2009-2010 George Washington University Application Thread

[captaincbr]

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It seems GWU sends out Secondary invitation even before AMCAS is verified. Mine hasn't been verified yet since AMCAS still has 'not received' transcripts that was sent by my school on 6/2/09. I'm sending another one. Should I send out GWU secondary before AMCAS is verified or should I wait, which could take a few weeks.

I am in the same shoes as you. I'm still waiting on a transcript from my school. I figure that GWU won't have you on file yet, so sending them a secondary without the primary verified by AMCAS is useless. I am planning to wait until my transcript is received at least. Any thoughts?

 

[captaincbr]

So I'm having trouble understanding the question that says "What is your specific interest in the MD program at GW?"

Does this basically mean why am I interested in GW? Or is it asking about something else? I think I'm overthinking it, but I'm not sure.

 

[nick_carraway]

Is everybody stapling their pictures on the paper? or tape? I am sure this really doesn't matter but I figured I might as well conform...

Try paperclips.

 

[nick_carraway]

So I'm having trouble understanding the question that says "What is your specific interest in the MD program at GW?"

Does this basically mean why am I interested in GW? Or is it asking about something else? I think I'm overthinking it, but I'm not sure.

You are overthinking.

 

[nick_carraway]

I am in the same shoes as you. I'm still waiting on a transcript from my school. I figure that GWU won't have you on file yet, so sending them a secondary without the primary verified by AMCAS is useless. I am planning to wait until my transcript is received at least. Any thoughts?

I apologize for not multi-quoting with a single reply, but I didn't intend to reply to all of these when I first started.

My take is that it doesn't matter. Your app will get there within 3 days, so feel free to wait.

 

[Raindrop423]

Sorry if this is annoying (just chalk it up to me being overly anxious)...

So, just to confirm... if I did poorly in intro bio and then well in the upper bio classes, it's okay to put in the upper classes for the bio pre-req, right? They're not going to think 'oooh, what a sneaky little brat, trying to hide her crappy freshman year'?

And for English... I fulfilled my school's requirements with AP and a freshman writing class. Then I took this one class just for fun, but I wasn't really thinking ahead and took it pass/fail... so now I'm stuck with choosing AP or an upper level class that I took pass/fail. What do you think is better?

On an unrelated note... I guess a thesis is academic, right? So that doesn't get me anywhere with the accomplishment question. What do you guys think of living abroad for a year (independently, not through a school)? I learned a lot, but I feel kind of silly putting it down because it's like "you went and lived in europe and ate good food. well done. aside from lugging all your stuff around on the train, which part of that was challenging, exactly?"

 

[NeuroChaos]

Sorry if this is annoying (just chalk it up to me being overly anxious)...

So, just to confirm... if I did poorly in intro bio and then well in the upper bio classes, it's okay to put in the upper classes for the bio pre-req, right? They're not going to think 'oooh, what a sneaky little brat, trying to hide her crappy freshman year'?

And for English... I fulfilled my school's requirements with AP and a freshman writing class. Then I took this one class just for fun, but I wasn't really thinking ahead and took it pass/fail... so now I'm stuck with choosing AP or an upper level class that I took pass/fail. What do you think is better?

On an unrelated note... I guess a thesis is academic, right? So that doesn't get me anywhere with the accomplishment question. What do you guys think of living abroad for a year (independently, not through a school)? I learned a lot, but I feel kind of silly putting it down because it's like "you went and lived in europe and ate good food. well done. aside from lugging all your stuff around on the train, which part of that was challenging, exactly?"

Living abroad can be sig. accomplisment if you can find the right words to describe the experience.

 

[Beluga]

I am sort of confused on the english requirement. I tested out of the introductory writing class but it is not listed on my transcript. Therefore, I only have 3 english credits that are recorded. I will take two more writing classes (3 credits total) before I graduate though.

2 questions. 1. There is only room for 2 classes. What should I do?
2. Is it a problem that I haven't completed requirements yet?

