2009-2010 SUNY Downstate Application Thread

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JmanDO said:
I'll be there for the MD/PhD on the 7th of Jan.
Is there a type of rsch or special rsch facility Dwnste really likes to brag about that I could look up?
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MD/PhD I can't speak to, considering I don't do research here...sorry!

Good luck though!:luck:
 
Vulcan said:
MD/PhD I can't speak to, considering I don't do research here...sorry!

Good luck though!:luck:
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would you say the research opportunities for med students are sparse? if you go here you should be focused most on the clinical, correct?
 
FIREitUP said:
would you say the research opportunities for med students are sparse? if you go here you should be focused most on the clinical, correct?
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I wouldn't say sparse...in fact the Musculoskeletal block director, who i am a big fan of, had a bunch of spots that he offered to MS1 at the start of his block. I was considering taking one, but decided I'd rather work in the KCH ED and network a bit.
 
Vulcan said:
I wouldn't say sparse...in fact the Musculoskeletal block director, who i am a big fan of, had a bunch of spots that he offered to MS1 at the start of his block. I was considering taking one, but decided I'd rather work in the KCH ED and network a bit.
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that's reassuring. but i probably shouldn't mention research as a reason for wanting to attend then, right?
 
FIREitUP said:
that's reassuring. but i probably shouldn't mention research as a reason for wanting to attend then, right?
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You can...just make sure to supplement it with a desire for clinical experience...you ARE going to be a physician, after all
 
Vulcan said:
You can...just make sure to supplement it with a desire for clinical experience...you ARE going to be a physician, after all
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what!? i have to take care of patients, you say? *contemplates decision*
thanks for your advice, i'll definitely make sure to keep my emphasis on clinical.
 
FIREitUP said:
what!? i have to take care of patients, you say? *contemplates decision*
thanks for your advice, i'll definitely make sure to keep my emphasis on clinical.
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hahaha...dont shift your whole focus...just show that you are a balanced scientist...you want to treat ppl obv but the research/dynamic aspect of the science behind the medicine is of interest as well...unless this is an MD/PhD interview in which case disregard my advice b/c im advising from a purely MD standpoint.
 
Vulcan said:
hahaha...dont shift your whole focus...just show that you are a balanced scientist...you want to treat ppl obv but the research/dynamic aspect of the science behind the medicine is of interest as well...unless this is an MD/PhD interview in which case disregard my advice b/c im advising from a purely MD standpoint.
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no i have an MD interview. I will definitely be sure to discuss both aspects of medicine as I am sure that not doing so led to my downfall in a different school. thanks for all your help!
 
FIREitUP said:
no i have an MD interview. I will definitely be sure to discuss both aspects of medicine as I am sure that not doing so led to my downfall in a different school. thanks for all your help!
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I have an extensive research background. At my downstate interview my interviewer commended on my research then told me she doesnt care about research. She stated that other interviewers may care but she was does not. Its definately good to state your research experience but at Downstate I dont think it should be in your top two selling points. Highlight your clinical experiences and who you are as a person. My suggestion is to get an accurate idea of what the school looks for and highlight your experiences that would make you compatible.
 
FIREitUP said:
that's reassuring. but i probably shouldn't mention research as a reason for wanting to attend then, right?
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As a reason to attend? Probably not, but my interviewer gave the message that there is a lot of research going on at Downstate (the impression I got was very different than the one I got at Upstate). Regarding my own research, my interviewer asked me about it but I think he was more interested in other parts of my application. (I'm guessing that how much the research is stressed depends on the individual interviewer.)
 
Sammich117 said:
Got the letter in the mail - Rejected!
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Me TOOOO! Every school that I applied to that is located in the state of NY rejected me pre-interview...clearly they just don't want me to come back.
 
