2010-2011 Washington University in St. Louis Application Thread

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KickedOut said:
I know that it's still very early but I was hoping to gain some insight into the selection process. I went through the thread from last year and this is what I have so far:

-committee meets monthly (first time they meet is Nov.)
-few Nov. acceptances
-committee (which is 75 individuals according to WashU's website) is divided into regions
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Wow thanks for the info!

Too bad that they'll make us wait so long to hear anything, but I guess we shouldn't worry. After all, we can't start until next Fall anyway.
 
ksmi117 said:
Beyond that we know as much as you do. We have no say in admissions. *Just reiterating that - y'all can really ask the students anything*

All I can say now is be patient until mid-November which is when the first acceptances should go out. :xf:
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Thanks for the reply ksmi. I wasn't trying to imply that students had a say in admissions just thought that you might have picked up on a couple things during the application process last year or since you've been on campus.

The students really are receptive to all questions. Breakfast is with MS1 & MS2s, tour with an MS4, and lunch with MS3s. I felt like everyone gave very honest opinions about every aspect of the school.

barcoderider said:
Too bad that they'll make us wait so long to hear anything, but I guess we shouldn't worry. After all, we can't start until next Fall anyway.
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Definitely not worrying, just thought I'd try to find out more about the process. You do have a good point though!

ksmi117 said:
Them be fighting words. :nono: It's so not happening. Les Miles is too lucky to lose.
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If Les is so lucky, then what happened in Oxford last year? :luck:

*cough, cough*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEgQMU4kC-4
 
How important/useful is the pizza night?

(I have classes that I'd prefer not to miss the day before my interview, so I plan on flying from CA in the early afternoon. This means I'll probably arrive in St. Louis close to midnight.)
 
Just got my interview invite! So flipping excited! Complete 8/21! (!!!!!!!) First available date was Nov 22. The next were Nov 29 and Dec 2 for those wondering.
 
this may have been answered before, but do interviewees who stay in Olin all get singles?
 
Withdrew today. I could get myself excited when it came time to schedule an interview. Grew up too close (within a mile) of the med school. On the bright side, that is one spot open for you guys! It is a great place to be!
 
dansut324 said:
How important/useful is the pizza night?

(I have classes that I'd prefer not to miss the day before my interview, so I plan on flying from CA in the early afternoon. This means I'll probably arrive in St. Louis close to midnight.)
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It's fun, but nothing you can't get from the breakfast the morning of the interview. You'll have plenty of opportunity to talk to current students during your interview day, but the pizza party just offers that in a more informal setting.

excalibur86 said:
this may have been answered before, but do interviewees who stay in Olin all get singles?
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Yep.
 
Does anyone know when in November acceptances start rolling out?
 
ELarkin1 said:
Does anyone know when in November acceptances start rolling out?
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From last year's thread it looks like acceptances went out on the days that the MTSP board sent out acceptances (I'm guessing so the two boards can chat). This year the MTSP board sends out acceptances on November 19, December 17, January 14 & 28, and February 11.

From reading last year's thread it looks like your WUMSApply will reflect your acceptance after midnight on the days listed above (I guess there is some system update that occurs at midnight on Fridays). Additionally, some interviewers called last year to spread the good news.

Good luck!
 
interview invite yesterday!😀

I thought they had forgotten about me, lol, I've been complete since mid-July. 🙂
 
KickedOut said:
From last year's thread it looks like acceptances went out on the days that the MTSP board sent out acceptances (I'm guessing so the two boards can chat). This year the MTSP board sends out acceptances on November 19, December 17, January 14 & 28, and February 11.

From reading last year's thread it looks like your WUMSApply will reflect your acceptance after midnight on the days listed above (I guess there is some system update that occurs at midnight on Fridays). Additionally, some interviewers called last year to spread the good news.

Good luck!
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That's great information, thanks! 🙂
 
Just got an invitation to interview today but I'm not sure if I want to go! Is that crazy? A lot of other applicants I've met along the way have not loved their experience there and I'm poor from having been to nine interviews. . . I don't know, guess I'll consider over the weekend. . .
 
Ceasar said:
Just got an invitation to interview today but I'm not sure if I want to go! Is that crazy? A lot of other applicants I've met along the way have not loved their experience there and I'm poor from having been to nine interviews. . . I don't know, guess I'll consider over the weekend. . .
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It depends on what you're looking for in a school. I say you should go if you can at all figure out a way to do so. It IS an incredible institution, and the facilities are fantastic. I didn't really enjoy the interview day all that much, but WashU didn't really offer what I was specifically looking for in a school. Or maybe it was just the particular batch of people that made it not so appealing to me.

