2017-2018 Georgetown University

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For those who got accepted here, did you send any post submission updates or LOI? I sent 3 thank you letters but nothing else.
I got accepted elsewhere but this is my dream school and don't know if its too early to send a letter of intent. I interview 11/29.
 
Palibabiix13 said:
For those who got accepted here, did you send any post submission updates or LOI? I sent 3 thank you letters but nothing else.
I got accepted elsewhere but this is my dream school and don't know if its too early to send a letter of intent. I interview 11/29.
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Nothing more sent except thank you letter after interview.
 
Palibabiix13 said:
For those who got accepted here, did you send any post submission updates or LOI? I sent 3 thank you letters but nothing else.
I got accepted elsewhere but this is my dream school and don't know if its too early to send a letter of intent. I interview 11/29.
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I sent in thank you notes to both my interviewer and the office of admissions. Additionally, I sent a couple of updates! Good luck!!
 
I apologize if someone has already asked this question, but if I were to send a Letter of Intent, would I submit that via the Post-Submissions Update tab on the portal or should I email it to someone. I was a bit confused bc the Post-submission update tab won't let me upload anything so it seems kind of unofficial to just type out the letter of intent. Thank you!
 
whatiscollege321 said:
I apologize if someone has already asked this question, but if I were to send a Letter of Intent, would I submit that via the Post-Submissions Update tab on the portal or should I email it to someone. I was a bit confused bc the Post-submission update tab won't let me upload anything so it seems kind of unofficial to just type out the letter of intent. Thank you!
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Their application portal is pretty clear about this. They only accept updates / communications uploaded via the portal (no email/mail), and do not accept attachments.
 
WD9201NY said:
When I submitted an abstract they told me that I couldn't send a pdf and needed to just copy paste the text and insert it.

Also, any mid Nov interviewees hear anything back yet?
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Nothing yet. Interviewed 11/14. Hoping to hear some good news in the next two weeks.
 
ranstopolis said:
Their application portal is pretty clear about this. They only accept updates / communications uploaded via the portal (no email/mail), and do not accept attachments.
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Second this.

I was on the Wait List last year and thought it was strange to type directly into the portal. I used one of my updates as an LOI.

I interviewed in December. WL in Jan. Updates in Feb/Mar/April (make sure you have something important that you changed, do not update for the sake of it. I got in on research, on a service trip, and then published three factors that were light in my AMCAS). LOI in March. Acceptance in May.

Just a hint I received last year from a then current student that worked for both of us: use some of those Latin phrases the Jesuits like—no I’m not kidding as a first year we hear them ALL the time. Poke around the GUSOM website, I won’t write for you but accepting students who fit the mission is a deciding factor for our admissions department.
 
1suomynona said:
Second this.

I was on the Wait List last year and thought it was strange to type directly into the portal. I used one of my updates as an LOI.

I interviewed in December. WL in Jan. Updates in Feb/Mar/April (make sure you have something important that you changed, do not update for the sake of it. I got in on research, on a service trip, and then published three factors that were light in my AMCAS). LOI in March. Acceptance in May.

Just a hint I received last year from a then current student that worked for both of us: use some of those Latin phrases the Jesuits like—no I’m not kidding as a first year we hear them ALL the time. Poke around the GUSOM website, I won’t write for you but accepting students who fit the mission is a deciding factor for our admissions department.
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If you interviewed in December and heard back in January, this must mean that they aren't always sticking to the 8-10 week rule. I interviewed in mid December this year and have heard two conflicting pieces of information on when I'd hear back. I've heard late January and also mid to late February (so 8-10 weeks), so at the moment I'm a bit unsure on when I should expect news.

Something I'd like to ask about as well in case I get waitlisted: would you say letters of interest/intent hold greater weight than application updates when you're on the waitlist? Georgetown sure seems to love those letters of interest/intent and emphasizes fit, but do they really hold greater weight than tangible achievements? What do you think is the best way to get off the waitlist?
 
Rejected, Lizzy M ~73, complete late August. No love from the DC schools for me 🙁 Best of luck to everyone still in consideration!
 
After the interview, was there a spirit of Georgetown talk or did interviewees just check out after their interview and take off?
 
