Mayo 2009!!!

[azuldelcielo]

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Members do not see this ad.

Nay
chad5871: Impoverished: 7/12. Notified of non-selection: 7/23
Dal2487: Impoverished: 7/12. Notified of non-selection: 7/23
disorder: Impoverished: 7/12. Notified of non-selection: 8/04
Bradstein: Impoverished: 7/12. Notified of non-selection: 8/04
JDoc13: Impoverished: 7/12. Notified of non-selection: 8/5
Myuuchan: Impoverished: 7/12. Notified of non-selection: 8/05
amandamj: Impoverished: 7/12. Notified of non-selection: 8/04
LET: Impoverished: 7/13. Notified of non-selection: 8/4
eyang22286: Impoverished: 7/14. Notified of non-selection: 8/04
joponoda: Improverished: 7/14. Notified of non-selection: 8/6
amp3r5and: Improverished: 7/22. Notified of non-selection: 8/14

Yay
knuck000: Impoverished: 7/12. LOR Request: 8/6
Doomknight: Paid: 7/12. Selected for LOR Request: 8/6
funkydrmonkey: Impoverished: 7/13. LOR Request: 8/6
pjg: impoverished: 7/14. LOR request 8/6
pianola: Fees @ 7/14. LOR request!!!!! 8/7😀
copperfrog09: Impoverished: 7/20. LOR Request: 8/6
copingmethods: Impoverished: 7/22. LOR Request: 8/6
Poiu86: Impoverished: 7/24. LOR Request: 8/7
bpman14: Impoverished: 7/12. LOR Request: 8/6
cougarY: Impoverished: 7/15 LOR Request: 8/6
seven87: Impoverished: 7/12. LOR Request: 8/6
HaveHope: Impoverished: 8/4. LOR Request: 8/7
cheasus: Impoverished: 8/4. LOR Request: 8/8
Zpiff: Impoverished: 7/12. LOR Request: 8/8
Chubbychaser: Impoverished: 7/12. LOR Request: 8/6
JFrusciante: Impoverished:7/14. LOR Request: 8/13
CancerKiller007 (MSTP): Impoverished: 8/13. LOR Request: 8/13
sleepy425 (MSTP):Impoverished: 8/13. LOR Request: 8/13
Waterlilly (MSTP):Impoverished: 8/13. LOR Request: 8/13
Droshan: Impoverished: 7/11. LOR Request: 8/5
vanilla59: Impoverished: 8/8. LOR Request: 8/21
lemonhoney: Impoverished: 7/12. LOR Request: 8/21
oober: Impoverished: 8/11. LOR Request: 8/21
azuldelcielo: Impoverished: 7/24. LOR Request: 8/21

Limbo:
MNgirl2013: Impoverished: 7/13. Embraced or rejected: ??
SBK: Impoverished: 7/13. Embraced or rejected ??
breeak: Impoverished: 7/14. Embraced or rejected: ??
ayushman80: Impoverished: 7/14. Embraced or rejected: ??
justapremed: Impoverished: 7/15. Embraced or rejected: ??
BluePhoenix: Donation to the gods of Mayo: 7/15. LOR Request ??
jon2727: Impoverished: 7/19. Embraced or rejected: ??
jgberken: Impoverished: 7/20. Embraced or rejected: ??
Begaster: Impoverished: 7/22. Embraced or rejected: ??
Amaranthinemoxi: Impoverished: 7/24. Embraced or rejected?
Renne7: Impoverished: 8/1. Embraced or rejected: ??
Ubergeek: Impoverished: 8/13. Embraced or rejected: ??
serikk85: Impoverished: 8/12. Embraced or rejected: ??
RollTideChem: Impoverished: 8/18. Embraced or rejected: ??
Mr. Hat: Impoverished: 8/11. Embraced or rejected: ??

 

[cetona]

I was thinking the exact same thing. Even if SDN does reflect the upper 15% of the pre-med pool, you still wouldn't see this many "yays" if only 500 LOR requests went out. Maybe the numbers are higher this year because they didn't have a secondary phase as well 🙂confused🙂.

