northwestern - mail going out today

[Delilah]

---

Members do not see this ad.

i called admissions at NW and they said that a letter was going out to me today -- safe to assume its a rejection? or should i hold onto a faint hope that its an interview invite.

does NW invite via snail mail or email?

 

[letmeinplz]

I got the same reply...

When were you complete?

 

[Phoenix.]

I'm pretty sure they send invites via email. Sorry.

Btw, what does your status page say?

 

[Delilah]

ehhh... no sweat. my status page said under review.

 

[premeddick]

ehhh... no sweat. my status page said under review.

It seems that basically their status page is just a waste of time for us pre-interviewers since it has basically said under review since we were complete. How could my application have been under review for six months? It should have been on hold for at least some of that time. That frustrates me. 😡

 

[Phoenix.]

I called last week and they said I was still under review. I called just now and they said a letter was going out today. That's definitely a rejection, since the woman I spoke to last week said that the last interview invites would be emailed at the end of this month....

I saw this coming, but it still irks me. Almost three years back, when I started this process, NU was my goal. I did volunteer research in their ER for a year and a half, got an LOR from NU faculty, called them a couple of times over the past few years to check what they're looking for in applicants and got advice from their admissions committee, and voila. Not even an interview. And the faculty member that wrote my LOR even called the admissions office on my behalf to check on the status of my app, and said he had no news for me, and that he really couldn't understand what they were looking for. Perhaps he was just being nice. Oh, and it was lovely that all of my other Chicago interviewers insisted I'd be getting into Northwestern. Hmpf. NU's loss. 😳

Ah well, perspectives change. I've been head over heels for Mayo for awhile now. But as I said, it still irks. It irks even more that I live only a few blocks from the NU med school.

Achem. Moving on. Bygones, right?

 

[Rotinaj1985]

Bummer.

I haven't heard anything yet, so i bet the letter is in the mail. Atleast I found out from others like me then by some impersonal letter.

The important thing, Pheonix, is atleast you already have a couple acceptances...I'm still hanging on for just one.

 

[adam5aby]

northwestern invites for an interview via email not mail


they send out acceptances once at the end of november and once in march.




well that's what they told me

 

[1956Goldtop]

Sorry to hear about that Phoenix. That sounds extremely frustrating. From the looks of it thought, you have a whole bunch of great acceptances already!

 

[bcat85]

So I just called NW and they said "you should be hearing from us in the next few weeks." WHAT DOES THAT MEAN!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? For those who called, did they tell you you were going to receive a letter being sent out today when you called?

 

[Phoenix.]

So I just called NW and they said "you should be hearing from us in the next few weeks." WHAT DOES THAT MEAN!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? For those who called, did they tell you you were going to receive a letter being sent out today when you called?

Sounds like you might be getting an interview invite, or rather, that you're at least still in the pool for consideration. For the rest of us, when we called, there was a moment of silence and then "A letter was sent to you today."

Good luck.

 

[bcat85]

Thanks Phoenix... I hope you're right.
P.S. Major congrats on the Mayo invite. Good Luck!!!

 

[Phoenix.]

Bummer.

I haven't heard anything yet, so i bet the letter is in the mail. Atleast I found out from others like me then by some impersonal letter.

The important thing, Pheonix, is atleast you already have a couple acceptances...I'm still hanging on for just one.

Good luck!!!

Sorry to hear about that Phoenix. That sounds extremely frustrating. From the looks of it thought, you have a whole bunch of great acceptances already!

Yeah, I do consider myself extremely lucky with some great acceptances at schools I know I would be ecstatic attending. That's why I said I was irked, and not anything stronger. Upon further reflection, I've realized my glass is even more half full than I was seeing. Because if I had to pick between a shot at Mayo or a shot at NU, I'd definitely choose the shot at Mayo. So I'll quit griping altogether now. Good luck for the rest of you still waiting to hear!

Oh, and I will post back when I get the letter. Considering I only live a few blocks from NU, it should get here first. Woo.

 

[andymac08]

Yeah I got the ominous "You will hear from us in the next few weeks" message also. Hmmm, complete since August, but im still expecting rejection, I mean, no reason to get my hopes up at this point! Good luck to all!!

