Boston University

[gooseHC]

I was just wondering if anyone on this forum was interested at all in BU. From what I hear, people talk it down quite a bit. I interviewed in early December and they send their letters Feb 15th or so. Since I live right outside of Boston and since I have yet to hear from Tufts, I am pretty excited about hearing from them. I was just wondering if anyone else was interested in the school, because I have only heard it spoken of in a negative light on this board...

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[solomarc8]

I interviewed there in jan and was pleasantly surprised by the facilities and overall atmosphere. I can't wait to hear from them in Feb; i got their you-passed-the-first-post-interview-cut letter.

 

[Mystique]

goose,
I have some interest in BU mainly b/c I want to get out of the Southeast, and money is not a big issue for me. I was there earlier this month, and to be honest I liked the school. My opinion is probably biased though b/c I met some of my friend's friends. It seems that the school wasn't the first choice for those that I talked to. The students that I talked to were there b/c it was the only school that they had gotten into. As far as curriculum, you know what....you learn the same crud everywhere. It didn't seem like a "student happy" school, but at this point in the game, i really just want to get in somewhere. This waiting is wearing me thin.

I think I've rambled enough, but I don't think I answered your question (wait, did you have one? ). Anyways, good luck. I hope your hear good news from them on the 15th.

 

[SMW]

I'm interested, but thus far they've shown little interest in me since requesting that $100 check! They don't seem to be too interested in communicating with applicants either -- no email address in this day and age seems very strange!!

The downsides that I remember from previous discussion here are cost and 8 students/cadaver. Upside is the excellent clincial opportunities.

 

[gooseHC]

yeah I didn't have a question really..oops
but I did get through to the 'acceptable' pile, whatever that means. The school is expensive, which is a drawback, because if I get into both UMASS and BU, the $25,000/year I'd save by going to UMass isn't a question. But if it were a choice between BU and somewhere further away, I'd take BU...
SMW, it seems as if they are very weird in who and how they choose people...I heard from them early but from what I hear, they leave people waiting quite awhile..and the fact that they are non-technically savvy, it makes things hard...but I'm sure you'll hear soon...you've heard from Tufts, right?? Maybe you could call BU and try to coordinate something?
well good luck to all!

 

[Dr. Foxy]

I also interviewed at BU in early December and I currently live in Waltham (Brandeis). Besides BU being an excellent school that gives good preparation, it's also in Boston! The diverse area will offer a great patient population to learn from while in med school.
Good luck to all of you! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Feb 15, esp. since it's the only school I have interviewed at so far.

 

[darkmatter]

How long did it take you guys to receive the letter for the "accaptable" list? I've interviewed middle of January and I haven't received anything yet.

 

[Doctora Foxy]

I interviewed Dec. 4th and their acceptable letter was dated Dec. 11. I can't figure out if the short period is a good sign, or if my interview was at the end of their evaluation period or something for that month. Initially they said it would take a few weeks, so don't worry.

 

[SMW]

Originally posted by gooseHC:
•and the fact that they are non-technically savvy, it makes things hard...but I'm sure you'll hear soon...you've heard from Tufts, right?? Maybe you could call BU and try to coordinate something?
•••

I did call them this morning (Alaska time, early afternoon Boston time), and their computers were down. The woman who answered the phone was nice enough, but she said I should call back tomorrow, because she couldn't check on my app with the computers being down, and she really didn't expect the computers to be back up today. No wonder they're so slow!

 

[Mylaina]

Hey- What is this Feb 15th business? I haven't heard from them yet at all. Should I call about an interview?

 

[Mystique]

Feb 15th ~ start mailing out acceptances

 

[darkmatter]

Suppose I don't get that "acceptable list" letter by Feb., is rejection expected? Also, has there been anyone NOT accepted after placing in the acceptable list? I'm a little confused at their admissions process. Since I interviewed close to the decisions date, is it possible to receive an outright acceptance without passing through the "acceptable list"? My apologies for having so many questions.

 

[Doctora Foxy]

Most people who get the acceptable list do not get accepted...BU just sends it to let you know that your interview was ok. It says on the letter that there are much fewer available spots than those on the acceptable list. Since you interviewed so close to Feb, I would guess that they could skip the letter and just send you an acceptance. I think getting nothing does not mean you are rejected, they might just be a little backed up since they are making the big decisions at this time.

 

[darkmatter]

Thanks Dr. Foxy, I hope I can be as optimistic as you.

 

[botticelli]

Okay, guys, I am confused. If BU starts sending out acceptances on Feb. 15, does this mean I am screwed because I haven't heard anything from them since I sent in the check or do I still have a shot at an interview? Nobody in Boston likes me...whine..whine.

