2011-2012 University of Tennessee Application Thread

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I got my acceptance letter!!!!!

In sate, 3.6 spga, 31 MCAT.

Interviewed on 10-19
 
I'm in too! In state....31 MCAT, 3.6 GPA. 1st acceptance....YAY!!!!!!
 
Congrats everyone! Still no Interview Invite. Only have been complete since 10/24...
 
Hold... interviewed on Oct 5th.

In state 34/3.91... blurg. I just don't understand this whole process. I honestly think my numbers hurt me. But christ, this is my state school, do they think I'm not interested? Or am I really that arrogant? Ugh...
 
Tennessee is playing tricks with me. I got only my survey today, not to stay I didn't sigh when I saw the thin little envelope.
 
these numbers are killing my hopes lol completed the secondary on 9/23. 27 3.3 sGPA not great numbers but im still an IS
 
Got my secondary, hoping to get an interview soon. Congrats to those who got in, looks like there is already a facebook group for the Class of 2016, http://www.facebook.com/groups/245821905479324/ , hope I get into UT, how long did it take to hear back about an interview after everyone submitted their secondary?
 
I heard back within a week this year, but i was on last year's waitlist so i think that may have helped.

last year i submitted my secondary mid october and didnt hear a word until January, but my application wasnt all that strong.
 
ttsteve said:
I heard back within a week this year, but i was on last year's waitlist so i think that may have helped.

last year i submitted my secondary mid october and didnt hear a word until January, but my application wasnt all that strong.
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Congrats on acceptance!! Were your stats similar last year? I was complete mid-October with lower MCAT and higher GPA.
 
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I improved from a 26 to 32 on my MCAT. But I've been working as a research assistant in infectious diseases and i think that was the real kicker.

last year they didn't say anything about my 26 being too low and on my letter last year suggested i just needed hands on clinical experience. but honestly, i think anyone will agree it can be done with a 26, but you aren't giving yourself much of a chance.

my experience as a reapplicant has been that UTHSC sends out secondaries to anyone who is competitive, interviews a large portion of those and then has a big wait list they pull off. with similar stats you should get yourself an interview and have a chance to show off then.
 
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ttsteve said:
I improved from a 26 to 32 on my MCAT. But I've been working as a research assistant in infectious diseases and i think that was the real kicker.

last year they didn't say anything about my 26 being too low and on my letter last year suggested i just needed hands on clinical experience. but honestly, i think anyone will agree it can be done with a 26, but you aren't giving yourself much of a chance.

my experience as a reapplicant has been that UTHSC sends out secondaries to anyone who is competitive, interviews a large portion of those and then has a big wait list they pull off. with similar stats you should get yourself an interview and have a chance to show off then.
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Awesome job with the 6 point increase on MCAT!

I got a 28O with 3.85 sGPA and 3.85 cGPA. I am already signed up for May MCAT. I would like to go over the "30" mark on my retake. I have good ECs, I feel the only thing holding me back is my MCAT....😡
 
MedicineManACL said:
Awesome job with the 6 point increase on MCAT!

I got a 28O with 3.85 sGPA and 3.85 cGPA. I am already signed up for May MCAT. I would like to go over the "30" mark on my retake. I have good ECs, I feel the only thing holding me back is my MCAT....😡
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Depending on where you applied, a 28O should be sufficient to land you some interviews with those GPAs.
 
Deutsch Arzt said:
Depending on where you applied, a 28O should be sufficient to land you some interviews with those GPAs.
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Deutsch, I applied to 12 schools (all MDs). I am TN resident so my obvious top 2 are Quillen and UTHSC! Trying to stay positive, I would love a chance to interview at both!
 
MedicineManACL said:
Deutsch, I applied to 12 schools (all MDs). I am TN resident so my obvious top 2 are Quillen and UTHSC! Trying to stay positive, I would love a chance to interview at both!
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Hang in there! I thought I was done-for until I just received a response from ETSU to my status check e-mail stating that I'll be receiving an interview email within a day or two. Good luck!

