UPenn Applicants c/o 2017

Veterinary Science Graduate Programs from U. of I.
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Moiralov said:
I completely understand how you feel. Just think positively, and I keep telling myself that wherever I end up next year (even if its still at home to reapply again), there is a reason for why things happen. For example, those schools that reject certain qualified applicants, might be looking for a different type of applicant whereas UPenn might be looking for another type of applicant with a different background🙂 Best of luck to you as well!
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Well said. I'm the opposite--I honestly don't think Penn would be a good fit for me (almost didn't apply despite it being my in state) and that is probably reflected in my application. So I don't really mind too much that I haven't gotten an interview with them yet (although it peeves me a bit to be ignored by my IS). Part of me hopes I get an acceptance somewhere else (tomorrow hopefully?) before Penn gets around to telling me anything so that I can just withdraw my application and have one less rejection on my record 🙂
 
For those still waiting there still might be hope... I received an email for an interview this week!

Also a question for current students: under the sticky Cost of Attendance thread there's a link to the VIN website that ranks UPenn as 31 out of 31 regarding affordability for OOS students. The estimated COA is over 300K and living expenses play a large role in that calculation. I know there are always ways to be financially conscientious but does that number, 300K, seem consistent for those of you attending UPenn as OOS students?
 
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So I've been sitting on my interview invitation for a couple days and decided to decline. 😱 Incredibly tough decision--UPenn has been one of my fav schools for a long time, but I hope that means someone still in application limbo hears today! Good luck! :luck:
 
Andie1 said:
For those still waiting there still might be hope... I received an email for an interview this week!

Also a question for current students: under the sticky Cost of Attendance thread there's a link to the VIN website that ranks UPenn as 31 out of 31 regarding affordability for OOS students. The estimated COA is over 300K and living expenses play a large role in that calculation. I know there are always ways to be financially conscientious but does that number, 300K, seem consistent for those of you attending UPenn as OOS students?
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It's expensive, no doubt about it. I've always thought the COA was a bit inflated, but I know people who would disagree. Rent seems to be the biggest contributor to the disparity. Provided tuition doesn't increase much in the next two years, I'm anticipating graduating with about 220K before interest. That's with a lot of scrimping, a *lot* of roommates, and some family support. I would say that if you're determined to live alone for four years in a nice one bedroom apartment and use your loans to cover car payments, smart phone plans, a cable package, and trips abroad, then it's definitely possible to hit 300K. Alternatively, if you have particular circumstances like a family to support, the debt can pile up. But, most people I know seem to stay well below 300K.
 
Still in limbo here......Not even a peep : ( Does anybody know if geographic location is a factor in interview offers? I'm 3000+ miles from Philly (at least I'm hoping that's why I haven't heard anything)
 
pooter said:
It's expensive, no doubt about it. I've always thought the COA was a bit inflated, but I know people who would disagree. Rent seems to be the biggest contributor to the disparity. Provided tuition doesn't increase much in the next two years, I'm anticipating graduating with about 220K before interest. That's with a lot of scrimping, a *lot* of roommates, and some family support. I would say that if you're determined to live alone for four years in a nice one bedroom apartment and use your loans to cover car payments, smart phone plans, a cable package, and trips abroad, then it's definitely possible to hit 300K. Alternatively, if you have particular circumstances like a family to support, the debt can pile up. But, most people I know seem to stay well below 300K.
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not that $220K is good (bad?), but I was expecting a bit more...I guess you have mentioned scrimping-roomates-and family support...can I ask about what you manage to live off ($$) of a year (give or take)? I am a no-frills kind-of-person, so I won't have a smart phone, a car payment, or cable...but I do have car insurance and a few pets, yadayada 😉

I feel ashamed...I have been carrying around my acceptance paperwork/deposit for two weeks now! I just haven't been able to commit due to the looming financial burden (plus my age!)!!

Funny, it wasn't such a big deal when I was applying and the whole time I was freaking out over getting in! This whole ordeal has been nothing but golden opportunity! ....What gives?!
 
mnkyrat said:
not that $220K is good (bad?), but I was expecting a bit more...I guess you have mentioned scrimping-roomates-and family support...can I ask about what you manage to live off ($$) of a year (give or take)? I am a no-frills kind-of-person, so I won't have a smart phone, a car payment, or cable...but I do have car insurance and a few pets, yadayada 😉

I feel ashamed...I have been carrying around my acceptance paperwork/deposit for two weeks now! I just haven't been able to commit due to the looming financial burden (plus my age!)!!

