BU - June Waitlist movement

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Is that what the adcom office said? And if so when did you speak to them?

Say it ain't so.....🙁

sendwich said:
hidy ho folks. NO movement in the waitlist expected anytime soon!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙁
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Righty123 said:
Is that what the adcom office said? And if so when did you speak to them?

Say it ain't so.....🙁
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talked to the big man. he was very patient about explaining how he didnt expect things to be this way at this point (ie very very little WL movement).

i think some people at other schools have been saying how WL movmenet is VERY VERY LOW this year b/c more applicants applied, and had 1 acceptance-->no withdrawals. 👎

i wish it wasn't so too 🙁
 
Doctak04 said:
I'm with you guys. I'm starting to make my plans to head out to Michigan for school instead. Where are you guys headed off to?
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It's looking like I'm New York bound... Though I'll be disappointed to leave Boston, I'm beginning to look forward to taking in a new city! 👍
 
Doctak04 said:
I'm with you guys. I'm starting to make my plans to head out to Michigan for school instead. Where are you guys headed off to?
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I'd love to go back to Boston, but for now, sounds like I'm headed off to Michigan as well.
 
Hi folks on the waitlist,

although I'm someone who's been accepted and enrolling-- there might be a technicality regarding my seat which might open an extra "half" seat up... I'm planning to enroll as a special part-time BUSM student in their "Alternative Curriculum", which defers part of MS1 year to the following year. Thus, if they are at the cusp of being full, perhaps a half-empty seat might make them pull and extra person off the WL.

although don't get hopes too high yet, next week, I'm going to try talking to admissions to argue on your behalf for allowing one additional person off the WL given my part-time enrollment. I certainly know how tough this past admissions cycle has been, and I totally feel for you folks. and following this thread for the past few months-- you guys have certainly taught me the meaning of staying ever positive and holding out hope! 🙂

Best wishes to all of you,
~E
 
epidemic8675309 said:
Hi folks on the waitlist,

although I'm someone who's been accepted and enrolling-- there might be a technicality regarding my seat which might open an extra "half" seat up... I'm planning to enroll as a special part-time BUSM student in their "Alternative Curriculum", which defers part of MS1 year to the following year. Thus, if they are at the cusp of being full, perhaps a half-empty seat might make them pull and extra person off the WL.

although don't get hopes too high yet, next week, I'm going to try talking to admissions to argue on your behalf for allowing one additional person off the WL given my part-time enrollment. I certainly know how tough this past admissions cycle has been, and I totally feel for you folks. and following this thread for the past few months-- you guys have certainly taught me the meaning of staying ever positive and holding out hope! 🙂

Best wishes to all of you,
~E
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wow, that's awfully kind of you, epidemic! 🙂 😍 😍 please let us know how that goes!!! 👍
 
Epi, that is quite noble of you. In a process where students try to edge each other out, your efforts are a breath of fresh air, esp. for us on the waitlist.

Just a bit of advice, I hear that those that get off the waitlist are usu. contacted on Tue/Wed. Therefore, I assume that is when Witzburg takes time to go over potential candidates and contact them. So if you plan to get in touch with him when he is available those two days might be your best option.

In general, I'm sure I say thank you on behalf of everyone still on the WL! 👍
 
I'm going to echo the other posters on this board and say that is awesome of you to consider people on the waitlist.

As for me...I think I'm going to withdraw from the BU waitlist. I really liked NYMC better and only wanted to get into BU because
1. the higher rank/prestige which is a stupid reason, I know and
2. because at the time I had zero acceptances.

And maybe people will assume that I'm just bitter I didn't get in but there's something not right about BU and how they treat people...I don't want to get into it now but they're seriously abusing/exploiting one of the student groups and I don't like it. That's what leaves me with a bitter taste in my mouth.
 
Thayer said:
I'm going to echo the other posters on this board and say that is awesome of you to consider people on the waitlist.

As for me...I think I'm going to withdraw from the BU waitlist. I really liked NYMC better and only wanted to get into BU because
1. the higher rank/prestige which is a stupid reason, I know and
2. because at the time I had zero acceptances.

