2010-2011 Washington University in St. Louis Application Thread

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So there's this really vague question on the secondary:

"Have you, a family member, or a research mentor had any personal experience or relationship with Washington University School of Medicine."

that I'm not really sure how to answer. I am an undergrad at WashU so I've had a lot of exposure to the medical school and my parents have business dealings there and have been treated at Barnes. I also have a few friends that go there or got accepted last cycle. I don't know how much of that counts as a "personal experience or relationship", and so far I'm just planning on going with an equally vague blanket statement like "I'm a WashU undergrad so I deal with the medical school all the time..."

If anyone knows how to answer that, I'd appreciate it. Otherwise I might just call the admissions office.
 
For the SAT information, do you think it is okay to combine the highest Verbal from one test and the highest Math from another test?

I took the SAT twice (in 2004), and the application doesn't specify that you have to indicate the scores from a single test.

What do you guys think?
 
I recognize that it probably won't matter that much, but I did really well on my combined score so it couldn't hurt to list it.

The only thing that might hurt is if they "catch me in a lie" because I combined my two top scores.

So I'm still kind of unsure...
 
shoebusiness85 said:
I recognize that it probably won't matter that much, but I did really well on my combined score so it couldn't hurt to list it.

The only thing that might hurt is if they "catch me in a lie" because I combined my two top scores.

So I'm still kind of unsure...
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Are you sending them your SAT scores? Then what's the problem? I doubt SAT/ACT scores have anything meaningful to do with whether or not you get admitted. If they cared, they would want the scores directly from College Board.
 
I highly highly doubt they will ask for proof. They care about other parts of the application way more. Put down what you want. If you can prove that you got those scores, which you can, I can't see you getting in trouble for putting down the combined score.
 
Has anyone had their "Premedical Committee Evaluation" marked as complete yet? They said that they'd start downloading recs on July 1st...
 
For the obstacles question, I'm inclined to write something about my ADD and how I stuggled academically until I was diagnosed (7th grade) and even now it is an ongoing battle, but I've gotten the impression that the medical community sort of judges learning disabilities and assumes that you were one of the many over-diagnosed individuals who doesn't actually have anything really wrong with them.

Does anyone know WashU's attitude toward learning disabilities or know if discussing my disability would count against me in general?
 
Hey ksmi117! I'm applying this year, and washU is definitely on the top of my list! What do you think was the most appealing part of your application that you think helped you get in the most? Do you mind me asking what your MCAT score/GPA was?

Thanks!!!
 
Is anyone else's fee shown as not received even though you got a receipt? I wonder how long it takes to update.

Also, I noticed that unfortunately one of the digits in the area code of the "Institution Name" got cut off, even though I thought I fixed it. Probably not a big deal right (the advisor phone number is there)?
 
doctor freak said:
Hey ksmi117! I'm applying this year, and washU is definitely on the top of my list! What do you think was the most appealing part of your application that you think helped you get in the most? Do you mind me asking what your MCAT score/GPA was?

Thanks!!!
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Haha, I don't think any one thing about my application stood out. I had A LOT of varied leadership/student org experience and my interviewers seemed to like that. I'll update my mdapps with all my 15 activities soon so people can actually see that part. I took it down during my application at a failed attempt to make myself more anonymous. :laugh:

As far as numbers, I had a 40Q/4.0. Yes, WashU cares a lot about these, but it's not the only thing they look at. Don't think that low numbers will exclude you or that high numbers are an automatic pass in.

RB93 said:
Is anyone else's fee shown as not received even though you got a receipt? I wonder how long it takes to update.

Also, I noticed that unfortunately one of the digits in the area code of the "Institution Name" got cut off, even though I thought I fixed it. Probably not a big deal right (the advisor phone number is there)?
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IIRC, it took a bit for my payment to show up as received even after I got the receipt. And I wouldn't worry about the phone number thing. If they really want to call, I'm sure it's not that hard to figure out what area code your school is in.
 
rjsmit2 said:
Has anyone had their "Premedical Committee Evaluation" marked as complete yet? They said that they'd start downloading recs on July 1st...
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Yeah I was wondering the same thing. Should I call them at this point if they still don't have my letters?
 
Must the Dean's Letter be sent before an interview can be granted, or did I read the website correctly that it is only necessary for acceptance? I can't get back over to my university for a little while, so I was JW =)
 
FlowRate said:
Must the Dean's Letter be sent before an interview can be granted, or did I read the website correctly that it is only necessary for acceptance? I can't get back over to my university for a little while, so I was JW =)
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As far as I remember (which if I'm wrong, I read this a year ago), this is correct. It's only needed for admissions decisions. I'd call up the admissions office to be sure though.
 
Received WashU's program book in paper mail today, but I've already submitted 2nd application. I'm excited though.
 
Hey guys, I know people keep asking about the optional essay, but I have some questions about it.

"unique experiences or obstacles that you have overcome" - what would be a unique experience? I have been working in an engineering lab that makes models for anesthesiology. I've been here for a long time and I touched upon my experiences in my personal statement and in the activities section. However, I did not go into detail about this, I don't think I conveyed how much I like to work here and how much I've gained from it effectively. The rest of the application is fine, and I don't really need to clarify anything else. Would you guys recommend I expand about my experiences, or would it be okay to leave it blank and talk more about it in my interview if I get the chance?

thanks in advance!
 
Does the 4 week deadline to complete your secondary apply to rec letters as well? And is WashU really strict about this rule? I'm worried because one of my profs is really dawdling with getting a letter written for me (I asked a month and a half ago and he promised to have it done by yesterday... it's not done yet) and at this rate they might not receive the letter until August.
 
