2010-2011 University of Buffalo (SUNY) Application Thread

[Maxwell7301]

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Does anyone know how receptive UB is to pre-interview letters of interest? I really want an interview here!! 😉

I would imagine that it can't hurt to send a letter, but I don't know what UB's policy is for updates. Worst case scenario is that you waste time writing and sending it.

I've been thinking of sending a post-interview letter, since I'm on the waitlist, and have completed more shadowing and clinical volunteering since filling out the AMCAS. It has only been a couple weeks since the interview, so it's probably too soon for me to send it.

 

[purplesky89]

I believe all the 3 SUNYs I emailed (upstate, downstate, and buffalo) were receptive to letters. also my friend that got in 2 years ago who is now at GWU SOM did send post interview and pre interview letters both to Buffalo.

It does not hurt to send it. To both of you I would send it.

Thanks guys, you are both very helpful! Is it still ok to send it it's more a letter of interest than updates? I have only picked up two new volunteering positions (haven't had anything significant like a research paper published, etc.) but mainly want to show that I am interested in the school. And if I do send it should I email or write a letter?

 

[purplesky89]

I would imagine that it can't hurt to send a letter, but I don't know what UB's policy is for updates. Worst case scenario is that you waste time writing and sending it.

I've been thinking of sending a post-interview letter, since I'm on the waitlist, and have completed more shadowing and clinical volunteering since filling out the AMCAS. It has only been a couple weeks since the interview, so it's probably too soon for me to send it.

I think you should write a post-interview letter since you have done more clinical activities, it can't hurt. And congrats for making it that far! I am pretty sure the waitlist will turn around into an acceptance sooner than you think 🙂

 

[Maxwell7301]

I think you should write a post-interview letter since you have done more clinical activities, it can't hurt. And congrats for making it that far! I am pretty sure the waitlist will turn around into an acceptance sooner than you think 🙂

Thanks! It probably is a good idea to send the letter. I would recommend regular mail over email, since it seems more formal/professional.

 

[purplesky89]

Well I would still mention the updates in there with regards to the volunteering positions and then write below that the interest paragraph just so that it shows you are doing stuff about your app. But I would include both if possible. If you didn't have even those 2 volunteer positions then writing a pure letter of interest would be all you could do. But I'd include that to show your initiative that you are doing stuff to strengthen your situation.

So I called the admissions office and spoke to James Rosso. He said they only accept letters of interest POST-interview. Guess I'm not writing one then. I'll just have to wait patiently! Good luck to you guys!

 

[Maxwell7301]

So I called the admissions office and spoke to James Rosso. He said they only accept letters of interest POST-interview. Guess I'm not writing one then. I'll just have to wait patiently! Good luck to you guys!

That's interesting. I should really send a letter then. I could even hand-deliver it to the admissions office, since it's less than a 5 minute drive from my house. Would that be tacky? Mail works fine too, and it would be delivered fast, since it doesn't really have to go anywhere.

Good luck getting an interview. Maybe you will get one, and you don't even have to do anything.

 

[Maxwell7301]

No that would not be tacky in my opinion. Why waste postage if you could go there in person?

Yeah, I agree. Saves postage, and the risk of it being lost or not being delivered to the right department.

 

[Medmad]

Yeah, I agree. Saves postage, and the risk of it being lost or not being delivered to the right department.

hmmm...If I were you, I would hand deliver it to the office of admissions, and if I am lucky, I may find Dr. Severin in the admissions office and give it to him (His office is write across Mr. Rosso's office). Either way, based on your stats and EC's, you shouldn't have trouble getting into UB.

Gud Luck.
UB First Year Med.

 

[Maxwell7301]

hmmm...If I were you, I would hand deliver it to the office of admissions, and if I am lucky, I may find Dr. Severin in the admissions office and give it to him (His office is write across Mr. Rosso's office). Either way, based on your stats and EC's, you shouldn't have trouble getting into UB.

Gud Luck.
UB First Year Med.

Thanks a lot. That's very encouraging!

 

[IDreamtIChased]

Max,

Good luck buddy.

And you know today I was looking up stuff and looks like they did actually send me an email saying that update letter would be used if i was invited for interview. So I guess they did send me an email and I'd forgotten. I just remembered MSU and UF sending me similar emails and RFU.

Wait - i never got that email. When did you get it doc?

 

[TropicalKitty]

I had been contemplating the update letter (for PRE-interview) and I swear I saw that they don't accept them/use them for consideration in inviting. I'm trying to find where I found that to give you guys the quote/link.

