2009-2010 Wake Forest University Application Thread

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I called and she told me that my application was complete, and that I was placed in an interview pool, I asked her when I should be expecting to hear from them and she said that they had already filled up invites from october, so possibly for November or December...

Does this mean that I am competitive or was she just BSing so that I'd get off the phone?

She also asked what my interest in Wake was and I told her it was one of my top choices and thats why I wanted to call and check my status.


Thoughts?

 

[Steeler7588]

I sent them an email Thursday and got a response this morning. It seemed like a form email, comparing it to previous correspondence I've had with their coordinator.

Thank you for your recent inquiry into your interview status at Wake Forest. We apologize for any confusion that may have occurred from the status message on the applicant portal.
Your file is complete with us and has been placed in an interview pool. As stated on the applicant portal we will be interviewing through March 19 and are sending the interview invitations by email and by phone. You are, however, welcome to express your interest in Wake Forest. We are trying to manage a large and competitive applicant pool this year and appreciate your continued interest and patience with the process.

If they email me, they email me. Until then / otherwise, I'm not going to worry about it. I'm obviously interested in the school, so I'm not sure what else I can do. Being invited to interview by phone or email > having to fish for one.

 

[BrainBox]

Is anyone applying out of sate? How long have you waited before you were sent an invite for 2ry application?

 

[dingyibvs]

Is anyone applying out of sate? How long have you waited before you were sent an invite for 2ry application?

Mine was 8 days.

 

[dingyibvs]

I called and she told me that my application was complete, and that I was placed in an interview pool, I asked her when I should be expecting to hear from them and she said that they had already filled up invites from october, so possibly for November or December...

Does this mean that I am competitive or was she just BSing so that I'd get off the phone?

She also asked what my interest in Wake was and I told her it was one of my top choices and thats why I wanted to call and check my status.


Thoughts?

You know, it's possible that they've simply filled up their sept/oct interview spots. When I called, I was offered the 21, 28, 29, 30 of Oct. only. So maybe in a couple of weeks, they'll start scheduling Nov/Dec/etc. slots and calling them then would get you an interview.

 

[calimed214]

Is anyone applying out of sate? How long have you waited before you were sent an invite for 2ry application?

I'm OOS & added Wake Forest about 2.5 weeks ago. Still waiting for the secondary.

 

[theroadtomed]

You know, it's possible that they've simply filled up their sept/oct interview spots. When I called, I was offered the 21, 28, 29, 30 of Oct. only. So maybe in a couple of weeks, they'll start scheduling Nov/Dec/etc. slots and calling them then would get you an interview.

i scheduled an interview the othey day, and they still had some october spots open (end of oct). I think most all of november is still open.

 

[LeavingThisLab]

The calling thing didn't work so well for me. I asked to check on my status, and they said "What does your online status say? If you get an interview you'll get an email and the status will change." I didn't even get to tell them my name 🙁

I got pretty much the same thing.. but did give my name. Makes me think I'm on the bottom of the interview pool. guess that's the way it goes sometimes..

 

[n618ft]

I think some of these schools can smell that they're our safeties/backups... they're waiting for a while before they ask us so we don't waste their time if we get into a higher priority school.

 

[Nyu2004]

Ugh that last post was so arrogant/smug..... Here's hoping your not here next year.

I think some of these schools can smell that they're our safeties/backups... they're waiting for a while before they ask us so we don't waste their time if we get into a higher priority school.

 

[honker]

Keep in mind that Wake is not an easy school to get into. They screen applications before giving out secondaries. Don't assume that you will automatically get one. Also note that they interview very few people relative to the number of applicants. For the class entering in 2007, they interviewed only 7.6% of the applicant pool. An interview invite from Wake is a rare commodity. That being said, you have a 50-50 shot at acceptance if you get an interview.

 

[daisy44]

I think some of these schools can smell that they're our safeties/backups... they're waiting for a while before they ask us so we don't waste their time if we get into a higher priority school.

Ugh I hate when people say stuff like this. I know you probably didn't mean it like this, but it sounds like you think that people who got interviews are less qualified and don't have a shot at "better" schools.

 

[bamtuba]

Well I really don't have an opinion about what was said before, but I personally think Wake to be one of the best schools to which I have applied and been granted the opportunity to interview. And I've been to/will be going to some pretty fine schools, IMO.

