2009-2010 Case Western Reserve University Application Thread

[st0w]

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I feel that most schools have not begun to give out interviews yet. It seems like everyone has an interview because you're here at SDN, and everyone is counting up their interviews, etc., but remember that we're still in mid-August and many schools will interview people into January and February!

Solid advice for everybody to remember - and I would even say that schools interview into March and April.

 

[st0w]

CCLCmer, does case look at apps in the order they were complete? how does applying to the college track affect the timing of an interview? i was complete on 8/5 and was expecting an interview, but have seen many ppl get them who submitted after me. just getting a little worried i guess 🙂

While I can't speak about CCLCM, it's already been said several times in this thread that Case does *not* look at apps in strictly chronological order of completion.

 

[JasonE]

While I can't speak about CCLCM, it's already been said several times in this thread that Case does *not* look at apps in strictly chronological order of completion.

thx

 

[CCLCMer]

CCLCmer, does case look at apps in the order they were complete? how does applying to the college track affect the timing of an interview? i was complete on 8/5 and was expecting an interview, but have seen many ppl get them who submitted after me. just getting a little worried i guess 🙂

What st0w said is right. Apparently the apps get downloaded in batches. When I stopped by Dean Franco's office last time, she had a stack that she said she had just gotten. Obviously, not all of those apps could have been submitted at exactly the same time! Also, she said that there were other screeners looking at some of the apps, not just her. Some screeners are going to be faster than others. So it's the luck of the draw which batch your file gets downloaded with and how long your screener takes to get through it.

Someone else who was worried about not getting an invite yet PMed me earlier. I told them that even though it seems like everyone on this whole thread has gotten an invite except you, there are still a lot going out. Even though it sucks to wait, sometimes you just have to. Believe me, I understand your pain. When I applied, I was complete around maybe the end of August. But I got invites to both programs around Halloween, interviewed at both in January, and was accepted to both at the beginning of February, in plenty of time to attend the second looks. So if you're not the very first person on SDN who gets an invite, it doesn't mean you won't get one. As long as you haven't heard anything, it means they haven't made a decision yet (and maybe didn't review you yet). Try to look at the bright side. I guarantee most of you will not have to wait as long to hear about an invite as I did!

 

[JasonE]

What st0w said is right. Apparently the apps get downloaded in batches. When I stopped by Dean Franco's office last time, she had a stack that she said she had just gotten. Obviously, not all of those apps could have been submitted at exactly the same time! Also, she said that there were other screeners looking at some of the apps, not just her. Some screeners are going to be faster than others. So it's the luck of the draw which batch your file gets downloaded with and how long your screener takes to get through it.

Someone else who was worried about not getting an invite yet PMed me earlier. I told them that even though it seems like everyone on this whole thread has gotten an invite except you, there are still a lot going out. Even though it sucks to wait, sometimes you just have to. Believe me, I understand your pain. When I applied, I was complete around maybe the end of August. But I got invites to both programs around Halloween, interviewed at both in January, and was accepted to both at the beginning of February, in plenty of time to attend the second looks. So if you're not the very first person on SDN who gets an invite, it doesn't mean you won't get one. As long as you haven't heard anything, it means they haven't made a decision yet (and maybe didn't review you yet). Try to look at the bright side. I guarantee most of you will not have to wait as long to hear about an invite as I did!

wow great post. thx a ton

 

[trueBelief]

What st0w said is right. Apparently the apps get downloaded in batches. When I stopped by Dean Franco's office last time, she had a stack that she said she had just gotten. Obviously, not all of those apps could have been submitted at exactly the same time! Also, she said that there were other screeners looking at some of the apps, not just her. Some screeners are going to be faster than others. So it's the luck of the draw which batch your file gets downloaded with and how long your screener takes to get through it.

Someone else who was worried about not getting an invite yet PMed me earlier. I told them that even though it seems like everyone on this whole thread has gotten an invite except you, there are still a lot going out. Even though it sucks to wait, sometimes you just have to. Believe me, I understand your pain. When I applied, I was complete around maybe the end of August. But I got invites to both programs around Halloween, interviewed at both in January, and was accepted to both at the beginning of February, in plenty of time to attend the second looks. So if you're not the very first person on SDN who gets an invite, it doesn't mean you won't get one. As long as you haven't heard anything, it means they haven't made a decision yet (and maybe didn't review you yet). Try to look at the bright side. I guarantee most of you will not have to wait as long to hear about an invite as I did!