Sorry to hear about all the rejections. I think I'm rejected too, but didn't get the letter because used the wrong address in my application. Is there any other way to find out? Did your status changed? :scared:🙁
 
So apparently I'm the only one who hasn't heard anything post-interview back in late September!! Even if it's a rejection, I just want to know...:scared:

I called the admissions office on Friday and they were like,
admissions: "just be patient, it can take up to 8 weeks"
me: It's been 8 weeks.
admissions: "Oh". awkward silence. "Well just be patient, I'm sure we'll get back to you real soon".
me: "um...ok....Should I call back next week if I still don't hear anything?"
admissions" "Uh, no...just be patient, please."
me: WTF????? 😡


can anybody relate? 😕
 
pre-interview rejection today. 3.2sGPA, 3.5cGPA, 32MCAT, completed early sept. this blows since i still have yet to get an interview.
 
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Rejected!!!! Wheeee 😀 (sarcasm). No love from my former home state. Advice: If you are even contemplating med school don't ever declared residence in a state/district that has no state schools (i.e. Delaware, Washington, D.C. (where I am), Maine, etc.).
 
So.......what are the predictions for the day/week that they send out the next batch of acceptances?
 
11/5 Interview... anyone around here or after hear back yet?
 
Interviewed 10/21 received a hold for spring letter yesterday. This really got me down as I really wanted to be at DS next year!! Ugh, I hope they take a lot of kids off this list but I am not getting my hopes up.
 
Vulcan or anyone else, do you have any experience or heard anything about the neuroscience pathway? It sounded right up my alley, and a big strenght for Downstate.
 
Reggieray2k said:
Vulcan or anyone else, do you have any experience or heard anything about the neuroscience pathway? It sounded right up my alley, and a big strenght for Downstate.
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I don't know too much about it...it seems to just be a way to get more in touch with neuro. The only thing I do with them is their Mystery Cases of the Month.
 
I got my acceptance on Monday and I know it says that they want a check within two weeks time to hold your position in the class. I submitted it Tuesday or Wednesday last week and I was wondering if anyone knows a way to check if it was received. I called the office today but they said to call back next week after which two weeks would've almost passed. I also don't see any changes to my online status, so I don't know if there's a way to check on-line.

I realize I'm probably just being paranoid but I just want to make sure I can go to this school! Are they even really strict about the two-weeks deadline?
 
@bravofleet: On your status page, there will be a checkmark next to the box "deposit recieved" or something like that.
 
the problem is my status page hasn't been updated. all it says is stuff regarding receiving secondary and LOR. is there a separate link besides the applicant checklist?
 
So Vulcan.... does Downstate like follow up action (i.e. Thank you note, letter of interest?)

had my interview yesterday, loved the place....
 
imnastywitit said:
So Vulcan.... does Downstate like follow up action (i.e. Thank you note, letter of interest?)

had my interview yesterday, loved the place....
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Follow up and LOI are both acceptable at downstate. I sent a thank you letter right after my interview and I know someone that sent in a LOI and was accepted afterwards. Good luck
 
So are you using that I to stand for interest or intent?

cuz i was thinking of sending the former... it's really too early in the cycle for the latter.

I really am in love with the school though, hopefully a letter of interest won't be seen as 'trying too hard'
 
imnastywitit said:
So are you using that I to stand for interest or intent?

cuz i was thinking of sending the former... it's really too early in the cycle for the latter.

I really am in love with the school though, hopefully a letter of interest won't be seen as 'trying too hard'
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Can't hurt as long as you don't make yourself a nuisance...just don't send em every week.

Happy Turkey everyone!
 
can anyone give me travel recommendations for driving in from Western Long Island? Thanks in advance.
 
mercy82 said:
Follow up and LOI are both acceptable at downstate. I sent a thank you letter right after my interview and I know someone that sent in a LOI and was accepted afterwards. Good luck
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LOInterest and LOIntent are both accepted at downstate, but keep in mind that it's heavily YMMV. There are other factors at play besides these letters. With that said, I'd write one just to cover my bases.
 
