2008-2009 SUNY Downstate Secondary Application Thread

[Soggun]

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hey yall, for those who interviewed and still peruse this thread, do you know if there are any overnight hosts or cool students willing to host poor interviewees?

We sure do have a program like that. Just e-mail the admissions office (in particular Ms. Levine) and she will get you in touch with a student willing to put you up for a night in the res hall.

 

[aznb0y129]

We sure do have a program like that. Just e-mail the admissions office (in particular Ms. Levine) and she will get you in touch with a student willing to put you up for a night in the res hall.

Hey Soggun, I had a question about second look. I got a letter yesterday saying it runs from January 2 through early June. When do you think would be the best time for me to try to shadow a student for a day (i.e. not near exams when they might be more stressed)? Thanks in advance!

 

[Anotherface]

w00t
got the downstate invite today

now if i can only shift the buffalo/downstate interviews to the same week i'll be set.
if not, i'll be broke :[

That seems like a hellish week to me. Getting from Downstate to Buffalo isn't really a walk in the park. Good luck

 

[Soggun]

That seems like a hellish week to me. Getting from Downstate to Buffalo isn't really a walk in the park. Good luck

Yeah - my first interview was at Buffalo and my 2nd interview at Stony Brook... the next day. Not fun.

 

[Soggun]

Hey Soggun, I had a question about second look. I got a letter yesterday saying it runs from January 2 through early June. When do you think would be the best time for me to try to shadow a student for a day (i.e. not near exams when they might be more stressed)? Thanks in advance!

Well, Ms. Levine would help you out with picking this, but if you want to pick a good day just take a look at either the first year or second year schedule at http://ect.downstate.edu. Shadowing a 1st year is probably a better idea since it's what you'll experience next year, but if they have exams or whatever at a time when you're available, you can also shadow 2nd years. Hope that helps!

 

[MrGold]

Interviewed 10/30...received "Hold for Spring Consideration" today.

It'd be great to know what I could do to improve my application.

 

[whoknows2012]

I was put on a pre-interview hold on 9/15 pending my fall semester grades, and as I was getting ready to send them my grades, I was invited for an interview this afternoon for 1/20. I am very excited, as downstate is my first choice, and this is now my 3rd interview and I got below a 30 on my MCAT ( and have a decent, but not amazing GPA)...who would've thunk it? 🙂

 

[RuSkaya]

I was put on a pre-interview hold on 9/15 pending my fall semester grades, and as I was getting ready to send them my grades, I was invited for an interview this afternoon for 1/20. I am very excited, as downstate is my first choice, and this is now my 3rd interview and I got below a 30 on my MCAT ( and have a decent, but not amazing GPA)...who would've thunk it? 🙂

This gives me hope! Congrats on the interview invite 🙂

 

[kac714]

I was put on a pre-interview hold on 9/15 pending my fall semester grades, and as I was getting ready to send them my grades, I was invited for an interview this afternoon for 1/20. I am very excited, as downstate is my first choice, and this is now my 3rd interview and I got below a 30 on my MCAT ( and have a decent, but not amazing GPA)...who would've thunk it? 🙂

im interviewing on 1/20 also! i thought this was a long shot bc i'm out of state but oh well! im very excited

 

[DKS]

My MCAT is 36, and my gpa is about 3.45 but no word as of yet from Downstate. Any suggestions/comments/feedback?

 

[halekulani]

That seems like a hellish week to me. Getting from Downstate to Buffalo isn't really a walk in the park. Good luck

uh
please tell me you can fly from NY to buffalo
that was my only plan

 

[kac714]

does anyone have the US news stats for oos?

 

[Soggun]

uh
please tell me you can fly from NY to buffalo
that was my only plan

Yep - JetBlue from Buffalo to LGA is usually the best deal you can get 👍

 

[Kfire326]

Thanks Soggun. You're a great resource. How do you like Downstate so far?

I love it, which is one of the reasons I stay so active with the applicants. It's a challenge, to be sure, but I really couldn't imagine better preparation for a career in medicine... The focus on clinical experience is really unmatched (I can give numerous examples by pm if you'd like to hear them - don't want to put them up here since they're mostly my classmates' personal experiences).

I'm also very very happy with my choice of med school!

Since I'm one of those classmates, I definitely don't mind sharing my experience here. Our registrar's website has a list of electives, clinical and non clinical, that are available to first and second years. Of course on top of that you can always go ahead and talk to anyone and ask if you can do research with them, shadow them, scrub into surgeries with them, etc. Anyway, with no prior clinical experience other than helping out on a study on ER patients in college, I did an OB/GYN clinical elective in March/April of my first year. During my shifts I drew blood, did pap smears and pelvic exams, delivered babies on my own with only supervision (no help) by an attending and scrubbed in on C sections. The doctors were all very nice and liked to teach. Even during the surgeries the attending I worked with would take time out to explain things to me and answer my questions (and tell me never to use the word "infection" again in an OR, especially when operating on a conscious patient). This just goes to show that Downstate is underrated! 🙂

If anyone wants to hear about our curriculum just PM me.

