2009-2010 Penn State Application Thread

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NdNThunder said:
I submitted my secondary to Penn State first week of October. I still haven't heard back ANYTHING (no interview invite/on-hold/rejection). Until recently, I wasn't even "complete".

How do I know when I'm complete? And is anyone in the same boat (submitted same time as me or even before, and not hear anything back yet)? Thanks! Waiting sucks...🙁
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The waiting does suck... I was complete around the same time as you and then heard about an interview a couple weeks later. If it makes you feel any better their secondary website https://sa-hes.hmc.psu.edu/secondary/login.cfm still gives the same message today (post-interview) as it did the day I got my complete email. Good luck! I'm sure you will hear soon.
 
NdNThunder said:
I submitted my secondary to Penn State first week of October. I still haven't heard back ANYTHING (no interview invite/on-hold/rejection). Until recently, I wasn't even "complete".

How do I know when I'm complete? And is anyone in the same boat (submitted same time as me or even before, and not hear anything back yet)? Thanks! Waiting sucks...🙁
Click to expand...

Penn State seems pretty slow, and since you submitted relatively "late", I would say perhaps wait a little more.
 
NdNThunder said:
I submitted my secondary to Penn State first week of October. I still haven't heard back ANYTHING (no interview invite/on-hold/rejection). Until recently, I wasn't even "complete".

How do I know when I'm complete? And is anyone in the same boat (submitted same time as me or even before, and not hear anything back yet)? Thanks! Waiting sucks...🙁
Click to expand...

yeah they are very slow but on the converse, i think they really do look into your app pretty carefully. both my interviewers seemed to know my profile very well even with my printed amcas in front of them, they didnt refer to it much right there. my stats arent very good and im OOS, and many of my friends who also applied here are on hold. i think they look more deeply into the app than other schools to see if you are a good fit, because i felt more comfortable at the school than any other school.

in short, yeah its a long wait but a good wait imo because you can be assured they are investigating it deeply rather than skimming over how many characters you filled in for each activity 😀
 
so i interviewed on 11/6 which means my range to hear back something is between 12/18-1/1. should i just assume i'm nothing gonna hear anything back during the holiday break? and does anyone know the dates the school is closed? hope people are getting some good news!
 
i would assume there won't be any word sent out until after x-mas, not sure you'll have to wait till after new years, because is that really a holiday?? i have to work lol
 
complete since 10/20 - no word from Pennstate🙁
 
been 7 weeks post-interview, i'm getting ancy 🙂
 
I figured they said 6-8 weeks, so i should wait another week before i really start going crazy, and being that it's x-mas time i figured that would make them lag a bit on responses...
 
amikhchi said:
I figured they said 6-8 weeks, so i should wait another week before i really start going crazy, and being that it's x-mas time i figured that would make them lag a bit on responses...
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try and not to include the time during xmas break as evaluation time because you aren't gonna get anything in that period. when did you interview?
 
Interviewed 11/11, so it's just about been 7 weeks, but like i assumed there would be a bit of a delay due to the holidays and all.
 
anyone get taken off pre-int hold? Just curious really wanted to check penn state out .
 
Happy New Year to all of you! I wish all SDNers best of luck and to get into med.school :laugh::xf:
 
Not sure if this helps anyone, but I do know that there have been people removed from pre-int hold in previous cycles, however it usually happened later in the process (end of Feb/Early March) and from what I understand it doesn't happen often.

Also to answer an earlier question, though its a bit late, we go back Jan. 4th.

Also, again from past cycles, it has taken anywhere from 15 days to 8+ weeks to get responses back, so don't let the time bother you, especially if it is over holidays. Same with the interview invites, I know people who were complete in October and didn't hear until February/March, so sometimes it does take a while.
 
fuuiin said:
Hi 2nd year here. I'll answer a few until I'm tired lol.

