GEMS Georgetown 2009-2010

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Hmmm, so you think they're calling the east coast people first and then moving to the west coast? I hope so. I'm in Cali and haven't received a call yet.
 
Flownominal said:
I like those odds too... but from what I understand, the brochure says that most of the 20% were admitted to other medical schools. Also, I thought one of the letters said 85%.
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It says 82% in the brochure. Who cares, I guess...Its 80+% which is phenomenal. The brochure also says we can apply to transfer some GEMS courses over so that we dont have to take them during MD!

It's hard but I'm not gonna get too excited. Interview is just an interview. I hope they deem me worthy of an MD from G-Town.
 
Do you think Dean Joy Wiliams will take questions as to the weaknesses of our application?

I dont know about the east coast thing. Why would they call east coast people first? wouldn't they have called people further away ? : P

Still praying
 
I got the call today! Just as my favorite team (Arsenal) scored a goal. Halleluah, good God almighty! Good luck those still waiting for calls.

Oh I live in Philly
 
Does anyone know if GEMS has any sort of formal MCAT prep course or something similar?
 
maxim3L said:
It says 82% in the brochure. Who cares, I guess...Its 80+% which is phenomenal. The brochure also says we can apply to transfer some GEMS courses over so that we dont have to take them during MD!

It's hard but I'm not gonna get too excited. Interview is just an interview. I hope they deem me worthy of an MD from G-Town.
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Yes, 80+% is indeed an excellent percentage, but I want to knock out this interview, and hope that they take me too. If they do, I will work my butt off and show them that they didn't make a mistake in choosing me.
 
ragstoMD said:
Do you think Dean Joy Wiliams will take questions as to the weaknesses of our application?

I dont know about the east coast thing. Why would they call east coast people first? wouldn't they have called people further away ? : P

Still praying
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If it's of any help, some folks in the 2008 thread got invites as late as April 15th.
 
No, that's actually the beauty of the GEMS program. By taking the medical school courses you inherently prove you can handle med school and thereby making your MCAT scores moot. They actually discourage you from retaking/studying for the MCATs during your GEMS year because you'll already be taking a heavy workload.
 
I will pray for you guys tonight! don't give up hope! I didn't get into GEMS when I first applied in 08, but you gotta keep on trucking and don't give up~!
 
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PlasticWatch said:
I will pray for you guys tonight! don't give up hope! I didn't get into GEMS when I first applied in 08, but you gotta keep on trucking and don't give up~!
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did you get an interview in 08?

I will pray for everyone as well!

:luck:
 
Congrats to everyone who received an interview call! I'm really happy for all of you!
 
It seems that people picked the May 4, 2009 interview date. Was this a personal preference or was this just how those who were invited were scheduled by GEMS?


Today is another day, keep the hopes alive and good luck! 🙂
 
OnTheFly said:
It seems that people picked the May 4, 2009 interview date. Was this a personal preference or was this just how those who were invited were scheduled by GEMS?


Today is another day, keep the hopes alive and good luck! 🙂
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.
 
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gujuDoc said:
Congratulations to all of you who are interviewing for this program. But I'd especially like to congratulate Moto_za because I've been working with you with helping you on your essays. So I've gotten to know you and will be praying for you. 🙂

Congratulations.
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Guju, are you a physician or in med school? I have seen you here since I started studying for the MCAT last April.

Let's wait to hear some more invites today. :xf:
 
I'm still praying for some good news for everyone here, keep positive and I'm sure we all will be in this program together!
 
ragstoMD said:
Do you think Dean Joy Wiliams will take questions as to the weaknesses of our application?

I dont know about the east coast thing. Why would they call east coast people first? wouldn't they have called people further away ? : P

Still praying
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Considering that the majority of the application was dedicated to explaining weaknesses in our academic performance, I doubt that the interview will ask much about it, however, I don't really know anything about the interview process at all...
 
hey guys I recieved an interview invite yesterday as well, congrats to everyone who has got one, hope to see you all on the 20th ...

Thank you God and to everyone waiting.. just be patient and keep the hope going and God with lead your direction..

Best of wishes.
 
Something that has been bothering me: I read a deserted GEMS thread where this guy is saying his friend was interviewed but not accepted because the admissions folks want to see stronger biochem grades.

