2014-2015 Washington University in St. Louis Application Thread

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rememberthetitins said:
So anyone who isn't called by March 15 is most likely wait listed?
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Not necessarily. AMCAS requires they accept at least their class, but many schools initial round of acceptances are over their class size. I'm not sure what WashU's acceptance numbers are like, but I was told during my interview at the beginning of February that I would hear back by the end of March at the earliest. I'm hoping that doesn't just mean wait list or rejection!
 
rememberthetitins said:
So anyone who isn't called by March 15 is most likely wait listed?
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I don't think this is the case.

https://www.aamc.org/students/apply...afficrulesforadmissionofficers-2015amcas.html

"By March 15 of the matriculation year, issue a number of acceptance offers at least equal to the expected number of students in its first-year entering class and report those acceptance actions to AMCAS."

Doesn't say anything about notifying students of waitlist or rejections.
 
From what I hear, Wash U has fairly low yield so they accept A LOT of people and have an enormous waitlist.
 
I believe that's true, I think that the last wave of acceptances has been given out though. Last year no outright acceptances were give in March, only in February
 
rememberthetitins said:
I believe that's true, I think that the last wave of acceptances has been given out though. Last year no outright acceptances were give in March, only in February
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That would imply that about three weeks of people interviewed just for the waitlist, which seems silly. People on the admissions committee told me that most of the outright acceptances used to go out in mid-April, but that things were changing a lot this year because of the new dean
 
how many reported acceptances on the thread?
 
Not silly at all, wash u has a big wait list and they need to fill it. If the applicants were truly compelling they would have been interviewed earlier. In response to will38 even if we quantified such data it's only useful for establishing a lower bound since not all applicants use sdn
 
As a student who interviewed early and didn't know to send in his Dean's certificate until February, I feel like I just ran the entire marathon only to cramp up at the last 50 meters. I'm sick to my stomach at my own stupidity +pity+
 
Ah sorry to hear that /: it's possible that they may have still reviewed your application regardless of having received the deans certificate
 
Iceandmedicine said:
I interviewed in December and didn't send in my certificate till February either, but AdComs review your file and basically make a decision on it before your certificate is received, the certificate is just something that has to be completed before your acceptance is actually made official and sent out to you.

I know this because I got an email in feb from the admissions committee that said they would like to make a favorable decision on my app and were not able to do so because they didn't have my certificate! Needless to say, I hustled and got the certificate in that same day (and vowed never to procrastinate again...lol) and on the phone, when I called to confirm if they had received it, the lady basically told me to check my mail, and lo and behold, a few business days later, the acceptance package was in my mailbox!
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Believe it or not, that actually makes me feel a ton better. Time to post up and live this WL life
 
At my interview I am pretty certain they said the vast preponderance of acceptances would be posted mid March. Seems the feel of the thread is that only WL is left now?
 
Pluto2 said:
At my interview I am pretty certain they said the vast preponderance of acceptances would be posted mid March. Seems the feel of the thread is that only WL is left now?
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I got the impression from my Novemenber interview day that acceptances would gradually come out well into the spring. I also think there's substantial waitlist movement. I think.
 
Bovary said:
I got the impression from my Novemenber interview day that acceptances would gradually come out well into the spring. I also think there's substantial waitlist movement. I think.
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You guys/gals could be right but based on the data from last years thread only waitlists were given out in March. It could be different this year, the fact that you heard that is encouraging
 
shard said:
From what I hear, Wash U has fairly low yield so they accept A LOT of people and have an enormous waitlist.
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You are partially correct. We do have a lot of waitlist movement. We're battling schools like Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, et al for a lot of the same students. Our yield isn't Harvard-esque but it isn't significantly different than the rest of the top ten or twenty.

Bovary said:
I got the impression from my Novemenber interview day that acceptances would gradually come out well into the spring. I also think there's substantial waitlist movement. I think.
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Hang in there guys. Waitlist emails went out March 25th last year. If you really want to come here, make it known. As has been stated previously, WashU traditionally has a lot of waitlist movement, and that will probably be the same this year, but I can't say for sure.
 
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Bovary said:
I got the impression from my Novemenber interview day that acceptances would gradually come out well into the spring. I also think there's substantial waitlist movement. I think.
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I walked out of the shower to find a voicemail from a MO number! Interviewed in early December (sent my certification in around that same time). I don't know what it means as far as number of further acceptances going out, but your impression may have been correct (about acceptances going out gradually).
 
Tupacca said:
I walked out of the shower to find a voicemail from a MO number! Interviewed in early December (sent my certification in around that same time). I don't know what it means as far as number of further acceptances going out, but your impression may have been correct (about acceptances going out gradually).
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Congratulations!

