2014-2015 University of Iowa (Carver) Application Thread

[CrossfitJunkie]

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All the IS that got accepted, could you say what your credentials were, GPA, MCAT sGPA and any substantial EC's that set you apart. Im applying next year and I just wanna get a handle on how people IS compare to each other!

Thanks!!!

Not sure if people will want to be compared with one another, as preparing yourself for medical school is not about one-upping other applicants. My advice would be simple: work very hard in school and to prep for the MCAT in order to do the best you can with both of them. Get involved in EC's that you enjoy and want to spend time doing, not simply to throw on a resume to attempt at getting a leg up on other applicants. If volunteering for 300 hours doesn't sound extremely fun to you, volunteer for X hours in a hospital and use the other X hours to get involved in other roles. This might be volunteering with other local groups of interest. Do things you are passionate about, as becoming a physician involves much more than being a stat line. You have to be a leader whom can interact on a high level with patients and put them first in your practice.

For instance, I don't have a million hours of shadowing and volunteering, but I have spent an equal amount of time volunteering with summer golf camps and character counts in Iowa. I'm a college athlete, which brings its own unique time demands, and I also work as a certified personal trainer. None of those activities were started with a goal of building EC's; I did them because I enjoy them. This makes writing about them in applications and discussing them in interviews perfect, because I love how they have shaped me and am passionate in sharing what I have learned.

 

[Make Or Break]

All the IS that got accepted, could you say what your credentials were, GPA, MCAT sGPA and any substantial EC's that set you apart. Im applying next year and I just wanna get a handle on how people IS compare to each other!

Thanks!!!

Check out the msar for averages. Also for EC's, just do something you are passionate about. We had a balloon artist in my interview. I thought that was pretty unique.

 

[fleeceblankets]

Iowa took me!! I am OOS and interviewed October 24. Feeling like Sally Field. . . ."You like me! You really like me!" Like you back, you big Hawkeye state you!!

When were you notified?

 

[BengaliBrat]

When were you notified?

Just yesterday. Big surprise!

 

[fleeceblankets]

Just yesterday. Big surprise!

Congrats!

 

[cerno]

Anyone know if Iowa is receptive to letters of interest/showing ties to the state? I'm OOS but grew up there.

 

[fleeceblankets]

Anyone know if Iowa is receptive to letters of interest/showing ties to the state? I'm OOS but grew up there.

You can update via secondary portal, they seem to appreciate it. Only get 3 x 1500 char. though. Don't know about a LOI straight to admissions. gut says they wouldn't put it in the file.

 

[BengaliBrat]

Congrats!

Thanks, @fleeceblankets! I like just LOOKING at your sdn name on a frosty (well, frigid!) morning. And then, you obviously have a comforting presence--wishing all the warm fuzzies back atcha!

 

[BengaliBrat]

Anyone know if Iowa is receptive to letters of interest/showing ties to the state? I'm OOS but grew up there.

I don't actually know, but I suspect so, @cerno. I emphasized the fact that I was born in Iowa City, so ties may well matter. I have heard, from reliable sources, that Iowa offers are frequently turned down (by students and faculty) because "who wants to live in Iowa?" So why not be reassuring? Hard to believe that such a letter would bias anyone AGAINST you!

 

[researchismymiddlename]

I don't actually know, but I suspect so, @cerno. I emphasized the fact that I was born in Iowa City, so ties may well matter. I have heard, from reliable sources, that Iowa offers are frequently turned down (by students and faculty) because "who wants to live in Iowa?" So why not be reassuring? Hard to believe that such a letter would bias anyone AGAINST you!

I second this 100000%. If you want them to believe you'd come to Iowa, tell them with a nice love letter! You can add this letter in the secondary portal under application updates.

Iowa took me!! I am OOS and interviewed October 24. Feeling like Sally Field. . . ."You like me! You really like me!" Like you back, you big Hawkeye state you!!