 

[bcat85]

Yeah I got the ominous "You will hear from us in the next few weeks" message also. Hmmm, complete since August, but im still expecting rejection, I mean, no reason to get my hopes up at this point! Good luck to all!!

I'm so confused by this still.. Maybe this is like a pre-interview hold? I think you may be taking it with the right attitude though... If what Phoenix said is right (and I trust her), if we don't hear by the end of January, it's pretty much a rejection. Waiting patiently!

 

[BoilerWolverine]

So I just called NW and they said "you should be hearing from us in the next few weeks." WHAT DOES THAT MEAN!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? For those who called, did they tell you you were going to receive a letter being sent out today when you called?

I just got the same damn thing! BAH! I tried to pry it out of her and she said she didn't know. I'll let you guys know what happens. Also, if any of the, "hear in the next couple weeks," people hear anything, PLEASE post what happened! Thanks!

 

[SilverMoon]

I just got the same damn thing! BAH! I tried to pry it out of her and she said she didn't know. I'll let you guys know what happens. Also, if any of the, "hear in the next couple weeks," people hear anything, PLEASE post what happened! Thanks!

Ditto that. "That's all I can really say." But she did confirm that they're still sending out interview invitations so...I guess we'll just have to wait and see? I don't think we're getting a letter today though, just thinking back on the way she was speaking...

 

[BoilerWolverine]

Also, I suppose if anyone else gets the, "we've sent out a letter" reply couldu you let us know please? Thanks again!

 

[eddie13231]

Called today and got the "We'll be contacting you in the next few weeks". Asked whether it would be e-mail or snail, and she said either...hummm

At least I am hearing something from them! Been complete since August 23rd!

 

[SilverMoon]

Called today and got the "We'll be contacting you in the next few weeks". Asked whether it would be e-mail or snail, and she said either...hummm

At least I am hearing something from them! Been complete since August 23rd!

Ooh, that was a good question. Tricky-like. Too bad she didn't take the bait... I've also been complete since August so I feel your pain. I know other August completions have gotten recent invites, so we're not out of the running yet.

 

[premeddick]

Any news?

 

[SilverMoon]

Can anyone who is supposed to be getting a letter tell us what their status page says? Did it update or is it really just useless?

 

[Phoenix.]

Can anyone who is supposed to be getting a letter tell us what their status page says? Did it update or is it really just useless?

Mine still says under review. So, I'd say it's completely useless at this point. Maybe they'll update it eventually. Also, I live only a few blocks from NU, and still haven't received any letter from them.... I'm sure it's coming, but they may not have actually mailed them yet.

 

[Jessie12]

hi called this morning and got the same "you should be hearing from us in the next few weeks" as well. maybe there was a different receptionist present with Phoniex called? ....

 

[Phoenix.]

hi called this morning and got the same "you should be hearing from us in the next few weeks" as well. maybe there was a different receptionist present with Phoniex called? ....

Deliliah and letmeinplz got the same "a letter is being mailed to you today" message. I'm guessing they just haven't updated their system yet.

 

[Phoenix.]

hi called this morning and got the same "you should be hearing from us in the next few weeks" as well. maybe there was a different receptionist present with Phoniex called? ....

Wow, jessie, you were right! I just called again and got the woman I usually get (I recognize her voice, and she's not who I spoke with on Monday). And she said that no letter has been mailed to me, and no final decision has been made. She said that we will all be hearing from them within the next few weeks.

So, just go by the information I had before: If you are getting an interview, you'll get an email by the end of this month. Otherwise, it's a rejection. I asked, and she said she didn't know when they'd actually be sending the letters out.

I'd convinced myself that NU just wasn't meant to be, and that the rejection was for the best given their reputed gunner/competitive culture. Hmm.

 

[MsJLewis]

I'd convinced myself that NU just wasn't meant to be, and that the rejection was for the best given their reputed gunner/competitive culture. Hmm.

Really??? I never heard anything about this! Do you have any more info on NU?

 

[Phoenix.]

Really??? I never heard anything about this! Do you have any more info on NU?

Sorry, I haven't interviewed there, so I don't have any first-hand info. I've gotten the gunner/competitve culture info from several different docs who recently graduated from NU. They were pretty luke-warm about their experiences at NU.

