Penn

[iamme83]

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Because they were still considering you for an interview up until this point

I don't think that's true. I know someone who applied who doesn't meet the minimum criteria of most vet schools, and he has been rejected from all of his other schools already but is still waiting for Penn. He's been rejected from his state university, which is much easier to get into since they exclude 95% of the general population... I seriously doubt Penn is mulling over the application, I think previous posts that have said that Penn only reviews a batch of apps at a time are correct.

Someone else I know received their rejection email today... they're really letting loose with these lately! 😱

And she received hers before 11am... so I don't think the time matters.

 

[UVA Wahoo]

Which essentially means that anyone who hasn't heard from Penn is still up for an interview.

Here's a thought... since Penn does their admissions/interviews/rejections on a rolling type basis, does when one hears from them relate to when he or she turned in their vmcas application? Like if you turned in your vmcas quickly, say over the summer, did Penn review you first? And all of us still waiting are the ones who turned our apps in close to the deadline? Just a thought, I really have no idea. :0)

Good luck to everyone still waiting.

 

[SweeTeaPie]

Here's a thought... since Penn does their admissions/interviews/rejections on a rolling type basis, does when one hears from them relate to when he or she turned in their vmcas application?

I didn't get that impression at all. I'm pretty sure they stated at some point that it doesn't matter when you turn your application in. Especially since I turned mine in at the end of August and still haven't heard a peep. What is more likely, however, is that they interview their strongest applicants first, and work their way down. But that's just a guess... 😕

 

[RockStarKDub]

Which essentially means that anyone who hasn't heard from Penn is still up for an interview.

Here's a thought... since Penn does their admissions/interviews/rejections on a rolling type basis, does when one hears from them relate to when he or she turned in their vmcas application? Like if you turned in your vmcas quickly, say over the summer, did Penn review you first? And all of us still waiting are the ones who turned our apps in close to the deadline? Just a thought, I really have no idea. :0)

Good luck to everyone still waiting.

I turned in my app at the end of August and wasn't interviewed until this past Friday.

 

[tlcst3]

I just talked to admissions. He said that they are in the process of deciding who to interview for the last dates and if you haven't heard anything regarding an interview by March 15th than you are probably not going to be offered an interview. He also said that the spots are really tight right now. Good luck to all of you still waiting.

 

[UVA Wahoo]

I didn't get that impression at all. I'm pretty sure they stated at some point that it doesn't matter when you turn your application in.

I didn't really think that was how it worked either... But someone at my work proposed that to me this morning. who knows anymore haha...

 

[SweeTeaPie]

Ok, here's my guess as to what's going on with interviews/rejections. Note: This is pure speculation on my part and not based on any factual information what-so-ever, so take it with a grain of salt.

They have a stack of applications that are still being considered for interviews. As they go through the stack, they e-mail those that they have decided NOT to interview (rejection e-mails). Additionally, they have a stack of applications that they are probably not even considering anymore (i.e. never made the cut). Those people will probably not hear anything until April or will just be assuming on March 15th that they aren't getting an interview 😡

Well, like I said, that's just my guess... feel free to correct me if you know otherwise.

 

[scienceGal]

Which essentially means that anyone who hasn't heard from Penn is still up for an interview.

Here's a thought... since Penn does their admissions/interviews/rejections on a rolling type basis, does when one hears from them relate to when he or she turned in their vmcas application? Like if you turned in your vmcas quickly, say over the summer, did Penn review you first? And all of us still waiting are the ones who turned our apps in close to the deadline? Just a thought, I really have no idea. :0)

Good luck to everyone still waiting.

i def do not think that is right. I turned in my application in august.

 

[shemari]

Ok, here's my guess as to what's going on with interviews/rejections. Note: This is pure speculation on my part and not based on any factual information what-so-ever, so take it with a grain of salt.