Curriculum
1. Are there any special programs for which this medical school is noted? Lion care is a student-run clinic. Even funds for it are raised by students. A wonderful opportunity to get involved in running a clinic and patient contact starting your first year.
2. Describe this school's curriculum in the pre-clinical and clinical years. Are there any innovations, like Problem-Based Learning? I think it would be a problem these days for any schools not to have PBL. PBL helps solidify things for me really well. I rarely need to look over what we discussed in PBL. PBL parallels what you learn in class, but asks you to build upon what you learn in class by doing outside research. First year PBL cases are discussed very slowly. 2nd year you get PBL at least every week and up to 3 times a week, and you frequently start a case one day and finish it the next. 1st year--you have your basic biochem, genetics, immunology, physiology, etc. basis for what you need to understand clinical medicine. 2nd year--organ system based and much more emphasis on clinical understanding, diagnosis, and treatment. 3rd year--clerkships in surgery, medicine, primary care, family medicine, ob/gyn, peds, and a choice of electives. 4th year--acting internships and much more electives
3. Are there opportunities for students to design, conduct, and publish their own research? I think someone already mentioned MSR. You can design your own project and look for a faculty sponsor or look for a project that a faculty has already proposed (there's a binder full of these and some of them are also online on the MSR page). If you are already published, you can also be exempt, but as of now the publication has to be based on what you did prior to coming to med school.
4. Is there a note-taking service? If so, is it university-run or student-run? someone already mentioned mediasite. we used to have student-run note taking service, but starting my class, we've had video recorded lectures that people can stream online.
5. Is there flexibility in the coursework (the number of electives) and the timing of the courses (accelerating, decelerating, and time off) during the pre-clinical and clinical years? Preclinical years: no. Class schedule is set for everybody. But if you prefer to watch the lectures in the library or in your own living room, you are free to do so. If you want to take a day or two off, you do so at your own discretion. However, there are mandatory events like PBL, clinical skills instructions, and so on that you have to be present for. No electives. Clincial years--you can choose the order you want to take the rotations in, but once you are at a certain rotation, you are at the mercy of the schedule of the department. It's just like working, you can't just randomly take time off when you feel like it. Electives are lottery based, but not everybody takes electives at the same time.
6. Has this medical school, or any of its clinical departments, been on probation or had its accreditation revoked? I don't know anything about this one. Maybe someone else can comment. As far as I know..no...
7. How do students from this medical school perform on the National Board Examinations? How does the school assist students who do not pass? 98% pass rate in 2007, if you fail you have to retake it. I don't want to think about failing so I don't know. = )

Evaluations
8. How are students evaluated academically? How are clinical evaluations performed? Pass, High Pass, Honors. Honors is usually top 15%, then HP is the next 15%, but Pass is set at a specific %.
9. Is there a formal mechanism in place for students to evaluate their professors and attending physicians? What changes have been made recently as a result of this feedback? For every course, every lecture, everything you have to do as a student, there is a survey where you can anonymously report your evaluation and comments. There are also semi-frequent meetings you can attend if you wish where administrators will attend. There are also sessions where you provide feedback directly to the course directors. Changes are trickier. One class may suggest something, but the next class where the change is implemented finds that the change is horrible. No can do about that. They are very receptive to student input.

Counseling/Student Support
10. What kind of academic, personal, financial, and career counseling is available to students? Are these services also offered to their spouses and dependents/children? Not sure how to answer this. I never had to use any of these yet.
11. Is there a mentor/advisor system? Who are the advisors—faculty members, other students, or both? Every student gets a clinical faculty advisor that is the main person in charge of teaching them clinical skills during the pre-clinical years. This person is also the academic advisor.
12. How diverse is the student body? Are there support services or organizations for ethnic minorities and women? Very diverse considering we are out in the "boonies". There are tons of cultural clubs, organizations, if there isn't one, you can start one. Link to student orgs:
http://www.pennstatehershey.org/c/document_library/get_file?folderId=189075&name=DLFE-3260.pdf


