2009-2010 University of Connecticut Application Thread

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surgeonhands said:
^^That should be stickied. Very thorough and insightful explanation about the hold v. waitlist issue.

Thanks FutureMDer
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I know how you guys feel. Last year I was on the middle tier wait list after my interview and didn't get it. I hope that does not happen to any of you, but if it does things will work out. UConn is very good about giving you another interview the year after, or at least they were for me haha.
 
FutureMDer said:
There are two hold statuses you can get.

The first is the one receives before an interview. My understanding is the same as what peweee17 said and it's a safeguard for the school to make sure they end the interview application with the best applicants they feel fit the school. I would not get discouraged by being in this list, I would just try to contact the school as much as possible (meaningful contacts of course). AKA don't call the school every day, but enough to show they're a top choice of yours etc. I am sure there are applicants from last year who were in this range who now attend UConn.

The second one is after the interview. They wait until around May (+/- a month) where they put you on a ranked wait list. The wait list has three tiers: High, medium and low priority. Usually most people are moved off the high priority, some are moved off the medium and usually little to no students are moved off the low ranked wait list. I was told last year that not all the high priority students were moved off the wait list last year. Unfortunately, the applicant pool in the last couple of years has been insane and this year is no different. Who knows though, every year is different.
FYI, once you're ranked on that wait list I don't think you can move up or down, or at least that is what I've been told.
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I just got the same message as the poster above:

"This notice confirms receipt of your application materials. We have completed an initial review of your application materials. At this time, we are placing your file in a hold status in order to review and compare your credentials with other applicants over the next few months. Please feel free to update your application with any additional materials you would like to provide.

We appreciate your interest in our program and will be in touch with you as soon as there is any action taken by the Admissions Committee. Most candidates placed in hold status at this point in the process will be reconsidered in February/March.

regards,

Keat Sanford, Ph.D., Assistant Dean for Admissions & Medical Student Affairs, University of Connecticut School of Medicine"

I'm actually just as confused as the other people: has anyone ever been put in a third pile in the preliminary selection besides interview or hold? I was actually pretty happy that I was put on hold and not rejected until I returned to this thread, reread everything, and realized no one has been rejected in the preliminary review. Am I supposed to be happy or sad that I've been put in this pile? Is this pile for people who have hope or just a pile to place people that they don't think are good enough, but don't want to let go just yet?

Ugh... what should I do? What additional information should I add? I'm shadowing and researching for Dr. Alfred Liao, director of radiology and nuclear medicine at my local hospital (We have a new Pet-CT - an awesome machine which uses image fusion to combine the effects of PET and CT - and we call it our pet cat) and I'm also volunteering in the ER of our university hospital with a volunteer ID card of proof. I'm skating and entering a competition in May along with some of our school team members, and I'm a member of our university's MUN (Model United Nations - international conference was last held in our university, cheers!).

Actually, there's a lot I've done, but what am I supposed to send? A package of pictures, additional letters of recommendations, a new list of things I'm doing...what?
 
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If we want to send an update of stuff (pre interview invite), who should we direct it to? Dr. Sanford's email? or someone else?
 
CdnHopeful said:
If we want to send an update of stuff (pre interview invite), who should we direct it to? Dr. Sanford's email? or someone else?
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Ok, first I want to say that I am no expert. However, I have been both wait listed and accepted (go class of 2014!) at UConn so I have learned a lot about the school over my time applying.

From what I was told UConn is HUGE about your interview. Unlike some schools (Wash U etc.), if you're invited for an interview at UConn, then you made the academic cut. This means that your GPA/MCAT scores will most likely not limit you on the admissions decision, its your interview score. The interview is their chance to see if you fit the UConn personality. Overall, I'd say at least 80%, if not more of the students are by far the most laid back and down to earth people I have met. In addition, they are really passionate about medicine and just overall a person you'd be done talking to and say "wow, they are going to be good with patients and are passionate about practicing medicine." I did not, nor have not really sensed many gunners at UConn. Then again complete pass/fail does that to students.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but anyone's best chance at getting into UConn when you receive the interview is if they show a sincere passion for medicine, easy to get along with and overall just a friendly person. The problem is connecting with both your interviewers. My advice is if you feel an interview went bad/or prejudged you from the start, get a new interviewer (trust me, I know from personal experience). My number one advice for interviewing is practice with a lot of friends and really get comfortable doing it. It can really make/break your chances in getting in.

If you are to write a letter of update to get an interview, I would snail mail it (e-mail can have a huge delay). Use the AMSAR address or website address. I would strongly focus in the interview how you'd be a good fit for the school and how UConn is your top choice, and any meaningful updates. Overall, telling UConn that they are your number one choice is probably going to help the most. I was told by a dean at another medical school that letters of interest/intent go a long way. For those who are put on wait lists, sometimes those letters are what get you off. In your case, just the fact that you can strongly state how much you want to go to UConn is really saying something.

