2014-2015 University of Massachusetts Application Thread

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I'm still incomplete but LOR's are in AMCAS. I have no idea what's missing at this point. I emailed them but no dice so far.

We'll see what happens. I'm crossing my fingers for this. I talked to them before declaring residency here and they said I should be fine, so I'll be pretty annoyed if it doesn't work out.

They hadn't downloaded my LORs either - I emailed them and just heard back, they said it can take a few weeks but as long as your letters are in AMCAS you should be fine.
 
Check to see if you're complete via their interface...
 
+1 to all the LoR troubles, in amcas and every school so far has them except UMass
 
Ok so maybe splitting hairs here but it's important, secondary says "explain any grades lower than a B in any prerequisites" and on their website it says prerequisites are: Bio,Chem,phys,English I have received above a B in all those but not in calculus which is a "recommended course " not required for admission so do I have to explain that class?
 
Ok so maybe splitting hairs here but it's important, secondary says "explain any grades lower than a B in any prerequisites" and on their website it says prerequisites are: Bio,Chem,phys,English I have received above a B in all those but not in calculus which is a "recommended course " not required for admission so do I have to explain that class?

If you have a reasonable explanation, you should describe any below-B grade for any course you took in college as long as it is even tangentially related to medicine because 1.) you will come off as upfront & honest and 2.) the school will be curious anyway, and why waste an opportunity to explain why you didn't do as well as you would've liked to? Hopefully you were aiming higher than a B- (or whatever grade you got), and if something legitimate kept you from achieving that, you should tell UMass about it.
 
If you have a reasonable explanation, you should describe any below-B grade for any course you took in college as long as it is even tangentially related to medicine because 1.) you will come off as upfront & honest and 2.) the school will be curious anyway, and why waste an opportunity to explain why you didn't do as well as you would've liked to? Hopefully you were aiming higher than a B- (or whatever grade you got), and if something legitimate kept you from achieving that, you should tell UMass about it.

Yeah I got one B- in calc 2 I feel like it's not even worth pointing out but I don't want to come off a liar
 
Is this really a definite? What about if you want to practice in Massachusetts? But a specialty? I believe you, I do, but do they really want thousands of primary care essays? I guess I'm just struggling with what to write.

I'm curious as to what you ended up writing about. I personally mentioned cardiology because after family history of congestive heart failure it is DEFINITELY the specialty I want to pursue. I am about to submit, but seeing this about primary care being all they want to see makes me nervous. I can't see them wanting applicants to say primary care just because they want to see it...
 
I just wrote truthfully what my primary goal is in the medical field which is to become a pediatric cardiologist. I just said I love working with kids and am currently interested in cardiology. I guess that gives me kind of a leeway to possibly change what I want to do after Med School while I'm there. Idk im just being honest at the same time there is a leeway.

I finished everything and mailed my check in last week. Everything is still "outstanding" in the to do list so idk if i should keep waiting or just call and ask. What does it look like once they start piecing things together?
 
They still haven't downloaded letters... It's been almost 3 weeks lol.
 
Can someone tell me what all the required letters are? There seems to be a lot and I want to make sure that I have all of them.
On the outstanding ; to do list it has:

Pre-med Letter of Rec
Required LOR 1
Required LOR 2
LOR professional 1
LOR professional 2

Which ones are considered if I have a letter of rec from my pre-med committee and one from a physician? Do i need two letters of rec from two physicians?
 
If you have a committee letter you do not need any of the others. I submitted my pre-med committee letter and all of the options disappeared. I'm sure you can submit extras in addition.
 
I'm curious as to what you ended up writing about. I personally mentioned cardiology because after family history of congestive heart failure it is DEFINITELY the specialty I want to pursue. I am about to submit, but seeing this about primary care being all they want to see makes me nervous. I can't see them wanting applicants to say primary care just because they want to see it...

I wrote about wanting to go into neonatology and academic medicine. I think for any admissions essay, what matters most is conveying a mature thought process. I doubt that everyone who doesn't choose primary care is automatically screened out. Frankly, 1/2 the graduating class at UMass does not go into primary care. Definitely write about wanting to go into cardiology; your story sounds compelling!
 
If you have a committee letter you do not need any of the others. I submitted my pre-med committee letter and all of the options disappeared. I'm sure you can submit extras in addition.

How long did it take for you to see it disappear? They already took the $100 fee from my bank account and they still haven't downloaded the letter yet because it still is "outstanding" on the secondary site. I just want to know if I should call them or wait a few more weeks about the time frame.
 
Just checked after seeing this thread pop up recently and I'm now marked as complete. Not sure when the status changed, but I guess they're going to start reviewing soon? Should hear in the next month or so I guess. Whoop de do.
 
How long did it take for you to see it disappear? They already took the $100 fee from my bank account and they still haven't downloaded the letter yet because it still is "outstanding" on the secondary site. I just want to know if I should call them or wait a few more weeks about the time frame.

Mine took about 1-2 weeks... I had everything in before July 10th and my letter was uploaded on the 11th I believe. When I checked around the 20th, I was complete.
 
Was this Early Decision, by any chance?

It was not. I'm actually really surprised that I heard back so early when my stats really aren't anything special. 3.67 GPA, 29 MCAT. Would me attending UMass Amherst for my undergrad give me a leg up?
 
