UMDNJ-SOM Discussion Thread 2012 -2013

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+2, spill it people. What happened? Any questions we should be aware about? How many interviewed with you?

Hey guys! Typically it's a one on one. However, sometimes, a third or fourth year student interviews you as well. So you can have up to two people in the interview.

Hope that helps!
 
It was pretty standard. Laid back, 1 on 1 interview. Interviewer was very nice and I was not thrown off by any crazy questions. Just prepare for expected interview questions know why DO, why SOM and definitely know your application inside and out.
 
Late to party but I'll add my info.

Submitted rec's on the 20th of August, with the secondary deposit clearing on the 17th. Still haven't received my "file complete" email. This, of course, means I've been obsessively checking my inbox and spam folders. I think I'll wait till Monday evening before I send an email their way.

Unless I cave in and send it sooner!
 
Late to party but I'll add my info.

Submitted rec's on the 20th of August, with the secondary deposit clearing on the 17th. Still haven't received my "file complete" email. This, of course, means I've been obsessively checking my inbox and spam folders. I think I'll wait till Monday evening before I send an email their way.

Unless I cave in and send it sooner!

I would call Admissions if you want the email. The fact that they cashed your check definitely means that they have your stuff. It took a quick phone call to Admissions to check if I was complete and she said "we'll get you an e-mail", haha.

Good luck!
 
It was pretty standard. Laid back, 1 on 1 interview. Interviewer was very nice and I was not thrown off by any crazy questions. Just prepare for expected interview questions know why DO, why SOM and definitely know your application inside and out.


Thanks for the insight!! I'll be interviewing next Thursday so just trying to keep up with my interview prep. Anyone else have a different experience?
 
Is anyone going to the Pre-Med Conference on Sept. 29th?

I think it's a great idea to go! I went to a similar event during my app cycle and was able to meet different people including admissions. They were able to put a face with a name and I received an interview invite not too long after. It could have been a coincidence, but I'd like to think showing the interest in SOM by going made a difference.
 
i had a really conversational interview yesterday. mine was a 2 on 1, a faculty member and a med student. they asked me the usual questions, and wanted me to discuss leadership experiences and specific parts of my application i was most proud of. school looks great, hope to get a positive response from them in the next few weeks.
 
i had a really conversational interview yesterday. mine was a 2 on 1, a faculty member and a med student. they asked me the usual questions, and wanted me to discuss leadership experiences and specific parts of my application i was most proud of. school looks great, hope to get a positive response from them in the next few weeks.


Thanks buddy! Appreciate the feedback and help. Getting a little less nervous for mine. Seems like the interviews here are more conversational than anything else.
 
Thanks buddy! Appreciate the feedback and help. Getting a little less nervous for mine. Seems like the interviews here are more conversational than anything else.

One of the things helping me deal with my nerves is that if they picked you for an interview, THEY LIKE YOU. Like they said, about 80% of students interviewed get in. That's the most comforting fact I think I've heard.

Is there just one interviewer for all the candidates?
 
One of the things helping me deal with my nerves is that if they picked you for an interview, THEY LIKE YOU. Like they said, about 80% of students interviewed get in. That's the most comforting fact I think I've heard.

Is there just one interviewer for all the candidates?
How do you know 80% get in? I asked two medical students there what percentage gets in and neither knew.

I had my interview yesterday morning. I had a D.O. and an M.D. They didn't ask why D.O. or why SOM or about any perceived weaknesses, but about specific experiences that I referenced in my person statement and resume. At the end they were both trying to convince me to enter their fields, so I'll take that as a good sign.

For anyone who is wondering, my stats are 26/3.8c/3.7s.
 
How do you know 80% get in? I asked two medical students there what percentage gets in and neither knew.

I had my interview yesterday morning. I had a D.O. and an M.D. They didn't ask why D.O. or why SOM or about any perceived weaknesses, but about specific experiences that I referenced in my person statement and resume. At the end they were both trying to convince me to enter their fields, so I'll take that as a good sign.

For anyone who is wondering, my stats are 26/3.8c/3.7s.

Just some numbers tossed around in the past forums. I know a large percentage does get in once the applicant is past the interview. The 2 medical students probably don't know that UMDNJ SOM is up to 2,000 applicants so far but that's the number I got from the Dean.

Point being you have a good shot, regardless of the actual percentage.
 
How do you know 80% get in? I asked two medical students there what percentage gets in and neither knew.

I had my interview yesterday morning. I had a D.O. and an M.D. They didn't ask why D.O. or why SOM or about any perceived weaknesses, but about specific experiences that I referenced in my person statement and resume. At the end they were both trying to convince me to enter their fields, so I'll take that as a good sign.

For anyone who is wondering, my stats are 26/3.8c/3.7s.

