University of Arizona Questions

[TeamZissou]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I just wanted to comment on some of the vibes that are coming from this thread lately. I know we are all very anxious to hear back from U of A but we need to still keep things in perspective. Even if someone is a 4.0/30+ applicant this in no way will guarantee you entrance to ANY med school, MD or DO. There is a lot more that goes into the selection than just number. As evidenced by the fact applicants with a sub 30's have been admitted over some of those with perfect numbers. I'd encourage everyone to keep an open mind and be cautious and avoid having a sense of entitlement. There is nothing worse than this and you better believe it's something the ADCOMs take into account.

You have to believe that out of 500+ applicants this year there will be quite a few people who having amazing applications who don't get in. That's just how the process works and I hope we can all find routes that work for us 👍

 

[ThankGod]

woohoo!!! I got the first post on this page!!! yay! 😛

 

[MedMan25]

I'd encourage everyone to keep an open mind and be cautious and avoid having a sense of entitlement. There is nothing worse than this and you better believe it's something the ADCOMs take into account.

I couldn't agree more with this. Throwing off the "sense of entitlement vibe" during your interview, personal statement, etc. is the quickest way to get a rejection from UA (and probably most other schools) regardless of what your score is.

 

[MedMan25]

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. DO and IMG are seen as fairly equal in the eyes of PDs: i.e. you didnt get into medical school in the US

I disagree. I have had PDs tell me they prefer a US trained grad over foreign and have explicitly said a DO would be preferred before a Carib grad. Now, I can't say the few people I have heard say this represent the mindset of PDs in the US as a whole, but I believe the majority of PDs have more faith (whether warranted or not) in US education than Caribbean education and would therefore be inclined to rank a DO higher than a Carib grad all other things being equal.

 

[Proteinpowda]

I disagree. I have had PDs tell me they prefer a US trained grad over foreign and have explicitly said a DO would be preferred before a Carib grad. Now, I can't say the few people I have heard say this represent the mindset of PDs in the US as a whole, but I believe the majority of PDs have more faith (whether warranted or not) in US education than Caribbean education and would therefore be inclined to rank a DO higher than a Carib grad all other things being equal.

Good points...and why I'm applying Osteopathic at the moment. I want to keep my options open. And it all depends on the individual PD.

Well a few things:

One that's not neccessarily how I view things...that was a copy and paste post from another site...and I've heard the same thing. My interviewer the first time I applied to UA told me the same thing about DO's beating offshore.

But you mention faith in a Caribbean education..that's pretty misleading. Why?
1) The US education and the Caribbean education are the same. They bring mainly US instructors down there to teach. One doctor I know that is currently a professor at Einstein used to go down to teach.. and Einstein didn't like that for some reason.
2) The only difference in education is
a) not as many early clinical experiences since they don't have their own hospitals.
b) in the Carribean you do an extra semester before clinicals to prepare for them
3) You have to take and pass the USMLE's like everyone else
4) THE BIGGEST one of all. A caribbean education is actually MORE US that foreign. You spend 16 months offshore...and 23 months in the states w/ clinicals. Therefore majority rules and we should call it Us-based 🙂 Hhahha kidding. But ya it's more US than "foreign," especially if you're at one of the "respected" schools there.

 

[MadEvans]

I'd encourage everyone to keep an open mind and be cautious and avoid having a sense of entitlement. There is nothing worse than this and you better believe it's something the ADCOMs take into account.

You have to believe that out of 500+ applicants this year there will be quite a few people who having amazing applications who don't get in. That's just how the process works and I hope we can all find routes that work for us 👍

Good post. And to those of us who don't get in this year, there is always next year. 1 year off, or even 2, is not the end of the world. Do something you enjoy and try again next year. A proper education in order to become a good doctor is not a race to the finish.

 

[InvitroDerm]

Yeah, as a female, I fear getting raped, mugged, or hurricaned if I go to the islands. Yes, I know that I could decrease the risk by not stumbling home drunk at 2am, but you know what I mean. Some of those places are not the safest.

But Protein, MadEvans is right. It would be worth it to try once more to get into an MD/DO here, at least while your MCAT is still valid. Plus, if a DO wants to interview you, it means they are interested. Thus, you would prob def get in next year if you spend one more cycle boosting your app if you don't get in this time. But then again, you can't defer Ross again, can you?


