Georgetown Gems 2012-2013

[LoveMyRam]

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Guys,

This isn't a hard concept- GEMS will take applications from students who have already applied through amcas. The GEMS application should be in the same year that you are applying to other medical schools and still waiting to hear back from them. You can apply to any school, it doesn't necessarily have to be georgetown.

That being said, there are very few exceptions to the rule and you can contact the program by email to have them assess your scenario. I'll tell you from now, applying to only one school on your amcas this year, just to apply to GEMS is not a special scenario, and I would not recommend doing that at all. The committee knows some students do this, and that's not the applicant they are looking for to offer an interview or an acceptance to. The applicant they want is spelled out on the website, and if you don't fit the criteria, it is not likely that they are going to offer you an interview.

Good Luck, i'm sure that everyone who applies will be given the proper attention and chance they deserve.

 

[thn1401]

Can someone help with this question please.

GEMS website says to file AMCAS by Nov 30. I have not submitted my yet because transcripts are not in. Does it matter if I submit it a little after Nov 30? As long as I have it verified by the March deadline for GEMS?

 

[FightinUruKai]

http://gems.georgetown.edu/

so they updated it...and you guys were right. They didn't pull any fast ones on us (and the new info looks pretty).

 

[komplex87]

@beanallegy

Good luck on your first exam!

I am interested in applying but do a have a few questions. Do you know if the progam has MCAT cut offs? Are students required to retake the MCAT? Any help you could offer would be greatly appreciated!

 

[theyesman]

.

 

[naijacardriodoc]

anyone doing a slow countdown till the application opens up? haha i am.

 

[naijacardriodoc]

Any updates from a current GEMs about how the program is going for you all?

 

[durdaneta2]

2 weeks until the application goes up. Any one find anything on an old thread with info on what the essay questions are? It would be great to start thinking of how i'm going to answer them ahead of time.

 

[Hvilledoc]

Hello,

I have a question. I applied to Georgetown med school through AMCAS but did not complete their secondary application. I also applied to 4 other medical schools. I am not sure if not filling out the secondary application will affect my chances for the GEMS program. Any ideas?

-My stats are: BS in Biology, Spanish minor.
GPA: 3.72 but my MCAT was terrible. I scored a 17 🙁
President of the medical organization on campus. Have clinical/volunteer experience. I am Hispanic.

Do you guys think I have a shot at the program?

 

[BeanAllergy]

Hey Guys!
Sorry for the silence. We just finished our GI module and are now starting our last and final med school module, Renal! 🙂 We have all stuck together as a group so far and hopefully we will continue to be together at the end of the year.

Only a couple more days until the application opens! 😀 Can't wait to see y'all on your interview day!

As for preparing for the questions, they are going to ask questions that will have you tell your story. Questions about your circumstances, how they have affected you, and what you have done to overcome them.

 

[BeanAllergy]

Hello,

I have a question. I applied to Georgetown med school through AMCAS but did not complete their secondary application. I also applied to 4 other medical schools. I am not sure if not filling out the secondary application will affect my chances for the GEMS program. Any ideas?

-My stats are: BS in Biology, Spanish minor.
GPA: 3.72 but my MCAT was terrible. I scored a 17 🙁
President of the medical organization on campus. Have clinical/volunteer experience. I am Hispanic.

Do you guys think I have a shot at the program?

Im pretty certain filling out (or not filling out) secondaries won't affect your chances. I didn't even apply to GUSOM and I got in. 😉

In regards to your score, Im not sure if anybody on here can give you a good estimate of your chances. The averages of accepted students have been around 23. I would recommend contacting the GEMS office with your question if you are concerned.

 

[Hvilledoc]

I did contact them via email, but just received a standard response directing me to the website with the information about the program. I called and left a voicemail but never heard anything back.
Oh well, I guess I will find out once I apply. Hopefully I can get a shot a the program.

Bean Allergy, how are you liking it?