(I'm still "under review" from Dr. Strother as of yesterday.)
 
Accepted today!!!! Interviewed 11/8, 29Q, 3.98 GPA (Masters in Mech Eng), IS.
 
atcibulas said:
First class snail mail 👍

Postmarked the 22nd
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I forgot to say this: Congrats dude! I interviewed the same day you did, and I know they weren't sure if they could get the stuff out before Thanksgiving. I guess they did.
 
I've been complete since 8/23 so I'm wondering why I haven't heard anything about an interview invite, good or bad, from our friends at UT.
 
MedicineManACL said:
Awesome job with the 6 point increase on MCAT!

I got a 28O with 3.85 sGPA and 3.85 cGPA. I am already signed up for May MCAT. I would like to go over the "30" mark on my retake. I have good ECs, I feel the only thing holding me back is my MCAT....😡
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Hey dude, you might not need to retake the MCAT. 28O was my best score (out of two tries), you have a higher GPA than I do. I got to interview at UT a few weeks ago. When I was there, my interviewer asked me if I thought I should retake it. I said no, he said that he didn't think so either (also implied that the committee felt the same way). And I just got my acceptance letter from them today. So, you might not have to subject yourself to that test again.
 
Just got accepted today!!!! Second year applicant with 30MCAT and 3.79 GPA. Wish all you guys that are still in the application process the best of luck!
 
Hamiltonian said:
Hey dude, you might not need to retake the MCAT. 28O was my best score (out of two tries), you have a higher GPA than I do. I got to interview at UT a few weeks ago. When I was there, my interviewer asked me if I thought I should retake it. I said no, he said that he didn't think so either (also implied that the committee felt the same way). And I just got my acceptance letter from them today. So, you might not have to subject yourself to that test again.
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I agree with this, a 28O (assuming it's a fairly balanced 28 and you didn't bomb a particular section) should be good enough to get in with your GPA. Just remember, though, that UT places a pretty big emphasis on the interview. With a 28, you are going to need to wow them at the interview, but it can definitely be done.
 
OwlsGK30 said:
I agree with this, a 28O (assuming it's a fairly balanced 28 and you didn't bomb a particular section) should be good enough to get in with your GPA. Just remember, though, that UT places a pretty big emphasis on the interview. With a 28, you are going to need to wow them at the interview, but it can definitely be done.
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Thanks guys! Hopefully I get a chance to WOW them!😀

I see some people have been complete for two months longer then I have been so I am assuming my time will come...:xf:

I looked on MSAR and thier 10% and 90% MCAT scores were 26-35. I really am just trying to look at any reason to stay positive....

Does anyone know how many UTHSC offers acceptances to? I heard around 200 but that is just hearsay.
 
Does anyone know how many UTHSC offers acceptances to? I heard around 200 but that is just hearsay.[/QUOTE]

I asked Nelson that once, he told me last year they interviewed around 500 IS kids and offered to around 250.
 
Hamiltonian said:
Does anyone know how many UTHSC offers acceptances to? I heard around 200 but that is just hearsay.
Click to expand...

I asked Nelson that once, he told me last year they interviewed around 500 IS kids and offered to around 250.[/QUOTE]

He told me the same. I'm actually the only person I've heard whose gotten a hold. I still can't believe it. I don't know if I bombed the interview or they just discounted me because my scores were too high.
 
Accepted!!!!! I got the letter yesterday, interviewed Nov 7th.

Stats were 37 MCAT/3.03 cGPA. Felt awesome about one interview, a little scared by the other...just so happy to be in! Good luck, everybody!!
 