I'm hoping I'm wrong, as it would be nice to send something in to help add something to my app since the secondary didn't really have anything to expand on from my primary.

Candidate updates, recommendations, grade reports & any additional information sent DIRECTLY to us by email or by US mail are ONLY used if the candidate is invited for an interview. Those updates are NOT used during the initial review process to determine who is invited for interview.

That's in the email when you get the link to the 2ndary

 

[IDreamtIChased]

Ok so I had sent an update letter on Oct 6th and got that email on the 7th saying that if I was invited for an interview then they would use it. Basically they were saying what one of you figured out by calling, that they only take post interview letters.

Upstate on the other hand told me they'd add it to my file, downstate told me they'd take it and then they ended up documenting it in the post initial review checklist online that they created.

I still have yet to hear from either school. I'm hoping I'm not getting rejected from those two next week. last time I got rejections around mid december from upstate and downstate. This time I've yet to hear from them. Last time I was also complete only a month at both places before getting rejected. This time I've been complete since like mid september officially, but with things turned in since august and not yet rejected.

Not sure what that means for me. Although, as far as buffalo goes I was rejected a while back via snail mail.

I actually sent them an update letter too, but never got a response back. I sent one to upstate and downstate also - the same thing that happened to you happened to me (except upstate rejected me..)

Being complete since mid-september and not being rejected means you still have a good chance!! I was complete mid-sept too. But at this point, I would rather get rejected than wait any longer 🙁

 

[purplesky89]

Ok so I had sent an update letter on Oct 6th and got that email on the 7th saying that if I was invited for an interview then they would use it. Basically they were saying what one of you figured out by calling, that they only take post interview letters.

Upstate on the other hand told me they'd add it to my file, downstate told me they'd take it and then they ended up documenting it in the post initial review checklist online that they created.

I still have yet to hear from either school. I'm hoping I'm not getting rejected from those two next week. last time I got rejections around mid december from upstate and downstate. This time I've yet to hear from them. Last time I was also complete only a month at both places before getting rejected. This time I've been complete since like mid september officially, but with things turned in since august and not yet rejected.

Not sure what that means for me. Although, as far as buffalo goes I was rejected a while back via snail mail.

They rejected you via snail mail? AHHH! I thought they would update the status page. That's what I've been checking/stalking. I guess I need to go check my mail box for once.

 

[purplesky89]

That's interesting. I should really send a letter then. I could even hand-deliver it to the admissions office, since it's less than a 5 minute drive from my house. Would that be tacky? Mail works fine too, and it would be delivered fast, since it doesn't really have to go anywhere.

Good luck getting an interview. Maybe you will get one, and you don't even have to do anything.

Wow this thread is poppin lately! LOL

I think hand delivery should be fine, quicker, more reliable, saves postage, and who knows maybe you will bump into the dean! 😉 I really hope you get into UBuffalo you seem passionate about it and really deserve it!

 

[purplesky89]

For buffalo there was no status page from what I saw.

Downstate, last time I was rejected by snail mail when I applied 2 years ago. I also got a letter this time when they started reviewing me via snail mail.


Upstate two years ago used snail mail to reject me but I've heard they've gone technological now and started with emails since people complained about snail mail use and suggested email use to them.

For buffalo this is what I've been checking:

http://admissions.med.buffalo.edu/statuscheck.asp

hopefully that has the most current information?

 

[Maxwell7301]

Wow, this thread exploded. Thanks to everyone for your kind words!

 

[TropicalKitty]

For buffalo this is what I've been checking:

http://admissions.med.buffalo.edu/statuscheck.asp

hopefully that has the most current information?

same thing I've been checking. It's the only "status check" they have. That NO ACTION is kind of evil to see.

 

[wanderer]

Pre-interview you can only see "no action" and "non-accept." If you get an invite you'll see something like "interview date: (date)" and "interview confirmed (Yes or No)"
Post interview it will either say accept wait list or non-accept.
I might have missed a status or two but that pretty much sums it up.
Invites are done by email. Post interview decisions appear both on status and via email but not sure which is first (I got status first but I interviewed before Oct. 15th)

 

[purplesky89]

Pre-interview you can only see "no action" and "non-accept." If you get an invite you'll see something like "interview date: (date)" and "interview confirmed (Yes or No)"
Post interview it will either say accept wait list or non-accept.
I might have missed a status or two but that pretty much sums it up.
Invites are done by email. Post interview decisions appear both on status and via email but not sure which is first (I got status first but I interviewed before Oct. 15th)

Thanks for the info!! I'd rather see NO ACTION than the other option 😛 But honestly, what are my chances given that I'm OOS and the secondary didn't have any personal questions? Sigh....

