George Washington

[collegy]

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What's the deal with GW's decisions? I know they've given out quite a number of interviews so far, some short and some long after secondary submissions.

Mine was submitted about a month ago, and I call them every week only to be told that it's "under review". Well I atleast hope they're being honest. Just the fact that the don't send out rejections until after 10-15 makes me worried that I may be rejected and they're just waiting for that date to let me know....

I would appreciate anyone's comments.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsymvcqVc1s

Watch at your own risk.

 

[LikeClockWork]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsymvcqVc1s

Watch at your own risk.

Awesome. Just awesome. I need to find more ways to fit this into daily life.

"Man that girl is hot!"
"Yeah, I'll bet she makes love like an eagle falling out of the sky!"
"....what?"

 

[tacrum43]

What's the deal with GW's decisions? I know they've given out quite a number of interviews so far, some short and some long after secondary submissions.

Mine was submitted about a month ago, and I call them every week only to be told that it's "under review". Well I atleast hope they're being honest. Just the fact that the don't send out rejections until after 10-15 makes me worried that I may be rejected and they're just waiting for that date to let me know....

I would appreciate anyone's comments.

How GW picks who gets interviews and who doesn't seems to be a great mystery. Rather than calling the admissions office every week, I would suggest writing a heartfelt letter of interest. I definitely think GW values sincere interest in attending their school.

 

[lisichka]

How GW picks who gets interviews and who doesn't seems to be a great mystery. Rather than calling the admissions office every week, I would suggest writing a heartfelt letter of interest. I definitely think GW values sincere interest in attending their school.

this is not ethical. if the guy /girl writes such a letter to all schools he is interested in/or applies to, then it is misleading...

i think a letter of interest should be written ONLY if it is the FIRST choice🙁 if not, then a good advice would be just WAIT... patience is a good thing sometimes.

 

[collegy]

Well, GW is in fact my top choice, but I've been kept from sending any LOI's before interviews... everyone says there's no point and LOI's only affect chances if you've been given an interview...

 

[lisichka]

Well, GW is in fact my top choice, but I've been kept from sending any LOI's before interviews... everyone says there's no point and LOI's only affect chances if you've been given an interview...

top choice is not the FIRST choice. i.e. top choice could be top 10, 20 ,30,etc.... doesn;t mean anything.

 

[Phoenix.]

Well, GW is in fact my top choice, but I've been kept from sending any LOI's before interviews... everyone says there's no point and LOI's only affect chances if you've been given an interview...

I disagree. If you know GWU is your top choice, I say send the letter now. I have read people post on SDN (for what it's worth), that at some schools a pre-interview letter can actually get you an interview. I think it's worth a shot, and can't hurt you for trying. Better that than getting a rejection and wondering if you might have had a shot if they'd known it was your top choice, and what a great fit you'd make. Good luck.

 

[lisichka]

in any case, "agree/disagree," whatever... i wish the OP lots of luck and patience(sp?) to get through this. actually many of us need both🙂 me included (esp. patience lol). and do whatever you feel is right, listen to your gut feeling.

 

[Phoenix.]

this is not ethical. if the guy /girl writes such a letter to all schools he is interested in/or applies to, then it is misleading...

i think a letter of interest should be written ONLY if it is the FIRST choice🙁 if not, then a good advice would be just WAIT... patience is a good thing sometimes.

Sorry, lisichka, I don't mean to pick things apart, but I do want to clarify something here. I could be wrong, but I thought there was a difference between a "letter of intent" and a "letter of interest." I believe that a letter of intent basically states that it would be your intention to go to that school if you got in. I.e., this is your number one choice (sure things can change, but when you write that letter, you should be sincere and honest). A letter of interest, on the other hand, is just what it says. It tells them of your interest in their school. I think there's a lot more leeway in the letter of interest. After all, it's hard to KNOW where you definitely want to go pre-interview (although of course some people do). Good luck.

