2023-2024 Ponce (St. Louis)

BU Medical Sciences
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ElBrujoBueno said:
Hopefully there’s some communication this week.
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Also, how long has it been full of 25 students before it got to be 26? Because it seems like quite a bit of people and doesnt leave room for MSMS students. was there a spike in acceptances?
 
Med4sci said:
Also, how long has it been full of 25 students before it got to be 26? Because it seems like quite a bit of people and doesnt leave room for MSMS students. was there a spike in acceptances?
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I wouldn’t use the GroupMe as an accurate measurement of who will be attending. Some people have joined and been inactive. There’s also a current student (who has been extremely helpful…we want him to stay in the chat haha) included in this number. My hope is that people leave the chat upon realizing they don’t want to attend so that we can have an accurate number!
 
Pinkscrubz said:
I wouldn’t use the GroupMe as an accurate measurement of who will be attending. Some people have joined and been inactive. There’s also a current student (who has been extremely helpful…we want him to stay in the chat haha) included in this number. My hope is that people leave the chat upon realizing they don’t want to attend so that we can have an accurate number!
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Good point Pinkscrubz. The GroupMe had been sitting at 25 for a while but as Med4sci pointed out, there could still be applicants rather than accepted students.
 
debitad said:
Just called admissions and they said everyone will have a decision by June 30th😭 seems so far away. Hopefully we know sooner! Good luck to us all
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Is this just for people who don’t have decisions yet? Or currently waitlisted as well? The current school I’m going to starts June 24😭😭
 
DocSherman said:
That is my answer too.

At that point, it might as well be a post-II R from the institution. That is pretty late since the school starts the following month.
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yea last year i did not receive an interview and my rejection was in june. But i have heard someone got accepted off the waitlist the first week of july
 
I spoke with someone from Ponce earlier this week and it was enlightening…

  1. NOTE for future years: If you didn’t have your prerequisites complete by December 2023 you were assigned a pre-committee R. The committee never even looked at your application. Apparently, Rs will go out to those folks one day. This was kinda infuriating because they don't have a prerequisite deadline listed in the MSAR (most schools do) nor do they have it listed on their website. The silence was bad enough but this admission felt like a slap in the face. If that was listed, I certainly wouldn't have applied and they certainly wouldn't have gotten the $45 AMCAS fee and the $90 secondary fee from me.
  2. They are still conducting interviews for the MD program…apparently, they weren’t set up/staffed to do MMI and are seriously behind.
  3. MSMS folks are still being extended interviews now. See point 2.
  4. Only the top 20% of MSMS students are guaranteed interviews.
I was kinda shocked that they would try to pitch me their MSMS program after admitting they didn’t even look at my application but what I have learned about this process is that so many schools are shameless about the cash grab. For anyone considering applying for their MSMS program (I certainly won’t) it looks like they are willing to waive the program application fee if you applied to the MD program and the deadline is June 30th.

Good luck all. This wraps up my time in this thread but I wanted to pass on what was shared with me about the prerequisite deadline for folks who apply in future years.
 
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Med4sci said:
yea last year i did not receive an interview and my rejection was in june. But i have heard someone got accepted off the waitlist the first week of july
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So you got a pre-II R last time?

Are you a regular or MSMS applicant, whether it was last or this time?
 
2024NonTradAnon said:
I spoke with someone from Ponce earlier this week and it was enlightening…

1) If you didn’t have your prerequisites complete by December 2023 you were assigned a pre-committee R. The committee never even looked at your application. Apparently Rs will go out to those folks one day.
2) They are still conducting interviews for the MD program…apparently they weren’t set up/staffed to do MMI and are seriously behind.
3) MSMS folks are still being extended interviews now. See point 2.
4) Only the top 20% of MSMS students are guaranteed interviews.

I was kinda shocked that they would try to pitch me their MSMS program after admitting they didn’t even look at my application. For anyone considering applying for their MSMS program (I certainly won’t) it looks like they are willing to waive the program application fee if you applied to the MD program and the deadline is June 30th.

Good luck all. This wraps up my time in this thread but wanted to pass on what was shared with me.
Click to expand...

Your information was very helpful. Thank you very much!

If you weren't part of the top 20% of MSMS students, does this mean that you had to be shuffled through committees to decide whether you got a II or not? Also, I'm wondering if being part of the top 20% gives you an edge in admissions or does it only help with snagging an interview.

The MSMS program isn't horrific, but you do have to put in the work for it. Like with other MSMS programs, it can give a dying record a fighting chance if you do well in it.
 
DocSherman said:
Your information was very helpful. Thank you very much!

If you weren't part of the top 20% of MSMS students, does this mean that you had to be shuffled through committees to decide whether you got a II or not? Also, I'm wondering if being part of the top 20% gives you an edge in admissions or does it only help with snagging an interview.

The MSMS program isn't horrific, but you do have to put in the work for it. Like with other MSMS programs, it can give a dying record a fighting chance if you do well in it.
Click to expand...
No idea. I applied to an SMP with a conditional acceptance and I waiting to hear back from there. Ponce St. Louis just isn't organized enough for me to spend anymore money with them.

