2010-2011 SUNY Downstate Application Thread

[aabb111]

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Am I the only one that interviewed in early October and haven't heard my decision yet?

I called the admissions office but they couldn't give me any more information.

 

[hockeyhy]

Does anyone know if the class if full by now and if all further interviews are only for waitlist spots?

 

[nessa4719]

You are right, I submitted the extra info a lil over a week ago and received an interview invite today for feb 8th

 

[Kfire326]

Does anyone know if the class if full by now and if all further interviews are only for waitlist spots?

--->

If you're interviewing that means they like you on paper and want to meet you. They don't interview for waitlist spots, as far as I know. When I applied a few years ago I interviewed in mid-late January and got accepted at the end of February, so it is of course still possible - interviews put you on the same playing field as everyone else.

quoted on this page of this forum.

 

[Kfire326]

Do u know if update letters or letters of interest or combined update/interest letters make a difference?

No idea there. Sorry :-\

 

[SS01]

Do u know if update letters or letters of interest or combined update/interest letters make a difference?

I sent them an update/interest letter pre interview and received an invite about a month later..I'm not sure if the letter made a difference to be honest! But it can't hurt to send one!

 

[DonutShot]

I sent them an update/interest letter pre interview and
received an invite about a month later..I'm not sure if the letter made a difference to be honest! But it can't hurt to send one!

Did you send in the update via email?

 

[SS01]

Did you send in the update via email?

Yes I sent it via e-mail and a few days later it showed up on the status page as received.

 

[hockeyhy]

--->



quoted on this page of this forum.

Hey Kfire

Thanks for the response. Checking last year's thread though, acceptances seemed to stop going out around January/February and everyone after a certain date seemed to get alternate list. I don't mind an alternate list if it eventually leads to an acceptance in May or June, but I just want to keep my hopes realistic.

 

[Kchen22]

Are interview invites still going out at this school?

 

[IDreamtIChased]

i was going to start a separate thread.. but I'll ask it here: do your interviewers usually email you back when you email them a thank-you letter??

I ask because almost none of mine have responded (including Downstate)

 

[positron 511]

i was going to start a separate thread.. but I'll ask it here: do your interviewers usually email you back when you email them a thank-you letter??

I ask because almost none of mine have responded (including Downstate)

They usually don't, but it depends on the interviwer. I had a couple of intervewers who emailed me back (one of them was at Downstate).

 

[positron 511]

Hey Kfire

Thanks for the response. Checking last year's thread though, acceptances seemed to stop going out around January/February and everyone after a certain date seemed to get alternate list. I don't mind an alternate list if it eventually leads to an acceptance in May or June, but I just want to keep my hopes realistic.

Don't loose hope!!!!

 

[Asyouwereatrio]

i was going to start a separate thread.. but I'll ask it here: do your interviewers usually email you back when you email them a thank-you letter??

I ask because almost none of mine have responded (including Downstate)

Only two of my interviewers messaged me back--but these were two of three that I had emailed. I wrote hand-written cards to the rest.

 

[biochm]

Are the rumors floating around true (ie is the class all ready full?)

 

[super6]

hopefully not

 

[1CoolKat]

I heard a rumor that SUNY med schools collaborate during the admissions process. Is there any truth to this?

I highly doubt it...This question was posted by somebody else in last years thread, and they went on to explain it in great detail, arguing that this event is highly unlikely....I remember being satisfied by their rational, yet am also wondering whether there is any truth to this aswell....why (and how) would the various admissions committees collaborate in this already burdensome process??? I can, however, understand your concern, I too wonder the same thing...I hope this helps....

 

[Velour Fog]

Are the rumors floating around true (ie is the class all ready full?)

If by "rumors" you mean something you made up for the purposes of this thread, I'm gonna have to go with no.

If you instead mean something you read/heard elsewhere, then it might be better to cite some sort of source.

 

[biochm]

If by "rumors" you mean something you made up for the purposes of this thread, I'm gonna have to go with no.

If you instead mean something you read/heard elsewhere, then it might be better to cite some sort of source.

