2014-2015 University of Kansas Application Thread

Discover Your Odds of Getting into Medical School
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viva117 said:
I'm quite a few years out of college, had a "U" shaped trend, and my MCAT is from like 2012 (I took time off to backpack and work). I also had a huge red flag with a terrible grade in physiology.

I was a different person with much much less motivation and drive than I have today. I'm sure there were just a lot more people with better numbers or more well rounded applicants this year.
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Thanks for sharing. Still rooting for you!
 
viva117 said:
@docksan, @didymus.

I'm quite a few years out of college, had a "U" shaped trend, and my MCAT is from like 2012 (I took time off to backpack and work). I also had a huge red flag with a terrible grade in physiology.

I was a different person with much much less motivation and drive than I have today. I'm sure there were just a lot more people with better numbers or more well rounded applicants this year.
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You and I are in the same boat man.

Hang in there. There's always options and routes.
 
viva117 said:
Update on Post Bacc,

I spoke with the office that handles the post bacc mailing and they said they haven't received the list of invites yet and should have it next week!

Hopefully, I qualify because I think the main reason I was rejected was my very poor GPA (3.1). I thought had a solid interview, have extensive clinical experience, and a decent 10-10-10 (30)Mcat. ISS

I know in life you don't get many second chances nor am I entitled to one but I'd be totally humbled if KU gave me a second chance. :xf:
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Hey Viva,

My stats are remarkably similar to yours. I am currently finishing up first year after going through two application cycles. My advice to you is to start studying to retake the MCAT, make sure you apply early decision next year, and get plenty of shadowing experience during this year. If you happen to get into post-bac then you can disregard, but they usually only take 10-12 students so the probability of getting an invite is extremely small. Getting into med school is a big game and you must constantly be improving your application.

You should also call Dean McCurdy and discuss your application with her and find out why they chose to reject you. Generally it will be documented in your file.

Good luck guys. Don't give up. It is an attainable dream.
 
Did anyone else get an e-mail Invitation to apply to the KUMC School of Medicine Pre-matriculation Program?
 
Yeah, it looks like kind of an odd program... I don't know if I'll apply or not. Thoughts?
 
I was under the impression you had to do that as an entering student. You're required to if it's post-bacc.
 
Well no email here :/

Time to move on! Oh well, I'm not taking the MCAT again anytime soon. I have to build up income and stability before I come back to this again.

I don't have the funds or time at the moment to keep wasting! Luckily I have another career option. Wish you guys the best in Med school!
 
Don't worry about the MCAT. Take a summer course or do more ECs. There's probably like 30-40 of us applying to post-bacc and only 12-15 will get picked.
 
I, too, received an email invite to the Post-Bacc program, but still studying for the MCAT just in case. 🙂 Does anyone know if the post-bacc program has a copy of our AAMCAS and our secondary essays? I thought it was curious that they asked for our test scores & dates on the app. I'm also curious about the personal statement. Should it be towards this program or an abbreviated version of what we wrote for the AAMCAS? Any help greatly appreciated! Thanks!
 
Gibly said:
I, too, received an email invite to the Post-Bacc program, but still studying for the MCAT just in case. 🙂 Does anyone know if the post-bacc program has a copy of our AAMCAS and our secondary essays? I thought it was curious that they asked for our test scores & dates on the app. I'm also curious about the personal statement. Should it be towards this program or an abbreviated version of what we wrote for the AAMCAS? Any help greatly appreciated! Thanks!
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They get everything, for the most part, including your interview notes.
 
Focus on an interesting aspect of yourself as it relates to medicine? It's a difficult part of the essay, which is why you should spend a meaningful amount of time on it.

Each person will have a different answer.
 
Is the Post-Bacc program something that you can still have a part-time job, at least in the first summer & potentially fall/spring? In the email, it mentioned small group discussions and other activities. About how many times a week did you meet with the other participants & for about how many hours? And lastly (for now), were those in the Post-Bacc program with you assigned to the KC campus, or were the choices for campus selection in the secondary application taken into consideration?

