2015-2016 Pennsylvania State University Application Thread

Started by TxC
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Nick_Nov said:
I think it's hard to tell when you don't know all of the factors that go into play. From what I've heard, when you're looking at match lists, you should consider if people are placing in specialties that are generally considered "competitive" to get into. Specialties like ophthalmology, surgery (ortho, plastics, thoracic, etc), anesthesiology, dermatology. From 2014 list, there are 25 that placed in one of those... not including an additional 11 in general surgery. Just thought I'd share just in case someone is reading this forum and is misconstrued in thinking this school isn't capable of providing the necessary tools to place well. Also, don't forget placing is largely based on your individual performance and abilities. I'm one to believe that if you're at a school you're comfortable at and that fits your desires, you have a better chance at being successful in the matching process 🙂
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Well said 🙂
 
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Can anyone clarify grading in the pre-clinical years?

I can't find with a search on their website.

Thanks.
 
Can any current students comment on the amount of PBL in the Penn State curriculum?

In the "Clinical Learning and Competencies" section, the website states "PBL classes are incorporated into all organ-system courses and are facilitated by a faculty member".

Their curriculum overview (http://www.pennstatehershey.org/doc.../Phase+1/4174e1f4-d919-4d7c-99f4-09dc6be1951e) doesn't provide specifics re traditional lecture time vs PBL.

A search of "PBL" reflects the school's commitment to PBL, but again, no specifics re time spent.

I don't think I'll be a fan of PBL, thus wanted to get a general idea of how much time is spent in PBL vs. a traditional lecture format.

Thanks.
 
sunset57 said:
Can any current students comment on the amount of PBL in the Penn State curriculum?

In the "Clinical Learning and Competencies" section, the website states "PBL classes are incorporated into all organ-system courses and are facilitated by a faculty member".

Their curriculum overview (http://www.pennstatehershey.org/doc.../Phase+1/4174e1f4-d919-4d7c-99f4-09dc6be1951e) doesn't provide specifics re traditional lecture time vs PBL.

A search of "PBL" reflects the school's commitment to PBL, but again, no specifics re time spent.

I don't think I'll be a fan of PBL, thus wanted to get a general idea of how much time is spent in PBL vs. a traditional lecture format.

Thanks.
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I'm not a current student, but did notice their "Typical Week Year 1" schedule outline that they have online here. Hope that helps you!
 
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Nick_Nov said:
I'm not a current student, but did notice their "Typical Week Year 1" schedule outline that they have online here. Hope that helps you!
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Yes, that helps.

It appears that 6 of 24 hours in the morning sessions are devoted to PBL.

Thanks for the link.
 
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Interviewed 12/15 just got put on hold. Darn, this was by far my favorite so far. 6 interviews, 4 waitlists, 2 decisions pending. I guess I'm a subpar interviewer. Shoulda made my handle "Always a Bridesmaid."
 
Sunna12 said:
You'd be surprised- I'm an independent learner and didn't think I'd like PBL either. But it has definitely helped facilitate learning of some key concepts for me and I've been blessed with amazing groups so far this year. Depending on your group and your block, some members bring in baked goods and organize an outing after class- it helps take the stress off of the topics and makes the day a little more fun, whereas the lectures that follow are just that- lecture.
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Appreciate your input.

If I use the "typical week" link posted above (https://www2.med.psu.edu/mdadmissions/academics/curriculum/) and the post winter break schedule on the website as an example (http://www.pennstatehershey.org/doc.../Phase+1/4174e1f4-d919-4d7c-99f4-09dc6be1951e), does this mean that I'd spend 18 hours/week in traditional lectures re hematology, renal and anatomy, followed by another 6 hours in hematology, renal, and anatomy related PBL groups?

I'm probably making this needlessly complicated, but I've read so many negative comments re frustration with the amount of time spent in disorganized PBL sessions.

Thanks.
 
Ecronum said:
I interviewed Jan. 13 when should I be hearing back? (anyone else interview on that day?)

An additional tab doesn't automatically mean an acceptance?
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Yes, so far this year at least it does. If you see this tab, congrats! My notification was ~13 weeks post interview but included winter break. Official packet in the mail arrived a week after tab appeared.
 
xiquarius said:
II 2/15, complete 9/8. Anyone have tips on traveling to Hershey for interviews?
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Depends on where you're flying from, but check Frontier. They often fly right into Harrisburg, I found out (after my flight, unfortunately). I tried to find cheap flights, so I flew into IAD (airport in D.C.) and rented a car. The rental cost me about 200 bucks, and I heard in Philly they're only around 77.
 