SOOOOOO many heartfelt congratulations to you my friend! I know you will be making some very tough choices in April with your amazing application, but I hope to host you and @sunflower18 for second look next spring! CONGRATULATIONS and know that I am just bursting with joy to hear this news! SDN didn't give me an alert, so I am jumping late onto the bandwagon, but thanks to our all-seeing friend @sunflower18 I was able to congratulate you before this news became too old 😉

 

[BengaliBrat]

I second this 100000%. If you want them to believe you'd come to Iowa, tell them with a nice love letter! You can add this letter in the secondary portal under application updates.



SOOOOOO many heartfelt congratulations to you my friend! I know you will be making some very tough choices in April with your amazing application, but I hope to host you and @sunflower18 for second look next spring! CONGRATULATIONS and know that I am just bursting with joy to hear this news! SDN didn't give me an alert, so I am jumping late onto the bandwagon, but thanks to our all-seeing friend @sunflower18 I was able to congratulate you before this news became too old 😉

Well, a sunflower does have that enormous "eye"--what could escape the notice of one who stands so tall and sees so far? 😀 Thank you for the congratulations, and I think that the trio composed of us three would set Iowa City rocking, don't you? Hope that happens!

I have to be grateful to sdn for allowing me to make such awesome friends. Another blessing to recall on Thanksgiving Day!

 

[sunflower18]

Well, a sunflower does have that enormous "eye"--what could escape the notice of one who stands so tall and sees so far? 😀 Thank you for the congratulations, and I think that the trio composed of us three would set Iowa City rocking, don't you? Hope that happens!

I have to be grateful to sdn for allowing me to make such awesome friends. Another blessing to recall on Thanksgiving Day!

Hahaha!!! Funny because I am quite short 😉 but I would love second look with the both of you!!! I'm crossing my fingers for good news from Iowa next 🙂 and yes yes I am so happy to have met such wonderful people via SDN! You all are wonderful!!

 

[FindMeOnTheLinks]

Anyone interviewing here tomorrow?

 

[researchismymiddlename]

Well, a sunflower does have that enormous "eye"--what could escape the notice of one who stands so tall and sees so far? 😀 Thank you for the congratulations, and I think that the trio composed of us three would set Iowa City rocking, don't you? Hope that happens!

I have to be grateful to sdn for allowing me to make such awesome friends. Another blessing to recall on Thanksgiving Day!

Hahaha!!! Funny because I am quite short 😉 but I would love second look with the both of you!!! I'm crossing my fingers for good news from Iowa next 🙂 and yes yes I am so happy to have met such wonderful people via SDN! You all are wonderful!!

Awww yes indeed!!! And yes, another blessing to thank for on Thanksgiving 🙂

And @sunflower18, crossing both my fingers for you!

 

[DocBroccoli]

Accepted!!! I can't even believe it - the soonest I was supposed to hear would have been tomorrow!
OOS MCAT 35 GPA 3.97, Interviewed 10/29

Looking forward to meeting a bunch of you on Second Look day! Good luck to everyone else! 🙂

 

[researchismymiddlename]

Accepted!!! I can't even believe it - the soonest I was supposed to hear would have been tomorrow!
OOS MCAT 35 GPA 3.97, Interviewed 10/29

Looking forward to meeting a bunch of you on Second Look day! Good luck to everyone else! 🙂

Welcome to the forums and congratulations!!!! See you at Second Look 😉

 

[kevinsword91]

Interview Invite today. Complete 8/11, OOS, LizzyM 73. All available interview dates listed are in December.

Thought for sure I was passed over for good. On the fence if I will accept the invite as I already hold an acceptance at my state school which is $10,000 cheaper a year when comparing its IS versus Iowa's OOS tuition. Will probably talk to some people I know who go to both schools and decide by tomorrow or Wednesday so at least my interview spot could possibly go to someone else who would use it if I decline.

