2010-2011 Boston University Application Thread

[slowbutsteady]

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Hey guys, could anyone answer some basic travel questions for me? I'm sure they've been answered before but the search function didn't pull them up and 1,050 posts its a lot of reading 😀

Thanks to whoever can offer a hand 🙂

Is BOS the nearest airport? YES

What is the best way to get from the airport to the University? CAB ($20)

What is the travel time? from the airport to the university? 15-20 mins

Is there a student host option that I've missed somewhere? YES

Do interview days consistently end at or before3:00? YES

What is the earliest outbound flight I could safely take after the interview? 5 pm

 

[BaronVonZ]

Thank you both! 😀

To Boston I go!

 

[Coug]

Really enjoyed the interview day yesterday! BU puts on a good program

 

[Charles_Carmichael]

Quick question: So it looks like the first round of acceptances go out in January. Would it be okay, then, to schedule my interview a little later than the Nov 15/17 options that my interview invite gave? I'm just a little hesitant about having back-to-back interviews (I have one at Wayne State on Nov 16th). I would prefer to have a little bit of time between interviews so I have the chance to assess my performance and make any necessary changes.

Any advice you guys can give about asking for a different date, presumably at the end of November/beginning of December, would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[PartyHouse001]

Really enjoyed the interview day yesterday! BU puts on a good program

I am going there next week, any advice? Much appreciated

 

[moogle44]

Quick question: So it looks like the first round of acceptances go out in January. Would it be okay, then, to schedule my interview a little later than the Nov 15/17 options that my interview invite gave? I'm just a little hesitant about having back-to-back interviews (I have one at Wayne State on Nov 16th). I would prefer to have a little bit of time between interviews so I have the chance to assess my performance and make any necessary changes.

Any advice you guys can give about asking for a different date, presumably at the end of November/beginning of December, would be appreciated. Thanks!

Don't worry, back to back is not that bad, I did 3 interviews back to back in october all in different states and it was fine. You learn to implement changes quickly and one you get in the groove of things it just rolls off. I would recommend you sleep a lot in between though just to stay fresh.

I'm doing 3 interviews back to back in early november as well. Maybe I'll see you guys at one of them 🙂

 

[Charles_Carmichael]

Don't worry, back to back is not that bad, I did 3 interviews back to back in october all in different states and it was fine. You learn to implement changes quickly and one you get in the groove of things it just rolls off. I would recommend you sleep a lot in between though just to stay fresh.

I'm doing 3 interviews back to back in early november as well. Maybe I'll see you guys at one of them 🙂

That's good to hear. I'm hesitant because I don't have an acceptance in hand yet. If I did, yea, I'd definitely not worry at all about back-to-back interviews. But I'll definitely take your advice into consideration. Thanks!

 

[Coug]

I am going there next week, any advice? Much appreciated

Sure! Here's one thing- they seem to like people that are pretty opinionated and appreciate their mission of diversity. So my suggestion is to not be afraid to be completely honest with your interviewer. This was the only interview that I've been to where they supported being an outspoken applicant. You'll also hear alot about their hospital and how it serves all kinds of people. They are really proud of that, so you might think of a part of your app that shows you're accustomed to a diverse group of people. I'm sure thats more than you wanted lol

 

[Charles_Carmichael]

Had an extra interview date when I logged on today! Will be interviewing on Nov. 12th now, which works out great! Looking forward to it. 🙂

 

[slowbutsteady]

Sure! Here's one thing- they seem to like people that are pretty opinionated and appreciate their mission of diversity. So my suggestion is to not be afraid to be completely honest with your interviewer. This was the only interview that I've been to where they supported being an outspoken applicant. You'll also hear alot about their hospital and how it serves all kinds of people. They are really proud of that, so you might think of a part of your app that shows you're accustomed to a diverse group of people. I'm sure thats more than you wanted lol

👍

excellent advice!

 

[girlinthegarden]

I agree with you as well.

On that note I was rejected today approximately 1 week and 3 days post receiving the 30 day email.

I'm the 2nd person I know who was rejected post 30 day email. So it is happening. maybe more so to GMS applicants then normal applicants.

This really sucks cuz I know people with similar stats to me in GMS who got the interview. This cycle is beginning to suck. Unless Fl. schools come through not sure what I'm going to do at this point.

Wow, that sucks so much!! So sorry to hear that. There is still a lot of time left, so while the waiting does suck, I'm sure good news is coming your way soon. It is still early!

 

[BrainBuff]

I agree with you as well.

On that note I was rejected today approximately 1 week and 3 days post receiving the 30 day email.

I'm the 2nd person I know who was rejected post 30 day email. So it is happening. maybe more so to GMS applicants then normal applicants.

