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Western c/o 2015 Applicants
Started by Lambgirl
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Just spoke with admissions- they will be adding an additional interview date, possibly 2/22. They're hoping to have all files reviewed by the end of next week. 👍
COOL, thanks CT! I was wondering what was going on. I thought I would have had a rejection or interview invite by today.
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I know we have to dress in business professional attire...but did you girls wear actual business suits? blazer and all?
Personally, I did wear an actual business suit because I was most comfortable in slacks, a blouse, and a blazer. I know a few of the students who interviewed with me wore blouses and nice cardigans with slacks or pencil skirts. I think it just comes down to looking professional and polished and, most of all, comfortable, with or without the suit jacket.
Good luck!
I had my interview on Monday and I think things went really well. I was so impressed with the students and faculty that took the time to talk with me. PBL is definitely different from what most people are used to, but I think it would be perfect for me!
Lacey, from the admissions office, told us that all decision letters would go out by snail mail on Tuesday, March 15th. In addition to the snail mail, those who are being accepted or put on the alternate list will receive an e-mail that day. So if you don't get an e-mail on the 15th...:cry:
Good luck to the rest of you interviewing!
Lacey, from the admissions office, told us that all decision letters would go out by snail mail on Tuesday, March 15th. In addition to the snail mail, those who are being accepted or put on the alternate list will receive an e-mail that day. So if you don't get an e-mail on the 15th...:cry:
Good luck to the rest of you interviewing!
For those that have interviewed so far, did the interviewers give you any sense of how the interview was going, or was it just nodding, writing, and "thank you" for answering the question?
I couldn't read any reaction from my interviewers and am now psyching myself out.
I couldn't read any reaction from my interviewers and am now psyching myself out.

For those that have interviewed so far, did the interviewers give you any sense of how the interview was going, or was it just nodding, writing, and "thank you" for answering the question?
I couldn't read any reaction from my interviewers and am now psyching myself out.![]()
Hi Marsala!
Neither last year or this year did my interviewers give any indication as to how the interview was going. Last year, they would nod say thank you and move on. This year for every answer I gave to a question the one interviewer would probe into it more. Ask another question based on my answer, then change the question around and say well, what if this had been the scenario? How about this? What did you learn from that experience? etc, etc. It made me feel like the interview was not going very well. But I don't know. I guess we will all find out on March 15th. Good Luck to you!

Mine were pretty nice and said things like "good, good" and nodded. It was very conversation-y. But I think that it has more to do with the personalities of the people interviewing you, and it doesn't really mean anything good/bad in how they respond, unless maybe they look disgusted. Haha.
We have one month and 2 days. So, take a really deep breath and hold it... March 15th will be here before you know it. 🙂
We have one month and 2 days. So, take a really deep breath and hold it... March 15th will be here before you know it. 🙂
Hi DVMDream! That's exactly it: I felt kinda but not really like it wasn't going well because there was no reaction.
TT-I know I'm being a nut. But they did look disgusted when I used an entomological example for one of my questions...🙄.
I will take a deep breath and hold it...and turn blue...good luck to us all!


TT-I know I'm being a nut. But they did look disgusted when I used an entomological example for one of my questions...🙄.
I will take a deep breath and hold it...and turn blue...good luck to us all!



My husband keeps walking around the house chanting, "Beware the Ides of March..."
It's doing wonders for my nerves.
It's doing wonders for my nerves.
LOL Blanc! Literally burst out laughing!
In reply to a lot of you, I was on the phone with Joanna this past Friday, and she's pretty sure about the Feb 22nd addition. She said it would make things easier on the committee and give us more time to prepare. I think it's because my last name is at the end of the alphabet that it took this long, but I could be wrong. I'm from New York, so this less than a week's notice is tough for me. Especially since I go to a quarter system school, and this is week 10 for me (The last week of classes, 4 presentations, 2 papers, and some crazy stuff going on, also I'm sick, eekk!!), so flying out this week would conflict, but would be totally worth it! Also, I had to work out the requirement for Public Speaking, but it ended up working out, and I got the 'complete application' email like, last week. The quarter system would've worked out really nicely as well, since I can still register for classes in the Spring. My application made it to round two of the process, with 1 yes and 1 no, so basically I only need 1 yes this next round to get an interview, so I'm hoping to know by Monday! Flights were actually cheaper to Ontario (From ROC, or Rochester, NY) than to LAX and I'm so glad I read this forum to find out that Ontario was the much better option. Also great to hear about hotels and walking distance and that. More than likely I'll be on my own, and trying to deal with emotions on interviews and travel may be a little crazy. Anyways, good luck to everyone!
