2009-2010 University of Alabama Application Thread

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Updated list:
Accepted:
soexcited87 (A: 4/8, 1st Tier)
DrHKitty's Other Friend (A: 4/9ish, 1st Tier)
Alethea (A: 4/16, 1st Tier)
Crimsonred's Friend (A: 4/9ish, 1st Tier)
doctor shmoctor (A: 4/19, 1st Tier)
ercxi (A: 4/23, 1st Tier)
crimsonred (A: 4/23, 1st Tier)
2324tigers (A: 4/23, 1st tier)
ddroukas (A: 4/30, 1st Tier)
wOnder (A: 5/3, 1st Tier)
20paige10's friend (A: 5/3, 1st Tier)
Bamamed19's friend (A: 5/5 1st tier)
tidefan (A: 5/13 2nd tier)
dr zaius (A: 5/18 2nd tier) - rejected acceptance
Neuro 1987 (A 5/18 2nd tier) - may defer
20Paige10 (A 5/18 2nd tier)
tnelly2 (A: 5/18/ 2nd tier)
AUnontrad (A: 5/21 2nd tier)
auburnO5 (A: 5/21 2nd tier)
obrienwspt (A: 5/25 2nd tier)
georgd1 (A: 5/27/ 2nd tier)
fireproof (A: 5/27 2nd tier)

Still waiting:

Middle Third
Ball00nHands

Lower Third
DrHKitty
thejetplane
ERS
BamaMed19
Tully Mars
Bamafan87
Ditto1114
piper19
bamapremeds
BrownSpice360
 
Looks like we will be hitting third soon if they haven't already. Hopefully all of us are towards the top of the list!
 
For those that have been accepted I encourage you to join our Facebook group. We just got linked on our class website. There are answers to a lot of questions including the matriculation checklist.

To those of you still waiting, the best of luck. I have been there so I know what you are going through but be persistent and don't give up.
 
Just got an email from AMCAS saying that a background check release has been requested by a participating school. Anybody else get this? UAB is the only school that I'm still in the running for so it has to be them. Does anyone know if this could be a good sign?
 
Tully Mars said:
Just got an email from AMCAS saying that a background check release has been requested by a participating school. Anybody else get this? UAB is the only school that I'm still in the running for so it has to be them. Does anyone know if this could be a good sign?
Click to expand...

I didn't get it..so I would say it's a good sign!

That's awesome if they are starting to hit the third tier
 
thejetplane said:
I didn't get it..so I would say it's a good sign!

That's awesome if they are starting to hit the third tier
Click to expand...

yeah...still havent heard anything. nothing has changed on my secondary page and the info for current applicants page still says middle tier (although it may take them a while to update that). if this means that they're hitting the 3rd tier this week then i'd say its a good sign for everybody still waiting. the suspense is killing me....
 
Tully Mars said:
yeah...still havent heard anything. nothing has changed on my secondary page and the info for current applicants page still says middle tier (although it may take them a while to update that). if this means that they're hitting the 3rd tier this week then i'd say its a good sign for everybody still waiting. the suspense is killing me....
Click to expand...

paging Ball00nhands...are you still waiting?
 
I found this info regarding background checks on UAB's "Guidelines for Admissions" page:

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS (CBCs)
The Association of American Medical Schools (AAMC) recommends that all U.S. medical schools obtain a national background check on applicants at the time of their initial, conditional acceptance to medical school.
Our school participates in the AMCAS facilitated national background check service through which Certiphi Screening, Inc. (a Vertical Screen® Company) will procure a national background report on:
o Early decision program applicants at the point of acceptance and o All other applicants at the point of acceptance after January 1st.
o In addition, beginning in May of each year, a national background report will be procured for a subset of applicants who are on a participating school's alternate list; medical schools will not receive such reports until the point of acceptance.

Applicants should read further information is available at: http://www.aamc.org/students/amcas/faq/background.htm
Note: CBCs will not be initiated unless an applicant is accepted
The CBCs will be initiated by Certiphi Screening



Does it seem to anyone else like the the thing about the subset beginning in May contradicts the note at the bottom stating that "CBCs will not be initiated unless an applicant is accepted"? I'm on the verge of calling them to just flat out ask what's going on.
 
