2010-2011 Case Western Reserve University Application Thread

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I had an ocular migraine last night...was in radio-silence! I would have danced too! But well played, 7o9! :shrug: We shall get at the top snipers playing for the numerically important 1500 top! :meanie:

Congrats to all of those who have been accepted! I hope you seriously consider coming for Second Look in the Spring! Best of luck to those who were rejected! It's tough, but I wish you well in your other applications! 🙁
 
So I FINALLY caught up and read all 29 pages of this thread now that I have an interview here next week.... WHEW!

I am even more excited about the interview now that I see how awesome and fun all of you are! Plus, eggplants are one of my top 5 favorite foods. See, I think it's destiny 😉
 
Oh sorry, by location i didn't actually mean anything bad against Clevelend I just meant i would be farther from friends and family. I actually really liked the University Circle area.

Haha, no offense taken! Regardless, I just wanted to say that stuff for everyone else in the forum. It can be hard moving away from friends and family, but thats just another thing that you have to weigh into your school decision. Best of luck!
 
coffeefloat and joojoobee, I completely understand your pain.
For you and others on hold, I am going to check my iApply and email history to give a complete history of how my hold process went.

AMCAS Complete: September 4. Verified September 24.

Secondary Complete:
November 12.

Interview Invitation:
December 7.
Did not get an email, it was in my iApply.

Interview
: Jan 4.

Post-interview hold: Jan 20. Notified to check iApply; letter was there, stating "Although we are unable to make an offer of acceptance to you at this time, your application remains of interest to us. Therefore, it has been placed in a hold for future decision category and will be kept open for future review as we progress through the year. Acceptance offers are made on a rolling basis from October through March. All applicants are notified no later than May 2 of the final decision of the Committee, which may include selection for the alternate list."

Reviewed again, still on hold: March 5. I received an email stating that they have "concluded the interview season and held
the final Admissions Committee meeting this week. As of today, we are not in the position to make any additional acceptances, but do anticipate that some will likely be made from our alternate list this spring; at the end of the month, we will invite some applicants from the "hold" pool to be on this alternate list. "

Mild freak out; Brief Sulk; Soul-Searching; Firm Resolve; Zen point: March 5-15.

Alternate List Created, Placed on Wait List: April 12.
*PRIOR TO THIS, THERE WAS NO OFFICIAL WAIT LIST*
Confirmation email stated:
- Alternate list is not ranked
- Movement is distinctly different year to year
- They don't typically expect to make acceptance offers from alternate list until middle or late May.


Accepted
: May 10. (a.k.a. HappiestDayEvarr) Email received from Christian, call from Dr. Mehta.


At each step along the way, people WERE being rejected, so it was not just a big bag of students they string along. There aren't as many on hold as you seem to think.
The admissions office, all of them, are extremely nice. If you have questions, they will answer them happily. Thank you letters, update letters, etc ARE welcomed; HOWEVER, I strongly recommend AGAINST swarming them with stuff. Think of yourself in their seat, carefully going through like 6000 applications.

They were extremely enthusiastic in welcoming our class when we matriculated - at the White Coat Ceremony, Dr. Mehta and Christian were bubbling with joy about the class they had painstakingly hand-crafted with the admissions committee. They remembered things about us individually - more than I expected. So it's not a cold-hearted process, they're really invested eyeballs-deep in considering every applicant carefully. 😀
 
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Wow this thread moves fast!

I am interviewing here next week-- on Tuesday. I have the evening after the interview to bum around and explore Cleveland before I fly off to another interview the following morning. Would you guys suggest I rent a car to explore the area or is public transit convenient?

Anything in Cleveland worth exploring other than the medical school area?

Thanks!
Go downtown and go to the pier. Both are neat things to see. There are several places that get really lively at night - like w 6th st and others, but you can still take a look at them during the day. If you are reaaaaaaaally eager to look around a lot, rent a car. Otherwise, get a bus schedule, and check it out. Some people say the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is amazing, I haven't been yet. But it's not going to be what draws you to come to school here 😉
If you are really eager and sure you'd come here if you're accepted, while you're already here, take a look at the housing areas around school. Get a first look at the area so that when you're house-hunting from a distance later on, you have an idea of what suits you, what part of town you might enjoy living. Lots of ppl live in Little Italy, and Coventry, Cedar, Fairmount areas. But there are lots of options.
That's what I'd do if I had extra time.
Alternatively, relax a lot so that you're refreshed for the next day.
 
I was going to comment that every time someone posts this everyone probably scrambles to check their status.

I'm glad you did because I just checked mine....accepted! HOLY CRAP.

