2013-2014 Western Michigan University School of Medicine

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Dat phone *thing (no offense) was my first in the cycle. I mumbled, stuttered, and ...everything bad you can think of. Still got the on site interview! *very surprised
 
ytc110 said:
Hi,
How did your phone interview go? Care to share your experience? it would be very much appreciated.
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Yeah... I didn't feel particularly strong about my phone interview but still ended up getting an onsite II. I have a feeling they don't put a ton of stock in it. Honestly, they probably already have a good idea of whether or not they want you for an onsite interview before they offer the phone one.
 
ytc110 said:
About Phone Interview:

Hi,
I am curious about what questions asked during phone interview. Is conversational or will I expect a serial mechanic questions?
The invite said it will be conducted with contractor. Any idea what this means? Please comment. Thanks
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The phone interview was kind of like the oral equivalent of the online personality test thing you took after submitting your secondary. Similar questions without the multiple choice answers. It is not conversational; the interviewer is not associated with WMed and will not give you feedback. Sometimes there will be follow up questions which will still be asked even if you answered them along with the original question. Keep this in mind so as to narrow the scope of your answers, unless you don't mind repeating yourself. The questions are all about you: as an undergrad, future med student and physician. Nothing too difficult to answer unless you struggle with introspection. Good luck!
 
ytc110 said:
About Phone Interview:

Hi,
How did your phone interview go? Care to share your experience? Thanks
Click to expand...
My phone interview took about 50 minutes, but I've heard it vary anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours. It might be a good idea to have a glass of water nearby, because that can be A LOT of uninterrupted talking. Good luck!!
 
fuscia said:
Yeah... I didn't feel particularly strong about my phone interview but still ended up getting an onsite II. I have a feeling they don't put a ton of stock in it. Honestly, they probably already have a good idea of whether or not they want you for an onsite interview before they offer the phone one.
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About how did you wait between completing your phone interview & being offered an on-site II?
 
DrDoxie said:
About how did you wait between completing your phone interview & being offered an on-site II?
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11 days (1/27-2/7). I'll be at the 3/3 date. Hope to see you there!
 
Last edited:
Less than a week until those of us who interviewed on 1/24 hear back! Hopefully we'll hear some good news!!
 
Just waitlisted - interviewed late January. womp womp
 
Guess I spoke a little too soon...Waitlisted as well. Hopefully there will be tons of movement for us.
 
I have an on-site interview on Friday, any tips? Thanks!
 
Thanks! And I'm not too sure but it looked like there were lots of available spots to schedule the phone interview for next week so I'd venture to say there is still hope 🙂
 
First time posting, but I think I've read up on everything prior. My timeline is as follows:
Submitted my application on 11/3. Submitted secondary on 11/27. Holistic complete 12/23. Telephone interview on 1/22. Interview invite on 2/7. I interview on campus 3/3. This school is one of my top two (and only one of three schools remaining...).
 
Interview Invite!!!!!! Yes thank god an opportunity has risen. Booked my interview on March 14, 7:30 a.m. For those who interviewed what can we expect? I hear there is going to be MMI's, is that the only type of interview they have or do they mix in some traditional interview format?
 
medschoolmyname said:
Interview Invite!!!!!! Yes thank god an opportunity has risen. Booked my interview on March 14, 7:30 a.m. For those who interviewed what can we expect? I hear there is going to be MMI's, is that the only type of interview they have or do they mix in some traditional interview format?
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Congratulations! They make you do a one-on-one traditional interview apart from the MMI's.
 
thebiochemist said:
Yeah, my phone interview was the same. Mostly I was confused why I was being asked the same questions I answered on the quiz... This whole process is not great.

Anyway, just got an II, scheduled for March 3rd. Was a bit surprised since the phone interview (9 SEP) went so terribly and I'd pretty much given up on getting into med school about 4 months ago. I hope I enjoy the visit.
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the reason they ask u similar questions is to gauge whether u were being sincere in answering your quiz questions.

Also in the same boat as you, I had practically given up as well, but the opportunity has risen. Best of luck!
 
Hey anyone which interviewed have an opinion on the intensity of the interview
 
medschoolmyname said:
Hey anyone which interviewed have an opinion on the intensity of the interview
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Very laid back and conversational - just talked about a lot of app details, experiences and personal interests. Nothing surprised me about it; it felt like any other interview
 
Quick question I've been trying to find what residency programs at other schools that western Michigan has.and can't find anything. Anyone know anything about this?
 
medschoolmyname said:
Quick question I've been trying to find what residency programs at other schools that western Michigan has.and can't find anything. Anyone know anything about this?
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What exactly do you mean by residency programs at other schools? WMed has already started training their own residents: http://med.wmich.edu/education/residents/residency-programs
There is also a collaboration with MSU CHM: http://chmfamilymedicine.msu.edu/wmed-family-medicine-residency-program
Does any of this answer your question? If you're instead referring to match statistics, obviously WMed doesn't have any yet as they are accepting their first incoming class. If you're talking about clinical rotations in years 3 and 4 instead of residency, I believe you are able to take electives at another medical school in your 4th year, but would likely have to do much of the legwork yourself to set this up.
 
yeah i was referring to match lists, wasn't thinking straight when i asked this question my bad.
 
Interviewed on Feb 3rd and just got an email saying I'm waitlisted. Dang, thought I did alright in those interviews.
 
Accepted!!!!!! I am so excited to be going here! Interviewed on February 3 and accepted today!
 
First post! Interviewed on 2/3/14 and accepted on 2/26/14! Yayyyyyy!!! One of two interviews and my first acceptance.
 
Does anyone know if standardized patients are part of our learning curriculum the first two years? For example, to practice patient interviewing and such.
 
