2012-2013 George Washington University Application Thread

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Status
Not open for further replies.
Lot's of people that received re-review on this forum have gotten interviews, so no worries. I'm sitting on over 2 weeks without any change to my status, just complete and ready for review. When did you submit so that I can get an idea of when I should expect any news.

I submitted August 7.
 
I was complete at GWU 7/29 and received an interview invite 8/20. i will interview on October 11 and also don't have super amazing stats by most people's definition

cGPA 3.63, sGPA 3.32, MCAT 31S

good luck to those who got interviews and to everyone else for the rest of the cycle!!!:xf:

You give me so much hope! I have the same stats basically.
 
Same! Thanks for posting heliscomo! Maybe they are finally getting around to inviting those of us with lower stats
 
Same! Thanks for posting heliscomo! Maybe they are finally getting around to inviting those of us with lower stats

I was complete at GW 7/5 and got an II Aug 10 for Sept. 25.
 
Last edited:
Same! Thanks for posting heliscomo! Maybe they are finally getting around to inviting those of us with lower stats
im interviewing here on tuesday and have VERY average stats. dont give up!
 
I don't think they were giving II to high stats first. I saw a handful of sub 30s on here get interviews way back in early July. They get so many applications that it does kinds fall into luck of the draw and who reads ur app sometimes. I had to send a LoI to get off the re review and I have decent stats 4.0/33. So if u really want it then be persistent and show them. I kinda feel that's a must with a school that gets 14K apps.
 
I don't think they were giving II to high stats first. I saw a handful of sub 30s on here get interviews way back in early July. They get so many applications that it does kinds fall into luck of the draw and who reads ur app sometimes. I had to send a LoI to get off the re review and I have decent stats 4.0/33. So if u really want it then be persistent and show them. I kinda feel that's a must with a school that gets 14K apps.

did you just email them the letter of intent?

thanks
 
did you just email them the letter of intent?

thanks

Yeah. Just to that email they provide on their status page. They were quick at responding back that they received and attached to my file.
 
I'll need some help navigating the non-metro aspect of DC.

1. I need to catch the 5A to Dulles bus after the interview at Roslyn. Is this easy? Do I need to buy a ticket far in advance?
.

It is pretty easy, but just a caution: I've seen the 5A fill up and passengers who couldn't squeeze on had to wait for the next bus, 45 min-hour later. So I'd avoid cutting it too close time-wise.

You don't need to pay in advance. You can use cash on the bus. Last time I rode it was probably $3, might be a little higher now. If that doesn't work for some reason, you can also take a train to West Falls Church station, just a few stops past Rosslyn, to take the Washington Flyer bus to Dulles. That's $10 (you pay when you arrive at the airport, so no need to worry about tickets) but runs more often.

Either option is fast and pretty easy and will save you a ton by not taking a cab.
 
got alternated here last year and complete a while ago, hoping for an Interview again! Congrats to those who got one...anybody know if having been alternated the year before helps at all or makes it worse lol
 
Does anyone know if rejections have been sent yet? Or does everyone get put on the "hold for re-review" status?
 
Does anyone know if rejections have been sent yet? Or does everyone get put on the "hold for re-review" status?

As far as I know, no rejections have been sent (none that I can recall, may have appeared earlier in the thread but I didn't notice/read).

Last year I got rejected in November after re-review.
 
got alternated here last year and complete a while ago, hoping for an Interview again! Congrats to those who got one...anybody know if having been alternated the year before helps at all or makes it worse lol
Was alternated last year as well and interviewing here on Tuesday for round 2! I think its prob different for each person based on why you were alternated/if you improved, etc etc
 
Last edited:
Any girls interested in sharing a hotel room on 9/13 (for the 9/14 interviews)? Message me if you are!
 
I'll be arriving at Reagan Washington Airport...is there a taxi or shuttle service I can take to GWU? What about from GWU to the airport when the interview is done? How do I arrange this?
 
hey 1289 did you get to find out why you got alternated? I never asked, I interviewed really late in the cycle though so I figured it was probably because of that...even on the thread I dont think I saw anyone list that they got accepted (apart from the waitlist) after my interview date....or that could just be my way of making myself feel better when instead there could have been problems with my interview lol ...and thats wicked dude congrats on the interview
 
hey 1289 did you get to find out why you got alternated? I never asked, I interviewed really late in the cycle though so I figured it was probably because of that...even on the thread I dont think I saw anyone list that they got accepted (apart from the waitlist) after my interview date....or that could just be my way of making myself feel better when instead there could have been problems with my interview lol ...and thats wicked dude congrats on the interview
hey i tried asking but they said they dont give any information like that over the phone. i chalked it up to a mediocre interview (it was my first one) and a lack of life experiences (was still in undergrad and I was told this by a different school). hoping this year will have a different outcome! good luck on your app, hope you get an interview soon!
 
how soon is it reasonable to write a letter of interest if you have been put on hold for re review? Thought I had decent stats relative to those who seem to getting interviews, and lots of ecs.. really want a chance to interview here!
 
