2009-2010 Tufts Application Thread

[alibai3ah]

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Can I just say that I am sick to death of the ten million and one financial aid forms and supporting documents that are required? Like, wow, I have to submit my parent's mortgage statement? Argh.

That is all.

I was kinda happy about the mortgage statement....it takes cost of living into account 😀

 

[TeachableMoment]

For once in my life im happy my family was/is poor 🙂

 

[oze]

for once in my life im happy my family was/is poor 🙂

+1

 

[taciturngirl]

I was kinda happy about the mortgage statement....it takes cost of living into account 😀

You're right, it makes a lot of sense. I guess I'm just worried that all of this effort is for nought since my parents' income might seriously reduce my ability to get institutional need-based grants - but no matter what Tufts may say, seriously all of the rents' money is tied up in paying back school loans, paying a mortgage, and saving for retirement!

And I can't help but compare this system to Northwestern, where you can qualify as an NU independent student under certain conditions and be eligible for institutional aid without having to provide parental info. You still have to gather a buttload of documents to prove your independent status, but it seems worth it to me since I, without consideration of my parents, am seriously broke-ass.

But I guess we all just have to do it and see what happens...

 

[TeachableMoment]

Hey guys (alibai3ah) im going over my checklist for financial aid and its says "Parental information must be submitted ton the 2010-11 FAFSA" I only put my mother on there, i got my father info (social security #) today. When i do an correction on the FAFSA and add my fathers info will i have to wait for it to get processed again or is it automatic, i just want to make sure its done by March 12th. Thanks

 

[Entropic]

Hey guys (alibai3ah) im going over my checklist for financial aid and its says "Parental information must be submitted ton the 2010-11 FAFSA" I only put my mother on there, i got my father info (social security #) today. When i do an correction on the FAFSA and add my fathers info will i have to wait for it to get processed again or is it automatic, i just want to make sure its done by March 12th. Thanks

Hey TeachableMoment,

Yes it will be processed again but this time it will take much less time (4-5 days i think).

 

[alibai3ah]

Hey guys (alibai3ah) im going over my checklist for financial aid and its says "Parental information must be submitted ton the 2010-11 FAFSA" I only put my mother on there, i got my father info (social security #) today. When i do an correction on the FAFSA and add my fathers info will i have to wait for it to get processed again or is it automatic, i just want to make sure its done by March 12th. Thanks

To be honest, I didn't have to do a correction so I can't help you there. 🙁

But I would just do it as soon as possible to make it at the deadline. And make sure to do all of Tufts financial aid forms as well (b/c that is what is necessary for need-base institutional aid). The FAFSA is only for federal aid, which regardless of EFC will most likely be $32K unsubsidized and $8,500 subsidized in loans Hope that helps

 

[TeachableMoment]

Thanks Entropic and alibai3ah!

 

[Medgirl55]

To anyone who is ready to look for apartmentmates PM me. Schools starts in August so I'm guessing most of us will move in July?

 

[alibai3ah]

Does anyone know what the day to day schedule is like. I can't find it online or anywhere. I asked before, but no one knew.... Just wanted to try again.

 

[FutureDoc17]

Does anyone know what the day to day schedule is like. I can't find it online or anywhere. I asked before, but no one knew.... Just wanted to try again.

I asked about how much time students spend in class from a day-to-day basis while chatting with students at lunch on interview day, but I got a few vague answers. It seems like there's significant variation from block-to-block and even week-to-week. However, the students I spoke to were dual-degree, so that may have played a factor in their responses.

If you do find a clear answer, I'd be very interested in hearing it, because the more school I must endure, the less I become a fan of lecture time...

 

[drjackbauer]

Hey, hope this helps:

My friend who is currently a first year there just told me that this year he spent on average from 8-4 every day in classes. The good news is, however, the schedule is once again undergoing big change for our class next year. He said the amount of lecture time should be nearly cut in half - the goal being to allow much more time for studying.

