2008-2009 University of Washington Secondary Application Thread

[ronicajay]

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Cool thanks 🙂

On another note, are people having trouble with the "status check" page? Whenever I click on the link it says "loading UW page...." and then goes blank. It did work ONCE, but ever since --> nothing. I'm on Mozilla if that makes any difference.

i have the same problem. for some reason it works if i use the link they provided in the original email.

 

[ohmedschool]

AMCAS verified: 7/02
Initial email: 7/03
Secondary: 9/02

I guess it took them 2 months to give me a shot (I'm OOS from Maryland). Does anybody know how many OOS get secondaries? I'm wondering if I should bother given my 3.2 science GPA, since the acceptance rate for OOS is ridiculous. UW is def. number 1 in my heart, just don't know if im #1 in theirs...

 

[brucecanbeatyou]

Not very many OOS get secondaries. And for $35, you can't go wrong, I'd apply!

 

[nina7123]

So UW says that they haven't found my letters...but they also haven't gotten my payment in the mail either. Does anyone know if they only search for AMCAS letters once the payment is in? Otherwise there might be a problem with my AMCAS letters up there which would be a DISASTER since it takes so long.

 

[brucecanbeatyou]

I wouldn't worry too much about it. They don't make any decisions for a long time.

 

[tianac2]

Not true. Last year I was complete Sept 20-something-th, got an interview a little over a week later, and interviewed just under 3 weeks after that.

Also, based on last years invite thread, we should start seeing invites the end of this week or next week.

 

[Lacheln]

Not true. Last year I was complete Sept 20-something-th, got an interview a little over a week later, and interviewed just under 3 weeks after that.

Also, based on last years invite thread, we should start seeing invites the end of this week or next week.

GAH!

I have been waiting on them since July 10th to see if I'll even get a secondary. Yes, that makes it 9 weeks since they first acknowledged my primary and said I was under review. I called today and they said 2 more weeks (which is what they said when I called 2 weeks ago). I realize I'm OOS, but SERIOUSLY. This is Mayo all over again. 🙁 </whine>

 

[brucecanbeatyou]

Not true. Last year I was complete Sept 20-something-th, got an interview a little over a week later, and interviewed just under 3 weeks after that.

Also, based on last years invite thread, we should start seeing invites the end of this week or next week.

Haha, I heard that they pretty much didn't make any decisions until Jan., but I guess I was wrong! I guess you should be worrying about it!

 

[nina7123]

GAH!

I have been waiting on them since July 10th to see if I'll even get a secondary. Yes, that makes it 9 weeks since they first acknowledged my primary and said I was under review. I called today and they said 2 more weeks (which is what they said when I called 2 weeks ago). I realize I'm OOS, but SERIOUSLY. This is Mayo all over again. 🙁 </whine>

🙁 On the bright side, at least you haven't been rejected! Have you written up the autobiography so when you DO get the secondary you'll be all set to go? You can dazzle them with your speed! Good luck

Plus, they haven't started sending out interview invites so even if you get the secondary in 2 weeks it doesn't look like you'll be behind. That sucks they don't give you a straight answer though 🙄

 

[tianac2]

GAH!

I have been waiting on them since July 10th to see if I'll even get a secondary. Yes, that makes it 9 weeks since they first acknowledged my primary and said I was under review. I called today and they said 2 more weeks (which is what they said when I called 2 weeks ago). I realize I'm OOS, but SERIOUSLY. This is Mayo all over again. 🙁 </whine>

I know its frustrating, but seriously, take it as a good sign! UW is absolutely ruthless about axing OOSers, so this is a good thing!

In the mean time, write that bio (they really are interested), and really work hard on the "Why UW?" essay, that one can be a killer!

 

[Lacheln]

I know its frustrating, but seriously, take it as a good sign! UW is absolutely ruthless about axing OOSers, so this is a good thing!

So true - I encouraged a friend of mine who is a v strong candidate to apply (so that we could be med school buddies 😉) and she was rejected within a week. Oops.

In the mean time, write that bio (they really are interested), and really work hard on the "Why UW?" essay, that one can be a killer!

You guys are totally right, it's just hard to motivate on such a tough project when I don't even know if I'll get the secondary. It's good advice though, so I'll focus on that. 🙂 Thanks for the support guys. 😍😍

 

[ronicajay]

So far UW has been great getting my stuff updated...it's the residency certification office that I'm struggling with now. My file is not considered complete until I get that sorted. And it's taking for-ever!!!!

