Michigan State University (MSUCOM) Discussion Thread 2013 - 2014

[MedGrl@2022]

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According to their website their mean MCAT score is a 27.... I have a 27 with a 3.78 GPA... I am out of state... do you think I have a chance? They have in state preference, right? Did we ever figure out if they give in state tuition to students after one year?

 

[weasel23]

When I look in my contact info in the supplemental, I see it is show without a dash. So I assume that should be how we are expected to submit it

thanks! this thread is really helpful this year

According to their website their mean MCAT score is a 27.... I have a 27 with a 3.78 GPA... I am out of state... do you think I have a chance? They have in state preference, right? Did we ever figure out if they give in state tuition to students after one year?

i'm not an expert like some of the other people on here in regards to msucom, so maybe they can weigh in. but almost positive no IS tuition unless you start with it. I have seen it been said that they may not have as big of an in state presence though as it seems, it just gets skewed like that because of the cost.

 

[Yehoshua24]

thanks! this thread is really helpful this year



i'm not an expert like some of the other people on here in regards to msucom, so maybe they can weigh in. but almost positive no IS tuition unless you start with it. I have seen it been said that they may not have as big of an in state presence though as it seems, it just gets skewed like that because of the cost.

It's not a MSUCOM thing, rather a State of Michigan thing. You can only get instate tuition if you are a resident of Michigan for 1 year without attending school.

 

[Hemorrage]

It's not a MSUCOM thing, rather a State of Michigan thing. You can only get instate tuition if you are a resident of Michigan for 1 year without attending school.

Can we defer for a year/find a job just to switch over? Or are you counted as in-state after MS1?

 

[Jayb82388]

sorry if this was already discussed, but how are you formatting the non academic worksheet?

have not received a secondary yet but wanted a head start. Can you type into the worksheet? or does it need to by typed separatly and attached. Length of response under "duties and responsibilities?" Seems like they only want a few words which is fine by me haha

thanks for any info in the non academic worksheet, even info thats not listed in my question. thanks!

 

[Jayb82388]

ALSO!

For those with Masters Degrees (especially science masters degrees)

I heard from multiple people that if you have 15+ graduate level science credit hours your can "re-make yourself", as in they will look at that only/the hardest...thoughts?

I have a MS-pharmacolgy/toxicology and graduated with 31 credits with it. all science credits. thoughts?

 

[Trogghunter]

According to their website their mean MCAT score is a 27.... I have a 27 with a 3.78 GPA... I am out of state... do you think I have a chance? They have in state preference, right? Did we ever figure out if they give in state tuition to students after one year?

If you get in, you could defer a year and establish residency. Otherwise you can bite the bullet and hope for an instate scholarship. Your stats are fine, especially if you have a well rounded app without red flags.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using SDN Mobile

 

[Yehoshua24]

Can we defer for a year/find a job just to switch over? Or are you counted as in-state after MS1?

To be considered in-state, you need to be a resident of Michigan for 1 year, without attending school during that year. So, you could potentially defer, however I don't know if the Admissions would accept that as a valid reason to defer.

To answer your second question, no you aren't considered instate after M1, because you have been a student during that time.

 

[mscaramel]

1

 

[mscaramel]

genetics requirement!??! my school had a genetics requirements for all bio majors but they then modified the curriculum and replaced genetics with "Molecular Biology and Biotechnology." I took that course. Will that suffice for their genetic requirement?!? here is a course description of the class. please let me know. thank you in advance.

Molecular Biology and Biotechnology is divided into five main topics: Molecular Genetics; Methods in Biotechnology; Bioinformatics; Protein folding and interactions; Infection and immunity. A treatment of ELSI (Ethical, Legal and Social Implications) pervades the course.

You probably want to give the admissions office a call. Usually they will ask for the course syllabus and then make a decision. Did you list it as Genetics on your primary App?

 

[mscaramel]

Haha I understand! Maybe, MSUCOM will post your secondaries on their website and say"This is what a real secondary looks like!" haha

Hopefully all the work will result in an acceptance for you in a few months. Then all the hard work and frustration will be a thing of the past!

You are hilarious!!! Hopefully, I'll just get in. Publishing my secondary... Ummm would look nice on a resume somewhere. Lol. Really am laughing out loud on this one.😀

 

[Ubiquinator]

According to their website their mean MCAT score is a 27.... I have a 27 with a 3.78 GPA... I am out of state... do you think I have a chance? They have in state preference, right? Did we ever figure out if they give in state tuition to students after one year?

