Official 2018 SHPEP thread

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I'm applying to:
UW
LSU-New Orleans
University of Nebraska
3.02 GPA
Sophomore
URM
I think that all those sites are really competitive though, should I switch out LSU with UI or UF? I just have to decide my sites in order to submit my app but I'm so worried about getting into the sites I chose. I like the ones I have because they have a focus on serving underserved population--and UW is my dream med school.
Current UF undergrad here and if you're worried about a school with a focus on the underserved population UF definitely has tons of clinics geared specifically towards them. It's why it's so competitive to volunteer at many of them. Their med school is also pretty amazing (know this because they had a mini med school day as a fundraiser for one of the clinics for the underserved). 🙂 hope this helps!
 
Current UF undergrad here and if you're worried about a school with a focus on the underserved population UF definitely has tons of clinics geared specifically towards them. It's why it's so competitive to volunteer at many of them. Their med school is also pretty amazing (know this because they had a mini med school day as a fundraiser for one of the clinics for the underserved). 🙂 hope this helps!
I would've applied there, but I read the mission they had on SHPEP and didn't mention any of that. I submitted my app already so fingers crossed that I get in to one of the sites. I hate that there is no early admission! My suffering is prolonged to March!
 
Hi all,

My personal statement is written and given to my professor for critique. I have added some details she thought would be beneficial and changed some of my essay, however, now that I made the changes I am unable to reach her. Would it be preferable for me to wait until she is able to give feedback on the essay? Conversely, would it be better to submit it now?
 
Submitted my application but can't remember if I edited my activities correctly. 🙁 it's fine i can't change anything at this point. I don't think I'll get in to any of the schools I chose because my GPA is kinda high (except for maybe UF because I go there) but at this point I'm not gonna worry too much about it. 🙂 Good luck to everyone else!
 
Hi all,

My personal statement is written and given to my professor for critique. I have added some details she thought would be beneficial and changed some of my essay, however, now that I made the changes I am unable to reach her. Would it be preferable for me to wait until she is able to give feedback on the essay? Conversely, would it be better to submit it now?
I'd say wait until she can edit it again. I hear the personal statement is one of the most important aspects of your application so I'd definitely wait. I know professors kinda go off the radar during winter break. Anyone get the letters of rec and transcripts in? I unfortunately can't order my transcripts until after new years....
 
I'd say wait until she can edit it again. I hear the personal statement is one of the most important aspects of your application so I'd definitely wait. I know professors kinda go off the radar during winter break. Anyone get the letters of rec and transcripts in? I unfortunately can't order my transcripts until after new years....

I had that in mind but I also realize that the longer you wait the less your chances are. Thank you for your response.
 
True. Does your school have some type of online tutoring? I used my schools online essay editing center to help edit my essay?
 
True. Does your school have some type of online tutoring? I used my schools online essay editing center to help edit my essay?

I am not sure, though I am fairly confident with my essay there were some things that I fixed, mainly for more detail. Would you know of someone on this site that could proofread? Also, I am having difficulties with submitting the required materials. My transcript is available to be sent, however, it also requires an additional form to be sent alongside it.
 
I am not sure, though I am fairly confident with my essay there were some things that I fixed, mainly for more detail. Would you know of someone on this site that could proofread? Also, I am having difficulties with submitting the required materials. My transcript is available to be sent, however, it also requires an additional form to be sent alongside it.

I could give it a crack if you'd like? Just PM me a copy and I'll tell you what I think. I copy edit at my campus newspaper so I'm used to proofreading🙂. Just have records and registration at your school send you your transcript then attach the form to the transcript and mail it out? That seems to be the easiest way.
 
I could give it a crack if you'd like? Just PM me a copy and I'll tell you what I think. I copy edit at my campus newspaper so I'm used to proofreading🙂. Just have records and registration at your school send you your transcript then attach the form to the transcript and mail it out? That seems to be the easiest way.

I was worried about the transcript issue because it specifies that it must be sent directly from the institution, though that might just be me worrying unnecessarily. Thank you, but I think I might just go to my school for help, I believe there are still some resources available for the winter session. 🙂 Thanks again for the help.
 
