2016-2017 SUNY - Upstate Application Thread

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Hi, does anyone know if SUNY Upstate is receptive to updates such as a new job or grades after having been placed on pre-II hold?

If I'm not mistaken, the only time they ask for updates is post-interview. Before going on our tour, an adcom member (J. Welch) said to send updates.

Bad weather here in the 'Cuse tonight. Let's get used to it

That's fine. It won't be snowing in the library. hahaha....hah... 🙁:bookworm:
 
I hope admissions meets for post interview decisions before Thanksgiving arrives! Knowing that I'm up next is nerve-wracking.
 
If I'm not mistaken, the only time they ask for updates is post-interview. Before going on our tour, an adcom member (J. Welch) said to send updates.



That's fine. It won't be snowing in the library. hahaha....hah... 🙁:bookworm:
Thanks.
 
Come on adcoms, another day with no portal clear!? This wait kinda sucks :nailbiting:. Looks like I wont have any news before Thanksgiving, oh well..
 
Come on adcoms, another day with no portal clear!? This wait kinda sucks :nailbiting:. Looks like I wont have any news before Thanksgiving, oh well..
Idk if she mentioned it at your IV day but JW told us that no decisions would go out this week because of TG
 
Idk if she mentioned it at your IV day but JW told us that no decisions would go out this week because of TG
Thanks for the info, no I did not know this however after no change today I started to assume I wouldn't hear until next week.
 
Interviewing on November 30th. Will be in Syracuse at a hotel Tuesday night Nov 29th if anyone interviewing the next day as well wants to chill/explore the city. inbox me!
happy thanksgiving everyone
 
Is it to early for any movement off the "hold" list?
Hold list as in "Hold" or "High priority wait list"?

Interviewing on November 30th. Will be in Syracuse at a hotel Tuesday night Nov 29th if anyone interviewing the next day as well wants to chill/explore the city. inbox me!
happy thanksgiving everyone
Best of luck next Wednesday!! You'll surprisingly have a lot of fun.
 
Looking forward to 12/7. My top choice, hope there's a seat for me! :xf::nailbiting:


PM if you want to get a meal/drink in Syracuse
 
I have an interview on 11/30. I was thinking I should apply to the RMSP because I do have a lot of experience and am interested in rural medicine. Is it too late for me to fill out this application?
 
I have an interview on 11/30. I was thinking I should apply to the RMSP because I do have a lot of experience and am interested in rural medicine. Is it too late for me to fill out this application?

I don't think it's too late, I recall them saying on interview day that if we decided to do the RMSP or MD/MPH that we could still even apply for it and come back to interview again for those programs specifically.... certainly should be able to add it now.


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I think I'll ask them during the interview if it is still okay to apply this late. In that case, I'll still have one day to apply (Dec. 1 being the deadline).
 
I think I'll ask them during the interview if it is still okay to apply this late. In that case, I'll still have one day to apply (Dec. 1 being the deadline).

Keep in mind that you may have to go back for the interview for that program if you don't have it arranged before your interview. Might not be a big deal if you live close to Syracuse. But would be a pain otherwise.


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Keep in mind that you may have to go back for the interview for that program if you don't have it arranged before your interview. Might not be a big deal if you live close to Syracuse. But would be a pain otherwise.


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Right. That's why I want to ask them during the interview. I don't think they will have reviewed, considered, and accepted my application for RMSP by 11/30 -- so whether or not I apply pre or post MD-interview, I will likely have to interview for RMSP sometime later on during the cycle. This makes things complicated and perhaps a better question for the interviewers.
 
Right. That's why I want to ask them during the interview. I don't think they will have reviewed, considered, and accepted my application for RMSP by 11/30 -- so whether or not I apply pre or post MD-interview, I will likely have to interview for RMSP sometime later on during the cycle. This makes things complicated and perhaps a better question for the interviewers.

I would try to get it straightened out before your interview, especially if you live relatively far from Upstate. This would avoid any re-visits needed down the road. They may even be able to do a phone interview.

The actual "application" of RMSP is pretty straightforward. There are a few questions that should not take you longer than 10-15 minutes.

If you have any questions, please feel free to PM me.
 
Anyone who interviewed after 10/17 have a portal clear or hear back yet?
 
