Michigan State University (MSUCOM) Discussion Thread 2013 - 2014

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bionerd89 said:
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Other than the personal questions, it was less about my application and more about medicine and specific ones about your interest in the school. The best advice I can give for interviews that I've gained from interviewing for engineering jobs or other schools, is to be specific. There usually isn't a wrong answer, but there are bad answers. If you're vague and using cliches, you're not really saying anything and it screams dishonesty. A lot of interviewers will allow you some time to think about the question if it's a scenario question that you may have experienced, so take the time to think of scenarios in your life that pertain to what is asked. Don't be vague and use too many generalities.
 
HabisY said:
Other than the personal questions, it was less about my application and more about medicine and specific ones about your interest in the school. The best advice I can give for interviews that I've gained from interviewing for engineering jobs or other schools, is to be specific. There usually isn't a wrong answer, but there are bad answers. If you're vague and using cliches, you're not really saying anything and it screams dishonesty. A lot of interviewers will allow you some time to think about the question if it's a scenario question that you may have experienced, so take the time to think of scenarios in your life that pertain to what is asked. Don't be vague and use too many generalities.
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Thanks..Would you recommend that I study up on medical bioethics and health care policies?
 
bionerd89 said:
Thanks..Would you recommend that I study up on medical bioethics and health care policies?
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No need. Again, they're not expecting you to understand all the nuances. It's more about you and how you'd fit in within the school and medicine as a whole. I probably misstated myself in describing scenarios; I meant scenarios in your life that speak to you working with a team/supervisor, that exhibit mistakes and successes, etc. All of those things play to your personality and the personality of a future physician. While knowing bioethics doesn't hurt, those things won't impress them if you can't talk about yourself.
 
HabisY said:
No need. Again, they're not expecting you to understand all the nuances. It's more about you and how you'd fit in within the school and medicine as a whole. I probably misstated myself in describing scenarios; I meant scenarios in your life that speak to you working with a team/supervisor, that exhibit mistakes and successes, etc. All of those things play to your personality and the personality of a future physician. While knowing bioethics doesn't hurt, those things won't impress them if you can't talk about yourself.
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Great thanks! Btw is it really cold in that area right now? How did you manage to stay warm and dress professionally?
 
PreMedBarbie said:
Looks like another Thursday has come and gone with no call 🙁
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Samesies. I was complete around July 30th so I'm fairly certain they would have looked at my application and I would have heard by now if I was going to be accepted. It appears that I'll have to bank on the Canadian school lottery, and less holistic review. Hopefully I'll be on the waitlist for MSU!
 
It is sort of depressing when you start banking on being on the wait list. But then again, this seems to be the story of my life!
 
Thanksgiving is next Thursday so it might be a couple of weeks. 🙁
 
StudyShy said:
Thanksgiving is next Thursday so it might be a couple of weeks. 🙁
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Yeah... In a perfect world, they'd make a bunch of "Happy Thanksgiving + Acceptance" calls next Thursday.

Speaking of the upcoming holidays, does anyone know when they stop reviewing apps in December??? Just trying to get an idea of how many more weeks of acceptance calls are left until they break for X-mas/New Year's.
And after the holidays, I'm assuming they won't resume looking at apps until the 2nd week of January, right?
 
DrOneDay7 said:
Yeah... In a perfect world, they'd make a bunch of "Happy Thanksgiving + Acceptance" calls next Thursday.

Speaking of the upcoming holidays, does anyone know when they stop reviewing apps in December??? Just trying to get an idea of how many more weeks of acceptance calls are left until they break for X-mas/New Year's.
And after the holidays, I'm assuming they won't resume looking at apps until the 2nd week of January, right?
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This is the one time I'm NOT happy about the holidays. Lol... I would like to know the same! I guess we can call them.... I hope they send another 'update' email with how many have been accepted/deposits paid sometime in December, so I know where I stand.
 
raidergoblue said:
This is the one time I'm NOT happy about the holidays. Lol... I would like to know the same! I guess we can call them.... I hope they send another 'update' email with how many have been accepted/deposits paid sometime in December, so I know where I stand.
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It seems as if they do the update emails on the second Monday of the month
 
raidergoblue said:
This is the one time I'm NOT happy about the holidays. Lol... I would like to know the same! I guess we can call them.... I hope they send another 'update' email with how many have been accepted/deposits paid sometime in December, so I know where I stand.
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I hear ya, I was so hoping so hard to have something extra to celebrate haha It would be the best Christmas present ever to be accepted in December though.
 
