2013-2014 Washington University in St. Louis Application Thread

[hvairline]

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Just submitted application! Have check marks for everything aside from Dean's Certification and Committee letter. I am assuming they will upload those soon 😛

 

[BurberryDoc]

Just submitted application! Have check marks for everything aside from Dean's Certification and Committee letter. I am assuming they will upload those soon 😛

I think I saw either in the confirmation email or somewhere on the site, that letters won't be marked as received until starting Jul. 15.

On a side note: "I'm so St. Louis, ask my tattooist, I was like a waterboy now they sayin you can do it!, I'm tellin you, one of the best in the Louis, sip Louis smoke Louis, Dressed in Louis, home to back porches, chucks and air forces, old school cars be trailblazin like Portland" - St. Lunatics

 

[Howardyan]

WashU doesn't accept FAP?

 

[hvairline]

WashU does accept FAP. They waive the fee automatically!

 

[Howardyan]

Oh, the only thing I saw is "Step 2. Pay Application Fee". And if I click on the link, it will direct me to pay.

I am invited to complete the secondary, but my primary is not verified yet.

 

[chajjohnson]

Can anyone comment on whether or not Wash U really requires 3 letters from university professors? I have two letters from professors, and one from a hospice volunteer coordinator. Do I need to get another letter? Also, would calc 1 and statistics satisfy the math requirements for this program? Thanks.

 

[jaybird117]

Follow-up question: Do they just want 3 academic references in the secondary app, or should I list all the references I'm sending?

 

[sjrobinson]

I think I was pretty thorough in my work/activities section and personal statement... thinking I won't answer the optional essay. Are the rest of y'all answering it?

 

[Amba]

I think I was pretty thorough in my work/activities section and personal statement... thinking I won't answer the optional essay. Are the rest of y'all answering it?

Nah, I passed on it.

 

[jeghaber]

Submitted! 😀 It seems the first II for WUSTL last year was 9/6, so it looks like we've got a long, long wait ahead of us..

 

[BurberryDoc]

I think I was pretty thorough in my work/activities section and personal statement... thinking I won't answer the optional essay. Are the rest of y'all answering it?

I used it to discuss financial circumstances which limited my academic prospects to community college (where I was a phys Ed major, but ended up switching to bio, though not-premed) where I took most of what would become my medical school prerequisites. I think things like that, fluctuations in grades, time off fr school, stuff like that is what they're looking for with that essay.

 

[sjrobinson]

Thanks for the feedback. I had one semester that was around a 3.5, mostly just because I had too much going on and too many upper level classes, but I mentioned that in passing in my personal statement and don't really want to dwell on it since my only good explanation is that my advisor was sub-par and I took bad advice (he was fired the next semester, so I'm not just whining, he really did set many people up for failure). I probably could have mentioned something about graduating in three years and thus having less ECs my first year while I overloaded with prereqs, but I've already submitted now 🙁

 

[pommery]

How are those who are no longer at school dealing with the Dean's Certification requirement? It says they need the original copy signed by both the applicant and the dean--so is everyone just relying on regular mail to get it your school and then to Wash U? It seems like this could be a major time-limiting factor, but maybe that's fine since they don't seem to give out interviews too quickly. Any advice on this? Thanks!

 

[mnm123]

How are those who are no longer at school dealing with the Dean's Certification requirement? It says they need the original copy signed by both the applicant and the dean--so is everyone just relying on regular mail to get it your school and then to Wash U? It seems like this could be a major time-limiting factor, but maybe that's fine since they don't seem to give out interviews too quickly. Any advice on this? Thanks!

I called the office of student conduct at my University and they told me to mail them the signed Dean's Certification document along with an stamped envelope so they can sign it an send it out. Also, I'm pretty sure Wash U doesn't need this document to review your application and send an interview invite. I believe it's just required prior to matriculation.. I could be wrong though.

 

[jeghaber]

How are those who are no longer at school dealing with the Dean's Certification requirement? It says they need the original copy signed by both the applicant and the dean--so is everyone just relying on regular mail to get it your school and then to Wash U? It seems like this could be a major time-limiting factor, but maybe that's fine since they don't seem to give out interviews too quickly. Any advice on this? Thanks!

You can sign a copy, scan it and attach it in an email to whomever deals with the certificates at your school. Alternatively, if you have a mac with a more or less up to date OS, the "Preview" application can scan your signature with the built-in camera so it can be inserted anywhere needed (Tools>Annotate>Signature).

That's what I sent my school and I haven't heard back saying it was a problem yet, so I assume it's fine.

