2014-2015 West Virginia University Application Thread

[Mountaineer12]

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I just heard from financial aid and I was offered an $80,000 scholarship for the 4 years. So that would be $20,000 a year. I'm OSS. I really would like to attend the school. Can current students please shed some light about their experience at WVU. Thanks

Wow congrats! It's pretty rare to get such a big scholarship in med school so that's really exciting! WVU is really good med school. I'm a bit jaded about school currently, but I think that has more to do with Step 1 coming up than about WVU itself haha. Let me know if you have any specific things you want some light shed upon!

 

[Darth Doc]

I just heard from financial aid and I was offered an $80,000 scholarship for the 4 years. So that would be $20,000 a year. I'm OSS. I really would like to attend the school. Can current students please shed some light about their experience at WVU. Thanks

Congrats on the scholarship! For those of you who want/need aid but aren't called (which as Mountaineer12 said is unusual) don't worry. I showed up in financial aid the first week of school, explained my situation, and they gave me 2 scholarships and a WV loan.

I'm a first year at WVU, so I'm not jaded yet. Second year of med school is apparently much harder than first, but I think that's probably true everywhere.

I really like the school. It doesn't have a beautiful building or facilities like some other schools, but everything works and everything is functional. We are learning ultrasound during our anatomy course, which is a lot of fun, and from what I understand the amount of ultrasound equipment we have is way, way more than any other school in the country. I don't know where all of the volunteer standardized patients come from that we learn our ultrasounds on, but it must be the local community. WVU has a significant community support system. The deans actually care about our welfare. The teachers are all really approachable. The students in the classes ahead of us volunteer their time to give us notes, study helps, tutoring, etc.. This is something that gets passed down year to year. We have a test tomorrow and people from the class are posting their personal notes, powerpoint summaries, and quizlet links to help everyone else in the class in our class Facebook account. There's a real desire to help others in a real way that makes me glad I'm here.

As far as research, I've assisted a professor with writing up a case report that we are going to submit for publication, and there are a lot of other researchers at the school interested in taking on students. It's not mandatory, which is great, but it's there if you want to do it.

I think the atmosphere here and the helpfulness of everyone is what sets this school apart. I know not everyone loves the area, but I haven't heard a lot of complaints about the school itself or anything else significant. Some of my classmates are really looking forward to graduating and getting back to big cities. Not everyone likes living in the Mountains 1.5 hours from Pittsburgh, but I could make a career in this town and be happy.

Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions. Mountaineer12 is also an extremely helpful person.

 

[Mountaineer12]

Congrats on the scholarship! For those of you who want/need aid but aren't called (which as Mountaineer12 said is unusual) don't worry. I showed up in financial aid the first week of school, explained my situation, and they gave me 2 scholarships and a WV loan.

I'm a first year at WVU, so I'm not jaded yet. Second year of med school is apparently much harder than first, but I think that's probably true everywhere.

I really like the school. It doesn't have a beautiful building or facilities like some other schools, but everything works and everything is functional. We are learning ultrasound during our anatomy course, which is a lot of fun, and from what I understand the amount of ultrasound equipment we have is way, way more than any other school in the country. I don't know where all of the volunteer standardized patients come from that we learn our ultrasounds on, but it must be the local community. WVU has a significant community support system. The deans actually care about our welfare. The teachers are all really approachable. The students in the classes ahead of us volunteer their time to give us notes, study helps, tutoring, etc.. This is something that gets passed down year to year. We have a test tomorrow and people from the class are posting their personal notes, powerpoint summaries, and quizlet links to help everyone else in the class in our class Facebook account. There's a real desire to help others in a real way that makes me glad I'm here.

As far as research, I've assisted a professor with writing up a case report that we are going to submit for publication, and there are a lot of other researchers at the school interested in taking on students. It's not mandatory, which is great, but it's there if you want to do it.

I think the atmosphere here and the helpfulness of everyone is what sets this school apart. I know not everyone loves the area, but I haven't heard a lot of complaints about the school itself or anything else significant. Some of my classmates are really looking forward to graduating and getting back to big cities. Not everyone likes living in the Mountains 1.5 hours from Pittsburgh, but I could make a career in this town and be happy.

Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions. Mountaineer12 is also an extremely helpful person.