 

[Make Or Break]

Interview Invite today. Complete 8/11, OOS, LizzyM 73. All available interview dates listed are in December.

Thought for sure I was passed over for good. On the fence if I will accept the invite as I already hold an acceptance at my state school which is $10,000 cheaper a year when comparing its IS versus Iowa's OOS tuition. Will probably talk to some people I know who go to both schools and decide by tomorrow or Wednesday so at least my interview spot could possibly go to someone else who would use it if I decline.

I hear UI is very liberal with scholarships/grants. If you have the time and money to see what the program has to offer, I say go for it. You never know what they might give you.

 

[optikos]

Based off the prev two years, there are likely to be acceptances tomorrow. Pray for the best.

 

[llamasarefuzzy]

Already resigned myself to final pool. That way if I hear something it's awesome, but I just couldn't deal not having an expected response day otherwise

 

[BengaliBrat]

So wise! You must be a Dalai Llama. 🙂

 

[FindMeOnTheLinks]

Based off the prev two years, there are likely to be acceptances tomorrow. Pray for the best.

Just wondering, but what makes you say this? Also, do you know the timeframe of how often they review apps post-interview? I interviewed a week ago and I'm so antsy to hear back even though I know it will be awhile!

 

[llamasarefuzzy]

Just wondering, but what makes you say this? Also, do you know the timeframe of how often they review apps post-interview? I interviewed a week ago and I'm so antsy to hear back even though I know it will be awhile!

Lol 1 week? Get in line behind September interviews 🙂

 

[optikos]

Just wondering, but what makes you say this? Also, do you know the timeframe of how often they review apps post-interview? I interviewed a week ago and I'm so antsy to hear back even though I know it will be awhile!

Sadly I have gone through the iowa sdn posts for the previous 5 years and found that during the first week of December, acceptances are released every Tuesday. I do this everyday. Sadly

 

[optikos]

Also, most of the acceptance dates are an average of 5 weeks after interviews.

 

[llamasarefuzzy]

Also, most of the acceptance dates are an average of 5 weeks after interviews.

Only for people not in final pool. Most is applicants are deferred to final pool

 

[FindMeOnTheLinks]

Lol 1 week? Get in line behind September interviews 🙂

Meh, I know I'm last in line, but it doesn't change how excited I am to hear back. Someone at my undergrad was accepted to Carver one week after their interview. I wasn't sure how often they release decisions, so that's why I asked 🙂

 

[BengaliBrat]

Sadly I have gone through the iowa sdn posts for the previous 5 years and found that during the first week of December, acceptances are released every Tuesday. I do this everyday. Sadly

Sadly, @optikos, we are soulmates. Or fellow obsessives! 🙄

 

[kevinsword91]

Interview Invite today. Complete 8/11, OOS, LizzyM 73. All available interview dates listed are in December.

Thought for sure I was passed over for good. On the fence if I will accept the invite as I already hold an acceptance at my state school which is $10,000 cheaper a year when comparing its IS versus Iowa's OOS tuition. Will probably talk to some people I know who go to both schools and decide by tomorrow or Wednesday so at least my interview spot could possibly go to someone else who would use it if I decline.

So after mulling it over all day yesterday and talking to some people I decided to decline the interview invite. Iowa looks like a great school, but I don’t see myself attending it over my state school. Hopefully it can go to someone more eager about Iowa than me. When I last checked there was still interview spots available for 12/17.

 

[reapplicanthelpme2014]

Reeejectedddd pre-interview! Huzzzzahh!

 

[JVav]

Based off the prev two years, there are likely to be acceptances tomorrow. Pray for the best.

You are a wizard. Got my acceptance today! Interviewed 11/3.

I literally cannot contain my excitement so I am sprinting to the gym. AHHHHHHHH. I-O-W-A, IOWA IOWA IOWA!

 

[optikos]

You are a wizard. Got my acceptance today! Interviewed 11/3.