I e mailed GW about the English requirement question and this is the reply that I got.
"We do require six semester hours of English. All coursework taught in the
English Department such as writing composition, creative writing, and
literature fulfill our requirements. Courses in mythology, religion,
philosophy, and poetry also fulfill our English Requirement. Additionally,
AP credits and advanced coursework in a foreign language can be used for our
English Requirement. We do not accept Basic English as a Foreign Language,
Computer Science, Film or Speech Classes for the English Requirement."

 

[MegaProjectile]

I am in the same shoes as you. I'm still waiting on a transcript from my school. I figure that GWU won't have you on file yet, so sending them a secondary without the primary verified by AMCAS is useless. I am planning to wait until my transcript is received at least. Any thoughts?

It doesn't matter. They will match your secondary to your AMCAS primary using your AMCAS ID. After which, they'll wait for the primary to be verified before marking you as complete.

 

[BlueElmo]

Is everybody stapling their pictures on the paper? or tape? I am sure this really doesn't matter but I figured I might as well conform...

I glued it.

 

[Luun]

I'm not sure if I'm maybe looking at my AMCAS app wrong or if this was how it's supposed to be.

I'm putting in my pre-reqs for GWU's secondary, and while looking at my AMCAS printout, it looks like I might have forgotten to change the years for the second semester of each academic year. I'm really confused because I was very careful about inputing my academic record and thought I would have caught that. Is this the way the record is supposed to be?

For exampe, my FR year I have 2006 for my semester 1 classes and then for semester 2 (which would be spring 2007) it is still listed under the 2006 year.

If this is wrong, what should I do? Just input the years as seen on my AMCAS? Or put the correct years and hope GWU doesn't just throw out my app?

 

[DocDrakeRamoray]

I'm not sure if I'm maybe looking at my AMCAS app wrong or if this was how it's supposed to be.

I'm putting in my pre-reqs for GWU's secondary, and while looking at my AMCAS printout, it looks like I might have forgotten to change the years for the second semester of each academic year. I'm really confused because I was very careful about inputing my academic record and thought I would have caught that. Is this the way the record is supposed to be?

For exampe, my FR year I have 2006 for my semester 1 classes and then for semester 2 (which would be spring 2007) it is still listed under the 2006 year.

If this is wrong, what should I do? Just input the years as seen on my AMCAS? Or put the correct years and hope GWU doesn't just throw out my app?

AMCAS changed all my dates to wrong ones. I did not do anything about it. If asked during interviews, I will explain.

 

[Luun]

AMCAS changed all my dates to wrong ones. I did not do anything about it. If asked during interviews, I will explain.

Phew, so it might not have been me. So, should I just follow my AMCAS and put the wrong years in for my pre-reqs on this secondary?

 

[BlueElmo]

Phew, so it might not have been me. So, should I just follow my AMCAS and put the wrong years in for my pre-reqs on this secondary?

I didn't follow the AMCAS. Just write in the year when you took it.

 

[DocDrakeRamoray]

Phew, so it might not have been me. So, should I just follow my AMCAS and put the wrong years in for my pre-reqs on this secondary?

I followed the AMCAS, but I regret now. BlueElmo is right.

 

[Raindrop423]

Additionally, AP credits and advanced coursework in a foreign language can be used for our English Requirement.

Wait, so something like 'spanish xyz' could work?

PS Thanks everyone for all the great information in this thread!

 

[Luun]

I didn't follow the AMCAS. Just write in the year when you took it.

I followed the AMCAS, but I regret now. BlueElmo is right.

Thank you both!

 

[basolateral]

I'm still stuck on the first question 😕.
It asks only for activities/coursework/employment that we partake in full-time (unless im reading the question wrong...).
so do we not list activities that we participate in, say, once or twice a week?

i'll be enrolled as a full time student for the 2009-2010 year, and the only activities which i plan on participating in wont take up more than 20hrs in a week.
so should i just restrict myself to simply stating i'll be a full time enrolled undergrad, or writing everything i plan on doing?

thanks in advance for any feedback!🙂

 

[BlueElmo]

I followed the AMCAS, but I regret now. BlueElmo is right.

