2015-2016 University of Pennsylvania (Perelman) Application Thread

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I just noticed that I have this application status on the portal. Can anyone tell me if this is an outright rejection or simply a pre-interview hold after initial review? and if so, anyone else had luck getting an II after this status? Thanks:

"Complete - Application Update

The Committee on Admissions reviewed your application but has not invited you for an interview at this time. Additional reviews will occur and any change in your status will be communicated to you.

ALL ADMISSIONS DECISIONS WILL BE ANNOUNCED BY MARCH 15."

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I just noticed that I have this application status on the portal. Can anyone tell me if this is an outright rejection or simply a pre-interview hold after initial review? and if so, anyone else had luck getting an II after this status? Thanks:

"Complete - Application Update

The Committee on Admissions reviewed your application but has not invited you for an interview at this time. Additional reviews will occur and any change in your status will be communicated to you.

ALL ADMISSIONS DECISIONS WILL BE ANNOUNCED BY MARCH 15."

+1. Sigh. It sounds like a pre-II hold to me but I really have no clue.
 
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I wonder if some people have received a rejection then if they've bothered to make this change?
Good point. Since they don't make decisions until March maybe there's no way to know...? I wonder what they do what applications they intend to reject.
 
+4. Looks pretty strongly like a rejection to me. Glad that they took the time to tell us rather than just hearing nothing until March.
 
+4. Looks pretty strongly like a rejection to me. Glad that they took the time to tell us rather than just hearing nothing until March.

+5

Sigh. I need to check last years thread to see what this means. I was hoping for some love from Penn 🙁
 
So, I called the office.. They have said that they have not rejected anyone, but the status means you have gone through at least one round of screening, but that additional rounds of re-review does occur, and that interview invitations will go out until January.

Basically the exact same as the website says. LOL
 
So, I called the office.. They have said that they have not rejected anyone, but the status means you have gone through at least one round of screening, but that additional rounds of re-review does occur, and that interview invitations will go out until January.

Basically the exact same as the website says. LOL

I also looked at last year's thread. Seems there's this status update, and another similar worded one in early January, with ultimate rejections having gone out (via portal or email, not sure) by January 29th.
 
So, I called the office.. They have said that they have not rejected anyone, but the status means you have gone through at least one round of screening, but that additional rounds of re-review does occur, and that interview invitations will go out until January.

Basically the exact same as the website says. LOL

It was called the "Status of Death (SOD)" in old threads. No one on SDN got a II after receiving that status in the last few years. Anecdotally it has happened before however.
 
It was called the "Status of Death (SOD)" in old threads. No one on SDN got a II after receiving that status in the last few years. Anecdotally it has happened before however.

makes sense.. it would seem hard to go from "meh, maybe.." to "yes, let's interview." in a 2nd round.. I guess perhaps important to update your application with anything new if you have it, which Penn accepts.
 
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Yup have the same status. Oh well wasn't expecting a II from Penn after being complete for like 3.5 months anyway.
 
Also complete in July, but no status update on the portal. Who knows...
 
I am sorry to hear about everyone who was placed on hold today.

My portal is still unchanged, but dreading the status change. 🙁
 
I wish I hadn't read this. Got the status change and made a crappy day even worse. Damn this process to hell, I fell like I'm going to be in a foul mood until spring next year +pissed+
 
So I checked my profile on Friday and I had the SOD message like everyone else. Checked this morning, but it's changed back to "Your application is in the screening process..." Maybe they're taking one more look before they ultimately reject me 😛 Has anyone ever received an II after SOD?
 
So I checked my profile on Friday and I had the SOD message like everyone else. Checked this morning, but it's changed back to "Your application is in the screening process..." Maybe they're taking one more look before they ultimately reject me 😛 Has anyone ever received an II after SOD?

hope so for your sake! wish they'd give me another chance
 
Got a letter from the MSTP today and nearly **** my pants because I figured it could only be a rejection if they were getting back to me this early. Turns out it was just a letter saying I could email them if I have any questions before March lol.
 