Tully Mars said:
I found this info regarding background checks on UAB's "Guidelines for Admissions" page:

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS (CBCs)
The Association of American Medical Schools (AAMC) recommends that all U.S. medical schools obtain a national background check on applicants at the time of their initial, conditional acceptance to medical school.
Our school participates in the AMCAS facilitated national background check service through which Certiphi Screening, Inc. (a Vertical Screen® Company) will procure a national background report on:
o Early decision program applicants at the point of acceptance and o All other applicants at the point of acceptance after January 1st.
o In addition, beginning in May of each year, a national background report will be procured for a subset of applicants who are on a participating school's alternate list; medical schools will not receive such reports until the point of acceptance.

Applicants should read further information is available at: http://www.aamc.org/students/amcas/faq/background.htm
Note: CBCs will not be initiated unless an applicant is accepted
The CBCs will be initiated by Certiphi Screening



Does it seem to anyone else like the the thing about the subset beginning in May contradicts the note at the bottom stating that "CBCs will not be initiated unless an applicant is accepted"? I'm on the verge of calling them to just flat out ask what's going on.
Click to expand...

Maybe the background "report" in May is different from the background check. The report could be some kind of statistical analysis of the applicant/waitlist pool, while the "check" is the actual background check of one's criminal background.

I wouldn't read to much into this- if I had received that letter, I DEFINITELY would not be studying for the MCAT right now.
 
thejetplane said:
I wouldn't read to much into this- if I had received that letter, I DEFINITELY would not be studying for the MCAT right now.
Click to expand...

That's funny because that's exactly what I'm doing. I pray to God I don't have to retake it. I did good on it the first time, but I took it in 2007 so it won't count for next year. I'm scheduled to take it June 17th, so hopefully I'll hear something soon, because this Gen Chem and Physics isn't going down too well.

If I was the only one who got the letter I'd be feeling pretty good, but so far 3 other people have gotten it. If you go by our fuzzy math (3 non-SDNers for every 1 on this board), that would mean 15-16 people got the letter. I'd be surprised if they had that many slots open up all of the sudden. And the fact that they sent the CBC releases out before sending out acceptances has me even more confused. I know I'm kind of freaking out but I can't help it.
 
BrownSpice630 said:
Please do. I want to know too but im at work.
Click to expand...

I'm thinking about it. The only reason I hesitate is because it says all over their Admissions Guidelines and the Secondary page not to call and ask about your status. I don't want to tick anybody off if I'm close. If I decide to call, I'll definitely post what I'm told.
 
Well it does say they will not initiate CBC unless you are accepted...so if you don't get in..I'm no lawyer, but that seems like some sort of breach of contract
 
thejetplane said:
Well it does say they will not initiate CBC unless you are accepted...so if you don't get in..I'm no lawyer, but that seems like some sort of breach of contract
Click to expand...

i agree. are you waitlisted at South? just curious.
 
thejetplane said:
Yes.
Click to expand...

ok. i was just wondering. i just thought it was strange that everybody else that got the letter was waitlisted at south also, especially because south typically sends CBC releases out before acceptances while UAB does not.

hopefully with all the movement it looks like is going to happen, we'll both get in somewhere. good luck to you.
 
Tully Mars said:
I'm thinking about it. The only reason I hesitate is because it says all over their Admissions Guidelines and the Secondary page not to call and ask about your status. I don't want to tick anybody off if I'm close. If I decide to call, I'll definitely post what I'm told.
Click to expand...

Oh that's cool. Hopefully we are really close to getting accepted. Typically cbc's go along with acceptance bc they wouldn't waste their time otherwise. Atleast only 3 ppl from sdn got it.
 
I have a feeling that the background report is something different. In the email, they call it criminal background check. I'm praying like crazy tht it's the latter one.
 
