UMDNJ Discussion Thread 2010-2011

[deleted248403]

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They are, and so are LOR....each are given a score per what they said when I interviewed.

I don't know how they score them, it would appear to be super subjective. Your cGPA is multiplied by 10, and your MCAT is added to it, then they add the LORs, ECs - if you get a certain score you get an interview. Then they add the interview score, and then if that value is above a certain value then they offer you an acceptance, or reject or waitlist.

 

[jeffro1080]

They are, and so are LOR....each are given a score per what they said when I interviewed.

I don't know how they score them, it would appear to be super subjective. Your cGPA is multiplied by 10, and your MCAT is added to it, then they add the LORs, ECs - if you get a certain score you get an interview. Then they add the interview score, and then if that value is above a certain value then they offer you an acceptance, or reject or waitlist.

ya really... maybe the count the number of superlatives in the letters lol...

that's weird though because I was given a target MCAT score before I submitted my application. maybe it was just a rough estimation factoring in average ECs

 

[traitorman]

I agree with you, but you may be underestimating the degree to which they screen--they probably wouldn't even give a 3.2 27 and interview. I spoke with Paula and she that to get an interview I would need a 27 with my 3.5 cum 3.86 sci.

i might be an exception then.. but now im scared

it does look like a lot of the people interviewing and posting on this thread have really high stats

 

[Dr Yiot]

to anyone who recieves a phonecall today. I recently visited the campus and took a tour. I can say that my outlook on this school has changed significantly. I can't tell you how great this school is. you really just need to visit the campus. They are all a family there and its hard not to notice that. They truly care about there students and it was extremely evident. They want all of them to succeed and you can tell that when they hand out acceptances, its not all necessarily about stats but they really try to produce a class that meshes really well and will all become friends that encourage eachother to do well in school. After leaving the campus it was a bitter sweet day as I fell in love with the school but got a glimpse of how competetive the program really is. if you have lower stats and have recieved an interview don't stress yourself out cause they do look at the whole applicant and like to take people who they feel are a good fit for thier program. Congratulations to all who have already recieved acceptances and remember that if you get one how much of a gift it really is because aside from having the grades to succeed in med school they actually really liked you as a person. I can only hope and pray that I am one of those people. Paula is the sweetest lady and april is HILAROUS. GL to all you interviewees out there!

 

[Dr Yiot]

i might be an exception then.. but now im scared

it does look like a lot of the people interviewing and posting on this thread have really high stats

dont worry about that at all. just be yourself and be honest.

 

[traitorman]

to anyone who recieves a phonecall today. I recently visited the campus and took a tour. I can say that my outlook on this school has changed significantly. I can't tell you how great this school is. you really just need to visit the campus. They are all a family there and its hard not to notice that. They truly care about there students and it was extremely evident. They want all of them to succeed and you can tell that when they hand out acceptances, its not all necessarily about stats but they really try to produce a class that meshes really well and will all become friends that encourage eachother to do well in school. After leaving the campus it was a bitter sweet day as I fell in love with the school but got a glimpse of how competetive the program really is. if you have lower stats and have recieved an interview don't stress yourself out cause they do look at the whole applicant and like to take people who they feel are a good fit for thier program. Congratulations to all who have already recieved acceptances and remember that if you get one how much of a gift it really is because aside from having the grades to succeed in med school they actually really liked you as a person. I can only hope and pray that I am one of those people. Paula is the sweetest lady and april is HILAROUS. GL to all you interviewees out there!

that's great to hear 👍 i definitely felt the same vibe when I visited the school during the summer, but that was when there were only a few students around. and paula and april have been extremely helpful.

good luck man, i hope u can get an interview too. i know this whole application process can get really tough. just gotta stay positive!

 

[jeffro1080]

anybody else anxiously awaiting a call????

 

[Dr Yiot]

I don't think the ECs are factored into the equation... but I get what you're saying.

They are, and so are LOR....each are given a score per what they said when I interviewed.

I don't know how they score them, it would appear to be super subjective. Your cGPA is multiplied by 10, and your MCAT is added to it, then they add the LORs, ECs - if you get a certain score you get an interview. Then they add the interview score, and then if that value is above a certain value then they offer you an acceptance, or reject or waitlist.

everything you turn in is given a score, lor's, secondarie essays, average of all the mcat sections, gpa's and extracurriculars.