I got the call today around 3! Canadian applicant: 30 MCAT, 3.95 GPA, 1000+ hrs volunteering, complete Sept 22nd
I hope you all get called soon 🙂
And if there are any Canadians currently in MSUCOM please let me know if you can answer some questions for me!
 
premed2712 said:
I got the call today around 3! Canadian applicant: 30 MCAT, 3.95 GPA, 1000+ hrs volunteering, complete Sept 22nd
I hope you all get called soon 🙂
And if there are any Canadians currently in MSUCOM please let me know if you can answer some questions for me!
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You are basically a perfect applicant! I am very happy for you!! You really deserve it!
 
Can anyone tell me how long it generally takes to get an acceptance e-mail or packet in the mail? The office told me on Thursday that I would get an e-mail that afternoon, but I still didn't get one... Naturally, I now have the irrational fear that my phone call was a mistake.
 
johnamo said:
Can anyone tell me how long it generally takes to get an acceptance e-mail or packet in the mail? The office told me on Thursday that I would get an e-mail that afternoon, but I still didn't get one... Naturally, I now have the irrational fear that my phone call was a mistake.
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Don't worry the same thing happened to me. I got the email Saturday morning for some reason and the mail by the end of the next week.
 
I need to thank everyone on here who posted about receiving a phone call on a Thursday letting them know they were accepted. I missed a call this Thursday and had a message from MSUCOM telling me they needed to speak with me briefly. I called the number back once I was off work, but had to leave a message. I would have been completely freaked out all night if I hadn't found this thread! My first thought was that I was getting a call because something was wrong with my application, but sure enough I got a call on Friday morning at 9am letting me know I was accepted!

Stats: 30 MCAT 3.88 GPA My secondary was complete on July 30th.

This was actually my third time applying. I would encourage anyone who has not been accepted the first time around to meet with an advisor. If I hadn't met with one this last spring I wouldn't have known that my score in 1 section was 1 (yes... one) point too low to even be considered! If you don't score at least 8 in each section you may want to consider retaking the MCAT (or at least talking to an advisor about your score). I retook the MCAT (2nd time) on August 22, 2013. For those of you that scored a 6 or 7 in one section, don't let this freak you out, you could definitely still be accepted. However, if you don't get in this time then I really do recommend improving your score! It could be the one improvement you need! Also, when I retook the MCAT I did score one point lower in PS (I got a 10 last time and a 9 this time) and I was accepted! Please don't believe the rumor that if you score the same or 1 point lower in any section that you will be rejected. Your overall score should be higher, I'm sure, but I wish I knew this rumor was false 2 years ago!

I hope this post helps some of you! And again, thank you all for being so helpful and encouraging! I wish you all the best
 
Do they only call if you're accepted? Or are the admissions decisions sent by e-mail?
 
Spartan2332 said:
I need to thank everyone on here who posted about receiving a phone call on a Thursday letting them know they were accepted. I missed a call this Thursday and had a message from MSUCOM telling me they needed to speak with me briefly. I called the number back once I was off work, but had to leave a message. I would have been completely freaked out all night if I hadn't found this thread! My first thought was that I was getting a call because something was wrong with my application, but sure enough I got a call on Friday morning at 9am letting me know I was accepted!

Stats: 30 MCAT 3.88 GPA My secondary was complete on July 30th.

