2012-2013 University of Iowa (Carver) Application Thread

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Here is the prompt. Same as last year.

Iowa Essays

Question 1: We understand you are probably applying to multiple medical schools. Please explain your reasons for applying to the Carver College of Medicine.

Question 2: Describe any unique personal characteristics and obstacles you may have overcome that will contribute to the diversity of, and bring educational benefits to, the entering class.

Question 3: Please list and provide a brief description of medically related experiences (paid or volunteer) in which you have participated over the past 5 years.

Optional Essays:

Question 4: If you are a reapplicant to the Carver College of Medicine, how have you strengthened your application?

Question 5: If you are not currently in a degree-seeking program, please indicate what you will be doing from the time you complete this secondary application to the start of medical school.
 
futchadoc89 said:
Can you please remind me what the character limits are for these? Thank you.
Click to expand...

Instructions say "Do not exceed the maximum character limit of 1500 (including spaces) for questions 1, 2, 4 and 5. Question 3 has a limit of 3000 characters."
 
If only all secondaries were this direct with their questions. Thank you Iowa.

Now if you could just send one to me.
 
Finally got the secondary, sending this sucker out tomorrow.
 
Just in case anyone was wondering about OOSers, I screened in from California.
 
Jealous. I won't get a secondary until my primary is verified.
 
I also got a secondary this afternoon, but my MCAT score in no where near you rockstars. Curious how Iowa goes about screening.

OOS | 3.77 | 30 O | Some great EC's
 
DAPI said:
I also got a secondary this afternoon, but my MCAT score in no where near you rockstars. Curious how Iowa goes about screening.

OOS | 3.77 | 30 O | Some great EC's
Click to expand...

I know the exact cutoffs for in state students for screening but I'm not sure about OOS - except that it's pretty strict. You may just want to call them and ask - I got someone from admissions to tell me the in state cutoffs so I bet you could get them to tell you the OOS ones.

I've said this before, but for in state to receive an interview here it's 3.2 GPA and 8, 8, 7 (any section) on MCAT.
 
My GPA's a 3.6, MCAT 34O. Seems from me and DAPI that the cutoff is at least equal to or lower than 3.6, 30.

EDIT: forgot to mention I'm OOS.
 
punkedoutriffs said:
My GPA's a 3.6, MCAT 34O. Seems from me and DAPI that the cutoff is at least equal to or lower than 3.5, 30.

EDIT: forgot to mention I'm OOS.
Click to expand...

But they will send secondaries to people who don't meet the cutoff for interviews...
 
futchadoc89 said:
I know the exact cutoffs for in state students for screening but I'm not sure about OOS - except that it's pretty strict. You may just want to call them and ask - I got someone from admissions to tell me the in state cutoffs so I bet you could get them to tell you the OOS ones.

I've said this before, but for in state to receive an interview here it's 3.2 GPA and 8, 8, 7 (any section) on MCAT.
Click to expand...

Well I have a 10/10/10 so I'm probably above the screen. For some reason I was thinking Iowa screened harder then that for secondaries
 
futchadoc89 said:
But they will send secondaries to people who don't meet the cutoff for interviews...
Click to expand...

:eyebrow:

Thats not very nice.

Their lower 10% for the MCAT is 29 after looking at the MSAR real quick so I would think I would make that screen. Now I just need to impress them with my ECs and secondary essays 😀
 
DAPI said:
Well I have a 10/10/10 so I'm probably above the screen. For some reason I was thinking Iowa screened harder then that for secondaries
Click to expand...

This is for IN STATE!!! They screen a lot more heavily for OOS. Their average MCAT of all students is around 30-31 so for an OOS to get in they'll need much higher than that. Just call and ask....
 
futchadoc89 said:
But they will send secondaries to people who don't meet the cutoff for interviews...
Click to expand...

