2024-2025 Penn State

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premed856 said:
Since it’s so late in the cycle is it worth sending an update in hopes it’ll change something? I have a substantial update that was not on my initial app. I have nothing to lose lol
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This school doesn't accept updates unfortunately
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I’m kinda confused by the UP match? I thought the program was only for rural primary care, but they have a derm and some surgical subspecialties matched?
 
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premed856 said:
Since it’s so late in the cycle is it worth sending an update in hopes it’ll change something? I have a substantial update that was not on my initial app. I have nothing to lose lol
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If you send even a significant update, you get back a curt email. It’s been the only “proof of life” I’ve had from them since my secondary fee cleared. 😝
 
Amoma said:
If you send even a significant update, you get back a curt email. It’s been the only “proof of life” I’ve had from them since my secondary fee cleared. 😝
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yeah i tried emailing an update letter and was met with a two-word response with no punctuation or sign off LMAO just "get iOS for outlook"
 
spookyszn said:
do you think we're just going to be waitlisted or R or do feb ppl have a chance for an A even though it's a rly late interview date?
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I have no idea, I wish I knew. I know in my interview session the med students mentioned that a lot of them interviewed in Feb-March, were WL, but got off the WL. I'd hold out hope regardless of how long it takes them to get back to us! Good luck!
 
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Anyone have an off putting interview experience with Penn state? Interviewed last week and felt as if they were wanting us to beg to be accepted, mentioning waitlists and letters of intent…
 
I had an okay interview experience, nothing unpleasant like what others have described, but I also talked a lot during the interview so it felt like time went by quickly and there were no awkward moments.

I was quite scared coming into the interview and was prepared for the worst because others have mentioned their negative interview experiences. But my interviewers were respectful and nice
 
gradientfactor said:
Anyone have an off putting interview experience with Penn state? Interviewed last week and felt as if they were wanting us to beg to be accepted, mentioning waitlists and letters of intent…
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Was this during the 1 on 1 or during the information session??
 
gradientfactor said:
Anyone have an off putting interview experience with Penn state? Interviewed last week and felt as if they were wanting us to beg to be accepted, mentioning waitlists and letters of intent…
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Did they say they take letters of intent? That was not mentioned in my interview and I am curious if they accept them.
 
Anyone who interviewed in March heard back yet?
 
To anyone else on the hold list, is the detail about what's in our file right now saying we should not send interest/update letters?
 
OOS A, interviewed 2/5! Is there a group me for accepted students?
 
Just finished interviewing this week. Was wondering if I should (and how to) submit a letter of intent before they get back to me.
 
+1 OOS WL 3/31. I expected this, but I have a really impressive friend (like T30-level app I'd say) who got WL'd too. What does Penn State actually want in an applicant lol?
 
Hopefulclutch said:
Just finished interviewing this week. Was wondering if I should (and how to) submit a letter of intent before they get back to me.
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I think on their MSAR it said no letters can be sent until after April 30th. I interviewed 2/19 and didn't hear back til a few days back and got in. I wanted to send a letter of continued interest and it was odd not being able to but I'd say just wait for now. I hope they get back to you soon!
 
Hey everyone,
I have been super hella absent bc of my third year (sorry to the folks who messaged me last cycle... oops) and I also forgot my login until like a month ago.
About to be a fourth year and I remember being on this forum (under a different user) when I was applying. I have 0 regrets about coming to PSU and it's been one of the best experiences. I have had so much mentoring, career support and just overall folks in my corner cheering for me that I don't think I could've gotten anywhere else. I've published more than a dozen abstracts, a manuscript, travelled the country for my research, been involved with service, student government, everything I wanted to do. Rotations were fair and really well done, and I felt prepared for step 1 and now (hopefully) step 2. Even though PSU is rural, I haven't felt lacking in things to do (Harrisburg, DC, Philly, etc are all right there!) and have developed deep friendships with a lot of people. Plus, I live on campus and rent is dirt cheap.
I check this forum intermittently - please don't message about what's asked on interviews and what are good stats, because I haven't really interfaced with that much, but anything else is fair game, happy to answer questions! I hope you too find your way to PSU and the amazing opportunities it has!
 
limabean22 said:
Anyone else not heard anything from here since submitting their secondary? Do they send rejections at the end of their cycle or do they just ghost?
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Yeah I submitted in August and just got ghosted. Its a pretty sh1tty practice to not tell applicants the status of their application. I paid almost 100 dollars to submit my secondary and they can't be bothered to give my application and me the time of day. To me it reflects poorly on the school.
 
