2011-2012 SUNY Downstate Application Thread

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Does anyone know if the school is able to store luggage during the interview day?
 
BrotherOfMario said:
Do students pay instate tuition after the first 12 months residing in New York (assuming they do not reside in student dorms)?
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If you live off campus and follow all of the "procedures" for doing so (including but not limited to showing a copy of your the past 12 months of rent checks, utility bills, lease/deed, bank statements; driver license, voter registration card), you can submit that information in a packet and get in-state residency for next year. I am currently doing that right now.

TheGloaming said:
Does anyone know if the school is able to store luggage during the interview day?
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Yes, the admissions office will be glad to do that for you.

EK601 said:
According to the admissions committee member at my SUNY Upstate interview, effective this year, the rule no longer applies unless you purchase housing in NYS.
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When did you hear that and from whom did you hear that? Also, when does that take effect? It screws over a LOT of OOS students...

citrusguy2010 said:
do they take update letters pre-interview?
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They accept anything you send them, but only send them anything you feel is truly "new" and "significant"
 
Seeing as how I'm from Minnesota, I've never heard anyone talk about the SUNY's ....Soooooo do people say it like "Sunny" Downstate? I don't want to say that and look like an idiot at my interview.
 
Seeing as how I'm from Minnesota, I've never heard anyone talk about the SUNY's ....Soooooo do people say it like "Sunny" Downstate? I don't want to say that and look like an idiot at my interview.
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It's pronounced like: Suu-nee, with a long u sound.
 
So like "Soo-nee"? I've been wondering too haha
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Yes, exactly. I wasn't quite sure how to best portray it phonetically, haha.
 
Really long u sound? So its the sound like when you say "glue" and NOT like in "fun". Haha second grade school work here. Well I just glad I asked.
 
emc0105 said:
Yes, exactly. I wasn't quite sure how to best portray it phonetically, haha.
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Thanks! My bad actually, because despite the fact that I've been speaking English my whole life, I wasn't quite sure what a long u sounded like :laugh:
 
Does SUNY have an essay/writing sample at interview? I think I read this in interview feedback.
 
ks2011 said:
Does SUNY have an essay/writing sample at interview? I think I read this in interview feedback.
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What? I hope not. That would be pretty lame. Do a lot of schools do that? They have our MCAT writing score already.
 
i was complete early august, how long did it take yall to get an Interview from the time you were complete
 
oh ya, forgot to mention that they did have a writing prompt you had to write at the interview... whoops! haha. they give you a pic and tell you to write about it, easy/hard depending on person...
 
angleslam08 said:
oh ya, forgot to mention that they did have a writing prompt you had to write at the interview... whoops! haha. they give you a pic and tell you to write about it, easy/hard depending on person...
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lolwut

This is at Downstate??
 
angleslam08 said:
oh ya, forgot to mention that they did have a writing prompt you had to write at the interview... whoops! haha. they give you a pic and tell you to write about it, easy/hard depending on person...
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Yeah, I had the writing sample at the interview here too. They're pretty clear in stating that the writing sample does NOT factor into their admissions decision for you though, since we are the first year that is doing the writing sample. It's probably experimental this year, and then they can decide for next year whether or not to count it.
 
doctorSOX said:
Yeah, I had the writing sample at the interview here too. They're pretty clear in stating that the writing sample does NOT factor into their admissions decision for you though, since we are the first year that is doing the writing sample. It's probably experimental this year, and then they can decide for next year whether or not to count it.
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They're having you guys do a writing sample at Downstate COM? Damn, it would make sense, with all the curriculum changes and all...so weird!
 
Have been under review for 8 weeks. Please Downstate just give me an interview. I beg you. I BEG YOU!!!
 
