Pacific Northwest University (PNWU-COM) Discussion Thread 2013 - 2014

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Way back when I was accepted I think I found out before they called because I checked their "self service" page. Under status it said "offer." I guess if you're waitlisted it might be indicated there.
 
Roberie said:
Way back when I was accepted I think I found out before they called because I checked their "self service" page. Under status it said "offer." I guess if you're waitlisted it might be indicated there.
Click to expand...

I never received any login credentials for the PowerCAMPUS self service page.
 
Ok. well scratch that idea. Back in '09 that was used in the application process. Maybe they do it differently now.
 
Can we assume all the acceptance calls have gone out by now for last weekend's interviews ?
 
Roberie said:
Ok. well scratch that idea. Back in '09 that was used in the application process. Maybe they do it differently now.
Click to expand...

So Roberie, you are in your 4th year? How have you like PNWU ? How are the 3rd and 4th years and residency programs you are applying or in ?
 
Well, looks like I will still be going to more interviews later this month. I was really looking forward to ending this application process and getting back to my studies, but guess not.
 
Roberie said:
Ok. well scratch that idea. Back in '09 that was used in the application process. Maybe they do it differently now.
Click to expand...
This is still the case. I have a power campus account as should everybody else and my status was changed to offer today. They called earlier but I missed the call.
 
If you are waitlisted there is a very good chance you will be accepted. I think about a quarter of the 2017 class was pulled off the waitlist. Someone was even accepted the week classes began.
 
And you never know who'll drop out during the first week and be replaced by someone new. We had a chick bail after a week or so during first year. There were all sorts of rumors as to why.
 
How many people are usually wait listed? I really like this school, but the concerns that I have is the crime rate and their strenght in micro. Anyone who's going here care to share some insight??
 
Last edited:
I would say that the crime in Yakima is highly over blown. It's like any city there are good parts and bad parts. The school is in a great part of the community, living anywhere in that area is safe. To the micro aspect I can say this, it wasn't good when I was there, and it was a pain but it comes down to self study to how well you do in medical school and the boards. That said I heard it was greatly improved over the last few years so hopefully a current student can chime in. Overall I was well prepared when I left there and I have felt good in residency and have performed equal to any MD resident including those from UW.
 
I'm really bad at using their portal, does anyone know how to access the deposit and consent letter forms under checklist
 
khoatruong said:
How many people are usually wait listed? I really like this school, but the concerns that I have is the crime rate and their strenght in micro. Anyone who's going here care to share some insight??
Click to expand...
I would agree with the above. I looked into the crime a LOT before I even applied. It is mostly really small things, and the national ratings have it as a 1.0, which is the average crime for a city of its size. I am coming from a town in Montana that is ranked at a 0.7, and the crime types here are the same.

As for the micro side of things I can not comment, but I was a microbiology major, and I was really involved in clubs and research. I can try help out with any questions there when classes start up. I am mostly a viral junky so will be a larger help there.
 
rbraunberger said:
I would agree with the above. I looked into the crime a LOT before I even applied. It is mostly really small things, and the national ratings have it as a 1.0, which is the average crime for a city of its size. I am coming from a town in Montana that is ranked at a 0.7, and the crime types here are the same.

As for the micro side of things I can not comment, but I was a microbiology major, and I was really involved in clubs and research. I can try help out with any questions there when classes start up. I am mostly a viral junky so will be a larger help there.
Click to expand...

I didnt go to pnwu but heard they're a good school. I know schools and their students has to up sell in a way to attract future applicants. But to down play the crime rates in Yakima to attract students, in my opinion is enthiclly wrong. I would disagree with anyone who says Yakima is a safe city. I grew up in Yakima and can say that it is not a safe place to be. Yakima average higher than the nation in violent and non-violent crime (1 in 15 people living in Yakima will be a victim). They rank above the nations average in rapes and murders and even higher in buglery. The reason for this problem is their poverty level and gang violence. I can't say much about the school but a fellow resident from pnwu say it's a good school that prepare their students well for their boards. The only problem she said she had with the school was micro. I think she said their micro was only a three credit course. That to me would be a concern, since your boards and future career will be heavy in micro. I am not trying to discourage anyone from the school cause they do train great doctors. It just kills me inside when schools down play the bad just to fill in seats.
 
