UCONN Fall 2009

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fiznat

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Thought I'd start a fresh thread for the new application season. Who here is throwing in their hat for the fall post-bacc class? Anyone heard already? Any news or updates would of course be appreciated.
 
I will apply soon so I do not know. But what are the chances for a Ct resident vs non-residents? I am nervous..and also another questions, how do the exactly want the standardized test scores?
 
My understanding is that the program strongly favors CT residents. That doesn't mean non-residents don't have a chance, only that they are likely at a disadvantage.

As far as standardized test scores, the FAQ on their website says you can attach the actual scores or - if you don't have the documentation - you can just write the numbers in the spaces provided. Here's a link to the FAQ if you haven't already seen it: http://medicine.uchc.edu/prospective/postbac/postbac_faqs.html
 
I wanted to know about the financial aid..how do I go about this? Is there anything other then loans.
 
I met with Dean Sanford last week to discuss the program. Great guy. I handed my application to him when I was there.

Not sure that I'm going to attend as there is something about spending a year doing classes and not earning an MS that scares me
 
That's good that he is a nice guy. Are you aiming for programs with MS?
 
Yea - I'll consider UConn as its cheaper but if this whole med school dream dies, wasting a year doing a Post-Bac and getting nothing for it seems a waste of time
 
Any out there looking to apply for a post bac?
 
What? That's what this section/thread is for...
 
I met with Dean Sanford last week to discuss the program. Great guy. I handed my application to him when I was there.

Not sure that I'm going to attend as there is something about spending a year doing classes and not earning an MS that scares me

I know what you mean. But I've explored alot of post baccs and from what I see the ones that offer MS usually dont offer you guaranteed acceptance. However, I go to the storrs campus now and ill be done with my degree in may, thats why I'm apply to the post bacc. It would be like a 5th year for me.

I wanted to know about the financial aid..how do I go about this? Is there anything other then loans.

The only think I think you could to for financial aid would be to have done the FAFSA but since the deadline was today, I'm not sure if it is too late. I know that if you have a bachelors, or are married or are over 25 then you can file and independent (also your parents cant claim you as a dependent)..which means you get some money since you are technically on your own and im guessing you dont make a ton of money...because you are in school and all.
 
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Hi Everybody,

Just like Obama is striving for more transparency in public policy, and in financial/banking policy. I too will strive for transparency in this forum.

I am applying to the post bac program for the Fall 09' semester.

I am a 23 year old graduate of Tulane University with a B.A. in Political Science and East Asian Studies. I have taken 2 science courses in my undergraduate career; CELL 101: C/C-, Genetics: D-. My cumulative GPA was a 2.5. I failed 3 courses in my undergraduate career mostly because of Hurricane Katrina. SAT: 1280, SAT II BIO: 600. I just received my EMT-B, but have not served on an ambulance. I shadowed a doctor once a month in an ER in HS, and I did 10 clinical hours for the EMT cert.

I loved shadowing my doc, and my clinical hours. Helping people post Hurricane Katrina changed me. I want to be a doc.

From what I've read I will most likely have to go Paramedic then PA or RN route, but I would die for a chance like this. Do I have what it takes to be in this program? We shall see...

Best of Luck to All of You...
 
Has anyone heard back from them UConn for the fall yet? I am wondering if they are missing some of my materials as I havent heard anything from them for a while

Rjahncke - congrats on the EMT-B, i've been one for 4+ years now
 
Thanks robflanker,

seems likes a couple of us applying for fall 09' are EMT's like you and fiznat.
 
I just got an e-mail today saying that my file was complete. It also said that Dr. Sanford reviews the files at the end of March and I would hear whether I got an interview or not by the end of April.
 
Hey you guys, I am also waiting on to hear from Uconn. I received the same email..and getting a little nervous. I did the FAFSA thing, so I am hoping that will help me financially.. at least some what. I applied to some other places, but unfortunately got rejected from Upenn already, and I don't know much about the Manhattenville college..does anybody else know anything about their post bac program?
 
