2014-2015 Wake Forest University Application Thread

[gettheleadout]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Required(Pick at least 2):
1. The Committee on Admissions values diversity as an important factor in the educational mission of the Wake Forest School of Medicine. How will you contribute to the diversity of your medical school class and to the medical community in general? (400 words or less).

2. What obstacles or challenges have you experienced and how have you dealt with them (400 words or less)?

3. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) lists 14 entry-level core competencies for medical school applicants: Service Orientation, Social Skills, Cultural Competence, Teamwork, Oral Communication, Ethical Responsibility to Self and Others, Reliability and Dependability, Resilience and Adaptability, Capacity for Improvement, Critical Thinking, Scientific Inquiry, Written Communication, Living Systems, and Human Behavior. (See AAMC webpage for full definitions using hyperlink below)

Please pick ONE of the competencies and describe how your background and experiences highlights the competency and prepares you for medical school. Do not duplicate information provided elsewhere in the secondary application or in your AMCAS personal statement (400 words or less).

Optional:
1. If you have already received your bachelor's degree, please describe what you have been doing since graduation and your plans for the upcoming year (200 words or less)

2. If you are a re-applicant, please describe if you have made any significant changes or improvements from your previous application (200 words or less).

3. Describe any connection you have to Wake Forest School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, or North Carolina (200 words or less).

Good luck to everyone applying!

 

[tarheel1408]

Hey everyone! Good luck in the upcoming 2014-2015 cycle. I am an MS2 here at Wake and I would be happy to help anyone out if they have specific questions about the school or Winston-Salem itself. Wake is a wonderful school and I am so happy to be here. I hope that many of you will feel the same way!

A few tips for applying to Wake: I believe that Wake is interested in having students that want to be here, and also fit with the culture of the medical school campus. Letters of interest have a strong impact in the admissions office at Wake - if you want to be here, then tell us why! Additionally, I want everyone to know that once you've been invited to interview, Wake believes your academic credentials are sufficient and that you'll be able to succeed here. So if you're here for an interview, don't worry about the ad com worrying if your MCAT score is high enough, or something else. When you're here for an interview, we want to see how well you fit. So just be yourself!

Anyways, feel free to PM me if you have questions, but if it's a question that other people may benefit from, or another student may also be able to answer, I'd appreciate it if you just posted in this thread. Good luck!

 

[NervousNerd]

Hey everyone! Good luck in the upcoming 2014-2015 cycle. I am an MS2 here at Wake and I would be happy to help anyone out if they have specific questions about the school or Winston-Salem itself. Wake is a wonderful school and I am so happy to be here. I hope that many of you will feel the same way!

A few tips for applying to Wake: I believe that Wake is interested in having students that want to be here, and also fit with the culture of the medical school campus. Letters of interest have a strong impact in the admissions office at Wake - if you want to be here, then tell us why! Additionally, I want everyone to know that once you've been invited to interview, Wake believes your academic credentials are sufficient and that you'll be able to succeed here. So if you're here for an interview, don't worry about the ad com worrying if your MCAT score is high enough, or something else. When you're here for an interview, we want to see how well you fit. So just be yourself!

Anyways, feel free to PM me if you have questions, but if it's a question that other people may benefit from, or another student may also be able to answer, I'd appreciate it if you just posted in this thread. Good luck!

Thanks for this! I'm really excited about this school and hope I can reflect that in my secondary adequately!

 

[nctw]

Hey everyone! Good luck in the upcoming 2014-2015 cycle. I am an MS2 here at Wake and I would be happy to help anyone out if they have specific questions about the school or Winston-Salem itself. Wake is a wonderful school and I am so happy to be here. I hope that many of you will feel the same way!

A few tips for applying to Wake: I believe that Wake is interested in having students that want to be here, and also fit with the culture of the medical school campus. Letters of interest have a strong impact in the admissions office at Wake - if you want to be here, then tell us why! Additionally, I want everyone to know that once you've been invited to interview, Wake believes your academic credentials are sufficient and that you'll be able to succeed here. So if you're here for an interview, don't worry about the ad com worrying if your MCAT score is high enough, or something else. When you're here for an interview, we want to see how well you fit. So just be yourself!

