2010-2011 Cornell University (Weill) Application Thread

[Longshanks]

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Thanks man, I appreciate it. Excited about my first trip ever to NYC. 😳

Anytime, and if you have any questions about New York don't be afraid to ask. If your interview is anytime soon, this is a great time of year to be in the city and explore if you have a chance.

Good luck with the interview and hopefully they give you a good experience. I haven't interviewed, and this is my hail mary application, so I don't have any expectations of success, but I really fell in love with them and the staff when I used to work at one of their affiliates. Its a great place. Hopefully they give off the same vibe during your interview day.

 

[NickNaylor]

Wow congrats cole! I actually sent an in the area email shortly after you did. I'm assuming you're interviewing the day before/after your columbia interview?


Sent from my DROID2 using Tapatalk

Yeah, I'm interviewing at Columbia on the 14th and Cornell on the 15th. Can't say no to two interviews in one trip.

What should I do in NYC while I'm there? I'll basically have two half days and one full day to explore. I was planning on taking the subway to random places that seemed cool. I was definitely gunna go to Central Park, but any other suggestions?

 

[Longshanks]

Yeah, I'm interviewing at Columbia on the 14th and Cornell on the 15th. Can't say no to two interviews in one trip.

What should I do in NYC while I'm there? I'll basically have two half days and one full day to explore. I was planning on taking the subway to random places that seemed cool. I was definitely gunna go to Central Park, but any other suggestions?

Well, its the holidays so you gotta stop by Rockefeller Center, which isn't far from Weil-Cornell. At night it may be super crowded trying to walk around at night and check out the tree and the holiday window displays but it looks great at night.

I don't know uptown as much, and I despise Times Square but if its your first time you should swing through there but it is a tourist trap. In terms of downtown... if you're into indie or any of that scene the East Village and the Lower East Side are great, in terms of bars, things to do, shops... and good restaurants too. If you want to shop, go to Noho/Soho, just walk up and down Broadway from like 8th street to a bit past Houston Street (not pronounced like Houston, Texas... pronounce Houston like if you were Dutch). Houston Street also has Katz Deli, really cool old school Jewish deli where you take a number ticket and walk in a line. Some cool stores there, but they're the mainstream ones for the most part but also the only American branches of some cool foreign companies like Uniqlo (Japan) and Topshop/Topman (UK). Wo Hop on Mott Street is an awesome Chinese restaurant - it looks like a dump and you walk down a steep staircase into the basement of a building but its great, there will be a long line though since its become a touristy thing and probably ever since Jay Z wore a Wo Hop t-shirt in the 90s.

If you want to do things more by Cornell/Columbia, I'm sure someone else in the thread can help you. I'm more of a downtown boy, never really dug the UES/UWS too much.. its too WASPy for me, but there are some cool gems in there if you can find them out.

 

[BrainBuff]

Yeah, I'm interviewing at Columbia on the 14th and Cornell on the 15th. Can't say no to two interviews in one trip.
What should I do in NYC while I'm there? I'll basically have two half days and one full day to explore. I was planning on taking the subway to random places that seemed cool. I was definitely gunna go to Central Park, but any other suggestions?

Congrats with Cornell!

I would add a morning or afternoon at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It is sick, and there is stuff there that can not be found anywhere else in the world. Plus it is right by Central Park. Then, have a hot dog from the stand right in front of it. It is sponsored by veterans. Enjoy New York!.. ( "Cole", we are not in "Texas" anymore...) 🙂

 

[etherpentane]

Congrats with Cornell!

I would add a morning or afternoon at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It is sick, and there is stuff there that can not be found anywhere else in the world. Plus it is right by Central Park. Then, have a hot dog from the stand right in front of it. It is sponsored by veterans. Enjoy New York!.. ( "Cole", we are not in "Texas" anymore...) 🙂

I'd go w/ MoMA over Met (but obvs both are great).
also: SHAKE SHACK!!! You'll be glad you did.

 

[smartalleck2]

If you want to get an absolutely unbeatable bird's eye view of manhattan, go to the top of the rock at rockefeller center. lineups are much shorter than the empire state and the view is far superior. try to go close to sunset.

