2009-2010 Boston University Application Thread

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seira said:
I thought I could submit secondaries without having my AMCAS being verified but the BU application can't show my recommendation info and MCAT score until my AMCAS is verified so can I not submit it even if everything else on the application is completed?
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I'm wondering the same thing. I've finished this secondary, but my LOR section and MCAT score section are both marked as incomplete because my AMCAS hasn't been verified yet (freaking taking forever).

Anyone have any insight? Can I submit?

I think I'll give them a call tomorrow asking, if no one here has the answer.
 
pitt1166 said:
I'm wondering the same thing. I've finished this secondary, but my LOR section and MCAT score section are both marked as incomplete because my AMCAS hasn't been verified yet (freaking taking forever).

Anyone have any insight? Can I submit?

I think I'll give them a call tomorrow asking, if no one here has the answer.
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They don't screen or anything so it really makes no difference if you submit it now or later. They wont review your app until they have your scores and lors in anyways. Moral of the story...submit now or submit later - your choice
 
pitt1166 said:
I'm wondering the same thing. I've finished this secondary, but my LOR section and MCAT score section are both marked as incomplete because my AMCAS hasn't been verified yet (freaking taking forever).

Anyone have any insight? Can I submit?

I think I'll give them a call tomorrow asking, if no one here has the answer.
Click to expand...

I don't believe you can submit it before AMCAS verification, so that all the things turn into green Yes's. Either way, I don't believe they will look at anything for another couple weeks anyway. So it wouldn't matter either way.
 
Submitted my primary like two days ago and got the secondary already.

I started out at a CC and did all my pre-reqs there....wonder if I am screwed and should just withdraw from the school and add another somewhere else.

Anyone else think the grid is bizarrely confusing? Doubly so for me because I have both semester(cc) and quarter(UC) classes lol
 
foolz0r said:
Submitted my primary like two days ago and got the secondary already.

I started out at a CC and did all my pre-reqs there....wonder if I am screwed and should just withdraw from the school and add another somewhere else.

Anyone else think the grid is bizarrely confusing? Doubly so for me because I have both semester(cc) and quarter(UC) classes lol
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The grid is indeed a nightmare. But that's how it was last year too, and if I recall correctly the year before that as well lol. The Adcom there has managed to figure it out, so I guess, just make sure it makes sense.

As far as all pre-reqs at CC, mehhh I don't think BU will be thrilled about that. If you like the Northeast/New England area, add NY stuff. I didn't see anything from NY in your list except Albany. Rochester would be a great school to apply to, and I know a couple students who got in there with CC (1 entirely CC), and comparable MCATs (35s each).

EDIT: And they were not NY residents.
 
Do you guys know how stringent they are with their "In the event that a Committee letter is not available, we will accept three letters of recommendation, two of which should be from undergraduate faculty who have taught you in Biology, Chemistry, or Physics."?

I've got a letter from a graduate research adviser, a graduate course instructor, a physician, and an undergraduate research adviser. Am I screwed? Should I just send 'em anyways and hope they won't notice?
 
so my UG offers 2 semesters of orgo lecture only (each 3 semesters), but only one 1 semester lab only course (2 credits). when i enter this into the grid it says i havent completed the requirements. anyone else in this situation??

do i just leave it as the 1 semester it is and explain in the box that thats all my college offered? or do i put it down as 2 semesters since it covered an entire year of lab worth of material?
 
housefish26 said:
Do you guys know how stringent they are with their "In the event that a Committee letter is not available, we will accept three letters of recommendation, two of which should be from undergraduate faculty who have taught you in Biology, Chemistry, or Physics."?

