2012-2013 University of South Alabama Application Thread

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Status
Not open for further replies.
So I have my interview this upcoming Wednesday and the more I hear about South Alabama the more excited I get. I would still love to be accepted to UAB (interview went poorly so I'm not very optimistic) but even if I got accepted to both schools it would be a tough decision to make. All of my family is at UAB but they all had very good things to say about South. Also, Ingramw I am also very ready to get out of ttown. I graduated in May but stuck around for my gap year because I have the easiest job ever. However, it is so boring now that most of my friends have already left.
 
CdTe said:
So I have my interview this upcoming Wednesday and the more I hear about South Alabama the more excited I get. I would still love to be accepted to UAB (interview went poorly so I'm not very optimistic) but even if I got accepted to both schools it would be a tough decision to make. All of my family is at UAB but they all had very good things to say about South. Also, Ingramw I am also very ready to get out of ttown. I graduated in May but stuck around for my gap year because I have the easiest job ever. However, it is so boring now that most of my friends have already left.
Click to expand...

Could you elaborate on poor interview. Was it a trick question or something out of the blue? Good luck to you on your USA interview.
 
ingramw1202 said:
I'm ready to get out of tuscaloosa and go to mobile. Pretty stoked. Anyone else decided to go here yet?
Click to expand...

I am almost certainly going to go to USA. I have also applied to UAB and my wife and I have a moderate preference for UAB (partially because we think it will be easier for her to work as an architect in Birmingham) but we are thrilled with the opportunity to go to South.

I hope to do research at least during summer(s) so that originally put UAB a little higher as well but it appears that there is opportunity for research at USA that would be very interesting. I've been in industry now for >10 years (pharmaceutical and medical device; R&D and Operations) and I'm just excited for the opportunity to focus my efforts more directly on patient care.

Anyone else?
 
SurgeonFuture said:
any particular reason of why you chose USA over UAB?
Click to expand...

Ehh well I liked UAB but I hate Birmingham lol. The medical school is awesome but I would be miserable in Birmingham. IMO environment and happiness are pretty important when going through one of the toughest periods of your life. I also know a few people at UAB and at south. The people I know at UAB value the opportunities they have, but they aren't really happy. The people I know at south say that they love it. As far as residency options, I did a bit of research and found out that both schools do pretty well with matching students in surgical residencies, and currently, that is what I want to do. but really it just comes down to the fact that I love mobile and i know id be happier there lol. and I want to get far away from tuscaloosa haha
 
Hi! Anyone else interviewing tomorrow?! I'm looking forward to the interview opportunity here!
 
For those of you who have gotten an II, what were your stats? I got an II in December of last year and am getting anxious now. Congrats to those who have been accepted!
 
Schrodingers512 said:
For those of you who have gotten an II, what were your stats? I got an II in December of last year and am getting anxious now. Congrats to those who have been accepted!
Click to expand...

I had an interview yesterday and my stats are 3.84cGPA / 3.76 sGPA / 31 MCAT: 10PS, 11VR, 10BS
 
Do they notify you if you are not being considered for an interview? I submitted 10/23 and have not heard anything yet.
 
SouthernMiss22 said:
Do they notify you if you are not being considered for an interview? I submitted 10/23 and have not heard anything yet.
Click to expand...

Probably not until late February or whenever they send out their last batch of interview invites. You still have a lot of time left to receive an interview.
 
Just received my acceptance letter today! Interviewed last Wednesday so they have a pretty quick turnaround. Now I'm just holding out hope that I get accepted to UAB as well. For anyone interested, the interviews at South Alabama were really enjoyable.
 
Congratulations! I got accepted today as well. You're definitely right about the interviews. I enjoyed all three of my interviews. They really are like a casual conversation. Mark Scott seemed pretty adamant that they proceed like that. I am really looking forward to attending USA.
 
pure skill said:
Congratulations! I got accepted today as well. You're definitely right about the interviews. I enjoyed all three of my interviews. They really are like a casual conversation. Mark Scott seemed pretty adamant that they proceed like that. I am really looking forward to attending USA.
Click to expand...

CdTe said:
Just received my acceptance letter today! Interviewed last Wednesday so they have a pretty quick turnaround. Now I'm just holding out hope that I get accepted to UAB as well. For anyone interested, the interviews at South Alabama were really enjoyable.
Click to expand...

congratulations!

pure skill - when did you interview?
 
Same day as CdTe (11/28). Sorry I should have mentioned that. They are true to their word on the time frame.
 
Congrats to everyone accepted and good luck to everyone still waiting! I'm a reapplicant this cycle and I received my interview invite today - really excited, maybe a little too much! For those who interviewed, are the interviews all with faculty members or are any with medical students?
 
paulasaurus said:
Congrats to everyone accepted and good luck to everyone still waiting! I'm a reapplicant this cycle and I received my interview invite today - really excited, maybe a little too much! For those who interviewed, are the interviews all with faculty members or are any with medical students?
Click to expand...

I had two interviews with current faculty members and one retired faculty member. They were really low key and I enjoyed them a lot. A couple of people interviewed with 4th year med students.
 
