UPenn 2014 cycle updates!

[absvet]

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Hey! Don't worry about the picture - I totally forgot and brought one from my sister's wedding, and I didn't have any scissors to cut it down to size. I just told the guy who took them "I'm the one NOT in the wedding dress..." and it seemed fine! Lots of people had more casual photos. If you want to take one especially for the purpose I'm sure that's cool, but I wouldn't get stressed out about it!

 

[Ben and Me]

Hi! I forgot my picture last year...so I had the hotel make a copy of my driver's license! It worked just fine. No need to worry...and certainly no need to get a picture specially-taken. I think it's just so they have a face to match to a name. 😀

Good luck to everyone on Friday! Hopefully I'll see some of you around! We have a really fun happy hour on Friday, so make sure to stick around if you can!

 

[turnbackhelly]

Funny story about the picture thing. I was trying to decide on one the other day, and I finally had one all picked out... until I realized that it's a picture of me with my dog, and I'm wearing a Philadelphia Phillies t-shirt. Accidental brown-noser much? Needless to say I'll probably pick a different one, but I may bring that one along just for laughs.

GellaBella and DickVetPlease, I will also be interviewing on Friday!! I'll be the tall-ish but otherwise average looking girl with super dark brown hair in the lavender suit shirt (uhh, unless I decide to wear my blue one). 😉 I was a Penn grad student not too long ago and still live in the area, so if you have any questions feel free to PM me!

 

[GellaBella]

Haha well I'll be the really short girl in either a hunter green skirt suit or a muted tannish-green pant suit...haha damn you two for being tall!
But seriously I look forward to meeting you both 😀

 

[Minnerbelle]

yeah seriously, don't worry about the picture at all. i forgot until the night before i left and had to print one out at cvs on my way to the airport. it turns out there's only one pic of me in the past year where i'm not with my younger sister (who looks just like me) was when i was holding a chicken at a petting zoo in japan... and the only printing option at this cvs was a 5x8 so i had to chop the picture with scissors... but hey! it worked out.

the way they make their decision is in a meeting right after all of the interviews are finished. i'm guessing what they do is go through each applicant and the interviewers wave around your pics to all of the student reps (who spend the day with you and have a say) and ask if they noticed you saying or doing anything good/questionable. so as long as it's not of you at your night job as a stripper, it should be just fine.

good luck everyone!

 

[NYCVetToBe]

To GellaBella, DickVetPlease, andturnbackhelly: I just wanted to say hi! I'll also be there Friday. I'm also tall with blonde hair and will be wearing a black wool skirt suit.

Also, I don't have many pictures either. I'm bringing a picture of me with my cat because my other option is me far away ("what a hitter!" someone please get that reference) with two dogs.

My dodgeball season starts the night before, so I am hoping that keeps me from getting that nervous.

 

[BlacKAT33]

OMGGGGGGGG I JUST GOT AN INTERVIEW! This post is for all the other people out there who are scared about their stats! I only have a 3.4 gpa and with the +/- system it is even lower. I never thought Id be in the running for Upenn but i guess this means experience/essays/and letters still count for something!

 

[Crazy Hippos]

OMGGGGGGGG I JUST GOT AN INTERVIEW! This post is for all the other people out there who are scared about their stats! I only have a 3.4 gpa and with the +/- system it is even lower. I never thought Id be in the running for Upenn but i guess this means experience/essays/and letters still count for something!

Hooray BlacKAT~! 👍

 

[ImaJerseyGirl]

OMGGGGGGGG I JUST GOT AN INTERVIEW! This post is for all the other people out there who are scared about their stats! I only have a 3.4 gpa and with the +/- system it is even lower. I never thought Id be in the running for Upenn but i guess this means experience/essays/and letters still count for something!

I didn't apply to penn but CONGRATS!

 

[GellaBella]

I'm bringing a picture of me with my cat because my other option is me far away ("what a hitter!" someone please get that reference)
QUOTE]

Haha A League of Their Own! Marla Hooch! love that movie.

whats with all the tall people scheduled for the Friday interview!? 😛 Guess I'm gonna be sticking out like a sore thumb. damn genetics.

It says that each interview session is 1.5 hrs. And if interviews are typically about 30 min that means about 3 people/session...so I'm thinking there are going to be about 6 people being interviewed on Friday??

Is that how many were interviewed in December?

I look forward to meeting you guys!

 

[Crazy Hippos]

I'm bringing a picture of me with my cat because my other option is me far away ("what a hitter!" someone please get that reference)
QUOTE]

Haha A League of Their Own! Marla Hooch! love that movie.

whats with all the tall people scheduled for the Friday interview!? 😛 Guess I'm gonna be sticking out like a sore thumb. damn genetics.

