2012-2013 Penn State Application Thread

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berkpremed said:
Still not complete. Sent in Aug 15th...Should I call soon to check my app?
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I have had this
Our records indicate that your Secondary Application has been received, but it has not been determined whether your application is complete or not at this time. Once that determination has been made, you will be notified via email.
since I was complete on August 2nd.

I wouldn't worry as a lot of us seem to have been waiting longer.
 
II this afternoon! OOS 35/3.75/3.75 non URM, complete for about 2 weeks
 
nighthawk4900 said:
Woohoo!! I'm coming from about 3 hours away, any specific suggestions/tips/heads ups? Also, would it be prudent to stay over (I'm in the 10:30 session)? Should my parents come too?? Sooo many questions!! Sorry haha
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lol when is ur interview date? your parents can hang with my dad...poor guy has to drive me and then wait around since I STILL can't drive sigh... really need to practice soon :laugh:
 
looks like Penn St might pull out the W this week...well, as long as they don't screw up the 4th Qtr.

EDIT: lol whoopsie?
 
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anyone know if interview is open or closed file? would appreciate response since i'm interviewing soon. thanks.
 
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nvrmind found its open-file
 
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Anyone know if Penn State is receptive to in-the-area emails (even though Philly is not actually that close to Hershey...)? Also, I'm only coming from NYC, so it's not like it's THAT inconvenient to make another trip to pennsylvania..so could my asking be looked down upon?
 
mzell12 said:
anyone know if penn state is receptive to in-the-area emails (even though philly is not actually that close to hershey...)? Also, i'm only coming from nyc, so it's not like it's that inconvenient to make another trip to pennsylvania..so could my asking be looked down upon?
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+1
 
mzell12 said:
Anyone know if Penn State is receptive to in-the-area emails (even though Philly is not actually that close to Hershey...)? Also, I'm only coming from NYC, so it's not like it's THAT inconvenient to make another trip to pennsylvania..so could my asking be looked down upon?
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If you're not flying in and staying at hotels (and therefore racking up considerable cost), I wouldn't do it.
 
Chem Hopeful said:
I did the exact same thing. Hoping to at least be marked complete soon. XD
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I was marked complete a while ago and submitted on Aug 7. The status that I have had for weeks now is:

"Our records indicate that your application is complete, and is currently being reviewed by the Admissions Committee. You will be contacted by mail and/or phone during the next several weeks with its decision."

Call them, because you should have been completed. I called another school and they needed to verify something from me before they'd mark it as complete and never told me.

GL!
 
scheduled my interview a little while ago. for others scheduled, did you get an email confirmation with your date/time or anything?

Thanks!
 
How long does it usually take to get completed? I already submitted my secondary and paid the fee but still no completed email.
 
Is penn state receptive to letters of interest/update letters post-interview?
 
I talked to an adcom earlier this week. They are receptive post interview but not pre-interview.
 
Anyone here interviewing on 9/19? Decided I'm staying the night of 9/18 in Hershey so if anyone wants to hang out, let me know!
 
Just finished my interview here not too long ago, just here to post my experience for those who are interested. This was my first med interview btw.

First of all, yes, chocolate is in the air haha. I've been a PA resident nearly all my life and have never visited Hershey, that's almost a sin, and I'm now starting to regret it.

I LOVE this place. It's got a very peaceful, serene feel to it unlike the fast-paced urban lifestyle that I'm used to. I actually found a really nice hotel nearby, Howard Johnson Inn for like $60 which helped me relax the night before (It's about 3 mi from the med campus).

The med center is a LOT bigger than I imagined, especially with the near complete construction of the new children's hospital. When I drove onto campus that morning, there was free parking everywhere, almost unheard of for me...nuff said.

Found my way to the biomedical research building and into the spot where all the other interviewees gathered. It was nice meeting everyone and generally joking about the med app process. Some 3rd years actually dropped by and just chatted w/ us for like a straight 30 min. It was really laidback and relaxed. We got a presentation about PSU med followed by lunch w/ some current med students. Following that, we got a tour w/ a hilarious tour guide (seriously, he killed it) for about an hour. Right after that I expected some down-time and waiting before we got to our interviews...nope...I was lead straight to my 2 faculty interviews, each right after each other.

The interviews themselves were a lot more laidback that I expected (I have nothing to compare to so don't take my word for it). I was asked about me, my background, what brought me there, my research, healthcare, etc. No curve-ball questions like tell me a joke, something weird like that.

