2015-2016 Pennsylvania State University Application Thread

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To compare my experience on hold last cycle to this cycle:

Last year I was complete in July but I requested to put my application on hold until my second MCAT score came in mid-October. Once that score was in, I didn't hear anything at all until February, in which I was then put on the "continue to review" hold. Then was ultimately denied in April. I don't know why I was even put on hold. I scored a 23 on the MCAT both times I took it last year. :laugh:

This year, I again took a late MCAT (I know, not ideal, but I had no choice) and I just received the score last Tuesday (sidenote: woo I scored better than last year). My application was "complete" in early September but my score just came in. I already got the continue to review hold email yesterday.

So even though I was complete with similar MCAT release dates both times, and a way earlier "complete" date last year, it only took a week this cycle for them to put me on hold and nearly four months last cycle. Their method for reviewing applications is beyond what we can guess. Sit back, wait it out. Something will happen eventually.
 
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Laurenxxxx said:
To compare my experience on hold last cycle to this cycle:

Last year I was complete in July but I requested to put my application on hold until my second MCAT score came in mid-October. Once that score was in, I didn't hear anything at all until February, in which I was then put on the "continue to review" hold. Then was ultimately denied in April. I don't know why I was even put on hold. I scored a 23 on the MCAT both times I took it last year. :laugh:

This year, I again took a late MCAT (I know, not ideal, but I had no choice) and I just received the score last Tuesday (sidenote: woo I scored better than last year). My application was "complete" in early September but my score just came in. I already got the continue to review hold email yesterday.

So even though I was complete with similar MCAT release dates both times, and a way earlier "complete" date last year, it only took a week this cycle for them to put me on hold and nearly four months last cycle. Their method for reviewing applications is beyond what we can guess. Sit back, wait it out. Something will happen eventually.
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I was very much in the same situation. Took the new MCAT on Sept 12th, received score last Tuesday, submitted secondary on Thursday. Just wondering if you mind sharing your stats?
 
Pantaloooons said:
I was very much in the same situation. Took the new MCAT on Sept 12th, received score last Tuesday, submitted secondary on Thursday. Just wondering if you mind sharing your stats?
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Sure haha I'll give a general idea...
503-509 MCAT :whistle:
3.7 GPA, graduated last spring
instate
Strong LORs, and lots of research, volunteer, clinical, tutoring, EC, etc. experience.
It could be anything, but I'm guessing my MCAT score (although not awful and is substantially better than last year) is my biggest red flag. Again. :smack:
 
Even if the emails were glitchy, if we were meant to receive an email wouldn't it be in the "Communication Status" section of the portal? I have nothing and have received no emails.
 
RioSummer2016 said:
Does anyone feel like they are far too obsessed with reading these threads? I know I spend too much reading them and they just cause me so much extra stress but I can't stop :smack:
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Last year, I spent so much time reading through threads of the schools I applied to. SO much time. This year, I completely avoided the site until two days ago when I got the hold email. STAY OFF OF HERE! lol. Seriously, the stress these threads caused me last year was crazy! You can't compare yourself to other applicants and guess if you will get an II based on their stats and experiences. Everyone's application is unique. Whatever happens happens! And you all will hear from your schools eventually!
 
RioSummer2016 said:
Does anyone feel like they are far too obsessed with reading these threads? I know I spend too much reading them and they just cause me so much extra stress but I can't stop :smack:
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Agreed. Was complete 9/10 and haven't heard anything. Way too obsessed with reading these threads and its super depressing/stressful but I can't stop!
 
Received an II from this fantastic school just this morning! Dec. 11 interview woohoo!
Hope my flight doesn't get cancelled due to weather. That's my only fear of interviewing in the winter months o_o
 
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Question; my secondary portal says that my application is complete but I never received an email saying that my application was complete and "under review". When I emailed them about this, they sent me an email back saying I can check my status on the portal. Should I have received an email stating that my application is under review?
 
Fidgety said:
Question; my secondary portal says that my application is complete but I never received an email saying that my application was complete and "under review". When I emailed them about this, they sent me an email back saying I can check my status on the portal. Should I have received an email stating that my application is under review?
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No
 
Placed on the hold list post-interview. LizzyM ~77, IS, Penn State undergrad. Interview the week of 9/21.
 
I also was complete 9/12 and have silence too. Grats to all the interviewees, though.
 
Just interviewed here today! For someone who wants to be in a big city for medical school, I surprisingly loooooved Penn State. I wish it weren't so rural, but I had a really good feeling about the school. The facilities are gorgeous, and every single student, staff and faculty member was so nice and welcoming, I already felt like part of the family. My only real reservation is about getting tired of the surroundings after 4 years.
 
Starting to come to terms here that I've been passed over for interview. Basically my #2 school and I want to be interviewed 😛
 
agoron said:
Just interviewed here today! For someone who wants to be in a big city for medical school, I surprisingly loooooved Penn State. I wish it weren't so rural, but I had a really good feeling about the school. The facilities are gorgeous, and every single student, staff and faculty member was so nice and welcoming, I already felt like part of the family. My only real reservation is about getting tired of the surroundings after 4 years.
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You can do your clerkships in State College, which I promise is a fun place to be.
 
