2016-2017 SUNY - Buffalo Application Thread

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the trend of people participating in the buffalo thread the last couple of years have been trending downwards...i just wish there's more activity here like other schools where they already have like 500 posts

Are fewer people applying to the school or just fewer SDN people?


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The lack of secondary questions certainly removes some discussion topics. Once more IIs go out maybe it'll get more lively?
 
Getting worried, I've always heard UB starts interviewing late august. I am IS and have good connections and no II yet. 🙁

UB evaluate applications in a random order. Pretty much lottery by a program at least from what they told me. This past year I know someone that applied within the first weeks, but did not get an invite until after me (I applied really late....like November late). And I know a decent amount of people got accepted from the last few interviews in late March and early April. With that said, I still see trends where they interview very very good applicants with stats like 3.8+/35+ early on. Also another trend I see is that reapplicants tend to get later interviews like in march and april.

Are fewer people applying to the school or just fewer SDN people?

class of 2020: 4490 completed application, 149 enrolled, 131 from IS, 65 from WNY, 42 from UB undergrad
class of 2019: 4362 completed application, 144 enrolled, 127 from IS, 61 from WNY, 35 from UB undergrad
class of 2018: 4201 completed application, 144 enrolled, 126 from IS, 30 from UB undergrad
class of 2017: 4090 completed application, 602 interviewed, 144 enrolled

So the amount of people that applied is not increasing like crazy. Hopefully the increase in class size wont change that this year. They keep the interviews to around 600 for all the previous years so I don't know if that will change as well for this year. my guess is that they may increase it but not a lot


The lack of secondary questions certainly removes some discussion topics. Once more IIs go out maybe it'll get more lively?

I really hope so but i wouldn't hold my breath...did that last cycle, ended up with an headache lol
 
Perhaps people are catching on that the new medical school will not be in their immediate academic future if they attend? I have a friend who is a current medical student and she said that they essentially lie to the incoming class every year in regard to when the new medical school is going to be finished. First it was fall 16', then fall 17'...she said that she has heard that it may open in the fall of 18'...maybe.

It's a good thing I don't care🙂
YEP! I was so excited it was opening fall 2017 for my year but now not until 2018 lol.
 
Buffalo does indeed use a completely random review process, which I suspect is why the thread has been notoriously dead for the past few years because there is no need to ask for complete dates, etc. In addition, while the new school will not be complete in time, it is still bringing a great deal of money, faculty, research and resources that will benefit all of its students, so it is still a huge plus!
 
umm...yes and no

money: although the funding seem to have increased the past 1-2 years (hence, name change of medical school), I have heard rumors from faculties that there is a gap between the funds received and funds needed for construction. How big? I have no idea, but i heard it is in tens of millions. But like I said I have no sources in writing, so it is a rumor, one to keep in mind. I'm sure this is not something uncommon for a construction of this magnitude. Is it affecting the medical student's education? no. Although, there is an increase in tuition this year. How big of an increase? Not enough to say no to this school, especially if you're IS. Another something to keep in mind, the university have this 2020 vision thing, and undergraduate have been getting increase of tuition every year for years now. So is this going to affect the medical school.? i don't know. So they have priorities funding wise, and students won't be their top, but again I don't think it will hurt the students besides students loans, at least for the immediate future

faculty: for people that don't know, most of the professors that teach the medical school are in their latter end of their career. Also, rumors from current medical students and faculties, a bunch (particularly the good ones) will be retiring very soon (within 5 years). So eventually the school will probably go through a transition period, if not already. So, yes the new medical school will attract new faculties and possibly improve the education. However, like all new things, this may fall completely flat (good professor retire->hire bad professor)....or vice versa, so its a gamble. When is this going to happen? once again, no idea. I'm just presenting what I know

