Alabama Schools Thread Part 2!!

[allicat2468]

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just got a rejection email from uab at 1:16 today.

 

[bama84]

got the same email at 1:15........ugh, now I just want to know about south but still haven't heard a thing😕

 

[allicat2468]

got the same email at 1:15........ugh, now I just want to know about south but still haven't heard a thing😕

i'm in the same boat... let's hope it's soon. i check my mailbox compulsively...

 

[loh]

I'm sorry to hear that ya'll...keep your heads up though, I'm sure South will let everybody know something soon.

 

[WDeagle]

I interviewed at South pretty recently and they said that they should start setting up their alternate list in april. I assume this means we will hear from them soon.

 

[whoa420]

i'm in the same boat... let's hope it's soon. i check my mailbox compulsively...

Yea same here. It's funny the mail only comes once but I find myself checking it multiple times day.

I haven't gotten the rejection letter from UAB yet but haven't heard any good news yet either making me feel even more in limbo than ever before.

 

[DoctorPardi]

Does anyone here know how to log on to blazernet to find out your financial aid reward? I haven't received my snailmail letter yet so I imagine it might have some pointers there but I know the deadline for priority stuff is April 1st and I wanted to try to get everything done as soon as possible.

 

[oathorbust]

Does anyone here know how to log on to blazernet to find out your financial aid reward? I haven't received my snailmail letter yet so I imagine it might have some pointers there but I know the deadline for priority stuff is April 1st and I wanted to try to get everything done as soon as possible.

You have to create your Blazernet ID using your ssn and other info from the main log-in page and then an hour later you can log in...they don't assign you one. I had to figure it out myself because the paper letter...or anything else... doesn't give you any information. For financial aid stuff you just need FAFSA and the Title IV form unless they ask for more later on.

 

[DoctorPardi]

You have to create your Blazernet ID using your ssn and other info from the main log-in page and then an hour later you can log in...they don't assign you one. I had to figure it out myself because the paper letter...or anything else... doesn't give you any information. For financial aid stuff you just need FAFSA and the Title IV form unless they ask for more later on.

Oh cool thanks man. I'll go try and sign up using my social.

 

[loh]

Just got the email from UASOM at 2:40...waitlisted. Alternate list, upper third. (Sigh).

 

[whitelaurenm]

Just got the email from UASOM at 2:40...waitlisted. Alternate list, upper third. (Sigh).

Interviewed in November and took all this time for them to tell me I'm on the wait list!

 

[Ajax11]

I just got the same email, alternate list - upper third, more waiting. I wonder if the part about the class being "over-subscribed" means less people than usual will get in off the alt list?? ("In recent past years many individuals ranked at this level have gained an acceptance. However, the class is currently over-subscribed and it is not anticipated that any alternate will be accepted until mid May")

 

[wanderlust83]

waitlisted - upper third. I have been told upper third means you're almost sure to get in, middle third means you have a decent chance, and bottom third means probably not. Is it true?

 

[whoa420]

waitlisted - upper third. I have been told upper third means you're almost sure to get in, middle third means you have a decent chance, and bottom third means probably not. Is it true?

who knows..I'm stuck in the middle third 🙁 and have to wait another month and a half to hear anything.

 

[alparkeruab]

I'm in the middle third also 😡.. Does ANYONE know how many people usually get in off the wait list??

 

[kdel953]

hey kids, im an MS1 at uab and thought id give you some info. for the past several years except 2007, ive heard the whole upper third and majority of middle third got in. for some reason, last year, about 7-9 from the upper third got in and that was it. they just had a lot of people keep their acceptances and so the waitlist hardly moved. as for that email, they send the same email every year, so that oversubscribed part is always in there. stay hopeful; i got in 10 days before classes started and one of my classmates got in the morning of the first day bc someone didnt show up! good luck!

 

[whoa420]

do you guys know how long the entire waiting list usually is?

 

[loh]

I've heard that it is 60 people total, 20 for each tier. I wish they could tell us our exact position so that we could know our chances. Let's hope that people begin making decisions and they have to go to the waitlist.