You better rock those interviews.

 

[mathlink]

The Caribbean isn't an option for me, as my wife and I are expecting our first child in the end of August, and there's no way I'm moving an 8 months pregnant wife to Dominica or Grand Cayman. I know two Ross grads who had similar situations, and they both spent months at a time away from their wives while they were back in the states, which is not something I am willing to do.

It really just comes down to what suits you. For me, I am probably gonna give MD another run, I can't exactly explain why, but it's just what I want. If you want to do DO, then you can be any specialty and make however much money you want, just as you can in the Caribbean. In some situations, you just have to work harder to overcome some of the prejudices that are still out there.

I am a reapplicant, and when I got rejected, I did a lot of soul-searching to find out what I wanted. I finally realized that you just have to decide what you want and bust your butt to get it. What is it they say? All roads lead to Rome, right? You just have to pick which one you want and be prepared for whatever may come.

 

[Proteinpowda]

Yeah, as a female, I fear getting raped, mugged, or hurricaned if I go to the islands. Yes, I know that I could decrease the risk by not stumbling home drunk at 2am, but you know what I mean. Some of those places are not the safest.

But Protein, MadEvans is right. It would be worth it to try once more to get into an MD/DO here, at least while your MCAT is still valid. Plus, if a DO wants to interview you, it means they are interested. Thus, you would prob def get in next year if you spend one more cycle boosting your app if you don't get in this time. But then again, you can't defer Ross again, can you?


You better rock those interviews.

Ok trying again.....
I spoke to about 30 doctors this summer on the issue. I was fortunate to work at a top-end golf club...with lots of docs..many of whom I was friendly with. The course was back in NY.
So I had access to people on the admissions committee from NYU, the guy that runs the orthopedic dept at Lennox Hill...einstein professors, someone on the adcom at cornell....etc, urologists, cardiologists. Then another guy that was in the same spot as me and got in on the second try.
Almost everyone said go Caribbean to get on with my life. Stop wasting time.
The few doctors that were opposed then looked at the match list I posted before and changed their mind and were quite impressed with the residencies they got.
And with a science GPA of 3.08... my odds are that not good.

Here's what I did in the alst year during my time off.
5 month full time internship with doctor in pulmonary and critical care. time in the ICU..time doing almost everything in the hospital. Basically I got to go around the hospital playing doctor...dueling stethoscopes on patients.
volunteered at childrens hospital, some research there too.
Also became an EMT.

And my interviews went way better. So there's not much more I can do to get in short of going back to school. So is it worth the huge cost of going back to school and giving up a future year of income? To me not really. I feel pretty good I'll get in DO...I have two interviews coming up and with AZCOM your odds are pretty good of getting in.


Ok second half.
St. Georges for awhile did have some issues on St. Vincent for their pre-clinical semester. It's funny the doc I interned with for five months was a St. Georges grad (hence my viewpoint) and I know another doc that is good friends with Dr. Ross (THE Dr. Ross). He was on Grenada during the invasion and got out just in time. But while he was there on St. Vincent someone broke into his apt one night and his room-mate was this huge wrestler guy and took off after him in his boxers and chased him down the street in the middle of the street one night. The police brought him back just like that lol.

There are safety issues...anywhere. But hey even Tucson; I had a condo on Euclid and Grant and biking home on 1st ave kind of felt sketchy at night b/c there are no street lights. I once had someone try and do the weirdest mugging of all time in Tucson.
I was by the Mcdonalds Just east of 1st and Grant.
I had a little convertible at the time and my gf of the time was in the car with me...top was down and it's like 8 at night. All of a sudden a guy comes running up to the car looking like a bum and goes "I need a ride, I need a ride!"
I'm like sorry pal!
Next thing you know he reaches in his jacket and I'm like oh word I can't say here...he's going to pull out a gun or knife....

Instead he pulls out....a TOOTHBRUSH and holds it in front of his teeth. WTF?

And the one time my car got stolen..was in a gated community in Scottsdale...so you just never know. The one good thing about St. Georges is that it's like undergrad all over again with "superdorms," and they have a bus that takes you back and forth to the other complexes.

