2011-2012 University of Pittsburgh Application Thread

[idontcaureuknow]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Haha, u have like the opposite response than me, i just got another rejection post interview at one of my other top choices...so many post interview rejections. luckily i have one offer from a school. I feel bad to say this. but because of this process, i'm pretty sure i'm no longer going to do anything big that benefits humanity, i think i'm just going to go for private practice...Simply put, this process hurts a lot...and changes you

Trust me, I'm feeling it. This process has sapped some of the life out of me. I got nothing other than this waitlist. Sooo, I'm off looking for gap year jobs. I'm feeling construction/landscaping. But to me life is about the fun times with friends, the adversity one overcomes, and eventually the adversity one does not. I love meeting random people and hearing their stories, so EM seems like fun. Plus I love to keep moving and being crazy, a desk job bores me. Being with a boring person(namely girl) saps me lifeless. Ect. This is what I've learned in college.

I was like the master of pre-interview waitlists this cycle. All of which have turned into rejections. But kind of made me laugh "You are the cut-off point for who we will interview." Yay in state schools. Then there is Pitt, "we like to interview everyone, then waitlist. Enjoy your visit!" Which to be honest, I loved the city and school. I guess I really wouldn't change too much other than getting an offer somewhere would have been nice.

 

[ellalaw]

what is PSTP II? did you already interview for PSTP at Pitt? what should i expect?

 

[Ismet]

what is PSTP II? did you already interview for PSTP at Pitt? what should i expect?

II stands for Interview Invite, so they got an invite to interview for PSTP.

 

[whoMD]

I unfortunately won't be able to go to Second Look. I had a few questions though, if anyone can answer.

Is getting an apartment in Darragh for first year easy? I wont be sure if im attending UPitt until about May... so I wasn't sure if that's too late to get one. I'd like a single but I'm fine with a double.

Also, what is the student life like there? What do students do for fun? I see there are talent shows and formals, but I was thinking more like group outings or anything? Another school talked a bit about trips they do as a class, and it seemed like it makes for a very fun, enjoyable environment.

I feel like I can't remember anything from my interview day...

 

[DoctorDachshund]

Is Pitt done giving out acceptances for now? Any clue how many went out? Are most still waiting? Are they waiting for PENN to put their offers out, because they don't want to offer acceptances to high scorers till they see if they are in at PENN ?

 

[420604]

.

 

[eHombre]

just got an email from pitt and my heart jumped (obviously a waitlister). Unfortunately it was about the violence last week

+1

 

[Nymphicus]

+1

same

 

[zmxcm]

+3, maybe 4 different emotions in 10 seconds...(I am waitlisted)

 

[mrpremed]

+3, maybe 4 different emotions in 10 seconds...(I am waitlisted)

yeah heart skipped like 7 beats. does anyone know when *big* acceptance waves occur? it seems like they are just picking a select few every week or two...and most of them went to UPitt or are from Pittsburgh. sigh😕

 

[whoMD]

would the facebook size be a good indicator of how many are accepted? im not really sure. but another school i was accepted to has about 130 and pitt has 15, though the second look facebook group i think has 35, so I'm thinking there are still a lot of seats waiting to be filled.

(also if anyone is willing to answer questions about life at pitt would they please message me? i can't make it to second look)

 

[shortcake15]

I don't know if the facebook group size would be a big indicator at the moment since Pitt tends to accept most of their students rather late (most in April/May). I'd be willing to answer questions 🙂 I go to Pitt for undergrad right now so if you have any questions about the school, the city, etc. let me know

 

[saveourpens]

yeah heart skipped like 7 beats. does anyone know when *big* acceptance waves occur? it seems like they are just picking a select few every week or two...and most of them went to UPitt or are from Pittsburgh. sigh😕

I'm also on the wait-list.....in terms of being from Pittsburgh and having graduated from Pitt....I don't think there's much of a correlation between that and acceptance.

 

[shortcake15]

I unfortunately won't be able to go to Second Look. I had a few questions though, if anyone can answer.

Is getting an apartment in Darragh for first year easy? I wont be sure if im attending UPitt until about May... so I wasn't sure if that's too late to get one. I'd like a single but I'm fine with a double.

