2009-2010 Northwestern University Application Thread

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Hey everyone,

Just thought I'd post some thoughts about NU as people form their opinions/make their decisions about medical schools. I pm'd this to someone earlier...

.Here are some quick things I think are exceptional at NU:

1) Curriculum--many schools have organ system, p/f, and pbl--though not all schools have supplemental classes like commumications, ethics, medical decision making etc. Furthermore we have very little class time which is WHAT YOU WANT TO LOOK FOR. We have 4 hours of class some days, 6 hours of class other days. This allows us to not be worn out so we can study, and it allows us to have fun.

2) Location--many people will say we have the best med school location of any US school. I believe it. Beautiful lake 1 block East good for beach vball, water sports, and jogging. Michigan Avenue 2 blocks West--you can buy anything you'll ever need. All pro sports you'd ever want, easily reachable by public transportation. Tons of great restaurants--I've never had bad food here. Most everyone lives 2 blocks away from campus, very close to each other so meeting up is a snap. The only downside is the winter but at least we're super close to campus. *also we are walking distance from countless bars and we usually take short cab rides to bar/clubs, clubs--most without cover. Drinks are usually $3-5 which is great. We go out most weekends/some weekedays until 2 weeks before the test.

3) Superb mentorship and faculty relations--we have a college mentor who is there whenever we need her--no joke. We have society mentors who we've also met on a number of occasions who are also willing to help. We rotate mentors for PBL, and other small classes so we meet tons of faculty that way. This makes shadowing/mentorship very easy. Furthermore we are VERY well staffed with TAs and faculty in anatomy lab and histo lab so we never are left confused or with questions. It's also a plus that we have a 6/body but 4 at a time in anatomy lab so we all really get to get down in it. *also have big sibs and are grouped into societies of M1-M4

4) It's a really chill environment altogether--we have a ton of fun and work hard when we need to. The class is very, very intelligent and well rounded and we have good relations with upper classmen. There are tons of volunteering opportunities, opportunities abroad, and we are easily set up with research with a $3K stipend..


Hope that helps. Good luck in these last few months.
 
Hey everyone,

Just thought I'd post some thoughts about NU as people form their opinions/make their decisions about medical schools. I pm'd this to someone earlier...

.Here are some quick things I think are exceptional at NU:

1) Curriculum--many schools have organ system, p/f, and pbl--though not all schools have supplemental classes like commumications, ethics, medical decision making etc. Furthermore we have very little class time which is WHAT YOU WANT TO LOOK FOR. We have 4 hours of class some days, 6 hours of class other days. This allows us to not be worn out so we can study, and it allows us to have fun.

2) Location--many people will say we have the best med school location of any US school. I believe it. Beautiful lake 1 block East good for beach vball, water sports, and jogging. Michigan Avenue 2 blocks West--you can buy anything you'll ever need. All pro sports you'd ever want, easily reachable by public transportation. Tons of great restaurants--I've never had bad food here. Most everyone lives 2 blocks away from campus, very close to each other so meeting up is a snap. The only downside is the winter but at least we're super close to campus. *also we are walking distance from countless bars and we usually take short cab rides to bar/clubs, clubs--most without cover. Drinks are usually $3-5 which is great. We go out most weekends/some weekedays until 2 weeks before the test.

3) Superb mentorship and faculty relations--we have a college mentor who is there whenever we need her--no joke. We have society mentors who we've also met on a number of occasions who are also willing to help. We rotate mentors for PBL, and other small classes so we meet tons of faculty that way. This makes shadowing/mentorship very easy. Furthermore we are VERY well staffed with TAs and faculty in anatomy lab and histo lab so we never are left confused or with questions. It's also a plus that we have a 6/body but 4 at a time in anatomy lab so we all really get to get down in it. *also have big sibs and are grouped into societies of M1-M4

4) It's a really chill environment altogether--we have a ton of fun and work hard when we need to. The class is very, very intelligent and well rounded and we have good relations with upper classmen. There are tons of volunteering opportunities, opportunities abroad, and we are easily set up with research with a $3K stipend..


Hope that helps. Good luck in these last few months.

thx! do you know if NW gives out merit based scholarships?
 
Hey everyone,

Just thought I'd post some thoughts about NU as people form their opinions/make their decisions about medical schools. I pm'd this to someone earlier...

.Here are some quick things I think are exceptional at NU:

1) Curriculum--many schools have organ system, p/f, and pbl--though not all schools have supplemental classes like commumications, ethics, medical decision making etc. Furthermore we have very little class time which is WHAT YOU WANT TO LOOK FOR. We have 4 hours of class some days, 6 hours of class other days. This allows us to not be worn out so we can study, and it allows us to have fun.

