2008-2009 Case Western Secondary Application Thread

[CCLCMer]

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😱 Good thing I enjoy writing, then! It sounds like good communication skills are a must, given that your evaluation depends partly on written proficiency.

Well, it makes sense in lieu of periodic tests, even though it looks like you get to argue for your advancement rather than it being determined from an objective number scale. Some kind of external compass is probably necessary to gauge one's progress, either in terms of letter grades or written feedback like Lerner provides. But how often do you get evaluated? It says online that each PBL group lasts 8-10 weeks, so are you only provided detailed feedback every few months, at the end of the particular organ system?

Communication is one of our nine competencies. 😉

Evals come from different sources. Typically for PBL, you will be evaluated twice, once in the middle of the block and once at the end. So that winds up being about once per month. There are three types of PBL evals: from peers, from your tutor, and self-evals. You will get all three types. You will also get evals from your research seminar course, from FCM (the humanities in medicine course), from your research summer, from your weekly HW essays (called CAPPs), and from your clinical preceptor. The summer evals obviously only come during the summer. The clinical, research seminar, and FCM evals come about once per semester. CAPP evals theoretically come every week, although some faculty are better about submitting them in a timely way than others. All of these evals go into an online portfolio on the CCLCM portal. You can also add additional info to your portfolio if you want. For example, I presented at a national meeting last fall, and I put a copy of my poster in my portfolio as evidence toward my research and communication competencies.

If you haven't seen the portal yet, you can get a bit of a tour on the CCLCM website. Go to http://cclcm.ccf.org/ and use "guest" as your login and PW. You will be able to see the research compendiums and the first and second year calenders and block descriptions. You won't be able to see several of the other features (including the portfolio, unfortunately), but it will give you an idea anyway. I have talked to the administration about setting up a sample portfolio with some voluntarily donated (and de-identified!) evals so you guys can see what they're like. Hopefully this will be added at some point.

 

[ronicajay]

thanks for posting that link, cclcmer!

 

[Kaydubz]

Does anyone else find the different length requirements in the cclcm essays sort of funny? It's almost as if they're asking:

CCLCM Curriculum Essay:
(Required for CCLCM Applicants)
What is it about the CCLCM curriculum that you feel makes it a good match for your learning style? Please limit your essay to 300-750 characters and leave a blank line between paragraphs.

"Yeah yeah, we want an answer but the limit is 750 characters because we think the answer to this question is gonna involve a lot of bsing on your part."

CCLCM Small Group Essay:
(Required for CCLCM Applicants)
If you were working on a small group project and another student didn't carry their load, how would you handle it? Please limit your essay to 300-1000 characters and leave a blank line between paragraphs.

"Hmmm we'll give you a 1000 character limit this time because this is a very likely scenario in our pbl based school and it's more important"

CCLCM Areas of Improvement Essay:
(Required for CCLCM Applicants)
Targeted areas for improvement are identified by our students at the end of each year. Other than knowledge, what would you identify as an area that is not a strength for you? Design a plan how you could improve it. Please limit your essay to 500-1000 characters and leave a blank line between paragraphs.

"Now we're talking, you guys have to write at least 500 characters because this is really important. After all, you're gonna have to write these kinds of plans at our school and you'd better like doing that!"

 

[Buckeye3]

For the weakness, I think it's open ended so you can do whatever you want. Academic or otherwise.

"I care too much, I work too hard... Those just happen to be my strengths as well." Anyone? Wish I could find the word-for-word quote, it would be so much more impressive and effective...

 

[schismal]

Communication is one of our nine competencies. 😉

Evals come from different sources. Typically for PBL, you will be evaluated twice, once in the middle of the block and once at the end. So that winds up being about once per month. There are three types of PBL evals: from peers, from your tutor, and self-evals. You will get all three types. You will also get evals from your research seminar course, from FCM (the humanities in medicine course), from your research summer, from your weekly HW essays (called CAPPs), and from your clinical preceptor. The summer evals obviously only come during the summer. The clinical, research seminar, and FCM evals come about once per semester. CAPP evals theoretically come every week, although some faculty are better about submitting them in a timely way than others. All of these evals go into an online portfolio on the CCLCM portal. You can also add additional info to your portfolio if you want. For example, I presented at a national meeting last fall, and I put a copy of my poster in my portfolio as evidence toward my research and communication competencies.