Also, just yesterday, a friend of mine mentioned that his brother, who did his IM residency at NU, couldn't wait to get away from NU due to the gunner culture, and chose to do his GI fellowship at UofW (Madison) by choice instead.

But hey, I could be wrong. I'm just going off of what I've heard from other people.

 

[premeddick]

Wow, jessie, you were right! I just called again and got the woman I usually get (I recognize her voice, and she's not who I spoke with on Monday). And she said that no letter has been mailed to me, and no final decision has been made. She said that we will all be hearing from them within the next few weeks.

So, just go by the information I had before: If you are getting an interview, you'll get an email by the end of this month. Otherwise, it's a rejection. I asked, and she said she didn't know when they'd actually be sending the letters out.

I'd convinced myself that NU just wasn't meant to be, and that the rejection was for the best given their reputed gunner/competitive culture. Hmm.

WTF?

 

[Phoenix.]

WTF?

I'm assuming your response is regarding the status issue. Anyway, I thought that was pretty cruel of the woman I spoke to on Monday. The one I spoke to today said that the other woman was just wrong to say a letter had been sent out, and that I was definitely still under consideration. I guess I just wasn't too shocked about this given the other debacles NU's admissions office has been having this year. *shrug*

 

[bcntequiero]

Hi Phoenix,

I am just wondering (because I haven't heard anything about this)...what debacles has the NU admissions office had this year?? (just curious!🙂) and thanks for the info!

 

[SilverMoon]

I'm assuming your response is regarding the status issue. Anyway, I thought that was pretty cruel of the woman I spoke to on Monday. The one I spoke to today said that the other woman was just wrong to say a letter had been sent out, and that I was definitely still under consideration. I guess I just wasn't too shocked about this given the other debacles NU's admissions office has been having this year. *shrug*

You would think someone at NU would want to address all this horrible PR stuff that's been going out. It seems that at least one of these ladies isn't telling the whole truth - either rejection letters DID go our or they DIDN'T. If the lady lied about them being sent, that's just mean. If the lady is lying about "hearing in the next few weeks" then it could be that she doesn't know...or that she doesn't want to tell us we're going to be getting letters. I hope it's that she just doesn't know.

 

[Phoenix.]

Hi Phoenix,

I am just wondering (because I haven't heard anything about this)...what debacles has the NU admissions office had this year?? (just curious!🙂) and thanks for the info!

Here's one example I was thinking of. Start reading at post #30:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=469634&highlight=northwestern+meadows

You would think someone at NU would want to address all this horrible PR stuff that's been going out.

True. It'd be nice if someone did. Although I'm sure perspectives differ, so there should be a number of different opinions on the issue. But each time I've met someone who goes or went to NU medical school, I've eagerly asked them, thinking that I'd finally find someone who "loved" it there, and have been disappointed each time I've asked. *shrug* But it'd be nice to hear the perspective on SDN of an actual matriculated student.

And actually, one thing that really shocked me was that I'd been speaking with Ms. Meadows once a month about NU (she invited me to call back each month to check on my status and chat - VERY nice woman). And once when I was telling her why I was so interested in NU, she stopped me and said something to the effect that if I did get accepted and enrolled, I might find out that I wasn't happy there. That really stopped me in my tracks because I was surprised an admissions person would even suggest that an applicant wouldn't be happy at their school. Granted, I didn't have an interview yet, and this was back in September, but still. Maybe I just sounded too optimistic and puppy dog tailsish. Also, I wouldn't post her name, but I know she's no longer at NU, so it shouldn't have any negative impact on her. I highly regarded and valued her opinion, and that definitely gave me pause and made me wonder about the environment there. On the flip side, I can't imagine hearing someone in admissions from Loyola or Mayo say that - every student I've ever spoken to has been supremely happy with their experiences at those schools. *shrug*

 

[Dendrite]

I'm guessing they just haven't updated their system yet.

Yet ironically, on their status page, it says that their information is updated daily. It's just all very confusing.

 

[Phoenix.]

