Gems 2011-12

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Hey guys. Another fellow applicant from socal although I went to school in baltimore. Found this thread recently and thought it was a good time to introduce myself. Submitted the app a couple of weeks ago. I am waiting now for the completion email once my LOR goes in, which will be soon hopefully. Good luck to you all. Feels like it will be a long wait!
 
pjoojoo said:
Hey guys. Another fellow applicant from socal although I went to school in baltimore. Found this thread recently and thought it was a good time to introduce myself. Submitted the app a couple of weeks ago. I am waiting now for the completion email once my LOR goes in, which will be soon hopefully. Good luck to you all. Feels like it will be a long wait!
Click to expand...

Welcome pjoojoo! I too feel it will be a long wait. I am so anxious...biting my nails hoping for 'The Call' to interview.
 
lourdes - () California

goodtobetrue - Complete (New England area)

xinax - Complete (Utah)

xdeucexx - () California

Rose Croix - (Complete) (AL) 🙂

tima

Sho

Glyco85

Coolski - (status) MD

Babo - Complete ( )

DreamHope

Vickyl - (status) D.C area

Aldokid1

Futuredoctor 09

Falore

Dr. Flagators

Rainbwbuterflys

AriM - (Complete) NJ

1913BabyDoc - (Complete) NJ

Pjoojoo ( ) CA


20 applying from this forum...



If you're new feel free to add your info on here.




And now the waiting game.
 
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Welcome fellow Cali applicants! I'm in the SoCal LA area-- if anyone wants to commiserate/compare notes, PM me.. Biting nails and then some.. lol!
 
pjoojoo said:
Hey guys. Another fellow applicant from socal although I went to school in baltimore. Found this thread recently and thought it was a good time to introduce myself. Submitted the app a couple of weeks ago. I am waiting now for the completion email once my LOR goes in, which will be soon hopefully. Good luck to you all. Feels like it will be a long wait!
Click to expand...

Hello there. I also from Socal here. what part specifically are u from??
 
Sorry to Spam this thread...but I was just wondering if someone who has done this program can chime in. I already missed the deadline for regular admissions, but I was wondering, is this program primarily intended for URM's, or do they take non-financial (i.e. illness) and other disadvantages into account?

I'm asking for my cousin who is South Asian descent.

Thanks and good luck guys! 🙂
 
xducexx said:
Hello there. I also from Socal here. what part specifically are u from??
Click to expand...

Hey Lourdes and xdeucexx. I am currently living in Orange County area. Are you both more around LA?

rls303, to my understanding the program doesn't seem to be solely for URM. Financial or other sort of disadvantages that hurt academic performance also qualifies.
 
So what is everyone currently doing while we're all playing the waiting game? Where do you guys work or currently go to school?
 
I work at a high school in South Florida as a teacher assistant. I completed my degree in Spring 2010 and did some post bacc work the following summer. And you?
 
I graduated in the Spring of 2010 and now work as a medical assistant at an E.N.T office.
 
Coolski said:
So what is everyone currently doing while we're all playing the waiting game? Where do you guys work or currently go to school?
Click to expand...


Currently going to a University in AL full time. Senior year! Also work in a lab doing UG research.
 
assuming one gets in where do students usually live?
 
xducexx said:
assuming one gets in where do students usually live?
Click to expand...

assuming one gets in.... :xf::xf::xf:


If its not on campus, I'll be looking for a room mate to split rent. Maybe a few of us on here can split the cost of a decent place.
 
Coolski said:
So what is everyone currently doing while we're all playing the waiting game? Where do you guys work or currently go to school?
Click to expand...

I'm currently working as a respiratory therapist, and I'm taking some extra classes and research along the way... busy schedule.

ROSE: I'm down for splitting- maybe we can rent a house and several of us can split.. that's kind of what I was thinking.
 
Coolski said:
So what is everyone currently doing while we're all playing the waiting game? Where do you guys work or currently go to school?
Click to expand...

I'm a graduate student and I work for a pharmaceutical company.

Current/Former GEMS:
Is on-campus housing an option at all or is off-campus the only thing available for GEMS students?
 
pjoojoo said:
Hey Lourdes and xdeucexx. I am currently living in Orange County area. Are you both more around LA?
Click to expand...

I was just in Orange this past weekend. I had friends visiting from Ohio. I'm living in the Marina del Rey area.. postgrad student and respiratory therapist.
 
Question on Transcripts:

Is there a place on the application where I can check whether they have received the transcripts? I forgot to mark the checkbox for the transcriptis on their Checklist page. I just want to know whether they've received it or if I just have to call/email them to ask about that.
 
