Gems 2011-12

[Bonne Chance]

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ddogark answered it better below

We take the same examinations as the M1s and SMPs but we are only graded against the curve set by the M1s. Our scores don't play into the overall grading scheme of the M1 class nor the SMPs.

 

[ddogark]

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.

Ok, now this is illegal - making exams easier for another group of students !! We sit in the same lectures and take the very same exam in the same lecture hall with the M1's and SMPs. Look, the first thing you will learn before the start medical classes will be having confidence within yourself. I am not going to give away the goodies of GEMS before you guys start your GEMS year but I will say "YOU WILL BE FULLY PREPARED BEFORE EACH AND EVERY EXAM!!" You will learn to be a more efficient student. The medical students are very bright, but the GEMS students are known to be just as bright. The 75% acceptance rate exemplifies that. When the med classes start, everyone sees the info for the first time (GEMS, MEDS, and SMP). It is on you to learn the info better than the others, and trust me it can be done (75% acceptance rate)! It will be difficult but it is doable (75%). We have a very diverse and bright GEMS class. Everyone is miles away today from where we started last summer. We put the work in and we did well, collectively. Trust me, if you are blessed to receive an interview invite and an acceptance afterwards, you will be stating the same as I one year from now. Good Luck!

PS: The SMP class has no bearing on your admission status, their curve is also compared to the first year med averages. They are trying to get into school just like us. We both are competing against the med average only!

 

[xINAx]

First of all I want to thank the current GEMS for finding time in their busy schedule to rrespond to our questions. Second, can you tell us a little bit about financial aid/sudent loans. Was it hard to get approved? Were you able to get enough financial aid and/or student loans to cover your cost? I personally will have to depdend heavily on financial aids and loans. I do have a good credit history.

 

[ddogark]

First of all I want to thank the current GEMS for finding time in their busy schedule to rrespond to our questions. Second, can you tell us a little bit about financial aid/sudent loans. Was it hard to get approved? Were you able to get enough financial aid and/or student loans to cover your cost? I personally will have to depdend heavily on financial aids and loans. I do have a good credit history.

The credit requirements for the Graduate Plus loans is minimum! Google grad plus loan and look at the requirements. The financial aid packet is more than enough to cover your living expenses. Now, you will not be staying in a penthouse condo downtown, but you will be living comfortably. Most GEMS use loans to cover all of the cost of their GEMS year.

 

[xINAx]

Good to know! I started freaking out. I have never been w/o a job, it's a scary thought... Of course we will all have to live modestly...

 

[rls303]

Oh, no, I sincerely apologize if my previous response would lead you guys to think that I am insinuating anything of that nature.

I am far from the brightest and just wanted to get a gauge of what was meant....ddog's response clarified a lot for me. Essentially, if the mean is a 75% for the Med class, that is considered Pass. Honor's would be considered to be 85%, then? So if all GEMS students work hard enough, they can all get Honor's or Honor's Pass.

That seems more reassuring. At my undergrad university, it doesn't work that way-so that's why I was confused. Even if the mean is a 90%, the grade is set to a C. Because they can only give out 15% A's.

 

[LoveMyRam]

Oh, no, I sincerely apologize if my previous response would lead you guys to think that I am insinuating anything of that nature.

I am far from the brightest and just wanted to get a gauge of what was meant....ddog's response clarified a lot for me. Essentially, if the mean is a 75% for the Med class, that is considered Pass. Honor's would be considered to be 85%, then? So if all GEMS students work hard enough, they can all get Honor's or Honor's Pass.

That seems more reassuring. At my undergrad university, it doesn't work that way-so that's why I was confused. Even if the mean is a 90%, the grade is set to a C. Because they can only give out 15% A's.

No need for any apologies, we know what you're asking and why you're asking, we had the same worries and doubts.

