2010-2011 University of Kansas Application Thread

[BWSTW]

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Hey guys, yeah so I woke up before the test with a really bad ear ache. I worked through it during PS but it threw me off during the rest of the test. I wasn't even nervous at all, just the side of my head throbbing. I have no clue how I did. I can't believe the one week I'm sick this summer and it's during my MCAT. Whatever though, shake it off and keep going.

Has anybody made progress on their apps?

I'm sorry that you didn't feel good, but I'm sure you did fine.

I am still waiting for my MCAT score, so I haven't even submitted yet. I have a feeling I will have to retake the MCAT and won't be applying next year 🙁.

 

[Labs33]

Hey guys, yeah so I woke up before the test with a really bad ear ache. I worked through it during PS but it threw me off during the rest of the test. I wasn't even nervous at all, just the side of my head throbbing. I have no clue how I did. I can't believe the one week I'm sick this summer and it's during my MCAT. Whatever though, shake it off and keep going.

Has anybody made progress on their apps?

yeah sorry to hear that man, things could still work out for ya though. I somehow contracted the swine flu about a week before my test and it turned out fine. At least it's a good sign you were relaxed and calm during the test, definitely what helped my score the most.

My stuff was submitted the first of July so just dealing with the waiting game now.

 

[drak]

yeah sorry to hear that man, things could still work out for ya though. I somehow contracted the swine flu about a week before my test and it turned out fine. At least it's a good sign you were relaxed and calm during the test, definitely what helped my score the most.

My stuff was submitted the first of July so just dealing with the waiting game now.

Labs33, do you have the "AMCAS app received" and "File Complete" messages on the secondary status page?

 

[drak]

I'm sorry that you didn't feel good, but I'm sure you did fine.

I am still waiting for my MCAT score, so I haven't even submitted yet. I have a feeling I will have to retake the MCAT and won't be applying next year 🙁.

Check your private inbox bud, I got some words of encouragement for you =)

 

[Labs33]

Labs33, do you have the "AMCAS app received" and "File Complete" messages on the secondary status page?

No it just says secondary received followed by each LoR. Based off last year's thread, the File Complete was not added/updated until the middle of august or so. Assume it will be the roughly the same this year.

 

[BWSTW]

👍 🙂

Check your private inbox bud, I got some words of encouragement for you =)

 

[drak]

Same here 👍. I only see Secondary and LORs received.

 

[Omzy]

I got invited for the secondary at 2am lol. Its not automated, right?

 

[lostking243]

I'm sorry that you didn't feel good, but I'm sure you did fine.

I am still waiting for my MCAT score, so I haven't even submitted yet. I have a feeling I will have to retake the MCAT and won't be applying next year 🙁.

Why would you retake and not apply?

Thanks guys again for the encouragement. Really hoping it went well....Now what to do until scores go up/school starts? haha I wish I had a pool, 110 degrees out right now

 

[BWSTW]

Why would you retake and not apply?

Thanks guys again for the encouragement. Really hoping it went well....Now what to do until scores go up/school starts? haha I wish I had a pool, 110 degrees out right now

I won't be able to retake until next spring. Which would be ok cuz I graduate in Dec and would have a lot more time to devote to studying.

 

[drak]

I got invited for the secondary at 2am lol. Its not automated, right?

not automated. They just couldn't wait to invite you lol. I bet the whole committee was there witnessing the invitation being sent to you lol.

 

[Omzy]

not automated. They just couldn't wait to invite you lol. I bet the whole committee was there witnessing the invitation being sent to you lol.

Haha, I wish

 

[bb28]

Man. There are so many questions, and I feel like it might start to sound like BS. Rather than stretching something to make in the ballpark of 1000 chars, do you guys think it's better to leave it blank?

My GPA's not competitive but my MCAT is. And I'm OOS if that makes a difference. I really would love to write something but I'm digging and can't think of anything that won't sound like bull.

 

[Omzy]

Man. There are so many questions, and I feel like it might start to sound like BS. Rather than stretching something to make in the ballpark of 1000 chars, do you guys think it's better to leave it blank?

My GPA's not competitive but my MCAT is. And I'm OOS if that makes a difference. I really would love to write something but I'm digging and can't think of anything that won't sound like bull.

Yah, the secondary is a real killer. I wouldn't leave any of the questions blank, but I wouldn't BS them either. Its probably best to just be honest. For example if you don't have any experiences with discrimination you could flat out say "I don't have any experiences with discrimination, but I do have some opinions about it..." and then just say what you think. Last year I BS'ed some of the questions and I think it might've hurt me.

 

[lostking243]

Speaking of the secondary, I should probably start it.

