Temple post bacc 2009 cycle (md)

[mr2trd3]

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which lady did you speak with? They just had their first interviews on May 4 and I guess acceptances have already been sent out..there is one more interview date in june..maybe she is saying that no one has committed to the class (via paying a deposit) which is misleading

I didn't ask for a name, but she sounded rather lethargic. She must hate her job.

For those who received an acceptance, please post your stats. I want to gauge whether I will be a competitive applicant or not.

 

[tarpon4269]

Has anyone heard when they are going to interview/review the dental applicants?

 

[Samlai]

Hey,

Yea I sent in my $100 deposit yesterday. I'm still waitlisted at a few schools so I hope I can get in somewhere. But for right now I am pretty happy with going to Temple.

 

[Valence23]

Does anyone know when the June interview date will be?

 

[Calliope99]

The June interview is on Monday the 8th. I just got my email invite last week, right after I sent everything in. They seem really on top of stuff.

Is anybody else going? I'm coming into town on the Saturday before to do some sightseeing or whatever, so PM me if you want to hang out.

And yeah, if anybody who's already been accepted could post stats so I get an idea of where I stand, that would be greatly appreciated 🙂

 

[Calliope99]

Oh, and one other question for the May interviewees - did they say whether you had to re-take the MCAT if you've already gotten a 30? I'd do it if I had to, but I really don't need that stress again.

 

[kimtaeho]

Oh, and one other question for the May interviewees - did they say whether you had to re-take the MCAT if you've already gotten a 30? I'd do it if I had to, but I really don't need that stress again.

You don't have to re-take it if you already have a 30. Good for you! It would certainly make obtaining that 3.5 less stressful. 🙂

 

[prettywings]

for those that got in how are you paying for it? i am not from PA and I saw that there is only 12k max from stafford loans. how would you pay for the rest? private loans? do those require a cosigner because i wouldnt have one?

anyway if any of you who are getting the finaid situation figured out could please share how you did it, i would very much appreciate it.

thanks

 

[calisun09]

I received my acceptance letter a week ago as well and sent in the deposit! 🙂

If you also were a May 4th interview and heard back please let me know!

Also if anyone is still applying or has questions about the interview day, I'd be more than happy to try and help...a couple of my friends are still in the process of applying to the program.

For those accepted...Does anyone know what we are supposed to do about financial aid now? or maybe housing?

 

[Valence23]

Hey Calisun09, what did you think about the interview process and all? Also, if you don't mind, please let us know your stats so we can get a better of idea of the calibre of students they are interviewing.

...also does anyone know if all the interview invites have been sent out for the Jun 4 interview date? (I know a few people have already received invites about a week or so, according to this thread) The deadline for the program is June 1 so I can't imagine them still accepting applications yet have no more interview for those people.

 

[Calliope99]

Hey Valence23, here's my stats, FYI:

GPA: 3.4 undergrad, 3.9 master's, MCAT 33Q, SAT 1560, GRE 1500

 

[JaDud6PG]

Hey everyone,
I'm working on the app right now, and I came up with a few questions that I thought maybe you can help me with.

1. How do we send our MCAT scores? I logged onto MCAT THx and couldn't find a Temple Post-Bac option.

2. How do we send our SAT scores? I tried collegeboard.com like some have said in previous posts. But my account name has long been deleted.

3. I have a copy of my official transcript that is still sealed in its original envelope (with the school's seal) - I had asked for a few when I graduated because I thought I'd need them when looking for jobs. Can I send this with the app? Or are they looking for one sent directly from the school?

Thanks.

 

[Calliope99]

Hi JaDud6PG -

To send your MCAT scores, there's an option on there to "send to a program not listed here" or something like that. What it does is print a form with a serial number on it. You mail the form to Temple, and they can access your scores that way.

With the SAT scores, I was in the same position as you, and it would take a mailed-in form, several weeks and lots of money to send them. I was going to do it, but before I did they had already offered me an interview. I'm not sure if they just accpted the MCAT score instead, or if they got the SAT score off of my college transcript (my GRE score was listed there as well). They seem fairly easygoing about that kind of stuff, but you can call Grace if you have any questions. She's been really nice and responsive to any questions I had.

