2008-2009 University of Washington Secondary Application Thread

[franniemeow07]

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It means they wont consider you until you prove you are a resident. Most WA residents get a secondary, and its pretty standard procedure. It takes at least a few weeks after you gather all the necessary documents for them to make a decision.

Oh my god, are you serious? Even Washington residents are supposed to fill that out? I thought it was just for out of staters. When do we get that? I have been complete for a month and a half and have not been asked to fill that out, is that grounds for a phone call to the admissions office? 😱

 

[wepio]

Oh my god, are you serious? Even Washington residents are supposed to fill that out? I thought it was just for out of staters. When do we get that? I have been complete for a month and a half and have not been asked to fill that out, is that grounds for a phone call to the admissions office? 😱

Based on my timeline with the U, I recommend that you call them because a month and a half seems like a long time. The U has been pretty quick about updating and requesting the required information to complete my secondary. I'm not very competitive by any standard, so they really have no incentive to give any special attention to my app. As for my timeline with them, my status page indicated I was complete around the first week of November and today, November 17th, I received two emails from the U, one stating that I was complete and the other requesting residency verification. A phone call wouldn't hurt. Hope this helps.

 

[tianac2]

Oh my god, are you serious? Even Washington residents are supposed to fill that out? I thought it was just for out of staters. When do we get that? I have been complete for a month and a half and have not been asked to fill that out, is that grounds for a phone call to the admissions office? 😱

That's interesting. Only IR applicants are asked to do the residency verification and your app isn't considered complete until yours is approved. If you're complete and you never did one, I'd call them ASAP to be sure that they don't have you down as OOR for some reason.

 

[giuseppe]

just interviewed yesterday with two other students. by far the most intense interview of my life. i really wish i would've spent more time preparing, although, it wasn't possible with my current workload. if i wasn't dead set on a different school i'd probably be more frustrated than i currently am. i had the dean of admissions (a very intelligent, well-spoken female orthopedic surgeon), a neurologist, and the head of PAs. the other two applicants and i each had about 45 minutes locked in a room with this very esteemed crowd. i will never forget the flashes of disappointment i caught from time to time as i answered their questions and scenarios to the best of my ability. truly, a unique experience i'm sure i'll appreciate more as time goes on. for now, on to bigger and better things. good luck to everyone else this cycle and gunning for this great school! i am fully expecting a reject letter in the next couple weeks. do not wait until the last minute to prepare for this one, even if you haven't been given an interview yet. good luck!

 

[ronicajay]

just interviewed yesterday with two other students. by far the most intense interview of my life. i really wish i would've spent more time preparing, although, it wasn't possible with my current workload. if i wasn't dead set on a different school i'd probably be more frustrated than i currently am. i had the dean of admissions (a very intelligent, well-spoken female orthopedic surgeon), a neurologist, and the head of PAs. the other two applicants and i each had about 45 minutes locked in a room with this very esteemed crowd. i will never forget the flashes of disappointment i caught from time to time as i answered their questions and scenarios to the best of my ability. truly, a unique experience i'm sure i'll appreciate more as time goes on. for now, on to bigger and better things. good luck to everyone else this cycle and gunning for this great school! i am fully expecting a reject letter in the next couple weeks. do not wait until the last minute to prepare for this one, even if you haven't been given an interview yet. good luck!

Wow, the group is only 3 people? No pressure or anything

 

[franniemeow07]

That's interesting. Only IR applicants are asked to do the residency verification and your app isn't considered complete until yours is approved. If you're complete and you never did one, I'd call them ASAP to be sure that they don't have you down as OOR for some reason.

Thanks for the info, will definitely call tomorrow!

Oh, and also, I definitely got an email saying that my application was complete (1.5 months ago). Hopefully they didn't mistakenly mark me complete when I really wasn't 🙁.

 

[franniemeow07]

Wow!!! So I called and Stella told me that they don't ask everyone IR to fill out residency verification. Also, even though I have been complete for a 1.5 months, that I won't find out for interview yay/nay for another 6 weeks!!!! I guess they are really backed up.

