Alabama Schools Thread Part 2!!

Started by DoctorPardi
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WiseGuy1 said:
Did we ever confirm the actual size of the waitlist? Is it 90? Has anyone else other than DocBama been told that there should be quite a bit of waitlist movement? I know last year, all four people who were middle tier (on SDN) got accepted. It seemed about 75% of the people who got pulled off the waitlist were accepted on May 16th, which I assume is because of the May 15th deadline.
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I was told about 30 people per tier. I also feel as though my credibility is lacking on this forum, though I can't quite figure out why...


And for those of you who are on the waitlist, I will likely be giving up my spot at UAB as well. I'm looking forward to seeing some of you at south next fall!
 
docbama said:
I was told about 30 people per tier. I also feel as though my credibility is lacking on this forum, though I can't quite figure out why...
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Sorry if it sounded like I was questioning your credibility a few pages back, I was just wondering why you would be calling the admission office with an acceptance in hand. Didn't you say your GF was applying too? I remember she had nice stats. How did she end up ranking on the waitlist? Or did she get in?
 
Called South AL this morning to ask about my status, but I didn't get to speak to Mark Scott. The lady who answered the phone said that notifications go out today via snail mail. She told me I was "on hold" whatever that means.
 
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Mark Scott called me yesterday afternoon and I'm in!! When I get my letter I'm going to drop my waitlist spot at UASOM. Good luck to those still waiting!
 
Well, the good news about being listed at USA is that you are almost assuredly going to get accepted, eventually. Do they split their list into thirds?
 
LumberJack said:
Called South AL this morning to ask about my status, but I didn't get to speak to Mark Scott. The lady who answered the phone said that notifications go out today via snail mail. She told me I was "on hold" whatever that means.
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I also called this morning and found out I am going to receive a hold card. Does this mean I am waitlisted or I am waiting to be waitlisted? I am just unsure where this puts me or if I am out of the game?
 
bigmann4208 said:
I also called this morning and found out I am going to receive a hold card. Does this mean I am waitlisted or I am waiting to be waitlisted? I am just unsure where this puts me or if I am out of the game?
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When I talked to Mark Scott yesterday, he said that they had lowered the bar for the first time this year. Being on hold just means that you are still under that bar, but Mark Scott says the bar is lowered several times. I wouldn't count yourself out of the game yet.

Good luck to everyone still waiting!!:xf:
 
auburnO5 said:
So is it pretty much safe to say that anyone in the lower third at UAB is out of the game?
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Based on what I've read in this thread so far, I'd say start making other plans and don't count on UAB. Last year, 4 ppl of SDN in middle tier got called up. No clue about lower tier, but no one has posted good things about that. And the year before that, only a few from top tier were called.
 
veejl said:
Based on what I've read in this thread so far, I'd say start making other plans and don't count on UAB. Last year, 4 ppl of SDN in middle tier got called up. No clue about lower tier, but no one has posted good things about that. And the year before that, only a few from top tier were called.
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One thing to add to this (although the sampling pool is way too small to gather any significant conclusions), there were no middle tiers on SDN who didn't get accepted. There were only four people on SDN who were middle tier and all were called up. But who knows, maybe these people were the first four on the middle third. Also, two of those four were accepted on May 16th, meaning there was a ton people who withdrew their acceptance by the May 15th deadline.
 
WiseGuy1 said:
One thing to add to this (although the sampling pool is way too small to gather any significant conclusions), there were no middle tiers on SDN who didn't get accepted. There were only four people on SDN who were middle tier and all were called up. But who knows, maybe these people were the first four on the middle third. Also, two of those four were accepted on May 16th, meaning there was a ton people who withdrew their acceptance by the May 15th deadline.
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I was digging around in last years thread and saw this too.

Apparently there were rumors that they had dipped into the lower third, but nobody on SDN who was in the lower third actually confirmed this, so who knows. I'm just going to start making other plans and start studying for the MCAT again. 👎
 
auburnO5 said:
I was digging around in last years thread and saw this too.

