2010-2011 University of Arizona Application Thread

[shepardsun]

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The scary thing is, I was told that UofA likes to reject people with stats like ours because they believe we won't actually matriculate if accepted. Sucks when that is not the case :/

A popular misconception, but a misconception nonetheless.

 

[Snarkalark]

A popular misconception, but a misconception nonetheless.

yeah i've heard that too but i don't believe it. they always have it in their interest to take the best applicants. if these applicants flee, they can just bump up the next best ones on the wait list.

i think the problem is that no one knows what they consider "best".

 

[BaronVonZ]

A popular misconception, but a misconception nonetheless.

Never will be happier to have been wrong. 🙂

 

[BearDownAZ]

any idea how many spots went out yesterday?

 

[MpXnpio]

3.75/34/IS here with a master's in molecular biology, years and years of research experience with publications, presentations, conferences, etc, plus tons of shadowing and some volunteering, teaching experience, some particularly awesome letters of rec from some particularly awesome docs and profs, and what I perceived to be a bombtacular interview... also still waiting. What's the deal, UACOM?

 

[neurojunkie]

Odd. My friend that got accepted in the first wave also had a 3.7 and a 28. Perhaps those are the magic numbers? Just kidding....I'm still waiting too everyone.

3.5 - BS neuroscience
4.0 - MS CMBP
27P

 

[hoot504]

3.75/34/IS here with a master's in molecular biology, years and years of research experience with publications, presentations, conferences, etc, plus tons of shadowing and some volunteering, some particularly awesome letters of rec from some particularly awesome docs and profs, and what I perceived to be a bombtacular interview... also still waiting. What's the deal, UACOM?

I think we interviewed together, did you do your master's abroad?

 

[MpXnpio]

I think we interviewed together, did you do your master's abroad?

Yeah I was in Germany for that. Were you the guy in the suit and tie?

 

[Slack3r]

Well this is disheartening. My stats are much lower than those already not accepted... 3.4, 32.

 

[PsychDO]

Well this is disheartening. My stats are much lower than those already not accepted... 3.4, 32.

I have similar stats- slightly higher GPA, slightly lower MCAT (3.5 and 30S). Even though I have lower than average stats, I thought I was a pretty good fit for UA- one of my majors was spanish, my ECs make it clear that I am interested in rural primary care and I've got plenty of research and medical leadership experience.

The worst part is that I had an AMAZING interview where the interviewer repeatedly told me that I had to become a doctor and she was absolutely sure she would see me next year. We even started planning out HIV outreach programs we could start next year (we are both really involved in that)...but that was back in Oct, and I haven't heard anything since.

 

[lokomat]

guys, i've been reading your UA posts in the shadows for months now. this is my first post on this website. i just want to say one thing then i will never post here again:

if you just keep on pushing, one day it will all come into fruition. you are not alone.

 

[neurojunkie]

I think we are all getting a bit ahead of ourselves. The fact that we haven't gotten in yet just means that our applications weren't ranked the highest amongst the individual subcommittees....and bare in mind, we are up against hundreds of other people that had interviews, so there are probably a ton of people with identical or similar overall application scores to ours.

Let's assume that 70 acceptances have gone out (I'm just making this number up and have no idea what the actual number is)...that leaves roughly 40 spots plus another 70 if the waitlist has the same movement that it did last year. Despite the appearance of things, the application season is still young-we're all just anxious to get in and start our medical careers.

Word,
Brandon

 

[PsychDO]

I think we are all getting a bit ahead of ourselves. The fact that we haven't gotten in yet just means that our applications weren't ranked the highest amongst the individual subcommittees....and bare in mind, we are up against hundreds of other people that had interviews, so there are probably a ton of people with identical or similar overall application scores to ours.

Let's assume that 70 acceptances have gone out (I'm just making this number up and have no idea what the actual number is)...that leaves roughly 40 spots plus another 70 if the waitlist has the same movement that it did last year. Despite the appearance of things, the application season is still young-we're all just anxious to get in and start our medical careers.

Word,
Brandon

Excellent point. I just need to remind myself that at this point, there is nothing I can do but wait. Worrying and obsessing isn't going to change the outcome, but it can make the whole process unnecessarily miserable.

