2014-2015 University of Pittsburgh Application Thread

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II!!!! First II this season =) Anyone have any idea how many students they accept out of the 700 or so they interview?

And also, has anyone been able to arrange a stay with a student host?
 
hwc1068 said:
II!!!! First II this season =) Anyone have any idea how many students they accept out of the 700 or so they interview?

And also, has anyone been able to arrange a stay with a student host?
Click to expand...

When were you complete?
 
hwc1068 said:
II!!!! First II this season =) Anyone have any idea how many students they accept out of the 700 or so they interview?

And also, has anyone been able to arrange a stay with a student host?
Click to expand...
Congratulations!!

I contacted the office of admissions in Mid-July to ask about student hosting, and they said that they won't really have that set up until the end of August. My interview is kinda early, so I just went ahead and booked a hotel (which I really would have preferred not to do, but oh well). Depending on how early your interview is, you could always call the admissions office for an update! They're really friendly, and were happy to help me.
 
blubearzangel said:
Hey, did you figure out if the courses went through or we have to email it again?
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THey just said they'll add my courses (which I listed out and attached in my email) to my file.
 
Bovary said:
Officially, I doubt it, since it's a private school.

However, if your ties are convincing enough that you might attend over a competing regional school (coming to mind: Case, Pritzker, even Perelman) then the ties might be influential. But I doubt it; I think school ties play a small and ultimately minor role.
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Actually, ties to the area can help an applicant. Research can definitely help (as we're a research-heavy school). We're asked to comment on both on the interview form. An applicant with ties to Pittsburgh may have a more compelling response as to why he/she wants to attend Pitt Med. Many of my classmates are originally from the Pittsburgh area and love the city. However, not having ties to the area is certainly not a disadvantage. We also have plenty of people that had never been to the city prior to their interview. A good portion of each class is from California. Just be sure you can convince the interviewer that you'd be willing to move to Pittsburgh for medical school (because weather is definitely not a plus when compared to the west coast).
 
penguinism said:
Research can definitely help (as we're a research-heavy school).
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Have you got the impression that Pitt Med emphasizes research more than some peer institutions (like the trio of Case, Pritzker, and Perelman that I already mentioned)?

And regarding ties: Would it be advantageous to emphasize ties to the midwest as a region, even if those ties are specific to other states like Illinois/Indiana/Ohio, not Pennsylvania, if this shows a willingness to go to school in the midwest? Are midwestern schools like Pitt "afraid" that applicants would rather pick a coastal school?
 
Bovary said:
Have you got the impression that Pitt Med emphasizes research more than some peer institutions (like the trio of Case, Pritzker, and Perelman that I already mentioned)?

And regarding ties: Would it be advantageous to emphasize ties to the midwest as a region, even if those ties are specific to other states like Illinois/Indiana/Ohio, not Pennsylvania, if this shows a willingness to go to school in the midwest? Are midwestern schools like Pitt "afraid" that applicants would rather pick a coastal school?
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It is hard to say that we emphasize it any more than peer institutions (since all we have intimate knowledge of and experience with is our own curriculum/culture).

That said, I find it hard to believe that any other school could emphasize research more than us. Perhaps if Duke made their 3rd year a mandatory research year (instead of permitting students to pursue MBA's, etc) then they would take a lead.

When I think Pittsburgh, I don't think midwest. If I am interviewing an applicant and they say "I would be totally happy attending a school in the midwest", I would wonder what that has to do with Pitt.

Pittsburgh is more like Northeast -> North Atlantic -> Appalachian.

Every school has yield protection somewhere in their mind. While Pittsburgh residents love the city, we are very much cognizant that for someone outside the region looking for the experience(?) of living in Boston, San Fran, Los Angeles -- they ain't gonna find it in Pittsburgh. Do they like the school enough to balance their options and still attend?
 
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Frazier said:
While Pittsburgh residents love the city, we are very much cognizant that for someone outside the region looking for the experience(?) of living in Boston, San Fran, Los Angeles -- they ain't gonna find it in Pittsburgh.
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Living in Pittsburgh is an experience within itself. The city is full of rich history and has had 10 successful years of rebuilding and revitalization! Each neighborhood is unique and has its own feel, but Pittsburgh still has that small town, down-home feel to it even though it's a fairly large city. Not to mention the lack of traffic compared to big cities makes life so much easier!
 
hwc1068 said:
II!!!! First II this season =) Anyone have any idea how many students they accept out of the 700 or so they interview?

And also, has anyone been able to arrange a stay with a student host?
Click to expand...

Last cycle according to US News:

Applied: 4987
Interviewed: 839
Accepted: 373
Enrolled: 162
 
re: student hosts, us MS1s just started orientation and are still in the process of moving in. I think some people are still waiting to move in to their permanent housing.
 
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ProbablyAPenguin said:
II today! Had basically given up hope because I was complete on 7/13...
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What's the possibility that you are a penguin if I may ask? Does being a pseudo creature helps you with building a mysterious and thus attractive image? Maybe I'll get to find out during interviews by bumping into you. Anyhow. Congrats to your success here at Pitt and many many other places!
:claps::claps::claps::claps::claps::claps::claps::claps::claps::claps::claps::claps::claps::claps:
 
daemon14 said:
re: student hosts, us MS1s just started orientation and are still in the process of moving in. I think some people are still waiting to move in to their permanent housing.
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Good luck with moving in! Thanks for hosting us interviewees when you have so much to deal with at the beginning of your MS journey already. Look forward to meeting you all.
 