It was not. I'm actually really surprised that I heard back so early when my stats really aren't anything special. 3.67 GPA, 29 MCAT. Would me attending UMass Amherst for my undergrad give me a leg up?
I also attended UMass undergrad and heard a resounding yes from when Umass med spoke , from our premed committee and current med students that the class has a majority of students from the public system high majority UMass Amherst

Edit: just what I've heard, maybe they say that to make us feel good but hopefully they were sincere
 
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II today! I'll try to include some relevant dates/stats:
I think they processed my fee waiver on Aug 25th, but I'm not 100% sure since they didn't send a completion email.
GPA: 3.8
MCAT: 35
 
II today! I'll try to include some relevant dates/stats:
I think they processed my fee waiver on Aug 25th, but I'm not 100% sure since they didn't send a completion email.
GPA: 3.8
MCAT: 35
Congrats! When are you interviewing?
 
Thanks! I'm really excited.
I'll be interviewing on 10/23. The email actually just told me that my interview was on that date, I didn't get to pick it. Luckily, the date worked for me
 
Thanks! I'm really excited.
I'll be interviewing on 10/23. The email actually just told me that my interview was on that date, I didn't get to pick it. Luckily, the date worked for me

Congratulations! It's good to hear about UMass IIs going out!

Does anyone have thoughts about sending an "in the area" email? Are they well-received by UMass? I've got an interview on 10/22 in Boston, and if there are available interview dates at UMass around that time, I'd rather not book multiple flights back to Boston if I do get an interview at Umass too. These flights can get pretty expensive.
 
For the person who asked earlier, they reserve a certain number of seats specifically for UMass undergrad student. My friend is an MS2 here who tutors some first years, and he said most of students he tutors are UMass undergrad student lol, take that for what it's worth.
 
For the person who asked earlier, they reserve a certain number of seats specifically for UMass undergrad student. My friend is an MS2 here who tutors some first years, and he said most of students he tutors are UMass undergrad student lol, take that for what it's worth.

Not worth anything.
 
So I have been marked "complete" for about 2-3 weeks now. Is it just the waiting game now to hear a rejection or II ?
 
Just got a weird email today from the office of programs for URM/disadvantaged students, talking about meeting me on interview day, because apparently I'm a disadvantaged/URM applicant. Seriously hope I didn't receive an II by mistake.
 
Just got a weird email today from the office of programs for URM/disadvantaged students, talking about meeting me on interview day, because apparently I'm a disadvantaged/URM applicant. Seriously hope I didn't receive an II by mistake.
Are you either of those things?
 
Congratulations! It's good to hear about UMass IIs going out!

Does anyone have thoughts about sending an "in the area" email? Are they well-received by UMass? I've got an interview on 10/22 in Boston, and if there are available interview dates at UMass around that time, I'd rather not book multiple flights back to Boston if I do get an interview at Umass too. These flights can get pretty expensive.
I wouldn't waste your time.
 
For the person who asked earlier, they reserve a certain number of seats specifically for UMass undergrad student. My friend is an MS2 here who tutors some first years, and he said most of students he tutors are UMass undergrad student lol, take that for what it's worth.

MS2 here. I don't think that's true at all. We just get a ridiculous amount of apps from Umass students and everyone accepted is well qualified.
 
Just got back. All I want to say for now is that the school is absolutely stunning. Would've instantly become my top choice if it wasn't already.
 
Just got back. All I want to say for now is that the school is absolutely stunning. Would've instantly become my top choice if it wasn't already.

Can you describe the MMI experience there? How is it structured ? How'd it work? Was it easy for nerves to have an impact or was it relaxed?
 
Just got back. All I want to say for now is that the school is absolutely stunning. Would've instantly become my top choice if it wasn't already.
I'll second this. Also interviewed here and was really impressed. They do a great job at selling their school, and the new faculties are easy to be impressed by. Definitely my first choice as well.

It was my first MMI so interesting format to get use to, but honestly I'm not sure you how you can prepare for it. Quick thinking is all I'll say. Standard 2 min to read, 6ish min to answer. You can take notes. Good luck everyone.
 
Can you describe the MMI experience there? How is it structured ? How'd it work? Was it easy for nerves to have an impact or was it relaxed?
Eight stations, two minutes to get situated, and six minutes for the actual interview. They give you a notepad which you don't really need, but I think it helps to brainstorm and write everything out prior. I never felt grilled throughout the MMI, though I did find myself feeling pressure at some of the follow-up questions. The interviewers are nice overall though.
I had done MMI before but it was only two stations as opposed to eight. It was a little nerve-wracking on the first station but I found myself building a lot of momentum after a couple more and thoroughly enjoyed it. I think MMI is a matter of personal preference. Some people like the traditional one on one for being able to prepare and sell yourself to that interviewer, but I really like expressing myself through various situations and there's a lot less pressure knowing that I have eight chances to really impress, not one. I say if you're a spontaneous person, you'll have a lot of fun no matter how they format it!
 
Has anyone else received II's here? If so, when were you complete?
 
That's freaking weird. I was complete a few days after you and didn't get anything yet. Wait, does that date include the year it took them to get the letters together? Jeebus.
 
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