Downstate: Hold for Spring Consideration

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the update page itself is not working on the Downstate Website.
 
Mine wasn't working all weekend but then worked earlier this evening. Not working now though.
Still no change. Ugh.
 
I interviewed the week of 2/18 and received a "hold for spring consideration" letter, dated May 6.
 
What were your stats, a868373?
 
29 MCAT, 4.0 GPA, I am a Physician Assistant (nontraditional, but age 25).
 
Very decent, and you're from New York...which puts you in a favorable position. Good luck!

...Oh, did they ask you why the career switch, during the interview?
 
Yes, that is most of what we discussed in the interview--I think my interviewer and I viewed that as a strong point (proven ability to practice medicine, definitely know what I want to do and that I can do it, etc). My low MCAT score hardly came up. I am a new NY resident, so I am not sure whether they consider me NY or not. So, Handwriting, are you on hold? What's your story?
 
For residency consideration you need to have been a NY resident for at least a year. I was born and raised in NY and have been living here the past 6 years and I'm still having trouble coming up with all the documentation required to prove I'm a NY resident!
 
on hold....letter dated may 12th. my interview was feb 27th, mind you....so I've waited QUITE sometime and for them to send me a letter telling me they simply wouldn't make a decision yet is insane. aaarggghhh!! what are the chances do you think? is this worse than waitlist? they're so freakin slow!!!!

"spring consideration" is funny cause it's already late spring going on summer!! 😡
 
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nygirl243 said:
on hold....letter dated may 12th. my interview was feb 27th, mind you....so I've waited QUITE sometime and for them to send me a letter telling me they simply wouldn't make a decision yet is insane. aaarggghhh!! what are the chances do you think? is this worse than waitlist? they're so freakin slow!!!!

"spring consideration" is funny cause it's already late spring going on summer!! 😡
Click to expand...


I hear ya. Maybe a hold is the first tier waitlist but that's probably wishful thinking on my part 🙂
 
I called the admissions office this morning and the woman I spoke with said that most of the candidates on "hold" will be placed on the waitlist. She could not tell me how many applicants they place on hold.
 
My guess is that they are waiting a few days for things to settle down slightly before they send out any letters (there has been no WL movement it seems). I think hold at this point is ok, and means you are going to be waitlisted exactly like the rest of us. Who knows! maybe you have another letter headed your way right now...
 
a868373 said:
Yes, that is most of what we discussed in the interview--I think my interviewer and I viewed that as a strong point (proven ability to practice medicine, definitely know what I want to do and that I can do it, etc). My low MCAT score hardly came up. I am a new NY resident, so I am not sure whether they consider me NY or not. So, Handwriting, are you on hold? What's your story?
Click to expand...

So...my story...
I'm a long-time NY resident. Got put on hold...relatively low MCAT...GPA not too sexy...although a pretty darn good upward trend.
First-time applicant. Graduating this semester...so GPA is naturally higher than my mdapps one. Which brings me to a question: do ADCOMS take into consideration that juniors/seniors who apply will probably have an increased GPA before matriculation, while those who already graduated have a GPA that will no longer change? That's something to think about (sounds stupid though, doesn't it?)
 
just thought id let you guys know i will be withdrawing from downstate this week. i hope one of you gets my spot.
 
thanks, I hope so too, cgbg

handwriting, I don't really know. If you've been demonstrating an upward trend, they'll probably assume that your next semester grades will be the same as before or better. And I imagine that they'll glance over your transcript when you send updated grades to make sure that you haven't completely slacked off senior year.

They have to make a decision based upon your performance so far, not how well they think you'll do. In my opinion the extra semester's worth of grades is only useful to them as a confirmation/validation of their decision or, if you're an applicant that they like, but aren't 100% sure about, the grades can be the extra little push into the 'acceptance' pile. Generally though, I don't foresee the extra term making or breaking your application.
 
By the time you reach senior year an extra semester can't change your grade that significantly.
 
You guys make good points.
But I still think that it'd be good to note that the junior with the 3.66 should be potentially looked at the same way that the student who graduated with a 3.73 is looked at...simply because that junior is capable of reaching that GPA. Yes, the difference in GPAs is minute, but a 3.7 and above looks sexier than something in the 3.6 range.
 
handwriting said:
You guys make good points.
But I still think that it'd be good to note that the junior with the 3.66 should be potentially looked at the same way that the student who graduated with a 3.73 is looked at...simply because that junior is capable of reaching that GPA. Yes, the difference in GPAs is minute, but a 3.7 and above looks sexier than something in the 3.6 range.
Click to expand...

No they should not. That Junior with a 3.66 could just as easily go down to a 3.61. Yes lots of people improve but it's silly to say a junior with a 3.66 should be looked at the same way as a student who graduated with a 3.73.
If anyone thinks the last year of college is going to make that big of a difference in their gpa they should take a year off and apply after graduation.
 
