2015-2016 Medical College of Wisconsin Application Thread

[Ismet]

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Secondary prompts:

Why MCW?

Character Limit: 1,000 including spaces


Describe your motivation for pursuing a community-based medical education program. Include how your motivation will prepare you for your future career in medicine. Identify experiences in which you have lived or otherwise interfaced with rural or medical under-served communities and how they have influenced you.

Include how your motivation will prepare you for your future career in medicine. Identify experiences in which you have lived or otherwise interfaced with rural or medical under-served communities and how they have influenced you.

Character Limit: 3,000 including spaces


Describe the community in which you envision yourself ultimately living and practicing medicine. Address the benefits and challenges of life in your specified community.

Address the benefits and challenges of life in your specified community.

Character Limit: 2,000 including spaces





Describe a time when you found a creative solution to a challenging or unfamiliar situation.Include what you learned from the experience.

Include what you learned from the experience.

Character Limit: 2,000 including spaces



Good luck to everyone applying!

 

[Rainbow Zebra]

Add this school to my long list.

 

[hlover0325]

Another application season is among us!

 

[Flashfan]

Love this school.

 

[sharkbyte]

Love this school.

Me too. Would love to go here.

 

[xc_stallion92]

This is my #1. Applying OOS but Marquette undergrad and a great letter from a faculty member.

 

[panda16]

Reps from MCW came to my undergrad and gave a talk, it seemed like a good program! On the fence about applying, though, my roommate is from WI and says it gets brutally cold...and I'm from the Midwest!

 

[duelistkingdom]

Hey everyone! Any current MCW students able to PM? I have a specific question id like to ask. Thanks!

 

[eptp]

Current student and happy to answer questions in my spare time. Good luck everyone!

 

[Meow72]

Applying here as well!!

 

[sharkbyte]

Current student and happy to answer questions in my spare time. Good luck everyone!

Thanks for taking out the time to do this! How was the interview day at MCW? What would you say are some of the pros and cons of the school, from your experience so far?

 

[mdparrot]

Re-applying here

 

[Hash Slinging Slasher]

Applying for the first time! I hear this place is great.

 

[vantheman]

Current student and happy to answer questions in my spare time. Good luck everyone!

What is the weather and surrounding area like? I was born and raised in southern California and I am curious what it is like to live in Wisconsin

 

[Proteinz]

^ I too am wondering this

 

[xc_stallion92]

Not an MCW student but I went to Marquette for undergrad. It's cold in the winter. But the area around the medical complex is very nice, and in the summer there isn't a more fun city to be in. It's only a few miles from the lake and Summerfest is the best thing in the world.

 

[CopaceticOne]

What is the weather and surrounding area like? I was born and raised in southern California and I am curious what it is like to live in Wisconsin

Summers are beautiful (since there is plenty of water 🙂). Fall is filled with colors you can't even imagine (from the changing leaves). Winter is cold - a cold you don't really understand until you experience it (but can easily survive). Spring is when people go out in shorts and tank tops when it is 55 degrees (because after a cold winter the sun feels soooo good).

But in all seriousness, maybe 15-20% of each class is from SoCal. Everyone worries about moving here for school and each year it is the same: people get warm coats, good winter boots and hats and they do just fine. Because WI is used to cold, the majority of happenings around the area in the winter months occur indoors so it is less of a worry. The flip side is that when the weather is nice outside literally almost everyone goes out to enjoy it. That's why you'll never experience a festival, tailgate, or grill-out to the level of awesomeness that WI folks can do it!

And all of this is said by an M4 that grew up in Cali.

 

[vantheman]

Summers are beautiful (since there is plenty of water 🙂). Fall is filled with colors you can't even imagine (from the changing leaves). Winter is cold - a cold you don't really understand until you experience it (but can easily survive). Spring is when people go out in shorts and tank tops when it is 55 degrees (because after a cold winter the sun feels soooo good).

But in all seriousness, maybe 15-20% of each class is from SoCal. Everyone worries about moving here for school and each year it is the same: people get warm coats, good winter boots and hats and they do just fine. Because WI is used to cold, the majority of happenings around the area in the winter months occur indoors so it is less of a worry. The flip side is that when the weather is nice outside literally almost everyone goes out to enjoy it. That's why you'll never experience a festival, tailgate, or grill-out to the level of awesomeness that WI folks can do it!

And all of this is said by an M4 that grew up in Cali.

Sounds really cool and like an adventure. I think it would be good for me to get out of California and experience something new.

Thanks for the response, cheers!

 

[Pastamahn]

Applying here as well. I'm curious if they will have the 3,000 character essay that was new last year. Pre-writing that long of an essay sounds brutal, but would rather be prepared than not.

 

[medapplicant15]

Just received the secondary. You have to pick which campus(es) you want to be considered for. And then answer "Why MCW?" 1000 characters including spaces. Some demographic questions and if you were previously enrolled in graduate school or are currently enrolled, you have to include an additional letter of recc.

