2009-2010 University of Oklahoma Application Thread

[beyondbethany]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Systems-based approach is the best: is increases medical retention. Residents who have been through this systematic approach tends to fare better on their boards as opposed to others. This info. comes from many doctors who have seen this difference in approach. Yay, to OU 🙄

At a recent dean's lunch for first year students (they do these things a few times a year), the deans told us point blank that there is no evidence that implementing a systems-based approach has improved board scores at any school. That is not the goal with the new curriculum (although I am sure they would be tickled if that did occur), they told us it was simply a more "student friendly" curriculum that helped the student to learn and integrate the information - which is probably true.

Granted I am not even close to taking my boards, but I think that your board score is really a function of the quality of your learning in the first two years (read study and effort) and the grueling process that is board prep.

 

[beyondbethany]

Not trying to be a jerk or anything, but has anyone else called/emailed to verify this? I am going to call tomorrow and talk to either Dotty or Lisa and I will let ya'll know what I find out. Please let me know if anyone has heard anything to verify or negate... Thanks!

This is true, it is the same procedure they follow every year. If you are a January or February interviewee, I wouldn't fret too much - you still have a great chance of getting a spot. Spending any amount of time on a wait or deferred list sucks though.

 

[oklahomahello]

This is true, it is the same procedure they follow every year. If you are a January or February interviewee, I wouldn't fret too much - you still have a great chance of getting a spot. Spending any amount of time on a wait or deferred list sucks though.

I spoke with someone earlier today. They said that the notification (accept, wait list, other alternative of which we do not speak) will be received (at least for this week's interviews) within 10 or so days of the interview.

Bottom line, from what I understand, the Jan and Feb interviews are not being lumped together to be considered at the end of Feb. You will still have your notifications just like everyone else did.

Good Luck everyone!!

 

[dr seuss]

This is what I could find online about the new curriculum.
http://www.oumedcenter.com/body.cfm?id=58&action=detail&ref=64

The heart of Curriculum 2010 consists of twelve core basic science courses. These core courses and the associated grading system have been approved by the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. Faculty continue to plan and refine the remaining components of Curriculum 2010 including the Capstone course, the Prologue course, and the enrichment opportunities. Curriculum 2010 remains a work in progress.

In the proposed curriculum, each core course ends with one week devoted to assessment; this week will include a variety of assessment activities that will evaluate student knowledge, skills, and behavior. Hence, a six week Curriculum 2010 course will contain five weeks of instruction and one week of assessment.

I found this from a powerpoint. They handed a schedule out at the interview but I don't have it with me so I'm not sure if it is the same.

Foundational Courses (morning courses)
1. Molecular and Cellular Structure
2. The Human Structure
3. Disease, Diagnosis & Therapy

Systems Courses (morning courses)
4. Musculoskeletal & Integument
5. Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary
6. Metabolism and Nutrition
7. Blood, Hematopoiesis, & Lymphatics
8. Cardiovascular, Respiratory & Renal
9. Neuroscience & Psychiatry
10. Reproduction & Gender-based Health

Afternoon Courses
Patients, Physicians, & Society / Clinical Medicine (M, W, F)
Enrichment (Tu, Th): research, humanities, clinical skills

I'm just guessing, but it seems like the afternoon courses would be mandatory.

 

[OU2014]

Once you've been accepted into OU do you have to turn in your spring class schedule, because my amcas list and what I'm actually taking is now way off. And the pre-req list we turned in on the interview date has that been okayed?

 

[WhatsNext]

Once you've been accepted into OU do you have to turn in your spring class schedule, because my amcas list and what I'm actually taking is now way off. And the pre-req list we turned in on the interview date has that been okayed?

Your responsibilities should be listed in your acceptance letter. For instance, mine only requested that I submit my final transcript by August 13. If you have any questions about what you need to do, Lisa or Dotty would most likely give you better information than anyone here on SDN.

 

[WhatsNext]

This is what I could find online about the new curriculum.
http://www.oumedcenter.com/body.cfm?id=58&action=detail&ref=64



I found this from a powerpoint. They handed a schedule out at the interview but I don't have it with me so I'm not sure if it is the same.

