2012-2013 University of Pittsburgh Application Thread

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wizedw said:
I was creepin the financial aid site, do students really end up buying 2k worth of books and supplies or is that a high estimate?
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The figure for MS2 books and supplies is lower, but just remember Qbanks aren't cheap and if you go for a structured program like DIT or Kaplan for Step 1, it'll eat almost the entire budget.
 
Ismet said:
Hehe since I'm procrastinating, might as well...

First year has overall been great, I still love Pittsburgh, still love the people. Academically it has been good and bad at times, but everyone has their own strong and weak subjects. Micro is notoriously the most difficult course of MS1, and we end our battle on Friday. :scared: haha

I wouldn't say the material is harder necessarily, it just a lot faster paced and you're expected to know a ton of stuff in a short amount of time. For example - in biochem, we had to know less info and with less detail than a full semester's biochem class in undergrad, but it was also 2 weeks long and really fast. It's a different kind of studying that you just have to experience and get used to during the first few classes, and everyone figures it out differently. It's not impossible, but it does require staying on top of things and not falling too far behind.

Free time is different for everyone and depends on 1. your level of time management, and 2. how well you want to do in the class. I don't gun for the top of the class (because it really doesn't matter anyway) and I like to make time for extracurricular things like clubs and service activities. There's plenty of free time and I'd actually say I have more fun in med school than I did in college.

Highlights - Academically, probably anatomy. I miss it. 🙁 Mr. PittMed (male beauty pageant benefiting a charity) was pretty awesome. Doing H&P's on real patients and realizing simultaneously how much I've learned and yet how very little I know.

Low points - Micro 🙁 Only having 10 days for winter break. And another sucky football season. :laugh:

And with that, I'm out for the night. Burying myself in my syllabus.
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jesse120 said:
The answers to those questions are definitely going to vary substantially from person to person, even within the same class. Here are my short answers, at least for now, since I really do need to actually do work at some point tonight :laugh:

Q. How much harder is the work than undergrad work?
A. For me, it's been "easier." I say that because I studied engineering in undergrad which, often, was very frustrating. I could spend hours on a single problem and not make any progress. You need to figure out the correct way to set up and solve the equations or else nothing's going to work right. In med school, there's no actual "thinking" involved. The material is given to you and it's usually simple enough to understand; your job is just to memorize it. Now, that in itself, isn't always an easy task, especially now in microbiology where everything is foreign. This unpronounceable foreign word is used to treat this other unpronounceable foreign word. Got it? Good. Now memorize a crap ton more of them and do it quickly. For the most part, med school is the same level as undergrad biology, but definitely much faster paced. A very rough rule of thumb is: a day of med school is equivalent to about a week of undergrad. Not always true, but close enough on average.

Q. How much free time do you get?
A. Wayyyy more than undergrad. Now, granted, I don't go to lectures. I only go to the mandatory stuff like PBL, labs, etc. and so my schedule is a lot more flexible than the lecture-goers. I rock climb between 2-4 days a week for several hours each time. And after I climb, I almost never study, so those days aren't very productive. I have a tendency to fall behind A LOT. Thank God for pass/fail.

Q. Highlights?
A. For me, seeing patients. Pitt heavily emphasizes clinical training throughout the preclinical years. At least once a week, we're doing something clinical. During the fall, we learned to take a history or do a physical exam on standardized patients and each other, and now we're in the hospital every week taking H&Ps on actual patients.
And like I mentioned earlier, another highlight is the amount of free time I have.

Q. Low points?
A. Statistics. 👎
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Thanks, One last question. How did you find housing?
 
Did anyone who sent an update/LOI get an email response/confirmation from the admissions office that it was received? I sent one a few days ago and haven't heard anything, just wondering if this is normal!
 
Ismet said:
You can always call to double check that they received it. They are very nice about that!