 

[neurojunkie]

Worrying and obsessing isn't going to change the outcome, but it can make the whole process unnecessarily miserable.

For sure. After all, getting in to medical school is the 'culmination' of years of hard work and perseverance...and, naturally, it is/will be a dream come true for many of us.

My advice: remain hopeful, but keep plugging away as if you're preparing your application for next season. After all, it wouldn't make sense to not get accepted, and then resubmit the same application next year.

 

[Ehtar Moriarty]

A popular misconception, but a misconception nonetheless.

Definitely not a misconception. I had two good friends get into Cleveland Clinic and Washington University. Both were stellar applicants and had great interviews, both were in-state, and both got REJECTED from U of A. As much as I love U of A and want to go there, both of those Schools are better and much harder to get into. I have heard other stories that are similar, but those two guys I knew very well. The guy who got into Wash-U also got into Pitt and interviewed at Johns Hopkins and Harvard. Not knock'n U of A, sure this happens elsewhere, but I'm just saying these are the stories that provide the conception that the admissions process is a little funky.

 

[hoot504]

Yeah I was in Germany for that. Were you the guy in the suit and tie?

We went to the same high school, does that narrow it down?

I'm sure that acceptances are forthcoming for all you guys, just keep the faith

 

[MpXnpio]

We went to the same high school, does that narrow it down?

Yeah dude I remember you. Congratulations on getting accepted! Now maybe you can call them up and tell them what a great guy I am ;-)

 

[AZhope]

if you just keep on pushing, one day it will all come into fruition. you are not alone.

Agree!
___

Long time reader, first time poster ... I was waitlisted last year at UA, but didn't get in (so close!!).

But anyways, lokomat is right, if we keep trying, eventually we'll all get in. I've never heard of someone consistently applying (year after year, if need be) and never getting accepted. The unfortunate thing is that the admissions process isn't black or white... and it's like that on purpose, they want some people that have outstanding MCATs, some that have perfect 4.0s and they also want people that have 25-27 MCATs or 3.0 gpas. (But of course, if you have high stats, you'll probably get in your first or second try)

 

[neurojunkie]

So, I had 6 letters of rec in one committee letter.

2 Science profs, 1 non-science prof
1 Research advisor/mentor
1 MD/PhD that I worked for in a pathology lab at emory
and 1 MD that I shadowed day-in and day-out for 6 months straight

Do you think it was a bad idea to have so many?

 

[Snarkalark]

So, I had 6 letters of rec in one committee letter.

2 Science profs, 1 non-science prof
1 Research advisor/mentor
1 MD/PhD that I worked for in a pathology lab at emory
and 1 MD that I shadowed day-in and day-out for 6 months straight

Do you think it was a bad idea to have so many?

i don't see how that could hurt you as all of them seem like people you know well. as a side note: that is a crippling amount of shadowing. props.

 

[neurojunkie]

Thanks. I lucked into a surgical internship that Atlanta Medical Center was establishing with my school in exchange for being the new football team's 'go-to physicians.' It was pretty sweet, I got to assist with surgeries, take H&Ps in clinic, and even present case-studies at grand rounds.

I think that my course-load (25 hours) on top of that also gave me an added feel for what a resident's schedule would be like. No joke, I was leaving my house at 5am and getting home at 12 every night...even still, the whole experience was awesome.

 

[Brrooother]

I have similar stats- slightly higher GPA, slightly lower MCAT (3.5 and 30S). Even though I have lower than average stats, I thought I was a pretty good fit for UA- one of my majors was spanish, my ECs make it clear that I am interested in rural primary care and I've got plenty of research and medical leadership experience.

The worst part is that I had an AMAZING interview where the interviewer repeatedly told me that I had to become a doctor and she was absolutely sure she would see me next year. We even started planning out HIV outreach programs we could start next year (we are both really involved in that)...but that was back in Oct, and I haven't heard anything since.

I also had awesome interviews at Tucson and Phoenix in mid-October, and was accepted to both schools the following February (9th and 23rd). Hang in there!!

 

[Salt and Lime]

I can speak for myself and some of my classmates (and at least one person I know who went elsewhere), that we had stats equal to or better than the ones posted here as possibly being "too good" for the U of A... and we got in. And got into more prestigious schools. And still came here because this place is amazing.

