UPenn c/o 2015

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Good luck tomorrow (especially favhrnstr & niteangel)! I hope everything goes marvelously!!👍:luck::xf::luck:👍

Thanks Kaydubs!

Interview went ok. They asked me to defend a low GRE quantitative score after achieving really good scores...a little bummed because I am not 100% confident that I defended myself enough or if I just made the situation worst (I hate stress!) The other 95% of the interview I feel went very well and the rest of the day was great🙂 I will post feedback soon!
 
Thanks Kaydubs!

Interview went ok. They asked me to defend a low GRE quantitative score after achieving really good scores...a little bummed because I am not 100% confident that I defended myself enough or if I just made the situation worst (I hate stress!) The other 95% of the interview I feel went very well and the rest of the day was great🙂 I will post feedback soon!

I'm glad it went well! (more or less!) I hope you get a phone call before the weekend is through (or at least by Monday!) 😍:luck::xf::luck:😍
 
I'm glad it went well! (more or less!) I hope you get a phone call before the weekend is through (or at least by Monday!) 😍:luck::xf::luck:😍

My phone will be by my side until I hear one way or another. Either way I am still optimistic! Thanks for the support!
 
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Has anyone heard of this happening before with NY residents? That maybe they don't want to waste their time interviewing them until after the Cornell decisions are out?

Weird. SOV mentioned that they said something a bit odd about CA residents too, during his interview.

I had crappo stats so I doubt it was a factor for me, just sayin.. :laugh:
 
Weird. SOV mentioned that they said something a bit odd about CA residents too, during his interview.

I had crappo stats so I doubt it was a factor for me, just sayin.. :laugh:

Nyanko remembers correctly! I was asked why they should offer me a seat when their experience is that when they give a slot to CA residents they usually just go to UCD.

I guess I convinced them because here I am.
 
Nyanko remembers correctly! I was asked why they should offer me a seat when their experience is that when they give a slot to CA residents they usually just go to UCD.

I guess I convinced them because here I am.


But if they offer a seat to any OOS, wouldn't the OOS usually choose to go to their own state's vet school? Is this unique to CA and NY? Or do they do this to any applicant that resides in a state with a vet school? Personally I would love to go to UPenn to experience east coast life for 4 years...
 
I just got my interview invite! It was strange/awkward because they called me first and asked if I was still interested in Penn and I had a minor heart attack thinking something was wrong with my application and that they were missing something. Then they asked about me being a NY resident and if I received admission to Cornell...so I answered no so it was a bit of an awkward moment, but then she told me I was being invited to interview! I got the e-mail shortly after.

Has anyone heard of this happening before with NY residents? That maybe they don't want to waste their time interviewing them until after the Cornell decisions are out?

Whatever I can't question it. I'm just really excited!


I think this might be getting read into a little too much. This is how I see it. (all guessing, but it makes sense to me 😉)

Sounds to me like they are jsut winding down on their interview invites, had a couple open spots but wanted to offer them to students who had not yet been accepted to a school so they wouldn't waste their time interviewing them. Midnight89 just happened to be the top of the list to call when they had an opening. I doubt it had anything to do with being a NY resident...

but really, who knows??
 
Sounds to me like they are jsut winding down on their interview invites, had a couple open spots but wanted to offer them to students who had not yet been accepted to a school so they wouldn't waste their time interviewing them. Midnight89 just happened to be the top of the list to call when they had an opening. I doubt it had anything to do with being a NY resident...

Why would it be a waste of time to interview someone who's already gotten into a school? What if midnight89 got into Cornell but visited Penn for an interview and decided (s)he liked it better and wanted to go there instead? I think it's sorta sketchy to ask an applicant about where they may or may not have gotten into before offering an interview. But that's just me. 😉

I mean, isn't that what waitlists and such are for anyway?
 
Why would it be a waste of time to interview someone who's already gotten into a school? What if midnight89 got into Cornell but visited Penn for an interview and decided (s)he liked it better and wanted to go there instead? I think it's sorta sketchy to ask an applicant about where they may or may not have gotten into before offering an interview. But that's just me. 😉

I mean, isn't that what waitlists and such are for anyway?