BrownSpice630 said:
I have a feeling that the background report is something different. In the email, they call it criminal background check. I'm praying like crazy tht it's the latter one.
Click to expand...

i just called and asked the secretary about this. she said that they were having to put in the CBC release requests in advance knowing that there wouldn't be a lot of time to complete everything because people could be accepted up until the beginning of school. i asked her if everybody left on the alternate list got one and her response was "pretty much." For those of you who didn't get one, I wouldn't take this as meaning that you didn't get in, as they could always request more CBC's when they get closer to you on the list. I also think that she would err on the side of caution in terms of telling people whether or not they got in, meaning that when she told me "pretty much" everybody got one, it might mean that she just didnt want me to be overconfident.

For now, all we can know is that if you got a CBC release request, you are on the top part of the lower third. How large that top part is we really don't know. If everybody on the lower third could post whether or not they got the email, it would probably give us a better indication as to where each of us stand. If you didn't get the email, they can always request more, so I wouldn't give up hope by any means, but if we can start a list of who got it and who didn't it would help us all get a better idea.
 
Updated list:
Accepted:
soexcited87 (A: 4/8, 1st Tier)
DrHKitty's Other Friend (A: 4/9ish, 1st Tier)
Alethea (A: 4/16, 1st Tier)
Crimsonred's Friend (A: 4/9ish, 1st Tier)
doctor shmoctor (A: 4/19, 1st Tier)
ercxi (A: 4/23, 1st Tier)
crimsonred (A: 4/23, 1st Tier)
2324tigers (A: 4/23, 1st tier)
ddroukas (A: 4/30, 1st Tier)
wOnder (A: 5/3, 1st Tier)
20paige10's friend (A: 5/3, 1st Tier)
Bamamed19's friend (A: 5/5 1st tier)
tidefan (A: 5/13 2nd tier)
dr zaius (A: 5/18 2nd tier) - rejected acceptance
Neuro 1987 (A 5/18 2nd tier) - may defer
20Paige10 (A 5/18 2nd tier)
tnelly2 (A: 5/18/ 2nd tier)
AUnontrad (A: 5/21 2nd tier)
auburnO5 (A: 5/21 2nd tier)
obrienwspt (A: 5/25 2nd tier)
georgd1 (A: 5/27/ 2nd tier)
fireproof (A: 5/27 2nd tier)

Still waiting:

Middle Third
Ball00nHands

Lower Third
BrownSpice360 (CBC email 6/1)
obrienwspt's friend (CBC email 6/1)
Tully Mars (CBC email 6/1)
bamapremeds (CBC email 6/1)
DrHKitty
ERS
BamaMed19
Bamafan87
Ditto1114
piper19
thejetplane (no CBC email)
 
Tully Mars said:
i just called and asked the secretary about this. she said that they were having to put in the CBC release requests in advance knowing that there wouldn't be a lot of time to complete everything because people could be accepted up until the beginning of school. i asked her if everybody left on the alternate list got one and her response was "pretty much." For those of you who didn't get one, I wouldn't take this as meaning that you didn't get in, as they could always request more CBC's when they get closer to you on the list. I also think that she would err on the side of caution in terms of telling people whether or not they got in, meaning that when she told me "pretty much" everybody got one, it might mean that she just didnt want me to be overconfident.

For now, all we can know is that if you got a CBC release request, you are on the top part of the lower third. How large that top part is we really don't know. If everybody on the lower third could post whether or not they got the email, it would probably give us a better indication as to where each of us stand. If you didn't get the email, they can always request more, so I wouldn't give up hope by any means, but if we can start a list of who got it and who didn't it would help us all get a better idea.
Click to expand...

I got the email
 
Updated list:

