2011-2012 Northwestern Application Thread

[luckyducky87]

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speaking of logistics... any good hotel recommendations? I guess I am mainly concerned about $$ and distance (while not having to stay at some sketchy motel). I would personally prefer this over a student host because I'll feel more comfortable the night before my interview... I had a feeling that all the hotels suggested on the Interview page are very pricey, but I wasn't sure if there's anything better nearby.

 

[petitprincesse]

Is it too late to add Northwestern this cycle?

I was talking to a college friend who interviewed at northwestern last year and he made me regret overlooking northwestern in my initial list of schools. I don't know how much of a rolling-admissions school northwestern is, but if I were to add it now (already verified), how much of a disadvantage would a late August app be?

So...I just turned in my secondary. I received it 7/28 and had a draft done 7/30. But I have just been too reluctant / stupid to submit since it's my dream medical school (I wouldn't even dare to call it a top choice). I finally did it though.

Does anyone know how aggressive FSM is about secondary applications compared to other schools? I know most of the top tier schools are fairly lax about when you turn them in compared to others with the notable exception of Michigan, but I was just wondering if it's "too late" for me. Oh well, better late than never, right?

And how about now? What'cha guys think?

 

[doctorSOX]

speaking of logistics... any good hotel recommendations? I guess I am mainly concerned about $$ and distance (while not having to stay at some sketchy motel). I would personally prefer this over a student host because I'll feel more comfortable the night before my interview... I had a feeling that all the hotels suggested on the Interview page are very pricey, but I wasn't sure if there's anything better nearby.

I stayed at the Crowne Plaza the night before my interview and the place was beautiful. They initially ask for $199 on the phone. However, I first had them knock the price down to $169 with the Northwestern rate. Then, I bargained with them, played the poor student card and said that I could book with another competitor hotel in the area for $129, so I got them to match $129 for me. It's worth a try if you're willing to pay that. Huge room, nice TV, awesome view of the city, etc...

 

[mdhopeful65]

.

 

[capn jazz]

has anyone had any luck emailing student hosts? i emailed 4 students about 6 days ago and no response... should i email some more??

 

[Nakita]

has anyone had any luck emailing student hosts? i emailed 4 students about 6 days ago and no response... should i email some more??

I also emailed 4 students; 2 responded they are already hosting students. 2 never responded... I am having the most difficult time finding someone here than anywhere else. I might email some more.... when are you interviewing? Wanna split hotel? lol (I'm only half joking at this point... I'm interviewing 10/31)

 

[luckyducky87]

I am interviewing 10/24 and just found a hotel for $128 (Inn of Chicago)... I called most of the hotels on the list Feinberg gave us and this was by far the cheapest, at least for my date!

 

[mdhopeful65]

.

 

[luckyducky87]

Haha I am glad I helped!

How did you get a cheaper rate and how cheap is it???

I was reading a bit more about the Inn of Chicago and got freaked when I saw a reviewer who said they got blood-stained sheets twice in their room...

Ahhh so now an alternative I have is the Allerton, which offered a Northwestern rate of $138+tax (eh comparable). It's also the same distance away

 

[Nakita]

Haha I am glad I helped!

How did you get a cheaper rate and how cheap is it???

I was reading a bit more about the Inn of Chicago and got freaked when I saw a reviewer who said they got blood-stained sheets twice in their room...

Ahhh so now an alternative I have is the Allerton, which offered a Northwestern rate of $138+tax (eh comparable). It's also the same distance away

I stayed in Inn of Chicago last May for a family trip - I did not have blood-stained sheets in my room lol It was actually quite nice, especially considering the the price. I wouldn't give up on it for sure. And it's right across the street from Argo Tea, which is a plus for me because I love my tea in the morning. Just thought I'd share.🙂

 

[mdhopeful65]

.

 

[3191964]

I am interviewing 10/24 and just found a hotel for $128 (Inn of Chicago)... I called most of the hotels on the list Feinberg gave us and this was by far the cheapest, at least for my date!

Can you please post your stats? IS or OOS? Thanks much for sharing.

 

[Lucky98]

Does anyone know how receptive Northwestern is about "in the area" emails/calls concerning interviews? I have an interview in Chicago in November and was wondering if I should contact the admissions office or should I just wait it out?