Also, what is the student life like there? What do students do for fun? I see there are talent shows and formals, but I was thinking more like group outings or anything? Another school talked a bit about trips they do as a class, and it seemed like it makes for a very fun, enjoyable environment.

I feel like I can't remember anything from my interview day...

Of course, the earlier you apply, the better your chances are but I think most students end up applying May-summer for the apts since that's when most of them are sure whether or not they'll be going to Pitt. That's just what I've heard from browsing past forums, so I'm not 100% if that's correct. They're beautiful apartments though, and the highest single goes out for $920 a month. All utilities are included in this price, which is amazing, and the building is really close to the med school building. The apts are owned by Pitt, which means they're better kept than some of the North Oakland/South Oakland apts. And you can stay here for all 4 years of medical school too!

As a Pitt undergrad, my friends and I usually go out to Shadyside & Southside if we want to go out to bars or clubs. Shadyside, as you might have heard, is where many students live, but it also has a lot of shops (walnut street!), neat little cafes, and fun things to do. Southside has the best bars in my opinion, and is also a big shopping area. There's also a nice theater there. The Strip District is another area in Pittsburgh, which has a nice outdoorsy kind of market with little cultural shops. it's nice to visit in the summer. The Waterfront is a nice area as well, with lots of shops, places to eat, and a bigggg theater. It has a mini outdoor mall too. Station Square is also nice and it's located along the river which makes it a very pretty place in my opinion. I believe it's also where the Gateway Clipper station is located and it's where you can catch the incline to go up to Mt. Washington to get one of the finest views of Pittsburgh.

That's just a rundown of the places I like to go to. I don't know if it really answered your question. But that's what my friends and I outside the classroom as undergrads, and I'm sure most med school kids do the same things on weekends with their friends.

As a class, I'm not sure what the Pitt Med students do...but yes they do have a formal ball every year and at orientation, they hit a lot of the places I've mentioned above. I think most of the group events take place at orientation and there's little things scattered throughout the year. Generally, the people I've talked to in med school love their classmates and love Pitt Med! 🙂

 

[whoMD]

thanks for responding 🙂 yea i'm not yet sure if i'm going to Pitt, but if i do I would really like to live in Darragh. I like walking everywhere when i can.

I just want to make sure that Pitt is somewhere that I would enjoy. If I go to Pitt I would be turning down my state school where 10 people I know and like are going. However I think Pitt would be good for me professionally and developmentally.

 

[captainmarrow]

A quick question for admitted students and current students.

How do I send my financial aid forms and tax forms to the financial aid office? Do I physically mail it to them? E-mail it to them as an attachment? Fax?

I'm just wondering if there is an appropriate or preferred method to get this information to them. Thanks for any help!

 

[NatrixCaelicola]

A quick question for admitted students and current students.

How do I send my financial aid forms and tax forms to the financial aid office? Do I physically mail it to them? E-mail it to them as an attachment? Fax?

I'm just wondering if there is an appropriate or preferred method to get this information to them. Thanks for any help!

Option D) Any of the above.

 

[sam500]

Is there expected to be any more rounds of acceptances from the Waitlist in March? Anyone?

 

[saveourpens]

Is there expected to be any more rounds of acceptances from the Waitlist in March? Anyone?

Last year's thread showed a big one on March 16th (I think March 15th is when they have to accept up to the class size)...this Friday.

 

[dennis-brodmann]

This is probably the wrong thread, but most of you who are applying might be able to help me out.

1. Does anyone know if Pitt accepts online credit for Biochemistry?
I have two options for the semester next fall:
a) take the lecture course (3 credit hours) from two professors, who I have heard REALLY DO NOT KNOW how to teach the material
b) take the online course, which someone told me is through a school in Ohio and incorporates an online lab (3 credit hours)
Also, I heard the online biochem course lasts for 7 weeks, but I do not know how true that is.

2. Does Biochemistry lab matter to admissions?
I do not plan on taking biochemistry lab because I have a jam-packed senior year. I am BME and planning to take a course called “Tools in Biomedical Research” however to fill my engineering elective requirements. From what past students told me, you learn how to do cell culturing, SDS-PAGE, ELISA, and even drug encapsulation.

If anyone knows about how the adcoms feel about either, please let me know because I could not find anything on their website or other threads.

Thanks!

