University of Arizona Questions

[mathlink]

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So did everyone on this thread who has been accepted at Phoenix receive a card? I met up with an acquaintance of mine on Sunday who has been accepted at Phoenix and forgot to ask if he had received one. I am curious to know the results of anybody who calls tomorrow.

 

[frontalRelease]

So, I completely missed the anxiety for this round of acceptances, as I was out of town, and expected a Friday release like the ones before. Not that I hadn't been checking my email religiously for possible news from Phoenix. Needless to say, I didn't hear anything from either campus. But you know what? I'M GLAD I MISSED IT. I'm glad because it's one less stomach ulcer, and night of lost sleep I'll have to deal with over this hellish gauntlet of anticipation, anxiety, and crushed hope.

That said, I'd like to make a comment on how the admissions are being run. I think I'll follow with the admissions committee regardless of whether or not I get in this time around.

My Opinion:

It's like getting rejected 10 times. It'd be fine if Tucson were doing what Phoenix was, with the more traditional rolling process, but that's not what's going on. While I appreciate the transparency that they're providing, it'd be much easier to only have to worry about one date. Having multiple is only good for the admissions committee, and exacts a terrible stress on applicants that could probably do without the extra anxiety. I mean, the resounding thing I heard from current medical students was how much they hated having a single acceptance release date, because of the anticipation. Well, this is like that, several times over for those of us that have yet to get in. Ok, that's my venting on that part of the process.

Next:

The cards. Who's idea was that? They send out affirming cards to applicants, and then they hear nothing? I agree completely with the previous posts about how that was both a confusing, and possibly mean thing to do. I didn't get a card, but I feel for those who did and have yet to receive, or don't ever receive an offer. When you apply for a job - they don't send you a card/contact you after the interview unless they're interested in hiring you. Why? So you don't spend any additional time or energy on them that you could be spending on finding something else. I know these 2 situations aren't entirely commensurable, but they're close enough. For the fact that people have been doing these sorts of admissions for so long, you'd think they'd have it down to as professional and effective process as possible (regardless of Phoenix's age - they come from a long line).

Summary:

I'm all for trying different things, but with respect to admissions, I kinda wish they'd stick to what works, and what we as applicants expect.

Sorry to rant, I'd love to hear any of your thoughts.

 

[mathlink]

One other thing: Are we entirely sure that Phoenix is more of a trickle-out rolling process? From what I can gather of those who have been accepted on this thread, Phoenix has had the same release dates as Tucson with the exception of one person who seems to have received an acceptance from Phoenix the day they got back from the holidays, when Phoenix seemed suprised it had sent out an acceptance that day. I could probably figure this out for myself but I don't feel like re-reading 8 pages.

 

[Cuddy420]

Amen. I agree with you completely how it feels like we are getting rejected over and over. I am glad Admissions is willing to try out new things and listen to the concerns of previous applicants and their annoyance with waiting so long BUT this is definetely worse. The card thing doesn't help either.

While I have been accepted to my first choice DO school, its so hard to deal with the fact that you don't know where you will be living and who will be with you for the next 4+ years...I am so glad I applied to D.O. and won't have to undergo this process again. I really feel that we all deserve to get in very much considering our involvement with this site and how we can't stop thinking about UA and med school every. single. day. Not to mention everyone has shared some awesome stats and/or experiences.

Regardless, I know each of us will find a way to become a doctor and one day we will all be laughing at how agonized we were over getting into medschool since we will be very happy wherever we end up (hopefully @ UA!)

 

[Cuddy420]

One other thing: Are we entirely sure that Phoenix is more of a trickle-out rolling process? From what I can gather of those who have been accepted on this thread, Phoenix has had the same release dates as Tucson with the exception of one person who seems to have received an acceptance from Phoenix the day they got back from the holidays, when Phoenix seemed suprised it had sent out an acceptance that day. I could probably figure this out for myself but I don't feel like re-reading 8 pages.

I have been keeping up with the thread pretty carefully, and I am pretty sure PHX is doing the exact same thing/dates as Tucson. I am almost certain they are not doing any different form of rolling admissions and are releasing acceptances only when Tucson is.

