2009-2010 University of Michigan Application Thread

[pharaoh88]

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You can get accepted from a no-name school. Just be patient. Good luck!

+1. It happened to me!

 

[SteinUmStein]

+1. It happened to me!

When can we expect more information from Michigan? Their initial letter said more information would be 'very soon to follow' online, such as housing and orientation info.

 

[ApoK]

I've been under review for a month and a half and my stats are definitely better than some of the other people who got interviews. I don't have the 38/4.0 required for an automatic interview but I'm close (>35 and >3.9) and for such a stats oriented school I'm surprised I haven't been put on hold then.

The only think I can think of is that Michigan doesn't like my state of residency and/or my undergrad institution.

Have you noticed on their profile page pretty much all the students come from certain undergrad schools: http://www.med.umich.edu/medschool/admissions/apply/profiles.html.

Guess because my undergrad school wasn't in Michigan and wasn't Harvard or Yale I'm out.

I got in from a state school. I'd have to disagree with your post completely. They take really well-qualified students and it's not just a numbers game by any means. Only like 15% or so of the interviews offered are auto-invites, I think.

 

[ApoK]

When can we expect more information from Michigan? Their initial letter said more information would be 'very soon to follow' online, such as housing and orientation info.

I'd like to know this as well. 😀

 

[Aggro]

Just wondering if anyone has me beat for time spent "Under Review". I've had it since 7/17. I call like once a month to check and make sure I haven't been ignored or rejected, and I'm repeatedly assured that they I'm still in the running. I somehow doubt it.

 

[ElegantWeapon]

Just wondering if anyone has me beat for time spent "Under Review". I've had it since 7/17. I call like once a month to check and make sure I haven't been ignored or rejected, and I'm repeatedly assured that they I'm still in the running. I somehow doubt it.

You have me beat, but not by more than a week 😉

 

[Contrarian]

You have me beat, but not by more than a week 😉

is there any reason we simply haven't been put on hold? I find it hard to believe that apps complete so long ago haven't been reviewed yet, and it's clear they didn't want to interview us right away...so isn't this just a de facto hold? why not make it official?

 

[gbarod]

Just wondering if anyone has me beat for time spent "Under Review". I've had it since 7/17. I call like once a month to check and make sure I haven't been ignored or rejected, and I'm repeatedly assured that they I'm still in the running. I somehow doubt it.

i was complete on 7/17 as well and i am still "under review". i am confused as to why we aren't at least given the "on hold" status because i doubt our apps haven't been reviewed to this day. i am assuming that this is the case but what do i know. anyways this whole process has made me an even more patient person than i was before because i know that everything at this point is not in my control. i do hope though that we are at least notified soon of our status, whether it be rejection, on hold, or interview

 

[Quicky]

I got in from a state school. I'd have to disagree with your post completely. They take really well-qualified students and it's not just a numbers game by any means. Only like 15% or so of the interviews offered are auto-invites, I think.

I think you're pretty much wrong. They posted on twitter that the average stats of those interviewed was 38/3.8 and that only 25% would be auto invites. Even if the average MCAT of all auto invites was a 40, the average MCAT of all non-autos would still be over 37. The auto invites have one thing in common with the non-auto invites, extremely high numbers. Nothing more than a luck (that's what MCAT scores represent) game at Umich.

Has anyone heard anything after being on hold? They told me over the phone they've been re-reviewing files of people on hold, but I have yet to hear of a single person with a hold status receiving an interview.

 

[SteinUmStein]

I think you're pretty much wrong. They posted on twitter that the average stats of those interviewed was 38/3.8 and that only 25% would be auto invites. The auto invites have one thing in common with the non-auto invites, extremely high numbers. Nothing more than a luck (that's what MCAT scores represent) game at Umich.

Has anyone heard anything after being on hold? They told me over the phone they've been re-reviewing files of people on hold, but I have yet to hear of a single person with a hold status receiving an interview.

MCAT scores are purely luck? I mean yes, of course the difference between a 40 and a 45 is mostly luck because it's a matter of a few questions, but there is a pretty big difference between a 30 and a 35, questions-wise.

Would you consider a 35 MCAT score simply luckier than a 30 MCAT result? If so, why do AAMC practice test results correlate so closely with actual test scores? 😕

 

[red10]

MCAT scores are purely luck? I mean yes, of course the difference between a 40 and a 45 is mostly luck because it's a matter of a few questions, but there is a pretty big difference between a 30 and a 35, questions-wise.

