2010-2011 University of Arizona Application Thread

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Hey guys, I thought you might find this interesting. Not that I really consider rankings to be all that important, but the article basically says that UMC down here in Tucson (the hospital affiliated with UA-Tucson) was ranked the number 2 academic medical center in the country along with other top institutions such as Mayo in Rochester, MN. As a medical student you'd be spending a fair amount of time in the hospital, so I guess these rankings are probably more relevant than which institution has the most research dollars or something. Anyways, this is just something to keep in mind when you are all busy trying to decide which school you want to attend out of the many schools you'll get accepted to.

Very good to hear. It is nice to know that Arizona is recognized at this level with other big hitters. Thanks for sharing.
 
Hey guys, I thought you might find this interesting. Not that I really consider rankings to be all that important, but the article basically says that UMC down here in Tucson (the hospital affiliated with UA-Tucson) was ranked the number 2 academic medical center in the country along with other top institutions such as Mayo in Rochester, MN. As a medical student you'd be spending a fair amount of time in the hospital, so I guess these rankings are probably more relevant than which institution has the most research dollars or something. Anyways, this is just something to keep in mind when you are all busy trying to decide which school you want to attend out of the many schools you'll get accepted to.

Very exciting stuff; had no idea it was considered such a strong hospital.
 
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Does that distinction extend to The University of Arizona - Phoenix?

I ask because I JUST GOT AN INVITE!!! WOOO!!!! And this is only the second school I've heard back from.
 
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Does that distinction extend to The University of Houston - Phoenix?

I ask because I JUST GOT AN INVITE!!! WOOO!!!! And this is only the second school I've heard back from.

rrrrrrruuuuutttttt rooooh - you just said Univ of Houston :idea: You might not get in the Phoenix doors if you say that...
 
Hahahahaha! I don't know why I did that. I live in Houston. But either way, YEAH!!!
 
OOS applicant with an interview at Tucson in Nov.

I'm surprised about the invite, however I do have strong ties to the state.

Does the Tucson campus target ~25% mix of OOS for their entering class?

Or is 25% the max?
 
Very exciting stuff; had no idea it was considered such a strong hospital.

To be perfectly honest I did not know that either until I read that article.

OOS applicant with an interview at Tucson in Nov.

I'm surprised about the invite, however I do have strong ties to the state.

Does the Tucson campus target ~25% mix of OOS for their entering class?

Or is 25% the max?

I believe 25% OOS is the maximum allowed at either campus as per the Arizona Board of Regents. I also believe that both campuses aim to get close to 25% OOS.
 
Anyone else interviewing tomorrow? I'm starting to get that giddy/excited/slightly nervous feeling 😀
 
To be perfectly honest I did not know that either until I read that article.



I believe 25% OOS is the maximum allowed at either campus as per the Arizona Board of Regents. I also believe that both campuses aim to get close to 25% OOS.

It seems 25% is an umbrella max for the two campuses - Phoenix class is a 30/70% composition, OOS and IS, according to the web and packet of info I got from my interview day.

Haven't been to my Tucson interview yet, but I've heard Tucson admitted something like 6 or 8 total OOS, for a much smaller percentage. The site has not been updated since last year's class came in. Maybe we'll get similar info on our interview day.
 
Anyone else interviewing tomorrow? I'm starting to get that giddy/excited/slightly nervous feeling 😀

I am! Are you going to Tucson? If so, what time? (I am the 2 o'clock with the 11:45 check in).

I am REALLY excited, but also extremely nervous!
 
It seems 25% is an umbrella max for the two campuses - Phoenix class is a 30/70% composition, OOS and IS, according to the web and packet of info I got from my interview day.

Haven't been to my Tucson interview yet, but I've heard Tucson admitted something like 6 or 8 total OOS, for a much smaller percentage. The site has not been updated since last year's class came in. Maybe we'll get similar info on our interview day.

This is true.
 
I am! Are you going to Tucson? If so, what time? (I am the 2 o'clock with the 11:45 check in).

I am REALLY excited, but also extremely nervous!

Don't be nervous, the interview day here is really laid back. The 1st and 2nd years both have block finals on Thursday, so we might not seem as laid back as normal but your experience should be stress free.
 
Don't be nervous, the interview day here is really laid back. The 1st and 2nd years both have block finals on Thursday, so we might not seem as laid back as normal but your experience should be stress free.

