2014-2015 University of Utah Application Thread

[Ginred]

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Yes, this post from Dr. Chan has changed my understanding of how things are going to go for this year. Dr. Chan indicated on interview day (I interviewed Sept 12 I think) that the ADCOM would like to try and get up to 50% of their acceptances out before March. He did indicate that this wasn't set in stone though and that it may not be feasible. I suppose that with so much new data to consider with their new process, data both subjective and objective, that goal of 50%+ early acceptance will not likely be realized this year- "due to our new scoring system, the vast majority of acceptances will also be offered in March 2015 as well."

Reading this post on Facebook from the U (I just saw it in my news feed) gives me some comfort and hope, for I realize that only a very small number have been accepted right now and I needn't be worried about having missed the boat (yet...)

Congrats by the way to those who have heard such great news already! To be honest, I envy you, but I'm also legitimately happy for you! Here's hoping to good news coming for the rest of us SDN'ers whether it be in the next few weeks or at the end of March!

 

[CJ Med]

I got the call from Dr. Chan this morning! I'm accepted!! Please inquire about anything (stats, the evaluation day, my impressions). With the exception of information Utah asked us not to divulge, I'm an open book now that I'm in! 🙂

 

[ME!]

I got the call from Dr. Chan this morning! I'm accepted!! Please inquire about anything (stats, the evaluation day, my impressions). With the exception of information Utah asked us not to divulge, I'm an open book now that I'm in! 🙂

Congrats!
Do you mind sharing you're interview date and your MCAT/GPA? I am also curious if they are still having attendance as a mandatory requirement.

 

[daenschl]

I just saw this on their facebook page:

"Congratulations to the first few members of the Class of 2019!!! I called them this morning and they were all extremely excited. This announcement kicks off our earliest acceptances here at the University of Utah School of Medicine.

Please remember that all applicants will learn their status by the end of March 2015 (and due to our new scoring system, the vast majority of acceptances will also be offered in March 2015 as well).

Have a great day! Stay warm out there!
- Dr. Chan"

So while some people did get accepted today, there may not be a lot of use in hoping a phone call will come any day now.

Yeah, looks like we will be getting ready to hibernate until March for our decisions.

 

[daenschl]

Congrats!
Do you mind sharing you're interview date and your MCAT/GPA? I am also curious if they are still having attendance as a mandatory requirement.

Yes, attendance is still a requirement. I think you get like one personal day off per month, or something like that

 

[ME!]

Yes, attendance is still a requirement. I think you get like one personal day off per month, or something like that

Good to know, thanks for the quick reply. I would love a change to attend this school. I certainly know there are more applicants that will be great future physicians then the U can accommodate at this time.

 

[Smeyes]

I got the call from Dr. Chan this morning! I'm accepted!! Please inquire about anything (stats, the evaluation day, my impressions). With the exception of information Utah asked us not to divulge, I'm an open book now that I'm in! 🙂

Yeah, can you let us know your stats as well as your undergraduate institution? Also, what did Dr. Chan say stood out most from your application/interview day?

 

[Leslie_Knope]

I got the call from Dr. Chan this morning! I'm accepted!! Please inquire about anything (stats, the evaluation day, my impressions). With the exception of information Utah asked us not to divulge, I'm an open book now that I'm in! 🙂

Congratulations! Can you go into some detail about your assessment day? Mine is coming up and I am so nervous! What was the most challenging part? The most relaxed part? Did the traditional interview questions seem standardized or more off the cuff?

 

[CJ Med]

Congrats!
Do you mind sharing you're interview date and your MCAT/GPA? I am also curious if they are still having attendance as a mandatory requirement.

As far as I understand, attendance is mandatory and will be for our class. I interviewed in October.


In-State
GPA: 3.78
Science GPA: 3.64
MCAT: 31 (9 PS, 11 VR, 11 Bio)

 

[CJ Med]

Yeah, can you let us know your stats as well as your undergraduate institution? Also, what did Dr. Chan say stood out most from your application/interview day?

Congratulations! Can you go into some detail about your assessment day? Mine is coming up and I am so nervous! What was the most challenging part? The most relaxed part? Did the traditional interview questions seem standardized or more off the cuff?

See above for my stats! I go to a small Utah public liberal arts and sciences university. You'll have to guess which one out of the 3 or 4 Utah schools that fit that description ha ha. Dr. Chan told me that they appreciated that my applications were very well written (I love writing, and I had others do editing), that my letter writers had a lot of good to say about me, that my interviewers said I was personable and a good communicator, and that they could tell I was sincere in what I did.