Overall, people @ Hershey are some of the nicest I've ever encountered. It was a real change of scene from the med students I've seen on my undergrad campus (all who seem pretty miserable 😛). Honestly I haven't really considered going to PSU med in the past, but this experience really changed my mind!
 
ERMAHGERD said:
Just finished my interview here not too long ago, just here to post my experience for those who are interested. This was my first med interview btw.

First of all, yes, chocolate is in the air haha. I've been a PA resident nearly all my life and have never visited Hershey, that's almost a sin, and I'm now starting to regret it.

I LOVE this place. It's got a very peaceful, serene feel to it unlike the fast-paced urban lifestyle that I'm used to. I actually found a really nice hotel nearby, Howard Johnson Inn for like $60 which helped me relax the night before (It's about 3 mi from the med campus).

The med center is a LOT bigger than I imagined, especially with the near complete construction of the new children's hospital. When I drove onto campus that morning, there was free parking everywhere, almost unheard of for me...nuff said.

Found my way to the biomedical research building and into the spot where all the other interviewees gathered. It was nice meeting everyone and generally joking about the med app process. Some 3rd years actually dropped by and just chatted w/ us for like a straight 30 min. It was really laidback and relaxed. We got a presentation about PSU med followed by lunch w/ some current med students. Following that, we got a tour w/ a hilarious tour guide (seriously, he killed it) for about an hour. Right after that I expected some down-time and waiting before we got to our interviews...nope...I was lead straight to my 2 faculty interviews, each right after each other.

The interviews themselves were a lot more laidback that I expected (I have nothing to compare to so don't take my word for it). I was asked about me, my background, what brought me there, my research, healthcare, etc. No curve-ball questions like tell me a joke, something weird like that.

Overall, people @ Hershey are some of the nicest I've ever encountered. It was a real change of scene from the med students I've seen on my undergrad campus (all who seem pretty miserable 😛). Honestly I haven't really considered going to PSU med in the past, but this experience really changed my mind!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the post!
 
ERMAHGERD said:
Just finished my interview here not too long ago, just here to post my experience for those who are interested. This was my first med interview btw.

First of all, yes, chocolate is in the air haha. I've been a PA resident nearly all my life and have never visited Hershey, that's almost a sin, and I'm now starting to regret it.

I LOVE this place. It's got a very peaceful, serene feel to it unlike the fast-paced urban lifestyle that I'm used to. I actually found a really nice hotel nearby, Howard Johnson Inn for like $60 which helped me relax the night before (It's about 3 mi from the med campus).

The med center is a LOT bigger than I imagined, especially with the near complete construction of the new children's hospital. When I drove onto campus that morning, there was free parking everywhere, almost unheard of for me...nuff said.

Found my way to the biomedical research building and into the spot where all the other interviewees gathered. It was nice meeting everyone and generally joking about the med app process. Some 3rd years actually dropped by and just chatted w/ us for like a straight 30 min. It was really laidback and relaxed. We got a presentation about PSU med followed by lunch w/ some current med students. Following that, we got a tour w/ a hilarious tour guide (seriously, he killed it) for about an hour. Right after that I expected some down-time and waiting before we got to our interviews...nope...I was lead straight to my 2 faculty interviews, each right after each other.

The interviews themselves were a lot more laidback that I expected (I have nothing to compare to so don't take my word for it). I was asked about me, my background, what brought me there, my research, healthcare, etc. No curve-ball questions like tell me a joke, something weird like that.

Overall, people @ Hershey are some of the nicest I've ever encountered. It was a real change of scene from the med students I've seen on my undergrad campus (all who seem pretty miserable 😛). Honestly I haven't really considered going to PSU med in the past, but this experience really changed my mind!
Click to expand...


thanks for the info! it will be my first interview as well so your post was very encouraging! 🙂
 
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ERMAHGERD said:
Just finished my interview here not too long ago, just here to post my experience for those who are interested. This was my first med interview btw.

First of all, yes, chocolate is in the air haha. I've been a PA resident nearly all my life and have never visited Hershey, that's almost a sin, and I'm now starting to regret it.

I LOVE this place. It's got a very peaceful, serene feel to it unlike the fast-paced urban lifestyle that I'm used to. I actually found a really nice hotel nearby, Howard Johnson Inn for like $60 which helped me relax the night before (It's about 3 mi from the med campus).

The med center is a LOT bigger than I imagined, especially with the near complete construction of the new children's hospital. When I drove onto campus that morning, there was free parking everywhere, almost unheard of for me...nuff said.

