UMDNJ Discussion Thread 2010-2011

[theone1979]

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If we don't receive a call today or Tuesday, is it safe to say it's a rejection?

Wait, I thought we will be called no matter what. I thought everyone received a call and then are notified if they are accepted, rejected or waitlisted. Is this not the case?

And anyone receive word yet today?

On a happy note I just received an acceptance from Touro-NV in the mail just now.

 

[vega07]

Congrats to all acceptees!!! (is that even a word?)

 

[citingwiki]

Wait, I thought we will be called no matter what. I thought everyone received a call and then are notified if they are accepted, rejected or waitlisted. Is this not the case?

And anyone receive word yet today?

On a happy note I just received an acceptance from Touro-NV in the mail just now.

April said they call accepted students and send letters to rejected ones.

 

[thepenguin]

According to a current student, you are either wait listed or rejected if you did not receive a phone call by Friday. Yes, they had to review many applicants, but only those accepted received a phone call on Friday.

 

[theone1979]

Sorry but I have bad news for everyone who is still awaiting "the call".

I just spoke with Paula 5 minutes ago asking her if I should still expect a call today regarding my acceptance.

She explained that apparently we have been misinformed about the process.
All students who were accepted were notified via phone on Friday.

For those that they decided to reject or waitlist, we will NOT be receiving a phone call. They will send us a letter in the mail explaining that we were waitlisted or rejected.

So....unfortunately, those of you (like me) who have been waiting anxiously for the call, if you were not called on friday for the acceptance, it means that you have been waitlisted or rejected.

Pretty upsetting that we have all been waiting in vain for this- I don't know how it ended up that we were misinformed on this matter.

Oh well. The good news is apparently their waitlist does move quite a bit.

Congrats to all those accepted.

 

[Postal]

*wince* ouch

 

[AspiringDOs]

Sorry but I have bad news for everyone who is still awaiting "the call".

I just spoke with Paula 5 minutes ago asking her if I should still expect a call today regarding my acceptance.

She explained that apparently we have been misinformed about the process.
All students who were accepted were notified via phone on Friday.

For those that they decided to reject or waitlist, we will NOT be receiving a phone call. They will send us a letter in the mail explaining that we were waitlisted or rejected.

So....unfortunately, those of you (like me) who have been waiting anxiously for the call, if you were not called on friday for the acceptance, it means that you have been waitlisted or rejected.

Pretty upsetting that we have all been waiting in vain for this- I don't know how it ended up that we were misinformed on this matter.

Oh well. The good news is apparently their waitlist does move quite a bit.

Congrats to all those accepted.

Theone1979, may I ask how competitive is your application?

And I do have to question how they can review all the interviewee's files AND make the calls on the same day.

But thanks for the information.

 

[theone1979]

Theone1979, may I ask how competitive is your application?

And I do have to question how they can review all the interviewee's files AND make the calls on the same day.

But thanks for the information.

Cumm 3.56
Science 3.76
MCAT 27Q


Regarding how they could review all apps in one day:
UMDNJ uses a formula to both decide if you will be interviewed and if you will be accepted after an interview. They assign a score to all aspects of your application and if you get a certain score you get an interview and once interviewed, they give you a score on your interview and add it to your original score. Then depending on your score, they either accept, waitlist or reject you.

And yes....it really sucks for those of us that have been waiting for a call that was never coming. Again-congrats to those accepted.

 

[traitorman]

nice stats theone, guess the class is extremely competitive. it does kinda suck they use a formula tho. seems like if you score low on one, it doesnt matter how well you do on everything else.

this is the first rejection/waitlist that really hurts as this was definitely my top school. i will definitely try and send in a letter of interest or something and see what happens. congrats to those accepted

i wonder if people move off the waitlist during the cycle or if its after everyone is interviewed already

 

[AspiringDOs]

Cumm 3.56
Science 3.76
MCAT 27Q


Regarding how they could review all apps in one day:
UMDNJ uses a formula to both decide if you will be interviewed and if you will be accepted after an interview. They assign a score to all aspects of your application and if you get a certain score you get an interview and once interviewed, they give you a score on your interview and add it to your original score. Then depending on your score, they either accept, waitlist or reject you.

And yes....it really sucks for those of us that have been waiting for a call that was never coming. Again-congrats to those accepted.