🙁

 

[Lacheln]

Hmm. Today I tried the status check link just for s&g - in the past it's always returned nothing for my id (which I took to mean I wasn't in the system), but today it returned a list of things I hadn't submitted (which obviously is everything since I haven't gotten an email about the secondary from them). You guys think I should get my hopes up about the secondary? Maybe this means I'm in the system to get a secondary? I'm more motivated to do my autobiography now at least. 😉

 

[nina7123]

Hmm. Today I tried the status check link just for s&g - in the past it's always returned nothing for my id (which I took to mean I wasn't in the system), but today it returned a list of things I hadn't submitted (which obviously is everything since I haven't gotten an email about the secondary from them). You guys think I should get my hopes up about the secondary? Maybe this means I'm in the system to get a secondary? I'm more motivated to do my autobiography now at least. 😉

It does sound like you will be getting a secondary soon!!! Congratulations!! 👍 At the very least, there is movement on your application!

 

[RedLemond]

Breeak, where are you finding that status check link?? I'm also an OOS listening to the crickets since July 14th as I wait for some sort of movement on my primary!

 

[Lacheln]

Breeak, where are you finding that status check link?? I'm also an OOS listening to the crickets since July 14th as I wait for some sort of movement on my primary!

Here ya go:
https://as-ars-p1.som.washington.edu/uwappstatus.htm

However, I've decided it likely doesn't mean anything - my friends who were rejected are also in the system (although they have a message to that effect rather than the confused one I get).

 

[tianac2]

Here ya go:
https://as-ars-p1.som.washington.edu/uwappstatus.htm

However, I've decided it likely doesn't mean anything - my friends who were rejected are also in the system (although they have a message to that effect rather than the confused one I get).

I don't know, I understand wanting to not get your hopes up just to have them crushed, but I really think this is an indicator that you're going to get the secondary! The way their status page is designed, it lists what they still need from you until it says either "All parts of your application have been received." or the rejection message (thankfully, I don't know what that is!). So by them listing the missing pieces, that's what they're expecting to get from you....so I'd say you're getting that secondary!

 

[Lacheln]

I don't know, I understand wanting to not get your hopes up just to have them crushed, but I really think this is an indicator that you're going to get the secondary! The way their status page is designed, it lists what they still need from you until it says either "All parts of your application have been received." or the rejection message (thankfully, I don't know what that is!). So by them listing the missing pieces, that's what they're expecting to get from you....so I'd say you're getting that secondary!

You were right, got it this morning!!! 😀😀😀😀 Is it sad that I'm so excited about a pre-interview stage? 😛

 

[ami1983]

My feeling is, if you have to choose between BSing the autobiography, rehashing your PS, or leaving it blank, the AdCom has enough to do that they'll appreciate you for not wasting their time.

Based on this rationale, I left it blank last year. I just missed getting in off the waitlist. Draw your own conclusions. (Before you say it, I asked... the only reason I was waitlisted was my MCAT score.)

did they say anything about leaving it blank in your interviews? are you in/out of region?

 

[tianac2]

You were right, got it this morning!!! 😀😀😀😀 Is it sad that I'm so excited about a pre-interview stage? 😛

At this school and with OOS status, not at all!! Congrats!

 

[nina7123]

You were right, got it this morning!!! 😀😀😀😀 Is it sad that I'm so excited about a pre-interview stage? 😛

Congratulations!!!! All that worrying was for nothing! Had you started drafting your secondary yet?

As a fellow out of region applicant...good luck!

 

[ami1983]

I got a secondary this morning as well!!! 😀 I'm OOS and totally wasn't expecting it, so its fantastic news. Except they're rolling admissions, so I need to get cracking... ugh this secondary looks like a beast!

 

[Lacheln]

Thanks tianac - one step at a time. But I'm still doing a happy dance now...

I'm still debating the autobiography. I have a rough outline, but I would like to submit asap, and I figure a half-assed ab is worse than none at all. I'll probably do it though - if I don't get interviewed I don't want to wonder if that was why.

 

[Lacheln]

Congratulations!!!! All that worrying was for nothing! Had you started drafting your secondary yet?

As a fellow out of region applicant...good luck!

I got a secondary this morning as well!!! 😀 Since I'm OOS and have lower stats (3.5 cGPA, 3.4 sGPA) I totally wasn't expecting it, so its fantastic news. Except they're rolling admissions, so I need to get cracking... ugh this secondary looks like a beast!

