UMDNJ Discussion Thread 2010-2011

[deleted248403]

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drhopeful13 - as jimbean said, your MCAT is low. IMO, too low. You are 5pts below average. Thats a lot low. They don't publish std dev values but I bet you are at least one (maybe two) deviations below average.

I'm not going to say don't apply but your MCAT is seriously going to cripple your application. Especially as rumour has it that verbal score is the score most correlated with success on the USMLE Step 1 (and I imagine Complex too)

 

[Doctor Duck]

OOS. Dec interview. What is the best way of getting from PHIL INT AP to the school? Any shuttle service, ect. Complicated drive?

 

[deleted248403]

Its a very easy drive. Dunno about shuttle service - maybe to a local hotel

 

[jeffro1080]

drhopeful13 - as jimbean said, your MCAT is low. IMO, too low. You are 5pts below average. Thats a lot low. They don't publish std dev values but I bet you are at least one (maybe two) deviations below average.

I'm not going to say don't apply but your MCAT is seriously going to cripple your application. Especially as rumour has it that verbal score is the score most correlated with success on the USMLE Step 1 (and I imagine Complex too)

UMDNJ-SOM values the bio section the most... don't ask me why.

 

[deleted248403]

Value the bio or not - i am just telling you what an independent study said about correlation with USMLE outcomes

 

[Hottpants89]

My application has been complete for a few days now. Does anyone know how long it typically is before they get back to you about an interview? Or how long it was for you?

 

[cgc217]

Hey, guys. Received an interview invite today for November 30th. Hope to see fellow SDNers there!

 

[g8orlife]

Hey, guys. Received an interview invite today for November 30th. Hope to see fellow SDNers there!

Finally got the call yesterday for 11/19. 😎

BTW cgc, I'm from South Florida, too.

 

[EspIsMe]

My application has been complete for a few days now. Does anyone know how long it typically is before they get back to you about an interview? Or how long it was for you?

Idk about everyone else, buuut for me it's been like 2 and a half months and I haven't heard anything. Soooo, you might want to get used to the wait.... 😴 but, I am OOS so that might affect it too

 

[traitorman]

Finally got the call yesterday for 11/19. 😎

BTW cgc, I'm from South Florida, too.

congrats man!! that must have been a pleasant surprise considering we all thought they only meet once a month and give interviews out on limited days

 

[deleted248403]

They absolutely meet once a month - but it doesnt mean the adcom meets to invite people for interviews or not.

Just to make the final admissions decisions.

They told us they meet once a month at our interviews, and this has been confirmed by 5+ who are students there.

There just maybe not connection between adcom meetings and interview invites - but there def is between accept/reject/waitlist and adcom meetings

 

[traitorman]

yea that definitely makes sense. but man, i know I'm gonna have to wait almost a month after my interview. thats gonna be a long couple of weeks.

 

[g8orlife]

congrats man!! that must have been a pleasant surprise considering we all thought they only meet once a month and give interviews out on limited days

Yeah, I was actually having a stressful afternoon until that phone call made my day!!! 😀

 

[gatorfann14]

Yeah, I was actually having a stressful afternoon until that phone call made my day!!! 😀

Congrats man

 

[romealone]

Hey guys
I have a quick question for those who have heard from UMDNJ.
I submitted my application about 2 weeks ago but when I called the office this past thursday (9/30), they stated the my app had not yet been reviewed.

BUT, I called them today (Monday, 10/4) and the secretary stated that my application now says "under review". She told me that this means that my application has been reviewed and that they now decide whether to invite me for an interview. So, since they hadn't reviewed it on Thursday, but it was reviewed by today (Monday), that means they must have gotten to it on Friday or this morning.

My question is, since my application has now been reviewed, if they were planning to invite me for an interview, do you think they would have called me today? I guess what Im asking is, once your application is reviewed and they make a decision regarding an interview, do they call you immediately to invite you, or might it take some days or even weeks for them to contact you?

I know it's probably paranoid, but I just don't like that my application has been reviewed but no one called today.

Oh, and my stats are
cumm gpa: 3.56
science gpa: 3.75
MCAT: 27Q
I am a NJ resident.
Great LOR's

Given those stats (and the fact that I just got my secondary in to them 2 weeks ago), do you guys think I should expect an interview? Thanks.

 

[deleted248403]

Romealone - Yes

 

[romealone]

Romealone - Yes

LOL, "Yes" to what??
I asked several questions. What are you answering "yes" to.
I basically asked 2 questions.

1-Is it bad news that my application was reviewed Friday or today and I have not yet received a call about an interview (or am I being silly and it takes days or perhaps weeks to respond after your app is reviewed.

2-Do you expect I will get an interview given my stats?

So, which did you answer "yes" to? (I am really hoping it was for the 2nd question.😎)

 

[deleted248403]

I answered the question I thought was most pertinent - my apologies.

