2013-2014 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Application Thread

[Easonred57]

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I completely agree. Particularly the part that states, "This year we have had a particularly competitive applicant pool..."

Is that just a thing that all med schools put in their rejection letters? I know it's supposed to make us feel better... but it really doesn't haha

 

[sapphire86]

I completely agree. Particularly the part that states, "This year we have had a particularly competitive applicant pool..."

I think this email probably went out to everyone still waiting for a decision. Of course we have to be realistic and understand the class is nearly full because of the March 31st deadline to give out enough acceptances to fill the 180 seats. However, they are probably trying to carefully select the last few admits and then create the wait list. The hard part for all of us is that we just don't know how many more acceptances they have left to give and all we can do is wait unfortunately. I would call, but I doubt I would get any concrete answers as they are still in the decision process.

 

[MDPer]

I think this email probably went out to everyone still waiting for a decision. Of course we have to be realistic and understand the class is nearly full because of the March 31st deadline to give out enough acceptances to fill the 180 seats. However, they are probably trying to carefully select the last few admits and then create the wait list. The hard part for all of us is that we just don't know how many more acceptances they have left to give and all we can do is wait unfortunately. I would call, but I doubt I would get any concrete answers as they are still in the decision process.

I agree. We should all try to take a deep breath. Nothing is set in stone yet. If it was, we would have received a clearer email regarding our status. Positive thoughts people! 🙂

 

[L'unionfaitlaforce]

Is that just a thing that all med schools put in their rejection letters? I know it's supposed to make us feel better... but it really doesn't haha

I think its simply their excuse for not accepting us. haha 🙁.

 

[everest888]

I really don't think it is as bleak as y'all are thinking. The several snow days at UNC made it so that interviews only recently finished. They are probably actually backlogged. If nothing else, it is probably more of a "deferral" or "continued" type situation as they review the remaining batch and decide who to take before making the waitlist.

I have no inside information, this just seems more likely to me. Again, chins up!

 

[wakeforestkid12]

I really don't think it is as bleak as y'all are thinking. The several snow days at UNC made it so that interviews only recently finished. They are probably actually backlogged. If nothing else, it is probably more of a "deferral" or "continued" type situation as they review the remaining batch and decide who to take before making the waitlist.

I agree with this...or at least it makes me feel better, so im runnin with it.

 

[Patrick33]

Is that just a thing that all med schools put in their rejection letters? I know it's supposed to make us feel better... but it really doesn't haha

Yeah. After receiving so many rejections for so many years I get a few lines down and know whats coming. I could recite them off the top of my head with the same insincere/general statements from each. Good thing I kept reading because this one came as a surprise. It's strange. Not really sure what to think.

 

[acrewjewl]

I think at this point I'm just hoping for a waitlist because at least you still have a chance haha. Hope is a dangerous thing my friend...

 

[Patrick33]

I think at this point I'm just hoping for a waitlist because at least you still have a chance haha. Hope is a dangerous thing my friend...

Nerd Alert. I finally watched the Hunger Games. You reminded me of when President Snow says "Hope. It is the only thing stronger than fear. A little hope is effective. A lot of hope is dangerous."

They must have made this movie about us.

 

[Easonred57]

Nerd Alert. I finally watched the Hunger Games. You reminded me of when President Snow says "Hope. It is the only thing stronger than fear. A little hope is effective. A lot of hope is dangerous."

They must have made this movie about us.

We should be friends.

 

[hosurb]

Tbh, I don't know if I want to even hope. This cycle, my hopes have only been crushed- schools have given me hope with interviews, only to crush them

 

[Patrick33]

Tbh, I don't know if I want to even hope. This cycle, my hopes have only been crushed- schools have given me hope with interviews, only to crush them

+1

 

[dcc23]

Nerd Alert. I finally watched the Hunger Games. You reminded me of when President Snow says "Hope. It is the only thing stronger than fear. A little hope is effective. A lot of hope is dangerous."

They must have made this movie about us.

Hope is our four-letter word. Write those essays, watch them burn.

 

[Patrick33]

Hope is our four-letter word. Write those essays, watch them burn.

Officially going insane? Join the party!!!!!

 

[Easonred57]

Tbh, I don't know if I want to even hope. This cycle, my hopes have only been crushed- schools have given me hope with interviews, only to crush them

Let me just go check my "hope" box for some interviews... oh look, it's empty.