@Mona93
Mona93 said:
Does anyone know if standardized patients are part of our learning curriculum the first two years? For example, to practice patient interviewing and such.
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Yes I believe I remember hearing that they do.
 
8luckycharms said:
I would fly into Detroit or Chicago and rent a car from there. Seemed to be the cheapest option for me coming from Cali!
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Hey! I just got an II for March 21st! Flights are so expensive into Kalamazoo. I looked and it seems there is a Amtrak option from Chicago. I will be flying from California, so I am just looking for a decent option to get there. Did you look at all into train/Amtrak? I don't think renting a car is a good option for me. Thanks for any logistical insight!
 
Accepted!!! I interviewed in January, and was waitlisted in February, so there is hope for all of you on the waitlist.

Good luck everyone!
 
Anyone have an idea of how many acceptances they have so fat? Trying to gauge my chances heading into the March 14 interview
 
DocIn2018 said:
Hey! I just got an II for March 21st! Flights are so expensive into Kalamazoo. I looked and it seems there is a Amtrak option from Chicago. I will be flying from California, so I am just looking for a decent option to get there. Did you look at all into train/Amtrak? I don't think renting a car is a good option for me. Thanks for any logistical insight!
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I took the Amtrak from Chicago! It was a very comfortable train with high speed Wifi and a food cart etc. The Kalamazoo train station is very small but overall not a bad experience. Doesn't take very long either- about an hour and half to two hours
 
Hey guys, can someone please cite the study that shows a significant increase in Step scores when taken after the first clinical year?
 
Backtothebasics8 said:
Hey guys, can someone please cite the study that shows a significant increase in Step scores when taken after the first clinical year?
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I'm also interested in this. I have an interview here on the 21st, but am considering withdrawing 'cause of this and the no summer break thing. I feel like taking step 1 at the end of 3rd year will put you behind in applying for residency and planning, etc.
 
user2014 said:
I'm also interested in this. I have an interview here on the 21st, but am considering withdrawing 'cause of this and the no summer break thing. I feel like taking step 1 at the end of 3rd year will put you behind in applying for residency and planning, etc.
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You're absolutely right but if you are IS, you might as well go!
 
so no one from sdn interviewing this Friday? if u are pm me! for those who have interviewed i know its cold up there, any tips on how to dress but still look professional?
 
medschoolmyname said:
so no one from sdn interviewing this Friday? if u are pm me! for those who have interviewed i know its cold up there, any tips on how to dress but still look professional?
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There is a coat room that you can leave stuff in. I just wore boots/scarf/coat over my suit and carried my dress shoes until I got inside. It's really not a big deal. Of course it was cold and snowy when I interviewed. The forecast is currently calling for a high of 46º and partly cloudy in Kzoo on Friday, which is downright balmy compared to the recent weather.
 
bobdgil said:
There is a coat room that you can leave stuff in. I just wore boots/scarf/coat over my suit and carried my dress shoes until I got inside. It's really not a big deal. Of course it was cold and snowy when I interviewed. The forecast is currently calling for a high of 46º and partly cloudy in Kzoo on Friday, which is downright balmy compared to the recent weather.
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thx!!!
 
user2014 said:
I'm also interested in this. I have an interview here on the 21st, but am considering withdrawing 'cause of this and the no summer break thing. I feel like taking step 1 at the end of 3rd year will put you behind in applying for residency and planning, etc.
Click to expand...
I tend to disagree that it would put you behind at least when it comes to applying for residency. Going off the Western curriculum map, Step 1 is taken in May between M3 and M4. The average wait time for scores appears to be 3-4 weeks, so you should know your score by June or July. The residency version of AMCAS (myERAS) doesn't open for applicants until July and med schools don't have access to applications until mid-September. I grant you that not knowing your score until just before you apply is less than ideal. Retaking the exam would be very difficult. There are, however, certain advantages to taking Step 1 after M3. For instance, far fewer students know what they want to specialize in after M2 than after M3. Some specialties require more competitive scores than others. If you take Step 1 after M2, get an average score and only then discover you really love dermatology or orthopedic surgery, it may already be too late. If, however, you take Step 1 after M3, you may have a better idea of the score you wish to achieve and adjust your studying habits accordingly.

I don't know of any scientific study demonstrating the advantages of taking Step 1 after the first clinical year (this would be difficult as med schools are not required to report averages), there is anecdotal evidence from schools like Penn, whose students do quite well. The theory, as I understand it, is that Step 1 is becoming progressively more focused on clinical applications of scientific knowledge, making experience in clinical rotations more applicable to the exam. Whether or not this is true, Western's curriculum seems to include frequent, organized Step prep throughout the first 3 years, as well as integration and review of basic sciences in M3 to give you a very clear idea of what score you can expect to receive on the actual exam.

Whether the lack of a summer break between M1 and M2 is good or bad is probably a matter of personal preference. You do get a week off between almost every course block which is kind of nice. Additionally, they made the valid point at my interview day that you can play a far more significant role in activities like medical mission trips abroad as an M4 than as an M1/M2, which is something you can do in your elective time during M4 at Western.
 
Interviewed 2/21/14. Waitlisted 3/13/14. Anybody have an idea of how much movement there has been so far on the waitlist?
 
Accepted from waitlist!!! Interviewed mid-January, but I'll be withdrawing. Seems that they're intermittently reviewing the waitlist and offering acceptances, GOOD LUCK ALL!!
 
PROFNL Griefer said:
Accepted from waitlist!!! Interviewed mid-January, but I'll be withdrawing. Seems that they're intermittently reviewing the waitlist and offering acceptances, GOOD LUCK ALL!!
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u got into the school of your choice huh? Congrats!!! Hope your spot goes to one of us!
 
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