Funny, it wasn't such a big deal when I was applying and the whole time I was freaking out over getting in! This whole ordeal has been nothing but golden opportunity! ....What gives?!
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You're considered instate, right? If it it helps you, I took out the full amount for this year and had $4, 000 left over at the end of the first semester. I went out a lot initially, so its not like I watched my money that closely. My apartment. Is $700 a month before utitilties, so I propbably spend like $1200 a month on the high side. I dont have a car either so that helps. I am trying to get a job though so that I can maybe secure something for the summer.


Oh and I have absolutely no savings so I didnt come in with much.
 
orca2011 said:
You're considered instate, right? If it it helps you, I took out the full amount for this year and had $4, 000 left over at the end of the first semester. I went out a lot initially, so its not like I watched my money that closely. My apartment. Is $700 a month before utitilties, so I propbably spend like $1200 a month on the high side. I dont have a car either so that helps. I am trying to get a job though so that I can maybe secure something for the summer.


Oh and I have absolutely no savings so I didnt come in with much.
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does that mean you had $4k for the rest of the year? Or just rolling into the next semester. . .not including summer? Sorry to be slow here. . .

Yeah I'm IS. . .and got a decent scholarship to help out a bit so I shouldn't complain! It atleast negates the debt I have from undergrad/grad! So I will come out just a bit above the avg vet school debt (for Penn anyway)

Thanks. . .that does help 😀
 
mnkyrat said:
does that mean you had $4k for the rest of the year? Or just rolling into the next semester. . .not including summer? Sorry to be slow here. . .

Yeah I'm IS. . .and got a decent scholarship to help out a bit so I shouldn't complain! It atleast negates the debt I have from undergrad/grad! So I will come out just a bit above the avg vet school debt (for Penn anyway)

Thanks. . .that does help 😀
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Def didnt get that scholarship so you're better off than me already. And thats rolling into this semester. Not sure what I will have left at the end of this one, but you can definitely save money if you want too. I think Bunnity said she managed to save enough to buy a used car.
 
orca2011 said:
Def didnt get that scholarship so you're better off than me already. And thats rolling into this semester. Not sure what I will have left at the end of this one, but you can definitely save money if you want too. I think Bunnity said she managed to save enough to buy a used car.
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nice! I sure could use a newer trailer. . .that might be pushing it 🙄
 
Got my acceptance call a few days ago and I just wanted to say that I decided on UPenn and I can't wait to move to Philly this fall!!!!!
 
Also, I apologize for any grammatical/spelling errors... a Four Loko after running at least 6 miles is a poor life choice. You can blame the happy hour crew
 
I have been accepted to Penn and am currently deciding between Penn and a couple other schools. I loved Penn during the visit and really enjoyed talking with the students.

After being accepted, I spoke with a couple of recent Penn graduates and heard some rather negative comments regarding their experience. They found that students were very competitive with each other and the environment was very "cut-throat".

I was hoping to gain some insight from current Penn students regarding student life and whether they felt a sense of competitiveness amongst classmates too.

Thanks for the input.
 
hak56 said:
I have been accepted to Penn and am currently deciding between Penn and a couple other schools. I loved Penn during the visit and really enjoyed talking with the students.

After being accepted, I spoke with a couple of recent Penn graduates and heard some rather negative comments regarding their experience. They found that students were very competitive with each other and the environment was very "cut-throat".

I was hoping to gain some insight from current Penn students regarding student life and whether they felt a sense of competitiveness amongst classmates too.

Thanks for the input.
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There are deifintely some cut throat students, but for the most part our class works together. We share study guides for tests and even the other classes share their study guides with us. I'm not saying you won't encounter it, but I feel like it is something you will experience to an extenet at any school.
 
mnkyrat said:
not that $220K is good (bad?), but I was expecting a bit more...I guess you have mentioned scrimping-roomates-and family support...can I ask about what you manage to live off ($$) of a year (give or take)? I am a no-frills kind-of-person, so I won't have a smart phone, a car payment, or cable...but I do have car insurance and a few pets, yadayada 😉

I feel ashamed...I have been carrying around my acceptance paperwork/deposit for two weeks now! I just haven't been able to commit due to the looming financial burden (plus my age!)!!

Funny, it wasn't such a big deal when I was applying and the whole time I was freaking out over getting in! This whole ordeal has been nothing but golden opportunity! ....What gives?!
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Well, 55K/year covers the bare bones of tuition/fees (48K this year--more last year because of first year microscope and rabies shot charges), rent (6K/year, which is about as good as it gets in West Philly), and most utilities. I'm pathetic in that I'm allowing my parents to feed me. If I weren't, that alone could add 12-20K over four years. The Penn Student Health Insurance Plan would add another 12-14K over four years were I not on my parents' insurance. My "extras" (occasional entertainment, dog food, vet bills, things for my dog to chew) come out of the decent paychecks I've gotten these past two summers . . . but I got said paychecks by giving up the chance to do clinical/research work in favor of $$$. Since I'm not planning to go back to that job this summer and will be in clinicals next summer, I probably should have revised that figure upwards to about 230K.