They have a stack of applications that are still being considered for interviews. As they go through the stack, they e-mail those that they have decided NOT to interview (rejection e-mails). Additionally, they have a stack of applications that they are probably not even considering anymore (i.e. never made the cut). Those people will probably not hear anything until April or will just be assuming on March 15th that they aren't getting an interview 😡

Well, like I said, that's just my guess... feel free to correct me if you know otherwise.

that sounds like a pretty good guess. Though I would wonder why they would wait until April to notify people who were never being considered. So if we don't hear anything by March 15th, we're assuming bad news? That's so soon!😕

 

[cyrille104]

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[josie1000]

I know people are pissy about being rejected, but at least it says something that they kept you around in the first place. It's really not that hard to understand - 1) they sent out a wave of rejections right in the beginning. 2) Then everyone else is up for an interview until they've reached their limit.

They're not just throwing darts at the potential interviewee applications for each interview day, they obviously invite the best applicants while there are still a good number of slots open and go from there. If it's unlikely that you'll get an interview but still possible, they'll keep your application around until the end just in case. Would you rather them just throw the application away and give the slot to poindexter?

Cyrille, as someone who has already been accepted to veterinary school you aren't really in a position to judge people for being pissy. People come here to vent and for the comfort of knowing that they are not the only one feeling anxious and unsure of what is going on. Although you sometimes do offer useful information to those of us still waiting, you are sometimes more judgemental than you are helpful. I don't mean to be offensive, i'm just throwing it out there.

 

[hoodle]

Cyrille, as someone who has already been accepted to veterinary school you aren't really in a position to judge people for being pissy.

seems to me that pissy-ness, and the judgement thereof, is independent of veterinary school admissions, or at least I'd hope so! 😛

 

[iamme83]

I know people are pissy about being rejected, but at least it says something that they kept you around in the first place. It's really not that hard to understand - 1) they sent out a wave of rejections right in the beginning. 2) Then everyone else is up for an interview until they've reached their limit.

They're not just throwing darts at the potential interviewee applications for each interview day, they obviously invite the best applicants while there are still a good number of slots open and go from there. If it's unlikely that you'll get an interview but still possible, they'll keep your application around until the end just in case. Would you rather them just throw the application away and give the slot to poindexter?

Why quote what I said for this answer? 😕 I haven't been rejected and neither has my friend yet... and nobody's "pissy" about it... so this really has nothing to do with what I was saying.

What I'm saying is there isn't a chance in hell that they're thinking of interviewing my friend.. his gpa was 2.8 and he only has one summers worth of sa experience, nothing else... no la, exotics, etc..., no research... I'm sorry, but he and I both know that he doesn't stand a chance, and he's not even anxious about hearing from Penn because he knows he didn't get in. My point being, I don't think they're actively considering all of the people they haven't outright rejected yet, I think they just haven't gotten around to sending his rejection. Which I guess goes along with that theory posted by whoever above, that they're sitting on soem rejections until April for some raeson...

That said, the person who responded to your post is right... why are you on here getting testy with people who are anxiously waiting? I don't believe I said anything offensive, unless you're so tempermental that you can't handle someone simply thinking that you're wrong about something...

 

[SweeTeaPie]

Why quote what I said for this answer? 😕 I haven't been rejected and neither has my friend yet... and nobody's "pissy" about it... so this really has nothing to do with what I was saying.

Don't worry iamme83, I'm sure that there aren't too many people that took your response that way. You shouldn't feel like you have to jump through hoops to explain yourself to one person who obviously misunderstood what you were saying.

Side-note: This is a very stressfull time for most of us who are still waiting. Four months is a long time to be strung along without knowing what is going on in the process. Especially if you're trying to get your "Plan B's" squared away in case we AREN'T interviewed/accepted. That's why most of us are frustrated and it's understable. Please don't jump on our cases for being stressed out.

 

[UVA Wahoo]

I know people are pissy about being rejected, but at least it says something that they kept you around in the first place.

Maybe this would have been better stated, I know people are pissy about having to WAIT four months to be rejected.....