Love your sig 😀 :clap:
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Are you serious? How do you manage to post exactly what I'm thinking 3 seconds before me? :laugh:
 
jesse120 said:
Are you serious? How do you manage to post exactly what I'm thinking 3 seconds before me? :laugh:
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Hahaha whaaaaaaaat. That's pretty awesome haha

But srs. It's because we both 😍 Pitt and we both love distracting ourselves from micro, amirite? 😀
 
Bearhugs said:
Did anyone who sent an update/LOI get an email response/confirmation from the admissions office that it was received? I sent one a few days ago and haven't heard anything, just wondering if this is normal!
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They don't send confirmation that they receive anything unless you specifically ask for it.
 
Big East is a dying conference. It's good for the program recruiting in the long run to be in a group of heavy-hitters (Duke et al).
 
Where are the best eats in Pittsburgh? What types of ethnic food do they have? I know I could do a google search (and I have), but I was wondering where students go for Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Mexican and Indian food? #foodie
 
churrytree said:
Where are the best eats in Pittsburgh? What types of ethnic food do they have? I know I could do a google search (and I have), but I was wondering where students go for Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Mexican and Indian food? #foodie
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Indian Food: India Garden in South Oakland, Prince of India near UPMC, Tamarind in North Oakland.

I frequented these places a lot. Each has its strength.
 
churrytree said:
Where are the best eats in Pittsburgh? What types of ethnic food do they have? I know I could do a google search (and I have), but I was wondering where students go for Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Mexican and Indian food? #foodie
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In Oakland:

Chinese/Korean/etc: There are a lot of restaurants on Oakland Avenue (right down the hill from the school) that serve Chinese, Korean, sushi, etc. Oishii Bento is probably my favorite, but there's also a new sushi place across the street (Sushi Fuku) that is well-priced for the amount of sushi/customization you can get. There's also Lulu's Noodles on Craig Street and pretty good Thai food down Atwood at Spice Island

Mexican: Veracruz! Mad Mex!

Indian: Prince of India! My friends and I would go there pretty much once a week during the first semester of med school...buffet for $8 with drink included? Yes please. If you like South Indian food, Udipi in Monroeville is apparently the best Indian food in Pittsburgh, although I've never been there.

And that's just in Oakland! There are a lot of good restaurants that are just a short drive/bus trip away. Squirrel Hill has a lot of good places. UrbanSpoon/Yelp are usually pretty on-point.
 
Ismet said:
Indian: Prince of India! My friends and I would go there pretty much once a week during the first semester of med school...buffet for $8 with drink included? Yes please. If you like South Indian food, Udipi in Monroeville is apparently the best Indian food in Pittsburgh, although I've never been there.
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Prince of India *was* good, but it gave me (and my student host) really bad food poisoning the day of my interview after eating dinner there the night before...
 
peanutz said:
Prince of India *was* good, but it gave me (and my student host) really bad food poisoning the day of my interview after eating dinner there the night before...
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Tempted to ask more about the symptoms and onset (we just had our microbio test and covered food poisoning/gastroenteritis extensively), but I'll leave that alone. 😛

Hopefully it was just an isolated incident. I've also heard reports of someone getting food poisoning from Spice Island Tea House, but I've personally never had a problem eating their food. I'm also a fan of Oishii, Sushi Fuku, and Plum (over by the big Target in Shadyside/East Liberty). Mad Mex has really good Margaritas that are $7 for 22 oz from 10-12 pm every night. 😀
 
penguinism said:
Tempted to ask more about the symptoms and onset (we just had our microbio test and covered food poisoning/gastroenteritis extensively), but I'll leave that alone. 😛

Hopefully it was just an isolated incident. I've also heard reports of someone getting food poisoning from Spice Island Tea House, but I've personally never had a problem eating their food. I'm also a fan of Oishii, Sushi Fuku, and Plum (over by the big Target in Shadyside/East Liberty). Mad Mex has really good Margaritas that are $7 for 22 oz from 10-12 pm every night. 😀
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EVERY night? Haha, no wonder why the penguin looks like that! 😛
 
penguinism said:
Tempted to ask more about the symptoms and onset (we just had our microbio test and covered food poisoning/gastroenteritis extensively), but I'll leave that alone. 😛

Hopefully it was just an isolated incident. I've also heard reports of someone getting food poisoning from Spice Island Tea House, but I've personally never had a problem eating their food. I'm also a fan of Oishii, Sushi Fuku, and Plum (over by the big Target in Shadyside/East Liberty). Mad Mex has really good Margaritas that are $7 for 22 oz from 10-12 pm every night. 😀
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Haha I'm definitely willing to try it again, just probably not the buffet!
 