I have an interview on 11/30. I was thinking I should apply to the RMSP because I do have a lot of experience and am interested in rural medicine. Is it too late for me to fill out this application?
The RMed program is also something you can get involved with post-matriculation, if you're on the fence.
 
It is not uncommon for it to clear on Tuesdays or even Wednesdays.

Best of luck! I hope you hear back soon!
Yeah, I've been uncharacteristically impatient lately! I needa stop checking sdn. I never thought I'd turn into looking like a classic neurotic sdner :laugh:
 
Yeah, I've been uncharacteristically impatient lately! I needa stop checking sdn. I never thought I'd turn into looking like a classic neurotic sdner :laugh:
Just remember that regardless of when other people are finding out, that does not affect when you find out. Checking SDN can only make you more anxious if you are trying to piece together the information.

They'll let you know whenever they've reached a decision. Stay positive 🙂
 
Just remember that regardless of when other people are finding out, that does not affect when you find out. Checking SDN can only make you more anxious if you are trying to piece together the information.

They'll let you know whenever they've reached a decision. Stay positive 🙂
True, but unfortunate words.



Hang in there, everyone. You will know soon!
 
Yeah, I've been uncharacteristically impatient lately! I needa stop checking sdn. I never thought I'd turn into looking like a classic neurotic sdner :laugh:
Haha, happens to the best of us. I think at some point (if not now, then later) we will reach this level.

I finally reached a point where I stopped checking SDN, reddit, and the portal. It's easy to say retrospectively, but checking it will not influence the timeliness of your decision.

It was relieving to not "care" enough to check anymore.
 
Hate to -> :beat:

but as someone interviewing very soon, can I get the basic rundown of the post-interview timeline? I see references to portals clearing and the like...
 
Hate to -> :beat:

but as someone interviewing very soon, can I get the basic rundown of the post-interview timeline? I see references to portals clearing and the like...

People noticed that the "Congratulations on being selected for an interview..." section of their portal would disappear a few weeks after interviewing. This is rumored to mean that the admissions committee made a decision regarding your application. This is because the school usually emails applicants about whether they've been accepted or not a couple days after the portal "clears".
 
Hate to -> :beat:

but as someone interviewing very soon, can I get the basic rundown of the post-interview timeline? I see references to portals clearing and the like...

1. Interview-good luck!
2. Complete campus preference form- If you don't then they wont make a decision on you.
3. Portal Clears- The time frame is different for everyone. Some people's portal clear faster than others in the same interview group. It doesn't mean you're rejected or accepted.
4. Decision Made- Some hear via portal, others via email. Some people hear a day after portal clears others a couple of days..maybe even a week.

If you've been accepted you should get your packet in the mail within a few days, depending on your location.
 
1. Interview-good luck!
2. Complete campus preference form- If you don't then they wont make a decision on you.
3. Portal Clears- The time frame is different for everyone. Some people's portal clear faster than others in the same interview group. It doesn't mean you're rejected or accepted.
4. Decision Made- Some hear via portal, others via email. Some people hear a day after portal clears others a couple of days..maybe even a week.

If you've been accepted you should get your packet in the mail within a few days, depending on your location.
Nicely said!
 
Does anyone know if upstate has a second look weekend? I didn't have much time in Syracuse, and students were on break when I interviewed, so I'd love to get a better feel for the school and area

@Monophasic?
 
is the interview purely MMI or is there an additional station for traditional interview questions
While I won't specifically answer on Upstate's MMI, I'll give a general answer.

Short answer: expect everything.

Longer answer: MMIs can have any station. The stations are typically ethical scenarios, situational actors, task-oriented, conversational, a traditional interview, writing, and everything in between.

If you are asking for MMI preparation, I highly advise you to also prep for the more notable and common traditional interview questions. Keep in mind the station is only ~6 minutes long so any traditional interview question station will not be an interrogation. It's better to be over prepared than caught on your heels.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to respond or PM.
 
Anyone have any insight into Upstate vs Stony Brook?