It really won't make sense, until you get here, but all you need to know is that if you are accepted, and promise to do your best, the program will do it's very best to see you do well and see you matriculate into the school of medicine 🙂
The reason 75% matriculate (I HATE statistics but will use it to drive the point), is that not all accepted GEMS follow up on their promise to excel. This program demands that no matter who you are or where you are, you strive for the BEST. Not just for the programs reputation, but more importantly for each one of us! You have to listen to the faculty and administrators, and do it their way. They've been matriculating students into GUSOM for a looooooooong time, and they KNOW what it takes, who can make it and who can't.

Questions were asked earlier of how current GEMS are doing and acceptances- We don't hear back about acceptances until after you hear back about your acceptances, but all of us here are well and doing what we have been asked.

Any statistics questions, pm me for advice.

 

[GoodtobeTrue]

Good to know! I started freaking out. I have never been w/o a job, it's a scary thought... Of course we will all have to live modestly...

Same here, but I 'm hoping that there will be more guidance provided on interview day and within the acceptance package.

 

[GoodtobeTrue]

Hey Former GEMS or Current Gems:

Do you stay connected with the GEMS program in one way or another once matriculating at GUSOM? Or is there a disconnection in one way or another once out of the program (during M1 and beyond)?

 

[Bonne Chance]

Hey Former GEMS or Current Gems:

Do you stay connected with the GEMS program in one way or another once matriculating at GUSOM? Or is there a disconnection in one way or another once out of the program (during M1 and beyond)?

There is a GEMS network. GEMS that have already graduated and went on to residency or even post-residency come in and talk to current GEMS. Overall, it's just a family-type deal throughout the 4-yrs. after the initial GEMS year. Once a GEM, always a GEM! 👍

 

[James Sacket]

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.

Sorry for my misinformation.
It's intriguing to me why adcom would admit candidates with "red flags" in their past, knowing they were less likely to make it.
Where would these students go if they didn't make it?

 

[GoodtobeTrue]

Hey fellow applicants, I know that we are all waiting to hear and impatience may sometimes cause some anxious thoughts and sleepless nights. I just wanted to give us all a few words of encouragement that I read somewhere.

William Osler (a professor of medicine at age 25) in a speech stated “In the physician or surgeon no quality takes rank with imperturbability. Imperturbability means coolness and presence of mind under all circumstances, calmness amid the storm, clearness of judgment in moments of grave peril, immobility, impassiveness. It is the quality which is most appreciated by the public though often misunderstood by them; and the physician who has the misfortune to be without it, who betrays indecision and worry and who is flustered in ordinary emergencies loses rapidly the confidence of his patients.”

He added that “Secondly there is a mental equivalent, equanimity or evenness of mind which is as important as the bodily endowment. You cannot hope to escape entirely from the cares and anxieties of professional life. Stand up bravely even against the worst.”

Take heart, it is in GOD's hands now. What is for you will surely see your face. Good luck to us all!

 

[vickyl]

thanks current/former GEMS members for the info and I can really see what you mean by the family atmosphere by the comments you have going between you. still wonder what the "freight train" is.

on another note, to my fellow applicants, I am just as nervous as you all are regarding getting a call for interview and finally acceptence. then if we are in, what to really expect. but we all have one thing in common, we want to become great physicians and we will do any and everything we have to. lets try not to worry too much now, better to save some of it for later.🙂

 

[GoodtobeTrue]

Hi Current/Former GEMS:

Not everyone who interviewed made it into the program. Do you think that Adcom selection factors included the assessment scores, interview evaluations, application as a whole as well as personality? Are there other characteristics that are measured at the interview? If so, what can we do at this point to enhance our chances at the interview?

Everyone stresses the importance of just being yourself, but there are applicants who despite being themselves did not get in after interviewing. I believe that once invited for the interview, you are halfway there and you pretty much need to sell yourself. Any input or feedback will be helpful.

 

[Bonne Chance]

Hi Current/Former GEMS:

Not everyone who interviewed made it into the program. Do you think that Adcom selection factors included the assessment scores, interview evaluations, application as a whole as well as personality? Are there other characteristics that are measured at the interview? If so, what can we do at this point to enhance our chances at the interview?

Everyone stresses the importance of just being yourself, but there are applicants who despite being themselves did not get in after interviewing. I believe that once invited for the interview, you are halfway there and you pretty much need to sell yourself. Any input or feedback will be helpful.