I've got a letter from a graduate research adviser, a graduate course instructor, a physician, and an undergraduate research adviser. Am I screwed? Should I just send 'em anyways and hope they won't notice?
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They will notice. It is a required criteria to have those 3 main letters. You could still apply and hope for the best, I guess. You don't have a single science recommendation from your undergrad?
 
redrower said:
so my UG offers 2 semesters of orgo lecture only (each 3 semesters), but only one 1 semester lab only course (2 credits).
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Okay I might just be tired, but I have no idea what this means. How can a school offer 2 semesters of 3 semesters each? Sorry, but please reword/elaborate?

EDIT: I get it, you must have meant each 3 credits. Sorry, I was being clueless. Yeah, just do what you said - leave it as one and explain that in the box provided below.
 
camaras2480 said:
They will notice. It is a required criteria to have those 3 main letters. You could still apply and hope for the best, I guess. You don't have a single science recommendation from your undergrad?
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Well, I did have a chemistry letter from undergrad that I used for my first application (I didn't apply to BU the first time). I could ask the professor for another and I'm sure she'd oblige, but that still leaves me one short. Think it's even worth applying?
 
housefish26 said:
Well, I did have a chemistry letter from undergrad that I used for my first application (I didn't apply to BU the first time). I could ask the professor for another and I'm sure she'd oblige, but that still leaves me one short. Think it's even worth applying?
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Your graduate course instructor is not a science course? I mean, you could still apply and try your lucky, but I suppose it is some money you could potentially save.
 
bah so I need two LOR from science professors for boston?

I thought when everyone told me that I should be fine with 1 letter of rec from a science professor that they meant I could apply to all schools without trouble.

Does anyone know of any other schools that require two or more LOR from science profs?
 
unleash500 said:
bah so I need two LOR from science professors for boston?
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Yes. This is a requirement.

I thought when everyone told me that I should be fine with 1 letter of rec from a science professor that they meant I could apply to all schools without trouble.
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Actually, as far as I know, a majority of schools require 2 science letters and 1 non-science letter as the general criteria.

Does anyone know of any other schools that require two or more LOR from science profs?
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I can't name any off-hand - it is something you should definitely look into though since you only have 1 science letter.
 
camaras2480 said:
Your graduate course instructor is not a science course? I mean, you could still apply and try your lucky, but I suppose it is some money you could potentially save.
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Oh it's a science course alright, but it's a graduate science course and their requirement says "undergraduate." Hopefully I'm just splitting hairs here and it's no big deal.
 
pitt1166 said:
I'm wondering the same thing. I've finished this secondary, but my LOR section and MCAT score section are both marked as incomplete because my AMCAS hasn't been verified yet (freaking taking forever).

Anyone have any insight? Can I submit?

I think I'll give them a call tomorrow asking, if no one here has the answer.
Click to expand...

I'm in the same situation. According to the Help section though, it says that you can't submit the secondary until all of the sections are marked green and completed. I guess give them a call anyway just to double check.
 
camaras2480 said:
I don't believe you can submit [the BU secondary] before AMCAS verification, so that all the things turn into green Yes's. Either way, I don't believe they will look at anything for another couple weeks anyway. So it wouldn't matter either way.
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Reposting.
 
housefish26 said:
Oh it's a science course alright, but it's a graduate science course and their requirement says "undergraduate." Hopefully I'm just splitting hairs here and it's no big deal.
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Depending on your overall application, that is a risk worth taking I guess. If you are really worried, call them tomorrow. There is no better confirmation.
 
Thanks for your help guys!

From BU this morning:
"Since you are in a graduate program, we can accept just 1 letter from an undergraduate science professor who has taught you in Biology, Chemistry or Physics. The graduate thesis adviser letter would suffice for the second required letter. The third letter can be from a person of your choice and we have no cap on the amount of letters you can send in. Please let us know if you have any further questions. Thank you."

Phew!
 
