2009-2010 Wayne State Application Thread
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Congrats on getting in!!
Facebook group can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=245175126745
Thanks guys 🙂 appreciate it. I hope the wait list keeps moving and you hear from them soon. I know someone (OOS) who heard in mid-June last year so there's still lots of time. By the way, I was wondering if there are any Canadians out here 😛 reflex, I assume you're Canadian based on your response to my previous post?
Torontonian here! UWO Grad. woot woot
Torontonian here as well! U of T grad =)
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Hi guys,
I am accepted to both Wayne State and U Toledo and am trying to make a decision between the two. Any advice?
THanks
I am accepted to both Wayne State and U Toledo and am trying to make a decision between the two. Any advice?
THanks
ditto!
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Don't know if you'll get truly unbiased advice as most people here are waiting for a spot haha...so I'll speak in generalities.
Although I really know nothing about U Toledo, the advice I've gotten from physician after physician is to keep your debt down and go where it's cheapest. I don't know which state you're a resident of or the financial aid packages you've received, but I would go wherever is cheapest (if you feel like you could live there for 4 years - I'd say this is probably the most important factor, but if you feel like you could live either place then it's no help). I don't know which school is considered "better" but some research I've read about residency matching reported that "strength of program" (meaning what school you're from) was number 9 on a list of 15 factors. Best of luck in your decision!
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Whichever one is cheaper.
I
Ilvcurst
I say U of Toledo so someone here has a chance 
In all seriousness the whichever is cheaper is a simple answer to an overly complicated question. The biggest predictors to figuring out what residency you will get is arguably your USMLE scores (yes this can be debatable). These are standardized and tell the selection committee a lot about your ethic, intelligence, and skill in discernment. Go to the school that best prepares you for this exam by offering great education. And let me clarify what i mean by great. Professors that will go out of the way to assist you. A conducive learning environment (Detroit vs. Toledo). An exam schedule that challenges you but doesn't burn you out. A school that uses the best resources, that help arguably most for the test. Some schools do case teaching (which is they incorporate cases into lectures on subjects). I'm a big proponent on the excellence of education and mentorship. I truly believe it makes a big difference. I would say U of Toledo so someone here has a chance, but I will let you figure out how these qualities fit your school, and you. Hope this helps.
Wayne State all the way and the cheaper tuition is only the most obvious reasoning why. I don't know much about Toledo, but I'd like to think that Wayne State's clinical experience is generally unrivaled. I've shadowed at Harper Hospital, and I like the "medical campus" that Wayne State has to offer. Additionally, I think the new Mazurek medical commons will serve as a useful tool in our medical training. I never got to check out those simulation labs with the dummy patients, but they seem pretty sweet. I'm not sure how the grading is done at Toledo, but for me personally, Wayne State's competitive-based grading curve is great. I'm assuming most of us here don't like to settle for B's, and we are only satisfied with A's. But the reality is that this is medical school; most of us won't be getting straight A's (they don't really have A's and B's at Wayne, but you know what it all translates into). Wayne's grading is pretty much the closest thing to a true curve, so this will bode well for someone like me who prides himself in doing better than the rest.
I guess the only downside to Wayne is that it is located in Detroit, but that comes hand in hand with good clinical experience. HOWEVA, we are comparing Detroit to Toledo which is kind of like comparing members of the Jackson family... they all are weird, have some history of crime, and I wouldn't let my kids near any of them no matter what time of the day it is.
If you are at all worried about safety, I would choose Toledo, but almost all Wayne State students would say that you don't have too much to worry about as a student.
I guess the only downside to Wayne is that it is located in Detroit, but that comes hand in hand with good clinical experience. HOWEVA, we are comparing Detroit to Toledo which is kind of like comparing members of the Jackson family... they all are weird, have some history of crime, and I wouldn't let my kids near any of them no matter what time of the day it is.
If you are at all worried about safety, I would choose Toledo, but almost all Wayne State students would say that you don't have too much to worry about as a student.
