2014-2015 Western Michigan University Application Thread

BU Medical Sciences
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FriendOfTheCupcake said:
Up and ready for today! So excited!!! If you're looking for me, I'll be the one in the suit.

...oh, wait. 😛

(though I did have to switch from my skirt-suit to a pant-suit because of the weather--but worse things could happen 😉 )
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Good luck, Cupcake. I got to meet a couple of you today, seems like some pretty stellar candidates this year.
 
tellme_areyoufree said:
Good luck, Cupcake. I got to meet a couple of you today, seems like some pretty stellar candidates this year.
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You guys were awesome!! I do have a question for you though, for advice - in one of my interviews, I mentioned both my undergraduate and grad school, the latter not being on my nametag, and I'm worried based off of the reaction of one of the interviewers that they may have misinterpreted my mention of my current school as an accidental "wrong school" statement. I'm not sure, I had told them earlier in it that I was attending both, but the reaction for the mention a few minutes later has me worried. 🙁 I've composed an email for Jean - but do you think that I should send my concern? Will it count against me for miscommunication, and would the MMI interviewer have my grad school on the sheet anyway to look back and realize the context? I'd just hate to get an automatic reject over that...

Otherwise, I felt like everything went REALLY well. The previous interviewees covered things pretty well, but it's so much more impressive even in person. Fantastically relaxed atmosphere. Basically, I really loved it there, and definitely hope to hear good news (along with the people I met there - seriously a great group)!! 🙂
 
WMed just jumped wayyy up on my list after the interview today. Extremely relaxed MMIs and one on one interviews. Great atmosphere, innovative curriculum, incredible facility, and the students seems genuinely happy to be there. The faculty also seems really open to feedback being a new medical school.

The best part of the day (besides the awesome first years, interviewees and faculty) was the cookies. Delicious.
 
FriendOfTheCupcake said:
You guys were awesome!! I do have a question for you though, for advice - in one of my interviews, I mentioned both my undergraduate and grad school, the latter not being on my nametag, and I'm worried based off of the reaction of one of the interviewers that they may have misinterpreted my mention of my current school as an accidental "wrong school" statement. I'm not sure, I had told them earlier in it that I was attending both, but the reaction for the mention a few minutes later has me worried. 🙁 I've composed an email for Jean - but do you think that I should send my concern? Will it count against me for miscommunication, and would the MMI interviewer have my grad school on the sheet anyway to look back and realize the context? I'd just hate to get an automatic reject over that...

Otherwise, I felt like everything went REALLY well. The previous interviewees covered things pretty well, but it's so much more impressive even in person. Fantastically relaxed atmosphere. Basically, I really loved it there, and definitely hope to hear good news (along with the people I met there - seriously a great group)!! 🙂
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Did your AMCAS reflect your current school? If yes, I wouldn't worry about it. They already know. If no, then you might send a brief "thank you" note, with an attached update to your CV. I would only send the update if it includes a good amount of important information not currently recorded in your AMCAS.
 
does western michigan take pre-on-site-II updates?
 
tellme_areyoufree said:
Did your AMCAS reflect your current school? If yes, I wouldn't worry about it. They already know. If no, then you might send a brief "thank you" note, with an attached update to your CV. I would only send the update if it includes a good amount of important information not currently recorded in your AMCAS.
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Sounds like all should be good then. Wouldn't be right without a little bit of post-interview neuroticism I suppose 😛 What a wonderful school, I'm so excited to have even been considered, definitely at the top for me!!
 
hoihaie said:
does western michigan take pre-on-site-II updates?
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It may not be a bad idea if you have a significant update. Got a paper published? Land an important new patient-facing job? Cool, update reasonable.

Spent 2 more hours shadowing a dermatologist.... ok, but maybe not update-worthy. You know?

Ask yourself whether it's enough to update your CV significantly.
 
Gregarious_and_Hilarious said:
Yes!

My n=1, but I emailed one and got my onsite II the next day
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FriendOfTheCupcake said:
Same here, got my on-campus about a week after updating!
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tellme_areyoufree said:
It may not be a bad idea if you have a significant update. Got a paper published? Land an important new patient-facing job? Cool, update reasonable.

