2009-2010 University of Pittsburgh Application Thread

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scooter02 said:
I was complete 7/22 and haven't heard anything yet...

They hate me already.... 🙄
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O don't you worry, I was complete 7/9 and still nothing...although I did have a dream last night I got an invite from pitt lol
 
osumc2014 said:
O don't you worry, I was complete 7/9 and still nothing...although I did have a dream last night I got an invite from pitt lol
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I keep having dreams like that too... but today I woke up to a BU rejection. 😛

Goodluck man!
 
rafeblank said:
Interview Invite 7/24, Secondary Submitted 7/20
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did you have your LORs in before you got the interview invite? my school is dragging their heels and havent sent mine in yet
 
Yeah my school sent in the LOR to complete my app on the 24th, my secondary had been in since the 10th, i guess i accidently clicked completed on that day.
 
mine has said "invited to submit supplemental application" for like 3 weeks
 
submitted! haha do they send like a confirmation email or anything?
 
First interview! I'm pretty excited about Pitt.

Secondary submitted on 7/26, interview invite on 7/28.
 
Hey guys, congratulations on interview invites! It is so exciting 🙂) I posted a lot of interview information on my blog: http://harvardmedgirl.blogspot.com/ You can also find a lot of practice questions there -- feel free to ask anything about Pitt and interviewing there. Best of luck to you all!!!
 
But I am stuck on the ethical dilemma essay...

Does this count?

On Sunday (after I spent a good 1-2 hours trying to think of an ethical dilemma to write about) I went to the mall with 2 friends because I had to get new shoes. Then, as we were leaving the mall, we exited the back way and found a girl's wallet there. We opened it right there to look for ID and found a library card with a name on it, a few other random things, and about $50. There was a homeless lady right there and she first tried to convince us the wallet was hers, but when we asked her her name, she didn't say the same thing as the library card said. Kinda pissed off at her, we decided to take the wallet to the mall security. That's when the lady told us that she was pregnant with twin girls, needed to eat to not only feed herself but also her twins, and that she just wanted half the money in the wallet--after all, she said, if we hadn't found the wallet, she would have eventually, and the owner would not have gotten any of the money back.

It seemed like a valid dilemma to me, but I'm worried that it sounds generic. I ended up giving the wallet back to mall security intact. About 4 hours later, the owner's boyfriend called (he was in the Navy--we could tell from a photo of him in the wallet) and was really grateful saying that not a lot of people who would have returned the wallet. I told him about what happened with the homeless lady and asked that he use some of the money in the wallet to buy food for a homeless person (I don't usually ever give straight up cash to homeless people since they could use it for alcohol/drugs, whereas I often give food). He said he would, but who knows.

I felt guilty about it so I don't know if I even did the right thing...I mean it was the girl's money, and I wouldn't want someone else donating my money if they found my wallet on the ground. So do you think this could make a decent essay? It's not personal at all (this could have happened to anyone), and I'm still wondering if I did the right thing and I don't want to be construed as not compassionate towards the plight of homeless people (I have always tried to help homeless people and in high school did a project interviewing tons of them to understand how they end up on the street).
 
rickyricardo said:
But I am stuck on the ethical dilemma essay...

Does this count?

On Sunday (after I spent a good 1-2 hours trying to think of an ethical dilemma to write about) I went to the mall with 2 friends because I had to get new shoes. Then, as we were leaving the mall, we exited the back way and found a girl's wallet there. We opened it right there to look for ID and found a library card with a name on it, a few other random things, and about $50. There was a homeless lady right there and she first tried to convince us the wallet was hers, but when we asked her her name, she didn't say the same thing as the library card said. Kinda pissed off at her, we decided to take the wallet to the mall security. That's when the lady told us that she was pregnant with twin girls, needed to eat to not only feed herself but also her twins, and that she just wanted half the money in the wallet--after all, she said, if we hadn't found the wallet, she would have eventually, and the owner would not have gotten any of the money back.

It seemed like a valid dilemma to me, but I'm worried that it sounds generic. I ended up giving the wallet back to mall security intact. About 4 hours later, the owner's boyfriend called (he was in the Navy--we could tell from a photo of him in the wallet) and was really grateful saying that not a lot of people who would have returned the wallet. I told him about what happened with the homeless lady and asked that he use some of the money in the wallet to buy food for a homeless person (I don't usually ever give straight up cash to homeless people since they could use it for alcohol/drugs, whereas I often give food). He said he would, but who knows.

