2013-2014 George Washington University Application Thread

[snowwhat]

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"On hold for re-review". Damn. Not surprised though with my 30 MCAT. Goes to show how much that exam really matters.

A 30 is significantly above the average MCAT of people applying to med school, and is within the average for GW (I could be wrong, but I think the average is actually a 30 exactly). Many med schools have this average (or, at the very least, a 10-11 avg in each section). Not sure why you would consider this a bad school when there are many people on this site that would kill for that score!

 

[aspirantmed]

A 30 is significantly above the average MCAT of people applying to med school, and is within the average for GW (I could be wrong, but I think the average is actually a 30 exactly). Many med schools have this average (or, at the very least, a 10-11 avg in each section). Not sure why you would consider this a bad school when there are many people on this site that would kill for that score!

I would not say significantly above the average, which is about a 28. I would also say that this is not a terribly reliable value, because ~55-60% of applicants to medical school in any given year are unsuccessful. A 30 isn't likely a deal-breaker at a school like GW but it's probably not going to help you either.

 

[snowwhat]

I would not say significantly above the average, which is about a 28. I would also say that this is not a terribly reliable value, because ~55-60% of applicants to medical school in any given year are unsuccessful. A 30 isn't likely a deal-breaker at a school like GW but it's probably not going to help you either.

I would argue that a 2 pt difference is pretty significant in the MCAT... but regardless, like you said, it's not a deal breaker. If you have an average file and an average MCAT, you may be overlooked, but a candidate with a great file and a 30 MCAT definitely won't be rejected just because of that score.

 

[aspirantmed]

I would argue that a 2 pt difference is pretty significant in the MCAT... but regardless, like you said, it's not a deal breaker. If you have an average file and an average MCAT, you may be overlooked, but a candidate with a great file and a 30 MCAT definitely won't be rejected just because of that score.

At least not at GW, I don't think. Plus, schools that get so many applicants often place a large premium on interest, so you can up your standing with frequent updates.

 

[adderall20xr]

Source: AAMC.ORG
Mean MCAT score in 2012: 25.3
It looks like only a maximum of 50% of people who take the MCAT each year end up actually applying to a US medical school.
Average applicant MCAT score in 2012: 28.3
A score of a 28, in 2012, corresponds to the 66% (66th percentile) of those who took the exam. A score of a 30, in 2012, corresponds to the 78th%. While a score of a 31 corresponded to the 83rd %. Approximately 46,000 people applied for 20,000 seats available in US medical schools in 2012. So less than 50% of those who apply will gain acceptance to ANY medical school.
Average matriculant MCAT score in 2012: 31.2 (standard deviation of 4.0)
Though a 30 on the MCAT does, in fact, look like a perfectly reasonable score, I would suggest not worrying about things that you cannot change at this point in the application cycle. I believe aspirantmed is correct to say that GWU seems to take a liking to an applicant's consistent interest in attending their school.
Good luck during the rest of the cycle.

 

[kb and dh]

Does anyone know a way to check what updates you sent to GW?

 

[MrWonderful]

Does anyone know a way to check what updates you sent to GW?

If they were sent via portal, they appear below your status

 

[chilldude22]

Accepted today! Interviewed only a few weeks ago. PM if you have question!

Hi lakeview227,

I got some questions but I can't PM you for some reason.

1-Did you send an update to the portal talking about how the tour of GWU really solidyfied your interest in the school? I've heard that really helps.

2-how many updates did you send via the portal total?

3-Just a general question, anything specific you did post-interview that might've sealed the deal in you getting an acceptance?

I'm post interview now and They said I'd hear back in 8 - 10 weeks but I'm looking for anything I can do to up my chances, be politely aggressive and show interest, and get an invite real early like you did. Any help you can lend is greatly appreciated. I tried PMing you but it didn't let me. If you want you can reply here or PM me or whatever

chilldude22

 

[optimistgirl]

Hi lakeview227,

I got some questions but I can't PM you for some reason.

1-Did you send an update to the portal talking about how the tour of GWU really solidyfied your interest in the school? I've heard that really helps.

2-how many updates did you send via the portal total?

3-Just a general question, anything specific you did post-interview that might've sealed the deal in you getting an acceptance?