I think this is not true because the committee has already considered your hard numbers if they are calling for an interview. Moreover, many of us are here for different reasons which led to an abnormal academic performance and/or MCAT, so to DQ someone for essentially "bad grades" would kinda go against the GEMS mission. These guys have been doing this since 1977, I am almost 100% sure they would not do this. Maybe the friend was not accepted for other reasons.

Also, about having to explain weaknesses: I also dont think we will have to spend much time on that. Likely, they will ask questions regarding how you will make it right this time around. People seem to agree it's a very laid-back day overall.

Congrats MedEmer!!

Flownominal said:
Considering that the majority of the application was dedicated to explaining weaknesses in our academic performance, I doubt that the interview will ask much about it, however, I don't really know anything about the interview process at all...
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maxim3L said:
Something that has been bothering me: I read a deserted GEMS thread where this guy is saying his friend was interviewed but not accepted because the admissions folks want to see stronger biochem grades.

I think this is not true because the committee has already considered your hard numbers if they are calling for an interview. Moreover, many of us are here for different reasons which led to an abnormal academic performance and/or MCAT, so to DQ someone for essentially "bad grades" would kinda go against the GEMS mission. These guys have been dong this since 1977, I am almost 100% sure they would not do this. Maybe the friend was not accepted for other reasons.

Just needed to get that off my chest because I obviously have lower grades all around.
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That's nuts, considering that Biochem isn't required for application to the GEMS program, but only recommended, according to the brochures and other docs. They obviously considered the numbers when they made the interview calls, so the friend was most likely not accepted for other reasons.
 
gujuDoc said:
No I'm applying to SMP programs. Applied to med school this year after doing a graduate program at USF COM and didn't get any interviews this year. So I was advised to do an SMP by some people in USF COM admissions office.

I applied to Gtown's program. If I hadn't messed up a lot of my ugrad and gotten in when all the other people my age did, I'd be a 4th year today. But life is what it is. You all can attest to understanding such. So yah I've been around a long time and seen a lot of things and a lot of trends in admissions. So a lot of people always come to me for advice and what not and having a huge population sample size across 4 years of applicants, I tend to know a lot about the process. That's all.

Now if only I get some luck and get in one of these programs and then into med school. That would be great. 🙂

Good luck. I know you will do fine.
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You will definitely get in. God has different paths for all of us, and I think this is just yours. Once you get into med school, with all that you know now, you will fly! I smell future neurosurgeon...
 
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gujuDoc said:
No I'm applying to SMP programs. Applied to med school this year after doing a graduate program at USF COM and didn't get any interviews this year. So I was advised to do an SMP by some people in USF COM admissions office.

I applied to Gtown's program. If I hadn't messed up a lot of my ugrad and gotten in when all the other people my age did, I'd be a 4th year today. But life is what it is. You all can attest to understanding such. So yah I've been around a long time and seen a lot of things and a lot of trends in admissions. So a lot of people always come to me for advice and what not and having a huge population sample size across 4 years of applicants, I tend to know a lot about the process. That's all.

Now if only I get some luck and get in one of these programs and then into med school. That would be great. 🙂

Good luck. I know you will do fine.
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Here's to hoping you get in. ..and yes, I can attest to this hard battle and ,as you said, it is what it is. The great thing is that it is guys like us who have to battle our way in are the ones who are most fulfilled by the profession and are more likely succeed the greatest.
 
For people going to the interview on the 20th, how early are you guys planning on getting there? Where are you staying?
 
I'll look on the travel search engines for hotel deals but I am thinking any of the hotels nearby.

Will get there on a Saturday night to prepare all day Sunday.

Flownominal said:
For people going to the interview on the 20th, how early are you guys planning on getting there? Where are you staying?
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maxim3L said:
I'll look on the travel search engines for hotel deals but I am thinking any of the hotels nearby.

Will get there on a Saturday night to prepare all day Sunday.
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Which hotel did Mr. Taylor say will give us a discount? I want to get into the area by Sunday morning also.
 
maybe the last calls went out yesterday?
 
Flownominal said:
Which hotel did Mr. Taylor say will give us a discount? I want to get into the area by Sunday morning also.
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Dang it, I forgot as well. We'll have to check the package that will be sent.