Would you consider a 35 MCAT score simply luckier than a 30 MCAT result? If so, why do AAMC practice test results correlate so closely with actual test scores? 😕

one or 2 point differences can be lucky. You can get lucky and have a bio section that kicks everyone else's butt but you just reviewed it in a class you're taking so you dominate. Each test doesn't test the exact same material so there is some chance involved.

 

[ApoK]

I think you're pretty much wrong. They posted on twitter that the average stats of those interviewed was 38/3.8 and that only 25% would be auto invites. Even if the average MCAT of all auto invites was a 40, the average MCAT of all non-autos would still be over 37. The auto invites have one thing in common with the non-auto invites, extremely high numbers. Nothing more than a luck (that's what MCAT scores represent) game at Umich.

Has anyone heard anything after being on hold? They told me over the phone they've been re-reviewing files of people on hold, but I have yet to hear of a single person with a hold status receiving an interview.

Well, maybe these numbers are outdated but this is what my earlier post was drawing off of.

"RobertRuizMichigan (Jun 13, 2007 7:11:04 PM)
54321-yes, Not sure on the numbers-so don't quote me as they are going up since our applicant pool was up 20% last year and we anticipate another 20% jump this year. ...so I'm thinking 3.8/ 38 for non-residents and 3.75/36 for Michigan Residents. While the auto interview is nice it only applies to about 15% of all our interview offers"

http://www.accepted.com/chat/transcripts/2007/med06132007_michigan.aspx

Anyway, I don't think Michigan is nearly as elitist as you make it seem. You should try interviewing at Penn, Vandy or Harvard where at least 50-60% of your fellow interviewees will be from Ivy institutions. Also, we all know the MCAT is important. The only top school that I can think of that doesn't value it that much is Mayo.

 

[ApoK]

I think there is a real difference between a 25 and a 30, or a 30 and a 35. Though I think luck is the main factor in scores above ~35-36. I really don't want to start a silly debate, but we all know of people that averaged low 30s and wound up with a ~40. My friend never did better than 10 on PS in AAMC practices and wound up with an 8 on the real thing. He went on to retake the MCAT and had what he described as a "the easiest PS section ever" and scored a 15. I'm just a little bitter about the importance of MCAT scores in admissions because if I would've guessed right on 2-3 more questions or had a section tailored to my knowledge I'm almost positive I'd have a couple more interviews/acceptances. That being said, I have no doubt that many people with 40s have simply mastered everything.

I have never even heard of someone doing this, let alone know someone personally. I doubt that it really happens often. My take on it is that the differences between 38-45 are based mostly on luck like the test material playing to your personal strengths. If someone has a PhD in genetics, and their test has 5 passages in genetics... then they probably would do well on that BS section. And, yes, MCAT sections can be this unbalanced.

 

[ruiner]

Just wondering if anyone has me beat for time spent "Under Review". I've had it since 7/17. I call like once a month to check and make sure I haven't been ignored or rejected, and I'm repeatedly assured that they I'm still in the running. I somehow doubt it.

Right there with ya brotha - 7/17.

 

[BlueElmo]

I feel like they've already handed out almost all the interview invitations more or less. I think they are now combing through the applications to find the exceptional ones to hand out the few spots they have left, IMO.

 

[redsquareblack]

I feel like they've already handed out almost all the interview invitations more or less. I think they are now combing through the applications to find the exceptional ones to hand out the few spots they have left, IMO.

'Twould be nice if it were sooner rather than later! I'd rather know I'm out of the running than tend the flame of false hope.

 

[red10]

I feel like they've already handed out almost all the interview invitations more or less. I think they are now combing through the applications to find the exceptional ones to hand out the few spots they have left, IMO.

They've prob already invited all the exceptional ones and are now digging through 500 applications of people with 4.0s and 35s trying to figure out which 10 to invite.

 

[ziggyd0c]

Just wondering if anyone has me beat for time spent "Under Review". I've had it since 7/17. I call like once a month to check and make sure I haven't been ignored or rejected, and I'm repeatedly assured that they I'm still in the running. I somehow doubt it.

ha ha! i win, 7/15 😛 not that i'm really that happy about it though lol

 

[spyderracing32]

They've prob already invited all the exceptional ones and are now digging through 500 applications of people with 4.0s and 35s trying to figure out which 10 to invite.