Maybe this will help you guys too: the number of FB group members who aren't current students increases very slowly but continuously. It looks like they are accepting people every week or every other week but only very few each time.
 
FriendlyFH said:
Congratulations!

Maybe this will help you guys too: the number of FB group members who aren't current students increases very slowly but continuously. It looks like they are accepting people every week or every other week but only very few each time.
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How big is the facebook group now? Slowly starting to lose hope...
 
Dr Turkelton said:
How big is the facebook group now? Slowly starting to lose hope...
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Don't lose hope! This process is very tough, take care of yourself while waiting. I can't say the exact number--there are just so many current students on there, but the number of accepted students is probably just slightly over the size of the class.
 
mmxc132 said:
Accepted yesterday! They're definitely still sending some out I interviewed mid February and I definitely heard the same from current students about tons of wait-list movement.
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Congrats!!!

If you don't mind me asking, did you get a phone call? how were you notified?
 
Thanks! Yup phone call I think that's how most people hear but I'm not sure. They said a packet was sent via snail mail as well.
 
mmxc132 said:
Accepted yesterday! They're definitely still sending some out I interviewed mid February and I definitely heard the same from current students about tons of wait-list movement.
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mmxc132 said:
Thanks! Yup phone call I think that's how most people hear but I'm not sure. They said a packet was sent via snail mail as well.
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Thanks for the information. Could you be more specific about the week or even day you interviewed? Was it the week of February 9th, 16th or 23rd?
 
mmxc132 said:
Accepted yesterday! They're definitely still sending some out I interviewed mid February and I definitely heard the same from current students about tons of wait-list movement.
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That's great. Good for you!
I interviewed around that same time, so it's encouraging 🙂 I hope I hear positively from them soon!
 
Congratulations to everyone on their acceptances and also to everyone still in the running! I can confirm there is a LOT of movement on the wait list. I believe about half my class was accepted off of the wait list, many during April and June, and especially May.

The best thing you can do if you are still waiting is send an update letter about something that will impress them (new grades, project, leadership, clinical, etc). I think it is also extremely beneficial to send a letter of intent if Wash U is your top choice. I sent 3 letters (1 update and 2 letters of intent, in March, April, and the very end of May, respectively). My update letter was substantially lengthy, about 1 page long about my current research and plans to publish (I actually wasn't even doing anything that new) . Even though nothing very new is going on, you should still update them with whatever you are doing (but with an impressive spin and how you are excited about pursuing it at Wash U)! Also include any good grades if you can, they really like new (good) grades.

My 2 letters of intent were a little less than a page and had a couple sentences of update and then mostly about how much I was dying to go to Wash U. I also made it very clear I would definitely matriculate if offered acceptance. And my last sentence was always a big thank you for considering me. I debated a while if I should send that 2nd letter of intent (Do I seem too desperate? Will they get annoyed at me for sending so many letters?) but it was definitely the right call to send it and I realize now how silly I was for thinking that they would get annoyed at a 2nd LOI saying how much I wanted to go to that school. I got accepted a week or so after that 2nd LOI so I know it definitely helped me! I think it is also good to send them a letter especially later on in the process (May, June) because I think they are getting less letters at that point and it shows you are patiently waiting and still very interested/fixed on Wash U (especially since most people have given up or are settling on a school at that point).

Some schools I applied gave me the impression that they do not like receiving letters or they had a maximum number of letters you could send. But I think Wash U is NOT one of them. As long as you keep them about a month apart at this point, I would say it is very beneficial and not harmful at all. I sent all my letters directly to the dean (Dean Dodson at the time, but now Dean Ratts), my interviewer (Dean Chung), and also CCed the admissions office. The dean always replied very promptly with a nice comment and said it was added to my file.

Again, don't lose hope! Half my class got in off of the wait list! There's so much movement, especially in May! You have worked so hard to get to this point (studying for all those pre med classes, MCAT, the application, interview) and you have gotten this far. It's now time to just give one last push in trying to impress them and tipping the odds in your favor! Sincere good luck to everyone! Almost there!
 
Does WashU reject anyone post interview or does everyone go on the waitlist?
 
WashUstudent2017 said:
Congratulations to everyone on their acceptances and also to everyone still in the running! I can confirm there is a LOT of movement on the wait list. I believe about half my class was accepted off of the wait list, many during April and June, and especially May.

The best thing you can do if you are still waiting is send an update letter about something that will impress them (new grades, project, leadership, clinical, etc). I think it is also extremely beneficial to send a letter of intent if Wash U is your top choice. I sent 3 letters (1 update and 2 letters of intent, in March, April, and the very end of May, respectively). My update letter was substantially lengthy, about 1 page long about my current research and plans to publish (I actually wasn't even doing anything that new) . Even though nothing very new is going on, you should still update them with whatever you are doing (but with an impressive spin and how you are excited about pursuing it at Wash U)! Also include any good grades if you can, they really like new (good) grades.

