2015-2016 Northwestern University (Feinberg) Application Thread

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"Describe your career plans and goals. Be as specific as your current thinking will allow."

For this essay, is it frowned upon to say "I'm gonna be a pediatric neurosurgeon!" because that comes off as arrogant and there is no way for someone who hasn't even been to med school yet to know that? This is my inclination... However, I'm afraid to be too broad. I don't want to come off like I don't know what I want and I'm along for the ride. I feel like being too generic is just as bad. Thoughts?
 
Tankstah said:
"Describe your career plans and goals. Be as specific as your current thinking will allow."

For this essay, is it frowned upon to say "I'm gonna be a pediatric neurosurgeon!" because that comes off as arrogant and there is no way for someone who hasn't even been to med school yet to know that? This is my inclination... However, I'm afraid to be too broad. I don't want to come off like I don't know what I want and I'm along for the ride. I feel like being too generic is just as bad. Thoughts?
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I would not jump out and say that. If you were actually thinking about pediatric neurosurgery, I would mention that you plan on completing a fellowship after residency and that you have a strong desire for working with children. Then also talk about how you think you want to be involved in surgery (and why) but would be open to many different fields. Or something like that. I think it is good to show an open mind but that you have aspirations.
 
Tankstah said:
"Describe your career plans and goals. Be as specific as your current thinking will allow."

For this essay, is it frowned upon to say "I'm gonna be a pediatric neurosurgeon!" because that comes off as arrogant and there is no way for someone who hasn't even been to med school yet to know that? This is my inclination... However, I'm afraid to be too broad. I don't want to come off like I don't know what I want and I'm along for the ride. I feel like being too generic is just as bad. Thoughts?
Click to expand...
I think it would be okay if you explained some experiences that led you to want to be a pediatric neurosurgeon ie. shadowing, want to work with kids, did some kind of neuro research, etc.
For mine I talked about wanting to specialize in hematology/oncology so that I could work with thalassemia patients. I went on to explain that I'm a carrier of the blood disorder and took a course on thalassemia where I got to hear from doctors in that field as well as patients and that was when I realized that I had a heart for thal patients. (I went more in depth with this but I'll spare you the details.) Hope this helps! 🙂
 
Tankstah said:
"Describe your career plans and goals. Be as specific as your current thinking will allow."

For this essay, is it frowned upon to say "I'm gonna be a pediatric neurosurgeon!" because that comes off as arrogant and there is no way for someone who hasn't even been to med school yet to know that? This is my inclination... However, I'm afraid to be too broad. I don't want to come off like I don't know what I want and I'm along for the ride. I feel like being too generic is just as bad. Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Yeah I wouldn't say something SO specific or be careful with the wording. While "I am going to be a pediatric neurosurgeon" is a bit overambitious..."I hope to be a pediatriciain" or a "I hope to be a neurologist" or "I hope to be a surgeon" is fine. Pediatric neurosurgery is such a combination of different things that I don't think you can explain it clearly or convincingly enough in the short space you have.

For other schools, they mention wanting specific practice, area etc. So you might want to mention that if you have some sort of interest or connection. So academic medicine, private practice, rural vs. urban population, public health work etc. For me, I mentioned an interest in neurology/briefly explained why. Then I mentioned interest in different areas of medicine. There's not a lot of room so try not to go overboard. Like another poster mentioned, it's good to stay open minded and let them know that you are open-minded.
 
BuckinghamPalace said:
I just submitted my secondary; where on the portal can I see my application status? I can't actually find the application status, even though the portal says "The current status of your application will appear on this page."
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I just submitted and am experiencing the same thing. I'm guessing maybe it takes some time for the website to update? Did you receive an email confirming receipt of your application?

EDIT: Got the confirmation email this morning and my status was also updated on their website. Looks like they mark them received manually during their business hours.
 
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I saw that some of you had issues logging in, for me last year, it helped to use chrome in incognito mode. Good luck!
 
I decided not to continue my application to the school. Mostly financial reasons and stats reasons. Do I have to withdraw or anything? I haven't filled out a secondary, though I have the login done. Do I just leave it alone?
 
charlie517 said:
I decided not to continue my application to the school. Mostly financial reasons and stats reasons. Do I have to withdraw or anything? I haven't filled out a secondary, though I have the login done. Do I just leave it alone?
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No, they'll automatically consider you withdrawn if you don't complete it by the deadline
 
How much does Northwestern take into consideration publications and community service? I have 7 papers published (second author) and 6 of them are in a neuroradiology lab working directly with patients but I only have a 31 MCAT (10,10, 11 VR) and a 3.7 cumulative 3.7 science GPA.