Just got accepted!!!!! No email, i just checked the iApply page. I really feel like this school is the best academic and professional fit for me. My only reservation is the location.
Also accepted and invited to apply for merit scholarship, yay!!! Everyone seemed so ridiculously happy here I can't help but love the school.

Thanks for the heads up, Vince!
ACCEPTED!!! Good deal on the heads up! Man, this is awesome!!!
Congrats guys!!! A round of MC Hammer monkeys for you, on the house! :zip::zip::zip::zip::zip::zip::zip:
I look forward to meeting you guys next July!
 
Interview invite for UP! Rejected CP, but interview at UP!! Interview date for December
CONGRATS! Let me know what day so I can spontaneously drop in on the interviewees 😉
Yeah, i was thinking the same thing. I really liked Case but I am not sure my interview went that well. My interviewer did most of the talking and i never really got a chance to talk about how i would be a good fit for the school.
My faculty interviewer talked a lot also. I think he was watching my reactions and how I interacted with him. That might just be his methodology.
Rejected CP about a month ago (about 2 weeks after complete; no interview invitation); rejected UP today. 🙁 Have/had some USN&WR top ten and top twenty interviews, so still hopeful elsewhere.
Aww sorry to hear that! Good luck on your other interviews! 👍
 
Thanks for the advice Auriga!

One of the joys of being a non-traditional (aka older) applicant is that I get cheap car rentals 😉 So I'll be renting a car and looking around.
 
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand Congrats M2s on your Block 5 exams!!!
YATTA![YOUTUBE]q0MIG_VRFDU[/YOUTUBE](blast from the past :laugh:)
 
Auriga - doing some catching up on the forums are we? :laugh:

Also, I second Auriga's idea to scout out living areas if you are accepted and set on coming to Case. It gets a bit more stressful finding a place to live if you wait until the last minute 😛
 
Is it time to join the post-pad wagon yet?

Oh, no? Ok.

See you guys Monday!


Re: things to do in University Circle, I second everything Auriga said, but if you're looking for short commute times (which is to say walkable distances!), consider the Cleveland Museum of Art (mostly free to everyone)... and suddenly I've found a map. How convenient.😱

oval-detail.gif


Wow. In retrospect, that is utterly useless. Unless you are on a Cleveland scavenger hunt and your current quarry is "museum," while also playing museum roulette.

Stuff to stare at in University Circle!

Sorry, I'm tired and therefore make precious little sense.:cry:
 
Wear a Miami Heat Lebron jersey to your interview xD
 
Hey guys, I was invited to interview last night and scheduled it for Nov 15th before I realized how difficult it would be to get a flight.

Anyone know how accommodating the admissions office is with regard to rescheduling? I'm gonna call on Monday.
 
Hey guys, I was invited to interview last night and scheduled it for Nov 15th before I realized how difficult it would be to get a flight.

Anyone know how accommodating the admissions office is with regard to rescheduling? I'm gonna call on Monday.

In general it is really the mature and responsible thing to contact them ASAP. This is really underscored at the CP, where the number of interview slots is smaller. Canceling interviews later rather than sooner means the spot can't be filled.


But to answer your question: Yes, both admissions offices acknowledge that things come up! Please do call Monday like you say, if you cannot attend that interview. Since you just scheduled, they will understand. No harm, no foul! 🙂
 
In general it is really the mature and responsible thing to contact them ASAP. This is really underscored at the CP, where the number of interview slots is smaller. Canceling interviews later rather than sooner means the spot can't be filled.


But to answer your question: Yes, both admissions offices acknowledge that things come up! Please do call Monday like you say, if you cannot attend that interview. Since you just scheduled, they will understand. No harm, no foul! 🙂

Thanks for the response. The interview is for the University Program so hopefully they will be able to fill the spot! I feel kinda dumb for thinking I could schedule so soon.
 
I have the same dilemma. After getting invited for the University Track yesterday, I scheduled for the 19th of November (the next available date after that was the 13th of December.)

I made a post about it in the general section: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=774783.
I'd appreciate any help!

Sounds like you should just reschedule as soon as you can, like the poster above you. You don't really have any other options if you can't get a flight out, right? But I'm sure they'll understand, in any case.


If someone could please help me out, I'm getting pretty anxious:

I've been complete since 9/1 for the MD program. I would REALLY SUPER LOVE an interview here, but I'm worried it's not coming. What can I do? Is it time to update/show interest? Thanks!
 
I feel your pain, curly. It is anxiety-inducing to be in limbo.

