2024-2025 Pittsburgh

[Childof_d_WayMaker]

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Look at the SDN interview page for this school as well as Shemassian (link below); the questions are standardized and don't change very much year to year, so preparing answers to them really helped me!

How to Get Into University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine: Requirements and Strategies — Shemmassian Academic Consulting

Learn University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine’s requirements, acceptance rate, and admissions strategies, plus secondary essay examples

www.shemmassianconsulting.com

Thank you!!!

 

[seaofterra]

+1 OOS pre-II R, submitted in early October, sadness but expected

 

[ClashRoyaleKing]

Are you guys writing a thank you note for the group exercise interviewer? Not sure what to say because we didn't talk about much else other than the scenario that was presented.

I didn’t.

 

[mr.sakamoto]

Are you guys writing a thank you note for the group exercise interviewer? Not sure what to say because we didn't talk about much else other than the scenario that was presented.

I did, but honestly, I don't think it is a big deal breaker.

 

[pptf327]

I didn’t.

i didn’t write any thank yous i forgot and now it feels too late [emoji51]

 

[mystery_grape019]

Are you guys writing a thank you note for the group exercise interviewer? Not sure what to say because we didn't talk about much else other than the scenario that was presented.

i did but it wasn't uploaded to my portal, and my thank you notes for my faculty and student interviewer were

 

[deleted1125342]

i did but it wasn't uploaded to my portal, and my thank you notes for my faculty and student interviewer were

Alternatively, I sent 3 thank you notes (faculty, student, and group interviewer), only the student one was uploaded to my portal

 

[skedaddleduck]

Attending one of the info sessions rn and there’s a professor who applied with us wow (ed so he’s def attending). Damn

 

[ranbir2024]

Anyone with a 8/15 complete date not received a pre Ii rejection?

 

[bruhmomento]

so are they done with interview invites?

 

[ranbir2024]

so are they done with interview

so are they done with interview invites?

What was your complete date?

 

[bruhmomento]

What was your complete date?

sometime in july, i am mstp tho if that changes anything

 

[CoolSocks]

sometime in july, i am mstp tho if that changes anything

MSTP is an entirely different process as they have already sent out multiple acceptances. I don't know if you use cycletrack.org but if not, there is an MD-PhD tab for each school with an MD PhD program. However, based on last year they are getting close to wrapping up.

You can also look at this MD-PhD Interviews and Revisit Days which is a calendar of all the MD PhD interview dates (for schools that participate--It is on AAMC so its legit). There are dates left for today, Dec 6 and 9th. My eyes may be skipping over one though so I would double check me. Unfortunately I feel the likelihood that they book the week before the interview is low... but you never know and maybe they could add another date. They don't ghost people to my knowledge.

I am not an MSTP applicant, but I am surrounded by them and I have heard our advisor here state that if you look at the calendar and see that you are about a month or so from the last invite date for the school and haven't heard then try to submit an update if you have one. Best of luck 🙂

 

[skedaddleduck]

How does a school like pitt choose their class when interviews are so chill? Grateful for the super relaxed interviews but the fact that they waitlist like 90% of interviewees is pretty daunting

 

[deleted1125342]

How does a school like pitt choose their class when interviews are so chill? Grateful for the super relaxed interviews but the fact that they waitlist like 90% of interviewees is pretty daunting

Where did you get the 90% waitlist statistic from?

 

[skedaddleduck]

Schools don't admit more than their class size initially. 150 class size/930ish interviewees = abt 16% admittance rate from the decision date. (Also corroborated by sdn interview page) rip 90% is an exaggeration but prob more like 85ish%?

 

[skedaddleduck]

Ik they admit from waitlist too it's just daunting still knowing initial A rates are slim

 

[ClashRoyaleKing]

Schools don't admit more than their class size initially. 150 class size/930ish interviewees = abt 16% admittance rate from the decision date. (Also corroborated by sdn interview page) rip 90% is an exaggeration but prob more like 85ish%?

Probably more like 60% get WL, because they send many post-II R’s.