PhilzCoffeeAddict said:
After the interview, was there a spirit of Georgetown talk or did interviewees just check out after their interview and take off?
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After my interview (I was Group A), I was instructed to go to the admissions office and checkout with them before heading off.
 
waitlisted 1/20/18 after interviewing early Dec
time to get cracking on those letters of interest/updates that they like...
 
tomatocarrot said:
waitlisted 1/20/18 after interviewing early Dec
time to get cracking on those letters of interest/updates that they like...
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What day did you interview if you don't mind me asking? You can PM me if you want! I interviewed early Dec as well so I'm super anxious to hear from the school. Thanks!
 
Pharaoh95 said:
If you interviewed in December and heard back in January, this must mean that they aren't always sticking to the 8-10 week rule. I interviewed in mid December this year and have heard two conflicting pieces of information on when I'd hear back. I've heard late January and also mid to late February (so 8-10 weeks), so at the moment I'm a bit unsure on when I should expect news.

Something I'd like to ask about as well in case I get waitlisted: would you say letters of interest/intent hold greater weight than application updates when you're on the waitlist? Georgetown sure seems to love those letters of interest/intent and emphasizes fit, but do they really hold greater weight than tangible achievements? What do you think is the best way to get off the waitlist?
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I think just based on when Christmas break was and that I interviewed on a Monday with ADCOM meetings on Tuesday (last year, not sure about this year) I just got lucky hearing back early. I know the waiting game sucks. Hang in there guys.

Everyone I’ve talked to who got in off the waiting list did write an LOI. Georgetown does emphasize fit and to be fair if I was running a school I would want potential applicants to want to come to my school; and not just one of the thirty schools I applied to... I think if you have five update letters that’s more than enough space to fill with “tangible achievements.”

I can only tell you my experience which included using my time on the waitlist to add to the weak parts of my application (research, non-clinical volunteering) and write a personal LOI that incorporated Georgetown’s mission statement, the greater D.C./Baltimore area, and the individuals I met on my interview day. After that: patience and some luck. I wish I had a better answer but unfortunately the process is flawed and stressful. When I applied I didn’t even hear back from every school, some used silent rejections. Don’t give up hope and remember it only takes one.
 
1suomynona said:
I think just based on when Christmas break was and that I interviewed on a Monday with ADCOM meetings on Tuesday (last year, not sure about this year) I just got lucky hearing back early. I know the waiting game sucks. Hang in there guys.

Everyone I’ve talked to who got in off the waiting list did write an LOI. Georgetown does emphasize fit and to be fair if I was running a school I would want potential applicants to want to come to my school; and not just one of the thirty schools I applied to... I think if you have five update letters that’s more than enough space to fill with “tangible achievements.”

I can only tell you my experience which included using my time on the waitlist to add to the weak parts of my application (research, non-clinical volunteering) and write a personal LOI that incorporated Georgetown’s mission statement, the greater D.C./Baltimore area, and the individuals I met on my interview day. After that: patience and some luck. I wish I had a better answer but unfortunately the process is flawed and stressful. When I applied I didn’t even hear back from every school, some used silent rejections. Don’t give up hope and remember it only takes one.
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Wonderful answer, exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for the motivation and for taking the time!
 
1suomynona said:
I think just based on when Christmas break was and that I interviewed on a Monday with ADCOM meetings on Tuesday (last year, not sure about this year) I just got lucky hearing back early. I know the waiting game sucks. Hang in there guys.

Everyone I’ve talked to who got in off the waiting list did write an LOI. Georgetown does emphasize fit and to be fair if I was running a school I would want potential applicants to want to come to my school; and not just one of the thirty schools I applied to... I think if you have five update letters that’s more than enough space to fill with “tangible achievements.”

I can only tell you my experience which included using my time on the waitlist to add to the weak parts of my application (research, non-clinical volunteering) and write a personal LOI that incorporated Georgetown’s mission statement, the greater D.C./Baltimore area, and the individuals I met on my interview day. After that: patience and some luck. I wish I had a better answer but unfortunately the process is flawed and stressful. When I applied I didn’t even hear back from every school, some used silent rejections. Don’t give up hope and remember it only takes one.
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So that whole interview where I explained why I felt Gtown was a good fit and was even asked "why this school" was just a waste of time? Isn't the interview supposed to be the time the adcom member decides if you are a good fit? I mean why did I even spend all that time and money flying over there if, in the end, they want MORE of your generic "omg I love this school because xyz" fluff? Is this school really that self conscious?
 
flyboy3 said:
So that whole interview where I explained why I felt Gtown was a good fit and was even asked "why this school" was just a waste of time? Isn't the interview supposed to be the time the adcom member decides if you are a good fit? I mean why did I even spend all that time and money flying over there if, in the end, they want MORE of your generic "omg I love this school because xyz" fluff? Is this school really that self conscious?
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While they do sort of throw it in your face, it is a very old and proud school that embraces its historic nature and longstanding traditions. That, coupled with that they seem to receive more apps than a lot of other schools (~14,000 as of one or two years ago), seem to be the reason for this.