Yes, your stats are great. I will come down to your volunteer hours. Average # of volunteer hours is 1250 so depending how many you will decide how good of a chance you have. Also your primary app with regards to your PS, work experience, and ECs (paid or not paid) will al contribute

Good luck! Hope to hear the good news from you in a few months.

 

[Ubiquinator]

You are hilarious!!! Hopefully, I'll just get in. Publishing my secondary... Ummm would look nice on a resume somewhere. Lol. Really am laughing out loud on this one.😀

Haha! Glad to relieve some tension! September 4th cant come soon enough for all of us

 

[Ubiquinator]

ALSO!

For those with Masters Degrees (especially science masters degrees)

I heard from multiple people that if you have 15+ graduate level science credit hours your can "re-make yourself", as in they will look at that only/the hardest...thoughts?

I have a MS-pharmacolgy/toxicology and graduated with 31 credits with it. all science credits. thoughts?

Hey Jayb82388,

I will have a Masters in drug discovery by the time I matriculate next fall. Yes, I have heard that if you do well in a grad program, especially a difficult science based one, they will look at the grad grades closely. I can't seem to find this on MSUCOM websites but I found it on MSUCHM website hmm.

I would give them a call to make sure though and specifically state that your have credits in a graduate program not a post-bacc program.

Also, receiving A's in a grad program can "overcome" a weak cum/sci gap, but to a reasonable extent. If someone has a 2.5 cum undergrad gpa, I doubt anything would save them besides a SMP. Considering this, I would say (personally) that if you have at least a 3.0 cum/sci undergrad gpa then doing well in a grad program can help. I'm sure your aware of this though.

 

[runawaycar09]

Hey Jayb82388,

I will have a Masters in drug discovery by the time I matriculate next fall. Yes, I have heard that if you do well in a grad program, especially a difficult science based one, they will look at the grad grades closely. I can't seem to find this on MSUCOM websites but I found it on MSUCHM website hmm.

I would give them a call to make sure though and specifically state that your have credits in a graduate program not a post-bacc program.

Also, receiving A's in a grad program can "overcome" a weak cum/sci gap, but to a reasonable extent. If someone has a 2.5 cum undergrad gpa, I doubt anything would save them besides a SMP. Considering this, I would say (personally) that if you have at least a 3.0 cum/sci undergrad gpa then doing well in a grad program can help. I'm sure your aware of this though.

I've actually called and talked to Anne Snyder from the MSUCOM advising department multiple times and she specifically told me that as long as I took 20 credit hours in upper 400-level science courses and maintained a 3.5, my previous low science gpa would be completely replaced. She said it didn't matter at all whether it was a grad program or post-bacc classes. In fact, she encouraged me to go post-bacc in order to have a better choice in the class selection (so long as they were 400 level). So I went post-bacc at Oakland and got a 3.84.

 

[Ubiquinator]

I've actually called and talked to Anne Snyder from the MSUCOM advising department multiple times and she specifically told me that as long as I took 20 credit hours in upper 400-level science courses and maintained a 3.5, my previous low science gpa would be completely replaced. She said it didn't matter at all whether it was a grad program or post-bacc classes. In fact, she encouraged me to go post-bacc in order to have a better choice in the class selection (so long as they were 400 level). So I went post-bacc at Oakland and got a 3.84.

Great! Thank you for stating that. Completely replaced a low gpa? If they said that then I believe it.

Although, I have looked at a lot of old years threads for MSUCOM and the general trend is that applicants with high undergrad gpas are favored over applicants with low undergrad gpas with a high post-bacc gpa, given a similar MCAT +/- 1-2 points.

Jayb82388 you should still call MSUCOM just to make sure the policy is in place for this cycle (unless runawaycar09 has already verified that it is).

Thank you runawaycar09.

 

[runawaycar09]

Great! Thank you for stating that. Completely replaced a low gpa? If they said that then I believe it.

Although, I have looked at a lot of old years threads for MSUCOM and the general trend is that applicants with high undergrad gpas are favored over applicants with low undergrad gpas with a high post-bacc gpa, given a similar MCAT +/- 1-2 points.

Jayb82388 you should still call MSUCOM just to make sure the policy is in place for this cycle (unless runawaycar09 has already verified that it is).

Thank you runawaycar09.

I mean, that was in January when I talked to her. So I'd assume that policy was in sync with their current expectations/policies but totally check if you want. That was also regarding my own personal application which is competitive in every other area so exceptions may apply to others.