Thanks guys!! Good luck to you both! Yes, I started the secondary - I wrote the Why UW one a while back...boy was that easy. "I love you" x 66. 😛 Pondering the autobiography now. I'm thinking about something along the lines of:

"I was born. I went to school to prepare to attend UW school of medicine. I worshiped at the altar of UW. I received a secondary from UW. I sacrificed a pig in honor of UW. And that brings us to today, thank you for reading. Go UW! ps. I love your school."

 

[brucecanbeatyou]

Thanks guys!! Good luck to you both! Yes, I started the secondary - I wrote the Why UW one a while back...boy was that easy. "I love you" x 66. 😛 Pondering the autobiography now. I'm thinking about something along the lines of:

"I was born. I went to school to prepare to attend UW school of medicine. I worshiped at the altar of UW. I received a secondary from UW. I sacrificed a pig in honor of UW. And that brings us to today, thank you for reading. Go UW! ps. I love your school."

Haha, I really hope you get in. No wait, I really hope I get in. Let's both get in, okay?

 

[RedLemond]

Breeak, congrats on getting the secondary - and thanks for the link!
But...it doesn't work...I'll just sweat it out! 👍

 

[GirlInGreen]

Is any one else applying from Alaska via the WWAMI?

 

[GirlInGreen]

"I was born. I went to school to prepare to attend UW school of medicine. I worshiped at the altar of UW. I received a secondary from UW. I sacrificed a pig in honor of UW. And that brings us to today, thank you for reading. Go UW! ps. I love your school."

Very tempted to plagiarize your autobiography but I would say that I sacrificed two pigs!😉 Keep in mind that you can also talk about any experience serving underrepresented/rural communities as well.

Congrats on the secondary and good luck!

 

[RedLemond]

ooo - I was finally able to check my status by just typing in the web address...
unfortunately, there is absolutely nothing under it! It's just blank! Hard to believe they don't have any info yet since I got my acknowledgment on 7/14. Anyone else have a blank application status?

 

[Lacheln]

Haha, I really hope you get in. No wait, I really hope I get in. Let's both get in, okay?

We'll have a fight to the death after the interview. Sound good?

Very tempted to plagiarize your autobiography but I would say that I sacrificed two pigs!😉 Keep in mind that you can also talk about any experience serving underrepresented/rural communities as well.

Congrats on the secondary and good luck!

Thanks! I fully plan to!

ooo - I was finally able to check my status by just typing in the web address...
unfortunately, there is absolutely nothing under it! It's just blank! Hard to believe they don't have any info yet since I got my acknowledgment on 7/14. Anyone else have a blank application status?

Mine was blank for a long time before the list of stuff showed up.

 

[brucecanbeatyou]

We'll have a fight to the death after the interview. Sound good?

I don't know, brucecanbeatyou, ordinarily, BUT you do keep kids in cages, that's pretty ruthless.

 

[Lacheln]

I don't know, brucecanbeatyou, ordinarily, BUT you do keep kids in cages, that's pretty ruthless.

True, it should be a good matchup. You are probably bigger, but I'm ruthless...a rabid weasel, if you will. Grrrr. 😉

 

[Lacheln]

Oh, and I just noticed you're from WY anyway...which, uh, means the chances of you winning are pretty high. Poor little OOS me. Le sigh!

 

[GirlInGreen]

Oh, and I just noticed you're from WY anyway...which, uh, means the chances of you winning are pretty high. Poor little OOS me. Le sigh!

Breeak,

I don't know if you and brucecanbeatyou will actually be competing for the same slots. I know UW reserves up to 20 places for Alaska residents. Don't WyMI have the same agreement with them? So I think you'll be competing with other OOR and WA residents.

But if it comes to throwing blows, let me know we'll start a betting pool... Pre-Med Deathmatch, I am surprised someone hasn't made a reality TV show out of all this drama yet!

 

[Lacheln]

Breeak,

I don't know if you and brucecanbeatyou will actually be competing for the same slots. I know UW reserves up to 20 places for Alaska residents. Don't WyMI have the same agreement with them? So I think you'll be competing with other OOR and WA residents.

But if it comes to throwing blows, let me know we'll start a betting pool... Pre-Med Deathmatch, I am surprised someone hasn't made a reality TV show out of all this drama yet!

right, I don't think we'll be directly competing, but I'm sure as a WY resident his chances are quite a bit higher than mine.

In other news, you seem to be from Alaska. I used to live in Alyeska...my mom was a ski instructor there. I miss it. 🙂

 

[ami1983]

does anyone know how many people go to each campus for 1st yr? ie, if i'm only interested in one (seattle) will it be hard for me to get it as an OOS?

