2009-2010 University of Minnesota (Twin Cities) Application Thread

[thamsenman]

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No I haven't been. But I liked this school a lot. 🙂

 

[betheltim]

I think Dean White has a JD, so most people would not refer to him as Dr. White. 🙂

I know. If I remember from my interview, the staff referred to him as "doctor." Maybe I'm wrong... But either way, he's still a doctor, haha.

 

[PoniNo1]

Does the adcom reconvene only after new years? Or does anyone know when the next wave of phone calls might go out?

 

[Depumcrc]

JD is a doctorate degree

 

[TooMuchResearch]

JD is a doctorate degree

Uh huh...but how many lawyers are addressed as Dr. (Smith).

 

[betheltim]

Uh huh...but how many lawyers are addressed as Dr. (Smith).

Well, Dr. White wouldn't be classified as a lawyer, I'd say (isn't "lawyer" a job title, rather than a professional title? I don't think I'd call an M.D. who works at McDonalds a physician)... Maybe I'm wrong. I think their title is dependent on where they practice or work too.

Did you interview at the U? I'm curious what other people heard him called. In any case, it's not that big of a deal.

Happy new year, friends!

 

[TooMuchResearch]

Well, Dr. White wouldn't be classified as a lawyer, I'd say (isn't "lawyer" a job title, rather than a professional title? I don't think I'd call an M.D. who works at McDonalds a physician)... Maybe I'm wrong.

Did you interview at the U? I'm curious what other people heard him called. In any case, it's not that big of a deal.

Happy new year, friends!

Dean White.

 

[red10]

I can't believe how long this conversation has gone on about calling him Dr. vs Mr. vs Dean. lord...

 

[betheltim]

I can't believe how long this conversation has gone on about calling him Dr. vs Mr. vs Dean. lord...

Yeah, I didn't think it was that big of a deal... I tried to move onto New Year's, haha...
..

 

[gte770m]

Finally the interview invite came.... about a month and a half after submitting the secondary.
I thought I had no shot with almost no ties to the state...
I am absolutely ecstatic...

 

[Untraditional]

Finally the interview invite came.... about a month and a half after submitting the secondary.
I thought I had no shot with almost no ties to the state...
I am absolutely ecstatic...

You just got invited today? Congrats! 👍

Standard SDN reply follows:

"When were you complete and what were your stats? How did they notify you?"

 

[gte770m]

You just got invited today? Congrats! 👍

Standard SDN reply follows:

"When were you complete and what were your stats? How did they notify you?"

hahaha, yeah, I guess I should have been more complete in my posting.😀
I was complete at the beginning of November, so I guess it took two months, not one and a half. I got the email this morning.
As for my stats, MCAT 36Q & 34R, undergrad GPA 3.48 (BCPM GPA is 3.8, though), grad GPA 3.62 (all classes in science, maths and engineering).

 

[betheltim]

hahaha, yeah, I guess I should have been more complete in my posting.😀
I was complete at the beginning of November, so I guess it took two months, not one and a half. I got the email this morning.
As for my stats, MCAT 36Q & 34R, undergrad GPA 3.48, grad GPA 3.62.

Congratulations! Good luck at the interview!

 

[Kittee]

Hi, long time reader first time poster.

I got a secondary last week. I'm definitely completing it because I'll take whatever chance I can get, but I'm wondering what my chances are this late in the cycle. Will I even get an interview? I realize they wouldn't waste their time, but my stats are not the strongest, and I'm OOS.

I have a 31 MCAT and a 3.3 undergrad GPA, with a 3.5 grad GPA, and I took a couple of medical school courses through my graduate school.

 

[gte770m]

Hi, long time reader first time poster.

I got a secondary last week. I'm definitely completing it because I'll take whatever chance I can get, but I'm wondering what my chances are this late in the cycle. Will I even get an interview? I realize they wouldn't waste their time, but my stats are not the strongest, and I'm OOS.

I have a 31 MCAT and a 3.3 undergrad GPA, with a 3.5 grad GPA, and I took a couple of medical school courses through my graduate school.

If this isn't your top-choice school, and you are sitting on an acceptance from some other school that you'd prefer to attend, why bother? Otherwise, I think it's worth taking a shot. I don't think your stats are bad. Didn't they say the middle 50 percentile average 27 to 36 MCAT and 3.2 to 3.7 GPA (or something pretty similar)? So you are right in the middle, I think. Maybe it is late, but who knows?