They call it evaluation/assessment day at the U, and that's exactly what it is. They are assessing you. Yes, you go on a tour. Yes, you get to ask questions. Yes, there is a curriculum and fin aid presentation. But mostly, they are watching how you communicate, work with others, and if your personality and attitude is conductive to working with your peers. The MMIs were fun. You can't fake those answers nor reherse, so just explain yourself well. As far as traditional interviewers, one interviewer acted like a big fan of mine just from reading my apps, one put me on the hot seat and pegged me with question after question and made me defend my research and activities. That's highly individual though. It's just luck of the draw on the personality of your interviewer. My advice is this: KNOW YOUR APPLICATION. Review it. Cause they will probe, and it's actually enjoyable getting to talk about your passions more in depth. If you were never passionate about what you did and did it just to look good, good luck friend. They'll sniff you out. So just be honest! Be you. Your personality. Your thoughts and ideas and passions. If they don't like you for you, then move on. I'm stubbornly me all the time, and it's paid off big during the application cycle.

Oh and lunch in the cafeteria is excellent and the new pharmacy building is beautiful.

 

[zhopv10]

^great advice, I'll just add to the attendance. You get 2 grace days that you can use whenever, and two professional days that are approved for research, shadowing, etc (I try to use both each month for shadowing at the moment. You can also have emergency/other preamp proved things but ya the 4 days mentioned are the main ones.

 

[medlife crisis]

^great advice, I'll just add to the attendance. You get 2 grace days that you can use whenever, and two professional days that are approved for research, shadowing, etc (I try to use both each month for shadowing at the moment. You can also have emergency/other preamp proved things but ya the 4 days mentioned are the main ones.

Are lectures also recorded and available to watch after class?

My personal opinion is that mandatory lecture is a major benefit. When the lecture hall is consistently full, professors will likely put more effort into giving quality lectures. Additionally, it's easier to hire quality professors when you can assure them that they won't simply be speaking to a room of 15 students each day.

 

[zhopv10]

They are indeed, and I agree, also it's good for cohesiveness within the class. 🙂

 

[Leslie_Knope]

See above for my stats! I go to a small Utah public liberal arts and sciences university. You'll have to guess which one out of the 3 or 4 Utah schools that fit that description ha ha. Dr. Chan told me that they appreciated that my applications were very well written (I love writing, and I had others do editing), that my letter writers had a lot of good to say about me, that my interviewers said I was personable and a good communicator, and that they could tell I was sincere in what I did.

They call it evaluation/assessment day at the U, and that's exactly what it is. They are assessing you. Yes, you go on a tour. Yes, you get to ask questions. Yes, there is a curriculum and fin aid presentation. But mostly, they are watching how you communicate, work with others, and if your personality and attitude is conductive to working with your peers. The MMIs were fun. You can't fake those answers nor reherse, so just explain yourself well. As far as traditional interviewers, one interviewer acted like a big fan of mine just from reading my apps, one put me on the hot seat and pegged me with question after question and made me defend my research and activities. That's highly individual though. It's just luck of the draw on the personality of your interviewer. My advice is this: KNOW YOUR APPLICATION. Review it. Cause they will probe, and it's actually enjoyable getting to talk about your passions more in depth. If you were never passionate about what you did and did it just to look good, good luck friend. They'll sniff you out. So just be honest! Be you. Your personality. Your thoughts and ideas and passions. If they don't like you for you, then move on. I'm stubbornly me all the time, and it's paid off big during the application cycle.

Oh and lunch in the cafeteria is excellent and the new pharmacy building is beautiful.

Thanks for this post. I find it very easy to be myself and in fact I'm not sure how to be otherwise. 🙂 This will be my first medical school interview. Nothing like jumping into the deep end!

 

[CJ Med]

Thanks for this post. I find it very easy to be myself and in fact I'm not sure how to be otherwise. 🙂 This will be my first medical school interview. Nothing like jumping into the deep end!

You'll do just great! It was my first interview too. It was scary because it's my state school and I wanted to do well. Definitely take advantage of any mock interview opportunities. I grabbed a professor of mine that did grad school at the U and had her interview me. It was very helpful.

 

[ERGuy501]

Are lectures also recorded and available to watch after class?

My personal opinion is that mandatory lecture is a major benefit. When the lecture hall is consistently full, professors will likely put more effort into giving quality lectures. Additionally, it's easier to hire quality professors when you can assure them that they won't simply be speaking to a room of 15 students each day.

The lectures are recorded, both video and audio, and will be available to students a few hours after class ends. Agree entirely with good parts of mandatory attendance, the professors here, for the most part, are truly fantastic!

