I was told about Wake Forest by the doc I'm shadowing (she did her specialization there), and she recommended that I apply. I know that there's a section for indicating any familial connection to the school, but would a physician's recommendation be something worth including in the "personal statement" section? I feel like I should say something here, but I don't have much to say. =\
2011-2012 Wake Forest University Application Thread
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I think many people chose to write "Why Wake" and if this physician's recommendation was a key reason for you to apply, then go ahead, as long as you have other reasons of your own to support the fact that you really want to go to Wake.
Great, thanks! I think I'll take that direction as well.
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Accepted! Just got the email a few minutes ago. I really liked Wake, Winston-Salem, and the beautiful surrounding areas of NC. 🙂
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Congrats
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+1
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Waitlisted. Just interviewed last week. I guess there wasn't a whole lot of debate on the topic, which probably doesn't bode well for me.
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I quite like both of them. I see myself having some tough decisions to make in the coming months. Good luck with Wake. I hope we both hear from UNC soon.
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Accepted!! Got the email this afternoon 
Hey, was this the date they told you, or is it earlier?
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They told my interview group that they would decide on us on October 19th, so it only took them two days to get the word to us after that. I appreciate the quickness.
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I think they do take a significant number of people off of their waitlist; I don't have any numbers, though.
Congratulations to everyone who got accepted!
Anecdata: both of my interview tour guides were accepted off the waitlist. They made a point to say that almost half of their class had been pulled off the waitlist, and so we should not despair if we are not accepted right away.
Anecdata: both of my interview tour guides were accepted off the waitlist. They made a point to say that almost half of their class had been pulled off the waitlist, and so we should not despair if we are not accepted right away.
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The letter says between 30-50% of class is from alternate list.
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They send an email with an attached pdf containing the decision. The status page is also updated with the decision.
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My status page changed first, an email came after about 20 minutes (not sure how long the status had said "congrats" prior to the email exactly though), and three days later I got an official letter via snail mail.
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Thanks so much for the info!
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For anyone still waiting for a secondary:
I just spoke with Irene Tise from the admissions office. She said they'll be sending out another batch of secondary invitations within the next week.
I just spoke with Irene Tise from the admissions office. She said they'll be sending out another batch of secondary invitations within the next week.
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For anyone still waiting for a secondary:
I just spoke with Irene Tise from the admissions office. She said they'll be sending out another batch of secondary invitations within the next week.
Sorry if this has already been stated, but how heavily do they screen for secondaries?
Conventional wisdom on the site seems to be 1/3 of applicants receive secondaries.
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got ya, thanks. didn't know if it was good(ish) news or not 😵 --> affirmative
secondary received today, so they did send out a batch this afternoon.
AMCAS notification received 10/25
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+1...complete 8/24 and still haven't heard anything.
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I broke down and called Tuesday. The person who answered the phone, looked up my info, and told me that my review was complete, but no decision has been made. I was then instructed to write a Letter of Interest, and that once I did that, they would see if my status changed.
So, this weekend, it looks like I'll be jumping through that hoop.
So, this weekend, it looks like I'll be jumping through that hoop.
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Sounds promising, GL
. How long have you been complete? and what does your status currently say?
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Sounds promising, GL
Here is my timeline:
WFU Received AMCAS application: 9/7
Was placed on hold for MCAT Scores: 9/12
MCAT Scores Released: 9/13
Secondary Received from WFU: 9/30
Secondary Submitted to WFU: 10/12
Marked Complete: 10/19
Current status reads:
Your application is complete. Interviews are by invitation from September to March.* If you are invited, you will receive a e-mail or phone call to schedule an interview.
Hope that helps. . .
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Complete the same day and have the same status. I guess I need to start writing a letter. Did they give you a specific person to send it to?
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I wonder if that applies to everyone with the same application status or whether the status merely indcates completion, and they do not have a separate update for an application that has been reviewed post-completion. I have the same status but was not marked complete until 11/1. I dont want to jump the gun and send a letter of interest before my file has even been reviewed. Guess maybe I should send them an email or call...
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Happened to me as well, I noticed when I press submit an extra zero appears before my application number. It might be a glitch.
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Thanks bud, must of overlooked that post
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Got my letter of acceptance today!!! First one. Been DREAMING of this day for SOOO long! Good luck to you all!
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Yeah, that is what I'm trying to figure out too..... I was complete same day as you 11/01, so I think I will wait two weeks before making my next move😀
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Thanks, I now know what I will do after about two weeks. GL and let us know how it works out.
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They don't seem to be posting this stuff anymore on the 31 Qs thread. So i'll go ahead and post it hear. There may be some minor inaccuracies as I can't say I know "everything" and things do change. But this is pretty accurate and may give some of you a feel for things before you head out to interview or may remind you why you should come to Wake if you were accepted already and trying to choose between a couple schools. If you have any questions about the school feel free to send me a message. I can't promise any quick response as I don't spend much time on here.
