2010-2011 University of Pittsburgh Application Thread

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Heard from a reliable source that first round acceptances will not be extended to those with MCAT below 39.... If a current student/former applicant can squash this rumor, please do...
 
Jesus, why would you tell us that? Does this mean all us at a "medicore" 35-37 are waitlisted?
 
Heard from a reliable source that first round acceptances will not be extended to those with MCAT below 39.... If a current student/former applicant can squash this rumor, please do...

As a current student, I have serious doubts about the veracity of this statement. I mean, there is a *possibility* that initial acceptances will be few and far between, but I don't think they'll be based on such an arbitrary standard. Just my five cents, though.

p.s. this def wasn't the standard used for initial acceptances last yr, if that means anything to you.
 
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Jesus, why would you tell us that? Does this mean all us at a "medicore" 35-37 are waitlisted?
I don't know about you, but if a current med student offers me rationale to temper my expectations, I'm gonna listen. Especially when it's in the form of such a rumor. As a "mediocre" applicant myself, I appreciated the heads up.

Thanks, taciturngirl. Glad to hear an alternative perspective. Maybe this rumor is an artifact of sampling error, after all.
 
Heard from a reliable source that first round acceptances will not be extended to those with MCAT below 39.... If a current student/former applicant can squash this rumor, please do...

One of the more ridiculous things I have read on this forum. Unless for some reason Pittsburgh is going to suddenly have higher initial acceptance standards than many top 10 schools (+ Mayo).
 
Heard from a reliable source that first round acceptances will not be extended to those with MCAT below 39.... If a current student/former applicant can squash this rumor, please do...

I'm surprised you actually took the rumor seriously enough to post it on this forum.... you do more harm than good that way... unless you were just feeling sadistic which isn't too far off from being a possibility
 
When Nov 15 comes by, those of us with "mediocre stats," who are accepted, should pledge to post our stats and complete date on this thread. Would everyone agree to that?
 
I'm surprised you actually took the rumor seriously enough to post it on this forum.... you do more harm than good that way... unless you were just feeling sadistic which isn't too far off from being a possibility
hyperbole much? I don't see how posting a rumor ( clearly defined) which I heard from a pitt med student (A kind one, at that) qualifies me as being "sadistic".

There is no harm that can be done, apart from people tempering their expectations, which some might consider a good thing.

Again, this is considered bad news for me too, but I appreciated the heads up. As with everything on anonymous internet forums, take it with a grain of salt and move on.
 
hyperbole much? I don't see how posting a rumor ( clearly defined) which I heard from a pitt med student (A kind one, at that) qualifies me as being "sadistic".

There is no harm that can be done, apart from people tempering their expectations, which some might consider a good thing.

Again, this is considered bad news for me too, but I appreciated the heads up. As with everything on anonymous internet forums, take it with a grain of salt and move on.


I'm not saying you are sadistic. I'm simply suggesting it. I don't know who you are but I am entitled to make speculations as to why you would say that. You know that just doesn't make sense and goes against the entire "holistic" admissions process. I'm fairly certain you mean well. But by saying stuff like that, you just worry people more (it's already bad enough as it is). There are a lot of competitive/neurotic ppl on this forum (more so than last year imo). Just saying a statement like that in this atmosphere just adds fuel to the fire so to speak.
 
What little insight I can offer is as a student and (one of many) applicant interviewers. I don't think the rumor is true, but the student who gave this information may have more insider knowledge than me, who knows. But guys, rest assured, if you get waitlisted, it is certainly frustrating (I've been there), but it is by no means the end of the line. keep your chins up!
 
LOL neurotic pre-meds and neurotic rumors...
 
LOL neurotic pre-meds and neurotic rumors...

This is not a rumor. One of my friends called the admissions office, and was told that they are expected to be giving out only 150 initial acceptances this year.
 
This is not a rumor. One of my friends called the admissions office, and was told that they are expected to be giving out only 150 initial acceptances this year.