 

[moto_za]

^ so assuming you get into both (SGU, DO) which would you choose? Just curious. 🙂

 

[InvitroDerm]

Protein, if I had a med school, I would take you. You have the intellect as evidenced by the MCAT, you have the drive as evidenced by your volunteering and by the fact that you would do anything, even go to the Carib to be a doctor. If UA takes people with 17 MCAT, then surely they would make a GPA exception here and there. This may be your year.

 

[MedMan25]

Good points...and why I'm applying Osteopathic at the moment. I want to keep my options open. And it all depends on the individual PD.

Well a few things:

One that's not neccessarily how I view things...that was a copy and paste post from another site...and I've heard the same thing. My interviewer the first time I applied to UA told me the same thing about DO's beating offshore.

But you mention faith in a Caribbean education..that's pretty misleading. Why?
1) The US education and the Caribbean education are the same. They bring mainly US instructors down there to teach. One doctor I know that is currently a professor at Einstein used to go down to teach.. and Einstein didn't like that for some reason.
2) The only difference in education is
a) not as many early clinical experiences since they don't have their own hospitals.
b) in the Carribean you do an extra semester before clinicals to prepare for them
3) You have to take and pass the USMLE's like everyone else
4) THE BIGGEST one of all. A caribbean education is actually MORE US that foreign. You spend 16 months offshore...and 23 months in the states w/ clinicals. Therefore majority rules and we should call it Us-based 🙂 Hhahha kidding. But ya it's more US than "foreign," especially if you're at one of the "respected" schools there.

I totally agree that content wise the curriculum administered by most Caribbean schools during the first 2 years is probably near identical to most US schools. The comment I made about PDs having more trust in US schools comes down to the fact that every US school has to meet a certain criteria to become an accredited MD or DO granting institution. The US sets these standards. A school in the Caribbean may have guidelines/standards that their governing bodies require but those standards are not governed or regulated by the US. Thus, when a residency program has a US grad apply (MD or DO), the PD doesn't even have to think twice about the standard of education that that applicants particular school was held to. I know that there are a number of schools in the Carib that would probably meet the same standards put forth by US schools, but there are some that would not. A PD has better things to do with his/her time than research every school in the Caribbean to find out which ones make the cut. A PD doesn't have to worry about that with a US grad since all US schools make the cut.

 

[Proteinpowda]

I totally agree that content wise the curriculum administered by most Caribbean schools during the first 2 years is probably near identical to most US schools. The comment I made about PDs having more trust in US schools comes down to the fact that every US school has to meet a certain criteria to become an accredited MD or DO granting institution. The US sets these standards. A school in the Caribbean may have guidelines/standards that their governing bodies require but those standards are not governed or regulated by the US. Thus, when a residency program has a US grad apply (MD or DO), the PD doesn't even have to think twice about the standard of education that that applicants particular school was held to. I know that there are a number of schools in the Carib that would probably meet the same standards put forth by US schools, but there are some that would not. A PD has better things to do with his/her time than research every school in the Caribbean to find out which ones make the cut. A PD doesn't have to worry about that with a US grad since all US schools make the cut.

Mostly true...
Here's the subtlelies of that.
1) While it's not hard for the school to get a charter from their small government to get started; they do have to get WHO (World Health Organization Approval) which I don't think is that hard.

Also while years 1 and 2 are damn near identical....years 3 and 4 are even more identical since you do your rotations alongside US students. It's the same rotations...just a little bit less organized. You also have the option to go abroad to the UK or whatever.
Ross according to posters on valuemd is short on clinical spots for pediatrics and had issues for awhile.....but other than that as long as you're with the big three/big four down there you're ok. You still have to pass step 2 and 3 like everyone else.
The big problem is reciprocity...since they don't have their own hospitals it's harder to arrange your own rotations at outside hospitals to try them out before residency.

2) While the US govt doesn't do research on every school...certain states do: NY, NJ, FL, Texas, and California. Most schools DO NOT have California approval and a bunch of other states used the California list. So in some ways if you come from the BIG Four as their called (Used to be the the BIG three) St. Georges, Ross, American University of the Caribbean, and newly Saba they kind of pass that standard. St. Matthews for example lost California accredation.
You do run into some issues with whether or not your rotations are greenbook I've heard.
So yeah there are like 20 schools down there and only 4 of those 50-state approval...and only have 3 have access to federal loans.
Plus with St. Georges for example...well you're getting to do your clinicals in NY...which is a great place to train. If you read there was a huge fuss earlier b/c they signed a $100 million contract with the New York Hospitals and the Einstein and NYU kids lost some spots.