Hey, I'm not applying 😀 Please pull my name off the list. Thanks 😀
 
lourdes1975 said:
Question on Transcripts:

Is there a place on the application where I can check whether they have received the transcripts? I forgot to mark the checkbox for the transcriptis on their Checklist page. I just want to know whether they've received it or if I just have to call/email them to ask about that.
Click to expand...

What do you mean by "checklist page"?

You can always call or e-mail them, but it is difficult to get a hold of them via phone.
 
Sho said:
Hey, I'm not applying 😀 Please pull my name off the list. Thanks 😀
Click to expand...


lourdes - () California

goodtobetrue - Complete (New England area)

xinax - Complete (Utah)

xdeucexx - () California

Rose Croix - (Complete) (AL) 🙂

tima

Glyco85

Coolski - (status) MD

Babo - Complete ( )

DreamHope

Vickyl - (status) D.C area

Aldokid1

Futuredoctor 09

Falore

Dr. Flagators

Rainbwbuterflys

AriM - (Complete) NJ

1913BabyDoc - (Complete) NJ

Pjoojoo ( ) CA

19 applying from this forum...
 
Anyone who has done the problem or anyone else:

Since 75% of the students eventually matriculate into Georgetown Med, do they apply prior to starting GEMS or do they apply after completing it and have a lag year?

Given the average numbers, it would seem very difficult to get into the program with those numbers and there would have to be some GPA from GEMS to bolster their app.

Thanks in advance! 🙂
 
rls303 said:
Anyone who has done the problem or anyone else:

Since 75% of the students eventually matriculate into Georgetown Med, do they apply prior to starting GEMS or do they apply after completing it and have a lag year?

Acceptance into gems is a conditional acceptance into gtown med. There's no lag year, idk if u have to apply to georgetown (perhaps only for bookeeping purposes) but they save a spot for all gems in the entering class the following year and as a gem u get that spot if u fulfill the requirements of the program. Read the brochure on gems.georgetown.edu.
Click to expand...
 
For any matriculated GEMS, or GEMS students who have a good understanding of the admissions process:


How do the GEMS interviews compare to Med Admissions interviews? Are they the same kind of questions like "why medicine?" "why MD?". Or are the interviews oriented towards why you are disadvantaged?
 
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How do the GEMS interviews compare to Med Admissions interviews? Are they the same kind of questions like "why medicine?" "why MD?". Or are the interviews oriented towards why you are disadvantaged?
Click to expand...
Both. But it also depends on the interviewer.
 
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James Sacket said:
GEMS does not offer you a conditional acceptance, only a conditional interview. There's a difference!


Both. But it also depends on the interviewer.
Click to expand...

Hello everyone, It's spring break over here so the responses will be late. Let me comment on this topic. There is NOT A CONDITIONAL INTERVIEW OR ACCEPTANCE if you go through the GEMS program. However, if you do your part (being an excellent student in and out of the classroom) you will most likely get an interview and an acceptance afterwards. If you get in or not is soley based on YOU!! Now that's self-motivational!!!!!
 
rls303 said:
Anyone who has done the problem or anyone else:

Since 75% of the students eventually matriculate into Georgetown Med, do they apply prior to starting GEMS or do they apply after completing it and have a lag year?


Given the average numbers, it would seem very difficult to get into the program with those numbers and there would have to be some GPA from GEMS to bolster their app.


Thanks in advance! 🙂
Click to expand...

If you matriculate into the GEMS program, you will have a meeting explaining the admissions process. Basically, you will apply to georgetown med or any other school as you wish after you arrive on campus (usually mid July). The entire year is an interview proccess. They look at your academic growth throughout the year. In the spring, interview invites goes out then acceptances soon afterwards. This happen within the same academic year, thus there is no lag year.
 
Rose Croix said:
For any matriculated GEMS, or GEMS students who have a good understanding of the admissions process:


How do the GEMS interviews compare to Med Admissions interviews? Are they the same kind of questions like "why medicine?" "why MD?". Or are the interviews oriented towards why you are disadvantaged?
Click to expand...


Same as any other medical applicant.
 
GoodtobeTrue said:
I'm a graduate student and I work for a pharmaceutical company.

Current/Former GEMS:
Is on-campus housing an option at all or is off-campus the only thing available for GEMS students?
Click to expand...


Graduate students are NOT allowed to live on campus. I believe staying on campus is mad expensive. GEMS students live off campus. Most stay in the DC area close to campus, but we have some current GEMS that live in Maryland area.
 
ddogark said:
Hello everyone, It's spring break over here so the responses will be late. Let me comment on this topic. There is NOT A CONDITIONAL INTERVIEW OR ACCEPTANCE if you go through the GEMS program. However, if you do your part (being an excellent student in and out of the classroom) you will most likely get an interview and an acceptance afterwards. If you get in or not is soley based on YOU!! Now that's self-motivational!!!!!
Click to expand...

