Congrats to everyone who got in! I was also accepted (from CA!)
Congrats to everyone who got offer today. My son is placed on the Alternate list. We are OOS. Does anyone know, based on past years applications, the likelihood of being offered a place from the Alternate list for OOS?
My daughter got into Brown PLME [Program in Liberal Medical Education - No MCAT, but 4+4 years] program.
I just cannot believe it. She is going to Brown.
@Dildil, congrats!
@Dildil - Yeah that brown program is incredible! That is a very good option. Congrats!
@IMGDAD, Thanks so much and good luck to your son. All of your posts were also very helpful and insightful.
@PursuitToExcel , thanks.
Waitlisted oos, but its too expensive. We don’t have 488k lying around haha.
I’m an instate resident, and I was put on the alternate list. Of course upon receiving this news, I was upset. You work so hard for a “maybe.”
Was anybody else sent a thank-you card? I received one via mail a few days ago.
My stats are pretty good. I’m not one to boast, so I’m not going list everything off. Let’s just say I’m top of my class, and I’m a volunteering maniac (I am heavily involved in activities, I don’t just hoard books all day everyday). However, there’s more factors than just numbers that get you into the program. I have a friend who was accepted (yay her!!!), however number-wise, she does not compare to me. I thought I did well in the interview, I’m a fairly confident person, and I used a tad bit of humor in my interviews (it’s my nervous tick-they all seemed to love it). I’m curious as to what they marked me off for. Will we know if we are placed top 10 or so on the list? If so, they didn’t tell me… So maybe that’s a bad sign?
They seem to be accepting a wider range of students… (based on my friends stats) And does anybody know UMKC’s percentage of moving people from the wait list, to the approved list? Like how often, if that makes sense.
Anyways, I’m super happy for all of those whom made it! I’m sure UMKC is the perfect fit you. As for me I’ll just be patiently waiting for some feedback from them. 
For those who are offered a place or on waitlist, if you already clearly have a better option and will not attend UMKC, please kindly let the Admissions Office at UMKC as soon as possible, rather than wait until May 1. In this way, the process of going through the waitlist by the Admissions Office will be expedited and help the other candidates on the waitlist know where they are as soon as possible. Thank you.
@KCelite I thought I read somewhere that they won’t tell you where you are on the waitlist - which I don’t agree with. I don’t remember where I saw it, sorry. Hang in there. It will all work out in the end.
@PursuitToExcel My daughter is also Phlebotomy certified, along with EMT certified - she loved taking both of these courses - even though it was at night on top of her class load.
To those of you who were accepted, were you told if you passed the Toledo exam?
Hi Everyone,
I recently graduated from UMKC and I distinctly remember using this website to help navigate the admissions process. I thought I’d give a different opinion than some prior graduates.
I am a success story of UMKC. I matched into a top 15 program in my chosen specialty and my co-residents are from places such as U-Penn, Harvard, U of Michigan, and many other top tier facilities. The medical school my residency is associated with is in the top 10 US News ranking so you can only imagine the caliber of students I work with. (Funnily enough, I still prefer UMKC students.) My residency program was my number one on my rank list. I worked my butt off during my 6 years and I can honestly say that it was worth it. I distinctly remember during my intern year one of my attendings in the operating room said, “You are different than many of our incoming residents. You’re very at ease in the clinical setting and have a confidence that even our residents coming from UCSF don’t have. It’s interesting…I think it’s because of the way you were trained at your medical school. You were probably required to do more, see more, and be responsible.” That’s what 6 years at UMKC does to you. We have a lot of autonomy because the hospital is built more so around the students than the residency programs. Some may say that’s a bad thing but some of us thrive with that independence.
The attrition rate is high but remember that people leave for a variety of reasons (grades, mental health, physical health, financial, no interest in medicine, etc). I want everyone to remember that it is very difficult to project a high school student’s future success as a physician. It complicates the admissions process. For those of us who matriculate and remain in the program, our priorities shift between family, friends, and education. Like the saying goes, you sacrifice one of those things at any given time and commit yourself to the other two. Realize, that real life emulates this. UMKC is difficult because an individual has to learn how to balance life at an early age. That is usually something that comes later in one’s career.
