2010-2011 Boston University Application Thread

[girlinthegarden]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Same. So much for that hope about Dr. W just not calling. I know it's better than a rejection/waitlist but it's obviously not what I was hoping for.

+1. Much much better than a rejection!! Let's just hope that everyone interviewing in January/February is less spectacular than all of us! Hehe 😉

 

[NYR56]

+1. Much much better than a rejection!! Let's just hope that everyone interviewing in January/February is less spectacular than all of us! Hehe 😉

Haha sounds good to me 😀

Honestly, I'm just sick of the waiting. It's such a long, dragged out process. At least I know I'm going somewhere, otherwise I'd really be freaking out right now. I feel really bad for anyone who doesn't have something to fall back on though.

 

[girlinthegarden]

Haha sounds good to me 😀

Honestly, I'm just sick of the waiting. It's such a long, dragged out process. At least I know I'm going somewhere, otherwise I'd really be freaking out right now. I feel really bad for anyone who doesn't have something to fall back on though.

Where else did you get in? Just wondering because I am also from Long Island 🙂 I agree, it's much better knowing that I'll be SOMEWHERE at the end of all this.

 

[NYR56]

Where else did you get in? Just wondering because I am also from Long Island 🙂 I agree, it's much better knowing that I'll be SOMEWHERE at the end of all this.

Oh really? Any chance from Suffolk? SUNY Upstate was my first interview, and they are my first and only acceptance. I liked the school, so I'll be happy if that's where I end up going but it's hard to beat BU. I'm hoping to hear something positive from Hofstra-NSLIJ this month too, which is another top choice for me.

 

[Hah]

Deferred as well. At least its not a rejection!

 

[phantompanda]

Accepted! Just got an email this morning. Feels nice to receive some love from my alma mater. Interviewed 10/25.

 

[DocTraveler]

Just got the deferred email even though I had already seen my status online. Crossing my fingers!

 

[MB333999]

Current Status: Final disposition is deferred. Awaiting confirmation

 

[QuesoAndFromage]

Everyone check your statuses!

Deferred ...I guess better than a rejection

BU I love you, please please love me back in March 😍

remember that they accept only a tiny amount in january to be fair to those who interviewed jan or later, so dont take deferment to be such a bad thing (the latter comment is directed at anyone in general, not just you)

 

[BostonFan]

Deferred at 3:38 PM today. I interviewed on 12/3. A little disappointing, but I'm still in the running so it's not the worst news I could have received. I am also a MD/PhD applicant.

 

[DocTraveler]

remember that they accept only a tiny amount in january to be fair to those who interviewed jan or later, so dont take deferment to be such a bad thing (the latter comment is directed at anyone in general, not just you)

Yeah I know; I'm trying to keep my head up. Just stinks when it's your top choice and you were hoping for something different. Thanks though! I remain hopeful.

 

[Rich4ryS]

Deferred too 🙁..... 3 more months of anxiety. BTW, did anyone write anything in the comment section ?

 

[insued]

how many get deferred and rejected during the first review?

 

[MB333999]

I don't know about deferred. But 1/3 of accepted people are admitted the first go around. The remaining 2/3 are accepted in Spring and include people from fall and spring interviewees. it is designed this way to make it more fair to all applicants to get the same chance.

Hope that helps..

I think someone said they accept about 250 people total out of 1000 interviewed. But don't quote me on that one.

i think they only accept about 120 because the rest of the spots are taken up by some other programs or something like that.

 

[med8866]

Yeah but the question is are you including over acceptance rates? You know a lot of schools over accept due to the fact that they know a lot of people drop acceptances like the baller people on here with harvard interviews who may possibly drop BU for Harvard or Hopkins.

But like I said, its just what I thought I read on here. Not sure the specifics though.

Do you know any MD PhD's who haven't heard back yet?

 

[Charles_Carmichael]

I think someone said they accept about 250 people total out of 1000 interviewed. But don't quote me on that one.

I believe that's the stat that Dr. Witzburg gave on my interview day; however, my memory may not be entirely correct. It sounds very familiar though.

Deferred. Better than a rejection but it still stings. Hoping for some lovin' when March rolls around. Time to start refining my LOI!

 

[venacontracta]

I believe that's the stat that Dr. Witzburg gave on my interview day; however, my memory may not be entirely correct. It sounds very familiar though.