 

[Proteinpowda]

^ so assuming you get into both (SGU, DO) which would you choose? Just curious. 🙂

SGU doesn't like me for some reason. My first interview went horrible.... had no clinical experience and it showed. Or who knows exactly what went wrong.

So the second time I applied they did not even grant me an interview. I had applied late to Ross for their September class....and got bumped to their January class. Who knows...if I had gotten in for September I'd be there now...At first I was just going to go in January...and right before it came down to it...it hit me. "Damn! I'm moving out of the country. What about my Xbox? And random trips to Walmart at 3am?"

Oh and of course

"What if I make an idiot of myself on a first date...and then she tells somebody, it spreads like a wildire...and I go into lecture and everyone starts laughing at me like I just walked into class wearing a pair of tightie whities?" Since it's a small isolated environment....
Instead I deferred it to May....
If I get into AZCOM or NYCOM or CCOM I'll likely take that over Ross since while I think years 1 and 2 are great there years 3 and 4 back in the states concern me. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. Although I'm not 100% sure that's the best decision. My lifestyle with a million friends in the Phoenix area is potentially a ticking time bomb during med school.
The doctor I worked with that went offshore said that while he missed some of the niceties of the states it was probably the best thing for him since he had nothing else but his studies. Then again there was no facebook and myspace back then. Damn you Tom and your picture in a mirror! Who said you could be in my top 8?

 

[Proteinpowda]

Just a quick note...some of us...or maybe just myself...are acting like we already got our rejection letters. We all need to relax, chill out, maybe take a shot of Jaeger? We still have probably around 35-45 letters coming out on Monday between Phoenix and Tucson. And then a lot of waitlist movement. So hypothetically if the top 70 or 80 (lets say 70) get in this time off the waitlist..and 40 spots go out Monday and about 100 spots have been accounted for already....

We have 500-100= 400 applicants left.
The next top 110 or so will either get a letter or something good on the wailist.
Those are not bad odds at all for medical school.

 

[AZFutureDoc]

Hey guys, lets try and keep this thread on topic... Most of the recent posts have had very little to do with U of A, if anything at all.

 

[spelledout]

it's true. maybe we should think of something a little cheerier than counting down the days to the next batch (even if it is the only thing on all of our minds).

how about a different countdown? Top 5 current cds? anyone?

 

[rkaz]

Hey guys, lets try and keep this thread on topic... Most of the recent posts have had very little to do with U of A, if anything at all.

That's because a sense of gloom has come over this thread for those still waiting, with the presumption that if we haven't gotten in by now, it's not going to happen. So a discussion on alternative options such as DO schools or Caribbean schools has been started.

But I agree, we should keep things on topic. Also, it's probably best to wait until after the waitlist comes out before any of us assume rejection.

 

[rkaz]

Just a quick note...some of us...or maybe just myself...are acting like we already got our rejection letters. We all need to relax, chill out, maybe take a shot of Jaeger? We still have probably around 35-45 letters coming out on Monday between Phoenix and Tucson. And then a lot of waitlist movement. So hypothetically if the top 70 or 80 (lets say 70) get in this time off the waitlist..and 40 spots go out Monday and about 100 spots have been accounted for already....

We have 500-100= 400 applicants left.
The next top 110 or so will either get a letter or something good on the wailist.
Those are not bad odds at all for medical school.

Well said. 👍 You are correct, the odds of getting accepted are still pretty good at this point. There will be a bunch of us getting accepted in the next round, or off the waitlist.

 

[AZFutureDoc]

Exactly. Let's discuss alternatives after we know what's up (accepted this wave, waitlisted, denied)

 

[mathlink]

This is more on topic...

I actually had dinner with a Tucson professor last week. We were discussing the benefits of Phoenix vs Tucson, and he definitely recommended Tucson. He said the faculty there are much more dedicated to helping students learn, and that having all the facilities (ie hospital, cadaver lab) on site is a major advantage. He may have been a little biased, but what he said made sense to me, since just a few short years ago many of the faculty in Phoenix didn't have anything to do with first and second year med students.