See above. But yes, I got in with over 90 quarter credits. 🙂

Although I do know some people who had more than 90 credits when applying did the program in the past, I am wondering if you know whether there is any possibility that this might have changed this year? I am in the exact same situation and have emailed my three program sites of interest plus the National Program Office. One site said I should be eligible at first. However, the National Program Office hit me with this:

"To answer your original email inquiry, unfortunately, you will not be eligible to apply for this program. Even though you may have a particular standing or freshman status at the University of Washington, SHPEP applicants also must not have accumulated or earned more than 60 college credits. It appears from the unofficial transcript that you provided that you have both AP credits but also college earned credits that have transferred. So while the AP credits will not count towards that total maximum number, the other college earned credits will count. For that reason, not just the year in school standing, is what will make you ineligible for this program."

Then, I emailed back and quoted what the National Program Office said, then that site went: "We’ll have to go with what the national office said." Another site told me to call them since my case appears to be complex. The third site did not reply.

I just feel it strange how AP credits are not counted towards the credit eligibility while dual-enrollment credits are considering the fact that AP credits have already/will turn into college credits eventually...

Also, do you know if the National Program Office checks the eligibility first before distributing applications to program sites?

(I am a first-year student btw, I did two years of community college during my junior and senior years of high school.)
 
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also wondering what schools is everyone planning to apply to?

Columbia (lol), UT, and UF. I really resonated with the mission/ focus for Columbia especially since they talked about helping the underserved but since it is extremely competitive I highly doubt I will be accepted. 🙂 We shall see what happens!
 
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Columbia, UCLA and UW *fingers crossed*
I'm in almost the exact same situation as you are, only I came in with AP and dual enrollment credits and then decided to also pursue a double major which puts me at 88 credits counting next semester. I talked to University of Iowa and they said they go on a case by case basis, and Howard said that they wouldn't accept me. At this point I'm just hoping that its a case by base thing. I mentioned why I had so many credits in my personal statement just in case.
 
I'm in almost the exact same situation as you are, only I came in with AP and dual enrollment credits and then decided to also pursue a double major which puts me at 88 credits counting next semester. I talked to University of Iowa and they said they go on a case by case basis, and Howard said that they wouldn't accept me. At this point I'm just hoping that its a case by base thing. I mentioned why I had so many credits in my personal statement just in case.

I really hope that is the case and that the National Program Office doesn't disqualify my application before sending them to my program sites lol 😵 . I'm currently in touch with the program director at UW and just hoping for the best.
 
Do you guys think program sites will be strict about checking if our activities/honors are postsecondary?

Also, I have heard that in the past, some sites did reject "overqualified" applicants so am wondering if it's worth listing every single EC that you have (considering that your EC's are kind of decent: doing research, attending professional conferences, etc.)
 
I'd say its worth listing as many EC's that demonstrate your interest in serving underserved communities. I personally wouldn't consider attending a conference an EC, but doing research I would list. I think that the "overqualified" applicants where just applicants that the sites felt didn't really need a boost to help them out? The program is geared towards students who need that environment to show them everything that medicine is beyond the academics.
 
I really hope that is the case and that the National Program Office doesn't disqualify my application before sending them to my program sites lol 😵 . I'm currently in touch with the program director at UW and just hoping for the best.
Let us know what UW says!
 
Is anyone else's (who has submitted) cities/ some of the information in the EC portion cut off when you look at like the print out of your application?
 
Kind of confused what an “overqualified candidate is” is it someone who just has a high GPA? Because that’s really worrying me because I have a relatively high GPA
 
Kind of confused what an “overqualified candidate is” is it someone who just has a high GPA? Because that’s really worrying me because I have a relatively high GPA
This is not an official answer, more like an assumption that I've heard. But I know this girl who didn't make it last year. She was technically a freshman but had a junior standing (from dual enrollment classes in high school), was doing research, was shadowing, and was on the Dean's List at my school (GPA 3.5 or higher) when she applied.
 
This is not an official answer, more like an assumption that I've heard. But I know this girl who didn't make it last year. She was technically a freshman but had a junior standing (from dual enrollment classes in high school), was doing research, was shadowing, and was on the Dean's List at my school (GPA 3.5 or higher) when she applied.
Ok I don’t have all that, my GPA is the only thing I have from that list. I’ll probably email them to find out.
 
Just remembered this, when I talked to the program director at the University of Iowa they said that they only count the credits that you've completed at the time of application--so if you haven't started your spring semester yet those credits won't be counted. In that case I have 67 credits--not 88 because I haven't started the spring semester yet. I think every site does that.
 