 

[crazykayaker]

Interviewed a couple of weeks ago. Complete 08/26/14. I went to a university in Utah so I am considered with the "in state" pool even though I'm from out of state. MCAT:30 GPA:3.84

 

[hidahl]

Interviewed a couple of weeks ago. Complete 08/26/14. I went to a university in Utah so I am considered with the "in state" pool even though I'm from out of state. MCAT:30 GPA:3.84

I have some confusion on the new IS/OOS policy. I know what is stated on the website, but I was told by someone in the admissions office that I would be considered OOS. I grew up in Utah, graduated from a UT high school and college and currently live in SLC. However, when I submitted my application to AMCAS I was living in another state and had been living there for several years while my husband completed his school and training (he is from the state we were living in).

I was one of the people placed on hold a few weeks back despite having a solid MCAT and GPA, and being above average in all 7 categories. I am also a re-applicant to the U and WAS considered IS last year when I WASNT actually living in Utah. I guess I should be glad that I didn't get rejected outright, but after hearing all these people not actually from Utah being in the IS pool I am getting a little frustrated/confused.

I am just wondering if anyone else has experienced anything like this, or if my experience is an anomaly. I'm not too sure what recourse I really have here, it doesn't really seem like the staff would lie about something like this, but it is strange.

 

[sustinamith]

I have some confusion on the new IS/OOS policy. I know what is stated on the website, but I was told by someone in the admissions office that I would be considered OOS. I grew up in Utah, graduated from a UT high school and college and currently live in SLC. However, when I submitted my application to AMCAS I was living in another state and had been living there for several years while my husband completed his school and training (he is from the state we were living in).

I was one of the people placed on hold a few weeks back despite having a solid MCAT and GPA, and being above average in all 7 categories. I am also a re-applicant to the U and WAS considered IS last year when I WASNT actually living in Utah. I guess I should be glad that I didn't get rejected outright, but after hearing all these people not actually from Utah being in the IS pool I am getting a little frustrated/confused.

I am just wondering if anyone else has experienced anything like this, or if my experience is an anomaly. I'm not too sure what recourse I really have here, it doesn't really seem like the staff would lie about something like this, but it is strange.

The only thing I can think of to make sense of all of this is that there might be some confusion about whether you're talking about IS for admissions purposes or for tuition purposes. If you're not currently a resident of the state of Utah, then you probably won't qualify for IS tuition, but could still be considered IS for admissions. Maybe I'm wrong about this though.

 

[hidahl]

You got me thinking and, I'm not going to lie, a little excited there with that theory. Then I looked at my email correspondence and it says for sure that I am being considered for a "non resident position". Bummer.

 

[Leslie_Knope]

You got me thinking and, I'm not going to lie, a little excited there with that theory. Then I looked at my email correspondence and it says for sure that I am being considered for a "non resident position". Bummer.

Well you could contact them and explain that you should be considered IS?

 

[crazykayaker]

I have some confusion on the new IS/OOS policy. I know what is stated on the website, but I was told by someone in the admissions office that I would be considered OOS. I grew up in Utah, graduated from a UT high school and college and currently live in SLC. However, when I submitted my application to AMCAS I was living in another state and had been living there for several years while my husband completed his school and training (he is from the state we were living in).

I was one of the people placed on hold a few weeks back despite having a solid MCAT and GPA, and being above average in all 7 categories. I am also a re-applicant to the U and WAS considered IS last year when I WASNT actually living in Utah. I guess I should be glad that I didn't get rejected outright, but after hearing all these people not actually from Utah being in the IS pool I am getting a little frustrated/confused.

I am just wondering if anyone else has experienced anything like this, or if my experience is an anomaly. I'm not too sure what recourse I really have here, it doesn't really seem like the staff would lie about something like this, but it is strange.

From Utah's website : "For 2015, we will increase the class size to 122. There will be 14 positions available to nonresidents, 100 positions for Utah residents or non-residents who graduated from a Utah high school, college, or university, and 8 for Idaho residents."

That seems pretty clear to me. I don't know why you would be considered out of state if you graduated from school in Utah.

 

[Ginred]

You got me thinking and, I'm not going to lie, a little excited there with that theory. Then I looked at my email correspondence and it says for sure that I am being considered for a "non resident position". Bummer.

I would send them an email and explain your situation. I received an email from them back in August that told me that they wouldn't accept one of the classes I'd listed to meet one of their requirements, even though they accepted it when I applied last year. I contacted them and they promptly rectified it for me; give it a try!