And maybe people will assume that I'm just bitter I didn't get in but there's something not right about BU and how they treat people...I don't want to get into it now but they're seriously abusing/exploiting one of the student groups and I don't like it. That's what leaves me with a bitter taste in my mouth.
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Thayer would you care to expand on this. I'd like to know to get a heads up b/c i might be going to BU this fall.
 
Thirded! i would like to know too.
 
epidemic8675309 said:
Hi folks on the waitlist,

although I'm someone who's been accepted and enrolling-- there might be a technicality regarding my seat which might open an extra "half" seat up... I'm planning to enroll as a special part-time BUSM student in their "Alternative Curriculum", which defers part of MS1 year to the following year. Thus, if they are at the cusp of being full, perhaps a half-empty seat might make them pull and extra person off the WL.

although don't get hopes too high yet, next week, I'm going to try talking to admissions to argue on your behalf for allowing one additional person off the WL given my part-time enrollment. I certainly know how tough this past admissions cycle has been, and I totally feel for you folks. and following this thread for the past few months-- you guys have certainly taught me the meaning of staying ever positive and holding out hope! 🙂

Best wishes to all of you,
~E
Click to expand...

Epidemic you sound cool😎. Any chance you did public health and hence the name?
 
Haha...i wonder if that's epidemic's phone number in his SN ?
 
Thayer said:
... but they're seriously abusing/exploiting one of the student groups and I don't like it. That's what leaves me with a bitter taste in my mouth.
Click to expand...

Are you talking about how they have treated GMS students? If so I totally agree, I feel like many promises were made and not fulfilled. But I think as a medical student you are treated much better and the situation will be much different...at least I hope so.

Good luck to everyone still waiting, I have been checking this thread daily hoping that you get in!
 
csujon said:
Are you talking about how they have treated GMS students? If so I totally agree, I feel like many promises were made and not fulfilled. But I think as a medical student you are treated much better and the situation will be much different...at least I hope so.

Good luck to everyone still waiting, I have been checking this thread daily hoping that you get in!
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maybe i was out of the loop (or just really clueless) on this, but what do you exactly mean by this?
 
Star polyp said:
Epidemic you sound cool😎. Any chance you did public health and hence the name?
Click to expand...

yeah, i'm an epidemiologist. majored in public health in undergrad and went to grad school for epi. and no, "8675309" is not any personal number -- just a lil nod to the original song.

Witzburg is getting a call from me in <10 hours.
 
It's funny (sad?) that I know exactly which group she's talking about. A lot of students at one time or another help out with BU's outreach organization. They bring food, clothing, and a doctor out to a bad neighborhood every week. BU will use them in every pamphlet to talk about how great our community service activities are, but in all actuality that's as far as it is supported. The administration has crammed them into a basement office, in a remote corner of the school. The facilities down their comprise of peeling paint, free-hanging wires that graze your head, and cockroaches (among other things). It's abundantly clear that the administration doesn't actually care about this organization in the least (or any real community service), as long as they can use them as a selling point for the school.

However, Thayer simply pointed out a specific manifestation of a deeper problem. If you go to BU, understand you are nothing but a walking dollar sign to the administration. In the ballance between a great supported education, and making profit, BU errs on the latter very strongly. I'm guessing this is what Thayer meant by "not quite right".
 
isoquin said:
A lot of students at one time or another help out with BU's outreach organization. They bring food, clothing, and a doctor out to a bad neighborhood every week. BU will use them in every pamphlet to talk about how great our community service activities are, but in all actuality that's as far as it is supported.
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is this the only student group that does "outreach" into the community? if true, that's pretty sad.
 
anyone else just get the "round 2" status update from BU, aka post-waitlist rejection? bite me, BU! thank goodness i'm going to a way less sketchy school!
 
Pritzzker202 said:
anyone else just get the "round 2" status update from BU, aka post-waitlist rejection? bite me, BU! thank goodness i'm going to a way less sketchy school!
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when did you get this email?
 
3:42 pm today. well, maybe i'm the only one! that probably just means i am far enough down the waitlist that, given the apparent total lack of movement, they know they will definitely not get to me. which is fine, it's nice that they at least let people know so they can make alternate plans...hopefully other people who get this email are already as set at another school as me (i'd already signed a lease).
 
I got it too.
 
