2010-2011 Boston University Application Thread

[slowbutsteady]

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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.


[/B]

First, Step I scores are a reflection of individual effort and, therefore, the average scores for BU, or any school, really have very little meaning. Higher tier schools have student bodies with high aptitude and work ethic, and, accordingly, one would expect that the "average" Step I scores would probably track pretty closely to the stats of the people coming into a given school. Good test takers are good test takers.

Second, neither I nor others were saying that BU's clinical program is superior to other schools. How could we -- or you -- know any details about other schools' programs? We were commenting on our opinions of the BU program.

 

[Jumbo08]

Second, neither I nor others were saying that BU's clinical program is superior to other schools. How could we -- or you -- know any details about other schools' programs? We were commenting on our opinions of the BU program.

I think that good Step 1 scores in part reflect a curriculum which is well balanced and which covers major topics, if you know the major topics and have a good grasp of important concepts then it really helps on Step 1. BU's basic science curriculum should be updated some, i.e. some lecture topics are disjointed and not organized well. People who do well on Step 1 at BU use outside study materials and textbooks as some course material is spotty and not up to date. But I digress . . .

Surveys of residency program directors give BU grads average ratings in terms of clinical ability, so this is as objective as you are going to get. Being average isn't necessarily bad, but that is the way it is. The school may be looking at improving this. Sorry if I didn't explain this well.

 

[slowbutsteady]

I think that good Step 1 scores in part reflect a curriculum which is well balanced and which covers major topics, if you know the major topics and have a good grasp of important concepts then it really helps on Step 1. BU's basic science curriculum should be updated some, i.e. some lecture topics are disjointed and not organized well. People who do well on Step 1 at BU use outside study materials and textbooks. But I digress . . .

Surveys of residency program directors give BU grads average ratings in terms of clinical ability, so this is as objective as you are going to get. Being average isn't necessarily bad, but that is the way it is. The school is trying to improve this. Sorry if I didn't explain this well.

Everyone who does well on the Step I uses outside materials!

Just curious, what year are you? Have you taken the Step I and/or participated in the clinical program?

No offense but, if not, all you are doing is spouting statistics which anyone can do. What are you bringing to this forum that gives the SDNers something useful that they can't get out of a book on med schools? That info is sometimes useful, but I think they want a little more real experience stuff here.

Just my view.

 

[Jumbo08]

That info is sometimes useful, but I think they want a little more real experience stuff here.

Just my view.

There are gaps in the BU basic science education, and some of the material is not up to date or there are typos. This is an issue that BU deals with because there are copyright issues. For instance, many national board review companies, and expert authors, write great detailed textbooks and reviews which BU obviously doesn't have the resources to duplicate.

For example, if you are studying/brushing up, on your neuroanatomy for Step 1 or Physio then there are certain books which are known to be good for this purpose, sometimes you need a good basic Physio book to learn what wasn't taught in class. These books are sold in the med bookstore. I learned a lot and did great on Step 1 by reading outside material, and know people who did the same as well at BU.

I would generalize to other schools but I don't know if they have the same problem, so I guess I can't . . .

Of course I have experience with the BU clinical program ?!?

 

[Opthope]

Surveys of residency program directors give BU grads average ratings in terms of clinical ability, so this is as objective as you are going to get. Being average isn't necessarily bad, but that is the way it is. The school may be looking at improving this. Sorry if I didn't explain this well.

Is there any way for the general public to see the results of those surveys? Publications, etc?

 

[RogueUnicorn]

There are gaps in the BU basic science education, and some of the material is not up to date or there are typos. This is an issue that BU deals with because there are copyright issues. For instance, many national board review companies, and expert authors, write great detailed textbooks and reviews which BU obviously doesn't have the resources to duplicate.

For example, if you are studying/brushing up, on your neuroanatomy for Step 1 or Physio then there are certain books which are known to be good for this purpose, sometimes you need a good basic Physio book to learn what wasn't taught in class. These books are sold in the med bookstore. I learned a lot and did great on Step 1 by reading outside material, and know people who did the same as well at BU.

I would generalize to other schools but I don't know if they have the same problem, so I guess I can't . . .

Of course I have experience with the BU clinical program ?!?

not sure if srs..

Is there any way for the general public to see the results of those surveys? Publications, etc?

usnews

 

[Allig8r]

What's the best/cheapest/fastest way to get from Logan Airport to BU?

 

[Potatoman1800]

What's the best/cheapest/fastest way to get from Logan Airport to BU?

If you're in a hurry (as in you arrive the AM of your interview) taxi it. Cost you about $25 + tip. No reason to mess up your day b/c you wanted to save a few bucks.

