2010-2011 Northwestern University Application Thread

[thebillsfan]

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Just got the secondary. Seems like a pain. bah.

Yeah, NW and Duke are particularly rough, and ironically, I got them the same day.

 

[Bunny Fru Fru]

I kind of hope they do really screen, so if I get screened out, then I will know my status and not have to fill out another secondary. I'm working on the Duke one and would love for this to be close to the end of the line............

 

[chencxm]

I am disappointed by the change they made in the first essay question. Now it's like "please copy your essay for U of Chicago and paste it into the following text box". I wonder if they are really asking for your personalities or how will you fit this school.

 

[Tippyboat]

Does this school seem to like people who didn't major in a science?

 

[jcwhitts]

Northwestern values "real world experience" from everyone I have talked to, and you can get that impression from the essay questions, really. So, I don't know about the science versus non science major making much of a difference either way.

My older brother is going to their law school, and said there is an obvious focus on what you have done after you got out of college, and seems to be that way pretty much across the board for them.

 

[BrainBuff]

Got the secondary yesterday. I really do not think it is that bad, maybe because I have already written those essays for other schools. Duke on the other hand, I am really dragging with.

 

[Nessy]

So, do they, or do they not screen??? I don't have the secondary yet either :/

 

[Tippyboat]

Nessy, they do not screen.



Do you guys know if they welcome updates? I don't think they indicated one way or the other. I want to send them an email update of things that happened since June, and there wasn't a place to do that on the secondary.

 

[Nessy]

Nessy, they do not screen.



Do you guys know if they welcome updates? I don't think they indicated one way or the other. I want to send them an email update of things that happened since June, and there wasn't a place to do that on the secondary.

Thanks, it just seems odd that everyone isn't getting the secondary and that the secretary in the admissions office says that they do screen

 

[Asyouwereatrio]

So, do they, or do they not screen??? I don't have the secondary yet either :/

They don't screen..but my guess is that htey are like UCSF, where they process it in batches SLOWLY...so some of us willl receive it whilst others have sent the secondary in already.

C'est la vie.

 

[Tippyboat]

Do you mean the secretary Brainbuff talked to? that was an n=1 case and I still think he/she was wrong, because their website and the secondary itself says otherwise.

 

[Tippyboat]

And sorry for spamming this thread, but I feel so stupid that I can't figure out the status page!!! They received my stuff but I don't see a place where it says "your status is: blah blah." Where will it even say we're complete

 

[chencxm]

For the secondary essay question " .describe the medical career that you envision.", is that more or less asking for your specific interest in medicine? Is it okay to talk about any specialties? And by the way, is it okay to talk about what you want to specialize in during interview? I have been warned about doing so.

 

[Tippyboat]

.

 

[Asyouwereatrio]

For the secondary essay question " .describe the medical career that you envision.", is that more or less asking for your specific interest in medicine? Is it okay to talk about any specialties? And by the way, is it okay to talk about what you want to specialize in during interview? I have been warned about doing so.

I would answer it as "describe the medical career you envision FOR YOURSELF" ...as in.."where do you see yourself/what do you see yourself doing in the medical profession"

 

[Tippyboat]

Has anybody been marked complete yet? I sent my letters and secondary a while ago, still nothing on my status page.

 

[Asyouwereatrio]

Has anybody been marked complete yet? I sent my letters and secondary a while ago, still nothing on my status page.

Haha I don't mean to interject, but I haven't received my secondary yet! 😛

Good luck though!

 

[Tippyboat]

Haha I don't mean to interject, but I haven't received my secondary yet! 😛

Good luck though!

Haha dude, it looks like they're getting a slow start for the process. But they don't screen so enjoy your time to relax a bit for now! to you too.

 

[Asyouwereatrio]

Haha dude, it looks like they're getting a slow start for the process. But they don't screen so enjoy your time to relax a bit for now! to you too.

Haha I am using this time ot relax before my last few secondaries come in...I'm not worried, since it's just like UCSF for me...mega slow..but worth the wait!

 

[Tippyboat]

Yeah I'm with you on that UCSF wait...but I already got the first email a while ago =/

 

[Namedmymember]

"Please note that the letter writer must include your AMCAS Letter ID found on your Letter Request Form when sending the letters via any medium."

