2015 Nontrad Applicants' Progress Thread

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Members don't see this ad.
WaterPog said:
Just got accepted at Penn State today, via snail mail. This was my #1 after interview day and has stayed that way since. Short of a scholarship from Arizona or OHSU I expect I'll be moving to Hershey in June.

<brag> that makes 5/6 post interview with one waitlist for me. </brag>
Click to expand...
Congratulations!! Very cool. So happy for you.
 
Got my criminal background check submitted and completed recently. It's crazy to look at all the addresses you've lived at. It even found one I totally forgot about. Crazy to think that we're at that point!
 
ConsultantMD said:
Got my criminal background check submitted and completed recently. It's crazy to look at all the addresses you've lived at. It even found one I totally forgot about. Crazy to think that we're at that point!
Click to expand...
Really... that is surprising. I wish it would have worked that way for me. I thought it would add my addresses that i was unable to fit but it didn't. So i have zero addresses prior to college on the background check.
 
Overanxious said:
Really... that is surprising. I wish it would have worked that way for me. I thought it would add my addresses that i was unable to fit but it didn't. So i have zero addresses prior to college on the background check.
Click to expand...
Yes it found my childhood address that I totally forgot about. Not sure why it didn't work that way for you. Hopefully it's not a problem!
 
ConsultantMD said:
Yes it found my childhood address that I totally forgot about. Not sure why it didn't work that way for you. Hopefully it's not a problem!
Click to expand...
Well I initially panicked about it and ended up calling and emailing every school that i had an acceptance at and they didn't care. But if it would have just picked up those extra addresses it would have saved me some time, stress, and looking like a idiot! :laugh:
 
Overanxious said:
Well I initially panicked about it and ended up calling and emailing every school that i had an acceptance at and they didn't care. But if it would have just picked up those extra addresses it would have saved me some time, stress, and looking like a idiot! :laugh:
Click to expand...
Yeah makes sense that they don't care. Also I'm sure since you got in already you're not an idiot, just over anxious maybe har har. 😉
 
Overanxious said:
Well I initially panicked about it and ended up calling and emailing every school that i had an acceptance at and they didn't care. But if it would have just picked up those extra addresses it would have saved me some time, stress, and looking like a idiot! :laugh:
Click to expand...

You're already in so it's too late for them to judge you!
 
Muchachos!!!!

I am so excited got my first II today. Completed in October and received 12 rejections thus far. I actually applied to two masters programs already because I wanted to be on the safe side.

I am so excited, I still have a chance this year!!
For all those still waiting: HOPE FOR THE BEST!!!

God Loves ME.
 
Glad I found this nontrad thread. As I search the Internet for tips and thoughts on moving and finding places to live, etc., from other students, all I get is unhelpful junk about loading up your bedroom at your parents or your dorm room into your car and heading out. I have a wife and 2 kids to move, as well as a house full of furniture and belongings my family and children need to live. The whole experience seemed like I was the only one trying to do this, although I knew I wasn't. But nobody seems to be talking about this at all! What position are you all in, and what tips do you have on uprooting and moving. I'm hoping to hear from people who have made the move or are in the planning process.

Did you get a house or apartment?
How early did you move before class started?
How did your spouse deal with it?
What are some good ways to keep them and the kids busy?
Anything else you think may help?
 
Carbide4 said:
Glad I found this nontrad thread. As I search the Internet for tips and thoughts on moving and finding places to live, etc., from other students, all I get is unhelpful junk about loading up your bedroom at your parents or your dorm room into your car and heading out. I have a wife and 2 kids to move, as well as a house full of furniture and belongings my family and children need to live. The whole experience seemed like I was the only one trying to do this, although I knew I wasn't. But nobody seems to be talking about this at all! What position are you all in, and what tips do you have on uprooting and moving. I'm hoping to hear from people who have made the move or are in the planning process.

