2009-2010 Mayo Medical School Application Thread

[bamtuba]

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under 25, so car rental is expensive, but the cheapest i see is $47 for over 25 anyway, where did you get $10?

and thanks Phoenix, I'll give Marcy a call.

Hertz rental with name your own price option from priceline. I also got a 4-star Hilton in DC near the Pentagon for $40/night once...

👍

 

[Phoenix.]

I definitely don't know the interview process/timing this year, but if it were me, I would probably just give Marcy a call or email and let her know that I was planning to make the 3:30 Go Rochester bus to get to a 6:30 flight out. I imagine that should work fine, but it couldn't hurt to give her a heads up and see what she recommends. Maybe they'll schedule your interviews earlier in the day so that you don't end up having any problems if things run late. But if you are done by 3pm, I can't imagine it would be a problem. If you're staying at the Kahler I'd just leave my bags checked there at the front desk and go over there after the interview to catch the shuttle there. If you're staying with a student, I'd bring my bag to the interview (the admissions office has somewhere they can keep your luggage for interview day) and then just leave straight from there to the Kahler for the pick-up. If it's snowing, you can just walk underground from admissions to the Kahler, so no need to worry about dragging your bag through the snow or anything.

I just looked at their web site, and it says they pick up at most Rochester hotels, including the Kahler, as well as at St. Mary's hospital. The Kahler is right near the med school (walking there just takes a couple of minutes), so it really shouldn't be a problem. Here's the site:

http://www.gorochesterdirect.com/faqs.htm#quiz7

FYI - I just stopped by and talked to Marcy, and she said that it shouldn't be a problem since the "wrap up" is scheduled for 2:30pm, so the interview day should end around 3pm, and getting the 3:30pm shuttle would be fine. But she did recommend that people let her know before the interview day if you will be taking that 3:30pm shuttle.

Good luck, guys! I just passed by a group of interviewees in suits filing out of the admissions office and had a momentary flashback. 😀

 

[OMSTR]

FYI - I just stopped by and talked to Marcy, and she said that it shouldn't be a problem since the "wrap up" is scheduled for 2:30pm, so the interview day should end around 3pm, and getting the 3:30pm shuttle would be fine. But she did recommend that people let her know before the interview day if you will be taking that 3:30pm shuttle.

Good luck, guys! I just passed by a group of interviewees in suits filing out of the admissions office and had a momentary flashback. 😀

Im so glad you are still active on sdn, phoenix! I saw how helpful you were for applicants last year and I really appreciate you taking time out of your day to give us anxious pre-meds info!!!

 

[neuronc]

Some of us from those days have gotten interviews (not me), and a few of us are still waiting and praying. 😛

I'm still waiting from the same date too. We should form a support group LOL...

 

[trueBelief]

I'm still waiting from the same date too. We should form a support group LOL...

SDN is your support group! We all understand how nerve wracking this can be!

Good Luck guys!

 

[Rach83]

I'm still waiting from the same date too. We should form a support group LOL...

Yeah I need one. Mayo is the one school that will crush me if/when I get my rejection. I've stopped looking forward to getting up and checking my email.

 

[Crash88]

anyone gotten the complete email recently? (Like in the month of september?)
been a week and a half since I've made my letters available and doesn't look like they've downloaded yet

 

[Rach83]

anyone gotten the complete email recently? (Like in the month of september?)
been a week and a half since I've made my letters available and doesn't look like they've downloaded yet

I'm pretty sure it took more than a week and a half for most people. It was longer than that for me at least....

 

[Phoenix.]

Im so glad you are still active on sdn, phoenix! I saw how helpful you were for applicants last year and I really appreciate you taking time out of your day to give us anxious pre-meds info!!!

Absolutely my pleasure! 😀

 

[roaming]

anyone gotten the complete email recently? (Like in the month of september?)
been a week and a half since I've made my letters available and doesn't look like they've downloaded yet

Not yet. I got a LOR request 8/25 or so, and have yet to get a complete email from Mayo...apparently the office downloads batches of them...maybe they do that once a month? It's definitely been a while!

 

[hanjg]

Thanks, bamtuba and vtche for the interview feedback. I'm "up" soon. I have been on a few interviews already, but ...this one "feels" like it may be different. Are the "ethical" questions more common here and probably more to the point, more "in depth"? I got that feeling from reading some pretty specific and difficult questions.

I am very excited and I guess I'm expressing my excitement with a little pre-interview paranoia.

