2015-2016 University of Arizona - Phoenix Application Thread

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swollcatsrevenge said:
I just wanna take a second and say THANK YOU to Dr. Cunningham and her transparency throughout this interview process. This is easily the most informative and up-to-date thread in all of SDN.
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Thanks for the note and feedback. I am open to feedback and still stand true to an open door for any of our current students to come and visit with me. This is my 10th year and our College's 10th recruitment of medical students. Happy place to be.
 
Why is there a wait list for interview invites? Can the college not exceed a certain hard cap number?

I'm only asking because if you are wait listed, it seems like you are close to being qualified for an interview. Unfortunate that our futures are in the hands of whether others decline/accept their interviews. I realize no process can be perfect though. Just wish there was more info available about this waitlist determination.
 
thephoenixrises said:
Just wish there was more info available about this waitlist determination.
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Honestly many schools have this, and with far less transparency about the number of spots. Some have ranked waitlists, some have unranked waitlists. If you've ever seen someone say that they've been placed on a pre-interview hold, that's what this sounds like. We've already been given a lot of information that most schools do not give out. I can't imagine getting much more information about the waitlist would be helpful. Yes, there are probably very qualified people on the waitlist, people who may be just as qualified as those getting interviewed, additionally there are probably very qualified people getting rejected. This school has 80 seats, not getting interviewed here does not mean that the other 5,000 people that applied were completely unqualified or poor candidates. Knowing whether or not you made the 10 person waitlist cut isn't going to help you improve your app in any meaningful way if you don't get an II here. If that happens, asking for feedback and taking a critical eye to your app would be far more beneficial. Keep in mind too that schools are trying to build diverse classes, the difference between someone being waitlisted and interviewed could be something like "well we already have X many people with research heavy backgrounds" which wouldn't be useful information for you to have, you can't help it if that's how you spent your time. I'm not an adcom so I might be dead wrong and I'm not trying to be harsh, but I don't think you'll get any more information about the waitlist or the criteria.

There is probably a finite interview amount. They only have one more day scheduled. They do MMIs. If they interview 30+ people a day, that means that are a good number of people who need to be pulled from university business to go spend a day doing interviews. That takes time and money. To just add more spots you would need to find people willing and able to participate in the MMI process on short notice. I work in a lab at UA-P and my PI has participated in the MMI process before, and we did not get much done that day because of it. It would be great if they could interview more people, but I definitely see why they cannot.

All that said, good luck to you! Maybe you are one of the lucky waitlisters, and maybe someone is turning down a spot for you as I type this. 🙂
 
ifnotnowwren said:
Honestly many schools have this, and with far less transparency about the number of spots. Some have ranked waitlists, some have unranked waitlists. If you've ever seen someone say that they've been placed on a pre-interview hold, that's what this sounds like. We've already been given a lot of information that most schools do not give out. I can't imagine getting much more information about the waitlist would be helpful. Yes, there are probably very qualified people on the waitlist, people who may be just as qualified as those getting interviewed, additionally there are probably very qualified people getting rejected. This school has 80 seats, not getting interviewed here does not mean that the other 5,000 people that applied were completely unqualified or poor candidates. Knowing whether or not you made the 10 person waitlist cut isn't going to help you improve your app in any meaningful way if you don't get an II here. If that happens, asking for feedback and taking a critical eye to your app would be far more beneficial. Keep in mind too that schools are trying to build diverse classes, the difference between someone being waitlisted and interviewed could be something like "well we already have X many people with research heavy backgrounds" which wouldn't be useful information for you to have, you can't help it if that's how you spent your time. I'm not an adcom so I might be dead wrong and I'm not trying to be harsh, but I don't think you'll get any more information about the waitlist or the criteria.

There is probably a finite interview amount. They only have one more day scheduled. They do MMIs. If they interview 30+ people a day, that means that are a good number of people who need to be pulled from university business to go spend a day doing interviews. That takes time and money. To just add more spots you would need to find people willing and able to participate in the MMI process on short notice. I work in a lab at UA-P and my PI has participated in the MMI process before, and we did not get much done that day because of it. It would be great if they could interview more people, but I definitely see why they cannot.

All that said, good luck to you! Maybe you are one of the lucky waitlisters, and maybe someone is turning down a spot for you as I type this. 🙂
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Thanks. These are all very reasonable points.
 
Hi Dr. Cunningham,

Would UA-Phoenix accept a course titled "Exercise Physiology" to fulfill the physiology requirement?

Thanks!
 
Does anyone have an idea about how many acceptance offers have been sent so far this cycle?
 