My 2 letters of intent were a little less than a page and had a couple sentences of update and then mostly about how much I was dying to go to Wash U. I also made it very clear I would definitely matriculate if offered acceptance. And my last sentence was always a big thank you for considering me. I debated a while if I should send that 2nd letter of intent (Do I seem too desperate? Will they get annoyed at me for sending so many letters?) but it was definitely the right call to send it and I realize now how silly I was for thinking that they would get annoyed at a 2nd LOI saying how much I wanted to go to that school. I got accepted a week or so after that 2nd LOI so I know it definitely helped me! I think it is also good to send them a letter especially later on in the process (May, June) because I think they are getting less letters at that point and it shows you are patiently waiting and still very interested/fixed on Wash U (especially since most people have given up or are settling on a school at that point).

Some schools I applied gave me the impression that they do not like receiving letters or they had a maximum number of letters you could send. But I think Wash U is NOT one of them. As long as you keep them about a month apart at this point, I would say it is very beneficial and not harmful at all. I sent all my letters directly to the dean (Dean Dodson at the time, but now Dean Ratts), my interviewer (Dean Chung), and also CCed the admissions office. The dean always replied very promptly with a nice comment and said it was added to my file.

Again, don't lose hope! Half my class got in off of the wait list! There's so much movement, especially in May! You have worked so hard to get to this point (studying for all those pre med classes, MCAT, the application, interview) and you have gotten this far. It's now time to just give one last push in trying to impress them and tipping the odds in your favor! Sincere good luck to everyone! Almost there!
Click to expand...

I'm currently drafting an Update/LOI. Do you think you might be able to proofread it sometime?
 
Dr Turkelton said:
Does WashU reject anyone post interview or does everyone go on the waitlist?
Click to expand...

It used to be (roughly) 25% accept, 50% waitlist, 25% reject, but I don't think there were any reported rejections last year, which was the first season that Dean Ratts was in charge. I don't know how it will be this year.
 
WashUstudent2017 said:
Congratulations to everyone on their acceptances and also to everyone still in the running! I can confirm there is a LOT of movement on the wait list. I believe about half my class was accepted off of the wait list, many during April and June, and especially May.

The best thing you can do if you are still waiting is send an update letter about something that will impress them (new grades, project, leadership, clinical, etc). I think it is also extremely beneficial to send a letter of intent if Wash U is your top choice. I sent 3 letters (1 update and 2 letters of intent, in March, April, and the very end of May, respectively). My update letter was substantially lengthy, about 1 page long about my current research and plans to publish (I actually wasn't even doing anything that new) . Even though nothing very new is going on, you should still update them with whatever you are doing (but with an impressive spin and how you are excited about pursuing it at Wash U)! Also include any good grades if you can, they really like new (good) grades.

My 2 letters of intent were a little less than a page and had a couple sentences of update and then mostly about how much I was dying to go to Wash U. I also made it very clear I would definitely matriculate if offered acceptance. And my last sentence was always a big thank you for considering me. I debated a while if I should send that 2nd letter of intent (Do I seem too desperate? Will they get annoyed at me for sending so many letters?) but it was definitely the right call to send it and I realize now how silly I was for thinking that they would get annoyed at a 2nd LOI saying how much I wanted to go to that school. I got accepted a week or so after that 2nd LOI so I know it definitely helped me! I think it is also good to send them a letter especially later on in the process (May, June) because I think they are getting less letters at that point and it shows you are patiently waiting and still very interested/fixed on Wash U (especially since most people have given up or are settling on a school at that point).

Some schools I applied gave me the impression that they do not like receiving letters or they had a maximum number of letters you could send. But I think Wash U is NOT one of them. As long as you keep them about a month apart at this point, I would say it is very beneficial and not harmful at all. I sent all my letters directly to the dean (Dean Dodson at the time, but now Dean Ratts), my interviewer (Dean Chung), and also CCed the admissions office. The dean always replied very promptly with a nice comment and said it was added to my file.

Again, don't lose hope! Half my class got in off of the wait list! There's so much movement, especially in May! You have worked so hard to get to this point (studying for all those pre med classes, MCAT, the application, interview) and you have gotten this far. It's now time to just give one last push in trying to impress them and tipping the odds in your favor! Sincere good luck to everyone! Almost there!
Click to expand...

Thank u so much for all this info. It gives me so much hope 🙂 and I need hope at this point!

Just wondering, did you email or snail mail the LOI's?
 
Kemosabe said:
Thanks for the information. Could you be more specific about the week or even day you interviewed? Was it the week of February 9th, 16th or 23rd?
Click to expand...

