2008-2009 U Penn (University of Pennsylvania) Secondary Application Thread

[linguini]

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I sent them in October. I see a call to the admissions office in my near future.

Yes, I would call then.

 

[CourageKid]

Called the admissions office and fixed things up.

It's moments like these that make SDN worth the neuroticism it usually causes me.

 

[blurryLines]

Called the admissions office and fixed things up.

It's moments like these that make SDN worth the neuroticism it usually causes me.

Glad you got it taken care of 🙂

Does anybody know whether they do this for other things we send in or not or when they evaluate applications?

 

[scarletgirl777]

So I noticed on the status page if you click "Edit/Review" next to "Letters of Recommendation", they put an entry for the thank you notes I sent to my interviewers under the title "Misc. Correspondence."

Does anybody know if they do this for update letters and LOIs too? It's nice to know that stuff is actually on file.

Also, do they evaluate all interviewed applicants after the interview season is over prior to the decisions being made in late March, or do they evaluate people as they go along?

I think that's actually pretty odd.

 

[surfinghaole]

Yeah, so do they like mark you down if you sent in your thank you notes late. What is the deal?

 

[linguini]

Yeah, so do they like mark you down if you sent in your thank you notes late. What is the deal?

I have no idea but I really wouldn't stress over it. Chances are that thank-you notes make a minimal, if any, difference.

 

[blurryLines]

I have no idea but I really wouldn't stress over it. Chances are that thank-you notes make a minimal, if any, difference.

Yeah, I don't think they have any sort of real influence on admissions decisions. To be honest, this is the only school I bothered sending them to anyway and I've gotten other acceptances without them.

The only reason I bothered sending them to Penn is that they are the also only school I interviewed at that specifically mentioned putting the notes in your file, so I figured it couldn't hurt.

And to be honest, after all the effort we put into applying to medical school and all the money we have to spend just to send in our applications and get to these interviews, I feel like the medical schools should be thanking me for my time and money, not the other way around.

 

[PagingDrP]

And to be honest, after all the effort we put into applying to medical school and all the money we have to spend just to send in our applications and get to these interviews, I feel like the medical schools should be thanking me for my time and money, not the other way around.

👍 So true haha...and 75% of those that went through all that don't get in anyway!

 

[CardioGuy1]

Updated status anyone?

The Committee on Admissions has completed the formal interview process for this year. Reviews will continue until March 2009 and we will notify you if there is a change in your application status.

 

[sarah9]

I got that same updated status. Does that mean they have stopped interviewing? Seems kind of odd, I'm going to call admissions tomorrow to ask.

 

[tiamat360]

I got that same updated status. Does that mean they have stopped interviewing? Seems kind of odd, I'm going to call admissions tomorrow to ask.

Yep, their interview season is over.

 

[quirks]

Yep, their interview season is over.

Wow, really? This early? Are there still people interviewing but they've stopped sending out invitations, or are they actually done interviewing?

 

[tiamat360]

Wow, really? This early? Are there still people interviewing but they've stopped sending out invitations, or are they actually done interviewing?

I know the last MSTP interview date was Jan. 29-30, and I'm pretty sure Neuronix (current Penn student) said the last date for MD was Feb. 5.

EDIT: Found his post:

Last interview date is Februrary 5th. If you haven't gotten an invite yet, you're not gettin one. Sorry ya'll.

 

[Neuronix]

The only exception to what I said is for random stragglers who couldn't find any other date to interview. Sometimes they'll bring one or two of them on a date after the official end of the season. Those are people who received an interview invite before the last interview date, but couldn't make any of the days before the end.

 

[quirks]

Do they always end this early? They really take their time picking their class then. Here's hoping I hold up to their scrutiny.

 

[Neuronix]

Do they always end this early?

Yes. +/- a week or so.

 

[TupacalipseT96]

Do you think it's a big deal if we never filled out that online post-interview review form?

Do they track which interviewees did and did not fill that out?

 

[linguini]

Do you think it's a big deal if we never filled out that online post-interview review form?

Do they track which interviewees did and did not fill that out?

