GW's "alternate list"

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DOCTORSAIB

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Hi everyone,

Yesterday I received a letter from GWU SOM. My heart almost dropped when I read the first line..."the Committee on Admissions is pleased to inform you that you have been selected..."

Then reality hit... "as an alternate status"....:( Regardless, wondering if anyone else got the same letter.

I did a search and found somewhere that about 40% of people get in off the alternate list!

DOCTORSAIB
 

mimi1

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I received that letter last November. The "alternate list" is the same thing as the wait list. They start reviewing it in May and I've been told that it's good to write a letter of interest before then. I do think that they take a lot of people off the waitlist and am REALLY hoping that I'm one of them!!

Good Luck!:)
 

IDPHARM

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I received the same letter last month. I thought the ""the Committee on Admissions is pleased to inform you that you have been selected..." was disheartening. DOCTORSAIB where did you find out about stat 40% get off the waitlist? I email the Admissions Office and they basically said that they won't do anything until May 15. She could not tell me anything in terms of the odds of getting off the list because it varies from year to year but I have read from other posts that the alternate list at GW moves. I hope I can find out early enough b/c I have to sell my house and move my family there in time to attend class if I get accepted. Are there any current GWU students that can give us some insight to the waitlist odds?
 

DOCTORSAIB

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I did a search on SDN...and dug up an old thread. If Im not mistaken, a GW med student talked about how about 40% of the ppl eventually come off the alternate list.

Ok, hope that helps.

DOCTORSAIB
 

IDPHARM

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Thanks DOCTORSAIB.
Good luck to you.
 

ashtie

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Originally posted by DOCTORSAIB
Hi everyone,

Yesterday I received a letter from GWU SOM. My heart almost dropped when I read the first line..."the Committee on Admissions is pleased to inform you that you have been selected..."

Then reality hit... "as an alternate status"....:( Regardless, wondering if anyone else got the same letter.

I did a search and found somewhere that about 40% of people get in off the alternate list!

DOCTORSAIB

When did you interview?
 

DOCTORSAIB

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Hey Ashtie,

My interview was on Jan.23rd. They told us we should hear within 8 weeks. My alternate status letter was dated March 12th. Hope that helps. Good luck to all other alternates waiting for an acceptance..:)

DOCTORSAIB
 

phinicky

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Being on GW's alternate list is not so bad!! Here's my story...

I was placed on the alternate list when I applied 2 years ago. I sent in my LOI shortly after receiving my letter. They don't look at the list until after May 15- but there is A LOT of movement.

Towards the end of May I FAXED (that's an important point) a second LOI to the admissions office. I basically stated all of my reasons for wanting to go to GW, why GW would want me, what I had done over the past year, etc. Most importantly, I clearly stated that I had been accepted to other schools, but would choose GW over other places. I can't emphasize how important that is since many accepted applicants will ultimately opt for "better"/less expensive schools.

The admissions office called me less than a week later to tell that I had been accepted.

I'm a MSII now, and I can't stress enough that this school wants students who really want to be here... PM me with any questions
 
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