2015-2016 University of Washington Application Thread

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It only took them two months to get back to me...
Two months to read a mission statement and decide they don't want me..

Rejected! Not surprised... OOS.

Good luck, lovers! Miss Kitty is rooting for you all!
 
crazed4yoga said:
MS1 here and happy to answer any questions, especially on the new curriculum that was implemented this year. Good luck to all of you!
Click to expand...

What were your stats and a little bit about yourself as an applicant? Any advice for interviews?
 
SSSMDt said:
What were your stats and a little bit about yourself as an applicant? Any advice for interviews?
Click to expand...

My LizzM was a 73. In-state. Non-traditional. Psych undergrad, rare psych MA degree when I applied. I was a full time yoga instructor when I applied. I went into medicine because 1.) I became passionate about health & wellness and 2.) I realized that the only jobs I ever liked (like teaching yoga) were ones where I got to connect with people and inspire/empower/help them.

My advice for interviews are ....
1.) Know (and be able to provide evidence from experience) the things you like about what physicians do & the things you may dislike about it. They're going to make sure you know what you're getting yourself into, both the good and the bad.
2.) Know YOUR strengths and why based on #1 that makes YOU a good fit to become a physician (even better if you can provide evidence that you have those strengths....like for me, being a yoga instructor)
3.) Smiling & being friendly go a long way. Definitely engage in any small talk at the start of the interviewing. I had a lot of fun getting to know my interviewers.
4.) Know some specific things about UW's curriculum/culture/etc.. and why that makes YOU a good fit to be trained there as a physician

But really, points #1 & #2 are the most important, and you have to convince them that you've actually thought a lot about this. There are VERY few in my class who just graduated from undergrad. Most people have been out of undergrad 1, 2, or 3 years etc.. I think the main reason for this is that they want applicants who really know themselves and really understand why they should be going into medicine. I think that can be hard for recent grads. At least it was for me when I first graduated, although at the time I thought I did. It definitely took some life experience outside of school to understand myself better.

So if you know yourself, trust yourself and why your qualities/passions/talents/skills would make you a great fit to be a physician, especially being trained at UW!

I hope that helps.
 
crazed4yoga said:
My LizzM was a 73. In-state. Non-traditional. Psych undergrad, rare psych MA degree when I applied. I was a full time yoga instructor when I applied. I went into medicine because 1.) I became passionate about health & wellness and 2.) I realized that the only jobs I ever liked (like teaching yoga) were ones where I got to connect with people and inspire/empower/help them.

My advice for interviews are ....
1.) Know (and be able to provide evidence from experience) the things you like about what physicians do & the things you may dislike about it. They're going to make sure you know what you're getting yourself into, both the good and the bad.
2.) Know YOUR strengths and why based on #1 that makes YOU a good fit to become a physician (even better if you can provide evidence that you have those strengths....like for me, being a yoga instructor)
3.) Smiling & being friendly go a long way. Definitely engage in any small talk at the start of the interviewing. I had a lot of fun getting to know my interviewers.
4.) Know some specific things about UW's curriculum/culture/etc.. and why that makes YOU a good fit to be trained there as a physician

But really, points #1 & #2 are the most important, and you have to convince them that you've actually thought a lot about this. There are VERY few in my class who just graduated from undergrad. Most people have been out of undergrad 1, 2, or 3 years etc.. I think the main reason for this is that they want applicants who really know themselves and really understand why they should be going into medicine. I think that can be hard for recent grads. At least it was for me when I first graduated, although at the time I thought I did. It definitely took some life experience outside of school to understand myself better.

So if you know yourself, trust yourself and why your qualities/passions/talents/skills would make you a great fit to be a physician, especially being trained at UW!

I hope that helps.
Click to expand...

Amazing! Thanks for the advice it's much appreciated!
 
Late to the party, I know, but I'm an OOR applicant and just got my first confirmation e-mail from UW after submitting my AMCAS.

Did anyone else get a long message about the MSTP program and reminding them of the special application / deadlines? I never expressed interest in MSTP, but I do have a very research-heavy app, so I'm wondering if this was a targeted message.
 
MissKitty2868 said:
It only took them two months to get back to me...
Two months to read a mission statement and decide they don't want me..

Rejected! Not surprised... OOS.

Good luck, lovers! Miss Kitty is rooting for you all!
Click to expand...

I am still waiting too. Submitted the mission statement on 8/13. It will be no surprise to rejected since I am out of state. I just want to know.
 
@crazed4yoga @BABSstudent and could you say a little more about the curriculum.. I know this has been answered somewhat before but just would like a reiteration. So clinical rotations start during the second half of the 2nd year? Is this unique to UW (seems like it is)? Is there anything else you like about UWs cirriculum in particular?
 