So, yeah, 220K is sadly hard to pull off, even with great support. 250-270K is probably the more feasible number for a determined scrimper without outside support. I will owe my parents large Xmas presents and free vet care for the rest of their lives😉

Don't feel ashamed, though! Freak-outs at this point are completely normal at this point. It proves you're actually thinking about the process.
 
Had my interview yesterday, haven't heard a peep yet. Many of the students I've spoken with received their phone call on the day of their interview.

Freaking out. Plz halp. 🙁
 
hak56 said:
I have been accepted to Penn and am currently deciding between Penn and a couple other schools. I loved Penn during the visit and really enjoyed talking with the students.

After being accepted, I spoke with a couple of recent Penn graduates and heard some rather negative comments regarding their experience. They found that students were very competitive with each other and the environment was very "cut-throat".

I was hoping to gain some insight from current Penn students regarding student life and whether they felt a sense of competitiveness amongst classmates too.

Thanks for the input.
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I have rarely seen that and I have been in 2 different classes. In fact, I can't almost believe any student would say that. It sounds more like an urban myth. As for undergrad here (especially say, Wharton), then I would totally believe it.. but vet school. Absolutely not.

If people think this is a competitive environment then they really have no clue.

Penn seems much less competitive than many other vet schools out there.

There are negatives about Penn, I am far, far from a polllyanna, but that is NOT one of them.
 
StartingoverVet said:
I have rarely seen that and I have been in 2 different classes. In fact, I can't almost believe any student would say that. It sounds more like an urban myth. As for undergrad here (especially say, Wharton), then I would totally believe it.. but vet school. Absolutely not.

If people think this is a competitive environment then they really have no clue.

Penn seems much less competitive than many other vet schools out there.

There are negatives about Penn, I am far, far from a polllyanna, but that is NOT one of them.
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Thanks for the input! Just curious-what, in your opinion, are the negatives about Penn?
 
Clover51 said:
Had my interview yesterday, haven't heard a peep yet. Many of the students I've spoken with received their phone call on the day of their interview.

Freaking out. Plz halp. 🙁
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Breathe. I didn't get the call until Wednesday of the next week. In my year, I don't think they called anyone the day of.
 
Clover51 said:
Had my interview yesterday, haven't heard a peep yet. Many of the students I've spoken with received their phone call on the day of their interview.

Freaking out. Plz halp. 🙁
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Take a breather! You made it this far 😀

I didn't get a call until the following Wed or Thursday..
 
Thank you, pooter and mnkyrat! I will try to not hold my breath, in that case...
 
orca2011 said:
You're considered instate, right? If it it helps you, I took out the full amount for this year and had $4, 000 left over at the end of the first semester. I went out a lot initially, so its not like I watched my money that closely. My apartment. Is $700 a month before utitilties, so I propbably spend like $1200 a month on the high side. I dont have a car either so that helps. I am trying to get a job though so that I can maybe secure something for the summer.


Oh and I have absolutely no savings so I didnt come in with much.
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Bear in mind second semester is like 2 months longer than first semester, so it's normal to have some left over but be breaking even by the end of second semester.

Also, third year is more expensive in tuition and there is no way to have a job over the summer. I think 250k sounds about right for instate (and that's with living pretty cheaply) and about 300k for OOS.
 
Anyone still waiting to hear anything at all......? What is happening?
 
Roshan3510 said:
Anyone still waiting to hear anything at all......? What is happening?
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Still haven't heard anything... Thankfully I have my interview with U of Illinois today to distract me from not hearing anything so late in the game.
 
Roshan3510 said:
Anyone still waiting to hear anything at all......? What is happening?
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I love how totally mute they are during this whole process and frequently neglect to respond to people's inquiries or give very curt responses when they do, and yet I just emailed to withdraw my application and they responded within 15 minutes. Oh Penn... It's a good thing I'm not going here. I don't think the school and I would have gotten along very well. But best of luck to those of you who are actually a good fit for the school! It's a good school, my own issues with them aside...
 
