2010-2011 Hofstra University Application Thread

[NovaWildcat07]

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I would be full of it if I said I wasn't a little frustrated that I have no idea where I stand with this school after interviewing Oct. 5th. (Especially when I'm on the campus everyday, occasionally running into members of the Dean's Administration.) To my family & friends at home who keep asking if I'm getting impatient, I've answered, "If I don't have the patience to deal with this process how am I going to have the patience to sit back for weeks or months waiting to find out if a treatment is successful for a patient, or to wait for lab/pathology results?" So for the sake of my own sanity I've tried to use this experience as a training tool. I really hope that everyone else can find a silver lining in this experience as well!

That said, what I do NOT understand is why they are not rejecting people post-interview at this point. There is no way in the world that there aren't applicants HU NS-LIJ is 100% certain won't be offered a seat. Out of hundreds of interviewees, and with the additional March interview date now in play, why can't you just let those people who have no chance of being accepted get it over with and move on? It would mean the world to me to go to Hofstra for med school but if I already have no chance then I'd like to be able to come to grips with that, move on, and try to get excited about new possibilities.

Since it's March, may the Luck o'the Irish be with you all this month!

 

[Polo423]

Such an adult and mature debate! Are we sure this still SDN? Shouldn't someone make an outrageous statement or challenge me to a duel or something?

A duel? No...I'd rather cover you in spaghetti. *Spffggg* Enjoy your spaghetti you're making outrageous comments 🙂

(If you don't get the reference PM me and I'll clue you in)

 

[sphun65]

I would be full of it if I said I wasn't a little frustrated that I have no idea where I stand with this school after interviewing Oct. 5th. (Especially when I'm on the campus everyday, occasionally running into members of the Dean's Administration.) To my family & friends at home who keep asking if I'm getting impatient, I've answered, "If I don't have the patience to deal with this process how am I going to have the patience to sit back for weeks or months waiting to find out if a treatment is successful for a patient, or to wait for lab/pathology results?" So for the sake of my own sanity I've tried to use this experience as a training tool. I really hope that everyone else can find a silver lining in this experience as well!

That said, what I do NOT understand is why they are not rejecting people post-interview at this point. There is no way in the world that there aren't applicants HU NS-LIJ is 100% certain won't be offered a seat. Out of hundreds of interviewees, and with the additional March interview date now in play, why can't you just let those people who have no chance of being accepted get it over with and move on? It would mean the world to me to go to Hofstra for med school but if I already have no chance then I'd like to be able to come to grips with that, move on, and try to get excited about new possibilities.

Since it's March, may the Luck o'the Irish be with you all this month!

THIS is my major contention and you have stated it perfectly.

I want to go ahead and just say that the notion of Hofstra waiting this long, simply to "weed out people who don't really want to go here" is completely false. As we all enjoyed our interview here, it is wishful thinking that simply because we loved the school, we have a better chance. The process itself "weeds people out", if you didn't really want to go to any school, you simply don't go. Accepting people 6 months after their interview plays no role in that.

The reality of the situation is that Hofstra wants to bring in the strongest first class possible. It can be debated whether quantity > quality, but it is clear that they believe quantity is key. They want their school to be top-flight, and at this point, they MUST have their best interests in mind. All of these theories about waiting patiently, weeding out people who didn't like Hofstra, etc, are simply a continuation of that warm and fuzzy feeling we got while interviewing here... They are waiting this long because they want to interview as many people as possible, and then choose the BEST out of that crowd. Even their backup choices will still be as strong as possible.

 

[medlove87]

A duel? No...I'd rather cover you in spaghetti. *Spffggg* Enjoy your spaghetti you're making outrageous comments 🙂

(If you don't get the reference PM me and I'll clue you in)

dane cook?

 

[pinkynotbrain]

So, I was reading on this forum that Hofstra was done interviewing, but I just got an interview invite today. The only available date was March 11th. Anyone else in the same boat?

I was also invited today for March 11th!!

