2014-2015 Ohio State University Application Thread

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Jumanji2015 said:
Thanks for the prompt reply. Hey can you speak to the advantage you mention about interviewing earlier? It's already not too early in the admissions cycle and I'm fired up about the II but also don't want to take a trip for nothing. I'd read on this thread before that tOSU admits people fairly consistently from throughout the interview dates and not just front loaded like some places. Truth or?
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No that's definitely true, they seem to be consistent with admissions throughout the season. However, since there are fewer and fewer spots as the season progresses, it's advantageous to interview earlier regardless of whether a school is front loaded or not. At least that's my understanding of it 🙂 but do what is best for you! I know how budgeting plays a big role in the app season, it's extremely expensive!
 
Supraspinatus said:
No that's definitely true, they seem to be consistent with admissions throughout the season. However, since there are fewer and fewer spots as the season progresses, it's advantageous to interview earlier regardless of whether a school is front loaded or not. At least that's my understanding of it 🙂 but do what is best for you! I know how budgeting plays a big role in the app season, it's extremely expensive!
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Thanks! Okay, just a couple more questions. One, what do you think about utilizing the student host option for lodging? Second, are the interviews fairly laid back and have a feel like they are simply trying to get to know you better as a person? I have interviewed at one other Big 10 institution, Minnesota-Twin Cities, and that was how the interview went. They also had the two interviews, one with faculty and another with a student. Or, is it more of a pressure cooker with some tough questions that I better really prep for? Thanks Supra!
 
Jumanji2015 said:
Thanks! Okay, just a couple more questions. One, what do you think about utilizing the student host option for lodging? Second, are the interviews fairly laid back and have a feel like they are simply trying to get to know you better as a person? I have interviewed at one other Big 10 institution, Minnesota-Twin Cities, and that was how the interview went. They also had the two interviews, one with faculty and another with a student. Or, is it more of a pressure cooker with some tough questions that I better really prep for? Thanks Supra!
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Student lodging is a great way to save money on hotel fees. We send out periodic emails encouraging students to take in a student if they can, so the ones who sign up for it are generally very accommodating. It's all voluntary, so staying with a host is a great option to take advantage of.

As far as interviews go, I'd say that ours is very similar to Minnesota. It's probably a common theme across the Midwest/B1G. We have two interviews, one student one faculty, that are pretty laid back, conversational interviews. They're metric blind, so numbers aren't even a part of the interview process. There aren't any ethics questions or anything like that, just questions to get to know what kind of person is behind the application.

Also, admissions meetings are held every two weeks, so if you can delay your interview date even just two weeks for a cheaper ticket, there's no real harm in doing so. You'll still make it into the same admissions meeting, or at least the subsequent one.
 
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PGY_Celd said:
Student lodging is a great way to save money on hotel fees. We send out periodic emails encouraging students to take in a student if they can, so the ones who sign up for it are generally very accommodating. It's all voluntary, so staying with a host is a great option to take advantage of.

As far as interviews go, I'd say that ours is very similar to Minnesota. It's probably a common theme across the Midwest/B1G. We have two interviews, one student one faculty, that are pretty laid back, conversational interviews. They're metric blind, so numbers aren't even a part of the interview process. There aren't any ethics questions or anything like that, just questions to get to know what kind of person is behind the application.

Also, admissions meetings are held every two weeks, so if you can delay your interview date even just two weeks for a cheaper ticket, there's no real harm in doing so. You'll still make it into the same admissions meeting, or at least the subsequent one.
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Thanks so much for the heads up. I actually booked the ticket for the February 9 interview. I was only gonna save like 10 dollars by delaying a couple weeks so I figured there wasn't any point in doing so. I got the ticket through United for 350 out of OKC which isn't so bad on short notice. I just didn't want to be forced to pay like 600 or something crazy. And that interview format sounds exactly like Minnesota, which is also metric blind. I'm super psyched about the opportunity to come interview at a true leader in the field of medicine and hopeful it will turn into much more. Thanks to all here, you represent your future program well.
 
