2009-2010 Northwestern University Application Thread

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i Think someone asked this but havent found a reply. Have people been rejected pre-interview yet? I've been complete since august for about 4 months now and still complete/under review. Thanks for a reply
 
questions99 said:
i Think someone asked this but havent found a reply. Have people been rejected pre-interview yet? I've been complete since august for about 4 months now and still complete/under review. Thanks for a reply
Click to expand...

Yeah I'm also complete since August and wondering the same thing.

Am I toast, or not?
 
Another silent day from Northwestern. SADNESS 🙁
 
guyski79 said:
Yeah I'm also complete since August and wondering the same thing.

Am I toast, or not?
Click to expand...

hmm i dont think we're done for, i think last year pple from our time got invites in january, but I was just wondering if we would be in the "maybe" pile instead of the "everyone not selected for interview yet" pile
 
can any current students share info about

1) how much time is there to study for the boards at northwestern...i tried to look up the curriculum maps by week, but its hard to tell...i know at vandy it seemed like you get at least a month and a half...just curious how all of this works out

2) how is the clinical training...do the students get lots of responsibility in the 3rd year or is it just glorified secretary work? does the fact that northwestern memorial is in such a nice area make it difficult to see patients that are non-private?

thanks for any info! i love Northwestern, and after being accepted i'm just looking for more info!
 
ElegantWeapon said:
can any current students share info about

1) how much time is there to study for the boards at northwestern...i tried to look up the curriculum maps by week, but its hard to tell...i know at vandy it seemed like you get at least a month and a half...just curious how all of this works out

2) how is the clinical training...do the students get lots of responsibility in the 3rd year or is it just glorified secretary work? does the fact that northwestern memorial is in such a nice area make it difficult to see patients that are non-private?

thanks for any info! i love Northwestern, and after being accepted i'm just looking for more info!
Click to expand...

i'm an m1 so i don't know how much i can really help in answering the question. but you can basically determine how much time you want to study for the boards. you get to pick the date you take them. but i think we get at least 2 week and maybe up to 6.

and northwestern memorial may be in a nice area, but it serves a huge patient population. i believe its the largest hospital system in chicago... so i would hesitate to make any type of generalization about it.
 
To all of you waiting for an interview: calm down, they're still happening.

To those of you waiting for word: to my knowledge Feinberg last year only accepted people twice in the year... once in november and once in the spring. so you might have to wait... but patience builds character.

To those of you worried about the panel interview: calm down, it is not stressful. unless you are not comfortable speaking to human beings... in which case god have mercy on your soul...😛
 
adizz mfresh said:
To all of you waiting for an interview: calm down, they're still happening.

To those of you waiting for word: to my knowledge Feinberg last year only accepted people twice in the year... once in november and once in the spring. so you might have to wait... but patience builds character.

To those of you worried about the panel interview: calm down, it is not stressful. unless you are not comfortable speaking to human beings... in which case god have mercy on your soul...😛
Click to expand...

I'm calm, just really really really wanting an interview with Northwestern 😉 :xf:
 
adizz mfresh said:
To those of you worried about the panel interview: calm down, it is not stressful. unless you are not comfortable speaking to human beings... in which case god have mercy on your soul...😛
Click to expand...

Yeah, who is going to be uncomfortable when (at a medical school interview) they are thrown into a room with 5 complete strangers and asked to solve preposterous problems? Surely you'd need to be 100% socially ******ed. I've had no problems with any of my one-on-one interviews, but Northwestern's panel interivew sucked. And I know of several people (who are completely comfortable with human beings, by the way) that agree with me.

Obviously this is an incredible medical school in the nicest area of Chicago. Obviously people who like the school will not allow their perception of the school to be negatively colored by an awkward interview strategy. But keep in mind that Northwestern accepts a huge number of people for their class size, and I'm sure the panel interview has at least something to do with it (besides the cost of attendance, fact that most people who are accepted hold multiple other top-20 acceptances, etc).