Anyways, feel free to PM me if you have questions, but if it's a question that other people may benefit from, or another student may also be able to answer, I'd appreciate it if you just posted in this thread. Good luck!

This is all great to hear. Thanks for the feedback! Also really appreciate the love they show us North Carolinians in the whole process.

 

[BeancheBlanco]

A few tips for applying to Wake: I believe that Wake is interested in having students that want to be here, and also fit with the culture of the medical school campus.

What type of culture is there? What makes Wake unique, in your experience. Thanks!

 

[sunflower18]

I'm really excited to be applying here too!! Thanks for sharing your time, @tarheel1408 🙂

 

[tarheel1408]

What type of culture is there? What makes Wake unique, in your experience. Thanks!

The culture of any place is difficult to put into words, and thankfully it's the adcom, and not me, that determines who is a good fit. I'll do my best, though. Wake is an environment in which academic excellence and aptitude are cultivated, while at the same time the utmost collegiality is expected. The physicians and scientists here at Wake are excellent and represent some of the best and brightest in the country, but not one person here is too good to help a colleague out. From my fellow classmates to the program directors of our residency programs and everyone in between, any time you want or need help, there is someone there to provide it. Everyone involved with the medical school is invested in your success as a person and physician, and it is this combination of attributes, excellence and compassion, that we try to extend to patient care at the WFBMC.

 

[kjw1024]

The culture of any place is difficult to put into words, and thankfully it's the adcom, and not me, that determines who is a good fit. I'll do my best, though. Wake is an environment in which academic excellence and aptitude are cultivated, while at the same time the utmost collegiality is expected. The physicians and scientists here at Wake are excellent and represent some of the best and brightest in the country, but not one person here is too good to help a colleague out. From my fellow classmates to the program directors of our residency programs and everyone in between, any time you want or need help, there is someone there to provide it. Everyone involved with the medical school is invested in your success as a person and physician, and it is this combination of attributes, excellence and compassion, that we try to extend to patient care at the WFBMC.

Thanks for your time and contribution to this thread tarheel! I'm really looking forward to applying here, good luck to all 🙂.

 

[Syndicate]

Good luck to everyone!

I was accepted to wake this last cycle but ultimately withdrew. It was a very tough decision for all the reasons tarheel mentioned above. Wake is a great school with a warm and welcoming environment. Good luck


Posted using SDN Mobile

 

[Osteoth]

Hey everyone! Good luck in the upcoming 2014-2015 cycle. I am an MS2 here at Wake and I would be happy to help anyone out if they have specific questions about the school or Winston-Salem itself. Wake is a wonderful school and I am so happy to be here. I hope that many of you will feel the same way!

A few tips for applying to Wake: I believe that Wake is interested in having students that want to be here, and also fit with the culture of the medical school campus. Letters of interest have a strong impact in the admissions office at Wake - if you want to be here, then tell us why! Additionally, I want everyone to know that once you've been invited to interview, Wake believes your academic credentials are sufficient and that you'll be able to succeed here. So if you're here for an interview, don't worry about the ad com worrying if your MCAT score is high enough, or something else. When you're here for an interview, we want to see how well you fit. So just be yourself!

Anyways, feel free to PM me if you have questions, but if it's a question that other people may benefit from, or another student may also be able to answer, I'd appreciate it if you just posted in this thread. Good luck!

What is the pre clinical grading scheme at Wake? How close is it to the undergraduate campus?

Thanks! 🙂

 

[tarheel1408]

What is the pre clinical grading scheme at Wake? How close is it to the undergraduate campus?

Thanks! 🙂

Wake uses a P/F grading scheme during the pre-clinical years. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your perspective) the medical school is on the hospital campus, which is a few miles away from the undergrad campus. On the bright side, the med school is much closer to the downtown area than the undergrad campus is.

 

[pink/\floyd]

Applying as OOS!