Hey you guys, I am also waiting on to hear from Uconn. I received the same email..and getting a little nervous. I did the FAFSA thing, so I am hoping that will help me financially.. at least some what. I applied to some other places, but unfortunately got rejected from Upenn already, and I don't know much about the Manhattenville college..does anybody else know anything about their post bac program?

Look for the Manhattenville thread? Or create one?
 
Also, Not all of us a career changers. I am still in undergrad...at least for a few more months.
 
me too..but at the same time those who are career changers have a lot more experience..and can be much more well rounded then a undergrad. So I am just keeping my fingers crossed 🙂
 
They have a lot more experience but I dont think that they generally tend to be more rounded. Undergrad offers far more opportunities for the things that typically make a person well rounded. Just judging from my friends who've graduated, after you leave undergrad you either work all the time, or go to grad school of some type where you become hyper-specialized...but not generally more rounded.
 
They have a lot more experience but I dont think that they generally tend to be more rounded. Undergrad offers far more opportunities for the things that typically make a person well rounded. Just judging from my friends who've graduated, after you leave undergrad you either work all the time, or go to grad school of some type where you become hyper-specialized...but not generally more rounded.

Thats true as well, but I guess it depends on the person. Are you applying to any other post bac programs? I am from connecticut, but doing my undergrad at Univ of florida right now.
 
how long did it take to receive the complete email once they received your application? Thanks
 
how long did it take to receive the complete email once they received your application? Thanks

I actually turned in my apps late February, and when I called, the secretary told me that Dr. Sanford had not starting reviewing the apps yet...and that was 2-3 weeks after I submitted it. So I think he sent out the email to who so ever turned in the app early. I am guessing.... Have you heard anything else from them? Do you by any chance know what kind of applicants they usually accept?
 
Moto_za,
I would call Dr. Sanford's secretary and check the status of your application. Everyone should receive and e-mail that their appplication is complete. When I submitted my application, last Oct, I didn't receive a e-mail but many others did. I contacted Sanford's secretary only to find out my application wasn't complete. I waited about a month before calling becaue I didn't know. After my app was complete --- I receive the complete status e-mail.
 
Good luck everyone! I know a few friends in a UConn post bacc program and they seem to really enjoy it. Also if you do well there you are pretty much guaranteed a spot in UConn School of Medicine!
 
Thanks everyone for the responses to my question. Does anyone have the secretaries email by any chance?
 
Well, its the end of March, only 4 days to go, but I haven't heard anything.😴

email I got:

"Dr. Sanford will be reviewing the Post-bac application at the end of
March and I will notify you when he decides what action will be taken
on your file.
Good luck,"
 
Thats true as well, but I guess it depends on the person. Are you applying to any other post bac programs? I am from connecticut, but doing my undergrad at Univ of florida right now.

I am personally not applying to any others. The reason being that my undergrad gpa isnt great so my plan was just to stay an undergrad for an extra year to fix it. I figure that I'd be more likely to either get into a med school (if i was super lucky and got like a 45 on the mcat) or a SMP after that. But then i realized that Uconn didnt have a specific gpa requirement and also that they tent to take instate students. So i figured it would be worth a gamble. If i did get in though it would make my entire undergrad career! But I've been reading these forums and it seems that the post bacc is rediculus to get into. There was someone who wrote that they hadnt gotten into the postbacc at uconn, but had actually gotten into some med schools. (I assume that they applied to all of these programs/schools at the same time.) But good luck to us!
 
I am personally not applying to any others. The reason being that my undergrad gpa isnt great so my plan was just to stay an undergrad for an extra year to fix it. I figure that I'd be more likely to either get into a med school (if i was super lucky and got like a 45 on the mcat) or a SMP after that. But then i realized that Uconn didnt have a specific gpa requirement and also that they tent to take instate students. So i figured it would be worth a gamble. If i did get in though it would make my entire undergrad career! But I've been reading these forums and it seems that the post bacc is rediculus to get into. There was someone who wrote that they hadnt gotten into the postbacc at uconn, but had actually gotten into some med schools. (I assume that they applied to all of these programs/schools at the same time.) But good luck to us!

