2018-2019 George Washington University School of Medicine

[lalalallala]

I actually found that GW was generous with aid. I know many students that received help. Additionally, there are a ton of scholarship opportunities once you matriculate.

By scholarships: do you mean outside scholarships that schools list on their financial aid pages to help their students apply to? Most med students I have talked to imply that these are usually really specific and not a lot of money. Or do you mean GW has specific scholarships that really help?

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[MomJeansandDadJorts]

I wish I knew how to study a bunch of material really quickly. Still figuring this out. My advice to you is to have fun before coming here and make sure to bring an iron. Also figure out how to stay organized. Buy a calendar or a notebook or whatever.

I saw somewhere that GW uses NBME subject exams for their finals. Do you find this as a positive? And for midterms and quizzes, do they try to keep it related to STEP material or do you get random small details a PhD may find important but isn’t as clinically relevant?

 

[drgweeds]

By scholarships: do you mean outside scholarships that schools list on their financial aid pages to help their students apply to? Most med students I have talked to imply that these are usually really specific and not a lot of money. Or do you mean GW has specific scholarships that really help?

Both exist. They forward announcements from outside scholarships and then open up scholarships that you become eligible as you progress.

 

[drgweeds]

I saw somewhere that GW uses NBME subject exams for their finals. Do you find this as a positive? And for midterms and quizzes, do they try to keep it related to STEP material or do you get random small details a PhD may find important but isn’t as clinically relevant?

This is a good question. I would not say that the NBME exams are used as final exams. Yes, they do occur at the end of the block, but they are not meant to be used as an in house assessment of the class. They are graded, but really they should be used as a tool to see how you would do with board-style questions. I would say each regular exam we take is its own "final" exam. I find both types of exams very helpful.

As to your second question, I think the regular exams can be all over the place. Some questions may be very reflective of board questions, some of them won't. Different professors will submit different questions, some of which are for clinical completeness, which may or not be helpful if your mind is solely on step. I would say that I think it's great to be tested on a variety of things, especially since you aren't going to medical school just to learn how to pass step1. You are going to medical school to learn medicine.

 

[subdermallight]

This is a good question. I would not say that the NBME exams are used as final exams. Yes, they do occur at the end of the block, but they are not meant to be used as an in house assessment of the class. They are graded, but really they should be used as a tool to see how you would do with board-style questions. I would say each regular exam we take is its own "final" exam. I find both types of exams very helpful.

As to your second question, I think the regular exams can be all over the place. Some questions may be very reflective of board questions, some of them won't. Different professors will submit different questions, some of which are for clinical completeness, which may or not be helpful if your mind is solely on step. I would say that I think it's great to be tested on a variety of things, especially since you aren't going to medical school just to learn how to pass step1. You are going to medical school to learn medicine.

In other schools I’ve heard students say that classes weren’t all that useful a decent amount of the time and they had to be mainly self-learners to score well on the tests. Do you find it’s like that GW to any significant degree? Do you like your professors and the way they teach?

 

[drgweeds]

In other schools I’ve heard students say that classes weren’t all that useful a decent amount of the time and they had to be mainly self-learners to score well on the tests. Do you find it’s like that GW to any significant degree? Do you like your professors and the way they teach?

It really depends on who you are personally and what your optimal learning environment is. I think that in general, you need to be a good self-learner. Because we are in professional school, there is an expectation that we go out of our way to look up things that don't make sense. Lol I remember this year, we had one of our first lung lectures and the lecturer kept using the word "parenchyma" with the presumption that we have already encountered it before. Half of us were like wtf even is that. Some of us had to look it up while others kinda kept going until it was later clarified. Anyway, the point is that sometimes the material in lecture may be beyond where you are at personally, but you need to be resourceful enough to find help through other methods. My experience is that I mainly use the lecture and lecture slides to prepare for the exams. I think they are the best resource at GW. But I also supplement with some outside material when there are gaps or when I feel that lecturers didn't explain it well enough for me. I have been doing very well using this structure. However when it comes to the NBME, I kind of flip it.

As for liking the professors, I think GW has really great faculty. There is faculty here for everyone, meaning that you get a lot of different personalities. Right now we are in our cardio, pulm, renal block and the professors are awesome. The block directors right now are phenomenal and should be used as examples for curricula everywhere. Like every medical school, there are faculty members that are stellar lecturers and then there are members who you may personally not like the way they teach. With that said, I find that all of them are really excited to be with students, so going to lecture is never a terrible experience.