I wouldn't worry too much about these "rules." People make them up, get accepted, and then spout crap like it's the Holy Grail because they seemingly have the "authority" to do so.

Get stuff in as fast as you can. There's only so much you can do.
 
Lt Surj said:
Hey guys, I know people keep asking about the optional essay, but I have some questions about it.

"unique experiences or obstacles that you have overcome" - what would be a unique experience? I have been working in an engineering lab that makes models for anesthesiology. I've been here for a long time and I touched upon my experiences in my personal statement and in the activities section. However, I did not go into detail about this, I don't think I conveyed how much I like to work here and how much I've gained from it effectively. The rest of the application is fine, and I don't really need to clarify anything else. Would you guys recommend I expand about my experiences, or would it be okay to leave it blank and talk more about it in my interview if I get the chance?

thanks in advance!
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I had a similar thing, where I talked about something in the work activities but really wanted to talk about it more to show that it was important, and i used this essay to do that. i think you can do it
 
Has anyone's recommendations shown up yet? I sent my secondary in on July 1 and it still shows on their website that they haven't received them yet. 😎
 
Alexandro said:
Has anyone's recommendations shown up yet? I sent my secondary in on July 1 and it still shows on their website that they haven't received them yet. 😎
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My recs were finally "received" over the weekend...which is kind of odd. but my application still says "Incomplete" even though all the items are checked off. oh well. i'm not going anywhere...
 
I emailed admissions with this question, asking about the Dean's Certification and Letters. They responded:

Please allow at least 3-4 weeks for application material to be processed after it is received by our office.

Thank you for your e-mail.

MD Admissions Office
Washington University School of Medicine
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Does anyone know if I will be considered complete before they receive my dean's certificate? I've sent the secondary in and everything. But, I probably won't be able to get the dean's thing until mid-august. thanks
 
Sai7 said:
Does anyone know if I will be considered complete before they receive my dean's certificate? I've sent the secondary in and everything. But, I probably won't be able to get the dean's thing until mid-august. thanks
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IIRC, my application was marked complete before they got my dean's thing last year. Supposedly, the dean's thing is only needed prior to making an admissions decision, not an interview decision.
 
I'm submitting individual letters. I was planning on sending in 4, and I assigned 4 letters through the primary, but for some reason it wouldn't let me submit the secondary until I got rid of one of the letters. Anyone else have this problem, and should I go back and change my primary application, and send in just 3 letters?
 
ksmi117 said:
I don't know the answer to that. But why don't you call the admissions office and ask?
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Good point. But I was wondering if anyone else had the same issue; it didn't seem to let me submit the fourth letter writer's name, and it only accepted my submission after I removed it.
 
Just got an email from WUMS saying my application is complete and under review!
 
I just checked my file and they've received everything except the Dean's Certification. And they write "When we receive either your committee packet of recommendations or three individual letters of recommendation we consider your application to be complete and continue to process it. If additional letters are received, they will be added to your file." But it says right below "According to our records and procedures your file is Incomplete." Does anyone know if we need the Dean's Report for our application to be under review/complete?
 
wrathofgod64 said:
I just checked my file and they've received everything except the Dean's Certification. And they write "When we receive either your committee packet of recommendations or three individual letters of recommendation we consider your application to be complete and continue to process it. If additional letters are received, they will be added to your file." But it says right below "According to our records and procedures your file is Incomplete." Does anyone know if we need the Dean's Report for our application to be under review/complete?
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Pretty sure it's not required to be complete. I bet all your stuff is in, and they just haven't officially updated your status.
 
Sorry I didn't clarify. My Dean's Report actually isn't in because my Dean is on vacay and won't be back until Aug 9th. Will my app still be complete before then?
 
wrathofgod64 said:
Sorry I didn't clarify. My Dean's Report actually isn't in because my Dean is on vacay and won't be back until Aug 9th. Will my app still be complete before then?
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Yeah, that's what I meant. It's not required to be complete and you should be under review before it's turned in.
 
Just received a letter and brochure in the mail today from Washington U. I had not seriously considered applying to school here, but I really like what I am reading in the brochure and I just might have to rethink applying.
 
KickedOut said:
Just received a letter and brochure in the mail today from Washington U. I had not seriously considered applying to school here, but I really like what I am reading in the brochure and I just might have to rethink applying.
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Do it! 😀

P.S. I may be biased but I think WashU is an awesome choice for school.
 
The funny thing is that I have received this same brochure TWICE, the second time half month AFTER my secondary is complete! 😀 And the second time the cover letter begins with "Congrat with your terrific MCAT score..." but my MCAT is just WashU's mean, and my GPA is even lower than its mean 😀
 
ksmi117 said:
Do it! 😀

P.S. I may be biased but I think WashU is an awesome choice for school.
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Yea, but this is coming from an LSU grad 😀 (ps...Geaux to Hell LSU!)

schlieren said:
The funny thing is that I have received this same brochure TWICE, the second time half month AFTER my secondary is complete! 😀 And the second time the cover letter begins with "Congrat with your terrific MCAT score..." but my MCAT is just WashU's mean, and my GPA is even lower than its mean 😀
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That is the same letter that I received. What is the mean MCAT score?
 
Complete this morning! Yippee! What a reach, though... Sigh!
 
ColeOnTheRoll said:
So did anyone's status ever change to complete despite not sending in the certification form? I'm lacking only that form and still considered incomplete.
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Yea I got a complete email a few days ago and do not have the Deans cert checked off on the status page. I just check the status page again and it says: According to our records and procedures your file is Complete.
 
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