I think it's a bit arrogant and insensitive to post on this message board that your stats are too high and that's maybe why you didn't get in, when there are hundreds of other SDNers with lower GPA's and MCAT scores who are also hoping for an acceptance. If you came across as arrogant in your interview, perhaps that is why your file wasn't as highly ranked. Since I don't know any of you IRL, I'm not trying to insult you personally - just pointing out the possibility.

The smartest people I have met here are also some of the most humble.

 

[lrkoehle]

A popular misconception, but a misconception nonetheless.

Its just people's way of trying to rationalize an unpredictable, stressful process. People want to think that since they have good grades/MCAT and thousands or hours of volunteer/clinical experiences, that they're a shoe-in. That's not the case. The most important thing is how those experiences have impacted you and helped direct you towards a career in medicine. This is what you need to get across in your application and interviews.

I can speak for myself and some of my classmates (and at least one person I know who went elsewhere), that we had stats equal to or better than the ones posted here as possibly being "too good" for the U of A... and we got in. And got into more prestigious schools. And still came here because this place is amazing.

I think it's a bit arrogant and insensitive to post on this message board that your stats are too high and that's maybe why you didn't get in, when there are hundreds of other SDNers with lower GPA's and MCAT scores who are also hoping for an acceptance. If you came across as arrogant in your interview, perhaps that is why your file wasn't as highly ranked. Since I don't know any of you IRL, I'm not trying to insult you personally - just pointing out the possibility.

The smartest people I have met here are also some of the most humble.

I agree with this completely. I know one of the student at PHX who had a 39 on the MCAT and was accepted to WashU, Mayo, UA-PHX, etc., so the theory that UA is going to look at you different because you have good stats can't be true. Hell, I had a 35 on the MCAT, and I got accepted to both Tucson and Phoenix, so they can't look that badly on us "superstars" 🙄.

As for the part about them coming across as arrogant in their interview, if they did, they can kiss any chance at an acceptance goodbye. Honestly, if someone thinks a 35 or 36 is high enough that a "lowly state school" wouldn't want to waste an acceptance on them, then I don't find it hard to believe that they might have come across in a negative light during the interview. Let's be realistic, a 35 or 36 is good, but there are plenty of you in every application cycle. Its not like a 40+...

If that's insulting, sorry, but at least you now know how all the "less qualified" applicants probably felt at the notion that you're too good for UA.

 

[dillydally]

No need to get sensitive, people. I think the only thing people are trying to get across is that UA Tucson seems to be a bit more funky and a bit more of a crapshoot than other schools. There's anecdotes both ways, but I think most people can agree with this.

 

[BearDownAZ]

no need to get sensitive, people. I think the only thing people are trying to get across is that ua tucson seems to be a bit more funky and a bit more of a crapshoot than other schools. There's anecdotes both ways, but i think most people can agree with this.

+1

 

[jnkmail]

Thanks for the insight S&L and lrk.

I think the point they are making is that it is NOT a crapshoot. UofA accepts those they feel are the best applicants. Period. That is a combination of grades/scores, if a person really understands on a personal level why medicine, and personality.

Its only a crapshoot in the sense that there are literally hundreds of highly qualified applicants. An individuals perception that they are more qualified than other applicants is what makes the process seem "funky" or unfair when they are rejected.

I've never heard of this strategy before, but maybe retake the MCAT in an effort to get a lower score and boost your chances at UofA.

 

[physio84]

Agree! But anyways, lokomat is right, if we keep trying, eventually we'll all get in. I've never heard of someone consistently applying (year after year, if need be) and never getting accepted.

Not to be Mr. Pessimistic here, but AZhope, meet physio84. This is my third time applying in five years...and yes, my stats are competitive and (I think) continue to become more competitive over time. I'm not posting as a charity case, just saying, people do apply for years and years and not get in. I have a buddy who went to Tulane, has amazing stats, and has been rejected six years IN A ROW. I would like to think everyone who wants to get in will get in, but the reality of it is that not everyone who wants to get an MD will have the opportunity, and may have to consider alternatives such as DO, Int'l schools, DDS, podiatry, etc. That said, good luck to all!

