2015-2016 Northwestern University (Feinberg) Application Thread

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Any tips for approaching the curriculum question?
 
I have info that will make it worse- friend of mine from last year's cycle with a lizzy of 74ish and extracurriculars that make me look stupid submitted all secondaries in July and didn't get an interview invite until January. So, there's that.
 
Hey guys, I'm a current M1 who just started class last week, so I'm still getting the hang of things. However, I just wanted to chime in and say to try not to stress out about getting interviews too much (I know, it's super hard not to). Things will happen how they're gonna happen and stressing out won't help. Try to enjoy the time you have before med school because the vast vast majority of you will become doctors. This whole process will teach you so much patience 🙂 if any of you have any questions, feel free to ask, and I'll do my best to answer!
 
Also a current M1 here. Haven't started real classes yet, but the application process is still pretty fresh in my mind....:scared::scared:
Feel free to ask me any questions you may have about Feinberg or the app process in general.
 
Do you think an 'in the area' email when they haven't released any IIs is poor form? I'm going to go with yes, right?
 
FYI - this has been mentioned on past threads, but I decided to make myself a guinea pig and send an "in the area" email, and they are indeed not receptive to them. The email was very polite, but basically said "we give no f#cks" haha. Worth a try since they threw a secondary waiver at me and seemed to be sensitive to costs.
 
Does anyone have MD/PhD secondary prompts for Northwestern?? Could anybody please post it? Thanks so much in advance!
 
ejay19955 said:
Does anyone have MD/PhD secondary prompts for Northwestern?? Could anybody please post it? Thanks so much in advance!
Click to expand...
Here you go:
1. Why did you choose your undergraduate major? How does the subject appeal to you? (200 words)
2. Name a scientific paper that you have read recently that had a strong impact on you and describe what impact it had. (200 words)
3. Discuss a current unanswered question in biomedical research that you find particularly interesting and what research you would like to see done to address it. (200 words)
4. What is the most gratifying research experience you have had to date and why? What was the greatest obstacle you had to overcome in research and how did you overcome it? (200 words)
5. If you wish, use this space to provide more detail about your selections above and how you would bring diversity to the Northwestern community. (250 words)
6. How do you envision your career after you complete your training, including residency and fellowship? What aspects of your life and career will be most satisfying? What frustrations can you envision in your future career, and how do you hope to handle them? (200 words)
7. Please describe your current research interest as you plan your research training. (400 words)

And yes, that is not a mistake...there are seven questions. Good luck haha
 
2015istheYear said:
I know everyone just says to distract yourself, try not to think about the apps, just let it happen, blah blah... But does anyone have tips to share about how you get through this time without freaking out constantly? I'm like always checking my email.,,,
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Sometimes I wonder if my email is broken.
 
edc1618 said:
Here you go:
1. Why did you choose your undergraduate major? How does the subject appeal to you? (200 words)
2. Name a scientific paper that you have read recently that had a strong impact on you and describe what impact it had. (200 words)
3. Discuss a current unanswered question in biomedical research that you find particularly interesting and what research you would like to see done to address it. (200 words)
4. What is the most gratifying research experience you have had to date and why? What was the greatest obstacle you had to overcome in research and how did you overcome it? (200 words)
5. If you wish, use this space to provide more detail about your selections above and how you would bring diversity to the Northwestern community. (250 words)
6. How do you envision your career after you complete your training, including residency and fellowship? What aspects of your life and career will be most satisfying? What frustrations can you envision in your future career, and how do you hope to handle them? (200 words)
7. Please describe your current research interest as you plan your research training. (400 words)

And yes, that is not a mistake...there are seven questions. Good luck haha
Click to expand...

Holy cow. A lot of essays. Haha thanks a lot!!
EDIT: Are these essays required on top of the MD-only essays?
 
Sorry to be pessimistic, but does anyone know if Feinberg waits until end of cycle for rejections?
 
Honestly, I have not started the secondary yet, and that post on the first page of this thread was actually fairly discouraging.
 
CaliforniaDreamer said:
Honestly, I have not started the secondary yet, and that post on the first page of this thread was actually fairly discouraging.
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Yeah the super long MSTP secondary plus the supposedly writing-heavy curriculum is making me reconsider applying. (If you couldn't already tell, I really hate writing.) Great school for sure, but not sure it's worth it for me. I'll keep sitting on this one though.
 