Anyway, don't take others' impressions of a school as your own. You have no idea how you'll feel until you go there. I would go; you never know, it could be the place you end up at next year. The only reason you SHOULDN'T go is if you know for a fact that you'd go to Emory or BCOM over WashU even if you were accepted.
 
ColeOnTheRoll said:
It depends on what you're looking for in a school. I say you should go if you can at all figure out a way to do so. It IS an incredible institution, and the facilities are fantastic. I didn't really enjoy the interview day all that much, but WashU didn't really offer what I was specifically looking for in a school. Or maybe it was just the particular batch of people that made it not so appealing to me.

Anyway, don't take others' impressions of a school as your own. You have no idea how you'll feel until you go there. I would go; you never know, it could be the place you end up at next year. The only reason you SHOULDN'T go is if you know for a fact that you'd go to Emory or BCOM over WashU even if you were accepted.
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+1 👍

I had a fantastic time at WashU. I met a great group of MS1-MS4 and everyone seemed very happy and personable (all of the interviewees where also extremely personable and I believe we all had a great time). Additionally, the area around the school is a great place that I would love to live. The Central West End is a great area with lots of offerings and Forest Park has something for everyone (I'm particularly drawn because I love running and biking).

That said, I would hope you would take my positive experience with a grain of salt and check it out yourself.
 
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It's interesting....seems like WashU is a school that really polarizes people. I suppose it appeals to a specific type of student...the curriculum is relatively traditional. I'm looking forward to interviewing so I can see for myself! Anyone else going to be there on the 8th?
 
I enjoyed my interview at WashU--I talked to more current students at that school than at any other. Plus, tons for free food! They gave me dinner, breakfast, and lunch, and they were all tasty! I would love to go there.
 
Interviewing Dec 7th! My boyfriend was hacking up his lungs all night so I saw it at 3 AM in a sleep deprived state and I thought I was hallucinating.
 
runawayclock said:
Interviewing Dec 7th! My boyfriend was hacking up his lungs all night so I saw it at 3 AM in a sleep deprived state and I thought I was hallucinating.
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it must have been good karma =D

would you mind posting your stats? this school is a stretch for me and i've been complete for over 2 months now...so i'm wondering if this is just game over for me and they're just waiting until the end of the cycle to notify me or something.
 
chickpea9 said:
it must have been good karma =D

would you mind posting your stats? this school is a stretch for me and i've been complete for over 2 months now...so i'm wondering if this is just game over for me and they're just waiting until the end of the cycle to notify me or something.
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36R/3.8, Canadian (but my bf has family there, and they work at WashU. idk if that made a difference - i know NY schools generally like people who have family connections to the area better because they're more likely to actually come to the school).

I was complete like over 2 months ago, so don't give up hope! Schools are just REALLY slow. And if it is any consolation, I'm most likely pre-interview rejected at SUNY upstate, NYMC, and Tufts.
 
runawayclock said:
36R/3.8, Canadian (but my bf has family there, and they work at WashU. idk if that made a difference - i know NY schools generally like people who have family connections to the area better because they're more likely to actually come to the school).

I was complete like over 2 months ago, so don't give up hope! Schools are just REALLY slow. And if it is any consolation, I'm most likely pre-interview rejected at SUNY upstate, NYMC, and Tufts.
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thanks for the reassurance! i'm waiting around with a 32S/3.72 so my stats aren't quite as good...but i'm still waiting for Tufts and just interviewed at NYMC. the fact that you got an invite here but haven't heard back from NYMC only confirms further that this process can sometimes be about luck and probability. c'est la vie!
 
do you guys think it's better to send an email thank you note? I would like to send a small card, but would like to include more than just a few lines. Any thoughts? maybe both?
 
aaaahhh my interview is tomorrow! I've been in St. Louis since Friday evening and I'm really in love with the area so far! Forest Park is gorgeous and I spent yesterday shopping the Delmar Loop, a really cute street of shops and boutiques about a mile away from the med school. They have an amazing used record store....I picked up a couple old Queen albums. 😀

Oh and FYI the Bodies exhibit is at the St. Louis Galleria so if you're a nerd like me with some free time the $18 student admissions is really worth it.

Can't wait for tomorrow! ...I'm a little intimidated :scared: Anyone know what percent of interviewees are accepted?
 
rhesuspieces said:
aaaahhh my interview is tomorrow! I've been in St. Louis since Friday evening and I'm really in love with the area so far! Forest Park is gorgeous and I spent yesterday shopping the Delmar Loop, a really cute street of shops and boutiques about a mile away from the med school. They have an amazing used record store....I picked up a couple old Queen albums. 😀

Oh and FYI the Bodies exhibit is at the St. Louis Galleria so if you're a nerd like me with some free time the $18 student admissions is really worth it.

