University of Arizona Questions

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So I am also waiting to hear back from the UofA like many of you and had a few questions.

I am currently a full-time student and wanted to see if I should currently start studying for the MCAT again to take in June? Or should I wait for the final round of acceptance to be announced? I am not sure if I will be able to balance school, work and MCAT this semester, but think it might be risky to wait to study over the summer to take it in August since if I don't improve then I wont be able to retake it after August? Any advice would greatly be appreciated.
 
moto_za said:
So I am also waiting to hear back from the UofA like many of you and had a few questions.

I am currently a full-time student and wanted to see if I should currently start studying for the MCAT again to take in June? Or should I wait for the final round of acceptance to be announced? I am not sure if I will be able to balance school, work and MCAT this semester, but think it might be risky to wait to study over the summer to take it in August since if I don't improve then I wont be able to retake it after August? Any advice would greatly be appreciated.
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If you're set on allo, why not take a full year off and study the hell out of it? And, since I know you're graduating in nutrition you could make some $$$ (okay, maybe just $$) and gain some experience by working as a diet tech in the meantime.
 
MadEvans said:
If you're set on allo, why not take a full year off and study the hell out of it? And, since I know you're graduating in nutrition you could make some $$$ (okay, maybe just $$) and gain some experience by working as a diet tech in the meantime.
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I'll second this. I think it would depend too on how old you are. If you're under ~26 you'd be fine taking another year off and really studying for the MCAT (especially since I believe the avg age for acceptance at UA is around 25). If you're an older, non-trad applicant and you really want to move forward with your life then maybe consider taking the MCAT now and have your application in the first day next year's cycle begins.
 
Thanks MedMan25 and Krosburg for the input...and I really wish the best for everyone still in the process of applying; keep faith, work hard and don't forget to be patient...

😎:prof::prof::claps:
 
ThankGod: Can you give us tips on how you made a stellar application?
 
mathlink said:
My interviews went really well, with my Phoenix interviewer going as far as to say she was pretty sure I was going to get into at least one of the schools; I was pretty excited about that because she actually had read my file and even had it sitting on the desk during the interview.
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Any chance your interviewer at Phoenix was Dr. Moffit? Sounds exactly like my Phoenix interview.
 
InvitroDerm said:
ThankGod: Can you give us tips on how you made a stellar application?
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InvitroDerm: I am flattered that you would ask me for advice. I should say first that I didn't do it alone: God, family and friends helped me get to this point. To give you some general advice: I had a wide variety of experiences which delved into the areas of science and liberal arts. My foreign language knowledge was strong and I also had a few competitive scholarships under my belt. But I should say that with all these "qualifications" I still wouldn't call my application "stellar" and I don't think that's what the UofA is looking for. Although I can't speak for them, I think they are really just looking for the human aspect in your application...are you the compassionate, committed type and do you do a good job of manifesting that in your application should really be the question to ask...at least that's my take on it. I hope this helps....🙂
 
mandertwin23 said:
Any chance your interviewer at Phoenix was Dr. Moffit? Sounds exactly like my Phoenix interview.
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No, it was Dr. Gail Barker, the head of the Arizona Telemedicine program. She's a big sports fan, and I spent most of the interview telling her about the UofA/Cal football game that I had just went to two days earlier.

That's another question I had for those who have been accepted. In my Phoenix interview, we talked for about an hour, mostly about sports. In Tucson, I talked for an hour, that time mostly about guitars because my interviewer had a Les Paul and an Ibanez hanging in his office. Of the two total hours of interview, we talked about medicine and why I want to be a doctor a total of maybe twenty minutes. Any comments on that?
 
Maybe they think that you want to be a doctor already since you wouldn't be there if you didn't and they just want to get a feel for what you are like as an individual. They are probably bored of hearing all the cookie cutter responses for why people want to be doctors. They want to fill their class with people who have a special something, along with an interest in medicine.