I have never heard of this double cut-off. I thought that if you get screened in for a secondary, that would imply your stats are good enough to get an interview. Otherwise, why would they bother to send you a secondary? For $? Then why wouldn't they just remove the screen in the first place?
 
DAPI said:
Well I have a 10/10/10 so I'm probably above the screen. For some reason I was thinking Iowa screened harder then that for secondaries
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10/10/10 is a good score. You've made the cut for secondaries, so I wouldn't be too worried about it. Your ECs are AMAZING. Plus, Iowa doesn't seem like one of those schools who is a Number Queen.
 
punkedoutriffs said:
I have never heard of this double cut-off. I thought that if you get screened in for a secondary, that would imply your stats are good enough to get an interview. Otherwise, why would they bother to send you a secondary? For $? Then why wouldn't they just remove the screen in the first place?
Click to expand...

I really don't think they pre-screen secondaries... feel free to tell me I'm wrong though. I did my undergrad at Iowa and the only cut-offs I ever heard of (after several meetings with admissions) were cutoffs to get interviews. They literally told me it was simple as that - In state with >3.2 and 8,8,7 and you get an invite... if you don't meet either of those criteria you don't.

I know their email *said* they pre-screen the secondaries but I think they just don't send them out until later. I really don't think they actually look at your app until after your interview. It's very automatic.

On an unrelated note, the University of Iowa undergraduate programs have started giving admissions decisions within 48 hours without requiring transcripts or anything - if you meet their cutoffs you get in... if you're close you can submit a personal statement... if you're not close, they reject you straight up. I tell you this just because it shows that they're a big school and they really focus on the numbers a lot of the time......
 
futchadoc89 said:
I really don't think they pre-screen secondaries... feel free to tell me I'm wrong though. I did my undergrad at Iowa and the only cut-offs I ever heard of (after several meetings with admissions) were cutoffs to get interviews. They literally told me it was simple as that - In state with >3.2 and 8,8,7 and you get an invite... if you don't meet either of those criteria you don't.

I know their email *said* they pre-screen the secondaries but I think they just don't send them out until later. I really don't think they actually look at your app until after your interview. It's very automatic.

On an unrelated note, the University of Iowa undergraduate programs have started giving admissions decisions within 48 hours without requiring transcripts or anything - if you meet their cutoffs you get in... if you're close you can submit a personal statement... if you're not close, they reject you straight up. I tell you this just because it shows that they're a big school and they really focus on the numbers a lot of the time......
Click to expand...

:eyebrow::annoyed::wtf:
 
futchadoc89 said:
I really don't think they pre-screen secondaries... feel free to tell me I'm wrong though. I did my undergrad at Iowa and the only cut-offs I ever heard of (after several meetings with admissions) were cutoffs to get interviews. They literally told me it was simple as that - In state with >3.2 and 8,8,7 and you get an invite... if you don't meet either of those criteria you don't.

I know their email *said* they pre-screen the secondaries but I think they just don't send them out until later. I really don't think they actually look at your app until after your interview. It's very automatic.

On an unrelated note, the University of Iowa undergraduate programs have started giving admissions decisions within 48 hours without requiring transcripts or anything - if you meet their cutoffs you get in... if you're close you can submit a personal statement... if you're not close, they reject you straight up. I tell you this just because it shows that they're a big school and they really focus on the numbers a lot of the time......
Click to expand...

Well, that's mighty suspicious. If I do get an interview invite, I will be sure to call them out on this during the interview. They'll be sure to appreciate my powers of reasoning and observation.
 
futchadoc89 said:
I really don't think they pre-screen secondaries... feel free to tell me I'm wrong though. I did my undergrad at Iowa and the only cut-offs I ever heard of (after several meetings with admissions) were cutoffs to get interviews. They literally told me it was simple as that - In state with >3.2 and 8,8,7 and you get an invite... if you don't meet either of those criteria you don't.

I know their email *said* they pre-screen the secondaries but I think they just don't send them out until later. I really don't think they actually look at your app until after your interview. It's very automatic.