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To the Wayne vs. UT decision, I want to add that in the recent past, a significant number of Wayne graduates stay in Michigan for their residencies, and I think 50% of the graduates stay in Detroit. Can anyone confirm this? But in general, I think Wayne State doctors end up being Michigan doctors (esp. Detroit doctors) foremost.
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congrats on your other acceptance.
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I'm right there with ya. I've begun my AMCAS. But us waitlisters are in somewhat of a predicament with respect to Wayne. I want to meet with Dean Norman to ask how I can be a stronger applicant, but I heard he won't meet with anyone unless they're rejected flat out. So we have to reapply without his WSU-specific advice (at least until fall), which is a major bummer if you're like me and would really want to go to Wayne.
Hey guys, I spoke with Dawn today. Here is some information I got.
WL movement is very slow.. So far about 40 students have been pulled off the waitlist; I'm not sure if this includes the offers that were sent out before May 15th or if it includes only the ones that were sent after May 15th. We can expect some WL movement once U of Michigan starts theirs. Michigan starts their movement today or tomorrow, so hopefully we can see some IS students pulled off in the coming weeks. Before now they were giving students 3 weeks to accept/reject their offers, but are starting to give only a 2 week grace period from now on.
Apparently, not everyone has been abiding by the grace period; some accepted people haven't informed Wayne on their decision and sometimes its difficult to get ahold of people because I guess a lot of people have been out of town. So PLEASE inform EVERY school on your decision as soon as you know. Dawn seemed very sympathetic to this as well because she said its our futures that are on the line here.
As someone else confirmed before, Dawn told me that she doesn't expect to reject more students off of the waitlist, but she seemed apprehensive about saying this so I still think they'll reject a few. I thought it was going to be sometime this week or next, but maybe it will be in July?
I know this is going to be like a stab in the aorta to all of us, but I don't think the waitlist movement is moving as quick as we thought it was. I think its just that there are more people on SDN these adays so we hear about WL movement alot more. I also think that since everyone is always connected to their smart phones and emails, students can notify the ADCOM quicker and easier on their decision to accept/reject an offer. This is contrary to what I wrote a few paragraphs above, but Dawn made it sound like most of the students who don't respond in time do so because they are out of the country and thus out of contact.
But be proud that you've made it this far. If you look at the AAMC stats, you'll see that the number of students who apply to med school goes in cycles. If you look at those stats, you'll see that we are at the most competitive point of the cycle. There are more new applicants and more re-applicants now then ever before. Grades are inflated and students are getting better at the MCAT. So be proud. Consider applying DO if you don't get in this year. The animosity between DOs and MDs is closing each year. And with where healthcare is heading, there will be less of a difference between the two degrees.
WL movement is very slow.. So far about 40 students have been pulled off the waitlist; I'm not sure if this includes the offers that were sent out before May 15th or if it includes only the ones that were sent after May 15th. We can expect some WL movement once U of Michigan starts theirs. Michigan starts their movement today or tomorrow, so hopefully we can see some IS students pulled off in the coming weeks. Before now they were giving students 3 weeks to accept/reject their offers, but are starting to give only a 2 week grace period from now on.
Apparently, not everyone has been abiding by the grace period; some accepted people haven't informed Wayne on their decision and sometimes its difficult to get ahold of people because I guess a lot of people have been out of town. So PLEASE inform EVERY school on your decision as soon as you know. Dawn seemed very sympathetic to this as well because she said its our futures that are on the line here.
As someone else confirmed before, Dawn told me that she doesn't expect to reject more students off of the waitlist, but she seemed apprehensive about saying this so I still think they'll reject a few. I thought it was going to be sometime this week or next, but maybe it will be in July?
