2014-2015 University of New Mexico Application Thread

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1. At the UNM School of Medicine we are committed to building a dynamic, productive and positive learning environment in addition to promoting cross cultural and cross racial understanding among students of diverse talents, experiences, opinions and backgrounds. Share any unique or challenging factors in your background, such as the quality of your early educational environment, socioeconomic status, culture, race, ethnicity and life and work experiences. What would you as an individual bring to our medical community? (2000 characters)

2. There are multiple paths that lead to medical school and many obstacles along the way. Please describe the unique path that has led you to medicine as well as any obstacles or adversity that you had to overcome in achieving this goal. How will this experience affect your career as a physician? (2000 characters)

3. While providing healthcare as a physician is often a rewarding career, it is also a profession that entails addressing constant challenges.
What do you see as the most significant issues the medical profession will face in the next 20 years, and what are some potential solutions for these problems? (2000 characters)

4. Part of the goal of the UNM School of Medicine is to address the healthcare disparities that face New Mexico. Once you become a physician, how do you foresee yourself helping to address the healthcare challenges that affect communities in the State of New Mexico? (2000 characters)

Good luck to everyone applying! :luck:
 
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I am a non-traditional applying for the first time this year. Good luck to everyone!
 
Incoming MS-1 definitely lurking 😉 Feel free to ask me anything!
 
RugbyTX said:
This is one of my OOS schools. Good luck everyone!
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Are you applying EDP? Per their website,
Residency Requirements
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To receive consideration for the admissions process, applicants must be a resident of New Mexico for at least one year at the time of application or have strong ties to New Mexico. Strong ties include graduating from a New Mexico high school in which you attended for at least one year or being financially dependent on a New Mexico resident.

Consideration is also given to enrolled members of federally recognized American Indian Tribes and Alaska Natives and Villages (AI/AN). It is requested that AI/AN applicants provide their Tribal Affiliation, Certificate of Indian Blood (CIB), Enrollment Number, and/or a written description of their involvement with their tribal community upon invitation to complete the Secondary Application. For more specific information regarding UNM's Residency Policies, visit the Office of the Registrar's page on Residency Information.

The university is also a member of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). Therefore, consideration is given to residents of participating states that at present have no medical schools (Montana and Wyoming). WICHE applicants must apply through the Early Decision Program and must also have at least the average MCAT/GPA as the last year's entering class in order to receive consideration. The 2012 entering class average MCAT composite score was 28 and the average cumulative GPA was 3.6.
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Does anyone know how Colorado residents are considered in the application process at UNM? They're still considered OOS, correct? But there is just tuition reciprocity? I've been researching it on the school site and generally on Google, but haven't found the Reader's Digest version of the information...
 
NettleHead said:
Does anyone know how Colorado residents are considered in the application process at UNM? They're still considered OOS, correct? But there is just tuition reciprocity? I've been researching it on the school site and generally on Google, but haven't found the Reader's Digest version of the information...
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This is all I could find: http://highered.colorado.gov/Academics/Programs/co-nmrecip-2012-2015.pdf

I would call the HSC financial aid office for clarification. They really don't have much regarding OOS tuition, etc. on the website aside from the residency requirements.
 
RugbyTX said:
I'm a registered Native American! Thank you though
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I am an OOS incoming MS1, also native. There's a few of us in this incoming class, let me know if you have any questions and good luck! 🙂
 
Hello! Another MS-1 here hoping to help out when possible. Seems like last year's thread had a little more action...maybe things will pick up when interviews start, which is soon!
 
I received the secondary today. All of the prompts are the same:

1. At the UNM School of Medicine we are committed to building a dynamic, productive and positive learning environment in addition to promoting cross cultural and cross racial understanding among students of diverse talents, experiences, opinions and backgrounds. Share any unique or challenging factors in your background, such as the quality of your early educational environment, socioeconomic status, culture, race, ethnicity and life and work experiences. What would you as an individual bring to our medical community? (2000 characters)

2. There are multiple paths that lead to medical school and many obstacles along the way. Please describe the unique path that has led you to medicine as well as any obstacles or adversity that you had to overcome in achieving this goal. How will this experience affect your career as a physician? (2000 characters)

3. While providing healthcare as a physician is often a rewarding career, it is also a profession that entails addressing constant challenges.
What do you see as the most significant issues the medical profession will face in the next 20 years, and what are some potential solutions for these problems? (2000 characters)

4. Part of the goal of the UNM School of Medicine is to address the healthcare disparities that face New Mexico. Once you become a physician, how do you foresee yourself helping to address the healthcare challenges that affect communities in the State of New Mexico? (2000 characters)
 
I got a secondary rejection email because I don't have a grade for Biochem on my current application. I will be sending a new transcript with an A- as my grade, surely they will reevaluate right?
 