I guess my point is that those of us who disagree with you about the panel interview would appreciate not being labeled as misanthropic social ******s.
 
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adizz mfresh said:
i'm an m1 so i don't know how much i can really help in answering the question. but you can basically determine how much time you want to study for the boards. you get to pick the date you take them. but i think we get at least 2 week and maybe up to 6.

and northwestern memorial may be in a nice area, but it serves a huge patient population. i believe its the largest hospital system in chicago... so i would hesitate to make any type of generalization about it.
Click to expand...

thanks for the info adizz-hope you are enjoying NW so far!
 
bigman225 said:
Yeah, who is going to be uncomfortable when (at a medical school interview) thrown into a room with 5 complete strangers and asked to solve preposterous problems? Surely you'd need to be 100% socially ******ed. I've had no problems with any of my one-on-one interviews, but Northwestern's panel interivew sucked. And I know of several people (who are completely comfortable with human beings, by the way) who agree with me.
Click to expand...

I completely agree.

Out of all the schools I interviewed at, every single interview felt like a comfortable conversation except Northwestern's panel interview. I am not dissing the school at all, I really liked it during the interview day, but this interview was truly awkward, and not due to the fault of my fellow interviewee, who was very cool, collected and personable (there were two of us being interviewed by 3 interviewers).
 
Wait in the panel interview do they make you solve problems or something? I thought it was just regular interview style questions but they ask all three in series.
 
bigman225 said:
Yeah, who is going to be uncomfortable when (at a medical school interview) they are thrown into a room with 5 complete strangers and asked to solve preposterous problems? Surely you'd need to be 100% socially ******ed. I've had no problems with any of my one-on-one interviews, but Northwestern's panel interivew sucked. And I know of several people (who are completely comfortable with human beings, by the way) that agree with me.
Click to expand...

Hmm, well, I guess I'll have to agree that people might view the situation as "awkward," considering I did too. It's just a bit awkward sharing things amongst 5 other strangers and also having the three interviewers WATCH you while you work on your problem towards the end.

Nevertheless, all you really need to do is understand the rationale of the interview and you're golden. It's meant to gauge how you INTERACT WITH OTHERS, which means your gestures, ability to pay attention and build on the conversation while working in a group are all really valuable. IMO, that's why they throw weird questions like "what's on your ipod" at you. Just to see how you can evaluate the situation and react to it. It's not a "sell yourself and activities" type of interview, at all. That's what the one on one is for.

It's actually VERY common during I-Banking interviews because they want to see group interaction as well as ability under duress. I wouldn't say people who disliked it are "socially ******ed." That's ridiculous. I would say, however, that they're probably a bit more individualistic and don't react as well to uncomfortable or possibly unfriendly environments.

Anyway, I hope that helps out some folks who still have their interviews...
 
Reggieray2k said:
Wait in the panel interview do they make you solve problems or something? I thought it was just regular interview style questions but they ask all three in series.
Click to expand...
Yes. An open ended teamwork problem. From the scenarios I heard about, it always seemed like an interesting problem to discuss with your other interviewees.
 
nice! congrats! when were you complete?
 
Interview invite too! complete september out of state. Maybe there's still hope for the 13 other schools who haven't gotten back to me.
 
so this is officially my first post here. my apologies ahead of time for the length post...i guess i've made up for lost time!

i'm concerned about a certain experience i had with a Northwestern campus recruiter who came to my postbac campus to speak to students currently in the application cycle. was hoping i could hear feedback from what you all think or am wondering if anyone else has a similar story to share. let me know what you think:

so like i was saying, a rep from northwestern came to columbia (where i completed my postbac) to speak to applicants who are currently applying to northwestern. i wasn't sure what the nature of the meeting would be like, but i figured what the hell, can't hurt to make an appointment and speak one-on-one with someone in admissions. i showed up with my CV, questions about Northwestern on hand, and sharply dressed. the recruiter, whose name shall remain anonymous, was friendly and easy going, and struck up some small talk before asking me what my GPA and MCAT were. i was a bit caught off guard but i relayed my stats (3.6 undergrad GPA, 3.9 postbac GPA, 35 MCAT). she then asked whether i had research, volunteering, leadership experience, to which i affirmatively reply.