I also wanted to add the Peruvian place on 5th (it has changed names a few times and used to be called AJ's, but I think it's a different name now). I think it's on the same block as Prince of India. There's also a really good middle eastern place called Nellie's that's only open for lunch and gets a lot of business from UPMC. And the Black Bean makes a mean Cuban sandwich, but they have become a weird Chinese/Cuban hybrid restaurant (mainly Chinese with a few Cuban dishes left) but the sandwich is still there, thankfully.

Ugh mad craving for Mad Mex right now...we used to go there for post-exam happy hour during anatomy. Not only discount margaritas, also half-price wings! 🙂
 
On Prestige and Fame

Hey everyone, I was wondering if you could give me some advice on something. I'm kind of airing out some "dirty laundry"/a Post Secret, so I would appreciate your respectful responses. I'm trying to say these things in the most thoughtful way possible, so I hope you don't take offense.

I'm from Oakland, California and my family is really low-income and underachieving. I probably have an inferiority complex because of this. Throughout my college life, I've always strived to be the very best—the elite—student in my classes to compensate for the grief at home. I want to be the best so that I can show to myself and my family (as well as everyone else) that we can make it, if we try really hard. I've done pretty well. The school I graduated from is in the South and, while good, is not very well-known. When I tell people what it is, very few people have heard of it.

Right now, the medical school rankings published on the internet are really bothering me, despite my best efforts. I'm seriously considering going to Pitt but I'm also considering some other schools "ranked better." How do I not feel like I'm selling myself short or feeling like I could have done better? But I don't want the rankings to be so important to me, and I don't want others' perception of the school I went to to affect me, either. Besides, the differences between school rankings are likely to be inconsequential, right? I know I'm being superficial.

I felt really great when I went to Pitt. But then I also visited prestigious, famous universities in cosmopolitan cities and wonder if this is where I can finally say "We made it."

What do you think? Should it all matter? And will it all matter? Will life's opportunities be different if I went to a Top 10 school or a Top 20 school? And before trolls say a word, I acknowledge how privileged I am to be in this position.
 
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Blais said:
Big East is a dying conference. It's good for the program recruiting in the long run to be in a group of heavy-hitters (Duke et al).
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If you're interesting in college football, then sure, not sure why anyone would be 😱

But by any metric the new Big East will be just as good as the old Big East in Basketball, and perennially a T4 conference.

Hope to see my team annihilate Pitt in the BET... and then I get into Pitt in April and can spend the next 4 years cheering for them as my 2nd favorite team 😛
 
Chrysalys said:
On Prestige and Fame
What do you think? Should it all matter? And will it all matter? Will life's opportunities be different if I went to a Top 10 school or a Top 20 school? And before trolls say a word, I acknowledge how privileged I am to be in this position.
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Will it matter in terms of your opportunities later in life? Absolutely not, no way. The only exception would be if you were interested in a very specific type of research, and one of the higher-ranked schools had a particularly exceptional program in that field. Pitt will realistically provide you with any opportunity available, and only the very top-notch schools (Harvard, JHU, etc) will provide ANY noticeable improvement.

But, if you think that you'll look back on your decision and wish you went to that more "prestigious" university, maybe it's best to just do it. If a Medical school is ranked higher than Pitt, it is obviously a fantastic school, and you're not going to go wrong by any means.

"Ranking" should just be another metric you use to pick a school. I think it IS a bad idea to use it as the only metric. However, if prestige is important to you, than its totally fair to take it in consideration with every thing else. By getting into multiple top notch schools, you've earned the privilege to evaluate them however you want. That's my opinion at least.
 
bortenson said:
If you're interesting in college football, then sure, not sure why anyone would be 😱

But by any metric the new Big East will be just as good as the old Big East in Basketball, and perennially a T4 conference.

