2021-2022 Iowa (Carver)

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Lorien said:
Did you guys send updates or letters of intent at any point?
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I don't think Iowa accept any letters of intent. I interviewed in mid-late sep, sent update about my publications, but still haven't heard back
 
Congrats to the A's! To those who interviewed before October and didn't hear anything, I'm with you! The director of admissions looked me dead in the face and said if we don't hear anything on October 15, it doesn't mean anything! We could very well be accepted still! With that being said, I'm trying to stay optimistic. From last year's thread, it looks like Iowa sends out decisions every week or every other week? Does anyone else have insight on this?
 
wannabeanMD1999 said:
Congrats to the A's! To those who interviewed before October and didn't hear anything, I'm with you! The director of admissions looked me dead in the face and said if we don't hear anything on October 15, it doesn't mean anything! We could very well be accepted still! With that being said, I'm trying to stay optimistic. From last year's thread, it looks like Iowa sends out decisions every week or every other week? Does anyone else have insight on this?
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From what I understand, the committee meets every week on Tuesday and releases decisions the same day with the portal updating 3 pm CT (October 15th is the exception to the pattern)
 
leonardodavinci said:
From what I understand, the committee meets every week on Tuesday and releases decisions the same day with the portal updating 3 pm CT (October 15th is the exception to the pattern)
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Yes this is what I've heard and has been the case in prior years, though I thought they said 4PM CT but that may just be splitting hairs. Once last year I think the update was delayed until Thursday as they couldn't put in the updates until then, but that may have been just a COVID delay that week or was the week of 10/15 (can't remember exactly).

So don't mind me as I anxiously check my phone every Tuesday afternoon (more so than I'm already glued to my email this cycle). 🤡
 
StressedPoptarts said:
Yes this is what I've heard and has been the case in prior years, though I thought they said 4PM CT but that may just be splitting hairs. Once last year I think the update was delayed until Thursday as they couldn't put in the updates until then, but that may have been just a COVID delay that week or was the week of 10/15 (can't remember exactly).

So don't mind me as I anxiously check my phone every Tuesday afternoon (more so than I'm already glued to my email this cycle). 🤡
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+1, Checking email constantly and waiting for the result from my in-state school
 
ooo000 said:
I don't think Iowa accept any letters of intent. I interviewed in mid-late sep, sent update about my publications, but still haven't heard back
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This question was asked during my interview and they explicitly said they do not accept letters of intent. "Your application is your letter of intent."
 
Also waiting on hearing back like everyone else, but I interviewed here two years ago. Only got the invite in December after being complete in July, so I'd just sit tight - it could be a loooong wait to hear back. I was also told that the interview date doesn't matter as much, with some dates even in late January having multiple acceptances.
 
jk1996 said:
Hi everyone! I'm a current M1 at Carver. I just created this account and thought I'd share some of my info/experiences for those of you in-staters who are anxious about applying or are deciding on whether to come to Carver. (Out-of-staters I know have tougher competition so I can't say if my experiences will directly translate.) I gained a lot of reassurance from reading posts by current students when I was applying so I hope this will help at least one of you!

The first thing I will say is "relax" - you got this! I am a master procrastinator and only submitted my primary application on the night of 11/1/20 and my secondary application on the night of 12/15/20 (both the deadlines). I received an interview invite on 12/17/20 and interviewed virtually (as there was no other option last cycle) on 1/6/21. I got waitlisted and ultimately accepted on 5/2/21. This was my first year applying, I did not have strong stats (see below), and I did not submit my application early. My undergraduate major was non-science and I took a gap year to do research in a basic sciences lab. All I really had going for me were hundreds of shadowing hours and a diverse array of letters of recommendation. So my point is: You all got this! You'll do great! I will also be helping on some days to give guided tours of CCOM so if you come for an in-person interview, you just might see me! Congrats to those who are receiving their acceptances today (10/15)!!!