I found a Holiday Inn in Springfield, VA (23minutes away) for $84/night. They have those Tempurpedic beds that are amazing for a good night's sleep.
 
Well, I emailed the GEMS Staff and they said a letter is either being sent out or has already been sent out providing the specifics for us to make the best travel arrangements.

So, with that being said, lets be patient and give the GEMS letter a few days to arrive.

ragstoMD: Keep your hopes alive, be positive and have faith because that is all we have now. As I said before, trust in your application and trust that GEMS Admission Committee will do what they do best. :luck::xf:
 
Congrats to everyone who got an interview invitation.
 
Thank you very much gujuDoc!!! I cannot put into words how much I appreciate your help over the years in assisting me in my PS, secondaries and MCAT!!! I could NOT have done it without the support and help of you and others!! I wish you all the best with your future and please keep me in your prayers!! 🙂

gujuDoc said:
Congratulations to all of you who are interviewing for this program. But I'd especially like to congratulate Moto_za because I've been working with you with helping you on your essays. So I've gotten to know you and will be praying for you. 🙂

Congratulations.
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Hey man, did you apply to Wake Forrest and Drexel DPMS as well?

Keep the hope. As I wrote before, they called on 3 different days for 2008 as you can see on their thread.
 
Random question: Anyone know how the committee will look at applicants who only took the MCAT once and did not do too well??

Also did the committee read our letters before giving interview invites?
 
Hey Moto,

MCAT: As a few folks have said, while the MCAT is a factor, it's highly doubtful they 'll analyze it to this extent. but I know what you're getting at: They may think you havent tried hard enough since you scored low and didnt retake. Remember, the purpose of this program is to show that even disadvantaged folks who dont have the stats predictive of success can succeed.

Letters: It appears they look at your LoRs beforehand. Look at the wording from the FAQ regarding the admissions process:

2. What is the admissions process?​
Completed applications are reviewed by the GEMS Admissions Committee which is comprised of members of the
medical school faculty and staff, physician graduates of the GEMS Program and former GEMS students. Incomplete
applications are not reviewed. Each member of the Committee reviews the application. The Committee meets for a
discussion of each applicant and the Committee decides by majority vote, if the candidate will be invited to spend a
day at Georgetown to be interviewed. Candidates who are not invited to interview will not be accepted to the GEMS
Program.
Final decisions on interviewees are made following a second review by each member of the Committee. To arrive at
final decisions the Committee meets to discuss the applicant’s interview and test results, and votes to accept or​
reject the applicant. Final decisions will be made on all GEMS applications by May 30, 2009.

The only things they look at after the interview are your test scores and feedback from the interview. This tells me LoRs were looked at beforehand.


Now my question if anyone can help:
Will we have to interview again for med school once we (God willing) complete GEMS?
moto_za said:
Random question: Anyone know how the committee will look at applicants who only took the MCAT once and did not do too well??

Also did the committee read our letters before giving interview invites?
Click to expand...
 
maxim3L said:
Hey Moto,

MCAT: As a few folks have said, while the MCAT is a factor, it's highly doubtful they 'll analyze it to this extent. but I know what you're getting at: They may think you havent tried hard enough since you scored low and didnt retake. Remember, the purpose of this program is to show that even disadvantaged folks who dont have the stats predictive of success can succeed.

Letters: It appears they look at your LoRs beforehand. Look at the wording from the FAQ regarding the admissions process:

2. What is the admissions process?​
Completed applications are reviewed by the GEMS Admissions Committee which is comprised of members of the
medical school faculty and staff, physician graduates of the GEMS Program and former GEMS students. Incomplete
applications are not reviewed. Each member of the Committee reviews the application. The Committee meets for a
discussion of each applicant and the Committee decides by majority vote, if the candidate will be invited to spend a
day at Georgetown to be interviewed. Candidates who are not invited to interview will not be accepted to the GEMS
Program.
Final decisions on interviewees are made following a second review by each member of the Committee. To arrive at
final decisions the Committee meets to discuss the applicant’s interview and test results, and votes to accept or​
reject the applicant. Final decisions will be made on all GEMS applications by May 30, 2009.

The only things they look at after the interview are your test scores and feedback from the interview. This tells me LoRs were looked at beforehand.


