Gems 2010-11

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Did any for you guys who applied to GEMS also apply to Georgetown's SMP? If accepted into both, which would you attend and why? Would GEMS be the better option if your goal is the attend Georgetown's SOM, and the SMP for more opportunities?
 
Thanks DoctorElegant.

Could someone plz tell me what exactly these two questions are asking??

"Have you ever defaulted on educational loans?"

"Have financial considerations been a factor in your educational experience?"
--> Are they asking whether I chose a school based on costs, or whether finance affected my academic performance???
 
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i am really trying to find the push to do this app... TMDSAS.. AMCAS.. 5 tx school 2ndaries. 20 amcas 2ndaries..and a few postbacc apps b4 this.. i am really running low on motivation to write any more essays..especially with the low reception i received so far..
 
Thanks DoctorElegant.

Could someone plz tell me what exactly these two questions are asking??

"Have you ever defaulted on educational loans?"

"Have financial considerations been a factor in your educational experience?"
--> Are they asking whether I chose a school based on costs, or whether finance affected my academic performance???
No problem Athens!

I would also contact the GEMS staff to get more information about your questions but here are my thoughts:
1. If you had an existing educational loan, did you ever miss a payment on it?
2. I believe you could state both of your reasons you had mentioned.
 
This is my first time posting, but I've been lurking around for awhile (hi everyone!)

Currently applying to schools this cycle, but no interviews. 🙁...I just received the brochure for this program and I'm definitely applying...hope to finish by the end of the weekend
 
Did any for you guys who applied to GEMS also apply to Georgetown's SMP? If accepted into both, which would you attend and why? Would GEMS be the better option if your goal is the attend Georgetown's SOM, and the SMP for more opportunities?

After going through the program myself and knowing a bunch of SMP kids and looking at the percentages I would probably choose GEMS if your goal is to come to Georgetown.

1. You have 180 SMP kids and 20-30 GEMS so you definitely get more personalized attention and guidance from the program coordinators. GEMS is a family.
2. 70% acceptance to Georgetown for GEMS while only 20-30 SMPs get in from 180 kids (they interview top 30% or something of SMP class)
3. Not only does GEMS prepare you for med school, it prepares you for the wards and how to act professionally. So it's an experience that will impact your life far more than just getting into med school.

However, I should caution you that the program is highly structured and you gotta do it their way, not your way. So it's gonna be 1 full year of busting your ass but if you succeed then you come out not only as an M1 at Georgetown but a better person as well.
 
Did any for you guys who applied to GEMS also apply to Georgetown's SMP? If accepted into both, which would you attend and why? Would GEMS be the better option if your goal is the attend Georgetown's SOM, and the SMP for more opportunities?

If you qualify for GEMS, definitely do it over SMP. I think you'll just have a much nicer peer group, with a lot more support. The SMP's seem to be very much more neurotic and stressed in comparison. Plus, you really don't want to be taking the neuroanatomy cram-class or the trivia-fest that is MIM.
 
this thread is awfully quiet!! anyone else applying this year? 🙂
 
Just found the thread.. applied here too, sent in my app last week, havent gotten confirmation yet.. I'm a florida resident, living in silver spring MD now, with a masters from USF.
 
Has anyone received confirmation regarding secondary applications?
 
For the people that received a confirmation postcard...was your entire application sent in (including recommendations) or did you just send in your application?
 
Got postcard on 3/12 as well... sent in my entire packet on the 1st, and recs followed a week after.
 
Got postcard on 3/12 as well... sent in my entire packet on the 1st, and recs followed a week after.

Oh Ok well it seems they don't send you the confirmation postcard unless your recs are received...I just sent my last rec on Friday so then I'll just have to wait now. Thanks!
 
For the people that received a confirmation postcard...was your entire application sent in (including recommendations) or did you just send in your application?

I wasn't sure how long it would take my recommendations to get there, so I had them sent a couple days before I sent my GEMS app
 
App submitted too. Still waiting on confirmation postcard though...
 
Man you guys are really quiet over here. Last year's class was more talkative. Where everybody at?
 