Haven't heard even a peep from here 😕... OOS, complete since 7/10.
 
Haven't heard even a peep from here 😕... OOS, complete since 7/10.

They are definitely in-state biased. I also believe I read somewhere that they interview oos students later than in-state students. Not 100% positive though. So I wouldn't worry too much.
 
They are definitely in-state biased. I also believe I read somewhere that they interview oos students later than in-state students. Not 100% positive though. So I wouldn't worry too much.

Nah, I'm chill.😎
 
I don't know if there are many current students still checkin in, but I was wondering if anyone would be free to meet for dinner or something this Wednesday and maybe help me get a feel for this school. My interview is on Thursday, but the tour will be after my interview. I'm hoping to get a student's outlook on this school and any other insight before I interview. I will be in the area Wednesday evening. This is my number one choice so I want to do whatever I can to help me get in. =]

Of course dinner will be on me!! =D

Thanks in advance!
 
what are the stats for those who are accepted IS vs OOS. I am OOS 3.5/31 lots of volunteering, shadowing, research, tutoring/teaching, etc, currently working in pharmaceutical testing. 27 years old. What do you think?
 
I heard from a friend that the interview is pretty laid back with a med student and a faculty. Or sometimes just a faculty, depending on who is available. Not many unexpected questions will be asked like "what is your attitude towards current healthcare system", just the general like why osteopathic medicine and stuffs derived from application. And majority of movements occur around oct-nov. ppl have been taking off the waitinglist even as late as may to start of class. This school highly prefers in-state applicants. and the education is on par with MD schools.

I have never been to the school but just based on entering class stat, class size. It seems a very good school. I heard the entering class stat is 3.5/28, but mcat score is most likely to go up to 30.
 
Just some numbers tossed around in the past forums. I know a large percentage does get in once the applicant is past the interview. The 2 medical students probably don't know that UMDNJ SOM is up to 2,000 applicants so far but that's the number I got from the Dean.

Point being you have a good shot, regardless of the actual percentage.

Gsun88,

Did you send in your secondary before you got the email to do so...? I'm just curious as to your timeline.

Thanks.
 
Gsun88,

Did you send in your secondary before you got the email to do so...? I'm just curious as to your timeline.

Thanks.

Yea, I sent my secondary before I got the email. I thought I placed my timeline somewhere in there. If its not in this forum, i'll post it again. Just let me know. Watching football right now so a little pre-occupied haha.
 
Let me clarify, On June 24th, AACOMAS confirmed me saying they sent my data to UMDNJ. I turned in my secondary then. I got an email on July 9th saying they received my primary and then an email on July 10th saying I was complete. Def call

Here it is!!! Game just finished haha.
 
Here it is!!! Game just finished haha.

Fantastic, thank you. I regret not sending that in before I was asked to do it. This must explain the current interview timeline I'm seeing since they probably are going through all of the early ones first, etc.

Super jealous of your interview by the way. I loved SOM when I visited for the open house this past spring.
 
Fantastic, thank you. I regret not sending that in before I was asked to do it. This must explain the current interview timeline I'm seeing since they probably are going through all of the early ones first, etc.

Super jealous of your interview by the way. I loved SOM when I visited for the open house this past spring.

Well I am not sure if it completely explains it. I was offered an interview for Oct 5th because they told me that's the earliest day. Now I am learning that that wasn't true. I thought it was weird that they would call me so early for an interview a month and a half away. So I was a little distraught about it but I am just gratefully I get the chance to interview. It probably also has something to do with my stats as I am a UD.

Veritas, I am sure you will get an interview soon. Your in-state right? Going to the Pre-Osteopathic gathering in Sept 29th?
 
Well I am not sure if it completely explains it. I was offered an interview for Oct 5th because they told me that's the earliest day. Now I am learning that that wasn't true. I thought it was weird that they would call me so early for an interview a month and a half away. So I was a little distraught about it but I am just gratefully I get the chance to interview. It probably also has something to do with my stats as I am a UD.

Veritas, I am sure you will get an interview soon. Your in-state right? Going to the Pre-Osteopathic gathering in Sept 29th?

People get interviews and drop them all the time though, so Oct 5th was probably the earliest they could give you at the time. I know of at least one person here on SDN who dropped a UMDNJ-SOM interview after a Campbell acceptance which could have opened an earlier date that you missed out on for someone who came after you.

Yes, I'm in-state so I'm really hoping for an interview. I have a DO letter from an alum as well.

I have to do some research about that conference. I went to the most recent open house this past April and the itinerary for the upcoming event seems almost identical to what we did at the "Open House". Did you go to one of those by chance?
 
