2018-2019 Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine

[Lucca]

---

Members don't see this ad.

1. Have you already completed your undergraduate education, have you had your college or graduate education interrupted, or do you plan not to be a full-time student during your application year? If you select "yes," this question appears: Describe in chronological order your activities during the time(s) when you were not enrolled as a full-time student. (2000 char limit)

2. (optional) Describe a time or situation where you have been unsuccessful or failed. (3000 char limit)

3. (optional) Is there anything else you would like to share with the Committee on Admissions? Some applicants use this space to describe unique experiences and obstacles such as significant challenges in access to education, unusual socioeconomic factors, and/or identification with a particular culture, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity. (3000 char limit)

MSTP:

Briefly describe the area of research you would like to explore in graduate school. (1800 chars)

Good luck to everyone applying!

Interview Feedback: Washington University-St. Louis School of Medicine

 

[deleted787552]

How are people writing answers to the "Describe in chronological order your activities during the time(s) when you were not enrolled as a full-time student." question? I can't figure out how to put all the stuff in chronological order since multiple things are happening around the same time

 

[premedthrowaway]

How are people writing answers to the "Describe in chronological order your activities during the time(s) when you were not enrolled as a full-time student." question? I can't figure out how to put all the stuff in chronological order since multiple things are happening around the same time

I just answered by describing what I'm doing during my gap year.

 

[deleted787552]

I just answered by describing what I'm doing during my gap year.

Did you just list them or make it all flowy like a real essay

 

[premedthrowaway]

Did you just list them or make it all flowy like a real essay

I wrote like a real essay, just because that's what I've been doing for all of my "gap year" secondaries. I don't think it matters too much either way.

 

[ginnyweasleymd]

Just got the email to fill out the secondary, copied+pasted from their portal:

1. Have you already completed your undergraduate education, have you had your college or graduate education interrupted, or do you plan not to be a full-time student during your application year? If you select "yes," this question appears: Describe in chronological order your activities during the time(s) when you were not enrolled as a full-time student. (2000 char limit)

2. (optional) Describe a time or situation where you have been unsuccessful or failed. (3000 char limit)

3. (optional) Is there anything else you would like to share with the Committee on Admissions? Some applicants use this space to describe unique experiences and obstacles such as significant challenges in access to education, unusual socioeconomic factors, and/or identification with a particular culture, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity. (3000 char limit)

Good luck everyone!

 

[themillenial]

Just got this secondary! How long does it take for them to receive our LORs? (I guess this applies to every other secondary I got too cause none of them have my letters yet)

 

[Lucca]

Just got this secondary! How long does it take for them to receive our LORs? (I guess this applies to every other secondary I got too cause none of them have my letters yet)

If your letters are already in AMCAS it's only a matter of time. Everyone is in the exact same boat so dont worry about it

 

[lococola]

How truly optional are the "optional" essays? I don't have anything too compelling for the failure one, so I'm probably leaving that one blank.

I'm thinking about plugging my diversity essay into the "anything you'd like to add" prompt, but they seem to be hinting that they want something to do with race/culture/socioeconomic diversity, which mine has nothing to do with. How are you all going about this?

I'm in the same boat, would love to get opinions on this

 

[aleezard21]

Did anyone else see on the portal that secondaries don't open until July 10th? I'm unsure if this means we can't submit until then or they don't start reviewing until then or what.

 

[theKingLT]

How truly optional are the "optional" essays? I don't have anything too compelling for the failure one, so I'm probably leaving that one blank.

I'm thinking about plugging my diversity essay into the "anything you'd like to add" prompt, but they seem to be hinting that they want something to do with race/culture/socioeconomic diversity, which mine has nothing to do with. How are you all going about this?

I think those are just suggestions. If you have a compelling diversity essay that doesn't fit one of those categories I would still go ahead and put it. Especially if it's something not well described in your primary

 

[rainyrain]

Should I be concerned if I haven't received a secondary yet? I know it's supposed to be automatic? Primary submitted 6/03, verified 6/19.

