2014-2015 Tulane University Application Thread

BU Medical Sciences
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Alright- I need opinions:
I checked my application status a few days ago, and it said "Preliminary Reject." I never received any sort of rejection email. I just checked my status again, and it says "In Progress." Was I rejected? Did this happen to any other people? Did other people who were rejected get an email?
 
I don't know, it didn't happen to me... but others in the thread we talking about it. Seems like nothing concrete yet, so best to just relax and wait.

It honestly doesn't sound like this school pulls punches with rejection messages (plenty have already gotten them) so just sit tight.
 
medschoolhopeful11345 said:
Alright- I need opinions:
I checked my application status a few days ago, and it said "Preliminary Reject." I never received any sort of rejection email. I just checked my status again, and it says "In Progress." Was I rejected? Did this happen to any other people? Did other people who were rejected get an email?
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Seems like it's happening to a lot us... I haven't received an "official" rejection email.......... yet. Not sure what's up.
 
claduva94 said:
I think they just have a limited number of people interviewing each day. Perhaps @sazerac can comment on how large the groups are?
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I can actually answer that for you. they like to keep them a manageable size so usually 16-25 depending on the day (probably pretty standard. I think that's how most of my interview days were when I was applying), cancellations, and other mitigating factors (i.e. last year during the whole polar vortex there was one weekend where a massive storm hit the North East and on Friday we had like 8 people because of travel issues, but on Monday we had like over 30 to accommodate those who couldn't make it for Friday.

you will not have less of a chance of getting in the later you interview! there would be no point for having a predetermined schedule of interviews if that was the case (we would just interview until we filled the class and felt good about it). For example, I interviewed in January and got in like two weeks later. I suppose if you interview the very last day you might have a slightly less chance just by virtue of, maybe by sheer bad luck, you are on a day where all the interviewees should get in but spots are already filled, however I doubt that would happen.
all of this is a long way of saying, timing of your interview really does not matter that much. I believe if you look at the schedule in the II link or from last year's thread you see we finish our interviews with enough time to give everyone a fair chance. Dec 4 is definitely not to late
 
Lol, I interviewed in January too. I stayed in New Orleans for a few more days, and when I got home the paper acceptance was already in my mailbox. They must have a big admissions pow-wow in January.

I have never gotten the impression that later interview slots lower your chances at Tulane. Believe it or not, towards the end of the season people sometimes don't show up for their interviews. We don't let those slots go empty because we are somehow "full". Instead, what happens is we call up candidates in the New Orleans area and offer them interviews that morning, if they can make it.

"Hello Boudreaux? Good morning, this is Tulane SOM. Can you be here in an hour, in a suit? K thx bye."
 
II invite this AM! I just got home from work and scheduled my interview for the first available date - January 16! 😳
 
Will they be sending out II's all season? It feels like they are almost be done if they are already on January 16, and they send out so few...
 
schei198 said:
Will they be sending out II's all season? It feels like they are almost be done if they are already on January 16, and they send out so few...
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I know it feels that way, but they'll keep sending II's all the way though 2014! There are plenty more dates in January and February available, and they might even open up some more dates before then. A lot of schools do this and it is definitely no reason to worry.
 
fourhumours said:
Congrats to everyone getting II's I cannot wait to see you all on campus milling about in your fancy suits and business wear!

I just want to echo a few comments made in this thread by other students.

1. when you come to interview make sure you come to visit also! we try to schedule our interviews around the weekends so people can get a sense of NOLA. I, personally, would suggest taking any Monday interview available (it gives you the weekend to explore the city and have stuff to talk about during interviews).
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On the other hand, if you cannot spend a few days in NOLA before your interview, don't freak out. Just make sure you can talk about the city to give educated answers about why NOLA. Obviously that's a lot easier to do if you have spent time down here, but it's also possible to do research from afar. Go online, talk to people, etc.

Prior to my interview, I had never been to New Orleans (or anywhere south of the Mason Dixon line). I flew in Thursday night for a Friday morning interview and stayed at a hotel (no student host). That's just how my schedule worked out for that week, and I ended up being accepted 3 weeks later. Several of my classmates did the same.
 