P.S: If you are put on the wait list, the letter of intent/meaningful update "may" work until you are ranked. I have been told that once the wait list is ranked, it's completely static.
 
FutureMDer said:
Ok, first I want to say that I am no expert. However, I have been both wait listed and accepted (go class of 2014!) at UConn so I have learned a lot about the school over my time applying.

From what I was told UConn is HUGE about your interview. Unlike some schools (Wash U etc.), if you're invited for an interview at UConn, then you made the academic cut. This means that your GPA/MCAT scores will most likely not limit you on the admissions decision, its your interview score. The interview is their chance to see if you fit the UConn personality. Overall, I'd say at least 80%, if not more of the students are by far the most laid back and down to earth people I have met. In addition, they are really passionate about medicine and just overall a person you'd be done talking to and say "wow, they are going to be good with patients and are passionate about practicing medicine." I did not, nor have not really sensed many gunners at UConn. Then again complete pass/fail does that to students.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but anyone's best chance at getting into UConn when you receive the interview is if they show a sincere passion for medicine, easy to get along with and overall just a friendly person. The problem is connecting with both your interviewers. My advice is if you feel an interview went bad/or prejudged you from the start, get a new interviewer (trust me, I know from personal experience). My number one advice for interviewing is practice with a lot of friends and really get comfortable doing it. It can really make/break your chances in getting in.

If you are to write a letter of update to get an interview, I would snail mail it (e-mail can have a huge delay). Use the AMSAR address or website address. I would strongly focus in the interview how you'd be a good fit for the school and how UConn is your top choice, and any meaningful updates. Overall, telling UConn that they are your number one choice is probably going to help the most. I was told by a dean at another medical school that letters of interest/intent go a long way. For those who are put on wait lists, sometimes those letters are what get you off. In your case, just the fact that you can strongly state how much you want to go to UConn is really saying something.

P.S: If you are put on the wait list, the letter of intent/meaningful update "may" work until you are ranked. I have been told that once the wait list is ranked, it's completely static.
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Thanks! That was pretty useful! Letters of interests, eh? I'll go for that.

Should I send anything else though like pictures or stuff or is it completely unnecessary?
 
Raigon said:
Thanks! That was pretty useful! Letters of interests, eh? I'll go for that.

Should I send anything else though like pictures or stuff or is it completely unnecessary?
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I feel the only real appropriate thing to send them would be a letter. Remember, there are two ways for being remembered. Being exceptional or abnormal. If you sent them something that was look at as out of the normal it would probably hurt your chances, not help. Exceptional comes from your interview experiences, overall qualities, essays, gpa, mcat etc.

Just write a letter expressing why UConn fits who you are, why you want to go there. Make sure you read their AMSAR blurb, talk to people who attend (if you know someone), their website and SDN blogs about the school. Also, have someone else read it over to make sure you present yourself in the best light. We are all guilty of losing our audience in an essay, I doubt you want this one to be the unlucky one.
 
FutureMDer said:
Ok, first I want to say that I am no expert. However, I have been both wait listed and accepted (go class of 2014!) at UConn so I have learned a lot about the school over my time applying.

From what I was told UConn is HUGE about your interview. Unlike some schools (Wash U etc.), if you're invited for an interview at UConn, then you made the academic cut. This means that your GPA/MCAT scores will most likely not limit you on the admissions decision, its your interview score. The interview is their chance to see if you fit the UConn personality. Overall, I'd say at least 80%, if not more of the students are by far the most laid back and down to earth people I have met. In addition, they are really passionate about medicine and just overall a person you'd be done talking to and say "wow, they are going to be good with patients and are passionate about practicing medicine." I did not, nor have not really sensed many gunners at UConn. Then again complete pass/fail does that to students.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but anyone's best chance at getting into UConn when you receive the interview is if they show a sincere passion for medicine, easy to get along with and overall just a friendly person. The problem is connecting with both your interviewers. My advice is if you feel an interview went bad/or prejudged you from the start, get a new interviewer (trust me, I know from personal experience). My number one advice for interviewing is practice with a lot of friends and really get comfortable doing it. It can really make/break your chances in getting in.

If you are to write a letter of update to get an interview, I would snail mail it (e-mail can have a huge delay). Use the AMSAR address or website address. I would strongly focus in the interview how you'd be a good fit for the school and how UConn is your top choice, and any meaningful updates. Overall, telling UConn that they are your number one choice is probably going to help the most. I was told by a dean at another medical school that letters of interest/intent go a long way. For those who are put on wait lists, sometimes those letters are what get you off. In your case, just the fact that you can strongly state how much you want to go to UConn is really saying something.

