2023-2024 Ponce (St. Louis)

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Members don't see this ad.
Although I would agree that the application should’ve been complete before the II invites, they may have just pushed all the most likely candidates, because they were so far behind. Now they have all of the interviews are done though, it’s probably easier to compare all aspects of our applications, so they noticed some things were missing for a few.

I’m just speculating though.

@Med4sci what do you mean how early your interview was affects your chances?
 
I spoke with Wendy last week and she said that interviews are still going till July?
 
Med4sci said:
Yea i mean there are other factors to consider i was just thinking they should be done interviewing by now. I did hear that the earlier you filled out your applications both primary and secondary and how early you received your interview invite does affect your chances regarding an acceptance. Also yes, i agree, the people who review your applications matter.but apparently ponce is suppose to be a liberal school.
Click to expand...
Man…I got my primary and secondary done early. Then again, I was a MSMS student, so that probably affected the flow of things.
 
whatnot24 said:
I spoke with Wendy last week and she said that interviews are still going till July?
Click to expand...
That wouldn’t surprise me, as crazy as that sounds. Ponce apparently goes late.

Of course, I wonder if these are exclusively MSMS students or a mix between MSMS and regular applicants. Additionally, are class spots still available to them or are they effectively interviewing for a WL?
 
DocSherman said:
When has med applications been organized? I think this whole process is a feature, not a bug.
Click to expand...
Yeah, this seems like an AAMC problem. Deadlines need to be pushed up and enforced so that decisions are made no later than the first week of June. It is difficult for a student to take an acceptance and have to plan out things so close to the first day of school.
 
doc22nontrad said:
My portal says my decision is ready.. and I’m too terrified to check it 😵‍💫
Click to expand...
So you don't even get an email when your decision is ready? I wonder if you get an email when you receive an acceptance. This makes the whole process even more stressful.
 
Did anybody who posted that they got waitlisted, did it say waitlist or alternate list?
 
totilue said:
Alternate list is usually better than waitlist. Alt list is an acceptance but not just yet. Where in a waitlist you will be looked at again against everyone.
Click to expand...
That was my impression if one looks at other schools. They get higher billing overall.

Might be institution dependent though.
 
Hey I found this thread and just finished reading through it. Man that was a journey. I’m an MSMS alum myself. Was placed on the alternative list today. I am still trying to figure out the special code words like II and such you all have. But anyway I was interviewed 4/19 and just heard back today. I was just randomly checking in the portal, no email at all. So for all those waiting on emails I’d check the portal just in case.

For the record I was called and they asked for an additional recommendation letter last Monday the 20th. I scrambled and had an undergrad professor write one for me and had it sent in directly to Wendy by last Wednesday. Then obviously today I heard about the alternative list. Don’t know if any of that is helpful but wanted to share what I could.
 
Numbers&Letters said:
Hey I found this thread and just finished reading through it. Man that was a journey. I’m an MSMS alum myself. Was placed on the alternative list today. I am still trying to figure out the special code words like II and such you all have. But anyway I was interviewed 4/19 and just heard back today. I was just randomly checking in the portal, no email at all. So for all those waiting on emails I’d check the portal just in case.

For the record I was called and they asked for an additional recommendation letter last Monday the 20th. I scrambled and had an undergrad professor write one for me and had it sent in directly to Wendy by last Wednesday. Then obviously today I heard about the alternative list. Don’t know if any of that is helpful but wanted to share what I could.
Click to expand...
That exact same thing happened to me last week! And I got put on the alternate list today as well.
 
doc22nontrad said:
That exact same thing happened to me last week! And I got put on the alternate list today as well.
Click to expand...

I read that. Sounded verbatim like what happened to me. Thought it was interested we were the only two so far that has heard anything and both specifically requested things from us. Could mean nothing? Or could be something. I’m still quite hopeful myself.
 
Numbers&Letters said:
I read that. Sounded verbatim like what happened to me. Thought it was interested we were the only two so far that has heard anything and both specifically requested things from us. Could mean nothing? Or could be something. I’m still quite hopeful myself.
Click to expand...

