2010-2011 Boston University Application Thread

[Encephalectomy]

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

I'd get it in ASAP if you're going to do it.

 

[mdphd72]

Did anyone else's heart skip a beat when they saw an email from BU, even though you KNEW that notifications don't come for a while?

 

[WuMedic]

Did anyone else's heart skip a beat when they saw an email from BU, even though you KNEW that notifications don't come for a while?

Yeah, a little bit!

The last time they did a contact update though I heard about my interview soon after, so I'm hoping that this means they are getting ready to do something again!

 

[karayraisu]

Yeah, a little bit!

The last time they did a contact update though I heard about my interview soon after, so I'm hoping that this means they are getting ready to do something again!

I got a contact update a few weeks before I got my decision, but now that I'm admitted (for about a month and a half?) I just got it again. I can't imagine it for being the premonition of anything unless they are planning to send out acceptance packets now?

Maybe the BU system just does these random verifications once in a while...=p last contact update 12/16.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

Did anyone else's heart skip a beat when they saw an email from BU, even though you KNEW that notifications don't come for a while?

hell i have an acceptance and it still makes my heart jump

 

[BostonFan]

Got my deferred status update three weeks after receiving the first contact info e-mail, so maybe we'll get final decisions around three weeks from now? Who knows...

Good luck everyone! 👍

 

[mdphd72]

hell i have an acceptance and it still makes my heart jump

 

[TOcho118]

I'd get it in ASAP if you're going to do it.

Letter of intent sent! I'm really putting myself out there for you BU, please don't let me down!

 

[bobow98]

Letter of intent sent! I'm really putting myself out there for you BU, please don't let me down!

I'm guessing that will help you a lot - the Dean really made it sound like they love people who love them. Telling them you'll go there if they let you is as much love as a med school can hope to receive....right? 😉

 

[mdphd72]

Letter of intent sent! I'm really putting myself out there for you BU, please don't let me down!

I wish I had sent a letter of intent. They are definitely my absolute favorite. But I sent them a letter of interest instead. 🙁 Big mistake. I LOVEEEEEE THEMMMM. But I guess we'll see what happens in March!

 

[girlinthegarden]

I wish I had sent a letter of intent. They are definitely my absolute favorite. But I sent them a letter of interest instead. 🙁 Big mistake. I LOVEEEEEE THEMMMM. But I guess we'll see what happens in March!

I don't think it's too late to write a letter of intent. If you send it in today your should be fine.

 

[TheDuude]

I'm sorry, but what exactly is the difference between a letter of intent and a letter of interest? Is a letter of intent binding or something?

 

[ddalgi]

does anyone know when the committee is meeting to make its decisions?

 

[girlinthegarden]

I'm sorry, but what exactly is the difference between a letter of intent and a letter of interest? Is a letter of intent binding or something?

As far as I understand, a letter of interest just tells the school that you like some/all aspects of the program and could see yourself attending. A letter of intent tells the school that they are your #1 choice and you will 100% accept if offered admission.

Basically, you would only write a letter of intent if you have no doubt that a school is the place for you and you would not even consider going elsewhere. I think it is binding but I am not sure what schools can do if you write a letter of intent but then decline.

 

[premed314]

Hi,

I brought in my transcripts to my interview awhile ago, but when I checked the website, I found out that my transcripts were not uploaded onto my secondary application website. I called and found out that the school does not have the transcripts that I gave to the admissions office (i'm not sure what happened).

My question is, i won't be able to get copies of my transcript (even unofficial ones) until next week. Thus, i won't be able to upload them myself onto the website until AFTER the committee meets (i believe the committee meets this week). Is not having my transcripts available going to hurt my chances at this school?

Your opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[NYR56]

Your school doesn't have electronic unofficial transcripts for immediate download? I'd try to get them uploaded to BU ASAP.

 

[premed314]

Your school doesn't have electronic unofficial transcripts for immediate download? I'd try to get them uploaded to BU ASAP.

no...because i am an alum they don't have this option. 🙁

my school only gives out electronic unofficial transcripts to current undergrads. am i screwed?

 

[curleigh]

no...because i am an alum they don't have this option. 🙁

my school only gives out electronic unofficial transcripts to current undergrads. am i screwed?

No you're fine. On the day of the interview the dean was pretty casual about it and just asked everyone to send them along ASAP if they didn't have them that day. I'd just let the admissions office know your situation so they don't think you blew off the request.

 

[NYR56]

no...because i am an alum they don't have this option. 🙁

my school only gives out electronic unofficial transcripts to current undergrads. am i screwed?