Accepted:
soexcited87 (A: 4/8, 1st Tier)
DrHKitty's Other Friend (A: 4/9ish, 1st Tier)
Alethea (A: 4/16, 1st Tier)
Crimsonred's Friend (A: 4/9ish, 1st Tier)
doctor shmoctor (A: 4/19, 1st Tier)
ercxi (A: 4/23, 1st Tier)
crimsonred (A: 4/23, 1st Tier)
2324tigers (A: 4/23, 1st tier)
ddroukas (A: 4/30, 1st Tier)
wOnder (A: 5/3, 1st Tier)
20paige10's friend (A: 5/3, 1st Tier)
Bamamed19's friend (A: 5/5 1st tier)
tidefan (A: 5/13 2nd tier)
dr zaius (A: 5/18 2nd tier) - rejected acceptance
Neuro 1987 (A 5/18 2nd tier) - may defer
20Paige10 (A 5/18 2nd tier)
tnelly2 (A: 5/18/ 2nd tier)
AUnontrad (A: 5/21 2nd tier)
auburnO5 (A: 5/21 2nd tier)
obrienwspt (A: 5/25 2nd tier)
georgd1 (A: 5/27/ 2nd tier)
fireproof (A: 5/27 2nd tier)

Still waiting:

Middle Third
Ball00nHands

Lower Third
BrownSpice360 (CBC email 6/1)
obrienwspt's friend (CBC email 6/1)
Tully Mars (CBC email 6/1)
bamapremeds (CBC email 6/1)
ERS (CBC email 6/1)
BamaMed19
Bamafan87
piper19
thejetplane (no CBC email)
DrHKitty (no CBC email)
Ditto1114 (no CBC email)
 
ERS said:
Great - congratulations!! - at least the list is still moving a little.

Were you also either waitlisted or accepted at South also?
Click to expand...

I was accepted at South as well. I will be notifying them of my decision to go to UAB tomorrow. Good luck to everyone still waiting!!!!!
 
Ball00nHands - have you heard anything yet from UAB???? You seem the be the last of the SDN 2nd tier -
 
Hey just to make sure this list is accurate, I withdrew my acceptance shortly after getting it.
 
Updated list:

Accepted:
soexcited87 (A: 4/8, 1st Tier)
DrHKitty's Other Friend (A: 4/9ish, 1st Tier)
Alethea (A: 4/16, 1st Tier)
Crimsonred's Friend (A: 4/9ish, 1st Tier)
doctor shmoctor (A: 4/19, 1st Tier)
ercxi (A: 4/23, 1st Tier)
crimsonred (A: 4/23, 1st Tier)
2324tigers (A: 4/23, 1st tier)
ddroukas (A: 4/30, 1st Tier)
wOnder (A: 5/3, 1st Tier)
20paige10's friend (A: 5/3, 1st Tier)
Bamamed19's friend (A: 5/5 1st tier)
tidefan (A: 5/13 2nd tier) - withdrew acceptance
dr zaius (A: 5/18 2nd tier) - withdrew acceptance
Neuro 1987 (A 5/18 2nd tier) - may defer
20Paige10 (A 5/18 2nd tier)
tnelly2 (A: 5/18/ 2nd tier)
AUnontrad (A: 5/21 2nd tier)
auburnO5 (A: 5/21 2nd tier)
obrienwspt (A: 5/25 2nd tier)
georgd1 (A: 5/27/ 2nd tier)
fireproof (A: 5/27 2nd tier)

Still waiting:

Middle Third
Ball00nHands

Lower Third
BrownSpice360 (CBC email 6/1)
obrienwspt's friend (CBC email 6/1)
Tully Mars (CBC email 6/1)
bamapremeds (CBC email 6/1)
ERS (CBC email 6/1)
BamaMed19
Bamafan87
piper19
thejetplane (no CBC email)
DrHKitty (no CBC email)
Ditto1114 (no CBC email)
 
How many people do you think were sent the background check email. I'm guessing like 10 or less at a time.
 
BrownSpice630 said:
How many people do you think were sent the background check email. I'm guessing like 10 or less at a time.
Click to expand...

If there are 5 on SDN, I would guess there are more than 10 total. Probably about half of the 3rd tier I would say.
 
BrownSpice630 said:
So i guess maybe 15 to 20 ish?
Click to expand...

Probably something like that, depending on whether or not the people who haven't responded got the email. I would guess that they didn't, otherwise they would probably be checking his forum and would have responded, but you never know. Hopefully the secretary that I talked to was exaggerating a little when she said pretty much everybody got one.
 