 

[theone1979]

For those of you talking about "waiting for a call today", are you referring to waiting for a call regarding an interview, or for a call regarding acceptance.

Also, I was wondering if you guys could help me.
Im a NJ resident.
27Q MCAT
3.5 Cumm
3.7 science gpa

I applied a month ago and still haven;t heard a word. Is this bad news? Sounds like ppl are being contacted for interviews very quickly after submitting apps, and as I said, its been a month and nada.

That aside, given my stats, do you think I should get an interview?

Thanks.

 

[geekNERD]

anybody else anxiously awaiting a call????

I'm waiting ><

 

[Dr Yiot]

For those of you talking about "waiting for a call today", are you referring to waiting for a call regarding an interview, or for a call regarding acceptance.

Also, I was wondering if you guys could help me.
Im a NJ resident.
27Q MCAT
3.5 Cumm
3.7 science gpa

I applied a month ago and still haven;t heard a word. Is this bad news? Sounds like ppl are being contacted for interviews very quickly after submitting apps, and as I said, its been a month and nada.

That aside, given my stats, do you think I should get an interview?

Thanks.

the only gpa they care about is your overall, thats which gpa gets factored into the equation that decides whether you get an interview or not. its sad but true🙁

 

[ashkarch]

...waiting!

 

[jeffro1080]

the only gpa they care about is your overall, thats which gpa gets factored into the equation that decides whether you get an interview or not. its sad but true🙁

that's really silly... classes should be ranked. it's absurd that a ChemE GPA holds the same weight as a Bio GPA

 

[jeffro1080]

For those of you talking about "waiting for a call today", are you referring to waiting for a call regarding an interview, or for a call regarding acceptance.

Also, I was wondering if you guys could help me.
Im a NJ resident.
27Q MCAT
3.5 Cumm
3.7 science gpa

I applied a month ago and still haven;t heard a word. Is this bad news? Sounds like ppl are being contacted for interviews very quickly after submitting apps, and as I said, its been a month and nada.

That aside, given my stats, do you think I should get an interview?

Thanks.

I'm sure you're going to hear back from them in the next couple of weeks.

 

[Dr Yiot]

that's really silly... classes should be ranked. it's absurd that a ChemE GPA holds the same weight as a Bio GPA

i agree its upsetting but its there way of factoring out all the applicants as the schools very competetive

 

[theone1979]

I'm sure you're going to hear back from them in the next couple of weeks.

I sure hope you are right. But it does concern me that it has been over a month since my app has been complete and I still have heard nothing. Ordinarily this wouldn't concern me since a month isn't that long, but from reading this thread, it looks like many people were contacted in just a week or 2 after submitting their secondaries (unless I am misunderstanding).

So a NJ applicant with my stats who didnt submit until mid-sept is still likely to be invited for interview?

 

[jeffro1080]

I sure hope you are right. But it does concern me that it has been over a month since my app has been complete and I still have heard nothing. Ordinarily this wouldn't concern me since a month isn't that long, but from reading this thread, it looks like many people were contacted in just a week or 2 after submitting their secondaries (unless I am misunderstanding).

So a NJ applicant with my stats who didnt submit until mid-sept is still likely to be invited for interview?

I think so.

 

[Eye Cue]

I got the call at 2:40 today, accepted!!!

Good luck to all who are waiting. Can't wait to see who will be in the class of 2015 with me. 🙂

 

[jeffro1080]

I got the call at 2:40 today, accepted!!!

Good luck to all who are waiting. Can't wait to see who will be in the class of 2015 with me. 🙂

👍

 

[mle15]

Congrats, Eye Cue! Got my acceptance call at 3:20! I interviewed on last Thursday when the school had to be evacuated. Excited to bring my family with me on the tour now. Best of luck to those who are waiting!!!

 

[dannyNJ]

Well it's 5:49 pm and the phone has yet to ring...looks like I am out of contention for a UMDNJ seat. Best of luck to everyone else.

 

[NontradICUdoc]

to my understanding, they don't place as much emphasis on the interviews as most other schools.

You are incorrect. The interview can make you or break you. Don't think that one part is not counted as much as the other. This type of thinking will not be to your benefit.

 

[jeffro1080]

You are incorrect. The interview can make you or break you. Don't think that one part is not counted as much as the other. This type of thinking will not be to your benefit.