And yes, I suppose I am pissy about having to wait to probably be rejected. lol since my life right now pretty much consists of me checking my email, then checking SDN to see if anyone else has heard anything. 🙄

 

[VeganChick]

I know I won't get into Penn. In comparing my stats to everyone else on SDN, I understand that I do not have the GPA nor the experience this year and I have already been rejected by every other school I have applied to. I am ready to move on and put this cycle behind me and get refreshed for the next. But I still haven't heard anything final from Penn. I am not upset with how Penn handles their applications because I absolutely trust that each school does what they have found works best for them to make the best decisions they can. But I do wish to hear the final word soon. As everyone knows, this process is long and stressful and at this point, I just want it to be over.

 

[scienceGal]

i second that.

I have graduated my undergrad, relocated to a new state, and started a full time job.

the only thing that's keeping me from settling in is that i'm waiting to hear from penn. and hoping that i still have a chance.

 

[Shanomong]

i second that.

I have graduated my undergrad, relocated to a new state, and started a full time job.

the only thing that's keeping me from settling in is that i'm waiting to hear from penn. and hoping that i still have a chance.

My best friend graduated and moved to Miami to start a full time job too! Well, Hollywood, not Miami. She's still waiting on Penn too..

...as am I. Penn is the only school I applied to, my fiance is graduating from medical school in May and we're getting married June 1st... with the way residency match works, I could only apply to one vet school if we wanted to guarantee we'd end up in the same state, and Penn was my top choice so I picked it. I'm a little anxious that I haven't heard... my GPA is stellar and I did well on the GRE.. I have a ton of different animal experience... small animal, equine, wildlife, aquatic... so I'm not really sure why I'd be at the bottom of the list... but who know's how these things work.

And if they are going to reject me, I'm actually glad they waited this long! It gave me time to go into freak out mode and figure out a good alternative... have any of you heard about the VMS program at Drexel? It seems like an awesome way to fill the year between undergrad and vet school if I don't get in right away... and we are going to be moving to Philly anyway...

Anyway I've been reading for a while, this is the first time I've posted. I guess the last-two-weeks-jitters are getting to me. I'll be glad when I know either way!!

Best of luck to you all! I'll post again when I hear...

 

[scienceGal]

I'm assuming she works in hollywood animal hospital then. That is a really nice clinic. It was one of my options for jobs as well. (I ended up accepting a job at an emergency clinic in Miami Beach instead) 🙂

 

[wi girl]

my GPA is stellar and I did well on the GRE.. I have a ton of different animal experience... small animal, equine, wildlife, aquatic... so I'm not really sure why I'd be at the bottom of the list... but who know's how these things work.

... figure out a good alternative... have any of you heard about the VMS program at Drexel? It seems like an awesome way to fill the year between undergrad and vet school if I don't get in right away... and we are going to be moving to Philly anyway...

If you think you have a stellar GPA (which indeed, you might) a masters/extra year of class might not be what you need to improve your application (should you need to). You may need some interesting extracurriculars/different experience/etc. Not that you don't have these things ... just don't forget to have a file review, IF you don't get accepted. I personally would be very upset to pay tuition for a year of classes, and then find out that it was more XX experience, which I could have (potentially) been paid for. Just a thought, throwing it out there.

Regardless, best of luck! I'm rooting for all of you, because I know its a great school! And I know how waiting was getting to me before I removed myself from the pool!

 

[Shanomong]

If you think you have a stellar GPA (which indeed, you might) a masters/extra year of class might not be what you need to improve your application (should you need to). You may need some interesting extracurriculars/different experience/etc. Not that you don't have these things ... just don't forget to have a file review, IF you don't get accepted. I personally would be very upset to pay tuition for a year of classes, and then find out that it was more XX experience, which I could have (potentially) been paid for. Just a thought, throwing it out there.

Regardless, best of luck! I'm rooting for all of you, because I know its a great school! And I know how waiting was getting to me before I removed myself from the pool!

Thanks! Yea I'm definitely doing the review... I want to do exactly what they want so I can get in ASAP. Moving there will help too, since I'll be a resident next year.