Not trying to be cocky here, just wanted to point out that WF, at least for me, is by no stretch of the imagination a "safety."

Really though, is there even such a thing?

🙂

 

[dingyibvs]

Ugh I hate when people say stuff like this. I know you probably didn't mean it like this, but it sounds like you think that people who got interviews are less qualified and don't have a shot at "better" schools.

Some schools are like that(NYMC, anyone?), but Wake definitely isn't.

 

[Bbon]

Well I suppose since everyone is jumping on this guy, I'll play a little devil's advocate.

For one, do all these people who are upset, are you equally interested in going to every single school you applied to? Are there schools you listed on your amcas that might have higher acceptance rates, lower average test scores/gpas, or otherwise provide you with a better chance of acceptance, that you applied to at least in large part for those reasons? And having said that, you would still be happy to go there because there is clearly something that appeals to you from that school and you'd be getting your chance to carry out your dream of practicing medicine; you obviously respect the school at least to the degree that you're investing the effort and money to complete the application process. Sure, for some people, a "backup" might be another person's dream school. That's true no matter what you're applying for. And I think maybe the issue here is the term "backup" or "safety" school. I wouldn't use those terms myself; I'm in the majority that thinks no such thing applies to medical school. So perhaps I'd say maybe there's some cause for being upset in the guy's post. But I sense the point he was trying to make and part of me agrees with him.

Ask yourself, why have people been saying that the admissions people at Wake have asked them "What is your specific interest in our school?" Is it not, at least in part, based on the very principle that this poster was mentioning? To ascertain whether the applicant has a very serious interest in the school, one beyond having added it to their amcas as one of three dozen schools simply to increase their chances of getting into medical school? Anyhow, I hope this doesn't make me the target of anger that this other fellow has received. But I just wanted to give a differing point of view. And although I understand the frustrations of reading what he said, I also believe he was just giving his honest opinion and probably wasn't intending to offend so many people.

Edit: Applying to medical school has a learning curve itself. It's my belief now that Wake is hardly a safety school no matter who you are. But when originally applying, not completely knowing the ins and outs of the system, I think it would have been reasonable for some people to originally think of Wake (or other strong schools outside the top 20) in that sense.

 

[BrainBox]

I think there is something to be said about any school that screens their applicants. It only makes sense. Good luck to all! 😀

 

[EvaSwitchBox20]

Does anyone know what the secondary screen actually is? I retook my MCAT and got the same cumulative score, but different subsection scores with a pretty nasty poor VR score. I thought they only take your most recent MCAT score into account, but I still received their secondary today......now I'm really confused.

What's their multiple MCAT policy? What's the screen?

Thanks!

 

[jackson1]

Does anyone know what the secondary screen actually is? I retook my MCAT and got the same cumulative score, but different subsection scores with a pretty nasty poor VR score. I thought they only take your most recent MCAT score into account, but I still received their secondary today......now I'm really confused.

What's their multiple MCAT policy? What's the screen?

Thanks!

Their screen isn't strictly numbers based. I'm sure they take them in to account, but I've heard of people with 3.8+, 35+ not passing the screen. They also look for fit with the school and must have thought you have something to offer them. Congrats!🙂

 

[Nyu2004]

Anyone that goes to or has interviewed at Wake will tell you that the reason why admissions wants to know why your interest in attending Wake is to find the students that "fit" the best. We screen hard so if your invited for an interview you have a great shot at admission. There are so many qualified applicants that do not get accepted to medical school every year, so why not find out someone who truly has researched the curriculum, the school, etc, and admit them since they have shown an interest. Wake invests a lot in each of their students and finding out an applicants interest level is simply a way to make sure their investment is a wise one.

Well I suppose since everyone is jumping on this guy, I'll play a little devil's advocate.

For one, do all these people who are upset, are you equally interested in going to every single school you applied to? Are there schools you listed on your amcas that might have higher acceptance rates, lower average test scores/gpas, or otherwise provide you with a better chance of acceptance, that you applied to at least in large part for those reasons? And having said that, you would still be happy to go there because there is clearly something that appeals to you from that school and you'd be getting your chance to carry out your dream of practicing medicine; you obviously respect the school at least to the degree that you're investing the effort and money to complete the application process. Sure, for some people, a "backup" might be another person's dream school. That's true no matter what you're applying for. And I think maybe the issue here is the term "backup" or "safety" school. I wouldn't use those terms myself; I'm in the majority that thinks no such thing applies to medical school. So perhaps I'd say maybe there's some cause for being upset in the guy's post. But I sense the point he was trying to make and part of me agrees with him.

