2014-2015 Western Michigan University Application Thread

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I think some people are focusing on the wrong things on what to look for in medical school.
I could be wrong since I am just a MS1, but imo the things that you should be focused on are:
  1. Clinicals, clinicals, clinicals – Wmed has been training msu students since forever. I don’t think any top medical schools could exist without solid clinicals.
  2. How invested the school is to helping you to match, especially if you go unmatched – Wmed is 100% invested in helping us to match, for obvious reasons.
  3. Does the school have a true P/F during the first two years – This helps a lot and makes it a lot less stressful. If I were getting letter grades or H/HP/P/LP/F, then I would be a lot more stressed then I would be right now.
A lot of other things are not very important. Breaks in between class is a personal thing. It is hard to gauge because there is such a huge difference in terms of the volume of material that you cover in undergraduate lectures compared to medical school lectures. So what might have worked for you in undergrad might not work for you in medical school. Me personally, I need breaks because there is so much information thrown at you. Even if you go to a school were small idiosyncrasies that don’t match with your preferences, you have to adapt, or else you fail.

Again the thing that I would focus on are 1-3. Of course, take what I said with a grain of salt and ask medical students that you know. They might be able to point you in better direction since they know you better.
 
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When I was premed, I have heard many people debate the usefulness of early clinical exposure (but our situation at WMed might be the exception since we are taught how to do patient interviews, physical examinations, and provide life saving emergent care as a MFR within the first 4 months of med school).

If you absolutely HAVE to have early exposure to the clinicals, then I want to reiterate that we are able to do electives in a ton of specialities. The advantage is that we get an early taste of a specialty and you may have a slightly better idea of what you want or not want to do. I have seen other medical students at other med schools where they come in thinking they want to do X specialty, until they realize that they actually want to do a more competitive Y specialty at the latter half of 3rd year. But, it ended up being an uphill climb since they didn't position their application optimally.

Here at Wmed, if you are interested in ENT, Peds, or etc., you can do an ENT or Peds elective and decide if those specialities are good fit before it is "too late".
 
Achjayz said:
My phone interview was Dec 1. Best of luck to you!
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Thank you! Mine was on Dec 2nd but it wasn't complete on the portal until the 5th. I see that you are listed as accepted for this cycle, congrats and best of luck to you too!
 
Captain Toad said:
When I was premed, I have heard many people debate the usefulness of early clinical exposure (but our situation at WMed might be the exception since we are taught how to do patient interviews, physical examinations, and provide life saving emergent care as a MFR within the first 4 months of med school).

If you absolutely HAVE to have early exposure to the clinicals, then I want to reiterate that we are able to do electives in a ton of specialities. The advantage is that we get an early taste of a specialty and you may have a slightly better idea of what you want or not want to do. I have seen other medical students at other med schools where they come in thinking they want to do X specialty, until they realize that they actually want to do a more competitive Y specialty at the latter half of 3rd year. But, it ended up being an uphill climb since they didn't position their application optimally.

Here at Wmed, if you are interested in ENT, Peds, or etc., you can do an ENT or Peds elective and decide if those specialities are good fit before it is "too late".
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Thanks @Captain Toad for the info! The early electives is something I hadn't heard much about. I'm really looking forward to my interview at the end of the month!
 
Hey guys! I have an on-campus interview here soon. Just wondering if anyone who was interviewed thought if the conversations were relatively low stress or high stress? Had an MMI last week and it was super relaxed and so much fun. Wondering if people are getting the same vibe here?
 
hoihaie said:
do you think WMed would be open to helping out with the travel and lodging cost for 2nd look day?
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I don't know that we do that, but I don't think it would necessarily be a bad thing to reach out and ask the director of admissions. There has been talk of starting a "crash with a current student" program, but I don't think that's up off the ground yet. They might know an alternative way to help. And if not, oh well! I've always believed in "the worst they can do is say no!"
 