 

[lisichka]

Sorry, lisichka, I don't mean to pick things apart, but I do want to clarify something here. I could be wrong, but I thought there was a difference between a "letter of intent" and a "letter of interest." I believe that a letter of intent basically states that it would be your intention to go to that school if you got in. I.e., this is your number one choice (sure things can change, but when you write that letter, you should be sincere and honest). A letter of interest, on the other hand, is just what it says. It tells them of your interest in their school. I think there's a lot more leeway in the letter of interest. After all, it's hard to KNOW where you definitely want to go pre-interview (although of course some people do). Good luck.

letter of interest is completely useless and REDUNDANT in my opinion. the fact that the student applied to the school, paid all the fees, shows his/her INTEREST already. why apply if you are not interested?! it just doesn't make sense. letter of intent is different, and makes sense in THE FIRST CHOICE cases. but it is completely unethincal to write LOIntents to many schools. that is borderline cheating/lying, and could actually harm the student in the long run. just my 2 cents.

p.s. and yes Phoenix, i made a typo, meant INTENT, not interest in my other post. sorry.

 

[BigRedPremed]

Sorry, lisichka, I don't mean to pick things apart, but I do want to clarify something here. I could be wrong, but I thought there was a difference between a "letter of intent" and a "letter of interest." I believe that a letter of intent basically states that it would be your intention to go to that school if you got in. I.e., this is your number one choice (sure things can change, but when you write that letter, you should be sincere and honest). A letter of interest, on the other hand, is just what it says. It tells them of your interest in their school. I think there's a lot more leeway in the letter of interest. After all, it's hard to KNOW where you definitely want to go pre-interview (although of course some people do). Good luck.

While what you say is true, I think a letter of interest carries little weight. You applied to their school. Of course, you're "interested." A letter of intent carries weight precisely because it's practically a commitment (I think it might even be legally binding). I think the OP should just wait and see. GWU already has a ton of applicants (which is probably why he hasn't received a decision already). There's no point in sending a ton of superfluous mail pre-interview.

 

[collegy]

Thanks everybody so much, I'm going to be patient and wait and give it some thoughts. I simply love the school and the area it's in. I just wish GW would actually tell you your status instead of "under review" all the time. I wonder if anybody who hasn't received an interview has been told of a different status.

 

[Phoenix.]

While what you say is true, I think a letter of interest carries little weight. You applied to their school. Of course, you're "interested." A letter of intent carries weight precisely because it's practically a commitment (I think it might even be legally binding). I think the OP should just wait and see. GWU already has a ton of applicants (which is probably why he hasn't received a decision already). There's no point in sending a ton of superfluous mail pre-interview.

I dunno. I'm going to stick with my prior opinion. I think that some schools don't ask the "why us" question in a secondary, or only give a very small space to address that. If, for instance, you are REALLY REALLY REALLY interested in GWU for very unique reasons specific to their school, and really want to show your enthusiasm and very specific interests and drive home why you'd make a great fit, I think that in certain circumstances that may in fact carry some weight even if you don't come out and say "you're my first choice and I'll go to your school above all others if accepted." I just had my GWU interview, and they specifically said that they're looking for students who mesh with certain focuses and opportunities available at the school. Given that they get such a deluge of applications, and given that the space to talk about "why GWU" isn't very big, I think that it could only be a plus to send a very well written and substantive letter of interest. Sure, it may do nothing, but I don't think it could hurt, and I actually do think that in some circumstances (depending on the school, where you stand in their applicant pool already, the secondary questions you've already answered, etc.) it could be the straw that gets you that invite.

 

[lisichka]

.

 

[kidthor]

All this discussion of what carries more weight seems a little silly to me. If you want to write them a letter saying what you like about the school and why you're a good fit for them, it can only help. There's NO way you'd know it's your first choice without even having interviewed there, so there's really no need to talk about that.

So, write them that letter of "why we are good fit for each other" and good luck!

