2009-2010 University of Pennsylvania Application Thread

Discover Your Odds of Getting into Medical School
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ksmi117 said:
Interviewed here today. Really nice place. Super fun day too. Congrats to those who got interview invites today! You'll really like it.
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Haha... I saw you guys and the flock of black suits/red folders wandering around BRB on my way to wine and cheese lab party. Good luck!
 
dw2158 said:
whoa, cool! congrats. did you send an up date letter or anything?
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I asked my premed advisor, my major advisor, and two Penn med students who are friends what I should do after getting the deferral status. I wound up getting a range of answers from "send a letter every couple of weeks" to "do nothing". It was really confusing, so I wound up doing the easiest thing: nothing.
 
ksmi117 said:
Interviewed here today. Really nice place. Super fun day too. Congrats to those who got interview invites today! You'll really like it.
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oh, that's so cool! who was your host? were they nice?
 
ksmi117 said:
Haha, who said I had a host? 😛 This pretty cool first year, he was kinda sleepy though. :laugh:
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oh, i know that kid. narcolepsy is a sad disorder. somehow he still comes to class though...
 
lightseizure said:
interview invitation after being deferred!

dates available in January.
I was complete sometime in AUGUST (it's been a long ride).
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That's amazing! did your status change back to under review again before you got the invite?
 
Does anyone have any idea as to what the chances are of getting an interview after being deferred? Also, did the site ever use the word defer? Mine just says the whole you've been reviewed but not given an interview at this time and will be reviewed again later... Is that an official deferral/pre-interview hold?
 
premad said:
+1 Why was the interview day so fun? Or, rather, why do most other interview days pale in comparison?
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I concur as well. I'll put forth this theory: The people are really nice and generally cool (students and faculty/administration) and Philadelphia itself is THE ****. Just a theory. 😀
 
neuro raqs said:
I concur as well. I'll put forth this theory: The people are really nice and generally cool (students and faculty/administration) and Philadelphia itself is THE ****. Just a theory. 😀
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+1
This was my favorite interview day by far. 👍
 
So I have not heard from UPenn yet, I sent my secondary in mid August. My application status says that I am "complete". I have a 3.8 GPA, 35 MCAT, 4 years of undergrad research, 2 years as an EMT, and volunteer experience both clinical and nonclinical. Think I still have a shot at an interview invite?
 
PeterParker7 said:
So I have not heard from UPenn yet, I sent my secondary in mid August. My application status says that I am "complete". I have a 3.8 GPA, 35 MCAT, 4 years of undergrad research, 2 years as an EMT, and volunteer experience both clinical and nonclinical. Think I still have a shot at an interview invite?
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I was complete in July before I got an interview invite in December. There's hope 🙂
 
Complete - Application Update


The Committee on Admissions reviewed your application but has not invited you for an interview at this time. Additional reviews will occur and any change in your status will be communicated to you.
ALL ADMISSIONS DECISIONS WILL BE ANNOUNCED BY MARCH 15.
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Just received this update today. Called to verify what exactly this meant and the woman said "I would take that to mean you're rejected". I then asked if they filter people into different pools for review and she said "Well, I can't say you're rejected but I can't say you'll be interviewed either, we go both ways"

Reading between the lines I'm inclined to think this is going to be a silent rejection. Anyone else get this message? Should I consider this a hold or a rejection? Any movement from this status either way? Thanks.
 
Untraditional said:
Just received this update today. Called to verify what exactly this meant and the woman said "I would take that to mean you're rejected". I then asked if they filter people into different pools for review and she said "Well, I can't say you're rejected but I can't say you'll be interviewed either, we go both ways"

Reading between the lines I'm inclined to think this is going to be a silent rejection. Anyone else get this message? Should I consider this a hold or a rejection? Any movement from this status either way? Thanks.
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1. why is reading between the lines necessary if the woman straight up told you that you should take it to mean rejection?

2. this rejection doesn't seem so silent to me...

3. if you read back in the thread, lots of people have gotten this message. and based on past years, it almost always (note i said almost) means you're rejected.
 
Question123 said:
Ever deferred?
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No I was "complete" the whole time. When the deferred messages came out I went to my page expecting to put Penn behind me, but my complete message hadn't changed. A few days later I received an interview invite.

In the time between the mass deferrals and my interview invite I did send in a letter...it's still up for debate whether this actually helped me get my interview. But hey to others in the situation, what have you got to lose. If you send nothing, maybe you get rejected if you send something maybe you annoy them. Either way your outcome can only improve.
 
dw2158 said:
1. why is reading between the lines necessary if the woman straight up told you that you should take it to mean rejection?

2. this rejection doesn't seem so silent to me...

