Drexel and UVM interviews

[Herpeto]

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Thus far I have had three interviews with one waitlist and two non-decisions as of yet. I have another interview set up for mid-February and then Drexel and the University of Vermont in March. Now, schools must have sent out enough acceptances for to fill their class by March 15th so each of these last two interviews shall simply be for waitlist positions I assume. Drexel should have quite a bit of waitlist movement so it may be good to attend that interview, but does anyone know how much movement UVM has on their out-of-state waitlist? I would definitely like to live in Vermont, but the tuition is soo high. Can one change their residency status at Vermont after the first year? Of course I guess the wisest thing to do would be to attend the interviews seeing as how I only have a DO acceptance thus far and no MD acceptances. Can anyone tell me a bit more about Vermont. I have heard they are focused on rural primary care, does that mean they look down upon applicants who would like to specialize? Has anyone attended an interview there and what are your opinions of the school?

Herp

 

[docquaker]

my premed advisor said that drexel continues to accept students in april and after, so a march interview isn't necessarily for the waitlist.

 

[jlee9531]

its a private school so instate, out of state doesnt matter. but to answer your question you basically cannot claim residency if you are not already a resident of the state. and there is no way around it. we've already asked.

i would assume that uvm has a decent amount of waitlist movement because i know a lot of cali kids apply to uvm and if they get accepted into cali then they let go their acceptance. almost everyone that attends uvm is out of state.

i would go to uvm and check it out. i absolutely loved it there. if i dont get into a cali school i wont feel any sense of loss really when i go to uvm. i think if you asked everyone who has interviewed there...they will all give you a positive response.

they are ranked higher in primary care (42) but they are also ranked for research as well (61). they do not look down on you if you want to specialize and they do not force people to go rural. they do have scholarships for people that are interested in rural medicine however. the students are all very happy there and very close. they are very loose and enjoy themselves. they give you a nice ass laptop when you decide to attend there (yeah sure its included in the tuition but its a necessary cost since you take your tests on them and everything anyway). the administration is very supportive to any projects you might want to do.

they have a new curriculum where they finish basic sciences in 1.5 years and take boards in the winter and not in the summer like most other schools. allows you to get clinical experience earlier. they have a relatively diverse populations in part due to refugees.

they do however tend to look for people that fit their philosophy so i advice you to read over their website to see what their mission is.

they have pretty good faculty where some of them are nationally recognized in their fields...

once again. great school. hopefully construction will be done by our rotations and it will be all good. oh yeah about rotations...we have to do some in maine but the housing is nice and its paid for.

hmm if i remember other stuff ill let ya know...but for the most part i hope this was ok.

ps. get some maple syrup. 😉

 

[lola]

i loved uvm when i visited last year. i think it is a public school, but it is almost impossible to get in state residency as an out of stater -- even if you marry a vermont resident etc... it's quite expensive and the cost of living in burlington is not as low as one might expect.

as for waitlist movement, i believe the upper 1/3 pretty much always moves and sometimes people in the middle 1/3 get in. if i'm recalling correctly... there are threads about it from last year.

burlington vermont is not a very big place with something like 40,000 residents. they get a lot of referrals to their hospital b/c vermont is very rural with no big cities. so they do like people interested in rural medicine/primary care, but i don't think they would necessarily discriminate against someone who wants to specialize (though i could be wrong about that). i found it funny that they suggested you do some rotations in portland, maine if you want to do more urban medicine. i didn't think portland was exactly a booming metropolis.

i also interviewed at drexel, and i was more impressed by it than i expected. you may be able to get an outright acceptance their w/ a late interview. i interviewed there sometime in feb i believe and people in my interview group got outright acceptances. if you don't get accepted outright, their waitlist moves A LOT.

 

[snapdad]

One of my best friends is an MS-3 at Vermont. She's originally from out of state, and has been stuck with out-of-state tuition the whole time she's been there, i.e., it is really hard to change your residency status. She is interested in specializing and is getting a lot of opportunities to do research in her intended field. This interest didn't seem to hurt her when she first got admitted. She really loves Vermont too, btw.

I interviewed at Drexel too, and I really liked it.

 

[joe42581]

yup, one of the 1st Qs i asked was, how hard is it to get residency here as a student? and they pretty much said it was impossible... the difference btw in state and out of state is crazy....

anyway, when i was there for an interview they tolld me that they will usually take the upper 1/3 of the waitlist, and maybe the 2nd 1/3 depending on circumstances. I am still waitin for their reply so HOPEFULLY i will at least get into the top 1/3 waitlist.🙂

One thing about vermont tho is that everyone in my interview group thoguht they did amazingly well on the interview....i think they are known for havin really relaxin interviews... so just enjoy urself there... ppl there are really friendly and willing to answer any Qs u have.