Downstate ms1 here. just letting you guys know that after you get an interview, whether you get in or not all depends on the mood of the committee on the day they review your file. it's pretty much random. so dont be stressed
 
anbuitachi said:
Downstate ms1 here. just letting you guys know that after you get an interview, whether you get in or not all depends on the mood of the committee on the day they review your file. it's pretty much random. so dont be stressed
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lmao, that's relatively comforting! :laugh:
 
anbuitachi said:
Downstate ms1 here. just letting you guys know that after you get an interview, whether you get in or not all depends on the mood of the committee on the day they review your file. it's pretty much random. so dont be stressed
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Lol, that's just how humans are! It's more or less true lol
 
anbuitachi said:
Downstate ms1 here. just letting you guys know that after you get an interview, whether you get in or not all depends on the mood of the committee on the day they review your file. it's pretty much random. so dont be stressed
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uhhhhh

What makes you say that? Not at all something I want to hear 😡😡
 
I don't understand the point of the essay at the interview? Is it to gauge how well you handle pressure in an unexpected situation? Don't they know we already are on the verge of meltdown after this process?!?
 
gmcguitar4 said:
I don't understand the point of the essay at the interview? Is it to gauge how well you handle pressure in an unexpected situation? Don't they know we already are on the verge of meltdown after this process?!?
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well maybe to see how your mind works without the added benefit of internet resources and infinite time to craft a response that you think adcoms want to hear
 
Don't worry about the essay. It's very short and the whole process was very low stress.
 
interview invite!! 😀

complete 8/28, II 9/17.
 
II today, complete sometime after 9/1. Interview is scheduled for 10/18.
 
and im sure you guys already know this but after you get interview invite, your grades don't matter. thats why there are plenty of ppl here with 37s and also 30s..

definitely try to stand out. do something to stand out whatever that may be
 
complete early august...still have not heard anything, when would be a good time to send an update? or should i just be patient...all these people complete after me getting interviews are freaking me out!
 
lovedocta07 said:
complete early august...still have not heard anything, when would be a good time to send an update? or should i just be patient...all these people complete after me getting interviews are freaking me out!
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patience is a virtue
i'm kinda nervous too
 
TheGloaming said:
Seeing as how I'm from Minnesota, I've never heard anyone talk about the SUNY's ....Soooooo do people say it like "Sunny" Downstate? I don't want to say that and look like an idiot at my interview.
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Did you interview this past Monday 9/19?? I was with a girl from Minnesota in my group, and I'm sure there weren't too many of those.

[EDIT: Your MDApps lists you as male, so never mind.]


(And guys don't stress about the writing sample. It's 100-250 words describing some NYC scene, it doesn't count, and I was sitting in a waiting room and chitchatting with the other interviewees while I wrote it since I had an hour and a half of downtime to finish it in.)
 
Does downstate reject people pre interview? Or they let you hang around until the end of the cycle? I am completed in July and still nothing.
 
OOS Invite yesterday. Been complete since mid august. Interviewing in late october. GL all.
 
For the question:

(Optional) If you have a specific reason why you have chosen to apply to SUNY Downstate's College of Medicine, please explain

How valid is something like "I live an half hour drive away from SUNY Downstate", "I've got a lot of family in NYC - good support system for the stress of med school", "Cuts living costs by a lot since I already live here with family"

Would these be better reasons to put down instead of me looking up one of the professors working on something interesting and saying that I'm drawn to that research?
 
Its been too long since i got an interview. I need another one for a mental booster!!! Just 1 to keep me going 🙁
 
gfdsa146 said:
For the question:

(Optional) If you have a specific reason why you have chosen to apply to SUNY Downstate's College of Medicine, please explain

How valid is something like "I live an half hour drive away from SUNY Downstate", "I've got a lot of family in NYC - good support system for the stress of med school", "Cuts living costs by a lot since I already live here with family"

Would these be better reasons to put down instead of me looking up one of the professors working on something interesting and saying that I'm drawn to that research?
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I'd discuss your "ties" to NYC and how you want to be trained in the community in which you grew up and want to continue to serve. Don't mention costs--that's a given lol. I'd stray away from writing anything about the school's research interests, unless you sincerely are interested in it.
 