 

[skedaddleduck]

Probably more like 60% get WL, because they send many post-II R’s.

double rip

 

[deleted1125342]

double rip

Yea seriously...I did not know about the many post-II Rs either 😭

 

[skedaddleduck]

just tryna be a real chill guy rn

 

[BubzHoo]

Once again, current M4 at Pitt and I was an interviewer. Thank you notes are very appreciated but not sending them does not change our evaluation of you. Most of us complete it right after we interview you lol Do not worry about sending one to the group interviewer.

Also whoever said 15% admittance rate from interviews is wrong. It is higher, every school in the country accepts more than they have seats. Pitt accepts 250-300 straight up and then we still usually go to the waitlist every year. Also, we do not send many post-II R's. I genuinely am curious where y'all hear this stuff.

Just to emphasize why I know this is wrong. The target for my year at Pitt was ~140. We ended up with 164.

If y'all have any other questions you want answered, tag me in thread. Y'all do not have to speculate about this.

 

[skedaddleduck]

Once again, current M4 at Pitt and I was an interviewer. Thank you notes are very appreciated but not sending them does not change our evaluation of you. Most of us complete it right after we interview you lol Do not worry about sending one to the group interviewer.

Also whoever said 15% admittance rate from interviews is wrong. It is higher, every school in the country accepts more than they have seats. Pitt accepts 250-300 straight up and then we still usually go to the waitlist every year. Also, we do not send many post-II R's. I genuinely am curious where y'all hear this stuff.

Just to emphasize why I know this is wrong. The target for my year at Pitt was ~140. We ended up with 164.

If y'all have any other questions you want answered, tag me in thread. Y'all do not have to speculate about this.

Hi, that was me. Really appreciate the clarification. It was from this sdn article:

Applications: While You Are Waiting

Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes of medical school admissions? Here we explore how an application moves through the process.

www.studentdoctor.net

Where it specifically says “In many cases, the guidelines dictate that admissions committees can only make offers for the number of available seats in the class and waitlist other desirable candidates once we’ve extended the appropriate number of offers. So for a class of 100, we can only extend offers to 100 students and must waitlist (or reject) everyone else; if an accepted applicant declines their seat, we can extend that seat to someone on the waitlist.”

I was really confused by this and had asked on reddit because I thought schools admit based on yield, not class size (and promptly got scolded by adcoms and students for thinking this).

I def believe you but now I’m confused on the general standards. Is pitt an exception to this rule?

 

[BubzHoo]

Pitt is definitely not an exception to the rule. A school accepting literally their exact number of seats is insane. Maybe some programs do that but the vast majority of schools do not.

Just think about it, some people are holding over 10 A's at a time and waitlist movement at some schools is nonexistent. Medical schools have to over accept. Now maybe a couple programs that I am unfamiliar with do that but I promise when Pitt releases more than 160 of you will hear good news.

I was in your position 4 years ago and am now trying to deal with the same stress again applying to residency. My advice is in between interview and decision just take a breather and relax. Take it from experience, trying to dissect the math on this will drive you wild.

*However still send updates and a LOI if it is called for. But don't worry about the statistics. Y'all will be great student docs and end up wherever you are meant to be.

 

[skedaddleduck]

Pitt is definitely not an exception to the rule. A school accepting literally their exact number of seats is insane. Maybe some programs do that but the vast majority of schools do not.

Just think about it, some people are holding over 10 A's at a time and waitlist movement at some schools is nonexistent. Medical schools have to over accept. Now maybe a couple programs that I am unfamiliar with do that but I promise when Pitt releases more than 160 of you will hear good news.

I was in your position 4 years ago and am now trying to deal with the same stress again applying to residency. My advice is in between interview and decision just take a breather and relax. Take it from experience, trying to dissect the math on this will drive you wild.

*However still send updates and a LOI if it is called for. But don't worry about the statistics. Y'all will be great student docs and end up wherever you are meant to be.

Yeah I thought it was insane too…I need to make a post sometime clearing this up bc adcoms seem to support the opposite. Sorry for the neurotic qs, just shaking off the residual anxiety from interviews. Thanks for being so responsive! I’m sure all of us anxious premeds really appreciate your transparency through all this.