BTW, I couldn't get the shuttle thing to work for me. At all. Last shuttle left the same time my flight was getting in and my only option was a limo to Rochester. 😀 Uhhh. No thanks. So I'm flying in/out of Rochester and staying an extra night.

 

[vtche02]

Thanks, bamtuba and vtche for the interview feedback. I'm "up" soon. 😱 I

have been on a few interviews already, but ...this one "feels" like it may be different. Are the "ethical" questions more common here and probably more to the point, more "in depth"? I got that feeling from reading some pretty specific and difficult questions.

I am very excited and I guess I'm expressing my excitement with some pre-interview paranoia.

I can only comment on my interviews.. so if it doesn't turn out this way for you, I really am not trying to lead you astray! But, there were no deep ethical questions and nothing that was designed to throw me. It was mainly questions about my application information - personal essay, activities, etc. And, possibly some questions that are similar to the secondary questions that I'm sure you've answered in essay form already at other schools (what would you add to the class, etc.).

Try to relax. It's really going to be a low-key interview experience, and the more you can just be yourself the better. Also, the group of interviewees is not that large, about ten for us, so it's easy to get to know other people, chat and calm your nerves that way.

Also.. for the ladies out there.. wear comfy shoes!

 

[hanjg]

Thanks much!! That sounds great for me. The interviews I've had have been the same way. They were all "low-stress" , conversational interviews. I'm really looking forward to Mayo. The more I read , the more I like. Thanks again and Good Luck the rest of the way!

 

[trueBelief]

Not yet. I got a LOR request 8/25 or so, and have yet to get a complete email from Mayo...apparently the office downloads batches of them...maybe they do that once a month? It's definitely been a while!

Since they are now filling up interview slots in Nov and the AMCAS deadline is soon approaching, they might be waiting to get a count of how many applications they are going to receive in total and then start sending out more invites just so that everyone who applies there atleast gets reviewed for an interview slot. It wouldn't make sense to fill up the last month of slots before the official application deadline.

 

[lrkoehle]

I can only comment on my interviews.. so if it doesn't turn out this way for you, I really am not trying to lead you astray! But, there were no deep ethical questions and nothing that was designed to throw me. It was mainly questions about my application information - personal essay, activities, etc. And, possibly some questions that are similar to the secondary questions that I'm sure you've answered in essay form already at other schools (what would you add to the class, etc.).

Try to relax. It's really going to be a low-key interview experience, and the more you can just be yourself the better. Also, the group of interviewees is not that large, about ten for us, so it's easy to get to know other people, chat and calm your nerves that way.

Also.. for the ladies out there.. wear comfy shoes!

👍 I was there with vtche, and this pretty much was my experience. Don't stress about this interview, because the interviewers at least for me were some of the nicest people I've met. If you are who you represented yourself to be on your application, you will be fine.

 

[hanjg]

If you are who you represented yourself to be on your application, you will be fine.

My ace in the hole. 😉 What you see is what you get. Thanks.

 

[canepa]

when people say they were rejected b/c "no LOR request"...what does that mean?

is there a specific email saying "thanks, but pls. don't send us your LOR's"
or do you just assume that given X amt. of time if there is no request then ur outskie?

i don't see a place on the website that says anything about complete...etc.
my only conversation was with Marcy via the internet when I sent her something extra...

thoughts?

 

[LAman10]

when people say they were rejected b/c "no LOR request"...what does that mean?

is there a specific email saying "thanks, but pls. don't send us your LOR's"
or do you just assume that given X amt. of time if there is no request then ur outskie?

i don't see a place on the website that says anything about complete...etc.
my only conversation was with Marcy via the internet when I sent her something extra...

thoughts?

you'll get a rejection letter post-fee and pre-LOR I'm assuming

 

[Phoenix.]

I remember wondering when I was scheduling my interview what the students would be doing at that time, so I thought I'd just post a quick overview. This Friday, first years will be having their histology/genetics final exam, and second years will have their cardiovascular final exam. Then we all have a two week selective period (no classes) from Sept. 19-Oct. 4th, when a number of students may be out of town. Then from Oct. 5-Nov. 13, first years will be in their anatomy/radiology/embryology block, and second years will have their nutrition and digestion block. Then two weeks of selectives again from Nov. 14-Nov. 29. Then there's a three week Medicine and Society block for first years, and a Respiration block for second years, ending on Dec. 19th, with two selective weeks following that block, and classes starting up again in January.