Whatever you decide to do, good luck.

 

[betheltim]

Hi, long time reader first time poster.

I got a secondary last week. I'm definitely completing it because I'll take whatever chance I can get, but I'm wondering what my chances are this late in the cycle. Will I even get an interview? I realize they wouldn't waste their time, but my stats are not the strongest, and I'm OOS.

I have a 31 MCAT and a 3.3 undergrad GPA, with a 3.5 grad GPA, and I took a couple of medical school courses through my graduate school.

I don't speak from experience or from any level of expertise, so take my opinion at face value. I would say you're facing an uphill battle at this point if you consider the average numbers for the current MS1 class: 3.74 GPA, 31-32 MCAT, and heavily in-state. I think extracurriculars and your personal statement can make up for these discrepancies, but your biggest hurdle will be the fact that you're OOS. Minnesota's education is heavily funded by their taxpayers (correct me if I'm wrong), so they favor in-state. 28% of the class is OOS, and that accounts for 2562 OOS applicants. When you consider that only 410 applicants (both in-state and OOS) received interviews, I would guess that relatively few OOS applicants received them (I wouldn't be surprised if only a hundred or so OOS applicants received interviews). Now, if you have strong state ties, that's a different story (and I would think you'd have a much greater chance at an interview). But it is pretty late in the application cycle either way.

I'm not citing these numbers to scare you or to suggest you shouldn't apply, because everyone's situation is different, but you should know this before taking all that time to fill out the essays (And pay the extra fee, right?). Whatever you decide to do, good luck! I'm just curious (so don't feel obligated to respond to this question), do you have any other interviews or acceptances yet?

 

[Kittee]

I'm just curious (so don't feel obligated to respond to this question), do you have any other interviews or acceptances yet?

I applied late in the cycle. My grandmother is fighting a malignant brain cancer and losing. I had to leave the country to see her before she cannot recognize people. I know excuses are useless, just explaining I was not being lazy with applications.

I received one rejection (EVMS) and have not heard from any other school. I have applied to NYMC, Buffalo, SUNY Downstate, Penn State, and other schools in the northeast. Twin Cities is an exception because my friend went to school undergrad there and I really loved the people there and the school when I visited her.

@gte770m
I currently have no acceptances.

I'm finishing the application, and have a lot of research under my belt, but yes, I'm wondering what OOS stats were that got an interview and were accepted.

 

[gte770m]

I don't speak from experience or from any level of expertise, so take my opinion at face value. I would say you're facing an uphill battle at this point if you consider the average numbers for the current MS1 class: 3.74 GPA, 31-32 MCAT, and heavily in-state. I think extracurriculars and your personal statement can make up for these discrepancies, but your biggest hurdle will be the fact that you're OOS. Minnesota's education is heavily funded by their taxpayers (correct me if I'm wrong), so they favor in-state. 28% of the class is OOS, and that accounts for 2562 OOS applicants. When you consider that only 410 applicants (both in-state and OOS) received interviews, I would guess that relatively few OOS applicants received them (I wouldn't be surprised if only a hundred or so OOS applicants received interviews). Now, if you have strong state ties, that's a different story (and I would think you'd have a much greater chance at an interview). But it is pretty late in the application cycle either way.

That's a lot more complete answer than I could give. I didn't even realize that many OOS applicants applied, and so few interview invites were extended. Just to let you know, I had basically no ties to the state (and I stated as much in my app), my EC was not anything extraordinary, and my secondary was submitted rather late (early November), yet I received an interview invite. So.... I guess you never know.

BTW, thanks for the well wishes, betheltim. And good luck to you, too, if you haven't already been accepted at UMN.

 

[betheltim]

I applied late in the cycle. My grandmother is fighting a malignant brain cancer and losing. I had to leave the country to see her before she cannot recognize people. I know excuses are useless, just explaining I was not being lazy with applications.

Don't worry, I wasn't questioning your motivation or commitment. I'm sorry about your grandmother though, that's obviously not easy in the midst of med school applications, either...

I received one rejection (EVMS) and have not heard from any other school. I have applied to NYMC, Buffalo, SUNY Downstate, Penn State, and other schools in the northeast. Twin Cities is an exception because my friend went to school undergrad there and I really loved the people there and the school when I visited her.

