Alabama Schools Thread Part 2!!

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Yes I'm pretty frustrated as well.

I was reading through this forum from last year and it looks like some people were hearing news January 5-7, so maybe some people will hear from them soon.
 
Yes I'm pretty frustrated as well.

I was reading through this forum from last year and it looks like some people were hearing news January 5-7, so maybe some people will hear from them soon.

I'm hoping the same thing.
 
So, the Tide just got shellacked by Utah in the Sugar Bowl. A sad development.

I'm hoping this week (or next) will be kind to us all!
 
Yeah that was a sad game to watch. Even though I went to Auburn I was rooting for an SEC win. Saban and Co. looked completely inept compared to the Utah coaching staff. Sad days.
 
It seems everyone is hearing things on Fridays (aka refresh inbox day).
 
Anybody hear anything yet?
 
Nope.

*sing* the waiting is the hardest part...*
 
Nothing here either...not surprised.
 
Oh well. Maybe this week.

Also:

Anyone heard from USA?
 
If UAB is slow on admissions then it is only fair and accurate to describe USA as glacial. I was complete there in October and haven't heard a thing and I have already interviewed at UAB.
 
If UAB is slow on admissions then it is only fair and accurate to describe USA as glacial. I was complete there in October and haven't heard a thing and I have already interviewed at UAB.

I am in the exact same boat if that makes you feel better. I interviewed at UAB back in October, but haven't heard from South since I called to make sure I was complete (back in October too). We have very similar stats, so hopefully we'll be hearing something soon. I do know that South will be sending out interview invites up until the first week of March or so. The process is just so frustrating. I've got a friend who has a lower GPA and MCAT score than I do, who was complete two weeks after me, and has already interviewed. So who knows???
 
If UAB is slow on admissions then it is only fair and accurate to describe USA as glacial. I was complete there in October and haven't heard a thing and I have already interviewed at UAB.

I'm in that exact same boat as well. Interviewed at UAB in October and haven't heard a word from South.
 
Hey guys, so I just got some information from a friend and it seems that both UAB and USA are very behind on acceptances. Generally both schools oversubscribe their classes by about 150% ( UAB matriculates 176 but accepts > 350) but right now they are both are less than 50% of their class size. I am not sure why they are behind but it just means that we all are going to need to be more patient.
 
Hey guys, so I just got some information from a friend and it seems that both UAB and USA are very behind on acceptances. Generally both schools oversubscribe their classes by about 150% ( UAB matriculates 176 but accepts > 350) but right now they are both are less than 50% of their class size. I am not sure why they are behind but it just means that we all are going to need to be more patient.

This is good news, right? At least for those who are looking for an acceptance. I guess it is bad news for those who are impatient. Also, does anyone have any hard data on the number of people South accepts. I know only between 65-75 actually matriculate, and around 200 or so are interviewed, but I wanted to see how many of those interviewed were accepted. I have had a really hard time finding these numbers for South; UAB fortunately has them on their website.
 
I noticed that it seemed a lot fewer people have been accepted than last year (at least by scanning SDN). I wonder if they are trying out a new strategy? What could be the advantage of delaying acceptances?
 
One advantage could be that they run a lower risk of oversubscribing the class. As they have come very close to that in the past few years it seems plausible as well. More likely than not they are just behind... many schools are behind this year for one reason or another and UASOM hasn't released anything stating that they were changing their admissions procedures and during my interview nothing was stated about an ideological shift from rolling admissions to block admissions.
 
Hey Guys, I interviewed at South Alabama yesterday, so I have some info for everyone. They still have 8 interview dates yet, so if you haven't interviewed yet, there's no need to stress. Mark Scott said that they are at the half-way point.

They interview 200 applicants and accept 115, so the odds are pretty good. He said they have accepted about 35-40 applicants so far. Everyone was really nice there. I hope everyone gets an interview soon!! :luck::luck:
 
Thanks for the info Genipa. That makes me feel a lot better. Glad to hear your interview went well and everyone was nice!
 