I agree with everything you said, bandaids. I was saying all that stuff in a very lighthearted way...in a philosophical manner, you could say. I guess the bottom line is that it would be kind of faulty if ADCOMS compare two GPAs but forget that one guy still didn't graduate and so his GPA "can" go up. Of course, the GPA would not go up significantly, so it won't ever really matter, but it's all just for the sake of trivial truth.
Is a junior with a 3.5 the same thing as an applicant who graduated with a 3.5? Virtually, yes...literally, no.
 
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Sorry, I didn't mean to sound harsh. I do see your point, for sure. There's a big difference between my junior year gpa and my senior year gpa, and I'm not sure I would have gotten in had I applied after junior year.

I think ADCOMS probably look at applicants who have graduated and applicants still in undergrad differently anyway, so my guess is they take the GPA thing into account.
 
Dear Applicant:
Thank you for your interest in SUNY Downstate, and we appreciate your patience with our lengthy process. This email is being sent to update you on your application status. The Admissions Committee is still reviewing applications. We expect that the COM Admissions Committee will re-review applications in our “Hold” category at the end of June and that you will receive written notification of your application status in the first half of July. At that time, you will be notified if you are to be offered a place on our alternate list.

Well, I got this email this morning. I guess this is our answer to SUNY holds. Do you think the hold list will be pared down to the waitlist? That is, there are no more open spots and thus no more direct acceptances?
 
I got that email too. Does that mean the people on hold will only be placed on the waitlist and not accepted? And not until the middle of July? Don't classes start in August?
 
Right, the wording is kind of ambiguous. I'm not sure...maybe one of us should ask and then report back? 🙂
 
I got it too. I am getting sad.
 
got the same email. i love how they've got us by the gonads and dont plan on letting go anytime soon.
 
Got it, too. If you guys check last cycle's Hold List movement...I think there was movement in June, then silence, and then massive movement in July...and then a teensy bit of last minute movement thereafter.
 
handwriting said:
Got it, too. If you guys check last cycle's Hold List movement...I think there was movement in June, then silence, and then massive movement in July...and then a teensy bit of last minute movement thereafter.
Click to expand...

really?? they definitely are doing a good job making sure we want to go to their school. man, you have to be really dedicated (or desperate) to go through this.
 
I don't understand why they put people on hold if in the end we will just get put on the waitlist. Did they not get a lot of people declining acceptances on May 15 and so now they have less spots than they expected?
 
gobroncos said:
I don't understand why they put people on hold if in the end we will just get put on the waitlist. Did they not get a lot of people declining acceptances on May 15 and so now they have less spots than they expected?
Click to expand...

Right, I would expect them to put people on the waitlist as they go along rather than sorting through applications twice. But I guess it's just one of their quirks. :\
 
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Has anybody that interviewed in March heard anything from Downstate?
 
handwriting said:
Got it, too. If you guys check last cycle's Hold List movement...I think there was movement in June, then silence, and then massive movement in July...and then a teensy bit of last minute movement thereafter.
Click to expand...

So according to last year's hold list, how many SDN'ers on Hold got bumped onto the waitlist and offered an acceptance (A)? And how many people didnt (B). If SDN has enough samples:

Chances of getting accepted off the Hold list = A / (A+B) *100%

hooray for numbers.
 
haha, whatever helps to keep us sane in the meantime. 🙂
 
haha yeah wtf thanks the for email that basically says hey you havent waited long enough, wait some more thanks
 
drharps said:
So according to last year's hold list, how many SDN'ers on Hold got bumped onto the waitlist and offered an acceptance (A)? And how many people didnt (B). If SDN has enough samples:

Chances of getting accepted off the Hold list = A / (A+B) *100%

hooray for numbers.
Click to expand...

Here is what last year's cycle was all about:

Seadweller75 Int: 3/21 Alt: 5/10
chinny34
gau232000
DrCurious
AnthonyNY Int:12/10? Alt: 6/9
Doctor Doodle07 Int: 12/ Alt: 6/9
Friend of Wild Tumor: Int: 3/6 Alt:6/8 (originally on Hold)
Mattypez: Int: 3/28? alt: 6/9
poifect: Int:2/17 alt:6/7
Zenster
cgjock80

Accepted off alternate list
dafade Int: 3/6 lnt: 4/18 Accepted: 6/11
Kriyaban Int: 2/2* Alt: 6/9 Accepted: 7/3
sonofschmillson Int: 1/10 Alt: 6/11 (hold late april) Accepted: 7/3
goldenhair Int: 3/20 Alt: 5/9?? Accepted: 7/3 withdrew 7/11
sugarpi45 Accepted: 7/3
dcarinci: Int: 3/5 Alt: 6/9 Accepted: 7/10
VivaPortugal Accepted 7/23

Withdrew
WildTumor: Int: 3/12 Alt: 4/30
purometal Int: 2/26, Alt: 6/8
samiam37
goldenhair Int: 3/20 Alt: 5/9?? Accepted: 7/3 withdrew 7/11


It looks like some people may have been put on the alternate list early. Otherwise it shows those who became alternates, and then got accepted or not. It's important to note that not every med school applicant is on SDN, so this sample isn't a totally true reflection of what happened.
 
