2015-2016 University of Pittsburgh Application Thread

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I noticed on the SDN Interview Feedback page that interviewees also met with the Dean of Admissions on interview day. Is this still a part of the Pitt interview day? I know there's 1 interview with a faculty member, 1 with a med student, and then a mock PBL. Wasn't sure if there's also another meeting with the Dean. Thanks for any info!
 
I noticed on the SDN Interview Feedback page that interviewees also met with the Dean of Admissions on interview day. Is this still a part of the Pitt interview day? I know there's 1 interview with a faculty member, 1 with a med student, and then a mock PBL. Wasn't sure if there's also another meeting with the Dean. Thanks for any info!
For my interview, the dean was supposed to be there but he was out on a trip. So it's still part of the interview day! It wasn't going to be like an interview though. Just a hello/welcome type of thing.
 
I noticed on the SDN Interview Feedback page that interviewees also met with the Dean of Admissions on interview day. Is this still a part of the Pitt interview day? I know there's 1 interview with a faculty member, 1 with a med student, and then a mock PBL. Wasn't sure if there's also another meeting with the Dean. Thanks for any info!
Yep! On our itinerary it said we were gonna meet (as a group) with either Dr. Beth Piraino (Associate Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid) or Dr. Kanchan Rao (Assistant Dean of Admissions). The latter stopped by the admissions office before our tour, talked a little bit about the school, and had us all introduce ourselves and talk about something we do for fun. It was very low stress.

Dr. Piraino wasn't scheduled to meet with us but she stopped by after (or was it before? I can't remember) one of our info sessions in the afternoon too. Again, very low stress, she just wanted to introduce herself to the interviewees and asked if we had any questions for her.
 
I want to send my student interviewer a thank you, but I do not have her contact info. Did anyone else have the same problem? Did you contact the office to get the information?
 
I want to send my student interviewer a thank you, but I do not have her contact info. Did anyone else have the same problem? Did you contact the office to get the information?
You can send thank you notes to office of admissions and they will direct it as necessary.
 
Yes! I am pretty easy to figure out, but I have nothing to hide. I did meet a girl that loves immunology. 😉

OMG I love you... I suppose I'm not particularly stealthy either! Well, it was a pleasure to make your acquaintance! You are lovely here, and even lovelier in person!

edit: But I really do love immunology-- I suppose I'm a little pathetic about it, really...
 
OMG I love you... I suppose I'm not particularly stealthy either! Well, it was a pleasure to make your acquaintance! You are lovely here, and even lovelier in person!

edit: But I really do love immunology-- I suppose I'm a little pathetic about it, really...
Likewise!!! I am glad that there was someone so down to earth at the interview. You helped calm my first interview jitters!! As for immunology, there is nothing pathetic about being all in for something you love. If, I mean, WHEN we both get in, you will have to teach me immuno because I don't know my B cells from my T cells.
 
Since they only release decisions on the 29th, do they want fall semester grades at all? I'm not sure if that counts as an "update"
 
Since they only release decisions on the 29th, do they want fall semester grades at all? I'm not sure if that counts as an "update"

Most schools don't ask for/need fall grades. You can feel free to send them if they are a significant improvement/feel like you really need to.
 
Which restaurant?

I think it was called How Lee. There's an authentic menu that's amazing (there's also the American menu, which my student host kindly swayed me away from). Let's just say the shredded beef and the chicken dish were epic. I live in a foodie town and haven't found a place that comes even close. Now I know it's silly to pick a school based on the local food fare, but WOW.
 
I think it was called How Lee. There's an authentic menu that's amazing (there's also the American menu, which my student host kindly swayed me away from). Let's just say the shredded beef and the chicken dish were epic. I live in a foodie town and haven't found a place that comes even close. Now I know it's silly to pick a school based on the local food fare, but WOW.

I recommend Sichuan Gourmet in Squirrel Hill. Conveniently open for those of us doing Christmas coverage in the hospital!
 
98% sure I'll be rejected. Guess we'll find out soon 😛
 
To anyone applying PSTP - Does anyone know if the PSTP admission committee has access to our AMCAS primary as well? Just wondering, since 2/3 of my potential LOR writers for the PSTP app already wrote LORs for me, and I'm fairly certain they'll reuse at least some part of the AMCAS LOR for it since they were both my PIs.
 
To anyone applying PSTP - Does anyone know if the PSTP admission committee has access to our AMCAS primary as well? Just wondering, since 2/3 of my potential LOR writers for the PSTP app already wrote LORs for me, and I'm fairly certain they'll reuse at least some part of the AMCAS LOR for it since they were both my PIs.

Apparently it's two completely different processes and they do not access you Pitt app at all (as in- the LORs can be identical and they won't care).
 
I sent a thank you letter for my faculty interviewer to the admissions office email and also did not receive a reply
I have only interviewed at 2 schools thus far, but did not receive replies to my thank you letters either. I did not really expect to- they probably receive so many letters that it would be a major pain to respond to them all. I wouldn't be worried about that. As long as they received the email about updates, I'm not sure if I would be too concerned about a lack of response for that either, for the same reason.
 
I have only interviewed at 2 schools thus far, but did not receive replies to my thank you letters either. I did not really expect to- they probably receive so many letters that it would be a major pain to respond to them all. I wouldn't be worried about that. As long as they received the email about updates, I'm not sure if I would be too concerned about a lack of response for that either, for the same reason.
I think as long as the admissions office says they've forwarded your email, you're good. I've only ever gotten responses back for thank you notes from student interviewers, except for only 1 faculty interviewer (out of 7 schools) who emailed be back as well.
 
anybody sending grade updates post-interview? if so, how? should we got official ones sent via email?
 
anybody sending grade updates post-interview? if so, how? should we got official ones sent via email?
I was thinking about it (I posted earlier) but I guess they don't really care too much unless it's a significant change/improvement from how you've done before? That's not the case for me so it seems a bit like an unnecessary hassle for something they'll just glance at and toss aside, especially since I'm not combining it with any other updates.
 
If they interviewed you, then they found you academically capable, and it's unlikely another semester of exemplary grades will be of much benefit (though perhaps the exception is those for whom grades might have been an issue, but even then, I'd forgo it post-interview).
 
I was leaning towards doing it mostly because it would show interest but I guess if it's unlikely to do anything I not send in anything
 
I was leaning towards doing it mostly because it would show interest but I guess if it's unlikely to do anything I not send in anything
I sent an update letter last week (not regarding grades) and haven't heard back so who knows. Is it the norm not to receive confirmation?
 
I sent an update letter last week (not regarding grades) and haven't heard back so who knows. Is it the norm not to receive confirmation?

By mail? I did mid December as well and didn't receive any notice either. I
 
Of course I fall for it. How is life Immuno?!

No problem, I get caught in the hysteria too, but have recently become more like my balanced self. Except those moments of annoyance at not knowing my own fate in six months...

I'm just glad Pitt tells us earlier than most, so I can either start planning or check it off the ever-shrinking list of possibilities. All this waiting has made me realize I'd prefer to establish my fate sooner rather than hold out for a "better" school. Not sure if that's the impulse of impatience, or if I'll act on it, but it's an interesting observation. I guess I'm saying "I'm over it (the application process)".

How are you?
 
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