research: if you think equipment, when the new medical school open, yes there will be spanking new equipments (i hope). But as long as the medical school is at the current location, it really depends on which department you're in. biochemistry and immunology you'll be fine. if you talk about research fields more in medicine like neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, and oncology, you'll be fine because most of these research are done in affiliation hospitals anyway. But if you're talking about fields that I did not mention (less popular fields in current days), I heard they will be downsized, as in currently one big lab with multiple benches to one bench at the new building? I don't think if this is the final plan, but I haven't heard of another plan sooooo yea. some faculties are not happy and some just don't care because "i got tenured b***h". im just kidding they didn't say that last part, but they sure act like thats how they feel tho

resources: tbh I don't think this will ever change in a medical student perspective, which is good. The affiliation will remain. I think the resources that UB provide is great and I don't think the new medical school will change that for better or for worse. Although it would make travel more convenient since now your rotations may be just across the street instead of a 20 minute drive. May not be much in the summer, but when it is snowing for 5 months straight and below zero for 8 months...this may be crucial

just my 0.02
 
It really is random I have connections, in state 4.0 GPA and 525 MCAT submitted 7/30
 
Congratulations. Now kick butt during your interview (your acceptance/ranking on the wait list is solely dependent upon how you perform). Have a better personality than most (including those with higher LizzyM's) and you're in!

Although I agree that the interview is important, I don't think the acceptance/ranking on waitlist is solely depended on it, but a good portion maybe like 35-50%
 
Congratulations. Now kick butt during your interview (your acceptance/ranking on the wait list is solely dependent upon how you perform). Have a better personality than most (including those with higher LizzyM's) and you're in!
Thanks! I've been through a few mock interviews and I'm pretty sure I'll do well. Of course I'm still nervous, but getting a II is a huge relief because I felt like my MCAT is dragging my application down.
 
When do they send out rejections I was complete in July but nothing. I wish they would at least send a rejection so I know lol.
 
anyone know the range of mcats for accepted OOS students? really wanna apply here and im at the lower end of their mcat range and OOS
 
anyone know the range of mcats for accepted OOS students? really wanna apply here and im at the lower end of their mcat range and OOS
I honestly don't think they prefer in state anymore. I am wondering if they are now trying to accept more OOS because it means more money for them. I know they are having MAJOR financial issues in opening the new medical school because of the budget. I know the dean and he said that you are considered is your MCAT is >508, but competitive is >511
 
When do they send out rejections I was complete in July but nothing. I wish they would at least send a rejection so I know lol.
It doesn't matter when you are complete, they do a random review process so it's just luck of the draw if you're reviewed earlier or in a few months.
 
Is it actually random? Or is that an exaggeration? That seems... Weird.
 
Is it actually random? Or is that an exaggeration? That seems... Weird.
They do not fill their class until AFTER the last interview day. Therefore, the person who interviews in April has the same chance of gaining an acceptance as the person who interviews in August; allowing the process to be random.
Can you be on hold or rejected without immediate notification? Certainly. However, an all star with a LizzyM of 82 may interview in April simply by chance while someone with a 60 may interview in October.
 
They do not fill their class until AFTER the last interview day. Therefore, the person who interviews in April has the same chance of gaining an acceptance as the person who interviews in August; allowing the process to be random.
Can you be on hold or rejected without immediate notification? Certainly. However, an all star with a LizzyM of 82 may interview in April simply by chance while someone with a 60 may interview in October.
This thread for the past few days --->:beat:
Thanks for putting it in indisputable terms lol
 
As an in-stater and alumni, I think I need to clear up some things:
1. If you get a rejection from UB, it won't be until at least November.
2. UB is a state-funded institution. Consequently, if they lose preference for in-staters...bye-bye funding.
3. An article was recently published in the Buffalo News stating that the class is growing by about 40 seats, most of which are dedicated towards allowing more students from WNY to attend medical school, thereby increasing WNY's chances of having home-grown physicians practicing nearby.
4. Yes, UB is experiencing funding troubles. However, you don't alleviate those funding troubles by losing your state funding (see #2).
5. I know in-staters at UB with LizzyM's in the very very low 60's. Out-of-staters...probably need to exceed that mark (significantly).
6. The process is random.