Now my question if anyone can help:
Will we have to interview again for med school once we (God willing) complete GEMS?
Click to expand...

Does any GEMS alumni know of what is covered in this test? I would like to get some reviewing and studying beforehand.
 
To Maximl3:
^ Thank you for the response!

^ Yes, I believe we have to interview again for getting into the med school.

Also, I thought the assessment test scores were not a factor for getting accepted into the program, but just used for the program to evaluate the needs of the students??
 
moto_za said:
To Maximl3:
^ Thank you for the response!

^ Yes, I believe we have to interview again for getting into the med school.

Also, I thought the assessment test scores were not a factor for getting accepted into the program, but just used for the program to evaluate the needs of the students??
Click to expand...

Not to scare, but I am SURE it plays a role. The FAQ says your tests are reviewed to come to a final decision, so yeah. My reconaissance on the test (copied/pasted from past threads):

"Test: Know your sciences, i can't say which one cuz it was seriously everything.. Ahhh-- they say it doesn't count but I don't know? it was 60 ?'s in an hour mult. choice, and a short essay in the end (don't panic) g'luck!"

"Tests- 2 "tests" (1) biology + general chemistry (2) study skill "survey" ; You really shouldn't worry about them esp if you just took the MCAT.
Good Luck!"
 
maxim3L said:
Not to scare, but I am SURE it plays a role. The FAQ says your tests are reviewed to come to a final decision, so yeah. My reconaissance on the test (copied/pasted from past threads):

"Test: Know your sciences, i can't say which one cuz it was seriously everything.. Ahhh-- they say it doesn't count but I don't know? it was 60 ?'s in an hour mult. choice, and a short essay in the end (don't panic) g'luck!"

"Tests- 2 "tests" (1) biology + general chemistry (2) study skill "survey" ; You really shouldn't worry about them esp if you just took the MCAT.
Good Luck!"
Click to expand...

Oh man, I think I need to break out the bio mcat books again.. gen chem, however, I can deal with.
 
From the website:

What kind of tests are administered to interviewees and how will the results be utilized?

The tests will assess science knowledge, study skills and non-cognitive attributes. No preparation is required. The tests will provide additional information to the GEMS Admissions Committee and assist the Program administrators in defining appropriate support for accepted students.
 
PlasticWatch 4th

Webbster

Tachy23 4th

CambyHopps7 4th

Maxim3L 4th

Flownominal 20th

moto_za 4th

eefdaman

MeDMERgency
 
Thanks Moto, it appears there's a conflict in wording when comparing the FAQ and the website.

FAQ says: To arrive at final decisions the Committee meets to discuss the applicant’s interview and test results, and votes to accept orreject the applicant. Final decisions will be made on all GEMS applications by May 30, 2009.

Website says:
The tests will assess science knowledge, study skills and non-cognitive attributes. No preparation is required. The tests will provide additional information to the GEMS Admissions Committee and assist the Program administrators in defining appropriate support for accepted students.


Thoughts?


moto_za said:
From the website:

What kind of tests are administered to interviewees and how will the results be utilized?

The tests will assess science knowledge, study skills and non-cognitive attributes. No preparation is required. The tests will provide additional information to the GEMS Admissions Committee and assist the Program administrators in defining appropriate support for accepted students.
Click to expand...
 
if yesterday was an indicator, calls for more interviews should be made at around this time...

However, if yesterday was the last day, I guess i'll see ya'll maybe next year ? : P
 
ragstoMD said:
if yesterday was an indicator, calls for more interviews should be made at around this time...

However, if yesterday was the last day, I guess i'll see ya'll maybe next year ? : P
Click to expand...

Don't worry, keep the faith! They could very well be making more calls soon. We're all pulling for you bro!
 
haha thanks..

but JUST IN CASE, i want ya'll to know I'm going to be asking each one of you how your experience was.

haha : P

also, do you guys have any advice what I should do as a recent college graduate that can't afford to go back to school and still wants to be a doctor?

Be a medical technologist for a year? Move to Washington DC to be a homeless person spreading the good news of Jesus? ( the later was a serious thought.. at least, while studying for the MCAT retake)
 
I'm praying for you also ragstoMD...and all others that are still waiting for the call
 
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