2012-2013 University of Pittsburgh Application Thread

[5lippy]

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Just interviewed here. A) Pitt is awesome. B) my tour guide was pretty. C) I love the massivity of upmc. D) just a phenomenal day!

 

[iceprincess4189]

Just received an interview invite!! My first one!

congrats! mind telling us when you were complete? thanks!

 

[eggs13]

Just interviewed here. A) Pitt is awesome. B) my tour guide was pretty. C) I love the massivity of upmc. D) just a phenomenal day!

how were the actual interviews with the 1 faculty and 1 med student?

 

[5lippy]

My Med student was hilarious and awesome. Verrry laid back. The faculty interview was a Nkrumah different. I had an md PhD from Romania who didn't speak very good English. He didn't seem interested in writing anything down but he seemed to remember everything I said. Also low stress. Essentially exaftpy like the Pitt interview feedback on this site.

 

[DrDestroyMD]

My Med student was hilarious and awesome. Verrry laid back. The faculty interview was a Nkrumah different. I had an md PhD from Romania who didn't speak very good English. He didn't seem interested in writing anything down but he seemed to remember everything I said. Also low stress. Essentially exaftpy like the Pitt interview feedback on this site.

Mine was opposite. My student interviewer grilled me more on activities and general app stuff. My faculty interviewer was super chill. When I told him I was interested in sports med he then preceded to go on a Steelers/General Pittsburgh sports tangent for about 10 minutes. He also cracked jokes the entire time, which definitely calmed my nerves after the somewhat unexpectedly difficult student interview.

 

[jesse120]

Mine was opposite. My student interviewer grilled me more on activities and general app stuff. My faculty interviewer was super chill. When I told him I was interested in sports med he then preceded to go on a Steelers/General Pittsburgh sports tangent for about 10 minutes. He also cracked jokes the entire time, which definitely calmed my nerves after the somewhat unexpectedly difficult student interview.

Sorry you didn't have a good student interview experience. Remember, medical students, as you will soon find out, are often under a lot of stress. Students who interview are volunteering their time because they really like interviewing. If you happen to catch someone on a bad day and have a bad interview, try not to be turned off by the school. Bad interviews, while uncommon, can happen anywhere. It sounds like the rest of your day went well, which I hope was the case.

Can't wait 'til Halloween so that the MS1s get a chance to interview. Today, we saw applicants walk into the anatomy lab while we were dissecting and got excited . We brought them over to look at our cadavers to explain what we were doing. Fun times

edit: sorry, I had like 3 typos lol. I fail at typing sometimes

 

[penguinism]

Can't wait 'til Halloween so that the MS1s get a chance to interview. Today, we saw applicants walk into the anatomy lab while we were dissecting and got excited . We brought them over to look at our cadavers to explain what we were doing. Fun times

^My apologies if we freaked anyone out today. We were a bit overzealous with the heart dissections hahah. We have a fun class, though, and hopefully you got to see that. 🙂

 

[Tots]

^My apologies if we freaked anyone out today. We were a bit overzealous with the heart dissections hahah. We have a fun class, though, and hopefully you got to see that. 🙂

Totally got a heart shoved about a foot from my face =P but it was cool, I was already in awe of room full of cadavers(first time I had seen anything like that). Also the anatomy professor was super cool!

 

[jesse120]

Totally got a heart shoved about a foot from my face =P but it was cool, I was already in awe of room full of cadavers(first time I had seen anything like that). Also the anatomy professor was super cool!

If that was by some Indian guy in scrubs and spiky hair, sorry about that

(but not really, cuz it was a cool heart!)

 

[PreMedOrDead]

If that was by some Indian guy in scrubs and spiky hair, sorry about that

(but not really, cuz it was a cool heart!)

I really, really hope I pass by you during my interview day.

 

[jesse120]

I really, really hope I pass by you during my interview day.

If we're dissecting when you pass through the anatomy lab, I'll make sure to shove some random diseased organ in your face. Do not worry 👍

 

[PreMedOrDead]

If we're dissecting when you pass through the anatomy lab, I'll make sure to shove some random diseased organ in your face. Do not worry 👍

As long as I get infected! 😉

 

[Ismet]

Totally got a heart shoved about a foot from my face =P but it was cool, I was already in awe of room full of cadavers(first time I had seen anything like that). Also the anatomy professor was super cool!

Haha we were going to bring you guys a right lung but we didn't want to overwhelm 😀

If that was by some Indian guy in scrubs and spiky hair, sorry about that

(but not really, cuz it was a cool heart!)

Hello table neighbor! 🙂

I really, really hope I pass by you during my interview day.

