2014-2015 Western Michigan University Application Thread

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And from there how were you notified of your next status? How long did it take from having holistic review complete to getting a phone interview and whatnot?
I'm still waiting for a phone interview invite. I was complete with the holistic review on August 6.
 
They responded today. They basically just said that I'm "complete and under consideration" and that "the applicant portal will reflect any changes made to my application status."

So yeah, not too helpful.

I think that's a way of saying "be patient."

I do know that they're receiving MANY more applications this year. Which is both exciting and obviously can slow down response times.

The first year classes are in full swing, and it's awesome. The current students are all psyched for interview days, so we can meet the applicants for the second class. So follow our example and stay psyched!!
 
Do you have any phone interview advice?

Yes. Just answer things honestly and directly! There are no trick questions. The entire point of the phone interview is to know you a little better. It's not a test and there are no right answers or wrong answers (barring crazy things).

Be yourself. Not in the cheesey "aw just be yourself" way, but in the "be genuine" way. That can come across in someone's voice during a phone interview. Don't fake anything or answer how you think someone wants you to answer. Just answer things honestly and genuinely.
 
Holistic review complete August 23rd; hoping for some OOS love. No ties to Michigan or WMU, but 3.99 sGPA, 3.90 cGPA, 33 MCAT.
 
holistic review completed finally. Started 7/29. completed 8/26.
 
Seems to vary pretty greatly with their speed in reviewing these. I submitted my secondary and had my holistic review started on the same day (8/21), then had my holistic review complete on 8/23. Not quite sure what to make of that though, hopefully that doesn't mean they just skimmed over it haha. I'm a student at WMU so maybe that could explain it as well. Has anyone received an invite for a phone interview yet?
 
Seems to vary pretty greatly with their speed in reviewing these. I submitted my secondary and had my holistic review started on the same day (8/21), then had my holistic review complete on 8/23. Not quite sure what to make of that though, hopefully that doesn't mean they just skimmed over it haha. I'm a student at WMU so maybe that could explain it as well. Has anyone received an invite for a phone interview yet?

phone II has gone out already. pretty sure someone said they already did the interview too
 
I called Jean Shelton today and she said they've only done one batch of phone interviews so far. There are 600 something phone interviews, so it is even fairly competitive to get that far.
 
When did your holistic review start?
Holistic review began August 14th, two days after my application was complete, and holistic review was complete on August 23rd. Who knows, maybe they're trying to quickly review my file so they can reject me for having no ties
 
My application was marked as complete on July 29, however, I still do not have the holistic review status. Is this bad....?
 
My application was marked as complete on July 29, however, I still do not have the holistic review status. Is this bad....?

I was marked complete 7/24 and also do not have the holistic review status. I am starting to get a little worried. Is there anybody in a similar situation that has called?
 
I was marked complete 7/24 and also do not have the holistic review status. I am starting to get a little worried. Is there anybody in a similar situation that has called?
Maybe we should call them...?
 
Holistic review began August 14th, two days after my application was complete, and holistic review was complete on August 23rd. Who knows, maybe they're trying to quickly review my file so they can reject me for having no ties
I highly doubt that, probably the opposite lol
 
@CharmanderMD @noleknight16 did your holistic review start yet? mine still hasn't started and I'm thinking of calling them tomorrow to make sure they didn't lose my application or anything lol

I will tell you that they are getting MANY applications. About a 30% increase over last year, I think. So you may want to be a little more patient, or you may want to call - your call!
 
Last edited:
Holistic Review Started08/21/2014 03:39 pm
Holistic Review Completed08/27/2014 03:49 pm
 
If this interests anyone: completed secondary 7/24, holistic review started 7/28, and still not complete.
 
Holistic Review Started08/08/2014 04:19 pm
Holistic Review Completed08/18/2014 09:15 am

No phone interview or anything else yet..... 🤔
 
Holistic Review Started08/08/2014 04:19 pm
Holistic Review Completed08/18/2014 09:15 am

No phone interview or anything else yet..... 🤔
I'm also basically in the same boat as you. I figure they're just taking their time with me... and so I wait. :-\. Good luck!
 
Does anybody know if the "holistic review completed" status is a good thing? I got that on 8/23 and haven't heard anything else yet. Does that mean I've been passed over?
 
Does anybody know if the "holistic review completed" status is a good thing? I got that on 8/23 and haven't heard anything else yet. Does that mean I've been passed over?
no, it doesn't mean that! my holistic review was completed for a week or so before I got my phone interview.
 
Does anybody know if the "holistic review completed" status is a good thing? I got that on 8/23 and haven't heard anything else yet. Does that mean I've been passed over?

You guys are all really stressed out over this! Relax! It means exactly what it says. They have finished your holistic review. Nothing more, nothing less.

You have a long year ahead if you let yourself stay stressed out like this. The current students (myself included) are looking forward to meeting you guys on interview day ... so don't come in all stressed out and ruin it!

Just be patient and wait to hear whether you
get invited for interviews. And don't stress if it takes a while - I didn't interview until February and was very quickly offered acceptance after my interview. So interviewing late isn't bad either!

Be eager, not anxious!
 
has WM rejected anyone post holistic review?
 
Same here! Telephone II today and review complete last week (8/22).
 
Holistic Review Completed08/16/2014
Telephone Interview Offered08/29/2014
 
If I was complete 7/24 but still no holistic review, should I call?
 
Hi all! Long lurker new member, just got a phone interview 🙂

Secondary complete 7/17, Review 7/28-8/26, PI offer today.

Did others who got their phone interview offers today (CONGRATS!!) also receive the scheduling email? Checking because I have not, and it seems like the previous batch got theirs day of? Thanks in advance!
 
Hi all! Long lurker new member, just got a phone interview 🙂

Secondary complete 7/17, Review 7/28-8/26, PI offer today.

Did others who got their phone interview offers today (CONGRATS!!) also receive the scheduling email? Checking because I have not, and it seems like the previous batch got theirs day of? Thanks in advance!

Congrats on your phone interview! I also received mine today and am pumped about it. As for the scheduling email I got that about 40 mins after the initial notice so I'm sure you'll get it soon.
 
Hi all! Long lurker new member, just got a phone interview 🙂

Secondary complete 7/17, Review 7/28-8/26, PI offer today.

Did others who got their phone interview offers today (CONGRATS!!) also receive the scheduling email? Checking because I have not, and it seems like the previous batch got theirs day of? Thanks in advance!
Maybe check your junk mail? Mine was in there.
 
Checked - no luck there, either. Hm, I'll see if I can reach out if I don't see something soon (though labor day weekend really isn't the best for that 😛 ). Thanks!
 
II received earlier today. Any know what to expect for the phone interview and how it'll be structured? I snooped through last year's thread a little, but I couldn't find much info. Also, apparently we have an in-person interview after the phone one? that's really strange. I thought this school was saving us the ticket fare if we are on the side of the country lol.
 
so are those of us that are interviewing via telephone already selected for an on-site interview, too? Or is this another selection tool for deciding who visits?
 
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