2016-2017 Medical College of Wisconsin Application Thread

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Congratulations! I just received an II from there and it's my top choice. 🙂 Any advice?

It's pretty relaxed overall. The interview is a 6-8 person panel so make sure you are prepared for that. They really want to see if you are a good fit for the school, not just if you should get in.
 
Did you interview at a second place? Or was your first interview your only one?

I interviewed at both the main campus and a regional campus. I am local and expressed how I would like to remain and work locally. Between the fact that I am from SE Wisconsin and the fact that I said I would be interested in the possibility of clinical research, I think they determined Milwaukee would be the better fit. I agree, but I would've been happy either way. 🙂
 
Last edited:
Hi all! I hope applications are going well! I'm an M1 at MCW so if anyone has any questions feel free to ask 🙂
 
Wondering the same
Oh boy that's a tough question to answer. To most directly answer it, I don't know. That isn't something that the admissions office shares with the current students. What I can tell you is that 1. The director of admissions, Alexis Meyer, is currently on maternity leave. The rest of the admissions office is organizing interviews and I believe that Alexis is still working from home, but that may be why things are moving a little slower this year, and 2. Many members of my class interviewed in January and February so there's still hope!
 
Oh boy that's a tough question to answer. To most directly answer it, I don't know. That isn't something that the admissions office shares with the current students. What I can tell you is that 1. The director of admissions, Alexis Meyer, is currently on maternity leave. The rest of the admissions office is organizing interviews and I believe that Alexis is still working from home, but that may be why things are moving a little slower this year, and 2. Many members of my class interviewed in January and February so there's still hope!
Interesting I wonder if more interviews are still to come out compared to this time last year.
 
waitlisted 🙁
I wonder what I did wrong and need to improve on?

Anyone know what the typical waitlist movement is like? Feeling pretty down now with no acceptances and 2 waitlists......
The waitlist doesn't move much..call them and ask why. It wouldnt hurt to ask!
 
ACCEPTED!!!!! HOLY CRAP!!!!
My packet has not arrived yet... that's so weird. Since you got the acceptance email I'd say you're fine.
Out of curiosity, is 35/27 applications the standard now?! Geez! Im currently an M2 and not aware of how much more of a concrete jungle applying to med school has become!:wideyed:
 
Out of curiosity, is 35/27 applications the standard now?! Geez! Im currently an M2 and not aware of how much more of a concrete jungle applying to med school has become!:wideyed:
One of the doctors I shadowed gives advice to kids applying to med schools. He said it'd be foolish to apply to less than 25 due to the competition and uncertainty. I think most applicants apply to 15-20 though.
 
Out of curiosity, is 35/27 applications the standard now?! Geez! Im currently an M2 and not aware of how much more of a concrete jungle applying to med school has become!:wideyed:

California applicants are encouraged to apply to 30+ schools...
 
From the website:

"The Medical College of Wisconsin offers a modest number of merit scholarships to incoming students. Recipients are selected by the Senior Associate Dean and will be notified of the award by that office."

Does anyone know when these come out?
 
From the website:

"The Medical College of Wisconsin offers a modest number of merit scholarships to incoming students. Recipients are selected by the Senior Associate Dean and will be notified of the award by that office."

Does anyone know when these come out?

.........so you agree - you think you're pretty?
 
From the website:

"The Medical College of Wisconsin offers a modest number of merit scholarships to incoming students. Recipients are selected by the Senior Associate Dean and will be notified of the award by that office."

Does anyone know when these come out?
I would also like to know 🙂
Loved this place and a scholarship would make me love it even more! 😀
 
I am debating about coming in for the social the night before the interview. I am trying to debate if it is worth it to pay for a hotel for that night (host program is full) or if I should just drive in the next morning. It's only about a three hour morning, so doable when the interview day doesn't start until 10:30. What do you all think? Anyone go to the social?
 
I am debating about coming in for the social the night before the interview. I am trying to debate if it is worth it to pay for a hotel for that night (host program is full) or if I should just drive in the next morning. It's only about a three hour morning, so doable when the interview day doesn't start until 10:30. What do you all think? Anyone go to the social?

The social isn't structured and is extremely casual. It's a chance to ask current students how they like the school, etc, with free pizza. I think you can still get a good feeling for the school on your interview day, so I wouldn't come a day early just for the social. But if you think you'd interview better not having driven all morning, that might be something to consider.
 
How often do you think most students go to class?? What does your typical week look like as an M1?
 
How often do you think most students go to class?? What does your typical week look like as an M1?