Ah, that's really weird. The four schools I've taken classes at all let me do it as a graduate. Anyway, you're not "screwed", but definitely send them an email informing them of the situation right now, and let them know when you'll be able to forward it to them.

 

[premed314]

Thank you all for your advice!

 

[mdphd72]

I don't think it's too late to write a letter of intent. If you send it in today your should be fine.

Unfortunately, it's my understanding that the MD/PhD decisions are made already.

 

[slowbutsteady]

As far as I understand, a letter of interest just tells the school that you like some/all aspects of the program and could see yourself attending. A letter of intent tells the school that they are your #1 choice and you will 100% accept if offered admission.

Basically, you would only write a letter of intent if you have no doubt that a school is the place for you and you would not even consider going elsewhere. I think it is binding but I am not sure what schools can do if you write a letter of intent but then decline.

Agree, except while they are not legally binding, they are morally and ethically binding. Not great to start your new profession with a lie.

 

[Tenstudent]

Do you guys know what day they meet this week? Or if it is a multi-day thing. I am asking because I uploaded my letter of interest day and want to make sure it got there in time.

 

[BostonFan]

Unfortunately, it's my understanding that the MD/PhD decisions are made already.

yikes

Do you think they'll send out MD/PhD decisions at the same time as MD decisions?

It's clear that there's more than one meaning to the phrase "March Madness" when you're a med school applicant. Hang in there everyone! 👍

 

[RogueUnicorn]

yikes

Do you think they'll send out MD/PhD decisions at the same time as MD decisions?

It's clear that there's more than one meaning to the phrase "March Madness" when you're a med school applicant. Hang in there everyone! 👍

i'm not sure when you interviewed, but the folks who interviewed in my batch around december got notified in jan

 

[med8866]

Bleargh, I interviewed in your batch for MD-PhD and I didn't hear back in January because of a mix-up. I'm still waiting!

 

[RogueUnicorn]

Bleargh, I interviewed in your batch for MD-PhD and I didn't hear back in January because of a mix-up. I'm still waiting!

jerks!

 

[mdphd72]

yikes

Do you think they'll send out MD/PhD decisions at the same time as MD decisions?

It's clear that there's more than one meaning to the phrase "March Madness" when you're a med school applicant. Hang in there everyone! 👍

I know I know. But one of us asked at the interview, and they said we would be notified at the same time as the MDs. I mean, I don't know for SURE that the MD/PhD decisions are made. But I was told that the last meeting was scheduled for last Friday. Who knows if they didn't schedule more or if the MD/PhD director is allowed to make changes.

I keep telling myself to stop thinking about it... but that really doesn't work at all. :/

 

[BostonFan]

i'm not sure when you interviewed, but the folks who interviewed in my batch around december got notified in jan

I interviewed on Dec. 3rd and was deferred to March. Probably not the best situation, but I remain hopeful about this school.

 

[TOcho118]

I'm guessing that will help you a lot - the Dean really made it sound like they love people who love them. Telling them you'll go there if they let you is as much love as a med school can hope to receive....right? 😉

 

[hedgehog1]

Anyone know/remember what the grading system at BU is like? Is it different for the preclinical vs second two years?

 

[hedgehog1]

slowbutsteady will have to answer about the 3rd and 4th year.

But first two years is pass/fail. It was last year pass, marginal pass, fail. But I think it might be just straight pass and fail for first 2 years now from something I heard some time last semester from a friend.

Thanks for the response! I swear I remember reading it was Honors/P/F....its safe to say that that system is no longer in place?

 

[mdphd72]

Thanks for the response! I swear I remember reading it was Honors/P/F....its safe to say that that system is no longer in place?

During my MD interview, the professor told me that the school decided that providing honors neglected to eliminate the unnecessary cut throaty nature that stemmed from providing ranks/grades.

 

[eagle34]

Anyone know/remember what the grading system at BU is like? Is it different for the preclinical vs second two years?

First 2 years (preclinical) are pass/fail. Clerkship years is honors, high pass, pass, fail. The grading criteria in clerkships depends on what rotation you are in, but is usually a combination of faculty comments, presentations, and shelf score.

 

[mdphd72]

Oh man... I just looked at last year's thread... O.O

They didn't start sending out the responses until the first week of April! 🙁

 

[EuropaMoon]

Boston University is all I really think about. I think I'll cryogenically freeze myself until decisions are out.

 

[mdphd72]

Boston University is all I really think about. I think I'll cryogenically freeze myself until decisions are out.

