2016-2017 Pennsylvania State University Application Thread

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Just received secondary today but my applicant portal says "No Letters of Recomendation have been submitted." AMCAS transmitted them 2 weeks ago. :/ Are you guys having this issue too?
 
I just got it too.

nyc.pre.med said:
Just got the secondary too- I'm IS. And the e-mail looks the same as the person who posted before that people didn't believe...
Click to expand...

It's not that I didn't believe her about the secondary. I just wanted to point out that she was very obviously posting on two accounts (probably to prove she wasn't lying because her feelings got hurt when someone called her a troll.)
 
Secondary received! Woot woot! Finally! I went here for undergrad & it's one of my top choices!
 
I finally got my secondary too! Just got an email a minute ago. 😀
 
1. Is there a unique aspect of your application that should be considered by the admissions committee? (Maximum 75 words)
2. Explain why you decided to apply to Penn State College of Medicine. (Maximum 75 words)
3. Please write a short paragraph describing a significant experience you have had working in a team setting. (Maximum 250 words)
4. Briefly describe an experience where you had to navigate a complex system (e.g. personal experience, group activity, or development of a project) to achieve an end. Reflect on the qualities and attributes required by you to achieve success in this experience. (Maximum 250 words)

@WedgeDawg
 
Does anyone know what the "Regional Campus Track" is that they mention? Is it different from studying at Hershey?
 
I have a question guys. I know that these accelerated 3 year MD programs are not binding, and these decisions are not made after you get accepted, but can you select more than one program? For instance, if I'm interested in both family medicine and emergency medicine, but unsure of where to go yet, can I check two? Also, once you are accepted to the school, can you enroll in one of these programs if you wish later?
 
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someday...8181 said:
I have a question guys. I know that these accelerated 3 year MD programs are not binding, and these decisions are not made after you get accepted, but can you select more than one program? For instance, if I'm interested in both family medicine and emergency medicine, but unsure of where to go yet, can I check two? Also, once you are accepted to the school, can you enroll in one of these programs if you wish later?
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Edit: I just saw that they accept only 4 for FM and 1 for EM track.... haha
 
For the 4-year track essay section it states to Please provide your brief thoughts (no more than 100 words) discussing two points. The word count meter only allows 75 words 😢
 
sleepyturtle said:
Just received secondary today but my applicant portal says "No Letters of Recomendation have been submitted." AMCAS transmitted them 2 weeks ago. :/ Are you guys having this issue too?
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Yeah, it'll probably take time. I noticed that about many schools this cycle actually, not sure if it's just me but it seemed like last cycle schools had letters uploaded before the secondary was sent (assuming AMCAS had them), and it seems like this cycle they wait until they have your money and secondary submitted. Maybe to lessen work for the school, in case people decide not to actually do the secondary? Just my thoughts lol since Penn State doesn't have my LORs uploaded either, and I was verified 6/14 with my last letter being confirmed 6/21
 
1. Is there a unique aspect of your application that should be considered by the admissions committee? (Maximum 75 words)

is this asking for a really short diversity essay?
 
Cotterpin said:
I just got it too.



It's not that I didn't believe her about the secondary. I just wanted to point out that she was very obviously posting on two accounts (probably to prove she wasn't lying because her feelings got hurt when someone called her a troll.)
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Well honestly you're wrong and it's kind of sad you can't admit it. Idk who Emily is, but her and I both received secondaries, and we coincidently posted about it for our first post. Don't make such sweeping assumptions or you're gonna make an ass of youself.
 
Does anyone know why the "letters of recommendation" portion of the status check might show up as incomplete?
 
generotti21 said:
Well honestly you're wrong and it's kind of sad you can't admit it. Idk who Emily is, but her and I both received secondaries, and we coincidently posted about it for our first post. Don't make such sweeping assumptions or you're gonna make an ass of youself.
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You also coincidentally had the exact same defensive reaction, right down to the punctuation, when somebody thought you were a troll. I'm just enjoying watching you scramble over nothing, honestly. If it's not true, then don't be so bothered by it.
 