 

[Fibroblastman]

To be honest, I'm scared *poop*less about my interview at Univ. WA.

 

[snizzlepants]

just interviewed yesterday with two other students. by far the most intense interview of my life. i really wish i would've spent more time preparing, although, it wasn't possible with my current workload. if i wasn't dead set on a different school i'd probably be more frustrated than i currently am. i had the dean of admissions (a very intelligent, well-spoken female orthopedic surgeon), a neurologist, and the head of PAs. the other two applicants and i each had about 45 minutes locked in a room with this very esteemed crowd. i will never forget the flashes of disappointment i caught from time to time as i answered their questions and scenarios to the best of my ability. truly, a unique experience i'm sure i'll appreciate more as time goes on. for now, on to bigger and better things. good luck to everyone else this cycle and gunning for this great school! i am fully expecting a reject letter in the next couple weeks. do not wait until the last minute to prepare for this one, even if you haven't been given an interview yet. good luck!

unfortunately, this sounds just like my experience! It was dreadful! However, i talked to several current UW med students and they said their interviews went the same way. I also talked with a physician who sometimes interviews students for UW and he said the purpose of the interview is just to see if you can talk and communicate. So don't feel so pressured. He also said that your interview performace is given a number, as is everything else in your application, so don't think that you blew your chance just because you didn't feel great about the interview.

 

[nina7123]

unfortunately, this sounds just like my experience! It was dreadful! However, i talked to several current UW med students and they said their interviews went the same way. I also talked with a physician who sometimes interviews students for UW and he said the purpose of the interview is just to see if you can talk and communicate. So don't feel so pressured. He also said that your interview performace is given a number, as is everything else in your application, so don't think that you blew your chance just because you didn't feel great about the interview.

haha I felt like I killed my interview too!! Sooooo intense. As OOR, I'm expecting a rejection though. 🙁

 

[snizzlepants]

haha I felt like I killed my interview too!! Sooooo intense. As OOR, I'm expecting a rejection though. 🙁

I heard that if you are OOR but you get an interview, you are on the same playing field as everyone else w/ an interview. But who knows if that is true! I hope so, cuz i'm OOR too!

 

[ronicajay]

I heard that if you are OOR but you get an interview, you are on the same playing field as everyone else w/ an interview. But who knows if that is true! I hope so, cuz i'm OOR too!

That may be true, but there are only a few seats for OOR if I am remembering correctly. Then again, do they really interview 700 IR applicants? That seems really high for the class size.

 

[tianac2]

That may be true, but there are only a few seats for OOR if I am remembering correctly. Then again, do they really interview 700 IR applicants? That seems really high for the class size.

The way they're going this year, they won't have time to!

 

[Meetchy]

unfortunately, this sounds just like my experience! It was dreadful! However, i talked to several current UW med students and they said their interviews went the same way. I also talked with a physician who sometimes interviews students for UW and he said the purpose of the interview is just to see if you can talk and communicate. So don't feel so pressured. He also said that your interview performace is given a number, as is everything else in your application, so don't think that you blew your chance just because you didn't feel great about the interview.

I'm not too sure about this one. In my post-interview rejection letter, it explicitly mentioned that my knowledge of health care systems and physician's role in society were lacking. It didn't say anything about my communication skills.

I probably should have spent more than 20 minutes on Wikipedia looking up health care issues the night before my interview. Oh well, I'm kinda looking to get away from the west coast for a lil while anyway.

If you really really want to go to UWSOM, RESEARCH HEALTH CARE POLICIES! I was also asked a lot about "why don't many medical students pursue primary care?"

My 2.5 cents.

 

[nina7123]

I'm not too sure about this one. In my post-interview rejection letter, it explicitly mentioned that my knowledge of health care systems and physician's role in society were lacking. It didn't say anything about my communication skills.