Some people will tell you that it is completely based on interviews and personality while others will tell you something else. The harsh reality of it is that...no one (except the adcom) really knows. Even current 4th yrs. that have been through the GEMS program are completely clueless.

Just show up and show them what you can bring to the table. Show them that you are more than willing to work hard and prove yourself.

 

[GoodtobeTrue]

Some people will tell you that it is completely based on interviews and personality while others will tell you something else. The harsh reality of it is that...no one (except the adcom) really knows. Even current 4th yrs. that have been through the GEMS program are completely clueless.

Just show up and show them what you can bring to the table. Show them that you are more than willing to work hard and prove yourself.

Thanks Bonne Chance! I guess showing up late, chewing gum throughout the day, professional dress code violations and other etiquette faux-pas could seal your fate as well.

 

[lourdes1975]

Complete as of today. Just got the email. Thank heavens my LOR's got there on time. =) Waiting game here as well. Last day for materials to come in by the 25th so anyone who still have something outstanding, get them in!

 

[GoodtobeTrue]

lourdes - (Complete) 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...

 

[tima]

lourdes - (Complete) California

goodtobetrue - (Complete) New England area

xinax - (Complete) Utah

xdeucexx - () California

Rose Croix - (Complete) AL

tima (Complete) MD

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...

 

[lance012]

This is such a great forum. I just read through and have learned a great deal about GEMS just regret I didn't know sooner. I am definitely planning on applying next year. I wanted to ask current/former GEMS about being pregnant during the program or waiting until after pregnancy before starting GEMS next year? I am currently planning to get pregnant next year this time (ie March 2012 and give birth Dec 2012)...Any thoughts?

 

[ddogark]

This is such a great forum. I just read through and have learned a great deal about GEMS just regret I didn't know sooner. I am definitely planning on applying next year. I wanted to ask current/former GEMS about being pregnant during the program or waiting until after pregnancy before starting GEMS next year? I am currently planning to get pregnant next year this time (ie March 2012 and give birth Dec 2012)...Any thoughts?

Ummm, Im not sure how to answer this question but GEMS is a full time experience. If you do make the decision to have kids then you will have to make some tough decisions because GEMS requires a lot of your time. There are no GEMS this year, or the past several years, who were pregnant during their GEMS years. I can only account for the last 4 cycles.

 

[1913BabyDoc]

Sooo they updated the application site (not very politely, lol)... Here we go! Good luck everyone!

 

[babo]

Sooo they updated the application site (not very politely, lol)... Here we go! Good luck everyone!

AHhHh! fingers crossed!!

 

[GoodtobeTrue]

The update finally clarifies any past question about the deadline. From what I read, correct me if I'm wrong, one have up till the 25th to submit the application and supporting documents. I wonder why other sources from the website, i.e, the brochure had a timeframe of Feb. 15th - March 15th? 😕

 

[Rose Croix]

1. The GEMS APPLICATION must be "SUBMITTED" by 11:59 pm March 25, 2011. The online application system will be closed to new record creations or submissions. Applicants are NOT required to wait for recommendations or transcripts to be on file to submit an application
2. A VERIFIED AMCAS application will have a date/time stamp in the section noted as "PROCESSED" in the upper right hand corner.
3. Supporting documents not submitted electronically – for example, mailed application payments, recommendations, transcripts – must be POSTMARKED on or before March 25, 2011.
4. Documents arriving AFTER March 25, 2011 will be reviewed to complete an admissions file as long as the postmark is on or before March 25, 2011; these completed files will receive full consideration by the GEMS Admissions Committee for interview.
5. Recommendations and Transcripts sent by INTERFOLIO must arrive by 11:59 pm March 25, 2011.
6. The United States Postal Service is recommended for use of Express Mail or Priority Mail to the GEM Admissions Address: GEMS Admissions Committee, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Box 571423, Washington, DC 20057-1423
7. Please do NOT inquire by phone or email regarding Interview Selection. Contact information provided on the GEMS application will be used to notify applicants in a timely manner for appropriate travel arrangements for either April or May interview dates. Interview notifications may occur throughout the month of April, and to efficiently process admissions files, office staff will not respond to inquiries for interview status or to applicants whose files have been noted as "complete".
Thank you for your understanding and patience.