Any one going for interview Nov. (friday) 13th? lol Of course those would be the dates that open up that I can make it! -_-
 
So this is week 10 after the email that said 4-6 weeks..... Should I email or call the office?
 
Chasing Never Land said:
So this is week 10 after the email that said 4-6 weeks..... Should I email or call the office?
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It's been 10 weeks since you received the "we want to interview you, and will follow up with a date"?

Are you OOR or spokane/Moscow/etc track? If you're just regular Seattle applicant I'd email them. I received the first interview email 3 weeks ago, and received the schedule email this week and I'm regular track, instate, Seattle. Preference.
 
Fedekz said:
It's been 10 weeks since you received the "we want to interview you, and will follow up with a date"?

Are you OOR or spokane/Moscow/etc track? If you're just regular Seattle applicant I'd email them. I received the first interview email 3 weeks ago, and received the schedule email this week and I'm regular track, instate, Seattle. Preference.
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Regular track, IS. It's been 10 weeks since the application complete email.
 
Chasing Never Land said:
Regular track, IS. It's been 10 weeks since the application complete email.
Click to expand...

If you haven't received an interview invite at all yet, then don't bug them. That's not how this process works, it's highly unlikely they lost your application. I don't think it would reflect on you well if you sent an email basically saying "so I haven't received an interview invite, what's up with that?"
 
Fedekz said:
If you haven't received an interview invite at all yet, then don't bug them. That's not how this process works, it's highly unlikely they lost your application. I don't think it would reflect on you well if you sent an email basically saying "so I haven't received an interview invite, what's up with that?"
Click to expand...

Meh, it's not that big of a deal.

Good luck to all with upcoming interviews!
 
trini818 said:
I am still waiting too. Submitted the mission statement on 8/13. It will be no surprise to rejected since I am out of state. I just want to know.
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Same. OOS/URM but lots of ties to UW and Alaska. Mission statement complete 7/28. Ugh the waiting game....
 
I just realized the delay might be bc I also applied for MDMPH.... That's plausible right?
 
Chasing Never Land said:
I just realized the delay might be bc I also applied for MDMPH.... That's plausible right?
Click to expand...
I don't think so because I also indicated my interest in the MPH program. But I really would not worry if I were you!! You have tons of wonderful IIs already 🙂 Whoever is reading your app at UW is probably just moving slowly. There are still so many more months of interviewing left. Did you indicate that the Spokane campus is your first choice? That maybe could explain a delay since the Spokane applicants are considered separately.
 
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Received the email today to select my preferred interview date. As an is applicant w seattle campus as my preference, the only available date between now and may was November 12th (4 days before an oos interview that I already have scheduled). Am thinking their calendar isn't functioning properly. Anyone else interviewing that day?
 
timsk said:
Received the email today to select my preferred interview date. As an is applicant w seattle campus as my preference, the only available date between now and may was November 12th (4 days before an oos interview that I already have scheduled). Am thinking their calendar isn't functioning properly. Anyone else interviewing that day?
Click to expand...

I chose that one last week. But back them they also had the 4th, 12, and one in the 20s (23?). As they fill up they change/add dates. I didn't choose 4th since i'll be freshly landed from abroad then, I didn't want to be jetlagged. If you wait, more dates will appear. I've been waiting for weeks because my trip is all of october almost. So I went though oct7th until Nov. 12th. I called to make sure, and they said it's not a problem at all to wait for other dates to open up. That's all you gotta do! Check daily! it literally changes daily! 🙂 if you choose Nov. 12 though...See you there XD
 
awesome, thanks for the insight. Congrats on the interview. And i hope you're somewhere fun abroad! I'm flying home from spain tomorrow 🙁 And i'll see you on the 12th!
 
There were only 9 of us interviewing on my day, so you guys will definitely meet, it's such a small group.
 
My interview date changed to October 19th, anyone on this date?
 
Anyone interviewing on Nov 4th?
 
SallySue1202 said:
I don't think so because I also indicated my interest in the MPH program. But I really would not worry if I were you!! You have tons of wonderful IIs already 🙂 Whoever is reading your app at UW is probably just moving slowly. There are still so many more months of interviewing left. Did you indicate that the Spokane campus is your first choice? That maybe could explain a delay since the Spokane applicants are considered separately.
Click to expand...
That's good to know, thank you! I'm a Seattle pref applicant, so location is probably not the reason for the delay. Sigh. No news is good news I guess.
 
Still waiting.. OOS submitted essay early August.. 🙁
 
Does anyone know typically how long UW takes to respond after an interview? Even letting you know that your application is SUC?

