2014-2015 Tulane University Application Thread

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goldfish91 said:
Bummer. I wonder if they are just really close to (or finished) filling up all the interview slots and are being extra-selective at this point. I guess we'll all know soon enough. Best of luck with remaining apps though.
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thats what i think...my friend was offered an interview in mid-august....earliest date available was january. like what?!
oh well! louisiana is real humid anyway 😛
 
Yeahhh, I was complete on 9/8/14 and haven't heard anything since. But I feel like this ship has pretty much already sailed.
 
In case this has not been mentioned before, or you just sorta don't pay attention to some emails, I HIGHLY suggest that any ladies that plan on wearing heels make sure that they either

1) are comfortable for a decent amount of walking

or

2) bring some flats

you will be walking around a bit (may not be as much as some huge state universities, but our buildings are spread out) and the last thing we want is you all to get achy and tired. The tour is at the end of the day and is a decent amount of walking and is about 1.5 hours so just a heads up.
cheers!
 
fourhumours said:
In case this has not been mentioned before, or you just sorta don't pay attention to some emails, I HIGHLY suggest that any ladies that plan on wearing heels make sure that they either

1) are comfortable for a decent amount of walking

or

2) bring some flats

you will be walking around a bit (may not be as much as some huge state universities, but our buildings are spread out) and the last thing we want is you all to get achy and tired. The tour is at the end of the day and is a decent amount of walking and is about 1.5 hours so just a heads up.
cheers!
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schiffbased said:
Tour is after interviews and it's the last part of the day? Will definitely bring flats if so, thanks for the heads up 🙂
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If I remember correctly, the order of the day is:
Presentations
Standardized patient
Faculty interview
Student interview over lunch
Tour
Fin!

Standardized patient and faculty interview may be flipped for some people (I think), but the rest of the day is the same for everyone.

To give you an idea of how much you'll be walking, here's the spread for the day (edited version):
The presentations are in Murphy and the standardized patient is in Poydras. The faculty interview can be in any of those buildings, including Hutchinson. All are several blocks from each other. The tour begins in Murphy, goes to Hutch (among other places), and ends in Murphy.

So yes, I highly recommend flats for the ladies. Also, New Orleans streets aren't exactly level.
 
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Until someone posts a review of this cycle's interview, here's a review I did two years ago. Reading over it, everything is pretty much the same except that I had two faculty interviews. You guys have one faculty interview and a standardized patient session. I'm not allowed to tell you the details of the standardized patients, so don't worry about that part. Just know that the standardized patient sessions don't require any medical or premed knowledge, and most of the interviewers have enjoyed this part of the interview.

Interview Day Review
Once again, I'm stuck in Seattle airport with nothing to do for a few hours, so here's a review of my first MD interview. First of all, this was the only interview invite I actually wanted to attend. Going to other interviews seemed like one more hoop to jump through, just like memorizing useless physics formulas for the MCAT. Tulane's interview invite was different, partly for New Orleans cooking, but mainly because I wanted to see how the city has changed since I was there last, six months after Katrina. Of course it's entirely different now, with no flooded-out cars, X's on the doors, and none of that smelly gray mud crusted everywhere.

I stayed at the Holiday Inn, about four blocks from the school and within walking distance of the French Quarter and the river. It was nice to be so close, and by my standards the hotel was downright luxurious. For anyone else, it's a basic Holiday Inn.

Interview day started with an introduction to the school by an MS4 and two faculty members. Nothing too new here. The student really loved Tulane, especially since he's in full MS4 slacking off mode.

Next was a tour of the simulation center. They had a pretty good collection of patient sims, but I thought some of the DO schools I've been to had them beat. It really isn't going to effect my choice of a school anyway.

After that came the interviews. There were two half hour interviews, one-on-one with faculty or doctors in a two hour block. My first interview went well. The interviewer seemed pretty interested in the volunteer work I'd been doing. Most of her questions were aimed at finding out about specific experiences I'd had and what I was planning on doing after medical school. There were no tough ethical questions.

