Some advice, if you want it:
Hey guys. 2nd year BUSM student here. I whole-heartedly agree with what Eagle34 has said. I love everything about this school, minus the price
1) The waiting game really sucks and it does feel completely random. If you haven't received an email at 19 days or 30 days, relax and give Admissions a break. BUSM was one of the few schools that really do try to keep you informed. It is SO easy to become neurotic and feel like your world is going to crumble after waiting yet ANOTHER day (been there, done that). Try to restrict your time on SDN and continue doing those activities/hobbies that make you an interesting applicant/person! You should have something to talk about with your interviewer besides why you want to be a doctor/go to BUSM 😉
Oh, and as an FYI, since everyone wants to know timeline: I think my BUSM application was complete at the end of August/beginning of September. I got an interview invite email sometime in December. My interview in Jan/Feb was canceled because of a snowstorm and then was rescheduled on the LAST DAY of interviews, I think mid-February. BUSM sends out the first batch of acceptances mid-December and the second batch mid to late March. If you interviewed before December but haven't been accepted then, your application will be reviewed again with the spring batch. I was accepted with the spring batch. It is true that there is very little movement on the waitlist, especially last year's. (My fellow classmates were just THAT awesome during Second Look in May 😀)
2) Public transportation is super easy in Boston and you can easily walk to a lot of places. Don't be fooled by the map and think Boston is a super big city - it's not. I have walked from the South End to Downtown on more than one occasion. Buses/subway are reliable, efficient, and super cheap. If you must take a cab, only do it if you are pressed for time or if you're wearing heels. (Totally appropriate then lol) Public transit is the way to go for the airport, but just give yourself some extra time during rush hour. (From the South End, I would say give yourself 45mins-1hr to get to the airport during rush hour.)
3) Yes, there will be an email sent out about student hosting. Admissions is actually holding an interest meeting tomorrow regarding this. Interested students will sign up, Admissions will compile all of the info and then send it out to you. I used a student host when I was interviewing and I hosted students last year. Few thoughts:
- Understand that students may take a few days to respond, especially if they are studying. I'd say it's appropriate to send a follow-up email after like... a week - NOT after 4 hours.
- Be considerate. Most people will email several different hosts. If you find a host, please let the other students know that you no longer need a host. If they give you an address, don't ask them for directions if you can easily look it up online. Etc, etc.
- Ask the host what you should bring (sleeping bag, pillow, towel, air mattress, etc). Some students will have futons, some will have a nice, some-what clean floor. Also, apartments in Boston can be drafty so bring an extra sweatshirt if you tend to get cold.
4) The Medical Student Residence hall is new for the first years. Yes, it does make meeting other students easier. Yes, I can imagine that it does feel like a dorm. No, you do not have to live in the MSR. I have an apartment in the South End (bc I chronically oversleep and want to be within walking/running distance). I love it and would NEVER consider living in the MSR. Personal choice. (I'm also 27, so dorms are just not my thing.)
5) I love the administration. Everyone is always asking for your feedback and constantly trying to analyze the data and improve the school. When you meet Dean Witzberg at your interviews, you will understand what I mean. I have a crush on him, don't judge. Just wait - You will have a crush on him too after you hear him speak.
6) My class rocks. The students are from all over the place and have done so many things. I'm sure every other school is like that too, but seriously, my class is awesome. I have no clue how Admissions chooses the class, but whatever they're doing - it works.
I am happy to answer questions about pre-clinical years. Good luck to everyone! Stay cool. 👍
Hey guys. 2nd year BUSM student here. I whole-heartedly agree with what Eagle34 has said. I love everything about this school, minus the price
1) The waiting game really sucks and it does feel completely random. If you haven't received an email at 19 days or 30 days, relax and give Admissions a break. BUSM was one of the few schools that really do try to keep you informed. It is SO easy to become neurotic and feel like your world is going to crumble after waiting yet ANOTHER day (been there, done that). Try to restrict your time on SDN and continue doing those activities/hobbies that make you an interesting applicant/person! You should have something to talk about with your interviewer besides why you want to be a doctor/go to BUSM 😉
Oh, and as an FYI, since everyone wants to know timeline: I think my BUSM application was complete at the end of August/beginning of September. I got an interview invite email sometime in December. My interview in Jan/Feb was canceled because of a snowstorm and then was rescheduled on the LAST DAY of interviews, I think mid-February. BUSM sends out the first batch of acceptances mid-December and the second batch mid to late March. If you interviewed before December but haven't been accepted then, your application will be reviewed again with the spring batch. I was accepted with the spring batch. It is true that there is very little movement on the waitlist, especially last year's. (My fellow classmates were just THAT awesome during Second Look in May 😀)
2) Public transportation is super easy in Boston and you can easily walk to a lot of places. Don't be fooled by the map and think Boston is a super big city - it's not. I have walked from the South End to Downtown on more than one occasion. Buses/subway are reliable, efficient, and super cheap. If you must take a cab, only do it if you are pressed for time or if you're wearing heels. (Totally appropriate then lol) Public transit is the way to go for the airport, but just give yourself some extra time during rush hour. (From the South End, I would say give yourself 45mins-1hr to get to the airport during rush hour.)
3) Yes, there will be an email sent out about student hosting. Admissions is actually holding an interest meeting tomorrow regarding this. Interested students will sign up, Admissions will compile all of the info and then send it out to you. I used a student host when I was interviewing and I hosted students last year. Few thoughts:
- Understand that students may take a few days to respond, especially if they are studying. I'd say it's appropriate to send a follow-up email after like... a week - NOT after 4 hours.
- Be considerate. Most people will email several different hosts. If you find a host, please let the other students know that you no longer need a host. If they give you an address, don't ask them for directions if you can easily look it up online. Etc, etc.
- Ask the host what you should bring (sleeping bag, pillow, towel, air mattress, etc). Some students will have futons, some will have a nice, some-what clean floor. Also, apartments in Boston can be drafty so bring an extra sweatshirt if you tend to get cold.
4) The Medical Student Residence hall is new for the first years. Yes, it does make meeting other students easier. Yes, I can imagine that it does feel like a dorm. No, you do not have to live in the MSR. I have an apartment in the South End (bc I chronically oversleep and want to be within walking/running distance). I love it and would NEVER consider living in the MSR. Personal choice. (I'm also 27, so dorms are just not my thing.)
5) I love the administration. Everyone is always asking for your feedback and constantly trying to analyze the data and improve the school. When you meet Dean Witzberg at your interviews, you will understand what I mean. I have a crush on him, don't judge. Just wait - You will have a crush on him too after you hear him speak.
6) My class rocks. The students are from all over the place and have done so many things. I'm sure every other school is like that too, but seriously, my class is awesome. I have no clue how Admissions chooses the class, but whatever they're doing - it works.
I am happy to answer questions about pre-clinical years. Good luck to everyone! Stay cool. 👍
Congrats, how did you get interview for October? The only options I was given were the week of November 26th.
