2014-2015 SUNY Downstate Application Thread

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Recently withdrew my acceptance, best of luck to the rest of those waiting!
 
This may not be the place for this, but I'd still like to ask. Any current/matriculating Downstate students mind giving their two cents on laptops? I'm due for a new laptop, and I'm debating a few features. Do you guys think 13" is enough? The Downstate laptop guide says to get a 15" because you guys take exams on your laptops and stuff... Also, don't want to start the whole PC vs Mac debate, but has anyone had any issues with programs not working on Macs? Thanks.
Get whatever you feel comfortable using. 13" is definitely enough. You don't take real exams on your laptops; you use the school's desktops in your assigned carrel. You take the weekly formatives on your computer (or on a school computer, if you want), but you can do that on any computer of any size. I have a PC personally, but I'd say a good chunk (possibly the majority) of the class has Macs, and everything seems to work fine on them. Basically, the choice is yours - it doesn't matter all that much in terms of school-related things.
 
maybe this is too much to ask....but would the people who are withdrawing/withdrew mind phoning in their request for withdrawal (in addition to email or however you did it)?

some of us anxious HFS/WL people would really, REALLY appreciate it since we would love to find out a definitive decision as soon as possible and know whether or not we should be gearing up to fill that lovely AMCAS all over again....i know i personally would love you forever!! 🙂

again this might be too much to ask and it's probably the last thing on your mind, but know you'd be doing someone a lot of good 🙂

@Thrylos77 @toska @FLDuartard @rratsa @Premixis @Rumor13 @fermata125 @Vaccinator
 
maybe this is too much to ask....but would the people who are withdrawing/withdrew mind phoning in their request for withdrawal (in addition to email or however you did it)?

some of us anxious HFS/WL people would really, REALLY appreciate it since we would love to find out a definitive decision as soon as possible and know whether or not we should be gearing up to fill that lovely AMCAS all over again....i know i personally would love you forever!! 🙂

again this might be too much to ask and it's probably the last thing on your mind, but know you'd be doing someone a lot of good 🙂

@Thrylos77 @toska @FLDuartard @rratsa @Premixis @Rumor13 @fermata125 @Vaccinator


They emailed me back within an hour confirming my application had been withdrawn. There's no need to call.
 
They emailed me back within an hour confirming my application had been withdrawn. There's no need to call.

thanks for the heads up. my anxiety was fueled by reading last year's thread--apparently there was one person who withdrew but was still receiving housing/matriculation emails well into the summer. i guess that's not happening this year. thanks for the info!!
 
Also, to all of those that are having anxiety and checking your phones every three minutes waiting for a phone call (like I did), know this:

1) Last year, calls started going out a 4 or 5 days after the deadline. Our admissions office is closed on the weekends, so getting a call after 5pm today through Monday morning at 9am is unlikely - ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND!

2) No matter how many times you check your phone, the call will still manage to catch you off guard. I was sitting around playing FIFA in my apartment when I got the call from a 718 area code (Brooklyn) and my heart skipped ~10 beats. The rest is history, or at least learning how to take a good one 🤣 (sorry for the terrible joke, I used to be funny before med school, I swear).
 
Any idea when people who were put on "hold for spring consideration" after interview will be notified about a decision?
 
Any idea when people who were put on "hold for spring consideration" after interview will be notified about a decision?

In time. To save you a couple of minutes, the first round of people reporting acceptances on SDN was 5 days after traffic day...
 
Are you talking about last year? Also, what is "traffic day?"

Traffic day is the day you had to forfeit all other acceptances (AAMC word, not mine). Last year it was May 15th and the first off the waitlist acceptance came May 20th. This year traffic day was May 1st, so there's no reason to be surprised if we don't hear anything until May 6th.
 
Traffic day is the day you had to forfeit all other acceptances (AAMC word, not mine). Last year it was May 15th and the first off the waitlist acceptance came May 20th. This year traffic day was May 1st, so there's no reason to be surprised if we don't hear anything until May 6th.
Thanks for the info!

Also, I'm not on the waitlist, I'm on the "hold for spring review" (interviewed in February) or whatever. Does that mean I can still hear back as well?
 
Thanks for the info!

Also, I'm not on the waitlist, I'm on the "hold for spring review" (interviewed in February) or whatever. Does that mean I can still hear back as well?

"Hold for Spring Review" = Downstate's waitlist. At some point, they will begin calling people off of the waitlist. The number of calls is obviously dependent on how many accepted applicants enroll/withdraw. Last year there was a ton of waitlist movement that happened on the Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday after the May 15th deadline (which was also on a Thursday last year). I have no idea when the calls will begin this year, that was just so that everyone is informed that they could be happening as soon as tomorrow. I'm sure that once waitlist movement starts, there will be some posts on this page regarding acceptances, so everyone will be aware. As hard as it is, the best thing to do is sit tight at this point and hope for the best. If you have any questions about anything with regard to waitlist movement (etc.) please feel free to PM me. I'll try my best to answer questions.

