2015-2016 University of Pennsylvania (Perelman) Application Thread

BU Medical Sciences
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Hey everyone.... I had an interview a little while ago at Perelman that went well. How much of an effect on my decision do you think it will have if I got involved in research, community projects at penn, and shadowed a physican there and then send them an update letter?
 
simplesloth said:
Not sure if they're the same but here they are
  1. Have you been nominated for or received an award from any state, regional or national organization? If so, please describe; each line allows 100 characters. (Please do not list awards from high school or earlier.) No Yes
  2. Have you taken or are you planning to take time off between college graduation and medical school matriculation? No Yes
    Please describe your activities during this time:
  3. Have you participated in any global activities outside of the U.S. prior to submitting your AMCAS application? No Yes
    • What country?
      Please describe the activities in 1,000 characters or less.
  4. Are there any special, unique, personal, or challenging aspects of your personal background or circumstances that you would like to share with the Committee on Admissions, not addressed elsewhere (siblings/relatives at Penn, applying as a couple, educational environment, culture, ethnicity, etc.) No Yes
    Please explain and limit your response to 1,000 characters.

  5. If you are traveling outside of the U.S. during the application year, will you need special scheduling if invited for an interview? If so, please describe and indicate dates that you are in the U.S. No Yes
    Please limit your response to 255 characters.

  6. Have you or your family experienced economic hardships? No Yes
    Please explain briefly in 1,000 characters:

  7. Have you been employed at the University of Pennsylvania Health System or Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and worked with a Penn faculty mentor? If yes, please indicate name, department, phone number of faculty, and start/end dates. No Yes
    Name Department Phone Start End
  8. Please explain your reasons for applying to the Perelman School of Medicine and limit your response to 1,000 characters.
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I'm premed at Christopher Newport University (not ivy league, i know shocking), but I was wondering if I should apply to UPenn Perelman School of Medicine. I have been looking at the app questions from last year and I have not received any state, regional, or national awards, I am not planning on taking time off between grad and matriculation, I have barely traveled outside the U.S, I am not a minority and I have always been raised in a nurturing environment my entire life. I am afraid that I have not suffered enough for medical school and I'm not sure I will be accepted. What can I do that will set me apart and boost my chances of being accepted?
 
Shrodcat94 said:
I'm premed at Christopher Newport University (not ivy league, i know shocking), but I was wondering if I should apply to UPenn Perelman School of Medicine. I have been looking at the app questions from last year and I have not received any state, regional, or national awards, I am not planning on taking time off between grad and matriculation, I have barely traveled outside the U.S, I am not a minority and I have always been raised in a nurturing environment my entire life. I am afraid that I have not suffered enough for medical school and I'm not sure I will be accepted. What can I do that will set me apart and boost my chances of being accepted?
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Two possibilities here:
1) You're very early into college and shouldn't even be thinking about applying to specific schools yet, much less a top place like Penn. Worry less about some random school's secondary essays and more about accomplishing things in college first.
2) You're pretty close to applying and there's nothing much you can do now to make yourself that much more competitive in a short time frame. Your app is close to being set; there's no 3-month booster to get it to be top-notch so quickly.

Either way, you do not have to "suffer" to get into medical school. Also, Penn is in the upper echelon of med schools, what they're looking for is vastly above and beyond what is required to just get into any regular MD school.
 
avgn said:
Two possibilities here:
1) You're very early into college and shouldn't even be thinking about applying to specific schools yet, much less a top place like Penn. Worry less about some random school's secondary essays and more about accomplishing things in college first.
2) You're pretty close to applying and there's nothing much you can do now to make yourself that much more competitive in a short time frame. Your app is close to being set; there's no 3-month booster to get it to be top-notch so quickly.

Either way, you do not have to "suffer" to get into medical school. Also, Penn is in the upper echelon of med schools, what they're looking for is vastly above and beyond what is required to just get into any regular MD school.
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This is completely understandable. A serious question: Do you think I am placed at an immediate disadvantage (with regards to Med School Admissions) by not being born with a different skin tone? In my heart I feel that it is an awful thing to claim affirmative action when one does not measure up to the competition, but I honestly have not been faced with racial or financial burdens. Is this my fault for not putting myself in those situations or is it just a matter of happenstance? I am having a bit of a dilemma. Full disclosure, I am a Junior in my fall semester.
 