In the meantime, what should us waitlisters do about financial aid?

 

[the donkey]

congrats to everyone who got accepted, and also all you other alternates. i'm stuck in the lower third, so im not counting on much. being so close and so far away really hurts, but oh well. just come on south, please give me some good news...PLEASE!

i hate to ask, but has anyone heard from south anytime recently?

 

[Vandyite07]

hey kids, im an MS1 at uab and thought id give you some info. for the past several years except 2007, ive heard the whole upper third and majority of middle third got in. for some reason, last year, about 7-9 from the upper third got in and that was it. they just had a lot of people keep their acceptances and so the waitlist hardly moved. as for that email, they send the same email every year, so that oversubscribed part is always in there. stay hopeful; i got in 10 days before classes started and one of my classmates got in the morning of the first day bc someone didnt show up! good luck!

Hi guys,

I too am an MS1 at UAB, and I was pulled off the upper third of the waitlist in the first week of June. We had exactly 7 get in off the waitlist... I am not sure how this cycle is working but all the best to you on the waitlist. Keep your hopes up, and if you applied to South, talk to Mark Scott. He was super helpful to me in terms of finding out when exactly I was going to get in (I think I talked to him like once every two weeks starting in early spring). Good luck and take care. 😎

 

[bama84]

still haven't heard a thing from south..........don't really know if thats good or bad

 

[ca863335]

still haven't heard a thing from south..........don't really know if thats good or bad

A friend of mine received a hold card last week, so apparently they haven't made final decisions yet. From what I understand they've finished interviews, so I'm sure you won't have to wait too much longer.

 

[whoa420]

A friend of mine received a hold card last week, so apparently they haven't made final decisions yet. From what I understand they've finished interviews, so I'm sure you won't have to wait too much longer.

I got a hold card from them this week and their interviews finished on the 19th of this month so should be within the next couple of weeks.

 

[the donkey]

cool thanks. i wish it would be this week, so i could figure out if i need to register to retake the mcat this summer. good luck to everyone👍

 

[bama84]

I actually got a hold card also last week but other than that I haven't heard anything..........

 

[soccerdr]

did anyone get into both UAB and South? If so, where did you pick and why?

 

[loh]

Hey I've asked before but what should the waitlisters do about financial aid?

 

[oathorbust]

Hey I've asked before but what should the waitlisters do about financial aid?

I would go ahead and fill out FAFSA and designate any schools that you are accepted or waitlisted or yet to hear to receive your info. It doesn't cost anything to send to multiple schools. Priority filing for aid is tomorrow so the sooner the better I guess...I don't know if that applies to wl or not but it couldn't hurt right?

The medical financial aid guy at UAB (Mark Martin) is really nice and could probably answer your questions if you gave him a call [FONT=Arial, Helvetica][SIZE=-1](205) 934-8707[/SIZE]. or [email protected]. I called the other day and he called me back within the hour.

The UASOM funding website address is:
http://main.uab.edu/uasom/2/show.asp?durki=20962
for more forms and instructions

Good luck!

 

[loh]

Hey I got an email from UASOM about rural medicine programs that the school offers. I am from a rural area of Alabama, and I am unsure about whether I want to go into internal med or FP and practice in rural Alabama...but I might.

BTW, currently I'm on the upper third of the waitlist. Is this UAB's way of saying "Hint, Hint...you need to do rural med or you won't get in".

Can someone please tell me what the deal is with these programs? Anyone else get the same email? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[loh]

Long overdue BUMP....

Word on the street is that USA mailed letters yesterday...so check your boxes.

Good luck everybody.

 

[Ajax11]

Long overdue BUMP....

Word on the street is that USA mailed letters yesterday...so check your boxes.

Good luck everybody.

Good luck to you too. Did you hear that from someone at USA? I spoke with someone in admissions this afternoon and she said that Alternate List and Rejection letters were being prepared and will be sent out Friday. I took that to mean nobody with a hold card would receive an acceptance, but if what you say is true, I'm gonna camp out at my mailbox.