Facilities
13. Tell me about the library and extracurricular facilities (i.e., housing and athletic/recreational facilities). We have a library with a 24hr studying area and computer lab. Also you can study anywhere in school as long as nothing is scheduled. We have PBL in pbl rooms, like mini-meeting rooms that can be used when nothing is going on in them. Things are under renovations right now so a bit haywire but should be done by next fall at the latest. There's a gym with everything you would need, but no pool. I've been told that we can also get into the penn state harrisburg campus gym that has a pool and that's about 30 minuets away. Housing--on campus if there's opening, nearby briar crest apts, hershey heights
14. Are there computer facilities available to students? Are they integrated into the curriculum/learning? Tons of computers in the library, in the library computer labs, in every pbl room.
15. What type of clinical sites—ambulatory, private preceptors, private hospitals, rural settings—are available or required for clerkships? Does this school allow for students to do rotations at other institutions or internationally? There are ambulatory, private clinic, other hospitals in PA. You can do your first year clinic rotation for a week anywhere you can find a physician to sponsor you. 3rd year you are limited to PA. 4th year you can go anywhere, but you have to apply yourself and if it's international, there should be a previous connection or you have to set up one yourself.
16. Is a car necessary for clinical rotations? Is parking a problem?
There are plenty of parking spaces. If you live on-campus you only get one parking space per apt. ie. if you have a roomate you guys have to share, and the other person has to park a bit farther away in the over-flow. Everything is kind of spread out. Daily, you can just walk back and forth btw on-campus housing and the hospital. Briar crest is within walking distance. I know ppl who don't have cars and survive, but me personally would find it inconvenient without a car.
Financial Aid
17. What is the current tuition and fees? Is this expected to increase yearly? If so, at what rate? tuition increases about 5% per year?
18. Are there stable levels of federal financial aid and substantial amounts of university/medical school endowment aid available to students? there are merit scholarships starting 2nd year. federal financial aid is standardized. university financial aid is need-based.
19. Are there students who have an "unmet need" factor in their budget? If so, where do these students come up with the extra funds? unmet need can be made up by workstudy and grad plus loans.
20. Are spouses and dependents/children covered in a student's budget? I'm a single gal so I have not had to deal with this. Hopefully someone in this situation can answer.
21. Is someone available to assist students with budgeting and financial planning? Yes, but you would have to seek them out yourself
22. Does this school provide guidance to its students, and to its graduates/alumni, on debt management? Yes, entering and exiting information sessions.

Student Involvement
23. What medical school committees (e.g., curriculum committee) have student representation? Admissions, Curriculum...
24. Are students involved in (required or voluntary) community service? Voluntary community service, Lioncare
25. How active is the Student Council/Government? Are there other student organizations? see link to student orgs above under diversity
Policies
26. Is there an established protocol for dealing with student exposure to infectious diseases? Is disability insurance provided to cover this exposure? Yes there is, they talked about it at orientation, I've forgotten the details. I hope so. Aren't they required by law?
27. Does this school provide, or does the student pay for, vaccinations against Hepatitis B or prophylactic AZT treatment in case of a needle-stick or accident?
28. Is there a school Honor Code? Is there a grievance process/procedure? Are the students involved? We just made an Honor Code for students.
Residency
29. May I see a list of residency programs to which this school's recent graduates were accepted?
http://www.pennstatehershey.org/c/document_library/get_file?folderId=189169&name=DLFE-3257.pdf

Questions to Ask Yourself
30. Does this school have strengths in the type of medicine (primary versus specialized care, urban versus rural practice environment, academic medicine versus private practice) that I will want to practice? Like the Emerg. Dep attending who interviewed me said, if all I wanted to see was gun shot trauma, Hershey Med Ctr is not the place to be. I think this question is one you have to answer yourself. You can go into anything you want to. If you already know, then you seek out faculty in that area to be your guide. The basics are the same at any medical school. In the end, just ask yourself is this medical school somewhere you can thrive.
31. Would I be happy at this school (for at least the next four years)?
It's tough, but I'm happy
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found this in another thread, great information about this school 🙂
 
