2019-2020 SUNY - Downstate

[audere-est-facere]

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This makes more sense for last year’s cycle. Many people received hold emails and later put on AL.

This cycle wayyyyy diff

but the catch is that we don't know how it's different

 

[golgibrain]

Hey guys, I was just looking through the portal again (mid jan interview; haven't heard anything) and found this on the FAQ that they link to:

"I received a decision email stating that my application is on hold after interview. Is this an alternate list?

The Alternate list placement is decided in late May. Generally, an applicant is first placed on the Hold list to be eligible for consideration for the Alternate list."

Link to FAQ: AMCAS Tips & FAQ's

Make of that what you will. Good luck to everyone.

I’m not sure I understand this. So being placed on hold post interview is like being placed under consideration for the alternate list? That just seems unnecessarily convoluted why not just make a bigger alternate list?

 

[je251089]

Nice catch. Didn't see that.

 

[medted]

May the 4th be with us!

 

[RedRabbit239]

Congratulations!

Wow right now (Sunday)?

Mind sharing if you applied MD or MD/MPH and when you interviewed?

MD only!


Sent from my iPhone using SDN

 

[RedRabbit239]

Congratulations. Will you be attending or withdrawing?

I am withdrawing!

Also I interviewed in December for those who asked. No LOI sent.

 

[techytechy]

I am withdrawing!

Also I interviewed in December for those who asked. No LOI sent.

Thank you for your service Oh RedRabbit

 

[LarsWorld]

I randomly check SDN to see hella notifications my heart STOPPED LMAO

End our suffering Downstate please.

 

[AnonymousDoctorGuyPerson]

I am withdrawing!

You put breath into my lungs. Good luck wherever you attend!

 

[AnonymousDoctorGuyPerson]

Those of you who emailed admissions before, approximately how long did it take to get a response?

I e-mailed an LOI (didn't know about the portal) on a Friday evening, like 4:30pm. Got a reply early that Monday. From what I gathered from other people, if you e-mail them with ~3 hours before end of business day they usually get back same day. If not, they seem to get back at least sometime next business day.

 

[golgibrain]

I e-mailed an LOI (didn't know about the portal) on a Friday evening, like 4:30pm. Got a reply early that Monday. From what I gathered from other people, if you e-mail them with ~3 hours before end of business day they usually get back same day

Okay thanks

 

[AnonymousDoctorGuyPerson]

No guarantee that I’ll actually get a clear response but I figured I had to try lol

"Thank you for contacting SUNY Downstate. Your application is still under review."

Unfortunately I'm not sure how much information the administration department has, or what they're allowed to divulge, but good luck! <3

 

[golgibrain]

"Thank you for contacting SUNY Downstate. Your application is still under review."

Unfortunately I'm not sure how much information the administration department has, or what they're allowed to divulge, but good luck! <3

Yea that’s what I mean most of the people in this thread who emailed admissions or called all got the same response that they’re still under review. And I’m sure they’re getting lots of emails asking for updates around this time In the cycle

 

[golgibrain]

Last week someone posted that admissions said that decisions will come out until June. I'm hoping that they will give in and finally give us a more specific time frame.

I feel like June was the generic answer they gave during interviews but idk how true it is because this cycle is different due to corona

 

[BreakfastFoods]

Looks like I'm starting my reapplication lol. Just going to assume I didn't get in for now.

 

[AnonymousDoctorGuyPerson]

Looks like I'm starting my reapplication lol. Just going to assume I didn't get in for now.

That's the safe thing to do, I hope you hear something back before you have to commit and pay the application fee.

 

[golgibrain]

Looks like I'm starting my reapplication lol. Just going to assume I didn't get in for now.

Better to prepare to reapply and end up not needing to than the other way around

 

[techytechy]

Random Q:

Do you guys submit ur FAFSA to schools that you have yet to hear back from just to expedite receiving the package if you get accepted?

 

[AnonymousDoctorGuyPerson]

Random Q:

Do you guys submit ur FAFSA to schools that you have yet to hear back from just to expedite receiving the package if you get accepted?