Velour your really clever/witty... relax yourself

A fellow student present during my interview day mentioned that her interviewer was a member of the adcom committee (had been for years) and that according to him the class was in fact full... true? I still dont know...

 

[NYYk9005]

Pardon my ignorance, but I have never filled out a FAFSA before so could someone help me out here?

For the FAFSA I filled out, since I said I was going to be enrolled in a masters/professional degree for 2011-2012, I chose not to put in my parents information and be classified as an independent living on campus.

For the HESC TAP, it appears I have to be a dependent since I do not meet the requirements of being an independent. So I have to include my parents' information on the HESC TAP but not the FAFSA?

Could someone clarify?

 

[Dmannn]

Pardon my ignorance, but I have never filled out a FAFSA before so could someone help me out here?

For the FAFSA I filled out, since I said I was going to be enrolled in a masters/professional degree for 2011-2012, I chose not to put in my parents information and be classified as an independent living on campus.

For the HESC TAP, it appears I have to be a dependent since I do not meet the requirements of being an independent. So I have to include my parents' information on the HESC TAP but not the FAFSA?

Could someone clarify?

Every school I remember during financial aid meetings, said all students have to include their parents information to be considered for aid. Considering we will all be making $0 money and thus there is no way to figure out who is really the most needy.

 

[NYYk9005]

Thanks

 

[Asyouwereatrio]

Every school I remember during financial aid meetings, said all students have to include their parents information to be considered for aid. Considering we will all be making $0 money and thus there is no way to figure out who is really the most needy.

Ya, I think it's on the Downstate Fin Aid form that we need to include parent's information.

Good luck!

 

[Dmannn]

Ya, I think it's on the Downstate Fin Aid form that we need to include parent's information.

Good luck!

My temple packet info says put parental info on fafsa to be considered for all possible aid or you may not be considered for all. But really I dont know, OP should call downstates fin aid office and see what they say.

 

[Asyouwereatrio]

My temple packet info says put parental info on fafsa to be considered for all possible aid or you may not be considered for all. But really I dont know, OP should call downstates fin aid office and see what they say.

That's what I recall Downstate's packet saying. This can be solved if the OP went to hte Fin Aid website--where the same is stated.

 

[sublime158]

hey, i was just wondering if anyone who interviewed around mid to late december has heard back yet with a decision?

thanks!

 

[Nyer13]

Hey guys,
It may be a bit early for this type of question and those waiting on decisions probably will hate this post (sorry) but I'd love to hear some thoughts on this school comparison:
NYU , Albert Einstein, Downstate

Obviously Downstate is much cheaper...that's a given, but anything else on why you'd take one over the other?? Any downstate students want to put in their POV? I honestly wasn't impressed on interview day about downstate but I'd love to have my mind changed.

 

[Kchen22]

Hi guys, I'm about to send an interest letter to this school. Is it too late to get an invite?

 

[qwerty89]

Interview Invite! OOS California with a 3.6/33Q.

I went from no interviews to 3 in a span of 2 weeks! First one came on 1/17, then 1/20 and now this one.

They scheduled the interview for me and scheduled it for Feb 23.

So I take it they have to have spots left right?

The exact message was:
"We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected for a formal
interview to further evaluate your candidacy to the College of Medicine at
SUNY Downstate Medical Center. Your interview has been scheduled for: ___"

 

[RuSkaya]

Interview Invite! OOS California with a 3.6/33Q.

I went from no interviews to 3 in a span of 2 weeks! First one came on 1/17, then 1/20 and now this one.

They scheduled the interview for me and scheduled it for Feb 23.

So I take it they have to have spots left right?

The exact message was:
"We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected for a formal
interview to further evaluate your candidacy to the College of Medicine at
SUNY Downstate Medical Center. Your interview has been scheduled for: ___"

congrats!

 

[Kchen22]

qwerty, when were you complete?

 

[Asyouwereatrio]

Interview Invite! OOS California with a 3.6/33Q.