 

[shepardsun]

Thanks for the insight S&L and IRK.

I think the point they are making is that it is NOT a crapshoot. UofA accepts those they feel are the best applicants. Period. That is a combination of grades/scores, if a person really understands on a personal level why medicine, and personality.

Its only a crapshoot in the sense that there are literally hundreds of highly qualified applicants. An individuals perception that they are more qualified than other applicants is what makes the process seem "funky" or unfair when they are rejected.

I hope my initial comment wasn't the one solely responsible for stirring up this little debate. I've quoted this comment not because S&L and Lrk didn't have great contributions (thanks guys) but because this most adequately hits the nail on the head.

My initial comment about the rejection of high stats students being a misconception DID NOT ever say that someone with a 40 and a 5.0 GPA would always get in every time. The misconception is that there is an admissions committee out there in a dankly lit room somewhere that has a an applicant file, opens it, reads it, and then collectively says "wow, this applicant is PERFECT for our school and we would accept him in a moment if it weren't for the fact that he got a 45 on his MCAT."

This simply doesn't happen. That isn't to say that an applicant can't make a faux pas on his interview day, or not vibe with the mission of the school, or any one of a couple dozen other legitimate reasons one cannot get in. And lastly, any process run by human beings is imperfect and subject to improvement. And I can't speak for Tucson directly but I know that Phoenix strives as hard as possible to make the correct choices. That's the entire point of switching to the MMI format, to take some of the luck of the draw and randomeness out of the one-on-one interview format.

 

[neurojunkie]

Just for fun...and to lighten the mood, the highest possible score on the MCAT is actually a 43. It's all about t-scores and Gaussian curves, yo.

 

[PsychDO]

So are there no UA-Phx acceptances going out today? I think someone said the next date was the was Feb 1st (after a meeting on the 31st), but that is a Tuesday and I thought they released seats on Fridays.

 

[PsychDO]

I also had awesome interviews at Tucson and Phoenix in mid-October, and was accepted to both schools the following February (9th and 23rd). Hang in there!!

keepin' the dream alive!

 

[neurojunkie]

So are there no UA-Phx acceptances going out today? I think someone said the next date was the was Feb 1st (after a meeting on the 31st), but that is a Tuesday and I thought they released seats on Fridays.

Phoenix is supposed to release seats on Monday.

 

[sundevil11]

So are there no UA-Phx acceptances going out today? I think someone said the next date was the was Feb 1st (after a meeting on the 31st), but that is a Tuesday and I thought they released seats on Fridays.

I called them a couple of days ago and they said the committee will be meeting on the 31st in afternoon and they will most likely release the acceptances the same day.

 

[PsychDO]

Phoenix is supposed to release seats on Monday.

It's a chance to look forward to a monday, for once!

 

[shepardsun]

We need to hang sometime Lrk. That would be worth a trip down to T-Town. When do you guys have spring break? Let's go skydiving or something.

 

[ehandber]

I just wanted to let you know a few things that I have learned down here at Tucson.

For those of you who didn't see me last year, my name is Erik Handberg. I am currently a first-year medical student at the Tucson campus of UACOM. I got a 31N on the MCAT and had a 3.6(ish) cumulative and a 3.9(ish) science-related GPA at Arizona State University. You can always feel free to email me with any questions etc at [email protected]


Recently I spoke to one of the Deans down here, Dr Moynahan, regarding Step1 scores. His response was very informative and I thought it might be useful for you to hear.

(As a sidenote- Our two deans, Dr Moynahan and Dr Jones, are the most supportive and fantastic people to have at our backs and should be considered a huge selling point for this campus.)

When students are discussing what schools are "better" than others they are generally talking about 2 or 3 things: Step1 scores, Research Funding, and perceived prestige (the last being most dependent on the preceding two, and historical standing). Occasionally, they will also include student lifestyle, but it is pretty infrequent.

Generally, the schools which applicants perceive as better are those with the highest Step1 scores and the highest research funding.

Step1 scores are generally recognized as one of the most important (if not THE most important) factor in residency placement, thus it is very frequently regarded as the thing which defines a school as "good" or "not-as-good."

