2008-2009 Drexel Secondary Application Thread

[classdodger]

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i know someone that interviewed in mid april(seriously) last year and was accepted outright, so dont lose hope on drexel.

 

[bluesmd]

i know someone that interviewed in mid april(seriously) last year and was accepted outright, so dont lose hope on drexel.

i'm not losing hope on drexel, it just seems as if they have no hope in us

 

[books]

First of all, I would like to say that this site is AWESOME...it has really helped throughout the process to judge what is coming (or not...in this case). I appreciate all those that have contributed with dates & info (I am the spouse of the applicant but the one that checks this site!). So, that is why I am a new member...to explain what happened to "us" with Drexel...
Complete in July
Invite Sept 23
Interview 10/30 (had a great experience)
Status change 11/6 (member has it), 11/14 (committee has it), 11/21 (final decision)---I know you're probably saying...WOW how fast...
After calling them 11/21 to see if they were putting the letter in the mail that day, they said either that day or Monday.
Called 12/3, 12/5 (still no mail)....they said it was mailed out "recently".
16 days LATER (after status change)....12/6 got the REJECTION letter. It was a huge surprise considering how fast "we" went through status changes compared to everyone on this site. Called today and they said to email them if wanted info as to why. Sorry if this doesn't give HOPE but at least it is truth. Good luck to you all...."we" still have 3 more interviews luckily.

 

[icarus8]

I interviewed here recently. I (personally, imho, personally) did not really care for it. I only mention this for people who are fortunate enough to have an acceptance and are considering interviewing here anyways - feel free to pm me for details. This in no way is a reflection on the people who attend the school (except maybe my student interviewer)

 

[FlowLimited]

I interviewed here recently. I (personally, imho, personally) did not really care for it. I only mention this for people who are fortunate enough to have an acceptance and are considering interviewing here anyways - feel free to pm me for details. This in no way is a reflection on the people who attend the school (except maybe my student interviewer)

Sorry to hear your experience wasn't a good one. I hope it wasn't a single student that ruined it for you.

 

[marie14]

Just give a little positive input-

I went into my interview a little skeptical of whether or not I'd feel comfortable there. I hadn't heard the best of things about Philadelphia and knew someone that had a nightmare interview experience at Drexel.

I had a student interviewer who was wonderful. I felt completely at ease and able to allow her to get a sense of who I am as a person. My faculty interviewer was friendly, thorough and well prepared. The campus was new, clean and very "high techy". I was overall very impressed with the school and ended up liking it more than I expected. Believe it or not, I had fun on my interview!

 

[FlowLimited]

Just give a little positive input-

I went into my interview a little skeptical of whether or not I'd feel comfortable there. I hadn't heard the best of things about Philadelphia and knew someone that had a nightmare interview experience at Drexel.

I had a student interviewer who was wonderful. I felt completely at ease and able to allow her to get a sense of who I am as a person. My faculty interviewer was friendly, thorough and well prepared. The campus was new, clean and very "high techy". I was overall very impressed with the school and ended up liking it more than I expected. Believe it or not, I had fun on my interview!

Now that's what I'm talkin' about! 😀

 

[mcgyver]

Complete in late august, interview invite late september, interviewed 11/5, online status changed to "decision made" 12/1, acceptance via snail mail 12/8.

 

[FF430]

Did anyone's status change directly from "Your interview has been scheduled. If you've appeared for the interview, please allow 6 - 8 weeks for a final decision." to "Decision has been made" without going through the intermediate steps (i.e. file is being reviewed by the committee etc..)???

It has been more than a month since I interviewed...and I still have the "Your interview has been scheduled..." message😕

 

[Day man]

Approaching 9 weeks this Wednesday...they're not big on punctuality I guess.

 

[icarus8]

Sorry to hear your experience wasn't a good one. I hope it wasn't a single student that ruined it for you.