 

[Herpeto]

So hypothetically, if Vermont was the only school I was admitted too, and it has a tuition rate of $40,000 without being able to change, would it be beneficial to live there for a year and then start school. I guess this situation could apply to any public school that has a tuition rate of $30,000 or higher. I have never been in debt and hate the fact that I will have to go into debt considerable while attending school. To curb this I intend on working at least part time during the school year and hopefully two full time jobs during the first summer. Money is one of my top two deciding factors in selection of a school.

So far it sounds like people really enjoyed Vermont, but I haven't that much feed back on Drexel. Does anyone have an opinion on Virginia Commonwealth? They have a tuition rate of $36,000 and don't allow students to change their status while enrolled either. Why did I select such pricey schools?


Herp

 

[Quixotic]

When I called UVM they stated that they review applications three times a year and send out acceptances. They reserve about 1/3 of the seats for each of the review sessions. With the last review session being on April 6th or so, I am wondering how they can do this. Aren't they required to send out enough acceptances to fill their class by March 15th? Do I have the date wrong? Does anyone have the stats on number interviewed, accepted, etc..?


Quixotic

 

[mkmk]

Hey Herpeto,

I'm an MS1 at UVM and love it here - in spite of my inevitable astronomical debt.

Just wanted to give you a little financial FYI. As a first year med student you will not have time for a part time job, especially since you complete your basic sciences in 1 and 1/2 years here. And during the summer you will not realistically earn enough to put a dent in your debt. If you genuinely want to be a doctor you are going to have to bite the bullet and take out the loans. I would highly recommend you email our financial aid office for more details about the restrictions on establishing residency because it is damn near impossible. Don??t count on it as an option.

But good news? There is some need based aid here. They calculate it based on your parents?? income regardless of whether or not they are supporting you. There are also plenty of state, national, and military scholarships that will pay for a year of tuition, room, and board for each year you commit to work for them.

I interviewed at 7 schools and felt that I matched the best at UVM. I admit, if my state school had accepted me, I would have gone to save $money$. But I gotta say, I am almost glad they rejected me. UVM is a great institution. The curriculum is exciting. Burlington is beautiful. My classmates amaze me daily. You will see it all when you interview and can decide for yourself.

Quixotic-

Schools need to send out enough acceptances to fill the class by 3/15, but not all of those people enroll. People get straight acceptances even after that date. Traditionally the school has a ton of waitlist movement. They need to reserve spots for in-state kids so TONS of out-of-staters get in off the WL. So chill.

 

[Demosthenes_7]

Fall 2002 Admissions Statistics

Applied Interviewed Accepted Enrolled
Total: 4,665 546 194 97
In state: 59 38 35 27
Out: 4,606 508 159 70
Acceptance rate: 4.2%

GPA
Average undergraduate GPA: 3.5

MCAT
Overall score (composite): 9.5
Verbal reasoning: 9.5
Physical sciences: 9.3
Biological: 9.8
Writing: Q

 

[Demosthenes_7]

Fall 2002 Admissions Statistics

Applied Interviewed Accepted Enrolled
Total: 4,665 546 194 97
In state: 59 38 35 27
Out: 4,606 508 159 70
Acceptance rate: 4.2%

GPA
Average undergraduate GPA: 3.5

MCAT
Overall score (composite): 9.5
Verbal reasoning: 9.5
Physical sciences: 9.3
Biological: 9.8
Writing: Q

 

[Herpeto]

mkmk,
Thanks for the info. When I interviewed at SUNY Upstate I was really impressed with the support between the students. From everyone I talked to they said there was no competition and that everyone really worked together. Is that your impression of UVM? Also, by finishing course work in 1.5 years do you feel that the amount of information is overwhelming? I already hear from people who take two years that it is an exorbitant amount of information. I suspect that clinicals begin in February or March of the second year then. Are there options to do clinicals outside of Vermont? I would love to live in Vermont because I have family close by and it is extremely beautiful.


Herp

 

[MeowMix]

Herp -

I think you are in good shape - you have a DO acceptance, and CU doesn't notify most people until Mar. 15. I would try to relax and take a nice trip to beautiful Vermont.

good luck

 

[Herpeto]

I would like to spend some additional time in Vermont viewing the country side, however I have my Drexel interview the day before which means I fly out of Philly directly after my interview and shall arrive in Vermont late that night. Immediately after the Vermont interview I will most likely be flying back home as I must return to work. If accepted to Vermont I will most likely try and get my school paid for by working in a rural area for a few years after I graduate. Does anyone know if there are programs besides the military that pay for tuition and provide a stipend?