Tully Mars said:
Probably something like that, depending on whether or not the people who haven't responded got the email. I would guess that they didn't, otherwise they would probably be checking his forum and would have responded, but you never know. Hopefully the secretary that I talked to was exaggerating a little when she said pretty much everybody got one.
Click to expand...

I'm thinking that your right that only people at the top of the third tier got one. But when I called today the secretary said a large portion got it. But we don't know if that's including some from the second tier. I hope she was exaggerating too.
 
it probably does include some of the 2nd tier... my friend who go in off the 2nd tier didnt get the cbc email until after he was accepted by UAB
 
bamapremeds said:
it probably does include some of the 2nd tier... my friend who go in off the 2nd tier didnt get the cbc email until after he was accepted by UAB
Click to expand...

That's why I think she was exaggerating. She can technically say that pretty much the entire wait list got the email and that's true, although many of those who got the email got it right after they were accepted. I think that probably somewhere between a third and a half of the third tier got the email though, but that's just my estimate. Regardless, I think it's a good sign. It at least tells us that they think there's a chance we'll get in. If they send out some more CBC emails in the next couple of weeks, I think we can assume that we will probably get in.
 
Tully Mars said:
That's why I think she was exaggerating. She can technically say that pretty much the entire wait list got the email and that's true, although many of those who got the email got it right after they were accepted. I think that probably somewhere between a third and a half of the third tier got the email though, but that's just my estimate. Regardless, I think it's a good sign. It at least tells us that they think there's a chance we'll get in. If they send out some more CBC emails in the next couple of weeks, I think we can assume that we will probably get in.
Click to expand...

I agree bc she said a large portion of the alternate list has been sent the background check email. So that may mean everyone who has been accepted so far from the waiting list.
 
I'm having a hard time deciding if I want to reapply this year. I want to reapply that's for sure, but I am leaning towards taking a year off to strengthen my application. Any thoughts?
 
Ditto1114 said:
I'm having a hard time deciding if I want to reapply this year. I want to reapply that's for sure, but I am leaning towards taking a year off to strengthen my application. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

I think the consensus is that one should schedule a post-interview feedback at UAB and do exactly what they say.

They will prob say something like this: If gpa is low, take some UAB post-bacc classes in upper level sciences. If mcat is low then retake (unless your gpa is very low, your new should suffice). If both are in range, then I wouldn't risk lowering either, and maybe do some research/volunteer work or something new that will impress the adcom.
 
Ditto1114 said:
I'm having a hard time deciding if I want to reapply this year. I want to reapply that's for sure, but I am leaning towards taking a year off to strengthen my application. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

I really don't see why you wouldn't. If you are on the alternate list that means you're close and it looks to me like most of the people that were on the alternate list last year and didn't get in got in this year. The worst thing about waiting is your MCAT expires after 3 years. I made a 34 but I have to retake it in a couple of weeks because I took it in 2007. Obviously if you're going to reapply you need to go ahead and get started, but I wouldn't give up on this year just yet.
 
Ditto1114 said:
I'm having a hard time deciding if I want to reapply this year. I want to reapply that's for sure, but I am leaning towards taking a year off to strengthen my application. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

If your gpa and MCAT are okay, I would definitely apply this cycle.

You won't get an interview most likely until Febuary or March anyways, so you will have plenty of time to strengthen your application until then.
 
auburnO5 said:
If your gpa and MCAT are okay, I would definitely apply this cycle.

You won't get an interview most likely until Febuary or March anyways, so you will have plenty of time to strengthen your application until then.
Click to expand...

Auburn05, did u get a cbc email last year?
 
BrownSpice630 said:
Auburn05, did u get a cbc email last year?
Click to expand...

No, but this year they are doing the whole cbc thing completely different. It is the first year that they have ever done it through AMCAS for pretty much everyone.
 
ERS said:
Ball00nHands - have you heard anything yet from UAB???? You seem the be the last of the SDN 2nd tier -
Click to expand...


Got my acceptance email a couple hours ago...I am waitlisted at South still but will likely withdraw from there once I get the hard copy of my acceptance letter form UAB and get everything finalized in Birmingham...good luck to all those on the third tier.
 