On the other hand, my second interview was the worst I've ever had. I got a PhD, a career lab rat with zero social skills. I had an awful time trying to figure out what he was even asking. Interview questions went something like this:

Interviewer: "What do you think of human error?"

Me: "Do you mean when I make mistakes? When that happens I do A and B and C to try and correct the situation."

Interviewer: "No, I mean human error."

Me: "Do you mean when other people make mistakes?"

Interviewer: "No, human error."

Me: ???? (It was hard to keep from saying something like, "Do you mean the inability to ask articulate questions?")

The whole interview went pretty much like that, featuring questions like "Have you ever been around dead bodies? How did it make you feel?" I compared notes with other candidates after the interviews, and it was clear that my interviewer was an exception. Everyone else I talked to said their interviews went well. Interviews were either closed book or the interviewers didn't bother to look at our files.

I was a little worried that the food would be the usual box lunches you get at any other med school interview day. I shouldn't have worried. Tulane is very proud to be a part of New Orleans and its cultural traditions, so much so that faculty and students were mildly disappointed in the interview candidates who couldn't stay the weekend to see more of the city. Lunch was crab and crawfish gumbo, fried catfish, and other local goodies. During lunch we had a third interview, one-on-one with MS2 students. This interview was another friendly one, I think designed so the student could see if we would be a good fit for the school.

After lunch was a tour of the school. On this I learned that students are very willing to help each other, and the atmosphere is relaxed and noncompetitive. This was obvious from watching them in the lounges and hallways. Also, there's no dress code, a nice plus for a bad dresser like me. The surgical laproscopic practice room looked pretty neat. Tulane's history as one of the nation's oldest medical schools means they've got a great collection of preserved babies and body parts that might be useful for anatomy and will probably give me nightmares tonight. There was a test in the anatomy lab so we couldn't go in there. Campus buildings are a bit grungy, but then I'm comparing them to brand new DO campuses like Western Lebanon and VCOM Carolina.

There's a good range of housing, generally quite affordable for a city. There is a dorm where a handful of students live, and it sounded like it would also be an option for a shorter stay while trying to find more permanent housing.

Overall I was very impressed with Tulane. Ever since I started the process of taking a postbac, this has been one of my top choices. The only downside I could see was the cost. It is a good deal more expensive than the average private school or OOS tuition at a public school. I should mention that Tulane loves nontrads. My interview group had more career-changers and older students than some of the DO interviews I've been on. Between an excellent school, a great patient population to work with during clinical years, and a friendly city with good food and a warm climate, I'd be glad to go to medical school here.
 
Anyone interviewing here on Monday going to be in town early this weekend? Im getting in on Saturday to check everything out prior to, and would definitely be down to meet up with anyone interested in having someone to see sights with, try food, and hang out. PM me.
 
fingerscrossedpremed said:
Yeahhh, I was complete on 9/8/14 and haven't heard anything since. But I feel like this ship has pretty much already sailed.
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I was complete the day before and after seeing on their admissions portal that they only interview until February I think you're probably right in that we were too late. Have our fingers crossed for both of us though! I know they're rejecting a lot of people with stellar stats but it seems like this is a school that really takes a holistic view to the app.
 
reapplicantblues said:
I was complete the day before and after seeing on their admissions portal that they only interview until February I think you're probably right in that we were too late. Have our fingers crossed for both of us though! I know they're rejecting a lot of people with stellar stats but it seems like this is a school that really takes a holistic view to the app.
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For what it's worth, I really wouldn't start reading into this. The application cycle is weird and unpredictable for everyone. I personally sat in the "application complete" pile for a solid couple of months with Tulane and didn't get my interview invite until late October. I interviewed in early February and was accepted less than 2 weeks later (saying this before people jump on the "spring interviews are for wait list spots" bandwagon.. which, again, is so very false).