I felt guilty about it so I don't know if I even did the right thing...I mean it was the girl's money, and I wouldn't want someone else donating my money if they found my wallet on the ground. So do you think this could make a decent essay? It's not personal at all (this could have happened to anyone), and I'm still wondering if I did the right thing and I don't want to be construed as not compassionate towards the plight of homeless people (I have always tried to help homeless people and in high school did a project interviewing tons of them to understand how they end up on the street).
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think about it. what if the owner of the wallet was in a shaky financial situation? what if she just recently lost her job or her house or had to pay some unforseen medical expense? what if $50 was all she had? would you feel good about giving the money to the homeless person then? it wasn't your money to give away; you did the right thing. in any case, I think it's a good example (not generic at all) and a dilemma is called a dilemma because there's oftentimes no "right" decision. as long as you can justify your decision (which you did), then you're alright.
 
LAman10 said:
a dilemma is called a dilemma because there's oftentimes no "right" decision
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In his situation though there is an unquestionable correct decision. He has no right to knowingly commit petty theft and give that which was never his to give to begin with. Just because the homeless person said she would steal it in no way, shape, or form justifies an assistance in that theft. If you feel bad for the lady, give her your money, not stolen money
 
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plsletmein said:
In his situation though there is an unquestionable correct decision. He has no right to knowingly commit petty theft and give that which was never his to give to begin with. Just because the homeless person said she would steal it in no way, shape, or form justifies an assistance in that theft. If you feel bad for the lady, give her your money, not stolen money
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So does this mean that it isn’t a dilemma to write about for the essay? I guess when I read what I wrote, the correct thing to do seems pretty obvious. However, when you actually are with the homeless person and they’re basically begging you for money to eat, and the money isn’t yours, and you don’t know whose it is, and the owner might not even ever get it back (if you return it to the mall security and they never think to check there), then the situation is quite different.
 
Wait, so you found the wallet as you were leaving the mall, but you were still there 4 hours later when the boyfriend claimed it from the security guard? You must have REALLY wanted to make sure the wallet found its rightful owner...
 
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ScronCron said:
Wait, so you found the wallet as you were leaving the mall, but you were still there 4 hours later when the boyfriend claimed it from the security guard?
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No I left my name/number at mall security: they do that because if no one picks it up in 90 days, you get it. The boyfriend called me four hours after I left.
 
plsletmein said:
In his situation though there is an unquestionable correct decision. He has no right to knowingly commit petty theft and give that which was never his to give to begin with. Just because the homeless person said she would steal it in no way, shape, or form justifies an assistance in that theft. If you feel bad for the lady, give her your money, not stolen money
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this is absolutely true. however, a "moral" dilemma is really dependent on one's morals. if rickyricardo's morals say to help out a homeless person in need (especially a pregnant homeless person) in any way possible, but if they also say to return lost property to its rightful owner, then he has a dilemma.

In your case, however, your morals simply say to return the money. so in your case, it's not really a dilemma.
 
Anyone know if past research experience with publications is big factor at UPitt? My MCAT is only 31, but I have 6 publications and hope they help offset the low MCAT. I just don't want to waste money on schools that will not look past average numbers, I'm almost broke.
 
LAman10 said:
this is absolutely true. however, a "moral" dilemma is really dependent on one's morals. if rickyricardo's morals say to help out a homeless person in need (especially a pregnant homeless person) in any way possible, but if they also say to return lost property to its rightful owner, then he has a dilemma.

In your case, however, your morals simply say to return the money. so in your case, it's not really a dilemma.
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This is not a situation where there is gray area- there is a clear cut right thing to do and a wrong thing to do. If he felt so compelled to help the homeless woman, he would give his own money. He found the wallet so as a responsible, decent member of society it is his responsibility to return it to the proper authorities in tact.
 
I think everyone here is thinking too much about the dilemma essay. What Pitt wants to see is that you were faced with a decision and you didn't know how to proceed. They want to see that you are capable of thinking through the pros and cons of your choices and that you are able to come to a decision. Did you regret that decision? That's fine, just talk about what you would have done differently. Did you make the right decision? Great.

Don't worry about the official definition of a moral or ethical dilemma. What is a dilemma to you might not be a dilemma to someone else. And don't worry if you think someone might see your dilemma as trivial. I wrote about whether or not to tell my parents that my sister had started smoking cigarettes. And I got an early interview and an acceptance.

What is most important is your thought process. I promise. Don't drive yourselves crazy over this!
 
Just got an interview invite, my 2nd! Feels great! Good luck to everyone as well.
 
Erina said:
I think everyone here is thinking too much about the dilemma essay. What Pitt wants to see is that you were faced with a decision and you didn't know how to proceed. They want to see that you are capable of thinking through the pros and cons of your choices and that you are able to come to a decision. Did you regret that decision? That's fine, just talk about what you would have done differently. Did you make the right decision? Great.

