2011-2012 University of Alabama Application Thread

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redheadcheme said:
Anyone hear anything today or know if anyone else heard anything today from UAB? I have not heard anything from them myself. Just curious to know if anyone else had.
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Nothing. I was expecting someone to hear something today. But I guess not...
 
Earlier this week I emailed admissions asking when notifications would bs sent out. The completely unhelpful answer:

"Thank you for your email. The Admission Committee will be contacting accepted applicants as they are admitted, this will continue until March 2012."
 
haha, its nice to know im not the only one checking on here wanting to know if someone else got the email. Its nice to have company while we wait though. I was thinking today would be the day for emails to start going out for at least some of us.
 
Last year I waited with the status "campus choices received" for six months before I heard anything. Now I'm on fall break getting ready to start Fun II. Be patient and try not to worry; it's the only way you'll stay sane through all of this.
 
HP9965 said:
Last year I waited with the status "campus choices received" for six months before I heard anything. Now I'm on fall break getting ready to start Fun II. Be patient and try not to worry; it's the only way you'll stay sane through all of this.
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thats good to know. Mine says that right now. Ill just have to find something else to keep me busy so I dont stare at my email.
 
anybody know if UAB notifies you if you're rejected/waitlisted/accepted after the adcom meets, or do they do silent rejections?
 
Missorleans said:
anybody know if UAB notifies you if you're rejected/waitlisted/accepted after the adcom meets, or do they do silent rejections?
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To my knowledge, if you are not accepted right away (within 1-2 weeks) you will wait until late March or early April to find out anything. Look at last year's thread for when exactly the waitlist came out. On that day, UAB will accept some people who have been waiting, waitlist the vast majority, and maybe reject a few (although from what I recall those were mostly OOS'ers). UAB does not over-accept meaning they do not have more than 176 acceptances given out at any time. This translates to lots of waiting as people with multiple acceptances make up their mind. It also translates to a lot of waitlist movement once May 15th passes.
 
Deutsch Arzt said:
Thanks Calfox21. How are the anatomy exams formatted? For instance, are you expected to walk in, have the professor point to unmarked areas on the cadaver and answer on paper? It always helps to know the format of that test when learning the material.

Thanks again for the insight!
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For the exams, you walk in and the each cadaver has two things marked with a number. You write your answer next to the number on your paper. It's straight recall, no word bank

OrangeJuice88,
The facilities here are fairly nice. I'd give the library a 5.5/6 (personally, my undergrad library was much nicer). It's modern and has all the resources you need, but it's kind of short on study space. They have spacious study carrols, but in my experience they're too loud to get anything done. They also have a limited number of rooms, but they're first come first serve. The actual med school is much nicer. There are 2 floors for students that have large rooms to study in and tables in the common area. They also have a dedicated "quiet space" on both floors (this is perfect for me because I can't study if people are talking). The lecture halls are pretty nice. There's 2 large screens that show PowerPoints and a microphone system. My only complaints are that the chairs are attached to the tables (swivel chairs) which makes it awkward to find a comfortable position sometimes, and they are the worst at temp control (it's either 104 or 40 below). Overall, I'm happy with the facilities. They're a solid above average (7/10).
 
nathansmith said:
After checking out last year's thread (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=728313&page=3), it looks like people started being accepted around October 18. I know 6 people that have interviewed so far (in state) and none have heard anything, so maybe UAB is just behind right now.
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Yeah, it looks like no one has heard. I interviewed in September OOS, and nothing. They told us they would evaluate us the next day and give us a score, then would send out some decisions after Oct. 15th, so they must have just decided to wait before sending out any acceptances...
 
I did my interview in September as well and have not heard anything so you can add me to your count. UAB had fall break last week and I know the first years did not have school. So admissions may have been out of office as well. Just a theory. Im hoping one of us hears something soon!!
 
I know a guy from high school who applied early decision and was already accepted. Some of you should hear something soon.
 
All EDP applicants must hear from the school by October 1. The EDP applicant I know heard from UAB a day or two before that. However, EDP follows different rules than regular applicants. We can't hear until October 15 at the earliest, but no school is obligated to send acceptances then. Acceptances can be sent at any time until like April. In previous years regular applicants had already heard from UAB by now, but there could be plenty of reasons why no one has heard yet. I would suspect that like a previous post said, the adcom might not have met last week, and maybe some of us will hear this week. I think I've also heard they might only meet the last of the month. Best thing to do is just be patient and find some way to stay sane. Easier said than done though, I know haha.
 
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I also heard from a faculty member at UAB that Nathan Smith may or may not be stepping down as Dean of Admissions and returning to Psych faculty. I think this shift could be causing some delays in the expected schedule of the Adcom.