Theone1979,

I am on the same boat as you-- it seems that we have both been waitlisted. And I know that UMDNJ does indeed apply a mathematical formula to their acceptance process; however, judging from your application numbers, I have no idea why you would not be accepted.

I interviewed with Associate Dean Paul Krueger and he told me that calls do go out Mondays and Tuesday and that it was rare for them to call anyone on a Friday. With that said, a friend of mine was interviewed and accepted on the same day: Friday, November 19th. So it seems like a big mystery so far.

And it is odd that no one is on this thread celebrating their UMDNJ acceptance phone call.

 

[traitorman]

so much for the whole "you're pretty much in if you have an interview" sentiment that I kept hearing everyone say

 

[AspiringDOs]

so much for the whole "you're pretty much in if you have an interview" sentiment that I kept hearing everyone say

Easily acquired data about UMDNJ-SOM would reveal that there is a 60% chance of acceptance once interviewed.

 

[vega07]

I'm OOS and was placed on the waitlist. I had to call in, though. I loved the school and very much considered going so it hurt to hear the news.

April did tell me to call back in January for a ranking.

Best of luck to everyone and congrats to all accepted!

 

[g8orlife]

And it is odd that no one is on this thread celebrating their UMDNJ acceptance phone call.

There are 3 posts on this page with posters celebrating their acceptance calls.

 

[AspiringDOs]

There are 3 posts on this page with posters celebrating their acceptance calls.

Considering the volume of interviewees/acceptance, three acceptance declarations is a very small number to confirm that indeed all the acceptance calls have already gone out.

 

[Postal]

Considering the volume of interviewees/acceptance, three acceptance declarations is a very small number to confirm that indeed all the acceptance calls have already gone out.

you have to remember that not everyone is on sdn

 

[AspiringDOs]

you have to remember that not everyone is on sdn

Yes; and even with that in mind, three declarations of acceptance amidst a month of interviewing seems quite low. [Keeping the fact in mind that not ever applicant is on SD.]

Or perhaps I am just grasping at straws and am waitlisted. Sigh.

 

[deleted248403]

AspiringDOs - did you look back in this thread?

There are tons of people mentioning their acceptances...

 

[AspiringDOs]

AspiringDOs - did you look back in this thread?

There are tons of people mentioning their acceptances...

We are speaking about from November 19th on, when the acceptance calls for this month came out.

 

[theone1979]

Easily acquired data about UMDNJ-SOM would reveal that there is a 60% chance of acceptance once interviewed.

I thought about this stat as well. I am starting to think that when they state that 60% of those interviewed are accepted, what they mean is that 60% are EVENTUALLY accepted. Meaning...that they do not offer outright acceptances to 60% of those interviewed, but that by the end of the cycle, if you add up those that were given outright acceptances, and those that were taken off the waitlist and eventually accepted, it would add to 60%.

Now that is just speculation on my part, but it just seems like the great majority of those interviewed were waitlisted as opposed to accepted outright.

 

[AspiringDOs]

I thought about this stat as well. I am starting to think that when they state that 60% of those interviewed are accepted, what they mean is that 60% are EVENTUALLY accepted. Meaning...that they do not offer outright acceptances to 60% of those interviewed, but that by the end of the cycle, if you add up those that were given outright acceptances, and those that were taken off the waitlist and eventually accepted, it would add to 60%.

Now that is just speculation on my part, but it just seems like the great majority of those interviewed were waitlisted as opposed to accepted outright.

I could be wrong, but I thought Waitlist moves when accepted students decline their acceptance in lieu of another school. Meaning to say that the number of seats don't change: 300 interviews sent, roughly 150 accepted.

 

[HOPINGTOBE]

I could be wrong, but I thought Waitlist moves when accepted students decline their acceptance in lieu of another school. Meaning to say that the number of seats don't change: 300 interviews sent, roughly 150 accepted.

I too am waitlisted🙁! Does anyone know how this process works? Considering they are still interviewing, how large would the waitlist be? I also was under the impression that calls were going out through Tuesday. It seems funny that we all thought the same thing! Well, hang in everybody and congratulations to those who got in.

 

[AspiringDOs]

I too am waitlisted🙁! Does anyone know how this process works? Considering they are still interviewing, how large would the waitlist be? I also was under the impression that calls were going out through Tuesday. It seems funny that we all thought the same thing! Well, hang in everybody and congratulations to those who got in.

