2014-2015 Drexel University Application Thread

BU Medical Sciences
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Interviewed today. Very low-stress and conversational.
 
Those who received an II, did your status at any point change to 'application is complete and will be reviewed'? I'm wondering if that's a polite reject 🙁
 
Yeah I just got the "app is complete and will be reviewed" status today.
 
sunshine_45 said:
Those who received an II, did your status at any point change to 'application is complete and will be reviewed'? I'm wondering if that's a polite reject 🙁
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I was also curious about this and have the same status today, so I looked at past threads. SDNers have ranged from getting IIs immediately after this status, to being put on hold, to being rejected immediately, to being rejected after months. So don't lose hope yet (though I am just as apprehensive!) because I think it just means exactly what it says.
 
oooo got that status change today too! hahah I don't think it means anything other than what it says, but let's hope there's some good news coming for all of us!!
 
reapplicantblues said:
I was also curious about this and have the same status today, so I looked at past threads. SDNers have ranged from getting IIs immediately after this status, to being put on hold, to being rejected immediately, to being rejected after months. So don't lose hope yet (though I am just as apprehensive!) because I think it just means exactly what it says.
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I had this status and got an II about 2-4 days after getting it!
 
Our school got pretty close to 15000 applicants last year. I'm pretty sure it takes awhile to sift through and decide who to give secondaries to, then interviews, so be patient. I probably waited a month for my secondary too, and everything was fine in the end. Don't stress so much about this, you'll have plenty of other things to worry during med school/residency!

The secondary had a few hiccups early on this year because it has changed from the previous years. This year the school has your course data pre-uploaded from AMCAS.

Good luck to everyone on interview day. It would be cool if no one wrote any of the essay prompts here so that everyone has a fair shot of going in and writing it on that day. Honor code and all that stuff. You have plenty of time to write it and it isn't stressful. Take it seriously though!

Also the student interviews are meant to be more laid back. Sometimes it almost seems like it is a real interview because the cafeteria doesn't open until 11:30, and some of you are going to be interviewed at 11 so you can make the shuttle down to center city for your faculty interview. Then the student won't be able to eat so it may seem a little more stressful, but it really isn't that bad! And by student, I mean me. Sometimes post interviews end up with ping pong too if you don't have anything to do after and just want to hang around.
 
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My primary application was verified on 7/29 and I have yet to receive a secondary from them. AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhhh
 
Received the secondary application yesterday. I was verified/complete in July. From the looks of this thread, strange things are happening with regard to their computer system. I hope they are able to get on top of it soon.
 
It was probably just that minor glitch for a few days that caused the backlog. Our IT department is really quick and probably fixed everything. They've been on top of things even with the crazy load because they've had to fix some of our class apps with the iOS 8 update too.
 
tomz1385 said:
It was probably just that minor glitch for a few days that caused the backlog. Our IT department is really quick and probably fixed everything. They've been on top of things even with the crazy load because they've had to fix some of our class apps with the iOS 8 update too.
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A minor glitch has caused me not to receive a secondary for a month? If they don't care about verification, I added drexel on july 5th. I was verified on the 29th or so. This is ridiculous, especially since people after me have received them.
 
tomz1385 said:
Our school got pretty close to 15000 applicants last year. I'm pretty sure it takes awhile to sift through and decide who to give secondaries to, then interviews, so be patient. I probably waited a month for my secondary too, and everything was fine in the end. Don't stress so much about this, you'll have plenty of other things to worry during med school/residency!

The secondary had a few hiccups early on this year because it has changed from the previous years. This year the school has your course data pre-uploaded from AMCAS.

Good luck to everyone on interview day. It would be cool if no one wrote any of the essay prompts here so that everyone has a fair shot of going in and writing it on that day. Honor code and all that stuff. You have plenty of time to write it and it isn't stressful. Take it seriously though!

Also the student interviews are meant to be more laid back. Sometimes it almost seems like it is a real interview because the cafeteria doesn't open until 11:30, and some of you are going to be interviewed at 11 so you can make the shuttle down to center city for your faculty interview. Then the student won't be able to eat so it may seem a little more stressful, but it really isn't that bad! And by student, I mean me. Sometimes post interviews end up with ping pong too if you don't have anything to do after and just want to hang around.
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I have been reading Drexel does not screen for secondaries. I cannot understand what could be going on there that would cause such a delay in sending a simple secondary application. I am not the least bit stressed about this, I am just wondering what is going on there.
 
kewlboy88 said:
I saw the status change (it's very clear because it says "You have been invited for an interview") and then the next day I received an official email.
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Sorry, do you mean that you see this in the table when you first click "view status/decision", or when you click on "view decision" from the link above the table?
 
hopeful_derm said:
Sorry, do you mean that you see this in the table when you first click "view status/decision", or when you click on "view decision" from the link above the table?
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I think it was when I clicked "View status/decision." When you get an interview invite on portal, it's VERY clear. Despite their unusual way of sending secondaries, when they grant you an interview it's not secretly hidden on some part of portal that you think you haven't checked.
 