 

[bp226]

Are there any applicants who didn't get that email (who were not previously accepted or rejected)?

Yes, I didn't get the email, a phone call, or mail. Interviewed 1/31...what do you think that means?

 

[Easonred57]

Yes, I didn't get the email, a phone call, or mail. Interviewed 1/31...what do you think that means?

Hmm. Make sure you check your mail on Saturday. Maybe you'll have a nice surprise!

 

[DrBirdFriend]

Yes, I didn't get the email, a phone call, or mail. Interviewed 1/31...what do you think that means?

It clearly means they flat out lost your application 😛

 

[acrewjewl]

Nerd Alert. I finally watched the Hunger Games. You reminded me of when President Snow says "Hope. It is the only thing stronger than fear. A little hope is effective. A lot of hope is dangerous."

They must have made this movie about us.

haha that's exactly what I was going for. You've must have read my mind...

 

[Patrick33]

Yes, I didn't get the email, a phone call, or mail. Interviewed 1/31...what do you think that means?

Hmm. Make sure you check your mail on Saturday. Maybe you'll have a nice surprise!

No pressure. We're all just waiting to see what happens...😛

 

[fbtkdrbs]

Stay positive! Good things will happen to those who believe in it

 

[suderj04]

I got my acceptance phone call this past tuesday and haven't gotten my letter yet. Anyone have a heads of of anything I can do to get started on anything that needs to be done?

 

[stephenh92]

I got my acceptance phone call this past tuesday and haven't gotten my letter yet. Anyone have a heads of of anything I can do to get started on anything that needs to be done?

Congratulations. On my call (Monday the 10th), I was told I would receive a packet soon as well. I haven't received anything yet.

 

[bp226]

No pressure. We're all just waiting to see what happens...😛

Nothing in the mail...Thinking about calling them Monday to check on my application. #tiredofstalkingmailman

 

[acrewjewl]

With so many people accepted this past week, I think it's pretty safe to say the rest of us who got that email are either rejected or waitlisted. Hello reapplicant...

 

[hosurb]

Anyone know what percentage of UNC's class are reapplicants?

 

[The Chemist]

With so many people accepted this past week, I think it's pretty safe to say the rest of us who got that email are either rejected or waitlisted. Hello reapplicant...

I disagree. I was one of the ones to interview later at UNC and they said that the decision, even if acceptance, would not be released until the third or fourth week of March.

If you interviewed a while back though, its more likely a WL/R than they just haven't gotten to you.

Best of luck!

 

[The Chemist]

Anyone know what percentage of UNC's class are reapplicants?

I believe I remember they said a 1/3.

 

[tarheel1218]

Does anyone know if you are absolutely required to buy your laptop from UNC? The letter I got made it seem like you have to, but the online FAQ section (dated for the class of 2017) made it seem like you could bring your own laptop and download certain programs. Is this still true for this year's incoming class?

Similar to this, is it useful to get an iPad/other tablet for UNC? There are a few other threads recommending it, so I just wanted to see what UNC students do.

 

[HopefulMDPhD]

Does anyone know if you are absolutely required to buy your laptop from UNC? The letter I got made it seem like you have to, but the online FAQ section (dated for the class of 2017) made it seem like you could bring your own laptop and download certain programs. Is this still true for this year's incoming class?

I was also confused about whether the laptop requirement would hold for this year's class because of the letter we got in the packet that said it was required vs. what was posted online. I called Student Affairs and they said that they will be doing the same thing as the Class of 2017 in that we can bring our own laptops. The guy I spoke to on the phone verified with admissions that this notice we received in the mail was incorrect. So rest assured, we can choose our own laptops.

 

[DChef]

Similar to this, is it useful to get an iPad/other tablet for UNC? There are a few other threads recommending it, so I just wanted to see what UNC students do.

I was also confused about whether the laptop requirement would hold for this year's class because of the letter we got in the packet that said it was required vs. what was posted online. I called Student Affairs and they said that they will be doing the same thing as the Class of 2017 in that we can bring our own laptops. The guy I spoke to on the phone verified with admissions that this notice we received in the mail was incorrect. So rest assured, we can choose our own laptops.