 

[COdoubleMO2theN]

From talking to students at lunch on interview day, I was under the impression they were done by about noon except for Mon and Tues when they have preceptorships, etc. That is also what the scheduled portrayed in their presentation on interview day. As someone said above, they expect more changes for those of us incoming next year; another round of guinea pigs, but I am looking forward to it.

 

[oze]

is anyone else going for minority student re-visit days?

 

[atw3123]

Is anyone looking for apartments now? I've just started to look... Is anyone going through the school for ideas or roommates?

 

[alibai3ah]

is anyone else going for minority student re-visit days?

I haven't heard anything about this... Can you please elaborate? When is it? Is it for any minority group?

 

[oze]

I haven't heard anything about this... Can you please elaborate? When is it? Is it for any minority group?

I got an email yesterday inviting me out there April 9th-10th. It specifically mentioned the Latin American association of students, so maybe there are different weekends for each minority group? I googled "Tufts Revisit Days" and seems all minority admitted applicants are invited. Not sure whats up!

 

[alibai3ah]

I got an email yesterday inviting me out there April 9th-10th. It specifically mentioned the Latin American association of students, so maybe there are different weekends for each minority group? I googled "Tufts Revisit Days" and seems all minority admitted applicants are invited. Not sure whats up!

O interesting. Yea I didn't get that email, I guess I'm not invited. 🙁

That would've been fun. Well let us know if you hear any good tips while you are there! 😀

 

[oze]

O interesting. Yea I didn't get that email, I guess I'm not invited. 🙁

That would've been fun. Well let us know if you hear any good tips while you are there! 😀

Meh, who knows, they might be sending them out individually (from the somewhat disturbing amount of typos hahaha).

It seems pretty cool though- they take you into a PBL lecture, talk with some students and deans and then wine and dine you. Not too bad!

 

[alibai3ah]

Meh, who knows, they might be sending them out individually (from the somewhat disturbing amount of typos hahaha).

It seems pretty cool though- they take you into a PBL lecture, talk with some students and deans and then wine and dine you. Not too bad!

Wow Fancy.....Haha maybe I'll have to crash the party

 

[mjh613]

I filled out the MPH essays back in August when I submitted my secondary application, and I was accepted to the MD program at the beginning of February. When can I expect to hear back about the dual degree program? I had contacted the admissions office shortly after I got in, and all they could say was "sometime later this spring." What does this mean exactly, and should I try following up? With whom?

 

[alibai3ah]

I filled out the MPH essays back in August when I submitted my secondary application, and I was accepted to the MD program at the beginning of February. When can I expect to hear back about the dual degree program? I had contacted the admissions office shortly after I got in, and all they could say was "sometime later this spring." What does this mean exactly, and should I try following up? With whom?

I had the same thing happen. If you are accepted, you will hear back early to mid March. It's about a month after your MD acceptance. Hope that helps!

 

[apk7]

I just heard back from the MD/MBA program (about 1 mo after regular MD acceptance).

Is anyone else considering the MD/MBA program?

Are there any current MD/MBA students on here? Is it worth it? Does the workload conflict heavily with normal med classes?

 

[futuredoctor10]

I have received no news from Tufts since completing my secondary. Where ARE the pre-interview rejections (have any even gone out)? And, when are they done interviewing?

 

[alibai3ah]

I just heard back from the MD/MBA program (about 1 mo after regular MD acceptance).

Is anyone else considering the MD/MBA program?

Are there any current MD/MBA students on here? Is it worth it? Does the workload conflict heavily with normal med classes?

Contact Emily Condon and she can find you somebody to get in touch with for the dual degree programs. She gave me someone's email and he was super helpful for the MD/MPH.

 

[Uncle Vanya]

I have received no news from Tufts since completing my secondary. Where ARE the pre-interview rejections (have any even gone out)? And, when are they done interviewing?

I sent them two emails and got the same standard reply - that all applicants will either "have received a rejection or interview invitation by April 1st."

In the second email I asked them - are you still giving out invites? But got the same standard reply.

There you go.

 

[dadocca]

I have received no news from Tufts since completing my secondary. Where ARE the pre-interview rejections (have any even gone out)? And, when are they done interviewing?

