2009-2010 Case Western Reserve University Application Thread

[nick_carraway]

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Oh, yeah. I forgot to tell you guys--one of the first sets of AMCAS apps came in via FedEX to the UP admissions office the other day.

You excited yet??👍

Really? They receive hardcopies? Sad.

 

[Myuu]

Do you know if they will be the same 2 questions as last year? I forgot to ask dr mehta when she came to our school 🙁

No idea! Sorry.😳

Really? They receive hardcopies? Sad.

I'm sure they also receive electronic ones, as we're kind of big on making the most out of the intarwebs here. Could've been a box of discs for all I know.

 

[nick_carraway]

I'm sure they also receive electronic ones, as we're kind of big on making the most out of the intarwebs here. Could've been a box of discs for all I know.

Makes sense, I guess. Someone has to print them, so the med schools might as well pass the buck.

 

[trueBelief]

That would also explain the $30 fee per school, i wonder haha

 

[rockaction]

Case secondary is out! Yay, more essays. Same prompts as last year.

 

[Myuu]

Case secondary is out! Yay, more essays. Same prompts as last year.

Best of luck, guys! Hope to see you soon!🙂👍

 

[Appless]

got it too, man these 2 essay prompts are beasts....1 page each ugh, secondaries like this make me feel like not applying sometimes ahah, but i love case too much to not give myself a chance 🙂

 

[lrkoehle]

got it too, man these 2 essay prompts are beasts....1 page each ugh, secondaries like this make me feel like not applying sometimes ahah, but i love case too much to not give myself a chance 🙂

Was this secondary emailed out? I don't have anything from them...

 

[Appless]

Was this secondary emailed out? I don't have anything from them...

yah emailed out this morning to me. I was verified on like 6/2 though , so maybe thats why?

 

[MegaProjectile]

I don't have it yet.I was verified on 6/16. I already typed out my essays weeks ago though. Thank god it's the same.

 

[lrkoehle]

yah emailed out this morning to me. I was verified on like 6/2 though , so maybe thats why?

I don't know. I submitted on 6/2, so I shouldn't be so far behind that I wouldn't receive a secondary in the first batch I don't think. I guess I will just be patient. If I am rejected, I am rejected. Not much I can do about it.

 

[Appless]

I don't know. I submitted on 6/2, so I shouldn't be so far behind that I wouldn't receive a secondary in the first batch I don't think. I guess I will just be patient. If I am rejected, I am rejected. Not much I can do about it.

they dont screen so you are certainly not rejected 🙂, so i wouldnt worry about that. Mayo has you too paranoid

 

[lrkoehle]

they dont screen so you are certainly not rejected 🙂, so i wouldnt worry about that. Mayo has you too paranoid

I thought they screened for some reason. I was like, "dang, maybe I got screened out of this one..." apparently not. Well, now that I know the essay prompts are the same I can start working on it, so whenever I get the email I will be set to go.

I'm usually not too paranoid, but if I got screened out of a school that doesn't screen I would become very paranoid.

 

[sr9]

how personal do you think our answer to the first prompt should be? the first thing that comes to mind when i read it is how i had to help my best friend get out of an abusive relationship. but is that too personal to talk about on a med school app?

 

[buffywannabe]

is there a separate thread for the Cleveland Clinic thing? I am wondering what the average stats are there and I couldn't find them on the website. It sounds like a great program but I am not sure I want to apply if the average MCAT is like 39 and GPA is 3.9 cause I can't compete with those stats 🙁

 

[Appless]

is there a separate thread for the Cleveland Clinic thing? I am wondering what the average stats are there and I couldn't find them on the website. It sounds like a great program but I am not sure I want to apply if the average MCAT is like 39 and GPA is 3.9 cause I can't compete with those stats 🙁

Its very competitive partly because of the free tuition you get and limited spots. Theres no sperate thread as you apply to CCLM through the same place you would the MD program. It costs no extra money to apply, all it will cost you is the time taken to write extra essays. If you are interested i highly recomend doing it as theres no harm in doing it. You can be accepted to the clinic and the MD program, the candidates are evaluated sepeately

 

[rockaction]

What are the extra essays for the Cleveland Clinic?

On MDapps, the MCAT average for acceptees to Cleveland Clinic is ~36. Since MDapps has a bias for people with higher scores, I'd say 33-35+ is competitive. Essentially, if your numbers are competitive at Case itself you might as well apply to both. No extra charge.

 

[Appless]

What are the extra essays for the Cleveland Clinic?

On MDapps, the MCAT average for acceptees to Cleveland Clinic is ~36. Since MDapps has a bias for people with higher scores, I'd say 33-35+ is competitive. Essentially, if your numbers are competitive at Case itself you might as well apply to both. No extra charge.

I dont know but if you check the box on the app it should come up, id assume its something on research or whatnot and why CCLM

 

[osumc2014]

I dont know but if you check the box on the app it should come up, id assume its something on research or whatnot and why CCLM

CCLM essays are very short...1000 char max. I think one was about how you would be able to work in small groups and the other is about what your weakness is and how you would improve that (come up with a plan).