This current first year class is the first year that can bring their own computers and just download the necessary security and classroom apps for UNCSOM. Tablets and iPads will not replace a laptop for UNC because you are still required to have an ethernet port, USB port, etc.

 

[deleted503015]

FYI you can also get the quantiferon gold TB test instead of the two-step TST (it's a blood test and is much less of a pain than going in 4 times for 2 TST's)

edit: your letter probably doesn't mention this, but I got it last year before MS1 and have confirmed it's ok again this year.

edit again: it's positive varciella titer OR evidence of two dates of immunization 4-6 wks apt. so your vaccination record may be able to cover that as well as the MMR, Hep B (will still need titer), TdAP

this is the website:
http://www.med.unc.edu/ome/studentaffairs/health-safety-and-wellness/ms1-health-safety-requirements

Get hold of your childhood immunization records and schedule an appointment with your family doc to setup all of the lab tests/additional vaccines you will need to get done.
Needed vaccines:
-MMR, 2-step
-Hep B series
-TdAP/booster
Also:
-TB skin test 2x, 2-weeks apart

Antibody titers:
-VZV (chickenpox)
-Hep B serology (once you have the vaccine series complete)

I will double check the list and edit later.

EDIT: Knowledge for all

 

[suderj04]

FYI you can also get the quantiferon gold TB test instead of the two-step TST (it's a blood test and is much less of a pain than going in 4 times for 2 TST's)

edit: your letter probably doesn't mention this, but I got it last year before MS1 and have confirmed it's ok again this year.

edit again: it's positive varciella titer OR evidence of two dates of immunization 4-6 wks apt. so your vaccination record may be able to cover that as well as the MMR, Hep B (will still need titer), TdAP

this is the website:
http://www.med.unc.edu/ome/studentaffairs/health-safety-and-wellness/ms1-health-safety-requirements

Thanks for the heads up. Now the problem is my primary care if the VA and well anyone who has experience with them know getting all this done with them will take until I grad! lol @peanutz do you have any words of wisdom for the rest of us? I graduated this past December so just working full time right now, would it be beneficial to get any books and possibly get a slight head start? Not going to school this semester has been making me antsy.

 

[deleted503015]

if you're local, you may be able to get it done at student health, even though you're not yet a student. i don't remember the specifics of it (I think I called someone?), but that's what I did (I was working on campus last year). they drew my blood for the titers and were able to print off my NC vaccination record.

please don't get books. please. i'm sure you can think of better things to do. just enjoy yourself. i took an entire year off and it was fine. a lot of the class will have taken time off and they know this when they plan the courses.

Thanks for the heads up. Now the problem is my primary care if the VA and well anyone who has experience with them know getting all this done with them will take until I grad! lol @peanutz do you have any words of wisdom for the rest of us? I graduated this past December so just working full time right now, would it be beneficial to get any books and possibly get a slight head start? Not going to school this semester has been making me antsy.

 

[bornandbred]

Do you folks reckon more calls will be going out tonight?

 

[Easonred57]

Do you folks reckon more calls will be going out tonight?

I doubt they had any more committee meetings. At this point I'd venture that they're wrapping up their acceptance offers and compiling the waitlist.

 

[acrewjewl]

I doubt they had any more committee meetings. At this point I'd venture that they're wrapping up their acceptance offers and compiling the waitlist.

Sadly I agree. I'm just hoping for a waitlist right now because then at least you would have a small chance left

 

[PistachioIcecream]

Hi guys, I'm new here but I'm also in the same boat as some of you-I'm still waiting to hear back. I got the email last week as well about being patient throughout the application process. Hopefully we hear something (anything) soon!

 

[sapphire86]

Hi guys, I'm new here but I'm also in the same boat as some of you-I'm still waiting to hear back. I got the email last week as well about being patient throughout the application process. Hopefully we hear something (anything) soon!

I'm thinking they are finishing up the last final admit decisions now and starting the waitlist. In previous years people were notified via email around April 3rd of wait list or rejection. I have been waiting forever, but I am keeping my fingers crossed for at least a wait list spot at this time.

 

[Easonred57]

I'm thinking they are finishing up the last final admit decisions now and starting the waitlist. In previous years people were notified via email around April 3rd of wait list or rejection. I have been waiting forever, but I am keeping my fingers crossed for at least a wait list spot at this time.

