2010-2011 SUNY Downstate Application Thread

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Does anyone know if Downstate appreciates post-interview letters of intent?
 
positron 511 said:
It can't hurt to send one.
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Good point!

It's only been two weeks since my interview, but I feel like during the interview I did not get to relay why I want to go there at all. I was asked questions that did not pertain to the school. It's been bugging me that I wasn't able to say those things.
 
zombymush said:
Good point!

It's only been two weeks since my interview, but I feel like during the interview I did not get to relay why I want to go there at all. I was asked questions that did not pertain to the school. It's been bugging me that I wasn't able to say those things.
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Hey Zombymush, this is just my opinion but I personally think that you should save the LOI for after they've made a decision, like if they waitlist you. If they want to reject you, an LOI is not going to do you any good anyway. If you are waitlisted, this gives you a chance to update them and tell them your interest in a really formal way. In the best case, you get accepted without the LOI and thus you have options. Unless you are absolutely sure you love the school over any other schools, and don't need any leverage for financial aid, then the LOI is a really crippling binding contract that will tie your fate to the school (I don't think I mean it to be that gloomy sounding but my point is there nonetheless). Who knows, you may fall in love with another school on a second visit. Therefore, I think it may behoove you to 1) do a lot of thinking about this school, and talk to more of their students, etc before you commit fully 2) if you do submit the LOI, be ready to be sad should you be offered other acceptances to other schools.

Finding med schools is a lot like finding a spouse - some will take the stability over madly deep love while others will wait until they find that right one. There's no need to rush into anything head first.

That said, just my opinion. Good luck! :luck:
 
bobow98 said:
Hey Zombymush, this is just my opinion but I personally think that you should save the LOI for after they've made a decision, like if they waitlist you. If they want to reject you, an LOI is not going to do you any good anyway. If you are waitlisted, this gives you a chance to update them and tell them your interest in a really formal way. In the best case, you get accepted without the LOI and thus you have options. Unless you are absolutely sure you love the school over any other schools, and don't need any leverage for financial aid, then the LOI is a really crippling binding contract that will tie your fate to the school (I don't think I mean it to be that gloomy sounding but my point is there nonetheless). Who knows, you may fall in love with another school on a second visit. Therefore, I think it may behoove you to 1) do a lot of thinking about this school, and talk to more of their students, etc before you commit fully 2) if you do submit the LOI, be ready to be sad should you be offered other acceptances to other schools.

Finding med schools is a lot like finding a spouse - some will take the stability over madly deep love while others will wait until they find that right one. There's no need to rush into anything head first.

That said, just my opinion. Good luck! :luck:
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An LOI does NOT obligate you to attend a school. In fact many ppl send multiple LOIs to schools which they decide later not to attend. It just serves to show continued interest in the school
 
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Yes. Do not send multiple letters of intent. Its very classless.
 
Can anyone provide some insight on how the Spring Hold generally works? Thanks.
 
Maybe this is a dumb question lol but can you put updates plus state your continued interest in the school all in the same letter or should it be two separate letters? I'm not sure how it works...thanks!
 
shiza7 said:
Maybe this is a dumb question lol but can you put updates plus state your continued interest in the school all in the same letter or should it be two separate letters? I'm not sure how it works...thanks!
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from what I know, and I'm not an expert, it is ok to put updates and continued interest in a letter of interest... no need to bug them with multiple letters
 
Got an interview invite today! Can someone who interviewed here share your experience please... was it easy?? how was the school?
 
pe54 said:
Can anyone provide some insight on how the Spring Hold generally works? Thanks.
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according to last year's thread, they will let us know our status around May 2011 (eek!). it's either an acceptance, or waitlist.

has anyone gotten a real waitlist (not a "hold for spring consideration")?
 
positron 511 said:
An LOI does NOT obligate you to attend a school. In fact many ppl send multiple LOIs to schools which they decide later not to attend. It just serves to show continued interest in the school
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Longshanks said:
Yes. Do not send multiple letters of intent. Its very classless.
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I'm pretty sure letters of intent won't be taken seriously, since they probably get that all the time then the people don't come. Speaking from memory and experience with residency programs now, it goes in one ear and out the other. Sucks for those of you who really like Downstate and it really is your #1 choice, but I think lots of people say that and really mean it at the time they say so, but then they get an interview at school X and they fall in love with it, and Downstate goes out the window. I would say an update letter showing unique interest couldn't hurt, without making statements like "I plan to attend if given the opportunity" or whatever.. maybe give reasons you have to attend ds, or your unique interest in going to ds because you live in brooklyn, etc etc.. whatever it is.
 