While my student interviewer didn't make my day, it wasn't necessarily that they ruined it for me. I certainly believe that most of the class at Drexel is probably very cool and the kind of people anyone would like to go to med school with. In the end, I felt like most (not all) of the little things Drexel did differently than many of the other schools I interviewed at, were negatives for me. For many people those same differences might be absolute positives, so I don't want to portray it as anything bad.

There were some things I really liked though - the technology they use there is great (something that has been talked about in this thread). Other things, though, sort of turned me off.

Enough of that - good luck to everyone who is waiting for a decision!

 

[xanthomondo]

While my student interviewer didn't make my day, it wasn't necessarily that they ruined it for me. I certainly believe that most of the class at Drexel is probably very cool and the kind of people anyone would like to go to med school with. In the end, I felt like most (not all) of the little things Drexel did differently than many of the other schools I interviewed at, were negatives for me. For many people those same differences might be absolute positives, so I don't want to portray it as anything bad.

There were some things I really liked though - the technology they use there is great (something that has been talked about in this thread). Other things, though, sort of turned me off.

Enough of that - good luck to everyone who is waiting for a decision!

Yes we use cutting-edge laserdisk technology. That, my friend, is second to none.

But yeah, I feel for you on the student interviewers. Sometimes I see who is student-interviewing and I just cringe for the interviewee.

 

[cicie]

Congrats everyone!! Hang in there hopefuls
me: .o. ..2ndary request: Oct2
.o. ..2ndary submitted: Oct 13
.o. ..I called, confirmed complete: Nov 10
.o. ..INTERVIEW: Feb 4 (by email dec 5)

 

[tbucky]

Congrats everyone!! Hang in there hopefuls
me: .o.2ndary request: Oct2
.o.2ndary submitted: Oct 13
.o.I called, confirmed complete: Nov 10
.o.INTERVIEW: Feb 4 (by email dec 5)

Just got my interview invite today! After over a year of looking at the "no decision currently available" status, I finally got the opportunity to schedule an interview (but have yet to get the email inviting me). Unfortunately, though, the first date available was 3/10...

 

[lilwheezy]

yea i just got one today also....booked mine for 3/11. Anyone wanna switch dates? LOL

 

[Jtrenier]

Just got my interview invite today! After over a year of looking at the "no decision currently available" status, I finally got the opportunity to schedule an interview (but have yet to get the email inviting me). Unfortunately, though, the first date available was 3/10...

If someone cancels their interview, then you have the opportunity to take their spot. So make sure that you continue check the website and look for early openings that pop up after people cancel. I'm sure you can get something before 3/10.

I personally was able to interview at Drexel on Nov 7th, which was two weeks right after I got the invite b/c it appears that some people canceled their interviews. When I first checked, the earliest dates available were in mid December and January. Then I checked back a few days later and was able to switch my date to Nov 7th. It worked out great, but I'm still waiting to hear back from Drexel about their final decision.

 

[JSZ3]

Yeah, but unfortunately it looks like you risk losing your spot even to see what dates are available.

 

[Day man]

I liked Drexel after the interview, but the waiting period post-interview has really soured this school for me. I'm all about to accept RWJ and just forget about them. 9 weeks later, I call the admissions office and the lady says it went to the committee but wasn't reviewed and to check back next Friday. Sounds like a great system they have over there.

 

[Vania]

I interviewed at Drexel recently, and while I did like the school and think I would be quite happy with their curriculum and Philadelphia, I really felt that their professionalism was lacking. The day was not organized all that well, as we were rushed through the tour, but then left with several hours at the end of the day. Granted, I did interview on a Saturday, but there were a ton of interviewees, none of us were given name tags, and frankly, several of the students I encountered lowered my opinion of the school. (My student host was terrific, though, and was not one of them.) I honestly don't want to pay $47,000 a year in tuition at a school where students say most people just stay home and watch lecture videos in their apartments. It seems that some others here had mixed feelings too...