It says that each interview session is 1.5 hrs. And if interviews are typically about 30 min that means about 3 people/session...so I'm thinking there are going to be about 6 people being interviewed on Friday??

Is that how many were interviewed in December?

I look forward to meeting you guys!

The interview is 1.5 hours?! 😱

 

[Niteangel]

OMGGGGGGGG I JUST GOT AN INTERVIEW! This post is for all the other people out there who are scared about their stats! I only have a 3.4 gpa and with the +/- system it is even lower. I never thought Id be in the running for Upenn but i guess this means experience/essays/and letters still count for something!

BlackKat, Congrats!! I am in a similiar situation. I have a 3.4 cumulative GPA and am hoping that my experience and essay standout as well. Good luck!

 

[DickVetPlease]

The interview is 1.5 hours?! 😱

I think she's saying that an entire interview session is 1.5 hours (meaning all the people in that session will take a total of 1.5 hours). Since each interview is supposed to take about 30 mins, she's guessing that there will be three people per session, six total because there are two sessions.

 

[bunnity]

There are going to be a lot more than six people there - there are many sets of interviewers. Last year there were about 40 people on each interview day.

I had a picture of me with my bunny and it was fine. A couple people forgot photos and they just made copies of the drivers' licenses for them. No big deal.

 

[Crazy Hippos]

I think she's saying that an entire interview session is 1.5 hours (meaning all the people in that session will take a total of 1.5 hours). Since each interview is supposed to take about 30 mins, she's guessing that there will be three people per session, six total because there are two sessions.

Oops! Yeah, she mentions that. I must have been so shocked that the rest of the sentence didn't register.

 

[sydneycider]

OMGGGGGGGG I JUST GOT AN INTERVIEW! This post is for all the other people out there who are scared about their stats! I only have a 3.4 gpa and with the +/- system it is even lower. I never thought Id be in the running for Upenn but i guess this means experience/essays/and letters still count for something!

Hey how did they contact you? Through email? I'm really hoping to get an interview!

 

[GellaBella]

There are going to be a lot more than six people there - there are many sets of interviewers. Last year there were about 40 people on each interview day.

I had a picture of me with my bunny and it was fine. A couple people forgot photos and they just made copies of the drivers' licenses for them. No big deal.

Ahhhh ok. haha thanks! I guess I was over analyzing. 😳

and yes, I meant that each session is 1.5 hrs, not each individual interview! sorry!

 

[FutureVet4]

OMGGGGGGGG I JUST GOT AN INTERVIEW! This post is for all the other people out there who are scared about their stats! I only have a 3.4 gpa and with the +/- system it is even lower. I never thought Id be in the running for Upenn but i guess this means experience/essays/and letters still count for something!

Congrats BlackKat!! When is your interview? Mine was scheduled for the 15th but I'm flying to Missouri on that day so I had it rescheduled for the 29th. I'm so nervous! By the way, LOVE your picture, that guy loves to be tickled so much 🙂

 

[BlacKAT33]

Congrats BlackKat!! When is your interview? Mine was scheduled for the 15th but I'm flying to Missouri on that day so I had it rescheduled for the 29th. I'm so nervous! By the way, LOVE your picture, that guy loves to be tickled so much 🙂

YAYYY a friend for the interview day! 😀 i was waiting for this round of people to start posting something lol i guess more people will post tonight. I am waiting to hear from VA tech on friday because their interview dates are 28,29,30 and im afraid they will be on the same day. but even if it is the day before or after i will need to drive around 6.5 hrs.... probably over night ?? i may need someone to chaperone me lol

Yes i love that little slow loris! she is soooo cute! i tried to upload the tickle gif of it but failed and then twelvetigers told me about the motion avatars only for donating people. I should get a donation in anyway because this site rocks. that reminds me... i also need to get my quaterly taxes and fafsa in lol

 

[Chapelle]

Yes i love that little slow loris! she is soooo cute! i tried to upload the tickle gif of it but failed and then twelvetigers told me about the motion avatars only for donating people. I should get a donation in anyway because this site rocks. that reminds me... i also need to get my quaterly taxes and fafsa in lol

Too bad the loris came from here: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2010/01/asian-wildlife/leong-photography

Not cute at all.

 

[BlacKAT33]

Too bad the loris came from here: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2010/01/asian-wildlife/leong-photography

Not cute at all.

yes, i'm not a fan of people having exotics as pets. The illegal trading is sad 🙁 way to knock off my smile! But sonya is still super cute! and I'm at least glad that she has good owners instead of someone buying her illegally and killing her. Maybe the owner will learn their lesson if they get bit by her and her toxin goes in them!

