2010-2011 University of Vermont Application Thread

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I got an interview invite for Mar. 24!! I'm SOOOO excited!! *tears*

I am an old applicant (please don't ask me how old I am, haha), with not-too-impressive stats. I have 3.0 Science GPA (with a HUGE dive in my Junior year grades, which I'm sure I'll have to explain why at the interview), 33 MCAT, no research experience but a lot of clinical experience with a focus on health care for the underserved populations. This is my 3rd (and perhaps last) time applying to medical school, I think I've invested almost a decade of my life in applying + strengthening my candidacy.

I really want to attend University of Vermont. The school has such a strong primary care program, which after almost 9 years of clinical experience, I am positive I want to pursue.

It is my first interview invite.. so I am very nervous and a bit lost on how to prepare for it (I'm reading the interview tips and stuff online like crazy, we'll see how it helps). Can anyone who has interviewed already tell me a bit about the interview day? Is it a group interview? Panel interview? How many interviews do you have (I heard some schools have multiple interview sessions)? Was it conversational Vs. interrogating? And.. is there a word of advice you could offer? If you don't feel comfortable sharing that much information, please just share anything you feel comfortable talking about... it will be much appreciated.

Thank you so much! I truly appreciate it!

Nice story, rock that interview!
 
I have an interview here in a bit, and for one reason or another, I'll be in Burlington for several days beforehand. Does anyone have any suggestions for things to do/see granted that I probably won't have a rental car? I'm a big fan of the outdoors.

Also, is the public transportation system non-existent? Should I get a rental car?

The public transportation system in Burlington is actually really great. Once you're a student, you get free unlimited access! They have a couple buses that go straight to campus. Check out their website (cctaride.org)! It's less of a hassle to use the buses rather than rental cars IMO, parking can be a pain. Definitely check out Church Street and the downtown area, it's awesome.

I just came here to express my mad UVM love. I went there for 2 years undergrad and I miss it SO much.
 
I am interviewing on March 24th and will be in Burlington the night before. I was just wondering if there were any SDNers out there who might want to explore Burlington/maybe grab some dinner or something on the 23rd? PM me.
 
The public transportation system in Burlington is actually really great. Once you're a student, you get free unlimited access! They have a couple buses that go straight to campus. Check out their website (cctaride.org)! It's less of a hassle to use the buses rather than rental cars IMO, parking can be a pain. Definitely check out Church Street and the downtown area, it's awesome.

I just came here to express my mad UVM love. I went there for 2 years undergrad and I miss it SO much.

You might not miss it so much right now - we've gotten almost 2 feet of snow in the past 24 hours, and it's still snowing heavily! 6th worst storm of all-time in Vermont so far.

But I agree with you about the buses. Burlington's the only city or town I have lived in where the buses are really easy and convenient to use. There's a free bus that goes from the hospital directly to Church Street/downtown, so anyone that is here interviewing should definitely try to take advantage of that...if it ever stops snowing!
 
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Just spoke with admissions. Go read a book, see a movie, go to the gym, take a nap or watch paint dry.

Decisions aren't going to be released until next week.

Did they happen to mention a day or was it just the facemeltingly vague "next week"?
 
My status in the OAC now says:

"Your file has been reviewed by the Admissions Committee. We will be contacting you shortly regarding the status of your application."

That sounds ominous. Has anyone gotten that message and care to share the outcome?
 
My status in the OAC now says:

"Your file has been reviewed by the Admissions Committee. We will be contacting you shortly regarding the status of your application."

That sounds ominous. Has anyone gotten that message and care to share the outcome?

I agree that it sounds ominous but it is just the standard post-decision pre-informing you status. I had that before I was placed on out of area waitlist.
 
For those of you that were waitlisted, did you get an email? Or did you just find out via status? I'm wondering if I should just keep refreshing the UVM status site every 10 minutes, or just wait for an email.
 
For those of you that were waitlisted, did you get an email? Or did you just find out via status? I'm wondering if I should just keep refreshing the UVM status site every 10 minutes, or just wait for an email.

No email, status was changed on the OAC
 
I agree that it sounds ominous but it is just the standard post-decision pre-informing you status. I had that before I was placed on out of area waitlist.

I got the same status change in my OAC as well. I wonder if everyone gets that before receiving the actual decision? Did those who got accepted receive the same status change or has it only been the waitlisted people?
 
Out-of-Area waitlist... here's hoping for some movement!
 
OOA, OOS Waitlist. I heard Vermont waitlists a lot of OOS people?
 
OOA, OOS Waitlist. I heard Vermont waitlists a lot of OOS people?