Did you call today to confirm you are waitlisted?

I am also curious about how waitlist works. If the waitlist works by interview date, then those who are interviewed earlier obviously stand a better chance of being accepted as acceptees decline. If the waitlist works by the numerical rating format they use to determine who gets accepted/waitlisted/rejected, then it obviously does not matter if someone interviews earlier or later.

 

[AspiringDOs]

I too am waitlisted🙁! Does anyone know how this process works? Considering they are still interviewing, how large would the waitlist be? I also was under the impression that calls were going out through Tuesday. It seems funny that we all thought the same thing! Well, hang in everybody and congratulations to those who got in.

Yes, Theone1979 said Paula told him that 'Accepted' calls go out Friday only-- which is very strange, in my opinion, since Dr. Krueger told me that calls go out until Tuesday.

But we'll see.

 

[theone1979]

Yes, Theone1979 said Paula told him that 'Accepted' calls go out Friday only-- which is very strange, in my opinion, since Dr. Krueger told me that calls go out until Tuesday.

But we'll see.

Yes, as i said, Paula confirmed that ALL accepted applicants were contacted via phone on friday and that they are not contacting any of the rejected/waitlisted students via phone. For those of us rejected or waitlisted, we will ONLY be receiving notice via snail mail.

So once again....if you didn't get a call on friday, you were not accepted.

As far as the waitlist, Paula told me that your place on the waitlist is determined by your score. So it doesn't seem like you get a strong waitlist position by being an early applicant. If you have a very strong score and are on the waitlist, you are in better shape then the very first person to be waitlisted if they have a weaker score.

 

[AspiringDOs]

Yes, as i said, Paula confirmed that ALL accepted applicants were contacted via phone on friday and that they are not contacting any of the rejected/waitlisted students via phone. For those of us rejected or waitlisted, we will ONLY be receiving notice via snail mail.

So once again....if you didn't get a call on friday, you were not accepted.

As far as the waitlist, Paula told me that your place on the waitlist is determined by your score. So it doesn't seem like you get a strong waitlist position by being an early applicant. If you have a very strong score and are on the waitlist, you are in better shape then the very first person to be waitlisted if they have a weaker score.

Thanks, Theone1979. I hope you don't mind my asking, but without getting into too much specifics, were you able to get your score? From the statistics you gave earlier, it seemed as if you would be very high on the waitlist.

Are you also IS or OOS?

I am planning on calling UMDNJ-SOM just to basically ask them the same questions tomorrow. Also, I wonder why they wouldn't send waitlist/rejection notifications through email. I can imagine their offices being flooded by phone calls from people like us who are expecting any type of news as soon as possible.

 

[Dr Yiot]

hey has anyone recieved an interview from umd, like 2 or 3 months after bieng complete? i have been complete since late september and made an appointment with paula to discuss my application. she told me i should do the gsbs so i applied and im starting in the spring but im wondering if my chances for the class of 2015 are finished lol. ive been complete about 8 weeks so im just wondering.

 

[99redballoons]

I have been waitlisted as well. What a serious disappointment and waste of my time waiting for the damn phone to ring. That is the last time I ever do that. My numerical stats are not astonishing, but I think I am pretty competitive due to e.c's.
25 O
3.7 GPA
Licensed practical nurse for 3 1/2 years
My understanding is that the waitlist is ranked in January, however, what I don't understand is when the list starts to move. It would be strange if the waitlist moved before people are ranked. Am I correct? So, if people decline their acceptances prior to then I would imagine that the spots re-open for applicants who have not been placed on waitlist. Hopefully the letter will contain information on exactly how the waitlist works, but I am not counting on it.

 

[HOPINGTOBE]

I have been waitlisted as well. What a serious disappointment and waste of my time waiting for the damn phone to ring. That is the last time I ever do that. My numerical stats are not astonishing, but I think I am pretty competitive due to e.c's.
25 O
3.7 GPA
Licensed practical nurse for 3 1/2 years
My understanding is that the waitlist is ranked in January, however, what I don't understand is when the list starts to move. It would be strange if the waitlist moved before people are ranked. Am I correct? So, if people decline their acceptances prior to then I would imagine that the spots re-open for applicants who have not been placed on waitlist. Hopefully the letter will contain information on exactly how the waitlist works, but I am not counting on it.

