2010-2011 Case Western Reserve University Application Thread

[Myuu]

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[youtube]t1WSMH-RMuQ[/youtube]

 

[vc7777]

😛

Well played Myuu, Well played!

 

[curlytop]

Dear Case,

Invite me. Thanks.

Curlytop

 

[Biochemist21]

Myuu snipes again!

 

[Biochemist21]

Both and yet neither, if that makes any sense.

Not really, but then again neither does "incomplete dominance with variable expressivity"

Done getting stabbed repeatedly. Now on to preceptor evaluation and the actual cleaning.

(I'll never get another opportunity to use this one)

Ahhh...at the dental school, huh?

Ah! Note to self: avoid health professional students who poke and ask questions............ oh wait...

 

[Biochemist21]

I think the current : prospective student post ratio is really skewed in this thread...(10:1)??

Well it sounds like somebody needs to pick up the pace then

Maybe this entire thread should be an answer to the question "so what do Case students do in their free time when class ends at noon?"

 

[futureMD2015]

Too late.

They are effectively independent after the primary. There is communication and approval by Case proper of CP admissions. And there is coordination between the offices, such as setting up back-to-back interview dates if possible, etc. etc.

I've actually spoken to the admissions offices, and they've informed me that CP reviews the secondary application before UP does, not sure why... I'll just keep waiting... weeeeeeeeeee

 

[curlytop]

double!posted

 

[crixx]

So does this mean I can expect ninja sandwiches as the interview lunch??

 

[Auriga]

Here comes another Auriga catchup maneuver:

Myuu already answered some of these, but my additional notes:

hi guys, long time no see!

Now that I've had a few weeks for the acceptance news to settle in I've realized I have a lot of questions about Case! So here goes...

1) I'm not a lecture person but I definitely like structure in my curriculum. Do you guys find that you really know what things you need to be focusing on during your study time? Are there learning objectives each week? Or do you find yourself figuring out for yourself what you should be covering during your study time?

There are learning objectives posted for each lecture, for the block as a whole, and for each iq. There are multiple choice questions and essay questions for each week that ALSO give you a good idea of what you should be focusing on. I find it is very clear for the majority of things. Like all med schools, it's like sipping from a fire hydrant, and sometimes it gets intense. But we do it quite well here - I have 3 different study groups I get together with, because that helps me. Others put themselves in a hole and don't come out except for IQ and exams haha. Whatever works for you!

2) How useful are the lectures? With only a few hours per week in lecture, do you find that the information is too superficial to be really useful?

It's plenty of detail, and they have review days on Thursday.

3) Class is over at noon....now what do you go do?

I'm so happy that I get to choose what to do and when to do it. Ppl either eat lunch and go back at it, go for a while then work out....well you get the idea, but there are people there even late at night. Everyone's study strategy is their own, and they have the flexibility her eto make it work.

4) How do you feel about longitudinal anatomy? Would you rather get it over with, or do you find it's easier to integrate all of that information when it's presented over a longer time period?

I love it. I've done undergrad anatomy, which is like a third as intense, and doing it in one semester was horrible. I retained jack.
I can't imagine doing this amount and this level of material like that. I feel like this style will stick better.

5) Is there anything you wish you would have known before choosing to matriculate at Case?

Honestly I knew I belonged here after I interviewed here. I interviewed elsewhere and was accepted, and I sat on the waitlist until I was in. But something I'd make sure of is that you really like this learning style. There are still like 5 or so students who find the small group session not their best style after all, which is a shame that they didn't think it out better ahead of time. But most people like it even MORE than they thought they would.

6) Can you teach me how to carve an eggplant?

1. Stab hole in top, cut off stem. 2. Stab into the middle to loosen stuff up. 3. Use a sturdy metal spoon to scoop out as much pulpy stuff as you can. 4. Several more well-aimed stabs later and presto![/QUOTE]Thanks friends! 😀[/QUOTE]Anytime 👍

 

[Auriga]

I'll be interviewing at Case Western in a week, so I'm excited for the trip!

And just wondering: What are some of the most creative ways people have managed to reference eggplants on interview day?

I find that an eggplant fake tattoo on the forehead is a winner with the SDN med students but not as great for the interview process. So I'd recommend asking about the antioxidant benefits of a high eggplant diet.
Srsly, tho, Myuu, what are the most creative ways? Definitely you've seen more SDNers than I. I know that in my case, I asked where to get awesome Italian food, and one of the current students told me the eggplant Parmesan at Trattoria was out of this world (it is true). I didn't get it as a reference, tho...and I don't think she's even on SDN at all, is she Myuu?...but just meant to be 😀

 

[Auriga]

So I'm going to preface this by saying I really don't want to sound like a Debbie Downer. I'm asking because I'm honestly interested.