 

[bama84]

I wish I hadn't read that, now I'm way nervous........

 

[loh]

I called down there Monday and they said that decisions were being made on the applications...letters were supposed to go out "in the next few days". I think today was the magic day...plus a lot of the other Samford guys have heard the same thing.

Anyways, I agree with you Ajax, I feel like all the acceptances have been handed out...best we can hope for is a high ranking on the waitlist. But we shall see...

I'm starting to think that there should be some kind of support group for all applicants...the trials and tribulations of the application process are starting to take a toll on me. Graduation a month away, and no set plans for next year

 

[DoctorPardi]

I called down there Monday and they said that decisions were being made on the applications...letters were supposed to go out "in the next few days". I think today was the magic day...plus a lot of the other Samford guys have heard the same thing.

Anyways, I agree with you Ajax, I feel like all the acceptances have been handed out...best we can hope for is a high ranking on the waitlist. But we shall see...

I'm starting to think that there should be some kind of support group for all applicants...the trials and tribulations of the application process are starting to take a toll on me. Graduation a month away, and no set plans for next year

It is a tough prospect, my best advice is to really be honest with yourself and decide what was the weakest part of your application. In my case a 27 MCAT was low and I knew I needed to improve it so I had already paid for and started taking a Kaplan prep course. Thankfully I got accepted and didn't have to complete the course but that was my plan.

If you have a low GPA, consider a post-bacc or maybe a special masters program, depending on your situation. If it is the MCAT go above and beyond, get a prep course, make sure you can take time off work etc and study as much as humanly possible. If you have a good GPA (3.6 or better) and a good MCAT (30 or better) think about whether your ECs are solid. Clinical experience, research, leadership, volunteering are not all necessary but they all help and having none of them or only a few can be damaging. Then the other things you can consider are your letter writers, personal statement etc, but those are way down the list of things to consider unless you have a suspicion a recommender may have bad mouthed you or something crazy like that.

So many people make the mistake of just reapplying over and over without significantly improving their application. It is conceivable, although why take the risk, that someone (like me) with an average MCAT could get rejected on a MCAT heavy year and get accepted the next year, when a school maybe didn't have as many high scoring applicants. However reapplying with the same application doesn't represent that "I love medicine and this is what I am going to do no matter what" kind of attitude that adcoms will want to see. Find out your weakness and impress them the next year with how you have improved.

Well that's my advice, and definitely what I planned to do as a reapplicant, hopefully that is helpful to someone 🙂 .

Edit: I read this and thought I should point out you shouldn't lose hope. Don't give up on this year and simply give in, but be a realist. The time between finding out if you got accepted and reapplying is very short and improving yourself will take time. You will be better off improving yourself as if you know you aren't getting accepted than, hoping for the best and reapplying with nearly an identical application next cycle. Good luck to everyone!!

 

[the donkey]

thanks for the encouragement doctorpardi and good luck to all you guys. ive convinced myself that the class is probably already full, but then again, maybe its not. maybe we'll all be near the top of the waitlist and get accepted once people start withdrawing. i went ahead and registered for the july 10 mcat. it makes me want to barf just thinking about that test. don't think i can start studying until the master's is over 😀

 

[allicat2468]

Does anybody know if USA tells you what position you are on the waitlist like UAB does (top third, middle third, etc.) or if they just tell you you're on the waiting list?

 

[loh]

I just found out that I'm waitlisted at USA...middle third, oh well....does anyone know how big the waitlist actually is there? Is it similar to UAB?

 

[the donkey]

well, a waitlist isnt a rejection, theres still some hope for ya loh. just checked my mailbox...no letter, just like the past 300 or so times ive checked. did you hear by a letter in the mail loh?

 

[loh]

I called down there...Vanessa said letters would be going out soon...I went ahead and asked about my application though, I'd rather know sooner than later. Well, I guess that wraps up the cycle for me. Top third at UAB middle third at South, graduation in a month.

