2015-2016 SUNY Downstate Application Thread

BU Medical Sciences
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teeayejay said:
If you come off the HFS list, do they call, email, or send regular mail?
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I personally received a phone call, and I know of one other person who got this call. IDR if most others off HFS got calls or emails/snail mail. It won't start moving until late april/early may though, so unfortunately it'll be a little wait.
 
Dr Zoidberg MD said:
I have a question. I got the impression on interview day that a good majority of the rotations are not done at Downstate's medical area, but spread out all over NYC. Like on one you are at Staten Island, another Lenox Hill, another New York Methodist, and another North Shore. Why are the rotations spread out over different hospital systems rather than Downstate's big medical area in Brooklyn? Specifically why is the LIJ system utilized over Downstates?
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Some rotations may be off-site, but almost certainly not the majority, unless you specifically request that. I haven't gotten my site assignments yet, but my roommate who's an MS3 ranked Downstate/King's County first for most of her sites; she got a month at Staten Island and a month at Coney Island, but the other 10 months of her third year were at Downstate or King's County. So yes, there are off-site rotations, but no, it's probably not the majority (unless, like, you live in Staten Island and rank it first for everything).
 
Can anyone speak to what the interviews were like here? Visiting in a few weeks and quite nervous!
 
clt said:
Can anyone speak to what the interviews were like here? Visiting in a few weeks and quite nervous!
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Really nothing to be nervous about. 1 on 1 interview with a staff member who is well-versed in your profile and has a set of questions to ask. No crazy questions.

The interview day in general is one of the more relaxed I've ever had. Just the 1 on 1 interview, a tour/lunch for an hour (with current first year students), and a small writing sample which is really nothing. Nothing crazy, just have fun with your day.
 
Placed on Hold for Spring Consideration recently, interviewed in mid-December. I am bummed, but hoping for the best come May..
 
clt said:
Can anyone speak to what the interviews were like here? Visiting in a few weeks and quite nervous!
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Emt2md23 said:
Really nothing to be nervous about. 1 on 1 interview with a staff member who is well-versed in your profile and has a set of questions to ask. No crazy questions.

The interview day in general is one of the more relaxed I've ever had. Just the 1 on 1 interview, a tour/lunch for an hour (with current first year students), and a small writing sample which is really nothing. Nothing crazy, just have fun with your day.
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I definitely second that, the day was super enjoyable and everyone was really, really nice and welcoming. I was pretty nervous too (and even told my interviewer that) but he made me feel at ease with his friendliness and the questions were pretty standard, they were pulling no tricks.

Such a great school, waiting to hear back is slow torture :nailbiting: :oldman:
 
clt said:
Can anyone speak to what the interviews were like here? Visiting in a few weeks and quite nervous!
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For me personally, I got a stress interview. The interviewer really dug into me not being qualified and asked personally probing questions. Fortunately I have better options currently. The only positive I can imagine was that the students seemed pretty nice.

However, I left with a sour taste about the program, which was a shame because I came with high hopes. I am sure they train great future doctors, but I can never imagine going there as a patient if my interviewer represented the typical physician at Downstate.
 
Sooooo... I interviewed early September, was accepted via snail mail early November, and have been left in the dark ever since. I received an email confirming of Acceptance Reply Form Acknowledgement, but no other correspondence or student portal information. Anybody in a similar situation?

Also, can we get a Facebook page going? I'm late to the party so if there is already one LMK.
 
Emt2md23 said:
Really nothing to be nervous about. 1 on 1 interview with a staff member who is well-versed in your profile and has a set of questions to ask. No crazy questions.

The interview day in general is one of the more relaxed I've ever had. Just the 1 on 1 interview, a tour/lunch for an hour (with current first year students), and a small writing sample which is really nothing. Nothing crazy, just have fun with your day.
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Could you tell me more about the writing sample?
 
Has any of you guys who were accepted heard back from Downstate? I was accepted back in November. Recently submitted my background check. I haven't heard a peep confirming the background check or information on what to do before the summer.
 
thebigpineapple said:
Could you tell me more about the writing sample?
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They give you a photo and ask you to write about it. I have asked many times why they do this, and they just smile and say its a fun thing for you guys to do. Don't pay it much mind...its nothing extensive.

zwu168 said:
Has any of you guys who were accepted heard back from Downstate? I was accepted back in November. Recently submitted my background check. I haven't heard a peep confirming the background check or information on what to do before the summer.
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The background check takes a little bit if i remember correctly. You will have to review it before sending it to the school (be careful...mine had a lot of wrong information in it). And the school will email you a link to an admissions checklist that lists everything you have to hand in, deadlines, where to hand it in, etc. They normally do this a little later I believe. Probably sometime after match day I'd assume, but I got accepted late so idk when they send out this stuff...just sit tight. They will let you know what to do, there will be plenty to do, and you will have plenty of time to do it. Congrats on having such an early acceptance, and being able to just chill till August knowing you've been accepted to what I truly feel is a great school.
 