 

[BeanAllergy]

I did contact them via email, but just received a standard response directing me to the website with the information about the program. I called and left a voicemail but never heard anything back.
Oh well, I guess I will find out once I apply. Hopefully I can get a shot a the program.

Bean Allergy, how are you liking it?

I'm sorry you didn't get a satisfactory response Hvilledoc. 🙁

From the very small group of current gems with whom I have discussed MCAT scores with (ie, 4), our scores ranged from about 21 to 29. It's possible that there is somebody here with a sub 20 score but I wouldn't know since my sample size was so small. 😛
That being said, your GPA is very impressive. If your EC's are good too, it wouldn't hurt to take a chance and apply. The vibe I received from interview day and throughout this year is that they weren't looking for the applicants with the highest scores.

As for the program itself, it has been a great, if a bit bumpy, ride so far! Currently we are waiting for our GI test results to come out. This is the first med school module we went in as blind as the M1's so this is a bit of a nerve wracking period (at least for me personally. 😳)

 

[Hvilledoc]

Well, I am glad that you have had a good experience so far. 🙂 I hope they are not looking for a very high mcat score. My gpa is pretty good but for some reason that mcat was terrible. I overstressed myself and all i could think of while taking it was the time. It was a bad experience. Do you get automatic acceptance to the med school after completion of the gems program?

 

[BeanAllergy]

Well, I am glad that you have had a good experience so far. 🙂 I hope they are not looking for a very high mcat score. My gpa is pretty good but for some reason that mcat was terrible. I overstressed myself and all i could think of while taking it was the time. It was a bad experience. Do you get automatic acceptance to the med school after completion of the gems program?

Have you considered taking an MCAT prep class and trying the exam again? The GEMS program and living in DC is a bit pricey and there is no automatic or guaranteed acceptance.

 

[Hvilledoc]

I have considered it. However, my parents don't want me to waste another year out of school since I took a year off between my two year degree and my Bachelor's degree. They rather me go off to a school outside of the US than to let another year go by. I kind of agree with them. So I am giving it a shot this year and if I dont get anywhere then I guess I will have to re-take it.

 

[EZR]

Guys,

This isn't a hard concept- GEMS will take applications from students who have already applied through amcas. The GEMS application should be in the same year that you are applying to other medical schools and still waiting to hear back from them. You can apply to any school, it doesn't necessarily have to be georgetown.

That being said, there are very few exceptions to the rule and you can contact the program by email to have them assess your scenario. I'll tell you from now, applying to only one school on your amcas this year, just to apply to GEMS is not a special scenario, and I would not recommend doing that at all. The committee knows some students do this, and that's not the applicant they are looking for to offer an interview or an acceptance to. The applicant they want is spelled out on the website, and if you don't fit the criteria, it is not likely that they are going to offer you an interview.

Good Luck, i'm sure that everyone who applies will be given the proper attention and chance they deserve.

What is the rationale for requiring an application to med-schools the year before applying to the GEM program? I'll be applying to med-schools for the first time this upcoming June -- but I had NO hope of even thinking about applying to med-schools last year.

This absolutely excludes me from applying to GEM?

 

[TwisterTwain]

what is the rationale for requiring an application to med-schools the year before applying to the gem program? I'll be applying to med-schools for the first time this upcoming june -- but i had no hope of even thinking about applying to med-schools last year.

This absolutely excludes me from applying to gem?

yes.

 

[FightinUruKai]

I know the application isn't even up yet, but does anyone know if we'll be able to just use the letters we used for AMCAS, or do our letter writers have to fill out georgetown gems specific forms?

 

[BeanAllergy]

What is the rationale for requiring an application to med-schools the year before applying to the GEM program? I'll be applying to med-schools for the first time this upcoming June -- but I had NO hope of even thinking about applying to med-schools last year.

This absolutely excludes me from applying to GEM?