Do realize that waitlist movement will continue throughout the summer, albeit the majority of waitlist movement will happen within the first few days after phone calls begin going out. That being said, people do get in throughout the summer. Someone got in off of the waitlist 3 or 4 days before the start of orientation last year. There's a sort of trickle down effect that happens with this process: applicants on waitlists at top 10 schools will get accepted when those ridiculous applicants that got into all top 10 schools finalize their choice, which opens up spots at the next 10, etc, etc. Unfortunately, some of this movement is slow and people will find out in July that they got into their top choice and will withdraw, leaving an open spot elsewhere.

I wish each of you the best of luck! Downstate was my first and only acceptance, so I completely sympathize with the anxiousness that many are feeling, as I was you a year ago. Again, please feel free to reach out, even if you just need someone to talk to through the process!
 
It's been 11 weeks since my interview and I have yet to even hear a word from Downstate...
 
It's been 11 weeks since my interview and I have yet to even hear a word from Downstate...
Call admissions. They may not give you a direct answer as to the decision, but at least they'll check up on your file and update you and, if there was some clerical error by chance, it will get corrected. They're nice people.
 
What if you don't get service where you work and you happen to work till 9pm? >.< any chance they also email??
 
What if you don't get service where you work and you happen to work till 9pm? >.< any chance they also email??
From what I've heard they'll either leave a voicemail asking you to call back, or they'll email you asking you to call, or both. Either way, have no fear - you will not lose an acceptance because of a missed phone call!
 
From what I've heard they'll either leave a voicemail asking you to call back, or they'll email you asking you to call, or both. Either way, have no fear - you will not lose an acceptance because of a missed phone call!
Haha can you imagine the anxiety if there was a chance of losing your spot if you didn't pick up? Everyone on hold would be walking around with headsets on all day.
 
Haha can you imagine the anxiety if there was a chance of losing your spot if you didn't pick up? Everyone on hold would be walking around with headsets on all day.
I know!! Lol at this point I know I'm just being extra kookoo for coco puffs.
 
From what I've heard they'll either leave a voicemail asking you to call back, or they'll email you asking you to call, or both. Either way, have no fear - you will not lose an acceptance because of a missed phone call!
I missed the call (I was working, had to have my phone off), got a voicemail saying "Call back by 5:30 today if you can - I'll stay late, since I know you're working, and here's my private phone number, so give me a call" from admissions.
 
Good luck to all of you waiting for a decision! I hope to see you all next year! 🙂

To change topic a bit (sorry!), has there been another Facebook group made for the Class of 2019? Right now I only see the one posted by the administration that has basically no activity. I heard that the MS1's traditionally make one for us - I know you guys are probably in exams right now, so no rush, just asking. Thanks!
 
There was a post on the official one with a link to the unofficial one
 
Still not action on the waitlist front? Or have I missed the party already :/
 
Still not action on the waitlist front? Or have I missed the party already :/

Not to SDN's knowledge. I have it set to e-mail me whenever someone posts on this thread and I get a mini-heart attack every time is see a message with the headline "SUNY Downstate". =P They can take their sweet time, but I'm hoping to see some movement tomorrow or Friday...
 
Congrats to all of those that are receiving good news today, I'm looking forward to meeting those that plan on matriculating, in August! To those who haven't received any news yet, I was accepted off of HFS the day after phone calls began going out, so stay hopeful!!!!
 
Has anyone interviewed mid March to April (not on HFS) hear anything back from admissions?
Interviewed last week of March and still haven't heard a word

UPDATE: just got an email-I've been placed HFS. LOL
 
Congrats to all of those that are receiving good news today, I'm looking forward to meeting those that plan on matriculating, in August! To those who haven't received any news yet, I was accepted off of HFS the day after phone calls began going out, so stay hopeful!!!!
And I was accepted in June, so you've got some time to keep the hope alive 🙂
 
Accepted off HFS list! This is my first choice and only acceptance. I interviewed early Feb. For what it's worth, I sent in 2 letters of intent (one before initial HFS decision, and one after) and an additional recommendation letter. Please have faith people and good luck to all still waiting!!!

To those definitely attending: I look forward to meeting you in August! 🙂

Cheers!
 
Question for anyone who may know the answer. Does Downstate provide students with any sort of free pass for public transportation? I know my state school gives their med students free bus passes as a sticker on their school IDs. Does Downstate do anything similar for buses or the subway?

Also, congrats to all those finally getting accepted! Hope to meet you all in August.
 
Congratulations to everyone getting good news and fingers crossed for those waiting! Looking forward to meeting you guys in August.
 
Question for anyone who may know the answer. Does Downstate provide students with any sort of free pass for public transportation? I know my state school gives their med students free bus passes as a sticker on their school IDs. Does Downstate do anything similar for buses or the subway?

Also, congrats to all those finally getting accepted! Hope to meet you all in August.

Unfortunately, they don't. You'll generally use the subway here and, if you live close by, you won't ride it daily, you'll really use it on the weekends for leisure-related stuff. If you live further away (need the subway each day) you should factor that into your cost of living - a monthly costs ~$115.
 
Seeing all these HFS acceptances worries me…they haven't even made a decision for me yet...
 
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