i'm initially feeling a bit unsure of myself, but as she checks off the laundry list, she's telling me that i'm guaranteed an interview with my numbers, and that 'this year will be a good one for you'. she offers to email me to let me know where in the process i am (if just one or both readers have reviewed my application), writes down her email and phone #, and even offers to bring me up to the dean of admissions! i must have been sitting there with this goofy grin on my face b/c it just felt too good to be true.

well lo and behold it was. after our meeting, i wanted to pinch myself.....now that i'm sitting here, 2 months later, without an interview invite. i'm starting to think i hallucinated the whole thing. i've since sent her 2 polite reminder emails (was tempted to call her since she gave me her #) and....nothing. nada. zip. was she a figment of my imagination? i mean, i have no rational explanation for her silence. i'm scared that there's something terribly egregious with my application. does anyone share a similar experience?

thanks ahead for any and all insight! (& sorry to bore you with the details, your eyes must be sufficiently glazed over by now.)
 
so...anyone know when the next wave of decisions will be
over 6 weeks for me...since interview
 
blooming doc said:
so this is officially my first post here. my apologies ahead of time for the length post...i guess i've made up for lost time!

i'm concerned about a certain experience i had with a Northwestern campus recruiter who came to my postbac campus to speak to students currently in the application cycle. was hoping i could hear feedback from what you all think or am wondering if anyone else has a similar story to share. let me know what you think:

so like i was saying, a rep from northwestern came to columbia (where i completed my postbac) to speak to applicants who are currently applying to northwestern. i wasn't sure what the nature of the meeting would be like, but i figured what the hell, can't hurt to make an appointment and speak one-on-one with someone in admissions. i showed up with my CV, questions about Northwestern on hand, and sharply dressed. the recruiter, whose name shall remain anonymous, was friendly and easy going, and struck up some small talk before asking me what my GPA and MCAT were. i was a bit caught off guard but i relayed my stats (3.6 undergrad GPA, 3.9 postbac GPA, 35 MCAT). she then asked whether i had research, volunteering, leadership experience, to which i affirmatively reply.

i'm initially feeling a bit unsure of myself, but as she checks off the laundry list, she's telling me that i'm guaranteed an interview with my numbers, and that 'this year will be a good one for you'. she offers to email me to let me know where in the process i am (if just one or both readers have reviewed my application), writes down her email and phone #, and even offers to bring me up to the dean of admissions! i must have been sitting there with this goofy grin on my face b/c it just felt too good to be true.

well lo and behold it was. after our meeting, i wanted to pinch myself.....now that i'm sitting here, 2 months later, without an interview invite. i'm starting to think i hallucinated the whole thing. i've since sent her 2 polite reminder emails (was tempted to call her since she gave me her #) and....nothing. nada. zip. was she a figment of my imagination? i mean, i have no rational explanation for her silence. i'm scared that there's something terribly egregious with my application. does anyone share a similar experience?

thanks ahead for any and all insight! (& sorry to bore you with the details, your eyes must be sufficiently glazed over by now.)
Click to expand...

Wow, that really sucks, but here's my guess:

It seems that recruiters probably don't have much sway in the admissions process. Also, remember that what she was impressed by were things that are just as well represented on your app, so going to the adcom with "hey, look at this guy/gal, they were great because of XYZ" the adcom could reply "Yeah, we know. It's on the application." It really stinks that you got such an empty promise, and I think I would imagine that anyone with sway wouldn't be so rash as to "guarantee" someone an interview, until, well, they gave the interview.

This is a super random process, and while your stats are very solid for any med school, they are not above average at a school like NW, and there is no way anyone could guarantee an interview. Just my thoughts...
 
Double-post, but whatever.