Unfortunately yes. 🙁 You are applying for the same year as your med school app. As in, to apply to the 2012-2013 Gems class you need to apply for the 2012-2016 med school year.

I know the application isn't even up yet, but does anyone know if we'll be able to just use the letters we used for AMCAS, or do our letter writers have to fill out georgetown gems specific forms?

I think it might be a GEMS specific form. Last year there was a section in the online application where you would put in your LOR writer's info so that something would be sent to them. However, I can't remember if it was a separate form that they had to fill out. 😕

 

[FightinUruKai]

thanks Bean! How is the year going for you so far?

 

[BeanAllergy]

thanks Bean! How is the year going for you so far?

The year is going very well. 😀 We are nearing the home stretch and will have our final med module test on the 21st.

5 more days till the application opens! Hope you all are excited! I know I am! 🙂

 

[elusiveCHILD]

The year is going very well. 😀 We are nearing the home stretch and will have our final med module test on the 21st.

5 more days till the application opens! Hope you all are excited! I know I am! 🙂

I am VERY excited! 2 MORE DAYS!!!

 

[rosdapro]

I received information about the GEMS program about two weeks. I am wondering how I was identified as a possible applicant/candidate for the program?

I am not a traditional URM( not african-american or latino), but I do consider myself and my community to be underrepresented in medicine ( i did not select disadvantaged on my AMCAS). Are there current students in the program who are also non traditional URMs?

This program appears to be a great opportunity and I am really interested in being apart of the "family". I just do not know whether I am the candidate they are looking for.

 

[naijacardriodoc]

Anyone that was an applicant to GUSOM this year, even if you filled or did not fill out the secondary received information about the GEMS program in the mail.

I received information about the GEMS program about two weeks. I am wondering how I was identified as a possible applicant/candidate for the program?

I am not a traditional URM( not african-american or latino), but I do consider myself and my community to be underrepresented in medicine ( i did not select disadvantaged on my AMCAS). Are there current students in the program who are also non traditional URMs?

This program appears to be a great opportunity and I am really interested in being apart of the "family". I just do not know whether I am the candidate they are looking for.

 

[naijacardriodoc]

+1 me too!!

I am VERY excited! 2 MORE DAYS!!!

 

[FightinUruKai]

The application is up

 

[BeanAllergy]

Just a reminder: There was a lot of helpful information regarding the application in last year's thread http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=797352

 

[FightinUruKai]

The year is going very well. 😀 We are nearing the home stretch and will have our final med module test on the 21st.

5 more days till the application opens! Hope you all are excited! I know I am! 🙂

Just wanted to say good luck on Tuesday, and thank you for being so helpful on this board!

 

[DJDT]

Just submitted, keeping my fingers crossed!!!! Good luck to all who applied!.....I just realized I made a mistake. I submitted my application thinking that I would be able to see the information regarding the release of MCAT scores and transcripts after submission, but it's not there anymore. Does anyone know how and where to send my transcripts, and if I need to release my MCAT scores to the program (I only saw Georgetown masters program in physiology or something like that) or do they just use the attached AMCAS application for that?

 

[Anya333]

Hello,

Congrats on submitting the application to GEMS. For submitting your letter of recs., did you have to find letter writers who would fill out the GEMS recommendation form for you? Or did you just have all your AMCAS letters re-submitted to GEMS? I am confused because i do already have 5 reference letters on file that i can re-submit to GEMS, however, it seems like they actually want us to have our letter writers fill out the GEMS recommendation form they have on their application website. Can you clarify, if you have any info regarding this?

Also, if you already have a verified AMCAS application, then you do not need to submit any transcripts or mcat scores unless if you have new updates in your academic record since you last submitted your AMCAS.

 

[Gambler 101]

Hello,

Congrats on submitting the application to GEMS. For submitting your letter of recs., did you have to find letter writers who would fill out the GEMS recommendation form for you? Or did you just have all your AMCAS letters re-submitted to GEMS? I am confused because i do already have 5 reference letters on file that i can re-submit to GEMS, however, it seems like they actually want us to have our letter writers fill out the GEMS recommendation form they have on their application website. Can you clarify, if you have any info regarding this?