Even if SDN is the top 15% of pre-meds, that doesn't necessarily mean that everyone is reporting. People tend to report only good things. Just like that "how many interviews have you gotten" thread, people are more willing to post that they have gotten 4 or 5 interviews as opposed to none.

 

[pianola]

Even if SDN is the top 15% of pre-meds, that doesn't necessarily mean that everyone is reporting. People tend to report only good things. Just like that "how many interviews have you gotten" thread, people are more willing to post that they have gotten 4 or 5 interviews as opposed to none.

I totally realize that and I'm def. not counting the # of Nays.

But there are what, ~25 Yays so far? Effectively, that's saying that about 25/500 x 100% = 5% of the 500 LORs use SDN. Is that reasonable? 5% seems a little high.

 

[BluePhoenix]

You also have to consider that not everyone is probably reporting their results. I mean I imagine that people that get a positive response are probably more inclined to update things or post it while if you got rejected, there's probably a lower percentage that will bother...

 

[betheltim]

You also have to consider that not everyone is probably reporting their results. I mean I imagine that people that get a positive response are probably more inclined to update things or post it while if you got rejected, there's probably a lower percentage that will bother...

Yeah, I probably won't report mine, because I won't need to. With the quality of people I'm seeing on here getting LOR requests, unless they have a perspective into my personality, there's no way in the fiery afterlife I get an interview invite/LOR request... Hahaha. But my application is in, so I can't turn back now! 🙂

 

[SBK]

So is there any consensus opinion as to not getting an update means? I was def. complete and submitted the fee very early.

 

[Lacheln]

You also have to consider that not everyone is probably reporting their results. I mean I imagine that people that get a positive response are probably more inclined to update things or post it while if you got rejected, there's probably a lower percentage that will bother...

I will. It will be a part of my grieving process. 😛

 

[deleted128562]

So is there any consensus opinion as to not getting an update means? I was def. complete and submitted the fee very early.

This is an interesting and very fair question. There are people who were impoverished 10-14 days ago who are getting LOR requests, and others who have been waiting well over 4 weeks and have heard nothing. Previous posts make it seem quite clear that it isn't just 1 person who reviews an app, so it can't be that "different adcoms/deans are slower than others". Honestly, the older my app gets the more worrisome it will become, because it seems to me that if someone who submitted the same day as me has received an LOR request and I haven't, that can't be a good sign. If you submitted an app for a job before or at the same time as someone else, and the company called them on a particular day, but not you, what would you think?

Maybe I'm getting paranoid because I want Mayo so much 😍 but it does seem odd.

That aside, and most importantly, CONGRATS AND GOOD LUCK to everyone who has received the LOR request!!!!

 

[nina7123]

This is an interesting and very fair question. There are people who were impoverished 10-14 days ago who are getting LOR requests, and others who have been waiting well over 4 weeks and have heard nothing. Previous posts make it seem quite clear that it isn't just 1 person who reviews an app, so it can't be that "different adcoms/deans are slower than others". Honestly, the older my app gets the more worrisome it will become, because it seems to me that if someone who submitted the same day as me has received an LOR request and I haven't, that can't be a good sign.

But there have also been people who were rejected before 4 weeks...Maybe the applications in limbo had one positive review and one negative so they are getting reviewed a third time? I don't even know how the process works...not sure why I'm talking 😛

 

[ayushman80]

But there have also been people who were rejected before 4 weeks...Maybe the applications in limbo had one positive review and one negative so they are getting reviewed a third time? I don't even know how the process works...not sure why I'm talking 😛

All I know is that I was sent an email saying that my app would be considered within 4 weeks. Its been 5 already and will likely be 2 more. If I get a rejection after that long of a wait I'm gonna be pretty upset😡. Some of the people who have waited for 4 weeks or more have some OUTSTANDING qualifications (gpa, mcat, and EC) (e.g. lemonhoney waited for 5 I believe). It really seems a little wierd to me that they would be partially rejected even before the LORs arrive.