My stats are similar but you probably have better Ecs since you are an LPN. I am extremely disappointed also since somehow I thought I was competitive. I feel the same as you and my phone is not ringing for any other interview invites! Good luck to you-hang in there!🙁

 

[99redballoons]

Good luck to you also. I am also waiting on every other school I applied to. I am hoping that umdnj is just super efficient at processing applications because I have been waiting 2 months for some schools and not a word, and some of the schools are less competitive than umdnj. I met a guy at my interview that said he also didn't hear from anywhere else except umdnj, but who knows.

 

[HOPINGTOBE]

Good luck to you also. I am also waiting on every other school I applied to. I am hoping that umdnj is just super efficient at processing applications because I have been waiting 2 months for some schools and not a word, and some of the schools are less competitive than umdnj. I met a guy at my interview that said he also didn't hear from anywhere else except umdnj, but who knows.

I know the wait is killing me plus when you think you are at least somewhat competitive and not get more interviews it is a little upsetting to say the least. Well- at least we are together in this awful process! have a good holiday!

 

[FoodSoGood]

hey has anyone recieved an interview from umd, like 2 or 3 months after bieng complete? i have been complete since late september and made an appointment with paula to discuss my application. she told me i should do the gsbs so i applied and im starting in the spring but im wondering if my chances for the class of 2015 are finished lol. ive been complete about 8 weeks so im just wondering.

Hey dr. yiot. I have also been complete since sept.28 and sent in my secondary around oct. 10th. Still no word. I have spoken to paula multiple times since she has known me before college because of a program i did through my high school at umdnj. When i met with her she said my involvement at umdnj prior to college would help me. Im starting to doubt that =( I call the office every week and all I get is "your app is under review" and after hearing all these wailtlists from ppl with much higher stats than me im starting to lose hope =(

 

[theone1979]

Thanks, Theone1979. I hope you don't mind my asking, but without getting into too much specifics, were you able to get your score? From the statistics you gave earlier, it seemed as if you would be very high on the waitlist.

Are you also IS or OOS?

I am planning on calling UMDNJ-SOM just to basically ask them the same questions tomorrow. Also, I wonder why they wouldn't send waitlist/rejection notifications through email. I can imagine their offices being flooded by phone calls from people like us who are expecting any type of news as soon as possible.

No problem. I am in state. They did not tell me the score. Obviously my score was high enough to get an interview, but ultimately not high enough to be offered an outright acceptance.

Regarding my stats, I agree that my gpa is high (esp. the science), but my MCAT is nothing special in relation to the average accepted student at UMDNJ. They stated that the avg MCAT last year for those accepted was just over 28.

Still, at the risk of sounding arrogant, I would have thought with my MCAT and high science gpa, I would have been offered an acceptance-especially since it's still pretty early in the cycle and I am a NJ resident.

It just goes to show you how absurdly competitive DO schools are becoming. Obviously it is still easier to get into DO vs. MD, but that gap is getting smaller and smaller each year.

Have you received any acceptances yet?
I received my first acceptance (Touro-NV) yesterday. That obviously made the UMDNJ news a lot easier to take.
I still have about 10 DO schools I am waiting to hear from and several interviews lined up so there is a good chance I will receive other acceptances, but right now I am just SOOO relieved to have been accepted somewhere and know that no matter what, I start med school next year and in 4 short years, will be a doctor

 

[Dr Yiot]

No problem. I am in state. They did not tell me the score. Obviously my score was high enough to get an interview, but ultimately not high enough to be offered an outright acceptance.

Regarding my stats, I agree that my gpa is high (esp. the science), but my MCAT is nothing special in relation to the average accepted student at UMDNJ. They stated that the avg MCAT last year for those accepted was just over 28.

Still, at the risk of sounding arrogant, I would have thought with my MCAT and high science gpa, I would have been offered an acceptance-especially since it's still pretty early in the cycle and I am a NJ resident.

It just goes to show you how absurdly competitive DO schools are becoming. Obviously it is still easier to get into DO vs. MD, but that gap is getting smaller and smaller each year.