 

[tianac2]

does anyone know how many people go to each campus for 1st yr? ie, if i'm only interested in one (seattle) will it be hard for me to get it as an OOS?

The different campuses thing is interesting...You're only there for the first year, then for the second year, the entire class is in Seattle. After that, you do "regional" rotations, so the WAMI peeps go back to their home state, and OOS and WA residents go around WA. So, really, its only the one year that you'd potentially be in Pullman or Spokane (and apparently there's talk of having another site in Yakima soon) for the first year. Just think of it as one more hurdle. And if you really want them to love you, rank Spokane first. Something like 80% of incoming MS1s rank Seattle first, so obviously not everyone gets their first choice. The next most popular is Pullman (god knows why since its in the middle of nowhere), and then Spokane. All three are on major university campuses (UW-Seattle, UW-Spokane, and WSU-Pullman) although Spokane is somewhat smaller than the other two. So, given all of that, if you ranked Spokane first, they'd probably love you, and it is only for the first year.

I asked about this topic ad nauseum when I interviewed last year, so if you have any other questions I can try to answer them.

Good Luck!

 

[tianac2]

right, I don't think we'll be directly competing, but I'm sure as a WY resident his chances are quite a bit higher than mine.

In other news, you seem to be from Alaska. I used to live in Alyeska...my mom was a ski instructor there. I miss it. 🙂

The way the in-state preference works is that each of the WWAMI states has a set number of spots that only applicants from that state are competing for, including Washington. Then there is a much smaller pool of slots that are kind of like "wild-card" slots that can go to anyone, which would include residents of any state plus international applicants. That system is why its so hard to get accepted to UW as an OOR applicant.

 

[GirlInGreen]

I used to live in Alyeska...my mom was a ski instructor there. I miss it. 🙂

Girdwood has to be one of the most beautiful spots on Earth, much prettier than Fairbanks! I fantasize about skiing Alyeska on the weekends in between my first-year classes at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Weeeeeeeee!

I should have put that in my "Why UWSOM?" statement! 😛

Cool mom! How long did you live in Alaska?

 

[GirlInGreen]

Just think of it as one more hurdle. And if you really want them to love you, rank Spokane first. Something like 80% of incoming MS1s rank Seattle first, so obviously not everyone gets their first choice. The next most popular is Pullman (god knows why since its in the middle of nowhere), and then Spokane. All three are on major university campuses (UW-Seattle, UW-Spokane, and WSU-Pullman) although Spokane is somewhat smaller than the other two. So, given all of that, if you ranked Spokane first, they'd probably love you, and it is only for the first year.

I agree with you, Tianac2. Tis' a small sacrifice to make if you really, really want to go to UW.

ami1983, keep in mind that class sizes will be smaller at Spokane and Pullman which could be a good thing if you like personalized attention. And Spokane is not so bad... at least they have daylight in the winter and a really big mall!

 

[ami1983]

The different campuses thing is interesting...You're only there for the first year, then for the second year, the entire class is in Seattle. After that, you do "regional" rotations, so the WAMI peeps go back to their home state, and OOS and WA residents go around WA. So, really, its only the one year that you'd potentially be in Pullman or Spokane (and apparently there's talk of having another site in Yakima soon) for the first year. Just think of it as one more hurdle. And if you really want them to love you, rank Spokane first. Something like 80% of incoming MS1s rank Seattle first, so obviously not everyone gets their first choice. The next most popular is Pullman (god knows why since its in the middle of nowhere), and then Spokane. All three are on major university campuses (UW-Seattle, UW-Spokane, and WSU-Pullman) although Spokane is somewhat smaller than the other two. So, given all of that, if you ranked Spokane first, they'd probably love you, and it is only for the first year.

I asked about this topic ad nauseum when I interviewed last year, so if you have any other questions I can try to answer them.

Good Luck!

how far are the other cities/what are they like? i can't tell much from the map. i knew about this before but for some reason it hit me when i was looking at the secondary that i might not get seattle!

 

[ronicajay]

how far are the other cities/what are they like? i can't tell much from the map. i knew about this before but for some reason it hit me when i was looking at the secondary that i might not get seattle!

I have never been to Pullman, but I know it's mostly a college town. My friend told me tales of waking up and looking out at the wheat fields.

Spokane is more urban looking. I haven't explored in depth, but you will find all the modern conveniences, hospitals, malls, etc.