 

[subdermallight]

It really depends on who you are personally and what your optimal learning environment is. I think that in general, you need to be a good self-learner. Because we are in professional school, there is an expectation that we go out of our way to look up things that don't make sense. Lol I remember this year, we had one of our first lung lectures and the lecturer kept using the word "parenchyma" with the presumption that we have already encountered it before. Half of us were like wtf even is that. Some of us had to look it up while others kinda kept going until it was later clarified. Anyway, the point is that sometimes the material in lecture may be beyond where you are at personally, but you need to be resourceful enough to find help through other methods. My experience is that I mainly use the lecture and lecture slides to prepare for the exams. I think they are the best resource at GW. But I also supplement with some outside material when there are gaps or when I feel that lecturers didn't explain it well enough for me. I have been doing very well using this structure. However when it comes to the NBME, I kind of flip it.

As for liking the professors, I think GW has really great faculty. There is faculty here for everyone, meaning that you get a lot of different personalities. Right now we are in our cardio, pulm, renal block and the professors are awesome. The block directors right now are phenomenal and should be used as examples for curricula everywhere. Like every medical school, there are faculty members that are stellar lecturers and then there are members who you may personally not like the way they teach. With that said, I find that all of them are really excited to be with students, so going to lecture is never a terrible experience.

Thanks for all the wonderful information, that makes a lot of sense. I got a follow-up question for you if you’ve got time. It seems you are really happy with the blocks and the systems-based curriculum. Given what you may have heard about traditional curriculum (anatomy all at once, etc.), would you personally make systems-based curriculum a significant deciding factor compared to a school that does traditional?

One school I’m deciding between does traditional and it seems like it sucks but I hear mixed things and people say it’s all the same anyway.. and not to make it important. But I am torn about this

 

[drgweeds]

Thanks for all the wonderful information, that makes a lot of sense. I got a follow-up question for you if you’ve got time. It seems you are really happy with the blocks and the systems-based curriculum. Given what you may have heard about traditional curriculum (anatomy all at once, etc.), would you personally make systems-based curriculum a significant deciding factor compared to a school that does traditional?

One school I’m deciding between does traditional and it seems like it sucks but I hear mixed things and people say it’s all the same anyway.. and not to make it important. But I am torn about this

Sure. Yeah, I would say that I'm pretty content with the curriculum structure, which is essentially an organ-based block curriculum with integrated disciplines (e.g. pulmonary covers, physiology, pharm, histology, micro/immuno, anatomy, pathology, clinical) There certainly can be modifications, and actually, the administration has been very receptive to incorporating student feedback and student voice into future planning, but I don't have very much to complain about.

When I was in your shoes, I didn't think that the curriculum break down was very important at all. Like it wasn't a priority since I figured we would all learn everything either way, plus there were more important factors to me such as extra-curricular opportunities for enrichment. I think my perspective has changed a bit. I do not think I personally would have done well in a curriculum that doesn't group things together in a way that is relevant. I can't imagine learning all of the human anatomy without any context of normal physiology and abnormal pathology. I think it would be very meaningless. Having things grouped in organ systems allows you to make connections, which promotes learning and retainment. For example, one thing I loved about the organ-systems approach is learning about basic cardiac physiology. Then building on the microanatomy to understand the cardiac tissue a bit more. Then learning about ischemia and infarctions and what that would look like on histology and in the clinic. Then finally actually going into the lab and visualizing the tissue, holding it in your hands, and appreciating the structures, elasticity or compliance of the tissue, and finally getting an orientation of the organ. Its really wild actually, and I don't think you can get that experience without an integrated curriculum that's grouped into systems.

Luckily for me, most of the programs I applied to used this approach, but if I could go back, I would have put more emphasis on the curriculum. Then again, it all depends on what you like and what you think would be best. Some people could care less. At the end of the day, it's just 2 years - I happen to love mine so far... Just make sure that you can do well on the boards.

 

[roundaboutroute]

Curious, anything about GW you didn’t like as much?

Honestly, no. Interview day was great. Interview was laid back and I really enjoyed the conversation topics. I also really liked the students and faculty I met. And the facility is amazing. I suppose if I had to find something - the program I ended up accepting is ranked a bit higher, but that's maybe a sliver of importance to me. I primarily gave up my seat because it made sense geographically for me to be on the West Coast due to a number of personal factors.

 

[potatoMD]

Does anybody know how GW is about deferral requests? Couldn't find any information on their website.

Would they let you defer after getting accepted from the alternate list?

 

[lalalallala]

Does anybody know how GW is about deferral requests? Couldn't find any information on their website.

Would they let you defer after getting accepted from the alternate list?

many schools do not accept deferrals off the waitlist because that really defeats the point of the waitlist (to try to fill the class)

 

[keke42]

Does anyone know if there has been any WL movement yet or when it will start?

 

[bobbitybob]

Alternate list this morning interviewed 2/5

 

[Anonymoose_65]

Does anyone know if there has been any WL movement yet or when it will start?