Have you received any acceptances yet?
I received my first acceptance (Touro-NV) yesterday. That obviously made the UMDNJ news a lot easier to take.
I still have about 10 DO schools I am waiting to hear from and several interviews lined up so there is a good chance I will receive other acceptances, but right now I am just SOOO relieved to have been accepted somewhere and know that no matter what, I start med school next year and in 4 short years, will be a doctor

the words bolded mean nothing to me. thats just accepted NOT MATRICULATED.

whn i asked drexel at a graduate school fair held at my school what their average mcat was, they said a 35. i then coughed and politely asked what their average matriculated mcat was. the lady stumbled for words and said well we don't have those numbers. looked up the msar for that year and their average mcat was bw a 30 and a 31. big difference IMO. not knocking drexel but just saying, be carefull what you read and hear

on a side note i asked lmu dcom (another one of my favorite schools i would love going to) what their average mcat was they said that it was a 23 point something and their average gpa is a 3.32. That was for people who matriculated this past year. don't be fooled by numbers, schools like to make themselves very impressive. although umdnj is a fabulous school and definitly one of the or if not, the best DO school out there and on par or better than many allopathic schools. I doubt that their average mcat is a 28 or that half of their matriculated class has a higher score than a 28.

just trying to give you guys some hope. the mcat is not the end all be all by any means and i doubt that umdnj admissions place a lot of value on it. do they care about it?? yes but will it anhilate your application with them? doubfull

 

[deleted248403]

although umdnj is a fabulous school and definitly one of the or if not, the best DO school out there and on par or better than many allopathic schools. I doubt that their average mcat is a 28 or that half of their matriculated class has a higher score than a 28.

I very much believe the 28 to be true. I know several people at UMDNJ-SOM, and none got less than a 30 on the MCAT.

All the numbers provided to us during the interview indicate that a 28 was average for the students. Using the DO MSAR, I think the avg MCAT there too was around a 27-28, so I very much buy it.

I agree DO schools are becoming more and more competitive, but I do buy the 28 MCAT average, absolutely.

 

[jeffro1080]

i very much believe the 28 to be true. I know several people at umdnj-som, and none got less than a 30 on the mcat.

All the numbers provided to us during the interview indicate that a 28 was average for the students. Using the do msar, i think the avg mcat there too was around a 27-28, so i very much buy it.

I agree do schools are becoming more and more competitive, but i do buy the 28 mcat average, absolutely.

do msar?

 

[selfhealer]

the words bolded mean nothing to me. thats just accepted NOT MATRICULATED.

whn i asked drexel at a graduate school fair held at my school what their average mcat was, they said a 35. i then coughed and politely asked what their average matriculated mcat was. the lady stumbled for words and said well we don't have those numbers. looked up the msar for that year and their average mcat was bw a 30 and a 31. big difference IMO. not knocking drexel but just saying, be carefull what you read and hear

on a side note i asked lmu dcom (another one of my favorite schools i would love going to) what their average mcat was they said that it was a 23 point something and their average gpa is a 3.32. That was for people who matriculated this past year. don't be fooled by numbers, schools like to make themselves very impressive. although umdnj is a fabulous school and definitly one of the or if not, the best DO school out there and on par or better than many allopathic schools. I doubt that their average mcat is a 28 or that half of their matriculated class has a higher score than a 28.

just trying to give you guys some hope. the mcat is not the end all be all by any means and i doubt that umdnj admissions place a lot of value on it. do they care about it?? yes but will it anhilate your application with them? doubfull

You doubt that UMDNJ places a lot of value on the MCAT????
Trust me.....the MCAT is supremely important to them.

If you really doubt this, let's hear from any people here at SDN who have been accepted at UMDNJ this year with a 25 or below. I am not saying there won't be any, but there will be very very few.

Of course there are many applicants who have very strong applications and are great candidates who have a 25 or below, but UMDNJ just ain't giving them a shot.

If you look through this thread, you will see that the vast majority of those accepted have 28+ MCAT's.

I was just waitlisted myself and my stats are
cumm 3.56
science 3.76
MCAT 27Q

My interview went great, I have solid EC's, great LOR's and am in state.
What do I attribute my waitlist to? My MCAT score. It's possible I'm wrong, but I can't help but notice that nearly everyone with a 30+ MCAT has been accepted.

So to me, it seems pretty obvious that UMDNJ puts a TON of emphasis on the MCAT.

 

[jeffro1080]

You doubt that UMDNJ places a lot of value on the MCAT????
Trust me.....the MCAT is supremely important to them.

If you really doubt this, let's hear from any people here at SDN who have been accepted at UMDNJ this year with a 25 or below. I am not saying there won't be any, but there will be very very few.