If you want to apply for the regional campus 4-year program, you are still eligible for admission to the regular program, correct? I would love to attend the program at University Park but want to make sure if I don't get accepted there I still will be considered for the regular program. This is what the secondary appears to say but I was unable to confirm it on the website.
 
If you have already taken your MCAT and will not be taking it again, which option did you choose for this question:

"If you are planning on taking the MCAT after you submit your Secondary Application, do you want to hold processing of your admission application until receipt of these scores (see instructions)?"
1)NO, begin processing my application immediately
2)I do not plan to take the MCAT after I submit my Secondary Application
 
Some questions also ask if we are interested in being considered for the 3+3 EM or 3+7 Neuro programs. If we select "yes", will we be excluded from regular admissions?

(Basically, I'm asking if it's possible to get denied from all of the special programs but still accepted into the regular MD program)
 
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radioactive15 said:
Some questions also ask if we are interested in being considered for the 3+3 EM or 3+7 Neuro programs. If we select "yes", will we be excluded from regular admissions?

Can I put "Yes" for more than 1 if I want to be considered for multiple options without it affecting my regular admissions chances?

(Basically, I'm asking if it's possible to get denied from all of the special programs but still accepted into the regular MD program)
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My assumption is that you will be accepted in to the regular MD program before being considered for the special programs, but I could be wrong.
 
So looking at the secondary, I am realizing for the first time (it's not anywhere on their website as far as I can see) that if you have one or more years of employment at the time of application, you are required to submit a letter from a work supervisor in addition to the committee letter. I don't even know if it's worth if for me to try to get another letter from someone else at this point. My manager for the last year just quit three weeks ago (not that I think she'd be able to write a coherent letter on letterhead in a reasonable time frame anyway) and the new supervisor doesn't take over until August 1st. All of my other years of work experience occurred before 2012 and I'm completely out of touch with my old bosses and at least half of my old employers are now out of business. My applications are complete at 26 other schools.... should I just cut my losses rather than trying to coax a decent letter out of someone I haven't spoken to in 5+ years?
 
Cotterpin said:
So looking at the secondary, I am realizing for the first time (it's not anywhere on their website as far as I can see) that if you have one or more years of employment at the time of application, you are required to submit a letter from a work supervisor in addition to the committee letter. I don't even know if it's worth if for me to try to get another letter from someone else at this point. My manager for the last year just quit three weeks ago (not that I think she'd be able to write a coherent letter on letterhead in a reasonable time frame anyway) and the new supervisor doesn't take over until August 1st. All of my other years of work experience occurred before 2012 and I'm completely out of touch with my old bosses and at least half of my old employers are now out of business. My applications are complete at 26 other schools.... should I just cut my losses rather than trying to coax a decent letter out of someone I haven't spoken to in 5+ years?
Click to expand...

Before you do that, my suggestion would be call the admissions office to ask them if it is okay that you do not submit that work rec. if not, then maybe cut it. But thanks for letting me know, I too have to make same decision as you. Did not know this was true.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
 
yellowbottlesippin said:
Before you do that, my suggestion would be call the admissions office to ask them if it is okay that you do not submit that work rec. if not, then maybe cut it. But thanks for letting me know, I too have to make same decision as you. Did not know this was true.
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Yeah, that's a good idea. I should probably call just in case. But I doubt they would let me not submit a work letter considering I'm a non-trad with like 15 years of work experience. Hope you have an easier time with it than me!
 
If I worked as a Medical Assistant and Medical Scribe alongside physicians, a physician should count as a supervisor, yes? I already have these 2 letters sent to Penn State, and I really do not want to track down my bosses... I just thought that a LOR from a physician would be more meaningful
 
Cotterpin said:
Yeah, that's a good idea. I should probably call just in case. But I doubt they would let me not submit a work letter considering I'm a non-trad with like 15 years of work experience. Hope you have an easier time with it than me!
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Oh wow. Well I wish you good luck too with your application process and ultimately your career change.
 
sleepyturtle said:
Just received secondary today but my applicant portal says "No Letters of Recomendation have been submitted." AMCAS transmitted them 2 weeks ago. :/ Are you guys having this issue too?
Click to expand...

SaintBernard1 said:
Does anyone know why the "letters of recommendation" portion of the status check might show up as incomplete?
Click to expand...

