Does the University of Utah SOM cater to Mormons?

[ToolDoc]

Does anyone know if it's worth my time to apply to the University of Utah?

I am not mormon and have seen several other highly qualified individuals non-mormons turned down by Utah in favor of others who have served their missions. For example, a mormon acquaintance of mine who had a 25 mcat, 3.4 GPA, served a 2 year misson in Brazil, little to no health care exposure/experience, and no other interesting/stellar parts of the application was accepted over my friend who had a 33 MCAT, 3.75 GPA undergrad, 3.70 grad school (finished masters degree), several years (7) working in a hospital, publications, and good interviews but not mormon.

How is this possible and has anyone else experienced this?

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[RDood]

Does anyone know if it's worth my time to apply to the University of Utah?

I am not mormon and have seen several other highly qualified individuals non-mormons turned down by Utah in favor of others who have served their missions. For example, a mormon acquaintance of mine who had a 25 mcat, 3.4 GPA, served a 2 year misson in Brazil, little to no health care exposure/experience, and no other interesting/stellar parts of the application was accepted over my friend who had a 33 MCAT, 3.75 GPA undergrad, 3.70 grad school (finished masters degree), several years (7) working in a hospital, publications, and good interviews but not mormon.

How is this possible and has anyone else experienced this?

It's possible because people need to realize that Med Schools can decide however they want. It sucks, but think about it in terms of supply and demand - insanely high demand, so they can do what they like.

 

[tandski]

Does anyone know if it's worth my time to apply to the University of Utah?

I am not mormon and have seen several other highly qualified individuals non-mormons turned down by Utah in favor of others who have served their missions. For example, a mormon acquaintance of mine who had a 25 mcat, 3.4 GPA, served a 2 year misson in Brazil, little to no health care exposure/experience, and no other interesting/stellar parts of the application was accepted over my friend who had a 33 MCAT, 3.75 GPA undergrad, 3.70 grad school (finished masters degree), several years (7) working in a hospital, publications, and good interviews but not mormon.

How is this possible and has anyone else experienced this?

I have heard that it was the other way...that they get a ton of mormon return missionaries applying and they now tend to accept non-mormons more readily. But this is all dumb speculation, I am sure they do not really make religion an issue in thier decisions. But they probably do see a two year mission as a good thing for maturation and development.
In the case you have mentioned I would agree that the other person was more qualified by the stats and experiences you have listed. It is a crazy process.

 

[jeniffer lopez]

I know that it is the other way around (they don't like mormons) because the school has actually an anti-mormon feel...at least among the members of the admission committee.

 

[jillibean]

I have heard that it was the other way...that they get a ton of mormon return missionaries applying and they now tend to accept non-mormons more readily. But this is all dumb speculation, I am sure they do not really make religion an issue in thier decisions. But they probably do see a two year mission as a good thing for maturation and development.
In the case you have mentioned I would agree that the other person was more qualified by the stats and experiences you have listed. It is a crazy process.

Yep, I have heard the same thing. I have heard that they limit the number of BYU student acceptances (for the sake of diversity), so it ends up being more competetive for them.

 

[popbirch]

This is just my personal experience, so it a small sample size. I graduated from the u of u and I knew 6 people (including myself) that applied to the U med school. The 4 of those that were non mormon did not get in (including myself) and the two that were mormon did get it. I had a 30 and a 3.6 GPA. I know 2 of the other rejectees and 1 acceptee were almost identitical to me. One of the acceptees was accepted to almost everywhere he applied to so it wasn't really a surprise he got in. I think there admissions process is tricky to figure out. A lot of places they accept in a systematic way so given certain numbers and a good interview you will probably be accepted. The U seems much more sporadic, I thought I had a good interview and the stats to be accepted but it didn't happen.
thats my 2 cents

 

[RokChalkJayhawk]

Does anyone know if it's worth my time to apply to the University of Utah?

I am not mormon and have seen several other highly qualified individuals non-mormons turned down by Utah in favor of others who have served their missions. For example, a mormon acquaintance of mine who had a 25 mcat, 3.4 GPA, served a 2 year misson in Brazil, little to no health care exposure/experience, and no other interesting/stellar parts of the application was accepted over my friend who had a 33 MCAT, 3.75 GPA undergrad, 3.70 grad school (finished masters degree), several years (7) working in a hospital, publications, and good interviews but not mormon.