They do not fill their class until AFTER the last interview day. Therefore, the person who interviews in April has the same chance of gaining an acceptance as the person who interviews in August; allowing the process to be random.
Can you be on hold or rejected without immediate notification? Certainly. However, an all star with a LizzyM of 82 may interview in April simply by chance while someone with a 60 may interview in October.

Thank you, hopefully that puts it to rest lol
 
I honestly don't think they prefer in state anymore. I am wondering if they are now trying to accept more OOS because it means more money for them. I know they are having MAJOR financial issues in opening the new medical school because of the budget. I know the dean and he said that you are considered is your MCAT is >508, but competitive is >511
No offense, but just because you didn't get an interview doesn't mean they don't value is over oos. It's not about just stats. Sorry people don't like hearing that, but schools look for a lot more than just high stats.
 
I honestly don't think they prefer in state anymore. I am wondering if they are now trying to accept more OOS because it means more money for them. I know they are having MAJOR financial issues in opening the new medical school because of the budget. I know the dean and he said that you are considered is your MCAT is >508, but competitive is >511

not sure which dean you spoke to, but i know many current medical students at this school that had MCAT below 508 or 28....
 
No offense, but just because you didn't get an interview doesn't mean they don't value is over oos. It's not about just stats. Sorry people don't like hearing that, but schools look for a lot more than just high stats.

I agree that schools do employ holistic review processes but stats are still a key driver of interview invites.

https://www.aamc.org/download/261106/data/aibvol11_no6.pdf : A 2011 survey by AAMC indicates that academic factors are the top 3 factors in extending an interview.

From a logistical stand point, how do you quickly filter your applications so that you can give interview invitations in a timely manner? Metrics are the best way to do this - which is why the early interview invites skew heavily towards applicants with better GPA and MCAT's. As the season draws on and more time can be spent reviewing less-than-top-tier applicants - you'll see II love for the <70 LizzyM'ers.
 
I agree that schools do employ holistic review processes but stats are still a key driver of interview invites.

https://www.aamc.org/download/261106/data/aibvol11_no6.pdf : A 2011 survey by AAMC indicates that academic factors are the top 3 factors in extending an interview.

From a logistical stand point, how do you quickly filter your applications so that you can give interview invitations in a timely manner? Metrics are the best way to do this - which is why the early interview invites skew heavily towards applicants with better GPA and MCAT's. As the season draws on and more time can be spent reviewing less-than-top-tier applicants - you'll see II love for the <70 LizzyM'ers.
Right. But my point remains stats are necessary but not enough. There are plenty of high stats applicants with high level ecs that are mission based and impressive. Those are the real competitors. You can't complain you aren't receiving first wave iis if your argument is just that you have higher stats than others. The person I'm replying to, tried to shame a person who received an ii before her by stating essentially, "well it's obviously random because I'm is and my stats are WAY higher than yours." not cool. My two cents.
 
Hey guys, I really appreciated how others shared their interview experience and thought I would share for Jacobs.
I interviewed in late August and LOVED the school. It was my first interview so I was really nervous. Around 8:30AM we met in a conference room on the second floor, there were 19 interviewees. We met Donna and Mr. Rosso who gave us an intro about Jacobs, including the recent expansion of the new medical building in Downtown. I think they mentioned our class would start there during our second semester or second year (I forget exactly which). Our class size will be expanded from the typical 140 to 180. We received a helpful packet that Dr. Severin (Dean of Admission) put together that gives student testimonials about the school (there are a lot!), then Mr. Rosso gave us the tour. He's amazing, enthusiastic, and makes you feel at ease. We went to the brain museum and looked at brains affected by Alzheimer's and learned about the history of brain imaging techniques. We visited the microscope labs (5 people can view simultaneously!) and learned about the prior Dean, who is a really fascinating doctor and person. We then went to the computer lab and the cadaver labs. They mentioned 8 students/cadaver but soon it will be 6 students/cadaver! We then went to the simulation center which is awesome! There's a surgical room, several simulation dolls, and a control room where they can monitor you and see how you are doing. I'm definitely excited for the opportunity to do inter professional training, as nursing, pharmacy, PA students will also use this center. After that, we went to lunch. We met with Dr. Severin who showed us an awesome video of the new Jacobs building they are constructing in downtown. It looks amazing! There's a writing prompt (just one question) that we'll have to do in ten minutes before lunch. It was great interacting with the interviewees during the tour and lunch. I could definitely see them as my fellow classmates! Dr. Severin emphasized how collaborative Jacobs students are, and when we talked with students during lunch and while waiting for interviews, you could definitely see it practiced here! Interviews lasted between on average 20-45 minutes, with each of us having 2 interviews. Dr. Severin told us to be our authentic selves, as they want to see if you'll be a fit for this school. My interviewers really helped me be at ease and were very friendly. I hope you all have a great time interviewing as I did here!
 