This really sucks cuz I know people with similar stats to me in GMS who got the interview. This cycle is beginning to suck. Unless Fl. schools come through not sure what I'm going to do at this point.

Damn man, sorry to hear about that. I thought the trend was people getting invitations roughly 30 days after the 30 day email. Let's see if that holds true 😱 I will be at that threshold in a week, unless I get a rejection first. Keep the hope for Florida schools man..Hang in there !!

 

[astrife]

Took me awhile to post here, but I got rejected a few weeks ago.

Stats: 37-38 MCAT and 3.9-4.0 GPA

I really think their whole system of rejecting applicants with high stats is misguided. I very likely would've attended over more highly ranked schools if given the option. I guess I should have said my girlfriend will be living in Boston on my application, but I thought that really sounded unprofessional.

Anyways good luck to the rest of you. BU seems like a great school in a great city.

 

[slowbutsteady]

Took me awhile to post here, but I got rejected a few weeks ago.

Stats: 37-38 MCAT and 3.9-4.0 GPA

I really think their whole system of rejecting applicants with high stats is misguided. I very likely would've attended over more highly ranked schools if given the option. I guess I should have said my girlfriend will be living in Boston on my application, but I thought that really sounded unprofessional.

Anyways good luck to the rest of you. BU seems like a great school in a great city.

If it makes you feel better, you may conclude that they rejected you because your stats are "too high."

I am sorry you were rejected, but there are lots of people with your stats who get interviews, are accepted and attend BU.

I would look at the rest of you application to find the answer as to why you were not granted an interview.

Good luck with the rest of your cycle. You will do great!!!

 

[slowbutsteady]

I agree with you as well.

On that note I was rejected today approximately 1 week and 3 days post receiving the 30 day email.

I'm the 2nd person I know who was rejected post 30 day email. So it is happening. maybe more so to GMS applicants then normal applicants.

This really sucks cuz I know people with similar stats to me in GMS who got the interview. This cycle is beginning to suck. Unless Fl. schools come through not sure what I'm going to do at this point.

Guju, I audibly groaned when I read your post. I am so sorry! BU lost a great person.

Good luck with the Florida schools and others.

 

[slowbutsteady]

Well I think part of the problem with BUSM is that there are 11800 applicants or so for less then 100 spots. 182 spots in the med class, but a certain percentage fo those seats go to 7 year med students and different early assurance programs and stuff like the minority program. Then another 20 seats go to GMS applicants.

So that leaves roughly 90-100 seats for other non GMS applicants and non early assurance programs' people to fill. Even getting the interview doesn't mean you will necessarily get in the med school.

There are 1000 interview spots for slightly less then 100 seats. That's roughly 10 persons interviewing per seat available.

Keep that in mind. so there is some degree of arbitrary subjective reasoning to use the words spoken to biochemguy when he was rejected months ago and emailed admissions officers on their reasoning behind his rejection. Though in biochemguy's case he has since been accepted to EVMS so it is moot point.

They said they cut people down from 12000 roughly t o 7500 and then from that to 1000 interviews. This is the other reason I'm wondering if other non GMS people are getting the 30 day email and getting rejected but not posting because how to not mnake the 2nd cut you would still need to reject a lot of people. And at BU even with all the interviews there are a lot of rejections post interview due to limited seats and though movement on the waitlist not as much as there has been at other schools in past years like how it was at some Fl. schools in past years before UCF and FIU opened.

So there is no guarantee an interview would necessarily have yielded an acceptance.

Holy crapoly, I have never heard it explained like that!!! Daunting.

While wondering how I possibly got in, it reinforces the notion that BU is looking among the vast sea of applicants for those with a particular set of qualities.

Being comfortable and interested in serving an underserved population would appear to be a critical requirement. I can't think of many (any) of my classmates who had not done some kind of work, particularly in a clinical setting, with an underserved population of patients, in the US or abroad.

No offense to some of you, but 3.9/35 applicants are a dime a dozen and there are plenty of schools that want those applicants. BU wants other stuff.

Frankly, as a third year, this med school has met and exceeded my wildest expectations. For those still in play, this place is worth the effort. I am working 10-12 hours a day in the hospital and 3+ more hours studying for the shelf. Totally loving it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[pdiddy916]

"Then another 20 seats go to GMS applicants. "

Did you hear this from someone regarding this year or is it based on past acceptances? Also how many GMS students normally get interviewed? Doesn't seem like many invites are being extended?

 

[ArkAngel]

so what my friend found out was that roughly 90 spots are what remains of 182 for the rest of you to fight it out for. The remaining half is the 20 from GMS, and 70 from the rest of these programs.