I'm not saying I like it - it's a lot to write all these update letters after flying out there to interview - but it does make sense to weed out those not committed enough to write some letters if they get waitlisted and to highlight more potential students that really do want to come here. If you don't care enough to do all this, well there you go, don't do it.
 
Question for people on this thread.. not sure if I should apply here next cycle, but my community service hours will likely total to 215+ hours by June. Will this be enough to be an average candidate in the clinical/nonclinical volunteering category for Georgetown? About 80 out of the 215 hours will be towards teaching ESL adults how to speak English.

I really like Georgetown's mission statement and feel like I align with it, but I want to know if I stand a chance before I apply
 
itsalwayssunny96 said:
Question for people on this thread.. not sure if I should apply here next cycle, but my community service hours will likely total to 215+ hours by June. Will this be enough to be an average candidate in the clinical/nonclinical volunteering category for Georgetown? About 80 out of the 215 hours will be towards teaching ESL adults how to speak English.

I really like Georgetown's mission statement and feel like I align with it, but I want to know if I stand a chance before I apply
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Go for it! I think anything above 200 is above average for them (I think I read that somewhere). But honestly, if you like the mission and stuff you’ll get plenty of opportunities to display that so def apply.
 
flyboy3 said:
So that whole interview where I explained why I felt Gtown was a good fit and was even asked "why this school" was just a waste of time? Isn't the interview supposed to be the time the adcom member decides if you are a good fit? I mean why did I even spend all that time and money flying over there if, in the end, they want MORE of your generic "omg I love this school because xyz" fluff? Is this school really that self conscious?
Click to expand...

I hate that too. I feel they have an inferiority complex. On my interview day, that lady said “I know you all would choose Harvard or Yale over us.” Like wtf. My guess is that they have been turned down for better schools many times in the past, and now they just want to eliminate that or at least reduce it as much as possible. They waitlist a lot of people to a) see where else they’ve been accepted when the report comes out in February and b) to see who really wants to go there. This way they improve their yield.

And like another person said, you either do it because you’re really interested in going there or you don’t. True. I’m personally not interested, but now even less so because of their strange way of doing things.

I got a really weird vibe from that lady on interview day. She just sounded very sarcastic and mean and gave terrible advice. This was my least favorite interview for sure.
 
icedude2010 said:
Go for it! I think anything above 200 is above average for them (I think I read that somewhere). But honestly, if you like the mission and stuff you’ll get plenty of opportunities to display that so def apply.
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Ok good to know! Thanks 🙂
 
flyboy3 said:
So that whole interview where I explained why I felt Gtown was a good fit and was even asked "why this school" was just a waste of time? Isn't the interview supposed to be the time the adcom member decides if you are a good fit? I mean why did I even spend all that time and money flying over there if, in the end, they want MORE of your generic "omg I love this school because xyz" fluff? Is this school really that self conscious?
Click to expand...

While I understand your point I would caution you first of all in assuming that every member of the adcom committee gets that from your interview. Your interviewer presents you to the committee but your updates are added to your file for everyone to have in front of them when thumbing through the waitlist.

Perhaps your experience has been different but I found that after I interviewed at other institutions I would go back and think/write/compare aspects I might have previously overlooked. That’s why I recommended giving yourself some time before immediately writing an LOI. The flip side of that coin is that if you know immediately and fall in love with the school. Go for it.

If you took my answer as advice to use generic, bull **** fluff stuff I apologize. An LOI is not supposed to be generic. It is supposed to be used to let ONE school know if accepted you will attend. I’m assuming you sent applications to a large number of schools. Maybe you received multiple interviews during which you do your best to get into multiple different schools. The point of an LOI is to let A SINGLE school know it’s your top choice and you will attend if selected. Georgetown receives 14,000 applications, Dean McCann gave you the numbers, and shouldn’t take anyone who doesn’t want to be here.