Friendly_female_house said:
What's the possibility that you are a penguin if I may ask? Does being a pseudo creature helps you with building a mysterious and thus attractive image? Maybe I'll get to find out during interviews by bumping into you. Anyhow. Congrats to your success here at Pitt and many many other places!
:claps::claps::claps::claps::claps::claps::claps::claps::claps::claps::claps::claps::claps::claps:
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Thank you!
The probability is approximately 93.7%, but I'm only taking stat this semester, so that might not be an accurate answer.
 
II.... I am crying because I've been complete in most schools since July without a single interview, and I've been really, really scared there's a red flag on my app. BUT IT HAPPENED!!! To those still waiting, don't lose hope!

You can see my stats/complete date in mdapps.

:soexcited::soexcited::soexcited:

Edit: my courses disappeared too, but I didn't email them about it. Ended up not mattering.
 
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infinitessimal said:
II.... I am crying because I've been complete in most schools since July without a single interview, and I've been really, really scared there's a red flag on my app. BUT IT HAPPENED!!! To those still waiting, don't lose hope!

You can see my stats/complete date in mdapps.

:soexcited::soexcited::soexcited:

Edit: my courses disappeared too, but I didn't email them about it. Ended up not mattering.
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I know how you feel. I went nuts dancing when I got my first II. Seriously, that feeling of relief. Congrats. And maybe see you in Pitt!
 
Would there be any way to get my supplemental fee waived if I was accepted for FAP but Pitt would be my 16th school (and I'd have to pay the AMCAS fee)?
 
theeraser said:
Would there be any way to get my supplemental fee waived if I was accepted for FAP but Pitt would be my 16th school (and I'd have to pay the AMCAS fee)?
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You can get way more than 15 supplemental fee waivers. You'd only have to pay the AMCAS fee.
 
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theeraser said:
Would there be any way to get my supplemental fee waived if I was accepted for FAP but Pitt would be my 16th school (and I'd have to pay the AMCAS fee)?
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Almost all secondary fees are waived for FAP (with very very few exceptions and I haven't yet ran into one), regardless the 15 schools rules.
 
:happy: Hello everyone! Long-time lurker on sdn, but I finally caved in and joined today. This is my first post!

I am really excited to be interviewing at Pittsburgh this month. This school is phenomenal, with so many opportunities for research, and I am loving the community and "warm" vibe here--having a med school family is very important to me and I think Pitt is able to give me that!

About me: OOS, average stats for Pitt, pretty good clinical experiences and really strong research experiences (hence the avatar 😛)
II on 7/16/2014 (so thrilled), will be interviewing on 08/25/2014!:soexcited:

Anyone interviewing the same day as me?
 
infinitessimal said:
II.... I am crying because I've been complete in most schools since July without a single interview, and I've been really, really scared there's a red flag on my app. BUT IT HAPPENED!!! To those still waiting, don't lose hope!

You can see my stats/complete date in mdapps.

:soexcited::soexcited::soexcited:

Edit: my courses disappeared too, but I didn't email them about it. Ended up not mattering.
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I know the feeling! When the first news I ever got was a flat out rejection from U of Chicago just 10 days after submission, I was honestly worried about a red flag myself. So happy for your interview and wishing you a fantastic cycle!
 
First interviews here are approaching — has anyone heard anything further about student hosts?
 
Secondary received and submitted! Happy to join you all here, albeit a little late 🙂
 
daemon14 said:
re: student hosts, us MS1s just started orientation and are still in the process of moving in. I think some people are still waiting to move in to their permanent housing.
Click to expand...

I think student hosts are mainly MS2's at the start of the year anyway, as you guys are still getting your bearings.
 
Ismet said:
I think student hosts are mainly MS2's at the start of the year anyway, as you guys are still getting your bearings.
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Thank you Ismet for the helpful information. What are the days that I can stay with student host? Would it be just the night prior to the interview? Would it be possible to stay the night after the interview? Don't get me wrong, I'd be super appreciated that someone is willing to open up their home and have me for only one night, just curious as to know the options.
 
Friendly_female_house said:
Thank you Ismet for the helpful information. What are the days that I can stay with student host? Would it be just the night prior to the interview? Would it be possible to stay the night after the interview? Don't get me wrong, I'd be super appreciated that someone is willing to open up their home and have me for only one night, just curious as to know the options.
Click to expand...

Depends on the host, really.
 
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Ismet said:
Depends on the host, really.
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I booked a room on airbnb with a flexible cancellation policy just in case. Thanks for the response.
 
blubearzangel said:
Hey guys, how long did it take to receive a complete email?
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I never got a complete e-mail from Pitt – however, they marked my LORs as "complete" on the portal after a few days. Hope you get some good news shortly! :luck:
 
VaNilla1 said:
Literally crying!! II today!!:soexcited: Dream school for me and so thankful. Submitted Mid July. Also - my course work disappeared and I did not contact them concerning it.
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Awww congratulations!!! That's awesome news. And congratulations to all the other recent II's!
 
II earlier today. Their spots are pretty much filled until Sept. 30 now. Submitted secondary 8/4. Stats on MDapps 🙂
 
Are we to wait until the student host information is updated to the system or do we just contact someone on the excel list?
 
gastronome said:
Are we to wait until the student host information is updated to the system or do we just contact someone on the excel list?
Click to expand...

I contacted someone on the excel list and have everything arranged for my stay, so I think it's perfectly fine to do that.
 
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