I'm trying to fill out the grid and am a bit confused-if I got AP credit for a class should I count that in the number of semesters taken or not?
 
jackson1 said:
I'm trying to fill out the grid and am a bit confused-if I got AP credit for a class should I count that in the number of semesters taken or not?
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i would think that you probably fulfilled one semester with your AP credit right?

put down the number of semesters worth of whatever class you got credit for.

for example:

i got a 5 in AP bio and my UG offered me 2 semesters of intro bio credit. if i had taken it, i would put 2 semesters down

hope that helps
 
redrower said:
i would think that you probably fulfilled one semester with your AP credit right?

put down the number of semesters worth of whatever class you got credit for.

for example:

i got a 5 in AP bio and my UG offered me 2 semesters of intro bio credit. if i had taken it, i would put 2 semesters down

hope that helps
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Thanks! I think I'll include it in the total number of semesters, but not in the column for total number of semesters taken at a preferred institution.
 
housefish26 said:
Thanks for your help guys!

From BU this morning:
"Since you are in a graduate program, we can accept just 1 letter from an undergraduate science professor who has taught you in Biology, Chemistry or Physics. The graduate thesis adviser letter would suffice for the second required letter. The third letter can be from a person of your choice and we have no cap on the amount of letters you can send in. Please let us know if you have any further questions. Thank you."

Phew!
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haha yayyy excellent!
 
jackson1 said:
Thanks! I think I'll include it in the total number of semesters, but not in the column for total number of semesters taken at a preferred institution.
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Correct. Also indicate in the box below that those "not taken at a preferred institution" are actually AP credit.
 
Do they send out an email notifying that your application is complete? Or can I just assume I am complete since there's a "Yes" for every category on the status page?
 
JimmerJammerMrK said:
That's why I said "I think". I don't think there is an email.
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There is. I got it today:

BOSTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS

This email is being sent to inform you that new information regarding your application to Boston University School of Medicine has been posted to MyApplication at BUSM. To view this information and reply, please click on this link -> https://myapplication.bumc.bu.edu/2010/


Dear XXX,

This is to confirm that your application to Boston University School of Medicine is now complete. Applications are reviewed in the order in which they were completed, and as we have received a large number of early applications this year, please understand that this may take some time.

Interviews are conducted by invitation only, on selected dates from early October to the middle of February. If the Committee on Admissions is able to offer an interview, we will do our best to accommodate your schedule. If the Committee on Admissions is unable to offer you an interview, you will be notified.

We appreciate your interest in Boston University and look forward to an opportunity to meet you. Please accept our best wishes for success with all your applications.

Sincerely,


Robert A. Witzburg, M.D.
Associate Dean and Director of Admissions
Boston University School of Medicine

Please note: This e-mail was sent from a notification-only address and cannot receive incoming e-mail messages or replies. Please use the Message Center in MyApplication ( https://myapplication.bumc.bu.edu/2010/ ) for communicating with us or you may contact us by telephone at 617/638-4630.
 
IMPORTANT QUESTION:

is there a deadline from when you receive your secondary application from BU? for instance, when you receive your secondary, do you have two weeks to complete it or is the deadline 1/4/10? i received mine a few days ago but I haven't started it yet. Does it need to be completed and submitted in two weeks or do i have more time to work on it? THANKS!!!
 
parhumn said:
IMPORTANT QUESTION:

is there a deadline from when you receive your secondary application from BU? for instance, when you receive your secondary, do you have two weeks to complete it or is the deadline 1/4/10? i received mine a few days ago but I haven't started it yet. Does it need to be completed and submitted in two weeks or do i have more time to work on it? THANKS!!!
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As far as I know, there is no deadline. You have to complete your application by like, November I think.
 
No such email, but I think I'm complete anyways. I love their Upload Documents feature.👍
 
wait a minute there is two optional essays? i was gonna leave the first "timeline" blank since i pretty much touched up on everything in my PS and i dont wanna ruin that with extra rambling! but then the next page is asking to add if you want to let us know anything extra!! i dont want them to think im lazy and dont want to go to their school, though the first one is correct 😉

what do you guys think? did most of you leave them blank?!
 