I'll be arriving at Reagan Washington Airport...is there a taxi or shuttle service I can take to GWU? What about from GWU to the airport when the interview is done? How do I arrange this?

Seriously? It's contained in the school's website...

http://www.gwu.edu/dc-transportation
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Transportation+from+Reagan+National+to+GWU#

I'm trying to can the snark here, but this is one of dozens of asks for transportation info on what is one of the easiest things to take 15 seconds to look up.
You're smart, you managed to get an interview @ a med school...use the most basic research skills that you have...
Take the bus
Use the Metro
Take a shuttle
Take a cab
Rent a bike
Use Zipcar
It's D.C., it's a big city, there's tons of different options. As a local, I would look up this stuff too for timetables, fares/fees and individualized plans. Call the school if the goog does not provide...

But seriously, you have heard of the Metro, right? That's your best bet.
 
At what point is it appropriate to send a 2nd In The Area email? I wanted to finalize my travel plans to DC in the next week or two and am really just waiting on GWU...
 
how soon is it reasonable to write a letter of interest if you have been put on hold for re review? Thought I had decent stats relative to those who seem to getting interviews, and lots of ecs.. really want a chance to interview here!

I'd like to know the answer to this question as well
 
Interviewed here on 1st day, surprised no one from our group has chimed in. I was impressed with the boat load of opportunities/location yada yada yada...but...

cons: price (avg debt here last year was $197,500 (this includes ppl with parents paying and military scholarships obvi)) and student population was incredibly unimpressive as a whole. Honestly, I could deal with the price, but not the student population...which is a real bummer because I really like the program.

also, i'm a firm believer that closed file interviews are 99.99% nonsensical
 
Interviewed here on 1st day, surprised no one from our group has chimed in. I was impressed with the boat load of opportunities/location yada yada yada...but...

cons: price (avg debt here last year was $197,500 (this includes ppl with parents paying and military scholarships obvi)) and student population was incredibly unimpressive as a whole. Honestly, I could deal with the price, but not the student population...which is a real bummer because I really like the program.

also, i'm a firm believer that closed file interviews are 99.99% nonsensical

Can you elaborate on the student population and why you found it to be unimpressive? Thanks
 
Interviewed here on 1st day, surprised no one from our group has chimed in. I was impressed with the boat load of opportunities/location yada yada yada...but...

cons: price (avg debt here last year was $197,500 (this includes ppl with parents paying and military scholarships obvi)) and student population was incredibly unimpressive as a whole. Honestly, I could deal with the price, but not the student population...which is a real bummer because I really like the program.

also, i'm a firm believer that closed file interviews are 99.99% nonsensical

How so? What was unimpressive?
Thanks for the sharing your experience!
 
agree with everything bumblebee said, my only edit comes with the student population stuff.. I assume you're talking about the overall lack of students who were around that day? plus the (what I thought) was lack of enthusiasm from the students who were there? i just want to point out that this was in stark contrast to my interview last year, and I think it might have something to do with how early in their school year it is (though I could be wrong). i was there mid-november of last year and the students who showed up for lunch and after were really friendly and enthusiastic about the school and everything, i'm not sure what was going on this time


also for anyone interviewing in the next month or so, as you can probably guess it is uncomfortably hot! I was expecting this but still felt sweaty in my suit and had hot flashes during some of the presentations, but in general I just dont handle heat well at all
 
Last edited:
Thank you for sharing your experiences! I'd love to go see the school personally, but I've pretty much marked GWU as a loss at this point haha I've been on hold for re-review since 7/06 🙁
 
Hey Bumbl3B33, could you explain a little more what lead you to believe/think that closed-file interviews are 100% nonsensicle? Did you have a bad interview experience? Or did you just talk about random topics in the interview?