I agree that it's sketchy - and a little weird. I just like to think positively and hope that they don't have as strong biases as they seem to portray. 🙂
 
Unfortunately I've heard similar stories about Penn, and although there may be some truth in people choosing their IS school, I agree that it wouldn't be fair to have that bias. UCDavis especially doesn't even offer interviews until late February and what if a CA resident doesn't hear anything from them while they would have made a great Pennwe. Other things weigh into the decision, and it's not as if IS tuition is looking that good in CA anymore anyway considering the budget issues. Hopefully all of these stories are anecdotal or at least the exception to the rule, at least that's what I keep hoping every 10 minutes when I refresh my inbox and check my spam folder.
 
I just got my interview invite! It was strange/awkward because they called me first and asked if I was still interested in Penn and I had a minor heart attack thinking something was wrong with my application and that they were missing something. Then they asked about me being a NY resident and if I received admission to Cornell...so I answered no so it was a bit of an awkward moment, but then she told me I was being invited to interview! I got the e-mail shortly after.

Has anyone heard of this happening before with NY residents? That maybe they don't want to waste their time interviewing them until after the Cornell decisions are out?

Whatever I can't question it. I'm just really excited!

I don't usually answer unknown phone calls, and won't call them back unless they leave a message. One of my biggest fears is Penn is going to call me about an interview and just give up because they couldn't get reach me. I looked up the Philadelphia area codes and it looks like just 215 and 267, does that sound right for those of you who have gotten calls? And just in case they would leave a message right?
 
I don't usually answer unknown phone calls, and won't call them back unless they leave a message. One of my biggest fears is Penn is going to call me about an interview and just give up because they couldn't get reach me. I looked up the Philadelphia area codes and it looks like just 215 and 267, does that sound right for those of you who have gotten calls? And just in case they would leave a message right?

Hey, I totally am the same way with unknown numbers. But, because of all the vet school stuff recently, I more or less answer all of the phone calls. (In my head, paranoia alarms are going off like mad) but I'd rather not miss an important call. I'm sure they're leaving messages, but you might want to pick up (just in case!). Best of luck!!!:luck::luck:
 
I think this might be getting read into a little too much. This is how I see it. (all guessing, but it makes sense to me 😉)

Sounds to me like they are jsut winding down on their interview invites, had a couple open spots but wanted to offer them to students who had not yet been accepted to a school so they wouldn't waste their time interviewing them. Midnight89 just happened to be the top of the list to call when they had an opening. I doubt it had anything to do with being a NY resident...

but really, who knows??


I was thinking that perhaps they had someone call and decline an interview semi last minute (got into their first choice school and didn't want to waste their interview spot on a school they knew they wouldn't attend) and wanted to fill that spot immediately. Instead of emailing people next on their lust and having to wait to hear from them they probably wanted to call to confirm that if they extended the invitation you'd take it...otherwise they'd need to call the next person on the list.

Of course this theory only makes sense if the interview date they suggested is less than a month away...so when are you interviewing?!
 
I don't usually answer unknown phone calls, and won't call them back unless they leave a message. One of my biggest fears is Penn is going to call me about an interview and just give up because they couldn't get reach me. I looked up the Philadelphia area codes and it looks like just 215 and 267, does that sound right for those of you who have gotten calls? And just in case they would leave a message right?

Calls from UPenn are all 215-898-xxxx. So unless they are calling from home (could be 267 or 610) or cell, that is the number you see. And don't worry, if they don't get through you will still receive a letter. They don't "give up".

And I am not sure if I agree but I understand Penn's thinking about OOS students.

If you want to get the best class possible, and you know that in the past 90% of students from a certain state (A) decline your offer (because of an equally quality IS school), but say 80% from other states (B) accept your offer, who do you prefer to offer a spot to. If a student from state A gets the offer and declines, the student from B gets a decline and likely goes somewhere else. Then they are forced to accept a slightly less desirable student off the waitlist.