 

[JaDud6PG]

Hi Calliope,

Thanks for your help. I guess my old (and I mean OLD..) SAT score report will have to do.

I tried sending the MCAT scores like you said, but I couldn't find that option. But I did find this option called "Create and Print My Own Official Score Report." That sounds a lot like what you were saying, so I guess I'll go with that one.

I'm going to ask the school to send the official transcript. It seems safer that way.

Thanks again.

 

[Refugee]

You know, I was hoping those near perfect SAT and ACT scores would come in handy once again... ugh, darn science GPA... always screwing up everything.

Can't I just say, "I want to be a doctor, and I will be a damn good one," and just be accepted into my local medical school?

I digress...

What was my point? Oh, I recall now...

I hope Temple accepts me. That would be just grand, would it not?

Maybe I should be doing my genetics problem set... but these student doctor forums are just so delightful...

I digress again....

 

[calisun09]

JaDud6PG...

I never bothered to send in an official SAT report or my AP/IB test score reports either. I believe if you send in the proper MCAT stuff that should be fine. SAT's and AP's are listed on other official forms too...

As for the transcript, I sent in the official transcript myself because I didn't trust my school to do it and that wasnt a problem!

Does anyone know how many people have been accepted from the May interview day?

 

[monkeypenny]

I was just wondering if anyone has heard from Temple regarding June interviews -- I tried calling the office last week and the person who answered the phone was very vague in her response. I'm not even sure if my application is complete (I sent everything in about beginning of May) and when I asked, she said that the office has been overwhelmed with paperwork.

 

[Valence23]

Hey Monkeypenny..I tried calling as well last week and the lady wasnt very friendly..I am going to try calling her tomorrow again. There have been some emails sent out for the June interview (based on responses in this thread) but I do not know how many more they will send out. It surprises me that the deadline for applications is June 1 yet they have sent out invitations already -makes me wonder if they are going to consider the people who send everything in right before the deadline. Anyways I will post when I get more information.

 

[JaDud6PG]

JaDud6PG...

I never bothered to send in an official SAT report or my AP/IB test score reports either. I believe if you send in the proper MCAT stuff that should be fine. SAT's and AP's are listed on other official forms too...

As for the transcript, I sent in the official transcript myself because I didn't trust my school to do it and that wasnt a problem!

Thanks Calisun,

I actually decided to include a copy of the official transcript as well.

btw, what is up with the office? It says it's closed and that I need to contact them via email. I send them an email asking about how I should send in the package (address changes, whether someone will be there to pick it up or if it'll sit on the ground like a worthless piece of paper) and they respond with an auto email stating the same message on the website.

Then I try calling, and I get the same message again .. and they tell me to contact them via email if there's anything wrong.

Anyone else thinks this seems a little unprofessional? And let's not even bring up the wonderful, friendly, helpful attitude of the folks who answer the phones over there...

 

[Valence23]

Yeah, I just tried calling them as well..I still don't know if I'm complete or not! I applied a month or so back and still have not received any correspondence from them. I had called them last week and they told me to call back this week since they were so backed up with applications (somehow I really doubt they are "moving anywhere" since the lady probably would've mentioned something over the phone) Anyways, they are closed from May 26 to May 29 and then when they open back up, it will probably be on Monday June 1 which is the application deadline. I didn't pay 50$ to the school to not even get considered, lol..

 

[JaDud6PG]

Valence..

At least you're in a better position than me. I was all set to send it in today but now I'm not sure if I should. Imagine if they drop it off at the office while nobody is there. That will = free $50 sitting on the floor / bin on the door for anyone interested.

Until I can get a confirmation from them as to where to send the app. and that the app. would be safe upon arrival, I don't think I'm going to apply at all.

This is simply unbelievable. If I show this level of professionalism to our clients at my work, I'd be fired on the spot. But here's to hoping that they will get back to us - I know all about the anxiety of waiting to hear whether you're complete. Best of luck to you!