Don't worry, we'll flock to you. Teaching others helps us learn too, plus it's just really cool.

If we're dissecting when you pass through the anatomy lab, I'll make sure to shove some random diseased organ in your face. Do not worry 👍

+1

 

[Tots]

Haha we were going to bring you guys a right lung but we didn't want to overwhelm 😀
+1

I walked by some lung that someone said had lung cancer, that was impressive....but yeah I was pretty overwhelmed just walking into the room. Haha!

 

[PreMedOrDead]

Not gonna lie, seems like the UPitt c/o 2016 is pretty awesome.

Really wish I had done my human anat last year so I could quiz you guys when I get my tour... that'd have been fun

 

[Ismet]

Not gonna lie, seems like the UPitt c/o 2016 is pretty awesome.

Really wish I had done my human anat last year so I could quiz you guys when I get my tour... that'd have been fun

We are awesome! I love my class 🙂 Admissions does a great job of selecting a really cohesive class where everyone seems to fit.

 

[Mosa]

I'm interviewing here on Friday and I am SO nervous. I just feel so much less than everyone else who received invites as my stats are somewhat less so im confused why they would invite me. I'll take it, of course lol. This is definitely my top school. I hope I do well!! Sorry just had to tell this to someone! Good luck to all the other interviewees!

 

[nayan504]

I'm interviewing here on Friday and I am SO nervous. I just feel so much less than everyone else who received invites as my stats are somewhat less so im confused why they would invite me. I'll take it, of course lol. This is definitely my top school. I hope I do well!! Sorry just had to tell this to someone! Good luck to all the other interviewees!

what are your stats? give me some hope!

 

[jesse120]

what are your stats? give me some hope!

You must be new to SDN, welcome!

Under her name, see where is says MDApps? Click on the link "profile xxxxx"

 

[nayan504]

You must be new to SDN, welcome!

Under her name, see where is says MDApps? Click on the link "profile xxxxx"

thanks! won't make that mistake again

 

[idontcaureuknow]

I'm interviewing here on Friday and I am SO nervous. I just feel so much less than everyone else who received invites as my stats are somewhat less so im confused why they would invite me. I'll take it, of course lol. This is definitely my top school. I hope I do well!! Sorry just had to tell this to someone! Good luck to all the other interviewees!

Mosa, stop thinking like that! Seriously, I'm going to quote myself again to try and hammer this point home. I also fell in that trap last year of feeling like "omg, it's so odd that I'm here."

Don't think like that! You're invited for an interview, now prove you fit in and mesh well with your interviewers! I recall the admissions office telling us "you all are here cause you are academically qualified" the rest is fit.


Granted, this is funny advice coming from a 2011-2012 reject. But in hindsight I'm pretty sure I bombed at the interviews (my student interview was super awkward, I wish that 30 minutes on no-one).

 

[jesse120]

I'm interviewing here on Friday and I am SO nervous. I just feel so much less than everyone else who received invites as my stats are somewhat less so im confused why they would invite me. I'll take it, of course lol. This is definitely my top school. I hope I do well!! Sorry just had to tell this to someone! Good luck to all the other interviewees!

It's perfectly normal to be nervous, but try not to be 😛 You received an interview because you're a strong candidate, so congratulations! Don't worry about stats. At this point, the admissions committee has already deemed you academically capable of handling the course load here. In fact, neither of your two interviewers (one faculty, one student) will know your stats. They just want to get to know you to determine how well you'll fit in with the PittMed student body, so try to make a genuinely strong impression. By the way, 34 is a great score! Never feel bad/embarrassed/etc. about what you've accomplished.

Enjoy your interview day and try to figure out if you'll like living here for the next four years. Although we're evaluating you, you are also evaluating us. So make sure to ask lots of questions and talk to as many students as you can.

 

[jesse120]

I just noticed you said you're interviewing next Friday. Which means we'll probably be dissecting when you walk into the anatomy lab. Um...how to put this.... beware!

 

[Mosa]

It's perfectly normal to be nervous, but try not to be 😛 You received an interview because you're a strong candidate, so congratulations! Don't worry about stats. At this point, the admissions committee has already deemed you academically capable of handling the course load here. In fact, neither of your two interviewers (one faculty, one student) will know your stats. They just want to get to know you to determine how well you'll fit in with the PittMed student body, so try to make a genuinely strong impression. By the way, 34 is a great score! Never feel bad/embarrassed/etc. about what you've accomplished.

Enjoy your interview day and try to figure out if you'll like living here for the next four years. Although we're evaluating you, you are also evaluating us. So make sure to ask lots of questions and talk to as many students as you can.

