2011-2012 University of Colorado Application Thread

[deleted261193]

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wellllllll i wrote about my health problems because it was the most significant challenge of my life by far, haha. but it depends on how you spin it. if you focus more on how difficult it is, then i think they might be like what?? but if you focus on how you've been dealing with it and growing from it, i think that'll be better (basically sound positive). of course, i haven't gotten an II yet, but that's my 3 cents.

 

[sherlocksam]

wellllllll i wrote about my health problems because it was the most significant challenge of my life by far, haha. but it depends on how you spin it. if you focus more on how difficult it is, then i think they might be like what?? but if you focus on how you've been dealing with it and growing from it, i think that'll be better (basically sound positive). of course, i haven't gotten an II yet, but that's my 3 cents.

Thanks, I think all the other topics may be too much of a downer anyway... I've rewritten this essay at least 10 times and feel like my own problems are the best way to go because I CAN put a positive spin on it. 🙂 Good luck with everything!

 

[centrigeugle]

Applied late, last week. Fingers crossed!

I love Colorado, and would love to work in the Gun and Knife Club someday.

 

[ThreadStalker]

So, does anyone who interviewed on the 23rd have particularly good/bad info to share? How did the interviews go? Good luck to all of you!

 

[vanquishS]

So, does anyone who interviewed on the 23rd have particularly good/bad info to share? How did the interviews go? Good luck to all of you!

I think most people had one MD and one med student as an interviewer. Mine were both nice, and very thorough (annotated/highlighted the crap out of my PS, activites, and secondary). Also it seemed many ppl were reapplicants and everyone was in state.

 

[ThreadStalker]

I think most people had one MD and one med student as an interviewer. Mine were both nice, and very thorough (annotated/highlighted the crap out of my PS, activites, and secondary). Also it seemed many ppl were reapplicants and everyone was in state.

I'm in the same boat. I was scheduled for this date, but had to postpone until Oct. I definitely learned last year to review all of the material I had submitted to them. By the time I interviewed last year, I had forgotten a lot of what I had said in my application. Really dumb move. Thanks for the info, hope you hear good news!

 

[jbalinor]

I'm heading there on Sunday for my interview on Monday. Any advice for me? Also, does anyone know if there is a shuttle or something to the airport from the campus?

Thanks

 

[BrooBroo]

I'm heading there on Sunday for my interview on Monday. Any advice for me? Also, does anyone know if there is a shuttle or something to the airport from the campus?

Thanks

There is a thing called SkyRide put on by RTD that you can take to a bus stop, which takes you to campus. You should google it on google maps and they will give you all the info you need.

As for the interview, CU Boulder's premed website has a good list of potential questions, and this site has good interview feedback that you should look at.

Don't be nervous (or, at least, don't appear nervous). They want to get to know you and you need to reflect the professionalism of a doc--be happy! This is the start to your career!

Don't be afraid to talk yourself through ethics questions and don't feel bad if you don't have an exact answer--it shows you can see multiple perspectives. There are no wrong answers, just close-minded thinkers.

Good luck 🙂 I'm sure you'll do great!

 

[TheMightySmiter]

Are any IS students hearing about interviews? All I've been hearing about are OOS students getting invites. Pleeeeease CU I love you!!!!

 

[smyl3foeva]

I'm out of state and interviewing in December. How is the weather in Denver in that month? Also, I'm debating between housing with a student vs. hotel. On one hand, I want to be well-rested for the all-day interview. On the other hand, I believe that a current student will offer a lot of advice as well as insights of the school. Had anyone stayed with a student before, and how was the accommodation (sleeping arrangement, meals)? This would be my first interview so I have no idea. Also, should I rent a car or take shuttle from airport? Thanks for your help.

 

[vanquishS]

Are any IS students hearing about interviews? All I've been hearing about are OOS students getting invites. Pleeeeease CU I love you!!!!

I'm IS and I interviewed along with about 35 IS people on 9/23, but don't lose hope yet! Last year I received an invite sometime in october for a Nov interview, though it was with almost all OOS people.

 

[TheUltimate12]

I'm out of state and interviewing in December. How is the weather in Denver in that month? Also, I'm debating between housing with a student vs. hotel. On one hand, I want to be well-rested for the all-day interview. On the other hand, I believe that a current student will offer a lot of advice as well as insights of the school. Had anyone stayed with a student before, and how was the accommodation (sleeping arrangement, meals)? This would be my first interview so I have no idea. Also, should I rent a car or take shuttle from airport? Thanks for your help.

The weather in Denver is awesome in the winter as long as there is not a crazy storm. It's so sunny that the snow melts the same day it falls usually. The mountains are where the real snow is.

 

[blackhawks77]

Nvm

 

[Yraqi]

Interview invite this morning. OOS. Interview date is 11/4, complete 9/20. Has anyone had any luck changing their interview dates?

Btw, how many of those interviewed are accepted?

 

[Yraqi]

Also, it seems they don't read LORs before sending out interviews. This is interesting.

 

[anthrovagabond]

Interview invite this morning. OOS. Interview date is 11/4, complete 9/20. Has anyone had any luck changing their interview dates?

