2009-2010 Ohio State Application Thread

[osumc2014]

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congrats! see y all at 2nd look!

 

[JJMrK]

Honestly, I'm not sure. They have changed the website for applicants quite a bit from when I applied and what you see on your Medstar page is different than what I see on my Medstar page.

If you don't see a link, don't sweat it. Just do the FAFSA. Someone will send you an e-mail if/when the form is available to fill out. Heck, for all I know, they may use info from your AMCAS for new students rather than having you fill something else out.

I think this might be the case. Thanks for your help. 👍

 

[learnmdabc]

Hi guys,

I just interviewed. Interview day was great.

I read that you wait 11 business days before you get results. I have many updates to make and would like to send a letter of update+interest. But then I realized that OSU works slightly different, that all the committee voting and presentation is done on the day of the interview. In light of this, do you guys feel it is still worthwhile to send that letter?

Thanks.

 

[linkin06]

Hi guys,

I just interviewed. Interview day was great.

I read that you wait 11 business days before you get results. I have many updates to make and would like to send a letter of update+interest. But then I realized that OSU works slightly different, that all the committee voting and presentation is done on the day of the interview. In light of this, do you guys feel it is still worthwhile to send that letter?

Thanks.

it's good to send a thank you letter simply to be a nice person. but ur right, your fate is sealed :/ pretty crazy. check back w/ us next next mon.

 

[cher25]

I guess if i didnt get a call i either got deferred or rejected. 🙁 OSU is my top choice

Why don't you give them a call to find out for sure?

 

[linkin06]

Why don't you give them a call to find out for sure?

or check the status page

 

[Jay Sherman]

Hey Bender,

Do you know how long we have to wait after we're accepted before we can try setting up this account? I clicked the link and tried a few times with my info, but no go.

Are you talking about your OSU ID or e-mail account? If you just go to their IT site at http://8help.osu.edu/ and then go to the top tab "account management" and then "Osu.edu E-mail" and click on "Activate Account" you'll create and set up your OSU e-mail and OSU ID account. If you don't know your OSU ID, just call IT at (614) 688-HELP and ask the on the other end what your OSU ID is (it should be your "lastname.###@osu.edu).

 

[Jay Sherman]

Hi guys,

I just interviewed. Interview day was great.

I read that you wait 11 business days before you get results. I have many updates to make and would like to send a letter of update+interest. But then I realized that OSU works slightly different, that all the committee voting and presentation is done on the day of the interview. In light of this, do you guys feel it is still worthwhile to send that letter?

Thanks.

It would probably be best to wait until after you hear back from them before sending off any updates if you getdeferred. I wanted to send in updates as well right after my interview but then I realized that they had probably already made a decision so I didn't do anything and still got accepted.

 

[favdudeski234]

Had my interview here recently and really hoping to hear good news soon... the facilities are incredible...

 

[Jay Sherman]

Just got the Second Day Look itinerary in my inbox - it looks awesome. Pretty detailed too. Hope everyone who got accepted can come out.

 

[greenbeans08]

Just got the Second Day Look itinerary in my inbox - it looks awesome. Pretty detailed too. Hope everyone who got accepted can come out.

We have to pay for our flights, yes?

 

[medat101]

We have to pay for our flights, yes?

yes, pay for your own flight. But they set you up with a hotel room (shared with another accepted student) or housing with a current student - you choose - as long as you aren't from the columbus area.

 

[linkin06]

yes, pay for your own flight. But they set you up with a hotel room (shared with another accepted student) or housing with a current student - you choose - as long as you aren't from the columbus area.

is that true ? i didn't understand " Rooms range from $104 to $131 per night."

 

[Jay Sherman]

is that true ? i didn't understand " Rooms range from $104 to $131 per night."

I'm fairly certain that hotel rooms are not free. They might set you up with another applicant to save money or you can live with a medical student for free, but I would imagine that it would be prohibitively expensive for them to front $100 for the >200 people who are going to attend 2nd look.