Someone pointed out that there were no Neurosurgery matches in 2011 and 2012. I can assure you that no one applied those years for that specialty. Our USMLE Step 1 (medical board exam) class based average is at the national average. At the age of 20, I scored not only in the 99th percentile but 2 standard deviations above the mean on the USMLE. Where else did I learn this information other than the classrooms of my institution? You must understand that people’s definition of success is different. Some people are very happy staying at UMKC for residency and consider it a success when they match there. Others prefer to branch out. Some people may wonder if our “maturity level” is an issue because of our young age. I did not encounter one single program director who reacted negatively to this news. Rather they were amazed at my accomplishments. Are there program directors out there who would look down at this? Yes, I am sure, but everyone has a prejudice against something. People are critical about different things because people value different things. Age is just a number.
Listen, everything is about perspective. There are negative things in every program, including my own residency program. I would be happy to tell you some of the UMKC deficiencies, but I can assure you they are nothing you can’t overcome. Please realize that life is not always handed by a silver spoon. I would never trade the past 6 years for any other experience. I know someone will argue that I am the exception and not the rule but my statistics coming out of high school were not as amazing as some of our more recent applicants. All the needed stepping stones were present at UMKC, and I used them along the way.
No, we are not Harvard. But you don’t need to go to Harvard Medical School to be an excellent physician. It is my opinion that the match list every year is improving. This means the caliber of students are also improving. I am not ashamed of my alma mater. I do not know if I will go back and practice at UMKC but I do know that if a UMKC student contacted me, I would be more than happy to help them. Isn’t that what many people are worried about? Connections? Reputation? Why is it that my friends who have matched at WashU keep bringing in more UMKC students every year into their Internal Medicine class? It’s because we have made an imprint in that institution. Our program began in the 1970s so we don’t have history on our side. But please realize we are making it.
If you feel like this isn’t the program for you, then you will find the right place to continue your education. If you are excited about coming to Kansas City, realize that the current students, alumni, and faculty are excited to have you! I know this letter will spark a long discussion and someone will go through the hassle of dissecting every word. It’s not necessary. This is not an argument but rather a statement of my own opinion.
Good luck to all.
In state waitlist. Did you get your ranking? Can someone shed any light on this
@KCA22017 - THANK YOU SO MUCH! This is exactly what I would want to say when graduating from this program. I see all of the light in this program as you do and part of the reason is I have four family members who share your good experience with the program. I have already accepted my offer to UMKC School of Medicine and am really looking forward to talking to faculty, students, and alumni more about the program. My passion is to become a neurosurgeon for both personal and interest reasons. Many people have told me that that is not feasible at UMKC. I know they are wrong. I have already contacted the neuroscience department at UMKC about research opportunities this summer. @KCA22017, feel free to PM me if you have any advice for me in this process. I am trying to reach out to anyone who is willing to give me advice on how to real my goals in this program. I am past the stage of deciding where to go. My next goal is trying to become successful there. I have wanted to go to this school for a very long time. I love Kansas City, even though I am from Florida. I am a huge Chiefs fan also. Haha. I know the opportunities will be there for me at UMKC and I will do everything possible to seek them out. I want to get very involved on campus and in volunteering, research, and other medical opportunities. I love medicine and I would not taken any other school in the US over this school bc it will get me to my goals in a direct path in 6 years. I know there will always be people who insult this program but I will always defend this program for the rest of my life because I know I will be happy here. I cannot be more positive about something. When something is right for you, you can just feel it inside.
Regional Applicant. Rejected. I have no idea why. Here are my stats:
ACT: 34
GPA: Unweighted - 4.0, Weighted - 4.38
Class Rank: 1/497
Extracurricular Activities:
National Honor Society Class Officer
Spanish Honor Society Senior Representative
Spanish Club Vice President
History Club
Symphonic Band 1st Chair Trumpet
ESFHS Marching Band Trumpet Section Leader
Numerous Summer Science Academies.
Volunteered at the Stephenson Cancer Center for 100 hours of service
Did two observational studies: one with a pathologist and another with an anesthesiologist
Worked for 2 summers at a breast imaging clinic under the head x-ray technician.
AP Curriculum:
AP Psychology - 5
AP European History - 4
AP Chemistry - 4
AP Physics B - 4
AP US History - 4
AP Biology - Currently taking this year
AP Statistics - Currently taking this year
AP Spanish Language - Currently taking this year
AP Calculus BC - Currently taking this year
AP English Literature - Currently taking this year
AP US Government and Politics - Currently taking this year
Despite my stats, I was still not offered admission into the 6 year program at UMKC. I’m thoroughly confused why I was not. Even though UMKC was not my number one choice, it was definitely up there on my list. They said their criteria for selection was standardized test scores, GPA/class rank, EC’s, medical experience, essays, and the interview. I’ve been praised as an outstanding writer, and I have had my writing published in numerous newspapers and journals. Also, I had my UMKC essays edited and reviewed by 2 of my English teachers and a number of my peers. I can almost be 100% sure that it was not my writing that caused me to be declined admission. The only remaining factor would be the interview. I didn’t excel at every station, but I felt like I did really well on at least 9 of them. As for the remaining station, I felt like I was still able to formulate a response that successfully answered the prompt and expressed my interest in medicine.