I interviewed with two current faculty members and a 4th year medical student. Mine were luckily all within walking distance. Some people had to drive to attend some of their interviews. If you want to know anything else about interview day, feel free to ask.
 
Schrodingers512 said:
For those of you who have gotten an II, what were your stats? I got an II in December of last year and am getting anxious now. Congrats to those who have been accepted!
Click to expand...

my stats were:
- cGPA ~3.1 (undergrad)
- sGPA ~3.0 (undergrad)
- MS GPA ~3.2
- Post-Bacc (nothing formal, just a variety of classes) GPA ~3.9

MCAT - 33

I have several years of experience in pharmaceutical and medical device R&D / Operations with lots of Six Sigma (stats, problem solving) and Lean (waste reduction, standardization) experience.

Interviewed 10/17 and was accepted 11/2.

Good luck to you.
 
interviewed on the 19th and got the dreaded hold card today. So sad. 3.9/32 mcat nearby FL resident and the interviews went well, but still did not get in. Oh well, at least I'm accepted elsewhere.
 
Joshturnerfan said:
interviewed on the 19th and got the dreaded hold card today. So sad. 3.9/32 mcat nearby FL resident and the interviews went well, but still did not get in. Oh well, at least I'm accepted elsewhere.
Click to expand...

I'm glad you've got another iron in the fire, but Mark Scott definitely emphasized the fact that most acceptances go out after all the interviews are complete. There's still a good chance for you to get in.
 
pure skill said:
I'm glad you've got another iron in the fire, but Mark Scott definitely emphasized the fact that most acceptances go out after all the interviews are complete. There's still a good chance for you to get in.
Click to expand...

Any idea how the process works? How many do they interview/accept/hold/waitlist and timeline etc. Waiting for ii.
 
Judging from this thread, last year's thread, and what Mr. Scott said himself, they typically accept about 120 to fill a class of 74. They have a 10 point scale that they use to determine whether you get an acceptance. 3 points are allotted for GPA, 3 points for MCAT, and 4 points for the interview. They set a minimum score threshold that you must pass in order to be accepted. If you pass this threshold, you get an acceptance letter the week following your interview. If you do not, you get a hold card. The score threshold is high when the interview cycle starts and is lowered periodically as the interview cycle progresses. If you received a hold card, you will get accepted when and if the threshold drops below the score you received. I'm an uncertain how the wait list is pieced together.

Judging from last year's thread and logic, the wait list at USA is strongly linked to the wait list at UAB since many students will receive multiple acceptances or waitlistings or combinations of the two. When the waitlist at UAB starts moving, so will the one at USA, and vice versa.
 
Well, I hope everyone gets in somewhere lol. Submitted my Master's G.P.A (4.0) and hopefully that will get me an II.

MCAT: 29
undergrad cGPA: 3.56
graduate GPA: 4.0
Hope: dwindling

I hope everyone had a good holiday season
 
Last edited:
For those who have also been accepted, when did you or when are you planning to start applying for financial aid?
 
Schrodingers512 said:
Well, I hope everyone gets in somewhere lol. Submitted my Master's G.P.A (4.0) and hopefully that will get me an II.

MCAT: 29
undergrad cGPA: 3.56
graduate GPA: 4.0
Hope: dwindling

I hope everyone had a good holiday season
Click to expand...

I would be surprised if you weren't at least offerred an interview. Are you in-state?

RollTideMD said:
For those who have also been accepted, when did you or when are you planning to start applying for financial aid?
Click to expand...

I will likely start gathering information this week. I will start filling out my taxes shortly and I believe we need that information.

I emailed Peggy Terrel in admissions in December and she said it was a little too early for Financial Aid / Scholarships. She gave me a contact in Financial Aid - if you'd like I can PM that information to you.
 
guspilgrim said:
I would be surprised if you weren't at least offerred an interview. Are you in-state?



I will likely start gathering information this week. I will start filling out my taxes shortly and I believe we need that information.

I emailed Peggy Terrel in admissions in December and she said it was a little too early for Financial Aid / Scholarships. She gave me a contact in Financial Aid - if you'd like I can PM that information to you.
Click to expand...
Yeah if you don't mind I would appreciate that.
 
If you wouldn't mind guspilgrim, I'd appreciate it if you'd PM that to me as well. I have started FAFSA, but need my W-2's before I can finish it.
 
Interview...yay!

Instate
MCAT 32 balanced
3.9 cum and science GPA

I hope I get accepted!!!
 
SOMBound13 said:
Interview...yay!

Instate
MCAT 32 balanced
3.9 cum and science GPA

I hope I get accepted!!!
Click to expand...

Good for you ! I have your stats. Interview Dec 19. Got placed on hold. Interviews were fun. Stress something out of the norm like emotional intelligence, etc. Hope you do well.
 
Joshturnerfan said:
Good for you ! I have your stats. Interview Dec 19. Got placed on hold. Interviews were fun. Stress something out of the norm like emotional intelligence, etc. Hope you do well.
Click to expand...