 

[BrainBuff]

I'd go w/ MoMA over Met (but obvs both are great).
also: SHAKE SHACK!!! You'll be glad you did.

I am more into classic stuff, 😀, but the MoMA is not that bad,,😉

 

[Longshanks]

If you want to get an absolutely unbeatable bird's eye view of manhattan, go to the top of the rock at rockefeller center. lineups are much shorter than the empire state and the view is far superior. try to go close to sunset.

exactly! and great too if one is checking out rockefller center anyway this time of year. and also naturally.. but not being on the empire state building you get to still see and the rest of the iconic buildings people think of when they think of the skyline.

 

[wanderer]

Congrats with Cornell!

I would add a morning or afternoon at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It is sick, and there is stuff there that can not be found anywhere else in the world. Plus it is right by Central Park. Then, have a hot dog from the stand right in front of it. It is sponsored by veterans. Enjoy New York!.. ( "Cole", we are not in "Texas" anymore...) 🙂

I second this. I can't believe I've only been to the Met once or twice even though I've lived here my whole life. Such an amazing place. (Too bad I have such uncultured friends lol.)

By the way, the Museum of Natural History might be interesting as well. Also on the border of Central Park.

 

[rhesuspieces]

I'd go w/ MoMA over Met (but obvs both are great).
also: SHAKE SHACK!!! You'll be glad you did.

+1 on everything this wonderful individual said. Shake Shack is God's gift to New Yorkers. Also MOMA is fantastic, but I'm a big modern art fan. The Met doesn't really compare to the European museums (and now I need to go smack myself for saying something that snobby).

Also, re: the UES...I stayed with a friend of mine up there back in August, and I can say for a fact that downtown is much, much cooler.

If you get a chance, check out Williamsburg. It's the epitome of Brooklyn hipster culture. There's actually a fantastic beer garden-type place there with really good German food. You eat at long tables so it's easy to make conversation with the guy next to you. Can't remember the name of the place for the life of me...let's just say I was a bit out of it when I went there 😳

 

[Longshanks]

+1 on everything this wonderful individual said. Shake Shack is God's gift to New Yorkers. Also MOMA is fantastic, but I'm a big modern art fan. The Met doesn't really compare to the European museums (and now I need to go smack myself for saying something that snobby).

Also, re: the UES...I stayed with a friend of mine up there back in August, and I can say for a fact that downtown is much, much cooler.

If you get a chance, check out Williamsburg. It's the epitome of Brooklyn hipster culture. There's actually a fantastic beer garden-type place there with really good German food. You eat at long tables so it's easy to make conversation with the guy next to you. Can't remember the name of the place for the life of me...let's just say I was a bit out of it when I went there 😳

Gosh, its not just the Brooklyn hipster culture, it is the hipster culture.. get your stuff right 🙄

Alright, enough making fun of and impersonating Brooklyn hipsters. Since I basically spend most of my weekends in Williamsburg and Greenpoint: its not for everyone lol. Some of the people there are intolerable, since they've become cliches and parodies of themselves there. But, it can be really fun, and there's some awesome places. That beer garden is called Radegast Hall. The beers and food there are a bit pricey, but it is good. The food is a little cheaper from the grill, where they mainly have different German sausages but also kielbasa (Polish sausage). The original beer garden in the area, Bohemian Hall, is a true Czech beer garden but its in Astoria.

Willamsburg has gotten a lot more developed now though since I was away at school upstate. Tons of million dollar condos popped up during the real estate bubble, and now they're empty because no one can afford to buy them. So its gotten very gentrified and pushing further and further into Bushwick and Flatbush, and even pushing out the artists and creative types that made Williamsburg cool in the first place (before the rich hipsters from Topeka, Kansas who think they're hard Brooklynites now starting pouring in). With that said: lots of cool stores on Bedford Ave. Also there's Brooklyn Brewery right there (cool microbrew but no longer brews there, they moved their main operation a few hours outside of the city). A very cool bar in Williamsburg if you're a beer lover, enjoy bars with a lot of room or where you can be active, or a video game geek: Barcade. Its full of 80s and 90s arcade games and they have 20+ microbrews that they change every few weeks. If you want to live out your "Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist" fantasy, then go to Union Pool, which in the movie they call "Brooklyn Pool". Its the hipster singles bar and lots of local bands play there, and there's a legit Mexican taco truck in the outdoors area where they make fresh handmade tacos for about $3.