Called them today and the person on the other end seemed surprised, but said they were going out in batches still. I call BS.
 
ridethecliche said:
A minor glitch has caused me not to receive a secondary for a month? If they don't care about verification, I added drexel on july 5th. I was verified on the 29th or so. This is ridiculous, especially since people after me have received them.
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I meant the glitch in regards to losing those applications. I think the backlog has been from just adjusting to this new system. I'm not sure exactly, but just be patient - those poor people down in admissions have a lot to do and are working pretty hard. If you have questions, you can call them and ask, but it probably won't make things go faster.
 
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tomz1385 said:
I meant the glitch in regards to losing those applications. I think the backlog has been from just adjusting to this new system. I'm not sure exactly, but just be patient - those poor people down in admissions have a lot to do and are working pretty hard.
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Lol. 2 months for a secondary that isn't screened is a bit much already. It's turning into a running joke at this point, but I've heard they're pretty efficient post secondary so it's all good.

I think people that submitted after I did have been sent secondaries, which is the infuriating part.
 
ccpoppy said:
I have been reading Drexel does not screen for secondaries. I cannot understand what could be going on there that would cause such a delay in sending a simple secondary application. I am not the least bit stressed about this, I am just wondering what is going on there.
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I don't think they screen? I'm not sure on that aspect, but they do send them out in batches - so maybe they do have some selection on who they send a secondary to. I remember having my AMCAS submitted by the first day and not getting a secondary until much later in one of the future batches. I just assumed it was because my numbers weren't as high and there was some pre-selection. It ultimately didn't affect whether I got in or not being in a latter group. But yea, I do understand that there is some worry about this whole process, yes it sucks. I know, I've been there too.

In response to questions about the secondary process: I'll talk to Dr. DePace and ask him to clarify the exact process and see if it would be ok to let people know, but even if people knew, it really doesn't change when you'll get it. I know that some of you just feel like numbers, but when you actually come here and talk to professors or our classmates, you definitely don't get treated as such. During my time here, I've gotten to know a lot of our faculty very well and they've always spent quite a bit of time talking to me and taking an interest in my success. I just mentioned a story about our Dean today to someone. Dean Schidlow is really chill and he would sometimes would just eat lunch with us. A lot of the faculty try to have lunches so they can meet with us as well. I know the admissions process is probably the worst part of getting into med school, but it is a whole different thing once you are in.

Also as a student, the faculty greatly value your feedback and input. I'm guessing other schools do too, but I can really only speak about the one school I know. We do change curriculum based on enough feedback from students. If people complain about a certain lecture not being helpful or not covering enough of a subject for Step 1, it eventually gets added, changed to a self study, etc. When I tutor students in a certain subject, I'll notice that certain portions of notes are removed and stuff from year to year. We have plenty of committees, like curriculum steering, admissions, etc. And in each committee, the students are valued members and have input too.


Our school tries to stay current by integrating new things like those scripts to extract data from the AMCAS instead of having to type it in. We try to be tech friendly and improve, but there are little hiccups from doing it, even with testing. I think in the past few years, we've switched over from giving full sets of printed module notes to students to having all of our notes available in a separate drexel-only app on our ipads. A lot of our virtual microscope/neuroscience tutorials and other things have some nice apps too.

The most programming I've ever done was write simple insurance billing scripts to extract data for my dad's practice, so I wouldn't be able to describe this in detail because this is on a much different scale and I am not in IT nor have I taken actual college programming courses. I just have an appreciation for these people because it is more complicated than just copy/pasting. I haven't done secondaries recently, but how many other schools extract AMCAS data to your secondary? I don't remember very many of my secondaries being like that. (Just curious on how the application process has changed in the past few years)

Also in response to something else: When I got my interview invite, the portal actually updated and I was able to select my date a little sooner than when I got the actual email from Dr. DePace for an interview invite. I wish I knew more about the technical side of the earlier application process to help you all out, but it wouldn't really change how fast things would move.