Skymall and Nav, if you don't mind, were you particularly late submitters? If so, it's possible that the folks from the Hof went back through their particularly late submissions and wanted to give the creme de la creme of those folks a shot at the school as well.

If not, well, I'm totally lost. But still hopeful!

Best of luck on the 11th to all who are going that day!!

 

[StallionSupreme]

this is the only MD school i had an interview for and its like a 20 mins drive from my house. I'm 99.999% sure I would go here if accepted. submitted my letter of intent 2 weeks ago and now just waiting... who knows for how long...

 

[Polo423]

dane cook?

Good man!

 

[raccoon914]

this is the only MD school i had an interview for and its like a 20 mins drive from my house. I'm 99.999% sure I would go here if accepted. submitted my letter of intent 2 weeks ago and now just waiting... who knows for how long...

How and to where did you submit your letter of intent?

 

[Hoya2009]

I really don't think, "You could hear back tomorrow, or in two weeks, until July" is an acceptable answer.
People have lives to plan and other things to do. Offering an open window between January and July is not respectful of applicants' time and certainly a knock against the school right now, in my book.

 

[pinkynotbrain]

I really don't think, "You could hear back tomorrow, or in two weeks, until July" is an acceptable answer.
People have lives to plan and other things to do. Offering an open window between January and July is not respectful of applicants' time and certainly a knock against the school right now, in my book.

Not like this is unique to the Hof, though.

 

[Hoya2009]

Not like this is unique to the Hof, though.

It kind of is. Most schools will give you an accept/reject/WL by a certain day, so you know, by day X where you stand. Hofstra's policy is you will have no idea about your status until some unknown future day, which could be any day between now and July. Waaaaaay different. Find another school that will make NO DECISION AT ALL for potentially six to seven months.

 

[Polo423]

I really don't think, "You could hear back tomorrow, or in two weeks, until July" is an acceptable answer.
People have lives to plan and other things to do. Offering an open window between January and July is not respectful of applicants' time and certainly a knock against the school right now, in my book.

I think it should be remembered that medicine in itself is a profession of patience and spontaneity, as well as occurrences that don't conform to a schedule. Healing takes time, bureaucracy takes time, so on and so forth. You are responsible for your patients AT ANY TIME. Thus, if you're sleeping and there's an emergency at 2 AM, you have to CHANGE YOUR LIFE, get up, and treat that patient. The point is that yes, the waiting is rough and planning your life hinges on this decision, but just know this is a feeling you will encounter again, and again, and again throughout your career in medicine. So better to get used to it now 🙂

And I think we've had enough critiquing of the Hofstra admissions style. I really don't think Dean Smith is going to come on here, read this thread, and change their acceptance system. They're doing it the way they feel it should be done. Better to let them do their thing and deal with life when their decision comes.

 

[Hoya2009]

Thank you pre-medical student for telling me how my career in medicine will be. 🙂
Waking up at 2AM to treat a patient is a reasonable expectation of a physician. Asking an interviewed applicant to wait seven months for any kind of word back is an UN-reasonable expectation. At this point in its history, UCF already had a ranked wait list, so this is not a necessary function of new schools.

[/discussion]

 

[pairofscrubs]

"If I don't have the patience to deal with this process how am I going to have the patience to sit back for weeks or months waiting to find out if a treatment is successful for a patient, or to wait for lab/pathology results?"

Again, another issue with context; the patience required by physicians in order to competently care for their patients (It's time for fun with heterographs!😉) has no relevance to the patience necessary withstand the admissions process. But I commend your attitude! Trust me, I'm trying to find that silver lining and hold onto it like it owed me money! 🙂

Waking up at 2AM to treat a patient is a reasonable expectation of a physician. Asking an interviewed applicant to wait seven months for any kind of word back is an UN-reasonable expectation.
[/discussion]

I agree the comparisons are somewhat fallacious (though I understand where Polo423 is coming from and respect his stance). But it appears that Hofstra Adcoms will function as they see fit, and we have no choice but to wait and keep the faith!!