3. if you read back in the thread, lots of people have gotten this message. and based on past years, it almost always (note i said almost) means you're rejected.
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It's reading between the lines because the person I spoke to reversed herself. She said two very different things, the first seeming reactionary and the second seeming "official". In spite of this, can it be considered an official rejection since they have the little disclaimer line about additional reviews? A flat out rejection wouldn't include something like that unless the school wanted to be unnecessarily cruel.

Obviously my chances here aren't excellent at this point but you never know. Hence I appeal to the wisdom of the crowds.
 
Untraditional said:
It's reading between the lines because the person I spoke to reversed herself. She said two very different things, the first seeming reactionary and the second seeming "official". In spite of this, can it be considered an official rejection since they have the little disclaimer line about additional reviews? A flat out rejection wouldn't include something like that unless the school wanted to be unnecessarily cruel.

Obviously my chances here aren't excellent at this point but you never know. Hence I appeal to the wisdom of the crowds.
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the wisdom of the crowds was in point 3 of my last post: people who get the deferred message are almost always rejected.
 
dw2158 said:
the wisdom of the crowds was in point 3 of my last post: people who get the deferred message are almost always rejected.
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What would the crowds do without your advocacy? Surely they're grateful! 😀
 
For those of you who have been deferred and haven't heard anything yet, please don't lose hope, guys!! I was deferred in early November, and got an interview invitation on Friday!
Good luck to you all!
 
Untraditional said:
It's reading between the lines because the person I spoke to reversed herself. She said two very different things, the first seeming reactionary and the second seeming "official". In spite of this, can it be considered an official rejection since they have the little disclaimer line about additional reviews? A flat out rejection wouldn't include something like that unless the school wanted to be unnecessarily cruel.

Obviously my chances here aren't excellent at this point but you never know. Hence I appeal to the wisdom of the crowds.
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I'd venture to guess Penn isn't probably going to hand out more interviews this month. The med school closes down in a few days until after the New Year....and I think most people have left already for the holidays today or this past weekend actually (at least the staff members I know). Given that there are only 6 interview days in January (the last remaining...ending January 22nd) and that many of these spots have been given out already... I expect it goes for all candidates that if you don't hear from Penn by the first week or possibly second week of January it is unlikely you'll be offered an interview.

Good luck to all!
 
Untraditional said:
It's reading between the lines because the person I spoke to reversed herself. She said two very different things, the first seeming reactionary and the second seeming "official". In spite of this, can it be considered an official rejection since they have the little disclaimer line about additional reviews? A flat out rejection wouldn't include something like that unless the school wanted to be unnecessarily cruel.

Obviously my chances here aren't excellent at this point but you never know. Hence I appeal to the wisdom of the crowds.
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sunshining said:
For those of you who have been deferred and haven't heard anything yet, please don't lose hope, guys!! I was deferred in early November, and got an interview invitation on Friday!
Good luck to you all!
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Hey Untraditional: I justed wanted to highlight sunshining's comment! S/he was deferred in November but got an invite today. Don't lose hope yet! No need to stress until the GAME IS OVER (and it isn't now 🙂:luck:

CONGRATS SUNSHINING!!!!👍


I LOVED this school when I interviewed! By far my favorite interview. Everyone from my host to my interviewers was great! My HMS interview paled in comparison lol...yes, I said it lol

Best of luck everyone!
 
Reach4theclouds said:
Hey Untraditional: I justed wanted to highlight sunshining's comment! S/he was deferred in November but got an invite today. Don't lose hope yet! No need to stress until the GAME IS OVER (and it isn't now 🙂:luck:

CONGRATS SUNSHINING!!!!👍


I LOVED this school when I interviewed! By far my favorite interview. Everyone from my host to my interviewers was great! My HMS interview paled in comparison lol...yes, I said it lol

Best of luck everyone!
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I'm not holding my breath. It does seem that deferral or "no interview but review later" aren't great places to be, especially if they wrap up interviewing in late Jan. The encouragement is helpful, though!
 
mdeast said:
I expect it goes for all candidates that if you don't hear from Penn by the first week or possibly second week of January it is unlikely you'll be offered an interview.
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nooooooooooooo


:xf::xf::xf:
 
Hey guys so I just noticed this status today.
"Your application continues to be reviewed but there is no change in your status. Reviews will continue."
Is that what everybody who has been deferred has also, or is it somehow different??
 
willington76 said:
Hey guys so I just noticed this status today.
"Your application continues to be reviewed but there is no change in your status. Reviews will continue."
Is that what everybody who has been deferred has also, or is it somehow different??
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mine looks like its still the same as it was before (not invited... additional reviews yada yada yada)
 
willington76 said:
Hey guys so I just noticed this status today.
"Your application continues to be reviewed but there is no change in your status. Reviews will continue."
Is that what everybody who has been deferred has also, or is it somehow different??
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I also noticed the same "application update" message today. Probably doesn't mean much...
 