With that out of the way, I noticed that Case is pretty awesome! While rankings (US News) are far from what I'm using to judge where I want to go to school, I noticed that Case has a stellar research ranking and a not as equally stellar primary care ranking. I know this ranking system isn't even very effective at determining the quality of education (i.e. Mayo not participating), BUT, do any students have information as to why it's lower? Is there some silly reason like the med school library is small? I'm definitely very interested in Case and (without having interviewed) think it has one of the best curriculums out there, but am curious about this as well.

CWRU is primarily a RESEARCH institution. they love their research. They want students to go into academic medicine and or continue to participate in research as a physician or to specialize and advance their field of choice. They don't have as good a primary care ranking, because they don't work as hard to prepare students for being a primary care physician IMO... but that's not want CWRU is about. They want their students to "think beyond the possible(TM)" haha

CWRU also doesn't have too small of library. They have two medical related libraries (one has a museum of sorts in it)... and they have tons of stuff online... and if you can't get a book at the library, you can OhioLink it and it will be there in a few days.

See CWRU, you should interview me. 🙂 Just PM me an invite.

I disagree about the research/primary care thing here at Case. Case is a massive force with a lot going on inside. There are endless groups and resources available for whatever interest you have.

I am planning on going into Family Medicine. After my first 4.5 months here, I am even more excited about it. Case is #15 in the country for Family Medicine, per USNewswhatever. One list I printed out when I was applying has it ranked in the top 5 for family med.
And I think those lists of ratings in general are pretty useless. If you're into research, look at which schools have research projects in your field or who get $$ from the NIH. If you're into clinical medicine, look at schools' residency placement stats for the area you are interested in. Do this if you want to.

For me, however, I looked at the curriculum. There is a very strong (and getting stronger) component of population health integrated into the program. Most of all, there is a ton of patient contact/communication already integrated into the curriculum from the start AND pretty much endless opportunities to shadow, volunteer....... Additionally, there is the fact that there is only one med school (UP/CCLCM 199 students) and an entire metro city of major hospitals at our fingertips. Clinicals are amazing here, with tons of options, from what I have been told.

Btw, Dean Smith is a family physician, Dean McKinley is an MD/MPH, Dean Ricanati is primary care physician who spent 3 years in the National Health Service in underserved populations, and Dr. Haynie is in internal med. Primary Care is definitely strongly encouraged here. I don't plan on doing research in my career, and I haven't yet felt the AMGDORESEARCH pressure at all.

 

[Auriga]

More Auriga!

So I want to touch quickly on the curriculum questions.

I am on the Student Council as a representative for the Committee on Medical Education (SCME). So is dntpanic. We work directly with the block faculty and deans of curriculum in order to refine the way that things are organized and presented, to make them better for both ourselves and future students. So in other words, we as students have the power to make changes, and they are genuinely interested in making it as effective for us as possible.

There is an insane amount of work and ingenuity that has gone into crafting the program so that we still learn the same material as traditional lecture style, but with nearly half of our school-time spent in small groups. And it is more effective - board scores are up, and retention of material is reportedly very strong. They've increased the emphasis on developing well-rounded physicians by building up an extremely strong public health component (Block one and continuing material) and the Foundations of Clinical Medicine longitudinal block (weekly throughout the two years), Clinical immersion, RAMP, CPCP, PD 1 2 and 3, communications workshops...

I'm also on the Medical Student committee for Bioethics. They are increasing the integration of bioethics into the curriculum, including IQ cases.

Case is really at the front line of a lot of the strides forward being made in medical education nationwide. Being here is really, really exciting.😍

 

[Auriga]

well of course i am.

however, i have been debating recently that i should probably start weaning myself off this thread. realistically, Case/CCLCM are a reach for me. i would absolutely love to spend the next half-decade-ish in cleveland. so when if the door finally closes, i might be a little heartbroken. at the same time, i've been uncharacteristically optimistic. soooo we'll see


now if someone could guarantee an acceptance if I match FlowRate's 3000 or get every top, i would do it 😀

You sound like I did in March when I got the wait list email. Don't fool yourself, you won't be able to completely wean yourself off, no matter how hard you try. Caselove is not something that just dissipates. But optimism is okay! Keep the enthusiasm in general - realize that wherever you go, you will reach your career goal and do what you want to do with your life. And enjoy the time before school starts - get some of those long term projects done and leave yourself with a clean palette. Med school is busy, but it's a blast.