 

[koob16]

So did everyone on this thread who has been accepted at Phoenix receive a card? I met up with an acquaintance of mine on Sunday who has been accepted at Phoenix and forgot to ask if he had received one. I am curious to know the results of anybody who calls tomorrow.

In the interest of helping put this whole card thing to rest, I never received a card from Phoenix (or anyone) and I was accepted by them recently. I completely agree with everyone that it only served to confuse applicants and I remember being terrified when Cuddy first said that some people had gotten cards. Invitroderm is probably right, it doesn't seem to indicate much...at least so far.

 

[John Banner]

I think the confusion about the timing of notification is related to how each campus deals with applicants who turn down their acceptances. Phoenix is immediately backfilling with the next on their list, while Tucson is waiting until the next scheduled release date.

 

[ThankGod]

Yea, I figured Tucson didn't send out cards...but I would just ask Phoenix if cards were selectively sent since you know many people who did not receive one. That's all. Did you receive a card ThankGod? I know you were accepted to Tucson, what about PHX?

I didn't receive a card...but then again, I have yet to receive an acceptance from Phoenix. Either way, the whole card issue is really actually unethical...

 

[mathlink]

I think the confusion about the timing of notification is related to how each campus deals with applicants who turn down their acceptances. Phoenix is immediately backfilling with the next on their list, while Tucson is waiting until the next scheduled release date.

That actually makes a lot of sense. Thanks.

 

[tryptofan]

To whoever, if anyone, is going to be calling the Phoenix admin office in inquiry about the cards, may I suggest that you mention, in lieu of holiday cards to a fraction of applicants, Valentine's cards to everyone would be better. If they get on the ball, it's not too late. and, oh, chocolate.

 

[pasdechat28]

I think it is safe to say to forget about the cards--who knows if they even exist. I am accepted to both Tucson and Phoenix and never got a card from either.

 

[frontalRelease]

I think you guys are probably right about Phoenix and Tucson being on the same admissions schedule, now that I think about it. The only reason I thought otherwise is because when I called Phoenix that's what they told me they were doing, and they wouldn't provide me with any further release dates.

I think the comment about backfilling their ranks is probably accurate. Also, the valentine's day card idea is brilliant, so long as everyone gets one, and it's in the form of some cheesy heart-shaped card, possibly an anatomically accurate one.

 

[InvitroDerm]

The true crime is not giving the waitlist on the 23rd. That's going to be the worst wait of all.

 

[John Banner]

I have a 4.0 GPA and a 33 MCAT with a lot of research and volunteering. I don't know what else they want. I mean they have about 150 spots and only 550 applicants. I gotta say im pretty disappointed but I'm plannign to retake the mcat and to reapply next year hopefully to get into someplace better.

This is just friendly advice, but I can't see how retaking the MCAT is going to help. The UA focuses a lot on motivation and commitment towards a career in medicine. Re-evaluating how your motivation/commitment comes across in your experiences, essay, and interview may be more productive.

 

[213965]

This is just friendly advice, but I can't see how retaking the MCAT is going to help. The UA focuses a lot on motivation and commitment towards a career in medicine. Re-evaluating how your motivation/commitment comes across in your experiences, essay, and interview may be more productive.

Well, he said he wants to apply someplace better, but I agree that a 33/4.0 is extremely competitive for almost anywhere.

Now I, on the other hand, am still planning on retaking my MCAT and probably should have done so long ago.

 

[InvitroDerm]

So, I never called the volunteering dept to see if they sent me a generic card. I figured I suffered enough embarrassment over that stupid thing.

Have any of you had excessive junk email after taking the MCAT but not before?

Applying to medical school is so excrutiating. Pracitally any other field can be easily had if you just work hard....but medicine, my goodness, you can perfect your application from here to kingdom come and still get rejected like so many other people with phenominal stats.

When do you guys think the best time to set up an appt with Tanisha to go over the file to improve it after the 23rd? I fear 200 applicants calling her all at once and she just won't have the time.

