2008-2009 University of Washington Secondary Application Thread

[LHKP0603]

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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?

Yea, I got it about a week or so after. Good luck!

 

[tianac2]

Update for those of you still waiting on Residency Classification--

Dana Hendricksen rocks!

So, despite the fact that I had my residency verified last year, they made me do it again this year, but only an update, so there wasn't nearly as much documentation required. However, I had all of my stuff in 3 weeks ago and still hadn't heard anything. So, I emailed Dana since she has been so incredibly helpful in the past, and not 5 minutes later, I get confirmation that I'm verified and that my information has been forwarded to the SOM. Also, Dana is always that quick! She answers questions at the speed of light, and even allowed me to email her a scanned copy of my transcript instead of having to wait the 1-2 weeks to get it from my UG. She is seriously awesome!

Moral of the story--feel free to ask her questions, about updates, etc., because she will seriously help you however she can!

 

[ronicajay]

Update for those of you still waiting on Residency Classification--

Dana Hendricksen rocks!

Dana and I are quickly becoming BFF as well. I am having to supply extra documents after the first round and it's taking forever, but she has been very helpful with the process!

 

[chemgoggles]

has anyone out of state received a secondary yet? i know they give a very strong preference to in-state residents, but I still wanted to apply.

I applied to UW and still haven't heard anything--not even a secondary. I am OOS but have a strong app with 35S MCAT and 4.0 GPA, not to mention extensive research including fellowship at the Mayo Clinic. I've pretty much given up on UW. 🙁

 

[Doc Henry]

I applied to UW and still haven't heard anything--not even a secondary. I am OOS but have a strong app with 35S MCAT and 4.0 GPA, not to mention extensive research including fellowship at the Mayo Clinic. I've pretty much given up on UW. 🙁

Their OOS selection doesn't seem to have much to do with numbers and research...it really has to do with your disadvantated socioeconomic and/or underrepresented status, or your demonstrated dedication to underserved communities. If you look on this thread there is an OOS applicant with below a 3.5 who got a secondary, but I'm sure something is making up for that.

 

[Lacheln]

Their OOS selection doesn't seem to have much to do with numbers and research...it really has to do with your disadvantated socioeconomic and/or underrepresented status, or your demonstrated dedication to underserved communities. If you look on this thread there is an OOS applicant with below a 3.5 who got a secondary, but I'm sure something is making up for that.

If you're talking about me, it's my bangin' bod.

Um no. I lie. It's my rural/disadvantaged background and clinical work with certain populations I'm sure, but I know of some other v. strong oos applicants (perhaps stronger) who didn't get the secondary, so who knows? I definitely wouldn't take it as an indication that you won't be successful elsewhere if you don't get it.

 

[foofoobunnyoink]

Has anyone had their letters status updated at all? All of the other schools I applied to that use the new AMCAS letter program have received my letters, but UW is the only one that still shows me that I'm "missing" letters. I called the admissions office but I just keep getting this voicemail saying that the box is too full of messages... 😛

 

[Doc Henry]

So I am getting through this process so much faster than I expected!

AMCAS SUBMITTED: 8/22
VERIFIED: 9/10
SECONDARY RECEIVED: 9/11

I'm working hard to finish the secondary asap. I can't wait to be anxiously wondering if I'll get an interview😀

 

[nina7123]

If you're talking about me, it's my bangin' bod.

My GPA also sucks...and I got the secondary EARLY. So, I think with OOS they really look at the ECs.

On another note...Complete at UW today!!

 

[RedLemond]

I keep hoping no news is good news....but now it's been 2 months - 1 day since I was acknowledged! What is going on up there?? 🙁

 

[nina7123]

I keep hoping no news is good news....but now it's been 2 months - 1 day since I was acknowledged! What is going on up there?? 🙁

Red are you out of region?? If so, that would explain the long delay. If you're in a WWAMI state, I would give them a call. They have been super nice every time I need something

 

[RedLemond]

Yup, I'm from Oregon (OOS)... so close and yet, so far away!