It's okay. Probably not a big deal.

 

[DocDrakeRamoray]

It's okay. Probably not a big deal.

yea, i don't think it's a big deal either. I don't think they check exact dates for 13000 applicants.

 

[Raindrop423]

I'm still stuck on the first question 😕.
It asks only for activities/coursework/employment that we partake in full-time (unless im reading the question wrong...).
so do we not list activities that we participate in, say, once or twice a week?

i'll be enrolled as a full time student for the 2009-2010 year, and the only activities which i plan on participating in wont take up more than 20hrs in a week.
so should i just restrict myself to simply stating i'll be a full time enrolled undergrad, or writing everything i plan on doing?

thanks in advance for any feedback!🙂

I could be completely wrong, so wait for confirmation from someone else, too, but I took it to mean "account for all of your time", as in tell them everything that you do that fills up your time. So maybe you're a full time student and you're also in two clubs, or maybe you have a full time job and also volunteer and also play the cello, or maybe you have three part-time jobs and two volunteer positions. What do other people think?

 

[PinkIvy08]

I agree with Raindrop. I just told them how I'm spending my time between now and matriculation.

 

[Sleight]

we only need one pic right? some schools require two but i didnt see it anywhere...

 

[michiganpsych08]

so could founding a club on campus count for non academic accomplishment? I am not really sure....

 

[AdemTD]

Is everybody stapling their pictures on the paper? or tape? I am sure this really doesn't matter but I figured I might as well conform...

I didn't have a photo available at the time i sent mine in so I just left it blank since it is optional at this time 😉

 

[MegaProjectile]

we only need one pic right? some schools require two but i didnt see it anywhere...

There is only a box for one. So I think it's all you need.

 

[MegaProjectile]

so could founding a club on campus count for non academic accomplishment? I am not really sure....

Not any academic club--bio,chem,math etc. Starting a chess or group for the blind is ok.

 

[RecyclingBinh]

i think everyone is overthinking the questions. Just answer honestly b/c they can smell BS when they see it.

For the activities for 2009-2010, it is easy for ppl like me who still have a year left before graduation to answer but will be hard for those who graduated already.

for the courses, just list the pre-req classes that they require. if not sure, call them to make sure.

for the photo, i just taped mine on the back in case they want to peel it off or something.

p.s. don't forget to photocopy proof of citizenship. I remembered just before I was about to put it in the box at the post office. too close to call. 🙂

 

[PlaceboEffect]

p.s. don't forget to photocopy proof of citizenship. I remembered just before I was about to put it in the box at the post office. too close to call. 🙂

That's only if you were born outside of the United States, right?

 

[RRTinCO]

That's only if you were born outside of the United States, right?

yep

 

[BlueElmo]

i think everyone is overthinking the questions. Just answer honestly b/c they can smell BS when they see it.

For the activities for 2009-2010, it is easy for ppl like me who still have a year left before graduation to answer but will be hard for those who graduated already.

for the courses, just list the pre-req classes that they require. if not sure, call them to make sure.

for the photo, i just taped mine on the back in case they want to peel it off or something.

p.s. don't forget to photocopy proof of citizenship. I remembered just before I was about to put it in the box at the post office. too close to call. 🙂

Wait, we have to include citizenship thing?

 

[Kneige]

Yup, copy of passport or birth cert or proof of naturalization.

 

[utah3219]

.

 

[MegaProjectile]

Also don't forget write the date too!I forgot and had to mail the last page again.Oui

 

[AdemTD]

Yup, copy of passport or birth cert or proof of naturalization.

That was not in the instructions anywhere.

 

[RRTinCO]

Yup, copy of passport or birth cert or proof of naturalization.

only if you were born outside the US

 

[utah3219]

.

 

[AdemTD]

And yes they have sent out secondaries to people not even AMCAS Verified. FYI.

I can't believe their secondary costs $125....ridiculous.
😡

Yeah no kidding. If everyone returned a secondary that applied there, they'd make $1.6 million on secondaries. I wonder how many actually do submit a secondary...