 

[tacrum43]

this is not ethical. if the guy /girl writes such a letter to all schools he is interested in/or applies to, then it is misleading...

i think a letter of interest should be written ONLY if it is the FIRST choice🙁 if not, then a good advice would be just WAIT... patience is a good thing sometimes.

letter of interest is completely useless and REDUNDANT in my opinion. the fact that the student applied to the school, paid all the fees, shows his/her INTEREST already. why apply if you are not interested?! it just doesn't make sense. letter of intent is different, and makes sense in THE FIRST CHOICE cases. but it is completely unethincal to write LOIntents to many schools. that is borderline cheating/lying, and could actually harm the student in the long run. just my 2 cents.

p.s. and yes Phoenix, i made a typo, meant INTENT, not interest in my other post. sorry.

Well, you certainly are opinionated. I was recommending that the OP write a letter of INTEREST. This is not unethical, and I don't appreciate your saying that it is. You are not promising to go there (as in a letter of intent); you're simply saying that you are especially interested in their school. There may be several schools that you're very interested in. Why not let them know? Just taking the time to compose a letter implies that you're more interested in attending than those who don't bother to write one.

I dunno. I'm going to stick with my prior opinion. I think that some schools don't ask the "why us" question in a secondary, or only give a very small space to address that. If, for instance, you are REALLY REALLY REALLY interested in GWU for very unique reasons specific to their school, and really want to show your enthusiasm and very specific interests and drive home why you'd make a great fit, I think that in certain circumstances that may in fact carry some weight even if you don't come out and say "you're my first choice and I'll go to your school above all others if accepted." I just had my GWU interview, and they specifically said that they're looking for students who mesh with certain focuses and opportunities available at the school. Given that they get such a deluge of applications, and given that the space to talk about "why GWU" isn't very big, I think that it could only be a plus to send a very well written and substantive letter of interest. Sure, it may do nothing, but I don't think it could hurt, and I actually do think that in some circumstances (depending on the school, where you stand in their applicant pool already, the secondary questions you've already answered, etc.) it could be the straw that gets you that invite.

I agree with Phoenix's advice. 👍

 

[alwaysaangel]

this is not ethical. if the guy /girl writes such a letter to all schools he is interested in/or applies to, then it is misleading...

i think a letter of interest should be written ONLY if it is the FIRST choice🙁 if not, then a good advice would be just WAIT... patience is a good thing sometimes.

Yeah letters of interest and intent are completely different and both are very useful. Letter of interest is something you would send to several of your number one choices. It allows you to update them on recent activities as well as to further discuss why you are a good match for their school, something that can't always be done in a secondary. They are extremely useful and in no way "unethical." They do need to be sent with discretion and good timing. But its not wrong to send one and if GW is in the OPs top few then he SHOULD send one. I sent one to pretty much every school in California, and I don't feel I did anything unethical.

Letter of intent includes the words "I WILL attend your school if accepted" and you're right that should only be sent to one school.

But you are completely wrong about letters of interest being useless, they allow you to say a lot of things you didn't say in your secondary plus the fact that you bothered to write them says something about your interest far more than secondaries do.

Your theory that sending in a primary, secondary and payment proves interest is very flawed. Lots of people apply to what they consider "safeties" just to be sure they get in somewhere. Or they do have preference and out of the 20 schools they applied to - 5 they would LOVE to attend and the others they would just be happy to go to so they can be somewhere. Schools know that applicants do this, and the letter of interest shows them they are not in the latter category.

Well, GW is in fact my top choice, but I've been kept from sending any LOI's before interviews... everyone says there's no point and LOI's only affect chances if you've been given an interview...

Send it!!! Who is everyone?? Lots of people on this site promote sending letters post interview as long as you have something to say (and have been waiting sometime - don't send it prematurely you want the LOI to force them to rereview your file). GW Loves to put people on interview hold - I would wait until you get put on hold - then send it.