Agreed on everything. My peers (and the ones in other classes) are 100% awesome. Same for professors and deans. It's a really good atmosphere! I know I really enjoy helping underclassmen and applicants as much as I can! Also, the ultrasound training is amazing at WVU!

4 months out of Step 1 I think classes have prepared me quite well. I still have a lot to review, but I've seen almost everything and I'm pretty confident I can do well.vin actually taking it in the beginning of June so I can go to Southeast Asia!

 

[ASUfan]

Wait listed today. No email notification at all, just got a letter. Interviewed two weeks ago. 3.66/36

 

[pfaction]

i'm surprised you didnt hear. an applicant was contacted repeatedly by their med stay host with no return communication at all, but did decide to pop on in at 11pm the night before the interview. ask our social chair for all the details, she can fill you in. 😉

Asked her about this and had a good LOL. The applicant would have tanked the interview either way, but wow.

Also is it just me or is it hard to distinguish between Mountaineer12 and Mountaineer23?

PS, I really don't want to study anymore.

 

[Darth Doc]

PS, I really don't want to study anymore.

You second years keep warning us. I'm trying to enjoy what we have now before the hell of second year hits.

Edit: And I'm picking my spot in the blue room early.

 

[deejaymd]

Pre-interview rejection from this school. Not sure what they were looking for. 32 MCAT, 3.85 cgpa, 3.6 sgpa, In-state, husband works for WVUH. Good luck to everyone else.

 

[jjbodean]

Also is it just me or is it hard to distinguish between Mountaineer12 and Mountaineer23?

i was just thinking the same thing, too many mountaineers. thankfully 12 has the fancy color and dancing signature, going to use that as my buzzword for them

 

[jjbodean]

You second years keep warning us. I'm trying to enjoy what we have now before the hell of second year hits.

greetings young med stud 1st year. i believe you have been repeatedly warned about 2nd year (quite a bit by myself, actually) 😉

 

[Mountaineer12]

i was just thinking the same thing, too many mountaineers. thankfully 12 has the fancy color and dancing signature, going to use that as my buzzword for them

I wish I could change that dancing banana to a mildly sad, overworked, exhausted banana 😛

 

[acceptanceplease]

When does WVU start accepting people off of the waitlist? Has anyone been accepted off the waitlist already?

 

[miamiheatfan]

When does WVU start accepting people off of the waitlist? Has anyone been accepted off the waitlist already?

A few people have already been accepted off the waitlist, but of course the majority will come around and after the April 30th date.

 

[pfaction]

Just woke up to what is going to be the best spring break I ever have.

If you haven't been following the weather recently, Morgantown got dumped with what I estimate is about a foot of snow over Thursday and into Friday. MS2's had one final burst of exams scheduled on Friday before our much needed, much deserved, light-at-the-kind-of-end-of-the-tunnel SPRING BREAK.

The entire university closed, meaning that legally there was no way to administer our exam. Most of the options included taking the exam the week we got back from break. This did not go over well with anyone. But our class president and head of the Academic Council sat down with the deans (or emailed them quite frequently) and the deans were receptive and concerned about destroying any shred of happiness in our break that they came up with what I think is a win/win/win, anyone who is borderline passing (or wants to challenge themselves) is open to take the exam when we get back, otherwise the exams are optional.

I would have never expected this to occur and it just shows me, and hopefully anyone who is reading this, that WVU SOM really does have its students best interests at heart.

So now that I've typed this hype up for you guys, I've got two guitars to restring, an amplifier under an inch of dust, and a few movies to catch up on.

 

[Darth Doc]

Just woke up to what is going to be the best spring break I ever have.

the exams are optional.

WVU SOM really does have its students best interests at heart.

I've always thought the deans were great, and this just proves it. Have a wonderful spring break!

 

[Mountaineer12]

Just woke up to what is going to be the best spring break I ever have.

If you haven't been following the weather recently, Morgantown got dumped with what I estimate is about a foot of snow over Thursday and into Friday. MS2's had one final burst of exams scheduled on Friday before our much needed, much deserved, light-at-the-kind-of-end-of-the-tunnel SPRING BREAK.