Can't wait for tomorrow! ...I'm a little intimidated :scared: Anyone know what percent of interviewees are accepted?
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Good luck tomorrow! It's completely laid back so try to calm down 🙂 I don't have an MSAR in front of me but if I remember correctly they accepted ~300 of the ~1000 interviewed (but of course you never know what % came from the waitlist). I'd love to hear what you think of the school after your interview.
 
rhesuspieces said:
aaaahhh my interview is tomorrow! I've been in St. Louis since Friday evening and I'm really in love with the area so far! Forest Park is gorgeous and I spent yesterday shopping the Delmar Loop, a really cute street of shops and boutiques about a mile away from the med school. They have an amazing used record store....I picked up a couple old Queen albums. 😀

Oh and FYI the Bodies exhibit is at the St. Louis Galleria so if you're a nerd like me with some free time the $18 student admissions is really worth it.

Can't wait for tomorrow! ...I'm a little intimidated :scared: Anyone know what percent of interviewees are accepted?
Click to expand...

Vintage Vinyl!!! Amazing place, yes. If you still have some time today, the Central West End (neighborhood where the med school is) is very cool. Euclid is a north/south running street with great restaurants and some really cool antique stores. You just have to keep walking north - it'll seem that after Euclid and Maryland it thins out. Another block and it picks back up again.

P.S. you will live in the West End if you go to WUSM probably - I live there now and love it. Lived in stl my entire life; couldn't live anywhere else after this I don't think.

As for interview stats, they interview just under 1200 and accept around 335. That's U.S. News data. Good luck 🙂
 
drugsarefun said:
Vintage Vinyl!!! Amazing place, yes. If you still have some time today, the Central West End (neighborhood where the med school is) is very cool. Euclid is a north/south running street with great restaurants and some really cool antique stores. You just have to keep walking north - it'll seem that after Euclid and Maryland it thins out. Another block and it picks back up again.

P.S. you will live in the West End if you go to WUSM probably - I live there now and love it. Lived in stl my entire life; couldn't live anywhere else after this I don't think.

As for interview stats, they interview just under 1200 and accept around 335. That's U.S. News data. Good luck 🙂
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Wow... 1/4?? That ALMOST gives me hope. :laugh:
 
Aiight. SDN interviewee party at WashU on Monday, if I remember correctly? I hope I don't get star struck when I meet ksmi!!!😀
 
drugsarefun said:
As for interview stats, they interview just under 1200 and accept around 335. That's U.S. News data. Good luck 🙂
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Oof, that's a rough acceptance rate. Not many schools interview 4x the number they accept!

I really really really loved WashU....it's probably my top choice right now (sorry, Case Western!) I'm not thrilled with the curriculum for the first two years but I love the hospitals, I love the student facilities (study carrels!), I was impressed by the research opportunities, and the students were all really great and friendly. & the Central West End was great 😀

In short, WANT.
 
oh, another quick question while I'm at it--I think they said the first time the committee meets is early December...any clue if early November interviewees will be considered then?
 
rhesuspieces said:
oh, another quick question while I'm at it--I think they said the first time the committee meets is early December...any clue if early November interviewees will be considered then?
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December??! I thought the first time we'll hear back is Nov 19th D:
 
ksmi117 said:
Yeah, I'm pretty sure this is correct. I guess we shall see on Friday though.

Maybe they meant the first time they'll review your interview group, rhesus.
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That's strange, when I interviewed (late Sept.) they told us the first decisions would be coming out November 15. Have they changed this?
 
MDub1 said:
That's strange, when I interviewed (late Sept.) they told us the first decisions would be coming out November 15. Have they changed this?
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Traditionally, the MD/PhD acceptances are offered on a Friday. Some MD acceptees get a phone call from their interviewer on that day, but not all. All accepted students will see a status change on their WUMSApply page at midnight between Friday and Saturday.

I can't imagine this has changed, but maybe. If you interviewed early, I'd look to hear something this week if accepted. And acceptances are the only decision they'll give right now, so you've just got to hold tight if you don't hear anything. :luck:
 
ksmi117 said:
Yeah, I'm pretty sure this is correct. I guess we shall see on Friday though.

Maybe they meant the first time they'll review your interview group, rhesus.
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That's probably right. I highly doubt they'll review our group at the first meeting, so they must have been referring to when our group will be considered.

Sorry to freak everyone out 😳
 
ksmi117 said:
Traditionally, the MD/PhD acceptances are offered on a Friday. Some MD acceptees get a phone call from their interviewer on that day, but not all. All accepted students will see a status change on their WUMSApply page at midnight between Friday and Saturday.

