2012-2013 Case Western Reserve University Application Thread

[ccfman1991]

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I had a similar issue. When i logged in an hour ago it said that i hadn't submitted yet, so I took vc's advice and shortened some fluff in my essays, then clicked "submit my essays". It said I successfully submitted my essays but I didn't pay the secondary fee again. I logged back out, logged back in, and it went straight to the status page, but it says that my file was marked complete on 7/20 (i definitely changed my essays an hour ago on the 21st). I'm confused. Did my new essays go through?

 

[DCSB6]

I submitted yesterday and cannot go back in to edit the essays :/


Swetareddy - is there any reason that some applicants are able to go back in and fix there character limits but others are not??

 

[swetareddy]

DCSB6. : That was a glitch when students were able to edit their essays even after submitting their secondary. I just corrected that glitch , so you cannot edit your essays. I am sorry 🙁 .

 

[DCSB6]

No worries, thank you for the response! Is there any truth to the exceeding word limit dilemma? A couple of mine went over by 40-70 characters. I would have definitely trimmed them up if I had known it would've been a problem, but on here it seemed as if it was alright to go over by a little.

 

[ccfman1991]

No worries, thank you for the response! Is there any truth to the exceeding word limit dilemma? A couple of mine went over by 40-70 characters. I would have definitely trimmed them up if I had known it would've been a problem, but on here it seemed as if it was alright to go over by a little.

Honestly, i don't think it's a big deal. (40 characters) 🙂

 

[Myuu]

That's unfortunate.

 

[ceasefire]

I was able to go in and fix mine too. I wonder if our apps would ever have been completed if you hadn't caught that. Thanks for sharing--some people would've fixed their own app and kept quiet. Hope to see you at Case!

Glad I can help!

 

[elevenses]

Does anybody know if Case discriminates against its undergraduate students, i.e. is it more difficult than usual to go to Case for medical school if one attended Case for undergrad?

 

[swetareddy]

Elevenses: Case does not discriminate !!!

 

[Myuu]

Plenty of Case people here! 🙂

 

[ceasefire]

That's unfortunate.

What's unfortunate?

 

[Myuu]

What's unfortunate?

Willful failure to comply with simple instructions.

 

[An MD Hopeful]

For the essay about research, I've been heavily involved in several studies. Would it be okay if I describe two of those studies and not just one, or would the AdCom prefer if I write a lot about one of those studies?

 

[DAPI]

For the essay about research, I've been heavily involved in several studies. Would it be okay if I describe two of those studies and not just one, or would the AdCom prefer if I write a lot about one of those studies?

I picked the one I could describe best and learned the most from. Seems complicated to write about two projects in only 3500 characters.

 

[ceasefire]

For the essay about research, I've been heavily involved in several studies. Would it be okay if I describe two of those studies and not just one, or would the AdCom prefer if I write a lot about one of those studies?

I had a difficult time writing of one project in 3500 characters, so I couldn't imagine two!

 

[An MD Hopeful]

I picked the one I could describe best and learned the most from. Seems complicated to write about two projects in only 3500 characters.

I had a difficult time writing of one project in 3500 characters, so I couldn't imagine two!

I see what you mean. For one of the studies I've done, which is a clinical study, we're still doing the data analysis. So we have finished the secondary data analysis (which gave us interesting results) but the primary analysis is not finished yet since it's the most complicated part...the other study is a basic science project, and it is completely finished. But I'd really like to mention the clinical study too since that's really what I want to do in the future...if I can fit the two studies in the essay, would that be okay? Or do the adcoms prefer reading about just one study?

 

[DAPI]

I see what you mean. For one of the studies I've done, which is a clinical study, we're still doing the data analysis. So we have finished the secondary data analysis (which gave us interesting results) but the primary analysis is not finished yet since it's the most complicated part...the other study is a basic science project, and it is completely finished. But I'd really like to mention the clinical study too since that's really what I want to do in the future...if I can fit the two studies in the essay, would that be okay? Or do the adcoms prefer reading about just one study?

I would just do one. You already had 700 characters (each) to write about these in AMCAS. Seems it would be logical to go into detail into one of them instead of rehash what you already wrote in AMCAS as you really would not have much space to go beyond that if you are trying to write about the question, approach, results, and interpretation of each in ~1250 characters and then ~1000 character left to explain what it meant to you.

Seems crunched if you ask me.

 

[vc7777]

I'm going to replace "Essay limit" with "Stop sign"

What's the point of saying "please limit your response to 1 page (about 3500 characters), but know that any essay over that limit will be saved in its entirety." Why don't they just cut it off?!

"Why do they put "STOP" signs on street corners? If they really wanted you to stop, they would just put up barricades or gates, right?"