Anything today? Nothing here.
 
As described by the Dean of Admissions, the admissions committee at the UAB School of Medicine updates its acceptance criteria for applicants who have interviewed once a month.

Does anyone have any inside information regarding when exactly the admissions committee is going to update the criteria for acceptance? If they updated it just before the winter break I assume it won't be updated again until early to mid-February.
 
As described by the Dean of Admissions, the admissions committee at the UAB School of Medicine updates its acceptance criteria for applicants who have interviewed once a month.

Does anyone have any inside information regarding when exactly the admissions committee is going to update the criteria for acceptance? If they updated it just before the winter break I assume it won't be updated again until early to mid-February.

I'm not sure how they do it. I know someone got in on December 5th, and someone who got in right before the SEC championship game.
 
From what I have heard from Dean Smith it is kind of a points system.

Essentially when you interview your file is discussed and the committee assigns a score for you whole application. They then put you into a list of everyone that has interviewed. When the selection committee meets they determine what score is required for admission.

If your application scores a 90 and the admissions standard is 85 then you will be accepted automatically and notified the next day. If you score below the admissions standard you stay on the list. Once a month or so the selection committee will meet and adjust the admissions standard to match where they want to be with the number of applicants accepted at a certain time. For example, if the SC meets tomorrow and 85 people have been accepted according to the current standard and they need to be on the pace of having accepted 110 then the standard will be moved down to the point where 110 people are accepted. If they have accepted too many or around the right number then the standard doesn't move.

This is why people will interview in September/October and not hear anything until February.

Also, I believe the SC met on December 18th and adjusted the lower end of the scale. They should be meeting again soon to reevaluate the admissions standard.

As a note... not all schools operate this way.
 
From what I have heard from Dean Smith it is kind of a points system.

Essentially when you interview your file is discussed and the committee assigns a score for you whole application. They then put you into a list of everyone that has interviewed. When the selection committee meets they determine what score is required for admission.

If your application scores a 90 and the admissions standard is 85 then you will be accepted automatically and notified the next day. If you score below the admissions standard you stay on the list. Once a month or so the selection committee will meet and adjust the admissions standard to match where they want to be with the number of applicants accepted at a certain time. For example, if the SC meets tomorrow and 85 people have been accepted according to the current standard and they need to be on the pace of having accepted 110 then the standard will be moved down to the point where 110 people are accepted. If they have accepted too many or around the right number then the standard doesn't move.

This is why people will interview in September/October and not hear anything until February.

Also, I believe the SC met on December 18th and adjusted the lower end of the scale. They should be meeting again soon to reevaluate the admissions standard.

As a note... not all schools operate this way.

That's a good summary of how it works at UAB, and exactly what I meant by "updating the acceptance criteria." I guess it would also be nice to know the approximate point value of each application component. I assume the two heaviest factors at a school like UAB are MCAT and GPA. If luck is on my side, my beard will count for at least 30%.

Thanks also for mentioning the Dec 18 selection committee meeting. Today is Thursday the 22nd, so who knows? Maybe they'll make another "adjustment" tomorrow.

If anyone hears word, please post an update!
 
I'm not sure how they do it. I know someone got in on December 5th, and someone who got in right before the SEC championship game.

So, apparently I need a calendar, because these are the same day. woops
 
I am putting my money on the 30th for the next SC meeting. That will give them 4 interview days to consider.

However, I wouldn't be opposed to be accepted on either day.
 
Hey guys I am new here. I've also interviewed at UAB in nov. and havent heard a thing. this wait is so painful!!!!!
 
Hey guys I am new here. I've also interviewed at UAB in nov. and havent heard a thing. this wait is so painful!!!!!

Welcome! Another UAB Friday is upon us...
 
Nothing for me today....
 