People should hold off on LOIs until a decision is made on their applications. If, however, you have significant updates to you application, I would suggest an update as appropriate at this time.

Good luck.

Not sent from my cell phone 😏
 
I feel your pain, curly. It is anxiety-inducing to be in limbo.

People should hold off on LOIs until a decision is made on their applications. If, however, you have significant updates to you application, I would suggest an update as appropriate at this time.

Good luck.

Not sent from my cell phone 😏

But if I wait for a decision and that's a rejection...isn't it too late? I thought letters of intent were for after waitlisting or holds, but interest was for silence from the schools?

The only real updates I have would be a change in my research focus (switched project, still Department of Epidemiology).

I guess my real worry is that I'm not good enough for Case. I've got an MCAT slightly below their average, GPA strong for their average, and good ECs/job/clinical experiences. The only thing is my research is slightly lacking since I got involved in it later, but I'd have over a year by the time I matriculated at any school.
 
But if I wait for a decision and that's a rejection...isn't it too late? I thought letters of intent were for after waitlisting or holds, but interest was for silence from the schools?

Sending them an update will show continued interest on your part. I am not sure what more you expect to achieve from a letter than that? :shrug:

The difference is really just semantics between letters of "intention" and "interest". Yes, the intention letters are worded stronger and will say you promise to attend if accepted - but there is nothing binding about a letter of intent. There is also no standardize process for such letters at any school that I am aware of.

Anyway, these types of letters are only useful when you are waitlisted AFTER an interview. This is when the adcom needs to start ranking the waitlist.

So any letter you send now will be an "update." As obvious as it sounds, I think the majority of people are interested in the schools they apply to. That is, your interest is implicit in your application. So I am not sure what any other kind of letter at this point will do for you? You did your best on your essays when you submitted your application. They know you are interested. Send an update if you want, but writing a "letter of interest" is not my advice to you at this point.

In your case, all you can do is update your application if there is reason to update. The act of updating means you have CONTINUED interest in CWRU.

The only real updates I have would be a change in my research focus (switched project, still Department of Epidemiology).
Your call.
I guess my real worry is that I'm not good enough for Case. I've got an MCAT slightly below their average, GPA strong for their average, and good ECs/job/clinical experiences. The only thing is my research is slightly lacking since I got involved in it later, but I'd have over a year by the time I matriculated at any school.

Once again, your application has been submitted. It's sort of "out of your hands". You have been on this thread enough to know that people have been getting rejected - so at least take some comfort in your continued consideration.

Not sent from my cell phone 😏
 
Sending them an update will show continued interest on your part. I am not sure what more you expect to achieve from a letter than that? :shrug:

The difference is really just semantics between letters of "intention" and "interest". Yes, the intention letters are worded stronger and will say you promise to attend if accepted - but there is nothing binding about a letter of intent. There is also no standardize process for such letters at any school that I am aware of.

Anyway, these types of letters are only useful when you are waitlisted AFTER an interview. This is when the adcom needs to start ranking the waitlist.

So any letter you send now will be an "update." As obvious as it sounds, I think the majority of people are interested in the schools they apply to. That is, your interest is implicit in your application. So I am not sure what any other kind of letter at this point will do for you? You did your best on your essays when you submitted your application. They know you are interested. Send an update if you want, but writing a "letter of interest" is not my advice to you at this point.

In your case, all you can do is update your application if there is reason to update. The act of updating means you have CONTINUED interest in CWRU.


Your call.


Once again, your application has been submitted. It's sort of "out of your hands". You have been on this thread enough to know that people have been getting rejected - so at least take some comfort in your continued consideration.

Not sent from my cell phone 😏

I'm just going to generally agree with everything that vc7777 just said. By applying to the school you have already let the adcom know of your interest in attending here. (In my opinion) a "letter of intent" would be a bit premature at this point. Although the "interest/intent" phrasing really just comes down to semantics at this point (this isn't D1 football recruiting), if you're going to send something at this point (prior to being put on a waitlist), I think it would be better if it included something of substance.

If you foresee no other significant developments in your application in the near future aside from changing research projects, then perhaps an update would be worthwhile. While in this case, it would be only a minor addendum to your application, it does carry the subtext that you are still interested in the school because you took the time to write and send an update.

However, if you think that you may have more/bigger updates to make to your application if you wait a bit longer, then I would suggest waiting (it doesn't help to overload Admissions with lots of tiny update letters).

I hope this helps, and once again, this is just my thoughts as a med student on the situation. Auriga, Myuu? Thoughts?
 
But if I wait for a decision and that's a rejection...isn't it too late? I thought letters of intent were for after waitlisting or holds, but interest was for silence from the schools?