I'm post interview now and They said I'd hear back in 8 - 10 weeks but I'm looking for anything I can do to up my chances, be politely aggressive and show interest, and get an invite real early like you did. Any help you can lend is greatly appreciated. I tried PMing you but it didn't let me. If you want you can reply here or PM me or whatever

chilldude22

hi lakeview227,
i also interviewed in Nov and would love your advice on post-interview etiquette. I'm really keen on going to GW and would thoroughly appreciate your help! 🙂 chilldude22, i hope we both get acceptances!

 

[ifeay]

Lakeview227- (for some reason I can't PM you). Congrats again on your incredibly fast interview acceptance. I interviewed Nov. 21st and was wondering what your time line was in regards to how long you waited for a response. They told us 8-10 weeks as well so I'm trying to decide whether I should be patient or possibly send in an update/loi to them. Any input would be appreciated and congrats again!

 

[kel148]

I interviewed here back in October. I really enjoyed my interview experience and was told by both interviewers that I interview exceptionally well and would fit wonderfully in at the school. The faculty interviewer urged me to make sure that I send an updated letter reiterating my nature of interest in the school as well as my unique strengths as a candidate. I did this and I also mailed thank you cards to both of my interviewers the following day. To my dismay, I was wait listed a few weeks later--despite my post-interview etiquette. My numbers are on the lower side and I'm assuming this is the problem... I plan to send some more updates in the future. Does anyone know if students have been taken off the wait list before May in the past?

 

[James-nontrad]

Hi,

I just logged-in and saw the pre-interview hold. It changed within the last two days (most likely today).

I was complete on 10/8, OOS, 3.55cGPA, 3.95sGPA, 32 MCAT, non-trad.

Good luck y'all.

 

[snowwhat]

Lakeview227- (for some reason I can't PM you). Congrats again on your incredibly fast interview acceptance. I interviewed Nov. 21st and was wondering what your time line was in regards to how long you waited for a response. They told us 8-10 weeks as well so I'm trying to decide whether I should be patient or possibly send in an update/loi to them. Any input would be appreciated and congrats again!

I wasn't accepted (waitlisted), but I did hear back ~4 weeks from my interview date. That seems to be the timeline they're on right now, and it seems like they generally accept on Tuesdays at around 4EST! Hope that helps, and good luck!

 

[optimistgirl]

I wasn't accepted (waitlisted), but I did hear back ~4 weeks from my interview date. That seems to be the timeline they're on right now, and it seems like they generally accept on Tuesdays at around 4EST! Hope that helps, and good luck!

okay thanks for the info, snowwhat! i hope i get some good news today!

 

[MrWonderful]

You may want to scale back your expectations for timeline given the holidays.. Seems to make things lag behind

 

[Lovefastcars]

If it has been more than 10 weeks since your interview with no decision, do you still have a chance?

 

[rocketwriter]

On hold for re-review. Is this GWU's version of a "small pool"? Do people get interviews straight out of "re-review" status or do they get put in a pool first?

 

[snowwhat]

On hold for re-review. Is this GWU's version of a "small pool"? Do people get interviews straight out of "re-review" status or do they get put in a pool first?

No, this is just a hold status. They are putting your application aside for a while. Maybe they will re-review it and give you an interview, and maybe they won't. GW is known for putting a lot of people in this pool, so I wouldn't get too discouraged!

 

[SilentSoldier]

Also just placed on hold for re-review. Will be sending in an update after the quarter ends.

 

[SIGINT]

Also just placed on hold for re-review. Will be sending in an update after the quarter ends.

When were you complete?

 

[Jmust171]

I just checked my account and my app is being re-reviewed 😛 OOS 3.75 GPA and 26 mcat im starting to think i should consider giving up hope for this cycle and retake the mcat and try next year...

 

[mmikeee]

To those waiting for an email from GW, check your account because that's what I did and I found out that my application is being held for re-review at a later time. I was complete mid-october, OOS, 3.8gpa, 30.

 

[royfan]

any recent hold that turns into an interview invite?

 

[rocketwriter]

To those waiting for an email from GW, check your account because that's what I did and I found out that my application is being held for re-review at a later time. I was complete mid-october, OOS, 3.8gpa, 30.

My stats are almost identical to yours and I was also complete mid-September. I don't think anyone needs to lose hope yet--they're probably waiting to hear back from all the people that they accepted before they start reviewing files again.

 

[Burla]

If they were sent via portal, they appear below your status

I sent in an update but I don't have anything below my status. Were you referring to where you can update or do you actually see the document you uploaded listed below your status?