 

[obgyny]

I had been contemplating the update letter (for PRE-interview) and I swear I saw that they don't accept them/use them for consideration in inviting. I'm trying to find where I found that to give you guys the quote/link.

I'm hoping I'm wrong, as it would be nice to send something in to help add something to my app since the secondary didn't really have anything to expand on from my primary.

That's in the email when you get the link to the 2ndary

Oh. interesting. I had sent one and never heard anything back. Most of the other schools who didn't accept unless post interview had statedi t. So I guess I just assumed it was pre interview was ok. Guess not.

But in my friend's case it must have been her post interviews ones that made a difference.

So guess that answers teh question though. I know downstate takes pre interview ones though. Them I had called to ask about it and upstate also accepted and acknowledged my preinterview one. Guess this school is more like Albany though. Good luck anyhow.

So I called the admissions office and spoke to James Rosso. He said they only accept letters of interest POST-interview. Guess I'm not writing one then. I'll just have to wait patiently! Good luck to you guys!

I actually sent them an update letter too, but never got a response back. I sent one to upstate and downstate also - the same thing that happened to you happened to me (except upstate rejected me..)

Being complete since mid-september and not being rejected means you still have a good chance!! I was complete mid-sept too. But at this point, I would rather get rejected than wait any longer 🙁

About the pre-interview update letters, this is what Mr. Rosso emailed to me:

We do accept updates. However, our Committee would only use these updates if you are invited for an interview. Email would be fine if that is convenient for you.

I emailed an update/interest letter (pre-interview) and Mr. Rosso responded with:

Thank you for this update letter. It will be used by our Committee if you are invited for an interview.

Hope this helps and clears up the confusion! 🙂

 

[ciufo88]

That's good to know that at least 2 people were accepted outright from the 11/17 group. I agree that it's still early and there is plenty of time. Being waitlisted at UB in November really isn't so bad. I'm really happy that I made it this far, and that I wasn't rejected on 11/18.

If you don't mind me asking, were you accepted outright, or off the waitlist? What month was your acceptance in relation to your interview?

Sorry for being late, I feel like I got a few days behind on this thread! Anyway, I personally got accepted from the start. I Interview early October, and heard back on Oct 15th, the first day acceptances were allowed to be released. Everyone interviewing after Oct 15th hears back the next day!

 

[Maxwell7301]

Sorry for being late, I feel like I got a few days behind on this thread! Anyway, I personally got accepted from the start. I Interview early October, and heard back on Oct 15th, the first day acceptances were allowed to be released. Everyone interviewing after Oct 15th hears back the next day!

That's awesome. You must have been a very strong applicant. It also seems like you are happy with your decision to attend UB.

 

[mark5hs]

Hey I'm a sophomore at UB undergrad and I was wondering if any of you got in through early assurance. I applied to the committee and I have my prehealth committee interview today. I was wondering if you had any advice or think I have a chance at it.
Grades: 4.0gpa (will probably drop to a 3.9 after this semester though); 1520 SAT score
Experience: 70hours volunteering, about 40 hours shadowing, 2 summers of research at Roswell
Also, any recommendations for how I spend winter break? I'll keep volunteering, keep shadowing different fields, but is there anything I can do between now and february 1st that'd make me look more balanced/capable? I do lots of random volunteer work, and organize some events myself, so I feel like they'd like that. Ahh I'm just kind of nervous because I know very few people get in that way.
Thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[Maxwell7301]

Hey I'm a sophomore at UB undergrad and I was wondering if any of you got in through early assurance. I applied to the committee and I have my prehealth committee interview today. I was wondering if you had any advice or think I have a chance at it.
Grades: 4.0gpa (will probably drop to a 3.9 after this semester though); 1520 SAT score
Experience: 70hours volunteering, about 40 hours shadowing, 2 summers of research at Roswell
Also, any recommendations for how I spend winter break? I'll keep volunteering, keep shadowing different fields, but is there anything I can do between now and february 1st that'd make me look more balanced/capable? I do lots of random volunteer work, and organize some events myself, so I feel like they'd like that. Ahh I'm just kind of nervous because I know very few people get in that way.
Thoughts?

Thanks!

I actually do know someone that got in to UB through early assurance. His stats were very similar to yours, so I say go for it.