I spoke with someone on a committee a long time ago. He said that he asked someone what her hobby was. She said, "Collecting hats." She then said she walked up to a total stranger and asked to buy his hat. The interviewer thought that was interesting and she was admitted to medical school. Funny huh.
 
mathlink said:
No, it was Dr. Gail Barker, the head of the Arizona Telemedicine program. She's a big sports fan, and I spent most of the interview telling her about the UofA/Cal football game that I had just went to two days earlier.

That's another question I had for those who have been accepted. In my Phoenix interview, we talked for about an hour, mostly about sports. In Tucson, I talked for an hour, that time mostly about guitars because my interviewer had a Les Paul and an Ibanez hanging in his office. Of the two total hours of interview, we talked about medicine and why I want to be a doctor a total of maybe twenty minutes. Any comments on that?
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Sounds like my interviews as well, triathlons and biking lol, the whole point of the interview is to show you as a person. Not to pimp you on medical knowledge before you even have medical knowledge. All that stuff is/should be in your AMCAS file already. Alot of the interviewers are more interested in finding out what makes you tick, what are you passionate about. And especially that should be something outside of medicine. Trust me in school you will need something that is outside medicine to blow off steam. Playing guitar or great bike trails in Tucson are great things. This goes along with the thinking that there is more to being a physician than your numbers. You all did the best you could, and you all have volunteered all over and researched this or that. What makes you unique person is also important.

Thankgod - I still wouldn't call my application "stellar" and I don't think that's what the UofA is looking for. Although I can't speak for them, I think they are really just looking for the human aspect in your application...are you the compassionate, committed type and do you do a good job of manifesting that in your application should really be the question to ask...at least that's my take on it. I hope this helps....🙂
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That is UofA in a nutshell. They really want a 110 interesting diverse students coming from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. And it really helps make it not so competitive when you realize that only a few people in your class are thinking of a certain speciality. I would suggest those that have already thought of retaking the MCAT, also consider that. Students have graduated from the UofA with a 17 MCAT but they made up for it in other ways. So if your score is average, maybe think of doing something different. More than volunteering at the ED or shadowing a doctor kind of thing. Alot of interviewers can tell when you are doing somethig for the sake of getting into med school. Languages, volunteering, EMT cert, etc etc and it often shows that it was solely for a line on an AMCAS app. Something to keep in mind, that its not always about an MCAT score either.
 
InvitroDerm said:
Maybe they think that you want to be a doctor already since you wouldn't be there if you didn't and they just want to get a feel for what you are like as an individual. They are probably bored of hearing all the cookie cutter responses for why people want to be doctors. They want to fill their class with people who have a special something, along with an interest in medicine.

I spoke with someone on a committee a long time ago. He said that he asked someone what her hobby was. She said, "Collecting hats." She then said she walked up to a total stranger and asked to buy his hat. The interviewer thought that was interesting and she was admitted to medical school. Funny huh.
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You would be really surprised how "cookie cutter" many of the interviews sound. At least that's what I thought when I heard some during workshops. I strongly people undercut how important it is to truly be unique! Every pre-med student has shadowed docs, and volunteered in the ED or what not. So dazzle them with something different and personal, that is really part of what makes you who you are. That way you stand out to them from the other applicants they interviewed. One of the residency directors was talking about applying for residencies and told me basically he thinks of who would he want in the trenches with him in the middle of the night. He would often recommend students that he felt would be there and take care of business and not half assed, irregardless of scores or grades. And he even spoke of choosing a resident that did have lower board scores but seemed to be willing to work with the team but yet step up to the plate, over a high board score student who was arrogant about his qualifications. And he had a point because at 4am when it hits the fan and your attending needs to count on you and your decisions and you realize that it doesn't matter what score you got in neuro. And in many ways that could apply to you guys as well. What would make them remember you uniquely or feel strongly about you as an applicant that they would be safe knowing you are covering their back in the trenches. Different I know but it makes sense.
 
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You're so wise Krosburg...thanks for all your input. You've really got me thinking about doing something that I am passionate about and that would make me stand out.