I have thousands of hours volunteering at the hospital (mostly POA's for healthcare for patients), mentoring programs (youth with incarcerated parents), and the needle exchange (safer injection program for IV drug users, naloxone distribution, and STD testing)

Given my relatively low MCAT and GPA for this school, am I still a good fit for the school? I've finished my application but I'm still very worried. This is my #1 school for many reasons but my long term girlfriend goes here for her PhD and I would really like to make sure I get in.

Thanks
 
Zack4186 said:
How much does Northwestern take into consideration publications and community service? I have 7 papers published (second author) and 6 of them are in a neuroradiology lab working directly with patients but I only have a 31 MCAT (10,10, 11 VR) and a 3.7 cumulative 3.7 science GPA.

I have thousands of hours volunteering at the hospital (mostly POA's for healthcare for patients), mentoring programs (youth with incarcerated parents), and the needle exchange (safer injection program for IV drug users, naloxone distribution, and STD testing)

Given my relatively low MCAT and GPA for this school, am I still a good fit for the school? I've finished my application but I'm still very worried. This is my #1 school for many reasons but my long term girlfriend goes here for her PhD and I would really like to make sure I get in.

Thanks
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Why wouldn't you apply to your #1 school? Take a deep breath and jump in that applicant pool.
 
Zack4186 said:
How much does Northwestern take into consideration publications and community service? I have 7 papers published (second author) and 6 of them are in a neuroradiology lab working directly with patients but I only have a 31 MCAT (10,10, 11 VR) and a 3.7 cumulative 3.7 science GPA.

I have thousands of hours volunteering at the hospital (mostly POA's for healthcare for patients), mentoring programs (youth with incarcerated parents), and the needle exchange (safer injection program for IV drug users, naloxone distribution, and STD testing)

Given my relatively low MCAT and GPA for this school, am I still a good fit for the school? I've finished my application but I'm still very worried. This is my #1 school for many reasons but my long term girlfriend goes here for her PhD and I would really like to make sure I get in.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

I would say just to apply here. You have a lot of publications, but idk how long you've been out of school getting those pubs for. Your GPA isn't that low imo, just your MCAT. It also depends on your other extracurriculars besides just volunteering, but leadership things. Your volunteer and pubs will def help with getting into this school but honestly no one can tell you if you're def very competitive or not.

Anyway that's all pretty irrelevant. Like the post above me says, the key is to just apply and hope you can get in. It's going to be worth the $1ooish on the secondary and "why not" is always a great answer. I don't think anyone on SDN can confirm your chances for you but go for it anyway.
 
Is anyone else getting a "Sorry, you are not approved to enter this site" message when you try to access the secondary?
 
medhead88 said:
curriculum description is vague and flowery. Makes no sense
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that's how I feel. so many components of it are present at other medical schools as well, so i'm not quire sure what their first question is getting at....i'm at a writer's block for it :/

how are others approaching this?
 
Doc City said:
that's how I feel. so many components of it are present at other medical schools as well, so i'm not quire sure what their first question is getting at....i'm at a writer's block for it :/

how are others approaching this?
Click to expand...

Well, I've found the detailed descriptions of their curriculum both a blessing and a curse. It's quite complicated but if you spend enough time looking through it, I'm sure you can find something that you like or relates directly to experiences you have had or wish to continue. Good luck!
 
Do we only use the check lists available to describe how we will enrich the diversity?
 
No there's a free response box at the bottom to elaborate if you want (optional)
 
blackgirlmd said:
oh so we just check the boxes to describe our diversity but then also talk about other things we find relevant?
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I took it as expand upon things you checked in the boxes, so I chose to leave it blank.
 
chocoholicsoxfan said:
Nope! I think it's probably just by virtue of the fact that my last name starts with A and I was verified on June 15th? Idk.

Anyway, there are 6 essays!

Given the distinctive educational philosophy and curriculum at FSM, describe how your personal characteristics and learning style would fit the institution.

Describe the coping skills (not problem solving skills) you use when confronted with difficult situations.

