2015-2016 University of New Mexico Application Thread

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The day is almost upon us! Good luck to everyone applying this year 🙂
 
rcheech7 said:
I really like it at UNM, not really sure what to say generally!

If there is any specific question on your mind I'll try to answer it.
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How would you rate the quality of the education the 1st two years? Do the teachers seem passionate about teaching, and about showing the students things?
 
gdb said:
How would you rate the quality of the education the 1st two years? Do the teachers seem passionate about teaching, and about showing the students things?
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The first 2 years were recently changed from when I was there, basically there were some minor gaps in the curriculum, the restructure is looking to address that and I think it will! The incoming 1st years (c/o 2019) will be the first with the new curriculum. Honestly one of the best things about UNM is the fact that they actually try to fix whats broken and improve what isn't.

That being said, the professors the first 2 years were fantastic, all the block chairs we had were super passionate about teaching and improving the courses for future classes.
 
rcheech7 said:
The first 2 years were recently changed from when I was there, basically there were some minor gaps in the curriculum, the restructure is looking to address that and I think it will! The incoming 1st years (c/o 2019) will be the first with the new curriculum. Honestly one of the best things about UNM is the fact that they actually try to fix whats broken and improve what isn't.

That being said, the professors the first 2 years were fantastic, all the block chairs we had were super passionate about teaching and improving the courses for future classes.
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Thanks for your response. By gaps, do you mean like breaks from actual school, or like taking a break through A&P to do a different topic?
 
gdb said:
Thanks for your response. By gaps, do you mean like breaks from actual school, or like taking a break through A&P to do a different topic?
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Like gaps in a few topics (basic/intro pathology comes to mind), but UNM now has an intro block called something like "Fundamentals of Medical Science" that looks to fix that issue. They are small topics, but the restructure should incorporate them from my understanding of it.
 
anononononymous said:
Can elaborate or give us a link about those? I'm also OOS and thinking about applying. Thanks!
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They will only consider you EDP - which is why I opted out of applying.

"WICHE and non-resident applicants MUST apply through the EDP to receive consideration."

http://som.unm.edu/education/md/early.html

"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."

http://som.unm.edu/education/md/apply/residency.html
 
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gdb said:
How would you rate the quality of the education the 1st two years? Do the teachers seem passionate about teaching, and about showing the students things?
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I'll second the previous statements. I'm happy with my experience at UNMSOM and wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Faculty is responsive to student feedback and the block chairs are clearly invested in our understanding of the material and success in their classes. There are a few lecturers that may rub one or another person the wrong way, but, again, feedback can be provided to make changes that students would like to see. When talking to medical students from other schools, I've never had a "I wish we had that" thought, though sometimes other students are jealous of what we get to do.
 
ComfortCreature said:
I'll second the previous statements. I'm happy with my experience at UNMSOM and wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Faculty is responsive to student feedback and the block chairs are clearly invested in our understanding of the material and success in their classes. There are a few lecturers that may rub one or another person the wrong way, but, again, feedback can be provided to make changes that students would like to see. When talking to medical students from other schools, I've never had a "I wish we had that" thought, though sometimes other students are jealous of what we get to do.
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Thanks for your reply, as well.
I did my undergrad at UNM, and thought I had amazing teachers, but the reason I asked was because I had some of my friends (who themselves heard this through the grapevine, but assuming it was true?) tell me that there was a quite few people failing the first and second years. It made me concerned.
 
gdb said:
Thanks for your reply, as well.
I did my undergrad at UNM, and thought I had amazing teachers, but the reason I asked was because I had some of my friends (who themselves heard this through the grapevine, but assuming it was true?) tell me that there was a quite few people failing the first and second years. It made me concerned.
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While it's true a rather small handful of students may have to repeat a year, it's not simply due to failing and the policies on failing/repeating are nuanced. It may not come as a surprise that the reasons students fail are also complex and should not be considered a reflection of the school or our faculty. We also have dedicated staff for academic support that have been a phenomenal resource for me when I felt like I was struggling.

I hope, to some degree, that puts your mind at ease about the issue.
 
Thinking of applying from out of state, and I don't know much about the policies regarding EDP -- is it a binding thing? So if you get accepted you must go? Thanks!
 
You don't have to go if accepted but applying EDP prevents you from applying to other MD schools. That is to say that if you apply EDP in your AMCAS, you can't apply to other schools until around November.
 