I believe that, technically, anyone who has not been accepted or rejected has been deferred a decision.
They recently sent out a request for updated information and a letter of interest, due by April 2nd. Anyone who hasn't submitted a letter of interest by then is automatically rejected. It seems like a way to get an early start on this "Choose Your Medical School" process.

Sometime after April 2nd, we should see more straight-up acceptances, rejections, and a ranked waitlist as they will have a better idea of what they are dealing with.

 

[ChickRick16]

I believe that, technically, anyone who has not been accepted or rejected has been deferred a decision.
They recently sent out a request for updated information and a letter of interest, due by April 2nd. Anyone who hasn't submitted a letter of interest by then is automatically rejected. It seems like a way to get an early start on this "Choose Your Medical School" process.

Sometime after April 2nd, we should see more straight-up acceptances, rejections, and a ranked waitlist as they will have a better idea of what they are dealing with.

GW’s waitlist is not ranked.

 

[subdermallight]

Sure. Yeah, I would say that I'm pretty content with the curriculum structure, which is essentially an organ-based block curriculum with integrated disciplines (e.g. pulmonary covers, physiology, pharm, histology, micro/immuno, anatomy, pathology, clinical) There certainly can be modifications, and actually, the administration has been very receptive to incorporating student feedback and student voice into future planning, but I don't have very much to complain about.

When I was in your shoes, I didn't think that the curriculum break down was very important at all. Like it wasn't a priority since I figured we would all learn everything either way, plus there were more important factors to me such as extra-curricular opportunities for enrichment. I think my perspective has changed a bit. I do not think I personally would have done well in a curriculum that doesn't group things together in a way that is relevant. I can't imagine learning all of the human anatomy without any context of normal physiology and abnormal pathology. I think it would be very meaningless. Having things grouped in organ systems allows you to make connections, which promotes learning and retainment. For example, one thing I loved about the organ-systems approach is learning about basic cardiac physiology. Then building on the microanatomy to understand the cardiac tissue a bit more. Then learning about ischemia and infarctions and what that would look like on histology and in the clinic. Then finally actually going into the lab and visualizing the tissue, holding it in your hands, and appreciating the structures, elasticity or compliance of the tissue, and finally getting an orientation of the organ. Its really wild actually, and I don't think you can get that experience without an integrated curriculum that's grouped into systems.

Luckily for me, most of the programs I applied to used this approach, but if I could go back, I would have put more emphasis on the curriculum. Then again, it all depends on what you like and what you think would be best. Some people could care less. At the end of the day, it's just 2 years - I happen to love mine so far... Just make sure that you can do well on the boards.

Also how do you feel about the study spaces and the building/general facilities? I’m kind of blanking out from my interview.

 

[drgweeds]

Also how do you feel about the study spaces and the building/general facilities? I’m kind of blanking out from my interview.

Personally, I'm fine with the study spaces, but if GW could set some money aside for renovations, I think the student body would throw a week-long festival. First-floor lecture room is okay, but I prefer tables rather than tiny swivel desks. The second floor has a continuous desk table set up, which is superior. Typically, the second floor is for second-year student lectures until they go bye bye for step studying. Right now first years have the 2nd floor to themselves, which was a game changer hahaha.

 

[FKJ123]

Has anyone been accepted off the waitlist yet?

 

[YeneDoctor]

That's not likely to happen before April 30.

 

[pm_me_fortnite_highlights]

Can anyone confirm or deny that the admissions office has sent out merit scholarships yet?

They have

 

[potatoMD]

many schools do not accept deferrals off the waitlist because that really defeats the point of the waitlist (to try to fill the class)

I figured but still curious how GW would handle these situations haha

Does anyone know of their general deferral policy though? No info on their website

 

[formerDore7]

I figured but still curious how GW would handle these situations haha

Does anyone know of their general deferral policy though? No info on their website

Someone asked at an info session that I attended, and the representative made their stance sound very vague. For the obvious reasons, they try not to grant deferrals (makes the math harder the next year b/c you have to take the people who deferred into account, etc), but it wasn't a hard no. I think that this answer was in reply to anyone asking for a deferral (not specific to someone who was taken off the waitlist)

 

[impasta_syndrome]

I saw on last year's thread that some people on the alternate list spoke on the phone or in person with a member of the admissions committee to express interest-- does anyone have any information on this?

 

[Zombiegirl]

GW’s waitlist is not ranked.

I heard GWs waitlist is ranked “secretly” and won’t change much after you first get waitlisted. They keep it under close wraps so no one ever knows their ranking. At least, that’s what I’ve been told by a recently graduated student (who was involved in admissions) so idk.