I have already interviewed here and it could have not gone any better.

I'm very discouraged after not receiving a call today. Does anyone know if they complete all of their acceptance calls on the third Friday?

 

[g8orlife]

It's hard to say. I was trying to calculate it earlier. This figures may be slightly off, but here is what I came up with.

Last year, about 400 interviews total for a class size of 150. Thus, 37.5% of interviewees matriculated. NJ residents comprise about 80% of the class, so about 30% of NJ residents who interview will attend and about 4-fold less for OOS. Obviously, the earlier you interview, the higher your chances, so maybe a standard deviation of about 5-10% depending how early, so we'll just say 7.5%. Also, these numbers may be slightly skewed by those who come off the waitlist, those who decline the acceptance, and some other factors as well. Then again, they are receiving more applications this year than last, so these calculations could very well be pointless if they are using a different system.

Since OOS applicants can claim NJ residency after 1 year, doesn't that skew the actual IS/OOS acceptance ratio? ... Unless your percentages are at the time of acceptance or before OOS students claim NJ residency...

 

[g8orlife]

Well it's 5:49 pm and the phone has yet to ring...looks like I am out of contention for a UMDNJ seat. Best of luck to everyone else.

Hey, they might've not had enough time to call you. I'd say wait until next week before counting yourself out .... but even if you were on the waitlisted, an acceptance could come as late as July! So, don't count yourself out until either you receive a rejection or it's August.

 

[geekNERD]

No call... bummed out at work.. Smh

 

[AsFateHasIt]

I had my interview on Wednesday. Everyone in admissions including the tour guides, Wade and Kelly, were absolutely fantastic, calming, and helpful. Paula and April told the interviewees that we would all be receiving calls after 4:00pm today. It is now 9:28--I have been counting every minute of this day since 6:00am with very little sleep and a full day of work. I'm exhausted but still clinging to hope and faith in my application, in an early, strong interview, and my overwhelming desire to go to UMDNJ-SOM. I have work again tomorrow at 8:00am, so a call between now and then could afford me some shut-eye. Perhaps I cannot even begin to understand how inundated the admissions committee is with applications, but just having them tell us we'd hear from them today after 4:00 today and not hearing from them is heart-wrenching to say the least. Gonna keep hoping and praying. I've got nothing else left at this point. Good luck to everyone else. I feel everyone's pain, and I'll keep you all in my prayers as well.

 

[dannyNJ]

I had my interview on Wednesday. Everyone in admissions including the tour guides, Wade and Kelly, were absolutely fantastic, calming, and helpful. Paula and April told the interviewees that we would all be receiving calls after 4:00pm today. It is now 9:28--I have been counting every minute of this day since 6:00am with very little sleep and a full day of work. I'm exhausted but still clinging to hope and faith in my application, in an early, strong interview, and my overwhelming desire to go to UMDNJ-SOM. I have work again tomorrow at 8:00am, so a call between now and then could afford me some shut-eye. Perhaps I cannot even begin to understand how inundated the admissions committee is with applications, but just having them tell us we'd hear from them today after 4:00 today and not hearing from them is heart-wrenching to say the least. Gonna keep hoping and praying. I've got nothing else left at this point. Good luck to everyone else. I feel everyone's pain, and I'll keep you all in my prayers as well.

Don"t worry a lot of people are in the same boat as you. I got work tomorrow too and have been getting little to no sleep as well. I was really hoping to get this one and some people are saying we may still hear back next week. I know some people like to get down on themselves if they dont get in and its only natural, but honestly when 4,000 some odd people apply and only 150 get in you just got to understand that a 3.75% entrance rate is really tough. Anyway, usually I am a competitor but with all the stress and hard work I put in and I'm sure you and everyone else has, I can honestly say I hope and wish everyone could get in. Best of luck and lets keep our heads up.

 

[theone1979]

To all of you who have received interviews, interview invites, or acceptances,
would you mind sharing your mcat scores and cumm and science gpas?

 

[Eye Cue]

Since OOS applicants can claim NJ residency after 1 year, doesn't that skew the actual IS/OOS acceptance ratio? ... Unless your percentages are at the time of acceptance or before OOS students claim NJ residency...

This is true. I don't think enough information is supplied in order to come up with a relatively accurate calculation.