Shrodcat94 said:
I'm premed at Christopher Newport University (not ivy league, i know shocking), but I was wondering if I should apply to UPenn Perelman School of Medicine. I have been looking at the app questions from last year and I have not received any state, regional, or national awards, I am not planning on taking time off between grad and matriculation, I have barely traveled outside the U.S, I am not a minority and I have always been raised in a nurturing environment my entire life. I am afraid that I have not suffered enough for medical school and I'm not sure I will be accepted. What can I do that will set me apart and boost my chances of being accepted?
Click to expand...

Your mileage may vary, but I left every optional question blank and got an II within two weeks of submitting a secondary in mid-August. Important to note that I also had competitive stats.

Make sure you write a personal statement showing that growing up in a "nurturing environment" doesn't mean you are naive or weak in character. Easier said than done.
 
That being said, what Medical Schools on the east coast are not out of my league if I hypothetically finished my junior year with a 3.6 overall gpa and a 3.8 science/math gpa and managed a 510 on the 2016 MCAT? Also, do schools look at individual section scores (bio, chem/physical, critical analysis, psych and social)? Thanks so much. These are deep, burning questions.
 
Shrodcat94 said:
This is completely understandable. A serious question: Do you think I am placed at an immediate disadvantage (with regards to Med School Admissions) by not being born with a different skin tone? In my heart I feel that it is an awful thing to claim affirmative action when one does not measure up to the competition, but I honestly have not been faced with racial or financial burdens. Is this my fault for not putting myself in those situations or is it just a matter of happenstance? I am having a bit of a dilemma. Full disclosure, I am a Junior in my fall semester.
Click to expand...

Not being a member of a disenfranchised community (URM, low SES) puts you at as much of a disadvantage in med school admissions as being a member of a historically privileged group (racial majority or high SES) puts you at an advantage - leveling the playing field, in a sense, which is part of the point. The opportunities you gain from an early age by being a member of a well-represented demographic vastly outweigh any "edge" URM applicants have in the admissions process. But I'm preeeeetty sure this has been hashed out on SDN before...
 
ohnotornadooo said:
Not being a member of a disenfranchised community (URM, low SES) puts you at as much of a disadvantage in med school admissions as being a member of a historically privileged group (racial majority or high SES) puts you at an advantage - leveling the playing field, in a sense, which is part of the point. The opportunities you gain from an early age by being a member of a well-represented demographic vastly outweigh any "edge" URM applicants have in the admissions process. But I'm preeeeetty sure this has been hashed out on SDN before...
Click to expand...
My apologies. I am neophyte regarding SDN. For the record I am in complete agreement with your statements.
 
Shrodcat94 said:
That being said, what Medical Schools on the east coast are not out of my league if I hypothetically finished my junior year with a 3.6 overall gpa and a 3.8 science/math gpa and managed a 510 on the 2016 MCAT? Also, do schools look at individual section scores (bio, chem/physical, critical analysis, psych and social)? Thanks so much. These are deep, burning questions.
Click to expand...
This thread is not the right place for your questions. Make your own thread on the Premedical Allopathic page if you want help with picking which schools to apply to
 
View from my study room in the med school today. Looking forward to seeing the upcoming interviewees!
ImageUploadedBySDN Mobile1444952862.101345.jpg
 
To those who attended, where did you meet for the pre interview happy hour? Do they send some sort of update about that?
 
riguy16 said:
To those who attended, where did you meet for the pre interview happy hour? Do they send some sort of update about that?
Click to expand...
You should get an email the day before or so with details, but we meet at the med school!
 
For people that attended, what did you think of the happy hour the night before the interview? Was it worth going to?
 
jibblesNbits said:
For people that attended, what did you think of the happy hour the night before the interview? Was it worth going to?
Click to expand...
I would recommend going if you can, it was nice to meet other applicants and meets some students. It's not the end of the world if you can't go, you're not missing anything critical, but I had a good time.
 
Hi guys, I somehow lost the sheet with thank you letter instructions. Can anyone please post the information? Thank you!
 
peer at my school just received interview invite, very high LizzyM probably 80+ (522 MCAT), submitted secondary probably July
 
@mTORC and any other Penn Med students. Would you mind providing details on how the learning process works at your school and your opinion of it? My understanding from the website is that it is mostly team-based but there are also lectures and some problem-based learning aspects. I guess what I'm trying to figure out is how much independent studying/self-learning is involved? Thanks in advance!
 