 

[flipz]

I'm an east-coaster who just added UW recently, despite the fact that my AMCAS was verified as early as the middle of June. (Firstly, can schools see that? Damn.)

Reason why I added it so late is that, like I said, I'm from the east coast. Stats about OOS acceptances in addition the fact that it's so far away kind of blocked it out of my choices for a while. I only recently delved deeper into its more-than-usual focus on the underserved, for whom my own experiences and upbringing have given me a genuine compassion. I'm literally kicking myself for having added it so late, and not learning more about UW's mission early on.

So my question follows: I read in this thread that there's a really extensive review process for OOS applicants. However, this summer I worked a lot with underserved/minority communities, and there's no way UW would know about it from my AMCAS (because I submitted in June). While my personal statement does touch upon my ambitions to work with underserved communities, I'd love for them to know about my summer. Is there anything I can do to let them know? 🙁

Thanks for any input. Best of luck to you all!!

 

[Doc Henry]

For the 200 word essay I'm having trouble fitting everything in. Would it be too casual to abbreviate University of Washington as UW or UWSOM? I can't believe how short 200 words is! It feels like I'm just bombarding them with ass kissing

 

[tianac2]

I'm an east-coaster who just added UW recently, despite the fact that my AMCAS was verified as early as the middle of June. (Firstly, can schools see that? Damn.)

Reason why I added it so late is that, like I said, I'm from the east coast. Stats about OOS acceptances in addition the fact that it's so far away kind of blocked it out of my choices for a while. I only recently delved deeper into its more-than-usual focus on the underserved, for whom my own experiences and upbringing have given me a genuine compassion. I'm literally kicking myself for having added it so late, and not learning more about UW's mission early on.

So my question follows: I read in this thread that there's a really extensive review process for OOS applicants. However, this summer I worked a lot with underserved/minority communities, and there's no way UW would know about it from my AMCAS (because I submitted in June). While my personal statement does touch upon my ambitions to work with underserved communities, I'd love for them to know about my summer. Is there anything I can do to let them know? 🙁

Thanks for any input. Best of luck to you all!!

They are really good about letting you express yourself. On the secondary there's an essay that is literally "Why UWSOM?", so you could easily touch on it there. There's also an autobiography where it could come up, and if I remember correctly there's an additional comments section as well.

DocHenry--Abbreviating is tricky. They (in my experience) are ok with UWSOM, but not UW. They actually even refer to themselves as such phonetically (you-dub-sawm). The u-dub thing is just local slang for UW. (Their big rival, Washington State or WSU, everyone pronounces Wazzu)UWSOM likes to think of themselves as affiliated with UW, but not the same thing (again, in my experience). Take all that for what you will.

 

[Doc Henry]

DocHenry--Abbreviating is tricky. They (in my experience) are ok with UWSOM, but not UW. They actually even refer to themselves as such phonetically (you-dub-sawm). The u-dub thing is just local slang for UW. (Their big rival, Washington State or WSU, everyone pronounces Wazzu)UWSOM likes to think of themselves as affiliated with UW, but not the same thing (again, in my experience). Take all that for what you will.

Yea, I'm familiar with the U-dub/wazzu thing since I'm from "the couve", lol. But you say that they are okay with UWSOM, huh? That would really help. I'm not submitting it until Monday because I figure, whats the point of submitting on the weekend when no one is there to read it?

 

[flipz]

They are really good about letting you express yourself. On the secondary there's an essay that is literally "Why UWSOM?", so you could easily touch on it there. There's also an autobiography where it could come up, and if I remember correctly there's an additional comments section as well.

Any way to express myself before I get the secondary-axe, though?

Thanks!

 

[ronicajay]

Yea, I'm familiar with the U-dub/wazzu thing since I'm from "the couve", lol. But you say that they are okay with UWSOM, huh? That would really help. I'm not submitting it until Monday because I figure, whats the point of submitting on the weekend when no one is there to read it?