Describe your career plans and goals. Be as specific as your current thinking will allow.

(if applicable): If you have (or expect to have) a year or more between college graduation and medical school matriculation, describe your activities and/or plans.

(After a number of questions relating to diversity) If you wish, use this space to provide more detail about your selections above and how you would bring diversity to the Northwestern community. (Let me know if you want me to expand on this)

Do you (or an immediate family member) have an affiliation with the Feinberg School of Medicine?

All are 250 words or fewer.
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For the "diversity" essay, must we talk about the checked boxes, or can we share our unique interests/experiences?
Basically, should a white, heterosexual, middle-class applicant whose parents have gone to college leave this part blank?
 
Lisha said:
For the "diversity" essay, must we talk about the checked boxes, or can we share our unique interests/experiences?
Basically, should a white, heterosexual, middle-class applicant whose parents have gone to college leave this part blank?
Click to expand...
I'm sure there are differing opinions, but I fit your description and chose to leave it blank based on my interpretation of the instructions.
 
Just did my monthly check of my LinkedIn profile (LOL I suck) and it looks like a handful of people from Northwestern have been checking out my profile the last few days. I'm hopeful that this means they didn't immediately see my GPA, collapse on the floor in a fit of laughter, and then shred my application!
 
Would any current students at FSM be willing to take a look at my "fit for FSM" essay? I would love some feedback.
 
wow is there no where to see your submitted app? i was hoping to use 2 of my essays for other apps and forgot to save my answers elsewhere -___-
 
Does anyone know if Feinberg accepts updates pre-interview. If so, what is the process? Couldn't find it on their secondary. Thanks!
 
NotAnotherPreMed said:
Does anyone know if Feinberg accepts updates pre-interview. If so, what is the process? Couldn't find it on their secondary. Thanks!
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you can always just give admissions a call to ask. They are very kind and helpful
 
2015istheYear said:
New grades, new research/clinical/teaching positions, new significant other activities like "I did a medical mission in Belize" or something
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Thanks for the input! The only "update" I'd have at this time is I switched which hospital I'm volunteering at, but I don't think that's significant enough to bother them with.
 
Is it bad if you accidentally sent in more than 3 letters? I sent 5 to every school, but their website states they only want 3.. :arghh:
 
TurknJDandJD said:
Is it bad if you accidentally sent in more than 3 letters? I sent 5 to every school, but their website states they only want 3.. :arghh:
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No! The worst thing that will happen is that they won't consider the letters past their requirements.
 
TurknJDandJD said:
Is it bad if you accidentally sent in more than 3 letters? I sent 5 to every school, but their website states they only want 3.. :arghh:
Click to expand...

It's my impression that you can send one committee packet that can have 3 or more letters or 3 individual letters. My school's prehealth advisor told me that the letter limits are more for individual letters because those are separate documents the admissions office has to deal with. In contrast, a committee packet is one, compiled document, so the schools don't care as much about how many actual letters are in the packet.
 
NotAnotherPreMed said:
No! The worst thing that will happen is that they won't consider the letters past their requirements.
Click to expand...
BR2016 said:
It's my impression that you can send one committee packet that can have 3 or more letters or 3 individual letters. My school's prehealth advisor told me that the letter limits are more for individual letters because those are separate documents the admissions office has to deal with. In contrast, a committee packet is one, compiled document, so the schools don't care as much about how many actual letters are in the packet.
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Welp. Not sure I can do anything at this point so I guess I will just wait and see haha. Hopefully they're not too peeved about it. :penguin:
 
Secondary finally submitted yesterday...

Does FSM send complete emails or is there a portal to check our app status?
 
For the question:

(if applicable): If you have (or expect to have) a year or more between college graduation and medical school matriculation, describe your activities and/or plans. 250 words

Do you guys know whether they want us to describe EVERYTHING we've done post graduation, or just what we're planning to do this coming year? I've been out of college for a few years already.

Thanks!
 
lizlemon123 said:
For the question:

(if applicable): If you have (or expect to have) a year or more between college graduation and medical school matriculation, describe your activities and/or plans. 250 words

Do you guys know whether they want us to describe EVERYTHING we've done post graduation, or just what we're planning to do this coming year? I've been out of college for a few years already.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

You should talk about everything important that you've done over all of the years.
 
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