2014-2015 Loma Linda University Application Thread

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@megan0430

I had to email my fee waiver request twice. No one responded to the first email, so I sent a second one 1 week later and got a response saying they have it on file. You might want to send it again?
 
I e-mailed them requesting the fee waiver over a week ago, too. They e-mailed me back the next day saying that they would process my request, but I have not heard anything in a week. Going to e-mail them again.

megan0430 said:
Has anyone sent an e-mail to the admissions for the fee waiver? How long did it take for them to respond? It's been a week since I sent the e-mail but no one has responded yet..I really want to submit this secondary ASAP :meh:
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Just received an update letter after submitting that my application is complete.
 
investmentdoc said:
Is anyone else only seeing one MCAT score in their portal (As opposed to all your tests if you took it more than once)?
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yeah me too; and it's only my first MCAT score up there (i've written in 2012 and 2013 but only see 2012). does anyone remember if we had to choose our mcat date on our secondary? may have picked a wrong date
 
Is anyone else's fee waiver taking a long time? I sent them an email about the waiver a week after I submitted the request, and they said it'll take another 7 days or so to process.
 
MrLogan13 said:
Is anyone else's fee waiver taking a long time? I sent them an email about the waiver a week after I submitted the request, and they said it'll take another 7 days or so to process.
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It's been two weeks for me since I submitted the request. I sent them another e-mail this week but I still haven't gotten any response...Maybe I should just give them a call :grumpy:
 
megan0430 said:
It's been two weeks for me since I submitted the request. I sent them another e-mail this week but I still haven't gotten any response...Maybe I should just give them a call :grumpy:
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That would probably be a good idea, because this is taking a while. I want to just bite the bullet on the $75, but this application cycle has really put a dent in my wallet, just as I am sure it's putting the hurt on everyone else here. 🙁
 
MrLogan13 said:
That would probably be a good idea, because this is taking a while. I want to just bite the bullet on the $75, but this application cycle has really put a dent in my wallet, just as I am sure it's putting the hurt on everyone else here. 🙁
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I feel you. I've already spent 500+ this cycle, and this is only from applications.
 
They told me it takes 1-2 weeks to process the fee waiver, but they said it won't affect the application timeframe (I specifically called them about this)
 
hoihaie said:
They told me it takes 1-2 weeks to process the fee waiver, but they said it won't affect the application timeframe (I specifically called them about this)
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That makes me feel better. Guess they're not looking at them yet anyway.
 
Loma Linda is slow on interview invites compared to other schools per last years thread. I wouldn't expect any to go out till late august even if your SDA. They do email now tho.
 
HandsomeRob said:
Loma Linda is slow on interview invites compared to other schools per last years thread. I wouldn't expect any to go out till late august even if your SDA. They do email now tho.
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What about non SDA?
 
Bbroush said:
LAME. Luckily my family is in Orange County, so when/if I ever get an II I can turn it into a vacation to visit family.
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Well, at least you don't have to worry about huge amounts of people ahead of you. Normally getting an II in October would be late, but with Loma Linda, its just normal.
 
My fee waiver was approved today and I submitted. Those waiting for their fee waivers should hear something pretty soon.
 
It doesn't look like there are any current students answering questions yet, but if they are out there and could give their input it would be much appreciated! Also non-students that are familiar school with the school are welcome to share if they have any ideas. I love a lot of aspects of the school even though I am not an SDA. My specific questions are:

1) Coffee is a fundamental part of my life. From what I read in a post from last year it seems that caffeine is frowned upon (as in it isn't sold on campus) but that you can drink it on campus if you want. However, if I am going to get disapproving looking from people for drinking coffee I think I would have a hard time studying at LL, as trivial as it may be...

2) are the a fair number of older/married/with kids students? Is the school family-friendly?

3) I love that they have a lot of mission trips. I was a little unclear though as whether or not there is proselytizing on the trips, which I think would make me uncomfortable.

Thanks in advance for any comments!
 