Just submitted, hoping for the best. I've never wanted anything more in my entire life. Feel pretty good, but I worry a little about my low-ish MCAT!
 
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Is anyone going to pre-write the secondaries from last year, or just wait till they send them out?
 
I already have began writing them, but I don't think it will make a difference either way. I have an abstract submission coming up next month, so I'm trying to get everything else out of the way. Do you need the prompts from last year, or do you already have them?
 
anononononymous said:
Can elaborate or give us a link about those? I'm also OOS and thinking about applying. Thanks!
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I have lived in NM for 4 years and attended a NM state university-- i had to petition for an interview last year because I am OOS and couldn't become a NM resident because of my scholarship specifically said I could not. I was not accepted because I was not a resident. Unless you are Native American or have reaaally strong ties to NM- I wouldn't apply here.
 
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redferrari said:
I already have began writing them, but I don't think it will make a difference either way. I have an abstract submission coming up next month, so I'm trying to get everything else out of the way. Do you need the prompts from last year, or do you already have them?
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I found the prompts in the thread from last year. I was just wondering whether or not I should spend the time to pre-write them, since we don't know if they're the same yet. Thanks though.
 
I'll be taking the new MCAT in a few days. I hope I'll be applying this year. UNM's minimum is 491, but what is a competitive score?
 
Hatfield0429 said:
I'll be taking the new MCAT in a few days. I hope I'll be applying this year. UNM's minimum is 491, but what is a competitive score?
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Because it's the new MCAT, a competitive score is near impossible to define. If you've cracked the minimum and your GPA is solid, I wouldn't worry about stats. It's going to be the rest of your application, the 'what' and 'why' parts and how you communicate them, that will make the biggest difference with this year's cycle.
 
gdb said:
I found the prompts in the thread from last year. I was just wondering whether or not I should spend the time to pre-write them, since we don't know if they're the same yet. Thanks though.
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I don't know if they've changed the questions much, but they'll likely be similar to last year. Pre-writing isn't a bad idea.
 
Good luck guys! Let me know if you guys have any questions (i.e., new curriculum, etc), however, I only have ~5 weeks experience, so I'll try to answer them as best I can.
 
Question for any current UNM medical student that has completed step 1.
What is it about UNM's curriculum or resources that has helped you the most with being successful with step 1?
 
bboylastik said:
Question for any current UNM medical student that has completed step 1.
What is it about UNM's curriculum or resources that has helped you the most with being successful with step 1?
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UNM just implemented a new integrated, system-based pre-clinical curriculum.

The upperclassmen really helped in getting my class better boards prep resources. For example, Pathoma, USMLE-Rx, and Firecracker access were included in our curriculum fees and we've been able to use them since the 2nd week of our foundations block. This may not seem like a big deal, but Firecracker and Pathoma have already been really helpful for our quizzes and exams. We'll also have access to UWorld when we get towards the end of our second year and 8 weeks of dedicated time for boards prep.
 
How do you like the new integrated curriculum? What is the system-based pre-clinical curriculum like?
 
plukfelder2017 said:
question from a prospective out of state applicant. I am in a situation where a distant family member is a surgeon in a smaller town in NM. I have visited her multiple times to shadow and have fallen in love with the state. Would this suffice as strong ties to the state? I am considered financially independent if that makes any difference and will be applying in the 2016 cycle.

Would I still have to apply EDP for consideration?
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I may be wrong, but "distant" doesn't sound "strong" to me. You can email or call them to be sure though. They're usually pretty quick and honest.
 
So, after AMCAS processed, I received an email acknowledging my application shortly thereafter. It said I'd hear back in 2-3 weeks. I still have not received the secondary. Anybody else experiencing the same? I'm getting anxious hahaha
 
soundofserenity said:
My first II!

IS (so not a huge deal), Secondary Complete 8/27/15.
ORM, LizzyM 70+.
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How long after you received the acknowledgement of your application did you receive a secondary? And if you could be so kind, are the questions the same as last year? I'm IS too and I am antsy about the secondary, since it's the only one I'm waiting on still.
 
I actually never received an acknowledgement of my primary application from UNM.

I submitted my primary on June 4th, and received the secondary 8/14/15 - the very last one of all the 23 apps I put in this year.