I still have this in my application status: "The Committee on Admissions reviewed your application but has not invited you for an interview at this time. Additional reviews will occur and any change in your status will be communicated to you." I think you're in a better boat than I am. I hate how esoteric these statuses are.
*
 
i love cookies said:
I still have this in my application status: "The Committee on Admissions reviewed your application but has not invited you for an interview at this time. Additional reviews will occur and any change in your status will be communicated to you." I think you're in a better boat than I am. I hate how esoteric these statuses are.
*
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Seriously. Just say "on hold for interview", "actively under review for interview", "not invited for interview"

BAM! Transparency.
 
Does anyone know when Upenn starts to send out acceptances / decisions post interviews? I know it's an Ivy and it says "all decisions will be announced by March 15th" - does that mean they wait till like first week of march to say anything at all? Or do they start in feb or something?

I can't remember what they said during the interview... I"m not even sure I remembered to ask 🙁
 
Sentinel said:
Does anyone know when Upenn starts to send out acceptances / decisions post interviews? I know it's an Ivy and it says "all decisions will be announced by March 15th" - does that mean they wait till like first week of march to say anything at all? Or do they start in feb or something?

I can't remember what they said during the interview... I"m not even sure I remembered to ask 🙁
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They let everyone know the same day. Last year I think it was March 26th (they missed the March 15th deadline). So much waiting ahead....
 
Have they stopped handing out interviews? I'm assuming so, but was not sure...
 
mdeast said:
They let everyone know the same day. Last year I think it was March 26th (they missed the March 15th deadline). So much waiting ahead....
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Yea I just dug up the thread and looked into it (it's great how I thought to do that AFTER I posted) - and yea; looks like they missed the date because of the CBC background check thing.

Now.. I got an email from AMCAS that CBC will be contacting me soon bec one of the schools that participate in it just req a background check. But; the probability that it was Upenn is extremely low methinks - it could've been Ohio state or Tufts (I've been accepted to both); or even UMDNJ RWJ (if they are planning to accept me!!)

Guess my point is; we have to wait till the ides of march.

Yay.
 
i love cookies said:
I still have this in my application status: "The Committee on Admissions reviewed your application but has not invited you for an interview at this time. Additional reviews will occur and any change in your status will be communicated to you." I think you're in a better boat than I am. I hate how esoteric these statuses are.
*
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Lol, I have had this for a while. I wish they would just let me know. I think I'll withdraw by the end of this week.

UPDATE: i called admissions. they said they are very few interview offers left, and interviewing is done by the end of Jan. I'm withdrawing, not that interested/don't want to travel. Best luck everyone.
 
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imdanumb1 said:
Lol, I have had this for a while. I wish they would just let me know. I think I'll withdraw by the end of this week.

UPDATE: i called admissions. they said they are very few interview offers left, and interviewing is done by the end of Jan. I'm withdrawing, not that interested/don't want to travel. Best luck everyone.
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Why not just withdrawal after January 22nd?
 
mdeast said:
Why not just withdrawal after January 22nd?
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yeah? no harm in waiting a bit. although i guess if you withdraw it's better chances for others who might be more serious about the school...
 
scapermoya said:
yeah? no harm in waiting a bit. although i guess if you withdraw it's better chances for others who might be more serious about the school...
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Yeah, exactly. I'm leaving the country for a while...
 
scapermoya said:
yeah? no harm in waiting a bit. although i guess if you withdraw it's better chances for others who might be more serious about the school...
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Yeah. It likes leaving a bad movie 10 minutes before it's over. You won't get a refund, and you won't see how it ends. You might as well just wait and see if it redeems itself in the finale. If not, only another 10 minutes wasted. 😉
 
I think it actually says in the email that its only from schools that already accepted you... then again, I've been accepted to three of those schools and got only one check...sooo....
 
NotSur said:
i got the request too and figured it must be from a school that already accepted me. no?
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I got 5 of these emails and went back and checked to see that I've only interviewed at 5 of the schools listed on the website (one of which was UPenn). So it could be related. Seeing that Penn doesn't really reject interviewees (I think most people are waitlisted) I wouldn't play into this too much.
 
mdeast said:
I got 5 of these emails and went back and checked to see that I've only interviewed at 5 of the schools listed on the website (one of which was UPenn). So it could be related. Seeing that Penn doesn't really reject interviewees (I think most people are waitlisted) I wouldn't play into this too much.
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I got 5 of these e-mails as well. I've interviewed at 5 schools (been accepted to 2) and only 1 school is listed on the AAMC's CBC list. I think yesterday's multiple emails may have been a glitch.........unless the other 4 schools think I'm uber sketchy and are making a special request to AAMC to check me out LoL 😳
 
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