Hopefully soon, that decision will be our problem 🙂!

 

[moto_za]

I don't know, but I have heard a lot of good things about the phx campus from the students. I guess it seems everyone likes where they are at!😎

 

[Brrooother]

Yeah, I was accepted to Phx but would like to have to decide between Phx and Tucson. Here's what I have been thinking (but please, if any of you disagree or have more info, please correct me):

Tucson:
- original campus, better foundation
- close-knit sociable students
- school spirit - good and bad: good for the fun and activities, but I am a bit sick of feeling like I'm at a spirited undergraduate university and would like a more professional feel
- failure of students to pass the boards - a faculty member I spoke to seemed to insinuate that the new curriculum was meeting some resistance from faculty members more set in their ways (this concerns me). I would imagine Phoenix would not have this problem since the curriculum is the only one that has existed there
- more students - again, good and bad
- awesome facilities, all in one place
- less concern about AZ budget cuts - this may be only in my imagination, but it seems that Tucson would be less susceptible to budget-related issues because so much of the technology and facilities already exist!

Phoenix:
- new campus, new school, new feel - maybe a more fresh, modern, and innovative approach to medical education
- smaller school away from large university - lack some school spirit perhaps (more in terms of athletics), but less undergrad traffic making for a more professional, mature feel
- maybe not as close-knit student body as students commute to school and have more established lives outside of school
- delay of growth due to budget cuts?
- more clinical opportunities due to fewer students/more local physicians
- some resources not on-campus
- unknown how Phx will do on MATCH
- new school with only one attempted curricular approach - perhaps less resistance from faculty as with Tucson, more open to changes and refinement
- research project - good and bad requirement
- lack an awesome library like Tucson!

Plus, then there's the Tucson vs. Phoenix thing as far as cities themselves; being a northern AZ kid I'm not too sure which I'd prefer!

If any of you have things to correct me on or add, or other things I have not thought of, please say something!

 

[tryptofan]

Unless you're bringing up a general discussion on the topic, wouldn't most people not risk the appearance of being presumptuous and postpone serious Phoenix vs. Tucson contemplation until after they get into both schools? One of the med students I met at the Phoenix interview day didn't have a choice because he had been rejected by Tucson. The Phoenix vs. Tucson discussion could use another thread or here? - I don't know what's appropriate.

 

[mathlink]

Unless you're bringing up a general discussion on the topic, wouldn't most people not risk the appearance of being presumptuous and postpone serious Phoenix vs. Tucson contemplation until after they get into both schools? One of the med students I met at the Phoenix interview day didn't have a choice because he had been rejected by Tucson.

How can you already be rejected by Tucson by the time you are interviewing at Phoenix?

 

[tryptofan]

How can you already be rejected by Tucson by the time you are interviewing at Phoenix?

The person I spoke with was a Phoenix medical school student. MS1 or MS2. He is not an applicant this cycle. When he applied to the UofA's, he only got into Phoenix.

 

[Brrooother]

Unless you're bringing up a general discussion on the topic, wouldn't most people not risk the appearance of being presumptuous and postpone serious Phoenix vs. Tucson contemplation until after they get into both schools? One of the med students I met at the Phoenix interview day didn't have a choice because he had been rejected by Tucson. The Phoenix vs. Tucson discussion could use another thread.

Wow, sorry, Tryptofan. I wasn't trying to be presumptuous, I was just curious about what people thought of the two schools with regards to what I was considering. Perhaps being mid-February everyone in this thread is a little emotionally-charged. I was trying to bring the thread back to U of A discussion, and that was something that has been on my mind lately. I am not trying to be presumptuous; I am assuming that everyone - whether accepted to both, one, or neither - has thought about the pros and cons of both schools and what they would do if they found themselves in the position to choose... I didn't mean to offend anyone and I was just trying to discuss something relevant that could also be somewhat of a distraction from the misery of waiting.

 

[tryptofan]

No offense taken. I guess this, the "Univ. of Arizona Questions" thread, would be the right place for that discussion. I'm sure there'd be more spirited discussion, next month.