You would think someone at NU would want to address all this horrible PR stuff that's been going out. It seems that at least one of these ladies isn't telling the whole truth - either rejection letters DID go our or they DIDN'T. If the lady lied about them being sent, that's just mean. If the lady is lying about "hearing in the next few weeks" then it could be that she doesn't know...or that she doesn't want to tell us we're going to be getting letters. I hope it's that she just doesn't know.

Ah, I see you added to your post. Well, I'd take the word of the woman I spoke to today. I recognized her voice as the one I'm used to hearing when I call NU, so I'd think that she usually mans the phones and gives us status reports. Also, given that I live right near NU and haven't received any such letter that was allegedly sent out on Monday, AND given that my status page still says I'm under consideration, I'm willing to believe that the woman I spoke to today is the one to listen to. Regardless, I'm sure this is all moot, and I'll be rejected finally come the end of the month. But I'm much more mellow about it now. I guess I should thank the Monday woman for that!

 

[Phoenix.]

Yet ironically, on their status page, it says that their information is updated daily. It's just all very confusing.

That's what made me finally call today to double-check what was going on.

 

[Bond8204]

I'd put money that that 8 on PS killed NW for you Phoenix. While it wouldn't kill you for Loyola/U of I, it makes sense that you wouldn't get an interview at Northwestern, UChicago, or Rush (who tend to put a big emphasis on MCAT according to my advisor) due to that.

Oh well--you're into some great schools and I'm glad you're mellow about it now.

 

[MsJLewis]

When I interviewed I stayed with a student host (an M2) that took me out to dinner and could not stop raving about NW. They just went on and on about how great it was (supposedly much less competitive than UChicago), how cohesive the school was (went on about their college system and how they get tickets to see Chicago's basketball team all the time!), and the amazing opportunities that are available at NU. The person seemed down to earth and genuinely enthused about the school.

However, during the interview day I saw very few actual students because they were all studying for an exam that day. The only students I met in fact were M2s and they all loved NU. BUT it was probably a biased sample since they actually sought out the interviewees. So I haven't heard anything about the competitive culture you wrote about... but its good to hear this now before ending up there unhappy and failing...

 

[Phoenix.]

I'd put money that that 8 on PS killed NW for you Phoenix. While it wouldn't kill you for Loyola/U of I, it makes sense that you wouldn't get an interview at Northwestern, UChicago, or Rush (who tend to put a big emphasis on MCAT according to my advisor) due to that.

Oh well--you're into some great schools and I'm glad you're mellow about it now.

I figure it was the 8 that killed me too. The funny thing is that I called NU and talked to Ms. Meadows the day I got my MCAT score, to ask if that 8 would put me out of the running. I was considering retaking the MCAT at that point. She said that the 8 and my overall 30 wouldn't put me out of the running if the rest of my app was solid - which I believe it is. Pritzker said the same thing. And I feel Pritzker definitely didn't view my 8 as a deal breaker given that they put me on pre-interview hold, while I've seen them reject stellar applicants with 40 MCATs early on in the season. I doubt I'll get an interview there, but I was honored to have made the first cut. As for Rush, I have no idea. And I don't really care since I'm so gung-ho on Loyola and their curriculum (which is night and day from Rush). Anyway, I chalk most of this up to Pritzker, Loyola and Mayo being real "fit" schools, while NU seems to be more of a stats school. That definitely wasn't my impression going into this season (I'd heard they're really interested in post-bacs, applicants with lots of outside experiences, study/work abroad, etc.), but apparently that's what it is.

Bottom line is I just thought it was boggling that I would get an interview invite from Mayo, which interviews so few students, and not even get one from NU, which seems to interview quite a few IL residents. I'm lazy, but I could go look up the US News numbers on that. I just remember it being pretty high for instate for a non public school. But really, I've learned that it's all just a crap shoot. 😎 And the best way to look at it is "what's meant to be, will be."

 

[Phoenix.]

When I interviewed I stayed with a student host (an M2) that took me out to dinner and could not stop raving about NW. They just went on and on about how great it was (supposedly much less competitive than UChicago), how cohesive the school was (went on about their college system and how they get tickets to see Chicago's basketball team all the time!), and the amazing opportunities that are available at NU. The person seemed down to earth and genuinely enthused about the school.

