2016-2017 George Washington University Application Thread

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Just placed on the alternate list, interviewed 10/14. Is the alternate list the same as the waitlist?
 
SydSing said:
This is just my 2 cents. I would think that perhaps holding back on sending a barrage of updates would be a good tactic. One solid, well written update that delineates how your recent accomplishments make you a better fit for an institution is likely favored over multiple small updates. Also, keep your heads up guys. Due to the cost and lack of financial aid available here, I am sure many people will begin looking elsewhere if they have that opportunity once fin aid packages start rolling in! I don't think past SDN threads accurately portray the level of movement there is off of waitlists due to the sample size, and number of people that choose not to post.
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It seems, according to the webinar that I attended some weeks back, that they encourage multiple updates, contrary to how other schools may perceive them. I clearly remember being surprised at how much they wanted applicants to keep them updated with progress so much so that their online portal system was created for this process. Admissions does not get alerted every time (I believe) so it's not as annoying to them. Rather an automatic email is sent to you when your file is updated and finally when admissions goes to review they can see everything at once.
 
lex2089 said:
this is what I don't get about this whole update thing. I'm older and working a full time job, but there's not exactly anything to update about besides that I am still working....
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Lol, I understand the whole frustration of not having anything to update. At the webinar they did encourage letters of interest using something along the lines of "write us a love letter, if you will, explaining to us that you're still interested and why you think you'd make a great candidate". So if no updates, you can probably write a letter of interest and include maybe how your job is shaping you more and more. I'm in the same boat lol. But hopefully, someone can chime in
 
mdattheend said:
It seems, according to the webinar that I attended some weeks back, that they encourage multiple updates, contrary to how other schools may perceive them. I clearly remember being surprised at how much they wanted applicants to keep them updated with progress so much so that their online portal system was created for this process. Admissions does not get alerted every time (I believe) so it's not as annoying to them. Rather an automatic email is sent to you when your file is updated and finally when admissions goes to review they can see everything at once.
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Makes me wonder if they don't see any updates post interview, and won't see them until after a waitlist decision. Maybe the file is forwarded to the committee and at that point, no changes/updates can be made? I know they encourage updates though, so I don't think it hurts to send them out.

lex2089 said:
this is what I don't get about this whole update thing. I'm older and working a full time job, but there's not exactly anything to update about besides that I am still working....
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Maybe update them on new projects you're implementing, new developments you're working on, etc?
 
mdattheend said:
It seems, according to the webinar that I attended some weeks back, that they encourage multiple updates, contrary to how other schools may perceive them. I clearly remember being surprised at how much they wanted applicants to keep them updated with progress so much so that their online portal system was created for this process. Admissions does not get alerted every time (I believe) so it's not as annoying to them. Rather an automatic email is sent to you when your file is updated and finally when admissions goes to review they can see everything at once.
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Yeah I said that with the understanding that GW encourages updates. So that's likely true, however, a meaningless update is meaningless regardless of what school we are referencing. Basically, make sure whatever you do, you take the time to reflect on if it is something worth talking about. If it is, it can't hurt to mention it! (I would also personally package them all in one update but that's a preference issue)
 
Rejected pre-II. Good luck to those still in the running.
 
I'm sure I will be rejected soon. I've been on hold and cannot bring myself to write an update on my full time job. It's not the type of job I'm doing projects in. It's clinical. To me, letter of intents are good for after you've already seen the school so I'm confused how I'm supposed to know if I love the school. It's all very confusing.
 
HOLD --------------------> TRASHCAN
 
Yes it does change. I got rejected 🙁 I think I messed myself up sending lackluster updates to be honest. I would have been better off saying nothing and letting them get curious.
 
JustDoingMe said:
Does the status on the portal change if you get rejected ?
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it changed to a short message that says your status has been emailed to you. And the option to submit updates disappears.

***Correction. You can still submit updates, but the giant green paragraph that says you are on hold gets reduced to once sentence saying your status has been emailed to you.
 