Foundational Courses (morning courses)
1. Molecular and Cellular Structure
2. The Human Structure
3. Disease, Diagnosis & Therapy

Systems Courses (morning courses)
4. Musculoskeletal & Integument
5. Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary
6. Metabolism and Nutrition
7. Blood, Hematopoiesis, & Lymphatics
8. Cardiovascular, Respiratory & Renal
9. Neuroscience & Psychiatry
10. Reproduction & Gender-based Health

Afternoon Courses
Patients, Physicians, & Society / Clinical Medicine (M, W, F)
Enrichment (Tu, Th): research, humanities, clinical skills

I'm just guessing, but it seems like the afternoon courses would be mandatory.

That list is almost exactly what they handed out to us in the Nov. interviews with one exception. "Disease, Diagnosis, and Therapy" seems to come before "The Human Structure" on the schedule I have in front of me, which is tentative. That, and what they gave us is organized in a nice color-coded schedule format. There is also a capstone course at the end of year 2 which is described as an integration of all previous material (USMLE prep???).

 

[beyondbethany]

I spoke with someone earlier today. They said that the notification (accept, wait list, other alternative of which we do not speak) will be received (at least for this week's interviews) within 10 or so days of the interview.

Bottom line, from what I understand, the Jan and Feb interviews are not being lumped together to be considered at the end of Feb. You will still have your notifications just like everyone else did.

Everyone will still receive notification in the same 10-14 day time frame as all previous applicants, but the majority of January and February applicants will be deferred (not rejected) until the end of the admissions process. This is how they have done it for years and if you look back in this thread and in last years thread, you will find the same thing. After the first 120-140 slots are offered up to earlier applicants, they stop awarding acceptances (for the most part) until after the whole admissions cycle is complete.

 

[oklahomahello]

Hey, has anybody who's had an interview with the school of community medicine be willing to comment on it... Or anyone who is matriculating currently... THANKS SO MUCH!

 

[marshds]

Hey, has anybody who's had an interview with the school of community medicine be willing to comment on it... Or anyone who is matriculating currently... THANKS SO MUCH!

I would appreciate this as well, I have mine coming up on Friday. Was it more of a recruitment interview or an admissions interview? Were they clear on what the incentive would be?

 

[WhatsNext]

The School of Community Medicine interview is very relaxed. It happens after lunch. All the Community Medicine interviewees will return to the library and the whole process will go until about 4:00-4:30. They really just want to know why you are interested the community medicine approach and if you will be a good fit for the program. It is also an opportunity for them to explain more about the School of Community Medicine since it is new and there seems to be a lot of misconceptions about the school floating around. Keep in mind that OU has been offering 3rd and 4th year clinical rotations in Tulsa for over 35 years, though. It's just that the George Kaiser Family Foundation recently donated a chunk of money to OU to start focusing on the health care issues in Tulsa and this led to the formation of the School of Community Medicine.

They will explain all the financial incentives to you at the interview. However, the process of getting the scholarship is still a little fuzzy to me. It sounds as if a substantial contract is involved since the George Kaiser Family Foundation is footing the bill, but I'm really not certain of any details other than you have to commit to working with the underserved in the Tulsa area for 4 years.

Overall, I think it sounds like an awesome program with a bright future. If all works out as planned, they will end up being Oklahoma's 3rd medical school in partnership with TU. I was accepted, but ended up selecting the OKC track. My wife and I are pretty set up here in OKC and we decided that it would be best for us if I just did all 4 years in one place. Under different circumstances, I would have gone to the School of Community Medicine without hesitation. But, that's just me. Your impressions may be different. Hope that helps.

 

[sdotsom]

Anyone else screwed by the weather for their interviews? I'm in state but coming from St. Louis, and we are supposed to get 6 inches of snow and freezing rain tonight. Got no idea if I can get to Norman by Friday morning, our airport is screwed over too. Emailed Dotty 25 minutes ago, and I'll be calling them tomorrow - hopefully I can reschedule if necessary.

 

[MonsterAddict]

Norman?

 

[Knitress]

Anyone else screwed by the weather for their interviews? I'm in state but coming from St. Louis, and we are supposed to get 6 inches of snow and freezing rain tonight. Got no idea if I can get to Norman by Friday morning, our airport is screwed over too. Emailed Dotty 25 minutes ago, and I'll be calling them tomorrow - hopefully I can reschedule if necessary.

