2014-2015 University of Rochester Application Thread

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Just got it today!

Eep ok thanks! 🙂 Do you live close to the school? I live on the other side of the country, so I'm assuming things will take a bit longer to get to me than they will for most people!
 
Eep ok thanks! 🙂 Do you live close to the school? I live on the other side of the country, so I'm assuming things will take a bit longer to get to me than they will for most people!
I guess 300 miles away is closer than you are, but not particularly close 😉 Tomorrow possibly?
 
I guess 300 miles away is closer than you are, but not particularly close 😉 Tomorrow possibly?

I'm about 10x farther than that, yeah 😛 But yes I hope I get it tomorrow! Very exciting!

The more I look into it, the more I love this school. My interviewer even emailed me personally to congratulate me on my acceptance, and listed some opportunities that she mentioned to me during my interview (so she clearly remembered who I was!). I am really impressed by that level of compassion and initiative 🙂 Plus University of Rochester just seems to have all of the components that I've been looking for in a medical education! It's too early to tell whether I'll end up matriculating here or not, but I'm really happy to have been accepted here.
 
Hey guys, just wanted to say congratulations to everybody with the recent acceptances. I'm a current MD/MBA student doing the MBA portion of the degree before I start with the medical curriculum next fall. I haven't had much academic experience with the medical school yet but I can answer some of the questions you may have about University of Rochester, financial aid, the city, the MBA program, the admissions process, etc. I'm not on SDN very much (at all) but will try to be on a little more frequently.
 
Received a wait-list e-mail this morning. Pretty disappointed, I thought the interviews had gone really well.
 
Wait-listed via email today. I'm eager to see how this pans out as it's my first post-interview WL.
 
Received a wait-list e-mail this morning. Pretty disappointed, I thought the interviews had gone really well.
I know exactly how you feel. In one of my interviews my interviewer told me, "You're an excellent candidate for Rochester School of Medicine" and in my other one my interviewer told me, "I think you will one day become an outstanding physician." It just goes to show you that the selection process goes beyond great interviews, there must be something really specific they are looking for! Oh well, congrats to those accepted and hopefully I get some WL love! (only have 6 more months to wait!!)
 
I know exactly how you feel. In one of my interviews my interviewer told me, "You're an excellent candidate for Rochester School of Medicine" and in my other one my interviewer told me, "I think you will one day become an outstanding physician." It just goes to show you that the selection process goes beyond great interviews, there must be something really specific they are looking for! Oh well, congrats to those accepted and hopefully I get some WL love! (only have 6 more months to wait!!)

I think that the "something they're looking for" has a lot to do with outreach. My interviewer told me post interview about some the things that might hurt me, but there was also a focus on my lack of experience in outreach. My interviewer defined outreach as working with a diverse group of people which is medical school talk for helping the poor, most indigent, and tutoring children from disadvantage families.

I've done some work in soup kitchens, but gave my interviewer a different example for my outreach experience that helped indigent people-- however-- my role was more of a middleman than and I made little direct contact with the poor. When my interviewer heard that, he questioned whether I had actual outreach experience and told me the definition of outreach. lol

TLDR: Wax poetically about how much work you've done tutoring underprivileged kids and assisting the homeless/refugee populations in your area and you'll probably be held in high regard at Roch.
 
I think that the "something they're looking for" has a lot to do with outreach. My interviewer told me post interview about some the things that might hurt me, but there was also a focus on my lack of experience in outreach. My interviewer defined outreach as working with a diverse group of people which is medical school talk for helping the poor, most indigent, and tutoring children from disadvantage families.

I've done some work in soup kitchens, but gave my interviewer a different example for my outreach experience that helped indigent people-- however-- my role was more of a middleman than and I made little direct contact with the poor. When my interviewer heard that, he questioned whether I had actual outreach experience and told me the definition of outreach. lol

TLDR: Wax poetically about how much work you've done tutoring underprivileged kids and assisting the homeless/refugee populations in your area and you'll probably be held in high regard at Roch.