P.S: If you are put on the wait list, the letter of intent/meaningful update "may" work until you are ranked. I have been told that once the wait list is ranked, it's completely static.
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This pretty much sums it up. If anyone is awaiting an interview, feel free to contact me as I pretty much what we're looking for for specific questions 😎
 
I got to UConn med and the laid back students, accessible faculty, and "small family atmosphere" really make UConn an awesome place to be. I wish you all the best of luck! 🙂

P.S. If you plan to stay in Connecticut and practice, it's really helpful if you explicitly state that during your interview. UConn really like when their students to stay in CT and practice since they are subsidizing their education with state taxpayer dollars.
 
Got offered an interview in March after being on the pre-interview hold =) !!! SO EXCITED!
 
Anyone who interviewed the third week of December hear back yet?
 
I interviewed the second week in december and hadn't heard anything. I called today and was told that a committee meeting had been cancelled and they are very behind. She said they will meet next tuesday and it was likely I would hear by the end of that week.
 
hey guys... i was on pre-interview hold but worked my way into a meeting with Dr. Sanford to discuss my application. do you guys have any suggestions as to what i should cover in the meeting? or what i should expect? should i treat this like an interview?
 
Arwo743 said:
hey guys... i was on pre-interview hold but worked my way into a meeting with Dr. Sanford to discuss my application. do you guys have any suggestions as to what i should cover in the meeting? or what i should expect? should i treat this like an interview?
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Wow, how did that happen? What is the premise for the meeting? Dr. Sanford has a lot of sway on how you are presented to the adcom, and making a good impression on him is important. I would treat it like an interview, but I have no idea on what you are to discuss!
 
Arwo743 said:
hey guys... i was on pre-interview hold but worked my way into a meeting with Dr. Sanford to discuss my application. do you guys have any suggestions as to what i should cover in the meeting? or what i should expect? should i treat this like an interview?
Click to expand...

I am not sure what would sway you one way or another, but I would go there dressed very well. I am sure you know by your application where your weak point is (grades, MCAT overall/breakdown score, personal statement was weak, not enough EC etc.). If I were you, I'd figure out my weakness and just admit to him in person that you know your limitations and you've tried your best to improve upon them so you could interview at UConn. Let him know UConn is your number one choice and that you've done everything in your power to become a better applicant because UConn is the school for you. In case he asks why, I'd prepare it pretty well too and make it meaningful. A "it's my state school and it's cheap" will not win him over, or at least I don't think it would.

I did something similar to that last year with Dr. Sanford. Yale has a health career fair and I personally met Dr. Sanford, admitted to him I tried my best to improve my application and that I was very serious about UConn etc. My interview was moved from Jan to Nov.
 
JJFoshay said:
Wow, how did that happen? What is the premise for the meeting? Dr. Sanford has a lot of sway on how you are presented to the adcom, and making a good impression on him is important. I would treat it like an interview, but I have no idea on what you are to discuss!
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I applied last year and was put on pre-interview hold and the same thing happened this year, but in spite of LOI and emails my application did not move. So, I went to a recruitment fair and met him in person to present myself with my application. Hopefully this meeting will turn into an actual interview.
 
FutureMDer said:
I am not sure what would sway you one way or another, but I would go there dressed very well. I am sure you know by your application where your weak point is (grades, MCAT overall/breakdown score, personal statement was weak, not enough EC etc.). If I were you, I'd figure out my weakness and just admit to him in person that you know your limitations and you've tried your best to improve upon them so you could interview at UConn. Let him know UConn is your number one choice and that you've done everything in your power to become a better applicant because UConn is the school for you. In case he asks why, I'd prepare it pretty well too and make it meaningful. A "it's my state school and it's cheap" will not win him over, or at least I don't think it would.

I did something similar to that last year with Dr. Sanford. Yale has a health career fair and I personally met Dr. Sanford, admitted to him I tried my best to improve my application and that I was very serious about UConn etc. My interview was moved from Jan to Nov.
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Thats excellent information. I am -indeed- prepping for this like it is a formal interview. And I do know the weaknesses of my applicaiton very well and will be ready to discuss them openly, while focusing things back on my strengths, primary interest in UConn, dedication to medicine and desire to practice in CT or New England.

Were you admitted to UConn?
 
Arwo743 said:
Thats excellent information. I am -indeed- prepping for this like it is a formal interview. And I do know the weaknesses of my applicaiton very well and will be ready to discuss them openly, while focusing things back on my strengths, primary interest in UConn, dedication to medicine and desire to practice in CT or New England.

Were you admitted to UConn?
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Yes, I am attending next year.

Go class of 2014!
 
Hi everyone. Just got a letter and was accepted yesterday (1-29). Good luck to everyone! 🙂
 
senshisky said:
Hi everyone. Just got a letter and was accepted yesterday (1-29). Good luck to everyone! 🙂
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Congrats! 🙂 When did you interview and are you in state or out of state?
 