In reply to a lot of you, I was on the phone with Joanna this past Friday, and she's pretty sure about the Feb 22nd addition. She said it would make things easier on the committee and give us more time to prepare. I think it's because my last name is at the end of the alphabet that it took this long, but I could be wrong. I'm from New York, so this less than a week's notice is tough for me. Especially since I go to a quarter system school, and this is week 10 for me (The last week of classes, 4 presentations, 2 papers, and some crazy stuff going on, also I'm sick, eekk!!), so flying out this week would conflict, but would be totally worth it! Also, I had to work out the requirement for Public Speaking, but it ended up working out, and I got the 'complete application' email like, last week. The quarter system would've worked out really nicely as well, since I can still register for classes in the Spring. My application made it to round two of the process, with 1 yes and 1 no, so basically I only need 1 yes this next round to get an interview, so I'm hoping to know by Monday! Flights were actually cheaper to Ontario (From ROC, or Rochester, NY) than to LAX and I'm so glad I read this forum to find out that Ontario was the much better option. Also great to hear about hotels and walking distance and that. More than likely I'll be on my own, and trying to deal with emotions on interviews and travel may be a little crazy. Anyways, good luck to everyone!
I think it's because my last name is at the end of the alphabet that it took this long, but I could be wrong.
My last name's pretty close to the middle, and I just received my application complete e-mail too. 😉
How'd you find out about the 'yes' and 'no' thing? This intrigues me... so, basically, at least two out of three reviewers have to give us the thumbs up for an interview?
I'm just getting back from Minnesota and I'm at my parents'... dreading checking the mailbox when I get home in a few, haha.

If you get two 'yes' votes, you're in (for interview), but if you get one 'yes' and one 'no' it goes to a third person to break the tie.
Same goes for the interview, I think - if both of your interviewers vote 'yes' you continue, but if there is one of each, your file again goes to a third person.
Then everyone that got the two required 'yes' votes from the interview phase goes into a pile on the dean's desk, where he hand selects the class.
Same goes for the interview, I think - if both of your interviewers vote 'yes' you continue, but if there is one of each, your file again goes to a third person.
Then everyone that got the two required 'yes' votes from the interview phase goes into a pile on the dean's desk, where he hand selects the class.
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That's what I got out of it. I was just really impressed by the interview selection process at Western, so many other schools really just rank on GPA, which is why I got denied to a lot of schools, without considering the toughness of the program, experience, and all those other aspects. Western is one of the only schools that takes the time to look at every aspect of their applicants, and I really like that. Because really, what's the point in admitting someone to a veterinary program if they have a 4.0 but don't know how to converse with people? Haha. Or this is my argument 😛
Same goes for the interview, I think - if both of your interviewers vote 'yes' you continue, but if there is one of each, your file again goes to a third person.
I could be wrong but I think you need to get both of your interviewers to vote 'yes' to continue. There can't be a third person reviewing your interview round because only 2 people were there to interview.
So for the rundown you need:
2 👍 votes on written application. If you only get 1 👍and 1 👎, your app goes to a thrid adcom for the final decision for an interview invite.
ETA: I interviewed last year on Feb 22 (one of the added interview dates). Don't lose hope!!!!
Interviews require 2 👍 from both interviewers to have your file sent to the dean. I am not sure what happens to your file if you get a 👍 and a 👎....waitlist maybe? If BOTH interviewers give 👎, then your file is rejected.
Finally, the dean will give the last 👍 for an acceptance offer.
Please correct me if I'm mistaken.
Good luck to those interviewing Mon and Tue, and to those waiting on an invite!
Thanks Marcwood! Interesting about the two "yes" thing... you guys know so much!
