2014-2015 University of Arizona - Phoenix Application Thread

[iwantaz]

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Reapplicants are challenged to come to the table with a changed application. You can do this by updating your MCAT (tells us you have retained content), update LORs (do NOT submit old letters), refresh your essays based on new experiences and this means gain new experience!! Those who do this are viewed as anyone else - a serious, committed applicant.

If you do not put energy into an application, chances are you will not receive positive energy back from a medical school. The old adage "you get back what you put in" is so incredibly true in the process!

The label of "reapplicant" is neither negative or positive. It's what you do as a reapplicant that makes this decision easy for us.


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I know you said to gain new experiences, but does it look bad if we've continued with some of our old activities? I do have new/updated letters, but 2 are from the same individuals who wrote letters for me last year. For instance, since last year, I've continued to do research with an organization that resulted in a manuscript publication and presentation. I've also continued to work as an EMT and got a letter from my supervisor from there again as well. I've been told that the depth of 1-2 experiences is better than a few short experiences.

Long story short, how is it looked if we get updated letters from the same individuals? And if we continue with the same activities to increase the depth of our exposure? Thanks!!!

 

[amad01]

Old letters really are viewed poorly - having two new might help, but I must say the expectation is to give us a new perspective.


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How do you know a letter is new or old or reused?

 

[Graywolf]

Your application is submitted, old letter or new letters. Get outside and do something productive rather than worry about things you can't control! Cheers

 

[Phx Med Admissions]

I know you said to gain new experiences, but does it look bad if we've continued with some of our old activities? I do have new/updated letters, but 2 are from the same individuals who wrote letters for me last year. For instance, since last year, I've continued to do research with an organization that resulted in a manuscript publication and presentation. I've also continued to work as an EMT and got a letter from my supervisor from there again as well. I've been told that the depth of 1-2 experiences is better than a few short experiences.

Long story short, how is it looked if we get updated letters from the same individuals? And if we continue with the same activities to increase the depth of our exposure? Thanks!!!

A letter from a continued experience is not what we consider an "old letter." By old letter, I am referring to those that are literally outdated.

Continuing an experience that you enjoy over a "new" one is always best. Again, I'm referring to experience dates that clearly ended with nothing new to show.


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[Phx Med Admissions]

How do you know a letter is new or old or reused?

The date of the letter.


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[SMHS2009]

We read everything! Truly do.


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Wow, that is amazing. Thank you for your dedicated work and team! Really considering the applicant as a whole in every step.

 

[amad01]

The date of the letter.


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hmm would you rather a student get a letter from a professor immediately after taking the class or a year later?

Or do you recommend all letters come from professors/experiences that were exclusively right before the application season?

 

[Phx Med Admissions]

hmm would you rather a student get a letter from a professor immediately after taking the class or a year later?

Or do you recommend all letters come from professors/experiences that were exclusively right before the application season?

Who knows you best? Who can attest to your ability to think critically, work well with others, be self-responsible for outcomes, show motivation to learn beyond a grade?


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[hope2b62a]

Over the years, I have seen many decisions by adcoms that make about as much sense to me as a box of hair. That trend continues with my rejection pre-interview after being waitlisted last year and presenting a much stronger application this cycle.

I'm going to climb on my soapbox, so cease reading if you're faint at heart. I have a lot of respect for Dr. Cunningham and her team; that said, take it from a veteran, you can respect the heck out of someone and still be disappointed and betrayed by their actions.

For our entire working lives, my large native AZ family, my spouse, her AZ family, and I have paid taxes that support these schools. As long as there are qualified, motivated Arizona applicants, they should NEVER admit someone from out of state. PERIOD. And, to clarify, I mean qualified to matriculate and be successful AZ doctors, not qualified to inflate the school's stats or pay OOS tuition.

Want to know the best part? As bassackwards as it is, there isn't a soul alive in power who will listen and care. "You are whining because you didn't get accepted to med school? People can't find jobs!" And so on it will go.

I'll sign off this thread now, wishing those still in the running nothing but my best. Phoenix has a great program, a nice campus, and lots of great people, regardless of where they came from. If someone wishes to debate any of my points, please message me as I won't be checking back. Don't sweat the Journey and best wishes!

 

[TheBroDoctor]

II this morning!! Super excited to go back to Phoenix!

 

[iheartflatus]

What order is the school going in? I'm reading that there are people from early July not yet reviewed. I'm sitting at mid-July so I don't know how much longer I can wait. The anticipation is causing my flatus to build up inside.

 

[NewTima]

II this morning!! Super excited to go back to Phoenix!

