Weight of Recommendations

[yaya5]

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Hi Guys!

So I applied late to UMDNJ SOM (myriad of reasons, none being DO as an alternative...) with probably slightly below the averages. But I have great recs from both my premed committee and two DOs (one a chair of a dept at UMDNJ SOM). I'm just trying to figure out what the weight of the recs in the scheme of the application is? My file was complete as of the 13th of March, so it hasn't been too long--I'm just hoping I'm granted an interview...What do you think?

Thanks

Yaya

 

[nvshelat]

Hi Guys!

So I applied late to UMDNJ SOM (myriad of reasons, none being DO as an alternative...) with probably slightly below the averages. But I have great recs from both my premed committee and two DOs (one a chair of a dept at UMDNJ SOM). I'm just trying to figure out what the weight of the recs in the scheme of the application is? My file was complete as of the 13th of March, so it hasn't been too long--I'm just hoping I'm granted an interview...What do you think?

Thanks

Yaya

Hey Yaya,
I'm sure HG or Nate will jump in, but I believe that the only criteria to grant the interview at SOM is MCAT and GPA (in my case I wasn't going to get the interview but then I met with Paula, showed some initiative, and she gave me an interview). Theres a thread confirming this somewhere. After the interview, they look at your recs and essay and all the other fluffy stuff 🙂
For what it's worth, an SOM faculty member wrote me a letter of recommendation. I was complete in late October/early November and got an interview invite in early March for March 9. The adcom met on Monday I believe.
During my interview, the dude asked about how I met/knew said faculty member.

 

[confusedgirl06]

Hey Yaya,
I'm sure HG or Nate will jump in, but I believe that the only criteria to grant the interview at SOM is MCAT and GPA (in my case I wasn't going to get the interview but then I met with Paula, showed some initiative, and she gave me an interview). Theres a thread confirming this somewhere. After the interview, they look at your recs and essay and all the other fluffy stuff 🙂
For what it's worth, an SOM faculty member wrote me a letter of recommendation. I was complete in late October/early November and got an interview invite in early March for March 9. The adcom met on Monday I believe.
During my interview, the dude asked about how I met/knew said faculty member.

Has anyone mentioned what the cutoff GPA/MCAT is??? Everytime I call, they tell em that my file is "on hold." - What does that mean? Like two weeks ago, it was going to be reviewed that week....I called today and it is still on "Hold" again.


Also, how did you meet with Paula? Did you do it the year before or this year during the application process? (I'm assuming shes an admissions counselor right?)

 

[HunterGatherer]

Hey Yaya,
I'm sure HG or Nate will jump in, but I believe that the only criteria to grant the interview at SOM is MCAT and GPA

That's what I was told. post interview it goes GPA, MCAT, Interview, LORs and finally undergrad.

so an LOR only seems to help post inerview, and it is 4th on the list so you really need to solid in the first 3. seems like GPA and MCATs are more competitive this year as well.


Nvshelat,

Hopefully you thought out the decision if accepted to both. For me it was an extremely painful decision. Both are great schools. Good luck!

 

[nvshelat]

Has anyone mentioned what the cutoff GPA/MCAT is??? Everytime I call, they tell em that my file is "on hold." - What does that mean? Like two weeks ago, it was going to be reviewed that week....I called today and it is still on "Hold" again.


Also, how did you meet with Paula? Did you do it the year before or this year during the application process? (I'm assuming shes an admissions counselor right?)

I don't know of a cutoff, but when Paula was talking to me she said they "were getting lots of 3.5s and 3.6s" and "26s 27s".

She also said to me when I met her back in January that I'd be on "hold". Hold means they don't want to accept/reject you yet so they're going to hold off and see what the class looks like - how many ppl matriculate, avgs, etc, and revisit your file. I was told that I'll be put on hold but also that she'd give me an interview - in other words, a late interview after the class gets full(er).

I met with Paula by calling and saying to Jen (her assistant) that I wanted to meet with Paula to discuss the merits of my application. That morning, I sat in on classes with Nate and threw that fact into my mtg. with her. She's v. friendly and sweet - but our meeting basically consisted of her telling me why my app sucked and me rebutting on why I make a decent candidate (all of that being sugar coated, of course). I think she might be booked from here on out, but it never hurts to try. Also, GO TO THE OPEN HOUSE!!! I think it's coming up, no? Get some face time with Dr. Wallace and Paula.

HG, I don't have an acceptance yet, but I feel that all the "post interview" factors are in my favor. SOM is V. family practice intensive but I'd enjoy the surgery exposure I'd get at NYCOM. But yes, the $ will make it a painful decision if I get in, and they're both great schools.

 

[Nate]

I am not sure that they use pure MCAT and GPA to decide on who to interview, of course it is a huge factor but I have heard it said time and time again that each and every application is read thoroughly when deciding who to interview and I always linked that to the reason so few were interviewed and why SOM is so slow.
I had a LOR from an SOM alumni and I believe "who you know" is a factor in admissions for any medical school, so the answer to your question is probably yes it holds weight but I don't know how much.
The best advice is to call the admissions office and see if you can come in to discuss your application, if they like you enough they will interview you no matter how late it is.
Good luck!

 

[PlasticMan]

I called their admissions office; they said "You have been reviewed by the admissions committee, so now we're just waiting for feedback from them." When asked if I should hear anything from them soon, she replied, "You should be hearing something in 2-3 weeks." I have been complete since late January; should have been november, but long story short, they originally told me I was complete in november, then I called back in january at which point they said there were missing a LOR. Should I press the matter further and ask to come in to discuss my application with an admissions advisor or just wait to hear what they say first?

😕

 

[nvshelat]

I called their admissions office; they said "You have been reviewed by the admissions committee, so now we're just waiting for feedback from them." When asked if I should hear anything from them soon, she replied, "You should be hearing something in 2-3 weeks." I have been complete since late January; should have been november, but long story short, they originally told me I was complete in november, then I called back in january at which point they said there were missing a LOR. Should I press the matter further and ask to come in to discuss my application with an admissions advisor or just wait to hear what they say first?

😕

I would push it. They're nice, it can't hurt.

 

[confusedgirl06]

I would push it. They're nice, it can't hurt.

NVshelat, are you a local?? Because I live about 3-4 hours away, but if its worth it to come in and speak with Paula then I am willing to do so! But can you give me any advice on what you said you were requesting the meeting for? I have heard of people going in the year before, prior to submitting their application so that they can get advice on how to improve it. But, I thought it might be awkward to go in when they are reviewing your application, because it seems like your saying " well hey you didnt give me an interview, but I want to come in and speak with you anyways." What do you guys think??? I love umdnj, all I want is the chance for an interview!!

 

[PlasticMan]

NVshelat, are you a local?? Because I live about 3-4 hours away, but if its worth it to come in and speak with Paula then I am willing to do so! But can you give me any advice on what you said you were requesting the meeting for? I have heard of people going in the year before, prior to submitting their application so that they can get advice on how to improve it. But, I thought it might be awkward to go in when they are reviewing your application, because it seems like your saying " well hey you didnt give me an interview, but I want to come in and speak with you anyways." What do you guys think??? I love umdnj, all I want is the chance for an interview!!

Yeah I was thinking the same thing. If they haven't given you a decision yet on your application, it seems like you're trying to force an interview.