I definitely abbreviated. I'm sure they'll understand that you are trying to conserve space and tell them more about how much you love the school!

🙄

 

[Doc Henry]

I definitely abbreviated. I'm sure they'll understand that you are trying to conserve space and tell them more about how much you love the school!

🙄

Great!


On another note- What is it that makes them have you prove your residency? I've never had a license other than a WA one, and I've always had a permanent WA address, but I did attend an OOS school for undergrad and live OOS part time. Also, I currently work in Oregon.

Think I'm gonna have to prove my residency? And if so, what is involved, so I can start preparing now

 

[ronicajay]

Great!


On another note- What is it that makes them have you prove your residency? I've never had a license other than a WA one, and I've always had a permanent WA address, but I did attend an OOS school for undergrad and live OOS part time. Also, I currently work in Oregon.

Think I'm gonna have to prove my residency? And if so, what is involved, so I can start preparing now

I wasn't asked to certify last year, so it could be random. It could also be that I was rejected so quickly they didn't care....

So far I've sent in my federal tax return, oregon state tax return, driver's license, car registration, voter's registration, a recent pay stub with ytd earnings, and a bank statement. According to Dana, the woman who is handling my file, you just need to send whatever you have in addition to the questionare: http://www.washington.edu/students/reg/newMedical.htm

if they require further documentation, they will ask you to send that in after the initial review.

if you have lived in washington all your life aside from some schooling, you will be fine. i only moved to washington a few years ago and work in oregon, etc. so i think i had more to prove.

 

[nina7123]

I'm an east-coaster who just added UW recently

So my question follows: I read in this thread that there's a really extensive review process for OOS applicants. However, this summer I worked a lot with underserved/minority communities, and there's no way UW would know about it from my AMCAS (because I submitted in June). While my personal statement does touch upon my ambitions to work with underserved communities, I'd love for them to know about my summer. Is there anything I can do to let them know? 🙁

In answer to this part of your question, I don't think they even give the secondary to people unless they have worked extensively with the underserved. So unless you can get that info in before the pre-sec screen then you won't have the chance to tell them about your new work activities...(as someone stated above, once you do get the secondary there is ample room to talk about yourself).

I would ask the admissions office what to do ASAP before UWSOM sees "oh...OOSer with no underserved work on AMCAS" and automatically rejects you. The admissions office has been really nice to me, but seem to communicate better through email than phone. You might be able to send in an update letter before they do your pre-screen if you get the ok early enough....

 

[Doc Henry]

Well, I got sucked into the residency verification black hole too. They say its because I went OOS for school and now work OOS. I'm not worried because I've always had a WA license, bank account, permanent address, car registration, everything! I've lived here since I was 12, but still, 4-6 more f-ing weeks to wait????????????????????? That I'm not too happy about 😡


Any tips to make it go faster (other than the ones previously stated)?

 

[Doc Henry]

Update for those of you still waiting on Residency Classification--

Dana Hendricksen rocks!

So, despite the fact that I had my residency verified last year, they made me do it again this year, but only an update, so there wasn't nearly as much documentation required. However, I had all of my stuff in 3 weeks ago and still hadn't heard anything. So, I emailed Dana since she has been so incredibly helpful in the past, and not 5 minutes later, I get confirmation that I'm verified and that my information has been forwarded to the SOM. Also, Dana is always that quick! She answers questions at the speed of light, and even allowed me to email her a scanned copy of my transcript instead of having to wait the 1-2 weeks to get it from my UG. She is seriously awesome!

Moral of the story--feel free to ask her questions, about updates, etc., because she will seriously help you however she can!

Could I get her contact info?

Thanks

 

[GirlInGreen]

Any way to express myself before I get the secondary-axe, though?

Thanks!

Why don't you send a letter in to UW as an amendment to your AMCAS and write about your experience there. Best case scenario, the have to look at it when they open it and it draws attention to your file, worst case the throw it away and you go back into the vast pile of OOR applicants.

