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

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I've also been complete since July 15th. No sign of interview offer, hold, rejection, anything.

I called them on Friday and they said that some people might have been reviewed and then they're going to be re-reviewed in February..... but that this was not reflected on the status page. I asked if the status page would be updated, and they said to check it in November.... But don't schools usually tell you if you're on hold, rather than leaving you in the dark?

I'm thoroughly confused. Does anybody else know anything about how things work at U Penn?

I'm waiting to hear back from U Penn and Harvard before I schedule my Columbia and Duke interviews, and I can't just wait all the way until February..... 😕
 
shemarty said:
I've also been complete since July 15th. No sign of interview offer, hold, rejection, anything.

I called them on Friday and they said that some people might have been reviewed and then they're going to be re-reviewed in February..... but that this was not reflected on the status page. I asked if the status page would be updated, and they said to check it in November.... But don't schools usually tell you if you're on hold, rather than leaving you in the dark?

I'm thoroughly confused. Does anybody else know anything about how things work at U Penn?

I'm waiting to hear back from U Penn and Harvard before I schedule my Columbia and Duke interviews, and I can't just wait all the way until February..... 😕
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i would go ahead and maybe schedule columbia and duke if you can do it sometime in nov?
 
ar2388 said:
i would go ahead and maybe schedule columbia and duke if you can do it sometime in nov?
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I was really hoping to minimize the cross-country flying. 2) It's expensive. 2) My 6 hr flight from Philly to San Fran was soooo boring last time...🙁

I dunno how much longer I want to hold out, haha. Duke seems to have every single day available. Columbia doesn't have an online scheduler, and I didn't want to annoy the office by calling to ask when I couldn't schedule it today anyway.

Do you think Columbia and Duke can be done on consecutive days?
 
shemarty said:
I was really hoping to minimize the cross-country flying. 2) It's expensive. 2) My 6 hr flight from Philly to San Fran was soooo boring last time...🙁

I dunno how much longer I want to hold out, haha. Duke seems to have every single day available. Columbia doesn't have an online scheduler, and I didn't want to annoy the office by calling to ask when I couldn't schedule it today anyway.

Do you think Columbia and Duke can be done on consecutive days?
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Probably, just schedule Columbia first since they have interviews nearly daily, but with random days off in between. Then schedule Duke for the day before since Columbia doesn't start until midday if you get an afternoon interview, giving you some time to travel.
 
I've been dying to hear back from Penn...I've been complete since about the same time (mid-July), so I'm not sure what the hold-up is. You'd think we'd at least get some minor status update or something.

I thought all interviews at the school were completed by mid-lateish February so they could deliberate in early March...I would hate to receive a bunch of updates that late on.
 
*bump* has anyone heard anything from Penn about interviews recently?
 
Received interview invite today via e-mail. Was complete about 2 weeks ago.
 
My application was complete sometime around mid-September, and I received an interview invitation on October 10th.
 
I have a question....I called the admissions office last week to ask what was up with my application (I was complete in early August). They said that my application was still with the committee but that I would probably hear something in a couple weeks. At first I thought this was going to be a good thing, until I started thinking about it. Now I'm starting to think that they might be sending out a bunch of rejections in November. I'm not trying to freak any one out, I'm just wondering what people think.
 
Youwishyouknew said:
I have a question....I called the admissions office last week to ask what was up with my application (I was complete in early August). They said that my application was still with the committee but that I would probably hear something in a couple weeks. At first I thought this was going to be a good thing, until I started thinking about it. Now I'm starting to think that they might be sending out a bunch of rejections in November. I'm not trying to freak any one out, I'm just wondering what people think.
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Unfortunately I've been thinking the same thing 🙁. I was complete early September and haven't heard back.
 
linguini said:
Unfortunately I've been thinking the same thing 🙁. I was complete early September and haven't heard back.
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I believe on 11/15, they move potentials to a smaller pool, and put the rest on a hold. I am is the same category🙁
 
funkydrmonkey said:
I believe on 11/15, they move potentials to a smaller pool, and put the rest on a hold. I am is the same category🙁
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Yea, I agree. I called them awhile ago and they said the status page would update on 11/15. I've been complete since July.. so..... yea.... 🙁
 
I'm trying to remain optimistic but hope is dwindling quickly.
 
Maybe I'm just imagining things, but it really seems that very few people have gotten invites or any sort of notifications from U Penn. I have a hard time believing that they would be holding/rejecting so many well-qualified applicants. But then again, it's U Penn ... so I guess they can do whatever they want.

I'm not optimistic (complete in August) but still hoping for an invite.
 