Doctor Brown said:
Has anybody that interviewed in March heard anything from Downstate?
Click to expand...
Nope. I interviewed around 3/15 and haven't heard ANYTHING from downstate. I'm pretty much assuming outright rejection or waitlist at this point.
 
Did anyone else get an email today about Downstate updating their alternate llist?
 
drharps said:
got the same email. i love how they've got us by the gonads and dont plan on letting go anytime soon.
Click to expand...
:laugh::laugh::laugh: No, they are gonna squeeze all the juice out of your family jewel before letting you go.
 
I got that darn e-mail today too...last year it seems they got put on the waitlist beg. of june and then accepted (if at all) beg. of july. but this e-mail says they're gonna look over our app end of june and see whether we're being put on a waitlist in july-- delaying it a month! and scool starts in august! and what if I don't get in and I need to take the MCAT again?!?!

all i have to say is...

AAAARRRRGGGHHHHH!!!😡👎
 
We expect that the COM Admissions Committee will re-review applications in our “Hold” category at the end of June
and that you will receive written notification of your application status in the first half of July. At that time, you will be notified if you are to be offered a place on our alternate list.

by the way it's worded it seems to imply that the only thing they would do in july is put you on the alternate list...or reject you by not making the alternate list.

evidently i've been reading this e-mail nonstop!!!
 
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handwriting said:
Here is what last year's cycle was all about:

Seadweller75 Int: 3/21 Alt: 5/10
chinny34
gau232000
DrCurious
AnthonyNY Int:12/10? Alt: 6/9
Doctor Doodle07 Int: 12/ Alt: 6/9
Friend of Wild Tumor: Int: 3/6 Alt:6/8 (originally on Hold)
Mattypez: Int: 3/28? alt: 6/9
poifect: Int:2/17 alt:6/7
Zenster
cgjock80

Accepted off alternate list
dafade Int: 3/6 lnt: 4/18 Accepted: 6/11
Kriyaban Int: 2/2* Alt: 6/9 Accepted: 7/3
sonofschmillson Int: 1/10 Alt: 6/11 (hold late april) Accepted: 7/3
goldenhair Int: 3/20 Alt: 5/9?? Accepted: 7/3 withdrew 7/11
sugarpi45 Accepted: 7/3
dcarinci: Int: 3/5 Alt: 6/9 Accepted: 7/10
VivaPortugal Accepted 7/23

Withdrew
WildTumor: Int: 3/12 Alt: 4/30
purometal Int: 2/26, Alt: 6/8
samiam37
goldenhair Int: 3/20 Alt: 5/9?? Accepted: 7/3 withdrew 7/11


It looks like some people may have been put on the alternate list early. Otherwise it shows those who became alternates, and then got accepted or not. It's important to note that not every med school applicant is on SDN, so this sample isn't a totally true reflection of what happened.
Click to expand...

Assuming the same amount of people withdraw:
7/18... 38.88%.
Seems too high. Must.. have.. more.. samples.
 
this is so frustrating. when i got put on "hold for spring consideration" i thought something would be decided by spring. now i wont find out until july if i can even make the waitlist.
 
gobroncos said:
this is so frustrating. when i got put on "hold for spring consideration" i thought something would be decided by spring. now i wont find out until july if i can even make the waitlist.
Click to expand...

hahaha totally... they should get their seasons straightened out :laugh:
 
drharps said:
Assuming the same amount of people withdraw:
7/18... 38.88%.
Seems too high. Must.. have.. more.. samples.
Click to expand...

hahahaha maybe there's data from two years ago floating around? 🙂
 
this really is kinda insane. almost funny- not quite though. I mean.... what? How many of you are just taking this for a rejection? Sometimes I wish it were just rejection so this could be over. I mean, come on, I have been told to wait for the next thing like 4 times now since interviewing (my case is special). It's tough...
 
squirrelking said:
this really is kinda insane. almost funny- not quite though. I mean.... what? How many of you are just taking this for a rejection? Sometimes I wish it were just rejection so this could be over. I mean, come on, I have been told to wait for the next thing like 4 times now since interviewing (my case is special). It's tough...
Click to expand...


No dude, it's not a rejection at all! They don't have a waitlist. They just hold you off if you're not good enough for the first tier acceptances but are still a good candidate. Then they put most people on the alternate list and accept them upon withdrawals. So don't worry too much!!

It IS horrible slow torture though...!! But don't give up hope!!
 
I have to agree. I'm keeping hope, but definitely lining my ducks up and making sure I have something else set up to keep me busy for the next year.
 
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