RugbyTX said:
I got a secondary rejection email because I don't have a grade for Biochem on my current application. I will be sending a new transcript with an A- as my grade, surely they will reevaluate right?
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What?! I thought you didn't need to take biochem prior to applying... You need it prior to matriculation, but not before the application. I would call the admissions office to see if they can reconsider. I'm sure they will!
 
I'm still waiting on a secondary but OOS--haven't been rejected so crossing my fingers!
 
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RugbyTX said:
I got a secondary rejection email because I don't have a grade for Biochem on my current application. I will be sending a new transcript with an A- as my grade, surely they will reevaluate right?
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Definitely call and update. As someone else said I think it is prior to matriculation anyway. Could be some sort of error because I don't think instate people meeting the minimum requirements get rejected before the interview.
 
Scheduled for an interview Sep 10th!!! This thread is a little boring rcheech7 :yawn:. I read last year's thread and it was a nail biter seeing people make it off of the wait list! Any good prep advice for the interview? I saw someone wrote to bring a comfortable pair of shoes to change into?....
 
waller said:
Scheduled for an interview Sep 10th!!! This thread is a little boring rcheech7 :yawn:. I read last year's thread and it was a nail biter seeing people make it off of the wait list! Any good prep advice for the interview? I saw someone wrote to bring a comfortable pair of shoes to change into?....
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Definitely look at the interview feedback section of SDN ( http://schools.studentdoctor.net/ ) for UNM to get a better idea of what they ask at the interview.

There is some walking involved after the interviews, but its small. Ladies might want to bring an extra pair of shoes if they are wearing heels, I think guys will be fine.
 
This may seem obvious, but be sure you can articulate the health issues in New Mexico as you understand them and think about how your training as a physician can affect those problems. Will you be an advocate for single payer plans? Will you work in underserved communities? Etc etc

Also, practice practice practice.
 
rcheech7 said:
Definitely look at the interview feedback section of SDN ( http://schools.studentdoctor.net/ ) for UNM to get a better idea of what they ask at the interview.

There is some walking involved after the interviews, but its small. Ladies might want to bring an extra pair of shoes if they are wearing heels, I think guys will be fine.
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I want to say I wore my heels the whole time and was fine.

As for the interview, doesn't matter which school but be able to talk about a patient encounter.
 
Thanks for the advice, I am indeed practicing. As for state/national health concerns, I have read through previous questions at the above link and they are very helpful. Do admissions committees frown upon applicants who are ultimately unsure what specialty they would like to practice? I really want to let my medical training guide me.
 
waller said:
Thanks for the advice, I am indeed practicing. As for state/national health concerns, I have read through previous questions at the above link and they are very helpful. Do admissions committees frown upon applicants who are ultimately unsure what specialty they would like to practice? I really want to let my medical training guide me.
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If you're passionate about a specialty than say so in the interview, if you have no idea I think that's also totally fine. The big thing is staying in NM, specialty doesn't matter as much IMO
 
Hello everyone,

This is more for the MS1's and + that are lurking.

I'm a resident of New Mexico and will have been here about 3 years at time my application is processed, but I'm concerned that I may be disadvantaged because I'm not a native, born-and-raised New Mexican. I relocated here intentionally a few years ago for personal and professional reasons (yes, I'm non-trad), and this is my home state now, and I won't be leaving any time soon, but reading over past threads, it seems like New Mexico might give preferential treatment to those who are native New Mexicans . . . Thoughts, anyone?
 
BHB2008 said:
Hello everyone,

This is more for the MS1's and + that are lurking.

I'm a resident of New Mexico and will have been here about 3 years at time my application is processed, but I'm concerned that I may be disadvantaged because I'm not a native, born-and-raised New Mexican. I relocated here intentionally a few years ago for personal and professional reasons (yes, I'm non-trad), and this is my home state now, and I won't be leaving any time soon, but reading over past threads, it seems like New Mexico might give preferential treatment to those who are native New Mexicans . . . Thoughts, anyone?
Click to expand...

If you get rejected it probably won't be because you're not born and raised. There are plenty of transplant New Mexicans in my class.
 