 

[NickNaylor]

Does WCMC have any sort of student host program? I asked when I chose my interview date, but I never got a response regarding hosts. If not, any potential WCMC lurkers want to host me for a night? 🙂

 

[cfx]

Yeah, I'm interviewing at Columbia on the 14th and Cornell on the 15th. Can't say no to two interviews in one trip.

What should I do in NYC while I'm there? I'll basically have two half days and one full day to explore. I was planning on taking the subway to random places that seemed cool. I was definitely gunna go to Central Park, but any other suggestions?

Congrats on the interview. Was the first response you got from them after your email an invite?

 

[excalibur86]

What strikes me as strange is that a lot of people have received their interview invites from Cornell as a result of in the area emails. For example, Cole had been complete since 8/4, yet he didn't receive his invite until he sent an email, after which he got an immediate response. Obviously his app has been reviewed since 8/4 with the intent to interview him, but no invite sent until after an in the area email? It's nearing the end of the interview season, so when were they planning on sending him the interview invite then? I've been complete since 8/2, and although I'm in the area, I was thinking I should send an in the area email just to get their attention to my application.

 

[rhesuspieces]

What strikes me as strange is that a lot of people have received their interview invites from Cornell as a result of in the area emails. For example, Cole had been complete since 8/4, yet he didn't receive his invite until he sent an email, after which he got an immediate response. Obviously his app has been reviewed since 8/4 with the intent to interview him, but no invite sent until after an in the area email? It's nearing the end of the interview season, so when were they planning on sending him the interview invite then? I've been complete since 8/2, and although I'm in the area, I was thinking I should send an in the area email just to get their attention to my application.

I don't think that people who send in the area emails are getting interviews that they wouldn't have gotten otherwise. It's not like Cornell was a reach for Cole until he sent the magic e-mail. Don't send an in the area e-mail if you actually live in the area...that would just look tacky.

FYI I sent an ITA e-mail around the same time Cole did, though I'm interviewing a month after he does. I'll let you know if an invite rolls in.

 

[excalibur86]

I wasn't implying at all that Cole wasn't qualified, nor the people who sent ITA emails and receive interviews. It just seems that at most schools, once an applicant has been reviewed, an interview invite is extended soon after. Maybe Cornell works differently. Either way, I was just surprised that he had been complete for 4 months with an intent to interview, yet no interview invite was sent to him until now.

 

[NickNaylor]

Congrats on the interview. Was the first response you got from them after your email an invite?

Nope; I got a response the day after I sent my initial email saying that they understand the costs of traveling are great and that they would attempt to accommodate my schedule.

 

[ArkAngel]

Does WCMC have any sort of student host program? I asked when I chose my interview date, but I never got a response regarding hosts. If not, any potential WCMC lurkers want to host me for a night? 🙂

Yea I stayed with a student when I interviewed there. Since it was my first, I can't remember if they sent me the list in my email or not but they def have one.

 

[wanderer]

Re: exaclibur's post; way too many assumptions there.

 

[NickNaylor]

I wasn't implying at all that Cole wasn't qualified, nor the people who sent ITA emails and receive interviews. It just seems that at most schools, once an applicant has been reviewed, an interview invite is extended soon after. Maybe Cornell works differently. Either way, I was just surprised that he had been complete for 4 months with an intent to interview, yet no interview invite was sent to him until now.

