Pacific Northwest (PNWU-COM) Discussion Thread 2012 - 2013

[Braun7713]

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Anyone know the # of interviews they give out? I read somewhere that they are upping their class size next year from 75 to 150 (not sure if that's correct or not). Just curious if anyone knows how many interviews they grant.

 

[cakelover87]

Thanks for your input & congrats on your ii!! I think thats what I'll do..but im sure my committee letter will be strong so i think i'll send it once it arrives as well.

are you an instate applicant?

Thanks! And yup, instate here!

 

[thndrbrd]

-

 

[milosavljevic]

I'm not applying now, but I'm just wondering which part of the Wikipedia definition of "Pacific Northwest" does this school adhere to? I've seen a few posts asking about California, and I'm just curious but can't find the answer on the school's website.

Also, what if I was born in Idaho but moved to California? I'm guessing it doesn't count because I don't really have any connections to Idaho besides some family friends and my pediatrician. I do have some connections to northern-est CA (Eureka and Red Bluff areas) and would be happy working as a physician in these underserved areas.

"The Pacific Northwest is a region in northwestern North America, bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and, loosely, by the Rocky Mountains on the east. Definitions of the region vary and there is no commonly agreed upon boundary, even among Pacific Northwesterners. A common conception of the Pacific Northwest includes the U.S. states of Oregon, Washington and Idaho, as well as the Canadian province of British Columbia and territory of the Yukon. This definition is often restricted further to include only the coastal areas west of the crest of the Cascade Mountains and Canadian Coast Mountains. Broader definitions of the region may include the Northwestern portion of the state of California, the state of Alaska, and may reach east to the Rocky Mountains...Some definitions include, in addition to Washington, Oregon, Idaho and British Columbia, Southeast Alaska, western Montana, the coast of northern California and a small part of northwestern Wyoming."

 

[Osteocat]

Anyone know the # of interviews they give out? I read somewhere that they are upping their class size next year from 75 to 150 (not sure if that's correct or not). Just curious if anyone knows how many interviews they grant.

Let's hope this is true. I saw something similar to this on the goals of the university...under the "mission" tab of the website, perhaps? idk if its this year though. i REALLY hope so. this school is my #1 and I'm not from the area. just can't wait to be there in 27 days!

 

[marinehrnt]

How long did it take after being released to get a secondary? I'm a NW resident if that helps. Thanks.

 

[dermpathdoc]

Anyone know the # of interviews they give out? I read somewhere that they are upping their class size next year from 75 to 150 (not sure if that's correct or not). Just curious if anyone knows how many interviews they grant.

It is doubtful that the class size increase will happen next year. The school will apply to COCA for the increase but it takes time for COCA to review the application. But who knows.....

 

[cakelover87]

Can anyone shed some light as to how PNWU teaches second year? I was reading on the website and it was explaining faculty directed self study and Clinical interactive learning sessions (CILs). I was wondering how big the groups are in these CILs or if it consists of the whole class? Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[HalfListic]

This school has the worst secondary application experience out of any school I've applied to. I mean, Internet Explorer 8.0 and below? This won't even run on an apple computer. With that said, I still want to attend.

*I used safari on a MBA and it worked*

😀

 

[Roberie]

Can anyone shed some light as to how PNWU teaches second year? I was reading on the website and it was explaining faculty directed self study and Clinical interactive learning sessions (CILs). I was wondering how big the groups are in these CILs or if it consists of the whole class? Thanks in advance for any help!

Self study blocks with associated whole class CILs.

 

[cakelover87]

Self study blocks with associated whole class CILs.

That's so helpful!! Thank you, I really appreciate it!!!🙂

 

[Braun7713]

Anyone interviewing on October 12th and staying at the Oxford Suites hotel? I'll be there the 11th-13th. If anyone's staying there and would like to meet up the night before the interview, let me know!! (Feel free to send a PM). 🙂

 

[surfer909]

Yes! I finally have something to contribute to this site... ii today, complete 8/24. Also, I live in WA.

 

[Chip N Sawbones]

Interview invite today, scheduled for 2/8 (This isn't my top choice school). Alaska resident, 3.1 cGPA, 32 MCAT, years of full-time volunteer experience.

