2009-2010 SUNY Downstate Application Thread

[ferien]

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not sure, but people may be mixing up wait list/alternate list with "hold".
Or are "wait list" and "alternate list" different things?

Also I have another question...
Does Downstate put us in different alternate lists according to their preference (and accept applicants from higher list first), or are we simply accepted in the order the decisions were made?
I interviewed 12/16 and was waitlisted last week, and trying to gauge the likelihood of acceptance and also when to expect to hear from them.

 

[softmed]

Alternate list. A large yellow envelope came by snail mail yesterday. Interviewed 12/15.

Are they trying to screw with the brains of applicants or something? Why would they do this?!?!? Or did you just make a mistake with the description of the envelope?

Also, the Under Consideration for Spring definitely comes in a small, white envelope. I have no idea about the alternate list. I'm also confused as to which list is better.

 

[softmed]

This is my understanding of their statuses:

Acceptance- self explanatory
Hold for Spring Consideration- We're not really sure what to do with you. We might accept you or we might put you on the alternate list.
Alternate List- As people decide to go elsewhere during the summer, you may have a chance at a position.
Rejection/Non-Accept- We cannot offer you a position in the class

NOTE: This is MY understanding and it could be misinformation.

However, I'm posting it because maybe someone knows if it's correct. I do not think there is another status known as a waitlist, I think people just say it when they're on hold or alternate.

Vulcan, if you (or a classmate) knows the answer it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[FIREitUP]

This is my understanding of their statuses:

Acceptance- self explanatory
Hold for Spring Consideration- We're not really sure what to do with you. We might accept you or we might put you on the alternate list.
Alternate List- As people decide to go elsewhere during the summer, you may have a chance at a position.
Rejection/Non-Accept- We cannot offer you a position in the class

NOTE: This is MY understanding and it could be misinformation.

However, I'm posting it because maybe someone knows if it's correct. I do not think there is another status known as a waitlist, I think people just say it when they're on hold or alternate.

Vulcan, if you (or a classmate) knows the answer it would be greatly appreciated.

yes, but hold can also turn into a rejection

 

[softmed]

yes, but hold can also turn into a rejection

I was going to put that into parentheses but I haven't seen anyone get rejected from it (in this year's thread or last year). I was assuming you don't get rejected directly from that list, but you can get put on the alternate list then get rejected from there.

This is the way similar lists work in other schools. If a candidate just isn't good enough, it doesn't make any sense to stick them on a list for later consideration. But again, this is just my impression.

 

[BlueElmo]

This is my understanding of their statuses:

Acceptance- self explanatory
Hold for Spring Consideration- We're not really sure what to do with you. We might accept you or we might put you on the alternate list.
Alternate List- As people decide to go elsewhere during the summer, you may have a chance at a position.
Rejection/Non-Accept- We cannot offer you a position in the class

NOTE: This is MY understanding and it could be misinformation.

However, I'm posting it because maybe someone knows if it's correct. I do not think there is another status known as a waitlist, I think people just say it when they're on hold or alternate.

Vulcan, if you (or a classmate) knows the answer it would be greatly appreciated.

That sounds correct to me.

 

[LIDO]

I dunno.....according to last years thread a "hold" is considered and rejection. Many people stated that almost nobody goes from hold to acceptance. It notes that you go from hold to alternate list and THEN maybe acceptance.

Does not sound too hopeful.....but that is what I gathered from last years thread. I only looked at a handful of pages.......maybe I am wrong.....I hope I am. 😕

 

[softmed]

I dunno.....according to last years thread a "hold" is considered and rejection. Many people stated that almost nobody goes from hold to acceptance. It notes that you go from hold to alternate list and THEN maybe acceptance.