The entire university closed, meaning that legally there was no way to administer our exam. Most of the options included taking the exam the week we got back from break. This did not go over well with anyone. But our class president and head of the Academic Council sat down with the deans (or emailed them quite frequently) and the deans were receptive and concerned about destroying any shred of happiness in our break that they came up with what I think is a win/win/win, anyone who is borderline passing (or wants to challenge themselves) is open to take the exam when we get back, otherwise the exams are optional.

I would have never expected this to occur and it just shows me, and hopefully anyone who is reading this, that WVU SOM really does have its students best interests at heart.

So now that I've typed this hype up for you guys, I've got two guitars to restring, an amplifier under an inch of dust, and a few movies to catch up on.

This is probably on a list of top 5 most awesome things that has ever happened to me. I don't think any of us thought we would get the option not to take the exam, because it is med school after all. I'm just so happy that the deans listened to us and worked with us and now we have a real break 🙂

 

[bb012]

.

 

[JWell]

So....figured I should post on here as I am yet another OOS waitlister. Interviewed in October, waitlisted 2 weeks later, and constantly checking my email and snail mail for an update. Looking back at previous years it appears that there is typically an update sent out shortly after mid March (when the tentative class list is submitted to AMCAS). Can anyone confirm this?

 

[KnightDoc2015]

So....figured I should post on here as I am yet another OOS waitlister. Interviewed in October, waitlisted 2 weeks later, and constantly checking my email and snail mail for an update. Looking back at previous years it appears that there is typically an update sent out shortly after mid March (when the tentative class list is submitted to AMCAS). Can anyone confirm this?

The only thing that I can comment on that is that the 'official acceptances' aren't due until April 30th, so technically they don't have their class size and list until then. Compiling a list in mid March would be a little early, in my opinion. I'm a OOS wait-lister as well, so I'm on edge as much as you are :O

 

[consto5221]

Have any of those who have accepted admission seen any activity posted to the financial aid section of the STAR account?

 

[LOVEMYSCHOOL]

Have any of those who have accepted admission seen any activity posted to the financial aid section of the STAR account?

Never mind, I just created an account... Mine has nothing

 

[StoicMountaineer]

I spoke with the financial aid office last week. They said that the cost of attendance hasn't been finalized yet, so they are waiting on that in order to finish our aid packages. They said that they should be on STAR sometime in April, though!

 

[Darth Doc]

I spoke with the financial aid office last week. They said that the cost of attendance hasn't been finalized yet, so they are waiting on that in order to finish our aid packages. They said that they should be on STAR sometime in April, though!

Keep in mind that the aid packages can be improved beyond what they initially offer. You'll learn more through a talk with them the first week of classes, but they're in the building and can find additional scholarships and loans if you need them. Don't be afraid to stop by their offices when you get here.

 

[Mountaineer12]

We didn't get out aid package until mid-June so don't get too excited for April haha

 

[Ace Khalifa]

We didn't get out aid package until mid-June so don't get too excited for April haha

Why do some schools insist on not releasing financial aid packages until after the "you must choose which school to matriculate at" deadline? I know most people use financial aid packages to help determine where they want to go.

 

[Mountaineer12]

Why do some schools insist on not releasing financial aid packages until after the "you must choose which school to matriculate at" deadline? I know most people use financial aid packages to help determine where they want to go.

I'm not sure, but I would suggest just looking at the tuition budget from this year and assume it'll be a couple thousand more (that's what I was told before starting med school). I would also assume that you won't be getting any scholarships as they are more the exception to the rule. Just as a heads up if you want to know roughly what your financial package will look like.

 

[Ace Khalifa]

I'm not sure, but I would suggest just looking at the tuition budget from this year and assume it'll be a couple thousand more (that's what I was told before starting med school). I would also assume that you won't be getting any scholarships as they are more the exception to the rule. Just as a heads up if you want to know roughly what your financial package will look like.

Oh I'm fully expecting not to get much aid wherever I choose to go. I just wanted to know why schools don't care about giving students their financial situation before matriculation deadline. Do they expect students to just ignore it and base their decision only on other intangible factors?

 

[StoicMountaineer]

We didn't get out aid package until mid-June so don't get too excited for April haha

I got my package by mid-May as a WVU undergrad and grad student so I'm trying to stay optimistic! Haha

 

[M12B]

Question to current students (or interviewees/accepted students who remember better than I do):
Does WVU provide students with a laptop? I remember reading somewhere about a macbook program but now I can't find anything and nothing was mentioned about it on my interview day... I need to purchase a new computer before school starts, but I don't want to do that if the school provides one. Thanks!