The reason I was thinking the VMS thing might be good is b/c I'm a history major, I did the pre-vet pre-req's in addition to my major, and now I'm worried that maybe they're looking at my app wondering where all of the upper level sciences are... I did do some classes beyond the minimum, but they're not upper level b/c my school doesn't let non-majors into those classes... so my extra stuff is research, chem tutoring, A&P... stuff I'm sure they see alllllll the time...

But their website encourages you to branch out in undergrad since the vet school curriculum is so concentrated, and I know non-science majors get into vet and med school all the time, so I'll keep my fingers crossed until they tell me otherwise! 😛

Where'd you end up deciding to go next year?

 

[Shanomong]

I'm assuming she works in hollywood animal hospital then. That is a really nice clinic. It was one of my options for jobs as well. (I ended up accepting a job at an emergency clinic in Miami Beach instead) 🙂

Yep, Hollywood. She loves it there... and they're training her to be a tech which I'm totally jealous of 😀, she gets to do awesome hands on stuff while I've still got my nose stuck in the books...

 

[wi girl]

Moving there will help too, since I'll be a resident next year ...

The reason I was thinking the VMS thing might be good is b/c I'm a history major, I did the pre-vet pre-req's in addition to my major, and now I'm worried that maybe they're looking at my app wondering where all of the upper level sciences are... I did do some classes beyond the minimum, but they're not upper level b/c my school doesn't let non-majors into those classes... so my extra stuff is research, chem tutoring, A&P... stuff I'm sure they see alllllll the time...

Where'd you end up deciding to go next year?

(a) yes, I'm sure residency helps a lot! Just keep in mind, to establish residency, you might have to work, not just go to school. I'd look into those requirements, although I'm sure you have, you seem on your game!

(b) I know that they LIKE the upper level classes (because it shows you can handle upper level science courses, blah blah blah -- coming from a chem and bio double major here) but I think that the history major would be a great asset diversity wise! If you want to apply to WI ever they would EAT THAT UP!! Regarding the drexel program specifically, I looked at it for awhile, and it looked ... promising. I would need to get more info, and I would see what penn has to say about the program (in file review, again, if necessary). If they don't like the program ... well, there ya go. However, I know that some of the deadlines are coming up on those programs, so I would say apply if it looks interesting, and you can still get residency. Most you would be out is the app costs.

(c) I've been accepted to UW-Madison (my IS) and am still waiting on UMN. I know, everyone ELSE seems to have gotten their letters -- I swear, Ithaca is like the black hole of the USPS 🙂 I'll call today if nothing comes in the mail -- see, I removed from Penn, and i'm STILL waiting on schools!

Anyhow, best of luck, and make sure you can get residency in PA if you are attending classes; sometimes those "living in the state for non-academic purposes" clauses catch people! 🙂

 

[BigGreenVet]

If the pattern continues (2.5 weeks notice), shouldn't people be hearing about the March 21st interviews yesterday and today?

 

[scienceGal]

you're right. Rob said that they are still making decisions on who to interview.

not that this is new information 😛

 

[shuvball1]

Hopefully by the end of this week they'll send out some interviews! All I know is that checking my email every 5 minutes is really not helping me stay focused.

 

[BigGreenVet]

Hopefully by the end of this week they'll send out some interviews! All I know is that checking my email every 5 minutes is really not helping me stay focused.

Me too! And I'm on the quarter system here... so this is the last week of classes with finals next week. Definitely not a good time to be distracted by checking my mail all the time!

Oh well, hopefully it will be worth it 🙂

 

[SweeTeaPie]

you're right. Rob said that they are still making decisions on who to interview.

not that this is new information 😛

You're kidding me!!!!!! They're still giving that same old song and dance? Maybe we aren't actually talking to "Rob" when we call, maybe it's a recording. Maybe Rob is short for Robot...

AAARRRGGGHH!!!!!!

 

[SweeTeaPie]

If the pattern continues (2.5 weeks notice), shouldn't people be hearing about the March 21st interviews yesterday and today?

P.S. no one is actually certain that there even ARE March 21st interviews... unless someone heard that we are... Are we? Oh my gosh I'm going insane... Must.stop.obsessing!

