Cornell

[SpeakLittleB]

Has anyone gotten an invitation to the Cornell's 11/17 interview date? My status still says "under review"... for 6 weeks now, so i'm anxious...

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[ThatOne]

I'd called them in early October and they said that the 11/17 date was filling up fast... honestly, I just got my application in October 12th or so. It might be worth calling them, they're pretty nice about letting you know what's up...

 

[SpeakLittleB]

YAY. Got the invite today!

 

[ThatOne]

Awesome! I'll see you there.

 

[sara3426]

i just got cornell 11/17. how many people do they interview?

 

[antinomian]

They interview ~70 total, 35 each day. Good luck.


-antinomian

Tri-I Student

 

[sara3426]

thanks for the reply.
also does anyone know how they grade the first 2 years? their website is mysteriously missing this information, leading me to believe it can't be great.

edit- found it. 3 intervals for first 2 years, 4 intervals for last 2 years of med school.
and pbl...

 

[antinomian]

edit- found it. 3 intervals for first 2 years, 4 intervals for last 2 years of med school.
and pbl...

I'm not sure what exactly you're referring to above.

During the first two years, the grading is H/P/F, and in my few years of experience around here, and watching a few match days go by, MD/PhD's needn't bother with the H's (same for med students, for that matter - though there is invariably more chatter about things like that amongst classmates whose clinical careers are more proximal than ours) during the pre-clinical years.

In the clinical years, grading is H/P/F as well, with some clerkships offering a HP in the mix as well, I believe. Despite the PhD years gap and how they may have done in the first two years, MD/PhD's nearly uniformly do excellently during those years. People generally don't worry about getting into residencies of their choice.

Transcripts do not show rank, nor are there any breakdowns of grades by sub-scores (i.e. PBL). Things like PBL grades are factored in with quiz grades and other things that I can't remember to produce one final letter (H/P/F). Clinical grades are a weighted mix of performance and shelf grades, which varies from clerkship to clerkship (but is cleraly explained at the outset).

In general, there are ways to distinguish oneself through grades, but it seems to me that there are far better uses of ones time.

-antinomian

Tri-I Student

 

[121494]

My application for Cornell's md/phd was complete on Oct 27...
does anyone know If there are any more interview spot available- would it be ok to call and ask?
Thanks!

 

[SpeakLittleB]

I called and asked on Oct. 13, and they were obliging enough to tell me that I would be in screening exactly that day. So they seem very helpful and willing to give information. I think it can't hurt. gl!

 

[121494]

Thanks!
I called them today and they said they are reviewing my file tomorrow morning and that if I get granted an interview, I would hear back with one or two days.
I guess my chances are pretty slim since most interview slots are probably filled...but who knows?

 

[MinDsnatch]

I got the exact message yesterday. They told me that they were reviewing my file today, and if I don't get a message by the end of today, then expect a decision (i.e. rejection).

It is now past 5PM EST...

I now have my first MSTP rejection.

must remain postive

 

[121494]

Same here! I have my first rejection: on Cornell's status page, it says: "the MD/PHD has mailed you a final decision" --> which means rejection...
oh well.

 

[SpeakLittleB]

Sorry guys

 

[sara3426]

question: when they invited us for interview it was pre-secondary.... does that mean that they haven't read our LORs?

i really hope they've read our LORs...

 

[Caristra]

question: when they invited us for interview it was pre-secondary.... does that mean that they haven't read our LORs?

i really hope they've read our LORs...

They don't have an MSTP secondary, and to be complete and get an interview you needed to submit the MD secondary so I am not quite sure what you mean....

 

[sara3426]

i just can't remember what i submitted to who... it's been so long and they're all starting to blend together.
in order to get an interview i submitted my md secondary, so that means they read my LORs, yeah?

 

[Caristra]

i just can't remember what i submitted to who... it's been so long and they're all starting to blend together.
in order to get an interview i submitted my md secondary, so that means they read my LORs, yeah?

Lol, it all seems like a mush to me too. If it wasn't for my little index cards for each school I would have no idea what the heck is going on.

They sent me an e-mail telling me a letter was missing when my app wasn't complete and only after they got the letter did I get my invite. Plus one of my interviewers made references to my letters, so I am assuming the letters have been read at some point.

 

[sara3426]

I really want to do well on this interview. Like really, REALLY well. But I haven't had an MD/PhD interview yet and I don't know what I'm in for at all! I definitely have already read the thread about what to expect in interviews in general, but does anyone have any Cornell/Tri-I specific advice? Caristra?

I'm particularly worried about left-field scientific questions that might throw me off. What if they ask something whose science I know nothing about?

 

[mdphdhopeful]

I really want to do well on this interview. Like really, REALLY well. But I haven't had an MD/PhD interview yet and I don't know what I'm in for at all! I definitely have already read the thread about what to expect in interviews in general, but does anyone have any Cornell/Tri-I specific advice? Caristra?

I'm particularly worried about left-field scientific questions that might throw me off. What if they ask something whose science I know nothing about?

cornell has a weird system. the interviews are 30mins. theres no time for "left-field" questions.

 

[Caristra]

cornell has a weird system. the interviews are 30mins. theres no time for "left-field" questions.

agreed. You'd be better served by a good set of map skills or learning the layout of the buildings to make sure you are not late/running around frantically. If you do get something left field just admit you don't know. They can't expect you to know everything.

 

[antinomian]

I really want to do well on this interview. Like really, REALLY well. But I haven't had an MD/PhD interview yet and I don't know what I'm in for at all! I definitely have already read the thread about what to expect in interviews in general, but does anyone have any Cornell/Tri-I specific advice? Caristra?

I'm particularly worried about left-field scientific questions that might throw me off. What if they ask something whose science I know nothing about?

I'm a student at Tri-I in my graduate years. The interviews are conversational and not intended to be needlessly stressful. Interviewers may push you about your research, but it's largely bound to be out of their own curiosity than a need to "test" you: treat it accordingly and engage yourself in discussion to the best of your ability. Finally, students often discount the medical school interview, but it absolutely does carry weight.

agreed. You'd be better served by a good set of map skills or learning the layout of the buildings to make sure you are not late/running around frantically. If you do get something left field just admit you don't know. They can't expect you to know everything.

They are pretty good about explicitly laying out directions or giving you a student escort to your interview (and noting if you're running late and calling ahead to your next interviewer). I wouldn't worry about this part. And Carista is right, they don't expect you to know everything. For that, refer to your next 14(+) years of post-graduate education and beyond.

Finally, enjoy yourself - you'll get to see a large number of your fellow MSTP interviewees (35 of them, at least), a lot of students in the program, and the city if you go out at night with them. Good luck.