@gte770m
I currently have no acceptances.

I'm finishing the application, and have a lot of research under my belt, but yes, I'm wondering what OOS stats were that got an interview and were accepted.

I've heard the U is big on research though, so that's always a good thing. I got my numbers for OOS statistics here:

http://www.meded.umn.edu/admissions/class_profile.php

I wouldn't trust other websites either... All of those I've seen have been incredibly inaccurate (assuming the aforementioned website is the standard).

In any case, like I said, I don't want to dissuade you from completing the application, especially if you think you have a chance. Read:

That's a lot more complete answer than I could give. I didn't even realize that many OOS applicants applied, and so few interview invites were extended. Just to let you know, I had basically no ties to the state (and I stated as much in my app), my EC was not anything extraordinary, and my secondary was submitted rather late (early November), yet I received an interview invite. So.... I guess you never know.

Fortunately there's more to an application than numbers and superficial activities written on a piece of paper, eh? Haha... I'd like to think admissions committees are very careful about weeding through applications that have a lot of good activities and numbers for people who are serious, logical, and genuine; I often wonder if I was given an interview despite my subpar extracurricular activities because of the way they have been so influential and important... I'm becoming more and more convinced that admissions offices want to see significance rather than a subscribed and prescribed "pre-med curriculum."

Anyway, that's all to say that if you feel like you have a shot with these numbers in mind, I'd go for it.

BTW, thanks for the well wishes, betheltim. And good luck to you, too, if you haven't already been accepted at UMN.

Thanks, you too! I haven't been accepted yet, unfortunately... I interviewed on December 21, and it sounds like it'll be about mid- to late February before I'll hear back (they said 4-6 weeks officially, but more like 5-8). As I've said before, the U is pretty much a no-brainer for me; the school is a great fit.

 

[gte770m]

Does UMN have student hosting program for interviewees?

 

[Russkaya]

Does UMN have student hosting program for interviewees?

Yes, and it is wonderful. I highly recommend staying with a student. I stayed with one, and it was a great way to get an inside perspective on everything at the U.

 

[Kittee]

Thanks to betheltim and gte770m for answering my questions. I submitted my secondary on Saturday (still waiting for the payment to process). I hope I get an interview. Would certainly make me feel better!

 

[housefish26]

Got some update info for everyone still waiting on a decision.

I called admissions today and they said the next two committee meetings would be on 1/6 and 1/20. They said if my file made it to the committee by 1/6 then I would expect to hear the decision by the following Wednesday (1/13). Good luck to everyone!

 

[Vincent Freeman]

Hey everyone! Happy New Year ><

I was wondering when I should expect my interview results? I was interviewed on December 3rd; quickly skimming the forum, I notice there is backlog? Do they always call?

Thank you in advance!

Vincent Freeman

 

[sassilysweet]

Hey everyone! Happy New Year ><

I was wondering when I should expect my interview results? I was interviewed on December 3rd; quickly skimming the forum, I notice there is backlog? Do they always call?

Thank you in advance!

Vincent Freeman

I am at the 8 week mark and no news yet. As the poster above you stated, there are committee meetings coming up.

I believe that you are called if accepted and snail-mailed a letter if waitlisted.

 

[TAJgoesMD]

Got a rejection by snail mail today after finally checking my mail box (have been away from home). OOS, 31R, 4.0cGPA

 

[PoniNo1]

This Thursday will be 9 weeks since my interview. I really hope I get some news soon! 🙁

 

[PoniNo1]

Got a rejection by snail mail today after finally checking my mail box (have been away from home). OOS, 31R, 4.0cGPA

When did you interview?

 

[betheltim]

Thanks to betheltim and gte770m for answering my questions. I submitted my secondary on Saturday (still waiting for the payment to process). I hope I get an interview. Would certainly make me feel better!

Hey no problem! Good luck!

Got some update info for everyone still waiting on a decision.

I called admissions today and they said the next two committee meetings would be on 1/6 and 1/20. They said if my file made it to the committee by 1/6 then I would expect to hear the decision by the following Wednesday (1/13). Good luck to everyone!

I am at the 8 week mark and no news yet. As the poster above you stated, there are committee meetings coming up.

I believe that you are called if accepted and snail-mailed a letter if waitlisted.

