Sackler 2013

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da21 said:
i interviewed mid february... so it actually took two months for the acceptance. wow only 70 in the class? interesting... that seems smaller than most US classes right?
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The class is about 1/2 the size of a normal US medical school. Normally class sizes range from 100-300.

It's nice having a small class, we all know each other well, and everyone wants everyone else to succeed. We have a lot of group camaraderie.

For the current first year class, most of us are in the range of 22-25. Though there are many outliers. Most people either came to Sackler directly after college, or took a year or 2 off. This can vary from year to year.
 
I uploaded the Sackler info video onto a Youtube clone (Youtube has a 10-minute limit):

http://www.dailymotion.com/womp/video/15270683

The video is about 15 minutes long and you get to see what the facilities and opportunities are like at Sackler. 👍
 
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Can anyone please tell me the types of questions that are asked at the interview? I am sure they asked what types of ties you have to Israel, like support systems, etc. What did everyone say? I have never been to Israel, so I am wondering if that would be an issue.
 
rightfooted said:
Can anyone please tell me the types of questions that are asked at the interview? I am sure they asked what types of ties you have to Israel, like support systems, etc. What did everyone say? I have never been to Israel, so I am wondering if that would be an issue.
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Just be honest, I've never been to Israel either and made no effort to show any ties there. I just said that going to med school there would be a good opportunity to you know.. see Israel too.
 
rightfooted said:
Can anyone please tell me the types of questions that are asked at the interview? I am sure they asked what types of ties you have to Israel, like support systems, etc. What did everyone say? I have never been to Israel, so I am wondering if that would be an issue.
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They did ask me in my interview if I had been to Israel, had family there etc. While it might very well help to in fact have family there, I'm sure that if you come off as mature and ready for the challenge, not having been in Israel will not be a problem.

In terms of the rest of the interview - it is really relaxed! I think more than anything else they want to see how sociable you are, if you can respond to basic questions. They might ask for the basics of some research you have done, or clinical experiences. Nothing to get too stressed about though 😀
 
In terms of financials, can you use the Stafford Loan in Israel? Are there any other forms of financial aid that can be used? National Health Scholarship? The State of NY subsidies some of the tuition. What are the comitments and for how long is the comitment to the State of NY? How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Israel?
 
rightfooted said:
In terms of financials, can you use the Stafford Loan in Israel? Are there any other forms of financial aid that can be used? National Health Scholarship? The State of NY subsidies some of the tuition. What are the comitments and for how long is the comitment to the State of NY? How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Israel?
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you can use the stafford loan, and there is one other federal loan you can use, if not many more. also, you can use a private loan from your own bank.

Next - apartments. Id say 5-600 is around the average, but you can pay less, you can pay more. The landlords decide on the price, thus you can get a cheap looking apt for more, or a really nice apartment for less than this average. Its a matter of luck, and finding the time and energy to look when you get here, if not before. Some people also manage to scavenge an apartment from a previous sackler, as my roommates and i did.

Also, depending on the world economy at the time, take into account that when the dollar goes up, paying in shekels feels pretty damn good. but when it goes down...
 
rightfooted said:
Can anyone please tell me the types of questions that are asked at the interview? I am sure they asked what types of ties you have to Israel, like support systems, etc. What did everyone say? I have never been to Israel, so I am wondering if that would be an issue.
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Just be calm, composed, honest. And a little enthusiastic, i guess. although it always depends on the interviewer and how they perceive you, then the combination with your scores, background.

I told my interviewer I had never been to Israel, didn't have any family here, and no friends here. Obviously i said a bit more than just that, but...here i am, eating breakfast at a cafe and studying for the physiology shelf exam with caffeinated beverages galore to my right, Physiology review material to my left.

so yes, there is hope, even if you have never been here and have no support system.

good luck.
 
What about the terrorist situation? I would assume that it effects where you go, etc. When Israel had the war with Lebanon, and the ongoing war with the Palestinians, does it effect your schooling? Is there a break in studies?
 