I wish I could have applied that way but my SAT scores were too low (around 1300/1600). I never prepared for the SAT, but I studied hard for the MCAT and it paid off.

I'm assuming you must be in the UB Honors college. I hear that helps a bit for getting into UB med school. Your extra curriculars are fine, so I wouldn't worry too much about winter break.

 

[mark5hs]

I actually do know someone that got in to UB through early assurance. His stats were very similar to yours, so I say go for it.

I wish I could have applied that way but my SAT scores were too low (around 1300/1600). I never prepared for the SAT, but I studied hard for the MCAT and it paid off.

I'm assuming you must be in the UB Honors college. I hear that helps a bit for getting into UB med school. Your extra curriculars are fine, so I wouldn't worry too much about winter break.

Yeah, I am. They require a 3.75 GPA for EA, so I think everyone that's applying is in honors. The interview went pretty well, they liked me so we'll see how it goes once I do the AMCAS. Thanks man!

 

[Maxwell7301]

Yeah, I am. They require a 3.75 GPA for EA, so I think everyone that's applying is in honors. The interview went pretty well, they liked me so we'll see how it goes once I do the AMCAS. Thanks man!

Sounds good. If you don't need to take the MCAT or go through the regular admissions process, that will save a huge amount of aggravation.

There might not be many people accepted through early assurance, but there probably aren't that many people applying that way either. Your chances might be better than you think. 🙂

 

[Dr Pepp3r]

do you guys know the grading system at UB? P/F curriculum?

 

[IDreamtIChased]

YAYYY!!!

Finally got the interview invite today for late-Jan!!!!

I sent an update letter around 12/01, so maybe it helped...

 

[blh53]

YAYYY!!!

Finally got the interview invite today for late-Jan!!!!

I sent an update letter around 12/01, so maybe it helped...

Who did you send it to and how?

I am very anxious to hear back from them and am very surprised that I haven't yet. I have stats that are more than good enough (according to current students that I know) and strong ties to the University and the WNY area, although I am not a NY state resident. Thanks.

 

[Premedapplicant]

Well at least they are still sending out interview invites...

God this sucks 🙁

 

[Maxwell7301]

YAYYY!!!

Finally got the interview invite today for late-Jan!!!!

I sent an update letter around 12/01, so maybe it helped...

That's great! If anyone should get an invite at UB, it should be you, since you really want it. For UB, it makes no difference how late in the season the interview is. They keep seats open until late April. I hope we both get accepted!

 

[IDreamtIChased]

Who did you send it to and how?

I am very anxious to hear back from them and am very surprised that I haven't yet. I have stats that are more than good enough (according to current students that I know) and strong ties to the University and the WNY area, although I am not a NY state resident. Thanks.

I sent it as an attachment to Mr. Rosso: [email protected]

They haven't even started scheduling February interviews yet (at least that's what Mr. Rosso told me over the phone). I'm sure you'll hear something soon 🙂

 

[IDreamtIChased]

That's great! If anyone should get an invite at UB, it should be you, since you really want it. For UB, it makes no difference how late in the season the interview is. They keep seats open until late April. I hope we both get accepted!

Thx Max!! I was so afraid they'll hate me because of the number of emails I sent. I sent four emails: the first was general update, then an ITA email, then another ITA email, then a highly professional and formal interest/update letter. I guess persistence pays off 🙂

I'm sure we'll get accepted!!!!

 

[Supernerd]

Accepted!!!

Just got the letter 🙂
interviewed in October, Buffalo/Niagara native

sooooo happy. Best of luck to everyone interviewing soon!

 

[Dr Pepp3r]

Accepted!!!

Just got the letter 🙂
interviewed in October, Buffalo/Niagara native

sooooo happy. Best of luck to everyone interviewing soon!

Dude congratssssss! So you literally just got accepted off the WL?!

 

[Dr Pepp3r]

Also did ur status change from WL to Accept on the status site?

 

[Maxwell7301]

Congratulations! You are most likely the first person on SDN to get accepted to UB off the waitlist this year.

I'm glad that they have started accepting at least a few people from the waitlist. I interviewed in November, so maybe they will get to me sometime soon.