I also got that email. So much for their claim of trying to have more waitlist movement this year. Guess I'll be getting to work on another personal statement and wasting another year of my life. awesome. 😡🙁😡
 
wow. what exactly did the email say? did they straight up reject you, or tell you that your chances of getting off the waitlist are basically nil?
 
what does this mean?
what is a round two letter. So is this like a belated rejection letter?
Please someone explain this to me.
 
subject: BU School of Medicine Status Update Round 2

BOSTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS

This email is being sent to inform you that new information regarding your application to Boston University School of Medicine has been posted to MyApplication at BUSM. To view this information and reply, please click on this link:

Dear _____,

The Committee on Admissions of Boston University School of Medicine has completed its review of your application. It is with great regret that I inform you that we will be unable to offer you a seat in the class entering in the fall of 2007. This is a disappointment, as much for those who are responsible for the decision as it may be for you, the candidate who is turned away.

Most of the candidates we are considering this year are qualified to attend medical school and are likely to make important contributions to our profession and to society. Sadly, with almost 100 applicants for every seat in the class, we are forced to deny many exceptional people.

We acknowledge and respect your accomplishments, and recognize that our inability to offer you an opportunity to complete the admissions process is a loss for Boston University. Please accept our best wishes for all your future endeavors.

Sincerely,

Robert A. Witzburg, M.D.
 
It's the same generic BS that every other rejection letter gives.
 
got it too!

woohoo for closure?
 
just got one too. ouch.
 
I wasn't aware that they could reject you after being waitlisted. I thought that people would just remain on the WL until the first day of classes and then that was that, and if you haven't heard by then you were rejected.😕. I'm sorry for everyone who got this letter. Goodluck in whatever you decide to do and remember to keep the faith and enjoy yourself in the meantime.
 
Sorry to hear this guys. 🙁🙁 I guess the school is not expecting substantial waitlist movement and didn't want to keep people hanging in limbo. This is 1st time i've heard of the school doing this.
 
Is there anyone on the WL that has NOT received this email?
 
Righty123 said:
Is there anyone on the WL that has NOT received this email?
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Yes, I haven't received anything.

However, my wait list email was included in a batch that took at least a couple days to reach every intended recipient. I may yet receive a 'thumbs down' email. We'll see how the week progresses... 😕
 
wannaB said:
Yes, I haven't received anything.

However, my wait list email was included in a batch that took at least a couple days to reach every intended recipient. I may yet receive a 'thumbs down' email. We'll see how the week progresses... 😕
Click to expand...

I didnt get one of these emails either, I wonder what that means. Maybe there will just be another waive of post interview rejections in a week or so. I have no idea what is going on at this point.
 
I didn't get one either. But who knows, next week my luck could run out.
 
just emailed Witzburg about my half-vacant MS1 seat. gluck guys and have a great 4th.
 
Hey guys, I got the email too. I guess I appreciate this, as they must be really freaking sure that you aren't getting off the list to do something like this.
 
So I will elaborate on my earlier comments in a little bit (I'm at work now and duty calls). I want to make sure my disgruntled tirade gets the length it deserves.

But, I found out some information today that made me absolutely irate and I had to share it with you sdn buddies. Many of you are asking yourselves why they are rejecting people off the waitlist, why there is practically no waitlist movement at all. Shouldn't they have fixed this after the disaster last year?

Well my friends, the news is 12-15 BU medical students from the class of 2010 failed their first year. FAILED with a huge freakin F. What does that mean for those on the waitlist for the class of 2011? Well those students that failed will be retaking their first year...thus taking up resources and spots for the incoming class of 2011. That's 12-15 of you on the waitlist who would have had a spot but now don't.

Now, it is the policy of most medical schools to work with students who are struggling and allow them to retake classes. It's not unheard of for medical students to fail their first year. I believe most med schools have maybe 1 or 2 people who fail their first year. But 12 -15 is ridiculous. Why don't they just expel the students? Because it hurts their statistics, it doesn't look so good when 12-15 don't finish the 4 year MD program. That's a bad attrition rate. And BUSM is worried about their image as much if not more so than every other medical school out there.