Hope to see my team annihilate Pitt in the BET... and then I get into Pitt in April and can spend the next 4 years cheering for them as my 2nd favorite team 😛
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Careful man, your feathers are showing... 😉
 
Blais said:
Careful man, your feathers are showing... 😉
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Actually, I think my dead-language-dictionaries are showing. Let's see who figures out that riddle :naughty:

Honestly, if an adcom comes on SDN and figures out who I am based on my posts, it can only help right? I'm finding out as much as I can about the school, I really care! :laugh:
 
Chrysalys said:
On Prestige and Fame

Hey everyone, I was wondering if you could give me some advice on something. I’m kind of airing out some “dirty laundry”/a Post Secret, so I would appreciate your respectful responses. I’m trying to say these things in the most thoughtful way possible, so I hope you don’t take offense.

I’m from Oakland, California and my family is really low-income and underachieving. I probably have an inferiority complex because of this. Throughout my college life, I’ve always strived to be the very best—the elite—student in my classes to compensate for the grief at home. I want to be the best so that I can show to myself and my family (as well as everyone else) that we can make it, if we try really hard. I’ve done pretty well. The school I graduated from is in the South and, while good, is not very well-known. When I tell people what it is, very few people have heard of it.

Right now, the medical school rankings published on the internet are really bothering me, despite my best efforts. I’m seriously considering going to Pitt but I’m also considering some other schools "ranked better." How do I not feel like I’m selling myself short or feeling like I could have done better? But I don’t want the rankings to be so important to me, and I don’t want others’ perception of the school I went to to affect me, either. Besides, the differences between school rankings are likely to be inconsequential, right? I know I’m being superficial.

I felt really great when I went to Pitt. But then I also visited prestigious, famous universities in cosmopolitan cities and wonder if this is where I can finally say “We made it.”

What do you think? Should it all matter? And will it all matter? Will life’s opportunities be different if I went to a Top 10 school or a Top 20 school? And before trolls say a word, I acknowledge how privileged I am to be in this position.
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I know how it feels coming from a disadvantaged background...but you need to know that you have already achieved so much. NOW is the time for you to be happy and go to a school where you can enjoy life the most. Congrats on all your acceptances 🙂
 
Chrysalys said:
On Prestige and Fame

Hey everyone, I was wondering if you could give me some advice on something. I'm kind of airing out some "dirty laundry"/a Post Secret, so I would appreciate your respectful responses. I'm trying to say these things in the most thoughtful way possible, so I hope you don't take offense.

I'm from Oakland, California and my family is really low-income and underachieving. I probably have an inferiority complex because of this. Throughout my college life, I've always strived to be the very best—the elite—student in my classes to compensate for the grief at home. I want to be the best so that I can show to myself and my family (as well as everyone else) that we can make it, if we try really hard. I've done pretty well. The school I graduated from is in the South and, while good, is not very well-known. When I tell people what it is, very few people have heard of it.

Right now, the medical school rankings published on the internet are really bothering me, despite my best efforts. I'm seriously considering going to Pitt but I'm also considering some other schools "ranked better." How do I not feel like I'm selling myself short or feeling like I could have done better? But I don't want the rankings to be so important to me, and I don't want others' perception of the school I went to to affect me, either. Besides, the differences between school rankings are likely to be inconsequential, right? I know I'm being superficial.

I felt really great when I went to Pitt. But then I also visited prestigious, famous universities in cosmopolitan cities and wonder if this is where I can finally say "We made it."

What do you think? Should it all matter? And will it all matter? Will life's opportunities be different if I went to a Top 10 school or a Top 20 school? And before trolls say a word, I acknowledge how privileged I am to be in this position.
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Stop looking at the rankings and go where you think you fit best. If you're looking at the US News rankings, which I'm assuming you are, they're based on some arbitrary criteria that in no way evaluates the school as a whole. If prestige really means that much to you, then go to the "higher ranked" school. The fact remains that Pitt is a top-tier school no matter what rankings you look at...sure we don't have the universal "prestige" that Harvard or Yale might, but in the medical world? Pitt is very well-known as an excellent school and it will definitely be an advantage to your residency application to be coming from Pitt, especially if you want to do your residency at UPMC. Of course, coming from any top school will be an advantage to your application.

