2014-2015 University of Maryland Application Thread

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pluto101 said:
Maryland's grading system is A-F, right? How does that affect the competitiveness of the students?
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Well there is always going to be some competitiveness, that's just the nature of a medical program. It doesn't feel competitive to me though and I have not heard of any back stabbing or sabotage. I will say regarding the grading that all schools are A-F if you squint. Honors/ High pass/ Pass/ Fail looks like ABCF to me. And the truth is that the true P/F schools will still rank their students and report that ranking to residency programs. Maryland's grading system is transparent and allows you to set realistic goals and make realistic decisions about your chances for a given residency. I was nervous before coming here but now I actually like it.
 
humble roar said:
Already??? does that mean that every interview since yours will go on the waitlist?
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I know multiple close friends who got waitlisted after an interview in September. I don't think a waitlist decision signifies that the class is full already or that they are no longer extending offers.
 
pluto101 said:
Maryland's grading system is A-F, right? How does that affect the competitiveness of the students?
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TBV said:
Well there is always going to be some competitiveness, that's just the nature of a medical program. It doesn't feel competitive to me though and I have not heard of any back stabbing or sabotage. I will say regarding the grading that all schools are A-F if you squint. Honors/ High pass/ Pass/ Fail looks like ABCF to me. And the truth is that the true P/F schools will still rank their students and report that ranking to residency programs. Maryland's grading system is transparent and allows you to set realistic goals and make realistic decisions about your chances for a given residency. I was nervous before coming here but now I actually like it.
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The statement that all schools rank is not necessarily true. There have been schools that I have gone to that rank you, but don't put your rank on your deans letter for residency unless it will help you (meaning, only if you are in the top half of the class). I have also talked to students at other schools where they do not release a ranking WHATSOEVER to any application for residency.
 
nope1955 said:
The statement that all schools rank is not necessarily true. There have been schools that I have gone to that rank you, but don't put your rank on your deans letter for residency unless it will help you (meaning, only if you are in the top half of the class). I have also talked to students at other schools where they do not release a ranking WHATSOEVER to any application for residency.
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I guess my question would be if I were in charge of a residency program and I had 100 apps with a rank and 10 without one I would start to think maybe they didn't do so hot.. just conjecture at this point. Bottom line I feel that this system is fair.
 
TBV said:
I guess my question would be if I were in charge of a residency program and I had 100 apps with a rank and 10 without one I would start to think maybe they didn't do so hot.. just conjecture at this point. Bottom line I feel that this system is fair.
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Well if those people did just as well on STEP 1 it shouldn't make a difference. I guess my point is that that there are plenty of schools out there that do true P/F, that don't rank you, and it doesn't affect the placement of their students in great residency programs. I think that P/F systems can really affect QOL during your first 2 years, allow you pursue other interests, and not have to sacrifice an A for a B (if you are that type of anal student). However, in the end of it all, everyone has to take STEP 1 and everyone has to do well on the wards for their rotations. And I can't think of one school that doesn't switch from P/F to H/HP/P/F when you move from the preclinical years to the clinical years.

But, I also agree, I don't see the UMD system as an unfair one either. Sorry for the long response
 
hey guys! recently interviewed here and to those who have interviews: Interviews were laid back. Everyone at the school is incredibly nice and the facilities are phenomenal. You are in for a great day.

On the day, they mentioned that the turn around time after an interview is about a month... So I wondering, for those who have heard back, has this been a good estimate?
 
dopa-mean said:
hey guys! recently interviewed here and to those who have interviews: Interviews were laid back. Everyone at the school is incredibly nice and the facilities are phenomenal. You are in for a great day.

On the day, they mentioned that the turn around time after an interview is about a month... So I wondering, for those who have heard back, has this been a good estimate?
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Interviewed on 10/6, heard back 10/20 (OOS) 🙂
 
dopa-mean said:
congratulations! But I am trying to get an idea about the general, regular timeline here haha you are probably an exceptional candidate 😉
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Haha I am most definitely nottttt numbers-wise (especially by SDN standards!) so I think I got lucky. When I left admissions on my interview day, they said add 2-3 weeks to hear back on to whatever timeline dr Foxwell gave if that helps at all!

Edit: and thanks!!
 
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Pedsmdplease said:
Haha I am most definitely nottttt numbers-wise (especially by SDN standards!) so I think I got lucky. When I left admissions on my interview day, they said add 2-3 weeks to hear back on to whatever timeline dr Foxwell gave if that helps at all!

Edit: and thanks!!
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thank you so much 🙂
 
dopa-mean said:
hey guys! recently interviewed here and to those who have interviews: Interviews were laid back. Everyone at the school is incredibly nice and the facilities are phenomenal. You are in for a great day.

On the day, they mentioned that the turn around time after an interview is about a month... So I wondering, for those who have heard back, has this been a good estimate?
Click to expand...

