2009-2010 University of Arizona Application Thread

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I am truly starting to freak out! I don't think anything in my life has ever made me feel this anxious.
 
This is one of the more frustrating parts of the application cycle. At this point, we all submitted our applications and interviewed months ago, so it feels like we've been waiting forever. It is particularly hard because a good number of people have gotten in, but we haven't. It is so hard to be patient. But we have to remember that they still probably have around half of their seats available, and that's not even counting the alternate list, which is likely to run 50 deep again. And they won't be done interviewing for another week. They are much more selective with who they accept while they are still interviewing. It kinda stings to not be their first choice, but hey, once we're in, it doesn't matter if we were the first one accepted or the last one off the alternate list, we'll all be medical students.
 
I am truly starting to freak out! I don't think anything in my life has ever made me feel this anxious.

Well if your situation is any similar to mine, getting in here means a difference of probably $100000 in loans and an md over a do degree.

So im starting to get angry more than anything
 
Yea, I know how that feels too. But, there's no reason to necessarily rush into a different school. You could just re-apply to this one again, which is what my plan is if I don't get in. I'll wait a few years if I absolutely have to! 😀 I think we'll get in though! :xf::luck:😀
 
So I have a job interview in Phoenix that I am really excited about (as excited as I can be for a backup plan anyway), and am fairly confident I will get hired. In fact, I am 100 percent sure I will get the job, move to Phoenix, and promptly get accepted to Tucson only. Book it right now. It will happen.
 
Hey man, as far as worst-case scenarios go, that one's a keeper!

Good luck with the job, and good luck with admissions! Maybe you'll get the job and get in at both campuses. (Would you keep the job?)

I also figured out what I am going to do if I don't get in. It helped my anxiety a lot! I have felt pretty lost thinking about it lately, but I finally figured it out. I'm gonna keep TA'ing and doing research to make money, and I will use the year off as a chance to learn Spanish (always wanted to!)

And, when I re-apply, I know where I am planning on re-applying to!

But, hopefully none of these plans will come to fruition because we're all gonna get in this time! Woooo! 😎
 
I would gladly take any scenario that included me getting accepted to med school, I am just convinced the Med School Admissions Gods will only let it happen in the most impossibly inconvenient manner. I'm not looking forward to walking in and giving a two weeks notice the week I start the job, but hey, what are they gonna do? Fire me before I can quit?
 
I would gladly take any scenario that included me getting accepted to med school, I am just convinced the Med School Admissions Gods will only let it happen in the most impossibly inconvenient manner. I'm not looking forward to walking in and giving a two weeks notice the week I start the job, but hey, what are they gonna do? Fire me before I can quit?

Yes, that's exactly how it happens. haha. Really, where are the people who get accepted to their top choice on October 15th? I was kept waiting for about 4 months until my first acceptance.

Keep the faith, things will work out.
 
Yes, that's exactly how it happens. haha. Really, where are the people who get accepted to their top choice on October 15th? I was kept waiting for about 4 months until my first acceptance.

Keep the faith, things will work out.

People who get accepted October 15th suck. Oh well, they are the ones missing out on the hell that is waiting to hear back from medical schools and will be weaker for it. For those still waiting, stay strong.
 
the most impossibly inconvenient manner...

Early May, I give up on my dreams of getting in to medical school. So, I book a trip to Ecuador/Galapagos Islands because I've always wanted to go and have a passion for evo bio. After all of those plans are in place and $4,000 later for both me and my wife to go, I get accepted to Wake Forest (maybe a week after I book the trip).

Not that I was complaining, but Wake starts really early... about 2 weeks after I get back from Ecuador. So, I start to plan for that... how exactly I was to move across the country, find a place to stay, and get settled before med school starts in 2 weeks seemed impossible... but I was ready to do it. I told all of my family that I'd likely be moving to north carolina and everyone was excited.

I go to my ASU graduation, hear Obama speak, and happen to sit next to an old friend from high school. Turns out, her boyfriend got accepted to UA-COM Phoenix and I openly expressed how pissed I was that I didn't get in. I have a rant about how they put first time applicants at a disadvantage by favoring re-applicants (which seems like a thing of the past, now...), and blah blah blah.