Btw, how many of those interviewed are accepted?

Congrats! I was complete on 9/7. Hope to hear (positively) sooner rather than later ha

 

[kexy]

Also, it seems they don't read LORs before sending out interviews. This is interesting.

This makes me unhappy.

 

[MT Headed]

Btw, how many of those interviewed are accepted?

It's been a pretty consistent
640 interviewed
320 accepted
160 matriculate
the last several years, so ~50% of those interviewed are accepted.

 

[jbalinor]

Fell in love with this school during my interview. It's a bit pricy though.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

It's been a pretty consistent
640 interviewed
320 accepted
160 matriculate
the last several years, so ~50% of those interviewed are accepted.

Are these figures IS or OOS, or both?

 

[Kekeirda]

Are these figures IS or OOS, or both?

I believe that these are their "net" numbers so probably higher odds as an IS applicant and lower odds as an OOS

 

[TheUltimate12]

I believe that these are their "net" numbers so probably higher odds as an IS applicant and lower odds as an OOS

Yes, if you were IS the stats were

Primaries Received 599
Secondaries Complete 561 (93.7% of Primaries)
Interview 284 (50.6% of complete)
Accept 196 (69% of interview)
Matriculate 112 (57% of accept)

 

[TheMightySmiter]

Yes, if you were IS the stats were

Primaries Received 599
Secondaries Complete 561 (93.7% of Primaries)
Interview 284 (50.6% of complete)
Accept 196 (69% of interview)
Matriculate 112 (57% of accept)

Sweet, thanks for the info. 🙂 I feel so lucky that Colorado is my IS school, I love it so much! Come on, CU, gimme some interview love...

 

[MT Headed]

Sweet, thanks for the info. 🙂 I feel so lucky that Colorado is my IS school, I love it so much! Come on, CU, gimme some interview love...

If you like to play the odds, they do accept more applicants from their earlier interviews than their later interviews. This is an artifact of their rolling admissions process, as well as they flat out admit that they invite their preferred candidates to the earlier interview slots.

An IS applicant invited for an early interview has an extremely high (>70%) chance of acceptance, while those invited for later interviews must have less of a chance in order to balance things out.

That would make for a funny Dr. Winn speech to the Colorado residents at the first few interview sessions... "look to your left. look to your right. two of you... oh hell probably all three of you are gonna get an acceptance. RELAX!!!"

FYI, I don't have the exact numbers, but roughly 1/3 of OOS interviewees also get acceptances each year.

 

[kexy]

Fell in love with this school during my interview. It's a bit pricy though.

Me too. But yeah, $80,000 a year?

 

[Evergrey]

That would make for a funny Dr. Winn speech to the Colorado residents at the first few interview sessions... "look to your left. look to your right. two of you... oh hell probably all three of you are gonna get an acceptance. RELAX!!!"

You were making a joke, I think, but he said basically as much to my interview group last year (I was in the very first group).😛 He said something to the effect of "almost all of the people that interview on the first day end up getting an acceptance either before or after being waitlisted."

 

[BluegrassDancin]

Had to reschedule my interview for 11/4. If interviewing in the first or second group really ups the chances of acceptance, maybe I should have moved some plane flights around and kept it...

 

[music2doc]

If you like to play the odds, they do accept more applicants from their earlier interviews than their later interviews. This is an artifact of their rolling admissions process, as well as they flat out admit that they invite their preferred candidates to the earlier interview slots.

An IS applicant invited for an early interview has an extremely high (>70%) chance of acceptance, while those invited for later interviews must have less of a chance in order to balance things out.

That would make for a funny Dr. Winn speech to the Colorado residents at the first few interview sessions... "look to your left. look to your right. two of you... oh hell probably all three of you are gonna get an acceptance. RELAX!!!"

FYI, I don't have the exact numbers, but roughly 1/3 of OOS interviewees also get acceptances each year.

You know... I can totally see him saying that too.... It'd be a good contrast for Ms. Patel's "What's your Plan B?" speech.

 

[PITTjdm]

How long did it take you guys to get your secondaries? I have had my essay written for CU for over a month now, but my AMCAS was verified just over a week ago and I have not received a secondary yet.

 

[vanquishS]

You were making a joke, I think, but he said basically as much to my interview group last year (I was in the very first group).😛 He said something to the effect of "almost all of the people that interview on the first day end up getting an acceptance either before or after being waitlisted."

I was in the first interview group on 9/23 this year and Dean Winn's words were similar. He said he specifically picked us to interview on the first day because, "All of you can get in and should get in."

 

[MT Headed]

Had to reschedule my interview for 11/4. If interviewing in the first or second group really ups the chances of acceptance, maybe I should have moved some plane flights around and kept it...

The fact that they invited you to an early interview says they are really interested in you. I imagine that fact is far more important than which interview you actually attend.

 

[Evergrey]

The fact that they invited you to an early interview says they are really interested in you. I imagine that fact is far more important than which interview you actually attend.

I would second this 🙂 It has nothing to do with the day, everything to do with the people.