I probably should have spent more than 20 minutes on Wikipedia looking up health care issues the night before my interview. Oh well, I'm kinda looking to get away from the west coast for a lil while anyway.

If you really really want to go to UWSOM, RESEARCH HEALTH CARE POLICIES! I was also asked a lot about "why don't many medical students pursue primary care?"

My 2.5 cents.

I agree that you should be well versed in health policy for this interview. And...they tell you what is wrong with you in the rejection letter!?! I guess that's good, but yikes! I wonder how looooooooooooong my letter will be...🙄

 

[wawawa]

Yeah...this is definately the toughest interview I've had. Three people give you rapid fire questions/responses and basically try to rattle you. Good luck to all!

 

[brucecanbeatyou]

I got the letter today, pre-interview. They said that after "multiple independent reviews" of my application they were unable (Haha, read: unwilling; they are very able!) to offer an interview. I will be missing that in-state tuition, but I am actually pretty excited about a different program anyway.

Good luck to you guys!

 

[ronicajay]

That's too bad Bruce! Best of luck with your other options!

I was surprised that my interview was fairly tame today. Now I'm not sure what to think...I guess all I can do now is cross my fingers and toes and knees!

😕

 

[wepio]

I got the letter today, pre-interview. They said that after "multiple independent reviews" of my application they were unable (Haha, read: unwilling; they are very able!) to offer an interview. I will be missing that in-state tuition, but I am actually pretty excited about a different program anyway.

Good luck to you guys!

Sorry to read about your news. Your stats are better than mine any day, so I suppose I'm not too far behind ya. I'll be getting the "unable to offer an interview" notice soon.

This is just me ranting, but it would have been freakin' nice if they pointed out that there is a little tiny link at the bottom to the application forms when verifying residency. I just submitted all the documents required on the "Bona Fide Domicile" page. Unless I missed something, nowhere did it state to submit that questionnaire. How was I to know to click that little link! Hell, what's another freaking week of waiting before they dump my arse anyways. 😡

 

[Doc Henry]

I got the letter today, pre-interview. They said that after "multiple independent reviews" of my application they were unable (Haha, read: unwilling; they are very able!) to offer an interview. I will be missing that in-state tuition, but I am actually pretty excited about a different program anyway.

Good luck to you guys!

Ugh! I'm so scared to death now. The MSAR might have given me false hopes for getting an interview...now I'm not feeling too hot. Good luck at the rest of your schools!

 

[chewsnuffles]

I'm not too sure about this one. In my post-interview rejection letter, it explicitly mentioned that my knowledge of health care systems and physician's role in society were lacking. It didn't say anything about my communication skills.

I probably should have spent more than 20 minutes on Wikipedia looking up health care issues the night before my interview. Oh well, I'm kinda looking to get away from the west coast for a lil while anyway.

If you really really want to go to UWSOM, RESEARCH HEALTH CARE POLICIES! I was also asked a lot about "why don't many medical students pursue primary care?"

My 2.5 cents.

Yeah, well, it makes sense. Your applying to a school whose focus is primary care. 50% of those physicians are "unsatisfied" with their profession according to the latest statistics. I think UW feels as though it is their duty to keep people out who may be getting into a field that they haven't fully researched yet. (It's not like your stats indicated the inability to make it through med school, but they honestly may be doing you a favor if you don't understand WHY most medical students don't pursue primary care, because that is one of the most basic subjects today in medicine)

 

[brucecanbeatyou]

To be perfectly honest, I would have been honored to go to UW, but I'm actually really, really glad that I won't be in Wyoming for 3/4 of my education, haha!

 

[ronicajay]

To be perfectly honest, I would have been honored to go to UW, but I'm actually really, really glad that I won't be in Wyoming for 3/4 of my education, haha!

I don't think you have to do your rotations in your WWAMI state. My tour guide was from Alaska and was considering doing rotations in Seattle. I'm sure it is a possibility (my interviewers also said you can lobby to the admin if you are unhappy) to only spend the first year in WY.