I know this is going to be like a stab in the aorta to all of us, but I don't think the waitlist movement is moving as quick as we thought it was. I think its just that there are more people on SDN these adays so we hear about WL movement alot more. I also think that since everyone is always connected to their smart phones and emails, students can notify the ADCOM quicker and easier on their decision to accept/reject an offer. This is contrary to what I wrote a few paragraphs above, but Dawn made it sound like most of the students who don't respond in time do so because they are out of the country and thus out of contact.
But be proud that you've made it this far. If you look at the AAMC stats, you'll see that the number of students who apply to med school goes in cycles. If you look at those stats, you'll see that we are at the most competitive point of the cycle. There are more new applicants and more re-applicants now then ever before. Grades are inflated and students are getting better at the MCAT. So be proud. Consider applying DO if you don't get in this year. The animosity between DOs and MDs is closing each year. And with where healthcare is heading, there will be less of a difference between the two degrees.
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This is a sticky situation and I wouldn't trust anyones advice, even if they work at Wayne's ADCOM. Reapplying shows your persistence and genuine desire to become a physician. I don't know if Wayne will hold it against you for reapplying; many will argue that they have no reason to. But one thing is certain... every medical school expects you to have some sort of significant improvement in your application if reapplying. So if Wayne knows that you are willing to improve, that will only bode well for their medical school. If you are saying "Sure, I'll retake my MCAT, or I'll do some research" then Wayne may think "Well, lets let him/her do that because it will ultimately benefit us. If he really wants to go to Wayne, maybe he'll get a 34 on his MCAT this time around and that will raise our MCAT average" But then again, Wayne isn't so stuck on the MCAT as we've seen people with MCATs in the upper 20's get picked over some others who have scores in the low-mid 30s. They may like the idea of you reapplying especially if you are willing to do a post-bac/masters program at that school which translates into more money for the school.
I would reapply to all the other schools ASAP and then apply to Wayne in July or so. Obviously, applying earlier is best, but they obviously like something about you if you are waitlisted right now. I don't think it will hurt to wait until July or August. I didn't send out my AMCAS until beginning of September/secondary until end of September... but then again... I'm still waitlisted. lol
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No, a while back, but I've been following the thread cause I live in the area. My GPA wasn't competitive.
ditto...my AMCAS application is almost complete. Hopefully round 2 will be more successful!
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For you guys and gals that are applying again this year: are your applications very similar to the one you sent in last year? Mine looks very similar (not too many new things) which is why I'm considering waiting for one year before applying again. Thoughts?
My application for the most part is the same (minus personal statement, some activities and cgpa). However, I am applying to quite a few schools that I did not apply to last time (previous round, I applied to 9 only)...so most of the schools on my list will be reviewing my app for the 1st time. Thus, I am opting to apply this year again and if it doesn't work out, to go to the carribbean (AUC or St. George). I'm not sure if that helps with your decision...
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my thoughts exactly, just didn't wanna risk the question
This is the predicament I'm in as well. If you are a reapplicant, there needs to be some significant improvement in your application where it was lacking before. My application would be virtually the same for the MD programs I applied to last cycle. I did not apply DO, so I am going to try that this round.
To be honest, I haven't really thought about DO schools...I'll have to take a look before I decide (probably after I get AMCAS out of the way).
I
Ilvcurst
Ugh I think we are all in the same boat! Well my application doesn't look very different and I applied late last cycle so that didn't help.
Right now I'm trying to decide whether to apply again or just go to SGU and get it over with.
The schools I haven't applied to seem to only want IS applicants (I'm from CA = screwed). I figure beat the crowd and start at SGU before more medical school open up.
Also with Obama health plan in action, I'm 100% sure they will have to open more residencies to accommodate.
Who knows...maybe SGU is my only option. I just got the MSAR and it doesn't look too good for me.
Right now I'm trying to decide whether to apply again or just go to SGU and get it over with.
The schools I haven't applied to seem to only want IS applicants (I'm from CA = screwed). I figure beat the crowd and start at SGU before more medical school open up.
Also with Obama health plan in action, I'm 100% sure they will have to open more residencies to accommodate.