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dsingh3985 said:
Yes it does change. I got rejected 🙁 I think I messed myself up sending lackluster updates to be honest. I would have been better off saying nothing and letting them get curious.
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Thank you for letting me know. Im about your rejection, and wish you luck with other schools. Ive been on hold since july with no change in my status so Ive been expecting a rejection any day now.
 
lex2089 said:
I'm sure I will be rejected soon. I've been on hold and cannot bring myself to write an update on my full time job. It's not the type of job I'm doing projects in. It's clinical. To me, letter of intents are good for after you've already seen the school so I'm confused how I'm supposed to know if I love the school. It's all very confusing.
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There is a difference here in context that may help you. Letter of intent is for post interviews and INTENDING for that school as your top choice in that sense. Letter of interest is more so for "this is WHY I fit your school and thanks for reviewing my app etc" and restating your enthusiasm and interest in the school and programs and how your trajectory is a good fit with the schools mission.

Hope this helps. GW encourages updates so it is not negative to send in new job, clinical or not, research, award, (combining is better in my opinion) then if you are still on hold and you really do like the school etc, letter of INTEREST is a personal statement to the school
 
Do you guys know if they send out post interview rejections, or is everyone not accepted who interviewed just put on the alternate list
 
hophophop said:
There is a difference here in context that may help you. Letter of intent is for post interviews and INTENDING for that school as your top choice in that sense. Letter of interest is more so for "this is WHY I fit your school and thanks for reviewing my app etc" and restating your enthusiasm and interest in the school and programs and how your trajectory is a good fit with the schools mission.

Hope this helps. GW encourages updates so it is not negative to send in new job, clinical or not, research, award, (combining is better in my opinion) then if you are still on hold and you really do like the school etc, letter of INTEREST is a personal statement to the school
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thank you very much for the reply!
 
lex2089 said:
thank you very much for the reply!
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good luck! The letters of interest are not super easy to write heh it feels like a secondary "why X school" 2.0, but this time you have more freedom to personalize you to the school and not self-promote anymore- they already have all they need with the AMCAS and secondary, so the letter becomes themed and ties the why of you to the school 🙂
 
Rejected! Pleasantly surprised they didn't hold onto it until March before they trashed it. I never saw my portal go under review after being put on hold. I suspect they were saving it to drop the bomb during finals week haha 😉. Oh well, probably wouldn't be able to afford the school anyway.
 
hophophop said:
There is a difference here in context that may help you. Letter of intent is for post interviews and INTENDING for that school as your top choice in that sense. Letter of interest is more so for "this is WHY I fit your school and thanks for reviewing my app etc" and restating your enthusiasm and interest in the school and programs and how your trajectory is a good fit with the schools mission.

Hope this helps. GW encourages updates so it is not negative to send in new job, clinical or not, research, award, (combining is better in my opinion) then if you are still on hold and you really do like the school etc, letter of INTEREST is a personal statement to the school
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I guess I would also add that when you do get to the point of post-interview, do not send a letter of intent if you don't have another acceptance. Otherwise it sounds desperate and empty. Letter of interest is a safer bet if it has quality substance.
 
edawgmd said:
I guess I would also add that when you do get to the point of post-interview, do not send a letter of intent if you don't have another acceptance. Otherwise it sounds desperate and empty. Letter of interest is a safer bet if it has quality substance.
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Can a school tell if you have another acceptance or not?
 
AAAmeds said:
Can a school tell if you have another acceptance or not?
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Yes, later on in the cycle. I believe it's the day in which deposits are no longer refundable?? Not sure about the exact date, but there comes a point where they can see where you have been accepted, but they cannot see if you are waitlisted. So you can be waitlisted at 5 schools and none of them have any idea.
 
sav5716 said:
I believe after a certain date (maybe April 1st) they can see where you hold acceptances.
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I thought it was as soon as they accept you they can see your other acceptances
 
i made it through several rounds of rejections, its only went i sent subpar updates that I got nailed. make sure your updates are significant.
 
AAAmeds said:
Can a school tell if you have another acceptance or not?
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I think it's around February that the schools can see your other acceptances. HOWEVER, I think only the schools to which you already have been accepted can see your other acceptances.
 
edawgmd said:
I guess I would also add that when you do get to the point of post-interview, do not send a letter of intent if you don't have another acceptance. Otherwise it sounds desperate and empty. Letter of interest is a safer bet if it has quality substance.
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Yep! Missed that in my post 🙂 intents are for THE school you want post interviews acceptances etc.
 
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