Deferred. Better than a rejection but it still stings. Hoping for some lovin' when March rolls around. Time to start refining my LOI!

Here are my notes from his speech:

estimated 11.5-12k total apps to BU this year
1k interviews
290-305 acceptances, including those off the waitlist

First interview round is 2/3 of interviews (600-650) --> ends early December

On or about 1/10, all decisions for round 1 interviewees go out
1/3 of acceptances go out at that time
first round interviewees may also be rejected or deferred to the second round (not the same as being waitlisted)

 

[Charles_Carmichael]

Here are my notes from his speech:

estimated 11.5-12k total apps to BU this year
1k interviews
290-305 acceptances, including those off the waitlist

First interview round is 2/3 of interviews (600-650) --> ends early December

On or about 1/10, all decisions for round 1 interviewees go out
1/3 of acceptances go out at that time
first round interviewees may also be rejected or deferred to the second round (not the same as being waitlisted)

Good to know that my memory is fairly reliable! Thanks mate! 🙂

 

[slowbutsteady]

Here are my notes from his speech:

estimated 11.5-12k total apps to BU this year
1k interviews
290-305 acceptances, including those off the waitlist

First interview round is 2/3 of interviews (600-650) --> ends early December

On or about 1/10, all decisions for round 1 interviewees go out
1/3 of acceptances go out at that time
first round interviewees may also be rejected or deferred to the second round (not the same as being waitlisted)

Deferred applicants: Do not despair. I and many of my friends were first deferred and later accepted. I do not know the stats for the acceptance rate of deferred applicants but I bet it is pretty high.

Hang in there.

 

[Goirish9]

Just wondering, does anyone get rejected in this first decision time or is it only accepted/deferred?

Edit: clarification: I am just asking because I don't know anyone who has been rejected, only deferred, despite what they told us at interview day. Just curious! Thanks!

 

[RogueUnicorn]

accepted md/phd, via mail. expect status updates on monday. letter dated jan 6, postmarked jan 7

 

[med8866]

accepted md/phd, via mail. expect status updates on monday. letter dated jan 6, postmarked jan 7

Congratulations! When did you interview? I also haven't heard back yet...

 

[smad4]

.

 

[BigEast55]

For those of us on deferral status, what can we do to improve our chances? Would contacting our interviewer be appropriate?

I have to imagine update letters would be key. I remember on interview day Dr. Witzburg also mentioned that they were very receptive to honest, well thought out, letters of interest. But who knows medical school admissions is such a crazy process.

 

[DocTraveler]

For those of us on deferral status, what can we do to improve our chances? Would contacting our interviewer be appropriate?

Seems a little bit risky. They might frown upon that; who knows, maybe they didn't think you were a right fit or thought the interview could've gone better. Best bet is to send updates. Just my two cents.

 

[slowbutsteady]

I have to imagine update letters would be key. I remember on interview day Dr. Witzburg also mentioned that they were very receptive to honest, well thought out, letters of interest. But who knows medical school admissions is such a crazy process.

If, and only if, BU is your first choice, write a strongly worded letter of INTENT. If you have other acceptances, tell them where, and that you will withdraw from those schools immediately and attend BU if you are accepted.

They want to accept people who will attend.

Do this.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

Congratulations! When did you interview? I also haven't heard back yet...

some time early december i think. they told us specifically that we'd hear back in jan

 

[TOcho118]

If, and only if, BU is your first choice, write a strongly worded letter of INTENT. If you have other acceptances, tell them where, and that you will withdraw from those schools immediately and attend BU if you are accepted.

They want to accept people who will attend.

Do this.

When do you believe the appropriate time to write such a letter would be?

Now? In march?

 

[everling]

im late to post but...

I interviewed sometime in november and got a call from my interviewer, Dr miller on 1/7 to notify me of acceptance. still waiting for stuff in the mail.

 

[slowbutsteady]

When do you believe the appropriate time to write such a letter would be?

Now? In march?

I would try to time it after the interviews are over and before the decisions are made.

 

[TOcho118]

I would try to time it after the interviews are over and before the decisions are made.

Thanks! So that would most likely be in late Feb/early March?

 

[BullDog4Eva]

im late to post but...