Interviewed on the 18th so it was definitely a faster turn around than expected
 
sweetsunshine said:
Thank u so much for all this info. It gives me so much hope 🙂 and I need hope at this point!

Just wondering, did you email or snail mail the LOI's?
Click to expand...
I always emailed them to the dean, my interviewer, and CC'ed the admissions office. What's good about that is they reply right away that they have added it to your file. I also know your application file is electronic so email is probably more convenient for them.

@shard Sure I would be happy to. I don't check SDN that often so sorry if I don't reply promptly.
 
Just to reiterate what some other students have said: if you haven't heard anything or if you get on the waitlist, you still have hope!

WashU doesn't over-accept as much as some other schools and this contributes to a large amount of waitlist movement. It also means that not all of the merit scholarship money is gone if you get off the waitlist. I got off the waitlist in May and essentially asked for a scholarship in order to go to this school (they gave me a generous one). Judging by the number of students at the scholarship dinner, many students received a similar offer.

Its a really great school! Good luck everyone!
 
ecd25 said:
Just to reiterate what some other students have said: if you haven't heard anything or if you get on the waitlist, you still have hope!

WashU doesn't over-accept as much as some other schools and this contributes to a large amount of waitlist movement. It also means that not all of the merit scholarship money is gone if you get off the waitlist. I got off the waitlist in May and essentially asked for a scholarship in order to go to this school (they gave me a generous one). Judging by the number of students at the scholarship dinner, many students received a similar offer.

Its a really great school! Good luck everyone!
Click to expand...

Can I ask what you mean by "asked for a scholarship"? Is there a PC way to do this?
 
For anyone who has received a merit scholarship, how did they notify you?
 
Just wondering if anyone knows if any more acceptances have gone out this week?

Good thing I work full time or else I'd spend my days rocking in fetal position with my phone in hand, trying to will a 314 area code to call me.
 
sweetsunshine said:
Just wondering if anyone knows if any more acceptances have gone out this week?

Good thing I work full time or else I'd spend my days rocking in fetal position with my phone in hand, trying to will a 314 area code to call me.
Click to expand...
Assuming people join the FB immediately post acceptance (so far it looks like this is the normal behavior), then a few were accepted this week. Same as last week, the week before etc. etc. 🙂 So I think the review is a slow but continuos process. You never know when they "hit" your file. You've done your best, time to let go and wait for the magic to take place. Also...I got my call on a Saturday, so you never know when...
Best of luck!
 
If I have an update, should I send it to Dr. Ratts directly (like she said at the end of our interview day), or should I send it to the admissions committee email address? Or both? Does anyone know if Dr. Ratts acknowledges receiving the updates? Thanks! 🙂
 
Willy38 said:
What's the consensus on when all decisions are supposed to be out here? This is my last pending WL.
Click to expand...

You mean you're already on the waitlist here? (Because I haven't heard anything at all since November...)

Apocalypse101 said:
If I have an update, should I send it to Dr. Ratts directly (like she said at the end of our interview day), or should I send it to the admissions committee email address? Or both? Does anyone know if Dr. Ratts acknowledges receiving the updates? Thanks! 🙂
Click to expand...

I sent the update to both, and Dr. Ratts replied with a confirmation a few days after.
 
Bovary said:
You mean you're already on the waitlist here? (Because I haven't heard anything at all since November...)



I sent the update to both, and Dr. Ratts replied with a confirmation a few days after.
Click to expand...
No just going off of how my cycle has gone so far... Sorry if my post came across differently than I intended, I have not heard anything at all since my interview. I did really really like the school though making it tough to stay unattached until decisions are released.
 
Apocalypse101 said:
If I have an update, should I send it to Dr. Ratts directly (like she said at the end of our interview day), or should I send it to the admissions committee email address? Or both? Does anyone know if Dr. Ratts acknowledges receiving the updates? Thanks! 🙂
Click to expand...
In my experience, ALWAYS send it to actual people (Dr. Ratts +/- your interviewer) and then CC the admissions office. (The secretary is going to add it to your folder anyways so you might as well have an actual admissions committee member(s) see your letter when you email it.)

If your letter helps Dr. Ratts or others remember your name and application, that is a huge plus!
 
Bovary said:
You mean you're already on the waitlist here? (Because I haven't heard anything at all since November...)



I sent the update to both, and Dr. Ratts replied with a confirmation a few days after.
Click to expand...

Thanks! 🙂
 
WashUstudent2017 said:
In my experience, ALWAYS send it to actual people (Dr. Ratts +/- your interviewer) and then CC the admissions office. (The secretary is going to add it to your folder anyways so you might as well have an actual admissions committee member(s) see your letter when you email it.)

If your letter helps Dr. Ratts or others remember your name and application, that is a huge plus!
Click to expand...

Thank you! 🙂
 
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