Good luck everyone!

 

[Kfire326]

I was put on a pre-interview hold on 9/15 pending my fall semester grades, and as I was getting ready to send them my grades, I was invited for an interview this afternoon for 1/20. I am very excited, as downstate is my first choice, and this is now my 3rd interview and I got below a 30 on my MCAT ( and have a decent, but not amazing GPA)...who would've thunk it? 🙂

I'da thunk it! That's exactly what happened to me when I applied, with almost the exact same timeline! I had a less than 30 MCAT too. I know how excited you must be - Downstate was my first choice also. Good luck!! 🙂

 

[dynezxice]

Anyone here who interviewed the first week of Nov heard back yet?

 

[Anotherface]

uh
please tell me you can fly from NY to buffalo
that was my only plan

Yep - JetBlue from Buffalo to LGA is usually the best deal you can get 👍

JFK.
Yes you can make it to both places in one week. However, traveling in NYC is a hassle, and going to downstate and then running to the airport without a breather to catch a plane to Buffalo is going to be tough. Make sure you give yourself enough time to move around the city (and then rest before your next interview if you need to)

 

[poohbear00]

uh
please tell me you can fly from NY to buffalo
that was my only plan

So you have Downstate first? It would have been much less stressful if you have Buffalo first because it's much easier to travel to the airport without the traffic, etc. but if downstate is first, I'd go with LaGuardia.

I was just flipping through the channels and saw The View, where they had a guy that wrote a book about traveling. He said Jet Blue has one of the highest number of late flights around the country. Don't know about hsi credibility, but I'd give myself plenty of time! Goodluck!!

 

[ar2388]

i would try to locate a car service that will take to JFK from suny downstate.. that may be the fastest option because taking a train to JFK esp from Downstate would be pretty miserable i believe.

re:jetblue.
i have flown jetblue many times and they have not been late and very often get to the destination earlier than expected

 

[halekulani]

thanks guys
yeah it's downstate first then buffalo

i figure the flight is only like an hr so i could leave in the evening or something.

 

[bluetango]

Hello everyone,

I'm a long-time reader/ first time poster (always wanted to say that)😀

I'm interviewing on 1/12 and was wondering if anyone knew what SUNY's attitude is toward out of state applicants.

Thanks!

 

[monamuch12]

Anyone here who interviewed the first week of Nov heard back yet?

INterviewd Nov 5th. Havent heard anything yet!!

 

[Chango]

I was put on a pre-interview hold on 9/15 pending my fall semester grades, and as I was getting ready to send them my grades, I was invited for an interview this afternoon for 1/20. I am very excited, as downstate is my first choice, and this is now my 3rd interview and I got below a 30 on my MCAT ( and have a decent, but not amazing GPA)...who would've thunk it? 🙂

How did you find out that you were on pre-interview hold? I have been complete for a couple months and haven't heard anything... Downstate is the only school that I've wanted to attend since I decided to enter my post-bac program and the silence is unnerving 😱

 

[Dr Lyss]

INterviewd Nov 5th. Havent heard anything yet!!

I interviewed 11/5 and got an acceptance letter today =) (in state)

 

[poohbear00]

How did you find out that you were on pre-interview hold? I have been complete for a couple months and haven't heard anything... Downstate is the only school that I've wanted to attend since I decided to enter my post-bac program and the silence is unnerving 😱

snail mail letter

 

[Chango]

snail mail letter

Thanks poohbear00 ...

and congratulations DRLyss!!

 

[Soggun]

Hello everyone,

I'm a long-time reader/ first time poster (always wanted to say that)😀

I'm interviewing on 1/12 and was wondering if anyone knew what SUNY's attitude is toward out of state applicants.

Thanks!

Hey Blue - first off congrats on the interview. My best advice would be to prove to your interviewer that you have a legitimate reason for wanting to come to NY and, specifically, to Downstate. The more you can show some connection with the city (friends, family, SO, etc. who live here) the better. As far as I know, DS just wants to see that you will be able to adjust to life in NY, that you have a good support network here, and that you are actually interested in DS and life in Brooklyn.

If you can convince your interviewer of those things then I highly doubt any negative consideration would be given based upon your being out of state.

edit: Just realized this pretty much applies to people from way upstate as well, so it's not just something for out-of-staters to consider.

 

[bluesmd]

how many people have gotten this hold letter? i have been complete since august and haven't gotten anything. i am just assuming i am rejected, is this right?

 

[kac714]

blues, i was complete since early sept, also oos, and just got the invite. don't give up

 

[bluesmd]

blues, i was complete since early sept, also oos, and just got the invite. don't give up

oh really, good to know. congratulations! 🙂 i'm just kinda frustrated by the lack of correspondance ... 😛

 

[ndana21]

oh really, good to know. congratulations! 🙂 i'm just kinda frustrated by the lack of correspondance ... 😛

Congrats DrLYSS!!!!!! im gonna start stalking the mailman!! Blues... im OOS too

 

[fuzzywuz]

Anyone here who interviewed the first week of Nov heard back yet?

