2009-2010 University of Kansas Application Thread

[BWSTW]

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They all got accepted and are so busy celebrating they forgot about the rest of us, and the RDers are busy rehearsing what they are going to say in their interviews.

I also want to wish them the best of luck!

 

[Omzy]

It was more fun during EDP because we felt like we had plenty of chances at acceptance, but now its just the one. I feel like I'm in limbo right now. Just a week and a half left...😱

 

[marele86]

They all got accepted and are so busy celebrating they forgot about the rest of us, and the RDers are busy rehearsing what they are going to say in their interviews.

And I'm bridging the gap between both! 😛

I had my phone interview about my application today, and it was incredibly helpful. 👍 I was really impressed with the feedback I got, and I was relieved to find out that my lack of shadowing was essentially the only problem.

I have a favor to ask - if anyone knows of a physician in the Lawrence, Topeka, or Kansas City areas who enjoys having students shadow him/her, any leads at all would make me so grateful! (I'm really having trouble setting up shadowing. Out of the 3 physician contacts I have, 2 aren't able to let anyone shadow due to HIPPA, 1 is on extended leave, I'm still really far down on LMH's shadowing list, and I'm starting to get worried.)

Good luck to all the October interview folks!

 

[KSrez]

And I'm bridging the gap between both! 😛

I had my phone interview about my application today, and it was incredibly helpful. 👍 I was really impressed with the feedback I got, and I was relieved to find out that my lack of shadowing was essentially the only problem.

I have a favor to ask - if anyone knows of a physician in the Lawrence, Topeka, or Kansas City areas who enjoys having students shadow him/her, any leads at all would make me so grateful! (I'm really having trouble setting up shadowing. Out of the 3 physician contacts I have, 2 aren't able to let anyone shadow due to HIPPA, 1 is on extended leave, I'm still really far down on LMH's shadowing list, and I'm starting to get worried.)

Good luck to all the October interview folks!

Too bad you're not in Manhattan; I know quite a few doctors there. Weird that they won't let you shadow because of HIPAA. Usually you just have to sign a form and you're fine. My recommendation is to just call the front desk of some family practice clinics in the area and see if they can set you up (maybe look for a KU alumn). Usually, if you shadow in a hospital it takes forever to be able to do it (forms, background checks, TB tests) so I'd try one of those places.

And agreed, good luck to October interviews!

 

[scoutnj19]

As marele86, I also had my phone conversation with Sandy McCurdy yesterday. She always has been, and was especially yesterday, extremely helpful, genuine, and caring.

It seems that the only issue in my application was that my wife and I are recent Kansas residents (15 months). She said that some of the committee members value Kansas residency more than others, etc.

So, she suggested that I stress my Kansas ties a little bit more in depth in the next interview round. My wife grew up here (lived here for 20 years), we have family and friends in the area, and the fact that I just like it better here than the east coast...

It's both a blessing and a frustration. On one hand, I know that that is the only issue in my application according to what she said. My numbers, my ECs and such are all fine. My interviews were 'strong'... On the other hand, it's frustrating that that is the one thing that prevented an EDP acceptance.

But, as always, I'm taking it all one step at a time. I get to have a third tour of the campus and get the chance to meet more of the awesome students and such. 🙂

 

[marele86]

Too bad you're not in Manhattan; I know quite a few doctors there. Weird that they won't let you shadow because of HIPAA. Usually you just have to sign a form and you're fine. My recommendation is to just call the front desk of some family practice clinics in the area and see if they can set you up (maybe look for a KU alumn). Usually, if you shadow in a hospital it takes forever to be able to do it (forms, background checks, TB tests) so I'd try one of those places.

And agreed, good luck to October interviews!

Haha, I'm actually from Manhattan originally.. MHS grad. 👍

And thanks, I'm going to just set aside all of tomorrow afternoon to do some cold-calling. You're right about hospitals, I thought LMH would be pretty quick (for some reason), but now I'm realizing that it's time to start actively looking elsewhere.

It's both a blessing and a frustration.

I totally agree. And I'm sorry you didn't have better luck than me! It sounds like you still have a great shot, though, especially with the ties you mentioned. It makes a great case for why you would be staying in Kansas, and hopefully just the fact that you're sticking with KUMC through both EDP and RD will add more proof to that. Good luck!

 

[Sleight]

Does KU have a status page?

 

[KSrez]

Does KU have a status page?

Yes, it's the first page you see when you log on to the secondary.