I'm off to class...

 

[SES984]

I just wanted to let those of you know that are waitlisted at South not to give up hope. Im a first year at South this year and I was in your shoes last year. I was on the top third of the waitlist and got in the beginning of June. Im pretty sure last year almost the whole middle third got in over the summer. So dont give up hope yet. I know the waiting is terrible!

 

[bama84]

Talked to Vanessa at South and she said letters go out Monday........she told me I was waitlisted but didn't tell me my position so still more waiting......

 

[loh]

Any idea what the waitlist looks like at South? How does it compare to UAB? I would expect that the waitlist at South moves a little more (that's just an assumption) than UAB but I think UAB's list is relatively small (60, 20 people/tier). I'm curious about South's.

Insights anyone? And thanks for the encouragement...best of luck to everyone.

 

[whoa420]

I just wanted to check did you guys actually receive any letters from USA or just found out by calling them? It's kind of freaking me out like not receiving a letter yet means that I didn't even get on the alternate list.

 

[loh]

I found out by calling...I wouldn't worry man, if the letters were going out Friday (which Vanessa hinted at) then it may be Monday before you get it depending on where you live. You'll be fine...

 

[bama84]

yeah, I called...def. haven't seen a letter yet

 

[whoa420]

Hey I got an email from UASOM about rural medicine programs that the school offers. I am from a rural area of Alabama, and I am unsure about whether I want to go into internal med or FP and practice in rural Alabama...but I might.

BTW, currently I'm on the upper third of the waitlist. Is this UAB's way of saying "Hint, Hint...you need to do rural med or you won't get in".

Can someone please tell me what the deal is with these programs? Anyone else get the same email? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Did you ever end up making a decision about this?

 

[loh]

I decided to see this cycle through as a regular applicant. I definitely let them know that rural medicine is an interest of mine, but I don't think I'm comfortable giving my word that I will take that route. I guess I want to keep my options open (hopefully this won't keep me out of med school). I'm in Sports Medicine at SU, and am considering ortho. I also think I would do well in Emergency Med...however, it's a little shortsighted of me as a senior undergrad to say that a field is right for me based on a little research and some shadowing. I'll have to let my interest develop in years 3 and 4, and really get a feel for each prospective field.

As far as committing to a rural med program, I think it is an honor issue, you just give them your word...I don't think I could go back on my word like that. So I'm a regular applicant for now.

Anyone else considering rural medicine?

 

[WDeagle]

As far as committing to a rural med program, I think it is an honor issue, you just give them your word...I don't think I could go back on my word like that. So I'm a regular applicant for now.

quote]

I have a couple of friends in the program right now and a few more that are applying for next year who have no intentions whatsoever of practicing in a rural area or even in alabama. I dont really understand why this program exists without a solid obligation to practice in a rural area. Unfortunately it seems more like a backdoor into UAB. Healthcare in some parts of this state can be pretty awful, i wish there were more programs in place to address these issues. Has anyone every heard of/applied to AMEC?

 

[Tenacious T]

I am applying to the rural program at UAB right now. For me, this was an easy decision, I am from a small town in Marshall County and loved growing up there. I'd like for my children to have the same type of upbringing. As for primary care, this was also easy for me.. while surgery and some other specialities may be interesting and exciting to me, I know I would get bored really quickly working on the same body part all day long everyday. Being a family physician gives me enough diversity to keep my mind going and I like that I would see all different age groups which provides some more variety. I also like focusing on prevention and seeing patients regularly over the lifespan..

So I think the while I think the rural programs aren't for everybody, for me it's a great fit. Also, if you look at statistics, these programs are doing well. Most people who are in this program are choosing primary care when they graduate... check alabama's RMSP website for specfic numbers.

It's unfortunate that some applicants abuse the system and blatantly lie during the application and interview process in order to obtain a spot in these types of programs.

As for the contract, no one signs a contract unless they accept money.

 

[bama84]

anybody heard anything from south yet?