I literally cannot contain my excitement so I am sprinting to the gym. AHHHHHHHH. I-O-W-A, IOWA IOWA IOWA!

Haha Congratulations.

 

[fleeceblankets]

You are a wizard. Got my acceptance today! Interviewed 11/3.

I literally cannot contain my excitement so I am sprinting to the gym. AHHHHHHHH. I-O-W-A, IOWA IOWA IOWA!

Congrats! IS or OOS?

 

[ConsultantMD]

Reeejectedddd pre-interview! Huzzzzahh!

Sorry to hear. When were you complete?

 

[reapplicanthelpme2014]

Sorry to hear. When were you complete?

8/28

 

[BengaliBrat]

So after mulling it over all day yesterday and talking to some people I decided to decline the interview invite. Iowa looks like a great school, but I don’t see myself attending it over my state school. Hopefully it can go to someone more eager about Iowa than me. When I last checked there was still interview spots available for 12/17.

Hope you love your med school home, @kevinsword91.

 

[BengaliBrat]

8/28

Sorry to hear this. Hope the next news is better.

 

[optikos]

8/28

Sorry

 

[js20145]

I was hoping someone might be able to help me out here. I interviewed at Iowa on 10/22 and am I seeing all of these people who interviewed after me getting decisions on their files more or less. What is going on here?

 

[reapplicanthelpme2014]

Sorry to hear this. Hope the next news is better.

thank you! i always see you on the forums, you're truly so sweet!

 

[optikos]

I was hoping someone might be able to help me out here. I interviewed at Iowa on 10/22 and am I seeing all of these people who interviewed after me getting decisions on their files more or less. What is going on here?

I interviewed on 10/27 and have not received any correspondence myself. However, I heard during the interview that there is no strict order to when the decisions are released.

 

[js20145]

I interviewed on 10/27 and have not received any correspondence myself. However, I heard during the interview that there is no strict order to when the decisions are released.

This is driving me nuts. My interview didn't go so hot so I'm not expecting a spectacular result but I still want to know.

 

[optikos]

This is driving me nuts. My interview didn't go so hot so I'm not expecting a spectacular result but I still want to know.

I understand that this process is nearly unbearable. This doesn't help much, but most of the acceptances come from final pool.

 

[milk1993]

I understand that this process is nearly unbearable. This doesn't help much, but most of the acceptances come from final pool.

Do you know what percentage come from the final pool? I haven't heard anything since my interview date either, which was the first day, Sept 19th...

 

[HowTragic]

Accepted today. IS, LizzyM 74, and interviewed on Oct 31st.

CCOM was my first-choice, and I can proudly say that I will be a part of Class of 2019.

 

[optikos]

Do you know what percentage come from the final pool? I haven't heard anything since my interview date either, which was the first day, Sept 19th...

I believe 2/3 of acceptances.

 

[BengaliBrat]

thank you! i always see you on the forums, you're truly so sweet!

Someday, @reapplicanthelpme2014, we will call one another on consults and reminisce about our youth, so uncertain. We will prevail!!! Hang in there!

 

[milk1993]

I believe 2/3 of acceptances.

Well thats somewhat comforting.. I've heard that its less than 1/3 but who knows.

 

[CrossfitJunkie]

Accepted today. IS, LizzyM 74, and interviewed on Oct 31st.

CCOM was my first-choice, and I can proudly say that I will be a part of Class of 2019.

Congrats to a fellow Iowan and Halloween Interviewee! Exciting!
I'll keep playing that waiting game 🙂

 

[physwiz]

I believe 2/3 of acceptances.

This sounds contradictory to what they said in the interview. To me, it sounded like they would send out most of their acceptances and the final pool would be from spots freed up from declining applicants. This was just my interpretation, you may have other information but it seems that if 2/3 came in March, a LOT of people will be waiting for a LONG time...to the point where a lot of good applicants would choose different options.