2 days later, accepted to UA-COM Phoenix. Right at the point that I was completely OK with moving to NC. Right at the point everyone was telling me how incredible of a medical school Wake was, and how I shouldn't worry about UA anymore. I was elated I FINALLY got into UA... but, you're right mathlink. This (expletive expletive expletive) of a process can be terribly inconvenient.

And to finish this post with a positive spin to avoid sounding like a Debbie Downer... Knowing that I would be staying in Phx, my favorite city ever, made my Ecuador trip 10,000x better. 😎

Try to stay positive guys. :luck::luck::luck: for March, when the real action happens.
 
I really appreciate the encouraging words everyone has. Thank you all!
 
I've been a lurker on this page for quite some time and finally decided to speak up. U of A Phoenix is my top choice. I interviewed in October but still haven't heard anything so I'm feeling the anxiety, definitely. I must've checked my email 1000 times last Friday but nothing. It's awesome to know there are others in the same boat.

Has anyone else looked into the integrative medicine program they have? It sounds very interesting to me, just wondering if anyone else has interests in that.
 
does admission to phx usually mean you will get an admission to tucson as well? what is the percentage overlap between the acceptances to the two schools?
 
does admission to phx usually mean you will get an admission to tucson as well? what is the percentage overlap between the acceptances to the two schools?

Tara told my interview group they select the same students at a 76% rate. I do not believe that includes alternates.
 
This may be the incorrect place to ask, but does anyone know where I could find the most recent match list for U of A?

Thanks.

Btw, good luck guys. 🙂 Try to do something else to keep your mind off of checking your inbox. It's better when it's a complete surprise. It's the worst wait in the world.
 
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Man this waiting is taking a toll. MadEvans thank you for that anecdote, it helps hearing people who didn't get in the first few months. Also, I feel bad saying this but all of you who are freaking out, frustrated, angry, etc., thank you for posting. Helps knowing there are other passengers in this boat bound for med school.

Last night I dreamt I got into medical school at Georgia Tech... wtf?! Heh, no idea what that was, and somehow morphed into recieved a text of paperwork that had to do with either admission to UA or waitlisting, I couldn't figure it out before I woke up. This process is dominating my life. You all have a great day now. Off to my job at the hospital, which makes the waiting all the more difficult because I work with patients and doctors all the time and can't help but yearn for the next step.:xf::xf::xf:
 
So I'm pretty shocked right now, apparently a set of letters came to my parents house today (my official mailing address) saying that I got accepted to the Phoenix campus, which is weird, because I haven't gotten any emails at all. So here's hoping it's not a mistake! Once I verify for sure I'll drop my Tucson acceptance like a hot potato fervently hoping that one of you incredibly deserving people I've met here gets it!
 
Haha! Wow! That's awesome.

And, I am kind of amused by how anxious and frustrated I am all the time. I like this tidbit because now I can worry that perhaps the same thing happened to ME and maybe something will come in the mail for ME soon 😀

Congrats!
 
Did anyone else go check their mailbox after reading shepardsun's post? haha I know I did but no such luck. 😛
 
So I had my job interview in Phoenix today. It was in the I-10/University area, which is a ways from the school. But I still felt the overwhelming need to go drive by the campus and stare longingly since I was in town. In addition, I decided to look at several apartments in the area, so I wound up driving by the school 3 or 4 times. I hope they don't start thinking I'm a stalker and reject me for it.

The anguish meter is definitely high amongst all of us who are still waiting.
 
So I'm pretty shocked right now, apparently a set of letters came to my parents house today (my official mailing address) saying that I got accepted to the Phoenix campus, which is weird, because I haven't gotten any emails at all. So here's hoping it's not a mistake! Once I verify for sure I'll drop my Tucson acceptance like a hot potato fervently hoping that one of you incredibly deserving people I've met here gets it!

I am definitely interested in a follow-up to this. If/when you find out it is for real, please let us know.
 
i would also highly recommend checking the email address listed on your amcas profile and checking your email's spam filter. i received several emails from u of a phoenix before receiving the packet of letters and the first email stated that i had to respond by email within 2 weeks to hold my spot. who knows; you might have gotten more than one acceptance sent to the wrong email/box!
 
