2008-2009 Penn State College of Medicine Secondary Application Thread

[spelledout]

I don't know how much longer I can wait... This is absurd. Has anyone heard anything recently?

I interviewed on Nov. 14th... I called in to check on the status and the lady said that I should be hearing from them any day now (which I took to mean that it was already in the mail and I hadn't received it yet).

I then spent an hour after I hung up trying to analyze her tone to determine if I got in or not.

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[Track8001254]

I interviewed on Nov. 14th... I called in to check on the status and the lady said that I should be hearing from them any day now (which I took to mean that it was already in the mail and I hadn't received it yet).

I then spent an hour after I hung up trying to analyze her tone to determine if I got in or not.

Hahaha... I did that before with a different school. Well I guess that is good to hear. I interviewed on Nov 12th. Well Good luck, hopefully we will hear tomorrow or Monday.

 

[spelledout]

well i made the mistake of putting my school mailbox and i've been home on break... with my luck it's been sitting in the box for the past two weeks (or else it will never show up because the school has terrible postal service)

 

[Track8001254]

Spelled, Have you heard anything yet?

 

[spelledout]

yeah it was a hold hopefully you hear something better

 

[Raryn]

yeah it was a hold hopefully you hear something better

I got one of those too >.<

 

[RedLemond]

I don't know how much longer I can wait... This is absurd. Has anyone heard anything recently?

Hey - I'm passed 10 weeks now and nothin' yet

 

[Track8001254]

Hey - I'm passed 10 weeks now and nothin' yet

Penn State's decision process is such mystery... I keep trying to reason why I haven't heard anything yet.

 

[ACGator09]

Hey - I'm passed 10 weeks now and nothin' yet

10 weeks post-interview? or 10 weeks post "complete" message?

 

[DrMattOglesby]

Penn State is a GREAT school!
I am so glad I went on this interview. I really was impressed with the everyone I met in school and the small town of Hershey.
Now--it's just a matter of being able to wait the 4-6 weeks for a decision without spontaneously combusting

 

[RoadRunner17]

Penn State is a GREAT school!
I am so glad I went on this interview. I really was impressed with the everyone I met in school and the small town of Hershey.
Now--it's just a matter of being able to wait the 4-6 weeks for a decision without spontaneously combusting

Sorry to break the news to you, but it could be longer than 4-6 weeks

Glad you liked the school, good luck!!

 

[Track8001254]

I called today, and my committee hasn't even met yet to make a decision.... 9+ weeks... WHAT ARE THEY DOING?

 

[DrMattOglesby]

I called today, and my committee hasn't even met yet to make a decision.... 9+ weeks... WHAT ARE THEY DOING?

wow, youre kidding me?!
I heard from my interviewer that he was set to convene with the rest of the adcom members within a week regarding my application...at least that is what I think i heard--but im starting to doubt ears now after some of the things I am hearing on SDN.

 

[dwc929]

For ppl wondering about the post-interview "hold" letter, I just called and they said it's essentially the same as a waitlist (whatever you want to call it). It is not ranked and you will be reviewed at a later time.

 

[RedLemond]

10 weeks post-interview? or 10 weeks post "complete" message?

10 post interview! Closing in on 11 now..

 

[Track8001254]

10 post interview! Closing in on 11 now..

Heres to hoping that we hear this week.

 

[DrMattOglesby]

I seem to have lost the names of the people who interviewed me and I would like to write them a thank you letter.
Do you guys know where I can find a list of the faculty on the Penn State website?

 

[Track8001254]

I seem to have lost the names of the people who interviewed me and I would like to write them a thank you letter.
Do you guys know where I can find a list of the faculty on the Penn State website?

Do you remember what department they are in? Because if you do they have home pages for each department, that have names, pictures, emails etc...

 

[DrMattOglesby]

Do you remember what department they are in? Because if you do they have home pages for each department, that have names, pictures, emails etc...

thanks, I remember one of them to be a professor of anatomy and neurosciences (held a Ph D). The other held an MD but wasn't a practicing physician. I think he was in research as he was able to tell me a lot about a particular form of leukemia.

