2010-2011 Boston University Application Thread

[TFS]

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[kyre]

oh crap. anyone know if you've applied and been accepted to a bachelors+MD program in high school, does that count as having applied to medical school? 😱

I wouldn't worry about that-- I think that situation is different from the above poster's

 

[TFS]

^
thanks! momentary panic there. 🙂

 

[SodaScientist]

I want to say that they haven't rejected anyone from MA yet... but most people actually didn't revealed their state residency. How wrong am I with this theory?

I'm from MA and was rejected a couple of days ago. I posted above...

 

[BullDog4Eva]

I'm from MA and was rejected a couple of days ago. I posted above...

Really sorry to hear that, especially since you're a fellow MA resident. Your stats are amazing, I'm sure you'll get in somewhere really good!

Now I'm wondering whether my reject e-mail made it into my spam and deleted somehow. I do scrutinize the folder everyday to make sure an invite didn't end up there.

 

[kyo121]

Rejected. WA res, 3.9/32. Complete - 7/22

 

[schlieren]

Now I'm wondering whether my reject e-mail made it into my spam and deleted somehow. I do scrutinize the folder everyday to make sure an invite didn't end up there.

You can check BU's secondary application website for your status and any email they sent.
Don't worry, your stats are great and unless if you had a felony, an interview should be just around the corner for you.

 

[BullDog4Eva]

You can check BU's secondary application website for your status and any email they sent.
Don't worry, your stats are great and unless if you had a felony, an interview should be just around the corner for you.

Thanks. That was the most encouraging thing anyone has told me in weeks... just as I am on the verge of despair.

Though the last time someone said that, I got a rejection e-mail a few days later (Indiana U). LOL.

 

[BullDog4Eva]

Just checked my post log and it turns out that it was you who said it last time. LOL. Two jinxes in a row. Oh boy... this should be interesting. LOL.

 

[schlieren]

Thanks. That was the most encouraging thing anyone has told me in weeks... just as I am on the verge of despair.

Though the last time someone said that, I got a rejection e-mail a few days later (Indiana U). LOL.

I am that someone who said this to you in the Indiana thread! 😳

But hey, I really meant by what I said. I got rejected by Indiana as well, and the next day I got my first interview. Best wishes!

 

[schlieren]

Just checked my post log and it turns out that it was you who said it last time. LOL. Two jinxes in a row. Oh boy... this should be interesting. LOL.

LOL ... you replied fast

 

[The Law]

oh crap. anyone know if you've applied and been accepted to a bachelors+MD program in high school, does that count as having applied to medical school? 😱

Your case is kinda different, I also wouldn't worry about it. 🙂

 

[StarryNights]

I GOT ... rejected. Was expecting this email for 2 weeks now, and sort of of relief to get it in a strange way. Got my first rejection out of the way. Now to put my heart and soul into the rest of secondaries. Best of luck to everyone left!!

 

[12751]

I GOT ... rejected. 3.6/35R, OOS. Was expecting this email for 2 weeks now, and sort of of relief to get it in a strange way. Got my first rejection out of the way. Now to put my heart and soul into the rest of secondaries. Best of luck to everyone left!!

Amen... a mature sentiment. Best of luck getting into a much better school!

 

[AceXIII]

Out of all the people that were rejected, was anyone complete in August?

 

[terrypk1]

Hi
Does anyone know how the U of Boston Optional Essay (the last one) should be utilized??
Can I talk about what I can offer uniquely to the school?
or should the space to left for people who need to discuss their academic problems?

 

[anbuitachi]

I feel like from the paragraph that they wrote, they dont really want people to write an essay unless they really feel that they can give them new useful information.

" Furthermore, we have found that for most applicants, an extra essay written expressly for Boston University adds little to the information content of the portfolio."

" If you choose to use the space, please do not duplicate information provided elsewhere in this supplemental application or in material you have submitted to AMCAS. Use this optional section only if you believe that the additional information will help us to learn something about you as a person, to get a sense of who you are and what you are about, beyond the basic facts of your academic work and your life history as it is otherwise available to us."

Therefore I think if you are going to write what you can offer to the school, it better be what most of the other 11k applicants can't or i think it will be kind of useless.

 

[obgyny]

No don't ever discuss academic problems in that space. That's what my advisor at BUSM told me. She's on MD admissions. don't draw attn to the negative points of an application just to the strengths.

Use the space to talk about why you are unique if you have something to add that wasn't on the primary or elsewhere on the secondary.

Thirdly, not to be anal and annoying though I may come off that way for saying this, but its Boston University not University of Boston.

Just thought I'd throw that out there.