 

[sylvanthus]

Dude, honesty is great and all, but did you just really list all your identifying information and then say the school isn't your top school? That is fine if it isn't, but don't expect the school to accept you with all that information just out there in the open. Why would the school accept you when they believe you will be going someplace else anyhow? You have to play the game, jump through the hoops, whatever you need to do to get into medical school and graduate.

 

[abolt18]

dude, honesty is great and all, but did you just really list all your identifying information and then say the school isn't your top school? That is fine if it isn't, but don't expect the school to accept you with all that information just out there in the open. Why would the school accept you when they believe you will be going someplace else anyhow? You have to play the game, jump through the hoops, whatever you need to do to get into medical school and graduate.

+1

 

[mechanictodr]

Interview invite today, scheduled for 2/8 (This isn't my top choice school). Alaska resident, 3.1 cGPA, 32 MCAT, years of full-time volunteer experience.

Smooth

 

[HalfListic]

Dude, honesty is great and all, but did you just really list all your identifying information and then say the school isn't your top school? That is fine if it isn't, but don't expect the school to accept you with all that information just out there in the open. Why would the school accept you when they believe you will be going someplace else anyhow? You have to play the game, jump through the hoops, whatever you need to do to get into medical school and graduate.

haha...that was pretty funny. Whoops

 

[HalfListic]

Would any current students (or others in the know) want to share any of your personal pros and cons of the school?

Looks like a great area and a pretty nice campus?

 

[dudeliness]

Would any current students (or others in the know) want to share any of your personal pros and cons of the school?

Looks like a great area and a pretty nice campus?

From what I understand there's a lot of travel for rotations.

 

[Chip N Sawbones]

Dude, honesty is great and all, but did you just really list all your identifying information and then say the school isn't your top school? That is fine if it isn't, but don't expect the school to accept you with all that information just out there in the open. Why would the school accept you when they believe you will be going someplace else anyhow? You have to play the game, jump through the hoops, whatever you need to do to get into medical school and graduate.

You're probably right, but I have enough interviews at other schools that I'm not overly concerned about jeopardizing my chances here. I'm sure PNW is a good school and if it wasn't for the cost I'd be glad to go there, but the tuition is just too expensive for my tastes. Besides, any interested adcoms could probably guess by my choosing a late interview date that this isn't my top choice- why else would I wait until February to interview?

 

[missdoctor8]

Would any current students (or others in the know) want to share any of your personal pros and cons of the school?

Looks like a great area and a pretty nice campus?

Since I'm from the area, I'll provide my input!
I have visited the school multiple times and have gotten to know the admissions staff pretty well. They are sooo supportive and helpful! After attending the open house and discussing with current students you can really get a sense of the family atmosphere that PNWU provides. Everybody seems to help eachother out to achieve a common goal, no competition as one would expect in med school. The campus is beautiful and newly built and I hear they are opening up a new research facility in the near future.

Yakima is a great area, not too busy but not too quiet. You can always find something to do and Seattle and other big cities are not too far away. The cons I would say are obviously the cost to attend the school ( on the higher end). Also, like people have already mentioned, the rotations are harder to get and further away. Not too sure about some of the specifics, but feel free to ask me if you have any questions about the area.

 

[dfib slim]

.

 

[aprilgita]

Interview Invite! 😍
Scheduled 11/09 (dang October was all full)
for zee record:
OOS applicant: CA-resident
Drama major, bio sci minor
23Q MCAT (first time) <--I was interviewed based on this qualification
25P MCAT (second time)

sciGPA: 2.9
nonsci: 3.3

Praying to the deities of interview tactics that day. Hope to see some of you there!

 

[MsBerry]

Interview Invite! 😍
Scheduled 11/09 (dang October was all full)
for zee record:
OOS applicant: CA-resident
Drama major, bio sci minor
23Q MCAT (first time) <--I was interviewed based on this qualification
25P MCAT (second time)

sciGPA: 2.9
nonsci: 3.3

Praying to the deities of interview tactics that day. Hope to see some of you there!