Hey All, I am an M1. If you have any questions you can PM me. I have not been able to post on here for some time because Med School keeps ya busy. At the moment it is the very end of our TG break with only one more block to go until Christmas. Anyway, I can tell you that they do accept more people than they have seats. They anticipate people turning them down for various reasons and so in the end they will have to offer upto 100 more acceptances than they have seats. There are 165 seats so that means that some years it takes 265 offers to fill them all. They will keep offering until they have all seats filled. Also, sometimes faculty read this particular board. So be mindful. As far as acceptances and decisions are concerned, the board likes to meet every week if they can. With the holidays and the new curriculum it is not always easy. Also, not every member has to be present for them to vote on an applicant. However, they do try and have the person who interviewed you be present. If your interviewer is not present then they may not vote on you and therefore you will not hear back a soon as you would like. In the end this means the time to hear back can be extremely variable. Also, they have been known to grant interviews into April- though they do not like to go that late. So-do not lose heart if you have not received a reject letter. I know that waiting until march or april to recieve your rejection letter can be emotionally challenging...so is med school. My point is that it may take that long, so until then you still have an opportunity to get in or be wait listed (or to be interviewed). Most folks who receive a seconday (for which there is no fee and no essay!) will usually get an interview (I have seen nothing to the contrary). So if you have gotten a secondary you will probably get an interview- just be patient. If you have had an interview it could be a week before you know your status or a month. There are "traffic rules" for medical schools. Put it in a search engine and you will find out what it means. At this point it means that med schools are supposed to let you know your standing by a certain date which I think is May 15th. The wait list at UT is typically around 240. Only the top 1/4-1/3 ever get in off the list. I was told I was top 1/3 last year and got in. It is likely some in this room will hear back from UT around the week of Christmas, after that you will not hear much from them until almost the middle of January. So again be patient. I would also recommend that you do not skip or cancel (without rescheduling) any interview at any other school ever! Unless of course you have a really good excuse. Schools do talk to eachother and if you ever wanted to reapply to that particular school then good luck with that. Also, do not let your grades slip in anticipation to being accepted as you might not be. You will have to resubmit your transcripts every year you apply and they will ask about your grades. I think someone was asking about getting an instate application. I think you have to mark that on your AMCAS application. I do not think the school actually has a paper in-state application for you to fill out. All that being said, TN has an extremely lenient residency policy. Here it is: You have to have a mailing address in TN. That's it. Notice I did not say anything like "you have to have one for a year" There is no time, or duration required for residency. I do not know how to change your status with the registrar office if you applied as OOS and then became IS. However, if you have a question on that then PM me and I will see what I can find out for you. Good luck to everyone, being a med student is a phenominal priviledge and UT has some very remarkable facets that makes being a med student here an outstanding, over-the-top experience of a life time. Dont give up hope!
 