Thanks for all this info. I interview Sept 14 - looking forward to it!

IS, non-trad, reapplicant, LizzyM score of 71/72 but a weird history. I'm also an RN.


Hey guys, I really appreciated how others shared their interview experience and thought I would share for Jacobs.
I interviewed in late August and LOVED the school. It was my first interview so I was really nervous. Around 8:30AM we met in a conference room on the second floor, there were 19 interviewees. We met Donna and Mr. Rosso who gave us an intro about Jacobs, including the recent expansion of the new medical building in Downtown. I think they mentioned our class would start there during our second semester or second year (I forget exactly which). Our class size will be expanded from the typical 140 to 180. We received a helpful packet that Dr. Severin (Dean of Admission) put together that gives student testimonials about the school (there are a lot!), then Mr. Rosso gave us the tour. He's amazing, enthusiastic, and makes you feel at ease. We went to the brain museum and looked at brains affected by Alzheimer's and learned about the history of brain imaging techniques. We visited the microscope labs (5 people can view simultaneously!) and learned about the prior Dean, who is a really fascinating doctor and person. We then went to the computer lab and the cadaver labs. They mentioned 8 students/cadaver but soon it will be 6 students/cadaver! We then went to the simulation center which is awesome! There's a surgical room, several simulation dolls, and a control room where they can monitor you and see how you are doing. I'm definitely excited for the opportunity to do inter professional training, as nursing, pharmacy, PA students will also use this center. After that, we went to lunch. We met with Dr. Severin who showed us an awesome video of the new Jacobs building they are constructing in downtown. It looks amazing! There's a writing prompt (just one question) that we'll have to do in ten minutes before lunch. It was great interacting with the interviewees during the tour and lunch. I could definitely see them as my fellow classmates! Dr. Severin emphasized how collaborative Jacobs students are, and when we talked with students during lunch and while waiting for interviews, you could definitely see it practiced here! Interviews lasted between on average 20-45 minutes, with each of us having 2 interviews. Dr. Severin told us to be our authentic selves, as they want to see if you'll be a fit for this school. My interviewers really helped me be at ease and were very friendly. I hope you all have a great time interviewing as I did here!
 
How long did it take everyone's application to become complete? I submitted on 8/11 and it still has not updated to being complete. I'm complete everywhere else basically so I'm getting antsy


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Hey guys, I really appreciated how others shared their interview experience and thought I would share for Jacobs.
I interviewed in late August and LOVED the school. It was my first interview so I was really nervous. Around 8:30AM we met in a conference room on the second floor, there were 19 interviewees. We met Donna and Mr. Rosso who gave us an intro about Jacobs, including the recent expansion of the new medical building in Downtown. I think they mentioned our class would start there during our second semester or second year (I forget exactly which). Our class size will be expanded from the typical 140 to 180. We received a helpful packet that Dr. Severin (Dean of Admission) put together that gives student testimonials about the school (there are a lot!), then Mr. Rosso gave us the tour. He's amazing, enthusiastic, and makes you feel at ease. We went to the brain museum and looked at brains affected by Alzheimer's and learned about the history of brain imaging techniques. We visited the microscope labs (5 people can view simultaneously!) and learned about the prior Dean, who is a really fascinating doctor and person. We then went to the computer lab and the cadaver labs. They mentioned 8 students/cadaver but soon it will be 6 students/cadaver! We then went to the simulation center which is awesome! There's a surgical room, several simulation dolls, and a control room where they can monitor you and see how you are doing. I'm definitely excited for the opportunity to do inter professional training, as nursing, pharmacy, PA students will also use this center. After that, we went to lunch. We met with Dr. Severin who showed us an awesome video of the new Jacobs building they are constructing in downtown. It looks amazing! There's a writing prompt (just one question) that we'll have to do in ten minutes before lunch. It was great interacting with the interviewees during the tour and lunch. I could definitely see them as my fellow classmates! Dr. Severin emphasized how collaborative Jacobs students are, and when we talked with students during lunch and while waiting for interviews, you could definitely see it practiced here! Interviews lasted between on average 20-45 minutes, with each of us having 2 interviews. Dr. Severin told us to be our authentic selves, as they want to see if you'll be a fit for this school. My interviewers really helped me be at ease and were very friendly. I hope you all have a great time interviewing as I did here!
Wow thanks so much for this!
 