If you haven't seen the portal yet, you can get a bit of a tour on the CCLCM website. Go to http://cclcm.ccf.org/ and use "guest" as your login and PW. You will be able to see the research compendiums and the first and second year calenders and block descriptions. You won't be able to see several of the other features (including the portfolio, unfortunately), but it will give you an idea anyway. I have talked to the administration about setting up a sample portfolio with some voluntarily donated (and de-identified!) evals so you guys can see what they're like. Hopefully this will be added at some point.

I appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions. I'm sure I'll have more before this is all over.

That portal link is very interesting. I'm still looking through all of it. The textbook list is pretty long, I noticed... guess you have some pretty hefty shelves at your place? 😉

 

[bozz]

Is the CCLCM MD with research honors degree basically in between and MD and a MD/PhD. The MD/PhD track serves to produce physicians who will be involved in basic science research, and it's obviously a lot more "hardcore." What are the aims of CCLCM program? The objectives are pretty vague on the website.

 

[ronicajay]

"I care too much, I work too hard... Those just happen to be my strengths as well." Anyone? Wish I could find the word-for-word quote, it would be so much more impressive and effective...

I work too hard, I care too much, and sometimes I can be too invested in my job....Well my weakness are actually...strengths.

YES!

 

[vadd0]

Monday, August 04, 2008Dear ******:

Your status with the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine has been recently updated. Please log onto iApply and check the status page to see your most recent messages.

Troy Frazier
Case School of Medicine Except there was no update :/
Scratch that... I received an interview!

 

[bigyihoroi]

I just read the U.S. News & World Report. It says that their acceptance rate for most popular undergraduate majors are as followed: biological sciences major 0%, physical sciences 1%, nonsciences: 0%; other 100%. What exactly does others represent? I don't see the difference between "other" and "non-science".

 

[CCLCMer]

thanks for posting that link, cclcmer!

No problem.

Does anyone else find the different length requirements in the cclcm essays sort of funny? It's almost as if they're asking:

CCLCM Curriculum Essay:
(Required for CCLCM Applicants)
What is it about the CCLCM curriculum that you feel makes it a good match for your learning style? Please limit your essay to 300-750 characters and leave a blank line between paragraphs.

"Yeah yeah, we want an answer but the limit is 750 characters because we think the answer to this question is gonna involve a lot of bsing on your part."

CCLCM Small Group Essay:
(Required for CCLCM Applicants)
If you were working on a small group project and another student didn't carry their load, how would you handle it? Please limit your essay to 300-1000 characters and leave a blank line between paragraphs.

"Hmmm we'll give you a 1000 character limit this time because this is a very likely scenario in our pbl based school and it's more important"

CCLCM Areas of Improvement Essay:
(Required for CCLCM Applicants)
Targeted areas for improvement are identified by our students at the end of each year. Other than knowledge, what would you identify as an area that is not a strength for you? Design a plan how you could improve it. Please limit your essay to 500-1000 characters and leave a blank line between paragraphs.

"Now we're talking, you guys have to write at least 500 characters because this is really important. After all, you're gonna have to write these kinds of plans at our school and you'd better like doing that!"

You sound like you'd totally fit in here.

I appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions. I'm sure I'll have more before this is all over.

That portal link is very interesting. I'm still looking through all of it. The textbook list is pretty long, I noticed... guess you have some pretty hefty shelves at your place? 😉

You don't actually have to buy all of those books. If you end up here, and you pay us well, the upperclassmen might actually let you in on the secrets of which books you can do without (most of them). That's assuming we aren't just unloading all of our old, unnecessary books on you. 😛

Is the CCLCM MD with research honors degree basically in between and MD and a MD/PhD. The MD/PhD track serves to produce physicians who will be involved in basic science research, and it's obviously a lot more "hardcore." What are the aims of CCLCM program? The objectives are pretty vague on the website.

In a nutshell, the school wants to train us to be excellent clinicians and also excellent scientists. I really don't know how to clarify things any better than the mission statement on the website.

I work too hard, I care too much, and sometimes I can be too invested in my job....Well my weakness are actually...strengths.

It will really be tough for you to come up with a learning plan for improving your "weaknesses", huh?