If you really have the time you can use a combo of buses or subways to get around. Use hopstop.com to map it out. A Boston native might comment to be more specific

 

[PartyHouse001]

There are gaps in the BU basic science education, and some of the material is not up to date or there are typos. This is an issue that BU deals with because there are copyright issues. For instance, many national board review companies, and expert authors, write great detailed textbooks and reviews which BU obviously doesn't have the resources to duplicate.

For example, if you are studying/brushing up, on your neuroanatomy for Step 1 or Physio then there are certain books which are known to be good for this purpose, sometimes you need a good basic Physio book to learn what wasn't taught in class. These books are sold in the med bookstore. I learned a lot and did great on Step 1 by reading outside material, and know people who did the same as well at BU.

I would generalize to other schools but I don't know if they have the same problem, so I guess I can't . . .

Of course I have experience with the BU clinical program ?!?

Thanks for the insight. There are many of us who have the opportunity to decide which school we ultimately want to attend. Although I wasn't selected in Jan, I would still weigh BU against my other options if accepted in March.

Also, I don't know why so many applicants are provoking the medical students, who are taking the time to give us their honest opinions. I feel that we are at no position to talk, but would benefit greatly by just listening.

 

[girlinthegarden]

The combo of buses specifics:

Ask the visitor center for the bus that goes to the blue line. The blue line connects to green line at government center. From there you can go to symphony or prudential and then keep walking straight til you hit BMC. If you go from pru you want to walk down Newton Avenue. If you go from Symphony it is walking down mass ave essentially all the way til you hit BMC.

That being said I'd take the cab. The shuttle bus thing is also as expensive as cab. cab is the most efficient. that's my two cents.

You can also take the Silver Line from the airport to South Station, then switch to the Washington St Silver Line that will take you right to BMC.

 

[BaronVonZ]

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!

It is unusual that no one reported being rejected, considering the number of applicants that were supposedly cut. Cant speak to what this may mean.

 

[slowbutsteady]

There are gaps in the BU basic science education, and some of the material is not up to date or there are typos. This is an issue that BU deals with because there are copyright issues. For instance, many national board review companies, and expert authors, write great detailed textbooks and reviews which BU obviously doesn't have the resources to duplicate.

For example, if you are studying/brushing up, on your neuroanatomy for Step 1 or Physio then there are certain books which are known to be good for this purpose, sometimes you need a good basic Physio book to learn what wasn't taught in class. These books are sold in the med bookstore. I learned a lot and did great on Step 1 by reading outside material, and know people who did the same as well at BU.

I would generalize to other schools but I don't know if they have the same problem, so I guess I can't . . .

Of course I have experience with the BU clinical program ?!?

There is something not quite right here. Your comments are a little off.

Troll alert. Sorry to say.

 

[Beta Cell]

I received a nice call yesterday from a BUSM MS2 student. I certainly appreciate the BU hospitality!

 

[theshellyb]

I received a nice call yesterday from a BUSM MS2 student. I certainly appreciate the BU hospitality!

Me too! She was really nice but caught me as I was leaving a client meeting rushing back to work, walking through the city, so I was completely not in the mindset to ask questions about the med school process. I did write down her email though because I'm sure I'll eventually have questions. Classy move, BU.

 

[ChemMasc]

I received a nice call yesterday from a BUSM MS2 student. I certainly appreciate the BU hospitality!

Same here! I got some nice tips and info regarding housing so the call was def appreciated!

 

[venacontracta]

Me too! She was really nice but caught me as I was leaving a client meeting rushing back to work, walking through the city, so I was completely not in the mindset to ask questions about the med school process. I did write down her email though because I'm sure I'll eventually have questions. Classy move, BU.

I got a similar call from a MS4. I was at the grocery store and didn't do a very good job of sounding enthusiastic just because the call was so unexpected... but definitely a nice gesture on BU's part.

Your rushing to work comment plus seeing SFO to the left of your post has me wondering if you interviewed early November and play the piano with your pen 😀

 

[theshellyb]

I got a similar call from a MS4. I was at the grocery store and didn't do a very good job of sounding enthusiastic just because the call was so unexpected... but definitely a nice gesture on BU's part.

Your rushing to work comment plus seeing SFO to the left of your post has me wondering if you interviewed early November and play the piano with your pen 😀

YES! I thought it would be a total hit at several interviews but BU for some reason is the only one I've had enough unstructured time at to bust that out. You have a very impressive memory!

 

[BaronVonZ]

I feel like they probably just reject everyone who doesn't make waitlist or acceptance right away in Spring rather then january.

At least I know for a fact that GMS kids don't get rejected right out in the first round of acceptance decisions in January but rather in the spring decisions. it could be that they would rather just reject everyone when they've compared everyone remaining against each other.

I seem to recall the majority of rejections being in spring on last year's thread when i read it towards the end of the year too.

