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2010-2011 Drexel Application Thread
Started by ksmi117
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Interview #2
i love you drexel!!!!!!!!
i love you drexel!!!!!!!!
Thanks, court! I hope so.Wow, Geekchick, you ROCKED the MCAT! I imagine you should get an interview from Penn too with those numbers.
to you both this season!
This has been my fear. I have been debating a letter of interest, hut since they favor females and in-state I wasn't sure if it was necessary, but it can't hurt. I only applied to the schools in Philly because of my husband's job so I really am interested in all five schools around here.
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This school is so weird. Never got a secondary invite, never got a completion email, and now I got an interview invite according to the status page, but no email.
It's not like they don't have my email address either, because I got an email to confirm my interview date.
It's not like they don't have my email address either, because I got an email to confirm my interview date.
Is the "Complete" status with no action just a silent rejection? Or are they really THAT slow at processing secondaries? There weren't even essays to read, wtf?
(Complete 8/13, still listed as "Complete" on the Banner statues page)
(Complete 8/13, still listed as "Complete" on the Banner statues page)
Ummm that's what happened to me last year. And I never heard back =(
interview invite! oos, 31 mcat, 3.65 gpa.
I got an interview invite today! I scheduled for Oct 28. Apparently it really is true that the MCAT isn't going to make or break your application. (stats: 3.55, 25P, URM, female) My app was complete on Sept 1st. I also took the MCAT again on Sept 9th and I'm positive that I earned a much better score that will be released in October.
This is my first invite, so I just wanted to post here and see if anyone else chose that date? If so, where are you staying?
This is my first invite, so I just wanted to post here and see if anyone else chose that date? If so, where are you staying?
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Despite the history, I don't think Drexel actually favors female applicants. Our class is split pretty much 50/50. Though I'm all for it. 😉
Complete with no action is not a silent rejection. They will get to you when they get to you. Most schools don't have 12,000 applications to process.
Yeah, I realize that may not actually be the case since most schools run 50-50. I am just trying to convince myself that Drexel will love me and accept me! 😉
Any interview candidates willing to post their MCAT? I don't want to waste money on apps if I have no chance..thank you!
JuliaJulia, a bunch of people have already posted. I'm 34Q with a lowish GPA.
It's getting late, if you want to go to this school, I'd say get your app in soon. Many schools are already scheduling interviews into December!
Yeah, it is 50-50ish, but don't let that worry you! Be honest* in your interest of the school and in medicine, and never say never!
*medical school application terminology dictionary: honest (adj) - of or relating to mild exaggeration for the purposes of gaining an acceptance
Haha, I like it! Now that would be a thread to have on here: pre-med definitions for everyday words.
man, I love interview season now that I'm not subject to its almost tempestuous whims. A bunch of you folks are pretty interesting to meet. I've interviewed people that run the gamut from someone I had a Spanish class with in undergrad to a foreign-born guy whose done a bunch of crazy volunteering stuff plus baboon research. Who does that?
Anyway, as a general tip (I can't speak for everyone that student interviews), the student portion of interview day tends to be really laid-back and the faculty are pretty cool dudes with a few exceptions. The best way to make a good impression is to be calm, collected, well-rounded, and validly interested in medicine.
Being yourself is a good way to make your student interview count. Generally, the more conversational and honest a person is the better I react to person. Although, admittedly, I'm a giant interview pushover. My evaluation range seems to be "I am totally okay with this person getting an acceptance" to "if you don't offer this person an acceptance I will be ashamed of and disappointed in my school."
That second thing is something I actually wrote on a form.
(warning: student interview tips may be me-specific, your mileage may vary, warranty void if tag is removed)
Anyway, as a general tip (I can't speak for everyone that student interviews), the student portion of interview day tends to be really laid-back and the faculty are pretty cool dudes with a few exceptions. The best way to make a good impression is to be calm, collected, well-rounded, and validly interested in medicine.
Being yourself is a good way to make your student interview count. Generally, the more conversational and honest a person is the better I react to person. Although, admittedly, I'm a giant interview pushover. My evaluation range seems to be "I am totally okay with this person getting an acceptance" to "if you don't offer this person an acceptance I will be ashamed of and disappointed in my school."
