2009-2010 George Washington University Application Thread

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MegaProjectile said:
I'd just list the classes and student activities you're involved in.You are finished with school by December right? So I won't put down prospective job offers since your interview will be scheduled before you even start the job. Only if the job starts in the summer should you put it down.
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Im involved in nothing as once i graduate school I have to move back home which is 2 hours or so away from where i am now. Im not driving 4 hours a day or more to volunteer where i currently am. And i dont think i need to list my current activities as i already did that on the primary?
 
Elijah05 said:
Im involved in nothing as once i graduate school I have to move back home which is 2 hours or so away from where i am now. Im not driving 4 hours a day or more to volunteer where i currently am. And i dont think i need to list my current activities as i already did that on the primary?
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You can be redundant with listing your current activities even though is on AMCAS. Schools barely read your AMCAS in its entirety that's why they repeat some prompts from AMCAS. A typical AMCAS application is 12 pages long so schools can't read all you put in.
 
Were you guys emailed the secondary already or did you browse around the website to find it?
 
amikhchi said:
Were you guys emailed the secondary already or did you browse around the website to find it?
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The updated secondary is located on the school's website. GWU officially sends out their secondaries to everyone after June 24th which is when AMCAS sends in your primary. So, don't turn it in until they've have received your primary.

This process is for those who want to get an early heads start on their secondaries and not be overwhelmed considering the amount of schools they are applying to.
 
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MegaProjectile said:
The updated secondary is located on the school's website. GWU officially sends out their secondaries to everyone after June 24th which is when AMCAS sends in your primary. So, don't turn it in until they've have received your primary.

This process is for those you want get an early heads start on their secondaries and not be overwhelmed considering the amount of schools they are applying to.
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I'm going to wait until 6/24.
 
do most schools post these early mega? I tried looking at like 15 school websites to find secondaries and none had them early that i knew of 🙁. Though i didnt see the GWU one readily either so maybe im just dumb? lol.
 
Elijah05 said:
do most schools post these early mega? I tried looking at like 15 school websites to find secondaries and none had them early that i knew of 🙁. Though i didnt see the GWU one readily either so maybe im just dumb? lol.
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I haven't actually started researching my other schools yet.I found the GWU link by accident.I was trying to get an idea of the previous cycle's prompts and the link I clicked on led me to their updated secondary.

I'll let you know if I stumble on anything.
 
One of the questions is indicate activities, coursework, employment, etc for that period to account for full-time involvement. Does this refer to the upcoming year (as in this coming fall and next spring) or what?
 
amikhchi said:
One of the questions is indicate activities, coursework, employment, etc for that period to account for full-time involvement. Does this refer to the upcoming year (as in this coming fall and next spring) or what?
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Yes.Summer and Fall 2009 through Spring 2010.
 
GW secondary seems to ask for only for pre-req grades ....does that mean if you had a huge upward trend or got good grades in upper-div bio classes, you are screwed? I mean I know your AMCAS GPA goes up, but that sucks if the school doesn't pay much attention to it
 
alibai3ah said:
GW secondary seems to ask for only for pre-req grades ....does that mean if you had a huge upward trend or got good grades in upper-div bio classes, you are screwed? I mean I know your AMCAS GPA goes up, but that sucks if the school doesn't pay much attention to it
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Its not like they wont look at your total transcript, they even state that on the secondary, many schools make you refill out something like this. Dont worry about it. If you have a C in a pre req or something its not like they are going to trash your app.
 
so isn't all of what you put in that section technically *planned* activities?
 
alibai3ah said:
GW secondary seems to ask for only for pre-req grades ....does that mean if you had a huge upward trend or got good grades in upper-div bio classes, you are screwed? I mean I know your AMCAS GPA goes up, but that sucks if the school doesn't pay much attention to it
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You can actually use your division bio classes to fufill prereqs. My school doesn't offer general biology for science majors.Adcoms just wanna make you sure took 8 credits of biology. You cannot use biochemistry or botany in lieu of any prereqs though.
 
MegaProjectile said:
You can actually use your division bio classes to fufill prereqs. My school doesn't offer general biology for science majors.Adcoms just wanna make you sure took 8 credits of biology. You cannot use biochemistry or botany in lieu of any prereqs though.
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Eh my school did offer the general stuff, but I just didn't get the best of grades then, but I got my A's in neuro, immuno, biochem and classes like that. If only I paid attention freshman year....
 
amikhchi said:
so isn't all of what you put in that section technically *planned* activities?
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Not necessarily.If you're still in school you can list your classes and the student organization you are part of. I'm not in school so i'm listing my current employment.

If you have already found a summer job you can list that even though you haven't started yet.But you can't list jobs or activities you *think* you might be getting or involved in. You only enter things you 100% sure of since you'll be asked about your recent activities in your interviews.
 