DaMedDude said:
Hey guys! I have an on-campus interview here soon. Just wondering if anyone who was interviewed thought if the conversations were relatively low stress or high stress? Had an MMI last week and it was super relaxed and so much fun. Wondering if people are getting the same vibe here?
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My interview last year was pretty laid back. This year, as a current student, I've spent a number of interview days grabbing lunch with the interviewees. They tend to seem pretty relaxed - which I think is fostered by the school/faculty/staff/students all being pretty chill about interview day. Professional, but relaxed. If that makes sense? In any case, stress won't help you on interview day - so toss it out the window!
 
BertMacklin said:
Question for current students:

How does the team based learning time requirement affect your daily schedule? Do you wish you had more freedom in your studies, or is the structure beneficial? That's what really stood out to me during the presentation on interview day. Each day is pretty structured (in that there are things you have to attend to), but there's also quite a bit of free time.
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There is such a difference from person to person on this. For some people, a more structured curriculum isn't going to be as helpful. For me, it's helpful. Many of the days have chunks of free time breaking up the schedule. What I love about it is the balance between clinically-oriented material (spending part of the day working with residents) and basic science material. For me, it's nice to have a full day where I can learn about (for example) Barrett's Esophagus and then in the *same day* have the luck to work with an attending physician on managing care for a patient with Barrett's Esophagus. Or learn about pharmacology for diabetes management and then head in to the primary care clinic and see a bunch of patients with diabetes, hear the drug names, and go "oh hey I know what that is, what it does, and all about dosing!" Really helped me to solidify some of the material.

So in that roundabout reply, I hope somewhere I made the point of A) it's different for everybody and B) here's why it works for me.
 
DaMedDude said:
Hey guys! I have an on-campus interview here soon. Just wondering if anyone who was interviewed thought if the conversations were relatively low stress or high stress? Had an MMI last week and it was super relaxed and so much fun. Wondering if people are getting the same vibe here?
Click to expand...
I interviewed here on the 15th of December and it was really laid back. I felt very comfortable both the one on one interview and with the MMI. I think they do a good job at matching interviewees with interviewers who have similar interests so that it is easy to maintain a conversation. My thirty min interview definitely felt too short because I had so many more things I wanted to talk to my interviewer about.
 
DaMedDude said:
Hey guys! I have an on-campus interview here soon. Just wondering if anyone who was interviewed thought if the conversations were relatively low stress or high stress? Had an MMI last week and it was super relaxed and so much fun. Wondering if people are getting the same vibe here?
Click to expand...

My interview day was on Halloween, and it was very laid back. Some of the students were dressed in costume, and even the financial aid director had her face painted!

The 30 minute one-on-one interview was very conversational, and it was the most comfortable I felt in an interview this year or last. As @solorun said, it went very quickly, although I wouldn't say we shared interests -- she was just incredibly nice and seemed interested in what I had to say.

This was my first time experiencing an MMI, and it was not as bad as some of the other MMI's I had heard about in my preparation. Just relax and try to bring in your applicable personal experiences.
 
Bin Rushd said:
Any idea when the next batch of on-site interviews will go out? :xf:
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I *believe* we are interviewing through March (I could be wrong on that), so there might yet be multiple batches of interviews. I'm not really sure though. I know our "second look day" is in April, so we'll wrap up by then. Either way, my fingers are crossed for you! (I got in last year off a late interview - end of February - no time on waitlist)

Correction:

We are interviewing *until* March. Interview invites are still going out. Good luck, everybody!
 
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My phone interview was complete 12/5 and I have not heard anything. Can we email in update letters?
 
Are the interviews open-file? As in the interviewer has already read our application? (primary/secondary/activities, etc.)?
 
greenpaperclip said:
Are the interviews open-file? As in the interviewer has already read our application? (primary/secondary/activities, etc.)?
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It should be the same as last year; last year it was open file. The interviewer had really taken the time to review my file, and knew it inside and out. For me at least, the interview was more a "get to know you" opportunity. But as with anything, I would suggest taking your cues from the interviewer about how your interview time will be spent.
 
Keep in mind that a lot of these schools that do traditional and MMI.....they are really deciding whether or not you are a good fit based on how you do on the MMI....MMI is way more important than the traditional. Traditional is just to make the applicants feel important haha, Or maybe WMed is diff than the other schools that do both.
 