Also read the post above mine about what the purpose of the optional essay is. That poster hit it on the nail. 🙂

Oops. Well... I used that space to explain my complicated undergrad education. I did dual-enrollment in HS/community college, had to drop out the first semester due to financial issues... then had to transfer schools twice because of moving across the country/family situation. So I explained why I did community college first, why the first semester is filled of "W"s on my transcripts, and why I had to go to 3 colleges. This I haven't explained anywhere on my AMCAS or supplemental app. But I also wrote about the positives of my undergrad experiences and what I have benefited from them. I hope that's okay?

It's too late anyways, it's already submitted... 🙄

 

[obgyny]

Yeah but explaining Ws vs. drawing attn to failing grades or Cs is different. Plus your situation is more different. And the reason I also stated my post is cuz last time I applied someone told me to explain bad grades in that section and then this year I was told I should never do that by my BUSM advisor. But your situation is not explaining bad grades so much as it is explaining why you have so many different schools and a family personal situation from what I'm seeing. Your situation is more complex then what I was referring to.

Oh okay. But from what you've heard from the BUSM advisor, do you think my response was appropriate for that essay? I usually write about all this information in any "Additional Comments" essay prompt schools ask for (since there's really nowhere to explain this on the AMCAS app).

 

[schlieren]

I was told by my advisor, a member of a west-coast med school's committee, to explain my failing grades whenever possible. I used the explanation space below prerequisite grid to explain this, and used the optional essay to say I love Boston (just one paragraph). I hope this could also work out.

Edit: per private discussion with gujuDoc, my situation is different from hers, and I think I shall explain while she indeed shall not.

 

[obgyny]

I think it would be absolutely without a doubt appropriate to explain situations like financial situations and having to take care of family and stuff like that. Which is what I can see you did. Of course those things are always important to mention.

If i had gone through something like that I would definitely explain it because financial issues, having to take care of a sick loved one or support your family or stuff of that nature is very relevant.

I want to see what that poster who posted below you says to my PM though. Because now I'm confused. I was always told one thing by my advisor but now I'm confused cuz they are saying their advisor is saying differently. we shall see if they respond.

Thanks!!! The thing about advisors is that they all tell you something different 🙄.

 

[BullDog4Eva]

Have they sent a rejection letter to anyone who did their UG in the Boston area?

 

[maroon95]

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/08/15/us/AP-US-Craigslist-Killing.html

Damn. You both are very strong statistically. Any idea why the early rejection? (lack of research or volunteering?)

 

[AceXIII]

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/08/15/us/AP-US-Craigslist-Killing.html

I hope the fact that I went to the same undergrad as him will not count against me

 

[dcjpitt]

For the question asking about the "features of your academic history that you think may be part of particular interest to us," do you guys think it's alright to talk about more than one thing? I have a cultural experience, but also some art or musical things i could talk about. I have a pretty solid essay for the cultural one, but should I also add something about the art and music too?

 

[hedgehog1]

For the question asking about the "features of your academic history that you think may be part of particular interest to us," do you guys think it's alright to talk about more than one thing? I have a cultural experience, but also some art or musical things i could talk about. I have a pretty solid essay for the cultural one, but should I also add something about the art and music too?

I think you can talk about both if you feel both are important.

On another note, have there been any more rejections the past few days for people complete near the end of July? I'm trying to judge when I can expect to hear from them.

 

[BullDog4Eva]

I think you can talk about both if you feel both are important.

On another note, have there been any more rejections the past few days for people complete near the end of July? I'm trying to judge when I can expect to hear from them.

I feel ya. A lack of rejection from BU is my only indication so far that there isn't some sort of red flag on my app. I got their "It has been 30 days since..." e-mail today. But like someone pointed out, they can still reject you after sending you that e-mail, so I'm trying my best not to have false expectations. 🙁

 

[Engineer2med]

🙁
3.9 cGPA/ 4.0 sGPA, 32S. OOS
Completed 7/29


I knew it was a long shot. I have no ties to the area, but was really hoping for an interview somewhere. This application cycle is not looking promising

 

[runawayclock]

Complete today, but submitted a bit more than 2 weeks ago. UGh, reading through everyone else's crazy stats, I am expecting the worst here. 36/3.8.

 

[slowbutsteady]

🙁
3.9 cGPA/ 4.0 sGPA, 32S. OOS
Completed 7/29


I knew it was a long shot. I have no ties to the area, but was really hoping for an interview somewhere. This application cycle is not looking promising

Your list of schools is way too top-heavy. Also, is your research in medicine or engineering?

You'll get in, but it will be a long, tough ride with that list. Add some more fast!