 

[John Banner]

When do you guys think the best time to set up an appt with Tanisha to go over the file to improve it after the 23rd? I fear 200 applicants calling her all at once and she just won't have the time.

I heard that last year both campuses took a lot of people off the waitlist. Hang in there.

 

[InvitroDerm]

Well, he said he wants to apply someplace better, but I agree that a 33/4.0 is extremely competitive for almost anywhere.

Now I, on the other hand, am still planning on retaking my MCAT and probably should have done so long ago.

I don't know what your MCAT is but Regna got in with a 26. If yours is that or higher, maybe you should just focus on more unique clinical exp. But didn't you get into DO? Would you seriously pass on that to try to get into the MD program next year? That would be really not a good idea because you can get the same residencies as MD's except for ROAD.

 

[213965]

I don't know what your MCAT is but Regna got in with a 26. If yours is that or higher, maybe you should just focus on more unique clinical exp. But didn't you get into DO? Would you seriously pass on that to try to get into the MD program next year? That would be really not a good idea because you can get the same residencies as MD's except for ROAD.

Well, my MCAT is a little higher with slightly lower GPA, but the main reason for the MCAT retake is to get off a waitlist at another school and I figured if the score was high enough I could just reapply, but you're right about passing on my current acceptance since that would require new LORs, essays, another $3k, another year lost of a potential 6 figure income, etc.

 

[tryptofan]

...
Regardless, I know each of us will find a way to become a doctor and one day we will all be laughing at how agonized we were over getting into medschool since we will be very happy wherever we end up
...

True. And you don't need to gain a certain profession or lofty title to find happiness. I know it might be annoying to say that in this context. Six figure salaries don't bring happiness. It's just one of those things that you'd have to experience on your own to believe. There are many other paths to live a fulfilling and happy life, some which can turn out to be even better.

More anonymous comment to Admissions:
My rejection notification last year came about a week after the accepted list was posted at the office. Please send them earlier or post the list after the decisions go out (and after sufficient time for them to be received). This would have saved me from standing there, slowly dying, scanning the list at least three times in vain for my name. This would have saved me from the curtness from the other side of the desk when I stepped in and quietly asked to confirm my status. Paraphrased reply: "If your name's not on the list, you didn't get in."

Another comment to Admissions:
Also, I didn't appreciate getting the notice and, later, the reminder to attend the second-look med school visit. Not cool.

 

[InvitroDerm]

Since you have such amazing stats, did they provide a reason why they did not accept you last year?

 

[tryptofan]

Since you have such amazing stats, did they provide a reason why they did not accept you last year?

Each applicant has their own individual story, and mine's just one of many that played out last year. I'm not saying there was injustice. It just feels that way, not because I felt particularly deserving based on comparisons with others (stats or whatever). I'll hold off on further comment until after I find out whether I'm accepted or rejected to avoid appearance of groveling for points on this admissions cycle. There's nothing more I can say that can help anyone waiting now, but perhaps something in my experience may help those for next cycle. All I want to say now is that there were a bunch of negatives that came together, and much of that was due to my own ignorance, error, or lack of preparation/diligence and could have been avoided. and was hopefully avoided this time around.

 

[mathlink]

Another comment to Admissions:
Also, I didn't appreciate getting the notice and, later, the reminder to attend the second-look med school visit. Not cool.

Ouch. I can't believe they'd do that. Ladies and gentlemen, your University of Arizona College of Medicine admissions committee! That's about 4,000 times worse than the Army sending out the premature congratulations letter. At times I am convinced they like to laugh at our pain.

 

[InvitroDerm]

This would have saved me from the curtness from the other side of the desk when I stepped in and quietly asked to confirm my status. Paraphrased reply: "If your name's not on the list, you didn't get in."

If you received such a nonwarm reception from UA, why do you want to attend so badly? Is it the huge monetary savings?