 

[monkeypenny]

Thanks everyone for the responses, it's a little comforting knowing that the office has been relatively unhelpful to all of us....although I hope that changes soon!

I'll also post updates pending on whether or not I ever hear back from the office.

 

[JaDud6PG]

For anyone interested ..

So I called and was told by an auto-message that I should email. Then I emailed, and I got this auto-message.

On 5.26.09 the post baccalaureate office will move to our new location, the New Medical School Building, 3500 North Broad Street. E-mail will be unavailable. Thank you

 

[kimtaeho]

To be fair, I bet the admissions office is extremely busy with moving into the new medical building. Also, it might take a longer time to get back to you guys, but I definitely think Ms. Hershman will review your application if you send it in (patience, Valence23 🙂).

And JaDud6PG, I highly doubt the office would trash your application and absolutely not consider it-- THAT would be unprofessional. However, keep in mind it IS rolling admissions...

Nevertheless, good luck to you guys!

Anyways, if you were accepted after the May interview, do you guys know where you're going to live? and when you're moving to philly?

 

[JaDud6PG]

And JaDud6PG, I highly doubt the office would trash your application and absolutely not consider it-- THAT would be unprofessional. However, keep in mind it IS rolling admissions...

I agree, if they get the application, they wouldn't trash it completely. I trust them on that. However, the fact that they haven't stated whether to send the application to their original address or their new address is a concern. The fact that they are ignoring those who may still need to send in applications is unprofessional.

My options right now are to send everything in - on time - to their original address and risk losing not only the app fee but also my personal information (leading to identity theft). Or I could wait until June 1 like they say on the auto-message when I call them. I could then try to explain my case and hope they'll be willing to accept the application then, but I will likely get a "nothing I can do" from them.

I'd like to hear some suggestions regarding this conundrum. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[kimtaeho]

I agree, if they get the application, they wouldn't trash it completely. I trust them on that. However, the fact that they haven't stated whether to send the application to their original address or their new address is a concern. The fact that they are ignoring those who may still need to send in applications is unprofessional.

My options right now are to send everything in - on time - to their original address and risk losing not only the app fee but also my personal information (leading to identity theft). Or I could wait until June 1 like they say on the auto-message when I call them. I could then try to explain my case and hope they'll be willing to accept the application then, but I will likely get a "nothing I can do" from them.

I'd like to hear some suggestions regarding this conundrum. Any help would be appreciated.

You have another option-- this might be overkill but how about making a copy of your application and sending it to both addresses? Include a letter in your application that you've sent it to both addresses so they don't cash your check twice.

Just do your best to get your material in if you really want to get into the program.

 

[Valence23]

Kimtae,

You are right..they probably are pretty busy. It just irks me a bit that the post-bac program decides to move the week before their June 1 deadline! Anyways, it is my fault for applying so late since now I'm like rushing to get the materials in. (They arent helping me by not telling me what they have received, lol)

Jadud,

I think you should just send your app to the original address. I am sure that they will have their mail forwarded to their new address and they, hopefully, will be able to collect any information from their prior address (people who sent in transcripts recently have already sent them to the old address so i doubt they would make those ppl resend them)

Overall, I am little disappointed the way they have run things but they are still a relatively young program so I'm sure they will improve in time. Hopefully, we will all hear back something from them in the next couple of weeks. Good luck to all of you who have not heard anything and congratulations to those who were accepted!

 

[Valence23]

Has anyone heard any recent news regarding interviews for June? I received an email yesterday that my app was complete but that was about it.

 

[ocean123]

hey guys,
i sent all of my application stuff in a month ago. but only 1 of my recommendations is not sent in yet! i know that the website says to send everything in before june 1, but do you know if they will still receive the letters a few days after or if this has happened to any of you before????
thanks!

 

[Valence23]

hey guys,
i sent all of my application stuff in a month ago. but only 1 of my recommendations is not sent in yet! i know that the website says to send everything in before june 1, but do you know if they will still receive the letters a few days after or if this has happened to any of you before????
thanks!