However, during the interview day I saw very few actual students because they were all studying for an exam that day. The only students I met in fact were M2s and they all loved NU. BUT it was probably a biased sample since they actually sought out the interviewees. So I haven't heard anything about the competitive culture you wrote about... but its good to hear this now before ending up there unhappy and failing...

Obviously don't take my word for it. Just try to ferret out and cross-examine as many NU students as you can. If you felt NU would be a great fit for you, and that the culture is not as competitive as I've heard, I hope you're right. I've definitely heard about the great opportunities, facilities, curriculum and prestige of NU. I just heaven't heard anything great about the atmosphere. But please post back if you hear otherwise. I'd like to be wrong, even if I don't get an interview there.

 

[DogzRool]

Hi everyone - I'm an M2 at Northwestern and just wanted to give you my impression of the atmosphere here. In my year and a half at Feinberg, I have never experienced any gunnerism or competition. In fact, my classmates are extremely helpful, supportive, and quite possibly my favorite thing about being here! Also, FWIW, I'm a very non-traditional student and feel really comfortable at this school. Hope this helps!

 

[kool aid kid]

So I went ahead and called Northwestern for the first time to check my status. My patience finally just wore thin. I got the same "you should hear from us within two weeks or so" response. Any idea what this means?

 

[Phoenix.]

So I went ahead and called Northwestern for the first time to check my status. My patience finally just wore thin. I got the same "you should hear from us within two weeks or so" response. Any idea what this means?

Yup. They're giving out the last interview invites by the end of this month. Thus, if you don't get an email by the end of January, it's basically a rejection. I'm not sure when they're actually sending the rejection letters out, but presumably it will be sometime at the end of January, or in February.

 

[kool aid kid]

Thanks. So do you think they already have the decisions made and they are just waiting to tell us for whatever reason? I'm expecting a rejection at this point and I wish they would just tell me if thats the case and stop dragging it out.

 

[Phoenix.]

Thanks. So do you think they already have the decisions made and they are just waiting to tell us for whatever reason? I'm expecting a rejection at this point and I wish they would just tell me if thats the case and stop dragging it out.

It may be, but I tend to think that they're still not certain about all rejections yet. For instance, they could have selected a group to interview, but some of those decline their interview. So, they may have to revisit the pile again. Hence, they're probably not rejecting anyone officially until they give out the last interviews and confirm them. And since the last invites go out within the next two weeks, I'm guessing rejections will go out sometime thereafter.

You'd think they could just send rejections out en masse and just keep a group on the side for reconsideration, but apparently they'd rather do it all in one mass rejection. *shrug*

 

[variablistic]

I called yesterday and tried the whole "snail mail or e-mail" bit and was told that I'd hear in a couple weeks. Oh well.

 

[emotastic128]

I also have been going through this dilemma with NW and am happy to find that I'm not the only person GOING CRAZY waiting...

 

[longhorntarheel]

Ummm I don't think a school has a cut off score of 8...that's a pretty cynical view of the system. then they would only have impersonal drones w/ high mcat scores. I got a 9 on the verbal and got in, so don't give up hope

 

[Dendrite]

Ummm I don't think a school has a cut off score of 8...that's a pretty cynical view of the system. then they would only have impersonal drones w/ high mcat scores. I got a 9 on the verbal and got in, so don't give up hope

True, but you also did phenomenally on the other two sections to offset that 9, and your GPA correlates very well to your MCAT score. Northwestern has a high MCAT and GPA average, so they are somewhat selective. Of course, there are other factors taken into account like EC's, life-experience, etc., but the GPA and MCAT are weighted heavily at most medical schools.

Some schools do have a cutoff; for example, many people on SDN have posted that they got pre-secondary rejections from Wake Forest because their VR score was below an 8, claiming that "a score less than 8 is not acceptable for a native speaker" (something along those lines).

Just because someone did well on their MCAT does not make them impersonal.

Congrats by the way, and awesome job with all the acceptances!

 

[longhorntarheel]

Thanks Dendrite! I agree high MCAT doesn't mean impersonal, but if ONLY mcat and gpa mattered then a lot of those asocial pre-meds that make the rest of us look bad would seep through more cracks than they do.

Good luck everyone!