Michigan State University (MSUCOM) Discussion Thread 2012 - 2013

[JamesLMT]

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New Year, New Thread!!! Discuss away!!!

 

[mcrechio]

Looking forward to applying here!

 

[drgioiadds]

Can't wait to start in a month!

 

[mcrechio]

Can't wait to start in a month!

I bet!! I've been following the 2011-2012 cycle all year and am really excited for you guys!!

 

[RyRy89]

Canadian resident applying right now for acceptance next year.

 

[StudyShy]

I want in. I've been stalking last year's thread every 2-3 days! 🙂

 

[HDaddyDollarz]

Does anyone know the % of OOS accepted and overall stats?

Do you think you need higher stats as an OOS?

 

[mcrechio]

Does anyone know the % of OOS accepted and overall stats?

Do you think you need higher stats as an OOS?

I think anywhere from 20 to 25% of the class is OOS. Stats *seem* to be very competitive (higher than IS averages) from what I've seen but I really can't be quoted on that. It's just an observation I've made from posts on here. Of the 4 or 5 thousand applicants, only about a quarter that apply are IS...and a majority of the class comes from that small subset. You'd have to bring a lot to the table to stand out among the rest of the (OOS) applicants.

 

[FirefighterDoc]

Is it impossible to get in here without volunteering ecperience?

27 MCAT 3.4 cGPA and a 3.3 sGPA. 4 years of both Firefighter/EMT experience as well as ER tech experience. Year and a half of research, but no volunteering ( since i had to work my way through school). I've shadowed 3 DO's ( including one who is the head of an OMM department).

I think the rest of my app is decent, but I know they really like their volunteering. OOS as well. Will the no volunteering be a dealbreaker for me here?

 

[mcrechio]

Is it impossible to get in here without volunteering ecperience?

27 MCAT 3.4 cGPA and a 3.3 sGPA. 4 years of both Firefighter/EMT experience as well as ER tech experience. Year and a half of research, but no volunteering ( since i had to work my way through school). I've shadowed 3 DO's ( including one who is the head of an OMM department).

I think the rest of my app is decent, but I know they really like their volunteering. OOS as well. Will the no volunteering be a dealbreaker for me here?

Volunteering and extracurriculars are weighted at 30% of what they consider (60% academic (GPA/MCAT) and 40% non-academic (ECs, Volunteering, their two LORs) from what I was told by an admissions counselor) and they like to see an average of 800 hours in this section going back through your freshman year of high school. I do not know if having no volunteering is a deal breaker though because they also consider responsibilities that might get in the way of volunteering (needing to work to support yourself, having a family, etc.) when evaluating applicants. I think that having none will be troublesome for them but you've done other things that will strengthen your application.

Someone who has actually filled out the secondary app before needs to chime in here. If you list ECs, employment history, volunteering on the same worksheet that they give you, are they looking for at least 800 hours total of all three? The lady I talked to didn't elaborate and I didn't think to ask at the time. Also, you can count things like helping family members (for instance, every Sunday for a few months last year, I spent the day with my Grandma helping her around the house and running errands for her). Hope this helps.

Also, I had to call the office to ask a question a couple weeks ago and the woman who answered was very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. If your app is lacking at all, it will be important to get it in as early as possible for best consideration.

 

[Melodyy]

Canadian resident applying right now for acceptance next year.

Canadians ftw!!

 

[FirefighterDoc]

Volunteering and extracurriculars are weighted at 30% of what they consider (60% academic (GPA/MCAT) and 40% non-academic (ECs, Volunteering, their two LORs) from what I was told by an admissions counselor) and they like to see an average of 800 hours in this section going back through your freshman year of high school. I do not know if having no volunteering is a deal breaker though because they also consider responsibilities that might get in the way of volunteering (needing to work to support yourself, having a family, etc.) when evaluating applicants. I think that having none will be troublesome for them but you've done other things that will strengthen your application.

Someone who has actually filled out the secondary app before needs to chime in here. If you list ECs, employment history, volunteering on the same worksheet that they give you, are they looking for at least 800 hours total of all three? The lady I talked to didn't elaborate and I didn't think to ask at the time. Also, you can count things like helping family members (for instance, every Sunday for a few months last year, I spent the day with my Grandma helping her around the house and running errands for her). Hope this helps.

Also, I had to call the office to ask a question a couple weeks ago and the woman who answered was very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. If your app is lacking at all, it will be important to get it in as early as possible for best consideration.

Thanks. Im kind of in that boat there where i couldnt do too much because i had to work to support myself. Is there anywhere really to show this on the primary application? Besides putting in the average hours worked in the employment one.

 

[drgioiadds]

They ask you for work experience since high school, so it might help you. I think it helped me since I had many years in health care, over 10,000 hours.

 

[mcrechio]

Thanks. Im kind of in that boat there where i couldnt do too much because i had to work to support myself. Is there anywhere really to show this on the primary application? Besides putting in the average hours worked in the employment one.

