2014-2015 Western Michigan University Application Thread

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I've heard that the telephone interview is basically the questions from the online personality questionaire. Can anyone verify this? Do I need to be prepared to answer school specific questions? Is there anything that I should prepare for?

Thank you!
 
Dr.Wink said:
I've heard that the telephone interview is basically the questions from the online personality questionaire. Can anyone verify this? Do I need to be prepared to answer school specific questions? Is there anything that I should prepare for?

Thank you!
Click to expand...
It is similar. I include school specific answers but the interviewer isn't affiliated with wmich so idk how much it mattered
 
Dr.Wink said:
I've heard that the telephone interview is basically the questions from the online personality questionaire. Can anyone verify this? Do I need to be prepared to answer school specific questions? Is there anything that I should prepare for?

Thank you!
Click to expand...

You should know your application well
 
Got a phone II as well. Anyone have an idea how many people move on to to be invited for an on-campus interview?
 
Just got an invite for a phone interview. How did that go for you guys? Was it pretty lay back and low stress? Should I prepare for it?
 
wh2k13 said:
Got a phone II as well. Anyone have an idea how many people move on to to be invited for an on-campus interview?
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Last year, 656 telephone interviews were conducted and 333 on-site interviews for a class of 54. I would imagine the numbers will remain relatively the same for this cycle.
 
DaMedDude said:
Just got an invite for a phone interview. How did that go for you guys? Was it pretty lay back and low stress? Should I prepare for it?
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Although many have said you cannot prepare for the telephone interview, I slightly disagree. For most of the questions, preparation would not have helped in the least; however, a few of the questions I was asked mirrored questions that might be asked in a traditional "on-campus" interview. My advice: prepare for the T-Interview as you would for an on-site interview.
 
tybuchanan said:
Last year, 656 telephone interviews were conducted and 333 on-site interviews for a class of 54. I would imagine the numbers will remain relatively the same for this cycle.
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Thanks for the info. I don't suppose you would also know how many acceptances they offer, i.e. the post-on-site-interview acceptance rate?
 
Telephone II just now! 🙂

Does anyone know how well they respond to needing to reschedule? I'm able to do it earlier after some shifting around, but I left a message and am wondering if admissions is flexible to switch around my date...
 
wh2k13 said:
Thanks for the info. I don't suppose you would also know how many acceptances they offer, i.e. the post-on-site-interview acceptance rate?
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I have no clue. The general consensus is most schools accept 1.5-2 times the number their class fits. I would guess they accept 90-120.
 
wh2k13 said:
Thanks for the info. I don't suppose you would also know how many acceptances they offer, i.e. the post-on-site-interview acceptance rate?
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WMU is fairly expensive and the climate of Michigan isn't for everyone. For that reason, I feel like they've got to send out >100 acceptances, if not closer to 200. I would just imagine a lot of people get offers elsewhere and turn down WMU, especially with respect to finances and loans.

Of course, that's just all my speculation. Plus I feel better going into the on-site interview with 50/50 odds. 🙂
 
BertMacklin said:
WMU is fairly expensive and the climate of Michigan isn't for everyone. For that reason, I feel like they've got to send out >100 acceptances, if not closer to 200. I would just imagine a lot of people get offers elsewhere and turn down WMU, especially with respect to finances and loans.

Of course, that's just all my speculation. Plus I feel better going into the on-site interview with 50/50 odds. 🙂
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I agree with this. I think many students will turn down their acceptance to WMU when they find out they are not able to defer their student loans from undergraduate until at least late 2016; having to pay towards loans while in medical school could be a deterrent for many. Additionally, students are not eligible for federal loan packages so they must rely on private loans; yet again, another deterrent.
 
tybuchanan said:
... I think many students will turn down their acceptance to WMU when they find out they are not able to defer their student loans from undergraduate until at least late 2016
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Yeah, I'm gonna go ahead and just pretend I didn't read that.
 
BertMacklin said:
Yeah, I'm gonna go ahead and just pretend I didn't read that.
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Like I said, some may be deterred by it, while others may not. If anyone wants the source of my information go to the "Future Student" section of their website, then under the "Finances" section you'll see a sub-section labeled "Loans" which contains this information. I am not particularly worried about not being able to defer my loans, but in all honesty, not being eligible for federal aid packages does make me a little uneasy. Again, that issue could be resolved by late 2016, so I definitely want to see what else this school has to offer.
 
phone interview as well (review completed says late sept, but i didn't submit my letters until mid oct...).
 
tybuchanan said:
Like I said, some may be deterred by it, while others may not. If anyone wants the source of my information go to the "Future Student" section of their website, then under the "Finances" section you'll see a sub-section labeled "Loans" which contains this information. I am not particularly worried about not being able to defer my loans, but in all honesty, not being eligible for federal aid packages does make me a little uneasy. Again, that issue could be resolved by late 2016, so I definitely want to see what else this school has to offer.
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From my reading of the Sally Mae and Wells Fargo private loan, you don't have to start paying it back until at least 6 months after completing medical school:

Wells Fargo: Up to 60 months after you leave school for allopathic and osteopathic medical students; 6 months after you leave school for students in other eligible disciplines.