 

[imdrbrightside]

Should I be concerned if I haven't received a secondary yet? I know it's supposed to be automatic? Primary submitted 6/03, verified 6/19.

I also have not received a secondary..

 

[Pickles13]

How truly optional are the "optional" essays? I don't have anything too compelling for the failure one, so I'm probably leaving that one blank.

I'm thinking about plugging my diversity essay into the "anything you'd like to add" prompt, but they seem to be hinting that they want something to do with race/culture/socioeconomic diversity, which mine has nothing to do with. How are you all going about this?

I think you should consider writing the failure essay. Is there really nothing in your life at which you have been unsuccessful? You say you don't have anything too compelling, but I bet if you think a bit harder, you'll find something! If you dig a little, that essay could be a great opportunity to show introspection and how you handle setbacks. That essay should be compelling not because of the failure itself - it will be compelling because of what you learned about yourself and how you took steps to improve. Btw, that tip comes from my advisor, who is an adcom at a top 10 med school.

Plus, if you're applying to Duke, you'll have to write that essay anyways (about the same length too)! Well, as long as the prompts stay the same

 

[CheeseIsLife]

Even though the essays are both listed as "optional", I think WashU wants us to answer at least one.

 

[rainyrain]

I also have not received a secondary..

I just received mine today! Hopefully you will get yours soon as well 🙂

 

[imdrbrightside]

I just received mine today! Hopefully you will get yours soon as well 🙂

I did today as well!!!

 

[deleted787552]

Finally submitted it! This school sounds hardcore lol. They have you consenting to drug screens already

 

[theKingLT]

What are y'all calling WashU in your essays? WashU? Washington University?

 

[thenotoriousone]

What are y'all calling WashU in your essays? WashU? Washington University?

WUSM

 

[deleted787552]

WUSM

What are y'all calling WashU in your essays? WashU? Washington University?

Aw crap. I forgot WUSM was a thing. Oh well too late now. I wrote WUSTL

 

[Wahkoon]

Aw crap. I forgot WUSM was a thing. Oh well too late now. I wrote WUSTL

Their address is literally WUSTL. Don't worry too much.

 

[ginnyweasleymd]

Aw crap. I forgot WUSM was a thing. Oh well too late now. I wrote WUSTL

I went to Wash U for undergrad and did research at the med school, we're used to being called all sorts of things lol. I'm sure any of the aforementioned abbreviations is fine

 

[letsgetstarted1234]

are you guys using close to all 3000 characters?

im barely halfway for some of these.

also for the "what did you do after graduating" question i just have a few lines lol

 

[Wahkoon]

are you guys using close to all 3000 characters?

im barely halfway for some of these.

also for the "what did you do after graduating" question i just have a few lines lol

Don’t draw out gap year prompts. For instance, SLU has 10,000 characters for theirs. No. These numbers are by no means a goal.

As for the remaining prompts, don’t feel the need to fill up the limit. Write what you need to; nothing more nothing less. I am planning to submit the challenge and optional with around 1500-2000 characters each.

 

[theKingLT]

are you guys using close to all 3000 characters?

im barely halfway for some of these.

also for the "what did you do after graduating" question i just have a few lines lol

I have 2500 chars for the failure essay and a short 600 chars on my ties to the city and school for the "anything else you would like to share" part. I wouldn't worry much about being under limit. The last thing adcoms want is to read a bunch of bs rambling to fill space. They'll probably appreciate concise responses anyways

 

[bmac7]

For anyone that has submitted, does it still say your LORs have not been received?

 

[dancedoc1]

For anyone that has submitted, does it still say your LORs have not been received?

yes mine says the same!

 

[BillDugRomans]

Any update on LORs?

 

[tanbrucewayne]

Any update on LORs?

I was marked complete on 7/6

 

[dancedoc1]

Any update on LORs?