Did you get a house or apartment?
How early did you move before class started?
How did your spouse deal with it?
What are some good ways to keep them and the kids busy?
Anything else you think may help?
Click to expand...
These questions are extremely pressing right now. I'm not married, but my significant other is coming with me to school... which at this point could potentially be at a number of places (all very different in size/culture). It's a stressful time not knowing where that move is going to be, and how to prepare for the career jump that this will represent. I think most people haven't landed on a school at this point, but you will probably get more answers come the summer! Cannot wait for the next couple months... it's going to be a ride!
 
Carbide4 said:
Glad I found this nontrad thread. As I search the Internet for tips and thoughts on moving and finding places to live, etc., from other students, all I get is unhelpful junk about loading up your bedroom at your parents or your dorm room into your car and heading out. I have a wife and 2 kids to move, as well as a house full of furniture and belongings my family and children need to live. The whole experience seemed like I was the only one trying to do this, although I knew I wasn't. But nobody seems to be talking about this at all! What position are you all in, and what tips do you have on uprooting and moving. I'm hoping to hear from people who have made the move or are in the planning process.

Did you get a house or apartment?
How early did you move before class started?
How did your spouse deal with it?
What are some good ways to keep them and the kids busy?
Anything else you think may help?
Click to expand...

I think i have some of these figured out even if i don't know the where yet.

I'm renting, house or apartment doesn't matter but I'll probably go with what is cheaper initially as my husband will not join me for 1-2 years so i don't need a lot of space.
I'll be moving there 2 -4 weeks prior to the start of classes. I'm shooting for 2 weeks but depending on how the lease goes i may need to move earlier. I want to be settled before classes start and get my bearings for the city/town so it's super important for me to be there early.
It's been very rough trying to figure this out with my husband. His fellowship will last another 1 year minimum by the time i begin classes if not 3 (worst case scenario), there is nothing we can do or plan for this. As a result emotions are quite high. He is currently at a top tier institution for his field and is unwilling to "downgrade". There has been some talk with a couple institutions regarding job placement for him but it's so up in the air.
We do not have any kids so i have no advice here. That's all i've got for now. It's not much of a plan yet but i don't know where i'm going yet either.

Good luck to you.
If your spouse works start looking now if you know where you are going.
 
Carbide4 said:
Glad I found this nontrad thread. As I search the Internet for tips and thoughts on moving and finding places to live, etc., from other students, all I get is unhelpful junk about loading up your bedroom at your parents or your dorm room into your car and heading out. I have a wife and 2 kids to move, as well as a house full of furniture and belongings my family and children need to live. The whole experience seemed like I was the only one trying to do this, although I knew I wasn't. But nobody seems to be talking about this at all! What position are you all in, and what tips do you have on uprooting and moving. I'm hoping to hear from people who have made the move or are in the planning process.

Did you get a house or apartment?
How early did you move before class started?
How did your spouse deal with it?
What are some good ways to keep them and the kids busy?
Anything else you think may help?
Click to expand...
I'm married with a toddler. We are selling our current house and buying a cheaper one. My spouse is excited! I want to move ASAP because I want to be very settled before school starts.
 
The school I'm 90% set on has campus housing which makes the relocation really easy. My son will be coming with me but will be in Hawaii for his mom's wedding during the first part of the summer so I'll be making the actual road trip on my own. He'll fly out a couple weeks later.

The whole transition will need to be pretty well orchestrated because I'll be in class until about 6 weeks before orientation starts.
 
ConsultantMD said:
These questions are extremely pressing right now. I'm not married, but my significant other is coming with me to school... which at this point could potentially be at a number of places (all very different in size/culture). It's a stressful time not knowing where that move is going to be, and how to prepare for the career jump that this will represent. I think most people haven't landed on a school at this point, but you will probably get more answers come the summer! Cannot wait for the next couple months... it's going to be a ride!
Click to expand...