 

[heylollipop]

I was told to consider Wake and after some research, I think I'm in love! Does Wake take OOS with no ties to NC? @tarheel1408

 

[tarheel1408]

I was told to consider Wake and after some research, I think I'm in love! Does Wake take OOS with no ties to NC? @tarheel1408

Absolutely! Wake is a private school and therefore has no obligations to in-state students. Usually, a significant portion of each class are NC residents, but I think that is because those students offer very compelling reasons about why they want to be at Wake. If an OOS student also gives great reasons why he or she wants to be at Wake, they he or she would be on equal footing.

 

[sakabato93]

Applying to Wake! OOS 3.8+/35 MCAT. NC is such a beautiful place!

 

[kjj17]

applying OOS (NY) but close relatives in NC and I love it here!

question - last year's thread says they heavily screen pre-secondary, anyone know what they screen based on? I have good MCAT but bad GPA, especially in a lot of pre-reqs (but strong upward trend)

 

[surely]

applying OOS (NY) but close relatives in NC and I love it here!

question - last year's thread says they heavily screen pre-secondary, anyone know what they screen based on? I have good MCAT but bad GPA, especially in a lot of pre-reqs (but strong upward trend)

I'm not sure anyone knows what they screen based on exactly. But it's worth mentioning that there was actually a lot of speculation in last year's Wake thread about whether or not the screening was actually happening. Only one person came forward and said he or she was rejected pre-secondary. Meanwhile, another poster said he or she had a low MCAT and low GPA but still received a secondary. Infer from that what you will. And good luck!

 

[kjj17]

hmm ok I see. thanks 🙂

 

[Eppur Si Muove]

OOS here, one of my good friends got in last cycle so I am hoping for the best

 

[futureEmmDee]

Good luck to everyone!

I was accepted to wake this last cycle but ultimately withdrew. It was a very tough decision for all the reasons tarheel mentioned above. Wake is a great school with a warm and welcoming environment. Good luck


Posted using SDN Mobile

Where did you end up going?

 

[EMLove]

Hey everyone! Good luck in the upcoming 2014-2015 cycle. I am an MS2 here at Wake and I would be happy to help anyone out if they have specific questions about the school or Winston-Salem itself. Wake is a wonderful school and I am so happy to be here. I hope that many of you will feel the same way!

A few tips for applying to Wake: I believe that Wake is interested in having students that want to be here, and also fit with the culture of the medical school campus. Letters of interest have a strong impact in the admissions office at Wake - if you want to be here, then tell us why! Additionally, I want everyone to know that once you've been invited to interview, Wake believes your academic credentials are sufficient and that you'll be able to succeed here. So if you're here for an interview, don't worry about the ad com worrying if your MCAT score is high enough, or something else. When you're here for an interview, we want to see how well you fit. So just be yourself!

Anyways, feel free to PM me if you have questions, but if it's a question that other people may benefit from, or another student may also be able to answer, I'd appreciate it if you just posted in this thread. Good luck!

When would one write a letter of interest? I've never heard of that before so any advice is appreciated! Thank you!

 

[Omppu27]

Hey guys,

Any idea on how Wake treats multiple MCATs?? Best score, most recent score, superscore, etc.?

 

[surely]

Hey guys,

Any idea on how Wake treats multiple MCATs?? Best score, most recent score, superscore, etc.?

My understanding is that Wake (like nearly all MD schools) evaluates the applicant based on all MCAT scores.

 

[tarheel1408]

When would one write a letter of interest? I've never heard of that before so any advice is appreciated! Thank you!

A letter of interest is something that you can send to the admissions office that is distinct from a primary or secondary application in which you express additional interest in a particular school. Since you don't know much about LOIs right now, why don't you peruse this thread. If you still have questions then I'd be happy to talk with you in more detail.

 

[blue14]

I was told to consider Wake and after some research, I think I'm in love! Does Wake take OOS with no ties to NC? @tarheel1408

Absolutely! Wake is a private school and therefore has no obligations to in-state students. Usually, a significant portion of each class are NC residents, but I think that is because those students offer very compelling reasons about why they want to be at Wake. If an OOS student also gives great reasons why he or she wants to be at Wake, they he or she would be on equal footing.

If you went to college in NC, is that considered as having "ties to NC"?

 

[tarheel1408]

If you went to college in NC, is that considered as having "ties to NC"?

