2016-2017 George Washington University Application Thread

Discover Your Odds of Getting into Medical School
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zbrittingham said:
Worth it to send in II updates for new gap year research position?
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Yup!
Casper7 said:
Can someone tell us how the webinar was for the folks who were left out in the cold?
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Ask us specific questions !

Overall: it is fine to update your status as long as you think it helps your app!
premed95_ said:
For those of you who attended the webinar, did they say anything about those that are on hold for re-review? Had this status since August and was wondering if there was any sort of timeline we could expect to hear back.
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Had the same Q,!!! they said, it is unpredictable but it is normal to be hold for re-review and all applicants are re-reviewed after a hold! They cannot preditc how long it would take under diff circumstances!
 
PERSISTtill the end said:
Yup!


Ask us specific questions !

Overall: it is fine to update your status as long as you think it helps your app!


Had the same Q,!!! they said, it is unpredictable but it is normal to be hold for re-review and all applicants are re-reviewed after a hold! They cannot preditc how long it would take under diff circumstances!
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Thanks a lot for relaying all of this information!! Do you know/was it asked how long interviews go out for?
 
premed95_ said:
For those of you who attended the webinar, did they say anything about those that are on hold for re-review? Had this status since August and was wondering if there was any sort of timeline we could expect to hear back.
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Yeah this part seems unpredictable.. My friend and I were both put on hold for re review on the same day but he got rejected about 2-3 weeks back or so whereas I have yet to hear a word.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
 
I attended the webinar as well and here are a bit more specifics on items from the presentation, hope this helps! FYI, they encouraged communicating to the admissions via the portal and formally in email a lot 🙂

1. the status of "On hold for re-review" is an active status and common

2. Re-Reviews are unpredictable
-submitting an update does not automatically bring your application to the front of the stacks, since the reviews are unpredictable, you can get lucky with updating one day and 2 days later you are reviewed and it is right there with your file

3. They stressed using the Applicant Portal Update tool to inform the Admissions Committee about your current activities
-"Think like a person on admissions, what will make your update stand out as to others" as well as length of the update, that is up to the applicant
-you can update on variety of items: new job/promotion, clinical experience, past experience not on our AMCAS, awards, grades (not transcripts)
-letters of interest/intent are good
-you can expand upon what was in your AMCAS and or secondary essays as well say when you are writing a letter of intent

4. The Track program
-most popular: Global Health and Health Policy
-there is a "cap" to the number of students per Track but they have never had to enforce it
-can only apply to 1 and be in 1 but if after time you want to change, you have the chance to and guidance/help to

5. Intersessions
-these are different from Tracks and do not interfere with one another and are classes

6. Their admissions website states what is competitive for stats (GPA, MCAT)
-they are holistic and use the "no score below a 124" and GPA of 3.0 as guidance but these are not hard cut-offs for applicants

7. Extra letters of Rec
-they can be alerted of their submission to the committee via the applicant portal update

8. Big Sister/Brother program
-every student is matched to another upper classman at GW
-it creates a "family" as your big brother also has a big brother etc etc
-gives access to MS3 and MS4 students

9. They stated the atmosphere and community at GW is cohesive
-students are more competitive with themselves than each other (aka not cut throat)
-lots of collaboration together to master the information

10. Tons of volunteer activities to do in DC
-main one mentioned in the HEAL clinic

11. Classes are Pass/Fail
-honors, pass etc

12. They super score your MCAT
-latest of 2014 MCAT accepted

13. Faculty Mentors and Advisors through school / track program / clinical rotations

14. Interview season is through March
-there are seats kept open during the entire interview season so if you interview later, there is a seat
 
*Disclaimer: everything I'm writing below is pure speculation*
So what I think is that if an applicant doesn't hit a predetermined benchmark MCAT/GPA score at the "complete" status then they will be put on hold for re-review immediately, then their application will be reviewed holistically at the actual review or "re-review". The reason I say this is because my status was "complete" this morning then on hold for re-review an hour later without an "under review" status. Other schools (such as UTSW) have processes like this where a certain number of applicants receive II's based solely on stats and others who don't meet the benchmark score will receive a holistic application review. As I said, this is pure speculation but it's strange to never receive an "under review" status and this sorting process seems to be the most likely cause.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
 
is it a good idea to send a letter of intent while still being on hold for re-review?
 
PanamaJackAttack said:
*Disclaimer: everything I'm writing below is pure speculation*
So what I think is that if an applicant doesn't hit a predetermined benchmark MCAT/GPA score at the "complete" status then they will be put on hold for re-review immediately, then their application will be reviewed holistically at the actual review or "re-review". The reason I say this is because my status was "complete" this morning then on hold for re-review an hour later without an "under review" status. Other schools (such as UTSW) have processes like this where a certain number of applicants receive II's based solely on stats and others who don't meet the benchmark score will receive a holistic application review. As I said, this is pure speculation but it's strange to never receive an "under review" status and this sorting process seems to be the most likely cause.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
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Your speculation may be on for some parts honestly. But also, some people don't check often / schools don't send emails regarding a status update so the transition to under review to hold to complete etc, it is hit or miss too. Who knows...unpredictable was the best way the webinar put it

EDIT: added clarity.
 