2) Location--many people will say we have the best med school location of any US school. I believe it. Beautiful lake 1 block East good for beach vball, water sports, and jogging. Michigan Avenue 2 blocks West--you can buy anything you'll ever need. All pro sports you'd ever want, easily reachable by public transportation. Tons of great restaurants--I've never had bad food here. Most everyone lives 2 blocks away from campus, very close to each other so meeting up is a snap. The only downside is the winter but at least we're super close to campus. *also we are walking distance from countless bars and we usually take short cab rides to bar/clubs, clubs--most without cover. Drinks are usually $3-5 which is great. We go out most weekends/some weekedays until 2 weeks before the test.

3) Superb mentorship and faculty relations--we have a college mentor who is there whenever we need her--no joke. We have society mentors who we've also met on a number of occasions who are also willing to help. We rotate mentors for PBL, and other small classes so we meet tons of faculty that way. This makes shadowing/mentorship very easy. Furthermore we are VERY well staffed with TAs and faculty in anatomy lab and histo lab so we never are left confused or with questions. It's also a plus that we have a 6/body but 4 at a time in anatomy lab so we all really get to get down in it. *also have big sibs and are grouped into societies of M1-M4

4) It's a really chill environment altogether--we have a ton of fun and work hard when we need to. The class is very, very intelligent and well rounded and we have good relations with upper classmen. There are tons of volunteering opportunities, opportunities abroad, and we are easily set up with research with a $3K stipend..


Hope that helps. Good luck in these last few months.
drool_1_1.gif
 
I found this description if anyone is looking into this for incoming class:
Huge three bedroom, three bath duplex condo with large outdoor terrace. Located in Dearborn Park I, a few blocks from millenium park and grant park. Walk to the lake and downtown. Apt. has hardwood floors throughout. Updated kitchen with stainless appliances. Lots of storage closets. Large master bedroom with extra large walk-in closet. Complex has outdoor pools and tennis courts. Rental parking available in garage in adjacent building, also city permit street parking available. Apt. is 1700 sq. ft. Agent owned. 773-851-1888

Call 773-851-1888 for showings.

Plymouth Court at 9th & State Street (google map) (yahoo map)

Location: 1115 S. Plymouth Ct
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
Original URL: http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/apa/1642475969.html
 
... Furthermore we have very little class time which is WHAT YOU WANT TO LOOK FOR. We have 4 hours of class some days, 6 hours of class other days. This allows us to not be worn out so we can study, and it allows us to have fun...
Also, attendance at lecture is not required (so even fewer hours of class!). The audio is recorded so if you want you can sleep in and listen to the lecture whenever you want. Most people do attend lectures but I know some who haven't attended one since the 1st unit.

do you know if NW gives out merit based scholarships?
Like ApoK said there aren't many. They do offer need based aid for those who qualify.
 
I found this description if anyone is looking into this for incoming class:
Huge three bedroom, three bath duplex condo with large outdoor terrace. Located in Dearborn Park I, a few blocks from millenium park and grant park. Walk to the lake and downtown. Apt. has hardwood floors throughout. Updated kitchen with stainless appliances. Lots of storage closets. Large master bedroom with extra large walk-in closet. Complex has outdoor pools and tennis courts. Rental parking available in garage in adjacent building, also city permit street parking available. Apt. is 1700 sq. ft. Agent owned. 773-851-1888

Call 773-851-1888 for showings.

Plymouth Court at 9th & State Street (google map) (yahoo map)

Location: 1115 S. Plymouth Ct
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
Original URL: http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/apa/1642475969.html

that location would require you to take a bus, and it's likely expensive. If you are going to live further away, I would recommend moving up near lincoln park or lakeview where rent is cheaper.
 
I've been checking Craigslist/ http://www.housingmaps.com/ which has been pretty interesting. Gotta jump on a good deal but its still too early to be making any leases.

Does anyone know the new match list for Northwestern? I didn't find anything on their website.
 
I've been checking Craigslist/ http://www.housingmaps.com/ which has been pretty interesting. Gotta jump on a good deal but its still too early to be making any leases.

Does anyone know the new match list for Northwestern? I didn't find anything on their website.

if you want to live nearby, just come up for a weekend and visit all of the apartment buildings nearby...they will all have apartments available...that's what most of m1's do
 
I've been checking Craigslist/ http://www.housingmaps.com/ which has been pretty interesting. Gotta jump on a good deal but its still too early to be making any leases.

Does anyone know the new match list for Northwestern? I didn't find anything on their website.