 

[Auriga]

​

Pure win.

 

[Auriga]

Caught up! Off to do IQ and histo.

O btw the shotgun histology youtube guy has an entertaining sense of humor! >< I like him.

 

[rhesuspieces]

Here comes another Auriga catchup maneuver:

Myuu already answered some of these, but my additional notes:
There are learning objectives posted for each lecture, for the block as a whole, and for each iq. There are multiple choice questions and essay questions for each week that ALSO give you a good idea of what you should be focusing on. I find it is very clear for the majority of things. Like all med schools, it's like sipping from a fire hydrant, and sometimes it gets intense. But we do it quite well here - I have 3 different study groups I get together with, because that helps me. Others put themselves in a hole and don't come out except for IQ and exams haha. Whatever works for you!It's plenty of detail, and they have review days on Thursday.
I'm so happy that I get to choose what to do and when to do it. Ppl either eat lunch and go back at it, go for a while then work out....well you get the idea, but there are people there even late at night. Everyone's study strategy is their own, and they have the flexibility her eto make it work.I love it. I've done undergrad anatomy, which is like a third as intense, and doing it in one semester was horrible. I retained jack.
I can't imagine doing this amount and this level of material like that. I feel like this style will stick better.Honestly I knew I belonged here after I interviewed here. I interviewed elsewhere and was accepted, and I sat on the waitlist until I was in. But something I'd make sure of is that you really like this learning style. There are still like 5 or so students who find the small group session not their best style after all, which is a shame that they didn't think it out better ahead of time. But most people like it even MORE than they thought they would.1. Stab hole in top, cut off stem. 2. Stab into the middle to loosen stuff up. 3. Use a sturdy metal spoon to scoop out as much pulpy stuff as you can. 4. Several more well-aimed stabs later and presto!

Thanks, Auriga! I think I'm still pretty sold on Case....however, I did interview at Wash U this past weekend and they charmed me with their fancy facilities (i.e. windows to see the outside world) and hot lunch. They have like 8 hours of class a day though...don't know if I could do that. As soon as I figure out my class schedule for next semester I'm booking a ticket to Cleveland for second look weekend!

 

[WitchHunter]

So it's 11/11 (and almost 11:11 🙂).

When should I start worrying about not hearing back for an interview yet? 😳

As a former summer student of theirs, I'd sooooo like to get in!

 

[vc7777]

11:11 (edt) 11/11 👍

 

[Myuu]

11:11 (edt) 11/11 👍

Niiiiiiice.

 

[Biochemist21]

Thanks, Auriga! I think I'm still pretty sold on Case....however, I did interview at Wash U this past weekend and they charmed me with their fancy facilities (i.e. windows to see the outside world) and hot lunch. They have like 8 hours of class a day though...don't know if I could do that. As soon as I figure out my class schedule for next semester I'm booking a ticket to Cleveland for second look weekend!

While I can't comment specifically on WashU since I didn't apply there, speaking personally:

4hrs/day - classroom windows >>> 8hrs/day 🙂yawn🙂 + classroom windows

Call me old-fashioned, but while fancy facilities are nice, at the end of the day its you and a textbook/powerpoint.

 

[futureMD2015]

I disagree about the research/primary care thing here at Case. Case is a massive force with a lot going on inside. There are endless groups and resources available for whatever interest you have.

I am planning on going into Family Medicine. After my first 4.5 months here, I am even more excited about it. Case is #15 in the country for Family Medicine, per USNewswhatever. One list I printed out when I was applying has it ranked in the top 5 for family med.
And I think those lists of ratings in general are pretty useless. If you're into research, look at which schools have research projects in your field or who get $$ from the NIH. If you're into clinical medicine, look at schools' residency placement stats for the area you are interested in. Do this if you want to.

For me, however, I looked at the curriculum. There is a very strong (and getting stronger) component of population health integrated into the program. Most of all, there is a ton of patient contact/communication already integrated into the curriculum from the start AND pretty much endless opportunities to shadow, volunteer....... Additionally, there is the fact that there is only one med school (UP/CCLCM 199 students) and an entire metro city of major hospitals at our fingertips. Clinicals are amazing here, with tons of options, from what I have been told.

Btw, Dean Smith is a family physician, Dean McKinley is an MD/MPH, Dean Ricanati is primary care physician who spent 3 years in the National Health Service in underserved populations, and Dr. Haynie is in internal med. Primary Care is definitely strongly encouraged here. I don't plan on doing research in my career, and I haven't yet felt the AMGDORESEARCH pressure at all.