Yeah I know what you mean..I was debating whether I should just continue undergrad..or go for the post bac, but then I thought I would try this out. It would be amazing if I got in..but if there was someone who didn't get into post bac at uconn and did get into a medical school..then I am worried. I have heard that the actual review process of the application will be in april, and in the past some didn't end up finding out until late june...so I don't know..
 
yea i heard that he will be reviewing files in april and that we should know by the end of may!!
 
..but if there was someone who didn't get into post bac at uconn and did get into a medical school..then I am worried. I have heard that the actual review process of the application will be in april, and in the past some didn't end up finding out until late june...so I don't know..

I am extremely worried myself, but at least you applied to a few others. I personally just have some things in undergrad that I want to finished before I leave, and this program would let me do both. I guess at the end of the day I wont be crushed if i dont get in cause i know that they only take about 10% of their applicants anyway. And as for when we will know if we got in, if you read the other thread, it was in to december before some of the found about whether they were into the program or not...and classes start in january. Its just irresponcible, I dont care how busy they are, but most people if they get in just forget about how little notice they get. I think, or maybe the people the really really want get in earlier than others.
 
Hey Saved, Have you had your interview yet?
 
don't think anyone has had an interview yet.

I was in the first batch to get complete emails but i havent heard anything yet
 
Yah I have not heard anything either. I tried calling Lynda, but her voicemail says she is out on vacation until March 20th....but no one picks up. I think he has just started reviewing the applications.
 
Hey guys, I am a little bit worried about post-bac programs..what should I do if I don't get into any? Any suggestions?
 
Hey guys, I am a little bit worried about post-bac programs..what should I do if I don't get into any? Any suggestions?

Just take classes on your own. Either through UConn or Havard has one where you don't have to be enrolled. That's prob your best bet. Take a few classes volunteer/work/healthcare stuff and just go from there.

I wouldn't worry too much tho - just deal with it if it happens
 
I also found out that 2 years ago, the class was 8 people. 3 of them were doing a multi-yr program, 5 applied to UConn the same year they were in the post-bac, 4 got in, and the other one apparently went to Tufts. They 4 that got taken were accepted in May. Reliable info as I got it from 2 of the 4 that got in.

No idea the current size of the class tho.

Hope it helps
 
Just take classes on your own. Either through UConn or Havard has one where you don't have to be enrolled. That's prob your best bet. Take a few classes volunteer/work/healthcare stuff and just go from there.

I wouldn't worry too much tho - just deal with it if it happens

Hey Rob, with no intention of contradicintg your advice, I spoke in person with the deans and directors of a couple of MD schools last fall and they coincided in telling me that taking classes independently does not do you any good. In fact, one director told me that it shows exactly what happened to you (you couldnt get into any program). An SMP will be your best choice if you do not get into a guaranteed-admission postbac, based on all the information I have collected in this past year.

I myself am on this fringe so I definitely can feel your concern, mss4. An SMP is a wise safety net because in the worst scenario, you have an advanced degree to enter the workforce while you consider further options for re-applying.
 
Hey Rob, with no intention of contradicintg your advice, I spoke in person with the deans and directors of a couple of MD schools last fall and they coincided in telling me that taking classes independently does not do you any good. In fact, one director told me that it shows exactly what happened to you (you couldnt get into any program). An SMP will be your best choice if you do not get into a guaranteed-admission postbac, based on all the information I have collected in this past year.

I myself am on this fringe so I definitely can feel your concern, mss4. An SMP is a wise safety net because in the worst scenario, you have an advanced degree to enter the workforce while you consider further options for re-applying.

Maxim - you are correct regarding taking classes randomly isnt the best option. However, If I remember correctly tho, Mss4 has applied to a plethora of varied programs both post-bac and SMP. I think she is referring to if she gets into none of them. Therefore, I think taking classes at some level is better than taking classes at no level... but hey each to his/her own

Also, not sure how many guaranteed-admission postbacs are out there. Maybe you know more on the subject than I do but at least on the East coast - UMDNJ is an SMP with no guarantees, nor is UConn, Tufts will give an interview to top 20%, don't think BU has anything formal, and I know HES doesn't either.
 