I went from no interviews to 3 in a span of 2 weeks! First one came on 1/17, then 1/20 and now this one.

They scheduled the interview for me and scheduled it for Feb 23.

So I take it they have to have spots left right?

The exact message was:
"We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected for a formal
interview to further evaluate your candidacy to the College of Medicine at
SUNY Downstate Medical Center. Your interview has been scheduled for: ___"

Congratulations and good luck!

 

[qwerty89]

Complete on 8/17/2010, Update Letter/Interest Letter received on 1/5/2011.

I think my LOI may have played a role in my recent interviews. Esp considering I was complete in late July/August for the vast majority of schools.

 

[wanderluste]

Complete on 8/17/2010, Update Letter/Interest Letter received on 1/5/2011.

I think my LOI may have played a role in my recent interviews. Esp considering I was complete in late July/August for the vast majority of schools.

Hi, I really want to get in this school...I was complete a little bit before the deadline...like 12/10/2011

The online checklist says I'm on INITIAL REVIEW.

What is a LOI? letter of intent?
Do I apply to giving an update letter, if my professor wrote me a recommendation (but at the time I was merely his student)...and now I'm researching for him? I'm not sure how the process of these 'updates' work...particularly for Downstate and NYU med

 

[sonofschmilsson]

Hey guys,
It may be a bit early for this type of question and those waiting on decisions probably will hate this post (sorry) but I'd love to hear some thoughts on this school comparison:
NYU , Albert Einstein, Downstate

Obviously Downstate is much cheaper...that's a given, but anything else on why you'd take one over the other?? Any downstate students want to put in their POV? I honestly wasn't impressed on interview day about downstate but I'd love to have my mind changed.

I think our advantages are location (although NYU has us beat here), clinical experience, and cost.

Brooklyn's a pretty sweet and occasionally affordable place to live. We have a reputation for strong clinical education and hitting the ground running as interns, so we get some "cred" coming out of Downstate, deserved or not. Facilities not as nice here, but tuition a lot cheaper.

Research opportunities are certainly available but probably stronger and more encouraged at the other schools. Diverse and supportive class, but that's probably true at the other schools too. Big Carib patient population here that i find a joy but probably less diverse than Manhattan; couldn't speak to the bronx. You should feel comfortable with an inner city environment if you do come here. Quality of residency placement for Downstate is actually pretty good, but probably at best equal to the other schools.

you could do worse than any of these. congrats

 

[johnwandering]

Hi everyone,

wondering what kind of research opportunities are offered at SUNY Downstate, and where these opportunities can be found.
I was not able to find any alternate facilities for research other than the University Hospital of Brooklyn (compared to how Hofstra may have the Feinstein Institute).

 

[CaliforniaAppli]

Just received interview invite after being complete since August.
I sent an update letter mid november.
Anyone know if this will be for a waitlist spot? Or are there still spaces open.

 

[Asyouwereatrio]

Hey I just had a few questions for admitted applicants:

1) Has anyone submitted their FAFSA and received something back from SUNY Downstate? Their fin aid letter said "first come first served" so I sent it in a few weeks ago along with their supplemental form on their website.

2) Has anyone been able to find the official (or unofficial) SUNY Downstate Class of 2015 thread? I'd love to join and see if we can't start "getting to know each other" or finding off-campus housing together as well? I'm from California if that makes a difference, haha! 🙂

I look forward to meeting all of you guys! (I'll be going unless a California or McGill University-based miracle admission happens-which is unlikely)

 

[jjojosjosh]

Hey I just had a few questions for admitted applicants:

1) Has anyone submitted their FAFSA and received something back from SUNY Downstate? Their fin aid letter said "first come first served" so I sent it in a few weeks ago along with their supplemental form on their website.