 

[Polo423]

Thank you pre-medical student for telling me how my career in medicine will be. 🙂
Waking up at 2AM to treat a patient is a reasonable expectation of a physician. Asking an interviewed applicant to wait seven months for any kind of word back is an UN-reasonable expectation. At this point in its history, UCF already had a ranked wait list, so this is not a necessary function of new schools.

[/discussion]

Well, personally, I don't find it unreasonable. I'd call it inconvenient, but not unreasonable. Not I, nor anyone on this forum can comprehend the difficulties and pressures facing Hof in generating a first class. Gotta cut em some slack. And you're comparing apples to oranges. Not all med schools are created equal, nor in the same fashion. Plus Hof is new life in medical education! Why would they want to be like everyone else 🙂

But don't get me wrong, it's good people are speaking out, giving criticism they can use NEXT CYCLE. I just grow tired of it after a while because it gets repetitive.


(See EnginDoc, we're still on SDN 🙂 )

 

[NYR56]

It kind of is. Most schools will give you an accept/reject/WL by a certain day, so you know, by day X where you stand. Hofstra's policy is you will have no idea about your status until some unknown future day, which could be any day between now and July. Waaaaaay different. Find another school that will make NO DECISION AT ALL for potentially six to seven months.

Ever hear of non-rolling med schools? I applied to a few - Yale, Columbia & BU, all to varying degrees. They won't tell you until March at the earliest for the most part (BU let's a few people know in January - I wasn't one of them). On top of that, is being waitlisted really so much better? A waitlist essentially means you can find out any day from now until August. Many schools waitlist a ridiculous number of people with absolutely no intention of giving them an acceptance. I don't disagree with everyone's frustration with the application process - it's terrible and I think it should be changed - but claiming Hofstra does it differently is simply incorrect.

 

[TheHof]

Just created an account for Hof (as you can probably tell by my member name..) !
I'm part of the group that was accepted back in January and wanted to see who else was accepted..

also, for those who are still waiting: I really think Hofstra is looking for students that absolutely love it and have made it their #1 choice. It had been my #1 choice since the beginning and I think that's really what caught their attention. But then again, this is purely based on my experiences.

 

[GoWiththeFlo]

Just created an account for Hof (as you can probably tell by my member name..) !
I'm part of the group that was accepted back in January and wanted to see who else was accepted..

also, for those who are still waiting: I really think Hofstra is looking for students that absolutely love it and have made it their #1 choice. It had been my #1 choice since the beginning and I think that's really what caught their attention. But then again, this is purely based on my experiences.

People on this forum keep saying that Hofstra is looking for people who want to go here as their #1 choice and the schools wants that demonstrated to them. It is not clear to me how this is done. On the interview if anyone asks, you would naturally say this is a top or #1 choice, and many people follow-up with letters of intent and updates to show continued interest, but they must get alot of these. Just not clear to me how admissions knows this information from one candidate to another.

 

[StallionSupreme]

How and to where did you submit your letter of intent?

I used the link they put up on their portal site. you can use it to upload pics, letters and a lot of other things i think.

 

[robertch8]

As people have said before, I'm sure Hofstra is being super careful about trying to make sure they don't go over that 40 student limit. I guess we'll at least know if we're on the waitlist by May 15th but they could easily just put all of us on there and keep us hanging until July sighhhhh.....

 

[adevo911]

As people have said before, I'm sure Hofstra is being super careful about trying to make sure they don't go over that 40 student limit. I guess we'll at least know if we're on the waitlist by May 15th but they could easily just put all of us on there and keep us hanging until July sighhhhh.....

did they say they would WL by March 15th?

 

[anbuitachi]

its much easier for them to accept some, waitlist some, and reject the rest after they got it all down, than to reject before the entire thing is over. so maybe thats y

 

[EnginDoc]

Well.....they have an accepted student's day in early april (someone said 9th 10th earlier); so I'd be VERY suprised is all 40 acceptances were not out by then. They wouldn't waste 2 days appealing to just 15-20 of the 40 students. Plus we need to book tickets or rent cars, so March 15th seems like a great prediction.