Also, if you already have a verified AMCAS application, then you do not need to submit any transcripts or mcat scores unless if you have new updates in your academic record since you last submitted your AMCAS.

The instructions state that it's fine to send your letter of recommendations electronically via services like interfolio. it's on the last page of the application. I don't think they care about the form if they accept letters from interfolio.

 

[BeanAllergy]

Just wanted to say good luck on Tuesday, and thank you for being so helpful on this board!

Thanks FightinUruKai! 😀 I do hope that I have been able to clarify things for you guys and haven't made stuff more confusing. I wish you all good luck with your applications!

Just submitted, keeping my fingers crossed!!!! Good luck to all who applied!.....I just realized I made a mistake. I submitted my application thinking that I would be able to see the information regarding the release of MCAT scores and transcripts after submission, but it's not there anymore. Does anyone know how and where to send my transcripts, and if I need to release my MCAT scores to the program (I only saw Georgetown masters program in physiology or something like that) or do they just use the attached AMCAS application for that?

The AMCAS app you uploaded should have your MCAT score, so no need to submit it unless you recently retook it.
As for your transcript, you only need to send it if you have new grades that are not included on your AMCAS. If that is the case, unfortunately, I do not know the address that you would send it to. Unless someone on the board can see if that info is on the application website, you could email the GEMS program for directions.

Hello,

Congrats on submitting the application to GEMS. For submitting your letter of recs., did you have to find letter writers who would fill out the GEMS recommendation form for you? Or did you just have all your AMCAS letters re-submitted to GEMS? I am confused because i do already have 5 reference letters on file that i can re-submit to GEMS, however, it seems like they actually want us to have our letter writers fill out the GEMS recommendation form they have on their application website. Can you clarify, if you have any info regarding this?

I can't remember enough about the app so Im going to have to defer to Gamber 101's reply above.
Also, I do recall that they only wanted 2 science or math professors LORS.

Also, if you already have a verified AMCAS application, then you do not need to submit any transcripts or mcat scores unless if you have new updates in your academic record since you last submitted your AMCAS.

That is correct. 🙂

 

[DJDT]

Thanks FightinUruKai! 😀 I do hope that I have been able to clarify things for you guys and haven't made stuff more confusing. I wish you all good luck with your applications!



The AMCAS app you uploaded should have your MCAT score, so no need to submit it unless you recently retook it.
As for your transcript, you only need to send it if you have new grades that are not included on your AMCAS. If that is the case, unfortunately, I do not know the address that you would send it to. Unless someone on the board can see if that info is on the application website, you could email the GEMS program for directions.



I can't remember enough about the app so Im going to have to defer to Gamber 101's reply above.
Also, I do recall that they only wanted 2 science or math professors LORS.



That is correct. 🙂

Thank you all for your help! I actually found the address for where to send your transcripts on the confirmation email they sent. I sent out a transcript for grades not included in my AMCAS since I was verified in July.

I used the same LOR packet I used for AMCAS, and they actually provide an email address in the "recommendations" section where you can have them sent. I had a packet put together by my prehealth office that was submitted to AMCAS, so I figured that would be easier. They do take LORs via interfolio and another electronic method, which I can't recall.

Best of luck to all those applying!!!!

 

[rosdapro]

Is there any way that we may be able to speak a GEMS adcom office or a specific dean that is involved with the program?

 

[NeuroMane]

Just completed my application. Just playing the waiting game now... that $130 stung a little bit though lol. Good luck to all applying to GEMS!!

