either, but yeah I'm sort of kidding.

But you are right about the biology degree...talk about worthless. If I don't get in this year I'm going to have to go to grad school or something.
Click to expand...

You could also do research. It's not too bad of a gig and it looks pretty good on the resume I'm told. I think I'll prob. do another year of research if I don't get in. I haven't really thought of what to do If I'm accepted to a DO school. I only sent the secondary into one but If I do get accepted I will prob just hold out for the MD this year bc I think you have to accept within 30 days and who knows how long it will take to hear back from them.
 
DOCnAbox said:
You could also do research. It's not too bad of a gig and it looks pretty good on the resume I'm told. I think I'll prob. do another year of research if I don't get in. I haven't really thought of what to do If I'm accepted to a DO school. I only sent the secondary into one but If I do get accepted I will prob just hold out for the MD this year bc I think you have to accept within 30 days and who knows how long it will take to hear back from them.
Click to expand...

If you don't get in this year, will you apply again this year? I'm playing with the idea of waiting a year and then reapplying.... decisions... decisions...
 
Has there been any word of interviews for the past few weeks, or is everything winding down?

I'm a reapplicant, any ideas as to whether we are moved down in priority relative to first-time applicants?
 
Ditto1114 said:
If you don't get in this year, will you apply again this year? I'm playing with the idea of waiting a year and then reapplying.... decisions... decisions...
Click to expand...

Um....If I don't get in to any schools.... I will probably re-apply as soon as we are able to. I will also look for more research jobs and try to volunteer some more. I can't really get more shadowing hours bc I work full time. I will not retake the MCAT though. I took it three times and even though I killed a few practice tests, I have come to realize that I will always do poorly on verbal on the real deal. I'm gonna try not to even think about re-applying until May though.

BTW. From looking at previous acceptances, I think some might go out soon.
 

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DOCnAbox said:
Um....If I don't get in to any schools.... I will probably re-apply as soon as we are able to. I will also look for more research jobs and try to volunteer some more. I can't really get more shadowing hours bc I work full time. I will not retake the MCAT though. I took it three times and even though I killed a few practice tests, I have come to realize that I will always do poorly on verbal on the real deal. I'm gonna try not to even think about re-applying until May though.

BTW. From looking at previous acceptances, I think some might go out soon.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the acceptance dates compilation. Looks like we might hear something soon.

If I don't get in, I'm going retake the MCAT in June, then sign up for some UAB graduate science courses and hopefully find some volunteer, research, and shadowing work.

If I GET IN THOUGH....going to either Costa Rica or Thailand for a few months before school starts :xf:
 
OMG! I just got an interview invite!!!!! I didn't think that was going to happen!!!!!!

:soexcited:

Anyone else going to be interviewing on Feb 11th?
 
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