Does not sound too hopeful.....but that is what I gathered from last years thread. I only looked at a handful of pages.......maybe I am wrong.....I hope I am. 😕

There were several people in last year's thread that were accepted straight off the hold list in May. So either they got through the entire alternate list that early or they go to the hold list first. It makes sense to me that they would accept off the hold list before finalizing their alternate list. That still doesn't mean they don't reject people directly from that list.

Also, to quote Vulcan:

And to those on spring deferral (Elmo i saw), it's better than a waitlist. I know some people who were accepted right off of that deferral.

(note: Vulcan is a student, not a member of admissions)

I think some people were confused in last year's thread because people thought they were put on hold BEFORE an interview offer and typically applicants are rejected from those lists.

 

[FIREitUP]

i am more hopeful if spring hold is better than waitlist. it would be a dream come true for me to become accepted to downstate.

 

[Zona Pellucida]

Yeah, definitely good to hear.

 

[Batzmarucy831]

Just wondering, if I have an interview coming up in March, am I interviewing for a waitlist position since it's later in the interview season, or is it still rolling??

 

[FIREitUP]

Yeah, definitely good to hear.

now, if we could get someone on the adcom to confirm this I would be even happier.

 

[I Doctor]

is the class full??

 

[Chemokine7]

Accepted snail mail that big large brown envelope never looked so beautiful😍

1st acceptance (interviewed early Jan.)

 

[DntStopBelievin]

Accepted snail mail that big large brown envelope never looked so beautiful😍

1st acceptance (interviewed early Jan.)

YAY! CONGRATS!!

Is there a facebook group for SUNY Downstate Class of 2014 yet??

 

[bowlin123]

Accepted snail mail that big large brown envelope never looked so beautiful😍

1st acceptance (interviewed early Jan.)

That's only a month waiting which is really fast. Maybe I should expect something pretty soon since I interviewed in mid-Jan.

 

[OBGYN87]

I was wondering when you sent in your secondary app. I know you were interviewed about a month ago and you got your acceptance, Congrats! I ask because I sent my secondary in around mid-October and have not heard back from the school. Is this normal?
Thanks!

 

[jackson1]

I was wondering when you sent in your secondary app. I know you were interviewed about a month ago and you got your acceptance, Congrats! I ask because I sent my secondary in around mid-October and have not heard back from the school. Is this normal?
Thanks!

i think that's definiteely normal for downstate-i sent my secondary in in july and didn't get an invite til late december. they're still giving out invites so hopefully you'll get one soon🙂 good luck!

 

[Vulcan]

congrats chemokine!!!

 

[Chemokine7]

The timeline for my interview invite and acceptance was really fast. I was taken off guard to the quick turn around. I must add that I am a non-trad applicant with a very unique story. I really felt DS was a great fit for me and I feel so lucky to have gotten an acceptance.

BTW I remember asking the admission office when I should hear back and they said 6-8 weeks. If we only knew how this whole admission process works...

 

[bowlin123]

The timeline for my interview invite and acceptance was really fast. I was taken off guard to the quick turn around. I must add that I am a non-trad applicant with a very unique story. I really felt DS was a great fit for me and I feel so lucky to have gotten an acceptance.

BTW I remember asking the admission office when I should hear back and they said 6-8 weeks. If we only knew how this whole admission process works...

Congrats! if you don't mind me asking, what are your stats?

 

[Chemokine7]

Congrats! if you don't mind me asking, what are your stats?

MCAT was right at the average for DS nothing special. I had a low undergrad gpa and a high grad gpa. I was told that because I had accumulated above a certain unit threshold for my grad school, they were gong to put more preference on my grad gpa. Dont know how they did that. I also had lots of research with several publications and the normal volunteering and shadowing.

 

[ilikekiwis]

invite for interview today. anyone know if this for a waitlist spot?

 

[dannyboy1]

This is my understanding of their statuses:

Acceptance- self explanatory
Hold for Spring Consideration- We're not really sure what to do with you. We might accept you or we might put you on the alternate list.
Alternate List- As people decide to go elsewhere during the summer, you may have a chance at a position.
Rejection/Non-Accept- We cannot offer you a position in the class

NOTE: This is MY understanding and it could be misinformation.

