University of Arizona Questions

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redheaded girl said:
I'm going to the April 10 second look. Anyone else??
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hey i think i'm going to go. what do you wear to something like that? not suits again, right? just like a collared shirt and slacks/skirt? i'm excited to meet some future classmates! i only know one so far.
 
Kingfish said:
33MCAT, 3.85GPA, massive amounts of extracurriculers, lived in AZ my whole life. Rejected outright from Tuscon and PHX. This is extremely frustrating.
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Maybe you could schedule the interview to talk with admissions about why you didn't get in. Obviously, U of A college of medicine is not overly concerned about ending the doctor shortage in Arizona, quite the opposite, many of the faculty went to big name fancy east coast medical schools and perhaps want to keep competition between doctors down as they accept a lot of students who ship out. There seems to be a long-standing tradition of rejecting applicants with good grades, extracurriculars etc . . . I did a lot clinical experience when apply to U of A med school and they never asked me about it, I think clinical experience maybe can hurt you are the U of A??!

I would love to know of anyone with gpa >/=3.85 or MCAT >/= 33 who did get in?
 
SabinoCanyon said:
I would love to know of anyone with gpa >/=3.85 or MCAT >/= 33 who did get in?
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I got in with those stats. But i agree it is so disheartening to know that UofA is not working to solve arizona's problems by accepting the most qualified students who desire to remain in AZ. I've been here my whole life and want to stay. But I know people in the current classes that hate tucson and don't care at all for arizona's issues specifically. Although i love arizona and can't wait to attend the COM, it's a little scary to think that admissions might not have similar priorities to myself.
 
life2008 said:
I got in with those stats. But i agree it is so disheartening to know that UofA is not working to solve arizona's problems by accepting the most qualified students who desire to remain in AZ. I've been here my whole life and want to stay. But I know people in the current classes that hate tucson and don't care at all for arizona's issues specifically. Although i love arizona and can't wait to attend the COM, it's a little scary to think that admissions might not have similar priorities to myself.
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It is nice to know that at least some native students with high grades/high MCATs are not discriminated against during this admission process at the U of A COM, . . . out of all the U of A med students I have met most weren't that impressed with the school at all, I asked one what they thought, and they were mostly slightly negative, and all wanted to leave Arizona to do a residency elsewhere. All of them hated Tucson (and would never consider practicing outside of a more "lively" metropolitian areas, one student thought that Tucson looked so "poor and slummy" compared to Phoenix so I was embarassed that I was from around Tucson)

I don't think anyone at the U of A COM on an individual level is worried about healthcare for disadvantaged people in the state, i.e. the dean of admissions doesn't wake up thinking about how to help native Arizonans with good grades who want to stay in state. None of my interviewers seemed to care about my plans for staying in state or working with disadvantaged. This is why the U of A COM is an often referred to "Ivory Tower" with little contact or concerns about the community they live in and all have health insurance via the U of A, so I think to a certain degree they are unconcerned with what happens outside of the walls of the school . . . so I guess my perception of the school has changed from a wild-eyed opportunistic college undergrad who wanted to serve the people here and saw the U of A COM as the best place to learn how. . .

. . . the only thing is I wish they weren't so rude and disrespectful to me during interviews so I could have a positive image of the place assuming I will be practicing in AZ in the future and will have to interact with their faculty or graduates. . . I will probably try to setup/work in a clinic for disadvantaged patients, but I will NEVER be knocking doors at the U of A COM to have their students rotate there or ever make a donation to U of A COM especially considering they are going to start taking out of staters (something which I think the do already as you just have to establish residency versus already having roots there.) . . . after a while applicants get worn down by the really negative attitude towards natives with good grades and mcats . . .
 
SabinoCanyon said:
It is nice to know that at least some native students with high grades/high MCATs are not discriminated against during this admission process at the U of A COM, . . . out of all the U of A med students I have met most weren't that impressed with the school at all, I asked one what they thought, and they were mostly slightly negative, and all wanted to leave Arizona to do a residency elsewhere. All of them hated Tucson (and would never consider practicing outside of a more "lively" metropolitian areas, one student thought that Tucson looked so "poor and slummy" compared to Phoenix so I was embarassed that I was from around Tucson)

I don't think anyone at the U of A COM on an individual level is worried about healthcare for disadvantaged people in the state, i.e. the dean of admissions doesn't wake up thinking about how to help native Arizonans with good grades who want to stay in state. None of my interviewers seemed to care about my plans for staying in state or working with disadvantaged. This is why the U of A COM is an often referred to "Ivory Tower" with little contact or concerns about the community they live in and all have health insurance via the U of A, so I think to a certain degree they are unconcerned with what happens outside of the walls of the school . . . so I guess my perception of the school has changed from a wild-eyed opportunistic college undergrad who wanted to serve the people here and saw the U of A COM as the best place to learn how. . .