Ask yourself, why have people been saying that the admissions people at Wake have asked them "What is your specific interest in our school?" Is it not, at least in part, based on the very principle that this poster was mentioning? To ascertain whether the applicant has a very serious interest in the school, one beyond having added it to their amcas as one of three dozen schools simply to increase their chances of getting into medical school? Anyhow, I hope this doesn't make me the target of anger that this other fellow has received. But I just wanted to give a differing point of view. And although I understand the frustrations of reading what he said, I also believe he was just giving his honest opinion and probably wasn't intending to offend so many people.

Edit: Applying to medical school has a learning curve itself. It's my belief now that Wake is hardly a safety school no matter who you are. But when originally applying, not completely knowing the ins and outs of the system, I think it would have been reasonable for some people to originally think of Wake (or other strong schools outside the top 20) in that sense.

 

[propel1]

You've made a great point. Wake Forest definitely screens applicants very rigorously before giving them an interview (heck they only accept like 3.5% of their appliants!). Most of the time if you have good GPA/MCAT scores along with great EC and letters, personal statement--you will have a good shot at an interview. That doesn't mean though that just because you have a great GPA and MCAT you will get an interview--and that is the case with many other medical schools as well. Medical schools are looking for well-rounded students. You can have great stats but just not "fit" into a particular medical school's system (it sucks, but hey that is life).

Wake Forest, however, definitely does not screen out well qualified applicants (I have a 3.9+ and my best friend who is also attending has a 3.8 and 35 MCAT) We were screened quickly and received interviews quickly. And I'm sure there are a lot of awesome applicants that are not on SDN and that are super qualified interviewing at Wake as we speak.

Anyone that goes to or has interviewed at Wake will tell you that the reason why admissions wants to know why your interest in attending Wake is to find the students that "fit" the best. We screen hard so if your invited for an interview you have a great shot at admission. There are so many qualified applicants that do not get accepted to medical school every year, so why not find out someone who truly has researched the curriculum, the school, etc, and admit them since they have shown an interest. Wake invests a lot in each of their students and finding out an applicants interest level is simply a way to make sure their investment is a wise one.

 

[propel1]

Also if any of you guys are interviewing soon, let me know if you guys have any questions about the process! I'd be very happy to help out! 🙂 Best luck to everyone!

 

[EvaSwitchBox20]

So here's my weird situation. I took the MCAT twice, and got the same overall score, even with writing! Weird, I know, but both scores were low. Thing is, I still got the secondary invite, and when I called Wake one of the advisors even said herself that she was surprised I got it, too! Hah, well I appreciate honesty more than anything, but she said that my higher VR score was probably taken (both low). Would anyone be able to PM me with some advice about whether or not it's worthwhile for me to fill out the secondary, or just give me your input? I just don't want to list my MCAT scores on the thread.

Hey, Wake is an excellent school and in a great area, I would LOVE to be accepted here. It's nice that it's a cheap app, too.

 

[JJMrK]

My take after interviewing: Very nice school with awesome facilities and nice students/admissions people. I would love to attend.

 

[JOE Verghese]

Also if any of you guys are interviewing soon, let me know if you guys have any questions about the process! I'd be very happy to help out! 🙂 Best luck to everyone!

Any advice for those interviewing would be welcome. Will they look at your secondaries as they are interviewing and how best to answer some of the questions?

 

[JJMrK]

For those taking public transportation to Winston-Salem from Greensboro:

It's really easy.
1. Get off the plane, go down stairs to the baggage claim and find the PART phone (big kiosk thing with 3 or 4 payphones hooked up to it). Call and request a pickup. They got me within a half hour of when I called. The shuttle picks you up outside the Delta baggage claim, which is a bit of a walk down from where the phones are. In other words, don't call and go directly outside of where the phone is because I don't think the shuttle stops there. Don't get on the white and red bus (it's a parking shuttle). The one you want is black and red and says PART on it.
2. Get off the shuttle and you'll find yourself at the Greensboro PART transit hub. Walk all the way down the platform to the bus stop that says express to Winston-Salem. It's $2.
3. The bus stops at a few places, and when people request a stop, so if you're trying to get to the transit hub in Winston-Salem be sure you get off at the right place. It looks like a transit hub similar to where you started (I believe the cross streets are 5th and Liberty).
4. Figure out how to get where ever you need to go from here. I didn't see any taxis when I was there just FYI. I walked through downtown to my hotel, which took about 15 minutes. The area seems pretty safe during the day; I can't comment about it at night. If you are staying with a host who lives near the medical center, you could probably walk there. From my hotel to the med center was < 5 minutes by car, so it would probably take about 30-40 minutes to walk to the med center from the transit hub.

