UMass Worcester

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I also have not heard anything back yet and I interviewed in January.

I did send in additional material (a publication and two abstract submissions) last weekend and Brenda added it to my file first thing Monday morning (5/5). Yet still no news....

Does anyone know if the Peoplesoft page updates with your status before letter in the mail??

I hope that all those who haven't heard anything get some good news soon, but something tells me we have a week to go!

In the mean time, you can always check out some cool organizations to get involved with, such as the Jane Goodall Institute (saw her speak last night - amazing and inspiring! Check out Roots and Shoots too) or Physicians for Social Responsibility (the docs that ended the cold war)

http://www.janegoodall.org/

http://www.psr.org

http://www.rootsandshoots.org/
 
Hey envirodoc- Have you tried calling the office to check if a letter was mailed to you?
 
envirodoc said:
I also have not heard anything back yet and I interviewed in January.

I did send in additional material (a publication and two abstract submissions) last weekend and Brenda added it to my file first thing Monday morning (5/5). Yet still no news....

Does anyone know if the Peoplesoft page updates with your status before letter in the mail??

I hope that all those who haven't heard anything get some good news soon, but something tells me we have a week to go!

In the mean time, you can always check out some cool organizations to get involved with, such as the Jane Goodall Institute (saw her speak last night - amazing and inspiring! Check out Roots and Shoots too) or Physicians for Social Responsibility (the docs that ended the cold war)

http://www.janegoodall.org/

http://www.psr.org

http://www.rootsandshoots.org/
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Hi, Everyone -

It seems there may be a second round coming soon! Appears too many have not heard.

Good luck!
 
jka said:
Hi, Everyone -

It seems there may be a second round coming soon! Appears too many have not heard.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

So far only 2 people said they haven't heard yet, and for all we know, it could have been an administrative error. Besides, Umass emails waitlists (and usually before noon), so i think people would have heard by now.
 
Another Friday past and nothing new? Nothing for me to mull over through the weekend?

What about all of you who haven't updated us? Anything?
 
For those who are waiting, I am also waiting to here, but I'm from NJ and the schools interested are in NJ and NE. However, I just heard today that a classmate of mine got into UMASS. SO do not lose hope because I am certainly not. There is movement and she was on the waitlist for the longest time. So just hang in there...:luck:
 
Just for the record... I am STILL waiting to hear any kind of news. I did call admissions and they gave me the stock response of "All decisions should be made by the 15th"...... so the wait continues.
 
Thanks for sharing that info. I wish everybody on this thread could be accounted for. It's pretty unbelieveable they're still keeping people hanging...
 
I'm in! Just got the email! Good luck to everybody still waiting- I hope to see you this fall!
 
Just got in off the waitlist! Yay! Good luck to everyone and hopefully I will see y'all in the fall!!!
 
I just got in off the waitlist. received by email around 2pm. *super excited*
 
Congrats to everyone getting in off the waitlist! It's great that there's already so much movement! I withdrew my acceptance today, I hope another one of you will get the good news soon 🙂
 
Congratulations to all of you who got in! May I ask what you did between discovering you were waitlisted and being accepted? Anything special?
 
mjgordoire said:
Congratulations to all of you who got in! May I ask what you did between discovering you were waitlisted and being accepted? Anything special?
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hi mjgordoire, i was waitlisted on 4/25 and i sent a letter of intent to dean paraskos a week later, in which i gave him some updates and reiterated that umass is my first choice. hope that helps, i wish you good luck! :luck:
 
Congratulations, guys! See you in August!
 
I just sent in a letter of intent the day I was waitlisted saying I will absolutely attend umass if accepted. Hang in there guys, I'm positive more people will withdraw over the next couple of days.
 
Congratulations, everyone!

I was sick yesterday so just logged on and saw that all these people got accepted.