Officer Farva said:
For me personally, I got a stress interview. The interviewer really dug into me not being qualified and asked personally probing questions. Fortunately I have better options currently. The only positive I can imagine was that the students seemed pretty nice.

However, I left with a sour taste about the program, which was a shame because I came with high hopes. I am sure they train great future doctors, but I can never imagine going there as a patient if my interviewer represented the typical physician at Downstate.
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Interesting you say this, I had the same experience -- perhaps we had the same interviewer? He remarked upon two low MCAT sections (which to the average applicant were not low). I walked into the school with an open mind but the interview kind of ruined the day for me. I should note that I'm very personable and interview well, so I threw a couple smiles in there with my response. I think most questions failed to achieve the main purpose of the interview: to get to know me.
 
cardzkp said:
Interesting you say this, I had the same experience -- perhaps we had the same interviewer? He remarked upon two low MCAT sections (which to the average applicant were not low). I walked into the school with an open mind but the interview kind of ruined the day for me. I should note that I'm very personable and interview well, so I threw a couple smiles in there with my response. I think most questions failed to achieve the main purpose of the interview: to get to know me.
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I retook the MCAT and got a ~40 the second time around since my first test score was quite low. My person grilled me about being spoiled and that no one scores above a 35 unless they get $10,000 worth of tutoring. I am just your average middle class applicant, and I studied on my own. Maybe it's the culture of the institution, but IDK?

I could understand grilling me about a low MCAT, but this was a complete joke. I heard from an older Doctor that when he was interviewing here ~20 years ago, they kind of did the same thing in the interview.
 
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zwu168 said:
Has any of you guys who were accepted heard back from Downstate? I was accepted back in November. Recently submitted my background check. I haven't heard a peep confirming the background check or information on what to do before the summer.
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+1 nothing just email that they got acceptance letter
 
Officer Farva said:
I retook the MCAT and got a ~40 the second time around since my first test score was quite low. My person grilled me about being spoiled and that no one scores above a 35 unless they get $10,000 worth of tutoring. I am just your average middle class applicant, and I studied on my own. Maybe it's the culture of the institution, but IDK?

I could understand grilling me about a low MCAT, but this was a complete joke. I heard from an older Doctor that when he was interviewing here ~20 years ago, they kind of did the same thing in the interview.
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Speculation: Because students who got $10,000 worth of tutoring usually dont know how to respond while people who actually worked hard stand up for themselves. Separates the adults from the children [non-gendered attempt at "Separates the men from the boys". doesn't really work. Oh well.]
 
shtumpa said:
Speculation: Because students who got $10,000 worth of tutoring usually dont know how to respond while people who actually worked hard stand up for themselves. Separates the adults from the children [non-gendered attempt at "Separates the men from the boys". doesn't really work. Oh well.]
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True, I definitely achieved this on my own studying. However, even if I spent $100,000 on a tutor, it is none of the interviewer's business how I spend my money, this is not an IRS audit. Also, I was honestly put off with how my hard work was discounted, it's not like everyone can get a 99th percentile score on a test. I wonder if I would have still been grilled if I put in 1% of the effort, spent my summers off, and never interned?
 
Accepted! I never got a letter though- I found out from a email congratulating me once again on my acceptance. So I'm hoping I haven't been sitting on it for like a month haha.
 
Can any current students speak to attendance requirements/lecture recordings. I don't recall much from interview day. Thanks!
 
dsxmchn said:
Can any current students speak to attendance requirements/lecture recordings. I don't recall much from interview day. Thanks!
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From what I recall, all lectures are recorded and attendance to lectures isn't required; both of my student tour guides were commuters and I remember one of them mentioned not going to lectures after the first year. (If anyone else can chime in to confirm, that'd be appreciated too)
 
just_another_sarah said:
Accepted! I never got a letter though- I found out from a email congratulating me once again on my acceptance. So I'm hoping I haven't been sitting on it for like a month haha.
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There is a form you are supposed to sign then return to the admissions office. You should call the office to check on that.
 