Something else is going on here. I wish that mayo would atleast email the people who have been waiting for this long and explain what the process is. I've already called Marcy like 3 times so I'm a little hesitant to do so again. Don't wanna worsen a situation that may already be bad.

 

[Phoenix.]

I heard through the grapevine that they started emailing out the first few invites in the last day or so.

 

[funkydrmonkey]

I heard through the grapevine that they started emailing out the first few invites in the last day or so.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pick me Mayo, Pick MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

 

[justapremed]

I know I'm just hoping, but I wish I would hear something from Mayo... soon. But I agree... 5 weeks and no news, I'm not sure that they liked me very much. 🙁

 

[Retsage]

Yeah, I submitted four weeks ago and absolutely no news. 🙁

 

[Phoenix.]

Yeah, I submitted four weeks ago and absolutely no news. 🙁

I believe it's four weeks from when Mayo receives your primary from AMCAS, not from when you submitted it to AMCAS/added Mayo. I know it's hard, but try to be patient. I'm guessing they're pretty inundated as well.... If you haven't heard back I wouldn't assume it's bad news at all.

 

[justapremed]

I believe it's four weeks from when Mayo receives your primary from AMCAS, not from when you submitted it to AMCAS/added Mayo. I know it's hard, but try to be patient. I'm guessing they're pretty inundated as well.... If you haven't heard back I wouldn't assume it's bad news at all.

Oh, when I meant 5 weeks, I meant just about 5 weeks since I paid them. Hm, what could it mean though, if people who's paid Mayo way after me have already gotten LoR requests and I haven't heard anything from them?!

 

[Retsage]

I believe it's four weeks from when Mayo receives your primary from AMCAS, not from when you submitted it to AMCAS/added Mayo. I know it's hard, but try to be patient. I'm guessing they're pretty inundated as well.... If you haven't heard back I wouldn't assume it's bad news at all.

Yeah, I meant completed. They got my money July 23rd.

 

[Phoenix.]

Oh, when I meant 5 weeks, I meant just about 5 weeks since I paid them. Hm, what could it mean though, if people who's paid Mayo way after me have already gotten LoR requests and I haven't heard anything from them?!

I honestly think it doesn't mean a thing. Look at lemonhoney's info above. They paid on 7/12 and got an LOR request on 8/21. It obviously didn't matter that other people heard back sooner. An LOR request is an LOR request (or an invite an invite), whenever you get it (especially when we're talking about a difference in days/weeks). So, don't stress it (i.e., don't let SDN make you crazy).

 

[jdoc2012]

In response to Betheltim. "eah, I probably won't report mine, because I won't need to. With the quality of people I'm seeing on here getting LOR requests, unless they have a perspective into my personality, there's no way in the fiery afterlife I get an interview invite/LOR request... Hahaha. But my application is in, so I can't turn back now! 🙂"

Hey. You never know what about your application might strike a chord with the admissions committee. It is definitely not all about the numbers at the Mayo. Trust me. So don't give up yet.

 

[betheltim]

In response to Betheltim. "eah, I probably won't report mine, because I won't need to. With the quality of people I'm seeing on here getting LOR requests, unless they have a perspective into my personality, there's no way in the fiery afterlife I get an interview invite/LOR request... Hahaha. But my application is in, so I can't turn back now! 🙂"

Hey. You never know what about your application might strike a chord with the admissions committee. It is definitely not all about the numbers at the Mayo. Trust me. So don't give up yet.

Yeah, that's basically part of what makes Mayo Med so appealing to me... Rest assured, I will not be giving up until the final rejection letter hits my email in the dark of night... And even then, I might not be giving up, haha. If I get an interview from the admissions committee, I'm sure they'll see my dedication and desire despite my numbers and late consideration into the medical field.

It's (obviously) discouraging, considering all the extremely qualified applicants just on SDN; high GPAs, high MCAT scores, numerous clinical and non-clinical volunteering and service opportunities, and it seems that most people have some sort of artistic or athletic merit to go along with that. I, on the other hand, being so new to considering the medical field, have been short on the activities and opportunities sought by my fellow pre-meds. As a result, my application is short on important or relevant items, but my decision to go into medicine is largely based on a logical timeline and my trail through the sciences. Clearly that limits me, but there's no telling what's going to happen.