 

[nnuk]

Well.....they have an accepted student's day in early april (someone said 9th 10th earlier); so I'd be VERY suprised is all 40 acceptances were not out by then. They wouldn't waste 2 days appealing to just 15-20 of the 40 students. Plus we need to book tickets or rent cars, so March 15th seems like a great prediction.

I really hope so! I'm accepted and I'm still dying to know when we'll have a full class! I can't wait to meet everyone!

 

[Polo423]

Well.....they have an accepted student's day in early april (someone said 9th 10th earlier); so I'd be VERY suprised is all 40 acceptances were not out by then. They wouldn't waste 2 days appealing to just 15-20 of the 40 students. Plus we need to book tickets or rent cars, so March 15th seems like a great prediction.

They seem to have a thing for Fridays though, so perhaps March 18th is more accurate.

 

[DoctaFuture]

Rejected from Hosftra this morning, pre-interview.

 

[nnuk]

They seem to have a thing for Fridays though, so perhaps March 18th is more accurate.

That will give them a week from the March 11 interviews to make a decision. I hope you're right!

 

[robertch8]

I had said May 15th only because that's the day all students had to pick one school but you're right about the Accepted Students Weekend in April and yeah Hofstra always seems to do something on Fridays so March 18th sounds right. But I would suspect that if we aren't part of the 15-20 people that are selected then we won't hear anything for awhile after....

 

[bionic45]

I have a hypothesis:

By releasing acceptances later on in the year, you weed out people who are using Hofstra as a safety/2nd choice.

People who get into any other school they would choose over Hofstra, will probably withdraw or turn down an offer. Making Hofstra's choices easier. Anyone who considers Hofstra a top choice, will wait patiently.

People who are super impatient, and withdraw from frustration, wouldn't survive medical school (especially a new & intensive curriculum) anyhow.

I highly doubt this is WHY they are doing things so slowly, but its an effect anyhow. More importantly, its not all that odd, given that some medical schools have accepted NO-ONE yet (they wait until the whole interview season is over).

I am surprised if they are in-fact still interviewing (but again, just because one person says interviews are ending, doesn't meant the school has to abide by that rule). Its not official unless its on paper. I'm sure you would all want to have the best and brightest classmates, and more interviews means better quality students in the end.

On a side note, the accepted students I've heard of are all genuinely excited about Hofstra, even with other great acceptances. Hopefully that means the first class with be strong, and the school can recruit top-kids every year.

Your hypothesis doesn't really make sense.

You said: "People who get into any other school they would choose over Hofstra, will probably withdraw or turn down an offer." It seems like the LAST thing Hofstra wants to do is to have offers turned down. It will hurt their yield. Also by waiting so long Hofstra is diminishing its chances of actually getting "the best and brightest" (your words). No offense but the "best and brightest" are probably not waiting around for Hofstra even if they don't withdraw (these ppl tend to be strivers who "just want to see if they could get in" anyhow). I would think that Hofstra would want a headstart on the process to lure away good students who otherwise would have gone to Columbia or NYU or something.

 

[Polo423]

your hypothesis doesn't really make sense.

You said: "people who get into any other school they would choose over hofstra, will probably withdraw or turn down an offer." it seems like the last thing hofstra wants to do is to have offers turned down. It will hurt their yield. Also by waiting so long hofstra is diminishing its chances of actually getting "the best and brightest" (your words). No offense but the "best and brightest" are probably not waiting around for hofstra even if they don't withdraw (these ppl tend to be strivers who "just want to see if they could get in" anyhow). I would think that hofstra would want a headstart on the process to lure away good students who otherwise would have gone to columbia or nyu or something.

duel on!

 

[pinkynotbrain]

Your hypothesis doesn't really make sense.

You said: "People who get into any other school they would choose over Hofstra, will probably withdraw or turn down an offer." It seems like the LAST thing Hofstra wants to do is to have offers turned down. It will hurt their yield. Also by waiting so long Hofstra is diminishing its chances of actually getting "the best and brightest" (your words). No offense but the "best and brightest" are probably not waiting around for Hofstra even if they don't withdraw (these ppl tend to be strivers who "just want to see if they could get in" anyhow). I would think that Hofstra would want a headstart on the process to lure away good students who otherwise would have gone to Columbia or NYU or something.