 

[UTKD]

www2.kumc.edu/som/meds

Love it. Hate it. Use it.

Question! What kind of bear is best?

well...that's debatable. Basically there are two schools of thought...

False! Black Bear.

Black bears eat beets.

Bears, Beets, Battle Star Gallactica.

 

[scoutnj19]

Haha... Love the Office quote...

" 'R' is amongst the most menacing of sounds. It's called 'murder.' Not 'muckduck.' "

 

[Engineer2MD]

You don't call ******ed people ******s. It's bad taste. You call your friends ******s when they're acting ******ed.

 

[Omzy]

I must've missed something 😕.......ahh, only like a week left til I interview. No pressure...not at all.

 

[RagingMoose]

Good luck to everyone interviewing this month! I hope you all get into the group that gets an acceptance right away!

 

[RT2MD]

Hey, everybody! Been lurking on here for quite a while, but thought that I would come out and try to get this forum going again! I've gotten my application in (complete towards the beginning of last month) and am just doing the waiting thing... checking MEDS constantly!😀

Hope everybody who is interviewing this month has a good experience. Has anybody gotten any invites for the November interviews yet? I hope that there are still applicants on this board who are at the same stage that I am!

Best of luck to everybody!

-RT2MD

 

[UTKD]

I wouldn't check it so often. You're more than likely going to be interviewed in December. Don't drive yourself crazy!! Good luck!

 

[abi246]

I wouldn't check it so often. You're more than likely going to be interviewed in December. Don't drive yourself crazy!! Good luck!

Where at on meds would we even see any news?? I can't find anything... or even where to look if there was any info on interviews. I was complete 9/30... so a bit late but I haven't gotten any acknoledgement whatsoever from an email or anything that I've successfully applied... kind of annoying if you ask me... I keep second guessing myself if I did something wrong when I submitted my secondary cause I've gotten confirmation of completino e-mails from every other school that I've applied to! ugh...

 

[RT2MD]

I'm pretty sure "complete" means your file has everything it needs. Now all we have to do is wait...

My MEDS page lists all of my letters of rec, date I submitted my secondary and the date I was complete.

You will see an interview invite listed at the bottom when you get an invite... Then it will change to "accepted" "rejected" or "on hold" after the committee reviews your file post interview.

Good luck! (although, hope my luck is just as good - if not better!)😀

-RT2MD

 

[Tyler Keller]

...

 

[KSrez]

I'm also applying regular decision. I submitted AMCAS on 08/07, KU Secondary on 08/24, and was marked file complete on 10/01. Just waiting for that interview invite now. Anyone have a projection on when they think I might get an interview invite as an in-state applicant? I do attend undergrad in Indiana, and so I thought they might assign me to the Thanksgiving interview slot. Best of luck to everyone.

I have been complete since 8/17 or something like that, but my friend who was complete a little after me has an interview next week. I'm hoping for November, but it could be January for all I know.

 

[RT2MD]

I guess that there are two schools of thought on this:

1) It would be nice to get an interview... just because this waiting isn't what I would call a "good time". 😀

2) Chances are that even if I do get an interview, I will just be placed "on hold" until March... which means that the waiting just starts over after the interview!

I'm just driving myself crazy, as this is the only allopathic school that I have an application into. I'm playing the same game with the osteopathic application service - it's been processing for a while now.😳

Are any other regular decision folk re-applicants? I actually applied the very last day last year, was granted an interview and rejected post hold. At the time (as you can tell by my signature) I was having a hard time deciding if medicine was what I really wanted to do. I think that came out in my interview (I'm sure that they are very adept at picking up on subtle cues). I have since had an epiphany and I know for sure that medicine is what I want to do.

Now I'm having the problem that I can't (don't want to) leave the Kansas City area for school - Wife is on a partnership track with her new job, family here, own a house, etc... Hopefully KU or KCUMB come through!

Wow... that was a rambling post. Good luck to everybody interviewing next week!

 

[UTKD]

Marele 86, Congratulations on your SUNY Buffalo Interview Invite!!!

I know Kansas is your top choice, but in the end a MD is a MD.

 

[Omzy]

Omg UTKD, I've developed night palpitations and insomnia in anticipation of this interview. @ Monday/Tuesday

 

[UTKD]

Haha. Wow you are really nervous!?! I’m not that nervous… just more excited about what it can bring. I’ve done a lot of prepping, practicing, and watching myself in the mirror. I even recorded my voice to see what pitch I need to aim for to avoid sounding monotone. Anyways, good luck Omzy. Will you let me know (PM if you’d like) on Monday night how it went?