You and me both!

 

[bp226]

I'm thinking they are finishing up the last final admit decisions now and starting the waitlist. In previous years people were notified via email around April 3rd of wait list or rejection. I have been waiting forever, but I am keeping my fingers crossed for at least a wait list spot at this time.

I called admissions office yesterday. They are in the final decision making process and now it would be mid April before all decisions were done, which leads me to believe there has been some delays. Purely speculation .... but maybe all of these snow days have them running a bit behind. Also, they had interviews on Fridays in Jan and I think Feb too which they usually don't have. They wouldn't confirm nbr of adcom meetings were left. We just have to be patient and remain positive.

 

[sapphire86]

I called admissions office yesterday. They are in the final decision making process and now it would be mid April before all decisions were done, which leads me to believe there has been some delays. Purely speculation .... but maybe all of these snow days have them running a bit behind. Also, they had interviews on Fridays in Jan and I think Feb too which they usually don't have. They wouldn't confirm nbr of adcom meetings were left. We just have to be patient and remain positive.

Thanks for the info! Staying positive is excellent advice.

 

[Easonred57]

I called admissions office yesterday. They are in the final decision making process and now it would be mid April before all decisions were done, which leads me to believe there has been some delays. Purely speculation .... but maybe all of these snow days have them running a bit behind. Also, they had interviews on Fridays in Jan and I think Feb too which they usually don't have. They wouldn't confirm nbr of adcom meetings were left. We just have to be patient and remain positive.

Hooray, more waiting. Lol

 

[acrewjewl]

Hooray, more waiting. Lol

Yup part of me wants to get waitlisted, but that would mean more waiting, maybe even until august

 

[Easonred57]

Yup part of me wants to get waitlisted, but that would mean more waiting, maybe even until august

A waitlist would be a godsend for me right now. Haha

 

[Texas Tiger]

Keith Urban gave me his guitar this weekend at his concert in Austin. Here's to hoping my round of luck will continue! If all else fails, at least I know I have Keith's approval.

 

[hanginthere212]

Yeah, a waitlist would be welcome news (at this point), for sure.

However, in the event I don't squeeze in to UNC this year, I am currently preparing to take the MCAT again, in time to reapply for this upcoming cycle. Since my MCAT is going to be the only big change to my application, how much do I need to change my personal statement? (I am assuming it's OK to leave all my "activities" information the same for Application Round #2)

Those of you who are reapplicants, what was your experience in this regard?

 

[DJones13]

Yeah, a waitlist would be welcome news (at this point), for sure.

However, in the event I don't squeeze in to UNC this year, I am currently preparing to take the MCAT again, in time to reapply for this upcoming cycle. Since my MCAT is going to be the only big change to my application, how much do I need to change my personal statement? (I am assuming it's OK to leave all my "activities" information the same for Application Round #2)

Those of you who are reapplicants, what was your experience in this regard?

I'm currently in the same boat as you, preparing for the MCAT while waiting for UNC to get back to me. I actually got inspired yesterday and rewrote my entire personal statement. Personally I was planning on rewriting the activities as well. There are plenty of great FAQ's and tips for reapplicants in other sections of the Premed forum that discuss your question directly. Best of luck on round 2.

 

[Easonred57]

Yeah, a waitlist would be welcome news (at this point), for sure.

However, in the event I don't squeeze in to UNC this year, I am currently preparing to take the MCAT again, in time to reapply for this upcoming cycle. Since my MCAT is going to be the only big change to my application, how much do I need to change my personal statement? (I am assuming it's OK to leave all my "activities" information the same for Application Round #2)

Those of you who are reapplicants, what was your experience in this regard?

I would get some feedback on what you need to improve from UNC, rather than just assume your MCAT is the only improvement you need. If it's something other than your MCAT that's holding you back, and you apply again with basically the same application, you're throwing away money and time that you could have invested in beefing up your experiences.

 

[acrewjewl]

I would get some feedback on what you need to improve from UNC, rather than just assume your MCAT is the only improvement you need. If it's something other than your MCAT that's holding you back, and you apply again with basically the same application, you're throwing away money and time that you could have invested in beefing up your experiences.

I agree. I'm waiting for a rejection and then calling up UNC to see which areas of my app needs improvement.