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So if Tulane has a relatively high acceptance rate after interview, could anyone please comment on what are things that get people rejected/wait listed who go to interview? I realize there are obvious errors like sounding insincere-- or as someone mentioned earlier, not knowing much about NOLA--, but I'm looking to hopefully maximize any and all chances of acceptance if someone could help me 🙂 Thank you!
 
zinthafan said:
So if Tulane has a relatively high acceptance rate after interview, could anyone please comment on what are things that get people rejected/wait listed who go to interview? I realize there are obvious errors like sounding insincere-- or as someone mentioned earlier, not knowing much about NOLA--, but I'm looking to hopefully maximize any and all chances of acceptance if someone could help me 🙂 Thank you!
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The vast majority of my negative reviews are because the candidate could not convince me they wanted to be a physician. I really felt like they were wasting my time, and they would likely be rejected at all of their schools.

Show me that you want the job of a physician, have something interesting or quirky about you, and tell me something you did (or will do) in the city, and you will get a glowing review. Miss the latter items and you can still get an acceptance, but if you bomb the first item, well geez why are you even here? Is our interview lunch really that good?

Yes I really did have a candidate once who showed zero interest in having fun and zero interest in being a doctor. No passion, monosyllable answers, etc. They certainly would not have been a good fit here.

Most of you are awesome candidates and we'd love to have you here. I still think over half my interviewees are more qualified to be here than I am.
 
Thanks @sazerac ! If you don't mind me asking, how long would you expect a response to be to such a question-- why do you want to be a physician? I've read various how-to interview books, but still am unsure. I feel as if such questions are really difficult for an interviewee b/c they're so open-ended and I'm not sure how much detail the interviewer wants. I know for some schools they might want like a 1/2 hour response, while for others two minutes. What would you expect at Tulane? I know this is a very broad question, but thank you!
 
augeremt said:
On the other hand, if you cannot spend a few days in NOLA before your interview, don't freak out. Just make sure you can talk about the city to give educated answers about why NOLA. Obviously that's a lot easier to do if you have spent time down here, but it's also possible to do research from afar. Go online, talk to people, etc.

Prior to my interview, I had never been to New Orleans (or anywhere south of the Mason Dixon line). I flew in Thursday night for a Friday morning interview and stayed at a hotel (no student host). That's just how my schedule worked out for that week, and I ended up being accepted 3 weeks later. Several of my classmates did the same.
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So I'm getting in on Saturday early-afternoon, is there anything in particular I should try to see on Saturday night/Sunday? Or just kind of wander around the area by the school?

Also, is the area around the school sketchy? I'm coming from a very safe university city and want to be prepared...
 
zinthafan said:
Thanks @sazerac ! If you don't mind me asking, how long would you expect a response to be to such a question-- why do you want to be a physician? I've read various how-to interview books, but still am unsure. I feel as if such questions are really difficult for an interviewee b/c they're so open-ended and I'm not sure how much detail the interviewer wants. I know for some schools they might want like a 1/2 hour response, while for others two minutes. What would you expect at Tulane? I know this is a very broad question, but thank you!
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I'm going to tell you right now that the length people want will depend completely on your interviewer, regardless of where you are interviewing. I've interviewed people before (for other things) and I can tell you what I wanted from some people changed depending on the candidate and my mood during the interview. Sometimes a minute long speech about my company was good enough and other times I pressed more for a longer and thorough answer. It really depends.
 
zinthafan said:
Thanks @sazerac ! If you don't mind me asking, how long would you expect a response to be to such a question-- why do you want to be a physician? I've read various how-to interview books, but still am unsure. I feel as if such questions are really difficult for an interviewee b/c they're so open-ended and I'm not sure how much detail the interviewer wants. I know for some schools they might want like a 1/2 hour response, while for others two minutes. What would you expect at Tulane? I know this is a very broad question, but thank you!
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I don't think it is about length so much as being convincing. In my case, I honed my response to a single sentence of seventeen words that summed up everything in my app. I took me about three days to refine my sentence and deliver it smoothly. One thing I tried to do was construct one that is both on the offense ("this is why I should become a doctor") and on the defense ("here is why being a social worker or nurse wouldn't cut it").

There are a ton of good answers to this question, and most of them come from the heart. Believe me, the bad answers are stunningly bad, either demonstrating little knowledge of the duties of a physician or being so vague ("to help meet people's needs") that being a cashier at Walmart or a corner drug dealer would also fulfill their career goals.
 
Can anybody clear this up... So I am a nontrad grad student with low uGPA, but gGPA +3.8, MCAT 33. Lots of ECs, research, and great LORs.