Spent 2 more hours shadowing a dermatologist.... ok, but maybe not update-worthy. You know?

Ask yourself whether it's enough to update your CV significantly.
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Thanks guys! Yeah got a few things to update, including a paper being accepted for pub this past week.

What format did you guys use? @Gregarious_and_Hilarious @FriendOfTheCupcake Do I just email it to the admissions office in PDF attachment?
 
I know it's still early in the season but since my phone II on the 17th I've been hoping that the next round of campus II's is soon and I get one! Good luck to everyone interviewing this week!
 
I wonder when the next batch of phone interviews will go out. Seems like no one has reported one for a while. :shrug:
 
For the Nov 14 interview, does anyone want to split a car rental fee from GRR Airport? PM me if you are interested. Thanks!
 
Phantom0009 said:
It was great! I LOVE Western's medical school. I was really impressed with everyone I spoke with, the curriculum, and the facilities - especially the Simulation Center. Everyone was very enthusiastic and excited. The food was great too!
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Awesome! Just fyi, we spend a lot of time in the Sim Center from the very beginning. Just last week we (members of the first class) were in for a simulated case of organophosphate poisoning. In the first 2 months we spent a fair amount of time doing simulated emergency response, cardiac arrest, birth, pediatric seizures and respiratory failure, etc etc... some cool hands-on stuff right away, and enough that they actually certify us as first responders (especially cool if you have an interest in emergency medicine).

If you have any unanswered questions from interview day, feel free to ask anything!

*Edit* - Good luck for acceptances! 🙂
 
The Milkman said:
I thought I remembered them saying 3-4 weeks, so this seemed a little early!
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shoobie said:
I interviewed last Friday and they said "within a month, but they have been a little ahead of schedule so far this year."
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Thanks! I'm interviewing in a couple of weeks but I'm really excited about everything and was curious! Thank you both!
 
Bbroush said:
I know it's still early in the season but since my phone II on the 17th I've been hoping that the next round of campus II's is soon and I get one! Good luck to everyone interviewing this week!
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I called the admissions office on Monday and talked to Linda. She said the admissions committee will be meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) to discuss a few things and she thinks they'll be sending out a wave of on-campus IIs in the following days.
 
tellme_areyoufree said:
Awesome! Just fyi, we spend a lot of time in the Sim Center from the very beginning. Just last week we (members of the first class) were in for a simulated case of organophosphate poisoning. In the first 2 months we spent a fair amount of time doing simulated emergency response, cardiac arrest, birth, pediatric seizures and respiratory failure, etc etc... some cool hands-on stuff right away, and enough that they actually certify us as first responders (especially cool if you have an interest in emergency medicine).

If you have any unanswered questions from interview day, feel free to ask anything!

*Edit* - Good luck for acceptances! 🙂
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WOW - That is amazing. I'm applying to 35 schools this cycle and, honestly, WMU is in my top 2, if not my #1 choice.

This post about being first responder certified and time in the sim lab got me even more excited. Thanks for sharing! Fingers crossed for an on-site II this week! 🙂
 
Also, for anyone that's been there or are there, any travel/lodging suggestions?
 
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hoihaie said:
Also, for anyone that's been there or are there, any travel/lodging suggestions? I've never been outside of California before...
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As far as airports go, Southwest flies into Grand Rapids. Otherwise, Detroit is less than 2 hours away and Chicago is about 3 hours.

There are plenty of hotels in the greater Kalamazoo area. Just check TripAdvisor.com for reviews (and there are earlier posts in this thread about specific hotels).

Check the weather before you travel here. It can be especially unpredictable in early December. It could be 50 and sunny or it could be 25 and blizzard. It'll probably be in the mid 30s (just a jacket will keep you warm, gloves if you really want).

I hope you enjoy the area. Southwest Michigan is a beautiful gem!
 