I am still keeping my fingers crossed!
 
i also got in on the 12th after interviewing in early sept 😛 i'm really really happy for everyone else that got in, it should be a great experience for us all. anyone else going to the open house thingy on the 31st?
 
doctorfunk85 said:
i also got in on the 12th after interviewing in early sept 😛 i'm really really happy for everyone else that got in, it should be a great experience for us all. anyone else going to the open house thingy on the 31st?
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Congrats Funk! I'm def going there on the 31st. I thought it was somewhat mandatory?

Off topic somewhat, but does anyone remember anything about the learning contract? I know they deduct 2/3 of tuition if we sign it, but of-course its non binding. What I'm wondering about is whether after four years, if we decide to back out of the contract, we have to only pay the principle , or also the interest? I read somewhere that it's only the principle, which would make it free money, but that sounded too good to be true.
 
http://www.umassmed.edu/financialaid/learn_contract/add_info.aspx

It looks like if you don't go into primary care or practice in an underserved area, it functions like a subsidized loan at 8% - it says "The Learning Contract for students matriculating after 1990 functions like an 8%-interest loan that can be paid with either money or certain legislated service. Payment is due the latter of six months after leaving UMMS or six months following completion of medical residency or fellowship. Interest accrues at the rate of 8% beginning the latter of six months after ceasing enrollment or the end of the first year of residency."

So if you're likely to enter into a practice like that, it's a good deal - if not, a stafford loan may be a better option (haven't done the math though, a bunch of variables there).
 
tporter said:
http://www.umassmed.edu/financialaid/learn_contract/add_info.aspx

It looks like if you don't go into primary care or practice in an underserved area, it functions like a subsidized loan at 8% - it says "The Learning Contract for students matriculating after 1990 functions like an 8%-interest loan that can be paid with either money or certain legislated service. Payment is due the latter of six months after leaving UMMS or six months following completion of medical residency or fellowship. Interest accrues at the rate of 8% beginning the latter of six months after ceasing enrollment or the end of the first year of residency."

So if you're likely to enter into a practice like that, it's a good deal - if not, a stafford loan may be a better option (haven't done the math though, a bunch of variables there).
Click to expand...

So interest starts accruing 6 months after graduation? It's basically a subsidized loan. Sounds like free money to me.
 
PreMD86 said:
So interest starts accruing 6 months after graduation? It's basically a subsidized loan. Sounds like free money to me.
Click to expand...

Yes, it is similar to a subsidized loan, but the interest rate on a Stafford may be lower. I agree with Tporter, if there is a reasonable probability that you will either be a primary care physician or practice in an underserved area, it makes sense financially to do the Learning Contract. However, if you think these paths are unlikely at best, it makes more sense to fund your schooling with a Stafford at a possibly lower interest rate.

Since I have kids and lots of financial responsibilities, IF I get in, I will probably take the Learning Contract AND Stafford loans since you can only borrow around 40K per year in federal loans; adding on the Learning Contract, this comes to about 46 K per year in resources before turning to private, unsubsidized sources.

It's scary to think about. All this time, I have been 100% focused on getting in. Of course I hope I get in, but then one has to figure out these formidable finances as well after acceptance.
 
PLEASE PLEASE let us know if you hear anything today.
 
Hi -

I can say I think today is going to be a tough day for me. Most people on this thread have heard yes or no by this point. But for the remaining waitlisters - father oblivion & mjdore (sorry I know this is spelled wrong!) - anything?

I am so nervous....😕😕😕
 
Nothing so far - I feel your pain. The waiting is unbearable. Are we three the only waitlisters who haven't been accepted? Yuck. Not sure that bodes well for us.
 
mjgordoire said:
Nothing so far - I feel your pain. The waiting is unbearable. Are we three the only waitlisters who haven't been accepted? Yuck. Not sure that bodes well for us.
Click to expand...

We are the only 3 that I know of. But then there are several people who haven't updated us either way, and then of course there are always the silent readers who suddently post once they get accepted.