To ease up the waiting game a little

In 2009 the GEMS deadline was March 27th and the first reported interview invite was on 04-07-2009, ~02:08 PM (about a week and a half ). That should give us an idea of when to expect interview calls. If I'm not mistaken in the 2009 year they also started from the east coast and moved towards west coast, in terms of calls. That may not be the case this year, but I think we can figure out the trend when we start getting calls.

 

[GoodtobeTrue]

Tomorrow is the deadline and give or take another 10 days for documents (mailed on the 25th) to get in brings us to April 5th. I'm hoping that they get around to making calls by the 5th. The update states that they'll make calls for interview during the month of April, so I guess we'll have to wait and see. Good luck to us all!!

Don't forget to post when those calls start rolling in !

 

[Composition]

lourdes - (Complete) California

goodtobetrue - (Complete) New England area

xinax - (Complete) Utah

xdeucexx - () California

Rose Croix - (Complete) AL

tima (Complete) MD

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

Composition - (Complete) TX

20 applying from this forum...

 

[GoodtobeTrue]

Welcome to the forum, Composition!

 

[ILOVEGOD]

Hi Everyone! My app was complete on March 15th. I'm so excited about the program!!🙂

 

[ILOVEGOD]

lourdes - (Complete) California

goodtobetrue - (Complete) New England area

xinax - (Complete) Utah

xdeucexx - () California

Rose Croix - (Complete) AL

tima (Complete) MD

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

Composition - (Complete) TX

ILOVEGOD - (Complete) Maryland

21 applying from this forum...

 

[ILOVEGOD]

lourdes - (complete) california

goodtobetrue - (complete) new england area

xinax - (complete) utah

xdeucexx - () california

rose croix - (complete) al

tima (complete) md

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

composition - (complete) tx

ilovegod - (complete) maryland

21 applying from this forum...[/quote]

 

[GoodtobeTrue]

Today is the deadline, Yay...!

Here's to hoping that everyone sent in their materials on time.

 

[pjoojoo]

lourdes - (complete) california

goodtobetrue - (complete) new england area

xinax - (complete) utah

xdeucexx - (complete) california

rose croix - (complete) al

tima (complete) md

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 (complete) ca

composition - (complete) tx

ilovegod - (complete) maryland

21 applying from this forum..

only a couple of weeks until the calls!

 

[glitteryrocks]

Hi everyone I submitted my app also. I am embarrased to say that it has taken me a couple of days to figure out how to post! lol

*so nervous, as this was a last minute app but my school told me they would send my transcript out today, so fingers crossed!

 

[Rose Croix]

Hi everyone I submitted my app also. I am embarrased to say that it has taken me a couple of days to figure out how to post! lol

*so nervous, as this was a last minute app but my school told me they would send my transcript out today, so fingers crossed!

Well that's quite all right. Welcome and good luck! 😀

 

[sonnybobiche]

.

 

[Rose Croix]

lourdes - (complete) california

goodtobetrue - (complete) new england area

xinax - (complete) utah

xdeucexx - (complete) california

rose croix - (complete) al

tima (complete) md

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 (complete) ca

composition - (complete) tx

ilovegod - (complete) maryland

sonnybobiche - (complete) nj

glitteryrocks - (status) (FL)

uckylay83 - (status) ( )

24 applicants on this forum so far.

 

[uckylay83]

I wanted to add my name to the list of applied. I'm not complete yet. Good luck to everyone!

 

[glitteryrocks]

btw I'm from florida. I have not received the complete notice yet.

 

[GoodtobeTrue]

24 applicants from this forum? Nice!

I hope that we all get the call in April.

 

[Composition]

Welcome to the forum, Composition!

Thank you GoodtobeTrue! Now let's get these calls!