However, I'm posting it because maybe someone knows if it's correct. I do not think there is another status known as a waitlist, I think people just say it when they're on hold or alternate.

Vulcan, if you (or a classmate) knows the answer it would be greatly appreciated.

I got accepted directly off the hold for spring list and I know quite a few others that also did. The way they seemed to do it last year was that they gave out a whole bunch of acceptances off the hold list in late june/early july and if you did not get in then you were put on the alternate list (if this happens to you then your chances are not that great but we do have 1 or 2 people in class that were accepted off this list a few days before orientation). There are also people that interview late and get alternate listed, but they get an envelope with required immunizations and financial aid information, so I am pretty sure that if you get this you are in pretty good shape and will get in before the hold people. One final thing, if you are on hold for spring you will probably get an email sometime in early summer asking if you are still interested in downstate and you will usually hear something (acceptance or waitlist) about a week or two after that.

 

[Zona Pellucida]

I got accepted directly off the hold for spring list and I know quite a few others that also did. The way they seemed to do it last year was that they gave out a whole bunch of acceptances off the hold list in late june/early july and if you did not get in then you were put on the alternate list (if this happens to you then your chances are not that great but we do have 1 or 2 people in class that were accepted off this list a few days before orientation). There are also people that interview late and get alternate listed, but they get an envelope with required immunizations and financial aid information, so I am pretty sure that if you get this you are in pretty good shape and will get in before the hold people. One final thing, if you are on hold for spring you will probably get an email sometime in early summer asking if you are still interested in downstate and you will usually hear something (acceptance or waitlist) about a week or two after that.

Thanks for this information. 👍

 

[I Doctor]

Anyone who interviewed waiting for a response? I interviewed early January.

 

[IntelInside]

interview invite for 3/10!! 🙂

 

[Chemokine7]

interview invite for 3/10!! 🙂

congrats!

 

[JmanDO]

Anyone who interviewed waiting for a response? I interviewed early January.

Yup still waiting, int'd MD/PhD 1/7. They were super nice, one even said we didn't have to go through the formalities of an intvw, she said she already liked me and would argue for me on the comm.

She then told me who to look out for at DS and how to go about building an impressive resume and "playing" the game when it comes ot residency apps.

"Whoa" was all I thought, mixed w/ "Hell yeah!"

 

[gingko]

To Vulcan,
I PMed you. Could you look at it and reply soon. Thanks!

 

[0_cat_state_1]

interview invite for 3/10!! 🙂

Congrats. My alternate list letter states the class is full. Are they interviewing for alt list spots?

My letter came in a large manilla envelope. Thought it was an acceptance, but no such luck :-/

 

[Almosttthere]

Congrats. My alternate list letter states the class is full. Are they interviewing for alt list spots?

My letter came in a large manilla envelope. Thought it was an acceptance, but no such luck :-/

oh NOOOO
I just interviewed recently
does that mean I have no chance of getting a straight up acceptance??
if true, that sucks balls...

 

[NEWHER]

Congrats. My alternate list letter states the class is full. Are they interviewing for alt list spots?

My letter came in a large manilla envelope. Thought it was an acceptance, but no such luck :-/

When did you interview?

 

[jackson1]

Congrats. My alternate list letter states the class is full. Are they interviewing for alt list spots?

My letter came in a large manilla envelope. Thought it was an acceptance, but no such luck :-/

oh no that's not good the class is full🙁 i guess the best i can hope for is the alternate list since i interviewed late jan. at least from the info a few posts up, it seems like alt list is the next best thing to an acceptance and you probably have a really good chance of getting off.

 

[BlueElmo]

Congrats. My alternate list letter states the class is full. Are they interviewing for alt list spots?