Thanks a tonne for this post. Makes me feel so much better.

JasonE: you're not alone, I was complete around 8/3 and haven't heard back from either program.

 

[fastboyslim]

Sorry, Magus. It's hard to give you any specific advice without any info about you, but it looks like you have enough schools to me. Good luck, hope you get some good news soon.


Sounds like a great trip! There are a bunch of CCLCM second years running in the Akron marathon too. 👍


No. If you're seriously considering Case, they don't want you to sit on the secondary for three months, but it's fine if you turn it in after 15 or 20 days instead of 14. There's no mechanism for apps to automatically expire to the reject pile on midnight of the 15th day. 😉

One more update for everyone who applied to CCLCM: Susan, who was the admissions secretary, worked her last day today. As far as I know, they haven't hired anyone to replace her yet. I'm not sure how that will affect invites from CCLCM, but if things get slow for a while, don't panic!

I'm applying to the University program, so that's two secondary essays @ 7000 characters total. This is significantly longer than most of my secondaries. I don't know why the Adcom doesn't see us taking ~5 weeks or whatever to submit the secondary as a sign that we finish our several easier secondaries first, that we may work ~50hrs/week and have to juggle this w/ application work, and that we take the time to write solid essays for Case - rather than us being disinterested.

 

[st0w]

I don't know why the Adcom doesn't see us taking ~5 weeks or whatever to submit the secondary as a sign that we finish our several easier secondaries first, that we may work ~50hrs/week and have to juggle this w/ application work, and that we take the time to write solid essays for Case - rather than us being disinterested.

I think the idea would be that if you're really interested in a school, you'll want to turn the app around as quickly as possible so you have as strong a chance as possible. Which seems fairly logical to me.

Also, from experience, I would highly recommend against waiting until later to complete essays for schools you like. Although you may feel that taking more time may make your essay better, you are going to become burned out at some point in this process. I completed a lot of secondaries (more than 20) and I can tell you by the time I got past the tenth or fifteenth, I was not putting the same effort or energy into them. My answers became formulaic and disinterested, and no matter how much I liked a school, I just couldn't do it once I got to a certain point. So be wary of application burnout.

Like you, when I applied I had little time. I was working 50+ hours a week, taking a class, and spent a good amount of time in the gym. And I hate to reiterate the words that someone said to me when I expressed the exact same complaint that you did about time, because it just ticked me off at that point, but - it can be done. Good luck!

 

[Myuu]

I'm applying to the University program, so that's two secondary essays @ 7000 characters total. This is significantly longer than most of my secondaries. I don't know why the Adcom doesn't see us taking ~5 weeks or whatever to submit the secondary as a sign that we finish our several easier secondaries first, that we may work ~50hrs/week and have to juggle this w/ application work, and that we take the time to write solid essays for Case - rather than us being disinterested.

Hmm. Some of us also applied to 30+ plus schools and worked 60-hour weeks and still pulled it off in a reasonable time frame...

7000 chars is chump change. Plus, one of those essays is optional.

 

[CCLCMer]

I'm applying to the University program, so that's two secondary essays @ 7000 characters total. This is significantly longer than most of my secondaries. I don't know why the Adcom doesn't see us taking ~5 weeks or whatever to submit the secondary as a sign that we finish our several easier secondaries first, that we may work ~50hrs/week and have to juggle this w/ application work, and that we take the time to write solid essays for Case - rather than us being disinterested.

I'm not sure why you quoted me, because I never said any of that. 😕 I was replying to someone who asked if they would automatically be rejected if they turned their secondary in after the two week "deadline." The answer is no, and it's still no even if you turn it in after five weeks. So if you need more time, hey, turn it in whenever you get around to it. Or don't turn it in at all if you decide it's more hassle than it's worth. It's totally your call, man.