I'm the same way. I'm totally in love 😍. I sometimes just daydream about them and consider calling them just to see how they're doing.

 

[gmotherwillo]

Yeah that's true.

I know that when I was there last year it was pass, marginal pass, fail.

But they were going to do away with marginal pass and just make it straight up pass fail.

I believe anything above 70 was a pass for med students in most classes and like B- range was marginal pass. I forget what that was.

And then fail.

The first two years are Pass/Fail. Above 70= P. There is no more marginal pass, however 70-73 is a grey area and you do get a letter which goes on your file if you are in that region

 

[BaronVonZ]

Looking at last years thread, it seems that the March decisions went out between 3/30-4/2... are we expecting roughly the same time frame this year?

 

[gmotherwillo]

Looking at last years thread, it seems that the March decisions went out between 3/30-4/2... are we expecting roughly the same time frame this year?

Yup I imagine so. The committees just met recently

 

[mdphd72]

Looking at last years thread, it seems that the March decisions went out between 3/30-4/2... are we expecting roughly the same time frame this year?

I like to pretend we'll get them the last week of March

 

[Charles_Carmichael]

This month is going soooooo sllllooooowwwwllllyyyyy...I want to hear back from BU dammit! 😛

 

[MzzQT]

Looking at last years thread, it seems that the March decisions went out between 3/30-4/2... are we expecting roughly the same time frame this year?

How do they contact applicants? Phone, email, snail mail, a combination of the above?

So anxious, I kinda feel sick. Just a little. 😉

 

[mdphd72]

So I have a question regarding MD/PhD

I recently found out that if you got an MD/PhD interview, then you are not considered for the MD if you aren't accepted for the MD/PhD program, unlike most other schools.

I really truly loved BU and believe that I belong there. Even if it's not with the PhD and funding assistance, that is where I want to get my MD.

So my question is whether or not anyone has heard of this being appealed. I like to think I will get into their MD/PhD, but it's so competitive that I feel it's best to preemptively strike.

 

[mdphd72]

How do they contact applicants? Phone, email, snail mail, a combination of the above?

So anxious, I kinda feel sick. Just a little. 😉

ew. :/ That smily makes me feel kinda sick hahah

 

[mdphd72]

I've not heard of such a thing. My understanding though is that MD and MD/PhD app processes are different. You could've at the beginning of the cycle apply for MD and MD/PhD separately of each other and interview for the two separately of each other as one poster on here did.

but if you don't get in MD/PhD it doesn't mean you will get a regular MD acceptance either.

I don't believe I've heard of such decision being appealed though.

The processes are mostly identical on the student's end. I had to fill out the same application and then include a "MD/PhD Addendum" which becomes an option if you express your desire to apply as an MD/PhD. Notably, if you don't get an MD/PhD interview, you are considered for MD. But once you get the interview, you are no longer considered for the MD.

So I'm not sure if the other person you are referring to did what you think they did. Did they have 2 separate interview dates? Otherwise, I would guess that you may have misinterpreted them talking about their "MD and PhD interviews" as 2 separate days rather than 2 interviews within one day. Of course, I could be COMPLETELY wrong haha

 

[BostonFan]

I just noticed this passage from my BU follow-up email:

"We plan to complete our interviews by late February, and by mid-March we will send a second group of emails to all candidates who have completed the application process with us, including those who were deferred in the first round. In that second group of emails we will accept most of the entering class of 2011, invite a few individuals to take a spot on our waiting list, and inform others that we will be unable to offer an acceptance this year."

That means this week or next week...

 

[mdphd72]

I just noticed this passage from my BU follow-up email:

"We plan to complete our interviews by late February, and by mid-March we will send a second group of emails to all candidates who have completed the application process with us, including those who were deferred in the first round. In that second group of emails we will accept most of the entering class of 2011, invite a few individuals to take a spot on our waiting list, and inform others that we will be unable to offer an acceptance this year."

That means this week or next week...

While that would be incredibly exciting, I'm not getting my hopes up.
The last two years I looked on the SDN boards, they released the info either the last week of March or first week of April. :/

 

[mdphd72]

Do you guys think there is really anything we can do at this point to help our chances? I've had an email draft to my interviewer for a while now. But I don't want to sound lame or desperate.

I just loved this institution so much!

I already sent a letter of interest/update letter.

But I just feel like there is more I should be doing. I'm about to call the freaking Dean and confess my love to his school hahah

 

[RogueUnicorn]

I don't think your interviewer would help you a ton; I have nothing to base this on, but I think the dean is your best bet, cc the MD/PhD director.