Who knows...maybe SGU is my only option. I just got the MSAR and it doesn't look too good for me.
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In case you guys weren't aware, an Adcom told me that WSU doesn't admit a single person more than they can accommodate, and thus expect for withdrawals down the line. So I am sure there are plenty of spots still open and they will continue to admit through august, additionally, there are plenty of students withdrawing still, so plenty of hope for you all.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news for you guys but I think it will ultimately be the best for us if we start planning for the future. I've recently commented on how the University of Michigan's waitlist will affect Wayne's waitlist. U of M has a twitter page for their medical school and her is what the ADCOM posted today:
This is bad news for us, especially IS students. I've also been following the SDN forum for U of M, and there have only been a couple posts about people withdrawing from U of M and all 2 of those have been OSS. I also received a PM from someone showing the amount of people pulled from the waitlist at U of M in recent years. It has varied from 0-20 students per year. It looks like this year there won't be much movement for U of M. poop.
This is bad news for us, especially IS students. I've also been following the SDN forum for U of M, and there have only been a couple posts about people withdrawing from U of M and all 2 of those have been OSS. I also received a PM from someone showing the amount of people pulled from the waitlist at U of M in recent years. It has varied from 0-20 students per year. It looks like this year there won't be much movement for U of M. poop.
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there's still msu, and canadian and ohio schools
I hate to say it but it doesn't seem like MSU's (at least CHM's) WL is moving very fast either.
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well what can you do
I just called to ask if there were any withdrawals this week and she said "only like two."
Yea, frickin wonderful. I doubt we'll see much IS movement from here on out. TOTAL speculation, but I can't see them pulling more than a half dozen to dozen IS students for the summer. We have about 60 days until orientation. With MSU and U of M failing to help us out, we can't expect much.
OSS, keep up the hope. I think you'll have a better chance.
To anyone out there losing hope and thinking of re-applying DO IT! I have a good story to share. I applied last year at the last moment with 26 MCAT just to try and of course I wasnt even given an interview. The day I got the rejection letter, I worked out a plan. I studied for MCAT, I began volunteering at DMC, I was lucky to meet someone who needed a research assistant so while volunteering in the ER once per week, I shadowed a physician there, and did some research as well. I also took the time to look into DO schools this time around. I actually was impressed with MSU program and decided to apply to MSU COM as well in addition to re-applying to Wayne. I only applied to 2 schools.
I am a non-traditional student with a family so I actually did not plan on moving from MI. Since I also have my undergrad from overseas, my only choices for medical schools were Wayne and MSU COM since U of M (not that I would even waste my time applying there) and MSU CHM do not accept undergraduate degrees from overseas. I took MCAT in July and applied in August. My secondaries were completed in September-October. The very nice thing about MSU COM is that they meet ever Wednesday and send acceptances out right away without an interview. Two weeks after I was complete at MSU COM, I got an acceptance email. I was thrilled! Wayne was still my first choice school, but with one acceptance in my pocket, the wait for Wayne wasnt that horrible. I got an interview at Wayne in January. It didnt go that well (in my mind) and I felt very discouraged, however, I already knew I was going to be a doctor anyway so it wasnt the end of the world. I was waitlisted in February and March at Wayne and got an acceptance email in May.
I would strongly recommend looking into DO schools. After I found out more about MSU COM, it even made me doubt my decision to go to Wayne. I can elaborate on some differences if anyone is interested My stats this year: 29MCAT (I was planning on taking it again if needed), 3.8 GPA, IS, good volunteer activities. One more thing Get one of the medical students help you write your personal statement. Mine was very dry the first time around and with help, I made it into a great story when I re-applied.
Sorry for the lengthy post, I actually have been following the thread for awhile but never felt like I had anything important to contribute, but now, seeing how many people are in the same boat as I was last year, I wanted to write something encouraging 🙂
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It is better than no withdrawals! Hopefully there are a few each week until the end of June.
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