If you choose one of the regional campuses (Green Bay or Central Wisconsin) you have 6 additional essays in addition to the "Why MCW" essay:

1. Describe your motivation for pursuing a community-based medical education program.Include how your motivation will prepare you for your future career in medicine. Identify experiences in which you have lived or otherwise interfaced with rural or medical under-served communities and how they have influenced you.
Character Limit: 3,000 including spaces

2. Include how your motivation will prepare you for your future career in medicine. Identify experiences in which you have lived or otherwise interfaced with rural or medical under-served communities and how they have influenced you.
Character Limit: 3,000 including spaces

3. Describe the community in which you envision yourself ultimately living and practicing medicine.Address the benefits and challenges of life in your specified community.
Character Limit: 2,000 including spaces

4. Address the benefits and challenges of life in your specified community.
Character Limit: 2,000 including spaces

5. Describe a time when you found a creative solution to a challenging or unfamiliar situation.Include what you learned from the experience.
Character Limit: 2,000 including spaces

6. Include what you learned from the experience.
Character Limit: 2,000 including spaces

Good luck everyone!

 

[Pastamahn]

Just received the secondary. You have to pick which campus(es) you want to be considered for. And then answer "Why MCW?" 1000 characters including spaces. Some demographic questions and if you were previously enrolled in graduate school or are currently enrolled, you have to include an additional letter of recc. Good luck everyone!

The "Why MCW" is only 1,000 characters this year?? Oh man. I prewrote for the 3,000 character version from last year

 

[whitemagic]

Can anyone tell me if their secondary says (1/2 received) when referring to LOR's and MCAT? It says my MCAT has been received but my LOR's haven't. This is obviously confusing because I have all my letters in. Thanks!!

 

[Hupsty]

It's a good thing 😉 Already got a good 6 essays to write officially...

 

[Pastamahn]

It's a good thing 😉 Already got a good 6 essays to write officially...

Normally I would be enthused about a 2,000 character reduction. But seeing as this is a home state school and one I am very interested in, I prewrote last year's prompt. The 3,000 character one...

 

[grey_wind]

Just received the secondary. You have to pick which campus(es) you want to be considered for. And then answer "Why MCW?" 1000 characters including spaces. Some demographic questions and if you were previously enrolled in graduate school or are currently enrolled, you have to include an additional letter of recc.

If you choose one of the regional campuses (Green Bay or Central Wisconsin) you have additional essays:
Describe your motivation for pursuing a community-based medical education program.Include how your motivation will prepare you for your future career in medicine. Identify experiences in which you have lived or otherwise interfaced with rural or medical under-served communities and how they have influenced you.
Character Limit: 3,000 including spaces

Include how your motivation will prepare you for your future career in medicine. Identify experiences in which you have lived or otherwise interfaced with rural or medical under-served communities and how they have influenced you.
Character Limit: 3,000 including spaces

Describe the community in which you envision yourself ultimately living and practicing medicine.Address the benefits and challenges of life in your specified community.
Character Limit: 2,000 including spaces

Address the benefits and challenges of life in your specified community.
Character Limit: 2,000 including spaces

Describe a time when you found a creative solution to a challenging or unfamiliar situation.Include what you learned from the experience.
Character Limit: 2,000 including spaces

Include what you learned from the experience.
Character Limit: 2,000 including spaces

Good luck everyone!

I'm a little confused, how many essays are there for the main campus and how many for the regionals?

 

[Pastamahn]

I'm a little confused, how many essays are there for the main campus and how many for the regionals?

I believe only one for the Milwaukee campus, and for the regional campuses there are around 5 extras

 

[medapplicant15]

I'm a little confused, how many essays are there for the main campus and how many for the regionals?

1 essay for main campus. A total of 7 essays for regional campus people.

 

[heywhatsuphello]

So is there a specific reason to apply to any of the regional campuses? I was originally planning to just apply to the Milwaukee campus because it was the main Medical School. I dont really have any ties to Wisconsin

Also, being a basketball fan, the fact that MCW is in Milwaukee and MCW plays for Milwaukee is hysterical to me idk man smh

 

[medapplicant15]

So is there a specific reason to apply to any of the regional campuses? I was originally planning to just apply to the Milwaukee campus because it was the main Medical School. I dont really have any ties to Wisconsin

My understanding was that the regional campus curriculums and opportunities were more geared towards those wanting to work among rural and disadvantaged populations. So it depends on future career interests.

 

[whitemagic]

Is it worth applying to the regional campuses if you don't have strong ties to wisconsin but want to work with underserved communities, in say, California?

 

[PSiloveU2013]

It seems like the regional campuses are 3-year programs instead of 4-year programs? So you would graduate in 2019 instead of 2020. Am I completely wrong on this?

 

[grey_wind]

I believe only one for the Milwaukee campus, and for the regional campuses there are around 5 extras

1 essay for main campus. A total of 7 essays for regional campus people.

Thanks! That's what I thought but it sounded a little weird to have so many essays for one and not the other, oh well!

