2009-2010 Drexel Application Thread

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PinkIvy08 said:
Like right before classes start you have to "apply" to PIL. Then, the first 2 weeks of classes you can try out PIL and if you don't think it's for you, you can switch to IFM.
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This is correct. A lot of people "try out" PIL at the start of the year, and some of them (the number changes each year) decide it's not for them and switch to IFM. In my class (2012), I'd say about 60-70 students started out in PIL, and now there are 40. The current first years (2013) have a much larger PIL class, at 68.

It's all variable, but you definitely have time to try it out and make an informed decision about which path to pursue.
 
did anyone who was on hold, get an interview invite?
 
For those who are accepted,do we need to send the $100 deposit to accept the offer? Or can we just sign the form and send it in and turn in the deposit later in May.
 
saqrfaraj said:
This is correct. A lot of people "try out" PIL at the start of the year, and some of them (the number changes each year) decide it's not for them and switch to IFM. In my class (2012), I'd say about 60-70 students started out in PIL, and now there are 40. The current first years (2013) have a much larger PIL class, at 68.

It's all variable, but you definitely have time to try it out and make an informed decision about which path to pursue.
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Hi Saqrfaraj!

Thanks for hanging on the thread and giving all of us tons of useful info - much appreciated!

I know you've posted on IFM vs. PIL before, but I was wondering if we could get a little more of your input.

How do we know which program is for us if we go to Drexel? Can you describe an example of "student A" that would be perfect for IFM versus "student B" that might be perfect for PIL? (with regards to study habits)
(Have you read med-school confidential? The author has 3 examples of "typical medical students" and what their studying habits are like)

This might be an in depth question haha, but just wondering what you thought?
 
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anybody get a interview/hold decision on their status page who has been complete since early sept?
 
Just checked my status and got:

Thank you for your application. Your file has been reviewed and will be re-evaluated later in the season for a final decision.

I guess that is waitlist/rejection? I don't have an extra wildcard in this school (only in-state), so not expecting an acceptance. Good luck to everyone else applying.
 
dudechiefboss said:
Just checked my status and got:

Thank you for your application. Your file has been reviewed and will be re-evaluated later in the season for a final decision.

I guess that is waitlist/rejection? I don't have an extra wildcard in this school (only in-state), so not expecting an acceptance. Good luck to everyone else applying.
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How long have you been complete?

I've been complete since Sept. 17th and still have the "no decision is currently available. Please continue to check this page for updates"
 
How long have you been complete?


My application was completed rather late: 10/17 so, maybe that has something to do w/it. Good luck.
 
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Been complete since sept 24 and no news
 
complete since 8/18 and still have the "no decision has been made" on your app message! thinking about calling....
 
indeed, please let us know... i've had that message since 8/24 and everytime i've called i've been told when there is an update it'll show on the status page.

I suppose no news is good news? but the closer i get to the end of the year the more i lose hope...
 
dudechiefboss said:
Just checked my status and got:

Thank you for your application. Your file has been reviewed and will be re-evaluated later in the season for a final decision.

I guess that is waitlist/rejection? I don't have an extra wildcard in this school (only in-state), so not expecting an acceptance. Good luck to everyone else applying.
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Actually, it's neither. It's more of a hold. It means that they've looked over your app but have decided not to grant you an interview at this point. It's unfortunate, but it's not entirely hopeless. If you're interested in Drexel, be proactive and send them updates and interest letters to show them you're serious. It can only help.
 
ItsAlwaysSunny2 said:
Hi Saqrfaraj!

Thanks for hanging on the thread and giving all of us tons of useful info - much appreciated!

I know you've posted on IFM vs. PIL before, but I was wondering if we could get a little more of your input.

How do we know which program is for us if we go to Drexel? Can you describe an example of "student A" that would be perfect for IFM versus "student B" that might be perfect for PIL? (with regards to study habits)
(Have you read med-school confidential? The author has 3 examples of "typical medical students" and what their studying habits are like)

This might be an in depth question haha, but just wondering what you thought?
Click to expand...

The best thing you can do is to determine how you learn best. The biggest difference between the two programs is how the material is presented, and you should decide which path is going to give you the best opportunity to do well. You should know that the board scores of PIL and IFM students are comparable and their success after graduation is too. As such, don't feel like you have to choose one way or the other based on which one you think will better prepare you for your future.

A typical PIL student would be someone who enjoys case-based learning and studying through discussions and brainstorming sessions in small groups. There are some lectures, but the majority of your time will be spent mapping out ideas on white boards and working through scenarios in order to grasp key concepts.

A typical IFM student is someone who wants everything straightforward and to the point. You get your packet of lecture notes and you study and learn them the way you think is best. You can go to lecture, or you can choose not to go. There are occasional conferences and small group sessions each module, so it's not all sitting around.