Although it is correct to say that there is no conditional acceptance or interview granted upon matriculation into the GEMS program, they technically do reserve a potential spot for every GEMS applicant. The conditional aspect pertains to your performance during the GEMS year especially within the medical modules. The number 1 reason for rejection post-GEMS is grades barring any other red flags in your past. So most GEMS applicants that perform well in school (HP and H), with good character standing and do not have glaring marks in their pasts will more likely than not be accepted into Georgetown med. But as ddogark said and I've emphasized before, your own work ethic is what will be the ultimate deciding factor thus, if you do put in the effort, you have a very, very good chance of getting in.
 
ddogark said:
Hello everyone, It's spring break over here so the responses will be late. Let me comment on this topic. There is NOT A CONDITIONAL INTERVIEW OR ACCEPTANCE if you go through the GEMS program. However, if you do your part (being an excellent student in and out of the classroom) you will most likely get an interview and an acceptance afterwards. If you get in or not is soley based on YOU!! Now that's self-motivational!!!!!
Click to expand...

So when you say you have to "do your part (being an excellent student in and out of the classroom) you will most likely get an interview and an acceptance afterwards." what do you mean? are there responsibilities for GEMS students outside of the classroom (other than studying?) I have heard that this program is highly particular, as in even if you do your part academically, if they don't "like" you you're not in. Essentially, you have to be a great student AND have positive relationships with the right people (suck up?).

Also, as the MCAT and GPA requirements are lower to get into GEMS than to get into M1 at Georgetown, they cannot possibly hold you to the same standards as the regular applicants after your Gems year, so there is a preference for you in place, right? This is the "potential" seat someone mentioned earlier, correct?
 
Ddogark and Nicho- couldn't have said it better myself. Especially the work ethic- YOU determine your own fate.

1913babydoc- when we say outside the classroom, we mean professionalism, not sucking up. Speaking properly and respectfully, showing up to class on time, doing your part for group work, not stepping on peoples toes, etc. For most of us this is not a problem, and you will get a better idea of all this when u get here.

I know were only 1 day into spring break, but gotta admit I already miss you Ddog... Don't let that blow up your head lol
 
By the way, I'm stuck on a hospital bed guys, so I'll be answering ur questions as they come
 
Nichomachean said:
Although it is correct to say that there is no conditional acceptance or interview granted upon matriculation into the GEMS program, they technically do reserve a potential spot for every GEMS applicant. The conditional aspect pertains to your performance during the GEMS year especially within the medical modules. The number 1 reason for rejection post-GEMS is grades barring any other red flags in your past. So most GEMS applicants that perform well in school (HP and H), with good character standing and do not have glaring marks in their pasts will more likely than not be accepted into Georgetown med. But as ddogark said and I've emphasized before, your own work ethic is what will be the ultimate deciding factor thus, if you do put in the effort, you have a very, very good chance of getting in.
Click to expand...

So glaring spots...would be like a downward GPA trend?

Gotta admit, getting H and HP against those SMP kids and Med school kids is gonna be quite a tough battle! Good luck guys! 🙂
 
Well I was thinking more like felony convictions or drunk driving or assault, anything that would be on record displaying poor judgement.
 
What about the extracurricular activities? If you get into GEMS, does it mean you have enough of research/volunteering/shadowing experience?? Or are we going to have to continue w/volunteering for example, while we are working on the GEMS program?
 
xINAx said:
What about the extracurricular activities? If you get into GEMS, does it mean you have enough of research/volunteering/shadowing experience?? Or are we going to have to continue w/volunteering for example, while we are working on the GEMS program?
Click to expand...

You won't have sufficient time to conduct research or to volunteer constantly. Once in a while you will be able to do some volunteer work in your spare time and even shadow a physician. You are told from the very beginning that they want you to focus 100% of your time on the program itself and not to commit yourself to too many volunteering programs.
 
1913BabyDoc said:
So when you say you have to "do your part (being an excellent student in and out of the classroom) you will most likely get an interview and an acceptance afterwards." what do you mean? are there responsibilities for GEMS students outside of the classroom (other than studying?) I have heard that this program is highly particular, as in even if you do your part academically, if they don't "like" you you're not in. Essentially, you have to be a great student AND have positive relationships with the right people (suck up?).

Also, as the MCAT and GPA requirements are lower to get into GEMS than to get into M1 at Georgetown, they cannot possibly hold you to the same standards as the regular applicants after your Gems year, so there is a preference for you in place, right? This is the "potential" seat someone mentioned earlier, correct?
Click to expand...
This is somewhat true. The GEMS admission staff states strongly nothing is guaranteed, but the spot is there for you, virtually. No one knows how the medical admission staff selects the students, but if you come in and Honor and HP all of the selected medical classes (which is difficult but can be done if you put in the work) you will be doing better than 85-90% of the medical class! That's quite impressive and these achievements should be more than enough to show you can handle the course work of medical school. The MCAT and GPA shows what you have done (this is why they asked the question in the GEMS application "what disadvantages hindered your academic performance?") and the current medical classes show what you are doing now. I think the latter has more meaning than the first because you are taking "real" medical classes. There is no other way, that can be more convincing, to show you can handle med school.