VitalArmor said:
Hey All, I am an M1. If you have any questions you can PM me. I have not been able to post on here for some time because Med School keeps ya busy. At the moment it is the very end of our TG break with only one more block to go until Christmas. Anyway, I can tell you that they do accept more people than they have seats. They anticipate people turning them down for various reasons and so in the end they will have to offer upto 100 more acceptances than they have seats. There are 165 seats so that means that some years it takes 265 offers to fill them all. They will keep offering until they have all seats filled. Also, sometimes faculty read this particular board. So be mindful. As far as acceptances and decisions are concerned, the board likes to meet every week if they can. With the holidays and the new curriculum it is not always easy. Also, not every member has to be present for them to vote on an applicant. However, they do try and have the person who interviewed you be present. If your interviewer is not present then they may not vote on you and therefore you will not hear back a soon as you would like. In the end this means the time to hear back can be extremely variable. Also, they have been known to grant interviews into April- though they do not like to go that late. So-do not lose heart if you have not received a reject letter. I know that waiting until march or april to recieve your rejection letter can be emotionally challenging...so is med school. My point is that it may take that long, so until then you still have an opportunity to get in or be wait listed (or to be interviewed). Most folks who receive a seconday (for which there is no fee and no essay!) will usually get an interview (I have seen nothing to the contrary). So if you have gotten a secondary you will probably get an interview- just be patient. If you have had an interview it could be a week before you know your status or a month. There are "traffic rules" for medical schools. Put it in a search engine and you will find out what it means. At this point it means that med schools are supposed to let you know your standing by a certain date which I think is May 15th. The wait list at UT is typically around 240. Only the top 1/4-1/3 ever get in off the list. I was told I was top 1/3 last year and got in. It is likely some in this room will hear back from UT around the week of Christmas, after that you will not hear much from them until almost the middle of January. So again be patient. I would also recommend that you do not skip or cancel (without rescheduling) any interview at any other school ever! Unless of course you have a really good excuse. Schools do talk to eachother and if you ever wanted to reapply to that particular school then good luck with that. Also, do not let your grades slip in anticipation to being accepted as you might not be. You will have to resubmit your transcripts every year you apply and they will ask about your grades. I think someone was asking about getting an instate application. I think you have to mark that on your AMCAS application. I do not think the school actually has a paper in-state application for you to fill out. All that being said, TN has an extremely lenient residency policy. Here it is: You have to have a mailing address in TN. That's it. Notice I did not say anything like "you have to have one for a year" There is no time, or duration required for residency. I do not know how to change your status with the registrar office if you applied as OOS and then became IS. However, if you have a question on that then PM me and I will see what I can find out for you. Good luck to everyone, being a med student is a phenominal priviledge and UT has some very remarkable facets that makes being a med student here an outstanding, over-the-top experience of a life time. Dont give up hope!
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Thanks for the informative post. I am an in-state applicant, but I won't be applying until next summer. Can you give your opinion on the city of Memphis? I've heard good and bad about it. Being that I'm in-state, I feel it is highly likely that I end up there. Thanks!
 
Interview invite last night for next Tuesday (very short notice, but I'm in town so it's not a big deal).

Was complete 9/27. Originally applied OOS but filed a Residency Form 2 weeks ago. Unsure whether any action has been taken on it.
 
mrmatt said:
Interview invite last night for next Tuesday (very short notice, but I'm in town so it's not a big deal).

Was complete 9/27. Originally applied OOS but filed a Residency Form 2 weeks ago. Unsure whether any action has been taken on it.
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Nice dude! Congrats!
 
mrmatt said:
Interview invite last night for next Tuesday (very short notice, but I'm in town so it's not a big deal).
Click to expand...

Good luck!!

JCTWP46 said:
Thanks for the informative post. I am an in-state applicant, but I won't be applying until next summer. Can you give your opinion on the city of Memphis? I've heard good and bad about it. Being that I'm in-state, I feel it is highly likely that I end up there. Thanks!
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I flew in the weekend before my interview because my sister currently works in Memphis. I was struck by how poor the city looked, but my overall impression was extremely positive - plus, poverty doesn't bother me, I want to work with the underserved anyway. It seems like there's a healthy nightlife, plenty to do, sports to follow, blues to go listen to (really looking forward to that!). There's a great number of hospitals, something you don't get in more rural locales, and you don't have to share them with other medical schools, something you don't get in NYC or maybe Chicago. Everyone I talked to - not just affiliated with UT, but more random - was extremely nice. I asked a random guy wearing scrubs on his way to work where I could park, and he gave a pretty great answer, reminded me to breathe on interview day, etc. I asked a parking attendant where I could park, and he was also super nice. It's just really nice to go back down south after being in Boston for so long. Sooo great to see a city with a TOTALLY different pace. Also, there's basically no traffic in Memphis!! Even during rush hour, my sister lives 5 minutes from her workplace. Not during rush hour, it's still...5 minutes. Looks like any commute would be easy-peasy (again...I love Boston, but it's really starting to wear on me). It seems to me like many Memphians I talk to say that Memphis gets a bad rap across the state. It doesn't really seem like it deserves it to me. I'm sure there are places you have to be more conscious regarding safety, but that's just as true in Knoxville or Boston.

Anyway, that was my impression of it. I'm from Sevier County (Dollywood, anyone?), it was my first time visiting Memphis, I'm really looking forward to going back in the spring to visit my sister, and I think I'd love to live there!
 