Anyone stay with a student while you were there? I found this student host website but who knows how old it is and it didn't give me a person to contact. Any student overnight host program here?
 
jojo420 said:
Anyone stay with a student while you were there? I found this student host website but who knows how old it is and it didn't give me a person to contact. Any student overnight host program here?
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when i asked the admissions office as i was scheduling my interview, they told me there is no current student host program set up and that they were working on establishing a new one.
 
FallenHero, that bit tells us more about the school than actually visiting the school and going on a tour. Every med school should publish something in that kind of format.
 
Got an acceptance letter somewhere between Christmas and New Years!!!

Interviewed last week of October.
 
Congratulations, hopefully i get a surprise in the mail today
 
On December 1st I sent Penn State an email expressing my continued interest in the school ( I am complete as of 11/13 but have not been put on hold or invited for an interview).

today I got this response

Thank you for your email. Please let us know what else we can do to help and thank you for your interest in Penn State College of Medicine.


I have no idea if this will help me or not but its just nice to get an actual response, it lets know that penn state still knows I exist.
 
PsxDcSquall said:
On December 1st I sent Penn State an email expressing my continued interest in the school ( I am complete as of 11/13 but have not been put on hold or invited for an interview).

today I got this response

Thank you for your email. Please let us know what else we can do to help and thank you for your interest in Penn State College of Medicine.


I have no idea if this will help me or not but its just nice to get an actual response, it lets know that penn state still knows I exist.
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I considered doing this (post-interview) but it didn't seem like they wanted updates. Maybe I should disobey them... what's the worst that could happen...
 
Has anyone been taken off HOLD list from this school yet?
 
PsxDcSquall said:
On December 1st I sent Penn State an email expressing my continued interest in the school ( I am complete as of 11/13 but have not been put on hold or invited for an interview).

today I got this response

Thank you for your email. Please let us know what else we can do to help and thank you for your interest in Penn State College of Medicine.


I have no idea if this will help me or not but its just nice to get an actual response, it lets know that penn state still knows I exist.
Click to expand...


YEP I gave an in the area email and got the same..lame
 
If you completed your secondary after september, sit tight. I completed my secondary in mid-september and was invited for an interview just a week or so ago. Sit tight everyone-Penn State's very very slow, but not as slow as MCW....
 
jojo420 said:
If you completed your secondary after september, sit tight. I completed my secondary in mid-september and was invited for an interview just a week or so ago. Sit tight everyone-Penn State's very very slow, but not as slow as MCW....
Click to expand...

So I take this as you submitted middle of September, correct?

When were you marked complete?
 
So i have been hanging around the mailbox everyday for the past 8 weeks and still haven't heard anything post-interview!! anyone else in the same boat??? For those of you who were accepted, how long did it take for you to hear some news??
 
when did you interview?

mine was 11/11, so as of tomorrow it will be 8 weeks
 
I just have to comment on the little sense that this makes... This is the one year anniversary of me receiving an interview at PSU during last application cycle.... with a 28 mcat, oodles less shadowing and volunteer experience, no letters of recommendation from doctors.........
this year i applied in july with a 36, a full-time job in a hospital ER, hundreds of hours more of shadowing, and two very personal letters of recommendation from doctors i work with on a daily basis....
and no interview this year. pre-interview "hold". last year i was waitlisted after interviewing........ if had received a rejection last year, maybe i could have figured they didn't like me then and still wouldn't like me this year... but WHAT????

i am thrilled to be holding acceptances elsewhere and don't care that much, i just think it points to the ridiculous subjectivity of this process!
 