 

[robocop1998]

so the last time i heard from mayo was on 9/9 when I received an email saying they received my rec. How long does it take for you guys to hear back from Mayo after the rec receive email? I hope there are still interview spots left.

 

[neuronc]

so the last time i heard from mayo was on 9/9 when I received an email saying they received my rec. How long does it take for you guys to hear back from Mayo after the rec receive email? I hope there are still interview spots left.

I know that myself and a few others from 8/20 are still waiting for news.

 

[Desaad]

Hey guys, does it mean anything if Mayo requests your LOR, or is that something they do automatically?

 

[lrkoehle]

Hey guys, does it mean anything if Mayo requests your LOR, or is that something they do automatically?

They told us only about 1000 people get LOR requests, so it is a good thing if you get the request. From the 1000, only about 250 are going to be interviewed this year.

 

[Desaad]

They told us only about 1000 people get LOR requests, so it is a good thing if you get the request. From the 1000, only about 250 are going to be interviewed this year.

Wow, that is not many interviews! Thanks!

Also, and this is probably a stupid question but just for my own edification I have to ask....The email says if we already sent in our LOR via AMCAS we don't have to do anything else. That refers to my the way I sent in all my LORs, with my primary, right? THere is nothing special I have to do to send them to Mayo?

 

[twoinone]

yep. now you have to just sit and wait for the complete email

 

[Desaad]

Excellent, thanks for your patience twoinone and Irkoehle!

 

[archimedesxx]

👍 I was there with vtche, and this pretty much was my experience. Don't stress about this interview, because the interviewers at least for me were some of the nicest people I've met. If you are who you represented yourself to be on your application, you will be fine.

Irk ! Irk!lol. Can you talk more about your experience at the Clinic?lol. How was the feeling? The students? The staff? Everything really. Hahaha. I'm so pumped.

 

[Phoenix.]

I just checked with Marcy for some info on common questions I've seen posted, and here's what she said:

Unfortunately, there is not an exact timeline that I can give applicants as far as the time that it takes to get a Letter of Recommendation received e-mail after the actual request. Nor is there an exact timeline from any one status to the next. I understand this is hard for applicants, but you must continue to be patient. To date we have accepted just over 3000 applications. We are requesting letters from roughly 900-1000 applicants, and this process does take some time.

If letters are in AMCAS, there is no need to call and check on them because we will retrieve them at the next point that we are retrieving letters. Just like the LOR request e-mail states, "please note that if you have sent your letters to AMCAS prior to receiving this notification, you do not need to resend them. This email is letting you know that we will now begin retrieving your letters." It is not done daily, weekly, monthly or on any predictable schedule. Applicants don't always realize that we are not only processing letters, but we are processing new applicants in the process, interview invites and now we are processing applicants that are attending onsite interviews as well. I realize that the amount of time it takes for something to happen with an application may seem like an eternity for an applicant, but in reality, it is not an unreasonable response time in relationship to the volume of applicants in the med school admissions process.

In addition, because of our rolling admissions process, we will always retrieve letters in the order that we requested them from applicants, meaning that those people that we just requested letters from earlier in September will not be processed until we have processed all the LOR requests from July and August. We appreciate applicants being patient, and we will continue to process as efficiently as possible.

To date, roughly 180 invites have gone out, and there will be approximately 270 invites extended. The speculation that we are waiting for all applications to be reviewed before inviting anymore applicants is incorrect. More invites will be sent as they are made.

Also, she said that now that interviews are taking place on Mondays and Fridays, the best time to call if you have a question would be Tues, Wed or Thurs.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

 

[neuronc]

I just checked with Marcy for some info on common questions I've seen posted, and here's what she said:



Also, she said that now that interviews are taking place on Mondays and Fridays, the best time to call if you have a question would be Tues, Wed or Thurs.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Wow thanks for the info. I really hope they invite me for an interview!

 

[Rach83]

Wow thanks for the info. I really hope they invite me for an interview!

Yeah thanks for that, so helpful! Hope one of those 90 spots has my name on it....

 

[lrkoehle]

Irk ! Irk!lol. Can you talk more about your experience at the Clinic?lol. How was the feeling? The students? The staff? Everything really. Hahaha. I'm so pumped.

I would love to elaborate on my experience at Mayo, especially now that I am almost caught up on everything I missed. To start, my wife and I flew into MSP and took the shuttle down. I highly recommend this, because it is a very short ride and they have the sprint Mifi mobile hot spot (its like a Wifi for your car), so you can use your laptop.