I'm sure you are still in the running. Good luck!
 
DocSherman said:
Your information was very helpful. Thank you very much!

If you weren't part of the top 20% of MSMS students, does this mean that you had to be shuffled through committees to decide whether you got a II or not? Also, I'm wondering if being part of the top 20% gives you an edge in admissions or does it only help with snagging an interview.

The MSMS program isn't horrific, but you do have to put in the work for it. Like with other MSMS programs, it can give a dying record a fighting chance if you do well in it.
Click to expand...
I think it just helps snagging an interview. It’s guaranteed. But i wouldnt rule out being an msms applicant either. Some students who were msms from what i know didnt have top 20 percent of the classy stats and got an interview and some are in the program
 
derek dixon said:
My Friend I would reach out and tell them your situation and hopefully they can get a decision to you sooner. Email wendy directly and if she can't do anything then go to Dean Polka. Good luck to you!
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Friends in the MD program told me Palka is no longer with ponce. Wendy probably wont be helpful either. She seems to be vague about the process
 
Med4sci said:
I think it just helps snagging an interview. It’s guaranteed. But i wouldnt rule out being an msms applicant either. Some students who were msms from what i know didnt have top 20 percent of the classy stats and got an interview and some are in the program
Click to expand...
Man…I just hope a decent chunk of MSMS students interviewed get in.
 
2024NonTradAnon said:
No idea. I applied to an SMP with a conditional acceptance and I waiting to hear back from there. Ponce St. Louis just isn't organized enough for me to spend anymore money with them.

I'm sure you are still in the running. Good luck!
Click to expand...
I wish you luck with your journey as well. Once again, thank you for your info dump.
 
Med4sci said:
Friends in the MD program told me Palka is no longer with ponce. Wendy probably wont be helpful either. She seems to be vague about the process
Click to expand...
Oh really that’s wild! She was there for my tour in April so must have been super recent…well good too her on the next job I guess! Wendy was pretty instrumental for me, but idk it might be different when it’s this late! Well anyways good luck!
 
2024NonTradAnon said:
I spoke with someone from Ponce earlier this week and it was enlightening…

  1. NOTE for future years: If you didn’t have your prerequisites complete by December 2023 you were assigned a pre-committee R. The committee never even looked at your application. Apparently, Rs will go out to those folks one day. This was kinda infuriating because they don't have a prerequisite deadline listed in the MSAR (most schools do) nor do they have it listed on their website. The silence was bad enough but this admission felt like a slap in the face. If that was listed, I certainly wouldn't have applied and they certainly wouldn't have gotten the $45 AMCAS fee and the $90 secondary fee from me.
  2. They are still conducting interviews for the MD program…apparently, they weren’t set up/staffed to do MMI and are seriously behind.
  3. MSMS folks are still being extended interviews now. See point 2.
  4. Only the top 20% of MSMS students are guaranteed interviews.
I was kinda shocked that they would try to pitch me their MSMS program after admitting they didn’t even look at my application but what I have learned about this process is that so many schools are shameless about the cash grab. For anyone considering applying for their MSMS program (I certainly won’t) it looks like they are willing to waive the program application fee if you applied to the MD program and the deadline is June 30th.

Good luck all. This wraps up my time in this thread but I wanted to pass on what was shared with me about the prerequisite deadline for folks who apply in future years.
Click to expand...
Yeah majority of masters programs are a money grab. Most adcom will even tell you a master's will not help you get into medical school. Definitely better to do an SMP with linkage. When you really look at it, the majority of students who get a masters were already competitive to begin with so in a sense they never really needed it. These are the students they use as success stories. There are exceptions to this rule but it's uncommon.
 
LAnative34 said:
Yeah majority of masters programs are a money grab. Most adcom will even tell you a master's will not help you get into medical school. Definitely better to do an SMP with linkage. When you really look at it, the majority of students who get a masters were already competitive to begin with so in a sense they never really needed it. These are the students they use as success stories. There are exceptions to this rule but it's uncommon.
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It frankly depends.

In my cohort, most of us took heavy blows academically that necessitated a SMP - abysmal records with failures and mediocre numbers over years. These aren't factors that could be easily fixed with a post-bacc.

Of course, the best way to have approached med was to have done it perfectly the first time. If I could go back in time, that was what I would've done - stop focusing on having the so-called college experience and buckle down to prevent this sort of slapdash patch job.
 