Having lived in Memphis for 4 years, I agree with everything you observed with one exception below. It really is a city with lots to do and see. Moreover, there are tons, and I really do mean tons, of ways to get involved in doing community service here.

The one exception...

Stewabeet said:
Also, there's basically no traffic in Memphis!!
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We have the 14th worst drivers in America (Travel and Leisure Magazine) and 55th worst commute area in America (Daily Beast; I-240 gets packed out East)...also very narrow lanes on some major streets like Poplar and Union.
 
Stewabeet said:
Good luck!!



I flew in the weekend before my interview because my sister currently works in Memphis. I was struck by how poor the city looked, but my overall impression was extremely positive - plus, poverty doesn't bother me, I want to work with the underserved anyway. It seems like there's a healthy nightlife, plenty to do, sports to follow, blues to go listen to (really looking forward to that!). There's a great number of hospitals, something you don't get in more rural locales, and you don't have to share them with other medical schools, something you don't get in NYC or maybe Chicago. Everyone I talked to - not just affiliated with UT, but more random - was extremely nice. I asked a random guy wearing scrubs on his way to work where I could park, and he gave a pretty great answer, reminded me to breathe on interview day, etc. I asked a parking attendant where I could park, and he was also super nice. It's just really nice to go back down south after being in Boston for so long. Sooo great to see a city with a TOTALLY different pace. Also, there's basically no traffic in Memphis!! Even during rush hour, my sister lives 5 minutes from her workplace. Not during rush hour, it's still...5 minutes. Looks like any commute would be easy-peasy (again...I love Boston, but it's really starting to wear on me). It seems to me like many Memphians I talk to say that Memphis gets a bad rap across the state. It doesn't really seem like it deserves it to me. I'm sure there are places you have to be more conscious regarding safety, but that's just as true in Knoxville or Boston.

Anyway, that was my impression of it. I'm from Sevier County (Dollywood, anyone?), it was my first time visiting Memphis, I'm really looking forward to going back in the spring to visit my sister, and I think I'd love to live there!
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Thanks! And we grew up right next to each other. I'm from Jefferson County!
 
mrmatt said:
We have the 14th worst drivers in America (Travel and Leisure Magazine) and 55th worst commute area in America (Daily Beast; I-240 gets packed out East)...also very narrow lanes on some major streets like Poplar and Union.
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Yea, I was never on the interstates since my sister lives on Mud Island. She did say the interstate gets backed up, but I'm intending to live in the heart of Memphis anyway 😀. She did complain about how the drivers were awful, but I thought she was being her dramatic self (and I wonder where Boston is on that list...). But it's great to hear another positive view!

JCTWP46 said:
Thanks! And we grew up right next to each other. I'm from Jefferson County!
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Sweeet! Also, I don't know about you, but my home county definitely thinks of Memphis as serious flatland...it wasn't really all that flat, especially compared to actually flat places like Ohio farmland (which I've seen) and Kansas/Nebraska/misc. pancake land in the middle of the US (which I've only heard of).
 
Memphis is a dangerous city. It has been in the top 10 most violent for years. However, the reporting system on violence is not standardised so it can be very biased. I have lived here for almost a decade. I have also lived in or near other big cities (as I am old and been around) like Atlanta, Nashville, and Seattle. It is rare that we hear of any violence or crime being committed against a UT student. If you just keep your wits about you and be smart you will be perfectly safe most the time. The immediate area around UT is well patrolled by police and is very safe. Do not go wandering around in creepy areas after dark, alone and flashing money- you may end up a statistic. My point is that Memphis is no more dangerous than any other major city as long as you don't do something stupid. Use common sense. Travel in groups when you can during all hours but especially after dark. You will quickly be able to tell which areas are scary and which are not. Memphis is particularly peculiar. You can be on a perfectly safe street, turn a corner and be in trouble (or at least be in a scary area). Do most your exploring during the day so you know where is safe. Downtown is also very safe on Beale St as it has a heavy police presence. There are very safe places in Memphis and very dangerous places in Memphis- just like any other big city. Hope this helps answer your question~
 
VitalArmor said:
Memphis is a dangerous city. ... It is rare that we hear of any violence or crime being committed against a UT student. If you just keep your wits about you and be smart you will be perfectly safe most the time. ... You can be on a perfectly safe street, turn a corner and be in trouble (or at least be in a scary area).
Click to expand...