Found my way to the biomedical research building and into the spot where all the other interviewees gathered. It was nice meeting everyone and generally joking about the med app process. Some 3rd years actually dropped by and just chatted w/ us for like a straight 30 min. It was really laidback and relaxed. We got a presentation about PSU med followed by lunch w/ some current med students. Following that, we got a tour w/ a hilarious tour guide (seriously, he killed it) for about an hour. Right after that I expected some down-time and waiting before we got to our interviews...nope...I was lead straight to my 2 faculty interviews, each right after each other.

The interviews themselves were a lot more laidback that I expected (I have nothing to compare to so don't take my word for it). I was asked about me, my background, what brought me there, my research, healthcare, etc. No curve-ball questions like tell me a joke, something weird like that.

Overall, people @ Hershey are some of the nicest I've ever encountered. It was a real change of scene from the med students I've seen on my undergrad campus (all who seem pretty miserable 😛). Honestly I haven't really considered going to PSU med in the past, but this experience really changed my mind!
Click to expand...

Agree bout the tour guide. My favorites were "These mannikins can't talk. If you hear one say something to you, we'll take you to the third floor which is the psychiatry department" and while we were in the body part room, he just let us stand there in silence for a bit until he said "No one needs any parts?" lmao
 
I was complete about a month ago and still:

Our records indicate that your Secondary Application has been received, but it has not been determined whether your application is complete or not at this time. Once that determination has been made, you will be notified via email.
Click to expand...

How many others?
 
I just checked and I got the received eMail August 6, but my final LOR wasn't sent until the 18th.

Do they notify of rejections? I wish schools were more transparent with their admissions protocol.
 
ERMAHGERD said:
Just finished my interview here not too long ago, just here to post my experience for those who are interested. This was my first med interview btw.

First of all, yes, chocolate is in the air haha. I've been a PA resident nearly all my life and have never visited Hershey, that's almost a sin, and I'm now starting to regret it.

I LOVE this place. It's got a very peaceful, serene feel to it unlike the fast-paced urban lifestyle that I'm used to. I actually found a really nice hotel nearby, Howard Johnson Inn for like $60 which helped me relax the night before (It's about 3 mi from the med campus).

The med center is a LOT bigger than I imagined, especially with the near complete construction of the new children's hospital. When I drove onto campus that morning, there was free parking everywhere, almost unheard of for me...nuff said.

Found my way to the biomedical research building and into the spot where all the other interviewees gathered. It was nice meeting everyone and generally joking about the med app process. Some 3rd years actually dropped by and just chatted w/ us for like a straight 30 min. It was really laidback and relaxed. We got a presentation about PSU med followed by lunch w/ some current med students. Following that, we got a tour w/ a hilarious tour guide (seriously, he killed it) for about an hour. Right after that I expected some down-time and waiting before we got to our interviews...nope...I was lead straight to my 2 faculty interviews, each right after each other.

The interviews themselves were a lot more laidback that I expected (I have nothing to compare to so don't take my word for it). I was asked about me, my background, what brought me there, my research, healthcare, etc. No curve-ball questions like tell me a joke, something weird like that.

Overall, people @ Hershey are some of the nicest I've ever encountered. It was a real change of scene from the med students I've seen on my undergrad campus (all who seem pretty miserable 😛). Honestly I haven't really considered going to PSU med in the past, but this experience really changed my mind!
Click to expand...

That's exactly what we like to hear. And honestly, when I interviewed last year (MS1 now) that is why I chose to come here. And its not ana act they put on for interview day. Everyone really is just that nice.

If you guys have any questions post interview, lemme know! And anyone who interviewed today, it was nice to see y'all at lunch!!
 
^^---What that long post said... +

I just interviewed today and I am extremely impressed with the demeanor of EVERYONE. Literally everyone who walked by the "walking area" (very comfy couches, btw) wished the applicants good luck and smiled. Just so much smiling all over haha. And the lunch with students is very casual and informative (they dont evaluate you, so its that much more relaxed)

Both my interviews were extremely relaxed, no tricky questions either. They talked about me, and all the things I was comfortable talking about!

This was my first interview as well, but even from the other people who were there today, PSU is really serious about bringing in "good" people, not just "smart" people (a sentiment echoed by both my interviewers).