 

[linkin06]

I'm fairly certain that hotel rooms are not free. They might set you up with another applicant to save money or you can live with a medical student for free, but I would imagine that it would be prohibitively expensive for them to front $100 for the >200 people who are going to attend 2nd look.

i mean it's not totally out of the world. my university flew me down here on their dime to visit.

 

[osumc2014]

is that true ? i didn't understand " Rooms range from $104 to $131 per night."

What they are referring to is if you bring a guest, then the guest must pay for their half of the room, yours is still free. And they are not dishing out 100 bucks a student, 1 they probably have some deal with the hotel, 2 you are sharing the room with someone else, 3 there's gonna be a lot of students from columbus area itself.

 

[Jay Sherman]

i mean it's not totally out of the world. my university flew me down here on their dime to visit.

Yeah, I just reread the e-mail and I realized it's ambiguously worded. Not sure if that charge applies to you or a guest. Give them a call next week if you're not sure.

As for me, I am definitely staying with relatives in the area and drive in to visit on both days.

 

[Toadsworth]

I have this interview on Monday. I'm freakin' out. I'd love to go here. Any tips on what to expect from the interview day?

 

[The Enchanter]

I have this interview on Monday. I'm freakin' out. I'd love to go here. Any tips on what to expect from the interview day?

Tip #1: Don't freak out. This is the most relaxed med school I've been to. They have super nice people across the board, it's very low stress interview, and students are very personable. Seeing as how everybody at OSU seems pretty relaxed and friendly, it makes sense that they're looking for applicants who are relaxed and friendly as well.

Tip #2: Know something about the school. There are exciting things going on at OSUCOM these days. Just read up on their website, google search, etc.

Tip #3: The general itinerary: Welcome talk from Dr. Capers (if you've read this thread you know he's an amazing guy), financial aid presentation, curriculum presentation, housing discussion, lunch with med students, student interview, faculty interview. Then you leave and they decide on the spot whether to accept you.

Best of luck!

 

[medat101]

is that true ? i didn't understand " Rooms range from $104 to $131 per night."

If you decide to bring a parent/friend/bf/gf and they share the hotel room with you, then that person has to pay HALF of the cost of the room like it says in the details they emailed us, but your part (as an accepted student) is covered by the school.
Its called recruiting for a reason - they WANT students to come down to columbus and decide to attend OSU - that is why they covered the price of the hotel for those outside of the columbus area. All top schools are really aggressive about the recruiting at this stage in the game. How much to you think OSU shells out each year for interviewing and recruiting? Probably a ton (did you not see those sweet computer bags everyone got?!).

 

[medat101]

i mean it's not totally out of the world. my university flew me down here on their dime to visit.

A lot of top schools do. Vanderbilt, for example, pays part of your transportation costs to second look weekend and then pays for the accomdations there too.

Recruitment is awesome! I feel so wanted!!! haha

 

[noshowl]

A lot of top schools do. Vanderbilt, for example, pays part of your transportation costs to second look weekend and then pays for the accomdations there too.

Recruitment is awesome! I feel so wanted!!! haha

do we get a press conference, and a row of baseball caps to pick from too? J/k j/k

 

[mgmtfan]

Hi everyone. I have an interview scheduled at osu in March. Being that late in the process, do I have realistic odds of getting accepted?

 

[BBender716]

Hi everyone. I have an interview scheduled at osu in March. Being that late in the process, do I have realistic odds of getting accepted?

If you have an interview, you have realistic odds. Your odds at getting outright accepted is low, but the waitlist movement is ridiculous so interview your tail off and start preparing that letter of interest (or intent, depending) for after your interview. Good luck!

 

[casillas]

Hi everyone. I have an interview scheduled at osu in March. Being that late in the process, do I have realistic odds of getting accepted?

I think OSU has the greatest odds of any school i have been to of getting accepted after an interview. Just rock the interview and know why you 😍😍😍 the school.