What's the deal with only 41 matching or successfully scrambling for 2009? I believe the 2009 class was supposed to be 60-65ish... Is this due to attrition or that a portion of the class is staying in Israel? Or is it that they just didn't match?

Edit: Nevermind, the list I got didn't include multiple matches into the same program by different people.
 
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rightfooted said:
What about the terrorist situation? I would assume that it effects where you go, etc. When Israel had the war with Lebanon, and the ongoing war with the Palestinians, does it effect your schooling? Is there a break in studies?
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In Tel Aviv as well as in the majority of Israel, you don't even feel it at all. Other than in political discussions, the security situation rarely affects those well within the Green line. Unfortunately Sderot and such areas are the exception. Again though, in Tel Aviv you wouldn't even know.
 
womp said:
What's the deal with only 41 matching or successfully scrambling for 2009? I believe the 2009 class was supposed to be 60-65ish... Is this due to attrition or that a portion of the class is staying in Israel? Or is it that they just didn't match? And just one categorical surgery match this year. :scared:
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I haven't seen the 2009 match list, but the 2008 list has 61 people on it, which I assume is all or almost all of the class. Where's the 2009 list?
 
caseofthemndays said:
I haven't seen the 2009 match list, but the 2008 list has 61 people on it, which I assume is all or almost all of the class. Where's the 2009 list?
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Nevermind, the list the NY office gave me didn't include multiple matches into the same program by different people. So the total tally should be around 60 like the previous year. Just email them and they'll send you the list. The IM matches were much stronger this year than the last, although categorical surgery was weaker.
 
Does anyone know if students ever transfer out of Sackler after the second year?
 
I've heard of transfers TO sackler from Technion. I also heard about a transfer from Caribbean to Drexel, but I would never matriculate at a school with the intention of transferring bc there are no guarantees.
 
How do people do on Step 1 at Sackler? Do people get 99/240+? Or is this pretty rare (one or two people a class)?

And does the curriculum prepare you well for the Steps or do you have to do a lot of self-studying?
 
From what I've heard, there are quite a few big brains at Sackler. So there are quite a number of people scoring even higher than 240.
 
Zuckman said:
From what I've heard, there are quite a few big brains at Sackler. So there are quite a number of people scoring even higher than 240.
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Oh damn, that ironically makes the match list less impressive. 240+ in the US will easily land you a ROADS residency if you wanted it. Instead, only one each from Sackler got into surgery and radiology for 2009.
 
Guinea said:
Oh damn, that ironically makes the match list less impressive. 240+ in the US will easily land you a ROADS residency if you wanted it. Instead, only one each from Sackler got into surgery and radiology for 2009.
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just b/c someone does really well on the boards doesn't mean theyre going to aim only for ROADS residency. ive heard of some pretty high scores.

and about the transferring comment: the best part of sackler is everything after the non clinical years, so its kinda of a waste to come here for class and then leave.
 
wiscobadger said:
just b/c someone does really well on the boards doesn't mean theyre going to aim only for ROADS residency. ive heard of some pretty high scores.

and about the transferring comment: the best part of sackler is everything after the non clinical years, so its kinda of a waste to come here for class and then leave.
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Do you get any clnical experience in the first two years? How does 4th year rotations work?
 
I've heard of many students with great USMLE scores choosing IM and Ob/Gyn over the ROAD residencies. Some of the ROAD residencies are just not that interesting to a lot of students. For me, I can say that they definitely don't sound appealing to me really. Even if I did like them, the ROAD residencies will be difficult to get.
 
Does anyone know if there is an MD MBA option with the TAU Business school?
 
Guinea said:
Do you get any clnical experience in the first two years? How does 4th year rotations work?
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they changed up the curriculum this year so i think the clinical aspect of 2nd year is longer. we had physical diagnosis only in the 2nd half of 2nd year but i think the class below us will start earlier

4th year you do your electives in the states, most people leave mid july after the end of the 3rd year and most dont get back until end of january. once back in israel you have a few more rotations and then graduate in may
 
wyme84 said:
Does anyone know if there is an MD MBA option with the TAU Business school?
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You're joking right? That's the funniest thing I've heard today. Now, back to USMLE World Step 2 questions.
 
