2015-2016 SUNY Downstate Application Thread

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Is anyone thinking of doing the Shadow-a-student program? Any people who are matriculated here who have done this last year can comment on it?
 
Just received an interview invitation this week for mid/late April (in case anyone is still wondering if they're sending invitations out). Anyone have an idea if I still realistically have a shot at admission, or will I pretty much be interviewing for the waitlist at that point? Downstate is far and away my first choice so finally hearing back was amazing!
 
superbadder said:
Just received an interview invitation this week for mid/late April (in case anyone is still wondering if they're sending invitations out). Anyone have an idea if I still realistically have a shot at admission, or will I pretty much be interviewing for the waitlist at that point? Downstate is far and away my first choice so finally hearing back was amazing!
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just go for it! Please don't let SDN keep you away from your dream school. We're not admin...a lot of what is said here is speculation. Just go!!! And congrats 🙂
 
superbadder said:
Just received an interview invitation this week for mid/late April (in case anyone is still wondering if they're sending invitations out). Anyone have an idea if I still realistically have a shot at admission, or will I pretty much be interviewing for the waitlist at that point? Downstate is far and away my first choice so finally hearing back was amazing!
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While it's obviously harder to get in when you have a late interview, it's definitely not impossible. You have as good a shot as any, and if it's really one of your top choice schools and you can show your interviewer that...then you DEFINITELY have a shot. Forget about how late it is in the season, have fun with it and rock your interview and the rest will follow.
 
Does anyone know if Donwstate's simulation center allows for use of codes/drugs? Anyone have any details on how advanced their system is?
 
Recently got an invite for an II on 4/12. Will definitely be attending, as I'd love to be in the NYC area for med school.

Anyone know of any cheap hotels in the area? Everything I can find is like $150/night except Airbnb which looks pretty sketchy...
 
DocG904 said:
@Emt2md23 Hey bud. Do you know how the adcom here feels about updates/letters of interest for those on HFS? Thanks!
@Keladry @elprezidente Can you chime in as well, please? Thanks!
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They do accept them; I have no idea if it makes any difference or not. I was on HFS and sent an update letter, no idea if the letter helped, but don't think it hurts.
 
RT1126 said:
Recently got an invite for an II on 4/12. Will definitely be attending, as I'd love to be in the NYC area for med school.

Anyone know of any cheap hotels in the area? Everything I can find is like $150/night except Airbnb which looks pretty sketchy...
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I stayed at the comfort inn for like 89 one night? It was acceptable lodging, and convenient because it is down the street from the school.
 
DocG904 said:
@Emt2md23 Hey bud. Do you know how the adcom here feels about updates/letters of interest for those on HFS? Thanks!
@Keladry @elprezidente Can you chime in as well, please? Thanks!
Click to expand...


I was on hfs, sent a professional letter detailing the reasons I felt I was a good fit for the school, why I wanted to go there, and what I wanted to accomplish at the school. Got accepted 5 days after they received the leader. Do I know if it played any real role in getting me accepted? Not a clue. Did it hurt? Absolutely not.
 
Emt2md23 said:
I was on hfs, sent a professional letter detailing the reasons I felt I was a good fit for the school, why I wanted to go there, and what I wanted to accomplish at the school. Got accepted 5 days after they received the leader. Do I know if it played any real role in getting me accepted? Not a clue. Did it hurt? Absolutely not.
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That's encouraging! Did you simply send the letter to the admissions email?
 
10_oreoo said:
That's encouraging! Did you simply send the letter to the admissions email?
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Believe it or not, I addressed the letter to the dean of admissions and sent it straight to their office.
 
When does financial aid come out? I got a letter with loan info and an "estimate" that I got $0 in college money but my EFC is 0. Is DS for real? I'm expected to finance fully with loans? @Emt2md23 how do financial aid estimates work here?
 
avgn said:
When does financial aid come out? I got a letter with loan info and an "estimate" that I got $0 in college money but my EFC is 0. Is DS for real? I'm expected to finance fully with loans? @Emt2md23 how do financial aid estimates work here?
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Got the same letter and was equally confused.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
 
avgn said:
When does financial aid come out? I got a letter with loan info and an "estimate" that I got $0 in college money but my EFC is 0. Is DS for real? I'm expected to finance fully with loans? @Emt2md23 how do financial aid estimates work here?
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Call the financial aid office and they'll talk to you about everything. It's a bit confusing But yeah, it's often all loans =\
 
II. Complete early July. This is the first I have heard from Downstate all cycle!

I will be declining my II however. I hope it goes to someone here! Good luck everyone!
 