 

[noshie]

Well, I expected it, but it still hurts 🙁

Rejected today, was complete for almost a month before they rejected me... Nicest rejection email ever though! 😛

Stats
MCAT 27Q
Ugrad GPA 2.91 (surprised they didn't reject me pre secondary for this)
Grad GPA 3.64

 

[BrainBuff]

Is anyone else annoyed by the posts of the gujuDoc guy? He seems to be the know-all person at Boston or something. Until you're a med student, I think you should tone down you opinions a bit.

No. Actually I am annoyed by your stupid and rude comment.

 

[jr doctor in sd]

How the Craigslist killer gets an acceptance and I wake up to a rejection is beyond me...ok I will stop being bitter now 🙁

 

[Opthope]

D'you mind sharing when you were completed? ~24th of July? I'm kinda just wanting to get the sting of rejection over at this point =/

 

[RickyJamesMD]

No. Actually I am annoyed by your stupid and rude comment.

Aggressive.

 

[Carbon inc]

First complete application rejection for me. Good luck to the rest of yas! CA/3.8/32

 

[QuesoAndFromage]

First complete application rejection for me. Good luck to the rest of yas! OOS/3.8/32

when were you complete?

 

[Carbon inc]

I was complete 7/27

 

[doremi2010]

Rejected 🙁 No more lurking on this thread for me!
Complete July 27th. Glad first rejection was from Boston though, if there had to be any.
Good luck to everyone else!!

 

[hedgehog1]

🙁
3.9 cGPA/ 4.0 sGPA, 32S. OOS
Completed 7/29


I knew it was a long shot. I have no ties to the area, but was really hoping for an interview somewhere. This application cycle is not looking promising

Sorry to hear. 🙁 I don't think it was a long shot though. As you can see with all these rejections, it just demonstrates the randomness of this process.

 

[BrainBuff]

Aggressive.

 

[BrainBuff]

Sorry to hear. 🙁 I don't think it was a long shot though. As you can see with all these rejections, it just demonstrates the randomness of this process.

Sorry, but that was a long shot and easily predictable for BU. The 32 S was his third MCAT. There were two previous MCATs of 27 and 25 (the 25 this year!!). I am afraid the schools he is applying to are way reaches...He needs to apply broadly and NOW...

 

[minka]

rejected 3.83c/3.78sgpa, 35Q, CA resident, polite email though

 

[obgyny]

rejected 3.83c/3.78sgpa, 35Q, CA resident, polite email though

LOL, it's funny everyone is mentioning that the rejection email is so nice! I'm sorry you got it though 🙁. you've got great stats (I would kill for that MCAT score!), keep your chin up!!!

 

[CougarMD]

I'm kind of curious....

A lot of CA residents apply to BU. Of those of you who got rejected, have any of you lived outside of CA for a significant time period? (Like, not from ages 0-5 or something)

 

[unleash500]

CA resident rejected and it hurts 🙁 3.65/33

My first rejection and already losing hope zzz.

I did not live in any other state besides CA.

 

[PartyHouse001]

CA resident rejected and it hurts 🙁 3.65/33

My first rejection and already losing hope zzz.

I did not live in any other state besides CA.

Haha, don't worry, you will get your hopes back again with your first interview offer, unless you got one already.

 

[slowbutsteady]

Sorry, but that was a long shot and easily predictable for BU. The 32 S was his third MCAT. There were two previous MCATs of 27 and 25 (the 25 this year!!). I am afraid the schools he is applying to are way reaches...He needs to apply broadly and NOW...

Sorry to pick on Engineer, but read her MDapps.

http://www.mdapplicants.com/profile.php?id=20801

PREMEDS TAKE NOTE: This is why "high stats" people often end up with no acceptances. Their list of schools is poorly compiled. I suspect that as a non-trad, this person did not have an advisor to help with the list.

Good luck to her though.

 

[hedgehog1]

Sorry, but that was a long shot and easily predictable for BU. The 32 S was his third MCAT. There were two previous MCATs of 27 and 25 (the 25 this year!!). I am afraid the schools he is applying to are way reaches...He needs to apply broadly and NOW...

Ah, I didn't look at the whole picture. All I meant by my comment was it was not crazy to apply to BU with a 3.9/32. I see your point.

 

[toomuchcoffee]

I know this was addressed before... but I feel like my situation is a little weird. I was planning on writing the optional essays on the discrepancy in my grades. These are my stats:

freshman year= 3.0
sophomore year= 3.0
junior year= 3.85
senior year= 3.95

The first two years I had pretty much all Bs.. (2 Cs and 1 D+)... junior and senior year I had all As...

I feel like my grades look a little strange, and I'm scared to not address the issue. Nothing really happened to change my grades so drastically.. more of a maturity, re-commitment to medicine kind of thing.

Any input appreciated...