This applies to a few other schools as well. Do you guys know what the deal is with including the AMCAS Letter ID with each letter? I had some of my letters sent to my school's letter service way before the AMCAS app opened up, so the letter ID isn't included in the letter. I then forwarded from the letter service to AMCAS, and then from AMCAS to the schools. Is that OK?

 

[HakunaMatata22]

"Please note that the letter writer must include your AMCAS Letter ID found on your Letter Request Form when sending the letters via any medium."

This applies to a few other schools as well. Do you guys know what the deal is with including the AMCAS Letter ID with each letter? I had some of my letters sent to my school's letter service way before the AMCAS app opened up, so the letter ID isn't included in the letter. I then forwarded from the letter service to AMCAS, and then from AMCAS to the schools. Is that OK?

I did something similar. I had my letter writers submit to Interfolio. Once AMCAS opened, I sent my letters from Interfolio to AMCAS. I then designated the letters to specific schools. I've received a few "complete" emails with no issues from the schools saying their unable to find my LORs. I'd say unless you've been contacted indicating a lack of LORs, I wouldn't worry about it.


Also, just received my secondary! Here's to more writing 😛

 

[jcwhitts]

I just received this too, but can't decide if it's worth filling out with 3.9/34 with no research as of now, traditional student...hmmm

 

[thebillsfan]

For the coping strategy question, do you think it would appropriate to give an example? (I was thinking of modifying one of my ethical dilemma questions and expanding on it to fit the prompt). It doesnt ask for an example, but is anyone doing this?

 

[Tippyboat]

For the coping strategy question, do you think it would appropriate to give an example? (I was thinking of modifying one of my ethical dilemma questions and expanding on it to fit the prompt). It doesnt ask for an example, but is anyone doing this?

Oh wow I didn't even read the question like that. I just read it as describe it THROUGH a difficult situation, so I told a story.
The interpretation you suggest is valid (just describe the strategies you use in a generic stressful situation), but I feel like that would make much less interesting of an essay, for me at least.

 

[Asyouwereatrio]

Oh wow I didn't even read the question like that. I just read it as describe it THROUGH a difficult situation, so I told a story.
The interpretation you suggest is valid (just describe the strategies you use in a generic stressful situation), but I feel like that would make much less interesting of an essay, for me at least.

I wrote a story ...telling them about a situation that was difficult for me...how I dealt with it..and my beliefs about dealing with stressful situations.

 

[Asyouwereatrio]

Deleted.

 

[cho15]

For the coping strategy question, do you think it would appropriate to give an example? (I was thinking of modifying one of my ethical dilemma questions and expanding on it to fit the prompt). It doesnt ask for an example, but is anyone doing this?

I was just about to ask the same quest. Glad it was answered. I think i'm going to write an example too, that seems like the way to go.

 

[flatlandhiker]

Northwestern seems to be having a little trouble downloading LORs from AMCAS. I completed my secondary on Sunday, had my letters all uploaded to AMCAS ready-to-go in June. But when I log in, Feinberg tells me they're still waiting for 'em.

I called and they said they're looking into it... I'll keep you guys posted.

 

[Tippyboat]

I'm complete now, I think it takes a few days for letters, not too long though.

 

[IlvFood]

Thanks, it just seems odd that everyone isn't getting the secondary and that the secretary in the admissions office says that they do screen

hey i'm pretty sure it's impossible that they screen b/c i just took my 2nd MCAT july 16 and i wrote on AMCAS that i was retaking (scores won't be out until 8/17)

 

[jcwhitts]

hey i'm pretty sure it's impossible that they screen b/c i just took my 2nd MCAT july 16 and i wrote on AMCAS that i was retaking (scores won't be out until 8/17)

They definitely do not screen. The secondary says on the information page "we invite all applicants to complete this application."

 

[Asyouwereatrio]

Does anyone know who submitted to Feinberg had their LOR received by the school?

My school sends one letter packet to AMCAS and then theyre downloaded...no idea if there is the "AMCAS letter ID" on each individual letter like NW requires...

 

[Tippyboat]

Does anyone know who submitted to Feinberg had their LOR received by the school?