-UTKD

 

[UTKD]

pkpHawks87, How did your phone interview with Sandra go?

What did she say was wrong with your application?

 

[UTKD]

...

 

[Omzy]

Haha. Wow you are really nervous!?! I’m not that nervous… just more excited about what it can bring. I’ve done a lot of prepping, practicing, and watching myself in the mirror. I even recorded my voice to see what pitch I need to aim for to avoid sounding monotone. Anyways, good luck Omzy. Will you let me know (PM if you’d like) on Monday night how it went?

I was exaggerating a little, but I am pretty nervous. It looks like you've really practiced a lot. I haven't done much aside from reading here and there. I will try to remember to post something about it the night after, but I might forget with all thats going on. My stepmom might be in labor that day too, who knows. If you want to make sure you get the info from me, give me a call about 9pm Monday night, I'll pm you my phone #

 

[Engineer2MD]

GOOD LUCK Omzy and UTKD!!!!

Am I leaving anyone out??? Just think of it as a conversation. You will do great!!!!!!!

Keep us posted on how it goes!

 

[BWSTW]

Good luck you guys!

Happy thoughts, Happy thoughts!

 

[Jayhawk1]

a few things...

RT2MD: you had an "epiphany" and now you for sure want to be a doctor. uh huh...it's a good thing that epiphany came right in time for reapplying! haha, if I were you, I wouldn't phrase it like that in your interview. it'll sound like a load of BS and probably hurt you. you should definitely mention "after these blahblah experiences since last year, I know I want to be a doctor for sure now." but do not actually say you had an epiphany. IDK, you may disagree, but I think it sounds cheesy.

for those awaiting RD interview invites: if you are a KS resident with a 26 MCAT and 3.5 GPA, you will receive an automatic invite at some point. if a friend of yours was complete after you and received an interview invite before you, then that means you do not have a 26 and 3.5. you can still be and probably will be interviewed eventually, but it was not automatic one that the computer gave you so the adcom actually has to read over your app. KU Med interviews like >75% of KS residents. if you don't get an interview invite at any point this year as a KS resident, then you are seriously the worst applicant ever, no offense haha.

for those interviewing next week: good luck!!! you have to be confident! that's THE most important thing. nervousness will destroy you. you may be nervous inside, but do NOT show it externally!!!!!!

 

[KSrez]

a few things...

RT2MD: you had an "epiphany" and now you for sure want to be a doctor. uh huh...it's a good thing that epiphany came right in time for reapplying! haha, if I were you, I wouldn't phrase it like that in your interview. it'll sound like a load of BS and probably hurt you. you should definitely mention "after these blahblah experiences since last year, I know I want to be a doctor for sure now." but do not actually say you had an epiphany. IDK, you may disagree, but I think it sounds cheesy.

for those awaiting RD interview invites: if you are a KS resident with a 26 MCAT and 3.5 GPA, you will receive an automatic invite at some point. if a friend of yours was complete after you and received an interview invite before you, then that means you do not have a 26 and 3.5. you can still be and probably will be interviewed eventually, but it was not automatic one that the computer gave you so the adcom actually has to read over your app. KU Med interviews like >75% of KS residents. if you don't get an interview invite at any point this year as a KS resident, then you are seriously the worst applicant ever, no offense haha.

for those interviewing next week: good luck!!! you have to be confident! that's THE most important thing. nervousness will destroy you. you may be nervous inside, but do NOT show it externally!!!!!!

I have at least a 26 and 3.5 so I don't know what it is. A few friends of mine last year were complete around the same time and one interviewed in November, and the other in January. Both had the "automatic interview" stats. Waiting gets old, though.

 

[RT2MD]

a few things...

RT2MD: you had an "epiphany" and now you for sure want to be a doctor. uh huh...it's a good thing that epiphany came right in time for reapplying! haha, if I were you, I wouldn't phrase it like that in your interview. it'll sound like a load of BS and probably hurt you. you should definitely mention "after these blahblah experiences since last year, I know I want to be a doctor for sure now." but do not actually say you had an epiphany. IDK, you may disagree, but I think it sounds cheesy.