Yeah I submitted FAFSA to Downstate pretty much the first day Ic ould

 

[techytechy]

Yeah I submitted FAFSA to Downstate pretty much the first day Ic ould

Awesome! Thanks , will do the same rn... How about the entrance counseling?

 

[Medschoolbelle]

Awesome! Thanks , will do the same rn... How about the entrance counseling?

What's the entrance counseling?

 

[AnonymousDoctorGuyPerson]

Awesome! Thanks , will do the same rn... How about the entrance counseling?

I had already received a direct loan before so I've already done entrance counseling, I'd say do it now just to get it out of the way for sure.

 

[Medschoolbelle]

Do ppl that were accepted past 4/30 get their fin aid package right away?

 

[AnonymousDoctorGuyPerson]

What's the entrance counseling?

Entrance Counseling | Federal Student Aid

You must take entrance counseling in order to receive a federal student loan. The goal of entrance counseling is to help you understand what it means to take out federal student loan(s) and to ensure you understand your rights and responsibilities as a federal student loan borrower.

studentaid.gov

 

[Medschoolbelle]

Do

Entrance Counseling | Federal Student Aid

You must take entrance counseling in order to receive a federal student loan. The goal of entrance counseling is to help you understand what it means to take out federal student loan(s) and to ensure you understand your rights and responsibilities as a federal student loan borrower.

studentaid.gov

Do we have to submit a form?

 

[AnonymousDoctorGuyPerson]

Do
Do we have to submit a form?

It's essentially a 20 minute instructional section that tells you about loans (it's actually the same one you had to do in undergrad to take out loans as well), essentially making sure you understand what loans entail and what your obligations are. This is required to be eligible to take out subsidized/unsubsirized and PLUS loans.

I've only ever done it after being admitted to a program, so I'm not sure if that's required.

 

[techytechy]

It's essentially a 20 minute instructional section that tells you about loans (it's actually the same one you had to do in undergrad to take out loans as well), essentially making sure you understand what loans entail and what your obligations are. This is required to be eligible to take out subsidized/unsubsirized and PLUS loans.

I've only ever done it after being admitted to a program, so I'm not sure if that's required.

1) Does the way you answer it determine how much you get?

2) Is it ok to accept a package that a school sent you even though you are waiting to hear back from another? My A school said I have to accept within 2 weeks but idk when DS will let us about decisions..

 

[Medschoolbelle]

Id

1) Does the way you answer it determine how much you get?

2) Is it ok to accept a package that a school sent you even though you are waiting to hear back from another? My A school said I have to accept within 2 weeks but idk when DS will let us about decisions..

Idk the right answer but make sure you follow what you A school says.

 

[AnonymousDoctorGuyPerson]

1) Does the way you answer it determine how much you get?

2) Is it ok to accept a package that a school sent you even though you are waiting to hear back from another? My A school said I have to accept within 2 weeks but idk when DS will let us about decisions..

1) No I don't believe so. You're allowed to receive subsidized/unsubsidized loans up to a certain limit. How much you get will be determined by your FinAid. Direct PLUS loans will always go up to full COA I'm pretty sure, and I don't believe there's a limit.

2) I'd check with the school and see if accepting a package means you have to commit. I know that can be the case unfortunately sometimes (usually for scholarships, I'm pretty sure it's not usually the case for accepting subsidized/unsubsidized loans).

 

[AnonymousDoctorGuyPerson]

Actually, IIRC, med students are graduate students who only qualify for unsubsidized loans + GradPLUS loans. Not subsidized federal Stafford loans.

Ah okay, yeah I do recall that. I'm certainly at my limit of unsubsidized/subsidized anyways hahaha

 

[Premed10706]

Nervously awaiting any response from DS at this point. I interviewed in early February and haven't heard a thing.

 

[meddical]

Do we think there will be another wave of A's this week? Or just AL's at this point?