I would probably email them so they are aware of what is going on.

 

[monkeypenny]

Has anyone heard any recent news regarding interviews for June? I received an email yesterday that my app was complete but that was about it.

Valence, I haven't heard anything about interviews yet. According to the website, there's only one interview date per month and someone already posted that the date would be June 8th so I'm guessing if we don't hear back about an interview by then, that would be it? Or does anyone know more about this?

I saw in a post from last year that someone who had applied in 2008 still hadn't heard back by August but I'm hoping that Temple sends back rejections more efficiently this year....

 

[lovidentity]

ocean123, I had the same question for the Temple admissions office because I sent my application on the 27th by priority mail and wasn't sure if it'd arrive in time. I was lucky enough to get a hold of the office staff by phone, and she said it was fine as long as it is postmarked before or on June 1st.
I received an email stating they received my application today. The crazy thing is that this: "The Admissions Committee review process is extensive due to the large applicant pool, so please be patient. We hope to have decisions by the end of July or early August". My family and I were actually planning to move back to the eastcoast if I got into the program...and I really thought that I'd know my standing with them by late June from what I gathered from my conversation with the office BEFORE I started working on the application. Now my family and I are just stranded in middle of the road b/c IF we do move, we have to make the decision by July 1st due to our lease/contract. I only wish I had found out about this program sooner.

Oh, this is off topic, but does anyone have any thoughts on Georgetown's Complementary and Alternative Medicine MS program? I applied as a backup to this Temple program, but not quite sure if I should go as complementary medicine can be an advantage or a disadvantage to my med school application. I distinctly remember my pre-health committee interviewer referring to acupuncture/oriental medicine as "mumbo-jumbo"...so it seems med schools, esp. in areas with little asian population, are skeptical about it :/

 

[monkeypenny]

lovidentity, i'm kinda in a similar situation as you. I didn't realize that temple would make decisions so late...it makes housing/moving situations a little difficult, to say the least. I thought that they would make final decisions after their june interview date since the website said that applicants in serious consideration would be interviewed and there would only be an interview in may and june but I guess this means that they've changed their decision making process?

I also applied to the georgetown CAM program but my top two choices are Temple's program and georgetown's SMP program (I'm waitlisted for the latter), mainly because I don't know if the CAM program is science intensive enough to boost my BCPM GPA. But otherwise, I did go to georgetown's open house for their programs back in April and they had a lot of good things to say about their CAM program.

 

[lovidentity]

Hi monkeypenny, are you in the east coast? I wish I were in my hometown in NY right now...it'd just make things a lot easier for me. I'm scheduled to take the MCAT on July 30th, so even if Temple were to invite me for an interview in mid-late July, it would put me in a very difficult situation. Good thing CAM is going to make a decision w/o an interview. But can the CAM MS program boost BCPM GPA?
Valence23 and Samlai, I would think your stats are good enough to get into Temple without going through the post-bac program. Did you guys apply for med school yet?
My biggest problem is my MCAT score...I'd be psyched with a 33!!

 

[Valence23]

Hi monkeypenny, are you in the east coast? I wish I were in my hometown in NY right now...it'd just make things a lot easier for me. I'm scheduled to take the MCAT on July 30th, so even if Temple were to invite me for an interview in mid-late July, it would put me in a very difficult situation. Good thing CAM is going to make a decision w/o an interview. But can the CAM MS program boost BCPM GPA?
Valence23 and Samlai, I would think your stats are good enough to get into Temple without going through the post-bac program. Did you guys apply for med school yet?
My biggest problem is my MCAT score...I'd be psyched with a 33!!

Loveidentity,

I am pretty sure that the next interview date is June 8 (according to posters in this thread) so just bear that in mind. There have already been some people who have been granted interviews for this date a few weeks back. I also looked at the G-town CAM curriculum and there looks like there are a lot of classes that may help your gpa. Keep in mind that AMCAS will separate undergrad gpa from grad gpa. Good luck studying for your mcat, I had to retake mine as well and if I could give any advice, it would be focus less on subject matter and more on getting down a system for analyzing the passages..I knew a lot more "science stuff" when I took it the first time but the second time I worked solely on strategy and I thought it paid off.