On an unrelated note, the University of Iowa undergraduate programs have started giving admissions decisions within 48 hours without requiring transcripts or anything - if you meet their cutoffs you get in... if you're close you can submit a personal statement... if you're not close, they reject you straight up. I tell you this just because it shows that they're a big school and they really focus on the numbers a lot of the time......
Click to expand...

Wow. This seems very strange.

I now see what you mean. I was saying if I meet the screen that they would consider me for an interview, not that I would automatically get one. I never knew schools had such automatic screens for interviews, i.e. - everyone gets one if you have a 3.7/33 MCAT or w/e the numbers are. I was always under the impression it was at least somewhat holistic, obviously some schools liking numbers more than others.


EDIT: lolz at how everyone basically just called :bullcrap:

EDIT 2.0: Ohhhh, I see, the second part is direct at how their undergrad offers admission, not their med school... I was confused
 
Last edited:
DAPI said:
Wow. This seems very strange.

I now see what you mean. I was saying I meet the screen that they would consider me for an interview, not that I would automatically get one. I never knew schools had such automatic screens for interviews, i.e. - everyone gets one if you have a 3.7/33 MCAT or w/e the numbers are. I was always under the impression it was at least somewhat holistic, obviously some schools liking numbers more than others.
Click to expand...

That's what my impression is just from talking to admissions when I was enrolled there between 2007 and 2011. Could have change though, not sure. And again I only ever asked about in state so I have no idea what OOS people can expect.

Here's a link to the article about undergrad admissions if you're curious. Applicants self-report ACT/SAT scores and grades/courses and will find out if they're accepted in 48-hours. I was kind of pissed when I heard this because it really shows they don't give a crap about who you are - it's all in the numbers. Here's the link: http://now.uiowa.edu/2012/07/ui-applicants-will-now-self-report

Again, this does not necessarily apply to the med school, but I just think it shows you what the overall mentality at the UI is. Don't get me wrong, I LOVED it there and am so glad that's where I went - but you definitely have to be very proactive in order to be more than just a number.

The med school is probably a lot different than the university as a whole, though.

End rant 😀
 
DAPI said:
EDIT 2.0: Ohhhh, I see, the second part is direct at how their undergrad offers admission, not their med school... I was confused
Click to expand...

Yup sorry - I was just giving it for comparison of how Iowa as a whole is more concerned with numbers than other schools may be, but it's not directly relevant to the med school... just more of a fun fact 😀
 
I'm hoping "concerned with numbers" doesn't translate to 3.8/36+ for OOS
 
futchadoc89 said:
I really don't think they pre-screen secondaries... feel free to tell me I'm wrong though. I did my undergrad at Iowa and the only cut-offs I ever heard of (after several meetings with admissions) were cutoffs to get interviews. They literally told me it was simple as that - In state with >3.2 and 8,8,7 and you get an invite... if you don't meet either of those criteria you don't.

I know their email *said* they pre-screen the secondaries but I think they just don't send them out until later. I really don't think they actually look at your app until after your interview. It's very automatic.

On an unrelated note, the University of Iowa undergraduate programs have started giving admissions decisions within 48 hours without requiring transcripts or anything - if you meet their cutoffs you get in... if you're close you can submit a personal statement... if you're not close, they reject you straight up. I tell you this just because it shows that they're a big school and they really focus on the numbers a lot of the time......
Click to expand...



Did you miss the emails were they indicated they started screening this year (Carver)😕😕


On that second bit about the undergrad... it's a good deal, especially if you want to keep higher level of talent in-state or get people thinking about staying..
 
28R, 3.84 cGPA - OOS

Made the secondary cut, but not sure I'll survive the interview cut.
 
jgalt42 said:
28R, 3.84 cGPA - OOS

Made the secondary cut, but not sure I'll survive the interview cut.
Click to expand...

I'm 90% sure an OOS got accepted with a 29 last year. Too lazy to go back to last year's thread and search, though.
 