Man you guys are really quiet over here. Last year's class was more talkative. Where everybody at?

I'm here! this is the only thread I post in...lol. So the deadline just passed...really really hoping for that call! :xf:
 
Yes this forum has been pretty quite lately, so let me ask some open questions. What are some of your plans if, and only if, the GEMS opportunity doesn't work out? Also, what were your undergraduate majors??
 
Yes this forum has been pretty quite lately, so let me ask some open questions. What are some of your plans if, and only if, the GEMS opportunity doesn't work out? Also, what were your undergraduate majors??
Sup ddogark, If the GEMS opportunity doesnt work out then I might try to applying to grad school to enhance my academic grades. I majored in Exercise physiology. What about u?
 
Does anyone know the time-frame of when the GEMS committee will be sending out interview invites?
 
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Sup ddogark, If the GEMS opportunity doesnt work out then I might try to applying to grad school to enhance my academic grades. I majored in Exercise physiology. What about u?


Pretty much the same idea on my end lol. I applied to a few Master in Medical Sciences Programs, so hopefully I will be going somewhere this fall. I majored in Biological Sciences, typical, and minored in Chemistry. I almost majored in ExPhys, but decided to stick with bio.
 
It's tough to be in this situation cuz everything is so damn uncertain. But I guess once admitted into one of these programs then the chances getting into medical school enhance.
 
Does anyone know the time-frame of when the GEMS committee will be sending out interview invites?

Looking through the forums from the last couple of cycles, most interview calls were during the first full week of April.

It's tough to be in this situation cuz everything is so damn uncertain. But I guess once admitted into one of these programs then the chances getting into medical school enhance.

Yeah this is true. My stress level has been pretty intense over the last few months due to the uncertainty. But, we got to keep the drive going. Take one step at a time.
 
Yes this forum has been pretty quite lately, so let me ask some open questions. What are some of your plans if, and only if, the GEMS opportunity doesn't work out? Also, what were your undergraduate majors??

Hey ddogark! If I don't get into GEMS, I'd also apply to some grad programs, but also may look into a clinical research position. I majored in neuroscience.
 
Hey ddogark! If I don't get into GEMS, I'd also apply to some grad programs, but also may look into a clinical research position. I majored in neuroscience.

Okay. Neuroscience, WOW!!! How was it?? My school didn't offered any majors that diverged from Biology other than environmental biology.
 
Okay. Neuroscience, WOW!!! How was it?? My school didn't offered any majors that diverged from Biology other than environmental biology.

I loved it. There were a couple classes that I could've done without, but overall it's great!
 
Does anyone know the time-frame of when the GEMS committee will be sending out interview invites?

There will be 2 interview sessions. One in April and another in May. Typically, around 20-25 people in each group. They usually contact those farthest from DC first and then DC/MD/VA residents last just cause they're closer. Early-mid April is about when you would hear back from adcom. Good luck you all.

Yes this forum has been pretty quite lately, so let me ask some open questions. What are some of your plans if, and only if, the GEMS opportunity doesn't work out? Also, what were your undergraduate majors??

Hey, ddogark... are you from Arkansas by any chance? I'm just going by your tag there. It'd be awesome if you were.
 
There will be 2 interview sessions. One in April and another in May. Typically, around 20-25 people in each group. They usually contact those farthest from DC first and then DC/MD/VA residents last just cause they're closer. Early-mid April is about when you would hear back from adcom. Good luck you all.



Hey, ddogark... are you from Arkansas by any chance? I'm just going by your tag there. It'd be awesome if you were.
Thanks Ischemic for answering my question!
 
There will be 2 interview sessions. One in April and another in May. Typically, around 20-25 people in each group. They usually contact those farthest from DC first and then DC/MD/VA residents last just cause they're closer. Early-mid April is about when you would hear back from adcom. Good luck you all.



Hey, ddogark... are you from Arkansas by any chance? I'm just going by your tag there. It'd be awesome if you were.