We get 4 half-days off per week, at least during the first semester. I haven't looked at next semester's schedule yet.
-M/W: Anatomy lecture + lab from 1p-5p. Typically 1-2 hours of lecture and the rest of the time is in lab, but its really just up to your group when you want to leave--you just have to complete all the dissections before a certain date which is usually a few days before the exam.
-Tuesdays: 8a-10a Physio, 10a-12p is Molecules to Cells, which is biochem/molecular bio/genetics/etc. 1p-5p is Foundations of Clinical Medicine, which rarely goes all the way till 5, and sometimes you get an hour and fifteen minute break before your small group activity. It's usually 1p-2p large group session, then either 2:15p-3:30p or 3:45p-5p small group.
-Thursdays: 8a-12p Physio and MTC, then starting in October, you'll have your Pathway core sessions once a month from 1p-5p on Thursdays. Actual length depends on the pathway, but they are usually 2-4 hours.
-Fridays: just 8a-12p Physio and MTC.
There are also a lot of lunch talks throughout the week from 12p-1p, especially the first couple weeks of the block for M1s. MTC lectures are occasionally replaced by a Virtual Microscope session or a Case Based Discussion.

As far as going to class, most people go to anatomy lecture, since it's right before lab, and you basically have to go to lab. Attendance for MTC and Physio...I'm really not sure these days because I haven't been to a normal lecture since September, but I would say it's anywhere from 1/2 to 2/3-3/4. I can sometimes hear the lecturer comment on how few people are in class when I'm watching at double speed a few hours later 😀
 
Does anyone who has already interviewed at either Central Wisconsin or Green Bay remember what email we send our thank you letter to?
 
Does anyone who has already interviewed at either Central Wisconsin or Green Bay remember what email we send our thank you letter to?

Just the admissions department email address: [email protected]

By telling us to email them, I really got the impression that they don't want or don't care about thank yous. I've written thank yous to individual interviewers but with the whole panel doing the interview, I just decided to skip it this time.
 
Hey guys,

This might be a dumb question, but for those who are accepted, how does one send in the criminal background check or was that sent in automatically via AMCAS? I'm trying to be proactive in getting it in but the process of filling it out and sending it in has confused me even after many Google searches. 😛

Best.
 
So I actually received an interview for the Central Campus in early October, but had to push it back until January 17th because I'm currently working in the Philippines. How bad does that hurt my chances? When I talked to the admissions officers they said it wouldn't affect my chances, but I find that hard to believe considering the rolling admissions process... Does anybody have any thoughts?
 
Oh boy that's a tough question to answer. To most directly answer it, I don't know. That isn't something that the admissions office shares with the current students. What I can tell you is that 1. The director of admissions, Alexis Meyer, is currently on maternity leave. The rest of the admissions office is organizing interviews and I believe that Alexis is still working from home, but that may be why things are moving a little slower this year, and 2. Many members of my class interviewed in January and February so there's still hope!
I have an interview January 17th, so its still possible!
 
So I actually received an interview for the Central Campus in early October, but had to push it back until January 17th because I'm currently working in the Philippines. How bad does that hurt my chances? When I talked to the admissions officers they said it wouldn't affect my chances, but I find that hard to believe considering the rolling admissions process... Does anybody have any thoughts?

When I interviewed at Central Wisconsin this year they told us that they were planning to have ten interview days (100 applicants) this year. They emphasized (again and again) that they were going to be EXTREMELY conservative on the number of people that they would accept, therefore, the best outcome we would probably get from the interview would be the wait list. I think they want to see all of the applicants before making decisions...so I think that you would have a reasonable chance no matter when you interview.
 
interviewed on 11/18. the school exceeded my expectations and would love to go here...decisions come out on 12/16...3 more weeks of waiting...just want to get into a school before Christmas. Last II received and waitlisted at 2 other schools!!!!!!

so desperate these days lol.
 
Hey guys,

This might be a dumb question, but for those who are accepted, how does one send in the criminal background check or was that sent in automatically via AMCAS? I'm trying to be proactive in getting it in but the process of filling it out and sending it in has confused me even after many Google searches. 😛

Best.
Curious about this too...
 
How can we check our application status? Can someone please link the link to the portal I can't find it anywhere in my email.
 
Secondary invite: july 26
Secondary submitted: Aug 3
II for Milwaukee campus: November 15

Felt this school was a long shot, especially as an OOS applicant but hoping this gives at least one out of state-er some more confidence. Hang in there.

CA-resident
502 MCAT
3.3 cGPA
Underrep. applicant
Got MS degree this year
I'm a CA resident too! Interview Dec. 8th. How did your interview go?
 
Has anyone sent a letter of interest/intent pre-II?

This is my top choice school and I haven't heard back yet so I'm freaking out. Any consensus as to whether or not they even care about LOIs pre-II?

ps. Sorry if someone else has asked this. I briefly browsed through the thread and didn't find anything.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
 
Did anyone who interviewed on 11/18 send thank you notes to admissions? Have they replied saying they added the notes to your file? I sent mine a while back and haven't heard anything yet.
 