 

[Eye Cue]

To all of you who have received interviews, interview invites, or acceptances,
would you mind sharing your mcat scores and cumm and science gpas?

28 MCAT
GPA... I don't even know. Graduated community college with 3.47. Now at my current institution, I get my Bachelor's this December and have a 3.96. When you put the GPA's of both colleges together, I have no idea what it comes out to, and don't really care enough to figure it out. lol

 

[LillianMoya]

Okay... so I'm applying next year... just applied to transfer to Montclair... Anyone know much about Montclair? How competitive are we talking here? Am I going to have to battle it out with ADCOM because I have some bad shows on my transcript because of an accident I had? I've gone through appeal processes over and over because these Incomplete grades turned into F grades, but I'm taking all the classes over, which takes the F grades out of my GPA. They still show on my transcript, though... How have your experiences been? Are you showing lower college transcripts along with university transcripts even though the classes transferred? I'm wondering if I'm going to have to send ALL of my transcripts in, regardless of whether they are relevant or not.

 

[LillianMoya]

You have to send in transcripts from any college you've ever attended. If you get those grades replaced, it'll be reflected in your GPA like you said. Hopefully you'll get it all worked out before you apply, but if you need to, just explain it in your personal statement or something. You don't necessarily want to draw attention to negative aspects of your application, but if it really is just a technical issue, maybe it should be brought to light.

I think the accident was serious enough to explain. I was in a coma, had to go through a bunch of therapies, and my grades and major were even affected and changed. I think I should bring it to light in my personal statement but make it a positive aspect, and unique aspect of me as an applicant instead of something to dampen my application. 😀

 

[deleted248403]

Congrats to those who just found their acceptances on Friday

 

[jimbean]

I have what I think is a curious situation, but maybe I'm just reading too far into it. So after interviewing last month I was waiting for a call Friday which never came. No big deal I figured I'd call Monday(today) and ask the status of my application. I talked to April, and she said she couldn't see a status for me, or couldn't find one. She said she would have Paula Watkins call me later. I still haven't heard back, so I'm curious as to why I had no status. My guess is that it just wasn't updated, but I wonder could they not have chosen one for me yet?

 

[Doctor Duck]

I got an interview coming up. What are some of the questions asked if I may ask you that already got in. OSS.

 

[deleted248403]

I got an interview coming up. What are some of the questions asked if I may ask you that already got in. OSS.

already discussed at length by more than a dozen members... have a read of the thread

 

[jeffro1080]

Just spoke to Paula today... apparently they have had a huge amount of strong applicants early on due to AACOMAS processing applications faster.

I was waitlisted with a 30 MCAT and 3.42 cum / 3.8 sci GPA (with an incredibly strong upward trend). I thought that my interview went really well and this was confirmed earlier today... "your interviewer really liked you and gave you a really good score".

I have great stats for DO and aced the interview! What else can I do??
I'm pretty disappointed... I like this school a lot!! I'm hopeful that I'll be taken off the waitlist.

good luck to everyone else that is applying! 🙂

 

[theone1979]

Just spoke to Paula today... apparently they have had a huge amount of strong applicants early on due to AACOMAS processing applications faster.

I was waitlisted with a 30 MCAT and 3.42 cum / 3.8 sci GPA (with an incredibly strong upward trend). I thought that my interview went really well and this was confirmed earlier today... "your interviewer really liked you and gave you a really good score".

I have great stats for DO and aced the interview! What else can I do??
I'm pretty disappointed... I like this school a lot!! I'm hopeful that I'll be taken off the waitlist.

good luck to everyone else that is applying! 🙂

Wow, that is depressing to hear. Makes you wonder, if you are being waitlisted...who are they accepting?

Truthfully, there arent a ton of ppl applying to DO schools with 30+ MCAT scores, so you have to be towards the upper end in terms of MCAT and your gpas are strong as well.

If you did great in your interview (which you said you did), then what could they possibly be waiting for?

Oh, are you a NJ resident? If not, that might be part of the issue.

 

[VVSHT]

I also heard at the orientation that when they enter the gpa into their calculations, they also factor in at which college that gpa was attained according to Barrons rankings.

What college did u attend if u dont mind me asking. I am curious because I have similar numbers and will be applying next cycle.