That second thing is something I actually wrote on a form.
(warning: student interview tips may be me-specific, your mileage may vary, warranty void if tag is removed)
Thanks for the tips! 🙂
I know a couple people at Drexel and they have had similar advice. It's nice to know that it's generally a laidback process, and that they want to get to know you and see if you'd be a good fit.
On another note, I'm beginning to believe the admissions process has become what it is just so they can see how you handle the pressure.
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I registered and received my password/user ID via email, but received this message when I tried to log in:
This web site is open only to those individuals who have been invited to submit a Supplemental Application to Drexel University College of Medicine
Any input?
NM; just had to wait for it to get into the system.
This web site is open only to those individuals who have been invited to submit a Supplemental Application to Drexel University College of Medicine
Any input?
NM; just had to wait for it to get into the system.
Last edited:
Interview invite.
29Q/3.9 science and overall.
Lots of volunteering, research, and a few publications.
29Q/3.9 science and overall.
Lots of volunteering, research, and a few publications.
Congrats, SMC!
Supplemental Complete 8/15
Interview invite 9/15
Interview 11/12 😀
Interview invite 9/15
Interview 11/12 😀
Seems like an easy question but it is extremely important to nail this one on interview day. I've done some research but am still interested in hearing what any pre-med or drexel student has to say concerning positives of the school. Particularly, what does drexel have on other schools in the state such as Temple and Commonwealth?
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I've never heard of either of those places. You can always ask about student hosts! Not sure if the Student Guest House is the same thing...
I'd probably have to be a student at all three schools to be able to answer that seriously.
You're somewhat less likely to be mugged at Drexel than you are at Temple, I suppose.
You're immediately eligible for federal loans at Drexel, which sets us (and every other medical school in the country that hasn't just been founded) from Commonwealth.
After Drexel receiving my primary application on 8/17 when it was verified, I finally received my secondary yesterday, 9/16, only to find that it's one of the annoying secondaries wherein a school demonstrates their inability to properly read the primary application, and thus asks you to retype everything. Maybe I'm just in a bad mood, but so far they seem to be doing everything wrong.
then dont apply lol.
phltz (how do you pronounce that, anyway?) - you're allowed to rant, we're just giving you a hard time. It doesn't take very long, just fill it out and join the waiting game with the rest of us! 😉
Congrats!
complete: 8/20
invite: 9/14
interview: 10/19
3.42 cum... 3.52 science... 30M
invite: 9/14
interview: 10/19
3.42 cum... 3.52 science... 30M
phltz (how do you pronounce that, anyway?) - you're allowed to rant, we're just giving you a hard time. It doesn't take very long, just fill it out and join the waiting game with the rest of us! 😉
Yeah, I filled it out. I'm just disappointed that they show so little concern for the fact that they look so bumbling. Drexel's not the only school that does this - far more prestigious schools also make an ostentatious display of incompetence in their admissions procedures. I'm sure you all know that the whole process is frustrating. AMCAS makes you wait a month for your MCAT scores for what appears to be pure mean-spiritedness. Half the schools out there don't appear to be too illiterate to read a primary application. Web pages are shockingly poorly designed. Everyone wants $75, $100, $120. And none of them show the slightest shame about it.
The overarching message of the whole process is "We don't give a **** about you," and it pisses me off sometimes. It pisses me off, it doesn't scare me off. I'm still filling out my applications, paying my fees, etc. I'm going to get in somewhere. I just wish there was a bit more professionalism and human decency coming from med schools.
JUST GOT THE SECONDARY....Complete 8/18, sec 9/17.
At one point I actually logged onto AMCAS to make sure I had checked the Drexel box(i had!), but I'm glad to finally have it!
At one point I actually logged onto AMCAS to make sure I had checked the Drexel box(i had!), but I'm glad to finally have it!
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Oh... the torture that is the medical school application process.