 

[Shellzie2010]

Got the acceptance call about 20 minutes ago. 🙂 Interviewed 1/11.

 

[Emergency!]

So scholarships have already gone out, right? Does that mean if I didn't hear anything, I won't get one? Or is there still a possibility? I;m clueless when it comes to financial aid stuff so far.

There's still a possibility. There are lots of smaller scholarships that are awarded later and some people who have been offered scholarships already might decide to go to another school.

 

[triplea1005]

Got the acceptance call about 20 minutes ago. 🙂 Interviewed 1/11.

Congrats!!!!!!👍

Here is the Facebook group for the incoming class!

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=187488346432

 

[lstone13]

Tip #1: Don't freak out. This is the most relaxed med school I've been to. They have super nice people across the board, it's very low stress interview, and students are very personable. Seeing as how everybody at OSU seems pretty relaxed and friendly, it makes sense that they're looking for applicants who are relaxed and friendly as well.

Tip #2: Know something about the school. There are exciting things going on at OSUCOM these days. Just read up on their website, google search, etc.

Tip #3: The general itinerary: Welcome talk from Dr. Capers (if you've read this thread you know he's an amazing guy), financial aid presentation, curriculum presentation, housing discussion, lunch with med students, student interview, faculty interview. Then you leave and they decide on the spot whether to accept you.

Best of luck!

I didn't realize they made their decision so immediately. What's the general timeline like after you finish your interview? How long is the average wait before being notified of their decision?

 

[The Enchanter]

I didn't realize they made their decision so immediately. What's the general timeline like after you finish your interview? How long is the average wait before being notified of their decision?

After my interview, I shook my interviewer's hand and he said, "Now I'm going to the conference room and we're going to decide whether to accept you or not". Before you've left Columbus, your fate has likely been decided. Average waiting time is 10 days for your decision.

 

[lstone13]

After my interview, I shook my interviewer's hand and he said, "Now I'm going to the conference room and we're going to decide whether to accept you or not". Before you've left Columbus, your fate has likely been decided. Average waiting time is 10 days for your decision.

I like this! It's much more convenient than the 6-10 week wait at most schools. Why the 10-day wait then if they already know whether or not you've been accepted?

 

[osumc2014]

I like this! It's much more convenient than the 6-10 week wait at most schools. Why the 10-day wait then if they already know whether or not you've been accepted?

logistics...and I don't think some people would appreciate it if they knew immediately, as much as they want to

 

[Pedie Packs]

Interview here 2/8... so excited!

 

[BBender716]

Well, hello Class of 2014 thread, oh wait, this is the OSU thread... lol

 

[The Enchanter]

OSUCOM gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling. I'm between 2 schools but my heart is at OSU and I really hope they give me some money so I can make that decision final. Go Buckeyes!

 

[The Enchanter]

Anyone have any leaning toward Integrated Pathway / Independent Study Pathway yet?

 

[ap888]

Anyone have any leaning toward Integrated Pathway / Independent Study Pathway yet?

I'm leaning toward the independent study pathway mainly because I don't find lectures useful and learn best on my own. However, I remember the students at OSU saying that after anatomy the ISP students are never seen again and depicted them as "outcasts" (which turned me off). It will be a tough decision to make, but I think its best to wait until after I get used to the school to make a decision regarding the pathway.

What are others' thoughts on this?

 

[The Enchanter]

I was initially attracted to ISP. I've heard that most medical students study on their own anyway and frequently skip lecture, so why not do the program that was designed for you to study on your own and skip lecture? I imagine it might get lonely, but loneliness is pretty common the first two years anyway. Just have to get involved in other things. The only thing I'm worried about is scheduling your own tests. I'm a terrible perfectionist - I think I'd put off taking the exams until I had everything down pat which is nearly impossible to do in med school.

 

[rockaction]

Anyone have any leaning toward Integrated Pathway / Independent Study Pathway yet?

