2013-2014 Boston University Application Thread

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SconnieK8 said:
I also only received $5K/year. Still will definitely help a lot! I tried looking up info on how many awards they give out and average amount but couldn't find anything. Oh well.. Still grateful for what I got!
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I am also wondering that! Any current or prospective students out there know how many of these Deans scholars merit scholarships are given out and what the average amounts are?
 
oceanmist said:
I am also wondering that! Any current or prospective students out there know how many of these Deans scholars merit scholarships are given out and what the average amounts are?
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On my interview day last week it seems like we had an associate dean instead of Dean Witzburg who normally gives the opening and closing remarks, and the associate dean said that while a fair amount of accepted students may be offered the scholarship, of those attending, it's not a high number. I can't remember the exact number but he may have said like 10 or 15 in the class or so. I do remember him saying it wasn't something to bank on getting if you're accepted, as they really aren't that frequently awarded. Congrats to all accepted and/or offered the scholarship!
 
Wow! Also got the $15k/year. Wasn't expecting that at all. That helps a lot. Got more things to consider now...
 
I would start a Facebook group but I don't want people to know who I am lol
 
Syndicate said:
I would start a Facebook group but I don't want people to know who I am lol
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I just made the group on FB! Don't think there's much to do with it atm, but it would be nice to meet and greet future classmates.
 
Does anyone have any advice for people who were deferred decision until March? I was planning on uploading transcripts from last semester. Would an update letter be reviewed before decisions/ be beneficial? I have a few substantial things I could include. Sorry if this has already been discussed, but all input would is welcomed. Thanks for you help. Congrats to all those accepted!
 
Does anyone know when the deferred decisions will be sent out in March? I have a feeling it will be the second week of March, but I was wondering if anyone in the second interview group was told a specific timeframe to look forward to. Thanks!
 
Hello - A bit new to this. Received an interview today (to interview the next week and a half) and was wondering if anyone knows if this is basically an interview for a waitlist spot. Really don't want to keep spending so much money if there wouldn't even be a chance of getting in.

Congrats to all of those who've been accepted. BU is a great school!
 
nfelipe1 said:
Hello - A bit new to this. Received an interview today (to interview the next week and a half) and was wondering if anyone knows if this is basically an interview for a waitlist spot. Really don't want to keep spending so much money if there wouldn't even be a chance of getting in.

Congrats to all of those who've been accepted. BU is a great school!
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I mean I would still call a wait list spot a chance of getting in... I'm not sure though check out last year's BU thread.
 
nfelipe1 said:
Hello - A bit new to this. Received an interview today (to interview the next week and a half) and was wondering if anyone knows if this is basically an interview for a waitlist spot. Really don't want to keep spending so much money if there wouldn't even be a chance of getting in.

Congrats to all of those who've been accepted. BU is a great school!
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Only 1/3 of the class was accepted back in January. Everyone who was deferred and everyone who interviews between Jan and March are fair game for the 2/3 of acceptances that go out end of March!
 
nfelipe1 said:
Hello - A bit new to this. Received an interview today (to interview the next week and a half) and was wondering if anyone knows if this is basically an interview for a waitlist spot. Really don't want to keep spending so much money if there wouldn't even be a chance of getting in.

Congrats to all of those who've been accepted. BU is a great school!
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Congrats on the II!
Mind sharing when you were complete and your stats?
Thanks🙂
 
vfom said:
Congrats on the II!
Mind sharing when you were complete and your stats?
Thanks🙂
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Sure! I was complete 9/12 and my stats are 3.9/30/ a lot of EC and top 5 undergrad so helped level out my MCAT I guess
 
Can any current BU students speak about what they like and dislike about their experience so far? Thank you!
 
Does anyone remember if the financial aid officer who spoke at the interview mention that BU will offer "BU loans with no interest during med school and 5% interest after med school" for the difference between the COA and the maximum federal unsubsidized loan? so if COA is $75k and the max federal unsubsidized loan is $40k, then BU will automatically offer you $35k in BU loans. Is this correct?
 
Syndicate said:
Does anyone remember if the financial aid officer who spoke at the interview mention that BU will offer "BU loans with no interest during med school and 5% interest after med school" for the difference between the COA and the maximum federal unsubsidized loan? so if COA is $75k and the max federal unsubsidized loan is $40k, then BU will automatically offer you $35k in BU loans. Is this correct?
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I thought that the availability of those no interest loans was based on individual need and that they would not be available to everyone or that everyone would have access to the same amount. But don't take my word for it, my memory is fuzzy.
 