I'm in IFM, so I know a lot more about it than I do about PIL. I chose IFM because I wanted business as usual. I wanted to stick with what I knew and what I was used to because I didn't think the rigors of med school would be a good time to change things up. I'm very happy with my decision. There's a lot of freedom in the IFM curriculum, and I like having all I need to know right in front of me.
 
I am confused. When I go to the My Application website, it says everything is in. But when I go further to Application Status, it says things are missing and my file is Incomplete. Should I call?
 
ThatQuestionGuy said:
I am confused. When I go to the My Application website, it says everything is in. But when I go further to Application Status, it says things are missing and my file is Incomplete. Should I call?
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If you submitted your application recently you hav eto wait 3-5 days. It happened to me earlier
 
Is it normal that my status still says it will take 6-8 weeks to hear of a decision if I interviewed on October 15th? I thought my app. would have been at least sent to the adcom for review by now.
 
saqrfaraj said:
Actually, it's neither. It's more of a hold. It means that they've looked over your app but have decided not to grant you an interview at this point. It's unfortunate, but it's not entirely hopeless. If you're interested in Drexel, be proactive and send them updates and interest letters to show them you're serious. It can only help.
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Thanks for the encouragement and advice. 👍
 
reidmike said:
Is it normal that my status still says it will take 6-8 weeks to hear of a decision if I interviewed on October 15th? I thought my app. would have been at least sent to the adcom for review by now.
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I interviewed on 9/21 and I'm still waiting. I've had the "decision will be mailed" message for over a week now. Evidently Drexel is delivering via messenger pigeon.
 
amikhchi said:
everytime i've called i've been told when there is an update it'll show on the status page.

I suppose no news is good news? but the closer i get to the end of the year the more i lose hope...
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Just called and they told me the same thing, that any updates will be posted online... i guess no news is good news too?!
 
riss1084 said:
Just called and they told me the same thing, that any updates will be posted online... i guess no news is good news too?!
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Do they have an official hold status? If so then I have no idea what's going on 😡
 
ClarkWGriswold said:
I interviewed on 9/21 and I'm still waiting. I've had the "decision will be mailed" message for over a week now. Evidently Drexel is delivering via messenger pigeon.
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I think the freakin' pigeon got lost. I've had that message for a while too.
 
ClarkWGriswold said:
I interviewed on 9/21 and I'm still waiting. I've had the "decision will be mailed" message for over a week now. Evidently Drexel is delivering via messenger pigeon.
Click to expand...

DocHomer said:
I think the freakin' pigeon got lost. I've had that message for a while too.
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lol @ both of you! :laugh: I haven't had that message for quite that long, however, I live ~45 min from Drexel and I know they lied and didn't put a thing in the mail when they said they did.

I swear, this whole process had made me appreciate our mail system and delivery people on a whole new level. I also have developed compulsive habits (i.e. email checking, snail mail checking, etc)
 
ClarkWGriswold said:
I interviewed on 9/21 and I'm still waiting. I've had the "decision will be mailed" message for over a week now. Evidently Drexel is delivering via messenger pigeon.
Click to expand...

DocHomer said:
I think the freakin' pigeon got lost. I've had that message for a while too.
Click to expand...

PinkIvy08 said:
lol @ both of you! :laugh: I haven't had that message for quite that long, however, I live ~45 min from Drexel and I know they lied and didn't put a thing in the mail when they said they did.

I swear, this whole process had made me appreciate our mail system and delivery people on a whole new level. I also have developed compulsive habits (i.e. email checking, snail mail checking, etc)
Click to expand...

I've explained the process earlier in this thread, but it's probably a good time to mention it again.

When Drexel gives you the "a decision will be mailed" status, it's just the beginning of the process. The letters have to be printed out, signed, and stuffed in enveloped before they ever leave the admissions office. The length of time between the status change and when the letter arrives is going to be at least a week, if not more.
 
To those of you waiting for your letter with a status that says "decision will be mailed" for a while (like me!):

I called admissions this morning to make sure they sent the letter to the right address (I just recently changed it), and I asked if they knew when the letter was sent. He told me it was sent yesterday (11/4)... so if your letters are in the same batch as mine (my status has been that for almost a week now) then your letter should be coming soon! Keep checking that mail! 🙂
 
saqrfaraj said:
I've explained the process earlier in this thread, but it's probably a good time to mention it again.

When Drexel gives you the "a decision will be mailed" status, it's just the beginning of the process. The letters have to be printed out, signed, and stuffed in enveloped before they ever leave the admissions office. The length of time between the status change and when the letter arrives is going to be at least a week, if not more.
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ashbabe said:
To those of you waiting for your letter with a status that says "decision will be mailed" for a while (like me!):

I called admissions this morning to make sure they sent the letter to the right address (I just recently changed it), and I asked if they knew when the letter was sent. He told me it was sent yesterday (11/4)... so if your letters are in the same batch as mine (my status has been that for almost a week now) then your letter should be coming soon! Keep checking that mail! 🙂
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Thanks to both of you! (saqrfaraj, I must have missed that previous post...my apologies) I will now stop frantically checking my mail, lol
 
So my status just changed to under review by the admissions committee. How long, on average, does it take for this status to change to a decision has been made?
 
reidmike said:
So my status just changed to under review by the admissions committee. How long, on average, does it take for this status to change to a decision has been made?
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:shrug:

A lot of people said they're quick, but I still have 'no decision has been made' after being complete on 9/23
 
saqrfaraj said:
I've explained the process earlier in this thread, but it's probably a good time to mention it again.