Of course there are many applicants who have very strong applications and are great candidates who have a 25 or below, but UMDNJ just ain't giving them a shot.

If you look through this thread, you will see that the vast majority of those accepted have 28+ MCAT's.

I was just waitlisted myself and my stats are
cumm 3.56
science 3.76
MCAT 27Q

My interview went great, I have solid EC's, great LOR's and am in state.
What do I attribute my waitlist to? My MCAT score. It's possible I'm wrong, but I can't help but notice that nearly everyone with a 30+ MCAT has been accepted.

So to me, it seems pretty obvious that UMDNJ puts a TON of emphasis on the MCAT.

I have a 30 and was waitlisted.

the reason that so many waitlists are going out is because ACOMAS is processing applications faster. UMDNJ is cherry-picking their applicants. It's fine though... most of those students are going to withdrawl.

I would be willing to bet that a lot of people are going to be taken off the waitlist this year.

 

[99redballoons]

I was just waitlisted myself and my stats are
cumm 3.56
science 3.76
MCAT 27Q

My interview went great, I have solid EC's, great LOR's and am in state.
What do I attribute my waitlist to? My MCAT score. It's possible I'm wrong, but I can't help but notice that nearly everyone with a 30+ MCAT has been accepted.

So to me, it seems pretty obvious that UMDNJ puts a TON of emphasis on the MCAT.

I personally (not that my opinion matters much) don't believe your MCAT got you waitlisted. If anything I would say that most people over estimate the quality of their e.c.'s, interview, and their lor's. Anything that is open to interpretation is what will make or break you. Obviously if your MCAT sucked its almost impossible to get in, but a 27Q certainly doesn't suck. I think it is more likely that it had to do with lor's, interview or e.c.'s.

 

[denco88]

i personally (not that my opinion matters much) don't believe your mcat got you waitlisted. If anything i would say that most people over estimate the quality of their e.c.'s, interview, and their lor's. Anything that is open to interpretation is what will make or break you. Obviously if your mcat sucked its almost impossible to get in, but a 27q certainly doesn't suck. I think it is more likely that it had to do with lor's, interview or e.c.'s.

+1

 

[jeffro1080]

I know someone here with a 24 and someone else with a 34.

the person with the 34 had a low UG GPA though.

 

[Postal]

Got the waitlist letter today...can't say I didn't see that coming. To be honest, I really believe the interview was what did it. I think I needed to rock it and I just didn't leave feeling that that I did a great job expressing my passion for medicine and how UMDNJ was a great fit for me.

So for all future applicants, work on your interviewing skills!

 

[DocTraveler]

As someone who was just accepted to UMDNJSOM, I'd like to say I really do not think they put a great amount of emphasis on the MCAT. I really do think they look at your ECs, LORs, and dedication to the field. I have a pretty interesting background and great ECs, so I think that did it.

So to everyone who was waitlisted, don't worry, I am sure the waitlist will move a lot. Hang in there!

 

[HOPINGTOBE]

You doubt that UMDNJ places a lot of value on the MCAT????
Trust me.....the MCAT is supremely important to them.

If you really doubt this, let's hear from any people here at SDN who have been accepted at UMDNJ this year with a 25 or below. I am not saying there won't be any, but there will be very very few.

Of course there are many applicants who have very strong applications and are great candidates who have a 25 or below, but UMDNJ just ain't giving them a shot.

If you look through this thread, you will see that the vast majority of those accepted have 28+ MCAT's.




I was just waitlisted myself and my stats are
cumm 3.56
science 3.76
MCAT 27Q

My interview went great, I have solid EC's, great LOR's and am in state.
What do I attribute my waitlist to? My MCAT score. It's possible I'm wrong, but I can't help but notice that nearly everyone with a 30+ MCAT has been accepted.

So to me, it seems pretty obvious that UMDNJ puts a TON of emphasis on the MCAT.

I happen to agre with you . I have a 26MCAt with GPA of 3.8 and Science 3.6. waitlisted. I think the MCAT did me in.....😡

 

[jeffro1080]

Not as low as you would think, but that wasn't really the point; an MCAT score of 27 isn't going to keep anyone out of here.

I thought we were talking about the same the person; maybe there are two 34s?