Just remembered this, when I talked to the program director at the University of Iowa they said that they only count the credits that you've completed at the time of application--so if you haven't started your spring semester yet those credits won't be counted. In that case I have 67 credits--not 88 because I haven't started the spring semester yet. I think every site does that.
Yes that’s true. Also I also believe the website says only credits completed in college count. So AP credits don’t count. Idk if duel enrollment counts though.
 
Any college credits count even if it was dual enrollment (from my understanding).
 
Yeah dual-enrollment is counted but not AP according to the director at University of Iowa
 
Although I do know some people who had more than 90 credits when applying did the program in the past, I am wondering if you know whether there is any possibility that this might have changed this year? I am in the exact same situation and have emailed my three program sites of interest plus the National Program Office. One site said I should be eligible at first. However, the National Program Office hit me with this:

"To answer your original email inquiry, unfortunately, you will not be eligible to apply for this program. Even though you may have a particular standing or freshman status at the University of Washington, SHPEP applicants also must not have accumulated or earned more than 60 college credits. It appears from the unofficial transcript that you provided that you have both AP credits but also college earned credits that have transferred. So while the AP credits will not count towards that total maximum number, the other college earned credits will count. For that reason, not just the year in school standing, is what will make you ineligible for this program."

Then, I emailed back and quoted what the National Program Office said, then that site went: "We’ll have to go with what the national office said." Another site told me to call them since my case appears to be complex. The third site did not reply.

I just feel it strange how AP credits are not counted towards the credit eligibility while dual-enrollment credits are considering the fact that AP credits have already/will turn into college credits eventually...

Also, do you know if the National Program Office checks the eligibility first before distributing applications to program sites?

(I am a first-year student btw, I did two years of community college during my junior and senior years of high school.)

Sending you a PM.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
 
Let us know what UW says!
Not UW, but Columbia just got back to me. They told me to reach out to the National Program Office, which I did, to verify my eligibility :meh: So it sounds to me that the program sites don't do it on a case by case basis smh
 
It turns out my professor emailed back yesterday and she said to send my personal statement and that she would finish her LOR by the end of the week.
I applied to Columbia, UF, and UCLA. Good luck to everyone. 🙂
 
Hello everyone,
I was wondering if anyone knows if any of the sites are known for having really good dental programs. I'm currently working on my application and I'm pre-dental but I really don't know what program sites to choose. Any advice would be great!

Also, I'm confused about the early/regular decision stuff. The website doesn't mention anything about an early deadline, so does that mean that everyone will hear back in March, regardless of when they submitted their application?

Thank you and good luck to everyone!
 
Hello everyone,
I was wondering if anyone knows if any of the sites are known for having really good dental programs. I'm currently working on my application and I'm pre-dental but I really don't know what program sites to choose. Any advice would be great!

Also, I'm confused about the early/regular decision stuff. The website doesn't mention anything about an early deadline, so does that mean that everyone will hear back in March, regardless of when they submitted their application?

Thank you and good luck to everyone!

Hi, I am also applying to a dental program. As for choosing where you would like to go I would go to each institution's website and find out which program resonates with you, based on their mission statement, culture, activities, and learning objectives. For instance, I have heard that some programs may focus more on clinical experiences and less on the basic sciences or vice versa. I would determine what you like in a program and what the program can offer. Another word of advice, allegedly your acceptance into the program helps for acceptance to dental school, so I would apply to a school you could imagine yourself attending.

I just looked up information on early/regular attendance, I will link it below. I imagine others may have more experience with the matter but I hope I helped you out.

 
Hello everyone,
I was wondering if anyone knows if any of the sites are known for having really good dental programs. I'm currently working on my application and I'm pre-dental but I really don't know what program sites to choose. Any advice would be great!

Also, I'm confused about the early/regular decision stuff. The website doesn't mention anything about an early deadline, so does that mean that everyone will hear back in March, regardless of when they submitted their application?

Thank you and good luck to everyone!
The website doesn't mention anything about early deadline when in the past they did, so I'm assuming that everyone is accepted March 15th and there is no early deadline this year. I wonder why?
 
The website doesn't mention anything about early deadline when in the past they did, so I'm assuming that everyone is accepted March 15th and there is no early deadline this year. I wonder why?