 

[Rose Croix]

Just out of curiosity....what was everyone's undergraduate major or concentration? Anybody on this forum a nontraditional student in terms of undergraduate education?

 

[glitteryrocks]

major was biology so I'm traditional lol

 

[NeuroMD28]

Major Bio minor chemistry, I guess in a sense I could be considered traditional.

 

[GoodtobeTrue]

Hi All,

It's the 28th and I'm really hoping that they are in the process of reviewing our applications. They must be, I mean what else could they be doing at this point. Maybe this is the week for deciding who will get the call to interview. Hey, who knows. Good luck to us all as we wait for "the call".

I'm praying, meditating and thinking positively.

 

[glitteryrocks]

do you know around what day they would be making the first calls for interviews?

 

[babo]

Fingers crossed for us all as we near April...I have a feeling that in this year the first two weeks of April the calls will be going out! OR wishful thinking perhaps?! For those of us not on east coast we have to plan so much so quickly. [biting my nails]

 

[Rose Croix]

Fingers crossed for us all as we near April...I have a feeling that in this year the first two weeks of April the calls will be going out! OR wishful thinking perhaps?! For those of us not on east coast we have to plan so much so quickly. [biting my nails]

That first full week of April is going to be painful.

Hi All,

It's the 28th and I'm really hoping that they are in the process of reviewing our applications. They must be, I mean what else could they be doing at this point. Maybe this is the week for deciding who will get the call to interview. Hey, who knows. Good luck to us all as we wait for "the call".

I'm praying, meditating and thinking positively.

Right there with you

 

[GoodtobeTrue]

Hi All,

The waiting game can be excruciatingly painful, so here are a few quotations on patience that I got from a website.

Learn the art of patience. Apply discipline to your thoughts when they become anxious over the outcome of a goal. Impatience breeds anxiety, fear, discouragement and failure. Patience creates confidence, decisiveness, and a rational outlook, which eventually leads to success.
Brian Adams

Patience is the greatest of all virtues.
Cato the Elder (234 BC - 149 BC)

A handful of patience is worth more than a bushel of brains.
Dutch Proverb

Our patience will achieve more than our force.
Edmund Burke (1729 - 1797)

It is very strange that the years teach us patience - that the shorter our time, the greater our capacity for waiting.
Elizabeth Taylor (1932 - ), "A Wreath of Roses"

There art two cardinal sins from which all others spring: Impatience and Laziness.
Franz Kafka (1883 - 1924)

Patience has its limits. Take it too far, and it's cowardice.
George Jackson (1941 - 1971)

We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world.
Helen Keller (1880 - 1968)

The fates have given mankind a patient soul.
Homer (800 BC - 700 BC), The Iliad

If I have ever made any valuable discoveries, it has been owing more to patient attention, than to any other talent.
Isaac Newton (1642 - 1727)

 

[vickyl]

Hi All,

The waiting game can be excruciatingly painful, so here are a few quotations on patience that I got from a website.

Learn the art of patience. Apply discipline to your thoughts when they become anxious over the outcome of a goal. Impatience breeds anxiety, fear, discouragement and failure. Patience creates confidence, decisiveness, and a rational outlook, which eventually leads to success.
Brian Adams

Patience is the greatest of all virtues.
Cato the Elder (234 BC - 149 BC)

A handful of patience is worth more than a bushel of brains.
Dutch Proverb

Our patience will achieve more than our force.
Edmund Burke (1729 - 1797)

It is very strange that the years teach us patience - that the shorter our time, the greater our capacity for waiting.
Elizabeth Taylor (1932 - ), "A Wreath of Roses"

There art two cardinal sins from which all others spring: Impatience and Laziness.
Franz Kafka (1883 - 1924)

Patience has its limits. Take it too far, and it's cowardice.
George Jackson (1941 - 1971)

We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world.
Helen Keller (1880 - 1968)

The fates have given mankind a patient soul.
Homer (800 BC - 700 BC), The Iliad

If I have ever made any valuable discoveries, it has been owing more to patient attention, than to any other talent.
Isaac Newton (1642 - 1727)

great info!!