 

[MoMed82]

how far are the other cities/what are they like? i can't tell much from the map. i knew about this before but for some reason it hit me when i was looking at the secondary that i might not get seattle!

how far are the other cities/what are they like? i can't tell much from the map. i knew about this before but for some reason it hit me when i was looking at the secondary that i might not get seattle!

I was born and raised in Spokane, for better or worse 🙂. No really, if I were to choose between Spokane, Pullman or possibly Yakima(?), I would definitely go with Spokane. It's fairly quiet, and mostly suburbanish. There's no real skyline or anything, but there is a downtown with restaurants and bars. The seasons are very regular. Like there is a definitive summer, fall, winter, and spring. Unlike what most people believe, it does NOT rain all the time (it's nothing like Seattle). There are nearby lakes and mountains and other beautiful scenery/activities. I've spent the past 7 years in Chicago and Miami, so my view is skewed. I'm a converted city girl for sure, but Spokane would be fine for anyone for a year. Also, on a high note, it's still pretty affordable to live there, and it's definitely an up and coming city, growing slowly, but surely. As far as where it is geographically, it's about 5 hours from Seattle, 6 hours from Portland, 30-45 min from Idaho (namely Couer d'Alene, real cute city with a beautiful lake, resort, and golf course), and about 3-4 hours from Canada.

 

[MoMed82]

Here ya go:
https://as-ars-p1.som.washington.edu/uwappstatus.htm

However, I've decided it likely doesn't mean anything - my friends who were rejected are also in the system (although they have a message to that effect rather than the confused one I get).

Is this only for OOS? What is the pin that they ask for on that site?

 

[tianac2]

Is this only for OOS? What is the pin that they ask for on that site?

Nope, that's for everybody, and as mentioned earlier in the thread, the PIN is the first two letters of your last name + the last 6 digits of your SSN.

Pullman...ah, Pullman. It is definitely a college town. There is literally nothing out there. You know how you hear about those resort towns that are booming with cute little shops and restaurants and throngs of tourists in the summer, but then close up and have a population of around 500 during the off-season? Pullman's exactly like that, only in reverse...its dead over the summer, and full of throngs of college students the rest of the year...although with an admittedly larger population than just 500. It is pretty close to the southeast corner of Washington, which means that the nearest really big city is Portland which is about 4 hours away by fairly small and windy (although breath-takingly scenic) highway along the Columbia River Gorge. Don't get me wrong, Pullman is great for the serious student, but if you're a big city kind of person that needs to know that they could feasibly have dinner in a different restaurant every night of the year, or go to a different bar or club every night for a month or more, Pullman isn't really for you. If you're easily distracted and need to be away from that to make the most of your study time, then it probably is.

 

[JJAbrams]

Is this only for OOS? What is the pin that they ask for on that site?

Every time I click on that site from the above link it doesn't even load for me. Am I doing something wrong?

 

[ami1983]

Nope, that's for everybody, and as mentioned earlier in the thread, the PIN is the first two letters of your last name + the last 6 digits of your SSN.

Pullman...ah, Pullman. It is definitely a college town. There is literally nothing out there. You know how you hear about those resort towns that are booming with cute little shops and restaurants and throngs of tourists in the summer, but then close up and have a population of around 500 during the off-season? Pullman's exactly like that, only in reverse...its dead over the summer, and full of throngs of college students the rest of the year...although with an admittedly larger population than just 500. It is pretty close to the southeast corner of Washington, which means that the nearest really big city is Portland which is about 4 hours away by fairly small and windy (although breath-takingly scenic) highway along the Columbia River Gorge. Don't get me wrong, Pullman is great for the serious student, but if you're a big city kind of person that needs to know that they could feasibly have dinner in a different restaurant every night of the year, or go to a different bar or club every night for a month or more, Pullman isn't really for you. If you're easily distracted and need to be away from that to make the most of your study time, then it probably is.

I'm moving with my SO which is why this is an issue. He has to be able to find work! but also i wouldn't want to spend 4 yrs in a small town... i'm a city girl for sure! 1 yr, thats another story... i think i could handle it. its just hard when you're responsible for changing someone else's life.

 

[MoMed82]

Every time I click on that site from the above link it doesn't even load for me. Am I doing something wrong?

Try changing the browser you're using. I have a Mac, but can't use the Safari browser. So, I use either Netscape or Firefox. It also worked on my roommate's PC using Internet Explorer.

 

[JJAbrams]

Does anybody know how long after sending your primary application in it takes to get a notification from UW that they've received your application?

 

[ami1983]

Does anybody know how long after sending your primary application in it takes to get a notification from UW that they've received your application?

i got it a few days after.