That's interesting, because I don't have any activities of that nature on my application and I still got in. I instead have pretty strong passions for research, humanities, and education, and I'm pretty sure Rochester liked that due to their opportunities in those fields. I don't think there is a one-size-fits-all formula for getting in, though I'm sure they do highly value service! It just can't be the only thing they're looking for.
 
That's interesting, because I don't have any activities of that nature on my application and I still got in. I instead have pretty strong passions for research, humanities, and education, and I'm pretty sure Rochester liked that due to their opportunities in those fields. I don't think there is a one-size-fits-all formula for getting in, though I'm sure they do highly value service! It just can't be the only thing they're looking for.

The plot thickens. Well there's also the fact that my interviewer was the director of many of the outreach opportunities offered at Roch, so the emphasis on my lack of outreach makes sense when that's considered. I just figured given that they're proud of their street medicine program, and all the opportunities for funded research overseas that Roch was big on service.
 
The plot thickens. Well there's also the fact that my interviewer was the director of many of the outreach opportunities offered at Roch, so the emphasis on my lack of outreach makes sense when that's considered. I just figured given that they're proud of their street medicine program, and all the opportunities for funded research overseas that Roch was big on service.

Ah, that makes sense. I've definitely noticed a large emphasis on service at Rochester! But they do accept applicants without extensive outreach, as evidenced by me!
 
The plot thickens. Well there's also the fact that my interviewer was the director of many of the outreach opportunities offered at Roch, so the emphasis on my lack of outreach makes sense when that's considered. I just figured given that they're proud of their street medicine program, and all the opportunities for funded research overseas that Roch was big on service.
A large portion of my app is focused on community service and outreach, so, like sunflower18 said, I agree there is no "one-size-fits-all." At the end of the day, we just weren't appealing enough to the committee to warrant an outright acceptance. I think they accept the people who they think best fit their institution's purpose and mission, and, unfortunately, we were not among those chosen! Congrats to all of those accepted!
 
Rejected just now. Damn... this one really stings. Rochester was a top choice for me. OOS, LizzyM = 73. Good luck to the rest of you lucky folks!
 
Complete mid august and rejected today. Womp womp.

Would have been nice because my aunt teaches at the medical school and lives right there, but so it goes.
 
Rejecteddddd. Complete sometime early July. Good luck to everyone else in the running!!
 
Apologies if this has been mentioned previously on the thread - does anyone know if Rochester is receptive to updates?
 
Apologies if this has been mentioned previously on the thread - does anyone know if Rochester is receptive to updates?
I sent one a month ago and got no response, then a rejection today.
 
Apologies if this has been mentioned previously on the thread - does anyone know if Rochester is receptive to updates?
i sent them an update back in early august and they were happy to add it to my file. i was complete mid august and have not heard anything.
 
I got a pre-Int rejection email from them this morning. And while I was disappointed, I was intrigued by the contents.
I'm not sure if it's personalized feedback, but I think it might offer insights into what they're looking for for future applicants.

" Dear [Failure]

The Committee on Admissions has completed a thoughtful and careful review of your application. I am sorry to inform you that it is not possible to offer you admission to the class that will matriculate this August....

In addition to outstanding academic records, many of our applicants also have enhanced their academic careers by participating in significant and sustained extracurricular activities, including research, clinical and medical shadowing experiences, study and volunteer programs abroad, and outreach to underserved communities here and in developing countries. Rochester values "patient-centered" medicine and we are particularly interested in applicants who have extended themselves well beyond their comfort zone. This often includes extensive volunteer or work activities with people from different cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds, both in their local communities and elsewhere, far beyond the campus environment.

Because you did not receive an acceptance to Rochester does not mean that you are not qualified for medical school. It simply means that we have to be very selective with our highly qualified group of applicants, and endeavor to identify and interview those who we think will be the best match for our medical school and our mission. "
 
I got a pre-Int rejection email from them this morning. And while I was disappointed, I was intrigued by the contents.
I'm not sure if it's personalized feedback, but I think it might offer insights into what they're looking for for future applicants.

" Dear [Failure]

The Committee on Admissions has completed a thoughtful and careful review of your application. I am sorry to inform you that it is not possible to offer you admission to the class that will matriculate this August....