Interviewed 11/3..

Got my acceptance last week.

In-state

Good luck!

 

[Anotherface]

So what's the soonest I should expect to hear from Downstate?
It seems like most people heard a month after their interviews.

 

[dynezxice]

Interviewed 11/3..

Got my acceptance last week.

In-state

Good luck!

Thanks and congrats!! interviewed in early nov and still waiting to hear back.

 

[dynezxice]

So what's the soonest I should expect to hear from Downstate?
It seems like most people heard a month after their interviews.

Here's your answer.

Just wanted to second this... 3 weeks is extremely, extremely unlikely. I don't even think it's wise to start looking til 6 weeks post interview (and it could be an additional 2-4 weeks after that point before you actually get your letter)

 

[Soggun]

Here's your answer.

Thanks for pulling that up dyne... it's also worth noting that given the holiday break, that probably prolongs things another week or so. Hang in there guys.

 

[Anotherface]

Thanks for pulling that up dyne... it's also worth noting that given the holiday break, that probably prolongs things another week or so. Hang in there guys.

I Figured as much. When do you resume class January 5?

 

[dynezxice]

Thanks for pulling that up dyne... it's also worth noting that given the holiday break, that probably prolongs things another week or so. Hang in there guys.

sure, no problem. i've waited 6 weeks, what's another few added in?

 

[Soggun]

I Figured as much. When do you resume class January 5?

Yep, usually it's the 2nd or 3rd but the weekend added a couple of days in this year. So that means the next round of folks should be hearing from the ADCOM on the 8th or 9th.

 

[jmb2822]

i interviewed on 10/22 and haven't heard a peep from Downstate. I called yesterday and they said that my application was complete but had yet to go to committee... is that even possible with so many people who interviewed later hearing? Kind of losing hope on this one.

 

[Soggun]

i interviewed on 10/22 and haven't heard a peep from Downstate. I called yesterday and they said that my application was complete but had yet to go to committee... is that even possible with so many people who interviewed later hearing? Kind of losing hope on this one.

It's 100% true... Once you go to committee, they reach a decision. And once that happens, they send you that decision. The reason why some people hear earlier than others is just contingent upon who is presenting your file. If your interviewer takes awhile to turn in his write up or the person who your file is assigned to can't make a meeting one week, it can take longer to hear. I know its a frustrating process, but once you get that acceptance it makes it all worthwhile. Try not to give up hope - I promise you they aren't holding on to your file just to torture you.

 

[poohbear00]

I was put on a pre-interview hold on 9/15 pending my fall semester grades, and as I was getting ready to send them my grades, I was invited for an interview this afternoon for 1/20. I am very excited, as downstate is my first choice, and this is now my 3rd interview and I got below a 30 on my MCAT ( and have a decent, but not amazing GPA)...who would've thunk it? 🙂

for those planning to send fall grades, does the transcript need to be the official transcript? The hold letter says to email or fax a photocopy of the transcript...almost sounds like I can print my transcript and fax it to them rather than mailing an official one...any ideas?

 

[dynezxice]

for those planning to send fall grades, does the transcript need to be the official transcript? The hold letter says to email or fax a photocopy of the transcript...almost sounds like I can print my transcript and fax it to them rather than mailing an official one...any ideas?

Not sure, but I would send an official one just in case since it wouldn't hurt.

 

[poohbear00]

Not sure, but I would send an official one just in case since it wouldn't hurt.

true, thanks!

 

[dynezxice]

true, thanks!

no prob!

 

[rightfooted]

Got an interview invitation today for end of January. Very excited!!

 

[mbe36]

Never received a "Hold" letter, but silent.

Does anyone know what this means? I got a 4.0 this semester (endocrine, osteology, physio, neurobio) and am hoping a grade update will help. However, since I was never put in the pending-grades group where do I stand?

 

[bluesmd]

Never received a "Hold" letter, but silent.

Does anyone know what this means? I got a 4.0 this semester (endocrine, osteology, physio, neurobio) and am hoping a grade update will help. However, since I was never put in the pending-grades group where do I stand?

yeah i'm in the same boat. can anyone shed some light on this situation?

 

[poohbear00]

yeah i'm in the same boat. can anyone shed some light on this situation?

When were you guys complete? Maybe they just simply haven't gotten to your file yet. The hold letter I got has a list of things they might want from each applicant and they place checkmarks next to the ones they specifically require. For me, there was a checkmark for my grades. If you guys haven't gotten a letter at all, then it's hard to say what they need from you. It doesn't hurt to call.

 

[bluesmd]

i have been complete since august. i'm pretty sure they should've gotten to my app by now. but the letter said specifically DO NOT CALL ABOUT STATUS so i don't know what to do.