Mine are incomplete as well, I sent them to Penn State weeks ago. I am assuming they are updating manually due to their specific LOR requirements and it is taking longer?
 
Cotterpin said:
Yeah, that's a good idea. I should probably call just in case. But I doubt they would let me not submit a work letter considering I'm a non-trad with like 15 years of work experience. Hope you have an easier time with it than me!
Click to expand...
Anxious Affect said:
If I worked as a Medical Assistant and Medical Scribe alongside physicians, a physician should count as a supervisor, yes? I already have these 2 letters sent to Penn State, and I really do not want to track down my bosses... I just thought that a LOR from a physician would be more meaningful
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Sorry, I ready your post right away and thought I also needed one. It does state you must be full-time for one year to require a LOR. I was only part-time for one year.

It states:
*Checkbox* "I have completed one or more years of graduate study or full time employment at the time of this application and confirm that the letter(s) of recommendation submitted to AMCAS include at least one additional letter of recommendation from a member of the graduate faculty or work supervisor."
 
Anxious Affect said:
Mine are incomplete as well, I sent them to Penn State weeks ago. I am assuming they are updating manually due to their specific LOR requirements and it is taking longer?
Click to expand...

Second that. Since they had the LOR section on the secondary, I'm guessing they will go off of what you selected there...I have a Pre-health Committee letter, which was submitted a month ago...
 
Also, sorry if this is just me, but I am having trouble completely understanding the Regional Campus 4-year track... It seems like the curriculum is still in the works because it is new. And it seems the "five Student Design Partners” section was accidentally left in the description from last year, because I am pretty sure none of us will be accepted in time to start developing a curriculum next month hah.

Are these few, accepted students separated from the remainder of the class for 4 years? Can anyone provide any insight?
 
Just got my secondary today! 🙂

Is the "unique aspect" an optional essay, or is it a really, really short diversity essay?
 
radioactive15 said:
If you have already taken your MCAT and will not be taking it again, which option did you choose for this question:

"If you are planning on taking the MCAT after you submit your Secondary Application, do you want to hold processing of your admission application until receipt of these scores (see instructions)?"
1)NO, begin processing my application immediately
2)I do not plan to take the MCAT after I submit my Secondary Application
Click to expand...
bump
 
littledreamer said:
Just got my secondary today! 🙂

Is the "unique aspect" an optional essay, or is it a really, really short diversity essay?
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Well, I suppose technically it's a yes/no question, haha. But really the school is asking you, "Why are you special?" and given that it's presented on the same page as the others and there's no explicit indication that it's optional, it would be wise to answer. And yes, diversity might be one good angle (that's what I did), but maybe there was a challenging aspect to some activity/project on your app that you wish to describe.

radioactive15 said:
bump
Click to expand...
Also 2.

Edit: Submitted my secondary here, my last one! Onward to the next phase!😀
 
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djokingaround said:
1. Is there a unique aspect of your application that should be considered by the admissions committee? (Maximum 75 words)

is this asking for a really short diversity essay?
Click to expand...

not sure, i was gonna write about my extensive research experience
 
So I paid the application fee but the page still says incomplete. Is anyone else having this problem?
 
"Briefly describe an experience where you had to navigate a complex system (e.g. personal experience, group activity, or development of a project) to achieve an end. Reflect on the qualities and attributes required by you to achieve success in this experience"

anyone know if this is referring to academic or not? i wanted to write about preparing a manuscript as first author
 
medbunny56 said:
"Briefly describe an experience where you had to navigate a complex system (e.g. personal experience, group activity, or development of a project) to achieve an end. Reflect on the qualities and attributes required by you to achieve success in this experience"

anyone know if this is referring to academic or not? i wanted to write about preparing a manuscript as first author
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Think this question is fairly open ended! So yeah that'd be awesome!


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medbunny56 said:
"Briefly describe an experience where you had to navigate a complex system (e.g. personal experience, group activity, or development of a project) to achieve an end. Reflect on the qualities and attributes required by you to achieve success in this experience"

anyone know if this is referring to academic or not? i wanted to write about preparing a manuscript as first author
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It's definitely not just academic , go for it!
 
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