I think for the most desirable candidates, it doesn't matter they will make an offer because you have to try. But for people in the middle, they have to try to get the highest acceptance rate they can. It is just a fact of life for them.

I agree it hurts other students from those "A" states who really want to go to Penn, but unfortunately it is their predecessor applicants in the past who have screwed them, not Penn.

I think the key is to demonstrate why 1) Penn is a better fit than your IS school and 2) You are willing to make the financial sacrifice to go to the school that suits you.

For those of you from CA I would point out to the adcoms that the gap between UCD IS and Penn OOS is narrowing, and given CA's problems you figure it won't be much different by the time you graduate. Probably a little exaggeration (but maybe not), but it can allay their fears.
 
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to answer a few of the questions:

the phone number was a 215 number. I answered because my phone tells me what state the number is calling from and it said PA so I was like ooo I should answer!

My interview is scheduled for 2/18 so it's 3 weeks away.

I'm still unsure of why they would have called. In all honesty when I was doing applications I was saying that although Cornell is my IS, I really liked Penn better so I'm glad this worked out this way. Had I received acceptance to Cornell I might feel guilty even considering other schools because of the cost, but now I can make my decision based on the school itself and not costs.

I am curious as to what would have happened if I was accepted to Cornell when UPenn called. Would they have not given me an interview? Or maybe they just wanted to check if I was still interested. On the phone she almost sounded surprised when I said I didn't receive admittance to Cornell. That's what provided the awkward moment haha

Again I'm not going to question it anymore. I'm just going to be happy that I have an interview!
 
Just found out I have an interview myself on the 18th, midnight, good luck hope to see you there. I'll be the guy in the white dress shirt twiddling my thumbs and stressing out lol.
 
If you want to get the best class possible, and you know that in the past 90% of students from a certain state (A) decline your offer (because of an equally quality IS school), but say 80% from other states (B) accept your offer, who do you prefer to offer a spot to. If a student from state A gets the offer and declines, the student from B gets a decline and likely goes somewhere else. Then they are forced to accept a slightly less desirable student off the waitlist.

Well if they think the student from A is going to decline anyway, how does this at all affect the "quality" of their entering class - wouldn't the person they're pulling off the waitlist be better than or equal to the person from state B? Why would they reject the person from B but waitlist somebody less desirable than that person? (I use this very lightly, considering that a lot of the people they perceive as "less desirable" would probably do equally well as the students they admit)

I think for the most desirable candidates, it doesn't matter they will make an offer because you have to try. But for people in the middle, they have to try to get the highest acceptance rate they can. It is just a fact of life for them.

I agree it hurts other students from those "A" states who really want to go to Penn, but unfortunately it is their predecessor applicants in the past who have screwed them, not Penn.

No, it's this dumb head-up-ass "omg our statsssssss" obsession that screws them, not the applicants who have had the audacity to decline an offer from Penn. I don't know of another school that does this kind of thing. UCDavis picks who they want to interview and sends out invitations to them, then goes down the list and invites others if those people decline interviews. I think as we can see there are people who they didn't invite/accept who would obviously be excellent vet students (as they are excellent vet students elsewhere, or kicking ass on a later application cycle!) so why wouldn't the same hold true for Penn?

I think the key is to demonstrate why 1) Penn is a better fit than your IS school and 2) You are willing to make the financial sacrifice to go to the school that suits you.

You can't do that if they flat out don't interview you. Since they don't have a supplemental you'd be screwing your chances over for any other schools you applied to if you expressed this in your application.

Like I said, I'm not in any way implying that like, this is why I didn't get an interview there or whatever. I knew it was a long shot because my GPA was not near competitive for Penn OOS. (Honestly, the only way I would have gone to Penn would have been if I got into the VMD/PhD which is a laughable proposal looking back on it - I ranked UCDavis and Cornell higher for just the DVM because the curricula were more appealing to me) But I still think it's a stupid thing to do.
 
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Don't really wanna debate this Nyan, but I will clarify a few items in my post. If it makes a difference, fine, if not, not.

My scenario is that an adcom has ranked students based on their desirability to attend. If you don't accept the assumption that schools feel their is some value to picking the most desirable students (not necessarily based on stats) then no discussion is necessary.