 

[bb28]

Yah, the secondary is a real killer. I wouldn't leave any of the questions blank, but I wouldn't BS them either. Its probably best to just be honest. For example if you don't have any experiences with discrimination you could flat out say "I don't have any experiences with discrimination, but I do have some opinions about it..." and then just say what you think. Last year I BS'ed some of the questions and I think it might've hurt me.

I mean, like... I feel like I don't have enough to say for #3. I try a lot of things once but don't have anything substantial enough to talk about. Think it's still better to leave it blank?

 

[Omzy]

I mean, like... I feel like I don't have enough to say for #3. I try a lot of things once but don't have anything substantial enough to talk about. Think it's still better to leave it blank?

I'm not sure how much it would negatively impact you if you left it blank, but something is most likely better than nothing.

 

[BWSTW]

How much is it to submit the secondary?

 

[july2009]

Just got my MCAT score from 6/17 testing and I am so distraught -

PS - 12
BS - 10
VR - 7 (????) I have no idea what happened. I had no VR score lower than 10 on the AAMC tests.
W - R
(29R)

I had scores of 33, 35, and 35 on my last 3 practice AAMC tests and thought I was ready. I have a 3.81/3.65 from a school ranked in the top 15. I speak two languages (I am not foreign born and don't have foreign parents - I've just been studying another language for a long time), I play an instrument, I have been involved with ECs that I love for years - working with kids on the oncology floor, tutoring hs kids, etc., I work in a research lab with two PIs who are great, etc. I have worked SO HARD and feel like one low number is going to do me in.

I have already submitted, been verified, and have secondaries back to all schools that have sent them (KU included).

Do I even have a chance at an interview with KU with a VR score of 7??

If I retake in August and don't get that score until the end of September, will I be so far behind that I will be at a greater disadvantage?

Thanks for any insight you can provide.

 

[drak]

How much is it to submit the secondary?

It's $50 for oos and free for in-state =)

 

[drak]

Just got my MCAT score from 6/17 testing and I am so distraught -

PS - 12
BS - 10
VR - 7 (????) I have no idea what happened. I had no VR score lower than 10 on the AAMC tests.
W - R
(29R)

I had scores of 33, 35, and 35 on my last 3 practice AAMC tests and thought I was ready. I have a 3.81/3.65 from a school ranked in the top 15. I speak two languages (I am not foreign born and don't have foreign parents - I've just been studying another language for a long time), I play an instrument, I have been involved with ECs that I love for years - working with kids on the oncology floor, tutoring hs kids, etc., I work in a research lab with two PIs who are great, etc. I have worked SO HARD and feel like one low number is going to do me in.

I have already submitted, been verified, and have secondaries back to all schools that have sent them (KU included).

Do I even have a chance at an interview with KU with a VR score of 7??

If I retake in August and don't get that score until the end of September, will I be so far behind that I will be at a greater disadvantage?

Thanks for any insight you can provide.

I think that if you have a strong tie with KS, then you should be ok. If no strong tie, that would put you in a severe disadvantage. Hope that helps =)

 

[drak]

I mean, like... I feel like I don't have enough to say for #3. I try a lot of things once but don't have anything substantial enough to talk about. Think it's still better to leave it blank?

If you decide to leave it blank, then I'm pretty sure it'll come up during interviews. So, prepare to answer that question when you are invited for interviews =).

 

[BWSTW]

Just got my MCAT score from 6/17 testing and I am so distraught -

PS - 12
BS - 10
VR - 7 (????) I have no idea what happened. I had no VR score lower than 10 on the AAMC tests.
W - R
(29R)

I had scores of 33, 35, and 35 on my last 3 practice AAMC tests and thought I was ready. I have a 3.81/3.65 from a school ranked in the top 15. I speak two languages (I am not foreign born and don't have foreign parents - I've just been studying another language for a long time), I play an instrument, I have been involved with ECs that I love for years - working with kids on the oncology floor, tutoring hs kids, etc., I work in a research lab with two PIs who are great, etc. I have worked SO HARD and feel like one low number is going to do me in.

I have already submitted, been verified, and have secondaries back to all schools that have sent them (KU included).

Do I even have a chance at an interview with KU with a VR score of 7??

If I retake in August and don't get that score until the end of September, will I be so far behind that I will be at a greater disadvantage?

Thanks for any insight you can provide.

Are you IS or OOS? Ir you are an IS student, I think you have a real good shot at getting an interview. From what I understand, KU is more about the whole picture and not just your scores. It sounds like your EC's and GPA are solid so I highly doubt the 7 will keep you from getting an interview.

 

[BWSTW]

It's $50 for oos and free for in-state =)

Sweet!

 

[july2009]

Thank you Drak and BWSTW - I appreciate the words of confidence.

I AM in-state - born and raised in Kansas.