 

[pirung1]

Does anyone know how receptive Northwestern is about "in the area" emails/calls concerning interviews? I have an interview in Chicago in November and was wondering if I should contact the admissions office or should I just wait it out?

My interviewer said "schools will accommodate as much as they can," so it would be worth a shot 🙂

 

[luckyducky87]

Can you please post your stats? IS or OOS? Thanks much for sharing.

I have a 3.7s/3.8c, 35, OOS. I was complete late August 🙂

 

[shadeofgreen]

Interview invite today! Complete on September 4 for those interested.

Awesome!

Wow they are really Fast! So is Dartmouth and Yale where I got an interview in about a week after completion.

I really like Northwestern so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I had my supplemental done in Mid september but could not submit because thy were processing my fee waiver.

So complete Sept 28 hoping for II next week 😍

 

[isabella1]

Awesome!

Wow they are really Fast! So is Dartmouth and Yale where I got an interview in about a week after completion.

I really like Northwestern so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I had my supplemental done in Mid september but could not submit because thy were processing my fee waiver.

So complete Sept 28 hoping for II next week 😍

same! I hope we both hear good news!

 

[BMEN]

Interviewing here on friday. Cant wait!

 

[BunnyInTheBox]

Interviewing here on friday. Cant wait!

Have you had a group interview before? That sounds intimidating... Good luck! You'll do fine~! Let us know how it goes~~~~

 

[sibitrum]

Have you had a group interview before? That sounds intimidating... Good luck! You'll do fine~! Let us know how it goes~~~~

It's definitely different, but it can be kind of fun if you take it in stride and work off of your fellow interviewees.

 

[Slev]

x

 

[centrigeugle]

These guys send pre-interview rejections?

 

[marginalzone]

These guys send pre-interview rejections?

You mean, do they reject anyone before interview season is over? I think so, because when I applied two years ago I was rejected in January via email. Good luck!

 

[Raqam4]

Interview invite today! Complete 8/30. ~3.8 GPA, 32 MCAT, so don't worry if you don't have ridiculously high stats. I really think they carefully consider all components of your application.

Interesting--I have very similar stats and was complete in August, but I have yet to hear from NU. Just out of curiosity, they're a private school, so they don't have any IS/OOS bias right?

 

[lbzak]

Interesting--I have very similar stats and was complete in August, but I have yet to hear from NU. Just out of curiosity, they're a private school, so they don't have any IS/OOS bias right?

No IS/OOS bias! I do think it is skewed towards Illinois residents, but mainly due to the higher numbers of Illinois residents that apply.

 

[BMEN]

What an amazing school. I had a super awesome experience

 

[luckyducky87]

Ahh any tips BMEN?? I am interviewing Monday!!! Flying out to Chicago tomorrow morning 🙂

 

[FACS444]

Interesting--I have very similar stats and was complete in August, but I have yet to hear from NU. Just out of curiosity, they're a private school, so they don't have any IS/OOS bias right?

Well the point of my post was that they look beyond numbers to assess who to interview. Stats are one component of the application, so if you have interesting experiences and are passionate about your ECs, then they may very well interview you. There is no IS/OOS bias as well, but I did notice that many of the people who matriculate at Feinberg are from the midwest (simply due to geographical bias).

 

[FACS444]

Ahh any tips BMEN?? I am interviewing Monday!!! Flying out to Chicago tomorrow morning 🙂

Be yourself! The panel interview was relaxing and fun. I don't know why people think it's stressful. They simply want to see if you can work well in groups, which is the philosophical basis of their curriculum (heavy PBL).

 

[BMEN]

Be yourself! The panel interview was relaxing and fun. I don't know why people think it's stressful. They simply want to see if you can work well in groups, which is the philosophical basis of their curriculum (heavy PBL).