In the simplest case you have only 1 spot and 3 students.

#1 rank: 1) Student 1 from a state with a great IS school
#2 rank: 2) Student 2 from a state w/o IS school
#3 rank: 3) Student 3 ... location irrelevant

If you accept Student 1, you have no spots left.
You waitlist students 2 & 3, just in case.
Student 2 likely gets accepted elsewhere and accepts another offer.
Student 1 rejects your offer.
You now are left with student 3 who had no offers.

So, if the odds are bad for student 1 to attend, your best chance to get your highest ranked student is to take #2.

Now, of course it is more complicated than that in real life... but it is a factor they clearly consider because it occurred so frequently.

This has nothing to do with how well any of these students will ultimately do in vet school. I agree that student 3 can be just as good a student (and in my experience the people who came off the waitlist are doing great) But the adcoms have to think they know what kind of student body is good for the school.

As for how UCDavis doesn't do that, I would say they don't have to. They are one of the last schools to interview, so mainly people who are still going to attend will accept an interview. Not every school can be last.

Also, Davis lets so few OOS students in that it is a much smaller issue. Their experience will be that when they let someone in IS they attend. And that is exactly the point.

I am sure most schools that have a fair portion of OOS students take this into consideration in their interview invites, Penn is just the one who admits it.
 
Just how I see it, if student #2 in your scenario really wanted to go to Penn, student #2 would go to Penn if they were pulled off the waitlist, even if they'd previously been accepted at another school. Student #1 would likely decline Penn when their IS notifies them if they were going to decline, or they'd wait until closer to April 15, but either way if student #2 was really a good fit both ways, student #2 would go to Penn over #3.

I mean we see people here all the time who get pulled from a waitlist and change their minds, even after the deadlines. That's why I don't really understand how it would diminish the "quality" of the class.

edit: I guess I feel like if I'm an adcom, I'd rather just offer up to the people I thought were best, regardless of state or whether they're gonna pick my school or not, and convince them through atmosphere and actions that this is where they wanna go rather than playing some weird head-game thing.
 
edit: I guess I feel like if I'm an adcom, I'd rather just offer up to the people I thought were best, regardless of state or whether they're gonna pick my school or not, and convince them through atmosphere and actions that this is where they wanna go rather than playing some weird head-game thing.

I have a feeling Penn, Cornell, and Davis neither need to nor do play headgames. :laugh:
 
Every school has found a different system that works for them. And everyone can plead "unfair," but there really isn't a whole lot about the admissions process that is "fair" when you think about it.... There are tons of biases in any admissions process -- some schools value interpersonal skills, some schools value a high GPA, some schools want more boys or racial diversity.

Penn doesn't interview very many people (around 250 if I'm remembering correctly, for a class of ~125), and only folks that they interview end up on the wait list (I think). So, in that regard, it makes sense for them to only interview folks who are seriously interested. If they interview someone who has no intention of attending Penn (because Cornell's IS tuition is $15k/year), they are taking away a spot in the class (or on the wait list) for Person #3, who might've gotten an interview otherwise.

Does that make sense, even if you don't agree with it?

Ultimately, it doesn't really matter, especially for those of us who are already in vet school, and since it's not something that any of us have control over. 😉

Anybody have any questions about the school? 😀
 
Whether we can change it or not, or if it makes a difference to us or not (because we're already vet students), I still think it's interesting to discuss. I mean, if I'd been an applicant this cycle instead of last, and I read SOV's post last year about his interview, I might not have wasted the money as a very borderline applicant if I'd known about the added bias against people from my state that would tip my chances even more. If I were a stellar applicant from CA it might not change things, but just as a POV from someone kinda borderline...
 
But, the fact is that we don't have all the details or really know the rationale for why they called SOV or this year's applicant. So, all we're doing is spreading (potentially false) rumors on the internet based on *not enough* info.

And, as a past applicant who freaked out about stuff posted on this forum, I know how dangerous that can be.