Did anyone who interviewed on 11/18 send thank you notes to admissions? Have they replied saying they added the notes to your file? I sent mine a while back and haven't heard anything yet.

Yah, I interviewed on the 18th. I emailed the thank you notes. They did not reply that they added the notes to my file... I think it should be ok.

Dude would be so awesome if we both got accepted. Fingers crossed for 12/16...the wait is KILLING me and I just want to get my first acceptance........SO BADLY!!! I thought my interview went well and the interviewers actually wanted to know me as compared to the other schools I interviewed at and got waitlisted :/...

Good luck!
 
Yah, I interviewed on the 18th. I emailed the thank you notes. They did not reply that they added the notes to my file... I think it should be ok.

Dude would be so awesome if we both got accepted. Fingers crossed for 12/16...the wait is KILLING me and I just want to get my first acceptance........SO BADLY!!! I thought my interview went well and the interviewers actually wanted to know me as compared to the other schools I interviewed at and got waitlisted :/...

Good luck!

Yeah same here, I feel like my interviewers were really sincere about actually getting to know me which was nice. Also hoping for my first acceptance after 2 waitlists, only two more weeks left till we find out!! Best of luck to you too 🙂
 
Has anyone sent a letter of interest/intent pre-II?

This is my top choice school and I haven't heard back yet so I'm freaking out. Any consensus as to whether or not they even care about LOIs pre-II?

ps. Sorry if someone else has asked this. I briefly browsed through the thread and didn't find anything.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
When I sent in my update I added a little paragraph at the end that basically said I'm still extremely interested and I love the school because xyz. Granted, I'm still without an interview. But, I haven't been rejected yet so I don't think it would hurt.
 
When I sent in my update I added a little paragraph at the end that basically said I'm still extremely interested and I love the school because xyz. Granted, I'm still without an interview. But, I haven't been rejected yet so I don't think it would hurt.

Oh okay, thank you so much for responding. When I add my next update I'll be sure to include that then too. 🙂


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
 
I'm a CA resident too! Interview Dec. 8th. How did your interview go?
Haven't had it yet. Interview is January 6th. Good luck and safe travels. If you have any advice about hotels, the area, etc., I'm all ears.
 
When I interviewed at Central Wisconsin this year they told us that they were planning to have ten interview days (100 applicants) this year. They emphasized (again and again) that they were going to be EXTREMELY conservative on the number of people that they would accept, therefore, the best outcome we would probably get from the interview would be the wait list. I think they want to see all of the applicants before making decisions...so I think that you would have a reasonable chance no matter when you interview.
Oh that's great! Thanks for letting me know. Any tips on the interview?
 
Oh that's great! Thanks for letting me know. Any tips on the interview?

I felt like they were really trying to get to know me as a person. They basically asked me to summarize my life (I.e. Experiences) for the first question. They asked what I felt was current trends in medicine, to tell about a time when I felt I was a failure, who my support group was, what I would change about my personality if I could, where I pictured a future medical practice, etc.

They try to make you comfortable even though it is a panel interview (central Wisconsin campus). The rest of the day is either 1:1 or 1:2 sessions Such as learning about the school and community, meeting with the dean, learning style discussion, curriculum explanation, financial aid, etc.
 
Yeah same here, I feel like my interviewers were really sincere about actually getting to know me which was nice. Also hoping for my first acceptance after 2 waitlists, only two more weeks left till we find out!! Best of luck to you too 🙂

2 weeks gone, entering 3rd week of waiting. Think about this probably everyday hoping for MCW acceptance >.<

Please make my dreams to become a doctor come true...no more II's rn!
 
Can anyone who has previously interviewed lend some advice? Interviewing in Milwaukee soon and was wondering if there was a lot of in and out of buildings? I'm out of state and trying to figure out how big of a winter coat I need to bring :laugh:
 
Can anyone who has previously interviewed lend some advice? Interviewing in Milwaukee soon and was wondering if there was a lot of in and out of buildings? I'm out of state and trying to figure out how big of a winter coat I need to bring :laugh:

Nope. Interview will be within the MCW building. You will not be going outside at all. A winter coat if you are planning to check the city. It's absolutely freezing (from CA)...good luck! Hope to be future classmates!
 
Nope. Interview will be within the MCW building. You will not be going outside at all. A winter coat if you are planning to check the city. It's absolutely freezing (from CA)...good luck! Hope to be future classmates!
Woo great thank you!! Such a relief to hear that! Thanks!!
 
Hey guys,

If you've been complete for what feels like forever here and haven't heard anything, it's because their director is on maternity leave and their department is very behind. So don't lose hope. We might have a chance yet!

Hope you're right! I got one more rejection from one of my favorite schools today. Really, really pulling for an II from MCW.
 
Top