 

[md2beprobably]

made an account just for this thread.... has anyone from the 2/5 interview heard back yet?

 

[bobbitybob]

made an account just for this thread.... has anyone from the 2/5 interview heard back yet?

yea, alternate list

 

[Lucille Ball]

If I'm an alternate and want to have my boss submit a letter of recommendation - what is the best way to go about it? Should I have them email medadmit? Should I upload the doc as an update? Is there a set protocol?

 

[Harambe]

If I'm an alternate and want to have my boss submit a letter of recommendation - what is the best way to go about it? Should I have them email medadmit? Should I upload the doc as an update? Is there a set protocol?

I'm pretty sure all letters need to be sent through AMCAS, and I honestly don't think a letter of recommendation this late into the game will help / may be perceived as desperate. If you know anyone at GW though, I'd probably ask them to get their perspective

 

[pm_me_fortnite_highlights]

I'm pretty sure all letters need to be sent through AMCAS, and I honestly don't think a letter of recommendation this late into the game will help / may be perceived as desperate. If you know anyone at GW though, I'd probably ask them to get their perspective

Rest in peace man miss u every day

 

[patronj]

yea, alternate list

+1

 

[anavocadothanks]

In years past, has GW accepted many people off the alternate list/do you guys think there will be movement this year?

 

[Anonymoose_65]

I heard GWs waitlist is ranked “secretly” and won’t change much after you first get waitlisted. They keep it under close wraps so no one ever knows their ranking. At least, that’s what I’ve been told by a recently graduated student (who was involved in admissions) so idk.

Maybe I'm thinking about this the wrong way but every wait list must be ranked, at least internally, right? It's not like they pull a name out of a hat. What are some of ways that schools approach their wait list?
I guess when applicants say "Ranked Wait List" it means that we told a number.

 

[guacalot]

Maybe I'm thinking about this the wrong way but every wait list must be ranked, at least internally, right? It's not like they pull a name out of a hat. What are some of ways that schools approach their wait list?
I guess when applicants say "Ranked Wait List" it means that we told a number.

I mean with about 800ish of us on the waitlist, they have to have at least stratified us all into tiers.

 

[noddy1234]

What are people (in my case, guys) wearing for second look? Did they specify any kind of dress code?

 

[drgweeds]

What are people (in my case, guys) wearing for second look? Did they specify any kind of dress code?

Dress business causal for the day and business for the reception. Or dress business for the whole day. The reception is fancy.

 

[noddy1234]

Dress business causal for the day and business for the reception. Or dress business for the whole day. The reception is fancy.

This is gonna make me sound dumb af but... what does business casual mean to you guys?

 

[pm_me_fortnite_highlights]

This is gonna make me sound dumb af but... what does business casual mean to you guys?

Jacket and slacks, no tie. Pretty sure there’s a photo album on a GW website or Facebook page from last year if you wanna see what people wore before

 

[golgi body]

Any late February interviewers hear back yet or know when we might hear?

 

[jilk]

Any late February interviewers hear back yet or know when we might hear?

Yeah late Feb interview checking in. Heard the other week I got alt listed. Thought the interview went well because one of them lasted an hour, but that's what happens.

 

[golgi body]

Yeah late Feb interview checking in. Heard the other week I got alt listed. Thought the interview went well because one of them lasted an hour, but that's what happens.

Sorry to hear what date?

 

[jilk]

Sorry to hear what date?

Feb 22 was the interview
March 25 when I heard back

It's cool though. I'm sure something will pull through when traffic day comes

 

[Mr.MonsoonTheSquirrel]

Interviewed 2/21 but still haven't heard back... hmm

 

[golgi body]

Alt listed

 

[gbuech1486]

Alt listed

There's still hope! I'm guessing there will be a lot of WL movement this year. When did you interview?

 

[golgi body]

There's still hope! I'm guessing there will be a lot of WL movement this year. When did you interview?

Late feb. I definitely hope there is movement. I just know GWs WL is so large

 

[gbuech1486]

Late feb. I definitely hope there is movement. I just know GWs WL is so large

Just gotta maintain hope! Were you around Feb 28/29 or earlier?

 

[golgi body]

Just gotta maintain hope! Were you around Feb 28/29 or earlier?

Yeah I was on one of those dates

 

[Peacock410]

For those in the alternate pool, what do you make of the “statement of interest” portion of the requested information? Is that like a paragraph? A letter? Or just like “yes, I am interested.”

 

[brownsugarqueen]

For those in the alternate pool, what do you make of the “statement of interest” portion of the requested information? Is that like a paragraph? A letter? Or just like “yes, I am interested.”

Whatever you did it’s too late now it was due at 5pm

 

[Peacock410]

The email says April 5th for me