DaMedDude said:
Keep in mind that a lot of these schools that do traditional and MMI.....they are really deciding whether or not you are a good fit based on how you do on the MMI....MMI is way more important than the traditional. Traditional is just to make the applicants feel important haha, Or maybe WMed is diff than the other schools that do both.
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To piggyback a bit, my traditional interview at WMed was incredibly conversational. Definitely open file - my interviewer seemed to know everything about me, which was awesome and refreshing because I didn't have to go into a full explanation of my history/who I am. It was really a "let's chat and get to know each other" with some typical traditional interview mixed in.

MMI is a really good indicator of who you are because of the pace. No way to prepare, no way to fake it. Had a great experience!
 
anyone know if most of the seats have been filled, or if they're looking to give out a fair amount of interviews? Seems like a lot of December interviewees haven't heard back yet,
 
tattertot said:
anyone know if most of the seats have been filled, or if they're looking to give out a fair amount of interviews? Seems like a lot of December interviewees haven't heard back yet,
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When I received my interview for 1/30 I called admissions and they told me I still have a great chance to get in, last year they had someone matriculate from each interview day, and that they accept someone from generally every interview day. This is what I was told. So take it with a grain of salt if you'd like.
 
DaMedDude said:
Keep in mind that a lot of these schools that do traditional and MMI.....they are really deciding whether or not you are a good fit based on how you do on the MMI....MMI is way more important than the traditional. Traditional is just to make the applicants feel important haha, Or maybe WMed is diff than the other schools that do both.
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I don't think that's quite true. Both matter. Both are useful. To describe one as "way more important" is inaccurate, I believe.
 
Bbroush said:
When I received my interview for 1/30 I called admissions and they told me I still have a great chance to get in, last year they had someone matriculate from each interview day, and that they accept someone from generally every interview day. This is what I was told. So take it with a grain of salt if you'd like.
Click to expand...

I interviewed at the end of February last year. I got in with no time on the waitlist. I think your chances are just fine.
 
tellme_areyoufree said:
I don't think that's quite true. Both matter. Both are useful. To describe one as "way more important" is inaccurate, I believe.
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Just going off what an ADCOM member at another school that does MMI and traditional told me. Also note that the MMI is much longer. Western Michigan could be different.
 
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We are different. What works at x med school doesn't necessarily mean that's how we do things.

Interviews are relaxed. Just come and have some fun checking out our amazing facilities.
 
My Telephone interview was completed at the end of December via portal status.

Out of curiosity, has anyone received an Interview Invite who had "telephone interview completed" in January?

Wondering whether they haven't reviewed mine yet for an on-site II, or whether I was passed up/didn't meet the cut....
 
ductus said:
My Telephone interview was completed at the end of December via portal status.

Out of curiosity, has anyone received an Interview Invite who had "telephone interview completed" in January?

Wondering whether they haven't reviewed mine yet for an on-site II, or whether I was passed up/didn't meet the cut....
Click to expand...

Easier said than done, but sit tight and relax. They're looking at your info and could offer you an invitation (or decline you) at any time. Some people get II a few days after completing the telephone interview, others get it weeks/months later.

Based on what others have said, there's still plenty of time to be considered for WMed. Good luck!
 
ductus said:
My Telephone interview was completed at the end of December via portal status.

Out of curiosity, has anyone received an Interview Invite who had "telephone interview completed" in January?

Wondering whether they haven't reviewed mine yet for an on-site II, or whether I was passed up/didn't meet the cut....
Click to expand...

my II took a little over a month after tele-interview was complete before it came
 
ductus said:
My Telephone interview was completed at the end of December via portal status.

Out of curiosity, has anyone received an Interview Invite who had "telephone interview completed" in January?

Wondering whether they haven't reviewed mine yet for an on-site II, or whether I was passed up/didn't meet the cut....
Click to expand...

My telephone II was complete at the end of December as well. So judging by previous posts that most have heard about a month later, perhaps we will hear good news by the end of next week. Keep the faith alive.
 
ductus said:
My Telephone interview was completed at the end of December via portal status.