Hey does anyone know how classes are first year?
Are the classes taught once at a time or are there multiple classes at once? I'm sure there are labs as well but what does an average weekly schedule look like. When do you usually finish each day? Thanks!
 
kidon said:
Hey does anyone know how classes are first year?
Are the classes taught once at a time or are there multiple classes at once? I'm sure there are labs as well but what does an average weekly schedule look like. When do you usually finish each day? Thanks!
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Sackler changed the format of their classes this year, and may tweak the schedule and format again next year. It was set up this year in 5 blocks of classes, with most blocks having more than one class (first block was Cell Bio, Molecular Bio, Genetics, and Biochem, second block was Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, third block was Physiology, fourth block is Neural Control, and fifth block will be Microbiology and Immunology). We usually have class from 9-3, but the schedule changes from day to day... some days it may be 8-12, some days it may be 10-4, etc. Labs are built into the daily schedule when you have them, and the anatomy lab is open 24/7 for anatomy students.
 
gtdoc01 said:
Sackler changed the format of their classes this year, and may tweak the schedule and format again next year. It was set up this year in 5 blocks of classes, with most blocks having more than one class (first block was Cell Bio, Molecular Bio, Genetics, and Biochem, second block was Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, third block was Physiology, fourth block is Neural Control, and fifth block will be Microbiology and Immunology). We usually have class from 9-3, but the schedule changes from day to day... some days it may be 8-12, some days it may be 10-4, etc. Labs are built into the daily schedule when you have them, and the anatomy lab is open 24/7 for anatomy students.
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Can you clarify exactly how the blocks work? I've never had block scheduling before. Do you take the same block of classes for a term? or do you take block one, then two, etc each day? Thanks!
 
gtdoc01 said:
Sackler changed the format of their classes this year, and may tweak the schedule and format again next year. It was set up this year in 5 blocks of classes, with most blocks having more than one class (first block was Cell Bio, Molecular Bio, Genetics, and Biochem, second block was Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, third block was Physiology, fourth block is Neural Control, and fifth block will be Microbiology and Immunology). We usually have class from 9-3, but the schedule changes from day to day... some days it may be 8-12, some days it may be 10-4, etc. Labs are built into the daily schedule when you have them, and the anatomy lab is open 24/7 for anatomy students.
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wow! i am so jealous. up here at the technion we are in class from 830am until 4 or 5. they changed the schedule to make the first yr a tad nicer but second yr is 830am to 5 or 6 every day. and the anatomy lab was not exactly open either- had to get permission to use some kind of key.


do you guys have shelf exams? how are you tested?


green with envy :-D
 
womp said:
Can you clarify exactly how the blocks work? I've never had block scheduling before. Do you take the same block of classes for a term? or do you take block one, then two, etc each day? Thanks!
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Sorry, the blocks are like semesters or terms, so Block One lasted from September to November and consisted of biochem, cell bio, genetics, and molecular bio. Block 2 then started in November, and so on.

Medgrunt - Wow, that's a lot of class!! I'm thinking no one would go if they tried to pull that here. We do have a shelf exam at the end of each block, plus a 2-3 tests per subject during the block, and the shelf is 50% of the grade.
 
gtdoc01 said:
Sorry, the blocks are like semesters or terms, so Block One lasted from September to November and consisted of biochem, cell bio, genetics, and molecular bio. Block 2 then started in November, and so on.

Medgrunt - Wow, that's a lot of class!! I'm thinking no one would go if they tried to pull that here. We do have a shelf exam at the end of each block, plus a 2-3 tests per subject during the block, and the shelf is 50% of the grade.
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Thanks. Who writes these shelf exams? Are they standardized and similar to the US shelfs? Are they the NBME exams?
 
womp said:
Thanks. Who writes these shelf exams? Are they standardized and similar to the US shelfs? Are they the NBME exams?
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They are the US shelf exams written by the NBME.
 
ljcMD said:
They are the US shelf exams written by the NBME.
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Thanks. 👍
 
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Are there people who fail Step 1 the first time? How does the school deal with that? Is there a decel track similar to US schools?

