2011-2012 University of North Carolina Application Thread

[Doctor Drea]

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I called yesterday and was told that although they wanted to have them all out by today, it would probably actually happen next week.

Good luck to everyone! BTW, if I don't get in, I'm considering becoming a CNA. What do you think?

 

[MedBound1]

Did you happen to ask if their were any acceptances left to give? If the class was full or not yet?

I think its been confirmed that the class size is 180 this year. The facebook group does have 152 but looking at the member list, at least 10 of those and probably more are current UNC-SOM students. The class of 2015 facebook group has a little over 200 members and there class size was 170, then again, some people that got in and then chose to go elsewhere may be in the group.

edit: Even if you're still waiting yourself, has anyone heard of any friends or other people that have been accepted in March? I guess it's possible for the class to be full already but there's been so few posted acceptances this year!

 

[Doctor Drea]

The only other information I was able to get out of him was that if you get accepted, you will get a call followed by a package in the mail. If you get rejected or waitlisted, it will be sent in an e-mail.

 

[Cinclus]

This is the last school I'm waiting to hear back from. I do not anticipate an acceptance.

 

[TheSirGin]

they definitely have to wait and send them out april 1, because april fool's day is the only day you can get a response and still be not quite sure about your fate.

...just kidding. someone at the office said they were trying to get them out by the end of the week? that is all i know.

Did you ask if all the spots were filled? Are the letters going out just rejections and waitlists?

 

[MedBound1]

Did you ask if all the spots were filled? Are the letters going out just rejections and waitlists?

That is the question of the hour sir, it doesn't look like anyone knows the answer to it either.

 

[shibby1111]

I called yesterday and was told that although they wanted to have them all out by today, it would probably actually happen next week.

Good luck to everyone! BTW, if I don't get in, I'm considering becoming a CNA. What do you think?

Dude, you would be an awesome CNA! I was thinking about getting another degree like an MBA or something... but CNA?...yo, way to reach for the stars, bro!!

 

[TheSirGin]

Argggggh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is my only chance! Cmon, one tiiime!!! I don't want to study for the MCAT again!!!!!

 

[panthersra]

they said that they would let us know whether we were accepted, rejected or waitlisted. so that means acceptance is a possibility

 

[MedBound1]

they said that they would let us know whether we were accepted, rejected or waitlisted. so that means acceptance is a possibility

Did you call again today? Are they still thinking it will be next week sometime instead of today?

 

[schwabejr]

Dude, you would be an awesome CNA! I was thinking about getting another degree like an MBA or something... but CNA?...yo, way to reach for the stars, bro!!

Dont be a prick shibby.


Dr Drea:

CNA is a good job for a gap year, especially if shadowing/medical volunteering were a weak part of your application. If you have connections to a particular hospital see if you cant get a job there rather than in a nursing home. Its much more interesting work.
If you're not already certified here's the "fast track" class I took. (http://www.nc-cna-training.com/explanationofclasses.htm) There's only one day of in class work where you go over all of the hands on skills and you're responsible for the book work yourself. Its pretty cheap considering how little time you have to waste in class.

Good luck this coming week everyone!

 

[JKMD]

I'm thinking about becoming a CNA as well for the only thing my interview didn't seem to like was my lack of "clinical" experience. I guess a year and a half of volunteering was not enough...

Also, even if I have above average MCAT score for UNC, should I retake it if I would have to reapply in a year or so?

 

[bennettc2]

I just got a response from an email sent to Ms. Reid (earlier) confirming that they are sending out final decisions next week - there was no specific date given.

 

[ccrone]

Sigh.

We have a drop dead, no nonsense deadline for applying. Why don't they have one for deciding? I guess they still aren't showing their cards, re: whether there are still spots in the class.

I think I'm going to blow off all of my other obligations this weekend, pack up the family, and head for the beach. I need to blow off some steam. A nice, long hike in the salty air would be heavenly. 🙂

And, can I just say: thanks to the people who posted the responses from the admissions reps. I've been sitting here compulsively clicking the "refresh" button in my gmail all. day. long.

 

[Doctor Drea]

Dude, you would be an awesome CNA! I was thinking about getting another degree like an MBA or something... but CNA?...yo, way to reach for the stars, bro!!

First of all: I am not a "bro". I am a girl.
My plan is to get as much hands on patient care experience as possible. Shadowing is not enough. I would prefer to do something like phlebotomy, or EMT work, but it takes so long that I wouldn't actually have any patient care hours logged by the time my next applications are due.

Do you have better ideas for getting hands on patient care experience?

 

[shibby1111]

First of all: I am not a "bro". I am a girl.
My plan is to get as much hands on patient care experience as possible. Shadowing is not enough. I would prefer to do something like phlebotomy, or EMT work, but it takes so long that I wouldn't actually have any patient care hours logged by the time my next applications are due.