Hey guys,
I just got home and got a chance to look at the scans of the packet that my parents sent. It looks legit, I got a letter from Dean Flynn, a letter from Alan Wang, the chairman of the Medical Student Government and a letter from Keli the financial aid coordinator. I still haven't gotten any emails though, and I know for a fact that my contact info on AMCAS is correct and it hasn't gone to spam. I'll probably call over tomorrow just to double check and confirm that this isn't the world's earliest/meanest April Fools joke. If it's for real, then I'll free up a spot in Tucson posthaste with the wishes that it immediately gets to a SDNer!
 
Hey guys,
I just got home and got a chance to look at the scans of the packet that my parents sent. It looks legit, I got a letter from Dean Flynn, a letter from Alan Wang, the chairman of the Medical Student Government and a letter from Keli the financial aid coordinator. I still haven't gotten any emails though, and I know for a fact that my contact info on AMCAS is correct and it hasn't gone to spam. I'll probably call over tomorrow just to double check and confirm that this isn't the world's earliest/meanest April Fools joke. If it's for real, then I'll free up a spot in Tucson posthaste with the wishes that it immediately gets to a SDNer!

nice; looks like we're gonna be classmates!

also, congratulations!! i saw that you really liked phoenix so that must be very exciting. i would highly doubt they sent you an acceptance packet on accident, much more likely they screwed up with the email.
 
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By the way, does anybody really know for sure when the next acceptance is, or are we all just assuming it will be next Friday for both campuses?
 
Man this waiting is taking a toll. MadEvans thank you for that anecdote

Hey no problem. I can tell you wholeheartedly that I've been in your shoes 100%... FREAKING out.

So I had my job interview in Phoenix today. It was in the I-10/University area, which is a ways from the school. But I still felt the overwhelming need to go drive by the campus and stare longingly since I was in town.

I remember a few months in, studying in one of the pods and looking out at downtown phx, thinking about how amazed I was that I had finally arrived. I really hope that one day you get to experience that same feeling.

If it's for real, then I'll free up a spot in Tucson posthaste with the wishes that it immediately gets to a SDNer!

It's for real. If you got all of those letters, you can be 100% sure of it. CONGRATS! I'd call to see if the emails were sent and not received or never sent in the first place. I'm 99% sure they were somehow lost in cyberspace, but a call to make sure never hurts.
 
Seriously, I went and looked at the Camden Apartments...for the second time. I've never wanted anything this bad and not been able to get it. I am 100 percent sure I am going to break down into tears when I finally get an acceptance letter. And I'll probably cry again on the first day of class. I can bench press 350 pounds, but I won't be strong enough to hold back the tears. My wife will laugh at me, for sure.
 
Yep, I called and talked to Tara. Somehow they had the wrong email address for me (even though my AMCAS contact was the correct one) so it was an acceptance from the February 5th release date. Sorry to get anyone's hopes up about "unannounced" releases 🙁 I forfeited my Tucson spot so hopefully it will find a loving home soon. The very best of luck to those still waiting. We'll have an internet party when you get yours!
 
Holy crap, you can bench 350 lbs? That is a huge bench. I just hired a personal trainer to get myself back into shape, I hope to one day get where you're at!

But, I'm right there with you. Hopefully we'll all get in and make a big party out of it!

And, as for release dates, sent them an email (after no answer when I called) and I will post any response that I get.
 
Yep, I called and talked to Tara. Somehow they had the wrong email address for me (even though my AMCAS contact was the correct one) so it was an acceptance from the February 5th release date. Sorry to get anyone's hopes up about "unannounced" releases 🙁 I forfeited my Tucson spot so hopefully it will find a loving home soon. The very best of luck to those still waiting. We'll have an internet party when you get yours!

SWEET, Shep! Can't wait to see you next year! Congratulations!
 
I got a response from Phoenix. Since this is information anyone would have been given, I hope that they don't mind me posting the reply I received! Maybe it'll save them a few emails in the future!