You're being far too pessimistic. They still have 150 interviews to go out (slightly less than a quarter of their allotted slots), and more than half of their acceptances to give. This thing doesn't stop until February... it's gonna be a long year.

 

[red10]

You're being far too pessimistic. They still have 150 interviews to go out (slightly less than a quarter of their allotted slots), and more than half of their acceptances to give. This thing doesn't stop until February... it's gonna be a long year.

I'm not trying to be pessimistic at all.
I'm just saying they invited all the kids who have cured cancer and now they're going to have to start comparing applicants who are strong but not necessarily president of 5 clubs, traveled abroad, cured cancer and have introduced a bill to cut health care costs.😛

150 is a lot of interviews to give about but in proportion to their number of applicants, that's still rough odds.

 

[housemd?]

During the start of the cycle -- I was of the opinion that, I want to hear a decision now -- reject or interview.
Then I got a rejection, & I realized that there is a sense of finality to that. Realized that the committee has closed my file & is NOT going to look at it again, no matter what!
So, now, not having a rejection to me, is better than wanting to know NOW.
Just my soapbox.

 

[Desaad]

I'm not trying to be pessimistic at all.
I'm just saying they invited all the kids who have cured cancer and now they're going to have to start comparing applicants who are strong but not necessarily president of 5 clubs, traveled abroad, cured cancer and have introduced a bill to cut health care costs.😛

150 is a lot of interviews to give about but in proportion to their number of applicants, that's still rough odds.

I think they are looking for more of a variety than that. I got an interview a couple of weeks ago, and I'm hardly someone that cured cancer. I have to assume they've been mixing it up throughout, because my stats are nothing to write home about.

 

[smmypnts]

You don't have to be perfect to get an interview. I'm sure UM has rejected a few 4.0/35 mcats without an interview and invited someone with 3.3/32.

Just look at last years stats:

• Class Average GPA: 3.75 (Range 2.94-4.00)
• Class Average MCAT 11.75 (Range 9.0-14

Lets not blame rejections on stats, who knows how the adcom picks people.

 

[LAman10]

for those of us deferred to december... by december will we have a final decision (acceptance, waitlist, rejection), or could we be further deferred?

 

[lunchbox_tragedy]

for those of us deferred to december... by december will we have a final decision (acceptance, waitlist, rejection), or could we be further deferred?

Eh...people who posted in last years thread were deferred again until March. It sounds like not many people are deferred, though, and those posters may not have been representative of the general outcome. I doubt they will reject us -- it'll probably be another deferral or a waitlist.

 

[PhiAlpha]

Eh...people who posted in last years thread were deferred again until March. It sounds like not many people are deferred, though, and those posters may not have been representative of the general outcome. I doubt they will reject us -- it'll probably be another deferral or a waitlist.

any interviews going on? i was complete on 8/4 . haven't heard anything. too late to hear about an interview?

 

[PhiAlpha]

See on twitter it says: Our remaining interview offers will come from: "under review", "initial review complete" and "application screening complete" pools.

Does that count File Complete Under Review?

 

[housemd?]

Dear Adcom,
would you please tell us how many people are in the ""under review", "initial review complete" and "application screening complete"" pools? I know it doesn't make a difference, but its good to know, what pool are we dealing with here.

 

[red10]

See on twitter it says: Our remaining interview offers will come from: "under review", "initial review complete" and "application screening complete" pools.

Does that count File Complete Under Review?

i think that's what the first category is referring to.
I'm assuming they're talking about application complete under review people, people on hold and people who have some sort of complete status. I'm not sure what other kind of group there is other than "rejected" and it makes sense they wouldn't interview people in that pile... lol

 

[ruiner]

I think they were just trying to nip the "silent rejection" thing. 🙂

 

[sr9]

has anyone heard back from the 10/23 or the 10/30 interview dates? i know we're supposed to get updates today by noon, but i haven't gotten anything

 

[bluedevil51]

See on twitter it says: Our remaining interview offers will come from: "under review", "initial review complete" and "application screening complete" pools.

Does that count File Complete Under Review?

And what exactly are the differences between those three pools? I've been "File complete - Under Review" since early August, so of I don't have an "initial review complete" status, does that mean my application hasn't been looked at yet? I can understand that considering the volume of applications, but given the evidence of how on top of the admissions process UMich is, that doesn't seem particularly likely. I assumed I had been reviewed and moved to the "reconsider later" pile, but now I'm wondering if they have read my app at all, which actually gives me a little bit of hope, believe it or not.