Do you have better ideas for getting hands on patient care experience?

My bad. I took your post as sarcastically saying that your alternate career path to becoming an MD was to become a CNA, which is just as honorable. I volunteer at an emergency room. You can get lots of experience that way.

 

[biggiesmallsiz1]

tippmann11 Winthrop University 29Q 3.93 9/15/2011
PIper9132 Public University 38Q 3.98 9/10/2011
aerialdreams Top 10 36O 3.89 6/28/2011
m9999 University of Notre Dame 36O 3.60 6/17/2011
User #17757 Unavailable 32Q 3.93 6/10/2011
NC applicant Top 100 state school 39N 4.00 6/3/2011
Renaissance Man Unavailable 37Q 3.94 6/3/2011
xATB Top 5 LAC 34Q 3.87 6/2/2011
Malijandra University of North Carolina a... 38R 3.98 6/1/2011


LOL these are all the instate applicants accepted to UNC this cycle (via mdapplicants). how representative are these scores of the entire class you think? (the 29q guy is a D1 soccer player apparently, so definitely outlier) .

 

[JKMD]

LOL these are all the instate applicants accepted to UNC this cycle (via mdapplicants). how representative are these scores of the entire class you think? (the 29q guy is a D1 soccer player apparently, so definitely outlier) .

I'm a D1 Varsity Athlete at UNC-CH with 36Q and Phi Beta Kappa. I hoped the adcom would be impressed by my scores despite my time commitment as an athlete but I guess I'm missing something for sure.

Well, it's been a humbling experience and hopefully it would all pay out with the acceptance letter next week. If not, well... onward we will go until we get to where we want to be! XP

Good luck guys

 

[biggiesmallsiz1]

curious you left out your gpa...and did you have any extracurriculars besides d1?

 

[schwabejr]

curious you left out your gpa...and did you have any extracurriculars besides d1?

Phi Beta Kappa should give some indication

 

[biggiesmallsiz1]

Phi Beta Kappa should give some indication

good point. sorry, we didn't have PBK at my school, totally blanked on what that is.

i like how he stated major accomplishment, gpa, and mcat score. maybe arrogance and the adcom didnt like it?

------------

edit: not going to be a dick, but i was in the same boat as you when i first applied to med school. i was an arrogant dick. its been a humbling failure

 

[JKMD]

good point. sorry, we didn't have PBK at my school, totally blanked on what that is.

i like how he stated major accomplishment, gpa, and mcat score. maybe arrogance and the adcom didnt like it?

------------

edit: not going to be a dick, but i was in the same boat as you when i first applied to med school. i was an arrogant dick. its been a humbling failure

Well, I didn't really say much about those accomplishments to adcom. I just said "thank you" when my interviewers told me the numbers are good indication that I would do well in medical school.

Besides playing D1 sports, I researched for 3 years (to answer another person above)

I'm not trying to be arrogant. Sorry if I came out that way. I just wanted to say how application is not only about scores, but something more. That is, there must've been something the D1 soccer player did to deserve the acceptance besides academic accomplishments, and I wish to know what that is so that I could become a better candidate if I have to apply again.

So yes, it has been a humbling experience for sure. Hopefully not a failure.

 

[biggiesmallsiz1]

are you in state? did you apply late? i'm having a hard time understanding what exactly you lacked lol

 

[JKMD]

are you in state? did you apply late? i'm having a hard time understanding what exactly you lacked lol

Yes. I'm a first time instate applicant. I interviewed back in November but still haven't heard anything back from UNC. Even wrote a Letter of Intent to let them know that UNC is my first choice.

I know that people have been getting active review emails et cetera... but not having heard anything... I'm preparing myself for the worst and planning what I'm going to do for a year or two...

it's tough for sure

 

[vickpick]

tippmann11 Winthrop University 29Q 3.93 9/15/2011
PIper9132 Public University 38Q 3.98 9/10/2011
aerialdreams Top 10 36O 3.89 6/28/2011
m9999 University of Notre Dame 36O 3.60 6/17/2011
User #17757 Unavailable 32Q 3.93 6/10/2011
NC applicant Top 100 state school 39N 4.00 6/3/2011
Renaissance Man Unavailable 37Q 3.94 6/3/2011
xATB Top 5 LAC 34Q 3.87 6/2/2011
Malijandra University of North Carolina a... 38R 3.98 6/1/2011


LOL these are all the instate applicants accepted to UNC this cycle (via mdapplicants). how representative are these scores of the entire class you think? (the 29q guy is a D1 soccer player apparently, so definitely outlier) .

user 17757 is me. Im not sure why its unlinked :/

Also, other than 1 latino and 1 AA, everyone else I know (who's been accepted) have a higher MCAT than me. like 35 or above

 

[vickpick]

Well, I didn't really say much about those accomplishments to adcom. I just said "thank you" when my interviewers told me the numbers are good indication that I would do well in medical school.