 

[jeffro1080]

As someone who was just accepted to UMDNJSOM, I'd like to say I really do not think they put a great amount of emphasis on the MCAT. I only have a 28S AND one of my sections is sub-8! So, I really do think they look at your ECs, LORs, and dedication to the field. I have a pretty interesting background and great ECs, so I think that did it.

So to everyone who was waitlisted, don't worry, I am sure the waitlist will move a lot. Hang in there!

SOM does favor the GPA over the MCAT but it's still very important. your score is their average so it's not like you went in with a crappy MCAT.

 

[klo1313]

It's hard to say exactly what gets a person in or waitlisted. Obviously if you have great stats all around, you are more likely to get in, but if you're middle of the road on your GPA or your MCAT there is no 1 thing that means your acceptance or waitlist/rejection. For instance, when I got accepted last year I had a slightly higher than average MCAT and a GPA that was lower than most medical school applicants. From what I was told, my interview was what got me into the school.

 

[nolalove]

Any advice on the interviews?

 

[Dr Yiot]

I very much believe the 28 to be true. I know several people at UMDNJ-SOM, and none got less than a 30 on the MCAT.

All the numbers provided to us during the interview indicate that a 28 was average for the students. Using the DO MSAR, I think the avg MCAT there too was around a 27-28, so I very much buy it.

I agree DO schools are becoming more and more competitive, but I do buy the 28 MCAT average, absolutely.

well, i guess ill politely disagree, i know quite a few with scores in the twenties

I have a 30 and was waitlisted.

the reason that so many waitlists are going out is because ACOMAS is processing applications faster. UMDNJ is cherry-picking their applicants. It's fine though... most of those students are going to withdrawl.

I would be willing to bet that a lot of people are going to be taken off the waitlist this year.

this just goes to show you, the mcat isn't the end all be all. som looks for a particular applicant with certain attributes, they base acceptances mainly on that. ofcourse if you have a 3.0 and a 22 then your odds are definitly stacked against you but again, they do look for a perticular applicant to fit their school. its much less than numbers than they would have you believe whether you have a 35 or a 25, its if they like you.

You doubt that UMDNJ places a lot of value on the MCAT????
Trust me.....the MCAT is supremely important to them.

If you really doubt this, let's hear from any people here at SDN who have been accepted at UMDNJ this year with a 25 or below. I am not saying there won't be any, but there will be very very few.

Of course there are many applicants who have very strong applications and are great candidates who have a 25 or below, but UMDNJ just ain't giving them a shot.

If you look through this thread, you will see that the vast majority of those accepted have 28+ MCAT's.

I was just waitlisted myself and my stats are
cumm 3.56
science 3.76
MCAT 27Q

My interview went great, I have solid EC's, great LOR's and am in state.
What do I attribute my waitlist to? My MCAT score. It's possible I'm wrong, but I can't help but notice that nearly everyone with a 30+ MCAT has been accepted.

So to me, it seems pretty obvious that UMDNJ puts a TON of emphasis on the MCAT.

im sorry to here about the waitlist. hopefully you get pulled off as it seems you really wanna go here. but again, i know people who go here with lower mcat's and gpa's than you have so it has to be something else in your application. not your gpa or mcat.


I in no way meant to offend anyone. i truly believe that if they had a knack for particular applicants this year and they just happened to have a lower mcat average than that would be it. admissions are getting more competetive. i was told with my score of a 25 that i should not retake via admissions. so if i was told that my score is good for their program "straight from the hourses mouth" then im fine with that. good look to the rest of you on the application season. i just think they place a lot of emphasis on gpa then mcat and then your lor's and interview.

 

[jeffro1080]

well, i guess ill politely disagree, i know quite a few with scores in the twenties


this just goes to show you, the mcat isn't the end all be all. som looks for a particular applicant with certain attributes, they base acceptances mainly on that. ofcourse if you have a 3.0 and a 22 then your odds are definitly stacked against you but again, they do look for a perticular applicant to fit their school. its much less than numbers than they would have you believe whether you have a 35 or a 25, its if they like you.

that’s the thing though… Paula told me that my interview went well and “your interviewer really pushed you”.

I thought you brought up a really good point about the accepted vs. matriculant stats; 8 out of the 9 students that I’ve talked to from the class of 2014 have low MCAT scores. It’s especially curious how it’s worded on the website -- it says, “students accepted to the incoming class of 2011”.