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yebo said:
It doesn't look like there are any current students answering questions yet, but if they are out there and could give their input it would be much appreciated! Also non-students that are familiar school with the school are welcome to share if they have any ideas. I love a lot of aspects of the school even though I am not an SDA. My specific questions are:

1) Coffee is a fundamental part of my life. From what I read in a post from last year it seems that caffeine is frowned upon (as in it isn't sold on campus) but that you can drink it on campus if you want. However, if I am going to get disapproving looking from people for drinking coffee I think I would have a hard time studying at LL, as trivial as it may be...
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No one is gonna look at you weird for drinking coffee. Even though SDA in general don't think the use of caffeinated beverages is good (and we avoid it at our institutions), you will find that most actually do drink caffeine just like the rest of the world. I can say this with certainty. This will not be an issue. I have been to two Adventist colleges, and currently work in a SDA hospital. No one looks at anyone weird for coffee.
yebo said:
2) are the a fair number of older/married/with kids students? Is the school family-friendly?
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If you and me both go there will be at least two 😉. Can't really answer on the current demographics tho. This one is beyond my scope.
yebo said:
3) I love that they have a lot of mission trips. I was a little unclear though as whether or not there is proselytizing on the trips, which I think would make me uncomfortable.
Thanks in advance for any comments!
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I don't think they would force you to participate in anything you were uncomfortable with. They are a Christion institution and that will probably play at least some role in most all of the trips, although I don't think every mission trip is connected to a tent meeting or anything like that.

Having been on a mission trip sponsered by an Adventist institution, I can tell you that we stayed in a SDA Dorm in Russia, and there were more non-Adventist than Adventist in the group (a large methodist church brought a lot of its members). I never heard them complain once about being uncomfortable. I did hear them complain about the SDA school in Russia not serving meat, but I don't think that really qualifies as being uncomfortable. They also tried to buy the school translator a beer, she didn't accept :laugh:.
 
Okay so Im just curious to get others takes on this:

Question 7 of LLU's secondary??? If you don't know what I mean, here it is:

"Loma Linda University is a Seventh-day Adventist institution that has lifestyle expectations that include abstinence from alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs/substances in all forms. In the past year, have you used any of these substances? If so, which one(s)? (250 characters max)
web_required_cascade.png
"

. . . is it wise to be 100% honest with this? I really can't gauge what theyll think. I really do seek christian character in a school, and I am 100% willing to abide by the substance free policy, honest to goodness. But in the past year, I have done some "illicit substances."

What do you guys make of this question?

Side note: What I personally find most irking about the question is that it gives them absolutely nothing but a reason to judge you for your past decisions. which, to me is NOT the kind of christian ideals I'm looking for. I know that sounds like an excuse on my part, but honestly the question would still bother me even if I were completely substance-free my entire life.
 
Thanks HandsomeRob - your answers were very reassuring, especially regarding coffee as I was most worried about that one. and its nice to know there are other people with families considering LL!
 
rachel993 said:
Okay so Im just curious to get others takes on this:

Question 7 of LLU's secondary??? If you don't know what I mean, here it is:

"Loma Linda University is a Seventh-day Adventist institution that has lifestyle expectations that include abstinence from alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs/substances in all forms. In the past year, have you used any of these substances? If so, which one(s)? (250 characters max)
web_required_cascade.png
"

. . . is it wise to be 100% honest with this? I really can't gauge what theyll think. I really do seek christian character in a school, and I am 100% willing to abide by the substance free policy, honest to goodness. But in the past year, I have done some "illicit substances."

What do you guys make of this question?

Side note: What I personally find most irking about the question is that it gives them absolutely nothing but a reason to judge you for your past decisions. which, to me is NOT the kind of christian ideals I'm looking for. I know that sounds like an excuse on my part, but honestly the question would still bother me even if I were completely substance-free my entire life.
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Be honest. But definitely state how you have moved on and are willing to abide by their rules. I believe last years thread had a guy who was accepted despite past drug use (Marijuana I believe). I wouldn't think of this as them trying to find you out, but rather see if you can fit in their program. So if you can fit, tell them so.

Don't assume that they are looking for a reason to reject/judge you, they are just trying to gauge fit like other programs. I would also point out that by making a negative assumption related to that question you are practicing the very judgement that you are speaking against.

And if you still aren't feeling certain about the whole thing- give them a call and send a email with a longer narrative explaining your position. Be positive though! If you aren't comfortable talking with them about your past drug use, then maybe this isn't the best program for you. Otherwise I would take the above steps. To summarize:

1.Call and email about your situation (if they say no they say no, better now than later)
2. Fill out question with focus on how you have moved on and are willing to abide by their rules (BTW, you will be drug tested as a physician when hired, and can be randomly tested at most hospitals, so this is not just a one time thing- illicit drugs need to become a permanent thing of the past).
3. Be Positive.
 
