2008-2009 Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) Secondary Application Thread

[slick27]

First, there is a shortage of doctors in Wisconsin and even though MCW says its a private school, that is not exactly the truth. It was fully private back when it was associated with Marquette University. Then, when Marquette could not support the school, the state of Wisconsin decided to fund it. However, but not directly. The state decided to give instate residents a tuition cut. The state of Wisconsin is responsible for keeping the med school intact and therefore I believe the school should be accepting less out of staters than it currently is. There are plenty of qualified wisconsin residents that aren't getting a shot at med school.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[SDN2013]

Um, wow. Just wow. I turned down my state school in Hawaii to go to MCW.

ah, I thought you were my student interviewer, guess not. I bet last thursday/friday you wished you were at Hawaii

 

[lola12]

i read somewhere in SDN LizzyM mentionaing Jan 21 as the date when most of the decisions are made....i haven't got any news from MCW or roalind FU (where i am small pooled)as yet...does this mean its end of story ....

 

[DrMattOglesby]

i read somewhere in SDN LizzyM mentionaing Jan 21 as the date when most of the decisions are made....i haven't got any news from MCW or roalind FU (where i am small pooled)as yet...does this mean its end of story ....

When I interviewed on January 9th, the director of admissions told us that it was theoretically possible every single one of us could get accepted (all 60 of us) because they still had that many seats open.
I believe people interviewing after that date would have been vying for waitlist spots (as was stated earlier in this thread).

 

[Brodiewankenobi]

MCW was really high on my list since I live right by it. I grew up in the Milwaukee area, but after my interview, I have decided to go away for four years to DMU. I do want to practice in the Milwaukee area since I do view it as my home, but I just didn't like the interview experience. First, why is an out of stater interviewing canidates at MCW? They, just went there because it was a school that let them in. Then, he doesn't read my file and has an ego. Thats alright, I can pass on MCW's opportunity.

:eyeroll: Yah. and I am sure that dmu has NEVER been used as a backup for people who have didnt get in anywhere else. Don't want to start a flame war here but how many people in your class next year would go to an allopathic school in a heartbeat over an osteopathic school. So you have lived in milwaukee for an extended period of time where you have not doubt encountered grads and students of the school, seen articles in the journal sentinel about the school, yet a 30 min interview turns you off of the school? Methinks you were just looking for faults with the school to justify another decision.

 

[Ashers]

ah, I thought you were my student interviewer, guess not. I bet last thursday/friday you wished you were at Hawaii

I haven't interviewed for a few months since I've been on residency interviews myself on most of the dates this year.

I haven't been in WI for nearly 2 weeks, fortunately. I've been in "warmer" climates, but not HI. =( I couldn't go to UH's interview. I'll only be in WI for 3 days total in January -- lots of traveling for interviews/step 2 this month.

 

[slick27]

I'm not saying MCW is not a good school it is. It just wasn't the right school for me. I wish everybody the best of luck who is heading to MCW in fall. This is probably why I am bitter about my interview experience, because I really like some of the things that are going on at MCW. Not to mention the new research building they just built. They are attracting some top notch researchers to the school.

 

[medking]

I'm not saying MCW is not a good school it is. It just wasn't the right school for me. I wish everybody the best of luck who is heading to MCW in fall. This is probably why I am bitter about my interview experience, because I really like some of the things that are going on at MCW. Not to mention the new research building they just built. They are attracting some top notch researchers to the school.

I am glad you are following through with your feelings.

Good luck to you too!

 

[lola12]

if MCW is interviewing twice every month, they should send out 2 rounds of invites per month rite? i understand some went out early jan....any idea when the next ones r out?

 

[slick27]

they usually only send interview invites out once a month, sometime in the begining of the month. I would expect the next one to go out early feb.

 

[Brodiewankenobi]

I'm not saying MCW is not a good school it is. It just wasn't the right school for me. I wish everybody the best of luck who is heading to MCW in fall. This is probably why I am bitter about my interview experience, because I really like some of the things that are going on at MCW. Not to mention the new research building they just built. They are attracting some top notch researchers to the school.

Good luck at DMU then. Seems like a good school but def a different feel to it than MCW. Had a nice experience there on my interview (pretty much the best work out facilities i have ever seen at a medical school) Agreed that the research at MCW has really been made a priority over the past 5-6 years.