EDIT: Hey I found the first interviewer already! thanks for the tip to check out the department pages

second EDIT: Woot, just found the second interviewer! *Problem officially solved

 

[soundbyte]

Just to update anyone who interviewed there, thank you notes DO go into your file and will be reviewed by the adcom prior to their decision. They also want you to send them to their main admission office, c/o the interviewer.

I know many schools tell you not to bother with thank you notes, or they don't affect their decision at all. However, PSU is not one of those schools. Thank you notes definitely will not hurt your chances.

 

[Track8001254]

Just to update anyone who interviewed there, thank you notes DO go into your file and will be reviewed by the adcom prior to their decision. They also want you to send them to their main admission office, c/o the interviewer.

I know many schools tell you not to bother with thank you notes, or they don't affect their decision at all. However, PSU is not one of those schools. Thank you notes definitely will not hurt your chances.

Where did you hear this? Did I miss this during the interview day?I sent my thank you letters directly to my interviewer. Hopefully that still counts.. haha

 

[DrMattOglesby]

I believe quite a few schools monitor all your communications with them and even if it is just a simple email, they will put it in your file.
I was in correspondence with Penn State earlier in the year concerning a potential problem with my LORs and they stated that the information I presented them would be made part of my file.

 

[soundbyte]

Where did you hear this? Did I miss this during the interview day?I sent my thank you letters directly to my interviewer. Hopefully that still counts.. haha

I was told this by one of the admissions people as they escorted me to my interviews. I'm assuming the interviewers will turn over everything you send them and it will be put in your file.

 

[cubssox2000]

Did this happen to anyone else?

I checked my status page today and got this message:


This application is not currently active. It is only accessible from 07/21/2008 to 01/15/2009.


I assume that means they just reject everyone who hasn't interviewed by the 15th. I think for the check I sent them they could at least send an email...

 

[Track8001254]

Did this happen to anyone else?

I checked my status page today and got this message:


This application is not currently active. It is only accessible from 07/21/2008 to 01/15/2009.


I assume that means they just reject everyone who hasn't interviewed by the 15th. I think for the check I sent them they could at least send an email...

That isnt what it means at all. All that means is that you have until 1/15 to fill out their secondary. Im almost positive they are still giving out interviews as they usually interview into april. Anyways they really dont update that status page. So don't worry you are still in the game

 

[cubssox2000]

That isnt what it means at all. All that means is that you have until 1/15 to fill out their secondary. Im almost positive they are still giving out interviews as they usually interview into april. Anyways they really dont update that status page. So don't worry you are still in the game

Thanks. I will probably withdraw anyway because of another acceptance.

 

[DrMattOglesby]

For those already accepted to the college of medicine:

Have you put any thought or consideration as to what you might be the thesis of your reserach project?

And is anyone thinking about getting a PC for their home AND a laptop???

 

[phospho]

For those already accepted to the college of medicine:

Have you put any thought or consideration as to what you might be the thesis of your reserach project?

And is anyone thinking about getting a PC for their home AND a laptop???

penn state needs a research project? or are you talking about the mstp people?

 

[DrMattOglesby]

penn state needs a research project? or are you talking about the mstp people?

no its not just MSTP students. Every student in the class is required to do a research project as part of the MD program. here is the site detailing a little more about it: http://www.hmc.psu.edu/msr/

 

[Track8001254]

Just got the acceptance packet!!! First MD School!

 

[Demas567]

Just got the acceptance packet!!! First MD School!

Congrats!!

 

[harishchandra]

Just got the acceptance packet!!! First MD School!

When was your interview?? what is your GPA/MCAT, if you don't mind sharing?

 

[DrMattOglesby]

Just got the acceptance packet!!! First MD School!

big pat on the back track!
i hope you live closer to Penn State than I do...and I hope that explains why you got an acceptance packet in the mail today and I didnt lol

 

[Track8001254]

When was your interview?? what is your GPA/MCAT, if you don't mind sharing?

My interview was early November (So I think I was around 11 weeks past interview). Ill attach my MD applicants if you want to look at my stats.

Thanks everyone, and yes DrMattOglesby I am only a few hours away from Penn State, so I am sure that is the case.