This Thursday will be 9 weeks since my interview. I really hope I get some news soon! 🙁

These are not encouraging... Haha...

 

[sassilysweet]

Just called to see if I had gone to committee review yet...
Interviewed Nov. 16, "should" go to full C.R. Jan. 20th

Wow that is a lot longer than 4-6 weeks! 🙁

Guess I will for awhile still

 

[PoniNo1]

Interviewed Nov. 5 and I found out today that I will "likely" go to committee review on Jan. 20. So bummed right now..oh and btw Jan. 20 will be 11 weeks since my interview!!

 

[Sunbeam]

Just called to see if I had gone to committee review yet...
Interviewed Nov. 16, "should" go to full C.R. Jan. 20th

Wow that is a lot longer than 4-6 weeks! 🙁

Guess I will for awhile still

thanks for posting that, I was there 11/16 also and was wondering when I might hear. Long wait, but hopefully will be worth it for good news!

 

[jjk]

For me, 12 weeks to the day between my interview (9/24/09) and finally getting the call (12/17/09), so there is definitely good cause to remain optimistic!!!! 🙂

 

[red10]

Minnesota obviously moves very slowly compared to other schools so I don't think anyone has reason to feel anxious about whether or not the long wait means something bad or w/e. This school definitely teaches patience.

 

[sassilysweet]

Minnesota obviously moves very slowly compared to other schools so I don't think anyone has reason to feel anxious about whether or not the long wait means something bad or w/e. This school definitely teaches patience.

It is just frustrating to be told one thing (4-6 weeks) when they know that it will not hold true (it's called managing expectations, people! heh).

My husband also needs to know what STATE we are going to be living in this summer. To get a job in his field he really should already have been applying for jobs/post-docs and making other connections. oh well.

...Plus, they extended the $8000 first-time home-buyers credit through April, and we were thinking of buying if we stayed in-state...Would be nice to get that ball rolling, too.

 

[betheltim]

It is just frustrating to be told one thing (4-6 weeks) when they know that it will not hold true (it's called managing expectations, people! heh).

My husband also needs to know what STATE we are going to be living in this summer. To get a job in his field he really should already have been applying for jobs/post-docs and making other connections. oh well.

...Plus, they extended the $8000 first-time home-buyers credit through April, and we were thinking of buying if we stayed in-state...Would be nice to get that ball rolling, too.

That sounds pretty frustrating... Good luck (whenever they get to it)!

Did anyone, by chance, ask what the cutoff will likely be for the January committee review? I interviewed in mid-December, and am hoping that mine sneaks into the January pile...

 

[mpls]

It is just frustrating to be told one thing (4-6 weeks) when they know that it will not hold true (it's called managing expectations, people! heh).

My husband also needs to know what STATE we are going to be living in this summer. To get a job in his field he really should already have been applying for jobs/post-docs and making other connections. oh well.

...Plus, they extended the $8000 first-time home-buyers credit through April, and we were thinking of buying if we stayed in-state...Would be nice to get that ball rolling, too.

I hear you. I have a husband and 2 kids, and it is much more complicated to move the group. I was told I'd hear in 4-6 weeks, or the end of the year, and then told I'd be reviewed on 1/6. Still waiting anxiously by the phone....

 

[housefish26]

I'm with you guys. Fiance will be doing her clinical rotations for physical therapy school and if she's going to do them outside of the twin cities metro area she's got to apply by February 1st. Otherwise we're spending our first year of marriage apart-not quite an ideal situation 🙁

 

[sassilysweet]

That sounds pretty frustrating... Good luck (whenever they get to it)!

Did anyone, by chance, ask what the cutoff will likely be for the January committee review? I interviewed in mid-December, and am hoping that mine sneaks into the January pile...

I am thinking that if you interviewed mid-December, you will be reviewed about a month after me, so maybe at the end-of-Feb meeting?? I do not know how many groups they get through at once, but from the other posters they for sure still have to get through the first two weeks of Nov's interviews.

housefish--Totally! If we end up moving to PA (i.e. I don't get accepted here), my hubs will most likely have to get a job at least three hours away. We were debating if it was going to be three hours, he might as well just apply for a national lab job ($$$$) to work at for a year or two.

mpls--That would be hard having to worry about uprooting a husband AND two kids! Good luck to you, I hope you hear soon

 

[Untraditional]

Interview invite today, scheduled for Feb 5 tentatively!