What makes sense to me is that I may have been on the border of being extended an interview, but it wasn't a shoe-in. In other words, I think I may have been in a pool of applicants that they might want to interview, but are all relatively similar and thus have no significant way of eliminating some applicants while interviewing others. ITA e-mails demonstrate that you're still interested in the institution and are actively seeking out the interview invite; it may have been enough for them to say "ok, we'll go ahead and interview him." That said, I definitely don't think ITA e-mails will guarantee anything. But it could be a small thing that distinguishes one person from the other. Whether or not they had an intent to interview me from the beginning, who knows. If they had intent, they would've just extended me an invitation from the beginning IMO. What's the point in waiting?

Of course that's just a bunch of bull**** and I'm purely guessing, but that's the only thing that reasonably explains the "data" to me.

 

[NickNaylor]

Yea I stayed with a student when I interviewed there. Since it was my first, I can't remember if they sent me the list in my email or not but they def have one.

Great, thanks; I guess I'll send the admissions office another e-mail specifically asking for a host list.

 

[wanderer]

Or the review is "random" (in one way or another), and your app was going to be reviewed later on. Your email basically made them expedite the process. Remember Cornell is non-rolling so they might as well have random review (which a few non-rolling schools seem to have). This is speculation on my part.

 

[excalibur86]

thanks for the reply Cole. I didn't mean to single you out, and obviously you're a stellar applicant, but I'm trying to figure out whether ITA emails might legitimately increase your chances of an interview by demonstrating continued interest in the school. If so, perhaps I may not send an ITA email since I'm in the area, but just an "i'm interested" email to Cornell. Yet the advantage of ITA emails is that they're more direct and to the point (i.e. I'll be in the area, do I have an interview or not?).

 

[50Fly]

I'm interviewing at Columbia on the 14th and Cornell on the 15th. QUOTE]

I am right behind you with both schools, Columbia on the 15th, then Cornell on the 16th. Also hoping to figure out student hosting.

Good luck!

 

[Longshanks]

thanks for the reply Cole. I didn't mean to single you out, and obviously you're a stellar applicant, but I'm trying to figure out whether ITA emails might legitimately increase your chances of an interview by demonstrating continued interest in the school. If so, perhaps I may not send an ITA email since I'm in the area, but just an "i'm interested" email to Cornell. Yet the advantage of ITA emails is that they're more direct and to the point (i.e. I'll be in the area, do I have an interview or not?).

Don't write an "in the area" e-mail if you're from the tri-state area. It appears immatue and that you have a sense of entitlement to an interview.

If you're legitimately interested in the school or it is your top choice, then write an update/interest letter.

 

[rhesuspieces]

thanks for the reply Cole. I didn't mean to single you out, and obviously you're a stellar applicant, but I'm trying to figure out whether ITA emails might legitimately increase your chances of an interview by demonstrating continued interest in the school. If so, perhaps I may not send an ITA email since I'm in the area, but just an "i'm interested" email to Cornell. Yet the advantage of ITA emails is that they're more direct and to the point (i.e. I'll be in the area, do I have an interview or not?).

It seems to me that Cornell, unlike some other Ivies (coughHarvardcoughYale) is pretty receptive to updates and statements of interest. Worst case, they refuse to add the LOI to your file, which seems unlikely given their receptiveness to (and encouragement of) ITA emails.

 

[citrussqueeze]

Yeah, I'm interviewing at Columbia on the 14th and Cornell on the 15th. Can't say no to two interviews in one trip.

What should I do in NYC while I'm there? I'll basically have two half days and one full day to explore. I was planning on taking the subway to random places that seemed cool. I was definitely gunna go to Central Park, but any other suggestions?

Congrats on your NY interviews, Cole! 🙂 Could you give me some advice about sending ITA e-mails? I haven't heard back from Cornell or Columbia yet, but I have an interview coming up at Yale. Since it's still 1hr 45min hours away from the city, do you think it is reasonable to send ITA messages to these schools? I'm flying from CA, and I'm unsure if I would be able to afford to fly back if offered later interviews. 🙁

Also, how do you word an ITA e-mail humbly without sounding like you're already expecting an interview? I really don't want to step on anyone's toes!

Thanks so much in advance!!!