 

[DrMattOglesby]

got the acceptance letter today!!!


almost POSITIVE I will be matriculating here!


as per my progress:
*Complete October 7th, 2008
*Interviewed January 13th, 2009
*Accepted January 26th, 2009

 

[umean2tellme]

got the acceptance letter today!!!


almost positive i will be matriculating here!


as per my progress:
*complete october 7th, 2008
*interviewed january 13th, 2009
*accepted january 26th, 2009

congrats!!!!

 

[RoadRunner17]

got the acceptance letter today!!!


almost POSITIVE I will be matriculating here!


as per my progress:
*Complete October 7th, 2008
*Interviewed January 13th, 2009
*Accepted January 26th, 2009

Holy crap! That is incredibly fast. Congratulations!

 

[DiscoStu2]

Congrats! Has anyone else recieved a decision this fast? I interviewed December 1 and am hoping to hear something soon!

 

[DrMattOglesby]

hey guys, i think my decision was only rendered so quickly because I happened to interview a week before the adcom meeting.
i remember my interviewer telling me that he would be pushing for my acceptance at the meeting next week. I almost didn't believe it cuz i thought that was too quick (according to SDN rumors)...but im not about to contest the results of such a quick turn-a-round on my pending decision

 

[Track8001254]

hey guys, i think my decision was only rendered so quickly because I happened to interview a week before the adcom meeting.
i remember my interviewer telling me that he would be pushing for my accepting at the meeting next week. I almost didn't believe it cuz i thought that was too quick (according to SDN rumors)...but im not about to contest the results of such a quick turn-a-round on my pending decision

Congrats man, looks like ill probably be seeing you in Hershey. I just mailed in my deposit today.

 

[DrMattOglesby]

Congrats man, looks like ill probably be seeing you in Hershey. I just mailed in my deposit today.

argh, you quoted me before i corrected that "accepting --> acceptance" typo!

And we should probably get to posting in that Penn State Class of 2013 thread in the Allopathic forums...it looks kinda dead in there.

 

[dancindoc85]

wow, what a fast turn around!! i just interviewed there yesterday, i would love to hear from them. :0) Loved the school!!

congrats, drmatt!

 

[DrMattOglesby]

Does anybody know if Out Of State students are eligible for In State tuition fees after the first year?

oh and danke dancindoc

 

[Demas567]

Does anybody know if Out Of State students are eligible for In State tuition fees after the first year?

oh and danke dancindoc

No, not that I am aware of. You can try calling their admissions office if you want a definite answer.

 

[raraxavis]

Congrats to everyone who got accepted!! I was complete in August and got that "continued review" letter in October, but not a peep since. Think they still have interview invites hiding somewhere, or am I out of luck?

 

[chemnerd89]

Congrats to everyone who got accepted!! I was complete in August and got that "continued review" letter in October, but not a peep since. Think they still have interview invites hiding somewhere, or am I out of luck?

I bet they're given out Golden Ticket-style in Hershey bars.

I'm still waiting, too...

 

[RedLemond]

Hey, well, they decided to let me in too! Got the packet this past Monday. All kinds of info and letters from dept. of student housing, student health, financial aid etc. It all sent the message "we will take care of you!" Great impression of this school.

 

[DrMattOglesby]

heya RedLemond~~
do you think you will be particularly active on your bicycle during med school? I was wondering if it'd be worth it to try to start a group for exercise enthusiasts...maybe include a wide variety of sports?
Like cycling, swimming, running, soccer, rugby (I think there is a student organization for that one already though), and whatever else people are interested in participating in to stay healthy and fit.
I'm not sure I saw one or not...but does Penn have a Ping Pong table anywhere? I'm not sure I was given a tour of any student lounge area...and I love me a good game of ping pong (its good for the brain).

 

[RoadRunner17]

Does anybody know if Out Of State students are eligible for In State tuition fees after the first year?

oh and danke dancindoc

You have to work for a year in Pennsylvania without enrolling in any classes.

 

[DrMattOglesby]

You have to work for a year in Pennsylvania without enrolling in any classes.

interesting!
you guys know how the LCME requires that you finish the MD program within 6 years, right? You COULD do the first two years in basic sciences...then disappear for a year as a regular PA resident...only to return one year later and finish the clinicals as an in-stater.
That's probably a really bad idea though...