I know most people reading this thread are likely ones still hoping to get accepted to this school, but I'd like to address those who have been accepted already and have concerns because of some of the negativity on this thread. I loved my interview day here. I also have close friends from my high school that are 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year students at this school. All of them have only extremely positive things to say about the students and faculty. The students I met while at my interview day also seemed extremely satisfied with the school. Obviously there are going to be different opinions, but I know the students I have talked to love the fact that the class size is 80 and feel like the students and faculty are all very helpful and supportive.
 
futuredoctor2010 said:
I know most people reading this thread are likely ones still hoping to get accepted to this school, but I'd like to address those who have been accepted already and have concerns because of some of the negativity on this thread. I loved my interview day here. I also have close friends from my high school that are 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year students at this school. All of them have only extremely positive things to say about the students and faculty. The students I met while at my interview day also seemed extremely satisfied with the school. Obviously there are going to be different opinions, but I know the students I have talked to love the fact that the class size is 80 and feel like the students and faculty are all very helpful and supportive.
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I'd like to encourage accepted students to take advantage of the revisit days as well, if they can. They're a good time and free lunch.

Also, second look is an absolute blast, and I highly recommend attending, if you can. You'll get to meet a lot more of us and get a feel for the class and culture.
 
Today will mark the end to another record-setting application season for the UA College of Medicine - Phoenix. More than 5300 students from every state applied for admission into the entering class of 2016 and we invited 351 to make the trek to Downtown Phoenix to interview and complete the process.

Decisions are never easy and sending final notices will be done later today. For those who do not receive an invitation, we hope that your efforts elsewhere were fruitful. This has been a remarkable 10th year for our campus.

Class stats and other helpful data will be posted as the class matriculates in late-June.

Dr. Cunningham
 
Thank you for an excellent application experience! I will continue to highly recommend the college as a great place for people to apply.
 
The fact that over 800 applicants were still under consideration at the end of the process, along with the 350 already invited to interview, shows how competitive this school and the overall process is. Over 1,000 applicants were both qualified and deemed a good fit to fill 80 seats. Many of the 4,000 previously rejected applicants were likely excellent candidates as well. It must be really tough on the admissions committee as well as applicants.
 
Officially got the boot. Oh well. I knew it was coming. Good luck to those in the running. (and someone else should accept me)
 
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Does anybody know any white male that doesn't speak a second language that interviewed here this year? I'm looking into what my application lacked and not speaking a second language seems like the only thing I didn't bring to the table than many of my colleagues that received interviews (with much more typical premed applications) did. Same pattern goes for Tucson as well.
 
Me three. Five months to the day I submitted my application. I'm definitely bummed but certainly have a lot of respect for this program and the admissions process at UA-Phoenix.

Either way, best of luck to all who have yet to interview here and congrats to those accepted 🙂
 
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Anyone who applied to the Pathway Scholars Program receive an II yet?
 
+6, I've worked in a lab here for the past three years and was looking forward to potentially to being on campus as a prospective student. I had an interview elsewhere this Saturday so I'm glad I didn't check my email on Friday!!

@dextertrip I was going to say I did and then I remembered he took Spanish in college! Maybe it's app timing too. Phoenix stops interviewing Feb 1, so early submission probably really matters.
 
anyone have an idea about the chance of getting accepted after having received a deferred email this late in the cycle?
 
Rejected today post-interview after being deferred twice. Not surprised because I didn't expect an acceptance after 2 deferrals but still disappointed because I really loved the vibe at this school!
 
ifnotnowwren said:
+6, I've worked in a lab here for the past three years and was looking forward to potentially to being on campus as a prospective student. I had an interview elsewhere this Saturday so I'm glad I didn't check my email on Friday!!

@dextertrip I was going to say I did and then I remembered he took Spanish in college! Maybe it's app timing too. Phoenix stops interviewing Feb 1, so early submission probably really matters.
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Same boat. I've taught there since 2012 and hoped to be a student as well. Really crossing my fingers for my sole interview elsewhere. If not this year, definitely applying to more than three schools next year! I commiserate with all the others who didn't receive the decision they wanted, but congrats to those accepted - this is a crazy experience and I can't wait until I'm at that point!
 
futureAZMD said:
Same boat. I've taught there since 2012 and hoped to be a student as well. Really crossing my fingers for my sole interview elsewhere. If not this year, definitely applying to more than three schools next year! I commiserate with all the others who didn't receive the decision they wanted, but congrats to those accepted - this is a crazy experience and I can't wait until I'm at that point!
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ifnotnowwren said:
+6, I've worked in a lab here for the past three years and was looking forward to potentially to being on campus as a prospective student. I had an interview elsewhere this Saturday so I'm glad I didn't check my email on Friday!!

@dextertrip I was going to say I did and then I remembered he took Spanish in college! Maybe it's app timing too. Phoenix stops interviewing Feb 1, so early submission probably really matters.
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I feel your pain! I volunteer in a lab at my state school, worked as a clinician at their affiliated hospital for several years before career changing, and did my post-bacc at their undergrad campus. Was on the top tier wait list last year, rejected with no interview this year. It is the worst feeling. And I feel a little guilty taking a spot at another state school because I hate that my state gives so many out of state admission offers. Just hang in there and be patient! I'm sending good vibes out there to you all. 😍
 
Hi Dr. Cunningham,

Have II's for the Pathway Scholars Program been sent out or are decisions still being made?
 