Accepted today (1/31) via email but Dr. Sanford said that he signed the acceptance 1/28 and I'd be receiving a letter in the mail soon. I interviewed 1/15 and i'm out of state =)

Good Luck Everyone!🙂
 
SGTPepprs said:
Accepted today (1/31) via email but Dr. Sanford said that he signed the acceptance 1/28 and I'd be receiving a letter in the mail soon. I interviewed 1/15 and i'm out of state =)

Good Luck Everyone!🙂
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Congrats to all those who received acceptance letters!!!:soexcited::soexcited:
 
After waiting for 8 weeks... I just got the waitlist email. So thats probably what you can expect if you haven't heard back post-interview after a few weeks. Not too pleased. Is there typically any movement on the waitlist at Uconn?
 
Hey everyone. By my own negligence and some life stuff, I completed by secondaries by early December. My application was complete shortly after, and I have been waiting for an interview at UCONN since. My only interview has been at Univ. of Iowa Carver. Right now I am clinging on some hopeful stories of people getting interviewed in May and getting in. Anyone in a similar situation?
 
drjackbauer said:
After waiting for 8 weeks... I just got the waitlist email. So thats probably what you can expect if you haven't heard back post-interview after a few weeks. Not too pleased. Is there typically any movement on the waitlist at Uconn?
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If you are high up on the list, you have a very good chance of getting in. Check to see where you stand.b
 
bomgd3 said:
If you are high up on the list, you have a very good chance of getting in. Check to see where you stand.b
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They don't rank until later in the interview season. There is also no way to guess (you'll always assume either the best or worst). Unfortunately, it is the wait game until you find out your ranking.

I wish you the best.
 
SGTPepprs said:
Accepted today (1/31) via email but Dr. Sanford said that he signed the acceptance 1/28 and I'd be receiving a letter in the mail soon. I interviewed 1/15 and i'm out of state =)

Good Luck Everyone!🙂
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Interviewed 1/8 and still waiting
Does that mean I'm on the waitlist, or rejection?
 
I cannot seem to access where you can check your status. Could someone please help me locate it? It may just be my computer, because the hyperlinks won't allow me to click on them. Thanks. Good luck everyone.
 
Hey everyone, we're wrapping up the last few weeks of interviewing here at UConn - for those going within the next few days or weeks shoot me a PM for advice or details - i'll be talking to a few of you 🙂
 
darkshadow said:
Interviewed 1/8 and still waiting
Does that mean I'm on the waitlist, or rejection?
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I interviewed 1/11 and got the waitlist email last thursday i think..hopefully you will get better news than I did.
 
Anyone hear back recently? UConn's my state school and it's sort of my only hope... I'm starting to apply for jobs now, but I really hope UConn pulls through.
 
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darkshadow said:
Interviewed 1/8 and still waiting
Does that mean I'm on the waitlist, or rejection?
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Heyy I have no idea what the deal is with the waitlist 😕 but from what I see, I don't think it means anything if you haven't heard back yet. I'm in the same position for another school and have heard of people who've recieved acceptaneces that have interviewed after me. I'm just hoping that the good news is taking a while to come around my way. Hopefully, that's the case for you as well =)
 
bomgd3 said:
Anyone hear back recently? UConn's my state school and it's sort of my only hope... I'm starting to apply for jobs now, but I really hope UConn pulls through.
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I'm wondering too. I re-read my hold status email recently and it said that my application would be revisited in December/January.. Still no word.
 
It seems sort of arbitrary but does anyone know how long post-interview i should expect to wait before hearing a decision? I interviewed at the beginning of February.
 
Neocortex said:
It seems sort of arbitrary but does anyone know how long post-interview i should expect to wait before hearing a decision? I interviewed at the beginning of February.
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Hey Neocortex. I found out about a month after that I was accepted. Usually, if you are accepted you find out about a month after your interview, however, I am sure others have heard back longer/shorter than a month.

Good luck.

Also, if you should call to see if they are still doing interviews. My guess is there may always be spots available last minute, (AKA someone backs out and they call you to fill the spot). Then again, UConn is the state school of most applicants so it is less doubtful they'd give up a chance interviewing here as compared to private schools.
 
Second Look Weekend was just announced!

March 19-20
 
Neocortex said:
It seems sort of arbitrary but does anyone know how long post-interview i should expect to wait before hearing a decision? I interviewed at the beginning of February.
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I waited about 2 weeks back in October. I should think there isn't too much of a pattern, though, as I've learned from waiting for other schools, so hang in there and try not to over think it.
 
hey all, just saying - withdrew my application this week, heading off to uvm instead. good luck to you!
 
Hmmm...what generally happens at 2nd look weekends? Will there be free food and fun times? I already know a lot about the med school, and it's currently my only acceptance (the other possible ones would take precedence in a heartbeat), but if there is free food...
 
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