+1

This is the #1 issue I'm in full freak-out mode over.
We need to know where I am going.
I need to know WHEN we are going.
We have to sell our house.
We have to find a new house.
We are considering consolidating two cars down to one winter-capable car.
SO has to find a job.
I have to quit my job. Holy **** I have to quit my job. I haven't been unemployed in ~20 years. Ohlordjesus, I have to quit my job.

Yeah, hand wringing is GO.
 
Help! I finally got an interview and I'm flying out to Boston next week, and as of last night I have come down with a hellish cold! Any recommendations for over the counter stuff I can take that will leave me feeling mostly normal? I don't want to go in and be a zombie!
 
Actual pseudoephedrine HCL is your best bet. Depending on where you are from it may need an Rx but many places it is available behind the counter w/o Rx still.
 
Leslie_Knope said:
Just submitted my FAFSA. I cannot wait for my financial aid offer. Fingers crossed for some scholarship money.
Click to expand...
I have no idea how fafsa works for med school. Can you get PELL grants or scholarship money through that?
 
Amma said:
Thank you guys for the notes, i am really excited and so is my family. ( i think they are just as relieved as i am.)
I am hoping you all get accepted as well!
good luck and enjoy the weekend🙂
Click to expand...
I am by no means an expert but I believe the FAFSA demonstrates your need. Then the school offers you need-based scholarships.
 
Leslie_Knope said:
Just submitted my FAFSA. I cannot wait for my financial aid offer. Fingers crossed for some scholarship money.
Click to expand...
Nice! I'm still waiting on a W2 in order to do taxes which will be a mess this year. Not looking forward to that.
 
I did mine based on projections, and will update once I do taxes next month. Hoping for some good need based aid, but not expecting anything.

On a related note my background check came back clear, so now it's really just about finishing my thesis, packing, and moving!
 
WaterPog said:
I did mine based on projections, and will update once I do taxes next month. Hoping for some good need based aid, but not expecting anything.

On a related note my background check came back clear, so now it's really just about finishing my thesis, packing, and moving!
Click to expand...

Smart idea... I could probably do that as well. I'm worried of how it's going to look that I am working full time and then some of my work from this year will really show up on next year's taxes. I'm thankful to have a good job, but dreading what these numbers are going to look like...

Moving and packing is soo far away from what's in front of me - I wish it were. I'm still waiting to hear back from several schools that hold on until spring!
 
ConsultantMD said:
Smart idea... I could probably do that as well. I'm worried of how it's going to look that I am working full time and then some of my work from this year will really show up on next year's taxes. I'm thankful to have a good job, but dreading what these numbers are going to look like...

Moving and packing is soo far away from what's in front of me - I wish it were. I'm still waiting to hear back from several schools that hold on until spring!
Click to expand...
From what i gathered during the financial aid talks at many schools, what you make won't matter at all. 2 schools i interviewed at stated directly that regardless of your personal taxes you are expected to contribute zero bc you will not have a job. They really only seemed to care about income from your parents and spouse (if you have one). Maybe i have totally misinterpreted those talks, but I don't think you should be worried in the slightest if you made money this year.
 
Overanxious said:
From what i gathered during the financial aid talks at many schools, what you make won't matter at all. 2 schools i interviewed at stated directly that regardless of your personal taxes you are expected to contribute zero bc you will not have a job. They really only seemed to care about income from your parents and spouse (if you have one). Maybe i have totally misinterpreted those talks, but I don't think you should be worried in the slightest if you made money this year.
Click to expand...
Yes, I should have asked during one of those sessions. I looked into how the EFC is generated and (don't quote me since it was a while ago), but off the top of my head it was like 20% of assets and like 30-40% of your income for the previous year. I really just need to call one of them up don't I? I also heard that at my most recent interview, but I heard that as more geared towards people coming straight from school. I'll report back what I find.
 