 

[ChichiMD]

MCW was really high on my list since I live right by it. I grew up in the Milwaukee area, but after my interview, I have decided to go away for four years to DMU. I do want to practice in the Milwaukee area since I do view it as my home, but I just didn't like the interview experience. First, why is an out of stater interviewing canidates at MCW? They, just went there because it was a school that let them in. Then, he doesn't read my file and has an ego. Thats alright, I can pass on MCW's opportunity.

Umm. I just saw this post and um...yea... LOL. I went to MCW just because it wouldnt cost me anything to go there literally. I had the WORST student interviewer and not surprising at all, I had to go on a third interview. But even with all of that drama, if I got accepted there I would go in a heartbeat and abandon my other choices. The fact that my interviewer was out of state has no bearing on how i feel. I was very pleasantly surprised by the school. Dude u sound a tad bitter.

 

[medking]

Umm. I just saw this post and um...yea... LOL. I went to MCW just because it wouldnt cost me anything to go there literally. I had the WORST student interviewer and not surprising at all, I had to go on a third interview. But even with all of that drama, if I got accepted there I would go in a heartbeat and abandon my other choices. The fact that my interviewer was out of state has no bearing on how i feel. I was very pleasantly surprised by the school. Dude u sound a tad bitter.

That's why I said I'm glad that they are choosing to attend DMU.

I'd rather have one less classmate that doesn't want to be at MCW.

 

[slick27]

That's why I said I'm glad that they are choosing to attend DMU.

I'd rather have one less classmate that doesn't want to be at MCW.

I don't know Medking. My bitterness might be gone by August. But, if I see that student interviewer around town.....

 

[MDIC]

I'll take a stab at this...
I suppose it can be akin to an assembly line where the end product is a doctor.
You simply grab the initial materials which consist mostly of hopeful premeds with dreams of making a medical impact in the world...then you grind them through the gauntlet that which is the American medical curriculum and watch the motivation and aspirations drain out of them.
In the end, the final result is a carbon copied physician who has lost all sense of personal identity (which has been replaced by a encyclopedic amount of information and defensive medical strategies).

Thanks Matt,

 

[medking]

I don't know Medking. My bitterness might be gone by August. But, if I see that student interviewer around town.....

Haha, icic

Well, hope you make the best decision for yourself!

 

[sully212]

So as I anxiously await my decision letter...for those of you that have been accepted, was it a big envelope or a little envelope?? Just so I'm not automatically disappointed if it's a little envelope....

 

[medking]

So as I anxiously await my decision letter...for those of you that have been accepted, was it a big envelope or a little envelope?? Just so I'm not automatically disappointed if it's a little envelope....

Big.

Good luck!

 

[DrMattOglesby]

got rejected today.

ouch.

being denied admission is a sharp sting the ego I don't think I'll get used to anytime soon.

 

[chiteneur]

Just got my acceptance letter, and I am super excited.

Also, DrMattOglesby I am sorry about the rejection. Good luck in the rest of your application process. I am sure you will find a great school.

 

[DrMattOglesby]

Just got my acceptance letter, and I am super excited.

Also, DrMattOglesby I am sorry about the rejection. Good luck in the rest of your application process. I am sure you will find a great school.

thanks chiteneur...and Congrats on the acceptance
MCW has a fine program and Im sure if you matriculate, youll be able to testify to that same statement without any hesitation.

 

[slick27]

DrMattOglesby,

How many interviews did you have? Two or the optional third interview? Well, I could send you my BIG envelope, if you want it. lol.

 

[DrMattOglesby]

DrMattOglesby,

How many interviews did you have? Two or the optional third interview? Well, I could send you my BIG envelope, if you want it. lol.

I got two interviews...and they both went over the allotted time limit. Which I perceived as a good thing because I felt I enjoyed the conversations I had during my interviews. I think what got me axed were my past academic transcripts. Those are what waitlisted me at Creighton (at least that is what I was told when I called to find out what held me from getting an acceptance). It's too bad MCW doesn't have that open file policy regarding how the adcoms deliberated on one's application.
I would love to grab that acceptance packet off your hands, but I think things are working out for the best on my end. It's hard making decisions on which school to attend, so I can look at this as a blessing due to MCW helping me slim down the number of options I would have to choose from .

 

[ChichiMD]

DrMattOglesby,

How many interviews did you have? Two or the optional third interview? Well, I could send you my BIG envelope, if you want it. lol.