Wow thanks so much for the support! I guess I hope they didn't see something in me which simply isn't there, but I am definitely intending on doing my best to show my genuine interest in medicine in general and in Pitt! I'm starting to love Pitt already from your posts as well as all I've read about it. Definitely a place I would ADORE being at from my impression thus far. And anatomy lab.....pshh..do your worst! Lol

 

[riddler]

Bump! Is there a hosting list with MS-1s available? Will MS-1s be hosting or is it MS-2 only?

 

[redpanda]

Bump! Is there a hosting list with MS-1s available? Will MS-1s be hosting or is it MS-2 only?

MS1s will be probably get onto a hosting list sometime in the next few weeks. They haven't made it to their first exam yet, so it's probably better that they not be distracted until after they have some feedback about how much work they should be doing. 😀

 

[Ismet]

Some of my classmates are hosting already. Maybe an updated list has been sent out/uploaded?

MS1s will be probably get onto a hosting list sometime in the next few weeks. They haven't made it to their first exam yet, so it's probably better that they not be distracted until after they have some feedback about how much work they should be doing. 😀

 

[redpanda]

Some of my classmates are hosting already. Maybe an updated list has been sent out/uploaded?

Perhaps so. Don't worry Ismet; I'm sure most people are doing fine, but as with many situations, it feels better to overdo it the first time and be able to pull back than dig a hole to get out of (luckily, it's easier to recover in anatomy given the quantity of exams). Just remember: don't panic; you are not an imposter. 😀

 

[med144]

hey what is the closest hotel to where we have to meet the morning of our interview? Probably the Holiday Inn Select at University Center? How long of a walk is it?

Thanks!

 

[DCSB6]

That or the Hilton Garden Inn on McKee and Forbes. About equal distances, not a far walk at all.

 

[DokDakotaDok]

Enjoy your interview day and try to figure out if you'll like living here for the next four years. Although we're evaluating you, you are also evaluating us. So make sure to ask lots of questions and talk to as many students as you can.

Wonderful advice, jesse.

I have a quick question for you and other current Pitt medical students.

Pitt is easily one of my top choices, and I'm excited to get a shot here with an interview! I have never been in PA before so I will be coming in early to stay with a friend that attends Pitt for undergrad to experience the city. Of course, this is because, as you said, I would like to be confident in saying I would love to be here for the next four years of my life. Now, I was offered to stay with the undergrad from when I arrived to until I left, but would you suggest that I get a student host for the night before the interview? I would feel bad leaving my original host for that one night, but I think they'd understand if it's a really valuable experience.

Thanks!

PS: I 😍 blood/cadavers/anatomy dissection labs, but let's try to keep it off the suit.

 

[Ismet]

hey what is the closest hotel to where we have to meet the morning of our interview? Probably the Holiday Inn Select at University Center? How long of a walk is it?

Thanks!

Google maps!
From Holiday Inn to Scaife Hall: http://bit.ly/RZHJSd
From Hilton to Scaife Hall: http://bit.ly/PsrRlc

The walk from the Holiday Inn is slightly longer, but you don't have to hike up the entirety of "cardiac hill" like you do if you walk from the Hilton. Normally I don't mind the hill, it's just not a walk you want to make in your nice interview attire, especially with how humid it has been in the mornings lately. I'd go for the Holiday Inn.

Wonderful advice, jesse.

I have a quick question for you and other current Pitt medical students.

Pitt is easily one of my top choices, and I'm excited to get a shot here with an interview! I have never been in PA before so I will be coming in early to stay with a friend that attends Pitt for undergrad to experience the city. Of course, this is because, as you said, I would like to be confident in saying I would love to be here for the next four years of my life. Now, I was offered to stay with the undergrad from when I arrived to until I left, but would you suggest that I get a student host for the night before the interview? I would feel bad leaving my original host for that one night, but I think they'd understand if it's a really valuable experience.

Thanks!

PS: I 😍 blood/cadavers/anatomy dissection labs, but let's try to keep it off the suit.

It depends on when your interview is. I'd highly recommend staying with a student host so that you can get a better idea of student life and more interaction with students, but if your interview falls right before an exam, you might not get as much interaction as you would coming after/between exams.

About anatomy - don't worry, the smell alone will linger

 

[penguinism]

Wonderful advice, jesse.

I have a quick question for you and other current Pitt medical students.