 

[InvitroDerm]

This is hilarious:

The 12 Medical Specialty Stereotypes

http://bp2.blogger.com/_e85U4QbYG7s...0-h/12+medical+specialty+stereotypes+full.jpg

 

[regnaR175]

This is hilarious:

The 12 Medical Specialty Stereotypes

http://bp2.blogger.com/_e85U4QbYG7s...0-h/12+medical+specialty+stereotypes+full.jpg

Still laughing as I write 🤣

 

[Brrooother]

This is hilarious:

The 12 Medical Specialty Stereotypes

http://bp2.blogger.com/_e85U4QbYG7s...0-h/12+medical+specialty+stereotypes+full.jpg

Lol, that was funny!

Check out the "Most bizarre interview experience" thread as well - I just discovered that this morning and it's fantastic!

 

[Brrooother]

Lol, that was funny!

Check out the "Most bizarre interview experience" thread as well - I just discovered that this morning and it's fantastic!

Err, "Most bizarre interview moment", rather 🙂

 

[Proteinpowda]

This is hilarious:

The 12 Medical Specialty Stereotypes

http://bp2.blogger.com/_e85U4QbYG7s...0-h/12+medical+specialty+stereotypes+full.jpg

Now that was funny!

Still no acceptance letter on my end. But I got an interview offer for Midwestern and I'm headed there the day after UA sends out their last batch. So maybe I won't be headed to Ross (I'd take AZCOM over Ross).
To the guy that got the 33 on the MCAT. I contacted Tanisha about why I did not get in last year. My Mcat was a 31R (10V10B11PS) and she said it was not my MCAT that was the problem. I really felt like a dumbnuts last year when people were getting in with 26s and stuff...it seems to be the EC's that matter the most. I ran into someone that used to do interviews at UA and he said the most important part of acceptance was the interview. I was going to retake the exam but every pre-med advisor I spoke to said not too. Oh and I spoke to someone on the adcom at Cornell last summer...if you get a 10 or better they white out your score to the committee. Didn't know that. So once you get a 30 you've pretty much shown the committee you have the capacity to pass the boards. Just my 2c.

 

[rkells]

10,10,10 is 30!

 

[tryptofan]

... I was going to retake the exam but every pre-med advisor I spoke to said not too. Oh and I spoke to someone on the adcom at Cornell last summer...if you get a 10 or better they white out your score to the committee. Didn't know that. So once you get a 30 you've pretty much shown the committee you have the capacity to pass the boards. Just my 2c.

Not retaking the exam is the same advice I received from Phoenix because there's the real chance that you'd score lower on your MCAT retake. The impression of a downward trend would not help. Unless you're sure of yourself, and know that you have a good chance to do better based on many practice tests, you shouldn't risk it. Or elect not to have your scores reported at the end of the test. I suggest using the practice tests on the AMCAS website to see approximately at what level you should be scoring.

I was curious and checked. The median (average?) score for Cornell matriculants last year was 34-35. This was on some school selector Excel spreadsheet on this website. I'd tend to believe maybe MCAT and GPA could be whited out for interviewers, but it is interesting if Cornell does so for overall evaluation or pre-selection. My guess is that most if not all adcoms try to take a holistic approach and to not have many rigid thresholds. Their methods can be different. For one interview day I went to, each of the two interviewers had my AMCAS app in front of them and already reviewed it. It was nice, because I didn't have to waste time talking about nuts and bolts stuff already documented. Each interviewer seemed custom-selected to test in some way. One does research in the same area that I do research. The other was physically handicapped and at one point questions veered onto my athletic endeavors (please don't read anything into this).

I'd say that there's no magic number above which that you're home free, esp if you're considering more selective schools (which aren't necess. better for everyone). In my reapp, there wasn't much more I could do about GPA or EC's within one year without making it look desperately contrived, so I retook the MCAT and fortunately scored higher. I know it helped in my particular case. I received secondary app requests from all the schools this time, in particular some out-of-state public schools as an OOS'er.

Does anyone remember if it was 13 students or 13% of the Tucson class who failed the Step 1 board exams last year? Is pass rate info and avg scores for all the schools publicly available?