Jumanji2015 said:
Thanks so much for the heads up. I actually booked the ticket for the February 9 interview. I was only gonna save like 10 dollars by delaying a couple weeks so I figured there wasn't any point in doing so. I got the ticket through United for 350 out of OKC which isn't so bad on short notice. I just didn't want to be forced to pay like 600 or something crazy. And that interview format sounds exactly like Minnesota, which is also metric blind. I'm super psyched about the opportunity to come interview at a true leader in the field of medicine and hopeful it will turn into much more. Thanks to all here, you represent your future program well.
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Excited for your opportunity! We might be classmates next year!!! O-H!
 
Supraspinatus said:
Excited for your opportunity! We might be classmates next year!!! O-H!
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That would be fantastic. I'd choose tOSU over my in state schools in a heartbeat. No disrespect to them, they are solid but unspectacular programs that don't have the resources of your great school. No shame in admitting that IMO.
 
II today as well. complete sometime in august. I'm sure this has been discussed before, but is the interview completely blind or can the interviewers see your application but not your specific numbers (MCAT, GPA)? Good luck to everyone waiting!
 
dacas said:
II today as well. complete sometime in august. I'm sure this has been discussed before, but is the interview completely blind or can the interviewers see your application but not your specific numbers (MCAT, GPA)? Good luck to everyone waiting!
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It's metric blind, so your numbers and grades are unavailable, but everything else, from your personal statement to your secondary essays, is available for both student and faculty interviewers to read.
 
II Woot!! MSTP Woot Woot!!!!!!! First one of the cycle. I'm really excited about this opportunity.
 
PGY_Celd said:
It's metric blind, so your numbers and grades are unavailable, but everything else, from your personal statement to your secondary essays, is available for both student and faculty interviewers to read.
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cool thanks!
 
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I can't seem to find the site to login to my secondary application and review my essays, just the Medstar portal which gives my status. Does anyone know how I can access that information again?
 
Jumanji2015 said:
I can't seem to find the site to login to my secondary application and review my essays, just the Medstar portal which gives my status. Does anyone know how I can access that information again?
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I am pretty sure you can go to buckeyelink.osu.edu and log in and check your application under future students. I'm not sure of the exact route but maybe this will help!
 
Jumanji2015 said:
I can't seem to find the site to login to my secondary application and review my essays, just the Medstar portal which gives my status. Does anyone know how I can access that information again?
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Go to buckeyelink.osu.edu like madb0x said then near the top click on Main Menu > Student Self Service > OSU Supplemental Applications > Medicine. It says "The application you have selected is not available." for me. Not sure if it says that for everyone.
 
FedererFan said:
Go to buckeyelink.osu.edu like madb0x said then near the top click on Main Menu > Student Self Service > OSU Supplemental Applications > Medicine. It says "The application you have selected is not available." for me. Not sure if it says that for everyone.
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This is the same for me. After thinking about it, I remember the supplemental for tOSU to be pretty sparse compared to many other schools, and only having two rather short essays. I'm sure that by reviewing my primary and personal statement as well as reading up on some things going on at tOSU i should be alright for the interview. Thoughts?
 
Any advice on whether or not to send a second update letter? The first was sent 11/24, so over two months ago. Thanks in advance!
 
Does anyone have insight into whether some deferred applications really get re-evaluated and accepted before the creation of a wait list?
 
jtb912 said:
In regards to update letters, my application/experiences/grades haven't changed much, but would it be a good idea to send one anyway (maybe more as a letter of interest) since this is probably my top choice school?
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Can't hurt! I say go for it 🙂
 
I jus got offered my interview this morning via phone call. I had the choice of this Monday, or late February. I chose this Monday, so I will be excitedly spending this weekend in Columbus. I'm coming from Wayne State, in Detroit, Michigan. This is my top choice medical school.