 

[shortcake15]

This is probably the wrong thread, but most of you who are applying might be able to help me out.

1. Does anyone know if Pitt accepts online credit for Biochemistry?
I have two options for the semester next fall:
a) take the lecture course (3 credit hours) from two professors, who I have heard REALLY DO NOT KNOW how to teach the material
b) take the online course, which someone told me is through a school in Ohio and incorporates an online lab (3 credit hours)
Also, I heard the online biochem course lasts for 7 weeks, but I do not know how true that is.

2. Does Biochemistry lab matter to admissions?
I do not plan on taking biochemistry lab because I have a jam-packed senior year. I am BME and planning to take a course called "Tools in Biomedical Research" however to fill my engineering elective requirements. From what past students told me, you learn how to do cell culturing, SDS-PAGE, ELISA, and even drug encapsulation.

If anyone knows about how the adcoms feel about either, please let me know because I could not find anything on their website or other threads.

Thanks!

I know that biochem majors at Pitt are required to take "Macromolecular Structure and Function" which is just a biochemistry lecture 2-3x a week and a lab 3 hours a week. But, for non-biochem majors there is lecture-only version of biochemistry. Both of these courses count as biochemistry credit at Pitt. However, from what I know, Pitt doesn't require biochemistry as a pre-requisite for admission. I only took Biochem to fulfill my major requirement, but it was a useful and interesting course. So you should be okay with taking either the lecture or the lab/lecture.

 

[saveourpens]

This is probably the wrong thread, but most of you who are applying might be able to help me out.

1. Does anyone know if Pitt accepts online credit for Biochemistry?
I have two options for the semester next fall:
a) take the lecture course (3 credit hours) from two professors, who I have heard REALLY DO NOT KNOW how to teach the material
b) take the online course, which someone told me is through a school in Ohio and incorporates an online lab (3 credit hours)
Also, I heard the online biochem course lasts for 7 weeks, but I do not know how true that is.

2. Does Biochemistry lab matter to admissions?
I do not plan on taking biochemistry lab because I have a jam-packed senior year. I am BME and planning to take a course called "Tools in Biomedical Research" however to fill my engineering elective requirements. From what past students told me, you learn how to do cell culturing, SDS-PAGE, ELISA, and even drug encapsulation.

If anyone knows about how the adcoms feel about either, please let me know because I could not find anything on their website or other threads.

Thanks!

The class requirements are clearly posted on their website.

 

[NatrixCaelicola]

The class requirements are clearly posted on their website.

But why look this stuff up on their website when you can show people that you haven't researched them by posting the same question on multiple school's threads when all of these answers are online? 🙂

 

[eHombre]

But why look this stuff up on their website when you can show people that you haven't researched them by posting the same question on multiple school's threads when all of these answers are online? 🙂

Some people are just too serious.

 

[DoctorDachshund]

Just accepted to Penn yesterday. Still have not heard anything from Pitt. Boo hoo hoo. Anybody here in the same boat?

 

[Omega3MD]

Also heard from Penn yesterday. No word on Pitt.

 

[mrpremed]

Also heard from Penn yesterday. No word on Pitt.

so apparently last year there was a big waitlist movement march 15, and then again april 6
this is me right now

 

[mrpremed]

so apparently last year there was a big waitlist movement march 15, and then again april 6
this is me right now

hopefully news will come tomorrow (sorry this waitlist is taking over my life...oops)

 

[saveourpens]

hopefully news will come tomorrow (sorry this waitlist is taking over my life...oops)

I've started to gain back some sanity over several weeks. Still, every time this thread bumps up I think it's another acceptance wave that I'm not a part of ...right there with you.

 

[jesse120]

i've started to gain back some sanity over several weeks. still, every time this thread bumps up i think it's another acceptance wave that i'm not a part of ...right there with you.

+1

 

[549]

+2
Has anyone been in touch with admissions and have any idea about when they might start the next wave of WL accepts?

 

[DoctorDachshund]

Now that Penn has announced, it has officiallly grown tiresome waiting for Pitt.....

At this point, no matter how tired I am of waiting, and even if I decide to go somewhere else, I will NOT drop from the waitlist. I will wait for a Pitt acceptance, and then hold it till May 15th, paying them back with the same level of consideration and respect they have shown me. Almost six months since I interviewed and they can't decide... ya, right. They are just trying to protect their matriculation rate, with complete lack of concern for everyone who is waiting and trying to plan.