 

[Proteinpowda]

10,10,10 is 30!

Ooops! Typo. It should reaad 10V10B11PS 🙂 Let me fix that

 

[213965]

Not retaking the exam is the same advice I received from Phoenix because there's the real chance that you'd score lower on your MCAT retake. The impression of a downward trend would not help. Unless you're sure of yourself, and know that you have a good chance to do better based on many practice tests, you shouldn't risk it. Or elect not to have your scores reported at the end of the test. I suggest using the practice tests on the AMCAS website to see approximately at what level you should be scoring.

I was curious and checked. The median (average?) score for Cornell matriculants last year was 34-35. This was on some school selector Excel spreadsheet on this website. I'd tend to believe maybe MCAT and GPA could be whited out for interviewers, but it is interesting if Cornell does so for overall evaluation or pre-selection. My guess is that most if not all adcoms try to take a holistic approach and to not have many rigid thresholds. Their methods can be different. For one interview day I went to, each of the two interviewers had my AMCAS app in front of them and already reviewed it. It was nice, because I didn't have to waste time talking about nuts and bolts stuff already documented. Each interviewer seemed custom-selected to test in some way. One does research in the same area that I do research. The other was physically handicapped and at one point questions veered onto my athletic endeavors (please don't read anything into this).

I'd say that there's no magic number above which that you're home free, esp if you're considering more selective schools (which aren't necess. better for everyone). In my reapp, there wasn't much more I could do about GPA or EC's within one year without making it look desperately contrived, so I retook the MCAT and fortunately scored higher. I know it helped in my particular case. I received secondary app requests from all the schools this time, in particular some out-of-state public schools as an OOS'er.

Does anyone remember if it was 13 students or 13% of the Tucson class who failed the Step 1 board exams last year? Is pass rate info and avg scores for all the schools publicly available?

At my Tucson interview I believe they said it was 18 students, or ~15% of the class that did not pass the Step 1 board exams.

To Proteinpowda, I was recently accepted to AZCOM and will be attending if UA does not accept me. Good luck at your interview, and not sure if you've been keeping up with the AZCOM thread in the pre-osteo forum, but in case you haven't, just thought I'd let you know that your interview score counts for at least 50% of the total application score, your MCAT/GPA/personal statement comprise the other 50%, they don't really read the secondary essays in depth or the LORs (so these aren't calculated into the "score" but more used for "weeding out" factors), so to make the long story short, do really really well at your interview or it can seriously hurt you even if you have great numbers. PM me if you have any more questions -- I am currently doing my SMP there and covering about 70% of the first-year medschool material... and good luck!

 

[tryptofan]

At my Tucson interview I believe they said it was 18 students, or ~15% of the class that did not pass the Step 1 board exams.

To Proteinpowda, I was recently accepted to AZCOM and will be attending if UA does not accept me. ...

From the AZCOM website front page:
"In the past five years, nearly 98 percent of AZCOM students passed the COMLEX Part I exam the first time — exceeding the national average by more than five percent. It's no surprise that our graduates earn residency positions at outstanding health care facilities such as ..."

Hmmm

 

[213965]

From the AZCOM website front page:
"In the past five years, nearly 98 percent of AZCOM students passed the COMLEX Part I exam the first time — exceeding the national average by more than five percent. It's no surprise that our graduates earn residency positions at outstanding health care facilities such as ..."

Hmmm

Yeah they do pretty well but one major negative that I don't like is the quarter system and no pass/fail (everything is +/- letter grades), and they rank everyone after 2nd year... as for the high board scores, one of the contributing factors is the fact that they make everyone take a pre-screening "exam" end of 2nd year and if you don't pass a certain score you're not even allowed to take the boards, lol.

 

[MedMan25]

From the AZCOM website front page:
"In the past five years, nearly 98 percent of AZCOM students passed the COMLEX Part I exam the first time — exceeding the national average by more than five percent. It's no surprise that our graduates earn residency positions at outstanding health care facilities such as ..."

Hmmm

It's difficult to compare UA and Midwestern by and exam that only Midwestern students take.