This may be true, but that doesn't mean you need a 39+ mcat to be among the initial acceptances. Obviously you have to be pretty baller, though.
 
Hmmm, but are all those initial acceptances to those with 39+? that's the more interesting rumor...
 
Heard from a reliable source that first round acceptances will not be extended to those with MCAT below 39.... If a current student/former applicant can squash this rumor, please do...

A rumor is still a rumor. Take everything with a grain of salt. especially when the rumor is Laugh out Loud funny.
 
This is not a rumor. One of my friends called the admissions office, and was told that they are expected to be giving out only 150 initial acceptances this year.

Umm since when does 150 initial acceptances equate to acceptances to those with a 39+ MCAT?
 
I don't know why so many people are attacking ProKinase for what he said. Sure, what he said was ridiculous, but the poor guy was just saying what he heard and clearly stated that it was a rumor. He is not a sadistic guy, he's just reporting something he heard.

And so many people on this message board make it seem as if pre-meds' heads are going to explode when they hear a rumor like this. Yeah, this process is a long, arduous one with lots of stress, but if you cannot handle the stress of applications then you are not fit to be a doctor. Also, if you believe everything you read on the internet and do not have your own logic and common sense, you are also not fit to be a physician. I think higher of the people on this board than to think that one rumor posted will make everyone go insane.

If you think "Jesus why are you telling us this?" then you need to grow up and filter out BS without letting it mindF*** you.
 
I don't know why so many people are attacking ProKinase for what he said. Sure, what he said was ridiculous, but the poor guy was just saying what he heard and clearly stated that it was a rumor. He is not a sadistic guy, he's just reporting something he heard.

And so many people on this message board make it seem as if pre-meds' heads are going to explode when they hear a rumor like this. Yeah, this process is a long, arduous one with lots of stress, but if you cannot handle the stress of applications then you are not fit to be a doctor. Also, if you believe everything you read on the internet and do not have your own logic and common sense, you are also not fit to be a physician. I think higher of the people on this board than to think that one rumor posted will make everyone go insane.

If you think "Jesus why are you telling us this?" then you need to grow up and filter out BS without letting it mindF*** you.



There are a lot of forum members who are sensible and down-to-earth. However, if you read a lot of the forum topics, you can see how non-sensical, neurotic, and lazy members can be especially those who do not know how to use a search function on the forum. If someone doesn't have anything useful to say on this forum (ie acceptance to Pitt Med = >39 MCAT), then why say it. Clearly, this does not happen. Again, I am not calling anyone sadistic, I am merely saying there are times when people put stuff on this forum for the purpose of creating anxiety among other readers. This doesn't necessarily mean that's what ProKinase said. It's not an attack, it is a comment.
 
Heard from a reliable source that first round acceptances will not be extended to those with MCAT below 39.... If a current student/former applicant can squash this rumor, please do...


Actually this seems plausible to me. This would be a calculated first strike on the part of Pitt to try and nab some of the top applicants. I agree that this contradicts the themes of fit and diversity stressed by Pitt, but it would definitely be the move of a school trying to assume its rightful position in the rankings.

Based on what people have been saying about Pitt's WL, I suspect that list is less about individual applicants getting in as positions open up as it is about second and third waves of acceptances going out as the school evaluates its returns.

FWIW I am a current Pitt grad student, but I don't feel like I have any real inside info, just general impressions based on my experience here. Myself, I will proudly take my 38.9 MCAT to the WL and see how things shake out.
 
i completed the application months ago but havent heard back yet. should I be worried?
I applied mstp though
 
Umm since when does 150 initial acceptances equate to acceptances to those with a 39+ MCAT?

Chill people. The not rumor part refers to what I said, not really what I quoted. Sorry if it caused any confusion.
 
For those of you who have had your interview, how did it go? I'm not sure what to expect at mine as far as types of questions and overall environment. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated!
 