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The MSMS program was a great experience for me personally. However, I did go into the program naively thinking that it would directly help me get into a MD program.
The first half of my undergrad GPA is a bit a disaster due to life circumstances, but I had greatly improved my grades when I was able to return back to school. Even with my success on the second go, my GPA was/is not competitive. I had hoped that with my significant upward trend in my bachelor’s and my success in this master’s program that I would have a good chance to get in somewhere.
Unfortunately, I think that I was automatically rejected through most of the MD programs that I applied to because of my undergrad gpa, so the committees didn’t even get to acknowledge my improvements.
I still hope to hear good news from Ponce, because I feel that they are actually looking at my application as a whole, but I know there just aren’t many spots for us MS alum. I personally know several people I’m in the running against, and they are amazing candidates and good people. So, of course, I wish them the best, but it does make me feel a bit somber about my own chances, especially with how long this process is taking.
This was a bit of a tangent, but this is basically the advice I give prospective MS students. I think the workload and type of this program will help set you up for success because it gives you a head start to learning how to study and manage time. It has also helped students to solidify their plans or to change their career paths to something they are more likely to succeed. I know several students who struggled through the masters and decided MD wasn’t the route for them and they are looking into different careers in medicine. I also tell them though, if they are interested in the program to help counter there undergrad GPA, then they should do a postbach instead.
So if there are any prospective MS students in this thread, I hope my experiences help you!
To everyone waiting for a decision, good luck! I hope to see you all in July. 🤞
 
MD.to.be said:
Bit of a late reply, but I got the A on Monday at 10:50 am.

Interviewed 4/26; OS (with strong ties to MO); ORM; undergrad GPA ~3.4, MSMS GPA 4.0; MCAT 503; research, clinical, and leadership experience
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You got a 4.0 in the MSMS program?! Amazing!

Congrats on your achievement.
 
MD.to.be said:
Bit of a late reply, but I got the A on Monday at 10:50 am.

Interviewed 4/26; OS (with strong ties to MO); ORM; undergrad GPA ~3.4, MSMS GPA 4.0; MCAT 503; research, clinical, and leadership experience
Click to expand...
Congrats! Are gonna attend or go to another school?
 
I’m honestly really sussed out by this place. I received my first A today from another school and when I went to choose your medical school, Ponce didn’t even show up as an alternate list even though I got the WL email in April. Anyway I will be withdrawing from the WL good luck!
 
sushiloverpremed said:
I’m honestly really sussed out by this place. I received my first A today from another school and when I went to choose your medical school, Ponce didn’t even show up as an alternate list even though I got the WL email in April. Anyway I will be withdrawing from the WL good luck!
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Congrats!
 
Man…it’s just a mix of anticipation and dread. I’m thankful to get an interview since that means I was taken out of the giant haystack, but am aware that this doesn’t assure acceptance.

Did I do well on the MMI? I really don’t know. Even then, doing well on the II doesn’t guarantee acceptance as they look at your whole record against everybody else.

Hope and pray, I guess.

i love lucy women GIF by HULU
 
You’re definitely not alone in anticipation. I think all of us are, especially as we inch closer to the start date with no word. 😩

At least we know there should be movement soon for some more folks, because they’re asking for things like missing transcripts and missing LORs: they must be thoroughly going through our files now.

Does anyone else think that the June 30th date might just be when they plan to send out mass rejections? And, that they will probably send out acceptances before then? I hope that’s the case.

I’m rooting for everyone!
And may the odds be ever in your favor!
 
Magnolias said:
You’re definitely not alone in anticipation. I think all of us are, especially as we inch closer to the start date with no word. 😩

At least we know there should be movement soon for some more folks, because they’re asking for things like missing transcripts and missing LORs: they must be thoroughly going through our files now.

Does anyone else think that the June 30th date might just be when they plan to send out mass rejections? And, that they will probably send out acceptances before then? I hope that’s the case.

I’m rooting for everyone!
And may the odds be ever in your favor!
Click to expand...
I am definitely thinking they will do mass rejections towards the end of june. if we don’t hear anything this week or the first week of june it is more than likely a rejection. If they are asking for things I am wondering why. Shouldnt everyones file should have been completed prior to the interview invite?.
 
Med4sci said:
I am definitely thinking they will do mass rejections towards the end of june. if we don’t hear anything this week or the first week of june it is more than likely a rejection. If they are asking for things I am wondering why. Shouldnt everyones file should have been completed prior to the interview invite?.
Click to expand...
Wouldn’t it depend on when the II was complete? Mine was finished a bit later than usual (more like mid May) due to some issues.

The person who got the A had a turnaround time of about four weeks, so maybe that is the limit?

Wonder if they’re still sending IIs? Additionally, I’m still wondering the spread of A’s, WL’s, and R’s. Somebody apparently said the WL is big, but the R’s are always a factor…unfortunately.

Frankly though, it will depend on how picky the committee was when picking folks for IIs. Some are liberal, so many get interviewed and only a few get in while others are much more conservative - less IIs, which means more A’s from the crop.
 
DocSherman said:
Wouldn’t it depend on when the II was complete? Mine was finished a bit later than usual (more like mid May) due to some issues.

The person who got the A had a turnaround time of about four weeks, so maybe that is the limit?

Wonder if they’re still sending IIs? Additionally, I’m still wondering the spread of A’s, WL’s, and R’s. Somebody apparently said the WL is big, but the R’s are always a factor…unfortunately.

Frankly though, it will depend on how picky the committee was when picking folks for IIs. Some are liberal, so many get interviewed and only a few get in while others are much more conservative - less IIs, which means more A’s from the crop.
Click to expand...
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.
 
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