Besides playing D1 sports, I researched for 3 years (to answer another person above)

I'm not trying to be arrogant. Sorry if I came out that way. I just wanted to say how application is not only about scores, but something more. That is, there must've been something the D1 soccer player did to deserve the acceptance besides academic accomplishments, and I wish to know what that is so that I could become a better candidate if I have to apply again.

So yes, it has been a humbling experience for sure. Hopefully not a failure.

don't worry man, you'll get in this cycle.

 

[biggiesmallsiz1]

user 17757 is me. Im not sure why its unlinked :/

Also, other than 1 latino and 1 AA, everyone else I know (who's been accepted) have a higher MCAT than me. like 35 or above

lol i always feel like I find the perfect md applicants profile...and then i realize its a URM (no offense or anything)

a 35?! that's terrifying

 

[ritzyB]

That is the question of the hour sir, it doesn't look like anyone knows the answer to it either.

Just spoke to Eric at the admissions office.. Apparently, the adcom is making their final decisions on acceptances and the wait list. He was hesitant to tell me what day we will actually hear from them and said it SHOULD be within the week. We definitely won't hear anything today. Those accepted will still receive a phone call, and people on the wait list or rejected will hear via email. At least we know for sure acceptances are still a possibility..hope this info eases some of your anxieties.. I know it has for me. Good luck everyone! I'll let you know when I hear something. 🙂

 

[MedBound1]

Just spoke to Eric at the admissions office.. Apparently, the adcom is making their final decisions on acceptances and the wait list. He was hesitant to tell me what day we will actually hear from them and said it SHOULD be within the week. We definitely won't hear anything today. Those accepted will still receive a phone call, and people on the wait list or rejected will hear via email. At least we know for sure acceptances are still a possibility..hope this info eases some of your anxieties.. I know it has for me. Good luck everyone! I'll let you know when I hear something. 🙂

Great information! I'm sure this was good news for everyone still waiting to hear!

It sounds like they are definitely not 'overadmitting' applicants banking on people declining which means even if you get the wait list instead of acceptance, there is a good bit of hope left. Good luck to everyone this week and hopefully we all get a little more clarity about our futures by Friday. 👍

 

[JKMD]

Thank you so much!

 

[MedBound1]

Just spoke to Eric at the admissions office.. Apparently, the adcom is making their final decisions on acceptances and the wait list. He was hesitant to tell me what day we will actually hear from them and said it SHOULD be within the week. We definitely won't hear anything today. Those accepted will still receive a phone call, and people on the wait list or rejected will hear via email. At least we know for sure acceptances are still a possibility..hope this info eases some of your anxieties.. I know it has for me. Good luck everyone! I'll let you know when I hear something. 🙂

Just curious, so it sounded like they are still meeting to make final decisions? or that the admissions office is just getting their lists together before they send everything out? What made you think it definitely would not be today?

Sorry for all the questions it just sounded like you got some good info.

 

[ritzyB]

Just curious, so it sounded like they are still meeting to make final decisions? or that the admissions office is just getting their lists together before they send everything out? What made you think it definitely would not be today?

Sorry for all the questions it just sounded like you got some good info.

From the conversation I had with him this morning, I cannot verify if the adcom is still meeting to review our applications. I can only assume they've reviewed everyone and are just meeting to finalize the list of applicants who will be accepted or wait listed. Look at it this way: they obviously wanted to save the best for last ;-)

Also, I specifically asked if they will notify us today, and he flat-out said, "no." I even asked if they'll be notifying us in the "next couple of days" and he was reluctant to even commit to that statement. So, it looks like another week of waiting...I'm glad it's a short one, though!

 

[MedBound1]

From the conversation I had with him this morning, I cannot verify if the adcom is still meeting to review our applications. I can only assume they've reviewed everyone and are just meeting to finalize the list of applicants who will be accepted or wait listed. Look at it this way: they obviously wanted to save the best for last ;-)

Also, I specifically asked if they will notify us today, and he flat-out said, "no." I even asked if they'll be notifying us in the "next couple of days" and he was reluctant to even commit to that statement. So, it looks like another week of waiting...I'm glad it's a short one, though!

Thank you for the additional info ritzyB! Very helpful, good luck to you and everyone else.

 

[TheSirGin]

From the conversation I had with him this morning, I cannot verify if the adcom is still meeting to review our applications. I can only assume they've reviewed everyone and are just meeting to finalize the list of applicants who will be accepted or wait listed. Look at it this way: they obviously wanted to save the best for last ;-)

Also, I specifically asked if they will notify us today, and he flat-out said, "no." I even asked if they'll be notifying us in the "next couple of days" and he was reluctant to even commit to that statement. So, it looks like another week of waiting...I'm glad it's a short one, though!