 

[echidna]

In re an ITA email, here's one I sent to UCLA last year:

Dear David Geffen School of Medicine Admissions,

I wanted to notify the Office of Admissions that I will be in the Los Angeles area during the week of February 25th- March 3rd. If before that time the Admissions Committee reviews my application and decides to grant me an interview, would it be possible to schedule it around these dates? I understand that there are hundreds of applications to review and that the review process is lengthy, and I understand if this is not possible. Either way I am happy to remain under consideration and I look forward to hearing from DGSOM soon.

Thank you,

etc

By this time I'd been in limbo for over 6 months so I didn't think it seemed like an unreasonable request. Got an invite and hour later. Just attempt to sound humble and not pushy. I don't think the way you word it is going to have any effect on your chances of getting an interview.

 

[IDreamtIChased]

If before that time the Admissions Committee reviews my application and decides to grant me an interview, would it be possible to schedule it around these dates?

That's an excellent letter, but I would remove the question and change it into a statement. IMO questions make a letter less professional.

In my experience, ITA emails work (I got 2 of my invites after I sent one). It might not work that great with cornell/columbia/hopkins, but definitely for the lower-ranked schools.

 

[citrussqueeze]

In re an ITA email, here's one I sent to UCLA last year:

Dear David Geffen School of Medicine Admissions,

I wanted to notify the Office of Admissions that I will be in the Los Angeles area during the week of February 25th- March 3rd. If before that time the Admissions Committee reviews my application and decides to grant me an interview, would it be possible to schedule it around these dates? I understand that there are hundreds of applications to review and that the review process is lengthy, and I understand if this is not possible. Either way I am happy to remain under consideration and I look forward to hearing from DGSOM soon.

Thank you,

etc

By this time I'd been in limbo for over 6 months so I didn't think it seemed like an unreasonable request. Got an invite and hour later. Just attempt to sound humble and not pushy. I don't think the way you word it is going to have any effect on your chances of getting an interview.

That's an excellent letter, but I would remove the question and change it into a statement. IMO questions make a letter less professional.

In my experience, ITA emails work (I got 2 of my invites after I sent one). It might not work that great with cornell/columbia/hopkins, but definitely for the lower-ranked schools.

WOW, great e-mail and great advice! I will definitely give it a try! Thanks so much, guys!

 

[NickNaylor]

Congrats on your NY interviews, Cole! 🙂 Could you give me some advice about sending ITA e-mails? I haven't heard back from Cornell or Columbia yet, but I have an interview coming up at Yale. Since it's still 1hr 45min hours away from the city, do you think it is reasonable to send ITA messages to these schools? I'm flying from CA, and I'm unsure if I would be able to afford to fly back if offered later interviews. 🙁

Also, how do you word an ITA e-mail humbly without sounding like you're already expecting an interview? I really don't want to step on anyone's toes!

Thanks so much in advance!!!

I simply wrote something the lines of "should the committee decide to grant me an interview, it would be greatly appreciated if those dates could be accommodated."

 

[rafflecopter]

Just got an interview invite!!! So excited! 3.33cGPA 4.0 science 36 MCAT OOS. Dates they offered me were all in the first 2 weeks of January. Complete very early July, so hope is not lost on all of you who applied early!!! So stoked!

 

[T1R3KO]

Just got an interview invite!!! So excited! 3.33cGPA 4.0 science 36 MCAT OOS. Dates they offered me were all in the first 2 weeks of January. Complete very early July, so hope is not lost on all of you who applied early!!! So stoked!

This is great to hear. Congrats! Maybe I've still got a shot...

 

[IDreamtIChased]

Just got an interview invite!!! So excited! 3.33cGPA 4.0 science 36 MCAT OOS. Dates they offered me were all in the first 2 weeks of January. Complete very early July, so hope is not lost on all of you who applied early!!! So stoked!

Congrats dude. I'm surprised you haven't received more interviews with your gpa and mcat!!

 

[wanderer]

I wonder when they will start sending out mass rejections. Last year it was around this time.

 

[rafflecopter]

Congrats dude. I'm surprised you haven't received more interviews with your gpa and mcat!!