This. Always just be yourself in any interview. Makes it go by much more pleasant

 

[luckyducky87]

I guess I just got freaked out looking at the interview feedback forum where people seemed to have gotten asked a lot of questions about public health, knowledge about the trends in medical field (discoveries, where things might be heading, etc) -- stuff that just seemed knowledge-based... or q's that seem like they come out of the blue: like how many fire hydrants, what you'd write a NYT headline about, your own obituary, etc. Bahh

 

[BMEN]

I guess I just got freaked out looking at the interview feedback forum where people seemed to have gotten asked a lot of questions about public health, knowledge about the trends in medical field (discoveries, where things might be heading, etc) -- stuff that just seemed knowledge-based... or q's that seem like they come out of the blue: like how many fire hydrants, what you'd write a NYT headline about, your own obituary, etc. Bahh

Ill admit some of the questions were a bit odd but nothing out of the ordinary that i wouldn't expect from other schools.

 

[onecountry]

I submitted secondary long time ago. Havent been invited to interview. I guess I can expect a rejection email in January.

 

[Fanaya]

For those who have a later interview in Nov like me, I found out there is some event going on in downtown Chicago and a lot of places have been blocked out for group purchases. Just a heads up because I had very few options to choose from for nearby affordable 1 night reservations. Just something to consider when choosing an interview date. 🙂

 

[lalalaaaaaa]

i submitted secondary long time ago. Havent been invited to interview. I guess i can expect a rejection email in january.

+1

 

[indonacious]

Has anyone heard post-interview in less than their 4-6 month timeframe. Also, do they call, mail, or e-mail the information to you?

 

[HakunaMatata22]

Hey everyone, current M1 here. With regards to not hearing from FSM, no news is just that, no news. My application was completed in mid-August (ASAP after the secondary was released) and I didn't get an interview until mid-January. You're not out of the game until you hear something firm from the admissions office.



Also, last year I was notified of my acceptance via email. I don't know if things have changed or not.

 

[Illinois2012]

Has anyone heard post-interview in less than their 4-6 month timeframe. Also, do they call, mail, or e-mail the information to you?

You mean 4-6 weeks?

 

[luckyducky87]

I was informed on interview day that FSM will accept ~half of the interview group; ~10% will be rejected, and the rest will be waitlisted. Ahh chances are much better than I imagined -- I just hope I was in the top half!!

If I don't hear back 6-8 weeks from now (and have to wait till Feb for a final decision), does this necessarily mean that I wasn't "as strong" to be accepted on the rolling basis?! Do you know roughly what % of accepted students are notified in Feb?

 

[indonacious]

You mean 4-6 weeks?

Ya good catch haha.

 

[bbstrauss]

so pumped/nervous for mid-Nov. top choice!

 

[luckyducky87]

Did people write a thank you note after the interview? Grr this is always a dilemma for me. I logged onto the website just now and noticed that all the interviewer's emails are listed...

 

[BMEN]

Did people write a thank you note after the interview? Grr this is always a dilemma for me. I logged onto the website just now and noticed that all the interviewer's emails are listed...

this was my question always lol. I just sent a handwritten one, but im thinking of shooting a thank you email as well

 

[Illinois2012]

Did people write a thank you note after the interview? Grr this is always a dilemma for me. I logged onto the website just now and noticed that all the interviewer's emails are listed...

I had looked up all my interviewer's emails separately and sent thank you emails. Then I later realized their emails were on the status page, and some of them are different than the NU email I found online.

 

[orchestra]

Did people write a thank you note after the interview? Grr this is always a dilemma for me. I logged onto the website just now and noticed that all the interviewer's emails are listed...

Can we find the interviwer's emails before the interview ?
or we can only see it after interview ?

Thanks

 

[Illinois2012]

Can we find the interviwer's emails before the interview ?
or we can only see it after interview ?

Thanks

After. They don't tell you who your interviewers are until you get there.

 

[Dartmouth2005]

I submitted secondary long time ago. Havent been invited to interview. I guess I can expect a rejection email in January.

Just submitted my secondary a few days ago.

 

[doctorSOX]

So based on last year's timetable, does anyone else agree that this Friday could be the first batch of acceptances?!

 

[luckyducky87]

That would be super exciting...

I interviewed just 1 week ago though. So would I probably not hear back in this November batch of final decisions?!

 

[doctorSOX]

That would be super exciting...

I interviewed just 1 week ago though. So would I probably not hear back in this November batch of final decisions?!

Probably not since the applicant page says 4-6 weeks post-interview and other info pages say 6-8 weeks post-interview. But, you really never know for sure either way.