If I ended up here, I would go Integrated Pathway all the way. I don't mind lectures, and I like how they are recorded so if I didn't want to go I wouldn't have to. I also like how pathophysiology and physiology are combined in IP.

 

[osumc2014]

I'm leaning toward the independent study pathway mainly because I don't find lectures useful and learn best on my own. However, I remember the students at OSU saying that after anatomy the ISP students are never seen again and depicted them as "outcasts" (which turned me off). It will be a tough decision to make, but I think its best to wait until after I get used to the school to make a decision regarding the pathway.

What are others' thoughts on this?

Def the third pathway: ISP/IP, take the IP path, but don't go to class

 

[The Enchanter]

Def the third pathway: ISP/IP, take the IP path, but don't go to class

So, basically do ISP but without the benefit of having your own study carrel and a special library with every text you need? I've heard that buying textbooks for ISP students is largely optional. Also, if you do ISP and really bust your hump and finish your second year early, you could have additional time to prep for Step 1.

 

[bobsmith]

I was initially attracted to ISP. I've heard that most medical students study on their own anyway and frequently skip lecture, so why not do the program that was designed for you to study on your own and skip lecture? I imagine it might get lonely, but loneliness is pretty common the first two years anyway. Just have to get involved in other things. The only thing I'm worried about is scheduling your own tests. I'm a terrible perfectionist - I think I'd put off taking the exams until I had everything down pat which is nearly impossible to do in med school.

I see this as even more of an argument for choosing IP

Anyway, I got the vibe that ISP was only chosen by people who had special circumstances (like families to take care of or something) and that this wasn't really a huge decision to be largely debated or anything since most people choose IP (this could also be because most of the students I talked to were IP...ISP people were sort of hard to find).

 

[rockaction]

I see this as even more of an argument for choosing IP

Anyway, I got the vibe that ISP was only chosen by people who had special circumstances (like families to take care of or something) and that this wasn't really a huge decision to be largely debated or anything since most people choose IP (this could also be because most of the students I talked to were IP...ISP people were sort of hard to find).

The people I met at my interview who were in ISP were really, really, really quiet people (nothing wrong with that). And then they said the other ISP people had families. So that's understandable.

 

[Emergency!]

A few ISP/IP comments from a soon to be ISP grad:

1. You have LOTS of time to make that decision. I agree that the choice between the two pathways is very attractive and something that sets OSU apart, but no need to stress about it now. You will get the opportunity to talk to your anatomy proctors (who will mostly be ISP Med 2s), numerous panel discussions will be held (will students from all levels), and the opportunity to talk with students for a good two months about their choices.

2. Re: never seeing the ISP people again - I think this varies highly on the individual. If people disappear from the radar, its largely by their own choice and they would likely disappear even if they were doing IP. Everyone has anatomy together for something like 14 weeks - lots of friendships are established long before people choose pathways. Everyone continues to take the CAPS course together - so you will still see ISP people there. Many ISPers are very active in various student activities. I made a point to try and socialize when I came to campus and be involved with activities because I did want to be involved and see my classmates.

3. Lonliness - again, what you make of it. We had a LOT of students my year do ISP (like 60 people). Many of the ISP students take advantage of the ISP library to do all of their studying and it's almost like an office/job environment. People come in at 7-8 am, and study until 3-5. People often take snack/lunch breaks together. Other people choose to never come to campus unless they have to.

4. Re: books - while there are a lot of books in the ISP library, I still ended up buying the vast majority of my texts. If you happen to be one of the few people who are ahead of schedule (or really far behind), you can get away without buying many texts, because you will be the first one to need a book. However, there are definitely not enough books to go around.

5. ISP for "special circumstances": While I do think a lot of people choose ISP because of family obligations, I think the majority of people choose it for the flexibility. Although there are a lot of people who do IP but never go to lecture, they are still obligated to take their exams when scheduled with very little flexibility. You better hope that your sister/brother doesn't schedule their wedding on the west coast the Saturday after the exam because policy is that you will NOT be allowed to take your exam at early/at a different time so you can make the rehearsal dinner on Friday night. Same thing with holidays - if there is an exam before a holiday break, you are forced to wait until after the exam to fly out. It was very nice on ISP to set my own test date (within limits) based on what worked best for me. If I was sick for a couple of days, I could move my test date back a couple of days instead of having to take an exam I wasn't ready for.