On a side note....a 17 MCAT?????? Wow.
 
hey guys!

just wanted to say hi...i'm a first year at UA Tucson now and haven't been to this site in a very long time!

been browsing around the forum a bit and it looks like you guys are all doing fine. if anyone has questions about anything or just wants to vent, feel free to PM me and i'll do my best to reply. i see some of my classmates prowling around so looks like you are all getting good advice. also, as acceptances start going out, i had a really hard time deciding between phx and tucson and can talk about that with anyone in that position.

so hang in there folks and i'm sure it will all work out the way it should (i know it's easy for me to say on the other end but i promise...). CONGRATS to everyone who got in and we can't wait to see you guys here next year 🙂

-MS1, UA COM Class of 2012 who should be studying for our musculoskeletal final but is procrastinating instead 🙄
 
mandertwin23 said:
Any chance your interviewer at Phoenix was Dr. Moffit? Sounds exactly like my Phoenix interview.
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I interviewed with Dr. Moffit at Phoenix and that also sounds just like my interview with her.
 
I am actually a re-applicant, and I can safely say that my interviews were loads better than last year. I would say those were 'cookie cutter' because I didn't feel like I talked about myself as a person at all hardly, just about why medicine interested me etc...for like 45 minutes each. After those interviews, I knew I wasn't getting in.
 
I just got another army solicitation and this time, instead of saying Congratulations on taking the MCAT, it said, Congratulations on your acceptance to medical school. I haven't been accepted anywhere and don't think that is right to do to someone.
 
mathlink said:
I am actually a re-applicant, and I can safely say that my interviews were loads better than last year. I would say those were 'cookie cutter' because I didn't feel like I talked about myself as a person at all hardly, just about why medicine interested me etc...for like 45 minutes each. After those interviews, I knew I wasn't getting in.
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Well, my first interview was very cookie cutter, but then again, it was a community physician that was given a list of questions to ask...my second one asked some same questions, but we talked about other things, too. I thought the second interview was like an ongoing conversation that included answers to questions he was asking.

Let's hope 'cookie cutter' interviews don't mean 'rejected.'
 
Anyone know exactly when the next round will go out? I just got interview invites to two out of state schools and I would really like to hear from UA before I waste money on plane tickets. If i just got invites, how long do you think I can string them along before I have to commit?
 
InvitroDerm said:
I just got another army solicitation and this time, instead of saying Congratulations on taking the MCAT, it said, Congratulations on your acceptance to medical school. I haven't been accepted anywhere and don't think that is right to do to someone.
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Is there any chance they know something you don't? Are the adcoms meeting this week? Maybe it's kinda like photo radar tickets. There's that company in Phoenix that always sends out ads for their flash-obscuring plate covers before the ticket ever comes to you. In the last two years Ive gotten dozens of military health profession scholarship emails and none of them congratulated me on my acceptance to medical school.
 
InvitroDerm said:
I just got another army solicitation and this time, instead of saying Congratulations on taking the MCAT, it said, Congratulations on your acceptance to medical school. I haven't been accepted anywhere and don't think that is right to do to someone.
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I got that same email and not only was it wrong of her to do that, but she didn't BCC - so I can see EVERYONE's emails! 👎
 
PigBenis said:
Anyone know exactly when the next round will go out? I just got interview invites to two out of state schools and I would really like to hear from UA before I waste money on plane tickets. If i just got invites, how long do you think I can string them along before I have to commit?
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I suppose it depends on the school. Try asking in that school's thread to see what they say. :luck:
 
PigBenis said:
Anyone know exactly when the next round will go out? I just got interview invites to two out of state schools and I would really like to hear from UA before I waste money on plane tickets. If i just got invites, how long do you think I can string them along before I have to commit?
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I think we are all betting on the 13th. But then we have one more round 2-3 weeks after that. You might as well go to the interviews...it can't hurt.

....11 more days to go....I think I'll wait until the evening to check my email....that way, my whole day won't be ruined...again
 
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Now. if only I knew about Phx... Every morning I wake up hoping to see a Uofa-Phx acceptance.
 
InvitroDerm said:
I think we are all betting on the 13th. But then we have one more round 2-3 weeks after that. You might as well go to the interviews...it can't hurt.