I interviewed sometime in november and got a call from my interviewer, Dr miller on 1/7 to notify me of acceptance. still waiting for stuff in the mail.

Accepted by e-mail on Friday. Still waiting for my call. 🙁. WTF... Am I unpleasant to talk to or something?

 

[Champaigne]

Accepted by e-mail on Friday. Still waiting for my call. 🙁. WTF... Am I unpleasant to talk to or something?

Hey congrats man, did you end up getting Washington?

 

[slowbutsteady]

Thanks! So that would most likely be in late Feb/early March?

Yes, but guju prob has, or will have, more precise info. She somehow knows everything about the BU process!!!

 

[ChemMasc]

When do you believe the appropriate time to write such a letter would be?

Now? In march?

I wrote an update letter/ letter of intent approximately a month after my interview. I did not mention my other interviews or acceptances but did mention my full intention to attend here if I was lucky enough to get an offer. 🙂

 

[BullDog4Eva]

Hey congrats man, did you end up getting Washington?

Still waiting with my fingers crossed.

 

[Tenstudent]

Has anyone received an interview invite lately/ do we know if they are still giving them out?

 

[Beta Cell]

Did anyone receive the actual snail mail letter they mailed out? I haven't received mine yet, but I have it sent to my parents' house and they are not home for the week.

 

[Champaigne]

Did anyone receive the actual snail mail letter they mailed out? I haven't received mine yet, but I have it sent to my parents' house and they are not home for the week.

Yes got it today...and I live in Arizona, about as far from Boston as you can get

 

[Ladyslippers]

Yeah I know; I'm trying to keep my head up. Just stinks when it's your top choice and you were hoping for something different. Thanks though! I remain hopeful.

Don't be upset at all if you didn't get into BU! The school is definitely not for everybody. There is a certain teaching style at BU which is very intense and is not suited for every student. I knew a female student who broke down and cried everyday after being reamed at constantly by an attending, yeah maybe not totally kosher in terms of what you would get at the top schools, but it is what BU wants: You need to be tough to come here. They don't explicitly tell appicants this, but yeah, that's what they want in the BU mold.

A noticeable weak spot at BU is the whole social mission aspect of medical schools, there is an article about BU's low ranking in social mission and it quotes the dean (http://www.boston.com/news/health/blog/2010/06/med_schools_ran.html)

"I think that they are absolutely right to pay attention to primary care, diversity, and and service to underserved populations, but I think they've got a very, very restrictive definition of social mission," she said. "Our mission is actually the Boston Medical Center mission, [which] is service to an underserved population. Medical students come here and in fact stay here for that mission. To be ranked in lowest 20 makes no sense. So we were shocked."

The school is tone-deaf when it comes to the needs of students, for example, some students find it very difficult to setup international health rotations or to become involved in projects which really do help underserved patients, for the dean to brush off the poor rankings is emblematic of that problem. While the hospital serves underserved patients (as many hospitals do but something which BU believes is the end all and be all of helping underserved patients) the student body doesn't get the support its needs. A lot of students interested in primary care get very disillusioned with BU.

So I am NOT shocked by these rankings, some attendings will flat out refuse to help you with important social mission type work—things can get that political at the school. You have to learn how to get a cohort of faculty on your side, if for example, you want to start a program to help homeless get vaccinated.

In terms of clinical education BU is overall middle of the road, in the end you get out what you put in and a good student can flourish anywhere.

Didn't want to start a flame war, but I think it is important that students not feel crushed if they don't get in, given that almost any other med school will give you what BU offers students!

 

[ChemMasc]

Don't be upset at all if you didn't get into BU! The school is definitely not for everybody. There is a certain teaching style at BU which is very intense and is not suited for every student. I knew a female student who broke down and cried everyday after being reamed at constantly by an attending, yeah maybe not totally kosher in terms of what you would get at the top schools, but it is what BU wants: You need to be tough to come here. They don't explicitly tell appicants this, but yeah, that's what they want in the BU mold.

A noticeable weak spot at BU is the whole social mission aspect of medical schools, there is an article about BU's low ranking in social mission and it quotes the dean (http://www.boston.com/news/health/blog/2010/06/med_schools_ran.html)

"I think that they are absolutely right to pay attention to primary care, diversity, and and service to underserved populations, but I think they've got a very, very restrictive definition of social mission," she said. "Our mission is actually the Boston Medical Center mission, [which] is service to an underserved population. Medical students come here and in fact stay here for that mission. To be ranked in lowest 20 makes no sense. So we were shocked."