 

[mathlink]

The person I spoke with was a Phoenix medical school student. MS1 or MS2. He is not an applicant this cycle. When he applied to the UofA's, he only got into Phoenix.

My mistake. I misread, thinking that this person was a fellow interviewee for this year.

 

[InvitroDerm]

Does anyone know if the waitlist will also come out on 2/23 (whoa, 1 week away)? If not, why in the world not?

At Phx, we were told that they have adopted the new curriculum as well.

 

[AZFutureDoc]

Actually, waitlist/rejections go out in March. This is a point of contention among many SDNers, since there will be 1 month of wondering if applicants are rejected or waitlisted, and if waitlisted, what their rank is. It will probably be a very long month...

 

[lovemed04]

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 😕

So apparently, Phoenix sent out their batch of acceptances this past Friday whereas Tucson sent out theirs a week ago (last Monday). With the 23rd (a Monday) as the dreaded last acceptance wave for Tucson, do we think that Phoenix will probably send out their acceptances on Friday again? That being said, the 23rd isn't our absolute last hope (besides the waitlist) - although Phoenix is probably only sending out their last 5 or so acceptances. Just thought I would point this out.

 

[Proteinpowda]

Actually, waitlist/rejections go out in March. This is a point of contention among many SDNers, since there will be 1 month of wondering if applicants are rejected or waitlisted, and if waitlisted, what their rank is. It will probably be a very long month...

Any idea how early in March? Otherwise this could get very expensive with those of us applying osteopathic with deposits....

 

[InvitroDerm]

That may not have been a waive, just sporadic backfilling on Phx's part. I do recall that Phx told us that we would know by the end of Feb if we had an acceptance in hand. In closing, this is it before alternate list.

 

[Cuddy420]

I cant wait till Monday, but I am also fearing that day 😳, because atleast before then we can be hopeful...Anyone else getting really annoyed by the daily "Have you heard from U of A yet??"..

Have any of you who were soooo lucky to get acceptances to both campuses know which one you are going with?

 

[lovemed04]

i agree it is sooo annoying!!! especially from my parents... it's like do you really think i wouldn't have already told you?!? sorry to sound like a spaz, but it has been a huge pet peeve of mine lately.

 

[mathlink]

...Anyone else getting really annoyed by the daily "Have you heard from U of A yet??"..

I've been going weeks at a time without talking to my parents for that same reason. Seriously, if we had heard, don't they think we'd have told them?

 

[spelledout]

I've been going weeks at a time without talking to my parents for that same reason. Seriously, if we had heard, don't they think we'd have told them?

i refuse to respond to those questions... if i hear something, they'll be the first to know so no sense in asking. it's so depressing to say that i haven't heard back or to say i haven't gotten in.

 

[mathlink]

The hardest part about getting rejected last year was having to tell everyone 1000 times that I didn't get in. It was like pouring salt on the wound every time.

 

[MadEvans]

i refuse to respond to those questions... if i hear something, they'll be the first to know so no sense in asking. it's so depressing to say that i haven't heard back or to say i haven't gotten in.

I usually take the sarcastic route since I hate the question so much.

"So have you heard anything about medical school?"

"Yeah, they called me and actually told me I was too qualified. They're going to forward my application to Harvard, though... which, I thought, was pretty nice of them."

"What, really?"

"Really."

 

[Proteinpowda]

I usually take the sarcastic route since I hate the question so much.

"So have you heard anything about medical school?"

"Yeah, they called me and actually told me I was too qualified. They're going to forward my application to Harvard, though... which, I thought, was pretty nice of them."

"What, really?"

"Really."

Hahha love it!

 

[InvitroDerm]

I was asked by my volunteer director if I got in. Feeling an overwhelming need to leave the convo on a positive note I quickly said, "But, it's okay, because I'll reapply and do more really fun volunteering. I'm really excited." Laaaaaaaaammmmmmmeeeee reply.

 

[frontalRelease]

I can't stand the questions either.

"Have you heard from <insert school>???"
"no"
"Oh, does that mean you didn't get in?"
"I don't know."
"Wow...what are you going to do if you didn't get in???"

Not like it might be a sensitive topic, or anything. You know, the thousands of dollars, countless hours of preparation and hard work, the risk of failure. Very interesting conversation piece.

 

[John Banner]

On a different subject....