. . . the only thing is I wish they weren't so rude and disrespectful to me during interviews so I could have a positive image of the place assuming I will be practicing in AZ in the future and will have to interact with their faculty or graduates. . . I will probably try to setup/work in a clinic for disadvantaged patients, but I will NEVER be knocking doors at the U of A COM to have their students rotate there or ever make a donation to U of A COM especially considering they are going to start taking out of staters (something which I think the do already as you just have to establish residency versus already having roots there.) . . . after a while applicants get worn down by the really negative attitude towards natives with good grades and mcats . . .
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Lots of people get in to UA with good stats. There are people who get into UA with average stats too. Nothing wrong with that. It seems that you have what UA looks for in a future doctor. I would be perplexed also if I had good grades, ec's, commitment to underserved, etc. and did not get in. Is it possible that a bad experience with an interviewer is what kept you from being accepted there?
 
jltuttle said:
Lots of people get in to UA with good stats. There are people who get into UA with average stats too. Nothing wrong with that. It seems that you have what UA looks for in a future doctor. I would be perplexed also if I had good grades, ec's, commitment to underserved, etc. and did not get in. Is it possible that a bad experience with an interviewer is what kept you from being accepted there?
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I definitely did not enjoy the interview process at the U of A, it would be great if they could instruct their interviewers to listen to be cordial to the applicants. One community interviewer showed up 45-minutes late, I said that that was alright (I didn't mind sitting in his office I didn't have anything to do that day), but he started to complain about his practice, about his *friend's* daughter who was complaining about the high tuition at U of A COM, I just sort of said that he must enjoy working with patients or something like that, and just nodded my head, while thinking is this some sort of weird test? Am I supposed to comment about this or just listen? Never did any of my 9 interviewers ask me anything about my plans for practicing medicine! They all just sort of talked about random subjects, they never really asked me if I had any questions about the school. One PhD who interviewed me was a little rude too and when I asked a question or showed interest didn't seem to like that. They also have a librarian interview people too and one was critical of my volunteer experiences which were something I enjoyed doing and made weird little remarks. . . all of the interviewers didn't seem to enjoy talking to students and all were VERY opinionated about whatever random topic they were pontificating about. I just smiled and answered their questions, I don't know how the whole 3 hospital and 1 community interview thing works, but they don't seem to discuss what students can offer the school.

I don't mind that people with average stats get accepted, but I also felt I had strong extra-curriculars looking back now and research too, so I wish I could have gotten in on re-application, three years of trying to improve and fit their mold is tiring especially when there are many who worked less who get in and then leave AZ I guess from what I have heard from current students makes me wonder if connections are the deciding factor instead of academic achievement etc . . . something a little fishy about the school . . . obvious something is weird if they are separating the files into different piles to make sure the class is "balanced", I think they don't want too many with high grades and mcats . . .

from what the poster said above and what I have gleamed from applying multiple times is that U of A COM really does discriminate against people with high gpa/mcat, . . . I have high steps as well, but I want to do the dreaded "primary care" so I think that the admissions process does discriminate against natives with high scores, while admits those with lower scores as they maybe will do primary care most likely? This is the only reason I can see for the obvious problem that the interviewers had with my grades (some knew I had very high grades even though they claim the interviewers don't read your file, they do have a lot of information about you!).
 
SabinoCanyon said:
I would love to know of anyone with gpa >/=3.85 or MCAT >/= 33 who did get in?
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My stats are fairly similar (GPA is a little lower). I got outright rejected last year (no waitlist) and accepted this year.
 
I would love to know of anyone with gpa >/=3.85 or MCAT >/= 33 who did get in?[/quote]

MCAT 35, plus lots of clinical experience. And I did get in.
It's impossible to speculate- the idea of setting up an interview with admissions to try to get a straight answer is probably the best option. You'll drive yourself crazy trying to understand a situation with so many variables.
 