FIREitUP said:
can anyone give me travel recommendations for driving in from Western Long Island? Thanks in advance.
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At my downstate interview,i interviewed with several people from long island that wished they knew the LIRR goes to bk (go figure !). It seems to be a good option besides driving. If you do decide to go with the LIRR you can take it to the flatbush station. At that station you could take the number two flatbush bound subway train to the winthrop stop. From there SUNY downsate is about three blocks away. If u are not comfortable taking the subway, another option would be to take a cab from the flatbush station. According google maps the flatbush station is about nine minutes from 450 clarkson ave (SUNY Downstate)... Goodluck!!

P.S hopefully you get this prior to your interview if not someone else may find it helpful
 
mercy82 said:
At my downstate interview,i interviewed with several people from long island that wished they knew the LIRR goes to bk (go figure !). It seems to be a good option besides driving. If you do decide to go with the LIRR you can take it to the flatbush station. At that station you could take the number two flatbush bound subway train to the winthrop stop. From there SUNY downsate is about three blocks away. If u are not comfortable taking the subway, another option would be to take a cab from the flatbush station. According google maps the flatbush station is about nine minutes from 450 clarkson ave (SUNY Downstate)... Goodluck!!

P.S hopefully you get this prior to your interview if not someone else may find it helpful
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Words of caution, there are no yellow cab waiting at the LIRR Flatbush station, you can get a Livery cab if you trust them.
If you are thinking about walking from Winthrop subway station to Downstate Campus, you better have your running shoe on and run for your life. Your chance of getting robbed is better than getting into med school.
 
dynezxice said:
LOInterest and LOIntent are both accepted at downstate, but keep in mind that it's heavily YMMV. There are other factors at play besides these letters. With that said, I'd write one just to cover my bases.
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what the deuce does YMMV mean?? Urban dictionary defines it as 'your mileage may vary'. if that is the case, i don't even understand how it fits in this context.

With that being said, if I send a thank you note, will that go into my file? I ask this because, in my thank you, I wanted to expand on some things from the interview.... some things that i felt i didn't get the fully describe. But they were a bit personal in nature, and if people from the committee see it, without knowing the context of the interview, they are gonna be like ftw??
 
imnastywitit said:
what the deuce does YMMV mean?? Urban dictionary defines it as 'your mileage may vary'. if that is the case, i don't even understand how it fits in this context.

With that being said, if I send a thank you note, will that go into my file? I ask this because, in my thank you, I wanted to expand on some things from the interview.... some things that i felt i didn't get the fully describe. But they were a bit personal in nature, and if people from the committee see it, without knowing the context of the interview, they are gonna be like ftw??
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did you mean wtf? 😛

Write the letter. It won't do you any harm. With any luck, it could change the wtf into a ftw 👍

I also am curious to see what YMMV means...
 
rushhour2 said:
Words of caution, there are no yellow cab waiting at the LIRR Flatbush station, you can get a Livery cab if you trust them.
If you are thinking about walking from Winthrop subway station to Downstate Campus, you better have your running shoe on and run for your life. Your chance of getting robbed is better than getting into med school.
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It isn't as bad during the day, although I agree that this is not a neighborhood to be walking through the streets wearing a suit.
 
imnastywitit said:
what the deuce does YMMV mean?? Urban dictionary defines it as 'your mileage may vary'. if that is the case, i don't even understand how it fits in this context.

With that being said, if I send a thank you note, will that go into my file? I ask this because, in my thank you, I wanted to expand on some things from the interview.... some things that i felt i didn't get the fully describe. But they were a bit personal in nature, and if people from the committee see it, without knowing the context of the interview, they are gonna be like ftw??
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He means that different people may benefit differently. In other words, the LOIs are of questionable value.
 
wanderer100 said:
He means that different people may benefit differently. In other words, the LOIs are of questionable value.
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who knows... as long as i keep it fairly conservative, i don't think that it can HURT me.

also ftw is a synonym for wtf. but its used in situations that are surprising, puzzling or weird. wtf is like wtf im so pissed. conversely, u would say there is a robot chicken in my classroom ftw?!!?!?!?