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I have some subjective non-academic thoughts on the two. I grew up near Long Island and with most of my family living there. I expected to love Stony Brook, but I was disappointed. It may have just been my interview day and the people I happened to meet (the other applicants weren't very outgoing, our tour guides didn't vibe together), but it didn't feel like people were happy to be IN (not necessarily at) Stony Brook. When I asked what people do on the weekends, the response was "A lot of people go to the city on the weekends" or "I visit family." I currently live even closer to the city than Stony Brook, and it wouldn't be cheap or a breeze to take the train in and stay with friends every weekend. So I don't consider a 1.5 hour train ride to a nearby city to be a major "pro" of any school, although a minor one. When I drove around afterwards, there was almost nothing to do in the area. Port Jeff has some restaurants and shops but it was a 15 min drive and it's still not much. I would love to live in Stony Brook if I had a family, but it's not where I want to be in my early 20's. That being said, I absolutely loved my interviewers and acknowledge that Stony Brook has bigger name recognition and better research funding, so I'm going to revisit.

I had the exact opposite experience with Upstate. I expected to find the area desolate and boring and the school to be meh, but I was really impressed. All of the tour guides were funny, happy and friendly. They talked about all of the fun things that they like to do on the weekends, with each other and around Syracuse. The vibe was just genuinely fun there. During the MMI, we high fived each other when we passed each other in the hallway. I also took some time to explore Syracuse (Marshall Street, Armory Square), and the city itself doesn't compare to NYC but it is definitely a small city - restaurants, breweries, stores. Having SU literally across the street also made the area feel vibrant and young. To be fair, I interviewed on a beautiful fall day and not in the cold winter, so that may bias me a bit.

Obviously the pros and cons of a school are unique to each person, but I'm fairly confident that I can get a great education at any school, so "feel" definitely matters to me. I plan to give both schools another look, but I hope this helps you sort through your own thoughts!
 
I have some subjective non-academic thoughts on the two. I grew up near Long Island and with most of my family living there. I expected to love Stony Brook, but I was disappointed. It may have just been my interview day and the people I happened to meet (the other applicants weren't very outgoing, our tour guides didn't vibe together), but it didn't feel like people were happy to be IN (not necessarily at) Stony Brook. When I asked what people do on the weekends, the response was "A lot of people go to the city on the weekends" or "I visit family." I currently live even closer to the city than Stony Brook, and it wouldn't be cheap or a breeze to take the train in and stay with friends every weekend. So I don't consider a 1.5 hour train ride to a nearby city to be a major "pro" of any school, although a minor one. When I drove around afterwards, there was almost nothing to do in the area. Port Jeff has some restaurants and shops but it was a 15 min drive and it's still not much. I would love to live in Stony Brook if I had a family, but it's not where I want to be in my early 20's. That being said, I absolutely loved my interviewers and acknowledge that Stony Brook has bigger name recognition and better research funding, so I'm going to revisit.

I had the exact opposite experience with Upstate. I expected to find the area desolate and boring and the school to be meh, but I was really impressed. All of the tour guides were funny, happy and friendly. They talked about all of the fun things that they like to do on the weekends, with each other and around Syracuse. The vibe was just genuinely fun there. During the MMI, we high fived each other when we passed each other in the hallway. I also took some time to explore Syracuse (Marshall Street, Armory Square), and the city itself doesn't compare to NYC but it is definitely a small city - restaurants, breweries, stores. Having SU literally across the street also made the area feel vibrant and young. To be fair, I interviewed on a beautiful fall day and not in the cold winter, so that may bias me a bit.

Obviously the pros and cons of a school are unique to each person, but I'm fairly confident that I can get a great education at any school, so "feel" definitely matters to me. I plan to give both schools another look, but I hope this helps you sort through your own thoughts!

This is a great review of both areas - thanks for your input!


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Ha, think we might have high fived each other.
 
I have some subjective non-academic thoughts on the two. I grew up near Long Island and with most of my family living there. I expected to love Stony Brook, but I was disappointed. It may have just been my interview day and the people I happened to meet (the other applicants weren't very outgoing, our tour guides didn't vibe together), but it didn't feel like people were happy to be IN (not necessarily at) Stony Brook. When I asked what people do on the weekends, the response was "A lot of people go to the city on the weekends" or "I visit family." I currently live even closer to the city than Stony Brook, and it wouldn't be cheap or a breeze to take the train in and stay with friends every weekend. So I don't consider a 1.5 hour train ride to a nearby city to be a major "pro" of any school, although a minor one. When I drove around afterwards, there was almost nothing to do in the area. Port Jeff has some restaurants and shops but it was a 15 min drive and it's still not much. I would love to live in Stony Brook if I had a family, but it's not where I want to be in my early 20's. That being said, I absolutely loved my interviewers and acknowledge that Stony Brook has bigger name recognition and better research funding, so I'm going to revisit.