Also with the flexibility - I think ISP gives you a bit more freedom in doing research, but plenty of IP students do research between M1 and M2.

6. ISPers hard to find: I'm not sure how many people are doing ISP, but the vast majority of students do IP. We always had a good mix of IPers vs ISPers at interview days, but it tends to be related to test deadlines for both pathways in terms of who comes to lunch/tours. I do think the number went down dramatically after they started podcasting the lectures. My year (I'm a 5th year dual degree student) was the last class to not have podcasting, but we still had 3 times as many people choose ISP as the year before.

7. There seemed to be a perception out there that all of the "gunners" did ISP. I know some people who chose IP because they thought it would be easier to excel there vs. more competitive to be at the top of the class in IP. (And yes, I know we're non-ranking and blah, blah, blah - but they do still give an award at the end of the year for the top student in IP/ISP/CAPS as well as honors and letters to the top 25%, so this can be an issue for those gunning for AOA, etc.) In any case, I don't know that this is really the case. There were definitely a fair amount of less motivated students in my class who did ISP and a lot of us who were just happy with being average.

8. Additional time to study for Step 1: eh - don't base your decision on this. Just as many people (if not more) end up running behind in ISP and having less time to study as end up finishing early and having more (or just more vacation time).


Ultimately, you will be well educated no matter which path you choose. You will hear stories of people doing better/worse in clinicals depending on pathways, but I think those are largely myths. And again - it's WAY too early to start obsessing about pathways. Enjoy the rest of your time before med school starts.

 

[osumc2014]

A few ISP/IP comments from a soon to be ISP grad:

Awesome! thanks for the info, that is very helpful!

 

[TheFreak]

hey for those of you guys who hoteled it, how did you get from the airport to your hotel?

 

[lackli]

For what its worth ISPers usually do roughly 10 points better on step 1 than IPers. Could be that they are more used to self study. Could be a selection bias.

Also...IP people don't really have to buy textbooks either because the course packets are pretty good (200-300 pages a block).

As an IPer I really like going to lecture. There are definitely some duds, as there always will be. But for the most part I like lecture. A select few just leave you saying "wow...doctor's like you are why i wanted to go into medicine in the first place...you are who i aspire to be."

 

[Jay Sherman]

For what its worth ISPers usually do roughly 10 points better on step 1 than IPers. Could be that they are more used to self study. Could be a selection bias.

Also...IP people don't really have to buy textbooks either because the course packets are pretty good (200-300 pages a block).

As an IPer I really like going to lecture. There are definitely some duds, as there always will be. But for the most part I like lecture. A select few just leave you saying "wow...doctor's like you are why i wanted to go into medicine in the first place...you are who i aspire to be."

For the ISPers, I wonder if you can just study things on your own at home or on the beach and then take the exams on your computer (sort of like a distance learning thing). Obviously, you will have to be present for the CAPS and for the anatomy block, but if you have that much flexibility, would it be possible to get everything done really early and then take a few months off to go home or to travel abroad. I guess what I'm asking is can you go and learn all of this at home (in another state) and just commute to Columbus on the days when there are exams or CAPS sessions?

 

[osumc2014]

Also, this may be wishful thinking, but if do the ISP can you cram all of your pre-clinical material into one year (by studying day and night) and then taking the USMLE after your first year and then graduate in 3 years?

 

[causalinference]

I'm leaning more towards ISP because I rarely went to lecture in undergrad and I would probably miss most of my lectures in medical school unless they were mandatory (and they wouldn't be with IP). On the other hand, I love meeting people in lecture when I actually go to class, and I appreciate good professors, so it will be a tough decision.