Wow, congrats!!! You give me, a fellow CA-resident with lower than average stats, hope. 🙂

 

[aprilgita]

Wow, congrats!!! You give me, a fellow CA-resident with lower than average stats, hope. 🙂

Very happy to be a source of inspiration. Believe me, I was equally shocked/enthralled. I put in the work, don't get me wrong, but many an academic/socioeconomic barrier REALLY did not enable the most stellar grades in undergrad. I did a LOT of remedial work in postbacc to even get those mediochre stats you see above. However, I DID genuinely enjoy community service (probably to a distracting amount), so I think it might have helped leverage. Honestly, in whatever personal statements of supplemental essays you are prompted for henceforth, be completely honest and 900% sincere about conveying your hopes for a medical eduation. I honestly believe it carried me to an interview.

 

[aprilgita]

If anyone interviewing in October would be so kind as to debrief the rest of us future interviewees on the nature of your experience and NUMBER (approx) of fellow prospective students there, that would be great. I know the interview format is MMI (multiple mini), but there was no further information I could creep on re: how many other students would be present that day. Also, I think it was speculated earlier in the thread that they were expanding class size to 150. I cannot speak definitively, but this makes sense as they are now "fully" accredited since they graduated their first class and can take on the standard, non probational size.👍 If any current students can confirm, please do!

 

[scrackin]

If anyone interviewing in October would be so kind as to debrief the rest of us future interviewees on the nature of your experience and NUMBER (approx) of fellow prospective students there, that would be great. I know the interview format is MMI (multiple mini), but there was no further information I could creep on re: how many other students would be present that day. Also, I think it was speculated earlier in the thread that they were expanding class size to 150. I cannot speak definitively, but this makes sense as they are now "fully" accredited since they graduated their first class and can take on the standard, non probational size.👍 If any current students can confirm, please do!

Hey! I had an interview here last year (reapplicant), and as I recall they divided all of us up into 3 groups of approx. 10 interviewees. One group would get a tour of the school/facilities, one would cycle through the MMIs, one would go through an impromptu essay and some teamwork-based "games", and we'd rotate through for the duration. After all that we had lunch provided and a chance to chat with some of the current students.

I, personally, had a great time with the interview. All the students and faculty were very positive and friendly, the labs and lecture rooms were modern and comfortably functional, and the general feel of the place suggested an atmosphere of teamwork and family-like interreliance. All things considered, I was very impressed with the school upon leaving the interview 👍

 

[aprilgita]

Hey! I had an interview here last year (reapplicant), and as I recall they divided all of us up into 3 groups of approx. 10 interviewees. One group would get a tour of the school/facilities, one would cycle through the MMIs, one would go through an impromptu essay and some teamwork-based "games", and we'd rotate through for the duration. After all that we had lunch provided and a chance to chat with some of the current students.

I, personally, had a great time with the interview. All the students and faculty were very positive and friendly, the labs and lecture rooms were modern and comfortably functional, and the general feel of the place suggested an atmosphere of teamwork and family-like interreliance. All things considered, I was very impressed with the school upon leaving the interview 👍

Thanks so much for your input! Is the 3 day turnaround decision true? Can we anticipate a "result" of our interview after the weekend?

 

[scrackin]

Thanks so much for your input! Is the 3 day turnaround decision true? Can we anticipate a "result" of our interview after the weekend?

Well, seeing as I didn't get in (it was my first interview, my nerves beat out my performance 🙄) I can't really attest to that, but I believe people who got in reported pretty quick turn-around times. You can probably check last year's thread and see when people had their interviews and announced acceptance.

 

[scrackin]

Just checked the thread and it looks like the people who interviewed with me got called 4 days after the interview w/ their acceptance. So 3 days might not be unreasonable!

 

[lily8000]

Hi all,

Does anyone have recommendations for nearby hotels?

I am thinking of either the Red Lion or Oxford Suites because of the free shuttles.

And can anyone who took the shuttles give advice, do you have to book in advance, etc?

Thank you for your help!

 

[Braun7713]

Hi all,

Does anyone have recommendations for nearby hotels?

I am thinking of either the Red Lion or Oxford Suites because of the free shuttles.

And can anyone who took the shuttles give advice, do you have to book in advance, etc?

Thank you for your help!