Sabino - Have you applied to other schools or is UA the only school you've considered? It looks like you've got a pretty strong application so I would think you wouldn't have a problem getting accepted somewhere in 3 years of applying.

Regarding your interview experience, I could see how you might have had a stroke of bad luck with your interviewers. My interviewers were great. They had lots of questions for me, wanted to discuss issues in healthcare, asked and listened for my opinion on various topics and gave me plenty of opportunity to ask questions. On the other hand, several of the people I interviewed with the same day had a very different experience. Many of them said that the interviewer just wanted to shoot the breeze and talk about topics totally unrelated to medicine for 15 minutes. One person I interviewed with said that the doctor he was interviewed by started the question by asking "do you like football?" and they just talked about their favorite teams the entire time. This type of interview would be very stress-free I am sure, however, what does this interviewer know about you personally? How can they vouch for your ability to become a great doctor to the admissions committee?

What I am trying to say is, like the last poster stated, there are many variables involved in medical school admissions. There are too many things that are simply out of your control which could determine whether or not you get in. Med school admissions aren't 100% fair, nor is life. Thats why in my opinion you must apply to several medical schools to give yourself a fair chance. Excellent scores and a good application doesn't make you a shoe-in at any school. If you've applied broadly to a decent number of schools over the last 3 years and still haven't been accepted somewhere with your scores, then I would conclude that there has to be something awry with your application that is turning off the adcoms.
 
Oh, and by the way. The librarian you mentioned that you interviewed with is actually a retired MD that works as a UA librarian now.
 
MedMan25 said:
Regarding your interview experience, I could see how you might have had a stroke of bad luck with your interviewers. My interviewers were great. They had lots of questions for me, wanted to discuss issues in healthcare, asked and listened for my opinion on various topics and gave me plenty of opportunity to ask questions. On the other hand, several of the people I interviewed with the same day had a very different experience. Many of them said that the interviewer just wanted to shoot the breeze and talk about topics totally unrelated to medicine for 15 minutes. One person I interviewed with said that the doctor he was interviewed by started the question by asking "do you like football?" and they just talked about their favorite teams the entire time.
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Thanks for your input, I went elsewhere for medical school . . . just never really got any reason from U of A COM, and was interested in recent developments at the school. Also interested why the large amount of negativity during interviews some applicants face. It sounds like if they are interested in you they have an "adult" conversation with you about real topics like medicine and your opinion (know one ever asked me my opinion on anything there), whereas if they don't like you then you have a very bad experience on interview day and basically have a "kiddy" conversation about the weather, movies and apparently football. This actuallly makes a lot of sense considering they try to interview everybody, i.e. they maybe have an idea from your file how they are going to peg you? I think that for a lot of applicants the inteviews are shams, i.e. they already have people for their pre-arranged groups, i.e. "We need a polo player this year" so the interviewers know who will be seriously considered and which interviews are just for show? I guess it is a good sign if they ask you about medicine. I in no way thought I would get in after my interviews although they just "shot the breeze" I could almost get a sense they weren't interested if they weren't asking me "real" interview questions. I guess I was right!😱 I thought my interview with the librarian was one of my better interviews, I had no idea she practiced medicine, kinda of shows you how much medicine we discussed, patients, healthcare etc . . . i.e. a ZERO!🙁
 
SabinoCanyon said:
Thanks for your input, I went elsewhere for medical school . . . just never really got any reason from U of A COM, and was interested in recent developments at the school. Also interested why the large amount of negativity during interviews some applicants face. It sounds like if they are interested in you they have an "adult" conversation with you about real topics like medicine and your opinion (know one ever asked me my opinion on anything there), whereas if they don't like you then you have a very bad experience on interview day and basically have a "kiddy" conversation about the weather, movies and apparently football. This actuallly makes a lot of sense considering they try to interview everybody, i.e. they maybe have an idea from your file how they are going to peg you? I think that for a lot of applicants the inteviews are shams, i.e. they already have people for their pre-arranged groups, i.e. "We need a polo player this year" so the interviewers know who will be seriously considered and which interviews are just for show? I guess it is a good sign if they ask you about medicine. I in no way thought I would get in after my interviews although they just "shot the breeze" I could almost get a sense they weren't interested if they weren't asking me "real" interview questions. I guess I was right!😱 I thought my interview with the librarian was one of my better interviews, I had no idea she practiced medicine, kinda of shows you how much medicine we discussed, patients, healthcare etc . . . i.e. a ZERO!🙁
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Yeah, I felt like I had a clear advantage over the other people I had interviewed with even though many of them were almost bragging about how laid back their interview was. I would feel robbed if my interviewer wanted to talk about nothing but football during the one chance I had to verbally express to the school my motives for applying to medical school. I would agree that UA's interviews need to be more structured and objective. I wouldn't speculate, however, that they intentionally set some people up with good interviewers while leaving others to physicians who have little time/desire to perform the interview. Its probably just due to the fact that they are trying to interview 600 people in such a short amount of time with a limited number of volunteers to conduct the interviews.
 