I doubt it's going to make or break your application. Do they even make you sign in to your account to fill the survey out? If I remember correctly the only way they can find out which applicant belongs to each survey is by matching the names of the interviewers (which they did ask us to fill out). Seems like a lot of work on their end and I doubt they'll make the effort.

 

[chimes10]

Hmm so I'm confused. If they've finished the formal interview process and we haven't heard anything from them, is there absolutely no chance of getting an interview? Does that mean we're now automatically rejections? 😕

 

[linguini]

Hmm so I'm confused. If they've finished the formal interview process and we haven't heard anything from them, is there absolutely no chance of getting an interview? Does that mean we're now automatically rejections? 😕

Unfortunately, I think that if you haven't gotten an interview yet at Penn, you're not getting one.

 

[blurryLines]

I feel like the post-interview wait is somehow more painful now that interviews are over. I don't know how I'm going to hold out for another month and a half with no news. It's waaaay too early to be checking the status page all the time, but I have to admit I've been frequenting it. Maybe I need a vacation somewhere to take my mind off of all these "we'll let you know in March" schools.

BTW: If you send them stuff post-interview (like thank you notes, updates, or LOIs), they definitely list it on the status page under "letters of recommendation", but it apparently takes 2-3 weeks for them to get around to it. Just a heads up if you are wondering if they got something or not.

 

[aebvd97]

I feel like the post-interview wait is somehow more painful now that interviews are over. I don't know how I'm going to hold out for another month and a half with no news. It's waaaay too early to be checking the status page all the time, but I have to admit I've been frequenting it. Maybe I need a vacation somewhere to take my mind off of all these "we'll let you know in March" schools.

BTW: If you send them stuff post-interview (like thank you notes, updates, or LOIs), they definitely list it on the status page under "letters of recommendation", but it apparently takes 2-3 weeks for them to get around to it. Just a heads up if you are wondering if they got something or not.

I hear you. This wait is deadly. I want so badly to hear good news from Penn...

 

[linguini]

I hear you. This wait is deadly. I want so badly to hear good news from Penn...

Same here. Penn seems to do that to most of its interviewees...

 

[blurryLines]

Same here. Penn seems to do that to most of its interviewees...

Definitely. The 25% acceptance rate post-interview isn't terrible, but at the same time, I'm sure the other 75% contains a lot of people who would love to go there. One in four isn't inspiring any confidence in me at least. From last year, it didn't seem like there was much waitlist movement either. So let's hope we all hear good news in March!

 

[pianola]

Sorry I'm sure I missed the discussion about this but does "Additional Application Process" mean anything other than "we're still not going to interview you"?

 

[pianola]

Also, what e-mail address do I use to withdraw from the school?

 

[chad5871]

Sorry I'm sure I missed the discussion about this but does "Additional Application Process" mean anything other than "we're still not going to interview you"?

Pretty much. 🙁

 

[harate09]

Also, what e-mail address do I use to withdraw from the school?

I sent to these

[email protected]

[email protected]

 

[elanmorin5]

I sent my TY note directly to my interviewer, but it hasn't been added to my file (this was in December). Not sure if it's a big deal. I'll probably end up sending an update/interest letter anyway.

 

[Enroh]

Does anyone know when letters were sent out last year? Should we be expecting to hear at the very end of March or have they gone out sooner in the past? And does anyone know the kind of communication they give? Letters, calls, emails? Sorry for the intensity but I loved UPenn and I'm so anxious to find out!

 

[Neuronix]

If it is like previous years, everyone's status pages will change at once. The exact date this will happen will be leaked, rumored, and quoted by several different staff members as several different dates. Some years it's later than expected and some years it's earlier (say +/- two weeks). In other words, your window is about a month from the beginning of March until the beginning of April. Please be patient.

On SDN this will be prefaced by a number of people posting how they wish the status pages would change sooner. Also, a few trolls will post that THE DECISIONS ARE UP! when in reality they haven't been posted yet. For these sorts of posts I might have to pull out a ban stick.

 

[Enroh]

Thanks! I appreciate it! Let's hope for earlier rather than later

 

[blurryLines]

On SDN this will be prefaced by a number of people posting how they wish the status pages would change sooner.

So is it too soon to start?