Be patient and try to avoid attempting to predict things like this - it'll only add more stress to your plate!
 
twistedoak said:
For what it's worth, I really wouldn't start reading into this. The application cycle is weird and unpredictable for everyone. I personally sat in the "application complete" pile for a solid couple of months with Tulane and didn't get my interview invite until late October. I interviewed in early February and was accepted less than 2 weeks later (saying this before people jump on the "spring interviews are for wait list spots" bandwagon.. which, again, is so very false).

Be patient and try to avoid attempting to predict things like this - it'll only add more stress to your plate!
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Thanks for the pep talk! This whole process has been difficult to deal with and has made focusing in class/studying quite difficult. I almost wet myself every time my phone vibrates thinking it may be an email about an interview.
 
twistedoak said:
For what it's worth, I really wouldn't start reading into this. The application cycle is weird and unpredictable for everyone. I personally sat in the "application complete" pile for a solid couple of months with Tulane and didn't get my interview invite until late October. I interviewed in early February and was accepted less than 2 weeks later (saying this before people jump on the "spring interviews are for wait list spots" bandwagon.. which, again, is so very false).

Be patient and try to avoid attempting to predict things like this - it'll only add more stress to your plate!
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February interviews at Tulane are the best. Of me and 5 other interviewees I kept in touch with that day, 5/6 of us were accepted. Decisions came like right away.

Plus, it's crawfish season. Nuff said.
 
I just called them up since I kinda like this school too. they said the time it takes for them to review your application varies and they get back to you as soon as they can. they also said even if you submit late, if you're a good applicant then you should still be in good shape to at least be considered for an interview
 
Made an account just for this.

I just received my secondary for Tulane yesterday (Sept 17th). Yes, my secondary. :laugh: My amcas app was verified June 30th.

Needless to say, I'm not going to complete my app, but since Tulane doesn't screen for secondaries does anyone have an explanation? I'm just curious since all my other secondaries came on time.
 
augeremt said:
Check out this map of the campus:
http://tulane.edu/som/admissions/interview/upload/New-Health-Sciences-Center-Map-Revision-2.pdf

Presentations - Murphy - #9
Standardized patient - Poydras - #12
Faculty interview - Hutchinson/Murphy/Poydras - #1/9/12
Student interview over lunch - Hutchinson - #1
Tour - Hutchinson to Hospital to Murphy - #1 to #2 to #9

Clearly I don't want to be studying right now...
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Actually this year we had to change things up. Student interviews are in Murphy and the tour now leaves from Murphy. We also skip the hospital now and try to show the interviewees the new one being built that they will get to use.
 
I will be there from Wednesday to Sunday next week for my interview on Friday 9/26. I'm staying at the Holiday Inn. I would definitely be up for having someone to go into town with! Planning on going to that Pharmacy museum on Thursday as well.
 
fourhumours said:
Actually this year we had to change things up. Student interviews are in Murphy and the tour now leaves from Murphy. We also skip the hospital now and try to show the interviewees the new one being built that they will get to use.
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The student interview was also in Murphy!
 
illinoisgal said:
I've seen some people talking about hotels. What kind of prices are people paying?
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There are private rooms in hostels and guest houses near to the school (<2 miles) that go for around $30-$70 a night, depending on when you're there. Check hostelworld.com.
 
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First rejection...LizzyM ~75, complete around 8/19. Good luck to everyone else!
 
Rejection today, my second one. Both schools that rejected me are loosely affiliated.

Good luck yo the rest of you still in the running!
 
To those who are rejected at "Too-lane" (how da' locals say it, Cher)...try not to internalize it. I have casually followed the school-specific threads for a couple of years...Tulane is rather odd/unusual/erratic among medical schools in what they seem to look for and accept. People will get flatly rejected here who get accepted at well better regarded schools. We lived in N'awlins for some years and loved it...but the area does dance to a different drummer...even Tulane Medical seems to.
 