Kfire326 said:
I'm pretty sure letters of intent won't be taken seriously, since they probably get that all the time then the people don't come. Speaking from memory and experience with residency programs now, it goes in one ear and out the other. Sucks for those of you who really like Downstate and it really is your #1 choice, but I think lots of people say that and really mean it at the time they say so, but then they get an interview at school X and they fall in love with it, and Downstate goes out the window. I would say an update letter showing unique interest couldn't hurt, without making statements like "I plan to attend if given the opportunity" or whatever.. maybe give reasons you have to attend ds, or your unique interest in going to ds because you live in brooklyn, etc etc.. whatever it is.
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Yeah, exactly. This is great advice, and how I've written my update letter. I was just agreeing with earlier that sending a letter of intent now isn't appropriate, unless you are waitlisted, but sending an update/interest is a good idea. However, as you and I are pointing out, don't be fickle about it. Its just something my PI, who's been on the side of the reviewer for med admissions and residency, told me about never sending more than one letter of intent, because it just comes off fake, and academia is a small world, so you don't want to step any one's toes. That's why I was recommending not to send letters of intent, this early or multiple ones.
 
Secondary Complete 10/13
Interview Invite 11/9

Stats: 3.63, 30, IS
 
Secondary was complete on 8/5, still no word!
GPA: 3.27
MCAT: 32
 
I got a hold notification via snail mail last week. It said that my application was being placed on hold until I sent an updated LOR from my premed committee (even though the last one was written as I was graduating). I emailed downstate and later got an email saying the letters I have on file will be sufficient. I have heard that holds rarely turn into interview invites and I thought this whole thing was VERY strange. Any comments/insight would be appreciated.
 
lakers MD said:
I got a hold notification via snail mail last week. It said that my application was being placed on hold until I sent an updated LOR from my premed committee (even though the last one was written as I was graduating). I emailed downstate and later got an email saying the letters I have on file will be sufficient. I have heard that holds rarely turn into interview invites and I thought this whole thing was VERY strange. Any comments/insight would be appreciated.
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I was put on hold because they wanted a letter detailing my non-medical community service activities... I didn't have any and stated that in my letter but still got an interview soon after so I wouldn't lose hope 🙂
 
lakers MD said:
I got a hold notification via snail mail last week. It said that my application was being placed on hold until I sent an updated LOR from my premed committee (even though the last one was written as I was graduating). I emailed downstate and later got an email saying the letters I have on file will be sufficient. I have heard that holds rarely turn into interview invites and I thought this whole thing was VERY strange. Any comments/insight would be appreciated.
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Being put on hold will not affect your chance for an interview. Just send in the paperwork and you will be fine.
 
AHHHHHHHH I'm INSTATE! Where's the INSTATE LOVE! MCAT 35 evenly distributed cGPA is 3.3 and sGPA is 3.7 - lots of research, departmental honors, great job ... just a bit weak on the community volunteering

uggggggggh why haven't I gotten an interview at any of my state schools!!!!

It just sucks bc all these OOS are getting invites ... I guess my app is weak somewhere -
FML

never surrender . never give up . is getting harder and harder day by day by day
 
Premedapplicant said:
AHHHHHHHH I'm INSTATE! Where's the INSTATE LOVE! MCAT 35 evenly distributed cGPA is 3.3 and sGPA is 3.7 - lots of research, departmental honors, great job ... just a bit weak on the community volunteering

uggggggggh why haven't I gotten an interview at any of my state schools!!!!

It just sucks bc all these OOS are getting invites ... I guess my app is weak somewhere -
FML

never surrender . never give up . is getting harder and harder day by day by day
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You're not alone Upstate put me on hold, and haven't heard a peep from Downstate, Stony Brook or Buffalo. Don't know if that makes you feel better but I'm just as frustrated.
 
When were you guys complete at Downstate & Stony?
 
To the above posters:
Late August. Haven't heard anything. Recently mailed an update/interest letter.
 
I interviewed at the end of September and just got a snail mail hold letter saying they will re-review my file in the spring. Kind of surprised, considering my interviewer said he was sure I'd get in, although my interviewer at Stony Brook said the same thing and I was waitlisted there. If I didn't have an Upstate acceptance I'd be pretty disheartened right now, so thanks Upstate!
 
Sonic008 said:
anyone interview in october here back yet?
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I interviewed mid october and I've heard nothing so far. My interviewer told me it would probably take 6-8 weeks so I guess there's still time.