There is an area on the secondary application where you go into detail on everything you've done since 9th grade. Also, it's my understanding that there will be an area where you can explain this type of thing (I had asked about how a lower grade would affect my application and was told that I could mention that no one in the class got an A if I wanted to explain it more). However, I do not know if she (the admissions counselor) meant on the primary or secondary. I'm assuming the secondary. Could one of the people who write your LORs touch on this for you? I do feel you; as a mother, I haven't been able to volunteer during my college years as much as others here. I'm so thankful that COM considers high school activities since I was very active (had many leadership activities too).

 

[DOxidant]

Hey all,

I was just wondering if I could get an opinion on a 3.74c, 3.76s, 25Q. Michigan Resident. I'll be applying with about 450 volunteer hours. A weak number, I know. But I spent those hours in hospice, hospital, and alternative spring break if that counts for anything. MSU would be my number one choice, but my mediocre application has me nervous. Any words?

Even though MSUCOM weighs heavily on volunteering hours it is a quality of volunteer they focus on also. As long as you get a good strong recommendation letter from volunteer supervisors or co-volunteers I think you will be fine.

Your GPA is good. MCAT is probably a little bit below the avg but it won't be a big problem IMO because of your solid GPA. Are you going to retake MCAT? You should turn in your application ASAP and update with new stuff later on (more volunteering + new MCAT score if you are retaking it + additional recommendation letters).

Have a positive energy. Good luck!! 🙂

 

[evolvex]

I see genetics is required? That is strange, Since I not have genetics, does anyone know if I am disqualified? I need help I wanna submit today, I called their office of admission and left a message. But If they won't consider me, than I won't waste the money I dont have to apply.

THANKS!

also would nutritional biochem count as biochem for them?

 

[mcrechio]

I see genetics is required? That is strange, Since I not have genetics, does anyone know if I am disqualified? I need help I wanna submit today, I called their office of admission and left a message. But If they won't consider me, than I won't waste the money I dont have to apply.

THANKS!

also would nutritional biochem count as biochem for them?

You would just have to take generics before you matriculated if you were accepted. Not sure about nutritional biochem; that, you would need to ask about. I know that it doesn't necessarily have to be an upper level class (any prerequisite can be taken at a community college) but if it doesn't have a general or descriptive focus, I'm thinking it might not work. Google MSU's transfer equivalency guide and see what the class would transfer in as. That's what I did when I had questions about this type of thing.

 

[newno55]

Question for the Canadians (from Ontario) at MSUCOM, that have specifically chosen the DMC campus.

Do you live in Windsor (or know anyone that does?) or did you choose to live near DMC/ Wayne State? or even the burbs haha?

Starting to slowly look for places to live haha -_-

 

[StudyShy]

Is it impossible to get in here without volunteering ecperience?

27 MCAT 3.4 cGPA and a 3.3 sGPA. 4 years of both Firefighter/EMT experience as well as ER tech experience. Year and a half of research, but no volunteering ( since i had to work my way through school). I've shadowed 3 DO's ( including one who is the head of an OMM department).

I think the rest of my app is decent, but I know they really like their volunteering. OOS as well. Will the no volunteering be a dealbreaker for me here?

I'd apply if I were you! 🙂

 

[member59x92]

There are no essay prompts for the secondary correct?

 

[docmayer]

There are no essay prompts for the secondary correct?

Yes there is. And it is pretty tough and important so I'd get on it.

 

[member59x92]

Mind sharing?

 

[DrMeows]

Mind sharing?

I think someone wrote it in the other MSUCOM 2012-2013 thread (I have no idea why there's 2 threads)

 

[member2552]

Hello!

I have been recently accepted to MSU-COM!! I am currently deliberating between attending the DMC campus vs. the East Lansing campus. I would really love to know the differences between the two, pros and cons.

For me, I live outside of Detroit so I would commute and the expense would be much less. However, I am concerned it is more of a satellite campus with video lectures from EL. Please let me know! Thanks!

 

[Unknown786]

Hi everyone,

For people who have completed their non-academic worksheet, under duties/responsibilities, how much have you written? For instance, would writing a Research Assistant suffice or do I have to elaborate on what my duties were exactly (such as designing surveys, collecting data, statistical analysis etc)?

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

 

[ShabNasty]

Hi everyone,

For people who have completed their non-academic worksheet, under duties/responsibilities, how much have you written? For instance, would writing a Research Assistant suffice or do I have to elaborate on what my duties were exactly (such as designing surveys, collecting data, statistical analysis etc)?

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

For me personally, my descriptions for duties/responsibilities were very short. If it was a position that had a title, like an office of a club or a job, I would just write that title. I don't think you need to go crazy with a description unless you can't tell what the activity is from the name or the title of the position.

 

[kes1320]

safe to say i wont be accepted here. : (