Have you guys heard of anyone being rejected in the following application year after faring well on the previous year’s waitlist?
 
Are there any current UA med students out there?
 
SabinoCanyon said:
Maybe you could schedule the interview to talk with admissions about why you didn't get in. Obviously, U of A college of medicine is not overly concerned about ending the doctor shortage in Arizona, quite the opposite, many of the faculty went to big name fancy east coast medical schools and perhaps want to keep competition between doctors down as they accept a lot of students who ship out. There seems to be a long-standing tradition of rejecting applicants with good grades, extracurriculars etc . . . I did a lot clinical experience when apply to U of A med school and they never asked me about it, I think clinical experience maybe can hurt you are the U of A??!

I would love to know of anyone with gpa >/=3.85 or MCAT >/= 33 who did get in?
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I got in with a 35 MCAT and the right EC's. The clinical experience definitely doesn't hurt. In fact, it's probably a must at the UA. But because the interviews are closed at the Tucson campus, you have to bring them up yourself if your interviewer doesn't.
 
I've been away for a week on vacation where I got the rejection from Phoenix. 🙁 I was a bit surprised about it since I was accepted to the Tucson campus but I suppose the two adcoms could be looking for different things in their students.

All I know is that now I have less than 5 months to figure out how I can go to school in Tucson. I have to figure out what to do about my house and I have mega family concerns. Anyone else stressing about this stuff?
 
buffdoc said:
I got in with a 35 MCAT and the right EC's. The clinical experience definitely doesn't hurt. In fact, it's probably a must at the UA. But because the interviews are closed at the Tucson campus, you have to bring them up yourself if your interviewer doesn't.
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Not all the interviews at U of A Tucson campus are closed, i.e. interviewers are given information about you as I was asked specific questions about my background from what was in my file. Several interviewers had a folder full of information about me on their desk! I think they mean the interviewer doesn't have ALL the information maybe?
 
SabinoCanyon said:
Not all the interviews at U of A Tucson campus are closed, i.e. interviewers are given information about you as I was asked specific questions about my background from what was in my file. Several interviewers had a folder full of information about me on their desk! I think they mean the interviewer doesn't have ALL the information maybe?
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My Tucson interview was completely closed. I was suppose to have a surgeon interview me, but they got stuck in surgery. So, the assistant dean was given a call and I walked right into his office for my interview. I think the interview went well, but I guess UofA feels they obtain a lot of information from a first impression, hence the closed interview? Honestly, I have no idea. Thats just my guess. I've spent this whole year trying to figure out the admissions process and I feel like I've been running around in circles.😕
 
Hello Everyone,

I just wanted to remind thoes who may be frustrated with U of A, that the admissions process is particularly backwards.

My outright rejection was a true blessing in disguise, and it may be for you as well.
 
Hey all - does anyone know who the head of the Phoenix admissions committee is? Thanks!
 
Disinence2 said:
Hello Everyone,

I just wanted to remind thoes who may be frustrated with U of A, that the admissions process is particularly backwards.

My outright rejection was a true blessing in disguise, and it may be for you as well.
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I can only agree with this! My waitlist reminded me how much I loved the schools that accepted me. The cost of attendance at U of A was really tempting but I definitely think I'll be happier at my other acceptances. That said, congrats of those who get to keep enjoying Arizona winters (days like today for instance!)👍
 
Hey-

I was wondering if you guys could post something as you are moved off the waitlist. That way the rest of the waitlisters can have an idea of where they are in the process. I know #3 was moved off this morning. Congrats to you!!
 
If there are any current medical students at U of A-Tucson campus reading this thread, would they mind posting their opinion of the school so far? Thanks!
 