Thanks, rcheech. That's encouraging. You really ought to draw a paycheck from SDN, btw, for your prompt attention to the UNM threads. ;-)
 
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Hello, I am an MS-8 (just completed residency and started practicing as an attending), and I graduated from UNM. I am a transplant New Mexican as well. After graduating I spoke with other UNM grads it seems that there is an unwritten rule if you weren't born in the land of entrapment: your (years in the state)X(number of attempts applying) has to equal 12. This is known as Kessler's rule of 12 (named after a former dean). I don't know how this is today, and I'm sorry because I know it can come as a big blow so early in the cycle. I applied three times and got in off of the waitlist the third time. I had interviews all three times.

That being said, the University of No Money/University Near Mamma, is an awesome medical school. I scored highest in my residency class on in my inservice exam my intern year. The inservice training exams are given every year in residency. Especially the first time you take it, October of your intern year, it is a real reflection of how good your medical school education was...and I was not AOA or some outstanding member of my class either. So UNM is an awesome education. Furthermore, it's an awesome education for a reasonable price. I did my residency in Colorado so there were a lot of CU grads with half the education and 4 times the debt! Honestly their tuition is like $60K per year, while UNM is just around $60K for all 4 years. Also, you only do 1.5 years of lecture/PBL before starting clinicals and believe me you are more than happy to get out of that lecture hall and into the hospital--I couldn't imagine schools that do two full years of lecture. Even if Kessler's rule of 12s is still the norm, UNM would be worth the wait.

Feel free to message me if you have any questions about UNM SOM or practicing in New Mexico.
 
rachmoninov3 said:
Even if Kessler's rule of 12s is still the norm, UNM would be worth the wait.
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Very helpful, Rachmaninoff. This is about what I expected. Unfortunately, with 200K/year on the line, it's not worth the wait, even for one year.
 
rachmoninov3 said:
Hello, I am an MS-8 (just completed residency and started practicing as an attending), and I graduated from UNM. I am a transplant New Mexican as well. After graduating I spoke with other UNM grads it seems that there is an unwritten rule if you weren't born in the land of entrapment: your (years in the state)X(number of attempts applying) has to equal 12. This is known as Kessler's rule of 12 (named after a former dean). I don't know how this is today, and I'm sorry because I know it can come as a big blow so early in the cycle. I applied three times and got in off of the waitlist the third time. I had interviews all three times.

That being said, the University of No Money/University Near Mamma, is an awesome medical school. I scored highest in my residency class on in my inservice exam my intern year. The inservice training exams are given every year in residency. Especially the first time you take it, October of your intern year, it is a real reflection of how good your medical school education was...and I was not AOA or some outstanding member of my class either. So UNM is an awesome education. Furthermore, it's an awesome education for a reasonable price. I did my residency in Colorado so there were a lot of CU grads with half the education and 4 times the debt! Honestly their tuition is like $60K per year, while UNM is just around $60K for all 4 years. Also, you only do 1.5 years of lecture/PBL before starting clinicals and believe me you are more than happy to get out of that lecture hall and into the hospital--I couldn't imagine schools that do two full years of lecture. Even if Kessler's rule of 12s is still the norm, UNM would be worth the wait.

Feel free to message me if you have any questions about UNM SOM or practicing in New Mexico.
Click to expand...

I have only been a New Mexican resident for one year, but UNM is by far my top choice of medical schools to attend. I grew up in southern California, and completed my undergrad in Colorado. Any idea whether my history of living in a neighboring state and lifetime spent in the Southwest will help balance the fact that I'm newly New Mexican?
 
BHB2008 said:
Very helpful, Rachmaninoff. This is about what I expected. Unfortunately, with 200K/year on the line, it's not worth the wait, even for one year.
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Well and I've even heard from previous threads that if you reject any acceptance and decide not to matriculate that it looks bad.
 
rachmoninov3 said:
Hello, I am an MS-8 (just completed residency and started practicing as an attending), and I graduated from UNM. I am a transplant New Mexican as well. After graduating I spoke with other UNM grads it seems that there is an unwritten rule if you weren't born in the land of entrapment: your (years in the state)X(number of attempts applying) has to equal 12. This is known as Kessler's rule of 12 (named after a former dean). I don't know how this is today, and I'm sorry because I know it can come as a big blow so early in the cycle. I applied three times and got in off of the waitlist the third time. I had interviews all three times.