I think yield may be low on their list of priorities, actually. I'd imagine that having someone drop out the day before orientation because they get an offer from "Columbia or NYU or something" is their worst nightmare, since that leaves them down a seat in the class. Any med school, but especially one in its first year, is then open to not having that seat filled. If that happens at a first year school, I imagine the accreditation folks would have a fit. So I'm assuming they're actually waiting around for the people who'd rather wait around for them.

They may be waiting until after March 15, when (if I understand traffic rules correctly) they can see who has acceptances at other schools. I imagine that may affect to whom they extend offers. They don't want to extend an offer to a student who is unlikely to actually take it.

 

[pinkynotbrain]

...They may be waiting until after March 15, when (if I understand traffic rules correctly) they can see who has acceptances at other schools. I imagine that may affect to whom they extend offers. They don't want to extend an offer to a student who is unlikely to actually take it.

Apologies. I just checked the 2011 AMCAS Instructions, and "Beginning in April of each year, a medical school can view the school or schools that have accepted an applicant, even if that applicant has not yet been accepted by the medical school."

So, April.

 

[31415]

You guys are being ridiculous, and I use ridiculous because I don't want to offend anyone.

Relax and wait.

There is no reason to demand anything. We're all essentially on the waitlist. Our names are on a list and we are waiting. So there. I'm sure you agree its not reasonable to demand an acceptance, the odds are against us. And is anyone really demanding a rejection letter?
If a decision has been reached they would've let us know.

 

[lykyamy00]

Rejected from Hosftra this morning, pre-interview.

yea me too.. boooo

 

[NewBrandDoctor]

Hey All,

Accepted back in January. My buddy convinced me to join SDN so I can get in touch with other accepted students. Shoot me a message if you want to chat or meet up (Boston-ish)!

Accepted students day is night of April 9th and the day during 10th (according to Jodi). I'm pretty pumped about this school (it sounds very hands on and practical).

 

[bionic45]

I think yield may be low on their list of priorities, actually. I'd imagine that having someone drop out the day before orientation because they get an offer from "Columbia or NYU or something" is their worst nightmare, since that leaves them down a seat in the class. Any med school, but especially one in its first year, is then open to not having that seat filled. If that happens at a first year school, I imagine the accreditation folks would have a fit. So I'm assuming they're actually waiting around for the people who'd rather wait around for them.

They may be waiting until after March 15, when (if I understand traffic rules correctly) they can see who has acceptances at other schools. I imagine that may affect to whom they extend offers. They don't want to extend an offer to a student who is unlikely to actually take it.

Um, that's what yield means.

 

[NYR56]

I think yield may be low on their list of priorities, actually. I'd imagine that having someone drop out the day before orientation because they get an offer from "Columbia or NYU or something" is their worst nightmare, since that leaves them down a seat in the class. Any med school, but especially one in its first year, is then open to not having that seat filled. If that happens at a first year school, I imagine the accreditation folks would have a fit. So I'm assuming they're actually waiting around for the people who'd rather wait around for them.

They may be waiting until after March 15, when (if I understand traffic rules correctly) they can see who has acceptances at other schools. I imagine that may affect to whom they extend offers. They don't want to extend an offer to a student who is unlikely to actually take it.

No med school would have empty seats - that's what the waitlist is for (nor would the accreditation agency care much, they place a limit on the upper class size). The biggest problem for Hofstra is they cannot accept more than 40 people at a time because of this limit. I suppose they may be curious about where other people are accepted, but they told me they are looking for students who are accepted to other schools and choose Hofstra over those schools - they don't want people who have no options and have to go to Hofstra. As bionic said, exactly what you described is the yield, but honestly, I don't think their biggest concern is that at this time.

 

[HamidNia101]

... I suppose they may be curious about where other people are accepted, but they told me they are looking for students who are accepted to other schools and choose Hofstra over those schools - they don't want people who have no options and have to go to Hofstra ...

how would they know what other schools we have been accepted to? is that info on a list that they have access to?