I ask because I'm not sure my interview went so well, so maybe it would be a good thing if you are right and they are nonsensicle?...haha...(cringes....nervous laugh...):scared:
 
Hey for everyone who interviewed, this thought just occurred to me, didn't the interview coordinator tell us at the beginning we were going to watch a video about Gw? This never happened! I feel gipped now
 
Hey Bumbl3B33, could you explain a little more what lead you to believe/think that closed-file interviews are 100% nonsensicle? Did you have a bad interview experience? Or did you just talk about random topics in the interview?

I ask because I'm not sure my interview went so well, so maybe it would be a good thing if you are right and they are nonsensicle?...haha...(cringes....nervous laugh...):scared:

No, my interviewer and interviews were both excellent. I just feel the conversations are SO much better when interview has a background of the work you have done in the past. I'm a non-trad so it's a big deal for me. If I were a college student who hadn't really done much I guess I wouldn't have cared/maybe even liked it because of so much fluff time. My Dr interviewer told me he'd write a good paragraph for me and I know the student liked me. (each person submits a paragraph with their impression of you)
 
II for end of Oct. App was complete on 8/10 sGPA 3.56/cGPA3.65/ MCAT 27 (which was my third time taking it) (GW takes the highest of each section).....BUT I am a minority with really good EC (i.e. more than 2000 hours of clinical experience) I just want to give hope out there for people who suffered on the MCAT. 🙄
 
How so? What was unimpressive?
Thanks for the sharing your experience!

There was a severe passion deficit at the school; most people there are 2nd time applications or people who barely got into medical school, which is not a problem at all--I like that, actually, because those people value the MD after their names a lot more than people who were going to get in for sure. But the thing is...when you meet someone who is a) passionate about a school and b) passionate about their career/life's goals/events in their life/their life in general, you can tell--it's obvious from the get-go. The students desperately lacked that. The student body just seemed like an extension of college and the slackers at college and I'm not going to lie but I'm so freakin' done with the college scene; if i'm in medical school, I don't want it to be college upper level classes part 2. I felt like I couldn't hold an intelligent conversation with any of the students I met there, honestly. I know that's a huge generalization since the class size is so big, but from everyone I met, no one really floored me or made me say "man, I really can't wait to be in your shoes next year!". I'm actually having a really hard time putting this into words--perhaps some of the other interviewees could help me better articulate it? I'm from the mid-west and my buddy is a medical student (MS-3) there and he agrees with my assessment..

Also, the entire interview day was really messy--the presenters were basically reading off of powerpoints, the tour was lack-luster at best. I say the program was great because of what I saw and know of it---the team that showed face that day in fact made me like it less, not more. Interview day should be the opposite; it's supposed to excite you about the school! Ugh. I know we were the first day of interviews but that doesn't excuse the institutional sloppiness that was on display that day.
 
Last edited:
There was a severe passion deficit at the school; most people there are 2nd time applications or people who barely got into medical school, which is not a problem at all--I like that, actually, because those people value the MD after their names a lot more than people who were going to get in for sure. But the thing is...when you meet someone who is a) passionate about a school and b) passionate about their career/life's goals/events in their life/their life in general, you can tell--it's obvious from the get-go. The students desperately lacked that. The student body just seemed like an extension of college and I'm not going to lie but I'm so freakin' done with that scene. I know that's a huge generalization since the class size is so big, but from everyone I met, no one really floored me or made me say "man, I really can't wait to be in your shoes next year!". I'm actually having a really hard time putting this into words--perhaps some of the other interviewees could help me better articulate it? I'm from the mid-west and my buddy is a medical student (MS-3) there and he agrees with my assessment.

That's really sad to hear, but as one poster stated previously, the year before he noticed that there was quite a bit of enthusiasm. And I get what you're saying, like no one there was enthusiastic/getting worked up about doing what they're doing I'm guessing? Or at least trying to make it sound like they're that into it?

Either way, thanks for the input, guess I just gotta play the wait game for now to see if its true or not.
 
agree with everything bumblebee said, my only edit comes with the student population stuff.. I assume you're talking about the overall lack of students who were around that day? plus the (what I thought) was lack of enthusiasm from the students who were there? i just want to point out that this was in stark contrast to my interview last year

First off all, apologies in advance because I know a lot of the commentary below is inherently conceited.