 

[mem17]

.

 

[MrWonderful]

I sent in an update but I don't have anything below my status. Were you referring to where you can update or do you actually see the document you uploaded listed below your status?

For some reason I dont show anything below the update portal on my mac, but on a PC I am able to see them there. Maybe check your flash/display settings

 

[Burla]

For some reason I dont show anything below the update portal on my mac, but on a PC I am able to see them there. Maybe check your flash/display settings

Hmm...strange. I'm on a Mac as well so I'll have to mess around I guess. Thank you

 

[AWESTRUCKx7]

I don't remember my password to sign into the portal and I can't reset my password... the page is not letting me submit. Anyone else have trouble with this?

 

[nm825]

Does anyone know if GW gives any preference to their undergraduates? I'm applying next cycle, but I'm primarily focussing on DO schools. I graduated in May, and I would love to come back here. 3.66/3.43/35/not great ECs

 

[aspirantmed]

Does anyone know if GW gives any preference to their undergraduates? I'm applying next cycle, but I'm primarily focussing on DO schools. I graduated in May, and I would love to come back here. 3.66/3.43/35/not great ECs

It's often hard to tell based on a school's matriculant numbers whether they favor their undergraduates or not. For example, 20% of the entering class at the medical school of the university where I did my undergraduate studies also completed their bachelor's degree there .. but it's also a well-known fact that nearly all the pre-meds from my school apply to its medical school. Thus, the 'selection' may be happening at the application stage, and not necessarily the interview/committee review stage.

Also, while that might not sound as competitive for M.D. schools, I think you may get a decent number of interviews if you apply as early and broadly as you can. 3.66 isn't that low, depending where you apply, and 35 will help.

 

[LAMD2017]

It's often hard to tell based on a school's matriculant numbers whether they favor their undergraduates or not. For example, 20% of the entering class at the medical school of the university where I did my undergraduate studies also completed their bachelor's degree there .. but it's also a well-known fact that nearly all the pre-meds from my school apply to its medical school. Thus, the 'selection' may be happening at the application stage, and not necessarily the interview/committee review stage.

Also, while that might not sound as competitive for M.D. schools, I think you may get a decent number of interviews if you apply as early and broadly as you can. 3.66 isn't that low, depending where you apply, and 35 will help.

Are you kidding me?! 3.66 is a GREAT GPA. Reasons why I hate SDN....I rarely ever post on here but its things like this that get to me. Those are amazing stats and its ECs that really make a different whether you have a 4.0 or a 3.66

 

[aspirantmed]

Are you kidding me?! 3.66 is a GREAT GPA. Reasons why I hate SDN....I rarely ever post on here but its things like this that get to me. Those are amazing stats and its ECs that really make a different whether you have a 4.0 or a 3.66

Relax .... They aren't "amazing" stats, but they are fairly decent and should get anyone who applies to a good range of schools into a good MD program.

The AAMC has a great set of data, both on its website and via the MSAR, to give better information than anyone here can provide.

 

[snowwhat]

Relax .... They aren't "amazing" stats, but they are fairly decent and should get anyone who applies to a good range of schools into a good MD program.

The AAMC has a great set of data, both on its website and via the MSAR, to give better information than anyone here can provide.

3.66 is about the average of people applying to med school (I think it's a 3.7). So that's definitely good enough! Especially for GW, whose stats are slightly lower. The 3.43 is the stat that's a little low, but I have a 3.3sGPA and got an ii from GW so I wouldn't worry too much!

 

[PlasticsEthusE]

any recent hold that turns into an interview invite?

+1

 

[snowwhat]

Withdrew today because of my acceptance to Jefferson! Hope my alternate slot turns into an acceptance for someone else =P

 

[Member246817]

Does anyone know how many applicants GW accepts, waitlists and rejects post interview?

 

[premdboy]

Does anyone know how many applicants GW accepts, waitlists and rejects post interview?

About 1/3 of all interviews get accepted eventually. However the actual acceptance rate post interview might be higher. For example many people get an ii or actually go to the interview, but then withdraw prior to a decision.

 

[Pandaeac]

has anyone been rejected pre-interview yet?

 

[PlasticsEthusE]

has anyone been rejected pre-interview yet?

+1

 

[BamaNicole]

I'm almost positive I've seen people post who were rejected pre interview.