NickNaylor said that he exceeded the limit on his Pritzker app and he ended up with an acceptance.

"I know this guy Nick who blew through the stop signs in Chicago, and he was OK."
Chicago =/= Cleveland.

Pritzker also explicitly stated in their recent Twitter session that they don't penalize applicants for going over the limit.

"Cops in Chicago don't care if you blow through them."
Fun fact: We have automatic traffic enforcement around Cleveland. Tickets mailed home weeks later are nasty surprises for many out-of-towners. People driving in for interviews beware.

That's unfortunate.

What's unfortunate?

Willful failure to comply with simple instructions.

Word. It's a Stop Sign folks, let's just obey them and move on.

For the essay about research, I've been heavily involved in several studies. Would it be okay if I describe two of those studies and not just one, or would the AdCom prefer if I write a lot about one of those studies?

I see what you mean....But I'd really like to mention the clinical study ...if I can fit the two studies in the essay, would that be okay? Or do the adcoms prefer reading about just one study?

I can't say. Maybe you are a phenomenally succinct and articulate applicant with crisp writing skills who can generate tight prose that is accessible to the layman while still entertaining and informing your audience of your presumably highly technical research in a poignant and profoundly memorable way. If so, great! Then you can cram the terribly written and vaguely detailed train-wreck-of-an-essay about your second research project at the end.

Thanks for the advice. Is this your personal opinion, or part of the culture at Case/CCLCM? I ask because I've heard adcoms from other schools express viewpoints that contrast with yours.

🙂 I wouldn't lead any of you knowingly astray. I'll own up to my mistakes when I make them. And I have in the past. But on this account, I am pretty sure I am right. 😉

 

[ceasefire]

vc7777, thank you for your help! I appreciate you taking the time to answer our frustrating questions 🙂

 

[An MD Hopeful]

I picked the one I could describe best and learned the most from. Seems complicated to write about two projects in only 3500 characters.

I had a difficult time writing of one project in 3500 characters, so I couldn't imagine two!

I would just do one. You already had 700 characters (each) to write about these in AMCAS. Seems it would be logical to go into detail into one of them instead of rehash what you already wrote in AMCAS as you really would not have much space to go beyond that if you are trying to write about the question, approach, results, and interpretation of each in ~1250 characters and then ~1000 character left to explain what it meant to you.

Seems crunched if you ask me.

I can't say. Maybe you are a phenomenally succinct and articulate applicant with crisp writing skills who can generate tight prose that is accessible to the layman while still entertaining and informing your audience of your presumably highly technical research in a poignant and profoundly memorable way. If so, great! Then you can cram the terribly written and vaguely detailed train-wreck-of-an-essay about your second research project at the end.

Lol, thanks everyone. I'll stick to describing one project.

 

[ceasefire]

Fun fact: We have automatic traffic enforcement around Cleveland. Tickets mailed home weeks later are nasty surprises for many out-of-towners. People driving in for interviews beware.

Also, this could be a metaphor. Maybe CWRU and/or CCLCM auto reject applicants weeks later who have disobeyed the written law. 😱

 

[5lippy]

lol vc really hates people going over the character limit! grrr! glad i changed my essays up!

 

[vc7777]

Also, this could be a metaphor. Maybe CWRU and/or CCLCM auto reject applicants weeks later who have disobeyed the written law. 😱

sadly/thankfully this is merely a fact and not a metaphor.

Sent from my phone

 

[DAPI]

sadly/thankfully this is merely a fact and not a metaphor.

Sent from my phone

Wow, case is serious about their character limit.



Edit: I think I misinterpreted this while on my phone, but either way, I would not go over the limit.

 

[imapremed]

swetareddy:
for the research question - would it matter if you talked about a research program that you worked on over a summer with 1 SOLID project instead of the research lab group that you have worked on for two years and have worked on 1 project but mostly it has been random little projects?

the reason i am asking is because i feel like i would be able to better talk about my research from the summer because i did like 90% of the work myself and my PI only guided me.

with that said, i chose my 2 year lab research as one of my most important experiences and talked about it sorta in detail on my amcas but not so in detail as the question on the case secondary asked. the summer one - i talked about in an overview type of way - less detailed than my 2 year lab work and it was NOT one of my 3 most important experience.

would that be a RED FLAG if I did not talk about my 2 years lab experience? just wondering.

 

[chemsmith]

So I submitted my essays but I was never redirected to the payment page. Now of course my application is not marked complete and I cannot find a link to the payment page....

Is anyone else having this problem? Any thoughts?


Edit: does anyone have the link to the payment page?