 

[ronicajay]

Well, I got sucked into the residency verification black hole too. They say its because I went OOS for school and now work OOS. I'm not worried because I've always had a WA license, bank account, permanent address, car registration, everything! I've lived here since I was 12, but still, 4-6 more f-ing weeks to wait????????????????????? That I'm not too happy about 😡


Any tips to make it go faster (other than the ones previously stated)?

Mine finally went through today! It took forever because after submitting everything, they requested my oregon state tax return which i didnt have. then it was a whole debaucle trying to get ahold of a copy of my OR tax forms. Moral of the story, just send everything imainable and it should go through the first time. federal and oregon state tax forms, drivers license, banking info, pay stub with year to date earning or W2 form, voter reg, car reg, etc. Good luck!

Now that I'm finally complete I get to freak out about getting an interview! Yay!!!!

 

[Doc Henry]

Mine finally went through today! It took forever because after submitting everything, they requested my oregon state tax return which i didnt have. then it was a whole debaucle trying to get ahold of a copy of my OR tax forms. Moral of the story, just send everything imainable and it should go through the first time. federal and oregon state tax forms, drivers license, banking info, pay stub with year to date earning or W2 form, voter reg, car reg, etc. Good luck!

Now that I'm finally complete I get to freak out about getting an interview! Yay!!!!

THanks so much. I know, I was so excited to wait for an interview, but alas, I was stopped short. Well, its giving more time to work on my essays.

 

[airplanes]

Hey do you guys think it's too late to add UW to my AMCAS? I've always loved the school but followed the advice of my pre-med advisor and pulled it off my list (She usually forbids apps to UW and I think she forgot our previous discussion on why UW would be ok for me). I have a strong background working with the underserved and this was a big part of my personal statement. (I'm OOS)

 

[tianac2]

Could I get her contact info?

Thanks

Was she not the one that contacted you from the verification office? I was under the impression that she had the unenviable task of sorting out all of us neurotic wannabe med students!

Either way, I always just emailed her at [email protected] and its not at all uncommon for her to answer your email in under 10 minutes, and to be completely helpful, jovial, and unerring polite about it too, so prepare to be amazed...

 

[tianac2]

Hey do you guys think it's too late to add UW to my AMCAS? I've always loved the school but followed the advice of my pre-med advisor and pulled it off my list (She usually forbids apps to UW and I think she forgot our previous discussion on why UW would be ok for me). I have a strong background working with the underserved and this was a big part of my personal statement. (I'm OOS)

You could absolutely try, after all the worst thing that could happen is that they say no. Looking at your MDApps though, if you do apply, go in with the mentality that you're taking a wild shot in the dark, and if it happens great, but if not, you were kind of expecting it. I don't at all mean to be cruel, its just that UW is infamous for being absolutely ruthless with OOS applicants.

As to whether or not its too late...its hard to say. The AMCAS LOE thing is wreaking havoc on their turn-around time. Last year people were complete way faster and they started giving interviews almost two weeks ago now (last year I mean). So the whole process seems to have slowed down. Last year I wasn't complete until the very end of September, interviewed in late October, and then spent nearly the entire rest of the season "under review", so take that as you will. Also, for comparison purposes, we have fairly similar stats, I started to list them, but then I realized what a colosal tool I sounded like, so if you actually want the details, PM me.

 

[Doc Henry]

Was she not the one that contacted you from the verification office? I was under the impression that she had the unenviable task of sorting out all of us neurotic wannabe med students!

Either way, I always just emailed her at [email protected] and its not at all uncommon for her to answer your email in under 10 minutes, and to be completely helpful, jovial, and unerring polite about it too, so prepare to be amazed...

Thanks. Nobody has contacted me from the office, I just got the email from SOMAS. I called the office and talked to some guy, but seemed like he was just an office worker. I don't have any real questions right now, but I'm sure I will, and I'll be sure to email dana.

Thanks again

 

[GirlInGreen]

Anybody else working with the Alaska WWAMI office? If you qualify for this year's PFD do they really look at anything else?