Isnt it a tad bit early for this joke? well, thats just me. I am sad to hear that Matt! I remember you from our interview day! I sat next to you at the private lunch (to your left).. I wish you all the best in your future endeavours. Pretty sure my letter is sitting in my mailbox at home but i am still at work (-:

 

[RubyRed]

Got in too!

 

[DrMattOglesby]

Isnt it a tad bit early for this joke? well, thats just me. I am sad to hear that Matt! I remember you from our interview day! I sat next to you at the private lunch (to your left).. I wish you all the best in your future endeavours. Pretty sure my letter is sitting in my mailbox at home but i am still at work (-:

ohh hey i remember you too! i worked really hard on pronouncing your last name when we first met ...hope that didnt embarrass you!
it was great to meet you, and its nice to find you on SDN as well. I hope you have a big fat letter waiting for you in the mailbox when you get off work!

 

[cubssox2000]

Sorry Matt. I'm still waiting for the mail to get here.

 

[DrMattOglesby]

Sorry Matt. I'm still waiting for the mail to get here.

I'd consider that a good sign Cubsox!
Larger mail generally takes longer to arrive at it's final destination.

 

[slick27]

Looking at your mdapps profile. It seems like you are pretty "well rounded" which is the type of student they look for at mcw. I'm not sure if you have research, but yeah, I'm going to go with your transcript being your downfall. You are an athlete and have clinical certifications such as EMT so thats not holding you back. You mcat is great. Are you sure they won't discuss you're application if you call Mr. Istwan?

 

[cubssox2000]

I'd consider that a good sign Cubsox!
Larger mail generally takes longer to arrive at it's final destination.

I hope so. Mail on my campus can move really slowly, so I might not get anything until tomorrow.

 

[DrMattOglesby]

...Are you sure they won't discuss you're application if you call Mr. Istwan?

Thank you for those insights into my application. I do not have any research noteworthy enough to mention on my application, and I'm sure that doesn't help my case much considering how much research is valued at MCW.

However, I am fairly confident I am not allowed access to the reasoning of the adcoms. As per the letter I received in the mail, "...Please know that the details of the Committee's deliberations and review of your application are closed and confidential. Knowing this, should you have any questions do not hesitate to contact me."

But back to my assumptions around my rejection; I was able to find out from Creighton that my LORs, ECs, MCAT, secondary essays, and interviews all were solid. They told me there were just too many red flags early on in my transcript (yes, classes from more than 7 years ago are fair game). Anyhow, I am okay with how things turned out, I put my best foot forward and I have no regrets about the outcome--at least I tried.

 

[cubssox2000]

Accepted!!! Hurray!!!

 

[medking]

Congrats to all of you who received acceptances today!

 

[ChichiMD]

oh wee! I got in

That's fine Dr.Oglesby! nobody can ever pronounce my name right! its good to find u here tho..finally someone I can put a face on

 

[DrMattOglesby]

congrats chichi and cubssox!!

just curious now, do you guys think you will be matriculating with MCW despite any previous offers from other schools? (or even future offers from schools that are still pending a decision)

 

[cubssox2000]

congrats chichi and cubssox!!

just curious now, do you guys think you will be matriculating with MCW despite any previous offers from other schools? (or even future offers from schools that are still pending a decision)

I am not sure. I have an interview at Einstein coming up, and I can't rule them out. Also, I am waiting to hear from Drexel right now, and I really liked them. MCW is high on my list because it is really close to home, but it will depend on who else gives me a chance and my waitlist movements.

 

[splotchy3754]

Just posting to let those know that I didn't receive an acceptance email, before I received the big packet today! (And I live in California, to give you a time estimate of arrival of letters.)

Congrats to those who also were accepted, the school looks awesome and with some major changes in the way of curriculum and research underway, MCW looks like a mighty fine up and coming institution.

For those of you who were rejected, I'm terribly sorry to know that you won't be with me in the class. I believe I met some of you on the last interview day for the open class (Jan. 9), and you were really all the best group of applicants I've interviewed with to date. I'm sure you'll all find a great place to be at for the upcoming school year.

 

[medking]

I am not sure. I have an interview at Einstein coming up, and I can't rule them out. Also, I am waiting to hear from Drexel right now, and I really liked them. MCW is high on my list because it is really close to home, but it will depend on who else gives me a chance and my waitlist movements.