SDN 31 Questions Allopathic
Mentor Forum
Please return to [email protected] from your school (.edu) email.
Please BOLD the questions as you answer them but put your answers in regular font.
Wake Forest School of Medicine info current as of October 2011
Curriculum
1. Are there any special programs for which this medical school is noted?
We have solid MD/MBA, MD/Phd, MD/MS, and MD/MA programs. We also have certificate programs available through the School of Divinity. There are ample opportunities to get involved in research in the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, which is well known nationally.
http://www.wakehealth.edu/School/MD-Program/Combined-Degree-Programs.htm
2. Describe this school's curriculum in the pre-clinical and clinical years. Are there any innovations, like Problem-Based Learning?
Our webpage lays things out fairly well in regards to this question: http://www.wakehealth.edu/MD-Program/
1st and 2nd year classes consist of 80% block structure lectures, the other 20% is a mix of physical exam, patient interview, ethics, small group case based learning, community practice and biostatistics classes.
Block 1 is Human Anatomy and encompasses histology lab, dissection, lectures, etc. Block 2 is Biochem/Molecular Medicine/Genetics/Bugs and Drugs
Block 3 encompasses all 2nd year classes and goes through a systems based pathophysiology curriculum spending 3-4 weeks on each major system. 2nd year is complete at the end of February with March of second year being a study month for Step 1. 3rd year clinical rotations begin in April.
3rd year rotations are pretty standard. Surgery (8wks), Peds (8wks), Medicine (12wks), OB/GYN, ED, Psych, Family, Neuro are all 4wks each.
4th year required rotations include ICU (4wks), Two acting internships (4wks each) and the rest are a mix of electives.
3. Are there opportunities for students to design, conduct, and publish their own research?
More than enough opportunities. Many students get plugged into paid research opportunities the summer between 1st and 2nd years and then continue on projects till they graduate. 4th year also allows for dedicated research electives if students are interested.
4. Is there a note-taking service? If so, is it university-run or student-run?
This has typically been coordinated for by each class with people forming study/note taking groups or people sending notes to the entire class. Since audio and lecture slides are posted for each lecture it is pretty easy for students to do this on their own.
5. Is there flexibility in the coursework (the number of electives) and the timing of the courses (accelerating, decelerating, and time off) during the pre-clinical and clinical years?
There is little flexibility the first three years of school. They have a solid curriculum that makes great clinicians and they dont allow much deviation from the path unless you are in one of the combined programs or you have some crises that requires you to take time off. The lack of flexibility is a point of frustration for many students.
6. Has this medical school, or any of its clinical departments, been on probation or had its accreditation revoked?
No.
7. How do students from this medical school perform on the National Board Examinations? How does the school assist students who do not pass?
We take Step 1 in late March and start 3rd year in April, the advantage is that we rock Step 2, but are dead average on Step 1. Obviously there is variability in step 1 performance and those folks who want to crush it do fine.
I think for Step 2 something like 80% of the class is above the 50th percentile .
Evaluations
8. How are students evaluated academically? How are clinical evaluations performed?
1st and 2nd year are straight forward grades from tests. There are a couple classes like Doctor Patient Relationship, Physical Exam, and Bedside Teaching that are more subjective in grading criteria mostly dependent on your evaluator for 1st and 2nd year. 3rd year grades are based on the national shelf exams and some portion based on your resident/attending evaluations. Lots of people complain about any subjective grading criteria, but in the real world it isnt all about test scores, so I think it is the best it can be.
9. Is there a formal mechanism in place for students to evaluate their professors and attending physicians? What changes have been made recently as a result of this feedback?
Yes. Each lecturer, resident, and attending is evaluated by students at the end of each academic block or clinical rotation. It seems like significant changes in 1st and 2nd year curriculum result from comments, some changes are made in 3rd year clinical rotations as well. But it is tough to answer that question without personally repeating the curriculum. We also have members of our class that sit on an advisory panel to the faculty that address problems and concerns the class has with various issues. This has been useful in getting improvements made as well.
Counseling/Student Support
10. What kind of academic, personal, financial, and career counseling is available to students? Are these services also offered to their spouses and dependents/children?
If students are struggling academically faculty are more than willing to meet one on one for tutoring. Additionally our AOA members offer peer tutoring for academics. Our financial aid office is willing to help out in any way possible to work out budget/debt/finance issues. As far as career counseling, I would say most of this is on the student. There are ample student interest groups who bring in physicians to talk about career issues and specialities. As a student I felt that most of the faculty would sit down with me anytime I wanted to discuss their field. There is also a faculty committee dedicated to personal wellbeing of students, I think they can put in you touch with stress management services, counseling, etc if needed. I am not aware of specific academic, personal, financial, or career counseling for dependents.
