2015-2016 SUNY Downstate Application Thread

Discover Your Odds of Getting into Medical School
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kilez12 said:
During interview day for me (4/4), one of my friends who was interviewing asked their interviewer when we would hear back and the interviewer said 6 weeks! Not sure if this is true or not...


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6 weeks is what my interviewer said, so hopefully it is accurate. 🙂
 
Received preliminary notification of acceptance (had an early Feb. interview)! Will be attending for sure. Is there a FB group for Class of 2020?
 
ChillWaveDaze said:
Received preliminary notification of acceptance (had an early Feb. interview)! Will be attending for sure. Is there a FB group for Class of 2020?
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As per admissions staff, the official fb page will most likely not be up and running until traffic day (may 1). I've been trying to get them to move faster with it for you guys, but there's not much I can do lol

Also congrats on your acceptance...this really is a great place to learn.
 
is the a consensus on the relative ranking of the suny schools?

I assume stony brook is top but where do the rest stack up?
 
Spector1 said:
is the a consensus on the relative ranking of the suny schools?

I assume stony brook is top but where do the rest stack up?
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Depends entirely what you want out of your career.

In terms of research: Stony, Buffalo, Downstate and Upstate are close to each other
 
Spector1 said:
is the a consensus on the relative ranking of the suny schools?

I assume stony brook is top but where do the rest stack up?
Click to expand...

When it comes to deciding on a school "rank" should not really matter, assuming a top 25 school is not on the radar. I urge you to instead choose based on where you feel you are the best fit. This should take into consideration the curriculum, the student body, the student life, etc. When I was applying, I was dead set on stony because it was a "better" school, but now I feel as though I would hate to be at stony given the curriculum, the grading scheme, and the overall stress-levels of their current students. (Granted I didn't get accepted there, but still I hear horror stories about what their students go through, and am really happy with where I am)...To be honest, if you are accepted into US MD school in general, let alone a state school, you have hit the jackpot. Go where you think you will be happiest, not where you think looks better...all of the SUNYs are great schools.
 
Emt2md23 said:
When it comes to deciding on a school "rank" should not really matter, assuming a top 25 school is not on the radar. I urge you to instead choose based on where you feel you are the best fit. This should take into consideration the curriculum, the student body, the student life, etc. When I was applying, I was dead set on stony because it was a "better" school, but now I feel as though I would hate to be at stony given the curriculum, the grading scheme, and the overall stress-levels of their current students. (Granted I didn't get accepted there, but still I hear horror stories about what their students go through, and am really happy with where I am)...To be honest, if you are accepted into US MD school in general, let alone a state school, you have hit the jackpot. Go where you think you will be happiest, not where you think looks better...all of the SUNYs are great schools.
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I'm actually at undergrad in Stony Brook right now and I can corroborate what was said! The med students here are MISERABLE. The program is a bit accelerated and the grading scheme truly sucks. Clinical populations aren't that diverse either.
 
Emt2md23 said:
When it comes to deciding on a school "rank" should not really matter, assuming a top 25 school is not on the radar. I urge you to instead choose based on where you feel you are the best fit. This should take into consideration the curriculum, the student body, the student life, etc. When I was applying, I was dead set on stony because it was a "better" school, but now I feel as though I would hate to be at stony given the curriculum, the grading scheme, and the overall stress-levels of their current students. (Granted I didn't get accepted there, but still I hear horror stories about what their students go through, and am really happy with where I am)...To be honest, if you are accepted into US MD school in general, let alone a state school, you have hit the jackpot. Go where you think you will be happiest, not where you think looks better...all of the SUNYs are great schools.
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unrelated but since you're a current student, how is the 1.5 year curriculum? kind of a broad q but didn't get to hear much about it from the current students at interview day. thanks in advance
 
Kieyky said:
I'm actually at undergrad in Stony Brook right now and I can corroborate what was said! The med students here are MISERABLE. The program is a bit accelerated and the grading scheme truly sucks. Clinical populations aren't that diverse either.
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Exactly. Which is why rank should be taken with a grain of salt and there is way more to consider. I truly feel that the student body here at downstate is one of the most relaxed and stress free I have seen. And I do not get commission for trying to sway students into going here (though I would not be opposed to y'all trying to rally for admissions to give me a cut).