I don't think anyone is downplaying the crime in Yakima. The only advice I've seen (and given) is there are definitely good and bad parts of town. Having lived there for several years we never had any adverse encounters. While I don't miss Yakima (with the exception of several great restaurants) I think it's unfair to generalize the entire city as a complete Hellscape.
 
I haven't had any problems while living in Yakima for my first year. I also live in terrace heights which is where the school is located and is considered a nicer part of Yakima. Also, our school has round the clock security guards, cameras everywhere, and key cards for after business hours. They have done everything to make us feel safe and comfortable on campus.

About micro...most students feel strongly that our micro should be increased and I agree. However, our professor is wonderful. She's incredibly passionate and teaches high yield information.
 
Last edited:
rejected post-secondary 🙁 .. Good luck to everyone still waiting and for those interviewing.
 
Monkey pants said:
I didnt go to pnwu but heard they're a good school. I know schools and their students has to up sell in a way to attract future applicants. But to down play the crime rates in Yakima to attract students, in my opinion is enthiclly wrong. I would disagree with anyone who says Yakima is a safe city. I grew up in Yakima and can say that it is not a safe place to be. Yakima average higher than the nation in violent and non-violent crime (1 in 15 people living in Yakima will be a victim). They rank above the nations average in rapes and murders and even higher in buglery. The reason for this problem is their poverty level and gang violence. I can't say much about the school but a fellow resident from pnwu say it's a good school that prepare their students well for their boards. The only problem she said she had with the school was micro. I think she said their micro was only a three credit course. That to me would be a concern, since your boards and future career will be heavy in micro. I am not trying to discourage anyone from the school cause they do train great doctors. It just kills me inside when schools down play the bad just to fill in seats.
Click to expand...

Monkeypants i am from the pacific northwest and have lived all over the US, i did my residency in NewJersey in Cherry Hill and lived in both philadelphia and New jersey..I am going to tell applicants to Yakima that this town has less crime than Philadelphia and Camden NJ and Seattle proper....you just need to know the statistics for your town. We have a former Yakima Police officer as our head of security. He will guide students in the best places to live>
 
I call the head of security yesterday about finding housing. He was a BIG help in letting me know the areas to look for housing. He said that he helps us find housing that he would feel safe having his daughter live in. If you are worried about it just give him a call!

I also found this website helpful in finding the low crime areas to start my search.

https://www.crimereports.com
 
dermpathdoc said:
Monkeypants i am from the pacific northwest and have lived all over the US, i did my residency in NewJersey in Cherry Hill and lived in both philadelphia and New jersey..I am going to tell applicants to Yakima that this town has less crime than Philadelphia and Camden NJ and Seattle proper....you just need to know the statistics for your town. We have a former Yakima Police officer as our head of security. He will guide students in the best places to live>
Click to expand...

NJ, particularly Camden and Newark are on an entirely different level. I'm not sure having "less crime than Camden" is much of saving grace 🙂

In the end, high crime and low SES is the perfect setting for learning medicine. Many of the top schools are in pretty bad areas. JHU is in a nasty part part of Baltimore. Penn is in inner-city Philly. Just find a safe place to lay your head at night and you'll get through it.
 
Hi, I have a question. I got onto the waitlist and I am aiming to get into PNWU hopefully, is it worth sending a Letter of Intent? If so, who should I send it to? and who to address?
 
thesauce said:
NJ, particularly Camden and Newark are on an entirely different level. I'm not sure having "less crime than Camden" is much of saving grace 🙂

In the end, high crime and low SES is the perfect setting for learning medicine. Many of the top schools are in pretty bad areas. JHU is in a nasty part part of Baltimore. Penn is in inner-city Philly. Just find a safe place to lay your head at night and you'll get through it.
Click to expand...

I was telling one of my friends the same thing. Areas with high poverty will have many things follow. One being crime, but the important one for us is free clinics with early exposure to patients. I am in for early exposure to patients!
 
dermpathdoc said:
Monkeypants i am from the pacific northwest and have lived all over the US, i did my residency in NewJersey in Cherry Hill and lived in both philadelphia and New jersey..I am going to tell applicants to Yakima that this town has less crime than Philadelphia and Camden NJ and Seattle proper....you just need to know the statistics for your town. We have a former Yakima Police officer as our head of security. He will guide students in the best places to live>
Click to expand...