I have an interview here soon. Can anyone tell me a little bit about this "Standardized Patient" exercise? Do I have to prepare for it? I get it's for about 1/2 hour and that I act out being a physician, but was I supposed to prepare for this? Thank you!
 
tick_tock400 said:
I have an interview here soon. Can anyone tell me a little bit about this "Standardized Patient" exercise? Do I have to prepare for it? I get it's for about 1/2 hour and that I act out being a physician, but was I supposed to prepare for this? Thank you!
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No you can't really prepare. You are actually only doing it for 10 minutes. But I found it super fun actually!
 
tick_tock400 said:
I have an interview here soon. Can anyone tell me a little bit about this "Standardized Patient" exercise? Do I have to prepare for it? I get it's for about 1/2 hour and that I act out being a physician, but was I supposed to prepare for this? Thank you!
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I just interviewed here yesterday (and loved it!). Nobody can tell you about it because we had to sign a non-disclosure form BUT I wouldn't stress if I were you. Like @claduva94 , I thought it was fun! Good luck on your interview.
 
Also, do they serve breakfast because it's so early in the morning? My last interview did and I was super happy 🙂
Thanks @SomedaySoonMM
 
I am sure it will come up again but my two cents on the questions "how are the interviews?" "How should I prepare?" "What do I say?" is this:

Just be your, hopefully, wonderful self! I say this for two practical reasons.

1) The admissions committee is very good at finding BS answers and figuring out when someone is saying what they think the committee member wants to hear. Many of the faculty interviewers have been doing this a long time and have literally hundreds to thousands of interviews under their belt. They are going to spot BS. Likewise, while students may not be as experienced in interviewing, we all have, within the past 4 years, gone through the same process and can spot BS and insincere answers at a very high rate. If you be yourself you are way more likely to get in (even if you think you are an unremarkable individual...which is BS because you got an interview here for a reason).

2) as important as the first point is, this is even more important; if you BS your way through the interview and no one notices you have to ask yourself, do I really wanna go to a place where I feel the need to be someone I am not constantly? If you can't get in being yourself there is probably a reason (most likely, we don't think you would fit in well here). Obviously you are smart enough since you got an interview, but fit is hugely important, especially at a school like Tulane. We are not a top 5 school that everyone will go to irregardless of fit so we want to make sure you match up with the atmosphere here. If we reject you or waitlist you it's probably because we don't think you are the best fit. Let's be honest, do you really wanna spend four years at a place that you don't fit in well at and may struggle socially and academically as a result? Probably not. Trust me, medical school is black hole and you cross the event horizon somewhere in 1st and second year. You want to make sure this is the block hole for you.


last little bit, no one expects you to be a doctor or have extensive medical knowledge. We all know you are applying to medical school because you are not yet doctors. keep this in mind when you do any of your interviews. The ability to say "I don't know" is important and much better than trying to BS your way through something when you are over your head.

on a lighter note...WHO DAT SAY DEY GONNA BEAT DEM SAINTS?!
 
tick_tock400 said:
I have an interview here soon. Can anyone tell me a little bit about this "Standardized Patient" exercise? Do I have to prepare for it? I get it's for about 1/2 hour and that I act out being a physician, but was I supposed to prepare for this? Thank you!
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Like SomedaySoon said, nobody here is allowed to tell you about it. I will say that you don't need to do anything to prepare, and you don't need any specific medical or premed knowledge to do the exercise. Last year I was a standardized patient for about fifteen of the interviewing students. Most of the students who interviewed here last year thought that the standardized patient exercise was one of the best parts of interview day.
 
Anyone else interviewing on Oct. 6th? I'll be there for the entire weekend exploring the city, if anyone wants to tag along.
 
tick_tock400 said:
Use a taxi if you are with one other person or more, otherwise you can book a shuttle for $18 one way. If you can split a taxi then it'd be $14 per person.
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When I booked a shuttle, they took $2 off the return trip if I made the return reservation at the same time.
 
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