 

[Supernerd]

Yes! I literally just got pulled off the waitlist. When I first got waitlisted I was so bummed... I thought my stats fit there, I felt good about the interviews, they just don't like me and everyone's just telling me there's alot of movement to make me feel better lol

But I guess there actually is alot of movement 🙂

My status has now been changed, it wasn't before. Also I didnt get an e-mail, just a letter

 

[Maxwell7301]

Yes! I literally just got pulled off the waitlist. When I first got waitlisted I was so bummed... I thought my stats fit there, I felt good about the interviews, they just don't like me and everyone's just telling me there's alot of movement to make me feel better lol

But I guess there actually is alot of movement 🙂

My status has now been changed, it wasn't before. Also I didnt get an e-mail, just a letter

Yeah, all the people saying it's good to be waitlisted at UB aren't kidding. Last year, the entire top and middle thirds of the list were ultimately accepted by July. I'm just hoping it won't be that long of a wait. The fact that you are already accepted is very promising.

 

[ciufo88]

do you guys know the grading system at UB? P/F curriculum?

We are Fail/Satisfactory (pass)/High Satisfactory/Honors which is, in %ages,
0-69.4/69.5-84.4/84.5-89.4/89.5+

 

[Supernerd]

so I mailed in my deposit and "yeah i wanna accept this acceptance!" letter... no confirmation yet.

should i be worried?

thanks guys!

 

[Maxwell7301]

so I mailed in my deposit and "yeah i wanna accept this acceptance!" letter... no confirmation yet.

should i be worried?

thanks guys!

Call the admissions office, and talk to Mr. Rosso. Ask if they received it, and make sure the timing is fine. I'm sure there's absolutely nothing to be worried about.

 

[IDreamtIChased]

Jesus... the interview feedback has some pretty tough questions for Buffalo - the hardest I've seen so far.

Anyone else interviewing next week?

Max - did your status change online after you got your interview invite? Mine still says "no action."

 

[Maxwell7301]

Jesus... the interview feedback has some pretty tough questions for Buffalo - the hardest I've seen so far.

Anyone else interviewing next week?

Max - did your status change online after you got your interview invite? Mine still says "no action."

Yeah, my status changed to "interview invite", pretty much right after I got the email. Don't worry about the "no action", though. Also, your status will change to "accept", "wait list" or "non accept" within 24 hours of your interview (don't know of any other schools that do this, but it's nice to hear back quickly).

I thought the interview questions weren't bad at all. The interviews were very casual and laid back, and I was mostly asked standard stuff about my application.

They do like to ask strange questions occasionally, The only truly weird question I got was "estimate the number of physicians that smoke cigarettes in the United States." That turned into a discussion on how to contact physicians regarding a study, and whether they would be more likely to respond by email or phone.

If you get a question like that, just explain the process you might use, and try to back it up with some examples. There is no right or wrong answer, they just want to see your thought process in action.

 

[purplesky89]

Where are you Buffalo? I hope I don't see "NO ACTION" up until March 31st..

 

[Maxwell7301]

Where are you Buffalo? I hope I don't see "NO ACTION" up until March 31st..

UB invites many people later in the cycle, and they have as good of a chance as anyone. Good luck!

I get to stare at "WAIT LIST" every day, which is how it's been for months. I know what you mean about seeing the same thing all the time.

 

[obgyny]

Where are you Buffalo? I hope I don't see "NO ACTION" up until March 31st..

UB invites many people later in the cycle, and they have as good of a chance as anyone. Good luck!

I get to stare at "WAIT LIST" every day, which is how it's been for months. I know what you mean about seeing the same thing all the time.

Yeah... do they have to put it in all caps and in bold text??

Mine's also been NO ACTION since July 🙁.

GL to both of you!!!!

 

[obgyny]

To both you and Purplesky89,

Try to send update letters. That helped the friend at GW get an interview at Buffalo as well.

Well I did send an update letter in November, but Mr. Rosso told me they don't look at update letters unless you're invited for an interview.

I feel like such a sitting duck 🙁.

 

[purplesky89]

Oh true true. That's right I keep forgetting that when i sent an update they said the same cuz it was soooooooo many months ago.

Well I guess all you can do is hope and pray. I am still waiting for downstate to send me any sort of decision. My one remaining SUNY and Albany and NYMC.

Good luck Guju!! You definitely deserve interviews at all of those places for being so helpful to other students on these forums. Have you sent NYMC an update letter/letter of interest? I think they are super receptive to letters! 🙂

 

[Maxwell7301]

Is anyone interested in creating an official 2010-2011 SUNY Buffalo Wait List Thread? I'll gladly start it if people are supportive to the idea.

An example of last year's thread is here:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=718639

Is it too early to start this, since its January, and we can't find out top/middle/bottom third until February?

I think it would be useful to get a list together right now, and then we can update it next month with the positions.