 

[ronicajay]

It will really be tough for you to come up with a learning plan for improving your "weaknesses", huh?

I was just helping Buckeye with an Office quote. That disc just happened to be sitting on top of my tv.....I'm not obsessed or anything....😀

 

[ronicajay]

Monday, August 04, 2008Dear ******:

Your status with the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine has been recently updated. Please log onto iApply and check the status page to see your most recent messages.

Troy Frazier
Case School of Medicine Except there was no update :/
Scratch that... I received an interview!

congrats on the interview Vadd0!

 

[Dr. Geoff]

Just got an e-mail from Case saying it was a reminder to fill out their secondary application and that they had sent in on the 20th...... But, I never got the first e-mail. I check my email daily and I searched my old e-mails/spam etc. Nothing! Anyone else not get a initial e-mail invite..?

 

[DrYoda]

Just got an e-mail from Case saying it was a reminder to fill out their secondary application and that they had sent in on the 20th...... But, I never got the first e-mail. I check my email daily and I searched my old e-mails/spam etc. Nothing! Anyone else not get a initial e-mail invite..?

I think they had some kind of computer issue, quite a few people never got the initial e-mail. There is a link to the password retrevial link earlier in this thread if you still don't have the secondary link and password.

 

[copperfrog09]

Just got an e-mail from Case saying it was a reminder to fill out their secondary application and that they had sent in on the 20th...... But, I never got the first e-mail. I check my email daily and I searched my old e-mails/spam etc. Nothing! Anyone else not get a initial e-mail invite..?

Didn't get it either. I e-mailed them and they told me I should have gotten it two weeks earlier 🙄

 

[bozz]

Anyone send out their recommendation letters before they completed the Case secondary?

I did, and they are still not updated on the website 🙁

 

[axekilo111]

Do you pay two secondary fees or just one if you apply to both CCLCM and Case Western?

 

[Huey]

Do you pay two secondary fees or just one if you apply to both CCLCM and Case Western?

no...but you can send the extra $ to me

 

[SavedByTheBell]

For those of you who have received interviews, where does it say on the status page you have received an interview. I got an email today saying my status has been changed...but I don't see anything.

 

[CCLCMer]

I was just helping Buckeye with an Office quote. That disc just happened to be sitting on top of my tv.....I'm not obsessed or anything....😀

I'm just messing with you, man. That's a great movie.

 

[Kaydubz]

You sound like you'd totally fit in here.

Quoted, in support of my application

 

[mzchristee]

ok so i think this school doesn't screen. I haven't received a secondary.... what is up?

i tried to forget password thing too and it didn't work. should i call them?

 

[Dr. Geoff]

I would call them.... I got an e-mail last week saying, Mr. (Name), this is a secondary e-mail reminding you to fill out your secondary application.... and I never got the first e-mail which was supposed to have been sent 2 weeks prior! Little angry bout that....

 

[Kaydubz]

Count me in as one of the people who never received the first email...but at least I emailed them only a week after it was supposed to have been sent

 

[iA-MD2013]

i never got an email from case...but i went ahead and filled out the secondary rather than waiting.

 

[aloepathic]

What interview dates did people pick? I'm going on September 12.

Also, did anyone get it who wasn't out of state? A friend of mine who has very similar stats and turned in her secondary at the same time didn't get the interview request and the only difference is that she's OOS.

 

[priam18]

I'm doing September 12th too, still have to finalize how I'll be getting there/who I'll be staying with though.

And I'm oos...you really never know why one person gets an invite and another doesn't...hard to assume that the only difference is that your friend is oos.

Either way, good luck on the 12th 🙂

 

[copingmethods]

Hey guys,
What were the options for interview dates that they gave you?
Thanks!

 

[Isis24]

For those who've already submitted, how long did it take for you to be marked as "complete"? I submitted on the 5th, and I haven't heard anything since.

 

[TheVerve]

For those who've already submitted, how long did it take for you to be marked as "complete"? I submitted on the 5th, and I haven't heard anything since.

i called and the lady on the phone marked me complete 🙂

looking at last yrs thread, it looks like interviews came at different times for Cleveland clinic and case... is that right? i was hoping i could schedule them around the same time and save money.... i guess this just means ill get to visit twice!