"COM-Phoenix will announce again on Monday, February 22, completing our initial acceptance offers; however, remember the dual-campus process requires applicants offered an acceptance to both programs to make a campus decision in two-weeks. Because of our anticipated overlap in decisions, we fully anticipate offering acceptances through the end of February. Ultimately, you will be informed of the COM-Phoenix Admissions Committee’s decision by the second week of March."
 
"COM-Phoenix will announce again on Monday, February 22, completing our initial acceptance offers; however, remember the dual-campus process requires applicants offered an acceptance to both programs to make a campus decision in two-weeks. Because of our anticipated overlap in decisions, we fully anticipate offering acceptances through the end of February. Ultimately, you will be informed of the COM-Phoenix Admissions Committee’s decision by the second week of March."

Sweet. Has anybody heard from Tucson?

My daughter is 5 months old now, and a weird thing happened during the pregnancy. We both gained 40 pounds. I continued working out and getting stronger, but was saddled with some pretty inexplicable sympathy weight. So while I can still lift very well, I certainly don't look like I used to or wish I did (though I have lost about 15 pounds off of my post-baby high). This stung especially when my Phoenix interviewer "coincidentally" asked me what I thought of the semi-controversy surrounding the then-nominee for Surgeon General's weight. I didn't think that was appropriate, and I mentioned as much in my interview feedback.
 
Sweet. Has anybody heard from Tucson?

My daughter is 5 months old now, and a weird thing happened during the pregnancy. We both gained 40 pounds. I continued working out and getting stronger, but was saddled with some pretty inexplicable sympathy weight. So while I can still lift very well, I certainly don't look like I used to or wish I did (though I have lost about 15 pounds off of my post-baby high). This stung especially when my Phoenix interviewer "coincidentally" asked me what I thought of the semi-controversy surrounding the then-nominee for Surgeon General's weight. I didn't think that was appropriate, and I mentioned as much in my interview feedback.

I think its sad that people don't realize how hard having a baby can be on a man's body. I mean I've always found it sexist how every one focuses on the woman...its lyke OMG whut @bout me???? 🙄

I'm just kidding. I bet I'll gain weight when my wife gets pregnant. I foresee her having a lot of cravings, and then I'll have to be like, "no honey its ok to get an extra large chocolate frosty and an extra large order of fries to dip into your milk shake. I'm going to order two just for myself." That way she doesn't feel self conscious.
 
I think its sad that people don't realize how hard having a baby can be on a man's body. I mean I've always found it sexist how every one focuses on the woman...its lyke OMG whut @bout me???? 🙄

I'm just kidding. I bet I'll gain weight when my wife gets pregnant. I foresee her having a lot of cravings, and then I'll have to be like, "no honey its ok to get an extra large chocolate frosty and an extra large order of fries to dip into your milk shake. I'm going to order two just for myself." That way she doesn't feel self conscious.

Amen. That's EXACTLY how it works. I've been lifting weights since I was 14, so even though I'm only 6'0", I was around 240 pounds before the pregnancy. I always liked to day dream about being a first year med student and walk-on linebacker for the UofA football team. Anyway, when I went out on Thanksgiving to play football with friends (I only play tackle) and didn't dominate as usual, I decided to step on a scale. I was at 280. The worst part? I have a freaking degree in Nutritional Sciences. All of the knowledge and training in the world are no match for a pregnant wife.
 
Not to digress but one thing that I learned from the acceptance letter that I thought was interesting was that 3,000 people have applied to UACOM this year. I'm guessing that such a huge increase (the AAMC MSAR book listed like 670 applicants in 2008) is due to OOS applicants. Does anyone know why the schools decided to open up to OOSers (not that we don't love you) when we have plenty of deserving in-staters as it is? Seems like it makes it tougher to get in for in-staters (25% of the Phoenix class OOS leaves 36 spots for in-staters) and ridiculously tough for OOSers (figure that if roughly 700 in-staters applied this year then 2300 OOSers applied for like 50 spots between Tucson and Phoenix).