PS Ram how are u doing? I told you not to fight that gator, u need to know how to pick your battles!!!
 
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Coolski said:
So what is everyone currently doing while we're all playing the waiting game? Where do you guys work or currently go to school?
Click to expand...

I work at two inner-city hospitals in clinical research and discharge planning. It is definitely helping me stay busy and less anxious about the GEMS app outcome. I am also studying to get certified in Clinical Research.
 
Thanks for the care rls303- surgery after academic beat down by the academic grim reaper.. Will make more sense soon!

Ddog it was smooth, Georgetown hospital is Amazing, both the nurses and the physicians are highly skilled.. Don't worry though, nothing is stopping this train!
 
LoveMyRam said:
Thanks for the care rls303- surgery after academic beat down by the academic grim reaper.. Will make more sense soon!

Ddog it was smooth, Georgetown hospital is Amazing, both the nurses and the physicians are highly skilled.. Don't worry though, nothing is stopping this train!
Click to expand...

Good! I know you can only carry half of your pay-load now, but trust me freight train is coming!!!!!!!! 😱😱😱
 
ddogark said:
Graduate students are NOT allowed to live on campus. I believe staying on campus is mad expensive. GEMS students live off campus. Most stay in the DC area close to campus, but we have some current GEMS that live in Maryland area.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info!
 
Freight Train is another gems joke... you'll see that GEMS is such a big family, we all stick up for one another and help one anotheer, such a great support system.

To restate a relevant fact that Bonne Chance brought up earlier-

FACT: NO ONE, I repeat NO ONE knows how the admissions process works, or how students are chosen. Anything that is said about how students are accepted as compared to other students is BOGUS. The only thing that is for sure is that if you come to Georgetown, and do your part by getting good grades, you've assured yourself a seat in next year's class at the country's FINEST medical institutions.

As far as grades go, the med students are very intelligent, that's why they are chosen, and the curve is based only on them, not us or the smp's, so there is no competition between us at all and in fact you'll find the smp's and they're staff members to be very helpful. I have always felt that it's a great learning environment and social atmosphere.

HOYA SAXA
 
Thanks for all the helpful info current GEMS students!

I received an email stating that my app is complete yesterday. I submitted it 3/9 with all necessary recs and transcripts.
 
lourdes - () California

goodtobetrue - Complete (New England area)

xinax - Complete (Utah)

xdeucexx - () California

Rose Croix - (Complete) (AL)

tima

Glyco85

Coolski - (status) MD

Babo - Complete ( )

DreamHope

Vickyl - (status) D.C area

Aldokid1

Futuredoctor 09

Falore

Dr. Flagators

Rainbwbuterflys - (Complete)

AriM - (Complete) NJ

1913BabyDoc - (Complete) NJ

Pjoojoo ( ) CA

19 applying from this forum...
 
Rainbwbuterflys said:
Thanks for all the helpful info current GEMS students!

I received an email stating that my app is complete yesterday. I submitted it 3/9 with all necessary recs and transcripts.
Click to expand...

Nice!

It is a waiting and hoping game at this point. 🙂
 
LoveMyRam said:
Freight Train is another gems joke... you'll see that GEMS is such a big family, we all stick up for one another and help one anotheer, such a great support system.

To restate a relevant fact that Bonne Chance brought up earlier-

FACT: NO ONE, I repeat NO ONE knows how the admissions process works, or how students are chosen. Anything that is said about how students are accepted as compared to other students is BOGUS. The only thing that is for sure is that if you come to Georgetown, and do your part by getting good grades, you've assured yourself a seat in next year's class at the country's FINEST medical institutions.

As far as grades go, the med students are very intelligent, that's why they are chosen, and the curve is based only on them, not us or the smp's, so there is no competition between us at all and in fact you'll find the smp's and they're staff members to be very helpful. I have always felt that it's a great learning environment and social atmosphere.

HOYA SAXA
Click to expand...

I understand that there won't be competition between you guys or the SMP kids. But do a majority of the GEMS kids, really end up overtaking the cut-throat regular med school kids? Getting in the upper 15% of such a big class seems too good to be true. Do they make the tests easier for the GEMS kids?

Hope I'm not sounding as if I am belittling you guys, but as you said these regular med school kids are top notch and you would expect that they would do whatever possible to get High Honors.
 
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