To bring us back to reality, here are some numbers:

Average accepted student: 3.9/33 | Lower 10% to Upper 10%: 3.5-4.0/29-37
Average matriculating student: 3.76/31.8

IS: Applied: 357 | Interviewed: 290 | Accepted: 128 | Enrolled: 100
OOS: Applied: 3198 | Interviewed: 444 | Accepted: 182 | Enrolled: 48

Clearly there is a preference for IS, but I find it hard to believe their interview cutoff numbers are going to be above a 30, given they do an at least somewhat holistic review.
 
DAPI said:
To bring us back to reality, here are some numbers:

Average accepted student: 3.9/33 | Lower 10% to Upper 10%: 3.5-4.0/29-37
Average matriculating student: 3.76/31.8

IS: Applied: 357 | Interviewed: 290 | Accepted: 128 | Enrolled: 100
OOS: Applied: 3198 | Interviewed: 444 | Accepted: 182 | Enrolled: 48

Clearly there is a preference for IS, but I find it hard to believe their interview cutoff numbers are going to be above a 30, given they do an at least somewhat holistic review.
Click to expand...

Thanks for posting. I agree 30 is high to screen out. I wish they would list accepted MCAT averages for OOS/IS separately - would be interesting to see.
 
I'm glad I made the cut for this part! I'm going to put my best foot forward regardless!
 
Here's a question to change the subject. How "briefly" are you describing your medical experiences? I described mine quite extensively on my AMCAS application so I'm not sure what they're looking for here.
 
jgalt42 said:
I'm glad I made the cut for this part! I'm going to put my best foot forward regardless!
Click to expand...


Not enough of this around lately 👍

futchadoc89 said:
Here's a question to change the subject. How "briefly" are you describing your medical experiences? I described mine quite extensively on my AMCAS application so I'm not sure what they're looking for here.
Click to expand...

Super brief. More is less brief.
 
futchadoc89 said:
Here's a question to change the subject. How "briefly" are you describing your medical experiences? I described mine quite extensively on my AMCAS application so I'm not sure what they're looking for here.
Click to expand...

I wrote like a sentence for each. On the app, "list" and "briefly describe" are both underlined, so I assumed they were serious about it.
 
desphil said:
I wrote like a sentence for each. On the app, "list" and "briefly describe" are both underlined, so I assumed they were serious about it.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I'm checking out what I wrote in the 2011 cycle and I think I definitely wrote too much. Whoops.
 
futchadoc89 said:
Here's a question to change the subject. How "briefly" are you describing your medical experiences? I described mine quite extensively on my AMCAS application so I'm not sure what they're looking for here.
Click to expand...

I have not started it yet, but probably going to keep it to a title and then 2-3 sentences. Probably pull from my TMDSAS application that limits you to 300 characters for the descriptions.
 
Got my secondary Wednesday afternoon. Now got to finish it ASAP. =)
 
Submitted my "final application" and supplemental essays 7/26/2012! Just waiting for my payment to show up on the website and for a complete email from them. YAY!
 
So I submitted my final app, supplemental, my payment has been received and they have accepted my letters, but it still says my file is incomplete. Anyone else having this problem?
 
goirish22 said:
So I submitted my final app, supplemental, my payment has been received and they have accepted my letters, but it still says my file is incomplete. Anyone else having this problem?
Click to expand...

+1 but my guess is it'll just take them a few days to get everything updated and send out the complete emails. If I'm not complete by next week I may call...
 
goirish22 said:
So I submitted my final app, supplemental, my payment has been received and they have accepted my letters, but it still says my file is incomplete. Anyone else having this problem?
Click to expand...

futchadoc89 said:
+1 but my guess is it'll just take them a few days to get everything updated and send out the complete emails. If I'm not complete by next week I may call...
Click to expand...

... Clearly says it may take up to 5 days for payment to post and be marked as complete...
 
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