I interviewed on 10/6 also, and I heard back on 11/1 via snail mail... so still within the month range. Good luck, hope you hear positive news!
 
Does anyone know if a March interview is just an interview for the waitlist or if there is still hope for people interviewing late in the cycle?
 
i really hope its not for the waitlist only... i interview early march. just got the invite friday
 
Nblufire12 said:
i really hope its not for the waitlist only... i interview early march. just got the invite friday
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I hope not too and I doubt we are interviewing just for the waitlist. Perhaps that was a bit hyperbolic. I was just wondering if anyone happened to have statistics or guesses about how people's chances are of they interview in March 🙂
 
dopa-mean said:
hey guys! recently interviewed here and to those who have interviews: Interviews were laid back. Everyone at the school is incredibly nice and the facilities are phenomenal. You are in for a great day.

On the day, they mentioned that the turn around time after an interview is about a month... So I wondering, for those who have heard back, has this been a good estimate?
Click to expand...
I am sure its been asked earlier..But if you dont mind my asking, How is the interview day?
 
Vaccinator said:
I am sure its been asked earlier..But if you dont mind my asking, How is the interview day?
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I personally had a great experience. Overall, the interviews were pretty laid back and conversational. I had one interview with a faculty member/physician and another with an MS2. Some of the other students were lined up to have both interviews with a faculty member, so I think it all depends on scheduling! Almost everyone seemed to have had a positive experience, and many of my friends who have been interviewing since September have said the same and were happy with their interviews (even though two got waitlisted, they still didn't think their interview had gone badly). So I think it is reasonable to expect it to be conversational and easy-going. Everyone at the school is INCREDIBLY nice. Just make sure you have gone over your application because they know everything back and forth and asked specific questions. Just be yourself and have fun! Best of luck 🙂
 
Vaccinator said:
I am sure its been asked earlier..But if you dont mind my asking, How is the interview day?
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Very laid back. The only downside is some people have their interviews first thing in the morning, before any of the tours and presentations. I had my interviews specifically in the afternoon, so I had gotten a good feel for the school by the time the interviews rolled around. Other people were handed a folder and immediately had to go interview at 8am or so. I feel like this is kind of unfair to about half of the interview pool that day. Plus I got to go visit the hospital and talk to residents in the morning, which was really helpful. But as for the interviews - know your file, know your experiences and be ready to really talk about them! They were very conversational, but they did want to get to know you better. No trick questions asked and everyone was really nice! The tour was great, the presentations were quick but really informative, lunch was average - overall a great day!
 
dopa-mean said:
I personally had a great experience. Overall, the interviews were pretty laid back and conversational. I had one interview with a faculty member/physician and another with an MS2. Some of the other students were lined up to have both interviews with a faculty member, so I think it all depends on scheduling! Almost everyone seemed to have had a positive experience, and many of my friends who have been interviewing since September have said the same and were happy with their interviews (even though two got waitlisted, they still didn't think their interview had gone badly). So I think it is reasonable to expect it to be conversational and easy-going. Everyone at the school is INCREDIBLY nice. Just make sure you have gone over your application because they know everything back and forth and asked specific questions. Just be yourself and have fun! Best of luck 🙂
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Thankyou for your input.
 
eepMD said:
Very laid back. The only downside is some people have their interviews first thing in the morning, before any of the tours and presentations. I had my interviews specifically in the afternoon, so I had gotten a good feel for the school by the time the interviews rolled around. Other people were handed a folder and immediately had to go interview at 8am or so. I feel like this is kind of unfair to about half of the interview pool that day. Plus I got to go visit the hospital and talk to residents in the morning, which was really helpful. But as for the interviews - know your file, know your experiences and be ready to really talk about them! They were very conversational, but they did want to get to know you better. No trick questions asked and everyone was really nice! The tour was great, the presentations were quick but really informative, lunch was average - overall a great day!
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Appreciate it. Thankyou too.
 
I interviewed in mid-november (got the II in late september)

hahaha that's true 🙂
 
Hey All, I am in this wonderful pre-interview hold group and in the letter i recived they said we were free to send in update letters but do not have any location to send these. Anyone with any info?

Happy holidays!
 
mjohn7wy said:
Hey All, I am in this wonderful pre-interview hold group and in the letter i recived they said we were free to send in update letters but do not have any location to send these. Anyone with any info?

Happy holidays!
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Office of Admissions
Health Sciences Facility I
685 West Baltimore Street, Suite 190
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: 410-706-7478
Fax: 410-706-0467
E-mail: [email protected]
 
I have a couple of questions....
1. Does the Office of Admissions send any confirmation when they receive the seat reservation form after acceptance?
2. Are there any networks (FB group or a group through Maryland) to help students connect and find roommates? Thanks!
 