Good luck!
 
jka said:
We are the only 3 that I know of. But then there are several people who haven't updated us either way, and then of course there are always the silent readers who suddently post once they get accepted.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

hey, I guess i've been one of those silent posters you've been talking about. sorry, I have actually been blatantly avoiding this site to calm my nerves over the past few months, but I'm so on edge that I've decided that my nerves can't get any worse. anyway, i was waitlisted, on the 25th i believe, and i still have not heard. best of luck to everyone.

i hate you umass. just kidding. i really really really love you.
 
The interest doesn't START to accrue until after you graduate (I guess 6 months afterwards). So yes, it is free money. If you have the means, you can pay it all back after you graduate and there won't be any additional money owed. It ends up being about $20-25000 for the four years.

There is no reason to not sign the learning contract. Even if you are wealthy you could theoretically take that $25000 and put it in a bank and earn the interest on it while you are in school. I dunno, maybe if you do the math and stretch it out dozens of years down the road, a lower interest loan up front might come out ahead. But it would have to be pretty solid and well thought out reasoning to not sign that document.

Speaking as a prior graduate (who did not go into primary care), anyone who turns down UMass to go somewhere else needs their head examined, to be honest. You can make up all the excuses you want about prestige or whatever if you go somewhere else, but those are silly excuses. Although if the prestige-obsessed go elsewhere, it does make UMass a better place 😉
 
C'mon Umass!! There's got to be a post May 15th round!

Yaah, I love umass too - that's why I didn't bother applying anywhere else😳
 
Out of curiosity, does everyone have a back-up plan if they are not taken off the waitlist? Early decision, maybe? (Which may in fact mean that the application needs to be submitted prior to finding out for sure if you have been accepted off the waitlist for THIS cycle.) More money, more time, yuck, yuck.
 
mjgordoire said:
Out of curiosity, does everyone have a back-up plan if they are not taken off the waitlist? Early decision, maybe? (Which may in fact mean that the application needs to be submitted prior to finding out for sure if you have been accepted off the waitlist for THIS cycle.) More money, more time, yuck, yuck.
Click to expand...


I was thinking I would do early decision and submit with my current MCAT scores but retake in the fall so that by the time they would be considering my app, I could update them with super-awesome scores😛.

However, I do not know the protocol for resubmitting recs, etc.

If I don't hear in the next few weeks, I guess I'll go forward with this plan, even though I would still be on the waitlist for this year.

I personally think our chances will go way down if we don't get an acceptance during the first post-May 15th round.

What do you think?

I am at work and am having so much trouble concentrating!
 
jka said:
Hi -

I can say I think today is going to be a tough day for me. Most people on this thread have heard yes or no by this point. But for the remaining waitlisters - father oblivion & mjdore (sorry I know this is spelled wrong!) - anything?

I am so nervous....😕😕😕
Click to expand...

Sorry I haven't been posting. I too have been avoiding this thread in an effort to keep from losing it completely. Still nothing for me. Definitely starting to wonder if there's even going to be a post 15th round of acceptances. I can't take too much more of this...
 
So what do we think? This year is a departure from past years? More movement off the waitlist occurred BEFORE the May 15th deadline rather than after? I am feeling so hopeless...
 
mjgordoire said:
So what do we think? This year is a departure from past years? More movement off the waitlist occurred BEFORE the May 15th deadline rather than after? I am feeling so hopeless...
Click to expand...


I know it is so crazy. I did some earlier years research today and realized that only last year and the year before was their huge movement after May 15th. But I am also poking around at other threads for other schools and many people haven't heard anything - no waitlist or rejection, even after May 15th.

My gut tells me there will be another round, but holding your breath every time you check your email stinks. I wish they could just tell us when the next meeting will be, etc.😕
 
Thanks for doing all the research - I'm crossing my fingers for both of us!
 
yes. thank you very much. i'm kind of worried that the post 15th waitlist movement might have occurred but passed us 4 by. I really hope that's not the case. how big is this waitlist, do you think?
 