I think the idea would be that if you're really interested in a school, you'll want to turn the app around as quickly as possible so you have as strong a chance as possible. Which seems fairly logical to me.

Also, from experience, I would highly recommend against waiting until later to complete essays for schools you like. Although you may feel that taking more time may make your essay better, you are going to become burned out at some point in this process. I completed a lot of secondaries (more than 20) and I can tell you by the time I got past the tenth or fifteenth, I was not putting the same effort or energy into them. My answers became formulaic and disinterested, and no matter how much I liked a school, I just couldn't do it once I got to a certain point. So be wary of application burnout.

Like you, when I applied I had little time. I was working 50+ hours a week, taking a class, and spent a good amount of time in the gym. And I hate to reiterate the words that someone said to me when I expressed the exact same complaint that you did about time, because it just ticked me off at that point, but - it can be done. Good luck!

I agree completely with all of this. If applying to Case is important enough to you, then you'll do what is necessary to get the secondary done. It really is that simple.

 

[2014MD]

Anyone knows if they read our PS and/or LORs before offering an interview.

I think Vanderbilt does not look at LORs before choosing people to interview.

I wonder if Case is doing the same 😕

 

[Food]

Hmm. Some of us also applied to 30+ plus schools and worked 60-hour weeks and still pulled it off in a reasonable time frame...

7000 chars is chump change. Plus, one of those essays is optional.

Oh...let him gripe. God knows that's the only thing worth doing these days anyway...

 

[Myuu]

Anyone knows if they read our PS and/or LORs before offering an interview.

I think Vanderbilt does not look at LORs before choosing people to interview.

I wonder if Case is doing the same 😕

Yes.

(We read them.)

 

[Alvarez13]

Oh...let him gripe. God knows that's the only thing worth doing these days anyway...

Sigh...that's sad but so incredibly true.

 

[tallandshort]

Sigh...that's sad but so incredibly true.

Haha, the med school waiting game can be frustrating, I completely hear you. I just keep telling myself that if I"m waiting it means I'm not rejected yet 😛. Speaking of waiting, I hope Case gets around to reviewing my app soon. I'm just really excited about their program (I applied UP) and would die if I got an interview here. Come on Case!

 

[LAman10]

are invites being given out via status update or email?

anyone find it annoying that you have to use IE for case's app (I always use Mozilla otherwise)

 

[Bryson17]

are invites being given out via status update or email?

anyone find it annoying that you have to use IE for case's app (I always use Mozilla otherwise)

I used Firefox.

 

[st0w]

are invites being given out via status update or email?

Status update with e-mail notification of said status update.

anyone find it annoying that you have to use IE for case's app (I always use Mozilla otherwise)

I used pretty much any browser to do it - Opera, Firefox, Safari. I don't ever use IE and had no problem.... Unless it's something new, you should be able to use anything.

 

[LifelongStudent]

So, my roommate just called me to say that I got a letter in the mail from case. I won't be back to open it for a few more days but I was wondering if anyone has been receiving rejections via snail mail (I have no update on my status page) or if this is just that thing about the anesthesia program. Thanks!

 

[w8ting2exhale]

I was wondering does Case see applicants' answers to the CCLCM prompts? I'm wondering whether to apply to CCLMC but the prompts are pretty short so it wouldn't hurt to give it a shot. However, I don't want weak answers to affect my chances at Case. Also, because CCLCM reviews apps later, does this mean CCLCM applicants have a slighlty lower chance at Case (since it's rolling)? And one other question that's been lurking in my mind is: Do they REALLY care when you submit the sec? Is after 1 month okay? Lol

 

[iceman77_7]

I was wondering does Case see applicants' answers to the CCLCM prompts? I'm wondering whether to apply to CCLMC but the prompts are pretty short so it wouldn't hurt to give it a shot. However, I don't want weak answers to affect my chances at Case. Also, because CCLCM reviews apps later, does this mean CCLCM applicants have a slighlty lower chance at Case (since it's rolling)? And one other question that's been lurking in my mind is: Do they REALLY care when you submit the sec? Is after 1 month okay? Lol

The Case and CCLCM applications are completely separate. We never see their answers and they never see ours. Case is pretty good about treating applications equally throughout the cycle. If you would have gotten an interview on day 1, you will likely get an interview on day 100.