Regarding myself, my interview was in May, so it was before you fine folks. My judgement will probably come sometime in June.
 
Numbers&Letters said:
I read that. Sounded verbatim like what happened to me. Thought it was interested we were the only two so far that has heard anything and both specifically requested things from us. Could mean nothing? Or could be something. I’m still quite hopeful myself.
Click to expand...
This actually happened to me! I put this earlier in the chain like first few pages, but I’m not an MSMS alumni. No other masters program either. I’m OSS with no ties. My app was done early so my interview was earlyish 1/29 and Got the A on 2/16. They asked for my extra letter of recommendation a week after my interview and a decision was made a week later. So, I think we may be three in this thread, but I’m sure it’s happened to others not in the thread!
 
derek dixon said:
This actually happened to me! I put this earlier in the chain like first few pages, but I’m not an MSMS alumni. No other masters program either. I’m OSS with no ties. My app was done early so my interview was earlyish 1/29 and Got the A on 2/16. They asked for my extra letter of recommendation a week after my interview and a decision was made a week later. So, I think we may be three in this thread, but I’m sure it’s happened to others not in the thread!
Click to expand...
Wow! Your decision came fast.

Wonder why the MSMS candidates are coming in a bit more delayed? Possibly more candidates for review?

Man…I salute all of you. This process is the pits, no matter the school.
 
DocSherman said:
Wow! Your decision came fast.

Wonder why the MSMS candidates are coming in a bit more delayed? Possibly more candidates for review?

Man…I salute all of you. This process is the pits, no matter the school.
Click to expand...
I interviewed the last week of April and still haven't heard anything. At this point, I am thinking it's going to be hard to get an Acceptance. Not part of master's program and OSS.
 
LAnative34 said:
I interviewed the last week of April and still haven't heard anything. At this point, I am thinking it's going to be hard to get an Acceptance. Not part of master's program and OSS.
Click to expand...
I’m pretty worried about the chances of an A at this point too, even as a MSMS candidate.

Competition is stiffer than ever and the class isn’t big anyways. I’m also OOS with no connections to the state.
 
DocSherman said:
I’m pretty worried about the chances of an A at this point too, even as a MSMS candidate.

Competition is stiffer than ever and the class isn’t big anyways. I’m also OOS with no connections to the state.
Click to expand...
It has been quite tougher than I had imagined. I had a 4.0 in the MSMS program, a 90th percentile mcat, and a ton of clinical experience, great interview. Still not quite enough. But it is okay, if we get in we get in. The numbers will work themselves out. If not, well for me at least I’m applying earlier this time as applying in October of last year put me behind the 8 ball so to speak. Just taking it as a learning experience and moving forward.
 
doc22nontrad said:
That exact same thing happened to me last week! And I got put on the alternate list today as well.
Click to expand...
I interviewed
Numbers&Letters said:
It has been quite tougher than I had imagined. I had a 4.0 in the MSMS program, a 90th percentile mcat, and a ton of clinical experience, great interview. Still not quite enough. But it is okay, if we get in we get in. The numbers will work themselves out. If not, well for me at least I’m applying earlier this time as applying in October of last year put me behind the 8 ball so to speak. Just taking it as a learning experience and moving forward.
Click to expand...
90th percentile mcat? 4.0 gpa? Did u apply yo other schools?
 
Med4sci said:
I interviewed

90th percentile mcat? 4.0 gpa? Did u apply yo other schools?
Click to expand...

In MSMS. It was a hair 3.2 in undergrad which, uh was a journey that took like 11 years from start to finish with 3 different schools, 160+ credits and gaps in between. So I’m older than most. But learned a lot through work as a scribe for nearly 9 years. While doing all that I learned how to study properly from YouTube and actually just followed their advice for the mcat even though it had been like 5-8 years since taking the prerequisites for most of the components of it. Took 4.5 months to study and did it daily even while working full time in the ED during the worst of COVID here. I ultimately scored very well and decided to take the MSMS to do something to show I still could do something academic aside from one test, and just carried on my studying methods to the MSMS and did really really well. Best grades since elementary school tbh.