It's rumored that they waitlist every single OOS applicant - some just for a few hours or days, some for longer (or indefinitely). So if you're on the OOS waitlist, make sure to let them know that you're serious about coming to VT and why they would should pick you over everyone else on the OOS waitlist. Good luck to all of you!
 
OOA, OOS Waitlist. I heard Vermont waitlists a lot of OOS people?

Got the same decision, i guess it's better than a rejection. It's true, they do waitlist A LOT of OOS people. FWIW, I even asked the admissions office about it on interview day, since everything i had heard about that was just through talking to other applicants and SDN. They said that it's true, they do initially waitlist a lot of interviewees but that's because they give out less outright acceptances.
 
Did anyone get off the waitlist this round?
 
interview invite! surprised... so late! I sent them an update yesterday and I guess it must have swayed them.

It sounds like most people end up on the wait list anyway... but does anyone know if my chances of eventually getting in are less since I'm interviewing so late (3rd week in April)?

Thanks!
 
Yes good luck, I hope you hear some good news following your interview. People with such perseverance deserve to get in. 🙂

Thank you for your encouragement! :luck:
 
Did anyone get off the waitlist this round?

I interviewed in September then was put on the OOS waiting list. A month later I was accepted. Just make sure you write them why you want to go to Vermont, and be specific. Let them know you are very interested and you will be fine. Good luck to everyone on the waiting list!
 
I interviewed in September then was put on the OOS waiting list. A month later I was accepted. Just make sure you write them why you want to go to Vermont, and be specific. Let them know you are very interested and you will be fine. Good luck to everyone on the waiting list!

Not necessarily. I also interviewed in September, was OOS waitlisted and have written two interest letters and nothing yet.

Don't want to be a downer but just wanted to say that there isn't necessarily a correlation between writing letters and getting an acceptance.
 
Ditto, although I interviewed in November not Sept-
 
I guess this is a message for current students - is there hope of an immediate acceptance if my interview is late (last week of March)? I am lucky to have an acceptance under my belt at this point, but UVM is definitely my top choice. It would be nice to not have this process extend into the summer.
 
I guess this is a message for current students - is there hope of an immediate acceptance if my interview is late (last week of March)? I am lucky to have an acceptance under my belt at this point, but UVM is definitely my top choice. It would be nice to not have this process extend into the summer.

If you're out of state, probably not - even in September, the odds of immediate acceptance for OOS candidates is low. But that doesn't mean it'll extend into summer - some people get off the waitlist very quickly (I know of someone waitlisted for only a couple of hours), while others won't get accepted until weeks/months later, if at all. If you're in state, then all bets are off - you may certainly get accepted immediately; I don't know that process as well.
 
I was on the wait list last year - didn't get in.

I was put on the wait list yesterday, again, out of state. I think this is another rejection. Oh well, I'll keep sending letters, but I'm pretty sure that this won't work out.
 
Not necessarily. I also interviewed in September, was OOS waitlisted and have written two interest letters and nothing yet.

Don't want to be a downer but just wanted to say that there isn't necessarily a correlation between writing letters and getting an acceptance.

interviewed in oct, 3 letters later and still waiting lol
 
Wow... that crushes any remnant of hope to which I was still clinging.

Who wants to proofread each others' 2011 AMCAS application!?!

Don't give up yet! One guy I talked to at my interview day said he was 3 letters and a phone call per month in...eventually got off the waitlist in May.

Here's hoping...
 
I was WLed for 2.5 months before being accepted... that and 3 letters plus about 5 phone calls later 🙂
 
I'm interviewing soon and have a few questions about UVM, but I'll start with this one 🙂 .

The site mentions the "Advanced Integration" of clerkships to decide what and where you want clerkships to be. What are the different sites that are offered? Are there a number within Vermont itself (i.e. clinical partners throughout the state)? It seemed like the only partners I could find were in places like Connecticut, Maine, and Florida.

Thanks!
 
Trying to keep this thread hopeful...

Just spoke with the admissions office, and they said only 1/3 of the acceptances have gone out and that it is very normal to be on the waitlist at this point. Be patient though- there will be little movement for those who have been on the waitlist (for a while- not talking those people who are only one it for an hour or couple days) until after the end of the interview season in late april.

Keeping my fingers crossed!
 
I'm interviewing soon and have a few questions about UVM, but I'll start with this one 🙂 .

The site mentions the "Advanced Integration" of clerkships to decide what and where you want clerkships to be. What are the different sites that are offered? Are there a number within Vermont itself (i.e. clinical partners throughout the state)? It seemed like the only partners I could find were in places like Connecticut, Maine, and Florida.