 

[CCLCMer]

I was wondering does Case see applicants' answers to the CCLCM prompts?

They probably do. Maybe one of the UP students can ask Christian to confirm that.

I'm wondering whether to apply to CCLMC but the prompts are pretty short so it wouldn't hurt to give it a shot. However, I don't want weak answers to affect my chances at Case.

Well, if you're going to give such weak answers that it would cause you to be rejected from the UP, it kind of makes the point of applying to CCLCM moot, doesn't it? What makes you think CCLCM would invite you with an answer to our questions that is so bad it makes the UP reject you post-secondary?

But seriously, I doubt that you would be denied a UP invite because of your answers to the CCLCM questions. Just write good answers to all the essays so you get invites to both, and that will solve the problem. 🙂

Also, because CCLCM reviews apps later, does this mean CCLCM applicants have a slighlty lower chance at Case (since it's rolling)?

It's not clear what's going to happen to invites now that Susan (our admissions secretary) has left. Dean Franco will also be going out of town in a couple of weeks. However, some invites have already gone out, and there are other screeners besides Dean Franco. So, I don't know when the next batch of invites will be sent out. In any case, no, it will not affect your chances of receiving an invite or acceptance from the UP.

And one other question that's been lurking in my mind is: Do they REALLY care when you submit the sec? Is after 1 month okay? Lol

No. They really don't. See previous posts further up this page.

The Case and CCLCM applications are completely separate. We never see their answers and they never see ours.

I think this is probably not true. CCLCM's adcomm is definitely able to see the MSTP essay for people who apply to both CCLCM and MSTP even though those two admissions are also separate. Again, maybe one of you UP students can confirm with Christian. In the meantime, for those of you applying to both, it's probably safest to assume that the UP does see every essay you submit to any of the Case programs, just like CCLCM does.

 

[st0w]

I think this is probably not true. CCLCM's adcomm is definitely able to see the MSTP essay for people who apply to both CCLCM and MSTP even though those two admissions are also separate. Again, maybe one of you UP students can confirm with Christian. In the meantime, for those of you applying to both, it's probably safest to assume that the UP does see every essay you submit to any of the Case programs, just like CCLCM does.

I've talked to the office about this before. Yes, they can see the answers to both. But the general consensus is that they don't pay much attention to the CCLCM responses. They have access to the data, but they've got enough to do just handling Case applications to also read whatever people write for CCLCM. At worst, they would probably read it but base the decision about whether or not to offer an interview strictly on what you submit for UP.

 

[CCLCMer]

I've talked to the office about this before. Yes, they can see the answers to both. But the general consensus is that they don't pay much attention to the CCLCM responses. They have access to the data, but they've got enough to do just handling Case applications to also read whatever people write for CCLCM. At worst, they would probably read it but base the decision about whether or not to offer an interview strictly on what you submit for UP.

That's what I thought. Thanks for confirming.

 

[w8ting2exhale]

Thanks guys!!! You guys are the best! : P

 

[thinker]

For me it seems only natural that CCLCM would read the first two required essays as they are bulky and informative, and since CCLCM is after all under the Case umbrella. While on the other hand I don't think Case would put too much weight on the CCLCM essays .. and I feel CCLCM doesn't neither since they are more "hypothetical" senarios in which the applicant can just imagine the best answer and write it down.. while on the other hand the first two essays are more factual and relevant (research essay!). I think the CCLCM essays are more of a formality and one little hurdle for people who don't have a genuine interest in the program to discourage them from applying...

all of the above is of course pure speculation

 

[iceman77_7]

I've talked to the office about this before. Yes, they can see the answers to both. But the general consensus is that they don't pay much attention to the CCLCM responses. They have access to the data, but they've got enough to do just handling Case applications to also read whatever people write for CCLCM. At worst, they would probably read it but base the decision about whether or not to offer an interview strictly on what you submit for UP.

Hmm... The adcom definitely hasn't had access to the CCLCM responses the last couple years, but I'm not sure if they have access to them during the interview screening process.