What I have concluded from this is that UMKC has some other determining factor other than your academic achievements, communication skills, and EC’s. What this factor is, I do not know. It could be because I am Asian, and too many people who were Asian applied. It could be because I come from a low income family. This could be just a program for students with mediocre stats. The reason has to be some that cannot be publicly stated due to discrimination. So as a warning to future applicants, your stats and your interest and desire to become a doctor won’t be enough to get into this program. From what I can tell, the people who have mediocre stats and EC’s are admitted. Please don’t get me wrong, that’s not a bad thing. They might just not be good test takers or have the opportunity to participate in EC’s because they live in a small town. Everyone deserves a chance to pursue a career in the medical field.
I’m done rambling. I’m just really disappointed in this program’s selection criteria. Anyways, congratulations to those who were accepted, and good luck to those on the waiting list. We all really want a career in the medicine field, and we will get there somehow, but it seems like this program just wasn’t for me.
Well, your stats are impressive. However, I can think of at least there things that could have cost you a seat
<ol>
<li>Your interview - as you have mentioned already</li>
<li>No research experience. I am not sure how much those observational studies involved research though.</li>
<li>No medical related certification courses, like EKG certification, CNA, EMT etc.
4… It could be affirmative action not discrimination. Affirmative action is being used by most of the universities including IVYs to make their campus diverse.
</li>
</ol>
In my opinion and by looking at some of the earlier posts of students who got in ;UMKC definitely prefer clinical experience over research. Do not worry, you will be a doctor anyways in the future by some other route. Also, I can see that you are a wonderful writer.
@OKCThunder35 - The only thing that could possibly explain why you were not accepted is your interview. The interview is an essential part of getting into the program. If you look on past threads you will see that many people with similar stats as yourself were rejected as well. UMKC bases their evaluation on whether or not an applicant meets their “core competencies”, which are listed on their website. Also, I do not think it was your lack of research experience that hindered your acceptance. I was accepted OOS with no research experience. My ETC for the program said that only about 5% of incoming students have had prior research experience. This program really emphasizes patient care and communication and they are evaluating for those skills in the MMI. I do not believe that affirmative action has any role in the selection process as the majority of the UMKC class is indeed Asian. Its also insulting to say that this program looks to admit mediocre students… Yes, each program fits a different person differently but just because you were not accepted does not mean you should make the assumption that UMKC does not accept quality students. Yes, you may be correct about the med school trying to increase the amount of rural doctors in Missouri (as that was the initial reason the program was started), but that selection process would then only pertain to the instate students. Not students from Los Angeles, Chicago, etc. You can actually call the Med school and ask them for the reasons why they did not offer you a spot. If I were in that situation I would do the same so I would know what to change moving forward for other applications. There’s one thing I know, SAT/ACT score does not predict someone’s success as a doctor. Yes, it is always a part of a college application process but it is not enough to guarantee admission somewhere. UMKC specifically says,“No one component of the application guarantees admission to the program”. I’m sorry you were not accepted to the program and I hope you have other good options to still pursue medicine.
@OKCThunder35
I understand your frustration, however I must disagree. I have similarly competitive stats - valedictorian of an extremely prestigious school, 100s hours of anti-cancer research, started nationally successful awareness campaign (+interviewed on TV), mentored inner city kids, etc. I was still accepted OOS from California.
I’ve had several bs/md interviews before this one, and got rejected from 3 of the earliest ones (lower tier bs/mds too). I thought my interviewing skills were pretty good but turns out I was going about it the wrong way and after changing it, the programs I applied to since then have all accepted me.
TL;DR - Competitive people can still get rejected or accepted based on their interview. Don’t presume you’re good at interviewing just because you’re smart.
Quick question, anyone know when the first fall semester starts? Thanks 
@drsheen - I totally agree with you. Good interviewing skills comes from life experiences and frankly, a lot of common sense. Being around many different types of people and doing a lot of different things growing up definitely helps with the interview. I don’t believe there’s any way to actually “prepare” for an interview, its mostly just natural. Also, I believe the move-in day for fall is August 15th.