 

[Jtrenier]

My interview at Drexel really made the school one of my favorites. I'm more interested in the PIL program than the lectures, so when I spoke with students it mostly was about PIL. It seems like the students who do PIL are very well prepared for 3rd year (in fact my student interviewer who did the IFM program said that he thought PIL students were far more prepared for rotations than IFM students). It really seemed like the PIL students loved the school and the curriculum, and they said that everyone in the PIL program is really close, kind've like family. I really wasn't able to get a good sense of how the IFM students liked it. My interviewer (an IFM student) seemed a little jaded, but my impression was that he was more jaded with medicine and not the school or curriculum itself (perhaps he chose the wrong field). Regardless, he really liked me and said I was one of the best applicants that he interviewed in years. I also really liked the diversity of the school, the community service that first years have to do, and the ability to do 4th year abroad.
The other people who were there for an interview also really like the school and the students there. I guess it depends on what fits best with you.

 

[Vania]

I love the idea of the PIL program, too. In my opinion, it is what makes Drexel pretty unique and really made the school stand out to me. After all these years of lectures...I could actually be engaged in conversation when I go to class?! The students I met who chose that track seem to be very happy with the program.

 

[xanthomondo]

I interviewed at Drexel recently, and while I did like the school and think I would be quite happy with their curriculum and Philadelphia, I really felt that their professionalism was lacking. The day was not organized all that well, as we were rushed through the tour, but then left with several hours at the end of the day. Granted, I did interview on a Saturday, but there were a ton of interviewees, none of us were given name tags, and frankly, several of the students I encountered lowered my opinion of the school. (My student host was terrific, though, and was not one of them.) I honestly don't want to pay $47,000 a year in tuition at a school where students say most people just stay home and watch lecture videos in their apartments. It seems that some others here had mixed feelings too...

I really don't understand how this would be perceived negatively? You have the option of going to class or watching the lectures online, just in case you can't make it to class (or don't want to go).

And yet you find that bad? If you want to go to class and not watch them online, simply go to class!

 

[Loon]

What sold me on PIL was that, when we paraded into the classroom, the discussion was on the definition of communism. That sounds stupid, but access and social issues have an effect on how healthy people are, how they go about dealing with it and how we will go about treating them.
That, plus the talk with Dr. Puglia really brought the program home. Enough that I would be willing to write a couple more essays to get into this program 🙂

 

[poohbear00]

I am definitely interested in the PIL program as well. When I interviewed with the faculty, I asked if he thought the students in both of the programs were equally prepared for rotations. He said yes, but he definitely enjoyed teaching and engaging with the students in PIL program more. He gets to know those student more personally and feel they dig deeper than what's written in the lecture notes.

 

[Mace1370]

Hoping someone can spread a little light on my situation.

Secondary was received on August 16th. My status was just changed to:

"Thank you for your application. Your file has been reviewed and will be re-evaluated later in the season for a final decision."

I'm currently in the Georgetown SMP program. About a week ago a letter of recommendation was sent out with my grades thus far in the program (they are good, GPA is around 3.7). So, is this status change a good thing or bad thing?

 

[FlowLimited]

Hoping someone can spread a little light on my situation.

Secondary was received on August 16th. My status was just changed to:

"Thank you for your application. Your file has been reviewed and will be re-evaluated later in the season for a final decision."

I'm currently in the Georgetown SMP program. About a week ago a letter of recommendation was sent out with my grades thus far in the program (they are good, GPA is around 3.7). So, is this status change a good thing or bad thing?

It means they've passed you over for now, but will check back again later to make a final decision. It's not a waitlist and it's not a rejection.

 

[Mace1370]

It means they've passed you over for now, but will check back again later to make a final decision. It's not a waitlist and it's not a rejection.

So a hold? I haven't even interviewed yet =/

Ah well, thanks 🙂

Does anyone know if Drexel actually does anything with people they put on hold with any sort of regularity? Or do the vast majority of people get on the hold list and never come off?

 

[marie14]

My final decision letter has been sent!! (God, that was quick, I'm not sure I'm ready for it!)