 

[pinkynotbrain]

Um, that's what yield means.

Sorry, I thought by yield you were talking about what % of accepted applicants actually attend. My mistake!! 😳

 

[NYR56]

how would they know what other schools we have been accepted to? is that info on a list that they have access to?

Yes, I don't remember the exact dates but around now, schools can see where else you have been accepted if they accept you, and I believe in April, any school can see where you have been accepted, regardless of your status there.

One more thing: by the end of March, Hofstra must have accepted at least 40 people, as per the traffic rules.

Sorry, I thought by yield you were talking about what % of accepted applicants actually attend. My mistake!! 😳

Isn't that what you were talking about? That is indeed the yield.

 

[HamidNia101]

Yes, I don't remember the exact dates but around now, schools can see where else you have been accepted if they accept you, and I believe in April, any school can see where you have been accepted, regardless of your status there.

One more thing: by the end of March, Hofstra must have accepted at least 40 people, as per the traffic rules.



Isn't that what you were talking about? That is indeed the yield.

interesting


also, i wonder how many more waves of acceptances they will have... has there been any indication or has it not yet been determined? my original understanding was that they were accepting people a few at a time on an individual basis, however no one on SDN has been accepted since the first wave

 

[journalist88]

they told me they are looking for students who are accepted to other schools and choose Hofstra over those schools - they don't want people who have no options and have to go to Hofstra.

Really? Someone told you this, point blank? What if you've applied only to a very limited number of schools? Would they really hold it against you if you don't have any other acceptances? Hm.

 

[NYR56]

interesting


also, i wonder how many more waves of acceptances they will have... has there been any indication or has it not yet been determined? my original understanding was that they were accepting people a few at a time on an individual basis, however no one on SDN has been accepted since the first wave

No idea about any of that. I think anything anyone says in terms of specifics is really more speculation than anything at this point.

Really? Someone told you this, point blank? What if you've applied only to a very limited number of schools? Would they really hold it against you if you don't have any other acceptances? Hm.

My interviewer told it to me after I told him I already have an acceptance, so I was coming to the interview because I truly like the school. What he really meant was they don't want people that aren't into Hofstra and just need an acceptance; I'm sure he wasn't implying it would be held against you if you did not hold other acceptances. The idea is for them to build a class of students that had options but truly were excited about Hofstra and chose them.

 

[pinkynotbrain]

Well now I'm thoroughly confused. My response to bionic's statement - "It seems like the LAST thing Hofstra wants to do is to have offers turned down. It will hurt their yield." - was assuming that the % of accepted students who matriculate was at issue, not the total number of final matriculants. If I misinterpreted your meaning, bionic, my apologies, and let's leave this dead horse alone, shall we?

Hamid, I assume there's another round of 20 coming soon, as per traffic rules (thanks NYR56!). After that, I imagine acceptances will come one or two at a time, and slowly, and most not until after May 15.

 

[adevo911]

Does anyone know how many were in the first round of acceptances?

 

[NewBrandDoctor]

Does anyone know how many were in the first round of acceptances?

20 was quoted a lot. I counted 8 or so on SDN.

 

[pinkynotbrain]

Does anyone know how many were in the first round of acceptances?

Upthread (page 9), pe54 said 20 had gone out.

 

[adevo911]

Yea i know a lot of people were sayen 20 but on my interview day (jan 3rd) they said they were sending no more than a third of the class out in january so idk

 

[NYR56]

Yea i know a lot of people were sayen 20 but on my interview day (jan 3rd) they said they were sending no more than a third of the class out in january so idk

I think they've said conflicting things, perhaps because they ended up delaying/changing what they were going to do originally. I was under the impression they sent out an original group of 20, and then may have done 10 more, but all of this was based on what I've read here. I imagine this month we'll see a few more sent out since they have to get to 40. Then we probably have to wait until May when some of the accepted applicants turn them down and they start working through the waitlist.

 

[adevo911]

I would be surprised if they are still interviewing after accepting over half their class