Sunna12 said:
Traditional lectures are purely optional- many people watch recorded videos of them and never set foot in the lecture hall, so I wouldn't say you'd spend 18 hours/week in traditional lectures because that's up to you.

PBL is Mon-Wed-Fri from 8-10 with some minor exceptions: i.e. we didn't start PBL until I believe our third week into this cardio-pulm block and you have a shortened week if there's a holiday or exam on one those days. PBL is required. I'm curious where you've read comments on frustration with disorganized PBL sessions- I haven't heard any classmate complain of PBL being disorganized, but maybe that's just me.
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Sorry for any confusion re my comment re frustration with time spent in disorganized PBL sessions.

I meant with PBL in general, not Penn State specifically.

Thanks.
 
penguins66 said:
Thanks! I was complete in August. I just sent an update (updated transcript) last week which I assume sparked the II. Didn't hear a thing until today. Good luck to you!
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Congrats on the II!! Did you notice by any chance if your updated transcript appeared on the portal document status page? I sent a transcript a week ago, but am unsure if PSU received it. Thanks!
 
redman93 said:
II this morning!! First MD interview so excited! OOS, was complete 9/14 hadn't heard anything until now.
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Congratulations man, I'm sure you'll do great! Really relaxed interview, just make sure you touch upon why medical humanities are important to you. Very key for this school.
 
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Does anyone know the number of people accepted by Penn State? MSAR has the number interviewed and matriculating but US news didn't have the number of accepted.
 
I know someone mentioned that the grading system in year 1 and 2 is pass/fail. But I was just reading this: http://www.pennstatehershey.org/web/md/studentaffairs/registrar/grades?doAsUserId=RxkN8g6gLfU=
Can someone clarify this? Also, is it true pass/fail (unranked) or ranked pass/fail?

I also had other questions. would really appreciate if a current student can answer these (sorry for the long list 😛)

1. How does the school prepare you for the board exams? Things like using NBME questions for class exams and other methods of prep.

2. How much time do students get to study for step 1 after the second year?

3. Are cadavers prosected or do students dissect them?

4. How many hours of class do you have each day?

5. What's your daily schedule like?

6. Are classes mandatory? Which ones are and which ones aren't?

7. How does the lottery system for clerkships work?

8. What kind of clinical experiences do you gain during M1 and M2?

I really love Penn State so I'm trying to collect as much important info as possible. Thanks 🙂🙂🙂
 
Meow72 said:
I know someone mentioned that the grading system in year 1 and 2 is pass/fail. But I was just reading this: http://www.pennstatehershey.org/web/md/studentaffairs/registrar/grades?doAsUserId=RxkN8g6gLfU=
Can someone clarify this? Also, is it true pass/fail (unranked) or ranked pass/fail?

I also had other questions. would really appreciate if a current student can answer these (sorry for the long list 😛)

1. How does the school prepare you for the board exams? Things like using NBME questions for class exams and other methods of prep.

2. How much time do students get to study for step 1 after the second year?

3. Are cadavers prosected or do students dissect them?

4. How many hours of class do you have each day?

5. What's your daily schedule like?

6. Are classes mandatory? Which ones are and which ones aren't?

7. How does the lottery system for clerkships work?

8. What kind of clinical experiences do you gain during M1 and M2?

I really love Penn State so I'm trying to collect as much important info as possible. Thanks 🙂🙂🙂
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Step is after 3rd year for class of 2020. And there is an example schedule posted on the website (and I think earlier in this thread). It is true p/f. You do not need to attend lectures, but I assume PBL and humanities courses are required. Clinical experiences would be patient nav and standard clinical exams classes.

The lottery system for clerkships is likely going to be different by 3rd year since they are opening the new regional campus.

This is the info I gathered at the interview day.

Edit: Things have also changed for the class of 2020, so current students might not have specific answers
 
Meow72 said:
I generally just multiply the number of matriculants by 2.
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I believe they interviewed around 850 students last year for 144 spots. Those were roughly the numbers I remembered from interview day.
 
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What do you guys generally think about taking step 1 after year 3? (since this is the plan for class of 2020 and perhaps other classes thereafter)?
 
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On the silence post secondary submission train. Hoping this silence translates to an interview invite!! Last time I applied was on pre-interview hold, so being cautiously optimistic lol
 
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