2008-2009 SUNY Downstate Secondary Application Thread

[ar2388]

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Yea, i'm waiting for a teacher to change one of my grades from B+ to A- cuz she made a mistake 🙁, should be a few days hopefully. But i got two As and two A-s and if that doesnt get me an interview , oh wellz lol.

you can only try 🙂 but good luck!!!

 

[RuSkaya]

Interview Invite! MY FIRST!!
Complete 9/30. Interview 2/9 🙂

 

[dynezxice]

Interview Invite! MY FIRST!!
Complete 9/30. Interview 2/9 🙂

congrats ruskaya. good luck!

 

[RuSkaya]

congrats ruskaya. good luck!

Thanks 😀

 

[engineeredout]

Interview Invite! MY FIRST!!
Complete 9/30. Interview 2/9 🙂

Did you send them fall grades?

 

[RuSkaya]

Did you send them fall grades?

Yes I sent the Fall grades 3 days ago, on Friday. I got the interview invite first, and then a couple of hours later an e-mail saying that the fall grades will be added to my file.

 

[shilgy]

hey..any idea if downstate is responsive to "in the area" emails?
thanks in advance

 

[dynezxice]

hey..any idea if downstate is responsive to "in the area" emails?
thanks in advance

No idea, but it doesn't hurt to try. What's there to lose? The worst they can do is ignore you.

 

[BearsDoc]

No idea, but it doesn't hurt to try. What's there to lose? The worst they can do is ignore you.

I never heard anything back from them. I canceled Albany's interview set for today, if they would have responded, I may .... Anyway.

 

[sirius08]

hey..any idea if downstate is responsive to "in the area" emails?
thanks in advance

I sent one back in October and got a reply that basically said, "we realize that this might be your only chance to visit us, oh well". I think it was a form letter.

Afterward, I realized that there's statement at the end of their completion notice that instructs applicants not to contact them.

 

[mbe36]

How are you guys sending the grades?

I just sent a letter declaring them and received an e-mail saying they were added.

I got a 4.0 this semester (endocrine, neuro, physio, osteo) and thought the grades would swing them towards an invite. However, I have heard nothing yet. I was never put on hold by Downstate. I have gotten no SUNY love.

 

[supergirl87]

How are you guys sending the grades?

I just sent a letter declaring them and received an e-mail saying they were added.

oh, i thought our school's transcript office had to send the fall 08 grades. at least, that's what i did.

 

[dynezxice]

oh, i thought our school's transcript office had to send the fall 08 grades. at least, that's what i did.

I sent an attachment of my unofficial transcript fall 08 grades via email and a couple of hours later I received an email saying they will update my file, so I guess you don't need to send the official transcript...

 

[mbe36]

Hmm, I did not even attach an unofficial transcript.

 

[ndana21]

cool beans. when did you interviewed?

i missed this question!!! i interviewed nov 5th... all the best dynezxie.... its coming!!!

 

[dynezxice]

i missed this question!!! i interviewed nov 5th... all the best dynezxie.... its coming!!!

thanks!! I hope so! will you be attending Downstate?

 

[avs0913]

Got the letter in the email today. Bummed...
I have family in NYC and my girlfriend is at CUNY.😡🙁

 

[bluesmd]

Got the letter in the email today. Bummed...
I have family in NYC and my girlfriend is at CUNY.😡🙁

🙁 i'm sorry. was it pre-interview?

 

[avs0913]

🙁 i'm sorry. was it pre-interview?

Yeah! Ooops, it was snail mail.

 

[bluesmd]

Yeah! Ooops, it was snail mail.

oh suck 🙁 are you applying to other ny schools?

 

[avs0913]

oh suck 🙁 are you applying to other ny schools?

Yeah...NYMC, AECOM, and Mt. Sinai...but it's not looking good.

 

[bluesmd]

Yeah...NYMC, AECOM, and Mt. Sinai...but it's not looking good.

good luck. don't give up! hope for the best. i'm still hoping for a couple of places still too

 

[dynezxice]

Yeah...NYMC, AECOM, and Mt. Sinai...but it's not looking good.