But it asks what you're doing for 2009-2010. There's no way you can know for certain what you'll be doing in 2010. So wouldn't that just be what you're planning on doing?
 
PlaceboEffect said:
But it asks what you're doing for <b>2009-2010</b>. There's no way you can know for certain what you'll be doing in 2010. So wouldn't that just be what you're planning on doing?
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True but they assume a lot of students will either be entering their final college year this fall or are currently working. Or even both. That's why there is a provision for entering courses or employments.Those you can be certain of.
 
but i mean if i put my work down there, and 2 months later get fired doesn't that screw it all up?
 
amikhchi said:
but i mean if i put my work down there, and 2 months later get fired doesn't that screw it all up?
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Haha.It shouldn't. No one can predict those things and if it happens you can explain yourself. I'm actually getting a letter of recommendation from my work since it's related to healthcare and my boss promised to write me a good one. GWU allows up to 5 letters and only one of those is required from a science professor so if you get can a letter from your boss explaining your work ethic and character you might actually enhance your application.Not required though.
 
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Man, can't believe you guys are already working on this.
 
I know GWU gets ****load of apps. I mean, it makes sense. So far, it's the only school-specific thread on SDN with two pages already! :laugh:
 
BlueElmo said:
Man, can't believe you guys are already working on this.
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2 previous application cycles, roughly 20 schools (30 total, only 20 secondaries sent out) each cycle, two TPR prep courses, two mcats, and probably around $10k... not to mention roughly 40 rejection post-secondary (no interviews)...

so yeah, i gotta maximize my chances however possible, i'm running out of available credit...
 
so for the first question..
do we say soemthing like

(date)(company name)(position);(date)(volunteeringplace)(position);(date)(company name)(internship)

I cant think of any way to describe the activities in 2 sentences without this format..any ideas.?
 
Simran1031 said:
so for the first question..
do we say soemthing like

(date)(company name)(position);(date)(volunteeringplace)(position);(date)(company name)(internship)

I cant think of any way to describe the activities in 2 sentences without this format..any ideas.?
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thast what I did...you cant fit a lot on there. I dont think you need full sentances as if they were interested in that they can see your amcas app or would give you more space.
 
amikhchi said:
2 previous application cycles, roughly 20 schools (30 total, only 20 secondaries sent out) each cycle, two TPR prep courses, two mcats, and probably around $10k... not to mention roughly 40 rejection post-secondary (no interviews)...

so yeah, i gotta maximize my chances however possible, i'm running out of available credit...
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that sucks 3rd time applicant 🙁 hope it works out dude. At least this time i think i saw you retook the mcat and got like a 35? I cant imagine that wont make you get an acceptance🙂
 
wait...the GWU secondary is a print out app right? I printed it out 10 days ago and thought it was old. I guess it's the most updated one.

on another note...is everyone typing it in or hand-writing it? It doesn't seem that bad at all.
 
RecyclingBinh said:
wait...the GWU secondary is a print out app right? I printed it out 10 days ago and thought it was old. I guess it's the most updated one.

on another note...is everyone typing it in or hand-writing it? It doesn't seem that bad at all.
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ill answer you twice 😉 its a fill-able pdf. so dont hand write it.
 
amikhchi said:
but i mean if i put my work down there, and 2 months later get fired doesn't that screw it all up?
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First off, Hey all my fellow "early bird" GWU applicants. Gl everyone...I hear it pays to get started with this process as early as possible, so GO US! 😉

Secondly, I think they want what we anticipate doing this upcoming year. Surely they know that the future is not set in stone, but they want to know what we're trying to do with our time (and making sure that we're being productive).

Just my two cents on the matter...
 
PinkIvy08 said:
First off, Hey all my fellow "early bird" GWU applicants. Gl everyone...I hear it pays to get started with this process as early as possible, so GO US! 😉

Secondly, I think they want what we anticipate doing this upcoming year. Surely they know that the future is not set in stone, but they want to know what we're trying to do with our time (and making sure that we're being productive).

Just my two cents on the matter...
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Hello Pink! Glad you could join us.Good luck to you too.We are all here to help each other out! I'm thinking GWU is going to exceed 13,000 applications this year so the pressure is on. *fingers crossed*
 
Ok I don't know if I'm being an overly neurotic pre-med here, but I have two good responses for the 2nd question. But the first activity was a one time thing that was VERY hard/and unique and the 2nd activity is less unique, but a skill I learned over a much longer period of time.