Nevertheless, thanks for the encouragement!

 

[centrion904]

I got an interview at Mayo! They just sent the email this morning!😀

 

[waterlilly]

WOW! Congratulations! I hope the rest of us see some interviews soon.

 

[Renne7]

Congratulations!!!!

 

[centrion904]

Congratulations!!!!

Thanks! I have a question though. Some of my friends have been talking with me about interviews and they say that the medical schools will test you on the fluency part of the application. I took several years of Spanish and am pretty good, but very rusty. I have not spoken it much in 2 years.

Is it true that they will ask questions in Spanish?
What can I do to prepare quickly?
Any other tips for the interview?

 

[Phoenix.]

Thanks! I have a question though. Some of my friends have been talking with me about interviews and they say that the medical schools will test you on the fluency part of the application. I took several years of Spanish and am pretty good, but very rusty. I have not spoken it much in 2 years.

Is it true that they will ask questions in Spanish?
What can I do to prepare quickly?
Any other tips for the interview?

Congrats as well!!! As for your concern about being tested on your fluency in Spanish, I wouldn't worry about it. I took a look at your mdapps, and you've got a million other amazing things that an interviewer would rather ask you about than your language skills. While I can't give any guarantees, I would be downright shocked if anyone at Mayo questioned your language skills. If someone did ask (it could happen at another interview, I suppose), just be honest and tell them that you're a little rusty and why. All you can do is your best. I had the same concern as you going into the interview season (also a little rusty at speaking, but great at comprehending), and it never came up at any interviews. And for those of you that have a less than perfect application, if Mayo has invited you to interview, I wouldn't worry about your stats going into the interview. No one asked me about my 8 in PS. Rather, they wanted to see how I think, what motivates me and what my goals are. While they could ask about a hole in your application, don't stress about it. Just be upfront and honest.

Anyway, instead of brushing up on Spanish, I'd recommend reading about how the health care system works (or rather, how it doesn't work) and potential ways to improve it. Go check out the entries in the interview database on SDN for Mayo and you'll see a bunch of great questions to think about. I remember going through it before my interview, and I ended up getting an exact question that I read on there. Basically, I was asked how I would fix the health care system. Now, don't have a heart attack if you get that question. Just offer some well thought out ideas on the issue. Obviously they don't expect you to have a solution. I was also asked how I would fix the disparity in health care that minorities receive in America. And how to fix the malpractice problem. And to talk about any leadership or mentoring activities, and whether I enjoy teaching others (and if so, to offer examples). I was also asked what research I've done (I really haven't done much at all (which I confessed to my interviewer), but that obviously wasn't a deal-breaker for Mayo). Ah, and of course, why Mayo? Anyway, that's just a snapshot. Take a look through the interview feedback database for more questions and views from past interviewees.

Now, I remember looking through a ton of posts to find the best resources to learn more about health care policy issues, and to be honest, I would recommend what Mayo assigned to us in our first block: Understanding Health Policy: a Clinical Approach, McGraw-Hill / Access Medicine. I think we just read the first seven chapters, but it was a great overview and introduction to the issues. Very accessible and easy to read. Now, I didn't get any bioethics questions at my Mayo interview, but I did get them at other interviews. If you feel you want to brush up on bioethics too, the best source I saw was on the University of Washington's web site: http://depts.washington.edu/bioethx/topics/index.html. Knock yourself out.

As for the nuts and bolts of the interview, you'll have two separate interviews, each about 20-30 minutes. From my experience (which is not the rule, but seems to be a trend), one interviewer will usually ask more pointed questions, and the second interviewer will be more laid back and just try to get to know you better. I think the best advice I can give is just to be yourself. Be relaxed, friendly, open and enthusiastic (unless, of course, you don't feel enthusiastic about Mayo, but how could you not? 😀 ). And don't forget to be sure to tell them why you think you'd be a great fit at Mayo and what resonates with you about the Mayo Clinic.