Alaska...anyone?

 

[flipz]

In answer to this part of your question, I don't think they even give the secondary to people unless they have worked extensively with the underserved. So unless you can get that info in before the pre-sec screen then you won't have the chance to tell them about your new work activities...(as someone stated above, once you do get the secondary there is ample room to talk about yourself).

I would ask the admissions office what to do ASAP before UWSOM sees "oh...OOSer with no underserved work on AMCAS" and automatically rejects you. The admissions office has been really nice to me, but seem to communicate better through email than phone. You might be able to send in an update letter before they do your pre-screen if you get the ok early enough....

Why don't you send a letter in to UW as an amendment to your AMCAS and write about your experience there. Best case scenario, the have to look at it when they open it and it draws attention to your file, worst case the throw it away and you go back into the vast pile of OOR applicants.

Thanks a lot for the tips guys, I will definitely get started on an inquiring email! 🙂

 

[tianac2]

I am completely obsessing over when invites will go out for UW, so I went through last year's invite thread and the first interview came out on 9/7 for an interview on 10/15. So, either no one with an early invite is on SDN, or they're really late. So, then, I remembered that last year when you got the invite, you got a link to an interview webpage that had all the details about the interview, selection process, and even a detailed calendar from October through March including interview days, committee meetings, and everything else that you might want to know. So then, I got an idea. What if they don't create a new page but just update the same page every year...? So, I went and dug up the link from last year (yes, I kept everything they ever sent me...including my rejection), and sure enough...I was right! According to their calendar, the first interview day is the first Monday in October, the 6th. So that means that the first interview day is only a little over 2 weeks away, and yet no one has gotten an invite yet?!

I think it may be useful if we keep a running list of when we submitted, when we were complete on the status page, when we got the email, and when we found out either way. I'll start:

tianac2--Submitted 7/14, Complete (S.Page) 9/10, Complete (Email) 9/11

 

[Doc Henry]

I am completely obsessing over when invites will go out for UW, so I went through last year's invite thread and the first interview came out on 9/7 for an interview on 10/15. So, either no one with an early invite is on SDN, or they're really late. So, then, I remembered that last year when you got the invite, you got a link to an interview webpage that had all the details about the interview, selection process, and even a detailed calendar from October through March including interview days, committee meetings, and everything else that you might want to know. So then, I got an idea. What if they don't create a new page but just update the same page every year...? So, I went and dug up the link from last year (yes, I kept everything they ever sent me...including my rejection), and sure enough...I was right! According to their calendar, the first interview day is the first Monday in October, the 6th. So that means that the first interview day is only a little over 2 weeks away, and yet no one has gotten an invite yet?!

I think it may be useful if we keep a running list of when we submitted, when we were complete on the status page, when we got the email, and when we found out either way. I'll start:

tianac2--Submitted 7/14, Complete (S.Page) 9/10, Complete (Email) 9/11

I so appreciate your obsessiveness!

 

[b33sharp]

Thanks so much for your helpful post, tianac2!! You seem to know quite a bit about how UWSOM operates.

tianac2--Submitted 7/14, Complete (S.Page) 9/10, Complete (Email) 9/11
b33sharp (OOR)--Submitted 8/25?, Complete (S. Page) 8/27, Complete (Email) 8/28

 

[tianac2]

I so appreciate your obsessiveness!

Thanks! 😳

Thanks so much for your helpful post, tianac2!! You seem to know quite a bit about how UWSOM operates.

tianac2--Submitted 7/14, Complete (S.Page) 9/10, Complete (Email) 9/11
b33sharp (OOR)--Submitted 8/25?, Complete (S. Page) 8/27, Complete (Email) 8/28

You're welcome! As to my knowledge of UW, as a re-app, and a UWSOM SMDEP alum, I've had 2 1/2 full years to obsess at this level! 😀

 