I realize that I'm also guilty of this with my previous post -- should've just stayed out of it. 🙂
 
But, the fact is that we don't have all the details or really know the rationale for why they called SOV or this year's applicant. So, all we're doing is spreading (potentially false) rumors on the internet based on *not enough* info.

And, as a past applicant who freaked out about stuff posted on this forum, I know how dangerous that can be.

I realize that I'm also guilty of this with my previous post -- should've just stayed out of it. 🙂

Just to clarify... mine was an interview question, so I was not impacted in getting an interview and was given a chance to demonstrate I really did want to attend Penn. And like I said, they did accept me, so it is not like no one from CA gets interviews, or no one from CA attends. There are definitely at least a handful of fellow CA transplants in my class.
 
I think some of what SOV mentions is true, and a good explanation. However, I am sure that if Penn went through the effort to contact a candidate to offer an invite to interview then they would not rescind that offer (in fact probably could not!) just because of the candidate being accepted elsewhere.

However, if some one said 'Yes i am in at my instate Cornell' then they may follow up with gauging your interest - no point you coming down if you are sure of your 1st choice, it's a literal waste of your time, waste of the interviewers time, and means someone somewhere is going to agonize until April 16th rolls around and the wait lists move.

I think you are not necessarily penalized for the "transgressions" of previous candidates from your respective states - but think about the number of people on just this forum, that will keep on taking up interview spots, collecting acceptances as a badge of honour, only to already know they are going to one of the schools the whole time...maybe if people were better about giving up interview spots after they are certain where they are going, it would save a lot of work on the adcom end, and a lot of heartache on the wait-listed student end!

also, and not meant to be this long 🙂 but Penn is VERY cognizant that there are 26 fantastic schools in the US, each graduating compentent and excellent vets, so they encourage people in there IS school to attend that institution, saving $20k a year is a no-brainer in their book! Unless you really want something from Penn, in which case they are happy to interview you


...and after that, let's get back to our scheduled programming of awesome students going to a great school!
 
Just to clarify I really don't think this is as big of a deal as its being made out to be. On the phone I was first asked if I was still interested in UPenn and I responded yes. I am sure they just wanted to ensure I was still interested. The tone of the voice after I was asked if I was accepted to Cornell sounded a bit surprised and unsure of what to say next...so my thought is maybe they had gone through my application and assumed I had been accepted to Cornell based on stats/experiences (as Cornell does not interview). The woman on the phone could have been expecting me to say that I was accepted at Cornell and probably had followup questions planned to make sure I'd still be interested in interviewing at UPenn even though I received my IS acceptance. I don't think it would have affected me getting an interview, because that would have been awkward to just say well ok we're not giving you an interview...



As a side note to try to change the topic does anyone have any suggestions on the best places to stay that are close to campus? They gave a few suggestions in the e-mail but I wanted to see if current students or people that recently interviewed knew of anywhere that might be better?
 
The best (and only) two options in University City are the Sheraton (where I stayed for my interview) and the Hilton (where I've also stayed when looking for housing, etc). The Sheraton has computers in the room and has Sangkee Noodle House downstairs (which I'm obsessed with). The Hilton is under construction (when my parents stayed this fall, they got a room that was about to be renovated...and it showed), doesn't have wireless in the rooms, but might be a little "fancier" overall. The Hilton sits on top of the Penn Barnes&Noble and Pod, which is yummy, and Penne, which is not.

Both are about equally far from campus, so I'd just stay at whichever is cheaper. Both will also allow you to leave your suitcase at the front desk during your interview, which was nice -- but you can also leave your suitcase at the front desk at school if you need to leave straight from campus after your interview.

The prices can vary wildly though -- from around $150/night to $350/night (advertised as the Penn Special Events rate--ie for when parents are in town!)

Both are within easy walking distance to campus, which is really nice, and are close to the train station.

There are also options in center city and options out by the airport -- both would require you to take a cab or drive that morning, however. The airport options might be a lot cheaper though!
 