Don't lose hope yet. Have some faith and patience.

 

[12six]

Anybody know how often/when the adcom meets? Anybody with a late nov/early dec interview get a decision yet?

 

[fizzle]

My apologies if my following question is a bit off-topic:

Does anyone have any opinions on Downstate vs. NYMC? I have an interview at NYMC soon, and I'm also expecting to hear back from DS post-interview before then. It's expensive to fly all the way to New York (I'm OOS), so I'm wondering if it would be worth it.

 

[ItsPat]

My apologies if my following question is a bit off-topic:

Does anyone have any opinions on Downstate vs. NYMC? I have an interview at NYMC soon, and I'm also expecting to hear back from DS post-interview before then. It's expensive to fly all the way to New York (I'm OOS), so I'm wondering if it would be worth it.

I interviewed at both schools and would choose DS in a heartbeat. For me, it was the location, the in-state tuition (if you are OOS you can qualify for NY residency after living there for one year, IS tuition=$21,000/year), and the amazing clinical experience you'd get at Kings county hospital. NYMC just felt too collegiate and insular for me, but hey if you're into that type of campus then you should at least interview to see for yourself.

Good luck!

 

[fuzzywuz]

I would have to agree with ItsPat. I interviewed at both schools and found DS to be way better. For the same reasons mentioned above.

I wasn't too impressed with what NYMC had to offer. Before interviewing, I had high expectations for the school. Upon my arrival, I was quite disappointed with what I found. I guess this may be related to teh fact that they weren't selling the school well as DS was...

 

[fizzle]

I interviewed at both schools and would choose DS in a heartbeat. For me, it was the location, the in-state tuition (if you are OOS you can qualify for NY residency after living there for one year, IS tuition=$21,000/year), and the amazing clinical experience you'd get at Kings county hospital. NYMC just felt too collegiate and insular for me, but hey if you're into that type of campus then you should at least interview to see for yourself.

Good luck!

Thanks! But what does a "collegiate and insular" school actually mean? Isolated from its surrounding community? Ideally I'd like to go see for myself, but I'm talking about plane rides + lodging on the order of almost $1k...something I'd prefer to avoid if possible.

And any more opinions?

 

[Dr Lyss]

Thanks! But what does a "collegiate and insular" school actually mean? Isolated from its surrounding community? Ideally I'd like to go see for myself, but I'm talking about plane rides + lodging on the order of almost $1k...something I'd prefer to avoid if possible.

And any more opinions?

I'm impartial towards both but here is my take: NYMC is in Westchester, a suburb of NYC (that is why people say it is "insular"). So if you want an urban experience NYMC's campus won't really give that to you. It is about 30 minutes from the city so if you want to enjoy the city but not live in it, then u might prefer NYMC. DS will give you much better clinical experiences overall but I do think NYMC allows you to rotate at some NYC hospitals. Lastly, NYMC is a private school so it is more expensive. If you are happy with potentially living in NYC then I would stick with DS.

 

[fizzle]

Thanks all! Judging from the responses so far, I guess it'd probably be better to save that $1k. Then again, I haven't even heard back from DS yet...I'll see.

 

[stellastarr]

I sent a status check email, I have been complete for at least 2 or 3 months and I never received a response. Is that a silent rejection?

Relax guys. I'm a current student at DS and during my application year I was complete in early september but didn't get an interview invite until January.

 

[stellastarr]

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!

I was under the impression that SUNY med schools don't give preference to in state applicants so technically your chances are as good as everyone else's. As someone else said, they're mostly concerned with how you'll adjust to living in NY, particularly in this area of NY.

 

[medseek1]

Hopefully another fellow SDNer will receive this spot. Good Luck

 

[bluesmd]

Hopefully another fellow SDNer will receive this spot. Good Luck

thanks medseek. i hope i get a chance! have you decided where you're going?

 

[Irish37]

I was marked complete on 11/22. Has anyone else recieved any news (rej or Int inv) that has a similar complete date?

 

[Kfire326]

Anybody know how often/when the adcom meets? Anybody with a late nov/early dec interview get a decision yet?