 

[DAPI]

swetareddy:
for the research question - would it matter if you talked about a research program that you worked on over a summer with 1 SOLID project instead of the research lab group that you have worked on for two years and have worked on 1 project but mostly it has been random little projects?

the reason i am asking is because i feel like i would be able to better talk about my research from the summer because i did like 90% of the work myself and my PI only guided me.

with that said, i chose my 2 year lab research as one of my most important experiences and talked about it sorta in detail on my amcas but not so in detail as the question on the case secondary asked. the summer one - i talked about in an overview type of way - less detailed than my 2 year lab work and it was NOT one of my 3 most important experience.

would that be a RED FLAG if I did not talk about my 2 years lab experience? just wondering.

This is exactly what I am doing for the exact same reasons. I do not think it matters, I just think they want to know you know how to talk about some of your research and why it was important to you.

 

[hurlygrly07]

.

 

[vc7777]

swetareddy:
for the research question - would it matter if you talked about a research program that you worked on over a summer with 1 SOLID project instead of the research lab group that you have worked on for two years and have worked on 1 project but mostly it has been random little projects?

the reason i am asking is because i feel like i would be able to better talk about my research from the summer because i did like 90% of the work myself and my PI only guided me.

with that said, i chose my 2 year lab research as one of my most important experiences and talked about it sorta in detail on my amcas but not so in detail as the question on the case secondary asked. the summer one - i talked about in an overview type of way - less detailed than my 2 year lab work and it was NOT one of my 3 most important experience.

would that be a RED FLAG if I did not talk about my 2 years lab experience? just wondering.

I am not sure you directed this question to the correct person?

Sent from my phone

 

[DAPI]

Does CCLM screen for secondaries?

No, secondaries go to everyone. (And its CCLCM, not CCLM)

 

[swetareddy]

Chemsmith : just checking what is happening gimme sumtime..

 

[imapremed]

I am not sure you directed this question to the correct person?

Sent from my phone

Maybe not. BUT would you be able to help me out? what is your suggestion?

 

[vc7777]

I am in morning conference right now and have worked over twelve hours every day for the past two Weeks - so I haven't had a lot of down time to answer questions. So apologies for typos and terse responses.


I think many people have multiple research experiences, so it really is your call. Sounds like you took ownership of the earlier experience more. I personally think it might be better for you to elaborate on this experience and leave the other one out.


Sent from my phone

 

[vc7777]

Also, and I will double check at some point, the "most important" amcas stuff is relatively new, I don't think it will be detrimental to not have cited this research experience in your primary a one of them.

Sent from my phone

 

[vc7777]

Stream of consciousness regarding research essay :

Do not assume any level of expertise on the readers end when writing your research essay. Also, do not assume ignorance either.

No citations. Don't use jargon.

do not copy and paste abstracts from papers. Bad bad bad.

Ok gotta go
Later gators

Sent from my phone

 

[imapremed]

Stream of consciousness regarding research essay :

Do not assume any level of expertise on the readers end when writing your research essay. Also, do not assume ignorance either.

No citations. Don't use jargon.

do not copy and paste abstracts from papers. Bad bad bad.

Ok gotta go
Later gators

Sent from my phone

thanks bud!

 

[vc7777]

Ok! Time at a computer. Here for about 30 mins. CCLCM secrets revealed! Ask away!

 

[LONeil]

What percentage of CCLCM matriculants have abstracts or publications coming into M1?

 

[vc7777]

Also, Myuu - Can I get an update to Post #2 to mention I am a third year, now? Thanks Bunches.

People who have not looked at that post, there is a lot of information I have included some prior posts by myself and CCLCMer - who graduated last year and just completed her first year of residency at her top choice.

Waiting for questions so I can educate!

 

[vc7777]

What percentage of CCLCM matriculants have abstracts or publications coming into M1?

As a percent - I cannot say. We draw from a diverse background and seriously do not expect publications nor fault someone for not having any. It is seriously not a reason to "rule-out" applying to CCLCM.

Having said that - it runs the gamut from no pubs or few student "research day" like posters, etc, to major platform talks at international conferences and patents and even to post-doctoral prolific publishers and book authors (on topics including books geared towards medical students and residents - not exaggerating).


EDIT: If I had to guess I would say in the 10-20% range, but the distribution is skewed. Lots with none and some with many. Remember folks, some topics/labs/areas of interest are more conducive to publishing than other - which is really why I should emphatically say that this is not a simple metric for evaluating applicants.

 

[vc7777]

I. Demand. More. Questions. PM me in the next couple of mins if you want a public answer to an "anonymous" question like a "Dear Abby" column. Note I will answer it publicly. GO!