 

[Antaeus]

Hi Everyone. I'm also applying to the GEMS program for this cycle. This thread is a lot less active then the previous years 😴 . Is anyone out there? LOL If so has everyone finished there applications and submitted them? It appears that last year someone received a call around the first week of April for an interview. That's exciting. Any applicants from the Philadelphia, New Jersey, or New york Area on here? Best of luck to everyone Lets try to wake this thread up. If any Former/Current GEMS Students are on here. Can you please add a little more to how the living situation usually is for students in the program. Do you have enough time after acceptance to find an appartment etc... I have read some of the previous threads but I did not see this mentioned. I may have looked over it though. Any foresight into the process of obtaining housing is greatly appreciated. Thank you

 

[BeanAllergy]

If any Former/Current GEMS Students are on here. Can you please add a little more to how the living situation usually is for students in the program. Do you have enough time after acceptance to find an appartment etc... I have read some of the previous threads but I did not see this mentioned. I may have looked over it though. Any foresight into the process of obtaining housing is greatly appreciated. Thank you

There should be plenty of time to find an apartment after acceptance. Last year acceptances were given around mid May and the program started early July. Most people here were settled in by the time the program started. If you are looking to live with other people and are really proactive about it, you may be able to make connections during the GEMS interview day and be able to move into a group home or arrange with your fellow interviewees to co-inhabit. Otherwise, I found craigslist and padmapper to be great sources for apartments.

I think the reason why there isn't much about housing on the past threads was because we were able to ask our questions to current/former GEMS on our interview day. Some points that one should consider:
- Be careful about who you decide to live with. As a GEMS student, you will probably be spending a good chunk of your time studying. If you room with a graduate or med student who doesn't share your schedule or isn't very studious, it may be harder to motivate yourself to study.
- There are a ton of basement apartments in DC. Although they may be the cheapest options available they may become flooded, may be robbed more frequently, are more prone to pest infection, etc.
- If you decide to live far away, be aware that the transportation costs will add up. And rush hour traffic in DC is horrible. And there is no student parking lot so you'll either have to rent a parking space or purchase a special license to be able to park on the street.
- For students who live far away from DC, a good piece of advice I have heard was to sublet a place for awhile and take that extra time to find and visit apartments. This way you won't be locked into a situation that you weren't expecting.

 

[NeuroMane]

Hi Everyone. I'm also applying to the GEMS program for this cycle. This thread is a lot less active then the previous years 😴 . Is anyone out there? LOL If so has everyone finished there applications and submitted them? It appears that last year someone received a call around the first week of April for an interview. That's exciting. Any applicants from the Philadelphia, New Jersey, or New york Area on here? Best of luck to everyone Lets try to wake this thread up. If any Former/Current GEMS Students are on here. Can you please add a little more to how the living situation usually is for students in the program. Do you have enough time after acceptance to find an appartment etc... I have read some of the previous threads but I did not see this mentioned. I may have looked over it though. Any foresight into the process of obtaining housing is greatly appreciated. Thank you

Honestly, reading through the previous threads it's hard to think of question that hasn't been answered yet. April can't get here soon enough! I've looked at housing in DC area though and it appears to be quite expensive to live by yourself, so rooming with someone may prove beneficial. Ive heard staying in DC and not commuting is a must though! DC traffic sounds like a headache and I'm quite sure GEMS will provide enough of those.

 

[Antaeus]

I agree with you the previous forums conversations are packed with information regarding the program. I just thought it would be nice to have a chime in like last time to see how many people are applying this cycle and lend each other moral support. In addition I thought it would be cool to know some each other just in case we are blessed enough to get in to the program we would have already started a sort of camaraderie.

 

[Antaeus]

Thank you this is very help I deffinitely don't want to find myself in a bad living situation while studying. Do GEMS students try to find housing together?

 

[Courtjester8]

From the posts on last year's thread, it seemed like GEMS students were trying to live together...sometimes up to 4 people per house. It seemed like that sort of living situation carried a cost of about $1000 a month.

I'll also be applying for the current application cycle.