 

[213965]

I agree. That and the COMPLEX is an inferior exam to the USMLE. Feb 23rd is approaching quickly... good luck everyone

 

[InvitroDerm]

1. PCT + a little volunteering and maybe take 1 class
2. CNA + same
3. ?????????????


What is the best way to spend the next year if no acceptance? More to the point, how does one convey, I really, really want this and I really, really don't want to go to the Carib.

 

[Cuddy420]

1. PCT + a little volunteering and maybe take 1 class
2. CNA + same
3. ?????????????


What is the best way to spend the next year if no acceptance? More to the point, how does one convey, I really, really want this and I really, really don't want to go to the Carib.

From my clinical experiences working among both CNA's and PCT's, I would prefer being a PCT. I feel like CNA's are more typical of hospice and caregiving..like bathing, feeding, changing briefs, etc. I see more PCT's at the hospital I work at drawing blood, assisting with many more procedures, and interacting with physicians more heavily. This is just from my experience, but I would like being a PCT in an ER rather than a CNA in a hospice. I want to be an EP, so I am biased. 🙂

 

[Cuddy420]

I agree. That and the COMPLEX is an inferior exam to the USMLE. Feb 23rd is approaching quickly... good luck everyone

Out of curiosity, how so? I have not heard too much on the differences between the COMPLEX and USMLE and am interested in hearing more.

 

[rkaz]

I agree. That and the COMPLEX is an inferior exam to the USMLE.

I don't think we can compare UofA to Midwestern/AZCOM... nor would it be fair to. The UofA is a large public university and has taxpayer money, while AZCOM is a private school and doesn't - thus it naturally has less resources despite high tuition. As far as the COMLEX goes, I don't think it is fair to label it as 'inferior' to the USMLE as we have no idea about the two, not having done either. As far as Midwestern giving a 'pre' exam to students, this can be seen as a bad or good thing... 'bad' in the sense that it misrepresents the pass rate slightly, but 'good' in the sense that it protects students who are not sufficiently prepared for the test, by allowing them to delay the real exam until they are able to pass. I certainly don't think a student's failed exam attempt would look good to future residency programs. I would not presume osteopathic medical education is the slightest bit inferior to allopathic, as some of the best docs I know are DOs. Although I REALLY really want to get accepted to the UofA, I will proudly matriculate at Midwestern if that's my only option. I think there are at least a few of us on this thread for whom Midwestern is our #2 choice..albeit still a top choice. It's a great program with a solid match list.

I apologize if this post comes across as defensive,... it's just that my opinion of Midwestern only continues to improve the more I learn about it. I still want a UofA acceptance as it's my top choice, but I will be happy either way as both will give me a great education.

 

[213965]

Regarding AZCOM, I meant no insult to the school or the DO degree, or I wouldn't be doing my master's there or matriculating into their DO program 😳 Just trying to comment on the differences between the board exams but you're right in that it wouldn't be fair to compare the two schools.

InvitroDerm, IF you have to reapply at all, I think any of your options for working seem like a sound plan esp. since you'll start saving up much needed $$$ but I would recommend applying to both DO and MD next year just in case if you really don't want the Carib route. Also, AACOMAS opens up in May and I know people who had an acceptance in hand by end of Aug/early Sept vs waiting until Oct/Nov for your first acceptance.

 

[rkells]

FYI I was accepted to the Phoenix campus on Friday-- got the email at around 4pm (so there goes the whole 9am release theory), I also got a holiday card from them. In the acceptance email they said they are aware I was accepted to the Tucson campus, and that I now have 2 weeks to decide between the two. Thing is, I'm not too sure about which one I'll choose 😕

 

[InvitroDerm]

Yeah, Phoenix has been sending them in the PM according to some earlier posts. I think it is a ploy to make everyone as anxious as possible every min of every day.

What specialty are you sort of leaning toward? That might help you decide a little. For example, if you are shooting for derm, not that anyone would realistically do this, Tucson might not be the best place, since the derm residency program closed in 2006 due to Medicare fraud. So, by extension, the training to med students would be lacking. By the way, does anyone know when this will be up and running?