Same here. I would think the selection committee would meet next week. So maybe we'll get some news soon.
 
Nothing here. I have four friends that are also applying and interviewed in October/November and none of them have heard anything either.
 
Nothing but I am not surprised. I am thinking that the SC meets next week so that is where I am placing all my anxiety.

Welcome to the new folks who still haven't heard.
 
Nothing but I am not surprised. I am thinking that the SC meets next week so that is where I am placing all my anxiety.

Welcome to the new folks who still haven't heard.

Is anyone courageous enough to call and ask when they meet for sure? I know I'm not. :laugh:
 
I interviewed on the 15th of jan... does anyone know how it would take for me to hear back from them?
 
I interviewed on the 15th of jan... does anyone know how it would take for me to hear back from them?

I interviewed in Oct and have heard nothing. It just depends on how well you scored in their ranking.
 
I'm instate (BSC) and haven't received an interview invite yet... 3.3 GPA and 30 MCAT..plus I'm in an SMP and rocking it out..

Should I be worried?
 
I'm instate (BSC) and haven't received an interview invite yet... 3.3 GPA and 30 MCAT..plus I'm in an SMP and rocking it out..

Should I be worried?


When did you complete your secondary?
 
Early August

What does your UASOM status page say? They may not have received all of your letters yet. I agree-- call them. You're coming up pretty quickly on their final interview dates for this cycle, so don't put it off.
 
"Remain Under Consideration for Interview"..letters were in on 7/10...I called and my file is complete..told me to write a letter to the committee and ask for an interview..

Are you guys thinking I definately should have received an invite by now or what?
 
"Remain Under Consideration for Interview"..letters were in on 7/10...I called and my file is complete..told me to write a letter to the committee and ask for an interview..

Are you guys thinking I definately should have received an invite by now or what?

I'm instate (BSC) and haven't received an interview invite yet... 3.3 GPA and 30 MCAT..plus I'm in an SMP and rocking it out..

I'm no expert here (just an older-than-dirt reapplicant), so take my opinions with a grain of salt.

Your numbers look fine to me. Your MCAT is right at UASOM's average. Your GPA is a little weak (pretty much matches mine), but your SMP performance should take the edge off of that. Based on those things alone, I would expect you to have already been invited to interview.

How much volunteering and clinical experience do you have? Leadership and other ECs?

Do you have anything you can send as an update along with your request for an interview? It wouldn't hurt.
 
"Remain Under Consideration for Interview"..letters were in on 7/10...I called and my file is complete..told me to write a letter to the committee and ask for an interview..

Are you guys thinking I definately should have received an invite by now or what?

It does seem odd that they haven't interviewed you yet simply based on your numbers. The GPA is a shade lower than the average, but that's probably not the whole story.

I would write a letter (or even e-mail, way faster) detailing anything you have done since submitting your secondary that might score you some points for an interview.
 
I'm no expert here (just an older-than-dirt reapplicant), so take my opinions with a grain of salt.

Your numbers look fine to me. Your MCAT is right at UASOM's average. Your GPA is a little weak (pretty much matches mine), but your SMP performance should take the edge off of that. Based on those things alone, I would expect you to have already been invited to interview.

How much volunteering and clinical experience do you have? Leadership and other ECs?

Do you have anything you can send as an update along with your request for an interview? It wouldn't hurt.


I would write a letter (or even e-mail, way faster) detailing anything you have done since submitting your secondary that might score you some points for an interview.

Thanks for the replies. I emailed a letter to them 2 weeks ago saying how much I would like to go there, and to consider my achievements in the SMP...after all I was the #1 performer in a program of 100 or so (I thought that would pretty much be an automatic acceptance pending interview)..also the dean of the program has sent 3 letters vouching for my first semester performance

My EC's altogether are average to below average...clinical experience is very good in particular though..I feel that my PS is way above average..all of this was enough to get me an interview at Meharry, which looks at that stuff more heavily than numbers
 
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