hopefully we'll both get some good news within the next few days (or even today)
 
hey guys, did anyone receive a background check email today? I'm waiting to hear back but i'm at home and i'm having any mail sent to my school address. Just wondering if the email means anything since i kinda heard penn tends to request a background check if you get accepted and the check usually happens a few days before you get the letter. Also I interviewed on 11/16 so this is the 8 week mark with me.
 
brkndriveway06 said:
hey guys, did anyone receive a background check email today? I'm waiting to hear back but i'm at home and i'm having any mail sent to my school address. Just wondering if the email means anything since i kinda heard penn tends to request a background check if you get accepted and the check usually happens a few days before you get the letter. Also I interviewed on 11/16 so this is the 8 week mark with me.
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Anyone holding acceptances want to corroborate the background-check-email-before-acceptance thing?

I honestly am checking my mailbox around 3 times a day...
 
brkndriveway06 said:
hey guys, did anyone receive a background check email today? I'm waiting to hear back but i'm at home and i'm having any mail sent to my school address. Just wondering if the email means anything since i kinda heard penn tends to request a background check if you get accepted and the check usually happens a few days before you get the letter. Also I interviewed on 11/16 so this is the 8 week mark with me.
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i didn't get one today and have been accepted a couple months now. good luck, i hope you hear back soon!
 
brkndriveway06 said:
hey guys, did anyone receive a background check email today? I'm waiting to hear back but i'm at home and i'm having any mail sent to my school address. Just wondering if the email means anything since i kinda heard penn tends to request a background check if you get accepted and the check usually happens a few days before you get the letter. Also I interviewed on 11/16 so this is the 8 week mark with me.
Click to expand...

It could have also been requested by any other school that you have been accepted or waitlisted by (assuming they do background check via AMCAS). I received the email today too but I can't be sure it's from Penn State
 
Just found out I got accepted!!!! My RA was back at school already so he was able to check my mail and give me the good news. It was actually postmarked 12/18 but i left on 12/20 so never got it. Anyways interviewed here 11/6. Good luck everyone, hope yall here some good news 🙂
 
congratulations, I just hit the 8 week mark today, so what's the general consensus about calling for a status update (i'm getting anxious/nervous/crazy)
 
amikhchi said:
congratulations, I just hit the 8 week mark today, so what's the general consensus about calling for a status update (i'm getting anxious/nervous/crazy)
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Just did that right now. She said "I dont know what to tell you but to be patient...the admissions committee is backed up because of the holidays"

Since i wanted answers, i decided to go to the 2008-2009 Penn State secondary thread and found out that for some it actually took 11 weeks to get their acceptance!! Idk if it helps any but i think someone on that thread interviewed early november then got an acceptance in late january. so we will just have to sit tight. uuuggghh!😱 (im impatient lol)
 
I interviewed on 11/19, and received my acceptance sometime between christmas and the new year. This school was a stretch for me to get into, I had a 29R and a 3.47 OOS. For everyone still waiting, keep your chin up.
 
brkndriveway06 said:
Just found out I got accepted!!!! My RA was back at school already so he was able to check my mail and give me the good news. It was actually postmarked 12/18 but i left on 12/20 so never got it. Anyways interviewed here 11/6. Good luck everyone, hope yall here some good news 🙂
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mortimer22 said:
I interviewed on 11/19, and received my acceptance sometime between christmas and the new year. This school was a stretch for me to get into, I had a 29R and a 3.47 OOS. For everyone still waiting, keep your chin up.
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Congrats guys!
 
jackson1 said:
i didn't get one today and have been accepted a couple months now. good luck, i hope you hear back soon!
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correcting myself to avoid confusion: so it turns out i actually did get backround check emails, my junkmail caught them so i didn't see it til today. i've been accepted at 2 schools including psu, one of which doesnt participate in the cbc, so i'd assume it was penn state checing up on me but i guess it could be one of the schools i'm waitlisted at too.
 
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