 

[hopefulMD12]

Instructions say "Please note that it takes up to three business days after you submit your supplemental application for your AMCS-transmitted letters of recommendation to be displayed as received in your WUMSapply status. "

I submitted the secondary over a week ago. AMCAS has been verified for a week... but my its still saying that they have not received my LORs. Is anyone else having this issue?

 

[hvairline]

Instructions say "Please note that it takes up to three business days after you submit your supplemental application for your AMCS-transmitted letters of recommendation to be displayed as received in your WUMSapply status. "

I submitted the secondary over a week ago. AMCAS has been verified for a week... but my its still saying that they have not received my LORs. Is anyone else having this issue?

Same here, but I think that I heard somewhere, that they will not be adding letters until the 15th.

 

[YamNMangos]

Same here, but I think that I heard somewhere, that they will not be adding letters until the 15th.

I think they mentioned it when u submit ur app. I remember something very similar.

 

[YamNMangos]

I called the office of student conduct at my University and they told me to mail them the signed Dean's Certification document along with an stamped envelope so they can sign it an send it out. Also, I'm pretty sure Wash U doesn't need this document to review your application and send an interview invite. I believe it's just required prior to matriculation.. I could be wrong though.

That's correct. My dean said the same thing.

 

[ksmi117]

I called the office of student conduct at my University and they told me to mail them the signed Dean's Certification document along with an stamped envelope so they can sign it an send it out. Also, I'm pretty sure Wash U doesn't need this document to review your application and send an interview invite. I believe it's just required prior to matriculation.. I could be wrong though.

In the past, it's been required for an acceptance offer. Interview invites are sent out without it. Acceptances don't go out until November usually so you all have plenty of time to get that all handled.

 

[YamNMangos]

In the past, it's been required for an acceptance offer. Interview invites are sent out without it. Acceptances don't go out until November usually so you all have plenty of time to get that all handled.

Whoops my bad. Didn't read carefully enough and mixed up the matriculation and acceptance 😳

 

[jeghaber]

at the "Guide to Applying to WashU" packet post-marked 2 days after I submitted my secondary -- it opens with "...I have received from AMCAS a copy of your Application for Admission." I'm pretty sure that at this point of the process, the woo-ing has to happen the other way around.

 

[NewYorker9]

In the past, it's been required for an acceptance offer. Interview invites are sent out without it. Acceptances don't go out until November usually so you all have plenty of time to get that all handled.

To support this, I know people in the past who have interviewed without having submitted the Dean's Certification but it was a requirement for acceptance.

 

[hvairline]

File Complete!

 

[hopefulMD12]

Photograph-check
Application Service Fee-check
Premedical Committee Evaluation-check
Dean's Certification-check
MCAT Scores-check
Verified AMCAS -check

Got an email today saying my file is complete and under review 🙂

 

[Go Bells]

When I try to submit my application, I keep getting an error message that says "The following items must be entered prior to Submission: Packet Information or 3 Individual Evaluations." I selected the "Submit Letters Individually" option and entered the names of my professors and everything. Anyone have any tips? Thanks!

 

[Bollo]

Do you think a successful and life-affirming struggle with depression 2-3 years ago is an acceptable or advisable topic to cover in the "unique experiences or obstacles section"?

And having graduated 3+ years ago, is it ADVISABLE to fill out the "If you have already completed your education..." section? I feel like AMCAS sufficiently covered this.
Thanks!

 

[Bollo]

I'm confused, which of the following would be 3 selected from AMCAS LOR?

B. A packet of three letters that have been collected on your behalf.
C. Letters of evaluation/recommendation from people who know you well such as from teachers, research mentor(s) or supervisors that are submitted individually. Three letters are required. If you choose this option, please enter the letter writers’ names on the Supplemental Application.

C -- right?

 

[Go Bells]

I'm confused, which of the following would be 3 selected from AMCAS LOR?

I selected C, but that's when I got an error message. Anyone have any ideas to get past this? It's the only thing holding me up from submitting my secondary right now.

 

[Bollo]

I selected C, but that's when I got an error message. Anyone have any ideas to get past this? It's the only thing holding me up from submitting my secondary right now.

Browser issue? Try using Firefox. Barring that, send them an email.

 

[Go Bells]

Browser issue? Try using Firefox. Barring that, send them an email.

I got a response from them this morning. I hadn't filled out the phone numbers for all of my letter writers because I thought that an email address was sufficient. Stupid mistake. They said that if you don't have a phone number for some of your letter writers, just "put some X's or dashed in the boxes and it will let you submit."