Hi all--I'm a new SDN member. I've also been wait-listed at UMass (email 4/25) and have not heard anything either. I interviewed on 1-15, sent in the usual thank-yous, updated them with grades once, had another reference submitted in January, then left them alone until I was wait-listed. Since then I've updated them 3 times -- basically once a week (I did find pertinent things to update them on...lol). Someone in admissions or Ms. Lawton has always quickly replied thanking me, but I wonder if I've over done it. I think I will leave them alone for good now.... I've appreciated reading everyone's postings on what they've done, so thought I'd include mine. Good luck everyone!
 
Thanks for the new people posting their info. Definitely more helpful than just waiting for an acceptance and saying "By the way!" :laugh:

People were waitlisted 4.25 and accepted 5.12, which is approximately 2.5 weeks later. I wonder if they are meeting every two weeks or so, which would mean they would meet again the second half of this week. Ugggg!! Who knows?

Does anyone else feel like a person going through an uncertain break-up? Like you're not sure it's over so you keep on hoping the ex will call. And if they would just call and tell you it's over, then you could move on and get on with your life? And also are you kind of ticked because you think they must be crazy for not wanting you? Kind of a silly analogy, but I was oddly comforted when I thought of it!

I have so much work to do and a presentation for work next week...This is definitely not helping!

Good luck everyone.:luck:
 
I just got a call 2 minutes ago for an acceptance off the waitlist. This is my number one school, so I am pumped. I assume they are making a round of calls right now. I was waitlisted 4/25 like most people. I'm not sure if any other dates would be helpful.
Best of luck everyone and hope to see you in Worcester in a couple months
 
Congratulations! Is this the second round? Are we missing it, jka, FatherOblivion, MEDRCA, and Docwannable08? My heart is in my throat.
 
My waitlisted friend got in today as well.
 
mjgordoire said:
Congratulations! Is this the second round? Are we missing it, jka, FatherOblivion, MEDRCA, and Docwannable08? My heart is in my throat.
Click to expand...


Hi, mj -

The only thing I can think is that we are missing it, but hopefully there will be more. My heart is in my throat too.🙁 The hard part is I find myself thinking what it was I may have done wrong. I wish admissions could give us a reasonable probablity, but I bet they pick a similar candidate everytime someone gives up a spot to maintain diversity.

Hang in there.
 
Is anyone else curious about the change from e-mail notification to the phone call.

PreMed86, did your friend get a phone call?

This makes me think the spots are really slim and they want to communicate directly with the candidates to see if they are interested rather than have a lag time that may be associated with e-mail.
 
Has any one thought about calling to ask for a rough schedule, for example, next spots will be offered ___?

I don't want to be trouble to the admissions office, but the uncertainty and waiting is so difficult.
 
jka said:
Is anyone else curious about the change from e-mail notification to the phone call.

PreMed86, did your friend get a phone call?

This makes me think the spots are really slim and they want to communicate directly with the candidates to see if they are interested rather than have a lag time that may be associated with e-mail.
Click to expand...


yeah i agree with you. it's pretty sad. I think our chances are getting pretty slim. I'm going to give myself another week before mentally trying to move on.
 
Yea, my friend got a phone call. I do think that acceptances will be farther and fewer these next few weeks, but I do predict that at least a couple of spots would open up. School are only now beginning to take people off waitlists, and some people are bound to withdraw. Dont lose hope til your get the official word.
 
jka said:
Has any one thought about calling to ask for a rough schedule, for example, next spots will be offered ___?
Click to expand...

I called the admissions office yesterday morning (5/21). (My first call to them!) It went directly to voicemail. I left a message asking for any information on WL movement. No word yet back from them; but, as soon I hear anything, I'll let you know.... Hang in there 🙂
 
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