2010-2011 Cornell University (Weill) Application Thread

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Status
Not open for further replies.
I feel like Cornell is one of those schools where numbers (after a point of course) don't really matter as much. As in, they like interesting people who have cool stories to tell.

And how exactly do you feel this? Psychic vibes? Or do you know someone at Cornell?
 
Rejected MSTP! Absurdly thin letter in the mail. What a waste of a stamp.
 
Anyone have any details (aside from what's on the website) about the writing-intensive requirement? Specifically, My issue is with the english-lit one.

I took two "official" writing-intensive courses (one psych and one bio), but I never took an english-literature one.

How cut-and-dry is this requirement? Do you think plain ol' english 101/102 would satisfy it? Am I completely knocked out of the running here?

It seems like kind of an unusual requirement.
 
Anyone have any details (aside from what's on the website) about the writing-intensive requirement? Specifically, My issue is with the english-lit one.

I took two "official" writing-intensive courses (one psych and one bio), but I never took an english-literature one.

How cut-and-dry is this requirement? Do you think plain ol' english 101/102 would satisfy it? Am I completely knocked out of the running here?

It seems like kind of an unusual requirement.

No idea...I signed up for a lit course this fall to be sure. When in doubt though just write and mail a letter to the adcom and explain your situation...I mean realistically I can't imagine all 6000 applicants have taken a lit course...but maybe the accepted class is different. FWIW I got an interview invite before they knew I had a lit course lined up. Never can be certain what those sifting through the app pile are thinking...


Good luck!
 
And how exactly do you feel this? Psychic vibes? Or do you know someone at Cornell?

I wouldn't say "psychic", but from what I've heard from advisors, read on their website, and from knowing people who did/didn't get in (also from reading some MDapps profiles) it's just a general vibe I've picked up.

Then again, it might just be that I feel my experiences aren't on the same level as my numbers. Possibly a little rationalization since I haven't heard anything yet? :xf:
 
No idea...I signed up for a lit course this fall to be sure. When in doubt though just write and mail a letter to the adcom and explain your situation...I mean realistically I can't imagine all 6000 applicants have taken a lit course...but maybe the accepted class is different. FWIW I got an interview invite before they knew I had a lit course lined up. Never can be certain what those sifting through the app pile are thinking...


Good luck!

So what did you enter for the writing-intensive courses, if you weren't yet signed up?
 
To Sigmatropic: Those stats were incredible! I guess that means I have no hope..haha. T_T
 
I think that the main issue was not with my application in and of itself but rather the research I was interested in performing at Cornell. I may be wrong but MSTP's seem to value highly how well your research interests suit their school specifically. Good luck.
 
I feel like Cornell is one of those schools where numbers (after a point of course) don't really matter as much. As in, they like interesting people who have cool stories to tell.

Let's hope so
 
Interview on Wednesday...anyone else going to be in NYC? Listening to Empire State of Mind right now thinking about how wonderful it would be to spend a few years in the city.

Personally, that song doesn't really conjure up images of the UES, but hey--do your thing.
 
:soexcited: interview invite!!!! i can't believe i actually got one! i was complete on 8/11
 
Does anyone know if Cornell is good with in-the-area emails, or if they frown upon the practice? Thank you!
 
How long do they take to send out secondaries? Granted, I submitted my AMCAS a little late, but I've heard from every other school I applied to, including ones that screen.
 
I was complete in early August and my status still hasn't changed from "complete." Should I be worried that people who were complete a week or two ago are getting interviews?

Is anyone else in a similar situation?

For the applicants who are "under review" or who's status page is blank, any word yet?
 
How long do they take to send out secondaries? Granted, I submitted my AMCAS a little late, but I've heard from every other school I applied to, including ones that screen.

I submitted my AMCAS on 7/1 and obtained the secondary on 7/26. Hope this helps!
 
I submitted my AMCAS on 7/1 and obtained the secondary on 7/26. Hope this helps!

Hm, I submitted early August. Perhaps I'll call them if I don't get it in the next week...
 
Does anyone know if Cornell is good with in-the-area emails, or if they frown upon the practice? Thank you!

Yes, they are (good with it). Their website specifically recommends it. It's a great way to show continued interest and drop the "thinking of you!" line.
 
What is an in-the-area email? 🙂
Nevermind, figured it out. For anyone who doesnt know, its a pre-interview email you send (humbly) telling the school you will be in the area if they happen to want to interview you. If im wrong, someone correct me!
 
Nevermind, figured it out. For anyone who doesnt know, its a pre-interview email you send (humbly) telling the school you will be in the area if they happen to want to interview you. If im wrong, someone correct me!