I think I am going to retake in August, but I do feel a little better after posting here. I am away at a summer program, but having my parents ship my MCAT study books to me tomorrow (arrggghhh!). It is really going to taint my summer experience, but it is what it is.

 

[drak]

Thank you Drak and BWSTW - I appreciate the words of confidence.

I AM in-state - born and raised in Kansas.

I think I am going to retake in August, but I do feel a little better after posting here. I am away at a summer program, but having my parents ship my MCAT study books to me tomorrow (arrggghhh!). It is really going to taint my summer experience, but it is what it is.

I'm pretty sure you'll get an interview invitation at KU lol. I'm guessing that you want an option of choosing other schools too, so that is why you didn't do Early Decision at KU?

 

[bb28]

If you decide to leave it blank, then I'm pretty sure it'll come up during interviews. So, prepare to answer that question when you are invited for interviews =).

Thanks!

 

[BWSTW]

How long did it take to get your secondaries after being verified?

 

[Omzy]

2 days after i submitted my primary app to amcas. Was surprised because I submitted it friday night and got the secondary at 2am on monday somehow.

 

[BWSTW]

Wow, that was quick... and weird. =)

 

[lostking243]

What are people doing for #3 in the secondary? I'm thinking of writing about my experiences with guitar, bands, music production, etc.... Is that in the ballpark of what they're looking for, you think? I have other special interests but guitar has really stuck.

 

[lostking243]

And what about one experience fulfilling two of the questions?

 

[BWSTW]

What are people doing for #3 in the secondary? I'm thinking of writing about my experiences with guitar, bands, music production, etc.... Is that in the ballpark of what they're looking for, you think? I have other special interests but guitar has really stuck.

I"m not sure about that one either. I thought about describing my interests in forensics. I took a lot of fun courses and have always been interested in that. I'm wondering if they are just trying to see what other interests you have besides medicine?

 

[lostking243]

haha yeah I'm thinking it could read "are you an interesting person or a mindless clone?"

 

[BWSTW]

Or "if you never make it to medical school what other options do you have?" ha ha

 

[lostking243]

haha seriously

 

[bb28]

And what about one experience fulfilling two of the questions?

Man I'm really stuck on that too. I had one main volunteer experience. So I feel like I've already talked it out on one question about leadership... but my other biggest giving back to the community hasn't been since my senior year of high school. But I feel like that's too far back to do.

 

[drak]

And what about one experience fulfilling two of the questions?

SDN has got to be in there somewhere right? Since we do this like religiously lol

 

[Omzy]

SDN has got to be in there somewhere right? Since we do this like religiously lol

Lol, never thought about mentioning it, maybe we should give a shout out 😀

 

[BWSTW]

It can be considered communication and relationship building. he he

 

[MD Ani]

for #7 (As a student, what is unique or special that you would bring to KU School of Medicine?), would I approach this as a diversity essay? except without using the word diversity?

 

[Omzy]

for #7 (As a student, what is unique or special that you would bring to KU School of Medicine?), would I approach this as a diversity essay? except without using the word diversity?

If you're 'diverse', go for it. You will want to consider what you write for the discrimination question if you go that route, though. Otherwise I'd suggest unique hobbies, proficiencies, awards, or experiences.

 

[bb28]

Secondary submitttttted. 🙂 Gl everyone!

 

[LetsGo352]

Is it worth applying here as a non-resident w/ no ties to Kansas? Below avg MCAT, very high GPA.

 

[buddahbelly]

Is it worth applying here as a non-resident w/ no ties to Kansas? Below avg MCAT, very high GPA.

I did and I'm OOS. I guess you'll never know until you try 😛

 

[Omzy]

Is it worth applying here as a non-resident w/ no ties to Kansas? Below avg MCAT, very high GPA.

I don't mean to discourage you, but if you have no ties and don't live in an adjacent state, its probably a waste of an application fee. Kansas is one of those schools that is heavily biased towards state residents and generally only accepts oos'ers if they've got a reason to stick around after med school. If you're just trying to apply to more places I suggest all your state schools + adjacent state schools + private schools anywhere of prestige that matches your stats.

 

[drak]

Secondary submitttttted. 🙂 Gl everyone!

Goodluck to you too! lol

 

[drak]

Is it worth applying here as a non-resident w/ no ties to Kansas? Below avg MCAT, very high GPA.

It doesn't hurt to try if you have $50 lying around and a will to answer a lot of essay questions lol. You're pretty rich right? lol. If they like you, then they'll accept you =).

 

[Omzy]

Whew, just submitted my secondary too. Some crazy questions there 😕

 

[jnmpc]

I read on the KUSOM webpage for applicants that the letters are not due until September 1st. Can anyone else verify that for me?