Just a thought...
 
I heard about that rumor as well. No telling if that is causing a delay or not.
 
Did anyone else get their state residency flagged? If so, what sort of documents are you sending in? It seems so subjective. :scared:
 
whatageek said:
Did anyone else get their state residency flagged? If so, what sort of documents are you sending in? It seems so subjective. :scared:
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My residency was in question last year so I sent them a signed letter from where I worked to prove I've been living/working in Alabama for over a year and also a copy of my parents closing agreement for their house to argue that I have a reason/desire to stay in Alabama.
 
I've been complete for almost 3 months now with no response on the on-line status page other than secondary complete and under review. Do you think I should call them and ask what is going on with my application? I am OOS but I live in LA (Lower Alabama), aka the Florida Panhandle. I also applied MSTP last year and then realized I didn't want to do it.
 
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I turned in everything last week and just got an interview invite today lol... very surprised by quick turn around does this mean as long as I dont completely crap myself during the interview I have a good chance of getting accepted? I am instate btw but I have low gpa high mcat. Residency probably helped a lot
 
I don't envy any of you at all haha. It's a long (or short), frustrating (or awesome), humbling process. Stay strong. And congrats to all of you that have gotten acceptances so far.
 
Anyone know how long UAB's interview season goes? I'm assuming winter/early spring but didn't know if there is a specific month or date known.
 
mrmatt said:
Anyone know how long UAB's interview season goes? I'm assuming winter/early spring but didn't know if there is a specific month or date known.
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Interviews for the entering class of 2012 began on Thursday, September 15th and will be held most Thursdays through March 8, 2012.

According to the "Information for Current Applicants" website

Link here: http://medicine.uab.edu/education/prospective/49492/
 
Non-Alabama residents: Describe any experiences you have had related to the state of Alabama or UAB Medical Center:
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Ugh, can't figure out what to say for this one. I don't have any experiences related to Alabama or the UAB Medical Center, but I feel that if I say that straight up they would be under the impression that I'm not really motivated to go to their school. I mean, I'm an out of state applicant - I can't get personally involved with every state and every school I'm applying to...
 
Yea I'm sure that's a tough one for OOS applicants. The thing with that is UAB is primarily for IS applicants because they are state funded. So the impression I get is that they expect OOS applicants to have some connections to Alabama or UAB. Probably be best if some of the OOS people could comment.
 
smooththrow said:
Yea I'm sure that's a tough one for OOS applicants. The thing with that is UAB is primarily for IS applicants because they are state funded. So the impression I get is that they expect OOS applicants to have some connections to Alabama or UAB. Probably be best if some of the OOS people could comment.
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Yeah, that's a tough one. I'm OOS, but I spent a summer doing research at UAB, so that was easy for me. I'm sure that was a major factor in me being accepted. I would say if you live in the south, you could say you don't have any connections to the state of Alabama other than you would like to remain in the south. Otherwise, there really isn't anything you can say unless you make something up. haha

Good luck though! I don't think it's a requirement to have ties.
 
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smooththrow said:
Yea I'm sure that's a tough one for OOS applicants. The thing with that is UAB is primarily for IS applicants because they are state funded. So the impression I get is that they expect OOS applicants to have some connections to Alabama or UAB. Probably be best if some of the OOS people could comment.
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arkpremed said:
Yeah, that's a tough one. I'm OOS, but I spent a summer doing research at UAB, so that was easy for me. I'm sure that was a major factor in me being accepted. I would say if you live in the south, you could say you don't have any connections to the state of Alabama other than you would like to remain in the south. Otherwise, there really isn't anything you can say unless you make something up. haha

Good luck though! I don't think it's a requirement to have ties.
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Thanks guys
 
anyone interviewing on the 17th? i need some moral support ahaha
 
gatorade848 said:
anyone interviewing on the 17th? i need some moral support ahaha
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The interviews are seriously low key. Maybe I lucked out, but I actually had some fun interviewers (go Peds people!). Either way, I didn't hear anyone in my group complaining about having a rough interview.
 
jrb229 said:
I've been complete for almost 3 months now with no response on the on-line status page other than secondary complete and under review. Do you think I should call them and ask what is going on with my application? I am OOS but I live in LA (Lower Alabama), aka the Florida Panhandle. I also applied MSTP last year and then realized I didn't want to do it.
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If you didn't receive a "secondary complete" email, you could call them and double check that it submitted correctly. Otherwise, I think it's just part of the admissions process -- waiting forever until you hear something, whether that's an interview or a final answer. Who knows what their system is.

