2014-2015 Boston University Application Thread

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Deferred until March. Interviewed early October
 
I'm debating if I should bring anything with me to my interview day next week (e.g. application, notepad and pen, water, etc.). Any thoughts from those who have already interviewed?
 
agpm said:
I'm debating if I should bring anything with me to my interview day next week (e.g. application, notepad and pen, water, etc.). Any thoughts from those who have already interviewed?
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I didn't bring anything with me to interview day. The only thing I had with me during my interview was the folder with all of the information they gave us at the beginning of the day.
 
Deferred until March :/
I'm grateful that I wasn't rejected, but I can't help but feel really bummed out...I interviewed here way back in September and haven't heard back (besides holds/rejections) from any other schools since. Was really hoping that the waiting would finally be over for me at this stage, not to mention that BU is my top choice.
Ah well, here's to hoping that lots of other interviewees get into schools they like better than BU before March and withdraw! (I figure this is a more karma-friendly way of saying that I'd like to have a better chance of getting in!) 😉
 
peyton91 said:
someone's bitterrrrrrr
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As someone with no reason to feel bitter, I did find the interview day to be quite impersonal. Additionally, I felt as though they did a really poor job selling BU as a community in which I would enjoy learning and living (note that they did do a good job of detailing Boston and the patient populations with which we would be working). This coupled with the fact that they seemed to be very proud to emphasize the fact that they get a very large number of applicants made it seem like they felt we should want to come there solely based on the competitiveness of the school and the opportunities that Boston provides (the latter being important of course). I don't think that the dean was disingenuous but rather emphasized the wrong things. I'm sure my revisit will give me a better impression. Perhaps this what veryborderlineapplicant was unsuccessfully attempting to articulate.
 
Reformed_Herbivore said:
As someone with no reason to feel bitter, I did find the interview day to be quite impersonal. Additionally, I felt as though they did a really poor job selling BU as a community in which I would enjoy learning and living (note that they did do a good job of detailing Boston and the patient populations with which we would be working). This coupled with the fact that they seemed to be very proud to emphasize the fact that they get a very large number of applicants made it seem like they felt we should want to come there solely based on the competitiveness of the school and the opportunities that Boston provides (the latter being important of course). I don't think that the dean was disingenuous but rather emphasized the wrong things. I'm sure my revisit will give me a better impression. Perhaps this what veryborderlineapplicant was unsuccessfully attempting to articulate.
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I successful at articulating exactly what I wanted to, I just got a bunch of "herp derp u mad brah responses". Your points of the school are equally valid, but so are mine. The dean came off as totally exaggeratedly fake incredibly rehearsed arrogant and creepy individual that not only undermines the school but the entire profession with how far he's gotten by being that fake. If you've ever been to a used car dealership you'll have met his personality type.
 
veryborderlineapplicant said:
I successful at articulating exactly what I wanted to, I just got a bunch of "herp derp u mad brah responses". Your points of the school are equally valid, but so are mine. The dean came off as totally exaggeratedly fake incredibly rehearsed arrogant and creepy individual that not only undermines the school but the entire profession with how far he's gotten by being that fake. If you've ever been to a used car dealership you'll have met his personality type.
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I wish there was a "dislike" button for posts like this. At least Reformed_Herbivore gave concrete and understandable reasons for not enjoying interview day. Your posts just seem spiteful and negative without justification.
 
Having attended several orientations where Dean Witzburg has spoken, I can attest to his being genuine (or to the cynical,at least very consistent) in his enthusiasm about both medicine and BUSM, however quirky/scripted it may have seemed to you, veryborderlineapplicant.
You're of course entitled to your opinion and I do know a few others who share your view, but by making such a polarizing comment immediately after decisions come out, you're setting yourself up for the "bitter" responses. Makes people wonder why you didn't express that opinion immediately after your interview.
 