WOW. 👎 Means even more competition than I anticipated. I'm getting extremely nervous because although I have other interviews, none have been in MA and I really wanna stay here.

If you dont mind me asking gujudoc, did u apply to other MA schools? just curious.

 

[soccerboy2288]

so what my friend found out was that roughly 90 spots are what remains of 182 for the rest of you to fight it out for. The remaining half is the 20 from GMS, and 70 from the rest of these programs.

Don't they accept more than the actual size of class they aim for? especially for a school like BU where lots of the strong candidates may decide to go to a more selective school after acceptance. So I'd say like they accept 200 or even more no?

 

[ArkAngel]

Sweet keep milking your friend for all the info you can. It will help to keep me sane while waiting. I was complete on 10/1 so I'm about 3 days short of 30 days. Hopefully BU will love me as much as I love it.

 

[ArkAngel]

I recall your scores on the MCAT forums, so I'm sure you'll be ok esp. being from Boston area granted that BU has rejected people with higher scores. But it seems like a lot of those people are not even from the area. your being from the area might help your favor.

Hmm I will find out whatever I can. I did send them a message to ask about it.

But I wouldn't be surprised if as you pointed out it was like 100 people more then the capacity to accept over accepted cuz USF over accepted about 60 more then their total capacity for their class and their class size is 120. So BU over accepting about 100 more then they can hold would not be surprising.

With my stats, I've actually been pleasantly surprised at the places I got interviews. I guess my background and diverse experiences have been part of the package that they liked.

One thing that I wonder is what would happen if say BU accepts 100 extra people while anticipating that many will drop but most don't. Will they then have a bloated class or will they start dropping already accepted people like flies? That would be an interesting situation

 

[moogle44]

Got a question for you guys. I hav 2 days to kill between interviews at Hopkins and here. Would you recommend spending those two days in Boston or Baltimore? Which one has cooler stuff to see?

Thanks

 

[CougarMD]

Got a question for you guys. I hav 2 days to kill between interviews at Hopkins and here. Would you recommend spending those two days in Boston or Baltimore? Which one has cooler stuff to see?

Thanks

I second Boston. The food is way better there🙂 And there are less sketchy places to walk.

 

[hedgehog1]

With my stats, I've actually been pleasantly surprised at the places I got interviews. I guess my background and diverse experiences have been part of the package that they liked.

One thing that I wonder is what would happen if say BU accepts 100 extra people while anticipating that many will drop but most don't. Will they then have a bloated class or will they start dropping already accepted people like flies? That would be an interesting situation

Hey guys, I don't want to jump in on your convo, but I recently interviewed here and Dean Witzburg did comment on this exact issue. In the first round of interviews, which runs into December, they interview somewhere from 600-700 people. Then they sit down to review all of those people and send out acceptances, deferrals until the second round, or rejections to that group in Jan. The number of acceptances is around 30. (Again, this is according to Dean Witzbrg.) He said it is a very low number (no kidding) and they defer quite a bit of people who will be re-reviewed with the second round of interviewees. Their general plan is to keep the number of acceptances very low and expect to dip into their waitlist. In recent years, they have had more people take their acceptances and as a result have been over-enrolled.

 

[karayraisu]

I hav 2 days to kill between interviews at Hopkins and here. Would you recommend spending those two days in Boston or Baltimore? Which one has cooler stuff to see?

Don't even consider Baltimore. Boston >>> Baltimore.

But honestly, the best answer to your question is to spend the time between here and there in NYC. : ) It's 4 hours from Baltimore and 4.5 hours from Boston by bus! =p

 

[slowbutsteady]

Got a question for you guys. I hav 2 days to kill between interviews at Hopkins and here. Would you recommend spending those two days in Boston or Baltimore? Which one has cooler stuff to see?

Thanks

You're kidding, right? Baltimore???!!!!!!!!

 

[venacontracta]

Made it to 30 days. 😀 No 30-day email yet

 

[bobow98]

Guju I'm really sorry to hear about what happened I think there were a lot of us really rooting for you. The fact that you're still helping people out on here speaks volumes though. Anyway where else are you looking?

 

[TheDuude]

Sorry for the hiatus; I've been busy with exams and whatnot. I got my 30-day e-mail october 13th, and have still not received any word from BU (rejection or interview invite).

gujudoc, I hope for the best! I got rejected from UCSD a couple days ago.. it was pretty depressing, but life goes on!