For everyone else,

Keep in mind that this program is going to probably only enroll about 20-30 students tops (according to posts in this thread) so I wouldn't make any plans on it. Since many of the students are pretty much guaranteed admission to their med school contigent on receiving a 30 on the MCAT and 3.5 in the program, I doubt they are going to take a lot of students. I am not trying to dash hopes but I hope everyone has backup plans and does not put all their eggs in one basket. Anyways, good luck to all of you and I hope the best for all of us

 

[monkeypenny]

lovidentity, here is the curriculum for the CAM program:


Fall Semester
BIST-501- Introduction to Biostatistics - 3 credits - MATH
PBIO-520 - Mind Body Skills - 1 credit - HLTH SCI
PBIO-534 - Cell & Molecular Physiology - 4 credits - BIOL
PBIO-536 - History of Conventional/Alternative Medcine - 2 credits -
HLTH SCI
PBIO-600 - Survey of CAM - 4 credits - HLTH SCI
PBIO-604 - Critical Readings in CAM - 1 credit - HLTH SCI
PBIO-703 - Seminars in Physiology, Biophysics and Integrative Medicine -
0 credits - BIOL

Spring Semester
PBIO-501 - Fundamentals of Physiology - 5 credits - BIOL
PBIO-529 - Human Nutrition and Health - 2 credits - HLTH SCI
PBIO-530 - Herbal Medicine/Supplements - 3 credits - HLTH SCI
PBIO-531 - Mind Body Medicine and Physiology - 2 credits - BIOL
PBIO-605 - Critical Readings in CAM - 1 credit - HLTH SCI
PBIO-704 - Seminars in Physiology, Biophysics and Integrative Medicine -
0 credits - BIOL

Summer Semester
PBIO-533 - Complementary & Alternative Medicine Field Pracricum - 2
credits - HLTH SCI

Valence, thanks for the advice. I agree with you -- good luck to everyone!

 

[lovidentity]

okay, so I just called the office at Temple, and apparently there are 500 applicants competing for 20 seats in the MD ACMS program. Doesn't this make it more competitve than their regular admissions to Temple med school?

Well, I hope I'll see you guys at Temple this fall, but if not, then I (at least) hope to see you, Monkeypenny at the CAM program ;D

In the meantime, I'm gonna TRY to stop obsessing about Temple post-bac, and focus on the MCAT strategies! Thanks for your advice, Valence23!

 

[Brotherstroke]

So if we do not receive an invite for an interview for June 8th, I would assume that the program isn't going to take you anymore because they only have two interview days I believe. So those hoping to get in.......hope that you hear from them soon, if I don't I am going to assume rejection....its intuitive.

 

[lovidentity]

Well, it looks like they didn't expect this many (additional) applicants towards the deadline. So they will be giving out interview dates beyond the general guideline for the interview dates they had originally posted on their website. So for people who applied late, like myself, there may be a chance for interview in July and then a decision in August.
I do think the application receivement window has been open for far too long. As someone here mentioned, s/he sent in her/his application in October (?) and I sent in mine a couple of days before June 1st. So no wonder there are so many applicants for only 20 seats. Come to think of it, I think people who applied late like myself will have nearly no chance of getting in if they started receiving people in May and might as well have sent the fifty dollars on a new pair of sandals. I mean, There are only twenty seats, right?

 

[monkeypenny]

lovidentity, I like your way of thinking 🙂 I would've loved a new pair of sandals too! haha. but I guess it's too late now 🙂 anyhow, I hope that next year or sometime in the near future they can put their application online instead of paper. I think it would make the process faster and more organized and it would reduce some work for the staff!

Well, I echo what others have been saying, good luck to all that are waiting and congratulations to those who have gotten in already!

