UMDNJ frustrations...

[Phenol312]

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I applied to UMDNJ for the class of 2008. Never received a secondary or a rejection letter. I called to ask about my application and discuss my file with an advisor (i had heard that UMDNJ is good about that sort of thing). I have left messages 2 or 3 times now but have not heard back from anyone. What would be the next step to get some attention?

I'm ready to go down there in person but I'm sure there's security or I would need an appointment or something.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

I applied to UMDNJ for the class of 2008. Never received a secondary or a rejection letter. I called to ask about my application and discuss my file with an advisor (i had heard that UMDNJ is good about that sort of thing). I have left messages 2 or 3 times now but have not heard back from anyone. What would be the next step to get some attention?

I'm ready to go down there in person but I'm sure there's security or I would need an appointment or something.

You didn't get a secondary from LAST year? Why does it matter now? Why don't you just put in your app right now and stay on top of them this time. Sounds like your file slipped through the cracks.

 

[Phenol312]

You didn't get a secondary from LAST year? Why does it matter now? Why don't you just put in your app right now and stay on top of them this time. Sounds like your file slipped through the cracks.

Well, I'm more concerned about the complete lack of correspondence from them at all. I've called two or three times (never getting a person only a message) asking that they get in touch with me somehow since I'm big on UMDNJ. I'm kinda surprised because the people on SDN praised NJ-SOM for having great office staff. Maybe I have slipped through the cracks? At any rate, how would I go about getting directly in touch with a human being at the school? Anyone have an email for a dean or something?

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Well, I'm more concerned about the complete lack of correspondence from them at all. I've called two or three times (never getting a person only a message) asking that they get in touch with me somehow since I'm big on UMDNJ. I'm kinda surprised because the people on SDN praised NJ-SOM for having great office staff. Maybe I have slipped through the cracks? At any rate, how would I go about getting directly in touch with a human being at the school? Anyone have an email for a dean or something?

My question is WHY? What's the point of speaking with them?

 

[Chocolate Bear]

FYI I'm a third timer with similar stats. Good luck to us!

 

[MossPoh]

I don't think you really answered the "why now?" question. its a year later. If you did fall through the cracks, why are you taking the active response now? A year ago would've been a little more prompt. If it is for some kind of vindication then call during normal working hours. I'm sure you'll get an answer within 2 or 3 tries. I'd be surprised if it weren't within 2.

 

[Tourterm]

You may want to try e-mailing them. Either their general admissions address, or individual staff members. Unfortunately I don't see how they can do anything at this point for your 2008 application. You need to follow up on these things. Are you applying for the entering class in 2009?

 

[Chocolate Bear]

You may want to try e-mailing them. Either their general admissions address, or individual staff members. Unfortunately I don't see how they can do anything at this point for your 2008 application. You need to follow up on these things. Are you applying for the entering class in 2009?

The OP's MDapps says the secondary was successfully submitted this year. 🙄

 

[Phenol312]

My question is WHY? What's the point of speaking with them?

Just to get a perspective from a D.O school. Ive already spoken with admissions staff at MD schools and I just want to hear how a DO schools perspective might differ.

I've given up on the '08 application so I really just want to speak to someone about the coming year and whether I'll actually get a secondary this time around.

(Choc. Bear...i'll correct the MDapps thing...I just updated it yesterday at work and didnt have time to look it over)

 

[anthroguy]

Hey phenol, this cycle, apply early and just submit hte secondary when you first see it available on the website.

I applied to enter SOM in 2007. I applied to DO schools in December 2006 and then went to India and so just submitted the secondary without anyone asking. I was interviewed in March and accepted 2-3 weeks later.

 

[Phenol312]

My AACOMAS app has been complete for two weeks and I haven't heard from any of the DO schools yet. Am I missing something or do they just take longer? 🙂 Pardon if I am asking silly question, but I am getting a little impatient.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

My AACOMAS app has been complete for two weeks and I haven't heard from any of the DO schools yet. Am I missing something or do they just take longer? 🙂 Pardon if I am asking silly question, but I am getting a little impatient.

"Complete," "Submitted," or "Released?"

 

[NontradICUdoc]

The office staff is quite small and they get many, many calls about applications. Sometimes it requires several times to speak to them I even do not get phone calls back because they are so busy.

Since last year was done, do your best to ensure that this year you stay on top of things. When your application from AACOMAS gets released wait about 2 weeks and then call the schools that you are interested in and see if they received your application. Then when you get the secondary, you must (and this is your responsibility and not the schools', you are an adult and should be able to manage) ensure that when you mail it out that they receive it.

You need to manage all of your applications by making a chart and writing down the dates that they were mailed, the dates that they were sent as well as including the same information about the recommendation letters. This up to you and not the school.

As for them not getting back to you, there are hundreds of people calling all of the time and the admissions director is very good at setting up appointments to discuss applications.

 

[axylotl]

EMT: the thing about the chart is so dead on. I felt a little OCD doing that but man it is the one thing keeping me organized through all this

 

[Tourterm]

EMT: the thing about the chart is so dead on. I felt a little OCD doing that but man it is the one thing keeping me organized through all this

Absolutely. Between multiple schools, deadlines, primaries, secondaries, interviews, LoR requests, keeping track of not just if you sent things in, but when, and so forth - it is far to much to keep track of without some form of a list or spreadsheet of some nature. I wrote mine down on the back of a handout I got after the MCAT. You don't want to work your ass off, but not get an interview because of losing track of some form or paperwork.

 

[Phenol312]

I have a notebook with all the schools, copies of the applications, and payments... that sort of thing.

My AACOMAS status is "submitted." Meaning? 😕

 

[Chocolate Bear]

I have a notebook with all the schools, copies of the applications, and payments... that sort of thing.

My AACOMAS status is "submitted." Meaning? 😕

It means it will be 4-6 weeks after submission until schools receive your app and you start to get DO secondaries. Work on these in the mean time.

 

[scpod]

My AACOMAS app has been complete for two weeks and I haven't heard from any of the DO schools yet. Am I missing something or do they just take longer? 🙂 Pardon if I am asking silly question, but I am getting a little impatient.

Many DO schools haven't looked at a single application yet. NOT A SINGLE ONE. Why? Because last year's class isn't even finalized in most cases. There are still people being accepted to last minute spots that will start class in the next month.

Just be happy that you have everything in early, and when they do start looking at applications, you'll be up there in the front of the line.

 

[MossPoh]

I need to update my spreadsheet.....been a few weeks.

It is easy to forget that there is still waitlist movement for schools. That is a good point. I think we all just get so caught up in the process we forget that there are actually people in offices working their arse off.