OneMCATAway said:
wait a minute there is two optional essays? i was gonna leave the first "timeline" blank since i pretty much touched up on everything in my PS and i dont wanna ruin that with extra rambling! but then the next page is asking to add if you want to let us know anything extra!! i dont want them to think im lazy and dont want to go to their school, though the first one is correct 😉

what do you guys think? did most of you leave them blank?!
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Yes there are two optional essays. Some applicants are definitely leaving both blank. The vast majority is probably going to answer one. Of course there will always be those that fill out both. I assure you that acceptances will be offered to candidates from each of those 3 "categories."
 
camaras2480 said:
Yes there are two optional essays. Some applicants are definitely leaving both blank. The vast majority is probably going to answer one. Of course there will always be those that fill out both. I assure you that acceptances will be offered to candidates from each of those 3 "categories."
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thanks for the response! i just wonder between two similar applicants with one filling out both and one leaving both empty which one would look better to them!!???
if i leave both blank ill be able to submit my app faster and also they will hopefully remember my PS as the last thing 😉
 
OneMCATAway said:
thanks for the response! i just wonder between two similar applicants with one filling out both and one leaving both empty which one would look better to them!!???
if i leave both blank ill be able to submit my app faster and also they will hopefully remember my PS as the last thing 😉
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Hmm that is a tough one. That would hinge entirely on how well those 2 optional essays are written. So if you are the one with both blank, you are hoping that person wrote boring stuff! 🙂
 
i did a print preview and that way the application looks kinda empty!!! grrrr why do they do this to us! cant they just be up front and straight about it and say what they would like =/ I do have a lot to talk about thats why i tried so hard to fit everything in my PS and make it perfect, and now im like eh they know this already and i dont wanna brag about anything more..
 
OneMCATAway said:
i did a print preview and that way the application looks kinda empty!!! grrrr why do they do this to us! cant they just be up front and straight about it and say what they would like =/ I do have a lot to talk about thats why i tried so hard to fit everything in my PS and make it perfect, and now im like eh they know this already and i dont wanna brag about anything more..
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An optional essay is an optional essay. If you feel your candidacy is strong based on GPA, MCAT, ECs, LORs, and PS, then there is absolutely no need to do the optional essays. You will stand a chance based on everything else. Do not drive yourself crazy just because there are optional essays. Again, an optional essay truly is optional.
 
Ilovewater said:
Oops. Didn't even see your post. Well, hope the completion email comes soon, since all the "Yes"es have been there for almost 3 days.
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lol. I think the BU secondary ranks pretty high on giving grief to applicants.
 
AAAAARGHHHHH:scared: I just got a message from Boston telling me that there was an issue with my letters. Apparently, two of my professors forgot to put it on letterhead, and one of them didn't even sign it. Application on hold 😡 Suuuuuuuckssss...
 
mocha blanca said:
AAAAARGHHHHH:scared: I just got a message from Boston telling me that there was an issue with my letters. Apparently, two of my professors forgot to put it on letterhead, and one of them didn't even sign it. Application on hold 😡 Suuuuuuuckssss...
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Oh darn! I'm sorry mocha. Things will work out I'm sure! 🙁
 
mocha blanca said:
AAAAARGHHHHH:scared: I just got a message from Boston telling me that there was an issue with my letters. Apparently, two of my professors forgot to put it on letterhead, and one of them didn't even sign it. Application on hold 😡 Suuuuuuuckssss...
Click to expand...

Wow, what lame professors.
 
mocha blanca said:
AAAAARGHHHHH:scared: I just got a message from Boston telling me that there was an issue with my letters. Apparently, two of my professors forgot to put it on letterhead, and one of them didn't even sign it. Application on hold 😡 Suuuuuuuckssss...
Click to expand...
im so worried my CC prof did this...she like never writes lors...i almost bet she wrote it on word then just sent it...-_-
 
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