This was actually my third time applying. I would encourage anyone who has not been accepted the first time around to meet with an advisor. If I hadn't met with one this last spring I wouldn't have known that my score in 1 section was 1 (yes... one) point too low to even be considered! If you don't score at least 8 in each section you may want to consider retaking the MCAT (or at least talking to an advisor about your score). I retook the MCAT (2nd time) on August 22, 2013. For those of you that scored a 6 or 7 in one section, don't let this freak you out, you could definitely still be accepted. However, if you don't get in this time then I really do recommend improving your score! It could be the one improvement you need! Also, when I retook the MCAT I did score one point lower in PS (I got a 10 last time and a 9 this time) and I was accepted! Please don't believe the rumor that if you score the same or 1 point lower in any section that you will be rejected. Your overall score should be higher, I'm sure, but I wish I knew this rumor was false 2 years ago!

I hope this post helps some of you! And again, thank you all for being so helpful and encouraging! I wish you all the best
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What are the minimum scores in each section to even be considered?
 
Accepted Thursday! 🙂

In state
non-URM
Complete: 10/02
MCAT: 26
almost 3000 hours

Undergrad GPA:
cGPA: 3.64
sGPA: 3.45 (probably, I don't know where to find my sGPA on the aacomas site)

Grad GPA
cGPA: 3.75
sGPA: 3.75 (again, I don't know..I'm just going off 20 credits of grad classes)

I'm pretty sure they place more weight on undergrad gpa, btw

p.s. I really don't think grades are everything. I did not do amazing in my bio courses, but I believe MSUCOM really loves when students are actively involved in the community, hold leadership positions, and can still pass/do well in classes.

Message me if you have any questions 🙂
 
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Ty223 said:
What are the minimum scores in each section to even be considered?
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I'm honestly not sure what the minimums are now so I don't want to post the ones from last year and freak people out or give them false hope. This is a good question for an advisor. The minimum score for each section was different last year plus these minimums changed from even the year before. Sorry for not being able to be more helpful here. Maybe an advisor could respond to this question through email?
 
I'm thinking that they also have different minimums for OOS or Canadian. There was a post from last years thread stating that a minimum MCAT of 30 was required to be considered as a Canadian. I'm not sure how factual that post was because there was a Canadian with 29 who was accepted. Gave me hope as that is my score as well.
 
aharddaysnight said:
I'm thinking that they also have different minimums for OOS or Canadian. There was a post from last years thread stating that a minimum MCAT of 30 was required to be considered as a Canadian. I'm not sure how factual that post was because there was a Canadian with 29 who was accepted. Gave me hope as that is my score as well.
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I'll give you even more hope... I only had a 26 Mcat so the minimum is def not 30 for Canadians.
 
Has anyone else in the MSUCOM class of 2018 Facebook group noticed that class of 2016 and 2017 students are joining the group? I sense a trap...
 
StudyShy said:
I had e-mailed them at the beginning of the application season and they said that they no longer have minimum scores in each section, however they have an average MCAT of 28. 🙂
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Yeah, they really changed things A LOT this year with applications. Although there's no minimum to apply, I'd love to know the sub-score minimums they're willing to accept. I have a 10/8/8 (PS/VR/BS) and I'm really worried about the 8 in BS since that's usually expected to be the highest sub-score.
 
I have been placed at the Detroit campus!!! I got the official email this morning. Did anyone else get it??
 
I remember seeing earlier posts about phone meetings w/ an admissions advisor, but I'm not sure how to search threads on the new sdn layout.

I just made an appt. and was wondering if anyone could give me an idea of how it works? Do they have a copy of your application in front of them while you're talking? Will they be able to tell you if your current application is competitive? Just kind of trying to figure out what to expect.
 
Sorry if this has been asked before, but does a current student or someone in the know have any idea how likely it is to get your requested site placement? Additionally, has anyone deferred? Does the school make it difficult/how does that work? The office gave me rather vague responses to both of those questions.
 
johnamo said:
Sorry if this has been asked before, but does a current student or someone in the know have any idea how likely it is to get your requested site placement? Additionally, has anyone deferred? Does the school make it difficult/how does that work? The office gave me rather vague responses to both of those questions.
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Can't answer the deferred question, but for the site placement, it all depends on which you choose. 200 seats in EL, and 50 in the other two. At this point if you choose EL I'm quite sure you'll get it, but for the other two it just depends on how many have put in for those sites. I got my site placement the day after I faxed the graduate application to them.
 
hockey40 said:
Can't answer the deferred question, but for the site placement, it all depends on which you choose. 200 seats in EL, and 50 in the other two. At this point if you choose EL I'm quite sure you'll get it, but for the other two it just depends on how many have put in for those sites. I got my site placement the day after I faxed the graduate application to them.
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Great, thanks for the answer. I would like to do EL, so it's nice to know that's the majority by far.
 
