2009-2010 Northwestern University Application Thread

[CoffeeCzar]

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Still haven't gotten mine either.

 

[trueBelief]

Not gotten mine either!

 

[sburkstudent]

got mine on Monday. Working on it now.

I'm sure I sound like an idiot, but how do I attach my MDapplicants profile?

 

[jal06c]

got mine on Monday. Working on it now.

I'm sure I sound like an idiot, but how do I attach my MDapplicants profile?

go to 'my account' on the top, click on 'customize my profile' and it has a place for you to enter you MDapps profile number.

 

[Bryson17]

Hi Northwestern adcom. I'd like my app today please!

 

[Bryson17]

Hi Northwestern adcom. I'd like my app today please!

Thanks for listening! Just got it.

Ok, sorry, we can go back to productive posts involving questions about the secondary now...

 

[Snurping]

AMCAS verified 7/7. Just got the Feinberg app today.

 

[CielloStelatto]

i didn't get it yet. prolly waiting for a silly mcat score or something. 'eh.

 

[trueBelief]

Just got it today. They must be sending it out in batches coz my AMCAS was verified around 6/25

 

[RunningDiva]

I was verified on 7/24 and just got the secondary today (7/30). Looking at other posts, this was miraculously speedy.

How is every one else dealing with the LOR requirement? The website says only to send committee packet or 3 letters at first, then any others if you get an interview. I had a phone convo with admissions office and my interpretation was that we can just assign all letters on AMCAS. I assume that Northwestern can then download them at their convenience...

 

[FML]

I was verified 6/2 and I STILL don't have this one yet!

 

[felipe23]

for the coping question, do you think it would be ok to write about my mother having a chronic illness and how we dealt with the situation together? Outside of that, most of my bigger problems have been academic...

 

[JJMrK]

I like these essays. Short, and things we've already been thinking about.

 

[sburkstudent]

go to 'my account' on the top, click on 'customize my profile' and it has a place for you to enter you MDapps profile number.

thanks.

 

[musica11]

yes i finally got a secondary! more work for the weekend! 🙂

as a native of the east coast, i'm not ashamed to say i love the midwest

 

[FML]

yes i finally got a secondary! more work for the weekend! 🙂

as a native of the east coast, i'm not ashamed to say i love the midwest

yay! Just received mine as well 🙂

 

[MadTown ChzHead]

Verified 7/01 - Finally got this one a moment ago.

 

[LiveUninhibited]

What does the 2nd question mean by a personal non-academic problem? Does that mean it didn't affect academics, or wasn't directly academic?

I'm pretty sure the first part of the question (up through the parentheses) is referring to taking time off from school or between undergrad and med school. If you've been in school continuously, then talk about a non-academic activity. In any case, why would you EVER want to talk about a travel experience when you can do so much more talking about a formative non-academic activity??

Maybe if your travelling involved saving a million African babies or discovering the value of cultural diversity?

I don't understand why in every school thread people ask if the secondary is screened. Why is it so important to know that? Just do the darn secondaries as they come because whether the schools screen or not, you're gonna have to do it to get interviews and to get in to the school.

They're looking for a sign that the med school gods favor them. My UCSF, my OHSU, why hast thou forsaken me?

 

[Tabeeb12]

Does Northwestern screen applicants for the secondary, or does everyone who indicated them on AMCAS get one? Thank

Edit: I posted prematurely. I just came upon the answer. They do no screen.

 

[trueBelief]

I've done three years research work job after college, and am now doing more as a student.

I was going to talk about that. but, research is academic. but, it was a job. i wasnt going to talk about science skills ive developed, but rather interpersonal/leadership/personal qualities. things like taking initiative, resourcefulness, presenting/communicating science/managing technicians who worked under me. that kindof stuff happens in any job. but, stilll, research is academic. I havent traveled much, but ive done tons of research, job and otherwise. my only other job was long time ago, ending in 99, and it was teaching as well.

I wouldn't talk about research, do you have any other leadership experience? Some volunteering experience that you can touch on?

 

[LiveUninhibited]

I've done three years research work job after college, and am now doing more as a student.

I was going to talk about that. but, research is academic. but, it was a job. i wasnt going to talk about science skills ive developed, but rather interpersonal/leadership/personal qualities. things like taking initiative, resourcefulness, presenting/communicating science/managing technicians who worked under me. that kindof stuff happens in any job. but, stilll, research is academic. I havent traveled much, but ive done tons of research, job and otherwise. my only other job was long time ago, ending in 99, and it was teaching as well.

so, does that sound appropriate. i hope so, cuz ive written a good portion of the essay.
And whats the stuff about two weeks???? where did u see it? It says for me its due 11/15. I read about two weeks only on this thread, and panicked (im behind in lots of secondaries, but its been nowhere near 2 weeks). so, i checked my email. there is no m en tion of two weeks. just nov 15.