I know that nothing will speed the process up, but with a lot of non-rolling schools coming out with decisions in the next week, I can't help but be anxious.

I guess if we've all made it this far, we can wait another month.

I'm anticipating some time between March 20th and 30th.

 

[Textuality]

It's officially March 🙂 Decisions should be coming out this month (judging from previous years anyways)! Best of luck guys!

In terms of the Thank You Notes, I always thought it was nice when an applicant emailed me a thank you, and it made them seem a little more interested in the school to be honest. Some people who were really shy and nervous in the interview, wrote some very genuine and eloquent Thank you emails which factored in a little bit into my impression of them.

Anyways, try your best to keep sane during the month long wait (and it really is looooong)!

 

[quirks]

It's officially March 🙂 Decisions should be coming out this month (judging from previous years anyways)! Best of luck guys!

In terms of the Thank You Notes, I always thought it was nice when an applicant emailed me a thank you, and it made them seem a little more interested in the school to be honest. Some people who were really shy and nervous in the interview, wrote some very genuine and eloquent Thank you emails which factored in a little bit into my impression of them.

Anyways, try your best to keep sane during the month long wait (and it really is looooong)!

Thanks! I'm trying to just not even think about Penn since the wait is still so long! I'm hoping this month flies by... It's annoying because Penn is one of my top choices, if not my top choice, but it might be the last school I hear from!

Off topic: Noticed in your mdapps that you play(ed?) videogames and MtG: yay! I only play MtG a tiny bit (still learning) but my boyfriend is really into it.

 

[aebvd97]

It's officially March 🙂 Decisions should be coming out this month (judging from previous years anyways)! Best of luck guys!

In terms of the Thank You Notes, I always thought it was nice when an applicant emailed me a thank you, and it made them seem a little more interested in the school to be honest. Some people who were really shy and nervous in the interview, wrote some very genuine and eloquent Thank you emails which factored in a little bit into my impression of them.

Anyways, try your best to keep sane during the month long wait (and it really is looooong)!

Thanks for the well wishes Textuality. I know someone probably answered this before, but I'm too lazy to look, so do you remember what day Penn released decisions last year, and Neuronix you're free to contribute if you can remember specific days in years past. I know it doesn't really lend to anything but my own neuroticness to know such things, but I still hope to know!!

 

[quirks]

Thanks for the well wishes Textuality. I know someone probably answered this before, but I'm too lazy to look, so do you remember what day Penn released decisions last year, and Neuronix you're free to contribute if you can remember specific days in years past. I know it doesn't really lend to anything but my own neuroticness to know such things, but I still hope to know!!

According to mdapps it seems it was 3/27 (a Thursday) last year and 3/26 (a Monday) the year before (someone correct me if I'm wrong). This year, 3/30 is a Monday and I doubt they're going to actually let us know on the last possible date, so I'm guessing we'll hear back by or on 3/27.

 

[aebvd97]

According to mdapps it seems it was 3/27 (a Thursday) last year and 3/26 (a Monday) the year before (someone correct me if I'm wrong). This year, 3/30 is a Monday and I doubt they're going to actually let us know on the last possible date, so I'm guessing we'll hear back by or on 3/27.

Sounds to be a very reasonable guess.

 

[Textuality]

Last year they told us Mid-March, but kept pushing the date back, lol. So we ended up having to wait until end of March. I'm guessing it will be the same thing this year.

I actually heard that there were actually less applications this year than last year...although they'd still have offered the same number of acceptances, so that probably doesn't really affect you guys at this stage. Although maybe it'll be translate into more waitlist movement?

And yes, I still play a lot of videogames 🙂 I just got Street Fighter 4.

 

[tiamat360]

Last year they told us Mid-March, but kept pushing the date back, lol. So we ended up having to wait until end of March. I'm guessing it will be the same thing this year.

Heh. I guess they hedged their bets this year - they told us we would hear by March 30th. I'm not gonna hold my breath until then...any news before March 30th can come as a nice surprise 😀.

 

[aebvd97]

Last year they told us Mid-March, but kept pushing the date back, lol. So we ended up having to wait until end of March. I'm guessing it will be the same thing this year.