 

[hidahl]

I already called them and sent them an email. That's how I know that I am being considered for an out of state spot. I don't really care to go into more detail here, if you are super interested you can PM me. I'm not trying to be whiney, I really was more curious if anyone else had run into anything like this. Anyways, I am glad that at least I haven't been rejected. I guess we don't really know what this whole hold thing means. This is the first year they have done it as far as I can tell. I know they weren't doing it last year.
Thanks for your input though. I have been a bit of a lurker on this thread and most of you guys seem pretty cool. It would be awesome if we could all get in. I think the SDNers on this board would make up a pretty cooperative class.

 

[Leslie_Knope]

I already called them and sent them an email. That's how I know that I am being considered for an out of state spot. I don't really care to go into more detail here, if you are super interested you can PM me. I'm not trying to be whiney, I really was more curious if anyone else had run into anything like this. Anyways, I am glad that at least I haven't been rejected. I guess we don't really know what this whole hold thing means. This is the first year they have done it as far as I can tell. I know they weren't doing it last year.
Thanks for your input though. I have been a bit of a lurker on this thread and most of you guys seem pretty cool. It would be awesome if we could all get in. I think the SDNers on this board would make up a pretty cooperative class.

I feel the same way! I hope you are able to interview and show them who you are. I'm sorry to hear that you're being considered for an out-of-state spot. One thing I really appreciate about the U is the admissions staff is very friendly and also helpful. I'm glad you were able to at least talk to them to understand what is going on with your application.

 

[amad01]

I feel the same way! I hope you are able to interview and show them who you are. I'm sorry to hear that you're being considered for an out-of-state spot. One thing I really appreciate about the U is the admissions staff is very friendly and also helpful. I'm glad you were able to at least talk to them to understand what is going on with your application.

how was your interview? 🙂

 

[Leslie_Knope]

how was your interview? 🙂

Thanks for asking! It was very enjoyable and I had a lot of fun meeting the other applicants. My two traditional interviews were just like chatting with new friends. I am really excited about the school and would be very happy with an acceptance! Fingers crossed for the next four months. 🙂

 

[vellez]

II, Idaho.

 

[joe503]

does anyone know how often they they send acceptances out? aka every 2 weeks? every month?

 

[daenschl]

does anyone know how often they they send acceptances out? aka every 2 weeks? every month?

I feel like their last communication indicated that the vast majority will hear in March. There might be a handful of people until then, but I don't think there will be a set schedule to releasing acceptances.

 

[hirschman]

Just got accepted here today! So excited!!!! Good luck guys 🙂

 

[joe503]

I feel like their last communication indicated that the vast majority will hear in March. There might be a handful of people until then, but I don't think there will be a set schedule to releasing acceptances.

ok thank you

 

[joe503]

Just got accepted here today! So excited!!!! Good luck guys 🙂

CONGRATS! When did you interview?

 

[Smeyes]

Just got accepted here today! So excited!!!! Good luck guys 🙂

Congrats! IS or OOS?

 

[hirschman]

Thanks guys!! I interviewed sept 12 , in state applicant

 

[ERGuy501]

Thanks guys!! I interviewed sept 12 , in state applicant

Excited for you Amigo (this is Chance)

 

[hirschman]

Excited for you Amigo (this is Chance)

Thanks Chance! When I first made my SDN account, I probably should have made my name a little more anonymous haha

 

[ScentOfPeace]

Thanks guys!! I interviewed sept 12 , in state applicant

Congrats! We interviewed together apparently. Mind sharing your stats?

 

[Ginred]

Thanks guys!! I interviewed sept 12 , in state applicant

Congrats! I too interviewed September 12. What a relieving feeling it must be!

Question for everyone about the U's MCAT policy- apparently they combine the best score from each sub section from all of an applicant's exam attempts to give one total score (a practice they will be changing next year by the v way.) Just out of curiosity, does anyone know any additional information about this? Does the committee simply get that modified score, or do they receive all of an applicant's scores and then do the numbers and adding on their own? (Hope that made sense.) I meant to ask Dr. Chan on assessment day but I forgot.

 

[ScentOfPeace]

Congrats! I too interviewed September 12. What a relieving feeling it must be!

Question for everyone about the U's MCAT policy- apparently they combine the best score from each sub section from all of an applicant's exam attempts to give one total score (a practice they will be changing next year by the v way.) Just out of curiosity, does anyone know any additional information about this? Does the committee simply get that modified score, or do they receive all of an applicant's scores and then do the numbers and adding on their own? (Hope that made sense.) I meant to ask Dr. Chan on assessment day but I forgot.