Tappinfool66 said:
I wish there was a "dislike" button for posts like this. At least Reformed_Herbivore gave concrete and understandable reasons for not enjoying interview day. Your posts just seem spiteful and negative without justification.
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It's a very subjective reason, although still a reason, nonetheless. I wish you actually read my posts because I was just making a comment about how "off" the dean was, which doesn't state anything about the interview day. I wish you actually thought about what you said before trying to turn my post into some blanket generalization, which it isn't. If there was dislike button on this place, you'd be disliking your own post in hindsight and so would I.
 
just received a middle-of-the-night reminder e-mail about my interview in about 2 weeks and jumped out of my bed laughing at the situation--of course i haven't forgotten about the interview, BU,...you're literally ALL i'm thinking about these days!!! so excited to visit! <3
 
At this point, I think it would be appropriate to say that my relationship with my email inbox is parallel to the relationship between Chuck Noland and Wilson in Castaway
 
veryborderlineapplicant said:
I successful at articulating exactly what I wanted to, I just got a bunch of "herp derp u mad brah responses". Your points of the school are equally valid, but so are mine. The dean came off as totally exaggeratedly fake incredibly rehearsed arrogant and creepy individual that not only undermines the school but the entire profession with how far he's gotten by being that fake. If you've ever been to a used car dealership you'll have met his personality type.
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You clearly believe on a psychological level that eccentric people do not exist. It's not fake, and you can't rehearse speaking like that all day, it's actually very difficult to speak like that...
 
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slopes23 said:
You clearly believe on a psychological level that eccentric people do not believe. It's not fake, and you can't rehearse speaking like that all day, it's actually very difficult to speak like that...
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Nah, one person doesn't equal everyone. There's also a huge difference between eccentricity and fakeness.
 
veryborderlineapplicant said:
Nah, one person doesn't equal everyone. There's also a huge difference between eccentricity and fakeness.
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Considering how many interview days occur and how many years Dean Witzburg has probably been doing this, it's not surprising at all that the interview day sounds rehearsed. Maybe this rings as "fake" to you. I didn't find him any more or less "fake" than any other interview day I've attended. I understand that the vast majority of people who talk to us on interview day have a lot of other stuff to do and would not be at all surprised to find their role as interview day cheerleader lower on their list of priorities. But wow, if you're judging an entire school based on your impression of one person on interview day...whatever floats your boat I guess.
 
oncemagic said:
Considering how many interview days occur and how many years Dean Witzburg has probably been doing this, it's not surprising at all that the interview day sounds rehearsed. Maybe this rings as "fake" to you. I didn't find him any more or less "fake" than any other interview day I've attended. I understand that the vast majority of people who talk to us on interview day have a lot of other stuff to do and would not be at all surprised to find their role as interview day cheerleader lower on their list of priorities. But wow, if you're judging an entire school based on your impression of one person on interview day...whatever floats your boat I guess.
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A dean is a figure-head and representation of the school. Whether you like it or not how he presents himself is a huge portion of how his school is perceived. It's a fact.
 
Let's move on...agree to disagree. Some people will like him and some won't. I liked the guy. Out of 10 interviews he was one of my favs but that doesn't mean he will be everyone's fav. So it goes.
 
Overanxious said:
Let's move on...agree to disagree. Some people will like him and some won't. I liked the guy. Out of 10 interviews he was one of my favs but that doesn't mean he will be everyone's fav. So it goes.
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He wasn't there on my interview day, I kinda wish I woulda seen what all the fuss is about lol
 
I got into my (very) good state school (Uni. of Maryland), and I was deferred until March here. What do you guys think? I loved BU and Boston on interview day. Please advise haha
 
realhumanbean said:
I got into my (very) good state school (Uni. of Maryland), and I was deferred until March here. What do you guys think? I loved BU and Boston on interview day. Please advise haha
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What exactly is your question? General umd vs bu? or should you bother to wait until march? etc etc...
 
realhumanbean said:
I got into my (very) good state school (Uni. of Maryland), and I was deferred until March here. What do you guys think? I loved BU and Boston on interview day. Please advise haha
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$53,894 tuition for BU + very expensive city to live in vs. $29,584 in state tuition at Maryland + less expensive downtown Baltimore location. If money & graduating in deep debt is of any concern for you that should say it all.
 