Derm I'm glad to find that you're from the pnw. I too am from the pnw and was born and raised in Yakima. I've lived in Yakima for about 23 years and still have strong family ties there. I left Yakima because I got tired of the gang violence, having my car broken into, and hearing about shootings in the news. I didn't live in a nice area so I was surrounded by it all the time. Yes there are nice places in Yakima where I could have moved to but in my opinion a stray bullet doesn't discriminate between a good or bad guy. So I packed my stuff up and drove to San Francisco. Im guess you as a DO student only lived there for a few years. That's perfectly fine, but to say Yakima is safe because you reside in a nice neighborhood for a few years is misguiding for future applicants. To also say Yakima is safer than Camden and Philadelphia is mildly entertaining. Furthermore, I am a little disappointed that you said Seattle is much safer than Yakima as if it was factual information with out a reliable source to back your claim. I can assure you that is not true instead it is the opposite.

I am sure pnwu have an amazing security protocol but that doesn't mean anything once you're off campus.
 
orapplicant said:
There's really no way to prepare for the MMIs... You may Google some classic MMI questions on the Internet and practice answering them but I like MMI because it's not your classic rehearsed questions. This is where the interviewers get to find our who you really are. My advise from interview day--be yourself. If you get stuck interviewers will prompt you, they made its feel very comfortable
Click to expand...

I think there are lots of ways to prepare for the MMIs. Many people spend months preparing for the MCATs and in the grand scheme of things, the MCAT isn't nearly as important as the interview. The key with MMIs is that you have to come with an approach/framework rather than just practicing and memorizing MMI scenarios you find on the web. You don't want to look "stuck" to the interviewers.
 
Zaderules said:
Hi, I have a question. I got onto the waitlist and I am aiming to get into PNWU hopefully, is it worth sending a Letter of Intent? If so, who should I send it to? and who to address?
Click to expand...

Hey Zaderules,

I think anything that you can do that will show that you are committed to not only PNWU, but also to a future career in medicine will help you out. I called the Monday after my interview and let them know I had scheduled more shadowing. Your application is never complete until you get that call, so keep doing things to improve it! Good luck!
 
Zaderules said:
Hi, I have a question. I got onto the waitlist and I am aiming to get into PNWU hopefully, is it worth sending a Letter of Intent? If so, who should I send it to? and who to address?
Click to expand...

Hey did you send your letter of intent? If so, who did you write it out to?
 
I didn't intend my question to be overly discussed like this. I think everyone here can agree that Yakima does have a crime problem (who else doesn't? Unless you're living in Hello Kitty Adventure Island). The only important thing is just finding a safe place to stay (just like thesauce had previously stated).

On another note, I believe this forum is meant for scholarly discussions. Everyone is entitled to their opinions and as professionals we should be respectful to them. It's okay to disagree with someone's opinions, but to result in bullying tactics, name calling, and premature accusation is unprofessional. Lets all play nice and be good representatives for your respective schools and future careers.
 
Got an ii yesterday and declined it this morning because of acceptances elsewhere. Good luck everyone!
 
Monkey pants said:
Derm I'm glad to find that you're from the pnw. I too am from the pnw and was born and raised in Yakima. I've lived in Yakima for about 23 years and still have strong family ties there. I left Yakima because I got tired of the gang violence, having my car broken into, and hearing about shootings in the news. I didn't live in a nice area so I was surrounded by it all the time. Yes there are nice places in Yakima where I could have moved to but in my opinion a stray bullet doesn't discriminate between a good or bad guy. So I packed my stuff up and drove to San Francisco. Im guess you as a DO student only lived there for a few years. That's perfectly fine, but to say Yakima is safe because you reside in a nice neighborhood for a few years is misguiding for future applicants. To also say Yakima is safer than Camden and Philadelphia is mildly entertaining. Furthermore, I am a little disappointed that you said Seattle is much safer than Yakima as if it was factual information with out a reliable source to back your claim. I can assure you that is not true instead it is the opposite.

I am sure pnwu have an amazing security protocol but that doesn't mean anything once you're off campus.
Click to expand...