In-State, MCAT: 509, Science GPA: 3.80, Cumulative GPA: 3.91

Also a few notes:
- One of my friends got a 505 MCAT and is at Carver as well so don't be discouraged if your MCAT score isn't where you would like it to be! Other parts of your application can more than make up for your lower MCAT score.
- I also have a friend who got a 523 MCAT and got accepted in October 2020, before I even submitted my primary application. Think about that! There's a wide range of applicants who will make up the student body next year so just believe in yourself and go for it! You've worked so hard and I'm sure it will pay off in the end.
- I'm sure most of you already know this, but it's better to have a lower overall MCAT score with similar subsection scores than a higher overall MCAT score with very lopsided subsection scores. Medical schools want to see a well-rounded person, not someone who just does well in one or two areas.
- Carver does still auto-send an interview offer for every in-state applicant with a 505+ MCAT and 3.5 GPA (could be 3.2 GPA - don't quote me on that).
- The interview won't make-or-break you. It's meant to weed out the people who don't have adequate people-skills (and the psychos) so as long as you don't completely bomb your interview, it won't help or hurt your application much.
- The interviews take place right next to the Learning Communities where all of us medical students (mostly M1s and some M2s) gather to socialize and study so you can take a look at the Carver experience if you would like during your downtime.
- The atmosphere at Carver is incredibly collaborative ("We are all in this together") as everyone is willing to help each other out! This may not be the same at other medical schools so if you get accepted to Carver, I'd definitely take this into consideration!
- Also, there's plenty of free food during the week and we often have college-wide events to help everyone socialize and just forget about school. I've perhaps only brought or paid for my own lunch/dinner a couple times over the last month!
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I have low stats, a good story (of course I think its good), and solid experience. I've wanted to go to carver for ten years, so this makes me feel great! IS btw. Interviewed 10/15
 
DrMemes.com-R.png
 
CH3OH-CH2CH3OH said:
Just got awarded a scholarship from the 10/15 acceptance pool. Not sure if they release these in waves or not but keep your fingers crossed!!!
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Congrats!! Did this come through email or through the financial aid portal in MyUI?
 
CH3OH-CH2CH3OH said:
Just got awarded a scholarship from the 10/15 acceptance pool. Not sure if they release these in waves or not but keep your fingers crossed!!!
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Did you need to file FASFA to be considered a scholarship?
 
Ugh, I think I might've fudged up my interview 🙁
 
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Lorien said:
Nice! When did you interview? Trying to figure out if they're going in chronological order
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I interviewed in mid-October. I forget where, but I vividly remember somewhere Iowa said that they don't go in chronological order, and many decisions are pushed back to March 15th I believe.
 
Kenken514 said:
Congrats! Can I ask if you’re IS or OOS and complete date? Thanks!
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I am IS, nontraditional student. Honestly had pretty mediocre undergraduate grades and MCAT (however large upward trend).

However, great graduate school grades, lots of biomedical research and clinical/shadowing experience. Also an ORM, but from a disadvantaged background.
 
CantFindMeNowAdcoms said:
I interviewed in mid-October. I forget where, but I vividly remember somewhere Iowa said that they don't go in chronological order, and many decisions are pushed back to March 15th I believe.
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Interviewed on 10/20- they said the earliest we will hear is late November/Early December. Did they tell your group the same thing?
 
I interviewed end of September and they said not to think about it til like mid or end November
 
I interviewed at the MSTP last week and they said the Carver committee is meeting November 30. Not sure what interview dates they are evaluating then for MD only.
 
MajesticOtter said:
Probably. It seems they usually go out at once…
I’m starting to worry. I interviewed 9-10 and haven’t heard anything.
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I’m with you there. It seems like they tend to review higher stat applicants first and then review the rest a few months later. At least we’ll hear something no matter what in January😅
 
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Seems like many As have been given out. Do later interviewers have a significantly lower chance?
 
voxveritatisetlucis said:
Seems like many As have been given out. Do later interviewers have a significantly lower chance?
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Following is a direct quote their website. This is one of the mysteries of the opaque medical school application process. Phrases such as "holistic reviews" & "rolling admissions" add to strategic ambiguity. There are so many different way to fill a "diverse" class - IS, OOS, spread around stats, "mission fit" (another one of those ambiguous terms). So to answer your question with a question - what do you think? Your analysis will be as good as any one's else.

Is there an advantage to interviewing early in the season?​

Students are admitted on a rolling basis. Therefore, it is in the applicant’s best interest to schedule their interview as soon as possible after the invitation is received. Submitting all required application materials early will increase the chances of an early interview invitation.
 
gigi4567 said:
Interviewed on 10/20- they said the earliest we will hear is late November/Early December. Did they tell your group the same thing?
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I was actually accepted on 11/2. 🙂 I don't remember what they said at my interview day, but obviously they are getting back to at least people from my day in early November.
 
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