....11 more days to go....I think I'll wait until the evening to check my email....that way, my whole day won't be ruined...again
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Yeah... I made the mistake of checking during an interview (even tho I convinced myself earlier that I wouldn't), and it totally bummed me out. Oh well, nothing to lose now. Good luck everyone.
 
Does anyone know which month and around what week of that month classes at UA begin? I haven't been accepted yet, but I'm making summer plans around it just in case..
 
~
 
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4ANR6N said:
Does anyone know which month and around what week of that month classes at UA begin? I haven't been accepted yet, but I'm making summer plans around it just in case..
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Depends, the bridge program began on the 23rd of July, and orientation for everybody started on July 30th. I might be off by a day or two but that should give you about the rough estimate of start times. You also will have to get shots and other stuff during that June/July period.
 
The last three release days were Fridays. I wonder why they haven't given all of the seats away already. I mean, wouldn't it be in their best interest to do so? Why give only half?
 
I'm assuming they just want to give everyone a fair shake, even the ones who submitted their applications and interviews late. They probably only select the all-star applicants while they are still interviewing, then take a closer look at the rest. Or so I'm hoping...😕
 
I just hope that a lot of ppl who are accepted at Uofa end up going to an out of state school.
 
sunny1 said:
I'm hoping so too, but in this economy....
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I guess, but chances are we're not going to start paying off loans for another 8 years, so whatever the economy is doing right now is no indication of what will be happening then. Not to mention that physicians aren't going to be losing their jobs no matter what the rest of the economy is doing.
 
merryjoulton said:
I guess, but chances are we're not going to start paying off loans for another 8 years, so whatever the economy is doing right now is no indication of what will be happening then. Not to mention that physicians aren't going to be losing their jobs no matter what the rest of the economy is doing.
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What I meant is that it may make an applicant think twice about taking out $100K in loans, for example, vs. $200k for another school - regardless of what the economy is like in 8 yrs. But I should probably be quiet since that's exactly what I'm hoping they'll do in case I do end up waitlisted, lol!
 
Hey everyone! This is my first time posting on this site. I got an email today from UA COM Financial Aid about filling out the FAFSA for the upcoming year and I was wondering if anyone else received the email who is still waiting to hear about acceptance. Does this mean an acceptance is likely coming?? Or did they send it to all waiting applicants?? I'm so interested to know!
 
lovemed04 said:
Hey everyone! This is my first time posting on this site. I got an email today from UA COM Financial Aid about filling out the FAFSA for the upcoming year and I was wondering if anyone else received the email who is still waiting to hear about acceptance. Does this mean an acceptance is likely coming?? Or did they send it to all waiting applicants?? I'm so interested to know!
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I got it too. Everyone with complete files had to have been sent the email because there is no way that they know who will even be on the waitlist yet and they need to make sure everyone has that fin aid info...Good luck anyways!
 
Cuddy420 said:
I got it too. Everyone with complete files had to have been sent the email because there is no way that they know who will even be on the waitlist yet and they need to make sure everyone has that fin aid info...Good luck anyways!
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Exactly, anyone that has a completed application is supposed to complete the FAFSA. It helps with those that come into the class from the wait-list right before school starts. It doesn't take that long to do overall but you have to have your tax info handy. And it doesnt mean anything about the status of your file.
 
Does anyone who has called know exactly what days next week they are sending out the acceptances or about how many of the remaining seats will be offered? I want to know so I can plan my neuroticism ahead and have only one unproductive day next week. +pissed+
 
My friend told me today that after the final acceptances go out, they post all the names that were accepted in the admissions office. So now people will know if I did not get in 🙁
 
Good luck to everyone this week...I'm hoping for the acceptances to come out tomorrow, but if it is Friday it will be worth the wait.
 
If someone calls to find out the exact day, I'll call next time.😛
 
Well, I called....the next round was today🙁🙁🙁 for Tucson
 
Boo! I wish I woke up with an acceptance this morning.... Instead I got an interview offer at NYMC! Guess you can't win them all
 
My brother was really sweet and called them for me -- apparently 80/110 acceptances have gone out for Tucson, and the next round is due 2/23 which will fill the class. Good luck everyone.
 
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