Out of curiosity, has anyone received an Interview Invite who had "telephone interview completed" in January?

Wondering whether they haven't reviewed mine yet for an on-site II, or whether I was passed up/didn't meet the cut....
Click to expand...

hoihaie said:
my II took a little over a month after tele-interview was complete before it came
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Bbroush said:
Same. I was about at a month as well
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My phone int was complete at the beginning of December and I still have not heard anything. So it has been about a month and a half for me with silence. I sent an update/LOI earlier this week so fingers crossed for hearing back next week! I sure hope they have at least looked at it by now.
 
Ruby31 said:
My phone int was complete at the beginning of December and I still have not heard anything. So it has been about a month and a half for me with silence. I sent an update/LOI earlier this week so fingers crossed for hearing back next week! I sure hope they have at least looked at it by now.
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ALmost half of december was also holiday break, so don't forget that! hope you hear some good news 🙂
 
hoihaie said:
ALmost half of december was also holiday break, so don't forget that! hope you hear some good news 🙂
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Thank you! I do appreciate the encouragement. I would love to at least have a chance at an interview at this school.
 
hoihaie said:
ALmost half of december was also holiday break, so don't forget that! hope you hear some good news 🙂
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Well... not exactly. The staff of the school work all the way through the holiday season. Although the students were on break, the staff only got a few days off. So not trying to burst the bubble, just reminding that 1) a month + is pretty common window for evaluation, and 2) the school is, to the best of my knowledge, pretty much on-target for that. They could be a week behind because of the holidays, but definitely not a month.

Phantom0009 said:
Wondering the next time the admissions committee will be meeting. Anyone have any idea?
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They don't publicize that, but they do meet often. I want to say it's 2x per month?? But I might be wrong. In any case, relax, stay calm, the stress won't do anything for you 🙂
 
Interviewed here. Interview went well and was very lay back. Was very impressed with the facilities. Everyone was also very nice....place has a good vibe. I wish they were accredited and that I could get federal loans and that there wasn't so much time spent doing required things....like class attendance. Definitely may go here though if I get in.
 
ductus said:
My Telephone interview was completed at the end of December via portal status.

Out of curiosity, has anyone received an Interview Invite who had "telephone interview completed" in January?

Wondering whether they haven't reviewed mine yet for an on-site II, or whether I was passed up/didn't meet the cut....
Click to expand...
my telephone interview was early december and i got II in late december
 
If you have any questions, feel free to ask away. Maybe we can help clarify anything.
 
Captain Toad said:
If you have any questions, feel free to ask away. Maybe we can help clarify anything.
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assuming you're not from the kalamazoo area, when did you start looking for housing? and where?
 
I started looking when I knew I was going to attend Wmed. There are plenty of housing options since it is a college town. I would suggest you room with people in your class. That's what a lot of people did in our class.

Btw, only 3 people were from kzoo in my class.
 
Captain Toad said:
I started looking when I knew I was going to attend Wmed. There are plenty of housing options since it is a college town. I would suggest you room with people in your class. That's what a lot of people did in our class.

Btw, only 3 people were from kzoo in my class.
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what's a reasonable price range for the area? what amenities are usually included there? like for where I'm living, usually only water and trash is included in rent
 
hoihaie said:
what's a reasonable price range for the area? what amenities are usually included there? like for where I'm living, usually only water and trash is included in rent
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This is pretty variable. Some apartment complexes cater to students, and include a lot (heat, electricity, water, cable, internet, gym membership etc) but cost more. Some include less and cost less.

The first class had a spreadsheet with a lot of info for housing search. I'll re-post that in the facebook group for the second class (it should be forming soonish, I believe)
 
tellme_areyoufree said:
This is pretty variable. Some apartment complexes cater to students, and include a lot (heat, electricity, water, cable, internet, gym membership etc) but cost more. Some include less and cost less.

The first class had a spreadsheet with a lot of info for housing search. I'll re-post that in the facebook group for the second class (it should be forming soonish, I believe)
Click to expand...

ooh thanks! yeah, the FB group is already up and running
 
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