GWU Alternate List 2010

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Status
Not open for further replies.
This is my second year applying and my second go around with alternate lists. If I don't get in this year my MCATs expire so I can't reapply for a while and it looks like I may have to choose a different life path. I have been working with doctors for 2 years in clinical research and they, along with everyone who knows me, are shocked that I can't get in. I am on 3 wait lists and on hold at one school. This really is the craziest process ever. I have done everything I can at this point, sent letters/ phone calls/ etc. All we can do is wait. It is heartbreakingly frustrating.

If this is only your first round, reapply ASAP, - I got 4x as many interviews this year as last year, my problem was the timing - one of my rec letters got held up and didn't go in until September. The one thing out of my control...GRR.

Good luck everyone, I hope something works out for all of us.

I feel you. Don't worry. I think something will work out for you. And three waitlists are better than one. Trust me. GW is the only thing for me right now and I am 100% reapplying or finding other alternatives. I am hopeful. But I'm also being realistic as there are a hundred of us eager to get into GW.

I know a girl who was offered a GW acceptance a month after her interview in December of last cycle. She got a 25 on her MCAT. How crazy is that?

And my other friend with a 32 hasn't gotten in any where.

Mystery. It's what life is.

Members don't see this ad.
 
moonflower - I completely understand where you are coming from. It is a difficult and unpredictable process that is not always fair. But try not to give up, I am in the same boat as you and can relate. When I think of pursuing something different though I just feel even more unhappy. 3 waitlists is promising - be confident :) Best of luck.

I definitely empathize with you and moonflower. The whole process has been a roller-coaster ride - lots of ups and downs. And I'm hearing this common theme: physicians that we work with and people in general who know us well are shocked and confused that we're having so much trouble getting into school. It's just so hard when you're trying to pursue your dream and there's a gatekeeper saying you can't proceed.
 
It's unlike any other professional school application process.

Agreed!!! My colleagues try to compare it to applying to law school but I don't even begin to start to explain the differences just smile and nod. I already went to grad school for an MPH and that process was a HUGE piece of cake compared to this and didn't take over a year..... The whole process boggles my mind. When I tell people that GW had 14,000 applicants for 177 spots they think I'm on crack. What boggles my mind even more is that the US schools have become so super selective that a large number of people are forced to obtain their degrees offshore - only recently did I realize that the first year classes at Ross and SGU were so huge!!
 
Members don't see this ad :)
I feel you. Don't worry. I think something will work out for you. And three waitlists are better than one. Trust me. GW is the only thing for me right now and I am 100% reapplying or finding other alternatives. I am hopeful. But I'm also being realistic as there are a hundred of us eager to get into GW.

I know a girl who was offered a GW acceptance a month after her interview in December of last cycle. She got a 25 on her MCAT. How crazy is that?

And my other friend with a 32 hasn't gotten in any where.

Mystery. It's what life is.

Tell me about it. I am currently on 8 waitlists, yes 8, one of which is GW. No one i know can explain my situation NO ONE. Not advisers nor current docs nor mentors nor my clinical research boss of two years. I can't decide on why i believe i am in this incredibly depressing position. Unluckiness? Work of God? I'll never know...
 
Tell me about it. I am currently on 8 waitlists, yes 8, one of which is GW. No one i know can explain my situation NO ONE. Not advisers nor current docs nor mentors nor my clinical research boss of two years. I can't decide on why i believe i am in this incredibly depressing position. Unluckiness? Work of God? I'll never know...

That's pretty crazy but check my story out:

So September 2008 I apply to GW and put on hold until late Jan 2009 when I get invited (my only invite) to interview for one of the last days in March. April 2009 I am devasted but very hopeful after getting my beautifully written Alternate letter. Starting May I constantly check and pray to get that call or email that they will accept me.