alannn said:
What exactly is your question? General umd vs bu? or should you bother to wait until march? etc etc...
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Should I wait until March and keep my file under consideration, or withdraw now? The high cost of BU is a factor, and I don't see much of a difference between UMD and BU, and affiliated hospitals and their mission (except the amazing P/F curriculum at BU vs A/B/C/D system at UMD).

luvtoski said:
$53,894 tuition for BU + very expensive city to live in vs. $29,584 in state tuition at Maryland + less expensive downtown Baltimore location. If money & graduating in deep debt is of any concern for you that should say it all.
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You're absolutely right, even in the unlikely event that I were to get in to BU, I think the financials would absolutely sway this decision in favor of UMD. I think I wanted other people to confirm what I was thinking. BU is a fantastic (and beautiful) school, and I had an absolutely wonderful experience there on interview day, but it doesn't justify the massive debt in my case.

edit, spelling.
 
There is not point in withdrawing at any school before financial aid packets unless you HATED it during interview day. Keep your application active and see what happens.
 
Realistically, it is very unlikely that BU will give the >$25K per year financial package required to make the cost of attendance equivalent in your situation.
 
realhumanbean said:
I got into my (very) good state school (Uni. of Maryland), and I was deferred until March here. What do you guys think? I loved BU and Boston on interview day. Please advise haha
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Go to maryland. You can love something a lot without burdening yourself with a significant amount of potential extra-debt. Don't wait on boston unless it's your #1 choice ever because you could just as easily be rejected. Go to second look at maryland and hold onto that acceptance. Also, relax because you've got a well-earned acceptance, instead of waiting on boston and putting pressure on yourself over it.
 
veryborderlineapplicant said:
Go to maryland. You can love something a lot without burdening yourself with a significant amount of potential extra-debt. Don't wait on boston unless it's your #1 choice ever because you could just as easily be rejected. Go to second look at maryland and hold onto that acceptance. Also, relax because you've got a well-earned acceptance, instead of waiting on boston and putting pressure on yourself over it.
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but wait... what if we're just telling you that so you pull out and give us a better chance?
hahaha jk. At Georgetown SOM (private school), the introductory speech included an explanation on why you should only go to a private school if you
1. don't get into a state school or
2. the private school is a much better fit. Sounds like BU isn't that much of a better fit for ya
 
realhumanbean said:
Should I wait until March and keep my file under consideration, or withdraw now? The high cost of BU is a factor, and I don't see much of a difference between UMD and BU, and affiliated hospitals and their mission (except the amazing P/F curriculum at BU vs A/B/C/D system at UMD).



You're absolutely right, even in the unlikely event that I were to get in to BU, I think the financials would absolutely sway this decision in favor of UMD. I think I wanted other people to confirm what I was thinking. BU is a fantastic (and beautiful) school, and I had an absolutely wonderful experience there on interview day, but it doesn't justify the massive debt in my case.

edit, spelling.
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DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT withdraw from BU yet. Withdrawing from BU provides no benefit to you, however staying in the running for BU may deliver a tremendous benefit (getting accepted with scholarship+learning later that you prefer the school over UMD).

Basically you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by NOT withdrawing from BU.

Be wary of the other posters suggesting that you withdraw, they may be fellow applicants that were deferred who want you to withdraw so they have a better chance at acceptance....
 
realhumanbean said:
I got into my (very) good state school (Uni. of Maryland), and I was deferred until March here. What do you guys think? I loved BU and Boston on interview day. Please advise haha
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If you liked BU, then keep yourself in consideration. If you get in to multiple schools then compare them with your personal checklist of what is desirable to you in a medical school, considering what benefits/trade-offs would be the most acceptable.

Go to second look days later in the year if you need more help before making a final decision.

Also, it's worth waiting until financial aid packages come out before making a final decision if cost is going to be a deciding factor.
 
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