My letter came in a large manilla envelope. Thought it was an acceptance, but no such luck :-/

Ah man, fail.

 

[I Doctor]

Congrats. My alternate list letter states the class is full. Are they interviewing for alt list spots?

My letter came in a large manilla envelope. Thought it was an acceptance, but no such luck :-/

Can anyone corroborate this? Any recent acceptances or did anybody call and ask?

 

[smmypnts]

I just learned that I'm going to be denied NYS residency for my first year and that I need to sign a 12 mo lease to get it for my second year.

Am I missing out by not living in the dorms?

Are there affordable apartments nearby campus (relatively safe, easy to get to class walking or on the subway)?

How far away is it reasonable to commute to school each day?

 

[DntStopBelievin]

I just learned that I'm going to be denied NYS residency for my first year and that I need to sign a 12 mo lease to get it for my second year.

Am I missing out by not living in the dorms?

Are there affordable apartments nearby campus (relatively safe, easy to get to class walking or on the subway)?

How far away is it reasonable to commute to school each day?

I hear that most students live in park slope which is a pretty good area. Are you being denied NYS residency because you are out of state or because you don't have proof for being a NYS resident??

 

[smmypnts]

Are you being denied NYS residency because you are out of state or because you don't have proof for being a NYS resident??

My family is in NY. I lived in another state for 2009 for work, but kept my drivers license and most of my bills (except utilities for my OOS apartment) at my NY address. I am filing as a part-time resident for NY on my 2009 taxes. I called asking for help on how to fill out the residency application and was told that I most likely won't qualify as a NYS resident for the first year. Above that, I was told that I can't live in the dorms and count my family's NY address as my permanent one - which does not make sense to me at all. I guess I am a nomad without a state. If I don't get NYS residency, I plan on appealing the decision, but who knows how well that will go.

 

[I Doctor]

did anyone hear anything post interview recently?

 

[dannyboy1]

My family is in NY. I lived in another state for 2009 for work, but kept my drivers license and most of my bills (except utilities for my OOS apartment) at my NY address. I am filing as a part-time resident for NY on my 2009 taxes. I called asking for help on how to fill out the residency application and was told that I most likely won't qualify as a NYS resident for the first year. Above that, I was told that I can't live in the dorms and count my family's NY address as my permanent one - which does not make sense to me at all. I guess I am a nomad without a state. If I don't get NYS residency, I plan on appealing the decision, but who knows how well that will go.

If you kept your NY address (I assume it is your parents address) then they may be able to put you as a dependant on their tax return for 2009. Then you just send in a copy of their tax return in and you should get NY residency.

 

[softmed]

I just learned that I'm going to be denied NYS residency for my first year and that I need to sign a 12 mo lease to get it for my second year.

Am I missing out by not living in the dorms?

Are there affordable apartments nearby campus (relatively safe, easy to get to class walking or on the subway)?

How far away is it reasonable to commute to school each day?

You can probably find an apartment like that, but you'll still have to walk several blocks to get to downstate.

 

[DntStopBelievin]

My family is in NY. I lived in another state for 2009 for work, but kept my drivers license and most of my bills (except utilities for my OOS apartment) at my NY address. I am filing as a part-time resident for NY on my 2009 taxes. I called asking for help on how to fill out the residency application and was told that I most likely won't qualify as a NYS resident for the first year. Above that, I was told that I can't live in the dorms and count my family's NY address as my permanent one - which does not make sense to me at all. I guess I am a nomad without a state. If I don't get NYS residency, I plan on appealing the decision, but who knows how well that will go.

oh man, im in a similar situation. this is the only school i got into so i hope i get nys residency. i too have trouble coming up with the 3 documents to prove residency. i got the license, voter registration but no bills or lease.
Do you know if everyone who is a NYS resident has to fill the form to get cheaper tuition?

 

[positron 511]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 0_cat_state_1
Congrats. My alternate list letter states the class is full. Are they interviewing for alt list spots?