SDN 31 Questions Allopathic
Mentor Forum
Please return to [email protected] from your school (.edu) email.
Please BOLD the questions as you answer them but put your answers in regular font.
Wake Forest School of Medicine info current as of October 2011
Curriculum
1. Are there any special programs for which this medical school is noted?
We have solid MD/MBA, MD/Phd, MD/MS, and MD/MA programs. We also have certificate programs available through the School of Divinity. There are ample opportunities to get involved in research in the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, which is well known nationally.
http://www.wakehealth.edu/School/MD-Program/Combined-Degree-Programs.htm
2. Describe this school's curriculum in the pre-clinical and clinical years. Are there any innovations, like Problem-Based Learning?
Our webpage lays things out fairly well in regards to this question: http://www.wakehealth.edu/MD-Program/
1st and 2nd year classes consist of 80% block structure lectures, the other 20% is a mix of physical exam, patient interview, ethics, small group case based learning, community practice and biostatistics classes.
Block 1 is Human Anatomy and encompasses histology lab, dissection, lectures, etc. Block 2 is Biochem/Molecular Medicine/Genetics/Bugs and Drugs
Block 3 encompasses all 2nd year classes and goes through a systems based pathophysiology curriculum spending 3-4 weeks on each major system. 2nd year is complete at the end of February with March of second year being a study month for Step 1. 3rd year clinical rotations begin in April.
3rd year rotations are pretty standard. Surgery (8wks), Peds (8wks), Medicine (12wks), OB/GYN, ED, Psych, Family, Neuro are all 4wks each.
4th year required rotations include ICU (4wks), Two acting internships (4wks each) and the rest are a mix of electives.
3. Are there opportunities for students to design, conduct, and publish their own research?
More than enough opportunities. Many students get plugged into paid research opportunities the summer between 1st and 2nd years and then continue on projects till they graduate. 4th year also allows for dedicated research electives if students are interested.
4. Is there a note-taking service? If so, is it university-run or student-run?
This has typically been coordinated for by each class with people forming study/note taking groups or people sending notes to the entire class. Since audio and lecture slides are posted for each lecture it is pretty easy for students to do this on their own.
5. Is there flexibility in the coursework (the number of electives) and the timing of the courses (accelerating, decelerating, and time off) during the pre-clinical and clinical years?
There is little flexibility the first three years of school. They have a solid curriculum that makes great clinicians and they dont allow much deviation from the path unless you are in one of the combined programs or you have some crises that requires you to take time off. The lack of flexibility is a point of frustration for many students.
6. Has this medical school, or any of its clinical departments, been on probation or had its accreditation revoked?
No.
7. How do students from this medical school perform on the National Board Examinations? How does the school assist students who do not pass?
We take Step 1 in late March and start 3rd year in April, the advantage is that we rock Step 2, but are dead average on Step 1. Obviously there is variability in step 1 performance and those folks who want to crush it do fine.
I think for Step 2 something like 80% of the class is above the 50th percentile .
Evaluations
8. How are students evaluated academically? How are clinical evaluations performed?
1st and 2nd year are straight forward grades from tests. There are a couple classes like Doctor Patient Relationship, Physical Exam, and Bedside Teaching that are more subjective in grading criteria mostly dependent on your evaluator for 1st and 2nd year. 3rd year grades are based on the national shelf exams and some portion based on your resident/attending evaluations. Lots of people complain about any subjective grading criteria, but in the real world it isnt all about test scores, so I think it is the best it can be.
9. Is there a formal mechanism in place for students to evaluate their professors and attending physicians? What changes have been made recently as a result of this feedback?
Yes. Each lecturer, resident, and attending is evaluated by students at the end of each academic block or clinical rotation. It seems like significant changes in 1st and 2nd year curriculum result from comments, some changes are made in 3rd year clinical rotations as well. But it is tough to answer that question without personally repeating the curriculum. We also have members of our class that sit on an advisory panel to the faculty that address problems and concerns the class has with various issues. This has been useful in getting improvements made as well.
Counseling/Student Support
10. What kind of academic, personal, financial, and career counseling is available to students? Are these services also offered to their spouses and dependents/children?
If students are struggling academically faculty are more than willing to meet one on one for tutoring. Additionally our AOA members offer peer tutoring for academics. Our financial aid office is willing to help out in any way possible to work out budget/debt/finance issues. As far as career counseling, I would say most of this is on the student. There are ample student interest groups who bring in physicians to talk about career issues and specialities. As a student I felt that most of the faculty would sit down with me anytime I wanted to discuss their field. There is also a faculty committee dedicated to personal wellbeing of students, I think they can put in you touch with stress management services, counseling, etc if needed. I am not aware of specific academic, personal, financial, or career counseling for dependents.
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