 

[sam500]

Now that Penn has announced, it has officiallly grown tiresome waiting for Pitt.....

At this point, no matter how tired I am of waiting, and even if I decide to go somewhere else, I will NOT drop from the waitlist. I will wait for a Pitt acceptance, and then hold it till May 15th, paying them back with the same level of consideration and respect they have shown me. Almost six months since I interviewed and they can't decide... ya, right. They are just trying to protect their matriculation rate, with complete lack of concern for everyone who is waiting and trying to plan.

Almost 7 months since my interview.

I'm not offended. It's all part of the process. There's no reason to get upset.

 

[549]

Now that Penn has announced, it has officiallly grown tiresome waiting for Pitt.....

At this point, no matter how tired I am of waiting, and even if I decide to go somewhere else, I will NOT drop from the waitlist. I will wait for a Pitt acceptance, and then hold it till May 15th, paying them back with the same level of consideration and respect they have shown me. Almost six months since I interviewed and they can't decide... ya, right. They are just trying to protect their matriculation rate, with complete lack of concern for everyone who is waiting and trying to plan.

Waiting sucks, but it's probably not going to serve as much "payback" to Pitt if you hold onto the acceptance till May. It'll just hold up space for another applicant who is just as keen on hearing back as you!

 

[Mazdave]

Now that Penn has announced, it has officiallly grown tiresome waiting for Pitt.....

At this point, no matter how tired I am of waiting, and even if I decide to go somewhere else, I will NOT drop from the waitlist. I will wait for a Pitt acceptance, and then hold it till May 15th, paying them back with the same level of consideration and respect they have shown me. Almost six months since I interviewed and they can't decide... ya, right. They are just trying to protect their matriculation rate, with complete lack of concern for everyone who is waiting and trying to plan.

Yup, Pitt's going to fill their class regardless of what you do. All holding a spot you don't want does is show a complete lack of concern for everyone who is waiting and trying to plan.

 

[Calvinball]

Now that Penn has announced, it has officiallly grown tiresome waiting for Pitt.....

At this point, no matter how tired I am of waiting, and even if I decide to go somewhere else, I will NOT drop from the waitlist. I will wait for a Pitt acceptance, and then hold it till May 15th, paying them back with the same level of consideration and respect they have shown me. Almost six months since I interviewed and they can't decide... ya, right. They are just trying to protect their matriculation rate, with complete lack of concern for everyone who is waiting and trying to plan.

If you really want revenge, here's what you should do: work really hard and cultivate a wildly successful career as a physician and researcher, and then write them a letter in 20 years telling them that they missed out on you as a student because of their admissions practices. That'd show them.

 

[anonymous56]

It's not really the matriculation rate I think they are trying to protect (it's only 1% of US Rankings anyway). The story goes that several years ago they over-enrolled and had to give out a number of scholarships to get people to defer. I think ever since then they have been very cautious about their class size.

 

[Alejandro]

It's not really the matriculation rate I think they are trying to protect (it's only 1% of US Rankings anyway). The story goes that several years ago they over-enrolled and had to give out a number of scholarships to get people to defer. I think ever since then they have been very cautious about their class size.

THIS. Remember what Cynthia said to us?

 

[Mazdave]

Hey everyone,

So I am never on here anymore, because let's face it, I'm a busy med student who also has a life. But I still get the emails and have noticed a lot of trashing of Pitt's admissions process on here lately.

First off, do not believe those people who say no one gets off the wait list until May. I was taken off the wait list in February and I know I am not the only one. Yeah it kind of sucks to have to wait a bit, but let's be honest. A lot of people who really aren't all that interested in Pitt withdraw before then because they feel special and think they don't deserve to wait it out. And that's fine, but that's exactly what Pitt wants. They don't want the people who think they "deserve" anything or that really do not want to be here. I'm sure we lose out on a lot of great med students, but guess what, my class and all the others are filled with really great people. So in the end, we don't really lose much.

This is a great school and I had my pick between 11 schools. I do not regret for one moment the decision I made. Yeah, I could have been in better cities like Boston and NYC, but I chose this place because it is special and I've really seen all it has to offer in the last 3 and a half months.