Antaeus I'm from Jersey. Nice handle by the way. Antaeus v. Hercules is a great story. Seamus Heaney wrote a fantastic poem about it. Here's a link if you want to check it out.

http://ampersandino.blogspot.com/2009/03/poem-of-day-seamus-heaney_03.html

For anyone with questions, I strongly suggest skimming last year's 700+ posts. By the time I was done, I didn't have any questions left to ask.

 

[fly higher]

Would you guys say this program is mainly for Hispanic/African Americans? I am a Russian immigrant and was wondering if there was any history of non-minorities getting in. I definitely come from a disadvantaged background, despite not being that traditional minority..

 

[NeuroMane]

Would you guys say this program is mainly for Hispanic/African Americans? I am a Russian immigrant and was wondering if there was any history of non-minorities getting in. I definitely come from a disadvantaged background, despite not being that traditional minority..

This program is for disadvantaged students. As long as you describe why you are/ were a disadvantaged student I believe you should be good. From the brochures and pictures I have seen of GEMS there are a good menagerie of races that comprise the program. You might want to search this forum and previous GEMS forums and message some of the people who are in or completed the program and ask they're opinion as well.

 

[Courtjester8]

From what I can tell, if there has been some outside factor that has compromised your academic performance, you can consider yourself disadvantaged.

 

[ready4med]

Hey there,

I have a specific question. I am in the process of completing my pre-reqs and are very interested in applying to gems for 2013 (I know I am a bit early)! My concern however, is that I will not have Physics II or Organic II completed by Spring 2013, rather by summer 2013. I know I will have to have an AMCAS application and MCAT ( which I will ) however, do you think that GEMS will consider my application?

Is anybody in the same situation as me? Also, while I know GEMS is not as competitive as medical school 😉 would some of you be willing to share you science, overall, and MCAT score?

-Thanks!

 

[Courtjester8]

The GEMS program starts early July so the classes would have to be completed by then. If the summer classes would be completed by then, you'd have to talk to the GEMS adcom to find out if that would be ok with them. Though you'll have had to have applied to medical schools during the 12-13 AMCAS cycle to be eligible for admittance. Obviously this requires you to take the MCAT in time for the amcas cutoff date which I believe is around December. So you'll have had to have taken the MCAT that year which means you'll have to take it without Physics II or Organic II. From the timeline you've put forward, I'm somewhat getting the impression that you're looking at the GEMS program as a backdoor into Georgetown's School of Medicine. If that's the case and I can notice it, I'm sure the GEMS adcom will as well, and i would assume they would look very unfavorably on that. If it's not true, make sure you can express that to adcom.

I'd be happy to share my MCAT and GPA info with anyone who sends me a PM asking for it.

On another note, I just submitted the application today. Has anyone else submitted theirs? Come out of the woodwork people, I know you're there.

 

[ready4med]

Are any of the current students applying to GEMS also applying to any Carib. schools (as a back-up)? Or is the plan to reapply to GEMS/SMP next year if not accepted?

 

[waarya]

Is it just me or did anyone else feel discouraged by the questions regarding how we will finance our GEMS year? I hate to have loans and I am wondering if any non-loan financial aid will be offered. Will we have to pay the tuition entirely by ourselves without contributions from the state and also from the school or affiliated organizations?

 

[FightinUruKai]

Is it just me or did anyone else feel discouraged by the questions regarding how we will finance our GEMS year? I hate to have loans and I am wondering if any non-loan financial aid will be offered. Will we have to pay the tuition entirely by ourselves without contributions from the state and also from the school or affiliated organizations?

That's what it looks like - their FAQ says it's paid for by personal contributions, private and federal loans. On the plus side, the program qualifies for federal loans, so you'll be able to have nice interest rates, and have a good choice of repayment plans.

But yeah, if you could get into med school without paying for tuition/cost of living in DC, I would probably take that option....this is going to be expensive. Totally worth it if you need it, imo, but I'd probably pursue other routes first if I could.