That can be considered one thing that strengthens your 'connection' to NC, but attending college in NC is not the same as being a resident.

In addition, I am wondering what you think of Wake Forrest and the environment around it. I definitely learn from attending lectures and reading text books, and I know each school has a different academic environment. What is Wake Forrest like? Also, how is the research for medical school students there? I know that some schools require a research project. Is it that way at Wake?

Another member PMed me this question, and I wanted to put it here so that other people may see my response.
A common debate in medical school is whether or not to attend lectures. Some people think of them as a waste of time because they learn better at their own pace while others enjoy being in a structured classroom environment. I think Wake does a great job of catering to both groups. Wake does offer a large number of lectures, but attendance is not required for any of the lectures, and the lectures are recorded and streamed so that students can watch them from their computer while they're happening or at any time afterwards. I would say that the class of 2017 had about a 50% attendance rate for lectures.

Research opportunities abound for students at Wake for those that want them, but research is not a requirement. One of my friends in the class came into medical school knowing that he wanted to do CT surgery and he had a position in a CT surgery lab by the middle of first year. Most students do not do research during first year, though. Wake has a summer program called MSRP, the medical student research program where students in the MD program work with a research mentor to develop and complete a research project during the summer between first and second years, and the program provides funding for them in the form of a stipend of almost $4000. The exact dollar amount is not constant each year, but it is significant, and it allows a lot of students to do research when they otherwise might not have been able. I'm currently doing research this summer as a part of Wake's MSRP, and it's awesome to be able to work on something to make my residency application look a little better and get paid at the same time.

 

[jjtheairplane]

would it a 28 (10/7/11) be viable at wake forrest? EC's are better

 

[mrh125]

would it a 28 (10/7/11) be viable at wake forrest? EC's are better

it better be

 

[jjtheairplane]

dude, we are mcat twins and both applied. it better be so we can both be happy.

I actually didn't apply to wake yet. But..I'm leaning towards it 😉 haha

 

[BioEngMD]

I applied last cycle with a 29, GPA > 3.8, lots of interesting EC's and didn't receive an interview so take that as you will. Reapplying with a significantly higher MCAT score and hoping for better news.

 

[mrh125]

I applied last cycle with a 29, GPA > 3.8, lots of interesting EC's and didn't receive an interview so take that as you will. Reapplying with a significantly higher MCAT score and hoping for better news.

define "lots of interesting ECs" plz, but yea I heard wake forest doesn't like sub 30s and thinks 7s in verbal are "unacceptable". @jjtheairplane

 

[BioEngMD]

I'll PM you.

 

[surely]

The Class of 2017 did a fantastic job putting together a pre-orientation information website for the incoming class - I'm sharing it with you all in case any prospective students want an in-depth look at the first year curriculum: http://wfsom2017.weebly.com/first-year.html

 

[Osteoth]

So I got an email saying they got my application, for what its worth...

 

[wonderstruck]

+1

 

[trailblazer518]

+2

 

[pink/\floyd]

+3

 

[caliboydave]

+4

 

[daenschl]

+5

 

[Surgeon's Cuffs]

+6 and I'm freakin out man

 

[Sean Lee]

+7

 

[Sean Lee]

+6 and I'm freakin out man

Beat me to it! Now I got to change it to +7

 

[ADAUC]

-1

 

[slopes23]

Beat me to it! Now I got to change it to +7

+8

 

[death prophet]

Checking in b4 tha neuroticism. (Following thread because I also got the e-mail)

 

[slopes23]

+1

+2

+3

+4

+5

+6 and I'm freakin out man

+7

-1

+8

= 35 & a freak out.

 

[kjw1024]

+7! Excited 🙂.

Edit: oops, more like +9!

 

[ConsultantMD]

+10. I like how at the end they bluntly tell you not to call to confirm your status, maybe they've had issues in the past?

 

[mrh125]

My understanding is that Wake (like nearly all MD schools) evaluates the applicant based on all MCAT scores.

are you sure? I'm really curious bc the way wake views my multiple mcats can either make or break my application.

 

[sahmoc]

-1

+1 to the -1

Edit: I lied. I just got it. What kind of url is that? haha