2014-2015 University of Washington Application Thread

BU Medical Sciences
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Temerit said:
So I know that people have been accepted starting as early as October 17th, but does anyone happen to know if the first official EXCOM meeting has occurred yet? Or when it will?
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I don't know when the first meeting is but from last year's forum it seems like the first acceptances went out Oct 31 and few more around Nov 15. I'm hoping we see a few acceptances on here in the next couple days.
 
Rejected just now via email. IS. LizzyM 76. Interviewed 10/3. My one best hope to stay on the west coast shattered.
 
Got a "still under consideration" email just now. I know at other schools, a deferred status like this isn't super promising, but it seems that at UW It's an ok sign.
 
II on 10/30!! 🙂 OOR. Complete 9/23. Now for that long wait for an interview date..
 
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Man... only rejections so far. Brutal. Was hoping somebody would hear good news before I have my interview so I at least have some hope 😛
 
Atmosphere123 said:
Rejected via email. IS. LizzyM 70.
Disappointing but probably not right fit for me.
Old facilities, too much lecture and over emphasis on USNWR ranking
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Isn't the new curriculum going to have only 4 hours of lecture per week?
 
BABSstudent said:
Isn't the new curriculum going to have only 4 hours of lecture per week?
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Only 4 seems pretty light — maybe only four of *required* lecture per week. There's some small-group stuff too that was mentioned but scarcely discussed on interview day. Finally, the UW curriculum is modernizing.
 
Bovary said:
Only 4 seems pretty light — maybe only four of *required* lecture per week. There's some small-group stuff too that was mentioned but scarcely discussed on interview day. Finally, the UW curriculum is modernizing.
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I thought so too. But it's what A300 is saying. Lots more vodcasts (recorded lectures that are shortened to 4-15 minutes), small groups and problem based work is replacing the 20+ hrs of lecture the current med students get per week. So that 4 hrs of lecture per week is probably true, but that doesn't include the other things.

I should also say lecture is the thing a lot of med students skip, but small groups attendance is super high even though it isn't required for us. It's that helpful.
 
On Friday two of my friends were put on hold/deferred post-interview via email. The email said something like "we will have a final decision before March" and that 36% of deferred applicants are accepted. Looks like the excom was quite busy before Halloween!
 
Both interviewed and placed in the "still under consideration" pool last week. That was a quick turn around. I'm curious if they actually reviewed my app or just sent out a canned letter to those they didn't get to yet. Anyone get an acceptance??!!
 
SUC email 10/31. Interview mid Oct. Happy to still be in the running, but hoping for a decision sooner than March/April.
 
Was anyone actually accepted last week, or were these "still under consideration" messages the "best possible" response so far?
 
I know of several people who were accepted mid-October on a variety of dates. It seems like for this first month, they sent out acceptances as people were interviewed and saved the rejections and still under consideration notices for after the EXCOM meeting at the end of the month (which unfortunately for us rejects was Friday and Halloween :/).
 
Temerit said:
I know of several people who were accepted mid-October on a variety of dates. It seems like for this first month, they sent out acceptances as people were interviewed and saved the rejections and still under consideration notices for after the EXCOM meeting at the end of the month (which unfortunately for us rejects was Friday and Halloween :/).
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Did they give you (or anyone else) reasons for rejection? Does UW do that?
 
GiveMeAChance said:
Did they give you (or anyone else) reasons for rejection? Does UW do that?
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They didn't give reasons, but I know from past applicants that at some point you can request feedback on your application.
 
medlife crisis said:
CSE, Biochem, art, history, engineering... you can get into medical school with any major. My personal advice is that you choose a major that most interests you. Selecting a major that you are generally interested in will likely result in a higher GPA, thus increasing your chances of being accepted. I don't want to be pessimistic, but it is also wise to consider that MANY pre-medical students quickly change course and pursue other professions. Leave yourself some options; you may end up changing career paths, and it would be nice to have a plan B in place.

If I could go back in time, I would have pursued a degree in auto mechanics. I would have enjoyed the classes more than the major I chose, and it would have been a very useful skill to have. Ask yourself what you would do with each degree, if you don't go to medical school. Which degree do you think would be more interesting to you? In which program would you perform better? Is there another major that would be better suited to your interests and abilities?
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Thank you so much! It really helps me. I've seriously thought about it and I'm sure being a biochemist makes me happier than a CS. Thank you! May I have one more question? So I'm still doing CSE this quarter because it was too late for me to completely drop them. I used the annual drop on CSE351, and right now I'm worrying about my grade on CSE311. It looks like I'm going to get a 3.0 on that class. So I'm considering the S/NS option. However I'm not sure if it's better to have a 3.0 or to use S/NS to block it. I've never used W or S/NS before. Now I've used annual drop once on CSE351, so if I do S/NS on CSE311 then I'll receive another drop-ish mark o my transcript. I'm kinda worried about it but if I do not put S/NS on it then it will drag down my cumulative GPA significantly... What would you suggest me to do? Thank you!
 