2) Has anyone been able to find the official (or unofficial) SUNY Downstate Class of 2015 thread? I'd love to join and see if we can't start "getting to know each other" or finding off-campus housing together as well? I'm from California if that makes a difference, haha! 🙂

I look forward to meeting all of you guys! (I'll be going unless a California or McGill University-based miracle admission happens-which is unlikely)

Hey! I just submitted my FAFSA for downstate the other day and haven't gotten anything from them yet. I think it's still pretty early though. I am definitely interested in getting to know the class of 2015! I am 99% sure I'll be at downstate next year, and am definitely looking to live off campus to establish residency in NY.

 

[Asyouwereatrio]

Hey! I just submitted my FAFSA for downstate the other day and haven't gotten anything from them yet. I think it's still pretty early though. I am definitely interested in getting to know the class of 2015! I am 99% sure I'll be at downstate next year, and am definitely looking to live off campus to establish residency in NY.

Wooo...someone in my boat! I'm mentally prepared to go, with the exception of having to find an apartment whilst I'm here in Cali. That's the "unfun" part of it all--bc I don't know how to long distance apartment hunt. I'm only familiar with the apartment hunting process here where I'm from, which is dealing with large property management companies...the ONE that owns all the land/buildings around here. wooo monopolies!

 

[sonofschmilsson]

Hi everyone,

wondering what kind of research opportunities are offered at SUNY Downstate, and where these opportunities can be found.
I was not able to find any alternate facilities for research other than the University Hospital of Brooklyn (compared to how Hofstra may have the Feinstein Institute).

I know it might not look it but Downstate is in fact a bonafide academic medical center, with departments conducting ongoing research in most every branch of clinical medicine. I imagine the total funding and number of studies going on in east flatbush is less than say, washington heights, but if you're really set on CT surg research you can probably get involved with a project without having to look outside the institution. It may require you to be a little more proactive here than at other schools.

In addition, there is a graduate school in biomedical sciences here, with most of the faculty involved in studying neuroscience, especially memory and the hippocampus. Not sure how many basic science labs / PI's there are in total here but you can scan the dmc website

 

[sonofschmilsson]

Wooo...someone in my boat! I'm mentally prepared to go, with the exception of having to find an apartment whilst I'm here in Cali. That's the "unfun" part of it all--bc I don't know how to long distance apartment hunt. I'm only familiar with the apartment hunting process here where I'm from, which is dealing with large property management companies...the ONE that owns all the land/buildings around here. wooo monopolies!

i flew out and stayed in a youth hostel in the city for a week while apt hunting. i looked only at room shares on craigslist to save some money. flew back and drove all my stuff here

real estate in nyc is intense. try to get an idea of market value for neighborhoods before signing anything

 

[Asyouwereatrio]

i flew out and stayed in a youth hostel in the city for a week while apt hunting. i looked only at room shares on craigslist to save some money. flew back and drove all my stuff here

real estate in nyc is intense. try to get an idea of market value for neighborhoods before signing anything

Thanks for the hint...I'll consider staying in a hostel then. I was hoping I could fly out, stay in a hotel for a week+, look at apartmentes with a broker/property manager (whoever is in charge of the listings), and snag an apartment right then and there (during my stay) and just move into my apartment...I guess we'll see what is feasible when the time comes.

I just don't want to pay for multiple trips of airfare--bc it'd be like 300 dollars for the first round trip flight, and then another 200ish to fly one way for my final "move". I've been looking at Park Slope and Prospect Heights, so I have an idea of how much I can/would spend on an apartment/studio...it'd be ideal if I could just take over someone's lease or share with someone who has a room in the area. I'd totally be down for that so I don't have to do any physical hunting in an unfamiliar area myself. I'm an easygoing person, so we'll see what happens I guess.

 

[iniquus]

Velour your really clever/witty... relax yourself

A fellow student present during my interview day mentioned that her interviewer was a member of the adcom committee (had been for years) and that according to him the class was in fact full... true? I still dont know...

My veteran interviewer said the class could possibly be full, and mentioned it as a strong concern to me this late in cycle. He said he didn't have access to that exact information, but to be understanding that waitlist does tend to move a lot.

 

[dragon529]

What are some sites where we can look at apts for rent? Any current students have any particular suggestions? Are there a few buildings or neighborhoods that med students usually lease at?