Just in case tho I reapply the first days AMCAS comes out in June. I complete GW secondary in June 2009 and forget about it. Now it's July 2009 and I still constantly check my phone and email. A few weeks into July I get an email from GW expecting to see that I am complete but instead when I open it I see "Congratulations! The George Washington School of Medicine Committee on Admissions is pleased to extend an..." finally, the news I was dying to hear all spring and summer!!! or... "interview invitation."

I was sad because I felt there went any chance of getting in for class of 2013 but excited because I felt that maybe it was just a formality to get in this year. Maybe their class had just filled up but they still really feel that I would make a great fit? I interview in September 2009 and felt like I rocked it; I felt like I was a shoe in and now it's just a waiting game... right? Nope... October 2009 I received that same beautifully composed Alternate letter. It was really the worst type of dejavu.

Try explaining that to me please
 
Last edited:
That's pretty crazy but check my story out:

So September 2008 I apply to GW and put on hold until late Jan 2009 when I get invited (my only invite) to interview for one of the last days in March. April 2009 I am devasted but very hopeful after getting my beautifully written Alternate letter. Starting May I constantly check and pray to get that call or email that they will accept me.

Just in case tho I reapply the first days AMCAS comes out in June. I complete GW secondary in June 2009 and forget about it. Now it's July 2009 and I still constantly check my phone and email. A few weeks into July I get an email from GW expecting to see that I am complete but instead when I open it I see "Congratulations! The George Washington School of Medicine Committee on Admissions is pleased to extend an..." finally, the news I was dying to hear all spring and summer!!! or... "interview invitation."

I was sad because I felt there went any chance of getting in for class of 2013 but excited because I felt that maybe it was just a formality to get in this year. Maybe their class had just filled up but they still really feel that I would make a great fit? I interview in September 2009 and felt like I rocked it; I felt like I was a shoe in and now it's just a waiting game... right? Nope... October 2009 I received that same beautifully composed Alternate letter. It was really the worst type of dejavu.

Try explaining that to me please

Man that is tough. I am so sorry to hear that. But at least you got accepted somewhere right? (sig)

I feel I can't enjoy anything. I have this constant weight on my shoulders. Even out in the sun or taking a walk, I just can't seem to relax and have that feeling of euphoria that every thing is alright.

Do you know if the class got full this early last year round? Or were people getting plenty of phone calls?

I don't know. I'm seriously considering SGU. I want to be a neurologist and their students get those sorts of residencies. I also like the fact that their med school is accredited in the UK in case I ever want to live there.
 
Man that is tough. I am so sorry to hear that. But at least you got accepted somewhere right? (sig)

I feel I can't enjoy anything. I have this constant weight on my shoulders. Even out in the sun or taking a walk, I just can't seem to relax and have that feeling of euphoria that every thing is alright.

Do you know if the class got full this early last year round? Or were people getting plenty of phone calls?

I don't know. I'm seriously considering SGU. I want to be a neurologist and their students get those sorts of residencies. I also like the fact that their med school is accredited in the UK in case I ever want to live there.

Hang in there guys. This can't be the end already. I really hope that things will work out for everyone who has posted on this thread. You guys have really helped me get through this waiting process!
 
Man that is tough. I am so sorry to hear that. But at least you got accepted somewhere right? (sig)

I feel I can't enjoy anything. I have this constant weight on my shoulders. Even out in the sun or taking a walk, I just can't seem to relax and have that feeling of euphoria that every thing is alright.

Do you know if the class got full this early last year round? Or were people getting plenty of phone calls?

I don't know. I'm seriously considering SGU. I want to be a neurologist and their students get those sorts of residencies. I also like the fact that their med school is accredited in the UK in case I ever want to live there.

No it definitely was not full this early but there was a lot more movement. But last year GW had the probation issue, which caused a lot of waitlisted people to drop it in favor of another school. I am sure there will be a some movement but I would be surprised if it was anything above average.

Having an acceptance and a few waitlists makes this one wl much more bareable but my history with gw is just making me sigh everytime i think of it.