 

[Food]

Hey, so for the research essay are any of you having trouble writing under the char. limit? Here's my dilemma - I did research in physical organic chem, and I'm not sure if the adcoms reading it will understand it if I just jump into what I did - if it was biochem or cell bio research I could probably assume they'd know what I was talking about. So how much space do you think I should devote to setting up the background of my research?

 

[Dapper Dan]

From reading lots of older posts, it seems that almost everyone who interviews at CCLCM also interviews at Case.

 

[redrower]

Hey, so for the research essay are any of you having trouble writing under the char. limit? Here's my dilemma - I did research in physical organic chem, and I'm not sure if the adcoms reading it will understand it if I just jump into what I did - if it was biochem or cell bio research I could probably assume they'd know what I was talking about. So how much space do you think I should devote to setting up the background of my research?

i devoted a paragraph/couple sentences to explain the background. then just dove into experiment setups and methods and stuff.

assume that theyre scientifically literate and happen to read medical journals 🙄

 

[st0w]

Hmm... The adcom definitely hasn't had access to the CCLCM responses the last couple years, but I'm not sure if they have access to them during the interview screening process.

Well, I think to be accurate, they have access to it pre-interview - but I assume it's not printed out and included in the paperwork that is reviewed by the committee as part of the final post-interview decision process. During a conversation I had with someone in the office, it was made clear that plenty of people do call the UP admissions office and ask if they can see the CCLCM essays - and the comment was that yes, they could, since it's still their application system.

So I think we're both right. 🙂

 

[MzzLLX]

Thank you to everyone who has been a great help so far.

I just talked to the admissions office and they are amazingly nice. 🙂 It makes me even more excited for this school....lol

 

[Coug42]

I just checked my status page and there is a hold status under the University Track. Does anyone know what this means?

I applied to both CCLM and the UP, but there is still no status update underneath the College Track heading.

 

[Food]

Alright - last question here!

For the challenge essay - is it okay if I talk about more of like a life-experience (growing up in a multicultural household setting where I didn't exactly know where to fit in, or which cultural side to identify with?)

Because it's not a singular event, it's more of a circumstance that influenced how I grew up.

 

[trueBelief]

I just checked my status page and there is a hold status under the University Track. Does anyone know what this means?

I applied to both CCLM and the UP, but there is still no status update underneath the College Track heading.

Sorry about the hold on University Track 🙁

By college track do you mean MSTP/CTSTP? I don't see a college track written explicitly. I can't wait to hear back from Case.

 

[LXS17]

Alright - last question here!

For the challenge essay - is it okay if I talk about more of like a life-experience (growing up in a multicultural household setting where I didn't exactly know where to fit in, or which cultural side to identify with?)

Because it's not a singular event, it's more of a circumstance that influenced how I grew up.

For what it's worth, my topic is very similar to yours. I wrote about what I did in order to become fully assimilated into this culture.

 

[FluffyRabbit]

CCLCmer, does case look at apps in the order they were complete? how does applying to the college track affect the timing of an interview? i was complete on 8/5 and was expecting an interview, but have seen many ppl get them who submitted after me. just getting a little worried i guess 🙂

Just a another data point people might be interested in - I was complete on 8/5, and I literally just got the invite at both CCLCM and Case! Hang in there, yours might be coming any moment now. 🙂

 

[266202]

Case and Cleveland Clinic interview invite.

Aww snap! Complete 8/3

Goodluck everyone 🙂

 

[st0w]

For the challenge essay - is it okay if I talk about more of like a life-experience (growing up in a multicultural household setting where I didn't exactly know where to fit in, or which cultural side to identify with?)

Because it's not a singular event, it's more of a circumstance that influenced how I grew up.

That sounds like a great thing to talk about. 👍 There's nothing that says it has to be a singular event that challenged you.

For what it's worth, I wrote about a part of my upbringing as well.

 

[Bryson17]

<---- Losing hope 🙁. Man I really like this school too! Complete 7/20.

 

[Alvarez13]

Sigh...my first rejection of the season. I was really excited about this school.

 

[Bryson17]

Case and Cleveland Clinic interview invite.