I'm sorry if a lot of you are tired of waiting, have families to consider, etc. I know it is tough, I was there a year ago. But if you love this school, don't lose hope. Pitt will realize how much you want to be here. This school and this city, believe it or not, have a lot to offer.

Good luck to you all and Happy Thanksgiving!

P.S. Pitt has an excellent turnaround...and no, they do not stop looking at applicants who apply after a certain date. I applied so close to their deadline it's kind of incredible I'm even here LOL

Posted by a current Pitt student back in November.

 

[candav]

It's not really the matriculation rate I think they are trying to protect (it's only 1% of US Rankings anyway). The story goes that several years ago they over-enrolled and had to give out a number of scholarships to get people to defer. I think ever since then they have been very cautious about their class size.

Someone (can't remember who) told us on interview day that the admissions policies are designed specifically to protect the yield rate. Why else are letters of interest/intent so important to getting in at Pitt? Plus, their stated initial acceptance rate of 10% of interviewed applicants does not even come close to filling the class -- they could accept a much larger proportion of interviewees outright without having to worry about over-enrollment.

While I don't think these policies are wrong, exactly, I also don't think they do the school any favours in terms of attracting students and establishing goodwill with applicants. Mostly, as an applicant, I just find them annoying.

 

[DoctorDachshund]

Yup, Pitt's going to fill their class regardless of what you do. All holding a spot you don't want does is show a complete lack of concern for everyone who is waiting and trying to plan.

Hummm... Just call me "Pitt" !

 

[DoctorDachshund]

It's not really the matriculation rate I think they are trying to protect (it's only 1% of US Rankings anyway). The story goes that several years ago they over-enrolled and had to give out a number of scholarships to get people to defer. I think ever since then they have been very cautious about their class size.

Ahhh..... So the poor little babies at Pitt have to deal with exactly the same thing as every other medical school.... You know, the schools that have a little concern and resprect for their applicants, and don't make them wait 2/3 of a year to get a decision.

Please, nobody should be defending this rediculous practice. It's OK to be cool with the waiting, it's OK to really like the school, it's OK to go there.... Just call it what it is... A complete disregard for applicants to make their job easier, or to cover for an incompetent ADCOM.

 

[DoctorDachshund]

someone (can't remember who) told
us on interview day that the admissions policies are designed specifically to protect the yield rate. Why else are letters of interest/intent so important to getting in at pitt? Plus, their stated initial acceptance rate of 10% of interviewed applicants does not even come close to filling the class -- they could accept a much larger proportion of interviewees outright without having to worry about over-enrollment.

While i don't think these policies are wrong, exactly, i also don't think they do the school any favours in terms of attracting students and establishing goodwill with applicants. Mostly, as an applicant, i just find them annoying.

exactly right.

 

[eHombre]

Someone (can't remember who) told us on interview day that the admissions policies are designed specifically to protect the yield rate. Why else are letters of interest/intent so important to getting in at Pitt? Plus, their stated initial acceptance rate of 10% of interviewed applicants does not even come close to filling the class -- they could accept a much larger proportion of interviewees outright without having to worry about over-enrollment.

While I don't think these policies are wrong, exactly, I also don't think they do the school any favours in terms of attracting students and establishing goodwill with applicants. Mostly, as an applicant, I just find them annoying.

I wonder how much the matriculation rate really matters. After all, USNWR only looks at acceptance rate, which is loosely, but not directly, tied to the matriculation rate. And as mentioned above, it's only 1% of the score, presumably to head off these kinds of shenanigans.

Then again, the peer assessment score is a hefty 20% of the research rankings. Might the matriculation rate indirectly affect a school's perception by other deans of admission? Perhaps, but the effect can't be so large as to justify Pitt's risk of losing highly qualified applicants.

Maybe Pitt wants to make sure most matriculants are people who are really motivated to be there, as communicated through multiple LOIs/love letters. Class spirit, or something like that. Again, that's possible, but.. really?

I think the concern about overenrollment sounds like the most reasonable explanation. None of the other things sound like a truly bad situation for Pitt. Having to hand out scholarships to induce deferments, however, sounds like a terrible predicament.