 

[FutureVet4]

🙁 Totally not cool.

Anyway, I didn't apply to VA tech but I'm sure you can get an interview date that will work with Penn. I feel like most schools are good about making it work with your schedule. But if you do have to drive that far you SHOULD bring someone that's a long drive!!

Oh man I havn't even begun to think about the FAFSA. Damn.

 

[Chapelle]

yes, i'm not a fan of people having exotics as pets. The illegal trading is sad 🙁 way to knock off my smile! But sonya is still super cute! and I'm at least glad that she has good owners instead of someone buying her illegally and killing her. Maybe the owner will learn their lesson if they get bit by her and her toxin goes in them!

Sorry to be such a downer. This isn't just any other exotic pet...there is no legal way of buying a slow loris, there's an international treaty that prohibits their trade. So any slow loris kept as a pet was smuggled from the wild illegally. I wouldn't call those people "good owners."

That Natl Geo article is really worth a read. The illegal wildlife trade is much more lucrative than I thought.

 

[Ben and Me]

Good luck to everyone tomorrow! 😀

Let me know if you have any last minute questions 🙂

 

[Ben and Me]

Also just wanted to mention that we are expecting a couple of inches of snow tonight and tomorrow morning, so if you are planning on driving into the city tomorrow, you may want to factor that in to your commute!

Hope to meet some of you at happy hour tomorrow night!

 

[nyanko]

Dear Penn,

Please hurry and send me a VMD rejection so I can forget about all of this crap until February and focus on my research & thesis.

Sincerely,
nyanko

 

[eventualeventer]

Dear Nyanko,

We intend to make you suffer as long as possible.

Suck it up,

UPenn

 

[Minnerbelle]

Good luck everyone!

 

[katryn]

Thats a good question, if Penn has no intentions of interviewing you, do they go ahead and send you a rejection? or do they make you wait until the end of the interview cycle to tell you? or not tell you at all?

 

[GellaBella]

Thanks for the good luck thoughts everyone! I'm here, dressed, and just about ready to go!! It's exciting and nerve racking at the same time! 🙂

 

[variegata]

Thats a good question, if Penn has no intentions of interviewing you, do they go ahead and send you a rejection? or do they make you wait until the end of the interview cycle to tell you? or not tell you at all?

I'm wondering the exact same thing. As much as I wouldn't enjoy a rejection, I'd rather know now so I can move on.

 

[cattycat]

Thats a good question, if Penn has no intentions of interviewing you, do they go ahead and send you a rejection? or do they make you wait until the end of the interview cycle to tell you? or not tell you at all?

I'm not sure how they do it, but I got a rejection from them last year around March 5. Maybe they wait towards the end?

 

[Horsingaround31]

I'm wondering the exact same thing. As much as I wouldn't enjoy a rejection, I'd rather know now so I can move on.

Last year, I did not receive a rejection until March sometime. I heard nothing from Penn between the email saying they received everything until the rejection. Not so fun. I'd love to know sooner -- either way -- this year. Honestly. This waiting and not knowing is killing me -- especially as a second-time applicant!

 

[nyanko]

I'm not sure how they do it, but I got a rejection from them last year around March 5. Maybe they wait towards the end?

People in other years have said that there were rejections throughout the whole time while interviews were going out, but it did really seem like the vast majority of them came at the very end of the cycle.

 

[katryn]

Satisfying enough....I can continue to tell myself that I have nothing to worry about until March when the letters from Tennessee are due too. Ah, ignorance is bliss sometimes.

 

[laitmanvet]

I've met with an admissions dean from Penn and he said that they might continuously review applications well into April and have even made offers in June, basically until they fill the class.

 

[dgm]

No updates from yesterday's interviewees? How'd it go, guys?

 

[GellaBella]

we're all traumatized...it was awful...

nah, I'm just kidding, it basically went exactly how the interview feedback/people who've already gone have said.

There are 30 people being interviewed and at first you all wait in the lobby until you are brought up to a room with a bunch of tables and chairs, there are packets with your name on it that you pick up that include the schedule for the day (whether you'll go on the tour first or be interviewed first, what time your interview is at and who it is with).

I went on the tour first...bring your coat! cause you do go outside.

when we got back from the tour I had the first interview and mine was very laid back and conversational. The cold interviewer gave me the "tell me about yourself question" followed by "why vet med" and "how do you have fun" then the rest of the time we talked about my research. It goes by sooo fast and theres really nothing to worry about. then you're back in the room with the other interviewees and the pennvet students.