@ Blanc... haha My hubby found this to be especially funny- he knows I'm on pins and needles as it is.
My last name starts with a Z (was T and the time of app) and I got the interview 12/10? I am just dying for 3/15... it's D-day. haha
@ Blanc... haha My hubby found this to be especially funny- he knows I'm on pins and needles as it is.
My last name starts with a Z (was T and the time of app) and I got the interview 12/10? I am just dying for 3/15... it's D-day. haha
I am not sure how western goes through their applications because my last name is at the end of the alphabet, I mailed my supplemental on 10/13 or 10/14 I can't remember which. I received my application complete email really early on and got my interview invite with the first round of invites. So, I am not sure how they go through the applications because mine could not have been up too high on the pile since I sent it in really close to the deadline and I have last name at the end of the alphabet, yet I got all of the e-mails really early on. Who knows what they do.
I vote they just put all the applications on a large wall, like in a hallway, get drunk one night and then throw darts at the applications and the order in which the applications get hit is the order they read the applications. 😛
I vote they just put all the applications on a large wall, like in a hallway, get drunk one night and then throw darts at the applications and the order in which the applications get hit is the order they read the applications. 😛
I could be wrong but I think you need to get both of your interviewers to vote 'yes' to continue. There can't be a third person reviewing your interview round because only 2 people were there to interview.
Did everyone else have another person in the room other than the two interviewers?
Nope, I only had the two.
29 days.....
Did everyone else have another person in the room other than the two interviewers?
What we were talking about is the interview selection process, not the interview itself 🙂
I get that, but I was wondering why I had three people in the room. I was trying to figure out if the third person was the tie-breaker, if there was a tie. Maybe she was just a new faculty member that was learning how the interview process works.What we were talking about is the interview selection process, not the interview itself 🙂
29 days.....
I am glad you finally said what we are all thinking! 🙂 It seems so far away!
I get that, but I was wondering why I had three people in the room. I was trying to figure out if the third person was the tie-breaker, if there was a tie. Maybe she was just a new faculty member that was learning how the interview process works.
Ooo I see, I missed that part haha.
I'm still waiting to hear of my status also 🙁
Edit: Just got an email from Karen! Will be going to Western for 2/22!!
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Congrats Ang!! Good luck to everyone still interviewing. March 15th is just around the corner...
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Question for those who have interviewed:
How long does the day go? The last flight leaving Ontario airport tuesday (the 22nd, the day of my interview) is 7:10pm which means I should get to the airport at 5:30 and will probably have to leave my hotel at 5pm. Is this cutting it a little close? Should I just stay an extra night at a hotel and leave the next morning?
How long does the day go? The last flight leaving Ontario airport tuesday (the 22nd, the day of my interview) is 7:10pm which means I should get to the airport at 5:30 and will probably have to leave my hotel at 5pm. Is this cutting it a little close? Should I just stay an extra night at a hotel and leave the next morning?
I think you'll have time to get to the airport for that flight.
There are two sections (or at least there were for us). If you need to be there by 8:30, you will finish by noonish. If you need to get there 11:30, you will finish closer to 4:00. Either way, I think a 7:00 flight is doable.
There are two sections (or at least there were for us). If you need to be there by 8:30, you will finish by noonish. If you need to get there 11:30, you will finish closer to 4:00. Either way, I think a 7:00 flight is doable.
Interviews require 2 👍 from both interviewers to have your file sent to the dean. I am not sure what happens to your file if you get a 👍 and a 👎....waitlist maybe? If BOTH interviewers give 👎, then your file is rejected.
Finally, the dean will give the last 👍 for an acceptance offer.
Unfortunately, you can get waitlisted if you get two thumbs up. I think all the candidates that hit the deans desk are two 👍 because I was waitlisted last year and for my file review they said my interview went great, but at the end of the day the dean picks and makes up a class based on candidate profiles and what he thinks would be a good, diverse class. Try not to stress, it really is out of your control, just make sure you have a great interview and then hope for the best!
Thanks for all the responses regarding the selection process, guys! I had no idea it worked like that... seems a bit more humane than the standard operating procedures used at the majority of other schools.