ConsultantMD said:
Yes, I should have asked during one of those sessions. I looked into how the EFC is generated and (don't quote me since it was a while ago), but off the top of my head it was like 20% of assets and like 30-40% of your income for the previous year. I really just need to call one of them up don't I? I also heard that at my most recent interview, but I heard that as more geared towards people coming straight from school. I'll report back what I find.
Click to expand...
At this point shooting them an email or calling them up may not be a bad idea. Those talks seemed to always be the point where i was a little too relaxed bc they are so hazy! Pretty sure it goes something like the following.

Tuition + cost of living - % of family income - base loan (different for each institution) = financial need

family income = your income x 0 + your parent's income + your spouse's income

The spouse's income, less taxes and child care allowance, where applicable, is considered a resource in determining the overall size of the loan portion of the financial aid package.

Does that look right to you?
 
Overanxious said:
At this point shooting them an email or calling them up may not be a bad idea. Those talks seemed to always be the point where i was a little too relaxed bc they are so hazy! Pretty sure it goes something like the following.

Tuition + cost of living - % of family income - base loan (different for each institution) = financial need

family income = your income x 0 + your parent's income + your spouse's income

The spouse's income, less taxes and child care allowance, where applicable, is considered a resource in determining the overall size of the loan portion of the financial aid package.

Does that look right to you?
Click to expand...
So looking briefly into this during the workday since I'm very interested, it looks like some folks will qualify for the zero amount if you make below a certain threshold (24k by what I see), but there are other ways to get a zero EFC. It does seem though that with my income that I would not fall in that boat.

For the independent student without a dependent/spouse (me), it appears the calculation is assets (income-allowances) * 50% + assets * 20% = EFC

This does not look good for me... will update later as I wrap my head around this.

I used this link http://ifap.ed.gov/efcformulaguide/attachments/090214EFCFormulaGuide1516.pdf (page 21 for independent)
 
My parents are being very noncommittal about when they will fill out their portion of FAFSA and NeedAccess, which is stressful! They are very busy small-business owners so its not simple for them at all. I hate bothering them about it but its going to become necessary in a couple weeks. One school I'm accepted at has a March 1 deadline for financial aid. Yikes. And most schools still require this info even though I'm >30.

+1 to everyone stressed about not knowing where you're moving to in a few short months, and moving with spouse/SO, and oh my god why have I accumulated so many possessions???
 
threesparrows said:
My parents are being very noncommittal about when they will fill out their portion of FAFSA and NeedAccess, which is stressful! They are very busy small-business owners so its not simple for them at all. I hate bothering them about it but its going to become necessary in a couple weeks. One school I'm accepted at has a March 1 deadline for financial aid. Yikes. And most schools still require this info even though I'm >30.

+1 to everyone stressed about not knowing where you're moving to in a few short months, and moving with spouse/SO, and oh my god why have I accumulated so many possessions???
Click to expand...
YES. Moving with SO and figuring out what's going to happen career-wise is a definite stressor.. moving I'm not so worried about, but I'm envisioning a massive Goodwill trip happening prior to leaving.
 
Thanks for sharing this info, Team Nontrad. I'm also stressing bc I have a spouse and we both work and I don't know what our EFC will look like when right now we're DINKS.

FWIW, when I did my master's (was single at the time), I was able to submit a needs adjustment form where I declared that needs were greater bc my income was going down to zero. I was able to increase my loans based off of that.

+1 to all the stress. Our financial analysis was pretty complex and it's starting to look like spouse's potential income may be a greater factor than potential scholarship. And we may be looking at selling our place and trying to buy a new one so waiting until April 30 may not be an option. Please hurry up, remaining tax forms!
 
threesparrows said:
My parents are being very noncommittal about when they will fill out their portion of FAFSA and NeedAccess, which is stressful! They are very busy small-business owners so its not simple for them at all. I hate bothering them about it but its going to become necessary in a couple weeks. One school I'm accepted at has a March 1 deadline for financial aid. Yikes. And most schools still require this info even though I'm >30.