I wouldn't be too worried about jumping at a good deal now, they come up all the time. Lincoln Park/Lakeview are great places to live to save on rent - plus the neighborhoods are a lot more vibrant. You can find good 1 bedroom apartments for as low as $800 and studios in the $700s. With roommates you can get an even better deal and so much more room than a place in Streeterville. The 145 and 146 bus are express from Belmont Ave to Michigan Ave, 148 from Irving Park Rd to Mich, 143 from south of Belmont to Mich. Also being close to the lake means easy access to Lake Shore Drive if you want to drive to school (there is pretty cheap parking at school if you live outside a certain range) and an off street bike path that takes you straight to school.

They don't publish an electronic version of the match list that I know of - only paper copies available in the office of medical education.
 
I received a merit based scholarship (80k over 4 years) but am withdrawing.

hope it goes to one of you guys! good luck!
 
I received a merit based scholarship (80k over 4 years) but am withdrawing.

hope it goes to one of you guys! good luck!

wow. thx for the heads up.

were you notified by email?
 
No, it was in the mail. I had actually withdrawn two days before I got it, which made it a little bit harder, (but I can't turn down Penn...).
 
No, it was in the mail. I had actually withdrawn two days before I got it, which made it a little bit harder, (but I can't turn down Penn...).

thx for the info. congrats on penn. its an awesome/fun school.
 
I received an email today awarding me a need based grant, and I have 3 weeks to respond. I haven't decided on a school yet, so is it okay to accept this if I am not 100% I will go to NU?
 
I received an email today awarding me a need based grant, and I have 3 weeks to respond. I haven't decided on a school yet, so is it okay to accept this if I am not 100% I will go to NU?

Yes it is okay to accept the offer.
 
Just offered me $90,000. Little blown away..... this might sound really naive, but once you see it in writing the magnitude of the cost and how much money factors into this whole process kinda hits you.

(Can you tell this is the first financial aid package I have received? hahah)
 
hey guys,

i was admitted for the class of 2014. boo ya!

does anyone have the agenda for the second look schedule? i am trying to book my flights but i registered late, and don't have access to the second look itinerary!

thanks guys. hope to see y'all there! 😎
 
for those who got merit based scholarships, mind posting your accomplisments to get a sense of what it takes to be selected for one? thanks!
 
good to see NU dishing out some $ in aid. congrats!
 
Got a $100,000 grant here, kind of woke me up and made me take a second look at NW, esp. since Michigan is being so stingy this year.

Where do medical students live that's two blocks away, and how much is it per month? What is the actual building/company name so I can look it up? Thanks so much and maybe I'll see you next year! 🙂
 
Got a $100,000 grant here, kind of woke me up and made me take a second look at NW, esp. since Michigan is being so stingy this year.

Where do medical students live that's two blocks away, and how much is it per month? What is the actual building/company name so I can look it up? Thanks so much and maybe I'll see you next year! 🙂

I am curious (being a Michigan undergrad), how much was Michigan's award?
 
Any current Northwestern students willing to comment on the school? Pluses, minuses, things you wish you would have known? Do you hang out with classmates often, do you all live near each other? Thanks for any info you can provide, just trying to check out all the options. 🙂
 
Any current Northwestern students willing to comment on the school? Pluses, minuses, things you wish you would have known? Do you hang out with classmates often, do you all live near each other? Thanks for any info you can provide, just trying to check out all the options. 🙂

Hey, SteinUmStein. I'm re-posting Wontonman86's post from above, since it appears to provide some of the info you're looking for. Also, if you check out the disussion about midway down page 11 (I was involved in this), people give specific properties/rates for apts around the campus. Also, re: housing: after speaking with some people (hi, Ballin!), it seems like you can get a good place in a 2- or 3-bedroom apt or condo for ~$750 - 900/month in the area around Northwestern if you're willing to do a bit of Craigslist digging and research. Not sure what the rates are if you're looking for a 1-bedroom apt, but a Craigslist search of the Streeterville area should provide a quick answer. 🙂

"Hey everyone,

Just thought I'd post some thoughts about NU as people form their opinions/make their decisions about medical schools. I pm'd this to someone earlier...

Here are some quick things I think are exceptional at NU:

1) Curriculum--many schools have organ system, p/f, and pbl--though not all schools have supplemental classes like commumications, ethics, medical decision making etc. Furthermore we have very little class time which is WHAT YOU WANT TO LOOK FOR. We have 4 hours of class some days, 6 hours of class other days. This allows us to not be worn out so we can study, and it allows us to have fun.