 

[JJMrK]

Got this one today.

 

[CCLCMer]

I thought they screened for some reason. I was like, "dang, maybe I got screened out of this one..." apparently not. Well, now that I know the essay prompts are the same I can start working on it, so whenever I get the email I will be set to go.

I'm usually not too paranoid, but if I got screened out of a school that doesn't screen I would become very paranoid.

No, you will definitely get the secondary. Try checking your spam folder, and if it's not there either, then call the office and ask for it.

how personal do you think our answer to the first prompt should be? the first thing that comes to mind when i read it is how i had to help my best friend get out of an abusive relationship. but is that too personal to talk about on a med school app?

I don't think it is. Just be prepared to discuss it at your interviews, because anything you put on the secondary is fair game.

is there a separate thread for the Cleveland Clinic thing? I am wondering what the average stats are there and I couldn't find them on the website. It sounds like a great program but I am not sure I want to apply if the average MCAT is like 39 and GPA is 3.9 cause I can't compete with those stats 🙁

We are part of Case, so there are no separate CCLCM stats. Look in the MSAR and whatever it says for Case, those are our stats too. You shouldn't feel discouraged though even if your stats are lower than Case's. I think both programs (UP and CCLCM) care a lot about fit anyway, and CCLCM really cares about it because the classes are so small and there is so much emphasis on small groups and teamwork here. Check your PM box.

On MDapps, the MCAT average for acceptees to Cleveland Clinic is ~36. Since MDapps has a bias for people with higher scores, I'd say 33-35+ is competitive. Essentially, if your numbers are competitive at Case itself you might as well apply to both. No extra charge.

Pretty much. As long as you've done research (required for CCLCM, recommended but not required for the UP), there's no reason why you shouldn't also apply to CCLCM if you're applying to Case unless you just don't want to spend the extra year.

CCLM essays are very short...1000 char max. I think one was about how you would be able to work in small groups and the other is about what your weakness is and how you would improve that (come up with a plan).

The essays are new this year. Whoever already got the secondary should post them. I forget what they are, but they were changed for sure.

 

[rockaction]

CCCLM essays:

First off, the research essay is required not optional.

CCLCM Small Group Essay:

(Required for CCLCM Applicants) Please select one of the following questions:

How would you prioritize between personal and group responsibilities?

If you were working on a small group project and another student didn't carry their load, how would you handle it? Please limit your essay to 300-1000 characters and leave a blank line between paragraphs. If you cut and paste your essay from a word processing program, be sure to place your cursor at the end of the pasted text and click on the space bar. This assures that the program will save your text correctly.

CCLCM Areas of Improvement Essay:

(Required for CCLCM Applicants) Targeted areas for improvement are identified by our students at the end of each year. Other than knowledge, what would you identify as an area that is not a strength for you? Design a plan how you could improve it. Please limit your essay to 500-1000 characters and leave a blank line between paragraphs. If you cut and paste your essay from a word processing program, be sure to place your cursor at the end of the pasted text and click on the space bar. This assures that the program will save your text correctly.

 

[CCLCMer]

CCCLM essays:

First off, the research essay is required not optional.

Right. Research essay is required for CCLCM and MSTP, optional for UP.

CCLCM Small Group Essay:

(Required for CCLCM Applicants) Please select one of the following questions:

How would you prioritize between personal and group responsibilities?

This one is new. The others are the same as last year.

 

[xcrunner01]

Submitted! This secondary was definitely not too bad. I was not thrilled about the group work essay and areas of improvement essay, until I saw that the character limits were pretty short. 🙂

Man, it's impossible to read about the Cleveland Clinic program and not practically drool...what an awesome opportunity. I really hope I at least get an interview 😍

 

[CdnHopeful]

In terms of personal adversity or hurdle for my essay, would talking about my first time working with a large group of children in an inner city camp count as a hurdle?

Or are they looking for something more difficult on a personal level?

 

[xcrunner01]

I think that's fine. 🙂 As long as you can write a meaningful essay relevant to the prompt, I don't think the exact topic is terribly important.

 

[CCLCMer]

Man, it's impossible to read about the Cleveland Clinic program and not practically drool...what an awesome opportunity. I really hope I at least get an interview 😍

Good luck, I hope things work out for you.

I think that's fine. 🙂 As long as you can write a meaningful essay relevant to the prompt, I don't think the exact topic is terribly important.

I agree. There's no right or wrong topic to pick. The adcomm is just trying to get to know something about you that isn't captured by your AMCAS.

The incoming students for all three Case programs will just be finishing their first week of classes tomorrow. It's crazy to think that you guys are already applying for next year's entering class. Those of you who end up coming to CCLCM would be the c/o 2015. 😱

 

[ChicoMaki]

For the Research Essay, what kind of details are expected about the research. I've worked on 3 projects:
1 abstract presented - working on paper.
1 abstract accepted (presenting in October) & working on paper (therefore I can only discuss conclusions without #s as per my investigator's rules)
1 currently collecting data for.