EDIT: that math doesn't take into account stuff like offering more acceptances than you have spots due to wait-list mechanics, but still...long odds =(
 
Not to digress but one thing that I learned from the acceptance letter that I thought was interesting was that 3,000 people have applied to UACOM this year. I'm guessing that such a huge increase (the AAMC MSAR book listed like 670 applicants in 2008) is due to OOS applicants. Does anyone know why the schools decided to open up to OOSers (not that we don't love you) when we have plenty of deserving in-staters as it is? Seems like it makes it tougher to get in for in-staters (25% of the Phoenix class OOS leaves 36 spots for in-staters) and ridiculously tough for OOSers (figure that if roughly 700 in-staters applied this year then 2300 OOSers applied for like 50 spots between Tucson and Phoenix).

EDIT: that math doesn't take into account stuff like offering more acceptances than you have spots due to wait-list mechanics, but still...long odds =(

Mostly revenue reasons, with perhaps a little bit of their scary board scores from last year mixed in.

Don't forget, the pool of actual interviewed applicants, according to Tara, was only going to be about 550. So, numerically, our chances are still the same. I was also under the impression (just the way I feel, not what anybody told me) that they would not go out of their way to accept 25% of students from OOS. I thought that number would be more like a maximum, but I could be wrong. Anyway, once I found out the number of interviewed applicants was still going to be relatively small, I felt a whole lot better about UofA accepting OOS applications.
 
And, here's my response from Tucson.


Tucson is scheduled to send accept notices on either Feb 19 or Feb 22. Most likely Feb 19. I cannot give you any information on percentages at this time.
 
Were board scores that scary?? 😱

They implemented a new curriculum in 2007, I think it was. When those "guinea pig" students went to take step 1, I believe something like 12-15 did not pass (compared with the usual 1 or 2 not passing). A dip in board scores is probably to be expected with a massive curriculum overhaul, and I think they recognized that, but they may be broadening their applicant pool just in case they feel they need to select applicants who may help them raise their scores back up.
 
Does anyone know why the schools decided to open up to OOSers (not that we don't love you) when we have plenty of deserving in-staters as it is?

I like to think that the goal is to increase the diversity of class (in the broad sense) and raise the reputation of the school (in addition to revenue). I guess the revenue question will be settled once OOSers see their fin aid packages.

Applying from a state where in-staters have a hard time getting in, I no longer have too much sympathy for the "deserving in-state" argument. (Though I hear your pain.)

That all said, U of A rocked my world on my interviews.
 
They implemented a new curriculum in 2007, I think it was. When those "guinea pig" students went to take step 1, I believe something like 12-15 did not pass (compared with the usual 1 or 2 not passing). A dip in board scores is probably to be expected with a massive curriculum overhaul, and I think they recognized that, but they may be broadening their applicant pool just in case they feel they need to select applicants who may help them raise their scores back up.


Well this isn't entirely correct. I'm a first year at the Phoenix campus but when I got accepted to both (last Jan for Tucson, Feb for Phoenix), I did a little research about each campus so I know that yes, the board pass rate was low (in the 80s) in the initial year at Tucson, but after that year it was back up near the national average. The revenue is an issue, but when you consider that the new expansion in downtown Phoenix is on the order of hundreds of millions, it's pretty obvious that that wasn't the primary impetus for the inclusion of OOS. From the Dean at Phoenix, it's primarily because over the past few years, the number of in-state applicants hasn't increased, or hasn't increased enough to offset the increased number of seats available, and the U of A's sort of reached the point where they're filling their classes with just about as many as they'd feel comfortable in terms of applicant quality, so they need more people to maintain that standard. Hopefully that doesn't mean they were scraping the bottom of the barrel with me :laugh: but I think they do have a valid point. To suggest that they're broadening the applicant pool to compensate for board scores specifically is to create an artificial problem.

Especially with ground breaking on the new building in Phoenix later this year, the idea of at least 200 total seats every year when there are less than 700 applicants each year is sort of ridiculous. Still, even with 3000 applicants, the odds of getting into Arizona are pretty good, obviously higher in the Tucson campus since they have more than twice as many seats, but still as a whole the odds of getting into either one are pretty high. Of course it's not all about odds, we all got into schools with 10,000+ applicants each year but I know my friends and I at both campuses still feel lucky to go here.

PM me if you have any specific questions about the Phoenix campus or anything.
 