 

[lkthlttr]

Interview invite today. I'm really excited as my top choices seem to be contacting me first. OOS

 

[mtmed]

IS reapplicant, complete early august and I haven't heard a peep...anyone know whether it's ok to send a letter of "please-interview-me-and-love-me?"

 

[TheUltimate12]

IS reapplicant, complete early august and I haven't heard a peep...anyone know whether it's ok to send a letter of "please-interview-me-and-love-me?"

I'm pretty sure they are not receptive to any sort of update.

 

[haloschief]

OOS invite, complete 9/20. That was quick turn around!

 

[music2doc]

IS reapplicant, complete early august and I haven't heard a peep...anyone know whether it's ok to send a letter of "please-interview-me-and-love-me?"

Interpret this however you like, but the Director of Admissions stated recently, "If the Office of Admissions knows you by name, that's generally not a good thing." She was talking about students contacting the Office of Admissions unnecessarily and the fact that they have over 6,000 (probably closer to 10,000 this year) applications to go through and it would take them an unreasonable amount of additional time to go through update letters, answer questions, etc. for all of those applicants. In other words... it seems that to them asking them to "love you" is annoying, desperate, and unwanted. They know you "love them" -- otherwise you wouldn't have reapplied. Just my take on what Ms. Patel said, of course.

Keep in mind, though, that they are still early in the interview cycle. As long as you have made substantial changes since the last cycle, you should have a chance. You are IS, so that will help. Assuming your MCAT is above a 31 and GPA is above a 3.6, I would anticipate they will likely interview you. Right now, it seems like they are interviewing the 32+/3.75+ crowd with great ECs. The average interviewee at Colorado has a 3.81/34 and it's uncommon for them to interview people below 3.64/31, although a few people (probably non-trads with absolutely stellar ECs) got in with below a 30/3.58, so you never know....

Regardless, best of luck this cycle!

 

[TheUltimate12]

Interpret this however you like, but the Director of Admissions stated recently, "If the Office of Admissions knows you by name, that's generally not a good thing." She was talking about students contacting the Office of Admissions unnecessarily and the fact that they have over 6,000 (probably closer to 10,000 this year) applications to go through and it would take them an unreasonable amount of additional time to go through update letters, answer questions, etc. for all of those applicants. In other words... asking them "love you" is annoying, desperate, and unwanted. They know you "love them" -- otherwise you wouldn't have reapplied. Just my take on what Ms. Patel said, of course.

They have a small staff to deal with so many applicants.

 

[LingoLaine]

IS reapplicant, complete early august and I haven't heard a peep

You're not the only one.

(IS reapplicant, non-trad, 3.59 cum, 3.79 sci, 31 MCAT)

 

[lalalaaaaaa]

Same, IS 3.63c/3.79s/32 etc.... They have given out their top interview spots, so hopefully there is another round coming soon.....

 

[music2doc]

Same, IS 3.63c/3.79s/32 etc.... They have given out their top interview spots, so hopefully there is another round coming soon.....

You're not too far below my stats and I was in the first group of interview dates. I think you'll get an interview. It just might be a little later. A lot has to do with your ECs, too. CO is huge on your experiences (especially clinical and research).

 

[centrigeugle]

Woke up this morning to an interview invite!

OOC, stats in sig, submitted mid September (no complete indication.) Amazingly fast turnaround, I still haven't heard back from schools I've been complete at for a month.

Super excited! Worried about the tuition, but I friggin' love Colorado.

 

[LingoLaine]

stats in sig

nope, not right now

 

[anthrovagabond]

It's been a month since I submitted the secondary. *Crossing my fingers*

 

[vanquishS]

You're not too far below my stats and I was in the first group of interview dates. I think you'll get an interview. It just might be a little later. A lot has to do with your ECs, too. CO is huge on your experiences (especially clinical and research).

I agree, I'm also a IS reapplicant from last year who was invited on the first day this year. I was surprised to be invited so early since I wasn't even wait listed last year after interviewing. But, I think a lot had to do with the one full year of honors research that culminated in my senior honors thesis as well as additional hospital volunteer work.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

IS reapplicant, complete early august and I haven't heard a peep...anyone know whether it's ok to send a letter of "please-interview-me-and-love-me?"

Not a reapplicant, but IS, and I have to say it's frustrating to see so many OOS students get interviews before I've heard a thing. 🙁

 

[anthrovagabond]

Not a reapplicant, but IS, and I have to say it's frustrating to see so many OOS students get interviews before I've heard a thing. 🙁

Remember, SDN is just a small sample of the actual number of applicants that are reporting whether they've been interviewed or not. 🙂 I'm OOS, my application has been in for a month, and not a word. I'd love to go to UColorado! *sigh*

 

[ilubse7en]

first interview invite!!!!
so excited
oos, 3.2 gpa/ 33M MCAT
on 11/12
😍😍

 

[lalalaaaaaa]

first interview invite!!!!

Congratulations! Would you mind letting us know when you were complete. Thanks.

 

[LingoLaine]

Congratulations!

oos, 3.2 gpa/ 33M MCAT

That gives me hope.