MatthewDamon said:
unrelated but since you're a current student, how is the 1.5 year curriculum? kind of a broad q but didn't get to hear much about it from the current students at interview day. thanks in advance
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I will DM you as I am pretty wordy and don't wanna make this post insanely long.

Edit: Can't DM you. My bad
 
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Emt2md23 said:
Exactly. Which is why rank should be taken with a grain of salt and there is way more to consider. I truly feel that the student body here at downstate is one of the most relaxed and stress free I have seen. And I do not get commission for trying to sway students into going here (though I would not be opposed to y'all trying to rally for admissions to give me a cut).



I will DM you as I am pretty wordy and don't wanna make this post insanely long.

Edit: Can't DM you. My bad
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Can you PM too! I really want to get a student's perspective of the school. I'm still waiting for admissions to get back to me about shadowing a student, so I feel that your view of Downstate can help me learn more about Downstate.
 
Emt2md23 said:
Exactly. Which is why rank should be taken with a grain of salt and there is way more to consider. I truly feel that the student body here at downstate is one of the most relaxed and stress free I have seen. And I do not get commission for trying to sway students into going here (though I would not be opposed to y'all trying to rally for admissions to give me a cut).



I will DM you as I am pretty wordy and don't wanna make this post insanely long.

Edit: Can't DM you. My bad
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If you don't mind could you please message me this as well? thank you!!!
 
Oranges2 said:
anyone going to research day tomorrow? / is there a dress code?
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Am not entirely sure about dress code...however, keep in mind you will be meeting doctors, researchers, and administration. I typically adopt a business casual attire whenever I meet with doctors and administration staff (so quite often). Def not the same level as interview day...but I wouldn't personally wear jeans and a tee shirt lol
 
Have you guys called and asked if you were allowed to attend ? I called and asked and the lady said it wasn't open to outsiders


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amasisII said:
Have you guys called and asked if you were allowed to attend ? I called and asked and the lady said it wasn't open to outsiders


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Not sure what you mean by "outsiders"...research day is often used as a day for accepted applicants to get a second look at the school. Current students are assigned 1-4 applicants to take to lectures, and for lunch with researchers, doctors, and other students.
 
Emt2md23 said:
Not sure what you mean by "outsiders"...research day is often used as a day for accepted applicants to get a second look at the school. Current students are assigned 1-4 applicants to take to lectures, and for lunch with researchers, doctors, and other students.
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Gotcha. My apologies. Didn't know you were an accepted student and looking to use this as a second look. Sorry about that


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Emt2md23 said:
Am not entirely sure about dress code...however, keep in mind you will be meeting doctors, researchers, and administration. I typically adopt a business casual attire whenever I meet with doctors and administration staff (so quite often). Def not the same level as interview day...but I wouldn't personally wear jeans and a tee shirt lol
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I emailed Ilana and she said to dress comfortably, like you're going to class, and even specifically suggested jeans and a tshirt haha


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Hey all, I guess this might be coming a bit late along in the process but another perspective doesn't hurt - I'm a rising (or really risen) MS3. I was pretty heavily involved in the tour program and a few other administrative functions and would be happy to answer any questions about Downstate, life in medical school/Brooklyn, the first 1.5 years, board prep, or clerkships. Good luck to all!
 
amasisII said:
Gotcha. My apologies. Didn't know you were an accepted student and looking to use this as a second look. Sorry about that


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I'm not. I'm a first year who was clarifying what the day was designed for lol

dsxmchn said:
I emailed Ilana and she said to dress comfortably, like you're going to class, and even specifically suggested jeans and a tshirt haha


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Welp. All my credibility is lost hahah
 
Emt2md23 said:
Exactly. Which is why rank should be taken with a grain of salt and there is way more to consider. I truly feel that the student body here at downstate is one of the most relaxed and stress free I have seen. And I do not get commission for trying to sway students into going here (though I would not be opposed to y'all trying to rally for admissions to give me a cut).



I will DM you as I am pretty wordy and don't wanna make this post insanely long.

Edit: Can't DM you. My bad
Click to expand...