Can people who go to the June 8th interview tell us if the Temple staff says anything else about more interviews being offered? Thank you!

 

[Valence23]

Pair of sandals?? Loveidentity, you could have used that money for another MCAT book 😉
Did they tell you when you called that they will be holding more interviews? I don't know how they are going to let people in so late and those people will be able to receive financial aid...Anyways, I guess you are right monkeypenny that we will hopefully get more information from the people who go to the June 8th interview. At this point though, I am probably going to go to Tufts in the fall...unless there is any positive response from the admissions office at Temple..

 

[lovidentity]

LOL!! I already spent too much money on MCAT books! I spent a fortune on the berkeley review set and so far it's pretty good (but only in conjunction with Examkrackers, my favorite! 😉
What's funny about the admissions office at Temple is that they were super nice when I called them before I sent them my application (and money! LOL). Now they're telling me to stop calling! And I've only called once to ask when they'd be sending out interview invites!
IF they do extend acceptances in August, it'll be very difficult to get housing and will be too late for any financial aid.

 

[Valence23]

Examkrackers will totally help you, it was really the only different thing I did and it made a big difference..yeh it is funny how their admissions office is like that..Its funny for all schools because when you are interested (=have not paid their application fee) they really want you to apply and are super nice, they are like under your control..and then when you send everything and your money in then you become under their control and then if you get let in, once again, they are back under your control, telling you how amazing their school is and all...its all about playing the game i guess and as you can see, money is the factor here, lol...anyways, i cant afford to go to school without financial aid (who can anymore?) so I am going to be giving Tufts a 200$ deposit fee and letting them take back control of me...I doubt they are going to hold future interviews..

 

[Calliope99]

OK, so I just got out of the interview day. Everything seemed to go really well, and there were 22 students there, 15 for the med school program and 7 for dental. The interviews were pretty low-key and conversational. I didn't hear them say anything about additional interview days, though it was mentioned that they received over 600 applications. They said that there will be 25 seats reserved in the med school for the post-bac students, but I don't know if that includes BCMS as well as ACMS students. I also didn't hear how many had already been admitted. Overall it was a very enjoyable day, with some really cool, down-to-earth people. I really hope I get accepted, because Temple seems like a pretty awesome place. They said we'd hear something back within 5 business days, by e-mail, so we'll see.

 

[monkeypenny]

Calliope,
Thanks for the heads up about the interview, really appreciate it!

 

[Valence23]

Thanks for the info calliope..at leas we have a good idea where the rest of us stand. Anyone else who went for the June 8 interview have anything to add?

 

[Doclyn]

Hey everyone...I am new to student doc, but I have been reading everything that you guys have posted about Temple and the info has been very helpful. I really wanted to get in and have been obesssing like most of you, but since I have heard anything back by now (post the june 8th interview) I guess it is not looking good for me. I have however gotten into a post bac at Duquesne University, but I am not sure if I want to go..does anyone know anything about this program or have any advice?

 

[cemurphy510]

Has anyone who interviewed on the 8th gotten a decision yet?

 

[Edwerd]

I interviewed on the 8th and was told I was on the alternate list. I am not sure how many people received that notice as well. Ultimately, the program costs 26k for out of state for tuition and thats not including some random other fees that were mentioned by the financial aid person.

Philly is cheaper than NYC or Boston but considering you are still looking at 15-25k in living expenses and you cannot borrow more than 12k from the government, you will need a lot of private loans to pay for it. One more hoop to jump through for medical school right? haha

 

[cemurphy510]

I interviewed on the 8th and was told I was on the alternate list. I am not sure how many people received that notice as well. Ultimately, the program costs 26k for out of state for tuition and thats not including some random other fees that were mentioned by the financial aid person.

Philly is cheaper than NYC or Boston but considering you are still looking at 15-25k in living expenses and you cannot borrow more than 12k from the government, you will need a lot of private loans to pay for it. One more hoop to jump through for medical school right? haha

Did they send you an email? I still haven't heard, probably not a good sign. When were you notified?