That's pretty much it. I don't think you need more than a line or two with your phone number and AMCAS ID all over the e-mail.

Enjoy New York...it is beautiful this time of year.
 
Hi, Could one of you please let me know if Cornell asked for a picture? I'm trying to remember whether I submitted a picture for this school or not! Thank you!!
 
Hi, Could one of you please let me know if Cornell asked for a picture? I'm trying to remember whether I submitted a picture for this school or not! Thank you!!

Yes. Check the original email they sent you, they asked to email them a picture or to bring it the day of your interview.
 
Interview invite today. Complete two weeks ago. Ready for New York!
 
interview invite today! 32Q, 3.7...guess super high stats aren't everything for Cornell, thank goodness =). SO excited!

question: I have another interview in New York that I wanted to to combine with my Cornell trip but it's not until December - I know that Cornell is non-rolling, but I did hear there are a few acceptances given out in December. Is that true or is there any other advantage to taking an earlier interview date at Cornell? thanks for the input and good luck to everyone here! =)
 
Hey guys!

I submitted in late July... I'm still 'under review'. WCMC is my absolute #1 choice to the point of it being an unhealthy obsession 😛 Not sure if my stats are ideal but I'm hopeful! 34S, 4.0

Anyways, here's the thing. I have an interview at Stonybrook on the 5th of November. Do I try the 'in the area' e-mail? I'm scared!!

Thanks 🙂
Annie
 
Anyways, here's the thing. I have an interview at Stonybrook on the 5th of November. Do I try the 'in the area' e-mail? I'm scared!!

Thanks 🙂
Annie


I sent them an in-the-area email last week...no dice. They said they would place the email in my file. Oh well.
 
Just interviewed here. Cornell is the best school I've visited, and easily my top choice. My advice: do not be misguided by previous years' SdN posts -- this school is way better than what it appears on SdN. For one example, few current students appear on this thread, but there are many current students, from first year to fourth year, who come to lunch to talk to us, and I get all my questions answered. The students are super cool, largely because many of them are non-traditional and have very unique experiences. Facilities and faculty are the best you could get. Good luck to u all!

Edit: I shall further clarify what I mean by previous years' posts. In last year's thread there was one senior student talking about bad experiences with the third-year clerkships. Therefore I specifically asked about clerkships during the lunch. I'm very happy with the answers I got, although I also know that only happy students would come to attend lunch. You have to ask around on your own to form your impressions.
 
Last edited:
Beautiful facilities, wonderful students, amazing location. After interviewing, definitely one of my top choices!!!
 
Hey guys!

I submitted in late July... I'm still 'under review'. WCMC is my absolute #1 choice to the point of it being an unhealthy obsession 😛 Not sure if my stats are ideal but I'm hopeful! 34S, 4.0

Anyways, here's the thing. I have an interview at Stonybrook on the 5th of November. Do I try the 'in the area' e-mail? I'm scared!!

Thanks 🙂
Annie

I sent them an in the area email and it worked out great. They responded the morning of the next day saying they made a note in my file that I would be in new york on ______ day and then by that afternoon they had extended an interview. So I would definetely send them an in the area email. I don't think it can hurt you.
 
Does anyone know if Cornell has student hosts when we go there for interviews? I looked around their website and couldn't find anything. Any info would be greatly appreciated since hotels in the area cost like 2x more than my plane ticket haha.
 
Does anyone know if Cornell has student hosts when we go there for interviews? I looked around their website and couldn't find anything. Any info would be greatly appreciated since hotels in the area cost like 2x more than my plane ticket haha.
They do have a host program but you have to email the adm office (wcmc@... address) to sign up for it. I did not use it because my interview was assigned only one week in advance, and I felt that it's not convenient (just my feeling) to ask for hosting in such short advance. I bidded at priceline for a hotel in Times Sq for $160/nite, but it's one of the worst hotels I've been to. I guess it would have been better to stay with a host. That said, I was so excited that my hotel fatigue did not affect my interview performance. 🙂
 
In re the student hosts, really, don't worry about short notice. We know you only get a week, we interviewed here too, and staying with students can give you a great perspective and the opportunity to get some of your questions answered before your interview. We volunteer to host so it's hardly an inconvenience 🙂

I'm only six weeks into my first year here so I'm probably not the best person to ask for a lot of questions, but I can do my best if you have a burning question that you can't find an answer to. I pop in here from time to time so feel free to post here or PM me.

Good luck guys, I know how much all this sucks right now, but it gets better!
 
Thank you guys for taking the time to answer my question! I really appreciate it.
 