Pitt is easily one of my top choices, and I'm excited to get a shot here with an interview! I have never been in PA before so I will be coming in early to stay with a friend that attends Pitt for undergrad to experience the city. Of course, this is because, as you said, I would like to be confident in saying I would love to be here for the next four years of my life. Now, I was offered to stay with the undergrad from when I arrived to until I left, but would you suggest that I get a student host for the night before the interview? I would feel bad leaving my original host for that one night, but I think they'd understand if it's a really valuable experience.

Thanks!

PS: I 😍 blood/cadavers/anatomy dissection labs, but let's try to keep it off the suit.

If you'd rather stay with your friend, then you could also just arrange to meet up with a medical student sometime while you're in town. You don't necessarily have to stay overnight to get a sense of the student body! If your friend has a comfy bed or place for you to sleep, it might be better than crashing on someone's couch/floor. You want to get a good night's sleep.

 

[Frazier]

Breaking News:
Per a committee decision this week, U Pitt just became a "nonrolling admissions" school.

Boo! 🙁

 

[Tots]

Breaking News:
Per a committee decision this week, U Pitt just became a "nonrolling admissions" school.

Boo! 🙁

During my interview day they told us this might happen. To be honest I don't think it makes that big of a difference for applicants since the date just got pushed from December to January. Jan. 31st is also earlier than most non-rolling schools which usually release decisions in March. Maybe this means they will accept more people instead of waitlisting everyone 😀!

 

[Frazier]

During my interview day they told us this might happen. To be honest I don't think it makes that big of a difference for applicants since the date just got pushed from December to January. Jan. 31st is also earlier than most non-rolling schools which usually release decisions in March. Maybe this means they will accept more people instead of waitlisting everyone 😀!

This is somewhat true and I commend your optimism.

However, if I'm gonna get a rejection, I want it with 2 months less of a wait!

 

[DokDakotaDok]

If you'd rather stay with your friend, then you could also just arrange to meet up with a medical student sometime while you're in town. You don't necessarily have to stay overnight to get a sense of the student body! If your friend has a comfy bed or place for you to sleep, it might be better than crashing on someone's couch/floor. You want to get a good night's sleep.

I wouldn't mind staying with an MS2 at all, I think my friend just has a couch anyways. We'll see what happens I suppose!

Breaking News:
Per a committee decision this week, U Pitt just became a "nonrolling admissions" school.

Boo! 🙁

What?

I mean I am sure they can, but I am surprised they would make a significant change like that after people have already interviewed/scheduled interviews Where'd you get that info?

Considering they waitlist something like 90% of applicants I don't think this will impact much, though.

 

[Frazier]

What?

I mean I am sure they can, but I am surprised they would make a significant change like that after people have already interviewed/scheduled interviews Where'd you get that info?

Considering they waitlist something like 90% of applicants I don't think this will impact much, though.

They sent the info in an email to those that already interviewed... I imagine that those that are scheduled to interview will simply be told on interview day.

 

[collegestud2013]

Rejected...saw this one coming though...

 

[imcanadaian]

just checked my status too. bah.

In these very competitive times, it becomes increasingly difficult for us to choose the best among the outstanding people who submit applications to us. The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine has decided not to extend an interview to you in this application year.

Oh well. Goodluck to everyone else!

 

[Doctor Strange]

Rejected. It stings a bit. Oh, well... Still have six interviews so far!

Sent from my LT28at using SDN Mobile

 

[coolster0040]

Rejected as well

 

[SDME321]

rejected as well

+1

 

[GoatMachine]

Rejected as well. Did not expect an interview.

 

[earf]

Rejected here too. Sigh it was a long shot anyways.

 

[sliceofbread136]

How quick is the turn around at this school?

 

[Ruhroh]

Lots of people with 35+ MCATs and good GPAs getting rejected. Did any of you guys feel there were other significant weaknesses in your app? Is Pitt tightening up as they get further into the interview season?

 

[lalalaa]

For those of you who heard back this morning, do you mind sharing what date your secondary was completed? Thanks 🙂

 

[imcanadaian]

For those of you who heard back this morning, do you mind sharing what date your secondary was completed? Thanks 🙂

pretty sure mine was around 7/13..mid-July-ish. I had to resubmit one of my LOR's because my writer didn't sign it 😀

goodluck to you if you're still waiting!

 

[collegestud2013]

Lots of people with 35+ MCATs and good GPAs getting rejected. Did any of you guys feel there were other significant weaknesses in your app? Is Pitt tightening up as they get further into the interview season?

Either because of my below average MCAT or because my secondary essays weren't as well written as I could've (kinda rushed it after I found out they were giving interviews in early July). Then again I also got an II at Cornell which has very similar stats, so I'd say it's more likely my essays that were to blame.