Syndicate said:
Does anyone remember if the financial aid officer who spoke at the interview mention that BU will offer "BU loans with no interest during med school and 5% interest after med school" for the difference between the COA and the maximum federal unsubsidized loan? so if COA is $75k and the max federal unsubsidized loan is $40k, then BU will automatically offer you $35k in BU loans. Is this correct?
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No -- only a select number of students are offered the BU loans based on financial circumstances, etc. For any money that you want to take out towards COA after what the federal loan covers, you'll have to take out either a grad plus loan or a private loan
 
Does anyone know if BU gives out any grants/scholarships other than the deans scholarship?
 
vfom said:
Congrats! What are the available dates? and when were you guys complete?
Thanks🙂
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Thanks!
I was complete mid September, and sent an update letter Jan. 18th. The available dates were Feb. 5th and 12th.
 
II today!!! 🙂

I was complete 10/25

Question for those who have interviewed at BU already. How are the interviews structured?
From what I could find it is only one interviewer, right? Is it pretty much conversational? Stressful? Hypothetical ethical questions?

Any advice?

Thank you!!!!! 🙂
 
pm1 said:
II today!!! 🙂

I was complete 10/25

Question for those who have interviewed at BU already. How are the interviews structured?
From what I could find it is only one interviewer, right? Is it pretty much conversational? Stressful? Hypothetical ethical questions?

Any advice?

Thank you!!!!! 🙂
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It was one interviewer (~45 minutes). No hypothetical ethical questions and very very conversational and low stress for me. It was by far the most interesting and fun interview I had and honestly really informed my impression about the school and faculty (in a very good way!).

I would say have fun, be yourself and spend some time exploring/enjoying the beautiful city of Boston!
 
oceanmist said:
It was one interviewer (~45 minutes). No hypothetical ethical questions and very very conversational and low stress for me. It was by far the most interesting and fun interview I had and honestly really informed my impression about the school and faculty (in a very good way!).

I would say have fun, be yourself and spend some time exploring/enjoying the beautiful city of Boston!
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A lot of people I talked to on my interview day reported the same thing. However, to give a slightly different perspective my interview was the most stressful one I've had thus far. My interviewer asked me tough basic science and clinical science questions and also gave me difficult ethical scenarios. So it can go either way 🙂
 
Is there a Facebook group? I can only see the group for 2017 but I thought somebody said they made one
 
cybermaxx12 said:
A lot of people I talked to on my interview day reported the same thing. However, to give a slightly different perspective my interview was the most stressful one I've had thus far. My interviewer asked me tough basic science and clinical science questions and also gave me difficult ethical scenarios. So it can go either way 🙂
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I was also given a tough ethical scenario and my interviewer was quite pushy. I've seen similar reviews about him from past applicants, so I'm not really concerned. It did make me a bit nervous on the spot though.
I agree that it really depends on whom you get on the interview day.
 
cybermaxx12 said:
My interviewer asked me tough basic science and clinical science questions and also gave me difficult ethical scenarios. So it can go either way 🙂
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Was your interviewer a cardiologist? I had a really similar experience, not that I minded.
 
pm1 said:
Question for those who have interviewed at BU already. How are the interviews structured?
From what I could find it is only one interviewer, right? Is it pretty much conversational? Stressful? Hypothetical ethical questions?
Click to expand...

Mine was ~45 min, and it was very conversational. My interviewer asked me one ethical question towards the end, but he prefaced his question by saying, "This is a tough question, and there is no one right answer. I just want to know how you think through this situation." The whole interview was very low-stress, and I got to learn a lot about the school.

There is only one interviewer, and they give you a short bio about your interviewer before you go meet him. However, you do meet multiple individuals over the course of the day, and I couldn't help but feel that I was being appraised throughout the day.
 
pm1 said:
II today!!! 🙂

I was complete 10/25

Question for those who have interviewed at BU already. How are the interviews structured?
From what I could find it is only one interviewer, right? Is it pretty much conversational? Stressful? Hypothetical ethical questions?

Any advice?

Thank you!!!!! 🙂
Click to expand...