Dr Moynahan said that it would be relatively easy to select only students who would do well on Step1 based on MCAT scores and other data (presumably GPA, though not stated explicitly)- but, this is not in-line with the UACOM's philosophy.

This school makes a sincere effort to produce good physicians. This includes, but is not synonymous to, producing high Step1 scores.

---- So, this may explain some things that have been noted about the "strange" admissions at UACOM-Tucson.

At an institution with a philosophy driven toward producing the highest possible Step1 score averages, they would be more inclined to produce an exclusivity-cutoff. (ie- Anyone who has a 40+ MCAT and a GPA > 3.9 will be accepted, anyone with 35-39 MCAT and GPA> 3.7 *MAY* be accepted, anyone not meeting these criteria *WILL* be rejected.) According to the data being used, this should consistently produce high Step1 scores.

At an institution such as UACOM-Tucson, it may appear slightly different. The exclusivity would be centered on a less concrete set of criteria, such as "what makes a good physician." This does NOT exclude students with extremely high stats, nor does it assume their acceptance. Similarly, a student who may not otherwise meet the exclusivity-criteria of other institutions may find their opportunity here.

It was pointed out, though, that the correlation of MCAT/GPA to Step1 score is rather weak. I believe it was something around an R^2 value of 0.18. Functional, perhaps- but by no means necessary nor sufficient. The correlation of the percentage-score in AZMED (our curriculum here) has shown a higher correlation, roughly R^2= 0.4.

SO---- tl;dr

UACOM has a different philosophy than some other schools. We care very much about Step1 scores, but we do not exclude students based on statistical likelihood of Step1 scores being high, and there is a very forgiving cut-off for the statistically likely low Step1 scoring students.

This means that high GPA/MCAT are very well thought of here, but will not guarantee you a spot. Average, and lower (to some extent) GPA/MCAT are still considered here, in conjunction with other criteria- and you may still earn a spot.

[email protected] with any questions. My name is Erik Handberg, I am an MSI at UACOM in Tucson.

 

[shepardsun]

Wow, I didn't think you were still alive!

 

[Slack3r]

...at Arizona State University.

Oh gross...a Scum Devil! 😉

 

[physio84]

Oh gross...a Scum Devil! 😉

 

[BaronVonZ]

I just wanted to let you know a few things that I have learned down here at Tucson.

Thank you! Truly one of the most informative posts I've read on SDN 👍 Will keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best!

 

[shepardsun]

Ehandber fun facts, all true:
1. He used to be an actor in LA
2. He stood me up for beers one time to go fishing
3. The summer before medical school he traveled across the country visiting 15 states and teaching himself to play the guitar

 

[Slack3r]

Ehandber fun facts, all true:
1. He used to be an actor in LA
2. He stood me up for beers one time to go fishing
3. The summer before medical school he traveled across the country visiting 15 states and teaching himself to play the guitar

🙄

 

[lrkoehle]

I've never heard of this strategy before, but maybe retake the MCAT in an effort to get a lower score and boost your chances at UofA.

👍

We need to hang sometime Lrk. That would be worth a trip down to T-Town. When do you guys have spring break? Let's go skydiving or something.

For sure, we'll have to do a Tucson vs. Phoenix battle. I don't know when spring break is. Hell, the past couple of days I haven't done much thinking past our musculoskeletal system final coming up this Friday, so I don't even know if we have a spring break (jk, its mid-March).

 

[Harassing]

My name is Erik Handberg, I am an MSI at UACOM in Tucson.

Thank you for this great post! Very informative and inspiring for someone (like me) who is dreaming of attending UA Tucson...

 

[neurojunkie]

Thanks Erik,

It's inspiring to go back and read your success story on last year's thread. You were going through the same agonizing wait that we're all experiencing right now, and now you're living the dream and going to UACOM.

Thanks for posting!

 

[Slack3r]

Today is the day(?) Clench those buttcheeks.

 

[lakers MD]

Today is the day(?) Clench those buttcheeks.

hahaha...they have been clenched all weekend!

 

[WAPhoenix]

hahaha...they have been clenched all weekend!

Seriously, if we had coal, they'd be diamonds now.

 

[sundevil11]

Has anyone else been able to confirm the release date (of today)?