From what I understand after calling, this or at the latest next week the last invites will go out. Those who don't get it by then should expect a formal rejection by April 1.

 

[futuredoctor10]

I sent them two emails and got the same standard reply - that all applicants will either "have received a rejection or interview invitation by April 1st."

In the second email I asked them - are you still giving out invites? But got the same standard reply.

There you go.

From what I understand after calling, this or at the latest next week the last invites will go out. Those who don't get it by then should expect a formal rejection by April 1.

Great thanks guys! Good to know there are still a few invites left, even if there's only a small chance to get them.

 

[TeachableMoment]

This is for any current Tufts student. If there is no honors or rankings for the first two years, do residency admissions place more emphasis on step 1 and the 3rd and 4th year?

 

[alibai3ah]

This is for any current Tufts student. If there is no honors or rankings for the first two years, do residency admissions place more emphasis on step 1 and the 3rd and 4th year?

Sorry I'm not a medical student, but I felt the urge to answer 😀. What you said pretty much goes for ALL schools. Preclinical grades matter much less and Step 1 is the thing that most residency program directors look at. This is the reason that a lot of schools have been changing their curriculums to pass/fail. Again I'm not a medical student, but this is what I've heard from knowledgable people.

 

[DoctwoB]

Sorry I'm not a medical student, but I felt the urge to answer 😀. What you said pretty much goes for ALL schools. Preclinical grades matter much less and Step 1 is the thing that most residency program directors look at. This is the reason that a lot of schools have been changing their curriculums to pass/fail. Again I'm not a medical student, but this is what I've heard from knowledgable people.

I've actually heard that clinical rotation grades were most important, followed by step 1

 

[alibai3ah]

I've actually heard that clinical rotation grades were most important, followed by step 1

+1, That is true too! Sorry I was just comparing Step 1 and preclinical grades, but yes I agree 🙂. I think there was a thread on here earlier talking about the different factors that people look at it.

Main ones that I remember are: Clinical Grades, Step 1, LOR, AOA, Away Rotations (good for specific programs that you like), Research, etc.

 

[TeachableMoment]

Nice answers!!

 

[COdoubleMO2theN]

Program Director Survey

http://www.nrmp.org/data/programresultsbyspecialty.pdf

This is pertaining to the question about importance of clinical, usmle, lor, etc...

 

[mpls]

Question for a current Tufts student

Is everyone required to rotate in Springfield? Are waivers ever granted? I absolutely loved Tufts and Boston, but I have kids. Not living with them for weeks on end would be a major con to going to Tufts.

 

[skeptic29]

Can anyone confirm if May 15th is the last day to hold multiple acceptances? What if you are in the MD/MPH program? Is May 15th still the last day?

 

[skeptic29]

Is anyone looking for apartments now? I've just started to look... Is anyone going through the school for ideas or roommates?

I called some realtors just to get an idea of the prices. Everything is ridiculously expensive. The school has a residential life website with listings of availbale housing, but most of it caters to the needs of the Medford undergraduate student body. If you're not living in Posner Hall, then the only way to find affordable housing is by finding a couple of roommates but that is a challenge when you don't know your class yet.

 

[alibai3ah]

Can anyone confirm if May 15th is the last day to hold multiple acceptances? What if you are in the MD/MPH program? Is May 15th still the last day?

Yes I am 99.9% certain that it's May 15th. It makes no difference for MD or MD/MPH.

 

[oze]

If you're not living in Posner Hall, then the only way to find affordable housing is by finding a couple of roommates but that is a challenge when you don't know your class yet.

True **** - although you're also missing the possibility that M2 and M3s will be looking for roommates, or if you have friends in Boston looking for new places.

 

[alibai3ah]

Just need a bit of clarification in terms of financial aid rewards. So at the end of March/April we will receive our financial aid notices. Some people will receive 50% scholarships, 25 % scholarships, and others will receive nothing. My question is if those people who receive scholarships/grants to schools, but by May 15th choose to go to a different school, do these funds get reallocated to somebody else? Is it possible to not receive financial aid before (end of March), but after the class is set around May 15th, to receive a new updated financial aid statement and possibly receive money??

