2009-2010 University of Maryland Application Thread

[Ilovewater]

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Just got a snail mail from them. I was so excited until I realized that it was just them confirming that my secondary is complete. I guess it's still too early. -_-

 

[neuromcdoctor]

Just got a snail mail from them. I was so excited until I realized that it was just them confirming that my secondary is complete. I guess it's still too early. -_-

Ha ha I had the exact same reaction.

 

[nick_carraway]

Just got a snail mail from them. I was so excited until I realized that it was just them confirming that my secondary is complete. I guess it's still too early. -_-

I was terrified when I got it. I was like NO WAY I'm rejected already--you've only had my app for three days!

 

[derArzt]

Anyone have letters still not received for awhile?

 

[Appless]

Anyone have letters still not received for awhile?

me. But I wouldnt worry, since its all electronic the letters should be the least of your worries

 

[SportingMD54]

For the people the got application complete letters, did you have all of your LORs in? My research mentor has been quite slow in getting mine in (even though I gave a deadline in June 🙁)

 

[Appless]

so the essays say DO NOT COPY AND PASTE FROM MS-WORD

but I did, that message wasnt there when i submitted......it looked ok upon review but when they get it will it be all messed up?

 

[jackson1]

so the essays say DO NOT COPY AND PASTE FROM MS-WORD

but I did, that message wasnt there when i submitted......it looked ok upon review but when they get it will it be all messed up?

I hope not-I did the same thing.

 

[SportingMD54]

so the essays say DO NOT COPY AND PASTE FROM MS-WORD

but I did, that message wasnt there when i submitted......it looked ok upon review but when they get it will it be all messed up?

Same

 

[SunnyBlues]

so the essays say DO NOT COPY AND PASTE FROM MS-WORD

but I did, that message wasnt there when i submitted......it looked ok upon review but when they get it will it be all messed up?

Just looked at this thread because I am thinking about adding U Maryland to my list... Wanted to comment on the above - in MS Word 2007 there is a button under the "Home" tab that looks like a little white eraser beside a box containing the letters "Aa". On the default setting for MS Word, it's to the right of the pull-down menu for fonts and font sizes. Anyway, if you highlight all of your text and then click that button, it removes all formatting. I've been doing that with my secondary essays before copying and pasting, and I haven't run into any formatting issues. Did it with my AMCAS essays too, no problems there either.

 

[nick_carraway]

Just looked at this thread because I am thinking about adding U Maryland to my list... Wanted to comment on the above - in MS Word 2007 there is a button under the "Home" tab that looks like a little white eraser beside a box containing the letters "Aa". On the default setting for MS Word, it's to the right of the pull-down menu for fonts and font sizes. Anyway, if you highlight all of your text and then click that button, it removes all formatting. I've been doing that with my secondary essays before copying and pasting, and I haven't run into any formatting issues. Did it with my AMCAS essays too, no problems there either.

Wow! Someone has actually deciphered the Office 2007 terror known as The Ribbon.

<bows before Sunny>

 

[Syd785]

.Please describe and explain below any academic problems which you might have had while in college and/or graduate or professional school. Please include withdrawals, incompletes, poor grades, etc.

what constitutes a poor grade?? 😕
.

 

[Aggro]

Well, according to SDN, a B+...

Haha, probably just anything below a C+/C.

 

[Syd785]

Well, according to SDN, a B+...

Haha, probably just anything below a C+/C.

lol ok, just to be sure... C- and below?

 

[Syd785]

last year, I think this question had a 200 character limit, apparently they are giving us more room to discuss our mistakes now

 

[ramleigh7]

Is it just me, or is the payment option not working? I keep being redirected to a server error. Any info on this?

 

[jellybean12]

So it turns out that my most important exposure to clinical medicine IS my most satisfying experience in volunteering/community service...should I write about the same experience both times but different sides of it? Or is it better to choose another activity I did that's not so great?

 

[debbidala]

I certified my secondary before sending in my proof of residency form and now I can't get to the instructions for it any more! I have the form, I just need the address and any instructions (do I need to include my amcas ID or anything?). Can anyone post the info? Thanks so much!

 

[time2apply]

Anybody have an estimate on how long it took them to receive a secondary invite from Maryland after their primary was verified?

I've only received secondaries from a few schools so far and my primary was verified almost two weeks ago. Maryland is my #1 and I want to get the ball rolling!