The only real updates I have would be a change in my research focus (switched project, still Department of Epidemiology).

I guess my real worry is that I'm not good enough for Case. I've got an MCAT slightly below their average, GPA strong for their average, and good ECs/job/clinical experiences. The only thing is my research is slightly lacking since I got involved in it later, but I'd have over a year by the time I matriculated at any school.

Just so you know- I got accepted and I don't have one minute of research. Shouldn't hold you back if your other stuff is good
 
Just so you know- I got accepted and I don't have one minute of research. Shouldn't hold you back if your other stuff is good

Good point. While research is a nice addition to your overall application, it is not an absolute requirement for the UP. Research IS a requirement for the CP considering that those students will be spending 12-14 months undertaking a research project of their own during medical school (hence the reason for the 5 year program).
 
Good point. While research is a nice addition to your overall application, it is not an absolute requirement for the UP. Research IS a requirement for the CP considering that those students will be spending 12-14 months undertaking a research project of their own during medical school (hence the reason for the 5 year program).

Right, to be a little more specific; research and biochem are rquired because you will spend the first 10 weeks of your 1st school year in basic research and learning Fundamentals of Molecular Medicine. Research will be performed in labs at the Clinic, Case, UH or the VA hospitals.

Your second summer will be similar except focused on clinical or translational research.

Finally, a year will be spent doing research in a field of choice.


Not sent from my cell phone 😏
 
Right, to be a little more specific; research and biochem are rquired because you will spend the first 10 weeks of your 1st school year in basic research and learning Fundamentals of Molecular Medicine. Research will be performed in labs at the Clinic, Case, UH or the VA hospitals.

Your second summer will be similar except focused on clinical or translational research.

Finally, a year will be spent doing research in a field of choice.


Not sent from my cell phone 😏

And this is what we keep him around for, to pick up my slack :laugh:
 
So I'm in an extremely privileged situation right now. Was accepted to the UP recently...I'm also holding an acceptance from my home state medical school. I'm absolutely in love with Case's curriculum (especially), atmosphere, students, etc. compared to the other school, but I'm having trouble justifying paying 15k+ more per year to attend Case. Assuming I work my behind off to get a decent finaid package...is Case worth the pricetag? Any advice appreciated!
 
Thanks for the advice, everyone! That was so awesome, and that just makes me want to attend Case even more!

I don't really foresee any updates other than switching my research project (I may possibly take an Anatomy TA position, but this is more wishful thinking than probable, I think). Auriga gave me some great advice about how to write my update so that I can more strongly convey my interest, so I think I'll send that out next week.

Also, I've seen people list on their AMCAS that they're ugrad awarded them full tuition or whatever scholarships, etc. I didn't list this as an award or anything on my primary (although I do have such a financial award from my college); is this something I should include in my update?

Thanks!
 
So I'm in an extremely privileged situation right now. Was accepted to the UP recently...I'm also holding an acceptance from my home state medical school. I'm absolutely in love with Case's curriculum (especially), atmosphere, students, etc. compared to the other school, but I'm having trouble justifying paying 15k+ more per year to attend Case. Assuming I work my behind off to get a decent finaid package...is Case worth the pricetag? Any advice appreciated!

Congrats on the acceptance :clap:

Regarding choosing a school: it is a very underrated-ly difficult part of the med school application process. The short answer to your question is that there is no answer that someone else can provide.

You have clearly worked hard to be in the position that you are in now, so you should take some serious time to make your decision. Try making a list of the pros and cons of each school and see if that helps. While money is clearly an important factor (15k/yr x 4yrs), it should not be the defining factor. What is it about each school that draws you there?

Remember that med school is 4 years of your life and if you are not happy with your surroundings/curriculum, those 4 years are going to seem like a really long time. $60k is certainly a lot of money, but if you are unhappy then it is unlikely that you will be able to perform to your abilities. If you are at a school that you like and entering a field that you love, you will work off that additional debt without a problem.

Everyone has different things that they look for in a medical school, factors that are uniquely important to that person. When I chose to come to Case I "went with my gut (heart) feeling", not my wallet. I could have gone to schools that were cheaper and schools that were more expensive, but in the end I came to Case and I am so happy that I did. To be blunt; I love where I am, who I'm around, and what I'm doing, plain and simple :banana:

In summary, my suggestion is that you sit on your acceptances for awhile and really think about your motivations for each school. Talk to students at each school and find out what they do and don't like about their schools. And finally, attend the "second look weekends" for each school in the spring. Not to over-hype it, but Case's Second Look was convinced me to come to Case. :biglove:
 
You owe it to yourself to wait till your have your financial aid packages from all schools you are accepted to before making this decision. If you were invited to fill out the scholarship application at Case, do so.