 

[trout]

Hey goosehc any chance you interviewed dec 11th? If you did I think I remember you....all I have heard at this point is I am on the acceptable list. SMW the answer to your question...my interviewer told me during my interview the only reason why I got an interview was because my parents went to BU (not the medical school, but another graduate level school) so I took it as a slight insult since I had also interviewed at Columbia, Cornell and several other schools higher ranking....so I don't know what they gain out of the $100 check to differentiate but....

 

[Doctora Foxy]

Botticelli: They still offer interviews after Feb 15...check the last interview thread. Lots of schols have given out tons of aceptances already, and they're stil interviewing. As far as I know, (but this is a rumor from interview feedback.com), every month, each interviewer at BU picks their few favorites and those people have already been accepted.
<img src="graemlins/pity.gif" border="0" alt="[Pity]" /> hang in there

 

[gooseHC]

trout, after I read your post, I thought I had interviewed on 12/11, but I interviewed at UMass on that day and BU a week earlier, on the 4th.
And as far as the acceptable letter is concerned, sometimes they take awhile. I got mine about 5 weeks after the interview, I think because of the holiday delay..
but if you haven't interviewed yet, that's not bad, because they don't fill their class on Feb 11th. They accept more I believe on specific later dates
And SMW, they definitely seem to be computer stupid because the day I was there for an interview, their computers were down too! frustrating!
good luck to all!

 

[Doctora Foxy]

goose..i interviwed at BU on dec. 4th too, in the morning

 

[merlin]

Hey, I interviewed on Dec. 4th as well. What a somewhat small world. Good luck everyone. Cheers.

 

[vyc]

did anyone here interview on the 5th?
i want to join in on this fun!
that's when i was there.

 

[botticelli]

Thanks for the encouragement, Dr. Foxy. I have heard that BU wants people who want to go there - I guess a lot of people interview there, but decide to go elsewhere in Boston if they get in? Or maybe it's the money. Maybe they don't like people from the south.

 

[Mystique]

botticelli,
Don't say that!! I'm from the South!!!!!

 

[Doctora Foxy]

yeah, I'm from the south too!!!

 

[boostedone]

As a current BU student I feel it's my obligation to dispel some rumors and assumptions that I've picked up on since reading this thread. First off, most everyone I know (in my class) is quite pleased with their decision to attend BU. And, on that note, the majority of them were accepted to multiple schools- not that it should have any bearing on an individual's assessment of the school's caliber.

The anatomy course does have 8 students/cadaver. However, this should not be perceived as a drawback. I think the majority of you will find dissection very exhausting and tedious. That said, it's likely you'll be thrilled to let some of your dissection group members have a shot at it. Moreover, many individuals simply don't enjoy dissection and therefore the other group members end up doing most of the work. Trust me when I tell you there are more than enough opportunities to dissect- both during and after scheduled lab hours.

About the tuition. . . yeah, it's expensive. And, I can definately understand it being a legitimate reason for someone to choose another school over BU. But, if in fact you end up at BU, you will undoubtedly receive an excellent education- especially in the clinical realm. Boston Medical Center is a public hospital with a very diverse patient population. This necessarily presents an incredible learning experience.

Lastly, there may be some truth to rumor that BU tends to favor those applicants that express a strong desire to attend. I am in no way affiliated with the admissions process so I cannot confirm whether or not this is true. However, if I were applying and really wanted to go here, I would probably find some way to convey it to the admissions panel.

Hope this helps.

 

[darkmatter]

So is it possible to get accepted without being put in the acceptable list? I'm close to getting upset at not having received anything yet. It's about a week since I've written a thank you note. Should I write to the dean or something?

 

[Doctora Foxy]

darkmatter, i just realized that you interviewed about 2 weeks ago. Some people had to wait a month to get the letter (I know a few), so just be patient....i wouldn't call them yet

 

[gooseHC]

that's pretty weird/funny that 3 of us interviewed on that same day...what a small world it is here on SDN. I interviewed in the afternoon...so if I remember, we weren't together? Or did we all take a tour together?? Everything is a blur these days...

 

[Doctora Foxy]

I got there at 8:30am, we all took a tour after lunch at 12...I was the only girl wearing a navy blue skirt suit...btw i think i figured out who merlin is cuz i dont remember others from cali

 

[gooseHC]

yeah my memory isn't so great when it comes to that. I probably would have a hard time remembering anyone if they were wearing a hot pink skirt suit..
but maybe if I bog my memory enough...maybe that'll make this waiting process less painful!