 

[Appless]

Anybody have an estimate on how long it took them to receive a secondary invite from Maryland after their primary was verified?

I've only received secondaries from a few schools so far and my primary was verified almost two weeks ago. Maryland is my #1 and I want to get the ball rolling!

verified 6/2, app was sent out 6/24, then i got the 2ndary on 7/8

 

[seira]

I'm having the same issues as the time2apply. my AMCAS was verified on 7/9 but I still have not received secondary invite from maryland. UMD is my state school and i really wanted it to get submitted. I know patience is the key in this game but when should i start to get concerned? Did anyone contact admission office about this in the past?

 

[slacks]

Is it just me, or is the payment option not working? I keep being redirected to a server error. Any info on this?

Same here. Hopefully it isn't charging me, because I've tried it about 5 times yesterday and today!

 

[slacks]

FYI, I called admissions and they are aware of the server problem when attempting payment. They don't know when it will be fixed, as they are having a hard time reaching the IT folks. They said they'll email me when they have more info.

 

[Compass]

Seira, I just received mine today and I was done with AMCAS approval 2 weeks ago. Coincidentally the day after my newly awesome MCAT score.

Anyways, I have a question:

"Has your education been continuous?"

I am a graduate recently and will not be going to school Fall/Spring semesters anywhere. Would I answer y/n to this question? No gaps other than this gap year.

 

[Sentinel]

So it turns out that my most important exposure to clinical medicine IS my most satisfying experience in volunteering/community service...should I write about the same experience both times but different sides of it? Or is it better to choose another activity I did that's not so great?

Yes, I have this same issue. Problem is; I really only have one major volunteering/clinical activity that I did (for 6+ months). So. Yea. Wonder how I'll tackle this one.

Btw for people looking for details of when they'll get the secondary:
AMCAS verified July 14th. Received secondary email today (July 22nd @ 2:18 pm).

 

[DrFishy]

When it says Independent Research, how "Independent" do you think it needs to be? I mean no one does research without any guidance, right?

 

[seira]

compass, thanks! i actually just received my about 30min ago. i guess for other people who are worried about receiving secondaries like i was, i was verified on july 9th and i received mine today.

working on the profession essay. 😎

 

[alibai3ah]

When it says Independent Research, how "Independent" do you think it needs to be? I mean no one does research without any guidance, right?

Few pre-meds have the authority to get a grant and do a research independently without any assistance/help. Everyone has a professor, company, or somebody who helps you, but I wouldn't say doing data entry/ or the trivial stuff constitutes as "independent research"....

You can gauge what you did more than anyone else.... if you feel adcomms will think you didn't have enough of an "active" role, then I wouldn't put it.

 

[gimmedanews]

Does 'independent study' count personal things you've done on your own? Like pick up a musical instrument?

 

[tiatemeh]

Any ideas about what we are supposed to put in the 'subject' field of the letters of recommendation section? I'm sending a doctor's recommendation to the school but don't know what that section even means!

 

[alibai3ah]

Does 'independent study' count personal things you've done on your own? Like pick up a musical instrument?

That's interesting, I didn't even think about it that way...I thought they were talking purely from a scientific research aspect. That might work, i'm not sure....

 

[tallandshort]

Does 'independent study' count personal things you've done on your own? Like pick up a musical instrument?

Independent Study is actually a project undertaken under the supervision of a college professor for course credit. Usually this is a research project where you work in a lab for credit instead of an hourly wage, but it doesn't have to be. Overall, it is basiclly work that you do for course credit instead of pay. If you're still unsure though, just call U of Maryland and ask. They are really nice and very helpful, plus they always answer their phone when their office is open. Good luck!

 

[tallandshort]

Any ideas about what we are supposed to put in the 'subject' field of the letters of recommendation section? I'm sending a doctor's recommendation to the school but don't know what that section even means!

If it was a professor, I just put what subject they taught me in like chemistry or biology. If it was a doctor I shadowed, I either put medicine or the doctor's specialty. If it was someone I volunteered for, I listed it as community service, etc. I'm sure whatever you feel is relevant would be fine, it's what the letter says about you that's important 🙂

 

[alibai3ah]

Independent Study is actually a project undertaken under the supervision of a college professor for course credit. Usually this is a research project where you work in a lab for credit instead of an hourly wage, but it doesn't have to be. Overall, it is basiclly work that you do for course credit instead of pay. If you're still unsure though, just call U of Maryland and ask. They are really nice and very helpful, plus they always answer their phone when their office is open. Good luck!