HybridEarth said:
Starlite, you are an interview invite phenom lol
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Aw you're making me blush :shy::happy:
Although my numbers definitely didn't hurt, I think spending a lot of time on each secondary vs. fast turnaround really helped me convey myself well to each school, for what it's worth.
 
Got an email from them telling me to apply, Im taking that as a sign to throw in my app!
 
mojanglez said:
@BaeDreaming got that email as well.. even though i submitted my app at the end of last month. they could have worded it in such a manner that didnt make it read like an interview invite "subject: GREETINGS FROM NORTHWESTERN! body: we would like you to apply to our school and give us your money"
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Wowwww that's such a tease.
 
I got an email today: "After carefully sorting through the Minority Medical Applicant Registry from the AAMC, we have selected you as a potentially competitive applicant based on your MCAT score. Congratulations on your academic success. We do not have any cutoffs for consideration at Feinberg; in general, if your cumulative GPA is 3.2 or better and your average MCAT scores are 28+ (or 502+ using new MCAT), we confidently encourage you to apply." With an offer to waive the secondary fee. Is this common? I'm Cherokee indian and scored a 506 with a 3.4 gpa. Any opinions on my chances?
 
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Calutah said:
I got an email today: "After carefully sorting through the Minority Medical Applicant Registry from the AAMC, we have selected you as a potentially competitive applicant based on your MCAT score. Congratulations on your academic success. We do not have any cutoffs for consideration at Feinberg; in general, if your cumulative GPA is 3.2 or better and your average MCAT scores are 28+ (or 502+ using new MCAT), we confidently encourage you to apply." With an offer to waive the secondary fee. Is this common? I'm Cherokee indian and scored a 506 with a 3.4 gpa. Any opinions on my chances?
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Can't hurt, it's free and Feinberg's essays aren't more than an afternoon's work.
 
Calutah said:
I got an email today: "After carefully sorting through the Minority Medical Applicant Registry from the AAMC, we have selected you as a potentially competitive applicant based on your MCAT score. Congratulations on your academic success. We do not have any cutoffs for consideration at Feinberg; in general, if your cumulative GPA is 3.2 or better and your average MCAT scores are 28+ (or 502+ using new MCAT), we confidently encourage you to apply." With an offer to waive the secondary fee. Is this common? I'm Cherokee indian and scored a 506 with a 3.4 gpa. Any opinions on my chances?
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With the secondary fee waived, is there a point in not applying?
 
Good point. 🙂 Just curious about my stats. I have a lot of extra curriculars, but my GPA weighs me down
 
Calutah said:
Good point. 🙂 Just curious about my stats. I have a lot of extra curriculars, but my GPA weighs me down
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...it's a fee waiver. Nothing is guaranteed, but if Northwestern is giving you the bye on a hefty fee and telling you they confidently encourage you to apply, what else do you need to give it a chance?
 
I love how I also received this email today (also URM) but I already submitted my app last week. It was such a tease but I wish I knew I had a chance to waive the application fee. Hindsight is 20/20 but I certainly won't care if I get an II/acceptance 🙂
 
Calutah said:
I got an email today: "After carefully sorting through the Minority Medical Applicant Registry from the AAMC, we have selected you as a potentially competitive applicant based on your MCAT score. Congratulations on your academic success. We do not have any cutoffs for consideration at Feinberg; in general, if your cumulative GPA is 3.2 or better and your average MCAT scores are 28+ (or 502+ using new MCAT), we confidently encourage you to apply." With an offer to waive the secondary fee. Is this common? I'm Cherokee indian and scored a 506 with a 3.4 gpa. Any opinions on my chances?
Click to expand...

This was the email I got! I think im going to apply just cause the secondary is waived.
 
Could someone please post the secondary questions? Thanks. 🙂
 
Is there any way to view our submitted secondary responses? I can't find it anywhere... Please help!
 
Hey there! Could anyone possibly PM me the secondary essay prompts for NW? Thanks in advance ✌️
 
@NaijaBoy0912 / @Laurel95

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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