Apparently there were rumors that they had dipped into the lower third, but nobody on SDN who was in the lower third actually confirmed this, so who knows. I'm just going to start making other plans and start studying for the MCAT again. 👎
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I know of one person on the bottom third who got in last year.
 
SansNom said:
I know of one person on the bottom third who got in last year.
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I still wouldn't count on it. Last year, I was waitlisted at my state school and, based on student opinion and info I received from the school (specific position undisclosed, but it looks really good), I thought I was definitely getting in. Low and behold, summer nearly passed before I decided to make and act on other plans.

Don't be left scrambling to make back-up plans. Make those first and start on them.

It's easier and more exciting to get the last minute phone call to go to medical school, rather than getting the final rejection letter and then deciding what to do with your life as you debate re-applying and such.
 
yeah, someone said that 81/90 people got accepted somewhere off the waitlist last year which is cool but I am being proactive.

I already signed up for the MCAT again and have been getting new LORs lined up.

Calma/Dawson/Hand/Smith have all said that the adcom has cut back on oversubscription of the class and expect a lot of waitlist movement... similar to last year. Does that mean that 85%+ will get accepted off the waitlist this year? No. Being pro-active looks better and is better in the long run.

I hope he calls me when I am drinking Corona, listening to Bob Marley, and chilling hard on the beach... perfect day man, perfect day.
 
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Hey VanBrown, do you really think you need to take the MCAT again, or did your previous score expire? I think a 31 is fine, even though your GPA is below average. The fact that 81/90 people got accepted somewhere is pretty good news, I guess, even though only about 20 got picked by UAB. If UAB only picked up 20 people and had to dip all the way in the third tier last year, then people on the waitlist must have been pretty competitive applicants for at least 61/90 people got accepted somewhere else. We can also deduct, that UAB only had 20 spots open up, and if people on the alternate list aren't getting accepted else where, then those on the middle and lower tiers don't have much of a shot.
 
my MCAT will expire and it seems that a 35+ is the only way that the adcom will really notice me.

I signed up for the May 2 mcat at 12pm in birmingham. That is 5 weeks to study which isn't ideal but it isn't bad. I ordered the examkrackers stuff and 4 of the old tests from the aamc. I plan on starting this weekend with a diagnostic and then hitting it pretty hard for the next month then the week before I will take off of work and focus on practice tests (3) and working on mastering the format.

I already took all the graduate classes at UAB and am volunteering and shadowing... this is really they only thing I can do to really show an improvement they are interested in. Seeing a 5-6pt increase will open their eyes.
 
VanBrown said:
my MCAT will expire and it seems that a 35+ is the only way that the adcom will really notice me.

I signed up for the May 2 mcat at 12pm in birmingham. That is 5 weeks to study which isn't ideal but it isn't bad. I ordered the examkrackers stuff and 4 of the old tests from the aamc. I plan on starting this weekend with a diagnostic and then hitting it pretty hard for the next month then the week before I will take off of work and focus on practice tests (3) and working on mastering the format.

I already took all the graduate classes at UAB and am volunteering and shadowing... this is really they only thing I can do to really show an improvement they are interested in. Seeing a 5-6pt increase will open their eyes.
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In your past experiences with post-decision interviews with the Dean, was anything ever suggested about your interviews? It just seems to me that with a good MCAT, a not altogether bad GPA, a lifetime of shadowing/volunteering, and the fact that you've applied multiple times would be sufficient for your "paper profile."

Or is it really just a crapshoot?
 
Another question about post decision interviews. Are they specific and strait-forward? Or is it more, okay, raise your mcat to our median, raise your gpa to our median, more shadowing, more volunteering, apply early?
 