How is this possible and has anyone else experienced this?

Utah is highly selective to in-staters. If your Mormon buddy was from Utah and the other person was from elsewhere (read: California) then the choice most likely came down to state residency.

 

[GoodDoctor]

The UofU reserves 75 spots for Utah residents, 8 spots for Idaho residents, and 19 spots for OOS. The trick for OOSers is that they must have significant, documented ties to the state (lived in, own property in or have family members who live in Utah). Also, OOSers can apply MD/PhD or be URM without the need for significant ties.

It sounds like you're OOS. With the state chock full of Mormons, it's likely that your Mormon friends had family in Utah or had once lived in Utah. Once a significant tie to Utah is proven, those 19 spots are the most competitive. So, if you don't have family in UT, own property, or recently lived in UT, it would be a waste of time to apply. If you do fit one of these, then you'll likely need stats above the U's average to get in.

 

[andiluvsk]

Here's what I think happens with the U. They require everybody who applies to do ten times the stuff you have to do for other schools. Then everybody that applies ends up looking the exact same on paper, since there is no time to do anything "different" (since you are scrambling to fit their requirements). The U admissions committee looks at their 1000 apps and complain they all look really similar (which is their own fault btw). They then make each app into a paper airplane, and the 100 that fly the farthest get in. Honestly I think they realize we will come back eventually, so they take in state people with lower stats who wouldn't get in elsewhere, or OOSers who will pay $$$$ for tuition. Most utahns want to go back home, so the med school doesn't have to worry about maintaining an in-state physician population. Ask the 15 utah mormons in my class if they feel they got a fair shake at the U and they will say no.

 

[Zut Alors]

Here's what I think happens with the U. They require everybody who applies to do ten times the stuff you have to do for other schools. Then everybody that applies ends up looking the exact same on paper, since there is no time to do anything "different" (since you are scrambling to fit their requirements). The U admissions committee looks at their 1000 apps and complain they all look really similar (which is their own fault btw). They then make each app into a paper airplane, and the 100 that fly the farthest get in. Honestly I think they realize we will come back eventually, so they take in state people with lower stats who wouldn't get in elsewhere, or OOSers who will pay $$$$ for tuition. Most utahns want to go back home, so the med school doesn't have to worry about maintaining an in-state physician population. Ask the 15 utah mormons in my class if they feel they got a fair shake at the U and they will say no.

I think this is the most accurate post about the admissions process at Utah that I have ever read. I am a Utah resident, 34R, 3.8 GPA, Mormon (with a 2 year mission), lots of great extracurriculars, etc. Got in practically everywhere I applied except Utah. I really don't think they know what they are doing up there.

In their efforts to recruit a "diverse" class, their application process does make everyone seem equally qualified and identical (the exact opposite of diversity if you ask me). Hence, stellar applicants really have no advantage because their applications don't stick out there as much as other places.

As for me, I am glad that I didn't get in there because I'm at a top ten school now and my mom doesn't think I left the state of Utah (and her) willingly. It was a win-win situation for me.

 

[eerapido]

They are pretty much anti-LDS (aka Mormon). I have been told this by graduates of the the U of U medical school.

 

[DoubleU]

Here's what I think happens with the U. They require everybody who applies to do ten times the stuff you have to do for other schools. Then everybody that applies ends up looking the exact same on paper, since there is no time to do anything "different" (since you are scrambling to fit their requirements). The U admissions committee looks at their 1000 apps and complain they all look really similar (which is their own fault btw). They then make each app into a paper airplane, and the 100 that fly the farthest get in. Honestly I think they realize we will come back eventually, so they take in state people with lower stats who wouldn't get in elsewhere, or OOSers who will pay $$$$ for tuition. Most utahns want to go back home, so the med school doesn't have to worry about maintaining an in-state physician population. Ask the 15 utah mormons in my class if they feel they got a fair shake at the U and they will say no.

Couldn't agree more. Exactly the case.