 

[ranbir2024]

So I haven't been rejected or been offered a interview and the week has passed
what does this mean lol

I am in the same position too.

 

[skedaddleduck]

Is anyone else on the fence about pstp? I know I should apply to maximize my chances of getting into Pitt but I just don’t feel like I fit the supplemental application. I have done some basic research/posters/presentations but tbh my projects weren’t that successful though I learned a lot from them. Also no pubs. I do have 2 research profs to ask letters from but one is clinical (and pstp says they only do basic/translational/comp) and I was really only involved in the administrative part of that too.

I just feel weird applying to a very specific application I feel wholly unqualified for tbh

 

[tubleweedsea]

Is anyone else on the fence about pstp? I know I should apply to maximize my chances of getting into Pitt but I just don’t feel like I fit the supplemental application. I have done some basic research/posters/presentations but tbh my projects weren’t that successful though I learned a lot from them. Also no pubs. I do have 2 research profs to ask letters from but one is clinical (and pstp says they only do basic/translational/comp) and I was really only involved in the administrative part of that too.

I just feel weird applying to a very specific application I feel wholly unqualified for tbh

This is just my opinion, but I definitely think you should apply if you are interested in the program and a dedicated research year. My background is also more aligned with clinical research, and I’m sure many applicants can relate. However, I’m passionate about basic, translational, and even computational research as well. I also looked at the list of researchers and labs already involved in the PSTP and found some projects that really peaked my interest.

I think you are underestimating your previous achievements. Most of us are extremely early in our research careers. That’s somewhat expected. At the same time, I would NOT apply if it’s just to increase your chances at an acceptance. I wouldn’t sign up for something you wouldn’t be happy about partaking in.

 

[CoolSocks]

Is anyone else on the fence about pstp? I know I should apply to maximize my chances of getting into Pitt but I just don’t feel like I fit the supplemental application. I have done some basic research/posters/presentations but tbh my projects weren’t that successful though I learned a lot from them. Also no pubs. I do have 2 research profs to ask letters from but one is clinical (and pstp says they only do basic/translational/comp) and I was really only involved in the administrative part of that too.

I just feel weird applying to a very specific application I feel wholly unqualified for tbh

Where did you hear that applying to the PSTP increases your chances of getting into Pitt? My understanding was that the PSTP is more so an add on than another separate chance to get accepted? And is extremely competitive of course...

 

[skedaddleduck]

Where did you hear that applying to the PSTP increases your chances of getting into Pitt? My understanding was that the PSTP is more so an add on than another separate chance to get accepted? And is extremely competitive of course...

The pstp info session, it is an independent review process

 

[skedaddleduck]

This is just my opinion, but I definitely think you should apply if you are interested in the program and a dedicated research year. My background is also more aligned with clinical research, and I’m sure many applicants can relate. However, I’m passionate about basic, translational, and even computational research as well. I also looked at the list of researchers and labs already involved in the PSTP and found some projects that really peaked my interest.

I think you are underestimating your previous achievements. Most of us are extremely early in our research careers. That’s somewhat expected. At the same time, I would NOT apply if it’s just to increase your chances at an acceptance. I wouldn’t sign up for something you wouldn’t be happy about partaking in.

Thank you🤎 I do have an interest in basic research so I will apply.

 

[CoolSocks]

The pstp info session, it is an independent review process

Interesting... I feel like if you actually want to do the program it wouldn't hurt to apply, but I personally wouldn't think it truly increases your chances by a significant amount since the amount of people even interviewed is so tiny. Also, I think you can apply internally if you get in and feel more confident in your decision later which I am thinking about doing if I am lucky enough to get that far 🙂

 

[tubleweedsea]

Thank you🤎 I do have an interest in basic research so I will apply.

Of course! Glad you’re applying too 🙂 good luck!!

 

[rivelneeuq]

Has PSTP sent out interview invites?

 

[PistachioSkies]

anyone rejected today? OS pre II-R this morning

 

[tubleweedsea]

Has PSTP sent out interview invites?

Dr. Douglass said they begin screening December 1st, with interviews starting in January, so I assume it's still too early for II's to have gone out but that we can expect to hear pretty soon. I wish there was a separate thread for this cuz I also want to follow. Good luck!

