don't be dumb like me and apply with only summer research. The rest of my app is pretty spotless and it doesn't make up for it.
I classify decisions according to MTSP status.
Decided to jot some thoughts down on my MD/PhD interviews for those interested:
UCLA/Caltech:
I really liked this program... the MD curriculum is awesome and the program seemed really organized. I had 4 interviews at UCLA and 3 at caltech... none of the caltech interviews seemed to be that important. I didn't get that great of a feel for research in my area... the discussions were mostly along the lines of why mdphd, and not as much discussion of my research and my interests, but it obviously varies from interviewer to interviewer. #1 advice: get a map for the center for heatlh sciences b/c you will probably have interviews in there, and it is the most confusing numbering system for rooms ever. UCLA and Caltech interviews on different days.
Michigan:
In terms of people, I liked michigan the best, too bad they didn't like me :). Dr. Koenig the director has to be the nicest guy i met on the entire interview process, and everyone was very professional. You have an EXCESSIVE amount of interviews (11 including MD) over 2 days. They put you up in a hotel the first day and pay for your flight! Really really enjoyed my time here. Some of my interviews didnt go so well, and much of that was due to how jetlagged I was coming from the west coast and just was half-asleep in the morning. Also, Ann Arbor rocks.
Columbia:
Out of all the programs i interviewed at, I was least impressed with Columbia. They seemed really disorganized, I got an errant snail mail that told me I was interviewing on a different day than the e-mail said I was, and then they I had an interview conflict and it was their last interview date (MD and MD/PhD on 1/6) so they forced me to reschedule with another program, kinda lame. They also never sent me a rejection letter for MD/PhD and ignored my first e-mail asking if I was rejected. I had 7 interviews.... 1 MD (30 minutes only.. wtf), 2 with adcoms and 4 others. One adcom interview went pretty well and the other one just told me how great columbia was. Then I was rejected. Goes to show that interviews don't count for as much as you may think.
Univ. of Washington:
By far my #1 choice and definitely would have picked it over any other program. Seattle the city is amazing, the program flies you out, gives you a voucher for a shuttle to and from the airport, and puts you in a hotel for 3 nights. The first night there is a catered banquet + presentation. The saturday after interviews (thurs/fri) they had a free ski trip! Lastly, the administration was very prompt about everything. They will call you the sunday after interviews to tell you if you've been accepted. I was waitlisted and they sent me an e-mail the following monday. It was just kinda nice that they don't drag out their decisions.
Harvard:
You only have 2 MD/PhD interviews. My first interviewer was really into trying to permute my research projects (i.e. if you did this instead, what would have happened; why didn't you do this, etc.) and I would say it went really well, one of my best interviews. The other interviewer was really lame, asked me some questions for like 15 min and then said 'i have nothing more to ask you' and made me carry the conversation for 30 more minutes. It was fun, I knew i had no chance here no matter how well i interviewed, so I was able to just enjoy it. That being said, I really didn't like where HMS was located. It's in a dump and there's absolutely nothing around it in terms of social life or even a place to eat. Also, they made no effort to impress us about their program, it was the obvious 'we're harvard, we don't have to impress you', kind of attitude that prevailed.
Penn:
By far the most impressive program in terms of selling itself. I really liked all of my interviewers. You have 4-6 interviews all on one day, but the day before they give you a presentation about their program and the grad dept. in which you are interested in. Also, they drop a TON of money on you. Although they don't pay for a flight, they put you up in a hotel and took us out to a 76'ers game with spending money, and then drinking at a bar afterwards. Finally, if you interivew with Skip Brass, the director, make sure you keep composed. He may try to ruffle your feathers a little bit with his questions, or do weird things like just stare at you for abnormal periods of time in the interview. My interview with him lasted no more than 20 minutes. I kind of screwed up in my interview with skip... he made kind of a derisive comment about my application and it shot my nerves the rest of time and botched a couple questions about my research that I normally would have nailed. Afterwards, some other people told me that sometimes he acts kind of weird in the interview, so be ready and don't take it personally.
Yale:
You have 2 MD/PhD interviews, 2-3 information interviews (they say they dont receive feedback from these people) and 2 MD interviews on two separate days. They take you out to a nice dinner the night before. Downtown New Haven seemed a lot safer than I expected, but I still wouldn't walk around many areas after midnight. There was nothing that really stood out to me about these interviews... I really liked the MD program, and everyone seemed nice.
UCSD:
Have 4-5 interviews, 3 of them that count (2 adcom, 1 current student). They say they don't receive feedback from informational interviewers. The program coordinators were awesome and they drive you around to all the different research institutes around UCSD, if applicable, themselves! After your interviews, there is an event that supposedly is a reception, but actually is the entire admissions committee present hunting down all the applicants and essentially interviewing you. Kind of lame. Be on your guard and realize that you really are still being interviewed here.