I couldn't agree more. I've seen ORM's with LizzyM's in the low-t0-mid 60's with more ii's than those with LizzyM's in the high 70's. The new MCAT is supposed to accentuate the top of the bell curve (where success in medical school is more or less assured) and AAMC instructed medical schools to abide...perhaps schools are slowly changing their philosophies. For example, if a 63 is statistically proven to perform as well in medical school (or close to as well) as a 73, but the 63 has worked 40 hours a week during school, has amazing EC's, etc., then it makes perfect sense to pick the 63 over a 73.

LizzyM has more to do with privilege and background than ability, which explains why FAP applicants and URM's score 4 points below the national average for all test takers and 7 points below the average of medical school applicants.

Believing that you should receive an ii over someone else simply due to having a higher LizzyM involves a complete abandonment of everything you should have learned studying for the psych/soc section of the MCAT.

You can't field a successful football team full of Tom Brady's. It takes all kinds.

100% agree

but on a more serious matter....but you can have a team full of michael jordans and be successful.......plus Tom Brady wouldn't agree with your statement. as long as there are balls inflated to his liking he thinks he can play 1 on 11
 
Haha, I thought the same. Guess I got lucky in the random review process?

I have a 66.5 LizzyM score, but it might not actually be reflective of my stats since my BCMP GPA is higher (by .1) than my cumulative, and I was a humanities major.
Are you URM? No offense.
 
Ugh I hate how UB has the "random interview" process and doesn't evaluate applicants in order of submission. It sucks that if you apply in August you could have to wait until March for an interview. I think they will lose a lot of good candidates this way because they will have already interviewed and probably gotten acceptances by the time they are asked for an interview.
 
Ugh I hate how UB has the "random interview" process and doesn't evaluate applicants in order of submission. It sucks that if you apply in August you could have to wait until March for an interview. I think they will lose a lot of good candidates this way because they will have already interviewed and probably gotten acceptances by the time they are asked for an interview.
It's probably not that random. They likely filter based on stats and other ecs they want and review in that order. They probably aren't that worried about it since they obviously interview in the order of candidates they're most interested in
 
I honestly don't think they prefer in state anymore. I am wondering if they are now trying to accept more OOS because it means more money for them. I know they are having MAJOR financial issues in opening the new medical school because of the budget. I know the dean and he said that you are considered is your MCAT is >508, but competitive is >511

i have a 504 and i'm OOS 🙁
 
It's probably not that random. They likely filter based on stats and other ecs they want and review in that order. They probably aren't that worried about it since they obviously interview in the order of candidates they're most interested in
It. Is. RANDOM. I know a lot of people on the admissions committee including many faculty and I promise you this is a fact.
 
It. Is. RANDOM. I know a lot of people on the admissions committee including many faculty and I promise you this is a fact.
Ok. Relax.

Why is it completely random? What's their reasoning for that? Or did you not ask that?
 
For people who interviewed here, did you stay with a student or at a hotel? And if you stayed at a hotel, which one? Thanks!
 
Ok. Relax.

Why is it completely random? What's their reasoning for that? Or did you not ask that?
Sorry, I'm just getting tired of everyone posting the same thing which has clearly been explained multiple times.