The best (and only) two options in University City are the Sheraton (where I stayed for my interview) and the Hilton (where I've also stayed when looking for housing, etc). The Sheraton has computers in the room and has Sangkee Noodle House downstairs (which I'm obsessed with). The Hilton is under construction (when my parents stayed this fall, they got a room that was about to be renovated...and it showed), doesn't have wireless in the rooms, but might be a little "fancier" overall. The Hilton sits on top of the Penn Barnes&Noble and Pod, which is yummy, and Penne, which is not.

Both are about equally far from campus, so I'd just stay at whichever is cheaper. Both will also allow you to leave your suitcase at the front desk during your interview, which was nice -- but you can also leave your suitcase at the front desk at school if you need to leave straight from campus after your interview.

The prices can vary wildly though -- from around $150/night to $350/night (advertised as the Penn Special Events rate--ie for when parents are in town!)

Both are within easy walking distance to campus, which is really nice, and are close to the train station.

There are also options in center city and options out by the airport -- both would require you to take a cab or drive that morning, however. The airport options might be a lot cheaper though!

Yumm to Sangkee noodle although I go mainly for the weekend dim sum.
Hilton (aka the Inn at Penn) is supposed to be upscale but I hated the place. They generally charge higher prices, but you get nothing for it.
The Sheraton is a bit older and a little rundown at spots but it was fine for a place to stay for an interview. It is a block or two farther away.
 
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Yumm to Sangkee noodle although I go mainly for the weekend dim sum.
Hilton (aka the Inn at Penn) is supposed to be upscale but I hated the place. They generally charge higher prices, but you get nothing for it.
The Sheraton is a bit older and a little rundown at spots but it was fine for a place to stay for an interview. It is a block or two farther away.

I just went to sangkee for dim sum today!!

and i LOVE the inn at penn! i stayed there every time i went to philly to look for apts. I checked the prices each time and there was never a price difference between that and the sheraton so i just chose the inn at penn because it is slightly closer to the shops and restaurants i like. (White Dog cafe brunch MMmm) I also got free wireless each time i went because they always hold conferences at the inn and they are always unlocked mwahhhaha lol

but yea, either one of those hotels would be nice
 
I also got free wireless each time i went because they always hold conferences at the inn and they are always unlocked mwahhhaha lol

BlacKAT, I love that the thought of free wifi is enough to elicit an evil laugh from you. Thanks for the chuckle (although I think the one you elicited from me was slightly less sinister).
 
I've never had dim sum and I've never been to sangkee....someone take me sometime!!!...but like 75 days from now. I'm p90x-ing 😛
 
So, I interviewed Friday, and now starts the "attempt" to be productive at work while actually just staring at my phone....
 
Hey guys!

I was getting too anxious, just waiting... so I called the school and asked what's going on and got some info (just wanted to share):

1. They invite about 30 applicants to interview each week.
2. They're going to continue to interview until end of Feb. or even going to continue onto March if needed.
3. Selection (for interview invite) is random according to the person who I spoke to.
4. They already sent out about 350 rejection letters. However, they will continue to send them out again in a few weeks.. eek!
5. If you didn't hear back (like me), there's still hope! So hang in there!

🙂
 
2. They're going to continue to interview until end of Feb. or even going to continue onto March if needed.


🙂

Thanks for the info! What worries me is that they need to give you a few weeks notice for an interview. This means they will only be sending out a few more rounds of invites...

Ugh.
 
3. Selection (for interview invite) is random according to the person who I spoke to.
4. They already sent out about 350 rejection letters. However, they will continue to send them out again in a few weeks.. eek!

Thanks for the info! What exactly does it mean that selection is random? Does that just mean that it's not alphabetical? Or that invites are not sent out in rank order? Also, are the 350 rejection letters the ones that were sent out a while ago, or could that round currently be on its way to recipients?
 
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So, still no word from Penn! I interviewed on Friday...I am still trying to be optimistic by thinking no news is not a bad thing 🙂
 
"random"? I'm confused about that. So do they interview people randomly in the pool? Or do they just choose who they're interviewing and randomly notify/assign dates?
 
I'm guessing it means they randomly take 100 or so applications from the pile at a time and decide who they want to interview.

I'm praying I don't get a letter from them this week.. 🙁