I submitted 7/10 and was complete today

 

[bmac7]

I was marked complete on 7/6

Does yours still say it? Mine does and I'm trying to decide if I should email them or just wait

 

[aleezard21]

I submitted 7/10 and was complete today

I submitted 7/11 still waiting for LORs

 

[zimzamzoop]

"(optional) Is there anything else you would like to share with the Committee on Admissions? Some applicants use this space to describe unique experiences and obstacles such as significant challenges in access to education, unusual socioeconomic factors, and/or identification with a particular culture, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity. (3000 char limit)"

For the above prompt, do you all think it's ok if I adapt my challenge essay? The experience was moderately unique and involved a pretty cool activity from my primary that I expand upon. I just didn't know if this qualifies as a "unique experience or obstacle" since they ones they highlight in the prompt deal more with identity and diversity.

 

[BillDugRomans]

"(optional) Is there anything else you would like to share with the Committee on Admissions? Some applicants use this space to describe unique experiences and obstacles such as significant challenges in access to education, unusual socioeconomic factors, and/or identification with a particular culture, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity. (3000 char limit)"

For the above prompt, do you all think it's ok if I adapt my challenge essay? The experience was moderately unique and involved a pretty cool activity from my primary that I expand upon. I just didn't know if this qualifies as a "unique experience or obstacle" since they ones they highlight in the prompt deal more with identity and diversity.

It's probably fine, the actual prompt asks for "anything else" and while they do give examples that deal with personal identity it also says "Unique experiences and obstacles" so I'd imagine your prompt would be pretty on the money.

 

[Sheiko]

Just got an email saying my app is compelte and under review!

 

[swiftimpetuous]

MSTP people, for the area of research question are you including potential PhD mentors, or just a general statement of research interests?

 

[Lucca]

MSTP people, for the area of research question are you including potential PhD mentors, or just a general statement of research interests?

I kept it general

 

[zimzamzoop]

Went to submit my application and the payment system does not seem to be working. When I click "Proceed to Payment" I just get a blank page of simple text that says an unexpected error occurred. Guess I'm submitting tomorrow morning instead 😛

 

[crimsontidefan]

Just submitted today. If it says that my LORs haven't been received, is that cause for alarm or should I just wait?

 

[reddyice]

Just submitted today. If it says that my LORs haven't been received, is that cause for alarm or should I just wait?

Mine aren't either, just gotta wait for them to download

 

[Lucca]

Just submitted today. If it says that my LORs haven't been received, is that cause for alarm or should I just wait?

Yah can take a couple of days

 

[reddyice]

Complete, submitted this morning 7/16

 

[curkholderia]

Went to submit my application and the payment system does not seem to be working. When I click "Proceed to Payment" I just get a blank page of simple text that says an unexpected error occurred. Guess I'm submitting tomorrow morning instead 😛

same last night. its fixed now tho

 

[rejectedoncealready]

Should I be concerned if I haven't gotten a secondary yet? LizzyM ~ 82

 

[deleted787552]

Should I be concerned if I haven't gotten a secondary yet? LizzyM ~ 82

Probably not. They’re most likely sending them out in batches since there’s no screen. I got one with a 71/72 score

 

[theKingLT]

Should I be concerned if I haven't gotten a secondary yet? LizzyM ~ 82

Definitely not. Wash U loves those high stats. You're secondary will come

 

[imdrbrightside]

So, the consensus is-don't panic and email admissions if you submitted and your letters are marked as not received?

 

[sherlock_obsessed_m&m]

For the "anything else you would like to share with the Committee on Admissions" question, would it be too out there to write a response completely unrelated to their suggestions? Would leaving it blank be better?

 

[theKingLT]

For the "anything else you would like to share with the Committee on Admissions" question, would it be too out there to write a response completely unrelated to their suggestions? Would leaving it blank be better?

I wrote about my connection to st louis (where I grew up). I kept it short though so as not to annoy anyone with a useless 3000 characters