That being said, the University of No Money/University Near Mamma, is an awesome medical school. I scored highest in my residency class on in my inservice exam my intern year. The inservice training exams are given every year in residency. Especially the first time you take it, October of your intern year, it is a real reflection of how good your medical school education was...and I was not AOA or some outstanding member of my class either. So UNM is an awesome education. Furthermore, it's an awesome education for a reasonable price. I did my residency in Colorado so there were a lot of CU grads with half the education and 4 times the debt! Honestly their tuition is like $60K per year, while UNM is just around $60K for all 4 years. Also, you only do 1.5 years of lecture/PBL before starting clinicals and believe me you are more than happy to get out of that lecture hall and into the hospital--I couldn't imagine schools that do two full years of lecture. Even if Kessler's rule of 12s is still the norm, UNM would be worth the wait.

Feel free to message me if you have any questions about UNM SOM or practicing in New Mexico.
Click to expand...

Thanks for posting this. I will just go to say that UNM does get your feet wet (more like soaked) with patient contact extremely early. We're already learning how to do a full patient history and next month is the patient exam portion. Past three weeks have been with trained standardized patients. Still haven't found a program that gets you introduced to patients this early.
 
It's an awesome program, no doubt. Leighis, I think rachmaninov3 answered your question. That is, you can try, try and try again, until you've sufficiently shown your dedication to the state. Make sure NM volunteer opportunities are highlighted in your app and interview. I don't think one year residency is going to pass the bar, if they are still concerned about educating doctors for New Mexico. And apply broadly in case NM doesn't bite. The medical school application process shouldn't all be hinged on one school, even if it is inexpensive, convenient, and has a great program. Sigh.
 
rachmoninov3 said:
There's a peds attending who runs the standardized patients/early clinical encounters and her favorite line is "anything else?" Use that a few times and you'll get extra brownie points 😉
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Really funny that you say that because they tell us to ask that at least 3 times lol.
 
Leighis Capall said:
I have only been a New Mexican resident for one year, but UNM is by far my top choice of medical schools to attend. I grew up in southern California, and completed my undergrad in Colorado. Any idea whether my history of living in a neighboring state and lifetime spent in the Southwest will help balance the fact that I'm newly New Mexican?
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We have someone in our class that has never lived here but because his parents moved here they consider it 'strong ties'.
 
I agree- the ties are not simply based on when or how long you lived here, though lifelong residents may have less of a case to make.

It's worth beating this dead horse- if you demonstrate your commitment and a good understanding of the issues specific to New Mexicans, you'll be on the right track. Clinical experiences that you can talk about is a must. Show them that your brain was on while you were shadowing. They say scores and experiences are weighed equally in their evaluation of candidates, but I think there's extra credit for getting hands on clinical time (though I never did, so it's certainly not required).

Sorry I didn't make any sense, I should have taken a nap before checking this thread.
 
My app was verified on 8/26 and I haven't heard anything yet… is anyone in a similar boat?
 
ComfortCreature said:
I agree- the ties are not simply based on when or how long you lived here, though lifelong residents may have less of a case to make.

It's worth beating this dead horse- if you demonstrate your commitment and a good understanding of the issues specific to New Mexicans, you'll be on the right track. Clinical experiences that you can talk about is a must. Show them that your brain was on while you were shadowing. They say scores and experiences are weighed equally in their evaluation of candidates, but I think there's extra credit for getting hands on clinical time (though I never did, so it's certainly not required).

Sorry I didn't make any sense, I should have taken a nap before checking this thread.
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Gasp! Nap on Thursday! Not before a quiz! Lol jk.
 
Agobio said:
Oh wow, any idea why??
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If I remember correctly, I think I got my secondary middle of September? I think there's a set date that they start sending them out (I have no idea what day it was, maybe check last year's thread??)
 
ComfortCreature said:
I agree- the ties are not simply based on when or how long you lived here, though lifelong residents may have less of a case to make.

It's worth beating this dead horse- if you demonstrate your commitment and a good understanding of the issues specific to New Mexicans, you'll be on the right track. Clinical experiences that you can talk about is a must. Show them that your brain was on while you were shadowing. They say scores and experiences are weighed equally in their evaluation of candidates, but I think there's extra credit for getting hands on clinical time (though I never did, so it's certainly not required).

Sorry I didn't make any sense, I should have taken a nap before checking this thread.
Click to expand...

That made sense, thank you. That's similar to what I have heard. I feel I have strong ties to this state. I'm non-traditional, so the experiences and the ties I have are fairly different than those of most people applying I think, so it's hard to predict what admissions will think of me. I'm sending my primary application soon!
 
ChemNerd07 said:
If I remember correctly, I think I got my secondary middle of September? I think there's a set date that they start sending them out (I have no idea what day it was, maybe check last year's thread??)
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ChemNerd07 - thank you so much for the info! I was (however prematurely) getting worried…
 
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