I am glad to hear that! I am trying to focus on being more excited than nervous.

But, I do worry about the interviewer asking something like "well, explain *insert ochem reaction here*" and me going "um....well, I think you have carbon...maybe a few hydrogen atoms...electron density?". I'm sure its unlikely to happen, but it has still crossed my mind!
 
I am! Are you going to Tucson? If so, what time? (I am the 2 o'clock with the 11:45 check in).

I am REALLY excited, but also extremely nervous!

Morning interview for me 😎
 
I am glad to hear that! I am trying to focus on being more excited than nervous.

But, I do worry about the interviewer asking something like "well, explain *insert ochem reaction here*" and me going "um....well, I think you have carbon...maybe a few hydrogen atoms...electron density?". I'm sure its unlikely to happen, but it has still crossed my mind!

100% not going to happen bro, so you can relax. Unless it's a reaction that you discovered and you wrote a dissertation on it. Then maybe you should be able to explain it.
 
Don't be nervous, the interview day here is really laid back. The 1st and 2nd years both have block finals on Thursday, so we might not seem as laid back as normal but your experience should be stress free.

Do you get a break after the end of the block or kick it straight to neuro?
We're on capstone right now and it's glorious. I had Monday and will have Friday off with like six total hours of random shadowing in between. It would be a week of vacation if we didn't have to spend time studying for anatomy.
 
hey can any1 provide any information on the phoenix interview??

the interview feedback site has a total of 5 responses and they are all from the last (2009-2010) application period which is pre-MMI.

thanks!
 
But, I do worry about the interviewer asking something like "well, explain *insert ochem reaction here*" and me going "um....well, I think you have carbon...maybe a few hydrogen atoms...electron density?". I'm sure its unlikely to happen, but it has still crossed my mind!

Like Shep said, this won't happen. The only time anything like this would ever happen in any interview might be at an open-file interview where you talk about specific research in your application. Basically, unless you did organic chemistry research, you can pretty much forget o chem now that you are finished with the MCAT.

Do you get a break after the end of the block or kick it straight to neuro?
We're on capstone right now and it's glorious. I had Monday and will have Friday off with like six total hours of random shadowing in between. It would be a week of vacation if we didn't have to spend time studying for anatomy.

Our final is on Thursday, so we get a 3 day weekend, which will be nice. Then we jump right into neuro. I think our blocks are a little less dense than yours since we don't have a capstone week. A week off sounds nice though, but I'm not quite that burnt out yet. I think come winter break I'll be ready to have some time off, but this first block hasn't been difficult at all. I have been spending most of the weekend watching football usually, so that pretty much keeps me refreshed.

Do you guys have Neuro next too? I can't remember anymore if the blocks are the same in Tucson and Phoenix.
 
Haven't been to my Tucson interview yet, but I've heard Tucson admitted something like 6 or 8 total OOS, for a much smaller percentage. The site has not been updated since last year's class came in. Maybe we'll get similar info on our interview day.

Only 6-8 matriculated out of ~ 138 interview pool.....Ouch !!!
Too bad, the stats for total # of acceptances extended are not public at most schools.

Oh well, I'll still enjoy the warm November weather when I go down for the interview. This will be my first interview.

Does the school have social events or are you on your own after the interview? My interview is in the middle of the week, so i'm not expecting too much fun.
 
Only 6-8 matriculated out of ~ 138 interview pool.....Ouch !!!
Too bad, the stats for total # of acceptances extended are not public at most schools.

Oh well, I'll still enjoy the warm November weather when I go down for the interview. This will be my first interview.

Does the school have social events or are you on your own after the interview? My interview is in the middle of the week, so i'm not expecting too much fun.

Keep in mind that was last year, and starting this year they will be accepting up to 20% out of state. So there should be considerably more this year.
 
Keep in mind that was last year, and starting this year they will be accepting up to 20% out of state. So there should be considerably more this year.