2) Location--many people will say we have the best med school location of any US school. I believe it. Beautiful lake 1 block East good for beach vball, water sports, and jogging. Michigan Avenue 2 blocks West--you can buy anything you'll ever need. All pro sports you'd ever want, easily reachable by public transportation. Tons of great restaurants--I've never had bad food here. Most everyone lives 2 blocks away from campus, very close to each other so meeting up is a snap. The only downside is the winter but at least we're super close to campus. *also we are walking distance from countless bars and we usually take short cab rides to bar/clubs, clubs--most without cover. Drinks are usually $3-5 which is great. We go out most weekends/some weekedays until 2 weeks before the test.

3) Superb mentorship and faculty relations--we have a college mentor who is there whenever we need her--no joke. We have society mentors who we've also met on a number of occasions who are also willing to help. We rotate mentors for PBL, and other small classes so we meet tons of faculty that way. This makes shadowing/mentorship very easy. Furthermore we are VERY well staffed with TAs and faculty in anatomy lab and histo lab so we never are left confused or with questions. It's also a plus that we have a 6/body but 4 at a time in anatomy lab so we all really get to get down in it. *also have big sibs and are grouped into societies of M1-M4

4) It's a really chill environment altogether--we have a ton of fun and work hard when we need to. The class is very, very intelligent and well rounded and we have good relations with upper classmen. There are tons of volunteering opportunities, opportunities abroad, and we are easily set up with research with a $3K stipend.


Hope that helps. Good luck in these last few months."
 
Is there a potential for more merit-based scholarships, or is it pretty much a done deal?
 
Has anyone not received anything regarding financial aid

I haven't gotten mine yet, but I got an email from the Financial Aid office on Friday saying that the reason for the delay was that the administration hasn't sent me my NetID and password yet. Have you gotten those yet, b/c if not, that might be why you haven't heard anything either.
 
Yep same email deal. I had called earlier and they said they required my parents' 2009 returns and I had sent their 2008 (they hadn't done 2009 yet).

Is that the case with the rest of you?
 
Anyone hoping to meet some roommates at second look? Where you guys looking to live? Maybe Mcclurg or the streeter?
 
Anyone hoping to meet some roommates at second look? Where you guys looking to live? Maybe Mcclurg or the streeter?

I am indeed hoping to find a roommate at second look. I want to live right by the school. i figure I will check out McClurg and nearby private buildings and see what I like. Would love to get into a 2 bedroom apartment with another first year, and hopefully stay in one place for the next 4 years.
 
received 100k in need based. does northwestern give out a lot of merit aid?
 
Just accessed my financial aid award on CAESAR. The budget is a little bit overwhelming (72k for the first year!). Even with 18k a year in need scholarship, the price is a little steep! 👎
 
Yep same email deal. I had called earlier and they said they required my parents' 2009 returns and I had sent their 2008 (they hadn't done 2009 yet).

Is that the case with the rest of you?

Yeah, I sent my parent's 2008 returns. but i just called the office and they said my financial aid app was complete even without the 2009 returns and my fin aid was online, i just have to wait for the med school to send me my access info
 
Hey for those going to second look, does anyone know what the "dress code" is? I'm really not 100% sure what we're supposed to wear, I'm guessing business casual (dress pants and dress shirt, no tie) for guys, wanted to check though. Thanks
 
Hey for those going to second look, does anyone know what the "dress code" is? I'm really not 100% sure what we're supposed to wear, I'm guessing business casual (dress pants and dress shirt, no tie) for guys, wanted to check though. Thanks

According to my student host for this weekend:

"As for the dress code, i remember feeling a bit overdressed last year with business casual, but I feel it is better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed. I would shoot for somewhere between casual and business casual (which I recently learned is called "smart casual," but whatever) and you should be fine. It is low pressure this time around since there are no worries about impressing anyone!"

I hope this helps!
 
Has anyone not received the email to create an email account and access your financial aid information yet?
 
Has anyone not received the email to create an email account and access your financial aid information yet?

I finally got mine at the end of last week...but only after I had called them a few times. I'm not sure what the hold up was, but if you call them they should send you the info
 
To those of you who have been accepted into NU i was hoping you could help me out. I really would like to apply to NU, but I am not sure what their averages are---does anyone get in with less than a 30 mcat (i'm taking mine this summer)? What do they really look for in your application in order to get an interview (to those who did get that far and what were your impressions of what they were looking for?) Do they give secondaries to everyone regardless of stats, or do they screen first? Any other information would be fabulous! Thanks
 
This thread has been at a standstill for a week. I'm waiting on an MSTP acceptance from NU. Has anybody heard anything?
 
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