 

[vdv234]

Question to current students (or interviewees/accepted students who remember better than I do):
Does WVU provide students with a laptop? I remember reading somewhere about a macbook program but now I can't find anything and nothing was mentioned about it on my interview day... I need to purchase a new computer before school starts, but I don't want to do that if the school provides one. Thanks!

According to my student host, you are required to have a Mac for the exams, but they won't be providing you with the computer. You will have to buy the computer out of pocket. However, the cost of the computer is included in the financial aid (~1000-1500 for only one year).

 

[M12B]

According to my student host, you are required to have a Mac for the exams, but they won't be providing you with the computer. You will have to buy the computer out of pocket. However, the cost of the computer is included in the financial aid (~1000-1500 for only one year).

Perfect! Thank you!

 

[Darth Doc]

Question to current students: Does WVU provide students with a laptop?

According to my student host, you are required to have a Mac for the exams, but they won't be providing you with the computer. You will have to buy the computer out of pocket. However, the cost of the computer is included in the financial aid (~1000-1500 for only one year).

To be clear, you will be expected to pick up a Macbook Air from the IT department before the first day of school. It has the necessary programs, plugs, attachments, etc... They will also give you an online tutorial on SOLE on how to properly set up and use it, which is helpful for those of us who are windows aficionados. The cost is included in your tuition.

Do NOT buy a MacBook Air for yourself. You'll still end up with one from the school. You don't have to use it in class - some people use other mac products, but just about everyone uses the MacBook Airs. They include virus protection and damage protection (you pay $100 replacement fee no matter what you did to destroy it.) The IT department also gives you a free loaner while they fix or send off your computer for repairs. They maintain the computers, virus protection, etc. It's too convenient with all the services included in the computer to not use it.

The MacBook Airs (in case you want the long story, and I'm feeling wordy because I started spring break today) were requested by past classes. WVU started with Lenovo computers, but there were a lot of breakdown and virus issues. Then they moved to macs, but last year's class requested the Airs due to lighter weight and some other reasons. I have to say that now that I'm using it 8-16 hours a day, it's a great computer.

 

[andy1512005]

Does anyone have any experience with the College Park appartments? Are they close to the school? Thanks

 

[M12B]

To be clear, you will be expected to pick up a Macbook Air from the IT department before the first day of school. It has the necessary programs, plugs, attachments, etc... They will also give you an online tutorial on SOLE on how to properly set up and use it, which is helpful for those of us who are windows aficionados. The cost is included in your tuition.

Do NOT buy a MacBook Air for yourself. You'll still end up with one from the school. You don't have to use it in class - some people use other mac products, but just about everyone uses the MacBook Airs. They include virus protection and damage protection (you pay $100 replacement fee no matter what you did to destroy it.) The IT department also gives you a free loaner while they fix or send off your computer for repairs. They maintain the computers, virus protection, etc. It's too convenient with all the services included in the computer to not use it.

The MacBook Airs (in case you want the long story, and I'm feeling wordy because I started spring break today) were requested by past classes. WVU started with Lenovo computers, but there were a lot of breakdown and virus issues. Then they moved to macs, but last year's class requested the Airs due to lighter weight and some other reasons. I have to say that now that I'm using it 8-16 hours a day, it's a great computer.

Thank you so much for the info!! Now I know not to buy myself a new macbook this summer haha.

I switched to Macs 7 years ago and never looked back so I'm glad they've gone with Apple, but I'm bummed it has to be an Air, I was really wanting to get a Pro. But hey, if it's included in tuition and I get $100 replacements if damaged, then I guess I can't complain!

 

[Mountaineer12]

Does anyone have any experience with the College Park appartments? Are they close to the school? Thanks

They're pretty far away, I believe. Probably like a 15-30 minute drive depending on traffic (which can get pretty bad in Morgantown). It's definitely drivable, but there other big apartment complexes that would be a shorter driving distance (Copper Beach, The Villas, West Run).

Thank you so much for the info!! Now I know not to buy myself a new macbook this summer haha.