Lol and yes NYR56, stony totally acted like I was in and then ended up waitlisting me. Now I'm just hoping for downstatee
 
As someone who was on the hold for spring consideration list last year post interview, I can only explain the hold list as worse than a waitlist. In fact, the lady at the admissions office said it was the precursor to the waitlist. Sometime in July, you will either be accepted (very rare), rejected, or put on the alternate list. The hold list was not the most advantageous place to be last year, so good luck if you got on it this year...
 
I recently got a letter of recommendation from my mentor during a summer internship and I wasn't able to include it in my AMCAS. I'm waiting post-interview from Downstate and was thinking of sending the letter to them cuz I really wanna go here. Does the letter have to go through AMCAS or can I just mail a sealed and signed LOR myself? Orrr should I just wait to send it after I'm put on hold or something?
 
gujuDoc said:
I believe it would be better to send it through amcas or interfolio, though amcas doesn't charge whereas interfolio does.

I would do it via amcas to be on the safe side though.

I don't think you need to wait to see a decision because its not like you are writing a letter of intent but rather sending an extra letter of recommendation.

And I know that Downstate is welcoming of updates so I'd send it. Also, I know that even though I updated them pre interview they put it under post interview checklist, which implies to me that it makes a bigger difference if you've interviewed which clearly you have.

So therefore, I do believe that you should send it but send it via amcas or interfolio. Never send letters of recommendation by regular mail from yourself. It looks better also if you've waived rights to see it, even if they've shown it to you. That's just my 2 cents though.
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Well Stony told me to send it through regular mail and AMCAS wasn't required. Maybe I'll just email Downstate asking them. Thanks though!
 
Has anyone who interviewed in mid-october heard back yet per chance?
 
gujuDoc said:
Or call them tomorow during business hours. Good luck one way or another.
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Just an update and for anyone else who wants to know, Ms. Levine was really nice about it and said you can just mail the LOR to her.
 
I believe Upstate doesn't use paper mail, unless you are accepted (which should never be electronic only). Buffalo is electronic for waitlist too, not sure about rejections. Is it really that bad that your parents see you got an envelope? I suppose everyone has a different relationship with their parents but I tell them as soon as I hear back from a school, positive or negative.
 
Upstate actually did change this year, and told us that the student feedback requested they use email for everything. I know they send all decisions via email at first, and I believe only the accepted decision gets a follow-up snail mail letter, which is what they seemed to say.
 
NYR56 said:
Upstate actually did change this year, and told us that the student feedback requested they use email for everything. I know they send all decisions via email at first, and I believe only the accepted decision gets a follow-up snail mail letter, which is what they seemed to say.
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Never got an email for acceptance, just snail mail soooo......
 
Dmannn said:
Never got an email for acceptance, just snail mail soooo......
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That's odd, because they specifically said they would send out emails and I in fact received the email two weeks before I got the packet in the mail.
 
Most people got the email first. Perhaps it went to spam by you.
 
Not I my spam, we talking upstate or downstate? Because i am talking about downstate.
 
Dmannn said:
Not I my spam, we talking upstate or downstate? Because i am talking about downstate.
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Upstate. Downstate is pretty behind in terms of making their apps electronic. They still wait for the AMCAS to arrive via snail mail, and everything everything else is still done through snail mail.
 
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Guess there's no need for that extra LOR. I just got my acceptance today in the mail! That update/interest letter might have helped. I interviewed October 13th btw. Thanks gujuDoc for all your advice!
 
a10n12a89m said:
Guess there's no need for that extra LOR. I just got my acceptance today in the mail! That update/interest letter might have helped. I interviewed October 13th btw. Thanks gujuDoc for all your advice!
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if you dont mind me asking, what were your stats?
 
gujuDoc said:
I believe it would be better to send it through amcas or interfolio, though amcas doesn't charge whereas interfolio does.

I would do it via amcas to be on the safe side though.

I don't think you need to wait to see a decision because its not like you are writing a letter of intent but rather sending an extra letter of recommendation.

And I know that Downstate is welcoming of updates so I'd send it. Also, I know that even though I updated them pre interview they put it under post interview checklist, which implies to me that it makes a bigger difference if you've interviewed which clearly you have.

So therefore, I do believe that you should send it but send it via amcas or interfolio. Never send letters of recommendation by regular mail from yourself. It looks better also if you've waived rights to see it, even if they've shown it to you. That's just my 2 cents though.
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Where is this post interview check list? I mailed an update letter the other week and don't see anything different on my status.
 
gujuDoc said:
Actually sorry I looked at my status page again and its exact wording was Post initial review checklist. Its like down below the initial review checklist.

But my guess is that if it is post initial review it probably makes a bigger difference if you get an interview invite for it to say post initial review.
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Are you done with initial review? Is that why you have a separate list? I've been under review since August.
 
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