I met my student host in front of the Kahler, and we went over to the all school celebration. As best I understand it, this was a gathering of most of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year students. The first years introduced themselves to the others and did a musical performance set to Michael Jackson with medical lyrics. Needless to say, that was awesome. The second year students did a video updating what they had done the last year, such as drinking a bottle of Mountain Dew really fast. Third years took a step down and did an automated slide show set to music. Fourth years took another step down and had to click through their slide show and get music from youtube by audience request. It turned out to be a really cool night before the big interview day, and I was able to sneak some food too (shhh, don't tell).

The interview day I got to campus with my student host, and at the suggestion of the admissions staff I got to go sit in on the first part of their lecture. The actual day started at 8:30ish with an admissions presentation by Marcy and a video about Mayo. Next, we had another presentation, this one about curriculum and student affairs. Then all the interviewees had slightly different schedules from that point on. The rest of the day was a mix of some people interviewing and others touring the campus or having free time. Mayo gives us free time to relax or explore the area on our own, which is really nice. I used my time to walk around the first floor of the clinic, where there is this really cool Mayo museum (I highly recommend it!).

The important part of the interview day is obviously the interview, which like everything else that day was awesome. The interviewers are very friendly and do a great job of not making it a stressful experience. The only thing I wish is that the interviews were longer than 30 minutes, because I honestly feel like I could have talked to my two interviewers all day. The interviews were so low stress that I came out of them feeling great, but I don't know if that is because I did well or they just didn't do anything to make me feel stressed out. One thing for those of you with interviews coming up to keep in mind is that your interviews will not necessarily be back to back. Heck, they might not even both be before lunch. That kind of caught me by surprise, but I don't think it made much of a difference.

Some other things about the day:
-The tour was a blast, and it was great to see how incredible the facilities at Mayo really are. I especially loved the simulation lab, which I believe had two full operating rooms in addition to the multiple exam rooms. I really want to be able to go in and do a simulated surgery on the interactive dummies that they have.

-Lunch with the students made me want to go there even more, and they let you get whatever you want from the cafeteria! If you have an afternoon interview, be smart what you choose, so you don't mess up your clothes (that's the last thing you want to be thinking about in your interview).

Since I knew my student host from undergrad, the good stuff didn't end with the interview day. At Mayo, the students get a physician mentor, and my host's mentor was having a potluck dinner at her house. At the dinner, there was lots of medical students from first to fourth year, who I was able to interact with and see in a relaxed setting. It was more proof of how cool Mayo students are. The next morning I went with my host and her husband to the farmer's market.

Wow, that was absurdly long, but it covers about everything I did while I was there. I hope that answers your questions about the day. If not, then this one word can: awesome. My interview trip to Mayo exceeded my expectations and makes me want to go there even more, so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

*I typed this up really fast, so I apologize in advance for all the mistakes.

 

[Crash88]

complete...finally

 

[LAman10]

I know this has been asked, but now that I'm trying to book my flights, it's a lot harder than I thought lol....

I'm interviewing on a friday.. is it at all possible to make a 5:20pm flight from minneapolis? or are they serious when they say don't schedule before 7pm?

 

[lrkoehle]

I know this has been asked, but now that I'm trying to book my flights, it's a lot harder than I thought lol....

I'm interviewing on a friday.. is it at all possible to make a 5:20pm flight from minneapolis? or are they serious when they say don't schedule before 7pm?

I think it would be incredibly difficult to make a 5:20 flight. IIRC, the shuttle leaves Rochester at 3:30, and thus wouldn't get to MSP until probably 5:00. As you can see, this would make it pretty difficult to make it to a 5:20 flight unless you took the 2:30 shuttle. Try finding a later flight or just spend an extra night in Rochester maybe.

 

[MBHockey]

Rejected at 2:30 AM. 35R, 3.70, OOS

Heard from only two schools so far (both today) and I'm 0/2 :-\

Good luck everyone.

 

[nonamesleft]

Rejected as well. 09/19

So much for all my excitement for getting the LOR request. Then again, this was a VERY long shot.

For those looking for stats/dates:

Fee Req: 7/26, LOR Req: 8/6, C: 8/19, R: 9/19

cGPA 3.36, sGPA: 3.33, 32Q, international

Currently batting average: 1/6

 

[Rach83]

Rejected as well. 09/19

So much for all my excitement for getting the LOR request. Then again, this was a VERY long shot.