Other students said they were getting questioned about convenience euthanasia (basically exactly the same questions already in interview feedback) but I wasn't asked any of that stuff.

I think it went pretty well and was overall pretty relaxing.
Eat beforehand because they didn't feed us. When we got back from the tour there were bottles of water, soda, some cookies and some nuts but that was it.
They also said they would notify us by mail...I'm not sure if they just say that everytime or what.
Also of course there was happy hour afterwards but since most people hadn't known about it before hand people generally had to leave to catch trains, planes etc.

 

[turnbackhelly]

No updates from yesterday's interviewees? How'd it go, guys?

Sorry, I was totally beat last night and went to bed waaay early. 😳 I interviewed yesterday and had a really great experience. My interviewers were very friendly and seemed genuinely really interested in me. I loved the school overall (and was a Penn grad student not long ago, so being there felt like home! 😍), and I'm feeling pretty hopeful for good news from them based on how my interview went and some comments my interviewers made... however I'm kinda bummed at the moment because it doesn't look like I'd be able to accept a seat there if offered one due to financial concerns, despite the fact that Penn is my clear top choice. (See the post I literally JUST made in the thread about school rankings for details.) So... yeah. I'm definitely torn about Penn - even going to my interview yesterday was sort of depressing. Is it bad that I'm almost hoping they reject me so I don't have to turn them down? 🙁

Edit: GellaBella, I *think* we may have been sitting next to each other when we all first sat down in the "holding room." I'm glad to hear your interview went well also!

 

[DickVetPlease]

I interviewed too, and overall I think it went pretty well. Although my cold interview seemed a little more on the offensive, they were both friendly and relaxed for the most part. I got the question about convenience euthanasia (person walks in with a healthy dog and wants it euthanized for whatever reason, what do you do?) They also asked me about using animals in research, which was a pretty tough one. If your application includes alot of research, be prepared to talk about that in detail.

I really loved the school, and the hospital seemed great. Hopefully i'll hear some good news from them soon.

ps, I think i talked to a couple of you, but it was hard to be sure. Definitely spoke with NYCvettobe

 

[GellaBella]

I think you and I sat at the same table after our interviews. And were in the same tour group? I think you asked me about my time at Cambridge? Or else there was another guy there who really enjoyed his time in Scotland!

I'm not sure if I met anyone else though 🙂

 

[Ben and Me]

however I'm kinda bummed at the moment because it doesn't look like I'd be able to accept a seat there if offered one due to financial concerns, despite the fact that Penn is my clear top choice. (See the post I literally JUST made in the thread about school rankings for details.) So... yeah. I'm definitely torn about Penn - even going to my interview yesterday was sort of depressing. Is it bad that I'm almost hoping they reject me so I don't have to turn them down? 🙁

Hey turnback,

I know exactly how you feel right now. Last year I got a phone call right after my interview, so I knew almost immediately. I was still on a high from my fun interview day and acceptance...and then I sat down and looked at all the financial stuff. I literally started crying because of how expensive it is. I was lucky enough to not have another option though because I think I would've ended up at my in-state school, and I think that Penn is a better fit for me personally.

Yes, the tuition is very high, but it is also possible to be frugal up here - I know that I personally spend less money on "life" than I have ever before in my life. I bring my lunch every day (I'd imagine that probably saves around $500/semester) and don't go out to eat much for dinner either. Yes, I still have fun up here, but I save up for the fun stuff - I'd rather go out to eat on a Friday night than spend the same amount of money on WaWa lunches! 🙂 I get most of my "going out" done by going to happy hour - $1 beers within my budget 🙂 The good thing is that you're with a group of folks who are all in the same boat, so everyone gets made of for carrying lunch boxes by undergrads. Haha!

Ultimately, it is a lot of debt to be taking out, but there are scholarships available and animal care-type jobs available on the vet school campus as well. I may have a completely different attitude once I graduate, but as of right now, I'm very happy with where I am.

 

[turnbackhelly]

I know exactly how you feel right now. Last year I got a phone call right after my interview, so I knew almost immediately. I was still on a high from my fun interview day and acceptance...and then I sat down and looked at all the financial stuff. I literally started crying because of how expensive it is. I was lucky enough to not have another option though because I think I would've ended up at my in-state school, and I think that Penn is a better fit for me personally.

Yes, the tuition is very high, but it is also possible to be frugal up here - I know that I personally spend less money on "life" than I have ever before in my life. I bring my lunch every day (I'd imagine that probably saves around $500/semester) and don't go out to eat much for dinner either. Yes, I still have fun up here, but I save up for the fun stuff - I'd rather go out to eat on a Friday night than spend the same amount of money on WaWa lunches! 🙂 I get most of my "going out" done by going to happy hour - $1 beers within my budget 🙂 The good thing is that you're with a group of folks who are all in the same boat, so everyone gets made of for carrying lunch boxes by undergrads. Haha!