Jelly Bones said:
@mTORC and any other Penn Med students. Would you mind providing details on how the learning process works at your school and your opinion of it? My understanding from the website is that it is mostly team-based but there are also lectures and some problem-based learning aspects. I guess what I'm trying to figure out is how much independent studying/self-learning is involved? Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

It's 50-50 lecture to team based. Most of the information is in the lecture and this info and problem solving aspects are solidified in small group. It's actually a great way to strengthen your confidence in the knowledge. I love it. Basically, for (most) exams if you study just the lecture material you can ace the exam especially if you just attended every small group to help you grasp/conceptualize/master the information. Does this help answer your question?
 
mTORC said:
It's 50-50 lecture to team based. Most of the information is in the lecture and this info and problem solving aspects are solidified in small group. It's actually a great way to strengthen your confidence in the knowledge. I love it. Basically, for (most) exams if you study just the lecture material you can ace the exam especially if you just attended every small group to help you grasp/conceptualize/master the information. Does this help answer your question?
Click to expand...

Yeah that's exactly what I was looking for. It sounds like a well designed program that merges the best aspects of both learning/teaching styles. I would be bored and find it harder to stay disciplined in my studying if it was just lectures without small group consolidation but also want those lectures as a main resource of information. Thanks for the response, and glad to hear you're enjoying it!
 
Jelly Bones said:
Yeah that's exactly what I was looking for. It sounds like a well designed program that merges the best aspects of both learning/teaching styles. I would be bored and find it harder to stay disciplined in my studying if it was just lectures without small group consolidation but also want those lectures as a main resource of information. Thanks for the response, and glad to hear you're enjoying it!
Click to expand...

Anytime. Hope to see you here next year!
 
Hey everyone,

First interview of the season is here next week and I'm super nervous. Anyone have any suggestions before going in?
 
if there are any current penn students on here willing to host an interviewee end of next week please PM me! I haven't had any luck with the online host portal so I'm guessing there's an exam. I honestly just need a couch or something for sleep and an open shower in the morning - I won't be offended at all if you're busy with studies while I'm there. Thanks!
 
jagster92 said:
if there are any current penn students on here willing to host an interviewee end of next week please PM me! I haven't had any luck with the online host portal so I'm guessing there's an exam. I honestly just need a couch or something for sleep and an open shower in the morning - I won't be offended at all if you're busy with studies while I'm there. Thanks!
Click to expand...

You should message the admissions office (try Donna Casagrande, Assoc. Director of Admissions: [email protected]) - I guarantee they'll find you someone. If they don't find you anyone or it seems like too much of a pain, I can host ya. Just PM me.
 
Rugger9 said:
Hey everyone,

First interview of the season is here next week and I'm super nervous. Anyone have any suggestions before going in?
Click to expand...

Step 1) Don't be nervous! The interviews are usually pretty smooth and people are nice! I know this is easier said than done. Try the stoic philosophy about thinking about the worst possible outcome; your conclusion should be that this outcome is actually not that bad.
Step 2) Be yourself. They already love you on paper. Now bring who you really are to the table, show them your passion - live in the moment. They want to find out what makes you tick.
Step 3) You are evaluating Penn as much as Penn is evaluating you. SERIOUSLY. I wish I took this advice more seriously as an applicant because it's true! Take the chance to absorb the milieu and enjoy the school to see if you'd really like to be a student here!
 
mTORC said:
Step 1) Don't be nervous! The interviews are usually pretty smooth and people are nice! I know this is easier said than done. Try the stoic philosophy about thinking about the worst possible outcome; your conclusion should be that this outcome is actually not that bad.
Step 2) Be yourself. They already love you on paper. Now bring who you really are to the table, show them your passion - live in the moment. They want to find out what makes you tick.
Step 3) You are evaluating Penn as much as Penn is evaluating you. SERIOUSLY. I wish I took this advice more seriously as an applicant because it's true! Take the chance to absorb the milieu and enjoy the school to see if you'd really like to be a student here!
Click to expand...

Thanks!!
 
Oh come on Penn, where's my rejection?
 
@ciestar lol i feel you.. I don't understand why the long silence... Like how many people's desks does each person's app go across before they make up their minds about an II or reject?

Anyone have an idea of what date they're processing these days?
 
Does anyone know if Penn accepts pre-interview updates? I'm in full-on desperate update mode today. :laugh:
 
thatwouldbeanarchy said:
Does anyone know if Penn accepts pre-interview updates? I'm in full-on desperate update mode today. :laugh:
Click to expand...
it has an update section! go to 'letters' at the top, then click on 'add new correspondence' near the bottom, and then you can pick 'update' from the drop down menu.
 
New to SDN and last-minute US applicant. Just working on this secondary now. 33/3.96. Broadly speaking, any point in submitting at this point esp considering below average MCAT?
 
.
 
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