I haven't heard anything either and it's driving me crazy!! Does anyone know how late into the semester they keep sending out interview invitations?
 
dovelover said:
I love how totally mute they are during this whole process and frequently neglect to respond to people's inquiries or give very curt responses when they do, and yet I just emailed to withdraw my application and they responded within 15 minutes. Oh Penn... It's a good thing I'm not going here. I don't think the school and I would have gotten along very well. But best of luck to those of you who are actually a good fit for the school! It's a good school, my own issues with them aside...
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Hang in there guys. Admissions isn't perfect but I promise you that they're doing their best to respond to the many inquiries they get per day. I hope you all hear good things soon
 
Has anyone gotten accepted off the "hold" list so far? I haven't heard anything but I'm guessing the more interviews that pass, the less likely it is to be chosen...
 
Hi, I found this site sort of late in the process and haven't written before, but I did want to reply to you in case it helps. From what I understood, they accept some people right away, but everyone else on the hold list will only hear back after all of the interviews are over, which I believe is early to mid- March. I hope that clears it up a bit. And good luck!!! 🙂

P.S. Thanks everyone for all your postings on this site... it really helps with the application process!
 
Hey guys, if you haven't heard back yet on getting an interview, there is still hope! One applicant on my interview day was invited via phone call just one week prior to the interview. So keep holding on and best of luck!!
 
Interviewing at U Penn tomorrow! Just wanted to say good luck to anyone interviewing tomorrow and hopefully I'll get to meet some of you there. 🙂
 
Good luck! You're all looking quite spiffy in your suits.
 
p.s. I'm the one in the green sweater sitting between the library and the study rooms, creeping on you. :meanie:
 
kklm2013 said:
I haven't heard anything either and it's driving me crazy!! Does anyone know how late into the semester they keep sending out interview invitations?
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I think there are still two more weeks to send out invites (next week and the first week of march) but I'm not positive... I still haven't heard from them about an interview either, and neither has my friend, who is a very, very strong applicant (she's amazing!). So definitely don't take it as a negative... their process seems very complicated to me. Good luck!
 
For all you guys still waiting to hear about an interview, my friend just received an interview invite today (and this is the first time they have contacted her at all during this process), so there is still time!
 
McGovernator said:
For all you guys still waiting to hear about an interview, my friend just received an interview invite today (and this is the first time they have contacted her at all during this process), so there is still time!
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Kinda still hanging on...Haven't heard anything and it's my IS. I'm pretty much set on Ohio at this point though esp since I just did some number-crunching. With switching to IS at Ohio after the first year and the higher cost of living in Philly, it's about 32,000 cheaper to go to Ohio.
 
StartingoverVet said:
We should take before (interviews) and after (exams) pictures.
It would be quite entertaining.
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It wasn't quite as bad as last year, when they took all the prospects up into the anatomy lab while I (along with about a third of the class) was study for the second exam. There they are in their fancy suits, talking about how happy everyone seems here and there I was in my tee-shirt, nasty jeans, and very gross lab coat with my hands all over a formaldehyde-soaked goat pelvis. Live the dream, kids! :laugh:
 
Stb1473 said:
Kinda still hanging on...Haven't heard anything and it's my IS. I'm pretty much set on Ohio at this point though esp since I just did some number-crunching. With switching to IS at Ohio after the first year and the higher cost of living in Philly, it's about 32,000 cheaper to go to Ohio.
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I'm actually trying to make the decision between Ohio and UPenn as well and finances are definitely playing a large part also!
 
Stb1473 said:
32000 less was using in state tuition for penn, so with out of state it's probably about 70,000 less to go to Ohio!
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Yea I did the math a little while ago and there is about a 60,000 difference. I just wish I didn't love UPenn so much! haha
 
Did anybody that interviewed on Friday the 22nd hear anything back yet? I'm going crazy here.
 
I just found out that I was put on "hold". Do any current vet students know what the out look is for people on hold/ are there many students in your class that were initially on hold status?? Are the students on hold that aren't accepted put on a wait list? Sorry for so many questions.
All I can think is, ughhhh more waiting. But at least its not a straight up rejection 🙂
 
Littlehamsterz said:
Did anybody that interviewed on Friday the 22nd hear anything back yet? I'm going crazy here.
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Hang in there! I was in that same position very recently. I interviewed on the 15th, but heard NOTHING until early evening on the 19th. Don't assume you didn't make the cut! Just try to be as patient as possible (I know it's not easy).
 
SebagoBoatin said:
I just found out that I was put on "hold". Do any current vet students know what the out look is for people on hold/ are there many students in your class that were initially on hold status?? Are the students on hold that aren't accepted put on a wait list? Sorry for so many questions.
All I can think is, ughhhh more waiting. But at least its not a straight up rejection 🙂
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I was wondering about this too. I called admissions and they said that people on the hold list could still be accepted, wait listed, or rejected and that being placed on the wait list, is the most likely outcome. 🙁 but who knows.

I really wish they would just let us know, I'm tired of the waiting too. lol 🙁
 
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