Thank you!!!!



DavDLC said:
Congrats to those of you who were accepted. To everyone else, I was in your shoes two years ago so I have an idea of how it feels. I did the post bacc program and I'm finishing up M1 now. If you have any questions feel free to post them or send me a message. Best wishes everyone
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1) They really discourage you from having a job during the post-bacc program since the primary goal is getting that 3.0. That said, a few people in my class did have part time jobs and did just fine. So it can be done.

2) Aside from class, the only mandatory meeting with your fellow post-bacs was once per week for 2 hours. It was a time to help each other out with the material.

3) Of the 12 people in my class, 10 got assigned to KC for all four years, 1 got 2/2, and 1 got Wichita for all four years. Those last two were by choice though. You technically get accepted in March so there's a good chance you will get your first campus choice.

Let me know if there's anything else

Gibly said:
Is the Post-Bacc program something that you can still have a part-time job, at least in the first summer & potentially fall/spring? In the email, it mentioned small group discussions and other activities. About how many times a week did you meet with the other participants & for about how many hours? And lastly (for now), were those in the Post-Bacc program with you assigned to the KC campus, or were the choices for campus selection in the secondary application taken into consideration?

Thank you!!!!
Click to expand...
 
Evening classes, I assume? What's the blocking like?
 
Thank you, @DavDLC , for the quick response! Here are some more questions. 😀

1) Must all the classes taken be at the Edwards campus? I looked at the schedule of courses for this summer and fall, and there are just a couple of biology classes offered at Edwards compared to Lawrence campus. I've already taken one of the two classes that's offered this fall at Edwards, so would I fill my time up with non-science courses? This seems counter-productive to me.

2) What courses did you take during your Post-Bacc & did you find that they were helpful to you for M1?

3) Could you explain what goes on in the second summer for the pre-matriculation program? It almost sounds like mini med school. Do you earn a grade like the post-bacc?

4) PC or Mac? LOL 🙂
 
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Good luck to everyone applying to the Post-Bacc Program!! I'm excited about the opportunity of having a "second chance." 🙂
 
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@docksan,
The classes at Edwards are all at night and each class typically meets one night per week. If you take a class in Lawrence, then it's much more likely that it will meet 2-3 times per week during the day.
 
@Gibly
1) They prefer that you take classes at the Edwards campus, but if you have already taken all of the ones offered (as a KU student), then you can take classes in Lawrence. My year you had to take one 400+ science class in the summer and 3 400+ science in the fall and spring. I think that last year you also took one non science elective.

2) Here are the courses I took
Summer: Developmental Biology (Mattingly)
Fall: Mamm Phys (Pendergrass), Cell Biology (Vandaveer), Immunology (Mattingly), Elective
Spring: Biochem (Pendergrass), Microbio (Mattingly), Pathogenic Micro (Mattingly), Elective

The most helpful courses for M1 were definitely Mamm Phys & Immunology. Biochem and Cell Bio were also helpful during Foundations (the first module). Next year, we have the Infectious Disease module so hopefully the two Micro classes will be helpful for that.

3) Pre Matric is like a whirlwind tour of the first semester of MedSchool. It basically lasts from the day after Memorial Day to July 3 and you typically spend ~1 week getting a preview of each of the fall modules. You don't see everything but you are introduced to a lot of the more difficult topics. Plus, you get a leg up on the IT stuff. You do earn a grade but it does not become a part of your official academic record.

Let me know if there's anything else
 
DavDLC said:
@Gibly
1) They prefer that you take classes at the Edwards campus, but if you have already taken all of the ones offered (as a KU student), then you can take classes in Lawrence. My year you had to take one 400+ science class in the summer and 3 400+ science in the fall and spring. I think that last year you also took one non science elective.