It seems like the regional campuses are 3-year programs instead of 4-year programs? So you would graduate in 2019 instead of 2020. Am I completely wrong on this?

I believe you're correct, at least that is my understanding of it 🙂

I wanted to apply for the 3-year campuses but I'm not sure if their missions fit with my goals

 

[Intomidate]

Anybody know how to apply the AMCAS Fee waiver to the application? All i'm seeing is a space to enter a promo code... which I don't believe we have?

 

[deleted567285]

Anybody know how to apply the AMCAS Fee waiver to the application? All i'm seeing is a space to enter a promo code... which I don't believe we have?

Having the same issue

 

[MatthewDamon]

1,000 characters is incredibly short. Makes me sad

 

[Gandyy]

Ok, does applying to the regional campuses increase your chances for that many campuses or not? Because if its just 1 admissions committee looking where to put you at AFTER

they accept you... I think I'm just gonna stick to the main medical school campus.

 

[MatthewDamon]

Does anybody know in general when letters of recommendation are processed? None of the secondaries I have submitted so far have indicated that they received them, but on my AMCAS I assigned them + updated my application about two weeks ago. Thank you!

 

[Gandyy]

Does anybody know in general when letters of recommendation are processed? None of the secondaries I have submitted so far have indicated that they received them, but on my AMCAS I assigned them + updated my application about two weeks ago. Thank you!

Its the first day, I"m assuming its going to take them a bit before they get them uploaded.

 

[MatthewDamon]

Its the first day, I"m assuming its going to take them a bit before they get them uploaded.

Thank you! Wasn't sure how they process these

 

[Pastamahn]

Does anybody know in general when letters of recommendation are processed? None of the secondaries I have submitted so far have indicated that they received them, but on my AMCAS I assigned them + updated my application about two weeks ago. Thank you!

I think most people are waiting on just receiving their secondaries, so I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Gandyy]

My god. I spent so much time on the 3000 character pre-written secondary. How do I cut it down to 1000?

 

[Pastamahn]

My god. I spent so much time on the 3000 character pre-written secondary. How do I cut it down to 1000?

I honestly might have to almost completely scrap mine. 1,000 characters is not near enough to say "Why MCW?". I even worked out a central theme for it and everything So what is the exact prompt?

 

[Gandyy]

I honestly might have to almost completely scrap mine. 1,000 characters is not near enough to say "Why MCW?". I even worked out a central theme for it and everything So what is the exact prompt?

Thats the crazy thing.

That is the prompt. "Why MCW?" "1000 character limit"

LOL

Like, this makes me think they dont even read this.

 

[Pastamahn]

Thats the crazy thing.

That is the prompt. "Why MCW?" "1000 character limit"

LOL

Like, this makes me think they dont even read this.

I never thought I would be angry about a prompt being shorter until now. Ugh, this is really frustrating.

 

[nRomaleos]

Thats the crazy thing.

That is the prompt. "Why MCW?" "1000 character limit"

LOL

Like, this makes me think they dont even read this.

It's funny because they won't even go through the trouble of spelling out their school's name...odd for a healthcare organization.

 

[aztlannation]

Space reserved for prompt.

Please PM the essays or lack thereof to me when the secondary is available and I will update this.

Good luck to everyone applying!

Why MCW?

Character Limit: 1,000 including spaces



Describe your motivation for pursuing a community-based medical education program. Include how your motivation will prepare you for your future career in medicine. Identify experiences in which you have lived or otherwise interfaced with rural or medical under-served communities and how they have influenced you.

Include how your motivation will prepare you for your future career in medicine. Identify experiences in which you have lived or otherwise interfaced with rural or medical under-served communities and how they have influenced you.

Character Limit: 3,000 including spaces




Describe the community in which you envision yourself ultimately living and practicing medicine. Address the benefits and challenges of life in your specified community.

Address the benefits and challenges of life in your specified community.

Character Limit: 2,000 including spaces





Describe a time when you found a creative solution to a challenging or unfamiliar situation.Include what you learned from the experience.

Include what you learned from the experience.

Character Limit: 2,000 including spaces

 

[aztlannation]

The "Why MCW" is only 1,000 characters this year?? Oh man. I prewrote for the 3,000 character version from last year

Sucks! That's exactly why I waited until I got any secondaries to work on them 🙂

 

[Gandyy]

Sucks! That's exactly why I waited until I got any secondaries to work on them 🙂

Yea but a lot of secondaries are gonna most likely be exactly the same. Trick is knowing which ones.

 

[HybridEarth]

Do I have to wait to submit the secondary if my letters haven't arrived at AMCAS yet, or can I go ahead and submit, and they will take care of the rest?

 

[MolonLabe16]

Do I have to wait to submit the secondary if my letters haven't arrived at AMCAS yet, or can I go ahead and submit, and they will take care of the rest?

I'm pretty sure you can go ahead and submit the secondary, they just won't review your whole application until letters are received and your app is marked as complete.