 

[BostonFan]

I've been invited to interview for the MD/PhD program!!!! I never received a 30-day e-mail; I was complete on 9/24/2010.
Stats: 34O, 3.68 cGPA, 3.65 sGPA

Gotta love the hometown love!!! 😍

 

[karayraisu]

Hope my data helps someone who's still waiting - the BU interview season runs till mid-Feb and dates available right now are still in early-Nov, so there should be plenty of invites still going out before December! Best of luck : )

C: 8/20, 30-day: 9/19, II: 10/26

 

[Huskies33]

complete 9/7, 30 day on 10/7, patiently waiting...

 

[BrainBuff]

complete 8/27, 30 day on 9/27 and also patiently waiting.....

wait a minute, is this a 60 day email now?.....Nah...., continue patiently waiting

 

[ArkAngel]

complete 8/27, 30 day on 9/27 and also patiently waiting.....

wait a minute, is this a 60 day email now?.....Nah...., continue patiently waiting

Lol I will be 30 days on 10/29. Hopefully I will get some good news. I love you beantown. Please love me too😍

 

[med8866]

Has anybody interviewed for the MD-PhD program here? Do you know the time line for that?

Thanks!

 

[moogle44]

Don't even consider Baltimore. Boston >>> Baltimore.

But honestly, the best answer to your question is to spend the time between here and there in NYC. : ) It's 4 hours from Baltimore and 4.5 hours from Boston by bus! =p

Agreed. Thanks for the input everyone. I think I'll either hop over to NYC or D.C. and spend the weekend...Don't wana get shot in baltimore walking around 🙂

 

[moogle44]

I still got 24 apps with no decisions made with regards to. still under review at most of these places. Got 2 more apps to finish. 1 which I'm not turning in since its AECOM and I don't think I'd get in there.

So yeah that's that. I guess I will see what the GMS advisors/MD admissions officers I know have to say. One was supposed to speak with me today and never got back to me. I think her class was having an exam so I'll try to call her tomorrow too.

You must have a busy Dec/Jan comming up with all the interviews you're gona get

good luck!

 

[DocTraveler]

I didn't get the 3 week rejection!!!! Ahhhh, so happy right now. Does anyone know what the chances of getting an invite are if you survive the 3 week rejection email? I really thought I was a goner cuz of my MCAT score, but I guess everything else might outweigh that. 😀

Thx and everyone!

 

[moogle44]

Yeah DC is very close by and NYC is a 4 to 4.5 hour trip by MegaBus from DC or Baltimore and then another 4-4.5 hour trip from there to boston.

I've been to NYC twice now but never to DC. I'd love to go to DC to visit though some day. People say its an amazing city with a lot to do and a lot of good ethnic restaurants. Like NYC but maybe not as completely chaotic.

Just got a NYU invite this morning so I guess thats where I'm headed. I hope they let me interview the following weeks so I dont' have to fly twice. Everyone!

 

[venacontracta]

So, this week ended up bringing me a 30-day email shortly followed by an interview invite from BU! Dates offered ranged from beginning to end of Nov.

 

[premed0205]

So, this week ended up bringing me a 30-day email shortly followed by an interview invite from BU! Dates offered ranged from beginning to end of Nov.

wow, really? congrats!! that's def. a first (at least to my knowledge)!

 

[appman]

See you there on the 12th...

 

[Charles_Carmichael]

See you there on the 12th...

Hey I'll be there on the 12th too! Anyone else?

 

[moogle44]

So, this week ended up bringing me a 30-day email shortly followed by an interview invite from BU! Dates offered ranged from beginning to end of Nov.

Cangrats! Its good to see a deviation from the norm. Best of luck!

 

[venacontracta]

The interview confirmation says the interview day finishes "around 3:00" ... can anyone comment on their actual experiences? What is the best way to get from BU to South Station and how long would it realistically take around 3-4 pm? Right after my BU interview I'll be hopping on the train to NYC since I have an interview there the next day, and I'm trying to get some idea of just how late I'll be getting into New York.

and thanks for the congrats premed0205, guju, and moogle!

 

[RickyJamesMD]

Guju,

Keep your chin up! Good luck elsewhere!

 

[MB333999]

hey guys, im interviewing here on Monday and I was wondering if anyone had any tips for me (or anyone else interviewing) 🙂

Thanks,

and good luck guys.

 

[smad4]

hey guys, im interviewing here on Monday and I was wondering if anyone had any tips for me (or anyone else interviewing) 🙂

Thanks,

and good luck guys.

Hey, I'm interviewing on Monday too, so I'll see you then! I'd also like to know what the interviews are like (closed or open file, conversational?).

 

[RogueUnicorn]

oo now i'm curious

@incoming interviewees, the interviews are open file and you should expect an ethical q

 

[MB333999]

it seems its more open, conversational with an ethical dilemma once in a while.

haha i dunno why but the way you worded that made me giggle