UNC-Chapel Hill

[KirsteenB]

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Hi there guys,

I'm very happy to have just received my MD/PhD invitation to complete a secondary from UNC-Chapel Hill. I'm wondering though, if someone could fill in some blanks for me in terms of the MD/PhD application process there. I understand that each MD applicant who is invited to complete a UNC-CH secondary receives an MD interview, but is this also true of MD/PhD applicants? That is, do the MD and MD/PhD offices work in tandem and are aware of which applicants they are inviting to complete their respective secondaries?

Cheers,
Kirsteen

 

[Turgenev13]

I just got the invitation as well, but I'm not sure on the process either. I assumed that everyone invited to fill out a UNC MD/PhD application is not invited for interviews because the letter I got from the MD program a couple of weeks ago invited anyone interested in the MD/PhD program to go to the website and download and fill out the application. Also, the email says that invitations for interviews will be sent out in December, before the holidays. I don't know if the MD and MD/PhD offices work together or not.

 

[KirsteenB]

Hi there,

The folks at the UNC admissions office mentioned a while ago that they normally receive ~300 MD/PhD applications annually. I assumed, from the wording of their e-mail that these applications are screened and that not all applicants to the MD/PhD program are asked to complete the secondary? However, from your letter, it doesn't sound like that's the case. 🙄

Cheers,
Kirsteen

 

[KirsteenB]

Hi there,

Just to update/clarify the above, I heard back from the MD/PhD Admissions Office (very promptly, I'd like to add), and in fact they do screen MD/PhD applicants. Apparently they welcome folks to complete the MD/PhD application in the MD letter, but for those who have not completed it, they screen those applications and do not invite any applicants who seem not to be competitive. Some numbers: last year, 300 people applied to the MD/PhD program and 180 completed secondaries were reviewed for interviews.

Cheers,
Kirsteen

 

[coldchemist]

I just got a form in the mail from UNC. They wanted me to sign it and send it back; it was a "I am capable of meeting the technical standards at UNC" form. Has anyone else received this from them after submitting the MD/PhD application?

 

[KirsteenB]

Hi there coldchemist,

Did you receive this form from the MD/PhD or the MD offices? I have not yet submitted my MD/PhD application, and have not yet received the form.

Cheers,
Kirsteen

 

[coldchemist]

Hey there,

It was sent to me by the MD/PhD program office, so I guess that's why you haven't received it yet.

CC

 

[Turgenev13]

I also received the form.

 

[coldchemist]

Strange. I wonder why they didn't just include it with the application file?

 

[eminemunc]

The people you interview with is also different for MD/PHD. I work in a lab at UNC and my boss's wife is on the admissions committee for md/phd. I also work down the hall from another PI on the committee, so you don't interview with the same people.

 

[coldchemist]

So, I got this email from the MSTP coordinator at UNC about three weeks ago. I sent my recommendations awhile ago, but they hadn't received them, and she wrote me to let me know. I told her I would have them re-sent, and she says, "No rush on our side...your application won't be reviewed again until December."

What the hell does that mean? Does this mean that I'm "on hold," or does it mean that they won't begin selecting applicants for interviews until December? Last season's chatter on SDN indicates that the first invites went out a few days after the new year, so I hope it's the latter. Any thoughts? Has anyone received any rejections or invites from UNC yet (PM me...I promise not to tell).

Late...

 

[u2psalm40]

now i'm REALLY confused.

so did you guys send UNC your AMCAS? did that. now I got the "we will review your app to see if you get a secondary" letter a long time ago.

What I don't know is should i also fill out the MD/PhD supplementary application that's online or wait for them to say it's ok? i'm not in a rush to flush money down the toilet.... so if anyone does have a clue about it i'd be grateful

 

[Turgenev13]

I don't think UNC has any MSTP interviews until January, so you probably don't have to worry about being late in the application process. I haven't heard anything from UNC since I sent in my MD/PhD secondary application and I know they don't have my LORs. My university just sent them this past Monday so none of my programs have received them, but they should have them by beginning of next week, so it's okay.

I sent my AMCAS to UNC showing interest in the MSTP and I got the MD letter saying they were reviewing my application and I'd hear more from them if they wanted a secondary application, but I could fill out the MSTP application if I was interested (it's on the standard form letter). Then I got an email from the MSTP office specifically requesting the MSTP application so I sent it in. I did receive a letter with the "technical standards" that I had to send back, but I haven't heard anything from them since. I'm hoping to hear something soon. . .

I hope that helps.

Turgenev13

 

[coldchemist]

Dang, that's a good point, Psalm. The MSTP didn't specifically request the application from me, but I sent it in anyway. Better safe than sorry, even if it costs a few extra bones.

 

[kimplera]

Just ran across this thread and hope I can shed some light. I'm currently in my 6th year at UNC.

The technical form is just something that UNC Medicine requires. It simply states that you are physically capable of completing the program. I say sign it and send it back, it shouldn't have any effect on your app as we have interviewed several people with pretty serious handicaps in the past.

As for the app process. All application to the MSTP program are briefly reviewed by the director of the program. Then in december the admissions committee meets after reading about 130 of the applications. Each person on the committee reads ~30 apps and each app is read by at least two members in addition to the director and the two assistant directors. UNC then invites 40-50 applicants for interviews in late january/early feb. This occurs over two weekends with a little over 20 people coming each weekend. In addition, some local applicants attend the weekend activities, but interview on a separate day. The weekend is really meant to let you get a feel for the program and the people in the program. One day of interviews (Monday) after arriving on saturday. Each entering class is about 8 students.

Good luck in your application! I've had a great experience here. The research envoronment is very strong and the training excellent. I'd say that this is a better place to learn to be a scientist than many higher ranked schools.

cheers...and I'm sure we'll see some of you in feb.

rk

 

[coldchemist]

Thanks for shedding some light on this. I was worried that my application might be on hold, but if UNC gets started later in the year there's no reason for me to start sweating just yet.

CC

 

[Habari]

just to corroborate what kimplera said - the interviews for unc come very late - i was invited to interview in early feb or something. i think they do this strategically so people don't who are not interested or have gotten into places they would rather go don't waste their time. they have fantastic chemistry programs - but the research i was interested in wasn't well represented, so i declined the interview; it made sense for both parties at that time. UWash is also a later interviewer.