If this is your first time applying, I would just reapply or in your case look into doing DO. You can never be too sure that your interests won't change in school or that you won't care where you have to do your residency and going abroad will really limit your options for both. There are a lot of threads and stuff on this issue.

Good luck!
 
i know this has been asked a lot of times but i havent gotten a good response. do we know how many MIGHT be accepted off this years waitlist?

a friend of mine whos a 1st year at GW, said that more were accepted off the waitlist last year because GW was on probation so others may have opted for other schools.

hang in there guys! i hope we all get into GW, seriously. we would cherish this acceptance more than anything together
 
i know this has been asked a lot of times but i havent gotten a good response. do we know how many MIGHT be accepted off this years waitlist?

a friend of mine whos a 1st year at GW, said that more were accepted off the waitlist last year because GW was on probation so others may have opted for other schools.

hang in there guys! i hope we all get into GW, seriously. we would cherish this acceptance more than anything together

whatupron, that totally depends on how many seats further open up (as of now, the class is full). It could be 5 more, or 15....
Here's to hoping for a good "movement" this upcoming week! :xf:
Being my first cycle, if things don't work out I will be reapplying. What scares me the most is re-taking the MCATS. I'd very much like to enjoy my summer after graduation than studying through it :(. Anyone in the same shoes?
 
whatupron, that totally depends on how many seats further open up (as of now, the class is full). It could be 5 more, or 15....
Here's to hoping for a good "movement" this upcoming week! :xf:
Being my first cycle, if things don't work out I will be reapplying. What scares me the most is re-taking the MCATS. I'd very much like to enjoy my summer after graduation than studying through it :(. Anyone in the same shoes?

Yes. Exact same shoes.
 
I think you know you're obsessed with the wait list when you have a dream that Dean McQuali calls you.. I saw the 202 number on my cell phone in the dream and my heart started racing....maybe this week the dream will come true? :confused: lol..
 
I think you know you're obsessed with the wait list when you have a dream that Dean McQuali calls you.. I saw the 202 number on my cell phone in the dream and my heart started racing....maybe this week the dream will come true? :confused: lol..

I had a dream about Dean McQuail as well!!!

Except we were at some sort of a dinner party, and she introduced herself to me. Maybe she will give me the acceptance in person by inviting me to her house?

Haaa haaaa! I've gone crazy.:scared:
 
Members don't see this ad :)
I had a dream about Dean McQuail as well!!!

Except we were at some sort of a dinner party, and she introduced herself to me. Maybe she will give me the acceptance in person by inviting me to her house?

Haaa haaaa! I've gone crazy.:scared:

Randomly ended up at GW and had a long conversation with Dean McQuail in my dream, which basically ended with her telling me to expect a phone call in a day or two. I was really hoping it was one of those rare prophetic dreams...
 
hi everyone and thanks for creating this thread for alternative list. I have been placed on alternative list since December. one thing that got me confused though is alternative list vs. waitlist. are you all placed on alternative list for regular 4 year MD or for 5 year special MD?
here is the note that I received:

The Committee on Admissions is pleased to inform you that you have been selected for the alternate pool of the Five Year Special Program leading to the Doctor of Medicine degree entering in August 2010. A final decision has yet to be made regarding an acceptance.

I would appreciate it if you could let me know whether you have received the same message or not. thanks.
 
hi everyone and thanks for creating this thread for alternative list. I have been placed on alternative list since December. one thing that got me confused though is alternative list vs. waitlist. are you all placed on alternative list for regular 4 year MD or for 5 year special MD?
here is the note that I received:

The Committee on Admissions is pleased to inform you that you have been selected for the alternate pool of the Five Year Special Program leading to the Doctor of Medicine degree entering in August 2010. A final decision has yet to be made regarding an acceptance.

I would appreciate it if you could let me know whether you have received the same message or not. thanks.

hi angel20,

Mine says: "The Committee on Admissions is pleased to inform you that you have been selected as an alternate for the first year class of the program leading to the Doctor of Medicine degree entering in August 2010. A final decision has yet to be made regarding an acceptance."