 

[ronicajay]

Ugh! I'm so scared to death now. The MSAR might have given me false hopes for getting an interview...now I'm not feeling too hot. Good luck at the rest of your schools!

They interviewed me!!! I don't know what your stats are, but I was definitely shocked (reference previous posts) to receive an interview with mine. Don't give up hope yet! It doesn't seem like they are giving out interviews very far in advance (I got 2 weeks notice), so all the spots are still open! Who knows, maybe you'll be up there in December...

 

[brucecanbeatyou]

I don't think you have to do your rotations in your WWAMI state. My tour guide was from Alaska and was considering doing rotations in Seattle. I'm sure it is a possibility (my interviewers also said you can lobby to the admin if you are unhappy) to only spend the first year in WY.

Come on Ronica, I'm just trying to make myself feel better, haha! That is good to know, though.

 

[Doc Henry]

My application is still in the screening process, stella says it looks like about 4 more weeks. God this sucks

 

[USN2Doc]

My application is still in the screening process, stella says it looks like about 4 more weeks. God this sucks

I called last week and was told 4 more weeks too. I got my invite yesterday (exactly one week later).

They interviewed me!!! I don't know what your stats are, but I was definitely shocked (reference previous posts) to receive an interview with mine. Don't give up hope yet! It doesn't seem like they are giving out interviews very far in advance (I got 2 weeks notice), so all the spots are still open! Who knows, maybe you'll be up there in December...

My interview invite (that came yesterday) was for Dec 2. That's only a week! Lesson learned: be ready, be flexible.

 

[Doc Henry]

I called last week and was told 4 more weeks too. I got my invite yesterday (exactly one week later).



My interview invite (that came yesterday) was for Dec 2. That's only a week! Lesson learned: be ready, be flexible.

Psh...more reason for me to have false hope of an invite before xmas🙄 We'll see. And btw, congrats and good luck!

 

[Doc Henry]

Come on you guys, isn't there anything anyone has to report?????

 

[ami1983]

soooo.... its been more almost 2 months since i was complete. whats the deal uwsom??????

 

[Doc Henry]

soooo.... its been more almost 2 months since i was complete. whats the deal uwsom??????

Call and ask for Stella, she is so helpful and will tell you whats up.

206-543-7212

 

[ami1983]

Call and ask for Stella, she is so helpful and will tell you whats up.

206-543-7212

no answer when i call that number... 🙁

 

[nina7123]

Come on you guys, isn't there anything anyone has to report?????

Probably going to be more coming up after the Dec 4 AdCom meeting

 

[ronicajay]

Probably going to be more coming up after the Dec 4 AdCom meeting

and because i'm lazy...good luck at OHSU tomorrow!

 

[ami1983]

no answer when i call that number... 🙁

do i really just call and say "whats up with my app???" and they'll tell you?

 

[Doc Henry]

do i really just call and say "whats up with my app???" and they'll tell you?

Well, I usually try not to say the phrase "whats up". But ya, thats pretty much how it works. Stella is super nice and very helpful. Just have your AMCAS ID or SS # ready and she can tell you what stage your application is in.

 

[ami1983]

Well, I usually try not to say the phrase "whats up". But ya, thats pretty much how it works. Stella is super nice and very helpful. Just have your AMCAS ID or SS # ready and she can tell you what stage your application is in.

haha, thanks!! just talked to her and its another 4-6 weeks... sigh.

 

[snizzlepants]

When is the soonest that we might hear something after the Dec 4th meeting??

 

[wepio]

Probably going to be more coming up after the Dec 4 AdCom meeting

I assume you're referring to a decision for those ALREADY interviewed, correct? Do you know when they send out decisions on those who have not yet interviewed?

How long does it take for them to decide on your interview worthiness after the residency verification clears?

Thanks.

 

[Doc Henry]

I assume you're referring to a decision for those ALREADY interviewed, correct? Do you know when they send out decisions on those who have not yet interviewed?

How long does it take for them to decide on your interview worthiness after the residency verification clears?