 

[Hemorrage]

What are you guys doing about the photo-upload thing? I've tried multiple times but my picture just won't upload leading me to think there is something wrong with the website

 

[binderring]

What are you guys doing about the photo-upload thing? I've tried multiple times but my picture just won't upload leading me to think there is something wrong with the website

make sure your picture size isn't too big.

just submitted my secondary today: stats 3.38/3.23/27

 

[Jayb82388]

Met with an msucom advisor an hour ago little tid bit thought you all might like

They separate in IS and OOS state apps...essentially if you are IS you are only competing against other IS students, and those are for ...quote...."90%" of the spots

enjoy

 

[Jayb82388]

also...

NO ranking apps this year, no algorithm, every app is touched by an admin person.

 

[Ubiquinator]

also...

NO ranking apps this year, no algorithm, every app is touched by an admin person.

Are acceptances still going out Sept 4th? (1st wed of sept like last few years)

 

[Jayb82388]

Are acceptances still going out Sept 4th? (1st wed of sept like last few years)

Yes, although she said they are trying to review the apps even earlier...so that leads me to think still early september if not even earlier! I have another admin meeting in august, will try and ask for a specific date as im sure they will know more by then.

 

[tap5133]

Has anyone had their letters of recommendation marked as received yet?

 

[Yehoshua24]

Has anyone had their letters of recommendation marked as received yet?

Not through interfolio. I called interfolio and they gave me a credit so that I can email my LOR to admissions. But the email address is listed in interfolio's system as not accepting email based LOR's so that didn't work. I think we just need to hold tight for them to fix whatever is happening with the interfolio import. Since they list interfolio as their perfered method ot transmission.

 

[Hemorrage]

Yes, although she said they are trying to review the apps even earlier...so that leads me to think still early september if not even earlier! I have another admin meeting in august, will try and ask for a specific date as im sure they will know more by then.

That can't be true, i spoke with an MSUCOM admissions advisor a few weeks ago and she told me the committee is planning to start meeting the first week of Sept. Also she said that its really hard to predict what kind of process they will be having this year since everyone will be receiving a secondary.

 

[Jayb82388]

That can't be true, i spoke with an MSUCOM admissions advisor a few weeks ago and she told me the committee is planning to start meeting the first week of Sept. Also she said that its really hard to predict what kind of process they will be having this year since everyone will be receiving a secondary.

I dont know what to tell you, i met with the head of admissions, she said they changed their process then proceeded to explain it, said "goal" was to have them review the apps earlier for quicker responses....thats almost an exact quote...i mean it doesn't really make any difference to anyone at all...just passing on what i heard directly from her this afternoon

maybe they have a goal but because the process is so different from last year they might not meet it...

 

[Hemorrage]

I dont know what to tell you, i met with the head of admissions, she said they changed their process then proceeded to explain it, said "goal" was to have them review the apps earlier for quicker responses....thats almost an exact quote...i mean it doesn't really make any difference to anyone at all...just passing on what i heard directly from her this afternoon

maybe they have a goal but because the process is so different from last year they might not meet it...

Gotcha, well that might be updated information then since i spoke with them a few weeks ago. Good to know regardless

 

[MIDOHopeful]

Hello All,

Do you think I have a shot at this school?

I'm a Michigan resident, 3.83 overall GPA, 3.85 science GPA, work experience at a DO teaching hospital in MI, and plenty of volunteer work, but my MCAT is a 22 (8PS, 7VR, 7BS).

 

[binderring]

Hello All,

Do you think I have a shot at this school?

I'm a Michigan resident, 3.83 overall GPA, 3.85 science GPA, work experience at a DO teaching hospital in MI, and plenty of volunteer work, but my MCAT is a 22 (8PS, 7VR, 7BS).

Have you reconsider re-taking your mcat again?

 

[StudyShy]

Hello All,

Do you think I have a shot at this school?

I'm a Michigan resident, 3.83 overall GPA, 3.85 science GPA, work experience at a DO teaching hospital in MI, and plenty of volunteer work, but my MCAT is a 22 (8PS, 7VR, 7BS).

I think that they have a 8 BS cutoff this year.

 

[MIDOHopeful]

Have you reconsider re-taking your mcat again?

I probably will. But does it matter if I am URM (non-black/non-hispanic)?

 

[StudyShy]

I probably will. But does it matter I am URM (non-black/non-hispanic)?