I don't even think they know why it's random. One explanation I received was that because the secondary is just a form they get them back almost immediately and, thus, have a lot of applications coming in at the same time. Then, they send them to screeners electronically who could be anywhere in the country and who can ultimately review them at their own pace and in whatever order they choose. Each application is reviewed by 2 individuals and given either a yes or a no, and if you get 2 yes --> interview invite ; 1 yes, 1 no --> goes to a 3rd screener ; 2 no --> rejection. This means you could be waiting on 1 of 2 screeners for months or they may both happen to look at your application within the same week.

While some may think this is unfair, UB really will go through every single application and continues to offer competitive individuals interviews until spring. In fact, I happen to know more students who were interviewed after November than before, so the randomness truly has no bearing on whether or not you are offered an acceptance.
 
The reason for it being random is that they don't believe the time of submission should play a factor into the decision process or at least they try to minimize it. An example is maybe the applicant have to wait for his/her paycheck in order to pay the application fee. In this case, the applicant's time of submission may be delayed due to external factors (lack of finance), which potentially can hurt his/her otherwise great application. Another example is maybe there was a death in the family and emotionally can't get to finish the application. Finally, a common example is applicants with late MCATs and have to wait until september/october to get their score released. This random process tries to factor out as much external factors as possible and level the playing field with just the factors that they want to analyze. Obviously, there is still an advantage to applying early even though it is random process, which is that the earlier you submit your application the more chances you will get your application reviewed ->more chances to have an earlier interview-> MAYBE a less stringent post-II review.

For what @al22al22 say, I agree with the 2-3 individuals reviewing your app from what I heard. However, it is a little more than just yes or no. From what I heard, they do it by a point system and there is a threshold that each applicant have to pass in order to get invited, almost like grading your application as a test. So initially there are 2 graders (reviewers), if they both gave you a score that meet the threshold you get an interview. If 1 did and another didn't, you get send to a third grader. And finally, if both grader gave you a below threshold score initially, you're out.

But of course my 4.0 GPA, triple major and double minor 45 MCAT, 1324791038740914875 hours volunteer/shadowing, and experiences like delivering a baby while saving 300 people from a mass train wreck and teaching a chihuahua speak russian. I have nothing to be afraid of...🤣
 
For what @al22al22 say, I agree with the 2-3 individuals reviewing your app from what I heard. However, it is a little more than just yes or no. From what I heard, they do it by a point system and there is a threshold that each applicant have to pass in order to get invited, almost like grading your application as a test. So initially there are 2 graders (reviewers), if they both gave you a score that meet the threshold you get an interview. If 1 did and another didn't, you get send to a third grader. And finally, if both grader gave you a below threshold score initially, you're out.

I heard this too with the point system but I was told that it was after interviews that they use it. The interviewers present you to the decisions committee and afterwards each person in the room gives you a number based on a point scale and based on the results you are accepted, waitlisted or rejected.
 
Congrats! What date were you complete? Also stats, and URM or ORM?

Complete at the very end of August. I guess it really is random review. Not URM, non-trad. LizzyM = 72-73. Good luck to everyone waiting. The office is super friendly. They actually assign you a date in the interview invite but they allow you to change it if necessary. Interviews are only on Wednesdays, for those curious.
 
For people who interviewed here, did you stay with a student or at a hotel? And if you stayed at a hotel, which one? Thanks!

For me, I stayed at the Hilton Doubletree (10-15 minute drive from the med school). It was expensive at 109$, but there's free beer in the afternoon before 6:30PM (I also had free dinner too but that's not always guaranteed), workout room, and spacious rooms. plus they give you a warm cookie when you check in.
 
For me, I stayed at the Hilton Doubletree (10-15 minute drive from the med school). It was expensive at 109$, but there's free beer in the afternoon before 6:30PM (I also had free dinner too but that's not always guaranteed), workout room, and spacious rooms. plus they give you a warm cookie when you check in.

Haha thanks. The warm cookie sold me. Appreciate it!!


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