Do you think being a FL resident hurt? Do you have ties to Alabama? Do you go to college in AL or FL?

Maybe USA is just waiting to see how more of their instate interviews go??
 
SOMBound13 said:
Do you think being a FL resident hurt? Do you have ties to Alabama? Do you go to college in AL or FL?

Maybe USA is just waiting to see how more of their instate interviews go??
Click to expand...


Good Question 🙂

I sat on the porch with that hold card from the mailbox thinking "what is going on?", my interviews went well (completely hit it off on a few - ), my numbers are high relatively speaking, I'm familiar with the place, and they send me this card.

Side note: Interview day there was the only one where they asked about my academics, wondering about a couple "Bs", mcat retake, etc. I guess different things are important to different schools.

No, the FL resident thing didn't hurt me by what Mark Scott said on interview day. I'm getting my undergrad in biology done at South Alabama and volunteered long term at rural clinic in AL, and president of campus club, etc. I am having VERY good success elsewhere at schools with higher stats and out of state school which accepted me immediately, including a competitive track within the med school program that's only granted to a handful of students.
If USA doesn't accept me that is fine. I have a wondrous future to behold regardless, and am very thankful for 9 interview invites so far. Undergrad couldn't have been better here, I highly recommend it.
 
Side note: Interview day there was the only one where they asked about my academics, wondering about a couple "Bs", mcat retake, etc. I guess different things are important to different schools.
Click to expand...


Oh, so USA's interviewers know your grades/MCAT during the interview? Other SOMs often don't do that. Interesting.

What was your first MCAT?

BTW...I've searched the Help and the Options and I can't figure out how to setup a Signature in this forum. lol Can someone direct me? It's probably obvious and I just can't fine it.
 
SOMBound13 said:
Oh, so USA's interviewers know your grades/MCAT during the interview? Other SOMs often don't do that. Interesting.

What was your first MCAT?

BTW...I've searched the Help and the Options and I can't figure out how to setup a Signature in this forum. lol Can someone direct me? It's probably obvious and I just can't fine it.
Click to expand...

First mcat was 25 - and yes USA has everything in front of them when the interview, every course and grade, etc. An interview is not as meaningful when its all about grades and such, IMO

Sorry, haven't done the signature thing so don't know.
 
Joshturnerfan said:
First mcat was 25 - and yes USA has everything in front of them when the interview, every course and grade, etc. An interview is not as meaningful when its all about grades and such, IMO

Sorry, haven't done the signature thing so don't know.
Click to expand...


I wonder if USA is one of the SOMs that "averages" MCAT retakes? What was the time difference between test one and two?
 
South had interviews on Thursday! School hasn't even started back yet for regular classes lol.
 
So on interview day Mark Scott talked about "lowering the bar" for admissions for those who receive the hold card. He also said it will likely happen about 3 times. Does anyone know if this is something they will do in March after all the interviews are complete, or does this happen at all before the interview process is over?
 
joehoward1 said:
So on interview day Mark Scott talked about "lowering the bar" for admissions for those who receive the hold card. He also said it will likely happen about 3 times. Does anyone know if this is something they will do in March after all the interviews are complete, or does this happen at all before the interview process is over?
Click to expand...
When I interviewed there last Wednesday Mark Scott told us that the threshold hadn't been lowered yet, but would be lowered for the first time at the end of January. He said that the threshold would be lowered for the last time in March, after all of the interviews had been completed. I assume they lower it probably one more time in the middle of those two dates.
 
Thanks! And sure I don't mind. IS applicant, 32 MCAT 3.5 cGPA 3.6 sGPA. Graduated in May 2012. I had a ton of EC's though (collegiate baseball, RA, volunteering, shadowing, research, etc.). Good luck on the interview! They try really hard there to make it as stress free as possible, and I really enjoyed my interviews.
 
carpediem2012 said:
Thanks! And sure I don't mind. IS applicant, 32 MCAT 3.5 cGPA 3.6 sGPA. Graduated in May 2012. I had a ton of EC's though (collegiate baseball, RA, volunteering, shadowing, research, etc.). Good luck on the interview! They try really hard there to make it as stress free as possible, and I really enjoyed my interviews.
Click to expand...


Thanks for sharing. I have the same MCAT.

Really looking forward to the interview. Does anyone know how many have been accepted so far? How many do they accept in total?

The acceptances at UAB and USA have been somewhat a dance. Anyone else feel that way?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

wysdoc
2024-2025 South Alabama
2
Replies
78
Views
21K
studentdoctor1134
S
wysdoc
2024-2025 Medical University of South Carolina
3 4 5 6 7
Replies
302
Views
59K
hbic2025
H
wysdoc
2023-2024 South Alabama
2
Replies
97
Views
24K
sushigal
S
wysdoc
2024-2025 Alabama
2 3 4
Replies
185
Views
44K
rarya2
R
chilly_md
2023-2024 Medical University of South Carolina
2 3 4 5
Replies
211
Views
54K
Stalliongoesmed23
S
Top