Also, everyone you meet (especially my classmates, who will be hosting you, taking you to lunch and on tours) will be friendly and excited to answer any questions you have. So be sure to ask anything you want to know about Mayo or living in Rochester. Don't be shy - a year ago we were all where you are now, and we're eager to help!

 

[copperfrog09]

Thanks! I have a question though. Some of my friends have been talking with me about interviews and they say that the medical schools will test you on the fluency part of the application. I took several years of Spanish and am pretty good, but very rusty. I have not spoken it much in 2 years.

Is it true that they will ask questions in Spanish?
What can I do to prepare quickly?
Any other tips for the interview?

Congrats Centrion!! Just curios, when were you complete or got your LOR request?

 

[pianola]

I bet Phoenix will single-handedly engineer a 30% increase in Mayo applications this year Your posts are so helpful!

And congrats, Centrion. 😀

 

[funkydrmonkey]

I got an interview at Mayo! They just sent the email this morning!😀

Wow congrats😱, and I am very very jealous...

 

[funkydrmonkey]

I bet Phoenix will single-handedly engineer a 30% increase in Mayo applications this year Your posts are so helpful!

And congrats, Centrion. 😀

I agree. I think that even though CCLCM is now no longer charging tuition, Mayo will still have a greater number of applicants who applied to the school than CCLCM will...

Did the above make any sense?

 

[Retsage]

I would absolutely kill to go to CCLCM. Mayo is a close second. Then Yale, Pritzker, JHU, WashU, et al.

 

[schismal]

I would absolutely kill to go to CCLCM. Mayo is a close second. Then Yale, Pritzker, JHU, WashU, et al.

Our preferences are eerily similar. 👍

 

[Adnama]

So no one here worries about the tiny class size?

 

[Retsage]

No. A small class size sounds great to me.

 

[pianola]

So no one here worries about the tiny class size?

A small class size can be an incredible blessing in terms of getting very strong LORs for residency. Also small programs will provide you with plenty of personal attention from experienced faculty to help you focus on your weak areas. And people KNOW who you are, so the bureaucracy is often somewhat less than in larger schools. When students make requests, faculty listen -- you ACTUALLY have a very powerful voice when you're one of only 42 students (or in the case of my UG major -- 4 students). I went to a very small undergraduate college and those were the main blessings I noted.

Certainly there can be some drawbacks; small programs tend to require some degree of independence in seeking out your own opportunities and being a constructive learner. You have to be very supportive of your peers -- if you don't like person X, odds are good you will be dealing with person X for all 4 years.

Overall, I loved my college experience and I think I would appreciate another chance to be part of a small class. Trying to keep an open mind, of course.

 

[azuldelcielo]

I got an interview at Mayo! They just sent the email this morning!😀

sorry i'm a little late....
CONGRATULATIONS!!!

 

[centrion904]

Congrats as well!!! As for your concern about being tested on your fluency in Spanish, I wouldn't worry about it. I took a look at your mdapps, and you've got a million other amazing things that an interviewer would rather ask you about than your language skills. While I can't give any guarantees, I would be downright shocked if anyone at Mayo questioned your language skills. If someone did ask (it could happen at another interview, I suppose), just be honest and tell them that you're a little rusty and why. All you can do is your best. I had the same concern as you going into the interview season (also a little rusty at speaking, but great at comprehending), and it never came up at any interviews. And for those of you that have a less than perfect application, if Mayo has invited you to interview, I wouldn't worry about your stats going into the interview. No one asked me about my 8 in PS. Rather, they wanted to see how I think, what motivates me and what my goals are. While they could ask about a hole in your application, don't stress about it. Just be upfront and honest.