My letter came in a large manilla envelope. Thought it was an acceptance, but no such luck :-/

Can anyone corroborate this? Any recent acceptances or did anybody call and ask?

This is NOT true. I interviewed there today and was told by someone in the admissions office that there are still many open spots and that they will be interviewing through April.

 

[smmypnts]

oh man, im in a similar situation. this is the only school i got into so i hope i get nys residency. i too have trouble coming up with the 3 documents to prove residency. i got the license, voter registration but no bills or lease.
Do you know if everyone who is a NYS resident has to fill the form to get cheaper tuition?

What is your exact situation? If you live with parents, they can write a letter confirming that you live with them and then they submit their lease/deed and utility bills. If you get some bills like cell phone bill and bank statements to your NY address, then get copies of those and send it in with your application. Basically, call the school and explain your unique situation.

Also, worst case you pick it up your second year.

Here is a response I received from the admissions office:

You may establish NYS residency by submitting any three of the following documents:

1) Notarized copy of your NYS Driver License & vehicle registration (if you have a car)

2) Notarized copy of your NY Voter Registration (if you have lost your card you can print a copy of your registration from the following website: https://voterlookup.elections.state.ny.us/votersearch.aspx)

3) Utility Summary Statements (these can be in your parents name)

4) Notarized Statement from your parents that their home is your permanent address and that you were and still are their dependent.

5) Provide an explanation regarding any discrepancies/missing info

 

[0_cat_state_1]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 0_cat_state_1
Congrats. My alternate list letter states the class is full. Are they interviewing for alt list spots?

My letter came in a large manilla envelope. Thought it was an acceptance, but no such luck :-/




This is NOT true. I interviewed there today and was told by someone in the admissions office that there are still many open spots and that they will be interviewing through April.

It is true that my letter stated the class was full. I suspect "the class is full" could mean they handed out 180 some acceptances already (size of the class.) However, they may plan to hand out 300 some acceptances in total.

How does this work if I have an acceptance somewhere else? Say I get a call from Downstate end of July. Can I then withdraw from the other school and matriculate here? I know I can hold only one acceptance after May 15th, but can I keep all my waitlists just in case?

 

[DntStopBelievin]

What is your exact situation? If you live with parents, they can write a letter confirming that you live with them and then they submit their lease/deed and utility bills. If you get some bills like cell phone bill and bank statements to your NY address, then get copies of those and send it in with your application. Basically, call the school and explain your unique situation.

Also, worst case you pick it up your second year.

Here is a response I received from the admissions office:

You may establish NYS residency by submitting any three of the following documents:

1) Notarized copy of your NYS Driver License & vehicle registration (if you have a car)

2) Notarized copy of your NY Voter Registration (if you have lost your card you can print a copy of your registration from the following website: https://voterlookup.elections.state.ny.us/votersearch.aspx)

3) Utility Summary Statements (these can be in your parents name)

4) Notarized Statement from your parents that their home is your permanent address and that you were and still are their dependent.

5) Provide an explanation regarding any discrepancies/missing info

Thanks! this was very helpful! I'll definitely be getting in contact with Downstate soon to discuss this.

 

[smmypnts]

Thanks! this was very helpful! I'll definitely be getting in contact with Downstate soon to discuss this.

Deadline for priority filing of fin-aid is March 1st. You need to give yourself time to draft letters, make copies of papers, get things notarized if necessary and mail everything in. I would start this ASAP. It takes a lot of time to fill out FAFSA, TAP, each school's forms, ect.

 

[NEWHER]

Is there any way to find out if decision was maid other than wait for an envelope in the mailbox?

 

[softmed]

I know I can hold only one acceptance after May 15th, but can I keep all my waitlists just in case?

Yes. As far as I know, no schools have policies about an acceptance and multiple wait lists. Many people get accepted to a place but have a top choice they're waiting on into the summer.