I've lived in Memphis for most of my 31 years and can attest to much of this. There are huge contrasts in safety from block to block in midtown and downtown. That said, I don't think I personally know anyone who's been mugged or a victim of violent crime. If you're not involved in the drug trade, hanging around in bad neighborhoods, or overly careless about where you go, there's no unusual danger.

In a related vein, Memphis has made huge strides in the last couple of years since we voted in a new mayor, Wharton. He's put in bike lanes all over the place, made major improvements to livable space, and put in ordinances aimed at reducing urban blight. We went from being cited as one of the worst cities for cyclists to an honorable mention as a "most bikeable city" in just 2 years. Things are only getting better. Recently, Memphis has been cited as a top destination for developing artists and the local music scene is excellent.

I'm applying to the entering 2012 MD class, but am currently a postdoc at UT. If anyone has any particular questions about the area, feel free to PM me.
 
Interviewed yesterday and enjoyed the day. Dr. Strother said that the next committee meeting is coming up next Friday, the 16th. They plan to review 53 applicants and will send update (accept, on hold, reject too i guess) letters by the end of the following week (by Friday the 23rd). They might be sent to our permanent addresses. Good luck to everyone!
 
mrmatt said:
Interviewed yesterday and enjoyed the day. Dr. Strother said that the next committee meeting is coming up next Friday, the 16th. They plan to review 53 applicants and will send update (accept, on hold, reject too i guess) letters by the end of the following week (by Friday the 23rd). They might be sent to our permanent addresses. Good luck to everyone!
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Any word on when they were send more interview invites?😉

.....wishful thinking
 
I just received an email stating that the committee can't make a final decision (interview) on my application until they receive copies of my fall grades, all this the NIGHT before my BIOCHEM final!!!!! Ahh!!!
 
MedicineManACL said:
Any word on when they were send more interview invites?😉

.....wishful thinking
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Nope, they didn't say, but there are only three interview dates left in December - the 12th, 13th, and 14th, so I imagine they're done with invites for dates in December.

They start interviewing again on January 9, and then there are a ton of dates through March 28.
 
mrmatt said:
Nope, they didn't say, but there are only three interview dates left in December - the 12th, 13th, and 14th, so I imagine they're done with invites for dates in December.

They start interviewing again on January 9, and then there are a ton of dates through March 28.
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I figured. Thanks for the info! I hope you rocked your interview!

Anyone know how to send an "update letter" complete with this semester's Fall Grades, etc.? I read something on the website how to send update of "achievements" but I mostly wanted to send my grades from this semester. Should I just email them? Or Official Transcripts via Snail Mail?
 
Dr Callis said:
Good luck on your final exam!
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Thanks! I think it went well, but I'm not sure *how* well...

mrmatt said:
Nope, they didn't say, but there are only three interview dates left in December - the 12th, 13th, and 14th, so I imagine they're done with invites for dates in December.

They start interviewing again on January 9, and then there are a ton of dates through March 28.
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Do you or anyone else happen to know what the other dates are in January? I already have an interview scheduled on that day. Man I'd love to be lucky enough to receive two interview invites...
 
MedicineManACL said:
Should I just email them? Or Official Transcripts via Snail Mail?
Click to expand...

It may be a good idea to do both just to cover all bases. Also, whenever I updated schools, I included my grades and achievements in the same email and made sure to express my continued enthusiasm to attend that school. It hasn't failed me yet! 😀
 
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