My understanding was that the admissions committee does not see your MCAT or GPA. They rank you, then they factor in MCAT and GPA to get your final ranking. So I don't think you need to worry about past scores hurting you.

I thought that is what Dr. Chan said on our interview day, but I may have misunderstood.

 

[Ginred]

My understanding was that the admissions committee does not see your MCAT or GPA. They rank you, then they factor in MCAT and GPA to get your final ranking. So I don't think you need to worry about past scores hurting you.

I thought that is what Dr. Chan said on our interview day, but I may have misunderstood.

Yes, that actually sounds quite familiar now that you mention it! Thanks

 

[adimelon]

complete early sept..OOS..still waiting to hear back...
have there been any pre interview rejections?

 

[amad01]

complete early sept..OOS..still waiting to hear back...
have there been any pre interview rejections?

i think the only pre-II rejections were for those who didn't meet the 5 minimum koalafications

 

[adimelon]

i think the only pre-II rejections were for those who didn't meet the 5 minimum koalafications

thanks

 

[ZinkyZankyZook]

Have any OOS applicants sent an in-the-area e-mail and gotten a response? I sent one ~4 weeks ago and haven't heard anything. Also, have any OOS applicants received IIs lately? Thanks!

 

[Ginred]

On this day of giving thanks and recognizing blessings, I as a second time applicant would like to state that I'm glad that, despite the very real grief, frustration, and heartache of the past year and a half, overall I'm glad that I didn't get into medical school last year. This off year has allowed me to spend a lot more time with my wife and child and it has been a tremendous blessing for my marriage and family life.

If I would have gotten into medical school this last year my marriage wouldn't be as strong as it is today and I don't know if my little boy and I would be best buds like we are today! I would have been spending most of my time studying and away from these people whom I love even more now!

I'm also glad to have a year off from studying and let my brain rest a bit. I've been running around without rest since I began college in the fall of 2009. I feel that when I begin school next fall (fingers crossed!) I'll be much more ready for the long journey ahead.

Count your blessings everyone! Whatever happens to you this year I know that you will be in the place that is best for you! If you don't end up getting in right now, don't stress over it, just keep moving forward! If it's meant to be, it will happen. If not, no degree of wondering, waiting, or worrying will change that. Just be glad for where you are and make the most of it.

I wouldn't have believed back in June when I got rejected from the U of U's wait list that I'd be happy about my rejection, but time has been a masterful instructor and I'm glad to be where I am today.

"A grateful heart sees many blessings." Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

 

[ScentOfPeace]

On this day of giving thanks and recognizing blessings, I as a second time applicant would like to state that I'm glad that, despite the very real grief, frustration, and heartache of the past year and a half, overall I'm glad that I didn't get into medical school last year. This off year has allowed me to spend a lot more time with my wife and child and it has been a tremendous blessing for my marriage and family life.

If I would have gotten into medical school this last year my marriage wouldn't be as strong as it is today and I don't know if my little boy and I would be best buds like we are today! I would have been spending most of my time studying and away from these people whom I love even more now!

I'm also glad to have a year off from studying and let my brain rest a bit. I've been running around without rest since I began college in the fall of 2009. I feel that when I begin school next fall (fingers crossed!) I'll be much more ready for the long journey ahead.

Count your blessings everyone! Whatever happens to you this year I know that you will be in the place that is best for you! If you don't end up getting in right now, don't stress over it, just keep moving forward! If it's meant to be, it will happen. If not, no degree of wondering, waiting, or worrying will change that. Just be glad for where you are and make the most of it.

I wouldn't have believed back in June when I got rejected from the U of U's wait list that I'd be happy about my rejection, but time has been a masterful instructor and I'm glad to be where I am today.

"A grateful heart sees many blessings." Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I appreciate the optimistic post. Helped me step back for a second and realize that not getting in right now is not that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things. I hope you and everyone else on here had an amazing thanksgiving and I hope that I will be able to be classmates with you nice folks.

 

[elegans]

Have any other in-state applicants submitted their secondary in early sept and still waiting to hear back? I haven't received any II and it has been almost 12 weeks... Anyone else in the same boat?

 

[ScentOfPeace]

You haven't heard anything at all? Are you above average in at least 5 of the categories? If so, it is probably worth it to shoot them an email. That seems like way too long.

 

[zhopv10]

I knew of a few who didn't hear back for longer than that, so it's not unheard of. The admission office also received a lot of application this year so that could delay things as well who knows. That being said an update letter (if u have good things to update them on) may be of some help.