Ultimately, it is a lot of debt to be taking out, but there are scholarships available and animal care-type jobs available on the vet school campus as well. I may have a completely different attitude once I graduate, but as of right now, I'm very happy with where I am.

Thanks so much for the words of encouragement!! I definitely cried for a good while last night over this. My real problem is that I already have a LOT of loans from undergrad and grad school (like... >$100K... yeah), I have been accepted to my IS (Cornell), and I have a horse that I really really really don't want to have to sell. So given these factors, it's extremely difficult for me to justify spending an extra $60K on Penn when my IS is a fine choice at the end of the day. Of course I haven't been officially accepted to Penn (though my interviewers definitely suggested it), so I may be worrying for nothing. If accepted I'll definitely see what Penn can do for me, but I of course don't expect them to be able to offer me anything close to the same price tag as my IS (understandably). But I guess we'll see what happens in the next few months... I hate money!! 😡

 

[BlacKAT33]

thanks to everyone who shared about their interview!! I am sooo glad I joined SDN i think id have a panic attack every day if it wasnt for you guys 😀 i am much more relaxed now that i have heard about your interview feedback. It also means a lot more to me that you wrote out paragraphs, it is much easier to tell the tone of the interview than in the interview feedback where they just post questions and one word answers 😀

thank you!

 

[DickVetPlease]

I think you and I sat at the same table after our interviews. And were in the same tour group? I think you asked me about my time at Cambridge? Or else there was another guy there who really enjoyed his time in Scotland!

I'm not sure if I met anyone else though 🙂

Ohh yeah I totally remember talking to you abot Cambridge/Edinburgh! It just seems like it would be awkward to bring up SDN when you meet them in person...

 

[NYCVetToBe]

Ohh yeah I totally remember talking to you abot Cambridge/Edinburgh! It just seems like it would be awkward to bring up SDN when you meet them in person...

Yes! I just didn't try, since I was nervous anyway. Were you the guy with a copy of his publication with him?

 

[GellaBella]

NYCVetToBet- I think you were at our table too... Are you the girl from Brooklyn who sat near the door after interviews?? If so then you sat next to DickVetPlease and like 2 away from me 🙂

TurnBackHelly- I sat at the table in the very middle of the room before the interviews/tours. Was that you sitting to my right?? I was trying so hard to figure out who everyone was but it's a little awkward to be like... Soo hey I'm gellabella does that sound familiar to you?! Are we Internet friends?! Haha.plus a lot of people wore lavendar/purpley shirts. 🙂 I'm sorry to hear about the money situation. I also will be $100k+ in debt due to undergrad/ grad school before I even start. I guess you've got to do what is best for you. My in state is tufts which is still pretty expensive (if I even get in). It is def a tough decision but try not to worry SOmuch about it right now! Enjoy your acceptances!! We're all trying to figure this out 🙂

so I think I met every sdn-er there. Very cool. Good luck guys. I hope we hear some good news soon!

 

[NYCVetToBe]

NYCVetToBet- I think you were at our table too... Are you the girl from Brooklyn who sat near the door after interviews?? If so then you sat next to DickVetPlease and like 2 away from me 🙂

I don't think that was me (unless you mean that door on the opposite side of the room that supposedly led to the bathroom). Actually, I just realized the door thing is not the issue since I'm not from Brooklyn. haha I really wanted us to have met, I guess.

 

[turnbackhelly]

TurnBackHelly- I sat at the table in the very middle of the room before the interviews/tours. Was that you sitting to my right?? I was trying so hard to figure out who everyone was but it's a little awkward to be like... Soo hey I'm gellabella does that sound familiar to you?! Are we Internet friends?! Haha.plus a lot of people wore lavendar/purpley shirts.

Yes, that was me! What gave you away to me was the other girl at our table double checking the correct pronunciation of your first name... and then I was like OHHHHH! Makes sense. Also, you're right, SO many lavender shirts!! I was the only one in a fun color at my Ohio State interview, not so much at Penn... maybe I started a trend? lol.

And thanks (everyone) for all of the $$ encouragement/commisseration... I'm doing my best not to stress about it. April 15th is still a long way away, right?

 

[DickVetPlease]

Yes! I just didn't try, since I was nervous anyway. Were you the guy with a copy of his publication with him?

Yepp, that was me. Although when it came time for the interview, I didn't really know how to bring up the publication so I never got to show them. Oh well, hopefully no biggie..