Thanks guys. Dream, I think my UG GPA has been a big turn off to many schools despite my post-bac/science grades. I also probably applied a bit top-heavy to higher end schools and that might be a big reason too. All in all, I am very happy with how this application cycle is going, but I would probably have liked to get a little more love from the Cali schools.

 

[karayraisu]

Just got one today too! Adding to the chain of NYC interviews in January : )

I have a low sGPA (at or below 10th percentile at Top 25 schools) and 36 MCAT, but it's really nice to finally see what LizzyM said at one point happening right now - "you just have to wait until the 4.0 GPAs and the 40 MCATs get out of the way, and then you'll start seeing more and more invites"

Good luck everyone still waiting!

(complete late August)

 

[IDreamtIChased]

"you just have to wait until the 4.0 GPAs and the 40 MCATs get out of the way, and then you'll start seeing more and more invites"

(complete late August)

Yeah I noticed the same for other schools too. congrats!

 

[rafflecopter]

...but it's really nice to finally see what LizzyM said at one point happening right now - "you just have to wait until the 4.0 GPAs and the 40 MCATs get out of the way, and then you'll start seeing more and more invites"

I like this thinking 👍 hoping that it's true.

 

[Longshanks]

I like this thinking 👍 hoping that it's true.

Please please please let that be true - give a boy with a low gpa and high mcat some hope lol

 

[Supernerd]

I know the rejections begin soon.... :/ scared!

 

[csheng89]

Cornell does not have a formal hosting program. However, you can send them an email saying that you're interested and you write a little short blurb introducing yourself. They forward your email to all their students and if anyone wants to offer you housing, you'll get an email with their contact info. They have dorm style living so the rooms are pretty cramped. Usually, you should be able to find someone unless it's their exam time or something.

Does WCMC have any sort of student host program? I asked when I chose my interview date, but I never got a response regarding hosts. If not, any potential WCMC lurkers want to host me for a night? 🙂

 

[UpperEastSide]

I know the rejections begin soon.... :/ scared!

scared as well 🙁. when do they begin?

 

[Longshanks]

scared as well 🙁. when do they begin?

Status page says final decisions begin in December.... so now essentially.

 

[UpperEastSide]

Status page says final decisions begin in December.... so now essentially.

i know, i thought that implied acceptance/waitlists begin in dec, from what i read previously. Are you sure they reject before March?

 

[ArkAngel]

Status page says final decisions begin in December.... so now essentially.

Final Decisions? Um, I thought decisions dont go out till March😕

 

[Longshanks]

Final Decisions? Um, I thought decisions dont go out till March😕

The class isn't selected until March. Other decisions come earlier. Hence when you had the complete status:
"Final decisions are communicated beginning in December. The class is selected in March."

 

[ArkAngel]

The class isn't selected until March. Other decisions come earlier. Hence when you had the complete status:
"Final decisions are communicated beginning in December. The class is selected in March."

Gotcha. I kinda hate this whole "wait till march" model but oh well.

 

[Longshanks]

Gotcha. I kinda hate this whole "wait till march" model but oh well.

Sure is a long wait but I think it makes sense for them.

 

[frackrack]

I know the rejections begin soon.... :/ scared!

that would be today.
Just got a rejection letter (this is pre-interview) via email.
Dear Mr. X:

The Committee on Admissions has carefully reviewed your application to the first year class entering Weill Cornell Medical College. We regret to notify you that, due to the very keen competition for a limited number of places in the class, we are unable to offer you a position in our first year class entering in August 2011.

As you are well aware, all medical schools receive applications from far more individuals than can possibly be accepted. This year, fifty-five hundred candidates applied for the one hundred and one positions available in our entering class; thus, less than two percent of all applicants can enroll. The decision not to offer you a place in the class should not be construed as an indication that the Committee does not consider you qualified for a career in medicine. It is the unfortunate result of the very strong competition for the limited number of positions in the Class of 2015.

Thank you for your interest in Weill Cornell Medical College. We wish you every success in the pursuit of your future medical career.

Sincerely yours,

Charles L. Bardes, M.D.
Associate Dean (Admissions)
Chair, Committee on Admissions
Professor of Clinical Medicine