Congrats!!! 🙂 When were you complete?

 

[werty1988]

Rejected: IS, 4.0, 32
Top choice too...

 

[Shams al Deen]

Rejected: IS, 4.0, 32
Top choice too...

Oh wow, sorry to hear it man. Strange that an IS applicant with your stats didn't land an II. Do you mind posting when you were complete?

 

[werty1988]

early july

 

[medhead1990]

Rejected: IS, 4.0, 32
Top choice too...

Wow! im shocked! what were your EC's like if you dont mind my asking? Your academics are just about impossible to beat. Do you have any II's to other places at all?

 

[bear2roo]

Old letters really are viewed poorly - having two new might help, but I must say the expectation is to give us a new perspective.


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So I am a reapplicant but I didn't apply u of Arizona last year. Will my letters all be viewed as "old" by ur committee? Btw I have 2 updated letters from my 2 profs and a new letter from research PI. I am a bit curious how an old letter of rec from a professor can change between 2 application cycles if you reapply, esp if you took their class 1 or 2 years ago...

 

[DrOMG]

Oh wow, sorry to hear it man. Strange that an IS applicant with your stats didn't land an II. Do you mind posting when you were complete?

Not always about the stats. There must be something significantly weak in the other components of app.

 

[Phx Med Admissions]

So I am a reapplicant but I didn't apply u of Arizona last year. Will my letters all be viewed as "old" by ur committee? Btw I have 2 updated letters from my 2 profs and a new letter from research PI. I am a bit curious how an old letter of rec from a professor can change between 2 application cycles if you reapply, esp if you took their class 1 or 2 years ago...

It's considered an old letter when the author does not update the date - we see letters dated 2011, 2012, etc.


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[bear2roo]

It's considered an old letter when the author does not update the date - we see letters dated 2011, 2012, etc.


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Oh shoot, I didn't tell all my letter writers to update the date because one is out of the country (hard to reach by email as well) until Sept and the other moved to another university and didn't tell me her new email address until it was too late (she replied to my initial email asking her to update my LOR) 5 months later.... T____T

 

[loloschicken]

It's considered an old letter when the author does not update the date - we see letters dated 2011, 2012, etc.


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Dr. Cunningham,
Would it be appropriate to include activities on our AMCAS application from 2011 and 2012? I have included a lot of current activities from 2013 and 2014 as well? However, is it still appropriate to include activities from a few years ago as well, especially if some of those activities were significant (i.e publications, etc.)?

 

[soccerman93]

Hi Dr. Cunningham,
Will Interview emails continue to trickle in gradually over the next few months? For some reason I thought that they would be sent out in batches every 2 weeks as applications were reviewed.

 

[john3298]

Hi Dr. Cunningham,
Will Interview emails continue to trickle in gradually over the next few months? For some reason I thought that they would be sent out in batches every 2 weeks as applications were reviewed.

She answered this question earlier in the thread. Interviews are mainly sent out in batches every 2 weeks, but a few interview invites and rejections will trickle out occasionally.

 

[Shams al Deen]

Well then Monday Sept 1st should be the next batch. Hopefully those waiting hear some good news.

 

[milski]

Well then Monday Sept 1st should be the next batch. Hopefully those waiting hear some good news.

More like Tuesday, 9/2. 😉

 

[Shams al Deen]

More like Tuesday, 9/2. 😉

Haha oh ya totally forgot about the holiday.

 

[iwantaz]

Dr. Cunningham,

Just out of curiosity, who reviews applications for a possible interview invite ( you, faculty, staff, students, etc)? And acceptance?

 

[Fathead56]

Does everybody's application status say "interview not scheduled yet" after you submit your secondary? This makes it sound like I have an interview.

 

[Phx Med Admissions]

Dr. Cunningham,

Just out of curiosity, who reviews applications for a possible interview invite ( you, faculty, staff, students, etc)? And acceptance?

Admissions Committee - faculty, students, community. More than 20 members involved throughout the process.


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[john3298]

Does everybody's application status say "interview not scheduled yet" after you submit your secondary? This makes it sound like I have an interview.

Everyone's status says that

 

[fairlyplay]

Hello Dr. Cunningham,

Do adcoms pay any mind to the time it took an applicant to submit their secondary from the time they received it? Now that we are going into September, is it too late to apply and submit? Is it viewed negatively to not take advantage of the full 350 word limit?