As you can probably tell I may have learned how to do well but my procrastinating instincts still live deep inside so didn’t apply until October and only did to a few schools because I waited too late to apply broadly, in my head at least. Plus, really only wanted to go to Ponce because I liked the program so much and felt I accomplished a lot there and wanted to continue. I interviewed at 2 other schools outside of Ponce. But first interview was in late Feb. Then Ponce, then a big state school and had to be one of the last people interviewed there.

Now I will iterate again, apply earlier, a little more broadly, add DO schools in the mix this time. Now I’m doing scribing and clinical research (which I started after MSMS) and should be better next cycle, that is if don’t get into Ponce or the state school. My story is weird so take it all with the grainiest of salts. Hopefully gives more context.
 
Last edited:
Numbers&Letters said:
In MSMS. It was a hair 3.2 in undergrad which, uh was a journey that took like 11 years from start to finish with 3 different schools, 160+ credits and gaps in between. So I’m older than most. But learned a lot through work as a scribe for nearly 9 years. While doing all that I learned how to study properly from YouTube and actually just followed their advice for the mcat even though it had been like 5-8 years since taking the prerequisites for most of the components of it. Took 4.5 months to study and did it daily even while working full time in the ED during the worst of COVID here. I ultimately scored very well and decided to take the MSMS to do something to show I still could do something academic aside from one test, and just carried on my studying methods to the MSMS and did really really well. Best grades since elementary school tbh.

As you can probably tell I may have learned how to do well but my procrastinating instincts still live deep inside so didn’t apply until October and only did to a few schools because I waited too late to apply broadly, in my head at least. Plus, really only wanted to go to Ponce because I liked the program so much and felt I accomplished a lot there and wanted to continue. I interviewed at 2 other schools outside of Ponce. But first interview was in late Feb. Then Ponce, then a big state school and had to be one of the last people interviewed there.

Now I will iterate again, apply earlier, a little more broadly, add DO schools in the mix this time. Now I’m doing scribing and clinical research (which I started after MSMS) and should be better next cycle, that is if don’t get into Ponce or the state school. My story is weird so take it all with the grainiest of salts. Hopefully gives more context.
Click to expand...
The grainiest of salts 🤣
 
Numbers&Letters said:
In MSMS. It was a hair 3.2 in undergrad which, uh was a journey that took like 11 years from start to finish with 3 different schools, 160+ credits and gaps in between. So I’m older than most. But learned a lot through work as a scribe for nearly 9 years. While doing all that I learned how to study properly from YouTube and actually just followed their advice for the mcat even though it had been like 5-8 years since taking the prerequisites for most of the components of it. Took 4.5 months to study and did it daily even while working full time in the ED during the worst of COVID here. I ultimately scored very well and decided to take the MSMS to do something to show I still could do something academic aside from one test, and just carried on my studying methods to the MSMS and did really really well. Best grades since elementary school tbh.

As you can probably tell I may have learned how to do well but my procrastinating instincts still live deep inside so didn’t apply until October and only did to a few schools because I waited too late to apply broadly, in my head at least. Plus, really only wanted to go to Ponce because I liked the program so much and felt I accomplished a lot there and wanted to continue. I interviewed at 2 other schools outside of Ponce. But first interview was in late Feb. Then Ponce, then a big state school and had to be one of the last people interviewed there.