I called Mark Scott on Tuesday and he wasn't done "lowering the score" yet, but he told me to call yesterday. So I called and I'm getting an acceptance. Since he was able to tell me my status, I take this to mean he is done sorting the applications in to acceptance vs. wait list stacks. Good luck to everyone, and to those going to South this year, I'll see you then!
 
well the way I understand it, you are given scores by the committee when you interview which are averaged.

MCAT/GPA make up 50% and LOR and all the subjective is the other 50%. So I might have a nice score on the subjective (say a 4) but my GPA is only a 1 and my mcat a 1.5 so my overall score would be like a 6.5

if I raise my mcat to about a 35 I can get a 2.5 there and get an easy point.

also my transcript for this next app will have 17 more hours of post-bacc work at UAB where I had 4as and 1b which might bumb my GPA up a little.
 
WiseGuy1 said:
Another question about post decision interviews. Are they specific and strait-forward? Or is it more, okay, raise your mcat to our median, raise your gpa to our median, more shadowing, more volunteering, apply early?
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he just takes the comments from the committee members and gives them to you.

in years past my feedback has been

-low GPA, take post-bacc classes.
-MCAT could be higher to compensate
-good interviewer, shows warmth and compassion

so you get both positive and negative feedback. essentially the 50% of my application that is objective is weak and the 50% of my subjective is strong.

so I am going to concentrate on raising the mcat and I already took 17 hours of post-bacc at UAB in 700+ level courses so that should be ok.
 
oh yeah, I forgot to mention that you should request both the email and inperson feedback because they will both be helpful.

but don't wait to get feedback to act... everyone should know their weaknesses and should be addressing them now.
 
Right now I have a 29Q (10BS, 10PS, 9VR) and I am thinking about retaking it on June 18th. Do you guys think this date would be too late in the cycle? I just want to make sure I have adequate time to study to raise it substantially.
 
auburnO5 said:
Right now I have a 29Q (10BS, 10PS, 9VR) and I am thinking about retaking it on June 18th. Do you guys think this date would be too late in the cycle? I just want to make sure I have adequate time to study to raise it substantially.
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I don't think that would be too late at all. I think you could probably even take it in July as long as you had everything else in order and you were just waiting on your scores. I'm not an AdCom member but just looking through your old posts, I saw that you had a 3.8 and a 29. Your GPA is higher than UAB's and South's averages, and your MCAT is at their averages. If I were you, I would definitely get post-decision feedback before taking the MCAT, and unless you were consistently scoring a 32 or higher on practice MCAT tests, I wouldn't risk it. Just my $0.02.
 
auburnO5 said:
Right now I have a 29Q (10BS, 10PS, 9VR) and I am thinking about retaking it on June 18th. Do you guys think this date would be too late in the cycle? I just want to make sure I have adequate time to study to raise it substantially.
Click to expand...

For the next cycle? I don't think June 18th is late at all.
 
auburnO5 said:
Right now I have a 29Q (10BS, 10PS, 9VR) and I am thinking about retaking it on June 18th. Do you guys think this date would be too late in the cycle? I just want to make sure I have adequate time to study to raise it substantially.
Click to expand...

This not too late at all. Dont take the MCAT again unless your certain your scores are going to come up. A poor re-take could set you back alot. Honestly, you may not need to re-take the MCAT. Just apply broadly next time around unless your set on UAB.
 
Thanks for all the advice. I guess I'll just wait to see what the feedback has to say before I make any decisions about retaking the MCAT.
 
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I'm confused. If USA has done all of their interviews and given everyone scores, why are they still gradually lowering the bar rather than just keep lowering it until they almost have the class subscribed?
 
evoviiigsr said:
I'm confused. If USA has done all of their interviews and given everyone scores, why are they still gradually lowering the bar rather than just keep lowering it until they almost have the class subscribed?
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Some confusion here, also. I called Mr. Scott a few minutes ago to ask about my status (on hold); I also asked about the "bar" being lowered in the coming weeks. His response: "We'll just have to see!"
 