 

[mountains&cacti]

Dr. Cunningham,

I am an out-of-state applicant who was recently offered an interview at U of A - Tucson. I know that the two U of A schools are completely separate entities, and I am in no way guaranteed an interview at U of A - Phoenix as well. However, is there any way that I could gauge my chances of getting an interview at Phoenix so that I could perhaps do them both while I am in the state already? Plane tickets, rental cars, and hotel rooms add up quickly (and I am coming from quite far away), so it would be extremely financially advantageous to do it this way, if I was to get an interview invite for both schools. I have been "under review" at Phoenix since July 8th. This entire thing might be a long shot, but I thought I would ask and see if you have run into similar situations before. Thank you so much for your time!

 

[Phx Med Admissions]

Dr. Cunningham,

I am an out-of-state applicant who was recently offered an interview at U of A - Tucson. I know that the two U of A schools are completely separate entities, and I am in no way guaranteed an interview at U of A - Phoenix as well. However, is there any way that I could gauge my chances of getting an interview at Phoenix so that I could perhaps do them both while I am in the state already? Plane tickets, rental cars, and hotel rooms add up quickly (and I am coming from quite far away), so it would be extremely financially advantageous to do it this way, if I was to get an interview invite for both schools. I have been "under review" at Phoenix since July 8th. This entire thing might be a long shot, but I thought I would ask and see if you have run into similar situations before. Thank you so much for your time!

Congratulations on your COM-Tucson interview. Sequencing interviews is a challenge; unfortunately, we cannot make our decision based on your already scheduled visit to another medical school. In the event you are invited to interview at COM-Phoenix, I'd encourage you to request one of our student hosts to reduce your lodging expenses. This will make your visit a little more feasible.


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[Phx Med Admissions]

Hello Dr. Cunningham,

Do adcoms pay any mind to the time it took an applicant to submit their secondary from the time they received it? Now that we are going into September, is it too late to apply and submit? Is it viewed negatively to not take advantage of the full 350 word limit?

Timing and length are not factors considered in our decision process.


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[626038]

Hi Dr. Cunningham,

I was wondering if you had an MCAT threshold for interviews. I received a 30 overall but 7 in verbal and was worried about having a competitive chance for an interview. I am sending in my secondaries this tuesday and was seeing if I have a realistic chance! I have been meaning to retake my mcats but a job at apple changed my plans!

thanks

 

[Phx Med Admissions]

Hi Dr. Cunningham,

I was wondering if you had an MCAT threshold for interviews. I received a 30 overall but 7 in verbal and was worried about having a competitive chance for an interview. I am sending in my secondaries this tuesday and was seeing if I have a realistic chance! I have been meaning to retake my mcats but a job at apple changed my plans!

thanks

Your MCAT will not screen you out and we consider much more than the MCAT, so I cannot predict your interview chances. Congrats on the Apple job #employeediscount


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[ftp902]

Your MCAT will not screen you out and we consider much more than the MCAT, so I cannot predict your interview chances. Congrats on the Apple job #employeediscount


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Dr. Cunningham,
How the applicants who completed earlier (but not rejected yet) than those who are rejected have to think of our chances for an interview? Does this mean that we have been reviewed and put on hold or that we are not reviewed yet?

Thank you so much! Hope you are having a great Labor Day weekend.

 

[LAtoDavis]

Hi Dr. Cunningham,
I'm curious if it's possible to do the combined MD/MPH and the Rural Health Professions Program at the same time? On my secondary I mentioned wanting to do both, but I'm worried that I may have spoken too soon. Thank you 🙂

 

[fairlyplay]

Hello Dr. Cunningham,

Lets say you have two applicants applying a month apart. The second applicant gets an II, yet the first applicant didn't. Is this a silent rejection? Is the file for the first applicant put into a different pile and looked at again later or is it game over? Thank you.

 

[Phx Med Admissions]

Dr. Cunningham,
How the applicants who completed earlier (but not rejected yet) than those who are rejected have to think of our chances for an interview? Does this mean that we have been reviewed and put on hold or that we are not reviewed yet?

Thank you so much! Hope you are having a great Labor Day weekend.

Likely not reviewed - the only communication we send is the final decision.


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[Phx Med Admissions]

Hi Dr. Cunningham,
I'm curious if it's possible to do the combined MD/MPH and the Rural Health Professions Program at the same time? On my secondary I mentioned wanting to do both, but I'm worried that I may have spoken too soon. Thank you 🙂

You can, theoretically. However, you may be required to extend time in school by a semester or two so not to jeopardize your MD focus. Dual-degrees are a great option, but be careful not to overtax yourself with add-ons and be very certain why you believe these add-ons will benefit your future patients.