I'm kinda similar to you, I'm from the FL panhandle, but declared GA residency recently. I completed my secondary oct. 19 and received an interview invite nov. 7, so it took about 3 wks.
 
Ebola4Breakfast said:
The interviews are seriously low key. Maybe I lucked out, but I actually had some fun interviewers (go Peds people!). Either way, I didn't hear anyone in my group complaining about having a rough interview.
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I know uab interviews are really chill but I cant help but to be a bit nervous due to my low gpa. actually I was quite surprised to get an interview. For uab is it pretty much "we sent you an invite because we know you can succeed we just want to make sure you are not a douche"? lol

oh and I heard somewhere that at uab interview doesnt matter much in admission; grades matter more in getting an acceptance... which made me nervous haha

first interview FTW
 
Hmm I haven't really heard that. I've heard things like shadowing and volunteering, proving you want to be a doctor, matter the most. And I'm pretty sure the interview is important. If I had to guess I would say their acceptance decisions are a third gpa/mcat, a third ECs, and a third interview, but I'm merely speculating and their are always exceptions. Being strong in other areas can make up for a lower gpa. Hard to comment on their interview invite vs. acceptance ratio this year, because I don't think very many people have been accepted yet. But the ratio will probably end up being the same as previous years, about 370 interview and 270 accepted. All that really matters is that you got an interview, and therefore you have a good chance. It is still fairly early as well. The interviews are very relaxed, but one may be a little strange or different than the others, so just make sure you reflect on your experiences (especially shadowing), know why medicine, and why UAB. Best advice I can give after several interviews is be confident, but humble. Don't let your nerves get in the way of showing them everything you have to offer. Just remember they've already decided that you have the potential, just be yourself.
 
smooththrow said:
Hmm I haven't really heard that. I've heard things like shadowing and volunteering, proving you want to be a doctor, matter the most. And I'm pretty sure the interview is important. If I had to guess I would say their acceptance decisions are a third gpa/mcat, a third ECs, and a third interview, but I'm merely speculating and their are always exceptions. Being strong in other areas can make up for a lower gpa. Hard to comment on their interview invite vs. acceptance ratio this year, because I don't think very many people have been accepted yet. But the ratio will probably end up being the same as previous years, about 370 interview and 270 accepted. All that really matters is that you got an interview, and therefore you have a good chance. It is still fairly early as well. The interviews are very relaxed, but one may be a little strange or different than the others, so just make sure you reflect on your experiences (especially shadowing), know why medicine, and why UAB. Best advice I can give after several interviews is be confident, but humble. Don't let your nerves get in the way of showing them everything you have to offer. Just remember they've already decided that you have the potential, just be yourself.
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Agreed. I think based on the numbers of them interviewing 370 and accepting 270, it's pretty clear that once you make it to the interview, your numbers don't matter. Over 2/3 of those interviewed get accepted, so I think the interview is that final selection factor that they can't get from the rest of your application.
 
From what I understand, the interview is given a score, and weighs against the other parts of your application. For those with weaker numbers, a really compelling interview will pull you up. For those with stronger numbers, an interview could bring you down (or it could get you an email the next day). The biggest thing is to dress professionally and don't send any weird vibes-- this is the only time they are getting to see you in person. They want to see if you can talk/act like a doctor, and do things like make eye contact. From what I hear, it's not all that uncommon for people to act like total weirdos in their interviews, which would be a bad thing. A person with a 38/3.9 and great extra currics and recs, but who comes in smelling like scotch and cigarettes and has a lip ring and a neck tatoo and stares at the wall while they talk may have some trouble.

So if you are pretty much normal, you should be good at least for a slot on the waitlist, which means you are pretty much in.

Also, being narcissistic in any way is a huge turnoff. Don't mention how smart you are, or how much more compassionate you are than some of the doctors you have shadowed (I know someone w/great stats who did this and got rejected).

Good luck to everyone.
 
gardeniaga said:
If you didn't receive a "secondary complete" email, you could call them and double check that it submitted correctly. Otherwise, I think it's just part of the admissions process -- waiting forever until you hear something, whether that's an interview or a final answer. Who knows what their system is.

I'm kinda similar to you, I'm from the FL panhandle, but declared GA residency recently. I completed my secondary oct. 19 and received an interview invite nov. 7, so it took about 3 wks.
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Are we supposed to receive an e-mail saying we are complete?!! 😱 I never got an email but the online status page has been saying that for months now.
 
jrb229 said:
Are we supposed to receive an e-mail saying we are complete?!! 😱 I never got an email but the online status page has been saying that for months now.
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my status just said complete and under review without email and all of a sudden an email for interview
 
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