The medical school is in OKC, not Norman.

 

[sdotsom]

My bad, I'm stayin with my bro who's a senior at OU in Norman. Anyway, I got it pushed to Jan 14 thanks to Dotty. I hope that doesn't make me worse off than how I would have been today.

 

[jr87]

Does anyone know how long it takes to hear from the school of community medicine regarding their interview? I got my interview invite a few weeks ago from OU but haven't heard anything yet from SCM, does everyone that includes them on their application get an interview with them?

 

[booooomer]

Does anyone know how long it takes to hear from the school of community medicine regarding their interview? I got my interview invite a few weeks ago from OU but haven't heard anything yet from SCM, does everyone that includes them on their application get an interview with them?

I got my interview invite for the school of community medicine three days after I got my OU interview invite. at my interview this past weekend they said that over 200 people requested an interview with them but that they didnt invite all of them to interview.

 

[jr87]

I got my interview invite for the school of community medicine three days after I got my OU interview invite. at my interview this past weekend they said that over 200 people requested an interview with them but that they didnt invite all of them to interview.

Thanks for the info, I actually got the invite email from them this morning. I used to consider myself a patient person, until I applied to med school.

 

[marshds]

For those who interviewed Jan 7th or 8th, do you all think they will get us our deferred or rejected notice by the end of this week? They said ten days, but one can hope.

 

[marshds]

Any word on when letters are going out?

The thread sure has been quiet.

 

[jlmucci]

That's true. I just had my interview today and the Assistant Dean of Admission said all those interviewed in January or February will find out in about 10 days after interviewing either 'Defer' or 'Deny'. For those who are 'Defer', they do a final review of all deferred applicants at the end of February and then make their final decision. Notifications mailed out first week of March.

 

[just one]

Any word on when letters are going out?

The thread sure has been quiet.

Anxious? Go hit some golf balls

 

[marshds]

Anxious? Go hit some golf balls

I have MLK day off, sounds like a plan.

This waiting game is horrible.

On a side note, did anyone feel the two earthquakes today outside of OKC? Freaky.

 

[WhatsNext]

I have MLK day off, sounds like a plan.

This waiting game is horrible.

On a side note, did anyone feel the two earthquakes today outside of OKC? Freaky.

The thread did get quiet didn't it? I've personally been limiting my SDN time recently. Perhaps others are too.

I didn't feel the earthquakes yesterday. Perhaps its irrelevant, but I did feel one a few months ago. I also used to work with a guy who lives out in Jones and according to him they've been getting some noticeable seismic activity out his way recently.

 

[Plus 20]

defer/reject letters are out for the first set of january interviews.

looks like it's some more hurry up and wait.........

 

[marshds]

defer/reject letters are out for the first set of january interviews.

looks like it's some more hurry up and wait.........

Did you receive one, or did you call them?

 

[Plus 20]

yeah, i received one. wish it was red though... guess i'll have to wait until march. i've heard of a couple others receiving theirs today as well.

 

[marshds]

yeah, i received one. wish it was red though... guess i'll have to wait until march. i've heard of a couple others receiving theirs today as well.

All deferred? Any rejections?

 

[Plus 20]

All deferred? Any rejections?

all defers.

 

[marshds]

I wonder if they are just going to defer everyone.

 

[medapplicant88]

I was wondering, does anyone officially know how many spots are being offered?

I interviewed January 7th and the assistant dean of admissions said something that day about the # of spots however I'm not sure what she said.

Also do you guys think there's anything that people who were deferred can do to help their chances or probably not.

Did anyone send cards or just leave things as they are.

Also I did not have 3 people interviewing me. Is that something to be concerned of.

I really was disappointed to realize that they had filled a huge number of spots before January interviews.

 

[ou10]

I was wondering, does anyone officially know how many spots are being offered?

I interviewed January 7th and the assistant dean of admissions said something that day about the # of spots however I'm not sure what she said.

Also do you guys think there's anything that people who were deferred can do to help their chances or probably not.

Did anyone send cards or just leave things as they are.