Don't worry about the official definition of a moral or ethical dilemma. What is a dilemma to you might not be a dilemma to someone else. And don't worry if you think someone might see your dilemma as trivial. I wrote about whether or not to tell my parents that my sister had started smoking cigarettes. And I got an early interview and an acceptance.

What is most important is your thought process. I promise. Don't drive yourselves crazy over this!
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I'm looking at your MDApps right now. Is it true you never experienced the feeling of rejection??? wow
 
Erina, since you're already at Pitt, you may know this...

I applied to Pitt in very late in 2008 and was waitlisted. I'm reapplying now as an MPH student (complete since 7/14), but no interview invite 🙁

do you know if Pitt gives formerly waitlisted students another chance?
 
i submitted on 7/14 but they didnt get my recommendations til 7/29
 
jasmine112 said:
Erina, since you're already at Pitt, you may know this...

I applied to Pitt in very late in 2008 and was waitlisted. I'm reapplying now as an MPH student (complete since 7/14), but no interview invite 🙁

do you know if Pitt gives formerly waitlisted students another chance?
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Yes, they definitely do. Don't give up!!

LAman10 said:
I'm looking at your MDApps right now. Is it true you never experienced the feeling of rejection??? wow
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Well, I applied to schools that I thought I had a pretty good chance of getting into. I withdrew from Harvard and Penn before they could reject me haha. So Pitt was the most challenging school for me to get accepted to and I ended up being very fortunate!

So no, I didn't experience rejection. But only because I'm afraid of it and figured if I rejected Penn and Harvard first, then I won!
 
Hey all, I just added Pitt to my list of schools. I've already drafted up my essays. Any idea when the secondary will become available for me? I'm leaving for vacation on Friday and want to submit before then.
 
Bbon said:
Hey all, I just added Pitt to my list of schools. I've already drafted up my essays. Any idea when the secondary will become available for me? I'm leaving for vacation on Friday and want to submit before then.
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I received a secondary just a few days after adding Pitt on my AMCAS. You'll have it very soon.
 
Yay. 5th interview invite. Thank God.

Sec Received :06/29
Sec Submitted :06/29
Complete:07/22
Interview Invite:08/04
 
Dang, I just realized when I edited one of the essays a sentence was cut in two places so it sounds like I'm illiterate...
 
archimedesxx said:
Yay. 5th interview invite. Thank God.

Sec Received :06/29
Sec Submitted :06/29
Complete:07/22
Interview Invite:08/04
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Why do you need to thank god? I haven't gotten anything. How about spreading the love a bit?
 
Doe87 said:
Why do you need to thank god? I haven't gotten anything. How about spreading the love a bit?
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Doe! Because it's been a long premed journey. Tortuous at best. I am blessed to have as many as 5 invites this early. This is why I need to thank God because without Him I wouldn't be here. Got it?lol
 
archimedesxx said:
Doe! Because it's been a long premed journey. Tortuous at best. I am blessed to have as many as 5 invites this early. This is why I need to thank God because without Him I wouldn't be here. Got it?lol
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i think you should thank yourself and your work ethic first and foremost...you're the one who put the effort in, you're the one who deserves the credit.
 
That explanation never works on people with that line of reasoning (remember, pride is a sin). Try getting Tim Tebow to take credit for his football ability. It'll never happen.
 
Aggro said:
That explanation never works on people with that line of reasoning (remember, pride is a sin). Try getting Tim Tebow to take credit for his football ability. It'll never happen.
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:laugh::laugh:
 
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Aggro said:
That explanation never works on people with that line of reasoning (remember, pride is a sin). Try getting Tim Tebow to take credit for his football ability. It'll never happen.
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oh man! youre so right hahaha

i rescind my comment 🙄
 
I was complete 7/18, and I still haven't heard anything. I wish I was like one of those people who heard back quickly!!
 
Don't worry if you don't hear back quickly, I was complete on 7/7 and I just received my interview invite last night!
 
archimedesxx said:
Doe! Because it's been a long premed journey. Tortuous at best. I am blessed to have as many as 5 invites this early. This is why I need to thank God because without Him I wouldn't be here. Got it?lol
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Man, with God playing favorites, I dunno how I am going to pull an acceptance this cycle :scared:
 
does Pitt send a "complete" e-mail??
 
Bhangra15 said:
Don't worry if you don't hear back quickly, I was complete on 7/7 and I just received my interview invite last night!
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Congrats!😀

That gives me hope!! I thought I was done here seeing as how I was complete early july and heard nothing yet.
 
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