Historically, Penn interviews over 800 applicants (and accepts approximately 30% of those interviewed) so I wouldn't worry yet. There must be plenty more interview slots waiting to be filled. Since they do not have a rolling admissions policy, there is no great need for them to have a rush of early interviews. They have the luxury of being able to take their time and spread out the process over many months.
 
I certainly do hope that they are just taking their time.....a Penn interview would be really nice
 
Does Penn respond to "In the area" emails?
 
blurryLines said:
I have a hard time believing that they would be holding/rejecting so many well-qualified applicants. But then again, it's U Penn ... so I guess they can do whatever they want.
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We're more disorganized than mean. I really hope you don't find any snobbery among the admissions people, because that's not the way we are here.

Last year we interviewed through mid March. No worries so far.
 
def not snobbery among admissions people!! everyone was sooo super nice when i was there! Penn totally is awesome!
 
Will UPenn accept a non-academic letter of reference from an employer as one of the optional LORs? If so I don't see how I would fill out his info on the supplementary app.
 
docandmom2 said:
Historically, Penn interviews over 800 applicants (and accepts approximately 30% of those interviewed) so I wouldn't worry yet. There must be plenty more interview slots waiting to be filled. Since they do not have a rolling admissions policy, there is no great need for them to have a rush of early interviews. They have the luxury of being able to take their time and spread out the process over many months.
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They give the actual numbers in the interview day folder:

for 2008: 866 interviews, 222 accepts ~26% (but the MSTP numbers inflate that a bit I think since their MD/PhD prog is pretty large)
 
Do you guys think its worth calling the office and seeing my status since I've been complete for about 3 months without hearing anything from them? I'm not expecting an interview or anything, but I will be out of the country all December and January, so I don't want to miss out on anything.
 
I'm in the same boat (complete but no word)...I tried calling but they just had a blanket statement about the status page being real-time and if any changes occurred, they would be shown on the page.
 
Same here. Has anybody gotten an interview invite from Penn since 10/2?! That's the most recent date on the interview invite thread.

😕
 
According to the interview invite thread:
zpiff (c: 8/28, II: 11/5, I: 11/14 OOS)

Looks like they're sending out more invites!! Lets keep our fingers crossed!
 
shemarty said:
According to the interview invite thread:
zpiff (c: 8/28, II: 11/5, I: 11/14 OOS)

Looks like they're sending out more invites!! Lets keep our fingers crossed!
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That's encouraging!
 
😱😱.

Got an interview today! Wow, maybe I should just book a flight to Vegas today before my luck runs out.

My numbers are significantly lower than their averages though...

Anyways, sit tight guys, the lady said there is NO advantage to interviewing earlier or later, I'm sure they will come eventually!
 
MJ is KING said:
😱😱.

Got an interview today! Wow, maybe I should just book a flight to Vegas today before my luck runs out.

My numbers are significantly lower than their averages though...

Anyways, sit tight guys, the lady said there is NO advantage to interviewing earlier or later, I'm sure they will come eventually!
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what are your submit/complete dates?
 
Don't have exact dates. I would say I was complete about 1 month ago, maybe 5 weeks.
 
well i'm confused just like everyone else. i've been complete for almost three months, i have sent an "in the area" email and got the one liner response, then i just got a UPenn brochure in the mail today haha. i was hoping it was a good sign but based on this thread i doubt it means anything at all. my fingers are crossed for all of us!
 
MJ is KING said:
😱😱.

Got an interview today! Wow, maybe I should just book a flight to Vegas today before my luck runs out.

My numbers are significantly lower than their averages though...

Anyways, sit tight guys, the lady said there is NO advantage to interviewing earlier or later, I'm sure they will come eventually!
Click to expand...

congrats MJ...that is truly something to celebrate!
 
MJ is KING said:
😱😱.

Got an interview today! Wow, maybe I should just book a flight to Vegas today before my luck runs out.
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nice! congratulations, maybe some of your luck will rub off onto the rest of us 🙂 i know i need it
 
I'm still hoping...no word today. Do they tend to release invitations on certain days?
 
I got the brochure in the mail today, as well as my interview! Good times...it's not too far of a drive from here either. For those who are curious, I was complete late September.
 
invite 2 day 2! complete late sept as well 😍
 
Hello everyone.

I got a weird thing in the mail today. It was a Curriculum Module Brochure from Penn. I was complete around 7/24 and haven't heard anything. There was nothing in else in the envelope. Struck me as odd. Anyone else get this?

Thanks!
 
I just got an interview invite from Harvard today, which means Penn is the LAST SCHOOL THAT I'M WAITING ON.

