2015-2016 Pennsylvania State University Application Thread

BU Medical Sciences
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75 words to summarize 2 gap years and future plans? This is impossible...

EDIT: anyone do bullet points? I feel like that would streamline this a bit
 
MedBlue515 said:
75 words to summarize 2 gap years and future plans? This is impossible...

EDIT: anyone do bullet points? I feel like that would streamline this a bit
Click to expand...

It absolutely was not pleasant. I was very, very brief.
 
MedBlue515 said:
75 words to summarize 2 gap years and future plans? This is impossible...

EDIT: anyone do bullet points? I feel like that would streamline this a bit
Click to expand...
I did it like this:

2013: Graduated with a BA and BS. 2013-2014: Began Master's in ____ at ___. Summer 2014: TA: ___ and lab technician under Dr. ___. 2014-2015: Graduate Teaching Assistant for _____. Graduated May 2015. 2015-2016: Full-time Scribe in the Emergency Department at _____. I will also be ____ and ____.

lol sorry trying to keep some anonymity.
 
When do you all think we should be hearing whether or not we will be granted interviews? Last year, interviews were sent at this time. Lol, fingers crossed !!
 
Secondaries haven't even finished filtering in yet, I don't think. I just submitted last night after receiving it on Friday. How could II's be going out so quick?
thenewed said:
When do you all think we should be hearing whether or not we will be granted interviews? Last year, interviews were sent at this time. Lol, fingers crossed !!
Click to expand...
 
breezy16 said:
Secondaries haven't even finished filtering in yet, I don't think. I just submitted last night after receiving it on Friday. How could II's be going out so quick?
Click to expand...
Honestly, I don't know. I just checked last thread's application and it seems like the first ii was sent out around this time, July 28th.
 
thenewed said:
Honestly, I don't know. I just checked last thread's application and it seems like the first ii was sent out around this time, July 28th.
Click to expand...


I think everything might be a little slower this year because of the new mcat? Please be patient.
 
thenewed said:
Honestly, I don't know. I just checked last thread's application and it seems like the first ii was sent out around this time, July 28th.
Click to expand...

I got mine about 4 days ago. My friend got his 2ndary from PSU around July 18th b/c he was talking about it after we took our MCATs.
 
So I submitted and it says that I'll get a complete email in a few weeks, just curious how long it has been taking for everyone else
 
BornSinner said:
Is II supposed to be interview?

I was talking about receiving a secondary email. I'm submitting mine today.
Click to expand...

Yeah II = Interview Invite

It confused me too because I look at it and think "second" as is "secondary" oh well haha
 
MedBlue515 said:
Yeah II = Interview Invite

It confused me too because I look at it and think "second" as is "secondary" oh well haha
Click to expand...

Ah okay thanks! Lol yeah that's exactly what confused me.

Question tho, if I'm waiting on my MCAT scores, should I tell PSU to process ASAP or wait on the scores? Does it even make a difference b/c wouldn't they want to see my MCAT scores anyway prior to sending out interviews?
 
BornSinner said:
Ah okay thanks! Lol yeah that's exactly what confused me.

Question tho, if I'm waiting on my MCAT scores, should I tell PSU to process ASAP or wait on the scores? Does it even make a difference b/c wouldn't they want to see my MCAT scores anyway prior to sending out interviews?
Click to expand...

Oh hm, I'm not sure. I'd call the office if you can, but I'm pretty sure that part was meant for people who either have an old score and took the test again and are still waiting for the release or are planning to retaking in august/sept
 
MedBlue515 said:
Oh hm, I'm not sure. I'd call the office if you can, but I'm pretty sure that part was meant for people who either have an old score and took the test again and are still waiting for the release or are planning to retaking in august/sept
Click to expand...

Yeah I'm just gonna tell them to process ASAP. I already took it and don't plan on taking it again for the time being so... w/e. Common sense will prevail here I'm sure. (crosses fingers)
 
They'll probably process it with the scores that are currently uploaded. If you have new scores coming in, I'd tell them to wait. Just my three cents.
 
Haven't gotten my secondary yet, how long does it usually take for them to send them out?
 
Submitted today! One of my top choices and hopefully I get to check out this school.
 
Ive been out of school for 3 years now. I am having a painful time of explaining what I've been doing all this time in 75 words.
 
II 14 minutes ago, first one of the cycle, super pumped. IS, not Penn state undergrad, LizzyM >70

Edit: Secondary received 7/23, submitted and complete 7/27
 
Last edited:
The third essay about significant experience in a team setting is killing me.... Do they want one specific instance or could it be longer (e.g. a really awesome bio-lab class)? How loose is "team setting"? I don't think I've ever blanked this hard on a secondary prompt lol
 
Gandy741 said:
Ive been out of school for 3 years now. I am having a painful time of explaining what I've been doing all this time in 75 words.
Click to expand...

Try closer to 10 years. It can be done. Plus, its better to have too much to talk about than too little. "Binge watched Netflix and ate Doritos" is definitely less than 75 words. Good luck with your essay if you are still working on it!
 
emraldragon said:
Try closer to 10 years. It can be done. Plus, its better to have too much to talk about than too little. "Binge watched Netflix and ate Doritos" is definitely less than 75 words. Good luck with your essay if you are still working on it!
Click to expand...

Ah, I submitted it today haha. Cut it very close to the two week un-written rule.
 
Congrats on II 🙂 I'm an OOS PSU alum… fingers crossed
 
For those with IIs, did you get the email "several weeks later" confirming your application was received and processed?
 
judb16 said:
For those with IIs, did you get the email "several weeks later" confirming your application was received and processed?
Click to expand...
You mean confirmation for submitting the secondary? I got that e-mail instantly.
 
judb16 said:
For those with IIs, did you get the email "several weeks later" confirming your application was received and processed?
Click to expand...

Ah just realized I'm still waiting on a complete email still, damn lol
 
xerei said:
You mean confirmation for submitting the secondary? I got that e-mail instantly.
Click to expand...
This is what I've got :

Your application has been confirmed as received. Thank you for applying to Penn State College of Medicine. This message is NOT meant to indicate that your application to the College of Medicine is complete. You will receive another email, several weeks from today, informing you that your application is complete and is being submitted to the Admissions Committee for review.

So it's received but not complete? I've checked and they have my letters and everything. So I'm wondering if those with IIs got the received email, a separate complete email, and then the interview. Or if they just went straight to interview. It says it takes several weeks but some have gotten IIs in less than several weeks.
 
I think as long as you have a green check next to application complete in the portal that would signify it is complete. Least thats what i'm assuming
 
judb16 said:
This is what I've got :

Your application has been confirmed as received. Thank you for applying to Penn State College of Medicine. This message is NOT meant to indicate that your application to the College of Medicine is complete. You will receive another email, several weeks from today, informing you that your application is complete and is being submitted to the Admissions Committee for review.

So it's received but not complete? I've checked and they have my letters and everything. So I'm wondering if those with IIs got the received email, a separate complete email, and then the interview. Or if they just went straight to interview. It says it takes several weeks but some have gotten IIs in less than several weeks.
Click to expand...

That was the last e-mail I got (on 7/27) before the II e-mail (on 8/7).
 
Do you think the "unique aspect" question is an opportunity to discuss diversity? Would it be okay if I emphasize something non-science/healthcare related?
 
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