I'm not going to blame the faculty and course structure on this one. As I said in my earlier post, the professors are one of the redeeming factors of BUSM. Many of you, like me, are GMS and have taken the same first year courses..with the class of 2010 or 2009. And while it's no cake walk and you work probably harder than you ever have before...it's doable. Therefore, I am placing the blame solely on the admissions committee. It is their responsibility to select individuals who are academically, emotionally, and mentally prepared for the rigorous medical school curriculum. Apparently, they didn't do that...and now there is a whole list of qualified, hopeful people on the BU waitlist who are willing to work ridiculously hard to prove they deserve admission...and they are just going to languish on the waitlist.😡

The honorable thing to do would be to expand the class size, to take into account the 12-15 extra students and not leave 12-15 deserving applicants on the waitlist.
 
Thayer said:
Well my friends, the news is 12-15 BU medical students from the class of 2010 failed their first year. FAILED with a huge freakin F.
Click to expand...


oh my gosh. i am speechless. talk about making an error. was the error made in how they chose their students? how they ran lectures??? C...heck maybe even D's are mildly understandable...but F?!?!?!?!?! 12-15 students failing out....that's like 10% of the class. 🙁 That takes effort. Anyone else feel....robbed? 🙁 It sounds like we're going to get the brunt this mess. this MAJORLY SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Thayer said:
The honorable thing to do would be to expand the class size, to take into account the 12-15 extra students and not leave 12-15 deserving applicants on the waitlist.
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YES, I WHOLEHEARTEDLY Agree!!!!! Maybe I'm being childish by saying this, but this is not fair!!! (but what about this whole process is??)
 
Serious! I don't have any acceptances so far and two waitlists.

I've already completely my 2008 application and now studying for the MCATs just in case I dont get in by August 6th. Sigh...

Definitely not cool to take spots from incoming applicants. 🙁
 
I can't believe those students couldn't even pass their classes with a 70%! I took most of the hardest ones in the GMS program and had no problem getting A's (>90%). 70%, come on... that wasn't even on my radar.
Whatever...ridiculous!!!!
 
Actually, after consideration and discussion with others, it seems far fetched that 15 med students failed all their classes.
I am wondering how it is possible for these students to fail. They are allowed to retake exams to pass for some classes, and I think they can retake histo and possibly anatomy during the summer.
 
I didn't say failed all their classes.
They did not perform well enough to allow them to progress to second year.

I mean after a certain point you have to hold someone back a year. If it's just one class I imagine you retake the course over the summer semester. If it's 3 courses...maybe they make you retake the entire first year. And those are just arbitrary numbers, maybe it's fail 4 and you have to redo first year. I don't know.

This is news passed to me through a friend who spoke with a BU official who communicates regularly with the adcom. Who knows, maybe this is just false information to cover up something even more nefarious....dun dun DUUN!!!!!
 
The fact is, they CANT increase their class size. They already stabbed themselves in the foot last year with the numbers that accepted. For all we know, this little stunt is actually a method to try and correct THAT problem before it becomes apparent. The fact is, this class is gonna have some trouble with herding that many students aroung the hospital in later years.

I agree with Thayer and Lance, it's definately not the profs, as it's difficult to get *SCALED* grades that low. Unlike Thayer, my own bias/experience leads me to blame the administration on this one. Think of it this way: It was once a system where amazing profs could focus solely on med students. Then they introduced GMS, which took some of their focus off the med students for the grad students. AHA! GMS is paydirt! So they continually increase the size, and now the profs are spread a little thin. They once served ~100 students, now it's closer to ~250.

Either way, something smells like bad Boston chowder, and it's not the sweaty biker her, or the frenchy physiologist...
 
Well, I can confirm that what Thayer said is true. heard it directly from my advisor who is on the adcom. and yes, it is totally unfair. my advisor told me Witzburg is not happy about this at all, but he can be as unhappy as he wants...that doesn't do anything for us. we're the ones getting screwed.

As far as who to blame, definitely the administration for not picking motivated, qualified students. But let's blame the people that actually failed their classes. It's not that the profs are spread thin. It's that some of these med students just didn't care enough to do the work. I vividly remember after the immuno final last year hearing so many of the first-years talk about how they didn't study at all b/c they just needed to pass, and how it must have sucked for the GMS kids who actually had to study. That attitude is the reason these students are repeating and taking up spots for people that actually want to work hard.
 
well i can't lie that pisses me off. a good deal.
 
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