LumberJack said:
Some confusion here, also. I called Mr. Scott a few minutes ago to ask about my status (on hold); I also asked about the "bar" being lowered in the coming weeks. His response: "We'll just have to see!"
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Is it me or does that not sound reassuring? Also how big of a drop in the bar are we talking here? I think it was 8.5 before it was lowered..wonder what it is now and the next time...I hope its not like 8.4 then 8.3 and so on
 
LumberJack said:
Some confusion here, also. I called Mr. Scott a few minutes ago to ask about my status (on hold); I also asked about the "bar" being lowered in the coming weeks. His response: "We'll just have to see!"
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Did he say how long it will be till they lower the bar again?
 
You guys must have talked to a much friendlier USA staff member, or they just aren't morning people. I called and here was the exchange:

Me: Hello, I was wondering if I could check my application status?
USA: Did you interview here?
Me: Yes
USA: Did you receive a hold card?
Me: Yes
USA: Then that is your status
 
I got accepted to USA and couldn't be happier!!!

For those of you out of towners that got accepted to UAB, I have a house for rent. Here are some details...
Birmingham – brand new all brick 3 BR/2 BA home, 2 car garage, fabulous floorplan, beautiful view, fenced backyard, lrg covered patio, 15 min to UAB. Perfect for med student/resident – UAB professionals in neighborhood $1300/mo See website: www.bainbridgetracehomes.com [email protected] 205-996-4405

For those of you waiting or no longer under consideration...I've totally been there...several times. If your heart is in it, never ever give up. Don't count your coulda, woulda, shouldas and just move on and continue to improve your application. My mantra has always been, "The race is not given to the swift or the strong, it is to them that endure." Good luck to you all!
 
kdsims said:
I got accepted to USA and couldn't be happier!!!

For those of you out of towners that got accepted to UAB, I have a house for rent. Here are some details...
Birmingham – brand new all brick 3 BR/2 BA home, 2 car garage, fabulous floorplan, beautiful view, fenced backyard, lrg covered patio, 15 min to UAB. Perfect for med student/resident – UAB professionals in neighborhood $1300/mo See website: www.bainbridgetracehomes.com[email protected] 205-996-4405

For those of you waiting or no longer under consideration...I've totally been there...several times. If your heart is in it, never ever give up. Don't count your coulda, woulda, shouldas and just move on and continue to improve your application. My mantra has always been, "The race is not given to the swift or the strong, it is to them that endure." Good luck to you all!
Click to expand...

Congratulations!
 
You guys must have talked to a much friendlier USA staff member, or they just aren't morning people. I called and here was the exchange:

Me: Hello, I was wondering if I could check my application status?
USA: Did you interview here?
Me: Yes
USA: Did you receive a hold card?
Me: Yes
USA: Then that is your status
Click to expand...

That's pretty much how my conversation went the other day... 🙁
 
Call1911 said:
kdsims said:
I got accepted to USA and couldn't be happier!!!

Congratulations! We'll be in the same class! Did you apply last year? This was my second time applying to USA. I hope to see more of you get in at South!
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Thanks for all the well wishes!!! Congratulations to you too Call1911! I was actually on the alternate list twice at South! Not sure how I got that lucky. Anyway, thanks be to God third time was a charm!

Are all the people going to South joining the USACOM 2013 group on facebook? I think it's up to like 28 or something.
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Now, I just hope those who have found that they are in else where (and know that they are going to attend those schools) will withdraw themselves from USA sooner than later so that they free up a spot for those of us still waiting.
 
bigmann4208 said:
Now, I just hope those who have found that they are in else where (and know that they are going to attend those schools) will withdraw themselves from USA sooner than later so that they free up a spot for those of us still waiting.
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I'm still a little ambivalent but I'll let everyone know when I decide.
 
I joined the USACOM fbook group...because I think we can all agree that nothing is ever official until its fbook official.
 
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