How long do they usually take to arrive? (I'm in DC)

 

[richse]

So a hold? I haven't even interviewed yet =/

Ah well, thanks 🙂

Does anyone know if Drexel actually does anything with people they put on hold with any sort of regularity? Or do the vast majority of people get on the hold list and never come off?

My application was in Aug 11th and I still have the no decision message. I have no idea what kind of system they use to order their review process.

 

[aznb0y129]

My application was in Aug 11th and I still have the no decision message. I have no idea what kind of system they use to order their review process.

Same here, but mine was 8/19. And the wait continues...

 

[poohbear00]

...to explain what happened to "us" with Drexel...
Complete in July
Invite Sept 23
Interview 10/30 (had a great experience)
Status change 11/6 (member has it), 11/14 (committee has it), 11/21 (final decision)---I know you're probably saying...WOW how fast...
After calling them 11/21 to see if they were putting the letter in the mail that day, they said either that day or Monday.

Called 12/3, 12/5 (still no mail)....they said it was mailed out "recently".
16 days LATER (after status change)....12/6 got the REJECTION letter. It was a huge surprise considering how fast "we" went through status changes compared to everyone on this site. Called today and they said to email them if wanted info as to why. Sorry if this doesn't give HOPE but at least it is truth. Good luck to you all...."we" still have 3 more interviews luckily.

maybe I'm paranoid, but did anyone have a fast turn around time and get accepted? I interviewed 11/24 and my status page already says the committee has it. I feel like this is pretty fast and a rejection letter is soon to follow?

EDIT:
NVM, i looked through some of the posts before this and it seems there has been some 1-month-turn-around ones. I'm just soo nervous. anyways, good luck to everyone!

 

[Loon]

Wait, marie14 interviewed a week before me and her decision has been mailed. My status is still "Your interview has been scheduled."

Am I looking in the wrong place, or is there just a serious difference in the speed they are handling us with?

 

[FF430]

Approaching 9 weeks this Wednesday...they're not big on punctuality I guess.

Do you still have the "Your interview has been scheduled" message after 9 weeks??? Any chance we had the same interviewer?? I called Drexel today only to be told to wait till the 8th week...
*Sigh* Im afraid that my interviewer might have forgotten to turn in my evaluation or something.....

 

[NTF]

maybe I'm paranoid, but did anyone have a fast turn around time and get accepted? I interviewed 11/24 and my status page already says the committee has it. I feel like this is pretty fast and a rejection letter is soon to follow?

EDIT:
NVM, i looked through some of the posts before this and it seems there has been some 1-month-turn-around ones. I'm just soo nervous. anyways, good luck to everyone!

Interview 10/14
Status change "at committee" about a week later
Status "decision will be mailed" 10/31
Acceptance letter received 11/7

So don't lose hope. Quick turnarounds, slow turnarounds. It doesn't necessarily mean anything.

 

[classdodger]

My final decision letter has been sent!! (God, that was quick, I'm not sure I'm ready for it!)

How long do they usually take to arrive? (I'm in DC)

marie when did you interview?
it usually takes a week after status changes to decision mailed

 

[marie14]

marie when did you interview?
it usually takes a week after status changes to decision mailed

I interviewed 11/18. I don't know why I had such a fast turn around. My faculty interviewer was extremely organized (even had typed and printed a list of questions to ask me so he could take notes) and prepared. My student interviewer seemed pretty on top of it as well. So maybe that's why it's been so quick!

 

[Loon]

Status change "at committee" about a week later
Status "decision will be mailed" 10/31

Do these changes appear where it says "your interview has been scheduled"? Or do they appear elsewhere?

 

[FlowLimited]

Do these changes appear where it says "your interview has been scheduled"? Or do they appear elsewhere?

Yep, they all show up on the same status page.

 

[poohbear00]

Do these changes appear where it says "your interview has been scheduled"? Or do they appear elsewhere?

I think so. After you sign in, you choose the processed admissions term (fall 2009). Then above your application summary, it should say TO View Your Decision Click Here. (Does yours still say Your interview has been scheduled?) If you click on it, it should say either the application has gone to committee member, or the committee or decision made.