 

[5lippy]

I. Demand. More. Questions. PM me in the next couple of mins if you want a public answer to an "anonymous" question like a "Dear Abby" column. Note I will answer it publicly. GO!

do you know when II's come out to people who applied to both programs? i am complete as of 7/20.

 

[vc7777]

First off - invitations to interview will come out based on several factors. First and foremost, if you applied to both programs it will be after both programs have independently reached a decision to interview or not. This can be highly variable but it's really out of courtesy to you, the applicant, to avoid redundant trips to Cleveland.

Having said that, it will also depend on the order in which the applications have been received. To a great extent, it is first-come-first-serve (although this is not always the case). This is a human process and your entire application will be reviewed once received. I think if you indicate that there are pending MCAT scores that this might hold your application too. We employ human readers trained in reviewing your entire application before a decision is made to invite.

Please note that all of our application readers are volunteers and have many, many jobs/duties in and around Cleveland. Because of this, they might vary the turn-around time on your particular application. Also note that order of invitation (which is notorious at other schools) is NOT indicative of desirability or eligiblity for CCLCM. The typical class consists of people invited to interview throughout the application season. So, please please please chillax and not read anything into timing.

tl;dr No, I do not know. The first will come out for CCLCM-only applicants if I had to bet.

does that answer your question?

 

[jhuskp]

I applied for the university track program, but I'm getting the scholarly essay that includes "why I want to be a physician investigator." Did anybody else have this problem?

 

[vc7777]

Did you have any fears going into the program? What was the biggest adjustment to going from grades to portfolio?? How would I know best If I could break away from the norm (being graded)?

Good question...

Yes - it was a big unknown. I had to have some faith that they, the adcom knew who I was (that I had been honest in my intentions and application), and knew what kind of person could succeed in the program. The biggest adjustment isn't the lack of grades, it is the portfolio system. I think it is important if/when you come for an interview to really try and understand and ask questions about the feedback system. I've been out in the "real world" and I am not gonna lie - it stung the first couple of times I received feedback from peers and professors I admired. Also, you learn quickly to sign your anonymous feedback to "keep yourself honest" because it makes you more careful in how you give others feedback. But rest assured - the process works.

How would you know if the program is right? I tell people flat-out:

Do NOT come to our program is:
1) You live to set the curve in your classes
2) You love to compare grades with your buddies
3) You enjoy that feeling of knowing everything on the exam and not having to know anything else.
4) You cannot tolerate ambiguity from your professors (like expectations, vague questions, no syllabus, etc.)


And not related to this question but also
do NOT come:
5) Because you want the scholarship
6) Because you want to be associated with Cleveland Clinic
7) If you are sure you do not like research. Research is integrated into every aspect of your first two years. Almost every discussion includes recent research. This can be disheartening if you particularly do not want to know about the current theories or recent trials, or molecular mechanisms of a particular cell receptor.
...you will be miserable here if you do not heed my advice.

 

[vc7777]

I applied for the university track program, but I'm getting the scholarly essay that includes "why I want to be a physician investigator." Did anybody else have this problem?

Sweta should be able to look into this. I wonder if you checked "MSTP" or something?

 

[jhuskp]

Thanks. I called in and found out it was a computer glitch. Just submitted

 

[wizedw]

Received and Submitted today!

 

[stolen_biscuit]

I applied for the university track program, but I'm getting the scholarly essay that includes "why I want to be a physician investigator." Did anybody else have this problem?

Is that this?
"Optional Scholarly Essay:
Please describe your research experience, including the hypothesis you pursued, the methods selected to answer this hypothesis, and why, and your results and interpretation of the results with respect to future findings. In addition, please add your thoughts about why this research experience has motivated you to consider a career as a physician investigator."

I am applying only University Track too. I was going to describe my research but wasn't sure how to answer the motivation to pursue being a "physician investigator" when that's not what I'm trying to do.

Do you mean this question is not supposed to be on my app?

 

[LPpostbacc]

Is that this?
"Optional Scholarly Essay:
Please describe your research experience, including the hypothesis you pursued, the methods selected to answer this hypothesis, and why, and your results and interpretation of the results with respect to future findings. In addition, please add your thoughts about why this research experience has motivated you to consider a career as a physician investigator."

I am applying only University Track too. I was going to describe my research but wasn't sure how to answer the motivation to pursue being a "physician investigator" when that's not what I'm trying to do.

Do you mean this question is not supposed to be on my app?

I'm not quite sure, but I noticed on their website that the College Track program description ends with this:

"This program will appeal most to those who are self-directed learners but who also enjoy learning in teams, who are seeking close working relationships with fellow students and faculty, and who are interested in developing the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed as practicing physician-investigators."

Maybe it's not supposed to be there...