Congratulations! 😀
Edit: Just got an email from Karen! Will be going to Western for 2/22!!
Congratulations! 😀
Cautionary, have you still not gotten an email? Any news anyone else? For those who may come the 22nd, pm me and we can meet up! I'll be there from around 7pm Monday the 21st till 5pm tuesday, and I LOVE food! Hahaha
Cautionary, have you still not gotten an email? Any news anyone else? For those who may come the 22nd, pm me and we can meet up! I'll be there from around 7pm Monday the 21st till 5pm tuesday, and I LOVE food! Hahaha
No word yet... at this point, I'm trying to adhere to the whole "no news is good news" thing. If I haven't gotten a rejection yet, at least I'm still in the running!

If I do end up getting an invite, I think it's pretty safe to say it'll be for the 22nd. 😉
Well first let me say my interview was awesome and there is really no way to prepare because the questions will be based on your life experiences🙂 With that being said you ultimately control your interview and if you want it to be veterinary related you direct it towards that.
For example TUwest tell me about one of your risky moments where you had to step up: my reply learning how to cut nails on small animals without them bleeding ! When I tell you they probed deep into that question they wanted to know start to finish and everything in between. They gave replies like tell me more! How did you feel during the process? How did you feel while doing it and how about the staff judging you based on this . and how did you feel afterwards, and more importantly do you feel comfortable doing the same procedure now !/ My interviewers ended that discussion by saying I still make them bleed so if you can teach me thats a plus ! Giggles and wiggles lol and yep Im a male applicant giggling and wiggling with them lol !
They also ask me about my family and how would I feel moving so far away from them again since I discussed my moving to pusrue a pre veterinary education. They just want you to be honest no right or wrong answers I promise and they will continue to reassure you of that during the interview!!! They just want you to engage !
Lastly the interview does not end when you leave the interview room the
HINT: The dean and other Facualty are watching you through the process as I paid close attention to this during the process the dean is watching to see who is engaged during the mock PBL session who seems interested not interested and even those who were asking questions! I was quite shocked to see some being introverted as I knew that wasnt to good.
I was very engaged asked many questions Wait Wait and the dean personally introduced himself to applicants at the end and I was one of them man I am so hopeful ! Now Iam not saying this means this was the golden ticket it was just my observation
For example TUwest tell me about one of your risky moments where you had to step up: my reply learning how to cut nails on small animals without them bleeding ! When I tell you they probed deep into that question they wanted to know start to finish and everything in between. They gave replies like tell me more! How did you feel during the process? How did you feel while doing it and how about the staff judging you based on this . and how did you feel afterwards, and more importantly do you feel comfortable doing the same procedure now !/ My interviewers ended that discussion by saying I still make them bleed so if you can teach me thats a plus ! Giggles and wiggles lol and yep Im a male applicant giggling and wiggling with them lol !
They also ask me about my family and how would I feel moving so far away from them again since I discussed my moving to pusrue a pre veterinary education. They just want you to be honest no right or wrong answers I promise and they will continue to reassure you of that during the interview!!! They just want you to engage !
Lastly the interview does not end when you leave the interview room the
HINT: The dean and other Facualty are watching you through the process as I paid close attention to this during the process the dean is watching to see who is engaged during the mock PBL session who seems interested not interested and even those who were asking questions! I was quite shocked to see some being introverted as I knew that wasnt to good.
I was very engaged asked many questions Wait Wait and the dean personally introduced himself to applicants at the end and I was one of them man I am so hopeful ! Now Iam not saying this means this was the golden ticket it was just my observation
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Anyone know if 2/22 is definitively the last possible date they're offering?
HINT: The dean and other Facualty are watching you through the process as I paid close attention to this during the process the dean is watching to see who is engaged during the mock PBL session who seems interested not interested and even those who were asking questions! I was quite shocked to see some being introverted as I knew that wasnt to good.
I was very engaged asked many questions Wait Wait and the dean personally introduced himself to applicants at the end and I was one of them man I am so hopeful ! Now Iam not saying this means this was the golden ticket it was just my observation
Hey tuwest! What day did you interview?
2/12hey tuwest! What day did you interview?