The school is tone-deaf when it comes to the needs of students, for example, some students find it very difficult to setup international health rotations or to become involved in projects which really do help underserved patients, for the dean to brush off the poor rankings is emblematic of that problem. While the hospital serves underserved patients (as many hospitals do but something which BU believes is the end all and be all of helping underserved patients) the student body doesn't get the support its needs. A lot of students interested in primary care get very disillusioned with BU.

So I am NOT shocked by these rankings, some attendings will flat out refuse to help you with important social mission type work—things can get that political at the school. You have to learn how to get a cohort of faculty on your side, if for example, you want to start a program to help homeless get vaccinated.

In terms of clinical education BU is overall middle of the road, in the end you get out what you put in and a good student can flourish anywhere.

Didn't want to start a flame war, but I think it is important that students not feel crushed if they don't get in, given that almost any other med school will give you what BU offers students!

To be honest I have a hard time believing you. You have one post, and that's to trash BU. Are you sure you're not just a neurotic premed being placed on the deferred list?!!

 

[ddalgi]

are you a student at bu? or did you get rejected and you're just bitter?

Don't be upset at all if you didn't get into BU! The school is definitely not for everybody. There is a certain teaching style at BU which is very intense and is not suited for every student. I knew a female student who broke down and cried everyday after being reamed at constantly by an attending, yeah maybe not totally kosher in terms of what you would get at the top schools, but it is what BU wants: You need to be tough to come here. They don't explicitly tell appicants this, but yeah, that's what they want in the BU mold.

A noticeable weak spot at BU is the whole social mission aspect of medical schools, there is an article about BU's low ranking in social mission and it quotes the dean (http://www.boston.com/news/health/blog/2010/06/med_schools_ran.html)

"I think that they are absolutely right to pay attention to primary care, diversity, and and service to underserved populations, but I think they've got a very, very restrictive definition of social mission," she said. "Our mission is actually the Boston Medical Center mission, [which] is service to an underserved population. Medical students come here and in fact stay here for that mission. To be ranked in lowest 20 makes no sense. So we were shocked."

The school is tone-deaf when it comes to the needs of students, for example, some students find it very difficult to setup international health rotations or to become involved in projects which really do help underserved patients, for the dean to brush off the poor rankings is emblematic of that problem. While the hospital serves underserved patients (as many hospitals do but something which BU believes is the end all and be all of helping underserved patients) the student body doesn't get the support its needs. A lot of students interested in primary care get very disillusioned with BU.

So I am NOT shocked by these rankings, some attendings will flat out refuse to help you with important social mission type work—things can get that political at the school. You have to learn how to get a cohort of faculty on your side, if for example, you want to start a program to help homeless get vaccinated.

In terms of clinical education BU is overall middle of the road, in the end you get out what you put in and a good student can flourish anywhere.

Didn't want to start a flame war, but I think it is important that students not feel crushed if they don't get in, given that almost any other med school will give you what BU offers students!

 

[Ladyslippers]

To be honest I have a hard time believing you. You have one post, and that's to trash BU. Are you sure you're not just a neurotic premed being placed on the deferred list?!!

I will say I am not a neurotic premed!

I would also not advocate anybody deciding not to go to BU, this should be a personal decision you make, but rather I found it sad and misguided that some premeds get an overly rosy picture of the school.

It is good to give an alternative/un-official viewpoint though—meaning that BU is not your end all and be all in terms of being a good doctor and really helping your patients, especially the indigent and underserved. Just thought it was silly and sad that some people get their hearts set on BU when the reality of the school is different from what is portrayed.

I personally was surprised that the image of serving underserved patients did not mesh with reality, I wasn't surprised when BU was ranked near the bottom of the list for social mission out of over a hundred schools. Maybe if students complain more the school would give more support and improve the education.

Tempered optimism and a dose of reality is not necessarily a vice.

 

[NYR56]

Ladyslippers, are you a BU student?