Don't know if people know this or not, but Family Medicine was actually first created at Western Reserve University (now CWRU) - by Amasa Ford, hence the street name, the chapel on campus. You can visit Amasa Ford at Lakewood Cemetery too, and while you're at it, visit Alexander Cushing is there as well.

 

[curlytop]

😀

We hate to have to smack you down too Curly...

Wow I totally missed this exchange/threat! Believe it or not, I sometimes spend my SDN time not in this thread 😱

But if it makes me more popular around here, I will say my time is split 90% CW application thread, 10% internet in general. 👍

I think I'm becoming too emotionally attached to this thread and Case...COME ON WHERE'S MY INVITE CASE?

 

[FlowRate]

T-minus a month or so...

 

[fashbash]

.

 

[FlowRate]

btw, I think the top wars are kinda funny since paging is user defined and can be from like 5 to 500 posts... 😛

 

[curlytop]

T-minus a month or so...

Are you talking to me? (Are YOU talking to ME?) As in, you think I have about another month to wait?

 

[Seven of Nine]

Are you talking to me? (Are YOU talking to ME?) As in, you think I have about another month to wait?

naw, that would be one month (approximately) until Dean Franco will make 12 calls extending acceptances to the CCLCM Class of 2016 😍 i think last year it was around December 15th...

and boy do i wish i could be on the receiving end of one of those calls!

 

[Myuu]

btw, I think the top wars are kinda funny since paging is user defined and can be from like 5 to 500 posts... 😛

True, but the default is 50.

 

[vc7777]

Ahh...so...think of it as 12 plus minus 5...it isn't a hard and fast number of aceptances going out next month.

Also...think of the date as variable too.

Sorry to make it less concrete. 🙁

naw, that would be one month (approximately) until Dean Franco will make 12 calls extending acceptances to the CCLCM Class of 2016 😍 i think last year it was around December 15th...

and boy do i wish i could be on the receiving end of one of those calls!

Not sent from my cell phone 😏

 

[Seven of Nine]

Ahh...so...think of it as 12 plus minus 5...it isn't a hard and fast number of aceptances going out next month.

Also...think of the date as variable too.

Sorry to make it less concrete. 🙁




Not sent from my cell phone 😏

of course. i contemplated writing (approximately) again following the 12, but figured the general point would get across that the first round of acceptances go out about a month from now (approximately). 😉
😍
(yeah, i'm totally feeling the emoticons tonight.)

 

[vc7777]

Well, when it gets close, you guys will appreciate my mad posting skills...I won't let you down. 😉

I have to put this out here though: that so few people will get in that first round, do not expect people to post that they got accepted.


Not sent from my cell phone 😏

 

[Biochemist21]

Well, when it gets close, you guys will appreciate my mad posting skills...I won't let you down. 😉

I have to put this out here though: that so few people will get in that first round, do not expect people to post that they got accepted.


Not sent from my cell phone 😏

That's a very good point. While it may seem strange to some of us regular SDN-ers, there are actually people who go through the entire med school application process without checking/registering for this website.

Shock? 😱 Awe? Confusion? 😕 All understandable emotions. That being said, figure that probability-wise, a fair amount of the people who get in on the first round for CCLCM will not be posting about it for various reasons.

 

[TheSkeptic]

Hey all,

I tried reading back into the thread but my brain began smoking after a bit. ;-)

Could you tell me (for the 1,000,000,000,000th time I'm sure) what to expect from Case? I finished up my secondary and was complete in August (end). Haven't heard a whisper yet; and no correspondence for now even though I applied for both programs.

Any advice? Does emailing them incessantly help? Or does it make me an annoying little creature?

Cheers!

 

[Myuu]

Hey all,

I tried reading back into the thread but my brain began smoking after a bit. ;-)

Could you tell me (for the 1,000,000,000,000th time I'm sure) what to expect from Case? I finished up my secondary and was complete in August (end). Haven't heard a whisper yet; and no correspondence for now even though I applied for both programs.

Any advice? Does emailing them incessantly help? Or does it make me an annoying little creature?

Cheers!

Ah, well, I tend to equate "incessantly" with "annoyingly", so maybe a single phone call inquiring after your status would be better.

 

[Biochemist21]

Hey all,

I tried reading back into the thread but my brain began smoking after a bit. ;-)

Could you tell me (for the 1,000,000,000,000th time I'm sure) what to expect from Case? I finished up my secondary and was complete in August (end). Haven't heard a whisper yet; and no correspondence for now even though I applied for both programs.