Thanks Ritzy! Fingers crossed!

 

[kcm1984]

I know it is a stressful time for everyone still waiting. I want to share some thoughts for encouragement. Dr. Bashford said that 24% of accepted students go elsewhere. While that is low compared to other schools, it still represents a significant number of folks who will be admitted later in the cycle. I also know someone admitted this year who was in his third application cycle. When I told him I was impressed, he replied, "I was ready to apply again." There is a lot to be said about perseverance!

I shadowed a physician who was a UNC grad and he strongly believes that UNC seeks applicants who are mature and have non-traditional backgrounds. If you are fresh out of undergrad, consider taking some time off and diversifying your application. UNC is definately not all about numbers as my MCAT was low 30s and GPA < 3.3. I received my degree 4 years ago and have since worked in the financial industry and later as an EMT. I learned a lot about healthcare in general as well as a lot about myself. I am now 28 and about to start med school this fall. I am not implying that anyone who has not or will not be admitted this year lacks any of these attributes, but I hope it puts things into perspective. Delaying your ultimate objective by a couple of years or more is really insignificant in the big picture if you know this is what you want to do.

 

[JKMD]

I agree. It's not a race but a journey we chose to embark on in hopes of becoming doctors. True some will get there sooner and some later, but the fact is we will all get there. So good luck everybody.

 

[shibby1111]

I was a "competitive" applicant in all aspects (teaching, research, work, volunteering) except for my mcat score, 31, with VR score, 7. And my nonscience GPA was 2.8. Is quitting my current job as a pharmaceutical chemist and going back to school to get an economics degree for the purpose of showing I am capable of nonscience academia a good idea.

 

[MeowCat]

I was a "competitive" applicant in all aspects (teaching, research, work, volunteering) except for my mcat score, 31, with VR score, 7. And my nonscience GPA was 2.8. Is quitting my current job as a pharmaceutical chemist and going back to school to get an economics degree for the purpose of showing I am capable of nonscience academia a good idea.

What is your science GPA?

 

[shibby1111]

What is your science GPA?

science gpa was 3.7

 

[MeowCat]

science gpa was 3.7

Your science GPA is great. I wouldn't worry about the non-science GPA at this point. I don't think getting a degree in economics would help you much. I think medical schools want to see your committment to medicine and getting a degree in another non-science field makes it look like you don't know what you want.

Perhaps there is room for improvement elsewhere or maybe you should apply to more schools.

 

[JKMD]

Your science GPA is great. I wouldn't worry about the non-science GPA at this point. I don't think getting a degree in economics would help you much. I think medical schools want to see your committment to medicine and getting a degree in another non-science field makes it look like you don't know what you want.

Perhaps there is room for improvement elsewhere or maybe you should apply to more schools.

I agree that degree in economics won't help much. How about public health? You could go for MPH that you can finish within a year or two.

Also, I noticed that your VR score was 7. I was told the "golden" score for VR was 10. Maybe try to improve VR score? Given you have 31 on the MCAT, I believe you won't have to worry too much about sciences.

 

[vickpick]

lol i always feel like I find the perfect md applicants profile...and then i realize its a URM (no offense or anything)

a 35?! that's terrifying

no offense taken. Im not an urm.. Asians are not considered URM.

Oh, and the latino and the AA I talked about in my last post, both got a call today offering them FULL RIDE!!
They must be so freaking excited! And I'm so jealous, lol. But, they must've deserved it!

 

[biggiesmallsiz1]

no offense taken. Im not an urm.. Asians are not considered URM.

Oh, and the latino and the AA I talked about in my last post, both got a call today offering them FULL RIDE!!
They must be so freaking excited! And I'm so jealous, lol. But, they must've deserved it!

that's nuts!!! i know someone with a 4.0/40 at UNC that got like...3k LOL

 

[stevansoccer90]

anybody got a call last night? i got a missed call from an area code in mexico at 11pm, highly doubt that it's from the adcom

 

[tenover]

has anyone else heard about scholarships at UNC?

 

[MeowCat]

has anyone else heard about scholarships at UNC?

I received a financial aid email today stating that financial aid packages should be out in a few weeks. I believe this includes need-based scholarships. Has anyone else noticed that the tuition and fees have gone up quite a bit from the last posted MSAR?

 

[panthersra]

I just called and was told updates would occur "between today and tomorrow." Good luck everyone!

 

[JKMD]

I just called and was told updates would occur "between today and tomorrow." Good luck everyone!

Thank you. You too!

 

[Cinclus]

I just called and was told updates would occur "between today and tomorrow." Good luck everyone!

Excellent new, thanks for the report. This means I will soon have heard back from all schools.

 

[tenover]

good luck folks!