Actually, since the 2010 application year, both Phoenix and Tucson were supposed to fill 25% of their classes with OOS students. I don't know the specifics of what happened, but apparently less than 25% of Tucson matriculants ended up being OOSers, so we ended up with 14/48 in our class in Phoenix. This worked in my favor since I may very well have been the last person to be accepted to this campus. 🙂
 
Actually, since the 2010 application year, both Phoenix and Tucson were supposed to fill 25% of their classes with OOS students. I don't know the specifics of what happened, but apparently less than 25% of Tucson matriculants ended up being OOSers, so we ended up with 14/48 in our class in Phoenix. This worked in my favor since I may very well have been the last person to be accepted to this campus. 🙂

In Tucson, we use a ranked waitlist, which kind of locks us into who we are going to pull off of it. Basically, if you're number 20 and we reach number 20 on the waitlist, then you're going to be accepted, regardless of whether you're IS or OOS. I don't know how they accounted for that on our WL, but its possible that they filled it up with more IS applicants. The most extreme scenario would have been if they only put IS people on the WL, but I am pretty much positive they had OOS applicants on the WL down here. I guess this is another example of where a ranked waitlist doesn't benefit the school, if the goal is to bring in 25% OOS. Still, I think ranked waitlists are better for the applicants, because you know your chances (e.g. if you're number 20 on the WL, you are pretty much guaranteed to get in off of the WL).
 
Actually, since the 2010 application year, both Phoenix and Tucson were supposed to fill 25% of their classes with OOS students. I don't know the specifics of what happened, but apparently less than 25% of Tucson matriculants ended up being OOSers, so we ended up with 14/48 in our class in Phoenix. This worked in my favor since I may very well have been the last person to be accepted to this campus. 🙂

Interesting and good to know. I just knew they were expanding it to oos students.
 
hey can any1 provide any information on the phoenix interview??

the interview feedback site has a total of 5 responses and they are all from the last (2009-2010) application period which is pre-MMI.

thanks!

Bump. I know what MMIs are, so google doesn't do much good. I'm hoping someone can provide specifics (what type of questions were asked, how it's set up, etc.), as well as their thoughts on it.
 
just so everyone knows, 73 applicants got bumped up from the wait list last year. let the stress melt away.

edit: referring to the tucson campus.
 
Bump. I know what MMIs are, so google doesn't do much good. I'm hoping someone can provide specifics (what type of questions were asked, how it's set up, etc.), as well as their thoughts on it.

You'll soon find this out, but each applicant signed a confidentiality agreement the morning of the Phoenix interview day. I think this explains the SDN silence. I certainly took this pretty seriously and don't want to jeopardize my application status at Phoenix, especially after the day I had there - top of my list.

So...not going to share the specifics. Plus, it would only help you be better than those who have braved it before you without prep.:meanie: I'll promise this much - you'll be pleasantly surprised.
 
You'll soon find this out, but each applicant signed a confidentiality agreement the morning of the Phoenix interview day. I think this explains the SDN silence. I certainly took this pretty seriously and don't want to jeopardize my application status at Phoenix, especially after the day I had there - top of my list.

So...not going to share the specifics. Plus, it would only help you be better than those who have braved it before you without prep.:meanie: I'll promise this much - you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Did you interview with the first group? Not this last Monday but the one twoish weeks ago? If so, then feel free to wax poetic about your incredible tour guides in lieu of discussing the MMI. Unless your tour guides were second years, then feel free to discuss how boring and old they all collectively are.
 
You'll soon find this out, but each applicant signed a confidentiality agreement the morning of the Phoenix interview day. I think this explains the SDN silence. I certainly took this pretty seriously and don't want to jeopardize my application status at Phoenix, especially after the day I had there - top of my list.

So...not going to share the specifics. Plus, it would only help you be better than those who have braved it before you without prep.:meanie: I'll promise this much - you'll be pleasantly surprised.


Ah, okay, I didn't realize it was so hush-hush. I wasn't looking for anyone to give away the specific questions, just kind of curious what it was all about. I definitely understand why no one is giving feedback, now. Thanks for the heads-up. Looking forward to it.
 
Did you interview with the first group? Not this last Monday but the one twoish weeks ago? If so, then feel free to wax poetic about your incredible tour guides in lieu of discussing the MMI. Unless your tour guides were second years, then feel free to discuss how boring and old they all collectively are.

ha. I was there on Monday. My tour guides were MS2s - they said MS1s were out and about on capstones, so they were holding down the fort for the day. They were all really cool and pleased with the Phoenix experience. It is nice to see how supportive your campus is, all the way from the dean to admissions staff. Good energy.
 