1) No - there appears to be not correlation between day of the week and interview invite. Dont sweat it

2) Yes

 

[g8orlife]

Congrats man

Thanks! ... I don't know much about you, but I'm guessing that we have similar stats, so I bet one's coming your way shortly.👍

 

[AsFateHasIt]

New to SDN. Interview tomorrow, 10/7.

 

[MNBred]

New to SDN. Interview tomorrow, 10/7.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

 

[kate89]

hey, I am kate. I have been reading in sdn but am writing for the first time. I just received my acceptance from UMDNJ SOM and Touro COM!! I am an nj resident so am leaning strongly towards UMDNJ SOM. (stats: cGPA 3.45, sGPA 3.66, MCAT 31 P)...no response from MD schools🙁

I was just curious what is the upper range of MCAT in a typical UMDNJ SOM class. anyone knows?? i know the lower range is about 24-25.


any input would be helpful!

any insights from upperclassmen would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[deleted248403]

Per the materials they gave us at the interview - avg GPA was 3.58 and a 28 MCAT

 

[kate89]

Congrats!! 😀.

Thanks elftown...🙂

Per the materials they gave us at the interview - avg GPA was 3.58 and a 28 MCAT

I know the avergae stats, but i wanted to know what percent of the students at UMDNJ SOM have a 30+ MCAT for example.......anyone have any inkling on that??

 

[deleted248403]

how would we? and how do you know what the lower range is? i havent seen any published data on that

Also, just out of interest - why do you care?

 

[kate89]

how would we? and how do you know what the lower range is? i havent seen any published data on that

Also, just out of interest - why do you care?

1. i was hoping a student working in the admissions department might come accross the higher range of MCAT in the class

2. I estimated the lower range based on previous forums and posts from student who got in...but i know that the avergae MCAT is around 28.

3. based on my experience, i think i may be interested in anesthesiology, but i know anes residency programs are looking for pretty high USMLE step 1 scores. I also know that there is a strong *correlation* between MCAT scores and USMLE step 1 scores. I found that UMDNJ SOM had about 12 students matched into anes program for 2010 (hopefully i am reading the match chart right) - i thought those number were pretty cool!!

Bottom line: i wanted to know what r my chances of doing well in USMLE step 1 and getting a good anes residency....i know it is all about hard work and am up for it but i wanted to know if students who made into anes reisdencies had MCAT like 34-35? just curoious😀

any anes resident and UMDNJ SOM alumni, can u please shed light into this question?

 

[traitorman]

hey, I am kate. I have been reading in sdn but am writing for the first time. I just received my acceptance from UMDNJ SOM and Touro COM!! I am an nj resident so am leaning strongly towards UMDNJ SOM. (stats: cGPA 3.45, sGPA 3.66, MCAT 31 P)...no response from MD schools🙁

I was just curious what is the upper range of MCAT in a typical UMDNJ SOM class. anyone knows?? i know the lower range is about 24-25.


any input would be helpful!

any insights from upperclassmen would be greatly appreciated!!

I'm so jealous of u right now

 

[Skippygonenuts]

1. i was hoping a student working in the admissions department might come accross the higher range of MCAT in the class

2. I estimated the lower range based on previous forums and posts from student who got in...but i know that the avergae MCAT is around 28.

3. based on my experience, i think i may be interested in anesthesiology, but i know anes residency programs are looking for pretty high USMLE step 1 scores. I also know that there is a strong *correlation* between MCAT scores and USMLE step 1 scores. I found that UMDNJ SOM had about 12 students matched into anes program for 2010 (hopefully i am reading the match chart right) - i thought those number were pretty cool!!

Bottom line: i wanted to know what r my chances of doing well in USMLE step 1 and getting a good anes residency....i know it is all about hard work and am up for it but i wanted to know if students who made into anes reisdencies had MCAT like 34-35? just curoious😀

any anes resident and UMDNJ SOM alumni, can u please shed light into this question?

There's really not as big of a correlation as you may think. The assumption is that ull do as well on mcat as u will on usmle and comlex but this doesn't take into the equation that people's mindsets change drastically once they're actually a "medical student" as opposed to a premed undergrad..

For example...my ENT who graduated from UMDNJ-NJMS had a 25 on his mcat 15 years ago

 

[kate89]

They told us during orientation that how you do in your first two years is a much better predictor than MCAT. Also, note that one of those anesthesia matches was at Johns Hopkins.

yes...the john hopkins match is amazing!! just a quick question about reading this chart. In row 2 of excel, where it says "St. Lukes (1)/Hershey Med. Ctr. (2)," does it mean three students matched (one in luke and two in hersey)?

There's really not as big of a correlation as you may think. The assumption is that ull do as well on mcat as u will on usmle and comlex but this doesn't take into the equation that people's mindsets change drastically once they're actually a "medical student" as opposed to a premed undergrad..