 

[shuvball1]

Haha sometimes I feel like they're so busy answering phone calls about admissions/interviews that they actually have no time to make the decisions.

 

[chordy4]

Me too! And I'm on the quarter system here... so this is the last week of classes with finals next week. Definitely not a good time to be distracted by checking my mail all the time!

Oh well, hopefully it will be worth it 🙂

i'm totally with you!! i'm constantly checking mail and SDN for that matter for any updates, plus with exams the next two weeks..yikes!

 

[CalpardNY]

So i called this morning to ask if dropping my post-bac genetics class would afffect my application or a possible acceptance SHOULD i get an interview...

Anyway I didnt specifically ask but whoever is spoke to (do you guys know...is it Rob that answers the phone...he never says a name and i forget to ask) brought up interviews. He said they are actually going through a stack today (dont get excited doesnt mean they will let us know!). He said they have been sending out decline emails and will continue to sned out some batches of those. He said they plan to be done with that by the end of th emonth but it could push into early april (no idea why but...😱). Anyway he also said they are going through now for interview invites and those should hear by the middle of the month - aka next 10 days!

Basically more of jsut lets wait and see scenario...but thats what i got FWIW. I'm kinda trying to convince myself im not getting one so im not dissapointed b/c this is keeping my hopes up and i hope its not unnecessarily. Oh well! It is what it is! Heres to hearing soon!

 

[scienceGal]

awesome. thanks for posting the update 😍

 

[SweeTeaPie]

TEN DAYS! 😱

Oh my gosh I don't know if I can hold out that long! Haha.. I might get fired before then for obsessively checking my e-mail...

 

[CalpardNY]

TEN DAYS! 😱

Oh my gosh I don't know if I can hold out that long! Haha.. I might get fired before then for obsessively checking my e-mail...

Well I decided to drop my class so I will now have to find work asap so that i don't obsessively check my email and sdn...um anymore than now of course...

 

[shemari]

I don't see myself getting an interview - my gpa is around their average (I go to an ivy league so I guess it's a good gpa?), but I definitely don't have as much clinical experience as everyone else who posts on SDN.

But hey, let's remain positive! They are obviously having a hard time picking the last remaining interviewees, so that must mean those of us left are just too awesome and they can't bear to toss our apps!😛 I want all of us to hear good news soon!!

 

[Shanomong]

I don't see myself getting an interview - my gpa is around their average (I go to an ivy league so I guess it's a good gpa?), but I definitely don't have as much clinical experience as everyone else who posts on SDN.

But hey, let's remain positive! They are obviously having a hard time picking the last remaining interviewees, so that must mean those of us left are just too awesome and they can't bear to toss our apps!😛 I want all of us to hear good news soon!!

Haha, I like the way you think 😉

 

[cyrille104]

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[cyrille104]

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[SweeTeaPie]

P.S. There's a difference between being stressed out over classes/grades (and trust me I've been there and done that, too), and being stressed because your life has been put on hold becuase you're waiting four months for a reply.

Speaking for myself, I have to figure out if I'm going to bother taking a pre-req for a Radiology program that I need to apply to ASAP if I don't get into vet school
OR continue applying for new jobs because my supervisor's grant runs out in April and I could potentially be out on the street in a month.
I've also been offered a summer position at New Bolton that I can't take unless I know whether I'm either A) Going to be going to vet school in the fall, or B)Going into a roadiology program

Too bad I told that lab that I interviewed for at UPenn vet school that I wanted to GO to vet school. I was told they would have hired me if it weren't for that fact! And too bad I just recently learned that my employment is in jeopardy. I can't very well sit around HOPING to get into vet school, nor can I hope that my boss gets another grant and it's not easy getting a job when you tell them what you future plans are (as I just demonstrated). So that puts me in an extremely uncomfortable position.

Of course it's all much more complicated than I've made it seem, but I really don't want to ramble on. Point is, the longer I have to wait for an answer from Penn, the more other doors close on me. Those of us waiting to hear are still trying to plan our future, which is a very different kind of stressfull. Those of you IN vet school at least have most of that squared away.