Some notes & tips, in case not covered recently or at all:
- The school has received ~3000 more apps at this point (September) than in previous years
- Admissions is trying to speed-up the turnaround time from interview to decision (nothing said about secondary to invite or anything else)
- They interview ~60-70 applicants per week, but are only able to review interviewer comments and essays for ~40-50 per week
- In the past two years, the essay could be done over the course of the day. This is no longer the case; you now have 30 minutes.
- Prompts for the essay don't have right or wrong answers.
- The student interview can be the determining factor for whether or not you are accepted.
- The essay can be the determining factor for whether or not you are accepted.
- Do follow the instructions for the essay *exactly* as printed.
- Students ARE accepted despite poor spelling and grammar skills on the essay. (Substance is more important.)
- If you say "Drexel is my #1 choice", you better mean it and be able to back it up. We (the students) and the faculty interviewers know that it is pretty rare for someone to have Drexel as a #1 choice due to cost or a "prestige" factor.
Not much else I can think of off hand. PM me if you have any questions and I'll do my best to answer them once I reply.
If anyone cares, I was not able to complete my secondary until the end of September. I got an invite in December, interviewed in January, and received a decision in late March or early April. Now is not too late to put in an app.
Best of luck!
Some notes & tips, in case not covered recently or at all:
- The school has received ~3000 more apps at this point (September) than in previous years
- Admissions is trying to speed-up the turnaround time from interview to decision (nothing said about secondary to invite or anything else)
- They interview ~60-70 applicants per week, but are only able to review interviewer comments and essays for ~40-50 per week
- In the past two years, the essay could be done over the course of the day. This is no longer the case; you now have 30 minutes.
- Prompts for the essay don't have right or wrong answers.
- The student interview can be the determining factor for whether or not you are accepted.
- The essay can be the determining factor for whether or not you are accepted.
- Do follow the instructions for the essay *exactly* as printed.
- Students ARE accepted despite poor spelling and grammar skills on the essay. (Substance is more important.)
- If you say "Drexel is my #1 choice", you better mean it and be able to back it up. We (the students) and the faculty interviewers know that it is pretty rare for someone to have Drexel as a #1 choice due to cost or a "prestige" factor.
Not much else I can think of off hand. PM me if you have any questions and I'll do my best to answer them once I reply.
If anyone cares, I was not able to complete my secondary until the end of September. I got an invite in December, interviewed in January, and received a decision in late March or early April. Now is not too late to put in an app.
Best of luck!
Man, is that the kind of stuff we learn if we attend the "how to interview" session? Maybe I shouldn't have skipped it a second time.
um why are apps up this year?
medicsb:
Is essay ethically related question or more about personal experience..... if you don't mind telling ?
Is essay ethically related question or more about personal experience..... if you don't mind telling ?
Just got my 1st interview! After 3 years, I would say it's about time! Just wondering if anyone had any advice for the day of. Thanks
Verified: 7/2
Submitted: 7/17
Offer: 9/13
And as an aside, make sure you keep trying. If this is what you want, then you will be patient and wait and work.
Verified: 7/2
Submitted: 7/17
Offer: 9/13
And as an aside, make sure you keep trying. If this is what you want, then you will be patient and wait and work.
Congrats, fuzzball! 😀
One question I remember an applicant telling me about was basically a situation that boiled down to "Do you keep a commitment you made to your family and friends for your free time or do you hang out with a sick patient instead?"
A few of the essays are thought-provoking, but a surprising number of them are "Walmart Application" style questions that are trying to see if you are a rational human being, or if you are someone just trying to say whatever you think they want to hear from a medical android.
Remember: The key to med school interviews is the same as the key to a successful marriage - sincerity.
And once you can fake that, you're golden.
@Carbear: I couldn't tell you why apps are up. It could be that more people getting apps in earlier than previous years, or more applicants in general, or more applicants interested in Drexel.
@crazypencil: My essay question was an ethical one. If you've taken any ethics courses, then you should have no problem forming a good essay. If you haven't, you should still do fine if you have a good head on your shoulders.
@crazypencil: My essay question was an ethical one. If you've taken any ethics courses, then you should have no problem forming a good essay. If you haven't, you should still do fine if you have a good head on your shoulders.
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