Any advice or anything you guys can tell me to help me prepare is much appreciated.

Thank you!
 
Motown_Monster_ said:
I jus got offered my interview this morning via phone call. I had the choice of this Monday, or late February. I chose this Monday, so I will be excitedly spending this weekend in Columbus. I'm coming from Wayne State, in Detroit, Michigan. This is my top choice medical school.

Any advice or anything you guys can tell me to help me prepare is much appreciated.

Thank you!
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Congratulations!! The interview is really laid back- one with a student and one with a faculty member. Both had a printed out and highlighted copy of my AMCAS application and just asked me to expand on the activities and experiences I wrote about. Best of luck to you!
 
livelovelaugh123 said:
Congratulations!! The interview is really laid back- one with a student and one with a faculty member. Both had a printed out and highlighted copy of my AMCAS application and just asked me to expand on the activities and experiences I wrote about. Best of luck to you!
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Thank you! Where can I go to find statistics such as applications received, interviews given, and number of out of state acceptances from past years (and related info such as tuition cost)?
 
Motown_Monster_ said:
I jus got offered my interview this morning via phone call. I had the choice of this Monday, or late February. I chose this Monday, so I will be excitedly spending this weekend in Columbus. I'm coming from Wayne State, in Detroit, Michigan. This is my top choice medical school.

Any advice or anything you guys can tell me to help me prepare is much appreciated.

Thank you!
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Congrats! Do you mind sharing your stats?
 
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PGY_Celd said:
We list the most recent class profile on our website. http://medicine.osu.edu/students/admissions/Class Profile/Class Profile.pdf
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What it appears to be is that it's roughly half those interviewed receive and acceptance. Osu is definitely not a school that herds people in just to pad numbers or with the intention of wait listing you. I truly believe what Dr. Capers says about if you receive an interview, there is a seat in the class for you. You just have to claim it.
 
Last edited:
Congratulations to all of you who recently received an II...

The interviews (one faculty and one student) are definitely laid back. Fortunately, the interviews take place after a nice introduction to OSUCOM, lunch, and a tour of the medical campus. Both interviewers are blind to your GPA/MCAT score; however, those numbers come back into consideration while the admissions committee discusses your entire application file + interview when making their decision.

Interview Tips: Know your primary and secondary applications! This includes knowing your ECs, when you did them, and what you got out of them. If you've been involved in something (school, working, shadowing, volunteering, etc.) since submitting your application, then be sure to mention it. Also, have prepared questions for your student interviewer as well as your faculty interviewer. Finally, take a deep breath, be professional, be yourself, be honest, and remember that you would not have been offered an interview if OSUCOM was not seriously considering you. 😉
 
Motown_Monster_ said:
I jus got offered my interview this morning via phone call. I had the choice of this Monday, or late February. I chose this Monday, so I will be excitedly spending this weekend in Columbus. I'm coming from Wayne State, in Detroit, Michigan. This is my top choice medical school.

Any advice or anything you guys can tell me to help me prepare is much appreciated.

Thank you!
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Has anyone else received an interview by phone? Haha I now am paranoid and will have to keep my phone on vibrate 24/7!
 
madb0x said:
Has anyone else received an interview by phone? Haha I now am paranoid and will have to keep my phone on vibrate 24/7!
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My interview invite was via email status update, and I had to log in to the portal to check my status.

Please don't torment yourself. Find a nice book or something and keep yourself busy. Obsessing over an interview invite will not make it come any quicker.
 