Graywolf said:
Choose Biochemistry if you want a challenge and you want gap year job prospects or alternative career opportunities in science just in case.

I did Biochemistry and I liked it, yet I was very challenged. There was a semester where I pulled at least one all nighter per week and studied all day, every day. Yet this was above the average, b/c I also did a Biology double major so I basically took several Bio and Chem courses side by side for 4 straight years. Biochem degree class requirements were much much harder than Bio. But the challenge will likely reflect in the MCAT in my opinion.

As for engineering, I know a Biomedical Engineer with a 4.0 but then a 26 MCAT who didn't even get a UW interview, IS. Engineering may not be the best prep for MCAT.

Yet most of all, since being a traditional junior applicant doesnt give you any time for real world experience (which med schools seem to prefer), having a degree that allows you to get a job is essential. When interviewing for jobs in R&D the employer's only cared about Biochem. When I told them I was a double, they were basically like: "that's nice, so about Biochem..."
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Thanks so much! Yes I think I'll see how I do on chem and bio courses and decide which side I want to be on. With the change of MCAT since next year, I think leaving CS is definitely better for me than keep working on it. Because I really don't like it. May I have one more question? So I'm still doing CSE this quarter because it was too late for me to completely drop them. I used the annual drop on CSE351, and right now I'm worrying about my grade on CSE311. It looks like I'm going to get a 3.0 on that class. So I'm considering the S/NS option. However I'm not sure if it's better to have a 3.0 or to use S/NS to block it. I've never used W or S/NS before. Now I've used annual drop once on CSE351, so if I do S/NS on CSE311 then I'll receive another drop-ish mark o my transcript. I'm kinda worried about it but if I do not put S/NS on it then it will drag down my cumulative GPA significantly... What would you suggest me to do? Thank you!
 
Okitaitsi said:
Thanks so much! Yes I think I'll see how I do on chem and bio courses and decide which side I want to be on. With the change of MCAT since next year, I think leaving CS is definitely better for me than keep working on it. Because I really don't like it. May I have one more question? So I'm still doing CSE this quarter because it was too late for me to completely drop them. I used the annual drop on CSE351, and right now I'm worrying about my grade on CSE311. It looks like I'm going to get a 3.0 on that class. So I'm considering the S/NS option. However I'm not sure if it's better to have a 3.0 or to use S/NS to block it. I've never used W or S/NS before. Now I've used annual drop once on CSE351, so if I do S/NS on CSE311 then I'll receive another drop-ish mark o my transcript. I'm kinda worried about it but if I do not put S/NS on it then it will drag down my cumulative GPA significantly... What would you suggest me to do? Thank you!
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I've never used a drop/withdraw before and I did not go to UW or any quarter system school. Nor do I know what CSE stands for. Your question is too specific and too technical for me and it is beyond the scope of this thread. Consider talking to any engineering advisor.at your school.
 
Temerit said:
They didn't give reasons, but I know from past applicants that at some point you can request feedback on your application.
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Your scores are high and you seem like the applicant that would get several opportunities from med schools around the country. Did UW pick up on the fact that you may choose another school or was there something that went unusual during your interview?
 
Graywolf said:
Your scores are high and you seem like the applicant that would get several opportunities from med schools around the country. Did UW pick up on the fact that you may choose another school or was there something that went unusual during your interview?
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Nothing really went unusual, I suppose that they somehow determined that I didn't fit their mission?

UW's admission process is highly idiosyncratic to most medical schools I've found. I know someone who was rejected from UW in October last cycle and matriculated at Stanford. And I know someone who just got into UW this cycle with a 3.9/39. I don't know if there's any figuring it out.
 
Graywolf said:
I've never used a drop/withdraw before and I did not go to UW or any quarter system school. Nor do I know what CSE stands for. Your question is too specific and too technical for me and it is beyond the scope of this thread. Consider talking to any engineering advisor.at your school.
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Sorry but thanks anyway 🙂
 
Temerit said:
Nothing really went unusual, I suppose that they somehow determined that I didn't fit their mission?

UW's admission process is highly idiosyncratic to most medical schools I've found. I know someone who was rejected from UW in October last cycle and matriculated at Stanford. And I know someone who just got into UW this cycle with a 3.9/39. I don't know if there's any figuring it out.
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Well I see that you also are waiting on OHSU so hopefully they turn out. That would be another west coast option in a great city!
 
II. In region. Took several months after I turned in my secondary.
 
Okitaitsi said:
Thank you so much! It really helps me. I've seriously thought about it and I'm sure being a biochemist makes me happier than a CS. Thank you! May I have one more question? So I'm still doing CSE this quarter because it was too late for me to completely drop them. I used the annual drop on CSE351, and right now I'm worrying about my grade on CSE311. It looks like I'm going to get a 3.0 on that class. So I'm considering the S/NS option. However I'm not sure if it's better to have a 3.0 or to use S/NS to block it. I've never used W or S/NS before. Now I've used annual drop once on CSE351, so if I do S/NS on CSE311 then I'll receive another drop-ish mark o my transcript. I'm kinda worried about it but if I do not put S/NS on it then it will drag down my cumulative GPA significantly... What would you suggest me to do? Thank you!
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Here is an excerpt from the AAMC that you may find helpful; follow the link for more information:

The technical effect of a "W" is minimal. It isn't averaged into your GPA as far as AMCAS is concerned. So, if we are just talking GPA, a W is always better than an "F".