I completely thought that my phone interview had knocked me out of consideration cause I had it in early September and never heard anything afterwards... I just received an on-campus interview today. Channeling the Goro-meister right now and staring at my bedroom wall being reeeeeeeal patient.
 
hoihaie said:
Also, for anyone that's been there or are there, any travel/lodging suggestions? I've never been outside of California before...
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I totally recommend the Radisson (if your budget allows). It's a seven minute walk from the school which I enjoyed because it helped me work out my pre interview nerves. You can also keep your car there, and it costs roughly the same to park by wmu. Also, there's a cheap burger place in the building if you need to grab dinner!
 
How can I prepare for the telephone interview?
 
kill00 said:
How can I prepare for the telephone interview?
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You can't. Read through this thread to get more info, but the phone interview is to assess your personal characteristics.

It's really something that requires no preparation (aside from establishing a quiet place with a reliable phone connection to conduct the interview at).

Good luck!
 
BertMacklin said:
As far as airports go, Southwest flies into Grand Rapids. Otherwise, Detroit is less than 2 hours away and Chicago is about 3 hours.

There are plenty of hotels in the greater Kalamazoo area. Just check TripAdvisor.com for reviews (and there are earlier posts in this thread about specific hotels).

Check the weather before you travel here. It can be especially unpredictable in early December. It could be 50 and sunny or it could be 25 and blizzard. It'll probably be in the mid 30s (just a jacket will keep you warm, gloves if you really want).

I hope you enjoy the area. Southwest Michigan is a beautiful gem!
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Kalamazoo has an airport, too. Sometimes it is cheaper than Grand Rapids.
 
Gregarious_and_Hilarious said:
I totally recommend the Radisson (if your budget allows). It's a seven minute walk from the school which I enjoyed because it helped me work out my pre interview nerves. You can also keep your car there, and it costs roughly the same to park by wmu. Also, there's a cheap burger place in the building if you need to grab dinner!
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Thanks for the info! I went with the cheaper hotel cause i'm broke xD

Do you think it'll be okay to fly bak home from Kalamazoo airport at 4:30pm the day of interview? apparently that's the only flight available that day for me


BertMacklin said:
As far as airports go, Southwest flies into Grand Rapids. Otherwise, Detroit is less than 2 hours away and Chicago is about 3 hours.

There are plenty of hotels in the greater Kalamazoo area. Just check TripAdvisor.com for reviews (and there are earlier posts in this thread about specific hotels).

Check the weather before you travel here. It can be especially unpredictable in early December. It could be 50 and sunny or it could be 25 and blizzard. It'll probably be in the mid 30s (just a jacket will keep you warm, gloves if you really want).

I hope you enjoy the area. Southwest Michigan is a beautiful gem!
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O_O 30s?! that is freaking cold......
 
hoihaie said:
Thanks for the info! I went with the cheaper hotel cause i'm broke xD

Do you think it'll be okay to fly bak home from Kalamazoo airport at 4:30pm the day of interview? apparently that's the only flight available that day for me




O_O 30s?! that is freaking cold......
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Yes. The interview day ended around 2:30 or before I think, and the airport is pretty close by. also, there is going to be zero wait at a small airport like AZO.
 
tellme_areyoufree said:
🙂 They meant negative 30.

....

Just kidding!

But only a little. Last winter was especially brutal because of the "polar vortex" phenomenon. The coming winter could also be quite bad.

http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2014/01/kalamazoo_temperatures_hit_low.html
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O_O how do you dress for that...? do people bring boots for interviews and switch to dress shoes at the school?

and here i was hoping to wear flip flops there when im not in interview haha
 
hoihaie said:
O_O how do you dress for that...? do people bring boots for interviews and switch to dress shoes at the school?

and here i was hoping to wear flip flops there when im not in interview haha
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At every interview, it's a good idea to be prepared for all possibilities. This would include being prepared for nasty winter weather in Michigan 🙂

You don't want to be worried about ice and snow when you should be worried about showing off yourself as an awesome candidate. So make sure you're prepared for anything!
 
I've been in Michigan nearly my whole life and never owned a pair of boots until this January when the polar vortex struck (boy was I grateful I got them!) but you shouldn't need anything other than a simple coat, maybe gloves, a hat and MAYBE extra pair of shoes in case the snow ruins yours (but it shouldn't because sidewalks are usually cleaned!).
 
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