2012-2013 Penn State Application Thread

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Got the continue to review letter today. Submitted early September and complete email 12/18.
 
I wish PSU were receptive to letters. I really want to go to this school

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MCAT: 31, GPA: 3.53, in-state (my home town, too)

08/06/12: Submitted
08/14/12: Complete
~9/01/12: Received a paper mail letter putting me in the continue to review pile, whatever that means.
09/10/12: I emailed them an update letter with some new publications from my research.
09/11/12: Emailed reply: They don't accept update letters until May 15th.

Current Status Since Then: 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.


There's no hope here, right? 🙁 I should give up anticipating any news? I have another acceptance already, I was just hoping for something good here, but it's feeling more and more like a silent rejection. Does this school do that? 😕
 
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Hey guys. I just got an interview invite this morning, so I think there is still hope for those still waiting. I was complete Jan 18th. I may also withdraw from this interview... which would mean 1 more spot.
 
Submitted my application WAYYY back in November and FINALLY received an e-mail today stating that my application/file is complete. Now I wait haha

Geez!!! :scared:
 
Does anyone know if it is possible to be accepted after being placed on post-interview "hold list" before May 15? I called admissions but they were very vague and basically did not give an answer .
 
Would it be safe to assume I may hear back this week or next about my decision? I interviewed Dec. 7th

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Does anyone know if it is possible to be accepted after being placed on post-interview "hold list" before May 15? I called admissions but they were very vague and basically did not give an answer .

Youre on the Waitlist. It's like any other school. You could get accepted, you could not. Sadly it's just more waiting.
 
Youre on the Waitlist. It's like any other school. You could get accepted, you could not. Sadly it's just more waiting.

I think you misunderstood redleo's question. He/she wants to know if it is possible to get accepted off the hold list BEFORE May 15. Some schools review the applicants on their hold/wait list every time the admissions committee meets, while others wait until after May 15 to make any type of decision.
 
I think you misunderstood redleo's question. He/she wants to know if it is possible to get accepted off the hold list BEFORE May 15. Some schools review the applicants on their hold/wait list every time the admissions committee meets, while others wait until after May 15 to make any type of decision.

Yes, that's what I meant. I was looking at older PSU threads and it seems like 1 or 2 people reported they were accepted before May 15 after being on hold. Just wondering if anyone has any info on this or has had this happen to them.
 
Yes, that's what I meant. I was looking at older PSU threads and it seems like 1 or 2 people reported they were accepted before May 15 after being on hold. Just wondering if anyone has any info on this or has had this happen to them.

My bad for Misunderstanding. I know it happens but I can't tell you any stats. Basically, each time the Adcom meets they review everyone (recent applicants and those in the hold list). So unlike a waitlist which will only see movement after the 15th, it can happen anytime here.
 
My bad for Misunderstanding. I know it happens but I can't tell you any stats. Basically, each time the Adcom meets they review everyone (recent applicants and those in the hold list). So unlike a waitlist which will only see movement after the 15th, it can happen anytime here.

Do you know how many people end up on hold? It seems like everyone who was not accepted is on hold...?
 
Do you know how many people end up on hold? It seems like everyone who was not accepted is on hold...?

I remember them saying at my interview that its about 1/3 for each category. They interview ~800. So 250ish accepted, hold/waitlisted, and rejected. I dont know how those ratios may have changed this year due to over acceptance last year but i don't imagine it's a huge amount.
 
I have an interview here next week.
Could anybody please tell me what is the easiest way to go to Penn State Med School from Philadelphia by public transportation?
Also, how many interviews should I expect? two faculty? one faculty and one student? All open file?

Thanks
 
Take the train from Philadelphia. I personally stayed at Days Inn and they were awesome! $49 a night and they have a shuttle that picks you up from the train station, drops you off when you are done, and they give you a ride to and from the Biomed building for your interview.
Interviews are with 2 faculty and they have all of you file (full application, secondary, and letters of rec). Good luck!
 
Take the train from Philadelphia. I personally stayed at Days Inn and they were awesome! $49 a night and they have a shuttle that picks you up from the train station, drops you off when you are done, and they give you a ride to and from the Biomed building for your interview.
Interviews are with 2 faculty and they have all of you file (full application, secondary, and letters of rec). Good luck!

Thanks so much for the reply. Are the shuttles run by PSU or Days Inn ?? also which train station do you stop at (Harrisburg or Middletown) ?
 
I've been on the hold list for 2 months. I'm assuming their interview spots are almost gone. Can anyone let me know when the earliest I could expect to hear back from them(for good or for bad)? My secondary was submitted in early August and I received the hold list letter mid-December.
 
Sorry, I'll just jump in and answer one of your question. Days Inn runs their own shuttle. Just be sure to tell the front desk when you need to be at the med school and then I think I called them once the interview day was over and they came and picked me up. It's super convenient and costs no extra. Good luck
 
Thanks so much for the reply. Are the shuttles run by PSU or Days Inn ?? also which train station do you stop at (Harrisburg or Middletown) ?

Harrisburg. Shuttles are run by days inn. Good luck! Let us know if you have more questions.
 
so post interview (if you are NOT out right accepted) does everyone get placed on a "hold list" OR are there two separate lists - a wait list that gets reviewed after may 15th, and a second "hold list" that gets reviewed with each committee meeting? sorry if this is overkill, I'm just confused.
 
so post interview (if you are NOT out right accepted) does everyone get placed on a "hold list" OR are there two separate lists - a wait list that gets reviewed after may 15th, and a second "hold list" that gets reviewed with each committee meeting? sorry if this is overkill, I'm just confused.