I recently had my interview , and I have to say it was probably the best interview day I've ever had. I think it depends on your file more than anything. I had a cardiologist interview me (I think he's the same one that has been mentioned before) and I wasn't asked ethical questions, he spent a lot of the time asking me about what I've done and how it shaped my views on medicine (I'm a non-trad) and the rest of the time he spent giving me his input and impression on the medical field and what I've done. It was very conversational and he gave really great advice. I would say, be prepared to talk about what you've done and how you grew from it. But then again, it all depends on who you get and your application.
I will say this though, Dean Witzburg gives you the opportunity to ask about your interviewer briefly right before your interview. They give you a sheet with your interviewer's bio but go talk to him! It's very helpful and he is dead on with everything he says (at least from what I've seen and heard).
Be calm, be yourself, and let whatever motivates shine through. Show your interviewer your passion for medicine and you should be fine!

If you have any other questions, feel free to pm me! Good luck! 🙂
 
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For people who have already interviewed: is the "optional" session from 3-4 truly optional? It's not that I'm not interested in the school and attending more sessions, it's just that I realized that if I left at 3, I'd be able to get transportation home that night, and not have to pay for another night in the hotel. I don't want BU to think I'm uninterested, though, or to receive any negative judgements because I left. Did anyone else not stay for the optional session? Do most people stay? Would I be the only one leaving? ( I think I'll probably end up taking the hit and staying, but I just thought I'd check.) THANKS!
 
gorun said:
For people who have already interviewed: is the "optional" session from 3-4 truly optional? It's not that I'm not interested in the school and attending more sessions, it's just that I realized that if I left at 3, I'd be able to get transportation home that night, and not have to pay for another night in the hotel. I don't want BU to think I'm uninterested, though, or to receive any negative judgements because I left. Did anyone else not stay for the optional session? Do most people stay? Would I be the only one leaving? ( I think I'll probably end up taking the hit and staying, but I just thought I'd check.) THANKS!
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It is optional. I think only one person from my group stayed for the diversity session, because most of us either had to travel or something after the interview day (I had to work, though I really wanted to attend). They stated that there's no pressure to attend, and that they do not take attendance. So go if you can, but don't stress if you can't.
 
gorun said:
For people who have already interviewed: is the "optional" session from 3-4 truly optional? It's not that I'm not interested in the school and attending more sessions, it's just that I realized that if I left at 3, I'd be able to get transportation home that night, and not have to pay for another night in the hotel. I don't want BU to think I'm uninterested, though, or to receive any negative judgements because I left. Did anyone else not stay for the optional session? Do most people stay? Would I be the only one leaving? ( I think I'll probably end up taking the hit and staying, but I just thought I'd check.) THANKS!
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I went just to be safe, but only 6 people from my 30+ people interview group showed up. It lasted 15-20 mins I think. Just basically a small talk by some guy about what the office of diversity was about, and an opportunity for us to ask questions (nobody did). Attendance was not taken and I don't think we even had nametags at BU's interview day, so my feeling was that it would be totally OK to skip it.
 
gorun said:
For people who have already interviewed: is the "optional" session from 3-4 truly optional? It's not that I'm not interested in the school and attending more sessions, it's just that I realized that if I left at 3, I'd be able to get transportation home that night, and not have to pay for another night in the hotel. I don't want BU to think I'm uninterested, though, or to receive any negative judgements because I left. Did anyone else not stay for the optional session? Do most people stay? Would I be the only one leaving? ( I think I'll probably end up taking the hit and staying, but I just thought I'd check.) THANKS!
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I attended the info session and I was also eventually accepted. That's all the data I can give you! 🙂

Good luck!
 
I did NOT attend the meeting and was accepted. Don't worry. When they say optional they actually mean it

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
 
gorun said:
For people who have already interviewed: is the "optional" session from 3-4 truly optional? It's not that I'm not interested in the school and attending more sessions, it's just that I realized that if I left at 3, I'd be able to get transportation home that night, and not have to pay for another night in the hotel. I don't want BU to think I'm uninterested, though, or to receive any negative judgements because I left. Did anyone else not stay for the optional session? Do most people stay? Would I be the only one leaving? ( I think I'll probably end up taking the hit and staying, but I just thought I'd check.) THANKS!
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Absolutely optional -- it has no bearing on your application whatsoever.
 
Finally rejected pre-interview today. Complete 9/4. Good luck to anyone still waiting!
 
Hydrohammer said:
I heard mid-end of March during my interview, but a friend who interviewed last month told me they said March 7th. Can anyone confirm this?
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Pretty sure it's second half of March, that's what it says in the viewbook. Last year acceptances went out Monday March 25.
 
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