Thanks!

"Advanced Integration" is actually what 4th year is called. You have Foundations (pre-clinical), then Clerkships, then Advanced Integration (4th year).

Clerkship sites are offered at Fletcher Allen in Burlington, Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor ME, Danbury Hospital in Danbury CT, and St. Mary's in West Palm Beach FL. Occasionally students go over to Plattsburgh NY, usually for OB/GYN. Outpatient rotations can be done all over Vermont - a lot of students choose to do Family Medicine or Outpatient Internal Medicine in a small rural community. If you're more than an hour outside of Burlington, housing is always provided.

There are other hospitals in Vermont that are considered clinical partners to an extent; that is, they're very willing to take 4th year students, but usually don't take third year students (because the school really tries to make sure the curriculum is very standardized and structured among the 4 main sites in 3rd year, so you have to do your rotations at one of those sites). But in 4th year, it's not uncommon for students to do rotations in St. Albans or Rutland VT, for instance. And of course in 4th year, you can do away rotations anywhere you want - UVM really encourages this and does not put a limit on the number of away rotations you can do, unlike many other schools.
 
Trying to keep this thread hopeful...

Just spoke with the admissions office, and they said only 1/3 of the acceptances have gone out and that it is very normal to be on the waitlist at this point. Be patient though- there will be little movement for those who have been on the waitlist (for a while- not talking those people who are only one it for an hour or couple days) until after the end of the interview season in late april.

Keeping my fingers crossed!

Great to hear. Thanks for sharing.
 
so i just heard today that i have an interview scheduled for 4/21 (thank God). i called the admissions office and spoke with Shona, and she said that they usually place many people on he waitlist because they like to interview everyone before they make a decision (even though they have already accepted a lot as well). she said that people will probably find out early may if they are accepted or not, as their last interview is supposed to be the last week of april. i believe i am actually amongst the last to be interviewed.

anyways, for all of those who interviewed, can you guys share your experience with us? what was it like? how were you faculty interviews? student interviews? overall impressions?

thank you!
 
"Advanced Integration" is actually what 4th year is called. You have Foundations (pre-clinical), then Clerkships, then Advanced Integration (4th year).

Clerkship sites are offered at Fletcher Allen in Burlington, Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor ME, Danbury Hospital in Danbury CT, and St. Mary's in West Palm Beach FL. Occasionally students go over to Plattsburgh NY, usually for OB/GYN. Outpatient rotations can be done all over Vermont - a lot of students choose to do Family Medicine or Outpatient Internal Medicine in a small rural community. If you're more than an hour outside of Burlington, housing is always provided.

There are other hospitals in Vermont that are considered clinical partners to an extent; that is, they're very willing to take 4th year students, but usually don't take third year students (because the school really tries to make sure the curriculum is very standardized and structured among the 4 main sites in 3rd year, so you have to do your rotations at one of those sites). But in 4th year, it's not uncommon for students to do rotations in St. Albans or Rutland VT, for instance. And of course in 4th year, you can do away rotations anywhere you want - UVM really encourages this and does not put a limit on the number of away rotations you can do, unlike many other schools.

Thanks for the info, it was really helpful. I'm definitely interested in doing a clerkship in some rural Vermont clinic, as it's a likely outcome for my future practice.

On another clinical note, with how small Burlington and Vermont in general is, are there significant indigent/homeless services in the state? In other words, are there free clinics / services geared towards these populations or are they small enough that there are more financial assistance for the in place systems? Helping these populations is a major career interest of mine, and while I'm not so naive as to think that such populations wouldn't exist in smaller cities, I'm wondering about the system which serves them.

Thanks!
 
so i just heard today that i have an interview scheduled for 4/21 (thank God). i called the admissions office and spoke with Shona, and she said that they usually place many people on he waitlist because they like to interview everyone before they make a decision (even though they have already accepted a lot as well). she said that people will probably find out early may if they are accepted or not, as their last interview is supposed to be the last week of april. i believe i am actually amongst the last to be interviewed.

Thanks for the info! Do you perhaps know whether or not they outright reject anyone post-interview? The waitlist doesn't seem as hopeful if everyone they interview gets waitlisted.
 
Thanks for the info! Do you perhaps know whether or not they outright reject anyone post-interview? The waitlist doesn't seem as hopeful if everyone they interview gets waitlisted.

I'm pretty confident that they do reject some people post-interview. If it wasn't outright said in my conversation with the admissions people, it was heavily implied.
 
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