I'm a bit clueless about this part of the process

 

[UncleAdam27]

Just need a bit of clarification in terms of financial aid rewards. So at the end of March/April we will receive our financial aid notices. Some people will receive 50% scholarships, 25 % scholarships, and others will receive nothing. My question is if those people who receive scholarships/grants to schools, but by May 15th choose to go to a different school, do these funds get reallocated to somebody else? Is it possible to not receive financial aid before (end of March), but after the class is set around May 15th, to receive a new updated financial aid statement and possibly receive money??

I'm a bit clueless about this part of the process

I'm not sure about whether or not financial aid award letters will be updated later in the process (though my gut feeling is that they aren't), but I was under the impression that we shouldn't expect award letters until sometime in May... I'm guessing towards the beginning of the month since we need to make a decision by mid-May.

http://www.tufts.edu/med/admissions/md/interviewedapplicants/financialaid.html

 

[alibai3ah]

I'm not sure about whether or not financial aid award letters will be updated later in the process (though my gut feeling is that they aren't), but I was under the impression that we shouldn't expect award letters until sometime in May... I'm guessing towards the beginning of the month since we need to make a decision by mid-May.

http://www.tufts.edu/med/admissions/md/interviewedapplicants/financialaid.html

OOOhh it's in May not March, I guess I was wrong about that.

In terms of the May 15th date, so that means that as funds become available to Tufts (as more students withdraw despite being given grants), that these funds are not given to students that were "next in line" to receive the grant.... Ok sorry I just thought that's what would happen.

 

[oze]

wait what? I talked to the FA office last week and they said April

 

[10M]

I heard April also

 

[alibai3ah]

It might be April. Maybe on the website, they wrote a later date so people wouldn't bug them a lot. I just don't get how they figure out financial aid packages without knowing exactly who is coming for sure after May 15th. I figure you would need to know exactly who to allocate the funds to and by how much, as this info is subject to change.

 

[UncleAdam27]

I heard April also

Yeah, you may be right. I didn't "hear" May from anyone in the FA office, I was just going off what they claim on their website. If someone in the FA office told you April, then I'm assuming they know what they're talking about.

I just don't get how they figure out financial aid packages without knowing exactly who is coming for sure after May 15th. I figure you would need to know exactly who to allocate the funds to and by how much, as this info is subject to change.

That would totally make sense - I'm just not sure if that's how it's actually done. You could always call the people in the FA office and inquire about the process. Everyone at Tufts seems super friendly and helpful, so I'm sure they wouldn't mind shedding some light on the topic for you.

 

[Stanfordeph]

Congrats to all that have made their decision and best wishes to those waiting to hear.

I withdrew from everywhere else and decided on Tufts this morning. Back to Beantown

If any of you would like to connect outside of SDN I created a facebook group. It will save people who are looking for admission information from having to troll through all our excited rants.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=406499000294

 

[alibai3ah]

Congrats to all that have made their decision and best wishes to those waiting to hear.

I withdrew from everywhere else and decided on Tufts this morning. Back to Beantown

If any of you would like to connect outside of SDN I created a facebook group. It will save people who are looking for admission information from having to troll through all our excited rants.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=406499000294

O I believe there is already a group on Facebook under "Tufts University School of Medicine Class of 2014" but that might just be for accepted people, not sure.

Congrats though! I might see you there

 

[Stanfordeph]

O I believe there is already a group on Facebook under "Tufts University School of Medicine Class of 2014" but that might just be for accepted people, not sure.

Congrats though! I might see you there

Oh really? I couldn't find one so I made one. Maybe they have it under a secret group?

If so, pass long the secret handshake and I'll delete mine.

 

[UncleAdam27]

Oh really? I couldn't find one so I made one. Maybe they have it under a secret group?

If so, pass long the secret handshake and I'll delete mine.

Yeah, there's a group with the title "Tufts University School of Medicine, Accepted Class of 2014". It's a public/open group, so you should be able to find it and join.