Every school has their own strengths and weaknesses, and you yourself have to evaluate if you are the right fit at that school and location. Don't let the rankings decide for you, because #15 vs #10 on some arbitrary scale really doesn't make a difference. If you really want to live in NYC or Baltimore over Pittsburgh or if you'd rather have a longitudinal curriculum than a block curriculum, then choose whatever school has the most appealing set of attributes. If you do choose Pitt, you are not selling yourself short in any way.


tl;dr Stop looking at the rankings and go where you fit best.
 
Chrysalys said:
On Prestige and Fame

Hey everyone, I was wondering if you could give me some advice on something. I'm kind of airing out some "dirty laundry"/a Post Secret, so I would appreciate your respectful responses. I'm trying to say these things in the most thoughtful way possible, so I hope you don't take offense.

I'm from Oakland, California and my family is really low-income and underachieving. I probably have an inferiority complex because of this. Throughout my college life, I've always strived to be the very best—the elite—student in my classes to compensate for the grief at home. I want to be the best so that I can show to myself and my family (as well as everyone else) that we can make it, if we try really hard. I've done pretty well. The school I graduated from is in the South and, while good, is not very well-known. When I tell people what it is, very few people have heard of it.

Right now, the medical school rankings published on the internet are really bothering me, despite my best efforts. I'm seriously considering going to Pitt but I'm also considering some other schools "ranked better." How do I not feel like I'm selling myself short or feeling like I could have done better? But I don't want the rankings to be so important to me, and I don't want others' perception of the school I went to to affect me, either. Besides, the differences between school rankings are likely to be inconsequential, right? I know I'm being superficial.

I felt really great when I went to Pitt. But then I also visited prestigious, famous universities in cosmopolitan cities and wonder if this is where I can finally say "We made it."

What do you think? Should it all matter? And will it all matter? Will life's opportunities be different if I went to a Top 10 school or a Top 20 school? And before trolls say a word, I acknowledge how privileged I am to be in this position.
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People aren't trying to be warm and fuzzy when they say go to the school that makes you happy. It's really simple.

Tricky part is to determine what makes YOU really happy.

For me, coming into the season, I had very clear parameters for what I wanted from a med school. The most important factors (in no particular order) were:

Cost
Reputation
Location
Curriculum
Opportunities
School features

Cost: I would not be comfortable at a school that put me 300k in debt.

Reputation: Shallow? Maybe. But prestige means something to me. I like the idea of "going to a top medical school" and having pedigree can't hurt come residency time.

Location: I wanted to spend time in a new region, but still be within easy driving distance of both my so's and my own family. I wanted a bigger city than I grew up in, but at a population density that won't kill me (chicago, nyc, etc)...places like that make my stress levels skyrocket. I want a local that isn't crazy with COL. I want a city that offers a decent amount of things to do.

Curriculum: I wanted p/f preclinical. Some pbl (but not too much). Optional lectures that are podcasted. No mandatory away rotations in far away places (big one!). Integrated research program.

Opportunities: I like several different specialties, so having clout in many fields would be useful. Plenty of research opportunities. Plenty of diverse populations to work with. Plenty of unique pathologies.

School features: I wanted a school affiliated with a university. I wanted a school that had plenty of sports to cheer for. I wanted a school with history. I wanted a school that was not in a "bad area". I wanted a school that was next door to its hospital. I wanted a school with a mid-sized class of 100-150 or so (not 250 and not only 50).

Plenty of schools match plenty of my different parameters...but fewer had most of the boxes checked.

Pitt happened to check off all the boxes.

Go to the school that makes you happy.

PS: if going to a top15 (instead of a top10) is the only thing holding you back, become a follower of the world med school rankings instead of us news rankings... pitt is top10 on their list 😉

http://www.shanghairanking.com/FieldMED2012.html
 
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Chrysalys said:
On Prestige and Fame

Hey everyone, I was wondering if you could give me some advice on something. I’m kind of airing out some “dirty laundry”/a Post Secret, so I would appreciate your respectful responses. I’m trying to say these things in the most thoughtful way possible, so I hope you don’t take offense.