 

[vadd0]

Hey guys,
What were the options for interview dates that they gave you?
Thanks!

I think it was every monday, tuesday and friday until February.

 

[M3dhop3ful]

What did you guys talk about for your adversity experience? I don't really have anything appropriate to talk about (1 unhealthy long term relationship would fit the definition but I don't want to talk about girl troubles to the adcomms)

 

[bahhumbug]

For those of you who have received interviews, where does it say on the status page you have received an interview. I got an email today saying my status has been changed...but I don't see anything.

did you figure that out ever.. i got the same thing??

 

[droshan]

To see if you got an interview you need to go to your status page...at the bottom there is a University Program Correspondence. Underneath there should be a tab, check it!

 

[amph119]

So I was complete before a lot of people that have interviews, and I haven't heard any word from Case. What do you think that means?

 

[JackInTheBox]

So I was complete before a lot of people that have interviews, and I haven't heard any word from Case. What do you think that means?

Not just a rejection, but Case is going to call every other med school and tell them not to accept you either. J/k. Patience, young padawan.

 

[amph119]

Not just a rejection, but Case is going to call every other med school and tell them not to accept you either. J/k. Patience, young padawan.

:] I dunno, I really like CW so I'm just freakin a little bit.

 

[bozz]

How long did it take for you guys to be complete.

I had one letter sent thru interfolio last Friday. My Case page still hasn't been updated. They were pretty fast with my other letters though. Anyone else waiting on letters?

 

[TheVerve]

i was complete 8/4 and no word yet :/

 

[bahhumbug]

To see if you got an interview you need to go to your status page...at the bottom there is a University Program Correspondence. Underneath there should be a tab, check it!

ah! thanks... they just took a little bit of time to put it online!

 

[Raryn]

I don't even have the secondary yet and all you guys are getting interviews? BAH!

 

[TheVerve]

I don't even have the secondary yet and all you guys are getting interviews? BAH!

did you try going on the website and retrieving ure password? https://iapply.cwru.edu/login.aspx?hdError=5

 

[Retsage]

I sent my letters through Interfolio a week ago and I'm still not complete. Is this unusual? CCLCM is probably my number one choice and I'm getting nervous.

 

[geenelln]

ah! thanks... they just took a little bit of time to put it online!

yay case!!!

 

[JDOC13]

How exactly are you guys finding out about interviews? I log on to iapply site and see the info about when I was complete, etc. Does it say interview stuff below that or on a different page?

 

[bahhumbug]

How exactly are you guys finding out about interviews? I log on to iapply site and see the info about when I was complete, etc. Does it say interview stuff below that or on a different page?

it will say at the bottom of the page under the "correspondences"

 

[JDOC13]

it will say at the bottom of the page under the "correspondences"

Thanks.

 

[justapremed]

To those who are writing the essay on your research experience:

So it seems to me that they do want to hear some details on the actual project itself, "the question you pursued and how you approached it, your results and interpretation of the results."

How much scientific background are you presenting? It would take me a big paragraph to even just explain what's going on, and probably another big paragraph to explain my particular project, why it's any use at all, and why my research group wanted to pursue this project (I'm doing p-chem-ish stuff, mixed with a pinch of synthetic organic chem and inorganic metal chemistry).

Results (really?!) and interpretation: I'm not really sure how to approach this, since most of the interpretation came from the grad student (not me!) who was much more familiar with this material (besides, he pretty much expected what was going to happen; this was a rather simple and smaller part of his bigger project).

I feel like unless I have the background info, the results won't make much sense... and at this rate, I'm not going to be able to spend a lot of characters on describing what the experience meant to me, AND the essay will be probably very dense and technical.... any thoughts?!

 

[linguini]

I also got a reminder email from Case claiming they sent me a secondary earlier on but never did.

I'm still working on the secondary. But I am loving these long and loose character limits! Only secondary besides Duke and Harvard where I don't feel like I'm cutting out half of my pretty adjectives.

 

[sirius08]

I just got an email that my status page has been updated, but there's no link associated with the "Correspondence" text and no update as far as I can tell (unless they're referring to my application being complete, but that was 3 days ago).

Edit: Okay, the link is there now, and I just saw that others in the thread had the same problem. The system just needs a couple hours to show the link.