Please PM too if you can!
 
Is it important to send an update/LOI if you're on HFS? I have noticed some people have sent nothing and been accepted off the list, whereas others have sent updates and not. I am curious whether it truly makes a difference? Thanks


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Do you guys get replies to thank you emails?


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I hear that if you are put in HFS, then you are either accepted directly from that list or put onto the waitlist rather than being rejected. Can anyone speak to the truth behind this? Has anyone heard of an applicant being rejected straight from HFS? Thanks
 
Alternate list placing - just got an e-mail. I'm not really clear what the likelihood of being pulled off of this list is...does anyone have any insight?

Edit: Interviewed in mid-late Feb. 3.6/34/OOS.
 
watercolors said:
Alternate list placing - just got an e-mail. I'm not really clear what the likelihood of being pulled off of this list is...does anyone have any insight?

Edit: Interviewed in mid-late Feb. 3.6/34/OOS.
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I'm assuming this means the class is full? 🙁
 
Also placed on Alternate List, interviewed early Feb. Last year the applicants were placed on the alternate list in late May, so this is different.
 
JustinTimberlake said:
I'm assuming this means the class is full? 🙁
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I wouldn't say that necessarily. Some schools may assume a student with a great application, great scores etc may be more likely to choose another school over them. Schools would rather send offers to guaranteed acceptors late in the game, than to essentially "waste" an acceptance. It sucks, but I guess I can see the logic behind it.
 
Kieyky said:
I wouldn't say that necessarily. Some schools may assume a student with a great application, great scores etc may be more likely to choose another school over them. Schools would rather send offers to guaranteed acceptors late in the game, than to essentially "waste" an acceptance. It sucks, but I guess I can see the logic behind it.
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No it literally says in the email the class is full
 
watercolors said:
Alternate list placing - just got an e-mail. I'm not really clear what the likelihood of being pulled off of this list is...does anyone have any insight?

Edit: Interviewed in mid-late Feb. 3.6/34/OOS.
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were you put on HFS or alternate?
 
czars9450 said:
Do you know the difference between the two??
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yes, but on the Downstate website, they said that you would need to be placed on HFS first before being eligible for the waitlist. Just curious whether you were on HFS before being placed on the alternate list.
 
kssd said:
were you put on HFS or alternate?
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I was put on HFS a couple weeks ago and then just got the alternate list email 2 seconds ago. Interviewed beginning of Feb
 
We need to do bls training to stay on the waitlist?

Gonna cost $60 for me to stay on the waitlist...
Do they pull a lot of students from the list?
 
Interviewed in Feb..still haven't heard back yet. :whistle:
 
kssd said:
yes, but on the Downstate website, they said that you would need to be placed on HFS first before being eligible for the waitlist. Just curious whether you were on HFS before being placed on the alternate list.
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kssd said:
were you put on HFS or alternate?
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I was never HFS. I went straight to alternate list from post-interview.
 
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kssd said:
yes, but on the Downstate website, they said that you would need to be placed on HFS first before being eligible for the waitlist. Just curious whether you were on HFS before being placed on the alternate list.
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I interviewed early March and this alternate list email was the first thing I've heard. Never got a HFS notification. So I am little confused, do they pull from HFS first or alternate list or vice versa?
 
czars9450 said:
I interviewed early March and this alternate list email was the first thing I've heard. Never got a HFS notification. So I am little confused, do they pull from HFS first or alternate list or vice versa?
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HFS people who arent accepted get put on the alternate list
 
This is all upsetting. The website does say hfs turns into alternates. It also says that we email thank you letters to the admissions email, not the person who interviewed us. Did u email the admissions email for the thank you letter?


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So if I interviewed this week what would this mean for me? No shot at acceptance?


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bobbymc6893 said:
This is all upsetting. The website does say hfs turns into alternates. It also says that we email thank you letters to the admissions email, not the person who interviewed us. Did u email the admissions email for the thank you letter?


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address thank you letter to interviewer but send the letter to the general admissions email and they should forward it along
 
Oranges2 said:
address thank you letter to interviewer but send the letter to the general admissions email and they should forward it along
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Sent a card in the mail and addressed it to my interviewer with main admissions office address
 
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