2) Here are the courses I took
Summer: Developmental Biology (Mattingly)
Fall: Mamm Phys (Pendergrass), Cell Biology (Vandaveer), Immunology (Mattingly), Elective
Spring: Biochem (Pendergrass), Microbio (Mattingly), Pathogenic Micro (Mattingly), Elective

The most helpful courses for M1 were definitely Mamm Phys & Immunology. Biochem and Cell Bio were also helpful during Foundations (the first module). Next year, we have the Infectious Disease module so hopefully the two Micro classes will be helpful for that.

3) Pre Matric is like a whirlwind tour of the first semester of MedSchool. It basically lasts from the day after Memorial Day to July 3 and you typically spend ~1 week getting a preview of each of the fall modules. You don't see everything but you are introduced to a lot of the more difficult topics. Plus, you get a leg up on the IT stuff. You do earn a grade but it does not become a part of your official academic record.

Let me know if there's anything else
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Thanks. If I get in I can do one night at week at Edwards, otherwise I'll have to go to Lawrence.

I really appreciate your info. Did you get any feedback on why in particular you were accepted? What were your stats? It's really hard to gauge their criteria.
 
KnightofBaldMt said:
Are we notified if there is any movement on the waitlist?
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I was told they will most likely activate the wait list in mid-May and that in the past few years, the number taken off the wait list has ranged from 0-35.

I'll be buckling down and waiting till then. This application season has been one big game of hurry up and wait. All a part of the process, I guess! Sending good vibes to everyone applying to post-bacc or also waiting to hear about wait list movement!
 
@DavDLC

Thank you for the great info and for taking the time to write back!! It put my mind at ease & I'm excited about finishing the 250 word PS for the app. 🙂

I'll certainly let you and the rest of the thread know if I'm in or not.
 
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In case you guys didn't know, if you didn't get accepted it is possible to meet with Dean McCurdy to gain tips on re-applying.

Found out that my application was "highly impressive" (3.9 GPA, honors, thesis, tons of research in neuroimaging through KU Med, one of my letters of rec from a department head of KU Med, volunteered as a counselor for the NSPL for 3.5 years, etc)...BUT I literally scored ONE point too low on my MCAT to even be considered 🙁

It is what it is, and I understand that this is part of their criterion. Of course I'm not giving up and going to take the MCAT yet again (*cringe*) because that is what needs to be done. But still can't help but to feel a little frustrated and bitter that even the dean agrees I would have had a pretty high chance of getting in if it weren't for that one score.

Just needed to vent I guess? Congratulations to all that got accepted! As for me, it's back to the books...
 
Does anybody remember the talk they had with us at the interviews regarding post-acceptance grades? Wasn't it something to the effect of, "Just dont get any F's or D's"?
 
kspremed123 said:
Does anybody remember the talk they had with us at the interviews regarding post-acceptance grades? Wasn't it something to the effect of, "Just dont get any F's or D's"?
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Yup just need to get C's or higher
 
@j306c954

Thanks for your post!

I do plan on contacting Dean McCurdy to see how I can improve. Although I'm applying to the Post-Bacc program, it's not a guarantee, so I'm still studying for the MCAT, too.

Good luck to you on your MCAT studies & reapplication!! If I may, what was your MCAT score? It is heartbreaking to know that with all your experiences that the one point difference in MCAT score was such a huge factor for the committee.
 
Gibly said:
@j306c954

Thanks for your post!

I do plan on contacting Dean McCurdy to see how I can improve. Although I'm applying to the Post-Bacc program, it's not a guarantee, so I'm still studying for the MCAT, too.

Good luck to you on your MCAT studies & reapplication!! If I may, what was your MCAT score? It is heartbreaking to know that with all your experiences that the one point difference in MCAT score was such a huge factor for the committee.
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It is indeed very upsetting. But it is what it is, and being wallowing in my sorrows will not get me anywhere. And I got a 23.
 
3 points. The cutoff is 26 now. That's a shame.

You can do it!
 
Who do you mean when you say KU said that? Not that I don't believe you haha I'm just curious
 
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