The adcom meets every Wednesday. From what I understand, the adcom can only discuss an applicant if several people are all present at the meeting - the person who initially reviewed your file and recommended an interview, your interviewer, and i think an assigned presenter (presenter is not your interviewer).

 

[dynezxice]

The adcom meets every Wednesday. From what I understand, the adcom can only discuss an applicant if several people are all present at the meeting - the person who initially reviewed your file and recommended an interview, your interviewer, and i think an assigned presenter (presenter is not your interviewer).

Thanks for the info, but how long does it really take for them to make a decision? It's been 10 weeks since I've interviewed...

 

[Dr Roboto]

Thanks for the info, but how long does it really take for them to make a decision? It's been 10 weeks since I've interviewed...

I think it'll be really soon, barring any unforeseen circumstances, like your interviewer not being able to make meetings. I heard back (last year) at around the 10-11 week range so I know how you feel. Good luck.

 

[dynezxice]

I think it'll be really soon, barring any unforeseen circumstances, like your interviewer not being able to make meetings. I heard back (last year) at around the 10-11 week range so I know how you feel. Good luck.

Thanks, dr roboto. That gave me a brief relief.

 

[call me x]

does anyone know how SUNY downstate feels about letters of interest? i am aware that i am a long-shot at any medical school, but downstate is by far my #1 choice and i think i could convey that and my abilities pretty well if they granted me an interview. any words of knowledge/advice would be greatly appreciated. thanks in advance!

 

[PAGuyana]

Does anyone know if Downstate changes its status page when an interview or a rejection is sent? I've been complete since July and have heard nothing from the school.

 

[kac714]

Does anyone know if Downstate changes its status page when an interview or a rejection is sent? I've been complete since July and have heard nothing from the school.

i have an interview and my status page is the same.

 

[dynezxice]

Does anyone know if Downstate changes its status page when an interview or a rejection is sent? I've been complete since July and have heard nothing from the school.

The status page remained the same even after I interviewed.

 

[Dr Roboto]

does anyone know how SUNY downstate feels about letters of interest? i am aware that i am a long-shot at any medical school, but downstate is by far my #1 choice and i think i could convey that and my abilities pretty well if they granted me an interview. any words of knowledge/advice would be greatly appreciated. thanks in advance!

It's impossible to assess the effectiveness of an LOI, but don't let that stop you. A well written and enthusiastic letter can only help. If not, no harm done and you tried. Take home message: this process is too long, too expensive, and sometimes too disheartening to go through again. Break out anything that you can use to your advantage.

 

[call me x]

It's impossible to assess the effectiveness of an LOI, but don't let that stop you. A well written and enthusiastic letter can only help. If not, no harm done and you tried. Take home message: this process is too long, too expensive, and sometimes too disheartening to go through again. Break out anything that you can use to your advantage.

thanks, i think i will be sending out a letter very soon.....hopefully it will at least get my file a second glance

 

[fuzzywuz]

Did any accepted students get information about scholarships, grants, or anything? Just wondering...

 

[aznb0y129]

Did any accepted students get information about scholarships, grants, or anything? Just wondering...

Just the little pamphlet they give everyone. Subsidized Perkins loans FTW!

 

[aznb0y129]

Did any other accepted students just get an Evite from DS about Second Look? The Evite says Monday the 19th at 9:00 AM but the text says Jaunary 2nd til June 1st.

 

[Kfire326]

Did any other accepted students just get an Evite from DS about Second Look? The Evite says Monday the 19th at 9:00 AM but the text says Jaunary 2nd til June 1st.

If that's the same as the Shadow-a-Student program, then it runs until close to the end of school for the first years. I'm not sure of the date, but June 1st seems possible. If it's not the same as the Shadow-a-Student program, then I don't know what it is...

 

[Soccerdoc11]

Did any other accepted students just get an Evite from DS about Second Look? The Evite says Monday the 19th at 9:00 AM but the text says Jaunary 2nd til June 1st.

When they made the Evite it was probably necessary to have a date of the event. I would just ignore that and plan on any time till June. I plan on taking advantage of this before making a final decision.