To play devil's advocate - one could argue that the educations are the same wherever you attend. Taking on debt has a snowball-effect. You may be surprised to find your debt influencing your resdency application down the line. If your In-state school will not limit your career, why take on the debt?

Not sent from my cell phone 😏
 
Congrats on the acceptance :clap:
Remember that med school is 4 years of your life and if you are not happy with your surroundings/curriculum, those 4 years are going to seem like a really long time. $60k is certainly a lot of money, but if you are unhappy then it is unlikely that you will be able to perform to your abilities. If you are at a school that you like and entering a field that you love, you will work off that additional debt without a problem.

Everyone has different things that they look for in a medical school, factors that are uniquely important to that person. When I chose to come to Case I "went with my gut (heart) feeling", not my wallet. I could have gone to schools that were cheaper and schools that were more expensive, but in the end I came to Case and I am so happy that I did. To be blunt; I love where I am, who I'm around, and what I'm doing, plain and simple :banana:
Quoted for truth. Both routes lead to M.D. The question to ask yourself is: HOW do you want to GET there? That's why I picked Case. There wasn't any question for me in that. And like Biochem, I am so glad I did. I can't imagine myself anywhere else. But it's an individual thing.
The $ looks huge now, but in the long run, these are 4 years of my life that will never come back, and I want to enjoy them. Med school could be horrible, stressful, competitive, and gruelling...or cooperative, supportive, and difficult but energizing. And our board scores and residency placement stats show that we ALSO accomplish it better than most, so it works.
The atmosphere at Case couldn't be beat, imho. The main important consideration during this time is whether this curriculum style fits you the best. If so, let it sink in for the next several months.
 
Congrats on the acceptance :clap:

Regarding choosing a school: it is a very underrated-ly difficult part of the med school application process. The short answer to your question is that there is no answer that someone else can provide.

You have clearly worked hard to be in the position that you are in now, so you should take some serious time to make your decision. Try making a list of the pros and cons of each school and see if that helps. While money is clearly an important factor (15k/yr x 4yrs), it should not be the defining factor. What is it about each school that draws you there?

Remember that med school is 4 years of your life and if you are not happy with your surroundings/curriculum, those 4 years are going to seem like a really long time. $60k is certainly a lot of money, but if you are unhappy then it is unlikely that you will be able to perform to your abilities. If you are at a school that you like and entering a field that you love, you will work off that additional debt without a problem.

Everyone has different things that they look for in a medical school, factors that are uniquely important to that person. When I chose to come to Case I "went with my gut (heart) feeling", not my wallet. I could have gone to schools that were cheaper and schools that were more expensive, but in the end I came to Case and I am so happy that I did. To be blunt; I love where I am, who I'm around, and what I'm doing, plain and simple :banana:

In summary, my suggestion is that you sit on your acceptances for awhile and really think about your motivations for each school. Talk to students at each school and find out what they do and don't like about their schools. And finally, attend the "second look weekends" for each school in the spring. Not to over-hype it, but Case's Second Look was convinced me to come to Case. :biglove:

he loves me most actually
 
"Surgeons at Cleveland Clinic performed 157 lung transplants in 2009, setting an international record for lungs transplanted in a single year. We completed our 840th transplant since the program's inception in 1990."

Come to Cleveland for all your lung needs. 👍

CCLCM students are encouraged to shadow throughout the hospital and scrub in for surgeries. I assume since there is roughly 2 or 3 of these per week, I am sure there are opportunities to observe.
 
Rockaction! Welcome back 😀 and btw WHO ARE YOU? o_0 I probably sit next to you every day but have no clue. pm?

I have been on the down-low, haha. As far as I know no one could link my IRL self to my SDN self
 
Anyone know who I should address/send my update letter to? I found the email addresses for both the Director and Associate Dean of Admissions...

Thanks!
 
Anyone know who I should address/send my update letter to? I found the email addresses for both the Director and Associate Dean of Admissions...

Thanks!

I've updated them a time or two and just sent it via the email that always sends application updates - i.e. the general admissions email address. I don't know if it helps to send it directly to one of the deans, but I would think that might be crossing some sort of line. I figure that they have a kabillion applications to look at, so by sending an update it's just more to read. I send it to the general email so that it can be added to my file and looked at if someone wants to read it, but I don't necessarily feel comfortable about making people read it. Then again, that might be a not-aggressive-enough strategy....
 
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