Now I will iterate again, apply earlier, a little more broadly, add DO schools in the mix this time. Now I’m doing scribing and clinical research (which I started after MSMS) and should be better next cycle, that is if don’t get into Ponce or the state school. My story is weird so take it all with the grainiest of salts. Hopefully gives more context.
Click to expand...
Yes agree with you 100% applying earlier is key for sure! Although I got waitlisted at 3/5 schools I interviewed at and two other acceptances (both newer programs! PHSU has the PR campus, one of the doctors I work with said “it has a background” so more established and fully accredited, which factored into that decision) , I kinda jumped the gun on PHSU by committing early because at the end of the day I didn’t want to be waiting then have Ponce reject me for not committing and then potentially not getting off the waitlist for other schools so I feel that applying early is definitely key! Man you’ve had a journey! So have I! I was a teacher my first two years out of undergrad (2019-2021) decided to switch back to my original path then did clinical research (2022-present) for the next two years and got in this year so I feel that 100%! I’m 5 years (Newley 27 on May 28th) removed from undergrad now, but whatever happens even if it’s not this cycle you’re going to be a doctor somewhere soon! Continued interest and juggling studying, applying, and the stress of the application someone will recognize those skills and I hope PHSU does recognize that in you! Good luck and I hope I see you in the fall!
 
derek dixon said:
Yes agree with you 100% applying earlier is key for sure! Although I got waitlisted at 3/5 schools I interviewed at and two other acceptances (both newer programs! PHSU has the PR campus, one of the doctors I work with said “it has a background” so more established and fully accredited, which factored into that decision) , I kinda jumped the gun on PHSU by committing early because at the end of the day I didn’t want to be waiting then have Ponce reject me for not committing and then potentially not getting off the waitlist for other schools so I feel that applying early is definitely key! Man you’ve had a journey! So have I! I was a teacher my first two years out of undergrad (2019-2021) decided to switch back to my original path then did clinical research (2022-present) for the next two years and got in this year so I feel that 100%! I’m 5 years (Newley 27 on May 28th) removed from undergrad now, but whatever happens even if it’s not this cycle you’re going to be a doctor somewhere soon! Continued interest and juggling studying, applying, and the stress of the application someone will recognize those skills and I hope PHSU does recognize that in you! Good luck and I hope I see you in the fall!
Click to expand...
Yeah, I wish I would’ve done it earlier. I was tired after working so hard during the MSMS program and was looking for a bit of a different job immediately after last summer so took me a while to get in the mindset to finish the application. Hindsight is 20/20.

I completely understand, jumping on board when you were offered was worth it. No more ambiguity or that long slow painful wait. Just embrace what you have and make the most of it. One of the reasons I liked Ponce is that it is new and you can be a part of a tone setting group. Which is nice to me personally.

Sometime it can take a while to truly do what you want to do and to figure out what in the heck that is. You found your path and now you are on it. I commend you for it, doesn’t matter where you start it matters where you finish. And thank you so much. I appreciate the sentiment. I hope to see you in the fall as well,
 
Numbers&Letters said:
It has been quite tougher than I had imagined. I had a 4.0 in the MSMS program, a 90th percentile mcat, and a ton of clinical experience, great interview. Still not quite enough. But it is okay, if we get in we get in. The numbers will work themselves out. If not, well for me at least I’m applying earlier this time as applying in October of last year put me behind the 8 ball so to speak. Just taking it as a learning experience and moving forward.
Click to expand...
Ah man. You have way better numbers than me, MSMS included.

There was somebody who was earlier in this thread who got an A and they were another 4.0 MSMS grad. They withdrew their A though.
 
Numbers&Letters said:
In MSMS. It was a hair 3.2 in undergrad which, uh was a journey that took like 11 years from start to finish with 3 different schools, 160+ credits and gaps in between. So I’m older than most. But learned a lot through work as a scribe for nearly 9 years. While doing all that I learned how to study properly from YouTube and actually just followed their advice for the mcat even though it had been like 5-8 years since taking the prerequisites for most of the components of it. Took 4.5 months to study and did it daily even while working full time in the ED during the worst of COVID here. I ultimately scored very well and decided to take the MSMS to do something to show I still could do something academic aside from one test, and just carried on my studying methods to the MSMS and did really really well. Best grades since elementary school tbh.

As you can probably tell I may have learned how to do well but my procrastinating instincts still live deep inside so didn’t apply until October and only did to a few schools because I waited too late to apply broadly, in my head at least. Plus, really only wanted to go to Ponce because I liked the program so much and felt I accomplished a lot there and wanted to continue. I interviewed at 2 other schools outside of Ponce. But first interview was in late Feb. Then Ponce, then a big state school and had to be one of the last people interviewed there.