Have the new questions on the secondary app been discussed? How did people interpret cultural competence? Is this a new criteria for getting accepted?

 

[spelledout]

I was asked by my volunteer director if I got in. Feeling an overwhelming need to leave the convo on a positive note I quickly said, "But, it's okay, because I'll reapply and do more really fun volunteering. I'm really excited." Laaaaaaaaammmmmmmeeeee reply.

i was just asked tonight about it by someone and i said i haven't been accepted and i don't like to talk about it because it's a stressful subject and then he had the audacity to reply, "oh, well i was just wondering because my TA in Orgo has been accepted to two schools and she's having a hard time deciding where to go."

I slapped him. The End

On a different subject....

Have the new questions on the secondary app been discussed? How did people interpret cultural competence? Is this a new criteria for getting accepted?

Yes, please. new topic.

i'm an anthropology major and cultural competence seems to be a big buzz word in that field. i took it basically to mean the ability to interact with patients from other cultures and a respect for different views in regards to health-care and diagnoses. a book that i had to read that dealt a lot with this was "the spirit catches you and you fall down." it was a really good book and highlighted a lot of issues that doctors can face when treating different cultures (something that could be important for arizona, what with native americans and hispanics and all).

 

[John Banner]

This is more on topic...

I actually had dinner with a Tucson professor last week. We were discussing the benefits of Phoenix vs Tucson, and he definitely recommended Tucson. He said the faculty there are much more dedicated to helping students learn, and that having all the facilities (ie hospital, cadaver lab) on site is a major advantage. He may have been a little biased, but what he said made sense to me, since just a few short years ago many of the faculty in Phoenix didn't have anything to do with first and second year med students.

I think its funny to hear the Tucson faculty undercutting the Phoenix faculty. My understanding was that the Phoenix faculty were hired from UA and other medical schools around the country. What's the evidence that they are less dedicated to helping students?

 

[tryptofan]

Last month, I was at hospital bedside with an Indian patient when the R.N. entered. She's been around and is probably in her mid 40's. She spoke at him loudly whether his elderly ears needed the extra volume or not. Immediately, it sounded like she was going to break into speaking Hindi. But no, word after word, it was just English colored with an awful fake Hindi accent that could only have been picked up through mockeries on TV and movies. I was thinking, what the F* are you doing?! I was astounded. She was trying to mimic the sound of his language in an attempt at rapport but was totally oblivious to how offensive she was being. This is cultural incompetence. I don't see the need for the new buzzword for an old concept, but you can see why Admissions would want new doctors to have this kind of basic awareness. At least I hope so.

I wanted to write an anonymous note describing what happened, but I wasn't 100% sure of her name. So, I dropped it. If that happens again, I'm going to try to keep my cool and confront her afterwards because I have nothing to lose in that position.

That whole scene had bugged me, and this forum's the only place I've been able to vent.

 

[lovemed04]

I think its funny to hear the Tucson faculty undercutting the Phoenix faculty. My understanding was that the Phoenix faculty were hired from UA and other medical schools around the country. What's the evidence that they are less dedicated to helping students?

I agree. Everyone I met during my interview day, staff and student alike, seemed entirely dedicated to the school and the program. My interviewer was the coolest old man of all time, and he seemed convinced that the new program will be great. Of course, that could be his bias talking, but he lived in Tucson and worked for UA for something like 20 years. So he clearly has some perspective on the differences between the Tucson and Phoenix campuses. I think both campuses are completely dedicated to their students and the success of their respective campus. And a benefit of Phoenix is their flexibility and willingness to consider the input of students.

Just my 2 cents, but I don't think either campus should be talkin smack about the other. There are clear advantages and disadvantages to both campuses.

 

[tryptofan]

Just my 2 cents, but I don't think either campus should be talkin smack about the other. There are clear advantages and disadvantages to both campuses.

Yeah, especially when their reputations and stats will, like-it-or-not, be associated together for a long while even though the students' educational experiences are independent.

 

[mathlink]

I would characterize his comments as skepticism rather than smack. He just seemed a little skeptical of some of the experience of the basic science professors who had never taught medical students before. He didn't think they couldn't do a fine job, just that some of them had never done it before. He recommend Tucson because of the experience of the faculty, not because he doubted Phoenix's ability or dedication.