Surely there must be people who struggle at the school like everywhere else...
 
womp said:
Are there people who fail Step 1 the first time? How does the school deal with that? Is there a decel track similar to US schools?

Surely there must be people who struggle at the school like everywhere else...
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I don't know of anyone who failed the STEP 1 the first time. Everyone passed. There is a decel track if you fail several classes. Usually happens to about 1-2 people per class. It's really hard to be removed from the school for academic deficiencies (like you have to try to purposelessly fail).
 
I'll be the first to admit I was rejected and I am wondering why I found out so early given that they did not necessarily need to tell anyone till June 15th. My stats were competitive and my interview went really well and the rejection letter was postmarked 4 days after my interview. I"m wondering if anyone is in this position as well and if they have already filled up all 70ish spots and that is the reason. I know they have offered a lot of acceptances, but I also know many of the people already accepted are still waiting to hear from other programs and maybe spots will open up at Sackler. It would be helpful to know any of this, because I am considering writing a letter to the admissions committee and would sincerely appreciate it. Thank you.
 
Yep, I know someone that was just rejected. Very qualified people are rejected it seems.
 
I've heard that they accept people who are apt to be "serious" about Sackler. Having really high stats and little connection to Israel screams "this is my back-up and I'm waiting to hear from other schools." Whereas people who are serious about living abroad and/or have mediocre stats and know they won't have other options are more serious about going. I'm not dissing sackler at all, I would love to go there. But, if you were interviewing someone with a 3.7/35 and great ECs who had no connection and no deep desire to live abroad, you would wonder why they were applying in the first place... just an opinion
 
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For those of your with acceptances, I got my info packet today, yay.
 
Me too. That group flight ticket is absurdly expensive $$$, at least $600 more than what I could get off the Internet.
 
Hello, so I think I understand the block system but I was wondering if the curriculum eventual goes into something like Integrated Organ Systems Modules? I have seen this approach at a lot of US schools.
 
Was accepted!! Some people were asking about accepted student's stats, so I hope this helps.

Undergrad School: NYU
GPA: 3.551
MCAT: 32
Plenty of Extra Curricular activities, served as a combat medic in the army for 3 years.
 
kidon said:
Hello, so I think I understand the block system but I was wondering if the curriculum eventual goes into something like Integrated Organ Systems Modules? I have seen this approach at a lot of US schools.
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It's trying to head that way, but it's not there yet. I think second year will be a more integrated organ systems approach to pathology, but first year is currently not systems-based. You will learn the material either way, don't worry.
 
ijcMD said:
They are the US shelf exams written by the NBME.
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they've changed the format a bit for the current first years. the teachers get a pool of NBME questions and they get to choose the questions. where as my class and those before mine had "run of the mill" shelfs where the whole exam is actually written by NBME. not sure that was too clear. sorry
 
I understand the NY connection and presume there are a lot of students at Sackler from the tri-state area. What about the midwest though? Any matches in Chicago? What are setting up 4th year electives, are these primarily done in NY hospitals? Thanks
 
meliora27 said:
I understand the NY connection and presume there are a lot of students at Sackler from the tri-state area. What about the midwest though? Any matches in Chicago? What are setting up 4th year electives, are these primarily done in NY hospitals? Thanks
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midwest is rare, but i think its partially because not that many people come from there (ex: my class has 5ish people from the midwest). this year there was a university of chicago surgery and internal medicine match as well as a university of minnesota match. i think there was a cleveland clinic match last year, but im not sure. from what i heard its difficult to get chicago but possible if you work your ass off. as far as electives, plenty of people go outside of new york but a 3rd year would have a better idea since theyre figuring that stuff out now.
 
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