When Drexel gives you the "a decision will be mailed" status, it's just the beginning of the process. The letters have to be printed out, signed, and stuffed in enveloped before they ever leave the admissions office. The length of time between the status change and when the letter arrives is going to be at least a week, if not more.
Click to expand...

Process? Seriously?

They have to print a form, someone has to sign it (maybe), then someone folds it and puts it in an envelope. If that whole "process" takes longer than a couple of minutes, someone isn't working hard enough.

Is there anyone else from 9/21 who is still waiting?
 
JohnnyExtra said:
Accepted! My first one! I'm so stoked. 😎

Complete mid-August.
Interview September 30th.
Final decision status October 23rd.
Letter dated October 26th.
Received November 2nd.

I really liked this school, and PIL sounds amazing. Unless one of my state schools finally decides to show me some love, I have a feeling this is where I'll be come August 2010.

Best feeling in the world! Good luck to the rest of you.
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Quoting myself to give you guys an idea of the time line. Mine took 10 days to make it across the country after the final decision status.
 
ClarkWGriswold said:
Process? Seriously?

They have to print a form, someone has to sign it (maybe), then someone folds it and puts it in an envelope. If that whole "process" takes longer than a couple of minutes, someone isn't working hard enough.

Is there anyone else from 9/21 who is still waiting?
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You're obviously frustrated, but I think you're forgetting that there are dozens of letters that need to be sent out each week, not just yours. Acceptance packets are different from waitlist letters which are different from rejection letters, and organization takes time. Also, it's important to note that the dean who signs the letters isn't sitting in their office spinning in their chair all day waiting for letters to sign. They're a physician that spends the majority of their time at the hospital like anyone else.

Your letter will come, but you're just going to have to wait like we've all had to.
 
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Based on the U.S. News statistic posted earlier, it seems like 50-53% gets accepted. I haven't visited the board too much, but from people who have interviewed and had their friends interviewed, are the acceptance so far been around 50%... or has it been much less?
 
lstone13 said:
Me too, Sammich, me too...
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Can I join? You know, I've heard the waiting process is terrible, but its really something else when you experience it yourself

Patience truly is a virtue, one that I dont seem to have quite yet
 
vman51 said:
Can I join? You know, I've heard the waiting process is terrible, but its really something else when you experience it yourself

Patience truly is a virtue, one that I dont seem to have quite yet
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You know, I had always considered myself to be a patient person... until now. This process is something else!
 
lstone13 said:
You know, I had always considered myself to be a patient person... until now. This process is something else!
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I am usually pretty impatient but when there is nothing I can do about it somehow the patience comes a little easier.
 
Anyone know the first name of the guy with a desk to the right as you come into the admissions office? For whatever reason I didn't catch it.
 
softmed said:
Anyone know the first name of the guy with a desk to the right as you come into the admissions office? For whatever reason I didn't catch it.
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I think it's Kareem.
 
Medmad said:
I think it's Kareem.
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I'd like to get confirmation on this before I send any email :scared: because that's definitely not what I thought it was.

Can anyone confirm his name?
 
softmed said:
I'd like to get confirmation on this before I send any email :scared: because that's definitely not what I thought it was.

Can anyone confirm his name?
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Yup that's definitely his name. Pretty nice guy. Handed him my essay before I left.
 
lstone13 said:
Me too, Sammich, me too...
Click to expand...

vman51 said:
Can I join? You know, I've heard the waiting process is terrible, but its really something else when you experience it yourself

Patience truly is a virtue, one that I dont seem to have quite yet
Click to expand...

Being impatient with the process has been hard enough, but reading through this thread, I heard how quick the turnaround is for this place, so it makes it so much harder.

:luck::xf::luck: Here's to hopefully getting interviews!
 
Here's a little story about my student interview.

So my student interviewer picked me up, and we went to lunch, nothing out of the ordinary. It took a while for my lunch to come so by the time I came to the table with the student interviewer, his buddy was sitting there too. So I was like, ok whatever his friend is just hanging out. So I start talking to the student interviewer, general questions and conversation, the usual...then his friend starts asking me questions. A few were legit interview questions, like about healthcare in the news. And after I answer they glance at each other and nod, lol.

It was fun though, just some 3-way conversation. From what I heard from the other people in my interview group, I was the only one that had something like.

So either they were actually working together, or they were just messing around. To be honest I have a feeling it was a little of both, lol.

O well, gl to everyone! I hope I get accepted I have a really positive impression of the school now.
 
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