Thanks.

It has taken some two weeks, but its been over a month for me and over two for others. You can call to see how much longer it may be. They will likely say 4-6 weeks...seems to be the main answer.

 

[wepio]

It has taken some two weeks, but its been over a month for me and over two for others. You can call to see how much longer it may be. They will likely say 4-6 weeks...seems to be the main answer.

Yeah, based on the responses by most people, it seems that the 4-6 weeks is the canned response. I was hoping to get a more accurate response estimate based on the experiences people have had. Oh well. I'll just have to wait and see.

Did you ever ask why it has been taking them so long to make a decision on your app? It would be nice of them to at least tell you something more than just to wait, right? I guess it's better than them declining your application immediately. It's most likely a good thing anyways because it means that you're application is good enough and on par with their interview/acceptance range. Good luck with UW.

 

[nina7123]

and because i'm lazy...good luck at OHSU tomorrow!

Thanks!! 🙂 How was your UW Interview?? I hope we all hear something soon

Has anyone actually been accepted yet?

 

[ronicajay]

Thanks!! 🙂 How was your UW Interview?? I hope we all hear something soon

Has anyone actually been accepted yet?

Definitely not as stressful as some people have experienced, whether that is a good or bad thing 😕

How about OHSU?

 

[nina7123]

Definitely not as stressful as some people have experienced, whether that is a good or bad thing 😕

How about OHSU?

That's probably good, my interview was so stressful...I'm not expecting to hear good news. OHSU was a really nice school but I want to do MD/MPH programs and OHSU only offers biostat/epi...which isn't too exciting. Plus, that program is only 6 spots so I won't hold my breath!

At least you don't have to wait too long until UW adcom meeting

 

[Doc Henry]

Yeah, based on the responses by most people, it seems that the 4-6 weeks is the canned response. I was hoping to get a more accurate response estimate based on the experiences people have had. Oh well. I'll just have to wait and see.

Did you ever ask why it has been taking them so long to make a decision on your app? It would be nice of them to at least tell you something more than just to wait, right? I guess it's better than them declining your application immediately. It's most likely a good thing anyways because it means that you're application is good enough and on par with their interview/acceptance range. Good luck with UW.

I don't really ask a lot of questions. Stella says its still in the screening process which I take to mean that they are holding out for better applicants and putting me on the back burner.

 

[franniemeow07]

I don't really ask a lot of questions. Stella says its still in the screening process which I take to mean that they are holding out for better applicants and putting me on the back burner.

Hey Doc Henry...don't worry, you're not alone! I was complete on 10/2, so around the same time you were..still in screening as well...we can be waiting buddies 😀 😀

 

[Optimus123]

I had an interview a while ago. It was totally chill, and by no means was I in any way "grilled." They seemed legitimately interested in getting to know me and the way that I think.

Personally, I think they have the reputation of "grilling" you because of the management BEFORE the new dean of admissions took over. She is ridiculously nice and cool, and she discussed in detail how their system works and how the interview is designed to make you feel comfortable. This is only her second year running things, and she has switched things up dramatically.

For example, some of you have no doubt seen the interview question "who were the Nobel prize winners this year?" posted for UW. When she heard about that, she immediately contacted the person and told them they are NOT to ask questions about super specific detail like that.

Anyway, for everyone that reads this and will be interviewing in the future, CHILL OUT AND APPROACH THE INTERVIEW WITH CONFIDENCE!

EDIT:

I saw some people above mention it being a grilling this time around. Perhaps it is based on the committee members you get.

 

[nina7123]

So...is anyone planning on calling the admissions office tomorrow to see if they'll give you decisions over the phone? (and if not, when we can expect our little envelope?)

 

[Optimus123]

Uhh Nina, hello, you will be getting an acceptance e-mail, not a stupid little envelope.

 

[ronicajay]

Uhh Nina, hello, you will be getting an acceptance e-mail, not a stupid little envelope.

Optimus is right, the stupid envelope is for me!