Anyway, instead of brushing up on Spanish, I'd recommend reading about how the health care system works (or rather, how it doesn't work) and potential ways to improve it. Go check out the entries in the interview database on SDN for Mayo and you'll see a bunch of great questions to think about. I remember going through it before my interview, and I ended up getting an exact question that I read on there. Basically, I was asked how I would fix the health care system. Now, don't have a heart attack if you get that question. Just offer some well thought out ideas on the issue. Obviously they don't expect you to have a solution. I was also asked how I would fix the disparity in health care that minorities receive in America. And how to fix the malpractice problem. And to talk about any leadership or mentoring activities, and whether I enjoy teaching others (and if so, to offer examples). I was also asked what research I've done (I really haven't done much at all (which I confessed to my interviewer), but that obviously wasn't a deal-breaker for Mayo). Ah, and of course, why Mayo? Anyway, that's just a snapshot. Take a look through the interview feedback database for more questions and views from past interviewees.

Now, I remember looking through a ton of posts to find the best resources to learn more about health care policy issues, and to be honest, I would recommend what Mayo assigned to us in our first block: Understanding Health Policy: a Clinical Approach, McGraw-Hill / Access Medicine. I think we just read the first seven chapters, but it was a great overview and introduction to the issues. Very accessible and easy to read. Now, I didn't get any bioethics questions at my Mayo interview, but I did get them at other interviews. If you feel you want to brush up on bioethics too, the best source I saw was on the University of Washington's web site: http://depts.washington.edu/bioethx/topics/index.html. Knock yourself out.

As for the nuts and bolts of the interview, you'll have two separate interviews, each about 20-30 minutes. From my experience (which is not the rule, but seems to be a trend), one interviewer will usually ask more pointed questions, and the second interviewer will be more laid back and just try to get to know you better. I think the best advice I can give is just to be yourself. Be relaxed, friendly, open and enthusiastic (unless, of course, you don't feel enthusiastic about Mayo, but how could you not? 😀 ). And don't forget to be sure to tell them why you think you'd be a great fit at Mayo and what resonates with you about the Mayo Clinic.

Also, everyone you meet (especially my classmates, who will be hosting you, taking you to lunch and on tours) will be friendly and excited to answer any questions you have. So be sure to ask anything you want to know about Mayo or living in Rochester. Don't be shy - a year ago we were all where you are now, and we're eager to help!

Phoenix, I can't thank you enough for your support. It really means something to hear it from the other side. Thanks again!

 

[centrion904]

Congrats Centrion!! Just curios, when were you complete or got your LOR request?

I got the LOR request on 8/7 and was considered complete on 8/8.

 

[centrion904]

Phoenix, do you know how long it takes for the committee to decide on acceptances after the interview day?

 

[betheltim]

So no one here worries about the tiny class size?

Oh gosh no. Being at a small private university in Minnesota, small classes are those in which I thrive! It truly allows (or has allowed) greater faculty and student interaction, which I honestly believe is one of the most important aspects of organized, institutional educations (otherwise I could simply read textbooks). At my school faculty and staff are available and enthusiastic about helping their students because their students are the things (people) THEY thrive on and to which they DESIRE to contribute (for their sake and that of their students' success).

Small class sizes allow for greater camaraderie between students and student groups, allowing for greater direct interaction between classmates, further decreasing competition and increasing the chances of everyone's success. Without small class sizes (at my current school) I know I wouldn't be as successful as I would want to be. Teamwork and constructive cooperation is rampant here, and I love that.

That's just the beginning of why I love small class sizes, haha. So now that I've purged this outburst from my system... ;-)

 

[azuldelcielo]

Along the same lines of Adnama's question, are there any negative aspects to Mayo's school? Outside of the class size (maybe) being almost too small, I honestly can't think of anything. Mayo just seems to be the most perfect school out there.

 

[pianola]

YAY! OH my gosh I got an interview too as of 2:38 AM! I literally started crying, I'm so happy. 🙂

I'm gonna come visit you, Phoenix! 😀😀😀

pianola

 

[iA-MD2013]

Awww congrats pianola!!!

 

[pianola]

Awww congrats pianola!!!

I think I really DO need to meet you, jgberken, since we clearly applied to a lot of the same schools 🙂

to everyone. I think people will be waking up tomorrow with more good news...