Just as an FYI - on last year's thread a student there said about 50% is SDA the other half is other-christian and a few are non-christian but he could count them on his hand.
 
For #6: "6. As a Christian educational institution the medical curriculum integrates spiritual, ethical, and relational issues from a Christian perspective into the practice of medicine. Weekly chapel services and religion courses are part of this program. Please respond to the above as it relates to your personal educational and career goals. (750 characters max)"

How/What are we supposed to respond?
 
waazaaa said:
For #6: "6. As a Christian educational institution the medical curriculum integrates spiritual, ethical, and relational issues from a Christian perspective into the practice of medicine. Weekly chapel services and religion courses are part of this program. Please respond to the above as it relates to your personal educational and career goals. (750 characters max)"

How/What are we supposed to respond?
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I talked about how these issues are important to me and how they fit in with my overall goals. Personally, the religion courses, discussion of issues from a Christian perspective, and weekly chapel are important to me and would really help advance my desire to go on medical missions and practice medicine from a Christian perspective. I talked to an ADCOM member there and they said they teach you how to pray with a patient, teach courses on different faiths, and discuss not only a patient's physical problems but also emotional and spiritual factors affecting them. It is a Christian (SDA) school, so you should expect that applying to this school. They want to see if you are a good fit for this school and if you enjoy these types of activities.
 
Anyone else receive this email today? Or at any time?

We have received your Supplementary Application and $75 application fee. Thank you for providing these materials.

When your file is complete and has been reviewed, you will be notified of our decision by letter.

Should you need to communicate with this office, please include your AAMC ID number with your correspondence.
 
Bbroush said:
Anyone else receive this email today? Or at any time?

We have received your Supplementary Application and $75 application fee. Thank you for providing these materials.

When your file is complete and has been reviewed, you will be notified of our decision by letter.

Should you need to communicate with this office, please include your AAMC ID number with your correspondence.
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yeah just received it
 
Bbroush said:
Anyone else receive this email today? Or at any time?

We have received your Supplementary Application and $75 application fee. Thank you for providing these materials.

When your file is complete and has been reviewed, you will be notified of our decision by letter.

Should you need to communicate with this office, please include your AAMC ID number with your correspondence.
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Got mine also today... non-SDA
 
Bbroush said:
Anyone else receive this email today? Or at any time?

We have received your Supplementary Application and $75 application fee. Thank you for providing these materials.

When your file is complete and has been reviewed, you will be notified of our decision by letter.

Should you need to communicate with this office, please include your AAMC ID number with your correspondence.
Click to expand...

Yeah I got that email July 23rd. It looks just like a generic complete email - standard among most schools.



Sent from my iPhone using SDN Mobile
 
Finally got my last two letters specific for LL! Can't wait to hear some news hopefully in the coming months.
 
I went to Loma Linda's white coat ceremony last thursday night for the incoming first years and really enjoyed what I heard. The school is very focused on fostering a Christian community that will equip students to become successful doctors that will share the gospel.

Also very interesting class demographics:

168 students
72 female, 96 male

17 married students

Avg. Age: 23.4

And this may be wrong but I think some 50 different countries represented. Either way, a very diverse and international class.
 
Graduated from LLU in 2013 with my PhD and my wife graduated with her MD this last spring... Applying to the MD program this year. Let me know if you have questions as I spent 4 years there. Glad to help.
 
Kind of a silly question, but did you guys use all 750 characters for the secondary questions?
 
Bubbles0523 said:
Kind of a silly question, but did you guys use all 750 characters for the secondary questions?
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One of them I used all 750; the rest of the ones that didn't need a simple one sentence answer, I used most of the character limit.
 
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okay thank you everyone! I was was just curious how much everyone was elaborating on their answers...especially the last two haha
 
Gandalf0222 said:
I'm not applying this year but just wondering, will a 30 mcat and 3.80+ gpa/sgpa open doors for me? Of course I will have extra curriculars, volunteer, shadow, etc and I am also SDA. I saw that the average mcat score for Loma Linda is 30. Will it be a serious problem if I am one or two points below 30?
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I think as SDA you have a solid shot with a 30. As always, do your best!
 
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