I was unaware of early admission until I looked it up and saw the post on facebook. As you have stated it says it is from a year ago. Would it be safe to assume it is no longer applicable? I suppose we will find out soon enough.
 
Yeah they are not doing an early deadline this year so all of us are to hear back the same time. 🙂
 
I was unaware of early admission until I looked it up and saw the post on facebook. As you have stated it says it is from a year ago. Would it be safe to assume it is no longer applicable? I suppose we will find out soon enough.
I looked on their facebook page and it says that everyone will hear back on March 15 so I guess its official. It was a post form Jan 4 I think.
 
Hi everyone.
I was wondering if anyone’s had their letter of recommendation sent in already and could be of assistance to me?

My freshman year Gen. Bio professor sent in my recommendation yesterday. She emailed me today, saying that she received this automated email in response:

Dear Applicant,

Thank you for contacting the Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) National Program Office. We have received your email request and are beginning to address the issue. Typically, emails are responded to within one business day........ and then a case number.

Just wondering if this is an automated response or if it’s cause for worry (lol). She did send it to the right email.

I’d appreciate the help 🙂
 
I just went through the FAQ's and all the info on the site but could not find my question: is there an age cutoff? I am 29 years old, URM female, disadvantaged and non-traditional but would benefit greatly from this, but not sure if my age disqualifies me.
 
I just went through the FAQ's and all the info on the site but could not find my question: is there an age cutoff? I am 29 years old, URM female, disadvantaged and non-traditional but would benefit greatly from this, but not sure if my age disqualifies me.

From my understanding, there is no age limit.
 
Hello all,
For anyone who has submitted their LOR, how long did it take to be received by SHPEP? My professor submitted my LOR last Wednesday but it still says "not yet received" on my status :/
 
Hello all,
For anyone who has submitted their LOR, how long did it take to be received by SHPEP? My professor submitted my LOR last Wednesday but it still says "not yet received" on my status :/

Mine was submitted just yesterday so I have the same status, but the SHPEP site says it can take up to 10 days to process all application materials. If that’s true, your status should be updated by the end of the week 🙂
 
Mine was submitted just yesterday so I have the same status, but the SHPEP site says it can take up to 10 days to process all application materials. If that’s true, your status should be updated by the end of the week 🙂
Thanks!
 
Hey guys, was wondering if a letter of recommendation from a research mentor (not a professor you took a class under, but still a professor) would count?
 
Hey guys, was wondering if a letter of recommendation from a research mentor (not a professor you took a class under, but still a professor) would count?

The LOR does not have to be from a professor you have taken a class with, the website simply says prehealth advisor or professor from your major field of study. I would advise you pick someone with whom you have had a good amount of interaction with. They also say a LOR may be written by a previous employer in a healthcare field or high school science teacher if you do not have a prehealth advisor or professor within your major, however, I would not recommend it.
 
I just went through the FAQ's and all the info on the site but could not find my question: is there an age cutoff? I am 29 years old, URM female, disadvantaged and non-traditional but would benefit greatly from this, but not sure if my age disqualifies me.

There is not an age cut off (there was a 30+ guy in my group, and I am also older).


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I would recommend giving the national program office a call to check that they have received your letters and transcripts. They can tell you if they have them prior to the system updating it.


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After reading some of the comments made earlier about GPAs, does having a perfect GPA worsen my chances of getting in?
My accomplishments at the moment are
- 4.0 GPA
- 170+ Volunteer Hours
- 25+ shadowing hours
- Conducting research on the nervous system
- Leadership position of the AMSA chapter at my institution
- Teacher assistant for Gen Chem 1
- Great letters of rec from my chemistry professor and the associate dean of the college of science and mathematics who taught my seminar class.

Since people have been saying that it’s an “enrichment program” geared to non-perfect students. Are my chances slim of getting accepted? *Honest question

The schools I applied to are:
• Columbia (1st Choice)
• Florida (2nd Choice)
• UAB (3rd Choice)

FYI, I am a freshman and African American.
 
hey guys! if in the process of filling out my application, my status went from sophomore to junior (I started the application not that long ago, but my 2nd semester of school started and I guess my classes first semester i had taken enough credit hours to where this has now pushed me to be a junior credit hours, but still a sophomore). overall, does this now make me ineligible for SHPEP? :/
 
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