[LHKP0603]

tianac2--Submitted 7/14, Complete (S.Page) 9/10, Complete (Email) 9/11
LHKP0603--Submitted 8/05, Complete (S.Page) 8/11, Complete (Email) 8/12
b33sharp (OOR)--Submitted 8/25?, Complete (S. Page) 8/27, Complete (Email) 8/28

 

[nina7123]

tianac2--Submitted 7/14, Complete (S.Page) 9/10, Complete (Email) 9/11
LHKP0603--Submitted 8/05, Complete (S.Page) 8/11, Complete (Email) 8/12
b33sharp (OOR)--Submitted 8/25?, Complete (S. Page) 8/27, Complete (Email) 8/28
nina7123 (OOR) --Submitted late august? (was waiting for my letters), Complete (Email): 9/11.

 

[GirlInGreen]

You're welcome! As to my knowledge of UW, as a re-app, and a UWSOM SMDEP alum, I've had 2 1/2 full years to obsess at this level! 😀

Best of luck this year, I really hope your perseverance pays off!

 

[ohmedschool]

tianac2--Submitted 7/14, Complete (S.Page) 9/10, Complete (Email) 9/11
LHKP0603--Submitted 8/05, Complete (S.Page) 8/11, Complete (Email) 8/12
b33sharp (OOR)--Submitted 8/25?, Complete (S. Page) 8/27, Complete (Email) 8/28
nina7123 (OOR) --Submitted late august? (was waiting for my letters), Complete (Email): 9/11.
ohmedschool (OOR) -- Submitted 9/13, Complete (S. Page) 9/14, Complete (Email) 9/15

 

[ronicajay]

tianac2--Submitted 7/14, Complete (S.Page) 9/10, Complete (Email) 9/11
LHKP0603--Submitted 8/05, Complete (S.Page) 8/11, Complete (Email) 8/12
b33sharp (OOR)--Submitted 8/25?, Complete (S. Page) 8/27, Complete (Email) 8/28
nina7123 (OOR) --Submitted late august? (was waiting for my letters), Complete (Email): 9/11.
ohmedschool (OOR) -- Submitted 9/13, Complete (S. Page) 9/14, Complete (Email) 9/15
ronicajay (IS) -- Submitted 7/24, Complete (s. page) 9/16, Complete (email) 9/17

 

[RedLemond]

My application status finally changed a couple days ago - it says I will be receiving a letter from the admissions office pretty soon....so good luck everyone with your apps and interviews! Thanks for the help and links etc!🙂

 

[ohmedschool]

My application status finally changed a couple days ago - it says I will be receiving a letter from the admissions office pretty soon....so good luck everyone with your apps and interviews! Thanks for the help and links etc!🙂

does this mean you got an interview??

 

[Doc Henry]

does this mean you got an interview??

I am pretty sure it means a rejection because, from what I understood, interview invites come with an email.

 

[brucecanbeatyou]

My application status finally changed a couple days ago - it says I will be receiving a letter from the admissions office pretty soon....so good luck everyone with your apps and interviews! Thanks for the help and links etc!🙂

Where do you see your status? Is it the same page where you check to see if all of the supplemental stuff has been received? Mine just says complete and it has been that way for a long time.

 

[infinite.inkwel]

I just received an invite for interview on Sept. 13th. No status change though. It still just say complete.

 

[Doc Henry]

I just received an invite for interview on Sept. 13th. No status change though. It still just say complete.

Congrats!

 

[infinite.inkwel]

Congrats!

thanks. good luck to all of you still waiting.

 

[Doc Henry]

Thanks! 😳



You're welcome! As to my knowledge of UW, as a re-app, and a UWSOM SMDEP alum, I've had 2 1/2 full years to obsess at this level! 😀

They tell me it can take 4-6 weeks to verify my residency once I get everything in. How long did it take you?

 

[ronicajay]

They tell me it can take 4-6 weeks to verify my residency once I get everything in. How long did it take you?

I think it would have only taken me a couple weeks if I had sent in all the documents they needed...once they had everything verified for me, it only took a few hours for UW to acknowledge my status.