In any event, I just withdrew from the waitlist (unrelated to the current discussion). I just got an acceptance at one of my top choice schools, so I guess they got what they wanted in the end. See ya later, Pitt! You win... this time.

 

[Mazdave]

In a way, I like Pitt's process, because I feel like it actually gives me a better shot than I would have had otherwise. My application is not quite of the caliber of many other posters in this thread (I didn't even apply to Penn, or Hopkins, or Duke) but what I do have going for me is that I really like Pitt and I think it's a good fit for my goals, and I like that they actually care about that. And really, compared to many other schools, I've found that Pitt actually puts a lot of effort into being courteous to their applicants.

 

[elblackwell]

Ahhh..... So the poor little babies at Pitt have to deal with exactly the same thing as every other medical school.... You know, the schools that have a little concern and resprect for their applicants, and don't make them wait 2/3 of a year to get a decision.

Please, nobody should be defending this rediculous practice. It's OK to be cool with the waiting, it's OK to really like the school, it's OK to go there.... Just call it what it is... A complete disregard for applicants to make their job easier, or to cover for an incompetent ADCOM.

I understand what you are saying and I was feeling the same way about multiple schools a few weeks ago. I was rejected from a school two days after I interviewed and even though I couldn't see myself there, it was a huge blow to my ego. This whole application process is a crapshoot BUT you got in to one of the best schools in the country AND you are going to be a doctor! Don't let the other things get in the way of enjoying your immense success. I think that all schools have annoying admissions policies and Pitt is no exception but they all receive so many great applications and it must not be easy to decide which to accept. If you got in to Penn, you have already proved you are qualified and a great student, and if Pitt doesn't realize that, it is their loss. I also think that they have certain categories of students they need to fill and when they are deciding who to accept, they take this into consideration so they can make sure they have a diverse class.

 

[DoctorDachshund]

In a way, I like Pitt's process, because I feel like it actually gives me a better shot than I would have had otherwise. My application is not quite of the caliber of many other posters in this thread (I didn't even apply to Penn, or Hopkins, or Duke) but what I do have going for me is that I really like Pitt and I think it's a good fit for my goals, and I like that they actually care about that. And really, compared to many other schools, I've found that Pitt actually puts a lot of effort into being courteous to their applicants.

Really? I haven't heard a damn thing since put on waitlist. How exactly have you been shown courteousy?

They won't get what they want from me. I won't drop now. I'm going somewhere else, but I'll hold their acceptance, if I get one, till May 15th. I'd advise everybody else to do the same to show Pitt how it feels to wait and wait and wait. Treat others how you would like to be treated.

 

[Mazdave]

Really? I haven't heard a damn thing since put on waitlist. How exactly have you been shown courteousy?

They won't get what they want from me. I won't drop now. I'm going somewhere else, but I'll hold their acceptance, if I get one, till May 15th. I'd advise everybody else to do the same to show Pitt how it feels to wait and wait and wait. Treat others how you would like to be treated.

Trust me, if you feel disrespected by Pitt, there are plenty of other schools that you would just absolutely hate. But really, med schools don't have to be courteous to applicants at all to fill their class every year and I appreciate that Pitt has a well-organized interview day, makes an effort to keep in touch with applicants and actually cares that your questions about the school get answered.

I'm not sure what you want to get out of holding a grudge against a school you're not going to attend but I'll let you get on with it.

 

[Ismet]

I'd advise everybody else to do the same to show Pitt how it feels to wait and wait and wait.

They won't care. They take into account that most people will hold multiple acceptances until May 15, and their numbers are in limbo until then. I'm pretty sure I will be matriculating at Pitt, but I am still holding another acceptance because financial aid will play a part in my decision. I might not hold out until May 15, but certainly into April, which I believe is when Pitt sends out fin aid packages. You are only holding a spot from another applicant who is waiting and actually wants to attend Pitt.

If you loved Pitt, the wait would be worth it. I was lucky to be accepted in February, but I would have waited until May, June, etc to get in. Yes, the wait sucks, I agree. But don't be a jerk and hold a spot from someone else just because you think Pitt will be hurt, because they won't be. They will still fill the class. They don't care if it gets filled in April or July, but a heck of a lot of applicants will care.

 

[mrpremed]

did everyone on the waitlist fill a fafsa out for this school? i need to get on that...it feels weird to do though without an acceptance...