I was complete July 2 and my status is still "in progress".
What are they waiting for?

Thanks
 
howbaddoyouwantit said:
Can anybody clear this up... So I am a nontrad grad student with low uGPA, but gGPA +3.8, MCAT 33. Lots of ECs, research, and great LORs.

I was complete July 2 and my status is still "in progress".
What are they waiting for?

Thanks
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I imagine something along the lines of "On Hold"
 
howbaddoyouwantit said:
Can anybody clear this up... So I am a nontrad grad student with low uGPA, but gGPA +3.8, MCAT 33. Lots of ECs, research, and great LORs.

I was complete July 2 and my status is still "in progress".
What are they waiting for?

Thanks
Click to expand...

I'm not sure if it is a hold thing or if it just means your file is still being reviewed--Mine said in progress after I was complete and didn't change after I got an II (on Friday). It seems like you're still in the running until it says rejected!
 
peanutbutterdaisy said:
I'm not sure if it is a hold thing or if it just means your file is still being reviewed--Mine said in progress after I was complete and didn't change after I got an II (on Friday). It seems like you're still in the running until it says rejected!
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Thanks!
 
Osteoth said:
So I'm getting in on Saturday early-afternoon, is there anything in particular I should try to see on Saturday night/Sunday? Or just kind of wander around the area by the school?

Also, is the area around the school sketchy? I'm coming from a very safe university city and want to be prepared...
Click to expand...

There are much better areas to wander around in. The French Quarter and the river walk are a short walk or a trolley ride away from the med school, and are far more interesting than the area right around the school, which is basically just office buildings and the hospital. There are some good museums that are worth visiting if you're a history nerd like me. Frenchman Street has the best bars for live music.

The area around the school isn't exactly sketchy, but it isn't exactly safe either. Stay on the main streets after dark.
 
How long does it take to hear back about student hosting for interviews?
 
Willion1614 said:
How long does it take to hear back about student hosting for interviews?
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From the student hosting sign-up page... :=|:-):

"Applicants usually hear from us within a week with the contact information for your host, please do not be concerned if we do not email your right away. It can take time to match you with a host."
 
It seems like they really want you to use the student host. However, they also want you to explore the city. I have a Friday interview, so I am flying in on Wednesday and leaving Sunday. I am trying to decide if I should check out of the hotel, stay with a student for the night before the interview, and then just check back into the hotel afterwards. Do you think it would be a mark against me not to stay with a student?
 
PreciousHamburgers said:
It seems like they really want you to use the student host. However, they also want you to explore the city. I have a Friday interview, so I am flying in on Wednesday and leaving Sunday. I am trying to decide if I should check out of the hotel, stay with a student for the night before the interview, and then just check back into the hotel afterwards. Do you think it would be a mark against me not to stay with a student?
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I think you are reading too much into it.
 
sazerac said:
Congratulations on your interviews everybody. Here is a recent article about one of the many health care issues in New Orleans and Louisiana.
[url]http://aeon.co/magazine/health/how-new-orleans-became-americas-ground-zero-for-hiv/[/URL]
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I looked at this last week and really enjoyed it - Tulane, and New Orleans, seems like the perfect place for those interested in social injustice, structural violence, etc., plus global health, considering the challenges present in the city seem analogous to many situations in developing regions throughout the world.

I'm curious if you are personally involved in this work, sazerac, because I have a few specific questions. The article indicates that many people do not want to get tested for HIV/AIDS. Similar situations have arisen around the world (Partners in Health work in Haiti and Rwanda), however, screening rates are seen to rise drastically once viable treatment options, and social support, are provided for. The situation in New Orleans, at least from the article, seems different. I.e., treatment appears to be available, yet individuals still resist testing? It seems as though social stigma is the major driver of the lack of motivation for screening. Yes? The cultural differences thus greatly interest me. Do you have any insight here?
 
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In general, does anyone know if a lot of people do student host programs? I feel like unless someone had serious financial difficulty or really wanted that experience, it might not be the best thing to do-- just because there might be a number of uncertainties associated with it and/or it might be hard to sleep?
 
warrenpeace said:
I looked at this last week and really enjoyed it - Tulane, and New Orleans, seems like the perfect place for those interested in social injustice, structural violence, etc., plus global health, considering the challenges present in the city seem analogous to many situations in developing regions throughout the world.