So, I did something today that was really, really tough: I mailed in my "un-acceptance." Really, this school was great and as far as location, well, AMAZING! The hospitals were beautiful, the students were nice, etc etc. But I guess for me, the PBL demo at the interview turned me off to the curriculum. To each his own I guess.

Anyway, I'm bidding adieu to the NW thread. Good luck, and I really hope they give back that spot really soon to an SDNer!
 
jerew said:
Wow, that really sucks, but here's my guess:

This is a super random process, and while your stats are very solid for any med school, they are not above average at a school like NW, and there is no way anyone could guarantee an interview. Just my thoughts...
Click to expand...

Not to mention the variability in the quality of applicants from year to year.
 
jerew said:
Double-post, but whatever.

So, I did something today that was really, really tough: I mailed in my "un-acceptance." Really, this school was great and as far as location, well, AMAZING! The hospitals were beautiful, the students were nice, etc etc. But I guess for me, the PBL demo at the interview turned me off to the curriculum. To each his own I guess.

Anyway, I'm bidding adieu to the NW thread. Good luck, and I really hope they give back that spot really soon to an SDNer!
Click to expand...

Well, I commend you on releasing your spot for others. I personally cannot bring myself to decline any acceptances yet no matter how unlikely it seems I may end up there. Who knows what could happen in the meantime.

Good luck with your other applications however, judging from your MDapps, I don't think you will need it.
 
thanks for the insight, jerew. looks like i have a better chance of getting an interview now with your 'un-acceptance' than with that recruiter's empty promises. good luck with your decision!


jerew said:
Wow, that really sucks, but here's my guess:

It seems that recruiters probably don't have much sway in the admissions process. Also, remember that what she was impressed by were things that are just as well represented on your app, so going to the adcom with "hey, look at this guy/gal, they were great because of XYZ" the adcom could reply "Yeah, we know. It's on the application." It really stinks that you got such an empty promise, and I think I would imagine that anyone with sway wouldn't be so rash as to "guarantee" someone an interview, until, well, they gave the interview.

This is a super random process, and while your stats are very solid for any med school, they are not above average at a school like NW, and there is no way anyone could guarantee an interview. Just my thoughts...
Click to expand...
 
blooming doc said:
....now that i'm sitting here, 2 months later, without an interview invite. i've since sent her 2 polite reminder emails (was tempted to call her since she gave me her #) and....nothing. nada. zip. was she a figment of my imagination? i mean, i have no rational explanation for her silence. i'm scared that there's something terribly egregious with my application. does anyone share a similar experience?
Click to expand...

"2 months later" meaning you submitted in October? There are people here waiting since August and September (see directly above your original post), so relax. That's really not long at all.
 
Last edited:
Showa57 said:
"2 months later" meaning you submitted in October? There are people here waiting since August and September (see directly above your original post), so relax. That's really not long at all.
Click to expand...


no no i was complete early september. i met the recruiter october 15th. i remember she was surprised i hadn't yet received an interview invite.

it's been 2 months since she promised me the world on a silver platter...haha sorry i can get melodramatic.
 
jerew said:
Double-post, but whatever.

So, I did something today that was really, really tough: I mailed in my "un-acceptance." Really, this school was great and as far as location, well, AMAZING! The hospitals were beautiful, the students were nice, etc etc. But I guess for me, the PBL demo at the interview turned me off to the curriculum. To each his own I guess.

Anyway, I'm bidding adieu to the NW thread. Good luck, and I really hope they give back that spot really soon to an SDNer!
Click to expand...
thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou
 
^^ LOL. Good luck Bryson, you were awesome! Always good to see math/engineering people interviewing! I was in your panel interview, and I am not a girl. That should narrow it down 🙂 ^^
 
surprised, you could have tried calling her and asked her wasup before you mailed that in.
 
jerew said:
^^ LOL. Good luck Bryson, you were awesome! Always good to see math/engineering people interviewing! I was in your panel interview, and I am not a girl. That should narrow it down 🙂 ^^
Click to expand...
I wondered who you were. I saw your mdapps said you interviewed on the same day. Thanks man.
 