 

[okbud17]

My veteran interviewer said the class could possibly be full, and mentioned it as a strong concern to me this late in cycle. He said he didn't have access to that exact information, but to be understanding that waitlist does tend to move a lot.

Hey iniquus, just wondering, what was the date of your interview that he told you this?

 

[sonofschmilsson]

What are some sites where we can look at apts for rent? Any current students have any particular suggestions? Are there a few buildings or neighborhoods that med students usually lease at?

Living here is the fun part! For this transplant, anyway.

I'm pretty sure craigslist is used more than anything else. I've heard of people living everywhere from Long Island to the Upper West Side, but as far as Brooklyn neighborhoods go, Park Slope and Prospect Heights are probably the most popular. These dont come cheap but are very desirable places to live and work for most. Beware the mislabeling of neighborhoods by brokers - e.g. some dicey Crown Heights blocks will be marketed as Prospect Heights.

Some live in walking distance of the school in East Flatbush / PLG and do pretty well. The area around the Franklin stop in Crown Heights is gentrifying but still pretty affordable. If you dont mind a train transfer or using the bus, you can check out Sunset Park, Ditmas Park, Bed Stuy. One guy infamously rides his bike everyday from Red Hook.

There's a lot of other workable options, just look at a map and calculate your commute with hopstop or googlemaps. If money were no object I'd live in Greenwich Village.

 

[Asyouwereatrio]

Living here is the fun part! For this transplant, anyway.

I'm pretty sure craigslist is used more than anything else. I've heard of people living everywhere from Long Island to the Upper West Side, but as far as Brooklyn neighborhoods go, Park Slope and Prospect Heights are probably the most popular. These dont come cheap but are very desirable places to live and work for most. Beware the mislabeling of neighborhoods by brokers - e.g. some dicey Crown Heights blocks will be marketed as Prospect Heights.

Some live in walking distance of the school in East Flatbush / PLG and do pretty well. The area around the Franklin stop in Crown Heights is gentrifying but still pretty affordable. If you dont mind a train transfer or using the bus, you can check out Sunset Park, Ditmas Park, Bed Stuy. One guy infamously rides his bike everyday from Red Hook.

There's a lot of other workable options, just look at a map and calculate your commute with hopstop or googlemaps. If money were no object I'd live in Greenwich Village.

I've heard a handful of people say the area immediately surrounding Downstate in Flatbush is not the best area--would you (or anyone else familiar with the area) mind providing some input on that? I've noticed it's kinda "half and half"--some don't have any safety concerns about the area whilst others are vehemently opposed. I personally wouldn't mind if it's not THAT bad of an area and I can still "feel safe" walking to/from school at night. At the same time, I'm from a very safe suburb of Southern California where cops will all but arrest you for wearing dark clothes and walking around your own house at night.

 

[tritoneye]

I just called the admissions office and asked if the class was full. The man said that they are interviewing until mid-April and that we still have a shot to get in. He said that in a previous year when the class was full, the interview invite email specifically stated if you were interviewing for a waitlist spot. He didn't specifically state that it wasn't full but he just mentioned what happened in previous years. He also said that the waitlist moves a lot so being on the waitlist isn't a bad thing.

 

[sonofschmilsson]

I've heard a handful of people say the area immediately surrounding Downstate in Flatbush is not the best area--would you (or anyone else familiar with the area) mind providing some input on that? I've noticed it's kinda "half and half"--some don't have any safety concerns about the area whilst others are vehemently opposed. I personally wouldn't mind if it's not THAT bad of an area and I can still "feel safe" walking to/from school at night. At the same time, I'm from a very safe suburb of Southern California where cops will all but arrest you for wearing dark clothes and walking around your own house at night.

"Ghetto" is in the eye of the beholder I suppose.

East Baltimore it ain't, but it is decidedly urban and working-class. I would not move directly into the area if you have doubts, but rather come to Brooklyn in a more upscale neighborhood initially and decide after familiarizing yourself with the area if you'd be happier living closer to campus.