Sally Mae: Pay now or later - defer your payments until after school or choose an in-school repayment option that fits your needs.(1) Additionally, Sallie Mae offers budget flexibility for graduating students with our Graduated Repayment Period.(6)


Does anyone know any first hand information about this?
 
The Milkman said:
If you have zero income (which you will have during medical school) you do not have to make payments on your loans from undergrad...
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It varies by loan provider. Some will lower your principle payment, while others will make your payment 0$. WMU School of Medicine is not certified by the US Department of Education; therefore, your loan provider may not view your enrollment in medical school as a reason for deferment.
 
Javelin said:
From my reading of the Sally Mae and Wells Fargo private loan, you don't have to start paying it back until at least 6 months after completing medical school:

Wells Fargo: Up to 60 months after you leave school for allopathic and osteopathic medical students; 6 months after you leave school for students in other eligible disciplines.

Sally Mae: Pay now or later - defer your payments until after school or choose an in-school repayment option that fits your needs.(1) Additionally, Sallie Mae offers budget flexibility for graduating students with our Graduated Repayment Period.(6)


Does anyone know any first hand information about this?
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In most cases, what you have read is correct. Unfortunately, WMU School of Medicine is not yet certified by the US Department of Education. Please see the WMU School of Medicine website for more information.
 
tybuchanan said:
In most cases, what you have read is correct. Unfortunately, WMU School of Medicine is not yet certified by the US Department of Education. Please see the WMU School of Medicine website for more information.
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I got this information from their website. Wells Fargo and Sally Mae as well as couple other loan providers are listed and have approved WMU School of Medicine for their loan programs.

This information is easily available if you follow the instructions you suggested earlier and keep looking for more details... there is nothing there that says you have to repay the loans while you are in medical school. Where did you see that information?
 
Javelin said:
I got this information from their website. Wells Fargo and Sally Mae as well as couple other loan providers are listed and have approved WMU School of Medicine for their loan programs.

This information is easily available if you follow the instructions you suggested earlier and keep looking for more details... there is nothing there that says you have to repay the loans while you are in medical school. Where did you see that information?
Click to expand...
"In addition to not offering federal student loans until at least late 2016, medical students will not be eligible for deferment of payment of interest and principal of eligible federal loans such as Stafford loans and Perkins loans. Students may be eligible for forbearance, which are periods that are allowed by your loan servicer to stop making payments temporarily though the balance of the loan will increase by the amount of unpaid interest that accrues during the period you are not making payments."--direct quote from their financing site. I would imagine the loan programs you are referring to are have approved WMU School of Medicine for medical student loans; that does not imply that they will allow you to defer payments towards your undergraduate loans while in medical school. Again, each loan provider is different, but WMU has posted this on their website for a purpose and it is worth noting.
 
Guys, chill out. As pre-meds, I'm pretty sure we're not supposed to worry about this crap.
 
BertMacklin said:
Guys, chill out. As pre-meds, I'm pretty sure we're not supposed to worry about this crap.
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Understandable, it's not worth debating and I apologize for being persistent. I just mentioned the information so everyone could be well informed in their decision making.
 
BertMacklin said:
Guys, chill out. As pre-meds, I'm pretty sure we're not supposed to worry about this crap.
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Thanks for your concern... as a pre-med... i.e. person who is hoping to go to WMU it is pretty important to know what you will be financially responsible for...

I agree that the financial aide department would be the best place to get that information... not me or another pre-med student.
 
tybuchanan said:
"In addition to not offering federal student loans until at least late 2016, medical students will not be eligible for deferment of payment of interest and principal of eligible federal loans such as Stafford loans and Perkins loans. Students may be eligible for forbearance, which are periods that are allowed by your loan servicer to stop making payments temporarily though the balance of the loan will increase by the amount of unpaid interest that accrues during the period you are not making payments."--direct quote from their financing site. I would imagine the loan programs you are referring to are have approved WMU School of Medicine for medical student loans; that does not imply that they will allow you to defer payments towards your undergraduate loans while in medical school. Again, each loan provider is different, but WMU has posted this on their website for a purpose and it is worth noting.
Click to expand...

Thanks for clarifying... I misunderstood your original post... you were talking about undergraduate student loans and not the loans that you would possibly incur during medical school.

It is a good thing for students who have pre-existing student loans to know this. Thanks for posting.
 
Javelin said:
Thanks for your concern... as a pre-med... i.e. person who is hoping to go to WMU it is pretty important to know what you will be financially responsible for...