You should check out the interview feedback section on the site. It's very informative. My interviews were pretty chill and laid back. They really just seemed to want to get to know me, but I think a lot of that depends on who you get.

Good luck 🙂
 
You should check out the interview feedback section on the site. It's very informative. My interviews were pretty chill and laid back. They really just seemed to want to get to know me, but I think a lot of that depends on who you get.

Good luck 🙂

Seconded!
 
I don't know about you, but if a current med student offers me rationale to temper my expectations, I'm gonna listen. Especially when it's in the form of such a rumor. As a "mediocre" applicant myself, I appreciated the heads up.

Thanks, taciturngirl. Glad to hear an alternative perspective. Maybe this rumor is an artifact of sampling error, after all.

KinasePro, I interviewed at UPitt this week, and Ms. Cynthia Bonetti, the executive director for admissions & financial aid directly mentioned your post and dispelled the rumor. I think she mentions that she browses this forum every morning and she literally spat out her coffee when she read it.

I did however hear from a very reliable medical student that having prior experience working in a steel mill really helps your application.
 
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Glad to see the rumor sufficiently squashed by a credible source.

Hope this thread is flooded with good news come monday!
 
Does anyone know how final decisions are communicated?

-Thanks
 
Does anyone know how final decisions are communicated?

-Thanks

I believe final decisions are mailed via snail mail along with a status update on the secondary application page. I am hoping for some positive news from my top choice this Monday!
 
KinasePro, I interviewed at UPitt this week, and Ms. Cynthia Bonetti, the executive director for admissions & financial aid directly mentioned your post and dispelled the rumor. I think she mentions that she browses this forum every morning and she literally spat out her coffee when she read it.

I did however hear from a very reliable medical student that having prior experience working in a steel mill really helps your application.

Thank you for instilling a much-needed dose of rationality in this thread. 👍
 
KinasePro, I interviewed at UPitt this week, and Ms. Cynthia Bonetti, the executive director for admissions & financial aid directly mentioned your post and dispelled the rumor.
Thank you for posting something this.
 
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Same here. Applied MSTP, no response or change on my online status.

For Pittsburgh, your MD application doesn't need to be complete to recieve an MSTP invite. Nor will your MD online status reflect whether or not you recieve an interview. My invitation simply said to make sure I completed the MD app portion ASAP.

So just make sure your MSTP application at Pittsburgh is complete, and you will recieve an email if you're invited to interview.
 
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Why do people keep referring to November 15?
I interview in early September, over 8 weeks ago, and still have not heard back. Should I expect to hear on Nov. 15?
Thanks!
 
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Why do people keep referring to November 15?
I interview in early September, over 8 weeks ago, and still have not heard back. Should I expect to hear on Nov. 15?
Thanks!

Nov. 15 was the date that the executive director of admissions and fin. aid said to expect the first admission decisions.
 
Just got rejected pre-interview. IS 3.90 GPA and 37 mcat 🙁

I'm wondering if the fact that I turned down a full ride to their undergrad factored into the decision?

Oh well, good luck guys. One less applicant to worry about for this school 🙂
 
People that interviewed late October should expect hear back late November or early December right?...or should I start checking on November 15? I'm too anxious:xf:
 
Just got rejected pre-interview. IS 3.90 GPA and 37 mcat 🙁

I'm wondering if the fact that I turned down a full ride to their undergrad factored into the decision?

Oh well, good luck guys. One less applicant to worry about for this school 🙂

I would say not. I turned down that undergrad offer too...
 
How did you hear about the rejection? Was it by email, snail mail, or a status change?
 
People that interviewed late October should expect hear back late November or early December right?...or should I start checking on November 15? I'm too anxious:xf:

I would say don't expect a decision by November 15. At my interview day we were told that our decisions should be among the first sent out because of when we interviewed. I believe the application portal says 6-8 weeks after your interview you could start to expect a decision.
 
The good news is...that's one less school to keep checking in the forum posts.

Best wishes to the entering class...!👍
 
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