In addition to outstanding academic records, many of our applicants also have enhanced their academic careers by participating in significant and sustained extracurricular activities, including research, clinical and medical shadowing experiences, study and volunteer programs abroad, and outreach to underserved communities here and in developing countries. Rochester values "patient-centered" medicine and we are particularly interested in applicants who have extended themselves well beyond their comfort zone. This often includes extensive volunteer or work activities with people from different cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds, both in their local communities and elsewhere, far beyond the campus environment.

Because you did not receive an acceptance to Rochester does not mean that you are not qualified for medical school. It simply means that we have to be very selective with our highly qualified group of applicants, and endeavor to identify and interview those who we think will be the best match for our medical school and our mission. "

Thank you for posting that here, it was very interesting and informative to read. I'm very grateful. Best of luck with the rest of your cycle!
 
I got a pre-Int rejection email from them this morning. And while I was disappointed, I was intrigued by the contents.
I'm not sure if it's personalized feedback, but I think it might offer insights into what they're looking for for future applicants.

" Dear [Failure]

The Committee on Admissions has completed a thoughtful and careful review of your application. I am sorry to inform you that it is not possible to offer you admission to the class that will matriculate this August....

In addition to outstanding academic records, many of our applicants also have enhanced their academic careers by participating in significant and sustained extracurricular activities, including research, clinical and medical shadowing experiences, study and volunteer programs abroad, and outreach to underserved communities here and in developing countries. Rochester values "patient-centered" medicine and we are particularly interested in applicants who have extended themselves well beyond their comfort zone. This often includes extensive volunteer or work activities with people from different cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds, both in their local communities and elsewhere, far beyond the campus environment.

Because you did not receive an acceptance to Rochester does not mean that you are not qualified for medical school. It simply means that we have to be very selective with our highly qualified group of applicants, and endeavor to identify and interview those who we think will be the best match for our medical school and our mission. "
interesting..sorry to hear about it...mind sharing when you were complete?
 
Would you ever even matriculate there!? Your numbers are way higher than Rochester's. Best to stick with the top 20 schools....
True, this shouldn't be a surprise with those stats. Also rejected today, complete mid August. Good luck to you all!
 
Does University of Rochester accept letters of updates? I couldn't find any related info on their website. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!
 
rejected haha i will never understand this process. LizzyM 80

I don't know anything else about you other than: You have a good LizzyM score & and you come off as quite entitled.

Clearly, I didn't know enough about UR Med, but it seems like they know the kind of students they want and it has nothing to do with stats.
 
I don't know anything else about you other than: You have a good LizzyM score & and you come off as quite entitled.

Clearly, I didn't know enough about UR Med, but it seems like they know the kind of students they want and it has nothing to do with stats.
that can be said about most medical schools in the US.
 
Would you ever even matriculate there!? Your numbers are way higher than Rochester's. Best to stick with the top 20 schools....
Definitely would have considered going here otherwise I would not have applied. I am applying with a longtime significant other and this was a school that appealed to both of us. Nothing arrogant about it. Objectively, I just would have thought I had a better chance here than at some of the other more competitive schools.
 
Rejected pre-interview. Complete 7/17. LizzyM 70+.

This was part of the rejection email. Maybe it will be useful insight into what Rochester wants in their students for future applicants:

"This year we received over 5,000 applications for the 104 places in our entering class. Many highly motivated and qualified applicants have applied to Rochester and it is truly unfortunate that we can only accept a few of these outstanding applicants.

In addition to outstanding academic records, many of our applicants also have enhanced their academic careers by participating in significant and sustained extracurricular activities, including research, clinical and medical shadowing experiences, study and volunteer programs abroad, and outreach to underserved communities here and in developing countries. Rochester values "patient-centered" medicine and we are particularly interested in applicants who have extended themselves well beyond their comfort zone. This often includes extensive volunteer or work activities with people from different cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds, both in their local communities and elsewhere, far beyond the campus environment."

Good luck to all those still waiting to hear back.
 
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