I had the exact opposite experience with Upstate. I expected to find the area desolate and boring and the school to be meh, but I was really impressed. All of the tour guides were funny, happy and friendly. They talked about all of the fun things that they like to do on the weekends, with each other and around Syracuse. The vibe was just genuinely fun there. During the MMI, we high fived each other when we passed each other in the hallway. I also took some time to explore Syracuse (Marshall Street, Armory Square), and the city itself doesn't compare to NYC but it is definitely a small city - restaurants, breweries, stores. Having SU literally across the street also made the area feel vibrant and young. To be fair, I interviewed on a beautiful fall day and not in the cold winter, so that may bias me a bit.

Obviously the pros and cons of a school are unique to each person, but I'm fairly confident that I can get a great education at any school, so "feel" definitely matters to me. I plan to give both schools another look, but I hope this helps you sort through your own thoughts!

I had very similar feelings after interviewing at both schools in the same week. Although, in my experience at SB, the other interviewees and tour guides were generally friendly and outgoing, but the people seemed to be much more full of themselves at SB. The interviewees spent most of the time talking about other places they interviewed at and their impressive sounding research/ other experiences. I am also from LI (south shore, Nassau.) I also didn't really like how everyone seemed to hate on the area SB is in.. BUT I was personally impressed with the school itself and faculty I met. 4 to 1 Anatomy labs is nice and SB does have a good reputation.

At upstate people were a lot more laid back and I think likely to be more collaborative. No one was bragging about all of their interviews or impressive ECs.

On paper I always thought SB would be at the top of my list but after visiting both IDK, I might be leaning more towards upstate. They are both fantastic IMO and I would be overjoyed to go to either. I would definitely need to do some second looks though before deciding!

This is a great review of both areas - thanks for your input!


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Does anyone know if upstate has a second look weekend? I didn't have much time in Syracuse, and students were on break when I interviewed, so I'd love to get a better feel for the school and area

@Monophasic?
Yes Upstate has a second look day. It will be in April. The school will email you about RSVPing and will provide more info later, probably in February.
 
I have some subjective non-academic thoughts on the two. I grew up near Long Island and with most of my family living there. I expected to love Stony Brook, but I was disappointed. It may have just been my interview day and the people I happened to meet (the other applicants weren't very outgoing, our tour guides didn't vibe together), but it didn't feel like people were happy to be IN (not necessarily at) Stony Brook. When I asked what people do on the weekends, the response was "A lot of people go to the city on the weekends" or "I visit family." I currently live even closer to the city than Stony Brook, and it wouldn't be cheap or a breeze to take the train in and stay with friends every weekend. So I don't consider a 1.5 hour train ride to a nearby city to be a major "pro" of any school, although a minor one. When I drove around afterwards, there was almost nothing to do in the area. Port Jeff has some restaurants and shops but it was a 15 min drive and it's still not much. I would love to live in Stony Brook if I had a family, but it's not where I want to be in my early 20's. That being said, I absolutely loved my interviewers and acknowledge that Stony Brook has bigger name recognition and better research funding, so I'm going to revisit.

I had the exact opposite experience with Upstate. I expected to find the area desolate and boring and the school to be meh, but I was really impressed. All of the tour guides were funny, happy and friendly. They talked about all of the fun things that they like to do on the weekends, with each other and around Syracuse. The vibe was just genuinely fun there. During the MMI, we high fived each other when we passed each other in the hallway. I also took some time to explore Syracuse (Marshall Street, Armory Square), and the city itself doesn't compare to NYC but it is definitely a small city - restaurants, breweries, stores. Having SU literally across the street also made the area feel vibrant and young. To be fair, I interviewed on a beautiful fall day and not in the cold winter, so that may bias me a bit.

Obviously the pros and cons of a school are unique to each person, but I'm fairly confident that I can get a great education at any school, so "feel" definitely matters to me. I plan to give both schools another look, but I hope this helps you sort through your own thoughts!

This is actually very helpful- thank you!! I'm actually from Syracuse and to be honest, it seems like the schools are relatively comparable in terms of overall quality but that there is absolutely more to do in Syracuse/surrounding areas than in Stony Brook. Plus Stony Brook is more expensive and 4-6 hours away from my family. Anyone else have input?


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