 

[CielloStelatto]

has anyone heard back from the 10/23 or the 10/30 interview dates? i know we're supposed to get updates today by noon, but i haven't gotten anything

i haven't heard anything, but i was mstp and it's a whole other process. they're pretty good in this whole process, but if for some reason they're running a little later getting the status pages updated, they deserve a few hours of slack. in my opinion, anyway.

 

[KidProQuo]

has anyone heard back from the 10/23 or the 10/30 interview dates? i know we're supposed to get updates today by noon, but i haven't gotten anything

interviewed in that time frame, got an acceptance!!!

 

[DMB]

So I got an interview invite with a high gpa and a way below average mcat... how much does the mcat weigh in after the interview invite, or is everybody on equal grounds once invited to interview?

 

[PhiAlpha]

hasu mich started sending out rejections or have they stopped sending interviews yet? anyone also know if there is a way to check on your status?

many thanks,

phialpha

 

[BlueElmo]

hasu mich started sending out rejections or have they stopped sending interviews yet? anyone also know if there is a way to check on your status?

many thanks,

phialpha

Check your status on your status site.

 

[PhiAlpha]

when are they going to send out the last batch of interviews? anyone know?

 

[housemd?]

So I got an interview invite with a high gpa and a way below average mcat... how much does the mcat weigh in after the interview invite, or is everybody on equal grounds once invited to interview?

Sorry DMB dont know the answer to your Q -- but here's a Q for you -- when did you receive the invite from UMich?

 

[smmypnts]

I wish they would give a better time line of when they anticipate to close files. For all I know only 5% of applicants have been rejected pre-interview at this time point.

Considering that there are 5000 applicants this year and 500/650 interviews have been offered I would hope Michigan would have already closed somewhere around 3000 files by now at least. But that doesn't seem to be the case.

I guess when the tracker finally says 650/650 interviews offered that will mean anyone who hasn't gotten an invite yet has been rejected. Would be nice to find out before that happens though.

 

[redsquareblack]

I wish they would give a better time line of when they anticipate to close files. For all I know only 5% of applicants have been rejected pre-interview at this time point.

Considering that there are 5000 applicants this year and 500/650 interviews have been offered I would hope Michigan would have already closed somewhere around 3000 files by now at least. But that doesn't seem to be the case.

I guess when the tracker finally says 650/650 interviews offered that will mean anyone who hasn't gotten an invite yet has been rejected. Would be nice to find out before that happens though.

Agreed. I almost wish they would include a "x number of applications closed" or something like that, so we know where we stand. If there are still 3,000 or so applications open, that's way different for me than if there are only 400.

 

[He2]

twitter says they will close more files in the next few days. I have a feeling i may be in that pile

 

[housemd?]

twitter says they will close more files in the next few days. I have a feeling i may be in that pile

Gentlemen, you are going to be doctors -- till the patient is warm & dead, he's not dead!!! Dont give up hope!

 

[He2]

not warm, but definitely undergoing rigor mortis 😛

 

[elementals]

Anyone interviewing on Dec 4th? For that matter, any thoughts on flights? I'm hoping for last-minute deals, but prices don't seem to be changing much...

Oh and... er... how warm should I pack? I've lived in California almost my whole life. I don't know what winter is!

 

[housemd?]

Anyone interviewing on Dec 4th? For that matter, any thoughts on flights? I'm hoping for last-minute deals, but prices don't seem to be changing much...

Oh and... er... how warm should I pack? I've lived in California almost my whole life. I don't know what winter is!

Layers of clothing help. So a vest, a t-shirt, a shirt, and a jacket. you are all set. This is strictly a recommendation for californians. For michiganders, a shirt is all they need 🙂

 

[BlueElmo]

Okay now they have 130 spots left. I feel like I should give up hope here. My status is "Application screening completed". Is this a hold? Anyone have this?

 

[CielloStelatto]

blue, there's still a chance. lots of people still have that status, i believe. however, it seems like the interviews handed out the rest of the cycle will be more intermittent

 

[red10]

At this point is it better to have that hold status or the "file complete- under review" status? (especially if the "under review" has been since freaking July? hahaha)

 

[6760French]

I have been "under review" since 7/15... I hope that is a good thing!