 

[BlueElmo]

Don't use paper clips, they will scratch your picture!

Staple it on top left corner and bottom right.

Just glue it. It works perfectly.

 

[RecyclingBinh]

Also don't forget write the date too!I forgot and had to mail the last page again.Oui

date on what? next to our signature?

 

[RecyclingBinh]

And yes they have sent out secondaries to people not even AMCAS Verified. FYI.

I can't believe their secondary costs $125....ridiculous.
😡

mine was free. 😀

 

[AdemTD]

date on what? next to our signature?

yes...where it says "date" with a line over it 😉

 

[tacrum43]

I put GWU. Check and mate.

Not that it matters, but GW associated people all call it "GW", not "GWU" (despite that being the website address). Just FYI.

 

[nick_carraway]

Not that it matters, but GW associated people all call it "GW", not "GWU" (despite that being the website address). Just FYI.

It's because it's a trick!

As for the photo, use sticky dot tape like 3M puts on the back of sticky notes if you're concerned that a paperclip (or a staple) will mar your beautiful photo. That way they can restick the photo anywhere they want.

 

[Appless]

It's because it's a trick!

As for the photo, use sticky dot tape like 3M puts on the back of sticky notes if you're concerned that a paperclip (or a staple) will mar your beautiful photo. That way they can restick the photo anywhere they want.

i didnt even send a photo...i need to go borrow someones camera🙁.

 

[nick_carraway]

i didnt even send a photo...i need to go borrow someones camera🙁.

I didn't send one either. Last time I just mailed it to them a few weeks later and they were fine with it.

 

[BlueElmo]

i didnt even send a photo...i need to go borrow someones camera🙁.

Costco does it real cheap.

 

[drctother]

Hey guys,

Im looking into GWU, it looks like a really good school. I dont know if this is the appropriate forum to post this but does anyone know what the chances are for someone with A LOT of extracurriculars, good references, a 3.2, and a 29Q (11P, 7V, 11B)? Im Canadian, dunno if that matters. I just ask cuz my friend was interviewed there last year (whos also at my Canadian school) and he was similar stats. Is there a broad range for GPAs and MCATs? They claim that on the website, but so do most schools.

(I saw the average mcat is 3.6 and mcat is pretty low being like 29ish)

Also, has anyone actually been to the school? How is it? Ive never even been to Washington but based on pictures it seems to look ok

 

[BlueElmo]

Hey guys,

Im looking into GWU, it looks like a really good school. I dont know if this is the appropriate forum to post this but does anyone know what the chances are for someone with A LOT of extracurriculars, good references, a 3.2, and a 29Q (11P, 7V, 11B)? Im Canadian, dunno if that matters. I just ask cuz my friend was interviewed there last year (whos also at my Canadian school) and he was similar stats. Is there a broad range for GPAs and MCATs? They claim that on the website, but so do most schools.

(I saw the average mcat is 3.6 and mcat is pretty low being like 29ish)

Also, has anyone actually been to the school? How is it? Ive never even been to Washington but based on pictures it seems to look ok

You could try posting on the What Are My Chances thread. You might get some responses there.

 

[MegaProjectile]

Hey guys,

Im looking into GWU, it looks like a really good school. I dont know if this is the appropriate forum to post this but does anyone know what the chances are for someone with A LOT of extracurriculars, good references, a 3.2, and a 29Q (11P, 7V, 11B)? Im Canadian, dunno if that matters. I just ask cuz my friend was interviewed there last year (whos also at my Canadian school) and he was similar stats. Is there a broad range for GPAs and MCATs? They claim that on the website, but so do most schools.

(I saw the average mcat is 3.6 and mcat is pretty low being like 29ish)

Also, has anyone actually been to the school? How is it? Ive never even been to Washington but based on pictures it seems to look ok

Your verbal and GPA are kinda low. You'll may likely get an interview but you'll probably be waitlisted first. GWU tends to give out outright acceptances to high stats applicants first and accept average applicants from waitlist or later in the cycle. Each year is different as it relates to the waitlist movement.Barely moves during some cycles.