I'd probably give MSU a call and see. I'd just hate to see you counted out when if you knew ahead of time, studied a little more, and retook the test, you could have more of a solid chance. There was a girl on last year's thread who had a 22 and was accepted. Although, they had lower subsection cutoffs last year and this girl had thousands and thousands of volunteer hours that would put all of us to shame.

 

[Ubiquinator]

Hello All,

Do you think I have a shot at this school?

I'm a Michigan resident, 3.83 overall GPA, 3.85 science GPA, work experience at a DO teaching hospital in MI, and plenty of volunteer work, but my MCAT is a 22 (8PS, 7VR, 7BS).

Honestly, very slim. Everything else sounds great about your app but your mcat is really low. I don't think MSUCOM or any med school would change their cut-offs (BS score of 8) just because your a URM (no offense).

Definitely give them a call so you don't waste money on a secondary.

 

[MIDOHopeful]

Thank you. Where did you find the cut-off scores? I cannot find it on the MSUCOM website.

 

[almirbhf]

I am currently a graduate student at Hopkins but applying for med school this cycle (MD and DO) I applied to about 20 schools in the northeast area of the US (where I am from).

I understand your frustration. My good friend is from Ontario and applied last cycle to Canadian schools with a 4.0/30. He didnt get any love. I seems like Canadian schools place strong emphasis (maybe a little to much) on the MCAT; especially the verbal reasoning portion.

I here MSUCOM reserves seats (20-40?) for canadians!

Yeah Canada does suck for med school availability sadly. I wish I could go, tuition only 20,000 a year at my university 🙁

I'm hoping for msucom though because they have the Canadian initiative going on, and I would much rather go to DO than Carib MD lol. Many Canadians don't know about D.O which I plan to use to my advantage

 

[almirbhf]

Secondary submitted, letters received ! 🙂 I had my letters emailed to them instead of interfolio.

 

[Anicetus]

Did interfolio here and they are now complete.

 

[Ubiquinator]

Finally Complete!!!! 😀 Letters received. Submitted secondary 07/02.

I guess MSUCOM download all of the letters received today.

 

[Yehoshua24]

Finally Complete!!!! 😀 Letters received. Submitted secondary 07/02.

I guess MSUCOM download all of the letters received today.

Just checked mine and it still says my LORs are missing. Hopefully mine will come in soon.

 

[ChineseKid]

Finally Complete!!!! 😀 Letters received. Submitted secondary 07/02.

I guess MSUCOM download all of the letters received today.

Same.
Woot.

Now let's all compete for that 10% lol

Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Ubiquinator]

Same.
Woot.

Now let's all compete for that 10% lol

Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2

More like 14% haha. Last year 86% for IS. Even though there are less spots for OOS students, there are much less applicants compared to the IS applicant pool.

I'm rooting for you ChineseKid!! Hope to hear the good news soon from you!!

 

[Ubiquinator]

Just checked mine and it still says my LORs are missing. Hopefully mine will come in soon.

Just to let you know Yehoshua24, I sent the letter twice through inter folio once with the dash and once without.

 

[Yehoshua24]

Just to let you know Yehoshua24, I sent the letter twice through inter folio once with the dash and once without.

Yeah... I just sent it in again without the dash. This is my 4th time sending it in. Hopefully it works and they have it running so that it will just pull in immediately.

 

[StudyShy]

Thank you. Where did you find the cut-off scores? I cannot find it on the MSUCOM website.

http://www.aacom.org/resources/bookstore/cib/Documents/2014cib/2014cib-56 MSUCOM.pdf

 

[StudyShy]

Also complete! Although, I haven't taken the MCAT yet so that is still up in the air. 🙁

 

[Melomare17]

Complete too!

Do you guys know if MSUCOM looks only at the most recent MCAT or the highest one or best of each section or what?? (to meet the minimum BS cutoff)

 

[Samuel3]

Complete here!

 

[ChineseKid]

More like 14% haha. Last year 86% for IS. Even though there are less spots for OOS students, there are much less applicants compared to the IS applicant pool.

I'm rooting for you ChineseKid!! Hope to hear the good news soon from you!!

Thanks mate
Same here. Hope we both get in!
If we do, 1st round on me 😛

Yeah... I just sent it in again without the dash. This is my 4th time sending it in. Hopefully it works and they have it running so that it will just pull in immediately.

I sent in once, without the dash. Therefore, I assume it will work!

 

[Hemorrage]

The MCAT cutoff for last year was a 20 (composite) but with no minimums in any section. I got this information from one of the advisors