The interpretation of Ws varies by school. Committees usually assess the following things: 1) How many Ws are there? 2) What is the pattern? 3) What might these things predict about the applicant's potential performance in medical school? If there are more than a few Ws, usually committees will scrutinize a little more to see what was going on.

If most of the Ws are in science classes, that can be interpreted differently than if they are in non-science, to an extent.

https://www.aamc.org/students/aspiring/basics/284780/application9.html
 
rikudo said:
Congrats! May I ask your stats? You had a fast turnaround
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Yeah, I wasn't expecting to hear back for another month or so. That was definitely a nice surprise!

32MCAT (11-11-10) - 3.8GPA - Lots of ECs (1,500+ research hours * 2,500+ clinical * 1,500+ volunteer * 140 shadowing)
 
I was placed SUC and they told us to write an update letter. The problem is I think I told my interviewer pretty much everything already so should I still write an update letter?

Thanks!
 
For those of you who have had interviews, did you send thank you notes? And if you did, did you send a different letter to all three or the same one to all three (since they were all there for the interview)?
 
dococtopus21 said:
I was placed SUC and they told us to write an update letter. The problem is I think I told my interviewer pretty much everything already so should I still write an update letter?

Thanks!
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My guess is that during the interview, the interviewers translated your "verbal update" into a score or a few quick notes on a piece of paper, so the actual adcom meetings might lack that detailed information. So the self-declared, formal written update is primarily serving the group of people who are voting on you, even though you may feel like you are repeating yourself.
 
lilypond147 said:
For those of you who have had interviews, did you send thank you notes? And if you did, did you send a different letter to all three or the same one to all three (since they were all there for the interview)?
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I mailed three separate ones (all in one manilla folder) to the admissions office with a separate typed up thing letting the admissions office know who I wanted the cards to go to etc. That's what I was told to do after my interview day.
 
Just received a pre-secondary rejection by email. I'm an OOR candidate and was 99.9% expecting this rejection.

Good luck to all those who are still in the process! I loved this school, but knew it was a reach.
 
BertMacklin said:
Just received a pre-secondary rejection by email. I'm an OOR candidate and was 99.9% expecting this rejection.

Good luck to all those who are still in the process! I loved this school, but knew it was a reach.
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Just got the e-mail too (OOR). Would have loved to visit Seattle. Good luck to those still in the running!
 
Well.. Interview at the Spokane campus went well (as far as I can tell). Don't have any regrets about what I said/what happened during the interview so I guess it's all up to how the committee felt. Hoping we share similar feelings 🙂 The Spokane campus is absolutely beautiful and I would love to go there.
 
Hrdrock said:
Well.. Interview at the Spokane campus went well (as far as I can tell). Don't have any regrets about what I said/what happened during the interview so I guess it's all up to how the committee felt. Hoping we share similar feelings 🙂 The Spokane campus is absolutely beautiful and I would love to go there.
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You should write about it here! Let everyone know about it since most won't make a visit.
 
II just now! :soexcited: Incredibly excited my reach school is interested!

Complete 9/24. IS, non-trad, LizzyM: 64
 
BABSstudent said:
You should write about it here! Let everyone know about it since most won't make a visit.
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Good suggestion! The campus is shared by several programs: Pharmacy, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Dental, few others I'm probably missing. There are 4 huge buildings and beautiful landscaping that are all very modern. All of the students I met there that were "WWAMIed" i.e. forced to attend the Spokane campus instead of Seattle all said they were upset at first, but after living there they really enjoy it. I think a major selling point for the Spokane campus (40 students) is that it's like a family--at least that's what I want in medical school. Everyone knows everyone, including the professors. Our guide said they frequently are invited to dinner at faculty's homes and it's really a wonderful experience. Had a really great time there and I'm hoping for the best.
 
Interviewed at the Spokane campus yesterday. Very comfortable and professional interview, which was a little surprising since I had heard some pretty bad stories about UW interviews. I was pretty impressed with the Spokane campus, I went from being set on Seattle to being totally fine with either location. We did find out that if you are assigned to the Spokane campus you will have to complete your first two (really 1.5 years because of the way the new curriculum is) years there. This is slightly different than past years where students could do their first year in Spokane and then their second year in Seattle.

For what it is worth all the Spokane students we talked to said they think the instruction is better in Spokane because of the better faculty to student ratio and because Spokane docs are excited to teach and very invested in medical education in Spokane.
 
sparos said:
Thanks for the info! I'm curious - did you find out if the 40 student class size going to increase next year for spokane?

Hoping to see some acceptances in the next few weeks for all of us -
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From what I gathered it just recently increased to 40, and I think it will remain that size for next year.
 
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