Asyouwereatrio said:
I'd discuss your "ties" to NYC and how you want to be trained in the community in which you grew up and want to continue to serve. Don't mention costs--that's a given lol. I'd stray away from writing anything about the school's research interests, unless you sincerely are interested in it.
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lol, I'm already covering this in the "If you have a specific reason (e.g., significant other, job transfer, family obligations) why you wish to attend
medical school in New York City, please explain"
 
Hey guys, interviewed here last week. Like others have mentioned, don't worry about the essay. It says on the instructions in bold font that it doesn't factor into admission so I think they're just testing it out this year or seeing what kind of responses they get. You just have to submit it before you leave for the day, so you have plenty of time to get it done while you're waiting for your interview or even after it. It's only about a paragraph or two and you're basically just asked to describe a scene in a picture. Don't stress 🙂

The entire day is very relaxed, only one interview. My interviewer hadn't read my file beforehand (I don't think they're generally blind, but mine was just super busy) and was really, really nice. The interview was very conversational. Though there are a few questions they generally ask of everyone, like "how did you study for the MCAT, "name a challenging time in your life and how you handled it" that my interviewer was asking me from a sheet. But nothing too difficult/stressful.

Good luck to those interviewing as well as those still waiting! Everyone I interviewed with enjoyed their interview and said it was relaxed so don't worry!
 
Another Q:

Is there some way that I can work in the fact that I went to undergrad in Harlem and that the transition to Downstate's surrounding urban neighborhoods won't be much of a problem for me?

Downstate is my top choice, I'm really looking for anything I can present to them for a favorable application.
 
IS interview invite today. complete mid august, 3.7, 36
 
gfdsa146 said:
lol, I'm already covering this in the "If you have a specific reason (e.g., significant other, job transfer, family obligations) why you wish to attend
medical school in New York City, please explain"
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Haha, hmm...then you can either make up some more stuff or leave it blank. If you truly do have a specific reason for Downstate that ISN'T financial, I'd put it. Don't flower it with research interests though, IMO.

pache said:
Hey guys, interviewed here last week. Like others have mentioned, don't worry about the essay. It says on the instructions in bold font that it doesn't factor into admission so I think they're just testing it out this year or seeing what kind of responses they get. You just have to submit it before you leave for the day, so you have plenty of time to get it done while you're waiting for your interview or even after it. It's only about a paragraph or two and you're basically just asked to describe a scene in a picture. Don't stress 🙂

The entire day is very relaxed, only one interview. My interviewer hadn't read my file beforehand (I don't think they're generally blind, but mine was just super busy) and was really, really nice. The interview was very conversational. Though there are a few questions they generally ask of everyone, like "how did you study for the MCAT, "name a challenging time in your life and how you handled it" that my interviewer was asking me from a sheet. But nothing too difficult/stressful.

Good luck to those interviewing as well as those still waiting! Everyone I interviewed with enjoyed their interview and said it was relaxed so don't worry!
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The interview feedback is really helpful, because the interviewers do seem to read/use questions frrom a general "bank of questions". Good luck!!
gfdsa146 said:
Another Q:

Is there some way that I can work in the fact that I went to undergrad in Harlem and that the transition to Downstate's surrounding urban neighborhoods won't be much of a problem for me?

Downstate is my top choice, I'm really looking for anything I can present to them for a favorable application.
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I'm reading that as "I went to undergrad in Harlem so I can adapt to Downstate's surrounding 'hood'" just fine...if you meant it like that, I'd "decorate it" by saying you're used to the diversity of NYC and living in East Flatbush (and going to school there) would allow to continue to experience the cultural diversity of NYC which would help you become a better practitioner who is culturally sensitive, able to work with others who have backgrounds different from your own, etc.
 
Asyouwereatrio said:
Haha, hmm...then you can either make up some more stuff or leave it blank. If you truly do have a specific reason for Downstate that ISN'T financial, I'd put it. Don't flower it with research interests though, IMO.


I'm reading that as "I went to undergrad in Harlem so I can adapt to Downstate's surrounding 'hood'" just fine...if you meant it like that, I'd "decorate it" by saying you're used to the diversity of NYC and living in East Flatbush (and going to school there) would allow to continue to experience the cultural diversity of NYC which would help you become a better practitioner who is culturally sensitive, able to work with others who have backgrounds different from your own, etc.
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I really appreciate the advice. Thanks man. I actually live in Forest Hills right now, so I'd be driving over the Jackie Robinson to get to Downstate if I got accepted. I probably won't though, my numbers are low. But I'll give this secondary a real shot though.
 
I submitted my secondary via email around 8/24... on my checklist,
it's still missing... is this normal? I tried emailing them but received no response.
I am also OOS.

😕
 
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