The only thing I was a little disappointed about is the actual acceptance decision process, your interviewers evaluate you (written) and then all the evals are brought to a committee meeting. At the meeting, they divide the evals and each person at the meeting "defends" the eval they have in their hand- this person is not necessarily the person who interviewed you, and the person who interviewed you doesn't even have to be in the room (they have 4 separate committees, each committee meets every 4 weeks; ie every week a different committee meets...).


One last thing, if you have specific questions about the school, ask during the presentation with the director. Atleast in my case, both my interviewers were MDs who gave good information and perspective about their responsibilities and roles, but were not as able to comment on bigger issues/topics.
 
I know it was answered by someone, but is the school responsive to letters of intent pre-interview?
 
ERMAHGERD said:
Just finished my interview here not too long ago, just here to post my experience for those who are interested. This was my first med interview btw.

First of all, yes, chocolate is in the air haha. I've been a PA resident nearly all my life and have never visited Hershey, that's almost a sin, and I'm now starting to regret it.

I LOVE this place. It's got a very peaceful, serene feel to it unlike the fast-paced urban lifestyle that I'm used to. I actually found a really nice hotel nearby, Howard Johnson Inn for like $60 which helped me relax the night before (It's about 3 mi from the med campus).

The med center is a LOT bigger than I imagined, especially with the near complete construction of the new children's hospital. When I drove onto campus that morning, there was free parking everywhere, almost unheard of for me...nuff said.

Found my way to the biomedical research building and into the spot where all the other interviewees gathered. It was nice meeting everyone and generally joking about the med app process. Some 3rd years actually dropped by and just chatted w/ us for like a straight 30 min. It was really laidback and relaxed. We got a presentation about PSU med followed by lunch w/ some current med students. Following that, we got a tour w/ a hilarious tour guide (seriously, he killed it) for about an hour. Right after that I expected some down-time and waiting before we got to our interviews...nope...I was lead straight to my 2 faculty interviews, each right after each other.

The interviews themselves were a lot more laidback that I expected (I have nothing to compare to so don't take my word for it). I was asked about me, my background, what brought me there, my research, healthcare, etc. No curve-ball questions like tell me a joke, something weird like that.

Overall, people @ Hershey are some of the nicest I've ever encountered. It was a real change of scene from the med students I've seen on my undergrad campus (all who seem pretty miserable 😛). Honestly I haven't really considered going to PSU med in the past, but this experience really changed my mind!
Click to expand...

The punishment is thirty lashes by a bearded Amish man. :laugh:

I live in Lancaster, so I've been to Hershey Park more than a dozen times. It's a good time in Hershey, and everyone is extremely kind. I love the area, I just wish there was just a little more to do.

Interviewing there on 10/1; it'll be my third, so hopefully I'll be able to make the comparisons some of you guys couldn't really make.
 
ERMAHGERD said:
Just finished my interview here not too long ago, just here to post my experience for those who are interested. This was my first med interview btw.

First of all, yes, chocolate is in the air haha. I've been a PA resident nearly all my life and have never visited Hershey, that's almost a sin, and I'm now starting to regret it.

I LOVE this place. It's got a very peaceful, serene feel to it unlike the fast-paced urban lifestyle that I'm used to. I actually found a really nice hotel nearby, Howard Johnson Inn for like $60 which helped me relax the night before (It's about 3 mi from the med campus).

The med center is a LOT bigger than I imagined, especially with the near complete construction of the new children's hospital. When I drove onto campus that morning, there was free parking everywhere, almost unheard of for me...nuff said.

Found my way to the biomedical research building and into the spot where all the other interviewees gathered. It was nice meeting everyone and generally joking about the med app process. Some 3rd years actually dropped by and just chatted w/ us for like a straight 30 min. It was really laidback and relaxed. We got a presentation about PSU med followed by lunch w/ some current med students. Following that, we got a tour w/ a hilarious tour guide (seriously, he killed it) for about an hour. Right after that I expected some down-time and waiting before we got to our interviews...nope...I was lead straight to my 2 faculty interviews, each right after each other.

The interviews themselves were a lot more laidback that I expected (I have nothing to compare to so don't take my word for it). I was asked about me, my background, what brought me there, my research, healthcare, etc. No curve-ball questions like tell me a joke, something weird like that.

Overall, people @ Hershey are some of the nicest I've ever encountered. It was a real change of scene from the med students I've seen on my undergrad campus (all who seem pretty miserable 😛). Honestly I haven't really considered going to PSU med in the past, but this experience really changed my mind!
Click to expand...