In my LOI I specifically talked about my experience at a Jesuit undergraduate institution that required volunteerism through its own Cura Personalis driven mission in which I worked with a homeless population and that I was excited Georgetown too provided these opportunities at the student run Hoya Clinic at a SE homeless shelter. You can ignore my advice, fine but do not come attacking me for trying to help the community. Good day.
 
mellie0 said:
I hate that too. I feel they have an inferiority complex. On my interview day, that lady said “I know you all would choose Harvard or Yale over us.” Like wtf. My guess is that they have been turned down for better schools many times in the past, and now they just want to eliminate that or at least reduce it as much as possible. They waitlist a lot of people to a) see where else they’ve been accepted when the report comes out in February and b) to see who really wants to go there. This way they improve their yield.

And like another person said, you either do it because you’re really interested in going there or you don’t. True. I’m personally not interested, but now even less so because of their strange way of doing things.

I got a really weird vibe from that lady on interview day. She just sounded very sarcastic and mean and gave terrible advice. This was my least favorite interview for sure.
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Sadly, you’re not the first person I’ve heard this from. Strangely enough during my interview day Miss Sullivan was sick and I never received this talk and therefore can’t speak to it.

I will correct one of your points, in February adcoms receive the multiple acceptance report that lets them know if your are holding another acceptance/how many but not what schools they are. That information only comes after a final decisions (acceptance/rejection) has been tendered.

Lastly, I will agree with you. Wherever you go to school should be somewhere you really want to go do and are excited to spent the next four years of your life at. I did not think I would end up at Georgetown, I had been set on going to my state school where my family had gone to medical school for years yet I hated my interview day there. This is a strange process but follow your gut.
 
Interviewed 12/12 and anxiously awaiting my fate. Anyone who interviewed around mid December hear anything yet?
 
Current students-- where's the best place to live in your opinion? Bored and looking at apartments lol...
 
I interviewed 1-17. A student told me they waitlist the MAJORITY of students because they don’t want people not coming who have been offered a seat to increase their “yield”. However updates/LOI especially according to the schedule you were given on interview day will dramatically increase your chances at admission. If you send all 5, using phrases that match their mission statement you are going to get in, in most cases. The ball is very much in your court here. After the exceptionally long wait that is...
 
Premed2295 said:
I interviewed 1-17. A student told me they waitlist the MAJORITY of students because they don’t want people not coming who have been offered a seat to increase their “yield”. However updates/LOI especially according to the schedule you were given on interview day will dramatically increase your chances at admission. If you send all 5, using phrases that match their mission statement you are going to get in, in most cases. The ball is very much in your court here. After the exceptionally long wait that is...
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I can't remember the exact schedule we were given for sending updates. Does anyone remember????
 
wahoo421 said:
GPA 3.8, MCAT 515. Interviewed on 10/10/17. Got a call from Dean Mitchell last night! Could not be more excited!
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Hi did you have a lot of research experience or extensive EC’s?
 
anyone know if Georgetown is receptive to a LOI post-interview in the 8-10 weeks before admission decisions are made?
 
premed0123 said:
anyone know if Georgetown is receptive to a LOI post-interview in the 8-10 weeks before admission decisions are made?
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I believe at our day they said you certainly can submit any updates or LOI between your interview and the decision. (In fact you can submit unlimited updates before an "admissions offer" is made).
 
icedude2010 said:
I believe at our day they said you certainly can submit any updates or LOI between your interview and the decision. (In fact you can submit unlimited updates before an "admissions offer" is made).
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Yea, I remember them saying we can submit updates. But I am wondering if LOIs are also accepted/could make a difference pre-decision?
 
premed0123 said:
Yea, I remember them saying we can submit updates. But I am wondering if LOIs are also accepted/could make a difference pre-decision?
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Idk how much of a difference it would make, but they seem to live for that kind of stuff at Gtown so I would go for it.
 
hk94 said:
Interviewed early December and anxiously waiting for my inevitable WL email
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I definitely feel ya. Interviewed mid December and anxiously waiting as well. Someone who interviewed early December reported hearing back late January so you should be hearing something real soon I’d imagine.
 
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