I know they said "most significant" but do they mean memorable/unique or do they mean something you learned and will carry on for the rest of your life?
 
alibai3ah said:
Ok I don't know if I'm being an overly neurotic pre-med here, but I have two good responses for the 2nd question. But the first activity was a one time thing that was VERY hard/and unique and the 2nd activity is less unique, but a skill I learned over a much longer period of time.

I know they said "most significant" but do they mean memorable/unique or do they mean something you learned and will carry on for the rest of your life?
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I think you're thinking too hard. Write to express not to impress. In other words, write what you think means most to you, whether it be medically-related or not. Don't over think--pitfall of most pre-meds and med applicants. Enjoy & GL.
 
alibai3ah said:
Ok I don't know if I'm being an overly neurotic pre-med here, but I have two good responses for the 2nd question. But the first activity was a one time thing that was VERY hard/and unique and the 2nd activity is less unique, but a skill I learned over a much longer period of time.

I know they said "most significant" but do they mean memorable/unique or do they mean something you learned and will carry on for the rest of your life?
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Does it have to be either or? It can be both. I would think your most significant non-academic accomplishment would be something memorable that you were part of and touched you. Don't try too hard with this question. Be natural with your answer. You don't want the adcom rolling their eyes when reading your answer.



Edit:sushichopstickz beat me to it! You stole words from my mouth.lol
 
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sushichopstickz said:
Just don't do the above slip on your secondary. It can send the wrong/bow-chica-bow-wow message. Haha, just giving you a hard time. Good luck guys.
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Haha. I'm a terrible proof-reader! I could see the adcoms cringing when they read my PS.lol
 
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K Thanks for letting me know! I'll write the most natural response possible
 
alibai3ah said:
Ok I don't know if I'm being an overly neurotic pre-med here, but I have two good responses for the 2nd question. But the first activity was a one time thing that was VERY hard/and unique and the 2nd activity is less unique, but a skill I learned over a much longer period of time.

I know they said "most significant" but do they mean memorable/unique or do they mean something you learned and will carry on for the rest of your life?
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I agree you're probably over-thinking this. But if you really can't chose between the two, I'd write an essay for each and have someone else read them and give their opinion on which makes a stronger point.
 
Hello, fellow GW applicants! I haven't started working on the secondary yet but I feel rather weird about listing what I'm planning on doing in the coming year. What if I don't end up doing that?? I graduated in May and won't be in school....so I guess what I'll be doing is important...But what if I change plans? Should I just write my current summer job (which I may or may not continue in the fall)?

Btw, I may be overthinking this bc I'm actually considering americorps but I'm far from sure.
 
For question 10 (most significant non-academic accomplishment) it says to restrict your answer to 5 lines, but they give you 6 lines to write in....just an observation.
 
Anyone who writes on the sixth line has his or her application immediately rejected.
 
w8ting2exhale said:
Hello, fellow GW applicants! I haven't started working on the secondary yet but I feel rather weird about listing what I'm planning on doing in the coming year. What if I don't end up doing that?? I graduated in May and won't be in school....so I guess what I'll be doing is important...But what if I change plans? Should I just write my current summer job (which I may or may not continue in the fall)?

Btw, I may be overthinking this bc I'm actually considering americorps but I'm far from sure.
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This question has come up quite a few times . My response is to state what you think you're most probably going to be doing from this summer into your interview. Your summer job is your best bet.

I would also advise you to put in a volunteer activity in there too. It's easy to get have a volunteer gig lined up and it doesn't have to be full-time or even part-time. It can be once a week or twice a month at soup kitchen/shelter or mentoring program. It lets the school know that you're busy and also making some positive contribution to society. You mentioned Americorp but I'm not sure how easy it is to get.
 
Adamarama said:
Anyone who writes on the sixth line has his or her application immediately rejected.
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I can neither confirm nor deny this.:laugh:

However, I can see them penalizing someone for not taking instructions.😎
 
finally put the finishing touches on this secondary and im done!! This will probably be one of my better secondaries consideirng how much time I put into it, hope it pays off...knowing me though, this will probably be one of my 1st rejections haha🙁
 
Elijah05 said:
finally put the finishing touches on this secondary and im done!! This will probably be one of my better secondaries consideirng how much time I put into it, hope it pays off...knowing me though, this will probably be one of my 1st rejections haha🙁
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Hehe. I can understand why the secondary is taking some time to complete. I spent quite some time last night thinking of the last question "Why GW?". I have some good reasons for wanting to attend GWU but articulating my point properly turned into quite a chore.:smack:
 
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PlaceboEffect said:
For question 10 (most significant non-academic accomplishment) it says to restrict your answer to 5 lines, but they give you 6 lines to write in....just an observation.
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OMG i didn't realize this. thanks for the warning. probably a little something they do to eliminate people who don't pay attention. :laugh: this should get rid like 5000 apps for sure. 😀
 
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