+1 interviewed here today and was thoroughly impressed. This school definitely shot up my list, really hope I get an acceptance here!

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk
 
EnergyDrink said:
I was complete about a month ago and still:



How many others?
Click to expand...

I've been waiting for 6 weeks now. I gave them a ring yesterday, and the admissions office said it means they haven't gotten to the file yet.
 
roflmaoxqz said:
Have an interview next week. Where do we meet in the morning?
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It's a room 18-- in the biomedical research building. I drove along campus rd and parked in the lot in front of the fitness center, then walked across the grass to the BMR building which is like on the right side, slightly behind the crescent. Walk to the right after you get to the building or ask someone, they are super friendly
 
ChartaBona said:
I've been waiting for 6 weeks now. I gave them a ring yesterday, and the admissions office said it means they haven't gotten to the file yet.
Click to expand...

Sigh, thanks for sharing. All my stuff was sent 7 1/2 weeks ago...it's getting a little ridiculous!! 🙁
 
Be patient everyone. This is the nature of medical school applications. The process is long and drawn out, but the admissions committees have a LOT of work to do. You might have to wait several MONTHS to be reviewed (depending on the school). You'll feel a lot better if you relax and enjoy yourselves rather than worry about the process.

👍
 
betheltim said:
Be patient everyone. This is the nature of medical school applications. The process is long and drawn out, but the admissions committees have a LOT of work to do. You might have to wait several MONTHS to be reviewed (depending on the school). You'll feel a lot better if you relax and enjoy yourselves rather than worry about the process.

👍
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Yeah, this is what I said in PSU's defense before, but once other people reported it took them less than 2 weeks to be marked complete with a later submission date and others have been > 7 weeks, I kind of lost my sympathy.
 
A little clairvoyance in this process would be nice. I don't really what the schools have to gain by keeping us in the dark.
 
MiracleforMD said:
Yeah, this is what I said in PSU's defense before, but once other people reported it took them less than 2 weeks to be marked complete with a later submission date and others have been > 7 weeks, I kind of lost my sympathy.
Click to expand...

It doesn't mean you aren't complete. Maybe they're busy (surprise, it's interview season). Maybe they don't really bother to update everyone's status even if they are complete. Maybe they saw something they liked in someone else's application and decided to run them through the process faster. Regardless of whether or not you are complete, it likely wouldn't change the fact that you may or may not get an interview months from now (or none at all). Again, everyone needs to relax--your time will come when it comes. There's often no way to know what the reasons are behind someone being "complete" before someone else--or for that matter, having anyone have anything happen in this cycle before someone else.

EnergyDrink said:
A little clairvoyance in this process would be nice. I don't really what the schools have to gain by keeping us in the dark.
Click to expand...

They aren't out to gain anything--I promise you that.
 
Just some extra info on this whole complete thing. I called Penn State a few days ago to ask whether I was missing anything (since I hadn't been marked complete and it's been over a month). The office staff told me that they'll mark me as complete when a member of their admissions committee actually begins looks at my application.
 
Shouraisei said:
Just some extra info on this whole complete thing. I called Penn State a few days ago to ask whether I was missing anything (since I hadn't been marked complete and it's been over a month). The office staff told me that they'll mark me as complete when a member of their admissions committee actually begins looks at my application.
Click to expand...

That makes sense. I submitted mine the same day I received it (1.5 months ago), but because it was pretty short, I'm guessing a LOT of people got theirs in before me--hence why I am not "complete" yet. The way I see it (for all schools), the length of response versus submission date is essentially exponential in nature. In any case, I'm not worried.
 
betheltim said:
That makes sense. I submitted mine the same day I received it (1.5 months ago), but because it was pretty short, I'm guessing a LOT of people got theirs in before me--hence why I am not "complete" yet. The way I see it (for all schools), the length of response versus submission date is essentially exponential in nature. In any case, I'm not worried.
Click to expand...

You have an extraordinary amount of patience. I really hope this cycle works out for you :xf:
 
dextor2003 said:
You have an extraordinary amount of patience. I really hope this cycle works out for you :xf:
Click to expand...

Haha, thanks, I appreciate your kind words. I would like to say I have a lot of patience, but unfortunately a lot of it comes from the fact that I've gone through this process twice before and have seen how random it appears from the applicant perspective. Not only that, but I've recognized that many schools WON'T get back to me for several months.

In any case, I'm really excited about the chance to show schools that I'm ready for this.

Good luck to you (and everyone else)! Remember, be patient--seriously! :luck:
 
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