Dr Terra on the admissions commite told me they were stuill reviewing files and this was as of 2/12 but I wonder if theyre adding on dates as people decline...Hey CT, I was wondering the same thing. I still have not heard anything.
No rejection, no interview.
HINT: The dean and other Facualty are watching you through the process as I paid close attention to this during the process the dean is watching to see who is engaged during the mock PBL session who seems interested not interested and even those who were asking questions! I was quite shocked to see some being introverted as I knew that wasnt to good.
I was very engaged asked many questions Wait Wait and the dean personally introduced himself to applicants at the end and I was one of them man I am so hopeful ! Now Iam not saying this means this was the golden ticket it was just my observation
Faculty aren't the only ones supposed to be watching 🙂.
And I think I may have met most of you during the Q&A session if you interviewed last weekend 😀. I mentioned SDN to one or two groups and some hands went up. Pretty exciting stuff.
Anyway, I wouldn't be too worried about introversion during the mock PBL session. The entire situation is stressful, and I'm sure most of the interviewees who were quiet during the PBL sample would be more engaged during actual PBL time, especially once they're more comfortable with their group mates. I think I was pretty quiet during our mock session as well during my interview day. In fact, I may have been keeping my mouth closed to resist projectile vomiting everywhere. Just kidding... or am I 😀?
Good luck for people interviewing on the 22nd!
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Hey CT, I was wondering the same thing. I still have not heard anything.
No rejection, no interview.
same :/ I know my file came back from first review sometime last week but still no word.
So the tour guide, the students at the Q&A session and the people at the mock PBL are supposed to watch Nissan? Do they write down impressions on the students file? How do they report what hey were watching to the dean? Please elaborate?Faculty aren't the only ones supposed to be watching 🙂.
This is good to know, because I wasn't introverted, but I was mostly quiet. I was extremely tired from not sleeping the night before (too excited), and I was taking it all in. In addition to that, the group I was with was very excited and blurted out everything I as it was asked, couldn't seem to get any of my thoughts in. It was my first exposure to PBL, and I loved it! PBL fits my style of learning perfectly.Anyway, I wouldn't be too worried about introversion during the mock PBL session. The entire situation is stressful, and I'm sure most of the interviewees who were quiet during the PBL sample would be more engaged during actual PBL time, especially once they're more comfortable with their group mates. I think I was pretty quiet during our mock session as well during my interview day. In fact, I may have been keeping my mouth closed to resist projectile vomiting everywhere. Just kidding... or am I 😀?
So the tour guide, the students at the Q&A session and the people at the mock PBL are supposed to watch Nissan? Do they write down impressions on the students file? How do they report what hey were watching to the dean? Please elaborate?
Hahaha nothing that serious or official, really. I'm sure the real examination of the candidates sits with the file on the dean's desk and with the interviewers, but interview hosts are asked after the sessions if we notice any "red flags" from the interviewees we interact with. I don't know if that's straight across the board with all the other interview days. I also don't know if they officially take into account what we say 🙄 because it sounds very subjective. So hey, I could be falling for some kind of rumor as well 😉. Who knows how the process works anywhere, but I do know that if someone was rude to the student hosts or blatantly admitted that they "don't like PBL," faculty hears about it.
Hey CT, I was wondering the same thing. I still have not heard anything.
No rejection, no interview.
Yeah... because I just received the complete application e-mail fairly recently, I don't know if I ought to be concerned by the lack of response, or if it just means I'm at the bottom of the pile.
Faculty aren't the only ones supposed to be watching 🙂.
And I think I may have met most of you during the Q&A session if you interviewed last weekend 😀. I mentioned SDN to one or two groups and some hands went up. Pretty exciting stuff.
Anyway, I wouldn't be too worried about introversion during the mock PBL session. The entire situation is stressful, and I'm sure most of the interviewees who were quiet during the PBL sample would be more engaged during actual PBL time, especially once they're more comfortable with their group mates. I think I was pretty quiet during our mock session as well during my interview day. In fact, I may have been keeping my mouth closed to resist projectile vomiting everywhere. Just kidding... or am I 😀?
Good luck for people interviewing on the 22nd!
Shoot. I kept nodding off during the mock PBL. (jet lag, etc)