 

[Loon]

It says "Your interview has been scheduled. If you've appeared for the interview, please allow 6 - 8 weeks for a final decision."

So I guess I just keep checking every week to see where things are. The current status then is "One of your interviewers hasn't sent in the forms yet"?

I was entirely prepared for a long wait until I saw marie14 get her acceptance in less than a month. In the long run, all that matters is the acceptance, not the wait, but the short run feels longer than it is.

 

[FF430]

This is soo frustrating, i interviewed more than 5 weeks ago and i still have the "Your interview has been scheduled" message 😡

 

[poohbear00]

Loon, I think you should call and see what's going on

 

[nina7123]

I heard that Drexel gives out a "significant number" of scholarships...does anybody know what that exactly means? I'm not sure if I should accept a seat in the class because I've been accepted to a school that I like better, but which doesn't give out many scholarships. I would go to Drexel if it ended up being much cheaper...

Does anyone know if "significant" means that most people get moderate scholarships or that a few people get really big ones

 

[iblunk]

In case this brings comfort to anyone in a misery loves company kind of way, I interviewed on Oct. 6, and my status page still says "Your interview has been scheduled."

I've called and emailed, both leading to the same answer that they have a backlog and I have not been reviewed yet. They insisted if I were waitlisted or rejected, they would let me know. The paranoid side of me doesn't believe them, since people who interviewed much later have decisions. The only explanations I can think of for the delay and the reviewing out of order is that one or both of my interviewers are slow to turn in forms.

 

[poohbear00]

For those accepted already, what's in the acceptance package? What do we have to return within 2 weeks? I'm leaving the country around that time and I was going to give a check to my roommate who could mail it back IF I do get that package. I don't know if there's also a form I need to sign or how much I should write the check out to. Thanks for the info and CONGRATS!

 

[FlowLimited]

I heard that Drexel gives out a "significant number" of scholarships...does anybody know what that exactly means? I'm not sure if I should accept a seat in the class because I've been accepted to a school that I like better, but which doesn't give out many scholarships. I would go to Drexel if it ended up being much cheaper...

Does anyone know if "significant" means that most people get moderate scholarships or that a few people get really big ones

There are a ton of scholarships, but that doesn't mean you'll be eligible for all of them. Of course the amounts vary considerably too.

 

[FF430]

In case this brings comfort to anyone in a misery loves company kind of way, I interviewed on Oct. 6, and my status page still says "Your interview has been scheduled."

I've called and emailed, both leading to the same answer that they have a backlog and I have not been reviewed yet. They insisted if I were waitlisted or rejected, they would let me know. The paranoid side of me doesn't believe them, since people who interviewed much later have decisions. The only explanations I can think of for the delay and the reviewing out of order is that one or both of my interviewers are slow to turn in forms.

R u kidding me???? its been more than 9 weeks, almost 10 and they just told u to essentially wait some more? Who did u talk to on the phone? was it the person at the receptions desk or was it an admin person (i.e. Ms. Kennedy). I have seen people on SDN who were interviewed as late as the week before thanksgiving and already have a decision. I though i had it bad; you must be furious!

 

[Gamble]

Does anyone know for sure that when you try to look up other available dates for interview, you risk loosing your current date? I am hoping to interview at least in Feb, but at the same time i dont want to loose my spot for early march. Does anyone know how this works for sure? Thanks.

 

[poohbear00]

Does anyone know for sure that when you try to look up other available dates for interview, you risk loosing your current date? I am hoping to interview at least in Feb, but at the same time i dont want to loose my spot for early march. Does anyone know how this works for sure? Thanks.

well, i'm not 100% sure, but when you sign go to the status page, don't you have to cancel your current interview date before you can see what other days are available? If so, then you lose your spot once you click cancel. Maybe if you called them they might tell you if there are earlier dates available.

 

[JSZ3]

was anyone able to successfully change their interview to an earlier date?