Ah, okay, I didn't realize it was so hush-hush. I wasn't looking for anyone to give away the specific questions, just kind of curious what it was all about. I definitely understand why no one is giving feedback, now. Thanks for the heads-up. Looking forward to it.

Honestly, the MMI impressed me. Phoenix has the day down to a science and works hard to provide information opposite of the interview block, so the day zooms by. You'll enjoy the time. Just relax, have fun and go with it.
 
Okay, so everyone was right. The interview was incredibly laid back. In fact, I think I had the perfect interviewer for me in terms of background and interest! We ended up just talking for an hour and a half about our vision for rural medicine etc. and it was wonderful.

Thank you so much for encouraging me to go to this interview.
 
ha. I was there on Monday. My tour guides were MS2s - they said MS1s were out and about on capstones, so they were holding down the fort for the day. They were all really cool and pleased with the Phoenix experience. It is nice to see how supportive your campus is, all the way from the dean to admissions staff. Good energy.

Did you interview in the morning or in the afternoon? I was just wondering because I was one of the MS2s eating lunch with the group that had not yet interviewed at lunch. I had a great time talking to you guys!

And Shep, you KNOW that your class is far more boring than mine. You guys may be nerdier and more studious, but we are much more fun. 😀
 
Is anyone else going to the "pre-visit gathering" at 6pm on Sunday? has anyone gone to one of these yet? if so, what are the dress standards?

Is this get together in Phoenix or Tuscon? I'm interviewing at Tucson in less than two weeks and Phoenix in early November, but I haven't heard anything about this: when did UA notify you that there was a 'pre-visit gathering'?

Thank you! 🙂
 
Is this get together in Phoenix or Tuscon? I'm interviewing at Tucson in less than two weeks and Phoenix in early November, but I haven't heard anything about this: when did UA notify you that there was a 'pre-visit gathering'?

Thank you! 🙂

It's something the Phoenix campus just started doing. You should hear more info from the school about it as your interview date draws nearer.
 
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Did you interview in the morning or in the afternoon? I was just wondering because I was one of the MS2s eating lunch with the group that had not yet interviewed at lunch. I had a great time talking to you guys!

And Shep, you KNOW that your class is far more boring than mine. You guys may be nerdier and more studious, but we are much more fun. 😀

We have crazy parties all the time. You're just not invited because 9 o'clock is your bed time.
 
Anyone know how long it takes for our file to be marked as complete after we interview? 👍
 
Got an interview invite for Phx program. (I find it helpful to now others stats for interview invites, so here are mine.)

My stats:
MCAT-32
GPA ~3.8 (both science and overall)
OOS
Primary verified-9/8
Secondary complete-9/21
Interview Invite-10/4


Best wishes all!
 
Okay, so everyone was right. The interview was incredibly laid back. In fact, I think I had the perfect interviewer for me in terms of background and interest! We ended up just talking for an hour and a half about our vision for rural medicine etc. and it was wonderful.

Thank you so much for encouraging me to go to this interview.

Was this in Tucson? I feel like I remember you were going to Tucson. Regardless, I'm glad you had a good experience at your interview.

That's a LIE!! 8:30 is my bed time, at least on weeknights. 🙂

It's funny because you're not joking.

There's nothing wrong with us old folks going to be early! All you whipper-snappers running around at the ungodly hour of 10 o'clock are nothing but hooligans.
 
There's nothing wrong with us old folks going to be early! All you whipper-snappers running around at the ungodly hour of 10 o'clock are nothing but hooligans.

Dude we're the same age.
 
Does anyone know if it would be appropriate for me to bring my wife with me to this pre-interview "mixer" tonight, or would it make us very out of place being the only couple?

I'd have to report you to the Board of Regents and you'd probably not get any presents from Santa Claus this year.

No bro, I'm sure it's totally cool. You have the ShepardSun 100% seal of approval. Even though I won't be there and am not connected to the program officially in any way. That sounds kind of conflicting but the entire point of the mixer is to show off just how chill we actually are before the aneurysm inducing pressure of interview day and I'm sure everyone would love to meet your wife.
 
May the Force be with all you applicants tomorrow. Just get a good night's sleep, have a good breakfast, take some deep breaths, be yourself, and sacrifice a goat on an altar constructed from human femurs to the Gods of Medical School Admissions. I think there are like four of them. Zaphiros, Magnos, Alabastrius and Jim.
 
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