Sorry if this has been answered earlier, but does anyone know how receptive OSU is to in the area emails?
 
docdoc14 said:
Sorry if this has been answered earlier, but does anyone know how receptive OSU is to in the area emails?
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They are receptive. I sent one and got an II right after. They even emailed me and said that it was good of me to send an ITA email.
 
daenschl said:
They are receptive. I sent one and got an II right after. They even emailed me and said that it was good of me to send an ITA email.
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Oh wow! Okay thank you so much! Any tips/insight on how to go about writing the letter? I assume just a standard format saying something along the lines of "hey, I'm going to be in the area so pretty please interview me" but in a more professional manner would suffice haha
 
docdoc14 said:
Oh wow! Okay thank you so much! Any tips/insight on how to go about writing the letter? I assume just a standard format saying something along the lines of "hey, I'm going to be in the area so pretty please interview me" but in a more professional manner would suffice haha
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Haha, yeah pretty much. I wrote something along the lines of " I realize that interviews are only offered to select applicants, but I will be traveling to Ohio the week of xyz and if I will be granted and interview and this scheduling is possible, could this interview take place during this week?"
This is of course not exactly what I wrote, but it's the gist. All I can say is that it worked with Ohio State.
 
daenschl said:
Haha, yeah pretty much. I wrote something along the lines of " I realize that interviews are only offered to select applicants, but I will be traveling to Ohio the week of xyz and if I will be granted and interview and this scheduling is possible, could this interview take place during this week?"
This is of course not exactly what I wrote, but it's the gist. All I can say is that it worked with Ohio State.
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Haha well hey, if it worked for you then I guess it's worth a shot! Thank you so much for your help!
 
I'm super pumped to have gotten an II for the end of February, but I'm worried that it's too late in the cycle to hope for an acceptance instead of waitlist spot. It may have been answered earlier, but does anyone know if tOSU offers acceptances somewhat regularly throughout the cycle or do they mainly front load their acceptances? Thanks!
 
spr123 said:
I'm super pumped to have gotten an II for the end of February, but I'm worried that it's too late in the cycle to hope for an acceptance instead of waitlist spot. It may have been answered earlier, but does anyone know if tOSU offers acceptances somewhat regularly throughout the cycle or do they mainly front load their acceptances? Thanks!
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There are approximately an equal number of acceptances made at each regular admissions meeting, but keep in mind that candidates from previous interview dates are considered as well as the newly interviewed. If you have a good interview, it's still possible to get an acceptance without being deferred.
 
Speaking of Ohio State's regular admissions committee meetings, does anyone know when the next release date for decisions (accepted/rejected/deferred) will be? The last date I heard was Dec. 18th.
 
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I interview on Monday feb 9 and arrive in town the evening of Saturday feb 7. I am still waiting for word from the student host program and don't want to wait much longer to book a contingency through airbnb. Since airbnb is binding I also don't want to book if it is unnecessary. How much longer should I wait to hear from student host program, and can anyone speak to whether there is even a high match rate through it or if I have simply been wasting my time awaiting a match. Thanks!
 
Jumanji2015 said:
I interview on Monday feb 9 and arrive in town the evening of Saturday feb 7. I am still waiting for word from the student host program and don't want to wait much longer to book a contingency through airbnb. Since airbnb is binding I also don't want to book if it is unnecessary. How much longer should I wait to hear from student host program, and can anyone speak to whether there is even a high match rate through it or if I have simply been wasting my time awaiting a match. Thanks!
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This weekend could be tough trying to get a match. I'll see if I can get in touch with the coordinators to try and encourage other students to host.
 
PGY_Celd said:
This weekend could be tough trying to get a match. I'll see if I can get in touch with the coordinators to try and encourage other students to host.
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Thanks for your concern. I reserved a room at the varsity inn south just to be safe. They said they are in close proximity to the medical school campus so I figured that would be more convenient than the places I found on airbnb. Hopefully it's not a dump.
 
Jumanji2015 said:
Thanks for your concern. I reserved a room at the varsity inn south just to be safe. They said they are in close proximity to the medical school campus so I figured that would be more convenient than the places I found on airbnb. Hopefully it's not a dump.
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Varsity Inn is a quality hotel. I stayed there myself when I interviewed. Great location. I'd recommend it to anyone really.
 
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