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sakhiyat37 said:
Hey guys! Let me know if you have any questions about interviews and our program and I would gladly try to answer them.
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Hey thanks for your help!

1) What made you decide to choose this school over others (if you were considering others)
2) Do you feel many of the students have opportunities to connect with public health related research (international/community interventions/epidemiology etc), or do many of the students do more typical benchwork research?
3) Does the large class size overwhelm you or ever become an issue?
4) Any advice for the interview day?!!
 
italyluvrr22 said:
Hey thanks for your help!

1) What made you decide to choose this school over others (if you were considering others)
2) Do you feel many of the students have opportunities to connect with public health related research (international/community interventions/epidemiology etc), or do many of the students do more typical benchwork research?
3) Does the large class size overwhelm you or ever become an issue?
4) Any advice for the interview day?!!
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Great questions!
1) I came here for the curriculum! I am in the last year of the "traditional" curriculum (they changed it about 2 years ago), and I've enjoyed how things have been so far. Although I can't speak about the newer curriculum, I know there is more elective time -- this will come in handy when you're picking your specialty. I know they've already made many adjustments, but that is classic for any medical school with a new program. Unfortunately the board scores for the first of the "new curriculum" were lower than the national average (by 6 or so points) -- that being said, I know many students in that class who rocked Step 1. Medical school is what you make it!
2) Absolutely! Clinical research is big here, and if you are interested there are several ways to get involved.
3) Not me personally, but every student is different.
4) Just relax and enjoy 🙂 It's extremely low-stress.
 
for the letter of interest, do we just send an email to admissions or write directly on the update form in the portal?
 
AlexLich said:
I did, I was on hold for re-review in mid September and then a week later i received an interview offer for mid October. Don't give up hope yet. : )
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Did you send send in an update? I am debating on whether or not I should send an update/ interest letter pre II. Or do those really not matter until post II? I love this school and definitely hoping for a chance to at least interview. Any thoughts?
 
Brycer3B said:
Did you send send in an update? I am debating on whether or not I should send an update/ interest letter pre II. Or do those really not matter until post II? I love this school and definitely hoping for a chance to at least interview. Any thoughts?
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I am in the same position...is it bad to send an update/letter of interest before and after interview?
 
wahoowa2017 said:
I am in the same position...is it bad to send an update/letter of interest before and after interview?
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So my view has been that sending an update is not ever a bad idea if the update is significant. It is best not to send a letter (or multiple) saying something trivial. However, if the item you are telling them about further demonstrates that you're ready to tackle medical school, then I see no reason to hold off.
 
SydSing said:
So my view has been that sending an update is not ever a bad idea if the update is significant. It is best not to send a letter (or multiple) saying something trivial. However, if the item you are telling them about further demonstrates that you're ready to tackle medical school, then I see no reason to hold off.
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All I could think of is that I am working on a DMP thesis research project but I doubt that is significant enough...would it be okay to just send a letter of interest about why GW etc
 
wahoowa2017 said:
All I could think of is that I am working on a DMP thesis research project but I doubt that is significant enough...would it be okay to just send a letter of interest about why GW etc
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If that isn't something you've covered, I think touching on your research and the qualities it has helped you develop is fine (but I am not aware of the details of your project). Letters of interest are a bit redundant in my mind. My view would be 'of course you are interested... you applied'. BUT some schools are known for liking to hear how awesome they are. Dig into past threads and see if this is one of them. But overall, it's better to bring something to the table rather than simply reminding them that you are still breathing.
 
Brycer3B said:
Did you send send in an update? I am debating on whether or not I should send an update/ interest letter pre II. Or do those really not matter until post II? I love this school and definitely hoping for a chance to at least interview. Any thoughts?
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I didn't send an update, so Im not sure if that has any bearing or not, Im sure sending one in wouldn't hurt, at the interview they seemed to encourage students reaching out to them
 
any post-interview decisions lately? interviewed end of sept. and the anxiety is very real..
 
Just curious, will anyone's decision to attend this school be swayed by the election results last night?
 
Does anyone know where we are in the cycle? Like what was the last interview date to receive acceptance or rejection status? Just trying to figure out so I can plan for the next six months or so haha.
 
How many times is an applicant allowed to send an update during the cycle?
 
wahoowa2017 said:
How many times is an applicant allowed to send an update during the cycle?
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As many times as you would like, but I wouldn't send one unless it was useful information like grade updates, job changes, publications or things like that. Maybe a letter of intent
 
BecauseImHappy said:
No, since 93% of DC voted for Hillary. That makes me more want to move to DC and get out of anywhere where the majority voted for Trump🙁
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I went to the White House last night hoping to be in good company, but ended up being surrounded by huge groups of chanting Trump supporters.... Unfortunately, you can't get away. Not even in DC.... 😳
You just have to be the change you want to see, wherever you are!
 
Thompsonj0 said:
If you had the hold status at first, it means you are being reviewed again and usually will either be rejected or offered an interview. This is based on what others have posted anyway.
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That makes sense, heres to hoping for some good news. I switch from hold to this, looks like people hear back in a day or two
 
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