I hope they go really deep this year. I have some stellar friends sitting between 40 and 70.
 
sunny1 said:
If there are any current medical students at U of A-Tucson campus reading this thread, would they mind posting their opinion of the school so far? Thanks!
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I would also love to hear from a current student. I've heard so much about AZCOM's shaky admissions process that is it a big worrying. I hope the school has it more together. That's why I'm excited for the 2nd look day and hope it will be a great experiance.
 
life2008 said:
I would also love to hear from a current student. I've heard so much about AZCOM's shaky admissions process that is it a big worrying. I hope the school has it more together. That's why I'm excited for the 2nd look day and hope it will be a great experiance.
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I don't think the AZCOM had it "together" this year from what I understand with the dual enrollment this year from other applicants' experiences, but anyone's opinion would be helpful.

And yes, any waitlist updates would be awesome! I plan to call about every 2 weeks to the Tucson office before May 15 to hopefully figure out where they are on waitlists and if I'll get in this year. I'm not in AZ right now, so if anyone has inside UofA advise, please post it. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
sunny1 said:
If there are any current medical students at U of A-Tucson campus reading this thread, would they mind posting their opinion of the school so far? Thanks!
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Hi Everyone! I'm a MS4 - did my first two years in Tucson and my last two in Phoenix, just matched in Ob and will be graduating in less than 2 months. Having been in both locales, I have a bit of perspective on both campuses. Congrats to those who've been accepted and pulled off the waitlist!

While I think that the Phx campus is off to a good start, quite honestly, Tucson is still a better run machine, at this point, especially if you have any desire to do a competitive ROAD/lifestyle specialty (Rads, Optho, Anes, Derm) - If anyone has any specific questions, feel free to ask away!
 
does anyone know the first day of classes for incoming students?
 
sunny1 said:
If there are any current medical students at U of A-Tucson campus reading this thread, would they mind posting their opinion of the school so far? Thanks!
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Another MS4 here. I did most of the four years in Tucson-enjoyed the campus and people. Have met some of the people in PHX and been on the campus-great group and nice campus too. Congrats to all of you who are in. Good luck to the wait-listers too:luck:. I road that roller coaster. I was 54 in a year they only went up to 51. And then in the next time.
 
Thanks, pinki and ineedsleep. In case anyone is interested, I attached the UA-Tucson Match results for 2008. Not overly detailed, but it gives you the gist.
 

Attachments

Thanks! It is interesting to note that the percentage of primary care residents mirrors the percentage of students who choose to stay in AZ for their training.
 
They are up 12 on the waitlist as of today. Just a tid bit of info you may want to know. 🙂
 
Through 13 today.. (friend of mine emailed, not me)

Just so don't think I am that anal to be emailing every couple of days, lol.
 
They were on 13 on Monday!! 🙁
I guess very little movement this week....


majatoi said:
Through 13 today.. (friend of mine emailed, not me)

Just so don't think I am that anal to be emailing every couple of days, lol.
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wildcat111 said:
They were on 13 on Monday!! 🙁
I guess very little movement this week....
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I know.. depressing isn't it.

:scared:

What's more scary? My rank on the waitlist. :laugh:
 
I have heard that most the movement occurs around May 15th so don't lose hope.
 
Yo, You should repost that link to the facebook group or did it die? We got a list of all the people who are accepted when we went to second look maybe someone could invite everyone on it.
 
dogmod said:
Yo, You should repost that link to the facebook group or did it die? We got a list of all the people who are accepted when we went to second look maybe someone could invite everyone on it.
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Sweet! Did they state how many WICHE applicants were accepted?...or just an alphabetical list or something.....?
 
dogmod said:
Yo, You should repost that link to the facebook group or did it die? We got a list of all the people who are accepted when we went to second look maybe someone could invite everyone on it.
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That link that was previously posted isn't working for me. I'd be down to start a new one, but only if one or two more people want to help because I'm not searching for and inviting all 110 names by myself. Anyone?
 
The list included a demarcation of who was a WICHE applicant. I don't have it in front of me but I will look through it later. I will start up the group and send out some invites. Rooter PM your name and we can split the list hmm?
 
dogmod said:
The list included a demarcation of who was a WICHE applicant. I don't have it in front of me but I will look through it later. I will start up the group and send out some invites. Rooter PM your name and we can split the list hmm?
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Thanks man....I'd appreciate it! Congratulations on your acceptance too. Take care.
 
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