 

[PlasticsEthusE]

I'm almost positive I've seen people post who were rejected pre interview.

I have a friend was rejected pre-interview after being on the "hold" pool, about a month ago or maybe more. But I was wondering if there had been any movement since.

 

[BamaNicole]

I have a friend was rejected pre-interview after being on the "hold" pool, about a month ago or maybe more. But I was wondering if there had been any movement since.

Oh! Yeah that's a good question. Anyone know?

As a personal story....I have a friend that is a MS1 here and she was put on hold for what seemed like forever. She interviewed in either feb or march and got in. Don't lose hope !

 

[doyouhaveaflag]

From my experience (and this is now my third time applying to GW), they begin sending pre-interview rejections in large batches beginning late in the year and continuing through the end of January. Then, in late January, they send an email to people not already rejected to write YET ANOTHER essay about their specific interest in the GW MD program.

People who didn't complete this essay were considered to have withdrawn their applications. Of course, at this stage one becomes very hopeful about having made it through the final batch of massive cuts, but not that many interview invites to out to this group. This year, if I get to that point, I may withdraw.

Last year in March I received an email from them saying that the interview season was over but they were keeping my application active in the event they discovered they didn't interview enough people and needed to add interview dates (this rarely happens). I wasn't officially rejected until the end of April.

I think GW likes to keep its options open until the very end.

 

[PlasticsEthusE]

From my experience (and this is now my third time applying to GW), they begin sending pre-interview rejections in large batches beginning late in the year and continuing through the end of January. Then, in late January, they send an email to people not already rejected to write YET ANOTHER essay about their specific interest in the GW MD program.

People who didn't complete this essay were considered to have withdrawn their applications. Of course, at this stage one becomes very hopeful about having made it through the final batch of massive cuts, but not that many interview invites to out to this group. This year, if I get to that point, I may withdraw.

Last year in March I received an email from them saying that the interview season was over but they were keeping my application active in the event they discovered they didn't interview enough people and needed to add interview dates (this rarely happens). I wasn't officially rejected until the end of April.

I think GW likes to keep its options open until the very end.

Thank you for the clarification. 🙂 Wow 3 years... I hope this is your year!!!! It's my second year applying as well. I am thinking about writing a letter of interest... but every time I research about the school to get more insight than I already wrote on the secondary, EVERYTHING I read is on the negative side.... kinda makes one wonder...

Good luck to you

 

[doyouhaveaflag]

Thank you for the clarification. 🙂 Wow 3 years... I hope this is your year!!!! It's my second year applying as well. I am thinking about writing a letter of interest... but every time I research about the school to get more insight than I already wrote on the secondary, EVERYTHING I read is on the negative side.... kinda makes one wonder...

Good luck to you

Thank you! It is finally my year...just maybe not at GW. I am super excited that I have two MD acceptances so far and three interviews I have yet to hear anything back from (they were in mid-December). In fact, this is my fourth time applying to medical school. It's just my third time applying to GW. At least no one can accuse me of lack of tenacity in achieving my goals!

 

[PlasticsEthusE]

Thank you! It is finally my year...just maybe not at GW. I am super excited that I have two MD acceptances so far and three interviews I have yet to hear anything back from (they were in mid-December). In fact, this is my fourth time applying to medical school. It's just my third time applying to GW. At least no one can accuse me of lack of tenacity in achieving my goals!

OMG!!! I thought I was tenacious!!! I am SO glad to hear! One thing is for sure.... you will kick serious ass in Med School!!! Cheers to you!!! Very inspirational 🙂

 

[EZR]

Thank you for the clarification. 🙂 Wow 3 years... I hope this is your year!!!! It's my second year applying as well. I am thinking about writing a letter of interest... but every time I research about the school to get more insight than I already wrote on the secondary, EVERYTHING I read is on the negative side.... kinda makes one wonder...

Good luck to you

Out of curiosity, what are these "negative" things you read about?

 

[snowwhat]

Thank you! It is finally my year...just maybe not at GW. I am super excited that I have two MD acceptances so far and three interviews I have yet to hear anything back from (they were in mid-December). In fact, this is my fourth time applying to medical school. It's just my third time applying to GW. At least no one can accuse me of lack of tenacity in achieving my goals!

You are awesome!

 

[BlackBox]

You are awesome!

@doyouhaveaflag

I second this!! Really happy you stuck with it!