 

[Childof_d_WayMaker]

For anyone that interviewed at Pitt ( For MD only), please how did you best prepare, and were question application specific or general. Thank you, would appreciate any insight!

 

[skedaddleduck]

For anyone that interviewed at Pitt ( For MD only), please how did you best prepare, and were question application specific or general. Thank you, would appreciate any insight!

The sdn pitt interview page has everything including the actual questions I was asked. Remember to relax, try to strike up a conversation, have a water bottle on hand to help the nerves! I had a picture of my partner being goofy below the zoom window which helped my own anxiety too.

 

[CoolSocks]

Does anyone who has interviewed more recently have a vibe of if they are 100% sticking with January 31st decisions this year? I know last year they said a date and then released them randomly earlier... I am trying to decide if I should request off for that day in case I am *emotionally distraught* from the news but don't want to waste a vacation day lol. I interviewed in August and am starting to go mentally insane

 

[mystery_grape019]

Does anyone who has interviewed more recently have a vibe of if they are 100% sticking with January 31st decisions this year? I know last year they said a date and then released them randomly earlier... I am trying to decide if I should request off for that day in case I am *emotionally distraught* from the news but don't want to waste a vacation day lol. I interviewed in August and am starting to go mentally insane

I interviewed at the end of October and that’s the date they told us as well

 

[skedaddleduck]

The early decision release last year was likely a huge admin mistake. I have a friend who works in (non-med) grad admissions and she stresses over accidentally releasing decisions/letters/updates lol the early release probably should not have happened. They will probably do everything to avoid that and release them on-time

 

[CoolSocks]

The early decision release last year was likely a huge admin mistake. I have a friend who works in (non-med) grad admissions and she stresses over accidentally releasing decisions/letters/updates lol the early release probably should not have happened. They will probably do everything to avoid that and release them on-time

Oh WOW. They were probably STRESSING. Thank you for the reassurance haha I will assume they will be extra careful this year and take the day off ahead of time

 

[akawewe]

Does anyone who has interviewed more recently have a vibe of if they are 100% sticking with January 31st decisions this year? I know last year they said a date and then released them randomly earlier... I am trying to decide if I should request off for that day in case I am *emotionally distraught* from the news but don't want to waste a vacation day lol. I interviewed in August and am starting to go mentally insane

I interviewed like two weeks ago and they said they were still on track to send decisions January 31st!

 

[snoopythedoc]

for those that sent updates/thank you letters, were these uploaded to your portal? if so, how long did it take

 

[CoolSocks]

for those that sent updates/thank you letters, were these uploaded to your portal? if so, how long did it take

Yes they were added to the portal (sent via email) and my letter of intent was uploaded almost immediately. They sent me a notice that it was uploaded. I think for the thank you notes that depends on your individual interviewer. I have thank you notes listed for the student and small group presenter, but not my individual interviewer (they replied to my thank you, I just don't think they thought to upload it).

 

[deleted1125342]

for those that sent updates/thank you letters, were these uploaded to your portal? if so, how long did it take

For my update letter, it took 30 minutes. I sent it on a Tuesday and received a confirmation reply from the assistant director of admissions.

 

[Jason1211]

for those that sent updates/thank you letters, were these uploaded to your portal? if so, how long did it take

Sent thank you letters to faculty (who said he was an adcom) and student and only student got uploaded. Unsure on the timeline but I checked a month post-interview and that is what I saw

 

[skedaddleduck]

Oh shoot I forgot to send thank you emails as my interview was right before the holidays+life got hectic with a new job. How seriously do they take those?

 

[Jason1211]

Oh shoot I forgot to send thank you emails as my interview was right before the holidays+life got hectic with a new job. How seriously do they take those?

I am pretty sure they do their interview assessments immediately after the interview! So I don't think they truly have any effect

 

[brainrobot294444]

Oh shoot I forgot to send thank you emails as my interview was right before the holidays+life got hectic with a new job. How seriously do they take those?

my interview group was told that the ad com does like to see thank yous, so even if they now won't impact your interview assessments it might still be worth sending so they can be uploaded to your file if you have time 🙂