If you have something worth updating them on (new position, new job, or something else not mentioned in secondary) then send it. Mention the updates, tell them why they are the perfect school for you and why you are the perfect student for them. Discuss why it would be mutually beneficial for you to attend their school.

I am at my top choice today because I sent a letter of interest after being put on hold for interview (so before I received an interview). It got me my interview in late April and then 2 more letters got me my acceptance. Be persistent. If you don't send the letter of interest before you get the interview then they may never know how badly you want to go there and you may never get the interview.

 

[Phoenix.]

I am at my top choice today because I sent a letter of interest after being put on hold for interview (so before I received an interview). It got me my interview in late April and then 2 more letters got me my acceptance. Be persistent. If you don't send the letter of interest before you get the interview then they may never know how badly you want to go there and you may never get the interview.

Alwaysaangel - it was your mdapps/story I was thinking of when I wrote my response above. You've inspired me too! Thanks.

 

[LeftCommonCarot]

Alwaysaangel - it was your mdapps/story I was thinking of when I wrote my response above. You've inspired me too! Thanks.

of course a letter of interest is a good thing,

i have no idea why that girl was trying to convince you otherwise. some people on this site are hypercompetitive? who knows?

the fact is, i do not even see anything wrong with sending multiple loi's. these schools charge ridiculous fees, make people wait absurd amounts of time, etc.

yes, if you get acceptances at two places, you are in a weird position. so be it. it's your turn to practice an unusual power trip.

 

[lisichka]

of course a letter of interest is a good thing,

some people on this site are hypercompetitive? who knows?

before you write smth like that make sure you know what the f^$&k you are talking about. (i was just writing about the difference b/w letter of intent and letter of interest). i do think it is quite unethical to lie, and pretend this is the only school you will attend if accepted. this kind of lying can actually get you in trouble, since everything is in writing, and they have proof of ur intentions. as to letter of interest, i think it is a waste of paper and time. this is my opinion, but i respect what others have to say.

and whoever you are, carot, or whatever ur name is, keep ur agression to urself, and before insulting someone you DO NOT know, please THINK. as i said before, thinking is useful sometimes. just a thought.

anyways, this is my rant for today. period.😴

 

[lisichka]

Well, you certainly are opinionated. I was recommending that the OP write a letter of INTEREST. This is not unethical, and I don't appreciate your saying that it is.

i am sorry if i offended you, i didn;t mean to... i was genuinly expressing my opnion without any bad thoughts. anyways, i am not even in medschool yet, so i should not be giving out advise to pre-meds just like me.

this is my last one. i promise. 😳😳😳

 

[WurangBlang]

I am on hold...... forever at that school.

Anyways, if you really want to go there, i think LOI would be worth it.

 

[tacrum43]

i am sorry if i offended you, i didn;t mean to... i was genuinly expressing my opnion without any bad thoughts. anyways, i am not even in medschool yet, so i should not be giving out advise to pre-meds just like me.

this is my last one. i promise. 😳😳😳

No problem. I certainly think it's fine to express your opinion and share advice as a pre-med, it was just the line about an LOI being "totally unethical" that irked me. That's a pretty strong opinion to have if you don't know much about it.

 

[lisichka]

No problem. I certainly think it's fine to express your opinion and share advice as a pre-med, it was just the line about an LOI being "totally unethical" that irked me. That's a pretty strong opinion to have if you don't know much about it.

LOI is ethical, sending the same letter to 12 schools is unethical. i just belive that one should have very strong feelings and desires to attend a particular school, in order to write LOI. i actually DID send one such letter to an unspecified school. but i know a person that clones and sends such a letter to all 12 of his schools. and he calls all of those schools his top choice. and i thought OP was one such person. i hope not...

but so far-- no result from my letter. 🙁

but overall, i think that as long as one is genuine about his/her intentions in such a letter, LOI could help.

here's to good luck to all people who wrote such a letter. i hope we all see results soon