Ok so after reading everyone theories I figured I would chime in. Having gone thru the process you guys are currently in and having been a part of the Med school interview process as a student, I'll start off by saying they don't really ever tell you their method. What I know is that there is around 5-6 members of the decision community and yes they do meet Thursdays. Prior to all interviews being completed those thurs meetings are simply to decide who will be receiving an II. Now that all the interviews are over they will meet to make acceptance decisions this coming Thurs. This is probably the most accurate method that they use:
Every interviewer has a sheet where they assign a score and give their opinion on each interviewee. They also give a score based overall on if they think you should be accepted or not. (For regular med school interviews Med students also fill out a sheet and give a score and say if we would want them as a fellow student, you guys don't have to worry about that aspect of it, since for DPMS interviews prior students get no say.) I assume they will look over the top rated students and not automatically just accept the top 40-ish, but discuss them as a group in this meeting and then say yes or no and move down the list. As far as the essay portion from what i've heard its not weighed very high at all. It's more so to get your opinion on some topic and at the same time they can see how you are at formulating thoughts on the spot and putting them in writing. (Believe it or not but some people pay other ppl to write their personal statements and all written parts of their applications, so this helps prevent that unfair advantage.) Honestly tho I feel its like the MCAT writing section its there but if everything else is good they have no reason to eliminate you cause of what you wrote.
There is also a waitlist for those who were right on the boarder for being accepted. So thats another possibility and they will let you know and ask you if you wish to be placed on it. Students do come off the DPMS wait list because sometimes applicants get accepted off Med school wait list really late or into other programs ect. The turn around for that is even more last minute and I believe students usually only end up with a week or so notice before having to drop everything and get to philly. That being said if you come off the wait list your probably just ecstatic that you even got accepted.
As far as when you will find out. I promise you it won't be the 28th since they could be there making decisions until 5-6pm and then just want to go home. So no ones going to stick around to put together emails. It could at the earliest be the 29th, having spoken with Dr. Walker in person she mentioned they are trying hard to get them out ASAP, but again more then likely it will be June 1st. So I would suggest you expect to hear back on June 1st and just be super happy if your lucky enough to hear before then. Remember they aren't just sending out acceptance letters they also have to decide on who's going to be on the wait list and put together and send out rejection letters as well, so it adds up to a good amount of work. Either way you guys all did your best I'm sure and there's nothing left for you guys to do but to wait and see. Good luck to everyone and I hope to be meeting you all of you guys over the summer. Also for those that don't get in just remember this is not the end and there are many ways of getting into med school and receiving a letter of rejection now in no way means you are not fit to be a physician or that you will never be one. Just keep your head up and work hard and work on the areas of your application that may need work and you will get there sooner or later!
ps: one last thing if you are accepted and have to move on short notice remember the summer housing is provided, so you have that going. For they summer they basically just expect you to bring the bare essentials that you need to get by and your brain. Everything else gets left at home and then you big time move will be towards the end of the summer once you find a place, so you have more time to do that then.