In re the student hosts, really, don't worry about short notice. We know you only get a week, we interviewed here too, and staying with students can give you a great perspective and the opportunity to get some of your questions answered before your interview. We volunteer to host so it's hardly an inconvenience 🙂

I'm only six weeks into my first year here so I'm probably not the best person to ask for a lot of questions, but I can do my best if you have a burning question that you can't find an answer to. I pop in here from time to time so feel free to post here or PM me.

Good luck guys, I know how much all this sucks right now, but it gets better!
Thanks echidna, you sound like the warmhearted MS1 who gave us great tour and left email for questions. The main reason I did not insist on hosting is that hosting is not mentioned anywhere in the emails WCMC sent. I knew about it only because I called, and the adm office did not sound enthusiastic about it over the phone.

But I have absolutely no bad impression of Cornell because of this. You MS1 already live in such small dorm rooms, and it'd be really inconvenient to host us -- literally, you only have one room of a small bedroom size (20 sq ft?) that can hardly fit a couch, it seems that either the host or the interviewee has to sleep on the floor. Your kindness to do any sort of hosting out of this condition is remarkable. Per the SdN threads, Columbia and Sinai also do poorly on the hosting issue. It's just because of how crowded Manhattan is.

In short: hosting is great because of the access to talk with your host, but don't expect a comfy place in NYC.
 
Last edited:
You're right, it's not going to be super comfy. I think I slept a mat on the floor last year, and unless you feel like snuggling, you'd be down there too. I had no problem with that but the more particular amongst you may. Also bring earplugs since we may snore. But honestly the rooms aren't that tiny- it's bigger than my room in SF was last year, and cheaper!

If you're as poor as I was it's a great way to save a few hundred bucks that you may not have. My first loan disbursement is helping to pay down some of the credit card debt associated with interviewing, so getting a host at all my interviews was an enormous help. And we're not being completely altruistic- we do get a free sandwich out of it, with our choice of meat. I mean, really now. I can spread that over two meals.
 
few current students appear on this thread, but there are many current students, from first year to fourth year, who come to lunch to talk to us, and I get all my questions answered.

There are a few of us lurking around here, and you'll find us answering questions from time to time. Anyone willing to post here is also willing to answer questions by private message, if you feel you'd rather not have the question and answer broadcast to the world. And yes, you can also get everything answered at lunch. We love free food!

The students are super cool, largely because many of them are non-traditional and have very unique experiences. Facilities and faculty are the best you could get. Good luck to u all!

So glad you enjoyed yourself. We put a lot of effort into making applicants feel welcome, because we really want you to come here. You were obviously qualified enough to interview, so it's our job to show you how great our school is.

In last year's thread there was one senior student talking about bad experiences with the third-year clerkships.

I remember that post very well. Someone who was that unhappy here, was likely to be unhappy anywhere. I'll be the first to admit that I disagreed with aspects of both the clinical and basic science curriculum. However, on a whole, I have been extremely pleased with my education and my experiences. I was well-prepared for the boards and clinical rotations during the first 2 years. And my 3rd year rotations were each excellent experiences in their own unique way. Plus, I've had a lot of fun enjoying NYC too.

I'm happy to go into specifics with anyone. And I'm sure there are others who will chime in here too. Just ask.
 
Hey -

Like you all, Cornell Weill would be a dream come true -

I'm waiting - I an a non-trad, 3.3 cpga BUT 3.7 sgpa and MCAT PS 11 VR 11 BS 13 R -

I am hoping against hope I get an interview here - this would be a dream come true!

Also started a fantastic job at CUMC as an RA doing phlebotomy and dna extraction which I talked about ad infinitum on my secondaries (began july 1 after submitting primary ;-/ ) Great LOR'S, research etc

Wish I could do an 'in the area' email - as I live less than 10 blocks from there! So I'm always in the area! LOL

Good luck guys!

Any one who has gotten interviews, care to post your stats?
 
Premedapplicant: I PM-ed you my stats. Your stats are fine and shall not hinder you, especially if you have a good life story. You have all the hope you want. It is still way early in the cycle, and since Cornell schedules interviews only one week in advance (and about 30 people interviewed per week), only a small number of people could have got interview invites so far. I'm very very lucky to be one, but who knows, you could receive the invite next Monday, or any time until March.

By the way, Cornell is so sweet, it sends a thank-you-for-interviewing email after interview! Of five schools I was interviewed, Cornell is the only school that sent me such a post-interview thank-me email after interview. I'm really delighted.
 
Hi everyone,

Does Cornell send the secondary application to everyone? Or is there a screening process first?

Thanks
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top