Hope this helps, it's actually pretty easy once you do it.

 

[ksmi117]

For those taking public transportation to Winston-Salem from Greensboro:

It's really easy.
1. Get off the plane, go down stairs to the baggage claim and find the PART phone (big kiosk thing with 3 or 4 payphones hooked up to it). Call and request a pickup. They got me within a half hour of when I called. The shuttle picks you up outside the Delta baggage claim, which is a bit of a walk down from where the phones are. In other words, don't call and go directly outside of where the phone is because I don't think the shuttle stops there. Don't get on the white and red bus (it's a parking shuttle). The one you want is black and red and says PART on it.
2. Get off the shuttle and you'll find yourself at the Greensboro PART transit hub. Walk all the way down the platform to the bus stop that says express to Winston-Salem. It's $2.
3. The bus stops at a few places, and when people request a stop, so if you're trying to get to the transit hub in Winston-Salem be sure you get off at the right place. It looks like a transit hub similar to where you started (I believe the cross streets are 5th and Liberty).
4. Figure out how to get where ever you need to go from here. I didn't see any taxis when I was there just FYI. I walked through downtown to my hotel, which took about 15 minutes. The area seems pretty safe during the day; I can't comment about it at night. If you are staying with a host who lives near the medical center, you could probably walk there. From my hotel to the med center was < 5 minutes by car, so it would probably take about 30-40 minutes to walk to the med center from the transit hub.

Hope this helps, it's actually pretty easy once you do it.

Coolio. Thanks JJ. 🙂

 

[JJMrK]

Coolio. Thanks JJ. 🙂

👍

You'll like WF. BTW, you weren't flying around the country today were you? I saw someone that looked like you and had your school's gear on at SLC.

 

[ksmi117]

👍

You'll like WF. BTW, you weren't flying around the country today were you? I saw someone that looked like you and had your school's gear on at SLC.

Nope. I've been in LA since Tuesday and I'll be here til Wednesday. Then off to Wake. 😀

Maybe I have an evil twin trying to sabotage my interviews. 😱

 

[JJMrK]

Nope. I've been in LA since Tuesday and I'll be here til Wednesday. Then off to Wake. 😀

Maybe I have an evil twin trying to sabotage my interviews. 😱

Cool. I only got a brief look because said person was going the opposite way as me on a moving sidewalk thing. Anyway, Wake is sweet, PM me if you have any specific questions about how it went.

 

[drzing]

so im complete...i got the secondary last friday. VERY quick turnaround with that....

My Question, would like some input:

Im in pennsylvania and i already have an interview close by there on 11/6. even though im just now being marked complete, do yall think it would be bad to givem a call and say im in the area then and see if i can get an interview around then? do you think this would speed up the review of my app?

also, if you do think i should do this, how soon before 11/6....i havent booked travel but i need too b/c its getting more and mroe expensive

 

[premad]

Hi all, for those who interviewed at Wake, did you send thank you notes to all three of your interviewers? I've been sending them to all other interviewers, but having met each of them for about 20 minutes, it just seems a little odd, e.g. "It was great to talk with you for about 15 minutes in rapid-fire style until the greeter lady rapped on the door to hustle me off." Or, did you just send one to the Dean of Admissions?

Thanks!

 

[calimed214]

I haven't interviewed here yet, but I just have to say that this school has probably THE nicest admissions office staff. They totally went out of their way to help me call their local post office & reschedule a delivery of my secondary because the Post office screwed up... I was so stressed out, haha. Hopefully I get to interview here. I'd totally bring cookies/treats just for the office staff there. 😛 Love them.

 

[sassilysweet]

so im complete...i got the secondary last friday. VERY quick turnaround with that....