For example...my ENT who graduated from UMDNJ-NJMS had a 25 on his mcat 15 years ago

wow that is really surprising but i think it makes sense...i myself am much mooore serious about planning for board exams in med school than i ever was for MCAT. Thanks, that helped!

 

[jeffro1080]

Just interviewed today, very relaxed and hospitable.

 

[wifeofmedstdent]

OOS. Dec interview. What is the best way of getting from PHIL INT AP to the school? Any shuttle service, ect. Complicated drive?

The train goes from there to Lindenwald, NJ I think. From there the school is about 2 blocks away, lots of taxis come to the station though. PM me if you need any other directions--my husband is a 2nd year now and we were out of state and it was scary to not have help!

 

[gatorfann14]

So have we decided if they only pick interviewees once a month and just take a little while to call, or do they just select over time?

 

[jimbean]

Just thought I'd say good luck to everyone waiting post-interview to hear a decision from the ADCOM this Friday. I've been waitin since 9/23 so it's been hell, relief is almost here. Anyone know what time calls generally go out?

 

[deleted248403]

around 3.30-4pm

 

[Eye Cue]

Just thought I'd say good luck to everyone waiting post-interview to hear a decision from the ADCOM this Friday. I've been waitin since 9/23 so it's been hell, relief is almost here. Anyone know what time calls generally go out?

It was 9/24 for me and I feel your pain. Friday can't come soon enough.

 

[jeffro1080]

Just thought I'd say good luck to everyone waiting post-interview to hear a decision from the ADCOM this Friday. I've been waitin since 9/23 so it's been hell, relief is almost here. Anyone know what time calls generally go out?

don't worry... we will be celebrating on friday!

 

[rs101]

they usually start calling people between 230-3ish.

 

[geekNERD]

Friday can't come fast enough! I just wanna fast fwd & get it over with lol

 

[pucciola]

Ok this may be a silly question, but can anyone tell me if they prefer the one page essay to be double spaced or single spaced? Thanks.

 

[Postal]

Hey guys,
I'm super excited. I sent in my secondary last week and I got a call for a possible interview as soon as my LOR's come in. I think its kinda cool that they called me to let me know that I was missing stuff.

Anyway. Does anyone know what the interview-acceptance rate is?


*dances with joy*

---to poster above---

I sent in one page single spaced essay

 

[Eye Cue]

Anyway. Does anyone know what the interview-acceptance rate is?

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.

 

[pucciola]

I can only send the secondary by snail mail? No online electronic version?

 

[DocTraveler]

Interview invite today!

Can't wait! It's so close to Philly and I've only heard great things! Btw, my Committee LOR was only sent last week, so pretty quick turnaround! They also contacted me when my LOR was missing letting me know they wanted to interview me.

GL everyone!

 

[jeffro1080]

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.

this isn't an acceptance rate!! you're forgetting about the tons of people that decline their seats!!!

I want to say the chances of an IS getting accepted after an interview is about 70-80%.

 

[deleted248403]

this isn't an acceptance rate!! you're forgetting about the tons of people that decline their seats!!!

I want to say the chances of an IS getting accepted after an interview is about 70-80%.

I highly doubt that it is 70-80%.

No school offers that large a percentage of acceptances to the interview pool - the most generous are around 50-60%

 

[jeffro1080]

I highly doubt that it is 70-80%.

No school offers that large a percentage of acceptances to the interview pool - the most generous are around 50-60%

you're probably right... I was kinda thinking about people that have interviewed this early.

UMDNJ uses a point system to determine acceptances. to my understanding, they don't place as much emphasis on the interviews as most other schools.

 

[deleted248403]

Well the significance of your interview score will depend on how close to the magic number you are based on grades and GPA...

If you are a 3.9 and 34 then yes interview score prob doesn't make a huge diff as long as you dont tank it. But a 3.2 and 27 would need to rock it

I do agree that the early applicants prob have higher %s but there is just no way of knowing how much more

 

[jeffro1080]

Well the significance of your interview score will depend on how close to the magic number you are based on grades and GPA...

If you are a 3.9 and 34 then yes interview score prob doesn't make a huge diff as long as you dont tank it. But a 3.2 and 27 would need to rock it

I do agree that the early applicants prob have higher %s but there is just no way of knowing how much more

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.

 

[deleted248403]

Well avgs are 3.58 and 28 I think..... so a 3.2 with good ECs might. But anyways, i was merely making the point that the higher the stats, the less significant the interview score becomes based on the way they calculate

 

[jeffro1080]

Well avgs are 3.58 and 28 I think..... so a 3.2 with good ECs might. But anyways, i was merely making the point that the higher the stats, the less significant the interview score becomes based on the way they calculate

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