I want to point out that the criteria for the "social mission" aspect is pretty much exactly what I don't want in a school. The schools that "excel" in that area are schools that are inherently unable to get their students into competitive residency positions, hence more students go into primary care, regardless of what they actually want to do. One med school I interviewed at specifically commented on a similar topic, and blatantly said that the job of the med schools is not to produce PCPs just because there is a shortage, but rather to educate medical students and enable them to pursue ANY field that they desire to work in. As far as I can tell, BU does plenty to help the underserved; anymore would be at a detriment to the education of their students.

 

[Champaigne]

I want to point out that the criteria for the "social mission" aspect is pretty much exactly what I don't want in a school. The schools that "excel" in that area are schools that are inherently unable to get their students into competitive residency positions, hence more students go into primary care, regardless of what they actually want to do. ...the job of the med schools is not to produce PCPs just because there is a shortage, but rather to educate medical students and enable them to pursue ANY field that they desire to work in. As far as I can tell, BU does plenty to help the underserved; anymore would be at a detriment to the education of their students.

IMO NYR56 said it perfectly. I think its great if someone wants to go into primary care but I don't want to be forced into it myself due to lack of options...from my perspective BU has a great reputation for producing competent/compassionate clinicians. If anything BU emphasized humanitarian and social responsibility of physicians more than any other school I've interviewed at...including GWU, which is the institution that produced the study that Ladyslippers cited.

 

[DocTraveler]

Don't be upset at all if you didn't get into BU! The school is definitely not for everybody. There is a certain teaching style at BU which is very intense and is not suited for every student. I knew a female student who broke down and cried everyday after being reamed at constantly by an attending, yeah maybe not totally kosher in terms of what you would get at the top schools, but it is what BU wants: You need to be tough to come here. They don't explicitly tell appicants this, but yeah, that's what they want in the BU mold.

A noticeable weak spot at BU is the whole social mission aspect of medical schools, there is an article about BU's low ranking in social mission and it quotes the dean (http://www.boston.com/news/health/blog/2010/06/med_schools_ran.html)

"I think that they are absolutely right to pay attention to primary care, diversity, and and service to underserved populations, but I think they've got a very, very restrictive definition of social mission," she said. "Our mission is actually the Boston Medical Center mission, [which] is service to an underserved population. Medical students come here and in fact stay here for that mission. To be ranked in lowest 20 makes no sense. So we were shocked."

The school is tone-deaf when it comes to the needs of students, for example, some students find it very difficult to setup international health rotations or to become involved in projects which really do help underserved patients, for the dean to brush off the poor rankings is emblematic of that problem. While the hospital serves underserved patients (as many hospitals do but something which BU believes is the end all and be all of helping underserved patients) the student body doesn't get the support its needs. A lot of students interested in primary care get very disillusioned with BU.

So I am NOT shocked by these rankings, some attendings will flat out refuse to help you with important social mission type work—things can get that political at the school. You have to learn how to get a cohort of faculty on your side, if for example, you want to start a program to help homeless get vaccinated.

In terms of clinical education BU is overall middle of the road, in the end you get out what you put in and a good student can flourish anywhere.

Didn't want to start a flame war, but I think it is important that students not feel crushed if they don't get in, given that almost any other med school will give you what BU offers students!

Honestly, I see your point. I just don't believe it. I fell in love with the school and if I decide it's my top choice, then I am the one who is setting myself up for sadness IF I get rejected in March. But I got deferred, which means I'm still in the game! 😀

 

[Goirish9]

I posted this earlier but no response-- not sure if it's just because no one knows the answer. I'm wondering if anyone was rejected during this first cut in January. Not that I am hoping that others have been rejected, I just think it makes the deferral status less positive if there were no rejections at all. Any thoughts? Thanks guys!

 

[slowbutsteady]

Don't be upset at all if you didn't get into BU! The school is definitely not for everybody. There is a certain teaching style at BU which is very intense and is not suited for every student. I knew a female student who broke down and cried everyday after being reamed at constantly by an attending, yeah maybe not totally kosher in terms of what you would get at the top schools, but it is what BU wants: You need to be tough to come here. They don't explicitly tell appicants this, but yeah, that's what they want in the BU mold.