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hlarkin21 said:
Yeah I submitted in August and just got ghosted. It’s a pretty sh1tty practice to not tell applicants the status of their application. I paid almost 100 dollars to submit my secondary and they can't be bothered to give my application and me the time of day. To me it reflects poorly on the school.
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Same here. WMed and MCW do it right. They sent out monthly updates explaining the process. 8 months of silence is brutal.
 
Hey everyone! I'm currently a MS1 here at Penn State. Feel free to ask me any questions about the school either on this forum and/or by DM'ing me.

I believe that tomorrow is also the Second Look Day. You will be presented with a lot of info about the school. If you find yourself wanting clarification on anything that was said and/or if you have any new questions that you thought about, I can help answer them. I'll try to get back to you in a timely manner.

Best of luck on this app cycle - it'll be over before you know it!
 
Does anyone know what 3rd year rotations are like at Penn State? Are they mostly done in Hershey or at surrounding hospitals in the area that are within driving distance or do some students have to relocate? I was just admitted and this wasn’t really talked about in my interview day
 
SDX119078 said:
Does anyone know what 3rd year rotations are like at Penn State? Are they mostly done in Hershey or at surrounding hospitals in the area that are within driving distance or do some students have to relocate? I was just admitted and this wasn’t really talked about in my interview day
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I saw your PM to me (sorry im studying for step 2 rn lol) but I'll put my answer here for everyone to see!

Just finished my third year - ALL of my rotations outside of one I requested to be outside of PSU were at the Hershey hospital, which was very convenient since I live on campus. The furthest I ever had to drive for a rotation was a little under 30 minutes to UPMC Harrisburg. I will say for Family Medicine you will be assigned an outpt clinic outside the hospital, mine was luckily in Hershey, but people frequently got locations in Hershey, Elizabethtown, Harrisburg, Camp Hill and Mechanicsburg, all of which are 5-30 minute drives from the hospital. There are some locations for FM in particular out in Washington and Indiana PA, but I ranked those low and did not get them (the occasional few people do, but they provide housing!) I did my psychiatry rotation at Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute in Harrisburg (also owned by Penn State). I heard that they may be moving closer to Lancaster in coming years but i am not sure what is going on with that. They'd still be owned by Penn state, just a different/updated building.

Otherwise, the farthest people normally have to go is St. Joe's in reading, PA, which is just under an hour drive. A significantly less common rotation to get than getting a Hershey rotation but something that happens nonetheless, usually if you do get a Reading rotation you're not getting more than one rotation out there. Almost every rotation (outside of the one I did at UPMC Harrisburg at my request, they give free breakfast and lunch) is done in-system at Penn State home sites so you are always working within the academic medical system and never being outsourced. It's nice and preceptors know what to expect of you. St. Joe's and Lancaster are Penn State affiliate hospitals/owned by them!

I had a great third year and had the good luck to get Honors on all of my rotations - it's definitely possible and I felt everyone was very supportive, willing to help, and willing to accommodate me. I had some health problems the past year and was in and out of doctor's offices for my own issues and everyone was super nice and willing to work with me, and I was still able to get the grades I wanted. Course directors for all the rotations (especially surgery, actually!) were very helpful and responsive. Expectations are clear and laid out.

I had several friends get pregnant during rotations, and they were EXTREMELY accommodating - even to the point of allowing delayed shelf exams/make-up rotations for morning sickness, etc.
 
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