My Question, would like some input:

Im in pennsylvania and i already have an interview close by there on 11/6. even though im just now being marked complete, do yall think it would be bad to givem a call and say im in the area then and see if i can get an interview around then? do you think this would speed up the review of my app?

also, if you do think i should do this, how soon before 11/6....i havent booked travel but i need too b/c its getting more and mroe expensive

I know some people think this is fine, but I really think it is bad form to call about an interview. To me it just seems like you expect one. I only think you should call if you do get an invite and no dates around your other one are available, like if you are interviewing in in Nov but they only have Dec dates open.
But that's me.

 

[premad]

I know some people think this is fine, but I really think it is bad form to call about an interview. To me it just seems like you expect one. I only think you should call if you do get an invite and no dates around your other one are available, like if you are interviewing in in Nov but they only have Dec dates open.
But that's me.

Wake actually seems to be (occasionally) very receptive to calls about interviews/status. For example, check higher up in this thread. Another example, my friend who I was visiting with there asked me, "So, did you have to call for your interview?" as in call to get one, not call to schedule, which she apparently had to do. Maybe wait until you're in their 'under review' pile and then give a call about being in the area? I don't know, even if you don't end up with an interview it seems like they probably don't put you in a "does not want!!!1!" pile just for calling.

 

[dingyibvs]

I know some people think this is fine, but I really think it is bad form to call about an interview. To me it just seems like you expect one. I only think you should call if you do get an invite and no dates around your other one are available, like if you are interviewing in in Nov but they only have Dec dates open.
But that's me.

It's not only fine, but it's essentially recommended practice. There is pretty much NO WAY it can possibly hurt you and it HAS been proven that it can help you.

 

[nityking51]

I just got an email stating that I was placed in an interview pool and might get call before March but there's no guarantee. Has anyone else received this? I was thinking about sending them a letter showing my interest in this specific program they have and would love to interview there during beginning of Dec as I'll be in that region. Or should I just wait for their call?

 

[itsneverlupus]

Did anyone else get a email that immediately followed the complete/interview pool email that said this:

Dear Applicant,

This is a follow-up email to explain the last email you were sent about the interview pool. Your application has been placed in an interview pool that will be reviewed periodically throughout the year and if granted an interview, we will send an invitation to your email. We appreciate your patience with the interview process.


Does this mean I'm in the lower pool that might get an interview but probably not?

 

[nityking51]

Did anyone else get a email that immediately followed the complete/interview pool email that said this:

Dear Applicant,

This is a follow-up email to explain the last email you were sent about the interview pool. Your application has been placed in an interview pool that will be reviewed periodically throughout the year and if granted an interview, we will send an invitation to your email. We appreciate your patience with the interview process.


Does this mean I'm in the lower pool that might get an interview but probably not?

yeah same here....I am assuming that we won't get an invite anytime soon. Any one had experience with this in the past?

 

[Birdsbeak]

I just received the same as the above 2 posters. I don't know how to take it. That email followed their first email by a few minutes. Does it mean I might get an interview or what?

 

[davidsomsen]

Yeah...I just got that message a few minutes ago. Sounds like we're in the lower interview pool (though I don't know how many tiers there are). I'm not stressing about it, but some input would be nice.

 

[Birdsbeak]

Yeah...I just got that message a few minutes ago. Sounds like we're in the lower interview pool (though I don't know how many tiers there are). I'm not stressing about it, but some input would be nice.

There are different tiers of interview pools? That's lame.

 

[floridakmm]

I got these emails too. I just thought it was to clear up the first confusing email. Maybe I misread, but I think they are saying they are reviewing my app now. I never got a complete email. thoughts...

 

[UAAWolf]

I got the same email...I considered it good news since this is one of my "Reach" School (30 mcat, 3.98 gpa).

 

[buffywannabe]

maybe it is like the small pool deal at other schools

btw did not get the email

 

[itsneverlupus]

maybe it is like the small pool deal at other schools

btw did not get the email

buffywannabe, when did you send your secondary and signature page in?

 

[Birdsbeak]

I really hope that email means that we will actually get an interview. Maybe I should try optimism for a change.

 

[UAAWolf]

I really hope that email means that we will actually get an interview. Maybe I should try optimism for a change.

Chin up friend! We survived a screen...its GOOD news. We could have been rejected!

 

[buffywannabe]

buffywannabe, when did you send your secondary and signature page in?

Don't remember but I was complete Aug 31.

 

[amd2009]

Did anyone just get one email but not the second one? Because if everyone received both emails, then it probably means nothing about upper/lower pools.

 

[Andy71600]

I got both emails as well