Yeah, I know it sounds cheesy... it was supposed to. SDN needs to get a font for "tongue in cheek" phrasing. I have a very detailed story as to how I got to this point. A culmination of various experiences that resulted in a figurative light bulb going off in my head.😉 But, do not fear... the word "epiphany" will not be muttered during my interview!

Good advice/information in the rest of your post. I wish that I would have realized how many KS applicants get interviews last year. I was really surprised to get that interview!

 

[Omzy]

Thanks guys! I'm sure this won't be the last you hear from me before the interview though 🙄

 

[Tyler Keller]

...

 

[UTKD]

...

 

[RawR]

Quick Question: Has anyone received the packet of materials related to our acceptances? I haven't seen anything, and it's been 4 weeks.

Good luck to all the upcoming KU interviewees!!!

 

[RagingMoose]

RawR - No I haven't gotten one either. I am assuming this is just KUMC living up to their reputation of missing deadlines 🙂

Good luck to everyone interviewing this week!!!

 

[BWSTW]

Quick Question: Has anyone received the packet of materials related to our acceptances? I haven't seen anything, and it's been 4 weeks.

Good luck to all the upcoming KU interviewees!!!

When you guys get your packages, would you mind sharing the health insurance coverage info? I have a family and want to know how decent it will be or if I need to start looking for something else. Thanks in advance!

Good luck interviewees! This is your chance to rock it!

 

[Jayhawk1]

When you guys get your packages, would you mind sharing the health insurance coverage info? I have a family and want to know how decent it will be or if I need to start looking for something else. Thanks in advance!

Good luck interviewees! This is your chance to rock it!

not sure yet, but if it's like KU's in Lawrence, then it only covers the student, not the family. I just remember knowing international students who would have no health insurance for their wives because KU refused to cover them. their wives moved to America with their husbands but were not KU students themselves, so they were left out. pretty bad system, if you ask me. hopefully KU Med is different.

 

[Engineer2MD]

Aren't people interviewing this week? How is it going, guys??????

 

[Engineer2MD]

When you guys get your packages, would you mind sharing the health insurance coverage info? I have a family and want to know how decent it will be or if I need to start looking for something else. Thanks in advance!

Good luck interviewees! This is your chance to rock it!

Hi there, no problem, I'll let you know what it says. I will tell you though, I'm on my husband's insurance plan and not planning on changing. It's EXCELLENT (how often can anyone say that?). My employer now offers insurance and I don't take it because my husband's is so much better.

 

[BWSTW]

Hi there, no problem, I'll let you know what it says. I will tell you though, I'm on my husband's insurance plan and not planning on changing. It's EXCELLENT (how often can anyone say that?). My employer now offers insurance and I don't take it because my husband's is so much better.

Yeah, my work has decent insurance and everyone is under that. My husband is self-employed so it's the only insurance we have and it is so hard to find private insurance that doesn't rape you.

 

[Engineer2MD]

Yeah, my work has decent insurance and everyone is under that. My husband is self-employed so it's the only insurance we have and it is so hard to find private insurance that doesn't rape you.

Agreed. Private insurance consumers also have to worry about pre-existing conditions.

 

[Omzy]

Hey guys, I just interviewed yesterday and UTKD is interviewing later today.
I didn't get any surprise questions that haven't been discussed or are not expected. I did not get any ethics questions. However, there were many interviewers that seemed to have different approaches, according to the other interviewees. If you get a 4th year med student as a second-round interviewer, they are tougher on you. Mine seemed apathetic and very blunt.
Almost all interviewers dressed very casually, so that was less intimidating. One guy looked like a big Santa Claus with overalls and another lady was wearing a Halloween sweater. Every other interviewee was wearing a black suit (most with stripes) and there was an assortment of shirt and tie colors. I'd recommend wearing either a colored shirt or a colored tie or both (not traditional white shirt+black tie), but its not that important. One girl wore a gray suit and she stood out a bit, but in a neutral way. Everyone I saw looked like they belonged there--well dressed, clean cut, and all were very well spoken.
I think people that interviewed in the morning were all sort of relaxed when we went on tours and met with medical students, but those that interviewed later were all a little more quiet and stressed during these events.
When I went on the tour, I was impressed at the size of the campus and the complexity of the layout. The buildings are anything but homogeneous. It seems to be a pretty nice place to go to school and you can tell that the medical students were glad they were going there.
The curriculum is set up in modules. The students told us that everyone has 2 chances to take each module test and the best grade of the 2 is taken. That sounds pretty awesome 😀.
Well, I suppose that's it. Just have to wait for the results. Anyone know when to expect a letter, what the letters should look like, and if there will also be email notification? I was zoned out during that portion of the lecture because it was right before my interview

Good luck to everyone else interviewing!