Now I will iterate again, apply earlier, a little more broadly, add DO schools in the mix this time. Now I’m doing scribing and clinical research (which I started after MSMS) and should be better next cycle, that is if don’t get into Ponce or the state school. My story is weird so take it all with the grainiest of salts. Hopefully gives more context.
Click to expand...
Thank u for sharing your journeu. So wait the other schools didnt accept u? I ask because if i had other options i would go ahead with them instead of waiting on ponce
 
Med4sci said:
Thank u for sharing your journeu. So wait the other schools didnt accept u? I ask because if i had other options i would go ahead with them instead of waiting on ponce
Click to expand...
Nope, one never really sent anything and the other was waitlisted. But I am not anticipating acceptance. So Ponce for me or apply next year. It’s all good though, as long as we all do our best and put the best foot forward we will get to wherever we need to go…albeit with a little more time.
 
DO NOT GO HERE FOR THE MSMS OR THE MD PROGRAM!!!!
1. The teachers don't know what will be on the test and therefore do not know what to teach. Many of the other MDs are worried about how they will pass the step because what we learn in class is inaccurate. They have teachers teaching subjects that they don't even know, so can't ask them the question, you have to look it up for yourself. They even changed the MSMS grading scale on the VERY LAST day and did not compromise in any shape or form after promising them some sort of resolution.

2. The main Puerto Rico campus is in charge and does not care about the students on the STL campus. They compete with each other and want to see us fail. If you request something they will 100% invalidate your reasoning. It is nearly impossible to have them agree on anything. They make you feel small and unimportant.

3. They switch things last minute OFTEN, it was the most frustrating thing ever. There is no stability in this school. You could be studying what the teacher told you on the STL campus only for the PR campus to change it up entirely.

4. They are a huge MONEY GRABBING corporation. It is a for-profit school so it does make sense but it's just a huge scam.

5. They don't take responsibility for their actions or words ever. They gaslight you by saying things like I didn't say that and then swallow their words after you show them the recording of their voice.
 
It’s interesting to see how polarized some students are of the MSMS program. Sure, the program has its faults, but what program doesn’t?
I personally know two students who graduated with a 4.0 (one cohort apart) in the program, so it’s not some impossible task.

In fact, I’d say that the biggest flaw of the program was how accommodating they were to pass students (meaning Bs).

Anything you do will be what you make of it. Use the program for what it’s worth, even if that means you have to be flexible. I don’t think that you can’t have your feelings, because they are valid; it’s just that, unfortunately, all things in life have flaws. Sometimes you just have to take what you’re give and work with it. I think that’s why so many of us had very positive experiences. We were flexible and willing to work with the program, the professors, our classmates, and ourselves.

I wish you the best, and I hope you find the school that’s right for you.
 
Annamouse said:
DO NOT GO HERE FOR THE MSMS OR THE MD PROGRAM!!!!
1. The teachers don't know what will be on the test and therefore do not know what to teach. Many of the other MDs are worried about how they will pass the step because what we learn in class is inaccurate. They have teachers teaching subjects that they don't even know, so can't ask them the question, you have to look it up for yourself. They even changed the MSMS grading scale on the VERY LAST day and did not compromise in any shape or form after promising them some sort of resolution.

2. The main Puerto Rico campus is in charge and does not care about the students on the STL campus. They compete with each other and want to see us fail. If you request something they will 100% invalidate your reasoning. It is nearly impossible to have them agree on anything. They make you feel small and unimportant.

3. They switch things last minute OFTEN, it was the most frustrating thing ever. There is no stability in this school. You could be studying what the teacher told you on the STL campus only for the PR campus to change it up entirely.

4. They are a huge MONEY GRABBING corporation. It is a for-profit school so it does make sense but it's just a huge scam.