The 2 weeks deadline was used in the past but it seems they dropped it. Makes little difference though as you shouldn't be taking more than a week to get the secondary in.

I think research as a full-time job fits that question. I don't think they're looking for stuff outside of medical interest, just outside of an undergraduate program. Though if you're doing something like clinical volunteering you might want to try to fit that in too.

 

[LiveUninhibited]

sorry for asking so many questions. anyway, i was thinking clinical voluteering was part of "traditional educational pursuits". So, clinical volunteering experiences are good here u think? I've done one really signficant, not at all your standard "clinical volunteering", where ive really changed someones life i think (one person).. but i talk about that in my AMCAS essay, and my 15 items. sure, ive also volunteered in the ER and stuff.

okay, anyway, my question is do u think clinical activities woud fit here.

I think my problem is i have a very broad definition of "traditional educational pursuits". 80% of the premeds have done clinical volunteering... so that makes it very traditional to me.

Personally I read it as something extracurricular or full-time work.... so anything that you don't get a grade or credit for, basically.

 

[Typical Premed]

I was accepted at Northwestern this past cycle. For the 3rd question I described my experiences as summer camp counsellor and for the 2nd question I described an ethical dilemma that arose during my time as a counsellor and explained how I dealt with the situation.

 

[recklesdisaster]

hey do you know if these guys take legacy into account/ how seriously they take it ?
Or do they not care at all

 

[dbrokut]

how come seemingly everyone but me has received secondary from this school?

I was verified at least two weeks ago... anyone without secondary?

 

[FML]

how come seemingly everyone but me has received secondary from this school?

I was verified at least two weeks ago... anyone without secondary?

I was verified in early June and just got this secondary on friday.... be patient

 

[MadTown ChzHead]

I was verified in early June and just got this secondary on friday.... be patient

Verified about 5 weeks ago. Called today, gentleman said that it may be another week or two and that they have received ~3,000 apps so far that they are screening daily. All we can do is wait.

 

[FML]

screeening? I'm pretty sure they don't screen secondaries...

 

[Rach83]

I was verified on 7/24 and just got the secondary today (7/30). Looking at other posts, this was miraculously speedy.

How is every one else dealing with the LOR requirement? The website says only to send committee packet or 3 letters at first, then any others if you get an interview. I had a phone convo with admissions office and my interpretation was that we can just assign all letters on AMCAS. I assume that Northwestern can then download them at their convenience...

I'd also be interested to know how they want us to handle extra letters....

 

[dbrokut]

I just got this one today... was verified on 7/22

 

[Snurping]

For those of you who recently graduated this past spring, I have a question.

We are in an interesting transition phase, meaning most of our time has been spent in college continuously, but we may have some work experience/snazzy plans we want to tell Feinberg about. Do you think it's appropriate to talk about both a college experience and something post-college for question #3?

(Describe your experiences away from traditional educational pursuits, such as travel or time spent in the work force (other than summer or part-time employment). Specify the time frame. If you have been in school continuously, then describe a non-academic activity which has been formative.)

Thanks, and good luck!

 

[CielloStelatto]

For those of you who recently graduated this past spring, I have a question.

We are in an interesting transition phase, meaning most of our time has been spent in college continuously, but we may have some work experience/snazzy plans we want to tell Feinberg about. Do you think it's appropriate to talk about both a college experience and something post-college for question #3?

(Describe your experiences away from traditional educational pursuits, such as travel or time spent in the work force (other than summer or part-time employment). Specify the time frame. If you have been in school continuously, then describe a non-academic activity which has been formative.)

Thanks, and good luck!

I plan on talking about the job I have for the year. I started in June and worked there last summer, now with more responsibilities, so I have enough to talk about. I might add some other college thing if I come up with something brilliant.

I would just encourage you not to talk about plans if they are just that - plans only. Meaning, if there is any chance it could fall through, avoid the topic, because you don't want to look like a fool when they ask you about how it went during an interview.

 

[inthebay]

Is it a coincidence that, one day after I start my Northwestern secondary, I finally find a cheap ticket for an upcoming trip on Northwest Airlines? I think not.

Obviously, I'm still struggling on this secondary haha. One of my top choices.