😍 for Mayo.

 

[iA-MD2013]

I think I really DO need to meet you, jgberken, since we clearly applied to a lot of the same schools 🙂

That would be great pianola! But, I'm going to need an LOR request from Mayo first. Ask them for that when you interview there. Tell them berken is really tired of waiting! 😛

 

[pianola]

That would be great pianola! But, I'm going to need an LOR request from Mayo first. Ask them for that when you interview there. Tell them berken is really tired of waiting! 😛

I know! I'll just ask them if they need a little extra help in the admissions office during the next few months...tends to get busy this time of year, I understand 😉.

You'll get that LOR request in no time! At least, I hope so.

 

[iA-MD2013]

I know! I'll just ask them if they need a little extra help in the admissions office during the next few months...tends to get busy this time of year, I understand 😉.

You'll get that LOR request in no time! At least, I hope so.

Haha thank you! I'd be more than willing to fly over there and help out with admissions too!

Check out the interview invite thread, pianola!

 

[pianola]

All right, I think Mayo's the only interview I'm going to share with that monstrous interview invite thread. Good lord that is one tiny font over there...I feel like I could go blind just looking at it.


OK, bedtime. See y'all 'round the web.

 

[asl2101]

Congrats to those with interviews! I have two questions:

1. Have people received e-mails letting you know that your LORs were received and your application complete? My LORs were requested on 8/13 and have been available on virtual evals since 6/16. I sent them an email letting them know they were available, and haven't received anything about whether I am complete. Did anyone receive complete emails? Did the people with interviews receive complete emails?

2. Just out of curiosity - when are your mayo interviews scheduled for?

Congrats again!

 

[pianola]

Congrats to those with interviews! I have two questions:

1. Have people received e-mails letting you know that your LORs were received and your application complete? My LORs were requested on 8/13 and have been available on virtual evals since 6/16. I sent them an email letting them know they were available, and haven't received anything about whether I am complete. Did anyone receive complete emails? Did the people with interviews receive complete emails?

2. Just out of curiosity - when are your mayo interviews scheduled for?

Congrats again!

1. Yes, I received an e-mail about LORs received -- I posted the approximate content of the letter a page or so earlier. I think some else reposted it as well.

2. Mayo interviews are scheduled Mondays and Fridays and are day-long events. They will run from September to February.


Hope that helps.

 

[Phoenix.]

So no one here worries about the tiny class size?

I agree with those above that a class size of 50 is definitely preferable to 100 or 120, for exactly the same reasons. Also, since it's purely pass/fail the first two years, everyone really does help each other out and share study materials/outlines, etc. It makes for a great learning environment, and you can get as much attention and help from the profs as your heart desires. Also, since there are so few med students, I've heard that research/publication opportunities are everywhere, and the consultants (that's what they call attendings here) so far outnumber med students that they're really excited to have us shadow (which is what I've experienced in my shadowing so far). Also, the teachers are all consultants at Mayo, and there's supposedly a long waiting list to get to teach at the medical school. So, they're eager to be there teaching us, and it's amazing learning from practicing doctors who make sure to convey the clinical aspects and implications along with the science.

Phoenix, do you know how long it takes for the committee to decide on acceptances after the interview day?

I'm going to preface this all by saying that my understanding of how the admissions committee review system works is just my own understanding. I could be wrong, and/or they could simply do things differently this year. My best suggestion would be to search for the Mayo 2008 thread and read through the September to December (and beyond) posts for the best idea of timing for the earlier interviewees. Anyway, my memory isn't perfect, but I think that the first acceptances were sent out near the end of October. They send out just a few acceptances at a time since the class is so small and they want to save room for late interviewees.