Herp

 

[jlee9531]

Originally posted by Herpeto
I would like to spend some additional time in Vermont viewing the country side, however I have my Drexel interview the day before which means I fly out of Philly directly after my interview and shall arrive in Vermont late that night. Immediately after the Vermont interview I will most likely be flying back home as I must return to work. If accepted to Vermont I will most likely try and get my school paid for by working in a rural area for a few years after I graduate. Does anyone know if there are programs besides the military that pay for tuition and provide a stipend?


Herp

dont think so man...i checked my davis financial aid book that has a list of all types of financial aid...and the only ones that i saw that applied to premeds applying that pay for tuition and provide a stipend are military ones.

 

[Herpeto]

Thanks for the information jlee. I guess as long as I can have my tuition paid for my wife can support us for the four years of school time. I shall enjoy Vermont and Philly as best I can.


Herp

 

[Robz]

I just finished my FASFA for this next year. It requires you to know a few lines form your tax forms so that why they want you to have your taxes done. You just apply for it and it will be processed. There is a section on it that allows you to add up to six schools. Once you matriculate you will be given a financial aid sheet saying what the school thinks you should have as a recommended budget, as a lot of interviews add this in a packet or a presentation. Then you fill out the school forms and pick a lender. Then you owe the world.......

 

[Herpeto]

What's happening Robz. Do I have to apply for scholarships individually or will the school automatically place me in the running for scholarships. Is it possible to gain scholarships that pay for half of ones schools without having to pay them back? I guess I'll have to do my taxes this week and fill out FAFSA this weekend.


Herp

 

[mkmk]

UVm is very chill and friendly. There are always a couple gunners at every school, but overall the dynamic here is cooperative NOT competitive. These are the most down-to-earth, mellow med students that I've ever met. The new curriculum fosters a warm-fuzzy environment of learning and team-building, too. I think that the atmosphere among the students is one of the main reasons for coming here. The fact that I know every single one of my classmates, and the names of their significant others, and where they are from, and what they do when they aren't doing med school stuff....it's great. I went to Berkeley and that place was a zoo. You just get lost in the size of the place. But here, it's refreshing to be in a class of 101 and really know my classmates--and profs too.

As for pace, it's all gonna be a blizzard of information no matter if it's 1.5 or 2 yrs. Don't know the exact step 1 score, but I believe we are above the national average. The faculty do everything in their power to help you out and make sure you know your stuff. I personally am excited about getting to the clinics 6 months ahead of most schools, because it is the clinical skills and knowledge that really matter for residency. Also, you get more time in 3rd and 4th yrs to do electives--check out specialties you might like, do extra acting internships, and basically go to any hospital in the world to do it.

As for loan repayment (is that the right term?) Check out this link:
http://www.med.uvm.edu/ahec/TB8+BL+I.asp?SiteAreaID=94#AbsoluteLink1
for primary care service in VT. And seriously, call our financial aid office (802) 656-8293 and they can tell you the names of the national programs that target serving in rural and innercity communities. The military is not the only way you can have someone else pay for your education....

Let me know what else I can do.

Originally posted by Herpeto
mkmk,
Thanks for the info. When I interviewed at SUNY Upstate I was really impressed with the support between the students. From everyone I talked to they said there was no competition and that everyone really worked together. Is that your impression of UVM? Also, by finishing course work in 1.5 years do you feel that the amount of information is overwhelming? I already hear from people who take two years that it is an exorbitant amount of information. I suspect that clinicals begin in February or March of the second year then. Are there options to do clinicals outside of Vermont? I would love to live in Vermont because I have family close by and it is extremely beautiful.


Herp

 

[TRUE]

Originally posted by Herpeto
I would like to spend some additional time in Vermont viewing the country side, however I have my Drexel interview the day before which means I fly out of Philly directly after my interview and shall arrive in Vermont late that night. Immediately after the Vermont interview I will most likely be flying back home as I must return to work. If accepted to Vermont I will most likely try and get my school paid for by working in a rural area for a few years after I graduate. Does anyone know if there are programs besides the military that pay for tuition and provide a stipend?


Herp

You can get your eduaction paid for by working in rural, underserved areas after you're done.

http://nhsc.bhpr.hrsa.gov/faq/scholarship_faq.cfm

National Health Service Corps

 

[sanoge7]

mkmk - question. how is the social life at uvm? what do you do for fun? how fun are your classmates?

 

[jlee9531]

as for the curriculum: VIC!!

ok i asked the same question about the social life there...

the people are hella fun and they all seem like to like to have a good time.

have group meetings for new cali kids to learn how to drive in the snow haha.

a number of them do get season snowboarding passes and go (something i would be doing as well)

burlington is a nice quaint place...not sure about the bars or anything since i never had a chance to go there but i didnt hear any complaints about it.

some people like to go to boston and chill there, while others like to go up into canada since its so close (about 1.5 hours) to have fun up there too.

and any other extra time you have should be spend studying because they do finish their basic sciences in 1.5 years its a bit more intense.