 

[VVSHT]

I think the accident was serious enough to explain. I was in a coma, had to go through a bunch of therapies, and my grades and major were even affected and changed. I think I should bring it to light in my personal statement but make it a positive aspect, and unique aspect of me as an applicant instead of something to dampen my application. 😀

Im your blog's 1st follower. lol 😀

 

[jeffro1080]

I also heard at the orientation that when they enter the gpa into their calculations, they also factor in at which college that gpa was attained according to Barrons rankings.

What college did u attend if u dont mind me asking. I am curious because I have similar numbers and will be applying next cycle.

I am in state.

yea you're right, they do factor in your school. I go to Rowan... it isn't ranked high but Rowan has a really good relationship with UMDNJ and we send 2 or 3 students to UMDNJ every year.

The thing is that I was told that with my stats, I would only need a 27 for an interview. She told me over the phone that I had a great "pre-interview" score too.

Another thing is that I've met with Paula two seperate times.... 3 if you count a tour. That is also supposed to factor into your score.

I'm just hoping that a lot of people withdrawl.

 

[Postal]

I am in state.

yea you're right, they do factor in your school. I go to Rowan... it isn't ranked high but Rowan has a really good relationship with UMDNJ and we send 2 or 3 students to UMDNJ every year.

The thing is that I was told that with my stats, I would only need a 27 for an interview. She told me over the phone that I had a great "pre-interview" score too.

Another thing is that I've met with Paula two seperate times.... 3 if you count a tour. That is also supposed to factor into your score.

I'm just hoping that a lot of people withdrawl.

Meeting with Paula actually factors into your score? Hmm...is that really fair?

 

[deleted248403]

Another thing is that I've met with Paula two seperate times.... 3 if you count a tour. That is also supposed to factor into your score.

I find this very hard to believe.

It wasnt mentioned at my interview and seems a bit too ridic to be included.

They def do factor which school you went to tho into the calculations - sorry you got waitlisted.

 

[g8orlife]

Another thing is that I've met with Paula two seperate times.... 3 if you count a tour. That is also supposed to factor into your score.

 

[g8orlife]

Hey, I moved my interview up to today. I must say that this is the most relaxed graduate school atmosphere that I've ever seen.

Overall, great interview. I'll let you guys know the results next month.

BTW - I bet your very high on the waitlist and you'll everntually get in, Jeffro.

 

[jeffro1080]

I find this very hard to believe.

It wasnt mentioned at my interview and seems a bit too ridic to be included.

They def do factor which school you went to tho into the calculations - sorry you got waitlisted.

how come? one of the students that works in the admission office told me this.

 

[jeffro1080]

I find this very hard to believe.

It wasnt mentioned at my interview and seems a bit too ridic to be included.

They def do factor which school you went to tho into the calculations - sorry you got waitlisted.

at the very least it shows my interest.

I think the major issue was the fact that I only applied to 3 DO schools. it probably seemed to them that I was holding out for DO while applying mostly MD, which isn't true.

I could only afford to pay for 3 schools and I do not want to leave my region. as a matter of fact the only school the school that I applied to outside of my region is a DO school. I hope the admissions committee realizes my commitment to osteopathy... I wish I had brought that up in my interview.

 

[deleted248403]

how come? one of the students that works in the admission office told me this.

Still doubt it - given that its a state school and ultimately answers to the state, i think theyd have a very hard time defending this component of an equation if the state asked about it. If it were private school they might get away with it but I find this highly unlikely that its a formalized component of their admissions equation.

at the very least it shows my interest.

I think the major issue was the fact that I only applied to 3 DO schools. it probably seemed to them that I was holding out for DO while applying mostly MD, which isn't true.

I could only afford to pay for 3 schools and I do not want to leave my region. as a matter of fact the only school the school that I applied to outside of my region is a DO school. I hope the admissions committee realizes my commitment to osteopathy... I wish I had brought that up in my interview.

I dont think the major issue was the number of schools you applied to - they dont even know you applied to MD schools at this point and if everything is geographically located then they can see that component of it.
Stay optimistic - its super early on in the process and there will be a lot of movement on the waitlist, and you may get a better offer from another school.

I will probably be declining my spot at UMDNJ-SOM, so there is at least one spot that you might be able to have.

 

[M1ikej]

Anyone who got the phone call on the 15th receive their acceptance packet yet?