Fynn90 said:
Ok thank you!
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Hi Flynn90! Thanks for asking this question. I applied to the Pathway Scholar Program as well and was curious as to when we would be hearing back. Very excited about this program! Best of luck this cycle! Congrats to everyone that was accepted into the MD program. This is a great school!
 
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Future_Dr. C said:
Hi Flynn90! Thanks for asking this question. I applied to the Pathway Scholar Program as well and was curious as to when we would be hearing back. Very excited about this program! Best of luck this cycle! Congrats to everyone that was accepted into the MD program. This is a great school!
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Thanks and best wishes to you this cycle as well!
 
Hi Dr. Cunningham,
If one is deferred is there a chance to get an acceptance the next round of offers, or does one just get on waitlist? thanks!
 
nano2011 said:
Hi Dr. Cunningham,
If one is deferred is there a chance to get an acceptance the next round of offers, or does one just get on waitlist? thanks!
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Anyone deferred remains eligible for an acceptance in each subsequent round. The committee can also release anyone each subsequent round. The wait list won't be determined until the true final round.
 
UA COM Phoenix said:
Anyone deferred remains eligible for an acceptance in each subsequent round. The committee can also release anyone each subsequent round. The wait list won't be determined until the true final round.
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Thank you for the information!
 
Is anyone else anxious for Feb 8??? That's the date they told our January interview group that we'd hear back and I'm very excited/nervous- I had an incredibly positive assessment day experience at UA COMP and I can't wait to hear back from them in a week!!
 
I am out of state and I interviewed here . I just found out that the dean is leaving the school and heading to Texas for a new Med School. The dean leaving the school at such a crucial time when the accreditation is still under probation makes me uncomfortable. Is it worth taking the chance with annual tuition and cost of living up to 80 k?
 
Pluto2016 said:
I am out of state and I interviewed here . I just found out that the dean is leaving the school and heading to Texas for a new Med School. The dean leaving the school at such a crucial time when the accreditation is still under probation makes me uncomfortable. Is it worth taking the chance with annual tuition and cost of living up to 80 k?
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Dean Flynn is one of four finalist for the deanship in Texas. We have been extremely fortunate to have his leadership for 10 years (from our beginning) and should he choose (or be offered the choice), our culture, curriculum, student success remains unaltered. Leaders move on, but it's what they establish to leave behind that counts. He has built a phenomenal foundation.
 
When will the interviews be sent for the Pathway Scholars Program?
 
eelgg123 said:
When will the interviews be sent for the Pathway Scholars Program?
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Pathway interview decisions were finalized today. All offers have been made and those not receiving an invite received an email around 5p.
 
I understand that post interview deferred applicants are considered and released as the process moves on. How many applicants on average are in the deferred pool at a given time?
 
Hi Dr. Cunningham,

I understand that the LCME is to release the decision for UA-Phoenix's accreditation status (moving from preliminary to provisional) sometime in February. Do know know if the decision has been released, or when it will be?

Thank you!!
 
Soccergirl36367 said:
Hi Dr. Cunningham,

I understand that the LCME is to release the decision for UA-Phoenix's accreditation status (moving from preliminary to provisional) sometime in February. Do know know if the decision has been released, or when it will be?

Thank you!!
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According to www.lcme.org, the Feb meeting is February 9-10, 2016. We are unaware of how quickly decisions are sent to schools.
 
.Traditionally UCOM-Phoenix tends to have upto 30 percent applicants from out of state and reason is multifold. In addition to " the great fit" I am sure it is the higher tuition that comes with out of state applicants. One wonders there should be no difficulty finding good fits from within the state as such applicants are likely to be much more familiar with state health needs compared to out of state. Why don't we have track for in state students who can pay out of state tuition and thus remove this confounding money factor and just focus on " the great fit".
 
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lionking2222 said:
Traditionally UCOM-Phoenix tends to have upto 30 percent applicants from out of state and reason is multifold. In addition to " the great fit" I am sure it is the higher tuition that comes with out of state applicants. One wonders there should be no difficulty finding good fits from within the state as such applicants are likely to be much more familiar with state health needs compared to out of state. Why don't we have track for in state students who can pay out of state tuition and thus remove this confounding money factor and just focus on " the great fit".
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Last year UA COM-P took 84% of it's class from in-state. Take your grievances up to your legislator and not the school thread brah.

So many trolls here.
 
order66.exe said:
Last year UA COM-P took 84% of it's class from in-state. Take your grievances up to your legislator and not the school thread brah.

So many trolls here.
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I am also IS, and I can understand why some in-state people might be frustrated but I agree with you, this is a state level issue. I think UA-COMP gives every applicant a fair chance.
 
'Tis Feb 8 Eve- thankfully I've got a little football game today (you know, Super Bowl 50) to keep me distracted from tomorrow's tidings of potential joy/grief/continued angst. Best wishes to us SDNer's awaiting the ghost of Feb 8 future!
 
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