Early Decision or Not? SUNY Downstate

[Premedapplicant]

Hey guys

SUNY Downstate is my number one choice. I want to go there so badly! I applied late last cycle and didn't get an interview to any school to which I applied. I am putting my application together for this cycle and will submit on June 1.

Heres my quandry. I really want to stay in NYC. My gpa is a 3.3 and my science gpa is a 3.7 with a very steep upward trend (FS 1.1 SP 3.6 JR 3.7 SR 3.7) MCAT is 11 PS VR 11 BS 13 WS R. I have over 200 hours volunteering at Saint Vincents, plus research exp and I'm about to start a research assistant position in Psychiatry at Columbia where I am going to draw blood.

Seeing as SUNY is my number one, do you think applying there Early Decision would increase my chances of being admitted? Is it worth the risk? Also I spent over 3000$ last cycle on admissions fees and so money is kind of tight.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[illegallysmooth]

Hey guys

SUNY Downstate is my number one choice. I want to go there so badly! I applied late last cycle and didn't get an interview to any school to which I applied. I am putting my application together for this cycle and will submit on June 1.

Heres my quandry. I really want to stay in NYC. My gpa is a 3.3 and my science gpa is a 3.7 with a very steep upward trend (FS 1.1 SP 3.6 JR 3.7 SR 3.7) MCAT is 11 PS VR 11 BS 13 WS R. I have over 200 hours volunteering at Saint Vincents, plus research exp and I'm about to start a research assistant position in Psychiatry at Columbia where I am going to draw blood.

Seeing as SUNY is my number one, do you think applying there Early Decision would increase my chances of being admitted? Is it worth the risk? Also I spent over 3000$ last cycle on admissions fees and so money is kind of tight.

You sound pretty convinced this is where you want to go. I would go Early Decision if I were in your position. There is no risk if this is your top choice.

 

[Premedapplicant]

Well, I guess the risk is that I don't get in? Does Early Decision give me some sort of advantage in being admitted? I just don't know if I should just go ahead and apply to 30 schools again or just focus on the one that is both my top choice and my best chance of gaining admission...

 

[illegallysmooth]

Well, I guess the risk is that I don't get in? Does Early Decision give me some sort of advantage in being admitted? I just don't know if I should just go ahead and apply to 30 schools again or just focus on the one that is both my top choice and my best chance of gaining admission...

If you don't get in, you will automatically be placed into the regular applicant pool by Oct. 1st. If money is tight, this is what I would do to maximize chances. I also think you should apply to DO schools.

 

[NormaMD]

This would be a big risk, because if you do not get into SUNY Downstate then your application will be released LATE (October I think?) to all other schools.

Our pre-med office in undergrad advised that we only apply early decision if we were planning to go to that one school or not go to medical school that year (for example you cannot move because you have a family). It is not a good idea if the school is your top choice but you would be willing to go to other places too.

Applying early is the best thing you can do to maximize your chances. Apply early and broadly, and if SUNY Downstate is your top choice, then let them know that, but don't apply early decision.

 

[illegallysmooth]

This would be a big risk, because if you do not get into SUNY Downstate then your application will be released LATE (October I think?) to all other schools.

Our pre-med office in undergrad advised that we only apply early decision if we were planning to go to that one school or not go to medical school that year (for example you cannot move because you have a family). It is not a good idea if the school is your top choice but you would be willing to go to other places too.

Applying early is the best thing you can do to maximize your chances. Apply early and broadly, and if SUNY Downstate is your top choice, then let them know that, but don't apply early decision.

Well, yeah it will be a bit late. But that doesn't mean he definitely don't get in anywhere else.

 

[Zona Pellucida]

Make sure to VISIT VISIT VISIT the school before you do this. My perception of various schools have changed drastically after actually going and interviewing, talking with students, etc. and I am happy I did not 'Early Decision' anywhere as I would have closed out even experiencing other options.

If you are certain after visiting, go for it!

Best of Luck.

 

[ronaldo23]

Hey guys

SUNY Downstate is my number one choice. I want to go there so badly! I applied late last cycle and didn't get an interview to any school to which I applied. I am putting my application together for this cycle and will submit on June 1.

Heres my quandry. I really want to stay in NYC. My gpa is a 3.3 and my science gpa is a 3.7 with a very steep upward trend (FS 1.1 SP 3.6 JR 3.7 SR 3.7) MCAT is 11 PS VR 11 BS 13 WS R. I have over 200 hours volunteering at Saint Vincents, plus research exp and I'm about to start a research assistant position in Psychiatry at Columbia where I am going to draw blood.

Seeing as SUNY is my number one, do you think applying there Early Decision would increase my chances of being admitted? Is it worth the risk? Also I spent over 3000$ last cycle on admissions fees and so money is kind of tight.

NO. You have a very good application, but you will screw yourself over if you don't get in. Chances aren't really higher, it's just that deans love EDP so they can fill up their class early. Especially with that 3.3 you are taking a big leap of faith. Usually succesful EDP students have grades above the average of the school. Every year there are dozens of people on SDN who claim the dean of the medical school college told them to apply EDP, and they still got deferred/waitlisted/rejected.