Also, i don't know if anyone knows the answer to this, but does downstate add the thank you note to your file? because i know that some schools do.
 
imnastywitit said:
who knows... as long as i keep it fairly conservative, i don't think that it can HURT me.

also ftw is a synonym for wtf. but its used in situations that are surprising, puzzling or weird. wtf is like wtf im so pissed. conversely, u would say there is a robot chicken in my classroom ftw?!!?!?!?


Also, i don't know if anyone knows the answer to this, but does downstate add the thank you note to your file? because i know that some schools do.
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I always thought that ftw was "for the win" and was used in situations where epic wins were present...

I'm not sure if they add it to your file, but really it doesn;t matter...write one as a courtesy and if they consider it more than a thank you, then so be it. It won't hurt and will look professional.
 
Vulcan said:
I always thought that ftw was "for the win" and was used in situations where epic wins were present...

I'm not sure if they add it to your file, but really it doesn;t matter...write one as a courtesy and if they consider it more than a thank you, then so be it. It won't hurt and will look professional.
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Correct. Any other use is invalid.
 
So these are examples of things not to discuss at the interview if I want to get accepted...
 
rushhour2 said:
Words of caution, there are no yellow cab waiting at the LIRR Flatbush station, you can get a Livery cab if you trust them.
If you are thinking about walking from Winthrop subway station to Downstate Campus, you better have your running shoe on and run for your life. Your chance of getting robbed is better than getting into med school.
Click to expand...

As a nyc resident I am actually very offended by this post and its implications!! Lets try to keep the hyperbole to a minimum and by a minimum I mean not at all.
 
Spelling: FTW
(1)English Translation: **** the world.
/phrase(statement)/
-\Often used to express a feeling of depression/unacceptance/frusteration.

(2)English Translation: For the win.
/phrase/
/adjective/
-\A term which can be originated to a popular game show "HollyWood Squares" when , on the final move contestants would announce their move was "For the win".
-\Used oftenly when giving importance to a specific noun.(ei. "My computer, FTW")
Thesaurus:
-is better
-beats
-pwns

(3) English Translation: What the ****?
Originatiton: WTF, "l33tsp33k".
/phrase(question)/
FTW: Intentional spelling error of the word wtf to emphasise confusion and bewildredness.
(WTF: See wtf)
 
rushhour2 said:
Words of caution, there are no yellow cab waiting at the LIRR Flatbush station, you can get a Livery cab if you trust them.
If you are thinking about walking from Winthrop subway station to Downstate Campus, you better have your running shoe on and run for your life. Your chance of getting robbed is better than getting into med school.
Click to expand...

it ain't that bad, at least not during the day
 
Does anyone know how long it takes to know of acceptance / rejection after the interview. They said 6-8 weeks. Has anyone heard of a decision in less than 6-8 weeks? Just curious...i can't stand the wait any longer! 😛
 
Anxiously awaiting my decision as well! :xf:

It's tough because all they go by is the one single interview and your app. I actually would have preferred two interviews.
 
rushhour2 said:
Words of caution, there are no yellow cab waiting at the LIRR Flatbush station, you can get a Livery cab if you trust them.
If you are thinking about walking from Winthrop subway station to Downstate Campus, you better have your running shoe on and run for your life. Your chance of getting robbed is better than getting into med school.
Click to expand...
This is bogus. I've gone this way numerous times, no biggie. How do you think the doctors themselves, who work the late nights, get by?

To stay safe, always walk down well-lit streets with a handful of people on them (there seem to be a few dank, empty streets, avoid them at night) other than that, I've never felt in danger in this neighborhood-perhaps its because I live here.
 
Zona Pellucida said:
Anxiously awaiting my decision as well! :xf:

It's tough because all they go by is the one single interview and your app. I actually would have preferred two interviews.
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Well it's tough to say because you don't know how much they value the interview. Well maybe someone on hear does. Some schools weight the interview very heavily, others not so much, so if Downstate is one of those schools, maybe a second interview wouldn't matter.
 
So, has anyone heard anything lately? I interviewed 10/28...I know its only been a little more than a month but STILL... hate this waiting game!
 
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