How much detail should I go in describing the approach and details. Any advice?

 

[Homoochan]

you guys got secondary for case western? how come i didn't get one

 

[lrkoehle]

you guys got secondary for case western? how come i didn't get one

I think they are sending it out over the course of a day or two. I didn't get mine until earlier this evening, and others got it this morning. I was told they don't screen, so don't be too worried.

 

[Dr Wake N Bake]

Okay. So when I get my secondary from Case, what are essay prompts that I should be expecting?

 

[RRTinCO]

Okay. So when I get my secondary from Case, what are essay prompts that I should be expecting?

I know this sounds crazy, but look up like 10 posts 😉

 

[Dr Wake N Bake]

I know this sounds crazy, but look up like 10 posts 😉

I'm seeing the CCLCM extra essay prompts but not the other ones.

 

[SteinUmStein]

Just threw my name into the hat, added Case to my primary. 👍

Will I get the secondary some time next week? How much is the fee?

 

[MegaProjectile]

For all those waiting, I called them today. They are sending out the secondaries by date of verification. They send out 300/day. They have yet to send out today's batch, I think , so we'll see what happens.

 

[RRTinCO]

I'm seeing the CCLCM extra essay prompts but not the other ones.

Sorry, they are the same as last year

The admissions Committee is interested in understanding more about you as a person. Please describe an overwhelming challenge when you were in over your head or felt personally criticized and discuss how it helped shape you as a person. You may discuss a moral or ethical dilemma, situation of personal adversity or other life-event you believe to have been an important hurdle for you. Please limit your essay to 1 page (about 3,500 characters) and leave a blank line between paragraphs.

Please describe your research experience, including the hypothesis you pursued, the methods selected, your results and interpretation of the results with respect to future findings. In addition, please add your thoughts about why this research experience has motivated you to consider a career as a physician investigator. If you have not participated in research or scholarly work, please indicate so in the text area below. Please limit your response to 1 page (about 3,500 characters), and leave a blank line between paragraphs.

 

[Dr Wake N Bake]

Thanks mate!

 

[AyCaramba]

For the Research Essay, what kind of details are expected about the research. I've worked on 3 projects:
1 abstract presented - working on paper.
1 abstract accepted (presenting in October) & working on paper (therefore I can only discuss conclusions without #s as per my investigator's rules)
1 currently collecting data for.

How much detail should I go in describing the approach and details. Any advice?

I was wondering about this too. I've worked on multiple projects and I could go into a lot of technical detail, but it seems like it would be ... kind of boring to them?

 

[MegaProjectile]

I finally got the secondary earlier this evening.I had to crop my photo else it won't load.

 

[Myuu]

I finally got the secondary earlier this evening.I had to crop my photo else it won't load.

Quick tip for photos: Use one that is both professional and likeable (i.e. you can tolerate having other people recognize you by that photo).

Ours are posted on the wall outside of admissions.

 

[Appless]

Quick tip for photos: Use one that is both professional and likeable (i.e. you can tolerate having other people recognize you by that photo).

Ours are posted on the wall outside of admissions.

haha crap i just used a random one where i was wearing a black shirt for my passport photo.........I look goofy

 

[MegaProjectile]

Quick tip for photos: Use one that is both professional and likeable (i.e. you can tolerate having other people recognize you by that photo).

Ours are posted on the wall outside of admissions.

Awesome tip!

 

[linkin06]

funny/surprising comment by an adcom (not from case) i talked to:
"if your picture is dorky, i just throw the app aside"

probably in jest

 

[jenandhansun]

Hm. I submitted the secondary app, submitted my payment, and all my LORs are received. Why am I still not "complete"??? 😡

Anyone having the same issue?

 

[Appless]

Hm. I submitted the secondary app, submitted my payment, and all my LORs are received. Why am I still not "complete"??? 😡

Anyone having the same issue?

becuase it takes weeks for schools to update sometimes because you are not the only person who did this, they have 1k+ others who did the same as you. Dont worry.

 

[jenandhansun]

Thanks Elijah, it's just that some schools have it automated in their system, so its almost automatic (which I love because I don't have to check my status everyday)

 

[JasonE]

for the personal challenge essay, do you think its okay if my essay is only between 1500-1700 characters (max is 3500)? too short?

 

[MegaProjectile]

for the personal challenge essay, do you think its okay if my essay is only between 1500-1700 characters (max is 3500)? too short?

Mine is around that ballpark. The rule of thumb is to be concise, yet clear and on point.

 

[osumc2014]

Question: Can we talk about research that we are currently doing? If so do we just say what we expect the results to be?

 

[MegaProjectile]

Question: Can we talk about research that we are currently doing? If so do we just say what we expect the results to be?

Discuss your current research project. I would not talk about the assumed results since things don't always turn out the way we plan and you can open yourself up for questioning.