I finally got invited for an interview here. I was complete since 8/24 and I got an invite on 12/13. hope this helps people.
 
ballin said:
I finally got invited for an interview here. I was complete since 8/24 and I got an invite on 12/13. hope this helps people.
Click to expand...
Awesome, ballin! Now I just need to :xf: for my interview invite 😳
 
so I called today
she looked at my app and then said I would find out within the next week
interviewed over 6 weeks ago

hopefully this doesn't mean deferral since she didn't tell me I got accepted over the phone 😉
 
Seems odd to me that she would promise something that a recruitment representative probably doesn't have anywhere approaching enough authority to promise... and even if someone did have that much authority, it would be inappropriate and unprofessional for them to take a cursory glance at your application, decide that you should be accepted, and personally accelerate your application through the process ahead of other peoples' applications...especially when lots and lots of people who apply to northwestern have good stats like those, research/volunteer etc., so this recruitment rep doesn't even seem to have a clear idea of her own school's competitiveness...

for those three reasons this whole story is really fishy. the only explanation i can think of is maybe she was trying to flirt with you?

blooming doc said:
so this is officially my first post here. my apologies ahead of time for the length post...i guess i've made up for lost time!

i'm concerned about a certain experience i had with a Northwestern campus recruiter who came to my postbac campus to speak to students currently in the application cycle. was hoping i could hear feedback from what you all think or am wondering if anyone else has a similar story to share. let me know what you think:

so like i was saying, a rep from northwestern came to columbia (where i completed my postbac) to speak to applicants who are currently applying to northwestern. i wasn't sure what the nature of the meeting would be like, but i figured what the hell, can't hurt to make an appointment and speak one-on-one with someone in admissions. i showed up with my CV, questions about Northwestern on hand, and sharply dressed. the recruiter, whose name shall remain anonymous, was friendly and easy going, and struck up some small talk before asking me what my GPA and MCAT were. i was a bit caught off guard but i relayed my stats (3.6 undergrad GPA, 3.9 postbac GPA, 35 MCAT). she then asked whether i had research, volunteering, leadership experience, to which i affirmatively reply.

i'm initially feeling a bit unsure of myself, but as she checks off the laundry list, she's telling me that i'm guaranteed an interview with my numbers, and that 'this year will be a good one for you'. she offers to email me to let me know where in the process i am (if just one or both readers have reviewed my application), writes down her email and phone #, and even offers to bring me up to the dean of admissions! i must have been sitting there with this goofy grin on my face b/c it just felt too good to be true.

well lo and behold it was. after our meeting, i wanted to pinch myself.....now that i'm sitting here, 2 months later, without an interview invite. i'm starting to think i hallucinated the whole thing. i've since sent her 2 polite reminder emails (was tempted to call her since she gave me her #) and....nothing. nada. zip. was she a figment of my imagination? i mean, i have no rational explanation for her silence. i'm scared that there's something terribly egregious with my application. does anyone share a similar experience?

thanks ahead for any and all insight! (& sorry to bore you with the details, your eyes must be sufficiently glazed over by now.)
Click to expand...
 
Crash88 said:
so I called today
she looked at my app and then said I would find out within the next week
interviewed over 6 weeks ago

hopefully this doesn't mean deferral since she didn't tell me I got accepted over the phone 😉
Click to expand...

Ahhh!! Thanks. This probably means they'll let me know soon too.

Nervous again. :scared:
 
Accepted!! :laugh: At 2:41 pm. I interviewed on 10/26.

Congratulations guys!!! 👍
 
Congrats you guys! I'm hoping for a chance! Awesome job! 👍
 
What other interview dates were there after 10/26? So I know the approximate order of reviews. 😉
 
Accepted today! Email from Dean Wallace this afternoon...interviewed 11/16. They said it would be at least 8 weeks before they got back to us so I wasn't even geared up for a decision.
 
I assume I'll be getting a deferral letter unless something happens in the next half hour before the office closes.......🙁
 
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