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[Phx Med Admissions]

Hello Dr. Cunningham,

Lets say you have two applicants applying a month apart. The second applicant gets an II, yet the first applicant didn't. Is this a silent rejection? Is the file for the first applicant put into a different pile and looked at again later or is it game over? Thank you.

We communicate (via email) the final decision, therefore there is no "silent rejection." You're in the game until you receive a final decision.


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[DrOMG]

Reeeeeeeeeeeeejected

Complete mid july.

 

[ricecakeMD]

II! Complete mid July. I only see two dates available in September though, will more dates open up?

 

[milski]

Rejected.

 

[Wildcat1993]

Hello Dr. Cunningham,

2 questions please:

1) I have on my application experiences with shadowing, but I do not have a physician LOR for my application. Will this greatly hurt my application? I have a LOR from an MD who is an instructor for my course.

2) For supplemental Application question #4 about something the committee does not already know, is it appropriate to expand on one of my 15 work and experiences entries to provide the committee with more information on how it was important to me?

THANK YOU so much for all of your help it means the world to us pre-meders!

-B

 

[Jpdoe34]

Hello everyone!

What are your thoughts on this school? I am having second thoughts about matriculating here (pending an acceptance, of course).

Here are some questions/concerns...

1. Has anyone gone through the list of scholarly projects submitted by graduating students? Not very impressive... Especially considering the emphasis the school places on the student research.
2. Greater emphasis on diversity than medical education? Every school is looking for diversity, and understandably so, but this school seems to over emphasize this. I am a forward thinker, but this seems ridiculous.
3. NIH funding? I don't see anything reported...
4. If the goal of the program is to serve Arizona, why are there so many out of state acceptances?
5. Student profiles - Take a look. All are sob stories. How about the student who achieved beyond expectation etc.?
6. Mini Medical Interviews. Trendy, not very effective IMO. If I were to use one word to describe this school - trendy. This worries me.
7. The selection committee. Sounds like it's made up of a few MDs/PhDs, and the rest are present to make sure they hit the schools diversity goal. A bit unsettling.

What are your thoughts?

 

[NewTima]

Hello everyone!

What are your thoughts on this school? I am having second thoughts about matriculating here (pending an acceptance, of course).

Here are some questions/concerns...

1. Has anyone gone through the list of scholarly projects submitted by graduating students? Not very impressive... Especially considering the emphasis the school places on the student research.
2. Greater emphasis on diversity than medical education? Every school is looking for diversity, and understandably so, but this school seems to over emphasize this. I am a forward thinker, but this seems ridiculous.
3. NIH funding? I don't see anything reported...
4. If the goal of the program is to serve Arizona, why are there so many out of state acceptances?
5. Student profiles - Take a look. All are sob stories. How about the student who achieved beyond expectation etc.?
6. Mini Medical Interviews. Trendy, not very effective IMO. If I were to use one word to describe this school - trendy. This worries me.
7. The selection committee. Sounds like it's made up of a few MDs/PhDs, and the rest are present to make sure they hit the schools diversity goal. A bit unsettling.

What are your thoughts?

You should worry about getting an acceptance first. But, if accepted, I think you already made up your mind.

 

[Phx Med Admissions]

Projects are student-driven and with the guidance of a faculty PI. Approximately 40% of the previous projects are published. This is a graduation requirement that prepares student for a future of scholarly pursuit.

Diversity is critical to the UA and all Health Science colleges.

Our basic science faculty team received 8 mil in grant funding this last fiscal year.

Our inaugural class of non-residents entered residency this summer. 65% of the non residents stayed in AZ, compared to the 50% of residents who remained in the state.

Thanks for reading our student profiles. These are dynamic stories of the character that builds our family at the COM-Phoenix.

There are about 30 trendy schools: Stanford, Tucson, UC-Davis, UCLA, Cincinnati, Michigan State are a few. We've been trendy for 5 years if you use MMIs as the measurement.

70% of the committee membership composition is faculty, the remaining 30% is protected for students and our community members.


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[BamaNicole]

I will say that every school I interviewed at last year had MMIs as their format. Its not as trendy as you think.

I will say that I think that all my classmates have achieved beyond expectation. I've never been a part of such a dynamic group of truly amazing people in my life and I consider myself truly lucky to be counted among their ranks.

I was unsure about how I would have ranked the campus before my interview but after I left it was hands down my top choice by far.

As for the scholarly project, its up to you to decide what you do. That's the beauty of it. If you don't think what has been done is impressive......do something impressive then. You're not going to cure cancer but you can do a project you would be proud to call your own.

Remember....you're also in med school during this time....you're not working on your dissertation.