In case anyone else runs into the same problem!

 

[yellowfish]

Do you think a successful and life-affirming struggle with depression 2-3 years ago is an acceptable or advisable topic to cover in the "unique experiences or obstacles section"?

And having graduated 3+ years ago, is it ADVISABLE to fill out the "If you have already completed your education..." section? I feel like AMCAS sufficiently covered this.
Thanks!

I would say that is an acceptable topic to write about in that section; if you do choose to write on that subject, I would advise you to focus on what you gained from the experience/how that has affected the person you have become rather than solely the difficulty of overcoming the obstacle.

I think that it is advisable to fill it out... but if you have talked about everything you've done since graduating already, then avoid reiterating and state that in the entry.

 

[oxfordian]

Hi all,

This is my first post here. I just got the WashU secondary and had a question about it that hopefully can be answered without calling them.

In the part where it asked if you worked in your undergraduate career, does paid research during the summer count here? I did two summer research internships where I was paid and worked full time during the summer. I also did one unpaid full time research internship.

 

[YamNMangos]

Hi all,

This is my first post here. I just got the WashU secondary and had a question about it that hopefully can be answered without calling them.

In the part where it asked if you worked in your undergraduate career, does paid research during the summer count here? I did two summer research internships where I was paid and worked full time during the summer. I also did one unpaid full time research internship.

If you got paid, it's work, so yes.

 

[survive5]

Do I have to mail the Dean's Certification Form? Can I use fax? I have one institute overseas and it's just a huge pain to mail it back and forth. I don't even think that institute will be willing to use express delivery and I don't know how to pay them to do so...

 

[NewYorker9]

Do I have to mail the Dean's Certification Form? Can I use fax? I have one institute overseas and it's just a huge pain to mail it back and forth. I don't even think that institute will be willing to use express delivery and I don't know how to pay them to do so...

I would highly recommend calling admissions to ask if you can fax (assuming the portal/instructions don't specify) the Dean's Certification. My experience is that they are extremely accommodating.

 

[survive5]

Thank you! That's good to know.

 

[starlight15]

So for listing our letter writers do we only include the names of letters from teachers? I have other letters from activity/work supervisor, so this would not be listed, even though I'm sending them right?

 

[TotalDomination]

Just got the pamphlet. Is it pointless to apply here with a 36 mcat? I'm well below the average.

 

[Amba]

Just got the pamphlet. Is it pointless to apply here with a 36 mcat? I'm well below the average.

The average for accepted is a 38 and matriculants is a 36.9 - I think you're definitely competitive

 

[BurberryDoc]

The average for accepted is a 38 and matriculants is a 36.9, I think you're more than competitive 🙄

Oh oh oh! Do me do me do me! 3.3 GPA and 30 MCAT. Competitive right? I'm so getting into WashU lol

 

[BurberryDoc]

(I'm definitely not being overly optimistic or anything haha)

 

[BurberryDoc]

Well, 100% chance of being awesome, if that means anything to ya

 

[tallsaint]

-

 

[BurberryDoc]

Time to finally reap the benefits of my WashU education: a guaranteed interview 🙂D).

Hey, at least I'll know the best places to drown my sorrows afterward.

Come again?

 

[Amygdarya]

Time to finally reap the benefits of my WashU education: a guaranteed interview 🙂D). Hey, at least I'll know the best places to drown my sorrows afterward.

Haven't completed the secondary yet - will I still need to do this Dean's Certification stuff?

Dean's Certification is required for them to make a decision whether to accept you (that is, they will need it after interview). Your secondary will be complete without it. This is written somewhere in the application instructions.

 

[tallsaint]

-

 

[YamNMangos]

Supposedly WashU undergraduates all receive interviews. I'm not sure how true it is, but given that they interview something like 25% of applicants, it's definitely possible.



Thanks.

It's true. The med school deans tell us this at every session they hold. 😀

 

[ranson]

Supposedly WashU undergraduates all receive interviews. I'm not sure how true it is, but given that they interview something like 25% of applicants, it's definitely possible.



Thanks.

That's crazy. There are probably between 200-250 premeds applying from WashU to WashU. lol

 

[Nmarchib]

That's crazy. There are probably between 200-250 premeds applying from WashU to WashU. lol

I don't know how they handle all those interviews, but I'm not complaining! Excuse to go back to St. Louis and some good interview practice (seeing as I will NEVER get accepted in a million years). I'm taking a gap year, and I remember last year there were some kids who didn't understand that all Wash U undergrads get an interview and they were insanely psyched to get the invite... I didn't have the heart to say anything