 

[Vincent Freeman]

Interview invite today, scheduled for Feb 5 tentatively!

Congratulations! Best of luck on your interview 😀. Then you can join the rest of us anxiously waiting for results 😛

 

[Untraditional]

Congratulations! Best of luck on your interview 😀. Then you can join the rest of us anxiously waiting for results 😛

You know its late in the season when you see this as opposed to "When were you complete?! "


Minn!

 

[Tutmos]

You know its late in the season when you see this as opposed to "When were you complete?! "


Minn!

Okay I'll bite. When were you complete at the UofM Twin Cities?

 

[gbarod]

I am thinking that if you interviewed mid-December, you will be reviewed about a month after me, so maybe at the end-of-Feb meeting?? I do not know how many groups they get through at once, but from the other posters they for sure still have to get through the first two weeks of Nov's interviews.

It's been more than 11 weeks for me and I haven't heard anything since my interview. I interviewed mid to late October so they may not have even made decisions on that group yet either. I am waiting patiently though or at least trying too...

 

[sassilysweet]

It's been more than 11 weeks for me and I haven't heard anything since my interview. I interviewed mid to late October so they may not have even made decisions on that group yet either. I am waiting patiently though or at least trying too...

I am sorry--that is so ridiculous!! You should really call and see if you were reviewed yet or to at least make sure you will be reviewed in the next group on Jan. 20.
It is pretty sad if they have not gotten to the Oct. 15th-ish groups yet.

 

[deleted249431]

I was October 8th and got the call December 17th. That is odd that you haven't heard yet from October 15th.

 

[Golf Shoes]

Does anyone have any more knowledge on waitlist movement from last year? I, too, find this hard to believe. I failed to uncover a thread for last year's application cycle.

Three years ago, the UofMN accepted too many applicants initially. They accepted somewhere in the range of 300 applicants directly after interviews. 183 accepted, which was 13 over the desired limit. Thus, the waitlist did not move at all this year.

Two years ago, the UofMN made an effort to prevent this from happening again by accepting a much lower number of applicants initially directly after interviews. They accepted 242 applicants and proceeded to take 43 from the waitlist.

At least up until two years ago, the retention rate for acceptances had been increasing. I don't know if they had ever accepted less than 300 applicants for the 165-170 spots in the class. That's why I'm curious how they could have exhausted the waitlist last year. I wonder if they gave out more than 285 acceptances.

Any insight?

I'm surprised that no one in this thread is a reapplicant from last year that can provide some insight into the waitlist movement from the past cycle.

Anyways, I've asked a few people and finally today, I got an answer. Apparently last year the waitlist moved 63 spots and there were in the range of 290-300 acceptances given (~230 outright acceptances). The above values remain accurate to my knowledge.

So I'd expect around 300 acceptances this year. I feel like the retention rate will go down slightly with the price of instate tuition.

 

[sassilysweet]

I'm surprised that no one in this thread is a reapplicant from last year that can provide some insight into the waitlist movement from the past cycle.

Anyways, I've asked a few people and finally today, I got an answer. Apparently last year the waitlist moved 63 spots and there were in the range of 290-300 acceptances given (~230 outright acceptances). The above values remain accurate to my knowledge.

So I'd expect around 300 acceptances this year. I feel like the retention rate will go down slightly with the price of instate tuition.

Thanks for the info!! Hopefully we won't have to wait for waitlist movement, tho...

 

[MH2010]

I was October 8th and got the call December 17th. That is odd that you haven't heard yet from October 15th.

I was Oct 15th and still haven't heard. I called them back in Dec and they said my application was under final review and I should have heard the week of Dec 21st, then I called back in Jan and they said it would be looked at Jan 6th... who knows what is going on

 

[housefish26]

I was Oct 15th and still haven't heard. I called them back in Dec and they said my application was under final review and I should have heard the week of Dec 21st, then I called back in Jan and they said it would be looked at Jan 6th... who knows what is going on

Well according to the info I received earlier this month, people who were reviewed on Jan 6th should hear tomorrow, so maybe you'll be hearing from Dean White soon.

I'm really hoping that they're going through at least half a months worth of applicants per meeting. So like Oct 15-Oct 31 were reviewed on Jan 6th and Nov 1-Nov 15 will be on Jan 20th. That's total speculation on my part though.