I switched to Macs 7 years ago and never looked back so I'm glad they've gone with Apple, but I'm bummed it has to be an Air, I was really wanting to get a Pro. But hey, if it's included in tuition and I get $100 replacements if damaged, then I guess I can't complain!

My class has pros and they're awful haha. I don't think they can handle all of the software or something. After our class they switched to the Air and I think it's doing much better now.

 

[LOVEMYSCHOOL]

I dont remember anybody talking about the Mac requirement. I was very surprised to read this here. I guess there is still alt that I dont know abut this school :/

 

[Mountaineer12]

I dont remember anybody talking about the Mac requirement. I was very surprised to read this here. I guess there is still alt that I dont know abut this school :/

You can always get and use a different computer and just use the Mac for tests. Any questions you have, feel free to ask!

 

[LOVEMYSCHOOL]

I finally made my decision to decline my acceptance 🙂 (OOS)

 

[Darth Doc]

I finally made my decision to decline my acceptance 🙂 (OOS)

Best of luck to you where you decided to go.

 

[LOVEMYSCHOOL]

Best of luck to you where you decided to go.

Thanks

 

[skywayz]

WL here back in August, here is to hoping for some luck in May!

 

[jemappelle]

Will wait listers find out final decision through email, snail mail, or is there a kind of portal that we can check?

 

[miamiheatfan]

Withdrew from the waitlist! WVU was an awesome school from my interview day! Congrats to all the accepted applicants!

 

[madb0x]

Can any current student shed some more light on the waitlist? Do we get a call, email, or snail mail if we are taken off? Do you know how long we have to respond? Thank you!

 

[Mountaineer12]

Can any current student shed some more light on the waitlist? Do we get a call, email, or snail mail if we are taken off? Do you know how long we have to respond? Thank you!

I wasn't wait listed so I can't help you out too much. I think it's an email, but don't quote me on that.

 

[Darth Doc]

Can any current student shed some more light on the waitlist? Do we get a call, email, or snail mail if we are taken off? Do you know how long we have to respond? Thank you!

I asked someone in my class who was among the last to be accepted from the wait list in mid-June and she said she got a phone call first, then a snail mail letter. She thinks the snail mail is most commonly done. Her case was unusual because it was so late when she was accepted.

 

[pink/\floyd]

WD from the WL! GL all!

 

[Darth Doc]

Can any current student shed some more light on the waitlist? Do we get a call, email, or snail mail if we are taken off? Do you know how long we have to respond? Thank you!

I talked to Dr Hazard and she said that for people on the wait list who get accepted, she signs the acceptance letter, it gets scanned and emailed, and then the letter gets placed in the mail. If you get accepted closer to the start of school, the office calls you so they can find out right away if you have other plans and move down the wait list if you do.

She also said that if you are on the wait list and have improved your application since it was initially sent, to send an update. If you apply again for the next cycle and your application looks the same, they won't give you another look.

EDIT: also, people should start getting pulled off the wait list soon.

 

[Ace Khalifa]

I talked to Dr Hazard and she said that for people on the wait list who get accepted, she signs the acceptance letter, it gets scanned and emailed, and then the letter gets placed in the mail. If you get accepted closer to the start of school, the office calls you so they can find out right away if you have other plans and move down the wait list if you do.

She also said that if you are on the wait list and have improved your application since it was initially sent, to send an update. If you apply again for the next cycle and your application looks the same, they won't give you another look.

EDIT: also, people should start getting pulled off the wait list soon.

If I am moving out of my current place of residence to go back home during the summer, would they know that from my updated contact info on AMCAS or would it be better to email them, maybe combined with an update letter? I don't want them to send a possible acceptance letter to the wrong address.

 

[Mountaineer12]

If I am moving out of my current place of residence to go back home during the summer, would they know that from my updated contact info on AMCAS or would it be better to email them, maybe combined with an update letter? I don't want them to send a possible acceptance letter to the wrong address.

I would probably email the person in charge of the admissions office (it used to Beth Ann, but I think she left?). If you have something to update them on then by all means do that as well. I'd probably still send an email just to be extra sure that someone received the new address and didn't just put it in a pile with all the other updates.

 

[ninja1008]

Just accepted off the waitlist OOS! Interviewed back in December!