Or how often they hold EXCOM meetings?
 
LOL - I literally just received a secondary application request from UW after submitting my mission statement on July 27th. Is anyone else in this same boat? I'm from CA so, after all of this silence, I thought I was entirely out of the running!
 
Are students who are accepted notified via phone call?
 
valorain said:
LOL - I literally just received a secondary application request from UW after submitting my mission statement on July 27th. Is anyone else in this same boat? I'm from CA so, after all of this silence, I thought I was entirely out of the running!
Click to expand...
Was the mission statement request the first contact from them? I got an email from their office ... But still no mission statement, not to mention secondary.
 
Hi all. Just attended a med school interview info session at UW for students and alumni and thought i'd share what i learned. Most of it was already on their website, so i don't think any of it was revolutionary per say, but you may find it helpful nonetheless.

*They interview from october- March with 2 or 3 days per week
* Interview day is with 6-18 students
* You will have one panel interview with three interviewers. This will last for 30 minutes
* Interviews will feature a role play where you are given a scenario and the interviewers will play patients. They are looking for you to demonstrate your thought process. In the scenarios, always ask questions, and then follow up questions, and then perhaps more questions. Do not assume. Do not jump to solutions right away. Be an active listener.
*You will hear back within 3 weeks. Some students will get an acceptance at that point. Some will get a rejection. Most will be put "under consideration" which means they want to see the other applicants before they decide what to do with you. You will then receive periodic updates through the rest of the cycle until the decide on you. All final decisions will be made by end of march

And both the director of admissions for the UWSOM as well as the director of admissions for a OM school in eastern washington said that they are using AAMC's published guidelines when deciding how to use the new mcat scores and how to compare it to previous years.

And all panelists (included members from admissions team for school of medicine, dental, and pharmacy, as well as the staff from the OM school) said that there seems to be an overemphasis on what you wear. From their perspective, just look clean and polished and having a strong presence. They then relayed stories of students showing up in ridiculous clothing (e.g., a dress with jeans underneath and a sweatshirt on top) who still got accepted because they were strong applicants. So take what you read on these SDN-typical neurotic (and misleading) threads here about what to wear on interview day with a big grain of salt.

Good luck all!
 
kbogz said:
Does anyone know typically how long UW takes to respond after an interview? Even letting you know that your application is SUC?

Or how often they hold EXCOM meetings?
Click to expand...

Hey there, MS1 here.

From my experience, what I heard from my classmates and other students, the timeline to get a response can vary a lot. I know people that got accepted 3 days after their interview and others that waited a couple months to get their SUC email. As far as I know because we are in the beginning of the cycle the EXCOM meetings dont happen as often.

SSSMDt said:
Are students who are accepted notified via phone call?
Click to expand...

Yes
 
hi 🙂 I'll be applying next spring and I have a quick question to UW applicants who did undergrad through the UW system-

did you take both quarters of organic chemistry lab or just the first lab course? I wasn't sure if the second lab was required for matriculation.

Good luck to everyone this cycle!
 
theonlytycrane said:
hi 🙂 I'll be applying next spring and I have a quick question to UW applicants who did undergrad through the UW system-

did you take both quarters of organic chemistry lab or just the first lab course? I wasn't sure if the second lab was required for matriculation.

Good luck to everyone this cycle!
Click to expand...
Yes.

But wrong thread for this question.
 
Do they ask you hardcore/detailed ethical, scenario, and health policy questions?
 
rlarudtjs332 said:
Do they ask you hardcore/detailed ethical, scenario, and health policy questions?
Click to expand...
No. They expect you to have a general idea of everything that is moderately correct showing that you have kept up to date with what is happening. However, there are classes in medical school to teach you health policy and how to handle cases.

During the interview they will be more interested in your thought process than you knowledge. We can teach things you don't know. We can't teach you how to think.
 
I know SDN tends to lean towards high-stats applicants; however I'd like to remind everybody that having a well rounded application can do wonders.

3.17/3.10/29, retake 29/IS trad

Primary Submitted: 7/11
Primary Complete: 8/6
Secondary Submitted: 9/4
Application Complete: 9/8
II: 10/12
 
Rejected just now. Post-secondary, which I completed on 9/14. Not too surprising, I guess, as I'm OOS. 🙁
 
II! Complete 8/4.
sGPA 3.3 cGPA 3.6 MCAT 35 (on 2nd attempt)
IS, social science major

Pretty darn exciting for my first invite so far this cycle 😀
 
Rejected today, pre-mission statement, pre-secondary. OOR LizzyM 79-80

It was worth a try. Good luck everyone!
 
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