I actually heard that there were actually less applications this year than last year...although they'd still have offered the same number of acceptances, so that probably doesn't really affect you guys at this stage. Although maybe it'll be translate into more waitlist movement?

And yes, I still play a lot of videogames 🙂 I just got Street Fighter 4.

Thanks much, Textuality. I'm hoping it's earlier....but it's already been 4.5 months...what's another?

 

[Neuronix]

You know I've been at this a long time and it's varied anywhere from early March to close to the end of March.

It used to be that a specific date was given. But it was always missed, so they stopped giving out a specific date.

Then it became "the week of", but then even different people were hearing different weeks from different faculty. Regardless, it seemed like it always went later than that.

Then one year it came out EARLIER than we all collectively (me, the other students, SDN) expected.

In other words, I have no idea. Believe me, I'm no more in the loop than you guys are (especially this year, when I'm so far out of the loop I might as well be useless!). I'm just here to toss the tidbits of info I know.

😉 Good luck!

PS: GTA IV for PC here on new laptop.

 

[quirks]

Then one year it came out EARLIER than we all collectively (me, the other students, SDN) expected.

😉 Good luck!

PS: GTA IV for PC here on new laptop.

Thanks! Also, you have now justified my checking the status page several times a day already.

P.S. Persona 3 for the PS2. I've got a long, long wait for FFXIII (which is great because I can afford neither an xbox 360 nor a ps3).

 

[aebvd97]

You know I've been at this a long time and it's varied anywhere from early March to close to the end of March.

It used to be that a specific date was given. But it was always missed, so they stopped giving out a specific date.

Then it became "the week of", but then even different people were hearing different weeks from different faculty. Regardless, it seemed like it always went later than that.

Then one year it came out EARLIER than we all collectively (me, the other students, SDN) expected.

In other words, I have no idea. Believe me, I'm no more in the loop than you guys are (especially this year, when I'm so far out of the loop I might as well be useless!). I'm just here to toss the tidbits of info I know.

😉 Good luck!

PS: GTA IV for PC here on new laptop.

Do you mean to tell me, Neuronix, that you are not in the admissions office every day badgering to find out when they are selecting class and when they are releasing decisions? 😉

 

[linguini]

So I guess the consensus is that we have no idea when Penn will release its decisions 🙂 This will be a very long month.......

 

[aebvd97]

I think we need some of the similarly neurotic people as found in the Columbia thread. They've had multiple people calling the admissions office frequently to figure out selection dates, mailing dates, etc., etc., etc.

So, where are the volunteers 😛

 

[linguini]

I think we need some of the similarly neurotic people as found in the Columbia thread. They've had multiple people calling the admissions office frequently to figure out selection dates, mailing dates, etc., etc., etc.

So, where are the volunteers 😛

Definitely not me! I feel too bad for admissions staff that have to talk to us panicky premeds all day long. Maybe we can hire some from the Columbia thread.

 

[aebvd97]

Definitely not me! I feel too bad for admissions staff that have to talk to us panicky premeds all day long. Maybe we can hire some from the Columbia thread.

Hah! I agree with both sentiments completely!

 

[blurryLines]

Anyone else getting excited and/or nervous for decisions?

Penn is now the only school I haven't heard back from and also my top choice, so the next couple of weeks need to go by as quickly as possible so I can be done with this process once and for all.

I'm definitely expecting a WL or a rejection, but I can't help allowing myself a glimmer of hope for an acceptance.

 

[quirks]

Anyone else getting excited and/or nervous for decisions?

Penn is now the only school I haven't heard back from and also my top choice, so the next couple of weeks need to go by as quickly as possible so I can be done with this process once and for all.

I'm definitely expecting a WL or a rejection, but I can't help allowing myself a glimmer of hope for an acceptance.

I am so excited/nervous! I still have quite a few schools I haven't heard back from, but especially now that I've been rejected by Columbia, Penn is essentially my top choice (Emory's follows very, very closely). March needs to end already! Part of me keeps hoping they'll release decisions early even though there's absolutely no precedent for that.

I'll be heartbroken if I get a rejection... Gah. I don't even want to think about that! A wait list would be wonderful. An acceptance would be mind blowingly amazingly awesome.