For those people who have interviewed and are waiting on decisions: we meet on Thursdays, so I'm guessing it will update Thursday afternoon or Friday and letters get sent. I'm not sure yet if things have changed from the previous years, but that was usually how it is. Future apologies: I'm guessing it will eventually pile up and backlog, but it is probably better that it is taking longer to look at individual candidates. Everyone would rather have your application looked at well and viewed as a holistic candidate right?

And for those who eventually get in or have questions, feel free to talk to the students you've interviewed with so ask them for their emails. We are just students getting some free food! Don't be scared of us. Some of us don't really care for the formal "Thank You" emails (but then again, don't quote me on that because everyone is different) - the faculty might, but I have no idea. But if you have questions it is all good. We want you to make the right decision on which school you choose. We don't want you to come here and feel like you've made a wrong choice. It is an important decision! Definitely ask us about stuff. You are going to be here for the next 4 years!
 
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Finally received the secondary today! Making sure I'm not on camera being punked. I was verified some time in mid July and submitted my primary to Drexel on 08/05.
 
Seriously? You got yours before me? The woman there seriously had no idea what she was talking about. At this point, I almost want to ask for my primary money back so I can buy a bottle of booze and drain it to show my displeasure.

Then I remember that I actually really want to go to this school. Justttttt greeeeaattttt...
 
upload_2014-9-23_17-30-54.png


IT IS FINALLY HERE.
verified 8/01
 
ridethecliche said:
Seriously? You got yours before me? The woman there seriously had no idea what she was talking about. At this point, I almost want to ask for my primary money back so I can buy a bottle of booze and drain it to show my displeasure.

Then I remember that I actually really want to go to this school. Justttttt greeeeaattttt...
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Lol!!
So, I just got the secondary and submitted. Verified 08/11 Don't kill me.
 
the year is 2070... I am walking across a paved road, that runs along a lake. I am using my cane because I am almost 80 years old now and time has taken its toll on me. I sit down on a bench to rest and I stare into the distance, reflecting on my life: "Am I proud of the life I've lived? Did I accomplish everything I set out to d-" I hear a sound from my phone.
I look down.
New Email....
It is finally the Drexel University Secondary App.
 
dopa-mean said:
the year is 2070... I am walking across a paved road, that runs along a lake. I am using my cane because I am almost 80 years old now and time has taken its toll on me. I sit down on a bench to rest and I stare into the distance, reflecting on my life: "Am I proud of the life I've lived? Did I accomplish everything I set out to d-" I hear a sound from my phone.
I look down.
New Email....
It is finally the Drexel University Secondary App.
Click to expand...
Keep going, this story sounds awesome! LOL
 
dopa-mean said:
the year is 2070... I am walking across a paved road, that runs along a lake. I am using my cane because I am almost 80 years old now and time has taken its toll on me. I sit down on a bench to rest and I stare into the distance, reflecting on my life: "Am I proud of the life I've lived? Did I accomplish everything I set out to d-" I hear a sound from my phone.
I look down.
New Email....
It is finally the Drexel University Secondary App.
Click to expand...

hahahaha. awesome post
 
So did anyone else get that email saying that they lost some applicant data? I just had to resubmit my secondary.....
 
secondary today! amcas verified 8/1. is it worth completing?
 
in what sense? if time is your only concern, the Drexel app was really quick! mainly just filling in check boxes to categorize your courses and activities
 
And on the 24th day of September of the year 2014, the Drexel medical gods granted a few pitiful souls, including me, the secondary application.

Verified 8/06. Received and submitted 9/24
 
Does anyone know the maximum number of letters that drexel allows?
 
Interviewed today. It was very conversational. No ACA/medical ethics questions, nothing tricky or stressful.....we mostly just went over my app.
 
Doctor11 said:
Does anyone know the maximum number of letters that drexel allows?
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Just an FYI to future applicants, I substituted a research professor for a "science faculty" letter (even though they clearly said they would not accept that) and somehow ended up with a II. heh. In my defense, I'm sure (even though I obvi never read my professor's letter) that my research professor's letter was personalized and much stronger than a student who asked their professor who taught them in a class of 200+ premed students.
 
Zelda840 said:
Interviewed today. It was very conversational. No ACA/medical ethics questions, nothing tricky or stressful.....we mostly just went over my app.
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How long was the interview itself? Also, did you receive a more detailed email about the interview before the day of the interview?
 
My faculty interview was short...about 15 minutes. Talking with the other people who interviewed with the same person at the hospital, this was the case for all of us. Those whose interview was at the med school and not the hospital seemed to have longer interviews though, so I think it just depends on the availability of your interviewer. My student interview was longer...probably around 45 minutes. I got an email with directions to the school, parking info, time frame, and local hotels on the same day that I scheduled the interview.
 
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