My school sends one letter packet to AMCAS and then theyre downloaded...no idea if there is the "AMCAS letter ID" on each individual letter like NW requires...

I am complete so I'm guessing they got mine. Sent individual letters from AMCAS.

 

[Asyouwereatrio]

I am complete so I'm guessing they got mine. Sent individual letters from AMCAS.

Hmm, ya I guess I should learn to wait more than a day or two before worrying! My app was received Wednesday morning...so there is still time. I just dont know how long the process is supposed to take, so that is what made me curious. UC Irvine SOM downloaded my letters within the same day of submission...so I guess it varies school to school.

 

[Tippyboat]

Hmm, ya I guess I should learn to wait more than a day or two before worrying! My app was received Wednesday morning...so there is still time. I just dont know how long the process is supposed to take, so that is what made me curious. UC Irvine SOM downloaded my letters within the same day of submission...so I guess it varies school to school.

Oh yeah it definitely took a few days. Give it at least a week 🙂

 

[Asyouwereatrio]

Oh yeah it definitely took a few days. Give it at least a week 🙂

Haha, Thanks!

 

[Nology]

I took a year out after high school to volunteer for a non-governmental agency in west africa, helping to enlist the help of doctors to care for rural populations. the experience was really formative and helped shaped many of my views of the medical profession. I was thinking of writing about that for the essay on non-traditional experiences but I dont know if i can write about it since it was before college?

 

[Asyouwereatrio]

I took a year out after high school to volunteer for a non-governmental agency in west africa, helping to enlist the help of doctors to care for rural populations. the experience was really formative and helped shaped many of my views of the medical profession. I was thinking of writing about that for the essay on non-traditional experiences but I dont know if i can write about it since it was before college?

I don't think anything in the application said that it had to be during college...If it did, I'd probably risk going with it since it's directly prior to matriculation to undergraduate....

 

[ssahjm]

I took a year out after high school to volunteer for a non-governmental agency in west africa, helping to enlist the help of doctors to care for rural populations. the experience was really formative and helped shaped many of my views of the medical profession. I was thinking of writing about that for the essay on non-traditional experiences but I dont know if i can write about it since it was before college?

That sounds like an amazing experience. Even though it was before college, IMO it demonstrates your commitment to the field, and you can always reference how it shaped your goals/college career. 👍

 

[Nology]

thanks ssajhm 🙂

 

[Nology]

I don't think anything in the application said that it had to be during college...If it did, I'd probably risk going with it since it's directly prior to matriculation to undergraduate....

makes sense. i'll just go for it then. thanks

 

[emawhat]

What is the appropriate way to abbreviate Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine? I know that in the prompts it says FSM, is Feinberg also acceptable?

 

[Asyouwereatrio]

What is the appropriate way to abbreviate Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine? I know that in the prompts it says FSM, is Feinberg also acceptable?

I called it Feinberg or Feinberg School of Medicine

 

[lollybo]

I still have not received the secondary, do they send out in batches?

 

[Engineer2med]

Is anyone else still waiting for the LORs to be marked as complete? I submitted my secondaries the first day available and had it designated on amcas way back..... still incomplete though.

 

[thebillsfan]

Is anyone else still waiting for the LORs to be marked as complete? I submitted my secondaries the first day available and had it designated on amcas way back..... still incomplete though.

yep me too--dont worry, itll happen.

 

[etherpentane]

For essay #3:

Describe any experiences away from traditional educational pursuits (such as travel, or time in the workplace other than summer jobs). Specify the timeframe and the impact that the activity has had upon you. If you have been in school continuously, then describe a non-academic activity which as been formative.

If I've been in school continuously, is it OK to write about a month-long abroad experience?

 

[Tippyboat]

For essay #3:

Describe any experiences away from traditional educational pursuits (such as travel, or time in the workplace other than summer jobs). Specify the timeframe and the impact that the activity has had upon you. If you have been in school continuously, then describe a non-academic activity which as been formative.

If I've been in school continuously, is it OK to write about a month-long abroad experience?

Why not? That sounds like a non-academic activity. Unless you were STUDYING abroad, in which case you might want to make sure with them.

 

[etherpentane]

I was Shadowing abroad/visiting family (I know the shadowing might be a touch academic?)

It seems worded in a super convoluted way.