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Mss4, i'm in your exact same position. Just got a "waitlist" notification for one of the SMPs I applied to. I'm worried that a similar trend might happen to the other two I applied to. Granted, I did not apply to many. I am, however, concerned about not even getting into an SMP.

Anyone have any advice on where there might be SMP programs that are not at strict in admissions????? My stats are: 27R, 3.3cGPA, 3.15sci, lots of volunteer/leadership/extracurricular. I would prefer an SMP over post-bacc, but where should I start looking if I can't get into an SMP? I applied to Loyola, RFUMS, Cincy and NYMC. Are there any SMPs out there, anywhere, that would likely accept someone with my stats?

Thanks for the help, and I imagine any advice would help similar people in this position.
 
Mss4, i'm in your exact same position. Just got a "waitlist" notification for one of the SMPs I applied to. I'm worried that a similar trend might happen to the other two I applied to. Granted, I did not apply to many. I am, however, concerned about not even getting into an SMP.

Anyone have any advice on where there might be SMP programs that are not at strict in admissions????? My stats are: 27R, 3.3cGPA, 3.15sci, lots of volunteer/leadership/extracurricular. I would prefer an SMP over post-bacc, but where should I start looking if I can't get into an SMP? I applied to Loyola, RFUMS, Cincy and NYMC. Are there any SMPs out there, anywhere, that would likely accept someone with my stats?

Thanks for the help, and I imagine any advice would help similar people in this position.

Rob, I agree, if neither SMP or post-bac then independent classes may be the route to go.

Iowadoc, I recommend you try SUNY-Roswell Park Cancer Institute's SMP and UMDNJ's MBS program. I was fortunate to have been accepted to both and my stats are everything but great. <3.0/30L

I hear UMDNJ's reputation is growing but I do not know about RPCI. My intuition is that RPCI is a good one to have because their curriculum is cancer-research based and it's affiliated with SUNY.
 
Here is a useful list of SMPs from Syracuse U's website.

http://hpap.syr.edu/pblist.htm

Masters Programs: Degree-Granting Programs
 
Hey everyone! Thank you so much for the advices. I will def. look more into the SMP, and the websites def help!! I do plan on keeping up with the extracurricular stuff... but I really just want to boost up my gpa. I haven't yet heard from anyone..so I guess that's why I am concerned.
 
Its weird, I emailed Lynda Fox last week about my application and I got no reply. Today I emailed again but added one of those 'recipt on read' things. Apparently she read my email within 10 mins of me sending it, but didnt reply. So my guess is, shes there. But not replying for some reason. And about class size, I believe its around 20-25 these days. With about 10 of them getting the garuntee.
 
does anyone know how many apply for the minority program?

^How do you add the receipt when read thing? That is a cool option!
 
Its weird, I emailed Lynda Fox last week about my application and I got no reply. Today I emailed again but added one of those 'recipt on read' things. Apparently she read my email within 10 mins of me sending it, but didnt reply. So my guess is, shes there. But not replying for some reason. And about class size, I believe its around 20-25 these days. With about 10 of them getting the garuntee.

Nobody gets guarentees. The website says it, Dean Sanford said to me. Nothing is certain. Of the two people I spoke to, one i know pretty well, 5 of them applied and 4 got in. And they didnt interview until May. One person still didn't get in.
No idea the class size, but certainly its not sure thing - don't get me wrong, it helps and making connections is a good thing but dont think its a free ride in
 
Nobody gets guarentees. The website says it, Dean Sanford said to me. Nothing is certain. Of the two people I spoke to, one i know pretty well, 5 of them applied and 4 got in. And they didnt interview until May. One person still didn't get in.
No idea the class size, but certainly its not sure thing - don't get me wrong, it helps and making connections is a good thing but dont think its a free ride in

I kinda thought that it was "understood" that most usually get in. This is not the case? Ugh, just when you think you have your bases covered.
 
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