This is a great question. I'm not sure, can anybody provide insight on this.

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so post interview (if you are NOT out right accepted) does everyone get placed on a "hold list" OR are there two separate lists - a wait list that gets reviewed after may 15th, and a second "hold list" that gets reviewed with each committee meeting? sorry if this is overkill, I'm just confused.

I'm not 100% sure on this but I think theres only one list until may. At that point, they make a waitlist and send out either a waitlist or rejection letter.
 
12/7 still waiting 🙂

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omg I admire your patience. Does anyone know why they didn't just tell us 10-12 weeks instead of 6-8 when they clearly haven't been making the decision in 6-8?
 
omg I admire your patience. Does anyone know why they didn't just tell us 10-12 weeks instead of 6-8 when they clearly haven't been making the decision in 6-8?

I'm assuming they were hoping it'd be 6-8? I'm lucky that I have another acceptance so their response won't make or break me so that makes it easier 🙂 even though I absolutely loved it there and would be beyond psyched to get accepted!

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II today, complete 1/29.
Scheduled for 3/4.

Does this school save spots for every interview day or am I interviewing for a wait list position?
 
Ah, I interviewed on 1/30 and I love Penn State! But waiting for a decision is driving me crazy, lol. I'm trying to focus on school, and hoping :xf: for good news. It just sucks there is a 10% of an ii for OOS and then ~12% of acceptance, based on their stats last year. Yeah, nervous because I haven't gotten an acceptance from my schools yet. Argh. 🙁
 
Ah, I interviewed on 1/30 and I love Penn State! But waiting for a decision is driving me crazy, lol. I'm trying to focus on school, and hoping :xf: for good news. It just sucks there is a 10% of an ii for OOS and then ~12% of acceptance, based on their stats last year. Yeah, nervous because I haven't gotten an acceptance from my schools yet. Argh. 🙁

yeah but its not 12% once you interview. 12% for OOS overall, but since you got an interview you have much more than a 12% chance of getting in! i'm in the same boat as you - OOS, interview 3/4. and from the stats last year and from what others heard at their interviews based on this thread it looks like you have about 1/3 chance of being rejected, 1/3 for waitlist 1/3 for accept 🙂:xf:
 
Ah, I interviewed on 1/30 and I love Penn State! But waiting for a decision is driving me crazy, lol. I'm trying to focus on school, and hoping :xf: for good news. It just sucks there is a 10% of an ii for OOS and then ~12% of acceptance, based on their stats last year. Yeah, nervous because I haven't gotten an acceptance from my schools yet. Argh. 🙁

I interviewed 1/30 too 🙂
 
Does anyone have an idea of how many acceptances Penn State has yet to give? What about 2012 class stats? The website only has stats for 2011...

Thanks y'all!
 
anyone have any tips for the interview, i have mine on monday :xf:
 
Received "Continued to Review" letter 🙁 I'll take that as delayed rejection...
On that note, has one received continue to review letter and still get interview?
 
Any typical questions or is it the kind of getting to know you kinda interview?
Both of my interviews were very relaxed. Each interviewer had reviewed my file and asked me specific questions about my personal statement, research involvement, and motivation to enter medicine. One of my interviewers also asked me about Universal Healthcare. Everyone was really nice though, so don't worry too much 🙂
 
So I submitted my secondary way back in the middle of August, and I have still yet to get the "complete" status update. I spoke with someone in the Admission office, and was told that: 1) they are still in the process of reviewing files, and 2) interview offers will continue to go out for the next 4-6 weeks.

This late in the cycle, though, I am not holding out much hope for hearing any good news.

Anyone else in a similar situation? Anyone care to give me reason to stay optimistic?

Good luck to all still waiting!
 
So I submitted my secondary way back in the middle of August, and I have still yet to get the "complete" status update. I spoke with someone in the Admission office, and was told that: 1) they are still in the process of reviewing files, and 2) interview offers will continue to go out for the next 4-6 weeks.

This late in the cycle, though, I am not holding out much hope for hearing any good news.

Anyone else in a similar situation? Anyone care to give me reason to stay optimistic?

Good luck to all still waiting!

I'm right there with you. I got a complete email a few weeks ago, but they never changed my status on the secondary website. Either way, I haven't heard much from them.
 
Anyone have hotel recommendations for someone that is busing (Grreyhound) to Harrisburg for the interview? I heard there was one hotel that provided shuttles to and from the bus terminal and even to the school campus. Does anybody know?

Thanks!
 
Anyone have hotel recommendations for someone that is busing (Grreyhound) to Harrisburg for the interview? I heard there was one hotel that provided shuttles to and from the bus terminal and even to the school campus. Does anybody know?

Thanks!

Days Inn is great. $49 a night (plus tax comes out to $54). Super clean, very nice staff, free breakfast + free coffee, tea, fruit, ... all day. It is also very close to hershey park if you want to check it out. Best of all free shuttle to/from school and airport/train/bus station. Just give them a call and tell them that you have an interview and they will give you that rate.
 
Days Inn is great. $49 a night (plus tax comes out to $54). Super clean, very nice staff, free breakfast + free coffee, tea, fruit, ... all day. It is also very close to hershey park if you want to check it out. Best of all free shuttle to/from school and airport/train/bus station. Just give them a call and tell them that you have an interview and they will give you that rate.

Hey thanks for the respoonse! May I ask which one? I called the one in harrisburg and they said that they dont have shuttles at all to/from the school campus and the bus station.

An address would be awesome!
 
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