I'd really really really really like to schedule one east coast trip for

Duke-->Penn-->Columbia-->Harvard

I google-mapped it, it's perfect! *Crossing my fingers for Penn to invite me*

By the way, what days of the week does Penn interview on? Is December 8th or 9th available?
 
shemarty said:
I just got an interview invite from Harvard today, which means Penn is the LAST SCHOOL THAT I'M WAITING ON.

I'd really really really really like to schedule one east coast trip for

Duke-->Penn-->Columbia-->Harvard

I google-mapped it, it's perfect! *Crossing my fingers for Penn to invite me*

By the way, what days of the week does Penn interview on? Is December 8th or 9th available?
Click to expand...

Congrats on Harvard!

Unfortunately, according to what I'm looking at, Penn only seems to interview on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, meaning the 8th and 9th of December would not be available.

Sorry......
 
If I want to go from Penn to Columbia, do I fly or take a train?

What about from Penn to Harvard?

I'm not familiar with New England at all, so I don't know which transportation option makes the most sense.
 
shemarty said:
If I want to go from Penn to Columbia, do I fly or take a train?

What about from Penn to Harvard?

I'm not familiar with New England at all, so I don't know which transportation option makes the most sense.
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No need to fly. Either take the train or a bus (or even NJ transit). The cheapest and easiest imo is the bus. There are a few options but I like the Mega Bus: http://www.megabus.com/us/ (and it had free wireless connection, I believe). It's about $12 one way. Their website says it takes 2 hours but if you're going in rush hour it may take an extra 30-45 minutes. The bus leaves right accross from the 30th Street Station; you can walk here from UPenn in about 15 minutes (and they'll give you walking directions when you leave the interview, I think, or you can find them on their website). You'll arrive right below NY Penn Station. If you're heading right up to columbia you can take A train from Penn Station to Columbia (get off at 168th).

If you want to take Amtrak it might be a little quicker (not too much) and more expensive. Think it leaves and arrives from the same stations as the Mega Bus (30th Street to Penn Station, but I might be wrong). NJ transit is about $20 one way and also leaves and arrives at the same stations, but you have to transfer in Trenton: http://www.njtransit.com/sf/sf_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=TrainTo

I'm sure there are buses that run from Philly to Boston too (and then you'd take the T to Harvard Square), and there are definitely buses from NY to Boston. Check either megabus or bolt bus. Or, it's really easy to fly, too.
 
shemarty said:
If I want to go from Penn to Columbia, do I fly or take a train?

What about from Penn to Harvard?

I'm not familiar with New England at all, so I don't know which transportation option makes the most sense.
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presumptuous much? i'd wait for that interview invite before worrying about transportation.

and yes, i'm coming out of lurk-dom in large part to remind some people that not everyone has interviews at all but one of the top schools in america and thus don't really possess the patience to pity those who go out of their way to write "woe is me" posts about the difficulties of creating the perfect interview schedule. life WILL go on if you don't get an interview invite at every freakin med school you apply to, so forgive me if the recent posts in this thread strike me as utterly obnoxious...
 
Brewsky said:
No need to fly. Either take the train or a bus (or even NJ transit). The cheapest and easiest imo is the bus. There are a few options but I like the Mega Bus: http://www.megabus.com/us/ (and it had free wireless connection, I believe). It's about $12 one way. Their website says it takes 2 hours but if you're going in rush hour it may take an extra 30-45 minutes. The bus leaves right accross from the 30th Street Station; you can walk here from UPenn in about 15 minutes (and they'll give you walking directions when you leave the interview, I think, or you can find them on their website). You'll arrive right below NY Penn Station. If you're heading right up to columbia you can take A train from Penn Station to Columbia (get off at 168th).

If you want to take Amtrak it might be a little quicker (not too much) and more expensive. Think it leaves and arrives from the same stations as the Mega Bus (30th Street to Penn Station, but I might be wrong). NJ transit is about $20 one way and also leaves and arrives at the same stations, but you have to transfer in Trenton: http://www.njtransit.com/sf/sf_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=TrainTo

I'm sure there are buses that run from Philly to Boston too (and then you'd take the T to Harvard Square), and there are definitely buses from NY to Boston. Check either megabus or bolt bus. Or, it's really easy to fly, too.
Click to expand...

Ooh, thanks! I didn't know there was a train from Penn Station to Columbia! That was really helpful 🙂 What is it called? Or is this the Subway? Again, I have zero clue about NY transportation.

Someone else just told me about the bus with free internet, too, so that's looking like a pretty attractive option 🙂

If I don't get a Penn invite, then I'll fly from Duke to Columbia, then take the Bolt Bus from Columbia to Harvard.
If I do get a Penn invite, then I'll fly from Duke to Penn, then take the Bolt Bus from Penn to Columbia and again from Columbia to Harvard.

I'm so glad you guys told me about these buses! Thank so much 😀
 
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