Emt2md23 said:
Call the financial aid office and they'll talk to you about everything. It's a bit confusing But yeah, it's often all loans =\
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Wa wa wee wa what a bad deal. Will be withdrawing. Good luck everyone!
 
avgn said:
Wa wa wee wa what a bad deal. Will be withdrawing. Good luck everyone!
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Your MDapps profile gives me hope that I can hear back in a reasonable time rather than 16 weeks like they said! 🤣
 
Is the interview as scary as portrayed by SDNers?


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app
 
bobbymc6893 said:
Is the interview as scary as portrayed by SDNers?


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app
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My interview was too comfortable. I felt really relaxed with my interviewer, she was really nice, and I felt like she would be a great mentor. She brought up the topic of money and how she has trouble making ends meet trying between loan payments and having 3 kids. Then I vented about my anxiety with the outrageous cost of med school and the state of education. And I think the convo went back to that too many times. I don't really know many doctors and she was the first person I met who was willing/knowledgeable enough to talk openly about the topic. I know it wasn't good interview conversation, but hopefully I didn't completely screw myself, hahaha (interviewed ~2months ago and no response yet).

Tl;dr: No, not all interviewers will grill you, but don't get too comfortable!
 
bobbymc6893 said:
Is the interview as scary as portrayed by SDNers?


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app
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DKMA said:
My interview was too comfortable. I felt really relaxed with my interviewer, she was really nice, and I felt like she would be a great mentor. She brought up the topic of money and how she has trouble making ends meet trying between loan payments and having 3 kids. Then I vented about my anxiety with the outrageous cost of med school and the state of education. And I think the convo went back to that too many times. I don't really know many doctors and she was the first person I met who was willing/knowledgeable enough to talk openly about the topic. I know it wasn't good interview conversation, but hopefully I didn't completely screw myself, hahaha (interviewed ~2months ago and no response yet).

Tl;dr: No, not all interviewers will grill you, but don't get too comfortable!
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Can corroborate what @DKMA said. I had a very comfortable interview with a ED doctor who really made me feel at ease and positively sold the school to me. Shared about things such as family and kids, which I felt helped sell downstate as a more laid back environment (though of course this may not be the case). Interview lasted significantly longer than 60 minutes, and I did not feel attacked or probed about red flags in my application. You should know where your weaknesses are of course, since that is common sense in any interview.
 
Is the class full yet, or are upcoming interviews in April for an actual spot in the class?
 
Just curious what are the reasons people are withdrawing from Downstate?
 
Emt2md23 said:
I was on hfs, sent a professional letter detailing the reasons I felt I was a good fit for the school, why I wanted to go there, and what I wanted to accomplish at the school. Got accepted 5 days after they received the leader. Do I know if it played any real role in getting me accepted? Not a clue. Did it hurt? Absolutely not.
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did you get a confirmation that they revived the letter?

Did you email or mail it?
 
Spiderm0nkey said:
did you get a confirmation that they revived the letter?

Did you email or mail it?
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It was a year ago, so I honestly do not remember if I got a confirmation, but I doubt that I did, as I sent the letter directly to the deans office instead of the email.
 
Dr.DeadPool said:
Just curious what are the reasons people are withdrawing from Downstate?
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The financial aid package ($60k in loans) is a good reason to withdraw. My family isn't rich, either.
 
Just got in off the HFS list (snail mail)! It really hurts me to say this because SUNY was def one of my top choices but I've already committed another one of my tops! I'm going to step aside let you guys have this one.

Good luck all!
 
teeayejay said:
Just got in off the HFS list (snail mail)! It really hurts me to say this because SUNY was def one of my top choices but I've already committed another one of my tops! I'm going to step aside let you guys have this one.

Good luck all!
Click to expand...

When did you interview? And congrats!!!
 
teeayejay said:
Just got in off the HFS list (snail mail)! It really hurts me to say this because SUNY was def one of my top choices but I've already committed another one of my tops! I'm going to step aside let you guys have this one.

Good luck all!
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Congrats! Did you send a letter of interest or any updates after being put on the HFS list?
 
Kieyky said:
When did you interview? And congrats!!!
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I interviewed back in October lol Initial decision was made in January.

furies56 said:
Congrats! Did you send a letter of interest or any updates after being put on the HFS list?
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I sent a letter of interest BEFORE I received a decision and was actually waitlisted later the same week that I sent the letter hahaha
 
Received my financial aid information - 0 EFC and 0 student contribution - and have been offered a "Direct Med Unsubsidized" loan for ~$42k. I completed the modules they told me to complete online (MPN, Counseling), and am now confused about funding the rest of my education.

How do I get another $10-20k in loans? How quickly can I get it approved and disbursed to me, especially if I end up under-estimating my cost throughout each semester? I have very minimal savings ($5k) and my parents are up to their eyes in debt, so they will not be able to help at all.
 
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