Well DermPathDoc is correct in the sense of what crime you see vs what you hear about on the news. The school is in the Terrace heights area - and I leave school for home pretty much everyday after midnight. While I always error on the side of caution and safety - Ive never heard or witnessed any thing out of the ordinary. Now if I were looking for problems - sure patrolling the streets of downtown Yakima after hours or the fairgrounds..but then again - isn't that the same for any middle to large city? I think if you stick to common sense practices - you will be fine. The grade schools in Terrace heights are pretty good too for children for those that are bringing their family.

So yes, Yakima overall may have much greater statistics for crime. But the pocket the school is located at - and the surrounding area - is safe. The security head Ben Hittle at the school has served something like 25 years as former chief of police at Yakima County. He's very connected and knowledgeable about safety - be it at school, areas, schools for your children, etc. He's a great resource of information and makes himself very available.

I feel much safer going to PNWU than the other school I was considering: Creighton in Omaha, NE. Due to all the reasons cited above: location of exact school, location of where id' live..etc.

gl
 
So, I just received an email from PNWU soliciting that I complete the secondary, because 'After their initial review of my application they believe I would be a great addition to PNWU.' Is this really just a generic email they send to many of their applicants to encourage them to submit their application further, or should I interpret this as they legitimately feel this way about me and I should write the essay and fork over the money?
 
I have received several automated emails from other schools that sounds about the same. If you are interested in PNWU then by all means get your app in. Although there is one interview day left at this point, March 8th.
 
RetroBA said:
So, I just received an email from PNWU soliciting that I complete the secondary, because 'After their initial review of my application they believe I would be a great addition to PNWU.' Is this really just a generic email they send to many of their applicants to encourage them to submit their application further, or should I interpret this as they legitimately feel this way about me and I should write the essay and fork over the money?
Click to expand...

PNWU does not send out secondaries to everyone! If you are interested then I would send it in! Good Luck!
 
Why would PNWU send out more secondary request when in a few weeks they're gonna have their last interview??
 
khoatruong said:
Why would PNWU send out more secondary request when in a few weeks they're gonna have their last interview??
Click to expand...

They do need to fill the class....maybe they interviewed ppl that they did not see as a good fit for the school and increasing the pool. Plus the next interview is over a month away. Still lots of time.
 
I am curious how many people have accepted their offer for the class of 2018? Do you think that March will be interviewing for waitlist positions like late interviews last year?
 
orapplicant said:
I am curious how many people have accepted their offer for the class of 2018? Do you think that March will be interviewing for waitlist positions like late interviews last year?
Click to expand...

What do you mean by interviewing for waitlist positions?
 
orapplicant said:
I am curious how many people have accepted their offer for the class of 2018? Do you think that March will be interviewing for waitlist positions like late interviews last year?
Click to expand...

I'm a current student and 1st year. The format of interviews is different this year. Last year there were more interview dates throughout the academic year with less students per date. This year there are less interview dates and more students per date. I know many students from my class interviewed late and were wait listed/deferred acceptance but were ultimately accepted. If you are interested in the school, I would highly encourage you to attend interviews/submit secondaries, etc. If you have questions about how full the class is currently contact Mike Riggin, he'll be happy to answer questions.

Congratulations to those accepted, and best of luck to those applying.
 
I was told by the final interview day last year they were interviewing for waitlist or deferred acceptance only? I could be wrong, but that's what last year's thread says....
 
khoatruong said:
What do you mean by interviewing for waitlist positions?
Click to expand...

Meaning that by February the class is likely filled, or very nearly so. It behooves the school to have alternates waiting in the wings in case their accepted students choose to go elsewhere.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

PapaGuava
2024-2025 Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU-COM)
5 6 7 8 9
Replies
429
Views
83K
Ironsight
I
PapaGuava
2023-2024 Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU-COM)
6 7 8 9 10
Replies
466
Views
86K
bengal009
B
PapaGuava
2022-2023 Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU-COM)
5 6 7 8 9
Replies
411
Views
59K
FutureDocPlease
F
wysdoc
  • Locked
  • Sticky
2024-2025 Alphabetic Index of Osteopathic School-Specific Discussion Threads
Replies
0
Views
17K
wysdoc
wysdoc
PapaGuava
2021-2022 Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU-COM)
6 7 8 9 10
Replies
488
Views
113K
watermelonseeds
watermelonseeds
Top