I can't imagine this has changed, but maybe. If you interviewed early, I'd look to hear something this week if accepted. And acceptances are the only decision they'll give right now, so you've just got to hold tight if you don't hear anything. :luck:
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I guess I just misheard the guy when I was there. Well, I really appreciate you clearing this up for me, ksmi, now at least I won't be disappointed when I don't hear anything tomorrow 🙂
 
If you are waitlisted, does anyone know if your app is re-reviewed at the next Adcom meeting? Or do they not consider you again until May?

I'm debating whether I should send an update letter now, or if I get waitlisted send an update letter then.
 
shoebusiness85 said:
If you are waitlisted, does anyone know if your app is re-reviewed at the next Adcom meeting? Or do they not consider you again until May?

I'm debating whether I should send an update letter now, or if I get waitlisted send an update letter then.
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There is no waitlisting or rejecting until around March. It'll either be an acceptance or no news. If you don't hear anything, you can still be accepted later on in the season. I can't say that they re-review every candidate at each meeting, but they do re-review some.
 
ksmi117 said:
Traditionally, the MD/PhD acceptances are offered on a Friday. Some MD acceptees get a phone call from their interviewer on that day, but not all. All accepted students will see a status change on their WUMSApply page at midnight between Friday and Saturday.

I can't imagine this has changed, but maybe. If you interviewed early, I'd look to hear something this week if accepted. And acceptances are the only decision they'll give right now, so you've just got to hold tight if you don't hear anything. :luck:
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Does Nov. 3rd count as an early(ish) interview? aka will they be making decisions about those people as well, or just the ones who interviewed in october?
Thanks ksmi, your knowledge has been helpful, as always.
 
simplyjas said:
Does Nov. 3rd count as an early(ish) interview? aka will they be making decisions about those people as well, or just the ones who interviewed in october?
Thanks ksmi, your knowledge has been helpful, as always.
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I have not a clue. Sorry. Lowly med students aren't privy to such knowledge. 🙁
 
ksmi117 said:
There is no waitlisting or rejecting until around March. It'll either be an acceptance or no news. If you don't hear anything, you can still be accepted later on in the season. I can't say that they re-review every candidate at each meeting, but they do re-review some.
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So if I don't hear any news, should I send an update letter to give my file a better chance of being re-reviewed?

Do they accept/encourage updates if they are significant?
 
shoebusiness85 said:
So if I don't hear any news, should I send an update letter to give my file a better chance of being re-reviewed?

Do they accept/encourage updates if they are significant?
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They like updates as far as I know. So go ahead and send one if you don't hear. They really want to accept people that want to come here, so it definitely wouldn't hurt to throw in how much you like the school.
 
This is one of the most helpful posts I've read. I definitely signed in especially to say thanks. I'm currently interviewing and now I know what to actually look for in the interview other than "I like that pizza place".


Equality said:
For those of you who are interviewing at WashU--I thought I would share a bit of my learning experience at WashU as a first year. I wish I had known some of it before I came.

The curriculum is very traditional--first year basic sciences with real microscopes for histology (we have 4 to 5 classes per block--right now Anatomy Histo Physio Biochem and Practice of Medicine); second year disease/dysfunction by organ systems. Common complaint is too much free time during first year, too much material during second year--unbalanced spread of materials. Very much lecture-based, very little interaction between students/professors during class. Midterm and final (usually not cumulative) for most of first year, and finals only for second year. You get about 4 weeks to study for boards at the end of second year compared to 8 or 9 weeks at other schools (e.g., UVa). Third year rotations start relatively late (June or July) compared to other schools (like UVA--March), which will affect your residency choice especially if you haven't rotated through everything by the time you apply during early 4th year. Teaching members of the faculty are not paid extra for teaching, so they split time between research and teaching--NOT like Hopkins or Vanderbilt that have dedicated teaching faculty.

Research has shown that students retain half of what students in interactive settings learn.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3886/is_200407/ai_n9427634/


So far at WashU, some people are fine with the curriculum; some are not so fine.

My point is this: Curriculum IS a very important part of medical school experience. When I was selecting schools, I thought it didn't matter what curriculum a school had because I would learn one way or another---but there IS a certain format where one can learn better. If you fall asleep during lectures, you probably want small group. If you retain better by studying for quizzes/tests often, you probably want frequently testing (U Michigan is great for that). If you learn better when you're presented with applications of knowledge than with just infobits, you want "integrated" curriculum. You'll get very little to none of that at Wash U.


First two years are just as important as your third and fourth years, and curriculum will largely determine how you learn during the first two years. Take my advice and seriously consider the curriculum of all the schools you are considering.
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So I've decided to interview at WashU! My date is December 14th. Dear old dad stepped up and helped buy the plane tix. With that covered and all my meals and stay at Olin covered by Wash U, I'm good! Pretty excited!
 
lol what's wrong with olin? I'll be staying there this sunday night anyone else?
 
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