People get interviews and drop them all the time though, so Oct 5th was probably the earliest they could give you at the time. I know of at least one person here on SDN who dropped a UMDNJ-SOM interview after a Campbell acceptance which could have opened an earlier date that you missed out on for someone who came after you.

Yes, I'm in-state so I'm really hoping for an interview. I have a DO letter from an alum as well.

I have to do some research about that conference. I went to the most recent open house this past April and the itinerary for the upcoming event seems almost identical to what we did at the "Open House". Did you go to one of those by chance?

Yeap, I went to the April Open house. Really stayed by myself most of the time. I actually left before I could see the OMM demonstration which is something I really wanted to take a look at. I got a tour, saw the presentation on UMDNJ and Osteopathic Medicine. I was thinking about going to the conference just to show my face but again, afraid i'll do something stupid and have to brought up on my interview haha.
 
Interview invite this morning!!!

Out of State: 3.6 GPA, 26MCAT, social science major with lots of long lasting extra-curriculars.
 
Congrats! When did you get the complete email??
 
Interview invite this morning!!!

Out of State: 3.6 GPA, 26MCAT, social science major with lots of long lasting extra-curriculars.

Congrats fellow B.S. Psych major! Make sure you tell them when you're there that there's an in-state Psych major praying for an interview here... 🙂
 
I would call Admissions if you want the email. The fact that they cashed your check definitely means that they have your stuff. It took a quick phone call to Admissions to check if I was complete and she said "we'll get you an e-mail", haha.

Good luck!

Thanks.

I just called and got the same response. Said they have everything and they'll be sending out the e-mail. I'm relieved, but also experiencing an entire new set of neurosis.

Also, good luck to those who had and have interviews!
 
hmm. I guess they are not doing the calls this time? Or is it a mixed of both depending on the month
 
II today! Left a voicemail, I'm calling them to schedule later today.

2.87 undergrad GPA
3.04 cumulative
3.89 graduate GPA (hard research science)
32 (V10 P12 B10)
Out-of-state (although I live on the Jersey border, and I work/volunteer in NJ)
non-URM

Who says graduate GPA doesn't matter? 😛
 
II today! Left a voicemail, I'm calling them to schedule later today.

2.87 undergrad GPA
3.04 cumulative
3.89 graduate GPA (hard research science)
32 (V10 P12 B10)
Out-of-state (although I live on the Jersey border, and I work/volunteer in NJ)
non-URM

Who says graduate GPA doesn't matter? 😛

Nice. When were you completed by?
 
II today! Left a voicemail, I'm calling them to schedule later today.

2.87 undergrad GPA
3.04 cumulative
3.89 graduate GPA (hard research science)
32 (V10 P12 B10)
Out-of-state (although I live on the Jersey border, and I work/volunteer in NJ)
non-URM

Who says graduate GPA doesn't matter? 😛

Congrats and good luck!!!
 
II today! Left a voicemail, I'm calling them to schedule later today.

2.87 undergrad GPA
3.04 cumulative
3.89 graduate GPA (hard research science)
32 (V10 P12 B10)
Out-of-state (although I live on the Jersey border, and I work/volunteer in NJ)
non-URM

Who says graduate GPA doesn't matter? 😛
CONGRATZ and best of luck!

Im a little relieved to hear you had to wait a little over two weeks b/w complete and invite, ive been complete since 9/4 and im freaking out cause i havent heard back yet!
 
CONGRATZ and best of luck!

Im a little relieved to hear you had to wait a little over two weeks b/w complete and invite, ive been complete since 9/4 and im freaking out cause i havent heard back yet!

I feel your pain. I got my complete e-mail on the 8/28 so I am hoping they hit me up soon 😀
 
So true to form, the file complete email just arrived at 10:00pm. Since I had to call for the email, I'm not sure if my application's been under review yet or not. Either way, time to spend the next couple weeks staring at my phone.
 
So true to form, the file complete email just arrived at 10:00pm. Since I had to call for the email, I'm not sure if my application's been under review yet or not. Either way, time to spend the next couple weeks staring at my phone.

i called them today and asked them about my status. adcom said that unless they make a concrete decision (yes or no) they can hold on to your app and not give you an answer until Mar or May or something like that. so just to warn you, you might make a hole in your phone
 
I actually have a question. I am not sure if anyone knows this but, for invites, does the entire ADCOM decide whether you get an invite or is it just one member of the ADCOM?
 
i called them today and asked them about my status. adcom said that unless they make a concrete decision (yes or no) they can hold on to your app and not give you an answer until Mar or May or something like that. so just to warn you, you might make a hole in your phone

Yeah, I just figure if nothing happens in a couple weeks, that things aren't looking good. Plus if there's a hole in my phone, it'll be a good excuse to upgrade to the iPhone 5.
 
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