I’m from Oakland, California and my family is really low-income and underachieving. I probably have an inferiority complex because of this. Throughout my college life, I’ve always strived to be the very best—the elite—student in my classes to compensate for the grief at home. I want to be the best so that I can show to myself and my family (as well as everyone else) that we can make it, if we try really hard. I’ve done pretty well. The school I graduated from is in the South and, while good, is not very well-known. When I tell people what it is, very few people have heard of it.

Right now, the medical school rankings published on the internet are really bothering me, despite my best efforts. I’m seriously considering going to Pitt but I’m also considering some other schools "ranked better." How do I not feel like I’m selling myself short or feeling like I could have done better? But I don’t want the rankings to be so important to me, and I don’t want others’ perception of the school I went to to affect me, either. Besides, the differences between school rankings are likely to be inconsequential, right? I know I’m being superficial.

I felt really great when I went to Pitt. But then I also visited prestigious, famous universities in cosmopolitan cities and wonder if this is where I can finally say “We made it.”

What do you think? Should it all matter? And will it all matter? Will life’s opportunities be different if I went to a Top 10 school or a Top 20 school? And before trolls say a word, I acknowledge how privileged I am to be in this position.
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I can totally relate to you as I have struggled with some of the issues you wrote about. All I can say is that your family is probably already so incredibly proud of you! Also, who knows how political or arbitrary those rankings are. And, besides, the differences in rank are rather trivial at this level. Regardless, do NOT let someone else's values or judgement affect your own destiny and go where you'll be happy. As a previous poster has already said, you've already come so far; you've already "made it." In fact, you can say "we made it" wherever you go. Sending some positive vibes to you from a like-minded applicant! And hoping to meet you at Pitt! 😀
 
Everyone above has posted some really good advice.

But if waking up every morning in a big city and going, "YEAH! I go to a top 5 medical school!" will bring you more joy than waking up in Pittsburgh and saying "YEAH! I go to a still totally amazing, and criminally underrated Top 20 medical school!" then do it. You express some regret about going to a "small, unknown" school for undergrad. Does that still bother you? Did that bother you all four years when you were there? Then maybe you should go to the higher ranked school.

I guess it comes down to this:

If YOU, in your HEART, want the prestige, and believe you would always have doubts/regret about picking a lower ranked school, then you should give the other schools serious consideration. HOWEVER, if in your heart, Pittsburgh is your top choice, and its EXTERNAL pressure diverting you to the higher ranked schools, IGNORE THAT PRESSURE.

The key comes down to what YOU want. No one on this board can really help you make this decision. But if Pitt feels right, you absolutely SHOULD NOT pick another school "just because" it's 6 spots (or whatever) higher in the rankings. If both schools feel ALMOST equally right, then maybe it is right for you to pick the higher ranked school. Again, you have to weigh these things on your own, we can't do that for you.
 
bortenson said:
Actually, I think my dead-language-dictionaries are showing. Let's see who figures out that riddle :naughty:

Honestly, if an adcom comes on SDN and figures out who I am based on my posts, it can only help right? I'm finding out as much as I can about the school, I really care! :laugh:
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I'd vote for you. A dedicated and passionate sports fan. I like it. 👍
 
churrytree said:
What is Pittsburgh's night life like? Is there a club scene?
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Pittsburgh is the only city I've lived in so I have nothing to compare it to, but I'd say there's plenty to do. Oakland has several bars, although they're often overrun with undergrads during the year. There are some really nice bars in Shadyside (including Shady Grove for half price wine on Wednesday nights for those mid-week post-exam celebrations 😉) and the clubs are mainly in South Side and the Strip.

You'll probably get a nice orientation to nightlife during orientation week :meanie:
 
Ismet said:
Pittsburgh is the only city I've lived in so I have nothing to compare it to, but I'd say there's plenty to do. Oakland has several bars, although they're often overrun with undergrads during the year. There are some really nice bars in Shadyside (including Shady Grove for half price wine on Wednesday nights for those mid-week post-exam celebrations 😉) and the clubs are mainly in South Side and the Strip.