A noticeable weak spot at BU is the whole social mission aspect of medical schools, there is an article about BU's low ranking in social mission and it quotes the dean (http://www.boston.com/news/health/blog/2010/06/med_schools_ran.html)

"I think that they are absolutely right to pay attention to primary care, diversity, and and service to underserved populations, but I think they've got a very, very restrictive definition of social mission," she said. "Our mission is actually the Boston Medical Center mission, [which] is service to an underserved population. Medical students come here and in fact stay here for that mission. To be ranked in lowest 20 makes no sense. So we were shocked."

The school is tone-deaf when it comes to the needs of students, for example, some students find it very difficult to setup international health rotations or to become involved in projects which really do help underserved patients, for the dean to brush off the poor rankings is emblematic of that problem. While the hospital serves underserved patients (as many hospitals do but something which BU believes is the end all and be all of helping underserved patients) the student body doesn't get the support its needs. A lot of students interested in primary care get very disillusioned with BU.

So I am NOT shocked by these rankings, some attendings will flat out refuse to help you with important social mission type work—things can get that political at the school. You have to learn how to get a cohort of faculty on your side, if for example, you want to start a program to help homeless get vaccinated.

In terms of clinical education BU is overall middle of the road, in the end you get out what you put in and a good student can flourish anywhere.

Didn't want to start a flame war, but I think it is important that students not feel crushed if they don't get in, given that almost any other med school will give you what BU offers students!

I am third year at BU and there is not a thing in your post that reflects any reality at this school. You know BU is a school in Boston, right?

I will say that the third year rotations are very tough, but I appreciate being treated basically like an intern. It is a lot of pressure to have the residents and attendings treat you like a fully functioning member of the team, but it makes you rise to the occasion and the learning curve is nothing short of amazing.

 

[eagle34]

I am third year at BU and there is not a thing in your post that reflects any reality at this school. You know BU is a school in Boston, right?

I will say that the third year rotations are very tough, but I appreciate being treated basically like an intern. It is a lot of pressure to have the residents and attendings treat you like a fully functioning member of the team, but it makes you rise to the occasion and the learning curve is nothing short of amazing.

Another third year here and agree with above comment. Rotations are very tough, BECAUSE you are expected to do your work and be a team member and be involved in patient care, but we learn a whole lot. I have talked to more than a few fourth years who have done away rotations and at many places, BU students know more and can do more than many other medical students.

 

[Jumbo08]

but they teach you the material you need to know and most people who go there excel and pass the boards with very high numbers . . .

While you get some outliers, BU's Step 1 performance is basically average, sometimes slightly above and below. Here is a table I made and give students on tours, it shows about where BU is in terms of Step 1. I think it is important that prospective students know up front what BU's track record is. You can view it yourself it on the web at:

dccwww.bumc.bu.edu/omereports/USMLEStep1.htm (You have to past it as is into the address bar, sorry don't know why the link won't work on SDN!)

You can see in the early 90's the Step 1 performance was inconsistent and sometimes way below the national average, so improvement has happened.

Year**BU Step 1 Score**National Average Step1**BU Pass%**National Avg.%Pass

2009*****219*************222***************91%*********93%
2008*****229*************221***************96%*********93%
2007*****223*************222***************96%*********94%
2006*****226*************218***************99%*********93%
2005*****218*************217***************91%*********93%
2004*****216*************216***************91%*********92%
2003*****216*************216***************95%*********92%
2002*****218*************216***************91%*********91%
2001*****215*************215***************91%*********90%
2000*****222*************215***************96%*********92%

It doesn't help BU's rep to say that the clinical years are somehow superior to other schools, THEY AREN'T! Clinical rotations are similar to other schools in content, and you don't necessarily get more autonomy, this is a site specific issue, there is a lot of pressure and some old school attendings have a certain style which can be very abrasive. Some students are put off by this tone so maybe they wouldn't fit in well at BU. The admin wants to improve Step 2 scores and clinical education as residency program directors don't rate BU grads higher in terms of clinical ability than grads of other schools.

There are issues that students have voice in, there are sometimes very abrasive (and some would say mean) comments in the dean's letter. In the current environment of competition for residency slots you don't want these comments in your letter, so we are working on changing that as well. In the end, med school is what you make it, and that goes for everything from studying for Step 1 to learning on clinical rotations. BU isn't perfect, but it is a solid school, i.e. middle-tier.