It wasn't about the lack students or their enthusiasm. You can be as enthusiastic about your school as you want to me, that won't make me want it more. What's going to make me want it more is
a) if i see that you're genuinely happy doing what you're doing
b) passion for your work and career choices

People can fake a, but no one can fake b. If I'm going to be 80k x4 I don't want classmates that remind me of the pre-med kids from college--I made it a point never to hang out with pre-med kids in college. People there seemed bland, to say the least. I don't want bland; I'm done with bland. For 300k in loans I don't want people who will make me more likely to cut the edges in my education; I want to be surrounded by people who are genuinely stoked, even if that means that the average step score is 210 and not 230+. I'm having a really hard time articulating this because it was not something I saw, it was something I felt. I'm a huge hippie granola kinda dude so the intangibles are huge for me. At the end of the day, medical schools are just assessing fit, as are we as potential students so I guess the bottom line is that I didn't feel that this was a good fit school for me, for no reason other than the student body. If I went here I would definitely find friends outside of school for reasons other than diversity. Which is sad. because I really love health policy and GW is strong in that but I'd rather go to a lower-tier health policy program and be happy than go to GW and be held down.

EDIT:
This is not to say that the students weren't nice. They were. I just don't think a lot of them were mature--specially emotionally. Maybe that's how all medical students are because most medical students come from privileged house holds but as someone who worked 3 part time jobs throughout college I can wholeheartedly say it is appalling to me that some students are the way they are at the age of 24+ (not GW specific, but rather medical students in general)
 
Last edited:
Also, as I have found out, if you're interested in a school's student population, go look up (aka stalk) their students on facebook and/or twitter---it's mind boggling what I found from the search I did on GWU.

Twitter was particularly enlightening because apparently 140 characters is all you need to tell the world that you know nothing about 2nd amendment rights or "Obamacare". I really want to post some of the pages on here but that'd be a bit harsh and accomplish nothing; I'm hoping that at some point in their lives people are forced to grow up and learn about economics and distance themselves from political propaganda using common sense and knowledge.
 
There was a severe passion deficit at the school; most people there are 2nd time applications or people who barely got into medical school, which is not a problem at all--I like that, actually, because those people value the MD after their names a lot more than people who were going to get in for sure. But the thing is...when you meet someone who is a) passionate about a school and b) passionate about their career/life's goals/events in their life/their life in general, you can tell--it's obvious from the get-go. The students desperately lacked that. The student body just seemed like an extension of college and the slackers at college and I'm not going to lie but I'm so freakin' done with the college scene; if i'm in medical school, I don't want it to be college upper level classes part 2. I felt like I couldn't hold an intelligent conversation with any of the students I met there, honestly. I know that's a huge generalization since the class size is so big, but from everyone I met, no one really floored me or made me say "man, I really can't wait to be in your shoes next year!". I'm actually having a really hard time putting this into words--perhaps some of the other interviewees could help me better articulate it? I'm from the mid-west and my buddy is a medical student (MS-3) there and he agrees with my assessment..

Also, the entire interview day was really messy--the presenters were basically reading off of powerpoints, the tour was lack-luster at best. I say the program was great because of what I saw and know of it---the team that showed face that day in fact made me like it less, not more. Interview day should be the opposite; it's supposed to excite you about the school! Ugh. I know we were the first day of interviews but that doesn't excuse the institutional sloppiness that was on display that day.

Well, what were you trying to talk about? Heavy, controversial or political stuff? debate? I don't know if I'm getting the wrong impression, but from your posts it seems like you were expecting too much. If I were a med student, the last thing I'd want to do in my limited free time is have a heavy debate with a premed. It seems like you were expecting wide-eyed, eager and scholarly med students budding with passion, and instead what you got were tired, modest, maybe more "down-to-earth" medical students. Medical school (and residency) is a lot of work - hell, I can always tell which staff are MS3 or which Residents are interns because they don't look exhausted yet. I don't think your descriptions make them less passionate, but I think it is okay to keep that passion to yourself.

As far as your "sick of college" attitude, I imagine medical school will be much different, so I wouldn't worry about that. And even if it's not, you will have many opportunities to dive right into medicine as an individual, and once you are M3, you'll be making your own path. I wouldn't worry so much about others, but instead take comfort in your own obvious passion and anticipation of medical school.
 
Last edited:
At what point is it appropriate to send a 2nd In The Area email? I wanted to finalize my travel plans to DC in the next week or two and am really just waiting on GWU...

I was going to wait a month-ish from when I was put on re-review. But I made that time period up and I am not certain about when an LOI is appropriate vs pushy/annoying.
 