I only applied for a 4-year MD program.

 
hi everyone and thanks for creating this thread for alternative list. I have been placed on alternative list since December. one thing that got me confused though is alternative list vs. waitlist. are you all placed on alternative list for regular 4 year MD or for 5 year special MD?
here is the note that I received:

The Committee on Admissions is pleased to inform you that you have been selected for the alternate pool of the Five Year Special Program leading to the Doctor of Medicine degree entering in August 2010. A final decision has yet to be made regarding an acceptance.

I would appreciate it if you could let me know whether you have received the same message or not. thanks.

It may be the "decelerated program" - I don't know anything about it beyond this: http://www.gwumc.edu/edu/admis/html/academics/decelerated.html

I could be wrong though... I was just scanning their website...
 
yeah it's the decelerated program, but i didn't apply for it. they rejected me from their 4 year program in december and instead they put me on alternative list for 5 year program. i thought that alternative list meant 5 year program. but apparently that means being waitlisted for 4 year MD for some and 5 year MD for others.
I'm happy w/ 5 year MD. at the end of it, i'll get my MD and no one cares if it took 4 years or 5 years.

I wish i knew their mechanism for selecting people for 5 year program. and how many will they accept if it's a small program...did anyone else get this status for 5 year program?

thanks for your replies.
 
yeah it's the decelerated program, but i didn't apply for it. they rejected me from their 4 year program in december and instead they put me on alternative list for 5 year program. i thought that alternative list meant 5 year program. but apparently that means being waitlisted for 4 year MD for some and 5 year MD for others.
I'm happy w/ 5 year MD. at the end of it, i'll get my MD and no one cares if it took 4 years or 5 years.

I wish i knew their mechanism for selecting people for 5 year program. and how many will they accept if it's a small program...did anyone else get this status for 5 year program?

thanks for your replies.

I would say that's a good thing because you're not bunched with the hundreds of other people on the alternate list.
 
why do i get the feeling that gw has done something really wrong this year? like i feel that they over accepted more than they should have or less people than usual dropped their gw acceptance this year
 
yeah im REALLY curious why the waitlist isnt really moving . does anyone have an idea??? i dont think they over accepted though ?
 
I know.. I really don't get it. Almost the end of May and almost no one from here (one person) has been accepted....... Just playing devil's advocate here - is it possible thre list did move just no one from SDN was part of that movement?

yeah im REALLY curious why the waitlist isnt really moving . does anyone have an idea??? i dont think they over accepted though ?
 
I know.. I really don't get it. Almost the end of May and almost no one from here (one person) has been accepted....... Just playing devil's advocate here - is it possible thre list did move just no one from SDN was part of that movement?

You are right IndigoBoy0. Not sure exactly how many, but GW did accept more than just cgull (on SDN) the first round. It just so happened to be that the rest were not on here.... awaiting round 2!!!!!!!!:luck:
 
Don't stop believing guys. Looking at past alternative list threads, people have been accepted in late May and even June.

We're all in this together.
 
Hey ndnthunder

what do you mean exactly by round 2? do they accept people off the waitlist in groups or rounds? i thought they would be accepting us one by one...when a seat would open up?

You are right IndigoBoy0. Not sure exactly how many, but GW did accept more than just cgull (on SDN) the first round. It just so happened to be that the rest were not on here.... awaiting round 2!!!!!!!!:luck:
 
Hey ndnthunder

what do you mean exactly by round 2? do they accept people off the waitlist in groups or rounds? i thought they would be accepting us one by one...when a seat would open up?

sorry for the confusing language!!! That's what I meant... round 2 = opening of seats (whether individual/multiple), obviously preferring the latter!
 
i called today...even for 5 year MD, the class is full. and orientation is on Aug. 23. i think you guys who are on alternative list for 4 year do hve a chance since some people will drop out when they hear from another school (like a friend of mine). but i don't think there is a chance to get in to 5 year program because it is a small program (don't know how many) and the ones that got into probablly did not have good scores like myself and did not any other acceptances (hence getting into 5 year program which is decelerated).
i sent multiple updates but not sure if it's useful or not at this point.
is there anyone else who got into and is waitlisted for 5 yr MD?
 
i think they (GW) should have told us about chaning their mechanism of selecting this year. every time i called, i was told that after May 15th there will be open spots. now they say it anytime until orientation week.
 
i think they (GW) should have told us about chaning their mechanism of selecting this year. every time i called, i was told that after May 15th there will be open spots. now they say it anytime until orientation week.