You'll probably get a nice orientation to nightlife during orientation week :meanie:
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Uh, Hofbrauhaus? Only the best (though likely regrettable the next day) decision you can make during orientation week.

For Thai food, Pusadee's Garden in Lawrenceville. Slightly nicer place, BYOB, nice patio for eating outside in the summer.
 
So, my feelings for Pitt aren't that ambiguous. But, with that being said, what's up with Pitt not disclosing the step 1 & 2 data for their students?

Out of the freshly released us news rankings, all 85 schools reported their data -- except for Pitt and Minnesota (iirc).

It strikes me as a bit... strange.

Obviously this will be all conjecture on our part, but, current students, do you have any insight on this?

Why be the only school that didn't report the data? Did Pitt feel their average step score reflected poorly on the institution?

(Go panthers 😉 )
 
Blais said:
So, my feelings for Pitt aren't that ambiguous. But, with that being said, what's up with Pitt not disclosing the step 1 & 2 data for their students?

Out of the freshly released us news rankings, all 85 schools reported their data -- except for Pitt and Minnesota (iirc).

It strikes me as a bit... strange.

Obviously this will be all conjecture on our part, but, current students, do you have any insight on this?

Why be the only school that didn't report the data? Did Pitt feel their average step score reflected poorly on the institution?

(Go panthers 😉 )
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Very astute observation! I would be interested to know, as well.
 
Blais said:
So, my feelings for Pitt aren't that ambiguous. But, with that being said, what's up with Pitt not disclosing the step 1 & 2 data for their students?

Out of the freshly released us news rankings, all 85 schools reported their data -- except for Pitt and Minnesota (iirc).

It strikes me as a bit... strange.

Obviously this will be all conjecture on our part, but, current students, do you have any insight on this?

Why be the only school that didn't report the data? Did Pitt feel their average step score reflected poorly on the institution?

(Go panthers 😉 )
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I honestly don't know what the average step score is here. I didn't place much weight on that when choosing an institution because it largely depends on the individual. We have roughly 9 weeks to prepare for step 1 (4 weeks of a PBL-style integrated case studies class that meets for 2 hrs 3x/week followed by 5 weeks of completely free study time), so I'm sure that students have enough time to feel prepared. I didn't ask my M3/M4 friends their exact scores, but they all seemed to do well.
 
I may be wrong, but I believe this came up my interview day. The answer was mid/upper-230s (Edit: that is the range I wrote down, just checked my interview materials). I know the MS3/4 that were there said they did well (or at least gave that impression) and were going for more competitive programs.

Still, it is surprising Pitt didn't list their stats, but at the same time I doubt they would be considered a top school without producing successful graduates.

(It still doesn't stop me from wanting to know for sure now though...)

Also, if match results are an indicator, I would think these are good (http://www.medadmissions.pitt.edu/why-choose-pitt/residency-match.php).
 
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Blais said:
So, my feelings for Pitt aren't that ambiguous. But, with that being said, what's up with Pitt not disclosing the step 1 & 2 data for their students?

Out of the freshly released us news rankings, all 85 schools reported their data -- except for Pitt and Minnesota (iirc).

It strikes me as a bit... strange.

Obviously this will be all conjecture on our part, but, current students, do you have any insight on this?

Why be the only school that didn't report the data? Did Pitt feel their average step score reflected poorly on the institution?

(Go panthers 😉 )
Click to expand...

Do note that the NBME doesn't report data to US News. Thus all data about average step 1 performance is self reported by schools, unverified and likely subject to "selective analysis."

FWIW I don't believe that Pitt publishes an average, but every one of my classmates I've talked to has done quite well.
 
It is not particularly surprising that Pitt doesn't release its scores, because the administration doesn't tell the students what the average is. Needless to say, it's fine. For some better data, I suggest you look at a school's match list to see what sorts of programs students are matching into, because if the school is placing more students into very competitive programs than you would expect given a typical distribution of Step 1 scores, that is actually interesting data.
 
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