Vaccinator said:
Any suggestions on the nearby hotels to stay?
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I need to book a hotel for the upcoming interview and was hoping if someone could advise on the nearby hotels to book. Havent recd any response for my earlier posting and would be great if someone could get to it....Thanks
 
theres a hampton inn a block away, also a larger marriot about the same distance
 
Vaccinator said:
I need to book a hotel for the upcoming interview and was hoping if someone could advise on the nearby hotels to book. Havent recd any response for my earlier posting and would be great if someone could get to it....Thanks
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Also Uber is great in baltimore so anywhere downtown would be super convenient really!
 
Happy New Year everyone! I apologize if this has already been asked, and I vaguely remember it was mentioned at the interview but I can't seem to remember: how are decisions sent out? Both email and snail mail or does it depend on whether it is a yes/no/waitlist?
 
I'm updating schools I haven't received a decision from yet about a recent publication. I've already been accepted at UMD, but I'm wondering if updating my app could impact my chance at scholarships. Thoughts? Would it be weird to update a school I'm already accepted at?
 
cactus8910 said:
I'm updating schools I haven't received a decision from yet about a recent publication. I've already been accepted at UMD, but I'm wondering if updating my app could impact my chance at scholarships. Thoughts? Would it be weird to update a school I'm already accepted at?
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It can't hurt you, can it? Worst case scenario, they either disregard it or look at it and decide it does not make a difference for them. I think it is always a good idea to keep schools updated, even after acceptance. Ultimately, even if it is uncommon or "weird" it can't hurt you. Congrats on the acceptance 🙂
 
Still waiting on a decision from Maryland! Any tips on getting off of the nerve-wracking pre-interview "hold?" I sent an update letter a couple days ago and I'm guessing that that is pretty much all I can do. Is calling the office helpful at all?
 
RavensFan26 said:
Still waiting on a decision from Maryland! Any tips on getting off of the nerve-wracking pre-interview "hold?" I sent an update letter a couple days ago and I'm guessing that that is pretty much all I can do. Is calling the office helpful at all?
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You never know for sure but I heard that the II's they gave out a month ago were for mid-march already. It seems like a hold is a death sentence at this point. With that said I don't think it could do much harm to call
 
RavensFan26 said:
Still waiting on a decision from Maryland! Any tips on getting off of the nerve-wracking pre-interview "hold?" I sent an update letter a couple days ago and I'm guessing that that is pretty much all I can do. Is calling the office helpful at all?
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I was on pre-interview hold and I sent an update letter and got an II about a month later. I wouldn't say it's a death sentence. I would just sit tight and wait if you've already sent one. I would not call the office as overcommunicating can be seen as a negative.
 
anyone who interviewed in early December heard anything back?
 
dopa-mean said:
anyone who interviewed in early December heard anything back?
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no, not yet. I know someone else that interviewed in November and heard back 6 weeks later, so I'm guessing we will hear back sometime this coming week?
 
anon654 said:
no, not yet. I know someone else that interviewed in November and heard back 6 weeks later, so I'm guessing we will hear back sometime this coming week?
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that's what I'm thinking too! A friend of mine interviewed November 19th and heard last week. Fingers crossed! Hope it is good news for both of us haha 🙂
 
I received an email saying The Committee has made an initial review of my app but has not yet reached a final decision as to whether or not to invite you to interview. Does this mean i was put on hold? What Do I do!!!!!???? loosing hopes here...
 
petitchat2006 said:
I received an email saying The Committee has made an initial review of my app but has not yet reached a final decision as to whether or not to invite you to interview. Does this mean i was put on hold? What Do I do!!!!!???? loosing hopes here...
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You could send them an update. At this point, the sooner you send the update, the better your chances for getting an interview. Don't lose hope yet. The cycle isn't over--it's January and interviews are conducted until March. Many interview spots open up from now until March as people start cancelling. Good luck...hang in there!
 
Relax! said:
You could send them an update. At this point, the sooner you send the update, the better your chances for getting an interview. Don't lose hope yet. The cycle isn't over--it's January and interviews are conducted until March. Many interview spots open up from now until March as people start cancelling. Good luck...hang in there!
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Thanks Relax! This might be a stupid question but... What should I include in my update? I have not done anything significantly different since I sent my secondary. What should I tell them? Any advice would be much appreciated.
 
petitchat2006 said:
Thanks Relax! This might be a stupid question but... What should I include in my update? I have not done anything significantly different since I sent my secondary. What should I tell them? Any advice would be much appreciated.
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Do you have any new grades to include? It's always a good idea to send those. If not, maybe send a letter explaining what you've been doing since secondaries, even it means simply saying that you've continued your past commitments. If you got promoted to a new position, if you took on new responsibilities, etc. make sure to include those. Finally write a paragraph about how you love UMSOM and how attending the school would provide you with resources during your training that you value. Best of luck! It's not a no until they tell you so don't give up the hope!
 
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