That would certainly be a good thing to know, because it is very different from what I (and many more) were told on our interview day.

I was told (roughly, my memory isn't perfect here) that in January BU would accept 100 students, defer 200, and reject a few hundred more. A few hundred more students would then be interviewed, and final selections would be made. If none of those roughly 600 applicants from the first round were rejected and were instead deferred instead it would substantially change the odds of those in the deferred category and shift what it really meant to be deferred.

I really wish I knew if this was the case; I would lower my hopes.

 

[Beta Cell]

Me too! She was really nice but caught me as I was leaving a client meeting rushing back to work, walking through the city, so I was completely not in the mindset to ask questions about the med school process. I did write down her email though because I'm sure I'll eventually have questions. Classy move, BU.

I felt the exact same way, I didn't really know what to ask because of all of the information I've gleaned from the interview, website, acceptance package pamphlets, etc. I think they know that doesn't mean we're not interested.

 

[Allig8r]

Thanks all for the tips!

 

[TheDuude]

Hey guys.

So I posted on this thread last fall, but slowly stopped doing so cause I got busy with other stuff. In any case, I finally got an interview invite! I was complete 9/13 and just got it today, 1/21. Now, to be honest, this is actually my first interview I have received. It's been difficult getting rejections/silence from other schools.. but I just took it all with a grain of salt and waited and waited. Probably around early January, I definitely lost a lot of hope and was certain that I wouldn't get any interviews.

With that said.. I am super happy I got this interview and want to prepare as well as I can, as it can likely be my only chance at matriculating this coming fall. Do you guys have any pointers you can give to someone relatively new to the whole interviewing process? Thanks a lot guys.

 

[Tenstudent]

Interview Invite today! Scheduled for 1/28

 

[krancky410]

Hey guys.

So I posted on this thread last fall, but slowly stopped doing so cause I got busy with other stuff. In any case, I finally got an interview invite! I was complete 9/13 and just got it today, 1/21. Now, to be honest, this is actually my first interview I have received. It's been difficult getting rejections/silence from other schools.. but I just took it all with a grain of salt and waited and waited. Probably around early January, I definitely lost a lot of hope and was certain that I wouldn't get any interviews.

With that said.. I am super happy I got this interview and want to prepare as well as I can, as it can likely be my only chance at matriculating this coming fall. Do you guys have any pointers you can give to someone relatively new to the whole interviewing process? Thanks a lot guys.

Interview Invite today! Scheduled for 1/28

I got invited to an interview on jan. 14th and the earliest day for me to choose from was 1/31.

Congrats to the interview you two! And good luck!

 

[Doctorella]

Invite this morning!! Interview later this week..crazy!

Complete 9/16

 

[TheDuude]

Thanks gujudoc- i figure i have nothing to lose at this point, so that should help alleviate a great deal of stress during interview day! I'll be at BU on feb 4th.. would have done it earlier, but I have exams and papers due that week.

 

[takatakashi]

Hi guys, I am Canadian resident (Toronto) who was fortunate enough to get an invite this morning. They scheduled interviews for me either next Monday or Wednesday but I am having trouble arranging a ride there so early. Do you guys think it will be okay if I postpone my interview to a later date? I dont want to significantly hurt my chances since I dont think I am going to get any more interviews from other schools.

 

[Champaigne]

Hi guys, I am Canadian resident (Toronto) who was fortunate enough to get an invite this morning. They scheduled interviews for me either next Monday or Wednesday but I am having trouble arranging a ride there so early. Do you guys think it will be okay if I postpone my interview to a later date? I dont want to significantly hurt my chances since I dont think I am going to get any more interviews from other schools.

I am of the opinion that earlier is always better. If you think there is any way you could make it to the interview at the dates next week I probably would..even if there is a slight inconvenience. That being said, if you really can't make it I doubt moving your interview back a week would be the end all.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

Hi guys, I am Canadian resident (Toronto) who was fortunate enough to get an invite this morning. They scheduled interviews for me either next Monday or Wednesday but I am having trouble arranging a ride there so early. Do you guys think it will be okay if I postpone my interview to a later date? I dont want to significantly hurt my chances since I dont think I am going to get any more interviews from other schools.

they're not rolling. do it at your convenience.

 

[MzzQT]

Secondaries sent 9/8. Application complete 9/15. Interview invite 1/24. Interview set for 2/2! Definitely wasn't expecting it after such a long delay, so don't despair fellow applicants! There's still hope!

I'm driving to Boston from another interview the day before and staying with a student host very close to campus. Could anyone offer some helpful hints about parking on campus? Best lot to use? It seems like most of the residential areas only allow resident parking.

Also, does anyone know if BU asks ethical questions or any unique interview questions? Any tips would be greatly appreciated!! 👍

 

[krancky410]

Hey everyone,

what time do interview days end usually?