Any advice? Does emailing them incessantly help? Or does it make me an annoying little creature?

Cheers!

I'm not sure that "incessantly" will grant you the kind of attention that you are looking for 😉 Usually one call is sufficient to clear up these kinds of issues.

Ah, well, I tend to equate "incessantly" with "annoyingly", so maybe a single phone call inquiring after your status would be better.

👍

 

[vc7777]

Agreed.

Not sent from my cell phone 😏

 

[driftkitty]

I interviewed last Tuesday and had a great time! I can't wait to hear back soon!

 

[daniellef07]

Hey everyone! My first post 😀

I got invited for an interview Oct 26 and my interview is January 18th! Anyone else interviewing on that date?

I'm a bit sad though because Case is the only interview I've received so far. But I LOVE Case so I'm gonna have to rock the interview!

 

[vc7777]

daneille!

Congrats on the interview! If you are really concerned I would schedule a mock interview ahead of the date with someone at your premed office or premed club on campus. Make it as real as possible, wear your interview outfit, even.

Good luck.

Hey everyone! My first post 😀

I got invited for an interview Oct 26 and my interview is January 18th! Anyone else interviewing on that date?

I'm a bit sad though because Case is the only interview I've received so far. But I LOVE Case so I'm gonna have to rock the interview!

Not sent from my cell phone 😏

 

[crixx]

So is the Case SOM connected to the undergrad campus at all?

 

[Myuu]

So is the Case SOM connected to the undergrad campus at all?

If you mean, "can I walk out of a door and find undergrads going to class or the gym," then yes.

 

[Biochemist21]

So is the Case SOM connected to the undergrad campus at all?

The SOM is separated enough from the undergrad campus that the students that you are most likely to see inside/outside the building are the nursing and dental students. However, if you walk across the street then, BAM undergrad campus. There's always a solid cohort of undergrads at the gym and intramural field adjacent to the SOM should you feel the need to mingle with non-grad students.

 

[Biochemist21]

Hey everyone! My first post 😀

I got invited for an interview Oct 26 and my interview is January 18th! Anyone else interviewing on that date?

I'm a bit sad though because Case is the only interview I've received so far. But I LOVE Case so I'm gonna have to rock the interview!

Welcome to the second most awesome thread on SDN (first being the 2009 Case application thread ). vc7777 had some good tips, I would add that you should know your AMCAS application inside and out. That is where your interviewer culls information about you before meeting you, and thus they are likely to ask you several questions about things contained within it. Practice does make perfect.

Best of luck!

 

[Myuu]

The SOM is separated enough from the undergrad campus that the students that you are most likely to see inside/outside the building are the nursing and dental students. However, if you walk across the street then, BAM undergrad campus. There's always a solid cohort of undergrads at the gym and intramural field adjacent to the SOM should you feel the need to mingle with non-grad students.

You may recall that we are physically connected to the Wood building which is full of grads and undergrads.👍 Loads of undergrad buildings over by Veale, too--engineering, etc. Most of the residential stuff is on north campus, though.

 

[Biochemist21]

You may recall that we are physically connected to the Wood building which is full of grads and undergrads.👍 Loads of undergrad buildings over by Veale, too--engineering, etc. Most of the residential stuff is on north campus, though.

Ah, I've never wandered over to the Wood building, hence my ignorance. I guess what I should have said is that you can be as exposed to undergrads as you want to be. The undergrad borders the hospital (UH) and med school to the north and west, thus you have the two other cardinal directions to choose from to avoid undergrads if you so choose .

 

[Acoustic]

Are the facilities shared though? It sounds like there isn't a private gym for grad/med students. Is there a library?

I have to admit, having undergrad so close to the med school is a little bit of a downside for Case.

 

[curlytop]

Are the facilities shared though? It sounds like there isn't a private gym for grad/med students. Is there a library?

I have to admit, having undergrad so close to the med school is a little bit of a downside for Case.

At Ohio State our medical school is practically on top of the undergraduate campus (as an undergrad I've had a good number of classes in the medical school buildings). Since I've loved every minute of undergrad here, I thought that close proximity between med school and the ugrads would be awesome.

But then I interviewed at Wright State, and even though I'm still in undergrad, the shared campus setup they have turned me off. I don't really know why, either. Maybe I've become elitist without even knowing.

Hopefully I just didn't click with Wright State and it has nothing to do with its undergraduate campus next door.

 

[Seven of Nine]

mm...

i know Myuuuu must be around...

 

[Seven of Nine]

i wonder if anyone is lurking...