For those looking for stats/dates:

Fee Req: 7/26, LOR Req: 8/6, C: 8/19, R: 9/19

cGPA 3.36, sGPA: 3.33, 32Q, international

Currently batting average: 1/6

Sorry. 🙁 Eek, I was complete the day after you so perhaps I'll hear soon.😱

MBHockey, when were you complete?

 

[MBHockey]

I never received a 'complete' email. The last email I got from them was on 8/28 and it was just a confirmation of the payment.

Rejected from BU and Mayo on the day of my birthday party. Shouldn't there be a rule against that? 😉

Good luck everyone, it seems like a great school.

 

[Rach83]

I never received a 'complete' email. The last email I got from them was on 8/28 and it was just a confirmation of the payment.

Rejected from BU and Mayo on the day of my birthday party. Shouldn't there be a rule against that? 😉

Good luck everyone, it seems like a great school.

Well happy birthday. 😛 I'm sure the rest of your day will be much better.

 

[housefish26]

Oh man, I had a dream I got an e-mail from Mayo last night but the subject line was blurry and I couldn't open it. Very distressing.

Well Rach83, neuronc, eatmyshorts, 8/20's still going strong?

 

[Rach83]

Oh man, I had a dream I got an e-mail from Mayo last night but the subject line was blurry and I couldn't open it. Very distressing.

Well Rach83, neuronc, eatmyshorts, 8/20's still going strong?

Yep still hanging in there.
haha, I've had a few mayo dreams as well.

 

[trueBelief]

Oh man, I had a dream I got an e-mail from Mayo last night but the subject line was blurry and I couldn't open it. Very distressing.

Well Rach83, neuronc, eatmyshorts, 8/20's still going strong?

Yep still hanging in there.
haha, I've had a few mayo dreams as well.

I had similar dreams too when I was waiting for my Mayo emails. Hang in there guys!

 

[neuronc]

Oh man, I had a dream I got an e-mail from Mayo last night but the subject line was blurry and I couldn't open it. Very distressing.

Well Rach83, neuronc, eatmyshorts, 8/20's still going strong?

Still waiting!

 

[clearsight]

I wish sincere good luck to all who have yet to interview at Mayo, and those who are waiting. Mayo certainly seems to be everything it is rumored to be. The students love it there, the faculty is dedicated to helping the students perform and succeed, and on and on.

It is freezing cold in the winter, and Rochester is a smaller city of 100k people.

According to Nancy, who coordinates everything,

4000 apply
250-270 interview
70-75 are accepted, and many of those from the waitlist
42 MD only applicants are accepted, and 6 MD/PhD, and 2 MD OMS

Every student accepted receives at least 1/2 tuition scholarship (unless on the military or some other full tuition scholarship already), cutting tuition from 30-35k to about 16k. It appears that others receive higher, if not full tuition scholarships.

For those who were at the same interview that I attended on Sep 18, I am so impressed. Each of you would make a fine physician. It is quite unfortunate for me how fine each of you have prepared and presented yourselves because it leaves me at a loss for any expectation of acceptance 🙂 Good luck to you all. I hope you all not only get an offer at Mayo, but may you also be blessed with the predicament of choosing from the best schools of your applications.

 

[Desaad]

This is a god damn dream school.

I hope I get an interview, against all odds!

 

[Rach83]

8/20s, I think I'll be calling later this afternoon to ask if there is such a thing as a "hold" for mayo. Maybe she'll tell me if it's a matter of our application continuously being compared to new applicants before they reject/interview us.... Seems we are in limbo so hopefully I'll report back with some useful info!

 

[neuronc]

8/20s, I think I'll be calling later this afternoon to ask if there is such a thing as a "hold" for mayo. Maybe she'll tell me if it's a matter of our application continuously being compared to new applicants before they reject/interview us.... Seems we are in limbo so hopefully I'll report back with some useful info!

That'd be awesome if you could find out! Seems like I'm in limbo everywhere...

 

[lrkoehle]

That'd be awesome if you could find out! Seems like I'm in limbo everywhere...

Limbo is better than a rejection! That's what I keep telling myself at least. I haven't heard from any schools in over a month, except for Wisconsin rejecting me.

 

[Rach83]

Limbo is better than a rejection! That's what I keep telling myself at least. I haven't heard from any schools in over a month, except for Wisconsin rejecting me.

Although a rejection is more painful after limbo.... so much time to get my hopes up. 😛

 

[lrkoehle]

Although a rejection is more painful after limbo.... so much time to get my hopes up. 😛

Very true, but I am really scared of how painful it would be to get one after an interview...😱

Now I am going to have nightmares.