You're right. I'm just a little cynical about the State of Arizona's budget issues, I guess.

I need to ask everyone a question just to make sure I'm not the only one who feels like I do right now. This process is hell, as everybody reading this knows. Sometimes I feel like it is driving me crazy enough to do irreparable damage, even if I were to eventually get in. Sometimes I literally wonder if all of this stress will render me mentally incapable of actually succeeding in medical school. Will somebody out there please help me out and tell me they have the same fear?
 
You're right. I'm just a little cynical about the State of Arizona's budget issues, I guess.

I need to ask everyone a question just to make sure I'm not the only one who feels like I do right now. This process is hell, as everybody reading this knows. Sometimes I feel like it is driving me crazy enough to do irreparable damage, even if I were to eventually get in. Sometimes I literally wonder if all of this stress will render me mentally incapable of actually succeeding in medical school. Will somebody out there please help me out and tell me they have the same fear?


Just breath. Life is way too serious to be taken seriously. 😉 Have fun, enjoy the journey.
 
Or, from Oscar Wilde himself:

"Life is too important to be taken seriously"
 
they're filling their classes with just about as many as they'd feel comfortable in terms of applicant quality, so they need more people to maintain that standard. Hopefully that doesn't mean they were scraping the bottom of the barrel with me

When our Dean mentioned this (being an acceptee off of the wait list, myself) I was pretty shocked. I still hope it was mainly a "looking toward the future" decision anticipating the phx campus growth, and not an "oh god, these applicants are pathetic, we need to pick up some OOSers" decision.

And Mathlink. Don't stress (easy advice to give, hard advice to take - from experience). It's medical school. If you don't get in, you're saving yourself a hell of a lot of stress in the long run. And, I could give the typical "it's the only career I can see myself ever doing" response... but the truth is, if you don't get in, consider it a blessing or fate or something.

Happiness is a choice... don't let your happiness depend on medical school's presence or non-presence in your life. That's hard to think about since you develop part of your identity as "the kid who is applying to medical school". But, don't get too caught up in all that. Just get a job as a medical equipment sales person or pursue the job you recently had your interview with if it doesn't work out. Sea lo que sea.

This too, shall pass. Just like this cardio exam I have coming up...
 
When our Dean mentioned this (being an acceptee off of the wait list, myself) I was pretty shocked. I still hope it was mainly a "looking toward the future" decision anticipating the phx campus growth, and not an "oh god, these applicants are pathetic, we need to pick up some OOSers" decision.

And Mathlink. Don't stress (easy advice to give, hard advice to take - from experience). It's medical school. If you don't get in, you're saving yourself a hell of a lot of stress in the long run. And, I could give the typical "it's the only career I can see myself ever doing" response... but the truth is, if you don't get in, consider it a blessing or fate or something.

Happiness is a choice... don't let your happiness depend on medical school's presence or non-presence in your life. That's hard to think about since you develop part of your identity as "the kid who is applying to medical school". But, don't get too caught up in all that. Just get a job as a medical equipment sales person or pursue the job you recently had your interview with if it doesn't work out. Sea lo que sea.

This too, shall pass. Just like this cardio exam I have coming up...


So lovely, I think we should be friends even though I chose Tucson 🙂
 
Try and hang in there, mathlink. I know how hard it is, believe me. But look at MadEvans and realize that it's very far from over. My best advice for relieving stress at its worst is going to sound pretty crazy but here goes: skydiving. I guarantee you will forget about med school and any and all other worries once you've spent a day parachuting. Best relaxant on Earth.
 
Thanks everyone. I guess this is just one of my rougher days for whatever reason. I know there is time left, I just worry from time to time that I literally am going insane over this. I even tried to play a Madden game today, and was down 42-0 at the half so I conceded the game. When you can't even waste time correctly, you're having a bad day.

Skydiving is a good idea. I've said on here before that my favorite stress-reliever has been batting practice. I went down to the cages a few hours ago, and I feel much better. I haven't swung a bat in 6 months, but I was in a zone. Right or left-handed, I was launching it. So whichever campus I get into, watch out because I'm gonna rock intramural softball.
 
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