5. They don't take responsibility for their actions or words ever. They gaslight you by saying things like I didn't say that and then swallow their words after you show them the recording of their voice.
Click to expand...
For number 3 and 5, do you have any proof? Also are you a MSMS alumni or MD student? We have a couple of MD students in the thread plus the admitted students have met with current students! So id love to cross reference with them and see what they think? There have also been a couple of MSMS students admitted who haven’t brought this up either so just want to make sure it’s factual and not opinion based.
 
Magnolias said:
It’s interesting to see how polarized some students are of the MSMS program. Sure, the program has its faults, but what program doesn’t?
I personally know two students who graduated with a 4.0 (one cohort apart) in the program, so it’s not some impossible task.

In fact, I’d say that the biggest flaw of the program was how accommodating they were to pass students (meaning Bs).

Anything you do will be what you make of it. Use the program for what it’s worth, even if that means you have to be flexible. I don’t think that you can’t have your feelings, because they are valid; it’s just that, unfortunately, all things in life have flaws. Sometimes you just have to take what you’re give and work with it. I think that’s why so many of us had very positive experiences. We were flexible and willing to work with the program, the professors, our classmates, and ourselves.

I wish you the best, and I hope you find the school that’s right for you.
Click to expand...
The fast amount of percentages for a B was astounding compared to the threshold for a A. For instance, some classes 40-80 was a b range but 80+ was an A range
 
Med4sci said:
The fast amount of percentages for a B was astounding compared to the threshold for a A. For instance, some classes 40-80 was a b range but 80+ was an A range
Click to expand...
To be fair, it wasn’t that hard to crater to below the B range as the material is vast and brutal. Apparently the folks in charge at my institution still had to adjust the curve to help bail out some students.
 
DocSherman said:
To be fair, it wasn’t that hard to crater to below the B range as the material is vast and brutal. Apparently the folks in charge at my institution still had to adjust the curve to help bail out some students.
Click to expand...
Oh wow, yea the MSMS was difficult.but also they do track how you are with the other classes so i guess even if you score in the b range, if u are higher up in there they can still track your progress and performance. Your higher b at 75 is different from someone whose lower b was 40. This is probably why they track msms analytics in the program. They look at nbme and how you did in the program, if you was on target with your peers or lagging behind
 
Med4sci said:
The fast amount of percentages for a B was astounding compared to the threshold for a A. For instance, some classes 40-80 was a b range but 80+ was an A range
Click to expand...
That's exactly what I mean in the program was accommodating; those high B's were labeled the same as the low B's. Plus, as Doc said, some partner institutions also changed the scale in order to ensure passing. I do understand though that the grading scale was supposed to be similar to the main campus' grading of H/P/F; Bs being equivalent to Pass.
That being said, I definitely agree that a reason they track the analytics is to differentiate between the 70's and 40's.
 
Med4sci said:
Oh wow, yea the MSMS was difficult.but also they do track how you are with the other classes so i guess even if you score in the b range, if u are higher up in there they can still track your progress and performance. Your higher b at 75 is different from someone whose lower b was 40. This is probably why they track msms analytics in the program. They look at nbme and how you did in the program, if you was on target with your peers or lagging behind
Click to expand...

True. I definitely forgot what kind of B's I made, though I also made more A's than that.

Then again, even the straight A folks didn't make immediate admission, so still keeping my expectations low.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

wysdoc
2024-2025 Ponce (St. Louis)
2 3 4 5 6
Replies
297
Views
38K
dbqvic0129
D
wysdoc
2024-2025 Washington University in St. Louis
16 17 18 19 20
Replies
956
Views
302K
AtombyAtom
A
wysdoc
2024-2025 Ponce (Puerto Rico)
2
Replies
54
Views
11K
coffeeeeeee
coffeeeeeee
wysdoc
2023-2024 Washington University in St. Louis
17 18 19 20 21
Replies
1K
Views
281K
derek dixon
derek dixon
chilly_md
2023-2024 Ponce (Puerto Rico)
Replies
43
Views
9K
chilly_md
chilly_md
Top