Also I did not have 3 people interviewing me. Is that something to be concerned of.

I really was disappointed to realize that they had filled a huge number of spots before January interviews.

Supposedly they have accepted 120 people so that would leave around 40 spots or so...of course there are probably more because some people will choose to withdraw their acceptances.

I would say sending a thank you note can't hurt. The first year that showed my group around gave me the names of my interviewers and suggested that I send one.

It is odd that you didn't have 3 interviewers but I would assume that they just didn't have enough people on your interview date. Did you just have 2 doctors?

 

[medapplicant88]

Supposedly they have accepted 120 people so that would leave around 40 spots or so...of course there are probably more because some people will choose to withdraw their acceptances.

I would say sending a thank you note can't hurt. The first year that showed my group around gave me the names of my interviewers and suggested that I send one.

It is odd that you didn't have 3 interviewers but I would assume that they just didn't have enough people on your interview date. Did you just have 2 doctors?

Yeah I had two, it was that day early in January with bitter cold weather. the campus actually opened a little later at 10:30.

Thanks for your reply. I was wondering though, in the princeton review 2010 version that the 2008 year they offered 220 spots. is that unrealistic or possible.

I sure hope the fact that i had an interview early in January will help me out.

thanks for your reply.

 

[craigerz13]

Yes they will accept more than 160...I am a first year now...don't worry about only 2 interviewers, that day there were many folk with just 2 interviewers...its very normal. Lastly, some will get rejected. not everybody gets defer. A blanket statement about thank-you notes. They are nice if you wish, but by no means is it likely to have any impact on your app...as your "numbers" and comments about your app have been recorded and will be compared with the feb folks. I don't even think your interviewer will see your app again necessarily...can't hurt, but unlikely to help. HOPE YOU ALL GET IN!!!!

 

[oklahomahello]

I got a defer also. Just like the other guy said though, I have heard at least one reject... So here's to hoping!!! 😉

 

[blazingrockets]

From what I've read on other OU sdn forums, it seems like there is a tier system to the 2010 interviews where students who receive all A's (A for accept!) are in the top tier, those who receive all but one A are in the second tier, and so on and so forth..

a few questions though: how common is it for interviewees to receive all A's? how many Rejects does it take before an interviewee is outright rejected instead of deferred? do students who receive all A's usually get accepted from the WL?

thanks for the help..

I'm not sure if sdn keeps me sane or just causes me obsess even more.. 🙂

 

[medapplicant88]

I got a defer also. Just like the other guy said though, I have heard at least one reject... So here's to hoping!!! 😉

Do you know the stats of the person who was rejected by chance?

I am really worried and the worst part of this is the agonizing wait. I did really well on my MCAT mid 30 score, and my GPA is what's bringing down my application. I know OU's average is like 3.8. and my GPA is a little lower like a 3.6.

However I'd rather wait it out than have received a rejection.

Also does anyone know roughly how many people are on the deferred list?

 

[Plus 20]

From what I've read on other OU sdn forums, it seems like there is a tier system to the 2010 interviews where students who receive all A's (A for accept!) are in the top tier, those who receive all but one A are in the second tier, and so on and so forth..

a few questions though: how common is it for interviewees to receive all A's? how many Rejects does it take before an interviewee is outright rejected instead of deferred? do students who receive all A's usually get accepted from the WL?

thanks for the help..

I'm not sure if sdn keeps me sane or just causes me obsess even more.. 🙂

the "A" isn't the whole evaulation. the form does have an A for accept, D for defer, and R for reject. but they also rank you based on other criteria. they then evaluate you as a whole applicant and rank you. since were at 120 acceptance already - you'll recieve a number 121-300.

at this point in the game even one R is enough to probably send you on your way.... the interviewers must explain thoroughly why they circled reject (actually they have to explain thoroughly why the circled any of the three). if they were just "if-y" on you they would have more likely circled the D.

the meeting at the end of feb is to sort out the final ranking. 121-16(5) accepted, about 50 waitlisted and the rest rejected.

so here's to hoping 121-165...


and as for this:

Do you know the stats of the person who was rejected by chance?