Got a letter from the MSTP today and nearly **** my pants because I figured it could only be a rejection if they were getting back to me this early. Turns out it was just a letter saying I could email them if I have any questions before March lol.
Haha that will be happening until March 🙂 hope you enjoyed your interview!
 
question about post-interview updates via portal-
is it ok to just choose "updates" from the dropdown list and send them a bulleted list with explanations for each bullet? or do I have to make it formal letter form? updates include a short-term research position and a position as an MCAT class teacher plus a random scholarship thing
 
Any MD/MBA students out there available to answer some questions by PM?
 
does anybody know if non-MD/MBA students can still take wharton classes/participate in the community?
 
does anybody know if non-MD/MBA students can still take wharton classes/participate in the community?
Yes you can take Wharton classes and go to public events held by the Wharton School, several med students I have worked with have taken classes there. I am not exactly sure what you mean by community but I don't think you will have the opportunity to be part of all their Wharton-only events nor utilize all their services. Someone with more experience can correct me if I am wrong though
 
ii in the past couple weeks. Complete near the deadline in November, LizzyM 77-81. There were 3 dates available in January
 
I'm sure they are still going through apps. It's not over until it's over! Hang in there

nah I have the status of death so it's pretty unlikely, really hoped Penn wouldn't be so stat obsessed but it unfortunately seems like it is
 
Do they prefer online updates? Is it okay if my update is mailed to the office? Just feel like it's better that way.
 
nah I have the status of death so it's pretty unlikely, really hoped Penn wouldn't be so stat obsessed but it unfortunately seems like it is

@PakiMDDreamer when did your status change? Not all hope is lost yet: I had the SOD, but for a few days, and then it reverted back to "In screening.." Just checked my application, and it hasn't reverted back to SOD, thank God. I'm somewhat below the stats average here, but I have a unique app, at least so i've been told, and may be it piqued someone's interest; anyway, who knows 🙁.
 
SOD. Not surprising. Also had a feeling about what schools would be receptive to my app and which ones wouldn't be. So far I've been pretty spot on. Not surprisingly, I suspect Perelman isn't that into me...
 
SOD. Not surprising. Also had a feeling about what schools would be receptive to my app and which ones wouldn't be. So far I've been pretty spot on. Not surprisingly, I suspect Perelman isn't that into me...
Aw I'm sorry. Do you mind sharing your thinking on why you think Penn wasn't that into you?
 
Aw I'm sorry. Do you mind sharing your thinking on why you think Penn wasn't that into you?

Well it's not an outright rejection but I'm treating it as such at the moment. In a nutshell: I'm a very very unusual applicant and thus only appeal to a certain subset of schools (all schools want "diversity" and people who have "overcome adversity" but both terms are quite variable, and in my case, a bit more extreme than most, which frankly doesn't appeal to many SOMs). I suspect that I'm a little too "out there" for Penn, and they (understandably) have reservations. Why take a chance on me (though honestly I'd argue I'm anything but a risk) when there are other highly qualified, wonderful, passionate applicants? I completely understand why I would not appeal to such an excellent school in light of so many exceptional applicants. That said, I'd also argue I'm a rare kind of bad-ass (just not for everyone...). Not sure if that clarified things...
 
Well it's not an outright rejection but I'm treating it as such at the moment. In a nutshell: I'm a very very unusual applicant and thus only appeal to a certain subset of schools (all schools want "diversity" and people who have "overcome adversity" but both terms are quite variable, and in my case, a bit more extreme than most, which frankly doesn't appeal to many SOMs). I suspect that I'm a little too "out there" for Penn, and they (understandably) have reservations. Why take a chance on me (though honestly I'd argue I'm anything but a risk) when there are other highly qualified, wonderful, passionate applicants? I completely understand why I would not appeal to such an excellent school in light of so many exceptional applicants. That said, I'd also argue I'm a rare kind of bad-ass (just not for everyone...). Not sure if that clarified things...

I think they need to make a school specifically for all us misfits 🙂
 
SOD here as well ahah taking it as a rejection since I applied as MSTP immunology and their immunology interview date is Dec 10-11 hahah oh well~ good luck to everyone still in the running!
 
In case you guys are curious. When you get here you'll see a rather ugly building (Penn Tower) being demolished. I just found pics today of the building being constructed in its place - a 700-bed extension of HUP. Penn is always expanding!




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In case you guys are curious. When you get here you'll see a rather ugly building (Penn Tower) being demolished. I just found pics today of the building being constructed in its place - a 700-bed extension of HUP. Penn is always expanding!
It may have been an ugly building but that Potbelly's was the best
 
Is penn receptive to pre interview updates? I feel like after this week they probably wont be sending out anymore IIs. I still don't have the SOD and it's been my top choice for years
 
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