 

[pmd567]

Even if its an R i just want to know lol

 

[Medschoolbelle]

Even if its an R i just want to know lol

Keep the hope alive. Keep the flame burning

 

[AnonymousDoctorGuyPerson]

Do we think there will be another wave of A's this week? Or just AL's at this point?

I'm thinking As may trickle through all week. It's odd there hasnt been an AL at all formed yet though, wonder if/when theyll do so.

 

[techytechy]

I like to believe we are all in an unannounced Alt. list at this point. As people withdraw they send out As from this pseudo-AL

 

[why_not]

I like to believe we are all in an unannounced Alt. list at this point. As people withdraw they send out As from this pseudo-AL

Unfortunately, this makes a lot of sense.

 

[audere-est-facere]

I like to believe we are all in an unannounced Alt. list at this point. As people withdraw they send out As from this pseudo-AL

I think this is in agreement with what was said to us in the interview, unfortunately

 

[AnonymousDoctorGuyPerson]

The main purpose of the AL is allow potential applicants to start going through the checklist required for prematirculation. While I do agree everyone who survived the R wave last month is probably on this psuedo AL list of sorts I imagine theyll have to make it official soon, for checklist reasons and also to potentially see who is more interested in attending.


Either way I still have my hopes up for some more As tonight!

 

[LarsWorld]

Fingers crossed guys. Hopefully good news is coming soon!

 

[lalano1230]

The more and more I look at their timeline..it makes me go crazy on how we are stuck in early April phase.

How to Apply to the College of Medicine

 

[Medschoolbelle]

The more and more I look at their timeline..it makes me go crazy on how we are stuck in early April phase.

How to Apply to the College of Medicine

You meant early February? We haven't gotten alternate listing yet.

 

[lalano1230]

You meant early February? We haven't gotten alternate listing yet.

You're right. I just said early April in hopes of getting some kind of decision anytime soon.

This was in their FAQ and it makes me lol at this point..

14. I interviewed at Downstate. When can I expect to receive a final decision?
In general, the Admissions Committee will email you an update on your status 4–6 weeks following your interview. During the holiday season, the response time might be longer.

 

[Medschoolbelle]

You're right. I just said early April in hopes of getting some kind of decision anytime soon.

This was in their FAQ and it makes me lol at this point..

14. I interviewed at Downstate. When can I expect to receive a final decision?
In general, the Admissions Committee will email you an update on your status 4–6 weeks following your interview. During the holiday season, the response time might be longer.

They are in an eternal holiday season apparently.

 

[techytechy]

The main purpose of the AL is allow potential applicants to start going through the checklist required for prematirculation. While I do agree everyone who survived the R wave last month is probably on this psuedo AL list of sorts I imagine theyll have to make it official soon, for checklist reasons and also to potentially see who is more interested in attending.


Either way I still have my hopes up for some more As tonight!

I agree with this. btw, what is in this checklist?

 

[lalano1230]

They are in an eternal holiday season apparently.

This is what frustrates me. I am sure they have already somehow "scored" us after the interview. We are probably all just in the system with some kind of metrics. Now I'm sure doctors are busy and exhausted, but I'm sure regular Admin staff could have organized an Alternate list or w.e.. AT HOME

I agree with this. btw, what is in this checklist?

From what I remember from last year's thread..it was like some BLS certification, technical standard, passport/documents, and etc

 

[techytechy]

Either way I still have my hopes up for some more As tonight!

I am hopeful too! I can feel it!

 

[avr2020]

I agree with this. btw, what is in this checklist?

There is a few forms they are required (technical standards, proof of citizenship, BLS certification, etc) and then health forms that need to be filled out by your physician and various labwork (titers, cbc, etc)

 

[lalano1230]

I am hopeful too! I can feel it!

Are we basically waiting for that 9 PM wave everyday? haha

 

[AnonymousDoctorGuyPerson]

Are we basically waiting for that 9 PM wave everyday? haha

They've also had some come at 10pm and 12am, so it can really be whenever haha. Personally I check my e-mail every hour.