Hey Ischemic,
Acutally I went to college in Arkansas (U of A, Fayetteville) for a few years. So, yes I lived there at one point. Do you have any connections to Ark, by any chance?
 
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Hely Ischemic,
Acutally I went to college in Arkansas (U of A, Fayetteville) for a few years. So, yes I lived there at one point. Do you have any connections to Ark, by any chance?

Yeah man, I spent my teens years in Fayetteville. I went to FHS for high school and even took classes at UofA before my family left for TN after my senior year. I still have friends back home that I keep in contact with. Damn dude I hope you make it out here cause there ain't another Arkansas kid here at all. You a big razorback fan?
 
Yeah man, I spent my teens years in Fayetteville. I went to FHS for high school and even took classes at UofA before my family left for TN after my senior year. I still have friends back home that I keep in contact with. Damn dude I hope you make it out here cause there ain't another Arkansas kid here at all. You a big razorback fan?

I really hope so to. YES, I am a huge razorback fan!! I am going to PM you the details. Really, the only Arkansas kid there. Hopefully, there will be 2 if Im lucky enough.
 
For those that got the completion postcard, how long did it take after you sent in your LORs? I am just wondering because I sent in my application 3/17 and my LORs 3/19 and still have not received one.
 
For those that got the completion postcard, how long did it take after you sent in your LORs? I am just wondering because I sent in my application 3/17 and my LORs 3/19 and still have not received one.

my recommendations were sent prior to me sending my application, so I received the "completed" notification roughly in a week. more than likely they did received everything; however, with the application cycle recently ending they probably did not have the time to send you a notification, quickly. therefore, I will give it a few more days. today, the GEMS site posted "Effective March 26th, the staff will not be able to provide "Admissions Status" email updates to allow processing of the large volume of admissions documents received on the deadline date, and up to 10 days after the deadline." hope this was helpful.
 
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my recommendations were sent prior to me sending my application, so I received the "completed" notification roughly in a week. more than likely they did received everything; however, with the application cycle recently ending they probably did not have the time to send you a notification, quickly. therefore, I will give it a few more days. if you don't hear anything by the end of the week call or email the GEMS staff in regards to your application status. hope this was helpful.

Same for me (bolded part)
 
Wheres everyone at??? They updated the website today saying there wont be any calls for interviews until april 5th, and im gonna bet a couple days after from previous threads
 
April 5th! I'm so nervous... Hey everyone. I majored in biology and if I cant get in I will try and better my MED school application by increasing my GPA and adding more extracurriculars.

Hoping it I don't have to though:xf:

PS: no april fools trickery like last year?? ... 9ive been reading through old GEMS threads
 
HAPPY EASTER!!! Hope everyone is having a wonderful day 🙂
 
I never sent my application fee. If I sent it tomorrow, you think they would still take it? Also,did you all just send a check for $130 or were you able to pay over the phone??

Thanks
 
I never sent my application fee. If I sent it tomorrow, you think they would still take it? Also,did you all just send a check for $130 or were you able to pay over the phone??

Thanks

Happy Easter everyone! acdc12 the best advice I can give you is to contact GEMS immediately. If something happen, explain it to them and they may allow you to overnight the check tomorrow. I really hope they will consider your request because their site states all application material (including app fee) should be post-marked on or before the deadline date of March 26. They allowed additional days after the deadline for LOR's to arrive. In regards to the paying over the phone question, I don't know the answer. I hope this helps.
 
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Is today the only day they will be making calls for interview? Or will GEMS start the process today? Good luck to everyone! :luck:
 
I received an interview invitation by phone from David Taylor about 30 minutes ago. I declined due to my acceptance to medical school. Hope someone else gets an opportunity to take my interview spot. I will formally withdraw my application today. Good luck to all still waiting for an interview.
 
I received an interview invitation by phone from David Taylor about 30 minutes ago. I declined due to my acceptance to medical school. Hope someone else gets an opportunity to take my interview spot. I will formally withdraw my application today. Good luck to all still waiting for an interview.

Congrats on your acceptance! If you don't mind me asking, where are you from?
 
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