Ok so 26 mcat 10bs 9ps 7v ive scored higher on the verbal section before. I
DrOneDay7 said:
I remember seeing earlier posts about phone meetings w/ an admissions advisor, but I'm not sure how to search threads on the new sdn layout.

I just made an appt. and was wondering if anyone could give me an idea of how it works? Do they have a copy of your application in front of them while you're talking? Will they be able to tell you if your current application is competitive? Just kind of trying to figure out what to expect.
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Hey! So they have your application in front of you and they've usually reviewed it before you speak with them. It is best to fill them in briefly on your stats though bc I can't speak for all the MSU advisers. They are VERY VERY helpful, and ask them all the questions you've got 🙂.
 
raidergoblue said:
Ok so 26 mcat 10bs 9ps 7v ive scored higher on the verbal section before. I


Hey! So they have your application in front of you and they've usually reviewed it before you speak with them. It is best to fill them in briefly on your stats though bc I can't speak for all the MSU advisers. They are VERY VERY helpful, and ask them all the questions you've got 🙂.
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They have your application in front of them****
 
Okay, that's great to hear! Thanks so much for the info!! 🙂
 
help. i'm a current applicant, but I have a feeling i won't be getting in this year. So, I decided to prepare for next app cycle. I'm going to speak to an advisor on the tenth of december, but I just am curious to know if I should retake classes that I didn't do so well in or should I take high level biology classes? I am also a post bac. I know if I retake the bad classes I could raise my gpa BIG time. Do I take the retakes and then take high level bio classes throughout the year next year? I feel like if I do that, then my gpa will be better for when I apply, but I'm not sure what to do. advice would be awesome!
 
asquared89 said:
help. i'm a current applicant, but I have a feeling i won't be getting in this year. So, I decided to prepare for next app cycle. I'm going to speak to an advisor on the tenth of december, but I just am curious to know if I should retake classes that I didn't do so well in or should I take high level biology classes? I am also a post bac. I know if I retake the bad classes I could raise my gpa BIG time. Do I take the retakes and then take high level bio classes throughout the year next year? I feel like if I do that, then my gpa will be better for when I apply, but I'm not sure what to do. advice would be awesome!
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My opinion would be to focus on retaking as long as you have the prerequisites covered. You'll get the most "bang" for your buck as further classes will give diminishing GPA-boosting returns as your total credit count climbs. Plus, it shows you're actually capable of doing the material. My advice is especially strong if the classes you did poorly in are prerequisites. Note that MSU-COM requires grades above "C" for prerequisites [2.0/4.0], and "C-" does not count for that.
 
asquared89 said:
help. i'm a current applicant, but I have a feeling i won't be getting in this year. So, I decided to prepare for next app cycle. I'm going to speak to an advisor on the tenth of december, but I just am curious to know if I should retake classes that I didn't do so well in or should I take high level biology classes? I am also a post bac. I know if I retake the bad classes I could raise my gpa BIG time. Do I take the retakes and then take high level bio classes throughout the year next year? I feel like if I do that, then my gpa will be better for when I apply, but I'm not sure what to do. advice would be awesome!
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Totally agree with the above poster. Retakes are the quickest way to dramatically raise your gpa. A couple of C's really hunker down your sGPA, even when the rest of your grades are good! It's pretty crazy what even so much as ONE little seemingly harmless C in a freshman bio class does to your gpa, which I can attest to from my own application.

I'm not sure what kind of grades you have, but retaking a few C's and getting A's can be the difference between a competitive or non-competitive GPA. It's great that you're proactive and open to doing what's necessary to improve your app. I'm sure the advisor will give you some great advice and let you know for a fact if grade replacement is the recommended route to go down. Good luck!
 
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