Aww snap! Complete 8/3

Goodluck everyone 🙂

Just a another data point people might be interested in - I was complete on 8/5, and I literally just got the invite at both CCLCM and Case! Hang in there, yours might be coming any moment now. 🙂

Congrats guys! So jealous.

 

[Food]

That sounds like a great thing to talk about. 👍 There's nothing that says it has to be a singular event that challenged you.

For what it's worth, I wrote about a part of my upbringing as well.

Thanks haha, guess I'm submitting this tonight!

 

[Food]

For what it's worth, my topic is very similar to yours. I wrote about what I did in order to become fully assimilated into this culture.

Awesome, sounds like I'm on the right track then. I wonder how many other people wrote about assimilation...resistance is futile..

 

[Food]

Sorry about the hold on University Track 🙁

By college track do you mean MSTP/CTSTP? I don't see a college track written explicitly. I can't wait to hear back from Case.

CCLMC is the "college track" I think. Maybe I got that wrong. But it's a 5 year degree.

 

[trueBelief]

Just a another data point people might be interested in - I was complete on 8/5, and I literally just got the invite at both CCLCM and Case! Hang in there, yours might be coming any moment now. 🙂

Wow people complete around my time are hearing back but I have nothing yet, hopefully thats a good sign. I got one rejection today and would not like another one at the moment hehe

 

[trueBelief]

CCLMC is the "college track" I think. Maybe I got that wrong. But it's a 5 year degree.

yep I know that but I was confused about the status page where I only see University Track and CTSTP/MSTP track correspondence tabs

 

[CCLCMer]

For me it seems only natural that CCLCM would read the first two required essays as they are bulky and informative, and since CCLCM is after all under the Case umbrella. While on the other hand I don't think Case would put too much weight on the CCLCM essays .. and I feel CCLCM doesn't neither since they are more "hypothetical" senarios in which the applicant can just imagine the best answer and write it down.. while on the other hand the first two essays are more factual and relevant (research essay!). I think the CCLCM essays are more of a formality and one little hurdle for people who don't have a genuine interest in the program to discourage them from applying...

all of the above is of course pure speculation

It's an interesting speculation, but it's wrong concerning how CCLCM uses the CCLCM essays. The CCLCM essays do count, and they do get taken into consideration during the screening and adcomm voting process. So don't blow them off.

Hey, so for the research essay are any of you having trouble writing under the char. limit? Here's my dilemma - I did research in physical organic chem, and I'm not sure if the adcoms reading it will understand it if I just jump into what I did - if it was biochem or cell bio research I could probably assume they'd know what I was talking about. So how much space do you think I should devote to setting up the background of my research?

Give some background about the relevance of your project and how it fits into the field in general.

From reading lots of older posts, it seems that almost everyone who interviews at CCLCM also interviews at Case.

No, a lot of people don't. Keep in mind that SDN is a highly biased sample, so you shouldn't make any conclusions based on the posts you see here. People who get rejected from the UP and invited by CCLCM (not at all uncommon) just may not be posting as often. Also, not everyone who applies to CCLCM also applies to the UP.

I just checked my status page and there is a hold status under the University Track. Does anyone know what this means?

I applied to both CCLM and the UP, but there is still no status update underneath the College Track heading.

Being on hold means that you may be invited for an interview with the UP later, but not at this time. CCLCM doesn't use the Case status page. If you get an invite, they will contact you directly.

Alright - last question here!

For the challenge essay - is it okay if I talk about more of like a life-experience (growing up in a multicultural household setting where I didn't exactly know where to fit in, or which cultural side to identify with?)

Because it's not a singular event, it's more of a circumstance that influenced how I grew up.

Totally ok.

yep I know that but I was confused about the status page where I only see University Track and CTSTP/MSTP track correspondence tabs

I don't know what CTSTP is, but again, CCLCM doesn't use the Case status page to communicate with applicants.

 

[CdnHopeful]

wait..if CCLCM doesnt use the page to communicate with applicants...which page does it do??

does CTSTP not refer to it??

 

[trueBelief]

wait..if CCLCM doesnt use the page to communicate with applicants...which page does it do??

does CTSTP not refer to it??

I think the previous discussion implies CCLCM uses email. Someone who got both invites can enlighten us perhaps.