Accepted students, can anyone find the Facebook group? In their email they say it's called "Official Downstate College of Medicine Class of 2020" but search for that turns up nada
 
just_another_sarah said:
Accepted! I never got a letter though- I found out from a email congratulating me once again on my acceptance. So I'm hoping I haven't been sitting on it for like a month haha.
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Awesome, congrats! I'm super paranoid the same is going to happen to me, haha. Can I ask when you interviewed?
 
dsxmchn said:
Can any current students speak to attendance requirements/lecture recordings. I don't recall much from interview day. Thanks!
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Attendance to lectures is not mandatory (or necessary). Small group classes, such as PBL/POPS/Radiology/Histology (and obviously anatomy lab) are mandatory however. One unexcused absence is allowed for which you would have to fill out a form saying you missed class I believe (never done it, so idk the real process).

All lectures used to be recorded by a podcast and uploaded so you could just listen to lecture if need be, but we are currently undergoing beta testing for panopto recordings which is basically a podcast alongside a video of what the lecturer is doing on their computer screen in real time, so you could see them transition through the slides while listening...which is essentially the same as being in class. I used this for the first time today, and it is way better than just listening to the podcast. Complete transcripts of each lecture are also available about a day or 2 after the lecture happens. You can sign up to be the person who transcribes the lecture and get paid about $50 or so.

Attending lectures, and even really paying attention to lectures at all, is kind of unnecessary after the first unit. For Unit 1, you have a professor-written exam along with the NBME exam, so theres more of a weight on lectures...but for every subsequent unit where its just preparing for the nbme, you can fully prepare without ever looking at/listening to/attending a lecture. I only look at certain lectures where i either 1) know the lecturer is good/easy to understand, 2) know I will not be able to find that information better presented anywhere else or 3) have already learned the material through a different source and want to cross-reference my information.

(Some people swear by attending lectures, and it works for them...its all about learning how you work, and doing what fits your style best...but long story short, lectures are not mandatory, will be recorded, and you will be able to know the information presented without ever stepping foot in the lecture hall)
 
semr523 said:
Accepted students, can anyone find the Facebook group? In their email they say it's called "Official Downstate College of Medicine Class of 2020" but search for that turns up nada
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Follow link there is link on the admissions info page but it currently links to 2019 Facebook group
 
Rejected today. IS 3.7+ gpa, 31 MCAT. Re-applicant. Interviewed at downstate both cycles. Interviewer spent majority of the time asking and digging into one mishap that occured during my undergrad. Interviewed on 12/17. Very disappointed as for I was hoping to attend.
 
mike27bk said:
Rejected today. IS 3.7+ gpa, 31 MCAT. Re-applicant. Interviewed at downstate both cycles. Interviewer spent majority of the time asking and digging into one mishap that occured during my undergrad. Interviewed on 12/17. Very disappointed as for I was hoping to attend.
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Same exact experience, except I did not interview at Downstate my first cycle. We must have had the same interviewer. You have a much better GPA than me, although my MCAT is a little higher. Definitely a stress interview for me too.

My interviewer left me with a negative view of Downstate, although I went in thinking it is the best SUNY ever.
 
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mike27bk said:
Rejected today. IS 3.7+ gpa, 31 MCAT. Re-applicant. Interviewed at downstate both cycles. Interviewer spent majority of the time asking and digging into one mishap that occured during my undergrad. Interviewed on 12/17. Very disappointed as for I was hoping to attend.
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wow it seems like a pretty common occurrence that interviewers really dig into some potential flaws in your application. in general for nyc jobs you usually want to be really outgoing and confident but im not sure if the same rules apply for med students. im guessing the interviewer wants the students to stand up for themselves if they get criticized. what do you think? im interviewing here on thursday. do you mind naming your interviewer by any chance?
 
Richard_Rooster said:
wow it seems like a pretty common occurrence that interviewers really dig into some potential flaws in your application. in general for nyc jobs you usually want to be really outgoing and confident but im not sure if the same rules apply for med students. im guessing the interviewer wants the students to stand up for themselves if they get criticized. what do you think? im interviewing here on thursday. do you mind naming your interviewer by any chance?
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My interviewer was really pleasant, and by the end of the interview we were just talking about comics and super hero movies. I wouldn't sweat it too much. Yeah, they most likely just want to see applicants acknowledge that they have flaws, but also demonstrate how they've worked on them. He asked about me taking the MCAT twice, but I wouldn't say he was grilling me.
 
dsxmchn said:
My interviewer was really pleasant, and by the end of the interview we were just talking about comics and super hero movies. I wouldn't sweat it too much. Yeah, they most likely just want to see applicants acknowledge that they have flaws, but also demonstrate how they've worked on them. He asked about me taking the MCAT twice, but I wouldn't say he was grilling me.
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That's understandable, I would expect to be asked about some flaws on my application. That is one of the major goals of interviews in general.