 

[HereGoesNothing]

I just turned it in. After submitting a couple of essays, I had to shorten them to be 400 words or less. Silly me, I though "about 400 words" meant we'd get a little wiggle room. After quickly making a couple of changes and saving the essays, I submitted my secondary thinking I'd have a chance to look over the whole thing and check my edited essays. No such luck. I probably had some typos in there. So to warn you guys, (1) about 400 words actually means 400 or less and (2) you won't get a chance to check your application again after you start the submission process. Hopefully my mistake will help someone, even if it cost me an interview.

 

[Snurping]

I plan on talking about the job I have for the year. I started in June and worked there last summer, now with more responsibilities, so I have enough to talk about. I might add some other college thing if I come up with something brilliant.

I would just encourage you not to talk about plans if they are just that - plans only. Meaning, if there is any chance it could fall through, avoid the topic, because you don't want to look like a fool when they ask you about how it went during an interview.

Thanks for the feedback. I was going to talk about a job that I've just started doing clinical research. I don't have a ton to say about it (not really 400 words worth, at least) because I just started two days ago. I more just included the "snazzy plans" thing to include people who may still be trying to figure out what they're up to, but I appreciate the advice!

 

[robocop1998]

so i'm working on northwestern secondary right now. For the question that asks "Describe your experiences away from traditional educational pursuits, such as travel or time spent in the work force (other than summer or part-time employment). Specify the time frame. If you have been in school continuously, then describe a non-academic activity which has been formative" is it ok to walk about two experiences? I took a year off from college before applying this cycle and I have been volunteering and working in the ER. Can I just talk about those two activities?

 

[trueBelief]

so i'm working on northwestern secondary right now. For the question that asks "Describe your experiences away from traditional educational pursuits, such as travel or time spent in the work force (other than summer or part-time employment). Specify the time frame. If you have been in school continuously, then describe a non-academic activity which has been formative" is it ok to walk about two experiences? I took a year off from college before applying this cycle and I have been volunteering and working in the ER. Can I just talk about those two activities?

Since they are in the same place (ER), I can see how you can combine these experiences into one and write about both of them. If they were unrelated like volunteering and then being a residential advisor or something, then I would pick one. You should be fine with this.

 

[LAman10]

is everyone having a tough time with this secondary, or is it just me getting burned out? I mean, it's not the questions so much as the word limit that's killing me

 

[osumc2014]

is everyone having a tough time with this secondary, or is it just me getting burned out? I mean, it's not the questions so much as the word limit that's killing me

I think burnt out, I am struggling too but it doesn't seem too bad...word limit too much or too little? I think its just about right

 

[osumc2014]

Do you guys think it's ok to talk about research for the 3rd essay? is that considered non-academic?

 

[JasonE]

omumc2014, ya i think thats fine.

 

[robocop1998]

sorry i was not being cleared earlier. So basically I took a year off from college before applying to med school. During my year off, I worked as a research technician in a lab, volunteered with a sports team, and worked in the ER. For the third essay question on secondary application, should I write one paragraph on each of these activities?

 

[trueBelief]

Do you guys think it's ok to talk about research for the 3rd essay? is that considered non-academic?

imo research does NOT qualify as non-academic,and is in fact is one of the 3 tiers of academic medicine so I would steer far away from it.

 

[trueBelief]

sorry i was not being cleared earlier. So basically I took a year off from college before applying to med school. During my year off, I worked as a research technician in a lab, volunteered with a sports team, and worked in the ER. For the third essay question on secondary application, should I write one paragraph on each of these activities?

No, the questions says formative experience. Research tech is academic so I wouldn't go for that one. You can pick either of the other 2 whichever you are more comfortable writing about and can speak more about your personal qualities that might be useful in your future career as a physician.

 

[redwinger47]

Anyone know when the first wave of interviews are due out? This is definitely one of my top choices.

 

[brooklynblunder]

last year a couple of ppl got it on 8/16 or whatever, i think. so lets comeback in 10 days

 

[Alvarez13]

last year a couple of ppl got it on 8/16 or whatever, i think. so lets comeback in 10 days

SDN vacation? I like...

 

[LAman10]

anyone know if they accept more than the required 3 LORs? (if they come in a packet)

 

[tallandshort]

anyone know if they accept more than the required 3 LORs? (if they come in a packet)

I believe you can either send in a pre-med committee packet with as many LORs as you want, or send 3 individual letters and if you get an interview you can add more letters on the day of your interview. Here's the kicker though: if you send more than three letters in a committee packet, I'm not certain whether they read all of them or if they just pick three and read them. I would call/e-mail to find out. I did the individual letters so that part I wouldn't know about. Good luck!

 

[mdeast]

Just submitted after three days of doing those essays. Tough! I have no shot here, but if I wanted to check my status page for my rejection letter, where would I go?