Ball00nHands said:
Got my acceptance email a couple hours ago...I am waitlisted at South still but will likely withdraw from there once I get the hard copy of my acceptance letter form UAB and get everything finalized in Birmingham...good luck to all those on the third tier.
Click to expand...

congrats - that is great news!!
 
Updated list:

Accepted:
soexcited87 (A: 4/8, 1st Tier)
DrHKitty's Other Friend (A: 4/9ish, 1st Tier)
Alethea (A: 4/16, 1st Tier)
Crimsonred's Friend (A: 4/9ish, 1st Tier)
doctor shmoctor (A: 4/19, 1st Tier)
ercxi (A: 4/23, 1st Tier)
crimsonred (A: 4/23, 1st Tier)
2324tigers (A: 4/23, 1st tier)
ddroukas (A: 4/30, 1st Tier)
wOnder (A: 5/3, 1st Tier)
20paige10's friend (A: 5/3, 1st Tier)
Bamamed19's friend (A: 5/5 1st tier)
tidefan (A: 5/13 2nd tier) - withdrew acceptance
dr zaius (A: 5/18 2nd tier) - withdrew acceptance
Neuro 1987 (A 5/18 2nd tier) - may defer
20Paige10 (A 5/18 2nd tier)
tnelly2 (A: 5/18/ 2nd tier)
AUnontrad (A: 5/21 2nd tier)
auburnO5 (A: 5/21 2nd tier)
obrienwspt (A: 5/25 2nd tier)
georgd1 (A: 5/27/ 2nd tier)
fireproof (A: 5/27 2nd tier)
Ball00nHands (A: 6/4/ 2nd tier)

Still waiting:
Lower Third
BrownSpice360 (CBC email 6/1)
obrienwspt's friend (CBC email 6/1)
Tully Mars (CBC email 6/1)
bamapremeds (CBC email 6/1)
ERS (CBC email 6/1)
BamaMed19
Bamafan87
piper19
thejetplane (no CBC email)
DrHKitty (no CBC email)
Ditto1114 (no CBC email)

If there are any other 2nd tiers lurking out there - please check in and let us know....Otherwise - maybe they will start pulling from the 3rd tier soon!!:xf:
 
Tully Mars said:
I really don't see why you wouldn't. If you are on the alternate list that means you're close and it looks to me like most of the people that were on the alternate list last year and didn't get in got in this year. The worst thing about waiting is your MCAT expires after 3 years. I made a 34 but I have to retake it in a couple of weeks because I took it in 2007. Obviously if you're going to reapply you need to go ahead and get started, but I wouldn't give up on this year just yet.
Click to expand...

I'm definitely not going to give up hope. We're pretty much in the same boat. I don't think they sent that cbc email to everyone. It even said that on their guidelines. They wouldn't aimlessly be sending them. Were you thinking abt reapplying bc I'm not. I feel like we're really close.
 
BrownSpice630 said:
I'm definitely not going to give up hope. We're pretty much in the same boat. I don't think they sent that cbc email to everyone. It even said that on their guidelines. They wouldn't aimlessly be sending them. Were you thinking abt reapplying bc I'm not. I feel like we're really close.
Click to expand...

Yeah I'm definitely going to plan on reapplying, but Im not conceding this year. I still think we have a good shot. I just need to be prepared in case I don't get in because the MCAT I used for this year won't count for next year. If I end up applying next year it won't be until Aug 1 or so anyway, so this years class will be set by then.
 
Tully Mars said:
Yeah I'm definitely going to plan on reapplying, but Im not conceding this year. I still think we have a good shot. I just need to be prepared in case I don't get in because the MCAT I used for this year won't count for next year. If I end up applying next year it won't be until Aug 1 or so anyway, so this years class will be set by then.
Click to expand...

Ya, if I'm not in this year, I just plan on reapplying next summer for Fall 2012 after getting a masters. Were you going to apply next summer too? I took my mcat in Aug 2009 so I'm set. I just don't think I have totally given up hope enough to reapply for the 2011 cycle.
 
Plus I have a feeling more people on the waitlist may be accepted this year because so many OOS applicants were accepted and will be declining their acceptance.
 
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