Oh yeah, and congrats!!

Oh yeah, and what's your secret.

 

[MadEvans]

FYI I was accepted to the Phoenix campus on Friday-- got the email at around 4pm (so there goes the whole 9am release theory), I also got a holiday card from them.

Seems to substantiate this idea:

I think the confusion about the timing of notification is related to how each campus deals with applicants who turn down their acceptances. Phoenix is immediately backfilling with the next on their list, while Tucson is waiting until the next scheduled release date.

Congrats rkells on your success. I agree with InvitroDerm, please share your secret!

 

[rkaz]

No issues, Renny. I don't know much about either exam. I should have asked you in which way you meant the COMLEX being inferior, as it seems a rather subjective measure. Do you think the COMLEX is inferior in the sense that the questions require less critical thinking than the USMLE? Or are the questions equally difficult, but less relevant to knowledge pertinent to practing medicine? I am curious about this myself, as I'm interested in the differences between the two exams... being that I may end up having to take both. My limited understanding is that the COMLEX includes questions on osteopathic manipulation, while the USMLE goes more in depth into biochemistry and molecular biology/genetics. But that's about all I know...

Invitro, I agree with Renny. If things don't work out for you this year, then applying next year to MD and DO schools early is the way to go. I completed many of my applications in November, and didn't get my first acceptance until February... which was a huge wait. The people who submitted their applications in July and got acceptances by September/October didn't have to stress as long. So I totally second that. Otherwise, if all fails, the Caribbean does work for many people... as you can still do well going that route if you work hard. Many people have done it successfully, so there isn't anything to fear... though it's important to know the hurdles before entering. However, you may just get accepted to UofA this cycle, so no point worrying about things until after the waitlist comes out. If you still need advice then, I'm sure many of us would be happy to give additional feedback on this issue.

Rkells, congrats on your acceptance! I have no advice except to say that you should just go with your gut feeling. You can't go wrong with either Phoenix or Tucson, as both have their strengths.

 

[rkells]

My secret for getting in? I don't really know how to answer that... it might sound corny, but I think I was able to get my personality and overall spirit across in my personal statement and interview. I'm RKells, and I made sure they knew who RKelly was all about.

I blog on youtube pretty candidly, and I just carried myself the same way during my interviews-- I didn't try to be someone I'm not or anything. You can check this out if you're curious: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdaAWFoWr2c

 

[Proteinpowda]

Hey for the guy that's thinking of re-applying.....
Take a look at this:

Here is the match list from the top Caribbean school:

http://www.sgu.edu/ERD/2008/ResidPost.nsf/BYPGY?OpenView&RestrictToCategory=PGY1&Count=-1

Here's a match list from a top Osteopathic school (Midwestern Chicago)

http://mwunet.midwestern.edu/academic/CCOMClinEd/clinicalEdDocs/StudentMatches_2008.pdf

Here's Philadelphia College of Medicine:

http://www.pcom.edu/Student_Life/Student_Affairs_Main/Match_List.html

I don't see much difference between the two...and what you will notice that the top residency spots (ortho, derm, and plastic surgery) for Midwestern were osteopathic matches. From what I've been told those aren't as competitive. But that's heresay and MD/DO is not inferior/superior neccessarily. That's up to the individual program. Just b/c a program is MD or DO does not mean it will be better. There are so many factors that go into that.

But overall I don't see a huge difference between the match lists.....

The truth is medicine in a lot of ways is an old boys club. Program directors in a lot of ways look at people that went DO or go Caribbean as people that didn't get into a US MD program. Some prefer DO's, some prefer Caribbean graduates.