Well, I don't think there is ever a guarantee for people on the alternate/waitlist to get in.. the schools have to play it by ear and usually there are enough withdrawals to accept quite a few people but every year is different. Hopefully some students will end up hearing from other schools so we have a chance though. :)
 
Well, I don't think there is ever a guarantee for people on the alternate/waitlist to get in.. the schools have to play it by ear and usually there are enough withdrawals to accept quite a few people but every year is different. Hopefully some students will end up hearing from other schools so we have a chance though. :)

The very least they could do is make the alternate list letter little less "positive". And also, what's the point of having everyone file a financial aid application? Why not just let the better students do that?
 
Were alternates supposed to file financial aid applications? I received that financial aid email for alternates but ignored it. I still can't believe no one on this thread has heard a peep from GW. I mean I can because there class is full but on a personal level its just really hard to accept... vent.

The very least they could do is make the alternate list letter little less "positive". And also, what's the point of having everyone file a financial aid application? Why not just let the better students do that?
 
The very least they could do is make the alternate list letter little less "positive". And also, what's the point of having everyone file a financial aid application? Why not just let the better students do that?
I never got an email about filling out financial aid forms...when did you receive it?
 
Asked about the alternate list and got the same response - some movement last week and they "expect more between now and orientation" which I think is a nice way of saying the class is already full and movement will occur only if there is a withdrawal.
 
Last edited:
Just withdrew from the alternate list. When spots (hopefully) become available, there will be one less competitor. Good luck!
 
Accepted! Interviewed late September and have been put on hold for a LONGG time.

Sent a couple of updates but nothing too special in my opinion, just my grades and interest in GW and DC in general.

This really caught me by surprise since it was so damn random and unexpected.

But the BEST news: I'm going somewhere else. That means there's at least 1 open spot floating around and I hope one of you guys gets it. I'll withdraw tomorrow.

GOOD LUCK
 
Last edited:
Thank you healthkare, and best wishes in wherever life leads you!:luck:

Accepted! Interviewed late September and have been put on hold for a LONGG time.

Sent a couple of updates but nothing too special in my opinion, just my grades and interest in GW and DC in general.

This really caught me by surprise since it was so damn random and unexpected.

But the BEST news: I'm going somewhere else. That means there's at least 1 open spot floating around and I hope one of you guys gets it. I'll withdraw tomorrow.

GOOD LUCK
 
Accepted! Interviewed late September and have been put on hold for a LONGG time.

Sent a couple of updates but nothing too special in my opinion, just my grades and interest in GW and DC in general.

This really caught me by surprise since it was so damn random and unexpected.

But the BEST news: I'm going somewhere else. That means there's at least 1 open spot floating around and I hope one of you guys gets it. I'll withdraw tomorrow.

GOOD LUCK



did you get a phone call off the wait list? or just an acceptance email?

thanks and good luck!
 
Wow, just got a glimmer of hope...
 
Wow. Congrats!

And thank you for choosing another place :D
 
Could you please tell us some details? Like:

When did you get the call? At what time of the day? What number? Who called? Was it Diane herself?

And what exactly are your stats and ECs? I've heard rumours that they pick someone with similar stats and ECs to maintain the diversity of the class.
 
finally got around to withdrawing.... going to USUHS
 
finally got around to withdrawing.... going to USUHS

did you withdraw your acceptance? or did you withdraw from the waitlist?

either way, best of luck at USUHS!!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top