Also, as I have found out, if you're interested in a school's student population, go look up (aka stalk) their students on facebook and/or twitter---it's mind boggling what I found from the search I did on GWU.

Twitter was particularly enlightening because apparently 140 characters is all you need to tell the world that you know nothing about 2nd amendment rights or "Obamacare". I really want to post some of the pages on here but that'd be a bit harsh and accomplish nothing; I'm hoping that at some point in their lives people are forced to grow up and learn about economics and distance themselves from political propaganda using common sense and knowledge.

I consider myself a bit of a hippy granola dude too, and as an undergrad I felt the same way about my pre-med peers...If we both end up at GWU, I'll be your friend. 🙂

Haha, in any case, I am interviewing at GWU very soon and am hoping to have a different experience. I'll weigh in with my observations as soon as I get home!
 
Well, what were you trying to talk about? Heavy, controversial or political stuff? debate? I don't know if I'm getting the wrong impression, but from your posts it seems like you were expecting too much. If I were a med student, the last thing I'd want to do in my limited free time is have a heavy debate with a premed. It seems like you were expecting wide-eyed, eager and scholarly med students budding with passion, and instead what you got were tired, modest, maybe more "down-to-earth" medical students. Medical school (and residency) is a lot of work - hell, I can always tell which staff are MS3 or which Residents are interns because they don't look exhausted yet. I don't think your descriptions make them less passionate, but I think it is okay to keep that passion to yourself.

As far as your "sick of college" attitude, I imagine medical school will be much different, so I wouldn't worry about that. And even if it's not, you will have many opportunities to dive right into medicine as an individual, and once you are M3, you'll be making your own path. I wouldn't worry so much about others, but instead take comfort in your own obvious passion and anticipation of medical school.

Haha I fully agree. Bumblebee you ahouldent expect the students to run up to you and scream with enthusiasm for you to go there. They have no vested interest in your attendance. I know that many schools are having the first round of exams coming up so I wouldent be in a jolly mood either haha.
 
Hey for everyone who interviewed, this thought just occurred to me, didn't the interview coordinator tell us at the beginning we were going to watch a video about Gw? This never happened! I feel gipped now

I don't particularly remember mention of a video...but I could have missed it due to my general nerves/excitement haha.
 
I don't particularly remember mention of a video...but I could have missed it due to my general nerves/excitement haha.
Haha its okay there's a good possibility I imagined this
 
First off all, apologies in advance because I know a lot of the commentary below is inherently conceited.

It wasn't about the lack students or their enthusiasm. You can be as enthusiastic about your school as you want to me, that won't make me want it more. What's going to make me want it more is
a) if i see that you're genuinely happy doing what you're doing
b) passion for your work and career choices

People can fake a, but no one can fake b. If I'm going to be 80k x4 I don't want classmates that remind me of the pre-med kids from college--I made it a point never to hang out with pre-med kids in college. People there seemed bland, to say the least. I don't want bland; I'm done with bland. For 300k in loans I don't want people who will make me more likely to cut the edges in my education; I want to be surrounded by people who are genuinely stoked, even if that means that the average step score is 210 and not 230+. I'm having a really hard time articulating this because it was not something I saw, it was something I felt. I'm a huge hippie granola kinda dude so the intangibles are huge for me. At the end of the day, medical schools are just assessing fit, as are we as potential students so I guess the bottom line is that I didn't feel that this was a good fit school for me, for no reason other than the student body. If I went here I would definitely find friends outside of school for reasons other than diversity. Which is sad. because I really love health policy and GW is strong in that but I'd rather go to a lower-tier health policy program and be happy than go to GW and be held down.

EDIT:
This is not to say that the students weren't nice. They were. I just don't think a lot of them were mature--specially emotionally. Maybe that's how all medical students are because most medical students come from privileged house holds but as someone who worked 3 part time jobs throughout college I can wholeheartedly say it is appalling to me that some students are the way they are at the age of 24+ (not GW specific, but rather medical students in general)
bumble i can def understand where you're coming from. the competitor in me wants to tell you that if you were this unhappy with the school, you should withdraw your application now and save a potential acceptance for someone who truly loves the school and is dying to go there. the nice person in me, however, wants to tell you not to make such a harsh judgment based on a short amount of time spent there.. you have a lot of interviews (I think?) I hope you are able to find what you're looking for at other schools!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top