Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship

[Pomplemousse]

Hi, I'm wondering if anyone else has applied to this fellowship this year or is a previous winner. Just hoping for general discussion.

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[BlondeDocteur]

I have *several* friends who have won a Soros (I'm not a "New American" so I don't have any first-hand knowledge of the process).

As you know, it is exceptionally competitive.

If you receive an interview, by all means practice for it. The interviews are much more difficult than medical school or job interviews in that they tend to be combative. Be prepared to rigorously defend whatever you wrote about in your applications. Despite your field (medicine) you will be asked lots of questions about economics, policy, immigration, your cultural background, assimilation and so forth.

 

[crimsonkid85]

so....just to followup on this...does anyone know if they've announced the winners yet??? *quaking in my little booties*

 

[ohmedschool]

Interviews came out in December IIRC. Interviews were held in NYC and LA in mid-late January.

I have no idea when the results will be announced. I have a feeling it will be after 2/17 but before 3/1

 

[Mr hawkings]

Interviews came out in December IIRC. Interviews were held in NYC and LA in mid-late January.

I have no idea when the results will be announced. I have a feeling it will be after 2/17 but before 3/1

Wow,
I had never heard of this till i read this thread. I'm definately applying next year.

Thanks guys.

 

[crimsonkid85]

Interviews came out in December IIRC. Interviews were held in NYC and LA in mid-late January.

I have no idea when the results will be announced. I have a feeling it will be after 2/17 but before 3/1

thank goodness. i was wondering about that. my friends last year who won told me that they were called on the equivalent of LAST friday...but then amongst the people who i kept up with after the interviews THIS year, none of them have heard from the soros people yet?? So i was wondering if everything was over, or if there was still a chance.....

oh yea, i guess for people who haven't heard about the fellowship: http://www.pdsoros.org/

 

[sunderban]

Anyone heard anything from them yet? Good luck to all!

 

[alesdu1]

I interviewed the last week of interviews in NY and haven't heard anything. I was under the impression that once the board met (Feb 17) a decision would be forthcoming shortly thereafter. Wonder when we will get any news....

 

[alesdu1]

2 people I know who interviewed found out on Tuesday that they got it.

 

[paper08]

So we can confirm that all winners have been notified? Both NY and LAX interviewees?

 

[Flukes]

At this level, accomplishments are central, but any idea what the average GPA (undergrad/med) of recipients is? Would >3.95 would a safe bet? Also, would it negatively affect your application if your med school was Pass/Fail?

The Soros site has profiles of the winners, but no GPA.

 

[sunset823]

At this level, accomplishments are central, but any idea what the average GPA (undergrad/med) of recipients is? Would >3.95 would a safe bet? Also, would it negatively affect your application if your med school was Pass/Fail?

The Soros site has profiles of the winners, but no GPA.

I doubt it would matter if your school is pass/fail, Yale doesn't even have grades the first two years and I've seen some Yale meds get it. However, it is really the same level of competitiveness as Rhodes and Marshall, and the minimum undergrad GPAs to even be considered for those two is 3.7, so I'm assuming it's the same for Soros, but of course, those with a 3.7 and not a 3.9 should have saved babies and found a cure for cancer and all that jazz. I think anywhere between a quarter and a half of awardees have gotten another prestigious award (Rhodes, Marshall, Jack Kent Cooke, etc., etc.)
- A disgruntled rejectee (not really disgruntled, 84 interview slots for 1009 people applied = not great odds for anyone, and I was applying with a very suboptimal GPA)

Keep in mind they have sorta higher standards if you're applying as a med student than if you applied in another field, such as dance performance or something, cuz SOOOO many med students apply, but really only half of the people who end up getting it are med students, maybe less. I've had a couple of friends get it, but not in medicine (law or international studies).