Mine definitely grilled me.
 
it makes me wonder if they question your academic record then why even call you for an interview. it also seems that there is a lot of variance on the style of the interviewer like dsxmchn said
 
It's unfortunate but there was no way I was going to go 4 out of 4 interviews and not get grilled in at least one. I prepped for all interviews as if they were going to anyway, so I knew the questions that they were gonna throw at me.. and I think I handled them well FWIW. Also, my interview only lasted ~25 minutes in the allotted 60 min block. Anyone else have that experience?
 
cardzkp said:
It's unfortunate but there was no way I was going to go 4 out of 4 interviews and not get grilled in at least one. I prepped for all interviews as if they were going to anyway, so I knew the questions that they were gonna throw at me.. and I think I handled them well FWIW. Also, my interview only lasted ~25 minutes in the allotted 60 min block. Anyone else have that experience?
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I interviewed here twice as a reapplicant. The first interview lasted for 15-20 minutes, did not get in the first time obviously. My second one was 45 minutes, and I will update you all on what happens there.
 
Did anyone receive a confirmation e-mail after sending a post-interview update letter e-mail?
 
cardzkp said:
It's unfortunate but there was no way I was going to go 4 out of 4 interviews and not get grilled in at least one. I prepped for all interviews as if they were going to anyway, so I knew the questions that they were gonna throw at me.. and I think I handled them well FWIW. Also, my interview only lasted ~25 minutes in the allotted 60 min block. Anyone else have that experience?
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this is my 4th interview as well and i had some low undergrad grades. im guessing i should prepare to defend myself. give the bateman intro monologue if asked "tell me about yourself" lol
 
Received an email this morning stating that I was put on the "Hold for Spring" category. Bummed since I thought my interview went well and I really liked the school but still holding on to hope! Interviewed on 12/17.
 
Richard_Rooster said:
it makes me wonder if they question your academic record then why even call you for an interview. it also seems that there is a lot of variance on the style of the interviewer like dsxmchn said
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dunno if they question your academic record, but downstate interviewers have set questions to ask you; some of these questions are particularly geared towards any "red flags" that exist on your application. I did badly in one my of undegrad classes - was grilled about that. I think they're just looking for a reason as to why something happened or to see if you have a reason / can explain it. for me, it was because of personal things that were going on so i just talked about that. My interviewer seemed satisfied and wrote it down for the committee.

hope this helps to those who are interviewing soon!
 
Yeah, my interviewer asked me why I got low grades in a couple classes, wrote down my responses, and then we moved on. She didn't grill me; just asked about it

I really love this school. Hoping for the best!

Edit: I was also asked if I took a formal MCAT class. I'm a work study student, so I feel like it might be a standard question
 
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rainieday said:
dunno if they question your academic record, but downstate interviewers have set questions to ask you; some of these questions are particularly geared towards any "red flags" that exist on your application. I did badly in one my of undegrad classes - was grilled about that. I think they're just looking for a reason as to why something happened or to see if you have a reason / can explain it. for me, it was because of personal things that were going on so i just talked about that. My interviewer seemed satisfied and wrote it down for the committee.

hope this helps to those who are interviewing soon!
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thats good to know thanks a lot. seems like its gonna be important when the committee makes a decision on you
 
For those who were accepted into the MPH program, but havent heard any news (pre-interview) from the MD part, did you still accept the offer from the MPH acceptance?
 
I sent a thank you email to the person that interviewed me. I also included some information that she had asked me about, and told me to email her with the answer. Anyway, that was over a week ago and she hasn't responded to me. Is it odd not to get a reply to a post-interview thank you email?
 
Congrats!!

NoCaribbeanPlease said:
I sent a thank you email to the person that interviewed me. I also included some information that she had asked me about, and told me to email her with the answer. Anyway, that was over a week ago and she hasn't responded to me. Is it odd not to get a reply to a post-interview thank you email?
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Yeah it's not super rare for that to happen, I haven't received a reply from my interviewers in general, but not sure if others had different experiences?
 
NoCaribbeanPlease said:
I sent a thank you email to the person that interviewed me. I also included some information that she had asked me about, and told me to email her with the answer. Anyway, that was over a week ago and she hasn't responded to me. Is it odd not to get a reply to a post-interview thank you email?
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ADCOMs are busy, so don't take it to heart 🙂 some are very good at replying while others are not, it's a difficult thing to do with how many thank you emails and other messages they get every week. Don't think of it as a reflection of how your interview went!
 
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