EDIT: Haha, back to being #1 on each page. If I don't get in, at least they can't take that away from me!

 

[RagingMoose]

I don't know if they stressed this at your interviews or not, but for EDP they emphasized that the letter you get WILL BE THIN (as in one sheet of paper) regardless of what it says. Also, you should get an email that is just a copy-paste of the mailed letter before you get the snail mail.

 

[Omzy]

I don't know if they stressed this at your interviews or not, but for EDP they emphasized that the letter you get WILL BE THIN (as in one sheet of paper) regardless of what it says. Also, you should get an email that is just a copy-paste of the mailed letter before you get the snail mail.

Yes, they did say it would be a thin letter, but I think I recall hearing somewhere else that it would be in a red envelope if it was an acceptance, or something like that (could've been a diff school forum though🙄). Good to know I'll get the email first though.

 

[RagingMoose]

Mine was in a plane white envelope. I can't imagine they even bother to use different colors. 🙂

Don't be concerned with a status page update, btw... at least for EDP, they have had some communication issues with AMCAS and it will likely not show up correctly.

Just rely on the email followed by snail mail. (That's what Jason told me when I emailed to ask about it.)

 

[KSrez]

Hey guys, I just interviewed yesterday and UTKD is interviewing later today.
I didn't get any surprise questions that haven't been discussed or are not expected. I did not get any ethics questions. However, there were many interviewers that seemed to have different approaches, according to the other interviewees. If you get a 4th year med student as a second-round interviewer, they are tougher on you. Mine seemed apathetic and very blunt.
Almost all interviewers dressed very casually, so that was less intimidating. One guy looked like a big Santa Claus with overalls and another lady was wearing a Halloween sweater. Every other interviewee was wearing a black suit (most with stripes) and there was an assortment of shirt and tie colors. I'd recommend wearing either a colored shirt or a colored tie or both (not traditional white shirt+black tie), but its not that important. One girl wore a gray suit and she stood out a bit, but in a neutral way. Everyone I saw looked like they belonged there--well dressed, clean cut, and all were very well spoken.
I think people that interviewed in the morning were all sort of relaxed when we went on tours and met with medical students, but those that interviewed later were all a little more quiet and stressed during these events.
When I went on the tour, I was impressed at the size of the campus and the complexity of the layout. The buildings are anything but homogeneous. It seems to be a pretty nice place to go to school and you can tell that the medical students were glad they were going there.
The curriculum is set up in modules. The students told us that everyone has 2 chances to take each module test and the best grade of the 2 is taken. That sounds pretty awesome 😀.
Well, I suppose that's it. Just have to wait for the results. Anyone know when to expect a letter, what the letters should look like, and if there will also be email notification? I was zoned out during that portion of the lecture because it was right before my interview

Good luck to everyone else interviewing!

EDIT: Haha, back to being #1 on each page. If I don't get in, at least they can't take that away from me!

ha speaking of the buildings i really like that when you are on the 1st floor of the School of Nursing and you walk into Orr-Major you are on the 2nd floor. I would get so confused trying to get back to the SON when I would go over there.

Glad your interview seemed to go well.

 

[Engineer2MD]

Hi, Omzy, glad to hear everything went well. Good Luck UTKD!!!!

I got an e-mail on a Monday 2 weeks after the interview and then a then plain white enveloped letter the following Wednesday. I'd watch your e-mail.

Good luck!
Tracia

 

[Jayhawk1]

for EDP, I got an acceptance in my email. Not sure about a white snailmail letter...

 

[laryngo]

I know when I received a rejection notice during RD last season there wasn't an email, only the snail mail. I think the email notification is only with EDP due to the need for a quick decision. I'd put my money on the snail mail notification, not email.

UTKD~ How did it all go?? Positive thoughts are being sent your direction!

BWSTW~ In regards to insurance at KU Med, I asked the deans about it during my interview day. The insurance is open to the family. It is group plan, so pregnancy is covered, and pre-existing conditions are covered as long as you've had continued coverage. Of course the deans spoke highly of their student health center, which is not only open to us, but also to our families for a "small copay." I did not push for a price, but I will try to relay any info I find your direction. Remind me if I do not.

Good luck to all!!