Good luck at Einstein!

Personally, I liked the atmosphere and students at MCW more than Einstein. It was kind of gloomy over there in that area of NY.

 

[ChichiMD]

congrats chichi and cubssox!!

just curious now, do you guys think you will be matriculating with MCW despite any previous offers from other schools? (or even future offers from schools that are still pending a decision)

Well the atmosphere at MCW was what won me over actually. Only had 3 interviews and got in at all 3... I am gonna go for a second look at one of them (my state school)...the other is out the window

So MCW Is looking pretty good

 

[cubssox2000]

Good luck at Einstein!

Personally, I liked the atmosphere and students at MCW more than Einstein. It was kind of gloomy over there in that area of NY.

Thanks!

Einstein has been at the top of my list for so long, I can't give up on it .
But if I had to choose between the two schools that I have gotten into so far, I would probably choose MCW because of its location and because they are very active in the research field that I am interested in (genetics).

 

[Michael845]

so i'm interviewing in a month and i got mail from like the MCW womens student organization about a lunch or something but i lost it

can anyone who has the letter tell me when/where/etc.. pm me if you want...

thank youuu

 

[Lacipart]

when is the last interview date?

 

[medking]

when is the last interview date?

Not 100% sure, but I believe the last interview day is sometime in March???

 

[Skorgirl]

Just posting to let those know that I didn't receive an acceptance email, before I received the big packet today! (And I live in California, to give you a time estimate of arrival of letters.)

Congrats to those who also were accepted, the school looks awesome and with some major changes in the way of curriculum and research underway, MCW looks like a mighty fine up and coming institution.

For those of you who were rejected, I'm terribly sorry to know that you won't be with me in the class. I believe I met some of you on the last interview day for the open class (Jan. 9), and you were really all the best group of applicants I've interviewed with to date. I'm sure you'll all find a great place to be at for the upcoming school year.

Why are folks referring to January 9 as the last interview date for a spot in the class? My interview invite stated that the interview is for a seat in the class and that January 9 and January 23 are the available interview days. Aside from rumor and speculation that their class is full, what am I missing here?
Thanks.

 

[cubssox2000]

Why are folks referring to January 9 as the last interview date for a spot in the class? My interview invite stated that the interview is for a seat in the class and that January 9 and January 23 are the available interview days. Aside from rumor and speculation that their class is full, what am I missing here?
Thanks.

Because anyone that got an invite for a date later than Jan 23 got an email saying they could interview for a spot on the waitlist. Because the invitation for the 9th and 23rd said it was an interview for a spot in the class, it is assumed that these are the last days in which open seats are available, and in theory, all of those spots could go on the 9th, meaning that interviewing on the 23rd is also only for waitlist.

 

[Demas567]

Why are folks referring to January 9 as the last interview date for a spot in the class? My interview invite stated that the interview is for a seat in the class and that January 9 and January 23 are the available interview days. Aside from rumor and speculation that their class is full, what am I missing here?
Thanks.

Right, because everything you read on SDN is just rumor and speculation.

 

[medgrad13]

Does anyone have any idea the chance of getting off the wait list this year? I know in the past few years MCW hasn't relied heavily on their wait list. That being said, is it worthwhile to send a letter of intent to Istwan or updates to your file? How/when can you find out your position on the wait list? Thanks.

 

[Brodiewankenobi]

Does anyone have any idea the chance of getting off the wait list this year? I know in the past few years MCW hasn't relied heavily on their wait list. That being said, is it worthwhile to send a letter of intent to Istwan or updates to your file? How/when can you find out your position on the wait list? Thanks.

they'll inform you of your position on the waitlist. You're correct that there hasn't been much movement the past years. But that may not necessarily hold this year.

 

[medking]

Does anyone have any idea the chance of getting off the wait list this year? I know in the past few years MCW hasn't relied heavily on their wait list. That being said, is it worthwhile to send a letter of intent to Istwan or updates to your file? How/when can you find out your position on the wait list? Thanks.

If you're on the waitlist and MCW is your school of choice, then I would recommend staying proactive (updates/letters of intent) regardless of whether they use the waitlist this year or not. I think showing interest in the school is valued highly at MCW.

I don't know, this is just my advice.

 

[bibby]

Who is interviewing on the 23rd? Can I expect to see any of you at the social the night before??

I'll be at the social tonight!