I am really worried and the worst part of this is the agonizing wait. I did really well on my MCAT mid 30 score, and my GPA is what's bringing down my application. I know OU's average is like 3.8. and my GPA is a little lower like a 3.6.

However I'd rather wait it out than have received a rejection.

Also does anyone know roughly how many people are on the deferred list?

quit worrying. you applied to 18 other schools... odds are someone will take you.

 

[blazingrockets]

I just wasn't sure if in past years they have had to dip into the WL so far as to accept students from the WL who were in the 2nd tier (all but one A). In other words, based on past years, what are the chances of a student who had all A's but low numbers (the bottom of the top tier) of being accepted off the WL.

Also, I didn't know some students are rejected even after being deferred? I thought a deferral at least guarantees a spot on the WL.

 

[just one]

My advisor told me that if you are deferred, you can be rejected at the final decision on feb 21. I received my deferral today.

As far as the tier thing, I bet that noone has concrete proof either way, but my guess is that 70-90 people will get in from Jan-feb interviews. Not all of those will have received all A's from the committee. Just my opinion

 

[sdotsom]

Just got my deferment today, from a Jan 14 interview date.

Here's to hoping that February has some good news.

 

[medapplicant88]

Just got my deferment today, from a Jan 14 interview date.

Here's to hoping that February has some good news.

Do you know how many interview dates are in February?

 

[medapplicant88]

sdotsom, I found out interview dates 4th and 5th. Should've researched before asking.

However, If you have some time, I was wondering, (I saw one of your posts by curiosity) that you wrote a letter to the admissions committee.

My friend and I who were both deferred are debating whether that letter will upset the admissions committee director (Dotty) or the members of the committee and be overkill

or

do you think that they appreciated a letter like that? I've already sent cards to the interviewers and the admissions director.

My friend said that he didn't think it was a good idea. We're both instate.

 

[keithokc]

sdotsom, I found out interview dates 4th and 5th. Should've researched before asking.

However, If you have some time, I was wondering, (I saw one of your posts by curiosity) that you wrote a letter to the admissions committee.

My friend and I who were both deferred are debating whether that letter will upset the admissions committee director (Dotty) or the members of the committee and be overkill

or

do you think that they appreciated a letter like that? I've already sent cards to the interviewers and the admissions director.

My friend said that he didn't think it was a good idea. We're both instate.

As far as notes are concerned I don't think that they help or hurt from what I have been told (I asked a MD on the admissions board that I work with), the decision on your file is set in stone after your interview, either you got all Accepts or you didn't. They do use a tier system with AAAAA at the top AAAAD next ect ect... within the tier your MCAT and GPA score places your rank and on down the line. The notes are a nice gesture, but no committee member is going to change their mind on you based on a note. Your "advocates" advocate for you on the day of your interview to the board but at the final meeting they basically rank everyone and deny anyone that is below a certain point (if most people have all Accepts and you have more Defers or Denies, then at the final board you may get a deny decision).

On one other note, even though they set rolling admissions this year at 120 instead of 140 (leaving 40 spots instead of 20 for Jan/Feb students to compete for) they reached 120 spots during the first 4 days of interviews -(two days in OCT and the first two days of three in NOV). So most applicants that interviewed the last day in NOV, which was a Friday were deferred. Meaning that its not only the JAN/FEB dates but the last day of interviewees in NOV are lumped into the defer category for the big meeting on Feb 21st. So the competition will be stiff. This was also told to me by the same doctor.

On a bright note if you have all Accepts and a lower MCAT/GPA score then someone who has one Defer and a higher MCAT/GPA score, then you will be higher on the list than them no matter what day you were on. This allows for the exceptional well rounded student with a less than perfect academic record to have a chance .

 

[just one]

I would disagree with the 120 being reached at the first four interview days. That would mean 100% of the interviews were granted acceptance. I find that hard to believe

 

[just one]

.

 

[keithokc]

I would disagree with the 120 being reached at the first four interview days. That would mean 100% of the interviews were granted acceptance. I find that hard to believe

Its a well known fact that the OCT/NOV interviewees are the recruiting class, OU wants them as much as they want OU and almost all are accepted unless one were to completely mess up their interview.