+1 to everyone stressed about not knowing where you're moving to in a few short months, and moving with spouse/SO, and oh my god why have I accumulated so many possessions???
Click to expand...
I'm of the opinion that this is an ideal time to purge a bit. Slowly trying to part ways with as many of the possessions I probably won't use in the next 4+ years as I can...
 
I loved everything about UMiami: students, location, amazing program, etc.

But my interviewer was such a huge hardass that I wanted to withdraw right after on principle. This guy has donated Millions upon millions of dollars to the school and the thought of touching anything with his filth on it makes me want to hit myself.
 
Last edited:
ridethecliche said:
I loved everything about UMiami: students, location, amazing program, etc.

But my interviewer was such a huge dick that I wanted to withdraw right after on principle. This guy has donated Millions upon millions of dollars to the school and the thought of touching anything with his filth on it makes me want to hit myself.
Click to expand...
Your interviewer was a donor to the school? Not faculty? That is strange. Sorry you had such a bad experience, but hey! At least you got to have that bad experience at UMiami! I would love to interview there!
 
He has a faculty position as well.

Also your comment is kinda pointless. I would rather have had a good experience at one of my top choices which I spend a significant amount of time and money to attend. But I'm sure you'd love to be told that someone wishes they'd even received a II when you had your absolute worst experience at a place you had absolutely loved otherwise.
 
You have me curious about what he did that has you all worked up. Take a step back, try not to lash out. Realize there is pretty much an a$$ or two at every institution and they usually indulge them bc they bring in the money. Sometimes they just can't limit their exposure. Decide if you would really encounter them enough to make your time there miserable.
 
I'll pm you. I actually want to send you an email as well. I'll do shortly.

Edit: just pmed you.
 
Last edited:
I love UMass. Tie for my top choice with Einstein.

If one of them takes me I will be super super happy about everything. Crossing my fingers. UMass would be so incredible, especially due to the cost.
 
Just got a II (???) to Rosalind Franklin. Did anyone else interview there? I've heard it had accreditation issues in 2013 and haven't heard the greatest things. Curious what people's opinions are.

I've never been to chicago, so that would be cool, but it's not even in chi-town lol.
 
Chicago is awesome but i honestly believe you have options that may meet your needs better. I live in the midwest and have heard some unfortunate things regarding that school...enough not to put them on my list when i applied to every other school in Chicago. The following is what Dermviser had to say (supported by Goro also, which I feel lends some credibility)...he's always a hoot.

DermViser said:
Rosalind Franklin would be spinning in her grave to have her name and contributions affilated with such a hot mess as the med school named after her.
Click to expand...
 
Overanxious said:
Chicago is awesome but i honestly believe you have options that may meet your needs better. I live in the midwest and have heard some unfortunate things regarding that school...enough not to put them on my list when i applied to every other school in Chicago. The following is what Dermviser had to say (supported by Goro also, which I feel lends some credibility)...he's always a hoot.
Click to expand...
ekkk! Like what types of things? I got an interview at RFU today too so I want to know if it's worth attending
 
Having never visited the school anything I say would only be hearsay. I really feel that it would be best to garner the opinions of @WaterPog or @RachieRach as they have both visited the school and could lend much better light than rumors. I simply recognize that RTC already has great offers and suggest he stick with them.
 
Yeah. I'm leaning towards rescinding the offer.

RF has had great match lists, but their accreditation met some issues in 2013 and they don't have a main hospital affiliation. As someone that is interested in mentorship opportunities, it feels like that'd be harder without a hospital that's right there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
Nontrad Athlete. What are my odds?
Replies
2
Views
568
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
lialalala
Nontrad Course
Replies
3
Views
505
Wamuu
Wamuu
A
Postbacc Advice for Nontrad Elder in NYC
Replies
3
Views
1K
Goro
Goro
N
School List Advice for Nontrad TX (522 MCAT, 3.99 GPA)
Replies
7
Views
932
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
R
Nontrad school list help
Replies
1
Views
1K
Faha
F
Top