I'm curious if you are personally involved in this work, sazerac, because I have a few specific questions. The article indicates that many people do not want to get tested for HIV/AIDS. Similar situations have arisen around the world (Partners in Health work in Haiti and Rwanda), however, screening rates are seen to rise drastically once viable treatment options, and social support, are provided for. The situation in New Orleans, at least from the article, seems different. I.e., treatment appears to be available, yet individuals still resist testing? It seems as though social stigma is the major driver of the lack of motivation for screening. Yes? The cultural differences thus greatly interest me. Do you have any insight here?
Click to expand...


I am not Sazerac, but maybe I can answer some of the stuff.

As far as the specific example of HIV/AIDS testing, Tulane offers training in giving the tests and many of my friends have become trained and now can give the tests at some of the clinics we offer (for example, at New Orleans Mission, a homeless shelter, we offer Flu shots, TB tests, and HIV/AIDS testing and it's every week so you can easily get involved). there are numerous groups on campus devoted to other social issues and to global health. I know this past summer many of my classmates did volunteer work in Tanzania, Peru, and other places around the world.


And for something completely different

zinthafan said:
In general, does anyone know if a lot of people do student host programs? I feel like unless someone had serious financial difficulty or really wanted that experience, it might not be the best thing to do-- just because there might be a number of uncertainties associated with it and/or it might be hard to sleep?
Click to expand...

I would say a good number stay with hosts, I did. I have not ever heard of a hosting situation going bad (it may happen). Most students like staying with a host because you get to meet current students, ask questions (and get unfiltered answers), get pointers for the interview, and often go out for dinner and have a good time. I host people and I always like meeting the new students (and there have been times that I will give tours or do interviews the same day I am hosting). I suppose one downside is you often don't sleep in a proper bed but instead a couch or air mattress, but that didn't affect my interview day, you will be to amped up the day of anyways.


hope that helps
 
As far as staying with a student host, it absolutely depends on your personal preference. No one should read too much into it - Tulane is not going to care if you stayed with a host or not in the long run. The benefits of staying with a host are, like fourhumors mentioned, that you can get to ask current students any questions you may have and hopefully get a good feel for the type of student body we have here at Tulane. Often times dinners are organized for interviewees and their hosts to get together so that you're able to see/meet/chat with a bunch of folks.

I personally did not stay with a host when I had my interview - simply because I was nervous before all interviews (who isn't) and wanted to have plenty of personal space to do whatever sort of preparation/relaxation the night before and morning of. It's all up to you, and you'll enjoy your time in New Orleans no matter how you decide to stay when you come down!
 
Received a II late last week!! Dates were already into January.
 
Just received an II. Dates in January. Seems crazy it's so late.
 
Was anyone else excited to apply to Tulane's HEAL-X PhD to MD program, only to be drastically let down when the secondaries arrived and there was no option for it?
 
me-- 7/28. But, all my materials besides letters on 7/5 I think.
 
Received a II this morning! Absolutely shocked. One of my top choices (definitely my OOS top choice). Can't believe that the earliest open slots are in January!
 
rugger4 said:
Geez I've been complete since 8/1 and still haven't heard anything.... Really starting to get antsy. Either just go ahead and send me a rejection or an II!
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I feel your pain! I've been complete since 8/5 and I've just been checking the application page repeatedly to see if something pops up before the official email (since it happened to others on this thread). C'mon Tulane!!
 
Just looking for some insight here, so don't jump down my throat.. I'm extremely grateful to be interviewing here
I was just wondering if it's completely terrible to call to reschedule an interview if it isn't because of a conflict with another interview? I just really wanted to be able to spend a few days to get a feel of what New Orleans is like, but with my current date, I wouldn't be able to stay as long. If I move it, I'd also have someone to travel with me to cut costs and have some company to explore the city. Would it reflect really negatively on me to call and ask, but say how I'm still very interested and would happily come on the scheduled date etc. etc.
 
For those of you getting ii, congratulations!

But more importantly...stats stats stats?!?!
 
orangeman25 said:
For those of you getting ii, congratulations!

But more importantly...stats stats stats?!?!
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II here. 37 MCAT 3.4/3.3 BCPM, currently in an SMP, non-trad (career changer), some shadowing and a little volunteering

Anyone know if Tulane requires you to finish a grad degree before enrolling? My SMP has a required thesis component to get the official degree, but most students wait until later (as in years) to finish unless the med school requires it.
 
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