Its just the facts I was given after my friend with 32 MCAT and 3.86 GPA tons of E.C, research and an amazing personality asked why she was deferred along with everyone else she knows from her OU undergrad that interviewed on her Nov 20th date. We were told by the MD who is on the admission board that they had met rolling admissions on the 20th so most (20/30) on the 20th got deferred and the others got in or were denied. 5 dates x 30 interviewees = 150. So if 120 got in and say 2 a day were denied that leaves 20 from Nov that were deferred.

 

[just one]

I could buy that. I was told by Dr. Baker first hand that statistically they accept 90-95% of the first round and 75% of the second round. Either way, we will find out in a month.

 

[medapplicant88]

Its a well known fact that the OCT/NOV interviewees are the recruiting class, OU wants them as much as they want OU and almost all are accepted unless one were to completely mess up their interview.

Its just the facts I was given after my friend with 32 MCAT and 3.86 GPA tons of E.C, research and an amazing personality asked why she was deferred along with everyone else she knows from her OU undergrad that interviewed on her Nov 20th date. We were told by the MD who is on the admission board that they had met rolling admissions on the 20th so most (20/30) on the 20th got deferred and the others got in or were denied. 5 dates x 30 interviewees = 150. So if 120 got in and say 2 a day were denied that leaves 20 from Nov that were deferred.

Do you think that about 190 or so people were deferred and their competing for maybe 40 or so spots? I'm hoping they offer about 200 or so total spots (including 120). I saw in a book published by princeton review that the 2008 class included 221 offers. That could mean that 190 competing for maybe 80 or so spots.

If they average about 30 per interview that means of the four dates in Jan 120 people were interviewed and another 60 will be interview 4th and 5th of February.

And 20 or so approximately who were deferred from November.

Also can someone explain the system in which you have to get AAAAA in order to be accepted?

 

[keithokc]

Do you think that about 190 or so people were deferred and their competing for maybe 40 or so spots? I'm hoping they offer about 200 or so total spots (including 120). I saw in a book published by princeton review that the 2008 class included 221 offers. That could mean that 190 competing for maybe 80 or so spots.

If they average about 30 per interview that means of the four dates in Jan 120 people were interviewed and another 60 will be interview 4th and 5th of February.

And 20 or so approximately who were deferred from November.

Also can someone explain the system in which you have to get AAAAA in order to be accepted?

This was from the Oklahoma 2013 thread Bravofriendly

1. If you receive a letter of deferral instead of an acceptance during the early interviews, something was problematic in your application and/or interview. This statement is a verbatim quote from my undergrad advisor and I personally know two specific cases of this happening - both for very different reasons which I'm not going to state here. Let's say in that both cases, the individuals understood the reasoning and the admissions process was very fair to them both. Let's also say that this is the exception, most people this far along in the process are going to make sure that every t is crossed and every i dotted to prevent such a thing from happening.

2. Waitlist - during your interview, each interviewer assigns you a "grade"
A - accept
D - defer
R - reject

So, when you walk out of your interview, they each make a decision and your file now has 3 of 5 (potential) votes. They interviewers then immediately go to a meeting and break up into small groups where your file is presented and they issue your file its 4th vote as a group: A/D/R. At the final board meeting (if you haven't already been accepted/rejected) all deferred files are presented to the entire admissions board and as a group they cast the 5th (and final) vote for your file.

The last of the initial admission invites are assigned and the those remaining are place on the waitlist. You WILL NOT be told your place on the waitlist, but there is an order to the organization of the list and it is as follows:

Primary Organization (from top of list to bottom) is by votes:
Top: AAAAA
Next tier: AAAAD
Next tier: AAADD
Next tier: AADDD
....you get the idea, right?

Secondary Organization (again, from top to bottom) is by interview scores (IS):
Within Ax5 group: top of group is highest IS, last is lowest IS
This is carried out withing each tier. You can see how an early interviewee with ROCKSTAR stats but a single "D" vote during the interview gets dropped down on the waitlist past people who had less impressive numbers but had a good interview.

3. Spring Reapplicant Workshop - If you don't have an admission invite in your hand on the day it is happening, GO TO IT!!! They don't generally tell you what your actual votes were (though some of the small group leaders, like mine, did) but they take note of who comes and the information they provide is actually very helpful.