Oh, and the questions are exactly the same. I cannot say how you should or shouldn't feel, but I would not feel anxious, myself, especially since you have the acknowledgement. New Mexico interviews essentially everyone in state according to the MSAR - they might just be taking a little extra time getting through the pile of applicants to your app, especially if you submitted a little later.
 
bboylastik said:
How do you like the new integrated curriculum? What is the system-based pre-clinical curriculum like?
Click to expand...

Sorry for taking so long to reply! Personally, I'm really enjoying the new curriculum because it seems a bit more integrated than the previous set-up.

From what I understand, UNM did have systems-based blocks (neuro, CV/pulm/renal, etc) prior to this year, but the classes prior to mine started the basic science classes with anatomy in a single block (here is a map of the old curriculum). In contrast, my class is currently taking "foundations of medical science", which is the genetics/neoplasia and immunology blocks combined into one, and we'll take anatomy in smaller chunks throughout our first two years. The new curriculum is basically set up so that you'll learn all of the relevant aspects of a given organ system (anatomy/pathology/pharmacology, etc.) during its dedicated block.

I hope my explanation isn't too confusing!
 
For anyone that's received the UNM secondary prompts for this cycle, can you please share them if you don't mind? Also, for those of you who've taken/are going to take the new MCAT, how have you been preparing? Good luck to all! UNM is definitely my first choice 🙂
 
Hatfield0429 said:
I'll be taking the new MCAT in a few days. I hope I'll be applying this year. UNM's minimum is 491, but what is a competitive score?
Click to expand...
How did you think it was overall (harder, easier than you thought it would be)? And if you don't mind me asking, how did you prepare?
 
The prompts are the same as last years, but for the sake of sakeness, I'll copy them here:

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)
 
soundofserenity said:
The prompts are the same as last years, but for the sake of sakeness, I'll copy them here:

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)
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Thanks so much!!
 
sagators2014 said:
How did you think it was overall (harder, easier than you thought it would be)? And if you don't mind me asking, how did you prepare?
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I think it was about the same as the AAMC FL except for CARS, which was harder. I don't feel great about the whole thing, honestly. I've already accepted the fact that I may need to retake next year. I used books/materials from popular prep companies and supplemented with YouTube.
 
Hatfield0429 said:
I think it was about the same as the AAMC FL except for CARS, which was harder. I don't feel great about the whole thing, honestly. I've already accepted the fact that I may need to retake next year. I used books/materials from popular prep companies and supplemented with YouTube.
Click to expand...

That's pretty much what I'm doing. I didn't have as much time to study as I would've ideally liked but I've been trying my best to deal with it. Needless to say I'm really nervous. The good thing about UNM is their MCAT averages are on the "lower side" compared to a lot of other schools so that's a little encouraging. Hopefully I do decently enough. :/ Good luck though! I'm sure we can manage it one way or another. It's just a long stressful journey...
 
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sagators2014 said:
That's pretty much what I'm doing. I didn't have as much time to study as I would've ideally liked but I've been trying my best to deal with it. Needless to say I'm really nervous. The good thing about UNM is their MCAT averages are on the "lower side" compared to a lot of other schools so that's a little encouraging. Hopefully I do decently enough. :/ Good luck though! I'm sure we can manage it one way or another. It's just a long stressful journey...
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Yes, the threshold is 491 for MCAT, but a low score is probably not competitive enough to get in. A classmate of mine got close to 505 and he plans to retake. Although some people below 505 will probably get in, my goal is at least around 510. How did you prepare for it? If you have to retake, how will you prepare differently?
 
Hatfield0429 said:
Yes, the threshold is 491 for MCAT, but a low score is probably not competitive enough to get in. A classmate of mine got close to 505 and he plans to retake. Although some people below 505 will probably get in, my goal is at least around 510. How did you prepare for it? If you have to retake, how will you prepare differently?
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510 is a great goal! UNM's average accepted score for the old test was a 28, which is around a 504 on the new version, so I think that's probably pretty good for UNM. I know some people that got in with much lower on the old test (I know that's not something we should definitely go by, but it's somewhat encouraging). I hope I get at least a 504 if not better but I'm really nervous. I studied using Kaplan review books and Khan Academy videos. I've also heard the versions of the new MCAT can vary a lot in terms of content focus so I'm really worried about that. If I don't get in somewhere the first time I'll most likely retake the MCAT and devote a lot more time to studying for it, since I'll have the time to. I would probably take a class the second time around. Here's to hoping that won't be necessary though...I don't really want to go through this again.
 
For the secondary questions, do we need to do ALL four? My AMCAS application isn't verified yet.
 
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