This is a really good post from Stephew on Valuemd.

point 1) If you go DO or IMG you are someone in the eyes of PDs everywhere who failed to get into a us allopath school. Spare me the exceptional individuals who go DO for philosophical reasons and Ill spare you the link of the pro golfer who chose an IMG school over a US allopathic school. PDs have their own pet preferences; some like DOs, some like sgu students and some will pick some other group they are more comforatble with. but do not fool yourself: DO and IMG are seen as fairly equal in the eyes of PDs: i.e. you didnt get into medical school in the US

2) more options as DO. patently not true. It used to be DOs had more choices with regard to ER and ortho. Its not at all true for ER these days; as for ortho, I'm honestly ont sure. DO does have the advantage of some number of residency spots in competitive fields allocated for DOs only. But the vast vast majority of DOs are primary care docs. Coming from SGU (and Im only talking about sgu here as I dont know the senario as well for other schools) you certainly are not "behind" DOs in terms of opportunities in general. Check out placements of grads from all schools your interested in.

Ive nothing against the DO pathway and its as viable as the choice of going to a good offshore school. I also agree that one's concern of having "MD" on their jacket over "DO" is also picking the wrong fight; that in and of itself is a poor way to choose one's destiny. But the two points above are ones that I'm dismayed always to see expressed as experience and discussion in the resident candidacy process have taught me is not accurate in my neck of the woods (NE US) at least. (See point about PD biases above).




So back to Proteinpowda now:

Ultimately if you think you can get into an allopathic US school it's probably worth the wait...but if not....is it the extra year worth the minute difference in results? Spend the extra year proving you can be a doctor or spend it as a doctor?
Granted there's a lot more to it...do you want to live out of the country? Are you ok with how they run clinicals? Are you married or have kids?

Me? I'm single and have no ties and like the idea of traveling. So I'm happy with going to Ross. But I also have interviews upcoming at Midwestern and NYCOM coming up and would take those over Ross:
Match list:
http://www.rossu.edu/medical-school/files/2008ResidencyList.pdf

Just think about that.

 

[213965]

Proteinpowda, you bring up some very valid points. If I wasn't so close to my family or my bf (we're currently doing long-distance and plane tickets are already expensive enough WITHIN the country), I definitely would have considered SGU. I am sort of kicking myself now for not applying to Midwestern Chicago since I like their match list better than AZCOM even though it is technically the same school, but I guess anywhere you go, a medical education is really what you make of it. Well good luck everyone and here's to massive waitlist movement this year

 

[TeamZissou]

Yeah they do pretty well but one major negative that I don't like is the quarter system and no pass/fail (everything is +/- letter grades), and they rank everyone after 2nd year... as for the high board scores, one of the contributing factors is the fact that they make everyone take a pre-screening "exam" end of 2nd year and if you don't pass a certain score you're not even allowed to take the boards, lol.

I would have to disagree. I think that taking a screening exam is a good thing because what it prevents is failing the COMLEX. The other thing to consider is that everyone is probably going to take a pre-test anyways. After all, can you imagine taking the MCAT without ever taking a practice test? So to me the fact that the school gives you one just means you spend less money.

I agree. That and the COMPLEX is an inferior exam to the USMLE. Feb 23rd is approaching quickly... good luck everyone

It's COMLEX not COMPLEX 🙂 and yes it is a different test. Some DO students who have taken both say they prefer the USMLE because it seems to be written better but to go as far to say the COMLEX is inferior is a pretty strong statement. If I end up taking both I'll come back and give my opinion then...

Also just as someone else mentioned earlier the biggest difference between the two is OMM is on the COMLEX and there is more Biochemistry on the USMLE. I've been reading on how students prepare to take the two and the most common route is to take the USMLE and then spend a weak studying for the COMLEX and take it then.

I certainly don't think a student's failed exam attempt would look good to future residency programs.

You definitely have a point. Even though someone who fails the pre-test isn't likely to do REALLY well on the real thing, to save them from having a failed score is a big plus when it comes to applying to residencies.

If things don't work out for you this year, then applying next year to MD and DO schools early is the way to go. The people who submitted their applications in July and got acceptances by September/October didn't have to stress as long.

This is the approach I took this year and I would fully recommend it to everyone if you are willing to go the DO route. I interviewed at a couple programs in September and was accepted the first week of October. This took A TON of stress out of the process since I now had somewhere to go.