Basically, from what I saw, after you interview you'll be reviewed at the next committee meeting (unless they're behind, in which case it could be a few weeks longer before your application gets discussed). At the committee meeting your interviewers present you, and the whole committee ranks you. Once you've been ranked, the very next time they decide to hand out acceptances (which could be right after the committee meeting, or it could be weeks later), you will either receive a call from Marcy letting you know the mind-blowing news, or you'll get an email letting you know that your application is on hold. If you're put on hold, it just means that you didn't get selected at that specific time. You could get in on the next round, or five rounds later. 42 MD acceptances will be given out by March 15th, at which time they'll create the waitlist (or rather, alternate status). I think that last year, of the approximately 300 people that interviewed, about 100 were put on the waitlist (after 42 had already been accepted outright). And as Mayo sends out acceptances throughout the year, they do keep an eye out to create a diverse class, so it's not a pure ranking system where they just pull the next application off the top of the pile according to its ranking.

Along the same lines of Adnama's question, are there any negative aspects to Mayo's school? Outside of the class size (maybe) being almost too small, I honestly can't think of anything. Mayo just seems to be the most perfect school out there.

Yup, Mayo is pretty amazing. The top reasons I've heard that people turn down Mayo are the weather and the location. Rochester is actually a really nice place to live (incredibly cheap cost of living), but it's not a big city, so the city folk (like me) could see that as a negative aspect to attending Mayo. I haven't been to Minneapolis yet (it's about an hour and twenty minute drive), but apparently that's where people head off to when they want a larger city. Also, since we get two weeks every six weeks to do selectives, you could do those selectives anywhere you like. I'm definitely looking forward to going to the Mayo Scottsdale campus during the winter, to making a trip or two on an international service trip (you can pretty much arrange to go anywhere you want), and to shadowing/volunteering in other cities/areas. Last year a bunch of students went to the Dominican Republic, and they're going again. My point is just that you're not confined to Rochester, Minnesota for four years. Other than the selectives the first two years, when you get to your third and fourth year, you can do rotations at the Rochester, MN, Jacksonville, FL or Scottsdale, AZ locations. You could also do away rotations elsewhere outside of the Mayo system for some of the fourth year rotations.

And while Rochester is a small place for those used to big cities, I'm surprised by how much I'm enjoying it. There's no undergrad campus, but I really feel like the enormous Mayo hospital system is a huge medical campus with amazing resources and as many opportunities as you can imagine. The only limiting factor really is the social scene. But the med students here definitely make the most of Rochester, and get together for lots of fun activities. And obviously, you'll have so much to do in medical school, and so many amazing opportunities to take advantage of here, that I really can't imagine turning down Mayo for location alone. Anyway, I could go on and on, but I need to get to the farmer's market now to buy some bison bones for my dog. 😀

Ah, one other thing. Mayo is big on self-directed learning, so if you want a school where you sit in lecture and are spoon-fed for eight hours a day, Mayo might not be the best place for you. They will assign and/or present the material, but they really feel like they're just here to offer the resources and answer our questions. There is a big clinical focus for each class, which I think is truly amazing, but which I suppose someone else might not like if they just want to focus on hard-core science. Mayo seems to be very interested in teaching us the big picture and the clinical applications. So they can gloss over some of the basic details and just figure that we'll learn them on our own. Regardless, I've been really impressed with how much emphasis is on content and understanding rather than rote memorization and regurgitation (which is what I anticipated medical school would be like (but which it will obviously be like next block with anatomy!)). They figure we're all smart and driven, so we'll learn what we need to. The only other potential down-side, is that due to the administration's interest in student feedback and suggestions, the curriculum and class organization is flexible and changes a little each year based on reviews from last year's class. I think that it's great that the curriculum gets better and better each year, but things can be a little rough at first with a new teacher who hasn't taught the course, or a new book/schedule. But they do seem to be very responsive to our concerns and incredibly eager and helpful in trying to smooth out any trouble areas, so I'm not too concerned. Then again, perhaps I should wait to see if I pass Block II first.

YAY! OH my gosh I got an interview too as of 2:38 AM! I literally started crying, I'm so happy. 🙂

I'm gonna come visit you, Phoenix! 😀😀😀

pianola

CONGRATS!!! I was literally on cloud nine for a week or two after receiving my invite. 🙂 I definitely look forward to meeting you - drop me a note if you have any questions or want to meet up (perhaps I can even host you if you like).