Interviewing next week, any last minute advice or heads up from people who have already interviewed?!?!
 
Stephanie012694 said:
Interviewing next week, any last minute advice or heads up from people who have already interviewed?!?!
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As I'm sure you've heard, be yourself! It's very chill. But still be prepared. One of my interviewers asked some tough questions, while the other one was very laid back and we talked about the Big 10 for a good portion of the interview. The entire day is really great, they really make you feel welcome and already like part of the family. So be anticipating some of the classic questions in case you get any/know how to think on your feet, but also relax, be yourself, and know your application well so you can speak on it. They asked me mostly about things that I had done. Have fun!
 
ofthesaints said:
According to last year's thread, 3 out of the 52 posters (~6%) who wrote that they had received a pre-interview hold received interviews later on in the cycle. Also, applicants were placed on pre-II hold in waves as far as Feb/March. Take from this what you will.
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I had a pre-interview hold, interviewed, and then was given an acceptance. I think it's different for everyone.
 
Stephanie012694 said:
Interviewing next week, any last minute advice or heads up from people who have already interviewed?!?!
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Don't be afraid to ask questions about the school during the lunch session with current students. Nothing you say to us gets back to the admissions committee unless you do something really ridiculous.
 
awared2 said:
I had a pre-interview hold, interviewed, and then was given an acceptance. I think it's different for everyone.
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Definitely. Only going by what I tallied in that thread. Nothing more.
 
What is the interview style here? Traditional/MMI? Faculty/student? Open/closed file? Anything out of the ordinary 🙂 I really want to make the most of mine, anyone's help would be appreciated!
 
I interviewed here on 9/21. On Friday, I noticed a new tab in my portal labeled "Additional Info" (there was nothing in the tab except a space for my social security number). Reading on this forum, it looks like this may mean a decision is in the mail. Does anyone know if this tab only appears for accepted students or does it simply imply a decision is on the way?
 
MM7 said:
I interviewed here on 9/21. On Friday, I noticed a new tab in my portal labeled "Additional Info" (there was nothing in the tab except a space for my social security number). Reading on this forum, it looks like this may mean a decision is in the mail. Does anyone know if this tab only appears for accepted students or does it simply imply a decision is on the way?
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That's what I had (while my friend who interviewed later than I didn't have), and I got an acceptance shortly afterwards, so I think/hope you're gonna get good news soon!
 
Can someone describe what the interview was like in detail/ the feel of it?
 
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ariyon said:
Can someone describe what the interview was like in detail/ the feel of it?
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I think this was my best interview experience, because everyone was so welcoming. If you're in the morning, you'll start with your interviews, someone will escort you to each one and they're typically in the faculty member's office or lab. Once you meet up with the afternoon interviewers (or morning if you're in the afternoon), an admissions officer comes to give you a brief welcome/overview, you hear a presentation about the curriculum, student life, financial aid, etc. etc. Then, you should get to have lunch with several medical students, which was really great, and they were very down to earth, I think it was the most enjoyable lunch I had. Then, you will be taken on a tour with someone volunteering, they take you throughout the medical school and hospital complex (although we didn't see a lecture hall, which I would have liked to), and then bring you back to nearby the admissions office. If you had morning interviews, you're free to leave. If you have afternoon, you'll then be escorted from there to your interview. 🙂
 
Does anyone know if the 2-week period to put down an acceptance deposit starts when the letters are mailed out or when they are received?
 
agoron said:
I think this was my best interview experience, because everyone was so welcoming. If you're in the morning, you'll start with your interviews, someone will escort you to each one and they're typically in the faculty member's office or lab. Once you meet up with the afternoon interviewers (or morning if you're in the afternoon), an admissions officer comes to give you a brief welcome/overview, you hear a presentation about the curriculum, student life, financial aid, etc. etc. Then, you should get to have lunch with several medical students, which was really great, and they were very down to earth, I think it was the most enjoyable lunch I had. Then, you will be taken on a tour with someone volunteering, they take you throughout the medical school and hospital complex (although we didn't see a lecture hall, which I would have liked to), and then bring you back to nearby the admissions office. If you had morning interviews, you're free to leave. If you have afternoon, you'll then be escorted from there to your interview. 🙂
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Awesome! Sounds like an amazing day! How was the interview? Did they grill you? Or were they typical questions you would expect at any interview? Was it conversational or very formal?
 
ariyon said:
Awesome! Sounds like an amazing day! How was the interview? Did they grill you? Or were they typical questions you would expect at any interview? Was it conversational or very formal?
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My first interviewer was a little bit more intimidating than the second, he asked me a few tough questions, mostly though just wanting to hear more about different things I had done from my application. That was a little more formal, but still conversational. My second interview was a really sweet older guy and we didn't even talk much about my application, so I think it really just depends on who you get, but overall not like being grilled at all.
 
Fingers crossed for some news next week for us 9/28ers then! Congrats @MM7 !!!
 
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Just woke up (I live abroad) to a new Additional Info tab on my portal. Really hoping that means good news is coming!
 
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