 

[VAgirl]

Haha, believe me, the stress only gets worse from here.

Even though I almost always butt heads with you, cyrille, I swear I'm not trying to pick fights with you. But I can't let this one slide! (Chris made a similar comment, so I'll hold her accountable for this annoyance, too.) My older brother used to do this to me all the time and it just frosts me.

Pulled from the depths of childhood...
Him: "Man, school was so hard today."
Me: "Yea, my day was hard, too."
Him: "That's nothing! Wait until you get to 7th grade. Pre-algebra is soooo hard!"
*Two years later*
Me: "Wow, math was tough today...pre-algebra is tough."
Him: "That's nothing! Wait until you get to 9th grade. Geometry is soooo hard!" Blah blah blah...

And so on for my entire childhood up through when he left for college.

Ok, my point in that silly anecdote is that things always seem harder when you're at a later point in education/life, etc. Sometimes it's because those things actually are harder and sometimes it's because we just always think what we're going through is the toughest thing there is.

But it's the most annoying thing in the world to have someone make it seem like what you're going through is nothing just because you're at the earlier stage. Who cares if it gets harder? We all know vet school is hard. But I'm willing to bet all the vet students on SDN were moaning and groaning about how tough it was to deal with the admissions process when they were at this stage, too. So c'mon, give us a break and keep the comments about how what we're going through is a cake walk compared to what you're dealing with to yourself, please.

 

[hoodle]

Ok, my point in that silly anecdote is that things always seem harder when you're at a later point in education/life, etc. Sometimes it's because those things actually are harder and sometimes it's because we just always think what we're going through is the toughest thing there is.

But it's the most annoying thing in the world to have someone make it seem like what you're going through is nothing just because you're at the earlier stage. Who cares if it gets harder?

as always, VAgirl, I totally agree! not about butting heads with Cyrille particularly, but that anecdote rings so true with me, except I always tell a similar story about my middle-school's method of prep for the next grade:

"once you get into 6th grade, they're not going to let you get away with this! 6th grade is going to be a SHOCK!"

"7th grade is really upping it, everyone has to get ready, this is harder than anything you've experienced"

etc etc. It got to a point where my parents (and I) just burst out laughing when the school administration started doing their scare-mongering. ridiculous! 😛

 

[scienceGal]

i know that this is sooo ahead of the game, because i don't even know if i have an interview yet. But someone at work asked me if i could work for them at the clinic on sunday the 23rd.

so my question is. . . .IF i got an interview on the 21st, would i be home and able to work on the 23rd? or is the interview a weekend long thing to get to know the school?

i only ask because I have a lot of friends that interviewed for PhD programs and they had to go to the schools for 3 days.

 

[Angie09]

so my question is. . . .IF i got an interview on the 21st, would i be home and able to work on the 23rd? or is the interview a weekend long thing to get to know the school?

My interview was only one day long. I flew in the night before because it started at 8 or 9 AM, but I could easily have flown home the night of the interview. So you should be fine to work on the 23rd if your interview would be the 21st. It was nothing like grad school interviews -- a) grad school interviews are generally less evaluative (i.e. unless you suck hardcore at the interview, an interview is a good indication that you'll probably be accepted) and b) grad school interviews seem to cram a lot more stuff in. More interviews with more people, more social activities, etc.

 

[anxwaiting]

Got my email rejection from Penn this afternoon. Good luck to everyone still waiting to hear something.

 

[cougarcrew]

I turned in my app at the end of August and wasn't interviewed until this past Friday.

That's when I had my interview. Do you remember who was interviewing you?

 

[CalpardNY]

Got my email rejection from Penn this afternoon. Good luck to everyone still waiting to hear something.

I'm sorry anxwaiting. That was your IS right? Have you thought about your plans now?

 

[cyrille104]

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[cyrille104]

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[scienceGal]

hehe. well. . .sophomore seems to be the trend of the hardest year.

highschool: SAT
undergrad: ochem1, ochem2, ochem lab 1 and 2, biochem, cell bio, microbio, physical chemistry. . .
vet school: apparently not such a great second year either, lol