 

[MB333999]

Hey everyone,

what time do interview days end usually?

i think it was around 3 or 4??

 

[eagle34]

Secondaries sent 9/8. Application complete 9/15. Interview invite 1/24. Interview set for 2/2! Definitely wasn't expecting it after such a long delay, so don't despair fellow applicants! There's still hope!

I'm driving to Boston from another interview the day before and staying with a student host very close to campus. Could anyone offer some helpful hints about parking on campus? Best lot to use? It seems like most of the residential areas only allow resident parking.

Also, does anyone know if BU asks ethical questions or any unique interview questions? Any tips would be greatly appreciated!! 👍

You can park in the 610 Albany St parking lot, which is the patient and employee parking lot across from the med school building. It'll probably be around $30 to park for the day there, but you can see if the office will validate.
Some interviewers ask ethical questions, some don't, it all depends on the interviewer. They're not difficult, you should have no problem answering one.

 

[Forat2]

Is it safe to assume that all invites for BU have been sent out for this year?

 

[amandaeleven]

Is it safe to assume that all invites for BU have been sent out for this year?

I don't think it's safe to say that... I received an email today notifying me that my application still has not been reviewed yet (I was complete super late).

 

[TheDuude]

Interviewed here today- great school, great city. Really laid back, conversational interview, no hard questions whatsoever. Fingers crossed until late March!

 

[MaVieenRose]

Is it safe to assume that all invites for BU have been sent out for this year?

A friend and I who were both complete in mid-Sept received interview invites last week for early Feb. So invites are still going out. Good luck!

 

[WuMedic]

Anyone else coming down with me tomorrow? I'm excited!

Would also aprpecaite any last minute tips 🙂

 

[TOcho118]

It is unusual that no one reported being rejected, considering the number of applicants that were supposedly cut. Cant speak to what this may mean.

I spoke to one individual privately who was rejected for what it's worth. So it's pretty normal to assume that people don't want to publicly post about a rejection. Had I been rejected, I wouldn't have posted it either.

Praying to be accepted in March though!!!

 

[TOcho118]

That would certainly be a good thing to know, because it is very different from what I (and many more) were told on our interview day.

I was told (roughly, my memory isn't perfect here) that in January BU would accept 100 students, defer 200, and reject a few hundred more. A few hundred more students would then be interviewed, and final selections would be made. If none of those roughly 600 applicants from the first round were rejected and were instead deferred instead it would substantially change the odds of those in the deferred category and shift what it really meant to be deferred.

I really wish I knew if this was the case; I would lower my hopes.

Also...you are correct in your memory. Dean Witzburg said that explicitly. So I see no reason why they would feel the need to lie...if they were only doing acceptances and deferrals, then why not say it?

 

[med8866]

i know of at least one person who was rejected from BU MD in January!

 

[Forat2]

Does anyone know the last date that BU has interviews this year?

 

[med8866]

post

 

[MzzQT]

Does anyone know the last date that BU has interviews this year?

The website for Admissions states: "We conduct interviews on selected Monday, Wednesday, and Friday dates from early October to the middle of February."

I was supposed to interview last Wednesday, but BU canceled due to the snow storm. They squeezed me in for this Wednesday, and I'm assuming they had to do the same for all of the other canceled interviewees. 🙁 Sorry to be the bearer of bad news...

 

[mdphd72]

😱Is anyone else going crazy about how we have to wait until the end of March?!?! Gahhhh. I 😍 this school so much! I just want to knowwwww!

 

[TheDuude]

Yes. similar to the entire month wait after taking the MCATs, but definitely worse!

 

[Beta Cell]

Yes. similar to the entire month wait after taking the MCATs, but definitely worse!

I felt a burden lift from my shoulders after the MCAT. Waiting for decisions sucks, finishing the MCAT was awesome.

 

[mdphd72]

I want to tell them how much I love them. Does anyone know if it's better to call or to write.

 

[mdphd72]

The website for Admissions states: "We conduct interviews on selected Monday, Wednesday, and Friday dates from early October to the middle of February."

I was supposed to interview last Wednesday, but BU canceled due to the snow storm. They squeezed me in for this Wednesday, and I'm assuming they had to do the same for all of the other canceled interviewees. 🙁 Sorry to be the bearer of bad news...

Yeah I spoke to someone in the office today who said they were meeting for decisions the last time on Friday. But that is for MD/PhD. There are probably a few more meetings yet for the MD, but I doubt there are any more interviews left 🙁

 

[mdphd72]

Does anybody have an exact date that I can mark on my calendar?? I'm going crazy! I can't focus!!

 

[TOcho118]

anyone thinking of writing a letter of intent? If so, when?