I agree that the financial aide department would be the best place to get that information... not me or another pre-med student.
Click to expand...
I apologize if I came off as pretentious or pompous. I was giving my interpretation of the information provided, which as a pre-med could be miles off of correct.
 
tybuchanan said:
I agree with this. I think many students will turn down their acceptance to WMU when they find out they are not able to defer their student loans from undergraduate until at least late 2016; having to pay towards loans while in medical school could be a deterrent for many. Additionally, students are not eligible for federal loan packages so they must rely on private loans; yet again, another deterrent.
Click to expand...

re: deferment, most of our students (in the current class) just enter "income based repayment." When your income = $0, your repayment = $0.

Re: private loans, most students got private loans at a lower interest rate than federal loans.

Re: loans taken out during med school. Some private loans even offer deferment through residency (mine does). So from firsthand experience, the private loans don't seem to be any worse than federal loans.

So I don't think any of those things should really be deterrents. But for some people, they still will be.
 
Hey guys, does anyone know if there is a "SDN survery" page for Western Michigan - the site where everyone rates the quality of their med school interview, posts previous interview questions, etc. I tried looking for it, but had zero success - much appreciate the help.
 
NorwayNative said:
Hey guys, does anyone know if there is a "SDN survery" page for Western Michigan - the site where everyone rates the quality of their med school interview, posts previous interview questions, etc. I tried looking for it, but had zero success - much appreciate the help.
Click to expand...

Don't know about that - I haven't really seen other threads outside of this and the 2013-2014 WMed forum, except maybe one unproductive one from the beginning of the 2014 cycle. But, I think the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 threads do an excellent job on their own, and the med students (and current applicants that have interviewed) are really helpful on here! You should feel free to ask anything you haven't found on here, or go ahead and create a separate post if you want the other option. 🙂
 
I think you have to weight the cost and benefits carefully. I gladly pay the "premium" to go here because the benefits outweigh the cost. These professors by far care the most about you than any other school and are willing to bend over backward to help you succeed. That is something money cannot buy. WMed offers a lot of value (key word value). If this doesn't appeal to you and you are concerned with the lowest price possible, then.....well.......you know......
 
Also, I suggest you pick the school that you fit in the best. I don't think it does you any good to pick a school that gives the most money, but you would be miserable or they don't provide you with what you need to succeed.

Just my perspective from someone who has been through the process
 
meatie said:
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.
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this gives me hope. I finished my phone interview early october. Still haven't heard anything yet while others have gotten II's.
 
Not to change gears too much, but can anyone tell me when they got more info about where the interview would be held, etc? I've got an onsite interview Monday and haven't gotten an email about which building to be in.
Or maybe you can just tell me based on your experience?
Thanks!
 
JRaae said:
Not to change gears too much, but can anyone tell me when they got more info about where the interview would be held, etc? I've got an onsite interview Monday and haven't gotten an email about which building to be in.
Or maybe you can just tell me based on your experience?
Thanks!
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There's only one building, and there's lots of signs and a receptionist when you walk in. Did you get an interview confirmation email? That lists all the important info
 
Gregarious_and_Hilarious said:
There's only one building, and there's lots of signs and a receptionist when you walk in. Did you get an interview confirmation email? That lists all the important info
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I did get a confirmation, but this is all it said:
"Your on-site interview as an applicant for the 2015 entering class of Western Michigan University School of Medicine has been scheduled. If you need to make a change related to your on-site interview date contact[email protected].

Schedule date and time: Nov 17, 2014 08:30 am

Remember you can review your on-site interview date and follow the status of your application at:http://wmed.empower-xl.com.


Sincerely,
MD"
There were no attachments either.
 
JRaae said:
I did get a confirmation, but this is all it said:
"Your on-site interview as an applicant for the 2015 entering class of Western Michigan University School of Medicine has been scheduled. If you need to make a change related to your on-site interview date contact.[email protected].. .

Schedule date and time: Nov 17, 2014 08:30 am .

Remember you can review your on-site interview date and follow the status of your application at:.http://wmed.empower-xl.com.. .


Sincerely,
MD".
There were no attachments either. .
Click to expand...

Weird, two days after my II, I got a more in depth confirmation. I'll paste it below, but you might wanna be sure everything is applicable to your day

ImageUploadedBySDN Mobile1415732430.146601.jpg
 
JRaae said:
Funny enough I just got an email from them! Thanks for the help though!
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May I ask when you got that email?
I scheduled my interview on Nov 4, and I still haven't got anything besides a short confirmation email.
 
felixbyu said:
May I ask when you got that email?
I scheduled my interview on Nov 4, and I still haven't got anything besides a short confirmation email.
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I literally got it this afternoon. So I'm sure you'll get it the week before? Of course I'm assuming December 4th is you're interview date?
 
Hey! Does anyone know if the on-site interview is open or closed file?
 
For those of you that interviewed or go there currently, how did you guys get from the airport to the hotel and back?
 
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