Hi lily,
I am staying at Oxford Suites for my interview in a few weeks. They have a shuttle from the airport and one to the campus, which is really nice. I booked over the phone just to make sure they had this shuttle and to make sure I got the PNWU corporate rate ($85). On the phone she asked when my flight was landing and when I needed to be at PNWU the next day. So they already know when I will need to be picked up and such.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!!

 

[cvargas2]

Hello, from South Texas! I am excited to be interviewing December 14th at PNWU! If anyone is interviewing this day contact me. 🙂

 

[Braun7713]

Hello, from South Texas! I am excited to be interviewing December 14th at PNWU! If anyone is interviewing this day contact me. 🙂

Congrats!!! 👍

 

[missdoctor8]

Hello, from South Texas! I am excited to be interviewing December 14th at PNWU! If anyone is interviewing this day contact me. 🙂

Congrats thats great! Does this mean that all the November dates were filled up?? 😱

 

[nwmedapplicant]

Thanks so much for your input! Is the 3 day turnaround decision true? Can we anticipate a "result" of our interview after the weekend?

Yes - 3-4 days post interview you will know. Approx ~30 students per interview.

 

[reefcorgi]

,

 

[aprilgita]

anyone think my MCAT score of 12P 4V 10B will be a problem for PNWU? 4 in verbal

while your cumulative score is pretty good, i think that 4 in verbal is cause to make any school skeptical, just as it is typically harder to dig yourself out of the explain-why-it's sub 6 in any category. I say this not to dissuade you, just reporting what many a med student and physician from UCI SOM have reported to me. Are you retaking? If so, maybe reporting that you have a test planned could be used to your advantage.

 

[reefcorgi]

while your cumulative score is pretty good, i think that 4 in verbal is cause to make any school skeptical, just as it is typically harder to dig yourself out of the explain-why-it's sub 6 in any category. I say this not to dissuade you, just reporting what many a med student and physician from UCI SOM have reported to me. Are you retaking? If so, maybe reporting that you have a test planned could be used to your advantage.

Give me an opportunity; I can dig myself out pretty much anywhere. This is coming from a former Marine. But since it is late in retaking the MCAT, I have to continue with what I have. UCI-SOM is MD program, and I understand their opinion at a different perspective, rather than a DO program. MD are too much about stats and where DO are more lenient with stats.

 

[marinehrnt]

When you submit your essay do you get any kind of confirmation? I uploaded it and hit "Finish" and I got sent to some strange generic looking site. Not sure if this is the norm but seemed strange. Thanks for the input.

 

[reefcorgi]

When you submit your essay do you get any kind of confirmation? I uploaded it and hit "Finish" and I got sent to some strange generic looking site. Not sure if this is the norm but seemed strange. Thanks for the input.

It also happen to me.

 

[aprilgita]

Give me an opportunity; I can dig myself out pretty much anywhere. This is coming from a former Marine. But since it is late in retaking the MCAT, I have to continue with what I have. UCI-SOM is MD program, and I understand their opinion at a different perspective, rather than a DO program. MD are too much about stats and where DO are more lenient with stats.

True, there is leniency because a more comprehensive perspective of an applicant's profile is taken into account. However, 7-8 is considered the average PER section nationwide for DO, and obviously higher at more competitive institutions. Like I said, just giving you the opinion to the prompt you provided, per MD...and DO counsel.👍

 

[missdoctor8]

Interview Invite for December 14th!!! Super excited 🙂 I'm from the area & i absolutely love this school! I can't wait. All interview advice is appreciated.

 

[Doctor2be17]

Congrats! When were you compete?

 

[marinehrnt]

Interview Invite for December 14th!!! Super excited 🙂 I'm from the area & i absolutely love this school! I can't wait. All interview advice is appreciated.

Was December 14th the earliest date available or are they already backed up that far with interviews?

 

[dermpathdoc]

school will apply for class size increase this December so we may have increase for class of 2017 if COCA approves

 

[dermpathdoc]

backed up that far..my interview schedule is packed

 

[dermpathdoc]

ex military tends to get extra look at in DO schools....an interview invite is more likely

 

[dermpathdoc]

Oxford suites is superhelpful..I stayed there while establishing myself as faculty...they took my reservations the day before i arrived and even if I had weather related travel complications. They are very cool!