O no, I was under the impression that it could be an employer too....

 

[slacks]

If anybody's been trying to make their payment for the secondary, the server is up now!

 

[alibai3ah]

Now I'm really worried....do you guys think if I wrote about a research project with my employer....am I screwed for writing that? Will they think that's not real or I interpreted it the wrong way. Will that reflect badly?

 

[Appless]

Now I'm really worried....do you guys think if I wrote about a research project with my employer....am I screwed for writing that? Will they think that's not real or I interpreted it the wrong way. Will that reflect badly?

I think its fine, furthermore you already submitted so calm down as it no longer matters. Once you submit just leave it be and dont worry anymore, it will be easier then fretting over every single thing that could go wrong. People make mistakes on apps all the time and are accepted. If they like you overall, they will not let something like that hold you back. Just dont worry and youll be fine. Move onto the next school 2ndary you have.

If you havnt submitted call the office...though i think u did already ?

 

[alibai3ah]

I think its fine, furthermore you already submitted so calm down as it no longer matters. Once you submit just leave it be and dont worry anymore, it will be easier then fretting over every single thing that could go wrong. People make mistakes on apps all the time and are accepted. If they like you overall, they will not let something like that hold you back. Just dont worry and youll be fine. Move onto the next school 2ndary you have

Thanks Elijah, but being the overly neurotic person that I am, I called. And you are right, it actually does not matter, it can be employer or professor. As long as you are "heavily involved", that is what they are trying to gauge.

 

[thinker]

I'm confused about this independent study question

so if i did research in a lab over the summers, as an honor's student, and then as a Master student .. does this count? or is this supervised research? I certainly had guidance and direction from the PI but also had lots of freedom in how I conducted my experiments and did things on the side..

i was thinking independent research can mean even looking up things in the literature for personal interest.. for example i read a lot about evolution/ origin of life.. and try to organize my readings and collect info from different sources.. does that count? or is this just good ol' reading?

 

[mannyowens]

Any updates from maryland outside of complete mail. Does anyone have an idea of when they start sending out interview invites?

 

[HateTheMCAT]

so one of my essay boxes says i have 596 characters entered before i even put anything in. anyone else having this problem?

 

[SportingMD54]

so one of my essay boxes says i have 596 characters entered before i even put anything in. anyone else having this problem?

Use internet explorer... That application style seems to hate mozilla. Hope that is the problem. Tufts did that to me when I was using Mozilla, and internet explorer fixed it 🙂

 

[KapS86]

This may be a stupid question, but what constitutes independent research? I was a summer research intern at johns hopkins as well as NIH. Does this count as independent research?

 

[Appless]

This may be a stupid question, but what constitutes independent research? I was a summer research intern at johns hopkins as well as NIH. Does this count as independent research?

yes

 

[alibai3ah]

This may be a stupid question, but what constitutes independent research? I was a summer research intern at johns hopkins as well as NIH. Does this count as independent research?

Well what did u do? If you were just an intern and u did all the "peon work", then no....

I called the school to find out what they meant. They said "anything where you have an active role in the research gathering process or you received a grant w/ a professor or you wrote something that is published....". So no data entry, spread sheet making, or any of that stuff.....So you can gauge the work u did and see where you stand....

 

[HateTheMCAT]

Use internet explorer... That application style seems to hate mozilla. Hope that is the problem. Tufts did that to me when I was using Mozilla, and internet explorer fixed it 🙂

Great, thanks for the heads up. That solved it.

 

[k7i5t3n]

Any updates from maryland outside of complete mail. Does anyone have an idea of when they start sending out interview invites?

No updates here. Got the letter this week. Not sure when they start sending out updates.

 

[lamorsa]

I just got my snail mail confirmation today, I turned in the secondary on the 24th.

 

[neelson88]

did they get your letters of rec yet? on the website it says to allow 3-4 weeks for that but i don't understand why it would take that long. especially for electronic AMCAS submission.

 

[debbidala]

did they get your letters of rec yet? on the website it says to allow 3-4 weeks for that but i don't understand why it would take that long. especially for electronic AMCAS submission.

I'm a little confused about this too - especially because my committee letter shows received on the day I got my secondary, but my two individual letters still show not received. I called admissions and they confirmed that it just takes a few weeks to process, so I guess I'll hang tight, but it's a little strange.